Dying to Live – My First 18+ Novel

I’ve just published Dying to Live, my first 18+ novel. It’s totally different from my fantasy series but I think some of you will recognize the writing style.

Originally the adventure had been called Bangkok Rotter, but this is a new sparklier version which I think is much better.

I hope some of you have the time to give it a go!

Here’s the blurb:

We all make bad decisions, but bad decisions don’t usually cost you your life.

Dave Murray is rotting in a Bangkok prison cell, terrified he’s going to be sentenced to death and it’s all because of a bad decision… and a woman.

A few weeks earlier, he had been a bored office worker with a booze problem until a disastrous relationship triggered a series of events which led him to Thailand and destroyed his life. Can anyone save him? Does anyone want to?

WARNING: This story contains adult themes and graphic language.


Available on Amazon.

And Now! The Dark Tidings Trailer!

I am so delighted with the support which the guys at my publisher, Typewriter Pub, have given my book, Dark Tidings. They have professionally edited the original publication so it is now, trust me, so much better. If you haven’t read the new version, please do!

They have also commissioned a narrator to create the audiobook. I’ve heard him read a chapter and I feel he captures the excitement of the story. I am so excited! I can’t wait to hear a professional read the whole book to me… and, hopefully, you.

But, I hear you say, why this post? Well, Typewriter Pub has now produced a trailer for Dark Tidings and, in my opinion, it’s fantastic! I wonder what you think. I guess there’s only one way to find out, so here it is…

To complete the picture, here’s the back-cover blurb and the not-to-be-forgotten Amazon link!

Thanks for looking. I hope it inspires some of you who haven’t read the adventure to give it a go. And maybe it’ll inspire all of you who loved the adventure to leave a review (please).
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A thousand years ago, Tung, a young thief, awaits his execution. Alone in the cold dark dungeon, all hope is gone… until Madrick, the disgraced royal wizard, is thrown into the dungeon with him.

Madrick reveals an incredible secret about a legendary spell, a spell which helps them escape their prison cell, and eventually their century.

As strangers lost in today’s modern world, the great spell is the only thing which keeps them alive. They think they are finally safe, until the fateful day when they meet Michael, a computer hacker who plans to destroy the world’s largest bank.

What happens when ancient magic meets the internet, and what if the horrors from a thousand years ago are waiting for the time-travellers in the present day?

Big Moment… Biggest Moment Ever!

Okay, that may sound like your favorite president but it is, in fact, me talking. I think I’ve hit the biggest moment (so far) of my authoring career. Dark Tidings has been shortlisted for a Typewriter Pub (Blvnp) Award… and you can help me win.

How can you help me win? Well, by voting for Dark Tidings at https://agents27.wixsite.com/tpawards2019/sci-fi-fantasy . Thank you!!!!

As well as votes, the sales and reviews will be counted, so if you haven’t already grabbed yourself a copy of the sparkly new version of the book, you can get it at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZM9B4H, You can leave reviews there as well!

Thank you so much for your support.


Dark Tidings Blurb


A thousand years ago, Tung, a young thief, awaits his execution. Alone in a cold dark dungeon, all hope is gone… until Madrick, the disgraced royal wizard, is thrown into the dungeon with him.

Madrick reveals an incredible secret about a legendary spell, a spell which helps them escape their prison cell, and eventually their century.

As strangers lost in today’s modern world, the great spell is the only thing which keeps them alive. They think they are finally safe, until the fateful day when they meet Michael, a computer hacker who plans to destroy the world’s largest bank.

What happens when ancient magic meets the internet, and what if the horrors from a thousand years ago are waiting for the time-travellers in the present day? One thing is certain, with ancient magic brought from the past, modern life will never be the same again.


The New Dark Tidings

I’m excited! Of course I am! The new and sparkly Dark Tidings has just been released on Amazon.

