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Today on my blog I have The Woodlands blog tour. On my stop there is a spotlight, excerpt, guest post, and giveaway. So let's get started and meet the author Lauren:
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Lauren Nicolle Taylor is a 33-year-old
mother living in the tiny, lush town of Bridgewater
on the other side of the world in Australia
After a disastrous attempt to build her dream house that left her family
homeless, She found herself inexplicably drawn to the computer. She started
writing, not really knowing where it may lead but ended up, eight weeks later,
with the rough draft of The Woodlands.
In 2013, Lauren Nicolle Taylor accepted a publishing contract with Clean Teen
Publishing. Her first published novel, The Woodlands, was released on August
30, 2013. Currently, Lauren has finished her manuscript for the second book in
the series titled: The Wall, as well as partially completed the third book in
the series which at this time is unnamed.
Stalker Links:
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Stalker Links:
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Rosa never thought she’d make it to
sixteen...
When being unique puts you in danger and speaking your mind can be punishable
by death, you might find yourself
fighting to survive. Sixteen-year-old Rosa
lives in one of the eight enclosed cities of The Woodlands. Where the lone
survivors of a devastating race war have settled in the Russian wilderness
because it’s the only scrap of land left habitable on the planet. In these
circular cities, everyone must abide by the law or face harsh punishment. Rosa 's inability to conform and obey the rules
brands her a leper and no one wants to be within two feet of her, until she
meets Joseph. He's blonde, fair-skinned, green-eyed, and the laid-back complete
opposite of Rosa . She's never met anyone quite
like him, and she knows that spells danger.
But differences weren't always a bad thing. People used to think being unique
was one of the most treasured of traits to have. Now, the Superiors, who
ruthlessly control the concrete cities with an iron fist, are obsessed with
creating a 'raceless' race. They are convinced this is the only way to avoid
another war. Any anomalies must be destroyed.
The Superiors are unstoppable and can do anything they want. After all, they
are considered superheroes by the general public. But not everyone sees them
this way. When they continue to abuse their power by collecting young girls for
use in their secret, high-tech breeding program, they have no idea that one of
those girls has somehow managed to make friends even she didn't know she had.
And one man will stop at nothing to save her.
Excerpt:
LEAVING PAU
The
helicopters were stationed at the rim of Ring One, just inside the low,
sandy-colored wall that surrounded the center podium. They were waiting,
crouching like black angels ready to lift us from this place, this hell, into
an unknown world. A Guardian in black uniform with gold trim walked to the
front of the choppers and signaled for us to come forward. Another one threw
the bags in the cargo hold as he read from his list. Three girls and eight
boys. Joseph’s name was not on the list. I felt a flood of relief that was
washed away by panic. I was barely holding myself together as it was, seeing
him was liable to make me fall to pieces. But he was supposed to be here.
Paulo’s
hand was on my back, pushing me towards the helicopter like I was an
uncooperative apple on the conveyor belt. I was trying so hard to muster up
some courage. Today I was leaving the only home I had ever known. I would never
see my mother again. I felt the anxiety rising, the crushing pain of the
separation I was about to suffer. Suddenly the grey-washed town didn’t look so
horrible. It was home after all, I guess. I told myself it was fear that was
making me feel this way. It didn’t help.
My
mother, who had been quietly following us around like a dazed puppy, pulled me
to her in a tight embrace. She whispered, “Sorry,” in my ear before stepping
back, fists clenched, showing the appropriate restraint. Some other mothers
were crying and holding their children as the Guardian wrenched them away and
led them onto the aircraft.
My
mother’s face was my own, the way she moved mirrored my own movements and
mannerisms, but that’s where the similarities ended. Although raised by this
woman, I was nothing like her. For the first time, I saw things from her
perspective. Getting into trouble all the time, never showing Paulo anything
other than contempt. I must have been such a frustration to her.
They
called my name. Paulo put his hands firmly on my shoulders, holding me in my
place. His intense stare was impossible to look away from. “Don’t shame your
family,” he spat at me. And with that, he made it easy to leave. I could feel
the blades starting to move, my hair whipping around my face. I stripped away
the fear and anxiety, leaving a girl that was fierce, empowered by his hatred.
“Don’t
worry, Paulo, I’ll stir it up, make a little noise!” I shouted through the
wind. The Guardian that let me sign up was watching me, probably regretting his
decision. My mother was standing rigidly, her handmade skirt billowing as the
air churned around her, her hand outstretched, pleading. I could see it in her
eyes—please Rosa, don’t cause more
trouble. She couldn’t stop me, no one ever could. Paulo was already walking
away, his back to me. Behind my mother stood a man, one blue eye, one brown,
smiling. He lifted his hand to wave. I raised my hand, confused. The chopper
lurched awkwardly and I was knocked back into the cargo hold.
“Sit
down!” the Guardian snapped at me. I quickly found a spot and strapped myself
in. The others were staring at me, eyes wide. The Guardian tapped the pilot on
the shoulder. “Wait, there’s one more.”
He
bounded in, bag in hand, and casually threw it on the pile and scanned the
seats. There was plenty of room on the other side but he squeezed his bulky
form between me and the boy I was sitting next to.
Suddenly
we were in the air. When the Guardian wasn’t looking, Joseph slipped his hand
over mine. Warmth calmed the agitation I felt, like pouring gold over lead,
glowing. We stayed that way the entire ride. Eyes forward. Impossibly trying to
anticipate what may lie ahead.
Book Links:
Guest Post:
What
sets your book apart from others in the same genre?
The Woodlands is set in Russia as
opposed to America. Although some Americans do survive and make it to the
Woodland settlement, when writing this book I decided it would be unlikely
America would be unscathed in a massive race war that has destroyed most of the
planet. They are a world super power and all their major cities would be likely
targets. It is also set in a very remote area that has been untouched by
bombing not a large city that has miraculously escaped destruction.
Most of the characters are of mixed
race background as one of the prime philosophies of Woodland society is the
idea of ‘All Kind’. ‘All Kind’ is the term used to describe the perfect
Woodland citizen who has blended racial characteristics to the point that you
can’t tell what their origins are. For example, Rosa is half-Indian,
half-Spanish.
The Woodland government is obsessed
with creating a perfect, ‘raceless’ race. They collect troublemakers, as
they’re not seen as fit for any other purpose and use them in their high-tech,
breeding program. So although conceived in an extremely untraditional manner,
the book still covers issues to do with unplanned, teen pregnancy.
Rosa is a strong and relatable
character because she’s flawed. She’s tough yet vulnerable, loving yet guarded
and fiercely loyal to the select few she does let in. The difference between
Rosa and other main characters written in the same genre is: Rosa is a rebel
right from the start. She’s an impulsive smart-mouth who doesn’t buy into the
Woodlands philosophy. She doesn’t have a massive, mind shattering change of
heart that sends her down a new path, she’s already there.
Don’t get me wrong, I adore many YA
dystopian novels such as Hunger Games, Delirium and Under the Never Sky. I just
wanted to write something that complimented the genre rather than copy
something that was already out there.
Thank you for stopping by my blog today for The Woodlands tour. I would also like to say Thank You to Lauren for the guest post and say Thank You to Jaidis for letting me participate in this tour. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below.
~Sabrina
Thanks so much for the guest spot Sabrina :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the guest spot Sabrina :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the guest post...love finding out more about the setting and main character Rosa.
ReplyDelete