Love Is Love
One of the central themes in
INKED is that people should be allowed to love whomever they want,
whenever and however they want. Sadly, so many people in this world today hold
judgments, prejudices, misgivings, and
other sundry negative beliefs about others. They may be based on learned,
historical and personal family values or in religious ideology, or regional and
national or even ethnic and class bias. And there are some in positions of
power who aim to impose their narrow-minded views on the greater populace
through unjust laws that seek to regulate relationships.
This needs to end.
In INKED Cameron, an
African-American boy, and Farrah, a Caucasian girl, have to navigate the
negative feelings of other students, friends, and their own families simply to
be together. Even in the dangerous realm of Terra Sempre, Cameron and Farrah
discover that Da Vinci had enacted a law that restricted the free expression of
love and relationships. And since Da Vinci reclaims his reign over Terra
Sempre, Cameron and Farrah both implore Leonardo to change the law and to let
his
citizens “amore whomever they wish”
with impunity.
This is
the author’s desire as well.
***
Inked
by: Chris Ledbetter
Series: Terra Sempre Saga, Book 2
Genre: YA contemporary/ fantasy romance
by: Chris Ledbetter
Series: Terra Sempre Saga, Book 2
Genre: YA contemporary/ fantasy romance
Evernight Teen
Publishing / 65k
Release Date: July 1, 2016
You're Not Truly Alive Until You Know What You Would Die For...
Release Date: July 1, 2016
You're Not Truly Alive Until You Know What You Would Die For...
Driven by unbearable aches of absence and longing, Cameron and Farrah are lured back inside the cursed sketchbook and the perilous Terra Sempre that siphoned their souls and almost cost them their lives.
Undeterred by a gathering storm of threats and complications, Cameron and Farrah find unlikely allies in both realms, but what Cameron discovers in Terra Sempre might make him want to stay there forever.
Buy Links: ARe Evernight Teen Amazon
Amazon: https://amzn.com/B01F7VFJA2
Evernight Teen: http://www.evernightteen.com/inked-by-chris-ledbetter/
***
Teaser:
“You actually running?” Farrah asks, biting into an orange. Juice runs down the side of her mouth. If there weren’t so many people out here, I’d help her out with that. She catches me looking and licks her lips.
“I have something for you later,” I whisper.
She mouths back, “I bet you do.” A wicked grin creases her cheeks.
“Back to your question … before you distracted me. No, I hadn’t planned on running. I was just helping Jamison out. You?”
“Show me what you’re made of. Let’s go.”
“Oh, you’re challenging me?”
She props her hands on her hips and arches her perfect brows. “Scared?”
“Oh, girl, you are on.” I grab her hand and drag her playfully over to where J’s classmates are handing out tags. I pick up two. She pins mine on the back of my shirt. The sensation of her fingers working against my upper back sends shivers down my spine. The good kind.
Then she strips out of her hoodie to reveal a navy blue racer-back tank top. She pats her torso to indicate where she’d rather have the tag placed. I gaze into her eyes before sinking past her chest to her taut stomach. I pull the stretchy fabric away from her skin so I don’t poke her with the pins. My fingers graze her fluttering stomach and her breath catches. She bites her lip and closes her eyes, turns her head and smiles. Like she can hide it. When I’m done, I give her a slight tickle.
She wrinkles her nose at me. “Don’t be trying to distract me, mister Cameron. I intend to beat you.”
“Everyone line up!” Jamison calls out on the megaphone.
We arrange ourselves in the middle of the pack. Farrah tips her chin up to me while smoothing her red mane back. The starting gun fires, and the cluster of runners takes off. The path winds among tall pines that stand against the sky like sentinels. Through the first quarter of a mile, Farrah and I hang on to a steady pace. My breathing is good. The second half mile, she increases her pace a bit, but I’m right on her heels. During the second mile, though, she begins to pull away. I rationalize this by convincing myself that I’m saving energy for the kick at the end, except the pace I’m running now is pretty dang fast, even for me. And she’s still five feet or so ahead. She has a mighty sweet running stride. Her hamstrings are the sexiest things known to mankind.
