The Ripper Legacies

The Reaper's Kiss

Is the third and final instalment of The Ripper Legacies.

William Harkness is once again on the trail of the elusive Ripper, and the cult of Cronos. However, this time he has the most powerful man in the empire as an ally. His father Sir Simeon seeks his own revenge on the Ripper because the infamous killer tore his only friend from the world of men. William and Simeon begin their hunt for the Ripper, but evil rarely goes quietly into the night.

Available as Ebook, Paperback and Audio.

Heroes, Honda's and Poleaxes

My interest in all things historic can be laid firmly at the door of my father. It was at an early age that I absorbed his delight in the past, and soon his passion became mine. 

There are many examples of how he helped nurture my interests but one above all stands out from the rest. The day in question started out like any other but as breakfast finished my Dad handed me a crash helmet and led me outside. There standing rather shabbily against the wall of the house was the most ridiculous form of transport, the blue and white Honda 90cc. Even new it would have looked desperate and the years had not improved its appeal.

Interestingly though, the thought of going for a ride with my Dad filled my heart with joy the lack of refinement in our vehicle made not the slightest difference. As the machine roared into action and we set off at a riveting 30 mile an hour, I hung on for dear life.  My enjoyment, however, would only increase as I realised the destination my father had planned. I had heard my parents talking about the re-enactment that would take place at Bosworth but never dreamt that I would be lucky enough to actually attend. The journey did not take long and soon we had dismounted from our steed and were walking amongst the crowd. First came the birds of prey as they swooped just above the heads of the onlookers. Their grace and speed amazed this young boy who instantly decided the peregrine falcon was his favourite. Then came the archery display, where targets felt the power of the English bow. For a finale, the archers fired above the crowd and we gained some idea how the enemy must have felt as the dark shafts threatened to fall amongst their ranks.

As the rain clouds gathered above twelve nights walked into the arena before us. The air was filled sound of battle as individual knights competed to be the last man standing. The dark knight entered the arena with the commenter declaring he was the most evil of all the men present. he brought with him his own devilishly invented weapons. One by one he dispatched his enemy and when the last man faced him he unravelled his latest invention. Ball and chain with a difference, the chain was no less than five feet long. He swung it about his head intend on his opponent's destruction and delighted in the gasps. As the now champion of the crowd looked certain to lose, the dark aimed a blow at the unfortunate knights head. Then quite unexpectedly the champion ducked the chain flying harmlessly over his head. gasps turned to cheers as the dark knight's evil invention wrapped itself around his own neck. He fell to the floor and the onlookers cheered his demise. As if the dark knight had called out one last curse the heavens opened and torrential rain followed. My father and I raced to our own mount and soon we roared away from crowds. we missed much of the re-enactment but the little boy who clung to his Dad would not be denied his happiness. The cold rain stung exposed flesh and by the time home was reached not one inch of cloth was left dry. I climbed down from the mount, legs stiff, and soaked to the skin but the smile did not falter and the memories still bring happiness to the same boy.

So this is novel number five. The Reaper's Breath which is the first installment of a three book series called the Ripper Legacies. Its my take on what happened after the final victim Mary Kelly was found murdered and attributed to that most infamous of killers Jack the Ripper. Firstly. i would like to point out this is not another author or documentary maker trying to have claimed to have solved the identity of the Ripper. Its a purely fictional tale, designed to be just that little bit different from the usual ' lets pick a person and bend the facts until they fit',  its designed to be a fast moving fictional tale that will hopefully get the reader's pulse racing. I shall leave the investigatory journalism to others wishing for fame and glory. William Harkness is our hero, but perhaps with a few more flaws than my usual leading men. I hope to have the sequel out before the end of the year.

The Review : Robert Southworth Reviews: The Pirate Captain by K...

The Review : Robert Southworth Reviews: The Pirate Captain by K...: Please see details of giveaway at the bottom of the page! The draw will be held  on Tuesday the 25th August 2015 ___________________...

ALL THREE KINDLE EBOOKS
  FOR LESS THAN A FIVER

INCLUDING MY LATEST NOVEL

WRATH OF THE FURIES

SPARTACUS THE PHARAOH'S BLADE COMING SOON

My third novel is almost ready for publication. Wrath of the Furies is a tale of a newly appointed magistrate of Rome who must prevail against incredible odds. A task which is not easy, on one side he has a deadly assassin disposing of important figures within Roman society. On the other side a group of influential men are plotting against the Emperor and are willing to slaughter all who stand in their way.

MY PICKS FOR A GREAT READ

A wonderfully crafted short story by Stuart S Laing. Brings the dark and menacing streets of Edinburgh to life, in this murder mystery tale.

