Tuesday, October 15, 2013

ELEMENTAL HORROR!


Meet our newest victim of the Bwahahaha Halloween Interview
a blogger, artist, and YA author
Think he can deal with the horror of Halloween?



You're the last person to die in your favorite horror movie, what's the name of the movie and how do you die?


Nightmare On Elm Street (the original). I would probably die by being trapped in a house on fire as that is my biggest fear.


In a remake of Friday the 13th - you play Jason - what would be your method of execution for all your victims?


Why mess with the classic machete to the head. Hey, it works.


In a remake of Halloween, you are one of the victims - describe the scene and your grisly death.


Hiding in a stairwell, the blinking light is sending shadows along the walls. I hear a door creak open but the direction of the sound is lost to me. I make a decision to run down the stairs checking behind me at every step. Just as I reach the lobby door I turn to make sure no one is following me. A piercing stab enters my stomach. I turn to see Michael's blank eyes staring down at me, his knife blade buried to the hilt. With a gasp I fall to the ground and close my eyes as blood pools around me.


In a remake of the 1974 movie Young Frankenstein - which character would you play and why. 


Dr. Frankenstein because I love Gene Wilder and getting to say I was him would be awesome.


In the Walking Dead, you and another character have survived the zombies, so far. You're on the move, but the individual with you is a wimpy scaredy cat, but oh so hot, still they keep drawing attention to you and your position and it's almost certain they will get you killed. What do you do - leave them for the zombies and save yourself? Or take pity on them, because their hotness makes up for their stupidity, and teach them not to be a wimp? Or do you have another solution.


Well, hotness only goes so far. Still I doubt I could just leave them. I would attempt teaching them to be better, and explain that if they couldn't learn to survive then I would have no choice but to separate from them. Besides they might make nice bait for me to pick off some zombies.


You're headed to a Masquerade party as your favorite horror character and at midnight, you are transformed into your character until sunrise. Who is this character and how many victims would you claim by sunrise?


The one that scared me the most as a kid was, Freddy, so I'd say him. Given that it is night and people are sleeping I'd say I'd clean up quite well by morning.


Share with us your scariest ghost story - or nightmare - or tell us what scares you the most and why. 


As far as dying goes fire is my biggest fear. So I guess I could have answered Young Frankenstein up there, lol. Still being a father my true biggest fear is something happening to my children.


Share with us your favorite Halloween experience, costume, and candy.


This last Halloween my kids got to go full out on their costumes and we got to walk our neighborhood and trick or treat with them. It was the first time they had really be super into it. That was probably my favorite Halloween so far.

 Sounds like a father enjoying his role of daddy! 
How sweet and so not horrifying, but we love it because
Halloween is for kids too!
My fondest memories are of Halloween fun as a child.
Thank you Brandon! 
Happy Fatherhood!
All the best with Elemental and Ashes!


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Genre: YA fiction, Urban Fantasy


Sophia's mother disappeared when she was six, leaving behind a broken father and sleep disturbed by silent terrors. Now twelve years later, the nightmares that plagued her youth have suddenly returned.



With dark creatures occupying her nights and a sense of restlessness consuming her days, all she wants is to finish school and get out of her small town as fast as possible. Everything changes when she is confronted with the realization that the shadowy beings from her dreams are real. The truth of this reality hits hard when someone she loves is killed. It would seem that anyone in their way is disposable.



A mysterious boy named Aiden enters her life bringing with him all sorts of complications. They're drawn to each other, but their connection brings Aiden right into the path of her half-demon nightmares. With her father and several new friends put in the cross-hairs, Sophia must decide whether to let the shadows take her or stand her ground and fight. As the school year steadily moves closer to an end her decision may come with the cost of her life or worse—the lives of those she cares about.



Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy.

A year ago, Sophia would have told you monsters existed only in the movies. That the world is easily understood and life has a way of making sense.  A year ago, Sophia would have been wrong.

Her world had changed and she'd seen behind the curtain.  With Aiden and the others by her side, all she wants now is answers. The monsters were gone, but in their absence new questions about her past were left to haunt.

