Tom Stacey gives an excerpt of fantasy novel Exile - Blog tour

Exile: A novel of the Bloodforge

Author: Tom Stacey

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Synopsis:

A gripping tale of heroism and the darkness within

On the fringes of the Verian Empire, two small boys stumble upon a strange altar, buried in the heart of a mountain. There they awaken a horror unseen for generations, that will descend upon the realm of men while it is at its weakest. For Veria is a nation at war with itself, only recently recovered from a bloody rebellion, and the time of heroes has passed. The empire is in a state of chaos, and while its ruler, the Empron Illis, rids the land of his remaining enemies, unseen forces are gathering at the borders. However all eyes are turned inwards. The Empron is not a well man, and there are whispers among the common folk that his advisors are spies; demons that only wear the flesh of men.

Yet there is hope...

In the distant mountains, a forester who has buried his past learns that he has not been forgotten, and that his crimes have sought him out at last. But he is no simple woodsman. He is Beccorban the Helhammer, Scourge, Burner and the Death of Nations, and his fury is a terrible thing.

For when all the heroes are gone, Veria will turn to those it has forgotten, before all is lost.

EXCERPT FROM EXILE

 The first thing he noticed was silence. The black abyss in which he swam was utterly still: no whispering breath of breeze, no gentle hiss of water on rock — a sound he was all too familiar with, even if he could not remember exactly why. A dull thudding in his chest and the constant throbbing of his skull were the only things that let him know he was still alive, unless it was some cruel trick by the Black God. But wait… did they have ravens in Hel? There it was again: the harsh caw of one of the Black God’s winged followers, fallen cousins of the songbird, painted in pitch by the Unnamed to reflect their grim duty.

His eyes seemed sealed shut, the lids gummed together by something sticky and unyielding, perhaps blood. Soon it did not matter, for a wash of pain hit him. What had been muted warmth in his thigh suddenly became a searing white-hot agony that shot upwards into his side. Now he could feel the cold metal of the gorget around his neck, now he could feel the bite of the buckles and clasps holding his armour to him. The weight of the steel seemed such a hindrance, when surely hours before it had been the difference between life and death. He didn’t even have the strength to wipe the obstructing fluid from his brow.

Yet the temporary immobility of the Soldier — for he could be nothing else — soon became a blessing. For a new sound broke the silence. Amongst the squabbling birds and the ripping of dead flesh from cold bodies, the shrill mirth of several young children could be heard, accompanied by the lower warning tones of adult women. In any other place, the excited cries of the young would have been a cause for delight. Brief images of a giggling youngster ran through his mind: a chase through the servants’ quarters; a tiny hand engulfed by his own.

An abrupt crushing pain chased these thoughts from his mind as a heavy figure knelt on his stomach, driving the rim of his breastplate into his upper groin. The stench of fish and piss swept over him.

As any soldier experienced past his first battle knew, children on a battlefield usually meant one thing: looters. After any large conflict a field would be littered with the dead and the dying for days, perhaps weeks. As the ravens and the dogs gorged themselves on the brave, women and children would slink out from neighbouring settlements to take what they could. It was the way of the world. If they had not fallen, these men would only have been pillaging and raping in the surrounding villages anyway.

The Soldier went limp, his instinct urging caution over resistance. Any sign of life would likely earn him a slim knife slipped through his eye and into his brain.

“This ‘un’s sure to be wealthy,” a rasping voice, rattling with phlegm and disease. “Just look at ‘is fine plate!”

“Can’t we go ‘ome soon, Ma? It’ll be sundown ‘fore long an’ I was ‘opin’ I’d getta see some soldiers ‘fore they all leave.”

“Psssht, there be plenty of soldiers ‘ere for ganderin’.”

“Aye, but they’re all rebels!” he spat. “I wanna see proper fighters.” The venom in the boy’s voice was startling. The Soldier fought down panic. Did that make me a rebel? If he could afford expensive armour then he must be important. Was he a rebel leader?

“Shut yer whinin’ or I’ll take your hide. There’s plenty to see ‘ere an’ we’s got work to do.”

The Soldier felt cool air on his right hand as his gauntlet was tugged off and tossed aside with a clatter. The left one soon followed.

