Catch the Fire

Catch the Fire

It's on! I'm cutting my TV time down, at night, and I'll be going on a reading spree.  I plan on reviewing most of what I finish reading so I may as well give you all a sneak peak at what's coming.  


First up: I'm currently reading Poppet's ERRA. 

Oh my goodness! So far, this witty, sexy little number is creating tension around my normal day.  That only happens when I don't want to do the things I'm supposed to be doing because I don't want to stop reading.  I'm halfway through the book and I'm noticing each chapter seems to get better than the previous one.  I hope to finish this one before the week is out.  


Next up: Keith Weaver and his book, The Nefarious: Prince of Shadow

What happens when a 300 year old secret, combined with dark, unknown caverns and a strange entity prey on the souls of the unsuspecting? Find out in The Nefarious. When a film crew arrives at a castle hotel to film a movie, they unlock a secret buried for centuries. What happens next is unthinkable to all. The Nefarious contains many plot twists, and a surprising ending not to be missed.

There are other books I'd like to read, written by some pretty, fantastic authors.  Stay tuned for more.  Both featured books can be purchased for just 99 cents at Smashwords.  Great entertainment for less than the price of a cup of coffee.  Awesome! 

Liquid Silence

Liquid Silence

By Nomar Knight

As I rested on my bed, counting paint cracks on the ceiling, a sound caught my attention. 

Drip.

I thought, great, I either forgot to shut the faucet or some minor repairs would have to be made.

Drip.

I was all set to investigate when I realized the sound wasn’t caused by water striking the sink. 

Drip.

I remained still, concentrating on identifying the sound.  I don’t know why, but an urgency to solve a mystery ignited my penchant for adventure.  My mind raced with images as to what could have been causing the annoying sound. 

DRIP.

I noticed how the latest drop took longer and in fact, became louder.  My stomach churned.  Perspiration increased for I hadn’t noticed the fan had stopped working.  It appeared that the power went out.

“Thank goodness the sun’s not gone yet.”  I mumbled, doing my best to see the positive.

DRIP.

Once again I realized the impact of the drop of liquid.

“It’s not raining.” 

A thought popped into my mind.  I lived on the top floor and judging by the sickening silence in the neighborhood, the only possible explanation had to be rain. 

“Get up you chicken and look out the window.”

DRIP!

It got louder than the last time and it rattled my nerves.  I fought to rise from the bed, but for some reason, my head remained on the pillow.  I willed my arms to move, yet they remained on the mattress.

“What’s happening?”

I heard a tremor in my voice.

DRIP!

Images of blood, spreading on my linoleum covered floors, shook me to the core.  An overwhelming feeling of despair took hold of me.  I gasped trying to take in gobs of air.  I hadn’t realized that I wasn’t breathing. 

“Must get up.”

DRIP! Drip.

My eyes remained wide open.  It wasn’t until I blinked that I realized my stare never broke away from the ceiling’s cracks.  Had I hypnotized myself?  Was that even possible?

“Move it!”

Like a Master Sergeant, I ordered my body to cooperate.  The time to break the chains of immobility had finally arrived. 

“Get up you weasel!”

DRIP! Drip. DRIP!

Madness!

At last, my arms moved.  Slowly, I rose to a sitting position.  I waited until my breathing normalized, pleased to finally gaze at the open door.  Drawing enough strength to rise and make it through the threshold, I entered the hallway. 

DRIP! Drip. DRIP!

I gazed down and spotted a puddle of water growing steady, nearing my bare feet. 

I followed the trail with my vision and spotted Lucinda, my dead wife, standing by the guest bedroom.  She stood naked and soaked from head to toe. 

I opened my mouth to scream, yet the only sounds I heard were…

DRIP! Drip. DRIP!

The dark haired beauty floated towards me.  Her hands spread wide enough to wrap around my neck.

I breathed and yelled, “This is impossible!”

Her clammy fingers gripped my throat.  “Die, Cory!”  She hissed.

As she squeezed my life back to hell, I swore if my prince would give me another chance, next time, I’d burn the witch. 

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Flash Fiction Presentation.

She's Crying

She's Crying

By Nomar Knight

She's crying

Can't hide tears

Precious liquid

Streaming down

Past supple lips

She's crying

Clouded eyes

Only witness

The latest boy

Sprawled on grass

She's crying

Lost another

To an early grave

Died so young

What a shame

She's crying

No time to grieve

Must show

Resilience

Find another

She's crying

Starting over

Enticing the one

Sweetened love

Hook and bait

She's crying

Can't wait

He will hear

The widow's call

Black veil of lust

She's crying

Another will pay

For devil's deed

Satisfaction

Quench death's thirst

She's crying

For more blood

To drink

To gorge

To live

©2011 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Poem.

