Guest Post with Dave Maruszewski, The Dark Beast

Recently knighted squires Raven, Romda, and Ravai are tasked to help a nearby priest. However, this simple errand turns into much more, as they will soon learn of a dangerous villain only known as “the Dark Beast.”

Welcome to the February 16th stop on the blog tour for The Dark Beast by Dave Maruszewski with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts & interviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means there is no additional cost to you if you shop using my links, but I will earn a small percentage in commission. A program-specific disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.

Author Guest Post

After writing another guest post, I came up with the conclusion that zombie movies may have the largest garbage rate of any other type of movie.  Agree? 

That brings me to my next question.  What book subject would you say is the worst?  By worst, I mean that it has the highest rate of disappointment if you were to blindly pick up any book from a section with that subject title.  I’m not saying that they are all bad, but the rate or percentage is too high.  There might be many good ones in a vast sea of mediocre.

I think, as a man, I would be tempted to say the modern romance.  I’ve always thought of them to be shallow.  However, after viewing the top 100 of Amazon, you quickly see that this is still a thriving subject.  Could I be wrong with my preconceptions?  I have only read a few with this subject.  It is entirely possible that if I gave this subject a chance, I might love it.  Who knows?

Then, what would my next worst topic?   Dystopian novels might be high up there.  It’s not because they are poorly written, but because they make me unhappier than when I started.  Most times they feel more like a competition in pessimism.  At the end of the day, I want a book that makes me shake my head ‘yes’ and think that I have come to a greater understanding of a greater truth. 

Along with dystopian futures, man’s inhumanity to man is a topic that has worn itself out with me.  This goes for many classics, or soon to be.  To me these books almost seem trite, or at least beating a dead horse.  That is probably heresy in the English classroom, but how is it wrong? 

I know this is a bit of a negative piece, but sometimes it is good to vent.  What is your least favorite type of book?  I will throw two more out there: business crime mysteries and apocalyptic virus.   Think about, argue with and/or join me in the revolution.  Too far?  Okay, forget that last option.

About the Book

The Dark Beast
by Dave Maruszewski

Published 8 February 2022
BookBaby

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Page Count: 118
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

Recently knighted squires Raven, Romda, and Ravai are tasked to help a nearby priest. However, this simple errand turns into much more.  They cross paths with the Dark Beast.  After that brief encounter, they soon realize the Beast’s plans to destroy an entire town.  They journey to this town, meeting residents who tell large tales about the Beast.  How much of stories are true?  The three will find out.  The Dark Beast is coming.

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Excerpt

Raven’s cut is not deep, but that doesn’t make it hurt less. Raven pulls out his short sword and slices the man. The man falls to the ground immediately. The others pull out their blades. Raven hits his foe on the wrist, knocking the blade loose. The man grabs his hand in pain and turns around to run. He finds Ravai standing directly in his way. He takes one punch and knocks the man out.

Paces away, both Romda and the leader are now on their feet with swords out. Romda can parry everything that the man can throw. However, his aggression pushes him closer and closer to her. She pulls back and stumbles over some debris on the road. This gives the leader a chance. He thrusts his sword toward her abdomen. She blocks it at the very last moment of opportunity. The leader gets so frustrated that he kicks at her and connects. She falls to the ground again.

The leader starts his approach again. This time he does not get any closer. Instead, he feels Raven and Ravai gang-rush him. He’s on his back in less than a second, now feeling the weight of them smashing down on and knocking the breath out of him.

Now, two of the four are winded and in pain. Another is knocked out. The last has a serious wound across his ribs. They don’t put up much of a fight but surrender. As they round them up, now Raven, Romda, and Ravai do the circling. They tell the captives to put up their hands.

Ravai tells them sternly, “Keep them up in the air the entire time we walk. If I see them drop we will assume that you are attacking again.”

They do as they are told. They are led past the other citizens, both the good and the bad. They are embarrassed. Many in the crowd are relieved.

Raven leans over to Romda and says, “Look at that guy’s arm.”

Romda looks. At first she notices nothing peculiar. Then it hits her. She sees what Raven means. It is a mark on the forearm that she has seen before. In fact, not too long ago. It was on the driver of the caravan, a symbol of the Dark Beast.

About the Author

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family.  He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son, when they encouraged him to put his bedtime stories on paper. 

His stories are created from an accumulation of experiences from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.  He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

Website | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway Alert!

Dave Maruszewski will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.