Karen Swart's Blog, page 100

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Burn Out by Ruthi Kight

 

 

Book Info-

Title- Burn Out

By- Ruthi Kight

Genre- New Adult

Publication Date- August 10th, 2013

Blurb-

Pyromaniac. Murderer. Burn out.

Ten years ago Delia’s life went up in smoke. Literally.

After a decade of hiding, she is forced back into the world.

With only her wits to guide her, she must now figure out how to live in a town that knows her only as a murderer.

Her family is gone. The people all fear her. She has nothing holding her in Sunny Shores...until she meets Liam.

He’s heard the stories. He knows he should stay away from her, but he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

Life seems to be looking up for them...until her past comes back like a bitch slap to the face.

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18189335-burn-out

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EESY9VU/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Excerpt -

The loud grumbling of my stomach caught both of our attentions and I laughed. Yes, laughed. Cringing would have been more appropriate, but at that point, I had already made an ass out of myself so, why worry?

“Might want to feed the natives. Sounds like they’re getting restless.”

“What’s good here?” I grabbed the menu and started reading. Grease, fried everything…basically the perfect recipe for clogged arteries.

“The fried mushrooms are pretty good. They’re usually mushrooms, so that’s a plus.” I raised my eyebrow and waited for him to finish. Instead, he returned his attention to his book.

“You’re seriously ending it like that? What do you mean ‘usually’?”

“I get them at least once a week, and most of the time I end up eating mushrooms. But sometimes…it’s like a potluck dinner. You never know what’s under the wrapping, but by that point you’re too damn hungry to care. You just eat it.”

It actually didn’t sound too bad. There had been plenty of foods that I had consumed whose origin was still unknown. “Fried mushrooms it is.” I closed the menu and laid it on the table. I could feel Liam’s eyes on me and when I looked up, I was right. He was staring right at me, an intense look on his face. “Either you need to shit, or you find it fun to stare at the freak.”

He shook his head and winced. “Neither, actually. Why do you call yourself that?”

How was I supposed to answer that without telling him exactly who I was? There’s no easy way to let someone know that you were a freshly sprung mental patient with a penchant for setting loved ones on fire. Shit. The truth would make him run for the hills.

“Does it matter? It is what it is.” The waitress chose that moment to come to the table. I ordered the mushrooms and a glass of water. Once she walked away, I stared down at the table. Maybe he would think I was immensely entertained by the cracked plastic table top, instead of the truth: I was avoiding him.

“Okay. So you’re a freak. That works.” I looked up when he spoke, taken aback by his ability to let the subject go. He smiled and set the glass down. “Next question then. Read any good books lately?”

I laughed and covered my mouth. “Really?”

“You asked me about the weather before. So books seemed like a good topic to go with next. Do you read?” I shook my head no. “No time for it? Or no interest?”

“Neither. All the time in the world and none available. Boxers or briefs?” I smirked as his face turned a bright red.

“Neither.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, causing a blush to creep up on my face. “Romantic or comedy?”

I stared at him for a moment, confused as to what he was asking. He didn’t laugh this time. His mouth hung open in shock, which made me giggle uncontrollably. “What?”

“Oh shit. You’re a pod person. I knew it.” He closed his mouth and leaned back against the hard booth. “Who the hell doesn’t read, doesn’t have a preference in movies, and asks someone about the weather when they were just outside enjoying it?”

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a caged animal once again. There were no walls closing in on me this time, but his judging eyes were enough to condemn me. “Whatever. Like that shit is important.”

 

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Ruthi Kight currently lives in her hometown of Columbia, SC, with her fiancé and five year old daughter. She has an unhealthy addiction to books, music, and chocolate, but not necessarily in that order. When her dream of being a rock star didn't work out, she focused on her other passion: writing. She is the author of Knotted Roots, a YA Coming of Age story, and is currently working on two other novels that are due out this year.