Things Happen

For all of us.  Let's never lose hope! 

Things Happen

By Nomar Knight

Things happen

But not on our time

Not always when

We want them

Things happen

When you want

When you work

So hard

Things happen

When you're not

Looking

Not expecting it

Things happen

For a reason

Embrace life

For all it's worth

Things happen

Learn to love

Learn to cope

Share knowledge

Things happen

If you just watch

Life pass by

Stop it and

Make things happen

©2011 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Poem.

Judging Without Knowing by Ashley Morales

Judging Without Knowing

by Ashley Morales

Judging without knowing

Who are you to be deciding

Who’s good and who’s not

Based on where they come from

Shame should fall upon you

For not having a clue

Of the pain you can cause others

Just because of their colors

How can you judge a whole race of people

Based on your ignorant views that are awful

A race that thinks itself higher does not belong

In this world since it is so wrong

What does it all matter

It will just make you dumber

We are all human, one race

That feels, hurts, and loves without disgrace

Why make others suffer because of plain ignorance

Ending all in dead silence

Starting wars and ending lives

Because of selfish motives

In the end what was it all for

All the uproar

Because of a flag and sense of pride to a nation

Hate has been spread without reason

Thank you Ashley for being my guest blogger today.  Ashley is one of my current students and she wrote this reacting to one of my flash stories titled, Hate Breed.  Isn't she talented?  She's also a fine artist as well.  

© Copyright Ashley Morales 2011. All rights reserved.

Ashley Morales has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. A Knight Chills Guest Poet Presentation.

The Evil Side of Impulse

The Evil Side of Impulse

By Nomar Knight

We all make hundreds of decisions every day without thinking about the consequences.  Perhaps it’s because most of the decisions produce a desired result.  It starts with deciding on whether or not we want to get out of bed, to practicing good hygiene, to nourishing our bodies by fulfilling a desire.  (Tea, or coffee?)

What about crucial decisions?  What would happen if you’re on a crowded bus and an imbecile rushes to the only seat available, and allows a mother carrying a newborn to remain standing?  My impulse would be to grab the dude by his throat, and slam him against the doors with the hope that they’ll open, and he’ll drop into oncoming traffic.  (I know.  I may have anger issues).  Of course, what I’d probably do is get the others to rally around me and try and talk some sense into the insensitive clod.  If peer pressure doesn’t work, then I’m sure a kind person would be more than happy to give up their seat.  Naturally, my impulse would then be to follow the guy, and arrange for a serious “accident” to occur.  (It’s probably a horror writer thing).

There’s a mechanism in our brains that won’t allow us to act on our destructive side—our violent impulses.  That’s technically a good thing or jails would be even more overpopulated. 

Cheers to maintaining our peaceful side, but don’t be afraid, if the situation calls for it, to let the bad boy/girl out. 

Catch you on the dark side.

Nomar Knight

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. A Knight Chills Presentation.

Vicious Cycle

Vicious Cycle

By Nomar Knight

Help!

I'm trapped

In a bubble of Silence

With no escape

In sight

No way out

Please!

Find a way

To shut out solitude

Guide me

Towards

Pure freedom

Now!

Thousands pounding

Stampeding and bleeding

Senseless violence

Greed

Endless weeping

Hurry!

Create a solution

Maddening cries

Hungry eyes

Die

Lack of food

Shit!

Tired of hearing

Empty promises

False hope

Lingers

Nothing changes

Help!

We're caught

In a vicious cycle

Power hungry

Fools

Control everything

 ©2011 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Poem.

A High Octane Ride: Bipedal by Yvonne Bishop

A High Octane Ride: Bipedal by Yvonne Bishop

What would you do if in the midst of a terrible accident, your victim changes your life forever?  What if everything you believed in is shattered and another world overwhelms you to the point, you’ll never be the same again?  That’s what Yvonne Bishop’s protagonist, Phoenix, is forced to contend with at such blazing speed that she has no time to escape her bizarre reality.

Bishop spins a tale of nonstop action, barely giving the reader a chance to breathe.  Her sexy scenes don’t disappoint.  If you like werewolves, don’t pass this one up. 

Bipedal is well written and edited, but I took issue with the fact there wasn’t time to pause.  I was forced to remain dirty a little longer, to starve a little longer, and to read with my eyes turning yellow (hint: bathroom break) for I did not want to put the book down  While I’m complaining, I may as well warn you that there’s some gore, but it flows so fast, it doesn’t deter from the reading.  My biggest gripe, I would have preferred chapters instead of one supersonic ride.  Of course, this book is short which adds another problem for me.  Yvonne Bishop’s talents need to be showcased in a longer work. 

