Hi everyone! Today I am so pleased to welcome Lex Chase back to the blog. She is here talking bout two of her recent releases, Checkmate Ever After, and Loving and Loathing Las Vegas! She is here talking holiday stories, and has brought a great giveaway. So please join me in giving Lex a big welcome!
Hello Internet! Iím Lex Chase and I’m here hanging with Jay today. I’m here to celebrate the holidays with the release day of Checkmate Ever After from DSP Publications and Loving and Loathing Vegas†from Dreamspinner Press!
It’s kind of a crazy day for me, Checkmate Ever After is my first DSP Publications release, and on this very day those that bought the DSP Advent Calendar Package are getting Loving and Loathing Vegas in their inboxes this morning! It’s like†Christmas!
Checkmate Ever After is a superhero anthology collecting the first three novellas of the previously released Checkmate series, plus with an all new†fourth novella and a bonus short. Checkmate is the story of disgraced superhero Memphis Rook and his rise back to redemption alongside his sidekick/boyfriend Hogarth Dawson. It’s full of dizzying highs, terrifying lows, and the creamy middle! It’s basically the dark and angsty tale of Batman told from the POV of a hyper-active super perky chipmunk. There’s laughs, cheers, cries, and a boatload of feels. It’s my love letter to superheroes and all things pop culture. It’s even a fun treat to see if you can catch all of the references. (Hint: There’s well over a hundred.)
Now, Loving and Loathing Vegas is likewise a quirky little novella. It’s a Christmas story about two incubi, Jackson and Vegas, that have been lifelong best friends, roommates, and together they run a diner. Jackson is madly in love with Vegas but his pride gets in the way of saying anything. Because.†Demons. When they come across an abandoned baby, she teaches them about the miracle of Christmas. Crissy here at Joyfully Jay actually has a lovely review about it here!
But what more do you need. Sex demons, babies, and damned good pie.
If you’ve noticed a theme here, and if you’re new to the “Lex Chase Show” (Howdy, ya’ll!) it’s safe to say I write quirky. And that’s putting it mildly. I don’t say it like a bad thing. I actually embrace it. When I was newly minted author into the world back in 2013, I had this†dilemma of what kind of author did I want to be. Where did I go in “the market”? What shelf did I sit on?
I’m a product of Generation X, which in the ’90s it was all about “Don’t label me, man! I’m my own person! I’m not a sellout!”
Weeeeelllll… There’s a thing between Individuality, Being A Cog In A Machine, and then Being Together And Not The Same as Android says in their ads.
I do write all kinds of things. Varying levels of spec-fic. Sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal and the lot. But I always look for ways to make it mine. Why do it the umpteen million ways other people have done it before me? Or if you’re going to do it the same way, how can you parody the fuck out of it?
The later came up with Checkmate Ever After. It’s a superhero series. Superhero stories have all kinds of particular tropes. They have:
- The scruffy anti-hero in leatheróalways black leather by the way.
- The dashing All-American heroóeither in a cape, or has a shield.
- Plucky sidekicksóalways with a sunny disposition.
- The Monster of the Day.
- The Criminal Mastermind.
- Explosions.
- Crazy powers.
- A bustling city with some kind of awe inspiring nameóGotham, Metropolis, Bludhaven, National City, etc.
- Terrible names of people, places, and things.
- And so much over the top cheese.
That’s the story in a nutshell. Those tropes are like ticks on a bingo card, and Checkmate Ever After meets all of those requirements. It’s just how those tropes are interpreted is where I make them my own. The anthology is†fun. It’s supposed to be. If you get too caught up in how it all works, it sucks the fun right out of it. Don’t get caught up in the physics, or the scientific explanations because†holy shit, superheroes, guys!†Anyone see Jurassic World? No one came for the proof of how the dinosaurs were made plausible. They came for†holy fuck, dinosaurs! Holy shit, the park is real!
Same goes for Loving and Loathing Vegas. I know many readers have taken one look at it out of the many Advent Calendar offerings and have said “Wait. What? Incubi? Christmas? Huh?” I’m saying give it a shot. Go outside of your comfort zone. It may not totally be your jam, but at least you gave it an honest effort. I’m not here to say “Omg this story is the best thing I’ve ever written” because that’s bullshit. I’m here to say I had†fun writing it. And that’s all that matters. And I hope you feel the fun too.