“Ahhh! Look at that.” She tugged his left arm across her lap, the coarse fabric of her apron tickling the fine hairs on the back of his hand. “Gimme the blade, boy.” The Soldier clenched his teeth and fought the urge to scream as he realised what was coming. He barely stifled a gasp as cold steel bit into his ring finger.

"What a luverly gold band,” grunted the fisherwoman as she bent to her task. “That’ll fetch two gold pieces at least.” The blunt edge swiftly parted the meagre flesh above his knuckle and cleaved awkwardly into the bone with an audible squeak. The Soldier swallowed rising bile and nausea with an immense effort of will as his torture continued. The knife was making hardly any impression at all on the thin but tough bone of his finger. Each jerk of the blade seemed as ineffective as the last, sending withering vibrations and bright pain down his arm, now sticky with hot blood.

Eventually the stinking hag must have grown bored with her work as she simply snapped the finger off at the joint. The dry cracking pop of breaking bone sent the Soldier back into welcoming oblivion. As he slipped into nothingness, he almost felt relief that the howling agony clawing at the back of his teeth could not betray him to such an ignoble end.

A more discerning observer would have noticed that dead men do not bleed so enthusiastically when cut. The Soldier’s arm was covered in bright red blood and the birds were already circling at the scent of warm gore. However the fisherwoman was far too pleased with her catch to notice such trifling matters. Beginning the long trek back to her cramped hovel, she paused briefly to hold the ring up to the fading light, admiring its deep, claret-glazed sheen before hiking up her filthy skirts and heading towards the dying sun.

Buy Exile via AMAZON - *Available on Kindle Unlimited*

About the Author:

I am from the wild lands of Essex, and have been all my life.

I've always been a student of history. My first history teacher at secondary school taught me that there are only five letters in the word history that matter: 'story.' Ever since then I've been hooked.

I'm somebody who loves to read. I love Bernard Cornwell's earlier works like the first Sharpe novels and the Warlord Chronicles. I've experienced the can't-put-down quality of Wilbur Smith's Courtney novels. I'm a big Conn Iggulden fan (Emperor and Conqueror series) and love A Song of Ice and Fire - who doesn't?

Arguably my favourite author is the late David Gemmell. His simple historical fantasies really struck a chord with me when I was younger, and encouraged me to write my own stories.

I like stories about heroes, or things that make you scared to turn the page, stories that leave you feeling empty or that you've left friends behind in the epilogue. A writer is someone who can reach out from a page of prose and grab your attention and not let go until your heart is beating faster or aching with loss.

If my own stories can make even one person feel something like that then I will consider myself a success. If they don't, I'm going to keep writing them anyway, so you might as well read one of them!

Join Tom on Goodreads!

FOLLOW THE ENTIRE EXILE TOUR HERE

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Historical fiction meets mystery in Sharlene Almond's Initiated to Kill - Book Review

Synopsis:

Two men, two different generations, both initiated into a powerful organisation that throughout history has sought control and use their power for destruction.

Two men leaving behind a wake of murder, revenge and vengeance. Two men that will stop at nothing, playing a game that only they know the rules.

One man roams the dark London streets for his victims, preying on women of the night. While the other stalks his victims in Seville, Spain; knowing that only he could uncover the true motives of one of the world’s most infamous serial killers – Jack the Ripper.

Book Review

Initiated to Kill by Sharlene Almond is a historical thriller and mystery alternating between modern day Spain and late 19th century Britain, the time of the notorious Jack the Ripper.

The book is good but not a light read; the reader has to be one that doesn't mind being confused at times.

There are two types of narration in the novel, third person for recounting events and sometimes the thoughts of certain characters, as well as the first person for who we later discover is Annabella, a student at Seville University. There are also letters written by Jack the Ripper.

Annabella has a scar on the back of her neck, while she doesn't have complete memory of how she got the scar; she knows that on that day she lost her ability to hear.

There are several mysteries in Initiated to Kill, some are major and some minor. Sharlene Almond constantly gives the reader bread crumbs of information, keeping the novel interesting at all times.

One of the things I enjoyed about the novel was Annabella's insights. Being deaf, she has to rely on her other instincts and observations of facial expressions, enabling her to decipher more than what people actually hear. She is able to decipher tiny gestures that can easily be invisible to the average person but not to her.

I also liked the short chapters in Initiated to Kill, which, along with pace, help the novel progress quickly especially since it's a long novel.

