E-book
Moonflower by E.D.C. Johnson Interview and $0.99 Sale Promo!!!
Moonflower
E.D.C. Johnson
Moonflower Trilogy #1
Release Date: March 29, 2013
ISBN: 978-1476232003
ASIN: B00CIE5P4C
Summary:
After Josephine Woods’ father dies of cancer, her mother up-roots the two of them and moves to the city. Josie hates her city life, but her teenage issues are of little consequence when they have a car accident and she wakes up in a strange land (reminiscent of Victorian Europe) alone. Lost, with her school backpack as the only connection to her world, Josie struggles to find her way home. She is found by Lucius Conrí, the son of a Marquess, who possesses royal blood and the gift to shift into a wolf’s form at will. Can the kind-hearted Lucius help her find her way while winning her love, or will she fall for Donovan Conrí his older, more serious brother and heir to the Conrí wealth?
ON SALE JAN. 30rd – FEB. 5th!!!
Starting Jan 30th (12:00am PST) til Feb. 2nd (11:59pm PST) you can purchase this book via Amazon for $0.99. The ebook is normally $4.99 so your looking at a massive discount (about 80% to give you a ball park est.)
Then, on Feb. 3rd at 12:00am PST the price will go up to $1.99 (still a pretty good deal if you ask me). That deal will go on until the 5th of Febuaray. Obviously, the earlier you purchase the book, the more you save!
Interview with the Author
(Interview provided by Author E.D.C. Johnson)
1) First, tell us about yourself – where you live, your family, and those sorts of details.
I live with my husband and 5 month old daughter in Palm Harbor, Florida. I’m a transplant from Michigan, but relish in the sunny weather. Before my daughter arrived my two dogs, a 5lb. Chihuahua and an 75lb. lab mix, had all of my attention. Well, at least what energy I had left after coming home from hundreds of children as a public school art teacher.
2) How long have you been writing?
I have enjoyed writing ever since I was in grade school (I even won a Young Author Award). I was told I had a talent for it by teachers, but never really gave it any consideration as a career—until now. And, of course, going through college to get my Bachelors and Masters degrees involved a great deal of writing. Art theory is one of my favorite parts of what I do and expressing your ideas in writing is essential.
3) Do you have a favorite place to write?
<sheepish smile>
Well, my favorite place to write is in bed. After all the hustle and bustle of the day is over I can truly focus on what is flowing out of my mind. Night is the most creative time of the day for me. The story unfolds like a daydream or movie in my head. I fell obligated to give public safety announcement though and say that writing in bed is horrible for your neck and back.
4) Why did you decide to write Moonflower?
It may seem cliche, but it came to me in a daydream. Right before I was about to fall asleep I imagined this scenario and it began to play like a movie in my mind. Then I incorporated my favorite necklace into the idea. It is made of moonstone. This then made me wonder if there was an actual moonflower, and, well, the rest is history.
5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
I’m going to have to choose someone other than the main characters. Even though I like them all it just seems so predictable. That being said, I would have to pick Konrad the old alchemist that acts as mentor and tutor to Lucius Conrí. I can picture him so clearly. He is brilliant, yet disheveled. But when it comes down to it he is like an old oak. Konrad is wise from his years of life and strong when you need someone to lean upon. He has such a comfortable demeanor that makes him very approachable, like a grandfather figure.
6) How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
My least favorite character is Roderick. Not that I dislike the poor guy, he is simply an extremely reserved butler. There isn’t much to get excited about him, but his character is a necessary supporting cast member.
7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
Of course I have read, reread and had my husband read the book. I go to a writing group and we exchange reading our pages and edit each other’s work. Finally I did have an editor, a woman who is my writing coach and coordinator of our writing group, yet you may find a sneaky error in there. It seems almost impossible to win.
8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Well, as of late I am all about being a mommy. My 9 1/2 month old takes up a lot of my time. My other hobbies are creating my art and gardening.
9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I don’t get to read as much as I would like. I have been reading lately to vlog for a review site. This allows me to keep up with what other paranormal authors are writing and to continue to analyze what makes a good book. One of my favorite classical authors is Jane Austen. She is a real inspiration to me.
10) What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your book?
I genuinely hope people enjoy reading my book. Without giving away the end I want people to debate the outcome and what it all means. Most of all I hope readers think it was entertaining and are left wanting more.
