Silent Victim

The Boy on the Bridge by M. R. Carey

'SPECTACULAR!' No. 1 bestselling author Martina Cole
M. R. Carey returns to the world of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS, the phenomenal million-copy bestseller which is now a BAFTA-nominated film.
Once upon a time, in a land blighted by terror, there was a very clever boy.
The people thought the boy could save them, so they opened their gates and sent him out into the world.
To where the monsters lived.
'Carey writes with compassion and fire - strange and surprising and humane' Lauren Beukes, author of The Shining Girls
'Unputdownable' Irish Times
'I loved it just as much as The Girl With All the Gifts, if not more' Martina Cole
'A tense story with superbly rendered characters' SciFiNow
'A terrifying, emotional page-turner that explores what it means to be human' Kirkus

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Review: Who didn't love The Girl With All The Gifts? A zombie-themed book with a real difference, and a movie that worked just as well. This is another book in the series, set in the same world, but featuring different characters. The 'boy' and everyone around him suck you into their story and don't let you go until the shocking end. I loved it!

Amazeballs Book Addicts: Blog Tour for The AM13 Outbreak Series by Samie Sa...

Amazeballs Book Addicts: Blog Tour for The AM13 Outbreak Series by Samie Sa...: AM13 Outbreak Series: Books 1-3 by Samie Sands Genre: Zombie Horror The deadly AM13 virus is taking over the worl...

Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews: AM13 Outbreak Series by Samie Sands

Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews: AM13 Outbreak Series by Samie Sands

White Rose, Black Forest

The Wretched of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler

In the ancient and mystical land of Muirwood, Lia has known only a life of servitude. Labeled a “wretched,” an outcast unwanted and unworthy of respect, Lia is forbidden to realize her dream to read or write. All but doomed, her days are spent toiling away as a kitchen slave under the charge of the Aldermaston, the Abbey’s watchful overseer. But when an injured squire named Colvin is abandoned at the kitchen’s doorstep, an opportunity arises. The nefarious Sheriff Almaguer soon starts a manhunt for Colvin, and Lia conspires to hide Colvin and change her fate. In the midst of a land torn by a treacherous war between a ruthless king and a rebel army, Lia finds herself on an ominous journey that will push her to wonder if her own hidden magic is enough to set things right. At once captivating, mysterious, and magic-infused, The Wretched of Muirwood takes the classic fantasy adventure and paints it with a story instantly epic, and yet, all its own.

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Books a Plenty Book Reviews: Blog Tour & Giveaway for the AM13 Outbreak Series ...

Books a Plenty Book Reviews: Blog Tour & Giveaway for the AM13 Outbreak Series ...: AM13 Outbreak Series: Books 1-3 by Samie Sands Genre: Zombie Horror The deadly AM13 virus is taking over the world,...

Our Dark Duet by V. E. Schwabh

The sequel - and conclusion - to Victoria Schwab's instant #1 New York Times bestseller, This Savage Song. Kate Harker is a girl who isn't afraid of the dark. She's a girl who hunts monsters. And she's good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human. No matter how much he once yearned for it. He has a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost. Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is a terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows - one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim's inner demons - it lures Kate home, where she finds more than she bargained for. She'll face a monster she thought she killed, a boy she thought she knew, and a demon all her own.

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AM13 Outbreak Series - 3 books for #99c

AM13 Outbreak Series:

Books 1-3

by Samie Sands

Genre: Zombie Horror

The deadly AM13 virus is taking over the world, creating hordes of
zombies and turning the few survivors into the hunted…

Survivors can only watch humankind dwindle to extinction.

They fight to protect their loved ones, to reach sanctuary, to keep their
sanity as civilization is destroyed around them, never knowing if
their next breath will be their last.

Will the person they fought beside soon be a flesh-hungry corpse, or even
worse, their own prey?

Read the bestselling series by author Samie Sands, now available in a
complete box set!

Includes the following books!

Lockdown

AM13 Outbreak Book 1

Leah Watton’s practical joke has spiralled way out of control—all to
impress a crush…

With a prank online video, Leah hopes to catch the attention of Jake
Colton, a cute, blond-haired, blue-eyed co-worker she’s had a crush
on for months. But instead of sending it to Jake, she manages to
forward the clip to her boss—who buys every gory second.

