Sunken treasure, haunted shipwrecks, experimental technology, and steam-powered adventure! + giveaway

Sunken treasure, haunted shipwrecks, experimental technology, and steam-powered adventure!

Iron & Blood (A Jake Desmet Adventure Book 1)
by Gail Z. Martin & Larry N. Martin
Genre: Supernatural Steampunk Adventure
Hell with the lid off.

Jake Desmet and Rick Brand, heirs to the Brand & Desmet Import Company, travel the world to secure treasures and unusual items for the collections of wealthy and supernatural patrons, accompanied by Jake’s cousin, Veronique “Nicki” LeClercq. Smuggling a small package as a favor for a Polish witch should have been easy. But when assassins come after Jake and a Ripper-style killer leaves the city awash in blood, Jake, Rick, and Nicki realize that dark magic, vampire power struggles, and industrial sabotage are just a prelude to a bigger plot that threatens New Pittsburgh and the world.

New Pittsburgh in 1898 is a crucible of invention and intrigue, the hub of American industry at the height of its steam-driven power. Born from the ashes of devastating fire, flood, and earthquake, New Pittsburgh is ruled by the shadow government of The Oligarchy. In the abandoned mine tunnels beneath the city, supernatural creatures hide from the light, emerging to feed in the smoky city known as “hell with the lid off” while their masters scheme to change the balance of power.

Stopping that scheme will require every ounce of Jake’s courage, every bit of Rick’s cunning, every scintilla of Nicki’s bravura, and all the steam-powered innovation imaginable.

Iron & Blood is a steampunk action adventure filled with daring escapades, armed airships, vengeful vampires, mysterious magic, found family, mad doctors, quirky inventors, clockwork zombies, and loyal friends.

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

Spark of Destiny (Jake Desmet Adventure Book 2)
**Coming Soon! **
Watch for it on the Authors' Website!

 

Storm & Fury (A Storm & Fury Adventures Collection)
New Pittsburgh, 1898 – a crucible of invention and intrigue. Born from the ashes of devastating fire, flood and earthquake, the city is ruled by the shadow government of The Oligarchy. In the swarming streets, people of a hundred nations drudge to feed the engines of progress. The Department of Supernatural Investigation was set up to take care of those things that live below, that go bump in the night… those odd cases that go beyond ‘standard’ investigation. Nicknamed ‘Storm and Fury’, Mitch Storm and Jacob Drangosavich are two of the more creative agents, working in New Pittsburgh and obeying the rules – when they have to.

A collection of short stories and novellas set in the world of the Iron & Blood novels and the related Storm and Fury Adventures.

Includes: Airship Down, Ruin Creek, Resurrection Day, The Hunt, Grave Voices, and Rogue. Plus two bonus stories: Ghost Wolf and a Steampunk fairy tale: The Patented Troll

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

Peacemaker (Sharps & Springfield Book 1)
by Morgan Brice (aka Gail Z. Martin)
Secret agents, forbidden love, danger, and magic!

Supernatural Secret Service agents Owen Sharps and Calvin Springfield meet on the train to their new assignment in St. Louis, and sparks fly between them. But it's 1897, and they need to be very careful—falling in love can be dangerous for men like them.

It's their first case together, investigating mysterious disappearances—including the two agents who preceded them. Grim evidence leads them to look for a darker purpose. Old ghosts haunt the railroad line, zombie rise, signs point to ritual sacrifice, and they suspect someone is trying to open the gates of hell.

Can Calvin and Owen stop the mayhem, thwart the vampires, and find true love, or will everything go up in smoke?

Peacemaker is a high-stakes steampunk MM romance thrill ride filled with found family, paranormal Pinkertons, intrepid reporters, mysterious disappearances, nefarious land brokers, hellhounds, zombies, vengeful spirits, dark spells, absinthe magic, a ruthless vampire railroad baron and a love that won't be denied.

Before Colt and Winchester, there was Sharps & Springfield!

Peacemaker is the first book in the new Sharps & Springfield series.

