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Mind-bending cyberpunk

I love to read. Ever since I was a kid, books have been an escape and a refuge from all the craziness in the world.

Every once in a while, I pick up a book and get so lost in the story that it’s hard to function because I can’t stop thinking about it and wondering what will happen to the characters next. Has this ever happened to you?

There’s a new book called Soul Jacker, and it’s the best cyberpunk I’ve read in some time. It’s currently on sale for $0.99 and free for Kindle Unlimited readers. I don’t know how long that sale price will last…

soul jacker

Imagine a post-apocalyptic arctic landscape where jacking deep into a person’s brain and altering their memories is a thing. The main character, Ritry Goligh, is a former marine who specializes in the dangerous business of soul-jacking.

When he’s not getting drunk on arcloberry vodka and trying to piece together his past, he’s waiting for the big one–a giant tsunami wave that will destroy everything in its path. But when he helps a runaway girl, he spirals down a path toward destruction and danger.

If you enjoy cyberpunk such as Neuromancer, Altered Carbon, and Snow Crash, you’ll love reading this book. Plus, it’s a 3-book series so you can really dig in.

Question of the Week:
What’s the last book you had trouble putting down?
P.S. I recommend sci-fi & fantasy books frequently on BookBub. CLICK HERE to follow me and get all my recommendations. 
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More Cosplay from 2019 C2E2

As promised, I’m back this week with more C2E2 fun! And now, drum roll, please…the Day 2 costume reveal.

Hint: she’s blonde, rebellious, and tough as…steel?

One of my favorite shows is Westworld. My Day 2 costume was Dolores, the farmer’s daughter/badass android. She doesn’t normally hang around Skeletor, but I made an exception in this case.

I received many compliments, and lots of people asked for my photo. I met only one other Dolores at the event.

Here are a few of my other favorite costumes… Do you know who they are?

cosplay 2019 C2E2

What about this one?

cosplay C2E2

I couldn’t resist a pic with these two troublemakers. Excellent!

Wayne and Garth

Last week’s question was, “Who is your favorite Game of Thrones character?” The winner happened to be Arya with Daenerys the runner up.

Last week, I rewatched season 7 to prepare. Can you believe Ghost didn’t appear the entire season? I hope his gigantic, furry face will be back in the final episodes!

Question of the Week

What television series are you most looking forward to watching this year?

There are several series slated to return for more seasons, including Stranger Things and American Gods. The new Good Omens series is coming in May. What has you excited? Reply and let me know!

Last week, I mentioned I’m working on a novella. It started as an idea for a short story… Many readers have asked what happened to Reed after Ida left Woodlawn in Altered. I decided to answer that question and share more about his experience.

That story has quickly blossomed into 100 pages, and still going! I’m planning to finish writing the first draft this week and then work on edits. Since you’ve been a steady companion on my writing journey so far, this novella will be free to anyone already on my email list:-)

I’m so excited to share Reed’s story with you, and I think you’re going to enjoy finding out what happened to him and others as Woodlawn Youth Improvement Center descends into chaos.

Well, that’s all for today. I’ll be back in a few days with an awesome new cyberpunk book recommendation.

Have you read Altered? Could you spare two minutes to leave a brief, honest review on Amazon? Here’s the link. I’m grateful any time you leave a review on any of my books—it goes a long way to helping other readers find my books.

 

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Who Is Your Favorite Game of Thrones Character?

Last weekend I attended C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo). It’s the Chicago equivalent of Comic-Con.

One of my favorite weekends of the entire year, the event takes place in a massive convention center along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Nearly 90,000 people crowded the halls as they browsed tables featuring artists, comic book creators, authors, and actors. The line-up of speakers included Paul Rudd, Alicia Silverstone, David Tennant, Ralph Macchio, and many more.

I’ve gone to C2E2 several years in a row, and this time I went both Friday and Saturday. I love cosplay and enjoyed the chance to wear two different costumes!

On Friday, I dressed as Daenerys Targaryen (AKA Mother of Dragons) from Game of Thrones. (Day 2 costume reveal coming next week).

favorite Game of Thrones character

Here’s a pic of me with a Cersei Lannister look-alike and a Melisandre cosplayer.

favorite game of thrones character

I even brought along my little purple dragon whom I’ve nicknamed Li’l Drogon. I’m so excited for GOT to return in April.

favorite game of thrones character

Who is your favorite Game of Thrones character? Comment below.

