Guest Blogger Bob Horbaczewski

Interview with Bob Horbaczewski

Author of THE MALEF CHRONOCLES

Bio

A child of the 80's, Bob Horbaczewski grew up immersed in both Science Fiction and Fantasy. Inspired at a young age to write, Bob found a passion in story telling and was rarely found without a pen and pad to write with. Lost to the wonders of Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Dune, Dungeons and Dragons, Marvel, DC, and numerous other stories, Bob became determined to craft his own tales. In every spare moment of his life, Bob found time to write. However, in the summer of 2006 one idea began to consume his creative process. Born years earlier in a wild hailstorm of thought, The Malef Chronicles found a pressure to be brought to a more refined form. Years prior Bob had dreamed of crafting an epic nine part story of galactic wars, betrayals, love, death, and wonder and in 2006 he finally took the steps to begin that very story.

When and why did you start writing?

The first time I remember starting to write seriously was when I was in sixth grade. I remember trying to pen my first novel in my spare time, a science fiction/action piece. Unfortunately I was unable to finish that story as my family moved from Hawaii to Arizona. The first time I seriously started approaching writing was in my early twenties. After taking a hiatus from college to help my mother through a divorce, I had to reevaluate what I wanted to do with my life. The first path I chose was film, and consequently as I hoped to tell my own stories in that medium I wrote my own screenplay. That movie, 'Into The Darkness', can be viewed on YouTube in its entirety. Following that project I became driven to write my own novel, as the story I envisioned seemed to obsess my thoughts.

The main reason that I write is probably to get those stories out of my mind. I am constantly consumed with thoughts towards my imagination, stories that play endlessly until I finally put pen to paper and force them into a tangible form. I love the idea behind crafting a world and placing characters in circumstances that challenge the human condition.

What are you working on now and what are your writing goals/plans for the future?

I am currently working on a few separate projects. First and foremost, I am still trying to promote my first book, 'The Malef Chronicles'. At the same time I am working on writing the second book in that series. I have also written another screenplay, that my friends and I are hoping to gain funding through Kickstarter to see made. On the back burner is a second screenplay and a novel about a female assassin and her exploits. 

My goals are to continue to writing and see all of these projects through to their end. I am hopeful that I can garner an audience for my work and one day make writing my profession instead of just my passion.

What is your favorite part about writing?

My favorite part of writing is crafting a story. I enjoy having the ability and responsibility of creating an entire universe. Being able to take that world and the characters within and create a story that is both interconnected and exciting. I like thinking that in some way I am able to tell a tale that can take someone out of their life, a give them a chance to be lost in my imagination for whatever length of time.

Favorite book(s)?

My favorite book is 'Dune', by Frank Herbert. I still remember reading it for the first time in high school and being so drawn into the world that Mr. Herbert had crafted. I loved the depth that he had given his characters, and the dark elements of death and battle that moved the story along. Beyond that I love reading as much as I can squeeze into my day. One of my favorite series that I have read recently was the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. The way in which Mr. Butcher was able to take his characters and grow them over the course of the series was inspiring. I never felt cheated in the way he connected events between his novels, instead each seemed a logical progression of the story, and I was genuinely sad when the series was over.

 Favorite movie(s)?

As a child, and still to this day my favorite movie is 'Star Wars'. I remember at four years old going with my mother to my older brother's elementary school to watch a bootleg copy of 'Empire Strikes Back'. Schools were much more lenient of what kids watched back in those days. We brought bags popcorn and as I sat there watching, I was instantly hooked on not only the movie itself, but also the genre.

Favorite TV show(s)?

Right now my favorite shows on television are 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Walking Dead'. I am a big fan of science fiction shows and love 'Doctor Who' and 'Fringe'. I'm hopeful 'Revolution' will become a solid show. 'Burn Notice' and 'Royal Pains' help get me through the summers. I also enjoy some of the more indulgent shows on television like 'Wipeout', 'The Real World/The Challenge', and 'The Soup'. I always loved food shows as a child, so I can usually tune to the Food Channel and find something that will pique my interest.

What is on your "Bucket List"

I don't really have a "Bucket List". I try my best to live for the now. If there is a place or an event I have a drive to go to I will find a way to do as much. The same could be said for activities and experiences in life. We are only given a short amount of time in this life, so it is my belief to live as much in the present as you can.

