The Harvesting
Melanie Karsak
It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.
Though Layla reluctantly returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she could never have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's help if they are to survive the zombie apocalypse that's upon them. But that is not the only problem. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek to reclaim power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.
***Guest Post***
“The Harvesting” by Melanie Karsak
What if your grandmother was a psychic?
What if she had foreseen the end of mankind?
What if you were our only chance for survival?
Though Layla reluctantly returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she could never have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's help if they are to survive the zombie apocalypse that's upon them. But that is not the only problem. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek to reclaim power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.
Meet the Characters of “The Harvesting”:
To help readers get a sense of the people and events in the novel “The Harvesting,” following you will find bios on the main characters. I have also provided media images of which actors/actresses might best depict the characters if the novel were ever to grace the silver screen.
Meet Layla Petrovich, Protagonist (envisioned as Olivia Wilde)
Family background: Layla was raised by her Russian immigrant grandmother, Vasilisa Petrovich, in the small town of Hamletville on the shores of Lake Erie. Layla’s mother ran off when she was young, and the identity of her father is unknown. Layla’s upbringing, raised by the town’s resident medium, often left her feeling ostracized by her community.
Occupation: Before Z-Day, Layla worked as a museum curator at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. In addition, Layla taught fencing classes to local high school students. All that changed the day Layla’s grandmother called and told her to “come home.”
Apocalypse skills: When ammo runs dry, it’s Layla’s shashka, a Russian sabre, which saves the day. But this is not her only skill. Grandma’s psychic foresight also ensured Layla was well armed with a Glock 17 semi-automatic, a Colt 9mm sub-machine gun, and a .44 Magnum. In addition to Layla’s physical strength, her keen intellect and budding psychic abilities help her keep her loved ones safe.
Romantic attachments: Layla left Hamletville and tried to start again, but in her heart she always pined for her first love, Ian. Her return to Hamletville brings into question these buried feelings and strange new emotions she feels for Jaime, Ian’s older brother.
Meet Jamie Campbell (envisioned as Chris Pine)
Family background: Like Layla, Jamie is a Hamletville native. He and his brother Ian grew up behind the counter of their father’s feed and lumber shop.
Occupation: Before Z-Day, Jamie did two tours in Iraq as a combat medic.
Apocalypse skills: Jamie is a handy guy to have around. He is a physically strong, a good shot, and his medical skills make him a life saver—literally. Without Jamie, many of the people in Hamletville would have died.
Romantic attachments: Jamie has been searching, unsuccessfully, for a girl with something special. He has had relationships over the years, but no one ever suited him. But when Layla returns to Hamletville, even in the midst of the horror unfolding all around them, Jamie finally begins to see what he has been missing.
Meet Ian Campbell (envisioned as Dominic Monaghan)
Family background: Ian, brother of Jamie, is the youngest of Hamletville’s Clan Campbell. Ian and his wife Kristie have been married for four years. Tragically, Kristie is bitten during the first days of the zombie apocalypse.
Occupation: Before Z-Day, Ian worked alongside his father, managing with family business: Campbell Feed and Lumber. Apocalypse skills: Ian is good with a gun and brave to a fault. There is no job too hard or ethically vexing for Ian.
Romantic attachments: Ian’s first love was Layla. It is a love he has not forgotten. Years back, Ian and Layla fought, and Ian had a one-night stand with Kristie. Kristie got pregnant. Ian left Layla to do the right thing and marry the mother of his unborn child, but he never stopped loving Layla. For Ian, the zombie apocalypse provides him the chance at a “do-over.” Only problem is, Ian is not feeling so well these days . . . well, that’s just one of his problems.
Meet Rumor (envisioned as Lucy Lawless)
Background: Not much is known about Rumor other than she is from Eastern Europe and that she ages really, really well. In fact, Rumor may not even be her real name.
Occupation:Proprietor of the HarpWind Grand Hotel.
Apocalypse skills:Cultivating food supplies.
Romantic attachments:Rumor finds herself instantly enamored with Ian’s physicality.
Meet Cricket (envisioned as Lily Cole)
Family Background:Cricket, a carnie girl, was raised by her father in the carnie lifestyle. Cricket grew up a daddy’s girl and was crushed when her father died suddenly of a heart attack.
Occupation: Before Z-Day, Cricket was a Tilt-a-Whirl operator. She felt it was her duty to her father’s memory to live the carnie life.
Apocalypse skills:Practicality. Cricket is neither superstitious nor super-powered. Her pipe wrench and common sense helped her survive the moment of the zombie apocalypse. She also has sense enough to listen to others, including the carnival Tarot reader, Vella.
Romantic attachments:Cricket likes to play around a bit with the “Townies,” but has never really fallen in love. In fact, she never really bothered worrying about “true love” because she finds such daydreams romantic nonsense. She does, however, love her dog, Puck, with a passion.
Join these characters in “The Harvesting,” by Melanie Karsak available as Kindle and paperback at Amazon.com and for Nook, Apple, and other e-readers at Smashwords.com.
Find Melanie Online
Melanie is offering a very cool giveaway with this post today - an autographed copy of The Harvesting and a T-Shirt (which you can see her in below!) And on top of that, when I asked her for location boundaries - her words were "Let's be globally minded". That means this awesome giveaway is International! Yay!! Giveaway ends 12-1-12
