LILY CHILDS' FEBRUARY FEMMES FATALES - AN ANTHOLOGY

I am both pleased and thrilled to bring you some very exciting news.  Magenta Shaman author Lily Childs, the brainchild and driving force behind Lily Childs' Feardom and co-editor of Thrillers, Killers 'n Chillers has compiled some of the best dark fiction from the ladies of her February Femmes Fatales and released what is sure to be the 'talk' of 2014 when it comes to horror and urban fantasy -

- an anthology in e-book and trade paperback.

Do you like your horror so dark, dripping and visceral that you almost dread to turn the next page, and your telltale heart beats ever faster as your eyes devour the words in front of you?  I'll bet no pansy-assed crime is going to do it for you, right?  It's got to be so treacherous, gritty and suspenseful that you bite your nails to the quick, leaving little red smears on the pages.  Noir, you say?  Noir so steamy and sultry, a cold shower's the only thing to cool you down and save a 'not-in-the-mood' spouse/partner from a 'ravishing'?  Or, is it ravaging?

You're in luck!  My dear friend and mentor, as well as the 'grande dame' of horror and urban fantasy, Lily Childs, has released a new anthology, featuring dark fiction and poetry by twenty-plus of the premier female writers of the genre today.

Dark dames?  Here's twenty-three to thrill and chill you...

Where can I buy this nightmare-inducing, burn-candles-long-into-the-night book, you ask?

Psssst!  *whispers*  Come 'ere... *steps in to alley*

You look a decent sort... I suppose I can tell you.... as long as you spread it around, right then?

Lily's February Femmes Fatales is on all Amazon platforms.  Here are the main ones are:

Kindle version:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/February-Femmes-Fatales-Lily-Childs-ebook/dp/B00I8AHW2I
http://www.amazon.com/February-Femmes-Fatales-Lily-Childs-ebook/dp/B00I8AHW2I

Paperback:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/February-Femmes-Fatales-Lily-Childs/dp/1494731878/
http://www.amazon.com/February-Femmes-Fatales-Lily-Childs/dp/1494731878/

Now... you'll keep your word, right?  Tell all your friends.  And... it wouldn't go unnoticed if you wanted to leave a few words on Amazon about the book.  Doesn't have to be a huge review, but it goes without saying... "I liked it."  isn't likely to get you a plate of cookies.

Just sayin....

What's that you say?  Do I have a story?  I am both thrilled and honoured to have been asked to contribute a story for Lily's anthology.  Thank you for asking.  Would you like a little peek at Soul Taker?  *opens trenchcoat*

I've already burnt through several candles - for some reason, I can't read this stuff in the light of day; it's got to be in that dark, silvery time between the witching hour and the pre-dawn - and more than once awoken my inamorata, having given myself a fright over reading these femmes fatales dark offerings.

Well, I'm off to the apothecary for some herbed candles... it's going to be a long night.

~*~

Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw

16 February 2014

NEAR TO THE KNUCKLE PRESENTS: GLOVES OFF – AN ANTHOLOGY

Click on image to go to Amazon.com

When Darren Sant asked me to write a story for a new anthology he and Craig Douglas were putting together for their website, Near To The Knuckle (which was spawned from the eclectic Close To The Bone blog), I was absolutely thrilled!

"Wait a minute, Veronica... 'when Darren asked you...?"

Well, okay, so maybe he didn't exactly ask... I sort of snuck in when he was letting the cat out and after much pleading and a promise to bake cookies, he and Craig said they'd have a look at my story.

Now, I have been working on this 'noir' thing for a couple of years, trying to find a voice... a grit and darkness worthy of noir. I've had a few polite rejections... "it's a nice story, Veronica, but just a bit off from what we are looking for." ... I thought I just might have found that voice with The Way of Things.

 Darren thought so too... he accepted my submission and made a few editorial suggestions and next thing you know...

I'm rubbing elbows with some of the best talent in the genre today. I mean, look at these names....

Gareth Spark, Richard Godwin, Paul D. Brazill, Aidan Thorn, Pete Sortwell, B.R. Stateham, Brian Panowich, Ryan Sayles,Chris Leek, David Barber, Vic Errington, Graham Smith, Walter Conley, Tom Pitts, Allen Miles, Jim Spry,Mike Monson and Alan Griffiths.

