Archive for the ‘Paranormal or fantasy’ Category

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Superstition Mountain

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Superstition Mountain Trilogy Part One

Stacey Thompson

 

Genre: Parnormal Romance Western

The Order has been around for as long as Demons have roamed the earth, but when the first Demon starts a war, there are only a few left to finish it.

Ami’s different and one of the best Monster Slayers there is, but she’s not ready to face the dark with the one person who knows her best, Wesley the one who trained her. She might just fall in love with him.

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Blood and Dust

Superstition Mountain Trilogy Part Two

Stacey Thompson

 

Genre: Parnormal Romance Western

Protecting the world against evil isn’t easy when you are cursed with evil yourself. Ami is between the dark and the light. Will she be able to save herself and those she loves? Or will Price take her to the dark?

 

 

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Truth in Lies

Superstition Mountain Trilogy

Part Three

Stacey Thompson

 

Genre: Parnormal Romance Western

Wesley thought the search was over, but finding Ami was just the start of his problems. When a shady Witch joins them, trouble is all they get. Can Wesley bring Ami back from the darkness that’s trying to take over her, or is she their new enemy?

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Superstition Mountain Trilogy

Stacey Thompson

Description

The story leans on the Apache creation story, taking the idea of a Monster Slayer and bringing it to a western setting. The main character, Ami, is one of the best in the small village she lives in. The Shaman takes a special interest in her and she doesn’t know why at first. She also gives her a stone that ties into the Apache legend. A love develops between the man who trained her, Wesley and herself.

We are also introduced to Maggie, a former Monster Slayer who helps with finding Price and tries to help them kill Price. She has her own issues with the past that are actually addressed shortly in the novella. She’s the main character in the short story which tells us a lot more about why she is the way she is. This story, Bloody Christmas is available to read on my blog.

Price is the first Vampire Demon to be in the world. He was the original Monster the first Monster Slayer thought they killed. Where gold bullets from the sacred mines of Superstition Mountain will kill most Demons, they won’t kill him. The only thing that can is the line of the original Monster Slayer, Ami. Instead of killing Ami, he takes an unusual interest in her.

In the second novella, Ami decides to leave because she doesn’t want to burden Wesley with what she is. Of corse Wesley tracks her down because he loves her and doesn’t realize she isn’t totally human anymore. He tracks her to a town where there has been a killing of a Vampire by what looks like another Vampire. He starts to put things together, but still wants to believe she isn’t something he needs to kill.

While Wesley is tracking Ami, Maggie is on her own mission to help. She meets up with an old friend from her Monster Slayer days to help kill the evil that is Price. Her subplot plays out with reuniting with her old love, Cody, but he has complications as well. Wesley doesn’t like Cody and there is back and forth a few times with these characters.

In the third novella, Wesley has to deal with the fact Ami is a Vampire and learn if he can live with it or if he must do what he’s trained to do.

Cody learns to deal with the part of him that is different and Maggie accepts him for it. They live a life that brings happiness to themselves as well as rebuilding the Order that was destroyed by Price.

In the last chapter, we learn what evil can really do to people and who can carry that burden. It’s an ending that leaves you wondering. 😉

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 Superstition MountainBlood and Dust Excerpt.

Set Up: Wesley, Maggie, Cody and John are working on getting rid of a group of Vampires that are killing a whole town. What they find is not what they expect.

Wesley

“I know you aren’t fond of Cody. Whatever happened in that house needs to stay there for now,” she said, holding her gaze to him.

“There’s something not right about the guy.” Wesley glanced back to Cody who was watching the pair as though he was able to know what was being said.

“I know, but that’s his issue right now.” She stopped and sighed. “Look, I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a good guy.”

“Good guy or not, he’s still got something going on.” He pulled the horse and went back to the group. Maggie sighed and followed him.

Wesley kept his mouth shut the rest of the time. He watched Cody but kept his distance. He didn’t know what was going on with this guy, but he also didn’t want to go after Price alone. This small group was all that stood between darkness. They kept going until the sun started to go down.

“There’s a town up ahead,” Cody said, coming up beside Maggie. Wesley could hear them talking, but didn’t turn to look at them. “I don’t like it.”

“Why?” Maggie was clearly starting to get frustrated.

“I’m not sure.”

“We have to stop. We’re running low on supplies, and it would be nice to sleep in a bed for a change.” Maggie glanced at everyone and then the town. She didn’t give anyone time to argue and headed towards it. Wesley sighed and followed with the other guys behind them.

They didn’t have to ride too long before they were at the edge of the town. It was quite, but the sun was setting and the town had little beyond candles burning in the windows. There were a few lanterns on in the boarding house and some of the smaller merchants. Wesley glanced around, looking for some sign of life, but there wasn’t anything that told him anyone lived in this place.

“Where is everyone?” Cody said what everyone was thinking.

“They’re probably just staying in. With all the attacks in the area, it would be the smart thing to do,” Maggie said, trying to stay positive.

“You know what a silent town means, Maggie.” Cody was direct, and it made Wesley glance between the two.

“Trouble.” Wesley didn’t know what else to say. It was the sign every Slayer looked for. Usually the people in the town were hiding or worse.

