Excerpts

[AnthonyStevens]

Authors! Show us what ya got!
Under this forum, please post your blurbs and excerpts.
PLEASE provide a rating or any warnings in the subject line!

[AnthonyStevens]

Hi everyone!

My name is Anthony Stevens and my first novel, 'New Ickford Manor' has
just been published by Lyrical Press, Inc.

Based on historic locations and real events, this time-travel tale
transports you to medieval England where history is altered by
castaways from the future.

You will become immersed in a background that includes bloody
struggles for power, violent sex and the warm comforts of love.

When you visit New Ickford Manor, you will come to know an orphaned
young woman, trained as a healer, who is rescued by a minor lord. This
man is accustomed to the privileges of nobility and accepts her as his
slave. New-found respect and love will blur the roles of both slave
and master.

A spoiled goth-child and her parents have to make a new life in a
brutal land. How can she possibly find love with a dirty,
semi-literate poacher?

A skilled smith and his son are doomed to a homeless death as poachers
when they meet an ex-cop from the future. The challenges of building a
new life while sharing knowledge and friendship, bring them together
in a Dog's Nest.

Honor and pride won't let the smith's son proclaim his love for the
beautiful young woman from the future. That is, not until he can offer
a home of their own.

Ripped from the present by nature's fury and hurled into a world of
brutal conflict, only knowledge, friendship and love will keep them
alive.

An excerpt follows.

CAVEAT: This novel contains references to extreme violence, bondage,
attempted rape, explicit sex and graphic language.

Anthony Stevens
http://anthonystevens.wordpress.com/

====

Excerpt from New Ickford Manor: Rated 'G'

I stepped from behind a tree and stood with my hand on sword,
outwardly calm and ready to confront the brigands. "Hold! This is my
land. If you would live, turn and go in peace."

"Aye! And what is this puny fellow who blocks our path? We are
following a pair of murderers, friend. They killed two of my men
yesterday, and I'll have their heads this day. If it is you who wishes
to live, then stand aside."

"How did they die? Was there a battle, or just a drunken brawl?"

They all drew their weapons. The leader spurred the horse forward and
swung his sword in a deadly arc while screaming, "Enough!"

I stepped aside at the last moment and the blade missed by inches. My
own blade whispered free of its sheath and rang as it blocked the blow
of the second man. Heart pounding, my eyes focused on how he had
over-extended his arm, and a quick twist of my wrist buried my blade
in his armpit. He screamed in mortal agony and fell away.

Charles jumped from a tree and cut the throat of a second horseman, a
gurgled cry signaling his demise. The two remaining men wheeled their
mounts and charged back at us.

Charles was on the ground as the horse had thrown him from its flank.
Ruff stepped from behind another bush and swiped his dagger over the
thigh of the leader bearing down upon me. Screaming in fury and pain,
the man swung hard with the advantage of height and the momentum of
his horse, and struck my sword from my hand.

My arm all but numb from the shock of the blow, I threw myself to the
roadside to avoid his back swing. My attacker rolled from the saddle,
landing just out of my reach, and brought his blade high, ready for
the deathblow.

A shrill, ragged scream came from up the trail. "No!"

I rolled to one side just as his blade crashed to ground. There was no
way to avoid his back stroke...

http://lyricalpress.com/new_ickford_manor.html

[Anne Kane]

Great blurb. I really have to get a copy of your book. And then find time to read it! Of course there it that 4 hour layover in my flight in July **grin**. No interruptions!

Anne