How Not To Train a Zombie: The Virtual Book Tour

HOW NOT TO TRAIN A ZOMBIE!!

by Annie Rachel Cole

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BLURB:

How does a thirteen-year old become the most popular kid in 8th grade? He trains a zombie to be a pet... And that's exactly what Max Taylor plans to do, even if he had to lie, steal, and lose his best friend in the process.

“Training a zombie is not a stupid idea. Everyone will be so jealous and they’ll want one. But we’ll be the only ones who can train them. Not only will we be popular, but we’ll be rich,” said Max, quickly changing the conversation away from Kelly’s pool party as fast as he could. It irked him that Eddy Pratt, the geekiest kid in school got invited to the party and he, Kelly’s soon-to-be boyfriend, didn’t. How could Eddy Pratt be ranked higher than him on the school social ladder? How could Chad get invited and not him? It didn’t make any sense.

Max banged his fist against his head. It did too make sense. Eddy didn’t get invited because he was cool or anything like that. He got invited because his dad’s a zombie exterminator.

“Training a zombie like it’s some sort of pet is not only the most stupid idea I’ve ever heard, it won’t work. No way!” Chad opened his locker and put several books inside. “All you’re gonna do is break a whole lot of laws. Besides, I’ve already told Mr. Carter we’re doing an experiment to show how volcanos create islands.”

“And how is showing how volcanos create islands going to make up popular?”

“It’ll win us the science fair.”

“But if we train a zombie, we’ll not only win the science fair, we’ll be doing the town a huge favor.”

“How? By getting ourselves put in jail or worse like—you know—infected? No! Thank! You! There are rules about zombies for a reason. They are extremely infectious…”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I live in Texas with my husband, son, and two cats who think they run the place. I read, write, play Texas Hold’em poker (I'm actually part of a local league), and occasionally I compete in BBQ competitions with my husband. Our team name is Outcast Cookers. I also teach in a public school.

My likes include: a wide variety of music (see my play list for book 2 on my blog), Star Trek (My son got me a signed picture of Patrick Stewart which sits on my desk.), Star Wars, Grimm (TV series), winter (though we don’t have snow), the holiday season, coffee, hot tea (with cream and sweetener), pizza (no anchovies though), puzzles, Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, and JK Rowling.

http://annierachelcole.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/@AnnieRachelCole

http://pinterest.com/annierachelcole/

Buy Links

Amazon (Kindle):  http://www.amazon.com/How-NOT-Train-Zombie-ebook/dp/B00BEB2YEY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362452994&sr=8-2&keywords=how+not+to+train+a+zombie

Amazon Paperback:  http://www.amazon.com/Train-Zombie-Annie-Rachel-Cole/dp/1482348322/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1362452994&sr=8-2

Barnes and Noble (Nook):  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-not-to-train-a-zombie-annie-rachel-cole/1114502583?ean=2940016367675

KOBO:  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/How-NOT-to-Train-Zombie-/book-nbRfqNj2ZEevgBkikZAqag/page1.html?s=YYcFvJjQx0CvQ7y1XEUBPg&r=1

Want to win a $25 Gift card? Leave a comment with your email address and follow this blog for a chance to win!

Virtual Book Tour 24 Bones

24 Bones
Michael F. Stewart

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Supernatural Thriller

Publisher: Non Sequitur Press

ASIN: B00BGCQGNG

Number of pages: 305

Word Count:  85,000

Cover Artist: Martin Stiff of Amazing15

Amazon     Smashwords  

Book Description:

Every five hundred years the phoenix dies.

Samiya, born-into-shadow, is soon to battle her born-into-light brother. Abandoned by their parents, neither wishes to play the preordained role of beast and hero. When their loved ones are taken hostage, they are forced to follow the path laid out in myth, culminating in a battle first fought six thousand years ago in ancient Cairo. A mythic clash where one defeats the other and both become gods.

To break free from their fates, Samiya and her brother must unravel a mystery twisted by cults, greed, and magic. But myth is a powerful force and failure to live up to it may not only destroy their lives but the lives of the ones they love most.

