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Excerpt: Death by the River by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor

Title: Death by the River

Authors: Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor

Published by: Vesuvian Books

Publication date: October 2nd 2018

Genres: Horror, Young Adult

About the book

A high school “American Psycho.”

SOME TRUTHS ARE BETTER KEPT SECRET.

SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER OFF DEAD.

Along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Handsome. Charming. Intelligent. The star quarterback of the football team. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch.

He is also a psychopath.

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the ruined St. Francis Abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize.

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes crystal clear that someone has to stop Beau Devereaux.

And that someone will pay with their life.

Excerpt:

Leslie followed him along the shoreline until they came to a rusted iron gate with a No Trespassing sign secured to it. Decorated with crosses and swirls, the sign marked the entrance to The Abbey grounds. Stepping through the open gate, she peered up at the imposing structure.

Two spires of white limestone, shaped like the tip of a sword, cut into the blue sky. The structure of red brick and limestone, the front windows and doors secured with loose scraps of plywood, sat in the middle of a field of high grass. The squat stone building of cloisters behind The Abbey remained intact. The Benedictine monks who had run the seminary school demolished the dormitories, refectory, and library after the site had been abandoned.

“Some place, huh?” Derek let go of her hand and trudged his way across the high grass.

Leslie’s apprehension bloomed in her chest. The grounds, unkempt after years of neglect, were a hodgepodge of weeds, overgrown trees, and green vines. On the way across the thigh-high grass, they passed a beautiful triple-tiered fountain with an angel on top, raising her arms to the heavens—a silent witness to the past.

How do people come here at night?

“You ever wonder why those priests just up and left it?” she asked, uncomfortable with the eerie quiet. Even the birds had stopped singing. “I know everyone in town says they got a better offer from the seminary in New Orleans, but it seems funny a bunch of people abandoned the place for no reason.”

“They left because it’s a wreck.” Derek parted a thick pile of tall grass with his shoe. “My mom told me it was falling apart when she was a kid, and the Archdiocese didn’t have the money to fix it. So they packed up the seminary school, the priests, and all the staff and shipped them to New Orleans.”

“Seems a shame, though. I read once that the structure dates back to the early 1800s when the Devereaux family built it as a private church.” Leslie eyed the frame of the empty belfry atop one of the square-shaped towers. “You’d think they’d want to save it.”

Derek nudged her with his elbow. “Maybe the ghost drove the priests away.”

Beau’s tale had been in the back of her head the whole time, but Derek’s comment spooked the crap out of her. “By ghost, do you mean the lady in white?”

“Yep.” He scanned the land around them. “They say she wears a glistening white cloak and wanders the priests’ cells. She only appears when the moon is full or during storms.”

The thought of being alone in such a disturbing place terrified her. “Have you ever seen the ghost?”

Derek searched the thick foliage ahead of them. “Nah. I’ve come here a few times with Mark and Andrew to hang out, but we’ve never seen anything.”

Granite steps rose out of the high grass as they drew near the entrance.

Leslie kicked herself for letting him talk her into coming to the remote location. “What about the wild dogs? Have you seen them around The Abbey?”

“Not to worry, baby. I’ll protect you from ghosts, wild dogs, and Beau Devereaux.” He climbed the granite steps, encouraging her to join him. “But I have to draw the line at your mother. There’s no way I’m taking her on in a fight.”

On the porch, beneath the cracked and chipped stone arch over the front doors, she waited while Derek wrestled with the plywood covering the entrance. She scanned the landscape, searching for any hint of trouble. But despite the creep factor, the lush green trees encircling them did have a soothing effect. Leslie breathed in the fresh pine scent and mossy aroma of the tall grass. Then a fly zipped past her face.

Thud.

She spun around to the source of the noise. Derek had pushed one of the large pieces of plywood securing the door out of the way, leaving a nice sized gap to crawl through.

“How did you do that?”

Derek held the plywood to the side for her. “The loose boards have been rigged to open easily. Found out about it the first time I came out here with Mark.”

Leslie dipped her head and looked through the doorway. “You sure it’s safe?”

His smile won over her fears.

“Baby. I wouldn’t bring you here if it wasn’t.”

