Blog Archives
Signs on a Page
Erik D. Weiss’s historical fiction novel Signs on a Page presents a gripping tale of intrigue and suspense centered around its protagonist, Molly McMurphy. As a recent college graduate and research consultant, Molly’s curiosity leads her through a labyrinth of historical and literary mysteries. The narrative cleverly interweaves real historical figures and events, such as MacArthur’s involvement in the Pacific War and the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, with Molly’s personal journey. Weiss skillfully blends these elements, crafting an educational and thrilling narrative.
Throughout the story, Molly finds herself unwittingly entangled in the clandestine activities of a secret society intent on shaping the course of human history. This adds a layer of complexity to her character as she balances her professional pursuits with the dangers that come from uncovering long-hidden truths. The novel excels in creating a sense of tension as Molly navigates between the society’s rival factions, each with their own agenda. I found myself deeply connected to Molly’s character, particularly her passion for research. This aspect of her personality resonates strongly with anyone who shares a similar love for unearthing hidden knowledge. Weiss’s writing is both articulate and engaging, making the novel enjoyable for those who appreciate historical fiction with a blend of mystery and adventure.
Signs on a Page comes highly recommended for readers seeking a well-crafted story that combines historical elements with suspenseful storytelling. Weiss’s thorough research and compelling narrative make for a truly immersive experience.
Pages: 299 | ASIN : B0CLQR1HSY
Keeping My Mind Busy
Starmen takes readers on a journey to 1875 where Apache witches are found to fly and an incredible hot air balloon introduces mayhem into one young anthropologist’s life. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Writing this book came as therapy for spinal stenosis surgery on my neck in 2019 and 2022. It was during the COVID lockdown and started to prevent losing my mind to dementia. Another part of it was watching lecture series from the Great Courses to further engage my mind. I was suffering a lot of pain from the surgery and therapy. Watching, reading, and researching all kept my mind busy and helped suppress the pain by generating endorphins and growing white matter in my brain. Some of the great courses material, such as quantum mechanics, string theory, the Transcendentalist movement, Native American history and many others helped shape the narrative but I also did a lot of online research. I also had already heavily researched that era for my American Civil War espionage novels. So I had a deep base of knowledge to draw on. The addition of James George Frazer was a way to attack the narrative from a different angle.
I find your characters to be incredibly vibrant. Did any of your characters’ development occur organically throughout the story?
Well many are based on real people and their lives are well documented. The Pinkertons are very important to the history of that era. Allan Pinkerton’s memoirs have a lot of operational detail. They are part of history and every once in a while you draw an Ace. There is a picture of 18-year-old William Pinkerton II and his wife Mary in El Paso in 1875. That’s a factual anchor in many ways. They were there. The rest of what he did and said is entirely made up. I began my career in Theatre. When you study Method Acting and Improvisation, you learn to invent things on the fly. When you are post-surgical and can’t do much else, you have a lot of time to think about your story and how all the parts fit together. Some characters appear as if by magic to solve a plot problem, and others to provide context and background. Once they are there, you may find other uses for them elsewhere. It’s all organic and theatrical.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
All of them. But it’s not just the writing but the rewriting. My first drafts are usually horrible. They need a lot of work, and of course, since I’m dyslexic, I need an editor. Leigh is an important part of all this. When you self-publish it really does have to look professional.
Can fans expect to see more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Of course. This is my profession.
Starmen
Set in 1875, Starmen, by Francis Hamit takes readers to the El Paso branch of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, where a complex and unusual case unfolds. Anthropologist George Frazer seeks the agency’s assistance to connect with the local Apache community for a matter that has piqued his personal interest. Concurrently, the appearance of a mysterious hot air balloon over the town marks the beginning of a series of extraordinary events. The narrative weaves through the Pinkertons’ investigation of a missing Chicago heir and Frazer’s astonishing discovery about the Apache tribe, gradually intertwining concepts of string theory and quantum mechanics, suggesting a universe far more complex than its characters comprehend.
Starmen is a creative fusion of Western motifs, magical realism, and elements that might seem anachronistic for the late 19th century. Its ambitious nature is evident in its length and depth, making it more suited for readers looking for an immersive, rather than a quick, reading experience. Readers will note echoes of the HBO series Westworld and elements reminiscent of Back to the Future Part III within its pages. The story boasts a rich tapestry of characters, offering a multitude of plot threads that create a vibrant and complex narrative. This intricacy reflects the engaging journeys of the protagonists as they navigate their adventures.
Hamit thoughtfully provides resolutions to the many twists and turns, aiming to satisfy the curiosity and imagination of readers through diverse and creative storylines. Hamit’s narrative is a tapestry of gunslinging, romance, extraterrestrial life, witchcraft, and parallel universes. Such a rich mix of themes presents a formidable challenge in achieving a concise conclusion, but the author is more than successful.
