Tag Archives: paranormal

July 18, 2018 · 5:00 am

Author Showcase – Andrew Cull (Bones: Horror Anthology)

Bones brings together four chilling stories by the award-winning writer-director Andrew Cull. 

 

“He had written to me a month or so before he died. I’d ignored the letter the same way I’d ignored all the others.” 

When Cam Miller returns to the town he grew up in he’s heading to clear his estranged Father’s farmhouse. He’s also returning to the house he fled 23 years before. There, among the nicotine stained keepsakes and remnants of a broken life, he’ll come face to face with a horror that has waited all those years for his return. 

“It’s you he wants.” 

 

 

“We were both 10. But he was dead. And I sat drawing him.”

Em Walker is just like any other 10-year-old girl growing up in the small, outback town of Hope. That is, except for the fact that her Dad runs one of the town’s two funeral parlours, and the dead have just started speaking to her…

When Hope is rocked by a terrible crime, Em, stubborn, scared of spiders, and with a temper that’s likely to get her into trouble, will find herself thrust into the middle of a dangerous hunt for the truth.

“Being scared’s good,” Grandpa Walker had told me once. “Stops us from doing stupid things.” 

It hadn’t stopped me.

 

 

That summer should have been filled with laughter, with slip n’ slides in the yard, lazy afternoons lying watching ice cream clouds swirling through the blue sky, melting in slow motion. I watched a plane rising high above our house. From the ground it looked completely still, as if it hung suspended in the air, a model on a string. I wished I was on it, I wished I could escape. I was seven and that was the summer death stalked our home. 

It began with the offerings… 

 

 

 

“We buried Dad in the winter. It wasn’t until the spring that we heard from him again.”

Knock and You Will See Me is a new ghost story by award winning writer-director Andrew Cull.

When grieving Ellie Ray finds a crumpled, handwritten note from her recently deceased father, hidden behind the couch, she assumes that her middle boy, Max, left it there. It has a single word written on it: WHY. But, as more and more letters begin to appear throughout the house, Ellie and her three boys will find themselves dragged into a deeply sinister mystery surrounding her father’s death.

“Dad? I looked down at the scribbled note in my hand, at the words torn into the paper. What had started as a whisper had grown louder, more desperate. The words had been screamed onto the page. Dad? Please. What’s going on?”

 

“Did You Forget About Me?”

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“Hope and Walker”

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“The Trade”

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“Knock and You Will See Me”

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Bones: Horror Anthology 

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~~ Meet the author ~~

Andrew’s first screenplay attracted the attention of BAFTA award-winner, Philip Saville. He went on to  develop film projects with Hammer Films,  Paul W.S Anderson’s Impact Pictures and  wrote for cult TV hit, ‘Urban Gothic’. Alongside this,  Andy ran a video rental store in London with the  largest horror collection in the UK.

In 2007 he created the YouTube sensation,  ‘In the Dark’. Regarded as the first YouTube  horror series it is considered to have been the inspiration for such renowned projects as Marble Hornets. This was followed by his first feature, ‘The Possession Of David O’Reilly’. It quickly garnered much praise and enjoyed a UK theatrical and DVD release with Momentum Pictures. In the US, it was picked up by IFC Films for VOD and DVD release.

Andy recently completed his first novel, ‘Remains’ and is in pre-production for his next horror feature.

Andy loves Horror and Hitchcock and, like you, he’s not easily scared.

 

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July 10, 2018 · 5:00 am

Unity of the Broken by G. E. Stills (Book Showcase)

Volume 5 in the Demon Slayers series!

*For the 18+ reader: strong language, descriptive sex scenes and graphic violence*

Through the dreadful scorpion parasite that controls her, Jenna has been enslaved by her demon mistress, Tiona. She has been compelled to participate in many atrocious, inhuman deeds. A male demon commits a violent act against her, and she is freed of her parasite’s control. Jenna flees while wondering if her freedom from domination is only temporary. Her only thought is to get as far away from the demons as possible, but where will she run too? Jenna is a broken woman.