They stopped at one of the merchants, and Wesley jumped off his horse to go in with Maggie right behind him. They opened the door and stepped inside. One older man was standing behind the counter furiously cleaning it. He glanced up when the doorbell rang from the door opening.

Wesley smiled and walked towards the counter. The old man stopped and kept his eyes on the pair.

“I don’t want any trouble,” the old man sputtered out. Wesley watched him, confused by his fear.

“We aren’t here to hurt you. What’s going on around here? Where is everyone?” He didn’t take his eyes off of the old man in case he decided to do something. The man took a breath and then stepped back from the counter.

“Those people… they’re taking people and killing them.” He managed to get it out, but his eyes kept darting between Wesley and Maggie. “They’re some kind of Demon with glowing eyes.” He held his fingers up to his eyes.

“Where are these Demons?” Maggie said not taking a step towards them. She was clearly keeping her distance in order to keep him from reacting in a way that wasn’t good for any of them.

“In the Docs house, just on the edge of town.” The old man put his face in his hands. “What can we do? They’re going to kill us all.”

“You should find a place in the back or somewhere you can hide. Don’t come out until the sun comes up.” Maggie glanced at Wesley, and he started for the door.

“Let’s go to work,” he said, pushing the door open and glancing at Cody and John. “There are some Vampires at the Docs. We need to clear them out before we do anything else.” No one argued with him, and they were at the doctor’s house in a few minutes. The first thing Wesley noticed was the screaming and pleading from a younger girl. He jumped off the horse and went straight for the door.

“Wait, you don’t know how many are in there,” Maggie yelled behind him. All he could hear was the girl screaming for help. He kicked the door open and rushed in.

The room was covered in fresh blood, and there were a lot of dead bodies littering the floor. Wesley almost slipped on the wet blood on the floor. He grabbed onto the back of the couch and snapped his head up in time to see the kick hit him in the gut. He doubled over and felt the woman push him down on the ground. Before he could react she was on top of him. That’s when he saw something he wished he’d never seen.

Ami was a Vampire and going to kill him.

Giveaway

A tourwide giveaway of 5 ebook sets of the Superstition Mountain Trilogy

Enter at the rafflecopter link below.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

About the Author:

Stacey has been writing since she can remember. She primarily writes Edgy Paranormal and Paranormal Romance, but has dabbled in the Horror and Young Adult Genres.

She is a mother of Three and lives in the beautiful state of Wyoming. You can find her at her blog and Facebook page.

www.staceythompsonauthor.info

www.blog.staceythompsonauthor.info

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Thompson/133494070000357

@staceytg

BBT Alpha Girl Banner

Welcome to my stop on the Blurb Blitz Tour for Alpha Girl!

The first thing I want to talk about is the cover art.

Isn’t it stunning?

I could look at it over and over again.

How could you resist picking up this book and diving into the story.

Now, the story was a surprise. Check out my review below to see why.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway:)

Alpha Girl

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Alpha Girl

by Kate Bloomfield

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BLURB:

 

Seventeen year old Rose Goldman is highly unpopular in the little town of Halfway. Ever since the ‘attack’ when she was a girl, people and animals have been afraid of her. She gets bullied in school, and called ‘wet dog’ because of the way she smells, despite being extremely hygienic. However, life takes a turn when a new teacher starts at Halfway High. Mr. Stone, the quirky and charismatic English teacher is twice Rose’s age, but she feels an unexplainable pull towards him from day one. Despite her better judgement, Rose pursues a friendship with Mr. Stone, who seems unable to stay away from her.

What is pulling this unlikely pair together?

Alpha Girl is the first book of the Wolfling Saga, and is not intended for audiences younger than 15 years of age, as it contains scenes of a sexual nature, and coarse language.

Please do not read if you are easily offended.

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Excerpt

(Chapter Eight)

Mr. Stone’s smile faltered. ‘I like my women to have a mind of their own – to be witty. Like you.’

My throat closed up. Like me?

‘You’re an amazing girl,’ he said suddenly.

His use of the word girl made my stomach twist painfully.

‘Am I?’ I asked.

‘Of course.’

‘A girl?’

He smiled knowingly. ‘An amazing woman,’ he corrected himself.

‘No one has ever told me that before,’ I said.

‘I don’t believe that,’ he smiled. ‘You’re clever, and beautiful, and damn witty.’

Mr. Stone’s jaw tensed as he realized what he was saying.

‘Beautiful?’ I asked, the word escaping as nothing more than a whisper.

‘Don’t you know?’ he asked.

My heart thundered as I stared at him. Oh please, my mind begged. Please tell me what is going on in that head of yours.

‘D-don’t I know what?’ I asked.

‘Don’t you know what you’re doing to me?’ He said as though I was torturing him.

‘What?’ My skin stung and my head swam with the possibilities.

‘Rose, I-’ He paused to collect his thoughts. ‘I’ve felt this … this pull towards you since day one. I can’t explain it.’

He didn’t need to explain it, because I felt it too. His eyes, his smile and his scent had me drawn in.

