Book Jacket

 

rank 3566
word count 15384
date submitted 22.02.2010
date updated 22.02.2010
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Historical Ficti...
classification: universal
incomplete

Flight from Blithmore

Jacob Gowans

An sweeping tale about Henry, Isabelle, and their friends fighting against an Emperor, a King, and their armies to stay together... and stay alive.

 

You want a tale of forbidden love? We got it. You need swordfights and daring escapes? We got that, too. You're also looking for hilariousness, betrayal, and a horse named Sissy? Stop searching! May I introduce you to A Tale of Love and Adventure Volume One: Flight from Blithmore!

Set in a fictional country called Blithmore, this tale revolves around a master carpenter named Henry, willing to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves. And it seems he may be asked to give exactly that. When an Emperor tries to kidnap Henry's fiancee and make her his concubine, Henry, with his friends and sister, makes a daring escape. Now he is hunted by hundreds of soldiers across the country. Unfortunately, Henry is a carpenter, not a swordsman, and must rely on his friends to prevent imprisonment and execution.

Flight from Blithmore is a witty, adventurous tale of love, not a romance novel. Written for men and women, no one should be afraid to pick up this book. From impromptu plays to drunken songs to oddball physicians, this book has something for you.

The novel is complete at ~110K words. The first five chapters have been uploaded.

 
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tags

action, adventure, humor, love, romance, suspense

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23 comments

 

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Lj Trafford wrote 707 days ago

A story within a story -ooh that's a bit shakespear. An interesting plot device. Sometimes it does worry me a bit in that we see things from Henry's point of view and then the narrator tells us how he is feeling - it might be worth sticking to one or the other. Either it is Henry's etc story or the narrator is telling it all. Just a thought.
Still this sped along quite happily, why does the carpenter's assistant hold back his potential? I quite fancied a bit more on that, is there some deep dark mystery? Is he related to Henry. Like the refused marriage proposal that sets up an impediment and dramatic twist to the story. In fact liking this.
Just wondering why you chose to set it in a fantasy world? Could easily be a totally historical novel - unless there are steam trains to come :).
Backed.

lizjrnm wrote 709 days ago

I love this story - the pitch totally sucked me in but the story held its own - Henry "rocks" as my eleven year old is saying as he reads over my shoulder = polished and smart! Backed,

Check out The Cheech Room - different genre but similar style - I think you will like it.

James Wayland wrote 711 days ago

Splendid imagery and an ear for dialogue immediately transported me. This is rich and the prose is clear and concise, propelling the plot forward with ease. Shelved.

-j

Famlavan wrote 711 days ago

You ground the storyline in time and place so well. Wished you used more descriptive sounds to build the atmosphere more (the only one that stood out in my memory was ‘the bustle from the kitchen’). Nice witty undertone and I enjoyed it very much.

Famlavan – Museum of Old Beliefs

Wilma1 wrote 712 days ago

This is very well written I read 3 chapters and found you had a brilliant knack for throwing in just the right amount of detail to every scene you set. I really liked chapter three will the old silver master. This book is exceptionally well executed and very professionally delivered.

Backed with confidence

Sue Mackender
Knowing Liam Riley

mikegilli wrote 713 days ago

High class fun with a lot of good work behind it.
Great chatty pitch.. i was stuck to find an error
(possibly repetition of 'this book') Tghanks for the enjoyable
reading...Lotsaluck..........mikegilli The Free

mikegilli wrote 713 days ago

High class fun with a lot of good work behind it.
Great chatty pitch.. i was stuck to find an error
(possibly repetition of 'this book') Tghanks for the enjoyable
reading...Lotsaluck..........mikegilli The Free

mikegilli wrote 713 days ago

High class fun with a lot of good work behind it.
Great chatty pitch.. i was stuck to find an error
(possibly repetition of 'this book') Tghanks for the enjoyable
reading...Lotsaluck..........mikegilli The Free

Barry Wenlock wrote 713 days ago

Great stuff - well-written and amusing. i can't really add to the comments but I enjoyed the read. BACKED!
Barry
(Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

MiniMePom wrote 713 days ago

I loved the old-England feel combined with the modern-day attitude. Just my kind of witty tale. Backed.

