Sara’s Comments (group member since Dec 06, 2019)

Sara’s comments from the Self-Published Authors & Curious Readers group.

Good morning! Are you still doing this?

Are you still doing this?

Well, it's been a few years since you released this book. I'd be more than happy to read and review it.

I will be doing a book signing and event at Fiction Addiction bookstore in Greenville, SC. It will be June 30, 2-4 PM. Anyone is welcome! No tickets or money needed.

Hi, everyone!

This is an excerpt, coming from my new book, "Casting Shadows". I hope you all enjoy it!
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Mercy.

It’s what they teach us as princesses and princes.

Mercy is when one shows forgiveness and compassion to someone who has hurt you. It’s within your power to use it. It lies between life and death and can give a ruler fear or respect from their people.

It can be used as an expression of surprise or fear or it can be used as a blessing. It’s not just limited to leniency and pity. People have called upon mercy to help them. Oh, mercy me! Help!

But there’s always a line somewhere. A ruler must realize where it is, use it accordingly and hope that it is the wisest course of action. Most of the time, rulers are praised for their mercy. Some of them give quick executions to the worthy ones. Others forgive rebellion and send the people on their way home, with promises to reform the kingdom.

There is always one hard case that a ruler faces and this one is no different. It teetered between life and death. I consulted my councilors and railed at them for their complicated choices. My husband heard my torment daily and held me as I cried on his shoulders. The children suffered from my sulky behavior and sought to stay away from me. I had to pray long and hard and reach deep into my heart until I made a decision and waited for the appointed day.

I mean, it’s not everyday that a queen has to sign her own sister’s death warrant and watch her die.

It is a cool evening, the night before the execution. I cannot sleep. Instead, I decided that sitting by the window and watching the sun rise is a better idea.

I can imagine my beloved sister, Jayne, doing the same thing as she waits for her time. I know she is in comfortable quarters in her prison, with all of her needs met and a priest to stay with her all night. She’ll be sitting right by the window, eying the guards outside and wishing upon a shiny star that she will live and possibly go to a convent. She might be thinking about the last-minute act of mercy I might give, just as the sword is about to hit her neck, and cursing me.

Jayne had always been about appearances. She’ll be thinking about her performance tomorrow, for this is what it is to her. It’s some act that she has to perform and her audience has to be entertained that her blood will be spilled. Bringing that gift of life will be the ultimate climax to the story…and I won’t do it. Tomorrow, she will bow down for the last time.
She couldn’t possibly think that what she did was wrong. Jayne did not want to believe the truth. She is not the true queen. She will never marry the prince of her dreams and be the darling of the court. She’ll be hoping for nothing more than eternal sleep.

Did not have any issues so far (thankfully). I am sorry to hear this happened to you!

Definitely in needs of this! Please message me here or at saramckenzie1982@gmail.com. Title of my book is "A World So Bright and Dark". It is through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I will send a copy in any format to you, the reviewer.

Summary: Lizzie MacDougal is a normal, naive teenager. She writes in a journal, given to her on her birthday, and begins a tale of things she cannot understand or is trying to understand. While she thinks about love, escaping her parents and leaving schoolwork to the last minute, she also experiences forgiveness, assault and mudslinging.

In between, she has to transition from one school to another. From Catholic to public school, Lizzie now has to experience being the new kid too. But will this help her? Or will she continue to see her world as both bright and dark, without an end in sight?

I squinted and checked again.

Good morning! My name is Sara MacKenzie. I just published through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. My 1st book is called "A World So Bright and Dark". It's in journal format, written by a naive teenager. I am working on my next book about the Salem Witch Trials.