Apr 19, 2016

Book Spotlight: BLOODLINES - AWAKENING by K.D. Harris

Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter, First Paragraph every Tuesday. Share the first paragraph(s) of your current read or book interest, with information for readers. Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.

BLOODLINES - AWAKENING Prequel to Medusa from the Lark Song Chronicles by KD Harris, published February 20, 2016 by Xlibris. Genre: YA fiction, fantasy

KD Harris' new novel immerses readers in Caribbean mysticism and young adult adventure, fantasy

Prologue, first paragraphs:
Though Cora's and Charlie's day together was coming to an end, they intended to squeeze every last drop from the time they had left. The two, though nineteen and twenty, though appearing to be no more than twelve, sat side by side on the bus, surrounded by other individuals, conversation and music.

The song playing on the bus's radio was "Boom, Shaka Laka," the hit song by Hopeton Lewis. It was 1970, and that was the winning festival song for Jamaica's independence celebrations. Some were moving to the beat and singing along....


First chapter, first paragraphs:
Charlie's first memories were of his grandmother, Matilda Wright, Mattie, or Miss Mattie,whom he called Gmaa. She was his world. 
He lived with her in the small country village of Maggoty, in the parish of St. Elizabeth, on the south coast of the island of Jamaica.  
Charles never knew his father. He had died before the boy was born. Charles' mother, Agatha Wright, otherwise known as Mumaa, Agatta, or Gatta, would come to see Charles on Saturdays at his grandmother's house.  
Agatha looked very much like her mother, Miss Mattie. They both had dark skin, broad faces and bright smiles. They were stocky in build and had bright shiny black hair. They both usually wore their hair in the same way - one plait which hung to their waists. The hair was inherited from Gamaa's father who was of East Indian descent. 
    From the publisher: 
"BLOODLINES – AWAKENING” focuses on two children - Cora and Charlie - growing up in two incredible families in rural Jamaica. Some members of these families can make things disappear into nothingness, others seem to effortlessly kill and maim at will. Thrown into this mix, there are loving relationships but also domestic abuse and neglect. Harris uses a combination of Jamaican patois and standard English to introduce the reader to Jamaica's intoxicating sights, sounds, smells and tastes, transporting them to a magical world where paranormal events are not that unusual, and wonder and danger become almost indistinguishable. 
More information about this novel and other books in the LARK SONG CHRONICLES, visit BloodLines - Awakening or Harris's first book, Medusa: The Beginning

About the Author
“Bloodlines” is KD Harris’ second novel. Her first, “Medusa: The Beginning,” published in 2007, received rave reviews. Since then, she has written six more novels and a miniseries for TV. This second novel, though penned for young adults, will also attract the young at heart who delight in seeing wrongs made right and do not mind shedding a few tears or having a good laugh. Harris has authored short stories, poetry and plays which were performed by local drama groups. She is a regular contributor to the blog Four Friends and Their Friends. 

Harris was born and grew up in Kingston, Jamaica. Attending university in the United States, she graduated with a Ph.D. in higher education. Excerpts of her writing can be viewed online at Medusa the Beginning by Kathi Harris, and in Kathi Harris’s Book Corner, also on the blog Four Friends and Their Friends. This author lives with her family in Ohio.

By KD Harris
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 328 pages | ISBN 9781514433683
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 328 pages | ISBN 9781514432457
E-Book | 328 pages | ISBN 9781514431931
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

21 comments:

  1. Wow, what a story! Thanks for sharing....and I would definitely keep reading. Here's mine: “TERRIBLE VIRTUE”

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    1. Terrible Virtue sounds like my kind of book... my kind of heroine. I luv strong women who fight against all the odds. Most of all, I luv when they win. Yay!

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  2. My first thought is why can't he be with his mother? Why is he with his grandmother? Not too keen on the synopsis - probably would pass on this one.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry u wd pass on this. He's w/ his grandmother because his mother has a live-in job as a house maid, & comes home only on her days off.

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  3. One paragraph raises so many questions. I need to read more.

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    1. I added two short paragraphs from the Prologue, to give more of the sense of the book and writing.

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    2. U shd - read more. It's good. Really!

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  4. I like the setting and the opening caught my attention. This is new to me, so thanks for sharing it.

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    1. There's more fireworks. Lots! It's a love story. There's domestic abuse, the paranormal, but most of all good triumphs over evil. Yay!

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  5. could be an eye opener on something different, but YA is not my cup of tea. especially if YA looks like tweens! At 19, I was already a full time teacher, so I expect more mature people at that age

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    1. They just look young. They r quite mature.

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  6. Replies
    1. Sorry u feel that way. There is a lot going on. A love story. Domestic abuse. And the paranormal, just 2 name a few.

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  7. Thank you for your intro to this book. Hmm... I have not read many (any?) books set in Jamaica. It sounds intriguing.

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  8. The setting alone intrigues me. This sounds like it will be a good one. I hope you enjoy it!

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    1. It is intriguing. What w/ it being a love story, and domestic abuse and the paranormal being thrown, how cd it not b.

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  9. I am intrigued. I like the setting.

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I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

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