Everything is new. Dark Tidings has a new publisher, BLVNP. Also, the book has been revised and re-edited and, because of the hard work by the BLVNP editor, the story is the best it’s ever been! And it’s got a brand new cover, which I love. It’s even got a new blurb which I’ve included below.

Now, I’d like to ask you for a favour. If you’ve read the book, please consider popping over to Amazon and leaving a review (you could also grab a copy of the new version so your collection is complete!!). If you haven’t read the book, now is the perfect time! Please give up a coffee on the way to work and buy a copy.

The more activity there is around the launch week, the more impact there’ll be on the various Amazon lists. If it features on their lists, it has a chance of getting noticed in the big wide world… and I would be so grateful. 

The new Dark Tidings is now available as an eBook or in paperback from Amazon. Here’s the blurb…

“We shattered the door and burst into their sleeping chamber. They were there, and then they were gone. And gone with them was the scroll.”

 A thousand years ago, Tung, a young thief, awaits his execution. Alone in a cold dark dungeon, all hope is gone… until Madrick, the disgraced royal wizard, is thrown into the dungeon with him.

Madrick reveals an incredible secret about a legendary spell, a spell which helps them escape their prison cell, and eventually their century.

As strangers lost in today’s modern world, the great spell is the only thing which keeps them alive. They think they are finally safe, until the fateful day when they meet Michael, a computer hacker who plans to destroy the world’s largest bank. 

What happens when ancient magic meets the internet, and what if the horrors from a thousand years ago are waiting for the time-travelers in the present day? One thing is certain, with ancient magic brought from the past, modern life will never be the same again.

Publishing Adventure

Dark Tidings is going to be published by BLVNP on 23rd May 2019. Exciting or what?

Right now, they are running a poll to choose the cover. Please nip over to my new blog and click on the Cover Poll tab. Then vote for your favorite!

And while you’re there, pop in your email address and they’ll give you a bonus mini-book for free. Does anyone remember the Chicken Incident in Dark Tidings? Well, the bonus book, Drogo Haylock, will solve the mystery of the chicken who didn’t end up in the stew!

I hope I can count on you guys to continue supporting me. It’s your help that has made my astonishing publishing adventure possible.

Thanks to you all.

Party Animals

Fangs

This is an extract from a short piece which was written as a ‘guest appearance spot’ for the book Happy Halloween, a collaborative publication by authors A.K. Michaels, C.S. Bailey, Nav Logan and Rick Haynes.

Read the complete story at Party Animals continued

The fabulous picture represents one of DJ Marilyn Grotesque’s lovely ladies. It was photographed by  Justine Davinia Simone and shows off the amazing fangs which are from Teeth By Dnash.

 

Party Animals

I made my name in the deejaying world by being bizarre. I mean, even my name, DJ Marilyn Grotesque, offers the punters a clue to the sort of show I put on.

I’ve modelled myself on Marilyn Manson in his Tainted Love video. I stride into ordinary, regular parties and turn them into freak shows. Party hosts who want to shock their guests, love me. I always give them a show they’ll never forget.

Tonight’s booking is my best payday ever, so I’m determined not to disappoint.

My black 1970 Lincoln Continental low-rider scrunches to a halt on the gravel drive at the front of the impressive mansion. Tonight it’s going to be DJ Marilyn’s mansion. My driver hits the pneumatics and the front of the car bounces like a kangaroo on steroids. A low banshee screech emanates from under the hood. I want everyone to know that the main act has arrived. Be scared party guests, be very scared.

I look out through the black tinted windows and smile. People have streamed out of the house to see what the commotion is. They gasp and point as my car goes through its routine of bounces and bumps and grinds. I’m nearly ready. The scene is primed and set for another spectacular entrance.

I slip in my thousand dollar false fangs. They look so real; worth every cent I paid. Mind you, no one will see them until the moment is right. I shove open the car door and glide out onto the steps which lead up to the house. I can feel every pair of eyes on me. Do they think I’m a dead man walking? My white make-up, blue lipstick and black eyeshadow would even fool a qualified pathologist, well at a distance they might. Dressed in black from head to foot, I stride up the steps.

