NOW IN TRADE PAPER!
Powerless
By Tera Lynn Childs and Tracy Deebs
May 3, 2016; Tradepaper; ISBN 9781492616603
Book Info:
Title: Powerless
Series: The Hero Agenda
Authors: Tera Lynn Childs and Tracy Deebs
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Summary:
Kenna is tired of being “normal.”
The
only thing special about her is that she isn’t special at all. Which is
frustrating when you’re constantly surrounded by superheroes.
Her best friend, her ex-boyfriend, practically everyone she knows has
some talent or power. Sure, Kenna’s smart and independent, but as an
ordinary girl in an extraordinary world, it’s hard not to feel inferior.
only thing special about her is that she isn’t special at all. Which is
frustrating when you’re constantly surrounded by superheroes.
Her best friend, her ex-boyfriend, practically everyone she knows has
some talent or power. Sure, Kenna’s smart and independent, but as an
ordinary girl in an extraordinary world, it’s hard not to feel inferior.
So
when three villains break into the lab where she interns, Kenna refuses
to be a victim. She’s not about to let criminals steal the research
that will make her extraordinary too.
when three villains break into the lab where she interns, Kenna refuses
to be a victim. She’s not about to let criminals steal the research
that will make her extraordinary too.
But
in the heat of battle, secrets are spilled and one of the villains
saves her life. Twice. Suddenly, everything Kenna thought she knew about
good and evil, heroes
and villains is upended. And to protect her life and those she loves,
she must team up with her sworn enemies on a mission that will redefine
what it means to be powerful and powerless…
in the heat of battle, secrets are spilled and one of the villains
saves her life. Twice. Suddenly, everything Kenna thought she knew about
good and evil, heroes
and villains is upended. And to protect her life and those she loves,
she must team up with her sworn enemies on a mission that will redefine
what it means to be powerful and powerless…
Buy Links:
About the Authors:
Tracy
Deebs is a national bestselling and criticially-acclaimed author who
writes under many different pseudonyms.
Deebs is a national bestselling and criticially-acclaimed author who
writes under many different pseudonyms.
Tera Lynn Childs is the
RITA-award-winning author
of two mythology-based novels (Dutton’s Childrn’s), and a kick-butt
trilogy about monster-hunting descendants of Medusa (Katherine Tegen).
Social Networking Links:
Excerpt from Powerless:
If
I could have any superpower, right now, I’d choose the ability to reach
through glass. One thin, little pane is all that separates
me from bliss…of the midnight-snack variety, to be exact. The chocolate
bar hangs halfway to freedom but refuses to take the plunge, as if the
vending machine is mocking me, taunting me.
I could have any superpower, right now, I’d choose the ability to reach
through glass. One thin, little pane is all that separates
me from bliss…of the midnight-snack variety, to be exact. The chocolate
bar hangs halfway to freedom but refuses to take the plunge, as if the
vending machine is mocking me, taunting me.
As if it knows I’m powerless.
Annoyed,
I slam my palms against the glass. Everything inside shudders. My
chocolate bar—pure Swiss milk chocolate dotted with toasted
hazelnuts—doesn’t budge.
I slam my palms against the glass. Everything inside shudders. My
chocolate bar—pure Swiss milk chocolate dotted with toasted
hazelnuts—doesn’t budge.
“Come on,” I beg as if the candy can hear me. “Just a little farther.”
No such luck.
Then
again, when have I ever been lucky? I’m just glad no heroes are around
to see me lose a battle with a vending machine. I would
be the punch line to every joke for a year.
again, when have I ever been lucky? I’m just glad no heroes are around
to see me lose a battle with a vending machine. I would
be the punch line to every joke for a year.
Thankfully,
the lab is pretty much empty at this time of night. Even Mom went home
two hours ago, leaving me to transcribe the notes
from today’s sessions. I prefer to work when no one is around. My
experiments fall into a gray area in the Superhero Code of Conduct, and
even though I’m not technically a superhero—yet—I try not to piss off
the powers-that-be. The last thing I need is to
lose my lab privileges before I’ve perfected my formula.
the lab is pretty much empty at this time of night. Even Mom went home
two hours ago, leaving me to transcribe the notes
from today’s sessions. I prefer to work when no one is around. My
experiments fall into a gray area in the Superhero Code of Conduct, and
even though I’m not technically a superhero—yet—I try not to piss off
the powers-that-be. The last thing I need is to
lose my lab privileges before I’ve perfected my formula.