With a mile or so left to go, she glances over her shoulder and kicks into the next gear, crossing the bridge spanning the pond where ducks are fed by passersby. At the half mile to go mark, I launch into as much kick as I have left in the tank. But it’s not enough. My legs are heavy as logs. I simply can’t pick them up and put them down fast enough.
She got me.
I cross the finish line and catch my breath while walking over to the snack table. By the time I get there, Farrah’s waiting for me with an orange wedge in her mouth turned outward. She crooks her finger to beckon me to her. Then she points toward the orange. I can barely contain the giddy level of sensual excitement that wells up. I dart furtive glances all around.
We’re surrounded by school mates, some I recognize, some she knows. A girl catches my gaze and raises her eyebrows. Great. I fidget with the bottom of my shirt, and then clear my throat.
Farrah tips her head to the side and bats her eyelashes. I turn quick peeks over both shoulders, and then I dive in and suck on the orange that’s in her mouth. She leans into me and moans a little. When I’m done, I must have the biggest grin on my face.
“Get a room!” Jamison yells.
OMG! I can’t believe he put me on blast like that. Everyone within ten feet turns toward us. Inside, I’m still grinning like I won a million dollars. On the outside, not so much. I curl my toes up in my shoes and cover my head with a towel to dry off.
Farrah whispers, “God, I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
I turn to her. “At least everyone here is an ally. Or at the least, a marketing nerd.”
She laughs. “Or an art nerd.”
“Yeah, ‘cause there are no glasses-wearing, journalism editors here either.”
Her lips stifle a smile. “You watch your mouth, buddy.”
“You watch it for me.”
“Cheeky.” She nudges my hip and bites into another orange. “By the way, what took you so long back there?”
“Shut up.”
“You actually running?” Farrah asks, biting into an orange. Juice runs down the side of her mouth. If there weren’t so many people out here, I’d help her out with that. She catches me looking and licks her lips.
“I have something for you later,” I whisper.
She mouths back, “I bet you do.” A wicked grin creases her cheeks.
“Back to your question … before you distracted me. No, I hadn’t planned on running. I was just helping Jamison out. You?”
“Show me what you’re made of. Let’s go.”
“Oh, you’re challenging me?”
She props her hands on her hips and arches her perfect brows. “Scared?”
“Oh, girl, you are on.” I grab her hand and drag her playfully over to where J’s classmates are handing out tags. I pick up two. She pins mine on the back of my shirt. The sensation of her fingers working against my upper back sends shivers down my spine. The good kind.
Then she strips out of her hoodie to reveal a navy blue racer-back tank top. She pats her torso to indicate where she’d rather have the tag placed. I gaze into her eyes before sinking past her chest to her taut stomach. I pull the stretchy fabric away from her skin so I don’t poke her with the pins. My fingers graze her fluttering stomach and her breath catches. She bites her lip and closes her eyes, turns her head and smiles. Like she can hide it. When I’m done, I give her a slight tickle.
She wrinkles her nose at me. “Don’t be trying to distract me, mister Cameron. I intend to beat you.”
“Everyone line up!” Jamison calls out on the megaphone.
We arrange ourselves in the middle of the pack. Farrah tips her chin up to me while smoothing her red mane back. The starting gun fires, and the cluster of runners takes off. The path winds among tall pines that stand against the sky like sentinels. Through the first quarter of a mile, Farrah and I hang on to a steady pace. My breathing is good. The second half mile, she increases her pace a bit, but I’m right on her heels. During the second mile, though, she begins to pull away. I rationalize this by convincing myself that I’m saving energy for the kick at the end, except the pace I’m running now is pretty dang fast, even for me. And she’s still five feet or so ahead. She has a mighty sweet running stride. Her hamstrings are the sexiest things known to mankind.
