GROUND ZERO

The Murder & Obsession Tour Continues

Today you'll find me at:

Couples Counseling - Stuart R West

But before that there was

Need Some Intrigue - Michael Di Gesu

Alaska: Why it Speaks to Me - Denise C. Covey

Here TODAY!

We have Michael Abayomi

Author of Ground Zero

1. As a writer of fantasy the IWSG anthology was a perfect fit, did you find the challenge easy?

I’ve got to admit, I had experienced what you could call a light-bulb moment, when I heard about the IWSG anthology. And as fate would have it, I was already working on a story that fitted its alternative history theme at the time. So it was a no-brainer really, adapting that story to the short story format and submitting it as my entry. That said, I’ve spent many hours trying to perfect that story ever since, so I wouldn’t exactly call the challenge “easy.”

 2. Where did the idea for Ground Zero come from?

Several places, but I guess the genesis of the whole thing started after I read Man in the High Castle by Philips K. Dick. This was the first time I was captivated by an alternative version of reality where a key moment in history had played out quite differently from the version we are presently stuck in. My other sources of inspiration include the graphic-novel, Watchmen, as well as two of my favorite video game series, Fallout and Half-Life.

 3. What is it about an altered universe that you appreciate?

Just the possibility. Traditional science fiction has us looking forward, at a future that is more often than not different from our present society. Alternative history on the other hand has us looking backwards. It explores the possibility of how changes in the past would have affected society today. And therein lies its appeal, its attempt at answering the question, “What if…?”

 4. Please tell us about your epic fantasy series, Guardians & The Lost Paradise.

Guardians & The Lost Paradise is a 6-part series that was published over the course of 6 months in 2012. The books themselves took the better part of 6 years to write. The project was inspired by my love for fantasy, even though it also explores some real-life themes, like the loss of a loved one and how that can affect ones outlook on the world. The first book in the series is available for free on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and WattPad.

Ground Zero

Michael Abayomi

Tagline:

     The ruins of New York City might not be as deserted as they seem.

Blurb:

 Thirty years after a nuclear bomb devastates much of the Eastern United States, the survivors are still struggling to deal with the aftermath. Elijah is one of them, a man simply doing his part in the effort to rebuild from what's left. He is also a man on a mission, one that has been fueling what others might see as a morbid obsession with corpses. But he is secretly on a search for answers, a search that has taken him to Ground Zero, the very heart of the irradiated wasteland known as the Red Zone

Michael Abayomi was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He fell in love with the art of storytelling after reading J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. His books include Neuro, The Morning Star, and the epic fantasy series, Guardians & The Lost Paradise.

Website/Blog

Twitter

Thank you, Michael!

Ground Zero is very though provoking especially since I live in Ground Zero.

STRIKE by STUART WEST

The Murder & Obsession Blog Tour

is happening now

please swing by and say hello
Stuart R West - Couples Counseling

I've also visited

Michael Di Gesu - Need Some Intrigue

Denise C Covey - Alaska: Why It Speaks to Me

Today it's all about fun!

But surprise or maybe not . . .

Stuart West has also just released a new book

STRIKE: Killers Incorporated Book 2

One of the most prolific writers I've ever met, Stuart, has released 

12 or is it 13 books since 2013. 

Is that a record?

Mr. Prolific couldn't be here today, but he sent his

favorite serial killer

Leon Garber.

The protagonist or is that antagonist of his Killers Incorporated Series.

Truly, if your MC (main character) is a serial killer is he known as both the protagonist and antagonist? Hmm . . .

We'll research that later. Now onto to our interview with Leon.

I mean, dare I keep the man waiting?

As an introduction, here's what Stuart says about his top killer in Strike 

Leon Garber’s an accountant and occasional assassin. But he’s one of the good guys. See, Leon’s only interested in taking out abusers. He’s not the only serial killer on a mission, though. His past employer Like Minded Individuals, Inc. (LMI for short), employs quite a few. Mostly, Leon was a model employee. Or at least, he was until that little falling-out he had with them last year. Now he’s got a target on his back. He’s seriously out-numbered, but even worse, LMI has hired Leon’s former associate, Cody Spangler, to track him down. Unfortunately for Leon, someone else from Leon’s past, someone he never wanted to see again, has other ideas for Leon’s welfare. 

