Tag: paranormal

Blog Tour: Golden Hills Haunting by M.D. Neu + Guest Blog Post

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, Guest PostLeave a comment

Golden Hills Haunting – Do you believe in ghosts?

Do you believe in ghosts?

Let’s talk about ghosts, demons and hauntings. When I started working on Golden Hills Haunting, I decided I wanted to approach the novel from a place of knowledge and understanding. Before I put pen to paper I reached out to the Bay Area Ghost Hunters and to the Diocese of San Jose hoping someone would sit down and talk about the paranormal. I wasn’t disappointed. I had the pleasure of meeting with Loyd Auerbach, Dir. of the Office of Paranormal Investigation, President of Forever Family Foundation and I also landed two different interviews with both a local Catholic Priest and a retired Catholic Exorcist. Following those interviews, I also got in contact with several local community members who shared their personal stories with me. To say I got an education on the subject was an understatement.

As I explored the topic, I learned about the three different types of ghosts and ghost hauntings. Further, I discovered how different researches explore the supernatural. With Mr. Auerbach, he is a firm believer that there are no such thing as evil intent, but there are evil acts. This was a contrast to what the Catholic Priest and the Catholic Exorcist told me (since they believe in demons and demonic possession). However, there was common ground for both groups. Hauntings can be addressed and people and places can be cleansed, which I was relieved to learn, since a lot of what they shared with me was frightening. Even though both groups approached the paranormal differently (one scientific and one spiritually) I was surprised to learn how much they had in common, especially when it came to how they investigated cases. Both teams do extensive interviews and require as much information (proof) as the parties can provide (witnesses, photos, videos, medical reports, first-hand accounts, etc.). Also, each group wants to help people and both teams take their work seriously, and neither the Priest and Exorcist nor Mr. Auerbach will turn people away who are in need of assistance. Whether they can help afflicted is a different story. Also, and this was very important to learn, neither group charges a fee to help people.

If you are ever in a situation where you need this kind of help, you should never be charged for services.

When it comes to the different types of hauntings, I found there are three different types (there is a fourth type that I will get into later). The three main types are; Apparitions (they can be interactive and self-aware), Hauntings (imprints of a past event, like a movie or song playing on repeat), and Poltergeist (this is a living agent with psychokinesis abilities). The fourth type are your demons/evil spirits, and these are not to be messed with. There are things that I discovered about demons and possession that were quite upsetting and I’m still uncomfortable discussing (not because I’m worried about anything bad happening to me but because I learned how sick and twisted people are and what they will do to conjure such beings). With anything demonic or evil, I learned that these creatures have to be invited and even if they are removed, they can easily be invited back, and return. That’s why demons are difficult to get rid of and can take months, if not years, to remove, this is why people suffering from demonic attacks need to keep up with what the priest or exorcist instruct.

Two other items I found interesting about demons is, one, they have territories that they cover, which I thought was strange. The second thing I learned was demons are litigious, which plays into why they can be such a challenge to remove.

Going back to my opening question, do you believe in ghosts? For me, the answer is yes. Especially after talking with the people I spoke with. What we read in books and watch on TV, the internet and in movies is entertainment and should be taken with a grain of salt. When it comes to the real paranormal, there is so much more to ghosts and demons than the regular person will ever understand.

With respect to my novel Golden Hills Haunting, this book is a work of fiction, based on actual accounts from my various sources (some named some not). However, overall, this is a story about family, love, and community. Originally, I wanted to tell a fun ghost story similar to the 1982 movie Poltergeist. In the end, the novel grew into something more, shining a light on a subject that is shrouded in mystery. What ended up published is a story that is based on as much fact and realism as I could include. I wanted to craft a story that addresses the misconceptions and takes on the subject matter in an open and honest manner, while still being fun and, at times, sexy and naughty. I hope readers will enjoy the story and appreciate all the work that went into creating the novel and the characters that inhabit the book.

Golden Hills Haunting - M.D. Neu

M.D. Neu has a new gay horror book out: Golden Hills Haunting.

After their daughter was bullied at school, Kyle and Alejandro decided to make a fresh start and move into a beautiful new cul-de-sac development. As they take up residence, the family enjoys seeing the community come to life. But when lights flicker, shadows lurk, and small objects disappear, they begin to doubt their sanity.

