Thursday, July 24, 2014

WHAT'S A DOUBLE NEGATIVE? .... FIND OUT!

Remember, dude…always remember…

This is my life. The only way for me to survive.

The bell rings and I’m off to yet another class. I don’t know how much more I can take. 

I coast through the halls, avoiding eye contact with the cool kids. Their snide remarks ricochet off me like a quarterback hit by a linebacker.  

After entering into science class, I drop into the desk behind Jenny and Mark, pricking my ears to hear anything that may help me pass.

Beads of sweat mist on my forehead as Mr. Sanders hands out the test. 

This is hopeless…

After school I search for the one person who knows my secret. Fat Nyla. I overhear the loud voices and high-pitched laughter of Cassy and her gang, badgering Nyla as I approach.

Cassy pushes Nyla into the lockers and the crunch of the metal clenches my fingers into a tight fist.

“Back off!” I call out. 

“Mind your own business, loser,” Cassy says. Her tone cuts through my like a razor, but draws me to my full height. 

“I said, back off.”

She takes in my brooding stance and stiffens. “Let’s go girls. Our work is done for today.” She faces Nyla. “I’ll get you later. Count on it.”

Fat Nyla lets out a deep breath as she watches her nemesis retreat.

“Are you alright?”

“I’ll live.” Her dark eyes raise and stare into mine. “You look like hell. What’s up?”

“Do I really need to spell it out for you?” I turn from her penetrating eyes. “I can’t cover it up much longer.”

“Dude, you need to get help. You’re just one step away from Juvy.”

She rummages through her locker, takes out a pad and scribbles something, tearing off the bottom and hands it to me.

“I’ve heard she’s helped a lot of guys like you. Give her a call.”

I glance down and barely make out the name and numbers.

“Can you read it? Her name's, Maggie. 529-6613. Memorize it. 529-6613.


I mouth the name and numbers several times, forcing them into my brain.

“I hope she can help me…”

“I’ve gotta go. Later, Hutch. And…thanks.”

I stare down at the jumble of letters and numbers. Remembering what they say, I head for home…


Will Hutch get the help he needs?


Will Maggie be able to help him or does Hutch slam into another dead end?


DOUBLE 
NEGATIVE 

by

C. Lee Mckenzie




Time is running out… but for who? 

Hutch?

Maggie?

Or both?

Whoa... now this is intense... I know I want to know more! Lee certainly knows how to PEAK our interest!

Available TOMORROW, July 25TH! Here's the link...

CONGRATS LEE! 

I hope you all enjoyed my interpretation of Lee's book.  Here is the logline for DOUBLE NEGATIVE...



Sixteen-year-old Hutch McQueen is a smart kid who can barely read. He makes one bad choice after another, trying to find a way to escape his rotten life at home and at school. Each time he gets into more trouble.


Do drop by Lee's blog and say hi.... 




Lee is also having a giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

75 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Awesome intro for Lee's book!
And good to hear from you, Michael.

cleemckenzie said...

You're the best, Michael. Thank you for the post today. I really do appreciate your support.

klahanie said...

Greetings Michael,

Ah, my illustrious, articulate friend. Thine intro for the amazingly awesome Lee and her next wonderful book, exemplifies the ambience. Well done, good sir.

Of course, hearty congrats to Lee. You do realise that I'm her starstuckest fan! :)

I shall duly take the liberty of sharing your post via all those social networks. Yep, even good old "Farcebook"!

Delighted to see you, Michael.

Gary :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Better call her, dude.

Another wonderful introduction. You are so good at these.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Good to see you back Michael!! Best of luck to Lee.

Morgan said...

You're so amazing, Michael. No one touches your intros. You're easily one of the most talented people I've ever met. Hands down. Seriously LOVE your writing. Hope you're staying sane in this summer weather!

Carol Kilgore said...

You have such a great talent, Michael. I'm looking forward to Lee's book.

Robin said...

Wow, this book looks great!

And now I feel really stupid because I couldn't figure out cleemckenzie broke down to C. Lee McKenzie. duh.

Loni Townsend said...

Great intro, Michael! Grats Lee!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Loved your intro. Very excited for Lee.

Janie Junebug said...

That sounds good.

Love,
Janie

cleemckenzie said...

I was worried about him and then here he comes with this great post!

cleemckenzie said...

So we need to decide: Farcebook or Facebark. You've got me in a tizzy here. Of course, IWSG now has only one meaning--very secretive meaning, but I can't write that without saying to myself that I'm searching for somebody.

cleemckenzie said...

Hey, you've got the tone, Diane. Love it.

cleemckenzie said...

Waving at Ellizabeth.

cleemckenzie said...

What a great compliment to Michael.

cleemckenzie said...

Hi Carol. Thanks again.

cleemckenzie said...

I can't figure that out either, so we're even.

cleemckenzie said...

Glad you stopped in, Loni.

cleemckenzie said...

I appreciated Michael's time in writing this for my book. How sweet is that?

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks for the comment, Janie.

Melissa said...