Welcome to Defending the Pen, Leon. Why don't you tell the readers a little about you?

Thank you for having me, but I think you've just done that. I'm a man on a mission, and as they say on TV, I have some baggage.

Yes, well, true. I guess we all have a little baggage. Please make yourself comfortable. If you prefer I can close the curtains. (The man seems more interested in the street out front.)

No, please, I need to stay alert. Thank you. (He sits on the edge of a chair)

Leon, you're the first serial killer I've invited here. How and why do you kill your victims?

Wait. Um, who told you about me? And this is...not going to be published, correct? And it will be confidential, I assume. Well, first of all, "serial killer" is such a nasty term. I tend to think of my occupation as pest control. All of my "projects" are abusive, horrible monsters. I'm making the world a safer, kinder place. And even though they don't deserved it, I'm very humane in my product disposal.
 

Yes, very humane. You seem to be able to disappear or recreate yourself on a frequent basis. Did Like-Minded Individuals, Inc. teach you these skills or is this something you pursued and mastered on your own?

I suppose you could say LMI, Inc. was indirectly responsible for this skill set since I've never had to use it before, really, until they came after me. We used to have such a beneficially rewarding relationship; LMI supplied me with a list of abusive projects, false papers, identities and cover jobs. They also offered clean-up crews (although I prefer to clean up after my own projects, not afraid to dirty my hands by good, honest work), and many other perks. All for a hefty price tag, of course. It was very nice. For a while. Until they broke their contract and turned on me.

They have thrown a monkey wrench into the works, but you seem to stay ahead them. Tell us about your lifestyle. It doesn't seem conducive to a relationship, would you like to change that and if so what type of woman would catch your eye and keep your attention?

Of course I would, Yolanda! But...I'm not sure if I could maintain an honest relationship with a woman. After all honesty is the basis for all solid relationships. So I've heard. Alas, my after-hours occupation doesn't exactly lend itself to pillow talk. Having said that...recently I met a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman who's also disenchanted with LMI. The problem? She's somewhat of a "black widow" killer sort. Not sure if I could ever relax. Again...no one but you's going to see this, right?
 

That's why I asked. I notice in Strike that you'd met someone interesting. Will that blossom?

 We'll just have to see how our adventures play out in the final and third memoir, King of Killers.


Is there anything you can tell us about King of Killers?

Um, no. Sorry, Yolanda, it hasn't played out yet. But I imagine things are going to get even uglier.

Well, then we'll end on a positive note. Is there something that you wish to achieve in your lifetime?

Yes, the total destruction of Like-Minded Individuals, it's board members, its corporate holdings and financial empire. Once I achieve that perhaps impossible feat. Then I'll retire. From...um taking on projects. Or I'm going to go down trying. LMI's betrayal--lying to me about my projects being abusers when it was just to further their political and economic goals--is unforgiveable. They're perhaps the worst abusers in the world.
 

A worthy goal and one I hope you achieve. Nevertheless, what does the future hold once you've achieved that goal?

Yolanda, I'm not sure I HAVE a future beyond today. One day at a time. Thanks so much for keeping this all confidential. I truly appreciate it. It's not often I get to unburden myself to someone. Being a "Like-Minded Individual" is very stressful.

I can understand why. You're a serial killer, a vigilante, a hero with baggage. Truly, that's not a burden I could carry. 

Thank you, Leon, for sharing your story with us.

I wave as he drives away, thankful that he's driving away. Then I rush to the phone to call the Real Estate agent. What was I thinking inviting a serial killer into my home! 

Meet Mr. Prolific the creator of Killers Incorporated, I mean meet Stuart R West, the author of the Killers Incorporated books.

I live in Kansas. It's a curse and a blessing. It's a curse because...well, it's Kansas. But it's great because Kansas is creepy. Lots of cool and strange things happen here in the midwest. I'll be writing about them in both young adult and adult thrillers.

