Jessica Hernandez was born and raised in the beautifully sunny state of Florida. She attended the University of Miami, where she spent more time than she cares to admit daydreaming of a faraway land called Acu. Upon graduating with a degree in English and Political Science in 2014, Jessica put pen to paper and brought Acu to life—so was born “Capering on Glass Bridges.” Currently, Jessica is working on a second novel.
Jessica can be found on Twitter and Goodreads
About the book
The Utdrendans have spoken. Sixteen-year-old Kaia Stone is amongst the two whom they have named. If she accepts the task presented to her and succeeds, it will be made possible for the accursed Kingdom of Mar to be freed. Although the assignment itself is simple, the path to success is sure to be anything but; not all is as it seems, and forces determined to work against Kaia are gathering—for many will stop at nothing to ensure that Mar remains forever cursed.
Will Kaia choose to abandon the only life she’s ever known—perhaps indefinitely—in pursuit of the greater good…in pursuit of her purpose?
Capering on Glass Bridges is a young adult fantasy adventure and due to be released later this month.
Book links
Amazon (US): http://amzn.to/1NhBkIL
Amazon (UK): http://amzn.to/1Sj6ByL
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1MNBwFq
Apple’s iBooks: http://apple.co/1MoL3kj
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QjLk9L
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1lc0Ngk
Excerpt
“I told you,” whispered a sniffling Taria.
“Patience,” commanded Mr. Stone, widening his unblinking eyes as he spoke. His cold tone made his youngest daughter feel as though she had been struck in the back with a thorny whip; she grimaced, dug her nails deep into her palms, bowed her head, and extended her shoulders forward, desperately trying to break away from the pain.
Dissonance. Kaia could not think of a more appropriate word to describe her sister’s Pairing Ceremony. Ismena’s Isle, which had only ever known nightfall, was gently illuminated by a benign, blue light. Its trees had luscious, impregnable canopies and slightly bowed, green-streaked trunks which measured as wide as three men standing shoulder to shoulder. It was simply ethereal, yet Taria looked as though she was preparing to meet death. The young girl’s unsteady, porcelain hands betrayed the storm waging within—they ran down the length of her white dress, smoothing the fabric all over; they busied themselves with her hair, parting it down the middle and draping each half of golden wool over her shoulders; they took turns twisting and wringing one another; they did what her heart bid—and her mind forbade—her feet to do. She fears that her ceremony will end as did mine. How foolish! Soon her torture will be over, thought Kaia, recalling that canonipoms can sense when their partner is approaching the isle; for them, the connection is palpable form birth. They cannot resist the draw. Somewhere in the forest, Taria’s canonipom was chasing the pull. Meanwhile, the Stones waited.
Mr. Stone stood closest to Taria; he was a few feet behind her. He held his hands behind his back and wore the same frozen, solemn expression as always. This austerity of his had led many in Fiaru to regard him as a man of no feelings over the years—callous, even. But Kaia knew that such an assessment was lacking in truth. If Mr. Stone came across as emotionally frigid, the cause was not ineptitude, but decorum—propriety requires complete restraint when venturing outside the home, or so he would say. Hence, in his eyes, Taria’s present behavior was of sufficient cause for embarrassment. Kaia knew that much to be true, and she derived a strange sense of pleasure from Taria’s deficiency—a pleasure that momentarily intensified after she recognized signs of absolute woe in her sister’s face.
A pang of guilt made Kaia go cold. What inappropriate desires! But they were not borne of spite. She simply did not want another reminder of her incompleteness. Kaia knew that it would happen regardless, though, and that, in minutes, she would officially be the only person in her family to not have been paired.
A rustling.
Was someone approaching? The blindfolded Taria cocked her head, as if to sharpen her ears, and held perfectly still. Kaia scanned the area. Something moved energetically from tree to tree. Was it Taria’s? It descended rapidly. A thud was heard…and then scampering feet…and then…nothing, save the trickling of a nearby brook. Taria’s shoulders dropped in disappointment. The wait continued.
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