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What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?
Not For the Faint of Heart Madcap Adventures Book 1 by Rene Vecka Genre: Epic Fantasy Mystery Romance Adventure
What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?
Magic and mayhem meet mystery and humor in a four-way rumble. Romance gets a few licks in as well. Set in a post-Ragnarok world with dual protagonists. If you loved the Dresden Files, you’ll love Madcap Adventures.
As Rory proposes to Ingefær, the Shrine they’re visiting is set ablaze. Ingefær is jailed and threatened with hanging. Rory investigates, but is hounded at every step by soldiers. While Ingefær searches for ways to defeat the jail’s magic wards, the Shrine’s healer vanishes in a puff of smoke.
Will the couple get the chance to solve the Shrine fire mystery before the law postpones their nuptials forever?
Kirkus Reviews: …In Vecka’s fantasy novel, lovers are torn apart by a false accusation and must prove one’s innocence before a rigged trial…Vecka creates compelling difficulties and character challenges that help drive the fast-paced plot and add to the already exciting mystery narrative…A fun and entertaining fantasy that will keep readers guessing.
I’ve been a reader of fantasy and science fiction since I was ten. Lord of the Rings is still my favorite. I now read Butcher (Dresden) and Salvatore (Drizzt), as well at Sanderson and others. The Mid Dreki Realm got its start with a comment with my then fifteen year old son. That kernel grew into a book, which split into two, and is now a five book series. I retired at 57 and began the process of becoming a writer. I’ve attended a half dozen conferences, read numerous books on the art of writing, joined critique groups, and immersed myself in the craft. I’m a member of Apex, a group founded by David Farland (Runelord). I live in the foothills between Colorado Springs and Denver with my wife. Deer, turkeys, bear, coyotes, and my three children and 2 grandchildren occasionally drop by.
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A tea shop owner good girl and a reformed microbrewer bad boy reunite in this wonderfully wicked love story. Sometimes the second sip is sweetest.
Brewing Up a Bad Boy WiCKed Sisters Book 3 By Katherine Garbera Genre: Small Town Cozy Romantic Comedy
A tea shop owner good girl and a reformed microbrewer bad boy reunite in this wonderfully wicked love story.
Sometimes the second sip is sweetest.
In the cozy town of Birch Lake, tea shop owner Poppy Kitchener thought she’d left her mistakes, and her failed marriage, in the past. But when her ex-husband, Alistair Miller, turns up—as charming and irritatingly handsome as ever—those old feelings float to the surface. To top it off, he has a puzzling proposition: pretend they’re still married for his cousin’s wedding in exchange for a lucrative business deal with his family.
Easy enough, right? After all, this could be Poppy’s last chance to get closure, grow her business and use Alistair’s knowledge of microbrewing to help her finish that winning recipe for the tea competition.
But even after all this time, he still knows how to make her laugh. And he’s changed in ways that make Poppy wonder about the man he’s become… Can she trust this new Alistair with her heart, or will a second chance brew up disaster?
From showing up to glowing up, the characters in Afterglow Books are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way. Don’t miss any of these other fun titles…
It was all well and good that Alistair wanted to help her get a fair deal from his family, but it was also a lot sus. He’d literally never cared about her position in the family before this. Part of why her marriage hadn’t been the love match she’d believed it to be. Grimacing while he nervously kneaded his own legs, Alistair took his time answering. Over his shoulder, she noticed Sera and Liberty coming closer to them. The doubts that she’d been struggling to contain were assuaged by their presence. The warmth of that bond and friendship gave her strength. “If you can’t answer me, then we’re done,” she said. Merle had been right about her needing closure, but she wasn’t getting back on the hamster wheel that had been her life with Alistair. “I’m trying.” “Good for you. Try harder. You and I don’t speak the same language.” He inhaled deeply, making his chest flex, something she noted and tried to ignore. But Alistair had always been a physical guy, working out, and it was hard to ignore how ripped he was. One of the things that had originally drawn her eye to him was his body. He looked like a sexier version of Harry Styles, mixed with Timothée Chalamet, with a little old-school Chris Pine—Princess Diaries era. One look at him, and she’d fallen hard. “Fine. I am on a leave of absence—” “You need me to get you back in?” Disappointed in herself for believing for half a second that he might be here for some other reason. Of course it was about pleasing his father and reclaiming his place in the family company. “No. NO. Let me start over. I don’t want to get back in. I am trying to right past wrongs. I should have read that contract before I told you to sign it. I want you to get what you deserve, not continue being screwed over by Lancaster-Spencer Tea Makers as you have been.” If what he was saying was true… But how could she trust Alistair again? What did it say about her that she really wanted to? It had taken her five long years to start repairing that damage, and it was only the bond she had with Sera and Liberty that made the healing easier. “That’s nice,” she said. “If you’re going to be like that, then don’t bother.” “Like what?” she demanded, feeling her own anger building for the first time. Something she hadn’t allowed since she’d walked out of their flat in Kensington. “Treating me like I deserve to be treated. If this isn’t the time and you’re not ready to let go of the past, well, I respect that. But my father is going to come for you, and he’s got good corporate solicitors that rarely lose.” “Tell me something I don’t know,” she said. But his honesty here was appreciated. “How would us pretending to be married help?” “As my wife, you have some sway on the board. Mum and George will stand with us when we go up against Dad.” “If I went, when would we leave and return? I can’t just jet off and leave my store,” she said. “I thought we’d leave on Sunday—” “In two days?” He had the grace to look sheepish. “I was afraid if I gave you too much time to think, you’d say no.” “Legend,” she said sarcastically. He pushed his hand through his hair and looked down at the table before locking eyes with her. “I get it. I’m an ass, and I treated you poorly. I am sorry. You know that. I’ve apologized. I’m trying to at least get something good for you out of the mess that our marriage was.” Her heart tugged. She couldn’t resist Ali when he was sincere, which wasn’t as often as she would have liked. But now…when the change in him flashed… “I accepted your apology in that email. But I didn’t expect… Well I had no idea what it would be like seeing you in person again,” she said. Damn Ali. At this moment, he embodied all the things she liked about him, owning his mistakes in a way that he’d only done when they were dating. She wouldn’t deny that hearing him say she deserved better than Lancaster-Spencer made her melt a little. “Me either,” he admitted. “I need some time to think.” But she already was leaning toward going with him. Did that make her the most pitiful woman on the planet? Luckily, she had “Bad Idea Right?” by Olivia Rodrigo on replay in her head. Cutting herself a break, she was going to send him on his way. Chances were, she was going to the UK on Sunday for a week, which meant she needed to get more staff in. That didn’t mean that Alistair shouldn’t sweat a little. Things came too easily to him the first time… “I’ll give you my answer tomorrow,” she said, standing. Alistair gave her a tight nod and then turned to walk out of the shop. She had to be careful she wasn’t all hello, love when she should be goodbye, lover. It was a delicate balance, and one only she could weigh and decide on.
