151147610

ISBN: 1-59080-253-5
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“Pretty Pretty” is available from any of the following venues. Grab yourself a copy and enjoy!
Echelon Press Direct
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Fictionwise
Wildside Press
Buy.com
And many many more
Visit my website for more info: KC Oliver's Official Website
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My name is KC Oliver and I was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada, where summers are hot and winters make you wish for the summer again. I have always loved to read and write. The first books that caught my imagination were the Nancy Drew mysteries. I loved the way Nancy would always find herself in the middle of a mystery and of course bring her friends along for the ride. I have to admit, writing about things that go bump in the night is always fun. But add teenagers, their sense of humor, and their sense of adventure and you have great fun! I had a great time writing "Pretty Pretty" and I have a lot more creepy tales hidden in the dark recesses of my mind, just waiting to break free onto the pages of a manuscript. Ideas can be a funny thing, coming from the strangest places. One of the most common questions people ask a writer is: "Where do you get your ideas?" I don't know about anyone else, but my ideas come from a squat, gargoyle-like muse that sits beside me when I work and drools green slime on my keyboard.
“Pretty Pretty” is the first novel in a series of young adult thrillers published by Echelon Press.
Quinn Hunter and Holly Gates thought they'd landed the summer job of a lifetime; working at the hotel, Barrington House, in Hawaii! What more could two girls want? With great weather, beautiful scenery, and cute guys...it was a job to die for......literally.
Crazy cats, spooky employers, and even spookier happenings weren't in the job description. And no one warned them about the dark secrets that kept the locals from coming anywhere near Barrington House. Only outsiders dared to venture into the hotel, and it didn't take them long to discover why no one ever stayed very long at the creepy place.
Desperate to discover the truth, they enlist the help of Jaxon Caine, a new friend and hotel guest; and begin to uncover the truth and horror behind the mystery of Barrington House. But someone or something doesn't want them to learn the truth, and will stop at nothing to make sure that the only place they will be taking any secrets; is to their graves.
Prologue
Her heart pounded furiously against the wall of her chest as she raced down the long hallway. Stumbling, she reached out for the wall, steadying herself. She paused for a second, her ears pricked to any sounds.
Nothing.
For a moment she leaned heavily against the wall, feeling its coolness against her hot face. Fear clung to her, nearly choking her with its cloying scent. Sweat trickled freely down her forehead, burning her eyes. She swiped at the wetness with the back of her hand.
This can't be happening. Monsters do not exist!
She swallowed hard. I never should have taken this job. I should have listened to everyone. A sob tore through her, making her throat ache and burn.
The floor creaked, startling her. Pushing away from the wall, she lurched forward, her feet feeling like lead weights.
I have to keep moving. Don't look back.
She reached the stairs, sliding and tripping down the first two steps before grabbing the banister to right herself. She squeezed her eyes shut as dizzying relief washed over her.
That was close. Too close!
Expelling a ragged breath, she clung tightly to the banister as she began down the marble staircase, her steps quick, yet careful. The white of the marble glowed eerily in the moonlight, and she swallowed back the fear that threatened to overtake her again.
Something touched her shoulder. She spun around, losing her balance. For what seemed like an eternity, she teetered, her arms flailing in the air for any handhold.
Then she began to fall.
In a blur, she tumbled and rolled down the staircase. A sickening crack filled the air, followed by a sharp cry. A splash of red tainted the glaring whiteness of the marble.
Then silence.
She whimpered and tried to move, but pain knifed through her, holding her in place. Trembling with terror, she watched as a shadowy figure drew closer. She tried to move again, dragging herself slowly, painfully. The figure stepped in front of her, blocking any further escape.
With great effort, the girl's gaze traveled up the darkly covered torso to a hooded face. The head lifted; the hood slipped back. An odd musty smell filled the air, making her gag. She began to cry softly as the cloaked form moved closer.
"So pretty," the figure rasped. "So pretty." It reached out to touch her face. "So pretty."
The girl on the floor shuddered as something cold and clammy touched her cheek. She tried to pull away, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and a strange rushing noise filled her ears, shutting out all other sounds. Her body began to twitch in a fit of convulsions. Blood trickled from her lips, pooling on the floor.
The shadowy figure watched silently.
Then the darkness came, both comforting and frightening. For a few seconds, the girl on the floor fought against it, using the last of her strength to fight for survival. Then, too tired, she let herself be drawn into the darkness. Suddenly a blinding light exploded in the centre of all the black. It felt warm. It felt good. A small smile touched her lips, and with a final shuddering breath, she lay still.
The figure cocked its head and stared at the unmoving girl on the floor. Then it reached out to touch her again, stroking the girl's dark hair. "So pretty...so pretty...so pretty..."
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#1 Bestseller at McNally Robinson in Winnipeg during February 2006!
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5 Stars! “This is an amazingly written book that will send shivers running up the back of your neck. K.C. Oliver is a wonderful, descriptive writer who knows how to get you hooked. This is really the book for you if you love to read thrillers and haunting stories that will keep you excited the whole way through.”
Reviewed by Holly of teensreadtoo.com
"Pretty Pretty" was voted as a top read of 2006 by Holly of teensreadtoo.com
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5 Stars! “If you like to read a splendid ghost story, I recommend, without any doubt, K.C. Oliver’s Pretty Pretty to you!”
Annick, Euro-Reviews
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"Pretty Pretty", voted as a top ten read of 2005 by Janie Franz of myshelf.com.
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