The three people that meant the world to Micca are gone. They were taken away by a cruel and vicious, demon. After aligning herself with the goddess, Nyx, she has been given fantastic abilities. Micca has become an awesome, and fierce, messenger of death with complete indifference for her own safety. Her only reason for living now is to kill demons and those associated with them. Micca is a broken woman.

These two terribly damaged souls are on a collision course.  

 

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For a moment, Jenna lay motionless, battered, bleeding and frightened, then she gazed in the direction of Arid’s disappearance. Maybe he would just hurt her more the next time. She knew Tiona could easily heal her, but maybe Arid would kill her. Her unquestioning devotion was to Tiona and her life was Tiona’s to take, but the emotions enclosed behind her mental wall included the will to survive. Arid didn’t own her and she only felt submissive to him because of his mother.

The walls surrounding her emotions crumbled and they surged forth. These powerful feelings overwhelmed her scorpion parasite’s control over her. Jenna surged to her feet and pulled her torn panties from her mouth. Her fist clamped tight around them and she cast one more look in the direction of the house, then bolted deeper into the forest. She ran as fast as her legs would take her heedless of the cuts and abrasions that assaulted her bare feet. Even when her side started to ache, she ran on. Fear and the desire to survive were great motivators.

Coherent thought returned during her sprint. Jenna was certain the demons would easily track her, so she needed to get as far away as possible and get off the ground. Like getting into a car. She altered her direction of flight angling back toward the main paved road.

Jenna burst through the trees into a clearing containing a small cabin that appeared to be unoccupied. She leaned forward panting harshly. Jenna paused long enough to tie the waist strap of her thong panties and tugged them on. The panties didn’t cover much, but in her mind at least, they were better than being completely naked. Her inner thighs were blackened from the demon seed leaking from within her.

During her rapid investigation or the cabin from the outside, Jenna found two ATVs in a shed beside it. She broke the glass out of one window and crawled into the cabin. In desperation, she searched for anything she thought would assist her. There was a long shirt in one closet and a pistol in its holster.

She threw on the shirt not taking the time to button it and tossed the holster over one shoulder. She knew the gun would not kill the demons, but it would hurt them. Hurting them before they killed her would have to suffice. In addition, being armed made her feel better. If nothing else, she intended to take her own life rather than be captured.

Jenna smiled briefly when she found two sets of keys hanging on a nail in the kitchen cupboard. They were keys for the ATVs. Dashing out to the shed she checked the fuel level in each and selected the one with the most. Jenna bit her lower lip and prayed when she turned the key to the start position.

To her relief the engine coughed to life. Jenna backed the vehicle out of the shed and raced along the driveway. She reached the pavement and turned left knowing that way led to the interstate and the city. She had no inkling why she was suddenly free of her scorpions control and had no idea how long the condition would last. A feeling gnawing at her mind, told her that while she had freedom of choice she needed to put as much distance between the demons and herself as possible.

After belting the pistol holster around her waist and buttoning her shirt to hide her breasts and the gun, Jenna raced beside the pavement on the ATV. She came to a halt at the on-ramp to the interstate highway that led to town. Riding an ATV on the freeway was illegal and certain to raise suspicion of driver’s who passed. But what choice do I have?

A pickup came to a halt beside her. There was a single male occupant driving. “You can’t take that on the freeway,” he hollered through the open passenger window.

“I know but I have to get to town. It’s an emergency,” she shouted at him.

“What’s wrong?”

Jenna debated what to say quickly. “I was kidnapped. I’m trying to get away,” she said.

“Holy shit. Stay right there.” The man pulled his pickup to the side of the road ahead of her. He jumped out of the cab and raced toward her. “Leave the ATV here and I’ll call it in then take you to the police.”