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

About the Authors:

Website-Facebook 

Twitter-Twitter-Instagram
Bookbub-Bookbub-Amazon 

Goodreads-Goodreads
Gail Z. Martin discovered her passion for science fiction, fantasy and ghost stories in elementary school. The first story she wrote at age five was about a vampire. Her favorite TV show as a preschooler was Dark Shadows. At age 14, she decided to become a writer. She enjoys attending science fiction/fantasy conventions, Renaissance fairs and living history sites.

Larry N. Martin is the author of the new sci-fi adventure novel Salvage Rat. He is the co-author (with Gail Z. Martin) of the Spells, Salt, and Steel/New Templars series; the Steampunk series Iron & Blood; and a collection of short stories and novellas: The Storm & Fury Adventures set in the Iron & Blood universe. He is also the co-author of the upcoming Wasteland Marshals series and the Joe Mack Cauldron/Secret Council series.

The Martins have three children, a Maltese, and a Golden Retriever.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Funky Werepig Show Season 4: Episode #25

The Funky Werepig Show

Season 4: Episode #25

Season Premier

Hey but hey, howdy and Harroink!

Tis the season--- so shove it up a chimney, Christmas. We're bringing the spooky, the kooky, the kick bahookie. It's HALLOWEEN!

And we brought in the heavy hitters. Our old buddy, legendary paranormal investigator MR. HAUNTED has come to party. The Godfather of Goth Rock, BOBBI STYLE supplies the music. And everybody gets an orb!

It's pure hoodoo voodoo in the No Pants Zone Studios. If you dare...

MR. HAUNTED (Jimmy Petonito)

paranormal investigator

http://www.mrhaunted.com/

Instagram - Tiktok

(person on left is on fleek...dude on left is not)

Music Spotlight

"My Addiction" by Bobbi Style

BOBBI STYLE

website-Instagram-Twitter-YouTube

**Make sure you don't miss the the answers to those burning questions (the kind you can't solve with ointment.)

-Is that Michael Aronin or George Clooney? Could it be both? And will Greg ever let Michael be on his damn show?

-Do you need a Wee-gee?

-Does this man (JJ Glamour) have three testicles? And what is he selling?

 -What is the October I Smell Sheep comic book recommendation (spoiler - Total Eclipse of the Moon by Zoe Forward)

 

Watch the show HERE

The Funky Werepig

FB-YouTube

Once a live internet radio show. Kind of like Animal House meets Larry King. Now a YouTube show. And no one knows what the hell Animal House or Larry King are. So throw your pants in the air like you just don't care!

 

Twelve Nights of Halloween!

Paranormal Ghost Romance: Kindred Spirits by Lynn Eldridge

We're celebrating the spooky release of Kindred Spirits by Lynn Eldridge this week and it will be available on Halloween!

Kindred Spirits
by Lynn Eldridge
October 31, 2023
Genre: Paranormal Romance
A captivating paranormal romance that embarks on a journey of newfound love… and the everlasting effects of grief.

After a devastating accident, young billionaire Jack Malone is left wanting for the family and life he lost. Closing his heart off to the world in fear of feeling the same heartache, he has become a notorious recluse and landlord to several houses in St. Augustine. But despite his best efforts to keep people at arm’s length, his carefully constructed world is about to crumble.

When teacher Sydney Crane blows into town, she doesn’t expect her first encounter with her landlord to involve property vandalization—and unexpected nudeness. Off to a rocky start, she is determined to change Jack’s opinion of her. But after the unexplainable shakes her world and she finds herself in his protective embrace…she worries she may have ventured too far.

As Jack and Sydney’s connection deepens, so do their supernatural encounters. Navigating past heartache and an increasingly haunted house, their pursuit of love becomes a race against time that even they fear they won’t survive.

Will Jack and Sydney be able to unravel an ancient murder before their chance at love evaporates faster than a fleeting apparition?

Get swept away by this heart wrenching paranormal romance that showcases the strength of one couple’s resolve and their key to happily ever after.

Available Here and on Amazon! 