When mass panic ensues, Leah learns the video is more than a staged
act…

The government is calling the virus AM13. As the outbreak spreads,
citizens are forced to stay indoors while they assess the gravity of
the illness. Most people are quarantined in their homes, but Leah,
Jake, and Leah’s best friend Michelle are some of the unlucky few
who are stuck at work when the Lockdown occurs.

That’s where she first encounters one of the infected…

Aside from a contaminated woman devouring one of her co-workers, Leah has
another problem. Does she do as she’s ordered and stay at work? Or
should she disobey government orders and break free to reunite with
her family?

She can’t go it alone—after all, Leah has none of the skills needed
to survive—but with Michelle and Jake by her side, not even a
contagious virus and a sea of the dead can keep her from…

Breaking out of the Lockdown…

Forgotten

AM13 Outbreak Book 2

Every attempt to contain the deadly AM13 virus has failed, leaving humanity
on the brink of extinction…

The plague is spreading out of control with no cure in sight. Then the
government announces its new plan—a sanctuary in an area completely
untouched by the infected—as long as you can get there alive and
unscathed.

Ethan Watton has managed to survive this long, even with OCD making every
day more hellish than it already is…

Ethan’s obsessive-compulsive disorder dramatically affected his life before
the infection began. Now he’s desperate to get as far away from the
zombie virus as humanly possible. Isolated and afraid, Ethan thinks
there is no way in hell he will survive the epidemic.

Alyssa Turner has spent her teenage years prepping for the undead to
challenge her zombie killing skills…

Alyssa knows with absolute certainty that she will survive the AM13 virus.
She’s read all the books, watched all the films, and done all the
research. She’s strong, tough, and a self-proclaimed badass. Any
group would be lucky to fight alongside her…until the unthinkable
makes her doubt every skill she’s acquired.

Dr. Jones is a scientist who doesn’t understand why he was selected to
produce a cure…

Surely there are survivors more experienced in virology than he is. And what
will happen to him—and the rest of the species—if he fails? Is
the fate of the human race really resting on his shoulders? Or are
there others working toward the same goal?

With the zombies multiplying and survivors struggling to make it to the
sanctuary, Ethan, Alyssa, and Dr. Jones fight to fulfill their
destinies. If they fail, their fate is sealed, and they will join the
millions of others who have been…

Forgotten.

Extinct

AM13 Outbreak Book 3

Writing books about the horrors of the zombie apocalypse is one thing—but
Georgie Blake can’t believe it has become her reality…

She never expected her fictional stories of blood, death, and the
consumption of human flesh to jump off the page into the real world.
She certainly didn’t think she’d survive this long if they had.
As a shy novelist, she was sure she’d be one of the first to die.

Safe in the Sanctuary, Georgie holds on to hope for a cure...

But that’s not all she holds on to. The government has promised the
people of the Sanctuary that they can return home. The rumours are
rife that there is an antidote on the horizon. But even if not, the
infected are dying out, throwing the treacherous AM13 virus to the
brink of extinction. If the infection dies out, this horrible
nightmare Georgie is living in will be a distant memory.

Until everything that’s right goes terribly wrong...

Soon after meeting some new friends in the Sanctuary, Georgie learns she’s
going to have to face the monsters outside the walls if she wants to
return to her old life. But for a scared, introverted bookworm, it
may be too much to consider...

Will Georgina conquer her fears of the dead to return home, or will she be
one of the countless others who have gone Extinct?

**Only .99 cents!!**

Goodreads * Amazon

Samie Sands is a 28 year old freelance graphic designer who has recently
decided to follow her lifelong dream and use her creativity in a new
way by writing.She has a degree in Media Studies and PR and has already had articles published in a
number of e-zines, including one of the most popular pieces at Zombie
Guide Magazine. She has also had short stories included in a number
of successful projects.She lives in a small seaside town in the UK, but loves to travel to gain
inspiration from new places and different cultures.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Wattpad * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#99c AM13 Outbreak Series by @SamieSands

The deadly AM13 virus is taking over the world, creating hordes of zombies and turning the few survivors into the hunted…

Survivors can only watch humankind dwindle to extinction.

They fight to protect their loved ones, to reach sanctuary, to keep their sanity as civilization is destroyed around them, never knowing if their next breath will be their last.

Will the person they fought beside soon be a flesh-hungry corpse, or even worse, their own prey?

Read the bestselling series by author Samie Sands, now available in a complete box set!
US: http://amzn.to/2BPOMFe
UK: http://amzn.to/2Ez0Cqc

Romance Novel Giveaways: Lottie Loves by Samie Sands �� Fun Facts, Book Tou...

