{March 20, 2014}
Rise of the Goddess Charity Anthology
The Goddess: a female deity who represents strength, love, dignity, sexuality, motherhood, wrath, peace, the elements, and so much more. She is the symbol of every woman who has ever been or will ever come to be. She comes from a myriad of places and beliefs, her image always changing, but her presence always there. In this collection of fourteen beautifully written stories and three lovely original artworks, the Goddess rises in many unique forms to remind the world of the strength and beauty that is woman and the connection she has with all things.
{March 11, 2014}
Interview with Kory M. Shrum-Author of Dying for a Living
I am so excited to have Kory Shrum visit my blog and talk about her latest release. She’s honestly one of my favorite new authors, and I sincerely hope you all go and check out her book, Dying for a Living.
Before we start talking about your latest book (which I LOVE, by the way), why don’t you tell everyone a little bit about yourself.
I’m just an insane person who loved books so much that she went to college for nine years to learn how to write them. And I teach college writing courses.
When you’re not writing, what else do you do in your spare time?
I’m into a lot of weird *&^%. Books, music, movies/TV, vegan baking, globetrotting, martial arts (I study Aikido and I have a black belt in Uechi Ryu). I study French and have a tutor. I also have an elk and maple drum that I use for shamanic drumming. I’m pretty much this person: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOavbyDKSi0
Your latest work Dying for a Living has one of the coolest main characters I’ve ever read. Where did the inspiration for Jesse come from?
I’ve always loved the reluctant hero. The person who will do the right thing, even if they have to grumble their way through it. And I’ve also been a fan of the female lead who has to come to terms with her power. I’m sure Jesse is a composite of several such characters. I’m a bit of magpie in that I take shiny objects—character traits, good lines, descriptions, etc.— whenever I see them. I’ve heard “good writers borrow, great writers steal.” (T.S. Eliot). As you can see, I’m trying to be a great writer.
I really enjoyed Jesse’s snarkiness and bad attitude. Is there a little bit of her floating around inside you? 😉
Yes.
More than a little—especially when I was younger and I had a grudge against the world. But as I get older I’m more like Ally.
In Dying for a Living, you’ve created this new condition, NRD. Tell us about it and how it pertains to the plotline of the novel?
NRD– Necronitic Regenerative Disorder—is a neurological disorder that approximately 2% of the population has. Because it is usually caused by a gene mutation, it is often genetically inherited. When NRD first started to happen, people panicked thinking it was apocalyptic or at the very least, the repercussion of biological warfare. These people were taken into protective custody and ruthlessly experimented on until rights activists petitioned for their release. All of this happened long before Jesse’s time. The era she lives in is the post-horror commercial age, where the government has set up the death-replacement industry to try and put a positive spin on the horrible things they did in the past.
Would you want to be a Death Replacement Agent?
Absolutely. Who wouldn’t want the ability to save the ones they love from death? But mostly, I’d want to be what Jesse is turning into. *zips lips* Side note from Rebecca…You CAN’T do this to me!!! I need the next book so I can know what you’re doing to Jesse!!
Are you a plotter or a pantser when writing?
I plot with my pants off…? I usually have an idea of the destination, and a few high points along the way, but then I just sort of let whatever happens, happen in between. I love it when my characters surprise me with a detail that I didn’t expect.
Favorite snack food?
One? Just one? Okay: butteredpopcorndonutsicecreamchocolate
What is your secret guilty pleasure?
TV binges and playing Sims—though playing is the wrong word since all I’m interested in doing is designing big beautiful houses and making everyone sleep with each other.
What do you geek out over the most?
Things made out of paper.
You’ve recently returned from a trip to Europe. What do you wish you’d done more of while abroad?
Paris Brest. It’s a puff pastry. Google it. Side note from Rebecca again…OMG. That looks AMAZING!!
What is your favorite word?
I have many because I love words. But this time, let’s go with dilapidated
What is your least favorite word?
