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ACCLAIMED SALFORD AUTHORS LAUNCH SCARY NEW TEENAGE NOVELLA
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Star date: 14th June 2020 BELINDA FELLGATE: HELLCAT PUBLISHED FOR EASILY SCARED TEENS – AND ADULTS... Salford authors David and Tracy Holroyd, who brought us the brilliant The Perfect Pair trilogy of dolphin horrors in the real world, have turned their attention to the unreal world of witchcraft, other realms and a truly scary doll...all happening in an ordinary avenue, around a very ordinary teenage girl with luminous cat-green eyes. Belinda Fellgate: HellCat is out this week with stunning illustrations and scenarios that send shivers up the spine. Do not read this book before bedtime! Full review and interview here...
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'Had those beautiful eyes narrowed a little?
Did the smile on those rosebud lips look just a little twisted?'
Ewwww...like, ewwww...there's only three things guaranteed to cringe out everyone...clowns, cuckoo clocks and Victorian porcelain dolls...Thankfully, there's no clowns or cuckoo clocks in the new novella, Belinda Fellgate: HellCat, but centre stage is one horrid Victorian doll...or Dolly Dread, to give her the well earned nickname.
The creepy action takes place in an ordinary avenue where 14 year old Belinda is coping with issues like bullying and an uncaring stepmother, when there's a fire which destroys a house and its inhabitant, one Miss Cripps. All that is salvaged by Belinda's father, a fire chief, is an old Victorian doll which he brings home for her...and weird things begin to happen... ...Like, really nasty things that make you not want to read this book in the dark, or anywhere near bedtime...Look, this 161 page book was sent over in the winter months but I couldn't finish reading it until the light nights of summer. Shivery, shivery spine stuff... Yep, after the doll's arrival, strange things happens to a girl who's been bullying Belinda, and a teacher who is always picking on her; while hags and a cat come out of the bushes watching and waiting... ...Bring on Satan, the Spawn of Hell, one living vampiric ancient book, some over vivid visions...and Belinda, the Chosen One, who maybe, maybe, might kick back against the forces of darkness. That Belinda Fellgate: Hellcat can take you into this uneasy world where squeamish journalists shouldn't really tread, is a tribute to acclaimed Salford authors David and Tracy Holroyd, who previously brought us the quite stunning real-life dolphin horror show trilogy The Perfect Pair.* We asked the authors why the move from dolphins to scary kids' stuff (although there are some dolphins in there)…What, literally, possessed them to do it? "As writers, we needed a breath of fresh air, as the award-winning book series, The Perfect Pair, was mentally and emotionally exhausting" they explain "Remember, The Perfect Pair was a true story written under the fiction banner to avoid legal problems. It was a damning exposé that got us into a lot of trouble and is still being interfered with by powerful parties. For us, Belinda Fellgate was an escape and a joy to write. "For many years, Tracy wrote spooky stories for teen books and magazines – The Bunty, The Mandy and Shout" says David "She published around sixty short stories but wrote many more which were rejected as 'too scary'. Then she wrote a children's novel called Devil Doll. An editor from Usborne Publishing liked it so much that she worked on it for some months before being headhunted by a rival company. Sadly, this meant Devil Doll was shelved..." Tracy takes up the story..."David found the manuscript in the loft, loved it and started to add his magic – and Belinda Fellgate was born. However, David's input meant we had to raise the reading age to Young Adult. So why do teenage girls like this sort of stuff? "It's not just teenage girls, but teenage boys as well" they explain "This is a book series for both sexes. It's a form of escapism that we all need, especially now, during these sad and scary times." The illustrations are great - is that very much a part of the book? "A huge part!" they decide "The demon tome, Secrets of the Shadow Realms, carries the illustrations and hints at the trials to come. The number of illustrations will increase with every adventure in the Belinda Fellgate series." The book is nasty and creepy and horrid - is that a compliment? "That is indeed a compliment" they insist "It means we've achieved what we set out to achieve. But, as with all our work, there are hidden messages – animal welfare, bullying and abuse issues. We have great hopes for this series, but, as always, it needs support. We are northern writers, born and bred in Salford, and hope that we don't get side-lined as so many northern writers do." If there are any teens out there who need their minds taking away from coronavirus, into something even more scary, the first of the Belinda Fellgate:Hellcat series is out this week, with more to follow...aaaarghh...
Belinda Fellgate:Hellcat is out now in paperback £8.99 – click here to buy a copy To find out loads more about the authors and their back catalogue of superb books see their website – click here *For Salford Star reviews of The Perfect Pair Trilogy – click here and click here and click here
Review by Stephen Kingston
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Sandra Chapman wrote
at 13:13:10 on 09 August 2020 |
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| Perfect antidote to these trying times. Can't resist a well written fantasy - lots of delicious descriptions and phrases in this book, and a very original and clever story. Thoroughly enjoyed it and am waiting impatiently for a follow-up. |
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Gucky wrote
at 15:16:25 on 26 July 2020 |
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| As one of many fans of “The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy”, I have been looking forward to reading the new novella by David and Tracy Holroyd.
