Please help me welcome Author T.W. Kirchner to my blog today!
Town
from Hell
Dagger
and Brimstone
Book
One
T.W.
Kirchner
Genre: Young Adult
Paranormal/Horror
Publisher: Short on Time Books
Date of Publication: April 19, 2015
ISBN: 1508982635
ASIN: B00V0R61H8
Number of pages: 274
Word Count: 76,636
Cover Artist: Tony Bryson
Book Description:
Seventeen-year-old Racer and his
girlfriend Arloe want to be together despite resistance from her parents. In
defiance of an upcoming separation, they run away for the summer, going totally
off the grid to a remote town in the Nevada desert.
The teens think no one knows where
they are—but they couldn’t be more wrong. Racer’s well-orchestrated plan for
freedom turns into a nightmare from hell.
Lies, deception and betrayal blur
his lines of reality, and he discovers everyone in town is hiding a terrifying
secret, including Arloe.
Book
Trailer: https://youtu.be/CNz_rxt2ztM
Available at Amazon
Excerpt:
The town appeared
as a dot over the hill. Five miles
max. Anticipation overtook my shaky
nerves. We passed several road signs
that promoted ‘going green’ and ‘recycling.’
Another sign boasted Winthrop’s claim to fame: Home of the World Famous
Green Links Heath Food line.
An ancient gray truck with Nevada plates
lumbered up the road. We passed it on
the left side like it was standing still.
The old dude driving the clunker stared at me through the open window, a
cigarette clenched in his yellowed teeth.
Just as much smoke billowed from the cab as sputtered from the
exhaust. I wondered how the truck made
it that far from town…or the old dude for that matter. Neither he nor his truck modeled ‘going
green’ with all the pollution they created.
Any other time, I’d have ignored his
stare, but it made me uneasy, more so after the gut-wrenching incident moments
before. I reassured myself it didn’t
mean anything—no different than all the other stares I’d received though my
seventeen years.
I pulled off the highway into a run-down
gas station on the edge of town, a half mile past the faded wooden ‘Welcome to
Winthrop’ sign that likely would topple over in the next stiff breeze. It didn’t surprise me when Arloe hopped off
my bike and flew around the side of the mini-mart toward the ladies’ room. She didn’t even wait to take off her
helmet. Her urgency made me laugh
because I’d always kidded she had the bladder of an ant. What amazed me was that she hadn’t asked to
stop at all in three hours on the road.
For her sake, I hoped the bathroom didn’t require a key.
The midday sun blazed hot, yet the intense
heat didn’t seem to affect the flies swarming around the overflowing garbage
can placed between the two retro pumps.
As I stood up, my butt peeled in layers from the leather seat. My jeans and boxers fused to my legs from
sweat. I’d never traveled that long a
distance on my bike before without stopping, and my aching legs paid the
price.
Even after I took off my sweltering black
helmet and hung it on the handlebar of my once black, now gray-looking bike,
the slight breeze didn’t give me any relief.
In fact, it was worse. The breeze
simulated a blow drier set on hot, pointed at my face.
A few stray flies abandoned the trash and
went on the attack, buzzing around my sweaty head and biting my arms. I hoped the attraction didn’t indicate I
smelled worse than the trash. One black
fly landed on my right bicep inside of my new dagger tattoo. My hand nicked the annoying pest, but it had
already bitten me and buzzed away. The
skin around the tattoo immediately tingled and itched. Damn.
I ran my hand across my hair. It
was sticky and wet because I sweated faster than the air could dry it.
As I staggered toward the door to pay for
a fill-up, I tried to stretch the stiffness out of my legs while I pulled areas
of my soaked jeans away from my skin.
Halfway across the parking lot, the heat from the asphalt felt like it
had eaten through the soles of my boots.
It wouldn’t have surprised me if they melted like crayons into a waxy
puddle.
The desert excursion proved interesting at
best, so far. My dark blue jeans had
lightened by two shades of dust, my white T-shirt had darkened by two shades of
dust, and sandy grit crunched between my teeth even though the helmet’s face
shield had been down the whole time.
When I pulled open the glass door of the
mini-mart, a rusted cowbell clanked across it.
The metal made an ear-splitting slap, and I expected the murky glass to
shatter or at least crack, but it didn’t.
