Sneak Peek: VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE: BANE (Book #1) by H.M. Ward (Paranormal Romance)

Sneak Peek: Chapter 1 of VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE: BANE (Book #1) by H.M. Ward

That day lingered at the back of Kahli’s mind like a nightmare. The memories and emotions bled together, making every terrorizing moment painfully clear.  Kahli and her mother were not halfway through the crystalized trees when the first ray of light burst forth. Icy pines jutted up out of the ground forming towering spires. Kahli remembered everything: The crisp scent of the morning air, the sunlight on her face, her mother’s voice—even and urgent—telling her to stay hidden. Every piece of information was stored with acute detail in her mind.

Making their way down the icy slope of the mountain had taken longer than expected that day.  It was nearly ten years ago now.  She was barely seven. Just after they’d entered the woods, Kahli’s mother turned sharply. Instinctively, she grabbed her daughter’s hand, and searched the landscape behind them. Mother’s heart stopped. The Trackers were too close.  If she didn’t do something, they would both be captured.

Her grip on Kahli’s small hand tightened. Leaning closer to her daughter, she whispered in her ear, “Run.”

Kahli blinked, shaking her head. It felt like she was stuck in a dream and time had stopped.  Her mind couldn’t comprehend what her mother had done.  What she said. This couldn’t be real.  But it was.  Mom ran directly toward the Trackers, leaving her behind.

Ignoring the terror that rushed through her tiny body, Kahli finally turned and sprinted in the opposite direction.  The pounding of her heart echoed in her ears as she gasped in the frigid air.  Cold dry wind whipped her small cheeks.  Kahli’s spiked shoes cut deep into the glittering snow, but they left no foot print, only tiny holes left by the spikes.  They would soon be covered with the dry powdery snow that blew through the air like dust.

Kahli ran until the stitch in her side felt like it was going to burst.  Her legs screamed in protest, burning, begging her to stop, but she didn’t.  She couldn’t. Sucking in huge breaths, Kahli ignored the needles pinching her lungs and fled.  She didn’t look back.  There were no sounds other than the thumping of her heart and the howl of wind ripping through the trees, nothing that indicated pursuit. She didn’t know what her mother heard, but she knew without a doubt that there was danger behind her, and that her mother had run straight into it.  Kahli stumbled, forcing her feet to continue.

The brightness of the frozen trees shone in her eyes like a thousand suns, blinding her.  They should have passed through these woods earlier.  It was her fault they were here now, trying to escape from creatures that couldn’t be outrun. Her heart hammered harder, her small body filled to the brim with fear, shaking as she ran. The ski mask that covered her face to protect her from the wind made it difficult to see.  She’d nearly collided with a tree. It didn’t fit quite right.  The worn wool was slightly too large for her small head. Kahli untied her hood and tore off the mask. She decided it was better than slamming into one of the ancient aspens. Gasping for air, she shoved the mask in her pocket.  Fiery red hair streamed behind her as she fled.

Nearing the edge of the woods, Kahli slowed.  A sound carried through the trees to her left.  Jerking her head toward the noise, Kahli saw her mother rush through a thicket of briars, shattering them into tiny fragments as she thrashed her way through.

Breathless, Mother reached for Kahli, and shoved her into the frozen thicket.  The branches gave way without shattering, concealing the small child.  Leaning down, Mother breathed so hard that Kahli could barely understand her.  “Stay in there. Don’t come out.”  She put her finger on her lips, and backed away from her daughter’s frightened green eyes and small round face.

Mother was within reach when the Trackers burst into the clearing.  A large man with a thick coat that barely concealed his round belly said, “Thought you could escape, did you?”  He wore white like we did, so he could blend into the landscape.  The man moved towards Mother, who stood utterly still.  The dark-haired man examined her, sliding his eyes up and down her thin frame.  Her fingers fisted at her sides, ready to fight.  The man’s narrow eyes ignored the gesture.  Stubble lined his jowls, as if he hadn’t shaved for days.  He scratched his chin like he’d forgotten something.