Robin Hood tale that stands out from the crowd. Forget what you thought you knew and delve into the unknown.

Kevin's roman series is a joy to read. I suggest you read these and then move onto to his latest release Medieval but no matter what order, you will be truly entertained.

Well i hate to blow my own trumpet but i think this book is a delight. Full of high energy adventure a fitting sequel.

Well its here, the sequel has landed. Available pretty much anywhere as an ebook. The paperback version filtering through to various outlets but already available at Waterstones, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository.

So i have come up with a promotion for UK based readers( i will be looking to do something for my global readers at a later date) If you purchase the new book (Spartacus The Gods Demand Sacrifice) i will  post you a free copy of Spartacus Talons of an Empire absolutely free and signed.

Im delighted to announce that the sequel to Spartacus Talons of an Empire will be released in September.
Spartacus The Gods Demand Sacrifice carries on the story of our hero Spartacus. he will face dangers which threaten to tear his world apart. Only with his deadly skill with the blade and the loyalty of his friends can he hope to save those that he loves.
For those of you that dont know, the first book of the series is currently on promotion for all digital formats at less than £1 but this is for limited time only.
The paperback is available globally.

Luisiana Tiger........Coming Soon

A young man (James Brode) starts out on his military career, with a commission unknown to him paid for by his father (Lord Cardigan) The Crimea is a desperate place made far worse by the inadequate supply lines of the British forces. He undergoes some of the most terrifying experiences that a soldier can stand but somehow builds a reputation as a fine soldier and leader of men as part of the 17th regiment of Foot known as the tigers. Loathing the army the only thing that keeps him from deserting is the loyalty of his men. As the the war in the Crimea comes to an end and his true parentage comes to light he is filled with emotions that could tear a mans soul apart, but when all seems to crash about him the fates step in giving him the means to buy himself out of the army. He seeks a new life as far from his father's influence as possible but his plans to live out a peaceful existence in Luisiana are shattered, as the first shots at Fort Sumter were fired. James fought for his life in the Crimea but now he must fight for his home and new bride. Once more he must become the Tiger.

Spartacus (eBook) by Southworth, Robert 9781781599822 | WHSmith.co.uk

Spartacus (eBook) by Southworth, Robert 9781781599822 | WHSmith.co.uk

Robert Southworth: Authors continued.....

Robert Southworth: Authors continued.....: Hugh R MacDonald Set in a 1920s coal-mining town, Trapper Boy is the story of 13-year-old JW Donaldson, a good student with a bright fu...

Robert Southworth: New Authors Creating a Stir

Robert Southworth: New Authors Creating a Stir: Lauren Gilbert Presents ..... HEYERWOOD : A  romantic historical novel, set in the Georgian/Regency period in England. The story of a...

Moan for the Day

I suppose in many ways i am new to the world of writing, really only taking it seriously for two years. In that time i have met and enjoyed the friendship of many other writers who have interests in a variety of differing genres. I suppose the most startling observation i have made from visiting forums and belonging to some groups(not all i hasten to add) is the overwhelming snobbery of some fellow writers. First of all you have those that clearly believe that traditionally published authors are the only authors worth bothering about. Switching to the other end of the scale you you have the indie and proud brigade, who seem to believe that signing a contract with a traditional publisher ranks favourably with treason. Personally both points of view are in fact 'tosh'. Writers put pen to paper or more likely these days mouse to mat for a multitude of reasons. If i take the validation argument first, does being selected  and paid by a publisher validate you as an 'authentic author' not at all it merely says that the book you have written has a chance of selling enough copies to make them money. It does not in any shape or form validate the quality of your work. If you question this, take a walk down to your local bookshop and try not to be amazed by the amount of absolute rubbish that is churned out by traditional publishers almost on a daily basis. The latest z list celebrity had released yet another kiss and tell, or some chef has released his/her 90th cookery book of the year. Its my belief that the only person who can validate you as a writer is the person that stares back from the mirror. As for the indie brigade, most traditionally published authors have to do most of there own marketing these days, they may get a little help with final editing or the look of the book. The most important thing that the self righteous should remember is that most published authors earn less than self published because their slice of the cake is so much smaller. So unless they sell novels by the shed load the chances of making a living at it are slim. So the selling out argument falls flat. So to sum up; don't judge we are all writers, but the reasons for writing are as varied as pebbles on a beach. The journey that we choose to take as writers can only be done in our own footprints.

Spartacus Talons of an Empire

Adventure and gladitorial combat in this imaginative 'what if' tale. Spartacus has survived the slave rebellion and finds himself back in the hands of Roman masters.

 

Thats me!Looking very dapper not sure about the beard though.