Vivika Widow's Blog, page 39
May 16, 2019
A real cup of art …
“The best Vivika Widow thriller yet.”
“Totally compelling from beginning to end!”
These are just some of the things that the readers of Vivika Widow’s novel MUSE have to say.
With the HARVESTER team preparing to cross over into the KNOCK KNOCK graphic novel series, this week we are celebrating the novel that debuted the innocent seeming farm girl and her handsome helpers.
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Let’s not forget the beautiful art work of DAVID FINN that made it all possible. He found inspiration in Julia’s soulful eyes and her statuesque body.
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Download your copy of MUSE today for only 99p/c and for a limited time our friends at ON THE MERCH wish to share in our celebrations so if you purchase either MUSE mug on their website using the discount WIDOW5 you will get them for £5 – Holy Bargain Batman!
MUSE has some thrilling plots to taste so what better way to do it than with your very own exclusive mug?
As always any downloads or merch purchases benefit RAGDOLLS UK so you’re not only getting some pretty awesome goods (if we do say ourselves) but you are also fulfilling your good deed for the day.
So grab your cuppa, grab your device and devour MUSE in all it’s juicy flavour.
Click HERE to read MUSE
Click HERE to visit ON THE MERCH and get your exclusive mug.
May 15, 2019
The butchers of the Shady City
HARVESTERS is a family brand of meat and dairy that has existed beyond the north of COLDFORD for generations.
They pride themselves on good quality produce and a cheerful, approachable staff. When the old Harvester fell ill it seemed that all was lost. His only daughter JULIA was far too young to take up such a heavy burden of running the farm. But defying all odds (and with the help of investment from DR WINSLOW) the farm thrived and even became bigger than it was before. Now the brand logo can be seen on cafes, vans and supermarkets from the far north to the tips of the SHANTIES.
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This week we’re celebrating the Harvesters who featured heavily in MUSE crossing over to the KNOCK KNOCK graphic novel series. The hard working farm hands will have to be prepared and the lady of the farm will have to sharpen her claws if she hopes to defend her family legacy.
As KNOCK KNOCK has shown, empires topple and leaders die. Where does the Harvester brand fit into all of it? Well, find out this summer when KNOCK KNOCK volume 2 hits the shelves!
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
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Random Internet Weirdos
We are all familiar with the concept of strangers on the net, right?
If you have been on any social media site or even just read an online article and slipped onto the comments, chances are you have come across a complainer, a trouble maker or a down right nut bag straight out of their mother’s basement.
I spend a majority of my time online because that has become a big part of an author’s life nowadays and it helps spread awareness of the RAGDOLLS UK FOUNDATION. In doing this I have been in contact with some of the strangest of people. I’m not here to name and shame but – and that’s a big but – I will tell you some of the nonsense that has come my way.
The first one that comes to mind is a random stranger who contacted me via FACEBOOK MESSENGER asking me to be their mistress. Now I have never spoken to this person before in my life but I’m going to guess that they assume because of my generally gothy nature that I am into that sort of thing. Whether I am or not is irrelevant. When this amorous gentlemen was blocked he started following all twitter, facebook and whatever else feeds. My block button was almost broken that day let me tell you.
Another absolute cracker (to use a Scots turn of phrase) was an individual who decided that I was evil because I write thriller and must have evil thoughts. No honey, I just happen to write about the darker side of the human experience because believe it or not some of the most horrifying themes I have used (rape, murder, human trafficking etc.) do occur in the real world. I just exaggerate most of it for dramatic affect. I like to shock my readers, I like to unsettle them. Now that I think about it maybe I am a little evil after all …
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Anyway, the net is full of the craziest people. You just have to look at the comments section on any online forum and in between someone clearly missing the point and someone else trying to sell viagra you have the cry someone who has completely lost the plot.
The internet can be an amazing place of connection, learning and expression but on the flip side it is also a place where people think a screen keeps them protected and gives licence to say some of the things that really should stay buried deep and never uttered out loud. But hey, can’t complain, it does give us writers plenty of material to work with.
