A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 43
June 6, 2023
Swift Six Author Interview – Cyndi Brec #FantasyRomance #YAFantasy
Name: Cyndi Brec
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Cyndi Brec is a debut author of The Secrets Beneath Scars, book one of the Marked for Life series. Also, author of Scarred Secrets and Scarred Lies—short stories, prequels. She’s completed the second novel and plans to tie up the third in the series.
Cyndi is represented by Jonas Saul from Imagine Media Group Literary Management. Publicist Cristina Deptula at Authors Large and Small.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre, etc (short)
The Secrets Beneath Scars is a young adult fantasy romance
When did you start your writing adventure?
Oh, that is an easy question. I began writing The Secrets Beneath Scars several years ago as a hobby; now, it’s a deep passion.
What was the inspiration for it?
I’m an avid reader of several genres, a history lover, and a dreamer. Even more so, I appreciate mythological stories that stretch across civilizations that have been told for centuries. I like tweaking those stories, coming up with a different backstory that enriches the legend, and throwing in a character that has to fight against the odds and come out the victor. That’s what has fueled a desire to tell Callie’s story.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
Once this series is completed, I’ve tossed around the idea of writing other books related to my character and historical fantasy.
What do you like to read?
Historical romance, fantasy, mystery, some cozy, and especially Christian romance books.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Finish the novel and then edit
Author bio
Cyndi Brec is a debut author of The Secrets Beneath Scars, book one of the Marked for Life series.
An Ohio native, Cyndi lives with her best friend, her husband, her two crazy-fun-loving kids, and her embarrassingly energetic dogs, who find unending trouble.
Her experience as a Recreational Therapy Technician for the Geriatric psych and mentally challenged, her love of travel, and creative story building has given her many facets to draw from when world-building.
Cyndi never thought of herself as an author, more of a storyteller. Her love of history was part of the driving force in writing the series, but more so, mythological stories that stretched across civilizations and time. The secrets hidden within those mythical tales cultivated an unending list of questions and inspired Callie’s story.
Book blurb
In the Shadows of back alleys, a charismatic schemer gives orders to kill—death is his weapon.
In an underground, dark vaulted library, a rare mystical feathered creature stalks bookshelves, hunting mysterious legends for critical information.
And in the heartland of Ohio, a young girl finds herself left injured, scarred, and alone in a world that makes less sense with every passing day.
Meet Callie, plagued by visions—the only thing she fears more than her cursed powers is someone discovering them. Desperate for answers, Callie’s world collides with Trystan’s when she uncovers a deadly conspiracy and an unlikely ally. As it turns out, Trystan’s secrets are chained to hers. But trusting him means exposing her scars.
Trystan protects the knowledge of the Theran world—a world cloaked in archaeological mystery. It’s off-limits to humans, and secrets stab deep when she realizes her entire life is a lie.
But what if the truth is worse than the lie? What if nothing is as it seems …
Links/Social media
Tweets by CyndiBrec
June 2, 2023
Book Spotlight – Steel Princess – April Grace #Fantasy #YAFantasy
Title: Steel Princess
Author: April Grace
Genre: YA fantasy
Main character description (short). Waist length silver hair, blue eyes, petite figure, cotton tops and leather trousers.
Synopsis: TWO WORLDS: ONE OF MAGIC, ONE OF STEEL.
She just wants to belong.
Determined to fit in and connect with her human friends, android Silver has always felt like an outsider within her human travelling community. In Elysia, humans are seen as outsiders, their steel queen claiming every last one of them as rebels. They’ve always been on the run. Like her mother, Silver just wants to help others.
But when cruel Queen Magnolia’s soldiers come looking for their missing princess, who was stolen by rebels when she was only three years old, Silver begins to unravel an endless string of secrets woven into the family she has always cared for. Could her parents have stolen her from the Elysian palace when she was small? Worse, could she be the princess they’re looking for?
