David Brian's Blog, page 2
March 21, 2017
The Strange Case at Misty Ridge
"Humankind is but the pieces in a game, plastic soldiers waging war between boy gods."
April 19th, 2017, sees the release of my new supernatural mystery novel, The Strange Case at Misty Ridge.
When a young woman turns up at Jack Keswick's door, claiming her home is infested with troublesome spirits, his investigations lead to a haunted cottage, the restless dead, and the revelation of a maleficent force that will forever change his perception of reality.
"The glow offered by the nightlight is gentle, orange-pink even through closed lids, and the distant murmurings of the downstairs television, along with the occasional sounds of laughter–my parents, talking and laughing in tones which soothe–comforts me, and gives reassurance of their close proximity.
I fidget from my side onto my back, and something tickles the top of my thigh. The lightness of the contact induces an involuntary giggle, and a second movement, lower down my leg, is greeted with the same response. Something scurries across my cheek and down my neck, and suddenly I am frightened.
There are things crawling on my legs and up my arms, and even through the cloth of the bodysuit I can feel their weight pressing on my chest. I attempt to open my eyes, but thin legs tangle with fine lashes as they rest upon my lids like coins of the dead."
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Case-M...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strange-Case...
"The dead are never still, they exist just beyond the corners of our eye, in the barren wasteland beyond our own phantasmagoria, and we, for the most part, remain oblivious to their plight."
The novel is available to pre-order, at the offer price of .99 cents/pence.
February 12, 2017
'Love Hurts' Horror Giveaway: February 10-17th.
Okay, so Valentine's Day is close upon us. It's time for cards, flowers, chocolates and romance. Or else...
Look, all I'm saying is that love can hurt, right?
So, how about we forget all this lovey-dovey stuff, yes?
Instead, we could take a mosey on over to Instafreebie. Because once there we can grab ourselves some 'blood and kisses' themed mayhem, including a splendidly raw little novelette titled Lonely is the Night. (Yes, I admit it, I'm bias.)
http://sandraseymour.com/horror-givea...
That's right, it's time for the 'Love Hurts' Horror Giveaway. So, whether it's ghosts, zombies, or fang-bangers that are your thing, you'll be sure to find something that takes your fancy during this latest giveaway.
Go on be a devil, and then tell your friends about it!
#instafreebie
January 23, 2017
Horror & Suspense Free Book Giveaway!
Are you a fan of all things dark and twisted? Then take a moment and check out this Horror & Suspense Free Book Giveaway over at Instafreebie.
More than forty eBooks available for free (Yes Free!) download.
This is a great opportunity to check out some new names in the horror genre. So please do spread the word about this promotion. #instafreebie
Included in the offer is my own creepy little novelette, Gloop! So hurry, as this promotion only runs 23-27 January, 2017.
http://www.craigmcdonough.com/horror-...
December 20, 2016
Yo Ho Ho Merry Christmas, Everybody! The Free Days of Christmas Horror eBook Bonanza!
I really don't know what's wrong with me. Perhaps the rumors are true, and some rather unhealthy lifestyle choices have lead to my becoming afflicted with Mad Reindeer Disease. (No, I've got no intention of explaining myself to you!)
On the other hand, maybe my usual bah humbug(!) has simply been overcome with Christmas cheer. Who knows?
Either way, starting December 23rd, up until and including December 26th, those five eBooks displayed in the GIF will be available to download free on Amazon Kindle.
https://www.amazon.com/David-Brian/e/...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Brian/...
As an aside, I am currently running a Goodreads Giveaway, with two signed copies of Dark Albion up for grabs, here:https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
I would only beg one small favor of you, dear reader. If you do choose to download any of these titles (or the books of anyone else for that matter), please consider adding them to your TBR shelves on Goodreads.
A little action such as this can help an author gain visibility, and is always to be appreciated.
Happy Holidays!
September 20, 2016
Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria (Karnstein Chronicles): Available on Amazon Kindle for just $0.99/£0.99. Offer runs September 20th/31st, 2016.
Over two years as a category bestseller on Amazon UK.
As the title says: Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria is currently available for under a dollar on Amazon Kindle, and you can still pick up a copy of Carmilla: A Dark Fugue for free, in any e-Format.
Sale offer applies September 20th/31st, 2016.
Two young women form a friendship which threatens the boundaries of social etiquette in 1860s Styria.
"Shy and strange was the look with which she quickly hid her face in my neck and hair, with tumultuous sighs, that seemed almost to sob, and pressed in mine a hand that trembled. Her soft cheek was glowing against mine, and I felt again that strangest of aches in the pit of my stomach, for something of which I knew not."