When Alejandro and many of their neighbors are struck down by a strange sickness that defies explanation, the family starts to question their recent life change. Feeling trapped they speak with their new neighbors, learning they aren’t alone in the haunted neighborhood.

Who do you turn to when the authorities can’t offer any assistance or protection? How do you fight against a sinister force that is older than time? Can Kyle, Alejandro and the rest of the occupants of Golden Hills Court survive or will this nightmarish ordeal destroy them?

Universal Buy Link

Excerpt

Golden Hills Haunting meme

(from Chapter One)

When I decided to sit down and write our story, I wasn’t sure where to open, and I’m still not. Since things didn’t begin all bad, they kicked off slowly. Which makes finding the starting point difficult. I guess when we questioned what was happening in our neighborhood was the day Alejandro came home not feeling well. We’d been in our house for about four months, everything had been unpacked, and our new place felt like a home. Even Chloe, our daughter, had managed to make friends in the neighborhood. We’d had family and friends over and even managed to pull off a big party: our housewarming, which thinking back now should have been our first warning given what happened that day. I digress. Alejandro rarely came home from the office sick, but on that day, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him so ill.

We were lucky, of course. He was unwell, but he wasn’t as bad as some of our neighbors. By the time we got Alejandro settled in bed to rest, three different ambulances had shown up on our cul-de-sac dealing with numerous medical emergencies at various houses. By that evening, almost every home in our circle had been visited by emergency services. The media didn’t catch wind of the story for a few more days, not until the EPA showed up. Hell, everyone arrived, PG&E, San Jose Water, representatives from the housing development, the County, basically every government organization you might throw a rock at. The weeks that followed were only the beginning of our nightmare.

This new house had been our dream, one we had been working toward for years and we needed the change desperately. Our home was the second finished on our street and we were the second family to move in. Yes, we were going to be living around construction for a couple more weeks, but for this house, the daily construction would be worth it, especially at the price we paid. In this valley, these homes were an outright steal. Chloe, in theory, would be at school during the day or off with friends or at therapy. Alejandro and I both worked so we wouldn’t be around during the day when a majority of the construction commenced. Well, except for me. I still worked from home three days a week, but I could manage the noise; I had my music. The only real problem: the traffic as people were moving in and construction teams came and went. We imagined we’d be able to deal with the building and the neighborhood, but we were wrong.

The cause of the mystery illnesses. What a joke. It wasn’t a gas leak or anything in the water or the dirt. We were all looking for the wrong things. At the time, no one ever contemplated we were under attack from the supernatural or paranormal or whatever you want to call a bunch of pissed off spirits and a horde of Demons thrown in for good measure.

But is that when everything commenced?

I don’t think so.

We should have known something was off when we went to the sales center, about three months prior to our moving in. Let me start from before we moved in and go from there. Knowing how things began will help paint a full picture.

Our new neighborhood, our new home, was an infill neighborhood, one of those small groupings of houses that are built on a subdivided parcel of land. They do that a lot in San Jose, with housing being an issue. It’s funny, there wasn’t even a model home to look at. There was a portable sales office with floor plans and finishes to pick from. How we got the house didn’t matter to us; getting the house was what mattered. Chloe needed the change, especially with all she had been dealing with. So, when I found out they were building this infill community, I told Alejandro and we understood we would have to move promptly. After seeing the information, the next day we called out from work and drove to Evergreen to check the location.

The area had everything we were looking for. Chloe could walk to the school, Chaboya Middle School, and she would have to make new friends, but we understood she’d manage. Chloe was social despite the trouble she had when we first got her. There were parks and a creek, plus several trails for hiking and biking. Down Fowler Road at Ruby Avenue a quaint Evergreen Village had been established with shops, restaurants, and larger stores. We couldn’t have asked for a better neighborhood.

If we only knew.

Author Bio

M.D. Neu

M.D. Neu is an international award-winning inclusive queer Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing.

Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.

When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric his husband of twenty plus years.

Website: http://www.mdneu.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_MDNeu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdneuauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormdneu/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-d-neu

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66488958-md

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorMDNeu

QueerRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-neu/

Liminal Fiction: https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-neu/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Neu/e/B076FK1S14

Other Worlds Ink logo

Forbidden War (The Intern Diaries Book Three) by D.C. Gomez Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Death’s Intern must help keep the peace between vampires and elves during a tense negotiation as the threat of war looms over them all in author D.C. Gomez’s “Forbidden War,” the third book in The Intern Diaries series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

A trip to hell. Angry Vampires. Seductive Elves. Oh my!