Author Bio 
EDC Johnson grew up in the Midwest, graduating from Michigan State University with her BFA in Art Education and her MA in Art Education from Western Michigan University. She currently lives with her husband in Palm Harbor, Florida. Her decade of experience as a public school art teacher has inspired her to write fiction novels that will entice young readers. You may see some of her illustrations in Renee Mallet’s: Fairies, Mermaids, and Other Mystical Creatures.
Author Links:
Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for my review on this title,
Mine to Tarnish Book Blitz Giveaway + Excerpt
Mine to Tarnish
(Mine .5)
Synopsis:
Katherine’s place is the same as any woman’s—on the shelf next to the dresses and bolts of cloth. When she’s sold to a warlock, life grows even bleaker. Her new owner is as old and rancid as he is cruel, driving her to do the unthinkable: run.
Nothing prepared her for being on her own. And she’s definitely unprepared for the warlocks hunting her down. But she must stay one step ahead because if caught, the best she can hope for is death.
Available from:
Advance Praise:
Although this novella is a little over a hundred pages, it packs a big punch. When you are as excellent at stringing words together as Janeal Falor is, the emotion and action are concise and clear. ~ Terrie a Librarian
Excerpt From The Book
“Where’s your owner?” a male asks. Probably a tarnished by the looks of his drab trousers, but I don’t dare look up. Now would be the worst possible time to be caught breaking a rule.
“He’s…” Where? Where? Think of a good lie. Think! “Not here.”
That was not a lie.
The male lowers his voice. “Is that so?”
I nod. Of all the times to not find a lie worth believing, it has to been when I depend upon it the most.
“Do you have a delivery?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?” he sounds exasperated. I can’t blame him. I’m being rather unhelpful, but this is all so new and what if it is wrong? What if he won’t help, but instead, takes me back to my owner?
“I’m sorry. I believe this is the wrong house.”
As I move to go, I finally chance glancing at him through my lashes. My breath catches. It is a tarnished. Bald with ink slashed across his nose, cheeks, and forehead. Most definitely a male, his muscles visible even beneath loose clothes. With a very stern look on his ink chiseled face.
“Are you certain? You seem like you could use help.”
I could use help. I need help. I wish so desperately that he could help.
About the Author
Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.
Author Links:
Enter The Giveaway Here
Reap Book Blitz Character Interview and Giveaway!
Summary from Goodreads:
Faintly, I could hear the glimmer of voices surrounding me in this dark haze, caressing my ears like skin against silk. I felt like I was in a cocoon of sorts, protectively enveloped, quietly drifting in some far-off place. I wanted to stay that way forever.But we all know that what you want never really seems to happen in the real world.
Something’s not right in Mia’s head.
The first thing is that her name isn’t Mia. In fact, she has no clue what her name is—who she is. All that she knows is that she’s not like the ones who found her: Dante with his kind blue eyes, Amy with her child-like demeanor, James with his questioning gaze.
And Briggs.
The one she cannot decipher no matter how hard she tries.
As Mia tries to fit in with these people, a strange occurrence is amidst outside. And as she finally remembers who she is …
Well, let’s just say that things get a little more complicated.
(YA Paranormal Romance Novella)
Character Interview: Amy Nolan
in the lovely Amy Nolan. She busted free from the confines of her apartment building,
courtesy of three brawny dudes, and she’s here to chat with us. Hi, Amy!
questions, the very reason you’re here. People want to get to know a bit about
you.
and Florence (everybody should love
Florence). Oh, and Maroon 5. That Adam is dreamy…
involves love and singing.
out of it. What’s your favorite cupcake?
macadamia nuts, topped with coconut shavings. Mmm, I want one right now…
when you’re done?
fashion accessory?
He’s a dreamboat, let me tell you.
just like a kitten’s. I even named her. Mia. Sounds almost like, meow.
you today. Thanks so much for stopping by.
don’t know about Briggs though.
Christina: Absolutely, Amy. Wait! Before you go, about those cupcakes…
About the Author
Author Links:
***ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE***
3 – Ebooks of Reap with bookmark (INT)
Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by,
Cover Reveal: Engraved by Amber Garza
Book Title: Engraved
Author: Amber Garza
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Genre: Suspense
Length: 392 pages
Publisher: Amber Garza
Presented by: As You Wish Tours
BLURB
SUSPENSE NOVEL FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR AMBER GARZA…
A missing girl.
A young woman running from her shameful past.
AUTHOR BIO
Amber Garza is the author of Young Adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has had a
passion for writing since she was a little girl, making books out of notebook paper and staples. Amber
lives in California with her amazing husband and two hilarious children who provide her with enough
material to keep her writing for years.