"Belinda Fellgate: Hellcat" is a thrilling fantasy novel, meant to be for teenagers, but I know that adults at all ages will be captivated rapidly by the "typical Holroyd style of writing" and by the story itself!
A must-read for all animal lovers and bookworms! It's too good to put it down!
(Young) Readers will enjoy an amazing, delightfully creepy and spooky story about teenager Belinda, who is definitely not one of those popular girls, fancied by all in school. Not only most of her schoolmates, but also her stepmother are giving Belinda a hard time.
But Belinda shares one special individual capacity with her readers and fans: her heart of gold for all living beings, especially for animals!
"Belinda Fellgate: Hellcat" is the first book of hopefully many more to come. The beginning of a thrilling adventure and Belinda's mission, which actually is the mission of all animal lovers and animal welfare activists of all ages!
I have awaited a totally different and new sort of story to raise awareness of worldwide animal cruelty. And - as expected - I'm not disenchanted! Tracy, David and their friends, fans, proponents - #TheMirrorArmy - are sharing great love for all animals and the fervent lifetime wish to see the end of all animal abuse. But especially of the "professional animal exploitation" in the horrible industry of zoos, circuses and "marine entertainment parks" in which sad dolphins and whales are suffering in concrete boxes. Magnificent creatures who should be enjoying their vivacious life in the vast oceans with their families!
And now Belinda Fellgate will cast a spell over even more people: everyone who joins her enthralling story!
Additionally, in the scary times of today's tragic coronavirus crisis you may be sure that the only thing infectious about the novella is the enthusiasm!
I can't wait to hold "The Kiss of Flauros" in my hands!
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Antony J Reid wrote
at 12:38:36 on 24 July 2020 |
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| I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with David colouring the Belinda Fellgate: HellCat artwork. David and I make a great team, and we are about to start colouring the artwork for Belinda Fellgate: The Kiss of Flauros the second book of the serie after my absence of 4 months stranded in Spain.
As for the story itself, I loved the first book, which is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. Can't wait for this sequel!
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Marleen Neus wrote
at 07:34:16 on 14 July 2020 |
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| We had to wait for it because of the Corona Virus, but were immensely curious what Belinda Fellgate would bring us. A beautiful youthful story – albeit creepy! But a story that should inspire youth to think more deeply about the harm we are doing to this beautiful planet.
Mother Earth has always done her best to spoil us with so many beautiful flora and fauna – each one unique.
If we continue to do what we do now, the phrase "humans and animals must work together to survive" will have no meaning. There is no excuse for humankind to slaughter or maim animals. Who are we to reduce an animal breed to extinction?
Once you have finished reading this book, you too will secretly hope for paranormal forces to tackle the executioners, the hunters and animal abusers. Wages for their sins.
I have devoured many books in my life, and there are so many writers worldwide. Every individual has their own taste. As for me, after reading The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy and, now, the novella, Belinda Fellgate: HellCat, I honestly believe that David and Tracy are fantastic writers. You don't need any persuasion to want to dive into their stories.
When can we expect the sequel, Belinda Fellgate: The Kiss of Flauros? I am dying to read what Belinda and her vengeful warrior cat have in store for us.
It is clear that the Belinda Fellgate: HellCat novella is driven by a debt that David will carry for a lifetime: a debt owed to his beloved dolphins.
We count down to the sequel ... |
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Craig Nico wrote
at 07:34:01 on 14 July 2020 |
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| I want you all to know that after reading Belinda Fellgate: HellCat, I can't wait for The Kiss of Flauros to come out. HellCat was an amazing read from start to finish – a great job by David and Tracy Holroyd.
There's an old saying: "All good things come to those who wait." Let me tell you, Belinda Fellgate: HellCat (delayed because of Covid-19) was most definitely worth the wait. On opening the packaging, the artwork completely sucked me in. The ominous look of the Hellcat staring at me with those mystical green eyes definitely made me realize that this book would be like nothing I have ever read before. And I was right!
They say: "Never judge a book by its cover." But I say that statement is not accurate at all. I had a feeling I was going to be in for one heck of a ride, and I was right. I haven't been able to put this novella down since it arrived. Belinda Fellgate: Hellcat is a wonderful story about an extremely relatable (and I mean relatable) teenager who has yet to catch a break in life, from classmates and family to life in general.
All that changes once Belinda Fellgate learns about the paranormal forces that have engulfed her, the people she cares about and her enemies. Once Belinda opens and reads the demon tome, "Secrets of the Shadow Realms", her life quite literally changes - for the better.
