Tuesday, March 08, 2011

ILLUSIONS, Chapter One

I meant to get this up last weekend, but the time totally got away from me!

Harper is going to start teasing the first parts of ILLUSIONS soon and so they gave me permission to share it here on my blog first!

But before I share, a quick question: I am planning my appearances for this summer and am trying to decide between Twin Falls, Idaho and Boise, Idaho. What do you vote? Because, literally, I am going to pick the location that gets the most votes.:D

And how about Las Vegas? Would anyone come see me if I did a stop in Vegas? Please comment and let me know! I would REALLY appreciate it!

And just one more thing: I will be at the Tucson Book Festival this weekend and have two panels and a reading/signing on Sunday, March 13th. Click on my name here and you will find my schedule, locations, etc. At the "Solo Presentation" I will be reading chapters one and probably two and there is signing time after both panels and the reading if you want to get a book(s) signed. I will also have signed Dark Days bookmarks and swag! *shameless bribery*

And without further ado, Chapter One! (I will post Chapter Two next month!:D) (Also, a quick note, this is my non-copy-edited version. There may be slight changes in the final copy. But we're talking slight, slight, slight.:D)


Chapter One

The halls of Del Norte High buzzed with first-day-of-school chaos as Laurel wedged herself through a crowd of sophomores and spotted David’s broad shoulders. She twined her arms around his waist and pressed her face against his soft T-shirt.

“Hey,” David said, returning her embrace. Laurel had just closed her eyes, prepared to savor the moment, when Chelsea caught them both in an exuberant squeeze.

“Can you believe it? We’re finally seniors!”

Laurel laughed as Chelsea let them go. Coming from her, the question wasn’t exactly rhetorical; there had been times Laurel doubted they’d make it through junior year alive.

As David turned to his locker, Chelsea produced Mrs. Cain’s summer reading list from her backpack. Laurel suppressed a smile; Chelsea had been fretting over the optional books all summer. Probably longer.

“I’m starting to think everyone read Pride and Prejudice,” she said, tilting the paper toward Laurel, “I knew I should have gone with Persuasion.”

I didn’t read Pride and Prejudice,” Laurel countered.

“Yeah, well, you were a little busy reading Common Uses of Ferns or something like that.” Chelsea leaned in so she could whisper. “Or, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Mixers,” she added with a snort of laughter.

How to Win Fronds and Influence Poplars,” David suggested, raising his eyebrows. He straightened abruptly, his smile widening and his voice getting just a touch louder. “Hey, Ryan,” he said, extending a fist.

Ryan bumped him and turned to run his hands down Chelsea’s arms. “How’s the hottest senior at Del Norte?” he asked, making Chelsea giggle as she went onto her toes for a kiss.

Sighing contentedly, Laurel reached out for David’s hand and leaned against him. She’d only been back from the Academy in Avalon for a week, and she’d missed her friends—more even than last year, though her instructor, Yeardley, had usually kept her too busy to dwell on that. She’d mastered several potions and was closing in on more. The mixings were coming more naturally, too; she was getting a feel for different herbs and essences and how they should work together. Certainly not enough to strike out on her own, like her friend Katya, who was researching new potions, but Laurel took pride in her progress.

Still, it was a relief to be back in Crescent City, where everything was normal and she didn’t feel so lonely. She smiled up at David as he swung his locker shut and pulled her close. It seemed monumentally unfair that she and David only had one class together this year, and despite having spent the past week with him, Laurel found herself clinging to these last few minutes before the bell rang and their class schedules took them away from each other.

She almost didn’t notice the strange tingle that made her want to turn and look behind her.

Was she being watched?

More curious than afraid, Laurel disguised the glance over her shoulder as a toss of her long blonde hair. But her watcher was immediately apparent and Laurel’s breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked with a pair of pale green eyes.

Those eyes weren’t supposed to be light green. They were supposed to be the rich, emerald green that once matched his hair—hair that was now a uniform black, cut short and gelled into a deceptively casual mop. Instead of a hand-woven tunic and breeches, he was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt that, no matter how good they looked on him, had to be terribly stifling.

