Thursday, March 28, 2024

VBT: Chasing the Dragon

 



GENRE: Vigilante Crime Thriller/Horror

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BLURB:

A town on its knees, dread's bony fingers wrapping around its throat and squeezing, death

rattles soon to follow.

Drugs, filth, and a lack of human decency are starving it of hope.

Introducing Simon Dooley, our trauma-driven wannabe superhero, the relentless voice of his

dead mother pleading with him to "end the chaos." Dressed in a leotard and armed only with a

dozen dog poop bags, Simon's plight will find him falling in love and going head to head with the

seediest characters walking the streets.

The town needed a hero... it got Reformo.

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 EXCERPT

“This doesn’t have to happen.” I hold my hands out, declaring myself weapon-free. “You could

turn your life around. We could unite, start teaching kids about the harmful effects of drugs and

clean up these streets. What do you say?”

“Look, I don’t know who the fuck you are, Mister, but I see you ain’t right in the head. But mental

or not, you can’t come on my patch and expect not to get shanked.”

Moonlight falls across his face, picking up the few hairs across his lip. Jesus Christ, how old is

he? “It’s not too late,” I say. “This town can be good again. We could start a youth centre. Get

funding from the council and buy a table tennis table.”

“You’re off your rocker, mate.” He tosses the knife between his hands, finishing with an

impressive spin. “That might keep you happy down at the local funny farm, but folks can see

angels with the stuff I sell.”

“I just want some order.”

“Well, you’re in the wrong place, mate.” He stares me down, flexing his jaw muscles. “Now, you

have two options here: run like the wind, or have that lovely leotard cut to shreds.”

“It’s not a leotard.”

This time, I move first, feigning to the left but attacking from the right. Bum Fluff tries to alter

course, but it’s too late, the knife cutting through the air, the blade missing my side by nothing

more than an inch. We come together, the flurry of hairs on his lip dancing on the breeze.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 



AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

* Did you use any of your own experience as inspiration?

Haha. Yes. It’s me on the pages of this book: the same upbringing as Simon, the same claustrophobic

and uncomfortable environment, all dictated by my iron-fisted mother. If I left crumbs on the counter or a

cup next to the sink without washing it, my life would not be worth living. And God forbid if someone

parked outside our house or started playing loud music. In those cases, the day, possibly week, would be

ruined. My mother even uttered the words, "When will the chaos end?" at one point, thus the multiple

references in the story. The Reformo connection is all about the fantasy world I often escaped to. Writing

this was incredibly cathartic and therapeutic.

* On average, how long does the writing process take?

.

I’ve written 185 short stories, 15 novellas, and two novels. A short story can take anywhere from a week

to three weeks. Novellas usually take me a solid two to three months. Novels edge into the five to six-

month territory.

* When did you realize you wanted a career in writing?

I was a late starter. I’m 50 now and have been writing for a little over five years. As an eighties kid, the

arts were pretty much frowned upon, so I took what I thought was the safe route, graduating with a

degree in mathematics. I then spent much of my adult life working a job I hated, drinking most nights to

numb myself. Much like Simon’s mother’s voice, the words of my old English teacher often haunted me

when the lights went out. “You should pursue this. You have real potential.” I think my wife got sick of me

bringing it up in conversation and, in no unpleasant terms, told me to get my finger out and write

something. The rest is history. As soon as I stepped foot in magic world, I knew there was no return.

* If you weren't an author, what other career paths would you have taken?

Unfortunately, I’m not a full-time author. I work for a family-owned lifestyle magazine these days. To be

fair, it’s a pretty good job. They frequently let me loose on articles and editorials. It’s not magic world,

though.

I have no idea about other career paths. These days, I only want to write.

.* Out of the characters that you created, who is your favorite?

It's a tough one to call. I love Reformo, and I think readers will, too. He's flawed and trying his best, just

like the rest of us. I'm also a big fan of Nana, my debut novella and a risky foray into the world of old-

people horror. Nana loves her family and would do anything to protect it. Anything. That project excited

me as I wanted to dig beneath the watery peepers and gummy smiles of old people. They all look so

innocent and precious, but we know appearances can be deceptive. And everyone has skeletons in the

closet.

* What advice would you give to someone looking to be a writer?

Practice. A lot. Lock yourself in a room and get rid of the bile. My first stories were awful, but after three

decades of doing nothing creative, that's hardly surprising. You'll also be a product of influences. That's

okay, but you must find your voice. The only way to do that is to write your heart out and dig deep. And

write for fun, not to tick boxes. The rest will follow. And don't listen to too much advice; it can be

overwhelming and stifling. Jeez, I could talk for days on this subject.

* What kind of research (if any) was required for any of your books?