After journeying to their Northern Mountain Sanctuary where her parents were born, Silver finds a new purpose:
She must kill the cruel queen and take her throne before she destroys them all.
He only longs to know who he really is.
Tinker Eden has only ever known life in the palace lab. Taken from his home in the Northern Mountain Sanctuary when he was only three years old and brought to the palace, he spends his days working under close supervision of Master Lennox, building, rebuilding and repairing the Elysian royals until his fingers bleed. He knows nothing of his parents or their lives, and remembers barely a thing of his childhood, leaving far too many questions about his own life unanswered.
So when Master Lennox’s assistant reveals he’s been working with a community outside of Elysia and sends him to the Sanctuary where he was born to work on the missing princess, Eden seeks the opportunity to return home and learn more about where he came from.
When Silver and Eden meet, their connection is clear, but things don’t always go to plan. Kidnapped by pirates while searching for his parents at the Elysian harbour, Eden finds himself caught up in an adventure across the seas to Elysia’s magical enemy Kingdom of Panyria, who have plans to infiltrate the steel queendom.
He discovers a world full of magic, new friends, and the family he’s always wished he had.
Both only want to make the world a fairer place for everyone.
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
It’s a fantasy story with a futuristic touch. Fast paced, and full of magic: sirens, mermaids, pirates, androids and cyborgs and more.
Link to Steel Princess on Amazon
June 1, 2023
Release Blitz – Curve Appeal #Romance #EroticRomance
NEW RELEASE from Lucy Felthouse – Curve Appeal, a standalone contemporary reverse harem/why choose romance! (@cw1985) #reverseharem #whychoose #rh #rhromance #eroticromance #bbw #curvyheroine #rubenesque
Blurb:
An exciting opportunity could solve all Brianna’s problems. But will it ultimately create more?
Brianna Denton is a primary school teacher at the end of her tether. Budget cuts, changes in legislation and a pandemic have left her feeling like walking away from the only career she’s ever wanted. The trouble is, if she did quit, what would she do next? Living in London is expensive, and keeping on top of her rent and bills while retraining would be nigh-on impossible. An offer to move in with her best friend, Joel Harris, is appreciated, but feels way too much like charity for her liking.
But then Joel throws her a curveball. On a complete whim, he’s bought a fixer-upper cottage on a remote Scottish island. He wants to transform it into an uber-luxury holiday home and rent it out. To do that, however, he needs a skilled, reliable workforce and a project manager to keep things running smoothly. A visit to the island in question provides as many questions as answers, but one thing becomes clear – Brianna is the perfect woman for the job. She’s smart, organised, works well under duress, and if she can handle a classroom full of young children, surely a bunch of skilled tradesmen won’t be a problem. Working and living in such a stunning setting is a massive plus point, too.
Brianna takes a leap of faith, leaving her home and beloved career behind to help turn Joel’s dream into a reality. It’s a steep learning curve, but Brianna is definitely up for the challenge. But when working relationships develop into something more, will it bring the entire project crashing down around her ears, or is it simply the beginning of a whole new life?
Available from (will be in Kindle Unlimited for 90 days, then be released on all other retailers): https://books2read.com/curveappeal
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/134717777-curve-appeal
Add to BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/curve-appeal-by-lucy-felthouse
*****
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Brianna smiled as she caught sight of Joel, already waiting for her outside the pub. His job as a high-flying London City banker meant he put in some insane hours at work, but he ensured he was always available and on time for their last-Friday-of-the-month meet up at their favourite Thames-side establishment. Not only was it a lovely place, but the location was perfect for them both—it was just far away enough from Joel’s work it was unlikely he’d bump into any colleagues, and close enough to the primary school Brianna taught in that she could tie up any loose ends and scurry the short distance to meet her friend in no time at all. Today she’d had quite a few loose ends, which always seemed to be the way lately, and was a few minutes later than she’d planned, so was scurrying more quickly than usual, not wanting to keep him waiting any longer than necessary.
