Title: STRANGE SKIES
Author: Kristi Helvig
Pub. Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 272
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Find it: Amazon, Barnes
& Noble, iBooks,
Goodreads
Action, adventure, and romance are heating up in this sequel to the futuristic science fiction thriller Burn Out. Perfect for fans of Across the Universe and The Memory of After.
Caelia is the new Earth. That's what the Consulate told everyone and, against all odds, Tora finally has made it there. She can't see the ocean from her cell in the Consulate's containment center, and she doesn't know what happened to the weapons her father died for and she's risked her life to save.
But as she plans her escape, she runs into the last person she ever expected to see-her dad. The Consulate has kept held him prisoner in a complicated plot designed to lure Tora out of hiding. Now Tora has a new purpose: break free, get the guns, and save her father.
But first she'll have to navigate a strange new planet, track down James (whose loyalties still remain questionable), and find Kale…before he finds her first.
Now on to the post!
Hi all—I’m
very grateful to Jaime for having me back again on her blog. For the debut of
the first book in the series, BURN OUT, I shared a scene from the POV of James,
the quiet soldier who draws Tora toward him even as she suspects she can’t
trust him. I thought I’d change things up for the sequel, and this time, I will
share my top 5 passages from the book and tell you why they’re my faves. I have
to admit that I’m not including 2 of my very favorite scenes: one because it’s a sex scene
between Tora and James, (redacted because it’s spoilery lol) and the
second one because it’s at the climax of the book and would be a huge spoiler.
But I love these other scenes too! Ready? Here we go.
Scene #1)
A
high-pitched beeping of a nearby monitor permeated my consciousness. Goose
bumps broke out on my arms as my skin registered the cold air. An extra thin
blanket lay on the cot by my feet, yet I couldn’t find the strength to pull it
up. My eyes had trouble focusing and I could just make out the giant form
coming toward me. A mix of relief and hostility swirled through my brain. I
couldn’t think straight. I didn’t know what it meant.
“Morning,
Miss Sunshine,” the large woman grumbled. “Couldn’t even wait another hour for
your dose, could you?”
I stared
back at the red button under my finger. So I’d caused the beeping sound.
The woman grabbed my arm as though she expected resistance, but my limb was
limp in her hand. Her dark eyes bore into me as she lifted a green med tube and
pressed the tip of it to my arm. I swear she smirked as she pressed the
injection trigger.
Why
I chose this scene:
In the first book, BURN OUT, Tora would never use any kind of meds due to her
mother’s addiction, yet through forces beyond her control, she begins STRANGE
SKIES addicted to them. She starts the book in a position she never imagined
she would be in.
Scene
#2)
I
gasped at what lay before me. It looked like the Infinity program, only better.
Pink sand stretching out in all directions. Beyond that, aquamarine water as
far as the eye could see.
The
ocean.
I took
off my shoes, put them in my satchel, and squished my toes in the pastel sand.
It felt incredibly soft, like I’d stepped into a cloud. My eyes fixed on the
sparkling, churning sea of blue.
Alec
smiled. “Breathtaking, isn’t it?”
Why
I chose this scene:
When Tora’s younger sister was alive on Earth, they used to pull up a simulator
program of the beach and pretend they were there. Tora has only known a barren,
scorched Earth with no lakes, oceans, or streams. This was her first time
seeing a real ocean so I loved writing this scene.
Scene
#3)
Reddish
hair fell in waves over her shoulders as she leaned toward James, her mouth
curved into a smile. His left arm rested on the table, and her fingers
playfully walked up his muscled forearm as she spoke. I felt like I’d been
punched in the gut and wanted to throw up. So shooting you is okay but
talking to another girl makes you sick? I couldn’t speak, so I grabbed Alec’s
arm before he could leave. He followed my gaze to the corner table.
“Oh,
her,” Alec said.
She
looked up and noticed us staring. Her eyes fixed on mine and something flashed
across her face before she removed her hand from James’ arm.
