Synopsis for Allegiant:
Last Summer, Emma discovered that true love never dies.
It can return.
It can give you hope.
It can pull you from darkness.
Until it’s ripped from you.
Again.
As her 22nd birthday approaches, Emma Donohue finds herself back at school and utterly alone. Hours away from family and friends, her solitary days are spent contemplating what never should have been. James should never have died, but he did. He should never have been assigned as her Guardian, but he was. And she should never have allowed Dane to get too close to her heart.
But she failed.
Desperate to fill her time, Emma is intrigued by her mysterious new neighbor, Garrett. She’s never met anyone quite like him before, and, curious, she attempts to discover his past. Little does she know his presence will pull her into a world she could never imagine. A world that follows and ancient doctrine. A world built on loyalty, yet plagued by secrets and lies.
A world that will threaten everything – and everyone – she loves.
It's release day for the second book in the Guardian Trilogy and if you haven't read Guardian, stop what you are doing, right now...yes right now, go back and buy it, read it, and LOVE it!!! Then come back here and read the below interview I had with the yummy, James Davis.
I have to tell you girls, and I know some of you are Dane fans, but James is looking HOTT!!! He looks as amazing as I always pictured him while reading, athletically built, beautiful blue eyes with his light brown hair and just enough of a smile that I can tell he's a bit embarrassed by my openly staring at him. (Totally worth it, by the way)
Tara: Hi, James! I'm so happy you could join me today. I wasn't sure the boss would be willing to share, but after a modest amount of begging and pleading, she agreed to let you meet with me in honor of Allegiant's release day. (Admittedly, it might have something to do with the slight crush I always tell Sara I have on James, but he doesn't need to know that, right?)
James: Thanks for having me, Tara. I have to admit I’m a little nervous; this is my first interview.
Tara: Would you like to sit next to me? Would that help?
James: (chuckles) I already got in trouble with Em for standing too close to Meg. I’m not sure sitting next to another beautiful woman will go over very well.
Tara: (I am SO blushing now! He is just too adorable for words.) Okay! Well, let’s get started. You have gone through quite a bit in a short amount of time, how are you holding up?
James: Honestly, I don’t know. There are days when I feel this overwhelming gratitude that I’ve been given a second chance and others where I’m so confused I don’t know who I am anymore. It’s like I’m torn down the middle, and half of me wants to keep loving Emma and remain in her life while the Guardian side fights those feelings. The Allegiant seriously need to put out a rule book or a Cliffs Notes or something.
Tara: Isn’t that what your Guardian is for? To mentor you and help you learn the ropes?
James: Yeah, that’s how it’s supposed to go. But Garrett abandoned me so he could…well, you know what happened.
Tara: Since the boss gave me a sneak peak into it, I do...but let's move on to lighter topics, shall we? What is your favorite color and why?
James: Red. I’m not sure why…my Jeep was red. Maybe it represents my protective nature.
Tara: (This boy can protect me, anytime!) James, we know the way to a man's heart is supposedly through his stomach, so if I...erh...I mean Emma were to make you dinner, what would be your favorite?
James: Man, I miss food. Especially bacon cheeseburgers. And sweet potato fries. And foot-long cold cut combo subs. And…
Tara: Are you hungry?
James: (laughs) No. It’s the taste I miss more than anything.
Tara: What else do you miss?
James: Sleep. Sleep is an escape; it allows your mind to rest. I never sleep, and my brain is constantly turning, constantly thinking. I wish there was a switch to turn it off every now and again.
Tara: I think we can all understand that feeling. While we're speaking of thoughts though, tell us, what do you really think of Dane? Tell the truth.
James: The truth? If he wasn’t trying to get with Em, we’d probably be friends. Matt is a good judge of character, and if he approves of Dane, then I probably would have, too. I can’t discount everything he’s done to protect Emma; he’s a genuine guy. My Guardian side says I should be happy that someone like Dane is in Emma’s life, and I should be glad he can take care of her. The James side of me says he needs to back off and keep his hands to himself. Take a cold shower, buddy. She loved me first.
Tara: *sighs* (oops, meant to do that in my head) Is is possible that you could be anymore perfect, seriously?
James: (looks doubtful) I’m far from perfect, believe me.
Tara: So, I know you have Emma and you aren't thinking about other girls... BUT if a girl WAS trying to win your heart - what would be the best way to it, you know for all the girls out there trying to impress their guys?
