​Diary of the Dark...Entry 3

I hope that you're enjoying these, and it's giving you a taste of what's to come.
This has been one of my favourite books to write, and I'm having even more fun with book two. Yes, book two. I'm hoping to have it out to you by the end of October. Exciting!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway again, and share with your apocalypse loving friends!

And remember to keep checking my author page for other random giveaways that I have going on leading up to the release.

There's one running right now to win a paperback of Thicker than Blood! So head on over and
​join in!
​
Happy reading!
​​​

Happy reading book whores!
See you on Monday for another Diary entry!​

Claire x​

Don't forget to add the book to your Goodreads bookshelf here --> http://bit.ly/1Sd6pE4

If you're a blogger & would like to help spread the word for me, you can sign up for both the cover reveal on May 16th & the blog tour with option to R2R beginning May 26th. Sign up is here --> https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/188349-riley-s-reads-redheadapocalypse-support-group

I also have a Thunderclap campaign running if anyone else wants to help in some way. You can sign up here --> https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40891-out-of-the-dark-1

And finally (I know right! phew!) There is a buddy read going on over on Goodreads. You can sign up here if you'd like to join in -->​ https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/188349-riley-s-reads-redheadapocalypse-support-group

Happy reading book whores, see you on Friday for the next entry!

Claire xxx

                         
I have a new book coming out *throws glitter*, and I'm so excited to finally share it with you! It's a story which is very dear to me, and one I wholeheartedly believe that you're going to love.
The cover reveal will be May 16th, and let me tell you, it's probably my favourite cover to date.​

'Out of the Dark #1' is coming out May 26th!
(My birthday!) So, let me tell you a little about the book...
​​
It's an intense post-apocalyptic thriller following the story of a woman and her young daughter. They are travelling across a hauntingly bleak landscape with little more than their love for each other, and their dogged determination to survive.

An infection has taken out 95% of the worlds population turning people into dangerous half-humans who's only weakness is the light. This is not a zombie book, however, the infected humans are now a version of hybrid monster.​​

***
Synopsis:

​We are temporary. Finite.
The choices we’ve made, the people we have loved. Who we used to be no longer matters.
Because now it is all about the ending. And the ending always comes too soon.
There’s fear in the dark. And behind every drop of light, the shadows creep and the darkness comes in the form of clawing, red-eyed monsters. They hunt us—stalk us…they are
desperate to destroy us.
But I have a reason to fight the darkness and everything in it. A small glimpse of light that
lives within my golden-haired daughter, Lilly. She is my strength. She is my everything.
Every life is an untold story, each scene unfolding until the final act. But our ending has yet
to be written, and I will continue to protect us, until I can not.
 
***

There will be 14 diary entries in the lead up tot the release, so you can follow the story before
​it begins. After reading the entries, remember to enter the giveaway for your chance to win some cool gifts. There's signed books, swag and Amazon gift cards all up for grabs, and every share
and tag will be marked as an entry.

Okay, here you go...​

Happy reading book whores!

Claire xxx

I'd like to introduce a new to me author, but one that I'll be checking out. Her work sounds amazing, and I can't wait to get to know her some more. Have a read of her interview and head on over to her social pages to say hi!

JD Phillips is a writer of dark fiction as well as the creator/owner of BonesnStitches. She is both self-published and published through presses such as WTF Books and Angelic Knight Press. This is the first time she’s worked on a novel with a ghost.

Social Media Links

​Amazon Author Page | Touching SpiritsFB | KillianABlackFB |



​

What do you do when you’re not writing about the end of days or things that go bump in the night?

I make spooky pillows, pouches, and wall hangings for my Etsy shop (www.facebook.com/BonesnStitches), try to keep peace between my furry kids, and make nice with the real things bumping around in the night.

Tell me about your latest book, something unusual if possible.

"Touching Spirits: Contact" is, at its heart, a paranormal dark comedy about a newly made spook named Killian trying to work together with a fake TV ghost hunter (Dusty Yeager) to not only remember how he came to be a spook in the first place but help police solve a recent murder he witnessed.

As for the unusual factor - I noticed I had a new unseen guest hanging around after I started writing the book. Stranger still I've had several people - either those who were reading the book or helping with promo in some way) report the same since the book's release.

He doesn't seem to mind we've named him after Killian.