 

 

SYNOPSIS

In the distant future, Colin Kinison, a brash, young and arrogant pilot is thrust into the middle of an impeding galactic war after his ship is suddenly attacked while investigating an unusual anomaly at the edge of known space. O'Tel, king of the Ter'Ok'Zhu, an ancient race of mystics, recruits Colin to help him stop Xyrus, Dark Lord of the Belgae, from assassinating a once thought lost Princess. A tale of swordplay and space fights, bringing together fantasy and science fiction, The Malef Chronicles offers an epic journey into the fantastic.

 

EXCERPT  FROM THE MALEF CHRONICLES

ZOOM! A seasick breezed by Colin, shocking him back to reality. Now the decisive moment had come. To turn back, Colin would face not only embarrassment and shame from his squad, but he would never hear the end of it from Sasha. He could not bear that fate, so out across the deck he walked to the seasick that had so recently buzzed by him. It chirped in response to his presence. “Hey there little buddy,” Colin quipped at the robot, not that it could understand or respond to his comment, but the simple routine helped calm his nerves.

Colin removed a magnetic strip from his suit. A crude creation put together in his spare time, this small black strip of silicon and steel was Colin’s ticket to glory. In theory the strip would interfere with the Seasick’s primary functions just enough for him to directly interface and take control of the bot. Sasha had helped him design it, as countless failed attempts to dissuade him from his prior stunts had taught her that it was better to help keep him as safe as possible, than see what damage he would cause if left to his own devices. As with most schemes thought up in the middle of the night, this one sounded worse and worse with each passing moment. Colin reached the seasick. There was no predicting how it would react to him jumping on board, yet alone how its system would react to the interference from the magnetic strip. There was only one-way to find out; Colin leapt.

The most agile of leaps it was not, but it was beautiful nonetheless. Colin landed square on the back of the Seasick and made a grotesque thud. The air from his lungs rushed out of his mouth, leaving him mere seconds to regain his composure. The Seasick would be alerting for help at any moment. This was his shining moment and suddenly ego overtook him. Colin’s mind trailed off to the future, of the stories that would be told with such brevity. He looked back at his squad and waved in triumph. Not thinking Colin lost his grip and fumbled the magnetic strip, dropping it to the empty depths of space. All of his glory lost in a heartbeat, in a single act of foolish bravado. In desperation, Colin lunged for the strip. His legs barely hung onto the side of the Seasick as the strip floated further and further away, gone forever. The Seasick’s alarm wailed. His failure was now complete.

 

Carbon Copy-Deleted Sex scene

Carbon Copy-Deleted Sex Scene

By: Terri Talley Venters

Grier lightly kissed Lilly’s ears. He buried his face in the softness of her hair and breathed in her aroma, instantly aroused from her scent. He slowly kissed her neck. His hot breath sent chills down her spine.

Lilly’s body tingled all over. She savored Grier’s kisses and longed for his touches. Neither of them could bear to wait much longer. They were so happy and so in love, and needed to join their bodies together.

Grier picked Lilly up and looked deep into her eyes. His mouth covered hers possessively. He carried her below deck and laid her down on the bed. He climbed on top of her and braced himself above her with the strength of his arms.

Grier’s tongue circled her lips. Then he plunged it deeply into her mouth and took possession of his woman. They don’t remember their clothes coming off.  But now they were both naked.  

His hands and mouth covered Lilly’s naked body. Grier’s kisses and caresses were gentle at first. But as his desire grew stronger, so did the pressure of his touch. Their naked bodies ignited as their hot skin rubbed together.

Grier wanted Lilly more than anything in the world. When he looked into her eyes, she saw his passion and longing. He kissed her gently on the mouth. His arms braced himself above her. With a push up like motion, he slowly lowered himself on top of her, crushing Lilly’s body beneath his. He continued kissing her in a fever of passion.

She loved the weight of his body on top of hers. Lilly’s hips moved beneath his and arched up into his groin. Her legs wrapped around one of his legs. She thrust her hips up and down and squeezed her thighs together around his leg. The top of Lilly’s mons rubbed up and down his leg. She writhed with anticipation.

Grier leaned back on his knees and sat up. He grabbed a pillow and placed it under her bottom. She automatically lifted her legs, perpendicular to her body. He grabbed her ankles with one hand and rested them on his shoulder. He slowly entered her with one long stroke.