I placed a shaking hand over his, which was still on the steering wheel. He looked at our hands for a moment before allowing me to thread my fingers through his. I could feel his pulse in between each of my fingers.

Mr. Stone inhaled deeply. ‘Christ,’ he muttered, shutting his eyes tightly.

‘What’s the matter?’ I breathed.

‘That … that scent. The way you smell-’

I suddenly became very self-conscious. Bullies at school often accused me of smelling like wet dog. I sniffed my shirt, but I smelled perfectly normal.

‘What is it?’ I said defensively. ‘I showered this morning-’

Mr. Stone laughed, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

‘No,’ he said with a small smile. ‘You smell amazing.’

‘I do?’

‘Absolutely. You always do.’

I never wore perfume, only regular home brand antiperspirant.

‘It makes me dizzy,’ he confessed. ‘It’s intoxicating.’

‘What do I smell like?’ I asked, rather flushed.

Mr. Stone licked his lips as though he could taste me in the air. ‘Sweet,’ he said.

My cheeks burned crimson, and I wished he would look at me. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

‘I want to kiss you so very badly, Rose,’ Mr. Stone said under his breath. ‘But I can’t … and it’s killing me.’

My heart hammered so loudly against my ribcage that I was sure Mr. Stone could hear it from where he sat.

Suddenly, I felt powerful. He wanted me … and it terrified him.

‘Mr. Stone,’ I breathed, but he still didn’t look at me. ‘Tom.’

A small groan escaped him as though his name leaving my lips was taboo.

‘Look at me,’ I said, my eyes fixated on him.

‘I can’t,’ he said, shaking his head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review

I tip my hat to Kate Bloomfield.

Alpha Girl is more than a coming of age novel. It is about a young girl on the verge of womanhood, struggling with the angst and sexual urges that come with it.

But, it’s also about her monthly cycle. Ever since she was attacked, once a month she has to be confined. Not just for her own good, but for the safety of others.

One time, when the change was upon her, she got loose. She came to the next day, covered in blood, with no memory of the night before.

That must never happen again.

“Mom, it’s starting,” I croaked.

“Come on sweetie, it’s time to take you downstairs.”

She was right. I couldn’t hold on much longer.

“You have to do it now, Mom,” I wheezed.

She secured the restraints around my wrists and tightened them…my father secured my ankles.

“It’s starting…”

My parents didn’t need telling twice. They left the basement before…

Any parent should have been proud of Rose. She’s bullied by her peers and saddled with an affliction that will be with her for the rest of her life.  So young yet so brave. Rose’s parents act like she doesn’t exist most of the time, but they do make sure to be there for her monthly cycle. Most of the time.

Rose is strongly attracted to her teacher, Mr. Stone, but that is taboo.

What dwells within Rose is much older and makes her mature beyond her years in some ways, while her naiveté and yearning for him are almost most than he can withstand. To give in would be disaster for both of them.

This story is not too long or too short, making it a fast read, but giving plenty of background about Rose, her affliction, and about Mr. Stone.

Keep an open mind while reading this story. There is much more going on than you at first think.

There’s also an excellent twist that I should have seen coming.

4 Stars

 Giveaway

Kate will be awarding an autographed copy of ALPHA GIRL to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found at the link below.

BBT Alpha Girl Book Cover Banner

Tour Schedule

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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Best-selling and independent Australian author, Kate Bloomfield, has successfully made a name for herself in the world of self-publishing at just twenty-three years old. Her newest and most precious book yet, Alpha Girl, is a controversial Paranormal Romance between a student and teacher. A book not for those easily offended.

Kate was born in Enfield, London in 1989, but has lived in Wollongong, Australia for most of her life.

Now working full time as an independent author, Kate has published four novels, and two short stories.

Her fifth novel ‘Alpha Girl’ is a paranormal romance that explores a complicated a student/teacher relationship. It is due for release on April 1st 2013.

For more information about Alpha Girl, please visit: www.bloomfieldkate.com

Blog: www.katebloomfieldauthor.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/katebloomfield

Facebook: www.facebook.com/katebloomfieldauthor

Wattpad: www.wattpad.com/katebloomfield

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KateBloomfield

Amazon: http://amzn.com/e/B0077DUFJO

ISBN:

9781300804

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I love reading a series.

I especially love it when I don’t have to wait for the next book.

There are three books in this series and I now have them all.

Let me tell you about the first book, Super Dark.

Super Dark  (Super Dark, #1)

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Super Dark
The Super Dark Trilogy Book One

Tanith Morse

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Little Willow

ASIN: B00B139IXK

Number of pages: 256

Word Count: 83,000 Words

Cover Artist: Tanith Morse

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/tnWAp50eQhQ

Amazon

Book Description:

For fans of Stephenie Meyer comes a chilling love story that will have you hooked from the very first page. Super Dark is a tale of passion, guilt and redemption with a whopping, knock-you-to-your-knees twist!

Darkness stalks seventeen-year-old Sam Harper. Ten years ago on Halloween night, grotesque creatures snatched her best friend Elliot and Sam narrowly escaped with her life. Now a decade on, the police investigation has ground to a halt and Elliot’s whereabouts remains a mystery.