Romance Novel Giveaways: Lottie Loves by Samie Sands �� Fun Facts, Book Tou...: This blog post contains affiliate links.  Click Here for details. “Will you marry me?” Four words I’ve waited my whole life to...

The Final Winter: An Apocalyptic Horror Novel by Iain Rob Wright

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Critically acclaimed début novel of bestselling author, Iain Rob Wright. #1 Bestseller in Horror Fiction and Apocalyptic Fiction with hundreds of 5 star reviews.

---

It's snowing...
Everywhere...
Over every inch of the Earth...
But that's just the start...

---

When grieving alcoholic Harry Jobson starts his latest beer, he expects to end the night face-down in vomit like he does every night--but that was before the strange snowstorm started. Instead, he finds himself trapped inside his local pub, The Trumpet, with an odd group of strangers. Recent news reports claim that the snow is falling in every country of the world. But that's impossible...

Right?

The truth is too frightening to admit, but when the body of a mangled boy crashes through the window, Harry is forced to sober up and take charge. Something sinister lurks outside in the snow, and those inside are keeping terrible secrets.

Iain Rob Wright's debut novel is a masterclass of fear and suspense, sure to please horror fans everywhere. If you love the dark, mysterious tales of Stephen King or the claustrophobic terror of Brian Keene, you will love The Final Winter.

---

SPECIAL EDITION BONUS CONTENT
Seven additional short stories set during the events of The Final Winter, plus one additional stand-alone tale: THE PEELING OF SAMUEL LLOYD COLLINS

---

PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR

"Iain Rob Wright is sick and twisted." David Moody, author of Autumn and the Hater series

"Iain Rob Wright scares the hell out of me." J A Konrath, author of Origins and Afraid

"A Master of the genre." Matt Shaw, author of the Black Cover books.

"Cuddle up to this novel and it might rip your throat out. A fun, thrilling read!" David T. Wilbanks - Co-author of Dead Earth: The Vengeance Road

"One of the BEST horror books I have read in YEARS!" - Eric S. Brown, author of Last Stand in a Dead Land

"Iain Rob Wright brings true excitement to the horror genre, with wholly original stories and characters to route for." - Ryan C Thomas, author of Hissers, Rating's Game, and Origin of Pain

"Iain Rob Wright is a champion of the genre, an author who could build tension, atmosphere, and genuine dread out of a delicate snowflake." - Aaron Dries, award-winning author of House of Sighs

Categories for The Final Winter

- haunted houses and ghost novels
- apocalyptic fiction
- supernatural books
- survival horror
- snow horror
- spooky horror novels

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Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series Book 1) by Heidi McLaughlin

Amazon Channels - CBS All Access

FOREVER MY GIRL is in theaters on January 19, 2018

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.

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How Hard Can Love Be? (The Spinster Club Series Book 2) by Holly Bourne

 Shop Amazon Devices - $20 Off Kindle Paperwhite

All Amber wants is a little bit of love. Her mum has never been the caring type, even before she moved to California, got remarried and had a personality transplant. But Amber’s hoping that spending the summer with her can change all that. And then there’s Kyle, the most American person Amber’s ever met. She can’t help liking him. But can he really be interested in her? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie’s advice, Amber’s finding love is hard. Is it worth the fight?

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Dead on the Water: Abandon Ship (Zombie Cruise) by RWK Clark

Valentine's Day Deals - Save $10 on Fire 7 - was $49.99 - now $39.99. Limited-time offer 

An innocent child, injured.
A family, in peril.
The Fantasy Lines is known all throughout America as one of the best ways to have a family-friendly vacation. Why wouldn't it be a perfect choice? A voyage out to sea, docking in exotic locales, sampling cuisines from around the world… all while out in the crystal-clear waters as you take in some world-class entertainment. Belize, renowned for its breathtaking marine life and lush landscapes, an obvious selection as a stop for Fantasy Lines. Until now.
A strange lab is harboring secrets deep within the confines of Belize.
Atrocities that have cruelly been labeled “experiments” are being performed.
One of the many families aboard the Fantasy Lines is headed into town to do a bit of shopping. Regrettably, a stray dog foraging for food winds up dining on some genetically altered rats, and the meal changes him for the worse. The family's young daughter, little Ariana, is suddenly nipped by the infected dog, and, soon, she is back on board and out to sea.
It's a new breed of zombie – zombies that can organize, zombies that can plan, zombies that can think. Now, the Fantasy Lines cruise ship has become the rowboat heading down the river, with drooling demons craving flesh. Bands of drunken frat boys are now muscled marauders, howling for human meat. The puppetmaster of all these sins against humanity is none other than the captain of the ship himself. It's up to the few remaining survivors to do all they can to fight off the hordes of zombies.
Then… there's the lab in Belize.
Something there has gone wrong, terribly wrong.
While the cruise passengers are fighting for their lives, a courageous lab assistant and members of the CDC are doing all they can to contain the virus.
Will the courage of the passengers be a match for the cold, calculating undead?
Can the secret coalition in Belize stop a world-ending catastrophe?
www.rwkclark.com

