Monday, November 24, 2014
Fall Blog Tour and Author Spotlights Come to an End #FallingInLove
So in case you've been wondering if there was a limit to the blog tours as of late... this is it. At least for now. I'd like to thank all of the authors that participated. Hopefully this exposure will help all of us. Thanks especially to Tina Gayle for setting most of this up and giving me the info to get into contact with the other authors. I hope to do this again in the near future.
After Geek Galaxy and Beyond!
 |
| Geek Galaxy has come and gone, but what's next for The BulletProof Ghost? |
If you read this blog or frequent the Twitter feed, you'll know that last weekend, I took The BulletProof Ghost to Geek Galaxy. GG is a local comic convention, which is in its first year. The picture above shows my booth, which had all types of neat swag, including the actual novel, The BulletProof Ghost: Prototypes.
The con itself went about how I expected. I didn't sell a ton of books, but I made several solid social connections, some may even lead to other work. One in particular may lead to short stories of mine appearing in a comic anthology. Which is neat.
This was my first convention and therefore a learning experience. I wasn't looking to strike it rich and several people heard about the book that came to the booth.
The next six months will have several developments. First off, the second book, The BulletProof Ghost: In Spades, will be released by then. A free preview for In Spades will be posted here before Christmas, is all goes well. The next week will give me a bit of free time and I really need it.
The other big event will be EvilleCon. This is an anime convention that I've gone to once before, but as a consumer, not an exhibitor. I personally talked to one of the people running EvilleCon (calls himself The Ox King, and he looks the part). He said that there will be several authors there, so hooray!
I may have a store up, but after GG, I may not. The demand for the non-book merch is a little low at the moment, so I'll wait until that picks up before putting in the effort.
Thanks for the support. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for current updates @TheBProofGhost and keep an eye on the website as well. www.TheBulletProofGhost.com. Stay tuned.
-Jake dh
Monday, November 17, 2014
Pics from Geek Galaxy 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Author Spotlight: Linda McLaughlin / Lindi Lamont
4
Angels...”a scintillating mix of lust and sexual exploration... Ms.
Lamont has done a very nice job of bringing a bit of the exotic into
her writing.” - Dawnie, Fallen Angel Reviews
A marriage contract, nothing more...until darkly handsome Evan Channing and demure Lydia Blatchford meet. Yet the rules are simple for an arrangement such as theirs. There should be no misunderstanding, no illusions of anything more. But the rules are about to change.
Lydia wants the kind of love and romance she reads about in books. Fortunately, she hasn't specified which book, and Evan has a copy of Richard Burton's new translation of the Kama Sutra, with its ancient wisdom on love and courtship. Evan sets out to win his high-born bride, blending seductive heat with exotic lessons in love-making.
Lydia is prepared to tolerate this man she’s been sold to, but his scorching kisses send her pulses racing. Can an arranged marriage lead to love?
(Previously published under the title Love… By the Book)
** Includes an excerpt from A Marquess for Christmas by Vivienne Westlake.
Disclaimer: This is a short 30 page romantic short story with bonus material** It is not a full-length novel. Contains scenes of Victorians breaking society's rules, marital sex and ancient wisdom from the Kama Sutra.
Excerpt:
All through dinner, she was aware
of his presence at her side. His quick smile, pleasant manners, his
long, long fingers that occasionally brushed her hand. Then there was
his deep voice murmuring in her ear during the meal. It mattered not
what he said, the very sound of his voice sent alternate waves of
heat and cold through her. She was barely been able to eat a bite,
though she’d drained her wineglass more than once before the
champagne toast was served. She drank that as well.
Now, feeling a bit woolly-headed,
she walked out onto the balcony for some fresh air where a slight
breeze cooled her heated face. The men were still having their port
in the dining room while her mother and Phoebe sat and visited with
Mrs. Channing. Lydia knew she should go back inside and converse with
her future mother-in-law.
