Blog Tour: Black Moon By Jessica McQuay (Guest Blog + Giveaway)

I would like to welcome Jessica McQuay to The Avid Reader today. Thanks for stopping by Jessica. Please be sure and check out Jessica's novel Black Moon the first book in the Paige Tailor Series. Today I have a excerpt from the first chapter of Black Moon for you to read. Also while she is here Jessica is going to tell us her Top Ten Favorite YA Paranormal/Fantasy/Dystopian Books/Series. Oh and we have a giveaway that you can enter to win:

3 Small Book Swag Packages including a $10 amazon.com gift card, bookmark, bracelets, notebook, and other fun reading/writing related items. At least 5 items in each package. Open to US Shipping.

3 Signed Paperback Copies of Black Moon open to US Shipping.

Book Title: Black Moon

Series: Paige Tailor Series Book One

Author: Jessica McQuay

Genre: YA/NA Paranormal Fantasy

ISBN: 1936185741

Number of pages: 240

Cover Artist: Miriam Grunhaus

BOOK TRAILER

Black Moon

PURCHASE

Black Moon

Amazon

BN

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Black Moon

"Am I losing my mind?"

Paige couldn't help but question her sanity. What other explanation could there be for her hearing a conversation held barely above a whisper in the back of a classroom full of students? What about coming home to find one of those very classmates lying in wait in the darkness of her home, ready to attack her?

Confused, frustrated and feeling every ounce of her social ostracism, Paige confides in the one person she's always been able to count on: her mom. But when her mom reveals a deeply rooted, unbelievable family secret, Paige discovers her world is filled with more than she ever imagined possible. A world where fairytales live alongside nightmares and secrets are the glue that binds them together. Suddenly no one is who they seem and Paige is faced with more questions than answers. Can she survive in a world filled with creatures scarier than anything she could imagine and where deceit runs as thick as blood? Or will the truth send her over the edge?

EXCERPT

Black Moon

Chapter One

I sat across from Jay, one of the guys known throughout HH as a slacker, and I listened to Mr. O drone on and on about the periodic table, compounds and atoms. I didn't hear a word he said. I couldn't seem to get my mind off of what happened this morning. It was the second time it’d taken place in a matter of days, which helped to eliminate the possibility that I’d imagined the entire thing the first time. Unless, of course, I was losing my mind, which could very well be the case.

“Alright class, let’s open up our text to page four hundred and twenty two and read ourselves.”

I flipped open my book with the rest of the class but I’d read the entire chapter on elemental change last night, so I decided to use the time to worry more about what was happening to me.

What was happening to me? Th e question sent a chill down my spine and I wrapped my unzipped hoodie closer around me, a frown pinching my eyebrows together. I’m sure to anyone that looked it seemed like I was concentrating on my reading. It’s what I would be doing aft er all. I was the kind of girl who paid attention in each period, did her homework and aced all of my classes, with the exception of PE. Graceful and athletic were two words you wouldn't hear people use to describe me. More like shy and quiet.

While my classmates read to themselves, I replayed the morning over and over in my head. I was up early, just as I started off each school day. I showered, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. As I packed my things into my bag, ready to head downstairs and out to my car, a white dusky light began in the palm of each of my hands. A tingling sensation accompanied the light causing me to drop my backpack.

I stared in disbelief, turning my hands palm up towards the ceiling; a trickle of fear mingled with curiosity warmed the core of my being. I brought my hands together, palm to palm and watched as the light grew stronger, casting a white luminance on the things surrounding me. Th e tingle grew stronger and began coursing up my arms. Scared, I pulled my hands apart and just as suddenly as it began, it stopped.

“A few minutes more class and we will jump straight into partner work.”

Mr. O’s voice pulled me from my contemplating, and feeling no closer to an answer, I sighed as I closed my book. My head began to pound and I fl inched in response, pressing a finger into each of my temples. Th e pain flared, pulsed and began traveling down along my scalp to the back of my neck.

I took a deep breath that shuddered in my lungs because I was trying to keep from crying out. I closed my eyes and laid my head on the table, hoping that its coolness would at least stop whatever was happening from getting worse.

