Guest Post & Giveaway: Monsterland by Michael Okon

We're thrilled to host Michael Okon's MONSTERLAND Blog Tour today! Leave a comment below to enter the book giveaway!

Title:
MONSTERLAND

Author: Michael Okon

Publisher: Wordfire Press

Pages: 232

Genre: Monsters

Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.

The last couple years of high school have not been fun for Wyatt Baldwin. His parents divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An on-going debate with his best friends Howard Drucker and Melvin over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can rock out with vampires at Vampire
Village, be chased by actual werewolves on the Werewolf River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

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My All-time Favorite Monster is…

My all-time favorite monster is…is…is I actually have no idea. Choosing a favorite monster is like choosing children, you simply can’t do it. When the spark of my book Monsterland came to me, I called my brother immediately and told him, “I’m going to write a story about a theme park with zombies.” He replied with a quick, “No.” He said, “You have to tell a story about a theme park with werewolves, vampires, AND zombies.” I started writing that night.

What I learned about writing books, specifically about monsters, is not limiting yourself to one type of monster to scare the audience. Werewolves, vampires, and zombies. Having the three most globally recognized monsters in the world, all on display at a massive theme park. What could possibly go wrong?

How would the story have turned out if I would have chosen one monster? I honestly don’t know. What would happen if Led Zeppelin only released one song on an album? The results probably would have been disastrous.

As of now, Monsterland 2 is scheduled for a May 26, 2018 release. I have three, actually four monsters in that one, with other monsters being alluded too. As for Monsterland 3, which I just started, there are three monsters named just in the first three chapters alone. What happens after that? Well, there are going to be more. Many more monsters in this interesting universe I’m creating.

But…if I had to choose one monster, just one superior monster to terrorize us lowly citizens, I would choose The Invisible Man. I’m incorporating The Invisible Man in an upcoming Monsterland novel. I say this because watching the original classic with Claude Rains…well…I was terrified. A zombie? Just shoot it. A vampire? Shine a light. A werewolf? They come out once a month and will fall with one little measly silver bullet.

But The Invisible Man is scary. A madman you cannot see. I’ve seen every classic horror movie, Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Blob, but nothing stayed with me like The Invisible Man. I guess that falls in line with ghosts, but again, a ghost can’t touch you. Right? Only The Invisible Man can. I believe when a monster cannot be seen, well, that’s the scariest type of monster I can think. It’s a primal thing, a monster always lurking and watching, and you have absolutely no idea.

Well, Jaws is really scary too. And Pennywise the clown is too. And Leatherface from…oh, nevermind. I can’t choose a favorite.

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling is his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can  remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE
| TWITTER | FACEBOOK

GIVEAWAY

Michael Okon is giving away 2
autographed copies of MONSTERLAND!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering
  the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• Two winners
  will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a copy.
• This
  giveaway ends midnight December
  29.
• Winner will
  be contacted via email on December 30.
• Winner has
  48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

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Book Spotlight: Good Intentions by D.N. Simmons

Scitech Labs was handsomely commissioned by the United States Military to design a revolutionary serum that would create the ultimate soldier.  If successful, the soldier would have an increase in endurance, strength, awareness and overall speed. They would become the true super soldier. That's if everything went according to plan. 

Scitech put its best scientists on the project and gave them a time limit to complete the job or else. With the pressure on and the stakes high, Vincent Masterson and his team put everything they had into the project. . Everything was looking hopeful until an experiment went horribly wrong. The scientists mutated their specimen's DNA, turning it into something monstrous. Now, life as we know it will never be the same. 

   As it stands, the only thing that can save them is one of the two things they should be running from. 

  Can the human race survive being caught in a bloody war between two vicious predators?

Excerpt:

Prologue

The Director of the Biological Research Department of SciTech Laboratories, Dr. Steve Morris sat at

his desk in his comfortable black, leather chair as he spoke with the military general across from him.