About the Author
Website

Lynn Eldridge is a former president of the West Virginia Chapter of Romance Writers of America and earned an honorable mention in their Golden Heart Contest. Lynn is the author of several historical and contemporary romance novels, including Desire in Deadwood, Remember the Passion, Tame the Wild, and Skyrocket to Surrender. Her latest novel, Hearts and Mountains, is a 2023 Spur Award Finalist. In addition to her writing career, Lynn is a licensed clinical therapist and dedicates one day a week in an outpatient behavioral health facility in Charleston, West Virginia.

Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours

The Hidden Secrets of NOLA A mixed Paranormal & Supernatural Anthology + giveaway

Encounter a date with death, paranormal happenings, a second chance at love, dark voodoo, and a cursed bayou, all while taking a trip to the beloved New Orleans.

The Hidden Secrets of NOLA A mixed Paranormal & Supernatural Anthology
with stories by
Laura Daleo, Rhonda Bobbitt, Fern Miller, Preston Allen, Savanna Loy
In 1718, La Nouvelle Orleans was founded and later became the beloved New Orleans. World-Renowned for its distinctive music, delicious Creole cuisine, unique dialects, and annual festivals it is a place that so many adore, but could there be more that we don't know? Have things happened that we aren't supposed to know? Join the minds of these five incredible authors as you explore the hidden tales of Nola. Encounter a date with death, paranormal happenings, a second chance at love, dark voodoo, and a cursed bayou, all while taking a trip to the beloved New Orleans.

Stories featured in the set:

My Name Is Death by Laura Daleo
Genre: Supernatural Fiction
I am sometimes called the Grim Reaper or the Angel of Death. I prefer the name Death. It's stylish and modern and fits perfectly with my Armani suits. A robe, a scythe, or skeleton are not my style, particularly when releasing one's soul.

The Ghost of Toulouse Street by Rhonda Bobbitt
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
It's the day before Rose's birthday, and things are starting to get strange. Her grandmother has left her a special gift, that may put her into danger. Is she imagining someone following her? Or is there something sinister following her?

Bidding Up Knox by Fern Miller
Genre: Steamy Second Chance Romance
Kara
I am done with men. After so many chances, a relationship isn't in the cards for me. Especially with my ex-Knox McCord-the billionaire business guru who ended things without a proper goodbye all those years ago.

But when he shows up at my charity date benefit auction, old feelings emerge and I will do anything to keep them from breaking free.

Knox
I just need one chance to make things right. So I do what any sensible man would-place myself up to be bid on at a charity date benefit auction. Kara Oliver just doesn't know she will place the winning bid. Date acquired. Target loaded. All I got to do is make her fall back in love with me . Should be easy. Right?

Crossed at the Café by Preston Allen
Genre: Magic Realism
Modeste is a very powerful voodoo priestess, but when she bumps into a stranger at a coffee shop, she's brought to her knees. Who is this mysterious woman, and why was she able to have an impact on one of the strongest manbo's in New Orleans?

Borrowed Bayou by Savanna Loy
Genre: Clean Sci-Fi Romance
Estelle Laguerre loves her family and loves her city, but after a century of playing the part of murderer to unsuspecting men, she has had enough.

How much longer can she continue following the guidelines of the curse her family inherited? Will a chance encounter change everything?

Amazon-Bookbub-Goodreads

📚Laura Daleo is a multi-genre author, known for her Immortal Kiss series. She is a native of San Diego, California, and now lives in Tucson, Arizona with her two dogs, Rose and Cooper.
Find out more at her Website

📚Rhonda Bobbitt grew up in a small town in East Texas and currently resides in Illinois. Mother of 4 wonderful children and grandmother of 5 amazing grandchildren. Rhonda is a published photographer and loves to travel. In her spare time she loves to read , horror and dystopian being her favorite genres. This is Rhonda's first published story.

📚Fern Miller comes from a small town in Tennessee. Growing up, the school library was her favorite place to escape. From mysteries, romance, action, and fantasy books grew a desire to become a person who's imagination bleeds on paper.

