Title: The Survival Pact
Author: Christy Sloat
Genre: Horror/Paranormal/Demons/End of Times
Release Date: 2/13/2017
Cover Design: Rue Volley
Blurb:
Three friends. One promise. One goal. Survive.
Kami thought she'd seen it all as a small time reporter for a New York Paper, but after hearing reports of the dead crawling from graves and attacking humans, she realized the world she once knew would never be the same again. Forced to flee the city, she heads south where her two best friends, Emma and Lou, reside in search of answers. As a drunken joke ten years earlier, the three friends made a vow that if the world went to hell they’d survive it together, no matter what. With the pact now a reality, they are forced to face a never ending tidal wave of the dead, tornadoes, earthquakes, and massive storms with hundreds of miles to go. Along with their new dog, Snack, the girls get closer to their destination but no closer to the answers as to why their world is filled with such evil. Will their plan of survival keep them alive or will they drown in the sea of the dead?
Buy links:
http://smarturl.it/TheSurvivalPact
EXCERPT:
The Survival Pact Excerpt:
“What I’m speaking about is something that is literally supposed to be impossible. Yet, I have seen it with my own eyeballs. And Ida saw it, too,” she whispered. Ida is Lou’s mom, who I adore because she was so kick ass. “Ida is speaking about the end of the world stuff; the end times. You know my mom and how she gets. I can’t say I don’t disagree here.”
I shook my head and tried hard to keep my eyes on the road. Focusing on this news and driving wasn’t easy. Besides, I was starting to feel exhausted and my eyes were going blurry.
“What did you do to the thing? You know when it crawled up.”
“Well, Ida shot it with Black Betty.” Black Betty was Ida’s .22 semi-automatic. I have never shot a gun, but I respected Ida and her guns. I wished I had one right then, though. It would make me feel a heck of a lot safer. “Shooting ‘em any other place than the head, doesn’t do jack. You have to hit it right in the head. We burnt it too, so that may do the trick.”
“I’m actually not sure what to say right now. I can’t believe we’re even talking about this.” I wouldn’t deny that I was scared out of my mind. Being in my car, outside in the open, made me feel exposed. I would feel much safer if I was with Lou and Emma.
We’ve always had each other’s back since we met ten years ago. We were young but we needed each other so badly. All of us were eighteen and fearless then.
I met Lou on the first day of college. We were roommates for four years and I met Emma through Lou. They’re cousins and they had each other longer, but they never once made me feel like a third wheel. Instead they included me in their family like a sister.
“Believe it or not, it’s happening,” Lou said, pulling me out of my trance. “Have you slept at all?”
“No. I’m feeling a little sleepy though.”
“Well you get to a hotel. Make sure it’s safe and inside the bag I packed you, you’ll find something to keep you safe, if you need it,” Lou instructed. “Back in, so you can get out fast, if you need to. Don’t tell anyone anything. Use the lights in the bathroom only. They seem to like the light.”
My hands shook at the notion of one of those things coming to my room and trying to attack me because it liked the light. I shivered.
I hung up with Lou after promising her I would follow all instructions and that I would call her if anything happened. I found a little motel right off the interstate in Virginia. I backed in like she told me to and I didn’t speak to anyone besides the front desk lady. She certainly didn’t act like she knew anything anyhow.
I flipped on the bathroom light only and closed the door behind me. I would have to get dressed in the bathroom as well as make my dinner, so that the light didn’t shine in the room itself.
I felt like a covert spy hiding out from dead things.
I made myself another sandwich and ate it while I pulled the backpack closer to me. Lou said she had something inside there to protect me; I was suddenly scared to see what it was.
Lou said she made the backpack for me special and I was to never unpack it unless I had to.
I recalled what I said to her when she gave it to me, “How will I know when to use it?”
She told me, “You’ll know. Trust me.”
She was right. I knew it was the right time, even if no one else knew about it. I knew and Lou knew. The world was changing. It seemed like every day there was awful news and terrible happenings even before today happened; shootings, mass chaos, and total unease. I read about it and wrote about it, despite the fact that I hated to.
I knew the world wasn’t getting better any time soon, but I didn’t ever expect this to happen. The end of the world was something we spoke about in jest; never seriously. Of course Emma and Lou spoke about the biblical end of times frequently, but never really around me.
They both knew I was never interested in talking about the end. It disturbed me. It scared me. I was married and I thought I wanted kids. So they backed off when I said that. Lou and Emma never wanted kids. They would talk to me about happy things, but Emma never brought up work and what she really did in the Marines. I think she wanted to protect me from it.
