Blog Tour: The Essence by Kimberly Derting (Excerpt & Giveaway)

Title: The Essence (The Pledge #2)

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster Children's)

Publication Date: January 1st 2013

Blurb:

“Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

Excerpt:

In the privacy of my dreams, I'm a warrior.

     I'm still me, of course, just a tougher version of me.  More valiant and fearless.

     I've always loved those dreams, the ones in which I can wield a weapon without breaking a sweat, or cut a man's throat without blinking an eyelash.  In them, my body is honed and fine-tuned.  My mind is as focused as any Canshai master of lore's, and I, too, can move objects simply through my powers of concentration.  My spirit is dogged.

     No one can stop me.  I am invincible.

     I tried to summon those feelings now, as I lay facedown in the mud, blinking furiously against the grit blinding me, and spitting out mouthfuls of pond scum.  Unsteadily, I wobbled as I rose to my feet, moving entirely too slowly, my legs trembling beneath me.

     I am fierce, I tried again to convince myself, but that unblinking resolve I so desperately craved had been seriously shaken.

     My weapon had disappeared somewhere in the slimy pit I had just pulled myself from, so it was only me...and my opponent.  I needed to think quickly.  I knew he wouldn't wait long before striking again.

Kimberly is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins) and THE PLEDGE trilogy (Simon & Schuster). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration.

Author Links:

Official Site ~ Twitter

Purchase The Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ The Book Depository

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