Tag: Stephen King

Giveaway & Interview: S. P. Oldham, Horror & Zombie Author

Let’s give a big warm welcome to the talented author S. P. Oldham. We’ll be checking out Wakeful Children, a collection of horror stories, as well as the zombie trilogy, Mindless series. Enjoy the interview! Scroll to the bottom to enter the giveaway!.

What unique hobbies would you pursue as an immortal?

Hmm. Interesting question. In reality I am the polar opposite of an adrenaline junkie, so if I was immortal I hope I would be a lot braver! I would have to indulge in extreme sports, like bungee jumping, base jumping, white water rafting and so on. I would also have to do something hugely dangerous, like walking with lions or filming hippos underwater. For now, I am quite content to sit on my sofa and watch other people doing it!

A toy company makes a replica action figure of your likeness. What 2 accessories do they include?

This made me laugh! A walking stick and a shopping trolley! I have arthritis, fibromyalgia and what can only be described as chronic sciatica! Obviously though, they wouldn’t be any old garden variety accessories. The walking stick would conceal a sword and the shopping trolley would in fact be a bottomless pit, which holds endless supplies of anything you might happen to need, but would also act as a portal to another time, place or world, as the case may be. Hey! There could be a story there…

Society has fallen into a dystopian land full of dangers untold. Which 4 dystopian genre authors would you want with you in order to survive & perhaps raise us all out of this dystopian world?

Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale) because she would be very perceptive of women’s needs in such a situation, and wary of what could happen if certain moral codes and standards were allowed to lapse.  (Please note, I am not some raging feminist, I just recognise that some issues are unique to women. Just as, undoubtedly, there are issues unique to men.)

Robert Harris (Fatherland) because of his exceptional intelligence and knowledge of history. It is so important to pass knowledge of the past onto children of the future. It may just prevent them making the same mistakes again. Though if current affairs are anything to judge by, then perhaps not, sadly.

Stephen King (The Running Man; The Stand) just because if anyone can tell a great story, it’s him! With no T.V, radio, computers etc… he would be a valuable asset in whiling away dark and cold winter evenings, although you wouldn’t necessarily be able to get to sleep afterwards!

Nevil Shute (On the Beach) for his skills and knowledge in aviation. Who knows? We might come across some abandoned aircraft that he could rig up and then fly us (he was a pilot) to somewhere warmer, more abundant and altogether safer!

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

I am a huge fan of Sir Terry Pratchett. Although I love Discworld and everything about it, I also enjoyed reading all of his non-Discworld books. I devoured Nation, which I thought was excellent, but if I had the choice, I would have a signed copy of The Carpet People, STP’s first book ever, I believe. If only he was still here to do book signings. He is very much missed, but he left a wonderful legacy behind in his writing.

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Not so much a mystery, but I often recall something that happened to me a very long time ago, when I was just a kid in college, that I think could well be the prompt to a story.

I had just missed my bus home and was in for a long wait. It was winter, very dark and cold and all I had on me was a few pence and my bus ticket, which I had tucked away safe. A much older woman, certainly old enough to be my mother at the time, had also missed the same bus. I remember her looking at me kindly and suggesting we go have a coffee at a nearby café. I was very shy when I was young. I remember being embarrassed that I didn’t have money to pay for a drink. I explained this to her and she just smiled and said it was her treat.

We found a table in the café and I think she bought me a cup of tea. She was lovely, very kind and gentle. As we began talking, I learned a little bit about her. She was on her way to visit her critically ill husband in hospital. I think he must have had cancer, looking back. Although she smiled a lot, there was a real sadness about her.

We chatted together for at least an hour. We finished our drinks. I thanked her, then we caught our bus and said goodbye. She got off a good few stops before me. I remember that she didn’t turn to wave, because I was anticipating it and was disappointed. She got off the bus and just headed off to the hospital.

Over the years I have wondered many, many times what the outcome of that story was; what happened to the lady and her husband. When I recall her, I feel a strong sense of sadness, but more than anything I remember the kindness in her eyes and her lovely smile. I hope she found a way to happiness in the end.

The public library of your dreams has arrived! What special collections does it hold? 

Well obviously, the entire works of Sir Terry Pratchett, all in hardback. Then the entire collections of; Bernard Cornwell; Philippa Gregory; Jo Nesbo; Lindsey Davis; Robert Harris; Conn Iggulden; Stephen King; James Herbert; Agatha Christie; Spike Milligan; Stephen Fry. Complete with autobiographies or biographies of all of these authors. There would be lots of beautiful books about nature, birds and wildlife, as well as fabulously illustrated history books.

What has been your worst or most difficult job? How does it compare to writing?

I once spent an horrendous eight weeks or so working for a company that made audio and video cassettes. My job was to stand at this tall contraption of a machine, which never worked properly and was always jamming, and put the tape into the cassettes. The machine did the spooling, my job was to take the filled cassette off the machine, put it onto the conveyor belt and snip the tape. The number of times I was too slow and long line of tape went winding the entire length of the belt was nobody’s business. I got several dirty looks from the other girls working the line, and the boss was just exasperated with me. In the end I couldn’t stand it anymore, it was so monotonous and depressing, so I left. I really feel for factory workers. They are generally underpaid and they work bloody hard!

Then there was the summer I worked in an insecticide factory, before I went to college. I was sixteen. That job held horrors all of its own. I was sent to make tea once and did so willingly, passing around the cups to the boss and various others. When everyone had a cup in hand, the boss smiled and told me to look in the cupboard below the kettle. To my disgust, there were three different insecticide papers, covered in cockroaches! I never made tea there again!

These jobs don’t in any way compare to writing. I write for the love of it as much as anything else. I would never willingly do any of these jobs again, no matter how much the pay might be. If there is any justice, I will never again be asked to spool tape into a cassette or make tea above a nest of cockroaches!

What does your Writer’s Den look like? Neat and tidy or creative mess? Can you write anywhere or do you need to be holed up in your author cave?

My little ‘office’ is a converted under-stairs cupboard, and I like it very much! There is space beneath my desk where my little Cocker Spaniel often curls up in a sleeping blanket. I have all the equipment I need, and two shelves above which hold a variety of things, but most importantly, framed photographs of my family. It is generally a tolerable mixture of tidy and messy. I could not write in absolute chaos, I would have to tidy up first. On the other hand, a little bit of messiness doesn’t bother me too much.

Yes, I can and do write anywhere. I often jot little things down because I know I will forget them later otherwise. I have written in a variety of places, including lying on the floor, in bed, on the bus and most recently, in a local café. The only atmosphere I cannot write in is a noisy one. I can’t even tolerate the radio on in the background, I find it hugely distracting.

That said, my last book was inspired by a number of things, including a specific piece of music. Strangely for me, I did not find that at all distracting, but very motivating and enigmatic.

Finally, what upcoming events and works would you like to share with the readers?

I have just written my first ever Grimdark book, called The Dragon Has Wings. It is available as an e-book only at the moment, but that may well change. The blurb reads:

“Carreg Tan is a peaceful kingdom, watched over by a protective and benevolent Dragon Queen. It is thrown into sudden despair when the Queen’s own guard, known as The Six, overthrow her, murdering her and seizing power. Her son Ifan and daughter Crystin are forced to run for their lives.

Only females can take dragon form, meaning that Carreg Tan’s only hope is Crystin; yet many challenges lie along her path to power, the greatest of them all being survival.

Murderers, mercenaries and malevolent beasts are not all Crystin must overcome to achieve her one, single goal; to regain power. But can she do it; and will the world be the better for it if she does?

A tale of grim, dark fantasy following the fortunes of a young heiress who has to fight at every turn to take back what is hers, whatever the cost.”

I am very excited about this book, as it is a genre I love. Fantasy and Dark Fantasy always attracts me, as both a reader and a writer. There are elements of my other work that could also be said to be fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. I hope others enjoy reading it.

I have another book planned with a Dystopian feel to it, but I am going to be cagey about that for now, except to say I am really looking forward to getting stuck in!

About the Author

S P Oldham lives in the beautiful Sirhowy Valley in South Wales. She has always enjoyed writing and has recently ventured into self-publishing, Although she writes mainly horror and dark fiction, she likes to dabble in other genres from time to time. She is also an avid reader. She has been married to Adam for 30 years. They have two grown up sons and an adorable Cocker Spaniel called Milo.

S P Oldham currently has five horror fiction books available on Amazon. Three of these make up The Mindless Trilogy – The Zombie Apocalypse: Where a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing.

The other two books are short story collections. Hag’s Breath: A Collection Witchcraft and Wickedness, and Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales. Wakeful Children is also available in paperback.

S P Oldham has also ventured into Grimdark and has a new release, The Dragon Has Wings, available on Amazon now.

Where to Stalk S. P. Oldham

Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Website ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

About Wakeful Children

Wakeful Children is a collection of highly imaginative and inventive short stories. The oak sways gently, a shiver shimmers its way from roots to tip. A branch creaks as if in resistance. A small, fresh leaf strains to curl into life, shows promise for an instant, then withers and dies. A sigh, just beyond human hearing, vibrates the night. All else is still. You will be unwittingly taken on a journey to witness the twisted brutality of Joe Gallows, the weird dream-scape of The Sandman, the ice-cold grasp of The Face of the Gale, the elemental horror of an ancient, evil entity in Devil’s Drop. You will visit some of the residents down a darkly troubled street in Absorption; watched over by a beautiful, malignant presence all the while.

