L.G. Surgeson's Blog, page 3
March 11, 2017
March 10, 2017
The Shield of Soren by D.M. Cain
From the pen of D.M. Cain:
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I’m so excited to share with you the cover for my upcoming release! This next installment in The Light and Shadow Chronicles is called The Shield of Soren. Set thirty years before the events of A Chronicle of Chaos, this novel covers the story of mischievous trouble maker, ten-year-old Soren Nitaya and the events that change the way he will see the world forever.
BLURB
The Shield of Soren
Ten-year-old Soren Nitaya’s marked talent makes him the youngest soldier ever to become an apprentice to the legendary warrior, Raven Lennox. As a prince of Alcherys, he will be expected to fight in the eternal war against the Brotherhood of Shadow when he reaches sixteen.
But is the young prince up to the task when he’s more interested in causing mischief than in mastering weapons?
When one of Soren’s adventures goes off course, he unwittingly unleashes a deadly threat. It appears that an age-old prophecy is finally coming to pass, and Soren and his family must take a perilous journey deep into their enemy’s land. Does Soren have what it takes to save his country before the Brotherhood destroys everyone and everything he loves?
The Shield of Soren EXCERPT
With a loud clang of metal slamming into metal, the final bolt was undone. Reign slowly pulled the door open, and Vincent found his breath catching in his throat.
High-pitched whimpering came from the tiny bundle of rags cowering at the back of the cage. Her long silver hair parted for a moment and Vincent could see her wide, silver eyes, terrified and innocent. Vincent’s skin prickled with discomfort. He hoped that Reign had a damned good reason for capturing a small child like this.
Beside the glass cage were two oil lamps, both resting unlit. Reign reached up and took one down. Then, in a single savage moment, he slammed the lamp onto the floor of her cage. The girl screamed in terror and covered her head with her hands, but he hadn’t been aiming for her.
The shattered glass gave way to a stream of oil that spread out in a pool across the floor. This seemed to scare the girl even more, and she began to cry quietly, sobbing into her clenched hands.
Reign looked back at Vincent. Excitement flashed in his eyes as he drew a match from a box in his pocket. A small flare of light, a flicker of sulphur and a small flame danced on top of the match. With another laugh, Reign tossed the match into the glass cage.
Vincent gasped as the oil ignited in a rush of intense heat. The entire floor of the cage burst into flames. Vincent tried to rush forwards to save the girl from a fiery death, but the heat was too intense. A hand tapped incessantly at his shoulder, and he tried to brush it away, but Reign grabbed hold of his hand.
“Look! Look!” Reign shouted excitedly, pointing at the cage.
When his eyes fell upon the cage, Vincent froze to the spot, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets. “But…how?”
The girl, who Vincent had assumed would be burning in agony, was somehow floating above the flames, hovering at the top of her cage. From her back sprouted two enormous wings of the purest white feathers Vincent had ever seen. The two beautiful white fans could only just fit within the confines of the cage, and as she beat them to stay afloat they fanned the flames beneath her.
It wasn’t just her wings that dazzled Vincent with their purity. Her whole body had adopted an ethereal, almost ghostly, silver aura, her hair shimmering with radiance. She didn’t seem too frightened any more, but there was a definite hint of sadness in her gentle eyes.
Vincent studied her carefully, struggling to catch his breath, which he hadn’t realised he had been holding. “What is she?” he managed to croak.
Reign grinned and draped an arm across Vincent’s shoulder. “She, my friend, is an angel.”
D.M. CAIN BIO
D.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author working for Creativia Publishing. The Light and Shadow Chronicles series features a range of books which can be read in any order. The first of these to be written was A Chronicle of Chaos. The Shield of Soren will be released in March 2017. She is currently working on the next novel in the Light and Shadow Chronicles series, The Sins of Silas, as well as two complementary novellas entitled Genesis of Light and Origin of Shadow.
Cain has released one stand-alone novel: The Phoenix Project, a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The Phoenix Project was the winner of the 2016 Kindle Book Review Best Sci-Fi novel Award.
D.M. Cain is also a member of the International Thriller Writers and one of the creators and administrators of the online author group #Awethors. Her short story The End was published in Awethology Dark: an anthology by the #Awethors.
Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her husband and young son, and spends her time reading, writing and reviewing books, playing RPGs and listening to symphonic metal.
LINKS
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/DMCainauthor
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dmcain84/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMCain84
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/dmcain
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/XevZH
Website: www.dmcain84.com
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DMCain/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/DMCain
March 8, 2017
March 5, 2017
January 13, 2017
Something Nice
I *almost* made the Unknown World Review this year.
Here’s what the nice lady said about me and my writing:
This year, the World Unknown Review received well over 100 submissions, exceeding my expectations beyond belief. Unfortunately, not only did this mean taking more time to review the submissions, but it also meant a lot of really hard decisions, as there’s only space for ten stories each year. Your story, “Plant the Woad by Twilight,” made the short list, but, unfortunately, it did not make the final cut. I’m going to have to pass on publishing it this year.
That said, I really did enjoy it. The language was absolutely enchanting, and it might have worked well as a counterpoint to another story in the journal that painted witchery in a less flattering light, but I ultimately felt the story wasn’t present enough, It’s strength lied in the description and the perspective and methods. Not to say there wasn’t a story and an interesting character to relate to, because there was, but I just craved a little more connection there. I wish you luck in placing them elsewhere, as it truly was an exceptional story, and I hope you’ll consider submitting again to us for future editions.
January 11, 2017
Coming Soon… from Paul White
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Life in the War Zone is not a ‘WAR’ story.
It is a collection of poignant, eye opening stories and articles, written primarily as fictional accounts, yet based on true experiences of people living and working in major war zones around the globe. Each story and article has been formed from interviews, discussions, reports and dialogues from those directly involved and affected by conflict.
Here, with ‘Life in the War Zone’, Paul White has gently coaxed from the depths of people’s hearts the truth of how destructive and debilitating the effects of war are to individuals, families and entire communities.
Each tale reflects true events; Paul has managed to elicit the emotions, the feelings and the inner anxieties of those whose accounts are represented here.
Yet he has also found stories of great courage, fortitude and resilience of human spirit strewn amongst the detritus of war.
Whilst these stories are particular to the individuals to whom they belong, the sad fact is they can easily be told by so many.
This book may be finished, but sadly the strife continues.
OUT ON 11th FEBRUARY as Amazon Paperback or eBook direct
December 23, 2016
Synopsis
When the perfect job comes up, Charlie doesn’t ...
Synopsis
When the perfect job comes up, Charlie doesn’t think twice about taking it. This is the break he’s been looking for and nobody, not even the rest of his team, can persuade him otherwise.
The job means working for an old enemy and crossing the border into London. Both are risky, but Charlie has no idea how high the stakes really are. The team will have to confront their past, each other and a killer who is closer than they realize. But can they all make it out of the city alive?
“We all remember that kid in Piccadilly. That determined look he had on his face as he willed all those people to him. Just using his mind, he pulled them close then blew them all to pieces. It could be anyone. Your neighbour, your friend, your lover. Remain vigilant. Reachers are everywhere.”
Border Lines is the second book in L.E. Fitzpatrick’s Reachers series.
Buy Links
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9C0VCJ/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N9C0VCJ/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01N9C0VCJ/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01N9C0VCJ/
Start with Book One, The Running Game
Rachel’s father called it the running game. Count the exits, calculate the routes, and always be ready to run.
On the surface, Rachel is just an ordinary doctor, but she has a secret. Rachel is a Reacher, wanted by the government and the criminal underworld for her telekinetic powers.
Charlie and his brother John have a reputation for doing the impossible. But after losing his family, Charlie is a broken mess and John is barely keeping him afloat. In desperation, they take a job from a ruthless crime lord, only to discover the girl they are hunting is a Reacher… one of their own kind.
With the help of dangerous and dubious allies, can Rachel turn the game around and save herself?
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIGM1X8/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GIGM1X8/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01GIGM1X8/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01GIGM1X8/
About the author
L E Fitzpatrick was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, but now lives in West Wales, with her family plus lots of dogs and cats. She manages an office, volunteers as a room steward for the National Trust and also supports independent authors as a proofreader and beta reader. She obviously has no spare time because of this, but if she did it would probably be invested in walking in the countryside and enjoying the peace and quiet.
