As we pass a familiar house with a red doorthat evidently escaped the Stormers’ fires, I see a familiar scene.The door is thrown open and a guy pops out, chased by a vase, whichhits him in the back of the head, sending him tumbling out into thesnow. “And stay out!” a shrill, witch-like voice hollers after himbefore the door slams, jarring clumps of snow off the roof.
I laugh when I recognize the guy. Soft-handsLaRoy, previously known as girlfriend-stealer. Little did he knowhe was doing me a favor. It seems things didn’t work out for himand the witch so well after all.
I approach him, chuckling to myself.
When he sees me he shrinks back into thesnowdrift, hands above his head. I fake a punch and he shrinksfurther still. Smiling, I extend a hand, which he stares at withthe most disturbed look on his face. “Take it,” I say.
After a moment’s hesitation he does, and Ipull him to his feet, using a hand to brush the snow off his back.“Trust me,” I say, “you’re better off without her.”
He shrugs and then flinches when I fakeanother punch. Despite all that’s happened, it’d feel good to hithim just once, but I won’t today. There’s always another fight tobe fought, and although I’m looking forward to the next one, I nowknow I can control myself.
I return to Skye’s side. “What the scorch?”she says, raising her eyebrows.
“Long story,” I say. “Maybe I’ll tell you onthe way to storm country.”
She punches me in the ribs again and I’mbeginning to think that means she likes me, which is good enoughfor me.
We leave the village, and with the settingsun trying to push red light through the thick, gray cloud cover,we march into the forest, two Icers and four fire country natives,off to save the world, or at least a few kids. They’re someone’sdaughters, sons, brothers, sisters—special to someone. Special toSkye and Siena.
And I’ll do everything I can to save everylast one of them. Just like my sister.
Just like Jolie.
~*~
Keep reading for a sneak peak at theaction-packed sequel, book three of the Country Saga (a Dwellerssister series), Water & Storm Country, coming June 7,2013!
Acknowledgments
As always, I have to thank all the readers,new and old, who have stuck with me through this series. Betweenthe three books in the Dwellers Saga and the two so far in theCountry Saga, I know it takes a huge level of commitment to be apart of it, and for that I thank you. But we’re not done yet! I’mespecially excited about the third book in the Country Saga,Water & Storm Country, which will answer a lot of yourquestions about the Cure and who’s behind, in Siena’s words, the’spiracy. And then, of course, The Earth Dwellers willsmash the two series together in a final seventh book (may the sungoddess and Heart of the Mountain be with me as I attempt to notscrew this up!), in what I hope will be an epic end to a longadventure. Thanks for sticking with me!
My wife, Adele, gets the biggest hug ever,for being the ultimate supporter and challenger, keeping me frommaking stupid (and cheesy) decisions in my stories. You are morethan just a friend and wife, you’re my soul mate and partner forlife and beyond!
Thanks to Rhomy at Black Lion Book Tours, whoput together the perfect blog tour to get the word out!
To my remarkably talented cover artist,Regina Wamba, you’ve created the perfect book cover to contrast thecover for Fire Country, and I’m sure your two covers will gracemany a bookshelf. Thanks for your dedication to my vision and tothe series.
Next, a rapid-fire thank you thank you thankyou to my beta readers. You really rocked on this book, taking itto levels even I didn’t realize it could hit. So thanks to LaurieLove, Alexandria Theodosopoulos, Kayleigh-Marie Gore, Kerri Hughes,Terri Thomas, Lolita Verroen, Rachel Schade, and Ventura Dennis forbeing awesome. And a special thanks to Mr. Anthony Briggs Jr. forpushing me to develop my story in ways I never imagined. Many ofthe jaw-dropping moments in the book are a result of your gentlebut honest feedback.
To my super-secret street team (shhh, don’ttell anyone who you are), thanks for being even more vocal (ifthat’s possible) in promoting my books than ever before. I gettears in my eyes when I see what you do for me on a daily basis.Your friendship is for a lifetime.
The saga continues in other books by DavidEstes available through the author’s official website:
http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com
or through select online retailers includingSmashwords.com.
The Dwellers Saga:
Book One—The Moon Dwellers
Book Two—The Star Dwellers
Book Three—The Sun Dwellers
Book Four—The Earth Dwellers (comingSeptember 2013!)
The Country Saga (A Dwellers sisterseries):
Book One—Fire Country
Book Two—Ice Country
Book Three—Water & Storm Country (ComingJune 7, 2013!)
The Evolution Trilogy:
Book One—Angel Evolution
Book Two—Demon Evolution
Book Three—Archangel Evolution
Children’s Books by David Estes
The Nikki Powergloves Adventures:
Nikki Powergloves—A Hero Is Born
Nikki Powergloves and the Power Council
Nikki Powergloves and the Power Trappers
Nikki Powergloves and the Great Adventure
Nikki Powergloves vs. the Power Outlaws(Coming in 2013!)
Connect with David Estes Online
David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite:http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/70863-david-estes-fans-and-ya-book-lovers-unite
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Estes/130852990343920
My blog: http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/davidestes100
About the Author
David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas butmoved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grewup in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college.Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife andsoul mate, Adele, who he’s now been happily married to for morethan two years.
A reader all his life, David began writingnovels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and has completed14 novels, 12 of which have been published. In June of 2012, Davidbecame a fulltime writer and is now travelling the world with Adelewhile he writes books, and she writes and takes photographs.
David gleans inspiration from all sorts ofcrazy places, like watching random people do entertaining things,dreams (which he jots copious notes about immediately after wakingup), and even from thin air sometimes!
David’s a writer with OCD, a love of dancingand singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), amad-skilled ping-pong player, an obsessive Goodreads group member,and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table. Heloves responding to e-mails, Facebook messages, Tweets, blogcomments, and Goodreads comments from his readers, all of whom heconsiders to be his friends.
A SNEAK PEEK
WATER & STORM COUNTRY
BOOK 3 OF THE COUNTRY SAGA
Available anywhere e-books are sold June 7,2013!
Chapter One
Huck
Standing on the deckwatching the sunrise, I can’t hold back my smile. The air is crisp,a little colder than usual for this time of yar, numbing the tip ofmy nose, filling each breath with the distinct smell of salt andbrine. While endless yellow clouds patrol the ocean, the half-sunsplashes purples, pinks and oranges on the ever reddening morningsky.