She’s kind of a witch. He’s definitely a nerd. And this Halloween they’re letting their geek flags fly in this playful romantic comedy from USA TODAY bestselling author Katherine Garbera.
Dungeons and dragons and nerds, oh my…
The spooky season is almost here, and occultist and tarot reader Liberty Wakefield is already feelin’ it. But ever since her sick nan muttered the name of Liberty’s mysterious biological father, nothing feels normal. Not her friends, her family, nor the quirky shop she runs with her besties. So maybe it’s time for Liberty to track down the father she’s never met. Of course, that means getting a little help from the sexy nerd she’s been not-so-secretly vibing since last summer…
Merle Rutland hasn’t met anyone like the vivacious, bubbly Liberty. Part of him wishes he was more like her—instead of hiding his geekery from his hyper-athletic family. The other part just wants to pull the curvy redhead close, steal a kiss and hope he doesn’t roll a critical fail.
Only, somewhere between Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, pumpkins and a few ridiculously hot sexy-times, Liberty and Merle discover their respective weirds might be a match. Yet as Halloween draws closer, it seems everyone has skeletons in the closet…and nothing spells disaster quite like being haunted by the past…
A witchy, witty, wickedly sexy romance about love, books, friendship and the unexpected connections that bind us together…
Bookbinding (verb): the art of creating something magical out of fabric, leather and paper.
As a lonely foster kid, Serafina Conte sought refuge in handmaking journals—and writing her wishes within their pages. Now, in the quirky new age store she shares with her two best friends, Sera’s intentions have paid off. Her journals are in the spotlight—and rumored to manifest great things. Whether it’s witchy skills, real magic or not, Sera’s finally ready to be the leading lady of her life story…
Until her plot hits a twist.
After the death of her mentor, Ford Sitwell, all the loneliness and insecurity of her past returns. The only balm is the box of antique books he left to her. But Ford’s suspicious brooding grandson, Wes, is ready to think the worst of her—and get his grandfather’s books back! The first part doesn’t bother her. The second? Forget it. Sera won’t give Wes the books so easily. But it’s clear he’s seeking something more, an emotional connection no book can replace. So she offers a deal—work in her store for six weeks, and in return, she’ll help him get closure by sharing memories of his late grandfather.
Yes, Wes seems grumpy, but actually he’s hot…and maybe kind? Deep down? And when desire and vulnerability work their charms, Sera begins to wonder if the best stories aren’t the ones you intend, but the ones that take you where you least expected…
From showing up to glowing up, these characters are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way.
Katherine Garbera is bestselling author of more than 100 novels which have been translated into over two dozen languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. A strong believer in happy endings, her love of books led her to her dream career writing novels. She is the mother of two incredibly creative and snarky grown children, Katherine enjoys champagne, reading, walking, and travels with her husband. A Florida native, Katherine now lives in the UK.
As an author who has been writing now for 15 years and has navigated both the gritty, magical streets of urban fantasy and the dark, fractured worlds of dystopian fiction, I’ve picked up countless lessons throughout my writing journey. Some have come from hard-won experience, others from moments of doubt, and still others from the quiet, unexpected flashes of inspiration that seem to come out of nowhere, usually in the shower or during long car rides.
Today, I want to share the most valuable writing lessons I’ve learned along the way. These aren’t just about crafting stories—they’re about the mindset, habits, and perseverance that shape an author’s life.
1. Embrace the Chaos of the First Draft
When I first started writing, I used to agonize over every word in my first drafts. I’d waste hours trying to perfect every sentence, hoping to make it sound just right. But here’s the thing I’ve learned: the first draft is supposed to be messy. In fact, it’s better if it is.
Writing that first draft is about getting the story out of your head and onto the page, without worrying too much about perfection. It’s about momentum. Perfection can come later, during the revision process. When I finally gave myself permission to write without overthinking every word, I found that my creativity flowed much more freely. So, don’t stress over the first draft. Just write it.
2. Characters are the Heart of Your Story
In urban fantasy, where the world is often as complex as the plot itself, and in dystopian novels, where entire societies are upended, it’s easy to get caught up in world-building and intricate plots. But the most important part of any story is the characters. Readers don’t just want to know what’s happening—they want to know how it affects the characters, how they react, and how they grow.
I’ve learned that the more real and complex your characters feel, the more invested your readers will be in the world you’ve created. Whether they’re fighting monsters in a magical city or surviving in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, their journey—emotional, moral, and physical—is what makes readers care. So, I always ask myself: What does this moment mean for my characters?
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules
Urban fantasy and dystopian fiction are genres that thrive on bending and breaking traditional rules. Magic is real, societies are crumbling, and the unexpected is always lurking around the corner. Over the years, I’ve realized that writing is a playground, and the rules are there to be tested, twisted, and sometimes shattered.
Whether it’s breaking the rules of storytelling, experimenting with unconventional narrative structures, or taking risks with your plot and characters, innovation often lies in the moments of rebellion. Some of my most exciting and rewarding moments as a writer have come from pushing beyond what I thought was possible. So, embrace the freedom to break the rules and experiment. You might just create something uniquely yours.
4. Write the Story That Only You Can Tell
In the world of fiction, it’s easy to feel the pressure to conform—to write what’s trendy or popular, or to imitate successful authors. I’ve definitely been pulled toward that trap before. But the truth is, the best stories come from your unique perspective. What makes your voice distinct is the way you see the world, your influences, and your experiences.
