Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Living With The Dead by Annie Walls

  For three years, life is strenuous for Kansas Moore as she travels with her team and saves more people from the clutches of the revolutionists. On the downtime, they bide time by constructing and enlisting for their own cause.

 When the general assigns her to search for a missing loved one, she turns to the team and what they find overturns everything they've learned so far.

In this dramatic conclusion of the Famished Trilogy, things are not what they seem and comfortable living is far from reach.

 This book contains graphic violence, intense language, sexual situations, drug use, and is intended for a mature audience.

It's almost here!!!  I love this trilogy, and I am just so super excited for this!  And hey, check out this awesome cover!!  So tell me- have you started this trilogy or are you at the end like me?

Interview & Giveaway: Annie Walls (Controlling The Dead)

Controlling The Dead

Annie Walls

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

So on October 27 I did a review of this book, but I didn't think that was enough, so I cornered Annie and made her answer my questions!  So damn it, here is the interview! :)

Hey Annie!!  How the hell is it going?  Thanks for coming by and chatting with me!

Hey, Liz! Thanks for having me. You know I love being on Fictional Candy.

Ok, this tour is for the second book in The Famished Trilogy, Controlling the Dead.  What can we expect to happen in this book?

Hmmm…. A lot? LOL. I tried my BEST not to make Controlling the Dead have the “2^nd Book Syndrome,” so you know I had to step up my game. I didn’t make it easy for my characters. Kan deals with the ramifications of the fallout in book one, personal and not so personal. She hordes a lot of guilt and anger over what happened. She’s less vulnerable in this book, but of course, other people are more vulnerable to her. Kan learns some unexpected things. You’ll meet several new colorful characters and discover new settings.

Kansas is one of my all time favorite characters.  Was there an actual live inspiration for her, or was she born purely of imagination?

Kan is purely imagination. She’s strong, but not overly so… she’s real. Although, Kan and Malachi were in a short story before I dropped them into a zom poc.

Now this trilogy is about ZOMBIES!!  What made you go that route?

I don’t know, really. I was watching a lot of zombie movies at the time, so I suppose that had a lot to do with it… one in particular, The Serpent and the Rainbow. Excellent book and movie.

And since zombies aren’t real – YET – how do you research something like this?

Google this: Zombie mythology. Learn all you can and then twist it up and make it your own. =)

I’m sure it would be like picking a favorite child, Annie, but I’m going to ask anyway – who is your favorite character from this trilogy?

It is like picking a favorite child. LOL! All my characters have a little bit of me in them. For an example, Glinda has my sassy humor. Kan has my stubbornness. Mac lets out my perverted side. I have to say Rudy is my fave, BECAUSE he ultimately has more of me than any other character. He’s selfish, but selfless at the same time. Reserved, but says what he needs to and when he needs to.

I know any zombie fan has an apocalypse plan.  Do you care to share any of yours with us?

No. Not really. I gave my plan to Kan. To hide out until everything blows over, but we all know how that worked out.

Annie – what’s a day in the life of Annie Walls like?

Pretty boring. LOL. I’m a mom and do mom things. ;)

Do you have any upcoming projects you could share with us?  Perhaps new books, or appearances or whatever?

Yes! I have a lot going on in the term of projects and appearances. I’ll be posting all my short stories and character stories on my site. My new series is set to release after Living with the Dead releases.

For 2014, I’ve have three events I’ll be attending. Sweet as Peach, Georgia Indie Author Event in April. UtopYA in June, and I’ll be in Seattle in June for an author event hosted by Ali from Gingerreads.

Ok, tough question – what is your favorite zombie book?  And you can’t pick your own J

I don’t have a favorite, per say. Right now, I’m not into reading zombie books at all… but I love David Wellington’s Monster Trilogy.

Well Annie, I think that’s it for now.  I think we both survived!  Do you have any parting words for the readers today?

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy living in the Famished World for a while! =D

Thanks for talking to me!!