We are talking MAJOR talent here, people!

I am totally chuffed to once again be appearing with two of my friends and mentors, Richard Godwin and Paul D Brazill... totally chuffed!

Thank you, Craig Douglas and Darren Sant, for your tireless efforts and all the hard work in putting this collection together.

And a special thank you to Steven Miscandlon over at Steven Miscandlon Book Design for the amazing cover art for Gloves Off.

Run, do not walk, over to Amazon and get your copy of Gloves Off today... you won't be disappointed! 

Click here for US Amazon.

Click here for UK Amazon

Thank you.


Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw
28 March 2013
An undisclosed location in the Pacific Northwest

Richard Godwin's APOSTLE RISING Available For The E-Book

Apostle Rising is a police procedural/psychological thriller of the first order... dark, twisted and suspenseful. Richard gives nothing away in his narrative... no red herrings... no leading one down the garden path. From the very first page, one knows this is not going to be a pretty ride. Richard's writing has a dark, sinister feel that, for fans of crime/horror, is irresistible to put down and impossible to ignore. His rich, dark, imaginative prose draws one in much like one of those water vortices in the northern Atlantic... undeniably powerful and compelling.

Apostle Rising is how [Stephen] King would write if he did noir... the relentless, escalating horror of Richard's deftly written prose leaves one on the edge... breathless... having serious second thoughts perhaps, about taking that evening walk unaccompanied.

Engrossing, beautifully written horror... with the technical detail of a first class police procedural, Apostle Rising is a `must-read' for any fan of crime fiction or horror.

Master of the horror/psychological thriller, Richard Godwin's debut crime novel, Apostle Rising is now available on Amazon for the Kindle, as well as in trade paperback.  The e-book contains some exciting extras:  an extract from Mr. Glamour, Richard's bestselling second novel, and a series of deliciously dark Noir stories.

If you live in the United States, the price of countless sleepless nights is only $3.24 -

APOSTLE RISING for the Kindle - US Amazon

If the United Kingdom is where you hang your hat and have a 'cuppa', a mere £2.05 will send shivers down your spine -

APOSTLE RISING for the Kindle - UK Amazon

EPUB versions will be out for your Nooks, Kobos and all other eReaders by 31 August.  Click here  for buy links.

And, if you like a bit more weight in your hands (I love the feel of a book in my hands, so I have both the paperback and the e-book), the trade paperback is also available -

APOSTLE RISING in Paperback - US Amazon

APOSTLE RISING in Paperback -  UK Amazon

You can find out more about Richard, as well as his Chin Wags At The Slaughterhouse interviews, at -

www.richardgodwin.net

Richard isn't just my friend and mentor, he is an amazingly talented writer and storyteller.  If you like horror, dark noir and heart-stopping psychological thrillers, Richard Godwin more than delivers!

Thank you.

Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw

30 August 2012

Cannon Beach, Oregon

100 HORRORS ANTHOLOGY - Tales of Horror in the Blink of an Eye - ON SALE FEBRUARY 20TH, 2012

100 Horrors Anthology is coming out on February 20th.  The anthology will be available for Kindle on Amazon and the trade paperback will go on sale at http://cruentuslibri.wordpress.com/.

Yes... I have a little slice of horror in this anthology... but I would be 'plugging' it anyway... there is a ton of amazing talent here. Some of you (me included) will be sleeping with your night light on! 

Bwaahaahaa!!

BOOK REVIEW - LILY CHILDS: MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW

Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow by Lily Childs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Lily Childs’ second book - in what one hopes will be a continuing series - featuring earth shaman Magenta Sweeney, is, if possible, even more breathtaking and compelling than her first novella, MAGENTA SHAMAN.



MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW takes Magenta (Maggie) from her safe haven on the English coast with her husband Tom, to the dark forests of the Czech Republic, to an ancient castle where her father is prisoner.

In a style reminiscent of horror master Clive Barker, Lily weaves a dark tale filled with horror and magic, love and death, monsters and corrupt spirits. Lily writes with a verve and authority that draws the reader in immediately, grips them and doesn’t let go until the very end.

MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW is only my second journey along the astral planes between this world - one that most of us only see with half-opened eyes - and the magical worlds of other planes… other dimensions in time and space. Even to the most diehard non-believer, Lily’s powerful prose brings a sense of wonder, danger and excitement that quickens the heart, and… at least, in my case… makes one sleep with the night light on full!

After reading Lily’s first book, MAGENTA SHAMAN, I had mentioned that, even with a night light on, I’d tossed and turned all night. I told Lily that if her book had evoked any lesser reaction in me, I would have been disappointed. With MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW, I ‘suffered’ the same sleeplessness and turmoil… oh, such a sweet ‘suffering’! What I was not… was disappointed. Once again, Lily delivers beautifully!

MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW is a rich, dark, magical story… taking the reader across the astral planes with Maggie, on mission to rescue her father from a terrible dark force… from the pits of Hell itself!

Lily’s vivid description of her journey through a supernatural world leaves this reader more than a little breathless! When I dare close my eyes, I can almost see the dark forest before me… feeling the vibration of the boar’s hoof beats on the forest floor… all the rich scents of flora and fauna around me. At one point, I actually felt a bitterness in the back of my throat when Magenta… well, I can’t say here… that might spoil it for the reader. The dusty blackness of the crow is all too real!

Throughout her narrative, Lily enthralls the reader with everything Magenta is doing, from her preparation to do battle with dark forces in the spiritual world, through to the fight itself… a struggle to the death… all in the name of love. While explaining all of this in rich detail, what Lily does not do is burden the reader with a lot of writerly detritus, losing the reader in so much description and ‘authorly voice’ that they become lost.

Lily’s rich prose carefully blends magic, evil and love in a masterful telling that keeps the reader’s interest throughout, captivating their imagination… and upon reaching the end of the tale, leaving them wanting more! Wanting more… not because Lily’s storytelling is lacking in any manner; but wanting more… because her voice so captivates the reader that they don’t want the story to end.

For those of you disappointed that I didn’t relate more of the actual story - tell you about Tom’s struggles for instance, or what happens in the castle - I say this… go buy the book and read it yourself! I mean no disrespect, but really… I’m not your ‘Cliff’s Notes’. Besides, I could not come within a continent’s breadth of coming close to Lily’s rich, magical prowess with the written word.

I will tell you this… Lily’s dark imagination tells a story… a love story, if you will… of the power of love… both in this earthly realm, and in the magic and spellbinding wonder of the supernatural realms.

One final thought. It has been three nights since I turned the first page of MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW, and I will have the night light on again tonight. My inamorata and wife, Tina, asks me why I read this ‘stuff’ if it is “…only going to cost you sleep and give you nightmares?” I say to her, with a smile and a wink… “That is the whole point, honey!”

Once again, Lily… a simple ‘Thank you’ somehow seems rather inadequate.

Brava, sweetie… BRAVA!

(Author’s note – visit Lily at Lily Childs Feardom for more of her dark prose and verse of horror and urban fantasy. Lily is also the horror editor over at THRILLERS, KILLERS ‘N CHILLERS.)

~~**~~

Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Silverdale, Washington
Portland, Oregon
9 December 2011



View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW - MCDROLL (FIONA JOHNSON): KICK IT AGAIN

Kick It Again by McDroll

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Oh... Beeny's a little shite, isn't he? Lying to his mate like that!

Veronica, Queen Slave of the Mutant Monkeys sounds very interesting indeed... she doesn't come on the DS, does she? Haha!

A STRAIGHT GAME is an absorbing, all-too realistic story of a couple of delinquents. The characters.. . the dialogue... I can almost hear the conversation... the inflection in their voices... you capture perfectly the dialect. It really brings the characters to life. Excellent read!

This is really first rate writing, Fiona! As with all of your stories, I absolutely LOVE A STRAIGHT GAME.

NO MORE CHOICES... a raw, powerful, bleak story... when a mother's love and desperation takes her down to the very bottom of that long, dark path to something she hoped and prayed would never come to pass. there is a dark, tragic sadness in this telling of the human condition. Beautifully written, Fiona.

