In a freshly lawless New England in the dead of winter…
A bloodied and barefoot 17-year-old, grieving the loss of her father, trudges around a smoldering pileup on the road out of town. She’s endeavoring the 120 mile trek to her only living family member through blizzard conditions…
A once kind-hearted lumberjack splits a teenager’s nose in half with the rim of a metal gas can. Since the day his family was slaughtered before his eyes, he’s been consumed with an undying fury that can only be quelled through acts of violence…
A two-time college-dropout, trying to do good, howls in agony as her face is slashed with a razor-blade. The crackhead who did the deed is taking back her five-year-old child who the drop-out was trying to protect after finding him abandoned in a dumpster…
Anyone wishing to live must harden and adapt to the new rules of a world post-fall of polite. This dangerous new world will make you into a survivor… or a corpse.
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Sam Kench is a 23-year-old writer and independent filmmaker. His screenplays and short films have been awarded by festivals and competitions around the world. Click here to check out work on BrickwallPictures.com
In 2014 he was named one of the top defenders of free speech by the National Coalition Against Censorship.
He grew up in New England and spent years exploring many of the locations that found their way into the novel. He now resides in Los Angeles. ‘The Fall of Polite’ is his debut novel.
Sarah Biglow is a USA Today Bestselling author of cozy mysteries, urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and son. She is a licensed attorney and spends her days combating employment discrimination as an Investigator with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
She is a self-professed TV junkie and in her spare time (what’s that?), she runs a TV recap blog with her best friend (and sorority sister), Jen. Sarah currently enjoys an array of TV shows including (but definitely not limited to) This Is Us, The Good Doctor, Doctor Who, Lucifer and any show with Chicago in the title by Dick Wolf.
USA Today Bestselling Author MOLLY ZENK was born in Minnesota, grew up in Florida, lived briefly in Tennessee before finally settling in Colorado. She graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL with degrees in Secondary Education, English, and Creative Writing. She write across genres but primarily YA, romance, historical, and urban fantasy/paranormal. She is married to a Mathematician/Software Engineer who complains about there not being enough “math” or info about him in her author bio. They live in Arvada, CO with their daughters.
Hunted by Sarah Biglow and Molly Zenk ~ Genre: Paranormal Romance, Alt-History
On the hundredth anniversary of being turned into a vampire, Edith Dorset joins her adopted daughters and their friends at the Heartsong Clan’s annual Live Action Role Play recruitment event where she meets an eager young man named Dan Paxton. His older brother and Hunter, Darren, thinks Dan’s merely chaperoning a trip to a nerd convention, but has no idea he’s partnered with vampires for the weekend.
When Darren discovers Dan missing, he follows the only lead he has to the Heartsong Clan’s residence on Tombstone Row. Edith and Darren’s first meeting is uneasy because he lies his way into the Clan’s house, claiming to be there to play on the side of humans. He’s determined to keep his Hunter instincts in check, rescue his brother, and get it out of there.
An impromptu late-night encounter leads Darren and Edith to come clean with each other about who and what they are. Edith longs to keep Darren and his brother close, although it goes against Clan rules, and Darren is finding it harder than he thought to snuff out Edith and her family. Darren and Edith grow closer as they seek out the truth from her Sire, Mr. Heartsong.
While Darren uses all his Hunter skills to free his brother and be the hero, Mr. Heartsong banishes Edith from the Clan for her behavior towards Darren. No longer having Clan protection, Edith is faced with a terrible choice. Just as Darren returns with Hunter reinforcements, Heartsong and his Clan have vanished, along with Edith and her family. All that remains is a note from Edith, begging Darren to find them. And so, the hunt begins.
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An Interview with Author Sarah Biglow
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Hi, I’m Sarah Biglow and I’m a USA Today Bestselling author. I write primarily urban fantasy and cozy mystery. I dabble in paranormal romance, although admittedly most of my romance tends to be on the lighter side (as in it’s there but it’s not always the focal point). I have been publishing since 2015 and am so grateful to be on this journey with my amazing co-author Molly Zenk. We’ve been friends for over a decade and have been writing together for the last two years.
In terms of how I became an author, I was originally published by a small press in 2012 but when the publisher shut its doors, I made the decision to self-publish and have been on that journey ever since. I will say I’ve learned a lot in the last two years when I really started to take my career seriously. I’ve had to adjust my goals and expectations over time, but I think I’m really starting to get the hang of this author thing! I hope you’ll think about coming on this wild ride with me by following me on social media and diving into some of my books.
How do you find time to write as a parent?
Have I found time to write as a parent? It’s still a work in progress with an almost eighteen-month-old. I do my best to get up early and write before I have to start work (I have a full-time day job, too) and when he goes to bed sometimes I’ll try to write then. On weekends, I do my best to take advantage of nap time, but let’s be real, that doesn’t always happen either. Sometimes, mama just needs a nap herself! But it really has become much more of a balancing act/spinning plate scenario since the little guy came along.
Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?
I can absolutely see my Seasons of Magic (urban fantasy) series being made into a movie. I’ve actually talked about my dream cast on the series Facebook fan page. I think in particular it would be fascinating to see how the visual effects department would adapt and show the way magic is used in that universe. But I could also see Hunted being made into a trilogy of shorter films (there are two more books coming soon). It’s got action, romance, mystery, drama and a unique premise that I think would lend itself to a visual medium. I could also see both of my current cozy mystery series being maybe short-run special event miniseries for TV. Like the Hallmark channel or something fun and light like that.
Can you tell us a little about the characters in Hunted?
Hunted follows Darren and Edith, two people on opposing sides of a centuries-long conflict who are more connected than they realize when they first meet. Edith has been a vampire for 100 years after the death of her fiancé during World War I. And Darren is driven by revenge against all vampires because vampires killed his parents. There are other supporting characters like Edith’s adopted daughters and Darren’s younger brother who round out the cast and provide a lot of innocence and some much-needed comic relief. But they are also people dealing with grief and loss as well as identity, position in society and what it means to love your fellow man.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I loved building the world and the backstory for this series with my co-author Molly Zenk. It was our first foray into co-writing and we just had a blast coming up wit the rules for our vampires (they can only turn seven people with that person’s verbal consent before they turn to dust). I really enjoyed the social justice aspect of the story as well. Our vampires exist out in the open, but they are treated as second class citizens after losing the Civil War. They’ve been subjugated to government land (similar to the Native tribes in reality) and forced to take government benefits. So, it was really ripe for something big to kick off and I think we did a good job of showing that despite surface differences, they are all people.
Today I am excited to have had the opportunity to interview Shannon Work, author of Now I See You. Now I See You is Shannon’s first novel. She is currently busy writing the second. Book 2 in the Mountain Resort Mystery Series is a murder mystery set in Vail, Colorado.
Check out Shannon’s book below!
(Click on the image to order your copy)
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The Magic in Fire ~ Genre: Fantasy Anthology ~ with stories by Victoria Young, Dragonness Wyverna, A. H. Serrano, L. R. Huseboe, Kieran McKiel, A. A. Warne, R. A. Darlinge, Aörali Eden, B. R. Storm, Ilona Krueger, Serena Dawson, Michelle Crow, and J. T. Moriarty
*** 12 MAGICAL TALES IN ONE MASSIVE FANTASY COLLECTION ***
Twelve stories – Thirteen authors. One theme – The Magic in Fire.
FEATURING IN THIS ANTHOLOGY:
Victoria Young – The Doll Boutique There’s nothing healthy about a tan – Melinda had heard the warnings and frankly, being stuck in a cramped white coffin was not her idea of fun. But when she wakes from the solarium bed in a dusty prison cell, Melinda realises she’s gotten herself into a tighter spot than she expected.
Dragonness Wyverna – Fire Under Water Humans have come to the desert, and with them comes death. The oasis has been an indestructible black rock and shelter for the Desharihn fire sprites for generations. But when a band of humans arrive to mine the rock, it is up to Fia, the last Rahar sprite, to save the tribe from the humans’ immutable greed.
A. H. Serrano – Conviction by Fire Blessed with the power of fire, Lhii Fuéra’s duty is to protect, but in the aftermath of a murder, she’s the one placed on trial. As the daughter of a great general, Lhii soon realizes that justice matters little among the powerful, and she’s faced with a choice: Become the victim or blame the victim.
L. R. Huseboe – Flames of Green Jaer and his Knight Commander Kae, wander the thick forest in search of information about their missing spy. What they found was a battle against their century-long enemy, the Shaedyn. Will they prevail or face the same unknown fate?
Kieran McKiel – Hummingbird Far from home and missing his love, Marco is fighting a war to end all wars. When hope seems lost, a strange entity appears with an offer to help him survive.
A. A. Warne – The Masters of Fire The Masters of Fire were once a powerful brotherhood, but now only two of their brothers remain in the free world. Will they be strong enough to liberate their kin from the clutches of the Mad King? Or will an uncomfortable truth unravel their master plan?
B. R. Storm – The Harbinger Since the beginning of Earth, Watcher has been tethered to immortality, waiting for the final soul to depart. The day finally comes and Watcher prepares for rest, but he’s confronted by the bringer of apocalyptic carnage.
Ilona Krueger – Song of my Soul Always the realist, Felicity does not entertain anything that is unscientifically based. Her clinical assertions leave no room for magic and imagination. It is said, however, that Pride goes before a fall. And fall, she does. Is there salvation from the pit? Does she rise from the ashes? Is there hope for a new understanding?
Serena Dawson – A Spark of Courage Prince Zabriel’s fire magic is weak, but Princess Maniela’s will to defy their cruel father is strong. Zabriel agrees to help his sister, and she leads them into a battle that will determine the fate and future of their kingdom.