In her downtime, she plays with her children, enjoys murder mysteries, and cooking.
Find out more at Amazon

📚Preston Allen loves to travel and can almost always be found trying the best iced latte at the local coffee shop of wherever he is visiting. He loves collecting oddities and is always on the lookout for something witchy.
Find out more at his Website

📚Savanna Loy is an award winning and best selling multi-genre author. Her dystopian debut, ReSet, was released in October 2022 and she has jumped head first into the world of being an author. Even with the highs of lows, she is loving every minute of it. Her full time jobs consist of Foster/Adoptive mom to six kids under the age of 9, wife to a traveling RN, church secretary, Social Media Marketer, Book Coach, Bernedoodle breeder, and now author.
Find out more at her Website

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Print Copy of the book SIGNED by Laura Daleo! ,
$10 Amazon giftcard
– 1 winner each!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt: Blood Mate by Kitty Thomas + giveaway

Blood Mate
by Kitty Thomas
October 25th 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Blood Mate, a dark fairy tale…

Nicole has been happily married to big shot attorney, Dominic Rose for ten years, but soon after their anniversary he grows cold–as if she doesn’t exist. Meanwhile, another man has been pursuing her far too intently for comfort.

August Corinth is a six-hundred-year-old vampire, cursed to kill and suffer the pain of his victims each night until he can find the one woman who can resist his thrall, his blood mate. Once he’s found her, there are no lines he won’t cross to claim the promised salvation even if it means taking away everything and everyone she loves.

Goodreads-Amazon 

EXCERPT:
He rose in a preternaturally fluid way and strode across the cellar floor. Nicole cowered, as if she had any hope of escaping him when she’d seen the futility of a powerful man’s attempt. She had nothing like the strength of that man, and now he was so much meat, waiting to be returned to the earth to fertilize something else.

August took her hand more gently than she’d expected after what he’d done. She couldn’t stop shaking.

“Please… please not me,” she whispered, her eyes focused on the ground. She couldn’t meet that terrifying, glowing gaze. Although a man had died, her thoughts and fears were for her own fate.

His hand trailed through her hair. “Not you,” he agreed. “And not any of the rest of them if you’ll consent to what I propose. Their lives are in your hands, Nicolette.”

She turned to the cages with four people still alive. They looked like prisoners of war. Shell-shocked. Almost like animals instead of people.

“W-what do you mean their lives are in my hands?”

Was this because she wouldn’t date him? He’d terrorize people until she did? Did he think she could ever love him amidst such conditions? What was wrong with him that he would become so fixated on her? Why her? Why not move on to someone else who returned his affection? Now that his looks were back, it was impossible to see how he couldn’t find someone to share his bed willingly. As long as they didn’t know the gory details. Those light hazel eyes glowing against the backdrop of warm, brown skin and jet-black hair. That tall, sleek athletic frame. Man-candy was the phrase her friends at work would have used.

“Vampirism is a curse,” he said quietly. “It’s not like in the movies. I am made to suffer. If I don’t feed, I suffer until I do. Inevitably I must feed. When I feed, I can’t stop until my meal is dead. I must take one each night or what you saw happening to my body starts. At first I just age, but after about three days it turns into what you saw.

I don’t want to kill. I don’t want to hurt anybody, but I have no choice. Do you know the heavy weight that is on my soul? All those human lives?”

“Why don’t you end your life, then? Is survival of such great value that you would kill every night to keep it going? Am I supposed to feel bad for you when you could greet the sun?”

She ignored the fact that she’d first met him in the daylight.

He smiled sadly. “Would that it were so simple and easily remedied. Do you think I haven’t tried? I’ve tried everything to end my life. Nothing works. I’m only allowed death if I should pass this curse to another. I wouldn’t die automatically, but I would be capable of it, at least. If I passed the cup to someone else and died, what new torments would await me on the other side for such a heinous sin against another soul? After what I’ve suffered, do you think I could bring myself to give it to another to carry? If I did, I truly am a monster with no further excuses.”

Nicole’s gaze shifted to the cages. “I don’t understand how I can save them.”

“By giving yourself to me.”

About the Author:
Website-Twitter-Instagram 

Bookbub-Goodreads
KITTY THOMAS writes dark stories that play with power and have unconventional HEAs. She began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling COMFORT FOOD and is considered one of the original authors of the dark romance subgenre.

