Linda Mooney's Other Worlds of Romance: April 2018

Six paragraphs from 1000 of You, a fantasy, time travel romance.

1. At the sound of his amusement, her head lifted slightly in surprise, but she held her tongue. “Do not fear speaking to me,” he commented. “I have never owned an animal, much less a slave. Let me make myself clear. I do not know what happened to you in the past, although I suspect it was cruel and abusive. But you have nothing to fear from me. I consider all the labor and time I put into making that sword a total loss. So if you are thinking of running away the moment I fall asleep, I will not be surprised. I will not try and chase you down to bring you back if you do. You are free to go. I only advise that you wait until daylight. As I have said before, there are people out there who might try to attack you, especially being a young woman.”

2. Muam stepped forward, anger also clouding his face. “That is not my sword!” he yelled back. “I place my mark on all my blades at the hilt. There is no mark anywhere on that weapon. And I changed out the grip at your request. That is not the grip I gave you.” He motioned to one of the men in the crowd. “Look at it, Shesher. You know my work. You own two of my swords. You know I always place my mark at the hilt. Do you see a mark?”

3. “We have no choice, my beautiful Gova. We both must die over and over, until we have fulfilled our own prophecy. It is our only chance at happiness. Do you understand? This life, this moment, is all we are given this time, but we will meet again. We will.”

4. He lowered his eyes to the horse, his memories flooding back as he recalled them. There had been one time when he’d been unable to kill her. A time when his love for her had stayed his hand at the last moment. He’d mistakenly believed that if he refused to kill her, they would have some time to spend together before their inevitable demises. Perhaps a day. Maybe two days or longer. But the curse would not allow them even that small blessing. When he’d refused to end her life, she’d met her fate at the hands of another. The emotion he’d felt, watching her die, and unable to hold her in his arms to tell her goodbye, had been torture. It was then he swore no one would ever take that from him again.

5. A dog’s massive head appeared over the edge of the storage area. It reached out with a paw as it struggled to get a foothold on the flooring to hoist itself up. Grabbing a sack, Muam wadded it up and ran at the animal. The dog growled and snapped at the sack as Muam pushed against it, knocking the hound off the ladder. The animal landed on the floor below with a cry of pain, but two more animals were already ascending the ladder.

6. Walking up to him, she placed her cheek on his chest and drew her arms around his waist to hug him tightly. Even though the contact was not as intimate as they would have liked, they accepted it. “I am not afraid this time, my beloved husband. Being here, in this place where we found our love, where I came to you and you accepted me, gives me a sense of peace I have not felt in a very long time. It seems right that we should end up back here after so many years.”

Link.

Call of the Wolf

Dark Blood Trilogy, Book One

by R Murray

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Date of Publication: 30/1/2018

ASIN: B078YSRNL6

Number of pages: 182

Word Count: 47250

Cover Artist: LKO Designs

Book Description:

Emilie and Melaina are the only two immortal witches that have been chosen by the Lamia to take the gift of eternal life. Two sisters, but two very different souls. One wields magic so dark and evil that even the devil himself fears her. The other holds the purest of magic with a darkness buried deep within.

When Emilie is set amongst the wolves to find out the latest game they play she finds herself swept away by the magic of the youngest wolf Maccon.

But Emilie holds her own dark secret, one so enormous, it threatens to destroy all that the Lamia have protected for centuries. A secret that could bring a new rule over all of the Forsaken. A secret that if discovered would bring forth the ultimate war between nature’s monsters.

Will Emilie answer the call of the wolf or will the White Witch be consumed by the darkness threatening her world?

Loyalties will be tested. Blood will be shed. Bonds will be formed as the war for immortality becomes its deadliest yet.

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Call of the Wolf Excerpt:

Prologue

16th century France

The smell of death lingered in the air, like a foul blanket of hell as Aleron took a path through the endless bodies that scattered the recent battle field. Bodies of all shapes, sizes, and forms. It did not matter if they were wolves, shifters, vampires or witches they were all still dead. Taken so cruelly from this world, and for what? A want for eternity? A hope to live with the blood of immortality? The blood that only a certain family of Vampires possess. That family being his. It was world known that the Lamia were the most powerful Vampire clan amongst all of the Forsaken. They ruled France and had done so for many centuries, but Aleron was not ashamed to admit that he did not believe in his brother’s visions. The want to only allow Vampires to live with the Dark Blood of immortality. Aleron longed to have all the Forsaken live in peace, and that should they choose eternal life then it would be granted. Although it was rumoured that the vampires could not turn a wolf. A witch yes, that had been proven just recently, and now the Lamia had the loyalty of the most powerful witch sisters in all the lands. But they could not turn a shifter, a wolf, or any of Mother Nature’s monsters for that matter. Yet Thanatos had failed to mention this to the opposition. Then why would he? All his brother cared about was destroying any creature who was not a vampire, or that was of no use to him, which seemed to be a majority of their universe.

