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My Heroes Tend to be Flawed
Jerry J.C. Veit Author Interview
The Glass Demon is a supernatural novel that dives into the world of spirits and haunting’s. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was really into a TV documentary program called, A Haunting. It was about real life hauntings told by the people who lived through them. My goal was to make a fictional story that felt real enough that it could be believed to be based on a true story. I also had just watched The Rite with Anthony Hopkins. I knew I needed to write something that was super intense and scary.
What I liked most about this book was the depth of knowledge of demonology presented in the story. What type of research did you have to do to keep things accurate?
I have several books on true ghost stories and encyclopedias about the supernatural. One such book is: The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. I own about 4 of her books. The encyclopedia has profiles on some infamous demons known to plague people’s sanity and also true stories about demonic occurrences. Additionally, I did a lot of internet research about demons, and books on demons, and types and names of demons. It was purely academic with a desire to entertain, but it made me feel like I was on the borderline to receive the wrath of God. Needless to say, research was extensive.
William has had a complicated life. His avoidance of childhood demons leads him to an addiction to booze and pills. What was the inspiration for his character and backstory?
Most heroes seem to be blessed with an infinite amount of strength, courage, and knowledge. My heroes tend to be flawed. William’s journey is meant to be a humbling one. He believes there is nothing he can’t handle; even though he never dealt with his own past. When he walks into this next case he is smug. He’s most likely thinking that he is going to walk around, find someone who doesn’t know he’s dead, tell him to move on, he moves on, William gets paid and then goes home. It turns out to be much more complicated than that.
William is almost foolish in the beginning and doesn’t appear to be someone who can help the Glass family, let alone himself. He is on a slippery slope to self-destruction and then takes on the hardest haunting he has ever had; one that fights back. He’s also used to being the one who is in control. The fact that the demon knows William’s past and he does not takes the ball out of his court. He goes through an intense torture before he is finally able to become a hero and that’s only with the help of the supporting characters. Without them he would have failed.
I also wanted to answer an age old question, why do bad things happen? William went through a lot of bad things, but in the end that is what he needed to become a better person. Most horror stories just want to shock and unnerve you, and the characters are all pawns who can die at any time. William brings a character-driven arc to the storyline that makes this a little more than just a horror story.
Do you have another horror story in the works? Or are you currently working in a different genre?
I did leave this story open for a sequel. I was combining ideas that will bring most of the characters back together to solve an even larger haunted case involving multiple city blocks. I remember reading about a similar event about unexplained hauntings across several small nearby towns. The sequel will share this trait. “If you think one house was bad… try 100.” It looks cool in my head with an almost Hell erupting feel to it, but I have yet to put words on paper. Hopefully one day…
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William Corgel is a clairvoyant medium who is hubris, doubts his faith and a heavy drinker who finds comfort in pills. Believing there is nothing he can’t handle he soon finds himself in a home with a demonic presence and the possession of a teenage girl. The demon continually taunts and attacks him while claiming to know William’s suppressed childhood memory centered on his mother.
The Consort Conspiracy
Kaye Schmitz’s The Consort Conspiracy talks about an ancient cemetery deep in the Lowland of Georgia that has been there for over two centuries and protects the remains of the infamous murderer whose act of betrayal changed the history of the town and catapulted the descendants of the murdered victim into the nation’s highest political office.
Kate Covington, a thirty one year old intrepid journalist travels to Midway Georgia, the hometown of the current president Wilford Pennington, to film a documentary to help boost his favorability ratings after he could not keep his privates in his pants. The search for answers to her documentary brings her to the cemetery that has buried more secrets than bodies. But her curiosity almost gets her killed.
The book starts steadily but picks up the pace after the introductory. There are several story lines that are juggled and all are meticulously developed. Kaye Schmitz brings them together in surprising ways with twists that I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the detailed writing style as well as the alternating perspectives, we even get to travel from the past to the present. All of it intricately weaving together story lines that seem to be separate but which culminate in a explosive piece full of suspense.
As Kate busies herself gathering information for her documentary, she unearths a secret about the first family that could lead to their undoing. The truth about the death of Dr. Aaron Pennington, a descendant of the president will also be uncovered. Mr. Wilford’s political career rests on this murder that happened more than two hundred years ago. This all lends to a thrilling joyride of a novel.
Kate has to deal with some highly emotional issues throughout the story, like when she discovers the truth about the death of her mother. A truth that will not only change the town’s history but Kate’s future as well.
The historical facts that have embellished the present tale and the vivid and compelling characters portrayed by the heroes and villains keep one turning the pages. You really can envision how the characters, as well as the locations, look through Kaye Schmitz detailed description.