Stalker Links-

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorRuthiKight

Blog: http://ruthikay.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RuthiKay

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6952120.Ruthi_Kight

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ruthi-Kight/e/B00C470JAS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Facebook Events-

Tour- https://www.facebook.com/events/188271168019911/

Book Blitz: Jace, Bodyguards for Hire Book One by T. A. Grey

Jace

Bodyguards for Hire

Book One
T. A. Grey

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Publisher: Grey Ink Press

Date of Publication: Aug. 27th, 2013

Word Count: ~55,000

Cover Artist: Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers

Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Book Description:

One fateful tail-bender leaves Mara Colgen with a hard-on for Jace Mathews which is not how Mara anticipated meeting the hottest man alive. Or, rather, one crappy afternoon bodyguard Jace gets a rude awakening when some cutesy blonde rear-ends his beautiful truck. Now he’s really in for it. Mara’s pretty, funny, and has the greatest job in the world…
She is a sex toy operator.
Just those three words send Jace into a dream-like coma plagued with erotic imagery featuring the spunky sex toy operator. As luck would have it for Jace, nothing’s easy. Mara comes to him with a problem…one he cannot refuse to help her out with. Someone strange keeps calling Mara, she thinks someone’s been in her house, and worse Jace might be thinking the same thing. Mara needs help and Jace finds he’s the right man to lend a (strong) helping hand—so long as they seal the deal with more than a kiss.

Excerpt:

Mara Colgen slammed on the brakes but it didn’t matter. Her little VW Bug barreled into the beautifully shining black truck.

The air bag exploded, slamming her head backward and making everything all fuzzy.

“Huh?” she mumbled, blinking slowly.

A high-pitched sound rang in her ears and slowly solidified like someone turning a dial up. That ringing became her horn which was constantly wailing. A glance out of the broken windshield made her breath catch.

A tall, gorgeous, way-too-muscled-to-be-real man was reaching under her hood looking pissed off. Hot and pissed off. Why hello, gorgeous, her feminine side purred. He did something under the hood and her horn stopped blaring. Her eyes flared. He fixed it. She liked this man already. Any man who was handy with cars was handy in the bedroom, or at last that’s what she’d heard. She eyed his hand, totally not creepy, and saw no wedding band on his finger.

His eyes met hers. Yep, he was very pissed off. He looked down right violent. Then he threw open her car door and got in her face. All she saw were pretty eyes. The kind that almost looked blue but were really more gray than blue. He had a black ball cap pulled low over his eyes, a white t-shirt, jeans, and boots. And he was glaring at her.

“Ahem,” she cleared her throat. “I’m very sorry about all this. Your truck was very...nice.” She attempted a smile.

His eyes narrowed in an are-you-shitting-me look. “Lady, what the fuck’s the matter with you? How did you not see me? My truck takes up most of the damn road.” His eyes flicked down to her lap and his jaw actually snapped to the side. She could hear it crack. “Fucking texting. You little bitch, you know that’s against the law for a reason right?”

Her jaw fell open in shock but before she could respond to his name calling he threw his hand up in her face. Actually threw his hand up. In her face.

“Don’t wanna hear it, lady. Get your license and registration. I’m callin’ the cops.”

He left before she could form a reply. Only after he wasn’t in her face could she take a calm breath. “Well that didn’t go well, Mara.” She giggled a little, an involuntary response that she swore couldn’t be helped, and grabbed the necessary items he’d ordered her to get. She met him at his truck as he was getting off the phone.

“They’ll be by soon to make a report.”

“All right.”

He went back to the back of his truck, shaking his head. From his profile she noticed he had a hard, sleek jawline covered in rough stubble several days too thick, and hollowed cheek bones. He had a hard looking forehead.

He was mumbling under his breath about women drivers and texting. That’s where she had to stop him. Hot or not, he was wrong about her.

“Listen here, hot cakes, I wasn’t texting. I don’t text.”

His eyes snapped to her, looked her body up and down then he cocked a brow. “Oh yeah? Well I don’t believe that bullshit for a second.”

“I was actually on the phone,” she corrected.

He threw up his arms, shaking his head. “That’s illegal in this state, lady.”