Lydia was eager to learn more about
Evan’s childhood. She knew his father had died when he was a babe
in arms, murdered during the Sepoy Uprising, and that Mrs. Channing’s
Indian in-laws had protected her and the infant Evan from a similar
fate. She must have loved her husband greatly, for she had never
remarried.
It was a tale worthy of one of her
favorite romance novels, but she wasn’t in the mood to be sociable.
Thank heavens it was a small gathering, just her immediate family,
Evan, his mother and his uncle Frederick. She’d never have been
able to deal with a crowd tonight.
When the men entered the room, her
gaze flew to Evan. He looked around the room, frowning, until he
spotted her standing by the open door. A smile creased his face as he
headed straight for her. She clutched the doorjamb as her heart
started pounding.
“There
you are,” he said, stopping in front of her. “I feared you’d
left.”
“I
just needed some fresh air,” she explained.
“Are
you well?” he asked, taking her hand solicitously. Heat radiated
from him, shooting up her arm.
“I’m
fine, just a bit warm.”
“I
am, too,” he said, guiding her to the railing looking over the
small garden at the back of the house. The scent of roses and
honeysuckle wafted up.
“Since
our engagement is official, I’ll send the announcement to the Times
tomorrow, and then speak to the vicar about having the banns read.
Shall we set a date now?”
She stiffened, staring straight
ahead. Official. The word pounded in her head. Once the announcement
was published, there would be no backing out. She closed her eyes,
not knowing what to say.
“Lydia?”
Gently, he grasped her chin and
turned her head toward his.
When she looked up, his expression
was concerned.
“What’s
wrong, my dear?”
Everything. But
she could not say so. In truth, she was afraid of the weeks to come.
Of what this marriage would mean.
How it would change her life.
He moved his hand to her shoulder.
“Are you apprehensive?”
She managed a jerky nod.
“So
am I,” he whispered.
She stared at him in astonishment.
“Truly?”
“Truly.
This is a big step for both of us. I realize we don’t know each
other very well. If you’d like a long engagement—”
“No.
Waiting will just make things worse.”
He quirked a dark brow. “How so?”
Taking a step back, she spread her
hands. “It will just give me more time to dread—”
She broke off at the injured look
on his face. “Forgive me, but surely you understand this marriage
was never my preference.”
He turned away from her and ran a
hand through his hair.
“Yes,
I know, but I hoped you had become resigned to it.”
“I
have. At least I have tried to be,” she said, the words tumbling
out of her mouth. “That’s why I think it best just to plunge
ahead. Once the banns have been read thrice, we can wed almost
immediately.”
He turned back, a frown still
marring his forehead. “Will that give your mother enough time to
plan?”
She shrugged. “All I need is a
new gown.”
“But
won’t society think it odd we married in such haste?”
She looked him in the eye. “Let
me make one thing clear. I do not give a fig for what society thinks.
If you supposed you were marrying a social butterfly, let me banish
that notion right now.”
He smiled at her. “Harry said you
were sensible, but this surprises me. I’m happy to agree to a short
engagement.” He stepped closer, towering over her. “The sooner I
can make you mine, the better.”
Her heart pounded and her breath
caught as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers for but a
second before backing away. She drew in a deep breath. Her first kiss
and it had been over almost before it was begun. She didn’t know
whether to be relieved or disappointed.
“Shall
we go inside and discuss the wedding plans with your parents?”
“Not
yet. There is something else I’d like to say.” It was now or
never.
“Yes,
my dear, what is it?”
She licked her lips then plunged
ahead. “I know how these things work. Arranged marriages, that is.
I won’t expect fidelity from you.”
His shocked expression surprised
her. “Is that what you think, Lydia? That I’m marrying you with
the intention of cheating on you?”
“Perhaps
not now,” she said. “But in a few years… It’s not as if ours
is a love match. I won’t cut up a fuss if you decide to take a
mistress. As long as you are discreet.”
“How
very… sophisticated of you,” he said, his tone dry enough to
parch a desert.