Pssh… you know I always got time for you, Liz!

About Annie Walls:

Author of dark fantasy and sub-genres of horror. Voracious Reader and Googler. Lover of dark humor. Horror Buff. Zombie Apocalypse Enthusiast. Loyal Cracked follower. Pinterest Addict. Wife of adoring husband. Mother of a seven year old Bruce Wayne. Cook. Maid. Kisser of boo-boos. Ultimate Time Waster. Perfect Procrastinator. Lolly Gagger. Trubie. Cake Decorator. Tea Drinker. Sculpey Sculptor. Girl Gamer. Perfectionist in the art of Facebook stalking. And now, God help me, a blogger. Oh yeah, and a twitter, twatter, tweeter. Well yeah, I'm one crafty bitch. 

Follow Annie Online...

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Interview & Giveaway: Annie Walls (Controlling The Dead)

Controlling The Dead

Annie Walls

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

So on October 27 I did a review of this book, but I didn't think that was enough, so I cornered Annie and made her answer my questions!  So damn it, here is the interview! :)

Review: Controlling The Dead by Annie Walls

Title: Controlling The Dead
Series: The Famished Trilogy, Book Two
Author: Annie Walls
Published: October 2013
Format: Ebook provided for review

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Well thank goodness my wait is finally over and I got to read Controlling The Dead!!  Woot!  I was so very excited for this book to come out, and now I'm happy I get to share it with all of you!  I have a review today, but later on in the tour I will also have an interview with author Annie Walls, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!



So in this book Kan is dealing with the aftermath of everything from Taking On The Dead.  She is wracked with guilt, and she's formulating plans.  Relationships have been strained, and others have been fortified.   I really enjoyed this book, and I found it to be packed with action.  There was quite a bit of detail included, and at times it did feel a bit slow for me.  But there were some many new additions, that overall I'm just really excited about it all.

As far as the relationships that Kan has with her friends, I have to say the ones that please me most are the ones she has with Reece and Glinda.  Yep.  I love Rudy, and Mac... well, Mac has fallen a bit out of favor with me in this book.  But Reece and Glinda are pure aces.  I love their comic relief, their steadfastness and I love how they interact with each other, along with Kan.  Rudy... man.  I love him.  I want him and Kan to be together. I want them to have a happily ever after. I don't know if that's possible in the apocalypse?  The attraction between them is tangible, but for some reason they just don't act on it as much as I want them to.  And Mac!!  That man has a temper, and he's pissed me off enough times that I think he is forever in the doghouse as far as I am concerned.

There are quite a few new characters in this book, and at times I had trouble keeping who is who straight.  But they definitely added something to the story, and I'm glad I got to "meet" them.  Well, most of them.

It's hard to do this and not spoil it for you.  There are several really big plot points in this book.  Some things I didn't see coming, and I love that Annie Walls was able to surprise me that way.  I'm also glad I took the time to read Bailing Out Into The Dead, which is Rudy's story before he and Kan entered each other's lives.  It did help as a little bit of background for some scenes in this book.  You can read that for free on http://www.anniewalls.com .  This book definitely went deeper into Kan and why she is the way she is about some things.  If you loved Malachi for his brief part in book one, you will be glad to see he is not forgotten in book two!  Plus if you are into the gory aspects of zombie life, Annie definitely gives you that in this book.  Ugh, some of it is just so disgusting - it's great!!   If you've been following this trilogy, and have been waiting like I have, I definitely think you won't be disappointed by this book!

About Annie Walls:

Author of dark fantasy and sub-genres of horror. Voracious Reader and Googler. Lover of dark humor. Horror Buff. Zombie Apocalypse Enthusiast. Loyal Cracked follower. Pinterest Addict. Wife of adoring husband. Mother of a seven year old Bruce Wayne. Cook. Maid. Kisser of boo-boos. Ultimate Time Waster. Perfect Procrastinator. Lolly Gagger. Trubie. Cake Decorator. Tea Drinker. Sculpey Sculptor. Girl Gamer. Perfectionist in the art of Facebook stalking. And now, God help me, a blogger. Oh yeah, and a twitter, twatter, tweeter. Well yeah, I'm one crafty bitch. 