I like having fun with my writing. I like finding new ways to present old tired tropes. Be them from telling stories about loudmouthed male princesses, dainty cross-dressing cannibals, superheroes that are just average, and incubi learning about the meaning of Christmas, even ghosts that fall in love while haunting a home furnishings store that may or may not be IKEA.
I haven’t written My Greatest Work. I don’t think I ever will. I don’t think I’ll even aim for that. I’ll aim for books that are quirky, inventive, fun, and get you right in the feels. Stories about larger than life characters with real human issues we face day to day. I’ll continue to write books that people take one look at and say “A sword and sorcery about a baker that has to teach a dragon how to make cookies?….Alrighty. I’m on this boat.”
So where would you’d shelve my books? What would you label me as? I’d say “Fun with a touch of the bizarre.” or “IDEK what Lex is drinking but can I have some?” (By the way I don’t drink. Or smoke. This cocaine boat is all me.)
So let’s have a complicated question. Because I’m hosting a special complicated giveaway.
If you could label yourself, what would it be? You can’t say “I don’t know!” I don’t know isn’t an answer. You know who you are right now.
Tell me who you are and Santa will be bringing you something pretty damned cool. How about a Checkmate Ever After/Fairy Tales of the Open Road swag pack? Want to know what’s in it? No peeking until Christmas~ And not to leave out my international fans, how about some eBooks for your lovely little Kindles? Merry Christmas~
Blurb
The day disgraced superhero Memphis Rook literally fell into Hogarth Dawsonís lap, you could say it was fate. But the brawny Rook did nearly crush Garthís pancreas. What started as two ships passing in the night ended on the weirdest adventure of their lives. Together, Rook and Garth form Checkmate, a daring super duo that keeps Axis City safe from a rogueís gallery of nefarious villains, dastardly masterminds, and a coalition of calamity. Fighting evil wherever it appearsófrom reality shows to comic book conventionsóCheckmate serves up knuckle sandwiches of justice. But by day, theyíre a couple of broke losers who can barely afford a burger and navigating a weird thing called a relationship. Ainít true love grand? Rook and Garth may be in over their heads, and even super heroes fail sometimes, but theyíre ready to take a stand when no one else will. Donít hate the players, because Checkmate owns the game.
1st Edition of Pawn Takes Rook published by Dreamspinner Press, 2013.
1st Edition of Cashing the Reality Check published by Dreamspinner Press, 2013.
1st Edition of Conventional Love published by Dreamspinner Press, 2014.
And the all new fourth novella Miracle in Axis City and bonus short What The Water Gave Me, exclusive to the anthology!
Genre: Sci-Fi Superhero Comedy
Length: Novel Anthology
Published: December 15, 2015
Publisher: DSP Publications
ISBN: 978-1-63476-462-9
Buy:
- DSP Publications
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Omnilit
- Google Play
International Buy Links
Jackson has loved Vegas since God created Man—literally. As a demonic incubi hailing from the Seventh Circle of Hell, Jackson and Vegas have never been anything more than roommates. Now living among humans, they run Eaven, a TripAdvisor-recommended detour-worthy diner famous for its devilishly decadent pies. Business is dead on the holidays, and Jackson will gleefully stab himself with a spatula if he has to clean spotless pots and pans one more time.
For fun—or torture—Vegas makes him a bet that should Jackson win, they take a much-needed vacation. Should he lose, he’s doomed to clean out grease traps for all eternity. When the challenge is to fall in love with other people by Christmas, it proves Vegas isn’t the least bit interested. But when they find an abandoned baby in the trash, she could be the Christmas miracle to warm Jackson’s cynical heart.
Genre:†Holiday / Urban Fantasy / Humor
Length:†Novella
Published:†December 1, 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN:†978-1-63476-944-0
Buy:
- Dreamspinner Press
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- ARe
International Buy Links:
- Amazon.co.uk
- Amazon.ca
- Amazon.de
- Amazon.fr
- Amazon.jp
Bio
Lex Chase once heard Stephen King say in a commercial, ìWeíre all going to die, Iím just trying to make it a little more interesting.î Now, sheís on a mission to make the world a hell of a lot more interesting.
Weaving tales of cinematic, sweeping adventureóand depending on how she feels that dayóLex sprinkles in high-speed chases, shower scenes, and more explosions than a Hollywood blockbuster. Her pride is in telling stories of men who kiss as much as they kick ass. If youíre going to march into the depths of hell, it better be beside the one you love.