"But now, something was approaching. Something that felt like a train hurtling along the tracks, unable to stop or slow down. A train that would end in a wreck, lives ruined and lives lost."

The novel opens with a scene from the past related to masonic events and rituals. Shortly after, we are introduced to the mystery of a missing girl and the detectives Valero and Rivero, who despite trying hard to find the culprit(s), are always a step or two behind.

Until chapter 87, the perpetrator is a mystery, only referred to as "he" and "him". From one side, the investigators don't know who he is, and from the other, we as readers see him luring the girls, who see him as someone they trust but we don't get his name.

The novel has a lot of characters, but each of them has a role to play. At first, I thought there was no need to mention the names of the prostitutes from the Jack the Ripper scenes, but later I realised that these names were the actual names of the victims from that period, highlighting the historical aspect of the novel.

"A glass smashed, a door banged closed. Silence filled her ears. An unwanted tear ran down her cheek. She peered at the sun, wishing the magic that would turn the moon to the sun would take her away. But nothing would rescue her, and she could not leave."

Usually when the reader feels that an answer to one of the many questions has been revealed, several more arise.

One of the things that didn't go well with me in Initiated to Kill was the going to and back in the timeline. There is the time of Jack the Ripper, which is clear, but there are references to Annabella's childhood, other events in the past and events in the present. There is a lot of jumping between the present and the past, which in turn is divided into several periods, some are from the late 1800s and some are from the 20th and 21st centuries.

I would have preferred that the going in back in time parts were clearer, especially for Annabella and in order: 1999, 2000, 2001 and so on.

I also did not enjoy not knowing who was speaking or who the character in front of me was in several chapters. There was a lot of he/she that caused more confusion than suspense – for me at least.

There are parallel assassins across time; there is Jack the Ripper and a modern day psychopath with similar traits. I liked making a kind of compare and contrast, especially after delving deeper into the novel.

Once the reader feels they've got a grip on things, the author catapults us backwards or forwards in time and things become confusing once more.

"Another night of dreams left a nauseous feeling in my gut. That something was going to happen. I never believed in psychics, never believed I had any ability. But the overwhelming sense that something bad was going to happen intensified every night."

An interesting and new element in Initiated to Kill was the introduction of a new character towards the end of the novel, which added to the mystery and overgrowing list of suspicious characters.

The overall pace of the novel is quick, but it picks up significantly towards the end with a lot of action and chasing of the culprits or more victims. However, this rise in pace brings in additional confusion, especially when the police discover that there seems to be several perps.

My copy has several typos and spelling mistakes – that bothered me, a lot. There was also a lot of repetition in certain places like:

"Stepping back, he allowed them into his spacious office. Mahogany furniture dominated the spacious office."

Furthermore, two other mysteries arise at the end of the novel, namely: the identity of Annabella's father and the reason why the perpetrator wants her dead.

I both liked and disliked Almond's way of leading – or misleading – the reader in thinking who the perpetrator is and guessing at other events and character in the novel.

"Celestina's absence was like a hot coal refusing to extinguish."

A reader of Initiated to Kill would also need to be strong enough to handle some gritty and grotesque scenes, particularly those related to Jack the Ripper. The novel also requires a lot of patience and thinking. It's not a book you can read before you go to sleep (it's gritty in some parts) and it needs someone who is alert and ready to think.

Sharlene Almond, is applauded for the massive amounts of research carried out for Initiated to Kill, as well as the beautiful descriptions used with a variety of places, especially the University of Seville.

The confusion aspect in the novel was tiresome for me; hence, my overall rating is 3 stars.

Note: I received a free copy of Initiated to Kill from author Sharlene Almond in exchange for an honest review.

Note: Although I finished this novel a couple of months ago, it's taken me a while to write my review due to the complexity of the novel and the massive amount of bookmarks and notes I've put in and written. (My apologies for the delay)

Evanescent – Book Review & Blog Tour

Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore

Published by: Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing

Publication date: 15 March, 2013

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

“Then it is settled,” Felix declared. “Come hell or high water, when this is all over, at least one of us here will not make it out alive.”

When Bronwen Snow is pulled from her cottage in the middle of the night, she finds herself seeking the help of three mysterious boys who reside in an abandoned castle deep in the hillside. With only a hasty handwritten note and a vague sense of dread to guide her, Bronwen is forced to put her trust in the eccentric and willful Felix Cavara and his eternal curse – immortality.

