The Infected (a PODS novel) by Michelle Pickett

The Infected (PODs #2)

by Michelle K. Pickett

Release Date: October 12th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

From the author of the award winning Unspeakable, and the best selling PODs, comes the highly anticipated sequel to PODs. A world where death stalks the unsuspecting, and this time even the PODs might not save them. 

A virus nearly wiped out humankind...

Months have passed since a human infection has been reported. Survivors of the deadly pandemic have finally started to build a life in a world left devastated by plague. 

Ironically, for nineteen-year-old Eva, life made more sense when she battled the deadly Infected than it does in the serenity of her new home in Rosewood. Separated from fiancé and former POD-mate, David, after an impossible ultimatum, Eva finds her life a little lonely and a lot confusing. 

But as troubled as Eva’s life is, it's about to take a turn for the worse as untold dangers watch and wait for the right moment to attack…

The virus refuses to die quietly.

Book One

(click on image for link)

About the Author

I can’t write without a hoodie. Yeah, I live it Texas. We all have our quirks.

I majored in accounting in college. I was required to declare a major, but I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I picked accounting because it was the first thing listed in the booklet the counselor gave me. Surprisingly, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Go figure.

Forget coffee. Hand over the Red Bull or Monster Khaos and no one gets hurt. Seriously, just set it down and step away. I will turn into a normal human after I guzzle my can of caffeine.

I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television.

I paint my nails weird colors just to see my husband roll his eyes and make my 9 year-old twin girls giggle. Oh, and mortify my 13 year-old son.

I’m a hopeful romantic and love swoon-worthy endings that keep the butterflies going for days, but I don’t believe a HEA always ends with the boy getting the girl. Sometimes a HEA is an ending we don’t see coming, but is still best for the characters.

I write across genres in the young adult and new adult age groups while eating way too many peanut butter M&Ms (but we’ll keep that second part just between us).

I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but now live in a suburb of Houston, TX with my very supportive family, a 125lb rescue “puppy” and a 12lb attack cat, also a rescue animal.

And last, (but certainly not least), I love my family with everything in me. Everything I am, is theirs. There are no words in any language known to man to describe my love for them. They are my center.

I’d love to hear from you. So drop me an email! Let’s chat. You tell me what you like in books, what you’d like to see happen in the writing community, what type of books you like to see more of…less of—I want to hear it all! So tell me, please. Because the one thing I wish I could put on my list, but I still haven’t figured out how to do, is mind-reading. But don’t tell my kids. I still have them fooled. :) 

Author Links:

   

Updates, News, and Randomness

Hello, friends. In case you're wondering where I've been, I'm frantically getting ready for the release of The Fulfillment on October 15. I'm writing guest blog posts, Top 10 lists, and character blogs. AND I'm still trying to meet my self-imposed (with the help of Deek) writing deadlines for my latest historical fiction novel Restore to Me.

I have an amazing treat coming for you October 9-15. My friend and Dream Team member Danielle has written up a blog post explaining the meanings behind all the crests! WUT? Yes, people, the mystery will finally be reveal. Danielle is incredibly brilliant and a stellar researcher, so you're in for a total treat!!

The stunning Danielle

Now, on to some thrilling news on the Deek front. He finished his FINAL round of edits with his editors at Pandamoon Publishing! That means 122 Rules is one major step closer to being in your hands! YAY! I can't wait for you to read my husband's brilliance! He has a captivating set of a characters in a story told with both literary and commercial elements with a BIG dose of humor. I am so proud of this man!!

Deek submitting his final edits to his editor! 

Our celebratory meal! 

Even with our regular day jobs AND all these writing deadlines, we've still managed to go out and have a little fun! 

Here's a trip down  memory lane. We moved into our Victorian a year ago. Sadly, the owners decided to move back into it about 6 months later, but we loved our time there. 

Deek and I went to the circus!! Neither of us had been since childhood, and we had a total blast! I'm still wowed by the tricks those people could do!

I found my Halloween costume! Since Deek's book involves FBI agents, Witness Protection participants, and mobsters, we decided to be mobsters!! 

Deek and I attended to local Oktoberfest with his childhood friends. He's known one of the people since the 2nd grade. How amazing is that? Hooray for lifelong friendships!

My publisher sent me the print proof for The Fulfillment! My precious...

The Smithsonian offers museum day where you can gain admission to local museums for FREE! Deek and I elected to go to the Evergreen Air and Space Museum. It houses the Spruce Goose, and that may just be the biggest plane I've ever seen!

They *may* have had tanks there that you could play on...

We finally found Trinity a Halloween costume. She's always giving us the disapproving Eeyore look, so we got her an Eeyore costume. Isn't she completely adorable??

So, be sure to tune in next week to get all your crest questions answer by the lovely Danielle! If you're interested in preordering The Fulfillment, the ebook is available for preorder now (the print book will be available 10/15). Also, you can add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

The Fulfillment Cover

Folks, it's with a mixture of elation and sadness that I present The Fulfillment cover today. I'm elated because Anita created another outstanding cover, but I'm sad because I'm saying goodbye to Wil, Layla, and Nash. They've been constantly in my life for the past several years, so it's a bittersweet goodbye for me.

