Open World C.O.V.E.N.
by Casey
Moss
The
world has broken out in wars. Las Vegas has been ravaged by chemical warfare
and is now home to several clans and creatures.
Welcome
to I-D-8 Entertainment’s newest game: Clans of Vegas—Endless Night.
Friends
and family have gathered for a crunch time playtest of C.O.V.E.N.. When a
horrible thunderstorm hits, everyone’s sucked into the game for real. In the
MMORPG, Hope Collins is kidnapped by Buzz and forced to submit to his whims.
Her boyfriend, Alden, has to delay his quest of defeating a clan’s prince to
save her, but time and circumstance don’t seem to be on his side. Faith Collins
is bombarded by strange dreams brought on by Buzz. Her boyfriend, Tavis, learns
to dream walk, but can he help break the spell she’s under and save her before
she’s lost to him?
C.O.V.E.N.
is more than just a game. It’s a whole other world.
Excerpt:
Perhaps he’d
been under too much stress, had too much caffeine, didn’t have enough sleep or
information about the guy. More likely a combination of it all. A hodgepodge of
shit and no shovel. He didn’t know how much more of all this he could take.
Shaking off
the negativity, Alden rotated his head, listening to his spine crackle and pop.
Tension released. The quick adjustment perked him up. He plated the burgers,
closed the lid to the grill and exhaled a deep breath. First food, then work,
and amongst it all, see if I can figure out Mr. Jenkins’s deal. Making his way
toward the small group, the tray of hot meat balanced on one hand, he focused
in on Cor, noting his body language and how the people around him responded.
Why did I
imagine him as the antagonist? The one in the game I need to destroy?
The storyline
he had to double check during the playtest dealt with finding the main boss—the
Prince of Clan Caesachapel—and defeating him before the cad could cause harm.
He’d intended to assist Hope and her family in creating ‘good’ characters,
placing them in the clan he belonged to, and have them run the quests, as well.
But with the way he’d been feeling, he almost reconsidered that idea.
Thing was he
had a job to do. One he aimed to make good on and see through to the end. He’d
never been the kind of guy to shirk a duty, and he wasn’t about to start now.
Mr. James
Collins, a middle-aged man with graying, strawberry blond hair and ice blue
eyes, glanced Den’s way as he approached. James acknowledged him with slight
nod, then returned his attention to Cor.
The fact
James was only a programmer and not his direct boss—or above him in any
authoritative capacity in the organization—pleased Den. The man sure ran hot
one moment and cold the next when it came to him. Hope had explained that was one
of her father’s personality quirks and not to take it personal.
Some future
father-in-law he would turn out to be.
Plastering a
smile on his face, he placed the dish of meat on the aluminum table. James and
the ladies’ attentions stayed fixed on the gentleman in their midst. Good. No
one paid him any mind. More time to assess the situation.
Cor’s intense
brown-eyed gaze bored into Hope’s, infiltrating her defenses and working
whatever magic the man seemed to possess. Their connection resembled flirting
but in a stronger sense. His chest tightened and burned. Mine, his inner voice
asserted in a low, rolling growl, reminding him of his in game character’s
speech. Alden stepped back before he could choose to put his fist in Cor’s
face. His foot crunched on a chip bag that had fallen to the ground.
Hope didn’t
flinch, didn’t look away.
Mesmerized.
Shit. And not just her. Enthralled by the bean counter, the whole family
overlooked him like he didn’t exist.
What the hell
is going on?
AUTHOR Bio:
Casey Moss
delves into the darker aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the
stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will
take you on a journey from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things
unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…
Facebook | Blog | Website | Twitter
I’ll work on a different project or step away from the story I’m blocked on and do something completely different.
I’m reading a few. At the time of answering this question, I’m reading a spiritual book, a contemporary western romance by KC Klein, and a story by Stephen King.
Alden: Alden Mochrie, but my friends and loved ones call me Den.
Cassandra: I was born elsewhere, but my parents shipped me off to my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Las Vegas. I still reside with them in Sin City.
Author Interview:
Please welcome Open World C.O.V.E.N. author Casey Moss to Diane's Book Blog.
If you
were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by your
side?
I’d want Alden and Cassandra with me. Alden would be for survival techniques
and know-how. Cassandra for her wisdom and friendship.
If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?
I’d be
friends with Cassandra. I believe she and I have a lot in common and we’d make
a formidable pair.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book… I don’t quite remember what sparked it. It’s been so long ago.
But the first story I ever had published I cranked out because a publisher had
an open submissions call and I really wanted to get something out into the
world.
Who or what inspired you to be a writer?
My
calling to be a writer solidified when I received an A in English in middle
school.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I’ll work on a different project or step away from the story I’m blocked on and do something completely different.
What book are you reading now?
I’m reading a few. At the time of answering this question, I’m reading a spiritual book, a contemporary western romance by KC Klein, and a story by Stephen King.
Character Interview:
Please welcome Cassandra and Alden from Casey Moss' Open World C.O.V.E.N.
What is your name? Do you have a nickname?
Alden: Alden Mochrie, but my friends and loved ones call me Den.
What is your hair color? Eye color?
Cassandra: Auburn hair. Green eyes.
Alden: golden brown hair. I, too, have green eyes.
Where were you born? Where have you lived since then? Where do you currently
call home?
Cassandra: I was born elsewhere, but my parents shipped me off to my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Las Vegas. I still reside with them in Sin City.
Who are the people you are closest to?
Cassandra: My cousins, Hope and Faith. My best friend, Morrigan.
Alden: My girl, Hope, and my best friend, Tavis.
Which living person do you most despise?
Alden: Cor. He’s after my girl and my best friend’s girl, too.
Which living person do you most admire?
Cassandra: I really admire my cousins, Faith and Hope. They’ve shown great
character and courage amidst the trouble we all found ourselves in.
What is your motto?
Cassandra: You only live once.
I enjoyed both interviews.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview and spotlight on this book - I really enjoy getting to know more about authors who are new to me. Thanks for the giveaway too
ReplyDeleteI like the character interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me on your blog today and spotlighting my story!
ReplyDeleteMary, Maria and Rita ~ Glad to know you enjoyed the interview! Best of luck with the giveaway. :)
Casey
The book sounds great and I liked reading the interview as well. Also, the waterfall on the photo is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Librarian Lavender & Elena. Glad y'all liked the interview and excerpt. The waterfall in the pic is outside of the Mirage on the strip here in Las Vegas. :)
ReplyDeleteCasey
Really enjoyed reading that character interview. Those things are so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I love character interviews.
ReplyDeleteGreat character interview, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing, good luck all.
ReplyDelete