Jaye Frances has
kindly agreed to guest post here about her work, and share her inspiration for becoming a writer in honor of her newest release,
The Kure.
About The Author:
Jaye Frances is the author of the new paranormal/occult romance The Kure, the first novel in The Kure series. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Jaye was born in the Midwest and grew up surrounded by traditional values and conservative attitudes (which she quickly discarded). She readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.
Guest Post:
Thank you, Lucy, for hosting me on Moonlight Gleam today. I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about The Kure, and to let your readers know about my “Resolve To Read” promotion going on right now through Amazon.
What happens when we persist in opening a long-closed door, one that has been locked for centuries—and for good reason?
In The Kure, John Tyler’s body is being ravaged by a virulent disease, and the only remedy is a painful and disfiguring leeching. But John isn’t ready to lay back on the doctor’s treatment table and surrender; he’ll do anything to find another way—even if it means using a forbidden book of demonic rituals, requiring the complicity of a virgin on her 18th birthday.
But then the unexpected happens: He falls in love—and with the very girl who can release the power of the ancient healing spell. With his priorities changed, he vows to protect his new love, but his decision comes at a price—one the dark master of the underworld is determined to collect.
In the following excerpt, John Tyler has been examined by the village doctor, who is ready to begin the brutal treatment in an attempt to heal his affliction. But John is insistent on finding another way, and he badgers the doctor, eventually convincing him to reveal an alternative—and evil—remedy that has remained hidden for centuries.
The doctor puts up a good fight, but John is relentless . . .
The Kure:
Title: The Kure
Author: Jaye Frances
Publication Date: September 16, 2011
John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, awakens to find a ghastly affliction taking over his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy—a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.
Although initially rejecting the vile and sinister rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the demonic text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable—a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.
Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.
Find The Kure Online:
Special Note from the author:
For a limited time, read “The Kure” for only $.99 (kindle version)
One of my resolutions for 2012 is to read more new authors – especially those whose books normally fall outside my favorite genres. As I began to search reviewer’s blogs for some ideas, I realized how many more people were reading books of all kinds, primarily due to increased availability and choice of low-cost ebooks for the kindle and nook. I often saw comments from readers who had decided to read a particular author’s work because it was ninety-nine cents, or in some cases, free. Realizing a lower price would motivate more people to read The Kure, I decided to temporarily lower the price. I’m calling it “Resolve To Read”, and it’s going on right now. The kindle version of The Kure can be purchased for ninety-nine cents on Amazon. So if you were planning on buying a kindle version anyway, why not take advantage of the “Resolve To Read” promotion and save two bucks?
Book Excerpt:
Harwell had returned to his chair and was leaning forward, his hands folded on the desk. A receding hairline had always made his promontory brow appear large and foreboding. A deepening set of furrows made it clear he was not in the mood to debate his diagnosis. “Look, John, it’s my job to give you the best medical advice I can. So rather than waste any more time, why don’t you—”
“But there must be some other kind of treatment,” John interrupted. “Even if it takes longer, or means more money. I know I could find some way to work off the debt.”
Harwell’s eyes drew thin. “I’m afraid not.”
John knew the doctor’s reputation for unleashing a quick temper on anyone who disagreed with him. But with the leech bucket only a few feet away, he was more than ready to risk the threat of Harwell’s volatile disposition. He began slowly, pushing the words out with tense uncertainty. “I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Stories . . . rumors of elixirs and potions used long ago. I’ve heard some of the old men in the village talk about such things, about books that contain cures used by healers,” John nodded toward the doctor as if indicating Harwell’s participation was a matter of record. “To treat their patients, especially when there was no other way.”
It was a half-truth at best. Several years ago, John had overheard a few of the older men talking in hushed tones about ancient remedies, but they abruptly changed the subject when they suspected someone else might be listening.
The doctor bristled. “We need to concentrate on getting you well, John. And we need to start now, before more damage is done. The methods from the past have no bearing on the present.”
“So there were other ways?” John was surprised the doctor would admit to their existence, always having believed they were more fable than fact.
