Blogger Book Fair: Guest Michael Brookes

The Nature of Evil by Michael Brookes

Evil as a concept has been with us as a species for as long as we’ve been able to communicate, but what does it mean? In bygone times the definition of evil was provided by religion and was deemed a clear cut concept, a binary choice of good and evil. These days (and even back then) this concept seems too simplistic, it doesn’t reflect what we see in everyday life.

How do we define evil? The most obvious answer is by the moral code of an individual or society, but that again seems too simplistic. We can say that if something is deemed morally wrong then that is evil. It’s wrong to steal, but is that evil? Is evil and absolute or a gradient? In society morality has almost been replaced by laws. Laws define what is permissible. However here we can see some conflict between law and morality that muddies a definition of evil.

A classic example is taking drugs, the state says it’s illegal, many would argue that it is not wrong to take takes drugs and it certainly wouldn’t be considered evil by then. This throws up the issue of subjectivity, what is evil (or wrong) to one person, may not be considered so by another.

To complicate things further is evil an act or a state of being? It can of course be both. A person can commit an evil act, but not necessarily be evil in themselves. A classic example here is the crime of passion, there was no intention to commit evil, it was a spur of the moment act. The act of murder is evil, but the perpetrator is not. Or perhaps, they were evil, but only for that moment.

What is considered evil is subjective, although some acts do have a consensus. If we take these most obvious examples and boil them down they come down to a single concept – selfishness. It is the putting oneself above others that appears to be the central tenet.

It seems a bit too simple doesn’t it?

In every instance of evil you can see how the act of putting yourself above others is where the acts of evil come from. Stealing from others to enrich yourself, violence to satisfy your own cravings, and sexual crimes to establish your power. All of these things stem from your own want and needs and how they matter more than another person’s.

Let’s take an example – murder. People kill each other for various reasons, they want to take something from that person, they feel that the person doesn’t deserve to live (and thus being better than them). Even self defence implies that the killer has a better reason to live than the victim. Now I’m not suggesting that self defence is evil, although the act of killing maybe, which leaves us with the other half of the puzzle – intent.

For something to be evil, it is not just the event, but the intention of the act. The legal system has a concept for this (mens rea), for example murder is only murder if some harm was intended to the victim, otherwise it is manslaughter (the terminology varies depending where in the world you are).

So in simplistic terms we can identify the nature of evil as not only being selfish in action, but also in intent. A question arises that for evil to exist  do both components need to exist. Is the thought of evil an evil act?

I certainly hope not! As a writer I craft stories about evil all the time and I don’t think that makes me evil.

Or does it?

FAUST 2.0

Is it the rebirth of an ancient evil in a new realm? Or something much worse?

A sexy looking avatar grants wishes for people across the web, but nothing is truly free, and for those who accept, what price must be paid?

Sarah Mitchell must discover the truth of this creature and stop it while it can still be stopped, but why is a mysterious lawyer dogging her every step?

Faust 2.0 is the first book in the new Mitchell & Morton series.

Available now on Kindle:

Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faust-2-0-Morton-Mitchell-ebook/dp/B00CTA3YIE/

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/Faust-2-0-Morton-Mitchell-ebook/dp/B00CTA3YIE/

About Michael Brookes

Michael Brookes is an Executive Producer with a leading UK games developer. Working in games and writing are two of his life passions and he considers himself fortunate to be able to indulge them both. He lives in the east of England, enjoying starry skies in the flattest part of the country. When not working or writing he can sometimes be found sleeping. Which is good as that is where many good ideas come from.

Other Books by Michael Brookes

The Cult of Me

The first book in ‘The Third Path’ trilogy.

For too long he dwelt apart, watched those who passed him by. With his unique abilities he entered their minds and inflicted terrible suffering upon them. They didn't even know who he was. The game has lasted for years, but now the game has become stale. On an impulse he decides to make a final and very public last stand. After surrendering himself to the police he enacts his plan to seize the prison for his final bloody act.

There he discovers that he's not as unique as he once thought.