“Oh, I’ve upgraded from bitch. Very nice.” She couldn’t help smiling at him.

His brow pinched forward. “Now is not the time for jokes. You just wrecked my rear end.”

Speaking of, her gaze fell down to his ass and verified that indeed it looked as hot as the rest of him. Mmm, mmm, good as her friends would say.

“Excuse me, did you just check out my ass?”

She made a perfect oh did I just do that? face. “Maybe.” She cocked her head, gauging his response.

He looked like he might say something, then shook his head. “If you think being cute with me is gonna get you out of this then you’re shit out of luck.” He took out his phone and started snapping pictures of the wreckage. She quickly did the same, since he just reminded her she should be doing that.

Standing next to him trying not to smile, and utterly failing, she snapped pictures for her insurance company. “So you think I’m cute?”

“What the fuck?” Shaking his head, he made some noise between laugh and disbelief. “Hand over your license and registration.”

Snickering at his cop-voice, she handed him the docs. He looked them over, paying special interest to her driver’s license. She knew what he’d find there: 5’5”, brown eyes, blonde, and a weight she refused to even think aloud. Not too shabby if she did say so herself. Which she did often while checking herself out in the mirror after a shower.

“Oh just a sec,” she said, suddenly remembering. She grabbed her business card out of her wallet and handed it to him. “Here’s my business card. Keep it. In case there’s any problems along the way. I’ll be sure to fix your truck. I really am sorry. If it helps, I’ve only been in two accidents before.”

He took the card but didn’t look at her. “Two? Lady, you make that sound like it’s not a lot.”

“It isn’t.”

“You know how many accidents I’ve caused in my life? Zero.”

“Well aren’t you fancy.” Her lips twitched again. Who knew teasing such a big, sexy man would be so much fun.

He sent her a withering glare then looked down at her card. It was a light pink with red, fancy lettering. “Mara Colgen, sex toy operator...” he said the words slowly as if not understanding them.

“Yes.” Honestly, one of her favorite parts about having her job was the reactions she got when people found out.

“You are a sex toy operator,” he said again.

“Mmhmm. Sure am.” Another winning smile. He didn’t even lift his gaze from the card.

“Tell me darlin’ what does that actually mean?”

Oh, now she was darlin’? Oh how her position had moved up in the world. She was bitch only five minutes ago. “Well, as you can see from that card I work at Aphrodite’s Love and we are one of the biggest designers and distributers of adult sex toys. I’m a tester. I also help the production team tweak designs and things like that.”

“You...” he scratched the back of his head, flicked his gaze down her body again, then continued in that slow, measured way. “Your job is to try out sex toys for a living?”

 

I love to write the kind of stories that will keep you up late at night and make your heart pound. It's my goal to make each new book better, more exciting, and more action-packed to keep thrilling you. I'm always trying to push the boundaries with my imagination, and yours, to create something new and different.
Open up one of my novels and you will find hot, erotic stories that will make you laugh out loud, cry, and fly through the pages. I write addictive love stories and I hope you like them.
Visit my website to learn more about my books at www.tagrey.com

Website: http://tagrey.com/index.html

Blog: http://tagrey.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorTaGrey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/T-A-Grey/122074687903394

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5049079.T_A_Grey

New Release! Twisted by NL Greene

  Twisted By: N.L. Greene Genre: NA Contemporary Romance Expected Release Date: September 13th, 2013
Growing up isn’t always easy.  But for most teenage girls, they can rely on their best friend to help them get through the process.  A BFF is something that is truly treasured and completely irreplaceable.  You share all of your secrets, and are loyal and honest with each other, even when you’re acting just a little bit crazy.  You have each other’s backs no matter what and you form a bond that is virtually unbreakable.
At least that’s what normal teenage girls experience.
Nat and Mel have been bestie’s since childhood and Nat has followed her blindly ever since.  But as Nat’s friendship with Mel begins to lead her down the wrong path, she starts to question the sincerity of their relationship.  Nat starts to see Mel’s manipulative, deceitful ways become more focused on her.  Will Natalie hold on tight to the friendship she’s had her entire life, no matter what it cost her?  Or will she let her heart lead her to a relationship that’s not so twisted.         Author Info- N.L. Greene, who is 1/2 of the author duo Riana Lucas, has decided to venture outside of the Fantasy world that she and her best friend created with Poppy and The Deadly Flowers Series to write a few books on her own.  While she loves working with her best friend, writing solo has allowed her to explore interest that had solely been her own.  She spends a lot of time reading her favorite authors which range all over the place and in every genre, but spends just as much time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, shopping, and playing video games.  Nichole was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Florida, where she and her high school sweetheart live with their two children.