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Pre order now to get the #sale price!

Pre order all 3 books for only 0.99 here!

Extinct Sample

The diary of Georgina Blake.
Do I keep a diary? I don’t know. I never have done before, but if there’s ever been a good time to start, then it’s now.
I guess I just want to organise my thoughts, to figure out where I am and how I got here. This is the only way I can think of to do that. I just want to chronologically work out how I got from my comfortable, “normal” life…to this. Whether this is a hobby that I’ll take up permanently or not, I don’t know. What I do know is that I need to do this, just to get all of these thoughts out of my head.
So, where to start?
How did this all begin? I can barely remember now. It was months and months ago that we first heard about the virus outbreak. “AM13” it was immediately called. Or Acetylcholine Malassimilation 1.3, if you want to be technical about it. Apparently it was discovered by a news researcher. Leah Watton was her name. Her face, plastered all over the news, is one of the only things I can remember clearly. It was the fact that she looked so afraid that got to me. I couldn’t help but wonder what she’d seen, how much she’d really known…
We were initially told that the symptoms were “flu-like” and that if we were experiencing any of these signs we had to immediately go to one of the specialised medical facilities that had been set up. Did people go? I don’t know…well, I suppose not, considering what happened next.
Would I have gone? If I’d been infected? I’m honestly not sure.
We were eventually told that victims would rapidly progress from influenza symptoms to organ failure. Then death. Or…not so much death, but they’d become something else. Something scientifically impossible, yet somehow real.
Zombies.
It seems weird to write that word in the context of reality. Yet here I am, doing just that. How else can you describe people infecting others through biting? How else can you depict someone that can only be murdered by having their brains destroyed? How can you talk about people with greying skin, blackish blood, lost limbs, injuries all over their bodies that absolutely should have killed them, with only the desire to bite, eat, kill all while passing on this hellish virus, in any other way?
There isn’t any other word that suits.
Anyway, it wasn’t long before it was announced that we were all going to be quarantined in our homes whilst the Government “took care of the ever-increasing problem.” The “Lockdown,” it was called. It was supposed to be a fortnight. Two weeks and the world would be infection free.
Of course, it didn’t exactly work like that.
There were protocols all set in place—the plan seemed pretty solid on the surface, but as the days passed, it was clear that it was all going to hell. There were these zombies everywhere. More and more each day.
I thought we were done for. I couldn’t see any way out. I just waited…hoping someone else was taking care of the problem.
Then, my prayers were answered. The radio airwaves were hacked with one message, a plea to us all. “Everyone, please get to your local airport as quickly as possible. There you will be given further instructions and be taken to a safe destination.” Over and over again. I couldn’t believe it. It was all going to be okay!
Except, then I realised that I was going to have to get to the airport…through all of the
zombies…by myself.
Luckily my neighbours—the ones who were left—decided to travel together. Not all of us survived the whole journey. I was one of the fortunate ones. I managed to make it without a scratch. A miracle, I suppose. I’m not exactly the sort of person that you’d expect to survive something like this.
As soon as we reached the airport, we were flown to an island—one that had never even heard of the AM13 virus, and that’s where we’ve remained ever since. It’s small, hot, and now very cramped. I don’t know where it is, who lived here before, or how it managed to avoid the virus completely, but it’s certainly a safe haven from infection…the very thing that we were all looking for!
I’m sure all the remaining survivors from home didn’t make it to the airport. I dread to think how many were killed, maimed, and bitten along the way. I also wonder if some people were simply left behind, if they didn’t make it on time, if they were too afraid, or trapped…they are just back there in the UK, surrounded by zombies, forgotten. The lives of these people that have been left behind must be a hellish nightmare—one that doesn’t bear thinking about! Assuming that there are some, of course…
I guess it seems like the ones who made it to the airport are the lucky ones.
Except, we aren’t really that lucky. Sure, there’s no virus here, but it’s a hellish, brutal life. The people running this camp don’t have any kind of compassion. That, teamed with meagre food rations, means it isn’t exactly running smoothly. It’s more like existing in the worst prison you can imagine—frightening, overwhelming, claustrophobic…
I think it’s safe to say that we all can’t wait until this is over.
There are endless rumours flying about the place. There’s a cure, we’re going home one day, the zombies are becoming extinct…who knows what’s true anymore.
I certainly don’t…

