Thought for the Day

The only reason for being a professional writer is that you just can't help it.

~Leo Rosten

Sample Sunday: Kissed by Darkness Chapter 3b

Another chunk from my upcoming urban fantasy novel, Kissed by Darkness. If you've missed my previous Sample Sunday postings, you can find them here:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three (A)

Coming end of June 2011

Kissed by Darkness

Chapter 3 (b)

I was up to my armpits in dirt. Digging was hot, dirty work, plastering strands of long, dark hair to stubbled cheeks. I swiped a forearm across a sweaty brow. Two of my fellow knights worked beside me, their dark eyes gleaming with excitement in the torchlight.

We were all convinced there was something under the Temple, something of great value. Some said it was the Arc of the Covenant. Others, whispered rumors it was the lost writings of Mary Magdalene. Whatever it was, if we could find it, it would change everything and bestow on our Order power greater than that of kings and even the Church.

My shovel went through the floor, chunks of dirt falling through to another level below. There was a cavern under there. I gave a shout to my brother knights and we all began digging furiously. “Bring a light!” Torches were brought and the three of us clambered down into the cavern below.

It was a small, naturally formed cave. The walls were painted with brightly colored murals depicting, at a brief glance, a terrible battle. The cavern was otherwise completely empty except for two corpses in the middle of the room.

I cautiously approached the bodies, followed by my fellows. The two bodies lay sprawled across the floor, one cradling the other like a child. One was nothing but bones, ancient beyond belief, and dressed in some sort of armor. The other…

The other looked as though he’d died just hours ago. His body was perfect, though his clothes were rotted nearly to dust, and he cradled the bones of the dead warrior like a child. In his hands he clutched an amulet. It appeared to be made of gold, but dulled by age and dust. One of the others leaned down to pick it up. Some part of my brain screamed at me.

“No, stop!”

It was too late. The corpse became horribly and suddenly alive, fangs I hadn’t noticed before sinking deep into my brother knight’s neck. The living corpse dropped the nearly dead knight and grabbed the next, rearing back to strike again. The screams were hideous and chilled me to the marrow.

I ran for the ladder leading up to the entrance to the cavern and my sword, left behind during the digging, but it was too late. I felt the fangs enter my neck like needles of red fire, the blood draining from my body as surely as my life drained away. Strangely, at the same time my life left my veins, I felt something enter and begin growing inside me, a living thing.

As panic surged through me, I tried again for the cavern entrance, but my body had no strength. I slumped to the floor and the world went black.

***

I sat bolt upright in bed, fighting with the duvet which had managed to wrap itself around my legs. Shit, shit, shit. I glared blearily at the clock. 4 am. Way too early.

I flopped back down on my pillow and touched my neck with the tips of my fingers. Smooth skin. No blood. Gods, it had felt so real.

It was like reliving my own attack. Except that’s not how it happened. I hadn’t been digging in an underground tunnel by torchlight. There hadn’t been two corpses, only the one vampire. And I’d never held a sword in my life. I certainly wasn’t male. Or a knight.

I rubbed my nose. This was way too weird. Just a dream, that’s all. A really weird dream. I shut my eyes and willed myself back to sleep. It was a long time coming.

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The Horror Of It All!

A couple days ago I did a crazy thing.

I Rick Astley'd my Twitter peeps. Oh, yes, I did.

This led to a rather merry to and fro with zombie writer Jack Wallen (and a few others) regarding Rick Astley, Celine Dion and zombies. It also led me to have a few Deep Thoughts regarding my favorite Zombie Moments throughout history. Well, my own personal history anyway.

Musically speaking we MUST start with the MJ classic:

Closely followed by this ridiculously cool updated version:

Not quite as good as a Rick Astley zombie, but darn close.

It's not a movie, but any good list of zombie movies must include The Walking Dead. Honestly, I think it's one of the best tv shows I've seen in awhile, zombies or no zombies. But we all know that everything is better with zombies. Can't wait for season two.

28 Days Later wins the movie list for me. I don't know why, but I could watch that move a hundred times. Come to think of it, I probably have.

Close behind is Dawn of the Dead (both versions). Zombies in a shopping mall. Yeah, been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt.