Do I honestly look like a mediator?

Let’s be honest. I can barely keep the peace between the boys, and they like each other.

Why would Death agree to send us to supervise a peace negotiation between vampires and elves, just because her egotistical brother, War, doesn’t want to do it?

We don’t even like vampires. If Constantine is correct, we barely tolerate each other due to our own messy peace negotiations. To make my life even more complicated, even my Godmother has a secret.

This is a huge catastrophe waiting to explode. Three days to find a princess or Texarkana becomes the site for WWIII. I really need a raise.

* Forbidden War is book three in the Urban Fantasy series The Intern Diaries. The stakes are higher for Isis Black as she meets another of Death’s siblings. The manipulative War is at it again, and dumping one giant mess on Isis and her friends.

***This is a stand-alone novel, or it can be read in sequence.

The Review

This is another fantastic entry into this phenomenal urban fantasy series. The author does an incredible job of further exploring the paranormal mythos of the characters’ world. The thing that always brings a bright spot to the story itself is the exploration of the Horsemen mythos, the relationship and differences between Death and her siblings, and how it impacts the paranormal world. 

The blend of humor in the characters’ dialogue and character development made this story shine. The witty banter between Isis and the other characters felt like the same charming humor found in shows like Supernatural back in the day. Exploring the relationship vampires have with other members of the paranormal community was mesmerizing to see come to life on the page. 

The Verdict

Memorable, high-octane, and hilariously adventurous author D.C. Gomez’s “Forbidden War” is a must-read urban fantasy. The exploration of how Death’s Interns work with the interns of other Horsemen and the way this book built upon the stories told in previous books while also working well as a standalone novel made this one book you won’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

D. C. Gomez, is a fast-talking extra-quirky Dominican with a dark sense of humor.

She used to enjoy long walks at the park and all that fun outdoors activities; unfortunately, due to a mysterious condition she is now allergic to the sun.

Rumor has it, that her true nature is coming out and her vampirism is now showing. While hiding from the sun, she is busy writing action packed adventures full of quirky characters and zany plots. As well as hosting her podcast, Inside the Minds of Authors.

If you would like to learn more about her, or join her at an event, check out her website. We promise she doesn’t bite (much…).

Happy reading.

https://dcgomez-author.com

Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America (US Travel Guide, Gifts For Fans of True Crime, Horror and the Paranormal) by Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl share with readers a collection o the spookiest places in America in the book “Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America”.

The Synopsis

Grab your flashlight, garlic, and ghost hunting equipment. We’re taking you on the ultimate road trip of the spookiest places around the U.S.

Horror lovers, lifelong best friends, and co-hosts of the Horror Rewind podcast, Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl, have traveled around the U.S. to bring you the most thrill-inducing spots for horror, history, and true crime. They’ve compiled a list of what to do, where to stay, where to eat and drink, and where to shop to make your vacation-planning a breeze.

They’ve also delved into the history and pop culture of each spot, revealing hidden gems, most notorious true crimes, women you should know, horror books and movies set in the state, and other strange facts about some of the scariest places around the nation.

Here’s a small sampling of what you can expect to find in Travels of Terror:

  • St. Augustine, Florida: Take an open air trolley on the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour to the Old St Augustine Cemetery, Potter’s Wax Museum, Old Jail Museum, and a bevy of churches with their own macabre past.
  • Los Angeles, California: Stay at the haunted Hotel Roosevelt, where you may be visited by the ghosts of actors Errol Flynn and Montgomery Clift.
  • Portland, Oregon: Grab a cocktail at Raven’s Manor, a horror-themed bar with drinks like the Black Widow, Lilith, and Draught of Asphyxiation.
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Learn about the most famous true crime to happen there, when the wife of the Allegheny County Jail warden fell in love with a convicted murderer.
  • New York, New York: Celebrate Nia DaCosta, the first Black female director to have a film debut at the top of the box office, with the supernatural horror-slasher film Candyman in 2021.
  • Austin, Texas: Pick up souvenirs for friends and family at The Glass Coffin, a vampire parlor and horror shop.
  • Duluth, Minnesota: Visit Glensheen Mansion on the shores of Lake Superior, where Duluth’s most notorious murders occurred in 1977.

