A warm welcome to author Lex Chase joining us today to talk about her contribution to the Once Upon a Time in the Weird West Anthology!
Lex talks about her story and also brought with her a wonderful giveaway for our readers.
Welcome Lex 🙂
Hello, Internet! I’m Lex Chase and Dani was awesome to let me drop by today as a part of the Once Upon a Time in the Weird West blog tour.
I was lucky enough to join a great bunch of people for the Weird West anthology from Dreamspinner Press. Thirteen supernatural, sci-fi, paranormal, and weird tales taking place in the American Old West.
My story is Dr. Ezekiel Crumb’s Heavenly Soul Purifying Elixir, and tells the tale of medicine seller Ezekiel Crumb getting a taste of his own.
Ever since I read a short story as a small child about an Old West medicine show, I had been fascinated by antique bottles and labels ever since. Something should be said up front that these medicine sellers aren’t doctors at all. They’re complete and utter conmen selling anything from moonshine, to urine, to straight up opiates to gullible homesteaders.
The medicines would have “fancy” long names to give them more credibility and banked on a homesteader’s ignorance. But also medicine shows in a way were the very first pitchmen. They traveled from town to town in caravans joined by circus acts, stage hands, and even other merchants to sell their wares.
Medicine shows may have preyed on the uneducated, but they also provided much needed entertainment, as well as news from afar, and merchandise that cannot be found in the immediate area. Even when the locals weren’t falling for the pitch, the circus acts would wear down their defenses, and typically there would be a plant in the audience that would declare the medicine’s virtue.
Without medicine shows, advertising wouldn’t be what it is today. We wouldn’t have infomercials, and we wouldn’t have modern pitchmen and women selling everything from ShamWows to Wonder Mops. And I for one am one of those people who watches Shark Tank religiously and ready to buy a proposed product on the spot.
12/6 – Gay Book Reviews – Jana Denardo
12/7 – The Novel Approach – Kim Fielding
12/8 – Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words – Venona Keyes
12/9 – Diverse Reader – Tali Spencer
Sinfully Gay MM Book Reviews – Jamie Fessenden
12/12 – Love Bytes – Lex Chase
12/13 – Boy Meets Boy – Astrid Amara
12/14 – Prism Book Alliance – Ginn Hale
12/15 – Alpha Book Club – C.S. Poe
12/16 – Joyfully Jay – Langley Hyde
12/19 – Divine Magazine – Nicole Kimberling
12/20 – My Fiction Nook – Shira Anthony
Open Skye – Andrew Q. Gordon
Purchase Links
Dr. Ezekiel Crumb’s Heavenly Soul Purifying Elixir by Lex Chase
Blurb:
Dr. Ezekiel Crumb’s Medicine Show runs a booming business conning homesteaders with his Heavenly Soul Purifying Elixir. He takes advantage of the gullible, who believe the only way to be purged of their sins is with his moonshine—strong enough to strip paint at forty paces. When a sandstorm buries his caravan, Ezekiel is hauled to safety and trapped in his wagon. His savior is none other than Levi Everett, his lost love. But Ezekiel put him in the ground years ago, and he fears Levi is the Devil, come to demand atonement for his sins. The tale Levi spins leaves Ezekiel wondering if he’s lost his own soul—or maybe his mind. All he knows is that not even his elixir can heal his broken heart.
Lex Chase once heard Stephen King say in a commercial, “We’re all going to die, I’m just trying to make it a little more interesting.” Now, she’s on a mission to make the world a hell of a lot more interesting.
Weaving tales of cinematic, sweeping adventure—and depending on how she feels that day—Lex sprinkles in high-speed chases, shower scenes, and more explosions than a Hollywood blockbuster. Her pride is in telling stories of men who kiss as much as they kick ass. If you’re going to march into the depths of hell, it better be beside the one you love.
Lex is a pop culture diva, her DVR is constantly backlogged, she has intense emotions about Hannibal’s Hannigram, and unapologetically loved the ending of Lost. She wouldn’t last five minutes without technology in the event of the apocalypse and has nightmares about refusing to leave her cats behind.
Social Media links
Website: http://lexchase.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/LXChase
Twitter: @Lex_Chase
Tumblr: http://lexiconofkittens.tumblr.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lexachase
Blog: http://lexchase.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950002.Lex_Chase
Title: Americana Fairy Tale
Oooh, the wild, wild West! THAT’S the sort of historical I’m looking for. Short stories are about perfect for this busy time of year too. Looking forward to following the tour. Thanks for a fun post.
I love the cover and the book sounds great. I love anthologies since you can get introduced to so many new authors that way.
Great cover. The story sounds fun, I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you for the post, Lex. I never thought about medicine sellers that way… I thought they were tricksters, but we certainly have some things to thank them for. LOL! 😉
I actually haven’t read too many books with medicine men in it. I can count on one hand how many I have read and that goes for movies too. Thank you for the post =)
The story and anthology both appeal to me!
Oh, yes, Medicine bottles. I have a few, some still with their old contents. I cringe every time I read what their labels say. The stuff could actually kill you! LOL!! Great post. A wonderful array of great authors. Much success to you all!