With a mile or so left to go, she glances over her shoulder and kicks into the next gear, crossing the bridge spanning the pond where ducks are fed by passersby. At the half mile to go mark, I launch into as much kick as I have left in the tank. But it’s not enough. My legs are heavy as logs. I simply can’t pick them up and put them down fast enough.
She got me.
I cross the finish line and catch my breath while walking over to the snack table. By the time I get there, Farrah’s waiting for me with an orange wedge in her mouth turned outward. She crooks her finger to beckon me to her. Then she points toward the orange. I can barely contain the giddy level of sensual excitement that wells up. I dart furtive glances all around.
We’re surrounded by school mates, some I recognize, some she knows. A girl catches my gaze and raises her eyebrows. Great. I fidget with the bottom of my shirt, and then clear my throat.
Farrah tips her head to the side and bats her eyelashes. I turn quick peeks over both shoulders, and then I dive in and suck on the orange that’s in her mouth. She leans into me and moans a little. When I’m done, I must have the biggest grin on my face.
“Get a room!” Jamison yells.
OMG! I can’t believe he put me on blast like that. Everyone within ten feet turns toward us. Inside, I’m still grinning like I won a million dollars. On the outside, not so much. I curl my toes up in my shoes and cover my head with a towel to dry off.
Farrah whispers, “God, I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
I turn to her. “At least everyone here is an ally. Or at the least, a marketing nerd.”
She laughs. “Or an art nerd.”
“Yeah, ‘cause there are no glasses-wearing, journalism editors here either.”
Her lips stifle a smile. “You watch your mouth, buddy.”
“You watch it for me.”
“Cheeky.” She nudges my hip and bites into another orange. “By the way, what took you so long back there?”
“Shut up.”
***
Praise for
DRAWN:
"Ledbetter
successfully makes his fantastic premise very believable... Farrah is a good
foil for Cameron, and Ledbetter does a fine job developing their friendship and
romantic connection... Because this is not a graphic novel, descriptions are
important, and Ledbetter’s finely detailed descriptions serve as effective
illustrations for Cameron’s journey.
Inventive,
fast-paced fantasy with imaginative settings and engaging characters." ~
Kirkus Reviews
"From
the start, I was intrigued with the rare sighting of a young adult male action
hero... then, with a quick flip of the switch... Ledbetter takes an innovative
turn, with the right amount of creative risk, to amp the story with
action-driven, suspenseful, mysterious and romantic elements.
The twist
and turns, once started, didn't stop until the end. Lives must be saved. Time
is running out. My last wish is that this fantasy adventure hasn't ended."
~Michelle Monkou, USATODAY HEA Blog
"Stunning!
Each word was vividly woven together, creating a brilliant read... Art is a
huge theme throughout, and the way the author clearly weaves fantasy and
real-life scenarios is simply amazing. I couldn't stop reading this once I
picked it up. Filled with tender moments, hard decisions Cameron has to make.
Drawn was original every step of the way!" BTS Book Reviews
***
Author Bio:
He's a proud member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and a strong supporter of the Need for Diverse Books. As a self-described, young reluctant reader, he writes young adult stories specifically to reach other reluctant readers.
He now lives in Wilmington, NC with his family, including three cats.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.csledbetter.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLedbetter.Author
Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/Chris_Ledbetter
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Chris-Ledbetter/e/B0037Z8T9O
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6926810.Chris_Ledbetter
Goodreads Book Page~ INKED: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28937728-inked
Pinterest Inspo Board INKED: https://www.pinterest.com/chris_ledbetter/inked-novel-board/
***
Giveaway:
Grand Prize:
1 Signed copy of both Drawn and Inked.
$50 Amazon GC
Second place Prize:
ebook copy of Drawn and Inked
1 Signed copy of both Drawn and Inked.
$50 Amazon GC
Second place Prize:
ebook copy of Drawn and Inked
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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