Featured Book and Interview + Giveaway: Jersey Ghouls by A.L. Sirois

JERSEY GHOULS

A.L. Sirois

Genre: Horror
Publisher: Azure Spider Publications
Publication Date: June 15, 2018

A disabled cop and his ex battle giant centipedes and ghouls in a small riverside community that's about to be flooded out.

The rain-drenched riverside town of Sherwood's Landing, NJ is invaded by a species of centipede from Central America armed with psychedelic venom. Former cop Lafferty "Hoff" Hoffman and his ex-girlfriend Beatrice St. John are swept into terror as their neighbors are enslaved by a centipede-generated group mind. Those remaining free must band together to survive the onslaught of ravenous ghouls.

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Purchase Links

Available on Amazon.com

Interview with A.L. Sirois

I had the pleasure of interviewing the author of Jersey Ghouls, Mr. A.L. Sirois. Read on!

1. Please tell us something unique about you that we can’t learn from your bio.
   I had a serious stroke in 2009, and walked out of the hospital about a week and a half later, essentially unimpaired. I am unimaginably lucky!
2. What’s your favorite part of writing?
   The actual writing. I love the creative act. It takes me out of myself.
3. What’s the strangest thing you’ve learned while researching a book?
   Strange and funny. The lead character in The Bohemian Magician, Duke Guilhem IX of the Aquitaine, was known for seducing his neighbors’ wives. Once he pretended to be amute so that two ladies wouldn’t suspect him. They dragged a live cat down his back to see if he’d cry out. He didn’t but he later wrote a scandalous song about the incident. He was the first troubdour.
4. What's the draw of writing horror stories for you?
   Funnily enough, I read little horror—aside from Stephen King. But I do like to be scared, and I enjoy making up scary stuff.
5. If you could live in one of your stories, which one would you choose and why?
   I think I’d like to live in the world of New York City in 1936, the setting for my book The Rockets of Greenwood Lake.
6. What stories do you wish you had time to write?
   I love writing short stories as opposed to books, so I wish I had the time to write more short stories.
7. What would you most like to accomplish as a writer?
   Consistent sales!

Book Tour Schedule

Follow the book tour from July 11 - 24, 2018.

Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Jersey Ghouls Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About A.L. Sirois

A.L. Sirois is a writer, developmental editor, graphic artist and a performing musician. His publication career began in 1973 with the appearance of the short-short story "War Baby" in Fantastic. (It would be called "flash fiction" nowadays.) He has gone on to have fiction in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Fantastic, Amazing Stories, and Thema, and online at Electric Spec, Mystery Weekly, Every Day Fiction and Flash Fiction Online, among other publications. His story "In the Conservatory," from Thema, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. In addition to JERSEY GHOULS, other Sirois works include a children's book, DINOSAUR DRESS UP (Tambourine Press / William Morrow), a graphic novel, THE ENDLESS INCIDENT (2014), and a fantasy novel, THE BOHEMIAN MAGICIAN, published in 2017.

As an artist, he has hundreds of drawings, paintings and illustrations to his credit. Al has contributed comic art for DC, Marvel, and Charlton, and has scripted for Warren Publications. He wrote and drew "Bugs in the System" for witzend #12, the famous comics fanzine started by for MAD artist Wally Wood. He lives in Rockingham County, North Carolina with his wife and occasional collaborator, author Grace Marcus. Together they are writing a Young Adult novel set in ancient Egypt.

Social media links: Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway

WIN FREE BOOK AND MORE

Prizes up for grabs:

1. Print Copy of Jersey Ghouls by A.L. Sirois
2. Color Rough of the book cover, painted in acrylics on illustration board
3. Drawing of the book cover on tracing paper
4. Drawing of the book cover on layout bond paper

Contest runs from June 15 - July 24, 2018.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Jersey Ghouls by A.L. Sirois

JERSEY GHOULS

A.L. Sirois

Genre: Horror
Publisher: Azure Spider Publications
Publication Date: June 15, 2018

A disabled cop and his ex battle giant centipedes and ghouls in a small riverside community that's about to be flooded out.