As the search for answers begins, a remnant from her nightmares returns. Her new understanding of the world is once more shaken and she finds herself on the opposite side of powerful Elementals.

When those sworn to protect humanity are your enemies, the lines of right and wrong become blurred. One wrong choice and she could be left with ashes.

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BRANDON AX fell in love with fantasy as child after first devouring the entire Chronicles of Narnia series. Born in New Orleans, Brandon spent most of his childhood moving from state to state across the southern part of America. Gaining a love of people and their many stories, he decided to pursue a career in writing. After years of tuning his craft he finished his first novel ELEMENTAL.

Living in South Carolina with his wife, two children and three dogs, he spends his days dreaming up new worlds and fascinating characters. Hard at work on his follow up to ELEMENTAL he enjoys the task of molding a story to its completion.  Catch up with Brandon on his Blog!

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Friday, October 4, 2013

THE SENTENCE - MARRIAGE!



My Review of THAT FATAL KISS by Mina Lobo!

I've never studied mythology, but I've always loved the stories that have come from it. My goal when I watch a movie or read a book is to be entertained, taken on a journey, and blown away by the excitement of mystery and romance.

I found all that and more in Mina Lobo's book That Fatal Kiss. Persephone is a beauty, she's also a goddess, Hades is handsome, he's also a loner, which suits his role as the God of the afterlife, but it plays havoc with relationships. In his quest to find a wife, he puts Zeus in a precarious position, give me your daughter Persephone as my wife, or suffer the consequences. Poor Zeus, he's between a rock and a hard place, the powerful Hades or the powerful Demeter, Persephone's mother . Does he even consider the plight of his daughter? Why should he, a woman's feelings didn't count, not then and even today, the struggle continues, but back to all that fun and the drama of fiction!

Is it a love story? Persephone was considering marriage, she just didn't have anyone in mind, and Hades is handsome, and he did choose her, but is it enough? She's not a wilting flower either, and that makes her the perfect foil for a God who thought he could just command his way to love. Would you give up living in the light to exist in the bowels of hell, even if true love were the reward? I mean looks and power aren't everything - especially if marriage is the sentence!

It's a great journey and Mina tells it with skill and finesse! Her love scenes are sizzling and masterful. The quandary of her characters believable and the solution well thought out and extremely diplomatic - considering the warring nature of gods and goddesses!

I highly recommend That Fatal Kiss, it's a must read, and one I'll go back to on those cold and lonely nights when a great love story is what I'm seeking. Well done Mina!


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In That Fatal Kiss, life-giving Persephone seeks a mate but the goddess' mother frustrates her plans. Then Hades, King of the Underworld, spirits Persephone away to rule with him below, as his bride. Yet, even as she awaits rescue, Persephone aches to be consumed by the fire in the dark lord's immortal soul.



Mina Lobo writes dark and whimsical romances, dodges the slings and arrows of her outrageous college-aged son, and feels compelled to do things in threes. She digs comedic horror, alternative rock, and Belgian chocolates. (See?)


Visit Mina's Web site
 Some Dark Romantic 

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 Guess What I'm Celebrating Today!

 

Buy it at ~ Amazon

Thank you:

for making the announcement of the
 Memories of Murder release!

Make a comment here and enter 
the drawing to win an eBook copy of 
and
That Fatal Kiss!
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Monday, September 30, 2013

THE GHOSTS OF AQUINNAH!

I am happy to be part of the cover reveal for Julie Flanders next release The Ghosts of Aquinnah
Look for it December 5, 2013


Blurb:


A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.
Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as
waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon
to a pinprick. 
By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.

Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her
deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her
mind.
She shakes her head. 
For weeks this eerie woman
dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she
stared into my soul.


Why? ...
Who is she? ...
Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah
drives to the coast and boards a ferry. 
What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman
suspended in time?

Hannah finds out. 
But, it’s not at all what she expects ...

Hannah unravels a century old murder.


Author Bio:



Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati,
Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer
vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not
writing, Julie can be found reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and
watching too much television. She is an animal lover and shares her home with
her dog and cat.


