Title- Winter's Demon
Series-Vesik Series # 3
By- Eric R. Asher
Published- June 12th 2014
Blurb-
Some things can never be undone. The horrors I've defeated-or even caused-with my own hands … they are nothing compared to what's coming. Philip Pinkerton has brought his madness upon my family, my own blood. His army of necromancers is on the move, harbingers of a great darkness. I fear the war has begun ... and damn, I don't get paid enough for this.
Excerpt:
“Yes,” she closed her eyes, “that thing you fought, Damian, it was a zombie.” “I’ve fought zombies before. They’re slow, stupid, and practically harmless.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Okay, okay, practically harmless unless there are a lot of them, and they’re hungry. Besides, that thing Foster cleaved in half for me was fast as hell and possessed—zombies can’t be possessed.” Zola snorted and flicked my nose. “Ow.”“You speak of human zombies.” She turned to the end table, breaking eye contact.
“What you fought was a vampiric zombie.” “A what?” I whispered as an uncomfortable weight settled on my chest. “Ah suppose there are still some things not found in your books. It is a creature … once a vampire, stripped of its own aura and given another.” “Jesus, but a vampire stripped of its aura …” She nodded and turned back to me. “Yes, a vampire stripped of its aura is stripped of the power keeping it alive, for lack of a better term.” “What the hell can do that?” “Only one creature Ah’ve ever fought could do that, Damian. Only demons can do that.”
I saw Sam curl her legs up underneath her in the corner. A small tremor ran through her and she closed her eyes. I turned my focus back to Zola. “Is Foster okay?” “Ha! Is Foster okay?” She shook her head and smiled. “He split that zombie from crown to crotch. Sam, what did Edgar say?” “Bifurcate,” my sister said with a weak laugh. “Yes, Foster bifurcated the zombie. Ah truly think he could have killed the rogue, from what he tells me. Ah don’t see another reason a vampire would run. How he vanished when Foster threw a toad sticker at him bothers me, something a demon could do, but a demon wouldn’t run.” She paused.
Author Interview:
The Avid Reader: What inspired you to write Wolves and the River of Stone?
Eric R. Asher: The promise of death from my adoring fans if I stopped after Days Gone Bad? There is a lot more to the character's lives than what happened in the first book. I wanted to continue their story. The entire series actually started from a nightmare I had. That led to a short story, and the short story led to Days Gone Bad.
The Avid Reader: When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Eric R. Asher: I've always enjoyed making up stories. I had some fantastic teachers in high school that always urged me to pursue writing. I wasn't really into the idea at the time, as I was still convinced I'd be a rock star. Yeah, not so much, LOL. It wasn't until about 2005 when I realized I really wanted to sit down and write an entire novel.
The Avid Reader: What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?
Eric R. Asher: I remember my parents reading Dr. Seuss books to me, but I don't quite recall how old I was. One of the first books I remember reading on my own was Bunnicula. A true classic, that. :)
The Avid Reader: What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
Eric R. Asher: Is "yes" an acceptable answer here? I used to read everything I could get my hands on. I don't have as much time anymore, so I tend to read Fantasy and many of its sub-genres.
The Avid Reader: What is your favorite book?
Eric R. Asher: Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman. Really, the whole Coldfire Trilogy was amazing, but something about Black Sun Rising sticks with me the most.
The Avid Reader: You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
Eric R. Asher: One? Just one? Can you feel my exasperation over here? ;) At the moment, Neil Gaiman is at the top of my list. I had one heck of a book hangover after The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Loved it! I've been hooked on Gaiman's work since I read The Sandman graphic novels.
The Avid Reader: If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
Eric R. Asher: I would almost have to choose the time of the American Civil War. It is such an interesting period filled with technological advances and events that shape our country to this day. On the other hand, it was a tragic and terrifying time.
The Avid Reader: When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
Eric R. Asher: The first draft usually comes quite easily, but then the editing starts. Editing really refines the story and firms up all the plots and subplots that creep into a novel, so it's not surprising to me when editing takes longer than writing the first draft.
The Avid Reader: Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
Eric R. Asher: I'm allergic to just about every kind of animal imaginable, so instead I have a Worrible.
The Avid Reader: What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?
Eric R. Asher: Bacon-wrapped everything. That may be a slight exaggeration. I'm a bit of a fan of Diner's Drive-ins and Dives. We have family in Oklahoma City, so we get down that way once or twice a year. Two restaurants were featured in Oklahoma city that I love: Leo's BBQ and Mama E's Wings and Waffles. Leo's has some of the best BBQ I've ever had. If I could take Zola there, she would overdose on ribs. No joke. Mama E's is known for their, wait for it, chicken and waffles. Fried chicken, on top of waffles, with syrup on top. Why did you have to bring this up? I need to take a road trip now. ;)
The Avid Reader: Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?
Eric R. Asher: If you're waffling (oh lord that was a terrible pun) on whether or not to write the words rolling around in your head, just do it. Your first draft will probably suck, so rewrite it. A lot. No better way to learn than to do. There is nothing so rewarding as having someone read your story and enjoy it. Except maybe bacon, bacon is pretty rewarding. I apologize to my vegetarian friends. ;)
My Review of Winter's Demon:
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Damian, Sam, Zola, Foster, Aideen, Ashley, Frank, Cara, Mike are all back in Winter's Demon. They are all still fighting the same demons, gods, zombies, necromancers ect... trying to save the world. This time around Damian and Sam's mom has been taken hostage which has left their dad devastated and so mad that he will kill anyone who gets his way of getting his wife back. Damian's dad helps them fight all of their enemies to find out where they are holding his mother. But they are all very lucky that they have such great friends who will fight to the death to help them save the world and keep them alive. Not only does their friends help them fight their enemies they also do whatever they can to help find their mother and help bring her home safely.
