Hunter Shea’s latest horror novel, Evil Eternal, released May 1st. Today, I welcome Hunter to my blog to talk about injecting the element of horror into a piece of writing.

Take it away, Hunter!

Fuel Injecting Horror

by Hunter Shea

Even when I set out to write something non-horror related, I always seem to find elements of horror splattered throughout my stories like blood at a murder scene. I just can’t help it. The best of the genre came out in the late 60’s and 70’s (The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, this new kid Stephen King, The Night Stalker, yadda, yadda, yadda) and I’m the result of complete immersion in the subculture.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to write scary, horrific stories. The one drawback is that I’ve yet to write something I can share with my kids, but they are getting older, so at least I have something to look forward to.

For me, it just seems to come naturally. For example, if I see a family moving into the house across the street, I immediately think about how they would react if it was haunted. Or maybe the new family has a dark, sinister secret and the entire block is about to come to an unseemly end.

When it comes to writing horror, there are all sorts of ways you can inject creeping terror into a story. The type of story you want to tell dictates how you do it. If you’re going to write a ghost story, to me, the more important thing is the people, not the ghost. You need readers to become one with your characters, to see what they see, to hear what they hear, and to feel their fear. A ghostly apparition or a bump in the night gives a quick scare, but the true buildup of foreboding comes from the characters who are living in that moment.

Then there are times when you can throw horror chills and spills like a gang of angry villagers at a stoning. I’ll use my book, Evil Eternal, as a case study. The book centers around two larger than life characters, one who is Cain, son of Adam and Eve, old as time itself, terribly mad and utterly demonic. Then there’s Father Michael, a normal man made invincible 1,000 years ago, whose only purpose in life is to fight evil, usually in bloody fashion. When these two forces meet, well, let’s just say things get out of hand and slightly stomach churning.

There are two types of horror going on there. There’s good, old fashioned blood and guts, and there’s the religious aspect of things where souls are at stake and those who choose the wrong side get a one way ticket to hell. I used the crisis of faith that so many people today have in the context of an all- out war, where characters learn that there is a God and a devil and their soul is very much up for grabs.

Horror is an emotion, a fluttering of the heart, a ball of ice in the stomach. The trick, and the fun, is getting your readers enveloped in that emotion. I truly want people to sleep with the lights on.

About the Author

Hunter Shea is the product of a childhood weaned on The Night Stalker, The Twilight Zone and In Search Of. Luckily, he’s managed to make a love of all things ghostly and beastly into a career. He’s published several books and a slew of horror short stories over the years in magazines like Morpheus Tales, The Harrow, Tabard Inn, Deadline, & Ethereal Tales, just to name a few.

Hunter is also one half of the Monster Men podcast, he talks about all things horror with a unique, sarcastic twist.

Contact: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Evil Eternal

Only one priest can battle the ultimate evil!

An evil as ancient as time itself has arisen and taken root in New York City. Father Michael, the mysterious undead defender of the Church, answers the call to action from the Vatican, while Cain, a malevolent wraith that feeds on fear and blood, has taken the life and form of the city’s mayor and readies a demonic army to ignite the apocalypse.

With an unlikely ally, Father Michael will prepare for the grim confrontation as he grapples with his sworn duty to God and the shreds of humanity left beating in his immortal heart. The time is ripe for Cain and the fulfillment of dark prophecies. Father Michael must battle Cain and his horde of demons in a final showdown that could very well herald the end of mankind.

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Samhain Publishing

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.

Today’s guest writer is:

Warren Martin

What genres do you write?

My current book is fiction and considered Historical War Fiction; however I also consider it to fall under Mystery. Current projects are Cold War related, but I am also working on Mystery-Crime projects.

Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.

Untold Cold War Mystery you don’t want to know about … but should.

What’s your ultimate goal as a writer?

Ultimately I want to entertain the reader while also hoping to educate and draw awareness to the subject of the particular project. For example, my current book is fiction, but I also wanted to create awareness of the Cold War era, and draw attention to the memory of the “Forgotten Solders”: those who fought, served, and sacrificed, and have since been forgotten. I also make an effort to write in what I feel is a manner that is not slanted in a political or ideological view, but rather in a character’s view, allowing the reader to understand the character’s point of view, even if the reader might disagree with said character’s personal viewpoints.