To find out FIRST when a new book comes out, subscribe to Kitty's New Release List: KITTYTHOMAS.COM

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
10 surprise signed books from Kitty Thomas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect: An Addictive Horror Novel by PD Alleva + giveaway

Let’s talk Sleepy Hollow. Let’s talk about demons, prophecies, myths, curses, and ghosts and throw in a little medieval torture for good measure. Then allow the conversation to turn over into sacrifice and contacts. Would you sell your soul to save the one you love? What if they did the same for you? Would you give your soul in return? Well, would you? How far would you go to save the love of your life?

This is the premise of my current writing in progress, a novel tentatively titled, The Sleepy Hollow Incident. It’s gothic, psychological, and in the end, a twisted love story. There’s nothing better than skating the fine line between the light and the dark. Question is, who wins? Which side becomes the mainstay, the yin or the yang. Are we going to be mostly dark with a little light, or mostly light with a touch of dark? If you’ve read any of my horror novels, you already know I don’t cut corners and I’m not all about happily ever after. And honestly, not even I’m aware of the outcome of the Sleepy Hollow Incident. I’m flying by the seat of my pants with this one, holding on to the point that my knuckles are turning white and I’ll need a perm when its all over.

The Sleepy Hollow Incident is a story that has been on my mind for a very long time. More than thirty years. Writing it is like reaching back into my youth and rediscovering what it was like to be young, looking forward to all of life’s challenges with big dreams on the mind and inspiration around every corner. Probably why the story is set during the 90s, my decade of decadence and I’m having the time of my life writing this one. I have an uncanny ability to set my mind into different time periods, taking on the essence and mindset of the time. Kind of like time traveling inside the mind. Poof and your living in the 90s or 50s or 40s or even the 1800s. Wherever the story needs to go I’m riding on the bumper of a DeLorean and racing across time at 88 mph.

The story is a part of my demons and devils series of stand alone novels that include previously published books, Golem, and Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect.

The series is all about manipulation and treachery and the undercurrent of mind control and cerebral programming. Golem is a gothic horror novel whereas Jigglyspot is a horror thriller or horror fantasy novel. All my novels are psychological. As a writer I enjoy dabbling in different writing styles and as a psychotherapist, adding the psychological component comes naturally. But The Sleepy Hollow Incident is a mix of thriller and gothic which seems to be taking on a life all its own. I just passed 120k words and I’m pretty certain I’m about halfway to the conclusion. So, its completely possible I break the story up into several novels. Maybe, I haven’t fully decided yet because I do like a long book. But we shall see.

So, lets get on with it. Below is a snippet from The Sleepy Hollow Incident. Have at it and enjoy.

Happy Halloween.

Hope you’re enjoying spooky season.

Keep reading,

PD Alleva

The Sleepy Hollow Incident
Hallucinations. Mind control. Manipulation. That’s how the demon worked. Made you feel like you lost your mind. An effort to create confusion in his victims. Confusion for Marc too, the reason why Lori returned to Sleepy Hollow.

Reeelleaeaeaeasssssse Meeeeeee!

The apparition stood between the trees, watching her. Angry. Determined. Haunted.

“I am,” she hollered with a crack in her voice.

She pulled the wool beanie over her ears and moved forward through the woods. Everything led up to this moment and she will need to confront Marc. Confront Marc and his demon.

Because what would you do if someone sold their soul to save your life? Would you give them yours in return?

Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect
by PD Alleva
October 31, 2023
Genre(s): horror, thriller, horror fantasy, paranormal horror, supernatural horror, occult horror, suspense, and speculative fiction
Publisher: Chamber Door Publishing, LLC
Word Count: 157,000
Carnivals, Cannibals, and Clowns. Oh My!

Wanna go for a ride?

Meet Jigglyspot, a five-foot tall half human half warlock carnival clown who spends his free time moonlighting as a drug dealing pimp and lackey for demonic entities who prey on the weak and vulnerable, casting their dark shadow across humanity through manipulation, and fear.

