In the course of my writing adventure and my meanderings through Facebook (okay, the hours I spend gossiping about books and writing in the Fiction Cafe groups), I was lucky enough to get chatting with the lovely Sarah Northwood. Sarah is a talented writer and poet, and I am absolutely thrilled that she is allowing me to share some excerpts from her psychological thriller, She’s Not Gone. Let’s start with the blurb though, so you know what to expect.
BLURB:
A gripping psychological thriller with a twist of evil and a slice of the supernatural.
When Daryl charms his way into Katie’s life, sweeping her off her feet, she thinks she’s found the love of her life. Until he cuts her off from her friends and starts to control everything in her life, right down to the food she puts on her plate.
There is a monster inside of Daryl that plays on his insecurities, and the monster is ready to come out and play.
Will Katie make the most important decision of her life before it’s too late?
Who will protect her when she discovers Daryl’s deadly secret?
Sounds great doesn’t it. If you are tempted by the blurb, you can buy Sarah’s book here. Now for the fun part where we get a sneaky peek of what is hiding between the pages.
Excerpt from Chapter one
The pavement is awkwardly narrow for us to walk side-by-side but we do it because that’s what he wants and I don’t want to risk upsetting him more. The two of us butt up closely together to avoid stepping into the road, so tightly to each other that barely a sliver of light separates our limbs. I’m on the uncomfortable side of the road—closest to the roaring traffic hurtling past us—as we stroll past the pub on the other side. I barely breathe, moving like a soldier with a deadly fear of explosive mines on either side of me. I half push up against him, terrified down to my core that I will stumble out into the road, and half recoil away from him. The pub is freshly painted and gleaming, it looks the same as it always does apart from the fresh coat of paint. The whitewashed bricks, the sign and an open door inviting would-be patrons to step inside its welcoming aromas. Daryl raises his arm to wave at someone who is smoking a cigarette and they wave back smiling. They don’t think anything is wrong, we’re just a happy couple walking together but they can’t see my face from there.
Even if they could, I’m invisible. Nothing more than a discarded wrapper blowing on past. Like me, I suppose the pub needs a lot of maintenance to keep up appearances. It too is perilously close to the danger that hurtles past every day.
SOME THOUGHTS FROM KATIE:
Should I blow out onto the road like the rubbish I am? Would it sweep me away and into the shadows?
I wonder if there were bars on the windows and doors, would I feel more trapped? Would I be able to tell the difference?
He’s going to kill me.
Am I the cause? Am I unlovable?
Oh, I knocked into the door handle. I tripped on my bag. Clumsy me!
Whoever this is, is dead.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah Northwood is a multi-talented author, who not only writes poetry but is a dab hand at writing music too. Her love and passion for poetry is never more prominent than in her first children’s poem book, “Unicorns are real and other cool poems.” More recently Sarah has expanded her interests, and has three further published fiction works for adults. Despite covering the genres; horror, thriller and contemporary fiction, all of her works embrace deep and believable characters that will have you wanting to read more and sometimes cowering for the shadows in fear of what’s to come.
“Growing up in a little town, I was surrounded by animals and a loving family. However I never quite knew what I wanted to be when I was older. I’ve spent most of my working career working in science until a new life beckoned. Now I believe in never growing up! I am a Wife and Mum to two wonderful girls, who rock my world, they inspire me every day. I enjoy writing stories for children and adults. In particular I’m a fan of romance, rhyme, poetry and composing songs. In addition I also work part time at my local school, which I love! I have a trusty companion, Charlie, who is my King Charles spaniel. Wherever my adventures take me, he is by my side.”
You can follow Sarah on social media to hear about special offers and her latest projects:
Mai's Musings 
Ohhh this is absolutely going on my TBR. Thanks for sharing:)
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It sounds great doesn’t it!
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And another one for the pile. The world needs a pause button so I can catch up.
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I know exactly what you mean!!! I need to live to about 100 at the moment just to clear the current TBR pile, never mind all the books that haven’t been released yet!
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