I’ve learned to lean into my own voice and not shy away from telling the stories that feel the most personal or unusual. When I allowed myself to write the kinds of stories I truly wanted to tell—my writing became more authentic, more exciting, and more fulfilling. Your story is yours to tell, and it will resonate most when it comes from an honest, original place.
5. Perfectionism Will Only Hold You Back
It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly editing, revising, and doubting every word you write, especially when you’re passionate about your project. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stared at a paragraph, tweaking and reworking it endlessly. But here’s the hard truth: perfect writing doesn’t exist.
At some point, you have to let go of the fear of imperfection and give yourself permission to finish. This doesn’t mean being careless or writing sloppy prose, but it does mean accepting that no piece of writing will ever be flawless. Perfectionism kills progress—it’ll paralyze you and keep you from finishing what you started. I’ve learned to step away from the manuscript, trusting that revisions will smooth out the rough edges.
6. It’s Okay to Not Have All the Answers Right Away
When I first began writing, I thought that a solid plot needed to be completely figured out before I even started. I tried to outline everything in advance, convinced that the best stories had everything planned out. But what I’ve learned over the years is that sometimes, you don’t have to have all the answers right away.
Especially when writing in genres like urban fantasy or dystopian fiction, there’s room for spontaneity. Your characters will surprise you, and your plot will evolve. Instead of trying to force everything into a predetermined mold, I’ve learned to embrace the unknown and trust that the answers will come as I write. Often, it’s in the act of writing itself that the story reveals what it wants to be.
7. Writing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Writing is not about getting to the finish line as quickly as possible. It’s about the process—the journey of creation. As someone who’s worked on multiple novels, I’ve learned that it’s important to pace myself. There are days when the words come easily, and there are days when they don’t come at all. That’s okay.
I’ve had to remind myself that writing is a long game. It takes time, persistence, and patience. There’s no rush. I’ve learned to accept that the process of writing—no matter how slow or messy it seems—is just as important as the finished product. Some days, the best thing I can do is simply sit down and write, even if it’s just a few hundred words or even justa journal entry. The more consistent I am, the further I get.
8. Rejection is Part of the Process
If there’s one lesson I wish I could tell every aspiring writer, it’s that rejection is a part of the journey. It stings, yes. It’s painful to have your work turned away or ignored, but I’ve learned that rejection is not a reflection of your talent or worth as a writer.
Every rejection has taught me something—whether it’s a critique on my writing style or a simple reminder that not every story is the right fit for every reader. The key is to not let rejection stop you from writing. I’ve had my fair share, and each time, I’ve picked myself back up, learned from the experience, and moved forward. Rejection is just a detour, not the end of the road.
9. Trust Your Instincts
There are many voices in the writing world—editors, agents, fellow authors, readers—and they all have their opinions. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the advice and feedback you receive. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most important voice is your own.
Your instincts, your gut feelings, are there for a reason. If something feels off in your story or your character arc doesn’t resonate, listen to that. It’s easy to second-guess yourself, but I’ve found that trusting my own instincts is often what leads me to my best work. Writing is personal, and only you can truly know what’s right for your story.
Final Thoughts
The writing journey is not an easy one—it’s filled with highs and lows, moments of inspiration and doubt. But through it all, the lessons I’ve learned have made me a better, more resilient author. As I continue to write urban fantasy and dystopian novels, I carry these lessons with me, knowing they’ll help me navigate whatever comes next.
To anyone just starting out, or anyone struggling with their own writing journey: remember that writing is a process. You don’t have to get everything perfect right away, and sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come when you least expect them. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep believing in your story. It’s worth it.
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.
Molly, accompanied by her son and his boyfriend, embarks on a high-stakes mission to rescue her kidnapped husband, unraveling secrets while racing against the clock to prevent a technology from falling into destructive hands.
The Poseidon Project The Herb Society Mysteries Book 1 by E. William Podojil Genre: Techno Thriller, Adventure, Romantic Suspense
Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past. Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom. Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands. But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are. Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future. But not only their futures; the world’s.
E. William Podojil is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while living in Europe and the United States. Podojil works as an executive business advisor, and strategist while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. Podojil’s first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004. His second novel, The Poseidon Project, was be released in August, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press, and is the first in The Herb Society Mysteries, a series of adventure thrillers. His novels and other writing are showcased on his website http://www.ewpodojil.com. Here he also writes a personal blog with humorous stories of his life and travels with his husband and three sons. He and his family currently reside in Northeast Ohio.
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What inspired you to write this book? I am a huge fan of Thrillers, Suspense, Action-Adventure and like to write in that genre. My idea for Poseidon came from a couple of areas. First, the main characters are retired women scientists who are kind of bored in retirement and they have a secret past you’ll learn about in the book. Second, I like stories that have protagonists/heroes who are not stereotypically perfect, strong, fearless and things like that. So I took the four retired women, one woman’s son who is a tech genius but complicated and afraid of getting into a relationship, the man he finally meets and all the family dynamics that go on while the mystery is playing out.
What can we expect from you in the future? Book 2 is titled Archipelago and involves the same characters and an expansion of the story and mysteries from Book 1. Archipelago is in production and will be released in 2025. Book 3 is the continuation of the storyline and is titled, Chameleon and that should be out in 2026. The storylines are complex, twisted, multi-dimensional with many surprises thrown in.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Poseidon Project? Molly Halloran – leader of a 4-friend group called The Herb Society, all retired women, ex-physicists, teachers and a secret mission they shared. Lukas Halloran – Molly’s son is a technical genius who works in cybersecurity. His father goes missing while on business in Dubai and Molly asks her son to help find out what happened to him. Taylor Pastore – Jet pilot, ex-Air Force Special Forces agent. He falls for Lukas while piloting Lukas in a private jet. Tory Pastore – Taylor’s daughter who is grown up and also a pilot with her dad.
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author? I have worked in business for most of my career, always in commercial functions like sales and marketing. I lived in Europe for more than a decade and was able to travel around the world. I’d always dreamed of writing a book and finally wrote The Tenth Man and published it in 2004. For the next 20 years I dreamed about my next book (and raised three sons which kept me a bit busy), which is The Poseidon Project, published in 2024.