Thoughts raced through Jenna’s mind. She hadn’t planned out her escape. Her only thought had been to get away, self-preservation. She had seen Tiona fight before and now there were three demons. The police and their guns offered her zero protection from them. When demons found out the police were protecting her, they would come. They would tear into police as if they were nothing. The only chance she had was distance and hiding.

Jenna switched off the ATV ignition. When she dismounted she turned to the side and drew the gun. The man skidded to a halt and surprise washed across his face when she faced him with the leveled the gun.

“For reasons you wouldn’t believe, I can’t go to the police. I’m going to take your truck instead. I need you to put your hands on your head and step into the trees.”

“I stopped to help you and now you’re going to kill me?” he asked.

“I’m not going to kill you…unless you force me to. Now do as I said.”

The man placed his hands on his head and marched in front of her. She halted him when they were out of sight from the road. “Take off all your clothes except your shoes,” she ordered.

He frowned but complied removing all but his underwear.

“Your boxers too,” she said.

“You must be joking,” he said.

Jenna tightened her lips and shifted the gun pointed at him. “Do I act like I’m kidding? Are you willing to risk dying to find out?”

The man grumbled but removed his underwear.

“Now step back.” When he did she strode forward and picked up his clothes. She quickly searched his pants pockets. “Where are the keys to the truck?” she asked.

“In the ignition.”

“And your cell?”

“On the seat in the cab.”

“Stay here in the woods until I’m gone,” Jenna ordered. Carrying his clothes in one hand, she darted to the truck, tossed the clothes into the truck bed and slid behind the steering wheel. Just as he’d said, the keys were in the ignition and there was a smart phone on the seat. She started the truck but instead of driving up the ramp and heading west toward Albuquerque she drove under the overpass and went east.

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A Witch and Her Dragons: Volume 1 

Kiya, a witch, is devastated when her cousin is murdered. Shortly after that, she becomes acquainted with Raith who informs her this murder is a pattern of killings done by an evil demon. The only lead is all the murders are connected with a band called Lusty Desires. Kiya vows to avenge the murder of her cousin and seeks out the help of the goddess Nyx to increase her witch powers. Nyx provides those powers but drastically changes Kiya in the process. The team of Kiya and Raith begin following the band and because of her financial background, Kiya becomes the band’s manager. The position provides an excellent reason for being with the band while the team searches for the demon.

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The Spreading Evil: Volume 2

Things have calmed since Kiya and her team destroyed the demon Xaphon. The band Kiya manages, called Lusty Desires, has completed their tour and are now back in studio to make another album. Kiya is taking a welcome break from her tour duties and demon hunting. She misses her teammates and lovers, Raith and Kaley. They’re in Europe traveling with another touring band. Kiya is unaware that a new threat, far deadlier than Xaphon, is forming. Tiona, the daughter of the demon Xaphon, is merciless and brutal. She is creating followers and fellow demons. Their goal is to mingle among humans to kill and multiply. Tiona also seeks to annihilate Kiya for she is the witch who destroyed her father. The two forces, one good and one evil, are on a collision course. Who will live and who will die?

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Seattle Bloodbath: Volume 3 

The demon Tiona has escaped Kiya and her team in Oklahoma. She has gone to Seattle, Washington where the band Kiya manages is scheduled to perform. Tiona is determined to destroy Kiya, first because she hates witches, and second, for killing her demon son. The demon terror plots Kiya’s demise along with those associated with her and this time the band itself will not escape unscathed. Disappointed at not encountering Tiona in Oklahoma, Kiya and her team go to Seattle unaware that Tiona is already there and preparing to strike. The coming confrontation will be deadly and costly for both sides.

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Micca’s Wrath: Volume 4

When Kiya declines to let her join the demon slayer team, Micca is crushed. When an old high school friend walks back into her life, joy envelops her. She moves in with Kevin and Dale then enrolls in college. She meets and becomes great friends with, Trisha, the woman who lives in the apartment across the hall from her. Micca soon becomes the happiest she has ever been. Three people, Kevin, Dale and Trisha become the most important people in her life. She falls deeply in love with all three of them. 

