Elizabeth Marshall's Blog
August 8, 2013
Rising - Forgive me for I have sinned.
RISING
Rising is the unforgiving tale of a man damaged by my actions.
His character is my sin and this story is my confession.
INTRODUCTION
Forgive me for I have sinned.
Many have suffered because of it, but I have repented, and in the end, paid the ultimate price. It is a price I should have paid the first time – but I was selfish and reluctant to orchestrate my own demise.
I ask you not to judge me – I sin differently to you.
******
CHAPTER 1
The Village, North Western Scotland
He watched her sleep, silently counting each shallow breath before stepping forward and reaching for a tartan blanket that had fallen at her feet. He moved to cover her with the blanket and then suddenly dropped it. His eyes narrowed. Weakness and compassion would ruin the game. She was his ivory trophy and treasured central pawn, tarnished by time and him.
“Wake up old woman.”
Marta’s grey eyes flickered open and came to rest on the familiar form of Old Alastair MacIain, chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe.
“Was it absolutely necessary to present yourself in this way, Stag?” Marta said, rubbing her eyes to clear them of sleep. My chief is long since dead, why take his shape?”
“You respected him.”
“And what happened to him sickened me.”
“But you haven’t averted your gaze – perhaps you are relieved that it is he who died and not you.”
She fell silent.
“Are you not disgusted when you think back to what the Campbells did?” the Stag taunted.
“It wasn’t just the Campbells who destroyed my people.”
“So you blame me for the massacre?”
“Aye – you could have stopped it.”
“I cannot save everyone.”
“Enough! Why are you here, Stag?”
“The child is born.”
“And it’s mother?”
“She is dead.”
Marta closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “She was my best friend’s daughter – I loved her as my own.”
“We must all die at some point.”
“What of her husband?” Marta asked, choosing to ignore the Stag’s blunt statement.
“Simon Campbell is, as I predicted – no use to man nor beast.”
“He is a strong man, he will heal in time.”
“Unlikely. He is crippled with grief – and guilt. He will not recover.”
“Would it not have been better to simply save Corran?”
“You know very well that it wasn’t possible to save her.”
“I don’t believe you. You granted Corran immortality after the massacre…”
“As I did you,” he interrupted.
“You could have saved her now, if you had wanted to,” Marta said, deliberately ignoring his reference to her own immortality.
“Perhaps – but the deed is done and the woman is dead, petty regrets are futile.”
“You used her.”
“What of it?”
“She was the closest thing I had to a daughter.”
“And now she is dead – our priority lies with the child. It must be reared.”
“You mean raised?”
“Simple mistake – I have found it a mother.”
“He had a mother.”
“And I let her die – yes, I know. You must now deal with my judgment, that is if you still want to control the child’s powers one day.”
“You know I have no choice.”
“Then you must go to Simon and bring the child here.”
“What makes you think he will hand his son over to me?”
“He won’t care who takes the boy – but he remembers you well enough, and in time he will find some comfort in knowing that you have his son.”
“I am too old to raise a child – you cannot possibly…”
“No – of course I don’t expect you to be its mother.”
“Then what are we to do with him?”
“He will be reared in the twenty first century, the safest time I know – by the woman who bore Duncan.”
“Does this woman know yet?”
“Not yet – but she will.”
“And you are certain she will be happy to do this?”
“Quite the contrary – she will despise the job.”
“Then we must find another – someone who will cherish the boy.”
“No. My decision is final.”
“You are a despicable creature.”
“Yes, I most certainly am – but you will follow me nonetheless.”
“Only because you have left me with no choice.”
“And you will leave Grace with no choice.”
“Exactly how do you expect me to do that?”
“I credited you with more intelligence than that – we have her son. The woman is desperate to find him. Blackmail her.”
“And you think forcing a woman to raise another’s child is the right decision?”
“Yes.”
“You disgust me.”
“Don’t fool yourself old woman – we have more in common than you like to admit. It is time – go and do your job.”
