Blood Moon: Diary of a Highland Massacre
Fate of the True Vampires, Novella 3Christine Church
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Grey Horse Press
Date of Publication: February 2018
ISBN: 978-0692063095
ASIN: B07317PW2R
Number of pages: 74
Word Count: approx. 30,000
Cover Artist: Christine Church
Tagline: Read the 17th century journals of Wolfe Amus MacDonald Stewart and discover the truth to an age-old mystery.
Book Description:
Scottish Highlands, 1692. Befell the tragedy of Mort Ghlinne Comhann, also known as the Murder at Glencoe.
Despite his own incongruous past, all Wolfe Stewart wants is a simple life, free from the persecutions of the Crown. And when he rescues a Child of the Mist from an “Asian man who disappears into the snow as if he were never there,” Wolfe has received his wish. However, mysteries still plague him. He gets no answers, but more questions when a familiar stranger arrives with his cousin and Regiment soldiers to take up the hospitality of the MacDonalds of Glencoe for a fortnight.
Little did the clan suspect what would soon befall them. After the massacre on 13 February, 1692, most MacDonalds lay dead, many exposed to the elements perished, homes burned. Wolfe and his friend Fergus are taken away for reasons unknown.
But why would Campbell and his men commit such a hideous and unholy crime? The truth will not be found in history books. The beast behind this tragic night holds nothing but greed within his heart, and using the Jacobite risings as his cover, he gets what he wants and leaves behind death and suffering.
About the Author:
Writing has always been in Ms. Church's blood. At age 9, she wrote small picture books, taped them together (too young for staples??) and even gave them a publishing house name (Church Books; what else?). To this day, those ‘books’ sit in storage somewhere. In school, Church could be found in the back of the classroom, writing short stories (and still managing A's in English and Art).
Church's first book, House Cat (non-fiction) was published when an editor who rejected it left the publishing house and the new editor chose Church’s manuscript proposal from the previous editor’s pile of 200 rejected manuscript proposals, and saw it to publication (plus a Revised Edition 7 years later, which is still on the shelves). From there, Church received offers from Animal Planet (when it was still about animals) and more book assignments. Her book Indoor Cats won the 2001 Iams Responsible Cat Ownership Award.
After working for years honing her fiction skills, Ms. Church made the decision to write a novella, a brainstorm idea introducing a brand new, conceptual and innovative vampire series in a way never before done. As a no-name in fiction, this was a big, bold move. With no cash, no job (on disability), she put the book out all on her own; writing, editing, cover design, formatting, everything. Though far from perfect, this was a big step and a big dream.
Book One received a Finalist Medal in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and Book Two received the 2017 Finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award.
Web (free book with sign up): http://www.christinechurch.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/christinechurch
Interview
Please welcome Blood Moon: Diary of a Highland Massacre author Christine Church to Diane’s Book Blog.
What is your favorite book that you wrote?
My favorite book that I have written is Beyond Every Mirror (Anachronistic Dimensions, book one). Dane Bainbridge, the main character, is the “love” of my life. My favorite scene in that book is when he is onstage with his band. I also love it when he and his lead guitarist, Bruce, get in arguments. They crack me up.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I have been writing since I was a little kid. At nine, I used to write picture books, including the drawings, tape them together, and give them a title and publishing house name. My first novel (Beyond Every Mirror) was inspired by a short story I wrote when I was 15.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Anne Rice. She’s one of few authors who writes books similar to mine. Though obviously our writing styles are different, she was always my biggest influence and the author I have read the most.
What is your typical day like?
I’m a night owl. I write from midnight until 3:30-4am. I get up at noon. I work on marketing and blog posts until about 3-4pm (depending on the season and weather), then head to the barn to take care of and work my horse. I get home around 7-8pm in summer (everything is earlier in winter) and have dinner. My back is shot, so by the time I get home I am in pain, so I lay down with my cat, Lucy, who falls asleep on my chest, and I watch TV til 11pm, then it’s up and back to the computer for more work.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Currently, I am working on book two of my Anachronistic Dimensions series, which is still in the first draft phase. Book Four of Fate of the True Vampires just came out, so I can share a bit of that:
Quite unexpectedly, fortune smiled upon me an hour later. I had continued my walk passed the dark closed shoppes of blacksmiths and butchers, and stopped near another door, this one unambiguous only in its normalcy, when I heard a loud noise issue from within.
In the distance thunder rolled across the sky and at first I thought I had misheard the direction from which the battering issued. But, then voices coalesced with the sky’s anger. The wooden door slammed open abruptly. Two men dashed out in quite an unusual hurry. They passed me as if I was not there, though I stood clearly visible beneath the tendrils of a nearby street lantern. A large man, similar in attire to that of the previous, flew out after them, quite desperate. His face was red, and he panted heavily as if he had been exerting himself for quite some time.
He called out, “Meurtriers! Catch them!”
Murderers!
Whether or not he spoke to me or another mattered not. I darted off after the men, to mortal eyes disappearing at once.
I passed them easily and halted directly in their path. They stopped swiftly, astonishment registered in their faces. Both were dressed in blue coats of military style.
“Where did you come from?” The larger of the two asked.
Both looked to one another in question, then to me. I did not respond.
They ran by me then, clearly unwavering in their attempt to escape before Police, who combed the neighborhood, could arrive. Once again I appeared to their mortal eyes direct in their path.
They looked about quickly, as if they would see my twin behind them.
“Perfect, I need you both!” I said in my mangled attempt at French.
Neither tried to run. I had them now.
I peered into the eyes of the taller man. “Suis moi.”
Follow me!
He nodded mutely and his composure relaxed. The other furrowed his brows, his confused gaze falling on his friend. He opened his mouth to speak as he turned back to me. Before words could escape his lips, I repeated my command.
His panicked face relaxed, eyes glazing over with my spell. He nodded slowly.
I had them.
I led them back to un Hôtel on Rue Denis and to the chamber where André slumbered still.
Once within, they stood, eyes gazed, awaiting my next command. I had never before attempted my mind control on two at once and was most pleased at my success. But, before I dared awaken André, I needed to be sure…
“This is the end of your life. Do you understand?” I spoke in English. The nod of the larger guard told me he understood and indeed held tight to my mind.
The big man at the maisons had called him a murderer. “Did you take someone’s life on this night?”
Again, he nodded.
I moved to André as the guards stood behind me like statues ready to be torn down. As gently as I could, I touched André’s shoulder.
“Wake, my child. I have a present for you.”
(excerpted from Love’s Tragedy, copyright 2018 christine church)
What book are you reading now?
Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin
What do you prefer paperback, hardcover, or ebooks?
I am old and old fashioned, I love hardcovers but will read paperbacks. I do have a Kindle Fire, but rarely use it.
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