Blogging A to Z: #Zombies of course!

Today is the Letter Z for Zombies in the A to Z Blog Challenge!

It's the end of the alphabet, but not the end of the posts or great books, etc.

Thank you for stopping by all month. 

Keep coming back for book release and other news!!

 Lucky 13! Some new & interesting upcoming Zombie Books: 

* And I wanted to share my new releases! (I adore the covers!)

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2: The Axe Will Fall, C.A. Verstraete - (Pre-Order, releases May 14) Lizzie Borden is back& she's swinging her axe again.  Lizzie thought the horrors were over, but her zombie nightmare has just begun! This time her sister Emma is a pawn- can Lizzie overcome her personal demons and the rampaging monsters - no matter the cost? (Does contain spoilers if you haven't read the first book.)

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, C.A. Verstraete - (Sale! 99 cents! Pre-Order, Releases May 10)  Every family has its secrets… 
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become… zombies?

Afterlife with Archie: Betty R.I.P;, Book 2, Roberto Aguirre Sarcasa - (Pre-order, Publishes  Sept. 24, 2019) Popular comic series has Archie and friends fighting the undead in this comic series. Hope Betty truly isn't dead - or undead. 

Dead Haven, (Jack Zombie Book 1), Flint Maxwell - Jack Jupiter knows zombies having written about them for years. But when he goes home to attend his mother's funeral, he finds these aren't zombies from this books. These are real. 

Kill or Cure, Pixie Britton - Teen love and loss in a dystopian world. In a race against time, Alyx and her best friend will stop at nothing to protect her little brother infected with a mystery flu virus - even from the same people who vowed to protect them all.

 

Last Another Day, (Dangerous Days Zombie Apocalypse Book 1), Baileigh Higgins - As living nightmares walk the streets in the shape of their loved ones' bodies,  humanity rests in the hands of ordinary people called to do extraordinary things.

Planet Dead 2: Patient Zero, Sylvester Barzey -   This company party is no party as a mysterious virus gains victims in the Eastman Hotel. It's 17 floors of zombie hell!

Plight of the Living Dead, Matt Simon - Zombies have been around long enough now to be worth scientific analysis. Science journalist Simon offers a look at real-life zombies and mind-controllers. See book 1, Planet Dead.

  

Stories of the Dead: A Tribute to George A. Romero, Duncan P. Bradshaw, David Owain Hughes and others - (Pre-order, releases June 29) Eighteen stories by 10 authors set in the world Romero created. Includes an intro by Romero's son, Cameron.

The Quotable Negan: Warped Witticisms & Obscene Observations from The Walking Dead's Most Iconic Villian, Robert Kirkman - (Pre-order, releases July 3)  Quotes, trivia and behind-the-scenes material from the show's villian.

The Second Coming, (The Shroud Series Book 2), John Heubush - (Pre-order, publishes Aug. 14.)  A fallen angel is mistakenly resurrected from the blood of an evil "Watcher" found on the Shroud of Turin, bringing with it an unstoppable plague. Another child is brought into the world, from DNA believed to be that of Jesus Christ. When the child begins healing others, will he offer a dying world a cure, or a tool to destroy itself as the Watcher's power unfolds? Sequel to The Shroud Conspiracy. 

The Unblessed Dead, Rhiannon Frater - First in the Hidden Necromancer series!  - Her mother saved their religious settlement from the unblessed dead by revealing she was a  Necromancer. Now Ilyse Nott fears she is also one. And if she is, her life is over.

The Zombie Gnome Defense Guide, Shaenon K. Garrity - You knew zombies even affected the gnome world, right? Notes of zombie experts including the gardening world.. A study of zombie gnomes and more...

* See all the post links from the month-long Blogging A to Z here. 

Blogging A to Z: FYI: Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter 2 Print Coming Soon! #horror

Today is the Letter Y for Blogging A to Z

FYI - 

YAY! Got the print proof copies for

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2: The Axe Will Fall.

Looks good, so it'll be for sale soon!!

In the meantime, you can get the Kindle version on pre-order!

