The Legend Of Rachel Petersen
by J.T. Baroni
Genre: Horror / Paranormal
MY REVIEW
I love it when a story, especially a horror story, makes me wonder what if? What if something like what happened to the main character, Christian, had happened to me. Not the part where he’s passed over for a promotion or quits his job to write a book. It’s the part where he stumbles upon an old, forgotten grave in the woods. I used to go on hikes all the time. And there was a cabin we spent our summer vacations at that nestled right up against a huge woods. I’d walk for hours, pick berries and follow many faint trails made by the wildlife that lived there. During one of my walks I came upon a clearing with this huge mound of dirt in the center. Being young, I climbed to the top and sat there. I had so many questions about what it was. To this day I never found out. I’ve watched so many horror movies. The New Daughter with Kevin Costner comes to mind when I think about that mysterious mound. That movie made the hairs stand up all over my body. And that’s saying something as not much can do that anymore. That said, the sometimes funny, sometimes sad and very scary tale of Rachel Peterson made those hairs stand up. It probably didn’t help that I read this book at night. And that’s why I did. I wanted the quiet and the dark to help me immerse myself. Not that I really needed it, turns out. The author did a fine job of pulling me.
This was told in more than one time line and was still easy to follow. It added depth to the characters and the story. I could have easily enjoyed each story all by itself. And just look at that cover. If that doesn’t creep you out……..
5 STARS
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Synopsis
Did his book raise the dead? Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, thirty-nine year old sports writer, Christian Kane quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous, but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name!
One line review excerpts
This two-in-one treasure has now become one of my favorites. Jessica Barbosa -Readers’Favorite
The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a terrifying, unsettling story you will not be able to put down.
Lisa Leone-Campbell – Lisascubby
The account is beautifully written, and the twist at the end was a big surprise.
Alma Boucher – Readers’Favorite
There is a story within the story that is fascinating. Pikasho Deka – Readers’Favorite
This book deserves the rating of Five out of Five Stars. JT Baroni is unrivaled when it comes to crafting a compelling plot! Juliet Blessing Official Reviewer – Onlinebookclub.com
Winner of Five Gold Stars! Wow! What an epic ride! Anyone searching for a gripping read in the paranormal, mystery, and fast-paced action will find this one a new favorite!
Alex Ndirangu – Readers’Favorite.com
I totally recommend this book if you are fond of the horror and paranormal genres, and you want a reading that will keep you thrilled and glued to its pages! Raven – ravennonest.com
This two-in-one treasure has now become one of my favorites!
Jessica Barbosa – Readers’Favorite
While there is definitely the scare factor in this story, the author actually weaves in humor, mystery and a thrilling story that will keep you mesmerized until the final page!
Brenda Casto – Reader’sFavorite
The best part of this novel is how Baroni transforms a simple drama into the kind of thriller that will give the reader chills as they connect the dots. The Legend of Rachel Petersen is in a class of its own.
Essien Asian – Readers’Favorite
So fasten your seatbelts and welcome to Christian Kane’s twilight zone. Highly recommended for die-hard fans of the paranormal genre. Carmen Tenorio – Reader’sFavorite
Baroni’s narrative mastery is on full display, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder long after they’ve turned the last page. Demetria Head-GPBookreview
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Interview With Author J.T. Baroni
What is the book about?
Here’s the blurb:
Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, 43-year-old Sportswriter Christian Kane quits the Paper and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve-year-old girl laid to rest beneath the weathered tombstone. His book quickly tops the Best Seller Lists; then Hollywood adapts it into a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous. But then! Does an enraged Rachel become more than a figment of the writer’s imagination? Did she rise from her grave? Is she seeking revenge on him for slandering her name?
When did you start writing the book?
I originally wrote this book in 2012. In the first half of 2023, I revised it by adding 165 pages and a new ending chapter. My story is now more descriptive, has more detail, and the final chapter comes out of left field and smacks you upside the head!
How long did it take you to write it?
Between holding down a job as a transformer repairman, and life in general, I wrote the original book in two years.
Where did you get the idea from?
Living in Western Pennsylvania all my life, I’ve been an avid Whitetail hunter since old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as I’ve had a fondness for word games and literature. While hunting one year, I actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods.
