Double the Fun Giveaway – Witches I & II by Kathryn Meyer Griffith @KathrynG64

Posted on October 24, 2017 by fundinmental

A perfect story to share for HALLOWEEN.

Kathryn Meyer Griffith writes some fantastic stories that I love and she has just come out with the sequel to Witches. It can be bought individually or in this special edition of both stories…and is available at a fantastic price of $7.99 in Kindle, OR, the original WITCHES is ON SALE for the first time ever, for the rest of this month at $2.99 instead of the usual $5.99.

Be sure and scroll down for the great giveaway and Kathryn’s fun question.

Here’s looking at you…

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

MY REVIEW FOR WITCHES I

A curse, reincarnation, familiars, a battle between good and evil, Witches by Kathryn Meyer Griffith is loaded with many witch things that tease and titillate your paranormal and supernatural desires.

I have been watching Charmed (a TV series) reruns for a long time now, so it is easy to visualize all the going on, from familiars to scrying to all the powers needed for the battle coming Amanda’s way.

Amanda is a good witch and a good person, lonely since the death of her husband. She has her family and some friends in her isolated surroundings and she will need them. The selfless love she spreads and gives to others freely, asking for nothing in return makes me feel she deserves only the best.

The familiars are faithful companions and can be amusing at time. I couldn’t help but laugh at Tibby, a mouse familiar. I can see him throwing his little paws in the air in frustration.

Murders.

It will be Amanda and her familiar, Amadeus, against the diabolical cult that is killing the residents of Canaan. She is a bit naive, unwilling to believe the danger that stalks her and I want to be with her, fighting at her side, making things right for her.

The witch hunt puts a target on her back and it is worse than she thought. The battle between good and evil will take all she has to survive.

The sense of evil and foreboding of what is to come was present from the opening pages. The grisly murders, the impromptu storms, and the death and destruction run rampant in Canaan.

I didn’t see the direction Kathryn would take for this unusual witch’s tale and the world I would be in. Her vivid descriptions and detailed, complex characters make me love and hate them…but Amanda…

The terrible things Kathryn puts her through come alive on the pages. She is not afraid to make her characters suffer, sometimes killing them off, making me love her writing, because I have to stay on my toes and be ready for the surprises she will spring on me.

The writing is outstanding, but I am not surprised by Kathryn’s ability to bring this magical world to life, making me devour the words, unable to stop, wanting to know…

Kathryn Meyer Griffith takes WITCHES to a whole new level, keeping the suspense rising,the pacing constant. I am anxious, curious, surprised, amazed, fearful, and terrified as I read of Amanda and those around her, as demons and black magic rise and good magic fights back.

5 Stars

MY REVIEW FOR WITCHES II

I do not want to spoil the fun, though I took a lot of notes, I discarded most of them.

I loved Amanda’s belief that trees could tell the past…and sometimes the future. Amanda is a white witch and a Guardian. When she talks of poofing in and out, it made me think of Charmed, the TV show, and orbing. Because I became familiar to the supernatural world through Charmed and Supernatural, it enabled me to visualize so much of the story almost making it seem real.

The characters have one foot in the real world and the other in the supernatural world. Talk about having a tough life.

A feeling of something terrible coming and not all my friends will make it out alive hovers over the pages. Kathryn makes me fall in love with her characters…then she kills them off, so be forewarned.

“You look like a black smurf.” Amanda tells her sister, Rebecca, who is dressed all in black.

“And you, Amanda darling, look like the good witch Glinda from the Wizard of Oz in that cream colored outfit.” They chitchat as they get ready for ‘the party.’

The last time she’d followed her sister into a crowd of witches, she’d ended up drinking a little too much and flying races on fake broomsticks. I can picture it with the great writing that takes me to that special place I love to dwell.

Kathryn Meyer Griffith has a way with words, bringing her characters and their world to life in vivid detail. WOW! Loaded with action, suspense, creativity, world building, and character development that had me eating it up.

It may be possible for Witches II to stand alone, but I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning. The story is told, but could there be a Witches III?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Witches II by Kathryn Meyer Griffith.

5 Stars

BLURB FROM KATHRYN MEYER GRIFFITH

Short Blurb: Two witch books in one: Witches is about a white witch who is pulled back to the 17th century to change history. Witches II: Apocalypse continues her story and is about all the white wiccans of the world trying to save the earth and humanity from a global apocalypse.