Blogging A to Z: Exceptional!

Today is the Letter X for Blogging At to Z.

What else do you do with X? - and Y? 
Well, I'll do this for an interim blog post - EXceptional!

******** 
I'm off Saturday to my favorite Dollhouse shows.
Check out yesterday's book post while I'm gone!

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** Come back Monday for a GREAT Zombie Books Reading List!
******

Looking at my numbers here  and I have now passed 1,200 posts in the last month alone! Wasn't sure how many it was... seemed like less, seemed like more.

Well, I'll keep at it for a while though.

Thanks to my regular visitors and readers for coming back Please add your comments so I know it's not only bots stopping by. ha!!!

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.

Blogging A to Z: When is the new Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter coming? #horror

Today is the Letter W for the A to Z Blog Challenge.

When is Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter and Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2 coming? 

**** You know that song, "I'm So Excited!" Guess WHAT? Book 2 is now up on Pre-Order on Kindle!! See it here!!! and all countries: getbook.at/LizzieBordenZombieBook2

And check out the cover!! Isn't it great????!!!!

Update: The print is under review and a proof is on the way. 

Book 1, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter  - get it now! Check the website  - It comes out May 10 on Kindle. Here's a sneak peek: (peeking at you! ha!) __ Book is on PRE-ORDER  HERE. All countries link HERE.

Here's the back synopsis to Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter and Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2:

After being acquitted of brutally slaying her parents, Lizzie Borden thinks her nightmare is over—but it’s only just begun!

    Now Lizzie and the citizens of Fall River must battle a new surge of flesh-eaters, this time with a heartbreaking twist: the infected creatures are friends and family, hidden away by their grief-stricken caregivers.

    

    When her sister Emma becomes a pawn in the growing war against the undead, Lizzie has no choice but to pick up her axe again. With the help of her charming self-defense instructor, Pierre, she vows to end the horrific zombie menace, once and for all. But can she overcome her personal demons and the rampaging monsters, no matter the cost?

Check out the website page too - Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2 .

Want to win a copy??

Comment on what you think will be in the story - or won't be. ha!  Put your entries in the comments (with a way to contact you). I'll pick 3 Kindle winners. I'll be looking for reviews on both.

Don't forget to play the website puzzles and enter, too! 

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.

Blogging A to Z: New Vampire TV Series!

Today is the Letter U and V in the A to Z Blogging Challenge

(Image: pixabay.com)

Cool news! Unbelievable News is that a new 10-episode vampire series is coming to Netflix!

Based on the IDW Publishing V-Wars series, written by New York Times Bestselling Author Jonathan Maberry, the TV series will star Ian Somerhalder of Vampire Diaries fame, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In V-Wars, it's man against vampire as the disease spreads and society is split into two camps.

There are a variety of books and products out, including a comic series (issues 1-11).

There are also several anthologies, including:

 

 V Wars chronicles the first vampire war. 

V Wars: Shockwaves includes stories on the war from Maberry and 16 authors including, Dana Fredsti, Joe McKinney and others. 

There's even a V-Wars board game, from the designer of Risk and other games! 

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.

Blogging A to Z: TV Tropes with LC Champlin #zombie #horror

Today is the Letter T for Blogging A to Z 

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here. - ** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.

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Today I welcome LC Champlin, author of  Behold Darkness (Unclean Evolution Book 1). She talks about our favorite topic, zombies, and the TV tropes that inspired her book.

About the Book:

Haunted yet ambitious New York businessman Nathan Serebus considers himself more rogue than hero. But that’s before a trip to San Francisco with his attorney Albin Conrad lands them in the middle of a multiple-target terrorist attack. Worse, the strikes unleash a contagion that transforms its victims into unreasoning, cannibalistic killers. As Nathan matches wits with the plot's mastermind—whose goals may be closer to Nathan’s than he’d like to believe—the manipulation and intrigue force him to make a decision: fight the darkness within, or evolve to embrace it? His choice will have grave consequences for all of civilization.

What Inspired the Book?