The rain-drenched riverside town of Sherwood's Landing, NJ is invaded by a species of centipede from Central America armed with psychedelic venom. Former cop Lafferty "Hoff" Hoffman and his ex-girlfriend Beatrice St. John are swept into terror as their neighbors are enslaved by a centipede-generated group mind. Those remaining free must band together to survive the onslaught of ravenous ghouls.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links

Get the eBook copy of Jersey Ghouls for only 99 cents! Offer ends June 15, 2018.

Available on Amazon.com

Excerpt

Terry Haggerty was no pushover. She had gone to work at sixteen to save money for college, which is where she met Rook. Before the kids came, they'd often spent weekends at campsites throughout the region. Rook was an avid fisherman and hunter, and although she hadn't had any familiarity with firearms before she met him, Terry now owned two or three guns and was proud of her ability to shoot.

Under Rook’s tutelage, Terry always made sure her guns were in excellent condition. She went now to the gun cabinet in the living room. She kept most of her attention on the sounds from the back porch. From the cabinet she took out her .22 pistol and loaded it. Then she stuck it into the waist of her jeans, and pulled her shirt out to hide it.

She went into the kitchen. She paused at the door to the back porch and drew a breath. Someone out there swore quietly, and there was the tinkle of glass.

Enough, she thought, and opened the door.

Grant White and Rick Carrington stood in the dusk outside. They looked in at her with dull surprise on their faces. She relaxed. She knew them well. They were friends of her late son, Loren, even though they'd been a year ahead of him at school. But what the devil were they up to?

"Hi, guys," she said. "Que pasa?"

Rick snarled in response, and her hackles rose as she realized they were both filthy, covered with mud and dried blood. Something was very wrong here. She pulled the gun out of her waistband. "Just stop right there," she said, pointing it at Rick, who stood slightly in front of Grant at the broken window.

Rick snarled again, but Grant laid an arm on his shoulder. "Hi, Ms. Haggerty," he said in an oily voice. Her hackles rose even further at the sound of it. "We were just wondering where Greg was."

"He's upstairs having a nap."

Grant grinned in a particularly nasty way. She'd never seen such a feral expression on anyone's face. "Oh, I don't think he is," he said. "I think maybe he's out looking for... Jessa."

Unconsciously she took a step or two toward the boys at the window. Their eyes... she leaned forward for a better look.

Rick's arm snaked out faster than she would have believed and seized her sleeve. Terry staggered back and broke free. Rick shrieked wordlessly at her, a sound that didn’t sound as though it could have come from a human throat. Grant shoved him aside and tried to force himself through the broken window. She watched in horror as the glass gashed his flesh. He ignored it. Terry realized she was in mortal danger. She raised her gun and discharged it into his face. He slumped forward without a word. Though her ears rang from the shot, she heard the thud thud thud of Rick Carrington’s feet as he fled into the woods.

Book Tour Schedule

Follow the upcoming book tour from July 11 - 24, 2018.

Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Jersey Ghouls Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About A.L. Sirois

A.L. Sirois is a writer, developmental editor, graphic artist and a performing musician. His publication career began in 1973 with the appearance of the short-short story "War Baby" in Fantastic. (It would be called "flash fiction" nowadays.) He has gone on to have fiction in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Fantastic, Amazing Stories, and Thema, and online at Electric Spec, Mystery Weekly, Every Day Fiction and Flash Fiction Online, among other publications. His story "In the Conservatory," from Thema, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. In addition to JERSEY GHOULS, other Sirois works include a children's book, DINOSAUR DRESS UP (Tambourine Press / William Morrow), a graphic novel, THE ENDLESS INCIDENT (2014), and a fantasy novel, THE BOHEMIAN MAGICIAN, published in 2017.

As an artist, he has hundreds of drawings, paintings and illustrations to his credit. Al has contributed comic art for DC, Marvel, and Charlton, and has scripted for Warren Publications. He wrote and drew "Bugs in the System" for witzend #12, the famous comics fanzine started by for MAD artist Wally Wood. He lives in Rockingham County, North Carolina with his wife and occasional collaborator, author Grace Marcus. Together they are writing a Young Adult novel set in ancient Egypt.