ABOUT KATHRYN MEYER GRIFFITH

Since childhood I’ve been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over forty-five years ago now, and have had twenty-six (six romantic horror, four thrillers, three horror novels, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance and eight murder mysteries) previous novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published from many traditional publishers since 1984. But since 2012 I’ve gone into self-publishing in a big way; and upon getting some of my older books’ full rights back for the first time in 33 years, have self-published all of them along with my newer novels. My four Dinosaur Lake novels and four Spookie Town Mysteries (Scraps of Paper, All Things Slip Away, Ghosts Beneath Us and Witches Among Us) are my best-sellers.

I’ve been married to Russell for thirty-nine years; have a son and two grandchildren and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois. We have a quirky cat, Sasha, and the three of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk/classic rock singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.

2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *Finalist* for her horror novel The Last Vampire ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS * Finalist * for her thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

*All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s books can now also be found in paperbacks and audio books.

Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:

Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forged, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire (2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Horror category), Witches, The Nameless One erotic horror short story, The Calling, Scraps of Paper (The First Spookie Town Murder Mystery), All Things Slip Away (The Second Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Ghosts Beneath Us (The Third Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Witches Among Us (The Fourth Spookie Town Murder Mystery),Egyptian Heart, Winter’s Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don’t Look Back, Agnes, A Time of Demons and Angels, The Woman in Crimson, Human No Longer, Four Spooky Short Stories Collection, Forever and Always Romantic Novella, Night Carnival Short Story, Dinosaur Lake (2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Thriller/Adventure category), Dinosaur Lake II: Dinosaurs Arising and Dinosaur Lake III: Infestation, Dinosaur Lake IV: Dinosaur Wars, Memories of My Childhood (short story collection) and Christmas Magic 1959 short story.

Stalk Kathryn

Twitter / Blog / Facebook / AuthorsDen / Goodreads / YouTube

Smashwords / Pinterest

GIVEAWAY

Kathryn Meyer Griffith has a fabulous giveaway offer. Three (3) winners, 3 of the Witches’ double eBooks in any format, ePub,mobi or pdf. Just answer Kathryn’s ghostly question:

If you had the chance to go into a REAL HAUNTED HOUSE, would you, and what would you take inside with you?

Giveaway ends 11.2.17

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. Winners – Chrys, E Michael and Yvonne.

MY REVIEWS FOR KATHRYN MEYER GRIFFITH

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Pink Lock Picks by Carla Rehse @CRehse @YABoundToursPR

Posted on September 4, 2017 by fundinmental

Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats
by Carla Rehse
Genre: YA
Release Date: July 24th 2017

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old homecoming queen, Gracie Mason, is a budding burglar.

While attempting her inaugural break-in, Gracie blacks out and wakes up far away from the scene. It turns out she accidentally intruded on a male witch’s “circle of power,” and now she’s bonded to him for life.

Gracie quickly learns that dissolving the bond with Asher, admittedly a very handsome and charming witch, is more complicated than she initially thought. To break the bond, Gracie must delve deeper into a society of witches that involves a secret club, a shadowy council, and all sorts of magical mischief. And right when it seems things can’t get any worse, witches start turning up dead.

It’s clear that Gracie is out of her depth as her quest to sever the bond magically turns into a murder investigation. But if Gracie and Asher don’t quickly uncover the killer, they might be next on the list.

Buy on Amazon
for only $0.99 until 9/9!

Excerpt:

~One~

New Hobbies

Daddy told me
years ago that to succeed in life I need a strong plan, the right tools, and
the gumption to follow through. His words of wisdom helped me get elected
homecoming queen, become co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and voted on the
student council. Now I plan to use them to help me pull off my first burglary.

My plan is solid. I’ve also never backed
down from a challenge, not even last year when Brittany Thomas became overly
friendly with the entire football team in a sad attempt to deprive me of my
crown. People say I started the rumor about the rash of STD cases spreading
through the boys’ locker room faster than a brush fire. I didn’t, of course.
Why start gossip when the squad of doctors from the local Health Department did
it for me?

I take a deep breath as I enter the
Trinity Building. At almost four o’clock on a Friday before a three-day
weekend, the place is deader than a PTA meeting. It helps that today is the
hottest July first on record for Central Texas and the air conditioning in this
building is dismally subpar. The Trinity Corporation may claim to have the most
upscale rental space in town, but one look at the gold leopard granite floor
paired with peach-painted walls shows that’s a downright fib.