She took a deep breath before
continuing. “And once I’ve produced the requisite heir and spare,
I assume I’ll be free to seek my pleasure elsewhere.”
The thunderous look on his face
startled her and she stepped back.
“You
will do no such thing,” he said fiercely, reaching for her.
“Ours
may not be a love match now, but I fully intend to see it turns into
one.”
With that, he pulled her into his
embrace, trapping her arms between them as his encircled her
shoulders and waist.
Covering her mouth with his, he
kissed her with a heady combination of passion and anger. Her
resistance crumbled in the face of his onslaught. She clutched at his
lapels and returned his kiss, even parting her lips when his tongue
probed them. Overwhelmed by the sensations his lips provoked, she let
her eyes drift shut as she clung to him.
When he let her go, he was still
visibly upset. “There will be no more talk of infidelity. Have I
made myself clear, Lydia?”
USA Today bestseller!
Eleven romances from New York Times, USA Today and bestselling, award-winning authors.
The blockbuster box set with more than 100,000 copies sold is back for more! We've got a lonesome cowboy, a spurned bride-to-be, a heartbroken widower and an unexpected pregnancy, along with a tasty smattering of intrigue, murder and suspense. Almost half a million words and two thousand pages of strong heroes and daring heroines who'll do anything for a second chance at love.
The blockbuster box set with more than 100,000 copies sold is back for more! We've got a lonesome cowboy, a spurned bride-to-be, a heartbroken widower and an unexpected pregnancy, along with a tasty smattering of intrigue, murder and suspense. Almost half a million words and two thousand pages of strong heroes and daring heroines who'll do anything for a second chance at love.
Lindi Lamont
Lyndi Lamont is the racy alter ego of romance author Linda McLaughlin. Writing sexier stories gives her a license to be a little naughty, at least between the pages of her books! She has written several full-length novels plus numerous short stories and novellas, ranging from historical to futuristic. She believes that love is unending and universal, and enjoys transporting her readers into a different world where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the sweetest reward.
Website: http://www.lyndilamont.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Monday, November 3, 2014
Geek Galaxy is Only 12 Days Away!!
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| Ad Created by Susan Hayes (inspired by James Price's design). |
So, Geek Galaxy is rolling up. I just ordered another batch of The BulletProof Ghost: Prototypes. They will be here before the Con. I'm working on getting shirts made. The light colored ones will look like this:
 |
| Get your's at Geek Galaxy! |
These will be for sale at Geek Galaxy for $12 ($14 XL and up). There will be a limited number, so get yours as soon as you arrive!
I wanted to sell a black t shirt, but I will not have the money to buy them. Not to bore you with the details, but I'm getting the white/grey ones at a cheaper price. I may run an IndyGoGo to promote the second book, once it's out. The promotional side of this has been far more costly than I thought.
There will be license plates to buy.
Both of these are already made and will be available in limited supply at Geek Galaxy, so get yours as soon as you get there. These will be on sale for $7 each.
We will also be selling button pins, which I do not have a picture of yet. I also don't have a price yet.
The books will be on sale for $7 each and signed for free by me, Jake dh. If you have a copy you've already purchased, bring it and I'll sign it for free.
There should be posters as well, but I can't 100% confirm that as of yet.
This will be an experience, considering I'll be promoting a not illustrated novel, which is a little out of place, but it is a Geek convention. A ton of Geeky things start out as books and BPG may become a graphic novel in the future, soooo.... fuck it.
Thanks for the support and I hope to see you there!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Author Spotlight: Paloma Beck
Today's Author Spotlight is Paloma Beck!
Title: Never Coming Home
Series: Home, Book 1.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Paloma Beck
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Cover Artist: Dawné Dominique
ISBN: 978-1-63105-314-6
Page Count: 58
BLURB
I have a story to tell, a story I promised never to tell. Hell, it isn't even one I wanted to live through. I just can't keep it
inside anymore... now that they're both gone. I have to tell My Story.
