Page of Buckets - #Beta-Readers Needed

I'm looking for Beta Readers for Page of Buckets. If you are interested, please send me an email at chuckwes70@gmail.com  and I'll send you an ebook copy. I do not wish to scare anyone away, however, I believe a short disclaimer is in order. This is a book of horror/dark fantasy and contains scenes of violence and other freakish scenes, in addition to sexual innuendo and/or acts (not porn) and dark humor; I would give it a wholesome R rating. 

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 66

“I don’t want to be an imposition. I understand men need their time and…”

“I wouldn’t mind the company.”

We walk the main street.

“Where are you from Mr. Ashwin?”

“London.”

“I’ve always dreamed of going to London, but my parents don’t feel comfortable with me going at my age.”

“Your age?”

“Sixteen and never been kissed.” She sees my expression and continues, “I know I pass for at least twenty. I’m sorry if I make you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s alright, but I think we should be heading back, the train will be leaving soon.” I can no longer ignore the demands beating in my head. “I’ll see you back on the train,” I say and hand her my coat.

“OK,” she says with a confused expression and takes my coat.

I watch her stride down the street to the train station without turning back and I duck into the alley to find the source of the scent that enticed me away from her.

He lay passed out in the shadows against the wall. His heavy snores confirm that there will not be a struggle. I squat next to him and without further hesitation rip the flesh of his filthy neck with my teeth. His blood fills my mouth. My eyes glance back to the entrance, hoping that she did not return, which she did not. I finish drinking of him and wipe my mouth with the already stained handkerchief in my pocket, then return to the train.

Read all the entries at the Weird, the Wild and the Wicked.

The Page of Buckets

It's been a while since I last posted and I have a good reason for that; writing, editing and cover design. While the editing is not done on my NaNoWriMo novel from November, I do have a title (The Page of Buckets) and I have some cover designs going, that I want you to tell me what you think. But first I want to give you a little background, if you haven't read Circus Tarot, on the story.

 

Mary and Darrin are a wonderful little suburban couple that find themselves in, accidentally of course, World Circus where the people depicted on the faces of Tarot Cards are real and they are--well let's say they have different values than our heroic couple, I don't want to spoil anything for you if you haven't read it.

 

After freeing themselves from the Circus Tarot or they think they have, Mary and Darrin start their lives over. Mary starts working for a company as a closer, Darrin becomes a stay-home dad for their now six year-old, Susie. Unknown to them, World Circus has been slowly rebuilding itself and the inhabitants are not very please with the couple. I'm not going to say anymore. However, I will give you the first scene with the Page of Buckets. Oh, by the way, the Page of Buckets is Susie.

* * * *

The sound of bees buzzing around on flowers faded in and out with the breeze. She watched her reflection in the mirror. A large ball of yellow hair wobbled with her every movement on top of her head and two blue ribbons tied together pony tails that rested on her shoulders. Her painted-on-smile framed her mouth full of pointed teeth. At first, she could not believe her eyes. He kept his promise and let her come.

She looked into the bucket that sat next to her. The orange fish lashed around in the shallow water; it turned its face to look at her, its teeth matched the sharpness of hers. She grabbed the bucket and left her trailer.

“Let’s go have some fun before mommy and daddy came,” she said to the fish and skipped through Clown Wood.

* * * *

Now, I need your help on the cover art. Which one do you like the best? None of them? Tell me your thoughts in the Comments.

 

 

 

 

#MotivationMonday - Dawn of a New Day

The events transpiring had happened before. I knew exactly how this would end. I have no choice in the matter; all I can do was watch helplessly. No one hears the warnings screamed from my lungs. They hear my screams as the breeze, fluttering my edges and carrying the aromas of popcorn and cotton candy, and the whimsical notes from the calliope. I billow my top, thinking I look unappealing but they rush in with laughter and excitement. Again, I try to warn of the dangers within but still no one listens. The music pumps and the lights darken, they are now prisoners held inside of me anticipating something exciting. The lights above their heads flash and sparkle. They still have time before—too late, they start pouring in, the hideous creatures. A few see their mistake but know there is no escape for them now from the evil Clowns.

Read all the entries at Wakefield Mahon's.

Don't forget to download your copy of Circus Tarot before Circus Tarot Redealt comes to bookstore.

#ThursThreads - Week 52

“I swear, I’m totally sober,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “There’s this girl you see.” He turned back to the officer. “Well at least she was a girl but,” his eyes bounced around looking for an accurate description but found none.

“Right, whatever you say. I’m still putting you under arrest for Public Intoxication. Come on, get in the car.”

He slammed the door and shook his head; now he had heard everything. A piece of gravel bounced across the asphalt and hit the side of his boot. He slightly turned his head to the direction it came. He did not have time to react as the open mouth full of teeth attached to his face.

The young man in the backseat of the car screamed for him as when he tried, blood filled his mouth and choked him. He watched the officer twitch in her grip. She looked so sweet at the bar, the girl any guy would be glad to take home to mom. He saw the officer slump to the ground and she stood next to the car.

She bent over and looked at him through the window. He pushed himself across the seat and wedged himself against the door. She smiled with blood stained teeth and drew a bloody heart on the window. He squeezed his eyes shut, muttering prayers, not knowing that she turned and left him with her mark; he would be more than a meal.

Read all the entries at The Weird, the Wild and the Wicked.

#55WordChallenge - Week Forty

The clouds pulse and stir above me as I soar through the air. The branches shake in the surges of cold wind below me but nothing will stop me from my quest. I circle the ground searching. The lightning bursts with bright zagging threads around me. I stand and walk on the ground a man.

Read all the entries at Jerzi's Nightmares.

#NaNoWriMo 2012 Winner

Wow, I can't believe I did it and in the last week and a half I've had a cold. I actually went over a bit with 50322 words. Congratulations to everyone that finishes(ed), it's not as easy as it sounds. Now on to editing.