“Oh, my God,” she said. Lilly’s eyes rolled back in her head, savoring the raw pleasure between her legs.

Grier repeated the slow motion and slid his cock slowly in and out with long smooth strokes. With Lilly’s legs together, her tightness wrapped around Grier’s throbbing organ. She squeezed her vaginal muscles together each time he fully submersed his manhood inside of her. Then she released the pressure as he slid his shaft almost out. Their rhythm synchronized perfectly with each other.

Their breathing grew heavier as Grier picked up the pace of his deep thrusts—faster, faster, and faster. He pulled Lilly’s legs apart, and gently spread her thighs down to the bed. Her legs extended nearly horizontal with the bed in an upside down split.  

Grier pulled out his rock-hard shaft, leaving Lilly empty without the fullness of him inside of her. Then his mouth went down on her hot, wet pussy. He licked her juices quickly, like a cat lapping up milk from a dish. He proved amazing at this.  He focused the tip of his tongue on her clit, and circled it in a repeating figure-eight pattern.

Without stopping the motion of his tongue, he glided his index finger inside Lilly’s sheath. In a ‘come-hither’ motion, he rapidly moved the tip of his finger across the top of the inside of her vaginal wall—the G-spot!

“Oh, my God, that’s it,” Lilly said. She grabbed her tits and fondled them roughly. She squeezed the tips of her nipples and released a high-pitched moan.

Encouraged by her response, Grier intensified his efforts. He moved his tongue faster and faster as he increased the pressure on her clit. He slid a second finger inside of Lilly and rubbed her G-spot with the tips of his fingers. He moaned as he pleasured her. He thrived on her ecstasy.

“Oh, my God!” Lilly screamed. Her hips vibrated up and down. She held it for as long as she could. She loved this intense pleasure. She wanted it to last forever. Her body enjoyed a wonderful orgasm high. And she knew Grier’s climax drew near.

“Ooooooooh, ooooooogh,” Lilly moaned in a high pitch. “Oh, my, God!” Her legs started to shake. She closed her thighs together, knocking Grier’s head out of the way. Lilly’s entire body shook like fish out of water. The shaking slowed down and her entire body clenched together tightly. She cupped her breasts gently to comfort herself.

“Fuck me! Fuck me, now! Grier, please, you gotta fuck me right now!” Lilly begged him to do her bidding.

Eager to oblige, Grier mounted Lilly in missionary position and plunged into her with a frenzy of passion. He moved inside her fast and hard. He plunged his rock-hard shaft deeper and deeper with each thrust.

“Oooh, oooh, aaah, aaah,” Lilly screamed as her hips vibrated again. Her whole body clenched together. Her vaginal walls tightened around Grier’s shaft as he shuddered with pleasure. He released himself inside of her with one last deep plunge.

“Uuuh, uuuh,” he moaned as he closed his eyes. He hugged Lilly close and buried his face in her hair. She hugged him tightly with her cheek against his neck. She wrapped her legs around his waist and tried to get as close to him as humanly possible. They both cried from sheer bliss before falling asleep with their limbs entangled.

 

Aluminum

ALUMINUM 

By: Terri Talley Venters

David’s strength grew by the hour as he traveled towards Florida’s east coast. The wind blew hard all around him as the rain dumped into ocean. No one foresaw his epic journey. But he’d already set records as he skimmed across the warm waters of the Atlantic. The entire world awaited his momentous arrival. Everyone talked about him with such familiarity, even without ever meeting him. None of his predecessors accomplished what he was about to. Everyone watched the news and waited for him to turn, praying his strength would diminish, praying the low tide coincided with his landfall. But his center, calm, formed a perfect Eye. What David did when he arrived in Florida would be discussed for centuries.

Report from the Weather Channel:

Hurricane David is due to make landfall this evening in Jacksonville Beach, Florida during high tide. This category 5 hurricane has sustained winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. David's strength surpasses all others Its barometric pressure dropped to 870 millibars, the lowest, and strongest, ever recorded. Jacksonville never experienced a direct hit from the east coast, let alone a category 5 storm. David is stronger than many tornadoes. Mandatory evacuations for millions of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina residents began 3 days ago. Only concrete and brick structures have a chance of partially surviving these record setting winds. All Aluminum and wooden structures will be ripped to shreds. Hurricane David’s strength and enormous span will destroy half of Florida and coastal Georgia & South Carolina.