Buy now from:

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/The-Cult-Third-Path-ebook/dp/B008O7ZVXW/
Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Cult-Third-Path-ebook/dp/B008O7ZVXW/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cult-of-me-michael-brookes/1112888391?ean=2940016637747&isbn=2940016637747
iTunes (US): https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id639396634
iTunes (UK): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/id639396634

Conversations in the Abyss

The second book in ‘The Third Path’ trilogy.

Stealing Lazarus’s miracle gifted him immortality. Combined with his natural ability of invading and controlling people’s minds this made him one of the most dangerous people on Earth.

But the miracle came with a price. His punishment was to be imprisoned within the walls of an ancient monastery and tormented by an invisible fire that burned his body perpetually. To escape the pain he retreated deep into his own mind.

There he discovers the truth of the universe and that only he can stop the coming Apocalypse.

Buy now from:

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCP08JU/
Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BCP08JU/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115281270?ean=2940016700465&isbn=2940016700465
iTunes (US): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/id647298331
iTunes (UK): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/id647298331

An Odd Quartet – Drabble Enhanced Edition

A quartet of dark short stories (10,000 words total) each with a twist in the tale. The drabble enhanced edition also contains some of my favourite drabbles (100 word stories).

The Yellow Lady
Grave robbing is a dirty business, in more ways than one. When he disturbs the grave from a childhood scary story he discovers it's not always treasure to be found.

This Empty Place
At the heat death of the universe, Death contemplates his existence.

Forced Entry
Terrorists seize an average suburban house. A Special Forces hostage rescue team is sent in and encounter more than they were trained for.

The Reluctant Demon
A young demon prepares to take his possession exam.

Buy now from:

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/An-Odd-Quartet-ebook/dp/B009QJMMPC/
Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.com/An-Odd-Quartet-ebook/dp/B009QJMMPC/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-odd-quartet-michael-brookes/1046494250?ean=2940016693453
iTunes (US): https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id636526301
iTunes(UK): https://itunes.apple.com/uk/book/id636526301
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/An-Odd-Quartet/book-IW9-ulByxE-fcgKdLgZT8Q/page1.html

Blogger Book Fair: Monster Menagerie Entry #3

Flash Fiction Thrillogy Part 2:

What If? … Whatever (A Marvel Zombies / Væmpires Mashup)

“Logan, don’t do this without us,” Kitty said, although both knew he would. Wolverine, as he was more commonly known, rarely followed advice.

“I’m not waiting for reinforcements,” Wolverine barked. “In the end, I’ll have to do things the hard way. It never fails.”

He powered the headset down, cutting Kitty off.

“Boring conversation, anyway,” he muttered, eyeballing the horde of swarming creatures. The multi-limbed, multi-eyed entities were unpleasant to view and they emitted a vibrating, nerve-grating sound, but it was their ability to vaporize everything they touched that concerned Logan most.

“Any idea what they are?” he asked his partner.

“There isn’t enough data.”

Wolverine bit back a caustic remark. It was always surprising to hear Banner’s voice coming from The Hulk’s mouth, but it was never wise to provoke him. Besides, Hank said the newest development indicated improvement. 

The deadly ocean flowed forward, stretching far and wide.

Logan shrugged. “I guess it’s time for Plan B.”

“I didn’t realize we had a Plan A,” The Hulk said with a baleful stare. “Or that it failed.”

Wolverine stared back.

The Hulk sighed, striding toward the oncoming wave. “What’s Plan B?”

“What else?” Wolverine answered. “Fastball special.”

The Hulk froze, before slowly turning toward Wolverine. “Logan, I’m honored.” His face was somber, but Banner’s voice betrayed a hint of humor.

“Can it, bub,” Wolverine growled, fighting the urge to hit the brute. “I like you better when your only vocabulary is Hulk smash.”

Banner’s laugh filled the air as The Hulk’s gargantuan hands settled around Wolverine. Logan curled up, primed and ready to explode in the kamikaze attack that never failed to redline his thrill-o-meter.

The Hulk reared back, arm cocked—

The ominous, nerve-grating sound disappeared.

The wave of creatures did, too.

