Introduction
You may or may not have learned from my bio that I had a horror novel published two years ago. The name of it is SACRIFICE, and it was published by Amber Quill Press. To self-market, as we writers are encouraged to do by small publishing houses, Amber Quill Press allows me to display the book's blurb (back cover summary), a teaser (excerpt), prologue, first chapter, and any reviews. So for me, that means a little shameless self-promotion here, and for you, some free reading and hopefully, encouragement to pick up the book. If you like what you see here, you can e-mail me at
[email protected] to purchase an autographed copy, which comes with a complimentary bookmarker. Or you can buy it from my publisher, Amber Quill Press (
http://www.amberquill.com/Sacrifice.html), but you won't get my autograph or the bookmark that way.
Please excuse any weird spacing in this version. It is nearly impossible to copy and paste from MS Word to the Internet without encountering a few spacing issues. These problems are NOT part of the book. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
I am going to post these samples in bits so that I don't overwhelm anyone with too much information at once.
Without further ado, here's SACRIFICE, starting with the blurb (back cover summary) and the teaser (excerpt)...
Blurb
In a small southern town called Grimshaw, fourteen-year-old Angel Fallow lives in misery. Her Bible-quoting stepfather beats her if she dares break his fanatical rules. Her mother is cold and distant. Angel's only outlet is trips to the woods for secret, forbidden meetings with classmate Peter St. Thomas, her best and only friend.
Angel has always believed that her natural father died right after her birth. So when she learns he actually disappeared and was
presumed dead, she's instilled with hopes of finding him and a chance at a normal life. When Angel and Peter begin searching for Angel's father, they discover two forces more powerful than any they ever imagined possible—the light of a beautiful first love, and the darkness that has caused so many of Grimshaw's children to suddenly die or disappear. As their relationship deepens, they unearth evidence of a local Satanist cult, its sacrifices of innocent children, and its horrifying connection to Angel's father. That same cult conducts its gruesome rituals with children who fit their physical profile, within the same woods where they meet. And they realize their discovery could cost them everything—including their lives...
Teaser
…Feeling confused, threatened, and in general, upset all over again, Angel began to run toward home, a fresh geyser of tears erupting down her face.
When the house came into view, she spotted Grandma rocking in a chair on the front porch. As sick as Grandma had been, Angel had expected her to be in bed. Certainly, she hadn't anticipated having to face her before she even got in the house. If she didn't get real cool real quick, she knew Grandma would pick up on something being wrong. Slowing to a walk, she sniffled, took a few deep breaths, and rubbed her hands across her cheeks to wipe away her tears.
"You're back early today, child." Angel nodded and climbed the steps. Grandma caught sight of her face. "And you're awfully flushed."
"It's just from running home to try to get out of the rain."
"Then why the dreary face?" Grandma leaned forward. "You're upset over what was in that box, aren't you?"
"No, Grandma. Peter forgot to bring my father's stuff, is all. And he's in trouble with his folks, so he had to go home early and can't come back today." It was a partial truth, anyway.
Grandma raised a wary eyebrow. "You're sure he really forgot and can't come back? Or do you think maybe he left everything at home deliberately? To try to do what's best for you and protect you, like I am?"
The same idea had crossed Angel's mind. But she was too upset and exhausted to think about that anymore, much less discuss it. In fact, she wanted nothing more than to peel off her wet clothes, soak in a bath, and cry. Shrugging, she placed her hand on the doorknob.
Grandma sighed. "I suppose it doesn't matter much one way or the other. Least it won't if I decide to come forward with what I know. That's what I'm thinking about doing."
Angel whirled around. "You mean you're going to tell me what's in that box? What you've been hiding?"
"I'm not sure I'm going to tell you directly. It's something that would be very hard for me to say to you. What I mean is I am thinking of going to others, others who can do something about it. It'll cost me everything. But I'm an old woman. I don't have much longer to live now. At least I can die knowing I tried to do the right thing. Besides, maybe it could actually help you somehow, too."
That statement made Angel believe more than ever that her father was still alive. She decided to try one further plea. "You know, Grandma, by this time tomorrow, I will have found out the truth from Peter—at least most of it. So why don't you go ahead and tell me what you know and how it could help me?"
"No more questions, child. I'm just
thinking about this. I haven't decided for sure."
During the conversation, Angel's eyes fell upon the grove of trees across the road. That's when she spotted something black among the leafy green foliage. The top of it narrowed into a point, like the top of a hood. Then it moved.
A person.
She pointed across the road. "Grandma, look!"
"What, child?"
"Don't you see…?" The shape had disappeared.
"See what, Angel?"
"Someone was out there, Grandma." Her voice trembled. "I think they were watching us."
<b>More to come soon! Thanks for reading!<b>