RJ Sullivan's Darkness With a Chance of Whimsy Blog Tour

About the author: R.J. Sullivan’s novel Haunting Blue is an edgy paranormal thriller and the first book of the adventures of punk girl Fiona “Blue” Shaefer and her boyfriend Chip Farren. Seventh Star Press also released Haunting Obsession, a Rebecca Burton Novella, and Virtual Blue, the second part of Fiona’s tale. The short stories in this collection have been featured in such acclaimed anthologies as Dark Faith Invocations by Apex Books and Vampires Don’t Sparkle. His next book due out very soon will be Commanding the Red Lotus, which collects the series of science fiction novelettes in the tradition of Andre Norton and Gene Roddenberry. R.J. resides with his family in Heartland Crossing, Indiana. He drinks regularly from a Little Mermaid coffee mug and is man enough to admit it. www.rjsullivanfiction.com

Book Synopsis for Darkness With a Chance of Whimsy: Collected for the first time since their initial publications, Darkness with a Chance of Whimsy presents ten tales from the imagination of R.J. Sullivan. Thrills and chills await you, but you may also get blindsided by the absurd. This volume includes a pair of stories featuring Rebecca Burton, the mysterious investigator of R.J.’s acclaimed paranormal thriller series. Among the ten stories, you’ll find: “The Assurance Salesman” shows five strangers more about themselves than they ever guessed. You don’t want to venture into Daddy’s basement in “Fade.” Rebecca Burton tries to talk someone out of a bad idea in “Backstage Pass.” A bullied police detective finally defeats his rival in “Able-Bodied.” A desperate father finds the “Inner Strength” to save his young daughter, “Becky” Burton. A child seeds his aquarium with a most unusual “Starter Kit.” A brilliant robotics engineer creates a “Robot Vampire.”  

Author Links: Website: http://rjsullivanfiction.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/R.J.SullivanAuthor
Twitter: @rjsullivanauthr
Tour Schedule and Activities 9/28/2015 Jorie Loves a Story 
Review 9/28/2015 Book in the Bag
Review 9/28/2015 I Smell Sheep 
Review 9/30/2015 Bee's Knees Reviews
Review 9/30/2015 Deal Sharing Aunt 
Author Interview 10/1/2015 fuonlyknew 
Review 10/2/2015 L. Andrew Cooper's Horrific Scribblings
Review 10/2/2015 Shells Interviews 
Guest Post 10/3/2015 Azure Dwarf 
Top Tens List 10/4/2015 Coffintree Hill
Top Tens List 10/4/2015 Armand Rosamilia, Author 
Amazon Links for Darkness With a Chance of WhimsyPrint Version
Kindle Version
Barnes and Noble

Guest Post by : Brick Marlin, Author of Shadow Out of the Sky

Brick Marlin's Shadow Out of the Sky Tour

About the author: Brick Marlin has been writing since he was a child. From an early age he was exposed to older horror movies. The great ones making their mark in history. He also tackled reading the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, Dean Koontz, Charles Dickens, Harper Lee, H.G. Wells, etc. Thus, he decided to engage himself and write horror, dark fantasy and dark sci-fi, scaring readers such as his parents, his friends, neighbors, and even leaving a few school teachers scratching their heads wondering if the boy should be committed or not with his gruesome tales of terror. Short story ideas continued to visit. A book idea or two sometimes stopped by for a sit. In 2007 he decided to take a more professional approach with his work. Hence, as a member of the Horror Writers Association, already having nine books published by small presses – this you hold in your hand, constant reader, makes his tenth – nearly thirty short stories published, adding to the few anthologies and collaborations with other authors, Brick Marlin trudges onward, hoping to achieve more creations, wallowing in the brain pans of his characters, giving them the choice whether to twist the knob and enter through the Red Door, or enter through the Blue Door where a group of servo monkey badgers are consuming packages of cinnamon-flavored Pop Rock Candy with a Kung Fu Punch of caffeine.

          Something in the Air

By Brick Marlin

Far below under the light of the moon sat a dark figure casting not a shadow, or even the reflection in a mirror. Crimson eyes looked down at the restless city. Voices drifted up to the figure’s ears: laughter, weeping, cursing, the blaring of a cars horn, sirens, buses roaring down busy streets.

            Tonight this dark figure has a taste for something different. A delicacy. An unusual need. A request slithered from its taste buds. The hunger for it ravages the walls of its stomach, clawing to be let free.

            The tip of the figure’s tongue moistened its lips.

            In a flash, quicker than the human eye could catch, the figure dropped into a dark alley, crouched down,

            The aroma of the need slammed into him. And, a smile grew under a pointy nose.

            Five feet from the figure a bum snored, wrapped with large pieces of cardboard, unaware of the dark presence standing over him.