Fake ghost hunter (Dusty Yeager, star of Spectral Analysis) discovers he's suddenly able to hear a real live spook - and he's not happy about it. 

Real live spook (Killian A. Black) decides to make Dusty's life hell until he agrees to do the right thing and help solve a murder. Hijinxs ensue. 

"Who says dead can't be fun?"

What are you working on next and when can we expect it?

I've just finished writing "Transition," the sequel to "Contact" and am about to begin proofing/editing. It'll be released sometime before August of this year.

What makes you want to write about dystopia/the apocalypse and/or horror?

I've always said you can't have/appreciate light without the darkness. They're two sides of the same coin - I just seem to favor the dark.

Are you a prepper with an apocalypse plan in place, or are you just going to wing it?

I think about how it'd be wise to prepare and then forget to actually do it. So, yeah, I'll most likely be screwed.

What’s your apocalypse/horror theme song?

Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone" or The Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer"

When writing do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants!?

It's all pretty much a fly by. If I know exactly what's going to happen and why I tend to lose interest and not finish.

What was the last book you read, and what is the next one lined up?

I've been on this crazy writing streak for about two years straight now so I haven't really had time to sit and read for pleasure. I have so many stacked up waiting for me I can't even list them all.

If you could collaborate with any other indie author, who would it be?

I'm pretty fond of Walter Conley.

Some Addition Info

I'll be at the 10th Annual Paranormal Meet and Greet at the historic (haunted) Hannah House on August 13th, 2016 selling and signing books.
https://www.facebook.com/Paranormal-Meet-Greet-122991641094768/

Also, for fun, check out a recent interview given by Killian himself at: 
https://m.facebook.com/notes/rain-crow-psychic-arts/an-interview-with-killian-black-ghost/1307419999287474/?ref=bookmarks

Happy reading my book whores

Claire xxx

Todays interview is of super cool chick- Jaime Johnesee. famous for her
blue hair, her amazing Bob the Zombie series and just generally being
an awesome human being! 

This is definitely one fierce queen you need to get to know more of...​

Jaime Johnesee lives in Michigan with her husband and two sons. She spent fourteen years as a zookeeper before shifting her focus to writing full time. Known for her bestselling horror comedy series, Bob the Zombie, she is also currently coauthoring the paranormal horror series, Revelations, as well as her Samantha Reece series for Devil Dog Press.


Social Media Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Amazon Author Page |
​

What do you do when you’re not writing about the end of days or things that go bump in the night?

JJ: I read about the end of days and things that go bump in the night. I have two young sons and they—and their menagerie—keep me pretty busy too.
 
Tell me about your latest book, something unusual if possible.

JJ: My most recent releases are my books Cast in Shadow, the third of the Revelations Trilogy, and Shifters; my very first standalone novel.
Revelations was cool because my coauthors and I had to find and maintain a singular voice throughout three books. I can’t think of many triauthor collaborations that go past a single book let alone get to all three. I’m pretty proud of it, Lisa and Christine were great to work with. 

When a serial killer begins leaving remains of victims in hotel bathtubs all over town FBI Agent Samantha Reece makes it her business to stop him. 

This detective's got an ace up her sleeve in the form of her ability to shift into the guise of a were panther. As she tracks down the cold-hearted murderer she also has to contend with an anti-shifter group determined to destroy her. 

Not to mention the black jaguar who turned her decides to come sauntering back into her life.

DOING HIS BEST TO NOT CONTAMINATE THE CRIME SCENE, Officer Joshua Hahn vomited into a plastic bag as I stood busy looking over the remains that was making the poor newbie blow chunks. When I say remains, I’m not trying to be polite; the body had been left shredded and broken in a bathtub.

      Human stew.