Book Review by Nadaness In Motion

Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore is the story of Bronwen Snow, an ordinary girl living with her grandmother, who is hurled from her normal life when her grandmother tells her that "it's coming for you", gives her a letter and tells her to find a Felix Cavara in the castle up the hill.

Bronwen is shocked but follows her grandmother's orders, especially since the latter's visions are usually "frighteningly accurate."

The novel opens with an eerie and suspenseful first chapter, keeping the reader on edge and prompting them to carry on. The chapters are usually short, some of which are divided into several parts.

Arriving at the castle, Bronwen meets three boys, not older than she is, namely: Felix Cavara and his two friends Alastair and Loki.

According to Ada, Bronwen is being hunted down by a "Severan", and we discover later that Felix for all the things he says is unaware of the dangers of that creature.

"It follows you," Ada mumbled vaguely. "It's been hunting you, and it's finally coming for you."

…"The only thing you can do… is run."

Narrated in the third person, Evanescent is an easy, quick read. However, there was something off about the narration for me. I cannot pinpoint it exactly but I felt that although the writing was smooth, the narration wasn't light. It was irritating a bit.

There isn't a wide assortment of characters, which is good – just the main ones and a couple of minor ones, some of whom put the whole story in motion.

I disliked that Felix kept nagging about how he'd been living for "hundreds of years" when we discover that the hundreds are only 200 years. I felt it was an exaggeration, one Bronwen picked up.

"The cure to your ailment lies within me. If I am to die, you shall never be saved. So, let your father do his worst, for it will make my retribution all the more poetic."

Although the novel is supposed to be centred on Bronwen, whom I thought was too naïve, her character development comes only at the very end. We see development in Felix's character, especially as he begins to realise that his selfish actions have affected others and continue to do so.

Loki was mostly the most lovable character, especially since he is the youngest in the novel, having been cursed with Felix and Alastair at the age of 12; whereas the others were cursed at the age of 18.

Although Felix's snarky character often lightens the mood and provides humour, it is sometimes too much. His flirtations with Bronwen are not a lot of fun either – in my opinion at least.

"My condition? How tactfully put. I think the correct term is mortally challenged. No, if you must know, I like to keep a low profile because when you're as scandalous as I am, it's bound to create a certain, let's say, adoration. A following, if you will."

Evanescent is not free of romance, though it is all clean with just some holding hands and may be a kiss.

My main problem with the novel was the implausibility of several scenes and events. At one point, having knocked out Felix, the Severan catches Bronwen, while it appears that Alastair and Loki are standing there watching. There other instances, but apart from the narration this was the second most irritating thing about the novel.

Evanescent covers many themes such as trust and betrayal, love, friendship and of course the evanescence/transience of life and how things happen for a reason.

What I liked most about the novel was the ending: It was different. I totally enjoyed and respected that. I did not see it coming.

Last but not least, the cover is gorgeous!

"I was scared to death in there," Bronwen whispered.

"And you'd rather be killed to death out here?"

Overall rating for Evanescent: 3 stars.

Note: I received a free copy of Evanescent by Gabriella Lepore via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Add the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28054396-evanescent?ac=1&from_search=1

Purchase Links:

Amazon and B&N.

About the Author:

Gabriella Lepore lives on the coast of Wales in the United Kingdom. She began writing at an early age and grew up with a passion for all things supernatural—especially witches! She currently has six Young Adult books in print: Evanescent, The Blackheath Witches, How I Found You, Secrets In Phoenix, and The Witches of the Glass Castle books 1 & 2. 

Author links:

http://www.gabriellalepore.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814169.Gabriella_Lepore

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gabriella-Lepore-Books/240139339377522

https://twitter.com/GabriellaBooks

Between Good and Evil - Book Blast

Between Good and Evil

by R. Michael Phillips

Between Good and Evil
(Auburn Notch Mystery)
(Volume 1)
Crime - Mystery
Sunbury Press, Inc. (24 January, 2016)
Hardcover: 224 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1620066607
Paperback: 222 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1620067291
E-Book ASIN: B01B12YPTC

Synopsis

Years after the Willis Asylum closed, the secrets of its past lingered in its decaying halls as a reminder to the good people of Auburn Notch—when Evil closes a door, he also opens a window. Sheriff Promise Flynn was new to the town, and she was about to find out some windows should never be opened.

