Vivika Widow's Blog, page 44
March 13, 2019
Many Faces
“Do we really know ourselves?
When we ask our family they will tell us their opinion of us but when we ask friends they will see us differently and this is a spectrum depending on the intimacy of that friendship.
Then there is our own opinion, the real us. Those thoughts in our head that we would never dare speak out loud to anyone. We wouldn’t even dare to utter them to our own reflection in the mirror.
I am no longer afraid of my true self. I will show the many faces of the world because that is where the true art lies.”
She smiled. Julia but not really Julia. The statues with the words WASHED UP and HAS BEEN were smashed into inconsolable pieces.
“Then you are ready,” she said. “Time to carve.”
Artist David has lost his way. When he meets naive farm girl, Julia, he finds his inspiration again. He is forced to address a childhood trauma in order to make his work shock again.
Muse is just 99c/p to download for a limited time only! Click HERE to read.
Free for kindle unlimited users.
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March 12, 2019
Exposed
When I was young and starting out at City College, chasing the dream of journalism I wanted to expose the truth. Big corporations, sleazy dealings, everything the people of the Shady City needed to know to keep them safe. I had aspirations of doing my part to make the world around me a little better.
“You have your head in the clouds, son,” my cynical father had said to me. “It’s not as simple as that.”
I dismissed him then. He had barely ventured away from his mechanics shop in the sleepy little suburb of Jamestown.
He warned me that things weren’t quite as simple in the city. Heroes? Villains? Everyone had their own agendas and motives. It was my job as the reporter to separate fact from fiction and let the chips fall where they may. Dangerous? Of course it was. I confronted some of the most dangerous people to call Coldford home. Confessions killer, Tracey Campbell, Rodney Weir when a floor of his hotel was blown I chased it all. I was there the day that Alice Beckingridge walked down the steps of the Court House refusing comment when she had just been acquitted of murder.
My wife, Theresa, hated it.
“One of these days you’ll not come back to me,” she cried.
I couldn’t stop there though. The more I dug into the filth and mud that was the Shady City the worse I saw underneath. The stories were too good. That I also admit. Chasing the glory of being the first to reveal all is where it went wrong. I lost sight of what was important. If I had known that I was going to lose everything I would have perhaps chosen a different, safer path. But, I did lose everything – family, career, friends. I don’t know what is waiting for me out there but they don’t frighten me. I can’t erase the past but I sure has Hell can change the future. As they tear at each other’s throats they will learn that it is words of truth that will win the day in the end. They will not silence me. They can’t hide the truth forever. As my story leads me beyond the Knock Knock club I may have nothing to lose but I still have my story.
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Volume 1 is free to read here on Vivika Widow Online so if you’re ready to chase the story of your life then dive right in. Issue 1 is also free to download for Kindle today only! Click 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
March 11, 2019
Character Profile: Sam Crusow
Name: Sam Crusow
Age: 36
Occupation: Reporter
Sam was never shy of a story. A hard hitting reporter with a good heart he is always trying to get to the truth of the matter. The trouble is, in the Shady City that truth can be messy and digging around in the background of those in charge can lead to disaster.
He is honest to a fault and caring but when challenged he will stand up against even the most dangerous of villains. Sam is loved and hated in equal measure. Those who he has helped reveal the truth and those he has brought down with his journalism.
Originally from the Jamestown area – a quiet little suburb – he has adapted to life in Coldfold. His work for the Coldford Daily was seeing him and his wife Theresa through the recession.
He has chased the story on an explosion in the WEIR HOTEL, he has pushed CONFESSIONS KILLER Tracey Campbell for an interview and he was one of the first to report when Alice Beckingridge of the BECKINGRIDGE FINANCIAL FIRM was accused of murder. Of all these stories none compared to when he was led to the KNOCK KNOCK CLUB in search of the missing Mayor. That was when the true dirty face of the city began to reveal itself.
It’s not easy being a reporter in a city that is tearing itself apart from within. Sam is learning that the hard way.
Volume 2 of Knock Knock is coming soon. Complete Volume 1 is free to read HERE on Vivika Widow Online. You can also download issue 1 free for kindle for a limited time only by clicking HERE.