A boy appeared next to him.  He couldn’t have been more than 8 years old.  His gangly frame seemed too tall for his thin body.  He was like the other man—pale with dark hair.  Stepping into the clearing, he stopped behind the man.  The boy appeared frail, but Kahli knew he wasn’t.  That boy was a Tracker, a vampire, like the fat man.

Kahli pressed her face to the cold ground, trying not to breathe.  She didn’t know what they were doing.  Tears stung the corners of her eyes as terror coursed through her veins, but she remained hidden as her mother said.

Mother held her chin up high, “I evaded you long enough.”  She’d lost her mask.  Wisps of dark hair blew gently away from her face.

He laughed, reaching into the bag he carried across his chest.  “Not much good it did you.”  He removed something that glittered in the sunlight.

Mother stepped away, ready to run.  But she didn’t want to flee and leave her daughter with the Trackers.  Even the boy was dangerous, but there were no other options.  When the man moved to wrap the gleaming metal around her wrists, Mother lifted her foot and stabbed the man in the leg with the spikes of her shoe.  A wild howl tore from his throat. The nails pierced his skin, leaving long deep holes in his flesh.  Blood covered his shin in long lines where metal met flesh and blackened blood poured down his leg.

The dark haired boy came to life.  He moved faster than she could see.  Before her mother got in another shot, she heard her hit the ground. A gush of air was forced out of her lungs when she fell on the packed snow.

The fat man reached for Mother, jerking her to her feet.  “You’ll pay for that.” Without another word, his hand collided with the side of her face.  The sound filled Kahli’s ears.  Her tiny stomach lurched within her, her small eyes wide and frightened.  His hand landed squarely on her mother’s jaw with such force that her head turned to the side.

Mother didn’t scream.  She just closed her eyes.  When she reopened them, she glared at him.

The man ignored her glare, and cast his gaze at every tree in the clearing.  The holes in his leg had already healed, but his pants were stained with blood.  The boy watched, standing nearby, his eyes scanning the trees.

He addressed the boy, his dark eyes searching the gleaming forest. “She doubled back.  There has to be a reason.”

The boy was quiet for a moment and then asked, “Do you think she has young nearby?”

Mother didn’t move.  Her expression remained the same.  Kahli’s heart was beating so fast within her tiny body that she thought they would hear it.  She stuffed her mittens into her mouth to keep from crying.  They’d find her.  They knew she was there.  Hidden at their feet.

The man nodded, his lips snaked into a grin, “It stands to reason…”

The boy stepped forward and began to move methodically through the clearing.  Looking between the branches in the frozen thickets, his ungloved hands pushed through thorns, bending back the branches.  The ice-covered brambles slid against his pale skin, but he did not bleed.  He continued pulling vines and branches, parting them and peering into the shadows until he was next to the exact place Kahli was hiding.

Kahli held her breath.  Her mother’s eyes were glued to the boy’s back as his hands were dangerously close to her daughter.  Mother’s entire body was stiff.  She swallowed hard, watching the boy get closer and closer.

Kahli’s heart slammed into her ribs.  Air wouldn’t come. She couldn’t breathe. The boy crouched, parting the thicket and bent down low.  He was standing just above her, his hands right above her head.  And then he stopped.  His blue eyes stared into the dark place where Kahli hid deep within the thicket.

His eyes locked on hers.

Kahli’s small body was frozen.  A scream was stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.  Her teeth were biting into her mitten, and she couldn’t stop.  Every part of her wanted to scream.

His blue eyes remained fixed on hers, but the boy didn’t move.  He simply stared. She wasn’t certain if he saw her among the shadows or not.  After a moment he turned away.  The branches flew back into place, concealing Kahli.

“There’s nothing here, but frozen thorns.  Whatever she had is gone,” the boy stated.

The man grunted, displeased.  “Then find her.  You know the situation we’re in.  Bringing in a wild female and her young would fix everything.  We’d be welcomed back by the Queen herself.”  He beamed, imagining it.