******
Rising is the unforgiving tale of a man damaged by my actions.
His character is my sin and this story is my confession.
INTRODUCTION
Forgive me for I have sinned.
Many have suffered because of it, but I have repented, and in the end, paid the ultimate price. It is a price I should have paid the first time – but I was selfish and reluctant to orchestrate my own demise.
I ask you not to judge me – I sin differently to you.
******
CHAPTER 1
The Village, North Western Scotland
He watched her sleep, silently counting each shallow breath before stepping forward and reaching for a tartan blanket that had fallen at her feet. He moved to cover her with the blanket and then suddenly dropped it. His eyes narrowed. Weakness and compassion would ruin the game. She was his ivory trophy and treasured central pawn, tarnished by time and him.
“Wake up old woman.”
Marta’s grey eyes flickered open and came to rest on the familiar form of Old Alastair MacIain, chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe.
“Was it absolutely necessary to present yourself in this way, Stag?” Marta said, rubbing her eyes to clear them of sleep. My chief is long since dead, why take his shape?”
“You respected him.”
“And what happened to him sickened me.”
“But you haven’t averted your gaze – perhaps you are relieved that it is he who died and not you.”
She fell silent.
“Are you not disgusted when you think back to what the Campbells did?” the Stag taunted.
“It wasn’t just the Campbells who destroyed my people.”
“So you blame me for the massacre?”
“Aye – you could have stopped it.”
“I cannot save everyone.”
“Enough! Why are you here, Stag?”
“The child is born.”
“And it’s mother?”
“She is dead.”
Marta closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “She was my best friend’s daughter – I loved her as my own.”
“We must all die at some point.”
“What of her husband?” Marta asked, choosing to ignore the Stag’s blunt statement.
“Simon Campbell is, as I predicted – no use to man nor beast.”
“He is a strong man, he will heal in time.”
“Unlikely. He is crippled with grief – and guilt. He will not recover.”
“Would it not have been better to simply save Corran?”
“You know very well that it wasn’t possible to save her.”
“I don’t believe you. You granted Corran immortality after the massacre…”
“As I did you,” he interrupted.
“You could have saved her now, if you had wanted to,” Marta said, deliberately ignoring his reference to her own immortality.
“Perhaps – but the deed is done and the woman is dead, petty regrets are futile.”
“You used her.”
“What of it?”
“She was the closest thing I had to a daughter.”
“And now she is dead – our priority lies with the child. It must be reared.”
“You mean raised?”
“Simple mistake – I have found it a mother.”
“He had a mother.”
“And I let her die – yes, I know. You must now deal with my judgment, that is if you still want to control the child’s powers one day.”
“You know I have no choice.”
“Then you must go to Simon and bring the child here.”
“What makes you think he will hand his son over to me?”
“He won’t care who takes the boy – but he remembers you well enough, and in time he will find some comfort in knowing that you have his son.”
“I am too old to raise a child – you cannot possibly…”
“No – of course I don’t expect you to be its mother.”
“Then what are we to do with him?”
“He will be reared in the twenty first century, the safest time I know – by the woman who bore Duncan.”
“Does this woman know yet?”
“Not yet – but she will.”
“And you are certain she will be happy to do this?”
“Quite the contrary – she will despise the job.”
“Then we must find another – someone who will cherish the boy.”
“No. My decision is final.”
“You are a despicable creature.”
“Yes, I most certainly am – but you will follow me nonetheless.”
“Only because you have left me with no choice.”
“And you will leave Grace with no choice.”
“Exactly how do you expect me to do that?”
“I credited you with more intelligence than that – we have her son. The woman is desperate to find him. Blackmail her.”
“And you think forcing a woman to raise another’s child is the right decision?”
“Yes.”
“You disgust me.”
“Don’t fool yourself old woman – we have more in common than you like to admit. It is time – go and do your job.”
******
August 6, 2013
Rising by Elizabeth Marshall
‘It wasn’t power that corrupted me but boredom’ Elizabeth Marshall - Rising.