These and other tales make Wakeful Children an extremely unusual, compelling and refreshingly different read in this genre. One that will leave you thinking of it long after you have turned the last page…

About Sleep, Think, Die (Mindless Trilogy #1) 

Picture this: you’re sitting in a bar minding your own business, having a quiet drink or two, when trouble steps in off the street. A shambling wreck stumbles over the threshold, bloodied clothes torn, muttering incoherently. Just another idiot who doesn’t know when enough is too much. You raise your glass, take another slug. It’s okay, security can handle it.

But then over by the juke box a woman screams, a man swears loudly. You look up to see the barman drop the pint he’s pouring and back off, pale and shivering. Maybe you should turn around and take a closer look…

Then the world goes crazy. Before you know it, you’re shoulder to shoulder with security, fighting a wave of undead. Someone throws you a cue – a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘killer pool.’ When it’s over, there’s only four of you left; you, two hard men and the terrified girl you find hiding beneath the corpse of her boyfriend.

So begins the story of a new kind of world; where the dead are far more ambulant than they should be, and the living must walk amongst them, fighting to survive.

GIVEAWAY!!!

S. P. Oldham is offering up a signed paperback copy of her horror short story collection Wakeful Children, along with a tote bag, pen and bookmark (UK only due to shiping). Oldham is also giving away ten codes to claim the zombie Mindless Trilogy (world wide). Do the Rafflecopter thing below or answer these questions to be entered into the giveaway: 1) What country do you live in? 2) What are some of your favorite horror or zombie stories? 3) Leave a way to contact you if you win (email, FB, etc.). Giveaway ends Jan 13, 2020 midnight.

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Giveaway & Interview: Kathleen Valenti, Author of As Directed

Heya Dabbers, here’s another great interview and giveaway! Check out this entertaining interview with mystery genre author Kathleen Valenti. Then go check out the paperbook giveaway of As Directed at the bottom of the post.

A toy company makes a replica action figure of your likeness. What 2 accessories do they include?

“Action Figure Kathleen” would come complete with a cup of coffee that rivals the size of her head and a stack of books that she can’t wait to read. Unless, of course, the Kathleen doll is like one of those giant Barbie heads. Then it would have unkempt hair and spinach between the incisors.

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Fortunately—or unfortunately—I’ve experienced a number of mystery novel-worthy events in my life. In fact, my first two books feature ripped-from-Kathleen’s-life happenings. PROTOCOL, my debut novel, was partly inspired by a computer snafu in which my computer’s hard drive was swapped for someone else’s. 39 WINKS, the series’ second book, was informed by my chronic sleepwalking and the notion of sleep-crime.

Recently, I’ve been receiving packages containing items I never ordered. The packages typically contain no packing slip or receipt, and most don’t list a return address. The items have ranged from bubble making machines to phone cases to a sweatshirt with the statement I’M A CAT emblazoned across the front. The most eerie to arrive was a suitcase. After all of these mysterious packages, I was afraid to open it. What would be inside? Stolen jewels? Smuggled drugs? A body? Turned out it was empty, but STILL. It was pretty creepy.

I later found out that these packages were sent by overseas companies who had stolen our identity through Amazon. It’s a scheme called “brushing,” and evidently it’s a way for companies to build positive reviews by showing that their items were received by verified buyers. I don’t quite see how it pencils out for these companies, but they do it.

I think the idea of strange packages coming from unknown sources could make a great premise for a book. *scuttles off to write the first chapter*

If warning labels and safety features didn’t exist, what would be the likely thing you’d die from?

Okay, I’m not sure what I’d die from, but I did see a warning label that made me die with laughter. It was on the cord of my rarely used clothing iron, warning me against ironing clothes on my body. Good tip.

Is there a genre or literary niche that you feel hasn’t gotten its deserved amount of attention? 

I’d also love to see more humor books à la Dave Barry and David Sedaris. The world needs more laughter.

What has been your worst or most difficult job? How does it compare to writing?

Customer service is ROUGH. I think my toughest—or maybe strangest— gig was at a lingerie shop. People tell you all kinds of very personal stuff when buying underthings. All I really wanted to know was whether they had a coupon.

Writing presents its own challenges, of course. It’s a lot of juggling to keep the plot, character, and good writing balls in the air, and it can be a solitary and lonely pursuit. It’s a job for which I’m very grateful. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Who are some of your favorite book villains?

I love villains! In some ways, I find them more interesting than heroes.

I think my favorite villain is Annie Wilkes from Stephen King’s Misery. She’s a stealth-villain. She doesn’t come on the scene with a bomb strapped to her chest or turn her friends into appetizers like Hannibal Lecter (although he’s a great villain, as well). Her villainy—and her mission—come on slowly, like a poisonous fog. King did a fantastic job of humanizing her and giving her a reason for her actions. When I create villains and antagonists for my books, I try to take a page from King’s works. He knows how to build bad guys and gals.

If you could sit down and have dinner with 5 dead authors, who would you invite to the table? What would they order?

I’d invite Agatha Christie (natch), who would order a traditional English tea and share her cucumber sandwich with me. (She’s kind and generous like that.) I’d also have J.D. Salinger who would order ham on rye (ha ha), Sylvia Plath who likely wouldn’t eat anything, Ernest Hemingway who would drink his meal, and William Saroyan who would dine on dolma. I hope all of us could break bread together. I’m sure we’d have much to talk about.

Care to share an awkward fangirl/fanboy moment, either one where someone was gushing over your work…..or one where you were gushing over another author’s work?

Just ONE awkward story? I got a million of ‘em.

A memorable one was when I met the fabulous and talented Hank Phillippi Ryan, whose work I greatly admire and who blurbed my first book. She was making her way from one panel presentation to another when I stepped into her path and said, “I love you. I mean…I love your books. And I loved that you blurbed mine.” I think it went downhill from there. I don’t know. I basically blacked out in an embarrassment-induced psychogenic fugue. I do know that Hank was gracious and wonderful as always.

You have to run an obstacle course. Who do you invite along (living or dead, real or fictional)? 

I think I’d invite Lara Croft. I have a feeling she’d be equipped to handle whatever came our way.

Finally, what upcoming events and works would you like to share with the readers?

I’m suuuuuper excited to share my latest book, As Directed. It’s the third book in the Agatha Award-nominated Maggie O’Malley Mystery Series. Here’s the skinny:

Book Blurb for As Directed

In the shadow of a past fraught with danger and tainted by loss, former pharmaceutical researcher Maggie O’Malley is rebuilding her life, trading test tubes for pill bottles as she embarks on a new career at the corner drugstore. But as she spreads her wings, things begin to go terribly wrong. A customer falls ill in the store. Followed by another. And then more. The specter of poisoning arises, conjuring old grudges, past sins, buried secrets and new suspicions from which no one is immune. As Maggie and her best friend Constantine begin to investigate, they discover that some of the deadliest doses come from the most unexpected places.

Amazon ~ GoodReads

About the Author

KATHLEEN VALENTI is a nationally award-winning copywriter who pens for agencies in Oregon and North Carolina. Known as an adept storyteller who flexes her writing muscles with evocative description, compelling concepts, and emotional connections, Valenti has written for her supper for more than twenty years. She lives in Oregon where she says she pretends to enjoy running. For more information, visit Kathleen at www.kathleenvalenti.com.

Website ~ FaceBook ~ Twitter

Giveaway!!!

Kathleen Valenti and JKS Publicity are offering up 1 paperbook copy of As Directed. US only due to shipping. Do the Rafflecopter thing below or answer these questions in the comments: 1) What villain would you give a happy ending if you could? 2) Do you live in the US? 3) Leave a way to contact you (email, twitter, etc.) should you win. Giveaway ends April 10, 2019, midnight.

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Interview: Christine Woinich, Book Blogger at Iron Canuck

Heya Everyone! Please give a warm welcome to a fellow book blogger, Christine Woinich from the Iron Canuck. She’s agreed to be my guinea pig in what I hope will be a new regular feature on the blog – Interviewing fellow book lovers and bloggers. Cue evil music!

If you could be an extra on a TV show or movie, what would it be and what would you be doing?

I have been getting away from TV, but I would love to have been on the TV show “Reign” and would have been one of Queen Mary’s ladies-in-waiting.

You can now travel via any transportation (real or fictional). What do you pick?

I would take my chances on an actual teleporter (like Star Trek). Getting to and from places would be way easier.

How did you become a blogger and how long have you been blogging?

Becoming a blogger was by accident, sort of. I saw information about Booklikes.com somewhere so I checked it out as a place to leave reviews. Then I began to learn how to use it in other ways. I have probably been doing it only for a couple years at most.

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

I already have a large number of signed books, but I would love to have Stephen King sign any of his earlier novels for me. It would be kind of fitting if he signed “Christine”. I have enjoyed his novels for many years, before I got into reading romance.