Guest Blogger, Leslie S. Talley

I'm honored to host my mother for the first stop on her blog tour. Her debut novel, Make Old Bones, releases 8/21/12!

Make Old Bones

By: Leslie S. Talley

Fifteen-year-old Connie Kittredge disappears in 1953, presumed drowned, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Almost forty years later, her skeleton is discovered in the disused dumbwaiter of historic Belgrath House, situated on an island in the tidal Halifax River. The discovery coincides with the thirty-five year reunion of Connie's Class of '57.

Clarice and Otis Campion function as caretakers of Belgrath, newly restored and opened as a B & B. Clarice, along with their permanent guest Miss Letty, ninety-year-old star of the silent screen, decides to investigate the mystery. Could the murderer be one of Connie's classmates, now respectable citizens? A rejected boy friend? A jealous girl? Connie, a sneaky child, loved the power of finding out secrets; perhaps she found one just too dangerous for her to live.

At a wake for Connie held at Belgrath House, someone collapses from iced tea laced with cherry laurel, proving that the murderer is still around - and dangerous. Complications cloud the picture in the form of suspicious bed and breakfasters, restoration society members, University of Florida freshmen...and a certain pelican. Clarice and Miss Letty re-double their efforts at sleuthing. The death of Connie Kittredge is tied directly to the history of the house, they learn. The house will ultimately reveal its secrets, but not before exposing Clarice to danger.

Inadvertently left behind during a forced evacuation due to Category Four Hurricane Aphrodite, Clarice finds herself confronting a killer - and a rising tidal surge.

Excerpt from Make Old Bones

What would the children think if they saw her? She thought of the others that way: children. Why did she still bother with them? Not much longer, she thought. An idea sprouted in her brain. Why not scare them? Hide. Don’t come out. Let them think some Bogeyman found her. She knew just the spot, too. She found it the previous week, the same trip that secured for her the piece of map. She came to the house by herself – well, actually to meet someone. Someone who didn’t show up. But he would. Oh, yes! And that other she’d seen – Connie hugged herself as she thought of the power.

Stubbing out the cigarette in the stone urn on the post, Connie groped her way to the kitchen at the rear of the house. Gleefully, she opened the door of one of the pantries. She ran her hand along the wall until she found the knob. She remembered that it looked just like one of the other cabinets. She wedged herself inside the tiny space: a miniature elevator. Perfect. They’d never look for her here. Best of all, she needn’t go near the third floor.

The jolt jarred her, tipping her over so that her head rested on the doorframe. A hollow noise reverberated down the shaft. Slowly her crawlspace moved…upward.

Bio of Leslie Talley 

Leslie Talley received her B.S. in nursing from the University of Kentucky and a B.A. and M.A. in English from the University of Central Florida, Orlando, where she subsequently taught, as an adjunct, Technical Writing and Business Writing for ten years.

Leslie and her husband Luke have two children: Terri Talley Venters, Wild Child Publishing author of Carbon Copy, and Damon Talley, education specialist in aerospace. Forty-four-year residents of Titusville, Florida, Leslie and Luke also have four grandchildren.

Links:

http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=401&zenid=806d27b71f6d4524dd83c306afc08a86

http://lesliestalley.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/#!/leslie.talley.12

https://twitter.com/LeslieSTalley

Guest Blogger, Carol Marvell

Please welcome, Carol Marvell, author of Slave Trader – In the Name of Freedom. Available from Wild Child Publishing!

Bio: Carol lives on a small property in Queensland, Australia. She works in a local primary school as a School Officer / Librarian / Community Development Officer. Married with three children, she has travelled extensively throughout the world, visiting the US, UK, Europe, China, Japan, New Zealand and of course, Australia. Her other passion is music. She plays bass guitar in a country rock band with her husband and two other guys. She is also a member of a symphony orchestra. With over fifty members, the orchestra is voluntary and visits retirement villages and small towns.

Slave Trader – In the Name of Freedom is Carol’s first novel. The action/adventure story follows Detective Billie McCoy in her fight for freedom after she is caught up in a modern day slavery trade run by a corrupt cop.

