Guest: ALICIA DEAN New Release: BLOOD AND BREAKFAST

 Welcome to my friend Alicia Dean who has a new release.

 Hello…Alicia Dean here. Myself and twelve other authors (13 total, get it? 😊) each wrote a spooky, suspenseful story in the ‘A Friday the 13^th Story’ series. They are stand-alone but have recurring threads and they were all released on Friday, November 13^th.

My contribution to the series is titled Blood and Breakfast. Check it out below. And be sure to check out my contest where you can win an Amazon gift card! Find details here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCUDvF4YrTa1YzADCvrQIWbK8Q6Ro7Gnb0yRxxl3Kg2Fkd-Q/viewform?usp=sf_link (Contest ends Dec 15, 2020)

Fun Fact:

 

I was plotting my story and trying to figure out why a normal family man would suddenly snap and murder his family. I realized that hallucinations could cause people to do crazy things, so I researched what could make people hallucinate. I discovered that the plant, jimson weed, can cause serious hallucinations. I also wanted to incorporate some kind of an authentic local legend in my story, so I researched legends in various states and came across the Devil’s Footrock in Rhode Island.  I was able to mesh the two–jimson weed and the Devil’s Footrock–to come up with how the husband/father in my story lost his mind and killed his family. It’s so much fun when ideas click and make a story come together. Here’s a photo of Devil’s Foot Rock:

Earlier this year, I had the idea about writing Friday the 13th themed stories. I gathered a group of 13 authors and asked them to each write a 'horror/suspense' story to be released on the final Friday the 13th in 2020, November 13th. We discussed how the stories should be stand-alone but should contain recurring threads I found an article about a superstition that people with 13 letters in their name had 'the devil's luck' and that many serial killers had 13 letters in their name (Charles Manson, Osama Bin Laden, Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, Saddam Hussein, and Albert De Salvo.) So, one of the threads we used was that the victims should each have 13 letters in their name. (although, in my story, each character had 13 letters in their name so as not to give a hint as to who the victims would be if readers knew ahead of time about the 13 letters). It made sense to me that the victims would have 13 letters in their name since they most definitely had bad luck--or 'the devil's luck'.  We created a fun contest where readers had the opportunity to guess the connections and the winner would receive a free book from each of the 13 authors. Now that the contest is over, I can share the other connections: Each story had 13 chapters. A broken mirror had to play a role in each story, although it could be a very minor role. And, finally, a murder had to occur on Friday the 13th. We all had fun creating these stories and incorporating the threads. We hope readers have as much fun reading them!

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Breakfast-Friday-13th-Story-ebook/dp/B08NF5GH9C/

 

 

Blurb:

 

Determined to boost the sagging ratings of her internet radio show, “A Dark Place,” murder junkie Sasha Gillette checks into the Talley House Bed and Breakfast in North Kingston, Rhode Island. She and her co-host plan to broadcast an episode about the murders that took place there thirteen years earlier on a Friday the 13th, when a man butchered his entire family.

Not long after Sasha arrives, the other guests begin to disappear. Has a killer from the past resurfaced or is there a copycat on the loose?

One of the lone survivors, Sasha finds herself trapped with a sadistic killer and, suddenly, murder isn’t as much fun as she thought.

Excerpt:

“I’m going to look for her. It’s not okay that she’s been gone for hours when she said she’d be back in thirty minutes. Do you know where she was taking her walk?”

“I-in the woods.”

“Well, of course she was,” I muttered. “Agnes, do you have a flashlight I can borrow? And maybe something I can use for a weapon?”

Agnes nodded. “I’ll get you a flashlight. I have a hammer.”

Dorset rose as well. “I’ll go with you.” He cut his gaze to Bradley, but the dufus just sat there without volunteering to help. “Nothing, old chap? Not going to offer to come along?”

“I should stay here in case she comes back,” Bradley murmured but he didn’t look at them. Was he afraid…or feeling guilty?

 I shivered when we stepped outside, drawing my hoodie tighter around my body. The nearly half full moon hovered in the cloudy sky behind the branches of a Tulip tree. Lightning flashed, illuminating the back yard. The icy air held the scent of rain. “We need to hurry,” I told Dorset. “It looks like it might storm.”