Big Sexy Love: The laugh out loud romantic comedy that everyone's raving about! by Kirsty Greenwood

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"My whole body was shuddering with laughter and it wouldn't stop!" The Writing Garnet

Laugh, cry and feel amazing with this new laugh out loud romance for 2018! It's full of hysterical feel good moments, heart-stopping romance, a whole lot of sexual chemistry and one friendship you'll never, ever forget! If you like feel good romance books by Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, Suzy K. Quinn or Meg Cabot, then you'll LOVE this hilarious laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling romance author Kirsty Greenwood.

What's Big Sexy Love about?

Olive Brewster is living a small, safe life. She’s happy enough with her job at the local market, it’s no big deal that she doesn't have a boyfriend, she even likes that she still lives in her childhood home. No drama and no fuss means no problems! And that's just how she likes it.

Except … Olive's best friend in the world​, Birdie, is dying.

Birdie has one final wish. She wants to track down her first love, her epic once in a lifetime love, her "Big Sexy Love", Chuck. And because she's stuck in the hospital she needs Olive's help to do it. But there’s a teeny problem: Chuck is somewhere in New York and Olive has never even left her home town, let alone roamed the crazy streets of Manhattan!

As if the big city isn't scary enough, Olive has to contend with Seth, a cocky comedy TV writer who thinks she’s a joke; Anders, a bored socialite who’s taken a shine to her; and the fact that no matter how hard she tries to track down Chuck, he does not seem to want to be found.

Can Olive learn to overcome her fears, abandon her old safe routine and fulfil her best friend’s dying wish?  It's going to take extra bravery, one badass attitude and a whole lot of Big Sexy Love to make it happen …

"My top read of the year so far" Bestselling author Cathy Bramley

"I felt breathless reading it ... Big Sexy Love is a beautiful, uplifting, inspiring, hilarious, sexy, gorgeously romantic book." Cressida McLaughlin, author of the Primrose Terrace series

"Quite simply, brilliant!" Victoria Loves Books

"I am a huge fan of romantic comedies, so-called “Chick-Lit”, and Big Sexy Love made its way into my Top 10 in no time"Whispering Stories Book Blog

What are readers saying about Kirsty Greenwood's books?

"An absolute joy!" Bookaholic Holly

"I laughed and laughed and laughed" Victoria Loves Books

"I laughed so hard that I actually thought I'd pass out." jennieshaw.ca

"Greenwood’s amazingly-funny wit that takes the story to another level. In that regard, she’s similar to Sophie Kinsella, if Sophie had one too many glasses of Chardonnay..." Well Shut The Front Door Blog

"Incredibly fresh and funny" Page to Stage Reviews

"Makes your belly ache from laughing too much" I Heart Chick Lit

"The funniest book I have ever read" Novel Escapes

"I was glued to this book ... it's full of wit, humor and mega LOL moments" Owlsandstags

"I fell in love with this story as it is unusual and different and just bloody brilliant!!!" Little Northern Soul

"Greenwood isn't afraid to write anything down" Lynsey's Books

"A breath of fresh air!" On My Bookshelf

This new romantic comedy kindle book is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers!

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3 books for 99c!

Pre order all 3 books for only 0.99 here!