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March 10, 2019
Coldford City: Our City; Our Rules
Team: Coldford City
Stadium: Coldford City Park
Sponsors: PENN AUCTION HOUSE
With the largest stadium and three of the most skilled players transferred from the coastal city of Luen, COLDFORD CITY are the team to beat in the National Premier League. Although having the money to buy top players does bring it’s fair share of problems. Striker, Andre Luis frequently dominates the headlines for his antics off the pitch as much as on. He is a frequent goal scorer but his personal life often takes centre stage. Rumours followed him from Luen that he was willing to throw games for the right pay. Some say it was in the Shady City he learned to PLAY THE GAME .
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Their trophy cabinets are full but there is just one prize that alludes them. Andre Luis has worked his entire career to receive the Golden Boot. As it stands that accolade belongs to City’s fierce rivals COLDFORD ATHLETIC and their star, Samuel Connelly.
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Our Shady City thriller’s most notable fan of City is MARCUS PENN and his brothers. As sponsors of the team the triplets always have a keen interest in their investments and so will always make sure City has the money they need to always be the best.
Knock Knock is available HERE on Vivika Widow Online.
Issue 1 is also free to read for a limited time on kindle HERE
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March 8, 2019
Bellfield: Whiskey Town
Team: Bellfield Football Club
Stadium: MACK AND SONS arena.
Sponsors: Mack and Sons
Located to the West, Bellfield football club is proudly supported by the Mack family of Mack and Sons whiskey distillery, suppliers of the KNOCK KNOCK club.
As a travelling team Bellfield have garnered a reputation for instigating riots and wrecking opposing stadiums. They have received several sanctions from the football association. During a visit to Hathfield Bay the travelling fans of Bellfield sparked violence.
When word reached the Distillery that the football association were set to remove Bellfield from the league, the sponsors of the team stepped in. Current chair of Mack and Sons, Patrick, said, “The behaviour of the Bellfield fans was unacceptable and does not represent us as a club.”
The point was moot though because the following week those responsible for causing the trouble died in a alleged car crash.
Our most notable fan of Bellfield Football Club is head of the Mack clan. Check out the Knock Knock series to join the club they are proud to supply.
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Knock Knock Volume 1 available HERE on Vivika Widow Online.
Issue 1 is also free to read for a limited time on kindle HERE
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Whiskey Town
Team: Bellfield Football Club
Stadium: MACK AND SONS arena.
Located to the West, Bellfield football club is proudly supported by the Mack family of Mack and Sons whiskey distillery, suppliers of the KNOCK KNOCK club.
As a travelling team Bellfield have garnered a reputation for instigating riots and wrecking opposing stadiums. They have received several sanctions from the football association. During a visit to Hathfield Bay the travelling fans of Bellfield sparked violence.
When word reached the Distillery that the football association were set to remove Bellfield from the league, the sponsors of the team stepped in. Current chair of Mack and Sons, Patrick, said, “The behaviour of the Bellfield fans was unacceptable and does not represent us as a club.”
The point was moot though because the following week those responsible for causing the trouble died in a alleged car crash.
Our most notable fan of Bellfield Football Club is head of the Mack clan. Check out the Knock Knock series to join the club they are proud to supply.
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Knock Knock Volume 1 available HERE on Vivika Widow Online.
Issue 1 is also free to read for a limited time on kindle HERE
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March 7, 2019
Character Profile: Dr G Winslow
Features in: MUSE , KNOCK KNOCK
Age: 56
Occupation: Surgeon General, CEO Harvesters Meat and Dairy.
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Dr Gregory Winslow is accomplished and well educated. There are many around the Shady City that owe their life to him. He is something of a wizard with transplants and one of his most grateful patients is Jacob Harverster, better known as the old Harvester. Jacob’s daughter, Julia , was so grateful to the doctor for her father’s care he was named one of the leading holders of the farm and with that control Winslow was able to help the Harvesters grow and thrive.
[image error]any in the shady city Winslow doesn’t do what he does out of the goodness of his heart. No, business is business. Whilst saving lives can be a great thing the ugly truth is someone has to pay for it somewhere.
Harvester farm grew. It spread like a great smothering plant across the city with no one trimming away the rotting parts. The farm hands were worked harder but saw less benefits. Julia found herself in the doctor’s clutches. She couldn’t escape. She didn’t just owe her father’s life, she owed everything and the good doctor was going to make sure he had his dues.
Winslow has touched so many lives. From the simple farm girl who he has complete control over to a down on his luck artist. Winslow connects the two and as their stories collide, as artist and muse, a horrifying truth will be revealed as they desperately try to break free.