When the two handsome men Dan Pennington and Joshua Warrington start competing for Kate’s attention the book becomes a can’t-put-it-down tale. By the end the outcome was both satisfying and unexpected. Just when you thought you figured it all out, you realize you don’t. It was well written and keeps one on the edge of their seat. It was one of those stories that you have to read word by word for fear of missing something crucial. It really was a page turner.
Pages: 331 | ASIN: B071G89PBW
The Glass Demon
William Corgel is a paranormal medium and investigator who is suppressing a deep secret from his past. His life is full of supernatural complications, hauntings, and demons that possess innocent families. His job is to help people pass on to the other side, allowing a home to become free from spirits. When William comes across the Glass family, there will be a supernatural presence that will be unlike anything he has ever encountered before. Will William be able to face the demons of both his past and present or will this finally be the haunting that pushes him over the edge?
The Glass Demon, written by Jerry J.C. Veit, is a supernatural novel that dives into the world of spirits and hauntings. Not for the faint-hearted, The Glass Demon has themes and events that will have your heart racing until the very end. At times I felt so involved in the story that I had to check around me for any mysterious supernatural activity! Jerry J.C. Veit has a brilliant way with words that makes the reader feel as though they are in the room observing the action themselves.
One of my favorite characters in The Glass Demon is a woman by the name of Angie. She protects and helps the Glass family and is determined to stop the demons in her way. Her presence is a relief at times of absolute chaos and I was always grateful for her appearance. I enjoyed watching how her character developed throughout the novel and how her relationship developed with each of the characters.
The Glass Demon deals with problems of the present mixed in with secrets from the past. William has had a complicated life, from a difficult childhood to an unusual career path as an adult. His avoidance of his childhood demons leads him to develop an addiction to booze and pills in an attempt to mask the deep issues he is suppressing. This suppression may lead to his downfall as he is forced to acknowledge and remember shocking secrets that led him to become the person he is today.
The story is written in a play style format, complete with Acts, character lists, and a synopsis. There are segments which are like the normal format of a novel which allows the author to set the scene for the reader, making it easier to transition into the scripted sections. The “scripted sections” actually made the novel extremely easy to read and flowed naturally throughout the story.
The Glass Demon has a taste of religion, supernatural history and even a dash of exorcism thrown in the mix. The rich history of demonology presented in sections of the novel give The Glass Demon a sense of realism, adding to the spooky nature of the story. With such a thriller of a storyline, I could definitely see The Glass Demon being turned into a movie!
I would recommend this to anyone who loves a thriller/supernatural style story that will keep you on your toes.
Pages: 134 | ASIN: B0136ZDWFA
The Victim Became Human
Kwen D. Griffeth Author Interview
The Ghost in the Mini Skirt takes an unexpected turn with ghosts, tortured souls and a darkness that leads Jack towards a supernatural mystery. What was the initial idea behind this story and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
A few years ago, while late at night, I was driving across the desert in Arizona. I could see tumble weeds and sage brush along the side of the road and I started thinking that if an animal jumped out in front of me I would not have time to stop before hitting them. From wondering about an animal, my thoughts drifted to the same question except the victim became human. I chuckled when I thought, “How weird would it be if a human figure jumped in front of me, and I hit him only to drive through him?” From that mind game, the novel grew.
Jack is proud, smart and at times stubborn and the contrast between him and Terri makes for a unique pairing. What was your inspiration for creating the kind of relationship that Jack and Terri have?
Jack is a human computer, close to being devoid of the emotions the rest of us, at time, struggle with. He is successful with both status and wealth, but from the beginning of the book, we learn he is lonely. He longs for emotional companionship and doesn’t know how to go about finding it.
Terri had to be as strong willed as Jack (if for no other reason that not be intimidated by him) and attractive to the point of fantasy to attract him. Where Jack is strong in logic, Terri had to be strong in intuition. I think they make a great pair and they were fun to write about.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists present themselves to you as you writing?
Elmore Leonard said if he knew exactly where writing a novel would take him, he didn’t write it as it would be too boring. Maybe that is not an exact quote, but the meaning is there. Anyway, when I start a book I know the beginning, the middle and the end. As I write and develop the characters, I let them tell me where the story goes. It may sound strange to non-writers, but Terri demanded I delete and rewrite 37,000 words in this novel. Her ideas were better.
Do you see a possible follow up novel to this book? Where do you think you can take the story in the next installment?