Follow Annie Online...

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Twitter

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Review: Controlling The Dead by Annie Walls

Title: Controlling The Dead
Series: The Famished Trilogy, Book Two
Author: Annie Walls
Published: October 2013
Format: Ebook provided for review

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Well thank goodness my wait is finally over and I got to read Controlling The Dead!!  Woot!  I was so very excited for this book to come out, and now I'm happy I get to share it with all of you!  I have a review today, but later on in the tour I will also have an interview with author Annie Walls, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!

Annie Walls, Author of The Famished Trilogy, Answers Your Questions!

Controlling The Dead

(The Famished Trilogy Book Two)

Annie Walls

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.


In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Today I am super lucky enough to have author Annie Walls here to answer some of your questions!!  We all know I love zombies, and I love Annie Walls, too.  (Actually, I'm giving away a copy of her book in the Apocalypse hop if you are interesting in getting started on The Famished Trilogy!) So enough of me talking, let's watch the video!!

Annie Walls' Website

Goodreads

  

Twitter Pinterest Google + Facebook My Review of Taking On The Dead

Nobody Asked Me! Zombie Edition

Well seeing as how this Sunday is the season FINALE of THE WALKING DEAD, I thought I would write a little post about something near and dear to my heart – zombies! ZOMBIES, folks!!!!

If anyone truly knows me, they know I have a fascination with zombies. Books, television, pictures, plans, everything. Hey, it’s not a question of IF, it’s a question of WHEN. And my money is that WHEN is soon!!

I’m not going to lay out my plan for the apoc here, that would be pretty foolish, I think. If you know what I’m going to do, you might show up and reap the benefits of my hard work! Not gonna happen!!

But what is it about zombies? Hmmmm. They aren’t sexy. They aren’t romantic. They don’t smell good. And they definitely don’t whisper sweet nothings in your ear. In fact, if one is trying to whisper in your ear, you should be looking forward to a double tap from the nearest non-zombie around. So why is the world full of zombie mania?

Adrenalin!!

The damned creatures are a real possibility!! Let’s leave out talks of things like bath salts. However, if the government is messing around with things like cloning|gninolc (see, I cloned the word cloning, just cause I can - it's that easy!), don’t you think they are messing around with things like reanimation? How about the simple fact that a neurotoxin epidemic could happen AT ANY TIME and we’d all be screwin’ the pooch (and I mean that figuratively, folks, please leave those pooches alone!)?

So, while I’ve got you here and I’m gnawing on your ear about zombies, let me share some of my favorite zombie books with you!!

First, my very favorite involves a young woman named Kansas. Kansas is all sorts of badass wrapped up in more badass and sprinkled with some “oh hell no!” You can find some posts I’ve done on Kansas here:

Review: Taking On The Dead 

COVER REVEAL - CONTROLLING THE DEAD

On top of that, the author, Annie Wells, is super awesome. If you want to have some fun online, seek her out – but not right now, because she is working on Controlling The Dead (the sequel to Taking On The Dead) and I don’t want her to stop! Be sure to check out her site for Bailing Out Into The Dead, Rudy's story - and you do NOT want to miss that!

Next, how about Emily Goodwin and the Contagium series? Holy heck, Orissa is another awesome leading lady taking on the zombie apoc!! I’ve only reviewed one of her books for Fictional Candy, but I’ve read both that are out already – and I’m totally waiting for book three to get released NOW! :)

Here is my review of CONTAGIOUS

CONTAGIUM on Facebook

Emily Goodwin's WEBSITE

Wait, I’m not done yet!! Have you met Sloane from This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers? This Is Not 
A Test is a little bit of a different type of zombie book, there are very few actual zombies in it – but it is a total mind f**k!!! I strongly suggest you check it out.