Waiting patiently for any deer to cross my path gave me plenty of time to think about that lone grave’s inhabitant and ponder her story, which I was then driven to write.
Eerily enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, my first novel published in 2012, which I recently revised.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Chapter One had originally started with the Yoder boys hunkered down under a pine tree on the opening day of buck season in Western Pennsylvania, then I focused on them to the end. This made for a very short read of only 80 pages. After much, much, thought, I finally conjured up Christian Kane the disgruntled sportswriter, and had him write the “Legend of Rachel Petersen”, which doubled the page count and made for one very interesting read. This story is actually a story within a story, spanning 3 time periods. That original Chapter One in the rough draft became Chapter Five in the finished story.
What came easily?
The characters, their individual voices, and dialogue.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I loosely based the Kanes, a happily married couple, on mine and my wife’s relationship; mainly how they supported each other’s dreams and ambitions. My wife gave me the inspiration and determination to write, and finish this book. Also, since the Yoder boys were hunters, and grew up on a farm, they resemble me as a young boy.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Harold Robbins, Mark Twain, and Jack London. I’m telling my age with that answer, but I enjoyed their books because they wrote captivating stories that held my interest to the last page.
Do you have a target reader?
For this book, I’m targeting any readers who enjoy paranormal, spooky ghost tales. Readers who relish Stephen King’s novels will be captivated by my Revised Edition of The Legend Of Rachel Petersen.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?
I simply write when it’s raining, or the urge hits, or when I think of a good scene. Sometimes the rough draft got shelved for a month or longer, then I was able to pull it back out and look at it from a fresh perspective.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Only after ten or more chapters when I get lost, do I start an outline.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I write. After writing the first chapter, I’ll edit it; then, after writing the second chapter, I’ll start with Chapter one and edit both chapters and so forth… Now that I think about that, my editing process is similar to a Ponzi scheme.
Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)
The first edition was published by Damnation Books. Their editor, April Duncan, was wonderful and gave me great ideas on improving my writing. The Revised Edition was edited by myself and my son, Skyler, who is a grammar fanatic.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes I tell Alexa to play Santa Esmeralda, Supertramp, The Stones, INXS, or the Golden Oldies. Other times, the news is on the tube.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did with the original, but none would take on an unknown writer. Then I contacted publishers until Damnation signed me.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I decided to self-publish mainly because that process cuts out the ‘middleman’. Again, my son, who is very computer savvy, helped me achieve that.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The cover was professionally designed by Dawn Dominique, a very talented artist with Damnation Books. I listed her and April Duncan on the credits and copyright page of my revised edition. My wife added the “Revised Edition” to the cover.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have no social platforms, not even Facebook. I have been targeting bloggers, I’ve advertised locally; and again, Skyler is getting the word out there on TikTok and other social platforms. I’m trying to get this revision to go virile. I’ve been scrutinizing national advertising agencies that pinpoint consumers on their likes, then promote those annoying pop up ads.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
If you, a friend, or family member excel with today’s technology, definitely consider self-publishing. We used Draft2Digital Publishing and we are extremely pleased with their whole process, and their POD paperbacks. If you are going to take the traditional route, watch out for those so-called Vanity Publishers.
Where did you grow up?
Johnstown, PA
Where do you live now?
I wish I could say Key West, but I’m ten miles from where I grew up; I still have a Johnstown address.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I like to fish; if you have a boat, call me!
What are you working on now?
I’m 32 chapters into a psychological thriller where a psychologist and an attorney are planning to rule the world. They both share a secret, but one of them has an ulterior motive. Three more chapters should finish it. Then edit, edit, edit…
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About Author J.T. Baroni:
Living in Western Pennsylvania all my life, I’ve been an avid Whitetail hunter since old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as I’ve had a fondness for word games and literature.
While hunting one year, I actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods.
While waiting patiently for that big buck to cross my path, I had plenty of time to ponder the dead girl’s fate, which I was then driven to write.
Eerily enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, my first novel published in 2012, which I recently revised.
A newly retired transformer repairman, I refer to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, as home.
My wife Becky and I share our abode with two retrievers – Piper, and Remmy.
Links: Books2Read / Goodreads
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The author is giving away one eBook and one Print copy.
US Only.
Easy to enter!
Just leave a comment.
Giveaway ends January 9th.
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