If the world was coming down around us, I was happy I didn’t have kids to protect. I had myself. That was enough. Then again, maybe they would figure this out and things would be fine. For now I would just make it to Lou’s and we would see what the progress was.
I unzipped the heavy bag, trying not to damage the perfect way she packed it. The large backpack was more suited for hiking and had tons of pockets and slots.
I found a flashlight, extra batteries, rope, a map that was nicely folded, and a change of clothes. At the bottom of the bag was a wind up radio, duct tape, matches, and a space blanket. I didn’t see anything for protection in that pocket; two more to go. I placed everything back inside, neatly, and unzipped the front pocket finding peanuts, freeze dried food packages nicely put together, water filtration tabs, granola bars, trail mix, and a pocket utility knife which could be used for protection, but not likely what Lou was talking about.
The side pouch held a canteen that I filled up with fresh water right away. The other pouch had another flashlight for easy access. The next pocket had all the essentials for building a shelter and a first aid kit. It wasn’t until I flipped the bag around that I found the extra hidden pocket. I reached inside and pulled not one, but two weapons. A large hunting knife that was sure to do some close up damage, and a handgun.
I held it in my hand and realized that my fear of guns was deeper than I thought it was. Could I really shoot someone if I needed to? I liked to think so.
If a woman like the one on the freeway attacked me, I wanted to think that I could shoot her. But without proper practice I was just an ill-informed person with a deadly weapon. I put the gun away and grabbed the knife, keeping it with me felt comfortable. I found the holster for the knife and the one for the gun, and saw that they were to be strapped to my leg.
I shook my head and laughed. Lou was a badass. I couldn’t imagine where she got all this stuff and the time she spent on this bag must have taken forever. The fact that a sweet teacher had put this bag together made me laugh a little.
The Brown House
The Visitors Series book one IBSN-9780985538545
Some secrets should never be revealed… Brylee Branson begrudgingly made the excruciating move with her family from the warm sandy beaches of California to small town living in New Jersey. As if she wasn’t miserable enough, they’ve moved into a creepy old house that everyone in the area claims is haunted. Brylee dismisses the idea of ghosts and hauntings, until she begins to see and hear things that can’t be explained… Brylee has no choice but to seek the help of new friends to unlock the secrets of this place she now calls home. But some secrets should never be revealed. Can the teens find a way to release the spirits imprisoned within the walls? Or will the curse claim them, too?
The Brown House is based on true events. The actual house that is on the cover still stands today in New Jersey.
View the book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRk7itFra4s
The Brown House Excerpt:
I opened the door and walked as quiet as I could into the house. I knew if I went up the main stairwell my parents might hear me going up. So I opted for the dark stairs towards the back of the house. I passed the rocking chair and gave it a wide berth. I would never sit in that thing.
Once I reached the bottom of the stairwell I knew this was a mistake. Even though it was the quietest way to get to my room, I regretted it. I didn’t like these stairs at all. The last time I had been down them I heard the voice and fell on my butt on the way down. Darkness took over this part of the house. I felt chills immediately, but it was the best way to go up without waking my parents.
“Screw it,” I said aloud to no one and walked up. I reached the door and fought to not look at it. Suddenly thinking of Pearl Brown, and the life she endured. Being locked in here day after day for God knows how long. My throat lurched and I thought I might get sick again. I couldn’t not look at the door, it was like an accident on the freeway. You just had to look at it hoping to see something you didn’t want to see. The intrigue won me over. I put a hand on the door for no apparent reason. Hoping maybe to say how sorry I was for what Pearl went through. It was a really sad story, one I would never forget all my life.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you Pearl. I think that you deserved better.” I took my hand back and walked away.
I reached the bathroom door and tried to open in. Shoot! I locked it from the other side the other day. So much for being quiet, I had no choice but to go back down the stairs and go up the main stairwell. When I turned around I walked into something strange. A cool mist appeared out of nowhere. I could feel the wetness on my hands and face. I was frozen in this state of wonder and disbelief.
“Don’t be sorry,” a voice said. I turned around and no one was there. Again!
“Who said…that?” My voice trembled in my throat. The mist fell to the ground and gathered up around my feet, finally making a small pool of water. The water spread and formed into a pair of shoes, continuing into legs covered in stockings. Now a full body, arms of a little girl, and suddenly a pretty little face. The girl stood before me wearing a dress fit for Shirley Temple and ringlets to match. She was as real as anybody, but as transparent as water. She smiled at me a dubious smile and repeated her words. “Don’t be sorry.”
I jumped back and hit the doorway. She giggled a very adorable childlike giggle. “Don’t be sorry and don’t be scared either.” She stepped back giving me a bit of space. “You are the first to see me ever! I am so glad I found you. I wondered if you would come back.”
