Want a free copy of my latest release, “Cupid’s Kill, Part 1″? Here’s a note from my publisher:
Happy Valentine’s Day from Cold Moon Press. We love our readers…and we’re giving away free ebooks to show it! Throughout this week, you can get a short story for your Kindle from our new line, Cold Moon Slivers. Find out how by clicking here: http://coldmoonpress.com/coldmoonslivers.html
In the next week, I will be releasing part one of my latest short story, “Cupid’s Kill” on Kindle and in several other ebook formats. As a bonus, it will be part of my publisher’s celebration of the opening of their ebook short story line. I will be spotlighted February 12-18, and the story will be available as a FREE download during the “We love our Readers!” week. Stay tuned for how to get your free copy!
Death arrives in diverse delivery methods.
One in particular is a plague to the detectives of the Marcona Police Department. A monster has returned, and he won’t rest until his vengeance is complete. Armed with a paralyzing concoction and the tools of his trade, he targets a select few to add to his collection.
Chief Mark Blankenship, along with detectives Brian Jeffers and Kelli Jordan, face off against the madman, hoping to end his bloody path of destruction.
Unfortunately, they haven’t anticipated the killer will sacrifice at all costs, making one of them his prized token…
Now, there’s a thought for you. I started writing in my teens, and for the most part, during those few years, it was a staple of my daily ritual. I would get up in the morning, have a quick protein drink (Yes, I started drinking those at early age, too), head off to school, and sit through a few doldrum
classes (I can’t remember to this day what they were). I would start to get excited when it came time for my study hall period. That’s when I pulled out the pen and paper and began to create my stories. Each selection would be unique and range in genre from sci-fi to thrillers. If I wasn’t saving the galaxy or taking down criminals, the day wasn’tcomplete.
But somewhere between the age of seventeen and thirty-seven (uh oh…I’m dating myself now), my daily journey with right-brain activities became less and less, and then, for the most part, nonexistent. Well, to this day, I believe a large part of me was lost. Several times during those years, I would sometimes get the nerve to sit at the pc and start typing a story…only never finishing it.
After a work related injury, I vowed to re-ignite my hunger for writing. I set small goals for myself and, without much difficulty, surpassed them. Soon, I had finished my first novel, and to be honest, the publication of it wasn’t my only agenda. The reality was this: the ability to create was never lost, just sidetracked. After such a layoff, I knew writing was a part of me, and that would never disappear. For me, to write, is a option…I don’t have. Next week I’m going to talk about how to create the blurb for the back cover of my novels, and short stories. Until then, always remember…death is only a click away.
Today, let’s talk about our New Year resolutions. I will share what I have envisioned to be my most eager to accomplish. (No, I’m not listing all of them. Lol.)
1. First and foremost, is to complete my two-part digital release, Cupid’s Kill! The first installment is in the publisher’s hot hands, and a cover is forthcoming…soon
2. My next full length novel, Weaving Evil seems to elude its completion. I have made a conscious effort to get it out to you fans and friends within six months. ( promise no more procrastinating…
3. At the end of last year, I came up with a terrifying plot line for my first Horror novel, which I have entitled Reigning Blood. I will say this: If you enjoy paranormal horror, this will be for you, if not, wait until my next serial killer novel, Death Map comes out. Just saying…
4. The fourth and final writing resolution I have planned, is the continuing saga of my latest digital release Forsaken. The next installment will be entitled…drumroll please! Deadly Identity.
Okay, writing down all these resolutions is making me exhausted, a short rest period, before a long year ahead I presume? Now, I have been a good sport in sharing…I ask all you fans and friends, what are your resolutions for the upcoming year? I would love to hear them…
Oh, and remember, Death is only a click away. (Could be many clicks away with all the writing I have planned.)
Today, I want to revisit my holiday short, appropriately entitled, Dead Holiday. Hehe. During this wonderful time of year, holiday greeting cards fill our mailboxes on a daily basis, and most of us are delighted when we have people who think of us. Well, this little story focuses on receiving a not-so-nice greeting card from two individuals who have vengeance at the top of their list to Santa Claus. Without further ado, here is chp 2 of Dead Holiday.
