Title: The Dark Hour
Author: J.F. Jenkins
Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Release Date: November 11
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Becca Simpson is a not so average
teenager, and she knows it. In fact, she embraces it. She was chosen
to be a Keeper, one who keeps the gates sealed between the magic
world and the "normal" world. The only time she isn't safe
from the dark creatures of the Other Side is the Dark Hour. Every
night, at the same time, the gates between the two worlds open and
Becca is left vulnerable until the gate closes and the minions
disappear. But that's why she has Erik Manchester. As her Guardian,
Erik is in charge of making sure no one, or no thing, comes after her
to take her away. Because waiting for her on the Other Side is a
tyrannical emperor, looking to use her status to meld the two worlds
into one.
With Erik, Becca feels safe, but
suffocated. There are rules she has to follow in order to keep out of
the hands of the emperor. Then Kyne walks into her life and
challenges everything she knows. Not only does he know things about
the Other Side, but he's from there. And found a way to stay in the
normal world without frying.
EVERYTHING WAS SET. THE windows were
locked, and soon the doors would be as well. My best friend
Linnea was preparing an extra ward on the front door to my
apartment. Ideally, it would help keep away all the dark magical
critters that wandered around during the Dark Hour. No
guarantees, though, because she’s not my chosen Guardian, so
her magic couldn’t protect me in all the ways it should. At
least she was trying, which is more than I can say about the guy
who was supposed to act as my Guardian. Key words supposed to
be. He does his job, sure, but I think the only reason he ever
shows up is because he knows he’ll be mauled by my parents if
he doesn’t. Or what’s left of him, since I’m pretty sure Linnea
would get to him first.
“Three minutes until the Dark Hour,”
Kendall said from the couch. He sat with his younger brother,
trying to keep the kid calm by reading a book. Since Max is
young enough to not understand the concept of time, it worked
for the most part. He seemed pretty engrossed with the pictures.
Much like me, I’m pretty sure
Kendall’s skin was crawling. He’s a Keeper, as am I. Every
night when the Dark Hour came, I felt like I wanted to scratch
my flesh raw in anticipation. The disturbance in the dimensional
field always made me uncomfortable. Gooseflesh prickled my arms
and legs, uncontrollable shivers came next, and then there was
the sensation of being watched by something dark and dangerous.
I know Kendall felt it too because that was one of the many
“perks” to being a Keeper. We know when there’s a shift
between the real world and the magical one. It’s how we know
when to do our job. Whatever that is — information we haven’t
been told yet since we aren’t old enough to actually work.
The Dark Hour, unfortunately, comes
every night. It’s the one time of the day when we Keepers are
helpless to stop the magical minions from entering a world where
they’re not supposed to exist. Something about the way the
magic shifts temporarily on the Other Side makes it strong
enough for the cross over to happen. Doubly unfortunate because,
of course, only the naughty, scary kind of magical beings ever
do. Things like crazy faeries, goblins, dark witches, and these
nasty giant red worms.
“Two minutes,” Kendall whispered.
“I don’t need a countdown,” I
mumbled and plopped down next to him on the couch. I turned on
the television and searched for something among the
five-hundred-some stations to watch. Hopefully, I’d be able to
find something that could drown out the obnoxious constant hum
of powerful magic and the negative energy that would soon be
filling the apartment.
Linnea took in a deep breath. “Don’t
worry Becca, I’ll do my best to protect you like you’re
mine.”
“I know,” I said softly. “But I
don’t want it to come down to that. If something were to
happen to you...”
Kendall rolled his eyes. “Don’t act
like your protection isn’t as important as mine. You know
that’s not true. If even one of us is lost, it could all be
over.”
That was when Erik, my Guardian
sauntered into the apartment, as casual as ever. He locked the
door and put his official magical seal onto it before taking off
his shoes and coat — as if my world hadn’t been about to
end. No one said a word, but I did let out a sigh of relief.
Erik went to the bathroom and Linnea started cooking in the
kitchen. Even though it was after midnight now, she tended to
like to make elaborate late night snacks. Kendall had lucked out
having Linnea, the good Guardian, who actually did her job.
J.F. Jenkins lives in Minneapolis
Minnesota with her husband, son, and two cats. She graduated from
Bethel University in 2006 with a degree in Media Communication with
minors in both writing and film. When she is not busy writing, she
spends her free time playing games, reading, and spending time with
her family.
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