Why
I chose this scene:
This scene introduces a new character, Sonya, who turns out to have a
complicated relationship with Tora for reasons that Tora doesn’t realize in
this scene. It seems like a case where Sonya doesn’t like Tora solely due to
wanting James, but it’s not that simple.
Scene
#4)
As it
grew closer, the howl morphed into a snarl. I was so done for. My ankle felt
like it had swelled to twice its normal size. Though I’d never be able to
outrun the creature even in my best condition, I certainly couldn’t out-hobble
it. I grabbed for my gun but it was still waterlogged and wouldn’t fire, so I
reached down in a desperate attempt to find anything I could use to defend
myself. My fingers curled around a broken tree branch that was just visible the
dark gray light, and I lifted it into the air.
I
wanted to laugh and cry at the same time when I realized it was only about six
inches long and the width of my pinkie finger. Just when things couldn’t get
any worse, the creature charged. I registered its massive size and glowing red
eyes before it lunged. I ducked and rolled on the mud-soaked ground, snapping
my pathetic twig in the process.
Awesome.
Why
I chose this scene:
Along with some beautiful, strange new things such as glowing bird-like
creatures, there are also some scary animals. One of them, that Tora nicknames
the “tooth monster” due to its large jagged teeth, comes across her while she’s
alone and injured in the forest. I felt Tora’s fear while I wrote this scene.
Scene
5)
Kale’s
smile was forced and his cheerful tone couldn’t have been more fake. But you
had to give him credit for having ginormous balls. “Tora, let’s let bygones be
bygones, water under the bridge, as people used to say on Earth. We’ve got
Consulate burners after us and I think we have a chance if we all work
together. I know you and I have had a bit of a rocky relationship—”
That
was the understatement of the year. Like saying Earth had been
water-challenged.
Kale
held out his hands in a gesture of goodwill. “—but I think we can get past it.
We both want the Consulate off our backs, once and for all, and I have the guns
that can make that happen…if you’re willing to use them. Then we can go our
separate ways and pretend this never happened.
I loved
how he called the stolen guns his. Whatever. He wasn’t going to live long
enough to go anywhere once I was done with him. I forced a smile.
Why
I chose this scene:
In this
scene, Kale realizes that he needs Tora in order to survive the Consulate, and
Tora realizes she needs the guns in order to survive at all. She knows as soon
as they’re safe that Kale will kill her, so she’s trying to walk a fine line
with him until she can make her next move. This scene sets up a showdown with
the Consulate and the eventual face-off with Kale.
Kristi Helvig is a Ph.D. clinical
psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy author. Her first novel, BURN OUT (Egmont
USA), which Kirkus Reviews called “a scorching series opener not to be missed,”
follows 17-year-old Tora Reynolds, one of Earth’s last survivors, when our sun
burns out early. In the sequel, STRANGE SKIES, coming 4/28/2015, Tora makes it
to a new planet only to discover a whole new host of problems—and the same
people who still want her dead. Order Kristi’s books through Amazon, Barnes and
Noble, or your favorite local retailer. Kristi muses about Star Trek, space
monkeys, and other assorted topics on her blog at www.kristihelvig.com and
Twitter (@KristiHelvig). You can also find her on Facebook. Kristi resides in
sunny Colorado with her hubby, two kiddos, and behaviorally-challenged dogs.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a signed paperback of BURN OUT
and a signed hard cover of STRANGE SKIES...plus swag! US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out the Tour Schedule!
Week One:
4/20/2015- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview
4/21/2015- Curling
Up With A Good Book- Review
4/22/2015- Such a Novel Idea- Guest Post
4/23/2015- Addicted
Readers- Review
4/24/2015- A Book and a Latte- Interview
Week Two:
4/27/2015- Reading with ABC- Guest Post
4/28/2015- Moonlight Gleam Reviews- Review
4/29/2015- Bookhounds ya- Interview
4/30/2015- Library
of a Book Witch- Review
5/1/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post
