Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 109
November 30, 2021
Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas by Lucius Beauchamp #Atlantis #BeyondAtlantis
Hello, I’m Lucius Beauchamp and I’ve written a fast-paced fantasy novel, called ‘Beyond Atlantis: An Epic Of The Ancient Americas’. Today, I’ll talk about past-life experiences.
Excerpt:“Servitors brought in high-stemmed gold filigree bowls of fruit, quinces being the flourish of the creations. For high table alone. Eten didn’t know why she disliked quinces, yet she did. Something from a past life, and… Again Eten searched, again the answer didn’t come. Had it been poison in a quince? Or a quince not poisoned enough? No, she could never get closer, so she let it go. Eten said to a server, ‘Take the centrepieces away.’ ‘But archpriest Peregrine specifically asked for them.’”
The phenomena of past-life experiences have become more acceptable in Western culture in the 21st Century. It’s always been acceptable in India. Mahatma Gandhi, had a young girl’s past life memories verified. She’d been reborn only a little while after her death. Therefore, her past family were still alive, her village community still existed. The girl could name and recognise family members plus how they were related to her. She accurately recalled her village and the people in it she’d known. Having corroborated all, the Mahatma took the girl under his wing, ensuring her safety.
The following excerpt is a homage to the life of an Englishwoman, covered in a very old National Geographic article. It concerned the last follower of the goddess Isis, born in the early 20th Century, who remembered ancient Egypt.
Excerpt:“Catching his eye, Xiao Chen continued slowly, ‘Not a difficult problem. Now the one I saw,’ the attendant’s face was frozen dismay, ‘the other … A seven year old at an antiquities exhibition suddenly reverted back a thousand years. And still demands to taken home to Atlantis. Nothing can be done. He must’ve touched several objects that meant a lot to him in that life. Not, of course, that they were his in that life.’”
The total recall of most past-life experiences tends to disperse by adulthood. Yet, rarely, not always; as seen above. This gradual forgetting and, also, putting any whisps of such memories away would be the psychologically healthy response to dealing with a new life. What are your thoughts about this?
Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient AmericasLucius Beauchamp
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, AdventureISBN: Paperback 978-0-6488929-0-8 ISBN: E-book 978-0-6488929-1-5ASIN: 0648892905 ASIN: B01I4OMBVYNumber of pages: 448Word Count: 158,240 Cover Artist: Flametree Creative
Tagline: Greater Atlantis, where The Guardian Tribe roam
Book Description:
10,000 years ago, ancient Atlantian Tribes of magicians flourished in the lower Americas and along the Mississippi.
Galen, an Atlantian magician priest is locked in a relentless power struggle with an envious sorceress who blackmails, lies, and manipulates. A prince of the blood, Galen is determined that nothing will stop his becoming an Archpriest.
Eten, blackest witch and high priestess sees angels and seeks a forbidden treasure. She finds Galen’s curse of having a soulmate particularly helpful.
Half a millennia ago the Island of Atlantis sank off the Biminis, the 13th Tribe was held responsible for the demise of Atlantis. The surviving Atlantians stripped the 13th of all technology and exiled them.
Vengeful, the 13th Tribe wishes to return but the 13th’s warlocks fear crossing into Greater Older Atlantis. They do not dare set foot on the Guardian-protected land. The great Guardian Tribe possess a formidable circle of psychics who roam North America keeping constant vigil to keep Greater Older Atlantis safe for all Atlantians.
Amazon
About the Author:
The author was inspired to write this book because, like Plato, the author believes Atlantis existed. Interpreting Plato's description of the location of Atlantis, backed up by Edgar Cayce's readings, Lucius feels that the Island of Atlantis was off the Biminis. Therefore, for the author, the Continent of Atlantis (Greater Older Atlantis) was North America, USA. Writing this epic has been Lucius Beauchamp’s means of creating a world in which people can escape from the travails and the, at times, seeming randomness of living for a while. A place where readers can take their ease and be refreshed by imbibing this layered adventure as they would a well-deserved drink at the end of the day.
Lucius writing and research skills were enhanced while obtaining a 4-year Degree in Psychology at the prestigious University of Western Australia. This degree included intensive English studies. Lucius attributes much of his understanding of writing to his time at the University of Western Australia.
In life the author has followed the maxim that what goes around, comes around. Therefore, he does regular simple volunteering that assists inner-city people who are in crisis and/or temporarily homeless. Earlier in life Lucius did Hospice volunteering, which he feels gave a solid grounding, a balance to his life.
