Want more of THE SURRENDERED? We've prepared three special
excerpts for the release of this hot new YA dystopian, and Thirsty Thursday
seems like the perfect time to wet your appetite with the first sneak peak!
The
hand he places on my arm has a comforting effect. “I can’t begin to imagine why
she’d do that to you and your brother. Or why she’d feel any different about
doing it to Jane. All I can say for sure is that The Tax changes people—loss changes
people. Maybe knowing she was going to have to surrender you and Oliver was her
undoing, and in response she put up imaginary barriers to protect herself from
the harsh reality of it.”
My guffaw is unladylike to say the least. “I didn’t know you
were a psychologist, Doctor Hale.”
Throwing his hands up in mock defense, he laughs with me. “Just
saying. We all handle grief in different ways. And what do you know about
psychology, having been behind the fence all these years?”
“You’d be surprised how much you learn about the mind and
behavior behind the fence.” When his smile falters, I add, “Actually, my
parents took great pains to ensure Oliver and I were educated early. We
couldn’t afford to go to school, but I don’t remember a single day before my
surrender that wasn’t full of history, arithmetic, and all manner of science
experiments.” What once was a fond memory now makes me scowl. “But that all
stopped once we were turned over to the System. You’d think the Commander would
want to educate those in his care, so that when they’re returned to society
they can be productive members.”
The nerve in Cason’s jaw tics. “The Commander cares nothing for
the rebuilding of society. His only concern lies in padding his pockets with
the coin he receives from The Tax. He thinks it’s in his best interest to
operate the System with oppression, because he’s afraid if the people feel
hope, they’ll be more likely to rebel. And a rebellion might put an end to the
gambit he has going.” He balls his hands into fists at his sides. “He
just hasn’t yet realized that sometimes desperation actually breeds
determination, not fear.”
His speech stirs a fire from within me, and I meet his eyes
squarely. “And a determined spirit can change the course of history.”
He nods, watching me closely. “If society would realize there
are more of us than there are of them . . . If they could somehow regain the
pride that was lost during the Black Forty, they’d realize this country still
belongs to the people and not to the System.”
about
the book:
After a
financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a
tax on the nation’s most valuable resource—the children.
Surrendered at age ten—after her parents could no longer afford
her exorbitant fees—Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills,
alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can
to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things
happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a
stand—a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first
time since the System robbed her of her liberty.
Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds
ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes
beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely
group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing
that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and
desperation into hope and determination—or risk failing all the children and
the brother she left behind.
Now available!
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about the author:
With
over 20 years’ experience in the legal and medical fields, Case Maynard decided
to trade in her briefs and reports to write the stories that have been floating
around in her head since childhood. She lives with her two teenagers and
husband in South Georgia, while maintaining a long-distance liaison with her
oldest daughter and partner in crime in Alaska. When not writing, she enjoys
reading as often as possible, binge watching anything good on Netflix, and all
things NCAA football (Go Noles!). You can learn more about Case and her stories
on her website.
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