Entangled Everafter: One Thousand and One Nights Excerpt, Guest Post and Review Link
Sheri spends her days fighting zombies and her nights chained to a wall, earning her every breath by telling stories to her captor Aleksy—stories that make them both forget the ruined world. Sheri could put up with the conditions—at least she knows her sister is safe in the community Aleksy leads—until she realizes she’s falling for him…even though he wants her dead.
Guest Post:
Fairytales, Zombies and Romantic BDSM
Hello, hello. I’m the author of One Thousand and One Nights, soon to be published by the Ever After line of Entangled. I live in South Africa, which is a country, and I write and review fiction while studying law.
1001 Nights adapts and retells the story of Scheherazade, the mythical Persian queen who escaped beheading at the hands of her jilted, homicidal husband Shahryar (in Persian, “king”) by telling him bedtime stories. In his original form, Shahryar inspires about as much empathy as Ted Bundy. Surrounded by man-eating corpses, protecting his own tiny island of the living, Aleksy (in Greek/Polish, “defender of mankind”) was my attempt to salvage the King from his misogynistic past. He hates and fears his Scheherazade, Sheri, because she’s tainted by a zombie-bite, but still human. The feeling of just subsisting from day to day translates well to an updated version: Aleksy tries to keep going in a world that’s betrayed him, and Sheri lives with the constant fear of death and undeath.
I first called it One Thousand and One Corpses, but the publisher wanted more romance, less out-and-out horror. I also gave it a subtitle, Sheri and the King, which probably tells you more about my upbringing on Broadway musicals than you wanted to know. I balance that out with a zombie obsession that gave me chills all the way through Max Brooks’ World War Z. In fact, I’d pay to watch a zombie musical, preferably written and directed by Richard O’Brien. It’d take about twenty years for a decent production to find its way to Cape Town, South Africa, but I’ll fund the Kickstarter campaign and wait.
Doing research for this story was a pleasure. I read the tales of Sinbad, explored the different translations and took a closer look at some traditional fairytales. These stories and their Disney reboots cause me equal amounts of delight and righteous anger. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The Little Mermaid: if there’s any message there, it’s that women should be hetero, beautiful and probably silent. Even better, asleep. One of my favourites is Beauty and the Beast, which tells the story of a spoilt daydreamer, imprisoned and blackmailed until she falls in love with her abuser. I’m writing the BDSM version right now. It’s empowering. At least a Belle who reads the Marquis de Sade and dreams about whippings wants everything she gets.
Sure, I’m a feminist. I believe in “the radical notion that women are people”, in the words of Cheris Kramarae. I had some interesting discussions with my editors on this point, especially as regards Sheri and her boundless enthusiasm for sex. I adore the erotica written by Remittance Girl, who takes a similar approach to liberated female sexuality as Greta Christina, a fantastic atheist blogger and sex writer. I wanted my story to reflect these concerns of mine, and I’d welcome any comments on this subject.
Fairytales, zombies, (romantic) BDSM and feminism are themes that run through 1001 Nights. But the story’s also just playful pop fiction that I wrote for fun. I hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoyed the writing.
Excerpt:
“He had meant to go straight to the basin to wash, but instead he stood watching the woman sleep. Did she dream? The coppery hair covering her face likely concealed shallow fever-dreams of blood and slaughter, but the arm curled defensively around her head made her seem vulnerable—a captive no older than her teenaged sister. Rays from the sun reached in through the window, and where they touched her skin a blush rose to the surface, pulsing as though kindled from within. Her dressing-gown had fallen open. Aleksy’s eye was held by the way her breasts pushed against the severe under wiring of her bra.
On her, it didn’t look pre-packaged. The charcoal-grey cups matched the high waisted briefs she wore; the cotton bunched a little where one thigh had slipped over the other. Only when her finger twitched and she resettled her head on her arm did he find the self-discipline to shut his eyes and turn away.”
