The Daring Young Man
Promotional Event by- AToM Tours
Once, sixteen year-old Dante Delgado dreamed of being one of the few trapecistas able to do a quadruple somersault in the air. Then a tragic accident took his parents, their circus, and his ability to fly. Circus is one big family all over the world, and Dante hates everything to do with it. But to survive, he must choose between joining the ranks of the tiny, yet magical Mumbo Jumbo Circus or its nemesis, the Las Vegas spectacular, Cirque Patron. And it doesn't help that two very different girls are confusing the situation. If he makes the wrong choice, he won't have a future to worry about.
Release Date: December 10, 2012
Author: Jane George
Genre: Fantasy (14+)
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Book #1
MAGIC. MYSTERY. MAYHEM. The MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS...
Step right up into the world of mystery and magic that is The Mumbo Jumbo Circus, a rag-tag traveling circus that is also home to a group of throwaway teens. When 15 year old Evan takes up with the circus, she has nowhere else to go. She soon discovers this circus is like no other. The Ringmaster was bequeathed a powerful ju-ju that brings forth a magical talent, or donvrai, in certain individuals. Evan's gift is the ability to read horses' minds. She's terrified of horses, with good reason. Worse, a traitor who wants the ju-ju is convinced Evan will make a success out of Mumbo Jumbo Circus and they will do anything to stop her. Does she have what it takes to be a star in the center ring and save her weird, new-found family?
Excerpt
“Found me? I guess so,” Dante said to the back of the Ringmaster’s head. “El payoso said you have a job. For someone who speaks Spanish.”
The circus master’s long fingers nimbly worked at fixing his string tie. His goateed chin twisted to one side in concentration.
“Not a job for anyone who happens to speak Spanish. A job just for you.” His dark eyes caught Dante’s gaze in the mirror.
“That sounds weird,” said Dante.
An eerie, high-pitched noise emanated from the mirror.
The Ringmaster took a step backward. “That sounds weird. My mirror has never done that before.”
The screech shaped itself into a frail, thin voice speaking what sounded like Spanish. As distinct words formed, a face coalesced in the mirror.
Dante startled and fell off his seat. The hard oak chair tipped to land sideways on the oriental carpet.
“Abuela!” Dante felt behind him for the wall.
The ghostly image spoke in rapid Spanish.
“What’s she saying?” said the Ringmaster.
Dante leaned against the velvety wallpaper for support and gaped in horror at the image in the mirror.
“I told you I need a person who speaks Spanish.” The Ringmaster stepped to Dante’s side and placed a calming hand upon his shoulder. “However, I didn’t foresee this particular occurrence. I imagined something more along the lines of better communication with the Spanish-speaking roustabouts. I should always listen to the Pickled Punk. Someday, I’ll learn.”
The specter shrieked.
“Translate please, Mr. Delgado.” The Ringmaster tucked his shoulder length dark hair behind his ears and waited.
Dante said, “She wants you to shut up.”
“Oh.”
Dante looked up into the Ringmaster’s dumbfounded face. “She’s not usually like this, Sir.”
The Ringmaster quizzed his head. “You know each other?”
A stream of insistent Spanish spewed forth from the mirror. The Ringmaster motioned for Dante to quickly continue translation.
Dante cleared his tightening throat. “She says she has what you need. But you can only have it if you make me whole again.”
The Ringmaster’s sharply intelligent eyes went from Dante to the ghost. “Ask her what she thinks it is I need?”
Dante did, and the answer came hurtling from the ghost’s mouth. Dante replied, “She says you should be ashamed of yourself, your circus is naked and you know exactly what it is you need.”
The Ringmaster pulled his pointed beard. “Ah ha.”
The mirror’s spectral vision continued to speak in rapid Spanish. Dante did his best to keep up translation, “You only have until Dia de los Muertos to make me whole. After that, she has to leave this plane and the arrangement is off.” His eyes burned with threatening tears as he took in the full meaning of her words.
A broad smile—it reminded Dante of a fox or coyote—lit up the Ringmaster’s features. He cracked his knuckles. “Tell her I accept. It’s a deal. But you work while you’re here.”
Dante relayed the message and the fantasma visibly relaxed. Well, that made one of them. He was still hyperventilating.
The Ringmaster dusted off a top hat and placed it upon his head. The show must be going to start soon. “When exactly is Dia de los Muertos?” he inquired.
Dante didn’t need to ask the ghost this question. He knew the answer well. “It starts in the evening on the first of November, and carries on into All Souls Day, the second.” He glanced up. “That’s five days from now.”
“Then we have our work cut out for us, don’t we?”
The vision in the mirror started to fade. It reached out its hand toward Dante with a sorrowful expression, and then it was gone. Dante sagged against the wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. His forehead hit his knees.
“Who was that mysterious apparition?” the Ringmaster inquired as he located his show whip and wound the long lash around the handle.
“My grandmother,” answered Dante as his shoulders heaved, and the tears he tried to hold back burst forth.
The Ringmaster’s voice softened. “You must have loved her very much.”
Dante shot to his feet and shouted, “I didn’t know she was dead!”
About the Author
A dedicated writer for over a decade, she produces and publishes her YA fantasy and literary titles under her personal imprint, Paper Grove Publishing. Find out more at: www.Jane-George.com
Giveaway
I am super excited to be able to offer 1 physical copy of
The Daring Young Man to 1 US/CAN resident!! Also for
the INT people 1 e-copy (mobi or epub) of The Mumbo Jumbo Circur
or The Daring Young Man is up for grabs! Just enter the form below
and GOOD LUCK!!
That their both about the same circus but with different characters. Also I find it interesting that her gift has to do with horses but she's scared of them lol
ReplyDeleteJu-ju! Who doesn't like to read about the circus and ju-ju!
ReplyDeleteThe circus! Circus books are always fun to read.
ReplyDelete