Normally we would have a little story about Bailey, Lucy, and Twiggy but as you know it is hard for me to get photos and do PT at the same time. I am so pleased to have Staci Troilo as a guest to give you some more information about her new book Tortured Soul. Thank you, Staci for appearing on Fiction Favories.
Hi, John. Thank you for offering to host me here today. I know you write thrillers, so I thought your readers might be interested in one of the many action-packed scenes in my latest release, Tortured Soul, the fourth and final book of the Medici Protectorate series. And here it is:
Coz gave Toni’s hand a reassuring squeeze, promised he’d hurry back, then joined his brothers to do a sweep of the property. He took one last glance up the hill toward the villa they’d just vacated. Their group had more than doubled since they’d arrived in Italy, yet that compound had housed them all comfortably. Hopefully, the next place would be as accommodating.
As he was about to look away, the sky glowed orange. A loud boom echoed in the valley. The air around him reverberated with it. A cloud of smoke billowed to the heavens from where their compound stood.
Probably more accurate to say from where their compound once stood. By the size of the explosion, it had likely been reduced to rubble.
Teresa dashed from the convent, and the Notaro women leapt from their cars. Carmen and his men sprinted over to them.
“Was that—?” Toni’s eyes were wide, her face pale, noticeable even in the darkness.
“The compound,” Coz confirmed. He didn’t understand how the blast had happened. They’d only just left. Surely they would have seen approaching traffic on the road or a drone overhead.
“Oh, my God.” Teresa made the sign of the cross.
“Mike. And Rico.” Toni grabbed Coz’s arm. “Do you think they got out?”
What could he possibly say to reassure her? The odds of Mike and Rico fighting off an attack on their own and escaping unscathed were slim.
He didn’t want to think about it.
By the strangled sound Toni made, she’d arrived at the same conclusion.
There you have it. The story pretty much starts with a literal bang and the action only ramps up from there. I put all these characters through hell before the end… and I can’t guarantee everyone makes it out alive.
Blurb:
Protection is safety. Until it stifles.
After months of clandestine battles, the Brothers of the Medici Protectorate finally know who is responsible for the assassination attempts on the Notaro family, the secret descendants of the Medici line. And they’ve never faced such a formidable foe.
Roberto Cozza–Coz–faces this new reality with surprising pragmatism. His powers may make the difference in winning their covert war–if only he can master them in time. It would just be so much easier if he could get his emotions under control, but neither his Brothers nor their charges are making things easy on him.
Toni Notaro appreciates the security provided by the Brothers, but she knows she has her own role to play–and it terrifies her. She is the missing link in Coz mastering his emerging abilities, yet she struggles to bridge the gap between what he needs and what she can offer.
As the Brotherhood hurtles inexorably toward the climactic final showdown, Coz and Toni must find the strength within themselves and each other to master the secrets of his powers, or risk death and defeat for all they hold dear.
Author Bio and Links:
Staci Troilo writes because she has hundreds of stories in her head. She publishes because people told her she should share them. She’s a multi-genre author whose love for writing is only surpassed by her love for family and friends, and that relationship-centric focus is featured in her work.
Web| Blog| Tortured Soul Info| Medici Protectorate Info| Amazon Page| BookBub| Goodreads| Twitter| Other Social Media Links
Fiction Favorites 
Wow!! A great start. Sounds like an exciting story.
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Thank you, Darlene.
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Thanks, Darlene. 😀
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Sounds like a “must read” which I’m looking forward to starting. Congratulations!
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Thanks so much, Gwen!
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Thank you forthe support, Gwen.
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This sounds like a great story. Thanks for hosting Staci, John!
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I appreciate that. Thanks, Jill.
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Thank you for the visit, Jill
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Thanks for sharing, Charles.
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You’re welcome.
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🙂
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Thank you, Charles.
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Hope PT is going well and that one of the dogs know how to fletch you a drink. Best of luck to Staci. I admire the way independent authors support each other!
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John seems to have three wonderful girls who are happy to help him out, doesn’t he?
Thank you. John is always so helpful to other authors; a generous and gracious host. I’m grateful to be here today.
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🙂
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Thank you, Frank. We tend to support since we are all we have. 😀
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Great to Staci over here, John.
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It’s nice to be here, Roberta. Thanks for visiting.