To this same desire for balance, especially in Covid times, the author has turned his backyard into a veritable bird sanctuary. Currently, three birdbaths, tall native shrubs and native trees bring in all the local small birds. Lucius has watched fledglings wander the garden in the first weeks out of the nest and an occasional wind-battered adult shelter daily among the honey-blossoms until well. The author set each of the two shallow and one medium-deep birdbaths at a slope, as he’s observed that smaller birds love to strut around a shallow end before diving into the deep end of their swimming pools. Kookaburras are discouraged from hunting geckos in the backyard, it upsets the little birds, though they’re welcome to bathe and drink. The birds, the Spring bobtail lizards and a type of small marsupial that arrives at tree-berry harvest time aren’t bothered by the Beauchamp family dog or cat, as they have a twilight curfew and or bells.
Other than birdwatching, a main interest of Lucius is building a collection of retro, vintage and, infrequently, antique Matchbox Cars. Crossword puzzles, Lucius saves for lazy Sunday afternoons. Some Lucius’ viewing preferences are the Star Trek movies and series, plus Le Carre’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy series and the Smiley’s People series. Lucius’ wish list is as follows: To tread the USA Appalachian Trail for as long as his legs hold out. To spend two months in Maine one Fall, hiking and just watching the festival of color until the leaves turn then drop. To walk the week-long trek to Machu Pichu. To fish one of the great North American rivers. To take a long sojourn on a paddle steamer down the Mississippi River.
The author has included many descriptions of mushrooms in his book, several of them poisonous and many varieties that are difficult to differentiate from look-a-like poisonous fungi. Knowing how many people on seeing a mushroom in the wild will be tempted to pick it, Lucius has included a Warning Note at the bottom of the Acknowledgements Page, in the E-book and in the print version.
The author and partner are equal joint-owners and equal co-publishers of Beyond Atlantis: An Epic Of The Ancient Americas.
Lucius’ heartfelt thanks go to author Dave Luckett who originally critiqued Beyond Atlantis: An Epic Of The Ancient Americas and then tutored Lucius, on a weekly basis, for several months.
Further the author’s profound thanks go to Professor Van Iken, who Lucius was fortunate enough to have critique Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas, after it had been redrafted following intensive workshops with Dave. Professor Iken then very generously critiqued the book a second time, once Lucius finished an almost-final draft.Lastly, the author’s greatest thanks go to his partner for all the patience, advice, editing, critiquing, for improving the story’s momentum and for story/scene/dialogue assistance. Together Lucius and his partner created the book’s first short name and then together added the longer version of the name. It was Lucius’ partner who discovered the book’s hook, that is, who found the book’s current first two paragraphs which Lucius had buried further within the chapter.
https://www.amazon.com/LUCIUS-BEAUCHAMP/e/B01J54XHHO/
November 29, 2021
For Her Bones by Alec Reid #Horror
For Her BonesAlec Reid
Genre: Ghost/Comic HorrorPublisher: Lilymoore PublishingDate of Publication: 31 October 2021ISBN: 978 – 163972999 -9 Number of pages: 340Word Count: 86,975Cover Artist: Jacqueline Abromeit
Book Description:
Alec Reid’s ghosts of the twenty-first century seldom lurk in old houses or waft across chilly moors. His dark tales may breathe alongside the supernatural, but they take place in broad daylight, in our daily lives.
Their themes include dead warriors resurrected via Bluetooth, Rumpelstiltskin in the suburbs, an algorithmic fear of ghosts and the shattered dreams of immortality.
The world they describe is the same one you inhabit, but you would live in terror were you to recognise it for what it is. Life would, literally, never be the same again.
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/SVW3P32AqzU
Lilymore Publishing
Excerpt
“The thing is, Tom, I did call him a few months after I left. It was a bit of a surprise. I was supposedly embarking on some great adventure, and there I was struck down with what felt like terminal homesickness. I needed a friend.”
“You could have called me.”
“I know, but it wasn’t you I wanted. Sorry. What I never expected was that I would be longing for Frank. How strange was that? Anyway, it was late and the foul weather made me feel even more lonely. I virtually forced him to come to me that night.”
“Do I really need to hear this?”
“He never made it. Ice on the motorway. His mother called me a few days later.”
“Jesus, Sally. No wonder you’re imagining things. It’s guilt, that’s all.”
