Thank you for visiting my stop on the Rave Reviews Book Club’s BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER BLOCK PARTY!
Here’s what I’m giving away today:
$10 Amazon gift card
1 ebook – Zombie Dawn
1 ebook – Megamax
Number of winners for this stop – 3
Please Like my post and leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway. Good luck!
* * *
Since this party has a Halloween theme, I thought I would share an excerpt from my short story, Zombie Dawn.
Catherine’s house, including the treacherous back steps and the spooky alley, was my house for seventeen years, and Silme was my sweet baby boy for sixteen of those years.
The neighborhood in the story is the one I live in now, and I get a little exercise by walking those streets at least four nights a week, always between ten p. m. and midnight.
Many of the houses are dark by the time I waddle by, and working pole lamps are few and far between.
I have to admit that the little road where the character Bobby dies (not in this excerpt) between my street and the block behind us, is a bit unsettling. There is only one light, and it is often out. My poor vision prevents me from seeing into the alley after dark, so walking that road always gives me a bit of a chill.
One of the side roads on the street behind mine leads to Blueberry Park, the site of a homeless camp and not a safe place to be near after dark.
Sometimes, I see other people on the road, and I wonder what brings them out so late at night.
These figures, shrouded in shadows and mist, add to the overall creep factor of my walks and send my writer’s mind to some pretty ghoulish places.
It was during one of these walks that Zombie Dawn was born.
I hope you enjoy the following excerpt.
* * *
“Toby!” Catherine Peterson’s voice reached the shrill note necessary to be heard through both the bedroom door and the raucous din that currently passed for music. “Why are you still up? Turn that music off and go to bed! Did you take the garbage out?”
The music stopped, and she heard Toby’s door creak open.
“No,” was the shouted reply. “I forgot.”
Catherine rolled her eyes, knowing that it was foolish to expect a ten-year-old boy to do anything that even remotely resembled a chore.
“It has to go out tonight,” she shouted back. “They come early.”
“I’ll set my alarm for six and take it out then.” It was clear from Toby’s voice that he had no intention of doing either of those things.
“Never mind.” Catherine was too tired to argue. “I’ll take it out this time, but you owe me!”
“Thanks mom!” The door closed, and the music began to pound almost immediately.
Catherine rolled her eyes again as she headed for the kitchen to grab the trash bag.
Silme, the family cat, appeared from nowhere and escorted her, somehow managing to be exactly where she planned to put each foot as she walked.
“Silme, you’re not helping.”
The cat meowed his response, letting her know that he didn’t care if he wasn’t being particularly helpful.
He followed her to the back door, hoping to slide beneath the bag that she held and escape into the backyard as soon as the screen door opened. It was Silme’s standard routine, and Catherine was ready for him.
“That’s not happening, dude.” Once the inner door was open, Catherine turned her back to the screen and lowered the bag so that it was between her feet and the cat.
“Stay back,” she instructed automatically. But, as usual, Silme wasn’t listening.
Eyes wide, he gazed past her into the unlit yard. Growling softly, he flattened his ears.
“Don’t look at the possum,” Catherine told him with a smile. It had become another automatic statement when a possum had taken up residence in the plastic tub that had been outfitted as a refuge for stray cats.
Silme growled again, then turned and ran when Catherine opened the latch and backed through the doorway.
She had just a second or two to wonder what the heck was wrong with her cat before a pair of hands closed over her shoulders with fingers that gripped like talons.
Screaming, she dropped the garbage bag and tried to pull away. But the outer step that she stood on was small, and the quickness of her movements caused her to lose her balance.
She tried to recover but fell into the arms of the man who held her.
She had just enough time to recognize Mr. Duncan, who lived across the street, before his teeth sank into the flesh at the side of her throat and tore a mouthful away.
Blood spurted, spattering Catherine’s jaw like drops of rain. Mr. Duncan’s lips pressed against the wound, his teeth chewing at the flesh around it.
He’s eating me! The thought was almost too insane for Catherine’s mind to process. Dear Lord, he’s eating me!
She shrieked, the sound a keening cry born from a combination of pain and gut-wrenching terror.
She managed to put her palms against Mr. Duncan’s bony chest, pushing as hard as she could in an attempt to break free.
Mr. Duncan took two stumbling steps backward, and Catherine grabbed at the door handle with the hand that wasn’t pressed against the wound.
But two steps weren’t enough. Mr. Duncan’s hands grabbed the back of her shirt and pulled her into his vicious embrace.
Catherine voiced a scream that barely seemed human, while Mr. Duncan’s jaws closed on the nape of her neck.
The curtain opened at the window to her left, and she saw Toby’s terrified face watching through the glass.
The window slid open, and she screamed hysterically for him to close it. “Shut it! Shut it tight!”
He hesitated, and she felt a fresh surge of panic. What if he came out to try to help her?
“Call the cops! Now! ”
The window slammed shut, and though she couldn’t hear the latch sliding into place, she knew it had been done.
She felt herself weakening and realized that, as crazy as it seemed, she was being killed by a sweet old man who had every intention of devouring her.
Stay in the house! Her last thought was for the safety of her son. Please, baby, stay in the house…
* * *
Zombie Dawn
In the late hours of a warm summer night, the residents of a quiet little street discover that things aren’t so quiet, after all.