I feel the mood change when my girls emerge from the car; my five beautiful, sexy vamps strut up the steps behind me. Their skimpy black leather outfits look as if they’d be more at home in a brothel rather than this posh person’s party.  The girls have only one job; tease the guests, men and women, and draw them into an intimate web of expectation. Later, when the tension is at its height, and I give the signal, my little darlings will scare the life out of everyone around them with a show of their fangs; not as realistic as my thousand dollar pair, but real enough to freak most normal folk.

Me and my entourage bundle our way through the entrance hall. I’m heading for the little stage which houses my turntables and the controls for the lights, and fog machine, and flash bang maker. As I push my way through the gaping guests, my girls peel off and start seducing their victims. By the time I’ve reached the stage, all my girls are already hard at work, flaunting their leather clad bodies in the faces of their unsuspecting prey.

“Okay people,” I shout into the mike. “I’m DJ Marilyn Grotesque, let’s get this parrrr-teeee started.”


Read the complete story at Party Animals continued

Dark Tales and Flash Fun – new release

Okay, so what is Dark Tales and Flash Fun all about? Well, here’s the introduction from the book… I think it explains it pretty well.

Over the years, I’ve written a lot of words. Most of my efforts were focussed on novels but between the books, or at times when ideas were maturing, I penned a number of short stories and quite a few drabbles (stories which are exactly 100 words long). Dark Tales and Flash Fun is a collection of these bits and pieces. There’s no connecting theme other than each work is designed to be entertaining, frightening or intriguing.

In part,I wanted to create an easy way for people to find out a bit about me and my writing without having to dive straight into the trilogy. I also wanted to gather together  a lot of the various bits of my work in one place. If nothing else, that allowed me to tidy up my computer files… now I just need to sort out all the ideas I have in notebooks and on scraps of paper.

I hope some of you get the chance to check out the book. Here’s the blurb:

FFF cover v1.1In this anthology of wonderfully imagined tales we encounter captivating twists and turns, laugh out loud moments and intriguing entertainment from start to finish. The subject matter includes leprechauns and vampires, Hollywood and electric chairs… there’s even a seasick seagull.

Dark Tales and Flash Fun brings together the author’s extensive collection of drabbles (100 word stories) with three of his fascinating and rather disturbing short stories.

Dark Tales and Flash Fiction is available from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Kobo and Scribd.

Rick Haynes’ Evil Never Dies

Rick reading bookAs a follow on to my introduction post about the ART authors (see footnote re ART), I’d like to give you a bit more of an insight into the writing of Rick Haynes. As you can see from his Amazon Author Page, Rick has published quite a range of work but I’d like to share the blurb and the prologue from book #1 of his Maxilla Tales, Evil Never Dies.


The Blurb

Evil Never DiesThe Maxilla are a peaceful clan but can they survive the latest threat from Myracadonis, the shaman? Tarn is ordered to lead the Maxilla into battle for the first time, but a man with the mark of greatness will always have enemies. Grona hates everyone, including his son, Tarn. Both men are destined to be heroes yet only one can stand before the gates of hell and win.

The gods are always watching, but whose side will they ultimately favour?

The Prologue

The mountains formed after the lands had been covered in fire, lava and ash. Ice had shaped valleys and the wind and rain had scoured the summits into jagged peaks. Immune to any hardship and interference, only the gods lived in such desolate places. From their lofty domain they looked down on the world of man.

On the lower slope of Mount Soar, a vast number of caves ran through the mountain. Deep and gloomy they served as scant protection for the few animals that dared to wander so high and as a refuge for the seldom seen humans.

Two men sat around a blazing fire in one of the upper caves. A copper pot boiled. One stirred the contents, looking hopeful that the meat would soon be cooked. He shivered constantly, his hand automatically stirring faster.

