Luke West – Guest Blog
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this
highly respected group. It truly is an honour to speak with you all. I hope
you’ll allow me the opportunity to entertain your imagination when you open the
pages to your next novel. May I suggest Hell’s Mercenary, the first book of the
Intervening World Chronicles?
The story’s main character, Arliah, is a gothic, “don’t
care” lone warrior, who lives in Hell. Every day she watches Hell’s people
reach their expiration date and be strapped into a cart which carries them
straight down the Tunnel of Abyss to their fiery death.
Refusing to be a part of this mundane dance, Arliah
haphazardly signs a contract with the devil, Tobias. The contract allows her to
leave Hell, passing beyond Hell’s reception desk and up a lengthy elevator ride
to Earth. However Earth is a game for which Arliah has had no preparation
whatsoever. Who will help her? Who will hinder her?
Earth – A deserted world: a place of patience, hope and
misery. The only escape is to win the game.
Your target – Those humans with the highest bounties.
As the people on Earth battle and kill each other for a
position in Heaven, Arliah soon learns that fewer souls are venturing through
Hell’s gates and more seem instead to be climbing the staircase into heaven.
This is the mission Tobias has entrusted her to remedy.
Will Arliah find the answers she needs to avoid her own
expiration? Or will she be lost to the endless killing game?
Her mission – Find heaven. And once she does, bring it to
Hell.
Although I have been writing all my life, this is my first
published novel. Throughout the series of three books, the reader will
experience every aspect of fantasy that I love: black magic, witches, angels,
and supernatural encounters.
As the story progresses, we will dive farther into the
characters and their strange experiences. We’ll also get to know our bad-ass
heroine who really needs to learn to just calm down.
This first novel will introduce you to the people, the
worlds and the different species. The farther we delve into this tale, the
farther we will find ourselves caught up in a world we can’t, and won’t want to
escape from. Won’t you take this journey with me?
I always enjoy hearing from my fans and appreciate your
feedback. What you love and what you hate, who you are – what dark fantasies
live in your mind?
Hell’s Mercenary
Intervening World Chronicles
Luke West
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-9874799-0-7
Number of pages:
203
Word Count: 58, 000
Cover Artist:
Jessica Drumm
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/KKSqswiYzRA
Amazon
Smashwords
Book Description:
If you were faced
with the abominable decision to die or kill a loved one to survive, would you
be the honorable sacrifice?
Hell’s Mercenary.
The Urban Fantasy novel from the Intervening World Chronicles, by up and coming
author Luke West.
Tobias is the Devil
– the ruler of Hell. For years he has banished the souls of innocent humans
only to compliment his ruling status, but slowly things are starting to change.
Fewer souls are
struggling down the elevator ride eventuating at Hell’s reception desk, yet
heaven is reporting an influx of angel’s climbing the staircase into the
clouds.
Tobias begins
questioning the rules with his sister and rivalry – Constance – the leader of
heaven.
When his inquiries
go unanswered, he entrusts his assistant Arliah with a mission she simply
cannot refuse, yet reluctantly accepts.
Her uncanny nature
and gothic philosophy only cause havoc among Hell’s people, and their eyes
slowly open as they begin noticing her continual departures through Hell’s
gates and presumably into the beauty of heaven.
What Arliah soon
comprehends is that the gates of heaven are located at the other end of Earth.
Earth – A deserted
world: a place of patience, hope and misery. The only escape is to win the
game; your target – the humans with the leading bounties.
Will her black
magic connections lead her to the gates of heaven – a world believed to be the
light at the end of the tunnel? Or will her newfound supernatural powers carve
the third strike against her signed contract?
Her mission – find
heaven, and once she does, bring it to Hell.
Short Excerpt
Although the wide-open space that the desert
provides gives me a certain realm of safety, it also opens up a new world of
danger. This desert doesn't just contain sand; it owns the gates to Hell. The
sun exits, allowing the moonbeams to guide my way. The sweat that once consumed
my skin has now gone, allowing coldness to enter my body. The night is black,
showcasing the thousands of stars that make up tonight's sky.
My legs begin to ache, proving I must be close. As
my eyes scan the area, I can't help feel the oppressive silence. No noise from
banished souls, no echoes from the outer city, just deathly quiet. Too quiet. I
take in the outline of the lift. A small rectangular shape, outlined in silver
metal. If I were any taller, I’d have to duck or my head would be covered in
bruises. A batch of unsettled butterflies take up residence in my stomach.
Something is not right. Standing in front of the rusted lift doors, something
is definitely telling me not to push the button alerting the lift to my
presence.
Surveying the situation, I become concerned with
what little protection this scene provides me. The humans must be laughing at
the target I am so readily providing them. To them I am no threat at all, just
a young woman with long black hair and skin so white I could pass as a ghost. My
bright blue eyes could be my only chance of scaring them off. I realize I'm not
a bulky woman with muscles like a professional wrestler. I don't have devil
horns sprouting from my forehead. My appearance betrays no mythical power with
which to fight them off. I'm just a girl.
I rely on my black leather trench coat, my high
leather boots and my visible tattoos to composite the bad ass image I need to
survive in this place. I pull my dagger from its hilt, happy that my glove
hides the ring. Allowing a smile to form across my face, hoping to display the
confidence I only hope I possess. I wait. Seconds turn into minutes. The
unsettling feeling staunchly refuses to leave me. With my dagger still at the
ready, I slam my left hand against the button on the panel.
I jump when the lift jerks into motion. This is
the only sound I have heard in hours. I wait. The eerie creaking of the rusted
chains pulling the carriage to the surface echoes loudly through the desert. No
hiding my presence now. A small red light in the distance grabs my attention.
The light appears to be glowing and growing in size at a rapid passé. The smile
drains from my face. My heartbeat increases causing my eyes to widen in fear.
My façade of confidence is immediately replaced
with fear as I realize exactly what's heading in my direction.
About the Author:
Luke West is an up and coming author from
Queensland, Australia. He was raised and still resides on the Gold Coast.
“Life is a journey, who knows the destination.”
– Luke West
Luke has always enjoyed creative writing, and his
first dream – to become a published author – was realized at a young age. His
parents were constant, avid readers of his many short stories and novels, and
have always supported his decision to chase his dreams.
After studying the art of writing throughout his
teenage years, Luke finally took the leap to pursue his writing career and set
out to release his debut novel.
Luke decided to explore the self-publishing world,
aiming to prove to the publishing houses that he has what it takes to research,
market, and sell his work. With this goal achieved, he hopes to secure a full
time career in the world of the written word.
Luke enjoys writing Fantasy, Horror or anything
with a paranormal twist. His debut Urban Fantasy novel, Hell’s Mercenary is the first of three books from the Intervening World Chronicles and is
available for download now!
For the latest news or to connect with Luke
personally, visit www.lukewest.com.au
“Thank you for allowing me to entertain your
imagination. I hope my books find themselves among your favorite books.”
– Luke West
Official Website: www.lukewest.com.au
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorluke.west
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Authorlukewest
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/obscureimagination
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKSqswiYzRA
Official Page: www.lukewest.com.au
One winner will receive a Hell’s Mercenary e-book!
Giveaway ends February 25th at 11:59pm, open worldwide, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
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