Monday, October 6, 2014

TRAVELING THROUGH THE MISTS OF TIME...

The first glimmer of daybreak carves its way through a soupy fog. 

Silver mist clings to a ramshackle building as colorless fingers wipe water spots off a chipped beer glass. 

Images pop through the bar keeps' mind, like a child's toy pistol releasing an imaginary round bullets.

His mind focuses on a face twisted in agony. And, for the second time, watches vivid red leaking onto the blanket of snow.

Timing is everything. Who would've guessed it would be this easy...

I did.

Step one of my plan is complete.



What is his next move? 

Will anyone else bite the dirt?

Only one person has the means to stop him.

But will there be strength enough to overcome this deadly plan?

The answers are soon to follow...


THE TURNAGAIN ARM

by 

JULIE FLANDERS


This is the prequel novella to Julie's first book POLAR NIGHT. SO it's a MUST READ. What an exciting premise! Right?! I've got my copy and can't wait to read it! 

I hope you enjoyed my little intro. I was honored  when Julie asked me to design the cover and write the blurb. It's one of my favorites. And I hope you rush out and get your copy.

Here's the blurb to wet your appetite a bit more...



Locomotive wheels screech to a halt. Potters Creek, Alaska is nothing more than a small camp set up alongside the tracks. A weathered sign dominates the scene. 

The Turnagain Arm Saloon 

Est.1917


Only one passenger remains and exits.

The early afternoon full moon peaks through a shimmering snow fall as a shadow casts over each split rail. The wind howls, sweeping the cloak of a hooded figure. He follows   the tracks toward the distant saloon. A hulking man crunches through the snow, attracting his attention. 

Calling out to him in a foreign accent, the townsman stops in mid step. The stranger catches up and engages him. 

Until…

The man disappears under the stranger’s cloak. 

Blood drips from his lips, and he wipes the remaining trickles from his mouth. After disposing of the body, the mysterious figure continues on his journey. He glides through the snow as if on a sleigh, leaving no footprints behind.


*          *          *          *          *


Within a short period, he convinces Vasyl, the owner of the saloon, to hire him. Aleksei charms everyone he meets. But soon mistrust enters every tense line on Vasyl’s face as others disappear, and his wife falls under Aleksei’s spell.

The classic game of cat and mouse continues, but who will win?

Is a mere mortal any match for Aleksei?

A spark ignites within Alexei after yet another of Vasyl’s attempts to disgrace him.


This man knows of me. He must be a witch. Aleksei laughs. You are no match for me or my plan.


Available on Amazon: Link 

Don't forget to drop by Julie's blog and wish her well on her newest story...

Have a wonderful day everyone!




46 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is a really atmospheric cover, Michael! Excellent job on that one.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Nice intro and great cover Michael. Congrats to Julie!!!!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great job on your intro, Michael. Congrats to Julie!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Who is the mysterious stranger? You know how to tantalize!

Jo said...

Having read, and enjoyed, Polar Night I know who it is. A great cover and intro though.

Cherdo said...

Bam - on the read list.

The cover art is wonderful, I love it. You're very talented, my friend.

Connie said...

Sounds like a great story. You did a wonderful job on the cover! Congratulations to Julie!

SK Anthony said...

Michael, that is FANTASTIC! Love the cover and the blurb!!!!

And congrats, Julie! It sounds freaking awesome :)

Julie Flanders said...

Thanks so much for all your help, Michael!! I love this intro. You're the best! :)

D.G. Hudson said...

Intriguing and makes me not want to go to Alaska. . . Great intro, Michael and Best of Sales, Julie! I like the train track image for the cover, an easy getaway and if a train comes a way to muck up evidence.

Morgan said...

Stunning. All of it. LOVE the cover!!! And love the magic in the words leading up to it!!! Michael, you are sickly talented. You just are!

And so excited for Julie!

Bravo!!!

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Great cover, Michael! The cover and the summary definitely make me want to read it. Wishing Julie all the best on her new release!

Joanne said...

excellent cover. Quite haunting - the cover and the blurb. wow

Michelle Wallace said...

Wow!
I LOVE the intro...it matches the image...so atmospheric...really perfect...especially since I've read Polar Night, and really enjoyed it!
The Blurb King strikes AGAIN!
Congrats to Julie!

cleemckenzie said...

I've seen Julie a lot of places today! Very impressive. Wishing her the very best.

dolorah said...

I entered the contest; this looks awesome. I think I have Polar Night on my kindle. I need to get some reading done.

Loved your cover and over view also.

Congrats Julie; looks like the perfect October read :)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Alex...

I had great inspiration from Julie's story! SO COOL!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Cathrina....

I hope Julie sells lots today!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Jo! Glad you enjoyed it!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Aw, thanks, Cherdo.... I'm blushing. I owe it to Julie for her amazing story!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Daisy.

IT does sound wonderful, I have it scheduled for my next read!

Michael Di Gesu said...

You're so kind.... Thanks S.K.

Such a SPOOKY read. Great for this time of year!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I was hoping you'd like it, Julie. I wanted to surprise you!

It was my sincere pleasure!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I love trains, too, D. G. And a good mystery!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Blushing, again... Thanks Morg. So happy you enjoyed it! You are my number one fan....

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Karen... So GLAD you had the time to stop by.

I know Julie has a winner here!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks, Joanne... It is a HAUNTING story. So full of mystery and intrigue!

Michael Di Gesu said...

LOL... I love THAT nickname, Michelle. I hope I can ALWAYS live up to it!

It does help to be writing and designing for such TALENTED authors such as Julie.

Michael Di Gesu said...

I agree, Donna.... It will be the PERFECT October read!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I do try, L. Diane... lol. Julie certainly created a very intriguing mystery...

Janie Junebug said...

That's a great cover.

Love,
Janie

Carol Riggs said...

Great job, all 'round, Michael and Julie. :) And a creepy-type tale, just in time for Halloween, eh?!!

Empty Nest Insider said...

This is such a captivating cover, Michael! I also enjoyed your spine-tingling intro. I loved Polar Night, and can't wait to read The Turnagain Arm! Congrats to Julie!

Julie

Melissa said...

I'm so excited for Julie. And you! Good work on that cover, Michael!

Crystal Collier said...

Yay! I'm so behind on my reading list, but this one is definitely going to have to go on it.

Anonymous said...

That is a great cover! CONGRATS to Julie!

JJ said...

Wow! Julie's cover is second-to-none. I'll bet the book is too. Congratulations!

Carol Kilgore said...

Love your cover for this, Michael. And I'm looking forward to reading Julie's book.

Jack said...

Sounds amazing!!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Michael, the cover of the book is amazing. But the introduction is simply breath taking, "The first glimmer of daybreak carves its way through a soupy fog. Silver mist clings to a ramshackle building as colorless fingers wipe water spots off a chipped beer glass. "
I read it twice and and loved it all the more the second time round.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michael .. the cover art is great ... and it's good to have the Prequel to Polar Night in Amazon ready to read ... which I must do ...

Cheers and hope you'll get a chance to read my latest art post! Interesting story line ... cheers again - Hilary

Misha Gerrick said...

Congrats, Julie!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Great job with that cover, Michael!

And I'm sure it's a great story, too. I bought it the day it was released, but haven't read it yet. Too many others were in line in front of it. But soon! Gonna read it soon!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Excellent blurb and cover! Congrats to Julie!

Yolanda Renée said...

Too Cool! Congratulations Julie!

And Michael, what can I say - excellent! Just excellent!

LD Masterson said...

Nice job, Michael. I've read Polar Night so this one will be going onto my TBR list.