Villains and antagonists intrigue me. I'd rather read about them than heroes. I'd also rather write about them! In this book, I wanted to write about a "Magnificent Bastard"  - see TV Tropes  - but have him be the protagonist rather than the antagonist. So I looked at my favorite antagonists for inspiration. They didn't disappoint. Every character in the book has a bit of a villain in them.

Why the Zombie or Cannibal Outbreak? 

What better way to show off all the fun of being an antagonist than during a crisis? And I was reading The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor at the time.

Also, I wanted to write something I enjoyed. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every chapter. I hope you will too.

Favorite quote:
Nathan Serebus: “We rise up and take the power back. Never let a crisis go to waste.”

Pretty much sums up Nathan's way of looking at life.

Excerpt:

The door’s hydraulics attempted to pull it closed, but the writhing mass blocked it. The explosion outcome was looking better and better. Albin’s PD22 beam flicked over the new development, Nathan’s light joining it as he brought the AK to bear. Teeth and eyes flashed in the lights. Not terrorists . . . Albin’s cannibals. They wore normal clothing and looked human. Except for the way they moved, twitching and writhing. And . . . black drool rolled down their chins.

Sssssaaah. Hisses blended, rose, as if from steam valves. Or a snake pit.

“Get back,” Albin ordered, taking the majority of Kate’s weight while retreating.

Nathan backed into the valet room, Albin and Kate almost on top of him in the rush to slam the door. Pushing Kate onto Nathan, the attorney braced his back against the barrier.

Nathan gaped. “What the—”

“The filing cabinet.”

Nathan had already begun easing Kate into an office chair. Clang! Four drawers of steel hit the linoleum. A kick centered it, wedged the other end against the counter support. Only then did Albin peel from the door.

The blue fire burned in his eyes again as his chest heaved. He turned his light and .45 on the window. Nathan joined him with the P2X and AK.

“What . . . was . . .” Kate panted.

Thud! Nathan and Albin recoiled from the ashen visage that threw itself at the window. Teeth clicked on the glass as the . . . cannibal, junkie, whatever tested the barrier. Black mucus clung to the window as the blistered, black tongue tasted glass.

Rust-colored eyes with pinpoint pupils bugged from sunken sockets. Flat, dead-fish orbs, they could belong to a freak-show Australian marsupial. A loris maybe, or an aye-aye. Were they even marsupials? Did they even live in—Focus!

One, two, three, four.

Smartphone in hand, video. No one could accuse him of hallucinating about monsters this time. “Start the show.” Voice recognition initiated the recording. “Film.” He shoved the handheld at Albin.

Find the goddamned keys. The AK swung across Nathan’s back while he drew the H-777. It took a few whacks against his palm to get the light operational. Damn Jacuzzi.

Sickness or drugs or cultists or . . . Or maybe I’m the one on drugs. Somebody had slipped a hallucinogen in his water and in reality he now was passed out in a puddle of drool.

On the near wall, over another counter and beside a filing cabinet, glinted rows of numbered hooks with keys. But the Bentley keys wouldn’t associate with those of peasant vehicles. On a nail beside the board of hooks hung a set of keys. The tag read Back Garage. They went into a pocket just in case.

“Kate, where are the keys?”

He turned to find her almost unconscious. Damn it! “Kate.” He patted her cheek. “I know you want to sleep, but you have to stay with me.” If she dies, pragmatism began. The wolves win. That silenced it.

Blogging A to Z: S for Shattered Lives #apocalypse #paranormal

Today is the Letter S in the A to Z Blogging Challenge

Today I welcome Rissa Blakely, author of the Shattered Lives series, 
beginning with Broken Dreams.

 The series includes:

Broken Dreams (Shattered Lives, Book One)

Awakened Desires (Shattered Lives, Book Two)

Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three)

Blind Faith (Shattered Lives, Book Four)

Full Circle (Shattered Lives, Book Five)

A Little Taste if Naughty (A Shattered Lives Short)

 

** Plus!! ** Something Unique:  - Coming this summer: 

Becoming Henry: Shattered Lives the Comic Issue #1  - yes a comic!  That sounds really cool! Keep watching the author's website for news.