And who can forget Zombieland for the sheer awesomeness of "Time to nut up or shut up!"

Shaun of the Dead wins for sheer fun factor, not to mention Best Use of Every Day Items As Zombie Weapons.

But what we're really here for are zombie books. Am I right? Of course I am.

Granted, I'm only a "newbie" to the genre, but I find I quite enjoy a good zombie yarn.

For those who enjoy a good romance with a side of zombie, check out Joss Ware's Envy Chronicles. Now, these aren't the kind of romances where zombies fall in love (Ew. The sheer ick factor creeps me out no end.). These are post-apocalyptic romance novels where humans (live ones) fall in love with other humans (also live) and fight zombies on the side. Fan-freaking-tastic!

Jesse Petersen's Living With The Dead series is chock full of giggles. Can a zombie apocalypse save your marriage? Apparently the answer is "yes"! Some of you may know Jesse from KB. The series is traditionally published, but she will also be self-pubbing some zombie short stories based on the LWTD world in August. So check her out!

Finally, my latest discovery. Indie author Jack Wallen's I Zombie I is keeping me up nights. Seriously. I am so annoyed with him right now. It's not that I find it particularly scary, it's just so GOOD. I can't wait to see what happens next! The second in the series, My Zombie My, is going to be available next month (I hate you Jack!). It's top of my "Zombie's to buy" list.

How about you? Know any good zombie movies? Music? Books?

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It's The Final Countdown...

...to the release date of my very first novel (and the first in my Sunwalker Saga), Kissed by Darkness. Yeeeeehaw!

Starting with my shiny new cover in all it's glory (Amanda did a BRILLIANT job. Thanks!):

Cover Artist: Amanda Kelsey
Model: Anaïs Gryspeirt
MUA: Magdalena Stankowska

Can you tell I'm excited? Just a little bit? Yeah, pretty much dancing around like a maniac over here. It's just so perfect. It suits the mood of the novel so well, and it looks so darned PROFESSIONAL! Not to mention I love Anaïs as Morgan. Gorgeous.

As for the book itself, I should be getting it back from the editor by the end of next week at which point I can polish it up before sending it to the formatter. I'm definitely on track for a release at the end of this month. SQUEE!!!

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Review: Domestic Rom Com Horror

Completely bizarre. Totally weird. Oddly alluring. Strangely funny.

I have no other words. Honest. Because I have never. In my life. Read anything so weird and yet so entertaining.

That's how I describe Alan Ryker's short story (It's a play, actually.). The one with the title I totally can't pronounce.

At first it's like falling down a rabbit whole. Reading the Jabberwocky. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. And then it does.

Check it out on Amazon and Amazon UK.

And while you're at it, Alan's got an interesting post up on his blog where he talks about why he made it a play instead of a novella. Why Make It A Play?

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And the Nominees Are....

I guess that would be me.

I had no idea there was any sort of contest or whatever going on, but I'm in the running for the Author of the Month Award over on Were Vamps Romance. There are lots of fantastic authors in the running, as well, so I highly doubt I'll win. After all, it was just a little spotlight. But still it's soooo cool.

I'm ridiculously, dorkily happy about it. That's just the way I roll.

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All The Cool Kids Are Doing It...

Apparently today is the day for interviews with super cool authors.

First is an interview over on JA Konrath's site with one of my all time faves, James Rollins. Ok, technically it was posted yesterday, but let's not split hairs. I'm thrilled James Rollins has a new ebook short story out for just 99 cents. (Now if only stupid Amazon would let me purchase it.) I'm even more excited that he will be self pubbing more shorts stories in the near future. Rock on.

Next, Cheryl Shireman is hanging out over at David Gaughran's blog today talking about how Life Is More Than A Dream. For those of you who may not know, Cheryl has had incredible success self publishing her novel Life Is But A Dream. Cheryl is a lovely lady and is happy to share her experiences, so head over and check out the post.

All right, so it's just two super cool authors, but trust me their posts are worth reading.

I've been thinking about doing some author interviews here on my blog. Just to add something of interest. Plus it'll give me the chance to be legitimately nosey. I love being nosey.

If any one is interested, drop me a line.

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