Copying down Mom’s scribblings is like deciphering some previously unknown ancient language. It isn’t exactly the most glamorous
summer job ever, but it pays okay and gives me access to the facility.
summer job ever, but it pays okay and gives me access to the facility.
I’m
almost done with tonight’s transcription from the digital white board
Mom and her team spent all day filling with chemical equations
for her newest power-enhancing formula. Maybe twenty more minutes, and
then I can get back to my test samples.
almost done with tonight’s transcription from the digital white board
Mom and her team spent all day filling with chemical equations
for her newest power-enhancing formula. Maybe twenty more minutes, and
then I can get back to my test samples.
My
stomach rumbles in protest, reminding me that I skipped dinner. I
really want that stupid chocolate bar. But since I just used
my last quarters, my only hope is that one of the security guards
upstairs has change for a ten.
stomach rumbles in protest, reminding me that I skipped dinner. I
really want that stupid chocolate bar. But since I just used
my last quarters, my only hope is that one of the security guards
upstairs has change for a ten.
I turn away from the vending machine alcove and start back around the corner to grab my wallet from the lab.
Right
before I make the turn, I hear hurried footsteps. Not wanting a repeat
of last week’s collision with Dr. Harwood—my favorite
jeans still smell like sulfur—I hang back a step.
before I make the turn, I hear hurried footsteps. Not wanting a repeat
of last week’s collision with Dr. Harwood—my favorite
jeans still smell like sulfur—I hang back a step.
But the boy who rushes around the corner looks nothing like the balding, old scientist who works nearly as many late nights as I
do.
do.
No,
this guy is tall and lean, but not too skinny. He’s got major biceps
and I can see the outline of some pretty impressive muscles
beneath his shirt. Yum. He’s probably about my age or a little older,
eighteen or nineteen maybe. And everything about him is shrouded in
black—his tee and jeans, his heavy-duty boots, his shoulder-length
hair—everything but his eyes.
this guy is tall and lean, but not too skinny. He’s got major biceps
and I can see the outline of some pretty impressive muscles
beneath his shirt. Yum. He’s probably about my age or a little older,
eighteen or nineteen maybe. And everything about him is shrouded in
black—his tee and jeans, his heavy-duty boots, his shoulder-length
hair—everything but his eyes.
If we weren’t in superhero central, I’d say he looks like a stereotypical villain.
You’d
think with all that darkness, he’d be nothing more than shadow. But
he’s all angles: his cheekbones, his jaw, even the collarbones
I can see peeking out from the low neckline of his tee. Light seems to
reflect off him like moon glow at midnight. Surrounded by all that
sculpted darkness, his icy blue irises burn like the hottest flames.
think with all that darkness, he’d be nothing more than shadow. But
he’s all angles: his cheekbones, his jaw, even the collarbones
I can see peeking out from the low neckline of his tee. Light seems to
reflect off him like moon glow at midnight. Surrounded by all that
sculpted darkness, his icy blue irises burn like the hottest flames.
Our
gazes collide, and though I know it’s vain, I instantly wish my hair
wasn’t pulled back in a messy braid and that I was wearing
something—anything—more appealing than my dad’s ratty old 1996 Stanley
Cup Champions tee.
gazes collide, and though I know it’s vain, I instantly wish my hair
wasn’t pulled back in a messy braid and that I was wearing
something—anything—more appealing than my dad’s ratty old 1996 Stanley
Cup Champions tee.
Hot
guys in the underground lab are few and far between—Who am I kidding?
Hot guys in my life are few and far between—so most of
my wardrobe choices involve comfort and whether I mind if the garment
gets ruined by acid, dye, or any of a million other compounds we work
with every day.
guys in the underground lab are few and far between—Who am I kidding?
Hot guys in my life are few and far between—so most of
my wardrobe choices involve comfort and whether I mind if the garment
gets ruined by acid, dye, or any of a million other compounds we work
with every day.
