Hell's Mercenary FEATURED & GIVEAWAY
Hell’s Mercenary
Intervening World Chronicles
Luke West
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-9874799-0-7
Number of pages: 203
Word Count: 58, 000
Cover Artist: Jessica Drumm
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/KKSqswiYzRA
GIVEAWAY: One e-copy. Leave a comment to enter.
Book Description:
If you were faced with the abominable decision to die or kill a loved one to survive, would you be the honorable sacrifice?
Hell’s Mercenary. The Urban Fantasy novel from the Intervening World Chronicles, by up and coming author Luke West.
Tobias is the Devil – the ruler of Hell. For years he has banished the souls of innocent humans only to compliment his ruling status, but slowly things are starting to change.
Fewer souls are struggling down the elevator ride eventuating at Hell’s reception desk, yet heaven is reporting an influx of angel’s climbing the staircase into the clouds.
Tobias begins questioning the rules with his sister and rivalry – Constance – the leader of heaven.
When his inquiries go unanswered, he entrusts his assistant Arliah with a mission she simply cannot refuse, yet reluctantly accepts.
Her uncanny nature and gothic philosophy only cause havoc among Hell’s people, and their eyes slowly open as they begin noticing her continual departures through Hell’s gates and presumably into the beauty of heaven.
What Arliah soon comprehends is that the gates of heaven are located at the other end of Earth.
Earth – A deserted world: a place of patience, hope and misery. The only escape is to win the game; your target – the humans with the leading bounties.
Will her black magic connections lead her to the gates of heaven – a world believed to be the light at the end of the tunnel? Or will her newfound supernatural powers carve the third strike against her signed contract?
Her mission – find heaven, and once she does, bring it to Hell.
Short Excerpt
Although the wide-open space that the desert provides gives me a certain realm of safety, it also opens up a new world of danger. This desert doesn’t just contain sand; it owns the gates to Hell. The sun exits, allowing the moonbeams to guide my way. The sweat that once consumed my skin has now gone, allowing coldness to enter my body. The night is black, showcasing the thousands of stars that make up tonight’s sky.
My legs begin to ache, proving I must be close. As my eyes scan the area, I can’t help feel the oppressive silence. No noise from banished souls, no echoes from the outer city, just deathly quiet. Too quiet. I take in the outline of the lift. A small rectangular shape, outlined in silver metal. If I were any taller, I’d have to duck or my head would be covered in bruises. A batch of unsettled butterflies take up residence in my stomach. Something is not right. Standing in front of the rusted lift doors, something is definitely telling me not to push the button alerting the lift to my presence.
Surveying the situation, I become concerned with what little protection this scene provides me. The humans must be laughing at the target I am so readily providing them. To them I am no threat at all, just a young woman with long black hair and skin so white I could pass as a ghost. My bright blue eyes could be my only chance of scaring them off. I realize I’m not a bulky woman with muscles like a professional wrestler. I don’t have devil horns sprouting from my forehead. My appearance betrays no mythical power with which to fight them off. I’m just a girl.
I rely on my black leather trench coat, my high leather boots and my visible tattoos to composite the bad ass image I need to survive in this place. I pull my dagger from its hilt, happy that my glove hides the ring. Allowing a smile to form across my face, hoping to display the confidence I only hope I possess. I wait. Seconds turn into minutes. The unsettling feeling staunchly refuses to leave me. With my dagger still at the ready, I slam my left hand against the button on the panel.
I jump when the lift jerks into motion. This is the only sound I have heard in hours. I wait. The eerie creaking of the rusted chains pulling the carriage to the surface echoes loudly through the desert. No hiding my presence now. A small red light in the distance grabs my attention. The light appears to be glowing and growing in size at a rapid passé. The smile drains from my face. My heartbeat increases causing my eyes to widen in fear.
My façade of confidence is immediately replaced with fear as I realize exactly what’s heading in my direction.
About the Author:
Luke West is an up and coming author from Queensland, Australia. He was raised and still resides on the Gold Coast.
“Life is a journey, who knows the destination.”