The boy nodded, dark hair falling in his eyes, “Yes, Sir.”  And he took off between the trees, tracking down a girl that was hidden right in front of him.”

BUY BANE: VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE #1 TODAY

         

-Excerpt from VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE: BANE (Book #1) by H.M. Ward, a paranormal romance novel.  Release date: June 15, 2012.  Please note that this is not the final copy.  Changes may be made prior to publication.
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Valefar Vol. 2 (A Paranormal Romance Novella: Collin Smith #2 in the Demon Kissed Series) is waiting for you!

ya paranormal romance, best teen books, vampires, demons, fallen angels

VALEFAR VOL. 2 (A Paranormal Romance Novella: Collin Smith #2 in the Demon Kissed Series) by H.M. Ward was released!

As many of you already realize, the Demon Kissed series is broken up into three parts.  Part 1 is Ivy’s story (Demon Kissed books #1-5) and a great place to start, but there are two other entry points into this series.

Eric’s story is told in Fall of the Golden Valefar (yet to be released).  Chronologically, Eric’s stories take place after the last Ivy Taylor book, in a post-apocalyptic world.  This is another entry point into the series.  You can read Eric’s stories alone, or read it in conjunction with the others, which will give them a lot more depth.  Fall of the Golden Valefar Book #1 will be released April 30, 2012.

Collin’s story is told in the Valefar Volumes and takes place about a year prior to Demon Kissed #1 (Ivy’s 1st book).  The Valefar Volumes reveal more twists and turns, and a lot more back story about the inner workings of the Valefar, and lots more of Collin!  This is another entry point into the series.  Valefar Volumes can stand alone, or add more depth to the rest of the series.  All three of the major characters are woven in and out of Valefar.  If you read Demon Kissed first, you can see what’s happening and it creates even more tension that makes reading these little books extra enjoyable.  Valefar Volumes are also a lot lighter, like the first Demon Kissed books, which younger readers will enjoy.

Feeling confused?  Think of it this way: The Valefar Volumes are to Demon Kissed what Episode 1 is to Star Wars.  Get it?  They stand alone, but the stories are woven together.

Valefar Vol. 2 description:

“The dangerous and beautiful Collin Smith just made the biggest mistake of his life, and there is no way to fix it. In his quest to restore his soul, he destroyed the only person he truly cared about, Ivy Taylor. Collin tries to deny his love for her, but his desire to protect Ivy drives him to do things Valefar shouldn’t do. If Collin exposes his weakness—his affection for Ivy—he endangers them both and risks the wrath of Kreturus.”

The VALEFAR volumes are meant to read in one sitting, and generally takes about an hour. VALEFAR VOL. 2 is a YA Paranormal Romance and has 13,223 words (90 pages). VALEFAR VOL. 3 will be released Summer 2012.

Grab Valefar Vol. 2 now on Amazon!  Nook and paperback to follow!

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Teaser #2 – Book #5 in the bestselling DEMON KISSED series by HM Ward

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Ready for teaser #2?  You know it!!!

TEASER #2:

THE 13th PROPHECY is LONGER than any other book in this series. It still has some editing going on, but it’s currently at 375 pages!

More teasers to come!

And here is some news that DEMON KISSED fans will enjoy.  There is a spin-off of the Demon Kissed series in the works! The working title is: ASSASSIN–FALL OF THE GOLDEN VALEFAR. This series will alternate release dates with the Vampire Apocalypse by H.M. Ward series. Can’t wait to share more info! It’s eeping awesome! I’M EXCITED!!!!

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News on BANE by H.M. Ward-the 1st book in the new VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE series

I’ve had a lot of people asking me about BANE-the 1st book in the new VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE series by bestselling author H.M. Ward.  I thought I’d post the cover and leak some information.

BANE will be released this spring – April 15, 2011.  This is a dystopian paranormal series.  Although it’s not young adult, it is written with the same fast pacing as my other YA series, DEMON KISSED.

The VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE books are a stand-alone series.  That means you can read them out of order.  There isn’t a book #1, #2, #3 that you have to read in order.  This will make it possible to enter the series at any point.