But happiness seldom lasts forever. Micca is a witch and the mortal enemy of demons. One of them finds her and plans turn her world inside out before taking her life. 

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June 13, 2018 · 5:00 am

The ‘Shadow Riders’ Series by Christine Feehan (Author Showcase)

The #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance” (USA Today) is back with a sexy series starring a Chicago crime family that hides a dark, mystical secret…

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses–both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone–until now…

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her…

 

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Christine Feehan returns to her scorching-hot series starring a Chicago crime family that has built its empire in the shadows…
 
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood—but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own…
 
Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her—a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She’s someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco’s embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them…

 

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One family brings its own brand of justice to the streets of Chicago’s shadowy underworld as #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan returns to a series hot enough to burn…

The paparazzi can’t get enough of infamous bad boy Giovanni Ferraro. But unknown to them–and the women he beds–he’s just playing a role. Keeping the spotlight on himself keeps it off the family business. And if this lethal shadow rider can’t hunt in the dark, he’ll find his pleasure elsewhere…

Sasha Provis grew up on a Wyoming ranch and thought she knew how to protect herself from predators. But in the nightclub where she works, she’s fair game–until one of the owners steps in to protect her. Giovanni is gorgeous. He’s dangerous. And his every touch takes her breath away.

The devil at her heels may have finally met its match…

 

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~~ Meet the Author ~~

I live on the beautiful Northern California coast and draw much inspiration from the beauty around me. I’ve always been a writer, for as long as I remember. My sisters were forced to read all of my books from the time I could write a story on paper. 

I love family. I love my brothers and sisters, my children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren. My home was always full of kids and children give me so much joy. 

I also love my “sisters of the heart”, those friends who have supported me through my life, laughed with me, cried with me and loved me regardless of how crazy my life got. I am a strong supporter of women helping each other which is why I became a third degree black belt and taught self-defense to women who’d been abused. 

I love people and dogs, good books and great coffee and I’m lucky to know just how blessed I am.

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June 9, 2018 · 5:00 am

The ‘Madison Fox’ Series by Rebecca Chastain (Author Showcase)

Reading Order

1. A Fistful of Evil

Madison Fox just learned that her ability to see souls is more than a sight: It’s a weapon for fighting evil. The only problem is she doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing.

On the positive side, her money problems are over and her coworker is smoking hot. On the negative side, evil creatures now actively hunt her, and deadly experiences are becoming the norm.

When she thinks it couldn’t get worse, a powerful evil sets up shop at a local hotel’s video game convention, and it’s got its eye on more than the gaming geeks—it’s hungry for Madison’s soul. Madison needs to become an expert illuminant enforcer overnight to save her job, her region…and her life.

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2. A Fistful of Fire

 

Madison Fox survived her first week as California’s newest illuminant enforcer, but if her grumpy boss, Mr. Pitt, was impressed, he hasn’t told Madison. In fact, there’s a lot her boss has been closemouthed about, including the dark secret haunting his past.

But Madison’s problems are just igniting. Neighboring regions report an uncharacteristic flare-up of evil, fire-breathing salamanders blaze unchecked across the city, and Black Friday looms. Trapped doing cleanup amid mobs of holiday shoppers, Madison watches from the sidelines as dubious allies insinuate themselves in her region.

As suspicions kindle and the mysterious evil gains strength, Madison must determine who she can trust—and whose rules to follow—before her region and career go up in flames.

 

 

 

2.5 A Fistful of Flirtation 

Madison finally gets her date with Dr. Love—and if they had picked any other restaurant, she might have had a chance of enjoying it, too . . .

~~ NOTE TO READERS  (From Rebecca) ~~

If you have not read A Fistful of Evil and A Fistful of Fire, this novelette will include SPOILERS. Catch up on the series first so you don’t miss out! 

