Blurb:
Melina
Rowe never thought her quiet, simple life could change to one full of fear and
confusion just by accidentally bumping into someone. But after she collides
with an elderly man named Walter, she starts to hear people’s thoughts and have
unsettling visions.
Walter reveals
himself as a guiding angel and explains to Melina that she’s a rare type of
human who can absorb angel powers. But her special ability is more of a problem
for her than a gift.
The powers are too strong for humans and will eventually kill Melina unless she can successfully use them to help a select individual who’s in need of guidance. Her chances are slim, though, seeing that the handful of other humans this has happened to before didn't survive.
Scared
for her life, Melina desperately tries to help a young man named Lee, but his continual
resistance and her struggle with the powers make it almost impossible. Her
situation only grows worse when a trio of soul-snatching demons is sent by an
unknown entity to take her soul and kill her.
As a determined Walter sets out to discover who sent the demons and why, Melina must defend herself from their relentless attacks all while trying to use powers she doesn’t fully understand to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. If she can’t figure out how to break through to Lee, the powers will ultimately destroy her. But if the powers don’t kill her first, the demons will.
As a determined Walter sets out to discover who sent the demons and why, Melina must defend herself from their relentless attacks all while trying to use powers she doesn’t fully understand to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. If she can’t figure out how to break through to Lee, the powers will ultimately destroy her. But if the powers don’t kill her first, the demons will.
Excerpt:
Chapter
One
Melina
Rowe peered out of her bedroom window and wrinkled her nose. It was late
October, so she knew it was cold outside, but it also appeared to be windy.
These weather conditions weren’t her favorite, but she was determined to
continue with her morning runs until snow prevented her from doing otherwise. She
pulled her long brown hair up into a ponytail, slid a fleece headband on over
her ears, and zipped up her coat before heading out her apartment door and down
the stairwell to her bookstore below. The store didn’t open for another hour,
so she had plenty of time. She took a quick look around and then turned to exit
through the back.
Starting
off in a slight jog, she followed her normal path toward the park, taking in
the city in its early morning state as she went. Traffic was light, and there
was only a handful of people out and about. The sky was a dull gray, and brown,
dried up leaves swirled and danced around her, giving the city an even gloomier
feeling. She hoped the blustery wind didn’t mean rain was on its way.
After
only a few short blocks, the wrought iron gates that surrounded the park
appeared alongside her. She picked up her pace and rounded a corner to her
right, making her way toward the entrance, when she came upon an elderly man
walking from the opposite direction. They met each other so suddenly that
neither of them had a chance to move out of the way. Melina collided with the
man, and it was in that moment that it happened.
As
soon as their bodies made contact, she felt a powerful surge of energy pass
through her and then a bright white light exploded between them, knocking them
both away from each other. Melina, who had been knocked to the ground, pushed
herself up to her feet, wondering what had just happened. The sensation that
went through her body was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was very
sharp and intense, like an electric shock, but at the same time it was soothing
and warm. The feeling still lingered in her body as she finally looked over at
the man.
After
catching his balance, he looked over at her, and she noticed his expression of
confusion and shock. His mouth opened as if to say something, but nothing came
out. He stared at her for a moment and then finally he spoke to her.
“You,”
he muttered.
“Excuse
me?” she asked, returning his confused look.
“You’re
one of them.”
About the author
Ashley Stambaugh grew up in a small town in Illinois where she and
her two siblings created some of the best memories playing on their family’s
farm. She stayed in the southern region of the state to attend college where
she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and also met her husband.
Now, she and her husband live in central Illinois and spend their
time creating new memories with their two rambunctious boys and their comical
black Pug. She also enjoys reading, taking long walks, and finding great
bargains. When her sons are a little bit older, she has a great desire to
travel with her family. Oh, and she also has a slight obsession with chocolate.
When she’s not busy chasing after her two young children or losing
herself in a good book, you can find her curled up on her couch with her
laptop, writing.
Social
media links
Website: www.ashleystambaugh.blogspot.com
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/ashleystambaughauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleystambaugh
Buy Links:
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/ashleystambaughauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleystambaugh
Buy Links:
Thank you, Elaine!
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