Welcome to the Apocalypse by D.L. Richardson - Book Tour + Giveaway
Welcome to the Apocalypse
Book 1- Pandora
by D L Richardson
Genre:
Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
The Apocalypse Games is a state of the art virtual game designed to
entertain doomsday preppers, gamers, and cosplayers. But not everyone
who enters is there to play the game the way the creators intended.
Some players don't belong at all and some enter the game to escape
reality.
entertain doomsday preppers, gamers, and cosplayers. But not everyone
who enters is there to play the game the way the creators intended.
Some players don't belong at all and some enter the game to escape
reality.
Whatever the reason, over 100 people hook up to the mainframe computer with
one goal: survive twenty-four hours of an apocalypse. Instead of game
over at the end, they're plugged straight into a new game. Then
another. It's clear to the players the computer has malfunctioned.
What isn't clear is why.
one goal: survive twenty-four hours of an apocalypse. Instead of game
over at the end, they're plugged straight into a new game. Then
another. It's clear to the players the computer has malfunctioned.
What isn't clear is why.
Jack Minnow grabbed a brochure off the
rack and his eyes scanned the back page.
"It says here that rule breakers are
ten times more likely to survive an apocalypse. They're adaptable and they rely
on cunning and instinct."
Jack was five-foot-eight, and the woman
behind the counter, called an operator, was easily six-feet tall. Looking at
her was like looking at a marble statue atop a pedestal. All white – her hair,
her tight-fitting jump suit, her face, neck, and hands, painted to resemble a
computer generated character. He allowed himself to imagine that the stage
make-up covered places he couldn't see.
She smiled at him. "It also says that
rule breakers are ten times more likely to die within the first hour. They're
reckless and often act without thinking."
She pushed a plastic tray towards him, the
kind handed out at airports to slip under x-ray machines. Jack dropped his
wallet, phone, and car keys into the tray.
"So it's a win/win day for a guy with
a superhero complex," he said.
Superman, his mother had called him after
he'd brought home a stray dog for the fifth time. "Can't help but save
things," she'd told the dog ranger. Even as a boy, Jack knew what happened
to the mutts who were handed over to the ranger, but he still brought dogs home
for one last night of fun. His superhero complex was the reason he'd entered
The Apocalypse Games. Save everyone. Save the world. Nobody dies. Not for real
anyway.
The operator removed the tray and he stood
there waiting for a voucher. None came. A warning flared up into his brain.
What did he really know about this operation?
"Seriously, about those odds," he
said. "Exactly how much testing has gone into the program? I mean this is opening day. There must be kinks to
iron out."
"We use the same technology as they
do at NASA," she said. "The nutrient tubes and mist emitters feeding
into the simulation pods are the same as those used in space travel. The
structural integrity of the pods was tested by NASA engineers only last
week." She tilted her head to the side. "We'll take good care of you,
Mr Minnow. I'll see to it personally."
He didn't know her name, or anything else
about her, but he felt he could trust her. He had to trust her; he was placing his life in her hands.
She stepped out from behind the counter,
slipped her arm through his, and guided him toward a set of doors where he
caught flashes of shiny surfaces and bright lights. A sign indicated the room
was called The Launch Pad.
"How will you see to it
personally?" he asked, dragging his gaze back to her dazzling blue eyes.
"Will you be in the game with me?"
She shook her head. Pity. He was sure he'd
enjoy cyber-sex.
"You've got a good crowd here for the
opening. How many players you reckon? Eighty? Ninety?"
"There are one hundred and five
players taking part in today's auspicious event."
Jack's mood sank a little. "Won't it
get crowded?"
She placed her other hand on his arm.
Others might have found the gesture too friendly, but not him. Attention from a
beautiful woman – genuine or as part of a customary service – warmed his
insides.
"There are many apocalyptic scenarios
on offer," she said. "Some players have chosen to be placed randomly,
in which case we'll load them into scenarios that other players haven't pre-selected.
It's highly unlikely you'll all be playing the same game." She stopped at
a machine similar in size to an ATM and ran a laminated pass across the
scanner. "I understand you'll be teaming up with two other players, Reis
Anderson and Kelly Lawrence."
"Kelly's my sister," said Jack,
not wanting to give the woman the wrong impression. "I'm being a good
brother and chaperoning her."
The operator nodded. "Have you chosen
an apocalypse to survive? Or will you opt for the random selection?"
"I don't mind surprises, but
Kelly's…let's just say she's a novice at this. We've decided to play—"
Her fingers swiftly landed on his lips.
"Don't tell me. If I don't know then I can't reveal any spoilers."
She slipped the laminated pass around his
neck and continued ushering him toward The Launch Pad. At the doorway, she
gently pried her arm away and her azure-blue eyes twinkled.
"I assure you, Mr Minnow. You will be
in the greatest of care. Please make your way inside and enjoy your
complimentary champagne. It won't be long until you're taken to the simulation
pod."
