Once Upon a Twilight!: Blog Tour: Monsterland | Michael Phillip Cash | Excerpt

Welcome to our stop on the Monsterland virtual book tour with author Michael Philip Cash.

Monsterland
Author: Michael Phillip Cash
Reading Level: Young Adult
Released: October 3rd 2015
Tour Host: The Children's Book Review

Welcome to Monsterland – the scariest place on Earth. All guests can interact with real vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by an actual werewolf on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville. Wyatt Baldwin, a high school student and life-long movie buff is staring bleakly at a future of flipping burgers. Due to a fortuitous circumstance, Wyatt and his friends are invited to the star-studded opening of Monsterland. In a theme park full of real vampires, werewolves and zombies, what could possibly go wrong?

“Monsterland contains solid ingredients for a horror feast: stupid teens, smart teens, a little challenged romance, family dynamics, action, blood and gore. Will civilization ever be normal again? You’ll have to read it to find out. We dare you!”—The Children’s Book Review

Discover Award-Winning Author Michael Phillip Cash's Monsterland

Excerpt
Chapter 14

They saw Melvin eagerly waiting at the end where seven passenger boats pulled up, loading the awaiting patrons. The flat-bottom crafts were painted bright green with yellow canopies fringed along the top.

“That looks charming,” Jade said.

“Looks are deceiving.” Melvin turned to face them. He was chewing something.

“What are you eating?” Wyatt whispered fiercely.

“Charleston Chews.” Melvin’s teeth were covered with melting marshmallow, and his breath smelled of chocolate.

“You can’t eat here.”

“Stop being an old lady. They feed the werewolves until they’re in a stupor. They probably drug them too.”

“You don’t know that,” Wyatt responded

“Of course he does. He’d be stupid not to. Besides, they eat meat. They don’t care about chocolate,” Nolan told him loftily.

The attendant turned to look suspiciously at the boys, who clammed up. “Just get in the boat,” Melvin whispered.

The boat dipped in the swampy water as they entered. The attendant helped Jade to the last row of seats on the bobbing craft, directing Wyatt to follow her. Nolan cursed but entered the middle row with Josh. Jade paused, looking back at Wyatt, and then moved only halfway to the end, so that she was squeezed up against Wyatt. Melvin was at the bow. Nolan twisted to look at Wyatt and Jade, his face tight, his eyes narrowed to slits. He watched Wyatt, who gulped convulsively. It lasted for a long minute, and, when he finally turned around, Wyatt wondered who scared him more, the monsters in the park or Nolan. The quarterback swung his arm over the seat, letting his hand rest possessively on Jade’s knee. Jade’s face grew red, and she moved her legs restlessly, but Nolan’s hand stayed. The gears hitched and then groaned; the boat pulled away from the dock. A guide jumped onto the stern, standing slightly above them on a block. He held a mic in his hand and began the ride with a bored attitude. He fixed a bush hat on his head, and his khaki uniform had both a werewolf and the Monsterland logo on the pocketed chest. He advised them to belt themselves in. To Jade’s obvious relief, the tight fit of the constraints forced Nolan to reluctantly remove his hand.

“Doctor Vincent Conrad has long had a fascination with monsters. Funding the Everglade expedition with his own money, he expected to search and find Bigfoot, or, as it is known in Native American folklore, Sasquatch.”

The boat glided over the water, its bow making arrow shaped ripples on the still surface of the artificial lake. Iridescent dragonflies hovered over the water, frogs croaked, and the air became thicker. It grew darker, the dense brush growing over the water, the sound hushed. The howls began, softly at first, and then building in intensity and frequency as the strip of water narrowed. He had read somewhere that the water ride was behind glass walls to keep the patrons safe from the werewolves. He fidgeted restlessly. They were completely out in the open.

The boat rode low in the water; Josh leaned over, splashing the palm of his hand on its dull surface.

“Keep your hands in the boat!” the attendant shouted.

Josh looked back, an alligator swerved close, his long snout snapping open as he snatched his hand from the water. He looked up at the speaker.

“Indeed, the wildlife is real and not animatronics as originally reported.”

“They’re not robots?” Wyatt demanded.

“Dr. Conrad decided that if the monsters were real, so should all elements of the park.”