From big cities to small towns, get inspired to plan your own ghoulish getaway.

Toy & Treat of the Month

The Review

This was such a memorable and remarkable book. When I am not reading or writing, my specialty is paranormal investigation. I have always been into everything from UFOs to cryptids and ghosts. We recently featured an episode of our latest paranormal investigation with my team, Phenomenon Paranormal, on our YouTube channel. So when this book came across my path, I knew I had to dive head first. 

The level of detail and insight the authors can give to this book drove me into the stories found within. The thing that stood out immediately was the level of different things the authors included in each city’s history, from the paranormal sightings and the infamous true crimes that put these cities on the map to the local sightings, films, and shows made there, and even the places a person will want to stay at and eat. The authors do an excellent job of not just presenting the information to the reader but instigating a sense of adventure and the need to hit the road, inspiring so many to delve into the strange, the macabre, and the unknown.

BOPIS

The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and beautifully haunting, authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl’s “Travels of Terror” is a must-read paranormal nonfiction read meets travel guide. The knowledge and excitement that the authors bring to this subject matter and the adventurous tone the author’s writing strikes in the reader will have them returning to this book repeatedly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Authors

Kelly Florence teaches communication at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN and is the creator of the Be a Better Communicator podcast. She received her BA in theatre from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her MA in communicating arts from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She has directed, produced, choreographed and stage managed for dozens of productions in Minnesota including Carrie The Musical through Rubber Chicken Theatre and Treasure Island for Wise Fool Theater. She is passionate about female representation in all media and particularly the horror genre.

About

Bram Stoker Award nominated Meg Hafdahl is the creator of numerous stories and books. Her fiction has appeared in anthologies such as Eve’s Requiem: Tales of Women, Mystery and Horror and Eclectically Criminal. Her work has been produced for audio by The Wicked Library and The Lift, and she is the author of three popular short story collections including Twisted Reveries: Thirteen Tales of the Macabre. Meg is also the author of the three novels; The Darkest Hunger, Daughters of Darkness, and Her Dark Inheritance called “an intricate tale of betrayal, murder, and small town intrigue” by Horror Addicts and “every bit as page turning as any King novel” by RW Magazine. Meg, also the co-host of the podcast Horror Rewind and co-author of The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, The Science of Serial Killers, and the upcoming The Science of Witchcraft lives in the snowy bluffs of Minnesota. 

https://www.meghafdahl.com

Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (Canadian Chills) by Arthur Slade Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Students at a Canadian school must discover the haunting secrets of the Grudstone school that resided where their school is now, and face the terrifying evil threatening to let loose on the world in author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts”, part of the author’s Canadian Chills series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Terror stalks the halls of St. Wolcott School . . .

When Daphne’s sixth-grade teacher, Miss Vindez, plummets from the belfry of St. Wolcott School, Daphne and her friends Nick and Peach are plunged into a mystery that includes a long-ago fire that left behind twelve dead schoolchildren, tiny ghosts with nowhere to go, and an ancient evil just dying to break through into modern-day Moose Jaw.

Miss Vindez survives her fall, but things just aren’t the same–she’s spouting gibberish, and both Principal Peterka and the school janitor are definitely not themselves at all anymore.

Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, Daphne, Nick, and Peach dig up the troubled history of Grudstone, the school that used to stand where St. Wolcott is now. They uncover evidence of a crime so terrible it can hardly be believed. Worse, the terrifying perpetrator of that crime isn’t done yet–he has more horrible plans in mind. And all that stands in his way are three Moose Jaw school kids.

Toy & Treat of the Month

The Review

This was such a fun and exhilarating read. The author does a remarkable job of combining paranormal mystery and school-age adventure in a way that feels somehow natural and relatable to young readers who have always felt that close-knit relationship amongst their friends as they seek out new adventures. The imagery and fast-paced narrative instantly draw the reader in as the mystery unravels.

The history and local culture in Canada was a unique aspect of the story, as it drew readers to the history of this area of Canada and the era in which gangsters hid contraband in hidden tunnels, harkening back to the early 20th century and the era of Prohibition in America as well. The heartfelt connection that the reader makes with the protagonists as they discover new clues and hidden pasts within the school grounds will keep them invested.