Throughout the province, young women have begun dying in mysterious circumstances. Meanwhile, others fall victim to apparently random attacks by rampaging wolves.
"Our eyes met, if only for the briefest of moments, when suddenly he dropped onto all fours, his body contorting as he did so, and when this fiend again looked upon me, it was through the yellow eyes of a wolf."
https://www.amazon.com/Carmilla-Wolve...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carmilla-Wol...
June 8, 2016
Nightlife: Selected Cuts from Dark Albion, #2: ARCs Available
Nightlife: Selected Cuts from Dark Albion, #2 is a short (seven-thousand word) eBook.
Originally published in the Dark Albion collection, an updated version is soon to be available as part of my 'Selected Cuts' series.
ARCs are currently available for anyone interested in reading and posting a review to Goodreads and Amazon.
The blurb: Jason Briggs' night may be about to go from bad to worse. An earlier break-up with his girlfriend was followed by an argument that ended in violence. Now, he finds himself alone among the hustle and bustle of Saturday night clubbers... And then he meets the girl.
Jason is attracted by the pretty stranger, but it quickly becomes apparent she is troubled and seeking assistance. Jason offers to help, though his motives are less than chivalrous.
However, there are other forces in play this night; other eyes watching, waiting, stalking...
Jason's life is about to get even tougher.
March 22, 2016
2016 Edition: The Boy on the Beach: Selected Cuts from Dark Albion, #1: Currently available on Amazon for $2.99. Or contact me about receiving a free review copy!
"A young woman finds herself alone in the night, and nothing will ever be the same again.
Juliet Carlson's marriage is a sham. She has been coerced into accepting a life of violence, deceit and broken promises. But things are about to change."
I originally wrote The Boy on the Beach way back in 1997, and it's fair to say it remains a personal favorite of mine.
However, I thought it was about time to give it a dust down and a re-edit. I also slapped a 'kick-ass' new cover on, and, best of all, extended it by a couple of thousand words. I'm quite pleased with the end result, and judging by sales (at time of writing it is topping a number of categories on Amazon UK), so are the reading public.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Beach-Dav...
So, if anyone fancies receiving a free copy of The Boy on the Beach, just contact me and we can work something out.
February 15, 2016
E-book Sale, February 17-21, 2016: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction:
Much kudos to Andrea Pearson. The Fantasy and Paranormal Romance author has agreed to host a multi-author eBook sale on her website.
As per the header: sale runs February 17-21, and it seems a surefire way of picking up a bargain with more than eighty authors participating, and titles priced $0.99/£0.99 to free.
You can find out more here: www.davidbrianwriting.co.uk
Or by visiting Andrea's site: http://andreapearsonbooks.blogspot.co...
October 2, 2015
Bad Moon On The Rise.
It's that time of the year again. October is upon us, and Halloween beckons to all the dark souls.
Over at Teri Polen's Books & Such, there is a month long extravaganza focusing on authors in the horror genre.
#BadMoonOnTheRise kicks of on 10/01/15 with an interview with Calvin Dean, author of The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff.
I'm slated for a feature on 10/02/15. Though just what I may find to talk about is anyone's guess.
http://teripolen.com/
So, if you find yourself with a spare few minutes, then why not pop on over to Books & Such and check out some of horror's rising talents.
July 7, 2015
The Damnation Game: Now available in all formats!
My new novella, The Damnation Game, is now available for purchase across the universe. (Okay, that may have been a slight exaggeration. But you get my drift, right?)
Doubtless there is an army of Nook users (another exaggeration. I really gotta cut this shit out!) currently cheering very loudly and wondering what the hell is occurring.
Let me explain. A while back I took the decision to pull the majority of my titles from wider distribution, opting instead to tie myself into Amazon's KDP Select program.
Slim sales via those other channels meant that it made good business sense to utilize the perks available to authors loyal to Amazon.
It was the right decision at the time.
However, I am regularly being asked when more of my titles will be back in wider circulation, particularly Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria, and The Cthulhu Child.
I understand the frustration of those using Kobo, Nook, and other such devices, when a title they seek is being cloistered by Amazon.
Hence I have taken the decision to start 'leaking' my titles back into the wider market. Whether this will be the right decision (for my wallet) remains to be seen. Getting things right is still a fine balancing act.
I know I have a wider readership than in earlier times, but only time will tell if that translates across the board enough to cover a loss in Amazon borrows.
Still, we'll give it a go. Hopefully I can cover any losses, and it'll stop me further alienating users of 'other' e-Readers.
Here's to the future. So join me and take a walk into darkness!
The Damnation Game is available in paperback and also via:
Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Oyster
Page Foundry
Scribd
Tolino