Stopping by the mauled body of one of his fellow vampires, it was clear that a wolf had done this damage, next to him lay the naked form of a man who had no doubt been that wolf. The wolves came from England, it had been centuries that the English and the French had been fighting with each other. The mortals saw it so often, just thinking yet another political disagreement from either side, what they did not know was that in fact it was the longest and deadliest disagreement within the Forsaken world, that was in fact causing these wars. Luckily this particular fight had not leaked out to the mortals, and this recent massacre would be cleared up long before the humans heard anything of it.

Stepping over the dead wolf, Aleron made his way quickly through the remaining carpet of bodies, needing to get away from death. He was a vampire, yes, but unlike the rest of his species he did not crave the smell of death, he did not long for the blood of the humans, he preferred that of animals. He was not a killer. He needed to devise a way to bring peace to all the Forsaken. These deaths were not needed.

“There is a way.” A rough voice stopped him causing Aleron to turn quickly, his fangs pushing at his gums ready to spring into action should he need to defend himself. Behind him stood a soul that he had never seen before and if he was honest he hoped he never would again. The creature that stood before him was like no other he had ever seen. Hunched over an old wooden stick, it was cloaked in tattered rags, that just about covered a decaying body. The smell only matched the image, that of an aging corpse, and Aleron had to stop himself from emptying his morning meal on the ground. He was used to the smell of rotting flesh, he had spent many hours down in the Bastille at his brother’s side as Thanatos tortured both the mortals and the non-humans, but that smell was nothing compared to what was in front of him. Black holes where eyes should have been stared straight at him causing him to shiver, as he forced himself to let his own emerald green eyes travel over the face of this thing. If a face was what you could call it. It seemed more like a piece of dried up skin pulled taut over a skull. Blue lips added to the effect of death and Aleron found himself stepping back slightly, his fangs still hovering below the surface of his gums.

“Forgive me. But I do not believe we have met. My name is Aleron. I am…”

“I know who you are Lord Aleron.” The creature interrupted, causing Aleron to bristle slightly at being stopped mid-sentence; just who was this monster? “I do not care for formalities. You want a way to stop this war. To bring piece among your kind. And I am here to tell you there is a way.”

“How did you know? I never spoke my thoughts out loud. Just who are you? I am not inclined to take advice from a stranger who is barely hanging on to life.” Aleron snapped, his anger boiling just below his skin, it was taking all his will power to stop himself from becoming the full monster he could become.

“I do not need you to speak you fool. I can step inside the mind of any being, living or dead and read their deepest thoughts. I do not have much time, and I will not waste what little I do have with you. You either want my advice or you do not. I see the future, I know what can happen, should you do as I tell you young vampire,” the creature spoke. Aleron forced a calm over himself, he wanted nothing more than peace, and if there was a way that could be achieved then he was certain he would listen. If he could make his visions a reality then he was going to take the chance offered to him. What the foul being said next though was not something he was ready for, and if anything, it only confused matters more and made his hopes shatter.

“Seek out the White Witch. Seek out her heart and her soul, for she is the only one that can give you what it is that you need to bring peace amongst the Forsaken.”

The Wings of Faith

The Dark Blood Trilogy, Book Two

by R Murray

Genre: Paranormal fantasy

Date of Publication: 27/2/2018

ASIN: B07929215J

Number of pages: 172

Word Count: 45157

Cover Artist: LKO Designs

Book Description:

For a century Samantha has not known her true purpose. She knows she possess the gift of Immortality, that she is both a vampire and a witch, but she knows nothing else of her fate and her future. Believing her parents are dead she has learnt to survive alone except for the loyal companionship of the white wolf Randi, whom she saved from near death, and the eagle shifter Talon.

When news of the discovery of such power that it could change the world of the Forsaken comes, Samantha finds herself the most hunted immortal amongst her kind.

