An ex-spy wakes up in an inescapable 13th Century dungeon; no light, no food or water and no way out!
The Devil’s Own Dice is book 3 in the Ordo Lupus and the Blood Moon Prophecy series. Find out more.
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Competition to Win Free, Signed Paperback of Screaming Angels!
My new romantic spy novel Screaming Angels published!
To celebrate, I will be giving away one, signed copy of Screaming Angels to my Newsletter readers in a competition on 16 October at 5pm BST. To sign up for the Newsletter before then, click here or go to the menu at the top of this page.
Screaming Angels paperback at Amazon.
Screaming Angels paperback at B&N.
Yulia let the rare intimacy hang in the air. It floated away on the evening’s love.
“The biggest twist was at the end – I really didn’t see that coming” – Eileen Thornton
How the Soviets stole the secret of Rolls Royce’s best jet engine and built the greatest fighter in the world.
Excerpt:
Don, the only member of his Rolls Royce Nene team that called his boss Ed, was a working-class Yorkshireman, Edward, a graduate from Dorking. They were Surrey chalk and Yorkshire cheese, but when Don had yelled “Pass Ed!” during a company football match, Edward let the term of endearment go with a smile and they had been close ever since.
“Right! Let’s tidy away and get testing!”
The seven men tightened every bolt on the jet engine’s outer casing, checked the test stand bolts for tension once more and wiped everything clean. Edward left the test chamber through the partition door and took up station with the rest of the team, behind the control panel. Don checked the last few hose connectors and left the chamber, closing the thick door behind him, but struggled to slide in the heavy draw bolt for a moment, with his back turned. Edward couldn’t see what Don was doing.
“Don’t touch the master door lock!” Edward joked.
“I never would. There! Got it!”
Edward completed the test form, pushing his spectacles up on the bridge of his nose to focus better:
Monday 22 July, 1946
RB.41 Nene MK.3 throttle-up test. Attending: Nene team, headed by Donald Hill. Manager: Edward Torrens.
“Right. Fire her up Don!”
Edward’s affable smile belied the tension in the small control room. The cream, concrete partitions had been designed to muffle the sound of WWII piston engines, not stop exotic alloy jet turbine blades, turning three or four times as fast, from exploding. Only a few weeks previously another of Edward’s Nene engineers had been injured when a fragment penetrated the wall and ripped part of his cheek away. As Don pressed the starter button, Edward wondered why such an alchemist’s brew of wires, alloys and unearthly, screaming power amounted only to the placid sounding ‘Nene’ in the Rolls Royce executives’ minds. Everything went well until Edward yelled into Don’s ear at the top of his voice:
“Full power!”
Edward realised he had actually crossed his fingers, just before he heard a high-pitched, metallic ‘ping.’ He lunged for the red cut-off button and smashed it down with his fist.
Don and the others stared at him with blank expressions, as if trapped in a slow-motion movie clip.
“Duck!” Edward yelled, before dropping to the floor and scrambling under the bench, dragging Don with him.
The turbine’s shriek had dropped in pitch about half an octave in those few seconds, but then the air ripped apart with a giant explosion. The sound or rending metal, mixed with the sound of concrete being ripped apart and debris hitting the walls made them shut their eyes and pray.
Eventually, silence returned, followed a moment later by the blaring of alarms and the sound of rushing feet.
“I didn’t hear owt!” Don said between coughs. “Bloody good job the engine revs dropped a few thousand! Or else I don’t think any of us would be here!”
Covered in white concrete dust and debris, the others scrambled to their feet while Edward looked for his spectacles in the debris. He found the metal frames, but the round lenses were both missing.
“I heard it!” he muttered. “A fan blade breaking loose. One of the advantages of managing four test teams and attending all tests – not that Sanderson approves. You learn what to listen for! I lost my spectacles and I think some of the glass went in my eye. I can’t see!”
Today’s News from: Rip – Find the Magic Key
— Yesterday’s was the last daily update from Rip – Find the Magic Key. —
I won’t be posting more daily updates from the world of Rip here because it’s too time-
consuming. But I will continue to do so on Twitter and Instagram so if you want to keep
up, go to:
Twitter: @Lazlo_F
Instagram: @lazloferran
Rip-Find the Magic Key: 2nd longest Western novel at 1 M+ words. Subscribe bit.ly/LazloFerran | Buy Vol 1 bit.ly/ripvol1 | Understand more bit.ly/inforip
Today’s News From: Rip – Find the Magic Key
— Brina is keelhauled. —
Brina didn’t remember what keelhauling was, but she decided she didn’t want to know.
Many of the ship’s crew stared at their feet while others dragged her to the bow.
“Do you think this a good idea?” she heard Devlin say to Brindley. “Suppose she dies? She probably will!”
“Then we won’t be docking in Tasman.”
“She’s only a woman!”
“Shut up Devlin. Do it now!”
The crewmen lowered Brina over the bow by the length of rope attached to her wrists while another sailor guided the other length of rope to the stern. He worked it under the moving ship’s hull and pulled it taught.