I slinked through the door thinking I’d attracted unwanted attention,
but the place was almost empty. The top
of the attendant’s head showed behind the counter, but my presence went unacknowledged. What did I expect in a town of fifty
residents that boasted a twenty-foot rattlesnake fashioned from beer bottles as
the main attraction? I ducked into the
first aisle. The half-stocked shelves
carried very few of the usual mini-mart snacks but a lot of the Green Links
Health Food products. A half-filled
refrigerated section stretched across the back wall.
I walked up the second aisle before
approaching the faded, red counter, covered almost entirely by paper ads and
signs. The middle-aged attendant relaxed
on a wooden barstool with her feet resting on a two-foot stack of magazines
piled on the floor. She slumped over to
browse through a magazine spread out on her lap. The tabletop, portable fan behind the counter
blew her frizzy hair all around. It made
an annoying click each time its blades completed a rotation.
The attendant ran her knobby pointer
finger along the page while she read.
She must have reached the end of the article because she looked up and
pushed her wire-framed, granny glasses down on the bridge of her pointy
nose. “Kin I helps ya?”
This time, I stared. Her dental work looked like she’d tried to
stop a bowling ball with her face. She
lacked every other tooth, and the remaining few resembled gray and yellowish
nubs. She only needed a wart on her chin
and a long black dress. The broom
already leaned up against the wall behind her.
I placed a twenty on the counter. “Yeah, I need a fill-up.”
The attendant slid off the barstool and
set the magazine down. The legs on both
her and the stool creaked and wiggled.
She tugged at the bottom of her black, oversized tee and pulled up her
baggy jeans. They hung pathetically off
her emaciated frame and were frayed at the bottom where they dragged the
floor. She picked up the money, sniffled
loudly, and wiped her nose on the back of her vein-popping hand. “Which pump?”
I gazed out the huge, front window. The station only had two pumps, and my bike
was the only vehicle around for at least a mile. I bit my lip and choked back the smartass
comment that popped into my mind. “Pump
two, please.”
Witch Hazel pushed a gold button on the
ancient cash register and the drawer barely slid open. With the swiftness and grace of a baboon
wearing a baseball glove, she placed my twenty in the drawer. I tried to figure out how that register could
possibly be connected to the pump when she enlightened me. “Go on and pump. Lemme know how much it comes to, and I’ll
give ya your change back.” She slammed the
drawer closed. She looked me up and
down. “You ain’t from around here, are
you?”
I wiped my forehead on the sleeve of my
T-shirt, exchanging a layer of sweat for sand.
“No, how’d you guess?”
She pointed from the cubic stud in my
nose, to the gold ring through my eyebrow, and at the three tattoos on my right
arm.
I shrugged.
She smacked her cracking lips and turned
away, only to pick up the magazine and plop back on the creaky barstool.
I’d already forgotten about the cowbell, and
it smashed into the glass again when the door closed behind me. As I headed over to my bike, Arloe came from
around the corner, swinging her helmet back and forth by the chin strap. She smiled like she’d won the lottery.
I pushed the nozzle into the gas tank and
flipped the lever, unable to hold back my grin.
“Feel better?”
Arloe hung the bright purple helmet I’d
given her on the bike’s handle and snuggled up against me. She smelled sweet from the freshly-applied
cherry lip gloss. When she smiled, her
eyes sparkled as much as her pink, shiny lips.
“Lots.” Arloe ran her hands
through my damp hair to spike it up and took a step back to admire her
handiwork. “But now I’m thirsty. Can we get something to drink?”
She had me so totally captivated that
when the pump clicked off, I jerked.
Arloe smirked, but I pretended not to notice and replaced the
nozzle. “Sure. Witch Hazel will hook us up inside.”
She stared at me with her eyebrows lowered
and shoved her hands in the back pockets of her acid-washed, body-hugging
jeans. “Who?”
I shrugged. “Never mind.
Bad joke.”
She gently slapped my hand. “Racer, stop.”
Without realizing I’d done it, my stubby
fingernails had scratched the area around my dagger tat to a bright red. I shoved my hand in my pocket.
While she examined my bicep, she
grimaced. Her smooth fingers glided
along my skin, but her voice had lost its sexy edge. “Racer Roane.
You should’ve gone back to the tattoo shop. It’s been two weeks and you’re still messin’
with it.” She leaned back and stared
into my eyes. “Maybe it’s infected…or
the ink was bad.”
The first two tattoos never bothered me
like that one had, and it did concern me.
I just didn’t want Arloe to know it.
Besides, I couldn’t do anything about it now anyway.
Arloe pulled her silky hair back into a
ponytail and swatted at a fly that attacked her face.
I shooed the fly away and pushed a few
stray strands of hair from her eyes.