Same here. But for this time, squirt
BIO
Kory M. Shrum lives in Michigan with her partner and a ferocious guard pug. When not writing, she can be found teaching, traveling, and wearing a gi. Her poetry has appeared in North American Review, Bateau and elsewhere. Her first urban fantasy novel Dying for a Living is out now on Amazon. And she’d love to hear from you on Facebook , G+, or Twitter. To be notified of new releases, please sign up for her mailing list.
{March 7, 2014}
Interview with Bestselling Author Rue Volley
I’m so lucky to have Rue here on my blog to do an interview with me. It’s an honor, and I’m very thankful she took time out of her very busy schedule to talk to me. The woman does it all, as you will see when you read her answers.
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Before we start talking about your latest book, why don’t you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
Growing up I always loved Art in all forms. I was introduced to Violin at the age of 11 and started playing guitar at 18. My love for music spilled over into getting signed to a band of which I played in for over a decade. We toured the United States and ended up organizing what became dubbed as “Art Hops”. Our theory was that all Art could be mixed together and should not be separated, so we rented out various warehouses and had large shows that included all types of music, poets, drum circles, painters, tattoo artists and the list goes on. We even rented out drive- ins one summer and did a tour including all of these mediums PLUS Independent film makers who had their short films shown at the drive- ins we used. I absolutely loved doing it and perhaps somewhere down the road it will happen again, only this time I will not be playing in a band, I would just be an organizer and promotional director. My life really revolves around Indie Artists and helping them the best that I can. As my own career has grown in the literary world I have been lucky enough to hire people to help me with my own promotion so now I can help share links even more. I do enjoy watching people find success with their own Art, whatever it may be. I do not think there is anything more beautiful than paying your bills on something you created on your own. I would wish it for everyone. Other than that I co-own a graphics company (Vivid Book designs) with my partner Riley Steel and I do freelance photography. My life is completely wrapped up in my Art, whatever form it may be.
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When you’re not writing, what other things do you do in your spare time?
I make jewelry and various craft items for my book signings and I also sell them to give the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research in memory of my Mom who died from the disease in 2012.
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Where do you get your ideas from?
Life. Most of my ideas come from dreams that I have. I have very vivid dreams and try to take as many trips as possible to spark my imagination. Seeing new places, meeting new people always helps me in creating new worlds.
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You’ve published over 40 novels in the past 4 years. Do you sleep?
Not much lol. I actually do get in more sleep now than I did before. I used to suffer from insomnia, but as I have grown older I have been able to sleep more. I know it seems as if I write like I am possessed and perhaps I am. I know I am not normal when it comes to writing books but I write VERY fast. I can write 100-150 pages in under a week when the muse is active and then I can go for weeks without writing anything. I then go back and do LIGHT edits, I never tear my pieces a part and spend weeks revising it. It is just not the way I do things. Some people love my books and some just don’t get me at all and that is fine. I have a distinctive voice and it will always be the same. I also spend a lot of time with characters and conversation. Over description bores me to death so you won’t see a bunch of that in my books either. Nothing against authors who do it, it is just not my thing at all.
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What is the secret to being so productive?
I write for the love of it. I do not think about the haters, the trolls…anyone who may think I should have done this or that. I don’t read reviews under a 3…ever. It is counterproductive. I avoid drama online, I block and delete people who practice in it and I ALWAYS think of my family. Everything I do is for them and to build a future for us. I think what can trip people up is worrying about opinions. I just don’t…at all. If you don’t like me…cool, move on. If you love me, then awesome, I write for you. It is not personal with me. This is my Art and I know I am not for everyone and that is okay. I think once you feel completely comfortable in your own skin then success is possible, and I am completely comfortable with what I do and who I am.
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Is it hard to come up with character names?
I never have difficulty with this but then again I grew up with sisters who I told tall tales too all of the time. It was a game we played where I would start a story and then have to expand on it over time. I think it really allowed me to open up my imagination and just come up with things on the fly. I came up with character names all of the time and I do the same now.
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Is music a factor when you’re writing? Do you create playlists for your books?
Music is a HUGE part of my life. Let’s see the list is LONG.