And he was wearing shoes. She’d hardly ever seen Tamani wearing shoes.

But light or dark, she knew his eyes—eyes that featured prominently in her dreams, as familiar to her as her own, or her parents’. Or David’s.

The moment their eyes locked, the months since she’d last seen Tamani shrank from an eternity to an instant. Last winter, in a moment of anger, she’d told him to go away, and he had. She hadn’t known where, or for how long, or if she’d ever see him again. But she’d chosen David, one hundred percent, and though she hadn’t meant to exile Tamani from her life—he was her friend, after all—she had to admit his absence simplified that choice. And after nearly a year she had almost gotten used to the ache she felt in her chest every time she thought about him. But suddenly he was here, almost close enough to touch.

Laurel looked up at David, but he wasn’t looking at her. He, too, had noticed Tamani.

“Wow,” Chelsea said from behind Laurel’s shoulder, breaking her reverie. “Who’s the hot new guy?” Her boyfriend, Ryan, scoffed. “Well, he is, I’m not blind,” Chelsea added matter-of-factly.

Laurel still couldn’t speak as Tamani’s gaze flitted from her, to David, then back again. A million thoughts spun through her head. Why is he here? Why is he dressed like that? Why didn’t he tell me he was coming? She hardly felt David pry her hands from his shirt, lacing his warm fingers through her own, which were suddenly cold as ice.

“Foreign exchange, I bet,” Ryan said. “Look at Mr. Robison parading them all around.”

“Maybe,” Chelsea said, noncommittally.

Mr. Robison said something to the three students who were following him through the hallway, and Tamani’s head swung so that even his profile was no longer visible. As if released from a spell, Laurel dropped her gaze to the floor.

David squeezed her hand and she looked up at him. “Is that who I think it is?”

Laurel nodded, unable to find her voice; though David and Tamani had only met twice before, both events had been . . . memorable. She kept a firm grip on David’s hand. When David looked back toward Tamani, so did Laurel.

The other boy in the group looked embarrassed and the girl was explaining something to him in a language that was clearly not English. Mr. Robison nodded approvingly.

Ryan crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. “See? Told you. Foreign exchange.”

Tamani was shifting the weight of a black backpack from shoulder to shoulder, looking bored. Looking human. That by itself was almost as jarring as his being here in the first place. And then he was looking at her again, less openly now, his glance veiled beneath dark eyelashes.

Laurel fought to breathe evenly. She didn’t know what to think. Avalon wouldn’t send him here without reason and Laurel couldn’t imagine Tamani abandoning his post.

“You okay?” Chelsea asked, stepping up beside Laurel. “You look kinda freaked.”

Before she could stop herself, Laurel flicked her eyes in Tamani’s direction—a move Chelsea tracked instantly. There was no point in lying—this was way bigger than anything she could ever hide, especially from Chelsea. “It’s Tamani,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as relieved—or as terrified—as she felt.

She must have succeeded, because Chelsea only stared in disbelief. “The hot one?” she whispered.

Laurel nodded.

“Seriously?” Chelsea squealed, only to be cut off by a sharp gesture from Laurel. Laurel looked immediately over at Tamani to see if she’d been caught. The tick of a smile at one corner of his mouth told her she had.

Then the foreign exchange students were following Mr. Robison down the hallway, away from Laurel. Just before Tamani disappeared around the corner, he looked back at Laurel and winked. Not for the first time, she was supremely grateful she couldn’t blush.

She turned to David. He was staring down at her, his eyes full of questions.

Laurel sighed and held her hands up in front of her. “I had nothing to do with this.”

***

“This is a good thing, right?” David said after they’d managed to detangle themselves from Chelsea and Ryan. They stood together in front of Laurel’s first class. Laurel couldn’t remember the last time the one-minute warning bell had made her feel so anxious. “I mean, you thought you were never going to see him again, and now he’s here.”