This Is Not A Test
Courtney Summers

Here is my review of TINAT

Want more? How about Hive by Griffin Hayes? His book was a bit
different, as it takes place in the future and looks back at society now, and what we did to screw it up. Take a hint: Don’t drink the water. His zombies are also able to be centrally controlled by strong zombies. It was a rockin’ good time in his book, and I definitely recommend it! And the cover – AHHHmazing!!

Here is my review of HIVE
And of course, you also need to check out Griffin's website, cause hey, even guys can write about zombies! WEBSITE

So there are some of my favorites. I’ve got a bunch more on the list, but I was actually getting anxious to post some Daryl Dixon visual candy. There’s not a woman alive who doesn’t want this man by her side at the end! Whhhoooooo doggy, break me off a piece of that!

So, how about you? Are you into zombies? Do you think its been overdone, or are you like me and ready for more more more more!!! Do you have any favorite books you could recommend me?






Hey, are you on Pinterest?  Check out my APOCALYPSE board!!  

Also, I’ve got another swag giveaway! This one will run until next Wednesday, and I’ll pick a winner on Thursday!
Bookmarks, pens, magnets, trading cards - a great big ol envelope of it. You want it? You got it! Here is a picture of a previous one, and the one you get will be very similar - but not the same!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal!! Controlling The Dead by Annie Walls

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

So if you know me, you know this is one of my favorite series!  Seriously, Kansas is a character to be reckoned with.  So I am so extremely happy to show off the new cover!!! Thank you to Annie for letting me be a part of this, you don't know how grateful I am! 

Annie Walls' Website

Goodreads

  

TwitterPinterestGoogle +FacebookMy Review of Taking On The Dead

Cover Reveal!! Controlling The Dead by Annie Walls

With the help of her new companions, the path Kansas follows leads to more knowledge of the ever adapting famished.

The team finds help in unlikely places, meeting more survivors, and discovers the possibility of a new beginning.

When the team experiences a devastating loss, Kansas struggles to keep her humanity from fading and distorting like that of the surviving society around her. It begins with knowing who to trust and who to leave behind. First, she must trust herself – she won't make the same mistakes twice.

As the answers to her questions are revealed, Kansas begins to understand the knowledge comes with a heavy price and great responsibility of controlling the dead.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is as emotional as it is horrifyingly gripping.

So if you know me, you know this is one of my favorite series!  Seriously, Kansas is a character to be reckoned with.  So I am so extremely happy to show off the new cover!!! Thank you to Annie for letting me be a part of this, you don't know how grateful I am! 

Annie Walls' Website

Goodreads

  

Twitter Pinterest Google + Facebook My Review of Taking On The Dead

Taking On The Dead by Annie Walls- Giveaway/Review/Excerpt

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It's the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it's not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Title: Taking On The Dead

Series: The Famished Trilogy, Book One

Author: Annie Walls

Published: August 2012

Format: Ebook provided by author for review 

Wow.  No, WOW.  I loved this book!  This book has ignited a passion to acquire a cross bow.  I am now more sure than ever that I need one.  And I love apocalypse books, because they all feel a little bit like I am training (without leaving my couch) for what is surely to come soon! And that is all inspired by Kansas City Sunshine Moore.

Who the heck is Kansas City Sunshine Moore?  She is the main character in Annie Walls’ Taking On The Dead.  Big bonus points for unique names there!  But Kansas usually goes by Kan, which is short and sweet and to the point.  Necessity has turned Kan into a strong woman and I immediately impressed right from the very first pages during the prologue.  The prologue itself was very eerie and sad and scary.  It was the perfect opener, and it showed the Zombie Apocalypse’s beginning. 