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Thanks for stopping, Roberta.
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Nice to see you here with another exciting excerpt, Staci.
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Thanks, Teri! Appreciate that.
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Thanks for the visit, Teri. 🙂
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Now that’s starting off with a bang. Go Staci!
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Thanks, Craig.
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[…] First, let’s visit John W. Howell. John writes thrillers, and Tortured Soul does cross over into the thriller genre, so I chose a blurb and excerpt that is exploding with action. Literally. If you like thrillers, this excerpt will appeal to you. You can find it here. […]
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Super stuff, Staci
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That’s just what I was hoping for, Craig! Thank you. 🙂
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John, I just wanted to thank you for welcoming me here today. I really appreciate the support.
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Always a pleasure, Staci. 🙂
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The pleasure is mine.
Hoping recovery is going well and the girls are helping you out. I miss their furry faces.
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Yeah. I have to get on it. No more excuses.
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You aren’t making excuses. You need the time to recover. And I want you to recover so you can get back to taking all those wonderful pics!
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😀
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Wow! This is a fantastic excerpt!
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Thank you, Joan. 🙂
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Thanks, Joan
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It is. Thanks, Joan
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I can vouch about the action and thriller aspect of this book. I devoured it cover to cover. Staci really keeps the action moving and does indeed put her characters through the wringer. It’s a great read, and awesome to see it making the rounds of the blogosphere!
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Many thanks, Mae. I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book and am grateful for your kind words.
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Thanks, Mae.
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Thanks for stopping, Mae.
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Holy guacamole, Staci! Now THAT’s the way to get a reader’s attention! Super excerpt, and I’m looking forward to reading the book even more, now. Sharing! 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, Marcia.
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Thanks so much, Marcia!
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Great excerpt! If that’s the opening, the ending must be something.
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Thak you, Judi. ;-D
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Thanks, Judi. I’d like to think it is, but it’s for readers to decide.
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It’s great to see Staci’s world tour in lovely Port Aransas! Wishing her huge success. Thanks, John. Hugs all around.
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Thank you, Teagan.
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Many thanks, Teagan!
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Your new book sounds great! AND, nice work on John’s site! All the best! ♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray
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Thanks so much, Billy Ray!
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Enjoying your tour Staci:) Thanks for hosting John!
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Thank you, Denise
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Thank you, Denise. Much appreciated.
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Wonderful excerpt, Staci! Now I have not one but four books to buy? Dang it…
Thanks for introducing me to Staci, John… Keep up your PT!
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Thanks Dale. Off to the facility today at 3:00
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Carry on!
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Thank you.
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Aw, thanks so much Dale! I appreciate the kind words.
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🙂
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Nicely done! You seem a great fit as a guest here on John’s blog. John – hope you’re healing well.
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Thank you, Pamela. Staci is a great fit. 😀
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Thank you, Pamela (and John). I appreciate the kind words. 🙂
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Wow, way to ramp up the tension! This sounds like a page-turner, my favorite kind of read 🙂
Hope you’re traveling the recovery road, John {{hugs}}
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Thanks, Jacquie. Just had an hour of PT so I’m working on it. Thanks for the hugs. Here is one back
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Thanks, Jacquie!
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This is a fantastic introduction to Staci’s new book. I absolutely LOVE the cover and the book definitely starts with a bang! Best of luck to you, Staci. John, you are a great host.
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John is a wonderful host. Glad to be here, and glad you stopped by. Thanks for the kind words, Jan.
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Thank you, Jan
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I’m late catching up. This sounds like a good story, Staci. Thanks for sharing this and helping John keep the place busy.
John, good luck with the PT.
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Thanks, Dan. I wish I could look at it like I was doing John (and Lucy, Bailey, and Twiggy) a favor by taking over his Thursday blog, but he really did me the favor. And because of his loyal following, we kept him busy all day. I hope it didn’t detract from his recovery too much!
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I’m good, Staci. Glad you had a good turn out.
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We don’t want him to go soft, Staci. Those girls need him up and about.
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They do, Dan. Thanks.
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Thank you, Dan.
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Great beginning. I know the novel will only get better.
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Thanks for the visit, Michelle,
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Thanks, Michele. 🙂
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[…] Explosion and Rubble Excerpt | John W. Howell […]
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Thank you, Staci
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