Today's focus is on Broken Dreams, (Shattered Lives, Book 1)

Favorite Quote:

 

"I love you whole, and I love you broken." - Elaina

 

This quote is a thread throughout the five novel series, weaving the plot lines together. When I first wrote the words down, they hit me hard. In a way, it's a reflection of my life. Henry is a mentally broken man, full of fear that he will lose Elaina if he tells her the truth about his past. Even though she reaffirms her love for him, he still struggles with his worries.

 

Synopsis:

 

What would you do if an apocalypse broke out on your wedding day? Follow Henry and Elaina's journey as he faces the demons of his past, fearing what could be waiting at the next turn. Along with a ragtag band of survivors, will Henry and Elaina's mercurial relationship survive regardless of what staggers in front of them?

 

Excerpt:

 

I walked up to the truck door and opened it. “Henry?” He didn’t turn my way. “I’m glad you’re back.” I stepped up on the side step and brushed my fingers through his hair. He looked at me with bloodshot eyes. “Hey.” He swallowed hard. “Want to talk about it?” He shook his head. “Henry… It’s obvious something is really bothering you. Please, talk to me.”

I waited for a few seconds before I took his hand and guided him out of the truck. I decided to just take him somewhere he could have privacy, just in case he had another one of his epic meltdowns.

We sat in the barn, watching the rest of the sunset. I lay with my head in his lap. He played with my hair, staring blankly off into the distance. I wondered if it comforted him as much as it did me. It was quite some time before he even said anything.

“I’ve seen a lot of shit, Elaina, but today…” He swallowed, “today tops it.” He covered his eyes, pushing the heels of his palms into them, his body shaking as the silent tears poured out. I sat up and grabbed him. Holding him, rocking him, loving him.

“Henry, tell me what you saw.”

“I can’t!” he cried. “I can’t.” His shoulders shook as his silent cries turned into sobs.

“Shh…” I ran my hands through his hair, trying to comfort him. “I’m here for you, lover. I’ve got you.” I held him tight while he sobbed into my shoulder. It was difficult for me to witness. I hated it when he was so upset, he couldn’t string more than two words together.

Eventually, he calmed down enough to look me in the eye. What a mess he was. His eyes were red and swollen. He had bits of vomit and gore on his shirt. I held his face in my hands.

“Talk to me,” I whispered, then took his hands. “I want to help you through whatever is going on.”

“It was the most horrific, gruesome scene I have ever witnessed.”

 

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Blogging A to Z: Nice Review! Haunting Dr. Bowen #ghosts #LizzieBorden

Today is the Letter Q and R in the A to Z Blogging Challenge

 If you're interested in reading something Quite different, got a couple nice new Reviews for my Lizzie Borden-related book, The Haunting of Dr. Bowen.

The book recounts what happens in the life of Lizzie Borden's doctor and longtime neighbor, Dr. Seabury Bowen, following the horrific murders of his neighbors supposedly at the hands of Lizzie Borden. Part mystery, part ghost story, it shares how the doctor might have been affected, even haunted, by the murders and other events in the city's blood-soaked past. It includes historic tidbits from the real-life Borden trial of 1893. 

The book is a companion to my series, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter  (new version coming out soon) and the new sequel, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2, coming out soon. (See website for latest!)

Reader Diane called The Haunting of Dr. Bowen   "The author did an awesome job of bringing reality into this work of fiction. Statements taken directly from the court records are peppered throughout. The actual transcript from the trial is included at the end of this book. The characters are well defined. This is an enjoyable and easy read. You can enjoy this even if you do not know the story of Lizzy Borden. Brilliantly imaginative."

And the book has gotten a nice review on a blog across the oceans in Norway!!  The 
Lukten av trykksverte blog called it "an entertaining read with some spooky elements."  Nice to find new readers everywhere!!

