Today I'm excited to celebrate the release of Lori MacLaughlin's latest novel, Trouble By Any Other Name, which is the sequel to Lady, Thy Name is Trouble. A huge congrats to Lori! And be sure to scroll down and read an exclusive excerpt from her book!
Title: Trouble By Any Other Name
Sequel to Lady, Thy Name Is Trouble
Author: Lori L. MacLaughlin
Release Date: May 16, 2016
Genre: Fantasy
*****
About the Book:
Tara Triannon is no stranger to trouble. She's yet to find an enemy her skill with a sword couldn't dispatch. But how can she fight one that attacks through her dreams?
With her nightmares worsening, Tara seeks answers but finds only more questions. Then her sister, Laraina, reveals a stunning secret that forces Tara to go to the one place Tara's sworn never to return to. Her troubles multiply when Jovan Trevillion, the secretive soldier of fortune who stole her heart, is mentally tortured by an ancient Being intent on bending him to its will. And worst of all, the Butcher — the terrifying wolf-like assassin she thought she'd killed — survived their duel and is hunting her again.
Hounded by enemies, Tara sets out on a harrowing quest to discover the true nature of who she is, to come to grips with the new volatility of her magic, and to defeat the evil locked in a centuries-old trap that will stop at nothing to control her magic and escape through her nightmares.
Buy Links:
Lori L. MacLaughlin traces her love of fantasy adventure to Tolkien and Terry Brooks, finding The Lord of the Rings and The Sword of Shannara particularly inspirational. She's been writing stories in her head since she was old enough to run wild through the forests on the farm on which she grew up.
She has been many things over the years – tree climber, dairy farmer, clothing salesperson, kids' shoe fitter, retail manager, medical transcriptionist, journalist, private pilot, traveler, wife and mother, Red Sox and New York Giants fan, muscle car enthusiast and NASCAR fan, and a lover of all things Scottish and Irish.
When she's not writing (or working), she can be found curled up somewhere dreaming up more story ideas, taking long walks in the countryside, or spending time with her kids. She lives with her family in northern Vermont.
You can find her here:
Excerpt:
They found the ruins of Tamara's cottage just north of the village on a narrow stretch of flat land backed by a low hill. Nothing remained standing. The area was wildly overgrown, in sharp contrast to the carefully tended fields. Thorn trees thick with foliage and sprinkled with small white flowers grew in masses amid the crumbled foundation, as if protecting the site from intruders.
Tara and Jovan dismounted and tied the horses. A soft hush descended, deadening all sound. The air grew thick with the smell of herbs, and Tara suddenly found it hard to breathe. Slowly, she walked toward the ruined cottage. An odd melody seeped into her mind, and she hummed it absently. She reached the wall of thorns and stopped. The leafy branches were too thickly intertwined to see what lay beyond. She parted the limbs, being careful to avoid the needlelike thorns, and a mournful wail flooded her mind. She jumped back, letting go of the branches. The piercing cry faded to a painful whisper.
Jovan caught her arm. "What happened?"
"I'm not sure. Did you hear anything?"
"No. You did?"
She nodded. "It was so sad and full of pain. It hurt."
Jovan grasped one of the branches. "I feel something, but it's very faint."
"Give me your hand." Tara clasped his other hand and touched a thorny limb. The wailing cry seared across her consciousness. Jovan's hand tightened on hers. The woeful keening filled her eyes with tears, then the sound changed. It grew intensely joyful, triumphant, softening to a tender, loving caress.
"Mother," Tara whispered. She clutched at the thorny branches, spiking her fingers and drawing blood.
Jovan caught her and drew her back, holding her firmly in his strong embrace. "She's not in there," he said gently. "It's her spirit you hear."
"Mother, why did you have to die? I needed you so much!" Tara wrenched away and ran back toward the sleeping village. "You murderers!" she shouted. "You killed her! Damn you to the Abyss!" She sank to her knees, tears burning her cheeks.
Jovan dropped down beside her and gathered her in his arms.
She sobbed bitterly. "They killed her."
****
Isn't that a great excerpt?! Congratulations, Lori! :)
