NBTM + #Giveaway: K.I.A. by Alexander Charalambides @AJCharalambides @GoddessFish

K.I.A.

by Alexander Charalambides

GENRE: Thriller/NA

BLURB:

Hildegard lives in a real-life dollhouse, surrounded by prop houses and actors who play friends, teachers and foster parents. Only one man ever seemed real, and after his disappearance, she’s had enough playing along. As Hildegard makes her final preparations to run away from home, a swarm of black clad soldiers appear, controlling the police and swarming across her home town. She can evade them for now, but after learning their mission, she decides to play along one last time, following them to Truman Academy, a lonely building on a freezing aleutian island. Hildegard knows it for what it is: just another prop, but not everyone feels the same way. Through the hell of endless drills and marching, Hildegard befriends the stealthy Grace and bloodthirsty David, and enlists them in an effort to unravel the plan of the man called G and his monstrous menagerie of inhuman soldiers.

Excerpt:

Kneeling against the open door, I can hear voices, but not clearly enough to tell what they’re saying.

The garage is crowded, though; too many footsteps.

From here, I can see about half the room. The ramp leading down to the ambulance, the open gate, and some piles of stretchers and medical supplies. It’s completely dark, apart from the distant rays of street lights filtering in past the ambulance. Somewhere on the wall I can’t see is a light source, and since I hear but don’t see people, I’m going to assume that’s where they’re standing.

I test the floor; it changes from plastic tile to concrete at the threshold. Not really ideal. I lay flat on the ground, and try to crawl, as slowly as possible, on elbows and knees. The railings on the ramp to the ambulance, combined with the darkness, should keep me hidden, as long as the people in here keep talking, I might even be able to listen in.

It feels as if my heart should be beating out of my chest, whatever that means, but to be honest, I think I’d prefer that. What it actually feels like, as the ambulance inches closer, is freezing to death in a blizzard. Each time my heart beats, there’s a second of suspense as I wait for the next one.

I can’t stand up. It’s too low, they’ll see me. I’ll have to crawl all the way.

“All teams, reporting in for the fifth sweep.”

“And?”

“Still nothing.” 

I want to turn on my side, watch them, but I can see enough in my peripheral vision. Five men, standing in a group, one holds a small light, strapped to the forest of pouches and armor on his chest. The others peer into a variety of equipment, propped up on black plastic legs or resting on piles of bags and boxes.

The ambulance’s tire is by my hand. The back of my neck hasn’t stopped itching.

It’s getting worse, in fact.

“It may be time to consider the possibility we were misinformed. Should’ve brought dogs.”

“Sir?”

I’m under the ambulance now. Five feet to go. I turn on my side, to watch them.

“She’s not here. How is she not here?”

Leaning against the far rail is a man with the proportions of a spider monkey, equipment hanging off him like autumn leaves on a tree. He’s looking right at me.

Interview with Alexander Charalambides

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

K.I.A.’s characters all have different backgrounds, but share some important common experiences. Without getting into spoilers, they’re all at Truman Academy for the same reason. They’re pretty divided at first, but once they figure things out it doesn’t take them long to band together against the faculty.

Can you tell us a little about your next books or what you have planned for the future?

Next up is Formula Q, a science fiction comedy about a futuristic racing league. Drivers from Earth have a competitive relationship that turns hostile when they become pawns for the political ambitions of an aspiring dictator.

It’s a novel about staying positive and having fun while also fighting fascism.

How long would you say it takes you to write a book?

I think every writer has the same answer to this: way too long.

What is your favorite childhood book?

I’m not sure I can answer this one? I honestly don’t remember one book I’d hold up over the rest. Plus, there’s always the fear that if you go back and reexamine things your child-self liked you’d discover they were really, really bad and embarrassing. I suppose that means I’m glad I don’t remember.

If you could spend the day with one of your characters, who would it be? Please tell us why you would choose this character, where you would go and what you would do?

I can’t think of a single character from K.I.A. I’d actually want to spend time with, charitably speaking they’re all a little “highly strung”.

This questions’ really interesting to me, it illustrates the difference between what makes a good character and what makes a good person.

What was the hardest scene to write?

Undeniably the death of fishbowl man, I was really tearing up, just wailing over my keyboard. I actually fainted from exhaustions because of the heaving sobs.

What made you want to become a writer?

I wanted fans to write me angry letters.

Just for fun

Favourite song: I like the dog bark remixes.

Favourite book: K.I.A. Life changing, incredible, my compliments to the author. (sorry)

Favourite movie: Amadeus. No joke, go and watch it immediately.

Favourite TV show: I spent a long time trying to pick and came up with nothing, so I’ll just say that at the moment i’m really into Smallville. It feels like the last word in the late 90’s early 00’s sub-genre of supernatural small town drama.

Food: Steak tips.

Drink: Chocolate milkshake. I am a simple man.

Website: Of course, my favorite could only be this blog! Thanks for having me!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Alexander Charalambides was born in London and grew up in Berkshire in the UK.

He studied Creative Writing, and graduated from the Open University.

As a freelance writer Alexander enjoys storytelling just as much as editing and analysis, but often takes time off to enjoy wind surfing, do the sickest of motorcycle flips, wrestle with deadly animals and lie about his hobbies.

In 2008 he moved to the USA and now lives in New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains with his family and two dogs, Gwynne and Gimli.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Buy Link:

Amazon

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon or B/N GC

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