Posts Tagged ‘Michael Hebler’

I have winners! Night of the Chupacabra.

Posted: November 2, 2012 in Contests, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, horror, Series, Videos, Western, Winners!
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And now for the fun stuff. Announcing the winners!

This has been a great giveaway! I want to thank Michael Hebler for letting me host this. And I want to thank everyone for your comments and helping make this a huge success.  Okay, I’ll get to it!

Winners of Night of the Chupacabra:

Winner of Paperback: Emma Meade

Winner of e-book: John Z

Happy Dance:) I have emailed the winners and forwarded their contact information to the author. He will contact you about your prize.

You can purchase your copy of Night of the Chupacabra by clicking on the image below.

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A Giveaway To Celebrate! Night of the Chupacabra!

Posted: October 18, 2012 in Action/Adventure, Book Promos, Creatures, Dark Fantasy, fiction, giveaways, horror, Interview, Release day, Series, thriller, Western
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Earlier today I posted my review of Night of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler.

The Chupacabra Series – Book One

Night of the Chupacabra

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You can read my review here .

As soon as I hit the publish button it said 200th Post!

I’ve come a long way this year in the blogging world. I’ve met some awesome people and authors, read some amazing books and made some new friends! And I feel like celebrating.

And so does Michael! His new book Night of the Chupacabra was released today.

What better way to celebrate than with a giveaway! Michael is offering one Signed paperback and one e-book copy of Night of the Chupacabra and he is stopping by to chat.

Thanks for stopping by Michael. I don’t want to keep you from your celebration for the release of Night of the Chupacabra, so let’s get started.

Are you kidding? This IS part of the celebration! Of course, no celebration would be complete without champagne.

Why the Chupacabra? There are many mythical creatures and I’m curious as to how you picked it for your story.

Actually, this story started before the chupacabra became involved. I had wanted to do a heavily character-driven type horror-western tale. When the story first started, it was going to be a serial killer in the Old West, but somewhere along the way, it took more of a supernatural turn and I birthed a monster from my imagination. Then one day, I was heading to the fridge(no surprise there) and noticed one of my roommates had  posted an article from the Orange County Register about a Santa Ana man blaming the death of his newborn on a “chupacabra”, which I had never heard of. The roommate thought the article was hilarious – she was disturbed that way – and the article managed to hang on the fridge door for a year.  I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but then I sat down to watch one of my favorite TV shows, “The X-Files“(yes, this was in the 1990’s), and they did an episode on the chupcabra and I was suddenly fascinated by it. It was scary how many similarities there were to my completely manufactured monster. I did as much research as I could, but there wasn’t much at the time…and I’m glad too! Dial-up on the internet was SO SLOW! And so I decided to replace my monster with the chupacabra.

Your story takes place in western times. Did the era come first or the creature when you decided to write this book?
Oh, definitely the western first. When I started this story, Clint Eastwood‘s dark western “Unforgiven” had recently won a Best Picture Academy Award, thus sparking my love for the genre – it’s still one of my Top 10 favorite films to this day. Then, a friend of mine in college, Eric Person, had written a one-act play about a group of cowboys and civilians trapped inside a saloon while werewolves were trying to claw their way inside. I was instantly inspired. I loved this new concept of crossing genres! So, once I had decided to give the creature I created the pink slip and hand the part over to the chupacabra, I knew it had been the right choice because I then had the Old West as a setting to create an origin story. But as things transpired and back stories were created, I found I had more than enough to hold off on a true “beginning” story, which will now be book four in this anthology, “Dawn of the Chupacabra”, and is most definitely my Greek tragedy of the series.

What do you think makes a good story?

Well, really, all the elements need to work together. I think they are all equally important, but what I tend to gravitate to more than theme, plot, or pacing is characters. Like I mentioned before, I wanted this story to be character-driven and I wanted compelling relationships and situations that were not only scary, grotesque, and intense, but funny, heart-warming AND heart-wrenching. I wanted to make sure there was a little bit of everything; a little something for everyone with an emphasis on the scary and grotesque, of  course.

What is your favorite scene in Night of the Chupacabra?

If I said, “That’s like asking me which of my children I liked best”, would you hate me for being cliche? But in all actuality, I kinda/sorta do have one. In the 15+times I rewrote and rewrote, and then rewrote my editor’s rewrites, one scene always felt magical to me. It’s around Chapter VI or VII when Jessie is in the basement making her case to Sheriff Dillmore and Miss Christie about the monster they just missed seeing, then Suzanne suddenly comes to Jessie’s aide. I think what I like most about that scene is that it really tells a lot about the web of relationships of the four characters who were  juggled  around in a way that – at least to me – flowed at an even pace. The dialogue is fiery,as is Miss Christie, one of my favorite characters in the entire series. She really shines in that scene.

Is there a deleted scene that you liked but it didn’t work?

Yeah, just about the entire 1995 first draft! But actually there was this one scene that took place inside a church where a group of townspeople huddled because they were convinced God would protect them from the “devil”, and when they discovered they were wrong, it became quite chaotic. Unfortunately, the character dynamics were completely different then. Jessie had a do-gooder, older brother, Clarence, whom she was trying to save. Unfortunately, she couldn’t save him from me because she is now an only child. Plus, I also wanted to steer clear of the sensitive subject of religion when this book was supposed to be just a form of entertainment.