Traumatized by her ordeal, Sam finds it hard to make friends. She is mistrustful of authority and changed schools more times than she cares to remember. To her, the world is cruel and unforgiving.

Then she meets the enigmatic Lee Weaver. With his gorgeous face and magnetic presence, he turns heads wherever he goes. Sam has never wanted anyone as much as she wants Lee, but there are things about the alluring stranger that don’t add up, leading Sam to ask unsettling questions about her past. Soon she discovers the boy of her dreams is keeping a terrible secret: one that threatens to destroy everything Sam holds dear.

Super Dark is a seductive love story that will keep you guessing right until the final page.

~

My Review

Who or what is Lee Weaver? That is a question I couldn’t wait to have answered.

When you find out, you’ll be surprised!

When Sam Harper was only seven years old, strange beings abducted her and her best friend Elliott. Elliott convinced the kidnappers to let her go and that is the last time she sees him.

Now, ten years later, Sam is still dealing with her feelings of guilt and shame.

She’s hoping to just blend in at her new school, be invisible.

Then Becky and Frasier enter her life, pushing past her barriers and becoming her friends, not because of the sensational news story that was her life back when, but because they really like her.

Along comes the sexy Lee Weaver, looking better than any guy has a right to. Her attraction to him is immediate and very powerful, which makes Sam even more drawn to him.

Who, or what, is the mysterious Lee Weaver, and why does he fill her every thought.

This is where it really gets going.

Weird things start happening when Lee is around. Frasier swears Lee healed his broken leg and a mysterious black car seems to be following Rose.

As Rose learns more about Lee, she’ll wish she never found out. Her life and that of her friends are in jeopardy. She’ll wish she never opened Pandora’s Box. Curiosity kills the cat, don’t ya know?

Super Dark is a perfect title for this story. The paranormal aspects are revealed late in the tale and you are kept in the dark about the mysterious Lee, teasing you to read faster and find out what he is or isn’t.

I sped through Super Dark and got much more than I expected. I’m already starting Super Dark Two.

4 Stars

About the Author:

Tanith Morse

Tanith Morse grew up in Wandsworth, south London. From a young age she developed a great love of horror films and gothic romances. Her favorite director is Tim Burton and her favorite authors include Charlotte Bronte, Stephenie Meyer and Suzanne Collins. When she isn’t writing, Tanith enjoys directing short films for the festival circuit and looking after her cat, Mambo. An avid tea drinker, Tanith can be found hanging out in cozy London cafes in search of new brews to tease her taste buds. Super Dark is her first YA novel.

http://tanithmorse.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/TanithMorse.Author

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5279548.Tanith_Morse

https://twitter.com/TanithMorse

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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My tease for today is from Stitch by Samantha Durante

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Stitch (Stitch Trilogy #1)

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….instead of the dark brown eyes she expected, she saw only blue.

Unfathomable, sparkling blue, glittering with facets of ocean and sky, boring deep into her soul and clutching at her heart.

Once again, a single word rose in the back of her throat – Isaac….

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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I’m going to have to go read the first book in this series too.

The Brown House, The Visitor’s Series, Book One.

I just love a good scare!

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This book was awesome, scary and definitely gave me the hebie gebies!

I read this in one night, unable to put it down and hanging on every word to see what happened next.

~ Dawn Gray, author of Fire Storm

The Crimson Key (The Visitor's Series, Book Two)

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Buy at Amazon!

The truth can be deadly.

Brylee BransonⳠbest friend and boyfriend have fallen victim to a horrible curse that haunts her home. With the witches who cast it dead she has no choice but to rely on the ghosts inside the Brown house to help her find a cure. But time is not on her side, because Lynley’s illness is spreading rapidly.

Confused and scared, seventeen-year-old Brylee must confront a new ghost in the house she has never spoken to before. This spirit is not a Brown relative and makes no promises to help them unless she can re-unite her with a loved one.

The fate of those she loves now rests on her. Can Brylee put the pieces of this puzzle together in time to save them? Or will the Brown house claim another victim?

The VisitorⳠSeries continues to scare and entice its readers with this gripping second book.

TWITTER PARTY!

Tuesday, May 21 at 8 pm eastern

#CrimsonKey

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Giveaway

Prize pak Includes :
Signed copy of book 1, The Brown House, Key necklace and Handmade official Crimson Key soap

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the author

Christy Sloat

Christy Sloat is a SoCal born girl who resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother’s loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her Past Lives Series, The Visitor’s Series, and watch for many more exciting things to come.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17787229-the-crimson-key

Christy Sloat
http://www.christysloat.com/

A GWR Publicity promotional event paid for by Anchor Group Publishing. The giveaway is sponsored by the author.

Freakin Fridays!

Freakin Fridays is my own little meme. I’ll be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.

Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!

Tune in every Friday. Get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

For today’s post, I’ll be telling you about The Dead of Winter by Lee Enderlin

The Dead of Winter

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For a horror story to be really good, it has to have a bad-ass villain.

This book has one.

Don’t let her small size fool you. She’s no longer human and she’s got a taste for man flesh.