Michelle Crow – The Flame When Momma Courtney shows up on Prudence’s doorstep and draws magical wards to protect the house from an impending attack; Prudence’s reality is thrown into chaos as she discovers she’s the last Flame Keeper. Now with the entire village’s lives in her hands, can she save them from the body-snatching Ifrits with her untrained powers?
J. T. Moriarty – Petals of Autumn As the legendary dragon, Flallemin, sets its sights on Goblin Birchwoods, Wedina has an impossible challenge: train the entire tribe. While there are plenty of shields, there’s only one sword and Wedina knows it’ll take more than might to deal with the hungry dragon.
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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became anauthor?
Adryanna – I wrote and illustrated my first story when I was seven. It was called “Panda’s Hat,” and one of the main characters died. If that doesn’t say something about how I write now… Anyway! I continued writing slice-of-life stories until I discovered a love for reading fantasy. That’s when I shifted gears and began writing more fantasy stories. I was fifteen when I wrote the novel I swore would be the first one I published. And I published that novel in October.
Amanda – I love everything about fantasy. In fact, I live more inside my head then I do in real life, so it was natural that I’d end up becoming a writer. That way I can harness the weird part about me. As a child I was always creating art but when I became a mother, I felt that my art practice was just too much, so I fell into writing. It’s clean, easy to put aside when I need to attend to my children, and then jump back in when I could. So I’ve been writing for over ten years now.
Brandon – I discovered I wanted to write stories since the fifth grade. I started this endeavor by stepping a toe over copyright infringement with small blurbs about The Legend of Zelda franchise. No project was entirely completed and no money was made, so perhaps maybe not. I didn’t get my inspiration to seek more original material until two years later. I was wholeheartedly enthralled by the imaginative brain of Stephen King. The Stand truly lit the match for me. By seventeen, I’d written two-and-three-quarters books and already moved back from Canada to the United States after discovering my father. I grew displeased with my immature work and discarded them to the depths of a portable harddrive during my last year of high school. Life distracted me from then until October 2017. Drunk on anger and gin, I found myself in need of cathartic self-therapy. Lo and behold, the need to write reemerged, and The Infinity Series was born.
Brittany – I recently discovered that I’ve been writing stories since I learned to put pencil to paper…I suppose I let life take over for several years and forgot about a childhood passion. In 2015, out of curiosity and desperation, I started tossing my hat into the freelance ghostwriting ring. After I landed my first contract, a 50k bad boy romance that had a three-week turnaround (oh, the story was bad!), I was hooked! Since then, I’ve co-written a novel, had three—soon to be four—-short stories published, ghostwritten countless novellas for clients, and am working on an absurd number of stories and ideas.
Debi – I wrote (and illustrated) a story when I was eight years old, and when I showed it to my mom, she told me I should be an author when I grow up. It hadn’t yet occured to me that people actually wrote books for a living, and my mind was blown by the revelation. I wrote another little story, illustrated it, and entered it in the State Fair. It got champion in its division. That was my “sign” that I was meant to be an author. I didn’t stop writing after that; I wrote “books” to commemorate my friends moving out of state, I wrote “books” to give my friends super powers, and I wrote “books” to prove my sister’s boyfriend didn’t deserve her. Finally, I started writing for myself, telling the stories I wanted to tell, and I just couldn’t stop.
Ilona – Words are fascinating. Stories are fascinating. I have always been thrilled with reading about other people and places and times. Pens, pencils and paper always held a fascination for me. And what does one do with these? The natural follow on is writing, another way to explore and create. It’s wonderful to be able to project one’s imagination into other worlds and life circumstances. I had penfriends from an early age, dabbled with poetry and enjoyed writing compositions. School was never a punishment for me: it was opportunity to learn, to research and to think.
Jay – Hi, I’m that excitable little geek who loved scifi and fantasy as a kid, but always knew a better way the story could have ended. To that end I became an author, because I wanted to show everyone what my ideas were! In year 2 I wrote my first story about pirates. In year 10 computers I was so thoroughly bored my stories would write themselves and entertain me. I’ve always got plenty of ideas bubbling around, and luckily can remember a great deal of them, so eventually enough ideas coagulate into a story length something-or-other, which is exactly how The Full Life of a Robot came to be. The “Leaves of Autumn” story came to me as a way to use magic and fire in a unique way. Magic means fantasy means Goblins, and not nasty ones but good ones. And fire means dragons, so we had our goodies and baddies, but we needed a way for the wimp to beat the giant, for David to beat Goliath. Coming up with that story element, and finally having my Eureka! moment really makes writing worthwhile for me, and it’s what I look for in every story I write. If a piece doesn’t have at least one “this will make or break the story” moment, I don’t feel like I’m doing my job.
