KALLY JO SURBECK
January 4, 2009 by Melissa
Kally is one of my best friends who had a truly unique, lyrical fantasy voice. I am not a big fan of fantasies, but I love Kally’s.
In a land torn by war, fought bitterly between family members Isobel Littlejohn finds there is no neutral ground. But during the height of the worse can she find the passions of true love, a love that can save her world?
NO NEUTRAL GROUND Kally Jo Surbeck
No Neutral Ground
Book I – Such As These Trilogy
by
Kally Jo Surbeck
by
Kally Jo Surbeck
NO NEUTRAL GROUND Kally Jo Surbeck
© copyright November 2006, Kally Jo Surbeck
Cover art by Jenny Dixon, © copyright November 2006
ISBN 1-58608-984-6
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
Cover art by Jenny Dixon, © copyright November 2006
ISBN 1-58608-984-6
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
Belle stood on the dais, looking out at the monstrous sea of visitors busily feasting
and chatting. The crowd milled about in an undulating wave that trickled out into the
warm night air of the inner bailey where there was dancing. The evening had indeed
been perfect for the Kisha celebration. Two days of nothing but warm sun had dried out
the mud and warmed the atmosphere. Not even the hint of a chill lingered. People were
ready to have a grand time, and they had come from the far corners of Edderis.
and chatting. The crowd milled about in an undulating wave that trickled out into the
warm night air of the inner bailey where there was dancing. The evening had indeed
been perfect for the Kisha celebration. Two days of nothing but warm sun had dried out
the mud and warmed the atmosphere. Not even the hint of a chill lingered. People were
ready to have a grand time, and they had come from the far corners of Edderis.
There was no sign of the baron yet. None that Belle had seen, and she had kept a
close watch, one ear cocked for news. She mingled among the guests. Maneuvering her
way amongst the revelers, she made the rounds, spoke with guards, checked weapons,
and called for more ale.
close watch, one ear cocked for news. She mingled among the guests. Maneuvering her
way amongst the revelers, she made the rounds, spoke with guards, checked weapons,
and called for more ale.
The night held strong emotion, charging the air. The ritual dancing would not
start until well after midnight, when the dress Belle wore would be exchanged for an even
finer, older garment. It was odd. Dressed in all the appropriate finery, Belle felt beautiful
and at peace. She had no qualms with her current binding dress. Truth be told, she loved
the soft material.
start until well after midnight, when the dress Belle wore would be exchanged for an even
finer, older garment. It was odd. Dressed in all the appropriate finery, Belle felt beautiful
and at peace. She had no qualms with her current binding dress. Truth be told, she loved
the soft material.
The weightless folds looked massive, but they allowed for exceptional range of 
motion. The design was as old as the Scared Trust of Edderis, a weaving skill passed
down through the generations. The only thing changing over the years was the
magnificent display of colors.
motion. The design was as old as the Scared Trust of Edderis, a weaving skill passed
down through the generations. The only thing changing over the years was the
magnificent display of colors.
To her left, Belle watched as a slow trickle of Kira Keep tenants arrived and
socialized. It intrigued Belle that the Baron hadn’t made a grand entrance or forced his
people to await his public introduction. Perhaps he was more of a forward thinker than
she had assumed.
socialized. It intrigued Belle that the Baron hadn’t made a grand entrance or forced his
people to await his public introduction. Perhaps he was more of a forward thinker than
she had assumed.
From the right corner of the room, Belle heard her aunt’s soft laughter. She
entered from the kitchen hall with Baron Allsmoor at her side.
entered from the kitchen hall with Baron Allsmoor at her side.
A fine looking man under normal circumstance, Baron Allsmoor was freshly
bathed, his lengthening black hair slicked back from his forehead. The firelight danced
on his rugged features, casting shadow into the hollow of his neck. Belle’s heartbeat
quickened at the sight of him. He smiled and gestured freely in an animated conversation
with her Aunt Beth. In the light of the flame his lips captured her attention, holding it
rapt. His teeth sank into the thigh of a Ripol Pheasant, the juice leaving a tantalizing
smudge on his upper lip. Horrified, Belle found herself licking her lip in response.
bathed, his lengthening black hair slicked back from his forehead. The firelight danced
on his rugged features, casting shadow into the hollow of his neck. Belle’s heartbeat
quickened at the sight of him. He smiled and gestured freely in an animated conversation
with her Aunt Beth. In the light of the flame his lips captured her attention, holding it
rapt. His teeth sank into the thigh of a Ripol Pheasant, the juice leaving a tantalizing
smudge on his upper lip. Horrified, Belle found herself licking her lip in response.