A Fistful of Flirtation will be available to readers who sign up for my VIP newsletter http://www.rebeccachastain.com/newsletter/

 

 

3. A Fistful of Frost

Madison’s job—and soul—are on thin ice.

Madison Fox is determined to reform Jamie, her half-evil pooka, but the bond linking her to Jamie works both ways. Already, it has manipulated her into bending the rules. If she continues down this path, she could doom her soul. Since her judgment can’t be trusted, a high-ranking inspector now dictates Madison’s every interaction with Jamie, and each directive drives them further apart. 

Unfortunately, Madison has bigger issues than the potential degradation of her soul. Winter has struck with a vengeance. Frost moths plague the entire state, reinforcing the artificially frigid temperature. Worse, cold-blooded, soul-stealing enemies are flocking into her region from the north—creatures Madison has little defense against. 

With the inspector scrutinizing her every misstep, Madison is in for the battle of her life. If she hopes to survive, she must make an impossible choice: save herself and her region or save Jamie.

An imaginative urban fantasy filled with heart, humor, and plenty of butt-kicking action—A Fistful of Frost is a book you won’t want to miss.

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I expected the inspector to look like an Army Ranger, tall, muscular, and radiating an “I could kill you if I wanted to” vibe. The woman who stepped from the car shattered my assumptions. Midfifties, petite, and pale, with a slash of bright auburn in her chin-length white-blond hair, Inspector Pamela Hennessey didn’t look authoritative until her assessing gaze landed on me. Then I fought not to squirm.

“Madison Fox and the pooka Jamie,” she said, not quite a greeting and not a question. It would have sounded rude if not delivered in her posh British accent. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good, I hope,” I quipped.

She eyed me up and down, giving me a noncommittal, “Mmm.”

My smile froze at the corners.

Rose climbed from the driver’s seat and shut the car door with more force than necessary. The Latina empath gave me a curt nod, as if we were strangers and not coworkers and friends. What the hell? I stopped pretending to smile. Jamie shifted closer, brushing his gloved hand against mine, worry crinkling his eyebrows as he read the tension of the group. I gave him a shoulder bump to reassure him, pretending to be relaxed. Pamela’s gaze snapped from our touching hands to our shoulders to our faces, and I fought the urge to leap away from Jamie as if I were doing something wrong.

“Give me a net and let’s get your purity test out of the way, Madison,” the inspector said.

“Pardon me?” Wasn’t a purity test a medieval way to judge a woman’s virginity? Not only had that ship long since sailed, but I also didn’t see how it would be relevant—or anyone’s business. I checked Brad’s neutral expression. Did details about my sex life fall under the impress her or don’t embarrass me category?

The inspector rounded on Brad, wispy-fine hair flaring on either side of her pink headband earmuffs. “She doesn’t know what a purity test is? You haven’t tested her once in the last five days?”

“Madison’s purity has never been in question.”

A warning frizzled down my spine at Brad’s bland tone. She’d put him on the defense. I glanced to Rose for a clue, but she only grimaced and looked away.

“Don’t let your recent victories make you arrogant, Brad,” Pamela said. “Of course her purity is in question. She’s bonded to a pooka.”

Aha! This wasn’t about virginity; this was about Jamie’s dual nature and the metaphysical bond he’d placed on me. I’d been warned—repeatedly—to be careful of Jamie’s darker half; more than one bonded enforcer had been corrupted by a pooka’s morally ambiguous influence. No one had mentioned purity tests.

“This is to see if Jamie has . . . changed me?” I asked, choosing my words carefully in deference to Jamie. Nothing in his expression said he took offense to the insinuation that our link might have tainted me. He saw nothing wrong with wielding atrum as readily as lux lucis, and if I failed a purity test, it’d probably make him happy.

“Changed you?” Pamela echoed. “No. I need to know if the pooka’s bond has sullied you.”

So much for being tactful. I peeked sideways at Jamie, but he hadn’t reacted, his gaze focused beyond Pamela on the people walking by.

“Is there a problem?” the inspector asked.