“So that’s it, Mr Freud? I really am just imagining it? Going mad”
“I wouldn’t say going mad exactly. I mean it’s understandable. You had a terrible shock. You were missing Frank - can’t understand that bit, but there you are – and you called him to you. And because of that he died. It doesn’t make it your fault. Not really. I can’t imagine he was the greatest driver in the world.”
“He’s here, Tom. In this restaurant. I can feel it. I can almost see him.”
“The flickering?”
“Yes! Please tell me you’ve seen it too.”
Poor Tom. I think he’s about to deny it. A straight ahead, get the job done sort of guy can’t acknowledge the terrors that shimmer on the edge of his vision. It has to be Sally who is mad, not he. The truth is, neither of them is mad. I would show myself if I could, join them at their table, discuss important matters of life and death. But it doesn’t work that way. That would be like believing in ghosts. Foolish. But the three of us will soon be able to have that discussion face to face. I’m looking forward to it. Come along now, Tom, the second bottle has arrived. Pour her a drink.
“Jesus Christ!”
General consternation sounds like an incompetent military leader, but it is probably the best description for what was happening around Tom and Sally’s table. Tom had lifted the bottle and begun to pour. But he didn’t know his own strength. Or rather he didn’t know mine. His grip on the bottle tightened like a noose until the bottle shattered, showering the unhappy couple with Pinot Grigio and sending splinters of glass everywhere. I’m not exactly a poltergeist, they don’t exist by the way, but I made sure some of the glass went where it needed to. A freak accident is how it was later described by those who were there and therefore must know. The first shard sliced through Tom’s shirt and severed the carotid artery. There was more blood than Pinot. In less than a minute he was what people call dead, although we know better, don’t we?
Sally’s demise was even swifter. A shiver of glass pierced her eye and came to rest deep in her brain.
About the Author:Alec has had a number of careers, some of them still ongoing. After a brief spell with the BBC 2 arts programme, "Late Night Line-Up", he moved on to Radios 1 and 2 where he produced "Night Ride", giving Genesis their first national broadcast.
Alec went on to become an award-winning radio drama director and creator of radio documentaries and features, one of which required him to spend a week with the French Foreign Legion!
During that time, he also wrote and directed two musicals for radio, "Misrule", starring Max Wall, and "Gilgamesh", with Ian Holm; the latter was the BBC's entry for the Prix Futura award in Berlin.
After leaving the BBC,Alec was commissioned to write and produce a double CD tribute to Princess Diana. Within days of its release in America it had sold over 100,000 copies. As a result, he won the prestigious international Audi award for best creative work.
Since then, Alec has produced hundreds of audiobooks, adapted TV and movie soundtracks for audio release, and was even commissioned to write two new 'Thomas the Tank Engine' stories! He also wrote book and lyrics for 'Muscles the Musical', which was premiered at The Landor theatre in London where the 'House Full' sign was up most nights. There are hopes for a revival in a larger theatre.
Alec's publications have included two anthologies based on Radio 4’s ‘With Great Pleasure’, poems in ‘The Sunday Times’ newspaper and numerous magazine articles, and poems. 'For Her Bones' is his first fiction book. He is thinking about his next one.
https://alecreidwriter.com/
https://www.facebook.com/alec.reid.73/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20849030.Alec_Reid
A Bewitching Monday
21st Century Ghost Stories... Humour Makes It Better
For Her Bones by Alec Reid #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/hSG550GY8k6
Author Interview - The Fata Morgana Series by Jo-Anne Blanco #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/wa5N50GY8oG
The Golden Hook The Green Sky Series Book Two by Jennae Vale - Time Travel Romance - Swashbuckling pirates plus time travel equals adventure and romance on the high seas. #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/68hi50GY8rO
Scattered Legacy by Marlene M. Bell #Mystery #Suspense #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/ACwW50GY8mE
Book Tour - For Her Bones by Alec Reid #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/q2hA50GY8lG
Conspiracy of Cats by B C Harris #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/7auP50GY8j8
Book Spotlight & #Giveaway ~ The Golden Hook (The Green Sky Series, Book Two) by Jennae Vale @jennaevale #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/jSfY50GY8r2
Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas by Lucius Beauchamp
https://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/202...
For Her Bones by Alec Reid #Horror
https://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/202...
Conspiracy of Cats by B C Harris
https://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/202...