Promise Flynn is an overly impulsive Metro Detective whose disregard for procedure finally resulted in her being shot and left for dead during an investigation. To repair her bruised ego and splintered confidence she abandons the callous dark alleys of Chicago to patrol the quiet, birch-lined streets of Auburn Notch—a favorite vacation spot of her youth. For two years everything was idyllic, until the body of a young girl found in the abandoned asylum outside of town awakens the insecurities she thought her new life would insulate her from.

As the new Sheriff she begins her investigation refusing to accept the similarities between the young woman’s death and her own case, oblivious to being unexpectedly recognized and penciled in at the top of a clever murderer’s To-Do list. Her internal struggle intensifies when a discredited crime reporter from the past suspiciously arrives in town to resurrect his threadbare reputation, along with an FBI agent chasing down a lead in a cold case. Both men quickly become entangled in Flynn's investigation and her attempts to finally put her past to rest.

Flynn reluctantly accepts the murder of the young girl might be the work of the two men responsible for her hasty departure from Chicago, but Agent MacGregor insists the evidence points to a man he’s been chasing. As the rising current of her past threatens to pull her under, Flynn finds herself unprepared for option three.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is a classically trained artist turned mystery writer. By combining his creative talents with a passion for mysteries he conceived his first series—The Ernie Bisquets Mysteries. It introduced Ernie Bisquets, a retired London pickpocket who decided he was going to assist the London police with their most difficult cases—whether they want his help or not. Michael has completed 3 books in the series, and has plans for at least five additional books.

Michael travels a bit, especially to Great Britain, but also has a fondness for New England. He spent many winters in the shadow of the White Mountains, skiing and enjoying the beautiful countryside. Those fond memories are the backdrop now for the new Auburn Notch Mysteries being published by Sunbury Press. The main character is Sheriff Promise Flynn—an ex-metro detective who left a dark past and her big-city detective shield behind and moved to a small New England town. What follows is anything but therapeutic.

When he’s not painting or writing Michael is an avid antique collector, filling his current home—an 1894 Queen Ann Victorian he, his wife, and son are restoring—with an assortment of antiques from around the world. Michael also enjoys cooking, working in the garden, and playing in the yard with their two rescues, Beau and Pup.

Author Links

Website- http://www.rmichaelphillips.com
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/R-Michael-Phillips-104782886282707/?ref=tn_tnmn
Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2995205.R_Michael_Phillips
Twitter- https://twitter.com/rmpbook
A Fifer's Blog- http://rmichael-fifer.blogspot.com

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N SUNBURY PRESS

More Books by R. Michael Phillips

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Treading Forward - poem

The world is dark,

I'm on a bridge

But can't see ahead.

It looks down-trodden

Like my thoughts.

There are planks,

But not regular, continuous.

I turn around;

No going back.

Where was back?

Where did I come from?

How did I end up here?

Where is here?

I look forward;

It’s the only way.

I tread carefully,

Fearful of a fall

Into the abyss of the unknown.

My mind

Is numb, racing.

I try to block out the demons

Of fear and uncertainty,

Those that have haunted

My days and nights.

The bridge carries on.

How long will I keep walking?

No end in sight.

Something flutters in my periphery.

I look and nearly fall.

I stand still,

Only to be surrounded by silence.

Was it a bird?

I begin to walk again,

Careful to step on the planks

And skip the empty ones.

Another flutter,

I hear it but ignore it.

The sound grows louder,

The wind picks up.

A flock of birds?

I try not to look back.

Louder and louder;

I feel the bridge will crumble beneath me.

Will I be lost, forever?

Lost in my thoughts,

I almost fall.

The planks have ended,

Leaving me in the middle of nowhere.

The fluttering is louder,

I venture a look behind.

"They're not birds," I say,

"Books! Sweet glorious books!"

My heart flutters too.

I welcome them;

And they land one by one,

Forming new planks in my bridge.

Shoulders squared,

Faith restored,

I continue on my way.

The path may be unclear,

But my feet are firmer now.

I carry on forwards.

Written: Monday, 11 January, 2016 for Takhayyal writing prompt no. 26.