• Hot off the Press – The Van Helsing Impetus


    Clara Grey is a fallen angel, one who tried her hand at having a normal life. That experiment came to an abrupt end when werewolves kidnapped her gal. While victorious, tales from that fateful night became the stuff of legend. Now known as ‘the Valkyrie,’ she is a wanted fugitive.

    She may have failed at being normal, but she’s still a force to be reckoned with.

    She has been on the lam for months, using a nondescript persona to evade the authorities. All the while, Clara is tormented by voices from a goddess that she thought long dead.

    Clara has never faced an enemy that can strike from the shadows, forcing her to align herself with the things she hunted in life. Even with an army at her back, does she have what it takes to defeat her foe?

    Before reading on, be sure to consider: She may have failed at being normal, but she’s still a force to be reckoned with.

    While part of a series, this novel stands on its own. New readers are able to acclimatize themselves to the content and enjoy the story with or without reading the previous novels.

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    Featured cover for The Van Helsing Impetus by Evelyn Chartres
    The Van Helsing Impetus is available in Audiobook, Paperback and Hardcover.

  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 210

    Another four made it up to the crest and went on to reinforce the positions at the edge of town. Their chase was called off as two horses and their riders fell into a concealed pit. Marc knew that neither man nor their horses would be coming back up alive.

    Another two of his men found refuge within the trenches. While not ideal, they would remain concealed and strike when the opportunity struck, or paid the ultimate price of king and country.

    Given the heavy losses, the cavalry rejoined with those moving up on his left. Even combined they were less than half their original number. Marc noticed a few stallions retreating into the woods, riderless, likely in some vain attempt to jump a Frisian horse.

    His men already exceeded his expectations, but they were still heavily outnumbered. Heading the combined wave was El Comandante himself. The man didn’t dare to lead the main charge himself.

    Soldier in a trench on a hill, killed by a musket shot in the back. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 209

    As the left wing broke up to deal with the threat, another volley came, much quicker than even experienced soldiers could manage. Marc made sure excess muskets were left loaded and left in the trenches. When another mortar crashed to the ground, the men left their trenches with both muskets in their hands. 

    Marc’s heart was racing, because there was nothing he could do to help his men. Even with a mortar going off, two were cut down before reaching cover.

    The contents of his stomach soured and his jaw muscles bulged until his teeth strained. He wanted very much to send everything he had at those bastards, but needed to wait. They’ll live to rue this day

    Another four made it up to the crest and went on to reinforce the positions at the edge of town. Their chase was called off as two horses and their riders fell into a concealed pit. Marc knew that neither man nor their horses would be coming back up alive.

    Soldiers running away as cavalry approaches. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 208

    Before the cavalry reached the mid-way point, a mortar struck. It was an airburst which rained fire and metal fragments over the battlefield. This time a serious number of soldiers were left behind, soaking the soil in their blood.

    As the wind swept in over the fields, he picked up the acrid scent of brimstone. In spite of the smoke burning his nostrils, sulphur was an old friend, and neither him nor his men outwardly reacted to it. They stood there stoically, as smoke rolled over them, taunting their opponent.

    The group of horsemen on his right shot past the Spanish infantry, racing up the hill. Without being promoted eight Frenchmen popped out of their trenches and fired a volley. Three horses crashed to the ground,with riders being sent overtop. Another rider was pinned beneath the dead weight of his mount.

    Spanish soldiers dead after a blast, their blood soaking the soil. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 207

    While mortars were invaluable as weapons of terror, they had a limited amount of powder and shells. Doctrine called to use them sparingly, but Marc had no intention of leaving anything for the Spanish to use against a potential counter-attack. I’m not the one that has to pay to replenish the stocks

    As the infantry broke into a run, the heavy cavalry broke from the treeline and immediately split up into two groups. Doctrine called for them to circle around Marc’s position, and attack his flanks. If they timed it right, the infantry and cavalry would strike at the same time, forcing Marc to defend himself from three sides. It’s a good thing the hill is littered with traps… 

    There came the sounds of musket fire from the town. Marc assumed that a smaller team composed primarily of cavalry circled around with plans to attack from the rear. Fortunately Marc had planned for this and his men were ready and were putting up a heavy resistance.