November 26, 2021
A Bewitching Friday
PNR Author Jennae Vale: TOP three things about putting together a book + giveaway #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/yegr50GX4H8
INTERVIEW with B.C. HARRIS (Conspiracy of Cats)
#bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/1hNY50GX4rp
She Died on a Monday by Kevin McLeod
#bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/lIoT50GX4Bx
SPOTLIGHT: BEYOND ATLANTIS with author LUCIUS BEAUCHAMP #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/su4R50GX4oM
In the Kitchen with Kevin McLeod- Chicken Curry Recipe #InTheKitchen #ChickenCurry #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5rOX50GVmNl
Arts & Crafts with Jennae Vale #TimeTravelRomance #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/7NTF50GVmON
5 Things A Beginning Writer Should Know With Marlene M. Bell #Mystery #Suspense #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/qpbi50GVmM5
Meet the Author BC Harris
https://youtu.be/B9R3FlNSPwc
Enter to win A signed and dedicated copy of Conspiracy of Cats, plus a ‘cat’ cushion made and hand made by the author.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
She’s a mediocre witch…and an even worse shifter.
Shifting Summer: Mane Shift Book 2 by Laura Bickle
https://amzn.to/2YqYHm3
#NewRelease #OnSale #UrbanFantasy #Shifter #ShifterFantasy #Witches #Shifters #LauraBickle #NewBook #AmReading #WhatToRead
REVIEW - Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas by Lucius Beauchamp
https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/20...
Scattered Legacy by Marlene M. Bell #Mystery #Suspense
http://www.roxannerhoads.com/2021/11/...
November 24, 2021
A Bewitching Wednesday
In the Kitchen with Kevin McLeod- Chicken Curry Recipe #InTheKitchen #ChickenCurry #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5rOX50GVmNl
Arts & Crafts with Jennae Vale #TimeTravelRomance #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/7NTF50GVmON
5 Things A Beginning Writer Should Know With Marlene M. Bell #Mystery #Suspense #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/qpbi50GVmM5
INTERVIEW - MYSTERY - CONSPIRACY OF CATS by B. C. Harris #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/QcEE50GVmIM
INTERVIEW - MYSTERY - SCATTERED LEGACY (Annalisse, #3) by Marlene M. Bell #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/NVcb50GUi3i
She’s a mediocre witch…and an even worse shifter.
Shifting Summer: Mane Shift Book 2 by Laura Bickle
https://amzn.to/2YqYHm3
#NewRelease #OnSale #UrbanFantasy #Shifter #ShifterFantasy #Witches #Shifters #LauraBickle #NewBook #AmReading #WhatToRead
Meet the Author BC Harris https://youtu.be/B9R3FlNSPwc
Enter to win A signed and dedicated copy of Conspiracy of Cats, plus a ‘cat’ cushion made and hand made by the author.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
SPOTLIGHT - FANTASY - BEYOND ATLANTIS: An Epic of the Ancient Americas by Lucius Beauchamp #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/HuMk50GVmKn
Spotlight & Giveaway - The Golden Hook by Jennae Vale #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5qtZ50GVmRm
A Beautiful House, A Horrible Death, A Brilliant Revenge
B C Harris
Genre: Contemporary fiction, paranormal, murder mystery
Publisher: Olympia Publishers, London
Date of Publication: 26th August 2021
ISBN: 978-1-80074-032-7
ASIN: B09CGHZ7K7
Number of pages: 325
Word Count: 123,121
Cover Artist: Olympia Publishers, London
Book Description:
CONSPIRACY OF CATS… a supernatural murder mystery.
An apprehensive Jos Ferguson travels from Edinburgh to Northern Tanzania to visit the house her Uncle Peter built before he died. But Peter isn’t as dead as he should be… he was murdered, and he wants his niece to help him exact revenge upon his killer. With a little Maasai magic and a conspiracy of cats, Jos sets out to do exactly that.
A beautiful house. A horrible death. A brilliant revenge.
Who knew death could be so lively?
https://amzn.to/3nfv9Qv
#ConspiracyOfCats #savefatcatgus #OMGthosecats #Supernatural #murdermystery #Africa #Tanzania #MountKilimanjaro #BigCats #Edinburgh #ScottishAuthor #Scotland
November 23, 2021
A Bewitching Tuesday
INTERVIEW - MYSTERY - SCATTERED LEGACY (Annalisse, #3) by Marlene M. Bell #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/NVcb50GUi3i
Interview and Giveaway Conspiracy of Cats by B C Harris - Contemporary fiction, paranormal, murder mystery - #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/aN4650GUi1t
The Golden Hook by Jennae Vale [Tour with Excerpt] #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/mfZq50GUi6U
Playlist- Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas by Lucius Beauchamp
https://www.bewitchingbooktours.com/s...