M.C. Holman wrote 713 days ago

Your story intrigues me. Definitely backed. I was intrigued by the idea that they were all waiting for a storyteller, and then enraptured by the old man's entrance. Very cinematic. Good work.

I have two things to critique:
At the beginning, when he enters the tavern, you simply detail what he said, in the same amount of words as it would take for him to say it. I would have him say it. It's more interesting. I also saw that once in a while you would use a phrase like 'most utter seriousness.' It's a little redundant. But other than that, fantastic job!

I look forward to hearing from you about my book!

M.C. Holman
Dragon-Children: The Secrets of Tarenhavdel

beegirl wrote 714 days ago

I had to smile when I read your prologue. I too have an "Old Man" in my story. This is fast-paced, exciting and just plain readable. Wonderful job.
Barbara
The Sea Pillow

cbearly wrote 715 days ago

Jacob:

I am so glad I found Flight from Blithmore. Not only is it original, it is light-hearted and enjoyable.

The only advice I could offer is to select a more daring cover to represent the story better. I am not one to judge the merit of a book by its cover, but it is the first think a reader notices. Bradley Wind is an amazing artist and has kindly furnished some beautiful covers for the authors on Authonomy, myself included.

Backed with the best of luck,
Candace Bowen Early (A Knight of Silence)

meemers wrote 715 days ago

thought this was great!

all the best
sue sohn

Melcom wrote 715 days ago

I love your tale and your writing flows exceptionally well.

Spotted a typo in your pitch though, you have An sweeping, that should be A.

Great work

Happily shelved

Melxx
Would love to hear your thoughts on Impeding Justice, a crime/thriller with a spunky female MC.

blueboy wrote 716 days ago

ok, i really like this--it flows well,a dnyou have a good story telling ability. i'll add you to my list. my only suggestio would be to show more of your story rather than narrate. but all and all a good read. I would appreciate any contructive feedback or suggestion on my novel THe Age of Rhinsestone, good or bad, especailly chapter 20. take care and good luck with your manuscript

Mr. Nom de Plume wrote 716 days ago

The paragraph that begins, "Henry was the son of a weathy woodcarving master..." if moved toward the beginning of the novel might orient readers sooner to "time and place." The description of the "carriage driver" might be expanded, clothing and distinguishing characteristics. The "beautiful woman" might be made "more beautiful" in the mind of a reader with some expansion. A wonderful storyline that most likely will climb onto the desk. Backed Chuck

soutexmex wrote 716 days ago

SHELVING you because Tim did. I can use your comments on my book when you can get a chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

bonalibro wrote 716 days ago

It would appear that you write quite well, Sir. Your story has far more pizazz and polish than anything I have seen come on here lately. I particularly like the jaunty tone of the dialogue and being able to hear the character's voices. Didn't read the prologue and got to where Henry goes off to ask for Isabel's hand.

Backing this for you.

Tim Chambers
Moonbeam Highway: With Apologies to Miguel de Cervantes

AlleJo wrote 716 days ago

Extremely engaging. Starts right in with the story, which
makes an immediate impact, intriguing and entertaining.

Lovely fresh style, fresh voice. Words are precise and
crisp, and the atmosphere is brilliantly vivid, ironic and suspenseful.

udasmaan wrote 716 days ago

backed

shah

John Harold McCoy wrote 716 days ago

A nice style, nice pitch, good word flow, believable dialog. Altogether, well done in my opinion. I only read the pitch and prologue and chapter one, but from what I see, I'm pretty sure you'll carry this off very well. Backed, and the best of luck with it, Jacob.

John Harold McCoy - Bramwell Valley

Betty K wrote 716 days ago

I quite liked what I read here tonight. Your opening prologue with action and dialogue gets off to a good start. I'll read more tomorrow but right now I'm putting you on my shelf.

Betty K "A Weaver of Destiny"

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