 
 

New Release! Alluring Turmoil by Skye Turner

  Alluring Turmoil Series- Bayou Stix Book # 1 By- Skye Turner Genre- Adult Romance Publication Date- September 13, 2013 Alexia Sloane is the 26 year old owner of the highly successful Louisiana coffee shop/bakery, Java and Sweeties. The past couple of years have been all she’s dreamed of and her business takes all of her focus. All of her heart.
Jude Delecroix is the lead singer of one of the most famous rock bands in the country, Bayou Stix and the man who broke Lexi’s heart.
Lexi and Jude have a past.
When Jude comes back to town 8 years after leaving to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a famous musician and comes face to face with Lexi, forces collide, old hurts are brought to the surface, and life as these two have been living it will never be the same.
There are 2 sides to every story, and what happens when the things you believed to be concrete suddenly crumble like ash and fade away?
Welcome to Louisiana where humidity and passion are high and things are not always what they seem. ***Contains graphic sex and language. Not for young readers.***



        About the Author-   Skye Turner is an avid reader and an editor turned writer.
She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University where she majored in Mass Communications, centering her studies in Journalism.
She lives in small town Louisiana with her husband, 2 children, and 4 fur babies.
When she's not chained to her laptop pounding out sexy stories she can usually be found playing Supermom, reading, gardening (playing in the dirt), listening to music and dancing like a fool, or catching up on her family oriented blog.







   
 

Kasadya Hellhound Born Blog Tour–Today our stop is over at…

Today our blog stop is over at Our New Generation for Reading head on over and say Hi!

 

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Book Blitz and Giveaway: Hot Flashes - The Drakkon Volume 1 by Leila Gaskin

Hot Flashes

The Drakkon Volume 1

Leila Gaskin

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Number of pages: 300

Word Count: 85,988

ISBN: 978-0615871851

ASIN: B00ER1W88U

Smashwords: 9781301209422

Cover Artist: Tatiana Vila

Book Description:

“Dragons do not exist.” Ella Hixson shrieked as the mythical beasts dive from the sky shredding her car with their impressively long talons and sending her careening across the road in an attempt to avoid the being flambéed. Escaping her car, she grasps the car door in order to prevent herself from tumbling down the slippery embankment. Pouring rain soaks Ella’s interview suit and her dress shoes as she searches the sky for the attacking beasts to find nothing but clouds heavy with their payload of rain.

Hallucinations, relationship destroying fights with her only surviving relative-her mother, and, thanks to a bodaciously bosomed, bottle-blond, jobless, Ella needs the universe to cut her a break.

Be careful what you wish for.

Circumstances conspire and Ella’s mundane existence evaporates when she discovers she is Drakkon, the hidden heir to an ancient dynasty, and she has an enemy who would see all the Drakkon race enslaved or dead.

No more ordinary days for Ella as she learns what it is to be Drakkon, tries to save a world she knows nothing about, and still be home in time to feed her dog.

 

Tour Wide Giveaway

25 dragon charm bookmarks

4 hard copies of Hot Flashes 

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Born on a dark and stormy night on the other side of the world from Richmond, VA, Leila Gaskin began a life full of imaginative wanderings. Inspired by her journey, Leila takes inspiration from the places she’s lived. She is the author of several short stories ranging from horror, speculative fiction, and science fiction. HOT FLASHES is her debut novel.