He hadn’t spotted her yet—he was leaning against the wall, one expensively-shod foot propped up on the bricks behind him, his head tilted up to the early spring sunshine, which even this late in the day was surprisingly strong and picked up the few lighter strands in his dark hair. He’d removed his tie—knowing him, the moment he set foot outside his office building—the end of which poked from the pocket of his black trousers, and rolled up the cuffs of his subtly-patterned shirt to expose most of his forearms. The look was casual, relaxed. Handsome.
In a parallel universe, she and Joel might be a couple, off travelling the world together, or perhaps married and getting ready to settle down and have a couple of kids. Maybe they’d have started early and had the kids already. And a dog.
In this universe, however, they were best friends—had been since their first day of senior school at the tender age of eleven. And while Brianna thought Joel handsome, it was in an impartial, stating a fact way. She wasn’t attracted to him, and it wouldn’t have made a difference if she was, because in this universe, Joel was as gay as they came—a fact she hadn’t realised she’d already known, until at eighteen he’d sat her down, his expression serious, and said he had something to tell her.
Her heart had pounded, and a sick feeling had taken over her stomach. Thoughts started racing through her head—was one of his parents ill? Was he ill? Was he moving away? Unable to cope with the internal onslaught of negativity any longer, she’d said, “For Christ’s sake, Joel, spill the beans, would you? You’re freaking me the fuck out.”
His seriousness had morphed briefly to annoyance, then resignation. He’d taken in and released a deep breath, then, “Bree, I wanted you to be the first to know… I’m gay.”
A sound somewhere between a squeak and a giggle had escaped her lips before she could stop it. She’d clapped her hand over her mouth for a second, then removed it and burst out with “Oh, you idiot!” before landing a playful slap on his arm. “Is that all? I thought you were going to say something bad. That something terrible was going on. Thank God.”
Joel had frowned. “So you… don’t mind?” He’d paused, narrowed his eyes. “You don’t seem surprised.”
She’d shaken her head. “Of course I don’t mind. Why the hell would I mind? I’m not a homophobe. If blokes float your boat, so be it. As long as you’re happy, I couldn’t give a toss. And, for the record…” it had been her turn to pause, “I think I’ve known for years.” She nodded as long-forgotten jigsaw pieces began slotting together in her head, then shrugged. “Yeah. I have. Years.”
And now, twenty years later, their friendship had endured—flourished, even. Weathered storms, and basked in sunlight—much as Joel continued to do as she grew closer. Her smile widened, and she was glad she had on flat shoes—not only did it make both her job and the short walk from the school easier, it also meant she had a good chance of creeping up on Joel, maybe scaring the shit out of him as he sunned himself. They might be approaching forty, but when they were together, they often acted as immature and idiotic as they had when they’d first met. Yes, they were getting older, but they sure as shit weren’t growing up.
Respective partners had come and gone, most of them never able to comprehend, much less tolerate, hers and Joel’s unique friendship, but as their jobs, and other friends and family kept them busy and fulfilled, singledom had never particularly concerned either of them. As far as she was concerned, at least, what would be, would be.
She enjoyed the sunshine on her skin as she closed the gap between them, then held her breath as she came within a couple of metres of Joel before flinging herself forward and grabbing onto his nearest finely-muscled arm. “Gotcha!”
He yelped, jumped, snatched his arm away and opened his eyes in a hilarious sequence, then clutched his chest and gave her a good-natured glare, his blue eyes glinting. “Fuck’s sake, Bree! You’re lucky I didn’t swing for you, then. I thought someone was trying to rob me.”
“That’ll teach you to wear ludicrously expensive watches,” she replied with a snicker.
He glanced wryly at his Patek Philippe, then looked back at her with a grin. “Touché. Come on,” he turned around, slipped his arm through hers and led her into the relative gloom of the pub, “for that twattishness, first drink’s on you.”
