To Celebrate my 3 year move – repost of The House Where the Things Go Bump in the Night

Otherwise known as my house.  The one I painstakingly sweated tears and blood to get in time to move, the one that brought me to a better place to live, the one that brings old charm into a beautifully old neighborhood, and the best place I have ever rented.  Mind you, this place was built in the 20’s so there are a lot of elements good and bad that mix into all of this.

Until it gets dark of course and I take notice of all sorts of things.  Every little sound from the creaking of the floorboards, the small drip coming from the tub, tree branches scratching my windows, and of course things always dropping onto the added-in skylight in the kitchen.  As I am in writers mode at this time of night all these tiny simple things turn into something grandiose in my mind and it runs away faster than I can keep up.

You see, I do have a few fears of the house.  Yes me, the one who kills people off with a pen swifter than you can get a paper-cut, I do have fears.  Granted some are warranted (like needles and snakes) while others are purely subconsciously settled.  Those won’t budge so I figured, hey let’s share 🙂

Lets start with what I like to call the Goblin Door.

ImageSee that tiny door?  I’m sure its not hard to miss.  It sits quietly in my kitchen between a door and the refrigerator.  Most would pay no mind to it or take it as it is, a door to something necessary.  I don’t see it that way.  I see it as just what I imagine.  A door that somehow lurking behind it sits a goblin determined to come out and catch me at the most inconvenient time.  So naturally, I have put a few obstacles in its path.  First, I have a tin object hanging from the LOCKED door, so if it were to slide open the tin falls and I’m alerted to the beginning of a bumpy night.  For good measure I usually throw the bin in front of it, followed by the broom, and a few containers filled with dog and cat food.  This by far is creepy enough.  Let’s move on to the other thing that really bothers me.

My basement.  You’re thinking, “yeah so its a basement, no big deal a lot of people don’t like them, but they are only basements and nothing else.”  Or is it?  Who is to say that this house is not sitting on top of a portal to the other world, the goblin door just being one of many places these creatures my come out?  It can be pretty easy to tell that something could be amiss in the supernatural world just by looking at things.

The stairs.  yes, the stairs.  Woohoo, simple.  Yet why in the world are they held up by rope?  That is something that baffles me and flashes red lights as I squeeze myself down them.

ImageThe moment I step down from the stairs I am greeted by tons of old brick, dirt, and rock since the house was built into a hill.  Pipe after pipe above me leading sometimes from nowhere to nowhere.  I turn to the left and what can I see?

A place Goblins can go to and from their other realm (or whatever creatures that might decide to visit)

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I can only imagine some dark disfigured creature slithering out of that hole and leaving behind heaps of ash.

I proceed a bit further and something people haven’t seen in a while is what looks to be an old coal generator of sorts, complete with real lumps of coal on the ground. To me, this seems like an easy storage units for nibbles the goblins save for later.

ImageOf course we could always hope that the reason these goblins have been kept at bay was because they  haven’t found a use for me yet.  Maybe they’re the kind that prefer to EAT the coal, or bricks, or concrete, add a multitude of minerals to the mix.  Let’s hope this is the last place they stop for if they want a midnight snack.

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So there you have it folks.  My house, my imagination, and the creep factor.  I will tell you one thing, I kid you not, I have a sword that for any reason I hear ramblings, scurrying, clanking, or to even go to the basement after the sun goes down (it has windows, but lighting is left up to two dim bulbs) I will use to the best of my ability.

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You Can’t Choose Your Family…..

“You Can’t Choose your family but you can choose your friends.”

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I think Tessa would completely agree. Everything that has gone on in her life and afterlife has proven that exact point. It made her what she was and I think it made her stronger. She chose who she wanted around and even attempted to repair a rift or two. In the end it all came down to who those to have her back when times were rough.

To me this quote rings so true and loud that I’m getting a little reverb from it. I’m not saying that being family is essentially bad because in all honesty there is a lot of love going on and there are those what will stick with you through thick and thing. Your friends, on the other hand, they have the harder task. The CHOOSE to be with you in not just the awesome moments but in the tough times as well. They know your intricacies, what makes you hurt, and what makes you feel better. I would do anything for my best friend, even if it is acting a fool creating an alter to a bar of soap (you’re going to have to believe me on this one).

There are certain friends that I have to admit are so close to me that I consider them super family. I’ve got a few intentional brothers and sisters that I would do anything for and they would go to the moon and back for me if I ever so needed it. This is not to deface the actual family but to redefine it as Tessa has done.

Although Tessa is a completely made up creation between myself and a friend, there are many aspects that I mirror.