Connect with Author Ruth Browne:
Read my review HERE
Release Day Book Blitz Giveaway: Endless by Amanda Gray
Endless
Amanda Gray
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Romance
Release Date: October 8, 2013
Publisher: Month9Books
Pages: 384
Goodreads Rating: 3.49
Book Description:
Jenny Kramer knows she isn’t normal. After all, not everybody can see the past lives of people around them. When she befriends Ben Daulton, resident new boy, the pair stumble on an old music box with instructions for “mesmerization” and discover they may have more in common than they thought. Like a past life. Using the instructions in the music box, Ben and Jenny share a dream that transports them to Romanov Russia and leads them to believe they have been there together before. But they weren’t alone. Nikolai, the mysterious young man Jenny has been seeing in her own dreams was there, too. When Nikolai appears next door, Jenny is forced to acknowledge that he has traveled through time and space to find her. Doing so means he has defied the laws of time, and the Order, an ominous organization tasked with keeping people in the correct time, is determined to send him back. While Ben, Jenny and Nikolai race against the clock — and the Order — Jenny and Nikolai discover a link that joins them in life — and beyond death.
Available NOW:
About the Author
GIVEAWAY:
$10 Starbucks Gift Card and 1 e-book of Endless (INT)
Daughter of the Dragon Princess Release Day Blitz Review, Excerpt and Giveaway!!!
Daughter of the
Dragon Princess
Nina Croft
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 7, 2013
ISBN: 9781301417209
Pages: 240
Word Count: 59,640
My Rating: 4.5/5
Book Description:
Found abandoned as a baby and brought up in a children’s home, Lily Palmer has no clue that she is the last of the Dragon Princesses and destined to be mated to a king. But when she wakes up one night to find her apartment invaded by a stunningly gorgeous, but totally deluded madman, she can no longer ignore the dreams which have haunted her life.
Exiled on Earth, and trapped in human form, the dragons have waited two thousand years for the only person who can open the portal between their world and this one. Now they have found her and Malachite Smith has one job—to deliver Lily to his King. According to dragon law, only the King and the Dragon Princess together can open the portal and take them home.
But neither Mal nor Lily are prepared for the overwhelming attraction which flares between them. Or for his reluctance to hand her over to a king he despises. Can they stand as one and challenge the old ways, even if it means destroying his people forever?
My take on the book:
This book was in one simple word, riveting. I loved it from page one, an almost perfect read. The title was a bit long and I found myself tripping over it but that w.e. no skin off my teeth lol. As the title suggests this book is about Lily Palmer, the last daughter of the dragon princess and how her she is thrust out of her seemingly normal life and into an age old conflict, which involves her more than she could have ever imagined. This story is literally dripping with umph. And that is literally the only word I could think of to describe it. It’s sensual and sexy and downright action packed.
The Great (Pros):
- The Characters. Each character was well developed and perfectly outlined in this story. The author gave us the perfect combo of information and story progression.
- Lily Palmer. What’s not to love about this girl? She’s kick butt and fallible. She tries, she fights and she’s loyal. A perfect combo for a heroine. She isn’t someone you’d expect to win a fight and she most likely won’t. She’s a damsel in distress but she’s snark your ass off.
- The Dragon mythology. I loved the story behind these dragons. Their homeland, their faults, their triumphs. I loved it all and how every aspect of it intertwines into the storyline. Every action and decision leads to a consequence whether it be good or bad but the author doesn’t balk at the possibilities and just keeps on through, which makes this story not good but great.
- The Scenery. It wasn’t something Ms. Croft spent too much time on. In a few perfectly strung together words she depicted the surroundings and moved on. I love it when an author can paint a picture for you without having to constantly repeat the same words.
- The Tattoos. Something this simple, also happens to be one of the elements in this book that stands out most to me. It falls slightly under my con predictability because its one of the reasons I knew what would happen and the author basically said the outcome if not in so many words but regardless I love the detail put into these marks/tattoos. Keep in mind they aren’t really tattoos and more like birthmarks.
The not so great (Cons):
- Speed. Really the one of the only things, I didn’t like about this book. I found myself, frustrated with a couple of scenes because they just seem to rushed and overly constructed. I’m not sure exactly how to explain it except that I felt like some of the more important scenes were a tad less than what they should have been. When it came to the steamy scenes between Mal and Lily, Nina Croft was spot on if not dwelling too much on what had already been established but in some of the more action packed scenes, she was lacking. I’ve come to expect a bit more from a book in the action department so this was a letdown for me in my opinion; this was such a well written story and well developed story line.
- Predictability. Unfortunately, this book also suffered from this problem. Maybe I’m psychic or maybe the author gave too much detail and a lot of the major twists and plot points where predictable. I found myself sagging with disappointment when certain events came to pass, I just knew and I was unable to push it to the back of my mind that they would happen.