This story starts a long time ago. Back in 1714,  when Indians had never met the white man.

It’s the worst famine any of them can remember. They have to make another hunting trip to replenish their food or they’ll all starve when winter truly sets in.

When the hunters fails to return from a hunting foray, White Moon fears the worst. She fears the white men have killed her tribe.

She’s all alone. The only one left alive after the white men killed the other women and children.

It’s been days and she has no idea when or if anyone is coming for her.

It couldn’t hurt to just have a little. Just one small piece. What else could she do?

So, White Moon strips off a small piece of meat from one of the dead. Just enough to get her through one more day.

The next day, other members of her tribe find her. She’s saved.

But she can’t let them see what she’s done. If they do, she’s doomed.

I’m sure you’ve figured out she’s doomed.

They perform a grotesque ritual and bury her body.

One day, she’ll rise again and take revenge on the white men.

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Present day in Claridge, Connecticut.

It’s been a long winter and spring is no where in sight.

Bodies are being discovered. They’ve all been devoured and posed in the same strange position.

No animal could pose them like this, so who or what is killing them.

As the medical examiner puts it, ” I hesitate to use the word ‘human’ in a bizarre case like this, but you got something out there that ain’t no bear or anything like it. In other words, someone put those people in that position.”

There’s some thing out there in the bone chilling darkness. Something hungry. Hungry for man flesh and hungry for revenge against the white men.

Windigo.

I got a good scare with this book.

That tiny creature lurking just on the periphery of the light, standing hunched over and so still. Just creepy.

In the beginning, you feel for White Moon, but by the end, you’ll fear the Windigo.

The story flashes to the past to give the necessary background. Then it returns to present day, where all hell breaks loose.

A very insidious horror story, with some ‘the sins of the fathers’ in it.

I felt sorry for the town of Emergence. These people had no idea why revenge was upon them. Why this creature demanded its pound of flesh.

I had a scary good time reading The Dead of Winter.

I especially liked the authors take on the Windigo. I haven’t found too many stories with this supernatural being in them, and this one had a curious spin on it.

5 Stars for this chilling tale.

I’ve read Lee’s short story collection

Four Tales for Midnight

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Four tales of extreme suspense and mystery aimed at getting the heart pumping. Hard. A soldier on D-Day finds an enemy soldier acting very strangely indeed; a jilted husband creates a grisly scavenger hunt; a marriage reconciliation service ABSOLUTELY guarantees positive results—the question is, how? And more!

Turn out the lights and enter a bizarre world, but remember—don’t go in the basement!

You can read my 5 Star review here.

To learn more about Lee Enderlin and his books you can visit his website

Tales of Mystery and Midnight

Do you want to win a  paperback copy of Frostwalker?

A Survival Horror Novel

Title Artwork

Frostwalker

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There’s something in the woods behind Jake Marsden’s house – and someone wants him to find it. A strange dream shatters his sleep, night after night, and a compulsion to find the dark presence in the forest wars with his logical and ordered nature. What’s a geek to do?

When his small hometown of Wynn falls under an ancient curse, Jake will find himself in a battle against creatures worse than any he’s faced in a game. Playing for keeps, it will be geek versus god in the fight to stop an evil force bent on destroying everything he holds dear.