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Not a mystery, a romance really. My husband is from New York, and I lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The year we met, separately we were going to Australia to Brisbane for the World Exhibition in 1988. I was with a friend, he was alone. He saw me on the plane when he boarded in Hawaii, but I did not see him. We landed in Cairns and spent a couple days there, and he did the Outer Barrier Reef while my friend and I did the Inner Reef. There is a town, Kuranda, which is on top of a plateau where you can take a bus up and train down or vice versa. We were there the same day, but used opposite transportation. After visiting Brisbane, we went on to Sydney. On the same day my friend and I were to take a bus tour so was my husband. This time, however, his agent screwed up, and he ended up on our bus tour. My friend asked if we could invite him to dinner with us because he looked lonely, and I agreed. After 1 ½ years and seven dates (weekends either in Vancouver and New York as well as a couple trips to New Orleans and San Francisco), we got married, and I moved to the States.

Do you focus on certain genres or subjects on your blog or do you let it follow your daily whims?

I support Historical Romance writers more on my blog than other genres, but I like to read and share all that I do read, including paranormal, western, and some contemporary.

If you could, what book or movie or TV series would you like to experience for the first time all over again and why?

I loved the Harry Potter series and would love to have the time to sit and binge watch. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the actors and love how the story pulls me in.

What is the first book you remember reading on your own?

Outside of school, I would say it was a Stephen King novel. I have always enjoyed a good scare.

Any aspirations to become a writer? Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo?

I am a member of RWA and a local chapter. I have written a couple historical romances, but after taking some classes, I realized I need to go back and make them better. I have never participated in NaNoWriMo as it is a stressful time at my day job where all I can do is pray January comes faster. This year, I am trying to do NaNoWriMo sprints with my local chapter, but I have not really had the time to sit and focus.

Blogger Bio: 

Born in western Canada and moved a lot as a child. Reading and childish attempts at writing were what kept me on an even keel. Married to an American and now live in the US with one son, now 24 years old. As a family, we like to attend Renaissance faires in costume. I look forward to moving back to the west coast in the next year or so to be closer to my own family. We have two cats that are a handful. If not working or reading, I am either writing or geocaching or working with Boy Scouts (my son made it to Eagle Scout).

Christine’s Blog: The Iron Canuck

Or catch her on GoodReads

Ebook Giveaway & Interview: Michael Whitehead, Author of Legion of the Undead

Heya folks! Please welcome Michael Whitehead, one of the authors of the Undead Worlds anthology. They have pitched in to have a big book giveaway with multiple winners. Audiobooks, signed paperbooks, swag, and ebooks! Yay! Just scroll to the end for the giveaway! And check out the Master Post for more interviews!

Reality in my fiction: how important is it? Lengthy travel, cussing, and bathroom breaks happen in real life. How do you address these mundane occurrences in your writings?

Firstly, thanks for including me in this interview.

I think the reality of such day-to-day things very much depends on the style of a piece of writing. If a writer is trying to achieve a real-time feel, then they would feel the need to include such things as those mentioned. If, as I do, you want a flow that leaves space between the important issues of the story, such things become less important. If there is a gap of hours between scenes then it can be assumed that the characters have taken care of bathroom issues.

Of course there is fun to be had in making someone need to sneeze in the middle of a tense scene where they are hiding from an enemy.

More and more we see fiction being multimedia – a book, a TV show, a PC game, a graphic novel. How do you see the publishing industry evolving to handle this trend? Any plans to take your works in the multimedia realm?

I’m a huge fan of audio books. In fact my main consumption of books takes place in audio form. My first book is currently being recorded by the excellent Terry Self. I’ve listened to the chapters as he’s recorded them and I can’t wait to get them out on to the market. I’m sure people will love his work.

As far as the other platforms are concerned, I am sure if I was approached, I would be very interested in seeing my work in other forms. It’s not something I will move forward with myself as I’m a writer, not a TV producer or game designer, however. I think I’d be happier putting my work into other hands. It takes trust but the relationships I’ve developed so far have been great.

What are the top 3 historical time periods and locations you would like to visit?

As you may have guessed, I’d love to visit Ancient Rome. The idea of seeing a civilisation as sophisticated as our own is intriguing. So much of the morality and law that we hold dear today was born at that time.

Moving to a much more recent time, I have a real soft-spot for the 19th century. In particular the exploration and maritime travel that opened up after the discovery of how to measure longitude. The world became a smaller place and a man could achieve so much more than he ever could before.

Thirdly, I’d kind of like to see what the future holds but it would take a brave person to press that button and step into the unknown.

Who are some of your favorite book villains?

I think the best villains are the ones that sway away from the black and white. The ones with plenty of grey areas. I think a reader likes to feel a little sympathy with the villain and also there is no harm in a hero with a dark side.

Randal Flagg from the Dark Tower series is good example. He is a powerful, almost all-knowing being when we first meet him. However, as the series evolves we learn that he is as much a prisoner to his own fate as anyone else in the books, he just plays his part so well.

I read a lot of historical fiction. I love seeing a writer give sympathetic justification for the actions of traditional villains. Conn Iggulden does this very well. He takes a character like Julius Caesar or Genghis Khan and makes them human and vulnerable.

In my experience, some of the best fiction is based on facts and history. How do you build your research into your fictional works?

While I like to build my stories over a framework of reality and historical fact, I am aware that as I develop the tale I move further into fantasy with each page. I aim to give the reader the broad strokes of the time without getting bogged down with too much historical fact. I am by the nature of writing a zombie apocalypse novel building a world in order to rip it down.

In the same way that I am happy to read a story that mentions a pistol without needing to know the make, model and how many rounds it holds, I don’t feel the need to saturate my stories with historical details.

If you could sit down and have tea (or a beer) with 5 fictional characters, who would you invite to the table?

As I’m sober I think we will stick to tea, thanks. In no particular order I think I will go for:

Druss the Legend from the David Gemmell novels.
Roland Deschain from the Dark Tower novels by Stephen King.
Tiro from Robert Harris’ Imperium trilogy. The best narrative voice I’ve ever read.
Alex from the Clockwork Orange
Finally, if I can include one of my own characters, Otho. I had so much fun writing him that I’d love to meet him.

Five men I notice but that wasn’t deliberate.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I’m a trucker and that takes up a lot of my time. It does give me a lot of audio book time though. I spend most of my free time with my family, that’s the most important part of my life. For down time, I’m a gamer and I like to build and paint model ships.

What is the first book you remember reading on your own?

The Hobbit I think. I do remember my junior school teacher sending a letter home asking if my mum was happy for me to read Lord of the Flies at ten years old. Thankfully she was.

You have to run an obstacle course. Who do you invite along (living or dead, real or fictional)?

I’m a lazy sod at heart. So I’m going to go for Thor. Hopefully he’d be in the mood to carry me.

Finally, what upcoming events and works would you like to share with the readers?

Other than my inclusion in the Undead Worlds Anthology? My first audio book will be out soon, Legion of the Undead.

I’m also close to finishing a new story. A horror based on the real life disappearance of a ship with full crew and passengers aboard. I’ve taken the story and added my own twist, hopefully people will like it. Then I’m back to finishing the Legion of the Undead books with the third and final instalment.

Thanks for the questions, it’s been fun.

 

Book Blurb for Undead Worlds:

22 Authors. 22 Undead worlds. 1 Great Book.
Do you dare?

Alone Together by David Simpson: What do you do when there is nowhere left to run? Gone Fishin’ by Justin Robinson: When the dead rise, the living become the monsters. The Festival by Christopher Manhood: A city on lockdown as a nation awaits bloodshed, let the festival begin. Jimmy by Arthur Mongelli: Decades of meddling with the food we eat brings about the zombie apocalypse, ordinary people struggle to survive. The Fort by Michael Whitehead: When sanctuary becomes a prison, all you can do is fight. Adam by Sylvester Barzey: Some families aren’t worth dying for. A Peaceful Town by Jeremy Dyson. The Undead Pool: The Zombie Night by Derek Ailes. Zombie Exterminators by Grivante: Two brothers saving the world one job at a time! The Horror at Roswell Mills by Michael Peirce. Before Safe Haven: Losing the Battle by Christopher Artinian: There is no greater weapon than the will to fight for the ones you love. On the Rocks by E.E. Isherwood. Morning of The Living Dead by Mark Cusco Ailes. Defenseless: A Story of Death & Decay by R. L. Blalock: As the zombies rise, 6-year-old Dylan must face a frightening new world alone. To the Hills by T. D. Ricketts: A real live zombie apocalypse! When I Grow Up, I Won’t Be by Brea Behn: What if you knew you’d never make it to 18? Fallen by Jessica Gomez. Brain Waves by Julien Saindon. Damaged Goods by Samie Sands: There’s only one rule: don’t get bit! Avery by Valerie Lioudis: Trapped in a world with the undead, Avery looks to control it by filling her space with treasures, leading her to risk her life for useless garbage. In the Beginning, God by Charles Ingersoll: God made Man. Man made monsters. Evacuation by Adrienne Lecter: When the world is about to end, one man has to bring home the bacon.