Shop Finejewelers.com's Gift Finder Today & Be Ready for Every Holiday and Birthday Celebration!

The Verdict

Adventurous, entertaining, and thrilling, author Arthur Slade’s “Return of the Grudstone Ghosts” is a must-read paranormal YA thriller. The narrative’s twists and turns, the relatability of the protagonists, and the spooky yet heartfelt nature will keep readers returning to this series time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

duplicate (25471)

Arthur Slade was raised on a ranch in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. He is the author of twenty five novels for young readers including The Hunchback Assignments, which won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and Dust, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. His lifetime of work has also received the prestigious Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence.  All of these awards mean that when he drinks tea he has to raise his pinky. It’s very fancy. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada. 

P.S. He does all of his writing on a treadmill desk. And he listens to heavy metal. At the same time.

https://www.arthurslade.com/bio

Never Say Sever in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Series Book 12) by Ann Charles Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A strange break-in at a local taxidermy brings a young woman with a bounty on her head into contact with local troublemakers in author Ann Charles’s “Never Say Sever in Deadwood”, the twelfth entry into the Deadwood Humorous Mystery Series. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

All Violet Parker wants is a day off. Better yet, just a “normal” day. But things never go as planned, especially in Deadwood.

Someone—or rather something—broke into the local taxidermy shop and took bites out of the critter displays before racing off into the dark. But this is no random crime and Violet knows it. With a bounty on her head and troublemakers zeroing in on her, she soon goes from being the hunter to the hunted.

Toy & Treat of the Month

The Review

This was such a humorous yet action-packed paranormal mystery. The use of the supernatural in this story was perfect, as it added just enough action and suspense to the narrative to balance out the natural chemistry and wit of the characters that populated this narrative. The use of imagery in the author’s writing style helped elevate the story, as it brought this mixture of Western meets modern paranormal fiction to life in an almost cinematic way.

The characters once again dominate this series, as the protagonist’s sharp wit meets the driven mindset of the cast of characters in this town. The crisp winter setting and tension creep into the reader as the constant threat of both the bounty and the enemies she faces make themselves known quite well as the narrative progresses. The moments of warmth, romance, and hilarity brought fantastic banter and a perfect reprieve from the drama and chilling paranormal forces at work.

Treat yourself right this Masturbation May with 15% off a single item! Use Code MAYPLAY to save at goodvibes.com

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and compelling author Ann Charles’s “Never Say Never in Deadwood” is a must-read paranormal mystery thriller. The twists and turns the protagonist faces, and the shocking events that jump-start this new mystery will keep readers hooked and eager to continue in this long-running series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Ann Charles is a USA Today bestselling author who writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance, paranormal, and whatever else sounds fun. A member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America for many moons, she has a BA in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. When Ann is not holed up in her writing lair working on her next book, she’s hanging out with her family and basking in the Arizona sunshine.

Home

Ancient Tides Ashore by Mike Robinson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two people separated by time and culture must embrace their destiny to face a malevolent entity in author Mike Robinson’s “Ancient Tides Ashore”.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Modern Meets Ancient. Tropical Paradise Meets Paranormal Terror.

In the year 620, a young Polynesian man named Kaimi arrives on the virgin shores of Hawaii. He is among the first people there, though quickly realizes they aren’t alone. Strange company watches on from the trees and shorelines: elemental beings only Kaimi can perceive. Like the dark presence in one particular bay, in the verdant island that will become Kauai.

Fifteen-hundred years later, a Mormon mother named Marilyn Toomey—secretly harboring her own sensitivity to such beings—finds herself whisked away with her husband to the remote Huna’ia Resort on Kauai. Though hesitant, Marilyn feels compelled to go—if only because something seems to be calling her there.

As their lives drift closer across the centuries, and as they come to fully embrace their talents, Kaimi and Marilyn must pull away from their communities and former beliefs in the face of an empowered and malevolent entity—and the looming threat of utter catastrophe.

A thoughtful and beautiful eco-fantasy, Ancient Tides Ashore explores human kinship across time, culture and belief, as well as our relationship to the unknown within—and among—us.

Grand Slam New York

The Review

This was a compelling and engaging cosmic horror meets eco-paranormal drama. The intensity of the world-building and the vivid imagery that each scene brought to life were breathtakingly beautiful in the writing. The shifting setting between the past and the present was fantastic to see come to life, as the author captured the tone and atmosphere of each era perfectly.