“I'm sure I don't have to tell you that this little experiment is to be kept top secret?” General Bradley

Fuller reiterated. His cold blue eyes attempted to cut ribbons through the debonair attitude of the younger

man.

Dr. Morris cleared his throat, blatantly ignoring the General’s glare. “I understand full well the

importance of secrecy in this matter and I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about.”

“If it's all the same to you, I'll be the judge of that. Trusting SciTech Labs with this wasn't my choice.

However, this company came highly recommended as one of the top labs in the entire country, so here I

am.” The General crossed one leg over the other as he rested his hands on his knee. “What can you

guarantee as the turnaround time? We want results as soon as possible.”

“Well, from what you've shown me, it's an unknown substance. It might help us if you can give me a

little more background on the compound. It would help us to know where it came from,” Steve said.

The General frowned. “Unfortunately, that's classified.”

Steve scoffed. “General, you've got my hands tied—”

“It's need to know and you don't have the clearance,” Gen. Fuller interjected brashly. “If you don't

think your department can work under those circumstances I'll inform my superiors of your

noncompliance.”

“General, please, there's no need for rashness. I only want to give the United States Military Forces our

very best effort.”

“The United States Military isn't looking for 'effort', Doctor. We're looking for results and with what

you're being offered to come up with those results, failure is not an option. Are we clear?”

Gen. Fuller's stern gaze became even more intense. The nerves Steve was trying to ignore came roaring

to the forefront. He shifted in his chair, feeling a lot less comfortable.

Steve cleared his throat. “As they say in the military, crystal.”

Steve adjusted the knot of his tie, loosening the material a bit. The room was feeling a bit hotter than it

was several minutes ago before the general entered. He couldn't help but wonder if it was because the

heat was turned up or if it was just him.

“I'd like to meet the team you're going to assign to this experiment,” Gen. Fuller requested.

“Oh, of course. One minute.” Steven pressed several buttons on his phone keypad and a masculine

voice came over the intercom.

“Yes, Dr. Morris?” Dr. Vincent Masterson replied.

“I'd like you to gather your team and come to my office,” Steve ordered.

“We'll be there shortly.”

The line disconnected. The two men sitting in the office looked at each other for a few seconds before

Gen. Fuller broke the uncomfortable silence. “You still didn't give me a turnaround time.”

“You’ll have to forgive me General, but with so little information provided to us regarding this

compound, I can't in good conscious give you an exact date,” Steve said.

“You have six months.”

“Six months? I think it's premature to attempt to put a time limit on this project.”

“Regardless of your opinion, six months is the limit. We would prefer results before that date, of

course. You'll have every resource you'll need at your disposal. If after six months, you come to me empty

handed, you will lose the sizable grant your company is being awarded based on your success with this

project.”

Purchase at:

·         Amazon  

·         B&N

D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and a mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies. She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.

To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com . D.N. is always interested in meeting new and wonderful people.

ONLINE LINKS:

·         Blog http://authordnsimmons.blogspot.com

·         Facebook Dead War  https://www.facebook.com/NovelistDNSimmons

·         Facebook Good Intention https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDNSimmons

·         Twitter https://twitter.com/DNSimmonsKOTD

·         Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1396694.D_N_Simmons

·         Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/dnsimmonsKOTD

·          Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dnsimmonsauthor/pins/

·          Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/dnsimmons

Giveaways at the Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/572198396170102/

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Dark Fiction Specials at MuseItUp Publishing!

Save 25% on select dark fiction titles from MuseItUp Publishing. Sale runs through January 20, 2012.

Visit them online at http://museituppublishing.com/!

Character Interview: Neeta Lyffe from Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian

Joining us today is Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator. Now, I’m not real big on zombies, so I’m glad sometime in the future (2040 to be exact) these exterminators came into being. Let’s learn more about Neeta and what she does so that this planet is safe for future generations.