Nevertheless, Bipedal is a good read at a great price.  Overall, this is a solid debut for the author.  I look forward to reading her next book. 

Knight Chills rates Bipedal 5 out of 5 Kills

Bipedal is a © Copyright Yvonne Bishop 2011. In association with Angelic Knight Press. All rights reserved. 

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills Book Review.

A Feast Of Horror: Meet J.G. Williams

Have you ever wondered what it's like to watch your nightmares unfold while you're still awake?  Author J.G. Williams has penned horror stories that promise to make your blood run cold.  The book is titled, A Feast of Horror and it's a horror connoisseur's delight.  Experience firsthand how J.G. Williams' tales of fright will have you delaying your bedtime.  Here's an excerpt from her website:  

Flavored with horror, blood and a dash of humor, the plot twists will have you squirming on the edge of your seat. A Feast of Horror offers an eerie compilation of lust, revenge, evil children, craziness and more, written as short horror stories and poetry. Each entry presents a different nightmare brought to life.

In one story, Emelia is a beautiful child who is a model, but she has some secrets, including her joy for killing animals.  Then there’s Sophie, who loves to cook, especially something explosive.  And beware Maniac Clown, who could be attending your child’s birthday party.  Ask for your very own ghostly chaperone when you read these eerie tales. 

   So don't delay friends and get your copy now! You can order A Feast of Horror here. 

This has been a Knight Chills Book Promotion. 

Listen to the Voices

Marilyn K. Yee, The New York Times

Listen to the Voices

By Nomar Knight

Back in the 90’s, I used to work for an Armored Truck company which focused on payroll distribution.  One day one of the routes was short a man, so my boss thought since I was a supervisor, it’d be good to have me report back on any irregularities, if any, on the run. 

I recalled driving the armored van and as I obeyed the crew's suggestion to park the vehicle on the sidewalk, against the building, a tingling sensation began to stir in my gut.  While I waited for the crew to go upstairs to cash checks for a company, I watched the people as they went about their business.  I recalled visiting the World Trade Center’s observation deck and being awed by how vehicles looked like insects. 

Being at ground level was supposed to make me feel safer.  Unfortunately, the tingling sensation got worse.  I was tempted to leave the van and break out in a full out sprint.  I didn’t know what caused me to feel so anxious, but all I knew was that I needed to get my crew out of there. 

As soon as I spotted the crew, a sense of relief began to calm me.  Imagine my surprise when the same guard who suggested I park next to the building’s wall, announced for me to wait while they fetched their lunch.  At that moment, I became a tyrant and screamed obscenities.  The men stood in shock while I unleashed a barrage of cusses, reminding them of my rank of supervisor.  I ordered them back in the truck and announced that lunch would be acquired on the Westside. 

I couldn’t tell them why I needed to get away from the place.  I just knew that if we hadn’t gotten out of there, something terrible was going to happen. 

As soon as I turned onto the Westside Highway, a loud explosion got our attention.  While we waited at a red light, hoards of fire trucks and police vehicles raced back in the direction of the World Trade Center. 

A few minutes later, my supervisor radioed, asking with urgency in his voice, about our status.  It wasn’t until a few days later, when I passed by the scene, that I realized the crater the bomb made was where I had parked the armored van.

I’m guessing my guardian angel did his best to get my attention.  Perhaps all my crew’s angels must’ve been shouting at me to get out of there.  All I know is that since then, I’ve learned to listen to my gut. 

Believe me when I say that it pays to listen to the voices.  In that case, I didn’t hear them, but I sure felt them. 

I’m only sorry that my prediction of an air assault on New York came true a few years later.  Though I must admit, I never dreamed terrorists would use commercial airliners like bombs.

I look forward to the day when we can put a stop to the madness.

Catch you on the dark side.

Nomar Knight

The picture was originally published in a New York Time's Report by Andrew Jacobs. Here's the link to that article. Here. 

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. A Knight Chills Presentation. 

Secret Consultation

Secret Consultation

By Nomar Knight

Hung around after they left

Hoping for a consultation

Tried to pull a psychic theft

No mistaking your affirmation

So you want to know

What the future will bring

Perhaps a blow by blow

May alleviate the sting

Things happen for a reason

Be ready for a change

Beware of the new season

The two will be estranged

Can't fight what's in the cards

Nothing stays the same

Be careful who you regard

Dark hearts can't be tamed

A new light will shine

Dazzle with quiet splendor

Things will turn out fine

He'll be gentle and tender

A new horizon will break through

Better days are coming

You'll fall in love anew

Sweet sounds you'll be humming

©2011 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Poem.