L E Fitzpatrick published her first series Dark Waters in 2011 and is currently working on her Reacher series.
Social Links
Website: http://l-e-fitzpatrick.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lefitzpatrickbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/L_E_Fitzpatrick
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/L_E_Fitzpatrick
December 10, 2016
Festival of Lights
It’s time again for the Festival of Lights. The City of Aberddu will be illuminated with thousands of candles, magical fires with shoot into the sky, braziers will burn and the city will glow. Join us all and celebrate the turn of the year.
November 14, 2016
Gems of Gratitude: Stories of Thankfulness
Gems of Gratitude
Releasing November 14th, 2016
Author List:
Alana Madden
Chrissy Moon
Christie Stratos
Elizabeth Horton-Newton
Karen J. Mossman
LG Surgeson
Lily Luchesi
Markie Madden
Jennifer Roche
From the Gems of Strength authors comes the second book in the Gems of Sisterhood series! The theme of this book is, of course, gratitude!
Meet Detective Cara Solino, a young woman following in her father’s footsteps. Can she solve the case he was unable to?
Find out how Chloe’s mother discovers a way to keep her daughter’s dream alive under the worst possible circumstances!
Read about young Lady Iona, widowed by the Summer of Fire, as she struggles to give her daughter a fighting chance in a harsh world.
Cheer on Sharliss as she finally takes control of her own life, and becomes a better person. Meet Julie, who gathers information on history, and Jody, an elderly dog whose time to cross The Rainbow Bridge is near. These stories and more are within these pages, just waiting for YOU!
Purchase Gems Of Gratitude via:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/661657
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=l6PqDAAAQBAJ
Google Books: https://books.google.com/books/about?id=l6PqDAAAQBAJ&hl=en
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/…/gems-of-gratitude/id1148485893…
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L7KT06Q
Join the event on Facebook and enter the GRAND PRIZE!
Check out some teasers for a few of the stories featured in the anthology below.
November 11, 2016
For the Fallen
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We Will Remember Them.
WW1: 17 Million dead
WW2: over 60 million dead (nearly 3% of the world population of the time)
Generations of young men, called up to a life that could not have imagined. Convinced by propaganda that they were doing the right thing. Killed in their prime, brothers fathers, sons lost to society. Poor training, lack of equipment, and total chaos. They must have been terrified but they fought anyway because they had little or no choice.
They did their best and gave everything for our freedom.
These are HEROES
It seemed that out of the battle I escaped
Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped
Through granites which Titanic wars had groined.
Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned,
Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.
Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared
With piteous recognition in fixed eyes,
Lifting distressful hands as if to bless.
And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall;
By his dead smile, I knew we stood in Hell.
With a thousand fears that vision’s face was grained;
Yet no blood reached there from the upper ground,
And no guns thumped, or down the flues made moan.
“Strange, friend,” I said, “Here is no cause to mourn.”
“None,” said the other, “Save the undone years,
The hopelessness. Whatever hope is yours,
Was my life also; I went hunting wild
After the wildest beauty in the world,
Which lies not calm in eyes, or braided hair,
But mocks the steady running of the hour,
And if it grieves, grieves richlier than here.
For by my glee might many men have laughed,
And of my weeping something has been left,
Which must die now. I mean the truth untold,
The pity of war, the pity war distilled.
Now men will go content with what we spoiled.
Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled.
They will be swift with swiftness of the tigress,
None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress.
Courage was mine, and I had mystery;
Wisdom was mine, and I had mastery;
To miss the march of this retreating world
Into vain citadels that are not walled.
Then, when much blood had clogged their chariot-wheels
I would go up and wash them from sweet wells,
Even with truths that lie too deep for taint.
I would have poured my spirit without stint
But not through wounds; not on the cess of war.
Foreheads of men have bled where no wounds were.
I am the enemy you killed, my friend.
I knew you in this dark; for so you frowned
Yesterday through me as you jabbed and killed.
I parried; but my hands were loath and cold.
Let us sleep now . . .”
by Wilfred Owen
(died 4th November 1918 – 7 days before the Armistice)