Rising is due for release on the 23rd August 2012.
On this day, the kindle version of the book will be free on all Amazon sites worldwide.
Rising is very different to anything I have written before. It is a chilling tale of sinister betrayal, a dark fantasy drama that tells the story of the calculated destruction of a man’s character.
I haven't avoided controversy and at times have unashamedly tackled issues that will inspire complex moral debates.
What started as a short character outline has evolved into 120,000 word story, which is as dark and harrowing as my other books are light and comforting. Rising is a frightening and honest portrayal of humanity. There are no clear lines between right and wrong. Characters are raw and exposed and at times the story is deeply personal. You are promised a gripping read that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.
Rising is due for release on the 23rd August 2012.
On this day, the kindle version of the book will be free on all Amazon sites worldwide.
Rising is very different to anything I have written before. It is a chilling tale of sinister betrayal, a dark fantasy drama that tells the story of the calculated destruction of a man’s character.
I haven't avoided controversy and at times have unashamedly tackled issues that will inspire complex moral debates.
What started as a short character outline has evolved into 120,000 word story, which is as dark and harrowing as my other books are light and comforting. Rising is a frightening and honest portrayal of humanity. There are no clear lines between right and wrong. Characters are raw and exposed and at times the story is deeply personal. You are promised a gripping read that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.
November 11, 2012
Whispers in the Dark
This is a short, time travel romance story of about 20 000 words and does contain some strong language. It can be read as a standalone story or as part of the Highland Secret Series.
Having left Australia to start a new life in York, Stacey Dodge is about to face her first Christmas away from friends and family, but a casual stroll around the ancient city sees Stacey torn even further from loved ones. Accidentally hurled through time, she finds herself in eighteenth century York, in the arms of a man who might just be worth staying for...
Just released and available on Amazon.
September 7, 2012
JUST RELEASED AND FREE TODAY ON AMAZON.CO.UK AND AMAZON.COM - ENTWINED by Elizabeth Marshall
Immortality is a gift from the Highland Stag - but even the Stag has to face its fate.
In a desperate fight to save her family, Corran commits the ultimate sin and murders her husband’s brother. With their lives in mortal danger, the family’s dreams of a quiet life in York are destroyed by the horrifying discovery that Angus was not their only threat. In a bid to save his wife and unborn child, Simon turns to a friend for help and billets his family in an ancient pub, where their lives collide with Robert and Grace Hamilton.
Entwined takes you on an enchanting journey of myth, magic and history - a complex tale of entwined lives and twisted fate, alternative realities and dark risings.
http://www.amazon.com/Entwined-Highla...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Entwined-High...
In a desperate fight to save her family, Corran commits the ultimate sin and murders her husband’s brother. With their lives in mortal danger, the family’s dreams of a quiet life in York are destroyed by the horrifying discovery that Angus was not their only threat. In a bid to save his wife and unborn child, Simon turns to a friend for help and billets his family in an ancient pub, where their lives collide with Robert and Grace Hamilton.
Entwined takes you on an enchanting journey of myth, magic and history - a complex tale of entwined lives and twisted fate, alternative realities and dark risings.
http://www.amazon.com/Entwined-Highla...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Entwined-High...
September 3, 2012
'Entwined' -3rd book in the 'Highland Secret Series'
Well Friends, we have finally done it. A date is set for the launch of ‘Entwined’ and guess what? It’s this coming FRIDAY:-) on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com
Ever wondered what goes through my mind on a Friday night when I’m at 'Ye Olde Starre Inne', York? Well, on Friday, you will find out :-) x
Hugs to you all and I hope you have the most wonderful week. x
Ever wondered what goes through my mind on a Friday night when I’m at 'Ye Olde Starre Inne', York? Well, on Friday, you will find out :-) x
Hugs to you all and I hope you have the most wonderful week. x
May 20, 2012
Spilling the beans!
I have received a lot of emails recently asking variations of the same question, so I have finally relented and decided to let the ‘proverbial cat out of the bag'.