“It is good to see him,” Laurel said softly, leaning forward to wrap both arms around David’s waist, “but I’m also scared of what it means. For us. Not us,” Laurel corrected, fighting the unfamiliar awkwardness that seemed to be worming its way between them. “I mean, it has to mean we’re in danger, right?”

David nodded. “I’m trying not to think about that. He’ll tell us eventually, right?”

Laurel looked up with one eyebrow cocked and after a moment they both burst out laughing.

“I guess we can’t count on it, can we?” David took her right hand in his, pressing it to his lips and examining the silver-and-crystal bracelet he had given her almost two years ago, when they first got together. “I’m glad you still wear this.”

“Every day,” Laurel said. Wishing they had more time to talk, she pulled David close for one last kiss before hurrying into her Government class and grabbing the last seat next to the wall full of windows. Small windows, but she would take whatever natural sunlight she could get.

Her mind wandered as Mrs. Harms handed out the syllabus and talked about class requirements; it was easy to tune her out, especially in light of Tamani’s sudden reappearance. Why was he here? If she was in some kind of danger, what could it be? She hadn’t seen a single troll since leaving Barnes at the lighthouse. Could this have something to do with Klea, the mysterious troll-hunter who killed him? No one had seen her lately, either; as far as Laurel could tell, Klea had moved on to other hunting grounds. Maybe this was some other crisis entirely?

Regardless, David was right—Laurel was happy to see Tamani. More than happy, even. She felt somehow comforted by his presence. And he had winked at her! As though the last eight months had never happened. As if he had never walked away. As if she had never come to tell him goodbye. Her thoughts drifted to the brief moments spent in his arms, the soft feel of his lips on hers in those few times when self-control had slipped through her fingers. The memories were so vivid that Laurel found herself lightly touching her lips,

The classroom door swung open suddenly, startling Laurel from her thoughts. Mr. Robison entered, Tamani following close behind.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Mr. Robison said. “Boys and girls?” Laurel hated how adults could combine two perfectly serviceable words into such a condescending phrase. “You might have heard that we have some foreign exchange students from Japan this year. Tam,” Laurel blanched at the counselor’s use of her pet name for Tamani, “isn’t technically in the foreign exchange program, but he just moved here from Scotland. I hope you will treat him with the same courtesy you have always shown our other exchange guests. Tam? Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.”

Mr. Robison clapped one hand against Tamani’s shoulder. Tamani’s eyes darted briefly to the school counselor and Laurel could only imagine how Tamani would have preferred to respond. But irritation showed on his face for less than a second, and Laurel doubted anyone else noticed. He grinned lopsidedly and shrugged. “I’m Tam Collins.”

Half the girls in the class sighed softly at Tamani’s lilting brogue.

“I’m from Scotland. A little outside of Perth—not the Australia one—and . . .” he paused, as if searching for anything else about himself that the students might find interesting.

Laurel could think of a few things.

“And I live with my uncle. Have since I was a kid.” He turned and smiled at the teacher. “And I know nothing about Government,” he said, laughter in his voice. “Not this one, anyway.”

The entire classroom was won over. The guys were nodding their heads a little, the girls were twittering, and even Mrs. Harms was smiling. And he wasn’t even Enticing them. Laurel almost groaned aloud at the trouble that could lead to.

“Well, pick a seat then,” Mrs. Harms said, handing Tamani a textbook. “We’ve only just gotten started.”

There were three empty seats in the classroom and almost everyone near them launched into a silent campaign for Tamani’s favor. Nadia, one of the prettier girls in the class, was the boldest. She uncrossed and re-crossed her legs, tossed her wavy brown hair over her shoulder, and leaned forward to not-so-subtly pat the backrest of the seat in front of her. Tamani grinned, almost apologetically, and continued past her to claim a seat in front of a girl who had scarcely looked up from her book since he’d walked into the classroom.

The seat beside Laurel.

