Paperback, 296 pagesExpected publication: October 22nd 2013 by Spencer Hill Press
ISBN 1937053644 (ISBN13: 9781937053642)
Edition language: English
Book Blurb
A virus that had once
been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its
destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut
off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a
chance at survival.
At first, Elysian
Fields, with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo
Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be
together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other
couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the
perfection of his world.
The people they were
before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has
been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is
fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells
them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play
along.
If they play it right,
then they'll be safe.
But if they play it
wrong, they'll die.
Excerpt One (from
Chapter One)
Gruff fingers yank a
blindfold off my face, light splashes into my eyes, and I blink. Gray walls
swim about my head, and the ceiling soars much too high above me. I don’t know
this place. I was walking to my bathroom when someone grabbed me from behind
and forced a sour-smelling cloth over my face and—someone grapples with my
hair, and I flinch. Who—who is touching me?
I try turning in the
flimsy chair, but someone’s grabbing my shoulders, forcing me not to move.
Spasms of fear shoot up and down my arms and legs. I try swinging my fists to
make them loosen their grip, but my captor’s fingers only tighten.
Raising my arm to jab
my captor in the gut, I pause. Someone’s laughing. How do I know that sound?
It’s beautiful and low, a laugh I could recognize anywhere. Glancing around the
sun-filled room, I find the source almost immediately. It’s Teo, my Teo,
standing across from me on the hardwood floor, beaming at me. His ebony eyes
shine forth like two onyx stones, and even his olive-toned skin makes me
breathe a bit shallower. Choking back a strangled laugh—no one’s here to hurt
me—I reach out for the love of my life, too tongue-tied to say anything.
His lips spread into a
thin smile, reminding me of his mouth melting into my own. Fire raged beneath
my skin with that kiss and it felt like I was lifted up into the air and
floating. It’s been six days since our kiss and we still haven’t been able to
talk about it. I tried repeatedly to go into his classroom, but it was like our
school had purposely decided to schedule a more than average number of
parent-teacher meetings.
Locking his eyes on
mine, Teo asks, “Manicure?”
I glance down at my
fingernails, trying to see why he would think I needed a manicure, when my
shoulders are released and pale, icy fingers grip my hand. Chills run through
me.
A flat, tenor voice
says, “Yes.” And I’m startled to see my fingernails are actually painted. Clear
and shiny.
The fingers drop my
hand, and my captor walks around to face me. White uniform, white skin, white
hair. He’s albino. Who is he?
About the Author
Mary Gray has a
fascination with all things creepy. That's why all her favorite stories usually
involve panic attacks and hyperventilating. In real life, she prefers to type
away on her computer, ogle over her favorite TV shows, and savor fiction. When
she's not immersed in other worlds, she and her husband get their exercise by
chasing after their three children. THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM is her first novel.
Author Links:
To celebrate the
release of THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM, author Mary Gray is giving away
one signed copy of THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM (U.S. only) and an unsigned copy
of THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM (open to all). Ends 10/23/13 (midnight).
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