Oh, and for those who guessed Anita would use the Ethereal crest on the last book, you're right!! ;)

 Book 1-- The Prophecy

Book 2--The Outlanders

One month from today, their story will be available to all of you, and my time in their world will officially end. I've already gotten requests for a prequel or sequel, but I'm currently working on another, totally different project.

I am so blessed to have amazing friends and bloggers who are helping reveal the cover today. You can click on any of these links and feast your eyes upon Anita's brilliance once more.

My hubby: Deek's Rhewminations

Reads All The Books

Strands of Thought

Unorthodox Mama (this sweet lady read the entire ARC in one sitting last night!)

Leandra Wallace

Wendi Nunnery (BookFish people, represent!)

Kevin A Springer (More BFB representing)

Trisha Leaver

You can also add The Fulfillment to your TBR list on Goodreads and preorder the ebook (the print version will be available on 10/15/15) on Amazon!

Thank you for taking this ride with me, Deek, Layla, Wil, and Nash! Hugs all around!

PitMad, The Fulfillment Cover, and Updates

Deek and I have been busy working, writing, and having adventures! He finished his second round of edits with Pandamoon, and he's waiting on the next round. I've been working with the cover artist to create the cover for the final book in The Fulfillment Series, aptly called The Fulfillment. I just got the final version, and my publisher has signed off on it. I should be getting my print proof in the mail next week. It's getting real, folks! 

I'll be doing an official cover reveal next week, but here's a sneak peak for those that can't wait. ;) 

Yesterday was PitMad on Twitter, and I participated as a representative of BookFish Books. I really enjoyed reading all the pitches, and there are several in BookFish's inbox that thrill me! Can't wait to dive in and read them all.

I've been working on my fourth book, a totally different story in a totally different genre--an adult historical fiction piece. Since my publisher only publishes young adult, new adult, and middle grade, I may be participating in the next PitMad! It's so interesting to be able to see both sides of that coin.

So, what have Deek and I been up to since I last blogged? A lot! It's fair season here in the Pacific Northwest, and I do love a fair. I think it's the lights and the pulse, rivaled only by New York City. Fairs and NYC are so ALIVE, and my ADD gets all excited by it. 

Speaking of NYC, it's been 14 years since the terrorist attacks there, in DC, and in that field in Pennsylvania. Deek and I went to the 9/11 museum in New York, and I simply have no words.

Since I last blogged, Deek and I participated in a local street dance. We, of course, utilized the selfie booth, and we danced the night away. There was even a little rainstorm (common in the PNW), but that didn't slow down our groove one bit. I loved dancing with my love...such fun! 

Being rock stars at the selfie booth

Next, we attended the county fair and rodeo. It was my first time at rodeo, and I had a blast. When the rodeo clown came out in a blowup suit and danced to "Everybody Dance Now," I thought I would pee my pants from laughing so hard. I definitely got a good abs workout! 

At the rodeo

County Fair! We love blinky lights!!

The next weekend, we celebrated a very special birthday by going to a Weird Al concert. I told Deek if Weird Al sung "I'm Fat" in the suit, "Word Crimes," and "Amish Paradise," my night would be made. And guess what? He did!!

At the Weird Al concert

It's Weird Al!

"I'm Fat" in the suit!

We are happy with this show! 

Deek has lived in the same general area for all his life, and this area is famous for it's Dahlia Festival. But guess what?? Deek's never been! Since he has less than a year left here in the PNW, we're trying to fit in all the things he's never done but wanted to. So, we headed over to the Dahlia Festival. I had no idea one type of flower could be so diverse! 

Dahlias!

This one was called "Shockwave," so I'm feeling the wave...

Of course Deek found one called "Rock Star."

"I Do," my Deek, now and #always

And then we went to the State Fair! Woot! I told you, I'm always down for some fair fun!

We're at the State Fair! WOOT!

Lovin' the atmosphere!

ADD and blinky lights...good combo!

There was a place there proclaiming to have genuine Southern pulled pork (their first mistake was calling it pulled pork. It's BBQ in the South), so I had to try it. Lo and behold, they used a vinegar base for the sauce!! I gave them the Southern stamp of approval. Good job!

The Sunday night before Labor Day rolled around, and Deek and I were so happy we had the next day off. Since it was a "cheat" day on our eating plan, we may have snuggled in bed, eaten McDonald's fries, and watched a movie. Maybe... ;) 

I am grateful for every moment I get to spend with my beloved husband! He makes my life bright and happy! 

Deek and Trinity selfie---just because I love it!

I talked to my publisher, and I *think* we will be revealing the cover for The Fulfillment on Tuesday, Sept 15 (one month from the book's release), so be sure to check back then for the FULL cover! :) 

Until then, live, laugh, and love! ((HUGS))