Today we’re spotlighting Brenda Drake’s novel, Cursing Fate! Read on for more about Brendal and her novel, plus an excerpt, and giveaway!
Meet Brenda Drake!
Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When she’s not writing or hanging out with her family, she haunts libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or reads someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).
There’s something strange about the Layne sisters, and Wade Diaz wants nothing to do with them. Especially the one who ripped his heart out and set it on fire before tossing it in the garbage several months ago. Iris. He can’t even think her name without unconsciously rubbing the spot in his chest where she left a gaping hole. But now her sisters are claiming some evil spirit is after his soul, and Iris is the only one who can save him. Well, at least his heart would stop hurting, right? Didn’t sound so bad.
Iris Layne has always been the sweet sister. She’s kind to everyone, including her best friend Wade… Until she makes a horrible mistake and breaks his heart. All she wants is to go back to before ‘the dumping’. Of course, Wade would rather see her in hell first. But then Iris touches her sister’s tarot cards and unleashes an evil curse intent on playing a deadly game where no one Iris loves is safe, especially Wade.
How do you convince someone they need your help when you’re the one who hurt them most?
A Note From Brenda Drake:
I’m beyond thrilled to share an excerpt of Cursing Fate on YA Books Central today. The story is told in alternate points of view between Iris and Wade. It’s a story about friendships and romance with a dash of magic. A story about getting over heartache and learning to forgive. Wade and Iris were best friends before their brief romance was torn apart by magic, causing Iris to break Wade’s heart. This scene is through Wade Diaz’s eyes. To raise money to fix up his grandfather’s sailboat, he agrees to tutor Iris who is on the brink of failing a few classes. The setting of the following excerpt is Iris’s home while Wade is tutoring her. He is frustrated and torn by his feelings for Iris and his belief he can’t trust her. I hope you enjoy it!
Excerpt:
He rushed to the kitchen and picked up his jacket. “So, I’m going to head out.”
Iris glanced at him, a startled look on her face. “You didn’t check this last equation.” “Okay, let me see.” He leaned over and slid the paper across the table to see it better,
catching a hint of Iris’s shampoo on her hair. Floral. Like everything else in her home. And it drove him insane. “You got it. Nice job.”
“I did?” The excitement in her voice softened his frustration.
“Yep.”
“Thank you so much,” she said. “Should I pay you now or do you want to get paid
weekly?”
“Weekly is fine.” The less words he spoke, the better for him. He had to get out of there
and release some steam. But those eyes. Those eyes with so much beauty and kindness paused him. They were so familiar to him yet still mysterious.
“Iris…”
“Yes?”
He took her hands and pulled her up to her feet. Cradling her head in his grasp, he stared
at her, wanting desperately to kiss her, to feel the softness of her lips again. Her hands traveled up his chest to his shoulders.
What am I doing?
He wanted her more than breathing. Wanted to go back to the days before her betrayal. But she’d hurt him. He pushed away from her.
“What’s wrong?” she said breathlessly, reaching for him.
He backed away. “I can’t do this.” He shook his head and stormed out the kitchen door, tugging on his jacket as he headed for his motorcycle. He lifted the seat, grabbed his helmet, and shoved it on his head, vaguely aware of Iris calling out to him. With one swift move, he straddled the seat and slipped on his leather gloves. At the press of the start button, the bike growled to life. He released the clutch and took off down the street.
Thoughts of Iris pelted his brain. Iris smiling, her front teeth overlapping just slightly. Iris laughing, a cute snort slipping out at times.
Iris.
What does she expect from me? How can I trust her?
He rode in and out of the blooms of light coming from the streetlamps, going from light to dark. Just like his emotions. Get back with Iris. Don’t.
Stop thinking about her.
Iris sharing her lunch with him when he’d forgotten his in eighth grade. Iris smudging paint on his face while he watched her at her easel, when he liked her as more than friends and she liked someone else. Iris telling him she loved him and no one else. Iris ignoring his phone calls. Iris texting him that she and Josh had made up, not even bothering to explain things to him.
Iris.
He pulled a U-turn, speeding the bike back in the direction he had come. Iris bringing him homemade soup from her gram when he was sick. Iris decorating his home with his mother for every single one of his birthdays since they’d become friends. Iris sending him heart grams for Valentine’s Day. Iris wearing a Santa hat to deliver him presents at Christmas.
Iris.
Cursing Fate
By: Brenda Drake
Release Date: November 21, 2016
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
One winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card (International).
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
The cover is so adorable!
I found the cover fun and beautifully designed. I found the synopsis insightful.
Cursing fate sounds great ♡ I love the sweet cover! Thank you
The synopsis sounds great and definitely has me intrigued! The cover is cute too!
This book sounds fun. The cover is pretty.
I love when the girl saves the guy!
Cute cover, too.
I like the book cover. The synopsis makes me think that I will like this story and the characters.
I think the cover is cute and fits the book well. The synopsis makes me want to find out if second chances are possible.
I think that the cover and the blurb are most excellent. I love a great review and synopsis with no spoiler, so we can enjoy the book wholly. I am looking at reading this after the holidays in the next few weeks.