Title: Initiated to Kill
Author: Sharlene Almond
Genre: Historical/Contemporary Psychological Thriller
Book Blurb:
Two men from two different generations, both initiated into a powerful organization that throughout history has sought control and uses their power for destruction. They leave behind a wake of murder, manipulation and ancient secrets. The first man wreaks havoc in and around the Whitechapel district of London, England in the 19th century. While the other stalks his victims in the cosmopolitan city of Seville, Spain in the 21st century; knowing that only he could uncover the true motives of one of the world's most infamous serial killers—Jack the Ripper.
Excerpt:
January, 1888
The solemn lodge hid from unworthy eyes, unnoticeable forgotten place made of granite. Two Sphinx-like granite lions with women’s heads peered down from the entrance of the lodge. An ‘ankh’ adorned the lion’s neck entwined with a cobra. An image of a woman embellished the neck and breast of the other lion, speaking of fertility and procreation.
Fervent men slowly made their way up the three levels of narrowing steps, passing under the two Egyptian swords with curved serpentine blades, and through the two tall bronze doors.
One man glanced up as he ascended the steps, silently mouthing “the temple of the Supreme Council Freemasons,” made of brass letters and set into stone. He looked toward the plaque cut into stone, “Freemasonry Builds Its Temples in the Hearts of Men and Among Nations.”
Stone columns grew tall, high above the entrance and partially concealed an image of an Egyptian god, backed with radiating sun and flanked by six large golden snakes. He entered into the lodge entirely made of marble, exotic wood and statues carved from gold.
The offices, dining room, Council room, temple room and meeting room were decorated with many symbols, especially the serpent, and portraits of famous and influential men lined the walls. The lights shone above the men, resembling stars in the dark blue sky. And the golden serpents slightly watched in the blue heavens.
The dark-headed man slowly removed his clothes and put on the long black robe, placing a hood over his head to partially conceal his face.
In the recesses of the ancient temple, an ornately decorated room is filled with candles, lighting the way for the men filing in. Dressed in long black robes, hands pressed solemnly together, slowly the row of men trudge into the Temple room. Each with their face down and instinctively form a large circle in the room.
The room fell with a deathly silence, then ‘knock, knock, knock.’ The Worshipful Master spoke, “You will admit him in the name of the Grand Architect of the Universe, and let him be placed in the West.”
Gradually the door creaked open, and a young man enters with a black robe and the left knee and breast exposed. The young man’s face covered by the dark cloth and led around the circle by a rope around his neck. The candidate is lead to the oath of secrecy where the Worshipful Master stands. A sword is pricked to the candidate’s left breast.
“As this is a prick to the flesh at this time, so may the remembrance of it be to your conscience hereafter, should you ever attempt improperly to reveal any of the secrets with which you are about to be entrusted.”
The group silently watch as the candidate is instructed to kneel with his left knee bare and bent, his right foot forming a square and the body being erect in that square. The left hand supports the Volume of the Sacred Law, compass and square and right hand placed thereon.
“ ‘Vouch safe Thine Aid, Almighty Father, Grand Architect of the Universe, to this our present conviction. Grant that this Candidate for Masonry, now kneeling before thee, may dedicate and devote his life to thy Service, and become a true and faithful Brother amongst us. To this end endue him with such a competency of thy Divine Wisdom, that assisted by the secrets of our Royal Masonic Art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of true godliness to the Honour and glory of Thy Most Holy Name.’ ”
“ ‘I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at low water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows in twenty-four hours ... should I ever knowingly or willingly violate this my solemn oath or obligation as an Entered Apprentice Mason. So help me God.’ ”
The young man is then presented with white gloves and escorted to the pedestal in the East to become an Entered Apprentice.
Throughout the ceremony the dark-haired man’s heart skipped excitedly. Another man would join them, and this man would be the one. He had done a lot to encourage them to allow this man to be initiated.
He would help him achieve their ultimate goal and reign supreme.
***
A candlelit chamber houses a secret meeting where four men sit around a table, each wearing the long black robes and only talking above a whisper.
“The time has come to make our stand and proclaim to our Brothers that it’s time. It’s our time to cause such a panic, that people will not know whom to turn to. That the reliance on religion and government will pass. It’s our time to take control, and whoever does not stand behind us will fall.”
“Yes, we must give a sign to our Brothers that can only be recognised by them, but will shock the world over again.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads):
Publisher's website: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Initiated-To-Kill/Sharlene-Almond/9781633556874
Why is your featured book a must-read?
I believe my book is a must-read as it combines conspiracy, history and present-day murder in a twisted thriller that leads all the way back to the infamous Jack the Ripper. A conflicted and haunted deaf Annabella Cordova hones in her skills for reading body language, leading her to discover she is much closer to the disappearances of young women than she realises.
Giveaway –
Enter to win an e-book bundle of all 66 books featured in the Backlist Bonanza:
Open Internationally.
Runs August 25 – 31, 2020.
Winner will be drawn on September 7, 2020.
Author Biography:
I live in Auckland, New Zealand with my partner and two Jack Russell’s (my babies). Historical based movies and documentaries are some of the useful tools to give me ideas for my next books. I have a diploma in Body Language and Criminology, enabling me to understand and portray my main character - Annabella.
At 32 years old, I also have diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural therapy, Freelance Journalism, Editing and Proofreading and Naturopathic Nutrition. These qualifications give me the ability to better understand the human mind, writing about it in a manner my readers can understand and connect with.
Currently, I am studying to specialize in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Dialectal Behavioural Therapy, and Medicinal Cannabis.
Social Media Links:
Mind, Body and Health services website: https://bodymindandhealthservices.wordpress.com
Animal Health and Welfare services website: https://animalhealthandwelfareservices.wordpress.com/home/
Writing and Body Language website: https://sharlenefreelancewriter.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Sharlene-Almond/e/B00K3ZK2ZA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
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