The rest of the story takes place several years later.  The world as we know it has been turned upside down.  And Kansas has been living a solitary life.  As one man says to her in the story, its no wonder she isn’t crazy!  Zombies seem to run in packs, and they like the cooler weather.  I thought this was a very interesting aspect because it threw my theories out the window!  Yep, now I have to come up with a whole new apoc plan because if Annie Walls is right, we will want to go where the weather is warm!

Annie’s zombies are grotesque and disgusting.  In other words, perfect.  They are exactly what zombies should be.  They are in different states of decomposition, and Ms. Walls spares no expense describing the putrification of these zombies.  And even better, they are called zombies!  You see a lot of books skirt around the whole “Z” word.  Yes, they are called several other things in this story – but they are also called zombies!

 

So four years later, and a series of events has caused Kansas to come in contact with people.  Some of them betray her.  But with every closed door, there is an open window…to jump right out of.  And then Kan meets Rudy.  I immediately feel like I like Rudy.  He is big, strong, and he has a heart of gold.  The man has some secrets, but in this day and age everyone does.  There were many points in this story that I held a secret hope that there would be a romance, but you will have to read to find that out for yourself!

 

Kan is the type of survivor I want to be. She is smart, resourceful, powerful in her own way.  And of course, there is the cross bow.   But the great characters don’t end with her.  Of course there is Rudy, who you feel like you want to be his friend right away.  But then she meets Mac, and Reece.  Shout out to Reece, the tattoo artist from Detroit (my hometown!).  Yes, I did just give a shout out to a fictional character.  You do it too. You know you do.  All of Annie’s characters are just vibrant and full of personality.  Even the ones I hated were just as easy to picture as if they were standing right in front of me. 

 

This book is full of twists and turns.  In some ways you find civilization is moving on.  In some ways you can almost even say it is thriving.  There is a community there that I just found fascinating, and I have future plans to pester Annie Walls into creating stories for more people living there… namely, Glinda.  Oh yeah, I definitely want to know more about this diamond in the rough.  She becomes a great friend to Kan, and right away you wonder who you should be more jealous of.

 

But then again, if this story proves one thing over and over – it is beware of who you trust!  In a world where nothing is permanent, people will do almost anything to survive.  But once you find someone that you know without a doubt is true, well, hold on to them.

 

My final thoughts?  It’s a good thing this book is part one in a trilogy, because I definitely want to read more – immediately.  And I have plenty of questions about some things that have happened in the book.  And the author is being very tight lipped with the answers.  So I’m sorry, I can’t give you any hints of what is to come!  But this story has definitely become one of my favorites of the year.  It is written with heart and emotion, and a bit of snark.  I have hope for Kan’s future.  There is some really terrific action, horror, and a healthy dose of drama.  There’s even bits of romance here and there, but make no mistake, this isn’t a romance book.  But the story has all of the elements I love.  A kickass heroine, a couple great heroes in the making… and zombies!!!  Now since this is a release celebration (and I will update with the buy links as soon as they are available) let’s make this a party!  Check out the EXCLUSIVE excerpt below, and begin to see why I fell in love with this story! And EVEN BETTER - Annie Walls has agreed to giveaway a copy of TAKING ON THE DEAD!!

****EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT****

I usually get excited about seeing zombies, loving the chance to get up close and check them out. Then do my duty and kill them. Looking out the window, I can’t make out how many there are. My SUV rocks slightly from them trying to get in, but all they can really do is push. Since they’re old, getting out of this situation should be a piece of cake. As long as I don’t have to get out of the car, I’m going to be fine.

I climb to the driver’s seat and start the engine, sending the zombies into a frenzy of jerky and unstable movement. I resist the urge to sit and study them as if I were biology class. With the gearshift in drive, I punch the gas. Several zombies are piled like a cheerleader pyramid on the front hood, and I can’t see through the windshield. The initial launch dislodges a couple of them, and the car thrusts up and down jaggedly from running over a few.

