Friday, December 7, 2012

Mercy: A Gargoyle Story by Misty Provencher


We're so excited to share with you another delicious treat from one of our favorite Indie authors, the BRILLIANT and Uber cool Misty Provencher. 
First we want you to gaze in awe at this incredible cover...

*snaps fingers*

HELLO! Um, ok...now onto her latest smash hit. It's a bit darker (which we love), but still full of everything and then some of what we've come to crave when she comes knocking on our door with such a gift. 
So, here are our takes on Mercy, A Gargoyle Story




My will to survive is the first thing to drown.

I know, because I hold it under myself.


After facing severe tragedy in life, Madeline assumes her death will be easy.

But the angels do not come to take her to Heaven.
Instead, what retrieves her is something she never expected: a gargoyle.
Delivered to Truce, the King of the Gargoyles, Madeline now has choices she never wanted. She has the ability to take over the entire Gargoyle Kingdom, if she is willing to kill the king. However, looking to prevent takeover, Truce transforms Madeline, thereby granting her the ability to achieve the thing she wants most—death—if she can just find the human recipient for the Gargoyle Gift that she now has to give. It should be easy.

But lives, whether they are lived or not, are seldom simple, and Madeline’s past still stands in her way. Now, only a voyeur in the life of The Boy with the Golden Rod Voice, Madeline’s must reconcile her own life and death, if she ever hopes to have free reign of her soul.
I have to say first that I just love gargoyles.  I think they are wicked, sinister, unique and intriguing statues.  Protectors of their domain sitting high atop of their buildings.  They are just plain fascinating to look at.
So, when Misty Provencher started telling us about her new dark fantasy coming with the premise around gargoyles, I admit...EXCITED!!
Then, cover reveal...Oh yeah, I was stoked seeing this cover because it just started to bring to life the thrill of these statues. So, I was eagerly awaiting to see what tale Misty was going to weave with these mysterious little beings.  
And now...Book in hand, open to chapter one, and I am sinking in to the illustrious darkness that Misty has brought to us. I mean, WOW!!  We begin Mercy with submerging ourselves in to the death of Madeline and it is not an easy one to travel through.  But, we see what she is experiencing and hear her thoughts as she is relinquishing herself over to death.  BUT, it somehow evades her and we are introduced to a little winged creature that snatches her up and drops her in front of the Gargoyle King.  
What does this all entail for Madeline?  Why was she so ready to die?  These questions were right there, forefront in my mind while I was reading, hanging on to each word, each dialog to find my answers.  Oh, but, Misty knows how to keep us twisted in knots, squirming to know more, shocked to find out new twists, and ultimately BLOWN AWAY at how it all comes together at the end.
There are so many details that if I divulge any right here, it will give something away and Mercy is a book that YOU HAVE TO READ!!
Madeline is such a fantastic character.  We see her transpire through soooo much in this book, that when I reached the end, I was ecstatic to see her growth.  To see her in one light at the beginning and then a whole different, better one at the end...pure brilliance on Misty's writing ability.  Having connected to Madeline, emotionally, mentally, you gain an understanding of everything she endured, how she processed what happened to her, and how she ultimately dealt with the events and situations placed before her.
And don't let me forget to mention the fascinating, alluring lore of the gargoyles.  Misty created a refreshing, exotic, dark, compelling world centered around the mysticism of these gruesome creatures.
I don't know if I am doing this book justice.  I absolutely LOVED Mercy.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you add it to your TBR/TRL. A DEFINITE MUST READ!!! 
Dark, morose, elaborate, intelligent. These are a few words to describe Mercy, A Gargoyle Story. A few simple words. This story is so much more. It's complex and thought provoking.
From the moment of her death, Madeline drew me in. Her pain and sorrow was suffocating, but her death was beautiful and surreal. How is that possible? The beauty is in the writing itself. It's in the details. What Madeline assumes will be the end of her suffering is in actuality a new course where she hopes to recover her soul and finally find her peace.
It's an unusual and haunting journey, unlike anything else in this genre.
Misty's gargoyle world is intricate and truly fascinating. An entanglement of life and death in which Madeline's new companions (I use that term loosely), seem to speak in riddles, and the world itself appears to be a paradox. It's an amazing twist on gargoyle lore. A hell on earth where Madeline's afterlife coincides with those she's left behind, though they are unaware. A place where Madeline feels abandoned by the angels she hoped would carry her on to tranquility. But as in life, nothing is that simple in death. We all have lessons to learn and destinies to fulfill.
Madeline's story was mesmerizing start to finish. I can't sing it's praises loud or long enough. And as much as I want to embellish and rave, I could never come close to doing it justice with a quick overview or my own interpretation. No, this is a tale best left to it's maker. And Mercy marks Misty as a true raconteur. It showcases her boundless creativity and exposes us to a much darker side to her imaginings. Yet another brilliant piece of work. With each new story Misty surpasses my expectations and astounds me with her originality and her ability to breath new life into a beloved mythology. I'm telling you, her take on gargoyles is like nothing- NOTHING you've ever read.
Her characters are all at once alluring and repulsive. And I'm not just speaking of the gargoyles and their king. They're self-serving, self-abusive, powerful, yet vulnerable,  endearing and often frightening. In short, they are complicated and captivating. Each one called to me begging for understanding and sympathy, and I willingly allowed them to compel and ensnare me in their deadly and dangerous games.
Are you intrigued? You should be.
I can't say more without giving something away and I'm not willing. I'm not. I. Am. Not. You must experience it all firsthand. I could go and on, but, haven't I already? What I will do is tell you to grab this book as quick as you can, get your cocoa and blanket, snuggle in- and get lost in the beauty of a dark,eloquent, and utterly beguiling tale. 

