Author: Lauren Nicolle Taylor
Published: Clean Teen Publishing, August 30th, 2013
Word Count: approx. 92,000
Genre: YA Mature Dystopian Romance
Content Warning: Non-graphic Violence
Recommend Age: 14+
Synopsis: Rosa never thought she’d make it to sixteen...
When being unique puts you in danger and speaking your mind can be punishable by death, you might find yourself fighting to survive. Sixteen-year-old Rosa lives in one of the eight enclosed cities of The Woodlands. Where the lone survivors of a devastating race war have settled in the Russian wilderness because it’s the only scrap of land left habitable on the planet. In these circular cities, everyone must abide by the law or face harsh punishment. Rosa's inability to conform and obey the rules brands her a leper and no one wants to be within two feet of her, until she meets Joseph. He's blonde, fair-skinned, green-eyed, and the laid-back complete opposite of Rosa. She's never met anyone quite like him, and she knows that spells danger.
But differences weren't always a bad thing. People used to think being unique was one of the most treasured of traits to have. Now, the Superiors, who ruthlessly control the concrete cities with an iron fist, are obsessed with creating a 'raceless' race. They are convinced this is the only way to avoid another war. Any anomalies must be destroyed.
The Superiors are unstoppable and can do anything they want. After all, they are considered superheroes by the general public. But not everyone sees them this way. When they continue to abuse their power by collecting young girls for use in their secret, high-tech breeding program, they have no idea that one of those girls has somehow managed to make friends even she didn't know she had. And one man will stop at nothing to save her.
Lauren Nicolle Taylor is a 33-year-old mother living in the tiny, lush town of Bridgewater on the other side of the world in Australia. She married her high school sweetheart and has three very boisterous and individual children. She earned a Bachelors degree in Health Sciences with Honours in Obstetrics and Gynecology and majored in Psychology while minoring in Contemporary Australian Writing.
After a disastrous attempt to build her dream house that left her family homeless, She found herself inexplicably drawn to the computer. She started writing, not really knowing where it may lead but ended up, eight weeks later, with the rough draft of The Woodlands.
In 2013, Lauren Nicolle Taylor accepted a publishing contract with Clean Teen Publishing. Her first published novel, The Woodlands, was released on August 30, 2013. Currently, Lauren has finished her manuscript for the second book in the series titled: The Wall, as well as partially completed the third book in the series which at this time is unnamed.
The
Woodlands
by Lauren Nicolle Taylor Excerpt:
LEAVING PAU
The
helicopters were stationed at the rim of Ring One, just inside the low,
sandy-colored wall that surrounded the center podium. They were waiting,
crouching like black angels ready to lift us from this place, this hell, into
an unknown world. A Guardian in black uniform with gold trim walked to the
front of the choppers and signaled for us to come forward. Another one threw
the bags in the cargo hold as he read from his list. Three girls and eight
boys. Joseph’s name was not on the list. I felt a flood of relief that was
washed away by panic. I was barely holding myself together as it was, seeing
him was liable to make me fall to pieces. But he was supposed to be here.
Paulo’s
hand was on my back, pushing me towards the helicopter like I was an
uncooperative apple on the conveyor belt. I was trying so hard to muster up
some courage. Today I was leaving the only home I had ever known. I would never
see my mother again. I felt the anxiety rising, the crushing pain of the
separation I was about to suffer. Suddenly the grey-washed town didn’t look so
horrible. It was home after all, I guess. I told myself it was fear that was
making me feel this way. It didn’t help.
My
mother, who had been quietly following us around like a dazed puppy, pulled me
to her in a tight embrace. She whispered, “Sorry,” in my ear before stepping
back, fists clenched, showing the appropriate restraint. Some other mothers
were crying and holding their children as the Guardian wrenched them away and
led them onto the aircraft.
My
mother’s face was my own, the way she moved mirrored my own movements and
mannerisms, but that’s where the similarities ended. Although raised by this woman,
I was nothing like her. For the first time, I saw things from her perspective.
Getting into trouble all the time, never showing Paulo anything other than
contempt. I must have been such a frustration to her.
They
called my name. Paulo put his hands firmly on my shoulders, holding me in my
place. His intense stare was impossible to look away from. “Don’t shame your
family,” he spat at me. And with that, he made it easy to leave. I could feel
the blades starting to move, my hair whipping around my face. I stripped away
the fear and anxiety, leaving a girl that was fierce, empowered by his hatred.
“Don’t
worry, Paulo, I’ll stir it up, make a little noise!” I shouted through the
wind. The Guardian that let me sign up was watching me, probably regretting his
decision. My mother was standing rigidly, her handmade skirt billowing as the
air churned around her, her hand outstretched, pleading. I could see it in her
eyes—please Rosa, don’t cause more
trouble. She couldn’t stop me, no one ever could. Paulo was already walking
away, his back to me. Behind my mother stood a man, one blue eye, one brown,
smiling. He lifted his hand to wave. I raised my hand, confused. The chopper
lurched awkwardly and I was knocked back into the cargo hold.
“Sit
down!” the Guardian snapped at me. I quickly found a spot and strapped myself
in. The others were staring at me, eyes wide. The Guardian tapped the pilot on
the shoulder. “Wait, there’s one more.”
He
bounded in, bag in hand, and casually threw it on the pile and scanned the
seats. There was plenty of room on the other side but he squeezed his bulky
form between me and the boy I was sitting next to.
Suddenly
we were in the air. When the Guardian wasn’t looking, Joseph slipped his hand
over mine. Warmth calmed the agitation I felt, like pouring gold over lead,
glowing. We stayed that way the entire ride. Eyes forward. Impossibly trying to
anticipate what may lie ahead.
Giveaway Details:
There is an international tour wide giveaway. Prize includes the following:
GRAND PRIZE: A digital copy of The Woodlands, a Woodlands bookmark, a surprise Clean Teen Publishing swag gift and a Clean Teen Publishing digital book of the reader’s choosing.
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