Explore Written Worlds with Stephanie: Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ North to Zombieville by Meg Bawden

Author Name: Meg Bawden

Book Name: North to Zombieville

Series: Zombieville Book: One

Release Date: May 18, 2016

Blurb:

The year is 2028, and Dallas and Raleigh Jenson are torn apart when a worldwide zombie apocalypse ravages their home of Townsville, Australia. After a year of searching, Dallas, a former Australian army rifleman, finally reunites with Raleigh, but it’s not like old times. Not only do they have zombies to contend with, but also other humans, changed by desperation and willing to do anything to survive. Dallas and Raleigh have changed too. So much so, that Dallas struggles with the idea that Raleigh no longer needs or wants his protection. But they will need to rely on each other and find strength in their love as they are forced to evade zombies and watch their friends die. As they fight for their lives in a brutal landscape where every supply and every step toward a potential cure is a battle to the death, only their trust in each other can keep them from perishing.

Pages or Words: 67,114 words Categories: Horror, M/M Romance, Science Fiction

Excerpt:

“Everything will be all right.” “Will it, though?” Raleigh stared at him out of the corner of his eyes. “I’ve seen the movies, Dallas. I know how it goes. I don’t want to live in a life like that.” When they reached the door to the next floor, Raleigh twisted the knob and opened it, guiding him inside. “I thought about killing myself, you know.” “What?” Dallas reeled back. Silence filled the room, the only sounds a dripping pipe and zombies’ roars from outside. Raleigh wouldn’t look at him. He stared at the peeling black walls, his jaw tense. The Raleigh that Dallas remembered would be in tears, but this Raleigh wasn’t. He was sad, but he held in the tears. With Raleigh crossing his arms over his chest protectively, though, Dallas saw more of his Raleigh there, his soft heart hiding beneath the tough shell that this world had created. “When?” Dallas asked, trying not to choke on his words. This room stunk of antiseptic liquids of some kind, and it nearly burned his nose. But nothing could distract him from what Raleigh was saying, not with the bombshell his husband had dropped on him. “About six months in.” Raleigh took a step forward, and Dallas opened his good arm, pulling him closer. Raleigh pressed his face into Dallas’s neck. “I looked for you. Janey and I did. I was beginning to think you were dead. And this world… I hate it, Dal. Your friends die every day. You don’t know when it will be your last. There is no hope. No future. They outnumber us, and they are getting stronger. I was so lost without you. You were always my rock. I… I looked at my gun and I thought, maybe I could end it all. Right now.”

Buy the book:

Dreamspinner Ebook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7700

Dreamspinner Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7701

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/North-Zombieville-Meg-Bawden-ebook/dp/B01EWDJC54

AllRomance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-northtozombieville-2029788-145.html

Meet the author:

Meg Bawden was born and raised in North Queensland, Australia. She’s loved stories since before she can remember and has always enjoyed creating characters of her own, even if it did begin with drawing faces on toilet rolls and giving them names. Wiring has always been a passion of hers and she’s loved the M/M genre since 2004, the first book she read being Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez. Writing M/M since 2007, Meg has never had the confidence to attempt publishing her own stories, but in 2015, she decided that it was all about to change thanks to the amazing friends she’s made in the M/M genre and their support and encouragement. So watch out world, Meg Bawden is coming out to have some fun!

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meg.bawden

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authormegbawden/

Twitter: @megbawden

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29608105-north-to-zombieville Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Meg Bawden, author of North to Zombieville.

Hi Meg, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

Hi! Thank you so much for having me. So, my name is Meg, as you know, and I am an Australian author. I’ve always loved writing, but never thought I’d get to a point where I could submit my work to be published. When you’re growing up, being a writer seems like nothing but a dream, but it was a dream I wanted to follow. I’d been writing M/M since 2007, but never had the bravery to submit something, much less finish it to begin with. Dreamspinner Press has always been my first preference and when I finally finished North to Zombieville, I knew it was them who I wanted to submit it to. I expected a rejection, so when I received my acceptance email, I was beyond thrilled. I nearly cried.

North to Zombieville is a science fiction/horror story set in the future. 2029 to be exact. It’s based around a married couple, Dallas and Raleigh Jenson. Dallas is a former army rifleman, while Raleigh is a photographer. During the zombie outbreak, they are driven apart and Dallas makes it his mission of find his husband. When they finally do reunite, the horror of the torn apart city of Townsville, Queensland, has taken a toll on both of them. This story is about survival, love and friendship. It’s about believing in each other and relying on others to survive each and every day against strong and dangerous creatures.

It’s my first novel I completed and I’m quite proud of it. :)

1) Do you have pictures that you use for your characters? Can you share them with us?

Oh, absolutely! So I went searching for inspiration pictures before I began writing the book. The man I chose for Dallas, was the model on the front cover. This one here:

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w486/Meg_Bawden/depositphotos_47501467-Action-hero-muscled-man-holding_zpsnqolcshz.jpg

For Raleigh, I always imagined him like this:

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w486/Meg_Bawden/depositphotos_26914935-Casual-man-with-hands-in_zpstepr4ivx.jpg

2) What kind of book would you like to write that people would see as a huge departure for you?

I don’t think they’d really be any. I’m going to be pretty flexible in everything I write and I can’t think of anything that would be considered different from what I usually write.

3) Have you ever killed a character? Was it traumatic for you? If you haven’t killed one, would you ever consider it?

Oh yes, plenty in North to Zombieville. I’m not going to say much, because I don’t want to spoil it, but one of the characters’ deaths really hurt :( I loved this character, but it needed to be done. I’d planned it from the start.

4) Favorite location you’ve ever written about?

Townsville, which is the location of North to Zombieville. Mostly because as annoying as the place is and as hot as it is, it’s home and I love it here.

5) What’s your favorite season and favorite activity for that season?

Wait, there is such a thing as seasons? Surely you must be mistaken! Hahaha. Townsville doesn’t have seasons. It’s hot all year around. That being said, it does get a little cooler in winter, which is why I have to say that winter is my favourite. I love cold weather, even if we don’t get it here.

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