The Dead arrive
in the dark of night.
Time stands still.
Birds take flight.
I’ve had my fill
of demons in the night.
THE DEAD GAME
Showing posts with label bookstagram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bookstagram. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Monday, December 25, 2023
HOLIDAY POP-UP BOOKSHOP
You’re invited to RRBC‘s Holiday Pop-Up Bookshop.
My books are 99 cents.
Check them out here:
https://rrbcbooksbudzpopup2023.wordpress.com/rrbc-booksbudzpopup22-books-99-or-less/
The holidays have never been so fine
as in the unique books of mine.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
THE WATCHERS
A gingerbread house so quaint.
Disguised with colorful paint.
An evil group lives here.
And our town is so near.
They are Watchers for The Dead.
I’m afraid to go to bed.
Come and take a quick look.
Or you can read my book.
THE DEAD GAME
Sunday, July 9, 2023
FROZEN WITH PAIN
A town where the snow is black,
bringing coldness & fear.
Old remnants of tears held back
& times too hard to bear.
Woven from black sheets of rain,
fear covers in disarray.
Anguished & frozen with pain,
dark petals fall in dismay.
THE DEAD GAME SERIES
Monday, August 1, 2022
MEET ME IN MAINE – The Perfect Backdrop
It’s time for chapter two of Meet Me In Maine, book one of The Blue Harbor Series. Our heroines arrive at Blue Harbor, eager to see their new home. The town meets their expectations but with a deadly twist.
Chapter 2
After three brief stops and seven hours of driving, we rolled into Blue Harbor. Once we’d crossed into Maine, the traffic had thinned. A blanket in alternating shades of red, yellow, and green draped over the hills on either side of the open road. Instead of crowded sidewalks, traffic jams, and tall buildings, grass and groves of trees filled my vision. A salty breeze from the window swept across my face, and the tension eased from my body. Freedom smelled divine.
Scarlett said, “We’ve arrived,” sporting an eager smile on her face.
“I hope the people are friendly.” The sign on the highway welcoming us to Blue Harbor passed my window.
She glanced at me, her long brown curls lifting in the warm breeze. “I’m sure they are.”
I checked the visor mirror. Almond-shaped green eyes stared back at me as I patted my straight blonde hair in place. Stop worrying, I told myself. Everything will be fine. Martin will never find me; he won’t even miss me.
“Did you say something?”
“Nope.” I folded the visor, reaching for the map spread open between us. “Do you need directions to the apartment?”
“I memorized the street map.” She threw me a saucy wink.
After exiting the highway, Scarlett followed the road past sculpted lawns and well-maintained homes painted in vibrant colors, the quiet streets turning busier once the harbor came into view.
“I bet the town was more congested during the Labor Day weekend.” I stared through the window at the people strolling the sidewalks, smiling as they greeted one another. Two men, sitting on rocking chairs on the front porch of a barbershop, nodded hello to us. Hope blossomed in my heart as I smiled back at them.
“I heard Blue Harbor was a madhouse of tourists last weekend.” Scarlett changed lanes to pass the double-parked cars. Beyond the colorful shops, turquoise water shimmered beneath a cloudless sky as boats of various sizes coasted along on its choppy swells. She turned a corner, slowing the car to check the addresses before parking in front of a red-shingled, two-story house. “We’re here.”
As we stretched our legs on the sidewalk, a white puppy ambled toward me and sniffed my leg. He nuzzled my hand with a wet nose when I bent to pat his head. “Hi, boy. You’re adorable.”
“He’s a girl, but she is adorable,” a deep voice replied. “Her name is Stella.”
I raised my face to light-blue eyes. The sandy-haired man grinned and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m David Hunt.”
I straightened and took his hand. “I’m Elizabeth Reading.”
Scarlett cleared her throat. “Don’t forget me.” She pointed to herself. “Scarlett Harding.”
His gaze glued to mine, he asked, “Are you moving into the rental?”
“Yes.” Not able to meet his direct stare, I shifted my focus to his cleft chin and chiseled cheekbones. “How did you know?”
“The rent sign and the fact you have luggage stored in your car.” He nodded to the backseat.