With her dog as her co-pilot and the cat as the navigator, Leila explores her world and tells her stories.

Website: http://www.leila-gaskin.com

Twitter: @leilagaskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeilaGaskin

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/leilagaskin/

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/Leila_Gaskin

Author interview with Leila Gaskin, author of Hot Flashes.

Today we have an interview with author Leila Gaskin, author of Hot Flashes today’s spotlight book. So sit back and let’s get to know this fabulous author.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

I’ve always been a writer and a storyteller. I’ve documented my ideas by scribbling them on random pieces of paper. Each idea an opportunity to explore worlds and psyches.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

By day, I am an executive administrative assistant, conquering calendars and keeping executives organized – that’s my super power. I love my job.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Hot Flashes is the title of my debut urban fantasy novel. At 46, discovering you’re a dragon – scary. Learning how to defy gravity – terrifying. Saving the Otherverse? Priceless.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I chose to self-publish. After researching all the different avenues and what I needed to do to create a quality product, I felt this was the path for me. Definitely more responsibility, but the reward is worth it.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

 Hot Flashes was definitely a learning curve. All told, it took roughly four years from start to finish to write, with approximately eleven bazillion revisions in between.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I’ll be continuing the Hot Flashes story arc. I have two more novels plotted out, with the possibility of a fourth. I also have some works in process that fall under science fiction and speculative fiction. The world is my oyster.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

I love reading urban fantasy and science fiction, writing in either genre is a natural fit.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

I have a ‘writing’ playlist for each project I work on. It helps me focus on what is in front of me.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

I do read all my reviews. It can make me feel a little crazy as my stories are my children, but I always learn something that will make me a better writer.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I feel this is determining whether the egg came first or the chicken. Usually I have a title in mind that helps me keep a focus on the story direction. Sometimes the title comes during the editing process, but that doesn’t happen very often.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I have a general idea of who my character is from the beginning. Though they definitely become more refined as I edit. And, sometimes I am surprised when they define themselves. I love it when that happens.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

I love technology, so e-books are the coolest thing since sliced bread for me. I can have a library at my fingertips without throwing out my back from the weight of the books.

What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

So many authors/books and so little time. Currently reading, again, Mira Grant’s Newsflesh Triology – zombies, bloggers, and conspiracies – heaven.

Your favorite food is?

Chocolate.

Thank you so much for joining us Leila! To find out more about Leila’s and her books …

Born on a dark and stormy night on the other side of the world from Richmond, VA, Leila Gaskin began a life full of imaginative wanderings. Inspired by her journey, Leila takes inspiration from the places she’s lived. She is the author of several short stories ranging from horror, speculative fiction, and science fiction. HOT FLASHES is her debut novel.

With her dog as her co-pilot and the cat as the navigator, Leila explores her world and tells her stories.

Website: http://www.leila-gaskin.com

Twitter: @leilagaskin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeilaGaskin

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/leilagaskin/

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/Leila_Gaskin

Book Blitz, Giveaway and Review: The Runaway’s Secret by Leah DW

 

Book Info-

Title: The Runaway’s Secret by Leah D.W

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Audience: Young Adult

Formats: Paperback and Ebook

Publisher: Bayou Brew Publishing

Cover By: Kelsey Jackson

Editor: Monique O'Connor James

Pages: 496 pages

ISBN-10: 1484801466

ISBN-13: 978-1484801468

ASIN: B00CXFSQX8

Date Published: 31 March 2013

Blurb-

Running from the past…

Running from myself….

To protect those you love, some secrets should never come to light.

My life changed the night I became the same monster I had been forced to serve all my human years. As a fanged freak, I took to running away from my troubles rather than facing them head-on.

I should have kept running...

My world turned upside down once more when I met Solomon. He promised that I would be safe locked up in a fancy academy filled with supernatural creatures just like me. He promised that I had nothing to fear.

If only that had been true.

How long before the nightmares catch up to me? I’d hated myself for the monster that I’d become and the life I had been forced to leave behind. Sometimes I wished that she would find and kill me, ending this nightmarish existence, but that would mean leaving everyone I had come to know and love as well. Could I possibly do that?