As Mrs. Harms droned on about daily reading assignments, Laurel sat back and stared at Tamani. She didn’t bother to hide it; just about every other girl in the classroom was doing the exact same thing. It was maddening to dumbly sit just two feet away while a million questions whizzed through her mind. Some were rational questions. Many were not.

Laurel’s head was spinning by the time the bell rang. This was her chance. She wanted to do so many things: yell at him, slap him, kiss him, grab his shoulders and shake him. But more than anything else, she wanted to wrap her arms around him. To hold herself to his chest and confess how much she’d missed him. She could do that with a friend, couldn’t she?

But then, wasn’t that why she’d gotten angry enough to send him away in the first place? For Tamani, it was never just a friendly hug. He always wanted more. And as flattering as his persistence—and passion—could be, the way he treated David as an enemy to be crushed was less endearing. It had broken her heart to send Tamani away and Laurel wasn’t sure she could go through that again.

She stood slowly looked at him, her mouth dry. As soon as his backpack was slung over one strong shoulder, he turned and met her eyes. Laurel opened her mouth to say something when he grinned and reached out his hand.

“Hey there,” he said, almost too brightly. “Looks like we’ll be desk-mates. Wanted to introduce myself—I’m Tam.”

Their clasped hands were moving up and down, but it was all Tamani’s doing; Laurel’s arm had gone limp. She stood silently for several seconds until Tamani’s meaningful look intensified and became almost a glare. “Oh!” she said belatedly, “I’m Laurel. Laurel Sewell. Pleasure.” Pleasure? Since when did she say pleasure? And why was he shaking her hand like a stodgy salesperson?

Tamani pulled a class schedule from his back pocket. “I have English next, with Mrs. Cain. Would you mind showing me where the classroom is?”

Was the feeling that rushed over her relief that they didn’t share their second hour class, or disappointment? “Sure,” she said cheerily. “It’s just down the hall.” Laurel gathered her things slowly, stalling while the classroom emptied. Then she leaned close to Tamani. “What are you doing here?”

“Are you glad to see me?”

She nodded, letting herself smile.

He grinned back, unconcealed relief brightening his expression. It made Laurel feel on more even ground to know he had been unsure, too.

“Why—”

Tamani shook his head slightly and gestured toward the hall. When she was almost at the door Tamani took hold of her elbow and stopped her. “Meet me in the woods behind your house after school?” he asked softly. “I’ll explain everything.” He paused and, with an unnatural quickness, lifted one hand to stroke her cheek. The feeling scarcely had time to register before his hands were back in his pockets and he was strolling out the door.

“Tama—Tam?” she called, trotting to catch up with him. “I’ll show you where to go.”

He grinned and laughed. “Come now,” he said almost too quietly for her to hear. “How unprepared do you think I am? I know this school better than you do.” And with a wink, he was gone.

***

“Homigosh!” Chelsea squealed, assaulting Laurel from behind and practically yanking her fingers from David’s grasp. She put her face right in front of Laurel’s. “Faerie boy is totally in my English class! Hurry before Ryan gets here—you have to spill!”

“Ssh!” Laurel said, glancing around her. But no one was listening.

“He’s really hot,” she said. “The girls were all watching him. Oh, and the Japanese guy is in my Calculus class even though he’s only fifteen. When do you think American schools will get the memo that there’s a global economy out there?” she demanded. Then she paused and her eyes widened. “Man, I hope he doesn’t blow the curve.”

David rolled his eyes, but it was with a grin. “That’s what everyone else is thinking about you,” he said.

“Listen,” Laurel said, pulling Chelsea closer, “I don’t know anything yet; I still need to talk with him, okay?”

“You’ll tell me though, right?” Chelsea asked.

“Don’t I always?” Laurel teased, smiling.

“Tonight?”

“We’ll see,” Laurel said, turning her around by her shoulders and pushing her in Ryan’s direction. “Go!” Chelsea turned and stuck her tongue out at Laurel before ducking under her boyfriend’s arm.

