Blog tour: The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons + excerpt and giveaway

Do you believe in fairy tales? Today's post is for The Deep End of the Sea blog tour. This YA fantasy features Greek gods and goddesses and lots of thrills and excitement. Enjoy the excerpt and enter the giveaway. 

THE DEEP END OF THE SEA Synopsis:

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the restof the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in thedeep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.

Buy it: Amazon

Excerpt:
A long, sleek black limousine pulls up to the front of the villa, driven by none other than Talos, who I’ve only seen lurking around the edges of my existence over the last week. Other than the one sentence he uttered in Tele’s gym, telling me his name, I’ve yet to hear anything further. And I don’t hear anything now when he opens the door for us and helps me into the car.

It’s completely irrational, but adrenaline spikes in my bloodstream as I slide onto the rich leather seat. Persephone climbs in after me, hooking her arm through mine as she describes the restaurant we’re about to go to. Hades grabs my attention for a small moment, rolling his eyes and smiling wryly, as if he finds his wife and her chatter adorably exasperating.

But this here, this is my first time in a car. My first time in any vehicle other than a chariot, and as that was so long ago I can’t even remember what it looked or felt like to be in one, this first is both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

I clutch at the seat below me when the limo descends down the winding drive, past olive and juniper trees lining the road and onto the main street. Part of me wants to press my palms and nose against the glass and blatantly stare. There are people out there walking dogs, driving, riding bikes, living their lives, and there are houses and stores and sights so wondrous to see that it’s hard to believe it’s all real. This is not a movie, though, nor flat pictures in books—no, these scenes are tangible as they flash by me. But to act so uncouth would be utterly rude to my hosts, so I try my best to focus on Persephone and nod and murmur at the appropriate times, even though everything in me yearns to turn toward the window.

“Oh, leave the poor girl alone,” Hades says minutes later, breaking through his wife’s detailed description of the ambrosia at the restaurant, and of how she felt last time she drank it which sounds suspiciously like drunk. “Can’t you see she’s not interested?”

My cheeks flame. Is my rudeness so obvious? Hades is smirking, winks at me even. But I’m horrified to be caught so disinterested. “Oh, please believe me, I am most enjoying—”

But Persephone merely laughs, her own cheeks red from her husband’s good-natured chastising. So instead, she points out the sights for me, telling me which stores she likes to frequent, which directions the other gods live, and of businesses I ought to check out when I decide it’s time to explore Olympus. “I’d love to take you myself, darling,” she says, squeezing my arm, “but I will completely understand if you feel you need to escape us and get out on your own.”

I go to protest, but Hades chuckles. “I’m sure Hermes may have his own ideas about taking her out exploring, Peri.”

There I go, blushing again.

“Well, that is up to you, of course.” Stars above, her smile could sway the worst grouch in the world back towards joy. “Personally, I would find him a boring tour guide of Olympus, as would my husband here.” She blows him a kiss, and he rolls his eyes again despite his indulgent grin. “Do not think you have to humor any of us when you go out exploring. You are free to do so whenever you wish, with whomever you wish. But my offer stands.”

She seems so sincere. Persephone and Hades, they’ve been nothing but generous with me this week. So these words of hers, with her arm linked in mine, inspires an overwhelming rush of contentment and gratitude to flow through me, tempering the adrenaline. “I must thank you two for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve certainly had no reason to do so, not with all of my faults and actions in the past, but know it is much appreciated. I will always treasure your kindness.”

Neither god says anything for a long moment. But then Hades says, voice rough with an emotion I can’t pinpoint, “The pleasure is ours.”

Persephone kisses my cheek. “We love having you here.”

The rest of the drive, they kindly yet purposely chat together about issues going on in the Underworld, leaving me to do exactly what I want to do: watch the things that have only ever been two dimensional to me bloom into 3-D.

About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Links: Website | Author Goodreads |  Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest |

THE DEEP END OF THE SEA Goodreads

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