Nick Cave & the bad seeds, Sigur Ros, Imogen Heap, Elbow, Radiohead, Grade, The Weakerthans, Broods, Underworld, The Nationals, Baths, The Civil Wars, Silver Sun Pickups, NIN, How to kill angels, RUSH, Peter Gabriel, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and so many more. -
Out of all of the stories you’ve written so far, what is your favorite and why?
I actually have two. The Blood & Light vampire series and Hellhound.
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Are there any genres you’re looking to branch into?
I am currently writing in NA/romance which is new for me.
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What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
Finding your true voice and sticking with it.
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If you could have any super power, what would you choose?
Flying
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What is your favorite word?
Love
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What is your least favorite word?
Hate
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What is your go to snack food?
Trail Mix
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What is your spirit animal?
Owl
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What is the last song you’ve had on repeat?
Why don’t you tell us a little about your latest work? Please feel free to provide a blurb and a snippet, along with the cover image.
My latest is a romance I started writing a couple of months ago. I do not have a set title or a cover for it yet but the story is already mapped out. I just need to get to the end. This book will be in romance which is a new genre for me and is dedicated to my Dad who died in 2010.
Snippet:
I ran as quickly as I could as the train started to leave the station. I was late as always. It sucked that I seemed to be my own worst enemy. This trip was so important to me. I needed to get home. I had to and the fact that I left late, fretting over what to bring, was just ridiculous on my part. I had chosen the train because….well, everyone said just take a plane, but I refused. I felt like a train would be appropriate, considering the circumstances.
My Dad loved trains. Loved, as in used to. He was working at the steel mill in Stillcreek Pennsylvania, as he had for 40 years, and dropped dead of a heart attack. This happened just a week ago and I had scrambled to change my schedule at work and find tickets and everything, but the train seemed right. He loved them so much and I think I inherited that love from him.
He had taken me on the best trip of my life when I was just 11 years old. It was a train ride that was just me and him for 5 days. We left my siblings behind. I have 4 sisters. Yes 4, and no it is not cool. I am the youngest and each one of them thinks they know more than the other one. My Mother wanted a ‘garden of children’, as she often said when she introduced us, so she named us all after flowers. Quite honestly, any woman who can go through 5 childbirths and have them all be girls has the right to call them whatever she wants to. So we ended up being called Daisy, Rose, Violet, Poppy and Jasmine. That is me on the end, Jasmine, but people just call me Jaz for short. None of my sisters were as close to Dad as I was. They all loved the girly things and I was the tomboy. I loved mud, skinned knees, messy hair and no shoes. I sometimes think my Dad took me under his wing because I was so different than my sisters. I did not do it on purpose, I was just born that way and he accepted me, just like that.
I remember sitting next to my Dad as we watched the scenery go by from our room on the train. The sky was blue, the day was perfect and he said something to me that I will never ever forgot.
“When I die, I want to be taken on a train and you make sure to scatter my ashes from here to the other side of Pennsylvania Jasmine. I want to be set free and always moving.”
I remember staring at him as he watched the sky from our window and thinking about how he would never die, he couldn’t, he was my Dad. To me he was immortal. I then found myself blinking as I felt a hand take mine and pull me up onto the slowly moving train. I almost dropped my suitcase, a tattered old thing with stickers of different places of the world on it. I sighed and then looked up to see a man standing there, he was dressed in a white button down shirt, a nice coat and jeans. He grinned as I pushed past him and then I hesitated, remembering my manners.
“Thank you.” I said.
“No problem.” He replied as I stepped through the door and made my way down the hallway. I glanced back as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. I turned back and made my way along the narrow corridor the best that I could. The train was gaining in speed, so I swayed back and forth, bouncing from one wall to the other like a ball in a pinball machine. I finally saw my door number and slid it open. I peaked in and grinned as I remembered it, just the same as it had been when I was 11 and here with my Dad. I slid the door closed behind me and walked to the single bed. I placed my suitcase on it and felt the old leather. It was smooth and weathered. Containing memories as old things tend to do. This was the suitcase I had brought on my trip with him and half the stickers that adorned it were collected by the two of us. We had not travelled to all of these places, in fact, these were a map of all the places we said we wanted to go. A wish list, so to speak.
