What Do You Like About Halloween Night?

 

Photo by Szabó János on Unsplash

Halloween Night

What do you like about

Halloween night

is it the dancing, the prancing

or the disguise you adore.

 

Does it go deeper

to your very core

the call of the weird and unknown

or the cry of the new victim

all your own.

 

Do you flaunt your evil

or hide your lust

until that moment

desire takes hold.

 

Do you pounce like an animal

or seduce with finesse

do you kill with passion

or a snap of your finger.

 

blood flows

is it just as you imagined

death the ultimate

 Halloween trick or treat.

 Yolanda Renée (C) 2021

*****

JOIN US, THE "WEP"

FOR THE 

OCTOBER CHALLENGE

You're Invited to SCREAM!

 

Scream

It's automatic

when danger is near

Scream

help will come

all will be well

 

Scream

at the injustice

scream at the liars

and anti-vaxxers who

spread the fear

 

Scream

when all else fails

release those pent-up emotions

scream when alone

no one will hear

 

Scream

 until hoarse

at the source

a nightmare

 or fright

 

Scream

as a captive unheard

or when

the hero is near

 

Scream

for sheer joy, good news

or to amuse

Scream

for fun and good cheer

 

Scream

Scream

Scream

that's our theme!

Yolanda Renee © 2021

***

The WEP's October Challenge

Please join us for Scream

The Scream by Edvard Munch was a shoo-in for October - this challenge is devoted to the horror genre in honour of the Halloween/Samhain/observances of the other world spirits. Go as creepy as you like. But other genres are welcome too, there’s no genre police here, except that non-negotiable no to erotica.

This is a world renowned artwork symbolising the horror and angst of the human condition. It has since its creation in 1893, become an iconic representation of modern life. Read about The Scream here.

Edvard Munch was a Norwegian born artist who split much of his working life between Berlin and Paris. Mental health issues ran in the family, so Munch had occasion so observe its effects from close proximity. He was much influenced by Impressionists and post-Impressionists such as van Gogh.

The prompt is wide open to interpretations - who will it be that screams? And why – in pain, terror or exultation?

Will it be a human scream that rends the air? Or an animal one? Or a scream from another world altogether? Or will it be a cosmic scream of the planet?

A silent scream in colours, like the one Munch felt in a sunset sky above a fjord? Or an articulated one in sound and words? Just a gasp or piercingly loud? That’s up to you. We’ve got our ears cocked and ready listening for it.

A FLASH FICTION CHALLENGE! 

PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!

Novel Ideas

Mason Canyon just published a review for 

A Passion for Murder.

Just follow the link to read.

 https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/2021/09/a-passion-for-murder.html 

A Passion for Murder

 

Excerpt:

 

PTSD

 

Several times in the two weeks after he'd reported for work, Steven was discovered asleep in Tiama’s room. A baby monitor and camera kept everyone informed of Tiama's needs, but for the third time this week, Steven ended up sleeping there too. No matter what time he came in from work, the nursery was the first place Steven would visit. It held a comfortable chair where he'd relax, often with his son in his arms. Since starting work, it's where he found respite. Without disturbing Steven, Sarah fed, then changed Tiama and rocked him back to sleep.

After she had her son taken care of, she tried to wake her husband. Sarah shook him gently. "Steven. Come to bed with me. You'll be more comfortable. I promise."

Startled, Steven jerked awake, grabbed her by the throat, his chair slamming shut with a loud thud as he stood. Forcing Sarah backward, he banged her head against the wall. The harsh growl from his throat sounded animalistic. His face contorted with the resolve to destroy his enemy.

Frightened and caught off guard, Sarah tried to scream. Instead, she could barely croak his name. "Steven." Failing, she made a fist and struck him. "Get off me." She tried to yell.

Her wallop caught his attention. He loosened his grip as it took him a second to realize what he was doing. The newly hired Nanny rushed into the room. She stopped cold, unsure of what was happening.

"Oh, God. Sarah, I’m so sorry." He held her close. "I’m so sorry. Are you okay?" He held her away from him to check the damage. She was clutching her neck and trying to get her breath. He moved her hand and saw the bruises already forming. "Oh my God, what have I done?"

"Nila, it's all right," Sarah told the frightened girl. "Tiama is sleeping," she rasped. "Go back to bed."

*****

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that develops following frightening, stressful, or distressing life events.

 

The symptoms may include:

·        Reliving–flashbacks, hallucinations, nightmares of the incident

·        Excessive arousal–increased alertness, anger, fits of rage, irritability, or hatred, difficulty sleeping or concentrating·         

Data from Focus Medica. Reviewed by a panel of doctors.Learn more

Consult a medical professional for advice

Steven and Sarah went through a horrendous year after The Snowman escaped prison. Steven knows Sarah suffers from PTSD, but he isn't willing to label his own stress the same. 