The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth – If They Live Long Enough.

~~~

  Giveaway

Brandon is having a Goodreads Giveaway.

He’s giving away three paperback copies of Frostwalker!

Go here to enter.

Giveaway runs now through June 15th.

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Want to read my review of Frostwalker?

Check it out here.

And don’t miss out on my fun interview with Brandon Luffman here!

Welcome to Tracy Lane’s Paranormal Properties Tour!

As R.L. Stine says, “Beware! You’re in for a scare.”

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The first thing that hooked me about this story was the cover art! Bet it would look cool under a black light. Remember those days?

Are you ready to know more about Paranormal Properties.

Enter if you dare!

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

Paranormal Properties

 Paranormal Properties
Paranormal Properties Book One

Tracy Lane

Genre:  YA Paranormal

Publisher:  Pants on Fire Press

ISBN:  978-0982727171

ASIN:  B00BMHF6X6

Number of pages:   192

Word Count:   33,000

Amazon Print   Kindle

Book Description:

Jake Weir, while on the set of his parent’s ghost hunting TV show, agrees to help a ghost investigate a 61 year-old murder.

Jake Weir is not like the other kids in Dusk, North   Carolina. Then again, Dusk, North Carolina is not like other cities. Known as one of the most haunted cities in America, behind Salem, Massachusetts and New Orleans, Louisiana, Dusk is ground zero for Jake’s ghost hunting parents.

The Weir family has arrived in Dusk eager to scope out some of the town’s 127 reported “paranormal properties,” which just happens to be the name of their own ghost hunting show: Paranormal Properties. What Jake doesn’t know, and what his parents could never imagine, is that Jake can see ghosts! And hear them. And talk back to them! This talent comes in handy when he runs into Dusk’s oldest, most famous ghost: one Frank Barrone, a one-time lounge singer made famous by his booze-soaked ballad, “Barroom Eyes.”

Frank was gunned down by a local mobster in 1951 and has been searching for his killer ever since. When he learns that Jake can see and hear him, Frank makes young Jake a deal: if Jake will help Frank find his killer, Frank will help his parents find a ghost to film for their upcoming Halloween Special on Public Access Channel #319. Jake enlists the only friend he’s made in Dusk, an overweight tomboy nicknamed “Tank,” to help him track down Frank’s killer. As clues emerge and old leads heat up, Frank and Jake learn they make quite a team. But will Jake find Frank’s killer? And will Frank find a real haunted house in time for Halloween?

 “Paranormal Properties is a great, family-friendly Young Adult novel about a boy who can talk to ghosts. Equal parts Scooby-Doo, CSI and the Hardy Boys, you will enjoy getting to know Jake, Frank and Tank as much as I did. Now, if only ‘Paranormal Properties’ was a real show I could watch on TV every week…” ~ Rusty Fischer, author of Zombies Don’t Cry

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwIoLYHHznU?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

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Short Excerpt:

“Silas…”

The voice was eerie, barely above a whisper. Jake paused, his sneaker poised above a grave as he stood in the middle of DuskCemetery.

It was nearly midnight and he’d grabbed the wrong flashlight before sneaking out of his bedroom window. It had run out of juice halfway through the graveyard, and he’d been blindly stumbling around ever since.

The moon was full, but it was frequently obscured by heavy cloud cover and he had to wait until another patch moved through to see very well.

He wasn’t scared, so much. Jake had a special relationship with graveyards, and this was far from his first time at the rodeo. Still, it was the first time a headstone had ever talked to him.

The voice grew louder.

“Silas…”

It was a female voice, sounding dark in a way a ghost might: dark and deep and frosty.

He risked another step, letting the moonlight guide his path. It was a big cemetery, and well-maintained as cemeteries go. There were headstones everywhere, some leaning, some taller than Jake.

“Silas…”

Jake turned to the left to follow the sound. It was coming from a massive tombstone two feet taller than he was, and three feet wider. He pointed the flashlight at it, but the beacon was dim, even after he banged it three times on the palm of his hand.

Then, suddenly, it lit, falling upon the dead soul’s name: “Rose Colder.”

It was there on the grave stone, but the flashlight flickered out just before he could read the dates.

“Silas…” came the eerie voice again, so close he could hear the ghost’s lips smacking.

But, wait. Did ghosts really have lips to smack?

Jake parted his own lips and spoke for the first time since walking into the graveyard. “R-R-Rose?”

He hadn’t meant to stutter, but he couldn’t help it. He heard a rasp, or a cough, and then the crunch of dry leaves behind the headstone.

“Silas?” was the reply, and then the rustling of cheap plastic against flesh. The clouds broke, the moon shone down, and a giant, yellow monster reared from behind the headstone, smiling.

Smiling?

“Gotcha!” said the beast, in a boastful, girlish voice. It was a girl, a giant girl, a living girl in a big, yellow raincoat.

“W— who are you?” Jake stammered, trying to hold his ground. He had to look up a good four inches to see her face.

Her eyes glittered beneath her short, greasy hair. She was heavy, but with her big smile and that cheerful way about her, she looked more nice than scary.

“I’m Tank,” she said proudly, inching closer to him with big black and white sneakers crunching over dry, dead leaves. “Who are you?”

“Jake Weir,” he said, relieved he didn’t stammer that time. “And who…who’s Silas?”

“Don’t you know?” she asked, sitting down on one of the large marble slabs that surrounded Rose Colder’s grave. She patted the one next to him, and he sat, too.

He didn’t know why, but even in a graveyard, even after pranking him in her big, yellow raincoat that made her look like a linebacker for an NFL team, this “Tank” girl didn’t scare him.

Much.

“No,” he replied.

Tank frowned. “Rose Colder,” she explained, “snuck out at midnight to meet her boyfriend, Silas Miner, in this very cemetery over a hundred years ago. But Silas’s Dad didn’t approve of his son dating a commoner, so he kept Silas from seeing her and sent a couple of local thugs to teach Rose a lesson. When the thugs showed up, Rose fought back…and lost. They buried her here, and legend has it that every night, at midnight, she rises from her grave to take revenge on the men who ended her life.”

“So…so that’s why you were calling me Silas?”