Social media links: Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway

WIN FREE EBOOK AND MORE

Prizes up for grabs:

1. Print Copy of Jersey Ghouls by A.L. Sirois
2. Color Rough of the book cover, painted in acrylics on illustration board
3. Drawing of the book cover on tracing paper
4. Drawing of the book cover on layout bond paper

Contest runs from June 15 - July 24, 2018.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

In partnership with

Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Book Review: The Spitting Post by Jason R. Barden

Note: This is my review on the book The Spitting Post. I have posted more details about the book here.

Review

Rating: 5 Stars

"Find me at the spitting post. The Purple Swan knows the way."

This cryptic instruction probably sums up the mysterious and intriguing nature on everything about The Spitting Post - from the title itself to each of the sections in the book. Yet thru it all this, I find the book quite an entertaining read. I can't help but wonder if ever The Spitting Post were to be made into a movie, it may even turn out to be a blockbuster!

The story focuses on Vincent who, after getting into an accident, starts an incredulous adventure through the blue forest into what seems to be a magical world. It certainly doesn't feel real, though it was very much the reality for Vincent. He meets quite a number of people -- Vincent the Original, Vincent Number 2, Vincent Number 3 and so on. Apparently, he's Vincent Number 5, and he must figure out a way out of this magical realm or be trapped forever. His adventure also takes him to The Green Maiden and with the magical quote above, he sets out on a few missions to rescue the damsel in distress and claim his prize.

As incredulous as the story sounded, I actually had an enjoyable afternoon reading this story. The original and unique storyline was definitely refreshing. I also find the author's writing style clean and easy to follow. The use of the first person point of view makes what's happening to Vincent more immediate and as we can see when we come to the end, it's a stroke of genius. I love the twists and turns in this story and the surprising revelation at the end is worth every penny.

Overall, I highly recommend this. You won't regret it.

Book Blitz: The Spitting Post by Jason R. Barden

THE SPITTING POST

Jason R. Barden

Genre: Horror, Dark Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: December 8, 2017

Vincent must find the Spitting Post, but only the purple swan knows the way.

Vincent Carpenter’s life is a wreck. He has given up his dreams. He has lost his job after an economic disaster. His ten-year marriage is crumbling. Then he awakens in a maniacal land of frighteningly vivid realism with skull trees, glowing forests, ravenous beasts, and other psychologically haunting adversity.

While traveling through this demented unearthly world, he has a chance encounter with a beautiful maiden dressed in green; before he can start a conversation, she disappears into the unknown. Vincent must try to find her at a fantastical place known as the Spitting Post. But first he must overcome many macabre misfortunes and face nightmares that question his sanity. Will he reach her? What will the Spitting Post reveal? Will he suffer more disappointment and tragedy? Or will he find peace at last?

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Review from The Romance Reviews

Vincent Carpenter isn't having a good day. It's the weekend and he forgot to turn off his alarm. When he rolls out of bed, he's surprised to see that his wife, Erika, isn't there. When he does find her, he mentions the dinner reservations he'd made for their tenth anniversary but she doesn't want to go. What follows is a slow trip down a rabbit hole to the land of the mundane.

Until it isn't.

Suddenly, he awakens in a strange world where nothing is normal. From the glowing forests to the skull trees, Vincent is lost in a world that would rival the minds of some modern masters of the macabre. A chance meeting with the Green Maiden forces Vincent through this nightmare world in search of a place called the Spitting Post but to get there, he must face some intense nightmares that could destroy even the strongest of psyches.

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this story and I found it as intriguing as it was disturbing and that's a good thing. With each new ordeal/event, Vincent finds himself more immersed in his nightmares, and we as readers, gain a bit more information. So much so that once you reach the end (Spoilers!), you'll find yourself going back to reread sections again.

For when you do: "You must rethink everything you thought you knew. You must let your mind go back to the beginning and reconsider what it is you thought was truth, what you thought was reality, and what you thought was a dream," and even then, THE SPITTING POST will surprise you.