Mark Blankenship maneuvered the marked patrol unit through the cornucopia of holiday shoppers as they gave him an accusing stare. He scanned the parking lot, looking for an open spot. Great. Who does their shopping on the last day before Christmas? He thought for a second. Me, of course. Unable to find anything available, Mark drove across the street, finding the perfect place. He grabbed his cell from the console and squinted at the number of bars remaining on the battery. Wonderful. Hope nobody needs anything. He popped open the glove box, sorting through the mess. There you are. He shoved the cheap charger into the lighter and plugged in his phone. Mark pulled down the visor and ran a hand through his thick black hair. The wrinkles emerging on his face and the tired brown eyes reminded him of the recent struggle with divorce. Fuck, I really do look old. Mark flipped up the visor and exited the vehicle. He smiled, staring up at the sign on the building. After I get done shopping, I think I will need a drink. He hiked across the lot, blowing warm air into his hands. Didn’t think it would be this cold. As he approached his destination, Mark brushed off his coat, noticing a shabbily dressed middle-aged man standing outside of the giant superstore’s entrance. He sat next to a red kettle ringing a small gold bell, trying to get the attention of people as they walked past. Glad I’m not standing out here. Mark thought about bypassing him, too. Instead, he stopped in front of the kettle, reached into his pocket, and removed several waded bills.
He smiled at the man as he placed the bills through the slot. “Hey, why aren’t you inside the foyer doing this? It’s too cold to be out here.”
The man strained to look up as he exposed a toothless grin. “The store doesn’t want me in there…says I need to be out here.”
Not very holiday Joy-to-the-World, good-will-towards-men mindset. “Well, stay warm. Hope I helped a little.” Mark shrugged.The man stood up but still had a hard time reaching over to pat him on the shoulder. Mark bent over to receive the gracious gesture. The man slipped a foiled wrapped chocolate Santa into Mark’s large hand. “Every little bit helps…have a nice Christmas.”
“You too, sir,” Mark waved, pocketing the chocolate.
He walked through the sliding glass doors, and a rush of warm air gently greeted him. Now, that’s more like it. He stripped off his trench coat, smiling at the choice of shopping carts. Gotta love the holiday colors. A young red-haired girl wearing a black smock and Santa hat stopped his progress as she handed him a store flyer. “Happy holidays, sir. Welcome to Plaxton’s Superstore. Is there anywhere I can direct you today to fulfill your holiday shopping extravaganza?”
Who the fuck talks like that? Must follow a script or something. Mark shook his head, tapping his shirt pocket. “Um, no thanks. I have it all here.”
She smiled. “Alrighty, then. You have a good shopping experience.”
Please kill me now. “Thanks, I will.” Mark grabbed a green cart and removed the list from his shirt. Next year, everything online. He pushed the cart through several aisles until he found the rows of dolls his daughter had pointed out a few weeks ago. Now, which one was it? There were several choices, but he inspected the list, making sure this was the exact one she wanted. If he purchased the wrong one, Marcia, his ex-wife, would be sure to point it out to him. That was her way of getting back…it always had been. She would dramatize anything, no matter how small. A man can only take so much. Mark removed the doll from the shelf, placing it into his cart. Presley, I hope you love it. She deserved to be happy, especially since the breakup of the marriage was only six months ago. The little girl didn’t understand why daddy only got to see her every other weekend. Scanning the list, he realized he couldn’t just forget Marcia. I wonder what you get for the people who piss you off the most? He smiled as he headed in the direction of the end cap marked, “As seen on T.V.” He sorted through the absurdity of choices and finally decided on the perfect gift for Marcia. Studying the box of knives, his eyebrows rose as he read. Even cuts through a pop can… maybe I need one of those. Mark glanced down at his watch, realizing the store would be closing soon. The majority of customers appeared to have vacated the area, and he was one of the few remaining. Mark grabbed the last item he needed and marked it on his corresponding list. “Merry Christmas to me. I’m all done. Now, time for a celebratory beverage,” he muttered. Mark carted his purchases in the direction of the register when he noticed something odd.
A young, dark-haired woman, dressed in black camouflage, appeared to be guarding the exit. She was shoving people back inside the store and even pushed one elderly woman so hard that she tripped over her cane and landed face first onto the floor. What the fuck? Mark reversed his direction, looking for a vantage point. He reached down, and unholstered the weapon on the inside of his right calf. He cautiously worked his way along the endcap advertising the latest thriller of the month. He finally found safe refuge behind a large display of fireproof safes, but was still close enough to keep his eye on the young woman. She kept yelling at some of the cashiers. Soon, a man dressed in a long-sleeve shirt and tan pants approached her. Mark took aim at the woman, but the man was in his line of fire, which made him lower his gun. The unknown man turned and pointed in the direction of the crowd, seemingly pleading with her to let them leave. He seems to know her. The woman then did something unexpected. She reached behind her back and withdrew something large, pointing it at the man. A fucking gun. The man tried to scurry away, but she lowered the firearm and fired two shots into his back. He slumped to the floor as blood started to seep from the freshly made wounds. The small crowd started to scream, and mass confusion ensued. Mark again trained his weapon on her, but the overhead lighting suddenly disappeared, and his vision was obscured by the darkness. She didn’t cut the lights, but somebody did. Mark heard several more shots, but this time, it came from behind him. He crouched down, straining to see where the rounds came from, but was unable to locate their origin. Mark started to inch forward when he heard the squelching of the store’s intercom system activate. A hoarse voice filled the interior. “If you want to remain alive, do what we say. I’m only looking for certain people today, but will kill anyone who gets in my way. And I do mean anyone! Put your fucking cell phones in the garbage can…now!”