The doubt still niggled at him. "So
when we die in the game, what happens?"
She looked off to another player signing
up at the desk.
"Miss…Operator?"
At last she turned around and smiled,
revealing dazzling white teeth. "You can't die in the game."
"But it'll feel like it. That's what
the brochure says."
"Yes, it will feel like death,"
she said before walking briskly away.
Welcome to the Apocalypse
Book 2- CyberNexis
Getting out of the game used to be all that mattered. Now all that matters is
getting back in.
getting back in.
THEN... The Apocalypse Games is a state of the art virtual game designed to
entertain doomsday preppers, gamers, and cosplayers. But not everyone
who entered was there to play the game the way the creators intended.
Some players didn't belong at all and some entered the game to escape
reality. Whatever the reason, over 100 people were hooked up to the
mainframe computer with one goal: survive twenty-four hours of an
apocalypse. Instead of game over at the end, they were plugged
straight into a new game. Then another. It was clear to the players
the computer has malfunctioned. What wasn't clear was why.
entertain doomsday preppers, gamers, and cosplayers. But not everyone
who entered was there to play the game the way the creators intended.
Some players didn't belong at all and some entered the game to escape
reality. Whatever the reason, over 100 people were hooked up to the
mainframe computer with one goal: survive twenty-four hours of an
apocalypse. Instead of game over at the end, they were plugged
straight into a new game. Then another. It was clear to the players
the computer has malfunctioned. What wasn't clear was why.
NOW...the players find themselves in an offsite facility far from their
original location, unsure why or how CyberNexis moved them. Getting
out of the game used to be all that mattered. But not anymore. The
world has changed and CyberNexis is keeping a secret that needs to be
exposed.
original location, unsure why or how CyberNexis moved them. Getting
out of the game used to be all that mattered. But not anymore. The
world has changed and CyberNexis is keeping a secret that needs to be
exposed.
Goodreads * Amazon
"Countdown to the apocalypse."
When I started
plotting "Welcome to the Apocalypse" I didn't realize I'd be delving
into the psychology behind video games and survival. I shouldn't have been
surprised. Motivation plays a huge part in character development, so a writer
should take into account the psychological makeup of a person, whether that
person is real or fictional.
I decided to
investigate the fascination many people have with apocalypses.
The apocalypse is
often referred to as the end of the world, but that isn't always true of films
and literature. Yes, films like "The Core" portray the world that's about
to end unless mankind intervenes, but most apocalypse stories focus on the end
of mankind.
The world will still
be there, spinning on its axis. Whether it's coated in ice or fire or dust, the
third rock from the sun will most likely still exist is some form or another
according to most authors and film-makers. It's because most of us are
fascinated with the end of mankind, not the end of the world. So why are
we? For me, it's because this is the worst scenario that we can face - our mass
extinction. It's a test of whether we can band together to overcome great odds,
or do we fall apart and fight and bicker and start wars.
It would be easy to
dismiss the end of the world as pure fiction, were it not for the evidence to
suggest that something is going to happen despite our best attempts to stop it.
Here's the evidence:
·
End of Ordovician
occurred 435 million years ago
·
End of Devonian life
occurred 360 million years ago
·
End of Triassic life
occurred 215 million years ago
·
End of Cretaceous
life occurred 65 million years ago.
The 'End of
Cretaceous' is the apocalypse that most of us think about when we think of mass
extinction. This was the end of dinosaurs. Scientists have claimed that all of
these mass extinctions occurred as a result of bombardment of meteorites and
comets. Who knows when this type of disaster will happen. Who knows what the
world will look like when it does happen. That's what authors thinks about. But
we explore this from a different angle to the scientists.
While scientists are
studying the end of the world,
authors and film-makers are focusing on the end of mankind, and whether or not we will face this disaster with dignity
and grace. When our humanity is at stake, will it be the only things that saves
us?
Welcome to the
apocalypse.
D L Richardson likes many things. Reality isn't one of them. D L
Richardson is the creator of 'Welcome to the Apocalypse' series as
well as the author of YA fantasy and horror novellas which can be
likened to 'Goosebumps for adults'.
Richardson is the creator of 'Welcome to the Apocalypse' series as
well as the author of YA fantasy and horror novellas which can be
likened to 'Goosebumps for adults'.
The author's world is her dog, her husband, coffee, and her writing. Not
always in that order. You won't find the usual tropes in D L
Richardson's books. You will find unique stories, engaging
characters, and thought-provoking situations.
always in that order. You won't find the usual tropes in D L
Richardson's books. You will find unique stories, engaging
characters, and thought-provoking situations.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
2 Comments
Thanks for sharing! -Janet @ Silver Dagger Book Tours
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking part in this tour. And good luck to everyone who enters the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteD L Richardson
Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.