He nodded. “I’d say let’s split up to cover more ground, but with one flashlight and hammer, and with the odd happenings lately, maybe we should stick together.”

“Agreed.” My teeth chattered, though it wasn’t all that cold.

We walked along the wood line, shouting for Macy, shining the flashlight between the trees. Nothing. As if by mutual agreement, we entered the woods. I shuddered, not only concerned about a potential maniac, but also leery of whatever creatures might be scurrying around at my feet. I was a city girl and didn’t even own a pet. I was not okay with encountering an animal, of any kind.

We searched for another half hour with no sign of Macy. We were deep into the woods when the sky opened up and doused us with buckets of rain. Thunder rumbled and more lightning flashed. We gave up and hurried back to the house.

The others were waiting for us.

“Anything?” Bradley asked, his voice high-pitched with anxiety. He seemed much more concerned about Macy than he had been about his wife.

“Not a sign,” I said. “We need to call the police.”

“I did.” Agnes was seated in the forest green wing chair in the corner of the library. “They took the information but said she’s an adult and can leave any time she wants.” She rose. “We waited dinner for you. Let’s eat.”

A pall hung over the room as we ate in silence, the air thick with fear and confusion.

Afterward, I excused myself and headed upstairs, anxiety weighing on me. I had an overwhelming feeling that I wouldn’t sleep a wink. Nor would anyone else.

 

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Please like Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Fri13thShortStories

 

All stories in the Friday the 13^th series:

 

Links to Evil by Rolynn Anderson

Till Death by Maureen Bonatch

Blood and Breakfast by Alicia Dean

Retribution by D.J. FitzSimons

Shattered Reflections by Tamrie Foxtail

A Deadly Game by Jannine Gallant

Dead to Rights by Margo Hoornstra

In the Still of the Night by Callie Hutton

Glimpse, the Dinner Guest by Stephen B. King

Scorned by Anna Kittrell

Vanity Kills by Dianne McCartney

Fatal Legacy by Krysta Scott

Azrael’s Chosen by Leah St. James

 

Bio:

Alicia Dean began writing stories as a child. At age 10, she wrote her first ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who shared the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.

Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley (she almost always works in a mention of him into her stories) and watching (and rewatching) her favorite televisions shows like Ozark, Dexter, Justified, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and Vampire Diaries. Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Stephen King, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.

 

Email: Alicia@AliciaDean.com

Website: http://aliciadean.com/

Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/

Twitter: @Alicia_Dean_

Instagram: AliciaDeanAuthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alicia-dean

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/aliciamdean/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean

 

 

Guest: SHANNON LAWRENCE #NewRelease HAPPY GHOULIDAYS

 Another Insecure Writers Support Group member visits today. Shannon Lawrence is here to talk about her new release, Happy Ghoulidays. Here's Shannon to tell you a little about her story.

The holidays can be a stressful time, as we all know, but I'm hoping to lighten up this winter season with a little holiday horror.

Maybe "lighten up" isn't the right term.

The first story begins the winter holidays with Thanksgiving, with stories representing Christmas, Hanukah, Hogmanay (the New Year), Yule, Groundhog Day, and, finally, Valentine's Day. From serious horror to tongue-in-cheek. Read them all at once or save them for their holidays. Or both! 

Release day is tomorrow November 20, which also happens to be my birthday! Just in time for Thanksgiving week. You can pre-order the Kindle version, with other versions, including paperback, available on release day.

 

Blurb: Family time can lead to murder and mayhem, especially during the holidays. A turkey with a tale to tell, elves under attack, sorority sisters putting on a killer party, a woman's desperation to save her family, and a stranger ringing in the New Year. These and other tales of woe await you beneath the mistletoe.

Be careful who you offer a kiss. It may be your last.

Release date: November 20

Pre-order link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MDZR9K5

About the Author: 

A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes in her dungeon when her minions allow, often accompanied by her familiars. She writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in several anthologies and magazines, and her collections, Blue Sludge Blues & Other Abominations and Bruised Souls & Other Torments, are available in stores. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast “Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem.” When she's not writing, she's hiking through the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings. Though she often misses the Oregon coast, the majestic and rugged Rockies are a sight she could never part with. Besides, in Colorado there's always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. What more could she ask for? 