You can get your copy here: Zombie Dawn
* * *
Thanks again for stopping by today. If you would like to visit the other stops along the tour, you can do that by clicking here:
* * *
Contact
Email: rhanidchae@gmail.com
Twitter: @rhanidchae
My Books
A different kind of vampire story.
“HAVE A NICE DAY”
Mr. HAPPY
A short story with a bite.
Love makes Danny do crazy things.
Let the blood flow!
I think I have some neighbors who are zombies. I’ll find out on Halloween when I hand out the candy. If one of them bites my hand, I’ll know for sure. Of course, it’s possible they don’t like Kit Kats. Great post, Rhani. You left everybody hanging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Ron, thanks so much for stopping by.
I hope none of your trick-or-treaters bit you! 😄
LikeLike
“Zombie Dawn” looks like a winner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Karen, thanks for taking the time to drop in. I am a huge fan of zombies, and I had a lot of Thfun writing this story. I hope you have a wonderfully spooky Halloween. 😱
LikeLike
A most excellent excerpt, Rhani! Thanks for giving us a fright for Halloween. Best wishes to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Beem, thanks for stopping by. I figured something from this book would be a good choice for this tour. Lol
Wishing you a spooktastic Halloween. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Way too scary for me too. I’m not one for horror but it is a great post for Halloween. Shared this on Twitter and FB, Rhani.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Bernard, thanks so much for stopping by. Thank you for the shares, also. I greatly appreciate it. *Hugs*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good and creepy! Thanks, Rhani! I have shared this widely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are awesome, Mark! *Hugs*
LikeLike
Reblogged this on wordrefiner and commented:
So creepy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Mark, thanks for stopping by. Given the date of my tour stop, creepy was definitely my goal. Lol
Thank you so much for the re blog. I sure do appreciate it!
LikeLike
Hi Rhani, A fitting piece! I do enjoy devouring zombie stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Wendy, thanks for taking the time to stop by. I am a huge fan of anything zombie, so I had a lot of fun writing this story. 😀
LikeLike
I’m a fan of Zombie Dawn. I love knowing where the idea came from:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Denise. I’m glad you enjoyed taking a step or two behind the scenes of this book. Thanks so much for stopping by. I sure do appreciate it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was perfect for Halloween! Love that cover too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Ted, thanks so much for dropping by today. I hope you liked the excerpt, and I’m glad you love the cover! 😁
LikeLike
I got shivers, Rhani. 😮 I can’t wait to read this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Vashti. I’m so glad you were able to stop by and get a chill or two. It is the right time of year for that sort of thing, isn’t it? I hope you have a festive Halloween. Thanks so much for stopping by. *Hugs*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love horror at any time of year. 😉 You have a fun and safe Halloween! It’s always a pleasure. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a horror fan from way back! It’s probably why I love Halloween so much. I hope you have a wonderful Halloween also. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Rhani, I’m waiting for your next book. Enjoy your tour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Joy. Thanks for dropping in today. I have been working on #Winter and actually making progress. Lol As long as Decker cooperates, I might aceven get it finished. 😄
LikeLike
I just downloaded Zombie Dawn and moved it up in cue to read next.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Charles! I have your book about the Tarot cards on my list, and I’m looking forward to the read. It looks like fun! 😀
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
LikeLike
Wow! I have to read the rest of Zombie Dawn. There is nothing I enjoy better than a haunted house. This is the perfect time of year to let your imagination roam free. I see you have that covered. I’m adding your books to my list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Susanne, thank you for swinging by my blog today!
I’m glad you liked the excerpt. I thought this was the perfect tour to showcase #ZombieDawn. I love scary things too, and I had so much fun writing this book. At some point, this will lead into a full length novel. I’m just not sure when I will have time to write it. Lol
LikeLike
I loved “Zombie Dawn.” Thanks for sharing your excerpt for everyone to.see. hope you have a wonderful #BlogTour #blockparty day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Forrest. I’m so glad you liked the book. I never know what will or won’t trip your trigger when it comes to books. Lol
Thanks for stopping by today. *Hugs*
LikeLike
Should be “calm”
LikeLike
Yikes, Rhani. I settled down to read what I thought would be a clam excerpt and here old man Duncan was taking a bite out of Catherine’s neck. Whew, sounds like one heck of a book. Congratulations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by, John. I’m glad I was able to give you a yikes moment. Everyone needs one this time of year. Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say so, Rhani. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol John! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay Rhani. This piece has my heart racing. You are at it again. Where do you get this stuff?
I’m enjoying your stop. Congratulations !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Shirley. I’m glad you were able to visit my spooky little stop. I get a lot of ideas for stories on my walks. That’s why I take them so late. There are less distractions and I can just tune out everything and let my brain bounce.
Thanks again for stopping by. *Hugs*
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the perfect thing to share for Halloween week, Rhani! I have to admit I chewed my nails when I read this book. 🙂 But, as always, you did a great job writing it! Happy Halloween!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan, you crack me up! I’m glad you liked the book, even if your nails suffered. Lol
Thanks for stopping by today. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is way too scary for me! I am quite happy I read that this morning instead of tonight. Lol! You got my heart racing. Great writing, Rhani! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Yvi, thanks for stopping by. Taking my garbage out at night used to be scary at that house because the garage was between me and the cans, so I had no idea who-or what-might be in the alley until I got there.
I hope you have a fun Halloween. Thanks again for visiting today. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person