She couldn’t argue with that reasoning. It was still worth it, though, to see the look of pure panic cross his face. She stifled further giggles, not wanting to inspire her friend to order the most expensive drink he could think of, purely to get his own back. While top of the range watches were easily within his budget, she’d had to save up for a mid-range Fitbit.
A few minutes later, with drinks in hand, they sat down at a table on the terrace overlooking the river and took simultaneous sips of their chosen beverages. Brianna swallowed the mouthful of chilled white wine, then, without meaning to, let out a long, contented sigh.
Joel raised an eyebrow as he swigged his beer, then said, “Sounds as though you needed that. Tough week?”
“Hmm. You could say that.” She fidgeted in her seat, getting the uncomfortable inkling she’d opened a can of worms she’d have preferred was left undisturbed.
“Oh?” His other eyebrow jumped up to join the first. “Do tell.”
She stared out over the river, screwed up her nose and wafted a hand in his vague direction. “No, no, it’s work stuff. Boring, really. Not worth talking about.”
“Bree.” He grabbed her hand, drawing her attention to his face. His expression was earnest, his gaze intense. “Maybe it is boring, but it’s clearly bothering you, so I want to know about it. I’m your best friend, remember? If you can’t tell me, who can you tell?”
She squeezed his hand, then pulled hers away, picked up her glass and took a gulp. Swallowed, then groaned. There was no putting the lid back on the can—she might as well come out with it. “Oh, all right. It’s just… I don’t know… I think I’m getting a bit fed up of teaching.”
Joel spluttered into his pint, drawing querying glances from a few of the people at tables adjacent to theirs. Ignoring them, Joel put his drink down, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and gaped at her as though she’d grown a second head. “What? But you… you love teaching!”
Nodding sadly, she replied, “I do. The teaching part. The kids. But the rest; the planning, the admin, the assessing, the being assessed, being micromanaged, dealing with parents, the endless fucking meetings, the meetings about meetings, the meetings that could have been an email… it’s getting on top of me. It wasn’t too bad before—the joy of being in the classroom far outweighed the rest, but since the pandemic, the shambles that is bloody Brexit and the subsequent government fuckery, things have become steadily worse. Rules being changed, goalposts moving, budgets being squeezed, funding getting cut, costs going up. We’re expected to work more and more hours for the same amount of pay, with fewer support staff, yet still uphold the same insanely high standards and have enough energy and spark to engage and teach a class of primary school kids! It’s becoming completely untenable. And the strike action hasn’t exactly been stress free.”
Joel gave her a sympathetic smile. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better. Why haven’t you mentioned this before now?”
She shrugged. “No point. All the decisions are way above my pay grade, so there’s nothing I can do. I’ve just been soldiering on, hoping things will improve. But right now, I honestly can’t see an end in sight. We’re human beings, not robots, and we’re being treated like shit. We’ve come a long way from being lauded as keyworkers, that’s for bloody certain.” She rolled her lips inward, bit down on them, wondering whether she should let the words on the tip of her tongue come out. She’d barely admitted it to herself, much less anyone else. But this was Joel. He’d have her back no matter what she said.
She took a deep breath, huffed it out again, then looked him in the eye. “I’m thinking of jacking it in at the end of term.”
*****
Author Bio:
Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures, Eyes Wide Open, The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight, Curve Appeal, and The Heiress’s Harem and The Dreadnoughts series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 170 publications to her name. Find out more about her and her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/linktree
Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services .
Celebrate Audiobook Month – NN Light Book Heaven
Are you an audiobook addict? June is audiobook month and there’s a huge event going on at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Celebrate Audiobook Month. 24 audiobooks featured plus a chance to win a $75 Amazon US or CA gift card.
I’m thrilled to be a part of this event. My audiobook, The Last Forest, will be featured on 7th June. Wait until you listen to my audiobook clip. My narrator nails the characters and I’m so proud of it. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
Bookmark this festival and tell your friends:
https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/celebrate-audiobook-month
Check out all the awesome audiobooks.