When the phoenix dies, the only certainty is flames.

“Terrific! A successful blend of genres, complex and fascinating characters, and loads of suspense make 24 Bones a must-read.” Nate Kenyon, bestselling author of The Reach, Prime, Bloodstone, and The Bone Factory.

“'24 Bones' is a winning debut. It's well-written and well-plotted, studded with drama, action, history and mythology. There's even a little romance. The conclusion is thrilling with the final outcome of the battle between good and evil held over until the very end...leaving you guessing until that very last page.” SF Crowsnest.

In Medias Res and Pain

The part most writers often have to cut from their novels is the beginning. Often we start in the wrong spot. The rule of thumb for a scene is to start it as late as possible and end it as early as possible. You don’t want to write your way into or out of a scene. Instead, start in medias res, in the middle. The same is true to some degree for a book, which is a collection of scenes.

I had this problem in 24 BONES. I cut 15,000 words from the beginning. That hurt. It pays to pay attention in craft classes!

So what happened? Readers need to relate to someone—hopefully your protagonist. They need an ‘Alice’ to go down the rabbit hole with, to learn along with, and to draw them into the story. Think of role of Keanu in The Matrix. The woman in the movie actually had a white rabbit tattooed on her. Keanu followed her right down the rabbit hole and us with him. To bring readers along for the journey in 24 BONES, I felt I needed a North American ‘Alice’. So the novel actually began in Toronto with David discovering the stele upon which is inscribed the prophecy and more (forgive some of the writing that follows, it is an earlyish draft!).

The JetFuel latte from the local coffee shop cooled on the railing that divided the living and sleeping areas of David’s bachelor apartment. Carpet at one time white now stained ivory ran the length of the twenty by ten foot space. Wine had spilled in a spray pattern beside a large cardboard box stamped airmail, postmarked Egypt. A slim twenty-something with chocolate hair and coffee complexion gasped as she tried to speak.

David, whose wine glass had toppled from his meaty hand when he pulled books from the box, was far from speechless.

“What the fuck?” he cried. “Holy shit...do you know what this is?”

“Gold,” she stuttered over the ‘g’, eyes dancing over the bright sheen.

“Yeah, gold,” he replied, running his fingers across the writing stamped in it. David knew what this was worth and not just for the obvious weight of precious metal. Miranda should too, being in her fourth year of her Archeology degree. Demotic script was late in the scheme of ancient Egyptian writing and it would take some time for him to decipher it, but he could and he would. He flipped it over, Miranda shoved her hands beneath to catch it as if gold could somehow shatter. More writing inscribed the back.

“Looks like a list,” he mumbled. Stele were often used as lists. “What could be so valuable that you’d make a list inscribed in gold?”

Later I realized that readers are smarter than that, my assumption was wrong, and decided I could get to the real story a lot faster if I began the novel in Egypt. Instead of having to slog through eight chapters of setup and throwaway action scenes, 24 BONES now opens in medias res. It’s four weeks until Akhet, the ancient Egyptian lunar New Year, and the ascendance of the gods!

So, writers, before you have to go and cut 15,000 words, be sure to consider whether you’re starting the novel in the right spot!

About the Author:

After crewing ships in the Antarctic and the Baltic Sea and some fun in venture capital, Michael anchored himself (happily) to a marriage and a boatload of kids. Now he injects his adventurous spirit into his writing with brief respites for research into the jungles of Sumatra and Guatemala, the ruins of Egypt and Tik’al, paddling the Zambezi and diving whatever cave or ocean reef will have him. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers and SF Canada, and the author of the Assured Destruction series, 24 Bones, The Sand Dragon, Hurakan, Ruination and several award winning graphic novels for young adults.

www.michaelfstewart.com

https://twitter.com/MichaelFstewart

http://www.facebook.com/mikefstewart

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2969126.Michael_F_Stewart

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6567858-24-bones

Want to win a copy of 24 Bones? Leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win an e-copy!

Flirting With Fangs Virtual Tour

Flirting with Fangs

Peg Pierson

Vampire romance novelist Bailey Hamilton thinks her life is over. Her two-timing husband dumped her, she has a paralyzing case of writers’ block, and her big toe is bleeding.

