Writers and Readers discussion

COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH





The meaning behind the title:-

Dark star (Newtonian mechanics, 18th century), a star that has a gravitational pull strong enough to trap light…

On an island off the south coast of England, there are activities worse than smuggling and all the conflict points to one cruel and ruthless man. The women on the island call him the Dark Star.

This is Book Two in The Dark Moon Trilogy but it stands alone if you haven't already read One Dark Night

Every good book should have a theme, or so I've been told.

The theme of Under a Dark Star is a quotation that is usually attributed to Edmund Burke. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he became a British politician in the 18th century.

"All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Two good men oppose the evil of smuggling even if they have to put their lives and the lives of those they love in jeopardy.

Under a Dark Star is set in 1823, on an island off the south coast of England known as the 'Diamond Isle'.

Due for publication on Tuesday 30th August.

Countdown to publication continues:



All that it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. Fortunately, two good men decide to act, putting their lives and the lives of those they love in jeopardy.

Daniel Tynton, a reformed smuggler, and his old enemy, Lieutenant Karl Thorsen, embark on a quest to rid the ‘diamond isle’ of corruption by those who lure cargo ships onto rocks – wreckers. Against Daniel’s wishes, his wife Lucy follows him to the island where she plays a pivotal role in rescuing him from almost certain death.

All the conflict points to one cruel and ruthless man.
In the midst of all the turmoil, Karl finally finds a woman he can love but she belongs to that man.

Book Two in The Dark Moon Trilogy

If you haven't read book 1 yet, there's still time...

I've read One Dark Night and so enjoyed it. Can't wait for the sequel. I shall definitely be one of the first to buy Under a Dark Star.

Thank you, Julia.

I have to say I've enjoyed your books too! Goodreads is good the way it introduces writers to new readers and I'd never have come across your books unless I'd joined the same group as you.

Publication Day draws close! Here's a short excerpt from Chapter One:-

Karl Thorsen arrived, as usual, like a drum roll prior to battle. Dismounting from his black stallion, he flung the reins around the hitching post and strode across to the open door of the early Georgian farmhouse.

“I need your help.”

“Another impossible task you wish to undertake?” Daniel Tynton dipped his head in greeting to his old foe, now promoted to almost a friend. “What is it this time?”

Karl gave him a wry smile and stamped his feet impatiently after his long, cold ride. “All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Would you agree?”

Daniel, a little taller and fairer than Karl, stood aside to allow him to enter. “A notion you have acquired from your Parliamentary friends?”

Countdown to Launch - One Day to Go

Here's another excerpt from the first chapter:-

“However,” said Daniel clasping his chin, “coming from the mainland, I doubt you could become one of them. You’d be an outsider. And if you are to challenge wreckers rather than smugglers, you are directly threatening men who clearly have no regard for taking lives. Your life will mean nothing to them.”

Karl stared at Daniel. “A ship lured onto the rocks, smashed, looted. Crew and passengers desperately struggling to the safety of the shore. Throats slit. I hear the sea ran red.”

Lucy shuddered.

Daniel glanced at his wife, her big brown eyes now staring at him; she’d been listening to every word. He looked at the parson and read his mind. Why had Karl crudely spilt the lurid details of this atrocity in front of her? Why was he always so dramatic? Then a pinpoint of light, like a star on a dark night, flashed into his blue eyes. Leaning forward he whispered, “You’ve come for more than information.”

Karl grinned. “If you and I put our energies and strengths together, we’d be a formidable force.”

* * *

Under a Dark Star is almost ready to be snatched from Amazon. An ebook you might like? I hope so.

August 30th has arrived! Today it is possible to buy this book I've been rattling on about. A tale of daring heroes risking more than they should and a young woman worthy of the name heroine.

Here's a few chapter titles to help you decide if this book is for you. The chapter titles are direct quotations.

Chapter One
January 1823 - Bethlehem Farm, Wintergate, Kent, England
Daniel
“The sea ran red”

Chapter Two
“Are you calling my officers chickens?”

Chapter Three
Sunday 26th January
“The imperious voice of God”

Chapter Four
Lucy
“All that it takes”

Chapter Five
Saturday 15th February 1823 - Isle of Wight - Daniel
“Bailing or vomiting”

Chapter Six
“Surly Silence”

Chapter Seven
“Akin to the fires of hell”

Chapter Eight
“The Dark Star”

Free to those with Kindle Unlimited. Otherwise please pay to keep me in warm socks for the winter ahead ;o)

Warm socks on the way.

Thank you, Julia. I'll look out for them.

Under a Dark Star, Book Two of The Dark Moon Trilogy is just a few days old and alive and kicking.

Short blurb: On an island off the south coast of England, there are activities worse than smuggling and all the conflict points to one cruel and ruthless man. The women on the island call him the Dark Star.

Excerpt from an early chapter where Daniel sets out to infiltrate the wrecking gang.

“Good leather that.” The innkeeper screwed up his eyes to take a clearer look. “You planning on keeping it?”
Daniel rubbed his fist in his palm: his old ways were returning. “Aye, I’ll keep it.”
The innkeeper slammed a tankard of ale down in front of Daniel and held out his hand. “Shilling.”
“And one for Polly.” A green feathered parrot screeched from a cage atop the end of the bar.
Any other time he might have been amused – but not today. “Shilling! Most of it’s on here.” Daniel pointed to the puddles on the bar.
“Shilling.” The innkeeper insisted.
“Shilling this time.” He flexed his fingers before grasping the handle and staring hard at the short, stout man, he whispered slowly, “Never again.”
“Never again,” screeched Polly.

It’s not essential to read Book One of The Dark Moon Trilogy One Dark Night first but, like dinner, it’s often preferable to have the main course before treacle pudding and custard.

is on sale for the very first time. Only 99c/99p until Monday 24th October.

In 1823, on an island off the south coast of England, there are activities worse than smuggling and all the conflict points to one cruel and ruthless man. The women on the island call him the Dark Star.

Reformed smuggler, Daniel Tynton, and his old enemy, Lieutenant Karl Thorsen, join forces to defeat the evil that brings poverty to ‘the diamond isle’. Karl falls for the woman belonging to the Dark Star with profound consequences.

Book Two of The Dark Moon trilogy
~
If you haven't read #1 of the trilogy, I'm told it doesn't matter and that Under a Dark Star stands alone quite comfortably!

BUT... if you're quick you can catch # 1 of the Dark Moon trilogy



also on sale until 21st October at 99c/99p

Both are FREE through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited membership

Happy reading!

"All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Reformed smuggler, Daniel Tynton, and his old enemy, Lieutenant Karl Thorsen, join forces to defeat the evil that brings poverty to ‘the diamond isle’. And Karl finally finds a woman he can love, with tragic consequences.



99p/99c last day of deal - Monday 24th October