“That’s right, Sherlock.” Scarlett pushed past me. “Hi.” She eyed David with a mischievous grin. “We’re moving in today.”
“Let me help you.” David handed the leash to me before rushing to open the car door and unloading the bags to the sidewalk.
“We have more luggage in the trunk.” Scarlett sauntered to the front steps. “I’ll find the owner.”
“Where are you from?” he asked, piling bags in his arms.
“New York City.” I crouched beside the puppy, who licked my hand.
After depositing the baggage on the porch, David descended the steps and hunched beside me. “I see you’re a dog-lover. Is your friend a dog-lover? Maybe she can babysit.”
“Babysit?” I swallowed. “Do you have children?”
“No.” A chuckle rumbled deep in his throat. “I’m not married.” He straightened to his full height, between 6’ 2’’ or 6’ 3’’, revealing broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and sculpted muscles beneath his white T-shirt. “We’ll need a babysitter for Stella if I take you to dinner.” A shy smile appeared between an enticing set of dimples.
“You’re taking me to dinner?” One last pat on the puppy’s head, and I rose to my feet. “Are you asking me or telling me?” I refused to date another aggressive man.
“Asking. I’m not usually so forward.” He cleared his throat. “Is tomorrow evening too soon?” His blue eyes twinkling, David shifted closer, letting his fingers graze my cheek. “I must work on my technique… I’m rusty.” He dropped his hand to his side. “I should have waited to ask you.”
“That’s okay,” I replied. “Are you divorced?” He seemed sweet, but there had to be something wrong with him: no one was as perfect as they appeared.
He stepped back. “No. I’ve been busy with my practice.” He stared into the distance. “My last relationship ended a few years ago.”
“Are you a doctor?”
“No. A lawyer.” His attention drifted back to me. “Why are you smiling?”
“I’ve just ended a relationship with a bossy doctor.” I wiped sweaty palms on my jeans. “I’ve sworn off doctors.”
“Then I’m happy I didn’t attend medical school.” He grinned. “My parents… both doctors… were eager for me to follow in their hallowed footsteps.”
“Do you enjoy the law?”
He smiled, dimples emerging again. “Yes, I do.”
Scarlett called my name from inside the brownstone.
As I headed to the front steps, David whispered in my ear, “Is that a yes for dinner?”
Am I ready for a date, or is it too soon? I turned to him, hesitating before nodding.
A grin crossed his face as he climbed the stairs and hurried to open the door for me. “That was the answer I was hoping for.”
When we stepped into the narrow hallway, David nodded to the door standing open to our right. “That’s the owner’s apartment.”
Scarlett strolled through the open doorway with a tall redhead trailing behind her. “You have a spacious apartment.” Scarlett turned her companion. “Is the rental as large?”
“All the apartments are the same size,” the redhead replied in a bored voice, but as soon as she spotted David, she became animated, batting heavy-mascaraed eyelashes at him. “David, are you visiting me?” She crossed the hall to stand at his side, sliding an eager arm around his.
“No, Bella.” He stepped back, removing his arm from hers. “I’m helping Elizabeth and Scarlett with their luggage.”
Bella glanced at me with an annoyed frown.
Scarlett grabbed my arm. “Let’s check the apartment.” As we crossed the hall, she whispered, “Bella doesn’t trust you because she sees you as competition for David. But he can’t keep his eyes from you.”
Bella’s voice took on a sugary tone behind us. “See me before you leave, David.”
“Sure, Bella,” he replied before shutting the apartment door.
Scarlett said with a chuckle, “Good riddance.”
I walked into a room flooded with sunlight from the large kitchen window straight ahead, highlighting the yellow cabinets and white granite island with a cheerful glow before settling its translucent rays across the gray suede couch and chairs.
“Isn’t this an awesome apartment?” Scarlett asked before disappearing into the hallway to the right of the kitchen.
As Scarlett investigated the two bedrooms, we followed the narrow hallway to a small den. David joined me at the window overlooking a compact lawn. “I’m happy I walked Sally on this block today. I got a feeling.”
“A feeling?”
He grinned. “I get those.”
“What other feelings do you get?”
“Let me see.” David paused as he took my hand, his thumb rubbing the inside of my wrist. “I have a feeling you’ll enjoy the French cuisine at the restaurant I picked for tomorrow evening.”
