Horror

In October, our thoughts naturally turn to the ghostly, the ghastly, and the ghoulish. We want to be scared, puzzled, and thrilled as the days grow shorter and chill winds strip the trees of their leaves. In this collection of independently published works, you will find traditional murder mysteries, paranormal romance, thrillers, and chillers. Here you will play detective, as well as encounter zombies, vampires, and one beguiling but evil little girl! Also included in this spotlight are two anthologies -- one, a sampling of renovated classics from the masters of horror -- the other, a collection of weirdness and oddities from new, up-and-coming authors. Enjoy your reading -- and Happy Halloween!

When Lydia Proctor, working mother, volunteer librarian and for hire genealogist gets an unexpected phone call, her life changes. For her, genealogy is a fact finding mission, with an occasional skeleton in the close. But she learns that some families contain a few more skeletons than others, when she is hired to solve a one-hundred year old crime. Did Julia's grandfather really kill his wives, or was it someone else? With the help of Lydia's good friends Faye and Muriel, clues keep pouring in until the real murderer is discovered. It's a challenge trying to solve An Old Fashioned Murder.

Laurie Pooler Pelayo started writing kid mysteries as a child, and tracing her family tree (genealogy) in high school, both of which she continued with into adulthood, eventually combining the two loves into one writing genealogical mysteries. She is employed as a Cataloging Library Technician in Southern California, where she recently earned her degree in history. In her spare time, she is co-librarian for South Bay Cities Genealogical Society in Torrance, California. Laurie has spoken about, written articles on and taught classes on genealogical practices. She is married and the mother of three children, all of whom help inspire her writing.

"What kind of clues can be teased out of old letters and depositions, the placement of burials in a graveyard, old store inventories, and the memories of those few very elderly who were children listening to the gossip of their elders? Quite a fair number, as it turns out ..." ~ Blogger News Network

"A very fun read that weaves that past with the present through 100+ years of this multi-generational mystery." ~ Amazon Customer Review

Learn more about the science of genealogy and future books in this series at the author's website.

In a rare example of life imitating art, Horror’s Classic Masters: Remastered has taken a cue from Hollywood’s propensity for remaking classic movies, and has revised some of history’s greatest short horror stories for today’s audience. Some of the greatest horror writers are represented, including Edgar Allan Poe (“The Black Cat”, “The Pit and the Pendulum”), Bram Stoker (“The Judge’s House”), Washington Irving (“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”), W.W. Jacobs (“The Monkey’s Paw”), and H.G. Wells (“Valley of the Spiders”). Editor Kurt S. Michaels sees his work not as rewriting the greats, but as almost translating a foreign language. No changes have been made to these stories, other than in grammar and word choice, thereby maintaining the pacing, imagery, and characterization of the originals. However, by viewing these tales through a fresh pair of eyes, fans of the classics will discover nuances they had never noticed before, and new readers will have their own eyes opened to a wealth of classic horror tales.

"Magnificently written. Having read most of the originals, I was impressed at how well and how closely these versions maintained the essence of the classic authors." ~ Michael Smerconish, Philadelphia Daily News columnist

"It's really nice to see someone trying to turn what we're supposed to like into something that we will end up liking. Give these stories a second chance, you just might find that you really do like the classics!" ~ Frank Bascombe, Ain't It Cool News

Visit the publisher's website to learn more about this anthology and to read a couple of free bonus stories!

From paranormal to weird, from chilling to odd to scary, Weirdly Volume 2: Eldritch will sate your lust for strangeness in bite-sized pieces. Each tale weaves its own spell. Vampires, beasts, ghosts, evil creatures and, of course, every day people inhabit Weirdly's pages. Soldiers must reach their destination before the undead get to them first... What does the picture on the wall mean to Jen? Fate holds something in store for Lewis--but is it what he wants? Lillie embarks on another quest... Is the young man who sees and hears fluffy beings insane? An old letter urges a young woman to the train station--but is the train that puffs into view real? All these tales and more. Dare you read them?