The only guard on duty leans back in his
chair and sucks down a Sonic Route 44 Coke like his life depends on it. I wave
as I pass the security desk, wearing a megawatt smile and fully confident in
the strength of my lavender-scented Lavanila deodorant—vegan, of course. Deputy
Dawg gives me his usual perv stare before returning to the comic book balanced
on his knee.

Centex Therapy, LPC occupies most of the
first floor office space. A small bell tinkles when I open the frosted glass
door. What decorum the overall building lacks, the waiting room has in spades.
Brown leather chairs sit on a bamboo rug and pastel paintings from local artists
brighten the walls. A tall grandfather clock in the corner softly chimes four
times. This late on a Friday means the room is empty of other patients.
Perfect.

Jane, the receptionist, fans herself
with a copy of Country Living.
“Cutting it awfully close, Gracie. Go on in.”

Dr. McDozzle gives me a pained smile as
I enter the room.

“Good afternoon, Miss Mason. Have a
seat.” For a head shrinker, he’s incredibly formal. And a non-Texan, who hates
football and sweet tea. I haven’t learned much more about him in the last month,
but that’s enough to get him tarred and feathered if word got out.

The leather recliner squeaks when I sit
down. “Thanks for seeing me on a Friday, Doc.” I twirl a strand of newly
highlighted platinum hair around my finger. It goes wonderful with my bubblegum
pink manicure. “Mr. Anderson, Daddy’s new lawyer, is now insisting I have two
sessions a month with you. Of course, Mama’s lawyer says once a month is just
fine, seeing how I’m such a well-adjusted high school senior and all. Almost a
senior, I guess, since school’s not started.”

Dr. McDozzle straightens his glasses.
“Yes, well, your parents do seem to have quite the barrage of attorneys
involved in their divorce. Have you worked on the homework I gave you during
our last session?”

This is such a waste of time. My parents
have spent the last five years embroiled in a divorce dirtier than a greased
pig-wrestling contest. Both sides of the family have more money than sense,
much to the delight of every lawyer in the tri-county area. Not that I want my
parents to get back together. Anytime they’re within spitting distance of each
other, the tension between them gives me a migraine. Besides, if they hadn’t
split up, I never would’ve met Ben.

Ben’s the son of Daddy’s ex-girlfriend.
Until four months ago, they all lived together in Daddy’s condo. Ben is a
sophomore at the local college and is truly hot, in a geeky, stud muffin, save-the-world,
kinda way. Crushing on my almost stepbrother might seem a bit sketchy, but it’s
legal—I Googled it twice.

Which means it’s time to start step one
in my Get Ben Plan.

I toss my hair over my shoulder before
pulling out a pink glitter notebook from my Eiffel Tower-shaped mini-purse.

“You wanted me to write down my feelings
about my parents’ shared custody thing. Honestly, I don’t understand why the
lawyers are so panty twisted about me spending a week with Mama and the next
with Daddy. It means I get double the wardrobe. Hello? What girl would say no
to that? It’s way better than Heather’s situation. I told you about her last time,
I think. The girl with the hideous frizzed-out curls but drives a cute BMW Z4
roadster? Anyway, her parents are
insane.” I continue a steady stream of babble until Dr. McDozzle’s eyes glaze
over.

There’s no clocks in the room, but Dr.
McDozzle keeps checking his watch. I’m sure the poor man created a nice therapy
plan for me, but I’ve completely derailed it. Mama always says a girl has many
tools to choose from in her arsenal—perfectly curled hair, well-placed boobs,
and endless chatter are my faves. Besides, Daddy’s been paying therapists a
fortune for years to show the divorce court how concerned he is about me. Dr.
McDozzle’s earning his car payment today.

I snap
my notebook shut and sit up straight. “Thanks, Doc. I feel so much better.
Maybe I should go to the reflection bench for a spell?”

He nearly
trips over himself to hustle me out to the courtyard in the center of the
building. The concrete patio surrounded by four walls radiates enough heat to
grill a steak, not that I eat meat anymore. Ben’s a founding member of the
Texas Animal Army Movement, which preaches a vegan lifestyle and the rescue of
abused animals.

Dr.
McDozzle wipes at the sweat running down his reddening face. “You have fifteen
minutes until the doors are locked for the weekend. We’ll continue our, uh …
conversation next time. Jane will email you with an appointment date.”