Tank nodded, and then slugged him on the shoulder. “What are you doing here, anyway?” Jake shrugged. He didn’t really want to tell her.

She pulled a flashlight from her raincoat pocket and flicked it on, right in his eyes. “Hey!” He held up a hand to shield his face.

“Wait, hold up.” Tank pointed the beam up. “What’s that on your hat?”

Jake blushed. He’d grabbed the hat at the last minute, not thinking about it. He had so many of them, and they all looked alike: black ball cap, neon green writing that spelled “Paranormal Properties.”

“You…you work for that TV show? The ghost hunting one?”

“You know about it?” Jake was surprised. They’d just gotten into town, and his parents hadn’t even filmed an episode here yet. That’s what he was doing out in the graveyard at midnight, trying to find something extra special for a new episode.

Of course, they’d kill him if they found out, but he figured it would be worth it if they finally got more than a handful of people to watch.

“Know about it?” Tank shouted. “I watch it every week! You know, the live feed on the web page. We don’t have any local channels that play it.”

Jake beamed in appreciation. “Cool,” he said.

“So,” Tank urged, nudging his knee with her own. He noticed she was wearing plaid pants under her yellow rain coat. “Do you work for it or what?”

“My Mom is the host. My Dad is the cameraman.”

Tank gasped and shoved Jake with each word. “No. Way! Get. Out. Of. Town!”

She stopped shoving him and stood up instead, yanking him by the sleeve of his T-shirt. Dragging him from the cemetery, she said, “I love your Mom. You have to tell me all about her.”

“Where are we going?” he asked, finally regaining use of his feet and catching up to her.

She saw him at her side, looked down and let him go. “There’s a diner around the corner, open all night. I’m buying you a hot fudge sundae and you’re going to tell me all about what it’s like to have famous parents.”

“Famous?” he chuckled as he followed her past the cemetery gate. His Mongoose bike was sitting there, dry and rusty, just where he’d left it.

“Sure thing.” She reached behind some bushes and lifted out a green ten speed with just one hand.

They mounted their bikes and, now that he was looking for it, Jake saw the neon sign for the Dusk Diner just around the corner. Yet, something was still bugging him. “Hey,” he said, “what were you doing in the graveyard at midnight?”

Tank shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”

“So you went to a cemetery?”

She  shrugged again, pedaling off. While struggling to catch up, Jake heard her say, “Hey, I met you, didn’t I?”

My Review

The beginning made me realize the author is a prankster, just like Frank is.

Frank may be dead, but he’s never boring, as Jake finds out.

Jake figures Dusk, North Carolina is just like every other town.  He’s seen plenty. Always moving town to town, haunting to haunting, with his parents.

You see, his mother is the host of the TV show Paranormal Properties and his dad is the cameraman.

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They chase from one haunted place to the next, hoping to catch on video that elusive moment, proof of the afterlife.

Jake is their gopher, always helping with the setup, but never in front of the camera. No way, Jose!

He’s not unhappy, but he is lonely. Hard to make friends when you’re always moving on.

He does make a friend in Tank. She’s a bit of a prankster too.

These two are good for each other, and they need each other.  They’ve both had to grow up fast.

Tank isn’t the only friend Jake makes.

Frank makes himself known to Jake. It’s taken him years and years to materialize into a solid, visible form, and it figures that this kid, Jake is the only one who can see him.

Beggars can’t be choosers and he enlists Jake’s help to solve his murder.

Once Jake gets used to having Frank appear whenever he likes, he agrees to help solve his murder.

But this is a secret, just between them, and Frank, being a prankster, uses his abilities to tease Jake’s parents. It’s all in fun and keeps them from moving on.

A sleuthing Jake will go.

The best place to start is with Crackers, the caretaker at the Lido Lounge, the speakeasy where Frank died.

There’s not many witnesses left. Most are long dead.

Crackers was there that night, and as he describes how it went down, Jake is distracted by ghostly images. He looks at Crackers and all he sees is the rundown building. When he glances to the stage, he sees the club the way it was. Cigarette smoke floats above the room, people are laughing, ice is tinkling in glasses, and the band is jammin. Then he hears the whiskey velvet voice of Frank crooning out his song.

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Back to Crackers and the rundown lounge. Jake is the only one seeing this.

This scene was some great visual writing. Felt like I was there.

I had so much fun following Jake from clue to clue. I felt like I was a ghost, following him around, urging him on.

And I got some chuckles out of Jake’s parents.

They are so obsessed with finding proof of ghosts, they don’t see what is going on right under their noses.

Kind of reminded me of the mom in E.T. She was always so frazzled she never had a clue an alien was living in her daughters closet.

You quickly become attached to the characters, engrossed in the puzzle of Frank’s murder, and can’t wait to see how it all ends.

The ending had me grinning from ear to ear.

Please tell me there will be more soon.

Paranormal Properties is a quick, fun read. All ages will enjoy it.

5 Stars

Thanks for the goose bumps:)

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A Tourwide Giveaway

4 signed print books and sets of two trading cards

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About the Author:

paranormal me me

I was fascinated with the paranormal when I was very young. I always felt like someone was around me even when I was alone. It caused me to be inspired to write a paranormal book where a teenager can see and hear ghosts and actually makes friends with one.

I use to love to write short stories in school and always wanted to be a writer. But raising children and working jobs I just could not find the time to indulge my passion. Then my children grew up and I ended up having two teenagers at home who did not need as much attention from me. I started toying with the idea of writing once again. So setting aside 5 to 10 minutes per day to write at least one page I could end up with a book a year. Now Paranormal Properties is published and I have a list of 8 more books to write. I don’t think I”ll be slowing down anytime soon.

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Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/46688-paranormal-properties