Blurb for Slave Trader – In the Name of Freedom:
For the past three years, young prostitutes and destitute women have been vanishing without trace. Their fates unknown, the only common links to their disappearances are their good looks and prison records.
Never before has a cop been taken.
Detective Billie McCoy, a member of an elite undercover squad, is on assignment when she stumbles onto a slavery racket that goes deeper than she could ever have imagined. Plunged into a web of corruption and evil, not only does she have to contend with the slave traders, but her fellow prisoners – all who hate cops.
Stretching from the streets of Sydney to the rainforests in far north Queensland, it’s a race against time. Filled with determination, disappointment and twists, the story follows Billie’s fight for freedom and her greatest ever challenge. She will need all her cunning and skill to get out alive and see justice done.
Blood will be spilt, hopes will be destroyed – all to uncover a plot so unpredictable that only fate can decide . . . .

Facts on slavery today:

Today, modern slavery is as real and brutal as any history book. There are more people in slavery now than at any other time. It's estimated twenty-seven million people across the world could be considered slaves, and the industry of slavery and people trafficking makes $32 billion a year.

During the 1800’s, slaves were bought and sold at a high price. Modern day slaves are worth far less than their weight in gold. At such cheap prices, slaves are disposable and can easily be replaced. And while the price of slaves has dropped dramatically, the return on the slaveholder's investment has skyrocketed to hundreds of percent.

