The Kure [Kindle Edition]

Jaye Frances (Author)

Book Description

Forbidden by law and denounced as an abomination by the church, the Kure has been hidden for centuries . . .

"In vain thou shall use many medicines, but thou shalt not be kured. And even though you search for a virgin to lay upon her balm, there is no healing for you. You multiply your remedies in vain as your cries fill the earth, and you will stumble, one over the other, and both will fall down together." - The Book of Eternal Regret


John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, awakens to find a ghastly affliction taking over his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy--a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.
 
Although initially rejecting the vile and sinister rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the demonic text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable--a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.
 
Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.
 

"The Kure" is set in 1860's Kentucky, when some unusual and dark rituals were still being practiced. John and Sarah are the main characters, and while the "problem" that John must cure is the reason these two come together, a romance eventually develops between them. Fair warning: Although the story does not contain mature language or sex, some of the scenes and passages are graphic in description, making this one best suited for an adult reader. For more background information and history about "The Kure" visit the following link from my website prior to reading the book:
 jayefrances.com/The_Kure_-_Author_Notes.html


This kindle ebook is an adult fiction paranormal romance laced with traces of horror and the supernatural. It is the first novel in this romance series by indie author Jaye Frances. "The Kure" is available as a free ebook through the Amazon Prime program.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wicked tale of ancient evil, frightening suspense and unexpected romance...a captivating read by a master storyteller." - NUSA SUN

"First, let me say, I loved the characters that Jaye Frances created. The story is definitely unusual and unique. The details and descriptions were spot on ... "The Kure" was a wonderful read that kept me up late at night. I would definitely read more books from this very talented author." - Lore Lush Reviews

"Suspenseful and mysterious, "The Kure" has one of my favorite qualities in a book - anticipation. It isn't dumbed down...I will definitely be picking it up again, to revisit the prose and a well-written story...it reminded me of old school gothic horror stories... This book is intense, darkly engaging..." - Reading Lark After Dark

"I'm usually able to calculate how much I like a book by how long it takes me to read it, and in this case it only took me a day because I couldn't put it down. Jaye Frances wrote a very compelling story that kept me glued to the pages. She laid a great foundation for the series..." - The LL Book Review

"The KURE is a creepy story with a great plot and characters which has you gripped from the first few pages. An unusual and original story, The KURE stands out from the rest. Chock full of suspense, mystery, romance, and horror, I am greatly anticipating the sequel to this captivating story." - The Bibliophilic Book Blog

 

Though not a typical fantasy, this story will have appeal for those who enjoy the old gothic-style reads that gave one those delicious shivers up and down the spine. - The Delighted Reader

 

The Kure was a great read 4.5 stars!! - LovLivLife Reviews

From the Author

"The Kure" began life as a novella, originally written to be included in a collection of similiar genre short stories. However, the characters - John and Sarah - wouldn't leave me alone. They kept insisting they had more to say, and certainly more to do.  And so after listening to one of their particularly lengthy, pleading-filled arguments (at 2:30 a.m.), I finally relented.

For another six months, they shared the keyboard with me, often getting what they wanted and occasionally being told to leave the room when they refused to behave themselves. Looking back, it was the right decision (made only after extracting a solemn proimise from both of them to let me sleep at night.)

Will we hear more from John and Sarah? Absolutely! I can't leave you wondering what happens to them. The second book in the series, "The Karetakers," will unveil the next chapter of their lives and reveal the origin of the ancient book, the Kure. Unfortunately for Sarah, that wretched old book will continue to be a problem for her as she learns the price she must pay for using it - especially when you tear out pages and don't follow the instructions exactly. (A very picky and vindictive group of spirits, those druids - whoops, I've already said too much!)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 1887 KB
• Print Length: 318 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466262966
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Redstone Press (September 16, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005P20C5Q
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,222 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting and well written story! September 26, 2011

By Derek Donaldson

Format:Paperback

For those anticipating the traditional romance novel (boy meets girl, conflict ensues, and finally love overcomes all) you are going to be (pleasantly) surprised. The first fifty pages make no reference to a love interest, or in fact, any woman as a main character. But when Sarah arrives on the scene, you know it. I was immediately drawn to her wit, charm and physical beauty. What I found especially intriguing was the honest emotion from both John and Sarah as they realized and expressed their attraction for each other - their desire was always bubbling just under the surface, but due to the plot line of the story (not telling!), it couldn't happen. The author did such an excellent job of creating their relationship and revealing their innermost thoughts, you knew beyond any doubt, they were both anticipating the future, when they could enjoy each other physically.
The descriptions (especially of John's gruesome malady) are vivid and strong, and stayed with me long after I put the book down. The narrative is first rate, and I was often struck by the quality of the prose, occasionally re-reading a particular paragraph for the sheer joy of experiencing some really great writing.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Polished Treatment September 29, 2011

By Chinmay Hota

Format:Paperback

Kentucky in the 1860's offered very little by way of medical treatment. The surgical equipment were bloodcurdling as were some of the methods. How about treatment of some ugly condition by the bizarre system of bloodletting by deadly leeches? Creepy indeed to imagine.

With such prospects in hand, it was but natural that many patients leaned on witchcraft, that must have been the dominant treatment system a century ago. Our hero John Tyler is faced with such a dilemma, when he undergoes a very degenerating affliction. His physical struggle adds to his moral dilemma when he learns about the less torturous alternative in the form of an evil ritual.

What follows is his desperate moral struggle as he oscillates between his love for the charming Sarah Sheridan and the temptation to perform the ritual with the help of a very special someone. Again the evil possibility this ritual holds for the performers is more debilitating than the physical malady itself. As the good doctor says "I'll admit the rituals prescribed on those loathsome pages have real power, but it's a power that corrupts good men and respectable women. The spells work because those who use them pay an enormous price. That wicked book doesn't save lives, it destroys them".

The story with its sudden and striking turns of events is riveting, and what helps grip the readers' attention is the polished treatment of the plot and an elegant writing style of the author. She has been very successful in evoking the spirit of romance, sustaining the suspense and ushering in elements of horror. The heroine Sarah dazzles, in the all pervading darkness because of her charm, physical beauty, commitment and sense of purpose.

John and Sarah, have been conferred long-duration citizenship by the author in her imaginative world. They are preparing to make their next escapades in the sequels, which we shall eagerly look forward to.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all! September 23, 2011

By Tom C

Format:Paperback

Forget the vampires and wizards. Jaye Frances brings us back to reality--almost--with characters that live, love, breathe and bleed. The story is full of twists, turns and surprises, and the writing is polished to perfection. It's seldom that I become absolutely lost in a story, but this book is a perfect mix of suspense, romance, and a touch of horror. The romantic thread was surprising and unexpected, and so seamlessly written into the storyline as to elevate this book to the top of the genre.

More About the Author

Jaye Frances is the author of "The Kure," a supernatural-occult romance novel, "The Possibilities of Amy," a coming-of-age romance novella,"The Cruise-All That Glitters", a humorous adult satire about love on the high seas, "The Beach," a sci-fi fantasy about a man who is given the opportunity to receive his ultimate wish, and "Love Travels Forever", a collection of poignant short stories and essays. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits that her life's destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she's not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and "beachy" and taking pictures--lots of pictures--many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes. For more information, visit Jaye's website at www.jayefrances.com, or Jaye's Blog at http://blog.jayefrances.com