Swift Six Author Interview – April Grace #YA #Fantasy #FairyTales
Name: April Grace
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I’m April, I live in Milton Keynes, UK, with my partner and, two nights a week, his cheeky boys. I write YA fantasy books with a fairytale edge, and in Steel Princess’s case, a futuristic twist.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Steel Princess is my debut novel. It’s a YA fantasy novel very much inspired by fairytales but with an evil steel queen who hunts humankind for sport, or takes them to use as her prisoners when they run out of the resources used to build more bots. It goes off into two different adventures, following Silver, the stolen heir of the Steel City who didn’t realise she was a princess until the guards found her family and accused them of treason, and Eden, a tinker in the palace who goes off on his own adventure to find his parents, only to be kidnapped by pirates from the magical enemy kingdom. I’m currently writing its sequel, Songbird Heir, which focuses more on the magical side, and some of the world’s history on the other side.
My next release will be a dark retelling of Snow White called The Girl Behind The Glass, if Snow White had a stepsister and a coven of witches to back her up.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I have been writing books since I was a teenager, and I haven’t stopped since. I wrote the original version of Steel Princess when I was fifteen, about a teenage android who wanted to be more like her human friends.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I have a lot of books that I spent years querying that I want to get out there! Steel Princess is going to be the first in a series of four books, with a prequel as well. The Girl Behind The Glass is going to be a part of a duology, and there will also be other fairytale retellings set in the same world, with different characters popping up in different books. I want to show different sides of different characters and kingdoms through these books. So you might love one queen in one story, but they might be the villain in a different book. I also have a couple of Greek myth inspired stories as well. I just want to take the time to make them the best they can possibly be first.
What do you like to read?
YA fantasy, and some thrillers and contemporaries, too.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Write the book you’d want to see on the shelf!
Links/Social media
Website: April-grace.com
Instagram: @aprilgrace1
Twitter & YouTube: @aprilgracereads
TikTok: @aprilgraceauthor
May 29, 2023
Swift Six Author Interview – James Quinlan Meservy #Fantasy #YAFantasy
Name:
James Quinlan Meservy
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Mornin’! I am James Quinlan Meservy, author of the YA Fantasy series, The Realm of the Light.
I graduated from USU with a degree in Anthropology, and minors in Russian and Geology.
Unlike several of my fellow authors, I was not a reader as a child, and I had no interest in becoming a published author. Instead, I watched movies and played video games.
Today I drive a forklift in a warehouse in Southeast Idaho for my day job, and write on the side.
My wife and I live in Southeast Idaho with our six children. When I am not writing or at work, I like to spend time with my family.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
The Realm of the Light Series, which includes The United, The Realm of the Light Book 1, Denizens Among Us, The Realm of the Light Book 2, Perfectly Evil, The Realm of the Light Book 3, Shades of Mortality, The Realm of the Light Book 4, and Within the Shadows, A Rai Saga Anthology Vol 1, is a YA Fantasy series that chronicles the history of the Realm of the Light.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
My actual writing adventure probably started when I was in my mid to late twenties, when I decided I would take some story ideas I had in my head and turn them into a novel. The inspiration for starting the journey was having several ideas and dreams that would not leave me in peace until I wrote them down.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
Right now, finish writing my Dragons’ Deceit book. My creative writing time is limited, and I am staying focused on one project at a time.
What do you like to read?
I enjoy reading Classic Literature, especially Charles Dickens, and I enjoy reading books from fellow Indie Authors.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
That I had? Probably the same that I was given, hire a solid editor, read a lot, and write every day. Advice that I wish I had followed, hire an editor.
Author bio and book synopsis
I am James Quinlan Meservy
Fantasy Author Extraordinaire,
Creator of Creatures,
Embellisher of Events,
And Firebrand
“Stories that Kindle Imagination”
James Quinlan Meservy loves literature! His favorite genre to read is classic literature (Charles Dickens is his favorite author).