What is something unique/quirky about you? I’m organized and like to be on time, which normally drives my family crazy.
What are some of your pet peeves? Laziness and not doing what was promised.
Where were you born/grew up at? Born in Ohio, grew up in Connecticut and Ohio, lived 14 years in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and now back in Ohio. It’s been quite a journey.
How to find time to write as a parent? When my boys were little, I didn’t find the time to write or had no energy. I was working in an executive level job and flying all over the world and probably spent a decade in some state of jet-lag. I gave all my energy to work and family and very little to myself in terms of doing things I loved to do (not a recommended strategy by the way.) After doing everything I wanted to do career-wise and raising my boys to be adults, I finally had the time and space to start writing again.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less! Creative, Empowering, Resilient, Storyteller, Determined
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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.
A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.
Rediscover Victorian England’s forgotten history and culture.
Volume V of The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes explores the cultural, scientific, and historical allusions found throughout Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective stories. This collection of essays unpacks twenty-four topics mentioned in the original mysteries, from everyday details like hats and plumbing to complex issues such as international spying, the binomial theorem, and relations with Russia. Through such insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of the Victorian world in which Holmes operated.
Other essays explore both the familiar and the obscure, touching on subjects like the KKK’s presence in England, the significance of whaling, and legal concepts like insanity and blackmail. Unique cultural topics—such as the role of curry in the British Empire, the rise of bohemianism, and the Victorian obsession with rejuvenation through animal hormones—reveal the rich complexity of the era. The collection also features a bonus essay on Sarah Cushing from The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, offering fresh insight into one of the most sinister characters in the Canon.
Whether examining automata, wax figures, or the legal definitions of murder and suicide, The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes provides a compelling lens through which readers gain a deeper understanding of the historical and social backdrop of the Holmes mysteries.
A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.
Sherlock Holmes, the most cerebral of detectives, finds his deductive powers put to the test in this intriguing collection of cases. Each adventure presents a web of secrets, clues, and deceptions. Only his highly honed observational skills lead him to the truth.
In a locked-room murder, did the victim succumb to “The Curse of Kisin?” And how had the daughter of Squire Northridge disappeared from her own locked bedroom? Can Holmes, an ocean away, determine if a missing treasure hunter ran off with Jean Lafitte’s fabled buried plunder? The disappearance of a beloved dog is an adventure filled with whimsy and humor, as are the return of Lady Frances Carfax and the howling dog of Baker Street.
Holmes’ unrivaled deductive powers rise to the test with each case. He shines as the consummate master of the art of detection and will captivate from beginning to end.
Liese Sherwood-Fabre is an award-winning author known for her meticulously researched works of historical fiction and mystery. With a background in social sciences, she brings a unique depth to her characters and settings, particularly in her acclaimed series The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes, which explores Victorian England through the lens of the famous detective’s world. Her essays delve into the cultural and historical intricacies of the era, uncovering hidden details that enhance her stories’ authenticity. Her fiction weaves real historical events and social insights into suspenseful plots, creating immersive narratives that captivate fans of both history and mystery. An avid traveler and lifelong scholar, Dr. Sherwood-Fabre combines curiosity and expertise to craft stories that transport readers to fascinating past worlds filled with intrigue and insight.
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A Little Texas for Sherlock
Being a native-born Texan, I was happy to find Sherlock Holmes also has some ties to Texas. Lillie Langtry, a British actress romantically linked to King Edward VII, is thought to have influenced the character of Irene Adler. Judge Roy Bean, the colorful saloon owner and self-proclaimed “Law West of the Pecos,” was so taken with the actress (whom he never met), he named his saloon “Jersey Lily” and his town Langtry, Texas. The town remains as a quirky historical tribute to her lasting charm and Bean’s unrequited admiration. A second tie comes from a ship. Holmes tracks a suspect to the ship “The Lone Star” in “The Five Orange Pips.” Even Watson knows Texas is “The Lone Star State.”
I decided to add my own Texas tie to Holmes. In Master of the Art of Detection, one story involves another of the more famous characters in Texas history. The pirate Jean Lafitte made his mark on the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana. For several years, he used Galveston Island (near Houston) as a base to raid Spanish ships and trade goods on the black market. Known for playing both sides, he also occasionally aided the U.S., most notably by providing intelligence and supplies to Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. At the same time, his base on Galveston Island became a haven for smuggling and piracy. Though Lafitte was ultimately expelled from Texas, his legacy continues through the legends surrounding the treasure he left buried somewhere on the island. Holmes, however, soon uncovers Lafitte’s secrets.
These ties connect Victorian England with the rough, colorful world of 19th-century Texas and bridge two seemingly different worlds whose spirit of adventure and intrigue knows no boundaries. By adding a Texas mystery to Holmes’ cases, I honor my state’s tradition of unique characters and history and make Holmes’s adventures as boundless as the Texas sky.
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Outlining a story might seem daunting at first, especially if you’re new to writing. But it’s one of the most valuable tools in a writer’s toolkit. An outline serves as a roadmap, guiding you from the beginning of your story to its conclusion. Outlining can help you structure your ideas, stay on track, and avoid those dreaded moments of writer’s block, whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or screenplay. Let me walk you through how to outline a story effectively and make the process feel less intimidating.
1. The Purpose of an Outline
At its core, an outline is a blueprint for your story. It organizes your ideas, helps you identify gaps in the plot, and ensures your story has a clear structure. It’s important to remember that an outline isn’t set in stone. You can—AND SHOULD—adapt it as you write. Think of it as a flexible guide rather than a rigid set of instructions.
The benefits of outlining include:
Clarity: You’ll have a clear direction for your story, which helps prevent getting lost in the weeds.
Structure: An outline forces you to think about the story’s pacing, character development, and plot points.
Motivation: Knowing what comes next keeps you moving forward when you sit down to write.
2. Decide on the Type of Outline
There’s no “one size fits all” approach to outlining. Different writers prefer different methods, and that’s perfectly okay. Here are a few common types of outlines:
The Snowflake Method: This method starts with a simple concept and gradually expands it into a detailed outline. First, you write a one-sentence summary of your story, then expand that sentence into a full paragraph, and so on. It’s ideal for writers who prefer to develop their story gradually, refining the details as they go.