Lex is a pop culture diva, her DVR is constantly backlogged, and unapologetically loved the ending of Lost. She wouldnít last five minutes without technology in the event of the apocalypse and has nightmares about refusing to leave her cats behind.
She is grateful for and humbled by all the readers. She knows very well she wouldnít be here if it wasnít for them and welcomes feedback.
You can find in the Intarwebz here:
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LXChase
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lex_Chase
- Tumblr: http://lexiconofkittens.tumblr.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/lexachase
- Site: http://lexchase.com
Giveaway
So let’s have a complicated question. Because I’m hosting a special complicated giveaway.
If you could label yourself, what would it be? You can’t say “I don’t know!” I don’t know isn’t an answer. You know who you are right now.
Tell me who you are and Santa will be bringing you something pretty damned cool. How about a Checkmate Ever After/Fairy Tales of the Open Road swag pack? Want to know what’s in it? No peeking until Christmas~ And not to leave out my international fans, how about some eBooks for your lovely little Kindles? Merry Christmas~
Click on the Giveaway banner above to enter the giveaway!
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
That’s a really funny question, Lex. If I was to label myself, I would say that I am a bookworm who loves old rock and eighties pop music and cannot resist a chocolate cookie… How’s that for a label? 😉
That’s a good label Susana! I’d label myself as Crazy Cat Lady and Worshipper at the Church of IKEA and in a Relationship with Target (and it’s complicated. LOL)
I am a wife, mom, and avid reader, who loves her family, books and peace and quiet!
Excellent Sabrina! Man what I wouldn’t give for some peace and quiet right now. D:
Let’s see…big bundle of happy contradictions, semi-artsy music and word geek, daughter and sister, amateur chef, chocoholic and coffee addict, long-suffering but loyal San Jose Sharks fan (please win again soon, boys, preferably tonight? thanks), Californian, Muppet sympathizer, romantic with streaks of cynicism.
LOL I definitely know the Long Suffering Sports Fan vibe. I was once the Long Suffering Red Sox Fan and now….you know…they’re actually GOOD so I can’t say that anymore. LOL My girlfriend is in NYC and we almost had a relationship defining moment if she was a Yankees fan. Luckily she doesn’t care about sports. LOL
They’re not bad (indeed, sometimes they’re excellent), it’s just that they’re kind of ill-fated at times. I know a split Sox/Yankees household (Yankees parents, Sox kid who went to college in Boston), and things can be interesting. I admit I can’t see myself dating a Kings or Ducks fan…
Let’s see right now a very stressed out daughter and mom in that order. Most of the time an avid reader happy daughter caring for her Dad and loving Mom!
Aaaawww! Julie! You have my sympathies about the stress. I know that feeling. Not only do I have Author Life to take care of but Home Life is bananas with my parents. Gah! My kingdom for them to go on another cruise and an empty house!
I am the grandmother who buys the grandsons books for gifts but they would rather get video games. “heavy sigh” Evidently a love of reading is not genetic.
LOL Nancy! I grew up with video games as a part of my life. My 40 year old brother still plays to this day. But I will say in defense of video games that the storytelling has gotten intensely sophisticated! Making you laugh, cry, or contemplate life decisions. Role playing games are by far my favorite because of the elaborate story. A really good one I can’t recommend enough is Last of Us. It’s a zombie apocalypse story but the story itself about the decisions we make are so gut wrenching. My brother was going through a really rough patch once and he credits how the game really helped him and meant something to him.
Omg. So sorry I got so rambly! 🙁
I’m an introvert that LOVES to read more than ANYTHING. I’ve tried to branch out in other directions to find another “hobby” but reading is my favorite. 🙂
My hobby is cooking. I LOVE cooking. And my bad habit of WAY too much TV. D:
I am alive
And that’s good enough! 😀
I’m extremely introvert and like to keep my interaction with others to a minimum. I love reading and music and spend a majority of my time babysitting my niece and nephews.
I’m an extroverted introvert. I never meet a stranger and have no problem talking to people, but when I’m done, I’m DONE. I get so overwhelmed sometimes. I know for me when all else fails, hug the cat. <3
Gosh darn it, why do you ask all the hard ones, Lex? Hrm… I’d label myself an introverted language, slightly obsessive junkie with a squeeing fangirl buried deep inside.