The moon came pouring through a wispy haze of vapor that looked like a tattered veil draped behind the house. There was always tomorrow.īut suddenly everything around me seemed to get one shade brighter.

For a split second I thought about giving up for the night. I didn’t know how long I’d been outside-it felt like hours, although I was probably like a subject in one of those science experiments where they tell you to ring a bell after an hour and most people make it for, like, twelve minutes. The camera, a twenty-five-year-old Nikon FM2n, thirty bucks at a garage sale, waited patiently on the tripod. I STOOD PERFECTLY STILL, looking up at the house and the dark sky beyond it.Ī band of mist drifted away from the moon, making way for the next set of clouds-what I hoped would be the picturesque backdrop I’d been waiting for. My dog show peeps Cricket Wheeler and Dana Langford, and all the folks at Painless-best day job ever! The old team from JP Kids LA, who taught me how to collaborate (all of whom, I hope, understand the significance of Alexis’s street address).Įve Metlis and Tina (Gregory) McFarland, for helping me understand true friendship.Īll of my wonderful friends, who encourage me and put up with me even though I never respond to invites.Īnd finally, because this is how we do things in Hollywood: My beta readers from Eta Phi Tau, and my beta-beta reader, Amber Dubois. My loving family-Mom, Dad, Helen, Juli, George, and Ali and the Alenders. My husband, Chris, who believed in me enough that I suddenly believed in myself. Matthew “Matt” Elblonk, agent extraordinaire, for his passion for the project, and for placing it in the hands of other people who had passion for it (as well as helping me make sense of the publishing experience and listening to me ramble about my dog). Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt.I’d like to extend my gratitude to a lot of people who, one way or another, helped make this book happen. Instead of fighting off the supernatural, Alexis can hardly remember why she joined in the first place. Alexis trades in her pink hair and punky clothes for a mainstream look, and quickly finds herself reveling in her newfound elegance and success.

At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless. Worried that Kasey's in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the club themselves.

Soon Alexis learns that the girls have pledged an oath to a seemingly benevolent spirit named Aralt. It's strange, though, to see how fast the girls in The Sunshine Club go from dorky and antisocial to gorgeous and popular.

She already has everything she needs-an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a little sister who's finally recovering after being possessed by an evil spirit, then institutionalized.Īlexis is thrilled when her sister joins a club new friends are just what Kasey needs. Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul.

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender