Here's a good haunted house documentary, for anyone who is so inclined.
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Dave Schrader interviews Steve Gonsalves on Paranormal 60.
Came across an interesting episode of Dave Schrader's Paranormal 60, where he interviews Ghost Hunters' Steve Gonsalves. It's an entertaining listen.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
INTERVIEW WITH AZSHURE RAINE (ReBIRTH: ZodiacSeries, Book One)
Today we have Azshure Raine dropping in for a little chat!
Supernatural Central Short and Quick Interview
1. Tell me a little bit about your main character of this book.
Jase is the main character of ReBirth, though some could argue that Liya is, but in the end of it all it is *his* story. He starts off as uncertain with a reputation at his back. He wants to prove that he is more than the blood on his hands, he wants to be a hero. He has a lot of work to do though, the first thing is getting the girl he was supposed to take back to his father to trust him, which is kind of hard to do when the villain is his father.
2. Do you believe in the paranormal and if so, do you have an experience you can share?
I do, and I do have an experience, though it probably isn’t as exciting as most. I had a cat named Patches when I was young, he would always sleep on my feet, never failed. I was heartbroken when my parents put him to sleep without me getting to say goodbye. The first night and many nights after I would still feel him jump onto the bed and settle on my feet, even though I would look up at the blankets and see nothing. I’d say good night to him and go to sleep. It wasn’t until I found Neko that his presence ceased. He knew I had her now, and he was happy to let her take care of me.
3. What titles are you working on now that you can tell us about?
ReBirth is the first of three core books in the Zodiac series, Preorder for Dreamtaker (Book Two) has already started and Shattered Fate (Book Three) is nearing completion. There are also three planned prequels, including Jase’s full backstory, Corvus and the villainess Time’s stories.
Aside from the Zodiac series I have been working on the Hunter series, the first book After Stars End takes place 325 years after the Zodiac series ends.
As for standalones I have a novella, The Drowned Prince in development along with Winter’s Mistress.
Zodiac Series
Book One
Azshure Raine
Genre: Romantic Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Mythological
Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing
Date of Publication: 7/25/23
ISBN: 979-8853443730
ASIN: B0C97CSLTJ
Number of pages: 389 pages
Word Count: 103k
Cover Artist: Azshure Raine
Tagline: One more, one last time
Book Description:
Time is something we all have too much of and too little. Our world turns at the mercy of the clock. Gaea is one of those worlds. The world has been reset Twelve times.
ReBirth: Zodiac Book One is a romantic fantasy novel with “Final Fantasy” level storytelling. It tells the tale of the Gaea’s thirteenth cycle through multiple POVs, energetic prose, and deep world-building.
If Titans, Zodiac, Star-Crossed lovers, and villains you love to hate are your thing, then grab an apple, pick up a copy, and may Fate smile upon you.
Threads of gold, ancient and dangerous, pull them together; a bond neither can deny.
Jase Raion receives an unexpected assignment—locate and retrieve a girl he was certain was dead.
Expecting nothing, he goes to Brighton—a port town on the island of Aria—and finds her.
The girl who escaped the fall of Aria.
The girl who bears the symbol of Eternity.
The girl whose blood the Titan of Time thirsts for.
Liya Fairaway, the Princess of Aria, and his target.
The moment he sees her, he knows she is not safe, from the Zodiac meant to protect her, the Titan of Time, nor his father—the King of Chall.
Excerpt:
Time gripped the spear’s shaft in her chest until her hand bled. A thousand years of being left pinned to the roots of the Mother Tree by Fate gnawed at her.
Groaning, she threw her head back, her long white hair dingy from the dirt and overgrowth. It stuck to the bark and pulled, causing stinging to roll through her skull.
Her chest heaved in frustration as she let out a primal scream before releasing the blood-red metal of the weapon. The tips pierced between her navel and breasts. She drew up the length of the captured arm with her free hand, tracing the tattoos with her blood. The red contrasted magnificently with the pale blue of her skin.
Throughout the twisted root cave, slivers of her power, thin golden threads, glittered across everything, waiting to catch prey in its nets.
Light at the end of the tunnel flickered, causing Time’s lips to curl into a devilish smile. Come to me. I could use the entertainment.
A rush of wind filled the hollow space, feathers scattering toward her in a kaleidoscope of black and white.
Time chuckled, low and deep. It’s her.
Her ex-lover stepped into the curtained sunlight and took slow, purposeful steps forward. Fate held her head high. Long black and white hair hung over her shoulders; the two colors parted directly down the middle. Time’s lip quivered as Fate ran her hand through her hair. Irresistible as ever. Her still gorgeous wings—one white, one black—spread behind her shoulders. Fate paused in the cavern and dismissed her wings with a flick of her wrist. Feathers rained down, disappearing into dust.
Time moved, her joints popping and her face twisting into a sinister grin. “Fate, my love, you’ve finally come,” she paused as a cloaked man peered into the cave, “to visit.”
So, she brought the rabble. How quaint.
Fate squared her shoulders. “I came to end this.”
“Is that so?” Time went slack; resting her free hand on the shaft of the Spear of Souls, tracing the metal with her gaze, she recalled the betrayal. How Fate and the Keepers cornered her, impaled her to the Mother Tree, and how the look of fear in the Keeper of Stars’ eyes when she sought her revenge before succumbing to the weapon and shattering him into twelve still gave her satisfaction. Like Mother Urth and Father Sky, he would never walk Gaea again. Time’s neck cracked as she focused on the man huddled at the entrance. The threads stretching through the darkness shifted as he entered. Time’s lips parted as she slid her tongue behind her teeth. “Then why did you bring him?”
The Prophet.
He was the key to her chains, as foretold by the Eternal Clock. The Prophet flinched at her low chuckle.
“Stay back,” Fate snapped before he could push past. “Whatever you do, don’t touch her.”
“Oh, please?” Time moaned, running her hand over her throat. “It has been so long.”
“Silence.” Fate placed her hand on the spear’s shaft, remaining out of Time’s reach. Thin wisps of charcoal smoke rolled over Fate’s shoulder, cascading down to the weapon, the ends darkening as death’s power inched toward Time. Resting her head on the bark, Time stared at the stray white hairs caressing her breasts. Slow, agonizing death was in her future.
The flash of blues and reds of the Prophet’s cloak caught her gaze as he paced uneasily behind Fate, his hand worrying at his chin.
Letting her head roll to the side, Time said, “I felt it, you know. When your daughter was born.”
Azshure Raine is a mostly stay-at-home mom of 3. She and her husband, Ryan, have been happily married for 13+ years and originally met in a MMO.
Her day job is sticking things to newborns, and by sticking things to newborns, she means hearing screens.
In her free time, she hangs out with her black cat, Luna, and keeps three small humans from killing each other. To maintain her sanity, she now writes. And she may or may not have a thing for apples.
Website: http://www.azshurerainenovels.com
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Azshure13
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azshure/
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Monday, October 30, 2023
AN ANGEL'S OBSESSION Spooktacular Feature!
HTML Features for An Angel’s Obsession Please Choose ONE to post Celia’s Picks: Spooky Spots in San Francisco
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Celia’s Picks: Spooky Spots in San
Francisco
My hometown is a beautiful combo of nature and architecture, has some of the
nicest weather year round (including the awesome fog), excellent cuisine,
abundant arts, and... for you lovers of the paranormal, there are a ton of
spooky spots to explore, some of which make an appearance in my Tranquilli
Bloodline vampire series. Here are my top five picks for Halloween chills and
thrills in San Francisco!
1. The Armory
Located in the Mission District, this 200,000 square foot reproduction of a
Moorish Castle was constructed in the early 1900s and used by the San Francisco
National Guard. From 2006 until January 2018, it was owned by an adult entertainment
company, and tours were available for all five floors of the historic building.
My favorite floor by far is the wonderfully creepy basement: a vast,
cavernous space with visible remnants of its days as an armory (indoor rifle
range!). Water runs through wide cracks in the basement floor's exposed
concrete, adding to the spooky vibe.
More info: https://www.sfarmory.com
2. Alcatraz Island
Also known as “The Rock,” Alcatraz sits in the San Francisco Bay, and is home
to a large seabird population, the West Coast’s oldest functional lighthouse,
and, of course, the infamous maximum, high-security prison, Alcatraz Federal
Penitentiary. You can guess the spookiest part, right? They say ghost of
ex-cons haunt the prison. Take a nighttime tour and let them shut you in one of
the 9ft by 5ft cells...if you dare. *shiver*
More info (and virtual tour): https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/virtual-passport-stamp.htm
3. Sutro Baths, Ocean Beach
Once upon a time (1896), this bathhouse was the world’s largest, indoor
swimming facility. Located near Ocean Beach and below Cliff House, Sutro Baths
burned to the ground in 1966 (arson). Today, you can hike around the ruins then
venture into the spookiest spot of all: the cave. For the best spine-tingling
experience, try it at night, when the fog swirls, the wind wails, and waves
crash over the beach. Some say if you light a candle and leave it in the
tunnel, a ghost will pick it up and fling it into the ocean...
4. Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park
Modeled after NYC’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is a gorgeous expanse of
greenery in San Francisco. Stow Lake (located west of the beautiful Japanese
Tea Garden), is a great spot for picnics and a boat ride. If you venture there
at night, beware of the lake’s resident ghost, the White Lady. They say that in
the early 1900s, barefoot and dressed in a white dress, the White Lady lost her
baby in the lake then drowned herself. There’s also a statue near the lake of a
woman and two small children. Local gossip says it moves when the White Lady is
on the prowl.
More info: https://stowlakeboathouse.com/history/
5. Mission Dolores Cemetery
What’s spookier than a cemetery? Mission Dolores Cemetery is the oldest burial
ground in San Francisco and the resting place of city founders and thousands of
First Californians (the Ohlone, Miwok, and more). It’s also one of the
locations in Hitchcock’s 1958 classic film, “Vertigo.” You’ll find the cemetery
next to Mission Dolores, the oldest building in San Francisco. Tour both, but
don’t be surprised if the hairs on your nape stand at attention as you wander
among the ancient tombstones and silent sentinel statues in the cemetery
gardens. Spooky energy, even on a sunny day...
More info: https://www.missiondolores.org/old-mission
The Cupid Dating Agency
Celia Breslin
Genre: Paranormal romance, fantasy romance, angel romance
Publisher: Celia Breslin
Date of Publication: May 2023
ISBN: 9798223559672
ASIN: B0C6V1R1FW
Number of pages: 120
Word Count: 29K
Cover Artist: Brantwijn Serrah
Tagline: An angel on a mission. A Celtic god seeking forgiveness. A passion that can’t be denied…
Book Description:
Warrior-class angel and God’s messenger Gabrielle has spent an eternity in service, protecting the innocent in all dimensions. When the cupids and the Big Guy send her team to Cute Town, California, USA to run love-adjacent businesses like her beloved gym, she has no problem settling into the new assignment. Then a blast from her passion-filled but heartbreaking past literally rips holes in the fabric of reality separating Hell and Earth, and it’s up to Elle to locate the troublemaker and make him pay. All while protecting her heart.
Lugh, Celtic god of sun, light, and storms and all-around fun guy, has been nursing his broken heart for ages, and no amount of partying with pals in Hell or in the Sonoma wine country can ease the loss of the angel he let slip through his lightning-infused fingers. Luke would do anything to win back his fierce yet vulnerable Firecracker, so he’s elated when she crashes back into his life with a well-earned smackdown for his accidental role in the chaos messing up her new hometown.
Elle wants nothing to do with Luke, but when God and the cupids pair them up to investigate and resolve the real source of the problem, she has no choice but to comply. And maybe, just maybe, they can find a second chance at a forever love…
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Luke was cannon-balled out of slumber by the sudden presence of one hundred-and-fifty pounds of hound landing on his back.
Facedown atop a supremely soft mattress with his arms stretched wide and his head hanging off the foot of the bed, it took him a second to rally his speech center. “What the actual bloody hell,
Bolt?”
Bolt ignored him, bouncing around Luke’s body, pitching him side to side, up, down, up, down.
“For feck’s sake.” What the double bloody hell was Bolt on about with all the yapping and yipping and bashing of Luke’s kidneys with his big paws?
Luke rolled onto his back. “Enough, Bolt. Sit.”
Eyes closed, he batted a hand at his hound, warding off the canine’s attempts to lick his face. “Go chase a squirrel, will you? Crikey.”
Bolt whined and smacked one large paw down upon Luke’s bare chest. Ouch. “Duuude,” he drawled. “Chill.”
Fingers snapped, silencing his dog lickety-split. Bolt plopped down next to him, tail thwacking against Luke’s leg right where his board shorts ended above the knee.
He elbowed his dog in the side. “Cut it out, cur.” Hold on. Snapping fingers… Who possessed the ability to boss his animal around and convince the stubborn bugger to obey?
Only one person in any dimension wielded this kind of puppy power. But no, it can’t be her. She’d made it clear he remained persona non grata in her life with her recent no-show in the Underworld.
With his heartbeat jackhammering in his chest, he sucked in a deep breath, soaking in the unique floral scent of the woman who broke his rarely used heart, hoping this was no mere post-party hallucination.
“Gabrielle,” he whispered. God’s messenger and elite warrior, the angel he’d admired and cherished. “Elle.” The woman he’d let down, and who ultimately walked away.
A grin spread over his face and happy chills frolicked down his body.
“Angel baby. You’re here.” He cranked open his eyelids to gaze up at her in wonder.
Lightning crackled in the depths of her glittering green eyes as she loomed over him, her unhappy expression promising pain. Yep, his angel was clearly not as thrilled as he was about this unexpected reunion.
Years of yearning crashed to the forefront. He ached to caress her smooth, cloud-pale skin, to bury his fingers in the long fire-red hair she always kept swept up in a high ponytail. Memories surged, of her curves pressed against him while they kissed under the stars in Faerie, of her wicked strong legs wrapped around his torso while they made love against his castle wall, on the spiral staircase, in the sky—
A snarl escaped his angel’s throat, and her arm shot downward, her fingers of steel snagging him by the throat and squeezing his windpipe.
“Luke.” She uttered his name as if it were the vilest curse word in any dimension, then lifted him with little effort and slammed him up against the wall…
About the Author:
Celia lives in California with her family. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, angels, and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to fantasy TV shows and movies.
Website: http://www.celiabreslin.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CeliaBreslin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiabreslin/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bxqwRL
Sunday, October 29, 2023
PARANORMAL 60 with DAVE SCHRADER, JACK OSBOURNE and CINDY KAZA
This was an interesting podcast for those so inclined.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
NATURAL DISASTER Witches of Willowbrook Book 1 by ALENA ORRISON
Witches of Willowbrook
Book One
Alena Orrison
Genre: Low Fantasy / Witchy Fantasy
Publisher: Spirited Ink Press
Date of Publication: 10/19/2023
ISBN: 979-8-9880131-0-5
ASIN: B0CJGWNPJ5
Number of pages: 313
Word Count: 86,692
Cover Artist: Aspire Book Covers
Tagline: Will her grief and his betrayal make her Willowbrook's worst natural disaster?
Book Description:
When Jessica loses both parents in a car accident, she seeks to honor their legacy of service in Willowbrook. Her parents loved the town and its people, and despite her desire for solitude, Jessica becomes interested in the lives of those around her.
Grief-struck and juggling the garden along with her own business has Jessica stressed. She soon discovers the unpredictable weather reflects her internal turmoil.
Fearful of her powers and worried about the town's reaction, Jessica takes her brother's advice to attend a grief counseling group and begin meditating. She thinks she can restrain her magic if she can control her emotions. A witch from Willowbrook's coven contacts her and offers to teach Jessica how to use her magic. But learning does not come easy. Jessica's power spirals. The more she tries to rein it in, the wilder it becomes.
Then Zane, an attractive reporter from the city, arrives to do an investigative story on Willowbrook's odd weather patterns. Jessica realizes if her secret gets out, everyone she loves could be in danger of a witch hunt. Wanting a change of pace, Zane moves to Willowbrook. Jessica worries he'll be caught in the devastation of her powers.
Can she learn to control her magic before she creates a Natural Disaster? And can she keep Zane from revealing everything?
Excerpt:
I clenched my jaw in frustration. The front door suddenly flew open as a gust of wind whipped down the street. “See? I lose control even when I try to keep it.”
“That’s because you’re trying too hard,” Donna responded.
I shook my head. “No, I am following Sofia’s directions, but I can’t keep it in if I feel an intense emotion. Which is apparently all the time lately. Wait. What are your powers?”
Donna gave a slight smile. “I was wondering when you’d ask. I’m not a witch.”
“What? But Sofia—”
Donna interrupted me. “I know all about the witches and the Circle. My mom was a witch. I do not have any powers, however. None manifested when I turned thirteen or sixteen, and nothing happened when I was in that boating accident. I am mundane. So not only did your parents love you unconditionally until they died, but you’re also a successful business owner and a powerful witch. What am I? I’m just a tax accountant. My parents thought nothing I did was good enough, not even when I was named valedictorian. And I do not have magic.”
“But, Donna, we used to be friends. Best friends. What happened?”
Donna shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. The bottom line is you’re amazing and everything this town wants, while I’m never good enough for anything. I’m not good enough to have magic, own a business, or even have a long-term relationship, let alone get married. Why are you even talking to me about this? Pity? Is that it?” Donna stood, snatching her jacket from the chair. “I don’t need your pity. I need you to quit acting like you don’t realize how special you are and to… to leave me alone!” Donna yelled the last phrase, then stomped out of the coffee shop.
I stared after her, sitting perfectly still and ignoring the curious glances of the patrons as they quietly murmured to each other. The light from the windows dimmed and black clouds started covering the sky. Hard rain pelted the roof, drowning out the sound of conversations.
The lights flickered, eliciting a few gasps from the customers. I tried to reign in the anger, but deep yoga breaths weren’t helping. The longer I thought about what Donna said, the angrier I became. Thunder exploded directly over the building, and the electricity finally gave in to a mightier power. Several customers went to look out the window, apparently gauging their chances at making it home in the deluge.