I sit
down on the edge of the bench. My hot pink and black-checked miniskirt is mucho cute, but doesn’t offer my thighs
much protection from blistering plastic. “Will do, Doc. Enjoy your holiday.”

He
leaves with a quiet sigh. During our first session, I blathered for a solid
forty minutes while barely taking a breath. Daddy says I’d make a natural
politician. In desperation, Dr. McDozzle hit on the idea of the “reflection
bench” out here. He’s not really a bad therapist, but I only chose him ‘cause
his practice is in the Trinity Building.

My
iPhone beeps a two-minute warning. I head inside. The lights appear off at
Centex Therapy. I hotfoot it to the Ladies’ room across the hall. It’s not the
most sanitary place to wait until the coast is clear, but I brought
santi-wipes.

I scroll
through my photo album to pass the time. Ben has an entire folder dedicated to
him. When he and his mom first moved in with Daddy, I thought he was an
obnoxious douche with his constant sermons about how humans are destroying the
environment and enslaving animals.

After a
few stormy months, I shut my trap and listened to him. Ben knows what he wants
out of his life and is determined to get it. I’ve never met anyone so brave and
determined.

So, I
gave up meat, and threw out my makeup in favor of vegan-only skincare lines.
Now, I can’t live without my fuchsia metallic lip tar from Obsessive Compulsive
Cosmetics. I even got Barksie, my cream-colored, toy Yorkiedoodle, on an
all-natural diet. I haven’t gone all cray cray and converted Barksie to a
vegetarian, but it is my responsibility as a pet parent to ensure he gets the
least processed food available.

Fate is
a true bitch, though. Just as I realized Ben was The One, Daddy decided his mom
wasn’t. Now, Ben and his mom live across the city in a tiny apartment and Daddy
is dating Whitney, who really knows how to put the “w” into witch.

Ben’s
gone through a lot of turmoil lately. Not only did he move to a new zip code,
but also his girlfriend of two years dumped him. Sad for him, but perfect for
me. I now have the chance to catch his attention.

My plan?
Simple. To get information that really means something to Ben. He’s too soulful
to be distracted by short skirts and tight shirts; trust me I’ve tried. No, I
need to prove I’m a true partner in his cause—rescuing abused animals.

The
mission: break into the office on the fifth floor of this building.

Labpartners,
Inc. sounds like an innocent enough company. In truth, their office owns two
huge warehouses that supply care products for lab animals. All I need to do is
break in, riffle through their files until I find their mailing list. And then
I can hand over a list of every animal broker they sell to. Ben will be so
stoked. Not only will we know who’s raising the poor bunnies to be tortured,
we’ll also know where their labs are.

Footsteps
ring in the hall. I duck into the last stall with my heart hammering against my
ribs. As expected, the security officer cracks open the door. “Anyone in here?”
He waits a few seconds before turning off the light and shutting the door.

Too bad
my bestie is on vacation, ‘cause no one’s better at creating a diversion than
Abigail. And my usual wheelwoman, Seraphina, is also out of the country.
Without my girls, I had no choice but to recon the building last Friday in my
cheerleading outfit under the guise of seeking new sponsors for the school’s
booster club. The Lanier Day Spa actually agreed. I need to remember to tell
Coach Sanders. Mr. Smith, the accountant, offered me his cell phone number so
we could discuss my college plans, as long as I don’t call on the weekend when
his wife is home.

Five
video games later and my phone buzzes a warning. It’s six o’clock, time to get
started. Conventional wisdom might say a burglar needs to dress in black and
wait until midnight to do the deed, but screw that. If I get caught, all I need
is a few tears about getting locked in and a weak cell signal. Besides, who’s
gonna believe I’m a thief in Michael Kors wedges and pearls?

Time for
step two.

Most of
the security cameras I’ve seen are focused around the elevators. I head toward
the stairs next to my therapist’s office. None of the doors to the stairs have
alarms, or at least the SWAT team has never jumped me for using them before.
After climbing three flights, with two more to go, I’m seriously rethinking my
choice of footwear. And what the heck is the smell in here? The Trinity
Corporation really needs to change janitorial services.

At the
fifth floor, I’m forced to take a breather for a few minutes. My heart is
pounding and my knees shake. Thanks to my daily kickboxing routine, I know it’s
not due to poor fitness. Once I leave this stairwell, I’m committed. Should I
really do this? Then I think of Ben in his cute glasses and cargo shorts.

Hells yeah, I’m doing this.