Yet, it was the character development that shined brightly in this book. The grand, cosmic nature of the threat that the protagonists were facing and the paranormal atmosphere were significantly highlighted and drew the reader in because of the realistic approach to character development. The author’s ability to draw on each character’s problems and see both Kaimi and Marilyn’s journeys and how they came together through their shared connection made the story much more inviting.

Take a Food Journey Around the World!

The Verdict

Remarkable, passionately written, and entertaining author Mike Robinson’s “Ancient Tides Ashore” is a must-read cosmic horror meets eco-driven paranormal drama. The narrative’s twists and turns and open ending allow the reader to become invested in the characters and the environment and seek out new stories within this new world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Robinson is the award-winning author of multiple novels and dozens of short stories, most of them speculative fiction. His work has appeared in the likes of American Gothic Fantasy, Storyteller Magazine, December Tales II, Underland Arcana and more, and has received honors from Writers of the Future, Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Contest, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Maxy Awards and others.

As an editor, he worked closely with J.P. Barnett on his bestselling “Lorestalker” series. He is also a book coach with Wordsmith Writing Coaches, as well as a copywriter, illustrator and award-winning screenwriter with two produced credits.

Between all this, he hikes (often with his two dogs), swims, draws, and tries to learn the didgeridoo.

“One of the best speculative fiction authors writing now.”

— Leslie Ann Moore, bestselling author of the “Griffin’s Daughter” series

“Chock full of mind-bending goodness. Mike Robinson delivers equal parts of scares and the bizarre with wit and style―put him on your list of authors to watch!”

— Guy Anthony De Marco, HWA Bram Stoker Award Finalist

https://www.mike-robinsonauthor.com

Wolf Pack (Book 1 of the Wolf Pack Series) by Edo Van Belkom Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A group of wolf siblings turned teenagers push their adoptive family to the limits when their transformation is caught on camera, and their sister is taken by a scientist ready to expose them to the world in author Edo Van Belkam’s “Wolf Pack”, the first book in the series of the same name. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Winner of the prestigious Aurora Award and Silver Birch Award, Wolf Pack is the inspiration for the highly anticipated original series coming to Paramount+

Nothing gets between a wolf and its pack…

Most of the time, Noble, Argus, Harlan and Tora are like any other teenagers. Prowling the halls of their high school in search of new crushes and true friendships, all while trying to keep up their grades. Except these teens are anything but ordinary…

Discovered as wolf cubs in the wilderness of Redstone Forest, the pack knows their adoptive parents are the only humans they can trust with their shape-shifting secret. So whenever the siblings want to wolf around, they race to the forest to run—and relish their special bond. Until the terrible day a TV crew films their shocking transformation—and Tora is captured by a scientist determined to reveal her supernatural abilities to the world.

Now the brothers will do anything to get their sister back. Even if it means taking their powers to a whole new level by becoming werewolves for the very first time–something their parents warned them never to attempt. But once the teens go to the dark side, will they ever make it back to the only life they’ve ever known?

ABN Banner

The Review

This was an exhilarating and fantastic take on the werewolf lore. The fast pace of the narrative and the exploration of themes such as family and environmentalism were very prominent in this narrative, as was the detailed imagery that brought these transformations to life. The unique take on the change from a wolf into a werewolf and the dangers that lurk within that transformation were so great to see come to life on the page.

Having not seen the show and being fresh to this series, I was so enthralled with this incredible cast of characters. The fierce loyalty of the brothers to their sister and their adoptive parents’ struggles to keep their children safe while trying to understand their unique physiology was so rich and compelling to get into. The heart and emotional connection the author makes between the reader and the characters is heartfelt. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, entertaining, and thrilling, author Edo Van Belkom’s “Wolf Pack” is a must-read children’s and YA fantasy horror novel you won’t want to miss. The incredible mythos the author brings to life and the sensational character arcs get the start of this fantastic series to life perfectly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Bram Stoker and Aurora Award-winner Edo van Belkom is the author of over 200 stories of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. As an editor, he has four anthologies to his credit that include two books for young adults, Be Afraid! (A Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year finalist) and Be Very Afraid! (An Aurora Award winner — Best Work in English). Born in Toronto, van Belkom graduated from York University, then worked as a daily newspaper sports and police reporter before becoming a full-time writer. Edo van Belkom lives in Brampton, Ontario, with his wife Roberta and son Luke.

