GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
Neliem
by Clare DiLiscia
Neliem by Clare DiLiscia is currently on tour with Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours. The tour stops here today for a guest post by the author, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Half the population of the island of Madera are dead, killed by an unforgiving and indiscriminate plague. Oriana dreams of escaping her life of ruthless cruelty from the people who now rule over those who remain. No telling whom the plague will strike next, Oriana means to find freedom for herself and her people. Drawing strength from ancient tales of her enemy, young Oriana transforms herself from victim to warrior with the help of a mysterious and powerful dagger given to her by a kind and dying boy.
Years later, during her enemy’s betrothal ritual, Ezra, a boy she has never before seen, selects her as his mate. With servitude her only option, Oriana accepts the offer. Whisked away to a seemingly perfect world, Oriana discovers sinister secrets at every turn, including the identity of Tristan, a boy with whom she shares an undeniable but impossible connection.
Why would a boy she doesn’t know wish her to be his betrothed? Why does she feel such a strong pull toward a stranger? Someone in Ezra’s family not only knows the answer to both those questions, but also about the dagger Oriana possesses. He will do anything to stop the union. Now, with everything on the line, Oriana turns inward to find the strength she needs to seize the full power of the dagger so that she may protect herself and save her people.
Excerpt
Praise for the Book
“Great debut! Fascinating world and Oriana is a great character to explore it with. I look forward to more from this author!” ~ HouseofRosen
“Great debut - excited to see more.” ~ Liza Felissig
“Best fantasy I’ve read in years!” ~ Vincenzo
“I'm so glad I got to read this book. First as a boy, I wondered if it was for me. It's a girl empowerment in a fantasy world that reads from like the early 1900's. […] I really loved this book. It opened my eyes to so many injustices in not only the world in the book, but our own world. And it showed me how very different people can come together and find something good and lasting. Reading this book made me think outside the box, and I really hope you all get a chance to read it as well.” ~Oliver Baird
“I was so involved in the story that I couldn't put it down! What an intriguing book.” ~ Eve Rubell
Guest Post by the Author
Deleted Scene from Neliem
This scene was cut from the ending of Neliem. A precursor to Neliem II. It shows the story isn’t quite over for Oriana.
As the tide rose in the waters of Cortos, a beautiful brown haired boy, washed to shore. Or rather, appeared. One moment, the beach was empty. The other, the most beautiful boy with a ruffled shirt and what appeared to be a sawed off handcuff on his wrist materialized as if by magic.
Moaning, Tristan lifted his head, wiping the sand off his face, only to spy some curious children who’d wandered to the beach to collect seashells that morning.
His dazzling smile broke, his eyes twinkling merriment. “This is not the Capital.”
Climbing to his feet, he recognized the small dagger he’d gifted his brother in what seemed a lifetime ago, stabbing the sand right where he stood. Retrieving it, he sauntered ahead, laughing as an eagle fluttered alarmingly close, before widening its wingspan and flying away into the horizon.
About the Author
Born in Queens, New York, Clare DiLiscia moved to California as a small child and grew up in the hills by Dodger Stadium. Constantly roaming the woods, she took to embellishing on the stories of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck to fill her imagination. To her horror she soon realized there was no way to fit a miniature tuxedo on a frog. Fortunately, in sixth grade, Clare won a short story contest with the grand prize of fifteen happy meals. She would like to point out that two of those meal tickets were missing by the time her mother handed over her prize.
After traveling extensively throughout South America and the Caribbean, Clare attended KU Leuven, in Belgium for University where she studied Dutch and French. Clare graduated from Cal State Northridge Film School, earning Dean’s List recognition with a BA in TV/Film. In 2006 she placed in the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting, beating out 4700 other applicants. After joining SCBWI, Clare won 1st place HM in the Sue Alexander for her YA novel, now entitled Neliem.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a Starbucks gift card.
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