I edge
open the door, cringing at the squeak. The hall is dim with security lights
mounted on the walls offering the only illumination. Four quick steps and I
enter a dark breakroom. The Coke machine chooses this moment to kick in,
startling me into swallowing my gum. Too gross.

The room
has a well-used appearance to it. I scanned it last week under the pretense of
a desperate PMS need for a Snickers. The soda and candy machines are crammed
along one wall. Across from them is a small table holding an icky microwave
splattered with the Ghost of TV Dinners Past and a coffee pot missing its
carafe.

Businesses
have come and gone in the building. This wasn’t always a breakroom, since the
microwave table blocks a door leading into Labpartners, Inc. When the nice
receptionist let me in last week, I spied the other side of this door. A potted
palm tree tried to hide it.

I shove
the table to the side. My knees are still shaking, but my hands are steady as I
retrieve the hot pink lock picking kit I bought online for $12.99. It even came
with a brochure, though it warned its customers not to use the product for
criminal deeds. After watching a few online videos, I spent a week roaming
around Mama’s house, practicing my skills. The front door gave me some fits at
first, but I opened the cupboard in the hallway where she hides her erotic
novels and European chocolates without a hitch.

Daddy
gave me a faux diamond encrusted pocket light for Christmas three years ago. I
balance it in my mouth, while I bend down to work on the door lock.

Footsteps
sound in the hall. The flashlight tumbles from my mouth, and I freeze rabbit
still. Ringing in my ears makes it hard to determine if the footsteps are
coming toward me or moving away. Should I replace the table and bluff my way
out or quickly open the door? Is it the security officer or some dimwitted,
no-life office worker?

Damn it. Make a decision.

Opening
the door, it is.

It’s a
simple generic lock. I can do this. The footsteps stop and then start again. I
balance the flashlight on the microwave table and aim it at the lock before
inserting a tension wrench into the keyhole. I turn the wrench, then insert the
pick, hoping I can rake the lock pins up. I try the handle. It doesn’t move.
Freaking fantastic.

Sweat
dots my forehead as I listen for footsteps. Someone’s close by, muttering
something in a singsong fashion. Italian, maybe? I use a wider pick on the lock
to try again, though a voice in my head loudly tells me to stop. The door still
won’t open, and I want to throw the tension wrench across the room.

Why
won’t it work? I can tell the pins in the lock are moving. It should freaking work. The Italian singing in
the hall gets louder, more like chanting. Stomach acid burns a strip up my
throat. I’m failing, and I don’t do failure.

I stare
at my kit, unsure of which pick to use, before acquiescing defeat. My
concentration is blown due to the idiot outside. Ben’s adulation will have to
wait for another day. I edge my way to the door and peek outside. Some guy in a
dark hoodie is kneeling and sprinkling something on the floor. If he’s the
cleaning crew, no wonder this place is a mess.

His back
is to me, giving me the opportunity to sneak across the hall to the stairway. I
step outside and my shoe skids across chalky powder. I flail my arms, eyes
going wide.

A bright
blue flash blinds me and then there’s nothing.

About the Author

Although not a native Texan, Carla prides herself on having mastered the correct usage of “y’all” and “bless your heart.”

Carla is owned by a persnickety kitty, who rules the computer keyboard and only allows Carla to write when demands for cat treats are met.

Author Links:

Carla Rehse Interview

Tell us a little about your main character.

Gracie is rather complicated.
She’s trying to figure out what she wants in life, like a lot of seventeen-year
olds. She also has a strong sense of loyalty and a fuzzy moral compass.

Gracie is the person you’d want in the foxhole with you, as she’d do anything to get everyone out alive.

What actors/actresses do you envision for a Hollywood adaption of your book?

Gracie: Griffin Arnlund

Asher: Dylan Sprayberry

Willow: India Eisley

Uncle Jonah: Matt Bonner

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m very much a plotter. I have a “storyboard” wall in my office with three chalkboards for outlines, plot threads, and characters. It helps me to be visual.

How many books have you written? Published?

I’ve written 5 books, but Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats is the first to be published.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a sequel: Pink Duct Tape and Glittery Broomsticks

And a fun question, what crazy thing do you want to do?

I want to touch a penguin. I have no idea why, but they fascinate me.

Lastly, where can readers find you?