He lives in Southeast Idaho with his wife and children, and spent his childhood moving all across northern Utah. He considers his home town to be Mendon, Ut, a small community near Logan, Utah in the Cache Valley.
The United Realm of the Light Book 1
KINGDOMS FALL, ONE DESTINY AT A TIME
Some time ago in a land since long forgotten, an evil force by the name of Lord Yrimwaque – servant of the Threat of Rai – threatens to destroy everything and prepare the world for a harvest. The only thing that stands in his way are three reluctant heroes: Tyler, his girlfriend KimberlyAnn and his best friend Blaze Morrison, who have been recruited by the followers of the Light of Rai. Upon their journey of knowledge, TJ and his friends are forced into an unlikely encounter with a creature of legend, and find themselves in the midst of an ancient battle between the Light of Rai and the Threat of Rai, with our world hanging in the balance. As the Light of Rai teach them to hone their various gifts and talents for the greater good of the kingdom, faith is restored, in the hopes that they will be able to stop Lord Yrimwaque and vanquish the evil horde he desires to unleash upon the land. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the land hangs in the balance, as the lines between good and evil become more skewed. But will all their efforts be enough, or will the kingdom be plunged into darkness forever?
Links/Social media
WordPress:
https://jqmserv.wordpress.com
FB Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/James.Quinlan.Meservy/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JQM_Serv
Pintrest:
https://www.pinterest.com/jqmserv
Instagram link:
https://www.instagram.com/jqmserv
Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/author/jamesmeservy
Goodreads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15205860.James_Quinlan_Meservy
YouTube:
Https://youtube.com/channel/UCA3vFyWQV4CdVp4XWJT3Rkw
May 28, 2023
The Light Keeper – Blog Tour and Giveaway #YAFantasy #Fantasy
The Light Keeper
by Christina Wallace
Genre: Epic YA Fantasy
Wishes aren’t all they’re cracked up to be… especially when you have to capture the Fairies who grant them to you.
Er… make that faeries… and not the normal, hiding-in-plain-sight magical kind.
When a misadventure cleaning out the attic leads Isaac to release a faerie trapped in a glass ball of light, he believes he’s struck gold–in the form of wishes. All he has to do is mention the name that was engraved on the ball, and the indebted faerie would grant him any three wishes he wanted.
The best part of all was knowing that there was an entire chest of captured faeries waiting to be freed…
But when strange things start to happen around town, Isaac begins to wonder if the increasingly unfortunate events are his doing.
Only his mysterious neighbor, Yara, knows the truth about his lineage as a Light Keeper.
Can Yara’s strength and wisdom guide Isaac into his new role?
Can Isaac make things right again?
Or will his dream-come-true turn into his worst nightmare?
**Check out the kickstarter campaign HERE!**
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
Christina Wallace has been many things. A student, an analyst, a wife, a mother, a gamer, and a lifelong writer. For almost as long as she can remember she’s dreamed of people and places that only existed in her mind, and sharing her stories is a dream come true.
Christina writes books not only for middle-grade audiences, but for young and new adults as well. Stories should be an escape. Christina likes to write about people who become their own heroes and take fate into their own hands. Many of her works contain fantastical elements and also a bit of love, but strong friendships are the common thread.
The Light Keeper is Christina’s debut series with more books soon to come. She is thrilled to begin this adventure of her very own as an author.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$30 Amazon
Excerpt Sunday – Tears and Crimson Velvet #HistoricalFantasy #Phantom
Welcome to Excerpt Sunday – here’s another little taster….
Tears and Crimson Velvet – A. L. Butcher
Madame Lise Giry unlaced her shabby black boots and stretched her aching feet onto a threadbare footstool. Her room was cold, the stone walls leeched heat and the hangings did not compensate much. Lise felt cold within – this was the cold of deadly knowledge and sadness. It ate at the soul, and the heart but Lise remained within these walls. She had a duty to do so, but it was not so simple. She had a promise to keep.
