“[A] defiantly feminist reimagining of Euripides’ The Bacchae . . . Pochoda’s sun-drenched, blood-soaked literary fever dream pits hubris against hedonism, likens religion to rave culture, and explores the transformative power of female rage. Incandescent prose, present-tense narration, and frequent perspective shifts impart urgency, rendering the characters’ passions palpable. It’s a gleefully transgressive tour de force.” ― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

‍Lena wants her life back. Her wealthy, controlling, humorless husband has just died, and now she contends with her controlling, humorless son, Drew. Lena lands in Naxos with her best friend in tow for the unveiling of her son’s, pet project–the luxurious Agape Villas.

Years of marriage amongst the wealthy elite has whittled Lena’s spirit into rope and sinew, smothered by tasteful cocktail dresses and unending small talk. On Naxos she yearns to rediscover her true nature, remember the exuberant dancer and party girl she once was, but Drew tightens his grip, keeping her cloistered inside the hotel, demanding that she fall in line.

Lena is intrigued by a group of women living in tents on the beach in front of the Agape. She can feel their drums at night, hear their seductive leader calling her to dance. Soon she’ll find that an ancient God stirs on the beach, awakening dark desires of women across the island. The only questions left will be whether Lena will join them, and what it will cost her.

Ecstasy is a riveting, darkly poetic, one-sitting read about empowerment, desire, and what happens when women reject the roles set out for them.

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Events:

Tuesday, June 17th • Skylight Books • 1818 North Vermont Avenue • Los Angeles, CA

Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00pm • The Poisoned Pen Bookstore • 4014 North Goldwater Boulevard • Scottsdale, AZ

Thursday, June 19th at 6:30pm • Murder by the Book • 2342 Bissonnet Street • Houston, TX

Friday, June 20th at 7:00pm • Exile in Bookville • 410 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 210 • Chicago, IL

Wednesday, June 25th at 7:00pm • Powerhouse Arena • 28 Adams Street • Brooklyn, NY

Saturday, July 19th at 7:00pm • Hi Desert Times Magazines • 73552 29 Palms Highway, Suite 2 • Twentynine Palms, CA ‍

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