Rachel Porter tells her sons about the love of her life, about their father and about their life together. This novella tells
the story of the beginning of the Porter family through the Vietnam War, too many losses and a new beginning. It's a
tale her sons won't forget, and one that could change them for all time.
BUY LINKS
SECRET CRAVINGS
http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=936
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/Never-Coming-Home-Paloma-Beck-
ebook/dp/B00N3GZDS2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410264888&sr=1-
1&keywords=never+coming+home
EXCERPT
Rachel sat at the table, her fingers hugging the hot mug of coffee as she surveyed her children. Her three
sons were grown now. They were magnificent men. She shook the tears off as she thought of their dad. The
credit for her sons went to Robert, a good man and a solid father. How she missed his friendship. It hadn’t been
that long since he passed, but she felt the absence of his constant strength. Now, it was just her with her boys.
Rachel took a cleansing breath and spoke, “I have a story to tell. I know you all have wondered. It’s a story
I promised never to tell. It isn’t one I wanted to live through, but it’s my story. I can’t keep it inside anymore.
Now that they’re both gone, I have to share my story.”
She saw her sons’ confused and doubting looks, but it was Tyra, Ryan’s wife, who squeezed her hand in
encouragement. “We’d love to listen to your story.”
Rachel looked past her sons, out the large window and beyond the lake. She’d underestimated how difficult
the actual telling would be. It was much more difficult than the decision to do it had been. But she had to. She
had to rise to the challenge of being the strength for their family now. Her sons must understand the true
character of their father. They deserved that much at least.
She began her story…
AUTHOR BIO & LINKS
Paloma Beck is a Romance Author living a life of contradiction... she's a happily married carpooling
mom writing steamy romance. It's almost naughty! Paloma writes both contemporary and
paranormal romances that are anything but PG.
Paloma published her first book in 2012 with Secret Cravings Publishing. Since then, she has
released eight books with SCP, and has moved on to self-publish an additional two books. She has
no plans to slow down.
With her husband and three sons, the Blue Ridge mountains have been her home for nearly twenty
years. There's still a special place in her heart though for New England where she spent her
childhood. The lakes of Maine call her name and someday she hopes to find her way back there.
Paloma is a proud supporter of Starbucks. She believes a daily dose of espresso and a good book make any day better. So, go on,
Romance Beckons. Grab a cup of coffee and book and get reading!
WEBSITE: http://RomanceBeckons.net
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PalomaBeck
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/RomanceBeckons
GOODREADS: http://goodreads.com/PalomaBeck
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/PalomaBeck
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Fall 2014 BulletProof Blog Tour
The BulletProof Ghost is on the road... if the internet were a road, which it's not. BPG is on the virtual road that is other author's blogs! BPG has been featured on several blogs as of late and I thought is was high time to put them all in one place... which is here. Check out the links below. The posts have info that is posted all over this blog, but the author's blogs themselves may interest you. Enjoy!
This blog refers to BPG: Prototypes as a Mystery, which it is to some extent. I'll allow it! Joking aside I've seen Prototypes called a mystery, horror and young adult, so however you interpret it is fine with me as long as you liked it.
And no, that is not a typo... so don't fill up the comments with,
"Jake's at it again with his goddamn typos."
Andrea is a nice lady with a neat looking blog. Check it out as she welcomes me to the indie author scene. Hopefully it isn't like the hard core punk and metal scenes I used to be into... mosh pits are hard on a little guy like me. Screw it, time to throw some 'bows! (double bass pedals)
There will be more stops on the tour in the coming weeks. As this page is updated, I'll let you know on the Twitter machine and teh Book of Face. Laters.
Romance Beckons
Yes, BPG is not a romance series, but the author of this blog does write romance AND she was nice enough to feature me. Check out the Author Spotlights section to see her book series featured on this page!
Ann Everett Talkin' Twang
Five on Friday Interview
This is a bit different, because it is an actual interview with yours truly (Jake dh!). Check it out to get an insight into my slightly disturbed psyche.