GoodReads ~ Amazon

Michael Whitehead

Hi, My name’s Michael Whitehead, I’m 43 years old. I live in Mansfield, on the edge of Sherwood Forest in England. I was born in Liverpool but grew up and went to school in Nottingham. I’ve been with my wife for 26 years and we have two sons, Morgan and Lucas. I’m a late starter, I began writing this time last year. I’m one of those people who read a lot and wanted to know if I could turn my hand to writing.

Ladies, gentlemen and anyone who counts themselves as neither. As you may or may not be aware I have the honour of being included in the Reanimated Authors new anthology, Undead Worlds. It is the only place to get a copy of my short story – The Fort. It’s set in the Legion of the Undead world.

Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Twitter ~ Amazon

Here’s some of the prizes that you could win!

Signed paperbooks of Undead Worlds anthology (USA only) courtesy of T. D. Ricketts

Ebook copy of Aftershock Book 1 by Valerie Lioudis (International)

Ebook of Lockdown by Samie Sands (International)

Ebook of Red Dirt Zombies Book 1 by Michael Peirce (International)

Signed paper copy of Undead on Arrival & swag from Justin Robinson (USA)

Ebooks Undead On Arrival & Coldheart by Justin Robinson (International)

Signed paper copy of Harvest of Ruin by Arthur Mongelli (USA only)

Audiobook Mash Anthology via Audible UK courtesy of Grivante

Paperbook The Zee Brothers by Grivante (USA only)

Ebooks of Legion of the Undead & Legion of the Undead: Rise and Fall by Michael Whitehead (International)

Ebooks Infected and Immune by Jessica Gomez (International)

Any 2 books by Derek Ailes (paperbooks for USA or ebooks for International)

GIVEAWAY!!!

So these lovely authors have pitched in some great prizes, as you saw above. Here’s a quick list of them again:

2 signed paperbooks of Undead Worlds anthology (USA only)
Ebook copy of Aftershock Book 1 by Valerie Lioudis (international)
Ebook of Lockdown (international) by Samie Sands
2 ebooks Red Dirt Zombies Book 1 (international) by Michael Peirce
Signed copy of Undead on Arrival & swag (USA) by Justin Robinson
Ebooks Undead On Arrival & Coldheart (International) by Justin Robinson
Signed copy of Harvest of Ruin (USA only) by Arthur Mongelli
2 UK Audible Mash Anthology
Paperbook The Zee Brothers (USA only) by Grivante
Ebook of Legion of the Undead & Legion of the Undead: Rise and Fall (International) by Michael Whitehead
Ebooks Infected and Immune (International) by Jessica Gomez
Any 2 books by Derek Ailes (paper for USA & ebooks for International)

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below or answer these questions in the comments. Note that commenting on any of the Undead Worlds interviews or this master post gets you extra points! 1) Which prize(s) are you most interested in? 2) What is the best zombie story you have experienced? 3) What country do you live in? 4) Leave a way to contact you (email, facebook link, twitter, etc.). Giveaway runs from October 1 through November 27, 2017 midnight. Good luck!

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Zombie Book Giveaway & Interview: Mark Cusco Ailes, Author of The Z-Day Trilogy

Heya folks! Please welcome Mark Cusco Ailes, one of the authors of the Undead Worlds anthology. They have pitched in to have a big book giveaway with multiple winners. Audiobooks, signed paperbooks, swag, and ebooks! Yay! Just scroll to the end for the giveaway! And check out the Master Post for more interviews!

The apocalypse is here! Which 4 apocalypse/prepper authors would you want with you in order to survive the first big upheaval?

Robert Kirkman, Armand Rosamilia, Mark Tufo and Jay Wilburn (the bad boys of zombie fiction)

The Desert Island Collection: what heavy metal music makes it into your MP3 player and why?

Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, W.A.S.P., Krokus and Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult…the song is fitting for a zombie apocalypse.

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

Ray Cycle from my Ray Cycle Dragon Hunter Adventure series would be a perfect addition to my Z-Day series. A dragonslayer battle zombies…do I sense a spinoff series?

If you could, what book or movie or TV series would you like to experience for the first time all over again and why?

Dawn of the Dead and Night of the Living Dead so I can be in awe at the uniqueness of the two films. I watch each of them several times a year going all the back to the eighties.

Are changes in society reflected in contemporary villains and heroes or are there certain traits that never change?

All the typical traits/tropes of a hero and villain change to reflect the current society in all series. That is why villains can be more demented and destructive when a book is rewritten for the modern age or a movie is remade for the theater…since Hollywood has run out of ideas apparently. Let’s reboot the Halloween franchise for a third time!

Your poetry book, A Handful of Raindrops, could be set as a polar opposite to your zombie books. Agree or disagree? Any further poetic works in the making?

I was writing poetry long before I published my first novel. A Handful of Raindrops is my complete collection of all of my poems…the good ones that is. I have no plans to release any more poetry anthologies. They reflect a different timeframe and frame of mind of my life. I’m past that now.

What does your Writer’s Den look like? Neat and tidy or creative mess? Can you write anywhere or do you need to be holed up in your author cave?

I live in a haunted house. My writing studio is filled with horror props from movies (some which I produced), horror memorabilia, and photos of me with some of my celebrity friends including Brinke Stevens, Felissa Rose (Angela Baker from Sleepaway Camp) and my co-stars from the movie Moon 44.

What is the first book you remember reading on your own?

Are we talking Dr. Seuss? Just kidding. It was most likely Stephen King or Clive Barker. I’ve read thousands and thousands of books over the years.

Finally, what upcoming events and works would you like to share with the readers?

I’m almost finished writing the second sci-fi novel in my Invasion Earth series. I will then begin working on the next novel in the Z-Day series. In February, The Stirring starring Brinke Stevens will be released which I was one of the producers of. When my brother (Derek Ailes) and I go on our book tour in 2017 will be bring some props from the movie with us on display.

 

Book Blurb for Undead Worlds:

22 Authors. 22 Undead worlds. 1 Great Book.
Do you dare?

Alone Together by David Simpson: What do you do when there is nowhere left to run? Gone Fishin’ by Justin Robinson: When the dead rise, the living become the monsters. The Festival by Christopher Manhood: A city on lockdown as a nation awaits bloodshed, let the festival begin. Jimmy by Arthur Mongelli: Decades of meddling with the food we eat brings about the zombie apocalypse, ordinary people struggle to survive. The Fort by Michael Whitehead: When sanctuary becomes a prison, all you can do is fight. Adam by Sylvester Barzey: Some families aren’t worth dying for. A Peaceful Town by Jeremy Dyson. The Undead Pool: The Zombie Night by Derek Ailes. Zombie Exterminators by Grivante: Two brothers saving the world one job at a time! The Horror at Roswell Mills by Michael Peirce. Before Safe Haven: Losing the Battle by Christopher Artinian: There is no greater weapon than the will to fight for the ones you love. On the Rocks by E.E. Isherwood. Morning of The Living Dead by Mark Cusco Ailes. Defenseless: A Story of Death & Decay by R. L. Blalock: As the zombies rise, 6-year-old Dylan must face a frightening new world alone. To the Hills by T. D. Ricketts: A real live zombie apocalypse! When I Grow Up, I Won’t Be by Brea Behn: What if you knew you’d never make it to 18? Fallen by Jessica Gomez. Brain Waves by Julien Saindon. Damaged Goods by Samie Sands: There’s only one rule: don’t get bit! Avery by Valerie Lioudis: Trapped in a world with the undead, Avery looks to control it by filling her space with treasures, leading her to risk her life for useless garbage. In the Beginning, God by Charles Ingersoll: God made Man. Man made monsters. Evacuation by Adrienne Lecter: When the world is about to end, one man has to bring home the bacon.

GoodReads ~ Amazon

Mark Cusco Ailes

Mark Cusco Ailes is the author of several novels, including The Day The Earth Cried, which is popular in England. He currently resides in Valparaiso, Indiana and often mentions his hometown in his books. His hobbies include meeting celebrities at conventions, reading, writing, and acting. He was the drummer for the 80s heavy metal band Latem. He was an extra in the movie Moon 44, and he has been in several stage plays. In the eighties he designed haunted houses in Stuttgart, West Germany three years in a row and won two awards for best design. He also has done several radio and television commercials.

Mark Cusco Ailes is currently working on the third book in the Z-Day Trilogy.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Amazon

Here’s some of the prizes that you could win!

Signed paperbooks of Undead Worlds anthology (USA only) courtesy of T. D. Ricketts

Ebook copy of Aftershock Book 1 by Valerie Lioudis (International)

Ebook of Lockdown by Samie Sands (International)

Ebook of Red Dirt Zombies Book 1 by Michael Peirce (International)

Signed paper copy of Undead on Arrival & swag from Justin Robinson (USA)

Ebooks Undead On Arrival & Coldheart by Justin Robinson (International)

Signed paper copy of Harvest of Ruin by Arthur Mongelli (USA only)

Audiobook Mash Anthology via Audible UK courtesy of Grivante

Paperbook The Zee Brothers by Grivante (USA only)

Ebooks of Legion of the Undead & Legion of the Undead: Rise and Fall by Michael Whitehead (International)

Ebooks Infected and Immune by Jessica Gomez (International)

Any 2 books by Derek Ailes (paperbooks for USA or ebooks for International)

GIVEAWAY!!!

