She Dreamt of Dragons – Dragon’s Pearl by C. L. Exline

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Check out this awesome cover and read the excerpt.

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Dragon’s Pearl –

Book Four of Sheryl Locke Holmes Mystery Series

by C.L. Exline

BLURB:

 Pearls fell like raindrops from the sky while the dragons fought. Silvery fingers of mist cast eerie shadows upon the ocean waves as the struggle raged overhead. Three beings watched the battle, until they noticed blood on the full moon.  Someone would die. They clasped hands and chanted.

Blood on the moon signifies death for some unlucky victim, and someone is gunning for Sheryl. Now, Sheryl and her cohorts must solve the mystery of the haunted music box and a ghost before the killer gets his prey.

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EXCERPT

 . When Sheryl’s best friend insists there is a ghost haunting Bridgeside, her soon to be open Bed & Breakfast, Sheryl decides to spend the night to prove Amber wrong.

In no time, Sheryl was snuggled under the covers. The bed felt wonderful, the house was quiet, and  soon she dreamed of dragons. The tinny sound of music woke her. Sheryl sat up and rubbed her eyes. The music box was open and it was playing. She closed the lid, went to the doorway, and stepped into the hall. Humming reached her from downstairs. Sheryl hurried to the stairs and saw a woman wearing a flowing gray ruffly dress walking across the foyer, past the staircase, and toward the blue room.

“Brian! Brian! Wake up!” Keeping her hand firm on the banister and her eyes glued on the woman, Sheryl hurried down the steps. “Brian!” With both hands on the sides of the doorway, she leaned in and called out, “Brian!”

He bolted up. His arms and legs were entangled in the blankets. He struggled to get free and fell to the floor.

“Get up, Brian. She’s in here.” Sheryl glanced around but saw no one and flipped on the top light for a better look.

Amber’s screams cut through Sheryl like a knife. She whirled around and raced up the steps. An unconscious Amber lay on the floor. “Brian! Hurry!” Sheryl knelt down and patted Amber’s face. “Wake up, Amber.”

The sound of screechy music caught Sheryl’s attention. The music box. Torn between wanting to investigate and knowing she should remain, she yelled, “Brian!”

Heavy footsteps heralded Brian’s arrival. “I’m here. What is it?”

“Watch Amber.” Sheryl jumped to her feet and hurried into the red bedroom. The lid she’d shut moments earlier was open. The gold cylinder churned out a chilling tune. She glanced around the empty room before closing the lid. She’d barely reached the doorway when the lid flipped open and once more the music played. Her breath caught. She stared at the music box.

AUTHOR BIO AND LINKS:

AuthorAvatardragonspearlAuthor of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, sometimes with sizzle and always with a dash of humor. Work for a small town newspaper along the east coast. Creator of Sheryl Locke Holmes Mystery Series published at Wild Child Publishing: Amber’s Mysterious Death, Ruby‘s Deadly Secret, Opal’s Disappearance, and the newest release as of Feb. 19 –  Dragon’s Pearl. Several short stories published at Ruthie’s Club, The Erotic Woman, Erotic Bookworm, and Justus Roux. Has reviewed over a thousand stories for other authors.

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BUY LINK:

Wild Child Publishing

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and PhotosC.L. will be awarding an eBook of the first book in the series, Amber’s Mysterious Death, plus a $10 GC for Wild Child Publishing to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

TOUR SCHEDULE

April 15:  Long and Short Reviews
April 16:  Promo  fundinmental
April 17:  The Write to Read
April 18:  Straight from the Library
April 19:  It’s Raining Books

41 thoughts on “She Dreamt of Dragons – Dragon’s Pearl by C. L. Exline”

  2. Thanks so much for having me today. If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

    Here’s a bit of trivia, the idea for the ghost and haunted music box came from an episode of Murder She Wrote.

    • I am so happy to have you. That’s interesting. I used to watch that show all the time. Thanks for sharing you inspiration with us.