Find Julie at:



The Ghosts of Aquinnah will be released by Ink Smith Publishing on December 5, 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

THAT CAN BE ARRANGED by MINA LOBO

Today I am happy to host the indomitable Mina Lobo, aka Goth Mom (Lite) on her book tour for THAT FATAL KISS! An awesomely hot love story between Hades and Persephone, however before they got all hot and bothered they were arranged and Mina explains all that here, today!



Zeus huffed loudly through his nose but did not respond in kind. Instead, he seemed to ponder the matter before asking quietly, “What if she does not want you?”

 Hades’ lips twisted. “Since when did a female’s wishes ever matter? You know the customs. If you as her father give her to me, then she is lawfully mine.”

 “But why do you not court her properly, ask her if she would be your queen?”

“Court her? The way you courted your bride? Did you prostrate yourself before Hera, begging her to have you? No—You wanted her, Father Cronus was in no position to challenge you, and so you took her.”

 “I had Mother Rhea’s consent.”

 “And I would have yours. What is your point?”

The above excerpt comes from the opening chapter of my fantasy romance, That Fatal Kiss, set in a mythical Greece. In it, Hades (King of the Dead) asks Zeus (King of the Gods) for his daughter Persephone's hand in marriage. Only, Hades doesn't so much ask as he threatens ruin and destruction if he doesn't get what he wants, but that's neither here nor there. In the ancient Greek world, marriages were brokered by the bride's father (or nearest male relative) and either the fella who wanted her or his family. So, you know—buzzkill for the bride, who didn't have much of a say in anything, really.

It didn't surprise the ancient Greeks that Hades should try to work this out with Zeus, without consulting Persephone. But framing the tale with my 21st century sensibilities, the book repeatedly touches on the fact that, as an immortal goddess, Persephone merited a lot more respect than she initially received in this...er...transaction.

On the other hand, arranged marriages do still take place in this era (and can be successful and happy ones). Plus, many of us have to deal with the expectations of family, regarding our marital choices. Growing up a first-generation American daughter of Portuguese immigrants, folks in my extended family often urged me to settle down with a nice Portuguese boy. (Going totally against the tide, my parents only urged my sis and me to go to college, so yay, Mom and Dad!)

What about you? Have you ever felt any parental pressure to marry within a particular group, be it ethnic or socio-economic or anything? If so, how did you handle it? If you're a parent, have you ever tried to steer your offspring toward a particular person? Tell us in the comments!


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About the Book

In That Fatal Kiss, life-giving Persephone seeks a mate but the goddess' mother frustrates her plans. Then Hades, King of the Underworld, spirits Persephone away to rule with him below, as his bride. Yet, even as she awaits rescue, Persephone aches to be consumed by the fire in the dark lord's immortal soul. 



Now Available ~ Amazon ~ B & N & ~ Smashwords ~



About the Author

Mina Lobo writes dark and whimsical romances, dodges the slings and arrows of her outrageous college-aged son, and feels compelled to do things in threes. She digs comedic horror, alternative rock, and Belgian chocolates. (See?)


Visit Mina's Web site, Some Dark Romantic, from September 24 - 29, for your chance to win an e-book copy of That Fatal Kiss!
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FYI -  Continuing the tour for my book Murder, Madness & Love I'm over at Christine Rain's Blog. She had some very interesting questions for me!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

CASSASTORM HITS THE MAINLAND


I am honored to be one of the thousands hosting the release of Alex J Cavanaugh's CassaStorm, the third book in his SF trilogy. 
Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!

My question for Alex was: If you could change anything about the world today, what would it be and why?

I’d like my own private road where I can go as fast as I want without some slowpoke getting in my way!

What I’d really like to change is the devil’s ability to fool people.


CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…
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“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.”
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse

 “Cavanaugh creates such an unforgettable world, and these characters will stay with you long after their story is over.”
- Cassie Mae, author of Friday Night Alibi and How to Date a Nerd


Find CassaStorm:


Book trailer:




Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.


Goodreads  

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Today I am over at Tossing It Out with Arlee Bird and the topic is "What's In A Name" - please check it out, leave a comment, and win a copy of Murder, Madness & Love - or Memories of Murder!


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