Page Count: 330
Published on: June 5, 2018
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Genre(s): YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
Age Rating: YA
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository
Goodreads synopsis:
The world has changed.
Scientists warned it would happen.
Meteors devastated the Earth. World Governments developed plans to help surviving citizens. The United States disbanded and salvageable land was divided into four quadrants—North, South, East, and West—governed by The Remnant Council.
Struggling to survive, seventeen-year-old Ava ends up in juvenile detention, until she is selected for a new life—with a catch. She must be injected with an experimental serum. The results will be life changing. The serum will make her better. To receive the serum Ava agrees to join a program controlled by ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network.
While on a mission, she is abducted by a rebel group led by Rhett and told that not only does she have a history with him, but her entire past is a lie perpetuated by ISAN to ensure her compliance. Unsure of who to trust, Ava must decide if her strangely familiar and handsome captor is her enemy or her savior—and time is running out.
Scientists warned it would happen.
Meteors devastated the Earth. World Governments developed plans to help surviving citizens. The United States disbanded and salvageable land was divided into four quadrants—North, South, East, and West—governed by The Remnant Council.
Struggling to survive, seventeen-year-old Ava ends up in juvenile detention, until she is selected for a new life—with a catch. She must be injected with an experimental serum. The results will be life changing. The serum will make her better. To receive the serum Ava agrees to join a program controlled by ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network.
While on a mission, she is abducted by a rebel group led by Rhett and told that not only does she have a history with him, but her entire past is a lie perpetuated by ISAN to ensure her compliance. Unsure of who to trust, Ava must decide if her strangely familiar and handsome captor is her enemy or her savior—and time is running out.
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I got the pleasure of interviewing the lovely Mary Ting about her upcoming release, ISAN! I'm so excited to read this book! Interviewing Mary was so much fun.She's an amazing person! I love what she stands for!
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LTBN: What inspires you to write? When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
MT: I’ve taught kindergarten for almost 20 years. I began writing when my grandmother passed away and based the first book, Crossroads, on dreams I had in high school. Never did I wanted to be an author. It happened by chance. Writing helped me grieve the loss of my grandmother, so in a way, I feel like it was a gift from her. Now I have about 30 books under Mary Ting and my pen name for romance, M. Clarke. ☺
LTBN: Do real people or real events inspire your novels?
MT: Yes. Crossroads is based on my dreams from high school. Chapters one and two are based on true events. Most of the characters in that novel are based on
people I know or have passed away. Some of my books are set in places I had
visited.
LTBN: What was your favorite part of writing this novel?
MT: Am I allowed to say everything? LOL. I love the characters, especially Ava and Rhett. I have to have action, mystery, and for sure romance in my stories. I write a story I want to read.
LTBN: What is your favorite genre to write?
MT: I love fantasy. Under M. Clarke, I write New Adult romance. I enjoy writing them, but fantasy is what I love to write the most.
LTBN: In your author biography, I saw that you tour with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy. Why do you think literacy is such an important topic and how does literacy impact the communities you visit?
MT: Having an experience of being a teacher for almost 20 years have opened my eyes to different communities and the lack of early childhood education. They need to be exposed in the early years … I believe from the time they are born. They are a sponge ready to soak it all in. Many families didn’t have a single book in their homes. This knowledge crushed me. Some parents would say … my child doesn’t like to read. No, not true. They just need to find the genre they love. We are all different, with different taste. Thank you! ☺
~~~~~~ Teaser: ~~~~~~
“Would you like my assistance? Or you can just stand there so I can stare at you a bit longer.”
Startled, I whirled toward the sound of a familiar, seductive voice. Sniper stood by the walk-in closet in a cool, relaxed manner with his hand braced on the door. His hair was slicked back, looking polished and debonair. My heart pummeled, but not in fear.
Was I crazy to be attracted to him? Mesmerized by the black tuxedo forming to his perfect body, I stared at him and wondered if I’d dreamed him up. His presence confirmed I hadn’t imagined him above the stairs earlier. Then I wondered if he’d come alone.
“How’d you know I was here?”
Unnerved, I gritted my teeth. He hadn’t heeded my warning to stay away. I should scream or plan an escape out of the bathroom, but I couldn’t move or think. His presence stirred my curiosity and I wanted answers, especially when the lunatic thought he knew me.
“It doesn’t concern you,” he said.
His nonchalant tone caused me to raise my voice. “The hell it doesn’t.”
“I’ll explain later.”
I scoffed. “Are you here to try to kidnap me again?”
I might not have Helix, but I had my heels and months of training backing me up. If there was one thing I was good at, it was bringing a person to their knees. Courage grew inside me and I dropped my dress.
Sniper snapped out of his stupor and his amber eyes grew darker. “Where are my manners? I admire the dress, but I like what you’re wearing now so much more.” He waggled his eyebrows. “You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”
No. Don’t say that.
I became breathless when he closed the gap between us. Why was I letting him? When Sniper raised his hand, I flinched. My heart galloped faster when he cupped my face and ran his thumb ever so tenderly along my cheek.
“I wish I could’ve been your date tonight. We could’ve danced together. Dancing with me always made you happy.”
I closed my eyes for several seconds, hypnotized by his voice, by his touch. I pictured us slow dancing, not because it had happened, but because I desperately wanted the happiness he described.
Then I came to my senses. Leaning into his caress, I pretended to enjoy it, which wasn’t hard. Moving slowly, I raised my knee …
~~~~~~
Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~