Find her:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Instagram

 

Guest: Elizabeth Alsobrooks THE JUNGLE Anthology and STOLEN SECRETS

 My guest today is Elizabeth Alsobrooks who is sharing her book Stolen Secrets plus an anthology of horror stories, The Jungle.

Here's Elizabeth to tell you more.

The Jungle and Other Tales: Tell-Tale Publishing’s 5^th Annual Horror Anthology

All 7 stories in Tell-Tale’s 5^th Annual Horror Anthology are as they should be, chilling, intriguing, and horrific fun from start to finish. I’m sure all the authors have a story to tell about their latest fright feast, and I’m here with some juicy details about the one I wrote: Bride of Bazel.

All good tales start with a “what if” theory.  Mine starts with a “what if a happy newlywed couple traveled to Istanbul and became possessed by a Jinn?” I always like to take it a step further and do so in this tale by exploring the premise that “Jinn are real”.

Now to many westerners that may seem farfetched or even silly, but did you know that a quarter of the world’s population is Muslim and 75-80% of them believe in the existence of Jinn? Jinn are mentioned 29 times in the Quran, and the existence of Jinn was therefore spread with the ancient Arabic teachings throughout India, the Middle East and Asia. It was incorporated into many other religions. Literally billions of people believe in the existence of Jinn. A “shedim” is basically an invisible, mostly malevolent spirit that attacks people and sometimes possesses them or makes them ill. Belief in them is not universal in Judaism and many ancient rabbis denied their existence, but the parallels between shedims and jinn are not to be denied and they appear in the Talmud.

So what is a Jinn, you ask. Well, to break it down, most Christians believe in angels, demons and humans, all created by God. In Christian tradition, only two beings were created, angels and humans.  Demons, many believe, are fallen angels who chose to turn against God, such as Satan. Demons are lesser angels who chose to follow Satan when he rebelled against God.

In Islamic tradition, God (Allah) created three types of beings. He created angels from light, jinn from smokeless fire, and man from the earth (clay). Like mankind, jinn were given free will, so could choose to be good or bad. Angels don’t have free will.  They live to worship and serve God. They are very similar to humans in that they eat and drink procreate and die. They don’t believe Satan is an angel as angels do not have free will. They are God’s messengers and they worship God unconditionally. Satan, they argue, must therefore be a Jinn, not an angel, because he chose to turn against God of his own free will. 

Jinn are thought to be invisible by many, or able to change shapes, become shadows, or even possess humans, though the humans must be in a weakened emotional stake. They possess many of the characteristic Christians associate with demons. So, do Jinn exist? You tell me. If they do, Bride of Bazel becomes much chillier . . . .

I have used many of the characteristics people believe about Jinn in my story, including the high stress, weakened condition of those the Jinn possess, such as the ability to have one exorcised, and that King Solomon was given dominion over wayward Jinn. There’s a great deal more to learn about Jinn, bur for now you should at least have a better understanding of them.

Following is an excerpt from my short story. If you enjoy it please buy the book. If you are intrigued by Jinn, you can also purchase my romance novella, Stolen Secrets.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any questions, I will be happy to attempt to answer them.

  

Bride of Bazel by Elizabeth Alsobrooks

Except

Mehmet snored softly beside her, Sabrina lay on top of the covers, snugged against her foot, and Linnea glanced around the room, wondering what had awoken her, then briefly where she was until she remembered. New home, new sounds. Hell, new country, people, language, customs, not for adventure, for good. Stress might have been a big reason why it was 2 a.m. according to the illuminated clock on the nightstand beyond the canopied bedcurtains and she was wide awake.

And now so was Sabrina. The Siamese stretched and arched her back, licked her foot, then suddenly sprang from the bed and ran toward the corner as though something caught her attention. Linnea watched the feline’s shadow cast from the light of the dimmed wall sconces.

The cat sat immobile, transfixed upon the something fifteen feet above its head in the corner. Linnea looked up and studied the deep shadows that drew her pet’s attention but could see nothing to account for Sabrina’s rapt stare.

Perhaps a spider or insect of some kind, she speculated, hoping it wasn’t the former, or worse yet, a scorpion. That thought brought her to her feet and she hurried forward, not wanting her sweet kitty to get stung. As she neared the corner, a dark shadow appeared to move. To move. The cat’s attention moved with it.