The Three-Act Structure: A widely-used framework that breaks a story into three acts—Set-Up, Confrontation, and Resolution. This method helps you focus on the major plot points and ensures your story has a strong, well-paced structure. It’s a great option for beginners because of its simplicity.
Chapter-by-Chapter Outline: For those who like specifics, this method involves outlining each chapter or scene of your story in detail. This type of outline gives you a clear sense of what needs to happen at each stage of the story.
The Hero’s Journey: This method, rooted in Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, is particularly helpful for stories involving a protagonist’s transformation. It involves specific stages like “The Call to Adventure,” “Refusal of the Call,” and “The Return.” It’s a fantastic framework for fantasy, adventure, and other high-stakes genres.
Loose Bullet Points: For the more free-spirited writers, some prefer to jot down key plot points and character moments as simple bullet points. This is a more flexible approach and allows room for creativity as the story unfolds.
3. The Building Blocks of a Story Outline
Regardless of the method you choose, there are key elements every story outline should address. Here are the main building blocks you’ll need to consider:
1. The Premise
The premise is the seed of your story. What is your story about? What is the central conflict or question that drives your plot? This is where you should define the “what if” that makes your story compelling. For example:
What if magic was real, but only for a select few?
What if a dystopian society controlled all information?
Spend some time refining your premise before moving on. It will act as the foundation for everything else.
2. The Main Characters
Your characters are the heart of your story. In your outline, make sure to note the following about your protagonist, antagonist, and key supporting characters:
Who are they? Consider their backstory, motivations, desires, and flaws.
What do they want? This is the driving force behind their actions. Your protagonist might want justice, love, freedom, or survival.
What’s at stake? What happens if they fail? This is essential for creating tension and suspense.
3. The Major Plot Points
In order to outline your plot, break it down into key events. These are the moments that move the story forward and change the direction of the narrative. A few important plot points include:
The Inciting Incident: The event that starts the story. This is where your character is thrust into the conflict, whether it’s the discovery of a hidden power or the moment a dystopian society begins to crack.
The Rising Action: The buildup of conflict and challenges that lead toward the climax. This is where your character faces obstacles, grows, and learns more about themselves or the world around them.
The Climax: The turning point or high point of the story. The protagonist confronts the primary conflict in a dramatic and pivotal way.
The Resolution: How the story concludes. Whether the protagonist succeeds or fails, there must be closure and consequences to their actions.
4. The Setting and World-Building
For genres like urban fantasy and dystopian fiction, the setting is crucial. Your outline should include:
Where does the story take place? Is it a magical version of New York, or a desolate post-apocalyptic world? Define the environment, rules, and atmosphere.
What’s the world’s history? In dystopian stories, especially, understanding the past is vital to understanding the present. Was there a war? An economic collapse? A technological breakthrough gone wrong?
What are the stakes within the setting? How do the world’s rules affect the characters and their choices?
5. The Theme
What is the deeper meaning or message of your story? Is it about the fight for freedom, the power of love, or the dangers of unchecked technology? In your outline, think about how you can weave this theme throughout the plot, characters, and setting.
4. Flesh Out Your Outline
Now that you’ve got your main components outlined, it’s time to expand on them. Flesh out the scenes and events that will happen in your story. Here are a few tips to make the outlining process easier:
Start with the Big Picture: Begin by outlining the broad strokes—major plot points and character arcs. Where do you want your characters to start, and where do you want them to end? This will help keep your narrative cohesive.
Go Scene by Scene: If you prefer more detail, break your outline down into individual scenes or chapters. Write down the purpose of each scene and what needs to happen in it—whether it’s a character development moment, a revelation, or a dramatic plot twist.
Think About Pacing: As you lay out each scene, consider how fast the action should move. Are there moments of high tension? Are there quiet, reflective scenes? Mix things up to create variety and keep the reader engaged.
Use Visual Aids: Some writers find it helpful to create visual outlines—whether it’s through storyboarding, mind maps, or index cards. These tools can help you see the structure of your story from a new angle.
5. Stay Flexible
The outline isn’t the end-all-be-all. Once you begin writing, you might find that new ideas emerge, characters evolve, or your plot takes a surprising turn. And that’s perfectly okay! Writing is a dynamic process, and oftentimes, the best stories grow from unexpected twists. Don’t be afraid to change your outline as you go along.
6. Final Thoughts
Outlining is a tool, not a rule. It’s there to help you organize your thoughts and bring your story to life with intention. Whether you’re writing a fast-paced thriller, a deep philosophical dystopia, or an epic urban fantasy, outlining gives you the roadmap to reach your destination. The key is to find the approach that works best for you.
Remember, your outline is just a starting point—let your creativity flow, and don’t be afraid to adjust your plan as the story evolves. The more you practice, the easier the outlining process will become. Good luck, and happy writing!
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.
Candy Crone is a Christmas Short Story standalone in the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch Series.
Candy Crone The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 8 By A.L. Hawke Genre: Paranormal Holiday Fantasy
Candy Crone is a Christmas Short Story standalone following Shadow Cast in the Hawthorne University Witch Series.
While I’m enjoying a spicy caramel apple surprise at our local ice cream parlor, an old lady in rags rambles nonsense about candy canes to children waiting for Santa. That distracts me from prepping my young friend Cat for her college interview at Hawthorne University.
Christmas turns into creepy Halloween when all the local children, including Cat, disappear in the woods. Bryce and I search our forest but become spellbound. All this voracious casting heralds the arrival of a new witch in town. The Candy Crone.
As the Hawthorne Witch, I hold great power, but with my unborn baby kicking, the witch exploits my sins and vices through gluttony. Am I nothing more than my appetites and power as the Hawthorne Witch? Or can I accomplish something greater? If I can’t sort my stuff out, Cat, my unborn baby, Chandra, and all these innocent kids living in Hawthorne are toast.
Cadence Hawthorne returns in this Christmas novella taking place after Shadow Cast, book 6, in The Hawthorne University Witch Series. Candy Crone is a complete self-contained novella not ending in cliffhangers. Some spoilers cannot be avoided, but the story is a STANDALONE book that can be enjoyed without reading the preceding novels.
