Chugging Along
Feb 01, 2025 6:01 pm
Welcome to February, one step closer to spring.
January was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I did well with staying on track with my first project goal and managed some outlining on the Dark Beacon horror novel, but had a stressful week near the end of the month. Unexpected car repairs, a mixup with my prescription, and some work issues derailed me a bit. Plus, some writer panels didn't work out as I hoped, with one being cancelled and another having tech issues. Also, winter sent a freaking icy, cold snap.
Overall, though, I think the month was a win.
Book Updates:
The paranormal cozy mystery is on its third pass of editing, and I don't hate it (always a good sign with me). I'm giving you all an exclusive cover tease this month. Let's see if you can guess what the main character does for a living.
Book Tidbit:
For this venture into a new genre, I'm bringing some of my own history, at least my province's history, into the plot. Dastardly rumrunners (one of the more colourful sides of Nova Scotia history) figure into the backstory, and I even worked in a little 1920s slang.
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The Shadows and Ink Podcast
The first episode of Season 2 aired, but not with the Folklore discussion as I had hoped; alas illness caused a postponement. But it was a great conversation with author Julie Hiner about deep sea horror and her new book, Fear of the Deep.
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Giveaways and Books To Browse
Epic Fantasy with Deep and Inclusive Worldbuilding
Ends March 1st!
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Fantastic FANTASY Megasale - February
Ends March 1st!
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HORROR
Wicked Tongue by C. L. Schneider
A typical night of partying leaves Daniel Blair with far more than a hangover. His myriad of strange symptoms defies explanation, as does the blood on his pillow. And something is very wrong with his tongue.
Afraid he contracted a terrible unknown illness, Daniel seeks help. But his frantic search for answers takes a horrifying turn. Struck by violent impulses, and compelled by a cryptic voice in his head, he commits unspeakable acts. He struggles to fight back, but something is growing inside him, changing him, breaking his mind.
As his life spirals out of control, Daniel discovers the “invasion” of his body has a purpose more insidious and far-reaching than he could ever imagine. One Earth isn’t ready for—and might not survive.
Wicked Tongue blends horror, science fiction, and frightening elements of our current reality into a cautionary tale for modern times. It is a reminder that blissful ignorance rarely ends well. And life, as we know it, can change in an instant.
Memeto Mori: 13 Tales of Horror
by Kayla Frederick
So brace yourself for the inevitable.
Memento Mori contains thirteen stories filled with curses, monsters, and deteriorating minds that will leave you with the reminder that one day, you too will die.
Stories Include:
I.O.U.: A serial killer looking for his next victim meets his match.
A Concert to Die For: A struggling musician finally gets the opportunity he's dreamed of, but how many lives will he be willing to trade for it?
When it Comes: When it comes, never deny it's request. Treat it with kindness or be cursed to a life of regret.
Dolls: After an incident at a high school reunion, voodoo dolls start appearing around town. Wherever they go, tragedy follows.
Footsteps: When a medium learns the truth of her powers, she meets her biggest challenge yet in an entity that gets its powers from hunting psychics.
The Day You Killed Me: When Blythe wakes up in a trash bag, she has to go on a quest to solve her own murder.
Secrets of the Quiet Visitor: A burglar breaks into the wrong house.
Don't Look: The rule is easy: don't look at the monster, and you'll be safe. How long will Lizey survive?
Stockholm Syndrome: Avera wakes in an experimental facility with no memory of who she is or how she got there.
Dreamcatcher: Not all dreamcatchers give good dreams. Some make nightmares.
Mirror image: A creepy mirror in the attic of Clayton and Myra's new home holds a deadly secret.
Fear: A maze full of nightmares and one hour to make it out alive.
Happy Birthday: After a near-death experience on her birthday, Angel finds herself afflicted with an unfortunate curse
Darkness Below by Barbara Cottrell
Nightmares. Disappearances. Suicide.
Fall semester is always a challenging time at Miskatonic University. All Ellen Logan wants to do is pass her classes while holding down a bad job at a New Age bookstore.
But when a former roommate jumps to her death from the university clocktower and another friend vanishes, leaving her with a mysterious book, she embarks on her own investigation. With the help of renowned professor Andrew Carter, she uncovers evidence of a murderous cult, a terrifying creature, and a ghost who knows far too much about her. To survive, Ellen and Carter must descend into the Darkness Below to stop the forces that threaten to tear their world apart.
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My Merch Stores:
Vintage and artsy designs on a variety of products
Scifi, fantasy, and horror designs on a variety of products
Writer and reader-based designs on a variety of products
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Find me on:
Website | Facebook Group | YouTube | BookBub
Instagram | BlueSky | TikTok| My Amazon page
Lemon Squeezy Store | My Books on StoryOrigin
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That's it for this edition. And I'll return next month with more updates.