So these lovely authors have pitched in some great prizes, as you saw above. Here’s a quick list of them again:

2 signed paperbooks of Undead Worlds anthology (USA only)
Ebook copy of Aftershock Book 1 by Valerie Lioudis (international)
Ebook of Lockdown (international) by Samie Sands
2 ebooks Red Dirt Zombies Book 1 (international) by Michael Peirce
Signed copy of Undead on Arrival & swag (USA) by Justin Robinson
Ebooks Undead On Arrival & Coldheart (International) by Justin Robinson
Signed copy of Harvest of Ruin (USA only) by Arthur Mongelli
2 UK Audible Mash Anthology
Paperbook The Zee Brothers (USA only) by Grivante
Ebook of Legion of the Undead & Legion of the Undead: Rise and Fall (International) by Michael Whitehead
Ebooks Infected and Immune (International) by Jessica Gomez
Any 2 books by Derek Ailes (paper for USA & ebooks for International)

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below or answer these questions in the comments. Note that commenting on any of the Undead Worlds interviews or this master post gets you extra points! 1) Which prize(s) are you most interested in? 2) What is the best zombie story you have experienced? 3) What country do you live in? 4) Leave a way to contact you (email, facebook link, twitter, etc.). Giveaway runs from October 1 through November 27, 2017 midnight. Good luck!

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Interview: Scott Rhine, Author of the Military SF Novel Void Contract

Folks, please give a warm welcome to author Scott Rhine. We chat about what authors we’d want by our sides in difficult times or in a classroom, first book, and plenty more. Enjoy!

1) If you could be an extra on a TV show or movie, what would it be and what would you be doing?

The Lost Room. My character would give out the items to people who ask me for handouts on the street.

2) If you could give any literary villain a happy ending who would you chose?

Jaime in Game of Thrones. I would have had him realize that Brienne could rock his world.

3) What has been your worst or most difficult job? How does it compare to writing?

Carrying a beeper for software customer support and having workers in India page me when they had any questions at all. It gave me an ulcer. Writing may have ups and downs, but creating relieves stress.

4) You are stuck in space in dire straights. Which science fiction authors would you want with you?

Allen Steele, hard sci-fi expert who has written a lot on space.
Carl Sagan, because he knows a little about everything science and math.
Robert Heinlein because I think he actually worked with radar in WWII.

5) If you were asked to create the syllabus for a college class in SFF literature, what books would be on there as required reading? As passing discussion?

NF
Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style”
Stephen King’s “On Writing”
Campbell’s “The Power of Myth”

SHORTS/HISTORY
Arthur C Clarke’s “Tales from the White Hart”
Asimov’s “I Robot”
Card “Ender’s Game” the short story.
Gibson “Burning Chrome”

FIC
Zelazny’s “Lord of Light” for incorporating myth.
Kress’s “Beggars in Spain” for taking a simple idea to the furthest extent.
Vinge’s “A Fire on the Deep”
Niven/Pournelle “Mote in God’s Eye”
Haldeman “There is No Darkness”
Williams “Voice of the Whirlwind”
Stephenson “Snow Crash”

mention:
Heinlein “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”
Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse 5”
Simmon’s “Endymion”
Brinn “Startide Rising”
Vance “Languages of Pao”

6) Care to share an awkward fangirl/fanboy moment, either one where someone was gushing over your work…..or one where you were gushing over another author’s work?

I correspond about once a year with LE Modesitt. I’m a huge fan. When I told him that I modeled the Batman feel of my latest novel “Quantum Zero Sentinel” after his “Flash/Archform” world, he asked me to send him a copy of the paperback.

It’s an awesome world.

7) What is a recurring or the most memorable geeky argument or debate you have taken part in?

The best strategy for getting experience points in Pokemon Go. My kids both backed me against my wife, who values each monster she has nurtured and doesn’t want to trade any.

8a) Side characters can make or break a story. What side characters have you enjoyed in other works?

Guildenstern and Rosencrantz
The dagger in Brust’s Jhereg series

8b) What side characters in your own work have caught more attention than you expected?

In “Foundation for the Lost”, Eoin goes on a front-lawn Santa hunt with a baseball bat and a pack of Guinness. I end up reading that scene when I visit the local library for events. Elves who hate Santa strike people as funny.

In “Empress of Dreams”, one of mothers of a contestant is the ultimate dirty-tricks mistress. You just have to love Lady Evershade because she is so committed and scares the tar out of the heroes. Though she is a pure product of her culture, and the ideal aristocrat’s wife.

9) What is the first book you remember reading on your own?

The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

10) You have to run an obstacle course. Who do you invite along (living or dead, real or fictional)?

Ang from Last Airbender. If I could make it funny, he’d help me win.

About Author Scott Rhine:

Scott Rhine wanted to find a job that combined his love of reading with math problem solving, so he studied both short stories and computer languages. As a techno-gypsy, he worked on optimizing some of the fastest and largest supercomputers in the world. A couple of degrees, patents, and children later, at forty-eight, he still didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up. When his third publication, “Doors to Eternity,” hit #16 on the Amazon epic fantasy list, he decided to become a full-time author. Since then, each book of his “Jezebel’s Ladder” series hit the high-tech science fiction top 100. His new medical thriller, “the K2 Virus,” is his highest rated novel with the first 12 reviews ranking it five stars.

Humor is a part of every story he writes because people are funny, even when they don’t think so. In the real world, something always goes wrong and people have flaws. If you can’t laugh at yourself, someone is probably doing it for you. Strong female characters also play a major role in his stories because he’s married to a beautiful PhD who can edit, break boards, and use a chainsaw.

Website | Facebook

Synopsis of Void Contract:

Max Culp escaped his low-tech home world by serving in the marines as a medic. Unable to adapt to civilian life as a medical intern, he joined Special Forces to track down the Phib war criminals who caused his recurring nightmares. By the time the final Phib is captured, Max has become an urban legend among the aliens. He isn’t sure how to apply those skills to a new life until someone kidnaps his last surviving friend.

Audible ~ Amazon

Bookish Giveaway & Interview: Dean M. Cole, Author of Solitude

Folks, please give a warm welcome to science fiction author Dean M. Cole! We chat about Star Wars, world travel, and how cool a game based on Ready Player One would be. Scroll to the bottom for the giveaway!

If you could be an extra on a TV show or movie, what would it be and what would you be doing?

I’d be a red shirt on an episode of Star Trek, and of course, I would only have one, monosyllabic name … I think Dean would work. I’m sure I would die a very gruesome, horrible death as I was eaten by a blue, velvet-clad monster.

If you could, what book or movie or TV series would you like to experience for the first time all over again and why?

Star Wars, of course. However, I imagine you get that one all the time so let’s go with Madea’s Big Happy Family … or not. Seriously, though, I would love to recapture the awe and magic of my first viewing of the original Star Wars.

What book should be made into a game (card, PC, board, etc.) and why? Is there a specific character who you would want to play in this game?

That’s easy: Ready Player One! I am a huge fan. I’d want to play the main character, Wade Watts. This proposed game would need virtual reality goggles and haptic gloves and suits. Hell, bring on the OASIS already.

As a commercial pilot, you travel quite a bit. Where do you consider home? What’s the furthest you have traveled from home (in distance or culture or socioeconomics)? Would you like to live there?

My wife and I live in Seabrook, Texas, a coastal community between Houston and Galveston. Work travels have taken me as far as Equatorial Guinea in Africa and parts of Asia. At one point, I traveled to Thailand by way of Moscow and Singapore, a trip that took me past the North Pole and across the entire Eurasian continent (that was a very long day). Donna can retire from her job next year, and we plan to begin traveling full-time. So we hope to sell our house and live everywhere—within reason. Our ultimate plan changes from week to week. Our current idea is to airBnB it across the world, but the next time you chat with us, we may be leaning toward using a Class A motorhome to travel across the US and Canada. At other times, we’re leaning toward buying a liveaboard sailboat and hanging out in the Caribbean, although for that last option, I’ll need to sell more books.

What nonfiction works have you found useful in building your science fiction stories?

I love reading articles about cutting edge ideas in physics and science. Almost all of the technologies that I employ in my stories are based on technologies and theories that I’ve read about online.

Who are your favorite hero duos from the pages?

That would be Stu and Fran, two of my favorite characters from Stephen King’s The Stand. Reading that book as a teenager sparked my love for apocalyptic tales.

Care to share an awkward fangirl/fanboy moment, either one where someone was gushing over your work…..or one where you were gushing over another author’s work?

As a young Army attack helicopter pilot, I had an opportunity to work on the set of a movie filmed at Fort Hood, Texas. It was called Firebirds and starred Nicholas Cage, Sean Young, and Tommy Lee Jones. (If you don’t remember that one, don’t worry you didn’t miss much.) One evening, after the shoot, I attempted to teach Sean Young how to country dance. I think about 20 seconds into the lesson, I inadvertently guided her right into a railing … Fail!

