wordsfromanneli

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Come with me to the Badlands

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Let me tell you a little bit about Jacqui Murray and her latest book.

Jacqui Murray is an amazing woman. She is constantly researching the history and facts about how man lived on this earth from hundreds of thousands of years ago to several thousands of years ago. She has read dozens and dozens of books and articles about the evolution of the earth and how man survived in the harsh environment of nature as it was back then.

She has drawn on this research to write many novels, but if you think research has made her books dry or boring, think again. They are page turners!

Jacqui Murray has done all the work. The only thing we need to do is read and enjoy the wonderful novels she writes about the people of those times. She gives the characters personalities that we can identify with. Some are wise, some foolish, some good and caring, others vain or selfish, hardworking or lazy, skilled or unskilled.  Not much different from people today. Humans had emotions and basic needs throughout history. The emotions haven’t changed. But how they reacted to those emotions and needs was sometimes very different from what we would do today.

Most of us love nature. But imagine having nothing but nature around you, and having to survive without most of the conveniences  of food, shelter, and security that we take for granted nowadays. How hard would life be if the world was still in upheaval from extreme weather conditions, earthquakes,  and volcanic eruptions, as landmasses were still forming and changing?

You can’t go to the store to buy a coat if you’re cold; there are no stores. You have little protection against wild animals, and no modern medicine for illnesses. You need to learn which animals are dangerous to your health and which plants will kill you if you eat them. There is no book to consult about these mysteries. You are basically on your own. Most of us would not survive.

The survival instinct is one of the main reasons that early man learned to work together with others of their kind, and formed groups or tribes. They knew that there is strength in numbers.

In Jacqui Murray’s books, you will love getting to know the people and you will feel their joy and their pain. Best of all, you will find yourself in a world you’ve probably never imagined. It’s as if you went back in time … WAY back in time.

Don’t miss Jacqui’s latest exciting page turner, “Badlands,” the second book of the trilogy, “Savage Land.” If you haven’t read Book One in the series, please check out “Endangered Species.” You can find both books if you click on the link below the cover image of “Badlands.”

*****

Author bio:

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.

 

Social Media contacts: 

Amazon Author Page:         https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/

Blog:                                        https://worddreams.wordpress.com

Pinterest:                                http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher

X:                                             http://twitter.com/worddreams

Website:                                 https://jacquimurray.net

 

Book information:

Print, digital, audio available: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DFCV5YFT

 Genre: Prehistoric fiction

Editor: Anneli Purchase 

*****

Here is a sample – just a small part of Chapter One.

Chapter 1  

75,000 years ago

Modern day Altai Mountains, Siberia 

Yu’ung’s legs churned, arms pumped, throat straining to draw in air. Her red hair hung in damp sweaty ropes on her neck and shoulders. After narrowly escaping the cave-in and then Hyaena’s attack, time had run out. B’o was supposed to leave with or without her when Sun reached a particular spot overhead. That point had passed and now, the maelstrom was upon them. She must get to her tribe.

Running never tired her, no matter how long or far. Today was different. Driven by desperation and worry for those who relied on her, she ran too hard and slammed up against her limit.

She stumbled to a stop and bent forward, chest heaving, sucking in one mouthful of air after another. The blue-eyed Canis–the massive Ump with his dark coat, the smaller White Streak with the light colored stripe cutting her black fur from one side of her forehead to the other, and the older Ragged Ear–circled back to her, huffing and prancing. Somehow, they knew time was short. Shanadar, who seemed to be their pack leader, wasn’t even winded. He waited, patient but anxious.

She muttered, “The smoke–it’s much worse.”

Yu’ung had departed her homebase before Sun woke. She had gone there to tell the Tall One Fierce that the People would join him. The air tasted of ash then, but lightly. By the time she reached where Fierce and his Tall One band should have been, the small flakes had grown chokingly large. The Tall Ones–wisely–were gone, but her mother, Kriina, now Fierce’s pairmate, left a message in the tunnel telling Yu’ung their destination and of a possible new homebase for the People.

It was there Yu’ung would lead the People.