– Luke West
Luke has always enjoyed creative writing, and his first dream – to become a published author – was realized at a young age. His parents were constant, avid readers of his many short stories and novels, and have always supported his decision to chase his dreams.
After studying the art of writing throughout his teenage years, Luke finally took the leap to pursue his writing career and set out to release his debut novel.
Luke decided to explore the self-publishing world, aiming to prove to the publishing houses that he has what it takes to research, market, and sell his work. With this goal achieved, he hopes to secure a full time career in the world of the written word.
Luke enjoys writing Fantasy, Horror or anything with a paranormal twist. His debut Urban Fantasy novel, Hell’s Mercenary is the first of three books from the Intervening World Chronicles and is available for download now!
For the latest news or to connect with Luke personally, visit www.lukewest.com.au
“Thank you for allowing me to entertain your imagination. I hope my books find themselves among your favorite books.”
– Luke West
Official Website: www.lukewest.com.au
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorluke.west
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Authorlukewest
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/obscureimagination
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKSqswiYzRA
Official Page: www.lukewest.com.au
Heart FEATURED TODAY
Heart: Book I in Animal Trilogy
By Jacqueline Paige
Three women without knowledge of their true heritage…
Three men that have waited for their mate all of their lives…
Hearts and tempers collide with wild passions and animal instincts
in the Animal Trilogy
~
Heart
Torn from her sheltered life, Rayne is alone and scared after she discovers her fiancé is not the man she thought he was. Unable to accept the corrupt world he belongs to, she flees to the furthest possible location she can reach on her own. Nothing could ever prepare her for the journey and what she finds out when she arrives.
Is she strong enough to survive on her own?
The epitome of the lone wolf, Devin stays in the wilderness and far away from people, avoiding the decision of whether to accept his title as leader and alpha of the pack. One alluring woman stirs up his resolve and passion when she disturbs his solitary world. The man inside is tempted in a way he can’t understand but his wolf knows he’s found his mate.
Can he have her without succumbing to the responsibilities waiting for him?
TBR November 1st at Eternal Press http://eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=428
Excerpt:
If nothing else she was warmer now. How long would the rain last? Do I want to wait it out and then try to find a washroom – in the dark? Rayne shook her head before she could go any further with that thought. There was no way she was getting out of this car until it was light out, rain or no rain. How many hours until daylight? She debated very briefly whether she could squirm around and reach the purse to get her phone. Highly doubtful. Besides being cocooned in the puffy material, the phone was off for a reason and turning it on just to check the time wasn’t worth the risk of Aiden being able to trace the location. Truthfully she didn’t know if that was possible even though all the movies referenced it being so, but understanding what type of man Aiden was and what he was capable of, she wasn’t taking any chances.
Working one arm free from the bag, she shifted far enough forward to reach the ignition; he couldn’t track the cars clock. Turning the key, her heart sunk when she noted the time, there were too many hours left until dawn. She looked out the windshield and froze, her heart jumped into her throat. Afraid to so much as breathe, Rayne stared at the animal a few feet away from the headlight. Her brain first said dog, but that was no dog. That was a wolf; it had to be a wolf. Were wolves that big? It seemed bigger than in any pictures she’d seen.
She sat there looking at it, not sure if she should honk the horn or just sit and try not to get hysterical waiting for it to leave. The car may be metal, but the roof was something this animal could probably get through. As she continued to stare at it she couldn’t help thinking it was a beautiful creature. It’s grey and brown fur looked soft and thick, not that she’d ever be able to find out if it was. It was the way the haunting grey eyes watched her that made her decide not to honk the horn or scream as loud as she could, which had crossed her mind briefly. Rayne was fairly certain it was as surprised to see her as she was to see it. Didn’t wolves travel as group? A pack? She wanted to look around and see if there were more in the trees, but the logical part of her brain said she was better off not knowing. Never argue with the logical part.
She was sure she stopped breathing all together when it took a step closer to the car and then turned quickly back towards the trees. As she was reaching for the keys it stopped and looked back at her for the length of two heart beats before it bolted into the trees and disappeared.