I flipped the lid open and pulled out his picture, well it was an old black and white. He was much younger, in fact he was the same age I am now, all of 25. Mom would probably be pissed if she knew I had it, but I snatched it up when I left home for New York and bigger dreams. It was always my favorite one of him. He looked like a writer, pipe in hand, shit eating grin on his face. As I age I do see him in me, especially my eyes. I turned and sat down on the bed, holding his picture and then I leaned back. The weird thing is this. I am not so much sad, as I am empty. I hope that makes sense. I have never lost anyone close to me so I have no idea what the process is. I would have to guess this is step one. I have no idea. I closed my eyes and felt the sway of the train as the bed felt soft under me. Some people may not be able to sleep like this, but I prefer to have movement and noise. If it is too quiet, I will lay awake all night. My Dad was the same way, he used to get up in the middle of the night and eat a cheese sandwich with a glass of milk. I remember walking into the kitchen one night and seeing him sitting at the island in the middle of the room. He took a big bite and then grinned at me as he chewed. I joined him, I think I was 13 at the time and it became a strange ritual we had of cheese and milk at midnight. I don’t think my Mom ever knew that he got up at night when the house was quiet and spent some time alone. If I had been older I would have left him to it, everyone needs their personal space and time respected. I understand that now that I am an adult but then? Well, I just felt like it was one more cool thing that we shared that no one else knew about.
I then started to drift off, clutching my Dad’s picture to my chest and thoughts of just travelling forever in my mind. Never stopping, not for one minute the rest of my life…
You can find Rue at her fanpage on Facebook, on Twitter, her Amazon author page, and on Youtube.
{March 1, 2014}
12×12- Your Social Media Primer- D Kai Wilson-Viola
One of the few things that people talk about, when talking about brand and social media is that it’s a minefield. People talk about everything from being completely overwhelmed, to not knowing what to do with their profiles. And so, I wrote 12 tutorials (and a couple of bonus exercises to help people.
Each tutorial contains an introduction, the ‘basics’, the exercise, and then a bit about what your ‘solution’ should be. They’re not designed to be the be all and end all of each network, but they are designed to support you if you’re struggling, or aren’t sure that you’ve covered everything.
I’ve keep the price low so that you can enjoy the book without feeling like you’ve had to pay a fortune for just a couple of tips too – though I could have priced it higher, I feel $0.99 is the right price for this.
Launching on the 28th February, until it’s available, you can pre-order from my blog page at Warpaint Marketing.
12×12 – Your social media Primer
Looking for support for Facebook, Twitter, Triberr? How about G+?
This book covers everything that you need to know about the very basics of each network. Exercises to give you a chance to try your learning out, hands on.
Each of the tutorials is designed to be as easy as possible to access.
Originally started a set of articles for a website, the tutorials have evolved into a go to guide to the simple, quick way to build an usable, safe profile online.
Kai is a veteran online marketer. She started in internet marketing, writing content for others, along with copywritten sales pages, then moved on to the indie writer’s community when KDP hit. She’s been self-publishing since 2004 (mostly poetry), and has spent the last three years or so in the community, helping others with social media, writing tutorials and articles all over.
When not writing non-fiction, Kai’s planning novels, travelling for work and having a bit of an adventure in her life. She’s the mother of two parents, owner and parent of two kittens, an artist and a dreamer.
As the book is about social media, you might want to follow Kai to find out some extra tips. Below are the various places you can follow her – remember too that these count as entries in the giveaway!
Book Blog | Personal Blog |Facebook | Book Facebook |Twitter | G+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Triberr | Klout
Win all of the books from the range, take part in beta support and get freebies before anyone else or a $25 gift certificate. Check out the Rafflecopter below.
Kai is appearing on multiple blogs in the next few days – head on over to The Finishing Fairies for tour central, information and more!
Promotion of 12×12 Launch Tour is brought to you by:
Join us for other book blasts at The Finishing Fairies mailing list!