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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My Tease for today is from The Dazzling Darkness by Paula Cappa.

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The Dazzling Darkness

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At the gates of Old Willow Cemetery, the twisted vines choke the bald ironworks, their thorny cords crisscrossed into images of wrinkled faces and hoodwinked eyes.

This is from the prologue. The book is bursting with atmosphere!

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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A Survival Horror Novel

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Title Artwork

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The moment I’ve been waiting for.

The release of Frostwalker!

I’m really excited to tell you about Brandon’s new release.

Frostwalker

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There’s something in the woods behind Jake Marsden’s house – and someone wants him to find it. A strange dream shatters his sleep, night after night, and a compulsion to find the dark presence in the forest wars with his logical and ordered nature. What’s a geek to do?

When his small hometown of Wynn falls under an ancient curse, Jake will find himself in a battle against creatures worse than any he’s faced in a game. Playing for keeps, it will be geek versus god in the fight to stop an evil force bent on destroying everything he holds dear.

The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth – If They Live Long Enough.

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My Review

I heard the theme from Jaws when I started reading this.

No one gets eaten in the beginning of Frostwalker though. But, the terror creeps up on you slowly as the author breathes atmosphere and dread into the story, like an eerie, slow rolling mist.

Jake has been dreaming about a Light in the woods. Dreaming about it for weeks. A Light in the woods behind his house.

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It calls to him, pulling him from his sleep. He finds himself standing in the frigid cold, facing the stand of trees, night after night.

His sleepless nights begin to wear him down, make him question his sanity, so he confides in his best friend and fellow geek, Eric.

These two have been best friends since they were knee-high to a grasshopper. They’ve stuck together through thick and thin, and Eric sees no reason to change that now.

Whatever’s in the woods is growing stronger, leaching into the small town, changing people. Those it doesn’t consume, it inhabits, taking over their bodies and minds and turning them loose on others.

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The sleepy little town of  Wynn is in the midst of the worst snow storm anyone can remember, cutting the inhabitants off and they have no idea of the evil moving closer, advancing house by house towards the heart of the town.

I like a story about men as best friends. It’s like being a fly on the wall, watching how they bond and act when women aren’t present. Jake and Eric are a good example.

When Jake finally sees her, I mean really sees Nancy, his receptionist, he realizes he’s been in love with her for a long time.

Eric and his girlfriend, Wendy, cut Jake no slack, ribbing him about how long it took him to take off his blinders.

Nancy is gentler on him. She fell in love with the shy geek that is Jake, and has just been biding her time.

You can’t help but become attached to these four. The author does an excellent job of giving each one their own unique personalities. Each voice stands out and makes for fun reading.

When the horror ramps up, you’ll be pulling for these guys, cringing when things go bad, as you can see no good outcome.

That’s when it gets even more intense, as the entity in the woods must be confronted and stopped.

I was reminded of a couple of movies while reading Frostwalker. The small town, isolated by snow and ice, had me thinking of 30 Days of Night.

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And the insidious power of the entity also reminded me of the movie, Phantoms, from the Dean Koontz book. How the power takes over the town with a palpable presence.

Jake and Eric are ready. They’ve prepared. It’s time to see what’s in the woods. And they won’t be going alone.

Cue some sinister music and the chills will run up and down your spine!

5 Stars for making me afraid to go to sleep.

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Go here to catch my interview with Brandon. We had a lot of fun!

More about Frostwalker

Read excerpts posted on Brandon’s blog:

Excerpt #1 – Dreams Of Smoke

Excerpt #2 – The Pit

Excerpt #3 – Opening Scene: Jake Walks The Field

Excerpt #4 – Deputy Fallon Gets Busy

Read the first third of the book for free at the Smashwords link below!

Smashwords | Amazon | KoboDiesel | Versent | iTunes

I’ve also read Brandon’s short stories

The Card

When a strange tarot card appears in a friend’s deck, Jason assumes it’s just a prank done in poor taste. But, when terrible events befall those around him, he must face the possibility that something sinister is afoot.

Death is closing in, along with a suspicious detective who believes that Jason may be the killer he’s stalking. With his life turned upside down, Jason finds that there are worse things to be hunted by than the authorities.

This 4,500 word short is a supernatural horror story in the spirit of the pulp era, but with a modern feel.

Go here for my review.

Out After Dark

A cat and mouse game played by those who stalk the night. Who is the hunter and who is prey? This 2,100 word short explores the classic vampire and hunter story from a different angle.

Go here for my review.

About the author

Brandon R. Luffman

Born in Statesboro, Georgia in 1976, Brandon Luffman was raised in rural North Carolina from the time he was old enough to walk. In the sixth grade he discovered “The Chronicles Of Narnia”. Soon after that, he was on to Stephen King and Arthur C. Clarke. At the same time, he was making his first forays into writing fiction. After creating a series of short fantasy pieces for a class assignment that were received with praise, he was hooked on writing fiction for the entertainment of others. Now Brandon writes supernatural horror as well as fantasy, science fiction, and other genres. His short fiction is available online in various formats. Brandon still lives on the family farm in northwestern North Carolina with his wife and family. Taking inspiration from his homeland, he brings southern sensibilities and a modern flair to these classic genre themes. His first novel, Frostwalker, was released in May of 2013.

Find Brandon Online

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