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

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Blogging A to Z: Quite a Puzzle! #zombie #horror

Today is Q for the Blogging A to Z Challenge

Quite the Puzzle... or is it??

For something different - a contest!

Get entered to win a copy of the upcoming Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter or Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2 book or Kindle e-books!

How? Play a jigsaw puzzle. Send me your details! See the details and rules on the website puzzle page!!

Have fun!

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

 

** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.

Blogging A to Z: Oh Progress! Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter 2. #horror

Today is the Letter O and P for the Blogging A to Z Challenge.

And it is, Oh, Progress!!

Finally! This feels like it has taken forevvver. Well to me it does. ha!

I edited, had a couple people re-read, re-edited, then even changed some more! But now Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2 is in production! It will be coming to pre-order pretty soon. -- Get it on Kindle! - All countries link.

* Preview! Here's the back blurb:

After being acquitted of brutally slaying her parents, Lizzie Borden thinks her nightmare is over—but it’s only just begun!

Now Lizzie and the citizens of Fall River must battle a new surge of flesh-eaters, this time with a heartbreaking twist: the infected creatures are friends and family, hidden away by their grief-stricken caregivers.

When her sister Emma becomes a pawn in the growing war against the undead, Lizzie has no choice but to pick up her axe again. With the help of her charming self-defense instructor, Pierre, she vows to end the horrific zombie menace, once and for all. But can she overcome her personal demons and the rampaging monsters, no matter the cost?

Next will be the new version and cover for Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter...  

Every family has its secrets…

One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become zombies?

Thrust into a horrific world where the walking dead are part of a shocking conspiracy to infect not only Fall River, Massachusetts, but also the world beyond, Lizzie battles to protect her sister, Emma, and her hometown from nightmarish ghouls and the evil forces controlling them.

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

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Blogging A to Z: NEW Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter 2 - #horror

Today is the Letter N for the A to Z Blogging Challenge

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here. 

** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.

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* It sounded like fun to include a sneak peek of The First 7 Lines of my upcoming releases! Because of how my chapters are set up with headers, I'm only counting the first paragraphs for this.

(NOTE: Keep up with the latest at my website - and sign up for the newsletter (top center column) while you're there.)

***************

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter by C.A. Verstraete 
-  NEW second edition & new cover coming!

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Q. You saw his face covered with blood?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. Did you see his eyeball hanging out?

A. No, sir.

Q. Did you see the gashes where his face was laid open?

A. No, sir.

—Lizzie Borden at inquest, August 9-11, 1892, Fall River Courtroom

August 4, 1892

   

 Lizzie Borden drained the rest of her tea, set down her cup, and listened to the sound of furniture moving upstairs. My, my, for only ten o’clock in the morning my stepmother is certainly energetic. Housecleaning, already?

    THUMP.

    For a moment, Lizzie forgot her plans to go shopping downtown. THUMP. There it went again. It sounded like her stepmother was rearranging the whole room. She paused at the bottom stair, her concern growing, when she heard another thump and then, the oddest of sounds—a moan. 

New! The sequel: Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2: (Title to be announced!)  by C.A. Verstraete

* CHECK out the new web page. Being updated as details come!

  ** Get it on Kindle  - all countries link** 

NOTE: Yes, you can read it alone, but there are spoilers if you haven't read the first book!

Excerpt:  

Chapter One 

“We pray thee that innocence may be revealed and guilt exposed…”

—The Rev. M.C. Julien, opening prayer

Trial of Lizzie Borden, June 5, 1893

Fall River, Massachusetts—October, 1893

Lizzie Borden sprang awake, startled by a sound she never expected, or wanted to hear again—a low, eerie keen that made her skin crawl and the long, straight hairs on her neck curl up into tight ringlets.

“No, no!” She jumped out of bed and ran to the window, her heart pounding in fear. “Please, don’t let it be!”

     The chaotic scene on the street below filled her with disbelief and horror. No matter which direction she looked, she saw pure evil—groups of the undead she’d truly thought were gone forever. 

** Stay tuned for details for pre-orders and contests, etc.!!!!!!