Denial is typical, but help is key to fighting your way through it. Something many of us have a tough time asking for and accepting.

WEP - Freedom of Speech

    WORDS

 I wish you'd never been born

you're useless

moron, I've told you a thousand times

you disgust me

get out of my sight

                have you seen yourself 

                                ugly

          what are you, deaf, dumb, and blind

            you'll never amount to anything

                      you're nothing now

                          straight A's, ha

                     you're just showing off

   can't tell your ass from a hole in the ground

                     stupid is as stupid does

                    idiot, I've raised an idiot

                    I'll never understand you

                              stupid cow

                       get out of my sight

          you are the worst, the absolute worst

                   you've ruined everything

          I hope you live a long unhappy life

                                whore 

         you'll never be anything but a whore

           you were the ruination of my life

                    as far as I'm concerned

                          you don't exist

     I never want to see your face again, ever!

                      © Yolanda Renée 2021

Photo by Zika Radosavljevic on Unsplash

What Would You Do?

 

How would you feel if you walked in to find your roommate murdered by a serial killer? In this excerpt, it's the day after Halloween…

A Passion for Murder

Excerpt:

The night after tricks and treats, an endless party, and way too much sugar in the form of alcohol, Cora French stumbled home at an embarrassing eight in the morning. It's called the walk of shame, but it had become a habit for this twenty-five-year-old. Cora preferred that to the more cautious nature of her roommate Susan.

Who would choose a night handing out candy to the little monsters? To a night of food, drink, and relentless dancing at the best masquerade party in town? Dressed as cat-woman, Cora tried to get her roommate Susan to attend. Suggesting she go as her favorite author, J K Rowling. Susan had said she might, but only after all the trick or treaters were appeased. She loved handing out the goodies.

That's why the sign on the front porch telling the goblins and ghosts to help themselves was so shocking to Cora. The bowl of candy was empty. She was surprised because her friend had listened to her suggestion, but it didn't explain why she hadn't seen Susan at the party. She unlocked the door, ready to hear her friend's lame excuse for skipping the party. Instead, the overpowering odor of blood and bleach greeted her. Gagging, she stepped backward and quickly dialed 911. Hysteria building…

~*~

After viewing the crime scene, Steven sat down on the stoop by Alice. "You don't need to see this one."

"That bad?"

"Worse," he told her. "Unspeakably worse. What is it with serial killers and Halloween?"

"An opportunity to fulfill their deepest fantasy," Alice said with disgust. "To be the monster they really are."

News & Announcements

ANNOUNCING

Denise Covey is determined to make 2021 her year.

Starting with the release of Fast & Furious Short Fiction,

an introduction to her soon-to-be-published books! 

Get your copy HERE!

Sign up for her Newsletter HERE!

'Denise is trying her hand at Bookfunnel promotions to build her newsletter list. She'd love it if you clicked on some of the Paranormal Romance books in the link she's shared with me. You'll see her first in a four-book series Paranormal Renaissance Romance, Betrayed, is amongst them. 

She's happy with the downloads of her free short story so far - her introduction to her hero, Duke Vipunin de Castellina. 

How about helping Denise out? 

Click on this link now, find Betrayed, and download your freebie.'

https://books.bookfunnel.com/hauntedpnrpromo/gihk72cf02

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR DENISE

DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR OPPORTUNITY

TO BE PART OF IT!

*****

 

I'm thrilled to report that I'm guest posting at

https://dencovey.blogspot.com/

regarding my newest release 

 A Passion for Murder

KEEP WRITING!

and thanks for stopping by!

***

Just a Tidbit of Information

 A Mystery Series Set in Alaska

"You Are My Sunshine!" 

and how it became part of my books.

The editor of my first book, Murder, Madness & Love, suggested I give my heroine, Sarah, a peculiar habit. Something that would stand out and make her memorable as she navigated the emotions and stress of being stalked by a murderer.

I chose the song "You Are My Sunshine." A song I recalled from a tearjerker of a movie that made an impression on me when I was a child. The relationship of the father and daughter is what hit home for me. Anyway, it was one of those tugs on your heartstring movies. So, I chose the song for my character to use as something she would recall and absent-mindedly sing when highly stressed. Sometimes not even aware that she was. I thought it was a good choice. I thought it was an interesting reaction for Sarah to have when troubled.

Then later, she'd share that her father taught it to her to sing to her mother before they'd both leave for the long work separations that took them away from her. Meant to keep Sarah and her mother from crying. As an adult, it becomes her calming tool too.

I thought it was obscure and unique.

But it wasn't. Did you know it's one of the state songs of Louisiana? It's also the most commercially programmed number in American popular music. And it's been recorded by dozens, and I mean, dozens of artists. Google it, you'll see. No obscure little song this!

Just a little tidbit I thought you might find interesting. I hope you have! Thanks for visiting.

***

Get your copy of the Series

HERE!