Reprinted with permission from The Romance Reviews

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Wild Rose Press | iBooks

Excerpt

When night settled in, the trees began their song of despair and completely blocked out any other noise. This is great, I thought. The beast could be right on me, and I would never even hear it. But the trees continued their sad symphony just the same.

With the thought of the beast ripping at my body and consuming my insides and the tree’s wailing, I found myself at the edge of lunacy. When dawn finally broke, the trees stopped their wailing, and the silence became deafening yet again. At last, peace and quiet. I picked myself up from the madness and marched onward. I was not a bit hungry, and my stomach was far too nervous for breakfast, so I went without. I also knew this would save time. One extra moment in this place was one too many.

Again I found my thoughts racing as fast as my feet. It would be a complete triumph when I escaped this land, or so I thought. If only I could make it to the bridge, then maybe I would be safe. As I raced on like a frightened animal about to become the beast’s dinner, I thought about the townspeople. I hoped they were safe in their new home far from here; I felt empathy for them knowing what fear the beast inspired.

I was lost in thought when again I heard the violin’s call. It was close this time—too close. I stopped and surveyed the land with terrified eyes, growing more anxious with each passing note. The ambient tune working itself into a manic frenzy. Can’t they shut up? With that racket the beast would find us, and I knew what would happen when it did. There would be no more violin playing for that musician, and I would never find The Green Maiden.

I scanned the countryside for the insane violinist and spotted him on a small hill just to my right. When I saw his ghastly appearance, I almost wished I hadn’t found him. He was a stout man dressed in total blackness with a red violin resting against his shoulder. His skin was a brilliant white, as white as a bed sheet. On his head was a black top hat, and he wore a twisted grin on his porcelain face.

“What are you doing?” I yelled. “It will hear us!”

The man said nothing and kept playing his maddening melody.

“Are you crazy?”

The man opened his mouth wide and without moving his lips, he said, “Precisely.”

Then he began to cry tears of blood, yet still he played. The blood rolled down his face and pooled on the grass. Then I came to a grotesque realization. He was not playing for amusement; he was calling the beast.

About Jason R. Barden

Jason R. Barden began writing poetry around the age of thirteen. At age thirty three he decided to transition into fiction writing with his first novel The Spitting Post. In addition to writing he enjoys hiking and photography. Jason lives in Fort Worth, Texas where he is currently working on a collection of his poems.

Social media link: Facebook | Goodreads Author Page

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Cover Reveal: The Spitting Post by Jason R. Barden

NEW COVER REVEAL !!

THE SPITTING POST

Jason R. Barden

Genre: Horror, Dark Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: December 8, 2017

Vincent must find the Spitting Post, but only the purple swan knows the way.

Vincent Carpenter’s life is a wreck. He has given up his dreams. He has lost his job after an economic disaster. His ten-year marriage is crumbling. Then he awakens in a maniacal land of frighteningly vivid realism with skull trees, glowing forests, ravenous beasts, and other psychologically haunting adversity.

While traveling through this demented unearthly world, he has a chance encounter with a beautiful maiden dressed in green; before he can start a conversation, she disappears into the unknown. Vincent must try to find her at a fantastical place known as the Spitting Post. But first he must overcome many macabre misfortunes and face nightmares that question his sanity. Will he reach her? What will the Spitting Post reveal? Will he suffer more disappointment and tragedy? Or will he find peace at last?

Add to Goodreads

Pre-Order Links

Amazon | The Wild Rose Press | iBooks

About Jason R. Barden

Jason R. Barden began writing poetry around the age of thirteen. At age thirty three he decided to transition into fiction writing with his first novel The Spitting Post. In addition to writing he enjoys hiking and photography. Jason lives in Fort Worth, Texas where he is currently working on a collection of his poems.

Follow Jason on Facebook at Facebook.

For more information, visit The Spitting Post Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About The Wild Rose Press

The Wild Rose Press has been publishing electronic and print titles of fiction for more than nine years. Our titles span the sub-genre spectrum from sweet to sensually erotic romance in all lengths to mainstream and womens fiction. To check out the latest and upcoming releases and more, visit https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com.

Social media: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

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