Vivika Widow is author of best selling author of the KNOCK KNOCK graphic novel series and other Shady City Thrillers.
Her latest novel, MUSE, is available now for just 99p to download or free on KINDLE UNLIMITED.
Click HERE to read MUSE.
May 14, 2019
Harvester Farm
Harvester Farm
Features in: MUSE and KNOCK KNOCK
A beautiful, expansive piece of land set beyond the north of the city before reaching the northern town of BOURNTON. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Coldford behind the Harvester farm seems like a world away.
Owned by the HARVESTER family for a number of generations, the most recent being Jacob Harvester and his daughter and only child JULIA.
A meat and dairy farm the Harvester brand brings some of the finest produce to the Shady City and beyond. When Jacob fell ill his doctor, WINSLOW, bought over the farm in order to help out and to bring the brand into a modern world before it was lost completely to a day and age long past.
Hard work and dedication is given completely by the farm hands. They are all like family to Julia, especially GLENN and Curtis her two main hands who keep the farm functioning.
Whilst you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and become lost in the day dream inducing old fashioned architecture of the farm house, like most places in the Shady City there is a dark cloud hovering over the land and it’s not just bringing gloomy weather. Julia is losing control over her family legacy little by little to the domineering doctor.
When Julia meets an artist, DAVID FINN, he manages to see past her naïve, pretty farm girl exterior to a furious fire that burns beneath. The inspiration falls both ways as the daring artist gives her a new lease of life. Time to make some changes around Harvester farm and desperate times call for desperate measures.
Enjoy this? Click HERE to read the full story.
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Check out other thriller titles to get a better view of life in the Shady City.
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May 13, 2019
Chasing the Story
They chased stories from small time crooks to large scale corruption.
The people of the city could rely on their integrity and could rest assured they were being delivered the truth but that’s when it happened. A second financial crisis struck much worse than the first.
Whilst those in high places played a dangerous game of finger pointing and trying to cover their own asses those on the ground became fodder. Job cuts, budget cuts, the city turned against each other in desperation. The north prospered more and the south suffered.
Then there came stories about the mayor. Rumours of sleaze, embezzlement and shady deals at city hall became rife but the newspapers fell silent. The COLDFORD DAILY wouldn’t print any article that attacked the mayor. The hungry reporters fighting each other for scraps of story could think of their own families the had to feel and homes they had to keep.
The mayor went missing.
At the request of the mayor’s wife the Coldford Daily was the only news let allowed to search deeper into what happened. SAM CRUSOW was given the story. That story led him to the Knock Knock Club and the events that unfolded changed his life forever.
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
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May 12, 2019
Welcome Home.
You can only truly understand the KNOCK KNOCK CLUB when you have grown up with it.
It may seem like a seedy cabaret joint to most but to some it is home and those performers and bar maids are family. For some it is the only family they have ever known.
In order to fight it reporter SAM must first learn why it is so important to the BOSS LADY and so many others.
You’re membership is active so come on down and see for yourself.
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
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May 9, 2019
“Rat boy!”
REGGIE pulled open the box excitedly. It was the thirteenth birthday the triplets had celebrated at their Penthouse apartment in City Main. Born and raised there they knew no other place as home. The triplets were always given their gifts in order of age. First was MARCUS. That year he had been given a painting by an artist named Favon. He or perhaps she was from Luen but not much else was known about them. Marcus had taken an immediate shine to the work when the agents brought it into the AUCTION HOUSE. Seeing the joy in his son’s face the father – Reginald – had acquired it for himself, compensating the agents and the artist handsomely.
Marcus was already making plans for the appropriate place to hang the piece – which showed a sun lit scape with an ominous fleet of boats approaching a peer – when SIMON – the second born triplet – was given his gift. He was delighted with a set of boxing gloves along with a new punch bag. Simon had a lot of frustration their parents observed. It was good for him to have a hobby he could use to put his anger to good use. The warehouse would be a great place for Simon to train when he wasn’t at the gym.