The last opera of the season was always the most exhausting; so many expectations, trepidations and often mistakes. Already highly-strung artistes were at breaking point. Even the soloists were not on top form, with Babette tripping during her dance and her partner straining a muscle trying to compensate. The corps de ballet was flighty and nervous, and Lise couldn’t blame them for that. Recent events had brought kidnap, murder and extortion. Lise thought it was like a gothic novel or one of the increasingly popular crime fictions. Yet this was dreadfully real. Terrifying. Tragic. Shaking her grey tinged head Lise let a tear fall now she was alone. She hoped next season would be more settled, at least as far as such things could be in the volatile world of theatre, with its gossip, its affairs, and its micro-world where only those within really understood. Sometimes she’d pondered on retiring and having a ‘normal’ life- whatever that might be, but deep down Lise knew this life and more importantly, this place was in her blood and soul. And there was her gentleman….
“It’s certainly been a more eventful season than usual,” she muttered to the reflection in the looking glass of her room. Madame Giry should not, perhaps, have had this room with its ebony wood and faded silken chaise; the artwork, elderly and rather faded as it was, and the mirror. Yes, the mirror! Rumours abounded about haunted mirrors, and some said they captured the soul. Lise could believe that from all that had happened these last few months. In the charged corridors of the Opera House, it was said Christine’s mirror sang and she had once disappeared through it to a beautiful subterranean palace. Dancers and theatre folk held many superstitions and strange beliefs, but not all were simply foolish tales. Even myth can have a basis in fact.
Lise wiped her eyes. Tragedy walked the passages and stairways of the Opera House. The Angel of Death dwelled here. Lise herself was not a superstitious woman; she’d seen enough to warrant a belief in ghosts, strange goings-on and mystery but knew most often there was a rational explanation. Most often but not always. She’d been raised a Catholic, but these days no answer came from above or her Bible. Once she’d been told there was no redemption. The rosary now hung on a nail behind her favourite chair, but faith is often tested. Lise had met an angel – she was sure of it but if anything, that had rocked her faith more than anything else. Angels could be damned – of that she was certain. And the angel had a name.
“Poor Erik.” The sound rose in her throat before she even realised. But it was ritual now – she spoke those words every night. Lise did not recall when those two words had replaced her nightly prayer, but they had and now she seldom bothered God.
About the book
Madame Giry finds herself embroiled in the tragedy unfolding at the Opera house; mystery and murder stalk the corridors and, it is said, a ghost haunts the place. Giry knows the truth, for she recalls the caged man she met so many years ago. This is her story, their story.
When murder and mystery begin at the Opera House one woman knows who is behind it, and what really lies beneath the mask. Secrets, lies and tragedy sing a powerful song in this ‘might have been’ tale.
Winner of the 2020 Best Short Story award on NNLight Book Heaven
A short, tragic tale based on characters from Phantom of the Opera.
A Legacy of the Mask Tale.
https://books2read.com/TearsandCrimson
May 27, 2023
Author Interview – Francis H Powell
Name: Francis H Powell
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I was born in the UK, I spent some time living in Austria, and since 1999 I have lived in France. I live with my wife, my ten-year-old son, and our rescue dog, Bertie. I have spent a lot of time teaching at schools and universities. I went to art school, and I still do lots of creative things, like painting and sculpture. I also do music. We have a really nice house near Fontainebleau. We have a wonderful garden, but I know next to nothing about gardening. I have limited success planting things.