Kieran – I’ve just always had an active imagination and a love for storytelling, so the spark has always been there. Initially it was just writing generic fantasy for the fun of it, but now that I’m getting a bit older, it’s become a form of catharsis, as well, a really helpful form of escapism. Sometimes you just need to leave reality for a while and empty yourself out on a page.
Laura – I’ve been writing since I was 13, since I was always a bit bored in school and needed something to do to pass the time. I grew to love writing at such a young age as it let me explore the worlds in my head. It wasn’t until last year that I was given the chance to be a part of the Anotholy with Amanda and a few of the others here. I am so honored and excited to be a part of this again.
Serena –
The funny thing is, I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I do remember reading a career advice column in a magazine, it was listing ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ but all the ‘cons’ of being an author looked positive to me, like “lots of time spent alone.” Lol. So I was like, what part of this is negative?
I have a distinct memory of narrating what I was doing in third person, like; “Serena strode across the room to the door, opening it with a forceful jerk.” I realised what I was doing, laughed at myself and then decided it was a sign I had a writer’s brain!
I was homeschooled and grew up rurally so my childhood was quite different to most people’s.
When not working raising calves, my sister and I would explore the countryside on our ponies. I also spent a lot of time at the beach as a child or playing in our stream. Water always fascinated me. Exploring up streams and rivers is something I still love.
Although I loved some aspects of that life, such as the freedom to explore and go horse riding, it could sometimes be lonely and boring, despite having four siblings. However, the isolation helped develop my imagination, something I’m very thankful for.
Reading fiction was an important part of my childhood. It taught me things no one else could, and helped me through difficult times. I learnt to be brave, despite being a generally fearful and anxious kid, thanks to living through the stories of so many protagonists. I learnt a lot about relationships and taking responsibility for my emotions through the writing of Jane Austen. Her mix of emotional intelligence and stoicism is something I still turn to for comfort and wisdom.
Sometime too far back for me to pinpoint, I decided, ‘if books can be all this for me, then my stories can be “this” for someone else.’ To entertain is an achievement, but to go beyond that; to inspire, to transform, to give hope to the hopeless, is my dream.
I started writing my main WIP, a fantasy trilogy, when I was desperately bored while breastfeeding. I picked up a pen and some paper, started writing longhand, and out walked the first characters into the forest that is one of the main settings of my book. it was almost like all I had to do was open the door and there they were…
Vicky – I am drawn to stories the way I am to music. They both share an infinite potential for evoking emotion, hijacking the imagination and uncovering universal truths. There’s nothing more powerful and I am an absolute sucker for a crescendo. To me, the potential to have that kind of an impact, even upon one single reader, in the whole of my life, makes storytelling the most rewarding and exciting venture. I’ve been brewing my ideas and writing for myself all of my life, though it has always played a side role. My literature-based undergrad was more for writing than it was my teaching degree. I’ve done well in a number of writing competitions but never taken it further. Well, I guess I will now. Let’s see where the future takes me. Plus, you know, I’ve had Amanda – AA Warne – poking and prodding me for a good decade now. It’s time.
I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information on The Magic In Fire!
Amy Michelle Carpenter is a developmental editor with Eschler Editing and a professional blogger. She’s written hundreds of blogs and news articles for local and national companies. She also has a children’s story in an anthology.
As the daughter of an Army officer, she grew up traveling the country and has lived by sandy beaches, southern woods, towering cities, and the rocky mountains. Now, she resides in the countryside of Tooele, UT with her husband and baby girls. She enjoys seeing what wildlife and farm animals dare venture into her yard only to be chased by her toddlers. Wherever family is is home.
Becoming Human by Amy Michelle Carpenter ~ Genre: YA Science Fiction
A redneck boy. An Earth-obsessed alien. And a robotic girl… Three wildly different teenagers must work together, and accept one another, to conserve humanity.
A breathtaking debut with Southern charm, whimsical worlds, and meet-cuteness, for fans of Marie Lu and Lois Lowry.
Carter doesn’t believe in aliens. And he certainly doesn’t defend his dad’s claims that they exist, even if they aired on national television. But then, the girl he’s falling for starts doing strange things, magical things, things that seem a bit out of this world.
Kokab hungers to be a Perfect in a world where her emotions are her greatest flaw. But when her planet faces extinction, her sympathy makes her the best ambassador to persuade humans to accept her people. Failure means invasion, but success means she will never become a Perfect. Ags dreams of graduating from the Academy and becoming a guardian of Earth.
Obsessed with all things human, she’s eager to spend time on the unique planet. But when she uncovers an impending invasion, she’s willing to lose everything, including herself, to stop it.
“Human and alien, complex and sweetly personal, Carpenter’s thoughtful world blends sci-fi with coming of age as three unique worlds collide. This book will make you laugh, make you fall in love, and then make you re-evaluate what it means to be human.” McKelle George, HarperCollins author of Speak Easy Speak Love
Would you like a chance to win an ebook copy of Midnight Sun or a $15 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
It all started with an assignment I got in sixth grade to create a book about myself. In it, I announced that in ten years I’d be a published author. Right around my 22nd birthday, I found that book. Had I become an author? Nope. So, I decided that it was totally feasible to accomplish my kid dreams, and I went for it.
