Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Mercury Rising
By Kristian Parker

Queens Crescent, Book 7

The son of a famous movie star, Mercury Morrison is used to all eyes being on him. So of course he’s grown up to be one of London’s premier influencers, with followers across the globe.

But when Mercury finds himself on the wrong side of the law after a run-in with a paranoid concept artist at the Tate Modern, it all comes crashing down. The worst bit is, he’s innocent! Advised to plead guilty, he dutifully arrives for his first day of community service at a youth project in South London…and walks slap-bang into his new boss, the handsome Nick Campbell.

The attraction between them is instant and electric. Romance may be on the cards but this summer is going to shake Mercury’s whole view on life to its foundations. Can Mercury take the huge leap of faith needed to make his dreams come true, and, if he dares, will Nick be there to catch him?

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Excerpt:

As the woman checked her list, the man stared up. “Are you the dickhead who thinks my art is shit?”

Mercury took a step away. “I don’t think I said that. I presume you’re Grim.”

“Fucking right I am.”

He appeared fit to burst.

“I haven’t even seen it yet,” Mercury said. “Calm yourself.”

“Fucking rich kids. You think you’re so superior, don’t you?”

Mercury burst into laughter. It echoed around the room, causing people to stare.

“Take a look around you, Grim. This is the Tate Modern, for fuck’s sake. Everyone is rich.”

The clipboard woman ushered them in.

“What a dick,” Mercury said.

“Let’s do a quick circuit and go,” Lotty replied. “He must be constantly checking his own name on insta. You only just posted it, for goodness’ sake.”

Mercury shrugged. “Imagine being so touchy you’re vanity scrolling instead of enjoying the big moment. Weird.”

They approached the first canvas. It was brilliant white with a thin blue line down the centre.

“This is called Orgasm,” Mercury said.

He and Lotty stared.

“I don’t get it,” Lotty said immediately.

An impossibly chic woman in Chanel glided past. She glanced at them. “Is there any food?”

“I think so,” Lotty replied.

“Might as well make the trip worthwhile.”

She left them to it. In fact, the tunnel of focus had become one of emptiness. Most people had aborted mission.

“I’m following her,” Lotty said. “That crowd will strip the buffet in minutes. You coming?”

Mercury shook his head. “I’ll catch you up. I want to get a few shots.”

Lotty grinned. “Play nice.”

“Always.”

He wandered farther into the tunnel. Each canvas was a variation on a theme, brilliant white with a different coloured line daubed down the centre.

Love

War

Net Zero

Mercury snapped away.

Who the fuck is going to buy these?

His mother had an art collection to rival a minor royal’s, meaning Mercury had grown up around true talent. Somehow he didn’t think Madeline and her cronies would be scrambling to buy this utter crap anytime soon.

At the end hung Poverty. This time a brown line bisected the white.

“I hope that’s paint,” Mercury muttered to himself.

Perhaps it was time to check out the food. It was evident the “art” wouldn’t get any better.

He turned to see the hulking figure of Grim standing between him and the exit. Alarmingly, it appeared they were the only ones in the tunnel. And Grim certainly had his focus on Mercury.

“What are you going to do?” Mercury asked. “Beat me up because I said something nasty?”

“You’ve made everyone think I’m a right twat,” Grim said, approaching Mercury, who involuntarily took another step away.

“I’ve done nothing of the sort. If you hadn’t pounced literally seconds after I posted it, you wouldn’t have looked so ridiculous.”

Grim clenched and unclenched his fists.

For a split second, Mercury feared he was going to be murdered in the Tate Modern.

Typical of my luck that they’d find my body next to some really terrible art.

People were standing close to the tunnel entrance and evidently unaware or unconcerned that Mercury was trapped.

“How about I give you a glowing review on my channel?” Mercury asked.

“You think I give a fuck what stuck-up wankers like you have to say?”

Mercury raised an eyebrow. “Well, something’s got you riled up.”

“I’ll show you riled up, you posh twat.”

In a split second, Grim grabbed the half-drunk glass of red from Mercury’s hand and threw the contents at Poverty.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Mercury yelped.

Grim dropped the glass at Mercury’s feet. Suddenly his leering face transformed into one of devastation. He backed away, his hands up.

“You…you made it clear you didn’t like my art. You didn’t have to ruin it.”

“Wait—”

It was pointless. Grim had reached the entrance to the tunnel. Mercury chased after him. When he got to the exit, a group of people huddled around Grim.

“What’s the matter?” a particularly snide art critic asked.

“That man,” Grim roared, pointing at Mercury. “He’s destroyed my work!”

Suddenly, all eyes were on Mercury.

“I’m calling the police,” someone with a name badge said.

“The police?” Mercury cried. His legs wobbled as he clutched the side of the stupid tunnel of focus.

What am I going to do?

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Mercury Rising, Kristian is giving away an e-copy of the Queens Crescent Box Set 1 (Books 1-3)!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopte Giveaway

Direct Link: https://bit.ly/KPMRGiveaway

About the Author:

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Connect with Kristian:
www.kristianparker.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristiansworld
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https://www.instagram.com/kparkerwriter/
TikTok @kparkerwriter
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