Yes, Jack and Terri are too strong of characters to not have more written about them. Jack and Terri make an appearance in The Tenth Nail, Nate and Clare Book One, as well as Dead Men Walking, Nate and Clare Book Two. I am starting book two of the Jack and Terri series and the working title is “The Ghost in the Senate Chamber.”
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Jack Mill was the king of hackers. He was a self-made man. He tested at the genius level and he had made a reputation as well as a fortune doing what he loved, hacking computers. Jack was not only in charge of his world, he ruled it.
Jack had no contemporaries and others in his field either respected him or feared him. Jack was the man in charge. Jack was the man in charge until the night he ran over a man who wasn’t there. A man, or what Jack thought was a man appeared in the traffic lane and Jack hit him, but he didn’t. There was no body, no damage to his car, and no blood. What was going on?
Suddenly, Jack’s life was out of control and he didn’t like it. One person was there to support him, an out of work show girl named Terri. As if he was given a protector, a way to stabilize his way through the mystery, Terri arrived only a few hours before the accident. Now, she helps him find his way back to stability and maybe a fuller life.
“The Ghost in the Mini Skirt” is a tale about ghosts, murder mystery and love story all rolled into one.
The Ghost in the Mini Skirt
The Ghost in the Mini Skirt begins in Vegas where after a meeting between two good friends, Jack meets a beautiful woman who captures his attention. But after their chance encounter, life takes an unexpected turn for Jack. Ghosts, tortured souls and a smothering darkness lead Jack on the path of a supernatural mystery. Two long lost lovers will connect with Jack and Terri in hopes that the truth will be revealed. Will Jack be able to solve this twisted tale or will the story be lost forever in Vegas?
The Ghost in the Mini Skirt, written by Kwen D Griffeth, starts as what appears to be another love story with a lonely guy in a bar on Valentine’s Day. However, it quickly escalates into a supernatural, fast paced, edge of your seat mystery as Jack hits a man with his car in the middle of the night.
The novel has modern tones with the likes of coding, computer hacking and Vegas being integrated into a murder plot, however, the premise of the novel is based on two love stories, one old and one new. But this is no typical romance. Be prepared for ghosts and unsolved mysteries that lead new lovers and old lovers together. There are action, secret agent style missions and even fortune tellers that will keep the reader on the edge of their toes, desperate to find out the answers.
Jack is proud, smart and at times stubborn. I was immediately drawn to his character and loved how pieces of his life are revealed as you move through the novel. He does not live an ordinary life by any means and his background and expertise lead him to a life with underground secret tunnels, guards and connections with the military. He has built a successful career and has a strong moral compass that means he protects those who are good and takes down those who are bad. The information surrounding his career was presented with such conviction that it leaves the reader feeling as though they had been able to peek into a world that they had never experienced before.
The contrast between him and Terri create two characters that swirl together and connect like sweet and savory. An unlikely combination that somehow works and creates a dynamic that made the novel easy to read and enjoy. At times Terri and Jack clash with their alternative views on life but through this conflict they learn to grow and respect each other and their differences. The introduction to Terri is like no other introduction I’ve read before. The smooth moves, the precise description of her walk and her irresistible beauty will have the reader conjuring up a woman so beautiful that she turns heads everywhere she goes.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a supernatural style, whodunit novel mixed with a dash of love and humor.
Pages: 398 | ASIN: B00IF7VCYS
Girl Unseen
Pia has made a dead girl a promise. One that she is determined to keep. But is she prepared for the nightmare that’s about to be unleashed?
When Pia Williams, a gifted psychic medium, is contacted by the traumatized spirit of a young girl, her search to uncover the truth begins. The more Pia learns about the girl’s gruesome fate, the more determined she is to bring those responsible to justice. But is she prepared for the shocking truth of what she’s about to expose?
With more questions than answers, one thing becomes clear to Pia: the girl’s spirit is uniquely powerful, and she’s killing from beyond the grave. Who—or what—is the girl now? A victim, or a demon with murderous intentions? What really happened to her? And how far will Pia go to help her get revenge?
Accused of a murder the spirit commits, Pia reaches out to the only man who can help her: ex-Special Forces detective Nate Ryder. A man who is as dangerous to her heart as the situation she seeks his help with. Nate would move mountains for the woman he loves, but how can he protect her against forces he can’t even see?
As Pia and Nate are swept into an unpredictable situation brimming with dark, evil intent, they soon discover they have more to fear from the living than they ever did from the dead…
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances follows the lives of a vampire, fairy and mummy who are caught up in a world of chaos as they try to escape the wrath of the wraiths- a paranormal group that is bent on revenge on the unlikely trio. Air spirits, talking cats and the cursed undead will all play a part in this fantasy novel as they bounce between gaining record deals and fighting supernatural monsters. Meanwhile, another version of chaos is threatening to destroy their world and they must find a way to work together to fight an evil like no other.