Finally came the baby of the group. As Reggie opened the box a black nose with long whiskers peeked out. Reggie laughed with joy and pulled a fully grown, black rat out by the scruff of it’s neck.
“Oh God,” the boys’ mother, Rita cried in dismay. She had an aversion to rodents. “Keep that away from me.”
Still holding it by the scruff of the neck Reggie looked into it’s beetle black eyes with a smile. It’s nose twitched at him. He turned to Marcus sat on the floor by the fire just to the left of him.
“What do you think?” He asked, seeking his brother’s approval. He dropped it into his lap.
Marcus lifted the creature into his hands and examined it. He adjusted his spectacles on his nose to assure he was getting the best view possible. His lip curled.
“Rodents carry disease you know,” he said. He threw the rat back to Reggie.
As Reggie caught it the rat squeaked. He turned to Simon. He lifted the rat so it was facing his brother, squeezing it’s body so that it squeaked at him. “What do you think Si?”
“You’re a fucking freak,” was Simon’s reply. He gave a sardonic a smile.
“I’m going to plant him in your bed so he can crawl up your arse,” Reggie teased.
“Please boys,” Rita interrupted them. She passed by Reggie. She tousled his thick blonde hair in desperate need of a comb. “My baby is just interested in nature, aren’t you baby?”
“Sure am mother,” Reggie agreed turning the rat back to face him again.
“So what are you going to call that thing?” Simon asked as he slipped from the wine coloured arm chair onto the floor beside his brothers so he could get a closer look.
Reggie shook his head. “You don’t give them names. You grow too attached then.”
Reginald and Rita watched the triplets.
“A rat? You brought him a rat?” She asked him.
Reginald shrugged his shoulders. His mind was still occupied with work and the party that the triplets would be having at the auction house later that night. More gifts and well wishes from the auction house staff and benefactors.
“It’s what he asked for,” he reminded her.
She shivered, watching Reggie let the rat crawl along his arm from his hand to his shoulder, it’s worm like tail wrapping around him.
***
ALBANS school, an exclusive, privately taught facility in the city was where the triplets attended. It wasn’t quite the breeding ground of success that the PETTIWICK school in Filton was but it had produced mayors, business owners and some of COLDFORD CITY’S most prestigious brands such as the HARVESTER brand.
The school provided boarding facilities which Rita would never have the triplets use. They were dropped off each morning if not by their parents then by a driver. Marcus was the one to lead them inside. The boys and girls were taught in separate areas and it wasn’t until recess time they could mix in the central courtyard.
That morning, Jill Danver saw Reggie stood by himself. His black back pack was hanging over one shoulder, his attention focused on a hand held electronic video game called Yeager Falls that was popular at the time. He was normally never too far from his brothers so she saw the opportunity an approached him.
“Happy birthday,” she said.
It was now the day after his birthday but the sentiment was appreciated all the same. He switched off the game and looked up at her. She was a skinny thing, a couple of years older than him. She had long brown hair which hung in straw like strands. Her teeth seemed too large for her mouth and her nose a little too small for her face. She had something of a rodent like quality Reggie noted. She lifted the grey pleated skirt of the Albans uniform, flashing lacy pink panties underneath.
“Want a little birthday present?” She teased suggestively.
Reggie raised his eyebrows. He had read how rats, attached to electrodes that stimulated an orgasm, would continuously push the button. They would forget their young, forget food and water, they would forget all else until they died. Humans weren’t much different, Reggie surmised as she took his arm and started to tug him towards the gym hall, a square grey building that stood alone from the rest of the school. It was known as the place to go for amorous students.
Reggie pulled back. “Wait,” he said. “There’s something I want to show you first.”
“Really?” She was intrigued. She had already seen Reggie’s penis. It was a little crooked from what she could tell but she didn’t have many others to compare it too.
Reggie swung his back pack gingerly round to his front. It was open slightly. He pulled open the zip and reached inside. When he pulled out the black rat she cried out.