“Huh?”

The massive fist opened, dumping Wolverine to the ground in an unceremonious, undignified, and uncharacteristic heap. He leaped to his feet; claws extended, senses on high alert, scanning the surroundings for new threats.

That was his intent, at least. Instead, he staggered to his feet, his body betraying more than responding. All he could think about was how hungry he was.

Next to him, The Hulk scratched his head, peeling off strips of decaying flesh.

They were zombies.

Again.

“Sunova—” he began, before his jaw unhinged, strangling his words. He snapped it together with a frustrated swipe that nearly beheaded him.

They were in a grass courtyard, alone. A grand building stood before them.

“Caaastle,” The Hulk groaned. “Eaaat.”

“It’s Windsor Castle,” Wolverine countered, ignoring the hunger and praying his jaw remained hinged. “But this certainly ain’t jolly ol’ England.”

He tested the air as they shuffled toward the castle. He smelled blood—lots of it—from somewhere behind the building. He angled toward it, almost leaving a leg behind in the process.

The Hulk followed, drooling.

The sounds of fighting—albeit strangely subdued—reached them as they rounded the corner. Wolverine sniffed again. Most of the blood wasn’t deliciously human. It was …

“Vampires,” he groaned, turning toward his blundering partner. “I hate vampires.” But there was other blood, too. Something … different.

“Preferrr Sabrrretoooth?”

“I’d prefer something with less angst,” Wolverine barked, missing Banner’s voice.  “No witches or wolves, either.”

“Zommmbies,” The Hulk mumbled.

“No zombies. It’s bad enough we’re infected again.”

“Zommmbies,” the brute repeated, lifting a decaying arm to point over Wolverine’s shoulder.

Wolverine turned with drunken grace. In the distance, a pair of teen boys—vampires, from their lack of body heat—stood side-by-side beside a prone form as a sea of shambling creatures crowded toward them.

“Well, I’ll be,” Wolverine started, but The Hulk interrupted.

“Zommmbies.”

“Sure, bub. Zombie vampires. Who woulda thunk it?”

He calculated the distance. Given their current state of disrepair, they couldn’t reach the teens in time to assist.

They needed a miracle.

“Fasssballl speciaaal,” The Hulk groaned.

“Your arm’d fall off first,” Wolverine countered. A glance showed him that the teens were overwhelmed, but a plan formed.

He reached over, severing one of The Hulk’s arms at the elbow. Snagging it before it tumbled to the ground, he waved it overhead and bellowed.

“Avengers assemble!”

The rearmost portion of the zombie horde halted, turning toward the sound en masse.

“Come and get it,” he cried, waving furiously. Pieces of dead flesh rained down.

The zombies came. Not all of them, though, and not enough. Wolverine saw the teens fall, waves of undead crashing upon them.

But the cavalry arrived, in the distance—a squad of vampires, led by a stunning, black-haired woman. If the teens held on for another moment, they would be saved.

Satisfied, Wolverine dropped the severed arm and prepared for battle.

The Hulk eyed his lost appendage. He clenched his remaining fist.

“Whaaat ifff … Hulllk smaaash?”

Wolverine nodded. “Whatever, bub.”

The first installment of the thrillogy is part of Shah Wharton’s “Minuscule Morsels of Marvel” event here. The final installment will appear on the Vaempires website as part of the “Flash Fiction Challenge II” event. Check ‘em out—in fact, don’t miss any of the Blogger Book Fair events!

Thomas Winship is the author of the Vaempires book series. You can find his books here and his website here.

Blogger Book Fair: Monster Menagerie Entry #2

Brocken Bow

by Jessica Fortunato

                Her name was Anne, and she detested exercise.  In fact, detested was too kind a word for how she felt now that she had carted herself up over 3,000 feet simply to look upon the world from a different perspective.

                She had been traveling across Europe alone, making friends and seeking shelter at youth hostels.  It was what free spirited people did before dedicating years of their lives to college and a medical career. She’d chosen to travel alone because she preferred her own company to the whims of others.  Anne, both regimented and goal oriented had planned every part of her trip.  She rarely checked in with her parents, she was an adult now and would have to learn to live apart from their reassurance.  If there was one word to describe her, everyone would have agreed that word was pragmatic. 

