Title: Steel Lily
Author: Megan Curd
Genre: Dystopian
Blurb
AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.
She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Three: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.
Or so she thinks.
That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Three. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued.
But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.
…Which means digging deeper.
When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, it may make her wonder if she was better off being a government tool than searching for freedom.
Some secrets are better left concealed, but humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.
Excerpt
The Polatzi woman’s broad body blocked the view of my intended hallway. Her hands were on her hips, and her piercing gaze felt as if it might actually impale me.
Do they teach that death stare to every Polatzi, or is this woman particularly nasty?
“Avery Pike?”
I jutted my chin in the air. “Who’s asking?”
“You were off the grid last night.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I pushed past her before she could say more and felt the smooth fabric of her cape slap my legs as I passed. Fiery anger consumed me, but I kept my expression neutral. Damn Polatzi. They gave me nothing but unanswered questions and a lice-ridden bed at an overcapacity orphanage, yet expected me to revere them. Providing steam–being an asset they couldn’t get rid of–gave me immunity to the Polatzi as long as I didn’t do anything stupid.
Like skipping class and going to see Alice during a night of sweeps.
Yeah, that would fall under the category of life-threateningly stupid, which was a couple notches above incredibly stupid.
About the Author
BIO: Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college.
When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to snowboard and travel to new places, and doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.
Megan currently resides in Stanton, Kentucky with her husband, son, and Great Dane named Dozer.
LINKS:
Website http://www.megancurd.com/
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/MeganCurd
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Curd/e/B0054LTV3M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1375376647&sr=8-1
GUEST POST: JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER?
Okay, so covers. Ooo-wee. So many people want to say to not judge a book by its cover…but let me be honest. I’m a cover whore. If a cover is pretty, you better believe I’m going to pick it up, caress it, smell those fresh pages (if it’s a print book…obviously I don’t sniff my Kindle. That’d be weird. ::grins::) and more than likely, I’ll read the blurb. If the blurb sounds remotely interesting, I’m looking into further.
But you know what got me to that point? The cover.
So yep, I do judge books by their covers.
In this day, indie authors are gaining respect, and more and more readers are willing to take a chance on us. The important thing for an indie, beyond all else, is a good copyeditor and a good book cover. And depending on the day, those two things change between #1 and #2…but both are non-negotiables.
So what makes a good book cover? That’s a tough question. Every person has a different opinion on what a good cover looks like, so I thought I’d share a some covers that had huge influences on the feel that I wanted STEEL LILY to have. I was very fortunate to find Regina Wamba of Mae I Design & Photography, and she allowed me to be very hands on in the design process. She asked me to give her music that fueled the book, images, and covers that I liked. These are the covers I gave her, too.
1.) Clockwork Prince (basically any of the Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare – I LOOOOOOOOOOVE these covers. They’re gorgeous. And the actual print covers? ::falls over dead:: Yeah, I’m a fangirl for these beauties.
2.) Hunger Games (again, the entire series) by Suzanne Collins – The simplicity of these covers made the focal point so much more important. I loved that, and I wanted my cover to be simplistic, yet still bring across the tone of the book. I think Regina nailed it. I owe her a lot of cupcakes.
3.) Divergent (the entire series) by Veronica Roth – Again, these covers are just plain amazing. I love that there’s a definitive focal point, and I love the colors.
As you can see, I’m a sucker for steampunk/dystopian titles as it is, so it was only a matter of time before I wrote my own book in that theme, hah! Personally, I love book covers that leave the reader’s imagination at the wheel for what characters look like for the most part, but those Infernal Devices covers break that rule for me, haha. Which, just goes to show you, that anything can work if you break the rules right! J
So, what about you guys? What are some covers that had you grabbing the book and saying, “I don’t even care what this is about, I just wanna pet the cover!” I’d love to hear your opinions!
FAIRY THOUGHTS
Favourite Line(s) “The only way someone could hate so deeply was to have loved twice as much and been hurt because of it.”
“Well, if I’m your guinea pig, I guess I’m okay with it. Let’s just keep calm and carry on.”
This was my first Steam Punk/Dystopian book and MAN I LOVED IT!!! I was a little unsure because well I'm me and new stuff makes me nervous but I am so so glad I decided to give it a try!
It helped me get through a very emotional day!! I thank Megan for that!
Avery Pike is a elemental (you become an elemental by the effects of WW3 and radiation exposure) she supplies steam for Dome 4, she feels like a prisoner in her own so called home!
She became a orphan when she was younger and the Dome took over her care and as long as she keep producing steam and stays in line she will have a place to live but, she hates it! Her only friend who she considers a sister lives in an abandon building Alice is all she has left. Avery feels so trapped until a stranger by the name of Riggs shows up and gives her another option to leave Dome 4 and go somewhere where she can be her self, won't be used, and then he shows her a picture of her parents with him and claims to have information about her parents!!
She agrees to meet him later, she must talk to Alice but while there the Dome 4 Polatzi bust in on her Alice and try to arrest them!
Then this oh so sexy different stranger Jason shows up and saves there butts and takes them from Dome 4, he tells her he's taking her to Riggs and Dome 7!!! Avery has always been told only her Dome 4 was the only one left!!
Arriving at Dome 7 is like going into a whole different world!! It's amazing but, is the Dome better just because it looks better? She may have the sexy smart mouth Jaxon, maybe her parents, and new friends but, does she really have her freedom?
This book was so so emotional, so just everything!
Avery finds out so much but, also finds herself as a prisoner again! , find out there are more lies, craziness, and backstabbing!
I've already said to much but, you must read this book!!
You will thoroughly enjoy it!!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review (My Pathway to Books)
FIVE FREEDOM FAIRIES
I totally agree with you about book covers. I am guilty of buying books just for the covers (if they are inexpensive and I'm not interested in the story) I guess I'm a true book whore, lol.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog 8) Thanks, Michelle Hofacker
I love steam punk! Especially dystopian. I love covers too and have to admit I judge a book by a cover sometimes. I mean, I like it to look pretty on my bookshelf!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for being on the tour! <3 ya and your review was awesome!
ReplyDelete