Catalyst
The Deception Game, #1
by
Kristin Smith
Published
by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication
date: November 21st 2016
Genres:
Dystopian, Young Adult
BLURB
Too pretty.
Too smart.
Too perfect.
Too smart.
Too perfect.
In a crumbling, futuristic Las
Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like
ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit
in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her
imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything
she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.
With little skills to help provide
for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and
stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert
exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a
corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother
as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as
bait.
In order to rescue her mother,
there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist
group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these
revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be
more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to
risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.
Catalyst is a thrilling adventure
of danger, romance, intrigue, and deception.
EXCERPT:
“You need
to learn a little hand-to-hand combat.” Trey puts his fists up by his face.
“Always protect your soft spots—your face being numero uno.” He glances at my bandaged arm.
“You right-handed?”
It’s after breakfast and we’re in the training facility, a large,
gym-type room with thick mats, punching bags, weights, and a long wall of
mirrors. The smell of sweat and stinky feet assault my nose as I stand across
from him on the pile of black mats used to create a “ring”. We have the gym to
ourselves. Most likely because everyone else is too smart to work out right
after a meal.
I nod and flex my right hand, the one that’s not bandaged.
“You should be fine, then. I’ll take it easy on you.” He grins.
“Go ahead—hit me.”
I take a step back and shake my head. “I’m not gonna hit you.”
He moves forward to decrease the distance between us. “I said, hit
me.”
I raise my arms as if I’m about to fight him, but all I can think
is how much he’s done to help me. How can I punch the man who saved me from the
government facility, removed my tracker, and is willing to help rescue my
mother?
When he realizes I won’t fight, he lowers his hands. “Remember,
Sienna, these men don’t care that you’re a girl. They don’t care how old you
are. If given the opportunity, they will hurt you.” His eyes harden. “Now hit
me.”
I punch him as hard as I can, and he’s not expecting it. The force
of the blow to his face knocks him backward, and my hand throbs from the
impact. He looks stunned, especially when a trickle of blood makes its way out
of his nose. But then he grins.
Wiping his nose on his shirt, he motions with his hands for me to
come closer. “Nicely done. Now, hit me again.”
Surely, he must be crazy. I’m about to walk away, but his words
echo in my mind. If given the opportunity, they will
hurt you. I can’t
give them that opportunity.
Author Info
Kristin
Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s
not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at
Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin
currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and
five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession
with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at
kristinsmithbooks.com.
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