THANKSGIVING SALE! 3 EBOOKS ONLY $0.99!

It’s that time again, ladies and gentlemen, when shops all over the United States are offering up their goods at discounted prices, and there will be no exception here.

Three books. Each just $0.99 all weekend.

The Rotten Apple

“The action is quick and full of weight; you truly understand the gravity of the situation and that Naomi’s whole world is on the line. The bad guys are smart and terrifying, the romance is organic and realistic, and there are plenty of twists to keep you enthralled.”

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Black Powder Brigade

“Black Powder Brigade is an exciting mix between the historical and the fantastical. Bizarre and full of action, this was my first step into Flintlock Fantasy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!”

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His Only Star

“Breathtaking, brutal and beautifully real, Stocking’s story is stunning. He unflinchingly explores the intricate, difficult choices a runaway teen must face. This is not the first book to tackle this tough topic, but there is something about this story that will keep you hooked. My only wish was that poor Oli would have gotten what he wanted in the end. A tragedy, that will keep you wanting for more long after it’s over”

BIRTHDAY SALE! THE ROTTEN & CRIMSON APPLE FREE FOR THE KINDLE!

It’s my birthday! Twenty-four years old, and I have to say I’ve accomplished more than I thought I would. I have a college degree, I’m married, I have a little boy on the way, and I’m a published author. Sometimes I get a bit down because I’m not where I want to be regarding my status as an author, but I could certainly be a lot further back than I am.

So, because it’s my birthday, I’ve decided to make both The Rotten Apple and it’s prequel short story, The Crimson Apple, free for the Kindle all day! Click on the cover and get your free book! Don’t forget to leave a review and help spread the word!

Monday Recap: Rejection, Sales, Expansion

It’s interesting how sometimes, after receiving bad news, a whole lot of good news comes through.

I interviewed for a staff writer job at the newspaper I freelance for, and I found out yesterday that I didn’t get it. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, seeing as how I’ve been writing for them for close to a year now, but I guess the powers-that-be at that newspaper have decided I wasn’t a good fit, but I’ll continue working as a freelance correspondent. So, not terrible news, but not good news, seeing as how I still have this degree and I’m not using it to its full potential.

However, yesterday some pretty cool things happened that seemed to outweigh that bad news, at least for now, anyway.

First, I sold some books, which  always makes my day better. Knowing that someone was interested enough in what I had to say, and knowing that I potentially have the chance to get a new fan, make someone else’s day better, and, who knows, maybe even change a life, is fantastic.

Second, selling books bumped up one of my Amazon sales ranks!

Not long after that, I discovered that both The Rotten Apple and Black Powder Brigade are available on the Barnes and Noble Website!

And, finally, this morning I discovered that I sold more books, bumping up my sales rank for The Crimson Apple even further.

Overall, what started off as a day that promised to be less-than-hopeful turned out to be not so bad after all. So, thank you to all my readers, to everyone who has bought, checked out, glanced at, and given my writing a chance. It’s because of you that I continue to do what I do, and that I will keep at it until I no longer can.

THE ROTTEN APPLE IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The Rotten Apple mug!

I should have scheduled a post about this for yesterday, but with the book release I was pretty busy, especially yesterday. I had the book launch party, and it was a good time. People came to hang out, I sold some books, and someone even won a free The Rotten Apple mug! It was a good time, and I’m glad people were able to come out and support me.

But now, I would love for the internet folk to support me!

The Rotten Apple is a noir/detective novel with plenty of action, twists, and a female protagonist eager to stop The Big Apple from decaying. Here’s the description, for those of you who have yet to read it!:

New York City, 1950 – Detective Naomi Blake sits in her office, craving a cigarette. Her phone rings. Mark Falco, owner of Falco Corporation, is in interrogation room one. Falco Corp. trucks have been spotted making late-night deliveries to an out-of-business warehouse, and the NYPD wants answers. Mark lawyers his way out. As always.

A woman comes in to the station. Says her husband is missing, possibly kidnapped. Before she can say by whom, a mysterious man bursts through the doors and sinks three slugs into her head, then vanishes. Even picks up the shell casings. The work of a professional.

Suspicious activity by Falco Corp., a missing husband, and a murdered woman. Three separate events? Or a concoction so vile it could mean the end of peace and justice in New York City.

And take a look at what’s been said about it!:

“The Rotten Apple is a great noir novel that follows Naomi, a truly strong and badass female detective. Stocking immediately does a great job of putting you in the shoes of the main character, with constant subtle reminders that she’s a New York City cop in the 1950s. He also shows us a female character that’s tough but also has a past that makes her vulnerable. Very few supposed “strong” female characters are quite as well written as Stocking’s MC.

The action is quick and full of weight; you truly understand the gravity of the situation and that Naomi’s whole world is on the line. The bad guys are smart and terrifying, the romance is organic and realistic, and there are plenty of twists to keep you enthralled.”