The largest shard of bone found on this case had been a three-inch piece of femur. What lay before me looked more like cheap ground beef with a ton of gristle.
I decided that I probably wouldn’t be eating cheeseburgers anytime soon.
Looking at the morgue tech, I asked, “Same as the last two?”
“Looks like it to me, but I can’t say for certain until we get this mess back to the lab.” The tech continued ladling the remains into a five-gallon bucket.
I shuddered to think about how bad the doc was going to have it once those remains made it to the morgue. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to sift through all that masticated meat. Which, regrettably, is exactly what it was. Someone had eaten parts of the victims and spat some of the meat into the tub. Lab tests showed teeth marks on the bone and flesh samples from both of the other bodies we’d collected.
Unfortunately, the case hadn’t caught FBI attention until Hahn ran the details for the second scene through ViCAP, the Bureau’s database that tracks and correlates information on violent crime—and one of the tools I was most thankful for. I was even more thankful when they added supernatural status to the case reports. Though a rare event, this kind of red flag helped us to keep track of supernatural-related crimes while making sure the assigned team had the right skills to bring down the unsub, regardless of species.
When Hahn made the connection and called the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division where I work, we saw the links he’d connected were sound and kept an eye on ViCAP for another body.
The pictures from the first two scenes had been horrific, but actually standing here with the remains of his latest kill, the horror was tenfold.
“Have you guys come across anything else in the room?” I was really hoping for a break in the case.
“Nope, though the crime scene guys said there are prints everywhere, just like the other two scenes.” The tech continued ladling as he spoke and I felt my own stomach start to lurch. “Hopefully they’ll yield some results.”
“This guy is a fucking monster.” I have a tendency to speak my mind.

What are you working on next and when can we expect it?

JJ: I’m working on the second book in the Samantha Reece series as well as a spin off from Revelations called Revelations Mysteries. Christine Sutton and I are working on the first in that series right now. I’m also reworking a novel I wrote a long time ago. My character Bob stems from there and I’m looking forward to people meeting the rest of his world.  I’m hoping the second Sam book will be out this summer.

What makes you want to write about dystopia/the apocalypse and/or horror?

JJ: It helps me deal with my demons.

Are you a prepper with an apocalypse plan in place, or are you just going to wing it?

JJ: I do have a general plan in place but I think you also have to be flexible.

What’s your apocalypse/horror theme song?

JJ: I don’t have one but I’d like to think it’d be something like Pinky and The Brain’s.

When writing do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants!?

JJ: I do a bare bones outline and fill it in by the seat of my pants. ^_^

What was the last book you read, and what is the next one lined up?

JJ: The last book I read was Nameless by Mercedes Murdock Yardley and the next one is Priceless by Shannon Mayer. I’m in the midst of a girl-power badass female protagonist craving.

If you could collaborate with any other indie author, who would it be?

JJ: There are so many I’d love to work with I don’t think I could name just one. I’d really love to get a few more multiauthor projects going. 

Happy reading my book whores

Claire xxx

It's been around a year, give or take, since I had Mark Tufo on my blog (Previous Interview), and what a year it's been! As usual, he's been up to a lot. New novels, new anthologies, new podcasts and lots of new updates on his Zombie Fallout series! Check out all the associated links and get up yo date. I adore Mark, and his very awesome wife Tracy. They're both huge supporters of the indie scene and are just pretty wicked-cool people. On with the interview! 

Mark Tufo was born in Boston Massachusetts. He attended UMASS Amherst where he obtained a BA (and an advanced degree in partyology) and later joined the US Marine Corps. He was stationed in Parris Island SC, Twenty Nine Palms CA and Kaneohe Bay Hawaii. After his tour he went into the Human Resources field with a worldwide financial institution, after beginning his climb up the corporate ladder he found himself laid off. His wife, Tracy who was desperate to keep him out of her hair dared him to write a book, and the Zombie Fallout series was born.
He wrote the first installment of the Indian Hill trilogy in college, it sat in his garage until July 2009 when he published it on Kindle. Mark is currently working on the continuation of the ZF series and a new book due out in November of 2014. He lives in Maine with his wife, three kids and two English bulldogs (and a damned cat).

Social Media Links 

​Email | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Podcast | Zombie Fallout Website |

What do you do when you’re not writing about the end of days or things that go bump in the night?

Unfortunately I do surprisingly little outside of work. I do like to go shooting, I find that very cathartic. Six years into this crazy profession and I still have a very difficult time delineating between work and relaxation. Someday when I make the mythical Tufo money I’ll take a break!
 
Tell me about your latest book, something unusual if possible.

Well for the first time ever I have continued on with a series. Usually after I pen a book in a particular series I move on to a different one. This time for some reason it felt like the right thing to do and continue on in the Lycan Fallout world.

​Gonna have to go with United States of Apocalypse as I do not yet have a blurb or a cover for LF3.

When World War 3 erupts on American soil it is up to some less than likely heroes to band together and stand tall against any and all comers as a once proud nation is brought to her knees. 