A.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? If I’m really into a particular project, it becomes all encompassing. I prefer one book at a time but it doesn’t always work out that way. And lately, I also work on converting books to audio at the same time.
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision? I always had ideas in my head about writing. I think I always wanted to be a storyteller my whole life.
Advice you would give new authors? Take a look at other books in your interested genre. Learn from other writers by looking at what’s been written before. And do it for the fun of writing, not for the dollar. At an average cost of $3.99 per ebook, just doing the math, this isn’t a job making writers rich. You really have to love it for the craft.
Describe your writing style. I think my books are very dialog-heavy. It’s funny because I’ve heard the opposite. Some say they were impressed with my descriptive writing, but I really feel like most of the time I’m using description as a scaffold for conversation. I’m letting the characters run the show. So, reality comes in the form of dialog. It’s what breathes life into my characters.
What makes a good story? Something engrossing.
What are you currently reading? I’m reading It Ends with Us. Heard of it? I’m giving that book a whirl.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? No outlines. My characters shape what happens.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? That’s a good question. It’s a mix. If I feel like something is successful, like my witch series has been, then I want to spend my time working with my success. That’s why I’ve written so many books in the series. But I write some books outside of my typical genre. And I like to take chances. It’s part of being an “artist” not a marketer. Because indie writers tend to be on different sides of that spectrum.
How long on average does it take you to write a book? I can write about four pages an hour. I’m very prolific and can bust out a novel in a couple of weeks. The editing process can take longer, but, in many ways editing is more gratifying. There’s no blank pages staring at you. Or you’re not looking at page count and thinking “man, I’ve only got another hundred pages to go.”
Do you believe in writer’s block? Absolutely. I suffer from it all the time. But, for me, it’s not a blank page. I can write pages upon pages, but it’s a sense that I’m struggling to get work out. If the story comes easy, it’s so much more of a pleasure and I know it’s going to be good.
I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information about
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.
Ian Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. A hundred percent disabled veteran after multiple head and other injuries, he is part of a growing number of vets classified as “neuro-diverse”, an MST survivor and have several issues such regarding comprehension, concentration, and vision issues that he has OVERCOME to write several novels. After witnessing a lifetime of destruction, the thought of creating something tangible and lasting holds great appeal.
He finds writing a cathartic way to redefine himself both in his eyes and in the eyes of others. Writing for fun, Ian has completed seven novels with an eighth near done with two more ideas in the scribble/chapter phase. He has written across four genres Fantasy, Thriller, Science Fiction and Horror.
He uses ProWritingAid, Beta Readers and professional editors keep the product readable, he has recently began querying in search of a professional agent and publisher. Now living near San Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days fostering kittens, gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass and creating worlds on the page.
Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night.
Dark Maiden by Ian Conner Genre: Historical Dark Fantasy
Haunting and horrifying, the tale keeps readers engaged all the way to the shocking end. Intertwined with Native American lore Dark Maiden weaves a seducing chilling tale. Dark Maiden grabs you at the first page the story sets us up in 16th century Maine, Onata Village. Conner gave readers a tale of a beautiful bewitching Maiden seen by the lake by four sisters under the moonlight. Dark Maiden takes you from past to present to past to tell this horrifying curse tale. Readers need to pay attention during the time transitions, but readers will be engrossed with fantastic writing you cannot put down. Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night. Although a somber tone permeates the book, there is a recurring theme of loyalty and resilience. Each character exhibits self-determination, fortitude, and resourcefulness until the conclusion. You grow to love each person as if you belong to the fight against evil forces. Full of surprises and character growth readers will love the tale.
Would you like a chance to win a$20 Starbucks Gift Card – 1 winner, Print Copy of Dark Maiden – 2 winners! Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
The Inspiration Behind the Books
Ian’s inspiration for Dark Maiden comes from a Native American legend. Among the Wabanaki, this blight occurs when an evil sorcerer refuses to stay dead. Descendants of the Wabanaki still survive in Maine, which was one of the reasons why I set the story in the locale of Nollesemic. I felt the characters were solid enough to appeal to a large swath of readers without offending anyone. LGBTQ characters fill in the modern twists that would not have been accepted even a few years ago.
Similarly, my vampire novel Cardinals is a new take on the Stoker legend with a large dose of actual historical events. Fictional additions and twists on biblical and historical occurrences, keep the story interesting, the reader engaged. I have always been a fan of the 70’s vampire films and wrote Cardinals with that in mind. I can totally see Ingrid Pitt as Asherah. I have taken a bit of guff over casting a scandalous shadow over the catholic church, but they have given me plenty of ammunition. The faith fills in a good part of the story and fanaticism at both ends of the spectrum also gave me much to work with.
I love casting women in strong roles and minimizing the male influence. Sadly, reality has not caught up with that idea. Amy Radigan, Lilly Pham, Kellena Donnachaid, Cassie Wells, all epitomize women I have known and respect.
After being medically retired from the military in 2010, writing became a new identity for me. I take my time writing. The Long Game, for instance, took 3 years to write. Pulling from current events as I went along. Relations with China are now tenser than ever and the conflict in the south China sea is actually occurring almost following the theme of my story. I consider my readers intelligent enough to follow the multiple plot lines. I tend to keep the thrillers within the realm of possibility. Sometimes it might be a reach but nothing I write is impossible. Headlines are a big help. The saying is “You couldn’t write this stuff”. Well actually I can!
The political thriller is cathardic to write. Solaris is coming out in December, complicated story lines will keep the readers guessing. Horror is a fun genre for me and I have two ideas on paper that need filled out. I have dabbled with Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Cooper’s Ridge was another labor of love and quite fun to write. I love space travel, aliens and first contact. Throw in some dystopian end of the world themes with a huge dose of multiple conspiracies and walah you have a novel. I am a huge Star Trek fan. I love Roddenberry’s approach to everyday issues with technological spins. Solving the barriers to space travel with reverse engineering seemed obvious enough to me. The genius teenager as the underdog with a cadre of friends to help fight the faceless government what can go wrong.
I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information about
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.
Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has 11 crime novels in print with her newest title Specimen freshly released in November 2024. The first two books of her E&A Investigations Series (Hot House and Salt Island) were both #1 Amazon Kindle Bestsellers. Lisa also writes standalone thrillers, such as her 2022 political thriller, The Ridders, which won an American Fiction Award. Lisa is an active member and frequent panelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She has an MBA in IT Management and works full-time in the tech industry. Read more about Lisa’s book on her publisher’s website.
While investigating a viral internet game, 17 year old Thea Riggs stumbles upon a series of unsolved murders and the global crime syndicate that orchestrated them. Can she alone bring down a secret crime syndicate, or is the cost of justice too high?
Specimen by Lisa Towles Genre: YA Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Thea Riggs is shocked by a dead body in the empty house she was summoned to. It feels like a setup, like she’s being framed for murder. By the time she discovers a connection between the body and the internet game everyone’s playing, it’s too late. They know she’s onto them. Now she’s their next target. Lured to an underground San Francisco lab, she pieces together the hidden agenda behind what she’s seen – scientific experiments, a secret society of operatives, a labyrinth of lies hiding a decades-old cold case. She’s in deep and knows too much, but now they’ve threatened her mother. Can she alone bring down a secret crime syndicate, or is the cost of justice too high?
Specimen is an action-packed, Young Adult contemporary thriller. Fans of Blake Crouch and James Rollins will love Lisa Towles’ technical thrill ride. Join Thea’s quest for the truth and Buy Specimen today.
A razor sharp, edge of your seat thriller”
The Prairies Book Review
“A sharp, thought-provoking examination of technology’s dark side and the elusive nature of truth”
BookView Reviews
“A rollercoaster ride of a story that readers will find exhilarating and heart stopping”
San Francisco Book Review
“A gripping thriller for readers who love mystery, suspense, ambition, betrayal, and intrigue” – Literary Titan
Would you like a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Codex by Lisa Towles (US only) or a $20 Amazon gift card (WW) – 1 winner each! Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Prologue
“Mmmmm.” “Is that you?” I asked, unsure. Her voice sounded dreamy. And who answers the phone that way? Now an exhaustive sigh. “Lise, answer me!” “What was the question again?” I heard her footsteps on the other end, walking slowly, rhythmically on a hard surface. “Where are you right now?” “How is that relevant?” she clipped back. Salty. That sounded more like her. “Because! I’m a–” My words caught in my throat. I wiped my eyes and coughed, hoping to swallow the feeling of horror. “I’m at your house, where-you-summoned-me, where your—” Breathe, Thea. “Why did you run?” My raspy voice ricocheted against the marble walls of the colossal foyer. “I’ve got nothing to say.” “That’s not an answer.” “Well ask me something easier then.” I had no time to pause and think, to consider a strategy or explain the shocking circumstances to the part of my brain grasping for reason. “Why call me in the first place, then?” The footsteps halted. I now heard the roar of cars on the other end of the phone; she was outside. I ran to one of the front windows. No sign of her platinum hair or Burberry trench. “You’re just leaving me here?? What about the police? Who does this?” “Couldn’t be helped.” Her monotone told me she was dissociating from the situation, which might imply she was as upset as I was. Or maybe that was just a fairy tale. “What do I tell them?” I whispered. “Cops? Whatever you want. You know nothing so they won’t waste time on you.” “Cut it out.” I moved from the front windows back to the same spot inside the front door, where I’d placed the call. A safe distance from the kitchen. Then my emotions caved in, sobs rippling out through my nose and mouth. My eyes were a mess. I couldn’t wipe the tears fast enough. “Calm down, Thea.” “Calm down? Are you high? They’re gonna ask me what I know about—” “My dead mother? No kidding. Believe me, she’s better off this way. We all are.” She’d said the words finally – dead mother. So I hadn’t imagined it? Now I needed to close it up and get the hell out of here. “Lise, did you—” A thud from the kitchen yanked my attention from my phone. I felt the vibration under my feet. Maybe Lise hadn’t actually killed her. Maybe the killer was still here.
Chapter 1
Blood pooled under the mop of the woman’s dark brown hair, her skin a horrid chalky color, gray almost, body awkwardly twisted like she’d been on her way somewhere and shocked by the thrust of something blunt and resolute intended to stop the beat of her heart, or at least her intentions. As to what—I hadn’t gotten there yet. Was it a good day to die? I stared down at her body from the kitchen doorway, one hand covering my mouth to quell the shaking in my soul. I knew her. How could this possibly be real? The house was quiet except for the howl of wind, the Fenning’s giant sycamore scraping the east side of the house like a demon’s fingernail. Fitting.
Something made me turn, not a sound exactly, more like a sensation. I gazed at the upstairs landing that overlooked a foyer the size of a basketball court. A much better vantage point to say the least. I tore up the stairs and pancaked myself to the cold tiles. My erratic pulse banged in my ears. Tha-thump, tha-thump. Breathe, Thea. Breathe. Okay, my frantic brain re-engaged for the moment, I could see this was a much safer place to assess. The woman’s lower half was visible from here on the marble floor beside the island – dark gray pants, expensive black heels, one of them on and the other three inches from her body exposing a bare, grayish foot. Lying on my stomach, pain jarred me from the phone in my pocket— glass on bone. I hadn’t pulled it out yet or called for help because I needed time to gather my wits, I had no idea what I’d say and, more importantly, what if her killer was still here?
I used to think a day that began with a game of cards was destined to be good. With a father and grandfather in the Navy, of course I grew up playing cards. I could beat them both at cribbage by the time I was fifteen, or maybe they let me win. There was something about numbers that had always comforted me, like a tacit reminder of the ordered universe despite all the visual evidence of chaos. And cribbage was a game that valued numbers and pairs, and in my fragile heart that symmetry felt, somehow, like safety. Okay sure, life in the Marshall Islands was a little sheltered, but my dad wanted it that way. My mother disagreed and tried to move us all to San Francisco, where we’d have the support of her family along with the contemporary imprint of urban life. She won the battle but lost the war. My father remained five thousand miles away in Majuro Atoll, and after my brother Rudy died she and I built a new life in San Francisco’s Mission District without them. The culture and beauty of my Islander roots lives in my heart forever but honestly failed to prepare me for the spectacle of Roberta Fenning’s bludgeoned body. Could anything have? Rudy died on his seventeenth birthday, my age now, which my mother said was like being erased by the universe and twice as bad as just losing him. Now we can’t even celebrate his birthday without reliving the trauma of his loss. The closest thing I had to a brother now was Fergus Wilde, my best friend since the third grade.