What is the first book you remember reading on your own?

Dick and Jane, guess I’m dating myself with that one.

Check out more interviews, guest posts, and reviews on the blog tour.

About Author Dean M. Cole:

Author, world traveler, and combat pilot turned commercial helicopter pilot Dean M. Cole writes from locales as remote as Equatorial Guinea and as romantic as Paris’s Champs-Elysées with his trusty sidekick and beautiful wife, Donna. A combat veteran, he flew Apache Attack Helicopters in the US Army’s First Cavalry Division.

License to kill revoked by the government, he traded in his attack helicopter for one of the transport ilk. When not weaving tales of alien apocalypse and redemption, he spends his days flying terrestrial aliens in IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) known as helicopters. No longer authorized to dispatch aliens he settles for dropping them off at oil rigs around the globe.

On the six months of time off his paying job affords, author, biker, and fellow Sci-Fi geek Dean M. Cole travels with his wife, builds airplanes and custom choppers, and writes his next tale of the apocalypse.

Website ~ GoodReads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Synopsis of Solitude:

Earth’s last man discovers that the last woman is stranded alone aboard the International Space Station. If you like action-packed novels, you’ll love the electrifying action in this apocalyptic thriller.
Can humanity’s last two unite?

Separated by the gulf of space, the last man and woman of the human race struggle against astronomical odds to survive and unite.

Army Aviator Vaughn Singleton is a highly intelligent, lazy man. After a last-ditch effort to reignite his failing military career ends horribly, Vaughn becomes the only human left on Earth.

Stranded alone on the International Space Station, Commander Angela Brown watches an odd wave of light sweep across the planet. Over the next weeks and then months, Angela struggles to contact someone on the surface, but as she fights to survive aboard a deteriorating space station, the commander glimpses the dark underpinnings of humanity’s demise.
After months alone, Vaughn discovers there is another. Racing against time, he must cross a land ravaged by the consequences of humankind’s sudden departure.

Can Vaughn find a path to space and back? Can Angela – the only person with clues to the mystery behind humanity’s disappearance – survive until he does?

Audible ~ Amazon ~ Audio Excerpt

About Narrator R. C. Bray:

From an early age Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS Voice Arts Award-winning audiobook narrator R.C. Bray despised reading. Truly hated it with a passion.

And audiobooks? Even worse. Those were for people too lazy to read (not to be confused with those like himself who didn’t want to read to begin with).

R.C. eventually got older and wiser (he was always good-looking) and eschewing his capricious convictions fell head-over-heels with reading. Not just to learn words like “eschew” and “capricious” so he could use them in a bio line, but because someone was actually going to give him money to do it.

Note: R.C.’s gorgeous wife and three beautiful children begged him not to make this his official bio. Clearly he misunderstood

Facebook ~ Twitter

About Narrator Julia Whelan:

Julia Whelan is an actor, writer, and audiobook narrator. She is perhaps most well known for her acting work on ABC’s Once and Again and her award-winning narration of over 200 audiobooks (including Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl). Her debut novel is forthcoming.

After a healthy career as a child actor, Whelan attended Middlebury College and Oxford University, graduating with a degree in English and Creative Writing.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

GIVEAWAY!!!

The giveaway is for a $20 Amazon gift card. Open internationally! Ends July 5th, 2017.
Solitude Giveaway

The Best & Worst of 2016

2016 is finally over! It was a tough year for me, even right up to the end where I caught a nasty holiday bug. I did read a lot of great books last year. According to my Goodreads profile, I read 208 books, nearly 100 less than the year before. I blame my new found love of Netflix bingewatching for that. Here are my favorite 11 books of the year, in no particular order (no counting rereads).

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

BrownRedRising

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

ClineReadyPlayerOne

Skin Game by Jim Butcher

ButcherSkinGame

Cemetery Lake by Paul Cleave

Tofu will help me hide the bodies.
Tofu will help me hide the bodies.

Anne Manx on Amazonia by Larry Weiner

WeinerAnneManxOnAmazonia

Chapelwood by Cherie Priest

PriestChapelwood

The Green Children by Domino Finn

FinnTheGreenChildren

Dragon Gate by Gary Jonas (Jonathan Shade #3)

JonasDragonGate

Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword by Kiera Gillett

GillettZariaFierceAndTheEnchantedDrakelandSword

You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day

Chupa being weird.
Chupa being weird.

Cthulhu Armageddon by C. T. Phipps

PhippsCthulhuArmageddon

I did some rereads this past year – The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (yep, from the beginning), Terre D’Ange Cycle by Jacqueline Carey (I’ve been reading with a great group of on-line friends and we’re up to Book 7 now), Dune by Frank Herbert (just because it’s awesome), Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delaney (I read this in paperback some years ago but now it’s available as an audiobook and it is incredibly well done).

Here are the top 3 books that didn’t do it for me:

Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward

WardLoverEternal

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

ColeAHungerLikeNoOther

Hair Power by Piers Anthony

AnthonyHairPower

I also joined a romance book club. I’ve never really enjoyed romance novels. I don’t mind if a book has romance in it but the main plot has to be something more than finding true love or getting laid for me to really enjoy it. So, I thought perhaps I was wrong in binning romance books all together and pretty much ignoring them. With that in mind, I joined this lovely group of people and gave the romance genre a real shot at winning my heart. We read several paranormal and urban fantasy romances, a few contemporary romances (some with suspense and one with BDSM), and 1 historical fiction romance. In general, I was underwhelmed. Some of the books did exceed my expectations and for romance novels they were good, but none of them made it into my top 50. Let me slightly amend that. I had the opportunity to host twice, which means I picked the book we read. Both times I picked books I had not previously read and one of them was Darkness Haunts by Susan Ilene. There is no romance in this novel. There’s a spattering of flirting, but that is all. While several people enjoyed it (including me), it does not count as a romance novel. Obviously, I’m not a good host for a romance book club but the group was great about it.

Also here are some of my notable firsts for 2016:

My first Stephen King novel – 11-22-63

King112263

My first Star Wars novel – Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne

Guess which side of the Force Chupacabr is on?
Guess which side of the Force Chupacabra is on?

My first Podiobooks audiobook – Marker Stone by Paul J. Joseph

JosephMarkerStone

My first Kurt Vonnegut novel – Cat’s Cradle

VonnegutCatsCradleTofu

As 2016 ends, I am looking forward to a better year in 2017. I spent all of 2016 sick and most of it on bed rest. It took quite some time and many doctors to get diagnosed. I now know that I have CTEPH and in February I will be in San Diego having PTE surgery to hopefully correct the issue. It’s a major surgery and I could be in the hospital recovering for up to 20 days. So if Dab of Darkness goes dark between Ground Hog’s Day and Valentine’s Day, it’s just me laid up in a hospital recovering. Life should get better after that surgery and I’m just really looking forward to being on the other side of it. 24/7 supplemental oxygen makes life rather boring, as I can now attest to.

The Beauty and the Beast Book Tag

Heya Everyone! I was recently tagged by The Audiobookworm in this fun book tag. Feel free to comment on my book choices or to add your own for each category in the comments. I’m going to tag a few people at the end, but if you want to throw up a post with your answers, leave me your link in the comments so I can swing by.

1. “Tale As Old As Time” – A popular theme, trope or setting you will never get bored of reading.

Theme – Underdog

BrownRedRisingThe Red Rising series by Pierce Brown was excellent. Can’t wait to see more from this author. If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s a mash up of Roman mythology/military command structure with terraforming of Mars and beyond. Be proud of your scars. You’ve earned them!

BernheimerConfessionsOfDListSupervillainD-List Supervillain series by Jim Bernheimer – which is just a lot of damn fun! Mostly, the supervillains in this series are just anti-organization. The various super-characters are imaginative and there’s plenty of humor.

Trope – Artificial Intelligence

DircksTheWrongUnitI recently read a whole bunch of AI stuff. The Wrong Unit by Rob Dircks was a delight. It had that right mix of humor and serious bits. The AI units are programmed to learn to care for their humans, so the anthropomorphizing of the AI units is realistically built into the story.

PerreaultProgenyRay Jay Perreault has written several stories that feature AI and I have been enjoying making my way through his audiobooks. Progeny is one of my favorite AI stories, though his AIs run the gamut of cold, calculating evil to human-like societal beings.

Heldig and Chupa being anything but helpful.

Serengeti by JB Rockwell was super intense in several ways. The story starts off with a space battle and the AIs are the ships, though they all have human crews. This space battle takes perhaps as much as half the book. Then the second half is the story of this one ship trying to limp home. The humans have to go into stasis, so that just leaves the ship’s AI and her little AI minion bots. The struggle to reach their goal, to stay sane over the lengthy years, to keep functioning just enough to keep the human crew alive – just an excellent tale.

Setting – Ancient Times

There’s plenty of stuff that happened in ancient times. Most of it is interesting, gritty, and dramatic. Here’s a list of some of the stuff I’ve read so far and have really enjoyed.

