Welcome to my stop on the virtual NBtM book tour for Facets of the Past: No Dark Deed Goes Unpunished by Monique Gliozzi. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a guest post about the supernatural from the author. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: Facets of the Past: No Dark Deed Goes UnpunishedAuthor: Monique Gliozzi
Publisher: Tellwell Talent
Publication Date: March 27th 2021
Print Length: 132 pages
Genre: Supernatural Thriller
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When Hank Gild is given the opportunity to take up his dream job, he accepts the offer with excitement.
As a tour guide at the historical imperial castle on Lake Starnberg, Hank delights his guests with stories of the late Bavarian emperor-his antics, his precious artifacts and the mystery shrouding his death in 1886. But it seems that not all the castle's visitors are of pure heart.
Before long, Hank is forced down a path of greed, deception and danger with no way out. A once happy and simple life unexpectedly becomes a treacherous nightmare. Who can he trust? Can Hank save himself before learning the ultimate lesson?
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Bookshop * IndieBound * Indigo *
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EXCERPT:
Sliding behind the tapestry immortalizing the king’s coronation, then positioning my flashlight to take full advantage of its beam, I went to work. The old lock cracked within seconds. The click echoing around the room appeared loud to my already adrenaline-laden senses. With a heart pounding like a jackhammer, I reached for the handle, savoring the feeling of cold brass against my clammy palm. The little secret door was finally ajar.
Anyone familiar with old doors would know that they never open quietly, their hinges invariably will creak. This one was no different. A rush of cold musty air rushed past me. Shining the torch, I could see that behind this partition was a short narrow corridor leading to a set of steps. Glancing at my watch, I noted there was still time before a second security sweep would be needed.
Tentatively, I walked into the unknown, first tackling the corridor and steep set of winding stairs to another locked door. As I prepared to pick its lock, images of an archaeological expedition crossed my mind – Tutankhamen. The oppressive musty air, steep dark tunnels and unlawful intrusion were some similarities taunting with my moral compass. I hoped that there were no microorganisms in this space causing a mysterious and deadly affliction or, worse, a curse.
Sweat built on my brow, the tools slipped from between my moist fingers, but eventually I opened the second door, revealing yet another very long tunnel. The ceiling was arched and low, suitable for anyone of shorter stature than my six-foot frame. As I walked bent over like the hunchback of Notre Dame, I calculated the approximate length of this tunnel to be eight hundred yards. Finally, reaching its end, another door beckoned to be unlocked. Putting my skill to good use, within seconds I found myself in a small underground room.
Shining the beam around the space, a sense of uncanny familiarity befell me. Then, at the far end of the antique wine cellar, I recognized a set of wooden steps. I was in the cellar of my cottage! Relieved at having completed this little adventure unscathed, I decided to retrace my steps back to the castle.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Hank!”
Startled, I spun around, my flashlight catching a dark hooded shape emerging from the shadows.
“Who are you? How do you know my name?” The harshness of my tone barely disguised my fear. The figure slowly stepped toward the middle of the room, his head bowed and face still concealed by the hood of what appeared to be a monk’s habit. He stood in silence.
“Who are you?” I demanded. Then, slowly lifting his head toward the light, revealing a sunken midface, sharply jutting jaw, a long beaked nose, and black penetrating eyes, the stranger answered, sending a chill down my spine.
“Call me the Handyman.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born in Dublin, Dr Monique Gliozzi, a graduate from the University of Western Australia medical school, has a keen interest in forensic sciences and psychiatry. She works as a psychiatrist in Perth, with ties to the UWA School of Psychiatry, where she has had a role as a senior clinical lecturer. Her love for teaching granted her a nomination for an Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016.
Monique also holds an interest in aviation. She trained at the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia, where she obtained a commercial pilot licence. Following this, Monique completed her instructor rating and is now working on a casual basis as a senior flight instructor.
Monique rekindled her passion for writing starting with the fictional thriller Foresight, followed by Hunted and ghostly encounters in Vestige. Her latest book, Diversity, is a compilation of entertaining short stories of different genres.
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GUEST POST:
- Have you ever witnessed anything supernatural?
This is a wonderful opportunity for me to share a little about my own paranormal encounters, which has impacted on my beliefs related to unexplained events of the universe. So, do I believe in ghosts? Absolutely!
Since childhood, I’ve had a fascination with ghost stories, enjoying various tales recounted by my grandmother, whose timing to narrate a hair raising story was impeccable – at dusk. We would sit by the lounge room window sipping hot chocolate, utilizing the combination of muted light creating shadows in our luscious garden as a backdrop. I’d listen to her intently mesmerized by her descriptive ability, hoping that I’d be allowed to sleep with the light on that night.
Years later my first encounter followed shortly after learning about the untimely passing of a cousin. I was walking our dog one afternoon, when suddenly he stopped in the mid stride, sat politely (despite all our efforts of training, Jackson never just posed in this manner), and while wagging his tail vigorously displayed an air of excitement as if greeting a long lost friend. Yet, there was nobody in sight! This lasted a few moments. After I’d acknowledging the departed family member by name and said a small prayer, the Labrador resumed his walk.