At least two gunmen. Mark reached for his cell but realized it wasn’t there. Shit. He wondered why the male voice had mentioned the gunmen were only here to kill certain people, and then, a very disturbing thought filled his head. He has a death list, and usually, the only people who had those were former employees.
As he approached his destination, Mark brushed off his coat, noticing a shabbily dressed middle-aged man standing outside of the giant superstore’s entrance. He sat next to a red kettle ringing a small gold bell, trying to get the attention of people as they walked past. Glad I’m not standing out here. Mark thought about bypassing him, too. Instead, he stopped in front of the kettle, reached into his pocket, and removed several waded bills.
He smiled at the man as he placed the bills through the slot. “Hey, why aren’t you inside the foyer doing this? It’s too cold to be out here.”
The man strained to look up as he exposed a toothless grin. “The store doesn’t want me in there…says I need to be out here.”
Not very holiday Joy-to-the-World, good-will-towards-men mindset. “Well, stay warm. Hope I helped a little.” Mark shrugged.
The man stood up but still had a hard time reaching over to pat him on the shoulder. Mark bent over to receive the gracious gesture. The man slipped a foiled wrapped chocolate Santa into Mark’s large hand. “Every little bit helps…have a nice Christmas.”
“You, too, sir,” Mark waved, pocketing the chocolate.
This time of year always reminds me how lucky I am: for my family, for work, for a warm place to sleep at night. I try to make sure that even my characters are grateful, such as Mark Blankenship in my short story, “Dead Holiday.” What ways will you express your gratitude and spread holiday kindness this year?
Brandon Thornley unzipped his jacket and removed the GPS device. Following the frost-covered trail, he reached the wooded sanctuary that was home to the tools of his real trade. He thought he could give it up and live the life of an honest man, but the hunger for killing was too strong and couldn’t be masked any longer. He forced himself through the dense tree branches, barely feeling their backlash on his exposed face and neck. A few steps further, he stopped in front of a large pine tree. The computer-generated voice from the GPS, which indicated he had reached his destination, startled him.
So tomorrow, what is your destination? If you’re in the Des Moines area, put the Southridge Mall on your GPS, and come meet me and many other great authors at The Great Iowa Book Event. From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will be talking with readers and signing books. And if you haven’t picked up your copy of 3:16 yet, there will be plenty on hand. Look foward to seeing you there!
Hello, fans and friends! Check out the B-day post from my publisher! I can’t belive it’s been a whole year myself, but indeed it has.
The First Birthday
of Cold Moon Press
If I had to, I couldn’t pick an exact date that Cold Moon
Press began. Was it the day we held the first book in our hands? Or the day that
Jeff submitted his manuscript to me, and I thought, Hey! We’ve got something
here! Or was it before that, when I was writing our business plan and
dreaming about who we were capable of becoming? None of those dates are right,
yet none of them are wrong. The truth is, I’d been dreaming about doing this for
so long that it had become part of me, the lines of time blurring enough that we
just…well…were.
We didn’t celebrate our opening. Too much was happening
too quickly. But I do want to pick a moment to take a breath and say yes, it’s
been a year. A wonderful, beautifully hectic year. So I’m picking our first
anniversary to be celebrated on October 31. Not only is it a fun day—my favorite
of the year—but it is also the day our first contract was drafted on our first
piece of Cold Moon Press stationary, complete with the logo Vonnie designed. I
mean, we were official. It was written right there in black and
white.
I wanted this post to be a humorous list of the things I
have learned over the last year, but instead, it feels right to just say thank
you. To my sounding boards (you know who you are) who listen to my ramblings and
day dreams and help me develop game plans. To the authors, who have placed a
great deal of trust in this venture and who have been working their…err…back
covers off to market and promote our team, who’ve graciously adopted our motto,
“What’s good for one of us is good for all of us.” To all of our
families and friends who have been supportive. To the professional and
convention venues, brick-and-mortar stores, and websites who have hosted Cold
Moon Press and the authors. And to each and every person who have come to see us
read or speak, who’ve read our blogs, and who may have (thankfully) purchased
our books.
So, to express our appreciation, I’d like to give one of
you part of us. Leave a comment on this blog
post or on our Facebook page from now until the end of October, and you go into
a drawing to get print copies of the books we currently have in print (or a copy
of the e-book, if you prefer something for your e-reader). Good luck. And thanks.