Lindi Lamont (LindaLindi.com)
Suz DeMello's Velvet Lair
If you couldn't tell from the blog's title, Suz's writing can get a bit steamy. I'm glad she had room for a bullied 13 year old who is turned into an adult cybernetic killing machine.
Romance Beckons
Yes, BPG is not a romance series, but the author of this blog does write romance AND she was nice enough to feature me. Check out the Author Spotlights section to see her book series featured on this page!
Ann Everett Talkin' Twang
Five on Friday Interview
This is a bit different, because it is an actual interview with yours truly (Jake dh!). Check it out to get an insight into my slightly disturbed psyche.
Lindi Lamont (LindaLindi.com)
Suz DeMello's Velvet Lair
If you couldn't tell from the blog's title, Suz's writing can get a bit steamy. I'm glad she had room for a bullied 13 year old who is turned into an adult cybernetic killing machine.
Author Spotlights
These are the highlighted authors who are part of my current blog tour. They're genres are many and to see what they're about, you'll have to just check them out. Their various links and sites are listed in the posts. This page will be updated as more authors join in the tour. Enjoy.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Author Spotlight: Ann Everett
Today's Author Spotlight is Ann Everett!!
Blurb:
Jace Sloan has it all. He's smoking hot, a college football star with a storybook family, and he's
never met a woman he couldn't charm. He's also never met one who makes him want to be a
better man...until he meets Maggie. Now, this self-proclaimed geek with wild red hair and the
greenest eyes he's ever seen has him thinking all kinds of crazy thoughts. Like settling down and
being a one-woman man.
Maggie Fielding is anything but Jace's type. For starters, her IQ is bigger than her chest size. But
Jace is panty melting hot, and she's having a hard time remembering that he’s bad news. If only
she could stop telling him her secrets, because her answers to his questions just might have both
of them falling in love for the first time.
Excerpt:
“Why do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Go from girl to girl. My mother was promiscuous because she tried to make up for
everything wrong in her life—no relationship with her family, a kid she didn’t want. But
you have the most wonderful family in the world. And you have friends—and talent. I don’t
understand what you’re trying to compensate for.”
He didn’t say anything, so she said, “You don’t have to answer. I shouldn’t have asked. I
just finished telling you to stay out of my business and now I’m butting into yours.”
“It isn’t that I don’t want to answer. It’s—I don’t know the answer. Maybe it’s
evolutionary psychology. You know, spill your seeds and all that crap.”
“You’re kidding, right? That theory has to do with finding the best candidate for breeding
to produce the best offspring. It isn’t an excuse to screw every female in Texas. Unless you’re
saying you want to impregnate women to create a bunch of little football All-American’s?”
“Hell, no. My policy is no glove, no love. I’m saying, could be, men aren’t supposed to
be monogamous.”
“You’re speaking for your entire gender?”
“Yeah.”
“So—your dad could have women on the side and that would be okay.”
“No! All right, you’ve made your point. Some men can be happy with one woman.”
“But not you.”
He rolled up on his elbow and rested his face in his hand. “I don’t know how to say this
without sounding like a complete jerk. I guess I do it because I can. From the time I was in junior
high, girls have thrown themselves at me and all I’ve done is take advantage of it. I’ve never lied
to get a girl to sleep with me. I’ve never told one I loved her or promised forever. I don’t even
spend the night. They know what to expect from me.” He flopped back down. “Maybe I’ve slept
with more than my share, but I don’t consider myself a bad guy. Do you?”
“Does it matter what I think?”
“Yeah.”
“Well then, I think you’re just as emotionally unavailable as I am. I avoid men because
I’m afraid I’ll lose my heart, and you go from girl to girl to keep from giving yours away.”
Author Bio:
Ann Everett embraces her small town upbringing and thinks Texans are some of the funniest
people on earth. When speaking to writing groups, businesses, book clubs, and non-profit
organizations, she incorporates her special brand of wit, making her programs on marketing, self-
publishing, and the benefits of laughter, informative and fun.