My family is a rather complicated manner ; the passing of ones truly loved and the suffrage of those who really don’t have my best interest at heart. Everyone in my life is there on purpose. When I pour my heart out it means I trust that person with the utmost sincerity and I know that when the time comes I will feel safe in their arms or feel better with their kind words. They also happen to be the ones that I enjoy numerous shenanigans with whether it’s a wild few days in Vegas, a super awesome concert to remember for ages, a holiday weekend memory, attending a geeked out wedding, or being comforted for the loss of a loved one. What could be better right?

Tessa has chosen her family. Not all of them are by blood (ha I said blood. get it? Vampire?…*mic check*) but they are completely loyal and that is exactly what she needs to be able to survive in this last book of The Vampire Realm series. From everything you’ve learned so far I’m sure you would come to the same conclusion.

Paperback Of Darkness and Light is LIVE!!!!!

Good news everyone!  Of Darkness and Light is LIVE in paperback form. Below are just a few resources if you want to purchase online.  Even better news, if you want it at your bookstore, go in and ask for it and they should be able to order it for you if it’s not on their shelves.

Of Darkness and Light cover

Online:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Books A Million – Coming Soon

If you’re still interested in the ebook here are the links below

Amazon/Amazon UK/Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble
iStore
Kobo
Smashword
Scribed
Overdrive

Of Darkness and Light by J.S. Riddle

readful things blog

Of Darkness and LightOf Darkness and Light by J.S. Riddle

Of Darkness and Light is the follow up book to Rise of a Queen, part of The Vampire Realm series. Where Rise of a Queen tells the tale of Tessa’s struggles and defeats, he introduction of Tessa’s family brought forth a new tale to tell.

The rise of Tessa’s empire came at a cost. Her vision of a future where vampires and humans lived united had all but disappeared. Her family, torn by the wars that ravaged her land, had to choose a side. Her sister and Emma with the rebels and Jason growing into his future by Tessa’s side. Emma’s struggle with her own choices, as Jason moves forward towards a life of service to his aunt, neither one sure of the outcome. The journey that the family takes will force the evolution of life as a vampire to the forefront, forever…

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Less than a week to go!

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Ariana is one of a kind… Or is she? As she grows so do her powers.  Can she control them or will she let them consume her from within?  Will she become what Tessa hopes for?  Find out soon when Of Darkness and Light hits the e-shelves.  In the sequel to Rise of a Queen you find out there is much more than just humans versus vampire.  It’s a family divided, multiples journeys of growth, and a quest to determine a fate itself.

e-book pre-orders available at Amazon (US, but check your country’s site), Barnes & Noble, iStore, KoboSmashwords.   More coming soon!

Only Seven days

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Only a week left to go before loading up that e-reader with another fantastic Tessa tale.  If you’re ready for heated battle, family divide, and journeys abundant this book is most definitely on your must-read list!

Pre-order’s available:

Amazon (US link, but check your country’s site), Barnes & Noble, iStore, KoboSmashwords

14 days till e-release Of Darkness and Light

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UNTIL THE BLOOD SPILLS

Here we are having a countdown and I’m really excited for this next chapter, or shall we say book, of my career.  With years of hard work, drafts, edits and such things that come along with publishing a book I couldn’t be any more excited than I am today.  My heart in my throat; the pep in my step.

Pre-order’s available if you just can’t wait to sink your teeth into Of Darkness and Light:

Amazon (US link, but check your country’s site), Barnes & Noble, iStore, KoboSmashwords

The Goodies are HERE!!! See you at Bookmarks NC

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If I haven’t been excited enough I just had a small Christmas arrive today.  If you haven’t heard by now I’m going to be promoting my first book, Rise of a Queen, at Bookmarks (blog post) a HUGE book/author festival in Winston Salem, NC THIS Saturday the 12th.  Stop by, check out all the awesome art and literature showcase, and say hi!

Of Darkness and Light pre-order links

The e-book has been hitting the pre-order shelf for Of Darkness and Light.  YAY.  reserve your copy now, get it the day it comes out!!!

 Amazon (US, but check your countries site)

 Barnes & Noble

 iStore

 Kobo

 Smashwords

MORE COMING SOON!!!

New Interview and International Giveaway for Rise of a Queen

As excited as I am for the the second in my Vampire Realm trilogy, remember it all started with Rise of a Queen. Check out my new interview plus an International e-book GIVEAWAY

Giveaway
Five (5) ebook copies of Rise of a Queen
Ends 11th September 2015
Open internationally!

http://gopaintbrush.blogspot.com/2015/08/international-giveaway-interview-riddle.html

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