S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 32
January 2, 2020
Top 5 Reads of 2019 - Kendall Reviews
Wakeful Children made it into Jennifer Sullivan's Best Reads first 2019 list! Great news, thank you Jennifer and congratulations to the other authors who made the list too. Kendall Reviews
December 31, 2019
Thank You and Happy New Year!
To anyone and everyone, old and new, who has bought my work, read my work, reviewed my work or supported me in any way at all throughout the year, thank you! I appreciate you more than you can possibly know. Happy New Year, hope it's a great one for you!
December 26, 2019
The Dragon Has Wings - Competition Winner
Drum roll please! The winner of the The Dragon Has Wings competition is...
Liz T!
Congratulations Liz! I will be in touch to arrange delivery. To everyone else, as a thank you for entering I am offering a free download of the book, all you have to do is message me or leave a comment below. Thanks again. I will be running another competition very soon, watch this space...
If you read then please review. Thank you so much everyone.
The Dragon Has Wings on Amazon.com
The Dragon Has Wings on Amazon UK
December 20, 2019
COMPETITION TIME
To be in with a chance of winning this bundle, plus a free download (ebook only) of The Dragon Has Wings, just answer the following question: What is the name of the girl in the story who must fight to become Dragon Queen?
Names of entrants with correct answers will go into a hat and a winner will be chosen at random. Good luck and feel free to share.
Prize bundle includes:
One 'The Dragon Has Wings' mug
One 'The Dragon Has Wings' fridge magnet
One 'The Dragon Has Wings' pen
One 'The Dragon Has Wings' notebook
One download of 'The Dragon Has Wings.'
https://dk-media.s3.amazonaws.com/med...
Need some help? Go here to read an excerpt and get a clue to the heroine's name:
https://solostinwords.com/blog/entry/...
On Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0816XJD1X
On Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0816XJD1X
Competition Ends December 23rd Midnight GMT
The Dragon Has Wings - Competition Help
So, you're here because you need a clue to answer the question, right? Read the paragraph below to find out the name of the heroine in the story. Want another clue? It begins with 'C.'
"The leaves littering the forest floor were slowly freezing, their veins picked out in silver lines where ice began to form. The night sky showing between the trees was a deep shade of blue, the air still and somehow expectant. A pale moon shone on the girl’s long black hair.
The rope binding Crystin’s hands to the stake bit cruelly into her soft skin, rubbing it raw and bloody. She had long given up struggling, the knot too tight and too well made, all her efforts now concentrated upon survival in place of escape.
She shivered violently beneath the thinning cotton of the over-large tunic that had once belonged to her brother. It was soaked a deep red around the neck and chest, where it too was beginning to stiffen with the cold. At least the bitter air had muted the scent of his blood. She closed her eyes against the memory of his death, the violence she had suffered at the hands of his murderers since. The ache between her legs was still painful. Hard on the heels of her grief came rage. She welcomed it; it gave her strength, but now was not the time to let it to consume her.
Unable to stand any longer, she sagged against the stake. Her arms took the strain. She bit her lips as fresh agony tore into her wrists. It wouldn’t be long before she would be forced to stand again, but she had to find some relief, however fleeting, for her bruised and aching lower body. Near desperate, she fought against the tears that welled, knowing that to give into them would undo her completely.
Something stirred beyond. Tears checked, Crystin held her breath. She scanned the trees that bordered the clearing for any sign of movement.
There were wolves in this forest, she knew. Boar and bear, not to mention the monsters she had been warned of since her earliest childhood. The sound came again; she let out a mixed sigh of relief and frustration. That was no forest animal nor fantastical beast; that was nothing more than the snoring of one of her captors.
She glanced over at the makeshift covers the men had made with their hides and skins, draping them over low hanging branches. Warm beneath them, cosy next to the embers of a fire, they slept soundly. Their horses were nearby, tethered and calm. That they had not taken fright was a small comfort; it confirmed that there was nothing dangerous lurking in the shadows.
Crystin shivered, her body spasming painfully. She could not prevent a small cry escaping as she struggled back to her feet, her arms now crying out for rest. She hoped exhaustion would overtake her soon, that she might sleep regardless of the torture her body was forced to endure.
Another sound, not snoring this time.
She tensed, as frozen as if the ice had caught her up. Helpless, unable to fight or to run, she warily watched the edge of the clearing, a sense of foreboding growing ever stronger. The air seemed thicker, more alive; a palpable tension weighing it down. She glanced back at the sleeping men, wondering for the first time if what approached might be her salvation.
Someone stepped from the cover of the trees into the faint light at the clearing’s farthest reach. A man; tall, broad in the shoulder, well-muscled beneath his rough smock and bearskin vest. He looked at her, a faint trace of amusement in his features. He took a step closer, raising a finger to his lips, bidding her remain silent. Then, to her amazement, he winked.
All trace of amiability vanished when he reached into his vest and withdrew a long-bladed knife. His breath rose in small plumes as he turned his back on her, beckoning silently to someone behind him.
More figures detached themselves from the shadows. The man in the bearskin made a small gesture. One of the figures moved towards the horses. A few moments later, the beasts were free of their tethers, snuffling gently as they were led away, heavy hooves thudding into the hardening earth.
Her heart hammering in her chest, Crystin looked over to the hides, expecting the snoring sleepers beneath them to wake at the noise. They did not stir.
Doubt began to cover Crystin. Perhaps these other men were not to be her rescuers after all. She wondered if she should scream, raise the alarm. She looked down at the blade held with such practiced ease in the big bear-man’s grip and changed her mind. Like as not she would barely open her mouth to make the sound before he opened her throat to silence it.
Crystin looked up again to find he was looking hard at her, an eyebrow raised in question. She shook her head; ‘no.’ She would not give their presence away. The man grinned an easy smile.
Crystin shivered again, this time nothing to do with the cold.
Assured of her co-operation, the man lost interest in her. He turned his attention to the makeshift camp. The sleeping men numbered seven. Crystin watched as the newcomers moved, a strange detachment coming over her; captive witness to a quiet carnage.
The men rounded the dying fire, their backs to her, each of them brandishing a blade of some description. Bearskin man lifted a part-burned stick from the embers of the fire, its end glowing a wicked red. He blew upon it, eliciting a few small flames. When it was properly alight, he crossed to where a hide was stretched in a V-shape over a branch, bending to thrust the fiery limb beneath it. He stood back, waiting."
Fiery New Book Trailer!
Take a look at my new book title reveal on my Book Trailers page. Let me know what you think!
December 18, 2019
Mid-Week Silly Zombie/Horror Limerick
A midweek zombie limerick? What's going on? Well, I decided I couldn't make people wait too long after giving me suggestions, so posted up today. Got a name and/or a job suggestion for me? Let me know and I'll do my best!
Silly Sunday (and Wednesday!) Zombie/Horror Limericks
December 15, 2019
A Bit of Dark Fun
New Silly Sunday Zombie Limerick up! Click the link for A Bit of Dark Fun and get involved! So Lost in Words - Silly Sunday Zombie Limerick
December 13, 2019
Dab of Darkness Interview and Giveaway
I just loved being interviewed by Dab of Darkness Book Reviews. To read the full interview, which had some unique and interesting questions, and to find one of my giveaways, click the link. Thank you so much to Susan Voss for inviting me to take part and for being such a pleasure to work with.
December 12, 2019
Competition Coming Soon...
Bumper Christmas competition coming soon. Keep checking in!
"Terrific fantasy tale!"
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0816XJD1X…
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0816XJD1X…