Laurel shook her head and turned to David. “One class together is not enough,” she said in a mock-stern voice. “Whose idea was this, anyway?”

“Not mine, that’s for sure,” David said. They went into the classroom and claimed a couple of desks near the back.

After everything else that had happened that day, Laurel shouldn’t have been surprised to see Tamani walk into her and David’s Speech class. When he entered David tensed, but he relaxed when Laurel’s erstwhile guardian chose a desk at the front of the room, several rows away.

It was going to be a long semester.


Hope you enjoyed!!! Can't WAIT!!!!!!


Ciao!

87 comments:

Heather said...

Thank you for the chapter teaser. It was amazing!!! As for Idaho, I'll have to pass on the vote since I'm no where near it. I wish I could come see you at one of your stops. It's been so long!

Fantasy said...

OMIGOSH!!! THAT WAS SO AWESOME!!! XD OMG he's going to her school?!? Must read chapter two!! *squee* Thanks for posting the chapter! :D

Josin L. McQuein said...

Nice opening. The "fronds" joke was cute, and the "he winked at me" was such a teen-girl moment. (There's got to be danger, but OMG, he winked at me!!!)

:-P

Sorry i can't comment on your stops; I've never been to Idaho. Twin Falls sounds like a setting and Boise makes me think of potatoes, but I'm sure that's highly unhelpful...

Anonymous said...

I want more!!!! Thank you! Thank you! I was imediatly sucked into the story and left wanting more. These little treats are great! Counting down the days!

Sylvia Sanchez said...

Omg I can't wait to read the rest of the book. are you coming to NYC as one of your stops in your tour? I live in Connecticut but no one ever comes here...so if you come to NYC I will def be there

Anonymous said...

Homigosh! it was really good! I can't wait to read more! I knew he was going to show up at school! Really excited to read more.

Anonymous said...

Wow I love it can not wait until the book!

Evi said...

Gah! If you post more of these teasers, I'm not going to make it to the release!! Tongue is on the floor right now... More! More! All of it!

Btw, I can't vote either, since I don't live in the US but if you thinking about coming to Belgium, I'll be there :-)

Unknown said...

So excited! That was amazing! Can't wait to read the rest, Tamani is my favorite. I cannot wait to see what he is doing.

Ashley Hutson said...

That's awesome... I'm glad that I know Tamani will be around a lot more now! Can't wait for the next sneak peek ... And deff can't wait for the book!!!! Super excited!

Wilda said...

OMG! >insert squeal here< It's going to be a super long wait until May *sigh*

Emily White said...

Yay!!! Oh, Tamani! *swoon*

Anonymous said...

YOu are such a tease!!!! So good. I can't wait until Illusion comes out.

Unknown said...

*Echoes Emily* Tamani rocks. LOVE chapter one. Can't wait for the rest!!

As for your Idaho stop, you should DEFINITELY come to Twin Falls. Here's why:

1: We NEVER get authors except for the inestimable Jessica Day George, who grew up near here. So we get extra-excited when they come. (Well, I do.)

2: Good vibes here because of the aformentioned JDG.

3: I'm here.

4: We have an awesome library with a separate room for YA, with couches, a big-screen TV and, of course, your books (along with a few others).

5: If you haven't seen our Telestial room, you're missing out. Truly.

6: I'm here. Also, I'd love to help with the stop any way I can. Intro? Flyers?

When are you coming? (Don't say mid-August....)

Unknown said...

Chapter one was wonderful!! I can't really vote for Idaho since I don't live near there but I think that one day you should come to London, Ontario, Canada! :)

Simran said...

OMIGOD!!! My dream has come true!!! Laurel and Tamani in the same environment 24/7! LOL im sorry, I'm a big Laurel and Tamani fan, I really really hope she chooses him.... how am i gonna wait till may???

Anonymous said...

OMIGOD OMIGOD OMIGOD OMIGOD OMIGOOOOOOOOOD!!!!! I love Tamani! I was giggling along with all those other girls!

Jess (Gone with the Words) said...