“Don’t you like him?” Reggie mocked. “At least I think it’s a him,” he said turning the rat over and inspecting its genitals.
Jill gasped. “That’s disgusting. You shouldn’t have that here. You are disgusting!” She was starting to become hysterical as Reggie held it out to her. “You’ll have that damn thing taken off you. You are such a creep.”
Reggie grinned. “If you say anything to anyone I’m going to give you the mother fucking plague,” he cheered.
Jill tried to step away from him but he lunged forward and pulled up her skirt. First she felt rat’s tiny claws on her legs. She shrieked again. Her terror caused the rat some anxiety so it did the only thing it could do and sunk it’s teeth into her thigh. Now Jill’s cries became that of pain. She managed to pull away and shoved Reggie as she ran off to the girls’ bathroom.
Reggie learned that day that a rat’s sharp incisors could tear human flesh quite easily.
Where brother, Marcus was a big feature in KNOCK KNOCK volume 1, Reggie will be making his debut in Volume 2, coming this summer.
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
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May 8, 2019
The Penn that packs a Punch
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please welcome to the ring … Simon ‘The Punchline’ Penn.”
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The crowd goes wild whenever the middle PENN TRIPLET steps into the ring. A champion boxer, Simon is passionate about keeping in the best shape he can be. But don’t let that fool you, he also has great head for numbers and is the accounts keeper for the AUCTION HOUSE. Whilst big brother MARCUS takes the lead, Simon has been known to get into altercations with his little brother REGGIE. Even as boys none of them would question Marcus. Reggie on the other hand teased, badgered and hit Simon until he would react. They were as close as any two who shared a face could be but they did play rough.
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As young scoundrels growing up in City Main, Rita had to rush her darling baby to Coldford General after Simon beat Reggie so badly he was knocked out cold. Father, Reginald, felt it good for the boys to harvest a little bit of rivalry between them but Rita couldn’t bear to see any of them hurt.
They would always be working closely with each other so to channel Simon’s strength and frustrations he was turned to boxing. Starting in the small ‘Junior City Boxing Club’ in the upper West Simon quickly showed promise and before long was bringing home all kinds of trophies and medals.
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Outside of the Auction House Simon takes to the ring. Most of his training is carried out at the Wilson Gym in City Main. But don’t worry there are Wilson Gym’s at many convenient locations around the city if you fancy taking your chances.
His appearance in KNOCK KNOCK volume 1 was so brief you may have missed him but Simon will be making his debut in Volume 2, coming this summer.
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
May 7, 2019
Things to expect from Knock Knock volume 2 (spoiler alert)
Warning: there are some spoilers here for Volume 1 so if you haven’t read it yet, where ya been? Hit the abandon blog link below!
ANSWERS
Volume 1 left some plot threads dangling. Some, if not all of those, will be picked up in Volume 2.
Commonly asked questions by readers are:
What really happened to Theresa?
Reporter, SAM, was told to stay away from the KNOCK KNOCK but he just wouldn’t listen. In EPISODE 3: SLEEP TIGHT SAM he awakes after a visit to the club to find something terrible has happened to his wife.
Some argue that it was to scare Sam away from pursuing a story on Knock Knock but if they wanted to silence him they would have …
What happened to Tabitha’s parents?
In EPISODE 7: NO KIDS ALLOWED we meet Ma, Pa and Tabitha’s nanny in a flashback. What happens from there, well we’ll just let you go back and see for yourself. Anyway, after their brief appearance there was no more said of them. Could Volume 2 pick up on this?
Why was the Knock Knock Club burned down?
In EPISODE 8: KIDS THESE DAYS Tabitha travels to the club in search of her AUNT TAWNY. She finds the Knock Knock Club burned out and no one around. Surely Volume 2 will pick up on what happened?
Who was the girl that Dennis tried to get help from?
You mean our cute little Chloe? Well if you haven’t read NO TOYS IN THE ATTIC, now may be the time to do so.