She’s a mediocre witch…and an even worse shifter.
Shifting Summer: Mane Shift Book 2 by Laura Bickle
https://amzn.to/2YqYHm3
#NewRelease #OnSale #UrbanFantasy #Shifter #ShifterFantasy #Witches #Shifters #LauraBickle #NewBook #AmReading #WhatToRead
Conspiracy of Cats by B C Harris Virtual Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/jT2b50GUhYF
Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/BkZQ50GUi00
Guest Blog- The Golden Hook by Jennae Vale #TimeTravelRomance #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/B9Ti50GThaL
Author Interview- She Died on a Monday by Kevin McLeod #ParanormalLoveStory #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/G1l850GTh83
November 22, 2021
A Bewitching Monday
Guest Blog- The Golden Hook by Jennae Vale #TimeTravelRomance #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/B9Ti50GThaL
Author Interview- She Died on a Monday by Kevin McLeod #ParanormalLoveStory #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/G1l850GTh83
That Magic Mischief by Susanna Allen [Tour with Excerpt] #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/Oz6W50GTh9a
Beyond Atlantis: An Epic of The Ancient Americas by Lucius Beauchamp
https://midnightmusingswithbertena.bl...
She’s a mediocre witch…and an even worse shifter.
Shifting Summer: Mane Shift Book 2 by Laura Bickle
https://amzn.to/2YqYHm3
#NewRelease #OnSale #UrbanFantasy #Shifter #ShifterFantasy #Witches #Shifters #LauraBickle #NewBook #AmReading #WhatToRead
Spotlighting Scattered Legacy by Marlene M. Bell #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/Ci1K50GTh6q
Conspiracy of Cats by B C Harris #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/yNuo50GTh59
November 19, 2021
A Bewitching Friday
Please Welcome Susanna Allen as She Tells Us About Her Paranormal Contemporary Romance, That Magic Mischief #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/JkgN50GRKzL
The Golden Hook by Jennae Vale #TimeTravelRomance #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/Oacl50GRKJO
She Died on a Monday by Kevin McLeod #ParanormalLoveStory #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/w8rw50GPFWQ
She’s a mediocre witch…and an even worse shifter.
Shifting Summer: Mane Shift Book 2 by Laura Bickle
https://amzn.to/2YqYHm3
#NewRelease #OnSale #UrbanFantasy #Shifter #ShifterFantasy #Witches #Shifters #LauraBickle #NewBook #AmReading #WhatToRead
Practical Advice for Beginning Fiction Writers with Jennae Vale #TimeTravelRomance #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/kQbk50GQHhM
She Died on a Monday by Kevin McLeod #ParanormalLoveStory
https://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com...
She Died on a Monday by Kevin McLeod #ParanormalLoveStory
She Died on a MondayKevin McLeod
Genre: Love Story, paranormalDate of Publication: 20/09/2021ISBN: 979-8469680987ASIN: B09DYZ1D4WNumber of pages: 50Word Count: 8886Cover Artist: Theresa Bills
Tagline: What do we do when everything changes in an instant?
Book Description:
Picture the kind of enduring love that most of us would wish for; the kind of elderly, married couple we might see on the street, or in a café, so in tune with each other that it’s hard to imagine one without the other.
John and Elizabeth have a love like that, but John’s world is suddenly shattered when Elizabeth is brutally taken from him. For some people it can feel as though it’s just too difficult to go on when one half of you is missing. How will John cope with his broken heart? Who, or what, can help him?
Kevin McLeod is a best-selling children’s author, but this is his first adult short story, inspired by the love his grandparents shared. Kevin writes beautifully, in heart-rending detail, about the numbness, shock, and crushing grief that John faces. He explores challenges that we will all face when someone we love dies, made all the more poignant by his tender evocation of a long and happy marriage.
‘She Died On A Monday’ is a story of love and loss that you’ll want to read time and again, to enjoy each perfect detail and the clever twists and turns. But, be warned, you might just cry every time that you do.
Amazon
Excerpt:
She died on a Monday. No long lingering illness. No last words, just there, then gone. One minute they were sharing breakfast, the next his world collapsed. She was falling too fast and he was moving too slow. Later, the doctor would tell him that it didn't matter how fast he had moved. He couldn't have saved her. Like that makes it ok. As if that would make him feel better. It mattered to him. He should have caught her and helped her; instead he had moved in slow motion as the love of his life, his very reason for living, disappeared in front of his eyes.