4.5 Stars/Quills
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book; it was such a great read. Definitely for adults as it has quite a few of the more risqué scenes but a great read that will great you just as invested in the outcome as the characters are. Nina Croft definitely created a world where the characters are people you can connect with. You get the action you would expect from a group of mythological beings such as dragons and you get the romance you’ve come to expect for the adult genre. Make sure you read the excerpt below to get your first glimpse into Daughter of the Dragon Princess
Excerpt:
The hallway was dark, and she reached out her cuffed hands for guidance and encountered his hard body, her palms resting against him.
“Shit,” he muttered, then turned and backed her against the wall. She could just make out his form towering over her, as his head lowered and his lips slanted across hers. Her mind went numb, her body took over, and she didn’t resist as he plunged his tongue into her mouth. The kiss was hard and held an edge of anger barely contained. It didn’t matter. He tasted like her dreams, of heat and spice. Her tongue thrust back against his as a pulse started its incessant throb between her thighs. She stood unmoving as he deepened the kiss, pressing his long, hard body into hers so she was plastered against the length of him. Hunger ignited low in her belly, and she groaned against his lips while her hips shifted restlessly against him trying to get some relief from the craving building inside her.
One hand slid beneath her top to cup her breast, his palm rubbing over the peak, and pleasure shot from her nipple to her groin. Her head fell back, and she raised one leg, wrapping it around his hip so she could press her core against the hard length of his erection. Desire was building like a heaviness inside her, swelling…
A bolt of lightning lit up the room, briefly illuminating the savage intensity of his expression. His mouth stilled, his fingers tightened on her breast, then the light flashed again and he jerked free of her and swore viciously.
A second later, his fist slammed into the wall at her side.
Her hands came up to drag him back to her. She was clumsy in the cuffs and her senses returned—what sort of woman kissed a man who’d cuffed her? A crazy one, that’s what sort.
She pressed her wrists against him, so the metal dug into her skin and the fog of desire cleared enough for her brain to function. She shoved him hard. He didn’t budge.
“Get off me, pervert!”
His brows drew together. “Pervert?”
“You know, the sort of man who likes to tie women up?”
He didn’t answer, just took a step back, and shoved his hands in his pockets. He breathed out deeply and the tension drained from his body.
“Why?” she asked.
He didn’t pretend not to understand. “It occurred to me that we may not get another chance. And I was…curious.”
She gritted her teeth. “Curious?” Her tone was filled with outrage.
“Just leave it.” Lightning flashed again and he frowned, then took her arm. “Come on, I don’t like this.”
“Like what?”
He didn’t answer, just led her along the hallway and through a door. In the dim light, she could make out a comfortable sitting room. Everything appeared so normal and she blinked in confusion.
Mal pushed her toward an armchair. “Sit.”
“Yes, sir,” she muttered and sat. She didn’t understand him. Why would he kiss her like that, as though he cared?
He seemed about to say something but instead moved away to peer out of the window. She followed him with her eyes as he came back and stood over her again, rubbing a hand across his face.
“Lily…” he said.
She searched his expression, and he shifted under her gaze, not meeting her eyes. “What?”
“This man you are to meet tonight…”
“The one you’re handing me over to like an unwanted parcel?”
“Jesus,” he almost snarled the word. “Just don’t get him angry. Do as you’re told, and you’ll be all right.”
Was he actually afraid for her? “You’re frightening me,” she said slowly. “Mal”—for the first time she used his name—“am I going to die tonight?”
She held her breath waiting for the answer.
“No, he won’t kill you.” He paused. “But there are worse things than death.”
Icy cold washed through her. “Now, you’re really scaring me.”
Meet The Author:
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.
Enter Below for your chance to win a $25 gift card from the author
“I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.”
New Excerpt and A Free E-book
Lucky you, I’m offering a free digital copy of Awakened the prequel to the upcoming ‘Gifted’ book one of The Birth Curse Series. The book will be available to all who sign up for my free newsletter before the release of book one.
To sign up to the newsletter just fill out the form below. Once you’ve signed up for the newsletter, you’ll receive an opt in email which basically just confirms that you meant to sign up. Once you’ve confirmed you’ll receive a records email and it in that final email, that you’ll get your digital download.
Keep in mind that the newsletter is also good for receiving coupons and release announcements. The newsletter does not deal with 3rd parties so no worries. And lastly, you can opt out at any time with a simple click. I promise I won’t be flooding your email with pointless email blasts.
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Also, I’ve uploaded a new excerpt. This time, it’s for the book titled ‘Knock Me Off My Choos’. The book is the first in the series titled Heels Over Head. It’s a romantic comedy type book and the first I’ve written in that genre so I’m really excited. Remember, this is an excerpt and it might change a bit once I’ve finished the book and its gone through multiple edits and re-writes lol.