I hold the steering wheel straight and pick up speed. A street is ahead somewhere. Looking for the road, the car bumps up in the front, hitting a curb. Jostling up and down in my seat, I’m starting to relish this joyride and my lips stretch into a wide grin. I jerk the wheel to the left sharply. The SUV lurches where I want it to go without flipping over, and more zombies tumble off to the right. I see bloody matter spray from that direction. The old zombies splatter on the pavement like gory water balloons.


Two zombies still hold tight to the hood, their fingers in the space between the hood and windshield. A mouth bites at the glass directly in front of me. Its lost fingers from trying to hold on somewhere along the way. I pick up speed before slamming on the brakes, effectively dislodging it. Its remaining fingers rip off, and it slides feet first to the ground. The other zombie hangs on, slowly creeping toward my side. I put the gearshift in reverse. When I hit the gas without looking back, the SUVshoots backwards in response. I feel rather than hear several meaty thuds as it knocks zombies away. I hit the brakes again, and can see enough to get out and fight them. It’s not worth the risk of crashing into a tree. I grab my crossbow.


Just as I aim at the zombie, watching it closely as I get out, a large arrow goes straight through its head, and it explodes into chunky pieces. I blink to make sure I didn’t conjure that in my mind. Nope, his brains still decorate my windshield. I peer out the window, even though the arrow came from the other direction. Zombies litter the ground. I should just turn around and leave, but I want to see who shot the arrow.

The first thing I notice upon getting out of the SUV is the rancidity. The strong stink of decay hits my nose and the back of my throat. The blood and chunky bits all over the car makes it worse. Unsavory bile from my stomach helps mask the taste. The smell is still overpowering, rotten and putrid. My face scrunches and my mouth waters – my stomach swirls.

I’m still battling the nausea when more flying arrows grab my attention. They take down the approaching zombies. The archer is very well hidden. I lift my crossbow and shoot my own zombie, and the larger arrows subside. My arrows are much smaller than these, which are meant for serious big game hunting. The larger arrows are always harder for me to aim and still hit a target. Though they are much better for long distance shooting, I still stick with my pistol crossbow.


After the zombies are down, I step out to retrieve my arrows from the rotting flesh. The bow hunter is already doing the same thing. I freeze and stare. Dawn is near, so I see him clearly. He can’t be mistaken for anything but a man. His profile makes my breath catch.

Black leather boots under frayed jeans hold a zombie head down as he jerks an arrow out of the skull. His arms flex when he wags gooey bits from his arrows.

I can’t see his face, but he is tall, much taller than me with broad shoulders and wavy brown hair tied back with a dark green bandana. It’s shining golden brown as it blows in the wind, caressing the compound bow strapped to his back.

A large arrow holster hangs by his side. The hunting bow goes from the back of his knees to a few inches above his head. The biggest bow I’ve seen, making me think it is custom made. The wind blows in the other direction, and his hair whips across his face. It barely brushes the tops of his shoulders.

This guy is locked, stocked, and loaded with a big gun tucked into the front of his jeans. When he looks up at me, I feel like a deer caught in headlights, but only for a moment. I escape his gaze. Knowing this guy is helping me, but not caring to know his motivation, I hop into the SUV and hit the gas. The wheels get caught in sticky blood, but finally catch the traction I need for a hasty U-turn.

I bound down the road, peering into the rearview mirror. The last thing I see is morning sun glinting off suntanned shoulders, and boot treads running in the opposite direction.

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Taking On The Dead by Annie Walls- Giveaway/Review/Excerpt

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It's the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it's not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

Title: Taking On The Dead

Series: The Famished Trilogy, Book One

Author: Annie Walls

Published: August 2012

Format: Ebook provided by author for review 

Wow.  No, WOW.  I loved this book!  This book has ignited a passion to acquire a cross bow.  I am now more sure than ever that I need one.  And I love apocalypse books, because they all feel a little bit like I am training (without leaving my couch) for what is surely to come soon! And that is all inspired by Kansas City Sunshine Moore.

