I’m happy to be welcoming Stephanie Hansen to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel,  Altered Helix 

I didn’t want to take the traditional path. First, I wasn’t ready for college. Second, I was going to live with my best friend, Tiff, and work at the Haunted House. Third, did I mention the hot guy Josh that works there too?

The most exciting thing about Austria’s new job, at a local haunted house, was the fact that the toughest looking people screamed the loudest. But when she meets the boy without a home, Josh, Austria’s life takes intriguing and eventful turns. Up until now, Josh has managed to hang with his Street crowd, but they’re in danger, and so is Austria, the girl Josh recently fell for. The group finds themselves joining forces with previously considered enemies who also now find themselves in danger.

Deeply compassionate and full of twists, Altered Helix captures the struggle of polarized people that must work together for the greater good.

Stephanie has shared an extract from Altered Helix today. Enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

The following extract is after our protagonist, Austria, has spent a night “homeless” and survived as scary incident. It’s begins with Ethan walking her away from danger and to safety.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, I just had to get out of there. The rage I felt was uncontrollable. What a jerk. I wanted to punch him again. Punch him over and over until no one would recognize his face.”

“Josh, it’s okay. We’re out here. Try to calm down.”

“Do you know what he would have done to you if I didn’t get there in time?”

“Um, yeah, but do we really have to talk about it?”

The dark black sky is turning to a navy blue.

“Want to see one of the beauties of being a street kid?”

“I don’t know how much more I can take, Josh. I guess I’m not built for living this way.”

“This will be safe.”

He holds my hand as we walk to the park on 31st Street. He takes me to a tree at the top of a hill. We climb it. He folds his hands and gives me a step up. We sit on a sturdy branch. He points to the east. The sky’s now be-coming lighter. There’s a harmonious mixture of blue, orange, and red. The sun peeks out above the horizon. It’s breathtaking. I curl into Josh’s lap. He strokes my hair.

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s gorgeous.”

“Not as gorgeous as you.”

I look up at him. He kisses me with a deep passion. I twist to face him more. Heat courses through my body as we kiss, erasing the hurt and fear. I feel like we’re the only two people in this world, and this sunrise is meant for just us. When we come up for air, his eyes are dilated al-most completely. They quickly change in the light, and I can see the blue again. He smiles and gives me a peck kiss.

“Happiest morning ever,” he says.

I smile and embrace him. I’m amazed by how his emotion has changed. Maybe that’s something you pick up when looking for a home on a daily basis.

How am I experiencing such polar opposites of emotion in such a short time?

“We should probably get back, so the others don’t worry.”

“Oh, they’ll be fine.” I hold onto him tighter.

“Austria.”

“Josh?”

He exhales and smiles.

“Okay.”

He helps me get down, and we walk back to the apartment. I hear a ruckus before entering. People are all yelling at one another as we walk in.

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