“I’m ready, Shanadar,” and she took off again.

She expected the Angry Mountain’s destruction to clear closer to her homebase, but instead, cinders and smoke thickened and the air dimmed to a dingy gray. Uprooted trees blocked the usual passages forcing her to divert onto new, untried trails. Pockets of flames burned without pause on all sides. The grassland and forests that fed the People were almost wiped out.

*****

 

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Author: wordsfromanneli

Writing, travel, photography, nature, more writing....

107 thoughts on “Come with me to the Badlands

  1. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar

    A wonderful introduction, Anneli! Well said. 😊 And good luck with your promotion, Jacqui. Cheers.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar

    Brilliant and another wonderful excerpt from Badlands..thanks Anneli and Jacqui. xx

    Liked by 2 people

  3. GP's avatar

    Thank you for giving Jacqui such a great review. Authors such as she deserve to be recognized.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Darlene's avatar

    An amazing series, so well researched and full of interesting facts.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Priscilla Bettis's avatar

    I read Badlands and enjoyed it. Amazing characters, wonderful story, interesting setting!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Kymber @booomcha's avatar

    What a lovely write up! Congratulations, Jacqui!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Thanks for hosting Jacqui on the fantastic book tour, Anneli. Her book is fabulous.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Pingback: I’m over at Anneli’s Today |

  9. Jacqui Murray's avatar

    What a great way to greet a Wednesday. Thank you, Anneli. You distilled everything about the entire series. I’ll be saving this!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar

    Action-packed, descriptive writing. Really good, Jacqui!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. John W. Howell's avatar

    Well done on the summary, Anneli. Congratulations to Jacqui and thanks to you.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    What a wonderful spotlight for Jacqui’s latest! I started it last night!! Her ability to step back into that ancient time period amazes me. Thank you, Anneli for hosting, and congratulations to Jacqui!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Ilsa Rey's avatar

    “Come with me to the Badlands” is a great post title. I don’t remember what mine was, but it was not nearly so creative for Jacqui’s book tour. 😛

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Ursula's avatar

    It sounds like a good book to read! Thanks for this post!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Writing to Freedom's avatar

    Great intro to Jacqui and her book Anneli. And the blurb piqued my interest.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Unknown's avatar

    Great post for a book I loved! Can’t wait for the third one. Thanks for hosting, Anneli:)

    Liked by 2 people

  17. belindagroverphotography's avatar

    Badlands does sound like a page turner. Thank you for the introduction!

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    You’ve done a wonderful job of showcasing Badlands, Anneli! I can add my recommentation as well. Yu’ung was such a good strategist!

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. V.M.Sang's avatar

    A wonderful introduction to the books. The excerpt is amazing.

    thank you, Anneli for the introduction and good luck, Jacqui, with the promotion.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Pingback: I’m over at Dan’s Today |

  22. Ankur Mithal's avatar

    I think it is fascinating to have a connection to a modern-day recognizable geographical feature in the form of the Altai mountains.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. debrapurdykong's avatar

    Another great promotional post, Jacqui. I’m glad I found Anneli’s site! Just subscribed. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Red Deer's avatar

    Wow Anneli I can see you really appreciate Jacqui. Now I’m even more excited for when I read Jacqui’s book. I agree that she is an extraordinary women. I wouldn’t mind being a Neanderthal. Though I’d probably regret it if it actually happened lol

    Liked by 3 people

  25. Pingback: I’m over at Lynette’s Today |

  26. Jennie's avatar

    Anneli, this is an excellent and detailed review. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

  27. Pingback: #BookBlast for Badlands–Join Me! |

  28. Cindy Georgakas's avatar

    Hi Anneli,

    I agree with you.. Jacqui is amazing and so was your introduction and post!!!

    🙌🏽

    Liked by 2 people

  29. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    What a wonderful shout out for Jacqui’s amazing talent, Anneli. It’s a great read and full of fascinating research. Congrats to Jacqui on the wonderful success of her series and latest release.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Pingback: Reflections on Badlands Book Launch |

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