With no choice but to put her faith in those that surround her, Samantha must learn to control the power within that she has held dormant her entire life.

With her past coming back to haunt her, and the truth of her parentage coming to light Samantha must learn to trust the new vampire King of France and accept his alliance as he moves the players into place for the impending war amongst the Forsaken.

New alliances will be formed as the vampire – witch soon learns that faith is the most powerful weapon when you are the prize in a deadly game.

Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon AU

The Wings of Faith Excerpt:

Prologue

16th Century England

The bitter cold bit hungrily at the girl as she made her way quickly through the busy streets of London. She had to find the one person she knew that she could trust, that she had been told to seek by some vile creature that had come to her mere days after the birth of her daughter. She shuddered as the image of the monster sprung to her mind. A rotting corpse was the only way to describe it with eyes just black holes in a hollow face. It was what death was, and she had thought that it had come to take her. Instead it had confused her by telling her that she must head to London and place her daughter in the protection of a sorcerer that she had never heard of, but for some reason she had trusted this creature and after a rough journey to London she was now stood outside the run-down building of the person she was meant to leave her daughter with. The very building the creature had projected into her mind with some magic even she did not know. Bringing wary eyes up to take in the rotting wood that just about held up the house she suddenly found herself wondering if she was in fact doing the right thing. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand knocking on the splintered door. In no time at all it swung open revealing an aging man. His long silver hair was pulled back in a loosely, and his hazel eyes held a gentle look in them that instantly made the girl relax.

“Ah Emilie. I have been expecting you. My name is Eli, please come in, before you catch the death of cold.” Eli spoke, stepping aside to let her in. Emilie did not hesitate grateful to be out of the bitter winter air. As the door closed behind her she found herself gasping in amazement. The interior of the battered building contradicted the outside. It was beautifully decorated in the most elaborate colours and materials that were clearly from all over the world. There were endless ornaments that screamed wealth, and the house had a soothing air about it.

“Yes, I can imagine that you are wondering why it looks like it does on the outside. It is to ward off any unwanted guests, to the mortals it just looks like a forgotten building, and they will not venture to close to it. To our people it is nothing more than a rotten hell, the smell from the outside keeps them away.” He explained as if reading her thoughts. Indicating to the chair in front of the warm fire. “Please sit.”

Emilie did as she was asked, her eyes falling on the little bundle in her arms. She had not named the child, had not wanted to, she knew that she would have had to give her up eventually and she could not bring herself to become attached to her. But for the first time she felt a hope within her, that her daughter would grow up safely, protected and one day find her purpose whatever that would be. She just wished that her father had been able to see his little girl. A pang of guilt and pain stabbed hungrily at her soul as she thought of Aleron, of her heart and she longed to have him back in her arms again.

“She will be safe with me. I can promise you that. I knew this day would come, that one so powerful would be born. Her time is not yet and will not be for many years, but when it does come. Your daughter will be the most powerful being of our kind.” Eli spoke gently, but Emilie could not help hearing the sense of foretelling hidden in the sorcerer’s words.

“The most powerful? What do you mean?” Emilie asked, her sudden feeling of hope leaving her just as quickly. Now she feared what the future would hold for her child.

“Why my dear child. Who you hold in your arms…is the future Queen of the Forsaken…”

Queen of the Forsaken

Dark Blood Trilogy, Book Three

by R Murray

Genre: paranormal fantasy

Date of Publication: 27/3/2018

ASIN: B079276PNB

Word Count: 50149

Cover Artist: LKO Designs

Book Description:

With the rise of the Vampire lord Aleron, long thought dead at the hands of his brother, the game of immortality plays its deadliest hand yet.

As the plot thickens and players take their place to defend the rightful Queen of the Forsaken, the vampires of the Lamia build their own army to keep a hold of what they believe is rightfully theirs.

Samantha must put aside her emotions at the discovery that both her parents live and allow them to help her to channel her powers, the likes of which have never been seen amongst the monsters of nature.

As the Queen becomes more powerful and accepts her place at the head of Forsaken the war reaches its epic conclusion in a bloody battle between Shifters, Wolves, Witches and Vampires.

Those that survive must pick their side. Will they stand before their new Queen or will they be consumed by her deadly power?

The gift of immortality is Queen Samantha’s to give, but only to those who are worthy.

Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon AU

Queen of the Forsaken Excerpt:

Prologue

France: 100 years ago

The door slammed shut behind his latest torturer, and as he dragged his battered body to the corner of the small, cold, stone room, he allowed himself to show a little weakness. The only audience he had was the dungeon rats, and he was certain they would not speak of his pain. Closing his eyes briefly, he drew in a shuddering breath, whimpering slightly from the sharp stab of pain that pulsed through his body confirming that there were a good few broken ribs from the beatings he had suffered. His brother, Thanatos, had certainly not held back with making sure he suffered greatly before his death. Aleron had no regrets on what he had done to lead him to such a fate, and as he watched the moon begin her climb to claim her place in the sky of the night he still believed that his dream – his legacy – would be fulfilled in time. That one day, all of nature’s forsaken creatures would live in harmony and be given the gift of immortality should they chose it.

Leaning his head back against the wall, gingerly stretching out his scared legs, green eyes, that were so rare on a vampire, scanned the burnt flesh that patterned them. Blood meant nothing to Thanatos, it was all about power and greed, and this meant that should family betray him or go against his plans for the Lamia then he would stop at nothing to have them removed. He did not care about what his eldest brother thought of him, but the pain that filled his heart when he thought of his youngest brother Lorcan was almost unbearable. He had thought that Lorcan at least would have been on his side, understood his reasoning, but it seemed that he had been brainwashed by Thanatos. He supposed he should not have been surprised at such a betrayal –Thanatos was a force to be reckoned with when he wanted something.

He allowed his mind to wander to his love, the white witch, as she was known. Her beautiful hazel curls that brushed against her waist, those piercing sapphire blue eyes that seemed to look so deep into the soul. She was his everything, his heart, and he did not blame her for the fact that he had been captured. She had been tricked to reveal his hiding place, and he knew that the threat of their unborn child’s life had been her downfall. Again, he did not blame her, he had told her that the child would have to be protected no matter what the outcome would be for him, that the small miracle would one day be more powerful than any other being that walked the earth, and that they would be the future, the end of the long war for immortality that had plagued them all for many years. He had made Emilie promise that as soon as the child was born she would place a spell on her that would keep her hidden from the eyes of the Lamia and the Silent Walkers until such a time came that the child would be able to take their rightful place amongst the forsaken. He just hoped that Emilie would not allow the guilt that would no doubt be consuming her to cloud her judgement and make her forget about her promise. Shaking his head slightly, he cursed himself for doubting such. Emilie was strong and powerful in her own right, and he knew that the child’s safety would be at the forefront of her mind and that she would do as he had asked of her. He knew that their unborn child would survive the world and they would take their place as the rightful heir to the throne of the forsaken. It was this thought alone that made his lips twitch into a dark smirk as he envisioned his brother’s downfall – one he would have loved to have seen.

Question: What makes this series unique?
This whole series has been through the mill to get where it is. To be able to say I have released the whole set is a huge achievement and one I didn’t think I would ever get to. That alone makes it special.

The characters, especially the white witch Emilie, have been a huge journey with me. Emilie has been in my head for nearly 5 years. I used to be in a role play group on Twitter, and she was the first every character I wrote, and one who grew with me through my years with that group. When it ended I knew she had more to say, and I wanted to tell her story. So, I did. It started off as a historical romance, but that wasn’t working, so I took her and her sister and placed them in paranormal 17^th century France. The fun then began, and the Dark Blood Trilogy was born.

The story itself is unique in the sense that it tells the true battle between the English and the French, but with the battle of immortality between the French vampires and the English wolves. With shifters and hybrids added into the mix to make the twists and turns so much darker.

This series will always be special to me because it gave me the confidence to step into the self-publishing world and be brave enough to let people read my crazy musings. Not only that but Call of the wolf was my first ever published book. So that will always be special to me.

About the Author :

Rebecca is a London born self-confessed book addict now living on the shore of Auckland city.

Having spent most of her childhood and teen years dreaming up fanfictions based on her favourite TV shows, she has now decided to actually write her musings down.

A huge fan of anything fantasy and paranormal her writing style can be found to reflect these made up worlds. The love of creating a reality away from reality is the thrill she finds every time she sits down to pen the latest scene in her books.

When she is not writing you can find her at her day job supervising dogs of all shapes and sizes at a dog day care in Auckland. A few of them actually being the inspiration behind some of the wolves in her paranormal series, due to epic characters.

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