Authors: C.T. Adams, Marva Dasef, James Goodman, Milena Gomez & David Kilpatrick, Bernita Harris, Michael Kay, Gary Madden, Kelly Madden, Jeff Neale, Daniel I. Russell, Jaye Wells, Cora Zane

"What a great selection of weird and wonderful tales. Weirdly Volume 2: Eldritch is perfect for readers who like a bit of strange. Bravo!" ~ Cocktail Reviews

Weirdly Volume II (and Volume I) are available in ebook format from the publisher.

The Bodyguard by Christy Tillery French

Natasha Chamberlain is a young, single office manager who dreams of becoming an investigator. Offered the opportunity to act as bodyguard to computer genius/multimillionaire Roger Valentine while posing as his girlfriend, she jumps at the chance, hoping she can use this as a stepping stone into her firm's investigative department. Jonce Striker, founding partner of Investigative Services, Inc., does not know what he has let himself in for by suggesting Natasha play bodyguard to his good friend, Roger. From the first outing, when Natasha mistakes an extended lighter for a gun and creates chaos at a banquet given in Roger's honor, she causes Striker nothing but consternation and agitation. Natasha is overzealous in protecting Roger and manages to bungle three separate attempts by an extortionist to collect money from Roger while driving Striker crazy with her zaniness. Things turn serious when Roger and Natasha are fired upon while playing golf. Who is trying to kill Roger, and why? Is it the same person trying to extort money or someone else? Laugh out loud at Natasha's antics as she stumbles her way through the investigation.

Christy Tillery French's love of writing about quirky Southern women has given way to five novels. The internationally published author has had her books chosen by book clubs across America and her poetry has been published in America and England, winning several awards. She maintains active membership with Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Guppies, and Romance Writers of America.

Reviews:

"If you have read and enjoyed Janet Evanovich books, you need to pick up your own copy of The Bodyguard." ~ New Book Reviews.com

"Ms. French blends comedy, suspense, personal trauma and hot romance and presents a fine read." ~ CataRomance Reviews

As the World Dies by Rhiannon Frater

Two women flee into the Texas Hill Country to escape the hungry clutches of the ravenous dead as the world they once knew is overwhelmed with death and blood. One seeks to rescue her last living son from the clutches of the undead while the other is desperate to find a safe refuge and protect the woman she rescued from the zombie hordes. Together they fight to survive As the World Dies.

Rhiannon Frater is the author of a zombie epic that was originally written on two online forums before its popularity encouraged her to publish it in book form. Most of her stories have scary monsters, humor, gore, and usually Texans (except for one Victorian Gothic tale).

Reviews:

"The first ten words hooked me. Those creepy little fingers had me looking at my own son with a skeptical eye ..." ~ Amazon Customer Review

"Just calling it a zombie novel does not do it justice, it is an epic story, dealing with love, death, relationships, and redemption ... and zombies of course." ~ Amazon Customer Review

Read more about the genesis of this book from an online forum at the author's website.

The Back of My Mind by Steven Payette

Trevor Samuels, an investigator with fifteen years experience, is commissioned to investigate three arson losses. After numerous leads fail to generate any suspects, he suddenly gets a break in the form of fifteen-year-old Goth boy named Jesse. Jesse is heavily involved in
the contraband cigarette market and he exposes Trevor to this seedy underworld. While trying to determine if the arsons are related to the contraband cigarette market, Trevor uncovers greed, murder and corruption among the people he respects most.

Steven Payette has worked in the insurance industry for thirteen years. An Honours graduate of Algonquin College's Business Insurance program, Mr. Payette went on to win two insurance related awards. While this is the first novel he has written for publication, he has always had stories rattling around in his head waiting to be unleashed. He was born, raised, and currently resides in Ontario, Canada.

Author Comments: "My novels are unique in that reader participation is encouraged! A
question is asked at the end of each novel, and it's up to you, the reader, to decide whether or not a character or team of characters make it into subsequent novels in the series."