Hi Neeta. Thanks for being with us today. I was concerned that your duties might keep you from speaking with us.

It's no big deal, really. You know, I'm just an exterminator. I spray for ants, set rat traps… Zombie extermination is just one of the things I do--and, thank heaven, there aren't *that* many zombies out there. I have free time, even when I was hosting Zombie Death Extreme, I managed to find time to relax and have fun.

I just caught the cover for your book on Karina’s website. Sure looks like you can kick some butt.

(Blushes) I hate that picture. There is no way I'd take on a zombie with my uniform half off, and trust me, if a zombie is down, his head is away from his neck. But people do like it, and I can kick butt, though most of the time, I'd rather slice off the head.

Recently heard that you got yourself into a spot of trouble—something to do with a zombie and a lawyer. What is up with that?

It's been in the news enough, but long story short: Lawyer decides to entertain guests with a backyard shindig, featuring all manner of strongly smelling foods, including (who knows why) pickled beets and something smothered in blue cheese dressing. Said lawyer lives behind a cemetery. When the undead started rising and following the smells, he doesn’t panic but depends on his electric fence to keep them out. Like a little zap is going to stop something already dead. By the time I responded to the 9-1-1, there was pandemonium everywhere--and one guy videoing on his phone. Me against nine undead? Even I'm not good enough to get in close. I used the flamethrower until I ran out of fuel. One flaming meat staggered onto the porch, probably in response to the video guy. A brilliant guest tossed vodka on it. Set the porch on fire. I was busy trying to unstick my chainsaw from one zombie's shoulder at the time.

I re-killed all the zombies before backup got there. Saved over a dozen lives. But Lawyer Larry sued me for wrecking his backyard. (shrug) Mom always said not to expect any appreciation for this job.

I’m not a fan of reality TV. I thought by the time 2040 came to pass it would have run its course. I hear it’s helping you out, though. What made you want to get into TV anyway?

I wanted to educate people about zombie extermination and defense. Despite everything, I think we accomplished that, though not as well as I'd like. I hope everyone will catch *The Zombie Syndrome* on the Discovery Channel when it comes out.

And, frankly, there was no way I was going to pay off that lawsuit on an exterminator's pay. It was reality TV or lose my house.

So, I hear the paparazzi are driving you a bit nuts. How are you keeping them in line?

Have I shown you my chain saw?

Now, you don’t have to answer this, but this is your chance to get Karina back for some of the mean stuff she’s done to you in this book. Tell us a secret about Karina that no one else knows.

I don't know Karina's secrets; I'm not sure she has many. Besides, I don't really feel the need for revenge. Now, if I can tell you about Lawyer Larry…

Here’s an important question: where can readers pick up a copy of Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator?

From the publisher: http://www.damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615722723 and Amazon.com.

Do you have an online home too?

http://www.karinafabian.com/index.php?name=Content&pid=33  is where you can learn more about the book. Naturally, the show has its own website: http://www.zombiedeathextreme.com/ They're going to make a subdomain for my business, Lyffe Undeath Exterminations, but we haven't gotten to it yet.

Thanks for making time for us today, Neeta. Any parting words?

Just remember: I'm a professional zombie exterminator with training and a license to re-kill. If you ever see a zombie, your best bet is to call 9-1-1, douse yourself in cleaning products and run. Don't be a hero.

Watch the trailer!


Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator Tour Schedule

Dec http://www.lindaandrews.net/id14.html  Interview in newsletter

4-Dec http://frederation.wordpress.com/ interview

6-Dec http://www.suhalfwerk.blogspot.com/ Guest post: why write about zombies?

7-Dec http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/ Guest Post: what do you do with a zombie novel

8-Dec http://acewriters.com/books interview

8-Dec http://naomi-jay.livejournal.com/ Guest Post : Building Neeta's World

9-Dec http://ysfetsos.blogspot.com/ Guest Post: Why zombie fic?