Excerpt from Slave Trader – In the Name of Freedom

Billie turned away. She leaned on the wall and stared up at the ceiling, torn apart. She was here undercover about to set up a big gun dealer and bring him to justice. If she helped this girl, it could blow everything. All the work she'd put into getting this close to the gunrunners could be in jeopardy. Her nature compelled her to aid someone in trouble.
Damn it! Why did this have to happen now? She should just walk away and pretend she'd never seen it. After all, it had nothing to do with her. Yeah right. No way could she turn a blind eye to this. Turning back, she peered through the crack again.
The redhead in the suit coat had pulled a small syringe from his pocket. The sight of it upset the distressed girl even more. She stared at it over the big hand clamped across her mouth, her eyes widened in horror. In a desperate bid to deter his intentions, she kicked out. Only by chance her knee knocked the redhead's hand. The needle rolled across the floor. He cursed.
The ponytail man snarled. His large, gangly hand dropped from the girl's mouth, and he slugged her hard. The trapped girl grunted and sank in his grasp.
The blow sent Billie into action. She couldn't leave the girl to these thugs. With a little luck, she could pull off both operations.
Sneaking in, the detective picked up an old, wooden chair just inside the room. Although tempted to use her gun, silence was of the utmost importance. She couldn't afford to alert the men upstairs. They would be edgy enough, and the sound of a gunshot would certainly send them on a runner.
Both thugs had their backs to Billie, their attention on their captive. Mumbling curses, the redhead's rising temper dampened his cautiousness. The chase brought him into the closest position to her. With the chair gripped in her hands, Billie jumped at the punk and cracked it over his head. The chair shattered into pieces. He moaned and collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
His partner spun at the noise. He stared at her with a startled expression before turning a stunned look at his downed partner. Overcoming his surprise, he looked back up at her. The thug's lips twisted in a snarl. He dumped the girl to the floor. She fell in a heap. He lunged forward.
Billie turned and faced him full on. She kicked up. Her heel smashed into his nose well before he could touch her.
The guy's head rocked backwards. He recoiled with a couple of staggered steps. Billie followed, giving him no time to recover. Using the same foot, she buried it into his stomach. The impact doubled him over, driving the breath from his burning lungs. She stepped forward and brought up her knee, slamming it into the side of his jaw. He reeled sideways with a groan and collapsed, motionless.
Billie looked at him, and then glanced at the other guy. Neither looked like they'd be moving for a while. She blew out a sigh and tossed the busted chair to the side.
The detective crossed to the dazed girl and knelt beside her. She studied her face. A bruise already showed through on her cheek, marring her good looks. She lay relaxed in her enforced sleep, her features free from the strain they'd carried only a few moments before. Brown, shoulder-length hair bordered the girl's dainty face. A clean, fresh complexion enhanced her attractiveness. Long eyelashes guarded her closed eyes. She carried a 'girl next door' image, a guileless look that bathed her in a simplistic innocence yet held a disguised beauty to catch any man's eye. Her slender figure did her proud. Billie couldn't help wonder why she would be in a dive like this, or why these men were after her. She was a pretty girl and had a lot going for her, but something had definitely gone wrong for her to end up here and in this kind of trouble.
The girl stirred, bringing the detective out of her thoughts. Her head rolled towards Billie. Her eyes flickered open. They looked glazed and confused.
"Take it easy. You're safe now," Billie said, brushing a strand of the long, brown hair back off her face.
The girl's confused gaze focused on her rescuer, and she tensed. She sat upright. Her gaze darted around the room in search of her would-be attackers.
'Hey, it's okay!" Billie took hold of her by the shoulders in a comforting gesture.
Shooting her no more than a brief glance, the frightened girl stared at the unconscious men. They were no longer a threat. She turned back to the blonde kneeling beside her and relaxed in Billie's grip.
"Are you okay?" Billie dropped her hands from her shoulders yet maintained a wary eye on her.
The dishevelled girl nodded. "Yeah, I think so." She turned away from her and studied the men. After a lingering moment, she looked back at Billie. "Thank you very much," she said in a whisper. "Who-who are you?"
Before the detective could answer, a voice from the doorway interrupted them.
"So this is why they're taking so long."
Billie's head snapped around in surprise. Three men stood in the doorway. Billie gave them a quick, assessing look. The guy in the middle, a short, plump, half-bald man in his late fifties stood with a thin smile on his lips. His gaze was fixed on her. His bright Hawaiian shirt boldly expressed his personality, loud and dominant. Short tufts of curly grey hair overflowed from the vee of the collared shirt. His round, beach-ball face was clean-shaven, like the top of his head. Only a strip of grey-flecked hair ran from one ear around the back of his head to the other.
The other two flanked him, their bulky frames towering above him. Dressed like the two on the floor, they fell comfortably into their category: hired 'heavies'. These paid henchmen eyed her with guarded looks.
The guy on the left of the fat man carried a scar down his right cheek. His hair was slicked back out of his face, leaving the dark, distrusting eyes in clear view. The third guy, a curly-haired blond, was shorter yet bulkier than his comrade. He stared with a blank expression set on his bristled face, clearly expressing his dislike. They stood protectively by their boss's side, like dogs on a leash waiting for a command to please their master.
The little, fat man's gaze remained locked on the blonde girl in front of him. "My God."
His astonished tone snapped Billie's attention back to him. She looked more closely, sensing something familiar about him. Her nerves stiffened. Suddenly, she knew.
"Bates?" The name slipped through her lips before she could stop it. She'd failed to identify him in that first brief glimpse. The bright clothes and menacing conditions engulfing the tense situation had thrown her. He looked so different, and so out of place. She'd met this guy a couple of times, and both times he'd been dressed in a full suit, tie and all-back in police headquarters. So why would Captain Bates, head of Missing Persons, be here? Why would he be interested in this girl, especially in a place like this? And what was this well-respected police officer doing with these henchmen? Slowly, she stood, not taking her eyes off him.
"What's going on here?" The young cop took a step towards him.
"Ahh, what a pity, a sure pity." He sighed. His hand reached in through the open neck of his shirt and pulled a pistol out from under it. He dropped it to waist level, aiming at her chest. His tone may have held some remorse, but his actions didn't.

Links:

My website: http://www.carolmarvell.webs.com
twitter me here: http://twitter.com/carolmarvell
Come and like me here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carol-Marvell/320383708039219

My blog: http://billiemccoy.blogspot.com.au/

My publisher: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=381

EARTH

EARTH

By: Terri Talley Venters 

Maximus lounged in the courtyard of his Palazzo. Sun poured through the open room and its rays illuminated the beautiful, mosaic-tiled floor. As he admired the panoramic view of the Italian Coast, a servant quietly placed a tray of assorted cheeses, bread, and a wine-filled chalice before him. The flavors danced on his tongue as he sipped the wine and basked in the tingles it sent down his throat.

A beautiful woman, his woman, approached. Her long, white gown clung to her curves and exposed her right breast. He opened his arms to his beloved Maria. She fell into his embrace and awarded him with a passionate kiss. I think I’ll be late for today’s entertainment at the Coloso. 

The ground rumbled beneath the lovers. They looked up towards the mountain and watched the cloud of ash spew from its peak. Rain slowly dropped onto the courtyard and sprinkled them. Only it wasn’t rain, but volcanic ash.