Long dark clothes swathed the other. A wide-brimmed floppy hat obscured his thin bony face, weathered by time. Yet everything about him was illusory, for he could sit naked in a snow drift and be unconcerned, whereas his companion would freeze in an instant without his help.

He loved the entertainment; humans were usually predictable, yet some could still surprise him. But he had learnt that the body of a frail old man always yielded the best results.

“What is your name, human?”

“Ernon … the lame. What should I call you … lord?”

“You, my cold friend … you may call me Titian. So, tell me what you want.”

“I want power, to control them and take my revenge.”

“Really?”

“Yes my lord. I have studied the dark side of magic and can readily proceed with the ten incantations.”

“Yes! Yes! Admittedly, you have a talent for cruelty and minor magic otherwise you would not be sitting here, but are you ready to give up many years of your life to learn the secrets of the dark arts? The teaching never ceases, for as you learn you move on to the next level of understanding. But remember, if you fail, death is inevitable.”

Looking at the frailty of the man stirring a hot stew did not fill Titian with any great confidence, but the mortal’s eager nod swayed him.

“You will endure pain unlike any other as your mind is exposed and altered. Your body will shrink and grow as I deem fit. At some point you will fall on your knees and beg to die. By then, it will be too late. The gods will own you body and soul, and only they, will allow your demise. This is the point of no return, Ernon. Take it … or maybe freeze.”


Exciting stuff, eh? Why not treat yourself and grab a copy of Evil Never Dies?


ART logo wip offset

ART – Authors and Readers Together
ART is a banner under which a group of like-minded authors are working collaboratively with their readers to create stories designed to entertain, enchant and amaze. I’ll be using this logo on all ART related posts so keep your eyes peeled.


And Then Three Come Along All at Once

Is there anything more satisfying than finding a great, new writer to feed your reading habit? Well, how about discovering three all at the same time? These guys all have their own styles and unique imaginations. Even the way they describe themselves gives you a clue about their fascinating backgrounds; backgrounds which enrich their writing.

Give yourselves a treat and check out their books via the links below.

Guy Donovan

Daddy and 'Cerys'In the 1990s and 2000s, I worked on both television and feature films as an animator and storyboard artist/designer for Marvel Films, Hanna-Barbera, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, and Warner Bros Feature Animation, amongst others.

Now I work for the U.S. Government in return for a steady paycheck and job security, allowing me to continue my wasteful habits of eating and providing for my family.

I live in North Dakota, USA with my wife and daughter. Creatively starved by my government job, I turned to writing at the advice of my wife, a fellow Hollywood expatriate who writes both screenplays and novels. That led to my current obsession with 5th century Wales, which is the setting of my ‘Dragon’s Treasure’ series. The first two novels, ‘The Forgotten Princess of Môna’ and ‘A Cold, White Home’ are currently available as e-books and I continue toward completing the final two installments, which are written but as yet untitled.

Find out more at Guy’s Amazon author page.

Nav Logan

NavMany years ago, when I was just a small boy gazing in wonder at his first chest hair, I decided that I was going to become a tramp. I was going to drop out and go to Strathclyde. Why Strathclyde? God only knows, but every man must have a goal in life. Being an engineer or a pilot didn’t cut it for me. My soul was filled with wanderlust and the need for adventure.

So, after leaving home, I dropped out. I even went to Strathclyde, passing through it in a sleepy haze while being rocked gently to slumber in the passenger seat of an unknown truck.

Since then, I have done many things and seen many places, always following my instincts and trusting in my destiny. I am self-taught in many things; a jack of all trades and a master at none, but I’ve always got by. A strong self-belief has brought me through many adversities. I try to be the best I can be and often fail, but I continue, nevertheless.