What was the most challenging thing in writing your book?

Well, it doesn’t help being mildly OCD. There’s a certain amount of perfectionism that I expect from myself and learning to finally drop the pen and let my baby fly the coop took a lot of deep breaths… and some alcohol. If you haven’t done the math yet, the end result did take about 20 years.

Can you tell us something more about this series, maybe what we can expect?

You can expect at least four more books. The first three(Night, Curse, and Legend) are their own trilogy but will have a different protagonist for each. As mentioned, the fourth(Dawn) is an origin story and the fifth(Return) will take place around the 1970’s – 1980’s. I do have a story I’m very, very excited about for the fifth book, but it’s still undecided if there’s enough for another trilogy. I don’t want to squeeze it out; it has to come naturally. And I promise not to take 20 years between each story. Curse and Legend are already written and on my editor’s computer screen now, and Dawn is half outlined. In fact, if all goes well, I expect Curse of the Chupacabra to be released around September 15, 2013 and then each one a year later.

Is there anything you would like to share with your readers?

Well… I expect the first round of readers will be avid dark thriller/horror fans and chupacabra fans, so I guess I would like to share a disclaimer for those who believe in the chupacabra:  There are many theories out there about what the chupacabra is and where it comes from. Everything from an alien pet left behind to a toxic mutation of an extinct animal from the Roman Empire. The Chupacabra Series is for entertainment purposes only. I am not trying to lay the ground work for its mythology or an explanation of its existence. This is purely a creative work of supernatural fiction. But if you wish to have a discussion, you can always email me:  info@michaelhebler.com

Five Fun Shorts!

1) favorite beverage? Alcoholic – Pineapple Upside Down Cake (I wrote a whole thing about it on my blog). Non-alcoholic – milk.

2) swim in the ocean or a pool? POOL!!!! Unless the water is crystal clear, I can see that shark a mile away.

3) phobia? You would think sharks, wouldn’t you? But no… heights.

4) favorite movie? The Color Purple.

5) hardcopy or e-book? Hard copy.

That’s a wrap! Thanks so much for sharing with us Michael. I look forward to having you back soon.

Thank you. I hope to be back for the Curse! (that didn’t sound quite right, did it?)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRiCp9MKQ6g]

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So let’s celebrate shall we?
To Enter the Giveaway
Just leave you email address and answer this question, “What monster scares you?”
That’s all it takes and you’re entered for a chance to win a paperback or an e-book copy of Night of the Chupacabra.
Contest ends November 1st.
US only
While it’s not required, it would be nice if you followed me on twitter and my blog.
You can find Michael here:
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The Chupacabra Is Here And It’s Hungry!

Posted: October 17, 2012 in Book Promos, Creatures, Dark Fantasy, fiction, horror, Mystery, reviews, Series, thriller, Uncategorized, Western
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Night of the Chupacabra

The Chupacabra Series – Book One

16085981

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Author:  Michael Hebler

Style:  Anthology

Theme:  Dark Fantasy / Thriller / Western

Length:  300 pages (print) / 68,000 words

Binding:  Perfect bound & digital (.mobi, .epub, .pdf, .rtf, .lrf, .pdb

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I’m thrilled to be able to tell you about this brand new release!

The men huddle around the campire. The glow from the flames refelcts on their faces. A friendly game of poker between the two brothers is interupted by little Jessica, Drake‘s daughter.  Gavin grins, knowing Drake still can’t figure out how she is sneaking out of the wagon.

Fearing Lucy’s wrath, Drake tucks Jessica back in bed and then stops to talk with his wife. That’s when it starts. The animals are an early warning. They jerk loose and tear off into the desert. Then an unholy roar comes from one of the wagons, soon accompanied by screams of terror.

The brothers race to get their guns, but before they can reach the wagon, something too fast to follow leaps from one wagon to the next and the screaming starts again. The chupacabra easily leaps from wagon to wagon, killing in a blood lust. All goes quite.

Then they get their first look at the creature. It’s the size of a man, but there the resemblance ends. It’s covered in brown fur, it’s spiked tail flicks back and forth, it’s red eyes glow, and it’s stench can be smelled from across the fire.

Then it leaps into Drake’s wagan. He dives in after it. The wagon shakes, rocks and bursts into  flames. The creature bursts forth, engulfed in flames, and runs right into Gavin, pinning him to the ground. Gavin is being burned alive.

chupacabra photo: Chupacabra chupacabra.png

Impossibly, the thing is alive and leaps up to run off into the darkness, leaving Gavin mortally wounded. Lucy runs away into the night, driven hysterical by the loss of her daughter.

All this Drake sees as he lies helpless on the ground, horribly burned.

I can’t believe this all takes place at the beginning of the book. From the first sentence, you get to meet the Chupacabra and by the second chapter, he gets up close and personal.

If this story didn’t take place in western days, say it took place now, I still don’t know what could have been done. The thing is just too fast.