SmithRiseOfZenobiaConn Iggulden’s Emperor series – This series focuses on Julius Caesar, starting with his boyhood years and going all the way through his life to the dramatic, bitter end.

The Rise of Zenobia by JD Smith – set during the Roman empire in the Syrian city of Palmyra. I learned from this book and that always is a plus.

John Maddox Roberts’s SPQR murder mystery series – Set in 1st century ancient Rome during the time of Crassus and Pompey. Who could resist murder mystery and ancient Rome? Not me!

Patrick Bowman’s retelling of The Odyssey for young adults – The Odyssey of the Slave series. In this series, the focus is on a young lad who is taken as a slave when the famous city of Troy falls.

Colossus by Colin Falconer – This is a tale of Alexander the Great. Technically, it’s an alternate history, but if you don’t know much abut Alexander and the arc of his life, you wouldn’t know it. I really enjoyed this tale – elephants!

The Sekhmet Bed by LM Ironside – set in ancient Egypt. Ahmose was raised up to Great Royal Wife status. Political intrigue plays a big role in this story.

RobertsClaimedByTheEnemyRise to Power by Uvi Poznansky – set in the land of Israel in the 1st or 2nd century BCE. This is the first book in a series about David and his rise to power told from a secular point of view.

Claimed by the Enemy by Shauna Roberts – despite the title and the cover art, this book is pretty darn good. Set in ancient Mesopotamia during the time of King Sargon, the book focuses on two young individuals who were placed in difficult positions.

2. Belle – A book you bought for it’s beautiful cover that’s just as beautiful inside too

KayUnderHeavenGuy Gavriel Kay never fails to provide a beautiful story and his covers are always so well done. Recently, I read Children of Earth and Sky, and the cover is indeed just as beautiful as the tale inside. If you said I had to pick my favorite GGK novel, I would be hard-pressed to say which it was. His Sarantium duology is about the fall of an empire, so plenty of vast ideas going on there but with excellent pinpoint characters that do a great job of showing the human side. I also loved The Lions of Al-Rassan, which is based on Moorish Spain. There’s plenty of areas of conflict but also plenty of areas for commonality. I could go on and on, but you should just go pick up some GGK for yourself.

Slinky was chewing on my shoes so I gave her a book to look at.

Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear was one of my favorite reads of 2015. The cover did a great job of capturing the Wild West and Steampunk mix of the story. Karen was also a wonderful character, not being a stereotypical kick ass heroine that are so abundant lately. She does kick ass, she’s just also a real person who happens to be brave when backed into a corner.

3. Beast – A book you didn’t expect much from but pleasantly surprised you.

AllendeZorroZorro by Isabel Allende was a pleasant surprise. In essence, it was an origin story for Zorro. I loved watching the black & white TV show was a kid so it was pretty cool to read this book and get Allende’s take on how Zorro came to be. There was a lot more depth to this character than I expected, which, in retrospect, was silly of me. Zorro lived during a time of Spanish colonialism in the New World – there were plenty of cultures and conflicts. Allende did a great job of pulling those elements into this tale.

ClinesTheFoldThe Fold by Peter Clines was one of the best SF Thriller novels I have read. It was fun. It was intense. It had SF themes that I could get into. The characters were also interesting, especially the lead guy who has a true eidetic memory. This was both a help and a hindrance to him.

King11226311-22-63 by Stephen King is the first King novel I have read. It won’t be the last. King did a really great job with the characters in this book. I know some folks have labeled him as a horror novelist, and nothing more. However, this book shows that he has a lot more going on. It’s obvious he put quite a bit of research in to the time and location (1963, Texas) of the bulk of the book. While I do expect that as I explore King’s works, this novel won’t be my favorite but it certainly delivered more than I expected.

4. Gaston – A book everyone loves that you don’t.

Luxor looking for another human who will do his will.

Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel – I was on the fence about this one. I liked that it was a post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel that wasn’t full of angst. However, I didn’t really care for the character Arthur Leander, who all the other characters are somehow connected with. He was boring and I wanted to know more about these other characters but the story kept coming back to him.

CoehloAlchemistThe Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo – it’s a young man’s adventure quest and it’s been done so many times before. All the ladies are in some subservient role, which is also a standard (unfortunately) in such adventure tales. Most of the men have a Personal Legend to find or to fullfill. Meanwhile, the 3 female characters lack any such ambition.

Grahame-SmithAbrahamLincolnVampireHunterAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith – The most exciting parts of this book were the dream sequences and even those were mean tricks. The reader enters each of the dream sequences as if they are the next part of the story and only at the end of the scene do you realize it’s a dream. I really liked Grahame-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and his Unholy Nights was pretty entertaining as well, so I was sad to say that I found this book to be a snoozer.

5. Lefou – A loyal sidekick you can’t help but love more than their counter part.

LynchTheLiesOfLockeLamoraJean Tannen from The Gentlemen Bastards series by Scott Lynch – This series is full of creative cursing, thievery, camaraderie, magic, death, romance, pirates, evil people getting their due, the good guys getting the crap beaten out of them, and more creative cursing.

PriestBloodshotHeldigAdrian from the Cheshire Red Reports by Cherie Priest – Adrian is still a bit of a mystery, since I have only read the first 2 books in this series (I hope there will be more in the series!). He’s ex-military on a search for his missing kid sister. He’s also a dragqueen, and his parents have disowned him because of this. He makes a great sidekick for Raylene, the vampire thief.

6. Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumier & Cogsworth – A book that helped you through a difficult time or that taught you something valuable.

For over a year now, I have been going through this medical thing. I’ve basically been on bed rest for a year now and I was finally diagnosed in May with CTEPH – which is basically blood clots that have hardened in my pulmonary arteries, which has caused pulmonary hypertension to a moderately high degree, which will be fatal…. in perhaps 6-10 years, unless I have this big, kinda cool in a SF way, kinda scary in a mortality rate way, surgery. That’s scheduled for early February. So, these books have helped me cope with this lengthy process.

Good cat, good book, what else does one need?

Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford – this is a coloring book for adults and it’s the first one I ever bought. It’s remarkably detailed and it’s pretty amazing how coloring really takes me out of my current situation. Also, it’s something I  can do while listening to audiobooks.

CareyKushiel'sDartTerre D’Ange Cycle by Jacqueline Carey – This series has been awesome and I have been part of a group read along with several wonderful ladies on the blogosphere. I’ve read Book 1, Kushiel’s Dart, so many times but it was quite something to share it with others in this in-depth discussion of the book. We started the read along back in May 2015, and now we’re on Book 7, Naamah’s Kiss. We’ll have to finish the last two books after my surgery – so that gives me something to look forward to. If you haven’t checked this series out, then I highly recommend it for alternate history and epic fantasy fans. I know sometimes it gets panned because there is plenty of sex in it, but the amount sex doesn’t outweigh all the awesomeness – the political intrigue, the sword fights, the desperate straights of the heroes, the saving of the realm! Honestly, the sex enhances the characters instead of just being padding to up the page count.

7. “Something There” – A book or a series that you weren’t into at first but picked up towards the end.

JordanPathOfDaggersThe Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan – It took me about 4 books to really get into this series, but I’m very glad I read it as it is a touchstone for epic fantasy fans. The first book really took a lot from Tolkien’s works and I was bit insulted the first and second time I read it. However, I was encouraged by a great group of book bloggers, who were part of this big 2+ years-long read along of the series, to keep going. Also, in an interview, Jordan spoke about how he wanted to model Book 1 on Tolkien’s works to give readers something familiar. Eventually, starting at Book 4, Jordan’s genius really starts to show through. I am very much hoping they do make this series in to a quality TV series or a quality series of movies.

8. “Be Our Guest” – A fictional character you’d love to have over for dinner.

ButcherDeadBeatHarry Dresden & Bob the Skull from Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files – This is one of my favorite urban fantasy series. The first few can be read in any order, but I think the series is best read in order since the larger story arc starts really building on itself around Book 4 or 5, though there are small things even in Book 1 that are tied into again later in the series. Bob would be a hoot at any dinner party. He doesn’t get much socializing, so he lacks all those hindrances that make most dinner conversations so dull.

HearneShatteredAtticus & Oberon from Kevin Hearne’s The Iron Druid Chronicles – this is yet another favorite urban fantasy series. Oberon would bring the appetite and the humor with his simple doggy demands. Atticus, being the 2000+ year old druid that he is, would be able to chat about several entertaining subjects.

Tagging Others

So now I would like to tag some other bookish folks, though please don’t feel obligated if this isn’t your cup of tea. Also, if I don’t tag you but you want to play along, please do! And leave me a comment with a link to your post so I can visit.

Lynn from Books and Travelling

Andrea from Little Red Reviewer

Julie from Oh, Julie!

Austine from Novel Knight

Book Wins from Novel Knight
Book Wins from Novel Knight

And I would like to smash into this long post a big thank you to Austine! I won a very fun book package from her recently. It was full of books and bookish things and fake tattoos and a red mask and nail art. And then she wrapped everything in gold paper! This box of goodies was such an upper, especially since I have been sick. I loved unwrapping everything and modeling the mask, tattoos, and nail art for my man. Thank you Austine!