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39675320-death-by-the-river?ac=1&from_search=true

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OgG8d5

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-by-the-river-alexandrea-weis/1128751264?ean=2940155702658

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/mt/book/death-by-the-river/id1425299723?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/death-by-the-river

About the Authors

Excerpt: Death by the River by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor (photo of Lucas Astor)

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Excerpt: Death by the River by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor (photo of Alexandrea Weis)

Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Having been brought up in the motion picture industry, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

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Title: Raven's Eye

Author: Adam Gowans

About the book:

https://amzn.to/2xpilOq

Ever since magic caused his mother's death, Ha-Neul, crown prince of Balhae, hates witches and the magic they wield. He has instituted harsh laws against all magic users.

Lisa is a young witch working undercover as a servant in his palace, hoping to gain freedom for her people. The last thing the two expect is to fall in love. But when Ha-Neul learns that Lisa is not only a witch, but the daughter of the Prince of Vires, land of witches, he banishes her. Distracted by heartbreak, he is caught off-guard by a military coup.

In hiding and on the run, Ha-Neul swallows his pride and travels with his siblings to Vires, planning to beg Lisa's aid, only to learn that she has mysteriously vanished.

Now his only hope in reclaiming his kingdom and reuniting with Lisa lies in the remote Northern Mountains, a country no one has ever penetrated and rumored home of a powerful magic source. There, Ha-Neul learns that a being powerful beyond comprehension has been carefully guiding his destiny. But if Ha-Neul can't let go of his hatred of all things magic, and accept the new path offered to him, it will mean the destruction of his entire world.

About the Author:

Adam Gowans is the youngest of five Air Force brats, out of which his siblings have voted him the weirdest. He loves anything that deals with stories, including movies, novels, television dramas, music, video games, manga/manhwa, and webtoons.

In his mid-twenties, he lived and taught English in South Korea for four years before returning to the States to live, like many LDS authors, in Utah.

His first novel is On Angelic Wings, which has a planned sequel, but the sequel will be released after two other novels that are calling for his attention.

Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon

Excerpt:

“Follow me. The wang wishes to speak with you.”

Lisa nodded, and they walked as fast as they could without appearing to rush. Neither of them spoke as they entered the palace and made their way to the wang’s suite, adrenaline sweeping through Lisa. When the elevator opened, Evan greeted them. He bowed to them and led the way to the door. He knocked twice and waited for an answer before opening it.

“Please go in, my lady,” he whispered in Common.

She went in and found the wang standing in front of her with a pleasant smile.

“Please sit, Princess,” he said in Common as well, indicating an armchair in the middle of the room while blatantly ignoring the astonishment on her face. They both sat, and he took a few moments to study her. “Do you love him?”

“Wh-what?”

“My oldest son, Geum Ha-Neul. Do you love him?”

“I apologize, Wang-Mama, I—”

“Don’t apologize—you shouldn’t apologize,” he said. “I should be apologizing.”

She looked at him with her mouth slightly agape as he genuinely seemed remorseful.

“I know who you are, Vasilisa Aleksandrsdöttir. I’ve known you your whole life.”

She sucked in a deep breath. He knew, yet he had still allowed her in the palace even though he had banished Rosalina. Lisa remembered her father saying he and the wang had attended school together as teenagers and interacted, but with his words, she now wondered if they had been friends.

“I’ve been hoping you could help change Ha-Neul’s mind about spellcasters,” the use of the correct term for witches surprised her for a moment, then she realized that his family situation would have allowed him to know the correct classifications for magic users, “which is why I personally placed you near my children from the very beginning of your employment and allowed you to become their nain. Then, when I learned about Ha-Neul’s feelings for you, I took full advantage.”

All of her interactions with the wang began to make sense. “That’s why you told me to tell him what I know about Vires, why you had me stay with him during the party.”

He nodded. “I, Geum Dong, Wang of Balhae, have done many things I am not proud of,” he paused, his eyes blinking rapidly, “especially toward my own people—your people—and I fired Rosalina when Ha-Neul found out about her situation.” He took in a ragged breath and slowly let it out. “It was all to appease my tortured son.”

“I assume you mean the incident that killed your wife?” she asked.