I had a brief moment of relief as the pain did ease in response to the cool touch of the tabletop. As the pain eased a roaring sound began to grow around me, fi ll my ears and my head. It was the sound of a million conversations being held at once. Indistinguishable voices all chattering together, some laughing, some intense, some whispering, some screaming.

I fought to keep the scream building inside of me from tearing out of my throat. Just when I thought I was going to explode from the pain and the noise, it stopped. To go from so much intensity to dead silence was almost as painful. It was like the quiet had a sound and even though my classmates sat reading to themselves all around me, I felt like I could hear…something.

I looked around and found that no one was the wiser to what was going on with me. I turned back to my book and puzzled over whatever that had been. And then, out of the silence, a single voice rose. I turned, expecting the owner of the voice to be sitting next to me. Jay was the only person there and he was playing with his cell, oblivious to me.

“Matt, Tommy, I am thrilled to know you are finding the reading so interesting that you’re discussing it amongst yourselves. Perhaps you’d like to share your findings with the rest of the class?”

“I seriously doubt Matt wants the class to know that he’s been cheating on his girlfriend Samantha by hooking up with Rachel.”

Oh no. Oh no no no no no! How had I known THAT? And why, oh why, did it come from my mouth, out loud, to the entire class?

I know how I knew. Matt’s voice was the one I’d heard earlier. How is that even possible?

I didn't have time to contemplate; I had a classroom full of people wondering the exact same thing judging by the looks on some of their faces.

“How did you know that, Tailor?”

I swung around and found myself face to face with Matt. I didn't know if the surprise had time to register on my face before he was leaning down into it, his voice a controlled whisper.

“If I find out that you've been spying on me, you little nobody, you will wish you never let my name touch your lips.”

The hairs on my neck and arms came to life, and chills pricked along my skin. I couldn't look away from his eyes. They’d gone black as night with the exception of the pupils which were blazing gold. My tongue wouldn't move my mouth was so dry. I couldn't find my voice and I was starting to shiver just as Mr. O stepped between us.

“Matthew, get back to your seat.”

Then he turned to the rest of the class as the bell rang.

“Chapter fourteen for reading tonight, and be sure to answer the assessment questions at the end. You’re dismissed, with the exception of Matt, Tommy and Paige.”

Mr. O left my side to head to his desk and I began gathering my things. Th ere was no way I’d heard a conversation between Matt and Tommy. No logical way anyhow. I mean, like any jock, the two idiots sat in the back of the classroom near the cheerleaders. And I was, of course, seated up front with the other geeks. Not a word I’d use to describe myself, but like any high school around we had cliques and categorizing and, well, when it came down to it, I guess it was just plain ol’ name calling.

I risked a glance over my shoulder at Matt and found him glaring at me and Tommy next to him pulling on his arm, trying to get his attention from the looks of it. I turned back around and finished putting my things in my bag.

“Matt and Tommy, sit back down.”

I stopped zipping my bag and looked up at Mr. O.

“I don’t know what is going on between the three of you but that will be the last time it takes place in the middle of my classroom, am I understood?”

I nodded my agreement and didn't bother looking back at the two football jocks ruining my already shitty day.

“Paige you are one of my smartest, hardest working, goal oriented students. Let’s stick to what matters and stay out of the nonsense, okay?”

Still unable to find my voice, I nodded again.

“Okay, you can head to your next class, Paige.”

I didn't wait to hear what he said to Matt or Tommy, I finished zipping my backpack while standing and making my way to the door.

“As for the two of you…”

Mr. O’s voice faded as the door shut with a gentle whoosh behind me. Could this day get any weirder?

***

Lucky for me the rest of my day was uneventful, unless you count the stares from my fellow classmates as an event. On regular occasions they don’t bother acknowledging my existence. Today, however I swear I heard my name in whispered conversations. I was certain I’d even caught a few people pointing at me.

By the last bell of the day I was so over the attention, imagined or not. I ducked through the halls and made my way to the car before most of the senior class made it outside of the school corridors. When I pulled into my driveway I heaved a sigh of relief. Home was my safe place. No one could make me feel paranoid here.

