"The Golden Lily" by Richelle Mead Sneak Peek and Q&A With Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily by: Richelle Mead
June 12th, 2012

When I heard that there a sneak peek of The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, I screamed. Literally. I really love Mead's writing and what she's done to the characters. It's amazing! EW released the first chapter of this book on March, 21st. They also did an interview with Richelle herself. THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS IN THIS INTERVIEW, so if you haven't finished both Vampire Academy Series and Bloodlines, I recommend you don't read this.




*


*


*

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Did you know that the last line of Bloodlines would create such a stir?
RICHELLE MEAD: I kind of hoped it would, but some of the reactions surprised me! I had a few people say they threw the book across the room in happiness when they read that line, which is funny since a lot of people also threwShadow Kiss across their rooms in frustration when they read the last line of that book. I guess my books are just destined to take a beating… but hopefully it’s a compliment. Something tells me The Golden Lily may see a few walls.

What can you tell us about Dimitri’s role in the second book?
Well, since Sydney, Adrian, Jill, and Eddie are our stars in this series, Dimitri’s in more of a support role here compared to the other series. That being said, fans can rest assured that he’s still doing plenty of what he does best: being hot, kicking ass, and dropping words of wisdom with a Russian accent.

Image Credit: Malcolm Smith

How will the bond between Sydney, Eddie, Adrian, and Jill continue to evolve?
This group really is like a little family. Each of them grows and faces new challenges in the series, which then affects their relationships with each other. They have their dysfunctional moments but are ultimately close and supportive of each other. Angeline from the Keepers joins their circle in this book, which adds an even more unpredictable (and fun) element to it all.

Was it hard to get used to writing from Sydney’s point of view in the first Bloodlines?
Very difficult. In any series, whether it’s a spin-off or not, you have to really know your narrator well in order to pull off a good voice. A lot of that can only be learned “on the job,” after you’ve written a fair amount. I’m working on the third book in the series now, and I think I’ve got the hang of Sydney — though I’ll never be quite as smart as she is.

Will there be more romance in Golden Lily?
There’s romance everywhere in this book.

“The World of Richelle Mead” app just came out – what do you like most about this new way of connecting with your fans?
I love seeing where people are reading the books around the world. I get e-mail from readers from all different places, but seeing it right there on a map takes it to a whole other level. It’s amazing and very humbling. I feel so lucky that my books have all that support!

Click here to read the first chapter of The Golden Lily! 

Are you going to be reading The Golden Lily on June 12th?

"Immortal City" by Scott Speer Sneak Peek!

Summary:
Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson.



Doesn't this look SO GOOD?! I mean, the guy on the cover looks really hot *wink* ;) "Immortal City" is Scott Speer's Debut book, and I'm really looking forward to it! This book comes out on April 3rd, 2012.


Today, Between The Lines released the first chapter of the book. Check it out!


Extract

Chapter 1 

At 3a.m., the Pacific Coast Highway was nothing more than a gray ribbon winding through the ocean fog. Despite being more than a little buzzed, Brad downshifted, smashed the gas pedal, and sent his BMW M5 surging forward. His iPod had shuffled to 'California Love,' by 2Pac. He turned it up.

'California! Knows how to party!' Brad sang out. Except when he sang it, California came out 'Caaafna,' and party sounded more like 'parry.' It didn't matter; in his head he was performing for a sellout crowd at the Staples Center, and they loved him. In the rearview mirror the lights of Santa Monica twinkled. The Pacific Wheel on the pier glowed like a neon disk reflecting on the black mirror of the sea. Up ahead, the rocky shores of Malibu lay dark and silent. The music roared and Brad depressed the gas pedal almost involuntarily. He couldn't help himself. Gladstone's and sunset Boulevard streaked by as the world accelerated into a violent blur.

He took each turn a little faster than the last, pushing the limits of the machine. He felt a surge of adrenaline as the headlights suddenly illuminated the churning Pacific just beyond the rocks. He stomped hard on the brake and yanked the wheel over, pointing the BMW back toward the curve he had nearly missed. He let out an exhilarated breath. This would make such a cool music video, Brad thought. Dangerous and exciting. Up ahead he saw another sharp turn in the road. This time, he would be ready. He pumped the brake, threw the wheel over, and punched the gas pedal hard. The car growled in protest but managed to stay on four wheels. Brad let out his best rock star scream as he half-skidded, half-flew around the turn.