NOW....We have something special...Yep...a GIVEAWAY...with many, many, MANY, thanks to Misty, you have a chance to win an autographed copy of Mercy, A Gargoyle Story and a gorgeous gargoyle charm...
So, enter the rafflecopter below 
and 
GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

34 comments:

  1. the story sounds great!, is the giveaway international?

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    1. The signed copy and charm drawing is open to US residents, but we're working on something for the international crowd too! Good luck, Kat!

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    1. Yes, they do, Laira, but let me tell you a story. There was once an orphanage with a nun who heard the lore of the gargoyles and that these frightening beasts were considered to be protectors of humans against evil spirits. Knowing that the children in her orphanage would be frightened by the hideous sculptures on the roof, instead, in order to protect the children, she went in search of the least frightening gargoyle. It is usually called simply enough, The Littlest Gargoyle. It is a tiny thing and the nun perched it on the orphanage roof because it was easily hidden from the children, but the gargoyle would protect them all from evil spirits. I've got a statue of the littlest gargoyle myself and he's adorable. The charm is actually one of the gargoyles from the book, named Trickle, and if you meet him, you might enjoy him too. If you want to see a pic of the littlest gargoyle, I'll post one on my Pinterest MERCY board too. Hope that helps to make them a little less creepy to you!

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    2. Misty, I can add a pic here on the blog of the charm...This way everyone can see it too!!

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  3. I think gargoyles are kinda creepy, hence the appeal!! Can't wait to read this. :)

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    1. I agree, Cubbiesgirl! Good luck in the drawing!

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  4. Kat, Misty doesn't ship internationally YET. But she's just offered up 3 ebooks as well to make up for it. How's that sound guys? We'll adjust the rafflecopter to reflect as soon as possible. ~S

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    1. Woooooot! Now a few more folks can try out MERCY and see what they think!

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    2. You totally ROCK- pardon the pun! Lol. ~S

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  5. I love them because I think they are really neat looking and I always liked them since I was little and saw the Hunchback of Notre Dame <3 My email is kellee926@hotmail.com

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    1. A lover of the gargoyles! HOORAH!!! VERY happy that you're here! Good luck to you in the drawing, Kellee!

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  6. I *adore* gargoyles - I'm writing a story about them at the mo, too:) They're dark, mysterious, and they're stones that can fly...magic ♥

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    1. How exciting, Anne! Wish you luck in the drawing!

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  7. I am LOVING these comments, guys! Keep em coming! And I *adore* gargoyles as well. I've the belief they are protectors too. Misty, thanks so much for dropping in. <3

    GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE! ~S

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    1. I can not resist your blog. And I keep hoping David will drop by. LOL

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    2. I am hoping he will drop by any day now... ;D

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    3. Hmm...where did he go...Oh, David??? *snort* ~S

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  8. I love them! They always have such fabulous expressions on their faces!

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    1. Gargoyles or their David pics, Candace? Have you SEEN their David G pics? *fans self*

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  9. You know Misty, she could be talking about us when we are looking at the David G pics... ;)

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  11. I love gargoiles, they are so creepy, plus this books sounds incredibly interesting.

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    1. Hope you'll enjoy the read, Lil December! Let us know if you do!

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  12. I'm fascinated by gargoyles, and I'm intrigued by the concept of using them as characters in a story. This book sounds great! I can't wait to read it!

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  13. You are all going to LOVE this totally unique story! ~S

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  14. Sounds interesting, I'll definitely add it to the list.

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    1. Thank you, Harriet! I hope you'll come back around and let us know what you thought of it!

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  15. Super keen to read this. Haven't read anything about gargoyles before, so should be interesting :)

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    1. I hope you will love it, Elle. That would make my day!

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