Audiobook Giveaway & Interview: Marcus Damanda, Author of The Devil in Miss Drake's Class Series

DamandaDevilsInTheDarkEveryone, please give a warm welcome to author Marcus Damanda. Don’t miss the GIVEAWAY at the end of this post – an Audible.com version of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class trilogy, narrated by Jessica McEvoy, ebook copies of the same trilogy, and ebook copies of The Salvation State.

If you could be an extra on a TV show or movie, what would it be and what would you be doing?

On TV, I’d love to make an appearance on Game of Thrones. One of the principal villains of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class, Maggie Lassiter, is a reference to the Lannister family, after all. What I would like to do is be in one of those tavern scenes drinking ale, telling bawdy jokes, surrounded by beautiful—oh, hell. They’d probably make me some portly little servant of “The Seven” or something. Maybe Bran’s next tutor in that whole “Three-Eyed Raven” story thread.

Is there a genre or literary niche that you feel hasn’t gotten its deserved amount of attention?

Actually, all the genres I love to read from are pretty popular, at present! I love horror stories, dystopian future, fantasy—and I’m very much in love with the young adult and teen market. But my publisher, Evernight Teen, has dozens of terrific authors of edgy teen romance, and I don’t think they get near the amount of attention they deserve.

DamandaADeilInDaylightTell me about Shazam, just because. How did he get his name? Is he a fan of your books? Or a hindrance to writing?

Shazam is my twenty pound Russian blue bundle of cat stubbornness, snarkery, and unconditional love. I had the name before I went hunting for a cat to adopt. I searched until I found a cat who fit the name. Always on the move, my Shazam. And he’s not just a fan of my books. He’s a contributor. He hops right up on the keyboard while I’m at work. See? Here’s the beginning of a new short story: “It was nearing midnight when I exited the safe house through the front 2333333333”.

What’s the most interesting gross fact you know?

I know that the human head continues to think for an indeterminate amount of seconds after decapitation. Takes time for oxygen and blood deprivation to get the job done. Varies by person. This is kind of interesting, because—what? Hey, you asked.

What now-dead author would you like to interview? What are some of the things you would chat about?

I’d have to interview Robert Cormier, author of controversial young adult titles such as The Chocolate War and After the First Death. He was the very architect of the anti-happy ending—and I mean that really and completely, to the extent that his stories became predictable. And yet you couldn’t turn away from his special infusion of misery. I’d have a whole slew of questions, but my first would be, “Are you happy now? All better?”

Who are some of your favorite book villains?

I love Tolkien’s Gollum, first and foremost (not to be confused with Andy Serkis’s Gollum, although his was amusing in a different way). No villain has ever been so simultaneously reprehensible and sympathetic. For pure, consistent awfulness, I’m also a big fan of Yyrkoon from the Elric of Melnibone fantasy series. And, as a nameless collective, the entire government in Neal Shusterman’s Unwind dystology.

DamandaTheDevilAtPlayIf you couldn’t be a writer, what would you chose to do?

Exactly what I’m doing: teaching! Nothing keeps me up-to-date on the human condition so much as educating kids. One day I’ll retire, though, and probably end up selling comics and cards somewhere …

You used to be part of a garage heavy metal band. Has your interest in music slipped into your books?

Oh, yes. I bug Jessica McEvoy (the brilliant and talented voice actress who reads my audiobooks) all the time with my “soundtracks.” She’s very patient and tolerant of me. I used to think I was the only one who created playlist soundtracks for his own books. Now I know everyone does it, which is a source of never ending frustration to me.

(If you look in the back of the paper-bound edition of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class trilogy, or The Forever Show and Teeth, I include my suggested playlists there, just for fun.)

If you were asked to create the syllabus for a college class in Horror literature, what books would be on there as required reading? As passing discussion?

Required reading: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Stephen King’s It (not to be confused with the horrible TV movie), Dean Koontz’s Intensity, William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist.

Passing discussion: Unwind, by Neal Shusterman, The Night Runners, by Joe Lansdale, and Edgar Allan Poe’s complete anthology of short stories.

DamandaTheSalvationStateCare to share an awkward fangirl/fanboy moment, either one where someone was gushing over your work…..or one where you were gushing over another author’s work?

I’ll deliver on both!

I got to be the “featured author” at the school where I teach a couple years ago. This was, of course, awesome and indescribably fun. I got to talk to groups of kids, four or five hundred at a time in the gym, and at the end of my presentation I did a Q&A. I was really in my element, actually, until I called on one young girl whose question was, “How did you get to be so brilliant?” And that stopped me cold. I was literally stuttering in my inability to formulate a reply. To me, what I do, at its highest level, can best be described as “crafted entertainment.” I don’t even aspire to art, much less “brilliance” …

And I can’t “gush” enough in my praise for fellow Evernight Teen authors S.D. Wasley and Christine Potter. I do it all the time! Those two, now—THEY’RE brilliant.

DamandaDevilsInTheDarkBook Blurb for Devils in the Dark (Book 1 of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class series):

“The paramedics shared a look: This one was serious.”

To most of the Facebook 15, bullying Audrey Bales was just a game – until two deep cuts with a Swiss army knife changed everything forever. Audrey didn’t want attention anymore. After five weeks at Fairview High School, Audrey wanted to die.

The doctors did the only thing they could with her: they put her away.

But in Fairview, Virginia, the nightmare is only beginning. The chat session had not gone unobserved. The Facebook 15 have drawn the attention of an ancient evil that lives only to punish those who would prey upon the weak.

They are the ghosts of 1,000 dead children – 1,000 suicides – and their master….

Their master likes Audrey Bales.

And as Audrey attempts to heal her mind and body, far from home, their master prepares for the justice he will unleash upon her return.

DamandaADeilInDaylightBook Blurb for A Devil in Daylight (Book 2 of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class series): 

After three months in the suicide prevention wing of St. George’s, Audrey Bales is finally coming home. Enrolled at a new school, she plans to reinvent herself with a new look, new friends, and a second chance to be just like everyone else. But the kids who drove her over the edge aren’t through with her yet.

And one of her new friends has an agenda all his own.

“You will account for what you did to Audrey. You, and all the others. It will never stop …”

During the day, the halls of Battlefield High will echo with their screams.

“…until one of you ends it.”

And at night, their screams will be silenced.

DamandaTheDevilAtPlayBook Blurb for The Devil at Play (Book 3 in The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class series):

Now, too late for it to matter, Audrey understands at last. The devil of Fairview has been courting her for days, and watching her for much longer than that. The murderer is her boyfriend – and he’s been killing on her behalf.

His name is Jack Maddox, but everyone calls him Mad Jack. He’s planning a party, where everyone is invited, especially Audrey’s tormentors – especially the Facebook 15.

Audrey will have her revenge, whether she wants it or not.

Because, in Miss Drake’s class, the devil will have his due.

DamandaTheSalvationStateBook Blurb for The Salvation State:

“This is what the truth is. Second Salvations murdered my parents, and I’m running away.”

A single post over unregulated Internet channels. A sleeping society awakens to a chase, broadcast live on television screens all across the New United States of America.

Rebecca and Daniel have never met. A fifteen-year-old preacher’s kid and a sixteen-year-old atheist outcast, they have little in common. And yet they both have attracted the attention of a recruiter for Second Salvations, where bad kids go to be remade—or destroyed.

Agents of the New America Unity Church will stop at nothing to get them. They’re building an army, a modern children’s crusade, in which Rebecca and Daniel may be just the kind of future leaders they need.

If not, they might be just the kind of sacrifice necessary to keep the rest of the faithless in line.

AuthorMarcusDamandaAuthor Bio:

Marcus Damanda lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with his cat, Shazam. At various times throughout his life, he played bass guitar for the garage heavy metal band Mother’s Day, wrote for The Dale City Messenger, and published editorials in The Potomac News and The Freelance Star. To date, ten of his short horror stories have been produced by the Parsec Award winning NoSleep Podcast—featuring the brilliant and talented Jessica McEvoy, who has narrated four of his audiobooks as well. Currently, while not plotting his next foray into fictitious suburban mayhem, he spoils his nieces and nephews and teaches middle school English.

Places to Find Marcus Amanda

Webpage

Facebook

Twitter

Podcast

GoodReads

Amazon

Audible

GIVEAWAY!

Marcus Damanda is generously offering up 3 sets of the Audible.com audiobook trilogy The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class, along with 3 ebook copies of each of the following books: Devils in the Dark, A Devil in Daylight, The Devil at Play, & The Salvation State . You can enter the Rafflecopters below or you can answer these questions in the comments: 1) Do you prefer the ebook or audiobook version? 2) Do you have an Audible.com account? 3) Who are your favorite book villains? 4) Please leave a way to contact you if you win. Giveaways ends December 7, 2016, midnight.

Audible.com Audiobook copy of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class trilogy (3 winners)

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Ebook copies of The Devil in Miss Drake’s Class trilogy (3 winners) Open International

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Ebook copy of The Salvation State (3 winners) Open International

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