Burned and Scarred (Burn this City Book 2)

by Brenda Poppy

  “What do you mean?” Burn countered, confused. “You don’t think we can change the world?”

  Despite being able to see flashes of her sister’s thoughts, she was no closer to understanding Scar. Most of the time that was fine, but now her comment stung, as if she had no faith in their mission, no confidence in the cause.

  “It’s not that,” Scar clarified, giving her sister a wry smile. “But my cleverness – it’s a part of my gift. It’s like saying that you’re a great listener. It’s an accident of birth.”

  It was Burn’s turn to be silent. She understood what Scar was saying, but she couldn’t tell where she was going. So she did what she did best: She listened.

  “You, on the other hand, found a way to survive in the wildlands. You made friends, found love, learned how to fight. You inspired those people to follow you. You found your way home. That’s true cleverness.”

  Scar wasn’t saying these things to flatter Burn. She was stating a fact, at least as she saw it. Yet Burn was flattered, nonetheless.

  “And what about you?” Burn asked, turning the tables on her sister. “You captured PeaceBots, explored the outer reaches of the dome, crafted an army and led them into battle. I think you might be the bravest person I know.”

  Scar just snorted, rolling her eyes at the sentiment, but Burn could tell by the small upturn of her sister’s lips that she was pleased – both with the compliment and with herself.

  “And what about changing the world?” Burn asked. “Do you think we’re up for it?”

  Scar scoffed. “Look around you,” she commanded, pointing at the families they’d reconnected and the rebels they’d inspired. “I think we already have.”

  Acknowledgments

  This whole process has been a whirlwind. Writing Burn this City and founding Glass Fish Publishing was basically akin to jumping out of a plane (which is something I’ve actually done, thank you very much). It was nerve-wracking and exhilarating and scary as hell, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

  With Burned and Scarred, I was still finding my way through the metaphorical maze, but I was also able to take a step back and enjoy the process. The simple fact is that I love to write. To me, words are beautiful and powerful and evocative. They draw you in. They entertain you. They move you. They make you want to be better.

  Like Maya Angelou said, there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. And, to me, there is no greater joy than putting that story down on paper and setting it free. I am delighted that I have been able to do that not once, but twice. And, hopefully, I’ll be able to continue for many years to come.

  That’s not to say that this whole process has been pure bliss. It’s been a struggle each day, trying to find the courage to be creative and the confidence to put my words out there – especially these days. COVID ransacked my life. Like Burn, I understand the pain of being deemed unessential. I understand the uncertainty and the loneliness and the desperate ache for things to return to the way they once were. Yet I also understand the beauty in change and the freedom in having one’s life turned upside down.

  Burned and Scarred is about loneliness, change, and finding your way through a strange and unfamiliar world. That theme is universal. It’s something all of us have struggled with – not only during COVID, but throughout our lives. But this story is also about adventure and love and surrounding yourself with people that you trust. Because those are the things that quell the loneliness and help you find your way through the darkness.

  So thank you to the people who have helped make this book – and this journey – such an incredible adventure. Thank you to my husband, Robert, who put up with me through months of quarantine. Thank you to my friends, who have acted as editors and beta readers and cheerleaders. (Particular thanks to Kinnon Schreiber, Kayla Suhm, Robert Herlache, and Greg Poppy.) And thank you to my family, who have supported me by enthusiastically telling everyone they’ve ever met about my books.

  Thank you, also, to my online family – my #bookstagram crowd, my advanced readers, and those who have taken the time to write such amazing reviews.

  As an indie author, it’s hard to gain traction in a world run by the Big Five publishers. Even the smallest bit of support goes a long way. If you’ve enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. If you want to do more, you can follow Glass Fish Publishing on Instagram, like us on Facebook, or join our mailing list at glassfishpublishing.com.

  Thank you for your support! And stay tuned for news on the final installment of the Burn this City trilogy!

  About the Author

  Brenda Poppy has spent more than a decade writing and editing for publications across the country, as well as lending her writing and graphic design talents to companies to help them craft their brands. With a degree in journalism and sociology from Marquette University, she loves to seek out unique stories and capture them for others to enjoy. When not writing, the Milwaukee native can be found acting in local theater, spending time with her adorable corgi, Darcy, or traveling around the world with her husband in search of craft cocktails, good food, and inspiration for her next novel.

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