Susanne Leist: The Dead Game

I’ve always been an avid reader. About ten years ago, I decided to write my first book. I grew up on Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes, but the supernatural called to me and enticed me. I wanted to write a book with all the sarcasm and wit of the TV show, Supernatural, the mystery of a classic murder mystery, and the sensational thrills of the TV show, The Originals. I sat down with these goals in mind and wrote The Dead Game.

The Dead Game
Linda moves to a small town to live a quieter and simpler life. She opens a bookstore and makes new friends. Life is simple–that is until the dead body washes up on shore. Linda is horrified to find out dead bodies and disappearing tourists are common for this town. As soon as the sun sets, she and her friends are stalked by dark shadows. But this is only the beginning.

Linda and her group receive an unsigned invitation to a party at the deserted house on the hill. They are afraid of the unfriendly hill residents, who only venture out of their homes at night. They attend the party and are pursued through revolving rooms and dangerous traps, barely escaping with their lives. Two of their own remain trapped in the house. Or so they think.

The dead game has begun.

 

Since I spent eight years writing The Dead Game, I felt that it deserved its own poem, “Ode to My Book” is the one I wrote for it.

“Ode to My Book”

Nothing can be as fine
As the dear book of mine.
It might not be sold in a big bookstore,
But you will not find one to offer more.
It was created with much love and hope,
Even though it wasn’t blessed by a Pope.
It has my blood, sweat, and tears.
Might raise many of your fears.
It has action, murder, and romance.
I can even do a little dance.
Please try it and you’ll see
It has the best of me.

 

I am trained as a financial analyst and have an M.B.A. in finance. What made me decide to give this up and pursue a writing career? A feeling deep inside. The following poem describes my journey.

“To Be or Not to Be”

To be or not to be a writer.
This has been the hardest question for me.
Should I continue with my pursuit,
Or step away and claim defeat?
One book has been written.
One book is being sold.
It dances around on Amazon and Nook.
It reaches new heights in its niche
And then slowly bows its head in silence.
The highs feel good and lofty,
While the lows feel depressing and sad.
Is it worth it?
I am told that a writer must keep writing.
More books to dance around.
More highs and lows.
Should I keep doing this?
Will I keep doing this?
Yes, for now
As I wait for the next high.

 

What else can I say about my book? This poem says it for me.

“My Beautiful Town”

Oh, beautiful town of mine,
With beaches and white sand so fine.
Views to take your breath away,
For this, tourists want to pay.
Oasis, a perfect name for you,
Waving palm trees and skies so blue.
But come night bets are off,
Once The Dead chop heads off.
I don’t want to move from here,
But I can’t live with this fear.
Please help rid the town of The Dead,
Then I could sleep safe in my bed.

 

One more poem, before I say goodbye.

From under the sea
they have come for me.
Rising from the deep
they come when I sleep.
Through the small town, they roam
looking for a new home.
Blending with tourists at day
but at night they get to play.
Blood-thirsty as they are
they don’t have to go far.
They take sustenance within reach
leaving dead bodies on the beach.
Tourists flee the hotel
before they’re doomed to hell.
The evil one walks tall.
Our town will surely fall.
THE DEAD GAME

 

My Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7336492.Susanne_Leist
https://twitter.com/SusanneLeist
http://www.amazon.com/author/susanneleist
https://www.facebook.com/susanne.leist
https://www.facebook.com/The-Dead-Game
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanneLeist/

Come and join me.

My Blogs:
http://susanneleist.wordpress.com/
http://thedeadgamebysusanne.blogspot.com
http://thedeadgameblog.tumblr.com/

Google
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SusanneLeistAuthor

 

Thank you, for joining me today. You’re invited to visit my sites and blogs, and of course, to purchase my book.

Amazon Link: The Dead Game

Barnes & Noble Link: The Dead Game