Harwell’s features grew stern, his face turning the color of dull river stone. Finally, he spoke, his words delivered with an unmistakable growl. “Yes, John, there were other cures. But they were used long ago.”
Other cures.
It brought a flash of hope, and John waited, ready to hear more. But Doctor Harwell sat silent, finished.
“Can you tell me about them, the old ways of treating this condition?”
John swallowed hard as he saw the veins rise in the doctor’s neck, the deep blue streaks throbbing under Harwell’s ashen skin.
“Why do you persist in this?” Harwell roared, his voice penetrating all corners of the room. “Why this ridiculous interest in old, outdated remedies?”
“Because it’s my body that needs curing, just as your own need would drive you to seek out every possibility.”
Harwell was noticeably taken back at the boldness of John’s answer, and when he spoke, his tone was less sharp. “Yes, John, there were books, very old books, that contained remedies of a sort.”
“Something that would help me?”
The doctor crossed his arms. “No. Not in the way you’re thinking.”
John was silent for a moment. He remembered the village farrier refusing to water down a bottle of horse tonic for an ailing neighbor, explaining the dosage would be a dangerous guess and could just as easily kill as cure. “Is it because the treatments were for animals? Is that why they can’t be used today?”
“No, John, that has nothing to do with it.” The doctor paused as if gathering his thoughts, choosing his words carefully before speaking. “Back then, medicine was not practiced in the same manner as it is today. There have been many improvements in the way we treat sickness and disease.”
“And those leeches,” John shot back as he pointed to the bucket, “are better than the old remedies? They will heal me faster?”
“Yes. That’s correct.” Harwell waited a moment, undoubtedly wanting to make sure John understood the finality of his answer. “And if we don’t begin immediately, it will be dark before you can leave for home. Dealing with that road is hard enough in the daytime, and in a weakened condition . . .” The doctor paused, correcting himself. “What I mean to say is that I don’t want you attempting the ride home too soon after a bleeding.”
“I guess that makes sense,” John said, almost too softly for Harwell to hear. Then he added, “Perhaps if you could describe the old remedy, tell me how it works, it would be easier for me to—”
“You don’t understand, John,” the doctor interrupted. “It’s not something I can put in front of you, like a jar of ointment or a bottle of laudanum.”
“But if you explained it to me,” John insisted, “then the decision would be easier.”
The doctor thundered back. “Why do you believe you have a choice in the matter? If you want to be healed, the treatment is here.” Harwell pointed to the leech bucket. “And besides,” he added, trying to calm himself, “it would be inappropriate for me to speak of such things, particularly when it would only serve to distract you from proper medical attention.”
John could tell the doctor was out of patience, but the sight of the bloodsucking parasites squirming through the foul river mud drove him to speak. “But what if it was only to satisfy my curiosity. What would be wrong with that?”
Lucius Harwell rocked forward and back in his chair, his expression unable to conceal his struggle between anger and the discipline his profession demanded. “John, there are reasons,” he said, his voice metered with patronizing restraint. “The old cures were not based on proven medicine, not back then. Most were useless folk remedies, or worse, toxic potions that did more harm than good.” The doctor hesitated. “And many of those harmful concoctions were grounded in . . . witchcraft.”
John shook his head in defiance. “There’s no such thing. Stories of witches and goblins are for children, to keep them quiet and huddled in their beds. I have no interest in silly superstitions. I just want to know if there’s any chance I can rid myself of this illness and be spared the leeching.” He winced at his own insolence as he noticed the doctor’s hands beginning to shake.
GIVEAWAY (CLOSED):
Thanks to the wonderful Jaye Frances, I have 1 ebook of this novel to giveaway here on my blog!
***Open To Everyone!***
Giveaway policies:
To Enter: Please leave a comment indicating why you want to read this novel and leave your e-mail address.
This giveaway ends on February 29 , 2012 This giveaway is open to those 13 years of age or older. All giveaway winners will be announced on the blog. I can disqualify any entry as I see fit. I will use Random.org to select the winners.Once the winners have been notified, they will have 24 hours to confirm their interest otherwise new winners will be selected.
Happy reading until next time!
