UFI welcomes Nichole Chase Author of Mortal Obligation. Thanks for Joining us!!
I am thrilled to be writing a guest post for Urban Fantasy Investigators! I am the author of Mortal Obligation, a young adult urban fantasy set in Savannah, Ga. I moved to South Georgia when I was a teenager and instantly fell in love with the history of this old city. There are so many gorgeous places and rich textures that my imagination immediately ran away with me. Ree, the main character of my novel, grew from a stray thought while driving around the old squares that litter the old down town area.
I’d like to invite you all for a short tour of the area, including a very special island. It’s such a lovely place, you could say that it is a god-send. I brought someone to help make the tour a little more interesting. Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Roland. He has a long history with this city and the surrounding area. Don’t let his bad-boy good looks fool you. You’ll be more than safe in his hands.
“Hop in my BMW and let the whirlwind tour begin.” Flicking the key fob, a loud beep sings though the square in the middle of City Market. “Most people would take you for a ride on an old fashioned trolley, or maybe on a horse drawn carriage, but I don’t do the trendy stuff. I like things done my way.” Winking a sapphire colored eye at one of the teenagers, she giggles until her mother elbows her. Brushing some of the dark hair out of his eyes, Roland opens a door for the women.
“If you look over there, you can see the old Cotton Exchange. Go down those steep, old stairs to the cobblestone road, and you’ll find yourself on River Street. Lots of shopping down there, if you’re into that. There are some good restaurants, candy shops, and tourist trap style places. If you go down there for dinner, stick to the lighted areas. You’ll probably be safe that way.” Whipping around the corner quickly, someone makes an irritated sound from the backseat. Grinning in the rearview mirror, Roland says, “Hang on to your hats. This is going to be fast.”
“Over there is an antique shop similar to the one I work in when not masquerading as a high school student. I mean, when not at school. My… Aunt owns it.” Turning another corner he points at a building. “That is one of the Bed and Breakfasts that Savannah is famous for. Some people claim that they are haunted. Eh. Maybe, but ghosts aren’t what you should be worried about.”
“Lots of old cemeteries in old Savannah. But you can look at cemeteries anywhere. Trust me—they’re just full of dead people.” Whipping around a slow car he pulled out of the historic district. “Now we go somewhere really worth visiting.” After a much shorter time than it should have taken, they pull up to an old house with a long dock stretching out behind it. “Don’t let the scary house fool you. You’re going to love Sanctus Island.” Leading them down the dock to a sleek boat, he helps them all climb onboard.
“You guys should know that not many people are invited to Sanctus Island. This is one of my favorite places that I have ever lived. The climate is nice, the scenery is gorgeous, and the wildlife is phenomenal.” Jumping onto the dock, he turns and offers his hand to help the ladies off the boat. He closes his eyes briefly and turns his face up to the sky. Looking back at the people behind him he smiles conspiratorially. “It’s almost sundown. Let’s go look at my favorite thing about this island.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Silence answers Roland’s question as the tourists soak in the natural beauty of the Georgia coast. Roland nods his head as if agreeing with them. “Too bad Ree isn’t here to share it with us.” His voice is so quiet most of the other people don’t hear him.
Hm. It looks like it might be a little too late to head back to the mainland, but don’t worry. There are a lot of guest rooms at the main house. You’ll be well taken care of there. Just, don’t make any jokes about gods. I have a little leeway, but it’s better to be careful.
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No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.
For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs.
Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, three dogs, and two cats.
When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.
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Find Nichole and her books
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Mortal Obligations
Release Date: July 30, 2011
Publisher: Self Published
ISBN: 001315706X
ISBN13: 2940013157064
Genre:Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Author
Ree will face the darkest form of betrayal before the year is out.
Seventeen year old Ree McKenna has three goals: get through high school, convince her crush she is more than his best friends little sister, and save money for college. Fate, though, has other plans for her. After the untimely death of her older brother, Ree is haunted by dreadful nightmares and terrifying visions. To make matters worse, Ree has started to suspect that something dangerous is stalking her from the shadows.
A night full of frightening surprises leaves Ree with unsettling news. Gifted by the gods with unusual powers, she must devote herself to a battle that could very well lead to not only her death, but the demise of everyone she knows and loves. After all, Ree is the only mortal standing between the Earth and utter darkness.
Set in Savannah, Ga, Mortal Obligation is the first book of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy
I love when a new book that incorporates the Gods and their gifts comes out. I don't know why it intrigues me so much but it does and I enjoy reading the interpretations of the different myths that authors have for their characters and stories.
Ree and her friends had a great mix of personalities. They are all extremely loyal to each other from the beginning. MORTAL OBLIGATION had a great pace to it. The action and training of the teens was well written and engaging. There was some pretty good twists at the end that I in no way saw coming. I enjoyed the love triangle, I feel both of the romantic interests have enough positive and negative things going for them to make things interesting and it added some great jealousy moments to the book. The biggest complaint I had about the book is the ease that which Ree and her friends believed and accepted all the God gifts and roles they are to play in Ree's Destiny. They were mostly like COOL bring it on, I have vampire teeth hahah (very much paraphrased they didn't really sound like that) when I felt they should have been a bit freaked out at what was happening. All in all this was a great debut novel from a new author. I was kept interested throughout the book and I would enjoy reading what comes next.
I gave it 3.5/5 stars
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2 Winner's will receive
- One e-Copy each of Mortal Obligation
RULES
1) Leave a question or comment for Nichole =)
2) This giveaway is open to International readers
3) Must leave an email address so I can contact you.
Giveaway Ends 9/16/2011 at 10pm EST
Winner will have 48 Hours to reply to my email or I will pick another