Visit the author's website to learn more about this newly published book and its sequel.

The Turtle Mound Murder by Mary Clay

Rebecca Leigh Stratton is divorced, depressed, and thoroughly disgusted. Thanks to her two-timing, asset-hiding, lawyer husband, Leigh faces the prospect of starting over at forty-six. Fortunately, her sassy, Southern sorority sisters, Penny Sue Parker and Ruthie Nichols, are old hands at divorce. The three single-again ladies take off for New Smyrna Beach, their college-days haunt. What they don't bargain for are old flames, fist fights, and gunfire. And, that's just the first day!

Mary Clay describes her work as "Upbeat Fiction with a Metaphysical Twist." In addition to the DAFFODILS mystery series, she has authored the science fiction novel The Sirian Redemption under the name of Linda Tuck-Jenkins.

Reviews:

"Move over, Steel Magnolias; move over, First Wives Club. "The Daffodils" have arrived. ...Witty and hilarious ..." ~ Midwest Book Review

"Much charm and promise ... a crisp pace with plenty of humor ..." ~ Romantic Times Book Club

"The Ya Ya Sisterhood meets The First Wives Club. A cleverly done light mystery that's a rare find." ~ The Examiner, Beaumont, TX

Read an excerpt from The Turtle Mound Murder and learn about this author's other publications at her website.

Wishing Makes It So by Marilyn Meredith

In an effort to make a change in a child's life, Alyse and Steven take in a four-year-old who has been thrown out of several homes prior to theirs. Because of their successful parenting of three children of their own and Steven's career as a counselor, they feel sure they can help Belinda and give her a loving home. However Belinda quickly proves to be a great challenge. She is often disobedient and trouble making, hurting the other children and vandalizing their possessions. At times she seems sweet and innocent, easily charming the unwary. Then her desire to be the only child takes a deadly turn ...

Marilyn Meredith is the author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, as well as the Rocky Bluff P.D. series and several novels described as Christian Horror. One of the first authors to embrace e-publishing, she has several books that are available both in e-format and trade paperback.

Reviews:

"Thrilling from the first to the last page ..." ~ Huntress Reviews

" ... her best work to date ..." American Authors Association

"Belinda enchants everyone and nobody wants to believe she's responsible for events that begin to pile one upon the other. Meredith takes this tale to its terrible conclusion with turn-of-the-screw precision." ~ Pat Browning, author Full Circle

Awards:

American Authors Association 2006 Best Thriller

USA Book News "Best Books of 2006" ~ winner, Horror category

Love and Brimstone by Lesli Richardson

Anastazia "Taz" Proctor finds out that destiny really sucks. Literally. She's a highly-paid and well-known "fixer," a cool, aloof, carefully controlled lawyer - and has earned her "Ice Queen" nickname. When she takes a dream job working for handsome millionaire Matthias Hawthorne, life as she knows it changes forever. He's cute, he's rich, and he has a 1968 Mustang. What could be better than that? But after an attempt on her life, Hawthorne is forced to reveal the truth about his identity...and hers. With her life in danger, Taz must learn to put aside her anger at Matthias for years of deception and accept the truth about her past – and her future.

Lesli Richardson is a freelance writer and novelist who lives in southwest Florida with her husband and son. She is the author of "Love and Brimstone" out from Amira Press as well as four books coming in 2009 from Lyrical Press, Inc. and two from Siren-BookStrand.

Reviews:

" Not your traditional vampire romance ... loved the new spin Ms. Richardson creates in her story!" ~ Dark Angel Reviews

"Lesli Richardson has taken the vampire myths that we all know to a very different level. No more fangs, coffins, or hiding from the sun. This is definitely a skillfully spun story about some new age vamps." ~ Paranormal Romance Reviews

Awards:

Paranormal Romance Top Pick August 2008

Learn more about this book at the author's blog.

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