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NEW CHARACTERS
We have an few new faces joining the fray, including dishy head of MACK AND SONS, PADDY. We also have team LAWMAKERS which includes head of the powerful Owen family, CHICK as well as his son BUDDY who readers have already met in the WHAT’S THE RUSH mini series. (Yeah we know, what a prick, right?) We’ll also meet new candidate for mayor, MICKY DOYLE.
OLD FACES
We are pleased to say fan favourite Olivia Platt, wife of club manager DENNIS, will be returning. After disappearing quite abruptly with her son her story wasn’t quite over. Olivia still has her part to play.
THE PENN TRIPLETS
Okay, so you’ve already met MARCUS but Volume 2 will introduce the other two. REGGIE (right) some readers will remember from MUSE. He was a fan of DAVID FINN’S work.
We’re not counting them as new characters because they are identical. This will also mean the function of the AUCTION HOUSE will be revealed. Yes they auction art and antiques but c’mon this is the SHADY CITY, there’s more to it than that surely …
HOW CREATIVE TABITHA CAN BE
Pretty God Damned creative we can tell you. If you thought the BOSS LADY‘s antics in the opener of EPISODE 1: WELCOME TO THE CLUB were a big of WTF secure your socks. They are still looking for the mayor. We guess he’s somewhere errrm creative.
STILL SHE STANDS
We mentioned the Law Makers before but we couldn’t leave without special mention to the JUDGE herself and that wound across her left eye.
Show order because court is now in session. Judge Doyle presiding.
Well, there you have it folks. That’s what we know of Volume 2 so far and we’re going to leave it there for now otherwise the producers will cause this computer to self destruct if any more is given away.
What do you think? What are you excited to see in Volume 2? What did you enjoy the most about volume 1? Comment and let us know.
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
May 6, 2019
Character Profile: Reggie ‘Reginald’ Penn
Age: 29
Occupation: proprietor of the PENN AUCTION HOUSE.
Features in: Knock Knock, MUSE
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No you’re not seeing treble. Reggie is one of the three Penn triplets. Whilst big brother MARCUS (centre) is the eldest by a few minutes Reggie enjoys being the baby of the team. Of his three brothers he probably holds the least responsibility although he is made to contribute to the family business at the insistence of their mother, Rita.
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Reggie, like his brothers is hyper intelligent. Where Marcus has the head for leadership and middle brother Simon has the head for numbers Reggie’s prowess lies in knowing what draws a crowd. He is the one acquisition agents will turn to for advice on what will sell. Reggie seems to have a talent for picking out the next best thing. He did so for artist, DAVID FINN, giving him the chance of redeeming his failing career.
What is most distinctive about Reggie is his love of rats. Growing up he kept several animals but he had a special fondness for rodents. He keeps fifty cages at a warehouse held by the Penn Gallery. Whilst he loves them he does conduct cruel experiments on them. He is especially interested in how far he can push their loyalty in exchange for a food pellet. Cutting the heads of the young, burning tails and deliberately infecting them with diseases, Reggie sees himself something of a scientist. If he didn’t have family loyalty to the Penn House he could very well been in a laboratory.
Where brother, Marcus was a big feature in KNOCK KNOCK volume 1, Reggie will be making his debut in Volume 2, coming this summer.
Volume 1 is free to read on Vivika Widow Online or download for Kindle by clicking HERE.
KNOCK, KNOCK: Episode 1: Welcome to the Club
Knock, Knock: Episode 2: Don’t Come Knockin’
Knock, Knock: Episode 3: Sleep Tight Sam
Knock, Knock: Episode 4: Take A Bow
Knock, Knock: Episode 5: A Room With A View
Knock, Knock: Episode 6: Picking Up Strange Women
Knock, Knock: Episode 7: No Kids Allowed
Knock, Knock: Episode 8: Kids These Days
Knock, Knock: Episode 9: Shootin’ The Breeze
Knock, Knock: Episode 10: Calling Last Orders