Jigglyspot was selected to serve as the event coordinator for 2019’s Summer Solstice Celebration at the prestigious Cannibal Café. A celebration that brings together both demon and human alike. But with less than two weeks before the celebration, Jigglyspot’s got so much to do and little time to do it. And the feds are hot on his tail. Between securing new recruits for demonic possession, choosing fresh bodies to slice and dice for dinner, and the fact that his girlfriend, Kera, is eating up most of his time, Jiggly’s at his wit’s end.

Hopefully, those demons appreciate all his sacrifices. Hopefully, but unlikely. Those demons can be hell to deal with. Jigglyspot knows; he’s been dealing with them for decades.

Will he rise above, or will tragedy and mayhem lead to dire discoveries poisoned with manipulation and betrayal that will ultimately destroy all Jigglyspot holds dear?

Discover Jigglyspot and his cast of clowns, killers, demons, and wretched fiends, in a novel like you’ve never experienced. Horror, mayhem, thrills, chills, fantasy, and spoils are waiting for your reading eyes with an escape into the underworld of mind control and human slavery.

Warning:This book contains scenes with profound psychological suffering, and graphically violent acts, behaviors, thoughts, deeds, and ridicule. No one has been spared, and no label is safe. Although we are proud to report, no animals were harmed during the writing of this novel, so that’s a good thing. Everyone else is fair game. After all, if you were a demon, what would you think of humanity?

Fans of Grady Hendrix, Catriona Ward, Clive Barker, and Stephen King will be captivated by this edge of your seat, eye-popping, wtf horror novel that is certain to be your next addictive read. As they say, you don’t just read Jigglyspot… You DEVOUR Jigglyspot!

Goodreads-Amazon-BookBub-B&N

About the Author:
PD's Cool Merchandise
Website-FB-Twitter
Amazon-Goodreads
Bookbub-Instagram
TikTok
I write books, that’s what I do. Horror, scifi, thrillers, fantasy, and sometimes a literary gem. Good ones, crazy ones, fun books, entertaining books, terrifying books that are absolutely insane, books with depth and thrills, and stories that rip out the heart of humanity and tosses it on a slab to be feasted on. Yeah, that’s what I do, I write books. Any questions?

My current projects include: the Pulp Fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy series, The Dark Veil: The Rose Vol. III; the horror thriller novella series, Girl on a Mission; the supernatural thriller series, The Hypnotist; and a follow up to Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect, tentatively titled The Sleepy Hollow Incident.

Your Free book is waiting. Join the PD newsletter to stay up to date on all things PD, including, giveaways, sales, new books, and just a lot of awesome. Plus, you’ll receive a free digital copy of Twisted Tales of Deceit. Join the newsletter at https://pdalleva.com

GIVEAWAY

-Choose either a signed paperback of Golem or Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect. 

-A Jigglyspot bookmark

-Jigglyspot Door Hanger

-And either a Golem or Jigglyspot bucket hat.

Giveaway is open to all US, UK, and Canada residents. Check out the store link below for pics of the bucket hats. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review Coming Soon: Melanie’s Awakening (Heartland Fae Book Two) by Celia Breslin + giveaway

Review coming soon

Melanie’s Awakening (Heartland Fae Book Two)
by Celia Breslin
April 2023
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Celia Breslin
ISBN: 9798223505884
ASIN: B0C37NKFYB
Number of pages: 124
Word Count: 30K
Cover Artist: Brantwijn Serrah
They’re lovers from different worlds…and a Dark Fae is determined to keep them apart.

When Melanie Blackstone is offered her bestie’s home in Illinois for the summer, she jumps at the chance. She has a jerky ex to forget and a fantasy-horror screenplay to finish for her agent back in California. But writing time is soon sidelined by strange lights dancing in the air and an even stranger dark figure lurking in the yard.

As a favor, Fae warrior Dealan agrees to look in on the female staying in his friends’ home. However, he didn’t expect her to be able to See him. Few humans possess the Sight, yet this one does. Even more surprising—the friendly and inquisitive woman seems to like him and want his company. A first for the solitary assassin.