How close are you to achieving this goal?

I feel my book does accomplish the goal, and it’s up to readers to judge. So far the feedback has been very positive, including the line “couldn’t put it down” which is very encouraging.

Any quirky writing habits?

If I have any quirky writing habits, I’m not aware of them … or maybe just consider them normal.

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

As of today, there are just 75 more days to go before Oracle is unleashed unto the world (poor world!)! As the book is set in London in the run-up to the Olympics, with London 2012 coming up, the timing for the release cannot be more fortuitous.

To celebrate Oracle‘s release, I am organising a month-long blog tour, starting with a grand Opening Ceremony on July 30th.  I’m calling it…

The Oracle Blog Tour Olympics!

I’ve been a busy little bumblebee, and have a load of sports-themed posts, fun and games planned. There are even contests, and PRIZES to be won! Imagine, all the intensity and competition of sport, from the comfort of your computer chair!

But, like any major sporting event, I need an organising committee:

The Oracle Olympics Organising Committee!

I have been approaching fellow bloggers for help, and have been overwhelmed by how supportive the writing community has been! Massive thanks to everyone who’s agreed to help out so far — you guys are the best! I’ve got August all filled up now–I’m still reeling form all your generous responses!

But…

I’m still looking for 1 more person to help with the Opening Ceremony on July 30th (yes, there is a reason why I’m looking for 1, but that’s a secret!): all you have to do is to copy and paste the official release announcement on your blog!

So if you own a blog, would like join the OOOC, and can make any July 30th:

1. Register your interest by filling in the form below. (EDIT: If you are already on the committee, you do not have to fill the form in!)
2. I will send you further details and everything you need as the time draws near.
3. You will have my undying appreciation and gratitude!
4. I will send you cupcakes!

OK, maybe #4 is a bit of a lie, but should you require any help in reciprocation, you only have to ask! Really!

And if you’d really like to host a leg of the blog tour, I’m still happy to do a few more character spotlights and interviews — just let me know by filling in the form and expressing your interest in the “Anything else?” question!

So can you help me? Huh?

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

*For my Random Acts of Kindness Blitz, scroll down or click here.*

J.A. Belfield is re-releasing a new cover for Darkness & Light, the first book of her Holloway Pack series!

Darkness & Light

Jem Stonehouse, a housewife with a neurotic husband bent on keeping her in line, dreams about werewolves in, what she believes, is a bid to escape boredom. 

Sean Holloway is a werewolf, living a charade within the human race, whose mind drifts to a bond he shares with a woman he hasn’t met — at least, not in this lifetime. 

Apart, the two are safe but live unfulfilled lives. 

Together, they’ll become prey to rival packs just as they have been for hundreds of years. 

When their worlds collide, and not for the first time, instinct takes over. Dreams become reality. Futures are uncertain. To keep history from repeating itself, Sean must teach Jem about his heritage, convince her of her role, and win her love. 

Can Jem accept her destiny before it’s too late, or is her inner wolf buried too deep to save her future with Sean?

This new edition will release July 1st 2012. The e-book will re-release on June 1st 2012, and will contain three bonus scenes! The e-book will also be on sale for just $0.99 USD for the entire month of June, so make sure you keep your eye out for it!

More information from J. Taylor Publishing

About the Author

One day, a character and scene popped into J. A. Belfield’s head, and she started controlling the little people inside her imagination as though she were the puppet master and they her toys. Questions arose: What would happen if …? How would they react if …? Who would they meet if …? Before she knew it, a singular scene had become an entire movie. The characters she controlled began to hold conversations. Their actions reflected the personalities she bestowed upon them. Within no time, they had a life, a lover, a foe, family … they had Become.

One day, she wrote down her thoughts. She’s yet to stop.

J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, three cats, and a dog. She writes paranormal romance with a second love for urban fantasy.

Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community.

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don’t they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Kindness Rocks!

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman @ The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ. And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I’m participating too!