Now Linnea stared, trying to decide what she had seen. Had she seen anything? Another movement, then another, faster, and she watched with disbelief as the shadows undulated across the edge of the ceiling until they seemed to settle, darker, malevolent, into the far corner. The cat, having followed the entire distance of the wall, stared a moment and then seemed to lose interest as if whatever had been was no more.

If it had been at all.

 The anthology can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Tell-Tale-Publishings-Annual-Anthology-ebook/dp/B08L9PCCJN/

Stolen Secrets by Elizabeth Alsobrooks can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Secrets-Illuminati-Spinoff-Romance-ebook/dp/B01N149JBM

About the Author

Elizabeth Alsobrooks enjoys the sunny Sonoran Desert where she lives with her personal editor, Hudson (AKA Maltese), and husband, Kenton, (AKA Irish-Scotsman) at the foot of the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountain Range where she writes Urban Fantasy, Horror, and nonfiction. She is currently working on the next book in her Illuminati series and is collaborating with a photo-graphic artist on a Tarot deck and accompanying manuals that coordinate with the mythology and symbolism behind her Illuminati series. 

Website Blog Twitter Pinterest  Instagram  Goodreads  Publisher Newsletter Amazon  Facebook  Illuminati-fb Book Bling-fb  

Guest: Shannon Lawrence's New Release & #GiveAway

I'm excited to welcome Shannon Lawrence today. I know Shannon through the Insecure Writers Support Group. While I don't read creepy horror stories (you know me, the original scaredy cat), for those of you who enjoy horror, Shannon's book sounds deliciously scary. I'm so happy to support her.

Blue Sludge Blues & Other Abominations
by Shannon Lawrence

Release Date: March 15, 2018

Horror short story collection

A collection of frights, from the psychological to the monstrous. These tales are a reminder of how much we have to fear: A creature lurking in the blue, sludgy depths of a rest area toilet; a friendly neighbor with a dark secret hidden in his basement; a woman with nothing more to lose hellbent on vengeance; a hike gone terribly wrong for three friends; a man cursed to clean up the bodies left behind by an inhuman force. These and other stories prowl the pages of this short story collection.

On Sound Advice

Diane asked me to write something about one of the stories in this collection. I thought it would be fun to discuss the short story "Sound Advice," about a family traveling through Navajo lands at night, who run into a creature determined to get to them inside their car.

Because I wrote snippets about what inspired the stories at the end of the collection, let's talk about Joe Ravenshadow, a secondary character in "Sound Advice." Throughout this family's ordeal, Ravenshadow is a creepy side note, a DJ playing eerie songs and talking about the skinwalker, which is a no-no. You never give voice to skinwalkers. I hope I chose songs that are easily recognizable to most readers. Songs like Bad Moon Rising and Little Red Riding Hood. Songs most of us enjoy, but also songs that can be frightening when heard at just the right moment.

Not sure what skinwalkers are? They're a Navajo "myth," a witch or medicine man with great power, who has killed someone close to them, a family member, in order to gain the power of skinwalking. By day, they may walk among their fellow tribal members, but by night they walk on all fours. They can turn into any animal, but often choose the coyote, a sly nocturnal animal.

Skinwalkers try to lure their victims out by banging on walls and even imitating the sound of a crying infant, preying on those who would show concern that a baby is in danger.

Excerpt

From Sound Advice:

"They both sat, listening. There it was again: the sound of an infant crying. Only, there was no way there could be a baby out there. There wasn't anything out there, save plant life, rocks, and some strange creature that appeared to be messing with them. Bill reached over and clicked the door lock button."

Buy the Book

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon Australia | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Also available from Apple and other countries through Amazon

About the Author

A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes mostly fantasy and horror. Her stories can be found in magazines and anthologies, including Space and Time Magazine, Dark Moon Digest, and Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things. When she's not writing, she's hiking the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings, where, coincidentally, there's always a place to hide a body or birth a monster.

Social Media Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | 

Smashwords Author Page

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet Author Karilyn Bentley

Author Karilyn Bentley is here today. Let's get to know a little about her and her latest release. 