My favorite character is Brienne of Tarth. Not only is she a badass warrior knight, but she also protects Sansa and Arya. And, she fought The Hound and won. Years ago, I met Gwendoline Christie at another convention but unfortunately didn’t get her photo! I sure wish I had.

She was really pleasant and friendly, and I was star-struck.

Stay tuned for more C2E2 pics next week!

 

 

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X-Files meets Stephen King

I’m proud to announce the debut of Dark Shadows 2: Voodoo and Black Magic of New Orleans — the result of the Authors on a Train trip!  In it, you’ll find 4 short stories written by the eight authors who journeyed via train from Chicago’s Union Station to New Orleans last November.

Dark Shadows 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My story, written with author Chloe Adler, is called The Soul Collector.

On the Louisiana Bayou, some secrets haunt you forever… Angelina longs for a different life but can’t break free from the sinister Mr. Rudy. When she discovers his macabre deception, she sets off on a dangerous and dark path that will forever change their lives.

We channeled our inner Stephen Kings for this one, and it’s been described as “beautifully dark.”

Dark Shadows 2

The other stories are equally as chilling and fun to read:

  • The Curse of the Rougarou is like X-Files set in a swamp.
  • Unfinished Business reminds me of the Salem witch trials, with a nightmarish New Orleans twist.
  • The Ghost Who Walks is a classic tale of revenge set in the French Quarter.

Click here to get the book on Kindle or Click here for paperback.

All proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Covenant House of New Orleans, a shelter and safe place for homeless young people. We felt it was a very deserving charity and hope to see it benefit.

Be sure to grab your copy today and help out the Covenant House!
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Life on Mars

I’m writing this from the frigid tundra of Chicago where the current temperature is -16°F. Yesterday morning, it was -21 with a wind chill of -50! My city is about the same temperature as the surface of Mars.

While I write about strong characters, I’m not an adrenaline junkie myself.  🙂 I did not venture outside yesterday. The cold is so brutal that you can get frostbite in under 10 minutes. I’m beyond grateful to have a safe, warm home.

There is beauty in extremes. Lake Michigan, which is a few degrees above freezing, appears to boil like a cauldron. Steam rises from the surface in roiling waves as water meets the arctic subzero air.

I read a lot of post-apocalyptic sci-fi, and it is eerie to see Chicago looking abandoned. Schools and businesses have closed. Train and air service has stopped, and very few cars are on the road. Nearly everyone stays inside their homes.

Recently, I read Birdbox. In the book, everyone hides inside their homes. It struck me as eerie to have the same type of situation here. Thankfully, it’s just 48 hours. The forecast is for warmer times ahead. I’m very grateful.

Birdbox is fantastic, and I highly recommend the book (grab it here). Read it before you watch the movie if possible. I’m also reading Cinder, a retelling of Cinderella but with a cyborg. I love it so far. Find it here.

What are you reading lately? Leave a comment below.

In writing news, I finished the Authors on a Train short story with my co-author. We had so much fun writing together. It’s a horror tale that contains voodoo and ritualistic magic. We channeled our inner Stephen Kings! I’ll let you know when the book is available.

Meanwhile, I continue making progress with Salvage (Book 4 in the Rogue Spark series). I am excited to be nearing the finish line. I had hoped to make the book available in January, but it’s taking longer than expected. Look for an announcement by the end of February.

Here’s a glimpse of the cover. What do you think?

Salvage Cameron Coral

After Salvage, I will plot a new series that I’m excited about. Ideas are brewing. I’m also planning more short stories since I had so much fun with the New Orleans story. Exciting times ahead!
On March 2nd, I’ll be attending the Tucson Festival of Books. Let me know if you live in the area and want to stop by my booth or meet up. My Dad and stepmom live in southern Arizona, and I enjoy getting the chance to hang out with them for a few days. We like hiking in the nearby mountains and canyons.
I hope you are staying warm wherever you are in the world. I look forward to sharing more exciting news with you soon.