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Check out other thriller titles to get a better view of life in the Shady City.
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March 6, 2019
Character Profile: Marcus Penn
Features in: Knock Knock
Age: 39
Occupation: Owner of the PENN AUCTION HOUSE.
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Marcus is a no nonsense man who knows just what it takes to get a job done. He is fully acquainted with the darker side of the Shady City. With his strong connections to the South and his auction house holding the respect of the North he often acts as a mediator when things start to get out of hand.
What is most distinctive about Marcus is that he is of a set of triplets. He and his brothers – Simon and Reggie – run the Penn House together. Marcus is seen as the unofficial leader being the eldest by a few minutes.
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The Penn House had been passed down to them through generations by their father. They proudly hold art work from the likes of DAVID FINN as well as other antiquities that most would find difficult to get a hold of.
Marcus isn’t shy of the dirty work. He is emotionless, iron willed and carries a reputation for a reason. Not many would dare tackle him alone. Even fewer would go against him with his brothers by his side.
Things run as smoothly as they can in Coldford City when the Penn House is charge of bidding but when the North feels Marcus and his brothers are becoming a little too inclined towards TABITHA and her KNOCK KNOCK CLUB, it may be time for him to show why he holds the authority he does.
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Complete Volume 1 of Knock Knock is free to read on Vivika Widow Online. Click HERE for episode 1.
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March 5, 2019
Coldford Athletic: Home of the Golden Boy
Team: Coldford Athletic (sometimes referred to as Coldford Dynamo)
Stadium: South Road
Since they were first built, the Shanties of Coldford City was home to the poorest people. Most of them worked low income jobs and even spending all the hours they could it was still difficult to make ends meet. Some gave up, turning to booze and drugs to fill their days instead, hoping it would prolong the realisation that they were stuck in a poverty trap.
As the north of the city thrived and the Coldford City football club came to be, a man named Roger Crane decided the people of the South should have their own team, a team they could cheer and support. No one in the Shanties could afford the fees it took to join the youth program of Coldford City so Coldford Athletic was established. Roger swore that it would always be open for the youth of the Shanties. The children there had idols to turn their attention to and aspire to be like. Idols they became. Coldford City and Coldford Athletic became fierce rivals. Despite their humble beginnings Athletic had one thing to boast that City never could – Golden Boot winner Samuel Connelly. City poured money into purchasing players from Luen and further but none could compete with Sam Connelly’s natural skill.
Shanties born and raised Sam showed the youth of the area that anything was possible, even with every possible social disadvantage weighing you down. Money couldn’t buy that golden boot – inter city football’s most prestigious prize – only hard work and perseverance could gain that, something the people of the Shanties have in abundance.
Our Shady City thriller’s most notable fan of Athletic is artist, David Finn. Having grown up in the Clifton Alley part of the Shanties he has seen it at its worst.
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Sometimes the escape of football comes a little too late. As David spirals down a pit of drugs and alcohol he loses the inspiration for his art. His latest Muse offers him the fresh vision he needs but first he must address a childhood trauma if he is to really feel the art.
Muse is available now. Click HERE to read.
March 4, 2019
What have I gotten myself into?
I had had a life before it all happened. I had a wife, a home and a thriving career. Then the mayor of Coldford City went missing. He had a less than stellar reputation and the eager reporter in me followed his trail of sleaze to a place called the Knock Knock club.
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There I met a boss lady with a blood lust like none I’ve ever known. I met a manager who would make your stomach churn with the story of how he came to be in such a place. What kept him there was even worse.
I met a dancer girl too who had far more to her than anyone would have guessed. That was the Knock Knock club for you. Nothing was as it seemed.
I followed the trail of the mayor and I came to realise that his disappearance was only but a small part of what was going on. There was something brewing in that club that was going to spill out onto the streets. I had to tell someone.
I lost everything in the process of chasing this story. That only made me more determined than ever that people should know what was really going on behind closed doors.
It’s only just the beginning. It’s time to continue this story for as long as I can. As heroes become the villains and the villains are the ones I need to rely on for help, life in the Shady City is turned upside down. Every one has their motives. I don’t care because when it comes down to it I will tell the truth, as ugly and dangerous as it gets.
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Sam has his work cut out for him if he wants to get to the bottom of the Knock Knock club.
The series returns this August for volume 2. Volume 1 is free to read here at Vivika Widow Online. You can also 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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