...time is running out, I must make a choice.

...until then, I must keep running.

...must become the monster even I have come to fear.

Book Links-

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords / Amazon UK

Excerpt-

“What the hell?” I raised my hand to bang on the door, but a chuckle made me stop and spin around.

“The new girl and already in the principal’s office,” the girl smiled mischievously. “We could be great friends.”

Her eyes shone silver and a chilling howl rang in my mind from far off. Her smile widened and small sharp canines peeked out from her glossed lips. She held out her hand to me, nails painted black.

“Hi I’m Vee, your new best friend,”

 

5 out of 5 Stars

The Runaway’s Secret by Leah D.W

Skye is different, she is freak but most of all she is a danger to all with blood running through them. She has been on the run for long time, trying to hide from the woman that murdered her father and turned her into a monster. Her master.

Everything was going great until one night when she runs into tracers from a supernatural school. She is taken against her will and forced to attend their school and graduate. But with her master still out there, she can’t afford to stay trapped in this place.

I loved this novel. It reminded me so much of Vampire Academy. Skye is feisty, strong and doesn’t take any crap. Being only half a vampire doesn’t make her weak; it only makes her even more unpredictable. Solomon was broody and protective, which is perfect for the runaway Skye. I loved his pushy nature, and liked the sparks that flew between them when he pushed Skye. Vee is the wacky and crazy girlfriend with a big bite. She was a great addition and I really hope we get to see more of her n the next edition.

The characters and plot was weaved together perfectly. Each turn revealed more about the characters and what they were really hiding. Leah’s writing style was fresh and well written. It was an awesome read, and I highly recommend it to all. A whopping 5 Stars from me.

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I am 21 years old and currently a journalism student at my local university. I live in South Africa in a town called Bloemfontein with my family and two beloved dogs. I have been writing since the age of 13 and my first published work is a short horror story titled Dracula’s Mistress. I am busy working on a number of novels and I am an editor/proof reader for Bayou Brew Publishing.

I love writing in the genres of paranormal romance, fantasy fiction and historical fiction and I am a proud bookworm with a mountain of reads stacked up in my room. I am also studying criminology in order to be able to write mystery horrors.

The book that has been published is Unnatural, a collection of paranormal short stories that are full of action, adventure and amazing characters.

I also have short stories in various anthologies. Love Kills, Unhappily Ever After; fairy tales with a twist and Soul Games. My novel The Runaway’s Secret, a vampire paranormal romance, will be released in May.

Facebook / Blog / Goodreads / Google + / Amazon Page

Kasadya Hellhound Born Blog Tour–Today our stop is over at …

Today our blog stop is over at Eclipse Reviews head on over and say Hi!

 

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Book Blitz: Kain - Sex, Drugs, and Cyberpunk Book One by Brie McGill

 

Kain
Sex, Drugs, and Cyberpunk

Book One

Brie McGill

Genre: Cyberpunk/Steamy Romance

ISBN: 148267324X

ASIN: B00CQ8BJLI

Number of pages: 323

Word Count: 115,000

Cover Artist: Jeanne Quinn

Amazon

Book Description:

Counting days is irrelevant in the life of a well-to-do man, unless he counts the days passed in total service to the Empire. Salute. Submit. Shut up and scan the wrist. Therapists armed with batons and brass knuckles guide the derelict along a well-beaten path to Glory.
When human experiment Lukian Valentin escapes the Empire to save his crumbling sanity--through a grimescape of fissured highways, collapsing factories, putrescent sewers--he realizes the fight isn’t only for his life, it’s for his mind. Torturous flashbacks from a murky past spur him on a quest for freedom, while the Empire’s elite retrievers remain at his heels, determined to bring him home for repair.
Lukian needs one doctor to remove the implanted chips from his body, and another to serve him a tall glass of answers. Lukian attempts a psychedelic salvage of his partitioned mind, gleaning fragments of the painful truth about his identity.
A scorching, clothes-ripping rendezvous with a mysterious woman offers Lukian a glimpse of his humanity, and respite from his nightmarish past. It also provides the Empire the perfect weakness to exploit for his recapture.
To rise to the challenge of protecting his new life, his freedom of thought, and his one shot at love, Lukian must reach deep into his mind to find his true identity. To defeat the Empire, he requires the deadly power of his former self--a power that threatens to consume him.

