Mind Shadows I: Shattered
by Patrick Royal
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BLURB
The only thing that multi-published, award winning horror author, Tom Elliot, wanted was to move to the country for a change of scenery and relaxation, to a quiet part of southern Illinois. It seemed he’d picked out a wonderful spot, miles away from the closest neighbor and even further away from civilization.
Tom couldn’t write to save his soul. Weird thoughts trampled through his head and left him wondering if he’d made a mistake moving from Chicago. Could it have been that he ripped himself from his element, like his best friend, Michael Gully, had predicted? That he couldn’t answer yet.
Words came and flowed like wildfire, but at what price? Tom’s imagination was getting the best of him and running rampant. The very characters that he created tormented him, driving him mad where he couldn’t distinguish fiction from reality.
BUY LINKS
Amazon / Wild Child Publishing
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EXCERPT
A moan drifted from the next room and teased Tom’s ear. Stopping to listen, he struggled to figure out what he’d heard. He stepped slowly into the living room. A woman stood with her back toward him. His heart thudded fast.
The woman moaned. Her long-fitted skirt hugged her hips, and a pleated white shirt. On the floor by her feet lay droplets of blood.
Tom peeped around the woman’s body and caught a glance of her face. “Lady, who are you? Why are you in my house?” he asked and widened his eyes.
Tom still faced the woman’s back, and she wept a bit harder. “You should know why I’m here,” she said in a soft but shaky voice. She turned around, faced him, and quickly threw her arms out in front of her. Blood trickled and dripped onto the floor from deep slits across both wrists. In her hand she held a yellow hair ribbon.
Tom’s jaw dropped open and he stumbled back, widening his view. “Oh my God. Wha…?”
The woman stepped closer to him and held her arms out with her wounds still dripping blood. Her body projected forward, as if traveling in flash.
“You did this! You killed my daughter, and you made me what you see.” She shoved her bloody wrists toward Tom.
“No, no. You’ve made a mistake,” Tom screamed and backed away from her. He clung to the wall with his legs weakening and his hands trembling.
The woman stood and laughed hysterically.
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MY REVIEW
What if everything you wrote came to life?
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I love the cover and plot of this novel. I became so engrossed, I didn’t have time to write any notes. I think that is a good thing, because I do not want to give anything away.
Every time I read the title, I become misled, thinking the book is about a broken heart or failed romance. Not so. Look at the cover and it will dispel that idea. Read the book and the cover defines itself even more.
I thought I had an idea of where the book was going, but Patrick Royal did a fantastic job of twisting and turning the plot, leaving me in doubt. The depth of the horror and terror that Tom was going through kept me bouncing back and forth between reality and insanity.
I couldn’t tell if it was real or all in his mind.
Did Tom’s isolation lead him off the deep end?
It is amazing what the mind is capable of and Shattered is a great example of a human brain’s ability to take us down a path we may not want to go.
Michael, Tom’s best friend came running when the shit hit the fan. He would do anything to help his friend.
The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat.
The ending totally blew me away. I never saw it coming until it was here, the very last paragraph.
I think my jaw dropped open. Then I laughed, as if I was the crazy person.
Excellent job, Patrick, and I can hardly wait to read more of your work.
5 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others
I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patrick Royal is a family man. Born in Virginia, raised in Northwest Indiana, and he and his wife Lynette have resided in Western Kentucky for ten years. An avid reader of Stephen King. He’s inspired to use the gift God gave him to chill his readers. He’s also the author of Novels “Jacobs Closet”, and “Sleep Stalker”.
Patrick Royal’s Website / Facebook
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GIVEAWAY
Patrick will be awarding a $10 Wild Child Publishing GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Answer the question:
What did you think of the excerpt?
Follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found below:
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To grab a copy of Shattered or to learn more about Patrick Royal, click on the cover below.
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If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
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Thank you for hosting today 🙂
It is always a pleasure hosting for Goddess Fish. I find some of the best books through the tours. ^_^
Thank you for the great review and for hosting me.
It is my pleasure Patrick. I loved the book and look forward to reading more of your work! The ending was amazing and you caught me off guard. ^_^ Thanks for stopping in and commenting.
The excerpt made me want to keep reading. And the blurb and the cover do the same as well. I love a book that keeps me guessing, and I love when I can’t guess the ending. Sounds like this book does both really well.
It does. The ending caught me by surprise and I loved it. Thanks Taylor.
It’s a great book, and though a concept used before, it is done with a twist and a suprise.
I thought so too. I was familiar with the plot and most of the time I can figure out where the a book is going. I was surprised and still cannot get over the ending. Thanks for stopping in and commenting.
Thanks for the review and giveaway! 😉
You are very welcome. Good luck.
I just finished writng the last few comments in my review so now I got to read yours. I think we have similar feelings but you did a better job. You wrote just like the book made me feel. An uncontrolled race to the bottom of the hill!
I’ll have mine up Friday. Great one Sherry:)
Well said. The race was on and I rode it all the way. lol I’m looking forward to your review. Thanks much Laura.