An award winning author, she’s also a member of Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization and a
top twenty reviewer on thenextbigwriter.com
When Ann’s not writing, she spends her days listening in on people’s conversations at the local
Wal-Mart, beauty shop, Goodwill, and numerous other gathering spots. She draws from that
research to pen her romantic suspense novels full of southern sass and Texas twang. For her new
adult romance stories, she blends her dramatic writing style with a kick of humor.
Five things you won’t know about Ann by reading her bio.
1. She’s been married to the same man since dirt.
2. She loves shopping at thrift stores.
3. A really sharp pencil makes her happy.
4. She hates talking on the telephone.
5. She’s thankful wrinkles aren’t painful.
Links:
Ann Everett’s Amazon page: http://amzn.to/11D7bQ7
Ann’s Website: http://www.anneverett.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TalkinTwang
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOACL
Tell Me a Secret Link: http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-Secret-Ann-Everett-ebook/dp/B00N0VUNGC/
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Author Spotlight: Melanie Robertson-King
This Spotlight has been updated with new information including a sample of the book!
Today's Author Spotlight is Melanie Robertson-King!
Today's Author Spotlight is Melanie Robertson-King!
Melanie Robertson-King's debut novel, A Shadow in the Past, is a YA/YA Crossover (suitable for readers from thirteen to twenty-five years of age) Time Travel with romantic elements set in Scotland.
When a contemporary teen is transported back in time to the Victorian era, she becomes A Shadow in the Past...
Nineteen year old Sarah Shand finds herself in Victorian Era Aberdeenshire, Scotland and has no idea how she got there. Her last memory is of being at the stone circle on the family farm in the year 2010.
Despite having difficulty coming to terms with her situation, Sarah quickly learns she must keep her true identity a secret. Still, she feels stifled by the Victorians' confining social practices, including arranged marriages between wealthy and influential families, and confronts them head on then suffers the consequences.
When Sarah realizes she has fallen in love with the handsome Laird of Weetshill, she faces an agonizing decision. Does she try to find her way back to 2010 or remain in the past with the man she loves?
Excerpt (from Chapter 3):
When Sarah’s eyes flickered open, the young girl and her wrecked car were nowhere to be seen. Instead of the asphalt surface of Kendonald Road, Sarah lay sprawled out on a narrow gravel lane.
Sarah’s chest felt like the family’s herd of cows sat on it and she gasped for air. Stones gouged her elbows as she tried to prop herself up.
Using her last ounce of strength, Sarah hauled herself to her feet. Her head throbbed as if it were about to explode, and something wet and sticky ran down the back of her neck. Dirt and blood covered her rugby shirt and jeans, and her trainers were gone. Sharp gravel bit into her stocking feet as she staggered, trying not to fall. Sarah was surprised she was able to stand. She was certain the impact with the car had broken her legs and maybe even her back.
She wiped her hands on her shirt and cried out in pain. Dirt and blood covered her palms, and her knees felt like they’d been scraped with sandpaper. Her chest hurt with every breath, and she wondered if her ribs were broken. Where were the terrified driver and her wrecked car? They seemed to have vanished into the mist.
Sarah barely made out a faint light shining in the distance, and she stumbled toward it, thinking it was the yard light near her father’s barn. She clapped her hands over her ears in an attempt to block out the incessant ringing, but it didn’t work. Taking those pills had been a huge mistake. No matter how badly she wanted to hurt Blair and Niamh, she realized that she didn’t want to die. She couldn’t do that to her family.
Sarah blinked and stared at one of the ghostly trees lining the roadway. The trunk expanded and contracted before her eyes as if it were breathing. A gust of wind rasped through the branches and a sudden cry of a long-eared owl made her jump. Shivering, Sarah crossed her arms and rubbed, but pain shot all the way down to her fingertips, forcing her to stop.