But Dealan isn’t the only Fae fascinated by Melanie. A Dark Fae sets his sights on her as well…

Amazon US-Amazon CA-Amazon UK-Angus&Robertson-Apple- BN-Kobo-Scribd-Smashwords-Vivlio

Dealan scowled, cursing under his breath as he strode toward the house. The female must be daft. Her ruckus could wake the dead, and that was the last thing he wanted to deal with at the moment. This living, breathing human was a sufficient problem without adding temperamental ghosts to the mix.

Near the back porch, his keen Fae hearing picked up the rattling of doors, the clicking of window locks, and the scraping of curtains tugged along metal rods. Room by room illumination ceased. Darkness wouldn’t protect her from his kind, however, should they wish her ill. He harrumphed. Which they didn’t.

At the foot of the deck stairs he paused, reminding himself why he’d agreed to watch over this skittish lass in the first place. His best friend Angus was a right pushy bastard, and sadly, Dealan had never been able to refuse his friend’s damn requests. Factor in kindhearted Eva O’Reilly, his chum’s mate and longtime friend of the flower fairies, and it was nigh impossible to deny either of them any little thing.

Or, one noisy, possibly unhinged, woman-sized being named Melanie Blackstone.

“She’s a funny one, isn’t she, Warrior?” Rosina’s airy voice chimed from behind him.

Giggling ensued when he merely grunted in reply, then the leader of the flower fairies appeared before him in a swirl of pink sparkles. “Let’s go inside to see what else she does.”

“I’ll enter,” he corrected her. “Alone.”

“Aw, you’re no fun,” Rosina pouted, crossing her slender arms and cocking a hip.

“And always much too serious,” Valeria and Poppy tittered in unison, fluttering past his head to join their leader. Their wings whirred, showering sparks over his form, their magic brightening the evening gloom with pulsating pink and orange light. The pleasing sight did little to improve his mood.

“She saw us, Warrior, did you see?” Poppy squeaked.

Valeria’s head bobbled quick. “And took our picture, too.” She struck a pose and preened.

“Aye, I noticed, Little Ones.” The human seemed to see him, too, right before she shrieked like a Banshee then fell on her arse inside the sunporch. Strange, since they were cloaked in their natural invisibility and usually needed to lower the mantle to reveal themselves to those who couldn’t See. And according to Eva, her friend didn’t possess the Sight. Although, Eva had mentioned her friend wrote fantastical stories, and creative minds were typically open minds, so—

Valeria and Poppy darted to the door.

“Stay out here,” he commanded, as they peered into the solarium.

“Ohhhh, she left pizza,” Valeria squealed. “Let’s cover it in sugar and eat it.”

“And put honey in the wine! Drink it down,” added Poppy.

Rosina laughed. “Good plan.”

Dealan grimaced at the notion. “Negative. You are to remain outside.”

“Boooooooo,” they sang in unison, all three glaring his way. A shrill scream erupted from the house. Shite. Dealan summoned his sword out of habit and leaped forward, landing before the fairies and waving them away from the screened back door.

About the Author: 
Website-FB-Twitter
Blog-Goodreads 
Pinterest-Instagram
Newsletter
Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, and the Fae. Her stories are action-packed and typically include one of the many varieties of romantic entanglements: fated mates, second chance, rescue romance, opposites attract, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and more.

When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies, as well as everything in the Marvel Universe franchise. Of course!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Haunted Halloween Spooktacular: Five Fun Halloween Facts with author Jennifer Silverwood + giveaway

Five Fun Halloween Facts

Happy Halloween lovelies! Once again, it's time to pick out or create that crazy costume and eat all the candy you want. And maybe share with the kids, they did earn it with their cuteness. To help us get in the spirit of the season, I wanted to share some of my favorite Halloween Fun Facts.

1. When they made the first Halloween movie, the budget was so tight they could only afford a cheap mask for the main villain. What's now known as the Michael Meyers mask was in fact originally a Kirk mask from Star Trek.