I checked out a guidebook on how to be published for dummies (this isn’t a joke). Then, I followed its advice. I joined a writing group, started going to conferences, honed my craft by taking on an internship with an editing company (because I thought there was no better way to learn to write than to learn how to tell others how to write), and built connections. A friend of mine got a publishing contract with a company, and she recommended me. And that’s how I broke into to the wild business of publishing!
What is something unique/quirky about you?
Before having all my little babies, I lived in a school bus with my husband. My husband tore out all the seats, and we got to work remaking the inside of it into a little home.We had a bedroom, a little kitchenette, a bathroom, and a living room. We even had a giant tub in the bathroom that fit the two of us and a full-sized couch.
While living in a school bus may sound like luxury (haha), I wasn’t the biggest fan, so I highly recommend not jumping on that bandwagon. I won’t get into the gritty details, but let’s just say that a lot of basic like electricity and heating struggled to work, and, even though we were renting a piece of land, we looked sketchy sitting there. The cops may have showed up at our house a few times in the middle of the night. But, it ended up well enough because when we moved into a real house it felt like a luxury!
Where were you born/grew up at?
My dad was military, so I basically grew up all around the USA. That was a good time. My dad was stationed in Georgia for a year, so I pulled some of my distant memories of the place to write this book.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I have three babies under three, so finding time to write is basically impossible these days. It’s a good thing I wrote this novel when I only had one newborn who slept all day.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Redneck Intellect.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
The two female protagonists are me, which is weird to say because they’re foils of each other, but it’s true. I’m a crazy perfectionist like Kokab. There have been times in my life when I’ve been so obsessed with being a good person that I couldn’t really function. There’s a part of me that really feels that rigidity and confusion about customs, and I definitely sometimes feel like social things can take a second to click. But then, there’s this other side of me that is all Ags, super excited and exuberant about things, with high energy and happiness.
The male protagonist Carter, is kind of just a mesh up of my husband and also what I think the ideal guy is.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I think I most enjoyed the process of working on it with others. I have an amazing critique group, and it was so fun to brainstorm with them and then steal their ideas that they had for my book and look like a total genius. Looking like a genius is great fun.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Becoming Human is the whole theme of the book. Theme is really important to me, and the book is all about what makes us human and what the point of the human experience is.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Of course. I’m one of those people that could keep picking at something forever and ever. But I won’t since it’s now been through all the beta reading stages and three stages with Immortal Works’ editor. I’m pretty sure I’d make a lot of people annoyed if I went in and tried to change things now.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Ags is really obsessed with the humanities, so it was really fun to go out and learn about a plethora of different paintings, and stories, and ballet, and such.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Yes, I did theater in high school, so that’d be a blast. My favorite character to play would be Anna though. Anna is really overdramatic and wild and does whatever she wants, and that’d be an exciting character to play.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
One of my favorite parts of the book is Kokab and Carter’s first date (spoiler, sorry..not sorry). It’s just so cute and awkward and real. I feel like it’s how a real first date goes with two teenagers who are crushing on each other.
What did you edit out of this book?
Well, this book was originally a completely different story so half of the ensemble of characters, most of the scenes, and the overall storyline. The theme stayed the same though, so that’s good.
Do you see writing as a career?
Of course.
What do you think about the current publishing market?
I’m a big fan of Indie publishers. I like them because they have more wiggle room for originality and wholesomeness.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I love YA books. Maybe I’m immature; I don’t know. I most especially love sci-fi with female protagonists.
Advice they would give new writers?
Join a really good writing group. They will teach you how to write. Go to conferences. Use the conferences to learn but also to meet people. Making friends with people who are authors will help you break in yourself.
What makes a good story?
To me, it’s what I come out with. A good story is one that inspires or uplifts me or makes me question things. I only have so many hours in a day, so I want to come out better than I went in before I read it.
Edited by Jeffery Deaver with stories by Jeffery Deaver, Joseph Badal, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Shannon Kirk, Jon Land, John Lescroart, D.P. Lyle, Kevin O’ Brien, and Hank Phillippi Ryan
The sun sets. The moon takes its place, illuminating the most evil corners of the planet. What twisted fear dwells in that blackness? What legends attach to those of sound mind and make them go crazy in the bright light of day? Only Suspense Magazine knows…
Teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, Suspense Magazine offers up a nail-biting anthology titled: “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.” This thrilling collection consists of thirteen original short stories representing the genres of suspense/thriller, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, and more.
Readers’ favorites come together to explore the mystery of midnight. The ‘best of the best’ presenting these memorable tales, include: Joseph Badal, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Jeffery Deaver, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Shannon Kirk, Jon Land, John Lescroart, D. P. Lyle, Kevin O’Brien, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.