Sometimes we travel to Paris. Before, we lived in Brittany, near the sea, but I missed the life I used to have when I lived in Paris, lots of culture and things happening. I also have friends who live in Paris. As well as fiction, I write poetry. I put together a book called “Together Behind Four Walls” which was an anthology to raise money for Marie Curie Nurses.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
The book I am promoting at the moment is called “The Fish King and the Two Wise Ghosts”. It is my first children’s book. I also did all the illustrations and front and back covers. There are around thirty illustrations. The book was inspired by a drawing my son did, that looked like a king holding the hands of two ghosts. At first I wrote a long poem then changed it to prose, but kept a lot of the poetry.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
My adventure really began when I saw an advert in a magazine looking for short stories. I was living in Paris at the time and the magazine was called “Rat Mort”. I began writing short stories and sent them off to magazines and to web sites. I really enjoyed writing short stories, but later adapted to writing novels. I was inspired to write my latest book, because of my son. It is great to be able to read him, one of my stories, with him in mind.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I write a lot and in different genres. I would like to have more children’s books published, but to have some of my other stories published. My other stories are often dark and surreal. It would be great to have a book of my poems published.
What do you like to read?
At the moment I am reading Barcelona Dreaming by Rupert Thompson. I am also part of a book club, so I am obliged to read a different book, each month. I like to read a lot of different styles of books including biographies.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
It’s going to be a long and hard journey.
Author bio and book synopsis
BIO
Born in 1961, in Reading, England Francis H Powell attended Art Schools, receiving a degree in painting and an MA in printmaking. In 1995, Francis H Powell moved to Austria, teaching English as a foreign language while pursuing his varied artistic interests adding music and writing. He currently lives in Moret sur Loing, France writing both prose and poetry. Francis H Powell has published short stories in the magazine, “Rat Mort” and other works on the internet site “Multi-dimensions.” He has had three books published and has also compiled a book of short stories, poems and illustrations, featuring other writers and poets. The book is called “Together Behind Four Walls” and is a book of lockdown stories and poems. The books has raised money for Marie Curie nurses. He has had poems published in anthologies, for both adults and children. He has done poetry reading for Paris Lit up as well as other events.
SYNOPSIS
A fishy tale that begins with a king who has two wise ghost friends and his tricky search for a queen. The first to try to win the king’s hand, the fishy Princess Chipolata, is discovered by the two ghosts, trying to steal the crown jewels. At first, the king refuses to believe them. Finally, Princess Chipolata is sent to prison.
The King continues his search by placing an advertisement on social media, “Fish Hook.” He gets a lot of responses; however, all the hopeful queens are most unsuitable. When he sets his eyes on one of his sister’s friends, his search comes to a happy end. Only one problem remains: he has to introduce two ghosts, who like to play jokes on people, to his future bride.
In the second part of the book, the king and queen produce royal heirs. Prince Erik likes ghosts in the same way as his father. A party takes place, and the ghosts spook some of the guests. When Prince Erik grows up, he tells his parents he wants to go on a long adventure. He sees and does some incredible things. After he returns, the kingdom is once again a happy place.
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May 24, 2023
The Rogue’s Ring – Blog Tour #HistoricalRomance
The Rogue’s Ring
A Treasure Tale Novel #3
by Nancy Lee Badger
Genre: Historical Romance
Heading out on his horse, Ghost, into the snowy Highlands of Scotland in January 1817 was not sane, but Bryce Ketteridge would never let down his friends. If a duke, an earl, and a former spy felt finding the owners of nobleman’s rings was important, he would do his share. Coming across masked bandits, and shooting one, turned his life on end. What follows was not in his plans.
The last thing Cat Douglas wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger she meets at a tavern. When he later shoots her while she threatened a nobleman’s coach, she suspected he had no idea it was her. Kidnapped boys, pirate threats, and murder propel them to save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.
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Nancy Lee Badger grew up in Huntington on New York’s Long Island. After attending Plymouth State, in New Hampshire, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and met and married her college sweetheart. They raised two handsome sons in Rumney, New Hampshire while she dreamed of being a writer. When the children had left the nest, and shoveling snow became a chore, she retired from her satisfying job as a 911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher and moved to North Carolina, where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and the Triangle Association of Freelancers. She finds story ideas in the most unusual places.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
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