I've been super busy working on several books. Takes a lot of time to write a book.
So, in our relationship, I've not been as attentive as I should - I know, and I apologize. Unfortunately, this is the way I am. Once I'm locked into a writing fit - I'm lost there until I burn out and come back to reality... or what I consider reality. :O)
What have I been working on? Harrow's Gate! This is a work of science fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, and romance. Ya, I said romance! It is my first try at adding into the plot a romance that would complement the action/adventure stuff. It was no easy work - considering I'm the guy who wrote In the World of Hyboria - barbarian action and adventure with fierce brutality, war, revenge, torture, good v. evil, and the bonds of brotherhood.. the brotherhood at arms that is. I hope Robert E. Howard is not spinning in his grave! :O) )
Back to Harrow's Gate -
Take a look at the excerpt and see if it doesn't give you a immersive sense and pull you to want to read the story.Harrow's Gate excerpt from Chapter 2:
Ella’s
eyes narrowed. “What do you mean I can’t go out?”
Her
brother took a step away from her… it looked as if she might attack. “Father
says you have to stay in the hotel until they return with the escort,” he said.
“Then you can go out... with the escort.”
She
leveled her imposing gaze at him.
“They’re
not returning until one in the morning tomorrow! How am I supposed to go out
then?”
“Not
my problem,” Geris said. “Anyway, you’re safer here inside the hotel. Why don’t
you invite Crystal or Genya to come up?” He hedged his way toward the open
door. “You know, play some quambi or paint each other’s toenails or something…”
She
grabbed a vase and hurled it at his head. It missed by an inch and smashed
against the wall splashing water and flowers everywhere.
“You’re
a man and you can go anywhere you want!” she screamed. “I can handle myself
anywhere and in any situation,” she yelled after him, as he ran through the
door and down the hallway to the lift.
Ella
stomped into the hall and saw him frantically pushing the signal-button for the
lift-box. The corners of her mouth twisted up, as her anger ebbed. She huffed,
turned on her heels and went back in, slamming the door behind her.
“By all the elements, I’ll have a night out,”
Ella swore. ~Lawrence BoarerPitchford
Saucy gal, eh? She's nobody's fool - to say the least. She's a strong woman who knows what she wants when she sees it. The men are no slouches either.
Harrow's Gate excerpt from Chapter 3:
The
girls walked a little faster, but two men stepped out from a dark alley just
ahead. Both wore battered and frayed bowler hats, ill-fitting dark coats, and
threadbare trousers. One of them held a wooden axe handle, and the other
produced a long shiny knife.
“Where
you think you’re going, my little dearies?” the man with the knife asked. He
smiled and showed he lacked both front teeth as well as manners.
“Them’s
off to the ball, me thinks,” the ruffian with the axe handle said, as he
slapped the hardwood into his palm.
From
across the street two men came. They were different, dressed in clean and
expensive black trousers, black boots, long black split-tail coats, and black
toppers.
“Is
this the young Ms. Garland?” one of them said while tipping his hat. “I am
enchanted at making your acquaintance, to be sure.”
The
other man also tipped his hat and bowed slightly. “Truly a woman of much
beauty,” he said. “Please to let me introduce myself. I am Heinz Foltz, the
adviser to the Burkmuran government here in Hurgray. I have been asked to seek
you out and invite you to visit the Ambassador. Also, the invitation is
extended to your lovely friends as well.” He nodded to Genya and Crystal.
“What
is this about?” Crystal demanded.
“All
will be explained once we are at the embassy,” Heinz said.
“And
if we refuse to go,” Ella challenged.
“Then
we will take you by force, which is why we employed these fine gentlemen.” He
motioned with his hand to the goons surrounding the girls.
Ella
moved quickly and kicked Heinz in the leg. The man fell to the side, and Ella
shouted, “This way!”
The
three girls ran toward a dark alley across the street. The hired goons were on
their heels every step of the way. Ella dashed down the road between the high
brick buildings only to find it blocked at the end with a wall and a wooden
door. She turned and produced a small dagger. Swinging it from side to side,
she nearly cut one of the ruffians.
“Now,
me lovely, you don’t want to go and do that do you?” said the lead tough.
“I’ll
gut the first of you that tries to lay a hand on us!” Ella shouted.
The
two Burkmuran men arrived. Heinz pushed his way forward. The green moon was
full, and in the dim light of the alley he shook his head.
“You’re
a pistol, my little sweet-pie,” he said.
“No,
actually I have a pistol, and I’ll
kill each of you if you don’t step aside,” Leland said loudly from behind.
“What’s
this?” Heinz turned around. “Who in the Height’s Hell are you?”
“None
of your business! Now step aside or you’ll be the first to fall,” Leland
assured him.
“Ella,
Crystal, Genya, come this way,” Tommy said, his saber in his hand and ready for
action.
Ella
moved forward waving her dagger from side to side to make sure the men stayed
out of the way. Once through, the girls ran out to the street.
“Come
on,” Ella shouted back, “let’s get out of here!”
Leland and Tommy backed out to the street. “We
can’t have you following us, so…” Leland fired his pistol. The loud pop echoed
in the alley, followed by a puff of steam as the peroxide weapon discharged. ~Lawrence BoarerPitchford
See what I mean - fun - action - and a bit of saucy romance... well, you'll need to see for yourself.
Harrow's Gate is only 99 Cents on Amazon and Smashwords - there is also a paperback copy if you're crave the feel of paper between your hands - but it is a little more expensive.
www.BoarerPitchford.com
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