About the Author:
Alena Orrison is an award-winning author and a freelance writer and editor. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing. She started writing stories when she was three years old by telling them to her mom, who wrote them down. She has been editing professionally since 2015. Alena has several articles and stories published online and in anthologies.
She currently lives in North Idaho with her husband, four children, two grandchildren, mom, three dogs, five cats, and a varying number of chickens. When she is not spending time with family and friends, gardening, boating, hiking, or at the gym, she is reading and writing. Alena also likes to crochet and spin yarn for some downtime. Some of her favorite authors include Ann McCaffrey, Elizabeth Cunningham, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Erin Morgenstern. You can visit her at alenaorrison.net
Website: https://alenaorrison.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlena
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Authentic_Alena
LinkTr.ee: https://linktr.ee/alenaorrison
THE CHIMERA PROJECT Ryser Academy Series Book 1 (A.P. Taber)
Ryser Academy Series
Book One
A.P. Taber
Genre: YA/Sci-fi- adventure, space opera, alien encounter
Publisher: InkBound Press
Date of Publication: 08/23/2023
ISBN: 979-8-218-25732-3
ASIN: B0CFD6P4G9
Number of pages: 280
Word Count: 66k
Cover Artist: izii_designer
Tagline: In a Universe of Secrets. One Girl's Destiny Unfolds
Book Description:
A celestial mystery. A destiny waiting to be embraced.
Neo's life at Ryser Academy was supposed to be straightforward, but enigmatic dreams and hidden family secrets have turned it into anything but ordinary. As she digs deeper, she uncovers truths about her lineage and the untapped powers within her, thrusting her onto a perilous path of adventure and self-discovery. Neo must summon the courage to face her destiny with the universe's fate hanging in the balance. Alongside her loyal friends, she embarks on an epic quest filled with interstellar intrigue, battling to protect not only her life and that of her friends but the fabric of the universe itself.
Will Neo rise to the challenge and unravel the mysteries that define her true identity?
Discover the truth in The Chimera Project.
The secrets await. The adventure begins. The universe calls—are you ready to answer?
Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnTAGggZq8c
Book Intro:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jruMalhzU8M
Excerpt
Embark on an adventure filled with celestial mysteries, hidden family secrets, and untapped powers as Neo, a determined young woman from Mars, navigates her way through the prestigious Ryser Academy. Plagued by vivid and enigmatic dreams, Neo's thirst for truth is ignited when she stumbles upon a discovery that sends shockwaves through her very soul.
In "Ryser Academy Book 1: The Chimera Project," Neo's journey of self-discovery takes her to the edge of the known universe and beyond. With each heart-pounding revelation, the layers of her lineage are peeled back, unveiling a tapestry of cosmic intrigue and hidden potential that threatens to consume her.
But Neo is not alone. Surrounded by loyal friends and driven by an unwavering sense of purpose, she finds herself thrust into the heart of an intergalactic conflict that is far greater than herself. At stake is not only her destiny but the very fabric of existence.
This pulse-pounding space opera weaves together elements of mystery, action, and personal growth as Neo must summon the strength within her to face her destiny head-on. Will she rise to the challenge and uncover the secrets that are key to her true identity? Or will the shadows of the past prove too overwhelming for her to overcome?
Join Neo on an epic quest filled with thrilling twists, unforgettable characters, and a story that will leave you breathlessly awaiting the next installment.
Meet A.P. Taber, the ever-busy soul balancing life as a teacher, nurse, mother, and artist. When she’s not saving lives or shaping young adults’ minds, she’s venturing into other realms through her writing. She’s busier than a Trekker at a Star Trek convention! Her first novel was penned at age 10, and she’s been hooked on books ever since. (No intervention needed, she promises!)
A.P. lives in Nevada with her family. She’s known to cast spells with her words, summon creatures with her art, and maybe—win a game of Magic: The Gathering now and then.
When she’s not teaching, healing the sick, or dreaming up other realms, you can find her traveling to exotic lands or locked in an intense game of D&D, MTG, or any other board game that requires a strategy guide thicker than a triple-decker sandwich. And if she’s not there? Check the couch, where she’s likely petting her adorable cats.
A.P. writes with a focus on exploring the psychological and sociopolitical aspects of futuristic settings and the intersection of future tech, sociopolitics, and complex inter-species relationships. Her work delves into the intricacies of human (and non-human) relationships in a universe where the stakes are as high as they are diverse.
Website: https://authoraptaber.com/
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3LNNBNw
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/author_aptaber
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoraptaber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_aptaber/
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