I cannot wait for this book!! Awesome and surprising first chapter!! It’s going to be fun with Tam in school!

ellie said...

not fair!!!! you totally know what will happen, we don't!! and here in belgium we'll have to wait for months before it's going to be available

still... love the first chapter... still hoping laurel is going to end up with tamani...

love
ELlie

Melissa Down Under said...

It is so wrong for a 34 yr old to be drooling over this first chapter, so wrong! But it was sooo good! Absolutely can not wait for more!

Anonymous said...

The first chapter was great, can't wait for more. Could you please come to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada?? That would be awesome.

barmybex said...

Sooo excited, you have got me hooked again and I want more!!!.

Come to the UK! specifically Milton Keynes or Bedford, that would be AMAZING!!!

Can't wait for this book. :D

The Four Jepps said...

Boise.

Anonymous said...

Boise!!!!! I am soooo Excited if you can come!

Anonymous said...

Boise.

Anonymous said...

Boise (I am doing some for my friends too)

Anonymous said...

BOISE!

Anonymous said...

If you dont come to Boise i believe that young women might just start world war three or somethin.

Punya said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the teaser chapter!! It's amazing (cute fangirl squealing) But I'm hooked and I need the book to come out NOW. Not want. NEED. Thanks again~

Christine said...

AHH I don't know why I do this to myself. I can handle waiting, that is until I read your post and now I CAN'T wait! I'm really looking forward to see what happens!

Anonymous said...

OMG! I loved it! I can't wait to read the whole book! Thank you so much for putting it on here! :)

Jena said...

Waaahhh!! Loved it!! Thank you :) :)

Laurel... the real one said...

Boise, TOTALLY!

Mikayla S. said...

Boise!

Tori Kinkaid said...

If you come to Boise, I will be so happy!

Ezmirelda said...

Awesome first chapter!
I don't know why but ever since the last book I can't get myself to like David again, something about him just feels wrong..

Sandra W said...

Thank you for posting the first charper.

It was so awesome!!! I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it. Tamani in school with Lauren and David = the beginning of an awesome book!!!!
Can't wait to read the rest :)

Ali (Winged Reviews) said...

Oh wow this has made my week! Thanks for sharing.... I soooo can't wait to read Wild!!!!!

Unfortunately i can't vote on your tour as I live in England but if you come here, I would definately come see you :)

Tammy said...

Loved it!!! Can't wait to read more! :)

Anonymous said...

Must...0.e...have...0.e...more..
XD This was amazing!! I can't wait for the book to come out:)

Lexi said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I love it! Can't wait for more! Counting down the days till Illusions comes out! :D

Emily said...

Can't wait to go to your panels this weekend!!! So happy that I live in Tucson! The Festival of Books is the best!

Anonymous said...

OMG, APRILYNNE!!! i can't wait!! none of my friends have read the books yet, so i'm sitting here screaming emails to my BFF saying "Omigosh, I <3 Tamani!!" and she just says "???"
XD <3 ur book aprilynne, I can barely sit still, let alone wait 54 days!!!
d(*⌒▽⌒*)b

Lena1xoxo said...

AHHHHH!!!! Need more, please!

You should come to Houston. *wink, wink*. If you did go to Vegas and it was between May 2nd-7th, I'll be there and come visit you!

Jessica said...

I think you should go to Boise. I think that I just cant make myself like David if Tam is so exciting and full of intrige and making me slightly angry that he is open to the genral viewing of the female poulace now.

Unknown said...

Eeee! Fun! So looking forward to reading the rest! Thank you for sharing!

And I think you should come out to California! :)

Devil said...

Oh my god!! please, please, post another teaser!!!!! can't wait untill may >.<

or at least post another scene... a little one... thanks for the chapter!! =)

hugs from spain!!

Tombraiderka009 said...

Oh My GOOOOSH!!!!!!!!
Tamani is unpredictable.!!! I CAN'T WAIT.!!!!!!!

AWESOMEE.!!!!!^^

Anonymous said...