On another occasion, during my routine morning jog, out of the corner of my eye I spied a very thin mist-like wave rush past me. It was so quick and subtle that had I blinked at that precise moment, I would have missed it. Given the time of day, I rationalized that it must have been some residual mist evaporating, and continued about my business. Well, how wrong was I! Moments later I felt my Nike baseball cap being lifted off my head and vanish! Abruptly I swung around to retrieve where it should have fallen, but it was nowhere to be found. This occurred on a very still morning. I searched high and low for it in vain. Something had made off with it.
I work as a psychiatrist in Perth, Australia, and there is an old part of our hospital that is a hive of a different energy. The conference room where this took place had once been the nurse’s station of a ward in this old part of the building. While attending a meeting via video link with colleagues from a different service, I felt a heavy presence in the room watching my every move. The atmosphere was thick and temperature unnaturally cold, despite having the heater on full blast. The best way to describe the experience, is when you’re doing an written exam at school and the teacher walks around the desks supervising the process. The presence wasn’t menacing, but I felt that perhaps one of the senior nurses of long ago was still going about her duty, watching and supervising activities, ensuring that order was being maintained.
I’m lucky to say that these events have not been traumatic, rather enhanced my curiosity about the afterlife. However, my stories usually have a more sinister facet which is in keeping with the suspenseful, fast paced and action packed genre of my publications.
Hope you enjoy Facets of the Past.
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GIVEAWAY:
Monique Gliozzi will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an exciting book
ReplyDeleteThanks Peg42.
DeleteEnjoy 😉
Love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYou’re most welcome Elizabeth
DeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita.
DeleteEnjoy 😉
How long was the writing process?
ReplyDeleteThe actual writing took 3 months but the planning took 4weeks.
Deletethank you for a chance to win
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Zelda
DeleteSounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim
Deletethis sounds like a great book, congrats on the release
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. Hope you enjoy it
DeleteSounds great, I like the cover and the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI designed the cover and the cover artist worked his magic
DeleteIt sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for connecting with me today Diana
DeleteThe book sounds interesting, thanks.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to check out my website Deb. Thanks for connecting with me
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
Great to hear Ann
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Debbi. Hope you enjoy this story
DeleteThis sounds like a very good book.
ReplyDeleteI had fun writing it Sherry
DeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Calvin
DeleteSounds like a good read
ReplyDeleteThanks Danielle
DeleteSounds like an awesome read.
ReplyDeleteIt’s fast paced Jodi. Thanks 😊
DeleteSupernatural Thriller - oh wow I go for this!
ReplyDeleteAnd with a thrilling cover.
Thank you for sharing this review.
My pleasure Barbara
DeleteI like how the book cover shows the facets of an emerald.
ReplyDeleteYes there’s a double entendres
DeleteThanks for sharing that excerpt. It sounds like a fun book to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alecia
DeleteAbout how long does it take you to write a book?
ReplyDeleteSuppose it varies?
It does vary. This one took me 5 months including planning and editing.
DeleteWhat inspires your plot ideas?
ReplyDeleteHi Traciem
DeleteInspiration usually hits when least expected. For example with my latest book it was going through old personal photos
Where is your favorite place to write?
ReplyDeleteHi Slehan
DeleteI love my little study at home.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie
DeleteFollow your heart and take a leap of faith but also get a good editor.
Is it difficult to think of a title for your books?
ReplyDeleteNot for me Barbara but for some authors it can be
DeleteDo you write while on vacation?
ReplyDeleteI get ideas for a story and write these down but don’t actually write on vacation
DeleteLove the cover and the excerpt sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks buddy
DeleteAny tips for a writing slump?
ReplyDeleteDon’t panic. You’ll come back out of it in time
DeleteDo you ever use your own experiences to write a book?
ReplyDeleteGenerally my stories are fictional but I have had paranormal experiences so can draw from those emotions
DeleteI like the cover and would love reading it too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie
DeleteHow many years have you been writing books?
ReplyDeleteI started becoming inspired to write in 2017
DeleteDo you set an alarm so you don't write for too long at a stretch?
ReplyDeleteNo. My internal body clock tells me when it’s enough for one sitting- usually up to 3 hours
DeleteDo you ever get writer's block?
ReplyDeleteIf so how do you get through it?
Yes I have just emerged from a stint of this. Acknowledging that it’s normal and giving myself time and not panicking.
DeleteDo you usually stick with one genre when writing?
ReplyDeleteMy book Diversity is a compilation of short stories of different genres - romance humour drama.
DeleteThat's a great mix.
DeleteHow long did it take you to finish this book?
ReplyDeletesounds like a fun one
ReplyDeleteThis is a new author for me-definately a book to read next-thanks
ReplyDeleteWhat author do you most admire?
ReplyDeleteThe thriller looks fun to read.
ReplyDelete