“Ready!” he yelled from the stern.
Six men lowered Brina to the crashing bow-waves, while three others hauled on the stern rope. Her feet touched the cold water, so she began to take deep breaths, taking her last a moment before her head went under. After that, she understood little of what happened, except that the sea battered her against the barnacle-studded planks of the hull and her lungs began to scream with the agony of asphyxiation. She held on as long as she could, feeling her chest convulse with its primitive urge to breath. The last thing she saw was a patch of light in the bottle-blue water behind her thrashing legs.
“You’re a lucky bitch!” a male voice said. “The Captain wouldn’t have revived anyone else but you!”
Rip-Find the Magic Key: 2nd longest Western novel at 1 M+ words. Subscribe bit.ly/LazloFerran | Buy Vol 1 bit.ly/ripvol1 | Understand more bit.ly/inforip
Today’s News in: Rip – Find the Magic Key
— Omah needs a shave. —
“I need a shave.”
“Let me show you. Take this off first.”
She tugged on the collar of his jumpsuit.
“Oh no! You’re not getting me naked that quick.”
“Ha! You’ll see us naked before too long. Don’t be shy.”
“No!”
“Alright! Just strip to the waist then.”
Omah unfastened the sticky front tab and peeled the smooth, metallic top down to his waist, rubbed his bare chest out of embarrassment and gave Archivist a lopsided grin.
Now look in the mirror and say, “Shave!”
“Shave! Hey! What’s this! I have a white mark on my chest. Like a key!”
“Yes. I thought it was kinda cute when we were shown your body in one of our first briefings.”
“Oh god! You mean you’ve seen me naked?”
“Sure! All of it. And you’re quite a healthy man.”
Omah blushed and replied.
“But what does this mark mean? Do you have it?”
“No. You’re the only one. We don’t know what it means. You had it when you came to u- … . Oh there, now you’re jumping the gun! Or making me! Let’s do the shave.”
“But wait a minute! At least it’s something not blue! And Controller; he seems very emotionless and blank. Are you all robots?”
Archivist’s laugh sounded like the delicate titter of a teenage girl.
“It sometimes feels like it.”
“Androids then? Cyborgs?”
Rip-Find the Magic Key: 2nd longest Western novel at 1 M+ words. Subscribe bit.ly/LazloFerran | Buy Vol 1 bit.ly/ripvol1 | Understand more bit.ly/inforip
Editing Services
I am a full-time writer and English Teacher (TEFL qualified with a Distinction) and now offer the best quality editing and ghost writing services. Yes, that’s right! With me, you get the whole package! You get the first ten pages of editing FREE!
Lazlo Ferran
Background
I have been writing for ten years and my experience has taught me what makes a truly amazing novel! This experience has not been gained without pain but I can save you some of this pain.
Everything comes down to two factors; 1) a good story and 2) good presentation. If you have a good story, you are more than halfway there. Good presentation starts with good editing and, as many successful writers will tell you, a writer is not the best person to edit their own work. Writers are usually too close to their book; they miss mistakes because they know what they wanted to say and this is what they see!
If English is not your native language, I can help you with an entrée to the English-speaking market at no extra cost, something not many editors will provide. Two of my previous clients did not speak English as their native language and both were very happy with the results. Even dyslexia is not a barrier, if you can write a good story.
I am an avid reader of all types of fiction and historical books and would love to help you develop your own work. I work fast and insist on reading your book and getting to know it properly before starting. If you would like help with whatever you are writing, contact me with details of your book. I need to know the word count, subject (genre) and intended publishing format (eBook/paperback or both).
Your first ten pages are FREE!
What you Get
I will proofread and copy edit the first ten pages of your book free of charge. There is no hurry! Take it away and think about it.
Below, you will find pricing options for the services that I can offer you. These are provided simply as a guide. If I edit your whole book, we can create a customized payment plan to fit your budget. I work very quickly and if I provide all three types of editing service to you at the same time so the results can be achieved more quickly. I provide all three editing services for a 60,000-100,000 word novel for £899, much less than separately (typically this would be £1100 for a 60,000 word novel). Be sure to ask about my special rates on series. I will always put in that extra little bit of effort to make sure your book is as good as it can be.
Books are my passion so I will always put your book first!
Contact me
Contact me with questions or to discuss pricing options at lazloferran@gmail.com
Thank you.
My specialities are:
- European High Medieval history (12th Century and 15th Century), especially settings in France and England.
- World War two, particularly in reference to aviation.
- Aviation history from 1936 to the present day.
- Science fiction, particularly high tech.
- Central Asian culture.
- The music business, especially the busking and the London rock scene in the ’80s and ’90s.
- Vampire history.
- Werewolf history.
Lowest Prices and Best Value:
Editing
- Proofreading = £5/hr – I will check for and marking up typographic mistakes for you. This is roughly £0.0075 per word. The rate is lower if I provide you with 2 and 3 as well.