      • My son wanted me to write about dragons. lol Since gemstones is the theme of the titles as well as names of the characters, and some research Dragon’s Pearl was born. There really is a legend about a dragon pearl, which goes with the blurb. In the beginning of this book, Sheryl thinks she sees a dragon in the dark clouds clutching a pearl in its claws. Of course, she blinks and its gone. But the dragon appears again on the haunted music box as does Pearl.

  3. I love dragons and fell for the cover immediately. That’s cool – your son was your inspiration. ^_^ I was looking over all the books in this series and find them all interesting and wouldn’t mind beginning with number 1, but I was wondering if these are stand alone books or do you have to read these in order?

    • The series was written as a trilogy and not stand alone, but it was decided to release them individually and I’ve tried to cover all the bases, but have heard I’ve missed the mark. Of course, with the inspiration for Dragon’s Pearl the fourth book and trilogy went out the window with the dragon. I do believe that reading the first book which introduces readers to the main characters will help them to understand the dynamics of the series much better. I’d say after book one, readers would understand how close the ladies are as best friends and what is going on with them–their backgrounds etc.

      • Hope I made sense with that response. I’m trying to be careful not to give away a clue, since each book is a mystery. Each investigation is solved within that book but there is something building that begins in book three and erupts in book five — Curse of Jade’s Bluff.

        • I had signed up to review it, but was kinda lost, so I asked if I could particpate without reviewing. I just looked at this cover and wanted in. Then, I realized it was book four and I am sure that explains it. Thanks for sharing without giving anything away.

  4. Hey Cassie! I love this book cover and your stories sound fantastic. So brilliant to use a gem in each title. which book should I start with first. btw, you’re welcome to be a guest on my blog an my mother’s blog anytime =).
    Terri

    • Terri, so glad you stopped by. I’m sorry I missed your post earlier, but pleased you made it. Thanks for you kind words. I’ll take you up on your offer to guest on you and your mother’s blog.

  5. Here’s another bit of trivia. Each book cover has the same item hidden on it somewhere. The item is in honor of Mr. Sherlock Holmes and no it’s not his pipe. I wanted something that represented Holmes and mystery.

    • Now I have to go back and look closer. You have me very curious and I have to know what it is. Soooo, let the investigation begin. lol

      • I got it, but I’m not telling. Now that I’ve looked into the other three books, I am hooked. The covers are all super and the stories sound intriguing.

        • Ahhh good, I’ve got you hooked, my spell is working. 😉 The covers are super. Ruby is my favorite, I love red. (Of course the story will arch an eyebrow. Sheryl finds a diary that has information about her dad and Ruby.)

  7. I used to watch Murder She Wrote over and over again!
    I want to know what’s in the box!
    Going to have to read this and find out.
    Thanks for another new author and series to follow Sherry. The cover art alone would make me investigate the book further.

    • Yeah, I watched it all the time too. I am in love with these books. I’ ve got to read this series for sure! Go by and check out her blog.

    • Jessica Fletcher is my pin up girl. Loved every episode of the show. You’d love the one that help inspire this book. That weird music box playing, the ghost appearing out of nowhere, then she points at the man and scares him “almost” to death. Okay, she creeped me out too. Poor Jessica running around trying to prove there is no such thing as a ghost. Hope you enjoy my spin on that idea.

      • We shall see. I am going to have to start from Amber and work my way through. I will keep in mind your inspiration. ^_^

        • Once again, thank you so much for hosting me, Sherry. Had a great time. Your header is awesome — can we say “serenity now!” What a lovely scene.

          • It was a pleasure Cassie. Thanks on the header. I took the pic on Pensacola Beach. Was having beer and wings at Hooters. That was my view. I love the water and beach. Am so happy to see summer come.

    • I think this may be an awesome series. Mysteries and thriller and my favorites. Good luck Dina.

    • I loved it. That’s what drew me to the series. They sound like great books. ^_^

    • The cover is great, Lada. I was very lucky to get such a great cover artist who could produce my vision for the book. Dragon — haunted music box – ghost oh my!

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