This one doesn't tug... it rips at my heart! We read stories like this and the lucky ones who haven't had to make the hard choices can only be thankful that they haven't had to. For those of us who have... the anguish and torment here wrings our emotions. This one brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat.

Beautifully written, Fiona! That last line... "The pilot light popped. The gas hissed into the darkness." ... that one got to me.

If I write anymore, I might give something away, so I will leave to you, gentle reader, the other three amazing stories in this collection.

~~**~~

Brilliant and breathtaking 'slices' of crime/noir; Fiona Johnson has another winner in KICK IT AGAIN. She sets a bar many reach for, but few attain.  Be sure to check out her previous collection - KICK IT, available on Amazon, and visit Fiona's website at http://imeanttoreadthat.blogspot.com/.  Her writing can also be found in The Lost Children:  A Charity Anthology, on sale at Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes and Nobles; proceeds of which go to children's charities.  Visit THE LOST CHILDREN:  A CHARITY ANTHOLOGY  for more information.

~~finis~~

View all my reviews

The Lost Children Charity Anthology - On Sale Now At Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes and Noble

I join my colleagues in a very heartfelt thank you to Thomas Pluck, Fiona Johnson and Ron Earl Phillips for their tireless efforts in seeing The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology to its fruition.

Two special thank you's - To artist and photographer extraordinaire Danielle Tunstall for her generous permission to use one of her photographs on the cover of the e-book as well as The Lost Children Anthology websites, and to Sarah Bennett Pluck for her incredible work producing the cover for this anthology.

"Some children are lost before they have even started living. Some children are a throw-away commodity like a burger box that’s left to blow down the street in the wind and rain." - Fiona Johnson

This is how it started.

A prompt on Flash Fiction Friday - A Community Writing Project.  Guest moderator, author Fiona Johnson, asked us to write a story about lost children.  Our inspiration was the heart-wrenching photograph by Danielle Tunstall shown below.

Thomas Pluck offered to donate $5 for each story submitted to PROTECT: The National Association to Protect Children.  Fiona in turn pledged to donate $5 to Children 1st, a children’s charity in Scotland.  Together , $600 was raised for the two charities, thanks to the generous and creative writing communities of Flash Fiction Friday, Fictionaut; as well as the crime fiction community on Twitter.

43 entries were submitted.  The flash fiction challenge was such a success that Thomas, Fiona and Ron decided to take it further... they would publish an anthology, with 100% of the proceeds going to the two charities PROTECT and Children 1st.

Ron, Fiona and Thomas chose 30 of the best stories to put in a charity anthology, all proceeds of which would go to PROTECT and Children 1st.

50% of the proceeds will go to Children 1st, which is a children’s charity based in Scotland – see http://networkedblogs.com/p0GhX for more information about the charity and how you can help.

The other 50% of the proceeds will go to PROTECT:  The National Association to Protect Children.  PROTECT is based in the United States - see http://networkedblogs.com/p13Gv for more about them and how you can help.

And finally, please see http://networkedblogs.com/p8p99 for a little background on my story, ‘LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN’.  I am humbled and and honoured to have my story selected and to be part of this amazing project.  By buying the anthology, you too can help a very worthwhile cause.

Lost Children: A Charity Anthology is now available for purchase on Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.  Please help us support these charities and help a child.  Thank you.

PULP INK – New Anthology By Chris Rhatigan and Nigel Bird - You Gotta Read This! Don't Make Me Get All Medieval On Your A**!

http://www.amazon.com/PULP-INK-ebook/dp/B005HB3TDW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1313471680&sr=1-1

Just think... for a minute of your time and the minuscule sum of $2.99... you can have HOURS of reading pleasure!  Where else you gonna get that kind of deal?  :)

But, Veronica... How can I get this treasure?

Glad you asked... see that little blue line of letters and numbers that change color when you move your mouse pointer over it?  Just click that little baby and get your VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express (no... your library card isn't going to cut it... nice try, though!) ready!

See... easy, peasy... wasn't it?

Now... grab a cold one... kick back... and, ENJOY!