            The bum shifted. Smacked his lips. Grumbled a few words. Dove back into his deep slumber. 

            Voices.

            The figure dove into the shadows, tucking himself inside the darkness as a couple strolled along at the end of the alley, hand in hand.

In a blink of an eye they were gone.  

The strong aroma returned, teasing the dark figure’s taste buds. Not wasting another second, the figure’s cat-like reflexes sprung, left the alley, toward what ravaged his hunger.

            Searching, around corners.

            Searching, around buildings.

            Searching, by a church, a store, a hospital, a bank, a hotel, a –

            “Ah, yes…,” the figure whispered.

A man stood on a street corner. His back faced the dark figure. Curls of smoke rose in front of the man’s face.

            Crimson eyes squinted, stared at the man while the sweet aroma became a thick layer in the air, driving the figure’s taste buds to scream.

A small nip is all the figure needed.

            The tip of the figure’s tongue moistened its lips again.

            This dark figure wearing pale flesh around its bones, a large splash of jet black hair atop its head, and a mouthful of razor sharp points materialized stood in front of the man who, now in horror, took a step backward.

            Crimson eyes stared into the eyes of the man.

            “One hot dog please,” the dark figure’s voice rattled. “Easy on the ketchup. Leaves such a nasty after taste and bit of heartburn.”

Brick Marlin’s Shadow Out of the Sky

Brick Marlin's Shadow Out of the Sky Tour

About the author: Brick Marlin has been writing since he was a child. From an early age he was exposed to older horror movies. The great ones making their mark in history. He also tackled reading the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, Dean Koontz, Charles Dickens, Harper Lee, H.G. Wells, etc. Thus, he decided to engage himself and write horror, dark fantasy and dark sci-fi, scaring readers such as his parents, his friends, neighbors, and even leaving a few school teachers scratching their heads wondering if the boy should be committed or not with his gruesome tales of terror. Short story ideas continued to visit. A book idea or two sometimes stopped by for a sit. In 2007 he decided to take a more professional approach with his work. Hence, as a member of the Horror Writers Association, already having nine books published by small presses – this you hold in your hand, constant reader, makes his tenth – nearly thirty short stories published, adding to the few anthologies and collaborations with other authors, Brick Marlin trudges onward, hoping to achieve more creations, wallowing in the brain pans of his characters, giving them the choice whether to twist the knob and enter through the Red Door, or enter through the Blue Door where a group of servo monkey badgers are consuming packages of cinnamon-flavored Pop Rock Candy with a Kung Fu Punch of caffeine.

Book Synopsis for Shadow Out of the Sky: A scarecrow crucified on a wooden cross made from a pair of two-by-fours sits in a field of corn, placed there to frighten away birds and protect the crops. Under its straw hat large buttons pose as its eyes, placed there by child’s fingers, view something sinister in the grave sky, appearing in front of the full moon. Twisting, it forms into a sleek black mass, peering down upon the town of Woodbury. Four demons called The Reckoning has pulled this shadow, this urban legend from the past, out of an unmarked grave to bring terror across the planet, shoving it toward an apocalypse. Now it cuts through the air, as if it were opening wounds in flesh, peering down at the first house that it hovers over... Shadow Out of the Sky is Book One of the Transitional Delusions Series
Author Links: Website: www.brickmarlin.com
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brick-Marlin-182914455094243
 Twitter: @BrickMarlin
Tour Schedule and Activities
9/21 Erin Fanning Review
9/21 Beauty in Ruins Guest Post
9/21 Wag the Fox Guest Post
9/22 Novel-ties Review
9/23 Armand Rosamilia, Author Guest Post
9/23 Deal Sharing Aunt Interview
9/25 fuonlyknew Review
9/25 L. Andrew Cooper's Horrific Scribblings Review
9/25 Bee's Knees Reviews Guest Post
9/25 Azure Dwarf Guest Post
9/27 Sapphyria's Book Reviews Top-Tens List

Print and eBook Links for Shadow Out of the Sky Amazon Links for Shadow Out of the Sky Print Version   http://preview.tinyurl.com/os7tkl8
Kindle Version   http://preview.tinyurl.com/qcj9dk6
Barnes and Noble    http://tinyurl.com/p4o3wpo

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Deepest Poison by Beth Cato

I characterized The Clockwork Dagger as a Steampunk romance.  The sequel The Clockwork Crown is substantially more than that.   This short story provides some insight as to Miss Percival's actions in the noted stories above.

The Waster war is not explained in this short story.   This story merely provides background on the other books.  I think that it might fare better as a preface in one of the books rather than a stand alone story.   There wasn't enough background here on the Lady or the Tree or the abilities of Miss Leander or Miss Percival.