Ever since Sam was turned into a vampire her Mom and Dad has had issue with her being a vampire. But now I guess he has finally accepted the fact that his daughter is a vampire something that he can live with. He has realized that she is still the same person and some abomination. When it comes down to actually seeing his daughters life seeping from her right before his own eyes and learning that she is the same person that she was before she was turned; he will do whatever it takes to keep her alive. When Sam needs blood to survive and he is the only one around that can give it to her because Damian is losing blood himself from a bullet wound. Sam's dad says "she can have mine". That touched my heart deeply. I was like yes with my fist pumping. His love for his daughter finally overcoming his preconceived opinion or feelings of her being a vampire.
Right from the very beginning you want to go with Damian and Sam to help them get their mother back after she is taken by Philip's people. Philip is a friend of Zola's from way back. Needless to say of course he is no longer a friend of hers. Especially after all of the things he has done. He has turned into something that is very evil.
Winter's Demon will make you laugh, cry and feel the pain of all of the characters. You get to know them all so well that you can't help for laughing at times and then crying at others. Foster who happens to be Damian's best friend and who is also a fairy says some of the funniest things ever. He will have you laughing so hard you can't breathe. Foster is one hot dude but Sam says that all fairies are hot though.
Eric R. Asher reaches out from the very first sentences and grabs a hold of you and pulls you right into Damian, Sam, Zola, Cara, Aideen and Foster's world. The very first sentence is packed with action that pumps up your adrenaline so fast you don't know what has hit you. You are pulled into their world and never want to leave it. Your own world is put on the back burner and you are only pulled out when it is absolutely necessary and not a minute sooner.
Winter's Demon is filled with a lot of gore, blood and body parts flying all over the place along with zombies, vampires, witches, necromancers, fairies along with a lot of other paranormal creatures. If blood and gore with body parts flying bothers you then maybe you shouldn't read Winter's Demon but if you are like me and love that sort of thing then Winter's Demon is one book you should add to your TBR list.
Title- Wolves and the River of Stone
Series- Vesik # 2
By Eric R. Asher
Publication Date- October 22nd, 2013
Genre- Urban Fantasy
Blurb:
Philip, Zola's boyfriend from one hundred and fifty years ago, is not nearly as dead as we thought. I really wish he was. Not only has he kidnapped Zola, but he's raising an army to scour humanity from the earth. Hopefully the local werewolf pack will help. What could possibly go wrong?
Excerpt:
Edgar's face soured and he turned away from Zola. He looked nauseous. "Someone has to be held responsible for this mess. I'd rather prefer it be Vesik."
"What?" I said. "What'd I ever do to you?"
Edgar leveled a glare at me.
"Ah, fair enough," I said.
"Edgar, Ah don't have time for this right now." Zola gently pushed him aside with her scorched cane. Zola bent down and started digging beside the vampires and Hugh. Vik handed her a spade and she nodded her thanks.
"You may cite me if you wish," Hugh said. He didn't look up from the furrow he was digging in the dirt. "I have no issues with the Watchers' duty."
"That is kind, wolf," Zola said. She glanced at Edgar. "Ah think we should play a game, Edgar. If you can spell this wolf's name, you can issue him a citation.
Edgar blew out a breath. "You haven't changed a bit, Adannaya." He actually cracked a tiny smile and I thought my world was ending. "What is your name, wolf?"
"Hohnihohkaiyohos," Hugh said.
Edgar glared at Zola for almost a minute. His mouth was open and his eyebrows were raised. I was waiting for him to break down crying or laughing. Instead he just shook his head.
"You get used to it Eddie," I said as Foster snickered.
Read my review of Wolves and the River of Stone
Title- Days Gone Bad
Series- Vesik # 1
By Eric R. Asher
Genre- Urban Fantasy
Blurb:
My name is Damian Valdis Vesik. I am a necromancer, an ability feared and hated as much as the powers my master and I set ourselves against. We've vanquished many evils, but now something is releasing an old darkness, forcing us to hunt an enemy beyond anything I've faced before. I was already busy enough with vampires, fairies, witches, Watchers, weddings, and … damn, I need a vacation.
Excerpt:
I was standing outside the birdcage in the dead of night with a tiny ghost holding my hand and a seven-foot fairy watching our backs. I closed my eyes and focused, gathering up a glowing ball of fae before sending it out in a pulse of power across the park. It wasn't aimed at just any dead; it was aimed at attracting the attention of one particular ghost. It didn't take long.
The little girl at my side squealed as Happy came bounding through the bars of the birdcage, much to the chagrin of the scattering birds.
Happy pulled up about six inches in front of us. I held up another ball of energy and the spirit quaffed it down before I started scratching his ears. "Hey buddy, still terrorizing the birds, huh?" He leaned into the ear scratching and grunted.
"That is so wrong," Foster said.
I turned to the little girl. She clung tightly to the back of my leg. Happy pushed his head between my legs and I heard another squeal. So, there I was, with a fairy laughing at me, a ghost panda between my legs, and a little girl unwilling to relinquish her death grip on me while she tried to get away from Happy.
Read my review of Days Gone Bad
About the Author:
Eric is a former bookseller, guitarist, and comic seller currently living in Saint Louis, Missouri. A lifelong enthusiast of books, music, toys, and games, he discovered a love for the written word after being dragged to the library by his parents at a young age. When he is not writing, you can usually find him reading, gaming, or buried beneath a small avalanche of Transformers.
Giveaway:
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