Underneath these gang tattoos beats a heart three times a year. I’m a slow puncture death, a murderer, a rapist, and a number. I killed my best friend. Death doesn’t stalk me, it walks ahead of me by twenty-eight paces.
I went home after I sold my soul to the devils. I thought life would begin, I was a free man, instead within days the bullets fly and my last hope dies with the slain. There is nothing left to live for in this world. I belong to the 28s, I’ll always belong to the 28s.
The woman across the road judges me, she hates me, and takes every opportunity to let me know it.
Yet, somehow, when grief etched our names down in the book of the dead, we dared be bold enough to find love.
I’m not a good man, and I’m not pretty. I come from the Cape Flats where my life was reduced to a prison cell number. In all this ugliness I found beauty, innocence, and forgiveness. I can’t forgive myself for the crimes I’ve committed, but I’ll die trying to earn hers.
In a world where nothing matters, she does.
Cover Design by Southern Stiles Design
Cover Photography by FrankysFunkyFotos
Cover Model Franklin Petersen
~*Interview with A. Giannoccaro*~
Hi Ashleigh, It’s my pleasure to welcome you to Secrets from the
Boudoir book blog! Thank you for joining us today.
I’m so excited for your newest release 28 Boys, WOW that blurb!
Intense! I’ve heard it’s like “nothing
you’ve ever read before” from several people- can you tell us a secret about
writing this novel? Or something special
regarding your writing process with this release?
This is my ‘passion project’ it took
over two years to research and write. There are literally tear stains on my
keyboard from this book. I took long to write this book, because this is real…
a real place and huge parts of it are pieces of real stories form real people.
The Cape Flats, can be likened to war zone in places, only there is no war,
just people trying to survive. My hope is to show the people behind it, the
humans and the men and woman as that — people, not gangsters or criminals, but
humans trying to survive in place where just existing is hard.
Thank you for sharing! Out of all of your books- what character was
the hardest for you to write? Why?
The hardest to write was without a
shadow of a doubt Francis, 28 Boys was nearly shelved numerous times. Why —
because it was just so real. Every time I opened an interview or notes, or
listened to voice recording I was heart broken for world I wish I could change.
I hurt, every page hurt me. I had to listen to stories, and talk to people who
live like this each day, there is no hope for them, even when they look for it,
it’s just not there.
I’ll share a quote from an interview
with one of the many people who shared with me (please note I AM UNABLE TO
SHARE NAMES)
“You want to tell a love story about
a gangster?” he laughs at me, “That’s like a unicorn, such a pretty idea, but
it will never exist.”
So- I’m dying to know- what’s up next?
NEXT… is a top secret five book
series ;) and the CIRQUE ENCORE novella.
Is there a certain inspiration- artist, song, book, etc. that
drew you into the “dark” genre? If so what was it?
I think I have always inherently been
drawn to slightly darker things, but a turning point for me would have been
reading Aleatha Romig’s Consequences books.
But, before that I was drawn to
Jeffrey Deaver, and other darker fiction.
Music is a large part of my process
and as a child of the 90’s I think the Alternative Rock, and Emo music of my
youth has always had a part in my creative process. The deep lyrics and
generally darker themes make the words flow.
You’re an amazing writer-but are you also a reader? If so, what
would you recommend?
I am ALWAYS READING! If you like my
twisted mind and things a little darker I always recommend DH Sidebottom’s Blue
Butterfly books, start with Decimation Of Mae. This book changed me, it has
stayed with me long after I read it and has yet to bumped from my #1 book spot.
When you are not writing what do you do for fun?
Travel, I travel a lot with my
husband and two girls. I enjoy reading in my down time, and sometimes get
shamelessly invested in bad reality TV shows.
Finally, share with me the recipe to your FAVORITE drink? ☺
That’s easy … COFFEE! any sort of coffee! I don't drink alcohol
so I am a cheap round at the bar, I drink coffee or sparkling water.
Thank you again for letting us pick your brain! It has been my
pleasure to interview you and share your new release. Xoxo
Bestselling Author Ashleigh Giannoccaro writes edgy dark romance and erotic horror, self published by choice she writes the stories others don’t dare. Currently residing in Johannesburg South Africa with her husband and two daughters Ashleigh enjoys writing stories that make you fall in love with the unlovable and leave you asking questions. When not writing she can be found with her kindle in a sunny spot reading or traveling with her family.
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