Live in Wyoming and closer to Idaho Falls! Please, please go there!

Anonymous said...

Do you LIKE torturing your readers with these things?!
TAMANI!!!!!
I want more. I can't wait for more and everyday I visit this site just makes my Illusions-need higher, and higher...and higher. You can imagine what the chapter did to me. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
<3 Tamani
-ww-

Kayma said...

THAT is just such an awesome way to start the book!
I can't wait till I get my copy !!!!!! :P

Anonymous said...

Ok I am probably the only David fan in the world but for some reason I like DAVID!!!!!! And I have read Wing 3 times and Spells 4 times just to make sure I liked David and this first chapter of Illusions ahh I know this sounds kinda crazzzy but I read it 13 times! Also this first chapter is amazing!!!! I LOVED it soooo much and please give us more. Also I can't vote because I live in near Crescent City, I know weird right and when I started reading Wings I had no idea that it took place here and I freked out. And I think you should come to Crescent City since that is where the series takes place. And yeah I know that Crescent City is still getting hit with a tsunami right now, but you could come sometime in the summer because things will be mostly fixed up by then hopefully. So please come here PLEASE!!! I <3 Aprilynne Pike!!!!!!
~ Luv Your Biggest Fan!!!

A Cooper said...

Las Vegas or St George please, please, please! Loved the chapter and looking forward to the next one! Thanks for sharing!!!

Carolina said...

Seems like a great start so far! I just adore your writing; you put so much voice in it! I love Chelsea's 'Homigosh!' followed by 'Faerie boy...' You are so inspirational!

Abbi said...

... There are no words to describe this, it's just TOO good!!!! Please say your releasing Chapter Two on April 1st! I don't know how much longer I can wait. I have a countdown/tearoff calendar on the wall next to my bed. Sigh. It's going to be a long fifty days.
Did anyone pick up on my play on words there? :) Hehehehe.... I'm cheesy.

Paigee said...

Come to Australia?
PLEASE!

Josianne Haag said...

Thank you so much for the first chapter. It's so good though now I can hardly wait for the book to come out!

Jewel said...

I loved the teaser! The first chapter was amazing, vivid and totally teen-girl perfect! As for the tour stop, please come to Vegas. I don't live there (California's kinda far) but I'd be willing to visit... ;) PLEASE?! By the way, I LOVE your books!

Jamie H. said...

I was so surprised and excited with the content of the first chapter that I was talking to the computer, laughing, and squealing as I read. My husband, who was in the room with me, wanted to know what in the world was wrong with me. I laughed and told him what I was reading and how excited I was to read all of "Illusions"!

Thanks for the first chapter teaser!It is wonderfully fantastic! Can't wait to read all of "Illusions"! :)

amberargyle said...

I LOVED the first two, and I can't wait for this one. I hope you wiggle Utah into your signing schedule. I'd love to get a signed copy.

R.M. Basil said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Pick Boise. That's where I live.

Cristal said...

How about California? In la Verne( Mrs Nelson's) Or Pasadena ( V'Romans bookstore)? would does any possiable stops?

Christina Reads YA said...

When is Harper going to tease the first parts of Illusions? The first chapter has already left me anxious for the book's release :).

(PS - Instead of Las Vegas... how about Los Angeles :D?)

Anonymous said...

ahhhh i cant wait for the book to come ooout!!!!!! i want to read the rest now!!!

i am sure the book will be a bog hit!

Aubrey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aubrey said...

Amazing, as always! Thank you for posting this. i am counting the seconds until May 3rd! I love science geeks! Hope to see more of DAVID!

Tia Ramos said...

Thank you for the chapter! I hope you make it to either San Antonio or Austin Tx.

Anonymous said...

