February 9, 2024

Urbex Predator Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the URBEX PREDATOR by Jens Boele Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

URBEX PREDATOR: Take nothin but pictures, leave nothing but bodies. A Deadly Survival Story.
Author: Jens Boele
Release Date: February 4, 2024
Publisher: Jens Boele
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Pages: 394

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership! 

Abandoned Horrors. Deranged Souls. A Deadly Survival Story.

In the chilling new horror novel, "Urbex Predator," by Jens Boele, a group of intrepid urban explorers embarks on what they believe to be a routine trip to an abandoned barracks in the middle of nowhere.
As a relict from the Cold War era, they are a popular destination for photographers, influencers, and adventurers. A place that is closely guarded and harbors a multitude of risks. But it’s not just the derelict buildings that pose a danger.

Nela and her friend Tess venture to the eerie ruins to complete their photography thesis, only to find themselves relentlessly pursued through the darkened corridors by a group of ruthless thugs.

Zander, Yelka, her sister Vivien, and her manager Damon set out on a photo shoot, only to be unexpectedly cornered by a gang of depraved youths. As night descends, the boundaries between life and death blur, and the group is forced to confront the darkest corners of their own souls.

As the night deepens, will they fall victim or rise as hunters in the shadows?

Inspired by early works from literary giants like Jack Ketchum and Richard Laymon, "Urbex Predator" promises readers a heart-pounding journey through the realms of fear and survival, where every turn reveals a new nightmare. Yet, this spine-tingling narrative is not just the product of imagination; it's also a reflection of author Jens Boele's real-life experiences as an Urban Explorer, who spent many years venturing into the very places he describes in his book.

Book Trailer:


Top 5 Favorite Scenes and Why

Talking about my top 5 scenes from "Urbex Predator" is like walking through a minefield of spoilers, so proceed at your own risk.

First things first – I ended up falling for a bunch of my book's characters, even the ones wearing the villain hat. Now, this leads us to a crucial point: most characters have their share of flaws. Damon Duke, a commercial bigwig, embodies the toxic manager – ego-driven, selfish, and arrogant. Trust me, real-life Damons are no picnic to deal with. So, my 5th favorite scene is when Damon crosses paths with Henry. After convincing Tess to ditch her friend Nela for a shot at a social media career, Damon tries to outsmart the stranger, only to fail miserably. Watching him get put in his place (even if just for a moment) felt like a sweet dose of justice. 

Now, my 4th favorite scene – Yelka's whiff of death moment. Abandoning her sister and losing all hope, Yelka is hands down my favorite character in the book. While writing this chapter, I could feel her desperation and hopelessness. Her ordeal in the sewer, drowning and rising back to life, is one of those scenes that tugs at the heartstrings. I've got to fight back tears every time, no joke. 

Let's talk about Ben Marshall, the old security guy – probably the only male character in the book with a pure heart. Willing to sacrifice himself to save Nela from the gang, Ben showed some serious bravado when facing off with Henry, even though he knew he wouldn't survive the gang's reaction. If I picture Ben as a real person, he could be a role model for me – an old guy who wouldn't sell out, wouldn't leave his friends behind, and wouldn't compromise his principles for anyone. 

And that leads us to my second favorite scene. Initially, "Urbex Predator" was supposed to be an unjust plot where everyone bites the dust in the end, except the bad guys. But during the writing journey, I just couldn't go through with it. It felt like betraying the reader and the characters. It might sound a bit odd, but sometimes as a writer, you form a bond with the characters and start rooting for them (I hope I'm not the only one who feels this). It happens with every book I write. So, one of my favorite scenes is Ben Marshall still kicking. Letting him die in the end just didn't sit right. 

Now, urbexing – it's all about exploring abandoned buildings. Over time, most of these places fall victim to vandalism and slowly wither away if not protected properly. Within the story, you not only see a lot of these places but also encounter abandoned souls – quite literally. Most gang members grew up in foster care, their inner selves vandalized, and they've been abusing each other for ages. That's why the abandoned barracks feel like home to them. 

Zander Regan is another abandoned soul. Watching his character's decline as he gets infected by the gang's toxic ways is fascinating. His character's ambiguity – is he a schizophrenic killer or does he have supernatural powers? – adds an intriguing layer. 

Can't say I fell in love with Zander, but he's definitely one of my favorite characters because he's so out of place. Unfortunately, I can't pinpoint a specific scene, but maybe the one where the transformed Zander meets Damon for the final time and spirals into total madness. Let me know how you feel about his story and if you'd want more about Zander.

Jens Boele, a veteran media designer in the entertainment industry, brings over two decades of cinematic expertise to his writing. Born in Germany in 1975, Jens embarked on his writing odyssey in his youth, culminating in the publication of his debut book, "Sunshine," in 2015. This was followed by "Hurensohn," and his latest spine-tingling creation, "Urbex Predator."

Jens is a genre-bending author, specializing in horror and crime thrillers. His narratives often blur genre lines, weaving intricate tales that plunge readers into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Jens's storytelling brilliance lies in his fascination with the criminal mind; his villains are always profoundly human, offering readers a chilling examination of the psychological aspects of the criminally insane.

Jens sets himself apart by seamlessly integrating classic horror with the gritty authenticity of the present day. This innovative fusion imbues his narratives with a dynamic quality, seamlessly blending archaic thrills with contemporary intrigue, resulting in an immersive reading experience that resonates with both vintage enthusiasts and present-day readers alike.

Jens Boele's latest endeavor takes his work across borders, as "Urbex Predator" becomes his first book to be translated into English. A globetrotter with deep connections to the United States, Jens's passion for exploration and his international perspective, nurtured by family and friends in the US, shine through in his writing, offering readers a captivating blend of horror and cultural diversity.

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

(2) winners will receive an URBEX PREDATOR T-shirt - International.

Ends March 8th, midnight EST.


Tour Schedule:
Week One:

2/5/2024

@darkfantasyreviews

IG Post

2/6/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Guest Post/IG Post

2/7/2024

jlreadstoperpetuity

IG Post/TikTok Post

2/8/2024

@bookish_aly_cat

IG Post

2/9/2024

A Dream Within A Dream

Guest Post/IG Post

Week Two:

2/12/2024

Writer of Wrongs

Guest Post

2/13/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post/IG Post

2/14/2024

Lady Hawkeye

Guest Post/IG Post

2/15/2024

GryffindorBookishnerd

IG Review

2/16/2024

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

2/17/2024

Review Thick And Thin

Review/Guest Post/IG Post

Week Three:

2/18/2024

@books.mo.reads

IG Review

2/19/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Review/IG Post

2/20/2024

Books and Zebras

IG Review

2/21/2024

Confessions of the Perfect Mom

Review/Guest Post/IG Post

2/22/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/23/2024

@enthuse_reader

IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Four:

2/26/2024

@evergirl200

IG Review

2/27/2024

@dana.loves.books

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/28/2024

PopTheButterfly Reads

Review/IG Post

2/29/2024

The Momma Spot

Review

3/1/2024

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post




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