{February 26, 2014}
Interview with Piper Kay
I’m so excited to have Piper Kay here today. She’s one of my favorite MM authors, so this one is going to be a bit more adult, so it’s NSFW, y’all. She’s granted me an interview and you’ll see just why I think she’s pretty amazing.
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Before we start talking about your book, why don’t you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
Well, I’m a little wild and crazy at times-lol I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and the mother of three kids.
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When you’re not writing, what other things do you do in your spare time?
Spare time, could you elaborate on that, I’m not familiar with the term-bwahahaha
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Where do you get your ideas from?
My ideas usually come in a dream, my mind’s kind of perverted.
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You write MM (male/male erotica). What are some of the challenges to writing in that genre?
Well the obvious challenge is that I’m not male and at times my female voice will come out and I have to stuff a sock in her mouth.
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Is it hard to come up with character names?
No, it’s really not, I come by names pretty easily.
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Is music a factor when you’re writing? Do you create playlists for your books?
Music is a huge factor, but I only started creating playlists recently.
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Out of all the stories you’ve written so far, what is your favorite and why?
A Perfect Passion, because I love my characters Dax and Damien.
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Are there any genres you’re looking to branch into?
I wouldn’t mind trying a mm paranormal.
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What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
The distractions. I’m constantly interrupted and that makes it hard to get refocused, I completely lose my train of thought.
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Why don’t you tell us a little about your latest work? Please feel free to provide a blurb and a snippet, along with the cover image.
A Perfect Passion was my last release. Here is the blurb: For Damien, passion brings ecstasy, betrayal and danger that almost cost him his life. At the lowest point in his life, he discovers that true passion and loyalty have been staring him in the face all along. There is one problem he must surmount first, Dax is straight and carries a lot of baggage. What neither of them realize is that sometimes passion can also bring healing. That is if one is brave enough to take the first step. In a perfect passion, one must be willing to take the risk.
Fun/Silly Questions
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If you could have any super power, what would you choose?
Mindreading
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What is your favorite word?
Fucktwat
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What is your least favorite word?
No
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What is your go to snack food?
Cheetos Puffs
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What is your spirit animal?
I’d say a dog or an owl.
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What is the last song you’ve had on repeat?
Cast Me Aside by Drowning Pool
You can find Piper’s latest work on Amazon and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
For Damien, passion brings ecstasy, betrayal and danger that almost cost him his life. At the lowest point in his life, he discovers that true passion and loyalty have been staring him in the face all along.
There is one problem he must surmount first, Dax is straight and carries a lot of baggage. What neither of them realize is that sometimes passion can also bring healing. That is if one is brave enough to take the first step. In a perfect passion, one must be willing to take the risk.
{February 25, 2014}
Monster Hunters by Chris Marie Green
Cover design by me (dreams2media).
{February 22, 2014}
Interview with Lachelle Redd
I’m very pleased and excited to have Lachelle Redd visit my blog today. She’s granted me an interview. {Side note…I’m new with interviews, so the questions might be a bit generic while I gain my footing.}
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Before we start talking about your book, why don’t you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
Well, let’s see…I am a first year indie author. I write mainly fantasy and horror but I do dabble in other genres as well. I live in north central Florida with my family and I work a regular 8 to 5 as a Data Integrity Analyst.
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When you’re not writing, what other things do you do in your spare time?
I love listening to music, watching movies and going for short drives.
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Where do you get your ideas from?
Some of them come from my dreams and some are just ideas that don’t go away.
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Is it hard to come up with character names?
Yes
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Is music a factor when you’re writing? Do you create playlists for your books?
No and no. I like background noise, but nothing in particular.
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Out of all of the stories you’ve written so far, what is your favorite and why?
When Angels Fall is my favorite for right now. The main character, although he is a demon, is a strong willed individual who says and does what he feels and doesn’t care what you think. He is the Hyde to my Jekyll.
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Your latest novel is darker than your previous works. Could you tell us why you changed directions?
I wanted to do something darker. Everything else up until then had been fantasies and quests, but I was going through some real life drama. I wanted to stretch and see just how far I could go.