Right into the headlights of an oncoming car.

Brad tried to brake, but he had finally pushed the BMW too far. Antilock brakes grabbing and releasing, he was a missile rocketing toward the other vehicle, a pickup, at eighty miles an hour.

That's when it happened.

It occurred so fast Brad didn't even see it. But he certainly felt it.

It hurt like hell.

It was a hand. A hand grabbing him and pulling him out of the car. To the oncoming driver it must have looked like a magic trick. In one instant Brad was there, wide-eyed and terrified in the driver's seat, and in the next, gone.

Suddenly the pungent smell of sea air filled Brad's nose. Salt-spray flicked across his neck. He realized he was standing on the side of the road, watching a fantastic collision unfold. His BMW slid across the centerline and collided head-on with the pickup. The bed of the pickup leapt up over the cab and sent the truck toppling end-over-end, over the retaining rail and down the rocky slope. Safety glass sprayed across the rocks in glittering crumbs. Then the truck hit the water, upside down, with a sickening smack. Brad's BMW ricocheted off the cliff wall and spun across the road, breaking through the retaining wall on the opposite end and soaring into the air. It entered the water nose first, gracefully, like a diver. The spectacle was all so violent it was almost beautiful. Then, sputtering and steaming, both vehicles began their slow descent under the icy waves.

Brad shivered against the breeze. He was so staggered by what he had just seen that he didn't immediately notice the figure standing next to him. Turning, he at first saw only a pair of wings silhouetted against the full moon. Six feet in both directions and razor sharp, the broad appendages rose and fell with the heave of a great breath. The figure stepped forward, and Brad recognized his guardian Angel.

'Oh my god, it's you,' Brad said, trying his best to sound sober.

The Angel smiled but said nothing.

Brad became aware of something warm and wet dripping down his left arm, forming small, trickling droplets at the end of his fingertips. He lifted his fingers to his mouth and tasted. It was blood.

'I'm bleeding,' he said.

The Angel's eyes twinkled in the moonlight. When he spoke, his tone was even and smooth. 'I had to pull you out through the window,' he said. 'It was the only way.'

Brad remembered it now, as if recalling a nightmare. He remembered the white-hot pain of traveling through the glass window, the tiny slivers lodging in his face, and the way the jagged edges had felt as they sliced through the living skin. He shuddered.

'The cuts on your arm and shoulder are superficial and will heal,' the Angel continued. 'But your hip is fractured. It's very common in this type of save. I've taken the liberty of calling an ambulance to take you to the hospital. It should be arriving momentarily.'

Brad took a cautious step forward, then cried out as his right hip erupted in pain. He stepped back and quickly shifted his weight. He blew out a ragged sigh.

The Angel hadn't moved.

'Oh, right,' Brad said, embarrassed. He fumbled for his wallet in his pants pocket. 'Sorry, this is my first time, you know,' he mumbled as he flipped the wallet open and struggled to pull a Platinum American express card from its sleeve. His fingers were already numb from the cold.

'There's no need,' the Angel said, dismissing the effort with a wave of his hand. 'The funds have already been transferred out of your account.'

'Oh,' Brad said. He returned the billfold to his pants pocket. 'How much . . . was this?'

'One hundred thousand dollars, in addition to your monthly rate.'

Brad's gaze drifted to where the cars had landed in the water. His M5 was already submerged, but the back end of the pickup still protruded from the surf, bobbing in the swells like a corpse.

'What about him?' Brad asked.

'Him?' the Angel asked.

'Yeah,' Brad said, and pointed to the tailgate as it slipped under the waves. 'Him.'

The Angel looked at the sinking pickup as if seeing it for the first time.

'He didn't have coverage,' he said.

Brad nodded numbly.

The headlights of an approaching ambulance swept over the scene.

'Good night, Brad,' the Angel said, and smiled.

'Good—' Brad began to reply, but trailed off as he realized the guardian was already gone. Alone now, standing in the cold, Brad began to shake uncontrollably. The realization had only just hit him. The realization that he should be dead.


Will you be reading this book on April 3rd?


--Selena(: