Divine Bloodlines
Christina Surretsky
Author Bio
Christina Surretsky did not actually want to be a writer when she grew up. No, she wanted to be Wonder Woman, Princess Leia or one of Charlie’s Angels. After the realization that none of these would pan out, she decided to pursue a career in business, getting her undergraduate degree in Marketing from St. John’s University and her MBA from New York University. After a career first in advertising (which she’s sad to say is nothing like “Bewitched” or “Melrose Place”) and then a gig as a mother (a field in which she currently still dabbles), she eventually heard the siren’s call of the pen (or, really, the computer) and began her career as a writer. She can currently be found writing for local journals and blogging for different sites (jerseymomsblogs.com, montclair.mommies247.com, and the soon to launch moxyandmain.com), as well as writing about writing at her own website, ChristinaSurretsky.com. Finally, she is thrilled to introduce her first novel, “Divine Bloodlines,” a funny, contemporary, teenage-angst filled entry into the YA paranormal romance genre. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and her two sons, one of whom read her book and proclaimed it “the best book I’ve ever read and I’m not just saying that because you’re my mom.”
Description
What’s the recipe for a good book? Take a funny, cynical heroine; add the teenage-angst, hunky guys and romantic love triangle that made Twilight a must read; subtract the vampires (but keep the special powers); add a large dollop of wit and sarcasm; fold in an assortment of crazy supporting characters; mix with a contemporary flavor and you’ll get Divine Bloodlines, the debut YA novel from author Christina Surretsky.
Sixteen-year-old Zoey Chase is just your average-teenage girl whose social life isn’t exactly what you would call “thriving.” Her social circle consists primarily of Alex, her gay best friend, who’s hoping to finally find a boyfriend this year; Nina, her health nut mother, who tortures Zoey with her sugar-free, fat-free, organic household; Nona, her off the wall grandmother, who wants to write erotic books for senior citizens; and Tony, her grandmother’s transvestite health aide, who enjoys dressing like Cher. And, mostly, that’s the way Zoey likes it.
However, Zoey has a secret that even those closest to her don’t know: she can heal people by touching them. She discovered this power at a young age, but before she could ask her parents about it, her father died, and she was too late to help. How could Zoey possibly tell her mother about her ability to heal when she didn’t save her father?
Between her guilt, and her realization that if her power became public knowledge her life would spiral out of control and no longer be her own, Zoey has managed to keep her secret under wraps by keeping her distance from most people. However, all that changes when she meets the hot, handsome Mason brothers.
When twins Asher and Levi move to town, they shake up more than Zoey’s social life. Surprised by golden-boy Asher’s interest, she agrees to go on a date. However, things don’t go quite as planned and Zoey ends up stranded. Needing to find a way home, it’s Asher’s much despised, menacing, hulk of a brother Levi, who comes to her rescue.
As Zoey grows closer to both brothers, she risks revealing her secret—but in the process she may just discover they have some secrets of their own . . .
Book excerpt
An hour later, I looked like I was ready for the Vegas stage. I was wearing Tony’s long, dark Cher wig, a ton of makeup, big hoop earrings, and a dress that my mother must have had for a hundred years. It was a low-cut, black, sequined number. “Your father and I took a trip to Las Vegas. And you know what they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Well, except for that dress. It came home with me from Vegas.”
The dress actually fit me really well. It just hit the floor, giving it the look of a gown, which was perfect for the costume. And it had a long slit up the side.
“I cannot believe you guys did this to me. Will anyone even know who I’m supposed to be?” I asked Alex.
“The gay ones will,” he replied.
Tony scoffed as he fussed with my wig. “Cher is timeless. She’s an icon. Everyone knows who Cher is. You’ll be a hit.”
“If you say so.”
As out of character as it was for me¬—the sequins, the shoes, the makeup¬—I had to admit, I did look pretty hot. Definitely not like me. More like a movie star version of myself. Well, dressed as Cher.
Alex ran upstairs to get ready as well. When he came down I was shocked.
“I thought you were a member of StAB?” I asked. That was my affectionate acronym for the Students Against Bullying club.
“I am,” he replied, confused.
“Well then why are you dressed like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you want to get your ass kicked. You might as well wear a sign that says, ‘Beat Me Up, Please.’” Alex was dressed as a mime.
“It’s not that bad.”
“Yes, it is. Everyone hates mimes!”
“Well, I don’t and neither does Bobby. He’s going as a mime, too. We’re going as Shields and Yarnell.”
“Who?”
“Shields and Yarnell. They are a famous mime duo from the 1970s.”
“And you think anyone will know this?”
“They don’t have to know. We’ll know. We’re here. We’re mimes. Get used to it!”
I rolled my eyes and gave up. “Fine. Whatever. It’s your funeral.”
Alex mimed digging a hole, and then laid down and crossed his hands over his chest.
“Oh, for God’s sake. Are you going to be doing this all night?”
He stood up, nodded and gave me a thumbs up sign.
“I just may have to beat you up myself.”
We left the house after posing for the requisite combination of pictures my mother insisted on taking, followed by my having her swear not to put any of them on Facebook. I’m pretty sure she was lying to me, but what was I going to do? Mrs. Budnicki was outside smoking on her porch. She just looked at us and shook her head. Alex and I both waved at her, and then we burst out laughing as soon as we got into the car.