I'm married to a professor of pharmacy (who greatly appreciates that I now prepare dinner for her) and have a 20 year old daughter, who hasn't yet decided what to do with her life. But that's okay...it took me 25 years or longer.

Check out my blog at: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/

What do you think about serial killers turned hero?

Would you allow one of them in your living room?

Have you read any of Stuart West's books?

~~ Amazon ~~ Blog ~~ 

~~ Buy His Books Here ~~

A TO Z - MURDER & OBSESSION

MURDER & OBSESSION

IS MY a TO z THEME!

I'm taking places, characters, scenes, and other interesting items about my book and I give a brief explanation with a very short snippet from the book. 

Enjoy!

MURDER & OBSESSION

        Light and love seem a fleeting moment in the frozen north of Alaska. Despite his personal experiences with evil, Detective Steven Quaid is determined to hold on to that light amidst the darkness. Accused of murdering his fiancée, Detective Quaid flees incarceration to track down the culprit. He might survive the wilderness, and a savage bear attack, but another man's insidious obsession could finally prove more powerful than this dedicated detective.

My A to Z Subjects

A - Anaktuvuk
B - Big Lake
C - Coldfoot
D - Deadhorse
E - Escape
F - Fairbanks
G - Grizzly
H - Hypothermia
I - Investigation
J - Juggernaut
K - Knife
L - Little Diomede
M - Murder
N - Nome
O - Obsession
P - Provideniya
Q - Quinn
R - Research
S - Sleeping Lady
T - Tlingit
U - Unusual
V - Villains
W - Writing
X - X-Factor
Y - Yolanda
Z - Zazzy

WIN

My Book Blog Tour for Murder & Obsession
is in full swing

I'm guesting with Michael Di Gesu

Need Some Intrigue?

But it all started with Denise Covey
& 
Alaska: Why It Speaks To Me!
___

While here today

Please welcome Sylvia Ney

another author highlight from the

IWSG Anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here! 

Sylvia agreed to an interview!

Why did you choose this story for the anthology? 

I actually wrote the first draft for this story several years ago. It had a slightly different plot with gaps. The bones were there, but I wasn’t happy with the details. Then, I saw the call for submissions to this anthology and I wondered if I could make it work. I pulled it out of the drawer, fell in love with the story all over again, and the holes filled in themselves.

I see you write a lot of nonfiction and romance. Is WIN a romance as well? 

No. While I may choose to continue David’s story one day, and explore his future relationships, this tale focuses on the society driven by technology in a parallel universe.

Several of your stories, including WIN, have centered on the lives of teachers. Is this on purpose? 

It’s not really on purpose. I’ve been a teacher most of my life. So, I suppose it’s natural for me to approach things as a teacher, and therefore my characters become teachers of a sort as well.

Coming May 3, 2016

Preorder HERE

WIN

Tagline: 

     The connection is everything.

Blurb: 

 Seventeen year-old David Masters has grown up in almost complete isolation, despised by those around him. He is smart, determined, and compassionate. Now, an act of terrorism threatens the lives of millions. Can David help the society who shunned his very existence? Or is all hope for humanity lost? Find out in “WIN”. 

Sylvia Ney is a freelance writer, editor, and speaker. She regularly contributes to newspapers, magazines, and other anthologies. Some of her recurring publications include Houston Family magazine. Southern Writer's magazine, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Sylvia is a member of the Texas Gulf Coast Writers and the Bayou Writers Group in Louisiana.

 To learn more, visit www.sylviacney.com

Thanks, Sylvia and congratulations!

Do you have a manuscript in a drawer that might fit the next anthology?

THE HAUNTED

My Book Blog Tour began this week

I'm guesting with Denise Covey

Alaska: Why It Speaks To Me!

____

But here I have

Melanie Schulz, author of The Haunted

from the IWSG Anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here

Thank you, Yolanda. for having me here today; 

it’s always fun to discuss all things bookish.

My pleasure, let's get started.

1. As a writer of alternative fiction the IWSG anthology was a perfect fit, did you find the challenge easy? 

Yes and no. Writing with prompts, even as minimal as they were for this anthology, has always been a challenge for me; that’s why I don’t enter more contests. The stories I write always begin somewhere inside of me; I can’t write any other way. But, as it turns out, I already had the stirrings of this story when the anthology was announced, so in the end, I was able to write it, or rather it wrote itself.  