Okay, so you probably already get a million "OMG"'s, but here is jut one more from a girl who can't, in her right mind, refrain: "OMG!" This was really amazing:) Gosh, you have brought an intense reader, who just happened to pluck your story off of a library shelf, into a world of wonder and magic! Thank you for the experience:D I love this series so much, and have gone far enough to have bought the first two books and already Pre-ordered the third one. Heh. Yes I am kind of an emotional noob when it comes to books. But anyways, I love this series! Keep the fantasy coming!!!!
-a HUGE fan-
-Amy Louise Maroney-

Anonymous said...

Oh! And Boise, Idaho sounds pretty. Though I don't live there.......... But if you get a chance, there is at least one girl who will be waiting for you here in Tulsa, OK. thanks for the preview chappie, btw:)
-Still a HUGE fan-
-Amy Louise Maroney-

Anonymous said...

Ok, soo I guess you know how several readers including me are hoping the story ends- with Tamani and Laurel:) Really though, great opener. I'm sure David's a great guy, but Tamani-need I say more. I concur with previous statement-I'm almost 30 and can't wait for this book.

Anonymous said...

Boise is called the city of trees for a reason. It is beautiful here and you really should come!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that was truly amazing, you really have a gift for writing! I was instantly sucked into the story, I can't wait to read the whole book! Thank you for posting the first chapter it gave me even more excitement!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! You must of heard this a lot but...that was absolutely amazing!! Thank you for the extract! Teasers are sometimes so cruel! :) I can’t wait to read more! Lol I won’t shut up to my friends about your awesome books teehee! Do you know when illusions will be out in England? I wish you could come to the UK... ^_^ Aisha x

Anonymous said...

I've just re-read chapter 1! It's so addicting! :) More please!! Also, what do you think of this guy, Gaspard Ulliel playing the part of Tamani? I think he has such a faerie look to him, and he’s so handsome... here's a link to a pic of him! Aisha xx link --> http://www.teenidols4you.com/blink/Actors/gaspard_ulliel/gaspard_ulliel_1230146753.jpg

Anonymous said...

Can you post the next chapter?! Please???!!! I love your books and can't wait for Illisions! I know you probably can't, but please?!

ashleighfry92 said...

The first chapter sounds AMAZING! But what would be even more amazing is if you come to Australia on your trip. Forget dumpy little american towns and come to Brisbane! We have amazing beaches, outback, rainforests....

Anonymous said...

Boise Is NOT DUMPY!!!! IT IS BEAUTIFUL HERE TOO!! Please come to Boise!

Sierra said...

If it's not too late to vote:
BOISE ALL THE WAY

I live in Meridian, which is reall close.

Annie said...

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!

Jessie Clark said...

Oh, that really was a teaser. I will be cursing you until May 8th, when I can promptly read the book. I love Tam! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I LOVEDDDD Chapter 1 :) OMG it was wonderful :D I just can't wait until it comes out :)

Sorry For My Bad English :S

Anonymous said...

THat extract was amazing, I so can't wait for the rest of the book to come out. If you decide to go to Australia you should go on a round the world trip and stop in England. You have so many fans here, myself included. Please come!!1

Anonymous said...

I read both chapters immediatley after finishing Spells. Can I just say, I knew it! I love the way you put that bit of foreshadowing at the end of Spells. I was all like, "Wait? Is he gonna 'play human' too?" Haha, yes! Awesome! Majorly awesome! I cannot wait for this book to come out. Looks like I know what I'm doing with my next paycheck.

LuLu said...

Can't Wait to read chapter 2!!!! Went too my public library a day after it was released to get a hold on it. Turns out that they already had it, it was just waiting to be covered. On top of that, two other people had already put holds on the book. Can't wait to read the whole thing. Im on agony here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Not fair not fair n ot fair not fAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111 I soooooooooooooooooooooo want to read more!!! MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MOERR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love your books carry on writing forever!!!!
Come to sonnin g common, a little village in england!

Christine said...

Unfortunately, "Illusions" and "Destined" haven't been published in Greece yet (this is where I live). I really LIKE "Wings" and "Spells".Anyway the chapter was amazing. I will be waiting for the publication of the two books in Greece. Carry on writing! Never stop!