“Just think, you could be in Spain taking classes right now, but you
gave up the opportunity for all this.”
She surveyed the empty desert and turned
back to me, holding my calloused hands in her delicate ones. Her eyes showed determination and a spark of
renewed energy. “No, I gave it up for
you. For us. We’ll see Spain one day. Together.”
About
the Author:
T.W. Kirchner is the author of the
Pirates Off middle grade series and The Troubled Souls of Goldie Rich young
adult series. Besides writing, she loves tennis, yoga, painting and
gardening. She lives in Las Vegas with
her husband, two children, and furry menagerie known as the Kirchner Zoo.
Website: www.twkirchner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/T.W.Kirchner
Twitter: @TinaInLV
Author Interview Questions
Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Please
answer the following questions; you also have the option of changing some
questions if you feel that you would be more at ease with other questions, or
just answering a min of 15.
Author Name: T.W. Kirchner
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”? I didn’t really feel like I could call myself
a writer or an author until I published my first book, but I shouldn’t have
felt that way. If you write, you’re a writer, and if you have books written
whether they’re published or not, you’re an author.
How long did it take to get your first book published? It
took about eight years from the time I decided to write a book until my
manuscript was published.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell
us more about it? I started writing as a stay-at-home mom, doing most of my
writing during the late-night and early morning hours. I’ve been working for
the last couple of years as a part-time editor for website content. My job is
probably not as fun as a book editor’s, but I do read some interesting material
and learn something new almost every day.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to
summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say? My latest book is Dagger
& Brimstone: Town from Hell. Think of the worst vacation ever, and the one
these teens are on is even worse.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish? My
publisher is Short on Time Books.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from
the original idea to finishing writing it? Town from Hell took about two years
to complete. Most of my books are middle grade, so they’re about half the
length and take about a year to write.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a
different genre? I plan on completing the Dagger & Brimstone series and
would love to do more supernatural or horror books. I also have a fourth book
in the works for the Pirates Off middle grade series.
How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired
you to write? I’ve always loved to write. I was the kid who would write a
two-page paper when one page would have been sufficient. I actually decided to
write because I wanted to illustrate a picture book. When I learned more about
the business, I realized that wasn’t in the cards. I also found out that I like
to write more than 500 words and soon settled into middle grade writing. Once
I’d written a few middle grade manuscripts, I tried my hand at longer, young
adult stories.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie
You listen to music, sit in a certain chair? I had to laugh when I read the
question. Sometimes, I don’t even get to sit in a chair. Most of my work is
written late at night because I don’t have much time to just sit down and write
during the day. My kids and small “zoo” have kept me very busy. Many times, I
only have 15 minutes to dump information from my head into a story before I
rush out the door.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books? Yes, I
read them all. Any feedback is good feedback, even if it’s not exactly what
you’d like to hear. I feel I can learn something from all of it.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then
choose the title? For the first book in a series or a standalone manuscript, I
usually write the book before I choose a title. Usually, the second and
subsequent books have titles before they’re written.
How do you come up with characters names and place names
in your books? Some of my characters are named after family and friends such as
Tommy, Connor, and Dil from my Pirates Off series and many of the supporting
characters in The Troubled Souls of Goldie Rich series. I’ve also run through
many baby name’s lists. I like names that are easy to pronounce but aren’t
common.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy
girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along? I have a basic idea of
what my characters are like before I begin the story, and I even make a list of
character traits to make sure that they stay ‘in character.’ As situations
arise in the books, they usually pick up more traits.
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your
books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story
is..") I don’t try to put any hidden messages into the books, but I do
like happy endings.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or
paperback? I prefer paperbacks, but I am not opposed to reading any format.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you
favorite/worst book to movie transfer? I think some books make great movies
such as Harry Potter. Of course, the books have so many more details that the
movies couldn’t possibly squeeze into two hours, but they do the books justice.
The Mortal Instruments series were good books, but the movie didn’t capture
enough of the first book for me, although it was entertaining.
Your favorite food is? Dark chocolate.
Your favorite singer/group is? I like a lot of groups and
singers. I guess my most recent CD purchases were Keith Urban, Chris Young, Luke
Bryan and Nickelback.
Your favorite color is? Green.
Once again thank you for the interview.
Karen Swart - Portals to new worlds
Mom With A Kindle’s Author Interview Questions
1. If you
could have any superpower what would you choose?
That’s
easy—the power to transport from place to place instantly.
2. Tell us
your most rewarding experience since being published.