In this excerpt you’ll get to meet the main character Holly Sanz and the crazy duo Regan (pronounced Ray-gan) James and Rhyz Sinclair. The excerpt can be found on the Tipsy-Ink website under the tab excerpt of you can just follow this link to the Scribd website.
Entangled Everafter: Haunted Chemistry Guest Post and Review Link
Aside Posted on Updated on
Alexis heads to the laundry room in her new apartment, she runs into Ian Reese,
the chem lab partner she crushed on all last semester. And the guy who stood
her up on their first date. But she’s down for an awkward reunion, and no
better place than her creepy laundry room.
making amends, but just when Alexis begins to trust him again, a new threat
calls more than their future together into question. A ghost from the
apartment’s past is hellbent on revenge, and if he wants to get his girl, he’ll
have to get the ghost first.
(Wait. What?)
Instead of taking one of the buses speeding through campus during my college career, I always walked, my gaze aimed at the ground for anything shiny and round. If I found treasure in the form of a quarter, it was well worth the few bumps on the head or rude comments I got from not looking where I was going. Like most college students, I was poor.
But I became a pretty successful quarter tracker, and when I’d find one, I’d add it to my carefully stacked pile with the hope I’d have enough to do laundry soon. With all that walking around campus, there were days when I came home smelling a tad ripe.
The washers and dryers were located on the basement floor of my apartment building, and let’s just say that going down there, alone, was the equivalent of walking into a dragon dungeon with my arms loaded with raw meat. That’s what it felt like anyway.
Storage cupboards took up the far wall that led from the stairs to the laundry area, each one about three feet long and three feet wide. Sometimes one of them would be open a crack. The single overhead light only cast a faint orange glow, deepening the shadows inside that open cupboard to an inky black.
Whenever I’d see one of those open cupboards, I’d stop in my tracks while my imagination tumbled over everything that could be lurking inside. Usually the things I imagined involved segmented legs, machetes, Brazilian poison dart frogs, porcelain dolls, or a combination of all of the above, just waiting to spring out.
My pulse racing, I’d give my laundry bag a squeeze and check to make sure I still had my quarters. Then, with my breath held, I’d race past the open cupboard, dump all my clothes into the washer, throw in some soap, push my quarters into the slots, start the machine, and sprint back out before I’d used up all the stored air in my lungs.
It was such a rush! It made laundry day pretty much the best day ever! Of course, I’ve always lived for that pump of adrenaline that fear gives me. I watch scary movies alone in the dark by myself on purpose. I guess I’m weird like that.
On one of my trips to the laundry room, my boyfriend’s brother went with me (I can’t remember why exactly, but I may have told him about the spooky basement). When he saw the wall of cupboards, his exact words were, “A serial killer stores his victims in these, huh?”
And that’s when I stopped doing laundry in that apartment building. Nah, just kidding. I still did. Remember that adrenaline rush thing I was talking about? Yep.
All of this was the fuel I needed to eventually write Haunted Chemistry. Who knew laundry could be so delightfully scary?
How about you? What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to you while doing laundry? Have you ever done laundry in a particularly frightening place?
Excerpt:
“Uh, Alexis?”
My name on his tongue sounds amazing, but I try not to notice. I turn, the bulk of my laundry bag holding the door open for me. “What?”
He swallows and glances at his black boots. “It’s great to see you again.”
I nod. It’s great to see him, too, but I’m not the one who didn’t show up for our date at the end of last semester and who vanished for an entire summer with no explanation. Maybe he forgot about our non-date, because he sure isn’t trying to explain himself. But why didn’t he call to tell me he wouldn’t be coming instead of making me wait for him?
My bag bites its weight into my shoulder. When I shift it to the other one, the door creaks closed in Ian’s face. I wince. I didn’t mean for that to happen.
“Well.” He frowns through the broken squares in the window. “See you.”
“Yeah.” With a sigh, I watch him walk away. I’ve missed our group study sessions where we’d always sit next to each other and accidentally nudge each other’s knee or foot. I’ve missed how easy it is to be with him. I’ve missed him. He doesn’t seem like the type who wouldn’t call to say he couldn’t make it. But he didn’t.
About the Author:
Lindsey R. Loucks works as a school librarian in rural Kansas. When she’s not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she’s dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she’ll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize.
She’s been with her significant other for almost two decades
Adventures in Ink (Reviews) 