I liked the story but I don't think it would be as enjoyable without having read the books. 

I highly recommend both The Clockwork Dagger  and  The Clockwork Crown.

Site:  http://www.bethcato.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Bombs Away: The Hot War by Harry Turtledove

      

Turtledove is a master of the alternative history genre.   This book is comprised of a series of vignettes detailing the lives of ordinary people who are impacted by Harry Truman bowing to Douglas McArthur's wishes to use the atomic bomb during the Korean War.

Turtledove carries the ramifications of the unleashing of the atomic demon into the daily lives of ordinary people scattered about the globe.  As social commentary, the book is chilling and a good example of why it is necessary to curb nuclear proliferation.  Sadly that genie is out of the bottle.   Social commentary aside, the book reads in a disjointed manner with very little in the conclusion arena.   You are left hanging as to the fate of myriad common folks whose lives have been altered by unfettered use of the atomic bomb.

Good social commentary and so-so novel since the lives impacted are so disjointed and short it is nearly impossible to develop empathy for the characters.  

Web Site: Site: http://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/turtledove.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Never Forget!

Zeroes by Chuck Wendig

 This may have been one of the most frightening books I have ever read.  Vampires, giant squids, terminators can't hold a candle to the perverse evil in this book.  A group of misfit hackers are co-opt into helping a government black ops program become invasively pervasive.

One of the reasons this book was so thought provoking is that after 30 years in the computer business I am conversant with much of the background in the book.  Note conversant, not by any shape or means competent or expert.  Secondly I find that multiple well known savants have decried the development of the type of work described by the author.  Notables as Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and Vernor Vinge have all weighed in on the topic.

There was highlighting of dysfunctional personalities, mood disorders, action and mayhem.  In other words, action abounds leavened with peeks to the conscience and pokes to the IQ. 

I have not read, yep, just checked my database, I have not read any of Chuck Wendig's work before.   You can bet I will be reading more now.

I highly recommend this book.

Web Site: http://terribleminds.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Spot Light On Hazard of Shadows by Mike Phillips

It’s a world of magic and intrigue. It’s a world of betrayal and death. It’s back to the World Below for the second installment of the Chronicles of the Goblin King series.

After leading the revolution against the despotic ruler of the World Below, Mitch Hardy has taken the throne. He never wanted to be king. Growing evermore uneasy with his new position, he begins laying the framework for self-rule. The enchanted peoples have known nothing but kings, but are adapting quickly to this new idea of governing their own affairs. But Mitch’s plans are interrupted by the arrival of old enemies. Soon he is fighting for his life against a hellish army, the likes of which he never imagined.

It’s a horror story with a sense of humor. It’s a romantic comedy with goblins. Like Mirror Mask and Night Circus, it’s crazy but a good kind of crazy. If all that hasn’t scared you away, check out the second book in a great mess of an Urban Fantasy series, Hazard of Shadows.

Since this is the second book in the series, The World Below is also available. Actually, any interest in my work is appreciated. My other two books are Reign of the Nightmare Prince and Dawn of Ages. Thanks!

Synopsis

 The enchanted creatures of legend still exist, hidden away in the secret places of the world. They take refuge from an age of camera phones and government labs, from people who won’t let them live in peace. One of these last places of safety is known as the World Below.

Ancient powers are at work. The Lords of Faerie seek to revenge the death of Baron Finkbeiner and recover the mysterious Blade of Caro. Hidden in the shadows, they await a chance to strike. The chance arises when an old enemy escapes the splinter realm in which he is imprisoned. Anxious to settle the debt, the Faerie Lords send him to finish the Lady Elizabeth and her Champion once and for all.

After leading the revolution against the despotic ruler of the World Below, Mitch Hardy has taken the throne. He never wanted to be king. The whole idea of a government by right of combat sits poorly with him. Growing evermore uneasy with his new position, he begins laying the framework for self-rule. The enchanted peoples have known nothing but kings, but are adapting quickly to this new idea of governing their own affairs. It goes well, but Mitch’s plans are interrupted by the arrival of old enemies. Soon he is fighting for his life against a hellish enemy, the likes of which he never imagined.

Author Short Bio: 

Mike Phillips is author of Hazard of Shadows, The World Below, Dawn of Ages, and Reign of the Nightmare Prince. His short stories have appeared in ParAbnormal Digest, Cemetery Moon, Sinister Tales, Beyond Centauri, the World of Myth, Mystic Signals and many others. Online, his work has appeared in Lorelei Signal, Kzine, Bewildering Stories, Midnight Times, and Fringe. He is best known for his Crow Witch and Patrick Donegal series. Please visit Mike at mikephillipsfantasy.com.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.