It’s
always rewarding when anyone, especially a child, tells me how much they loved
my book.
3. Please
tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Dagger
& Brimstone: Town from Hell will scare and entertain you while piquing your
curiosity.
4. Favorite food?
Dark chocolate.
5. What
book are reading now?
Born at
Midnight by C.C. Hunter
6. What’s your favorite season/weather?
I love the spring. It’s great tennis and hiking weather and fun
to plant flowers and vegetables in my garden.
7. What
was your favorite children's book?
When I
was young, I loved the Happy Hollisters series written by Jerry West.
8. Beach
or Pool?
Beach
for sure. I love to build sandcastles,
to hear the sound of the waves and the salt-air smell that’s by the ocean.
9. What is one book everyone should read?
That’s tough because not everyone has the same taste in books.
Of course, I’d recommend Dagger & Brimstone: Town from Hell if you like
supernatural stuff.
10. Any
other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I have
another book in the Pirates Off series almost completed—at least, the first
draft, and book 2 for the Dagger & Brimstone series is in the development
stage. One of these days, I hope to get my two picture books published.
http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com
Eclipse Reviews – Character
Interview Questions
Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Please
answer the following questions; you also have the option of changing some
questions if you feel that you would be more at ease with other questions. This
can be serious or quirky it’s all up to your character.
Character Name: Racer Roane
Character Bio: Seventeen-year-old Racer likes to ride
motorcycles and work on cars. He’s a speed demon and thrill seeker. He likes to
play basketball with his friends once in a while. He has a gold stud in his
left ear, a cubic stud in his nose, an eyebrow ring and three tattoos: A
scorpion on his forearm, hawk on his shoulder, and dagger on his bicep.
If you can add a dreamcast pic of
the character that would be awesomeJ
Braeden Lemasters
Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?
My worst quality is probably that I’m rule-challenged. I
have trouble following rules. Rules are usually stupid, so I bend them until
they break. I did get slapped with a couple misdemeanors when I was twelve, but
I don’t push my luck that much anymore. My best quality is I have an awesome
girlfriend. Does that count?
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
I’m really not as bad as people make me out to be. They just
don’t try to get to know me. The tattoos and piercings freak some people out,
and my old man’s reputation hasn’t helped the family name either.
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
Well, if I spilled it, it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?
What are you most afraid of?
I’m afraid that Arloe will snap to her senses and won’t want
me as her boyfriend.
What do you want more than anything?
I want to be with Arloe forever.
What is your relationship status?
Taken.
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
I like jeans, T-shirts and boots. The more worn out and
comfortable they are the better.
How much of a rebel are you?
I thought I covered that already? I’m not good at following
rules. I like doing my own thing. I mind my business, and everyone else should stay
out of mine—except they don’t.
What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?
Surviving this long. Between the scum my old man hangs out
with and my own stupidity, it’s a miracle.
What is your idea of happiness?
Doing anything with Arloe. I also like to just take off on
my bike and ride fast. It feels like complete freedom.
What is your current state of mind?
Scrambled. I know what’s in my future, and I haven’t told
Arloe yet.
What is your most treasured possession?
I guess my bike. I don’t really have anything of sentimental
value.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My dagger tattoo.
What is it that you, most dislike?
Rules. I know we
covered that.
Which living person do you, most despise?
Person? Sythhos bumped Arloe’s dad from the number one spot.
What is your greatest regret?
My dagger tattoo.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Bravery. Even if a man doesn’t feel brave, he should act
brave.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Thoughtfulness. Arloe always does things to show me she
cares. If she’s stopping for one of her frothy coffee drinks, she’ll grab me a
bottle of my favorite iced tea and surprise me. She hides notes in my jacket
pockets or on my bike that say ‘have a nice day’ or something. When I find
them, it makes me smile. Oh, man. That
sounds sappy, but it’s really cool.
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
Spiderman. That would be awesome to climb buildings like he
does and shoot webbing from my hands.
Which living person do you most admire?
That’s a hard question. I admire people that don’t judge
others, and people that really want to help other people and animals because
they care, and parents that really give a…really love their kids and want to do
the best they can for them.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it
be?
I wish I would think things through. If I’d done that, Arloe
and I wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in, but I know me. I still won’t learn.
What is your motto?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Once again thank you for the interview.
Jeanine
Eclipse Reviews
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giveaway
Please help me thank T.W. for joining us today. Please check out all of T.W.'s links and participate in the giveaway!
Keep Writing!
Jodie Pierce
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