2. Where did the idea for Haunted come from? 

I really can’t answer that without giving away the ending. Let’s just say I wanted a particular group of people to have a voice. You’ll know what I mean once you read the story.

3. What is it about an altered universe that you appreciate?

 It gives us a chance to see the world that would’ve or could’ve been. The tagline I gave this story is: Sometimes the best things in life are the things you never got to have, and that’s what this altered universe let me do; it let me give back that best thing.  

4. Please tell us about the UBook or Newstead project. 

The Newstead Project was my first novel and the first novel in the Newstead Saga Series. Five years of my life went into developing this story. There’s some serious love there. And it’s that love of all things Newstead that led me to invent Ubooks, a patent pending new way to enjoy reading. I listen to music when I write; it takes me to that deeper level I need to be at in order to get into the character’s heads. I wanted that same experience for my readers. And now they can have it. Ubooks, in essence, are books on video, set at reading speed, augmented with scene enhancing music. And best of all? They’re free and able to be viewed on all your devices. Check out my YouTube Channel  to see the latest releases. 

Wow, what an amazing idea!

Thank you, Melanie!

Your story The Haunted - is remarkable. 

Thanks for sharing your journey.

What do you think folks, music and reading

 combined - do you listen to music when you write

 or when you read?

***

The Haunted

Melanie Schulz

Tagline:

     Sometimes the best things in life are the things you never had.

Blurb:

For five years Andy has been consumed by nothingness. Her life was fine—normal even—and then suddenly it wasn’t. No one knows why, least of all her. Desperate for answers, she seeks out yet another psychiatrist, not knowing that psychotherapy has nothing to do with it, not when the problem is that you’re being haunted.

Excerpt:

“Your dream bothering you again?” he asked, knowingly.

Andy closed her eyes and held on tighter.

He kissed her again. “It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m here.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she breathed, shaking her head. “Nothing does.”

John pulled back to look into his wife’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay—do we need to call your doctor?”

“The only doctor I have is an ob-gyn, and I don’t think she’ll be able to do anything about this.”

John shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe it’s a hormone thing.”

Andy raised her eyebrows. “Do you really want to go there?”

“Hormones are powerful things, Andy. They can make you do all sorts of weird shit.”

“Like dream your husband’s dead?” There is was; she’d said it.

His face softened. “Is that it—is that what happened?”

Andy looked past him to the sky beyond. His hands cupped her face and brought her focus back to him. “I’m not leaving you, ever. Even if I die, I promise to haunt you.”

Andy frowned. “Don’t say that.”

“What? It’s true. You can’t get rid of me; face it.”

Andy shuddered; she didn’t know why.

***

Melanie Schulz is planted in upstate New York with her husband and three kids on a smallish plot of land she likes to believe is a farm. She plays at being a writer, same as she plays at being a farmer, and nurse, and overall enjoyer of this thing called life. One of the things she enjoys most are people who delight in discussing all things listed above. Join in the conversation at:

Website    Blog    Facebook

RAINERS

My Book Blog Tour begins today
I'm guesting with Denise Covey
Alaska: Why It Speaks To Me!

____

But here I have

Sandra Cox, author of Rainers

for the IWSG Anthology

Parallels: Felix Was Here

to answer a few questions!

1. As a writer of fantasy and paranormal romance the IWSG anthology was a perfect fit, did you find the challenge easy?

The easy piece was the word count.  I usually write fifty-five to sixty thousand words per story, so five to six thousand was great. The fact that I have wanted to do an alternate universe story for a long time was the icing on the cake. 

 2. Where did the idea for Rainers come from?

Besides an alternate universe, I also wanted to do something on the order of zombies without the gross factor. They are just a bit too gruesome for me. One of the effects of the Rainer disease on pubescents is an indigo liquid that streams from the infected child’s mouth and nose. When I originally wrote the story, the liquid was a lavender color…until the hubby commented that the color made it sound more like a disease the Easter bunny would have. At that point I switched to Indigo. Grin.