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances, written by Kevin James Breaux, is an action packed fantasy novel that collides the modern world with magical creatures and supernatural beings. Each mystical being (and human!) are trying to find their place as they revel in the aftermath of destroying evil.
The story flips between various perspectives of the characters, keeping us up to date with what is happening in the story progression. The different characters and their personalities mean that the mood of the story can change drastically, one moment you may be watching through the eyes of Sabrina as she seduces old flames and the next moment you are underground with a human and undead as she passionately tries to protect her love.
One of the most interesting characters was Cade. Cade has unique senses and an ability to bear fangs to persuade a situation. Being a vampire has its perks however Cade finds himself torn between the people of his past and present. His character was one of my favourites as the reader is treated to his heroic rescues and violent deaths. I appreciate Breaux’s ability to paint a picture with his words and I found it easy to imagine the vampire devouring humans, lured by the innocence of puppy dogs.
The modern twist made the story feel relatable. In a matter of pages, you are transported from a mass murder of winged creatures to discussing Justin Timberlake in the recording studio. It actually also provided a bit of comic relief as in the midst of a tense scene, celebrities were named dropped like it was your everyday Hollywood scenario. It wasn’t just the name dropping that caught my attention though. Some of the plot eerily replicated scenarios that could happen in real life as the plot delved into sinkholes, pollution and the threat of terrorists.
One character I found to be confusing at times is Sabrina. Sabrina is a winged creature, descent from royalty. She is quick-tempered, passionate and at times childish. At times her character was frustrating and I found myself mentally wanting to tell her what to do! Her character eventually grew on me though as she soon begins to accept and acknowledge the affects her decisions have on her friends.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fantasy novel that twists into a modern day adventure. I look forward to reading the next installment and finding out what happens to each of the characters.
Pages: 434 | ASIN: B071KLTKG7
A Lifelong Fascination
Athena Daniels Author Interview
Girl Unseen is a genre-crossing novel with elements of a romance, paranormal, and mystery as well. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?
It definitely happened organically. I tend to write in the genre’s I enjoy reading the most. I love romance, paranormal and thriller’s, so it was not surprising to discover all three elements come through in my stories.
The characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well developed. What themes did you try to capture while developing your characters?
Thank you! The paranormal investigation team’s motivations and goals tend to naturally conflict with law enforcement, so putting the two together makes some very interesting sparks fly. The paranormal investigators are there to prove and document the existence of the paranormal, and the special ops team are there to solve the crime, catch the criminal, and gain enough evidence for the case to be prosecuted in a court of law. Throw in the conflict of a complicated and seemingly impossible romance, and you end up with a pretty tangled web that needs to be resolved by the end of the book!
Pia works for a television show and tries to debunk mysteries. Did you do research to maintain relevance to real life paranormal events?
Yes. I have a natural curiosity for the paranormal due to unexplained personal experiences that happened to me at a very young age. Those events triggered a lifelong fascination and study in metaphysical subjects.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be published?
Thank you for asking! I am currently working on the fourth book in the Beyond the Grave series which is scheduled for release in January, 2018. Daniel’s story is inspired by a real ‘ghostly’ shipwreck on the coast of Western Australia that is shrouded in mystery, tragedy, and of course eerie speculation of the paranormal.
I am also working on something a little different – an edgy and contemporary standalone romantic thriller with no paranormal elements which is scheduled to be released in April, 2018.
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Some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried…
When Pia Williams, a gifted psychic medium, is contacted by the traumatized spirit of a young girl, her search to uncover the truth begins. The more Pia learns about the girl’s gruesome fate, the more determined she is to bring those responsible to justice. But is she prepared for the shocking truth of what she’s about to expose?
With more questions than answers, one thing becomes clear to Pia: the girl’s spirit is uniquely powerful, and she’s killing from beyond the grave. Who–or what–is the girl now? A victim, or a demon with murderous intentions? What really happened to her? And how far will Pia go to help her get revenge?
Accused of a murder the spirit commits, Pia reaches out to the only man who can help her: ex-Special Forces detective Nate Ryder. A man who is as dangerous to her heart as the situation she seeks his help with. Nate would move mountains for the woman he loves, but how can he protect her against forces he can’t even see?
As Pia and Nate are swept into an unpredictable situation brimming with dark, evil intent, they soon discover they have more to fear from the living than they ever did from the dead…
LITERARY TITAN 