I’ve been writing since I was that small boy, mainly poems and an occasional short story. Maerlin’s Storm was first written over a decade ago. It wasn’t something I planned to do. I didn’t wake up and say, I’m going to be an author. Far from it. Like many things in my life, it all started with a dream. The next morning, I wrote a poem. Later, it became a story and this small seed became my beanstalk. People read it and enjoyed it, but then life became busy again. For many years the story sat, collecting dust. It would have stayed on the shelf, forgotten, but fate had other plans.

I now have 5 published novels. Three are part of the Storm-Bringer Saga, an Epic Fantasy series. I also published a collection of drabbles and poems: Little Words … Full of Big Worlds, a collection of short stories and drabbles: Bananas in my Shorts, and a collaboration short story.

Find out more at Nav’s Amazon author page.

Rick Haynes

rick haynesHi, my name is Rick Haynes. I am an author and award winning Drabblist.

My passion is medieval fantasy but I also write short stories and Drabbles in many different genres.

This is my world.

Ever upwards, never stopping, the staircase to the heavens awaits all those wishing to dream.

And all you have to do is place one foot on the first step.

Consider the endless possibilities, as you climb higher and higher.

Boredom is unknown in my time and space, for can you not see the stars sparkling bright, ready to enlighten you?

Is your mind ready to absorb the endless possibilities of a million words?

And are you ready to join me on a magical journey?

I will embrace you with open arms.

And welcome you into the world of my imagination.

Find out more at Rick’s Amazon author page.


ART logo wip offset

ART – Authors and Readers Together
ART is a banner under which a group of like-minded authors are working collaboratively with their readers to create stories designed to entertain, enchant and amaze. I’ll be using this logo on all ART related posts so keep your eyes peeled.


 

A Darker Shade of Chocolate

I’m delighted to welcome Rosen Trevithick here on a leg of the blog tour to launch her Chocolate Making Adventures book.

When an author is ‘on tour’ to promote a book, it can be difficult for them to write new and original content, particularly when trying to link the content to a particular theme. Well, I have a lot of wizards on my site and, fortunately, making a wizard is just the kind of thing which her Chocolate Making Adventures teaches you to do.

So without any further introduction, Rosen explains how to make a chocolate wizard from scratch!

How to Make a Dark (Chocolate) Wizard

TrollsFirstly, you need to make your own silicone mould. In my book, I demonstrate using a troll mould as an example, but the same technique can easily be used to create a wizard. Without giving too much away, you need to buy some silicone putty and some oven-hardening modelling clay. You make a wizard from the clay, bake it until hard, then press the putty around it. Once the putty sets, you remove your clay and are left with your very own wizard mould.

The next thing to do, is make some plain chocolate. Yes, I did say make plain chocolate – none of that buying chocolate and melting it down malarkey – this isn’t the 00ies. My book tells you how to make the darkest chocolate in the universe, using cocoa butter, cocoa powder and honey. Making chocolate involves heat, so your chocolate mixture will turn out molten. Pour it into your wizard mould, plonk it in the fridge and wait.

After an hour, carefully press the chocolate from the mould, and there you have it, your very own dark wizard.

If you would like more detailed instructions about how to make your own chocolate wizard, you can buy Chocolate Making Adventures in both paperback and eBook formats.

To see lots of other exciting chocolate ideas why not check out my recipe blog or to find out more about my book please click here Chocolate Making Adventures.

Chocolate Making Adventures

Photo by Claire Wilson lle-photography.co.uk

Thank you and remember to eat chocolate responsibly!


rosen-trevithick

Rosen Trevithick has a variety of books in print including My Granny Writes Erotica – Threesome, Pompomberry House and two Seesaw collections, as well as over a dozen digital titles.

In 2013 she founded the Smelly Troll series – children’s chapter books written by Rosen and illustrated by Katie W. Stewart. The series, which begins with The Troll Trap, has inspired hundreds of children to get involved in creative writing.

Rosen writes in a variety of genres with a strong leaning towards comedy. She has also dabbled in psychological fiction and mystery writing.