Phoenix Awakens
by Eliza Nolan
Release Date: 10/12/15
Paranormal debut about a high school senior who finds herself in a fight with a secret society for control of ancient magic.
Julia never believed in magic.
Julia Long is starting her senior year with an extra dose of crazy. The dreams of cultish, bloody rituals are weird enough, but the victim in her lifelike dreams is her new classmate, Southern charmer Graham.
Graham admits he was part of the Phoenixes — a centuries old secret society — but swears he left it all behind. As Julia works with Graham to figure out why she is dreaming about his past, she's discovering she has other abilities. She heals Graham’s migraines with a touch, and there’s her superhuman strength that comes and goes. Julia doesn’t know where her new talents come from, but there’s no denying that when Graham is near, her powers kick into overdrive.
But the Phoenixes want Graham back. They need his blood to awaken the magic they seek, and they'll do whatever it takes to get it.
In a mundane world where magic does not exist, Julia is the only one with a shot at stopping them. Will Julia learn to control her new abilities in time to stop the Phoenixes from harnessing this powerful magic?
Our eyes met, and that was all it took for me to become lost in his heavy-lidded, crystal-blue eyes.
He turned to Clara and his face brightened. "Hey, Sis." His voice was raspy like a smooth low buzz that set my insides humming.
"Graham, this is, Julia," Clara said.
His lips turned up into a crooked grin, making heat rush to my cheeks. "Julia." He nodded, reaching out to shake my hand and, although it was something Dad would do, I didn't care.
His Southern drawl was borderline hypnotic and sucked me in.
As he took my hand, my fingers tingled. Not the stomach dropping, sweaty, tongue-tied sensation you get from being around hot guys. Graham was definitely that hot. But no, this was different - a subtle prickling, like carbonated soda on the tongue. It tickled. We both looked down at our hands, eyes wide. The prickles crept up my arm, giving me goose bumps.
It was as if a current moved through us. My vision blurred and my legs weakened. Passing out became a serious possibility.
Was he doing something?
Then the sensation faded, replaced by a subtle wave of euphoria. Graham's expression relaxed, and I finally remembered to let go.
Julia Long
Age: 17
Eyes: Deep brown
Hair: Long and black with red streaks
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Height: 5’5”
Facts about Julia:
Loves John Hughes films
Could live on chocolate chip cookies
Loves Middle Eastern food
Dream superpower: If she could have a power, it would be to be invisible, because she hates being the center of attention. Julia has never liked being the center of attention. If she could, she would be invisible. She excels at blending in, even in her crowd of misfit friends. Her idea of fun is going out with her friends, and blending on the sideline while she watches the colorful people around her dance around, acting insane.
Graham Morgan
Age: 17
Eyes: Crystal blue
Hair: Short, ash brown
Hometown: Charleston, SC (Minneapolis transplant)
Height: 6’
Facts about Graham:
Rocky road is his favorite ice cream
Loves rollercoasters
Could live off Italian food
Loves swimming in the ocean
Dream superpower: If he could pick one superpower, it would be the ability to heal because he hates seeing others in pain. For Graham, there’s nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of his family and friends. However, he still knows how to have fun. Back in Charleston he loved hanging out onthe beach, and didn’t mind breaking the rules every now and then. His motto, as long as it wasn’t hurting anyone.
Eliza Nolan was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She lived in Charleston, South Carolina, for a few years, after which she returned to icy Minnesota - where she now lives with her two cats in a house smaller than your closet.
She is an avid reader and writer of YA. She has ghostwritten a novel or two, but also writes her own stuff, and is FINALLY getting ready (to get ready) to publish her debut young adult urban fantasy novel, Phoenix Awakens.
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