“Wh...What?” I was now stuttering like an idiot. I considered for a moment that this was a dream. Maybe this whole evening had been a dream, even my nightly stroll with Ephraim.
“I wasn’t sure if you heard me the first time you came over here. But now I knew you heard me and you can see me too.” She put her hands on her curls and started to twirl one, as if it was a nervous habit.
“You were the one to say ‘no’ to me the other day?” I asked her, willing myself to calm down. I couldn’t believe I was talking to a puddle of water, which seemed to form a child. “What are you exactly?”
“What do you think I am? I’m a ghost of course. An apparition some people say. ” She giggled again and I shook my head. “I am, or was, Pearl Brown. But I don’t know how to answer that question. Because really what is a ghost? Are they who they were when they lived? Or are they someone else?”
My head spun again and I suddenly wished I had my puke bucket. She was talking in riddles now. But the most disbelieving thing was she was talking to me and I could see her.
“You’re Pearl Brown.” I knew who she was but I had to say it myself. “I mean you died, but you’re still her. Why are you here talking to me?”
“I’m here because I never left. I can’t leave. I am talking to you because you can hear me and see me.”
“How can I hear you and see you? Why are you still here in this house and not, you know, moved on?” She stopped twirling her hair and stared at me.
“I don’t really know why you can see me. You must be special, because tons of people have come in here and no one has seen me. They could never hear me. But you… you can. You’re a special visitor.”
“A special what? You’re the visitor, aren’t you?” I heard her right but I didn’t understand what she meant.
“Oh no Brylee you’re the visitor here. This is our house, you’re just here temporarily. The others don’t like visitors, but I don’t mind so much.”
Reviews for The Brown House
Bex and Books review http://bexnbooks.blogspot.com.au/:
“The Brown House is so much more than a ghost story; it combines an endearing romance, a young woman's coming of age and marvels at the wonders of family and friendship.” Stacey Rourke: Author of the Gryphon Series
"Back in the day" it was Christopher Pike that thrilled teens with his twisted tales of ghosts, hauntings and teenage angst. Well the torch has been past to Mrs. Sloat!”
Young Adult and Teen readers Reviews:
“The Author does a fantastic job of creating great characters. Christy has a talent for keeping you on the edge of your seat with anticipation. This book is a thrilling ride. It should definitely be in every teenagers hands.”
R&M Fab Book reviews:
www.rmfabbookreviews.blogspot.com/
“With enough twists and turns to keep you breathless and guessing, Christy Sloat has a winner in The Brown House. Hands down, I give the book top ratings and would recommend this to everyone!”
The Brown House was also featured in Indtale Magazine www.indtale.com
“An old feud… magic… love and secrets… ghosts… The mystery and the past story were so incredibly intriguing and satisfying!”
Two Women and A book review : www.twowomenandabookreview.blogspot.com
“Christy Sloat completely knocked one out of the park with her writing, the story line; the whole idea was just amazing. I could not put it down; I read it in three days.
Katherine Polillo- Author of Destine
“The Brown House centers on a strong and endearing protagonist that readers will quickly fall in love with. The Brown House is a summer must read. Just be warned to sleep with the light on!”
tiffanylovesbooks.wordpress.com
“The Brown House is a great novel with lots of intrigue and suspense. Sloat reveals the story to the reader a little at a time. It mostly leaves you in a state of suspense until the entire story is revealed.”
Buy Sheet
Author: Christy Sloat
Category: Young Adult Mystery and Suspense
ISBN: 9780985538545
Publication date: 6/28/2012
Pages: 324
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
Cover: KC Designs
Buy Links:
Audible: http://amzn.to/2xyDJPL
Author Appearances and Book signings
Barnes and Noble Glassboro New Jersey. For the book signing of her first book, The Many Lives of Avery Snow
September, 24th 2012
Franklin Township Public Library Book Signing and Author event
September, 27th 2012
Authors on the Greene Smithville, New Jersey Book Signing and Author event
September, 15th 2012
Collingswood, New Jersey, Book Fair, Author Event
October, 6th 2012
Y’all Fest Charleston, South Carolina Book Signing and Author Event
November, 10th 2012
Author Bio:
Christy Sloat resides in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters and her Chihuahua, Sophie. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother's loving support. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. She is the bestselling author of twelve novels including, The Visitors Series, The Past Lives Series and the award-winning Slumber Duology.
You can happily stalk here on these sites:
http://authorchristysloat.weebly.com/
Twitter: @Christysloat
Instagram:http://instagram.com/christysloat_writes
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