“No. Of course not, but, Inspector Hennessey—” I shot Brad a desperate look.

“Call me Pamela. Never Pam.”

“Got it. Um, Pamela—”

“She doesn’t know how to make a net,” Brad said for me.

“Why not?” Pamela demanded, spinning to confront my boss again, the hem of her wool coat flaring to reveal the calves of her pale leather boots.

“I haven’t had the luxury of instituting a methodical training regimen with Madison.”

“Mmm,” Pamela said.

I was starting to hate that noise.

“And if she encountered a frost moth?” she asked.

“She has a lighter.”

One I’d purchased this afternoon at Brad’s insistence. Shaped like a small blowtorch, with a trigger to ignite the flame, it was the fanciest lighter I’d ever owned. It also had the distinction of being the only lighter I’d ever purchased with the intention of using as a weapon—or at least I thought that was the plan. I pressed my lips together. Now wouldn’t be a good time to confess that after reading Val’s entry on sjel tyver, I’d completely forgotten to ask the handbook about frost moths—what they looked like, where to find them, or how to kill them.

“I can instruct Madison on nets now,” Brad offered.

The inspector shook her head. “Let’s get the inquisition out of the way.”

The what?

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Buy books 1,2, and 3 today: 

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REBECCA CHASTAIN is the USA Today bestselling author of the Madison Fox urban fantasy series and the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles fantasy trilogy, among other works. Inside her novels, you’ll find spellbinding adventures packed with supernatural creatures, thrilling action, heartwarming characters (human and otherwise), and more than a little humor. Rebecca lives in Northern California with her charming husband and two bossy cats.

Website: http://www.rebeccachastain.com/
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Twitter: @Author_Rebecca or https://twitter.com/Author_Rebecca
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5660379.Rebecca_Chastain

 

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June 1, 2018 · 5:00 am

The Witch and the Squirrels by G.E. Stills (Book Showcase)

Print Length: 23 pages

As a fireman in a small town, Chad’s life is laid back, easy going. The worst problem he has is tolerating Jerry, his so called friend. Jerry sees himself as a gift to women. He’s a player and Chad has a difficult time dealing with that. Chad’s life is destined to become much less peaceful and serine when Heather appears in town. From the very first time they meet, he is strongly attracted to her. To his consternation, Jerry imposes himself between them and tells lies about Chad in order to win Heather’s favor. 

Jerry vanishes, as does Heather. Then one day on the way home from work, Chad encounters her again. Having discovered Jerry’s lies, she invites Chad to join her for dinner. Cheerfully, Chad accepts. With Jerry out of the picture it’ll be just him and Heather. Things are about to get very interesting for Chad.

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Excerpt

Chad resisted the urge to break into a run when he passed the run-down house. If not for the fact it was along the route he used when he walked to work . . . You’re a grown man, not some scared little boy. Still—something about the place gives me the willies.

Cold and dreary looking, the dilapidated two story structure sat on a lot that encompassed the entire block. An unkempt yard, overgrown with vines and shrubs, surrounded it. Nobody had lived in the place for years.

Not since old lady Jameson vanished a number of years ago.

That was long before he’d moved here.

His steps carried him away, putting the house behind him. The somber feeling of foreboding lifted from his shoulders as the distance increased. Two blocks farther, he entered a two story eight-plex. Taking the steps two at a time, he then paced down the hallway to his apartment door located on the left near the rear of the complex. Soon he forgot the eerie feeling. Changing out of his uniform, he put on faded blue jeans and buttoned up his sport shirt.

Locking the door behind him, he left for the small bar a short distance away. When he opened the door, the smell of whiskey and stale cigarettes assailed his nose.

Why do I come here?

He answered his own thought immediately.

Because this may be a hole in the wall, but they have an excellent burger. He usually treated himself to one at the end of his shift. The bartender poured a glass of ice water and set it in front of him on the counter.

“The usual, Chad?” the bartender asked.