I gave a nonchalant shrug. “Everyone likes French food.”
“They make a delicious chocolate mousse.”
“They do?” I swallowed. “Mousse is my favorite dessert.”
“I’ll store that information for future use.” David winked before handing me the puppy’s leash. “I’ll get the luggage.”
Scarlett rushed into the den, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Wow. David is handsome and nice. I’m happy you found him. Well, he found you.”
“Is he acting too pushy?”
“No. David likes you.” She watched me with a concerned expression. “Don’t worry, David is not Martin.”
“Okay.” I exhaled the breath I was holding. “I like him.”
She chuckled. “So does Bella.”
I frowned. Forcing Bella from my mind, I said, “We should help him with the bags.” Then I remembered Stella, who was watching me with soulful brown eyes.
“I don’t need help,” David whispered in my ear.
I twirled to him. “You’re finished?”
“I move fast.”
I followed him to the bags piled high in the living room. “Yes, you do.”
“I believe Stella needs a walk.” He took the leash from my hand. “Can I pick you up at 8 o’clock tomorrow? I have a late client.”
“That’s perfect.”
David lifted my chin with his finger. “See you tomorrow.” He nodded to Scarlett before leading Sally through the doorway.
Scarlett pouted. “You met a cute guy right away.”
“Dumb luck?” I quirked an eyebrow.
“Lizzie, one thing you’re not is dumb.” She laughed.
“Let’s unpack, then we can order pizza.” I marched toward the bags. “Maine must have pizza places.”
“We passed a few.” Scarlett wound her long, brown curls into a ponytail with a scrunchie. “You noticed nothing but David.”
I grinned. Freedom felt divine.
Sunday, March 20, 2022
A GLOW IN THE NIGHT
A glow in the night
will lead me astray
from the moon’s light
to where I can’t say.
Bloody prints mark the way
to a small town on the shore.
At the end of the day,
we are at the devil’s door.
Time has no meaning or reason.
You can travel forward or back.
Death will follow with each season.
It is past time for me to pack.
THE DEAD GAME SERIES
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
ENJOY YOUR STAY
A party beneath the full moon.
I’m sure your host will be here soon.
Candles light the way.
Please enjoy your stay.
THE DEAD GAME
Sunday, May 23, 2021
FOLLOW THE LIGHT
We may fall,
but we will rise
from the dust.
Follow the light,
we’ll make it right.
THE DEAD GAME SERIES
Friday, March 5, 2021
THE BLUE HARBOR SERIES
Welcome to
THE BLUE HARBOR SERIES
The streets of Maine flow red
as the curse claims its next victims.
A bed-and-breakfast might not have been
the ideal purchase for Elizabeth & Scarlett.
Coming soon.
Sunday, November 15, 2020
I CAN'T ESCAPE
Confused I may be,
I can't set him free.
He has me in his thrall,
But I refuse to fall.
After I shut my eyes for the night,
it's his face I see in the dim light.
THE DEAD GAME
by Susanne Leist
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Meet Author Susanne Leist
My interview with fellow author, Margaret Egrot
Thank you!
Meet Author Susanne Leist
Here is Susanne in her own words:
A career in writing has been a giant leap for me. Accustomed to the number-crunching field of budgeting and the hectic commodity markets, I left my first career and M.B.A. in Finance behind to pursue my dream. I do not regret my foray into literature for one moment. Fellow authors helped me make my way through the competitive field. I write every day and even tried my hand at poetry. If someone tells you it’s too late in life to try something different, they are wrong. It is never too late to follow your heart.
Welcome on the blog, Susanne. What is the title of your latest book?
THE DEAD AT HEART.
It is the final book in THE DEAD GAME SERIES. As vampires and werewolves descend on Oasis, Florida, Shana joins Sheriff Sam as they journey from Florida’s swamplands to Chateau Frontenac in Quebec to save humanity from the evil threat. Shana is thrust between a hybrid and a vampire, not knowing which one to trust. The battle culminates at sunrise at Le Citadelle de Quebec.
What drove you to write it?