Forgotten Sample

Bang.
That noise.
Bang. Bang. So loud. It feels like it’s coming from inside my own head.
Bang.
I cover my ears with my hands, pulling my knees up to my chest, trying to block out the whole world for a moment. I just need to think.
I don’t know what to do about her, I really don’t. I can’t just do nothing. She isn’t right, however much I try to convince myself otherwise. I have to accept the truth. I have to admit that whatever is behind that door isn’t my cousin. Not anymore. But that doesn’t make this any easier.
When I found her, outside the door collapsed and covered in blood, I completely freaked out, what if she had this thing, the illness? I had to block out all my deep-rooted fears about catching the disease while I carried her in and cleaned her off. I didn’t have any choice, did I? There’s no one else left—as far as I’m aware, anyway. I don’t even know how she got here. Was she heading this way on purpose, coming to see me? Or was it simply a coincidence that it’s my door she passed out in front of?
I left her to sleep. She slept for days. She slept for so long I started to fear that I was too late, that she was already dead.
Then, there was movement.
I heard her get up out of the bed and move about the room. I waited. I didn’t talk for fear of what she might say, for fear of learning what had truly happened to her.
She switched. Day to day. Minute to minute. One moment she would be speaking, albeit very slurred and stilted words that I could never really understand. The next I’d just hear screaming and smashing, as things would be thrown around in a violent rage. It was terrifying.
Now, I’d give anything for that emotion. Now all I can hear is growling, moaning, shuffling.
And banging.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
I fear she’s going to bring that flimsy door down soon, making my decision for me. I’m not ready for that, not yet. I’ve already lost too many people. She might be the only one I have left.
I already know that my parents are dead. The last time I spoke to my mother, I could hear my dad slowly dying in the background. He was coughing and spluttering the whole time, and growling in between. He was starting to sound just like all the others do—the infected on the outside. I could hear the trepidation in Mum’s voice, but she wouldn’t tell me any details. I’m sure she must have known that neither of them had much time left, but she was too proud to let me help.
I could have done it anyway, I suppose. When I tried to call over the next few days and got no answer, I could have hot footed over there and helped them both out, but I didn’t. I’m a coward—I always have been—but that doesn’t stop the guilt from eating me up. I was too afraid of finding them both hungry for my flesh. I was terrified of joining them in the undead army that’s growing steadily by the minute.
I think it’s safe to say that the Lockdown has failed.
The Lockdown. What an idea—quarantine everyone inside their own homes, gather all the
infected into a specialised medical facility to cure them, and then let life get back to normal.
That’s what we were led to believe was the plan. Unfortunately, it hasn’t seemed to work out that way at all. I don’t know what went wrong—how or why—but here we are. The number of infected roaming the streets is rising rapidly, and no one has any idea what’s going to happen next. There’s never any new information on the television or radio; the news reports are just repeats from before. There are definitely no signs of life returning to normality any time soon.
If I was still receiving food deliveries from the armed forces, I might feel a little bit better about the whole thing, but they petered out a while ago, just proving to me that this has gotten out of control. I’m rapidly losing confidence in any of us surviving this mess. I think the AM13 virus was ravaging far too out of control before the government even attempted to get a handle on it. I don’t think they ever stood a chance against it; they’d left it far too late.

AM13 Outbreak Boxset

 

Pre order all 3 books for only 0.99 here!