I grabbed my backpack from the backseat and shut the car door. I leaned against the hood to gather my thoughts. It felt like within a few days’ time my life was out of control. Whatever was happening to me was overwhelming my thoughts. I had to figure out what was going on. A substantial part of me thought I was losing my mind. White lights from my body, hearing noises, sounds and conversations the human ear can’t hear. It was too much. How on earth was I supposed to come up with a logical explanation for things like this? Yeah, the crazy was sounding much more plausible.

I pushed away from the car and made my way up the front steps lost in thought. Surely I wasn't insane. Someone can’t go from being okay and normal, to losing it within a day or two, right?

I shook my head hoping to dispel the dizzying thoughts that were going round and round in circles in my head and unlocked the front door. I stepped inside and closed it, then tossed my keys into the dish on the side table. Th e instant they hit the glass the hairs on the back of my neck sprung to life. I glanced up into the mirror above the side table in time to see a figure hurdling towards me. I had milliseconds to respond, but found my body taking control. I crouched just in time. Th e blur of a person passed by close enough to stir the loose strands of hair around my face.

I spun around, still low to the ground and watched the person crash head first into the staircase banister, knocking them out. I waited there, stunned. I listened for other noises or sounds that might clue me into whether or not there were others or this person sprawled across the first landing of my staircase was alone. All I could hear was the thudding of my own heartbeat racing away. My pulse pounded in my ears and I knew that I needed to get a grip.

Taking a deep breath, I stood and moved forward. As I did so, I began to make out subtle features of my almost attacker. Th e frame was small, petite even. And by the time I made it to her face, I had a name: Rachel. Yeah, the same Rachel that I told the entire class was messing around with her friend’s boyfriend. News travels fast. Maybe I wasn't so paranoid after all.

I kneeled beside her to make sure she was okay and found her breathing fine. In fact, aft er examining her, I couldn't find a single injury on her despite watching her hit the railing head first. What is that about?

I left Rachel and walked the entire first floor just to be sure I was right and she was alone. I checked for her point of entry but couldn't find anything to show me how she’d managed to get in. I’d expected broken glass from a window or a smashed lock, but my quick inspection turned up nothing and I didn't have time to be more thorough.

What now? Mom was going to walk in the door any second. I had a decision to make. Did I let her come in and find Rachel and tell her about the things that have been happening to me, or do I get Rachel the heck out of my house and try to figure this crap out on my own?

I paced the front hall for a minute, going back and forth with what I wanted. A part of me wanted to tell. Th e freaky crap going on with me has to have some kind of explanation, even if it is one I don’t want to face. What if mom is no more clued in about any of it than I am? Worse, what if she doesn't believe me? Th inks I've gone mental and wants to call in a doctor or something?

Yeah, no thanks, decision made. It was time to get Rachel out of my house.

I braced myself as I kneeled and grabbed her ankles. I wasn't the strongest person; this was going to hurt. She had to go though, and she had to go now. I was running out of time. I took a deep breath, planted my feet and pulled. I was all the way to the back door before I realized I wasn't even out of breath. Odd.

Lucky for me we lived on a few acres in the hills. Our house was bordered by trees. Our yard backed into the El Dorado National Forest. Th e thickest point of brush and outcroppings laid to the left of our fence and that was where I pulled and stowed Rachel. I knew mom wouldn't be able to see her back here if she just so happened to look out of our kitchen window.

I put Rachel as comfortable as I could and sprinted back to the house. I washed my hands, double checked the area I’d almost been attacked in and was grabbing a soda from the fridge just as mom opened the front door. I turned towards her as she dropped her keys into the same little dish I’d done the same with not thirty minutes ago.

“Hey sweetie, how was your day?”

We crossed paths as I made my way to the living room and she headed towards the kitchen. She kissed my forehead and went to drop her things next to the dining table.

“It was okay. I was going to try and find something to veg out to on TV for a bit, but I think I’ll head upstairs to start on some homework instead.”

I passed the living room and stopped at the bottom of the stairs to turn back to her.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll start dinner soon; I need to make a couple of calls before I change out of my work clothes and head into the kitchen.”