I have always loved to read. Agatha Christie, Alistair Maclean, Robert Ludlum, and other authors filled my young imagination with intrigue and mystery. When I wasn’t reading late into the night, the TV shows such as Murder She Wrote and Columbo, entertained me with murder and suspense tales. Over the years, my taste in TV expanded to include such shows as Supernatural and The Originals. I searched for paranormal, murder mysteries, but found few at the library or bookstore. So, I decided to write one. And thus, THE DEAD GAME SERIES was born.
What have you found to be the most challenging aspects of being a writer?
The biggest challenge I encountered was when my self-publishing company sent an email stating my first book was published on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I had no prior warning. I hurried to check my Amazon page. The Dead Game sat on a blank page with no picture or author description, the same for B & N. I raced against the clock to write a summary and author bio. It was months before I was able to sit back and take a breath. After that earth-shattering day, I decided never to leave myself unprepared.
And the most rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect of being an author is hearing from my followers. When someone responds to my poetry and posts on Twitter or Facebook, I’m in seventh heaven. Reviews and comments are my life-blood.
What is your top tip for an aspiring writer?
The best advice to a new author is to have everything in place before your book is published. Blogs and online accounts must be opened and ready for business. The book’s publication shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone but an anticipated event. I learned the painful way from experience.
What do you like to read?
I enjoy reading books from all genres. I gravitate toward mysteries and suspense, but I prefer stories that include romance.
What are you working on at the moment?
My fourth book is underway. A seaside town in Maine provides the backdrop for murder, mystery, and romance. Love falters and flourishes as the residents fight the persistent evil plaguing their small-town lives.
Elizabeth and Scarlett travel to Maine, leaving life in New York City behind. Their desire to run a bed-and-breakfast brings them to Blue Harbor. Little do they know, but the paranormal waits to fill their plates with the unsavory, metallic smell of blood. As bodies drop, they must choose between remaining or fleeing the horrific screams shattering the quiet community. As they make their decision, Elizabeth and Scarlett rent an apartment near the harbor. Their landlord, Lauren, a flashy redhead, knows more than she reveals. When Lauren escorts them to the local ice cream shop, the illusion of candy land is disrupted by a man who charges through the door and dies in a pool of blood. The two men, who Lauren had introduced to them, play a vital role in the town’s underbelly of secrets. Are David and Jordan what they appear, or are master-manipulators?
Where can readers find you?
Website http://susbs1000.wixsite.com/susanneleist
Blog https://susanneleist.wordpress.com
Amazon Author page https://www.amazon.com/Susanne-Leist/e/B00F253FE6
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7336492.Susanne_Leist
Twitter https://twitter.com/SusanneLeist
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/susanne.leist.98
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/susanne.leist/
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susanne-leist
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-leist-1000/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/susanneleist98/
And finally – a taster from THE DEAD AT HEART
William’s bite bonded Shana to him, but he didn’t ask her to mate with him for life. She isn’t ready for a lifetime commitment. Now, William excludes her from his vampire meetings. Shana understands he’s an original vampire with immense powers. For them to be a couple, he has to treat her as an equal partner. If William doesn’t respect her, then what are their chances of finding happiness?
Shana speaks to Linda, her best friend, of her fears.
“Paradise is an illusion.” Shana’s face grows heated as her frustration mounts. “Oasis is a haven for vampires. I’m tired of their battles. The Watchers get rid of an evil group of vamps, and another group arrives and attacks. It’s a vicious cycle. Vampires are trouble.”
“We will have a happy ending.” Linda lifts her head. “Don’t lose faith. The Watchers will protect us, and Gregg has an elite force of original vampires.” She touches Shana’s arm. “William loves you; he won’t let something happen to you.”
“The vampires keep secrets from us.” Shana swallows the lump in her throat. “I don’t want to live with vamps anymore, and I need time to decide on my relationship with William. One minute, I’m suffocating, and then the next, I’m lost without him.”
As a new enemy descends on Oasis, Florida, Shana turns to Sheriff Sam, who broke her heart. Can she trust the human-vampire?
This begins Shana’s journey to fight vampires and werewolves with Sam at her side.
An explosion at Chateau Frontenac in Quebec doesn’t stop Shana and her friends from saving their town, and maybe even the world.
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