    Since horses would not risk jumping over the wooden barriers, they would have to engage on foot. Sėez will see that they are torn to shreds if they try.

    Soldiers firing muskets from behind a barricade in a small town. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 206

    “The fuse was too long,” Marc said. 

    The Adjutant broke rank and relayed the message to a volunteer from the town on horseback. When he ran off to relay the message, another man crossed his path to replace the messenger.

    By the time smoke and dust cleared from the mortar, the men who fired from the trenches were already in position higher up the hill. Their orders were simple: strike, run, and find cover within the next trench. That tactic won’t work for long… 

    In accordance with his orders, a second mortar was launched almost exactly two minutes after the first exploded. Both teams were provided with hourglasses. They would alternate firing their mortars until Marc altered the order.

    Horseman riding at a gallop while approaching a town. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 205

    Several distinctive cracks reached him after three Spaniards fell where they once stood. Before the enemy could respond, the mortar came down; making a sound of dull drumming combined with whistling from its lit fuse.

    Marc watched as it flew overhead, and buried itself into the hillside. Three seconds later, the steel casing packed with black powder blew, sending dirt, rock and shrapnel everywhere. Had it been a direct hit, the mortar would have decimated the ranks, as it stood, an additional three fell, two of which managed to stand up.

    “The fuse was too long,” Marc said.

    Large mortar going off with Spanish troops marching towards the blast. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 204

    From his vantage point Marc caught movement from within the woods. The large outline of horses indicated the calvary were moving into position. That meant el Comandante’s soldiers were diverted until the cavalry could sweep in to wreak havoc. We’re nothing more than a speck of dirt in the eyes of a cavalryman….

    When the soldiers were about a third of the way up the hill, Marc nodded to his Adjudant. After they counted down from three, the two of them raised their swords in the air.

    Seconds after the signal was made, there came a muffled blast. As the heavy mortar flew up high in the sky, eight Frenchmen popped out from out of their trenches and fired off muskets.

    Soldiers firing their muskets from a trench. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 203

    After looking el Comandante in the eyes, Marc figured Barón was not known as a creative strategist. Such a mind would not have announced their presence the night prior. I’d light decoy fires using a handful of men

    The first to exit the treeline were the soldiers, with muskets in hand, and bayonets affixed. They marched out neatly in line, remained in step until the soft  ground from the morning rain bogged them down. 

    Marc admired the determination of both the soldiers and those who kept them in line. Even when one stumbled, the others would pull them up so they never missed a step. Their drummer boy was something else… That terrain has no effect on him.

    Spanish troops in formation breaking through the treeline with a drummer boy leading. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 202

    “Plenty of time to win before their siesta,” Marc countered. 

    “Well, that’s their plan,” Cornay replied.

    It was just the two of them, so his Adjutant could speak freely. The fact he hinted that the enemy would not meet their deadline showed the faith he had in their course of action. 

    “I aim to teach them a lesson,” Marc quipped. 

    “One they’ll never forget.”

    “Quite right. Have our Lieutenant arrange sentries for the night from those remaining at the garrison. As soon as they see activity, they raise the alarm and withdraw to the garrison.” Marc then mulled over his plan and added, “The Lieutenant shall let anyone from the town in who requests a safe place to shelter the battle.”

    Marc had no desire to throw the Lieutenant into the thick of things. He’ll have other opportunities to test his resolveafter this battle is won.

    A couple of soldiers acting as sentries in the night, near an old Spanish fortification. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • Man of War – Excerpt No. 201

    “And miss out on all the fun, mon Capitaine?” Cornay replied.

    Against infantry and holding onto the high ground they stood a chance to man to man. However, cavalry negated the advantage. 

    The horses neighing in the night was like hearing wolves howling during a full moon. Setting camp close to the town served as a warning. Flee while you still can, or you’ll be dead by noon.

    “When do you expect they’ll make their advance, Adjudant?” Marc asked.

    “I’d say an hour after first light.” Cornay replied. “They’ll want their men well rested, and they are in no rush to attack.”

    “Plenty of time to win before their siesta,” Marc countered.

    “Well, that’s their plan,” Cornay replied.

    Large wolves howling at the full moon in the dark woods. Background and clothing appropriate to the 16th Century France.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from Man of War is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


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