There are no ARC’s of BANE.  However I do have swag and cool stuff you can put on your blog if you are a book blogger looking for something new to review.

BANE is a tense dark paranormal romance.  The world as we know it is gone.  The ice caps have melted and shifted south, devastating the northern territories and eradicating major cities such as New York and London, which are now under water and frozen.  Humans died off during an epidemic prior to the ice disaster, and many more died during the floods at the start of this new ice age.

These events have forced vampires out of hiding.  In order to ensure that their food source wouldn’t completely die off, the vampires have sequestered the remaining humans into farms and taken control of all that remains of civilization.  Over time, the humans breeding on these farms became anemic. Their blood no longer sustains the master race.  But not all of the humans were captured and sent to the farms.  Some of the humans evaded the hunters, hiding in safe houses across the frozen tundra.  As decades passed, the free humans disappeared, died, or were captured, until all that remains is one.  Kahli is the last wild human.  BANE is her story.

The first chapter of BANE will be released with THE 13th PROPHECY on March 6, 2012.  More information will be avalaible on the official website, which will be up shortly.  The facebook page for BANE is over here.  Come visit!  And I still haunt the Demon Kissed page like crazy.

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Review of YA Paranormal Romance Novel: Satan’s Stone by H.M. Ward

Here is a review from the latest book in the DEMON KISSED series by H.M. Ward - SATAN’S STONE.  It sums up the book very well without spoiling anything.  And her idea of PETA approved vampires is hysterical!

5 STARS – 1/31/12

“Wow. I literally read this entire book in one sitting (if you don’t count getting up to have dinner). Satan’s Stone is the 4th book in the Demon Kissed series, and they are only getting better.

One of my favorite characteristics of the Demon Kissed series in the last 3 books was their ability to completely blindside me, and Satan’s Stone kept up the trend. I absolutely loved the fact that one minute I was sure beyond a doubt about something, and the next I would be proven completely wrong with some fun new plot twist. The story continues to be excitingly original and unpredictable.

Prehaps even a little more than the other Demon Kissed books, Satan’s Stone has a dark side that I absolutely revere. I’ve had my fill of books bursting with fluff and rainbows: a few examples being supernatural guys who leave because they’re “afraid of hurting” people, no main characters ever getting hurt (very unrealistic), and vampires suitable for PETA. Satan’s Stone makes my heart race with everything from the heartless demons, to the black magic, to the edge-of-death experiences that are an all too common experience for the characters.

The one and only complaint I have for Satan’s Stone is a small one. As she did in some of the previous books, the main character Ivy continues to lie and hide things from the people that care about her and it does get to be a little irritating. Other than that, Ivy continues to be the refreshingly strong and powerful heroine that I love.

Satan’s Stone was an amazing addition to the Demon Kissed series and I enjoyed it thoroughly. If you haven’t read the first 3 books, I highly recommend that you do! I am dying to read the next book, which comes out in March.” -Linny Milliron via Goodreads

I want to personally thank everyone who takes the time to write a review.  It’s beyond awesome when a reader and a writer connect, and one of the ways that happens is when people take the time to write detailed comments like this one.  It lets you know the flavor of the books without giving anything away.  Thank you so much Linny!  And everyone else who has written reviews!  This series wouldn’t be a bestseller without awesome people like you!

The final book in the DEMON KISSED series – THE 13th PROPHECY – will be released March 6, 2012.

To purchase the 4th book in the DEMON KISSED series, click here.

For more information about this series, please visit: www.DemonKissed.com.

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Announcing the Mock Up Cover for The 13th Prophecy!

This is the mock up of the cover for the final book in the DEMON KISSED series by H.M. Ward.  It’s not the final version, but it’s getting close!

I told the fans that I’d post it the other night when the facebook page hit 44,000 fans – and it did!

So, who’s ready for THE 13th PROPHECY?

Want another bit of awesomeness?  The 1st chapter of BANE: VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE by H.M. Ward 1 will be included with it!

Have an awesome weekend!

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