“It’s no secret, ours is the meanest swamp in Louisiana. . .”
There’s something about the swamp in Sticks, Louisiana. Something different, something haunting . . . something alive. Everyone knows this, and everyone avoids going near it. And even the Mardi Gras–bead-decorated fence that surrounds it keeps people away.
Until one morning when Sterling Saucier’s older brother, Phineas, runs into the swamp . . .
And doesn’t return.
Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out in his place, and all of a sudden, no one in Sticks remembers Phin at all. They treat Lenora May as if she’s been Sterling’s sister forever.
Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp’s done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance—but first she’s got to find someone who believes her.
Heath Durham might be that someone. A loner shrouded behind rumors of drug addiction, Heath has had his own strange experience with the swamp. He and Sterling will have to piece together enough bits of memory and ancient swamp lore to get to the truth. But as the wild swamp encroaches on their town, Sterling and Heath may find a lot more than they expected . . . and Phin may be lost to them forever.
****Early Praise for BEWARE THE WILD****
“Parker’s assured debut is a creepy southern fairy tale set in a town infused with an undercurrent of supernatural menace.” — Booklist
“Parker has a nice touch with the Southern flavor of Sterling’s Louisiana town, steeped in superstition and silence…This engaging debut should enjoy a wide audience.” — Kirkus
“A creepy, atmospheric book that will draw readers in…Beware the Wild breathes new life into the teen supernatural genre.” — School Library Journal
“Unique, haunting, and filled with characters who steal your heart, you’ll be just as intrigued by the rural, small-town world that Parker builds as you will by the magic she weaves in the dark of the wild.” — International bestselling author Josephine Angelini
“A lovely modern fairy tale as tangled and dark as the swamp it lurks in. Parker’s debut is American myth at its very best.” — Kiersten White, NYT bestselling author
****BEWARE THE WILD Launch Party****
If you’re in Kansas, you’re invited! Heck, even if you’re not in Kansas, you’re invited.
When: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 @ 6:30pm
Where: Mysteryscape Books in Old Overland Park, KS
More details can be found here: http://www.mysteryscape.com/event/beware-wild-launch-party.
****BEWARE THE WILD on the road!****
So, you’re not in Kansas. Don’t fret! I’ll be traveling to nine other locations in seven other states with four other authors over the next two weeks. Details are below and on my handy dandy appearances page.
****Other things!****
I’ll also be visiting the Chicago area for an event at Anderson’s in Naperville on November 14th with Lindsay Currie, Trisha Leaver, and Rachel Wilson, so make that eight states.
Not in any of these states? You can order BEWARE THE WILD in all the fabulously traditional ways listed below OR you can order via Fountain Bookstore and your copy will arrive with one of two smashing bookplates!
Other ordering options include but aren’t limited to: IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository (free shipping worldwide!).
This day has been a long time coming and I’m thrilled, thrilled, a thousand times thrilled to be able to share this project with you. Happy reading!
 Natalie C Parker is a writer, professional project coordinator, and future zombie slayer. When not saving the world, she can be found on Twitter (@nataliecparker). Though once determined to never live in a land-locked state, she resides in Kansas with her partner in a house of monsters. Her southern gothic YA debut, BEWARE THE WILD, is due from HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2014. |
OneFour KidLit 