Take their hands…walk into their worlds…but be prepared to leave the light on when you’re through. After all, this incredible gathering of authors, who will delight fans of all genres, not only utilized their award-winning imaginations to answer that age-old question of why “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight”—they also made sure to pen stories that will leave you…speechless.
Contents:
INTRODUCTION by Jeffery Deaver
12:01 AM By Alan Jacobson
Cell Phone Intolerant by Kevin O'Brien
All Aboard by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Gone Forever by Joseph Badal
Night Shift by Linwood Barclay
Midnight in the Garden of Death by Heather Graham
The Sixth Decoy by Paul Kemprecos
A Creative Defense by Jeffery Deaver
After Midnight by Rhys Bowen
Easy Peasey by John Lescroart
TONIC by D.P. Lyle
Tonight is the Night by Shannon Kirk
ATM by Jon Land
Review From Publisher’s Weekly:
Most of the 13 all-original tales in this superlative anthology are unified by strange or unpleasant incidences occurring after the stroke of midnight. In contrast, Alan Jacobson’s thrilling “12:01 AM,” about a kidnapper patterning himself after a serial killer on death row, defies the perception that nothing good happens after midnight, as does John Land’s “ATM,” a redemption tale of a young man sent on a series of vague quests to improve people’s lives. Of special distinction are Linwood Barclay’s sublime nail-biter, “Night Shift,” about a newspaperman trying to stop a late-night caller from going on a killing spree, and Kevin O’Brien’s “Cell Phone Intolerant,” a darkly amusing vigilante tale of an anti–cell phone zealot whose crusade to punish inconsiderate people has shocking repercussions. Other standouts include Heather Graham’s disquieting spine-chiller, “Midnight in the Garden of Death,” in which high schoolers spend the night in a cemetery, and Deaver’s supernatural gothic, “A Creative Defense,” which underscores the power of music. This volume is guaranteed to keep readers burning the midnight oil well into the wee hours.
—Peter James, UK #1 Bestselling Author of the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace Series
“NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT is a treat—dark, chilling, and delicious. Grab it.”
—Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award-Winning Author of The Dark Corners of the Night
“NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT proves that the witching hour still has the power to haunt in this suspenseful collection of stories by luminaries in the literary world. Inventive, twisted, and downright chilling, here is an anthology to be savored—well past midnight and into the dead of night.”
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Jeff Pollak, author of First Second Coming, first had the idea for his debut novel on 9/11 as he watched the World Trade Center collapse. In this interview find out all about Jeff’s writing process and get a glimpse into the world of First Second Coming!
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Born at Dawn Cover by Ruxandra Tudorica
Born At Dawn (Da’Valia Trilogy Book 1) by Christina Davis ~ Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure
When a heist goes terribly wrong and the binding spell holding 17-year-old Neva’s powers at bay is shattered, the half-human thief knows she’s in trouble.
Neva has always hidden her Da’Valian heritage while working risky jobs to make a name for herself and serving at her family’s tavern, but she won’t be able to hide much longer. She can either risk the safety of those she cares about or seek out her mother’s people to gain control over her emerging powers.
The Da’Valia are beautiful, brutal creatures created by the god of war, and the austere Da’Valian soldier Astiand reluctantly agrees to take Neva to his clan under his protection. She makes unexpected friends, including the handsome fighter Emiliand, and a new enemy in the clan’s ruthless leader.
Spying on her guardian, the sly heroine quickly discovers just how deep she has stumbled into a dangerous, developing clan feud.
Will she be able to embrace who she is in time to keep her loved ones safe?
⚠ This book is about a race of warriors and contains violent scenes, which may not be suitable for all audiences.
Here’s what early readers of BORN AT DAWN had to say…
• “It’s so good!!! I’m slightly obsessed ♥ …I need more Astiand and Neva moments” ★★★★★
• “I always wanted to read more and struggled to put the book down” ★★★★★
• “I adored the book. It’s unique, and the characters are incredible.” ★★★★★
• “The pacing of the plot was one of the things that impressed me when reading this book: from the high-tension beginning, to the way world-building details were strung seamlessly … every chapter left me eager to read more without making me feel as if I was being constantly strung along by cliffhangers.” ★★★★
Christina Davis was raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and she spent much of her childhood in and out of hospitals, embracing reading as an escape. After being home-schooled through high school, she graduated summa cum laude from San Jose State University and attended NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute before embarking on a decade-long career in journalism. She enjoys chocolate, cosplay, coffee, and board games, but not necessarily in that order. She now lives in beautiful Monterey County with her husband and daughter.
Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
What inspired you to write this book?
