Beta-readers needed!

This cover is a mock-up I made. The real cover will likely not looking anything like this.

Good morning!

I’m excited to say that, Lord willing, I will have my next novel ready for beta-readers by September 6th. If you have read Blessed Assurance, you will have been introduced to the main character of this book, Titus Hine. For those who haven’t read the novella, Titus is a twelve year old orphan who has to take care of his eight and five year old brother and sister. The main problem? No one in town wants anything to do with them since they were born to a prostitute.

This novel is the first in a four-book series about orphans, all of whom have been introduced either in a Hymns of the West novel or novella. I haven’t quite finished the rough draft yet, but I’m guessing it will be no more than 55,000 words (about 100 pages).

If all goes well, I would send the word document to you on September 6th . I would ask that you get your comments back to me by September 30th. Please email me if you are interested in beta-reading for me. Thank you!

Excerpt

The ground shook and a rumble sounded through the air as the train squealed to a stop. Maybe, just maybe, I could carry someone’s bags without the porter taking notice. And the even bigger maybe: Maybe I could get enough money to at least buy a crust of bread for Trevor and Tabitha to share.

I hid behind the boxes in the freight yard and kept one eye on the porter, and the other on the second class passenger car. The porter had his attention on the first class car, so I slipped into the gathering crowd.

A pretty young woman stepped out of the second class car, took a few quick steps out of the way, and then checked her pocket watch. I thought that rather odd. Why would she be more concerned about the time than if someone was there to meet her? And where was her escort? Surely she hadn’t traveled alone.

Description

Titus Hine has always had to be responsible. When his ma was alive, he was responsible for keeping his brother and sister safe and away from the men his ma entertained. Now that she is dead, he is responsible for keeping them alive.

No one in town will help him because he is the product of sin, so Titus does everything he can. When a stranger tries to help him, his life turns around for the better. At least, it should be for the better. Why then does he feel like his life is spinning out of control?