Interview with Author William Brinkman 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1.     Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I used to live in Bolingbrook, IL and have a passion for writing about the village. Since 1998, I’ve maintained the Bolingbrook Babbler satirical blog where I publish fictional “news articles” that are a cross between the Weekly World News and the Onion. I contributed to the Demon: The Fallen role-playing game line, and even shared a credit with Chuck Wendig for our work on Saviors and Destroyers. In 2022, I finally published the first two Bolingbrook Babbler Stories books. They’re dramatic stories compared to the lighter tone of my web articles.

I’ve had a passion for writing fiction ever since I was in grade school, with a particular love for Science Fiction and Fantasy. I enjoy imagining new settings and creating vivid characters, but I also believe that characters are just as important as the setting. After all, if readers don’t care about the characters, they won’t feel invested in the story. For this reason, I strive to create characters that readers can connect with on an emotional level.

Advertisements

2.     What inspired you to write your book?

My goal with A Fire in the Shadows was to create a bridge between the first book, Pathways to Bolingbrook, and the second book, The Rift. That’s why I labeled it Book 1.5. In Pathways, Miriam decided to become a vampire, and Sara joined the Bolingbrook Babbler as a reporter. In A Fire in the Shadows, Miriam is “reborn” as Lydia, but now she has a new set of problems to deal with. Meanwhile, Sara has become the editor of the Babbler, and this story provides more details about her role and the challenges she faces.

3.     What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

In addition to providing readers with a deeper understanding of the Babbler Stories setting, I hope they will come away with a greater empathy for neurodivergent individuals. Lydia is a compassionate and caring person, but in vampiric society, those traits make her a deviant. Humans, if they knew about vampires, would fear her and see her as a monster. It’s why she feels isolated and desperately alone. Through her story, I aim to shed light on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals.

4.     What drew you into this particular genre?

Although I’m a believer in science-based skepticism, I enjoy exploring settings where supernatural creatures coexist with modern-day humans. My interest in Urban Fantasy grew out of the Goth Punk genre that I wrote in for many years. One thing I appreciate about Urban Fantasy is that it allows for a wide range of supernatural creatures, some of which may not be the traditional “monsters” we typically think of. In this genre, authors can also portray humans as terrifying monsters, adding an extra layer of complexity to the storytelling.

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

5.     If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would choose to speak with Aurora, Lydia’s blood sister, and ask her why she became a vampire, despite knowing that it would make her cruel and uncaring. Was she a bully when she was a mortal, or did she associate kindness with weakness? The answer is the key to understand Aurora’s motivations.

6.     What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

It would be Facebook, because I spent years building an audience. Overall, I’d say my blog did the most to develop my readership.

7.     What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Every writer’s journey is unique, and what may have worked for one author may not work for another. That’s why it’s important to do your own research and not blindly follow any writer’s advice. Be like Bruce Lee: Use what works for you, and discard what doesn’t.

8.     What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

I will release a collection of my web stories from 1998 to 2017. The working title is God to Smite Bolingbrook. It will be exclusively for my newsletter subscribers. Then I plan to resume writing the third Bolingbrook Babbler book. My goal is to release it by the end of 2023, or early 2024. I don’t have dates for books four and beyond, but I will write them. My goal is to make sure each book can be read as a standalone book. I’m a writer who can’t stand ending a book on cliffhangers. 

Advertisements

About the Author

William Brinkman is the creator of the Bolingbrook Babbler web series and the author of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories series.. He is currently a member of the Freethought Blogsnetwork and has been involved in secular advocacy over the years.

He’s also a former contributor to White Wolf’s Demon: The Fallen series. Additionally, William has also written science fiction works since grade school. As a student at the University of Iowa, William majored in journalism and took as many creative writing classes as his schedule allowed. After graduation, he served as an editor at two alternative publications. These experiences later helped him start the Babbler web series in 1998.

His work has been praised by Bolingbrook residents and within the atheist/skeptical community. William is probably one of the few critics of former Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar who didn’t get exiled to Florida.

William Brinkman: Urban Fantasy author and fiction blogger