Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Excerpt: Tracing Shadows


Today, in partnership with Rockstar Book Tours, I'm stoked to bring you an excerpt from Tracing Shadows, a YA fantasy by Alex Lidell which released on April 8, 2018. There's also a giveaway below where 3 winners will receive a box set of Alex Lidell's Tide Series, as well as an ebook of Tracing Shadows. Don't forget to check out all the other reviews, interviews, and excerpts from the other blogs in the tour.


About the Book:
Title: TRACING SHADOWS (Scout #1)
Author: Alex Lidell
Pub. Date: April 8, 2018
Publisher: Alex Lidell
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 312
Find it: AmazonGoodreads

To protect the throne, seventeen-year-old spy Kali must play a male guardsman trainee by day and royal lady by night. 

Orphaned and trained on a spymaster’s remote estate, Kali is a scout who works alone in the shadows. But when a terror group threatens the Dansil throne, the king forces Kali to accept a mission at the palace or forfeit her sister’s life. 

Suddenly thrust into the light, Kali must infiltrate high society as the royal Lady Lianna while penetrating the servant ranks as Kal, a male guardsman trainee. It doesn’t help that Trace, the harsh and enigmatic captain of the king’s guard, is soon assigned as both Lady Lianna’s palace escort and Kal’s commanding officer. 

As Kali edges closer to the truth behind the violent group’s identity, she uncovers dangerous secrets that could bring her mission to a brutal end. A scout’s job is to observe and report, never to engage . . . but if it means saving her sister and kingdom, Kali may have no choice. 

TRACING SHADOWS, by Amazon bestselling author Alex Lidell, is the first novel in the Scout series. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Leigh Bardugo, and Sarah J. Maas. 


“Not so fast.” Trace’s voice jerks me short. “You’ve made yourself a part of this as well. Full name?”

My stomach tightens, but I step forward and touch my fist to my chest. “Kal Cassidy, sir.” My voice is even, respectful but undaunted.

“Well, Kal,” Trace’s body fills the entirety of my vision. “I would not presume to question His Highness’s word that you were, in fact, on duty as his personal protection this evening. I must thus conclude that your lack of weapons, report of activity, and basic safety considerations are a delinquency. Have you anything to say for yourself?”

A fair accusation. And a smart one. Trace cannot discipline the prince directly, but he certainly can punish Kal. Conveniently, it would send a message of consequences to the prince while discouraging a trainee from trying similar antics again. If Trace hadn’t attempted to scare me into submission earlier, I’d even grant him a bow.

“It’s not Kal’s fault!” The thread of desperation in Wil’s voice makes me swallow a groan. The prince might think he’s helping, but his obvious discomfort only serves to make Kal a more valuable whipping boy.

“On the contrary,” Trace says. “It appears Kal is the only one at fault.” He shifts his attention back to me, lowering his voice. “Unless . . .”

My chest tightens. Unless? There is an “unless”?

Trace’s shoulders spread, that subtle shift of weight designed to frighten me, and his voice drops even further. “Unless the trainee has a different version of events to share before I decide on his punishment?”



About Alex:
Alex Lidell is the Amazon Breakout Novel Awards finalist author of THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin, 2013). She is an avid horseback rider, a (bad) hockey player, and an ice-cream addict. Born in Russia, Alex learned English in elementary school, where a thoughtful librarian placed a copy of Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA in Alex’s hands. In addition to becoming the first English book Alex read for fun, ALANNA started Alex’s life long love for YA fantasy books. Alex is represented by Leigh Feldman of Leigh Feldman Literary. She lives in Washington, DC.
Join Alex's newsletter for news, bonus content and sneak peeks: www.subscribepage.com/TIDES

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive an eBook set of Alex’s TIDES SERIES & an eBook of TRACING SHADOWS, INTERNATIONAL.


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
April 9, 2018: A Backwards Story - Review
April 9, 2018: Confessions of a YA Reader- Excerpt

April 10, 2018: Zach's YA Reviews - Review
April 10, 2018: Reese's Reviews - Review

April 11, 2018: Book-Keeping - Review
April 11, 2018: History from a Woman’s Perspective - Review

April 12, 2018: Myth and Magic Book Club - Review
April 12, 2018: BookHounds YA - Excerpt

April 13, 2018: Smada's Book Smack - Review
April 13, 2018: Paulette's Papers - Excerpt

Week Two:
April 16, 2018: Read. Eat. Love. - Review
April 16, 2018: Zooloo Book Blog - Excerpt

April 17, 2018: Lauren is Reading - Review
April 17, 2018: Book Briefs - Review

Today: The Underground - Excerpt
Today: Don't Judge, Read - Review

April 19, 2018: Adventures Thru Wonderland - Review
April 19, 2018: A Dream Within A Dream - Excerpt

April 20, 2018: The BookWorm Drinketh - Review
April 20, 2018: TwoChicks on Books - Excerpt


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