Starmen is a richly layered novel that masterfully blends historical facts with fantasy, creating an immersive and captivating reading experience. Francis Hamit’s writing style is descriptive and engaging, and the novel’s plot is both intricate and intriguing. The character development is a standout feature, adding depth and complexity to the story. This novel is a commendable work for readers who enjoy a blend of history, mystery, and fantasy.
Pages: 620 | ISBN : 978-1595950765
Hope for Redemption
Overlap: The Lives of a Former Time Jumper follows a man nearing the end of his life who decides to tell his story of time travel to a young reporter. What was your inspiration for the setup of the story, and how did that help you create the ending?
Inspiration came from a few sources. The concept of being able to ‘jump’ into previous versions of yourself in your timeline came from an independent film I watched some years ago. The idea behind Marcus’ desire to change the past to save his wife comes from my experience of loss. His hope for redemption was largely inspired by my father and something he told me nearing the end of his life. A merging of these led me to an ending I hadn’t originally planned but I believe turned out to be a better conclusion to Marcus’ story.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, and more. The ending for Marcus, while changed in certain details, is what I envisioned for him in my original story outline. Jessica, on the other hand, developed beyond my first draft and grew as the story unfolded. Part of the writing process I enjoy is not knowing exactly where things are going and experiencing the joy of discovering it almost as the reader would.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?
I hope readers will be encouraged by the idea of redemption and that we can lift ourselves from grief, no matter the loss. We can make a better future, even if cannot change the past.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a finished draft of a novel with my editor. By Way of Avernus follows a team of marines from Earth on a mission to a parallel world to prepare for a forced occupation. It is their last-ditch effort to save the four and a half billion left on a dying planet. Meanwhile, on the pristine sister world of Idyllium, forces work to prevent the same. Morality is blurred. Lines are drawn, some are crossed. I hope to have a release date in April 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Marcus had been a recluse for much of his life after his beloved wife, Ellie, tragically died. His inventions had made him wealthy, but that had never been his motivation. His most famous production, the Chamber, spawned an international business called Vacations in Time. Around the world its clients, time jumpers, flocked into stores to relive moments in their lives. Without warning the business closed its doors, never sending another client on a vacation in time.
Some fifteen years later, Marcus requests the first and only interview he would ever do. As he and Jessica discussed his invention, how it became commercialized into a recreational experience, and why he shut it down, the conversation shifted in directions neither could have expected.
Death of heaven
Eldritch Horror is a narrative style that is defined by the names of those who create works within its genre: H. P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, and now, JZ Murdock. To speak of the overarching plot of Death of heaven is to speak of madness, depravity, and incomprehensible horror of both mortal men and unimaginable beings, for both the characters in the world, and for the reader of the book.
Death of heaven captures the essence of what makes Eldritch Horror spectacular–entities that are difficult for the mind to fathom are front and center within the narrative. True to the form of the genre, their interactions with the mortals of planet Earth are always interesting and usually end quite poorly for the mortals who receive their attention. JZ Murdock does an exceptional job with his narrative crafting, and the main protagonists of Jimmy and James provide an understandable vessel through which to view the narrative events as they unfold. They are, as characters, perfectly imperfect, each shaped by their experiences both with the incomprehensibility of life and the even greater incomprehensibility of the beings that have now taken note of them. To read this story is to gaze into the abyss, which is one of its greatest strengths.
With that being said, however, it is important to note that this book is, by all merits, predominantly an all-consuming abyss and, by its nature, is often devoid of anything vaguely resembling happiness, hope, or basic decency. JZ Murdock’s world is established as a world in which the conceptualization of God or gods is a radical misunderstanding of the true structure of the world, and the moral fashioning of those who live within this world reflects that quite well. This book plays freely and loosely with morality, divinity, and concepts that are generally felt to be too dark to be included in any form of media, making it entirely unsuitable for any who are not committed to Eldritch Horror as a genre: if Hellraiser was too much for you as a film, leave Death of heaven on the library shelf and choose another tome. The words of Dante match this work quite well: “All hope abandon ye who enter in.”
The story expands and balloons dramatically, and I felt that it is often difficult to understand what is a core event of the plot, and what is simply window dressing to make the experience “darker” or “more macabre.” This leads it in places to leave the confines of Eldritch Horror and take on the feeling of the film Knowing starring Nicholas Cage. The core plot, I feel, takes readers on a headfirst spiral toward the end of all things, but there is an overarching sense of curiosity as to what is truly important for that end.
Death of heaven earns its place in the Eldritch Horror pantheon (an ironic turn of phrase, considering), and while its tone and construction may eliminate many who would read it, those who can find enjoyment within the dark and twisted works of Lovecraft and Barker will undoubtedly find joy in the words of Murdock.
Pages: 444 | ASIN : B007ZVSNV0
LITERARY TITAN 