Who the heck is Kansas City Sunshine Moore?  She is the main character in Annie Walls’ Taking On The Dead.  Big bonus points for unique names there!  But Kansas usually goes by Kan, which is short and sweet and to the point.  Necessity has turned Kan into a strong woman and I immediately impressed right from the very first pages during the prologue.  The prologue itself was very eerie and sad and scary.  It was the perfect opener, and it showed the Zombie Apocalypse’s beginning. 

The rest of the story takes place several years later.  The world as we know it has been turned upside down.  And Kansas has been living a solitary life.  As one man says to her in the story, its no wonder she isn’t crazy!  Zombies seem to run in packs, and they like the cooler weather.  I thought this was a very interesting aspect because it threw my theories out the window!  Yep, now I have to come up with a whole new apoc plan because if Annie Walls is right, we will want to go where the weather is warm!

Annie’s zombies are grotesque and disgusting.  In other words, perfect.  They are exactly what zombies should be.  They are in different states of decomposition, and Ms. Walls spares no expense describing the putrification of these zombies.  And even better, they are called zombies!  You see a lot of books skirt around the whole “Z” word.  Yes, they are called several other things in this story – but they are also called zombies!

 

So four years later, and a series of events has caused Kansas to come in contact with people.  Some of them betray her.  But with every closed door, there is an open window…to jump right out of.  And then Kan meets Rudy.  I immediately feel like I like Rudy.  He is big, strong, and he has a heart of gold.  The man has some secrets, but in this day and age everyone does.  There were many points in this story that I held a secret hope that there would be a romance, but you will have to read to find that out for yourself!

 

Kan is the type of survivor I want to be. She is smart, resourceful, powerful in her own way.  And of course, there is the cross bow.   But the great characters don’t end with her.  Of course there is Rudy, who you feel like you want to be his friend right away.  But then she meets Mac, and Reece.  Shout out to Reece, the tattoo artist from Detroit (my hometown!).  Yes, I did just give a shout out to a fictional character.  You do it too. You know you do.  All of Annie’s characters are just vibrant and full of personality.  Even the ones I hated were just as easy to picture as if they were standing right in front of me. 

 

This book is full of twists and turns.  In some ways you find civilization is moving on.  In some ways you can almost even say it is thriving.  There is a community there that I just found fascinating, and I have future plans to pester Annie Walls into creating stories for more people living there… namely, Glinda.  Oh yeah, I definitely want to know more about this diamond in the rough.  She becomes a great friend to Kan, and right away you wonder who you should be more jealous of.

 

But then again, if this story proves one thing over and over – it is beware of who you trust!  In a world where nothing is permanent, people will do almost anything to survive.  But once you find someone that you know without a doubt is true, well, hold on to them.

 

My final thoughts?  It’s a good thing this book is part one in a trilogy, because I definitely want to read more – immediately.  And I have plenty of questions about some things that have happened in the book.  And the author is being very tight lipped with the answers.  So I’m sorry, I can’t give you any hints of what is to come!  But this story has definitely become one of my favorites of the year.  It is written with heart and emotion, and a bit of snark.  I have hope for Kan’s future.  There is some really terrific action, horror, and a healthy dose of drama.  There’s even bits of romance here and there, but make no mistake, this isn’t a romance book.  But the story has all of the elements I love.  A kickass heroine, a couple great heroes in the making… and zombies!!!  Now since this is a release celebration (and I will update with the buy links as soon as they are available) let’s make this a party!  Check out the EXCLUSIVE excerpt below, and begin to see why I fell in love with this story! And EVEN BETTER - Annie Walls has agreed to giveaway a copy of TAKING ON THE DEAD!!

****EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT****

I usually get excited about seeing zombies, loving the chance to get up close and check them out. Then do my duty and kill them. Looking out the window, I can’t make out how many there are. My SUV rocks slightly from them trying to get in, but all they can really do is push. Since they’re old, getting out of this situation should be a piece of cake. As long as I don’t have to get out of the car, I’m going to be fine.