The wang nodded and wiped tears from his eyes for a few moments. When he seemed calm, he continued. “Ha-Neul needs to heal, and I believe you are the person to help him.”

“But—”

“No.” He lifted a hand. “No, please listen.” He leaned toward her, touching his fingertips together, pointing them at her. “I know your feelings no matter how hard you try to hide them. You know who sees past all the façade, don’t you? You know who is a clairvoyant.”

She nodded, not daring to speak the secret out loud.

“I want you to love him, and I want him to love you; however,” he became grave, “you must tell him who you really are, and soon.” His whole demeanor became kinder and more empathetic. “You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she breathed out, tears forming. “Ha-Na and I talked about it last week.”

“Our families have kept your secret from him long enough. It’s time he knows the truth.” He watched her carefully until she nodded. “I know it will be hard for both of you, and I know you know that as well. It will be worse the longer you wait.”

“I know,” she breathed out.

He held out his hand and waited. She placed her hand in his, and he covered it with his other hand.

“No matter what happens, I want you to know that I am grateful for everything you have done for my family, Vasilisa,” he said. He patted her hand and withdrew his. “It is late. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow, so you should go to bed.”

They both stood, and she bowed to him, and he bowed to her in return.

“Sleep well, Wang-Mama.”

She left the room to find Irene waiting, and all of the emotions she had held in check finally overwhelmed her. She collapsed into the outstretched arms of her aunt, who held her tightly and whispered comfort into her ear as her body trembled with silent sobs.

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Book Showcase: How Did I Get Here? by Jane Marlow

Title: How Did I Get Here?

Author: Jane Marlow

https://amzn.to/2r3r4Tv

About the book:

In the 1800s, two events altered the course of Russia’s future—the emancipation of the serfs and the Crimean War. Author Jane Marlow takes readers back to this signiﬁcant time in Russian history, journeying 800 miles south of Moscow to the frontlines of the Crimean War, in her second novel, How Did I Get Here?

Andrey Rozhdestvensky enters his ﬁnal year of medical studies in 1854 with an empty belly, empty pockets, and secondhand clothes held together by wishful thinking. When Russia blunders into the misbegotten Crimean War, Tsar Nicholas recruits medical students to the front. Andrey grabs at what he believes to be free passage out of his vapid life—a portal to a new identity.

Volunteering as a surgeon for the Russian army, Andrey travels to the frontlines in Sevastopol and Simferopol on Russia’s Crimean Peninsula, where he discovers the atrocities of war, and ﬁghts to keep death and disease— scurvy, typhoid, typhus, cholera, gangrene and frostbite—from decimating the troops. As the war progresses, Andrey fears his mind is becoming unhinged as he witnesses the most senseless disregard for human life imaginable.

But even after the ink dries on the peace treaty, the madness of the war doesn’t end for Andrey. He scours city and countryside in search of a place where his soul can heal. Emotionally hamstrung, can he learn to trust the woman who longs to walk beside him on his journey?

A war story told in intimate human terms, How Did I Get Here? is the result of Jane Marlow’s lifelong interest in 1800s Russia and extensive research into the Crimean War. The second book in the Petrovo series, this novel follows Who Is To Blame? A Russian Riddle, reacquainting readers with several of their favorite characters.

In How Did I Get Here?, readers witness the war’s frontlines from a Russian surgeon’s perspective (as compared to the well-known accounts of British nurse Florence Nightingale of the enemy’s forces). The book also examines unrecognized and untreatable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder a century before it was given a name, and explores the precariousness of war—why one man lives, the one beside him dies, and another is impaired for life.

A timeless story of human self-discovery and connection, How Did I Get Here? is hard-hitting historical ﬁction for serious readers.

About the Author

Jane Marlow (www.janemarlowbooks.com) was 11 years old when her mother hauled her to a stage

performance of “Fiddler on the Roof”—a night that began her lifelong fascination with the grayness and grandeur of 19th century Russia. After a 30-year career as a veterinarian, Jane began writing full-time.

She spent years researching 1800s Russia, the setting for her first two novels, Who Is to Blame? and How Did I Get Here?, the first and second books in the Petrovo series. Jane holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Texas A&M University, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. A longtime resident of the Austin, Texas area, she now lives in Bozeman, Montana.