Available
now at Evernight Publishing ~ Open World
– C.O.V.E.N. by Casey Moss
The
world of C.O.V.E.N. (Clans of Vegas – Endless Night) first appeared in
Evernight Publishing’s anthology Keyboards
& Kink (available here: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/keyboards-and-kink/
& at other fine e-tailers) in Casey’s story, AFK.
In
AFK, we saw a peek into I-D-8
Entertainment’s in-production MMORPG: Clans of
Vegas – Endless Night, also known as C.O.V.E.N. when Beth and another gamer got
sucked into the game for real.
Now,
when it comes to Open World, it’s
actually made up of parts from two novellas that had been previously published.
Those stories were my very first published ones released in 2008 under my alter
ego’s name. A few years ago, I received the rights back on them, and they sat
in a file until this year. There’s been some major work done to revamp them
from a sci-fi’ish plot to the computer gaming one present in the book today. I
am so excited these stories, and more to come in the C.O.V.E.N. world, have
found new life and a great new home with Evernight Publishing.
In
the story, Open World, some of the
employees of I-D-8 have joined together for a LAN party to test the game. For
definitions on the computer gaming term: open world, check out http://www.techopedia.com/definition/3952/sandbox-gaming).
Here’s a look into the story…
Here’s a look into the story…
~ Blurb
~
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 ~
Relying
on past military training, Den swept his gaze over the grassy areas next to
where he stood on the concrete section of four barbecue pits, past a wood play
set and back toward the pavilion that stood in stark contrast to the
two-storied, white-stucco building. Nothing gained his notice that he should be
concerned about, except for the dark clouds gathering over the mountain tops to
the west.
Maybe it’s just the anticipation
of the first of several crunch times, the LAN party and giving the game a
thorough closed-playtest tonight and through the weekend.
Under
the covered area and in front of the metal picnic tables, a small group
dispersed, revealing his girlfriend, Hope Collins, and her family. Smiling, Den
waited for her to look in his direction. His heart beat hard and fast in
anticipation.
She
turned her head, moved a thick length of brown hair
behind her ear and caught his gaze. He loved the way her hazel eyes regarded him with warmth and sparkled when she
grinned. A soft breeze brought an exotic, sweet scent to his nose. The floral
aroma overrode the barbecue and reminded him of a perfume she’d recently worn.
Man, the fragrance had turned him on. “Pheromones on steroids,” he’d said. He
told her to be careful with the stuff. Her response? She’d regaled him about
the price, the designer, and how a celebrity from some reality show wore it
‘all the time.’
For once he thought a purchase of hers had been worth the
expenditure.
Sexy relationship.
Great job. Bright future. Den tipped the tongs to his forehead then in his girl’s
direction. His life and luck sure had changed for the better when he’d met her
a year ago.
A
tall, raven-haired man strolled up to Hope’s father and distracted his girl as
well. Corbet Jenkins. Liaison between
I-D-8 Entertainment and ‘The Money.’ And an asshole from what he’d heard.
Clenching his teeth, Den cocked his head and trained his gaze on the broker.
Cor
stepped closer to where Hope sat, standing too near her for Den’s liking. The
man eclipsed her. A shadow seemed to encase her in a dark cloak where none
should be cast.
Odd.
Regardless
of the strange obscuration, Hope didn’t deserve to have her light-hearted,
joyous nature snuffed out by anyone. Cor shook James’s hand and placed his
other on Hope’s shoulder. A low, possessive snarl rolled up the back of Den’s
throat.
~ 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…
~ Casey
Moss Links ~
Website: http://caseymossbooks.com/
Website: http://caseymossbooks.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CaseyMoss
Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/open-world-by-casey-moss/
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-openworld-1514409-147.html
BookStrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/open-world
Thanks for having me on your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. :)
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