Title: Betraying Xaverique
Author: Karyn Sepulveda
Summary from Amazon.com: Gabby Valis is a Xaverique. Sois the boy she loves, Noah; he’s also her enemy. Gabby and her family are once again thrown into battle with Zlanythe and his crew after they seek revenge by killing one of their own. To defeat evil though, one must first understand it and delving into Zlanythe’s past initiates the ultimate fight between good and evil. ‘Before this week ends, I will lose three people I love. Two will die and one will succumb to the darkness that has been assailing them for so long. If I went back in time, I’m not sure there’s a thing I could have done to stop any of it.’
Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Betraying-Xaverique-Karyn-Sepulveda-
ebook/dp/B01N2KAFQ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481518725&sr=8-
1&keywords=betraying+xaverique
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33153601-betraying-xaverique
EXCERPT:
This excerpt is taken from www.karynsepulveda.com
Prologue March 1961, Sydney
Sophia gripped the metal handrail, watching the veins in her thin hands pulsate rhythmically. Soon, the flow of blood would stop, she thought. She would never have to worry about the fighting, the screaming, the hatred, ever again. Sophia closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. It smelled oftrees, of rain and of peace. She wasn’t scared now; the pain would soon be gone. She would soon be gone. Sophia opened her eyes, gazing at the thick bush that filled the deep valley beneath her. She quickly glanced behind her, to make sure no-one was around. She didn’t want to traumatise anyone by dying in front of them. But the bridge was deserted. Sophia looked straight up into the drizzly grey sky and then she simply stepped off. As she fell, Sophia didn’t think of anything. Her life didn’t flash before her eyes; she didn’t feel regret or fear. She just fell; completely aware of the wind rushing through her, the tiny droplets of rain splattering her face, the weightlessness of her empty stomach and then... Nothing. It was over. ‘Hold still. Don’t try to move. Not yet.’ A deep voice filled the darkness. Sophia was thrashing
about, lying amidst broken branches and thick wet grass. Her arms and legs seemed to be moving by themselves. Her back arched, creating a nauseating crunch. She opened her eyes, but everything was blurry. She managed to focus on her hand, staring at the blue veins that had not changed. She was still alive. How? ‘OK, now, let’s take it slowly. Can you try to sit up?’
That voice again.
Sophia squinted. Someone was hunched over, cradling her in his slender arms. The stranger brushed the hair from her eyes and helped ease her to a sitting position. Their faces were close now and hewas wiping something wet from her cheeks. He was an angel, she realised. He had to be. All the crap she’d gone through in her life had been worth it. She was in heaven and this was an angel greeting her. ‘Well, you must beOKif you’re smiling. I’m Nathan; it’s nice to meet you, Sophia.’ The angel put his arm around Sophia and guided her to her feet. Sophia looked down at her body. She was soaked, muddy, and her clothes ripped to shreds. But there was not a scratch on her. She’d felt crushing pain for a moment, she remembered, before she’d blacked out. But now, here in heaven, everything was OK. Sophia, for the first time in many years, felt OK. She must have been smiling again because the angel was smiling too. ‘Sophia, do you feel OK? ’he asked.
She nodded her head. ‘Are we going to stay here?’ She asked, wondering where the fluffy white clouds she’d heard about in primary school were. ‘No, I’m going to take you back to my place. Is that OK?’
‘Is it a cloud?’ Sophia asked as Nathan took her hand in his and began walking up the steep, bushy wall of the valley.
Nathan chuckled. ‘No, just a regular flat I’m afraid. Are you sure you’re OK? How much do you know about transitioning? Physically, you regenerated perfectly. But it must be a lot to absorb.’Transitioning, regenerating – what funny ways to describe death, Sophia thought. ‘I’m OK. I wanted this. I didn’t want to live anymore, so I guess that’s why I regenerated ortransitioned or whatever so well. I’m happy tobe dead. I didn’t think it would feel so, real.’
Nathan stopped walking and turned to face her. He was higher up and toweredover Sophia, but there was not a single intimidating feature in this man. Everything about him was gentle and calm. His soft brown hair fell easily around his delicate face. And blue eyes that Sophia imagined herself swimming in radiated kindness. Sophia felt an odd sensation around him; trust. ‘
Sophia, you’re not dead. You’re sixteen today, you’ve transitioned.’
‘I jumped from a bridge. I’m dead,’ Sophia said. Of course she had tobe dead. But as Nathan shook his head, she couldn’t explain why she knew that she wasn’t. That something else had happened.
‘You’re not dead,’ Nathan repeated. ‘Actually, your real life has just begun. You’re a Xaverique, Sophia.’
March 1963, Sydney
Sophia held Nathan tightly. ‘Why do you have to go?’
Nathan wrapped his arms around Sophia. ‘I’m going to the shops, we need groceries.’
‘We can survive without food, we’re strong enough,’ Sophia said and kissed Nathan firmly on the lips. He returned her kiss, but pulled away when she started running her fingers through his hair.
‘Soph, I’m hungry. I’ll be back in an hour OK?’
