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Thursday, September 22, 2016

Excerpt from YA Dystopian THE SURRENDERED

Want more of THE SURRENDERED? We've prepared three special excerpts for the release of this hot new YA dystopian, and Thirsty Thursday seems like the perfect time to wet your appetite with the first sneak peak!

The hand he places on my arm has a comforting effect. “I can’t begin to imagine why she’d do that to you and your brother. Or why she’d feel any different about doing it to Jane. All I can say for sure is that The Tax changes people—loss changes people. Maybe knowing she was going to have to surrender you and Oliver was her undoing, and in response she put up imaginary barriers to protect herself from the harsh reality of it.”

My guffaw is unladylike to say the least. “I didn’t know you were a psychologist, Doctor Hale.”

Throwing his hands up in mock defense, he laughs with me. “Just saying. We all handle grief in different ways. And what do you know about psychology, having been behind the fence all these years?”

“You’d be surprised how much you learn about the mind and behavior behind the fence.” When his smile falters, I add, “Actually, my parents took great pains to ensure Oliver and I were educated early. We couldn’t afford to go to school, but I don’t remember a single day before my surrender that wasn’t full of history, arithmetic, and all manner of science experiments.” What once was a fond memory now makes me scowl. “But that all stopped once we were turned over to the System. You’d think the Commander would want to educate those in his care, so that when they’re returned to society they can be productive members.”

The nerve in Cason’s jaw tics. “The Commander cares nothing for the rebuilding of society. His only concern lies in padding his pockets with the coin he receives from The Tax. He thinks it’s in his best interest to operate the System with oppression, because he’s afraid if the people feel hope, they’ll be more likely to rebel. And a rebellion might put an end to the gambit he has going.” He balls his hands into fists at his sides.  “He just hasn’t yet realized that sometimes desperation actually breeds determination, not fear.”

His speech stirs a fire from within me, and I meet his eyes squarely. “And a determined spirit can change the course of history.”

He nods, watching me closely. “If society would realize there are more of us than there are of them . . . If they could somehow regain the pride that was lost during the Black Forty, they’d realize this country still belongs to the people and not to the System.”

about the book:
After a financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a tax on the nation’s most valuable resource—the children.

Surrendered at age ten—after her parents could no longer afford her exorbitant fees—Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills, alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a stand—a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first time since the System robbed her of her liberty.

Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and desperation into hope and determination—or risk failing all the children and the brother she left behind.

Now available!

about the author:
With over 20 years’ experience in the legal and medical fields, Case Maynard decided to trade in her briefs and reports to write the stories that have been floating around in her head since childhood. She lives with her two teenagers and husband in South Georgia, while maintaining a long-distance liaison with her oldest daughter and partner in crime in Alaska. When not writing, she enjoys reading as often as possible, binge watching anything good on Netflix, and all things NCAA football (Go Noles!). You can learn more about Case and her stories on her website.

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