Title:
The
Daring Young Man
Author:
Jane
George
Release
date: December 10, 2012
Genre:
Fantasy
Age
Group: Young Adult Fantasy – I usually recommend for 14+
Promotion Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Buy
Links:
Book
Description:
Once, sixteen year-old Dante Delgado
dreamed of being one of the few trapecistas able to do a quadruple somersault
in the air. Then a tragic accident took his parents, their circus, and his
ability to fly.
Circus is one big family all over the world, and Dante hates everything to do with it. But to survive, he must choose between joining the ranks of the tiny, yet magical Mumbo Jumbo Circus or its nemesis, the Las Vegas spectacular, Cirque Patron. And it doesn't help that two very different girls are confusing the situation.
If he makes the wrong choice, he won't have a future to worry about.
Circus is one big family all over the world, and Dante hates everything to do with it. But to survive, he must choose between joining the ranks of the tiny, yet magical Mumbo Jumbo Circus or its nemesis, the Las Vegas spectacular, Cirque Patron. And it doesn't help that two very different girls are confusing the situation.
If he makes the wrong choice, he won't have a future to worry about.
Book #1 Description
THE MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS
MAGIC. MYSTERY. MAYHEM. The MUMBO JUMBO
CIRCUS...
Step right up into the world of mystery and magic that is The Mumbo Jumbo Circus, a rag-tag traveling circus that is also home to a group of throwaway teens. When 15 year old Evan takes up with the circus, she has nowhere else to go. She soon discovers this circus is like no other. The Ringmaster was bequeathed a powerful ju-ju that brings forth a magical talent, or donvrai, in certain individuals. Evan's gift is the ability to read horses' minds. She's terrified of horses, with good reason. Worse, a traitor who wants the ju-ju is convinced Evan will make a success out of Mumbo Jumbo Circus and they will do anything to stop her. Does she have what it takes to be a star in the center ring and save her weird, new-found family?
Illustrations from books:
Step right up into the world of mystery and magic that is The Mumbo Jumbo Circus, a rag-tag traveling circus that is also home to a group of throwaway teens. When 15 year old Evan takes up with the circus, she has nowhere else to go. She soon discovers this circus is like no other. The Ringmaster was bequeathed a powerful ju-ju that brings forth a magical talent, or donvrai, in certain individuals. Evan's gift is the ability to read horses' minds. She's terrified of horses, with good reason. Worse, a traitor who wants the ju-ju is convinced Evan will make a success out of Mumbo Jumbo Circus and they will do anything to stop her. Does she have what it takes to be a star in the center ring and save her weird, new-found family?
Illustrations from books:
About
the author:
Author and illustrator Jane George lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a BFA in illustration from the California College of the Arts and has won awards for her art.
A dedicated writer for over a decade, she produces and publishes her YA fantasy and literary titles under her personal imprint, Paper Grove Publishing. Find out more at: www.Jane-George.com
Author
social media links:
DARING YOUNG MAN excerpt from Chapter 2:
“Found me? I
guess so,” Dante said to the back of the Ringmaster’s head. “El payoso said you have a job. For
someone who speaks Spanish.”
The circus
master’s long fingers nimbly worked at fixing his string tie. His goateed chin
twisted to one side in concentration.
“Not a job for
anyone who happens to speak Spanish. A job just for you.” His dark eyes caught
Dante’s gaze in the mirror.
“That sounds weird,” said Dante.
An eerie, high-pitched noise emanated from
the mirror.
The Ringmaster took a step backward. “That sounds weird. My mirror has never
done that before.”
The screech
shaped itself into a frail, thin voice speaking what sounded like Spanish. As
distinct words formed, a face coalesced in the mirror.
Dante startled
and fell off his seat. The hard oak chair tipped to land sideways on the
oriental carpet.
“Abuela!” Dante felt behind him for the
wall.
The ghostly
image spoke in rapid Spanish.
“What’s she
saying?” said the Ringmaster.
Dante leaned
against the velvety wallpaper for support and gaped in horror at the image in
the mirror.
“I told you I
need a person who speaks Spanish.” The Ringmaster stepped to Dante’s side and
placed a calming hand upon his shoulder. “However, I didn’t foresee this
particular occurrence. I imagined something more along the lines of better
communication with the Spanish-speaking roustabouts. I should always listen to
the Pickled Punk. Someday, I’ll learn.”
The specter
shrieked.
“Translate
please, Mr. Delgado.” The Ringmaster tucked his shoulder length dark hair
behind his ears and waited.
Dante said, “She
wants you to shut up.”
“Oh.”
Dante looked up
into the Ringmaster’s dumbfounded face. “She’s not usually like this, Sir.”
The Ringmaster
quizzed his head. “You know each other?”
A stream of
insistent Spanish spewed forth from the mirror. The Ringmaster motioned for
Dante to quickly continue translation.
Dante cleared
his tightening throat. “She says she has what you need. But you can only have
it if you make me whole again.”
The Ringmaster’s
sharply intelligent eyes went from Dante to the ghost. “Ask her what she thinks
it is I need?”
Dante did, and
the answer came hurtling from the ghost’s mouth. Dante replied, “She says you
should be ashamed of yourself, your circus is naked and you know exactly what
it is you need.”
The Ringmaster
pulled his pointed beard. “Ah ha.”
The mirror’s
spectral vision continued to speak in rapid Spanish. Dante did his best to keep
up translation, “You only have until Dia de los Muertos to make me whole. After
that, she has to leave this plane and the arrangement is off.” His eyes burned
with threatening tears as he took in the full meaning of her words.
A broad smile—it
reminded Dante of a fox or coyote—lit up the Ringmaster’s features. He cracked
his knuckles. “Tell her I accept. It’s a deal. But you work while you’re here.”
Dante relayed
the message and the fantasma visibly
relaxed. Well, that made one of them. He was still hyperventilating.
The Ringmaster
dusted off a top hat and placed it upon his head. The show must be going to
start soon. “When exactly is Dia de los Muertos?” he inquired.
Dante didn’t
need to ask the ghost this question. He knew the answer well. “It starts in the
evening on the first of November, and carries on into All Souls Day, the
second.” He glanced up. “That’s five days from now.”
“Then we have
our work cut out for us, don’t we?”
The vision in
the mirror started to fade. It reached out its hand toward Dante with a
sorrowful expression, and then it was gone. Dante sagged against the wall, sliding
down to sit on the floor. His forehead hit his knees.
“Who was that
mysterious apparition?” the Ringmaster inquired as he located his show whip and
wound the long lash around the handle.
“My
grandmother,” answered Dante as his shoulders heaved, and the tears he tried to
hold back burst forth.
The Ringmaster’s
voice softened. “You must have loved her very much.”
Dante shot to
his feet and shouted, “I didn’t know she was dead!”
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