“Xander.” Elsbeth placed her hand on his sleeve. “I truly must meet your sister.
She sounds delightful.”
She sounds delightful.”
“I’m sorry she did not arrive in time for your beautiful celebration. She will be,
too.” Xander flashed a devastating smile filled with pride, and then looked past Elsbeth
directly into Belle’s eyes. He took a step past Elsbeth, gently placing a hand on her
shoulder as he strode away. “As soon as she arrives, I’ll arrange an introduction. It
would be my honor. If you’ll excuse me?”
too.” Xander flashed a devastating smile filled with pride, and then looked past Elsbeth
directly into Belle’s eyes. He took a step past Elsbeth, gently placing a hand on her
shoulder as he strode away. “As soon as she arrives, I’ll arrange an introduction. It
would be my honor. If you’ll excuse me?”
Belle noted the humor in her aunt’s silver eyes as she followed Xander’s gaze.
Check out the Trailer!
Up for grabs:
A PDF of Kally’s book No Neutral Ground AND Toni Blake’s Tempt Me Tonight in print.
Comments
48 Responses to “KALLY JO SURBECK”
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I don’t read a lot of Fantasy but I do like it and Kally’s book Neutral Ground sounds really good.
You are giving away some awesome books!
NIce!! love the blurbs too liked ths site
I love fantasy and this one sounds great. I need to add this one to my wish list. I have been wanting to try one of her fantasy books.
I love fantasies. This is another I have on my got to read list.
I’ve been enjoying some fantasy reading this past year (ie the Study trilogy). And I love trilogies and series! This sounds like a great beginning.
Sounds great!
Sounds like a good read!
Another new author to check out! Thanks!
No Neutral Ground sounds like a great read! I love fantasy!
I ADORE fantasies!!!
Oh, I’d like to win this birthday prize pack!!!
Thanks so much!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Enjoyed the trailer and the excerpt. I’ve added to my list of books for this year.
I’m not a huge fan of fantasy, but I must say Im incredibly intrigued by this one! Looks like you’ve quite the collection to give away, Mel!
I haven’t read many fantasies, but this book sounds great.
I’m intrigued.
Way too many books being add to the TBB list. I just added Kally’s!
What a beautiful cover! Kally Jo is a new to me author and this book looks fascinating.
The blurb sounds really good and book trailers are some of my favorite ways to learn about new books.
I love a good book and even better a Fantasy about a strong woman who can stand with the best of them.
I don’t read much fantasy these days, but this one sounds promising.
This story sounds good! I do enjoy reading fantasy, but haven’t tried Kally’s yet!
I need to check these out!!!
Fantasy – sounds good
I’m a huge fantasy reader. No Neutral Ground sounds like a wonderful book! Another one to look into some more!
Darn, why isn’t my book budget bigger? I really liked this excerpt for No Neutral Ground. Thanks!!
Neutral Ground sounds interesting. Enjoyed the trailer.
I must say, I’ve never really read a book of the fantasy genre, but I’m thinking I should definitely give it a shot. Would you recommend starting with this particular one?
I’m not a huge fan of fantasy but I’ve read this book and totally enjoyed it.
This sounds like a good read. I never read anything by Kally Jo Surbeck before. Thanks for finding me a new author.
I haven’t read aything by Kally Jo Surbeck but I will definately have to check her work out. It sounds really really good.
I don’t read a lot fantasy either, but I’ll take Melissa’s word that this is one worth reading.
I’m new to this genre, so thanks for introducing all of these new authors!
This one sounds great! I would love to win.
I don’t read much straight fantasy anymore…but I might have to try this one! Thanks for pointing out this title.
I’m not a big fan of fantasy novels either, but I’ll have to check it out on your recommendation. Always willing to try out a recommendation.
A new author to me but the book sounds awesome and I’d love to read it. Thanks for entering me.
I have read some fantasy…..not my fav, but this one looks good
Might get me into it!
This books sounds very interesting
I have never head of this author. Is that a crime
Cool trailer! It sounds like a great series.
Haven’t read Kally Jo before so I have another new Author to add to my lists.
Look forward to reading this one.
This is a really good book!
I haven’t read a lot of fantasie, so I’m very curious about this book.
[...] Kally Jo Surbeck [...]
I always love a good fantasy!
Deidre
Sounds very good!
Thank you Mel for featuring me, and thank you all for your wonderful comments. I hope it’s a good read for those of you looking into it.