At the narrow stone bridge, she stopped and rested. As she stood there trying to catch her breath, the bridge began to vibrate and black smoke filled the air. A shrill whistle pierced the silence, drowning out the ringing in her ears. Sarah wheeled around and gasped. Off in the distance she saw the tiny speck of a headlight. It grew larger and brighter as the train drew closer and thundered beneath the bridge. Sarah watched the disappearing train and tried to understand what she had seen. There was no railway line near her house, only a flat dirt trail leading to the village.
Soon the smell of freshly cut hay, manure, and farm animals replaced the lingering aroma of the train’s oily coal smoke. If the barn was this close, she was almost home. Drawing closer, she heard the sounds of hooves pawing…
Excerpt (from Chapter 3):
When Sarah’s eyes flickered open, the young girl and her wrecked car were nowhere to be seen. Instead of the asphalt surface of Kendonald Road, Sarah lay sprawled out on a narrow gravel lane.
Sarah’s chest felt like the family’s herd of cows sat on it and she gasped for air. Stones gouged her elbows as she tried to prop herself up.
Using her last ounce of strength, Sarah hauled herself to her feet. Her head throbbed as if it were about to explode, and something wet and sticky ran down the back of her neck. Dirt and blood covered her rugby shirt and jeans, and her trainers were gone. Sharp gravel bit into her stocking feet as she staggered, trying not to fall. Sarah was surprised she was able to stand. She was certain the impact with the car had broken her legs and maybe even her back.
She wiped her hands on her shirt and cried out in pain. Dirt and blood covered her palms, and her knees felt like they’d been scraped with sandpaper. Her chest hurt with every breath, and she wondered if her ribs were broken. Where were the terrified driver and her wrecked car? They seemed to have vanished into the mist.
Sarah barely made out a faint light shining in the distance, and she stumbled toward it, thinking it was the yard light near her father’s barn. She clapped her hands over her ears in an attempt to block out the incessant ringing, but it didn’t work. Taking those pills had been a huge mistake. No matter how badly she wanted to hurt Blair and Niamh, she realized that she didn’t want to die. She couldn’t do that to her family.
Sarah blinked and stared at one of the ghostly trees lining the roadway. The trunk expanded and contracted before her eyes as if it were breathing. A gust of wind rasped through the branches and a sudden cry of a long-eared owl made her jump. Shivering, Sarah crossed her arms and rubbed, but pain shot all the way down to her fingertips, forcing her to stop.
At the narrow stone bridge, she stopped and rested. As she stood there trying to catch her breath, the bridge began to vibrate and black smoke filled the air. A shrill whistle pierced the silence, drowning out the ringing in her ears. Sarah wheeled around and gasped. Off in the distance she saw the tiny speck of a headlight. It grew larger and brighter as the train drew closer and thundered beneath the bridge. Sarah watched the disappearing train and tried to understand what she had seen. There was no railway line near her house, only a flat dirt trail leading to the village.
Soon the smell of freshly cut hay, manure, and farm animals replaced the lingering aroma of the train’s oily coal smoke. If the barn was this close, she was almost home. Drawing closer, she heard the sounds of hooves pawing…
Purchase links:
Publisher: http://www.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-
Melanie Robertson-King
author of
A Shadow in the Past and
The Consequences Collection
Prior to returning to fiction, Melanie wrote articles for various publications for a number of years and has been published in Canada, the US and the UK.
In addition to writing, her interests include genealogy, photography and travel, especially Scotland. On one of her trips to the Auld Country, she had the honor of meeting The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
www.melanierobertson-king.com
Blog: Celtic Connexions http://www.melanierobertson-
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter Account: @RobertsoKing https://twitter.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
Blog: Celtic Connexions http://www.melanierobertson-
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter Account: @RobertsoKing https://twitter.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
Where fact and fiction meet...
Visit my blog Celtic Connexions
A Loveahappyending Lifestyle magazine Contributor
Follow me on Twitter at @RobertsoKing
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