Sophia sighed loudly and threw herself onto the huge bed. She laid her head on the soft pillow. ‘Fine, but get me some chocolate.’
Nathan laughed and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I forget how young you are sometimes. Chocolate it is.’
Sophia sat up and threw one of the pillows at him. ‘Eighteen is not that young!’
‘Of course it isn’t.’ Nathan threw the pillow back and Sophia ducked. ‘I’ll see you soon,’ Nathan said and whistled ashe closed the door to their apartment behind him.
Sophia smiled and lay back down on the comfortable bed. She still wasn’t used to feeling so happy. She and Nathan had been living together for over two years, ever since the day he found her broken, under the bridge. She could barely remember the desperate misery she had felt during the days before she decided to jump. The life she’d had before Nathan was now just a blur. She continued to smile as she ran a hot bath and began undressing. As she slipped her dress off and stepped into the steaming water, she thought about Nathan’s eyes. They were blue, but not just any blue; they were the dark blue of the ocean. Every time she looked into them she felt she would always be happy. Sophia bunched up a dry hand towel and placed it under her head to act as a pillow as she lay in the lavender-scented bath. She breathed in deeply and felt happiness reach every part of her body. Yes, she was undoubtedly the luckiest Xaverique that ever existed.
Sophia woke with a start. The water was cold and the bathroom had darkened. She was shivering and reached for a towel. She wrapped it around her body and rubbed at her arms, trying to warm up. She heard the front door close. ‘Nathan?’
Sophia called out and opened the bathroom door. Nathan was standing in the entrance. He was looking around the apartment. ‘Sophia, ah, hello,’he said in his deep voice. He had no shopping bags with him. ‘Where’s the groceries?’
‘Oh,’ Nathan glanced at his empty hands. He looked up again and this time he smiled. ‘I must have forgotten them.’
‘But you were so hungry. Did you eat out? Where have you been?’
‘I had something to attend to.’ Nathan walked slowly towards Sophia and she got the goose bumps. She wasn’t sure ifit was because she was still cold from the bath or if it was a warning. Something about Nathan was different. He stood in front of her and looked her up and down. She pulled the towel tighter and shivered. ‘So what did you do?’ she asked again.
Nathan glared at her. ‘None of your business.’
Sophia took a step back. Something was very wrong. Nathan had never spoken to her like that before. His voice was different too; it was coarse and cold. He threw his head back and laughed. ‘Take a joke will you? Actually, I think I will go back out and eat. See you.’
He looked into her eyes for a moment, then turned and stormed out. Sophia’s body froze, as she realised his eyes were no longer blue; they were black.
Before this week ends, I will lose three people I love. Two will die and one will succumb to the darkness that has been assailing them for so long. If I went back in time, I’m not sure there’s a thing I could have done to stop any of it. The guilt lies with one person; Sophia. And I will never forgive her.
Click HERE to read Chapters 1 & 2
About the Author
Karyn comes from a background in teaching and theatre. Teaching drama, and writing and directing Theatre in Education productions. She’s always loved creating stories and characters, so completed a Masters in Creative Writing at Macquarie University. It was here that her journey of writing Choosing Xaverique began. Now, six years later, she is just a little bit thrilled it has finally been published! Karyn is currently working on the sequel to Choosing
Xaverique, slated for production later this year.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Website:
http://www.karynsepulveda.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/karynmsepulveda/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/karyn_sep/
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*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.*
Now for my favorite part, the Author Interview :)
1. How long did you take off before writing book 2? Was it hard to get back into the characters of did it feel like coming back to hang out with friends?
I wrote the bones of book 2 (about 25,000 words) just months after completing my final draft of Choosing Xaverique - so about five years ago now. I didn't read it again until after Choosing Xaverique had been published (early 2016) and it honestly felt like reading someone else's book, I didn't remember writing most of it. So that made editing a lot of fun, as it was all fresh and new. I absolutely loved returning to my characters and creating more of their story. They certainly felt like old friends.
2. I noticed on Instagram that you think you're done with this series after book two. Is there any possibility that you might leave things open enough that you could come back and revisit the series in the future, or at least tell more about other Xaveriques?
I was originally planning to write a third book in the series and did write some rough plans for one. But not long ago I had a very strong feeling that I should end the story with book two. I had the idea for the epilogue and wrote it in one sitting. I'm so content with how my story ends, so, while I'll miss my Xaverique characters, it's time to leave them alone :)
3. I am really enjoying learning more about the history of the Xaveriques. What inspired you to create this unusual group of super humans?
I don't know! I just had that initial idea of a young girl finding out she had powers once she dies and comes back to life and the species has evolved from there. Writing the history pieces was so enjoyable - but I wrote them all separately, so fitting them into the novel in a sequence that made sense felt like attempting an impossible puzzle. I still can't believe I managed it!
4. What most appeals to you about the idea of being a Xaverique?
Gabby's ability to heal is the most appealing element of being a Xaverique to me - wouldn't that be an incredible power to have.
5. Are you working on any other story projects?
I am just about to start my newest project - it will be a novel in a completely different style. It's all just ideas swirling around in my mind at the moment and a whole lot of notes in my book.
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