Cowardly terrorist attacks and indifferent Global communities have isolated America as she spirals into a desperate bid for survival. 
 
 
What are you working on next and when can we expect it?

Currently working on Lycan Fallout 4 and I hope to have that out by early fall.
 
What makes you want to write about dystopia/the apocalypse and/or horror?

Well it’s that or historical romance.

Are you a prepper with an apocalypse plan in place, or are you just going to wing it?

I am not a prepper, I do own guns (a lot of them in fact) but basically because I like them. If it comes  to end of times I am most certainly going to be winging it.

What’s your apocalypse/horror song?

Might as well go out with a bang, let’s say Snowblind by Black Sabbath

When writing do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants!?

Oh there are days I wish I went the outline route then on those days when I surprise myself and the story goes in a direction I wasn’t planning I’m pretty happy about the seat of my pants stuff.
 
What was the last book you read, and what is the next one lined up?

I just read a thriller called Don’t Look Back, now I’m reading a Patterson book called Zoo.
 
If you could collaborate with any other indie author, who would it be?

I have written books with John O’Brien and now Armand Rosamilia and I’ll be honest I’m done. It’s not that it isn’t extremely satisfying working with other authors it’s just a lot more work.
 

Me on the set of Zombie Fallout! Hey Claire thank you for allowing me to take up some space on your blog! Most appreciated. 

Happy reading my book whores

Claire xxx

Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida, where he writes when he's not sleeping. He's happily married to a woman who helps his career and is supportive, which is all he ever wanted in life... 

He's written over 150 stories that are currently available, including horror, zombies, contemporary fiction, thrillers and more. His goal is to write a good story and not worry about genre labels.

He runs two very successful podcasts on Project iRadio, too...
Arm Cast: Dead Sexy Horror Podcast - interviewing fellow authors as well as filmmakers, musicians, etc. 
Arm N Toof's Dead Time Podcast - with co-host Mark Tufo, the duo interview authors and filmmakers and anyone else they feel like talking to
He also loves to talk in third person... because he's really that cool. He's a proud Active member of HWA as well.
 
You can find him at http://armandrosamilia.com for not only his latest releases but interviews and guest posts with other authors he likes!
and e-mail him to talk about zombies, baseball and Metal: armandrosamilia@gmail.com

Social Media Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Patron | 

What do you do when you’re not writing about the end of days or things that go bump in the night?

Eating M&M’s. Watching Investigation Discovery Channel shows with my wife. I read a lot.
 
Tell me about your latest book, something unusual if possible.

​“Dirty Deeds” is not only my first foray into crime fiction but the first thing I’ve probably ever written that didn’t have profanity or over the top violence or sexual situations. 

 
I get paid large sums of money to kill children.
I'll let that horrific sentence sink in before I tell you what I really do for a living.
More specifically, I move children from horrific situations with parents, guardians, and wicked people and place them with someone who will watch over them. Take care of them. Not want them dead.
How and why do I do this? We'll get back to the nitty gritty in a bit. For now...
 