Torin Kane, fictional Vampire Hero, is miserable. Chapter after chapter he has battled dragons, demons, and despicable villains, but his secret desire is to find true love and a tan. 

With a twist of fate, their worlds collide. A magical teardrop summons Torin to life. And Bailey finds herself face to face, with quite literally, the man of her dreams….                      

What Reviewers Are Saying About Flirting with Fangs:

“Peg Pierson truly brings her hero to life with this fantastically funny vampire tale. I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next. I’m still holding my sides from laughing so much while reading this story. If the next adventure is only half as funny it will well be worth reading.” ~Night Owl Reviews

“I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. I enjoyed the wild tale of romance, terror, and undying love. She has a very interesting imagination and can summon up horrors Stephen King wouldn't think to put together in one book.”

~ Kathy F at The Romance Studio

Excerpt:

“Don’t move,” Bailey said with her blow dryer poised over the stranger’s head. “How did you get in here? Huh?” She was wrapped in a towel and wet tresses clung to her flushed cheeks.

The intruder pulled himself to a sitting position. He had the most amazing eyes she’d ever seen. They sparkled like dark jewels, and his long lashes were worthy of a mascara commercial.

“Pardon me, m’lady. I mean you no harm.”

“What the hell are you doing in my bathroom?” Bailey raised the blow dryer higher.

“I beg your forgiveness, but I have no memory of entering this….ah…what did you call this chamber? The bathroom?”

In the back of her mind Bailey wondered why she was kneeling next to a potential criminal instead of dialing 911. But somehow, even though he had scared the bejeezes out of her at first, once she was near him, all fear melted away.  Some inner voice convinced her he was not a threat to her safety. Although by the looks of him, he could be a huge threat to her recent celibacy. Whoever this man was, he was drop-dead gorgeous, and Bailey found her thoughts sprinting off into the forgotten erotic section of her cerebrum.

He needed to lose the outfit though. With knee high boots, a ruffled shirt and the long black cape he looked like he just stepped out of a B movie. Or off the cover of a romance novel?

                And something about those captivating eyes, and his noble aura, seemed familiar. Very familiar.

                Eyeing him suspiciously, Bailey asked, “Who are you?”

                “I am Torin Kane, dark warrior of Night Temptations.”

Bailey’s blow dryer clattered to the tile floor. And so did Bailey.

Peg Pierson Movies

We all need some down time during the holidays. My suggestion…A Vampire Movie! Here’s a list of my top ten favorite vampire flicks. Fangs and Kisses, Peg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(1979_film) Frank Langela is in my opinion the sexiest Dracula ever. The movie has great tone and watch what he does with his eyes. It’s not special effects, he moves his eyeballs!

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_the_Vampire This is fun and different. John Malkovich is great.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interview_with_the_Vampire  One if the most beautiful vampire films ever. And Tom Cruise is perfect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fright_Night I like the re-make too, but this original has a terrific Jerry and Roddy McDowell adds a special likable underdog. Trust me if you like the new one you will love this!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_Boys Funny and scary, yes a bit campy but just wonderful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer_%28film%29 Sorry. I just like it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade:_Trinity Ryan Reynolds. Enough said.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld_%28film_series%29 Dark and sexy I love all these films. I love having a chance to watch a female vamp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Dusk_till_Dawn George Clooney is mouthwatering in this as a super bad boy. Crazy good acting in this off the wall movie. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker%27s_Dracula Gary Oldman gives Dracula the most depth of any movie about the fanged icon.

Thanks for stopping by today!!!  

About the Author:

Peg Pierson is a full-fledged Fang Fanatic and slightly deranged Halloween Enthusiast, with a closet full of plywood coffins, an assortment of plastic dismembered body parts, and of course…skeletons.

Currently, she lives in Minnesota and is busily typing away on a new paranormal comedy. Along with vampires, she loves her family, pecan kringle, and a good laugh.

Please visit her at www.flirtingwithfangs.com

https://twitter.com/PegPierson