Another vital aspect to this novella is she learns about "The Perfect Pair", two beautiful armor-clad Atlanteans who used to perform in the dreaded aqua-circus, which is really sad. Another facet of this book that I truly loved was the monumental and universal message about the horrors dolphins suffer at the hands of man.
The importance of this message should not go unnoticed. How could - and, why would - anyone want to trap, imprison and kill these Atlanteans? The definition of the word "suffering" needs to be magnified a thousand times in order for anyone to understand the magnitude of the hell that dolphins face - from dolphin shows to the evil butchering/slaughtering jobs that Japan and the Faroe Islands have been carrying out for years upon years. For these beautiful dolphins, these acts are truly horrific, and it is vital that people understand the importance of love and compassion for our dolphins and whales.
Last but not least, the predictability factor of this story is zero, which makes me smile ear-to-ear. There are things happening that keep you guessing as to why; keep you wondering what's going to happen next. You know you're reading something special when you're trying to read the next word faster than the previous word; when you’re trying to read each page faster and faster because the anticipation has grabbed you so tightly that you desperately need to know what’s going to happen next. That is what Belinda Fellgate: Hellcat is all about.
What more can I say about this story and the authors David and Tracy Holroyd? The writing is amazing; the storytelling is amazing; the artwork is literally superb. Spectacular job my friends!
As for the sequel, I can’t wait to get hold of Belinda Fellgate: The Kiss of Flauros. That’s how anxious I am to see what's coming next for our teen heroine. |
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Tracy J Holroyd wrote
at 18:38:18 on 18 June 2020 |
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| Today was the official release date of Belinda Fellgate: HellCat. This morning, we were happy to see our book on sale with Amazon. This afternoon, we were shocked to find that our book was showing NOT available, with a note saying that Amazon did not know when or if our book would be available again. Also had to contact our publisher as they had not placed our book on its advertising carousel as a new book release. (This they have promised to remedy. shall see.) We know that the award-winning book series, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy, is blocked in the UK. You know our history, so I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this last debacle, Stephen. Thank you. xxx |
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Tracy J Holroyd wrote
at 13:32:21 on 15 June 2020 |
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| Thank you, Ben, for your words of wisdom.We are taking your advice - and here it is! The prologue from the demon tome itself. (Don't worry - the whole book isn't written in Oldspeak.) Read if you dare!
Reader, heedest thou my words and tremble …
… for I be the demon named Secrets of the Shadow Realms, a tome forged in the furnaces of Hell.
Be thou warned!
Those who dare to read my chronicle must pay a forfeit. A debt that, if not forthcoming, shall condemn the reader to a reality of eternal nightmare. So, thinkest thou long and hard before thou beginst, for once thou hast viewed my pages, thou art bound by an inescapable pledge.
Knowest then thou this: within my texts be a contract agreed by the illustrious lords who govern the three Shadow Realms: Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. An agreement that hath maintained a fragile truce since time immemorial …
… until now!
There be a festering of ambition; a rebellion brewing beyond Hell’s gate; an uprising so catastrophic as to imperil not only the Shadow Realms, but Infinity itself.
But still there be hope, for the Shadow Realm leaders be strong and wise. Thus, they wrote within their contract the coming of a saviour; a chosen one named HellCat. A being that possesseth the power to breach the dimensional barrier betwixt life and death; an avenger recognised as hunter, judge and executioner of those who would undermine the Shadow Realms’ order.
Alas, Satan, my Dark Lord, be the trickster supreme, so inserteth he a veiled clause to hold sway over the Chosen One; a devilry that cannot be broken, even by he who crafted it …
… the HellCat may attain full power only on receipt of the kiss of Flauros, ferocious panther guardian of Hell’s Gate.
So, if thou be intrigued and yearnest to learn more, then, onwards! For this be the first Chronicle of the much-revered HellCat …
But rememberest thou my opening words: thou SHALT have a debt to pay – a debt that shall be collected in full! |
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Tracy J Holroyd wrote
at 05:47:53 on 15 June 2020 |
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| Thank you, Stephen, for this terrific article and your ongoing support. You truly are a Salford Star!
PS No clowns? Wait till you get a load of "Belinda Fellgate: The Kiss of Flauros" - the second book of the series, where you will have the misfortune to meet the grotesque Malamok, the Clown Demon Harbourmaster of Hell. |
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Salford Star wrote
at 05:47:22 on 15 June 2020 |
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| See Ben Morris's comment below...'Reader, heedest thou my words and tremble...for I be the demon named Secret of the Shadow Realms, a tome forged in the furnace of Hell. Be thou warned!' |
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Ben Morris wrote
at 05:44:33 on 15 June 2020 |
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| Why not print the opening paragraph, as this quite often acts as an incentive to buy the book? As you probably know, the first paragraph makes or breaks the book in a prospective buyer's acceptance of what is to come. |
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