I’m on twitter at @CRehse. You can also find updates on my website: carlarehse.com

From 9-3-17 to 9-9-17, Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats
will be on sale for $.99.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Polar Day by Julie Flanders ~ Giveaway, Interview & Excerpt

Posted on February 20, 2015 by fundinmental

VBT_TourBanner_PolarDay

I am excited to be sharing Polar Day by Julie Flanders today.

I love learning about characters and Danny has graced us with his presence.

Take it away, Danny.

Hello and thank you for hosting me today! I appreciate the opportunity to be featured on your blog. I always enjoy character interviews so I am sharing an interview with my Polar Day protagonist, Danny Fitzpatrick. I previously shared an interview with the antagonist Jamie Dzubenko over at UnabridgedAndra, so I thought I would ask Danny the same questions I asked Jamie.

Character Interview with Danny Fitzpatrick

What can you tell us about your family?

I don’t really have a family anymore. I was an only child who was raised by my mother, but she is dead. I used to be married, but my wife Caroline was murdered a few years ago in Chicago, my hometown. Those two were my family and they’re both gone. I do have a dog now though, a mutt named Sox. I guess he’s my family.

What about friends? Do you have a surrogate family?

I don’t know that I’d call her a surrogate family member but I am friends with my partner Tessa Washington. She’s a loner like me so we get along well together. I’m also friends with a librarian I met while working the Aleksei Nechayev case over the winter. Her name is Amanda. I guess you could say Amanda and I are friends with benefits.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a homicide detective for the Fairbanks police department.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A cop

What are you passionate about?

Stopping murderers and other monsters

What do you hate?

Murderers and monsters. Namely, I hate Aleksei Nechayev and I hate the man who was my partner when I was a detective in Chicago. He’s the man who murdered my wife.

If you had to choose one word to describe yourself what would it be?

Bitter

If time travel was possible, would you go to the past or to the future?

To the past, but not too far back. I’d just go back to when Caroline was still alive. I’d make sure she wasn’t home the night my former partner came to our apartment and slit her throat.

Do you have a favorite book?

Not really. I’m not much of a reader.

How about music. What songs do you enjoy?

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen, Love Stinks by the J. Geils Band, Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, I Am a Rock by Simon & Garfunkel, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door by Guns & Roses

Add me to Goodreads now.

Polar Day

by Julie Flanders

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB

The midnight sun bakes Fairbanks, Alaska as residents gather for the annual summer solstice baseball game. Amidst the revelry and raucous shouts of “Play ball,” a spark alights and a jogger bursts into flames. Detective Danny Fitzpatrick, still reeling from his near death at the hands of vampire Aleksei Nechayev, watches in horror as the man burns alive.

Someone is burning Fairbanks and its residents and leaving nothing but smoldering embers behind. As the city sweats under a record-breaking heatwave and unexplained fires claim more victims, Danny and his colleagues struggle to find an arsonist who can conjure fire out of thin air.

To Danny’s horror, the only one who may be able to help him stop the arsonist is his nemesis Nechayev. Will the vampire help in the hunt for a witch?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Danny flipped through the channels, stopping when he came to a Seattle Mariners game that had gone in to extra innings. They were playing the White Sox in Chicago and Danny felt a slight tug at his heartstrings as the familiar sight of Cellular Field filled the flat screen television. The time difference made it difficult for him to catch Sox games live. It was a welcome surprise to find one that was lasting so long into the Chicago night that he could watch it live as it happened.

It was dark in Chicago, but of course the sun was still high in the sky here in this strange frontier he had chosen as his new home. He squinted from the sun beaming through the window and cursed himself for not shutting the blinds before he sat back down. Next time he got up for a beer he would need to do that.

Danny rested his hand on his dog’s head as he finished one beer and started another, the bottles now lining up on the end table beside him. His eyes grew bleary as Sox’s gentle snoring mingled with the sounds of the faraway baseball game. When yet another inning ended and the game went to a commercial, Danny closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the couch.

The noise of the television grew fainter as he slipped into sleep and his mind flashed images of fangs and bloodless bodies in an endless landscape of snow. As Danny drifted farther into unconsciousness, the snow was overtaken by fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AuthorPhoto_PolarDay Julie Flanders is a librarian by day and a writer all the rest of the time. She is also a television show addict with a particular fondness for Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead and a slightly obsessive sports fan who cheers for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds. Julie is an animal lover and animal rescue advocate who shares her home with her rescued dog and cat. She has written about the joys of pets for outlets such as Cat Fancy, Thrive in Life, and Best Friends Animal Society. Visit Julie at julieflanders.net.