Wyatt felt Jade move close so that their thighs touched. Taking a deep breath, he placed his shoulder in front of hers, as if he were protecting her.

“As I was saying, Mr. Conrad and his staff stumbled upon an unexpected colony, that special May first day. They were in one of the waterways, much like this, when, all of a sudden, they made contact.”

The boat lurched sideways, the impact sending them spinning in a half circle. Jade screamed, and Wyatt sucked in his breath, grabbing her around the shoulders and pulling her close. He heard Melvin shout with joy.

The announcer laughed nervously. “With an impact very similar to that, Vincent Conrad made the discovery of a lifetime. He found a pack of werewolves living in—hey!”

The boat was smacked again, this time propelling them almost to the other side of the bank. They craned their necks, peering into the dense water only to see muddled images of something swimming close to the boat’s side. The guide reached into his back pocket and whispered urgently into a two-way radio attached to the lapel of his shirt.

Up ahead, Melvin stood, pointing to an outcrop of rocks. Wyatt heard Jade gasp. His own mouth went dry. Lining the boulders were five beasts, so large they blocked the light from above. Their long yellow teeth gleamed. Saliva dripped from their mouths like they were rabid; they panted deeply. Melvin stood at the prow, howling, his eyes closed in ecstasy. Josh pressed himself back into his seat so that his head almost touched his brother. Nolan crouched low.

Wyatt looked at the wolves, their eyes bright with intelligence and something else. One walked out so that it was almost above them, his long body quivering with rage. His huge head lifted upward, his mouth opened, letting loose a long, chilling call. He turned, his eyes narrowing with menace.

The boat stalled and then drifted. The attendant pushed his intercom frantically. He flicked the ignition, and the boat roared to life once again.

Melvin reached up, his face filled with wonder.

“Sit down!” the driver ordered. “Now!”

“Mel!” Wyatt called, breaking his trance. “Sit.” He turned to the guide. “Is this part of the show?” he asked frantically. “Is it?”

The man ignored him, his face solemn. Wyatt felt a mixture of fear and the niggling doubt that he was being made a fool.

Melvin slid silently into his seat.

They traveled under the ledge, so close they could hear the uneven panting. Drool dripped into the boat floor. Jade made a noise, moving so close she was practically underneath Wyatt. Slowly, the boat slid through the water. Wyatt turned around. The animals were gone, but he felt his skin crawl. He knew they were watching. Peering through the thick leaves, he searched the foliage, but could see nothing. Josh looked back at him nervously.

“That was creepy. Right, Melvin? Mel?” Josh cried.

Melvin was gone.

-- Excerpt from Monsterland: Chapter 14 - Michael Phillip Cash

About Michael Phillip Cash

Michael Phillip Cash is an award-winning screenwriter and novelist. He’s written eleven books including the best-selling Brood X, Stillwell, The Flip, The After House, The Hanging Tree, Witches Protection Program, Pokergeist, and Battle for Darracia series. Michael resides on the North Shore of Long Island. He writes full-time with his screaming monsters in the background.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Monsterland Tour Giveaway

Would you rather be a werewolf, a zombie or a vampire? Enter to win an autographed copy of Monsterland, by Michael Phillip Cash; plus a living dead themed travel mug and a $50 Amazon gift card!

Monsterland Tour Dates

Thursday November 12 2015 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off & Giveaway
Tuesday November 17 2015 The Review Wire Book Excerpt from Monsterland
Tuesday November 24 2015 SciFiChick.com Guest Post written by Michael Phillip Cash
Tuesday November 17 2015 Suz Reviews Author Interview with Michael Phillip Cash
Sunday November 29 2015 The Cover Contessa Guest Post written by Michael Phillip Cash
Tuesday December 1 2015 DCC Mealy Author Interview with Michael Phillip Cash
Wednesday December 2 2015 Once Upon a Twilight Book Excerpt from Monsterland
Saturday December 5 2015 The Fairview Review Monsterland Book Review
Tuesday December 8 2015 Just Another Mom Monsterland Book Review
Monday December 14 2015 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Monsterland Book Review
Tuesday December 15 2015 Inspired by Savannah Author Interview with Michael Phillip Cash