The main thing that inspired me to write this book was Lilith Saintcrow’s Dante Valentine series. I know it’s strange to say an commercial urban fantasy series inspired you to write an epic fantasy series for new adult readers, but it did. Her story, the romance, and the imagery made me fall in love with an idea, which would be a spoiler for the third book of the trilogy, so I won’t go into that here. But, basically, reading good books is really inspirational for me.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Well, I have the second and third books in the Da’Valia Trilogy drafted, and I am working on editing them with the intent to publish the second book, Blood, Fire & Mercy, in 2021 and the third book by 2022. Beyond that, I have so many ideas floating around in my mind… choosing one will be hard.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in BORN AT DAWN?
Yes! Neva Roberts is the main character of Born at Dawn. She’s 17 and working three jobs to help support her family. She’s super closed off, even from those closest to her, because she’s a half-blood and her mother raised her to hide the non-human side. But Neva is also pretty kick-ass. She moonlights as a thief, she enjoys competing in knife-throwing tournaments, and she operates in a moral gray area. Her biggest struggle in the first book is self-acceptance. The secondary characters are her human family and gang of thieves, and then as the book progresses, the Da’Valia, who are essentially battle demons that were created by the god of war.
There’s a couple of love interests, and each is really a reflection of some part of Neva. There’s her thieving friend, Adam, who she grew up with; her Da’Valian guardian, Astiand, who is your typical alpha male; and a Da’Valian soldier, Emiliand, who is your “gray shirt” guy. I don’t want to say too much about him because I know I’ll give something away, but he speaks to Neva in a way different from the other guys.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
OK, tell me if you’ve heard this one before – I started by pulling pieces of paper out of a hat. Seriously. When I finished college, I knew I wanted to write a book, and I needed some direction. I pulled out an occupation (thief) and a race (demon). Only I didn’t really want to write about a demon, so I decided to put my own spin on it. I wanted to create a people who complemented each other in a sort of yin and yang way. I also wanted them to be super honorable, courageous, valiant… And so the Da’Valia were born.
The hilans, the males of the race, have dark skin, hair, and horns. Their power is a night-sky black. But then on the other hand, the majilas, the females of the race, have white hair, skin and horns. Their power is sun-white and bright. They can use their powers together after a holy rite. I wanted the Da’Valia to be naturally fierce and brutal and purposefully proper and honorable.
Most of the Da’Valia characters were born out of these concepts. I didn’t even necessarily plan that Neva would operate in such a moral gray area, but I love that it worked out this way. She’s a half-breed, so it would only make sense that she does things a little differently.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
This question makes me laugh because I only recently realized what a name nerd I am. I have four different baby name books that I reference, and I owned them all long before I ever even thought about becoming a mom. The human names in the book were chosen to evoke a certain feel, one of high fantasy in a northern ice city. For the Da’Valian names, I built my own simple naming convention – guys have “and” on the end of their names and girls have “zhi” on the ends of their names. Surnames among the Da’Valia include a clan marker and a word derived from Spanish that often might hint at what type of person the character is.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Oh my. Titles are hard for writers, and I ran through so many options before I settled on BORN AT DAWN. Eventually, I asked myself, “what is the theme of the book?” and then I looked for a phrase that embodied the theme. Since majilas, female Da’Valia, were created by the god of war at dawn and Neva’s journey is one of self-acceptance, Born at Dawn became the title.
Who designed your book covers?
Ruxandra Tudorica of Methyss Art. She’s an artistic goddess. Her process is super interesting, beginning with a stock image of a model, progressing with 3D stock images of clothing, hair, weapons, etc. Then, she digitally paints over it to turn it into an illustration and she adds the background elements. I can’t recommend her highly enough. When I look at the cover of Born of Dawn, I feel like this character who I’ve gotten to know so intimately over the years, has truly come to life.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I learned a lot in the process of writing this book and this trilogy. I read so many books about plotting, took classes, challenged myself, asked other people to challenge me… My beta readers who tore into the first several chapters were perhaps the most helpful. I was able to learn from their constructive criticism and apply it throughout the book.
My husband also works in quality assurance and is one of the most critical people I know, so I asked him to be my consistency editor. During his paternity leave, we’d sit down at night or during nap time and go over his comments to troubleshoot them. In the process, I realized I couldn’t fake things or explain them away with magic. I needed to make sure every decision could be backed up if it was challenged. Rest assured, every decision in Born at Dawn can be defended! Haha. Anyway, now I feel as if my brain is wired differently, because as I write, I think to myself, could I defend this choice to my husband? And if the answer is no, I try again.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Just, thank you so much for trusting a new indie author to take you on an adventure. I hope you love the book as much as I do!
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
So there are two scenes that I ADORE, but I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that the Da’Valia are a passionate race and Neva’s relationship with a certain hilan (a male Da’Valia) gives me all the good feels.
Disclaimer: The book is mild steamy – no actual smut takes place (and sorry if the word “smut” offended anyone. I think you either love the term or hate it, and I prefer to embrace it!).