“Stop dreaming and cut the deck,” Fergus had said this morning while we drank coffee on the floor of my bedroom, preparing for another game of cribbage during the lazy, summer lull before college. And I had been daydreaming while he decided which cards to throw in the crib. Nothing I hated more than wasting time. And there was nothing I wanted more than to escape reality go back to the safety of that cribbage game right now. My chin touching the cold floor of the Fenning’s second floor landing, I couldn’t make my lungs remember how to work. Sucking in air, I clawed the grout between the foyer’s white marble tiles to steady myself. That same marble downstairs in the kitchen would now be permanently stained with Roberta Fenning’s blood. Wait…why was there blood under my fingernails? I hadn’t touched the body. Not even close. Had I? I shouldn’t even be here, I realized, gasping finally like a surfer reaching air after being held down by a set wave. My nose ran and the fluid mixed with tears sliding down my cheeks. I couldn’t wipe it because whoever did this to her could still be in the house watching me right now. Stay silent. Don’t move. Two questions: would I be next and, more importantly, why had Lise summoned me if she wasn’t even here? I ignored the most obvious possibility because honestly it was too much weight on my heart. I needed to get the hell out of here before the police arrived. Had anyone even called them? Had Lise done that before she skipped out?
I went through it in my head to sort of rehearse. I entered with my own personal key to the Fenning estate, given to me by Lise Fenning, my other BFF. It’s not that I lived here, necessarily, just that the house was huge and running to answer the door every time the bell chimed was apparently too extraordinary an effort on a regular basis. So they gave me one of the spare keys. Lise should have been here to meet me, and she was scheduled to be. I’d called out for her and at least expected Nanny, the live-in cook, to be in the kitchen where I always stopped in to say hi. She’s nice, I liked her. Today the kitchen was completely closed up. No Nanny, no Roberta, only her discarded body staining the pristine tile with a pool of her blood. What if they asked me if I knew her? I needed an answer ready for that. Yes, of course I knew her, I even liked her. She was my best friend’s mother so I’d been to that house at least once a week for years. The words felt so strange in my mouth – was, best friend. Best friends didn’t do what Lise has done. Roberta was the kind of woman, the kind of mother who cared about people and wanted to know them. She’d stop me in the hallway sometimes and grasp my shoulders, look in my eyes to not just ask how I was doing but see for herself. My God. Roberta. I’d only stood in the doorway and honestly didn’t take a single step into the kitchen. But when I crouched low, I caught sight of a pooling of blood in the back of her head, mostly dried now, and the ghastliest color I’d ever seen on another person. I tried to remember if she’d been sick lately, but she was fine the last time I saw her. My God, the blood. I knew that had to mean something about the timing of her attack, but my mind wasn’t capable of critical thinking right now. I’m not sure why, but I’d snapped one quick photo of her lying there before charging up the grand staircase and dropping to the floor of the landing.
From this vantage point I could see into the kitchen, her lifeless legs visible and feet turned awkwardly inward. I might never be able to unsee the ghoulish cast to her skin, and the way rigor mortis had frozen her contorted fingers into these spectral claws belonging in a zombie movie. I felt sick and rolled onto my left side before vomiting, another assault on what had once been their pristine floor. How could this beautiful estate be habitable again after tonight? My fingertips gripped the edge of the staircase and pulled my body forward two inches, which gave me a bit more view. Some kind of leather strap stuck up beneath her on the side of the kitchen island, which I hadn’t noticed before. Was it her handbag, and why hadn’t I noticed it when I’d been in the kitchen?
My frantic brain began some basic calculations, starting with steps. An estimated thirty-seven to the lower landing and then roughly another twenty to the inner front door. Could I make it there before the killer spotted me? Wait a minute, I knew this house. There was a back bedroom. Lise and I removed part of the flooring once to access a support pole that weaved from the basement up to the second floor. If I could get to that closet, I might be able to use the pole to exit the house through the basement’s bulkhead, which would be safer than ploughing out the front door for all of Sea Cliff to see. My wet, swollen eyes blinked through these new possibilities, fingernails clicking the white marble, performing a momentary risk assessment. Had the Fennings discovered our secret escape path and blocked off the closet? If someone was still in the house, this could be my only chance of making it out alive. I tried texting Lise again. Where the fuck are you?? Don’t leave me here!
I heard the clink of China from the kitchen, a saucer upended and seesawing side to side before it came to rest.
OMG. My stomach tightened with an imaginary vice grip over my throat. That sound could mean Roberta was still alive. I pressed my hands over my mouth to suppress the urge to call out to her, because it could also mean that her killer was down there waiting for me.
I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information about
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.
The unit was sent to Durham to fight what is essentially a zombie infestation
Dark Sun C Troop, 1-5 Kommando Book 1 by Eric Johnson Genre: Military Science Fiction
After the events in 2-4 Cavalry Story 15: In the Pit of Vipers and under a new Troop commander, Captain Karl Bradi, the unit is redesignated C Troop 1-5 Kommando. After their deployment to Earth the unit is resting and refitting, and also cleaning up holdouts on Friesland. Despite this, they are sent to Durham, a planet in the Independent Planets that suffers what is loosely described as a zombie infestation. The unit fights monsters, both real and human, in order to survive on the planet.
Eric Johnson is a military veteran, and a self-published author who served in the US Army and US Army National Guard for twelve years and three years respectively. He currently lives in Baltimore and spends his time writing stories based on his past experiences as well as using current events to focus on counter-insurgency as well as other related topics. His primary genre is military science fiction (5th Kommando, C Troop 1-5 Kommando, 2-4 Cavalry series, and the Eagle Hammer Universe series), and he has written a few books in other genres as well, including fantasy (Tales of Baromir series).
Nina Soden 