Excerpt -

Brigham loomed over the youth, and with a sharp gesture of the hand, spit the booming command: “Aadima.”

The youth stirred from his drug-induced catatonia. He rolled his head to one side, the silver wired crown tipping forward, and slowly sat upright, confined by the bonds of the chair. His eyes fluttered open, brown, wide, and blank, reflecting an awareness scrambled.

He squinted, struggling to draw Brigham into focus. A moment passed: he shook the fog out of his head, and his posture stiffened, recognizing the man in front of him. He pounded a fist against his chest in salute. “Commander Brigham, Sir!”

Brigham looked to the screen; he glanced at his watch, and turned to Skirra. “Thirty-seven seconds. Note it.”

Skirra fumbled with an electronic notepad, trembling and tapping in her notes.

Brigham knelt on one knee beside the examination chair, and waved an intricate series of hand gesticulations in the subject’s face. “Greetings, Kain.”

The man sat rigid in the chair, staring blankly ahead.

“Dvitiiya.” Brigham paired his command with a symphony of motor signals. “Disable.”

“Secondary Dvitiiya functions.” The youth spoke in an empty voice. “Disabled, Sir.”

“Kain.” Brigham climbed to his feet, clutching the back of the chair. “Tritiiya.”

The subject remained frozen in his chair, eyes glossy and unblinking.

“Damn you!” Brigham grabbed a flat remote from his pocket, pointed it at the man in the chair and clicked.

The youth moaned, violent tremors wracking his body. He convulsed and flopped in the chair, the leather bonds subduing him, holding him in place.

Skirra brought her hands to her head, watching in horror as graphs spiked and numbers soared.

“There are no uses for faulty machinery!” Brigham towered over the shackled youth, indifferent to his pain. “None! You remember that.”

Skirra glanced at the clock, and chewed her nails.

“Kain.” Brigham cleared his throat. “Load Tritiiya.”

The subject’s breathing slowed and he shifted his posture, sitting upright. He stared ahead, speaking in a monotone. “Tertiary Tritiiya functions loaded, Sir.”

“Kain.” Brigham waved his hand, and spoke in a thunderous voice. “Load Caturtha.”

“Identification confirmed: granting access to restricted Caturtha systems.” He mechanically rotated his head toward the floor, and spoke with eyes closed. “Proceed with instructions.”

Skirra slinked beside Brigham, and lifted a pair of clunky taupe goggles covered in a swarm of blinking lights. She leaned over the chair and rested the goggles on the bridge of the youth’s nose, and fitted the frames, one at a time, over his ears with a gentle touch.

“Kain, do you recognize the image of this man?” He drummed his fingers against the back of the chair.

“Recognition affirmative, Sir.”

“Spectacular.” Brigham joined his hands in a deafening clap. “Execute primary Caturtha commands, and target this man.”

“Target confirmed, Sir.” He stared in a daze at the lightshow provided by the goggles. “Requesting variables of mission duration, Sir.”

Brigham pealed his final command. “Caturtha functions will terminate when his Glorious duties are fulfilled.”

 

Doctors suspect Brie developed an overactive imagination during childhood to cope with the expansive corn maze known as rural Pennsylvania. Unable to afford an operation to have the stories surgically removed from her brain, she opted instead to write them down.

Brie lives in British Columbia with her boyfriend and naughty black cat, somewhere not too far from the sea. She enjoys trips to the local farm, chatting with her long-distance friends on a rotary phone, and roflstomping video games from the nineties.

Brie's favorite authors include Anne Rice, George Orwell, and Hunter S. Thompson.

Official page: www.sexdrugsandcyberpunk.com

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