Turning off the key, she sat in the dark leaning back against the seat while she tried to remind her body how to take air in. In this moment with her heart beating so loud she could hear it, or at least it felt that way, Rayne reached the decision that she was not getting out of the car until daylight, and even then was questionable. One more conclusion was also not turning the lights on again; her mental state was much better not knowing what else was outside of the car. She checked to make sure the door was locked, she did know a wolf wouldn’t just walk up and use the door handle, but she felt better knowing that she was locked in and more importantly other things were locked out.
Pulling her arm back into the sleeping bag, Rayne shuffled down as far as she could and closed her eyes. The sooner she slept, the closer daylight was to getting here. Over the noise of the water beating off the car, she thought she heard a howl.
Hearts on Fire BLOG HOP
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
It’s so special here because it’s also the official release of A Summoner’s Tale: The Vampire’s Confessor, BLACK SWAN 3.
click here to enter to win one of the GRAND PRIZES:
1.) Two Kindle Paperwhites (U.S. only)
2.) Twenty sets of the Black Swan COLLECTION: Books 1-3 e-books. The saga as it was meant to be told. Includes My Familiar Stranger, The Witch’s Dream, and NEW RELEASE A Summoner’s Tale. All 313,000 words.
GO HERE TO CONTINUE YOUR TOUR…
Vampires for Valentines BLOG HOP
BAKA FOR VALENTINES!
February 12- 18.
GIVEAWAY – 7 E-COPIES of The Order of the Black Swan COLLECTED TALES, Books 1-3. (All 113,000 words.)
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE RAFFLE a Rafflecopter giveaway
Click here to view a list of participating sites and continue on your tour!
VALENTINE'S EVENTS
RSVP!!
Lots going on this Valentine’s. In conjunction with the official release of A Summoner’s Tale, both My Familiar Stranger, and The Witch’s Dream will be FREE for one day. If you have friends with Kindles who have not read these books, you’re welcome to direct them toward this great giveaway event.
Big Bad Beast FEATURE & GIVEAWAY
BIG BAD BEAST (novella)
Werescape Book Six
Skhye Moncrief
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ASIN: B0088DE3EA
Word Count: 38,000 words
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron-Hill (EDH Graphics)
GIVEAWAY: One e-copy per tour stop, Kindle or epub. Leave a comment for a chance to win.
Book Description:
Each wants the other, but neither can stand to be in the same room.
One day in the Big Woods, Normal Josie wakes up and helplessly watches a Shifter virus kill her immediate family in their remote wilderness homestead. Josie has no choice but to carry on. She’s forced to brave the forested Wild alone, leading a string of pack horses with all the supplies she can manage to her uncle’s Shifter outpost–back to where she became known as a little Normal female who could kick butt with the best Shifters, back to where she fell in love with the only Shifter she could ever mate. Thank goodness he isn’t there. But when living among a pack of Shifters, a girl has to obey the alpha. And her alpha has secret plans for her, plans that involve the only Shifter she loves–the Shifter who now irritates the hell out of her.
Stationed at an isolated agricultural outpost with nothing but teenage hormones for company, Shifter Hostillian doesn’t mind monotonous day-to-day schedules where he rules the roost. And then his inner Wolf’s favorite wild cat screeches at his door. He has no desire to mate the only person who challenges everything he utters. But his Wolf makes demands the minute it catches Josie’s scent.
Stand back and watch the fireworks light up the Minnesota sky because the BIG BAD BEAST can’t help but to huff and puff and blow Josie’s house in…
About the Author:
Aside from muscled men in fur, leather, denim, or kilts, I love cultural ecology, cultural evolution, cultural relativism, and natural processes. Big ideas. Simple concepts that manifest in world building to crazy people like me who studied anthropology and geology before turning to writing romantic fiction. My rule of thumb is to love the good, the bad, and the ugly of every culture in my tales so every aspect of my stories resonates as real as possible.
Website: http://skhyemoncrief.com
Blog: http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skhye.moncrief
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SkhyeMoncrief
Yahoo Group/Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skhyemoncrief/