I know, right? Pick up a copy today (available in both print and Kindle formats), and it would be fantastic if you could help me out and click one or more of those share buttons below.

Get your copy here!

THE ROTTEN APPLE | COMING TOMORROW

New York City, 1950 – Detective Naomi Blake sits in her office, craving a cigarette. Her phone rings. Mark Falco, owner of Falco Corporation, is in interrogation room one. Falco Corp. trucks have been spotted making late-night deliveries to an out-of-business warehouse, and the NYPD wants answers. Mark lawyers his way out. As always.

A woman comes in to the station. Says her husband is missing, possibly kidnapped. Before she can say by whom, a mysterious man bursts through the doors and sinks three slugs into her head, then vanishes. Even picks up the shell casings. The work of a professional.

Suspicious activity by Falco Corp., a missing husband, and a murdered woman. Three separate events? Or a concoction so vile it could mean the end of peace and justice in New York City?

 

 

“The Rotten Apple is a great noir novel that follows Naomi, a truly strong and badass female detective. Stocking immediately does a great job of putting you in the shoes of the main character, with constant subtle reminders that she’s a New York City cop in the 1950s. He also shows us a female character that’s tough but also has a past that makes her vulnerable. Very few supposed “strong” female characters are quite as well written as Stocking’s MC.

The action is quick and full of weight; you truly understand the gravity of the situation and that Naomi’s whole world is on the line. The bad guys are smart and terrifying, the romance is organic and realistic, and there are plenty of twists to keep you enthralled.”

NOW AVAILABLE: THE CRIMSON APPLE

It’s here! It’s here! The prequel to The Rotten Apple (out March 22) is now available for the Kindle!

Get a little pre-Rotten-Apple action before the release here!

Why should you? Well, maybe I can entice you with a little description.

The city is seething with scumbags and slime balls. Darkness is not only a characteristic of night, but something the druggies and prostitutes and gangsters embody as they scour the city, selling drugs and sex and guns, keeping The Big Apple’s police force awake and churning at all hours. The filth of the city linger in dark alleys and hide in the shadows, lurking and plotting and scheming, trying to make their way in the dark city the best way they know how.

Naomi Blake, police officer for the NYPD, patrols the city with her partner, Rex, searching for the scum lingering in the shadows. Doing their duty to keep their city safe.

But, when a gruesome murder in a movie theater occurs, the city gets even darker. The Big Apple turns crimson.

Officer Blake must bring an end to the monster terrorizing the city, leaving only blood, pain, and death in his wake.

But at what cost?

I know, I know, exciting, right? Pick up a copy for just $0.99 and let me know what you think!

Assassin’s Creed IV – I Can Stop Whenever I Want

Ima via Wikipedia.com

No, I really can’t.

I barely was able to pull myself away to write this post, because apparently it’s Tuesday.

Two out of four of my classes were cancelled yesterday, which means I went to none. It’s Assassin’s Creed’s fault.

This game is good. Really, really good. Every time you finish something, there’s something new to do right away. The sea combat is exceptional, the ships, the cannons, boarding enemy ships, saving sailors stuck at sea, all of it.

I haven’t written a word since I got the game on Valentine’s Day (a present from my lovely wife). And I’m wondering if I’ll go through semi-withdrawal when I’m at class tomorrow. I don’t think it’ll get to be that extreme, but it’s safe to say the game will be lingering in the back of my mind for most of the day.

However, now that I have pulled myself away and tapped out a few words on this here blog post, I imagine I should be able to get some fiction on the page, seeing as how I’m releasing a short story in a couple of weeks–Something you all should be looking forward to, because I’m really looking forward to you reading it–It’s going to be great.

In other news, I finished edits on The Rotten Apple. All that’s left is to format it, order the proof copy, and give it another read through.

Yes. Be excited. I sure am.

His Only Star Sale – Thank You!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who downloaded or helped me promote His Only Star yesterday. I hope that, for those of you who downloaded it, you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I encourage you to leave a review at Amazon or Goodreads (Even if you read it in the past.) As I’m sure you’ve all heard before, reviews are one of the biggest ways you can help an author. But, I’m just thankful to have you all here, and to be able to put my work out to the world.

So, again, thank you all. Thank you for visiting. Thank you for reading. Thank you for everything.

If you didn’t get a free copy of His Only Star, you can still get it for $2.99 for the Kindle, and it’s also available in print.

“Do you ever look at the stars and wish you could snatch them out of the sky?” Oliver asked. “You know, to keep in a box all for yourself?” 

“What would you do with a box of stars, Oli?” Trista asked. 

Oliver shrugged. “I don’t know, change the world?” 

When fifteen-year-old Oliver sneaks away on a train with his friend, Trista, he discovers that life has more to it than the small world he is trapped in. It’s full of sex, drugs, and danger. But, before Oliver can come to terms with these, he must first learn that everyone has their demons, and he must come to accept them.

But what if it’s too late?

Also, for those interested, my most recent novel, Black Powder Brigade, is on sale for $2.99 for the Kindle as well.

