Featured Book: RISE by Barbara Winkes

Title: RISE

Author: Barbara Winkes

Print Length: 286 pages

Publication Date: September 30, 2016

Angel. Vampire. Witch. Fairy. Shifter.

For a long time, paranormal beings have lived alongside of humans, and minded their own business. After being mocked, hunted and used for millennia, it’s not in their best interest to get involved in human affairs—yet, these five females can’t turn away from the attacks on the dignity of human women. They have intervened before, but one incident convinces them that the time has come to turn their efforts into a global movement. The tide is finally turning.

Amazon: smarturl.it/RiseBW

“Funny,” Eden said, “I thought it was all over, and now people keep asking me about this. Are you people? It doesn’t matter. Come in. Make yourself at home.”

“Hi Eden. Actually, I was hoping you could come with me. We need to talk.”

Eden sighed. “First the reporter, now you. Nothing is ever for free, is it? All I wanted was to have some fun after a crappy workday, drink a little, flirt a little, and look how that turned out for me.”

“It shouldn’t have been that way,” Daphne agreed. “That’s why we were there that night, and it made us think of all the other women who are not free. You inspired change, a movement, and that’s why we’d like to have you with us.”

“Change? A movement?” Eden echoed, perplexed. “I work in a call center.”

“That’s not the point. Eventually yes, we’re going to need human connections on all levels, but you matter. You taught us what needs to be done.”

“Who are you?”

Daphne straightened from where she’d stood leaning against the doorframe. “I think we’ll save that for later. Will you come with me?”

“Maybe.”

She could tell Eden was intrigued, but she also had many questions which Daphne understood. At times, she found it hard to figure out the world, and she’d been in it a lot longer than Eden. It wasn’t hard to figure out patriarchy, she thought. These dynamics were simple and perpetuated by greed and hate. Why so many humans still subscribed to the ideology, even if it harmed others, and harmed them, was beyond her.

“What do I need to do?”

“Tell me who you are—or what you are. I know one of your friends has wings, and the other can apparently change into a leopard which is…freaky, but kind of cool at the same time.” She shook her head, laughing. “I can’t believe I said that. I’m not even sure I believe any of it. You’re telling me I started a great new thing, and that I’m the poster child for your cause, so I think you should let me know what I’m in for.”

“You’re right. Okay. Don’t freak, remember I won’t do anything to you.”

Nevertheless, Eden’s eyes widened dramatically, her jaw dropping slightly, when Daphne showed her fangs.

“Oh my God…You are…a…”

“Yes, but like I said, don’t worry. I’m with someone.”

“You drink his blood?” Eden asked in a high voice. It was hard to tell whether she was still intrigued or terrified.

“Hers. Sometimes. She is a witch, by the way. You’ll meet her another time. Please, Eden. We’d like to talk to you some more, at a safe place. You have nothing to fear.”

After a moment of hesitation, Eden grabbed her coat, keys and purse. “Don’t make me regret this,” she mumbled. “On second thought, this might be the most exciting my life will ever get, so why not? You got zombies too? That’s a bit scary.”

Daphne laughed. “Come on. Zombies are a myth,” she said, making Eden burst into nervous laughter.