Reviewers are raving about Shakespeare Burning by Charisse Moritz. Get an idea of why with this exclusive excerpt. And then follow the tour to read even more before you download your own copy. There's also a great giveaway at the end!
He’s the boy who wants to disappear.
One mistake and seventeen-year-old Shake LeCasse lost everything. Now there’s no going back and no way to move forward. The once-popular Varsity hockey captain is living in the basement of a grandmother he barely knows, ditching school, avoiding friends and working hard on self-destruction.
She’s the girl nobody sees.
Cleo Lee survives however she can. Lie, cheat, steal, whatever it takes, and saving Mr. Popular isn’t part of the plan. Telling him the truth about the night that destroyed his life is downright dangerous. She needs to keep quiet, be smart and let the guy she’s been half in love with since middle school throw away a future she’d do anything to have. Too bad she sucks at playing it safe.
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Who is this chick?
When I push through the jingle of the door, Cleo is waiting, leaning against the building, smoking a little stub of a cigarette. Why is she suddenly everywhere? I wonder if she followed me.
“I need toothpaste,” she tells me.
“Great to know.”
“Travel size.”
I just look at her.
“You owe me, Sasquatch. I got you home last night.”
I don’t want to think about last night. Not the least little bit. I don't know what the hell happened, but I'm treating it like Vegas.
“Go away,” I tell her.
She steps in front of me and says, “Is it a lot of work being such a giant dick? Like, do you take special classes? Practice in the mirror? Wear a rubber on your head? Cuz as a giant dick, you’re downright impressive. Maybe even one of the biggest dicks I’ve ever met. Can I get your autograph?”
I tower over her, give her my meanest scowl and lower my voice, “Get lost.”
"Is this when I wet myself because I'm so scared?" She even makes her eyes all big and shivers with her hands up. All ninety pounds of her and I consider just trampling her, but she’s like one of those little ankle-biting dogs and won’t quit. I settle for an eye roll and head back inside.
To the guy behind the counter, I mumble, “Forgot something.” Within three minutes, I’m back on the sidewalk.
I hold out the bag, wait for Cleo to reach, then jerk it upward. She jumps, but I’m a head taller than the rest of the population and she’s not allowed on the big girl rides at the amusement park. I enjoy watching her jump. I’m acting like a dick BECAUSE she accused me of being one. I don’t know what that says about me.
When she tries to kick me, I shield my junk and toss her the bag. “You owe me a dollar and fifty seven cents.”
She snags the toothpaste and drops the plastic bag on the ground. “I said travel size. I can’t hide this. Rex’ll steal it in five fucking seconds.”
“You’re welcome.” I scoop up the bag. “You owe me a buck and change. Pay me and go away.”
“Dude, I’m tapped.” She wiggles her fingers. “There’s a reason that assbag doesn’t want me in his store.”
Who is this chick? What have I done to snag her attention? How do I get rid of her?
I walk away. She trots after me. She carries a brown lunch bag. It would almost be worth making nice if she’s got food in it. My stomach growls just thinking about it.
I finally say, “I want my shirt back.”
It’s the only shirt I’ve had longer than eight months. It’s the shirt I had on the night IT happened, and I can’t bring myself to wear it or throw it away. She must have dug to the bottom of my everything to find it. Seeing her in it kills me a little bit.
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About Charisse Mortiz
Emily Award Finalist and Melody Of Love Award Finalist, Charisse M Moritz divides her life between upstate NY and northern Florida. When not barricaded inside her writing cave or enjoying every possible minute with her husband and three kids, you’ll find her listening to 60’s music, singing offkey and looking for new reads.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19420257.Charisse_Moritz
Website: https://charissemoritz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charissemoritz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charissemoritz
Charisse Moritz will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteDid you design the cover of your book?
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks to Andi's Young Adult Books for sharing my excerpt. It's taken me all day to figure out how to actually leave a comment on this site, so I guess the cat's out of the bag and I can't take credit for the book cover design. I am very fortunate that my son is in the field of building and optimizing web sites and willing to create book covers in exchange my free house painting services. I explained my concept and he did the rest. There's even a hidden face in the flames that no one can find until he points it out.
ReplyDeleteFirst a thank you to Andi's Young Adult Books for hosting an excerpt from Shakespeare Burning. Since it's taken me all day to figure out how to post a comment on this site, I've made it obvious I'm not up to the task of cover design. That would be my son. I explained my vision and he did the rest. I'm thrilled with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing a book description and giveaway also. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting an excerpt of Shakespeare Burning. Since I haven’t managed to post a comment, it’s pretty obvious that I’m not capable of designing a book cover. I have my son to thank for that. I explained my vision and he handled the rest, even hiding a skull inside the flames for a little flare. I couldn’t be more pleased with the cover.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your books release. I hope that it a success?
ReplyDelete