                Therefore, she had surprised even herself when she began a spending time with an attractive man named Eli.  He had a deep Texas drawl that made Anne think of her native Dallas even as they sat silently watching television in a German youth hostel.  It was this comforting feeling that eased her into saying yes when Eli suggested the hike up the mountain as a once in a lifetime experience.

During the climb, Eli had been kind in keeping a slower pace for Anne who was unaccustomed to climbing anything but stairs.  In every way, she was free.  She wondered then, why she felt so trapped.

Eli said he was going to circle the side of the peak, and Anne was fine staying on the footpath.  She pulled her camera from her pack.  Surely, she should bring back proof of such a daring adventure.  She took pictures of the snow above her, the breathtaking sunset, and leaning over took photos of the jagged peaks below.

The days that followed went quickly.  Eli had left, next going to France.  He hadn’t even asked her to accompany him.  He’d barely spoken at all since their trip and she decided she hadn’t needed a love life after all.  She was concerned he’d stolen her camera, which she had searched for but had never found.  The hostel had become empty with summertime ending.

She lay half-asleep under the comforter twisting and kicking feverishly. She awoke disoriented but with the hairs on her neck standing straight.  The room was still empty.  She got up and followed the moonlight to the bathroom. As she slowly trailed the hallway she couldn’t shake the feeling she was not alone.  She suddenly thought of the dark fairytales her grandmother had told her and goose bumps rose on her skin.  She told herself she was being foolish, a child, but even her pragmatism was not bringing her its usual comfort.

Someone had left the medicine cabinet open and it took all of her strength to close it.  As the hinges creaked she stared out the small window, fearing at any moment a wicked witch or evil spirit would be looking back at her.

Anne fiddled with the faucet but nothing came out.  She sighed heavy with frustration looking up to take in her own reflection, but there was only darkness.

It was as though she was staring into a black hole.  As she lifted her hand to her cheek, she realized the darkness took shape.  The shadow in the mirror appeared to be touching its cheek as well with frighteningly elongated fingers.  She appeared taller in this shadow reflection, lankier, more menacing. 

Anne ran from the bathroom to her neatly made bed.  Her mind racing, she tried to play back the past days, yet all she could remember was the exhausting hike up Brocken Peak. 

With her hiking coat on, she trudged in her boots to the pub across the street.  Her logical brain told her that no one there would know how to help her, yet she had a sudden and foreign urge not to be alone.  The only patron sat nursing a scotch.  She went around the counter to face him.  When the man looked up, he was startled and fell from his stool. 

Anne raced to the base of Brocken Peak.  Her heart thudding in her chest she kept telling herself she would find answers in the place she last remembered.  Yet every windowpane and car mirror along the way projected the ghostly image of a dark and exaggerated shadow of her former self.

As she neared base camp, there were already emergency vehicles present.  A familiar voice pulled her attention to a nearby car.  Her mother sat quietly crying.  Anne had never wanted to feel the warmth of her mother’s arms more than she did in that moment. 

She nearly reached her mother’s side when she caught sight of the open body bag on the ground.

Inside, she finally gazed upon her own reflection. In her bloodied hand sat her mangled camera.

She looked up hoping to see her mother’s face but the people and vehicles were gone. 

She stood, surrounded by the grossly drawn out shadows of dozens upon dozens of others.

They reached for her greedily with their long blackened fingers…

Blogger Book Fair: Interview with Beck Sherman

*A spotlight centers on a dais with two people sitting at a table with a red tablecloth. There are various stakes, holy water, and a cross on the table. The audience cheers from the darkness.*

Hello, everyone. Today I’d like to welcome Beck Sherman to Trip the Eclipse.

1. Who is your favorite author and why?

Stephen King has been scaring and inspiring me from the very beginning. His older books are some of my favorites, like The Shining. I went to see him speak once in Rhode Island and he stuck his index finger up and said, “Redrum.” It was classic.  

2. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

           

Writing good ─ ahem, writing well. Grammar is so important. Bad grammar is a distraction and no amount of brooding heroes or stellar plotting will change that. Next up, the ride, especially for my kind of writing: horror. The reader needs to be kidnapped, essentially, and not let go until the very last word. Finally, the protagonists, your heroes, should be loved, in my opinion. Create characters that people will root for.

3. What were your feelings when you first saw the cover of the finished product?

For my first book Revamp I thought “Whoa, wasn’t expecting that.” The cover was designed by a friend, Chris Deal. It was bold and unlike anything I had seen out there, which I liked. For my second book Goodbye Nothing I was involved in all of the stages and prototypes. I laughed, I cried. It’s been quite the trip. You can check out the final product for yourself at the BBF cover reveal going on now at my blog DyingToWrite.

                                                                               

4. If you could leave your readers with one legacy, what would you want it to be?

A slew of novels that makes them hide under their covers at night but not before getting up to close and lock all of the doors and windows. And as an avid supporter of the underdog, stories that tell the freaks, the geeks, and the outcasts that they’re not alone in their struggles and that the world is silently rooting for them.

5. How do you feel about the horror boom of the 80’s and early 90’s?

Is this a trick question? I LOVED it. And that torch is still burning. This is when horror was good. Friday the Thirteenth, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Gremlins, Poltergeist, The Lost Boys (one of my favorite movies). The torture porn of today hadn’t really hit the scene. The movies were about deep, in-your-gut scares, sometimes with a large topping of cheese. Ah, those were the days.

6. What was a time in your life when you were really scared?

A couple of years ago, a friend and I went on an excursion to an abandoned insane asylum in Massachusetts. There are so few of them left, and most of the buildings that are still standing have gotten the orders to be torn down to make room for apartment complexes and strip malls. The grounds were vast and by sheer luck we ended up finding the underground tunnel that they used to transport patients. The tunnel was pitch black, but we had forgotten flashlights (apparently it does happen), so armed with only a digital camera and flash to see what was ahead, we went in. It was terrifying.

7. Do you ever come up with anything so wild that you scare yourself and leaves you wondering where that came from?

My spouse calls me the “creepiest nice person” and to my dismay sometimes uses that moniker to introduce me to new people. I don’t think a “normal” person can write horror and not surprise themselves. On the other hand, if you’re Jack the Ripper, then decapitating someone in the story is just expected, and probably not all that interesting.   

8. What do you think draws people to horror novels? Why do we, as readers, like to be scared?

People desire the adrenaline rush of horror, but the safe horror. Books, movies, funhouses. Because being scared in real life sucks. Your plane is actually going down. That sucks. You’re actually being chased by an axe-wielding maniac. That sucks. A giant shark is actually tearing you in half. That sucks. To be able to experience terror from the safety of your sofa, without the pain or the death, is really something else.     

9. Do you ever research real events, legends, or myths to get ideas?

I research, but not so much to get ideas. Those just come to me. You’ll know if you see an energy-saving light bulb appear above my head.

10. Tell us your latest news. Any new thrills we can expect from you?

"Yes, and thank you for asking. My second book, Goodbye Nothing, is an adult horror novel in the same vein as Dexter and American Psycho. You can stay updated on all the latest news here: http://www.becksherman.com/

Find out more about Beck Sherman.

Blog - Amazon - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Blogger Book Fair: Monster Menagerie Entry #1

Seeker Demon

by Allie Jean

“It’ssss time, my dear,” an evil voice said from across the room, making

the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She didn’t know what to do

or where to go. The door to the hallway was on the opposite side of the

apartment, and it was impossible to get there without getting closer to that

shadow.

She glanced back in Nick’s direction, not knowing what to do, but he

stood there, offering no help, those almost clear eyes holding her gaze. She

wanted to tell him to do something if he was real, but an almost

imperceptible shake of his shadowed head kept her silent. She bit her

bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

“What do you want from me?” she asked the moving shadow, her voice

quavering in fear.

“Your death,” the thing said, taking a step out of the darkness. “Or the

equivalent would be niiiiice.”