“Yes, thanks.”

The bartender walked away to place his order.

“What’s up, Chad my man?” a familiar voice said. He stifled a groan when Jerry sat down next to him.

Why me?

“Not much. Just got off work.” For some reason, Jerry had glommed onto him from the start.

Maybe because I was new in town. Maybe because I didn’t know him any better. That and the fact he has an apartment in the same building as me. And he and I are both single.

“Wanna come to the club with me tonight? There might be some fresh meat there. Ya never can tell, with that new catalog ordering center opening up. I hear they’ve hired a number of women. About damn time this shitty little town got some new businesses.”

Translated, new women who don’t know you and what a player you are, Jerry.

“If you hate this place so much, why do you stay? Why don’t you move to a larger town?”

“Maybe I will someday, but in the meantime I haven’t bedded all the eligible ladies in this one.” He winked.

And some that are not eligible, Jerry.

Chad shook his head and smothered his sigh of disgust. Even after all these months of knowing Jerry, he found it hard to believe his attitude toward women. He found it even more difficult to accept.

“So what time should I pick you up?” Jerry asked.

“I’m kind of tired. Just got off my three day shift.”

He should have known that Jerry would not be discouraged that easily.

“Aw, come on. You don’t do anything but lay around over there unless there’s a fire.”

“We do other things, besides fight fire in this town, you know.”

“What, rescue cats from trees?” Jerry scoffed.

He rolled his eyes and bristled at hearing his job belittled. “It’s not worth arguing about. I just don’t feel like going out tonight.”

“You aren’t still mooning over Anna are you?”

Jerry had to mention Anna. The one good and bad thing Jerry had done was introduce them.

“Damn it, Jerry. You had to bring her up. Sometimes you’re a real asshole.”

Most of the time, he amended mentally.

He and Anna had hit it off surprisingly well, considering she was a cousin of Jerry’s. He surmised that Jerry hadn’t hit on Anna because they were related.

Memories of Anna flooded his mind, bringing on dismal emotions. The two of them had done most everything together from the time they met. Then her employer had offered her a promotion. The trouble was it entailed relocating. He hadn’t wanted to move and she had wanted the promotion. The breakup had been amiable, but it still shattered his heart.

“She’s gone, man. Time to spread your affections to others and stop sitting around wishing things were different.”

“Spread my affections, like you?”

“Maybe. Love ‘em and leave ‘em. Don’t stick around long enough for messy entanglements. There’s always another one waiting around the corner. Besides, variety is the spice of life.”

“I’m not like that.”

“Pity. We’d make a good team. Well, anyway, I’ll stop by your apartment at eight.”

Clearly, Jerry was not going to take no for an answer. He sighed in defeat. “Fine. Now go away and let me eat my burger in peace.”

Chuckling, Jerry swaggered away.

Sure enough, Jerry was at his door at eight. At the club, Jerry scoped out a table of four new women, and introduced the two of them. Later that night, Jerry disappeared with one of the women. No warning or anything. They were on the dance floor one moment and the next, the two of them were gone. That left Chad to entertain the other three. He knew he should be mad at Jerry, but he was used to it.

After visiting and dancing with the remaining three, they parted and he went home . . . alone.

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Normally zany and often naughty talking, G. E. has a serious and compassionate side if you can find it. He cares deeply for his friends and hasn’t met an animal yet he didn’t like. He is terrified of heights so hasn’t braved the tramway ride in his home town. He lives in the southwest while longing to live by the sea. He often says, “We have the sandy beaches but where is the water?”

He heeds the call of the many characters that pop into his mind and demand to have their stories put in print. Their tales are both serious and humorous. A multi-published author his stories cover many genres including contemporary romance, paranormal romance and science fiction. His stories are both erotic and non-erotic in nature. G.E. is the leader of a local writers group and in addition hosts a meeting of his own locally on fiction writing bi-monthly.

G.E. Stills loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at any of these sites.

Website / Blog
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