James: I would have to say keep it simple and be yourself. Don’t try to be what you think your guy wants; let him get to know the real you. Emma and I were friends long before we were a couple, so I knew her true personality before we started dating. She was never into drama or gossip, and she always kept it real. I guess I go for girls who are natural, not a lot of fancy clothes or make up or any of that. I liked the fact that I could say, “Let’s go out” and she’d be ready to walk out the door in a minute.
Tara: Well for what it's worth, you've got my vote! So, I heard a rumor that you brought us a little something special?
James: Yes! I have a scene from Allegiant that hit the cutting room floor during the final edits.
Tara: Well before we share this deleted scene, I wanted to thank you so much for joining me today...it has truly been my pleasure (and believe me ladies, it has been) to get to sit down and talk with you today. Do you think maybe Emma wouldn't mind if we hugged before you left, purely platonically of course (*fingers crossed behind my back*)
James: (smiles) Since you asked, I don’t think she’ll mind. (Leans forward) It doesn’t hurt that you just did that hair-flip thing. I think I might have another reason why my favorite color is red.
(I'm in love! *fans self*) If I'm only getting one hug, I'm going to make it count! So while I'm getting my hug on, please enjoy this deleted scene brought to you by the amazing, sexy and super sweet, James Davis.
Allegiant Deleted Scenes
James
He wanders down a cobbled path, studying the stones beneath
his feet. The electric
hum that connects him to Emma has been steady today, which
is a comfort. Maybe he is
doing something right after all.
James lifts his head and spots an empty bench beneath a
large weeping willow tree.
He makes his way to it, leaving the path and crossing over
the damp grass. Not because
he’s physically tired; Guardians don’t require rest. Sitting
on a bench is just one of those
familiar human things that never go away.
He takes a seat and looks over the landscape The Allegiant
have created. Today
the Intermediate resembles an early spring, where lilacs
bloom and fill the air with
their sweet scent. Beside the path, colorful tulips and
crocus break up the monotony
of the green grass. A light breeze blows, rustling the
willow branches. James exhales
and appreciates the view. Tomorrow it will be a different
season, and the flowers will
be gone. The bench won’t exist, and the path will change and
lead a different direction.
When you have all of eternity to spend in one place, things
need to be kept new and
fresh. They wouldn’t want the natives getting restless.
James looks to his left and sees an older man leaving the
path. The moustache the
man wears reminds him of his father.
James shrugs. I really don’t care what you do, he thinks to
himself.
The gentleman takes a seat and leans back. “Name’s Thomas.”
James gives him a curt nod. “James.”
Thomas crosses his arms and relaxes, taking in the scenery.
James decides to look
in the opposite direction. He’s not in the mood for making
friends. He has enough to
The two men sit in silence as another light gust of wind
surrounds them. A bird
chirps in the distance and another answers its call. James
smirks. There are no animals
in the Intermediate. The Allegiant have taken great measures
to create today.
Thomas’ gaze stays fixed on the horizon. “You look
conflicted.”
James turns to him, confused. Due to his surly attitude, not
many Guardians have
approached him since Garrett’s departure, let alone asked
about his well-being. “So?”
Thomas faces James and leans forward in a conversational
way. “Care to share
what’s bothering you? Unload your burdens?”
James snorts. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
Thomas nods and then removes his glasses. “Believe it or
not, I’ve been there.” He
rubs his eyes, and when he finishes, he pushes his glasses
back into place.
James looks at him in shock. “How did you do that?”
Thomas frowns. “Do what?”
“Take off your glasses.”
“Ah,” Thomas smiles. “I thought you looked fairly new.
Here,” he pauses, “let me
show you.”
About Sara Mack:
Sara Mack is a Michigan native who grew up with her nose in books. She is a wife
and a hockey mom on top of being trapped in a windowless office forty hours a
week. Her spare time is spent one-clicking on Amazon and devouring books on
her Kindle, cleaning up after her kids and two elderly cats, attempting to keep her
flower garden alive, and, of course, writing. She has an unnatural affinity for dark
chocolate, iced tea, and bacon. Guardian is her debut novel.
Connect with Sara:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Mack/377965205649175
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smackwrites
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/643309.Sara_Mack
Blog: http://smackwrites.blogspot.com/