Welcome, Karilyn. Please tell us about yourself. 

I'd love to! I'm married to the best husband ever (he puts up with me, after all! Ha!) and we currently share our home with a crazy dog nicknamed The Kraken along with a handful of colorful saltwater fish. My day job is as a clinical research coordinator for a busy oncology practice but in the evenings I'm all about writing the stories of my heart. My website says I write Fantasy with a Touch of Funny, and since you can read it on the internet, it must be true!

How long does it take you to write a book?  

Forever! Usually about 9-12 months, but I'm aiming for faster.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? 

Read and spend time with my husband. I've also gotten into taking the dog to agility class, which is a lot of fun!

How many books have you written? 

I've published two novellas, and 6 novels. I've written a couple more than that, although those books are hiding in a box in the closet. Which is your favorite? My favorite is the Demon Huntress series (Demon Lore and Demon Kissed).

How many hours a day to you spend writing? 

Not enough! I go by word count, not hours, so some days I sit for longer than others.

If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be? 

The business of writing is way more involved than just writing a book.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why? 

I have three different series. If you want to read the urban fantasy series, start with Demon Lore, then Demon Kissed (there will eventually be 5 books in the series). If you like dragons, fantasy and romance, try my Draconia Tales series. The order is Magical Lover, Warrior Lover, Dragon Lover and The Detective's Dragon. They can also be read individually. The novellas are part of my werewolf series: Werewolves in London and Wolf Mates. They can be found together in the anthology After the Moon Rises.

What two authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing? 

J.R. Ward and J.C. McKenzie.

Tell us about your latest release. 

Demon Kissed is my latest release and it's an urban fantasy. It has some romantic elements but definitely isn't a romance. It's the second book in the Demon Huntress series (the first book is Demon Lore).

Demon Kissed by Karilyn Bentley

Blurb:

Gin Crawford, the world's latest demon huntress, has no time to mourn her dead lover as she's called in to determine why a demon attack occurred at the local medical school. And not just any demon, but the one demon that gives her demon-killing bracelet the shivers. A dead professor, a lab full of missing anthrax, and a demon who turns good people into minions complicate her life. Can Gin and her mentor Aidan Smythe solve the mystery of the missing anthrax and the identity of the demon before someone else dies?

Excerpt:

     The scent of sulfur hangs in the air like a demonic stink bomb. I want to slap a hand over my nose, but no one else seems affected by the stench. Must be a demon huntress thing.

     “Justitian,” Smythe mutters. “Not demon huntress.”

     “If you don’t like my new title, then stay out of my mind.”

     He glares. I swallow. Cross my arms. Refuse to take a step back. I’m learning not to be intimidated by his anger. Go me.

     My justitia vibrates, throwing me out of my internal battle, pulling me back to the land of death and minions. The blob of colors pulsates, a glowing reminder of a moment of terror. The moment the demon appeared to the grad student.

     Granted, I’m still taking Demons 101, but I thought demons formed minions in private.  Usually after the human committed a crime, not before. A tryout, so to speak. And maybe that happened, but it sure seems to me like the black blob of demon force appeared to the grad student smack in the middle of the hallway.

     Or maybe that always happens, and I just now noticed it.

     The justitia’s vibration grows stronger, trembling my arm, my veins. Not its normal excited tremor upon seeing a minion or demon. A rush of images spikes through my mind, scenes of terror coupled with blood and death, memories of the justitia’s former wearers captured in time by the entity in the bracelet.

     I’m not the only one freaked out by the colored blob. How bad was this demon to scare a justitia?

Links for Demon Kissed:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B01AB5116U

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demon-kissed-karilyn-bentley/1123272613?ean=2940157964696

TWRP: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6639

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/demon-kissed/id1076170387?mt=11

One last question. Where can readers find you?

I'm all over the place! J Here are my links:

Website:           www.karilynbentley.com

Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/KarilynBentleyAuthor

Twitter:             http://www.twitter.com/karilynbentley1

Blog:                http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com

Goodreads:      http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4051943.Karilyn_Bentley

Pinterest:          http://www.pinterest.com/karilynbentley

Newsletter:      http://eepurl.com/ba_0Rf

Thanks for stopping by today, Karilyn. Wishing you much success with your latest release.