08 August, 2012

SPECIAL FEATURE :: Farsighted (Farsighted #1) by Emlyn Chand



*** SPECIAL FEATURE - August'12 ***
It’s a very well written representative of the YA fiction genre – witty, fresh, entertaining and exciting. It keeps you on the edge of your seat all along and makes you want to find out what happens at the end.                     ~~ Vicky (Book, Biscuits & Tea) on Goodreads


Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, an enticing new girl comes to their small Midwest town all the way from India. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Sophomore year might not be so bad after all. 

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they suggest Simmi is in mortal danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex embarks on his journey to change the future.


Read my 5 Star Review of Farsighted #1:: Here


Excerpt


Almost Kiss
an excerpt from Farsighted, chapter 7

Simmi and I arrive at this rally point together from Mrs. Warszynski’s to wait for Shapri. Several minutes go by. I want to suggest we leave without her but don’t think that’ll score me any points with Simmi.

“You didn’t want Shapri to come tonight, did you?” Simmi asks.

“Well, I—no, I mean, it’s fine. I’m glad she could come,” I sputter.

“You’re such a horrible liar,” Simmi teases, pushing me playfully.
“Hey, that’s not fair. I can’t hit you back. You’re a girl.”

“I’m just teasing you.” Simmi blows a raspberry and pulls her body up onto the circular wall surrounding the flagpole area. I hesitate before pulling myself up too. Simmi scootches over so we touch at the hip. She loops her hand through the crook of my arm and places her head on my shoulder. “I never would have gotten away with this in India,” she says. “But I’m glad I can here. I’m a psychic feeler. I need to be in touch with others.” She pauses and strokes my arm with her free hand. “You know, when I touch someone I can make them feel what I want them to, but I can also sense their existing emotions. It’s almost the same as being able to read minds. Everything important has to do with the heart, not logic.” She lightens her tone. “But don’t tell Dr. Brown I said that, he’d take marks off of my next chem exam out of spite.”

I laugh nervously. Is she like Miss Teak in a way? Can she read my feelings for her? If she can, why hasn’t she said anything? I contemplate reaching over and kissing her, so I can know for sure how she feels. But I’ve never kissed anyone before. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to initiate it. Do I take her out for dinner and a movie first? Or make some lengthy speech declaring my intentions? Do I kiss her, just like that? Or do I ask for her permission before making my big move?

I decide to ask if it’s okay. Simmi is a classy girl. She needs respect. I swallow, hoping the motion will open up my airway, because right now, I’m kind of having trouble catching my breath. “Simmi,” I start.
“Yeah, Alex?” She lifts her head and links her hand in mine, nudging her slender fingers in between each of mine.

“Would it be okay if I…”

“There you two are!” Shapri says, running over to us, panting heavily. “I thought we were meeting in the commons.”
“No, we agreed on the flagpole,” Simmi says, hopping down from the wall.

The moment is gone. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance and the nerve again. My opinion of Shapri transforms from cautious indifference into outright hatred. Why did she invite herself along?

Shapri clears her throat. “Did I—Did I interrupt something here? Maybe a little romance?”
“What? No, no,” Simmi says shaking her head adamantly. “Nothing like that, Alex is like a brother to me.”

Ouch. Pain. Stabbed in my heart. I’m like a brother to her? I guess this means romance is off the table…




Book Trailer 


Awards for Farsighted



Raves about Farsighted

"Chand's characters are compelling and diverse... Shapri is a standout." - Kirkus Reviews
"A showdown...brings the novel to a surreal and...suspenseful close." - Publisher's Weekly
"A suspenseful and spellbinding mystery that grips you from the very start." - IndieReader 
"Alex Kosmitoras might not have a magic wand or vampiric strength and speed, but he is a totally swoon-worthy hero that any mom would be proud to let her daughter date." - Melissa Luznicky Garrett, author of Turning Point
"You don't have to be psychic to know that Farsighted is going to take the world by storm. Vampires are so last year." - Kimberly Kinrade, author of Forbidden Mind
"I read the book in one sitting... the ONLY other time I have done this is when I read the Harry Potter series." - Marie Bothwick, blogger at Write Panic Live.

Facts about Farsighted

1. Shapri was supposed to be a minor character but kind of ended up stealing the show.
2. I completely rewrote the character of Miss Teak and changed up her back story in the second draft.
3. At one time, I contemplated giving Alex a parrot to help him figure out his visions--just because I like 
    birds so much and am always desperate to include them. I'm glad I left it out though, because that 
    would've been stupid!
4. A lot of people think it was hard to write the first person narration of a blind character, it was. But the 
    harder thing was structuring each chapter around one of the Nordic runes. That took a ton of research and 
    outlining!
5. My former literary agent was interested in Farsighted, but I said, "Hands off. I'm self-publishing!"




Read the Full First Chapter for Free :: Click Here

Check out the Farsighted FAQs :: Click Here

Take the Official Character Quiz :: Click Here




Contact the Author


Giveaway
Now for the most amazing news! The Giveaway! Ms.Emlyn has very kindly agreed to Giveaway - One Winner will win Signed copies of Farsighted & Open Heart! Yay!! This is so exciting, I wish I could enter this myself... What are you waiting for??? Go Enter NOW!!

Rules:
1. There's only two compulsory entry to qualify for this Giveaway. 
2. If the compulsory entries are not completed properly, additional entries of that person will not count.
3. The Giveaway is open Internationally.
4. I will be selecting the winner through Random.org every Saturday and will be sending an e-mail. They have to reply with their mailing address/e-mail id within 48 hours, or I will select another winner.
5. Please do not leave your e-mail id in the comment section.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 comments:

  1. This sounds like a great read, and very original. I'm going to have to give it a shot.

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  2. I have already read your first book and liked it, Emlyn! Am going to read Open Heart in the next week..excited to read it..

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  3. How far have you gotten along on the next book in the Farsighted series?

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  4. Thank you for the feature, Debdatta, and I'm sorry I'm so late! Dovile, I'm just beginning work on book #3, Pitch. But! I have huge Farsighted series news coming on September 1. Be on the look out :-D

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  5. I really don't have a specific question right now because I haven't started this series yet but I have read many good reviews about it and I would like to thank you for the chance.
    Artemis

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