"How much money to kill my daughter?"
I frowned and stared at the man. Without an answer, I walked to his office desk and sat down in the guest chair, and motioned for him to join me. I put my satchel on the floor within easy reach.
He took his time, trying to seem casual, walking around his desk and dropping into his chair.
I notice things.
A picture of his daughter was on the filing cabinet to my right. His hands were shaking and he couldn't make eye contact. He was sweating despite the air turned down low, and when I'd first walked into his office, I noticed his secretary was not at her desk.
John Caruso was one of the big shot lawyers in Philadelphia, but I would be stupid not to do my job and figure out the background of a potential client before we met. This guy had a couple of red flags and I was going to have my due diligence with John before we went any further.
I chuckled without humor and sat up in the chair. "If I'm not mistaken, you just asked me how much to kill your daughter?"
He nodded, his hands on the desk. When he moved his right hand to his phone on the desk he stopped, his hand shaking.
John was wearing a dress shirt. It most likely cost as much as my entire wardrobe. Especially what I was wearing. He was sweating so badly I could see his chest hair through it.
Me? I was calm and casual.
In the movies, the killer is always dressed smartly. Expensive Italian suits. Diamond-studded watch. Shoes like butter and worth the cost of a Porsche.
I was wearing a pair of jeans I'd bought at Wal-Mart, a black t-shirt that came in a pack of three, and boat shoes. Very comfortable, but not butter-comfortable. The most expensive thing I wore was the gold chain and cross around my neck, a gift from my deceased mother.
The pen on this guy's desk cost more than everything I had on even if you added in the cash from my wallet. I was sure his phone had every app imaginable to mankind and he didn't worry about his monthly bill.
"Don't play with me, Mister Aaron. You know exactly why you're here," John said. He sat up and his hands stopped shaking.
I knew the look on his face. He thought he had me. This little weasel thought he was back in control.
I turned my head and looked around the room. When I turned back to him he looked confused.
"I need water. Is there any way, before we begin the transaction that will change your life, you can get me a glass of water?" I asked.
"Uh... sure. I have bottled water."
I smiled and tried to fake warmth for this snake. "Actually, a tall glass of water is better. I don't even need it cold. I just need a lot of water." I touched my lips. "I get very thirsty doing this. You understand, right?"
"I have tap water," he said.
"Perfect."
John nodded and went out of the office and into his bathroom.
I scooped up his phone and sliced my finger across it, unlocking it quickly. These big shots were all the same: they'd spend thousands of dollars on home security but set their passwords to their computers so an eight year old could crack it, and never put anything safety-wise on their cell phone. I wasn’t tech-savvy at all, but I’d paid a lot of money to learn the tricks I needed to learn over the years. I knew enough to keep me from getting backed into a corner or caught doing something stupid.
I found what I was looking for but didn't bother doing anything with it. I knew the score now.
John returned with the water and I sat up. I'd put his phone back but made sure it was moved half a foot to the right, away from him.
He noticed it right away and looked like he was about to run.
I put a finger to my lips and stood, taking the glass of water and taking a sip.
John didn't move.
The side of his mouth twitched when I picked up his cell phone.
"I think we got off to a bad start, Mister Caruso. You mistook me for someone else. Someone bad. I was contacted by a friend of a friend of a friend. This is how this happens and gets me in your office," I said. I sat back down and put the phone next to my glass of water.
I motioned for him to sit and I picked up my satchel from the floor on my side, keeping eye contact with the lawyer so he didn't bolt.
"I am selling this and I was told you had money for the purchase," I said and produced a 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt rookie baseball card, sealed and graded Gem Mint. Perfect 10. "You won't find this card in a better quality than this. Make me an offer I can't refuse."
John looked confused as he stared at the baseball card in my hand.
"I didn't invite you to my office to buy a damn baseball card," he said.
I picked up his phone with my free hand.
"Then I'm sorry for wasting your time. I really thought I was here to sell you a Schmidt rookie. I figured since we're in Philadelphia and you're obviously a hometown fan, it made sense to me. My bad. I'll be on my way," I said and stood, dropping his phone into the glass of water.

What are you working on next and when can we expect it?

I have a few projects I’m working on at the moment.
“Belford Stories” is a contemporary fiction novel. Release date is in early April.
“Dying Days 6” zombie novel will be out around June.
“Dirty Deeds 2” crime thriller is about halfway done.
Plus a bunch of other things.
 
What makes you want to write about dystopia/the apocalypse and/or horror?

I’ve always been a big fan as a reader. Brian Keene’s “The Rising” is what got me writing zombie fiction. I just love the dark stories and the dark side to each and every one of us. Especially you!

Are you a prepper with an apocalypse plan in place, or are you just going to wing it?

Totally going to wing it and hope I die fairly early. I am fat and don’t want to have to run from zombies or aliens or whatever. I want to die quickly while eating M&M’s.
 
What’s your apocalypse/horror song?

Like everyone else, anything off of the “Beaches” soundtrack.

When writing do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants!?

Total pantser. I cannot work with an outline other than maybe a line or two as an idea for a future chapter, but never anything more than that.

What was the last book you read, and what is the next one lined up?

I just finished “Hitler’s Escape,” a nonfiction book. I read a lot of nonfiction and get some great ideas for future stories. Next up will be a suspense book, “Dead Wake,” by Dawn Lee McKenna. I love this series.

If you could collaborate with any other indie author, who would it be?

Definitely Brian Keene. I’ve been lucky enough to have co-written several books with authors I like such as Jay Wilburn, Jack Wallen, Brent Abell, Frank J Edler, Robert Chazz Chute and Mark Tufo. 

Happy reading my book whores

Claire xxx