9-Dec http://fabianspace.blogspot.com/  Blog: Squee! Karina's Sister Poses as Neeta!

10-Dec http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com/ Guest post

10-Dec http://snoringscholar.com/ interview

11-Dec http://kbaccellia.livejournal.com/ review

12-Dec www.tmarquitz.com/blog interview

13-Dec http://writersandauthors.blogspot.com/ feature

13-Dec http://fabianspace.blogspot.com/  Blog--The Zombie Death Extreme Website!

14-Dec http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/ Character interview

15-Dec http://cfvici.blogspot.com/ review

16-Dec http://fabianspace.blogspot.com/  Blog--Questions about Neeta Lyffe

17-Dec http://afortnightofmustard.blogspot.com/ Character interview

17-Dec http://catholiconceagain.blogspot.com/ Catholics and Fantasy

18-Dec http://joyce-anthony.blogspot.com/ interview

19-Dec http://kat-findingangel.blogspot.com/ review + interview

19-Dec http://splashdownreviews.blogspot.com/ review + interview

20-Dec http://fabianspace.blogspot.com/  Roundup of Reviews

20-Dec http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/ Review

Author Bio: From zombie exterminators to dragon detectives to nuns in space, Karina Fabian's universes make readers laugh, cry and think. Winner of the 2007 EPPIE Award for best sci-fi and the 2010 INDIE Award for best fantasy, she lets her characters take her where they will and is never disappointed. Karina Fabian is married to Colonel Robert Fabian. They and their four kids call home wherever the Air Force sends them. Learn more at www.fabianspace.com

Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian Now Available!



eBook ISBN: 9781615722723

Price: $ 5.95

Genre: Horror

Sub Genre: Zombie

Novel of 84563 words

Sex rating: 1

Violence rating: 4

Edited by Kim Richards

Cover Artwork by George Silliman

Print ISBN: 9781615722730

By the 2040s, the shambling dead have become and international problem. While governments and special interest groups vie for the most environmentally-friendly way to rid the world of zombies, a new breed of exterminator has risen: The Zombie Exterminator. When zombie exterminator Neeta Lyffe gets sued because a zombie she set afire stumbles onto a lawyer's back porch, she needs money, fast. So she agrees to train apprentice exterminators in a reality TV show that makes Survivor look like a game of tag. But that's nothing compared to having to deal with crazy directors, bickering contestants and paparazzi. Can she keep her ratings up, her bills paid and her apprentices alive and still keep her sanity?



Read an excerpt:


This was about reflexes,

She jumped over the arm that sprung up in front of her, doing the splits as she brought down her chainsaw to slice the hand off at the wrist.

…about burning aggression,

She spun a full circle, moving the saw in a sine wave. She took one target out at the knees, sliced another sideways across the chest, beheaded a third.

…about moving beyond thought and planning and negotiations with writers and directors and people who cared more for ratings than lives,

She lunged, spun, kicked and swung, her battle cries a perfect accompaniment to the pounding music.

A buzzer sounded, and the lights brightened and steadied. The targets stopped their frenetic motions and presented themselves for her to examine. She dropped the saw where she stood and braced her hands against her knees to catch her breath. Her arms felt like lead. A good feeling. She moved among the grimacing targets, noting the strikes that would have severed limbs, the ones that would have beheaded... When she came to the long-haired one with the pot belly, she gave a feral grin.




PURCHASE NOW FROM DAMNATION BOOKS OR THE KINDLE VERSION FROM AMAZON.COM!

From zombie exterminators to dragon detectives to nuns in space, Karina Fabian' universes make readers laugh, cry and think. Winner of the 2007 EPPIE Award for best sci-fi and the 2010 INDIE Award for best fantasy, she lets her characters take her where they will and is never disappointed. Karina Fabian is married to Colonel Robert Fabian. They and their four kids call home wherever the Air Force sends them. Learn more at www.fabianspace.com.