Historical Zombie Apocalypse: Weapons of Choice

I am a huge fan of zombie fiction, but up until about a year ago I had only ever watched zombie movies, and the TV show, The Walking Dead. I am not sure why, but I had never picked up a zombie book. As an Indie author I follow Amanda Hocking pretty closely, because of her massive success story and in doing so stumbled across her zombie book, Hollowland; it was great. Next I tried Joseph Talluto’s White Flag of the Dead series, and it instantly hooked me. I read all his books as quickly as I possibly could and even now, anxiously wait for the sixth book to arrive. I highly recommend the series. (Available on Kindle)

Before I began reading paranormal and zombie fiction my taste in literature had always run to Historical Romance/ Regency Romances. It really got me thinking. If I love zombie books and I love Regency Romance, then wouldn’t I totally LOVE Zombie Regency Romance? At first it was a crazy idea that rattled around in my brain for a couple of weeks, begging to be written, but I wasn’t sure.

I was curious if anyone had done such a mash up before, so I looked up “Regency Zombies” on Amazon and stumbled across Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies; Dawn of the Dreadfuls, written by Steve Hockensmith. I am not a huge fan of Jane Austen style novels, but I bought it, read it, and did enjoy it.

Now that I knew it was a good combo, that had obviously had some success, I began to seriously write Duke of the Undead, it was the best time I have ever had writing a book.

I love the idea behind the book, in most zombie books I’ve read the characters go around killing zombies with automatic weapons, driving in the relative safety of a Hummer or something.

The historical aspect took away what made surviving in a post zombie apocalyptic world easier. Imagine how much more difficult it would be if you didn’t have that AK-47. What if you only had a single shot duelling pistol or a sword to fend off the undead? My characters don’t have the protection of automobiles either; they have to ride horse back or within horse drawn carriages that are susceptible to being mobbed and tipped over.

I am currently working on the sequel, March of the Un-Dead, which will follow a major character from the first book, the Earl of Redding. I have the book series planned out to feature a different character, but to still include the characters from the other books. It will not be one of those happily ever after, the end- types because… well, its about zombies.

I hope that you guys enjoy the book; I have included an excerpt below.

A blood curdling scream had Grayson tearing his eyes from the reflection of himself flexing in the mirror. Instantly alert he ran to pick up his broad sword from where it lay abandoned beside the bed. Sheathing it swiftly in the leather thong he had just moments ago finished tying about his waist, he eased open the door; scanning the hallway with the critical eye of a well- trained soldier, before dashing off in search of the disturbance. It had sounded rather close by.

Sussex rounded the corner of the first long hallway and came to an abrupt halt; a man had Laurie down on the ground and seemed to be attacking her. Jesus Christ! Where were the men that were paid to stand guard and protect these women?

“You there, stop.” Sussex bellowed in his most authoritative, ducal tone and was genuinely surprised when the man did not even acknowledge his presence. Drawing his sword he held it at the ready as he drew nearer. Perhaps the man was mentally unhinged? It was then that he saw the blood. His stomach lurched sickeningly; there was so much blood.

“God damn your eyes, I said enough!” Grayson bellowed adrenaline coursing through his veins. He could hear his thundering heart beat echoing in his ears. All of this blood was bringing him back to the battlefield. He was close enough now that the tip of his sword pressed into the man’s back and perversely Sussex applied more force than was strictly necessary to get the bastards attention.

He had his back to Sussex and was hunkered down over Laurie’s prone body. Laurie was lying horribly still, but Sussex refused to let himself think about that. Slowly the attacker lumbered to his feet and heedless of the blade at his back spun to face him. His senses on high alert Grayson could hear an awful rattle issuing from the man’s throat and far worse than anything he had heard on the battlefield; it raised the short hairs on the back of his neck and sent chills of apprehension skittering down his spine.

Shock held the Duke immobile as the man or rather creature, was a more apt description of the thing in front of him. It was a man of course, though no man like Sussex had ever before seen. His eyes were soulless chasms staring out at him from behind a white film that covered its pupils. His face was slack and blank; blood poured from his mouth, dribbling down its chin. Good God. Had that thing been eating Laurie?

Sussex risked a quick glance at Laurie’s body and had to fight the urge to vomit. This thing had indeed been feasting upon Laurie’s body. She was obviously dead, and by the state of her body, it was a mercy. Pieces of flesh from her face and chest were ripped away, and a hole had been gnawed through her stomach allowing her entrails to hang out.

THE AUTHOR

Megan Berry lives in a rural Alberta town with a population of 1000 or so people. She currently works casually at the local hospital, though dreams of one day putting in her notice to write full time. She divides the rest of her time between her long-time boyfriend Tim, a crazy busy four year old daughter, two pugs, and a cat named Weiney. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, and the never ending renovation effort on her house. Twenty four years old, Megan has been writing for as long as she can remember and has note books, upon notebooks, of plots just waiting to be written if she can ever find the time.

Most recently she has released her favorite book of them all, Duke of the Un-dead; a book where she took two of her favorite genres, Historical Romance and Zombie Fiction, and combined them most satisfyingly. She is currently working on the sequel, March of the Undead and a paranormal romance titled, Blood Lust.

THE BOOK

PUBLISHER: Self-published | RELEASE DATE: March 2012 | BUY IT: Amazon UK / Amazon US

When the Duke of Sussex awakens from a night of drinking and excess; it is to find himself in the bed of a harlot, with all hell breaking loose around him. Everywhere there is carnage and death, with some sort of creature like “people” eating the flesh of the living. A harrowing journey ensues to find relative safety with a handful of servants, who it is now his duty to protect. A zombie series set in Regency England.

MEGAN BERRY ONLINE
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GIVEAWAY!

Megan is giving away FOUR (4) copies of Duke of the Undead

To enter please answer the following question then fill out the form below: On the TV show, The Walking Dead, what is their nickname for zombies?

This giveaway is International and ends 12:00am GMT 30th November 2012

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