The Ring of Lazarus

Donbridge #1

by R.D. Vincent

The fabled Town of Donbridge holds the key to a family’s folklore and 200 year history as told by a grandmother to her grandchildren. The first in the series, The Ring of Lazarus, tells the tale of a young girl found dead outside the fabled town. Grief stricken, her mother with lost hope places a powerful silver ring upon her deceased daughter’s finger knowing the family heirloom has given unnatural long life to every woman bearer in the family. Waiting for a miracle, all hope is faded in silence as the rings power seems to be lost. Heartbroken, the girl’s parents bury their child, but with all tales of Donbridge not everything is as it seems.

Genres: Fantasy

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2015

About the author

RD Vincent is an American author born in the historic village of Goshen, New York, on February 14, 1979. He was raised on a small dairy farm along with his brother and sister and attended Pine Bush Central Schools.

In late 1997, he attended SUNY Potsdam and began his studies as a Music Major. Feeling a bit overwhelmed in the music world, he sought refuge in both the English and Business Econ Departments. By the fall of 1998, he had a rare opportunity to meet New York author and poet Maurice Kenny. Over the next year, Vincent studied with Kenny in his creative writing class. Later that year, inspired by Kenny, he began writing for The Racquette, SUNY Potsdam College's Newspaper with a small cooking column called "Something to Cook About." The columns were published once every two weeks and contained a short story which always had the characters cooking or baking. Vincent included the recipes. It was at this moment that the idea for Donbridge came about while collaborating with his Grandmother and Great Aunt who both had a multitude of stories passed along to them from their elders. This project would take Vincent nearly 15 years to storyboard. RD Vincent's first publication, Donbridge, The Ring of Lazarus, was published July 15th 2015 on Amazon eBooks. This is the first of nine novellas in the Donbridge collection.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very original feel to me. The book starts with a grandmother making chilli for her grandsons. She begins to tell them a story, and that story is where the real plot starts. I listened to the audiobook, and I felt like I was there with the boys while grandma told the story. I've never read anything that gave me that feeling before. The actual story was pretty interesting. I'm curious to see how the series goes. I really enjoyed this audiobook. I hope the next is structured the same way, with grandma telling the story.
**I was provided this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me on toes.

Good wording and great development of the story. Kept me on toes.Loved the recipes at the end. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Shannon Mullis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

This short story is amazing! I loved it and can't wait for the other installations.
The grandmother character reminds me of my grandma...Who is sorely missed.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting RD Vincent in 2018 in Texas and purchased the complete Donbridge series. This review is for The Ring of Lazarus, Book 1 in the Donbridge novella series.

I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to pick up this book because I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The story starts with Grandmother and her 3 grandchildren; Michael, Jasper, and Mary. Grandmother grew up in the town of Donbridge and starts to tell the children an old Donbridge tale about the Taylor family and the tragedy that befalls their daughter Julianne. This novella grabbed me from the first page; I didn't want to put it down.

It took me back to stories my own grandfather would tell me when I was a child. Spooky, but not too spooky, this is the type of story I would have loved reading as a middle grader.

As a bonus the author has included some recipes that show up in the storyline that his own grandmother has handed down to him. Overall, a very good start to this novella series. I highly recommend it and can't wait to start Book 2. I give it 4 stars.

My Rating System:
* not worth finishing;
** ok, but...would not recommend;
*** liked it, would recommend;
**** really liked it, would highly recommend;
***** loved it, have/would read again.

[Illyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the ghost stories we used to tell each other at school or at sleepovers; I really enjoyed it. We met the author at the Denton Arts and Jazz festival this year and just loved the thought that he's keeping his Grandmother's stories alive through these books. The story telling felt like I was sitting in the kitchen along with the kids being told the tale of the Lazarus ring.
I'll be ordering the rest of the books in the series and recommend giving this a read.

[Nia Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't quite as spooky as I initially thought it was going to be, rooted more in a traditional American folk tale format, that doesn't necessarily have the same cultural creep factor for readers of other nationalities.

I enjoyed the format of this book, of an old lady telling her grandkids a spooky story after dinner. It has a lovely family feel to it, which makes the chilling tale she tells them even creepier. Throughout the story, you get a firm sense that the author is drawing from experience of growing up in a similar family environment.

I won't go into the details of the story as it's a mystery, but I would certainly recommend the audio version of this book - the narrator adds an extra layer of suspense to the story and brings the characters to life. This book would particularly suit fans of classic campfire stories and legends.

[Nicole Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, I'll come across a book or series that grabs hold and stays with me long after I've finished the story. That's the kind of beautiful magic I discovered in Donbridge. I've read every book in the series so far and am finding it so very hard to wait for the next. These books are full of loving, whimsical characters with old world charm and grace. The plots are unique, and I love how the author set the stories in the 1800's, yet managed to weave a bit of supernatural fun and spookiness within. Lastly, you can feel within the pages how Vincent is sharing part of his family - his history - with the reader, and the grandmother is the perfect vehicle for this. Simply beautiful execution all around!

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gave me an ARC of this book for an honest review.
The story is told in the first person point of view of a little boy as he relates the story his grandmother tells him. The story the grandmother tells him is about a place called Donbridge. There is a legend about the valley native Americans who lived there previous to the new settlers. There is a curse and a blessing, and a ring that has magical powers. It is well-framed by the grandmother's telling, and the children listening. It is quite short. I was able to read it within a few hours.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written prequel

This is a slightly boring prequel to an interesting-sounding series. It dabbles in the paranormal and zombie realms, which I avoid like the plague.

Grandmamma is telling her grandsons a story about a young girl who died from a head injury and exposure. Before her interment, her mother slipped a gypsy ring on her finger. The girl came back to life, but she was already buried.

4

[Monique Lager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next one!

Kept me engaged the whole time, and now anxious for the next one in the series. I love how it takes place in the Hudson Valley where I grew up. Great read for all ages and audiences. Keep them coming R.D. Vincent!

[Terri Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novella in the Donbridge series. These are great, original American tales by Raymond. They're a quick read and a great addition to the dark tales written by an emerging American author.

[Elizabeth White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book and the others in the series Christmas from my SIL. I really enjoyed it. I felt like I was in the kitchen hearing the story too! Well written and I will definitely try the recipes included. Looking forward to reading the next one!

[Danielle Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short novella. It reminded me of a "ghost" story we would sit around and tell each other as kiddos at a sleepover. Lots of mystery, magic and folk lore.

[Barbara Gillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five star reading

A marvelous little story. Highly recommended. Hard to put down. Recipes for food dishes are at the stories end. Enjoy the read.

[Jan Petrucciani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful folktales for young and old!

I loved everything about this story! I especially loved the grandmother! Can't wait to read more! So glad the author is sharing more!

[Faith Hignight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited to read the rest of the series!!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, mysterious, and making ready for more. Rooted in old folk tales, magical and haunting.

[Patricia Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author and purchased the Donbridge series. Just finished the first book. My reading interests are mysteries, biographies and some sci fi. This book held my interest from beginning to end. The characters were so we'll written I felt I knew them. Having grown up in Pennsylvania the description of the Forest was so real I could smell the leaves and trees. Looking forward to reading the next book. I will have to try the recipes. Interesting to put peanut butter in chili. 😉
Patricia Leonard (grandmom, retired RN and avid reader)