Lockdown Sample

Okay, it’s official. I’m dead. I’m actually going to be killed.
Then I’ll lose my job, my super important position and my beautiful nameplate, complete with Leah Watton written across it in shiny silver print. Of course, this will cause me to get kicked out of my flat and I’ll end up living in some cardboard box on a skanky street corner, drinking cider and trading war stories around a bin fire.
Or the much worse option, I’ll be forced to move back to my parents’ house.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
All for one idiotic joke. I can’t believe it. I’ve nearly wrecked my career already, and it was only just beginning. I can really feel the panic welling up in my stomach now. After those three long years at university studying journalism, the thing I was so sure I was destined to do with my life (which in the end turned out I actually hated). Those long depressing months of sending out CVs to every stupid newspaper, magazine, and supplement going—my parents had always made it very clear that they expected me to use my degree sensibly, especially as they may have helped me now and again, financially, after I got into a bit of credit card debt. I got rejected time and time again, even by a cheese periodical. Seriously, they said at the interview my lack of passion for the subject was apparent. I mean, what sort of person is passionate about cheese?
Finally I got a chance, well more like a small teeny tiny stepping stone, one that would actually go down well with my family. A news researcher. I mean, it’s for the least watched local news program ever, in a small rural part of the country where nothing exciting ever happens, but it totally counts. I was so relieved, but definitely not happy to get this job. Still, I can’t afford to lose it.
I’m such a fool. I only did this to impress Jake. Damn it. I’ve been trying to get his attention since I walked in on my first day and saw him smiling into the phone and twisting his hair in that cute way he does when he’s concentrating. He’s absolutely gorgeous—tall, dirty blond hair, blue eyes, a smile that lights up a room. I was instantly smitten, and have since spent my days catching any glimpse of him that I can.
He definitely likes to think he’s the joker in the office, so after flirting and dressing to accentuate my best features—which believe me isn’t easy if you’re five foot three, with a figure that could do with losing about ten pounds—I thought I’d try a different approach to getting his attention.
He’s one of those guys constantly emailing stupid YouTube videos to everyone, often with a fake news story attached, usually mocking one of our more recent, tedious projects. So I found a great one of a ‘zombie’ attack. It’s brilliant. It looks so realistic and although it’s in a foreign language and you can barely make out any words, the narrator sounds terrified. It made me laugh when I found it, and I knew Jake would find it funny, so I set it up.
But then came the error. I feel icy and uncomfortable even thinking about it. I accidentally sent it to Jamie King, the big boss. With a whole news story attached.
He doesn’t understand humour and I’m sure he’s never heard a joke. He seriously does not tolerate messing around in the office. This can only mean he’s either going to think I’m serious and I think this should actually go on television, on the news, like some idiot who doesn’t deserve this job, or he’s going to see it for the joke it is and instantly sack me. Oh God, I don’t know what’s worse, I can’t cope with this.
I’m such a klutz. If I hadn’t been talking to Michelle about the new blue high heels I bought over the weekend to go with my black swishy dress, and I was actually concentrating on what I was doing for a change, then none of this would have happened.
She’s still talking to me about them now, and about a night out she’s planning for someone’s birthday, but I can’t focus on a word she’s saying. I’m just filling in all the pauses with “yeah” or “oh right” which seems to be satisfying her for now. She always was the talker in the friendship.
The waiting is almost worse than the inevitable boot. I’m on the edge of my seat, tapping my fingers and shaking my legs nervously. I keep seeing Jamie pacing up and down in his office, but not once has he come into the main room. I’m so scared I could throw up. I can’t concentrate on anything. I keep logging onto Facebook just to calm down, which is actually just going to add to my telling off, I realise as I quickly shut the Internet down.
Okay this is getting ridiculous now. It’s been hours and still nothing. Maybe he just hasn’t checked his email yet, or maybe my ideas are so insignificant he deleted it without even reading it. This idea bucks me up a little bit. In fact, now I think about it, he’s been on his phone all morning, chattering away quickly and nervously. He looks really stressed out, and actually kinda sweaty. Gross, I screw my nose up in mild disgust. This man is far too important to be worried about some silly email from little old me, isn’t he? I start to chuckle to myself. I feel relieved, almost hysterical.
“What’s up?” Michelle interrupts my thoughts.
“Oh, er, nothing.” I realise I’ve been laughing quite loudly. My face flushes red and I pretend to be engrossed in a press release on my desk.
God, press releases are boring. If I worked in PR I’d attach some freebies or something eye catching with everything I sent to anyone in the media. Surely that’s a way to ensure you’d get on the news? I’d find out who worked at each news studio and send them something they’d specifically like. For example, for me I’d send a nice new bag. Or, no that might be a bit much; maybe some new bath salts or something. If someone sent me that I’d make sure their product or story got on the news, even if it was really dull.
“Leah.” Jamie’s voice makes me jump out of my seat. Damn, I’d forgotten all about that email for a minute there.
I quickly close down Facebook. How did I end up on that website again? I’m reading everyone’s gossip and not even realising it. I walk quickly to his office with my head down. Everyone is staring at me, which makes me feel awful. Mind you, if I was sat amongst them I’d be staring at me too.
“Sit.” I sit down very quickly. This is the end for me I can feel it.
The silence lasts for what feels like forever.
“I need you to explain this email you sent me.”
“Well, it was just a, um, joke really. I was just…erm.” I can’t stop babbling, my heart is pounding and my face is getting hotter and hotter.
“Where did you find the video?” he asks me as if I’m about five years old.
“Um, well, I found it on YouTube. On my own time, of course. I was only messing around during lunch, trying to get a laugh, lighten the atmosphere a bit.” I let out a strangled giggle; this could not be going worse. “I would never misuse company property. Except, well, the email. But that was just um, I didn’t mean to.”
“So, it’s not something you have been working on for a story?”
“Er no, I don’t think it’s, you know—” Don’t say it. Do not say it. “—real?” Damn it! Why would he need that obvious fact clarified?
“Hmmm, well, I want you to send me the video link so I can see what it is you lot are really doing when you’re supposed to be working.” The look he gives me makes me feel about two feet tall.
I’m shell-shocked as I walk back to my desk. What the hell just happened?
“What was that about?” Michelle whispers. 
I shrug my shoulders as a confused reply. Jamie is furious. That much I can see. I can’t tell if he really wants the link, or if he was just messing with me, trying to freak me out more than he already has, so I’ll never do anything bad again. Well, it’s working, but I think I’d better do what he asked, just in case.
I suddenly look at Michelle’s face and realise she’s actually annoyed with the fact that I haven’t given her any details to gossip about and help pass the day quicker. I feel totally sympathetic, so I fill her in on all the details.

