Today on my blog i have the pleasure of showcasing an extract from OAKWOOD FALLS a book by Duncan Brockwell. I’m sure you will agree it sounds like a great read .
BOOK BLURB
When Mother Nature chose Ashley Oakwood, she made a mistake.
Now it’s time to correct that mistake…
From the dawn of mankind, Mother Nature has always known of humans’ destructive ways. To ensure her own survival, she created The Ferralling, a vicious and bloodthirsty breed of creature, who kept humans in check. When The Ferralling became a liability, She destroyed them, deciding to put her survival in the hands of only the most deserving humans. These chosen ones She calls The Reclaimed.
The only human to be born of the Earth, Ashley Oakwood has powers beyond that of The Reclaimed. A kind and generous young woman, who wants nothing more than to belong, Ashley watches humans from afar, until she meets James, the man of her dreams. When he rejects her, he sets in motion a chain of events that pits humans against The Reclaimed, The last of The Ferralling, and Mother Nature Herself.
Who will emerge victorious from this brutal and bloody battle?
Oakwood Falls is a stunningly haunting and evocative read , perfect for fans of Delia Owens and Monique Roffey
BOOK EXTRACT
EXTRACT 4
Sinking Man was up to his waist, trying to hoist himself out, but every time he moved, he sunk deeper into the sticky mud that was dry only five minutes earlier. “I…Can’t…Breathe.”
The soft earth hardened.
From behind her, Carrie heard squeaking. With Ashley still firmly in her grasp, four lines of rats ran towards Sinking Man, running up his body. He screamed, thrashing about as they swarmed over him, gnawing at his flesh. His muffled screams filled the airwaves. She smiled and turned her attention to Ant Man’s carcass.
The ants marched off in different directions, leaving a devoured corpse with patches of cartilage and skin stuck to the skeletal remains. Roots sprung up around the skeleton and camouflaged it, while the leftover flesh mulched and sank into the earth.
Rat Man fared no better than Ant Man. With his legs encased in the rock hard mud, when the rats ran off, they left a half-eaten slab of bloody meat. He surprised her by begging for death. They ate his eyes. Carrie jumped when a branch swung through him, striking his neck. Rat Man’s head fell back and dropped to the earth.
While his body mulched, she went back to Squat Man, who was still held by the brambles. “No! Please, I’ll do anything you want.”
“You don’t like it now, do you? You wouldn’t let me go.” She had no intention of asking Mother to go easy on him. Do it, Mother!
Four thick brambles rose up from the earth and started spinning. Carrie watched as they ran over him, churning up his skin, turning his shirt red. After one run, they reversed and spun over him again. Five passes later, he lay in a pool of blood that seeped into the soil. His body relaxed for the final time.
The roots wasted no time in clinging to him and mulching him into the earth. Looking around the dark, she realised she was alone with Ashley, her baby, who had fallen asleep on her. Carrie cooed over her. Her belly hurt, but she didn’t have time to clean up; she had to find shelter until daybreak. “Come on, you. Let’s get you someplace warm.”
And where do you think you’re going? Sit back down, child!
Before she attempted rising, several roots broke through the soil and clamped on to her, two on her legs, two on her arms, one on her chest and one on her forehead, preventing her from looking at her baby, who lay on top of her. “What are you doing, Mother? Let me go, please. I need to find a warm place for her.”
Twiggy hands picked up Ashley and placed her gently on the soil next to her. “Leave her alone! She’s my daughter.”
You’ve forgotten your pledge to me, child. You must submit yourself, surrender your flesh, remember? You agreed to abide by my teachings, to surrender Ashley to me. Your kind might make promises you don’t keep, but not to me.
“I have submitted to you, I mean I will,” she replied, struggling with the strong roots clamped over her body. “I need to take her somewhere warm. Please, Mother.”
You’ll be warm with me, down here. When you’rewith me, you won’t feel pain, child. Nor anxiety, fear or loathing. Down here, you’ll be one with the earth.
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