.jpg)
BLURB:
While collaborating on a fashion show, Samantha Hammond, a forty-something Display Manager, draws the attention of the mysterious clothing designer Valerie Ross. Samantha’s journey of self-discovery takes her from the security of her hometown in Lexington, Ohio to the shores of a secluded paradise called Sabbatical Island. As their relationship flourishes, Samantha learns that Valerie harbors a terrifying secret. The revelation thrusts Samantha into a nightmarish world where vampires and witches dwell in the darkness. Pamela Darius, a murderous adversary from Valerie’s past, uses Samantha and those around her as pawns in a deadly game filled with seduction, pain, betrayal, and death.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robert is a fan of all things relating to vampires. It’s this obsession with vampires that makes his debut, “Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon”, the perfect vehicle to launch his writing career. Robert was born and raised in Northeast Ohio at a time when late night television stations filled their programming with old horror movies. Robert gravitated towards the motion picture vampire, but also the vampires depicted in the writings of Stephen King, F. Paul Wilson, and Robert McCammon.
Robert worked at JC Penney’s, where he spent 10 years in the Visual Display Department. His love of vampires, and a decade in the retail/fashion industry, provided the inspiration to create his own vampire tale. After several years of writing and re-writing, “Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon” was born.
When Robert isn’t writing, he enjoys going to the movies, or listening to his extensive music collection. Robert is a huge sports fan, but prefers football and baseball to all other sports. One of his favorite pastimes is participating as team owner and Commissioner of a long running fantasy football league. Robert manages to travel to the beaches of South Carolina at least once a year to recharge and enjoy some ocean time. Robert is married to his best friend and soulmate, Jackie. They have a son, Dustin, and two rambunctious cats, Meeps and Benny
Robert worked at JC Penney’s, where he spent 10 years in the Visual Display Department. His love of vampires, and a decade in the retail/fashion industry, provided the inspiration to create his own vampire tale. After several years of writing and re-writing, “Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon” was born.
When Robert isn’t writing, he enjoys going to the movies, or listening to his extensive music collection. Robert is a huge sports fan, but prefers football and baseball to all other sports. One of his favorite pastimes is participating as team owner and Commissioner of a long running fantasy football league. Robert manages to travel to the beaches of South Carolina at least once a year to recharge and enjoy some ocean time. Robert is married to his best friend and soulmate, Jackie. They have a son, Dustin, and two rambunctious cats, Meeps and Benny
EXCERPT:
“Witches are not the sinister, devil worshipping, purveyors of evil that Hollywood portrays. In several societies they are healers, counselors, and religious leaders. Some witches even served in royal courts by guiding lords of the land,” Valerie watches their faces alternate between disbelief and bewilderment. She clears her throat and continues. “As their enemies began to grow, witches were forced into hiding. They created a secret society that spread, first throughout Europe and then spreading to other countries. Covens protected themselves by learning the languages of their ancestors and choosing new names to protect their identities. The coven here in Lexington is very old. Each generation of your family has grown stronger in their natural abilities.”
“So what was my mother’s name?” Sara asks swallowing hard.
“Alexandrea’s coven name was Katherine,” Valerie pauses as she watches Sara’s gaze quickly dart to Samantha for a second. She makes a mental note to ask if there is meaning behind the name choice. “For the record Valerie is my coven name, my given name is Valeska.”
“My middle name is Katherine,” Samantha says looking sheepishly at the two of them. She desperately wishes to change the subject. “Are there any evil witches?”
“Some people call themselves witches and use witchcraft to serve their own dark purposes, but true witchcraft is the magical balance of man and nature so it can never be evil since nature is never evil. Sara, Paul and I have spoken to coven members around Lexington and each of them told us that your mother was a very powerful witch, and I’m guessing that you are as well,” Valerie explains as Sara nods that she understands everything up to this point. Samantha flashes Valerie a look as if begging her to stop talking about Alex. Samantha tears up with each revelation of Alex’s life that she had hidden from her.
“There is a passage in her Grimoire about you, and she felt that she was protecting you from those that wished to harm her and her coven,” Valerie says to Samantha attempting to ease her sadness.
“Sara, you were born to lead a coven that became splintered with your mother’s passing. Tonight, you’ll be able to vow to me, Samantha, and your ancestors to learn how to harness your abilities and become not only a witch, but a coven Priestess. If you accept this path, I will teach you all that I know about what the elders, called shadow dancing or spellcraft. I will deliver you into the welcoming arms of your new family, but if you choose to ignore this path, as is your right, the coven will remain broken and disappear,” Valerie says focusing her attention on Sara. “Please understand that once you choose your path that will be your path, no matter what the future may hold. There will be several tests along the way; each of them will be more intense than the last. They will strengthen your connection with the four natural elements until you can master them.”
Valerie returns the book to her belt as a few raindrops fall as if conveying the seriousness of the choice she must make. Sara looks at the swaying branches contemplating Valerie’s offer. She looks at Samantha, who is busy trying to hide the alarm that’s consuming her. Sara winks at her forcing Samantha to smile. Against her better judgment, Samantha nods her support and together she and Sara stand. Samantha takes a step back, leaving Sara standing close to Valerie. The wind picks up bringing with it heavier droplets of rain, as if the heavens seek to be included in the decision.
“I accept my chosen path. Train me with both speed and diligence, and I shall learn all that I need to know to serve my coven. My life is yours to do with as you wish,” Sara says kneeling before Valerie as Samantha softly sobs.
“Arise my child and call out to the stars and moon, to the Goddess, and to all living things. Proclaim your birth into this new world by declaring your new name,” Valerie implores over a sudden gust of wind.
“May the wind, fire, water, and earth now call me Avalon, daughter of the night,” Sara exclaims standing and throwing her arms out towards the sky as thunder echoes somewhere overhead.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: http://www.robertfullerauthor.com/index.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RFullerAuthor
No comments:
Post a Comment