THE HUNT FOR A MADMAN BEGINS… 

THE NEW WORLD – A group of elite soldiers known as the Black Powder Brigade patrol the world in secret, searching for strange and deadly creatures to ensure the natural order is safe. 

Victoria Sorrel, operating under the lie that she is a boy, joins these men in their hunt for unusual creatures in hopes that it will satisfy her hunger for adventure. But, things take a dark turn for Victoria and the Black Powder Brigade. Colonists come up missing, an unusual number of trade ships start to arrive at Boston Harbor, and the madman Isaac Carter escapes from prison. 

The colonies become overrun with monsters, murder, and betrayal. 

The New World hangs in the balance, and it’s up to Victoria, The Black Powder Brigade, and some newly made friends to pry it from the clutches of evil

HIS ONLY STAR – FREE – TODAY ONLY

Check this out guys and girls, my book, His Only Star, is free for the Kindle all day! Get your copy, read it, and be your usual awesome self and leave a review on Amazon/Goodreads!

Free not convincing enough? Check out some of these reviews!

“Breathtaking, brutal and beautifully real, Stocking’s story is stunning. He unflinchingly explores the intricate, difficult choices a runaway teen must face. This is not the first book to tackle this tough topic, but there is something about this story that will keep you hooked. My only wish was that poor Oli would have gotten what he wanted in the end. A tragedy, that will keep you wanting for more long after it’s over.”

“I could not put this book down and was so emotional throughout the whole story. Stocking gives you a reason to care about these characters. Worth a read, support this young author!”

And, of course, my favorite:

“This is the single greatest book ever written. I was so enthralled i did many happy dances whilst reading. Yay!”

Get your copy here!

Add His Only Star on Goodreads!

The Mental Sweatshop 2.0

INITIATING UPDATE SEQUENCE…
…..
…..

I’d like to welcome you to the new Mental Sweatshop. Sort of a new beginning, but more like an update of the old version. Newer, faster, sharper.

Why, you ask? Because it’s time I started treating this writing thing more seriously. Don’t get me wrong,  I’ve been serious about it the whole time. It’s always been more than a hobby for me, but now I need to step it up.

(UPDATE STATUS: 50%)

How am I going to do that? Exactly like this:

• Set up a blogging schedule: You’ll be seeing posts from the Mental Sweatshop every Tuesday and Thursday. Said posts will range from various topics, including but not limited to: writing, books, sales, publishing news, guest posts, interviews, general updates, and things of that nature. Nothing different from what I normally post, just more consistent.
• Step up my marketing game: Ever since I started as a public relations intern, I’ve noticed a growing interest in public relations and marketing. Mainly because such things can help me out as a writer. Knowing how to mingle with the public and learning the tips and tricks of marketing and public relations are one of the keys to being a successful writer. That and writing great books, of course. Now, how am I going to go about marketing?
  • By asking for more help from you, the reader. I’m going to be asking you to help me share posts and updates. I’m going to be making calls for guest posts, interviews swaps, and I’ll be giving out review copies of my books. I don’t want to blame this on introversion, but, as an introvert, it’s difficult for me to reach out to other people–one of the negative aspects of introversion–and I’m going to work toward combating that. I’m an indie writer, and I can’t do this alone. Besides, this writing thing is much more fun when you have people with whom you can share it!
• Get more organized: I have to-doist, an organization website/program, which has been really helpful in setting some goals and all of that cool stuff. It’s been great for reminding me to do stuff, and those little numbers always stare at me from the top right corner of my browser whenever I’m surfing the internet instead of writing taking an extended writing break to collect my thoughts and recharge. However, I don’t think that’s enough. So, I’m going to try listing. I’ve heard excellent things about making lists, and I think it’s going to help a lot. Having everything I need to get done right in front of me, constantly reminding me, staring me in the face, telling me that if I want to do this full time someday then I’d better quit reading the negative comments on CNN’s Facebook posts and get some words on the damn page.

(UPDATE STATUS: 100%)

And there you have it. The Mental Sweatshop 2.0. Fully installed. Fully operational. Ready to go. Ready to impress.

Now, to break in this new version of my blog, I’d like to share The Rotten Apple‘s very first Goodreads review (from a beta reader).

“The Rotten Apple is a great noir novel that follows Naomi, a truly strong and badass female detective. Stocking immediately does a great job of putting you in the shoes of the main character, with constant subtle reminders that she’s a New York City cop in the 1950s. He also shows us a female character that’s tough but also has a past that makes her vulnerable. Very few supposed “strong” female characters are quite as well written as Stocking’s MC.

The action is quick and full of weight; you truly understand the gravity of the situation and that Naomi’s whole world is on the line. The bad guys are smart and terrifying, the romance is organic and realistic, and there are plenty of twists to keep you enthralled.”

I know, right? I’m excited too.

Make sure you add The Rotten Apple as “to read” on Goodreads, and get ready to pick up your very own copy March 22nd!