The Mesmerized
by Rhiannon Frater
Summary from Goodreads
It is silence, not screams of terror, which proclaims the end of the world…
Minji Nordim is vacationing in Las Vegas with her small family when she witnesses the beginning of a terrifying apocalypse. When humanity is transformed into mindless drones by a terrifying supernatural event only Minji appears to be immune.
Thousands die instantly, but the other affected people are drawn to the Nevada desert. Nothing stands in the way of the mesmerized. Not fire, not heights, not rubble. As the bodies pile in the streets and the relentless wave of the mesmerized plods into the deadly desert, Minji is trapped in a burning city attempting to rescue her affected family.
Can one woman save her family and the world?
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Mint chocolate chip ice cream. You could call it an addiction.
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
I actually hate eating breakfast, so I like to drink a vanilla protein shake. I do love breakfast food, but will eat it for lunch or dinner. Scrambled eggs with chorizo, bacon, and fried potatoes at Amaya’s Taco Village rules.
One food you would never eat?
Fish or shellfish. Terribly allergic to both.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
I wanted to be a published writer.
You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
A new car. Probably a Tesla.
What movie are you looking forward to this year?
The final installment of The Hobbit is at the top of my list followed by the first part of Mockingjay.
Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
Coraline by Neil Gaiman.
What is next on your to read list?
I’m beta reading for two friends right now.
Top 5 songs on your playlist?
Mr. Self Destruct by NIN
A Perfect Day Elyse by PJ Harvey
In Your Room by Depeche Mode
Sinking by The Shroud
Control by POE
What is the last thing you Googled?
Z Nation!
What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
Writing. Reading. Watching a favorite television show with my hubby.
If you had a time machine, where would you go (past or future) and who would you like to visit?
I would love to see the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Where is your favorite spot to read?
In my bed, snuggled under the covers.
If you were on Death Row what would your last meal be?
My mom’s homemade lasgna.
Can we get a hint on what you are working on? What are your future plans?
I’m wrapping up the In Darkness We Must Abide serial that is chock full of vampires, werewolves, ancient gods, witches, oracles, magic, and romance! It’s a lot of fun to write.
I’m also working on the final book in the Dark Rebirth trilogy. The Lament of the Vampire Bride is probably the darkest of the vampire bride trilogy. I love gothic horror, period pieces, and vampires, so it’s fun to write.
As for the future, I have some ideas bouncing around in my head, but I haven’t settled on my writing projects for next year yet.
THIS OR THAT?
Print or Ebook?
I have to use ebooks because of my battered writer hands.
Beach or Pool?
Private pool.
Pizza or Pasta?
Pizza.
Horror or Romance?
Horror
Coke or Pepsi?
Coke
Harry Potter or Twilight?
Haven’t read both series.
Gum or Breath Mints?
Listerine strips
Summer or Winter?
Winter.
Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook
Spontaneity or Planning Ahead?
Depends on my mood.
Black or White?
Black…always.
Hot or Cold?
Cold
Night owl or early bird?
Night owl
TV or Movies?
TV
Truth or Dare?
Truth
Text or Talk?
Text
Diet or Regular?
Diet
Christmas or Thanksgiving?
Halloween
Excerpt from The Mesmerized
By
Rhiannon Frater
“Okay, the tigers are at The Mirage. So that’s our first
stop,” Jake decided. “Then we can head to the Hard Rock. I want a t-shirt from
there.”
Minji looped the end of the leash a few times around her
wrist before taking Ava’s hand. “Perfect. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“It’s really crowded right now, so everyone stay close. I’m
looking at you, Ava.”
Ava gave her father a plaintive look while tugging on her
leash. “I can’t run away!”
“Good! I’d like my little girl to not go splat in the road.”
Minji winced at the memory of her daughter dodging into the
road to greet Jake when he’d returned from an evening run. Luckily their
neighbor had seen her in time and jerked her car onto someone else’s lawn,
avoiding Ava completely. The mere idea of losing any of her family was enough
to make Minji sick to her stomach.
Shoving negative thoughts away, Minji kept in her husband’s
wake as he threaded through the crowd toward the escalators that descended from
either side of the waterfall. The atrium loomed ahead filled with bright
sunlight that reflected off the creamy walls and pillars.
The first sign that something was wrong came when her brain
was assailed with what felt like millions of cold needles burrowing into the
gray matter. With a whimper, Minji pressed her fingertips to her temples in a
futile attempt to stave off the pain. Then the sensation intensified.
Screams echoed through the vast resort in a horrifying
chorus. All around her, people flailed about, or gripped their heads in their
hands. Jake grunted and stumbled as Bailey let out a shrill cry. Woozy, Minji
reached for her screaming baby just as another stab of unbearable agony tore
through her brain, blinding her. Rapidly blinking her eyes, she desperately
attempted to restore her sight.
“Mommy! Mommy!” Ava wailed. “Mommy, my head hurts! I can’t
see!”
Howls of agony reverberated through the mall corridors. Minji
tugged on the child leash, dragging Ava into her arms. Unable to see, she
clutched her daughter close. Paralyzing fear churned in her gut. The pain
diminished, but the blindness remained.
“Jake!”
“I’m right here.” A familiar, warm hand floundered against
her back then found her shoulder. “I’m right here, hon. I got you.”
Again there was a flash of icy discomfort, then the world
returned to sharp focus. To Minji’s horror, blood streamed down the faces of
some of the shoppers close to her. Bubbles of the rich liquid formed in their
eyes, noses, and ran from their lips. Swaying slightly, the bleeders stared
blankly past the faces of their frightened companions. Minji swiftly checked
Ava, Bailey and Jake. None of them were bleeding. Lifting Ava onto her hip,
Minji pressed against Jake’s side.
“Jake, are you okay?”
“My head is killing me,” he answered. “Check the baby.”
“She’s not bleeding, just crying. What the hell is
happening?”
Rhiannon Frater is the
award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent
works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of
2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by
B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in
Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows,
playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for
Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.
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