2. Did you know statistics show 50% of trick-or-treater's prefer ch4141ocolate candy? Apparently, only 24% prefer non-chocolate. Only 10% prefer gum. Something to keep in mind when you prepare to fill your candy bowls this year ;)

3. This one is a bit creepier, but have you heard that trick-or-treating was once called "souling?" In medieval times, the poor went door to door on Hallowmas (Nov 1) offering prayers for the dead. The people would give them soul cakes in exchange.

4. Pomona, an ancient Roman festival heavily influenced Halloween. Many of the games we play today like bobbing for apples originate from the Pomona festival. This is also why Halloween has been called San-Apple Night. Other names for Halloween include Samhaim, All Hallows’ Eve, Summer's End, Witches Night, and Lamswool.

5. Did you know Halloween can trace its origins over 6,000 years? We can thank the Celtic Druids, in fact. During Samhain, the priests lit fires so the sun would return after winter. The Druids threw cattle bones into the flames and eventually their "bone fire" was called "bonfire." Bet you'll never make s'mores the same way again…

Craving Beauty (Wylder Tales Volume 1)
by Jennifer Silverwood
July 14, 2023
Genre: YA Fairy Tale Fantasy
Publisher: SilverWoodSketches
ISBN: 978-1-0881-3626-3
ASIN: B0CBTRBG4F
Number of pages: 222
Word Count: 60,808
Cover Artist: Qamber Designs
A hungry beast waits to devour her soul…

Nineteen-year-old Vynasha's life is no fairy tale. The fire that killed her sisters was her fault, and the magick that saved her nephew cannot heal their scars. They shouldn't have survived, and the villagers either fear or loathe them. Until a mysterious stranger saves her, giving Vynasha the key to finding the only family they have left.

With nothing to lose, Vynasha dares the journey into the forbidden Wylderland. Through dangers untold, she makes her way to the forgotten city, but more than ghosts linger in the castle. A wicked curse shadows the land, shadows whisper that the one to break their curse has come, and a beastly prince makes a bargain Vynasha cannot refuse:

Become the beast's bride or become a monster herself.

A dark tale of enchantment and woe, perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Holly Black, Craving Beauty is the first installment of the epic Wylder Tales Series!

Amazon-BN-Kobo-Books2Read

About the Author:
Website-FB-Twitter
Ko-fi
Jennifer Silverwood has been involved in the publishing world since 2012 and is passionate about supporting the writing community however she can. After studying traditional art at university, she began helping Qamber Designs bring authors’ books to life. In real life, she’s a mom of two, a passionate reader, and an occasional artist. Jennifer is the author of three series—Borderlands, Wylder Tales, and the Heaven’s Edge Novellas—and the stand-alone romance titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Comic Review: Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 (of 4) from Skybound (Image Comics)

UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #1 (OF 4)
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Imprint: Skybound - Image Comics
32 pages
Arriving: October 25, 2023
Lunar Code: 0723IM809
MINISERIES PREMIERE
THE BIGGEST NAMES IN COMICS RESURRECT THE MOST ICONIC MONSTERS!
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH creators JAMES TYNION IV (W0RLDTR33, Something is Killing the Children) and MARTIN SIMMONDS reteam to tell a new tale of the monster who started it all! 

When Dr. John Seward admits a strange new patient into his asylum, the madman tells stories of a demon who has taken residence next door. But as Dr. Seward attempts to apply logic to the impossible…his surrogate daughter Lucy begins to fall under the spell of the twisted Count Dracula!

You can't beat the classics for monster stories... *dances around to "It's a story as old as time..."*  After checking out Dracula issue #1 from Skybound (Image Comics), I am excited to see how the other monster stories will be interpreted.

The cover on the left matches the classical movie version of Dracula. But the cover on the right represents the artwork used to tell the Bram Stokers version.

I was struck by the macabre artwork used to symbolize Renfield's loss of identity and decent into madness. Truly nightmarish in all the right ways.  

 

 

Issue #1 is all about character set up, but not much action. I can't wait for Dracula to make his first appearance, in issue #2 maybe? The four issue series is off to a good start.

4 "blood sucking" Sheep

 

 

SharonS