Type your search keyword, and press enter

EricaBeale.com

Giving You a Little Bit of Hell

A Preview of the Next Part of The Tales Dripping in Crimson Series

It took a bit, but I’ve finally completed Hell-Bent, the next short story in the Crimson series. I plan to publish it early next month.

….I just realized that’s next week.

Anyway, here is a preview of the story. I hope you enjoy it!

Hell-Bent: Tales Dripping in Crimson 4

I am Mammon, King of the Second Circle of Hell, and as I sit in this godforsaken room, I seethe with anger. How dare Na’ahmeh do this to me? How dare she drain me of my power, nearly killing me in the process? I am the one who should be in control, not her.

I look around the room, taking in the drab green furniture and the smell of old cigarettes and cheap whiskey. This is a far cry from the luxury I’m used to. How could I have let myself be put in this situation? How could I have been such an idiot? I should have known better than to trust that psychotic succubus.

But I did trust her, and now I’m stuck in this hideous place, barely able to move because of the half-transformation she caused in me. My once handsome face is now half twisted into a demonic form, with leathery red skin, jet black hair, and large sharp teeth. My body is too large for this room, and I can feel my foot turning into a hoof.

I am the King of Greed and a leader of a legion of Hell, and I am not used to being in this kind of situation. I am used to being in control, making deals, and getting what I want. But now, I’m trapped in a seedy motel on the edge of town.

A growl of frustration escapes me as I imagine what I would do to Na’ahmeh if could ever get my hands on her again. But for now, I can only try to hold on to what’s left of my power and my sanity.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Cosmic Cons for Love and Profit

A Serial Story available on Amazon Vella

On 2/11/23, I released the first three episodes of my newest story, Cosmic Cons for Love and Profit. My plan is to update the story once a week. Please stop by Vella to give it a read. Keep in mind, you can’t read them from the Amazon App, but you can read them online.

In a future where mankind has colonized the solar system and mysticism still prevails, Raekah Merrin is a con artist scamming people as a psychic. When a bounty is put on her head, she must return to her guardian but finds herself caught up in her biggest scam yet. Pursued by three men, she must navigate a dangerous and romantic landscape while trying to survive and find love. With secrets, lies, and desires at every turn, she finds that the con of a lifetime may lead to adventure.

Though the first three episodes are free, I still get a couple of cents for every episode read, episode and story likes. So, if you could, it would really help me out if you have time to do so. I appreciate any and all hook-ups.

For now, though, you can check out the first episode RIGHT NOW!

Episode 1: In Space, No One Can Hear You Brew

Raekah Merrin was hard at work in the small laboratory on her spaceship, The Laveau. Beakers and test tubes, bubbling and steaming with brightly colored brews, filled the tiny room. Shelves lined the walls with exotic plants and glass containers of long dead critters floating in fluid.

She sat at the center console, grinding up black seeds in a pestle and mortar, making a thick paste. Once she had it to the consistency she wanted, she grabbed a bowl of steaming red liquid, bringing it closer to her.

Altair, her AI companion, hovered nearby, watching her closely. “Raekah, are you sure you know what you’re doing? Those two items together are very dangerous for the human digestive system.”

Raekah turned to him, a smirk on her face. “You worry way too much, Altair. I’ve got this under control.”

But Altair wasn’t convinced. As she added the paste to the liquid, it popped and fizzed suspiciously. He floated closer, his eyes fixed on the mixture in the bowl. He raised a thin brow at her while he pursed his lips. “You’re not even sure what you’re making. That client who wants it could put his kid’s life in danger.”

Raekah just rolled her eyes. “Hey, the client pays, I deliver. That’s the way it’s always worked. No one has died on our watch yet.” She reached to her left, grabbing a new, empty container to pour her potion into. She gave Altair a wry smile. “Don’t make me rewrite your program to mellow you out.”

It was his turn to smirk. “The purchase agreement you made says you are legally not allowed to change my matrix.”

She huffed with laughter. “And I always follow the rules?” After waving at him dismissively, she turned back to the brew and continued the job at hand.

Continue on page 2

Pages: 1 2 3 4

The Last Fae is DONE

Well…the first phase of DONE, anyway…

After working on my story for around a decade now, I’ve finally finished up TLF. It was a total weight off my shoulders to get it finished. It’s been on my goal list FOR YEARS. It’s in need of some TLC. I’m still in the process of revamping the world since I borrowed the original world from a friend of mine and it’s way past time for me to do my own thing.

Also, it’s not exactly long enough to be its own novel (right now it’s sitting at 61,815 words). My current goal is to combine it in a volume with the next tale The Demon in Her Skin. That one is still a wreck, but it’s getting there.

I’m feeling good about myself. TLF was one of my major goals to complete while I was 40, and I DID IT! Man, it felt amazing to finish the last sentence. I cried about it. No shame.

Eventually, after I’m done with The Demon in Her Skin, I’m going to rewrite the story to make it happier. That’s Erica’s Problem for Another Day.

In the Meantime…

There are a few bits of the story I really enjoy rereading. They’re not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But I wanted to share one of the parts I especially like. It’s towards the end of the book. Not a lot of context is needed, I think.

Let me know if you’re interested in more story bits!

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

RSS
Follow by Email