Chaos Stories by Charles O'Keefe

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charles O'Keefe will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Top Ten List of Things that Make me Happy

10. Waking up, opening the curtains and looking out at a clear blue sky (seeing water is even better!)

I'm not much of a morning person but one of the things that helps me to have a positive day is to see it's sunny outside. I think it's because I was born (and still live in) Newfoundland, Canada. Consider that Newfoundland holds the record for the foggiest place in the world and you'll know why I appreciate seeing the sun so much.

9. Having new comics to read on my Marvel Unlimited app.

If you're a comic book fan (and have a tablet and/or laptop) you NEED this app. Marvel really does an excellent job with it. I find every week I have at least I have 3-7 new comics to read, they have a bunch of ongoing Star War comics (I read them all) and it's way cheaper than buying paper comics (or even digital). It's become a Monday morning tradition for me and since I've loved comics for over 20 years, it's a tradition I'll happily continue.

8. Getting a new review or post about my book

This one is a little obvious (since you're reading a post about my latest book The Chaos Stories: Tales of Magic, Terror, Passion and Blood) but it's true. I love blog tours (thanks for being a part of mine!) and review tours. A honest review or even just some nice comments about my latest book always make me feel good. I put a lot of time, effort and thought into my writing and feedback from a reader is very important to me. For those negative reviews (which always happen) I've built up a thick skin and I try to find some grain of truth in them that possibly I can use to make my writing better.

7. Getting a massage

I like to walk, I do Pilates and my job entails a fair bit of lifting (plus I’m over 40) so I get sore feet, back and shoulders. Getting a good massage (from a massage therapist I mean, covered by my health plan for so much a year) is so very relaxing. I can book my appointment online and I even have a favourite person that I regularly go to.

6. Going for a long walk by myself

I love nature, well I’ll be honest I love to be outside when it’s warm and sunny. Still even in November I still try to go for walks at least twice a week. Spending time by myself, walking by the water or in the woods is something else I find very relaxing and rejuvenating. I also find it’s a great time to listen to audio books, music or a podcast.

5. Having a big win after a poker game

I’ve been a poker player over 20 years. I'm not saying I'm a pro (I never will be, don't have the time or the mindset, or the money!) but I know I've gotten better. Do I still make mistakes and have bad sessions? Sure, but I think everyone does. For me though the exquisite feeling of winning $500 or more (I'm not up to huge stakes yet, that's a big win for me) is just amazing. Gambling is a thrill and knowing I had a good combination of getting lucky/playing well, keeps me on a mental high for days if not weeks (or until I play again).

4. Going on a vacation (away or here in Newfoundland)

I’ve come to appreciate trips more than gifts. Most gifts eventually just become junk for you to throw out but when you go on a trip with friends, family or your spouse (or sometimes all three if you’re lucky), you get great memories that last a lifetime. I’ve always felt traveling to (safe) places is the best education you can have and I’ll admit to hating cold winters. I especially love to go warm places (usually Florida) in winter. Cruises are always fun (and easy) and even just weekend getaways are great to break the drag of routine life, find a change of scenery and of course have someone else to do the cooking.

3. Finish writing a book

I just mean the rough draft, still the great feeling of accomplishment when you put down those (possible) last few words is pure bliss. I'll also add that reading a book you wrote when it's all polished and ready for publication, also heavenly, mixed with excitement, anticipation and a little nervousness.

2. Going to bed with my wife

Get your mind out of the gutter! Seriously whatever else happens in bed I just hate sleeping alone. Crawling into bed with someone you love, all warm and snuggly, it's a wonderful feeling. It's a great way to end the day and I always sleep better when I know she's beside me, I always say it's one thing I never miss from my single days.

1. Being married and having some to share my life with

My wife may never read this but that's ok. It's true for me, I was never very happy when I was single. From the time I was 12 I wanted to have a girlfriend (took me a while I'll admit) and later in my 20's a wife. Knowing you always have someone to talk to, to share the ups and downs of life, someone to help you, to make you smile, make you feel good, travel with, watch TV and movies, go to restaurants with or just read and snuggle together, it's an essential part of life for me. Not to dwell on it but my Dad died earlier this year. When it was happening I realized how much I depend on my wife for support during tough times, I thought of how much harder this would have been to go through without her and how empty I would have felt when it was over. I think everyone needs a special someone in their life and I'm forever grateful I found someone for me.

Here you'll find nine new short-stories, some which have been from my life, or things that could have happened. One is inspired from the many games of Dungeons and Dragons I've played over twenty years while another is from the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game. Some are even some from other authors, who kindly contributed to my collection.

As a treat for fans of my series, I have included six deleted chapters, two from each of the three Newfoundland Vampire novels, which have been all cleaned up and have been made better than ever for your reading pleasure.

I have also included not one, but two chapters from the upcoming fourth book in the Newfoundland Vampire series, War of the Fangs. I've filled this collection with tales that will make you laugh, or will scare you, and will hopefully make you think a little about the world around us and the people in it.

Read an excerpt:

When he opened his eyes he noticed a red glow to her spine. WTF! Steve was too stunned to speak. The red glow faded as he almost fell off the bed. Angela kissed his neck, snuggling beside him, not noticing his dismay or wide open mouth. Finally he summoned the courage to speak.

“Your spine glowed red. Is there something I need to know about you?”

“Oh come now, you didn't know? Why do you think I loved your Battlestar shirt so much? Didn't you notice I look just like Cylon Number Six? Sure you did. Disney wanted to test me out on one of its tech geeks. You got lucky. So, I was good?”

“You're a Cylon? Does that mean we're starting a whole new race?”

“No silly,” answered Angela, slapping Steve playfully. “It means the bosses finally granted you a promotion. You'll be featured as the main exhibit at the new Disney theme park. It's quite an honor being bestowed upon you. I hope you fully appreciate the confidence Disney has in your work."

Realizing the full extent of his situation, Steve made a break for the door. Too late. Angela was on him, wielding handcuffs as she slammed him to the floor.

“This is kinky,” commented Angela as she slapped on the bracelets.

Angela dragged Steve by his hair, still naked, to a waiting van outside, where Daffy Duck and Pluto robots drove him away to his new Disney adventure.

About the Author:

Charles O’Keefe lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundland, Canada, with his wife and two feline ‘children,’ Jude and Eleanor. He is a part-owner of a beauty wholesale business. He enjoys many hobbies and activities that include reading, gaming, poker, Pilates, Dungeons and Dragons, and of course, fantasizing about vampires. Charles is the author of three books in the Newfoundland Vampire series, but this is his first collection of short-stories. Look for the fourth Newfoundland Vampire book sometime in the near future.

http://www.charlesokeefe.com
https://twitter.com/TheNLVampire
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