  3. What is it about an altered universe that you appreciate?

Altered is the key. Your universe is what you make it. In my personal altered or parallel universe, I’m a NY Times bestsellerJ  

 4. Please tell us about your other writing projects.

Love, Lattes and Angel, the third in the Mutant Series, comes out in April.  FYI, until April 3^rd, Love, Lattes and Mutants is free and Love, Lattes and Danger is ninety-nine cents. 

Thanks, Yolanda. Great questions.

You're so welcome, Sandra. Rainers is a great story and one I hope you'll continue!

***

Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA Fantasy, Romance, and Metaphysical Nonfiction. She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters and an occasional foster cat. Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her screened in porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee and enjoying a good book. She's a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast. 

 Facebook     Twitter    Blog    Website

COMING MAY 3, 2016

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Tagline: 

     Save his world or save her own.

Blurb:

Out hiking, Harper Reese tumbles into a parallel universe where a nightmarish virus has infected the sphere’s pubescent children. While there she encounters bad boy Noah Tanner who’s got problems of his own. 

Now, they must work together to track down and destroy the source of the disease before it travels to her world and infects her twelve-year-old sister.

***

Have you ordered your copy?

Do you think it's possible to write zombies minus the gross factor?

FOLDS IN LIFE AND DEATH

Why Cherie Reich Wrote “Folds in Life and Death”
for
Parallels: Felix Was Here
the IWSG Anthology!

Four elements inspired me to write “Folds in Life and Death”: 1. the IWSG anthology contest, 2. the Curse of Tippecanoe, 3. my fascination with origami and paper magic, and 4. the grief I felt by the on-the-air deaths of Allison Parker and Adam Ward.

Despite insecurities, I couldn’t pass up the chance to submit a story. The genre of alternate history spurred me to think up ideas. The perfect one hit me while showering.

In fifth grade, I learned of the Curse of Tippecanoe. According to legend, Tecumseh had his brother place a curse against Harrison and future presidents elected in years with the same number as Harrison (1840). The curse ended when Reagan survived an assassination attempt, but my mind whispered an intriguing question: What if Reagan had died and what would happen to the new president elected in 2000?

From an early age, I’ve been fascinated by the art of paper folding. Paper planes fly. Paper frogs hop, and paper cranes’ wings flap. A simple piece of paper could transform into anything. The idea of paper magic isn’t new, but I enjoyed putting my spin on it in another short story (“Paper Lanterns” from the anthology Mayhem in the Air), and I revisited its world for “Folds in Life and Death.”

On August 26, 2015, WDBJ7 news reporter Allison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were gunned down on live TV. I never had the honor of meeting them, but I have met people who’ve worked for WDBJ7 because it’s one of my hometown TV stations. Some events hit you harder, and this story gave me a chance to work through my emotions.

Without one of the four, the story wouldn’t have been the same. It’s interesting how these things work out.

COMING MAY 3, 2016

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Tagline: In 2001, the Curse of Tippecanoe strikes again.

Story Description: Allyson Moore loves using her gift of paper magics. With precise folds and an incantation, she brings paper creatures to life.

But being a Paperist has its downsides too. She sees spirits, but she can’t revive them. She folds paper lanterns to release souls, but she can’t stomach sending another family member from this earthly realm.

The Curse of Tippecanoe, conceived nearly two centuries before, claims her brother, the President of the United States. She must journey to Washington, DC to be with her orphaned niece and nephew, but nothing—not even magic—can prepare her to see the brother she hasn’t spoken to in two years and release his soul to the sky.

About the Author: Cherie Reich owns more books than she can ever read and thinks up more ideas than she can ever write, but that doesn’t stop this bookworm from trying to complete her goals, even if it means curbing her TV addiction. A library assistant living in Virginia, she writes speculative fiction. Her books include the paranormal horror collection Once upon a Nightmare and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. She is a member of the Virginia Writers Club, Valley Writers, and Untethered Realms.

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter

Congratulations, Cherie!

Love the premise.

Have you ever used an alternate history to write your stories?

Will you now?