SBBS: Day 02 ~ Kathleen Peacock

Welcome to Day 02 of SBBS, today's guest is Kathleen Peacock! Kathleen's debut, Hemlock, the first of a trilogy isn't out until May 8th (from Harper) but today we get an early glimpse into Hemlock with an exclusive (it will go up on Kathleen's site in May) bonus scene!! (and a giveaway)

in case you don't know what Hemlock is about - or would like a refresher:

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Welcome Kathleen and the Bonus Scene!!

“The Last Spring Break”
As the only have not in a group of haves, spring break can be a minefield for Mackenzie Dobson. The following is a short bonus scene which takes place shortly before the book opens.
For more Mac and Amy, check out HEMLOCK when it’s released on May 8, 2012.
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“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.” Amy sighed dramatically and flopped onto my bed, completely oblivious to the pile of pre-break homework she sent scattering to the floor. “You know the whole week is going to suck without you there.”

I glanced up from my chem notes. “You’ll be fine. The guys will keep you company.”

Amy sighed. “Not the same.” She held up three fingers. “Give me three good reasons why you can’t go. One?”

“I don’t have the money, and I can’t ask Tess for it.”

“Money isn’t an issue. You know my folks will pay.”

That makes it even more of an issue, I thought. But I didn’t say it. Saying it always made things awkward. It wasn’t Amy’s fault she was rich just like it wasn’t my fault I lived in a cramped apartment with my cousin. It just was.

Amy waited for my response. When I shrugged, she folded one finger down. “Two?”

“Heather’s going.”

“You can’t avoid Kyle’s girlfriends forever. This could be a chance to bond.”

I tugged my hair free of its ponytail and combed it out with my fingers. “I don’t avoid all of them. Just the ones who hate me.”

“That is all of them. Though Heather does take it to extremes.” Amy sat up and leaned forward, eyes twinkling. “If you want, I could jump her in the parking lot after school tomorrow.”

I laughed. “And do what? Give her a makeover?” Amy cried when she got paper cuts. The idea of her jumping someone was kind of hilarious.

She mock-scowled. “I could be tough. I’ve read The Outsiders. I think. Maybe I just saw the movie. The point is I could totally take her.”

I shook my head. “I don’t doubt it for a second—but no jumping Heather.”

“Fine. What’s reason number three?”

“I can’t leave Tess alone. Not when there was another attack two nights ago.” I didn’t mean for the words to sound so serious, but they bled every ounce of cheer from the room.

Amy pulled a pillow to her chest. “Okay, that one’s kind of legit. But we don’t leave for another week. Maybe it’ll all blow over by then.”

“Maybe.”

“So you’ll think about coming?”

I shook my head and Amy whipped the pillow at me. She bit her lip as an uncharacteristically serious expression crossed her face. “I don’t like the idea of leaving you here, either. Especially with all of us going.”

I opened my mouth to tell her I’d be fine, but her phone suddenly went off. Taylor Swift filled the air—a ringtone Amy had assigned to Jason in a fit of sugar-fueled sentimentality.

She slipped out of the room. Two minutes later, she was back. “I’ve gotta go. Apparently, I promised I’d be somewhere an hour ago.”

I grinned. “Considerate.”

She paused in the doorway. “Promise me you’ll at least think about coming?”

“Okay,” I lied.

Three weeks later, I would have given anything to have that moment back, to tell Amy that I’d go—even if it meant swallowing my pride and letting her pay—and to have just five more days with my best friend.

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About Kathleen Peacock
Kathleen spent most of her teen years writing short stories. She put her writing dreams on hold while attending college but rediscovered them when office life started leaving her with an allergy to cubicles.
Hemlock, her first novel, will be released on May 8th by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins.




Kathleen was generous enough to donate a swag pack for giveaway, enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open internationally. Rules/restictions

a Rafflecopter giveaway

add Hemlock to your Goodreads; pre-order it on Amazon, Book Depository.

Find Kathleen on her website, @kathleenpeacock on Twitter, on Facebook or on Goodreads