If
my best friend, Rebel, were here, she’d be doing an I-told-you-so dance
because she’s been wanting to give me a makeover forever.
That, and she’d already have his number and email address, and they’d
be making plans for their date this weekend. Me, I can’t even manage a
simple “hello.”
my best friend, Rebel, were here, she’d be doing an I-told-you-so dance
because she’s been wanting to give me a makeover forever.
That, and she’d already have his number and email address, and they’d
be making plans for their date this weekend. Me, I can’t even manage a
simple “hello.”
The fact that he’s scowling at me, those dark brows slashing low over those bright eyes, isn’t helping anything.
“The lab is supposed to be empty,” he says.
His voice is flat, but his comment almost feels like an accusation.
“I’m working late,” I answer, trying not to sound defensive. “What are you doing here?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “You’re working in the hall?&
.#8221;
.#8221;
“I needed a break to come get chocolate,” I say, gesturing at the vending machine behind me.
He nods down at my empty hands. “You don’t have any chocolate.”
“That thing hates me. Took my money and kept the candy bar.”
In
a graceful movement that looks almost choreographed, Dark-and-Scowly
steps around me and up to the greedy machine. He presses
his palms to the glass, just like I did. Hey, maybe he has the power to
reach through glass. After all, around here pretty much everyone but me
has some kind of super ability.
a graceful movement that looks almost choreographed, Dark-and-Scowly
steps around me and up to the greedy machine. He presses
his palms to the glass, just like I did. Hey, maybe he has the power to
reach through glass. After all, around here pretty much everyone but me
has some kind of super ability.
When his hands don’t immediately sink through the surface, I say, “I tried smacking it already. Didn’t work.”
Moving
his hands closer to the edge, he curls his fingers around the frame.
Then, with his boots braced on the floor, he gives the
whole machine a solid shove. The heavy hunk of metal rocks back once,
then comes forward, its front legs hitting the tile floor with a sharp
thud. On impact, the chocolate bar sails against the glass before
falling into the trough below.
his hands closer to the edge, he curls his fingers around the frame.
Then, with his boots braced on the floor, he gives the
whole machine a solid shove. The heavy hunk of metal rocks back once,
then comes forward, its front legs hitting the tile floor with a sharp
thud. On impact, the chocolate bar sails against the glass before
falling into the trough below.
He turns to face me, a cocky smile twisting one side of his mouth. “Takes a special touch.”
I duck down and reach through the hinged door to grab the candy bar.
“You’re my hero,” I joke.
He snorts. “Right.”
COMING SOON
Relentless
By Tera Lynn Childs and Tracy Deebs
June 7, 2016; Hardcover; ISBN 9781492616610
Summary:
Revenge is easy, but justice is worth fighting for…
Kenna
is tired of being lied to—and hunted by the very allies she once
trusted. Unearthing the dark secrets of the superhero world has
not only endangered her life, now her boyfriend faces execution for
crimes he didn’t commit and her mother is being held captive in a secret
governmental prison.
is tired of being lied to—and hunted by the very allies she once
trusted. Unearthing the dark secrets of the superhero world has
not only endangered her life, now her boyfriend faces execution for
crimes he didn’t commit and her mother is being held captive in a secret
governmental prison.
Kenna
is determined to stand up for what’s right and save those she loves
from unspeakable fates. It’s time for the betrayal to end. It’s
time for the real criminals to face justice.
is determined to stand up for what’s right and save those she loves
from unspeakable fates. It’s time for the betrayal to end. It’s
time for the real criminals to face justice.
But
the truth is even more terrifying than Kenna could imagine. A
conspiracy threatens the fate of heroes, villains, and all of humanity.
If Kenna’s going to survive, she must draw on her deepest strength: her
resilience. Because when Kenna’s pushed to the limit, she doesn’t break
down. She fights back.
the truth is even more terrifying than Kenna could imagine. A
conspiracy threatens the fate of heroes, villains, and all of humanity.
If Kenna’s going to survive, she must draw on her deepest strength: her
resilience. Because when Kenna’s pushed to the limit, she doesn’t break
down. She fights back.
Pre-Order Links:
Rafflecopter Giveaway link for two paperback copies of Powerless (Runs May 1-May 31st; U.S. & Canada only):