It was a grotesque creature wrapped in a thick, dark cloak, and it shuffled

from side to side as it moved, its three-toed feet offering a wide base, its

bald head holding no eyes or features but a yawning, empty mouth filled

with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

The clanking noise got louder as it moved closer, and Chantal noticed

something hanging from the front of its robes.

“You like it?” it asked, laughing and holding up the long chain of

dangling things that clanked together as it moved. They looked like little

baseballs in the dim lighting, but something inside told her they were far

more horrendous. “These are the heads of your kin. The ones I found while

they were still in infancy.”

She covered her mouth, trying to avoid being sick. The skulls of babies

hitting one another produced the sound, and she couldn’t help but let out a

little cry. It laughed at her, holding up the makeshift belt so that she could

get a better view.

“Don’t feel bad for them, my lamb. They had it easy, probably didn’t

even feel a thing. You, on the other hand . . .”

It pulled out a long serrated blade, the edges of it coated in what looked

like dried blood. Chantal moved along the wall frantically, trying to find a

means of escape.

“Why? Who are you?” she shouted.

“I’m The Sssseeker, my dear. I’m the one who finds your kin and wipes

them out.”

“There must be a mistake,” she said, frantic. “I’m not who you think I

am.”

 “Oh, but you are. I can smell the scent of Grace on you a mile away.”

The creature came closer, its stench nauseating. Chantal wanted to scream

but didn’t, not wanting to alarm her neighbors. She wouldn’t drag them into

her nightmare.

She had the urge to fight him off but didn’t have any sort of weapon

within reach. She could hear Natalie’s voice in her mind telling her

countless times to make sure she bought a gun once she reached the city,

but Chantal had always brushed the warning off. Now, she wished she’d

listened. Hell, even a baseball bat would do right now.

The thing came closer, shuffling steps dragging it across the floor. She

glanced toward Nick, hoping that he’d pop out of the shadow and come to

rescue her, but he wasn’t there. His silhouette had disappeared, along with

any hope she had beforehand.

She scrambled across the wall, heading toward her bed, hoping she could

find something to defend herself. She pushed herself across the mattress,

keeping the thing in view as she reached for the lamp. He laughed, both of

them knowing she was pathetic. He raised his blade as his oozing mouth

formed a horrifying smile.

Blogger Book Fair: Jami Gray

Excerpt from Shadow’s Edge: Book 1 of The Kyn Kronicles:

Walking into the dim house, Raine braced herself for the smell which usually accompanied a violent death.  She knew that smell. It was distinctive. It reminded a person of raw meat, coppery blood. A scent warning you that whatever you found, it wasn’t going to be recognizable.

She was a few steps behind the two men and coming down the short entry way when she   realized there was no odor. No blood, no raw meat. She let out the breath she was holding. Yet, there were spine tingling traces of magic raising bumps along her skin as she drew closer to the front room.

Two agents passed her, heading out of the house, small evidence bags in their gloved hands. Osborn stopped just to the left of the entry way to the front room. In the middle of the opening, Gavin came to a halt blocking Raine’s view. She stepped around to his right and came to an abrupt stop, puzzled.

Bane Mayson was sprawled on the faded green couch under the picture window. At first glance the scene didn’t make sense. There were no visible wounds, no horrific mutilations, nothing to show how he died. Just the skitter of magic down her spine, making the deceptively calm scene in front of her much more ominous.

“Can you give a positive ID?” Osborn’s rough voice pulled her gaze back to him. He was looking at Gavin who wasn’t answering. She tilted her head to find out why then realized Gavin was looking at her.

“What?” she asked.

 “I’ve never met him,” he said blandly. “Just spoke to him on the phone.”

“Oh.” A little disconcerted, she turned back to the waiting agent. “Yes, that’s Bane Mayson.”

Giveaway

Jami will give one lucky, randomly picked blog commenter a free e-copy of SHADOW’S EDGE to add to their Summer Reads pile! Let us know what you think of the excerpt…we want to hear from you!

Bio:

Growing up on the Arizona-Mexico border, Jami Gray was adopted at the age of 14 and suddenly became the fifth eldest of 37 children. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and three minors-History, English, and Theater.  Shortly after marrying her techie-geek hubby (who moonlighted as her best friend in high school) she completed a Masters in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix Oregon.

Now, years later, she’s back in the Southwest where  she’s outnumbered in her own home by two Star Wars obsessed boys, one Star Wars obsessed husband, and an overly-friendly, 105-pound male lab.  Writing is what saves her sanity.

Shadow’s Edge: Book 1 of the Kyn Kronicles and Shadow’s Soul: Book 2 of the Kyn Kronicles are available now in paperback and ebook format.

You can find me at:
Buy Link:    www.BlackOpalBooks.com 

Website:     www.JamiGray.com

Assc. Blog:  www.7EvilDwarves.wordpress.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author

Twitter:       http://twitter.com/#!/JamiGrayAuthor 

BUY LINKS:

You can find all the buy links for both books in all formats at:

            www.jamigray.com/books/

Or you can use the following:

Shadow’s Edge: Bk 1 of Kyn Kronicles

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061CAXJ4

Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Shadows-Edge-The-Kyn-Kronicles-Book-1/Jami-Gray/e/2940013239838

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shadow039sedgethekynkroniclesbook1-625433-139.html

Black Opal Books:    http://blackopalbooks.com/blackopalstore/product/56-shadows-edge 

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/101023

Shadow’s Soul:Bk 2 of the Kyn Kronicles

Black Opal Books: http://blackopalbooks.com/blackopalstore/product/57-shadows-soul

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Edge-The-Kronicles-Book/dp/1937329151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340473392&sr=8-1&keywords=jami+gray

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shadow039ssoulthekynkroniclesbook2-848561-139.html

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-soul-the-kyn-kronicles-book-2-jami-gray/1111742135?ean=2940014698955

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/174291

Blurb for Shadow’s Edge:

Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…

It takes a monster to hunt one, and for Raine McCord, forged in the maelstrom of magic and science, she’s the one for the job. In a world where the supernatural live in a shadowy existence with the mundane, a series of disappearances and deaths threatens the secrecy of her kind and indicates someone knows the monsters are alive and kicking.  Partnering up with the sexy and tantalizing Gavin Durand proves to be a challenge as dangerous as the prey she hunts.

When the trail points back to the foundation which warped Raine’s magic as a child, her torturous past raises its ugly head.  Gavin and Raine sift through a maze of lies, murder and betrayal to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.

Blurb for Shadow’s Soul:

Some nightmares are born of love…

Raine McCord has no problem taking down the monsters of the world, it’s one of the reasons she’s so good at her job.  So playing bodyguard to Cheveyo, head Magi of the Northwest, as he consults with the Southwest Kyn should be an easy assignment. Unfortunately, simple task turns into a nightmare when Cheveyo is kidnapped and Raine is left for dead by one of the Kyn’s most feared beings, a Soul Stealer.

The Stealer’s attack leaves lasting wounds, undermining Raine’s confidence as a warrior and damaging her unruly magic. Her ability to heal her mind and spirit hinges on the one man who can touch her soul, Gavin Durand.  Compelled to face the emotions raging between them, they must embrace not only their stormy relationship but their evolving magic to escape the twisted threads of murder and betrayal to find Cheveyo.

As Raine and Gavin come together and begin to unravel the complex web of secrets and hidden vendettas haunting the Southwest Kyn, they discover unsettling new truths that threaten their very existence.

Blogger Book Fair

We have some great events going on this week. You'll get to meet some awesome horror authors. I am also hosting a special event.

Monster Menagerie

Throughout the week I will be posting pieces of flash fiction and poetry about different monsters. You get to vote on what you think is the best. Voting will be held on Thursday through Friday until Noon. I will announce the winner on Friday at 6 pm. The winner gets the lovely prize of a review from me on the novel of their choice. *Note* Though I tend to lean towards the nice side, I am still fair in my reviews. If I don't like the book I will say so.

SO, guys, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.