Unleash the Undead

Delve into the horrifying world of the zombie apocalypse, as bought to you by the following authors and artists:

J.L.Drake, Marina Hume, Matías Andrés Bravo Jara,Ana Prundaru, J.H., Dale Herring, Jonny Graham, Klarissa Del Rossario, Saadia Ammad, Akash Sagar, Rob Shepherd, Rhys Curtis-Thompson, Kayleigh Edwards, Diego Tonini, Lachelle Redd, Victoria Pagac, Noel Osualdini, Glen Holman, Mathias Jansson, Kyle Flak, Ceri Matthias, Gia Berryman, Max Ferreira, Diana Alexandru, Kevin S. Hall, Art Pic, Zoja Vladisavljevic, B.S. Purwanda and Samie Sands.

Amazon Link

Not Dead Yet

The AM13 Outbreak has affected everywhere, the entire world has experienced infection.

Victims of the virus are no longer human, they've changed, become something scientifically impossible. With their loss of human function and their new lust for flesh, there’s only one word to describe them...

Zombies.

The world is divided as everyone tries to work out how to survive. Many have already lost their lives in the fight, but there are still a few who are not dead...

Yet!

Amazon Link

Sample

XINJIANG

“Mao? Mao?”
I can hear someone calling me, but I don’t even look around to see who it is. My eyes are fixed on the skies above. Something is coming, and as soon as it hits everything will end.
Weirdly, knowing that the end is coming doesn’t make me want to run, and that’s mainly because the bright light in the sky is somehow beautiful. It’s destructive, it’ll wipe out everyone and everything in its path, but right now the glow is intoxicating.
It’s not unknown that things between us and the Russian’s have been fraught recently, that there were negotiations that fell apart at some point in the proceedings, I guess it was inevitable that something like this would eventually happen, but the reality is so much more terrifying.
From what we’ve all heard—from various biased sources, of course, I’m not naïve enough to believe that we ever get the whole truth—the Russian’s had a cure for all of this, but they were cautious about giving it to the Chinese because they think the virus started here. It didn’t, we saw it broadcast in other countries before there was any sign of it here, but the rumors caused issues.
Then things took a really bad turn, and to be honest I think a lot of us have been waiting for the war to begin.
I suppose, in a way, this is a good thing really. If the nuke was to hit a little further away, it would kill us slowly, burning up our insides, bursting our organs, pulling us limb-from-limb. A death by radiation poisoning would be worse than the people who suffered the virus has experienced.
No, a quick blast of pain before the end of life as we know it is better. No death would be the perfect option of course, but that choice has been taken from us now.
Still, it’s a shame to die now, just as it seemed like we were coming out of the worst of it. The jiangshi are finally dying out, the virus is seemingly losing it’s grip on humanity, taking us to a point where we could restart civilization again. It’s a shame to lose now when we’ve all fought so hard to be here. We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of to survive, and it seemed that we were just about to get our reward for that. Our prize for surviving the worst thing that’s ever happened to humanity.
Not that there’s any point in worrying about what’s happened, and what could’ve been now. In a moment, that thing’s going to hit, and it’ll all be done. The bright light will become an explosion and that’ll be the end.
“Mao? Mao?”
I can’t stop looking, I can’t stop staring at the one thing that’s going to kill me. Someone still wants my attention, but I can’t give it.
That has it. Any minute now...
It descends rapidly, people scream and run as if that’s going to make any difference, but I remain still, just staring. A smile even manages to work its way onto my cheeks. This isn’t ideal, I never wanted to go in this way, but at least now I can be freed from the inner torment I feel about all the people I’ve lost. Maybe now I’ll be reunited with them, and I can ask some of them for forgiveness for what I had to do to keep myself alive.
I can’t fight death, not now, so I might as well embrace it.
It connects with the ground. It takes only a split second for the intense heat to rise up, to consume me, but the grin remains on my lips up until the very last moment of my life.