This week, I’m thrilled to share an excerpt from Descent!
Directing my attention to the trail ahead, some might consider the dim, rocky scenery to be creepy and dirty. I find its untainted beauty refreshing. Seeing a place so unique and full of natural wonders is a privilege, but this place is unlike any I’ve ever seen. I remember my dad taking me on hikes and teaching me about the great outdoors, when we went camping. I know more than the average kid about rock and natural formations. That’s because my mom is an Environmental Scientist and my dad was a park ranger.
I take a deep breath and trudge forward, the mist from the looming falls ahead pushing itself against my face. The top of the precipice lifts ahead of us a good fifty feet, and solid rocks play the role of steps as we move closer to our unknown destination. Reaching the top of the waterfall alone, I realize the source of the water is seeping through a wall that the rocks rest against. There’s no way to follow the water’s source. Mateo, Jesse, and Alexis are a few feet below me, and I survey ahead.
There’s a pool on the other side, and I’m immediately transfixed by movement. Someone is swimming. As he reaches the pool’s edge, he pushes himself out with muscular, bronze arms. His broad shoulders break through the water’s surface first. Then shoulder-length hair and flexing shoulder blades follow. As his masculine back and backside ascend from the water, I turn away as heat spreads from my neck into my cheeks.
“Hey there!” I greet all three of my friends who are now just three feet behind me. They’re all staring past me; Jesse’s mouth falls open and a grin spreads across Alexis’ face. Heat rises up over my chest, into my neck and cheeks. I’m embarrassed when I look at Mateo, and one eyebrow raises as he moves his gaze from the pool back to me.
“Holy-nekkid-buns, Batman!” Alexis’ crude, and hilarious remark prompts a giggle from me.
Leading up to the release of Descent, on June 9th, there will be more teasers and excerpts. So, stay tuned to the blog for updates.
Seventeen year old Ollie Miller is ready to leave all of her hurt feelings behind, but moving on seems impossible while living next door to her ex-best friend, Mateo. When curious earthquakes begin to shake and rip open the foundation of her small town, the ground becomes as unsteady as her feelings for him. When they fall, they fall hard…
Ollie’s disastrous attempt to save Mateo’s brother from falling into a curious chasm results in their descent into a cavernous wonderland. Ollie, Mateo, Jesse, and Alexis search for a way back home, and encounter a mysterious tribe of natives. Gabriel, the next in line to lead his people, is granted permission to guide them to the surface. On their treacherous journey, an overzealous elder threatens all of their lives, because he can’t risk them exposing his people, or the power he wields. The group discovers ancient secrets, unexpected truths, and uncharted feelings. Ollie must find a way out or risk being stuck in the caves forever—or worse, dead.
I hope you’ll share your thoughts below, after reading.