Bloodsucking Freaks!

I consider myself a purist when it comes to vampires.  Don't get me wrong.  I appreciate a good bending of the rules when it serves a logical purpose.  Take Blade.  He's a vampire daywalker.  Since the explanation was plausible in my warped mind, I can't see anyone else who's made a vampire in the traditional sense, roaming the country roads in daylight.  As far as I'm concerned, an attempt at shaking up the genre has served to damage it.  Recently, an article was brought to my attention of which I will post a portion of it with Jennifer Lynch's permission.  


Now, I'm in total disagreement with her when it comes to one movie in particular.  I enjoyed the movie UNDERWORLD.  Though I must admit, Jennifer claims we let things go because Kate Beckinsale is super hot!  And she's probably right, but I wouldn't place that movie in this particular list. Here's a portion of the article.  Feel free to follow the link after you read what she has to say about UNDERWORLD.  http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/9-vampire-movies-that-ruined-the-genre/ to read the full article. 

9 Vampire Movies That Ruined the Genre

The vampire film genre, starting with Nosferatu, began as a horror category with very specific rules for what vampires can and can't do. No sunlight, stakes, or American citizenship. But as time has worn on, the genre has grown to encompass all types of movies from comedy to romance to thriller and everything in between, and vampires can come in forms Dracula himself wouldn't recognize. Some of these films have gracefully and believably expanded the genre for fans while others have turned the category into a cinematic joke. Here are 9 vampire movies that effectively ruined the genre.

1. TWILIGHT SERIES

   This is an obvious choice for movies that ruined the genre for people who normally love it. Of course, for many teenage girls (and even some middle-age women), Twilight's sparkling vampires are the only ones who matter. Not only do these non-traditional immortals prance around in the daylight, they have supernatural strength, drink animal blood rather than that of humans (normally), and spend their free time playing family games of baseball. The author of the Twilight books even admits that she didn't really consider normal vampires when creating her own. Besides the fact that the Cullens, Twilight's clan of vampires, don't fit in with the normal undead, the movie itself is full of bad special effects and teenage angst, and its popularity stakes the death of vampires as we knew them.

2. VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN

   The vampire in this movie is played by Eddie Murphy. If that doesn't convince you that this is an awful film, you should know that Murphy also plays an alcoholic preacher and dons white face to portray an Italian mobster. These alter egos are explained away by a kind of vampire voodoo Murphy's (main) character uses to take over their bodies. Murphy falls in love with a half-vampire lady cop who is supposed to give the film some sex appeal. The movie's tagline promotes it as "a comic tale of horror and seduction," but really just shows how director Wes Craven was spreading himself too thin between genres. Falling in a weird gray area between comedy and horror flick, Vampire in Brooklyn is neither funny, sexy, nor scary and reminds us how overdone vampire movies are.

3. DRACULA 3000

   Take the classic Dracula story, add Coolio, and set it in space, and you'll haveDracula 3000. In general, when a rapper stars in a film and a classic genre is transported to the final frontier, you know the result is going to be disappointing. But the disaster of Dracula 3000 is even more spectacular than expected. Everything in this movie is terrible, including the writing, acting, and the plot in general. And while the script borrows from the original Dracula using several character names and noting that the vampires hail from the planet Transylvania, the alien vampires don't do justice to the traditional bloodsuckers or the loyal fans of the genre.

4. ONCE BITTEN

   Once Bitten is probably not Jim Carrey's worst movie, but it definitely ranks among the worst vampire movies. Since it's supposed to be a comedy, it accomplishes the purpose the director was going for, but it takes the role of vampire from creepy and mysterious to laughable. Carrey's transformation from human to vampire is overacted, as you might expect, and the movie's climactic scenes involve a dance-off in a high school gym and sex in a coffin. While you might smile occasionally during the film, the premise is slightly confusing, the timeline gets a bit muddled, and the genre here is more teen sex comedy than vampire flick.

5. UNDERWORLD

   Some people seem to really like Underworld but that probably has more to do with Kate Beckinsale's hot bod than with their love of vampires. And most people would admit that the visuals in the film (besides the eye candy of Beckinsale herself) are striking, but the plot and acting of the film cancel out the positives. The conflict takes place between vampires and a species of werewolves, though it didn't divide audiences nearly as much as the Team Edward or Team Jacob debate of Twilight. Most serious vampire fans and critics hate this movie for its poor character development and unnecessarily complicated back story, but teenage dudes and action lovers will probably enjoy it.