I don't usually read YA, but I'm gonna make and exception for this book. Congratulations, Lee! :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post about DOUBLE NEGATIVE. I definitely want to know more. CONGRATS to C. Lee! Happy Release Day!

LD Masterson said...

Aw, Michael, you're just so good at this. Great intro.

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks for making the exception, Melissa. Big cyber hug coming your way.

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks, Susanne. I'm pleased the story has interested you.

cleemckenzie said...

He's a wonder, isn't he?

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Congrats to Lee. I think I could get caught in this one.

Chrys Fey said...

Oh, that was so good! I'm hooked. I want to know what Hutch did and what's going to happen.

Congratulations, Lee!!!

Unknown said...

I'm so excited for Lee! The book looks great, and I'm wishing her huge success! :)

Mark Means said...

As always, an awesome intro and it definitely had me wanting more.

Congrats to Lee and much success!!

Denise Covey said...

Your prose hooked me in Michael. Love that cover, too.

Michelle Wallace said...

... and he strikes again! The Blurb King... doing what he does best!
Great intro, Michael!
Congrats to Lee, The Queen Of Glib! The cover is great!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Fantastic intro! This is a great stop for Lee!

Jo said...

Great intro Michael. I was worrying about Hutch from the first words. Not buying at the moment, too many to read as it is. But I would if ......

Cathrina Constantine said...

Michael, As always a wonderful blurb for Lee's book! And Lee congrats, your book sounds amazing!

Anonymous said...

Hooked from the start. Great intro Michael as everyone has said.

Empty Nest Insider said...

I also enjoyed your creative interpretation! I'm impressed with how easily you slid into their roles. Congrats to Lee!

Julie

mshatch said...

This sounds like such a good book and great intro, as always, Michael.

Good luck in the query trenches; I'm hoping to join you soon!

Stephanie Faris said...

Amazing intro...makes me want to read the book. Great job!

Carrie Butler said...

Now I'm ready to read the book! :) Great job, Michael, and congratulations to Lee!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Yeah that's a great intro for Lee's book. You are a great wordsmith.

SK Anthony said...

Oh Michael that was a great intro! Loved it. Congrats to Lee :D

Jack said...

That was one of those times I couldn't STOP reading, I love it when that happens. Teen books aren't my favourite genre, but I would read this one if the rest is like the sneak peek!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

It is so kewl to see Lee's cover everywhere. Go, Lee!

cleemckenzie said...

I'd love your reaction, Susan.

cleemckenzie said...

Tell me when you find out. :-)

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks, Lexa. You've been in my corner for a while now, and I love that.

cleemckenzie said...

I'd love a guy's opinion on Hutch. After all, I'm not a 16-year-old boy and I may have screwed up his character all together. I'll have to wait to hear from some male readers.

cleemckenzie said...

Michael works hard for those of us privileged enough to visit his great blog. It shows.

cleemckenzie said...

So we make a good combo, heh? King and Queen. I like that idea.

cleemckenzie said...

Trying to not be repetitive! :-)

cleemckenzie said...

I worried about Hutch from start to finish. I still have a few concerns.

cleemckenzie said...

You can let me know if it's a hit or a miss, Cathrina.

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Madeleine.

cleemckenzie said...

I like it when guys chime in on Hutch. It helps me gauge if I've gotten that boy down the way I should. Michael's take was great.

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks for the visit and good luck in the query trenches.

cleemckenzie said...

I have to increase Michael's salary, I guess.

cleemckenzie said...

Thanks, Carrie. I'm so far behind in my reading that I may never catch up.

cleemckenzie said...

Hi Michael,
Glad you enjoyed the intro.

cleemckenzie said...

Hi S.K. Great to see you here.

cleemckenzie said...

I'm hoping this one will cross over, just as my others have. They're marketed as YA, but I do believe they have wider appeal. Hope so anyway.

cleemckenzie said...

You're great, Joylene. I've seen you at every site. Thanks so much.

Michael Di Gesu said...

LOL... Am I getting a raise, Lee? COOL!!!!!!

Michael Di Gesu said...

IT is, Joylene!!!! It's great to see so much fantastic support for Lee.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Marcy....I'm still bailing out all the water trying to keep from drowning. It will be nice to have company...

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Julie.... Glad you did. I love writing in male teen pov. There is so little of it out there.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Me, too, Chrys....

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, L,D, I have had LOTS of practice, LOL. Between the TWO A-Z and all the others I have closet to a hundred of these intros so far... I must admit I do enjoy writing them...

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Natalie... Me, too.

Aw, shucks, Lee.... you'll make me blush...

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Morg...... you'er my biggest fan! Big cheesy grin like on the cat on my right... lol.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Liz! It's nice to be back!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Okay. So where are our crowns?

DMS said...

Love to see Lee's book around and hope she is selling books like hot cakes, or likes ice cream on a hot day. :)

I liked your interpretation!
~Jess

Tara Tyler said...

what an image! awesome intro for Lee's book! but of course, you're the pro!!
way to go!
(and thanks again for mine - i feel a hug every time i read it!)