GENRE: YA Dystopian Fantasy Romance
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In the shadowed aftermath of global destruction, humanity’s hope takes flight on the wings of the Evol-humans. River Shaw, secluded in his high-altitude sanctuary, seeks solace after a life scarred by loss. His quiet existence is disrupted when Delene Fairborne, fleeing captivity and a dark past, crashes into his world. Together, they find strength in their unique abilities, resisting the sinister forces that hunt them for a cure only their blood can provide. As love blossoms amidst the chaos, they face a ruthless scientist hell-bent on harnessing their power. Shadowed Skies is a tale of survival, sacrifice, and soaring hope, where two souls, bound by destiny, fight for a world on the brink. Dive into a world where love flies against insurmountable odds.
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Excerpt
From my cage’s corner, his whistling reaches me before the citrusy waft of his aftershave. I grit my teeth. Ugh, the syrupy song he always whistles. His voice is so cheerful, with a little
vibrato twist. I stare at the floor.
His whistling halts. He clicks his expensive shoes together like a soldier at attention. He’s older than my dad would be, attractive for his age. He meticulously styles his full head of silver hair with the attentive vanity of a much younger man. His wolfish grin unsettles me, friendly yet sinister.
“Good morning, little angel,” he chirps, his singsong voice almost painfully cheerful, like the first day of summer vacation.
As far back as I can go, I glare daggers at him beneath the curtain of my hair. Oblivious, Dr. Lytle saunters toward me, whistling a jaunty tune as he flips through his clipboard.
“Delene Fairborne, Delene Fairborne. Seventeen years old, blood type O-positive, currently non-negotiable and refusing to cooperate.” He knows this, but he knocks his pen against the clipboard, tap-dancing the length across the paper as if he’s got better things to do. He hums. “Says here you haven’t eaten in two days. That’ll kick anyone in the teeth. You’ve got to be
hungry, right?” He peers through the bars, and his pale eyes bore into me like ice picks.
I focus on the elegant script on his doctor’s coat: Dr. Martin Lytle, M.D.
“We don’t want to starve you, kiddo. Why not comply, take the tests, and eat?” He steps forward when I don’t respond and curls his hand around a bar.
Closer, I think. Come closer.
“You’re not still upset with me about Lily, are you? She developed an infection. We did our best.”
“You’re the real plague here, Doc,” I challenge through gritted teeth.
He frowns, his thick eyebrows lowered. “What? I missed that.”
I move on all fours toward the bars. My long wings graze the bars to either side. I fold them inward and move in for the kill. Fear flickers across his features, but he doesn’t move. He
struggles to keep his mask of indifference, and we’re locked in a battle of futility. I clasp my hands around his on the bars as he senses what I’m about to do.
He jerks violently. I’d done this once and discovered he knew my grandfather. He spearheaded the experiment resulting in Evol-humans and has done since our inception.
Dr. Lytle’s past flashes before my eyes, and I sense his dread.
I try not to pry too far into people’s thoughts and trauma, but this time, I go straight to where it hurts. Without the mercy I usually reserve for those I care for, I hiss, “You left your men behind. You deserted them, Martin, and left them for dead in Iraq. Your superiors believed your lies, and they rewarded you. They decorated you for being a killer.”
He pales as the ghosts of the past travel through us—the stench of gunfire and blood haunts his heart. I stand as high as the cage allows and gaze at him. He shudders, pale, but I don’t let go. “You’re afraid. You are afraid at night when they come to haunt you. Gonzales, Fischer, Callahan, your whole unit. You act with cruelty, but the truth is, deep inside, you’re nothing but
a scared little boy. A cowardly, selfish, scared––” I hiss. “The military shattered your humanity long ago. Now you pretend your cruelty serves some higher cause, but it’s all a lie to bury your weakness.”
He rips away. “Enough.” He wipes his forearm across his forehead. He stares, disbelieving, as I clutch the bars and pant.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is a multiple award-winning and best-selling author and the two-time recipient of the League of Utah Writers Silver Quill Award in 2020 and 2024. Haley is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.
Contact Links
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Blog. Goodreads, Pinterest, Instagram YouTube, Book Video
Purchase Links
Betterworld Books * BAM * CollectiveInk * Thriftbooks * WalMart * Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Powell’s
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Haley Cavanagh will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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FOLLOW THE TOUR
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World of Stories 
The book sounds fascinating. Love the cover.
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cool
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This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
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Sounds like a good read.
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It would be a shock to think you were the last of something and then have that proven untrue.
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Sounds like a great story.
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Thank you so much for hosting today – it’s appreciated.
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