There was no warning. She had been healthy and happy. Ten minutes before she died, they had been discussing what to do after breakfast. He remembered scoffing at her suggestion that they should visit his sister. He tried to remember the last words he had said to her. Finally, they came back to him. Is there any toast? Such a normal question, but now it seemed so stupid, so banal. If he had known they were going to be his last words to her he would have said something meaningful, something profound.
Later, the doctor would tell him that it had been an aneurysm in her brain and that she had felt no pain. Should this comfort him? If it was supposed to, it didn't. Somehow the suddenness made it worse. Neither of them had been prepared for this. The numbness he felt began cocooning him in his own sorrow.
At some point, he didn't remember when, his daughter arrived. She was talking to the medical crew. She turned and began to talk to him. He couldn't make out the words. The lines of her face were blurred by his tears and her words were unable to penetrate an overwhelming numbness.
They took his wife's body away, carted it off on a trolley like she was nothing. He wanted to yell at them, to make them do this terrible thing in some different way. Instead, he sat and watched while his daughter hugged him. He was vaguely aware he wasn't hugging her back, his arms unwilling to move.
He found himself on the couch, unaware of how he had come to be there. His daughter was on the phone and his son had arrived. His son was looking in drawers and speaking, but he couldn't make sense of it. He heard the word funeral and slowly his brain began to understand. His son was looking for the funeral plan papers. He managed to tell him where to find them. His voice was quiet, broken, as he mumbled through the words. His son put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. A simple act of love from a son to his father. He put his hand over his son’s. No words were said.
He couldn't accept it, wouldn't accept it. His wife couldn't be dead. They had so many plans. So much to do. How could she be gone? They were due to go on holiday next month. It was all paid for and arranged. She had been looking forward to it. They both had. Now, they would never get to see those views, or take that boat trip. The same one they had taken on their first holiday together.
After a few hours of helping and being there for him, his son and daughter left. His daughter had asked to stay with him tonight, or for him to come with her, but he wanted to be alone. He managed to thank them for helping, while ushering them towards the door. He shut the door, instantly becoming aware of the silence. It crashed into him like a wave. There were no sounds coming from the kitchen, or from the radio in the living room. She always liked to listen to the same channel, keeping it on for some background noise. He walked to the living room and switched on the radio, as if this would bring her back. Feeling foolish, he turned it off again.
He lay down on the couch and cried himself to sleep.
'John, wake up, it's time to get up.'
He heard her voice so clearly that he woke with a start and sat up straight. Confusion took over as he tried to work out whether it had been a dream or if he had actually heard her voice. He looked to the large window, the one with her favourite view over the city from their fourth-floor apartment. It was one of the reasons they had bought this place, she loved that view. It must be late, as darkness had replaced light while he was sleeping. He turned on a lamp and went to shut the curtains. He froze, as just for a second, he swore that he saw her behind him. He turned to the living room but found only emptiness.
He drew the curtains and went to the kitchen. The clock on the wall told him it was a quarter past ten at night. He hadn't eaten all day and knew that he should. He went to the fridge and found a sandwich that his daughter must have made for him. He sat at the table, the same table where she had died, and stared at her empty space. Slowly, he ate the sandwich, tasting nothing.
He walked through the hall to their bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he stared at her side. Suddenly he felt it, her touch. He couldn't explain it, but he felt her. She was here, she was with him. But, as quickly as the sensation came, it left. His mind was playing tricks on him. It surely was understandable; he was processing the enormity of what had happened. He didn't bother to undress. Lying down on the bed, on top of the covers, he curled into the foetal position and began to cry.
She died on a Monday.
About the Author:
Kevin McLeod is the international best selling author of The Viking’s Apprentice series. He has written 4 books in this series and now takes a step into a different genre with ‘She Died on a Monday’
Kevin is 46, lives in Hamilton in Scotland with his two daughters and his dog, Tiger. Kevin is a keen cook and loves the outdoors. He loves spending time with his friends and family.
Kevin began writing professionally in 2013 with the release of his first book, The Viking’s Apprentice. After his huge success in middle grade fiction he has moved into a more adult genre and looks forward to writing many more stories in the years to come.
https://twitter.com/bannon1975
https://www.instagram.com/kevinmcleodauthor/
https://www.amazon.com/Kevin-McLeod/e/B00C8QN416
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7031977.Kevin_McLeod
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