Title: Karma’s Karnival, featured in the Soul’s Day Boxset
Author: Aubrey Wynne
Genre: Regency Gothic
Book Blurb:
The past is always looking over your shoulder…
Ellie knows she will never convince her husband to listen to his conscience. Instead, she quietly behind Percy’s back and repairs the damage whenever possible. When their lives are tragically ended in a terrible carriage accident, Ellie finally has the opportunity to save her husband’s soul.
The Earl of Karmaughton cares about two things in life: power and his wife, Ellie. His investment decisions indirectly caused suffering to so many innocents. He was not oblivious, but as Percy’s father had always said, “It’s business.”
The callous nobleman soon learns that for every action there is a consequence. In order to avoid his punishment in Hell, he must spend his time in Purgatory helping other souls repent or find their way to eternal damnation. With Ellie’s help, Karma’s Karnival becomes an eerie last stop for those who need to find their humanity… or suffer in perpetuity.
Excerpt:
The wheels rasped beneath them and the conveyance lurched ahead. Ellie’s gaze shot across the river, on the dark forms of trees across the stream. The wooden bridge swayed a bit as the horses clattered over the planks. Halfway across, thunder boomed and lightning crisscrossed the sky. A crack ricocheted in her ears, followed by Barker’s shouts and the screech of frightened horses, then they lunged ahead.
“Bloody hell!” Karmaughton’s jaw ticked. “I know he’s loyal to you, but we might consider a better driver.”
Ellie clutched his hand to keep from tumbling into the opposite bench. She could imagine Barker pulling on the reins with all his strength. The back end of the carriage smashed through the side rail, the crunch of wood mixed with her scream as Percy’s arm went about her; his other hand clutched the leather arm strap above to secure them both. The shadows she’d observed through the window tipped precariously and went skyward.
Barker’s whip snapped furiously, trying to pull the rear wheel back onto the planks. “Move on! Move on!” he shouted.
The downward force pulled the horses backwards, and the conveyance teetered precariously. A rush of bitter wind, the splinter of wood and a groan of metal. Another scream pierced the night as they plummeted toward the raging river. Her head bashed against the solid roof; pain shot down her spine. She blinked, stars in front of her eyes, and reached blindly forward.
“Oh, God,” she cried. Panic ran cold through her veins. No, it was water, seeping through the open shutter, swirling around her legs and waist. “We’re going to drown.”
“Don’t let go,” yelled Percy, guiding her fingers to his great coat. With one hand around her waist, the other still gripping the strap as leverage, he kicked at the carriage door not yet submerged. Icy rain pelted their faces as the river swirled around her chest. Three times, his boots pounded the wood, her scream echoing each thrust. And finally, the frame shattered.
The water crept to her collar. Hot tears warmed her chilled cheeks and ran down her neck. “I love you, Percy.”
Buy Link:
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
Cruella Deville from 101 Dalamations. It was one of my favorite costumes as a classroom teacher. I had a glorious old fake coat that was perfect for Cruella. I sprayed gray stripes into my long dark hair and had a Hollywood-style cigarette holder. Add a dozen or so pillow cases splotched with black paint for my kiddos without costumes, and we were a live movie set!
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
Karma’s Karnival is a gothic Regency that is quickly becoming one of my favorite series to write. It will launch with this first novella in 2021. But readers get a sneak peek to the series with this boxset.
Giveaway:
Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card
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Open internationally
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule, and barn cats. Obsessions include wine, history, travel, trail riding, and all things Christmas. Her Chicago Christmas series has received the Golden Quill, Aspen Gold, Heart of Excellence, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and twice nominated as a Rone finalist by InD’tale Magazine.
Aubrey’s first love is medieval romance but after dipping her toe in the Regency period in 2018 with the Wicked Earls’ Club, she was smitten. This inspired her spin-off series Once Upon a Widow. In 2020, she launched the Scottish Regency series A MacNaughton Castle Romance with Dragonblade Novels.
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