“Okay, I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

“I’ll call you when it’s ready hun.”

I was to my room before she finished her sentence. I closed the door behind me and went to my desk to grab a notebook and pen. I happened to glance out of my window and almost jumped out of my pants when I saw Rachel standing just beyond our back fence, looking up at me. I couldn't make out the features on her face, as she was much too far away. We stood there, locked in a staring contest for what seemed like hours. She broke first and took off into the woods.

After holding my breath for so long, it was a relief to plop onto my bed. I placed my can of soda on the bedside table, closed my eyes and laid my head against my propped knees. I let my thoughts go and concentrated on breathing and breathing alone.

Five minutes later, I lift ed my head and grabbed the pen and paper. I scrambled to get my formulating thoughts out in writing before they were lost to me. Once I was done I put the pen down and read what I’d written back to myself.

There was no other explanation for what happened in science class. I didn't have the slightest idea about the white light and weird sensation from the last two mornings. But today, in class, I was ninety-nine percent certain I was on the right path as I read my own words scribbled across the lines.

I heard Matt’s thoughts.

GUEST BLOG

Top Ten Favorite YA Paranormal/Fantasy/Dystopian Books/Series

Hey there everyone! Thank you so much to The Avid Reader for hosting me today. =)

People have asked me if I enjoy reading in the genre that I write in. Today I decided to use this post to answer that. Yes, I LOVE reading books in the YA category. In fact, it's one of my favs! I'm going to share my top ten favorites with you. Hopefully some of them will be on your list as well. =D

10. Armageddon's Children Series by Terry Brooks

9. Your Guardian Angel by Skyla Madi

8. Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

7. Morning Rising by Samantha Boyette

6. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

5. Morningside by Ashley Madau

4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

3. The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

2. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

1. Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

So there you have it! These are amongst my favorites in the wide range of YA books. Thank you again to The Avid Reader for having me. Happy Reading Everyone!

About the Author

There were three things Jessica loved to do growing up; reading, writing and playing music. She discovered her love for writing at a young age, when she realized she could create anything she wanted with words. Jessica lives in Sacramento, CA with her husband, four children, a goldfish named Sparkle and their cat, Talula. When she isn't working on the next Paige Tailor novel, taking her children to one activity or another, or folding the never ending laundry of a six person family, Jessica enjoys playing her clarinet in the community band, reading while enjoying a cup of coffee or heading to the theater and catching a movie with her husband.

ONLINE LINKS

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

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GIVEAWAY

The Giveaway is tour wide for:

3 Small Book Swag Packages including a $10 amazon.com gift card, bookmark, bracelets, notebook, and other fun reading/writing related items. At least 5 items in each package. Open to US Shipping.

3 Signed Paperback Copies of Black Moon open to US Shipping.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure and check out all the other stops on the tour.

TOUR SCHEDULE

December 10 Interview Books in the Hall

December 11 Promo Cover2CoverBlog

December 12 Interview Michelle @ Mom With A Kindle

December 12 Guest blog Arianne Cruz

December 12 Guest post My Seryniti

December 13 Interview and review happy tails and tales

December 13 Interview Adventures of the Cautionary Tale

December 14 Guest blog Read My Breath Away

December 14 Review Marked By Books

December 14 Promo A Girl and Her Kindle

December 15 Guest blog A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books

December 15 Promo I know that Book

December 16 Promo/Excerpt Bex 'n' Books

December 16 Review Howling Books and Design

December 17 Guest blog and review Urban Fantasy Investigations

December 17 Promo Krystal's Enchanting Reads ...

December 18 Guest blog DEB SANDERS

December 18 Guest blog Lauren Reidy @ A Little Bit of R&R

December 19 Interview and review Little Book Star

December 20 Promo [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]

December 20 Promo (excerpt) and review R&M Fab Book Reviews

December 21 Interview Books & Other Spells.

December 21 Review Oh, The Books You'll Read!

December 21 Review The Bo0ki3

December 22 Guest blog The Avid Reader

December 23 Interview and review Crazy Four Books

December 23 Promo and review Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books

December 24 Promo/Excerpt Butterfly-o-Meter Books