The ground rumbled again, even louder than before. The volcano erupted. Earth spewed from Mount Vesuvius and covered the city of Pompeii.

Guest Blogger Jenn Nixon

Please welcome today's guest blogger, Jenn Nixon. Her novel, Lucky's Charm releases 7/31 from Wild Child Publishing.  Here's a sneak peek at her new release!

Lucky’s Charm

By: Jenn Nixon

To protect her family and find a killer, Felicia “Lucky” Fascino assumed her adoptive father’s identity and joined the network, an organization of moral assassins to finish the job he began. Eliminating the man responsible for murdering her mother has consumed her for the last five years. While keeping her Uncle Stephen and cousin Elizabeth at arm’s length, Lucky begins to feel the weight of her career choice and reclusive lifestyle. Then a chance encounter with an enigmatic hit man, during one of her jobs, turns into a provocative and dangerous affair. Distracted by the secret trysts with Kenji Zinn and mounting tension within her family, Lucky makes reckless mistakes that threaten her livelihood and almost claim her life.

Excerpt:

Two days after her last job…

Lucky Fascino sat at the back of the plane, flipping through the complimentary magazine. She smiled up at the male flight attendant when he stopped the beverage cart.

“Drinks?” he asked.

“Gin and tonic, thanks,” she said.

“Make it two,” her neighbor added.

Her row mate, a pink-skinned, gray-haired man, had curiosity etched on his face. Next to Lucky, any Caucasian looked pale so she understood their interest. Being naturally bronzed, due in part to an unknown, mixed heredity, gave her an all-year color most women would kill to have. As part of her normally disguised travels, she hid her curly, honey-brown hair and slight almond-shaped, amber eyes—now considered exotic instead of strange—behind a jet-black wig and brown contacts.

Talking to a stranger was the last thing she wanted to do. Getting far away from the job was the only thing on her mind. She’d been in Vegas for nine days, watching the target, learning his habits, hangouts, and daily rituals. During the last five, she’d seen him with three women in two different motels.

Gotta love Vegas.

Afterward, she had worked off the adrenaline high from the job in the hotel gym, while waiting for news of the target’s death. It came in the form of a small article in the local newspaper. The city had well over a hundred murders so far this year. One more, under seedy circumstances, didn’t get much attention.

            The man beside her tried to make conversation while she nursed her drink. Mundane chitchat mostly. I really don’t care where you live. It was natural for normal people to want some type of contact to ease the boring flight. Thanks to her second cocktail, she felt more social. Besides, she didn’t have a choice. He wouldn’t shut up.

            “So, what do you do for a living?” Frank asked after the exchange of names and destinations.

Kill people like you. Well, she didn’t really kill people like him, unless he had some sordid history of crime. Unlike Andersen, who used his corporate success to embezzle, commit fraud, and murder, Frank seemed like a regular guy.

“I’m the Comptroller for an international furniture company.” Lucky watched the man’s eyes glaze over when she described what she did for “work.” Accountant types never impressed anyone. During long jobs, she made up a personal history and itinerary to go along with whichever fake ID she used for cases like this. Today she played Lucille Summers from Baltimore, Maryland. It was one part of the job she still enjoyed.

            “Sounds lucrative.” He rubbed the side of his gin-reddened face and covertly tried to ogle her legs. “In Vegas for business or pleasure?” The way he enunciated the latter made her skin crawl. She wouldn’t give him the time of day if he were the last man on the planet able to donate sperm to keep the species alive.

“Business meetings, you know how it goes, have to get those fiscal reports in order for the CFO,” she said, smiling, mostly to suppress the gag reflex.

            He laughed, continually eyeballing her and gabbing about his trip. The trite, one-sided conversation continued until the plane began its descent.

Bio: Jenn’s love of writing started the year she received her first diary and Nancy Drew novel. Throughout her teenage years, she kept a diary of her personal thoughts and feelings but graduated from Nancy Drew to other mystery suspense novels.

Jenn often adds a thriller and suspense element to anything she writes be it Romance, Science Fiction, or Fantasy. When not writing, she spends her time reading, observing pop culture, playing with her two dogs, and working on various charitable projects in her home state of New Jersey.

www.jennnixon.com

www.facebook.com/JennNixonAuthor

Twitter: @jennnixon