I climb to the driver’s seat and start the engine, sending the zombies into a frenzy of jerky and unstable movement. I resist the urge to sit and study them as if I were biology class. With the gearshift in drive, I punch the gas. Several zombies are piled like a cheerleader pyramid on the front hood, and I can’t see through the windshield. The initial launch dislodges a couple of them, and the car thrusts up and down jaggedly from running over a few.

I hold the steering wheel straight and pick up speed. A street is ahead somewhere. Looking for the road, the car bumps up in the front, hitting a curb. Jostling up and down in my seat, I’m starting to relish this joyride and my lips stretch into a wide grin. I jerk the wheel to the left sharply. The SUV lurches where I want it to go without flipping over, and more zombies tumble off to the right. I see bloody matter spray from that direction. The old zombies splatter on the pavement like gory water balloons.


Two zombies still hold tight to the hood, their fingers in the space between the hood and windshield. A mouth bites at the glass directly in front of me. Its lost fingers from trying to hold on somewhere along the way. I pick up speed before slamming on the brakes, effectively dislodging it. Its remaining fingers rip off, and it slides feet first to the ground. The other zombie hangs on, slowly creeping toward my side. I put the gearshift in reverse. When I hit the gas without looking back, the SUVshoots backwards in response. I feel rather than hear several meaty thuds as it knocks zombies away. I hit the brakes again, and can see enough to get out and fight them. It’s not worth the risk of crashing into a tree. I grab my crossbow.


Just as I aim at the zombie, watching it closely as I get out, a large arrow goes straight through its head, and it explodes into chunky pieces. I blink to make sure I didn’t conjure that in my mind. Nope, his brains still decorate my windshield. I peer out the window, even though the arrow came from the other direction. Zombies litter the ground. I should just turn around and leave, but I want to see who shot the arrow.

The first thing I notice upon getting out of the SUV is the rancidity. The strong stink of decay hits my nose and the back of my throat. The blood and chunky bits all over the car makes it worse. Unsavory bile from my stomach helps mask the taste. The smell is still overpowering, rotten and putrid. My face scrunches and my mouth waters – my stomach swirls.

I’m still battling the nausea when more flying arrows grab my attention. They take down the approaching zombies. The archer is very well hidden. I lift my crossbow and shoot my own zombie, and the larger arrows subside. My arrows are much smaller than these, which are meant for serious big game hunting. The larger arrows are always harder for me to aim and still hit a target. Though they are much better for long distance shooting, I still stick with my pistol crossbow.


After the zombies are down, I step out to retrieve my arrows from the rotting flesh. The bow hunter is already doing the same thing. I freeze and stare. Dawn is near, so I see him clearly. He can’t be mistaken for anything but a man. His profile makes my breath catch.

Black leather boots under frayed jeans hold a zombie head down as he jerks an arrow out of the skull. His arms flex when he wags gooey bits from his arrows.

I can’t see his face, but he is tall, much taller than me with broad shoulders and wavy brown hair tied back with a dark green bandana. It’s shining golden brown as it blows in the wind, caressing the compound bow strapped to his back.

A large arrow holster hangs by his side. The hunting bow goes from the back of his knees to a few inches above his head. The biggest bow I’ve seen, making me think it is custom made. The wind blows in the other direction, and his hair whips across his face. It barely brushes the tops of his shoulders.

This guy is locked, stocked, and loaded with a big gun tucked into the front of his jeans. When he looks up at me, I feel like a deer caught in headlights, but only for a moment. I escape his gaze. Knowing this guy is helping me, but not caring to know his motivation, I hop into the SUV and hit the gas. The wheels get caught in sticky blood, but finally catch the traction I need for a hasty U-turn.

I bound down the road, peering into the rearview mirror. The last thing I see is morning sun glinting off suntanned shoulders, and boot treads running in the opposite direction.

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