Holiday Book Sale

The Blood of Cain - Nook Release

I am pleased to announce that The Blood of Cain is now available on the Nook at Barnes & Noble.

Congratulations Winners!

Congratulations Goodreads winners!  You have won an autographed copy of The Blood of Cain – Second Edition.  Thank you for entering the give-a-way! I hope you enjoy the adventure, and I look forward to your reviews.

And the winners are …

Abby M. of New Hope, AL

Kindra A. of Campbellsville, KY

Victoria M. of South Hampton, Great Britain

Kaitlin K. of Brownwood, TX

Jocelyn S. of Yonkers, NY

Goodreads Give-A-Way - The Blood of Cain

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Blood of Cain

by T.L. Gray

Giveaway ends July 31, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Birthday Give-A-Way

I love my publisher, Vabella Publishing.  If I haven’t said it lately, I’m saying it today.  What’s even more special is that I know my publisher loves me back.  Not just me, but you too, the readers.  How do I know they share such admiration?

Beginning on Monday, July 23^rd – Friday, July 27^th, Vabella Publishing will be offering The Blood of Cain – Second Edition for FREE on the Kindle download from Amazon.com in honor of my birthday.   

So, for those of you who had the privilege of reading the First Edition, and haven’t had a chance to get your hands on the new extended (nearly 10,000 more words) Second Edition, here’s your chance.  It’s FREE.  Just go to the Amazon.com, enter The Blood of Cain into your search field, select the NEW Second Edition (it is important you select the new edition labeled (The Arcainians) series, and then click Download for $0.00.  But, you have to wait till Monday.

One of the best presents I could receive, is that you receive The Blood of Cain – Second Edition for Free. For those who take advantage of Vabella’s gift, I encourage you to let them know how much you appreciate it by posting a review on Amazon, a comment on Vabella’s Facebook Page, and/or a tweet on Twitter.

Goodreads Give-A-Way - The Blood of Cain

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          The Blood of Cain
     

     

          by T.L. Gray
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends July 31, 2012.
         

         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         

     

   

   

      Enter to win

New Release!

The Blood of Cain - 2nd Edition is rolling off the press!

Keep an eye out for more release announcements early next week.

Family Feud – Team Hatfield or Team McCoy?

I had mixed feelings last night when it came time to watch the last segment of Hatfields & McCoys  mini-series on the History Channel, wondering how it would affect my dreams and interrupt my sleep.  Though these two families did make their appearance in my nighttime adventures, it wasn’t as intrusive as the night before. 

As stated in my previous blog post, I was a bit wary this story would end without a resolve, forcing my brain and consciousness to provide one, or struggle from its absence. The History Channel didn’t let me down, and provided a partly sad, and partly hopeful, resolution.

 

Through careful determination, I reserved my judgment on either family, knowing this wasn’t a work of fiction, but based on historical facts and real families, until the conclusion of the matter.  I wanted to view this tragic story through unbiased eyes, being grateful I had not already had previous knowledge of the legend.  The only thing I knew before watching this series was that in the television show, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, their famous family feud was based on the Hatfields and McCoys, and that it was the basis for the game show “Family Feud”.  Actually, I had forgotten that last piece of information until my son reminded me yesterday. 

My judgment today:  I think this tale would make a great illustration for several moral principles, such as: sowing vs. reaping, generational curses, righteous indignation, religious hypocrisy, and the cause and effect of faith, grace, love and mercy, and the lack thereof. But the greatest lesson: the effect of hate and who really pays the price.

There are always many ‘reasons’ for hate, and in this particular case, it seems to have started at the end of the civil war with a blue coat amongst a gray coat society and mindset, but there are no ‘excuses’.  Hate is a personal choice.  In this particular environment, hate was prevalent, but it didn’t start with the Hatfields or the McCoys, but long before them both in a feuding country.  This particular feud was the fruit harvested after much sowing. I could literally see the ‘devil in the details’ through the side-line instigators on both sides, shooting their bullets from the shadows, stirring the anger, and fueling the fires of hate.

Who ultimately paid the price? The children.  Neither William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield, nor Randolph “Randall” McCoy recognized the fruit of their hate until it became evident in the graves of their dead children. While they sought mercy, they refused to grant it.  I watched a skeptic turned into a believer, and a believer turned into a skeptic. I observed hate destroy love, and love overcome hate.  I witnessed grief destroy hope, and hope rise out of grief.  This is why this story captivates hearts and imaginations. 

In the end, am I team Hatfield or team McCoy?  I’ve always been partial to a Damascus Road experience - a murderer who seeks and finds redemption.  It’s the foundational concept in my novel series, “The Blood of Cain”.  So, I have to say, based on the evidence and story resolution presented, I’m team Hatfield. 

Till next time,

 ~T.L. Gray

The Blood of Cain - Update

Well, I finally signed a publishing contract for the Blood of Cain.
It is scheduled for release in October 2009! (So, make sure you buy a copy - need the royalties!)

I'm getting excited. I've still got a lot of work to do between now and then, but look forward to the challenges that lay ahead.

First thing... I want to give a shout out to all those who've helped support and inspire me and my writing. May each of you receive a double portion of blessing for your support and inspiration.

First, my Father, my Friend and my Savior, Jesus. Without You, all would be meaningless. I'm only the scribe to the gift You've given me. I love You with my whole being.

Though he hasn't actually even read any of my novels, I thank my husband, Rick. Without his support and encouragement, I may have given up on my dreams a long time ago.

Next, my children, Meagan, Johnathan and Kelly, and my in-laws, Virginia and Paul. You fill my heart with all the emotions (love, anger, fear, pride, trust, hope, frustration, etc.) I need to identify in my writing. To my Pastors Dan & Carla Patrick, who are the parents I never had but always dreamed about. Dreams do really come true, maybe not always in the package we imagined, but in hindsight... still the same dream. This is the family I dreamed about as a little child.

Now, to the rest of you. My editor, Steven Henderson, who I may or may not like in the coming months.... depending on how much mutilation is involved. I appreciate honesty, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. My publisher, Lois Bennett and the family at Fireside Publishing for believing in me and my work enough to want to publish me. My friends and family at DLCC, you know who you are (or maybe you don't...LOL!). To all my friends and foes at Critique Circle, who've helped shape my writing with all your opinions, hats off to you. And, to those who helped inspire the characters that sprang to life on the pages of this manuscript - Jensen Ackles, Steven Strait, Paul Bettany and Allison Mack.

Thank you all... and as the opening to this blog says... 'hang on... it's going to be a bumpy ride!'

Till next time,
~T.L. Gray