The third book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’ is called ‘Entwined’. No, I haven’t missed a book.
Here is where I drop the long awaited bomb shell.
‘Haunting Grace’, 'Changing Grace’ and ‘Saving Grace’ are to be merged into one, thirty thousand word book called ‘Beyond Time’.
‘Beyond Time’ is and always has been the second book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’. Although until now I have endeavored to keep this information to myself.
So there you have it. My closely guarded secret is out.
How are Grace and Robert connected to Simon and Corran?
I’d love to tell you, but that would ruin the surprise, so I’m sorry folks, you are just going to have to wait for ‘Entwined’.
I promise you; it will be worth the wait!
‘When Fate Dictates’ and ‘Beyond Time’ are due for re-released and will be appearing, on Amazon, with their new covers very shortly.
‘Entwined’ will follow hot on their heels.
In the meantime, I will be adding further locations in York and Scotland to the website for you to explore.
We are currently updating the website, so please be patient with us and keep visiting. It will be up and running soon.
www.elizabethmarshallwrites.com
Happy ghost hunting and may you have many awesome and exciting adventures.
Elizabeth. M x
The third book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’ is called ‘Entwined’. No, I haven’t missed a book.
Here is where I drop the long awaited bomb shell.
‘Haunting Grace’, 'Changing Grace’ and ‘Saving Grace’ are to be merged into one, thirty thousand word book called ‘Beyond Time’.
‘Beyond Time’ is and always has been the second book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’. Although until now I have endeavored to keep this information to myself.
So there you have it. My closely guarded secret is out.
How are Grace and Robert connected to Simon and Corran?
I’d love to tell you, but that would ruin the surprise, so I’m sorry folks, you are just going to have to wait for ‘Entwined’.
I promise you; it will be worth the wait!
‘When Fate Dictates’ and ‘Beyond Time’ are due for re-released and will be appearing, on Amazon, with their new covers very shortly.
‘Entwined’ will follow hot on their heels.
In the meantime, I will be adding further locations in York and Scotland to the website for you to explore.
We are currently updating the website, so please be patient with us and keep visiting. It will be up and running soon.
www.elizabethmarshallwrites.com
Happy ghost hunting and may you have many awesome and exciting adventures.
Elizabeth. M x
December 5, 2011
Winner Announced!
The Winner of the Christmas song competition is Sarah Greenway. Well done Sarah for picking this great song and winning the competition.
A signed copy of 'When Fate Dictates' is on its way to you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EMWRITES AND FAMILY. WE WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR! XX
WINTER WONDERLAND by ELIZABETH MARSHALL, GEORGE AND EMMA xx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaI2HY...
A signed copy of 'When Fate Dictates' is on its way to you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EMWRITES AND FAMILY. WE WISH YOU ALL A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR! XX
WINTER WONDERLAND by ELIZABETH MARSHALL, GEORGE AND EMMA xx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaI2HY...
Voting for the Christmas song competition
Voting for the Christmas song competition has now closed. Thank you so much to everyone who voted. The winner will be announced later today. x Much love and hugs to you all. xx
November 30, 2011
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER - CHRISTMAS COMPETITION!
It’s competition time! This is your last chance to tell me the name of your favorite Christmas song – A winner will be picked at random and will receive a free signed copy of ‘When Fate Dictates’ – what’s more, I will singing the winner’s choice with my two youngest children on a youtube video – released the week before Christmas. VOTE NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
October 13, 2011
Christmas Competition!
It’s competition time!
Tell me the name of your favorite Christmas song –
A winner will be picked at random and will receive a free signed copy of ‘When Fate Dictates’ –
What’s more, I’ve been dared to sing the winner’ s choice on a youtube video – released the week before Christmas.
Tell me the name of your favorite Christmas song –
A winner will be picked at random and will receive a free signed copy of ‘When Fate Dictates’ –
What’s more, I’ve been dared to sing the winner’ s choice on a youtube video – released the week before Christmas.