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
It would absolutely be Neva. We’d hang out, throw knives, and maybe get into trouble with her invisibility glamour.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
I have one character in Book 3 who was largely inspired by a friend of my parents growing up, but everyone else is from my imagination.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Oh, yes, and they will never see the light of day! Haha. I wrote them when I was a teenager, so while I look back on them fondly, they really were the stepping stones to becoming the writer I am today.
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Mmm… Something wintery or minty.
What did you edit out of this book?
I edited out two different beginnings to get things going right on Page 1. In one deleted beginning, Neva was meeting up with the crime lord who gave her a job, and in the another, she was on the job infiltrating a tower. The opening I went with, where she’s interrupted mid-job, seemed like a lot more fun.
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We hope you treated yourself to many books. You deserve it.
This Catalog Brought to You By Nina Soden #TheRedheadedAuthor and Bestselling & Award Winning Author D. Fischer!
Valerie Evans is a modern fantasy addict living in Georgia who finally took the plunge to self-publish her first novel after nearly seven years. She is the author of The Anberlin Chronicles series and the forthcoming Wolves of Worsham series. In her free time, she likes to read all genres with a focus on fantasy, entertain her very clingy dog, and collect Funkos pops plus journals.
Of Spells and Furby Valerie Evans ~ Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
As the only known survivor of a horrific massacre years earlier, Molly Hastings has rebuilt her life as a dedicated member of the Anberlin sentries. It’s her job to protect and police the supernatural citizens who call the town home, but the discovery of several bodies has put everyone on edge with no suspect in sight.
Further complicating matters are a call from the home she left behind and the sudden arrival of a werewolf motorcycle club with ties to her past. An unexpected ally is found with Parker Hayes, a hunter facing down his own demons and searching for a future not based in bloodshed, who inspires feelings she hasn’t felt in years.
Amidst the clash between her past and present, Molly finds herself questioning everything she knows about not only those she’s meant to protct but the Sentries themselves. Could everything she’s been taught be a lie, and if it is, can she protect those she cares about?
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What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m actually currently working on a 5-part series involving a side character from Of Spells and Fur with the first book scheduled to be released summer 2021. Without spoiling the events of the book, this character comes from a single-species town and left his family over a decade earlier following some traumatic experiences. His decision to return home forces him to face not only the family he abandonded, but the woman whose heart he broke.
The other four books will focus on his siblings dealing with their own species-based issues and meeting significant others.
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I’ve always loved writing and have several short stories my mother has kept over the years. Of Spells and Fur is actually my fourth published work, though the world of Anberlin where Of Spells and Fur is set began taking shape in 2012 with the book that would become Kindred Spirit. Following a conversation with my sister in January of 2020, I took the plunge to self-publish the original Anberlin trilogy over the first half of the year while working on Of Spells and Fur. It still feels surreal sometimes, but I’m excited to continue on this journey and introduce more people to my worlds.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Of Spells and Fur?
Molly Hastings was born into a family of supernatural hunters, but she walked away after a tragedy and became the equivalent of a supernatural police officer called a sentry in Anberlin. She’s known for being somewhat stand-offish, work obsessed, and anti-werewolves, though it’s a limited group who know anything about her past beyond the hunter part.
Parker Hayes was also born into a family of supernatural hunters, though he made some questionable choices and got himself disowned. He wants to join the Sentries, but his habits of drinking, getting into fights, and causing trouble around town don’t exactly make him an ideal candidate.
What is your writing process?
I have a somewhat chaotic writing process since I start with an idea that includes characters, antagonists, and the basic outline of a plot. I always write the first chapter freehand to see where the flow is and get a feel for the main character, but I generally outline events that come to me and can span anywhere from a single chapter to several. Then it’s just a matter of rinse and repeat! Sometimes random scenes pop in my head so I’ll write them out then have to figure out where they belong later on.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or do you feel like you have hte reigns of the story?
I normally feel in control, but Molly did a little hijacking with Of Spells and Fur. I had a plan then she went, “but what if . . .” and I ended up loving the direction things went. It ended up giving me extra work and having to scrap some scenes that I’d originally written, but I do feel like the story is stronger and more character-focused with the change.
Do you read yourself and if so what if your favorite genre?
I try to read whenever possible, but I admit that I don’t always get to read as much as I’d like. My favorite genre is the urban/contemporary/modern fantasy genre because I love seeing magic and the paranormal world brought into the regular world.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I am a full believer in writer’s block, but I also think it’s important to not let it be an excuse. When writer’s block strikes, I throw myself into creating playlists or graphics to reawaken that excitement for the story and hear the characters’ voices again. It’s almost always successful, and usually when it isn’t, I realize there’s a structural or plot problem that needs to be address before I can keep going with the story.
Advice they would give to new authors?
Write the story you want to read. It might not always be the most current or in-demand story, but I think it’s more important to be passionate about what you’re writing than going with what you think will sell or get the most readers. Someone’s waiting for your story so why disappoint them by turning out what everyone else is doing?
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Nina Soden 