Drake did survive the attack. He’s horribly disfigured, his face a fright to gaze upon. He  has traveled from dusty town to dusty town looking for his Lucy. Each time he thinks he’s found her, it’s a false lead.Then he enters Dillmore Valley, A Fine Community. A strange welcome as the town is hidden in a valley, away from view.

He’s not alone. Something has followed him. He doesn’t want it dead. It has it’s uses.

I just can’t resist this kind of tale. I love scary stories of creatures in the night. I have for as long as I can remember.

Michael Hebler is a fine writer. I can feel the heat of the flames, smell the reek of the Chupacabra, and taste the dust of the trail in my mouth.

When Drake rides into Dillmore Valley it reminded me of Clint Eastwood appearing out of the desert and riding into town in the movie High Plains Drifter. Drake has that same aurora around him. No one in their right mind would mess with him, it’s better to avoid his attention.

I can’t tell you a whole lot about the characters as it would reveal too much of the plot. What I can tell you is they are a diverse lot, just like any small town. You have your nosy parkers, the town drunk, the belligerent bully and then you have the ladies. Each character brings a genuineness to the story, keeping you engrossed and curious. I love character driven stories.

Of course, let’s not forget the Chupacabra. He is something else! You don’t just get a little bit of him here and there. He is very busy, rending, ripping and terrorizing throughtout the book.

Okay. I’ll stop here. I could ramble on and on, but then I’d be telling everything. I don’t want to ruin it for you.

Michael Hebler gave me more than I ever expected. I’m thrilled to know he is making this a series. It will be interesting to see where it goes next.

  I loved it and need more!

Check out this great trailer!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRiCp9MKQ6g]

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SPOTTED!!!  ‘NIGHT OF THE CHUPACABRA’ NOVEL

Press Release

Newport Beach, CA, XXXX XX, 2012 —On October 17, Fiction writer Michael Hebler, author of the acclaimed crypto-zoological short story “Hunt for the Chupacabra” publishes his first novel entitled, “Night of the Chupacabra” about a scarred man – on the inside and out – who searches endlessly for his missing family while the creature that separated them is never far behind.

Synopsis:  There is a creature that lurks in the vast open deserts of the west.  It can only survive on blood and, although it prefers to prey on the weak and young, it will slaughter anyone or anything, once provoked.  It is unnatural, deceptive, and difficult to kill.  Word about the existence of this elusive beast has not spread since anyone who has crossed paths with it did not live long enough to tell of their account.

“Night of the Chupacabra” is a profoundly moving story about one man’s determination to reunite with his beloved family while the lethal creature that separated them, the mysterious and ravenous chupacabra, is on his trail.  “Night of the Chupacabra” is not only a gruesome regale of carnage, but also a unique combination of science fiction bloodshed with a more poignant tale of lost love set against a Western backdrop.  The plot is an unflinching look at the impossible choices that are made for love, while knowing the consequences would ultimately lead to a fate worse than death.

Recently made famous by reports of sightings throughout the western United States, “Night of the Chupacabra” is the first novel in a new dark fantasy/thriller anthology that will span from the Old West to modern times, based on the cultural phenomenon, el chupacabra.  “The chupacabra has always fascinated me because nobody can explain exactly what the chupacabra is.  Is it an animal or a monster?  A mutant or an alien?  Where did it come from?  The only agreement there seems to be is that it feeds on blood.  Even the name ‘chupacabra’ translates to ‘goat-sucker’,” states Hebler.  “I love genre fusing but the reason why I decided to begin this soft horror anthology in the Old West was to go back in time far enough to give the chupacabra some roots.”

Author Hebler is already hard at work completing “Curse of the Chupacabra“, the second novel in the Chupacabra Series, which he would like to publish in 2013, and currently has plans to extend his anthology to five novels, with additional side short stories.

“Night of the Chupacabra” will be available in print and eBook formats.  More information can be found at Michael Hebler’s official author page, www.michaelhebler.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Hebler was raised and lived all of his life in beautiful Southern California.  He spent a handful of years as an international film publicist before guiding his career path towards writing.  To date, Hebler’s previous published works include, “The Night After Christmas,” a timeless holiday picture book for believers of all ages, and the free Chupacabra Series short story, “Hunt for the Chupacabra“.  In addition to writing his series of chupacabra thrillers, Hebler also runs a blog, “My Little Obsessions” where he likes to muse about what distractions life has to offer.

CONTACT DETAILS

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook

email: info@michaelhebler.com

You can purchase all of Michael Hebler’s books by clicking on the images below.

Other places to purchase his books:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/245526

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Chupacabra-Michael-Hebler/dp/0983388407/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-the-chupacabra-michael-hebler/1112983451?ean=9780983388401

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16085981-night-of-the-chupacabra

http://www.librarything.com/work/13142070/book/90794552

http://www.shelfari.com/books/31629753/Night-of-the-Chupacabra

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?y=0&isbn=0983388407&x=0&afn_sr=para&para_l=0

http://books.google.com/books?id=zBigMQEACAAJ&source=gbs_ViewAPI

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780983388401

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