Minimal. I don't write historical fiction; I write horror and generally deal with the unknown. My research is

the places I've been, the people I've interacted with, the smells in the air that carry a nostalgic sucker

punch.

*How long after you finish a book do you start another one?

Previously, it’s been no more than four weeks. My next gap will be considerably longer.


Website

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GIVEAWAY 

The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Release: Land of Ashes

 


Title: Land of Ashes

Series: Savage Lands, Book 7

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Release Date: March 27, 2024

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Tropes: angst, one bed, touch her and d*e, forced proximity, revenge, impossible love, forbidden, action packed, connected series

Cover Designer: Jay Aheer, Simply Defined Art




★★★★★ "Omg!!! I devoured this book! I felt so sucked in the same way I did when I first started the Savage Land series. Ash’s story is such a fun one to explore after the way the OG Savage Land books ended. The amount of adventure, character development, and tension was everything!!" ~Bri, Goodreads



When there is nothing remaining in your soul, there is nothing left that can be taken away.

Ash has always been the rock, the one everyone turns to. That was before devastation took everything from him, leaving his soul dead on the ground, along with his heart.

Not able to face his sorrow, he drowns himself in alcohol, sex, and drugs. Turning away from everyone who loves him, he sinks further into the darkness, where he feels nothing.

The only thing important to him is seeking revenge.

Tracking down those who destroyed his life and killing them.

One night, saving a girl from an attempted kidnapping, Ash’s world changes. Entwining their lives on a dangerous journey across the lands of Romania, where political unrest tears at the country and hides terrifying discoveries.

Scarlet should have been a blip on his radar, a girl he helped and forgot. Except her secrets tie their fates together.

Where the danger might be closer than he thinks.

And the darkness comes from within.










USA TODAY Bestselling author Stacey Marie Brown is both a PNR and Contemporary Romance writer of hot cocky bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick ass. Sexy, cheeky, and always up to no good. She also enjoys reading, exploring, binging TV shows, tacos, hiking, writing, design, and her fur baby Cooper. Loves to travel and she’s been lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.



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Sunday, March 24, 2024

Sunday Post #104: Spring and Fanfiction




Happy Spring to All !!! 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

Let me know how Spring is were you are.



This was taken yesterday afternoon, believe it or not. I have to admit that I love the constant weather change in this state. Originally posted as a reel in my Instagram 

πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°

For anyone that read the Shades of Magic Series, please take a look at my latest  fanfiction story ----> Rhy's Fears . 

πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°πŸ“°
 


Post Rewind 

πŸ“Œ 18th = Book Blast: In All Things

πŸ“Œ 19th = TMST #25: Travels

πŸ“Œ 21st = Cover Reveal: Poison and Wine

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*** If you don't have anything to say about this week's topic, you can comment on any other part of the post or just say "hi".



*** I am always having to edit many of my posts. If I made any grammar mistakes, I will eventually fix them.



*** The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Cover Reveal: Poison and Wine




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Title: Poison and Wine

Series: O'Hara Family Mafia, Book One

Author: Katie Ashley

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance

Release Day: April 17, 2024

Cover Designer: Harsha Dhananjaya

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Touch Her and Die, Virgin FMC, Possessive MMC, Arranged Marriage, Opposites Attract, Enemies to Lovers


♦ ♦ ♦




π˜Ύπ™–π™©π™šπ™§π™žπ™£π™–


As the only daughter of a formidable capo, my existence unfolded within the confines of a gilded cage. At eighteen, I would become a pawn in theintricate game of power, destined to be wed to a high-ranking member of my father’s regime. My fate oscillated between my father's grasp and that of my future husband. Fleeing was not an option; they would track me down relentlessly. In an act of both self-preservation and rebellion, I sought refuge in a local convent—the sole sanctuary untouched by the shadows of the mafia. Yet, before I could take my final vows, the devil himself knocked at my door — a devastatingly handsome blonde-haired, blue-eyed rogue. With an Irish accent that sent shivers down my spine, he declared me his future wife. No one had touched me; no one would. But despite my aversion to a forced marriage, an irresistible attraction brewed between us— for he was both poison and wine.


π˜Ύπ™–π™‘π™‘π™ͺ𝙒


When I abducted a nun, my expectations were simple—she'd be submissive, pliable, the ideal mafia wife. Little did I imagine that the fiery brunette would wield a mouth and body I craved, both in and out of the bedroom. She was a means to an end—a marriage forged out of convenience, a strategic alliance with an enemy family to solidify our standing in the underworld. Tradition dictated that I claim her, yet the last thing I'd do is coerce her. She won't be forced. I promised she would beg me to take her, and anyone who dared to touch her would die. For she was mine and mine alone.


In the unforgiving realm of the underworld, brace yourself for an electrifying romance pulsating with danger and desire.





♦ ♦ ♦

Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers.



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