Now with so many people I’m thankful for, I’ve decided to pick three people to blitz with kindness! In no particular order, they are…

Cherie Reich

Cherie was one of my first ever followers when I started this blog nearly 2 years ago. From the beginning, she has been supportive and encouraging, and during those early days when my blog posts garnered few responses, Cherie’s regular comments kept me from throwing in the towel and giving up on blogging entirely.

So Cherie, my RAOK gift to you, is a 3,000-word manuscript critique! It can be anything you like: a short story, a novel chapter, a query … heck, even a handful of flash fiction! There is no expiry date on this offer. It’s my small way of saying a big thank you for being so awesome!

Len Lambert

Len is the sweetest blogger I know! She goes one step further than anyone I know when it comes to supporting her fellow writers. Not content with merely showing her support by leaving a comment, her many e-mails (and the odd phone call) never fails to brighten my day! Despite some personal challenges, she is always so happy and positive, you can’t help but smile when chatting with her!

So Len, for being such a sweetheart, for all the help you extend to us fellow writers, and because I know this is something on your wishlist, I’ll be sending you an e-copy of Oracle as soon as they get released!

Talli Roland

I’ve been following Talli for as long as I’ve been blogging. She was an immense inspiration when I was considering self-publishing as a viable option. Her blog posts are cheerful, her personality sunny, and she is responsible for single-handedly introducing me to chick lit. Despite getting dozens of comments for each of her blog post, she still finds time to respond to them, and to visit my blog in turn. Talli is also super-supportive, always happy and willing to help promote fellow writers on her blog.

Now I know you like your coffee, Talli, so for being such a sassy lass, my RAOK gift to you is this:

An Oracle mug, for all your brewing needs!

To visit any of these three lovely ladies, simply click on their name or photo. Be sure to leave a comment to tell them how cool they are!

Do you know someone special that you’d like to randomly acknowledge? Don’t be shy — come join us and celebrate! Send them an e-mail, give them a shout-out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round. :)

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act Of Kindness?  Let me know in the comments!

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

Six Sentence Sunday is a weekly feature whereby participants post six (6) sentences of their work, published or otherwise, to be read (and possibly critiqued) by everyone else.

Since I’m currently busy reviewing my ARC for Oracle, I thought I’d offer up something different this week. This is an excerpt from Just One Cut, a piece of flash fiction I wrote that won 3rd prize in a fiction competition recently:

—

(Click for image source)

Drip…drip…drip… Water from the leaking tap beats a steady rhythm in the basin. In its aluminium depths, he sees the scowling reflection of his wife, hears her admonishment:

“You were supposed to fix the tap last month.”

But a leaky faucet is the least of his worries. Months of redundancy have drained the dregs of their savings.

—

The full story is available here at Pixelhose.com.

Check out the other entries here!

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

Blood Orchids by Toby Neal

Hawaii is palm trees, black sand and blue water—but for policewoman Lei Texeira, there’s a dark side to paradise.

Lei has overcome a scarred past to make a life for herself as a cop in the sleepy Big Island town of Hilo. On a routine patrol she finds two murdered teenagers—one of whom she’d recently busted. With its echoes of her own past, the murdered girl’s harsh life and tragic death affect Lei deeply. She becomes obsessed—even as the killer is drawn to Lei’s intensity, feeding off her vulnerabilities and toying with her sanity.

Despite her obsession with the case and fear that she’s being stalked, Lei finds herself falling in love for the first time. Steaming volcanoes, black sand beaches and shrouded fern forests are the backdrop to Lei’s quest for answers—and the stalker is closer than she can imagine, as threads of the past tangle in her future. Lei is determined to find the killer—but he knows where to find her first.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review

Having been brought up on crime novels, I can be a bit particular about books in the genre. With the genre saturated with middle-aged, white male detectives with failed marriages and a penchant for the bottle, few protagonists in crime novels are memorable enough for me to sit up and take notice of them.

Lei Texeira is one such protagonist. Far from being just a pretty face (and a pretty name!), Leilani Texeira is a plucky, intrepid policewoman haunted by her past. Driven and ambitious, Lei aspires to ditch her uniform to become a detective, but her impulsive initiative and stubbornness can sometimes land her in more trouble than she can handle. A strong and kick-butt heroine in a genre populated by male detectives, Lei nevertheless has a vulnerable side, as she struggles to let go of her past as a victim of child abuse. Ms. Neal’s background as a mental health therapist definitely helped in portraying a determined but troubled character, adding realism and depth to a complex and compelling heroine.