- Copy editing = £6/hr – Offering suggestions for improved grammar. ( I am also a specialist in Medieval English language and Medieval history in general, WWII and Physics/science). The rate is lower if I provide you with 1 and 3 as well.
- Development and substantive editing = £8/hr – Make use of my ability to structure your novel for greatest impact. I offer advice on ‘deep edits’ to your work to make the most of plot, character development and pace changes. Expect major changes and some work on your end but this will lift your writing to a new level. It will always save you time and money, if you engage the development editor at the earliest opportunity, even before you start writing.
- Total Editing Package = All three types of editing for a 60,000 -100,000 word novel typically about £899 inclusive.
Which type of editing do you need? Take a look here to get an idea.
Ghost Writing
- Service = £6/hr
Contact me: lazloferran@gmail.com
My biography can be found here or in the menu above. Below is a list of books I have edited.
Follow this blog to read informative posts about my editing experiences. Check out the first article here!
Portfolio
The Journals of Raymond Brooks.
Amit Bobrov is a great writer from Israel. His first fantasy novel is the first volume of a sweeping epic.
Testimonial from Amit Bobrov:
“Lazlo’s the best editor I’ve worked with, and I’ve worked with a few. He took an already successful novel and found every imaginable flaw, corrected dialogues, fixed my grammar and altered key scenes to make them more exiting. He’s a fountain of creativity and knowledge. When I showed my Publisher his version of my novel they were speechless and this was a novel that three previous editor worked on.”
Only available in kindle, this is from a new writer Lami Kamikaze. Its very funny and takes an unusual view of the conflicts shaping the modern world.
Testimonial from Lami Kamikaze:
“Around three years ago, I wanted to write a novel. However, I was very afraid to write because English is not my first language. I was very lucky that Lazlo Ferran agreed to edit my book for free and encouraged me to keep writing. I wouldn’t be writing my first full novel today if he had demanded a fortune to edit my book. I would be happy to pay Lazlo Ferran for my full novel as he showed he is passionate about his work by correcting my story for free. He did not demand a fortune unlike other editors, whose work and integrity I sometimes doubt.”
Today’s News in: Rip – Find the Magic Key
— Omah learns about nano-generators, commonly called n-gens. —
“Ship!” he said out loud, not being able to remember the correct name of the intelligent machine. “Can you hear me? R19 or whatever you’re called. Ah, it had something to do with water. Now I remember. R1902, do you hear me?”
“I hear you Omah. But my correct name is R19020.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
The ship’s voice was low, soft and soothing. But Omah couldn’t tell if it was male or female.
“Can you put the light on please? I’m not sleepy.”
The light came up to a comfortable day-time level.
“Thanks! Also, I need something to eat. I’m starving!”
“Your last century was the late 13th of the 6th Age. Do you recall it?”
“Some of it.”
“Do you recall microwave ovens?”
“Yes.”
“Now we have nano-generators. Some call them n-gens. They create almost anything, up to the size capacity of the generator, from a block of white plasma. To the right of your desk, above the bookcase, you will see its door. You may tell it what you want yourself by speaking clearly. But now I will do it for you.”
“I see it.”
“What would you like to eat?”
“Roast chicken with bread sauce, mushrooms, carrots, sprouts and gravy. Followed by hot apple pie and cream.”
“Coming right up!”
“You sound like one of those vid chefs!”
“When you see a red, flashing light, you can safely open the door.”
Rip-Find the Magic Key: 2nd longest Western novel at 1 M+ words. Subscribe bit.ly/LazloFerran | Buy Vol 1 bit.ly/ripvol1 | Understand more bit.ly/inforip
Today’s News in: Rip – Find the Magic Key
— Omah isn’t disappointed when he finds out Archivist wasn’t inviting him to have sex. —
“You didn’t sound very certain back there,” Archivist told him as soon as they had left the Ward Room.
“I’m certain of nothing right now!”
“I meant your choice … . The tour?”
“Oh.”
“It wasn’t an invitation for sex,” she added. He felt the buggy’s pace quicken slightly, keeping pace with her.
“I didn’t think it was. It just felt nice to hear somebody talking in a homely fashion. I guess it relaxed me.”
“Homely?”
Omah caught a glimpse of Archivist in a wall’s polished surface. He decided he preferred her dark brown hair to Soother’s black. He had to jolt himself out of comparing them both.
“Yes. My mother used to say, “Bed for you,” as if it were a state of being, rather than a place. Just like you did.”
“Oh. I don’t remember my parents. At least I don’t think so.”
“Now you don’t sound so sure.”
“No. You don’t understand … . Oh, it doesn’t matter.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. They left most of your memory intact.”
A picture in his mind gave Omah another jolt.
“I think I just remembered my partner!” he cried out. “Her face!”
“Was she beautiful?”
“I guess. But I really miss her already. And it seems like only yesterday.”
“I’m jealous.”
“Sorry.”
Rip-Find the Magic Key: 2nd longest Western novel at 1 M+ words. Subscribe bit.ly/LazloFerran | Buy Vol 1 bit.ly/ripvol1 | Understand more bit.ly/inforip
