Beneath Black Clouds and White
by Virginia Crow
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GENRE: Historical Fiction
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NOTE: The book will be on sale for $0.99.
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BLURB:
Accompanied by his wife to Flanders, Josiah Tenterchilt meets a man who could not be more different from him: an apprentice surgeon named Henry Fotherby. As these two men pursue their own actions, fate and the careful connivance of a mysterious individual will push them together for the rest of their lives.
But it is a tumultuous time, and the French revolutionaries are not the only ones who pose a threat. The two gentlemen must find their place in a world where the constraints of social class are inescapable, and ‘slavery or abolition’ are the words on everyone’s lips.
Beneath Black Clouds and White is the prequel to Day's Dying Glory.
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Excerpt Two:
Fotherby relinquished her hands and began running at once toward Wanderford Hall. Never had the distance seemed so great, nor the hill so steep, but he ran on. He did not spare a thought for Portland, nor the woman, but continued to run. If he had not known the way or became lost amongst the trees, he had only to follow the beacon atop the hill. As he crashed through the trees and charged across the lawns of the Hall towards the fountain, he gave a cry at the enormous flames that were visible through all the windows, and the thick billowing smoke that rose from the structure. He flung himself against the timbers of the door, but it was to no avail for they had been locked. It took him several minutes before the door gave beneath his blows and he collapsed into the building.
He coughed into his sleeve as he beheld the aggressive fire consuming the interior of the house. The huge painting of his ancestors blistered and burned before him, and he looked about for a moment before calling out to his father and uncle. But, as he did so, the smoke caught in his throat and he began coughing violently. Fotherby could not allow himself the time to weep but rushed back into the house, calling his father as though he expected the old man to hear. He rushed towards the stairs and began climbing but, three steps from the top, the timber structure collapsed beneath him and he plunged to the floor below.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Virginia grew up in Orkney, using the breath-taking scenery to fuel her imagination and the writing fire within her. Her favourite genres to write are fantasy and historical fiction, sometimes mixing the two together such as her soon-to-be-serialised books "Caledon". She enjoys swashbuckling stories such as the Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and is still waiting for a screen adaption that lives up to the film!
When she's not writing, Virginia is a music teacher in Caithness. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of music, especially as a tool of inspiration. She also helps out with the John o' Groats Book Festival which has just celebrated its 2nd year. Hopefully they'll be plenty more to come!
Book Trailer (Beneath Black Clouds and White)
Website
(Publisher) www.crowvus.com
Twitter
@DaysDyingGlory
Amazon Book Link
Smashwords
Interview with Virginia Crow
1. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?
Just to be really contrary, I’m going to answer: both! I start off knowing the bare bones of the story – an ending for each character – but nine times out of ten, they find their own way there.
2. Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
I’m quietly proud of the storyline I concocted for Beneath Black Clouds and White. It’s packed full of twists and turns and I’m confident there will be something in the plot which surprises any reader. But more than that, I feel like this book has something to appeal to everyone. Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a mystery, a moral or a tale of love and friendship, it really has it all. The presence of such a large team of characters means that there’s someone everyone can relate to, and I love the way even those who allow their actions to dictate an evil way of life have saving graces. Life is not so clear cut, and my characters aren’t either!
3. Have you written any other books that are not published?
Oh yes! The catalogue is massive, and I never seem to have enough hours in the day to get my story ideas down on paper. There’s usually an historical element to what I write, whether it’s based around true events or it’s fantasy. I recently turned my hand to children’s writing – that was difficult! – but even these had hints of history to them. There’s something so reassuring about going back into the past, I can’t help myself!
4. Pen or typewriter or computer?
That just depends on the story. Mostly, I write on Scrivener, or sometimes word. When I started writing Day’s Dying Glory, though, I just wrote it on Google Mail and sent each chapter straight across to my sister for her to read through. But when I’m writing my fantasy novel, I always use ink. It seems to fit better, although a lot of the time is spent twiddling the pen across the back of my fingers! I’m having to type it all up on the computer now, though, so I’m not sure it was worth it! I do possess a typewriter, but I have yet to get passed the skinning my fingers stage every time I miss a button!
5. Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I love feedback! I list my email at the front of my books and love getting any form of feedback from my readers. I hope that, by providing an element of saga to the books, my readers feel invested in the characters. I love hearing who your favourite is and why. Currently, Catherine Tenterchilt (who features more in Days Dying Glory) is the readers’ favourite – but tell me if you disagree!
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Virginia Crow will be awarding a paperback copy of Beneath Black Clouds and White (International Giveaway) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:http://
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