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Are there any genres you’re looking to branch into?
Erotica
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What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
For me it is finding time to write. I have a child with autism so his schedule is very weird at times and I cannot stay up late and write. I have to be ready for when he wakes up in the morning and be able to follow through with his routine. Then I have a six year old daughter who wants mommy all the time, so the daily grind of kids, work and family are very difficult.
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Why don’t you tell us a little about your latest work? Please feel free to provide a blurb and a snippet, along with the cover image.
When Angels Fall is the story of a young exec named David Thornbrook. He is the typical spoiled brat who ends up in an embezzlement scandal that threatens to ruin his reputation and career. Margonne is a fallen angel who is bored with his life sentence of ripping through damned souls. He comes across David’s plight and decides to skip hell and go up top and toy in the human world.
Margonne takes over David’s body and life and just rips through those who thought they had the upper hand. Of course, no one realizes that David is no longer in control and that this demon is on the loose. However, the new “David” makes it known that he is not to be fucked with, instead he does the fucking.
Fun/Silly Questions
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If you could have any super power, what would you choose?
Granting life (dark side, I can choose not to grant it)
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What is your favorite word?
Fuck
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What is your least favorite word?
Can’t
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What is your favorite of the seven deadly sins?
Lust
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What is your spirit animal?
Wolf
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What is the last song you’ve had on repeat?
Happy-Pharrell
You can find Lachelle’s latest work on Amazon and follow her on Goodreads.
Pondering his tedious existence, the demon breathed a heavy sigh. A fresh soul would arrive soon and his chamber of pain would come alive again. The raven, mail carrier of hell, squawked his landing on a wrought iron perch. The tormentor, aware there was fresh meat, gazed into the bird’s cold, black eyes studying the victim’s soul. A young male seated at a large oak desk was in the throes of committing suicide. Too much money, power, and women proved detrimental and now the darkened soul of the young CEO begged for relief. David Thornbrook, wealthy, spoiled, and silver-spooned seemed the answer to the demon’s relief. Hmm embezzlement, bankruptcy, and loss of financial status, this may be worth looking into. Margonne teleported forth and found David, a silver plated semi-automatic handgun in his mouth. Shocked at the appearance of the dark figure before him, the yuppie pointed the gun and fired off one round. The bullets penetrate and exit the being and scorch a nearby vase and wall. “Now, is that any way to treat your master?” Margonne removed the weapon from his quivering hand. “My, my you are a shivering, limped dick son of a bitch aren’t you? This is gonna be too easy.” David managed a sentence, tears streaming down his face. “Who are you? Am I dead, did I pull the trigger?” Margonne laughed an evil chuckle and replied. “No you didn’t, but I did.” With a loud crackle, the monstrous instrument exploded into the night igniting a hole in young David’s skull. The demon licked the crimson liquid from the wound and examined his handiwork. “What a pissant, see you in a month or two. I’m taking a vacation.” The specter possessed the body of the dead man, healing the gaping hole, and taking on his very countenance. I should be able to get tons of pussy with this body, not a bad looking kid. The following morning David Thornbrook marched into Thornbrook, Hall, and Caine just like any other day. The shocked looks on the faces of staff and colleagues were plentiful. Speaking casually he strolled to his office and took a seat. Amanda, his secretary, was quick to appear with the usual, a notepad, and his morning coffee. “Sir, there is a board meeting to appoint a new CEO. Am I to submit your resignation?” Amanda was baffled at David’s composure. “No, Amanda.” His smile sly and straight lined. “What you can do is go to your fucking desk and wait for me to call you. I have a few words for the board and will remain in charge like always.”
{February 21, 2014}
Dying for a Living by Kory M. Shrum
Teaser video for Dying for a LIving, releasing March 4, from Kory M. Shrum.
I LOVED this book so much. You should check it out.
{February 19, 2014}
Fashionably Dead by Robyn Peterman
Paperback design
{February 19, 2014}
Up In Flames
Book trailer for Up In Flames by Shyla Colt.
Published by Hot Ink Press
Randomosity 