Now to the story: Blood Orchids centres around the double murder of two high school girls. As officer Lei Texeira pursues the case, she herself is pursued by a stalker. The story is gripping, with heaps of action, and Ms. Neal did a fantastic job pacing the story, revealing nuggets of information one layer at a time. Whilst I mentally patted myself on the back when I correctly identified the killer, I certainly did not foresee that the story didn’t end there! No spoilers here, but suffice it to say that what I initially thought was a predictable read, became far from it in the end, and that Lei’s troubles were far from over!

Sure, at some points in the story, I did wonder, “Wow, what are the odds of all this misery befalling one single person?” But Ms. Neal’s fast-paced writing left me little time to stop and think as it sweeps me along, and her very vivid portrayal of Lei’s damaged psyche makes everything seem all the more believable.

With a riveting plot, intense action and drama, and vivid writing, what really made Blood Orchids for me, are the characters. Set in sunny and exotic Hawaii, Ms. Neal brings Big Island living to the masses with her rich portrayal of the island state’s diverse peoples and cultures: Native Hawaiians, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos… the occasional inclusion of pidgin English adds flavour to the story, bringing the setting to life. My favourite characters include Pono, Lei’s partner, and Keiki, Lei’s faithful Rottweiler. Lei’s budding romance with Detective Stevens made for some tender moments, and I am looking forward to seeing where their relationship will take them in the coming books — yes, there are other books in the making! Lei Texeira will be back, and I for one am looking forward to it!

If you enjoy a taut murder mystery with some Big Island flavour, if you like your heroines to be strong yet vulnerable, and if you enjoy your stories dark, but laced with hope, then Blood Orchids is definitely for you!

5 stars!

Click the purchase links above to grab your own copy! For more details about the book, for information on upcoming books in the Lei Crime Series, visit Toby Neal’s website.

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

The Backworlds, the first story in the Backworlds Series by blogger buddy M. Pax, released yesterday. It’s a vision of how humanity might colonise the galaxy some day in the distant future.

The Backworlds

After the war with Earth, bioengineered humans scatter across the Backworlds. Competition is fierce and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to hoard his fortune by destroying his son. Cut off from family and friends, with little money, and even less knowledge of the worlds beyond his own, Craze heads into an uncertain future. Boarding the transport to Elstwhere, he vows to make his father regret this day.

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords | Feedbooks

About the Author

M. Pax’s inspiration comes from the wilds of Oregon, especially the high desert where she shares her home with two cats and a husband unit. Creative sparks also come from Pine Mountain Observatory where she spend her summers working as a star guide. She writes mostly science fiction and fantasy, but confesses to an obsession with Jane Austen.

The sequel to The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge, will be released in July 2012. It will be available in all e-book formats and paperback.

Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

The Backworlds is a free read. Sign up for M. Pax’s mailing list to be notified the day it does go free on Amazon, and when the book becomes available at other outlets. You’ll also receive coupons for discounts on future publications.

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

Alison Stone visits my blog today to promote her contemporary inspirational romantic suspense, Random Acts. Here she is with an inspirational guest post on sticking it out.

5 Motivational Lines from My Favourite Books

by Alison Stone

Thank you, J.C., for hosting me on your blog. When I learned I could choose the topic, I sat at my desk and stared around my office. Hmm? What should I write about? I have been on a ten-day blog tour and this is day nine. I wondered what I could say that I haven’t already said. Then the many books lining the shelves in my office came into focus. All my wonderful books. An idea for a blog post began to gel. (See how this writing thing works? Sit and stew for long enough and eventually an idea will slam into you. Then, you immediately start questioning if this idea is the one you want to run with … but, I digress.)

Anyway, over the years, I’ve read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction. When I first got the idea that maybe I’d like to try my hand at writing, I needed a lot of encouragement. I had a background in engineering. Why did I think I could be a writer? So, I started reading self-help and motivational books—something I had never done before. But I was ready to learn. Soon many common themes presented themselves. How we think can really impact our lives and whether or not we succeed.

I’ve pulled five of my favorite books off the shelves and I’m going to share a few lines that stuck with me:

(1)   Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

“No man is ever whipped, until he QUITS—in his own mind.”

(2)   The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peal

“Go around telling yourself that things aren’t going well, that nothing is satisfactory, and you can be quite sure of being unhappy. But say to yourself, ‘Things are going nicely. Life is good. I choose happiness,’ and you can be quite certain of having your choice.”

(3)   Dare to Win by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hanson

“Your belief determines your action and your action determines your results. Better feedback from your results generally improves your attitude and future new results. But first you have to believe.”

(4)   The Right to Write by Julia Cameron

“The myth that we must have ‘time’—more time—in order to create is a myth that keeps us from using the time we do have. If we are forever yearning for ‘more,’ we are forever discounting what is offered.”

(5)   On Writing by Stephen King

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”

If you’re a writer, don’t waste as much time as I did trying to convince myself that I could actually write a book. Just get down to business. Do as Stephen King said, “…read a lot and write a lot…”

Sure, you might stumble. It’s going to be a lot of work. There will be rejection. But if you move forward with a positive attitude and confidence, you will eventually get to where you’re going. You may even be surprised by the destination.

Thanks again for having me, J.C.

About the Author

Growing up, Alison Stone never imagined becoming a writer. She enjoyed math and science and ultimately earned a degree in engineering. Go Yellow Jackets!

After the birth of her second child, Alison left Corporate America for full-time motherhood. She credits an advertisement for writing children’s books for sparking her interest in writing. She never did complete a children’s book, but she did have success writing articles for local publications.

Finally, Alison got up the nerve to try her hand at full-length fiction. After completing a handful of manuscripts, she sold her first book to Samhain Publishing in 2011, followed a few weeks later by a second sale.

Now, Alison has the best of both worlds. From her home office in Western New York, she writes fast-paced romantic suspense while her four children are in school. It never fails to amaze her how soon the afternoon bus arrives.

Contact: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

You can follow Alison on the rest of her tour here.

Random Acts

Second chances can have a terrible sense of timing.

As a child, watching her mother always pick the wrong man left Danielle Carson wary of opening her heart to anyone—except Patrick Kingsley. But circumstances came between them and left Danielle with a broken heart. Now she buries the pain of what might have been by channeling all her energy into her career. When a family crisis brings her back to her hometown, she is forced to face the past—and the disturbing fact that her sister’s car accident was staged to mask a brutal beating.

A police officer and widower, Patrick guards his heart as fiercely as he guards his beloved daughter. Seeing Danielle again unexpectedly reignites their old flame, but no way will he introduce a woman into his daughter’s life. Certainly not one whose values on faith and family are so different from his own.

Despite their best intentions, they are drawn together—until Danielle learns Patrick had a hand in putting her sister in harm’s way. Her fragile trust is crushed, but Patrick is the only man who can help her stop the villain before everything they both love is destroyed. Faith, family… and their second chance at forever. 

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Sony | Samhain Publishing

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer

TA-DAAAH!

Isn’t it pretty? Mr. Cheng’s Silver Coffeepot is the 2012 short story anthology from New Asian Writing, an independent press aiming to discover new writing talents from Asia. My Malaysian-inspired horror, Hantu: A Malaysian Ghost Story, is included! The book is currently available on Createspace, and should be available from Amazon shortly.

And now, back to our scheduled programme…

Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.

Today’s guest writer is:

Jeigh Meredith

What genres do you write?

I write YA fantasy. With action and smooching.

Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.

Girl with synesthesia can hear and use magical phoenix music.

What’s your ultimate goal as a writer?

I’m not gonna lie, I want my book to be huge. I don’t care if people know who I am, I just want to be like, “Oh, you wrote THAT book? I have the bedding set!” Also, I envision my books bringing about world peace.

How close are you to achieving this goal?

Uh … *cough* … still working on draft seven.

Any quirky writing habits?

I re-enact romantic tension scenes with my throw pillows, to make sure the way the characters are positioned is correct.

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer