Blog Archives
Facing the Evil in Our Own Hearts
Spider Seeds follows a successful author who finds what seems like the perfect houseplant to add to her new home; however, she never suspects the deadly secret that lies within its foliage. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea for Spider Seeds began with a nightmare I had around 2015. In this dream, I watched a garden where plants were growing in time-lapse speed. Instead of flowers, the bulbs sprouted spiders. I woke up both awed and creeped out, thinking, “I need a plot to hang this concept on!”
Two short stories cast their shadows over this work: Prey by Richard Matheson and Battleground by Stephen King. So, instead of a Zuni Fetish Doll or a box of plastic army men, I chose one of those haunting spider seeds from my dream to wreak havoc in someone’s condo.” — from the Author’s Note to Spider Seeds.
Madison is a fascinating character with considerable depth. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
Thank you—I really enjoy writing about her. I have especially fond memories of living in Victoria, British Columbia, and I sometimes miss it, so writing Chapter One was particularly meaningful. In that scene, Maddy walks through James Bay, past the Inner Harbour, along Government Street, and finally into Fan Tan Alley. Experiencing the city again through her eyes made the scene especially vivid and personal. More than that, it was in writing that chapter that Maddy truly came to life for me. By the end of it, I understood what she wanted out of life—and how her desires would shape not only her objectives in each scene but also the tactics she’d use to pursue them.
I felt that Spider Seeds delivers the drama so well that it flirts with the grimdark genre. Was it your intention to give the story a darker tone?
That’s an interesting question. Collins Dictionary defines Grimdark as “a genre of fantasy fiction that portrays amoral or morally ambiguous characters engaged in violent struggles in dystopian environments.” I didn’t set out to write Spider Seeds in that genre, but I can understand why it might feel that way. The story confronts dark themes and emotional intensity, but its core is not about moral ambiguity or despair—it’s about facing the evil in our own hearts and choosing to overcome it.
My influences come more from the Romantic and Victorian periods of English literature. Writers like William Wordsworth and Percy Bysshe Shelley gave me permission, so to speak, to write emotionally, drawing from my memories of Victoria, BC. In his Preface to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth’s idea of poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings… recollected in tranquility” spoke to me and inspired me in how I wrote about Maddy’s quiet moments, such as her walks through downtown Victoria or along Dallas Road. These scenes are rooted in that Romantic sensibility.
Spider Seeds also draws from the Gothic, a branch of Romanticism that explores how the past haunts the present—think Dracula, where ancient evil intrudes on modern London, or The Castle of Otranto, where young Isabella flees to a church after her father-in-law, an old man, attempts to marry her following his son’s death. Maddy’s trauma from her youth resurfaces in many ways. The story includes other Gothic elements as well: the atmospheric presence of Victoria’s heritage buildings, the Janicker women’s mysterious legacy of guarding an ancient spider in plant form, the consequences of dismissing old rituals as mere superstition, and the idea of psychological inheritance passed through pain rather than blood.
There’s also a quiet thread of Victorian sensibility reflected in the moral, spiritual, and social questions that shape Maddy’s inner world. That’s why her cat is named George, after George Eliot, and why Wuthering Heights appears in the prologue. These literary traditions don’t define the story, but they’ve certainly helped shape it. Spider Seeds may carry a darker tone at times, but it’s a story that I hope is told with hope, emotional honesty, and a clear moral framework.
I didn’t write Spider Seeds to revel in the darkness but to walk steadily toward the light.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m currently working on the sequel to Spider Seeds, which is tentatively scheduled for release in fall 2025. Interestingly, the review from Literary Titan said, “I felt that a few narrative beats, like the mythos surrounding the plant and the shop’s family legacy, felt rushed. I wanted just a little more from the ending.” That feedback didn’t surprise me—in fact, I’d already begun expanding on those very elements in two companion books.
The first is a prequel titled She Who Hunts: The Tale of T’lejhánka, a 66-page illustrated chapbook that reads like a dark fairy tale. It explores the ancient origins of the mysterious plant from Spider Seeds, providing a closer look into its mythos and symbolic meaning. You can find it on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/bYyEkWp
The upcoming sequel (title to be revealed in spring or summer 2025) will dive even further into the Janicker women’s legacy and their role as custodians of the plant. Readers will uncover where the T’lejhánka came from, why it crossed into our world, and how Maddy might play a role in returning it to the realm it belongs to—if she can survive the journey.
If you’d like to be the first to know about cover reveals, release dates, exclusive previews, and behind-the-scenes notes from the world of Spider Seeds and more, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/4e8d9fccd0a6/thank-you
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When Madison Perth adds what seems like the perfect houseplant to her new home, she never suspects the deadly secret that lies within its foliage: a vicious spider, hungry for human prey. Now, trapped in her beachfront condo, Madison must fight for survival as the relentless terror closes in.
Spider Seeds delivers heart-pounding suspense and claustrophobic tension that will leave you breathless. If you loved A Quiet Place or Love and Monsters, this gripping thriller will keep you turning pages.
Prepare for the deadly harvest of… SPIDER SEEDS.
Missing Persons
HELP Wanted follows a private detective who takes on a variety of cases ranging from infidelities to murder, exploring the darker aspects of human nature. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Numerous News stories about missing persons.
Your novelette focuses on the darker side of human nature and what people are capable of. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
When you worm your way back to most things human, it comes down to MORE, as in money.
I felt that HELP Wanted delivers the drama so well that it flirts with the grimdark genre. Was it your intention to give the story a darker tone?
When you hear about all the missing people who are never found, you begin to wonder where they ended up.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
PHOENIX GUM SHOE is two more episodes (massage and high stakes) of private detective, Max Baer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
Pulling Teeth and Other Stories
Grimdark fiction with a paranormal focus can settle like oil underwater when blended with action and gunplay, but Pulling Teeth and Other Stories by Jessa Forest has a balanced blend. Each corner of stark weird or science fiction here is softened by the wolves. Sterile laboratory prison landscapes are brightened somehow with childlike wonder. Bounding through these forests untethered, we find stories of the bond between father and daughter, master and apprentice, trust and honor.
As a collection of novellas and short stories, Pulling Teeth is the beginning of a series about a young hybrid werewolf, Regina Slaughter. Maintaining a similar tone and following in chronological order, each story hits extremes of tension, horror, and the unknown with ease and alacrity.
Regina’s tragic upbringing to the age of nine and the fate of her family unfolds as we follow her from being an imprisoned test subject to her freedom after being taken in by another faction, more of her kind, mercenary werewolves. Considering this is a world where werewolves, magic, parallel dimensions, and vampires exist, in the relatively small space these stories provide, we also delve into friendships, family, loss, and lunacy which is no small feat for a world with such complexity.
Regina was test subject 33 at the HADES facility. After two years of their attempts to control the powers of werewolves with torture and restraint, her rescue comes in a bloody and unexpected ally. Atlas, a werewolf mercenary from a nearby stronghold, becomes her protector and unlikely substitute for her father, who was taken away too soon. Her new pack leader, Thane, who dresses in the hides of mysterious creatures formed into a plague mask, is cold and strict. But, when he unexpectedly takes the feral Regina under his wing, her animal strength and desire to serve her new pack with honor seem to have finally found a place. There are many factions at war or with tenuous alliances in the world that Jessa Forest has created. The world can seem quite complex.
Luckily, we have an introductory short story, Welcome to HADES, that outlines the differences between the organization’s different departments that hunt werewolves, vampires, mages, and other Void creatures in the form of an employee manual. The stories of these animals’ hunters and the hunted unfold in three novellas and two short stories mainly from the werewolf point-of-view. Regina’s Guide to Monster Hunting, later on in the book, serves as a bookend to the first chapter and creatively adds to the readers’ arsenal. Many of our questions are answered as we read on, exploring the world between these two chapters.
The characters of Regina, Thane, and Atlas are broadened expertly in the titular short story, Pulling Teeth. It is somewhat visceral; it reminds us that Regina is the scrappy orphan we envision as a budding werewolf warrior or typical young teen. However, the unexpected change of pace with Demon Tooth reveals that the humans here are largely oblivious to the dark world at their doorstep. Werewolves, understandably, stay within the shadows hiding in the darker recesses of humanity. Inevitably they will cross with this story of bored suburban human teens taunting forces they barely understand, but that Regina knows all too well.
Although we get to know a lot about her past captivity, abuse, and perhaps stunted personality, Regina sometimes comes across as a lot younger than she is. This could also speak to her animalistic and simplistic nature, which may naturally read as a younger girl than 11 years old. This is the only fault in the dialogue or how others treat her; at times, a child is a trusted member of the team. Her attitude vacillating from studious apprentice and bratty teen reads as unstable at times. Ultimately, it is refreshing to see some of the childlike phrases from Regina and see the world through her eyes guide our reactions to those around her to a certain extent.
As with much science fiction or weird tales, it takes a little getting used to the typology, the taxonomy, and jargon. One tactic Forest uses is likening Regina’s situations into contemporary, classic horror, and science fiction films. Without being a casual name-drop, this helps ground readers into the world through Regina’s eyes because she’s watched many films that fans of this literature are likely to have seen.
If anything, we want to find out more about Regina. Although we’ve had a great insight into her past, her future is a mystery. From the human threat to the Void itself, there is peril in our imaginations. The more we understand how she fits within this world, the more we want to see her adapt. As this is the beginning of a series, fans of this first set of stories will eagerly expect the next installment.
Our world of mythology and science blends here as naturally as fur and fang. Definitely a great fit for fans of a strong character storyline, the politics of warring factions, and following guns for hire. And, of course, those who love a new take on monster stories, specifically werewolves and origin stories for all that is dark, occult, and macabre.
Pulling Teeth and Other Stories is a riveting combination of grimdark, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. This collection of short stories will take readers on an unforgettable journey.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B08M12631P
Into the Macrocosm: Short Stories of the Dark Cosmic, Bizarre, and the Fantastic
![Into the Macrocosm: Short Stories of the Dark Cosmic, Bizarre, and the Fantastic by [Konn Lavery, Robin Schroffel]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+JHdRslTL.jpg)
Into the Macrocosm by Konn Lavery is a collection of thought-provoking short stories about an unknown character who is the observer of 22 deaths. At the beginning of this intellectually invigorating collection readers are given intriguing theories on life after death. Konn Lavery addresses these theories in multiple ways, all of which are fictional in nature but spiritual at heart. Although the character is more of an observer in these stories, I like how I can still feel the personal connections while reading along. It was easy to get entangled in these insightful stories and there was a sense of adventure that was consistent throughout these stories. I also appreciated the subheadings in this collection because it helped me keep track of special events that lead to the plot twists.
Into The Macrocosm has so many fascinating stories that it will be impossible for readers to find at least one that speaks to them. None of the stories are overly horrifying, nor would I put these stories in the horror genre, there is just an ever-present ominous feeling that permeates these stories, enough to give you goosebumps rather than frighten you outright. This is a metaphysical exploration that leaves you with thoughts that are hard to shake. The way spiritual transformation is portrayed was enough for me to set the book down and ponder the implications for a bit. I loved that this collection used these dark stories to highlight the importance of self-awareness. I also loved how the author showed how much the darkness within us and around us can weigh us down.
Konn Lavery’s Into The Macrocosm is an exceptional short story collection that explores some provocative ideas through a darkly imaginative lens reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe or H.P. Lovecraft.
Pages: 420 | ASIN: B08SLM9DRX
Immortals’ Requiem
![Immortals' Requiem: An Epic Grimdark Fantasy by [Bobbe, Vincent]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51UylAvXiPL.jpg)
The world is under siege after a thousand-year-old evil awakens threatening the modern-day world. Creatures of old and heroes alike resurface to fight this evil and reclaim the peace that is slowly slipping away. The story follows several unique characters as their lives, both past and present unfold and intertwine, slowly revealing their roles in the grand scheme of good versus evil.
Vincent Bobbe has a writing style perfectly fit for the grimdark fantasy genre. The battle scenes are gritty and realistic. The scenes illustrating magical feats flow perfectly within the context of the story. I thought the use of language and violence was acceptable and never crossed the border of unnecessary. However, at times the character descriptions seemed forced and unnatural, but the author made up for this with rich personality and believable characteristics. I did wonder why this book is lacking in female characters. Of course, there were female characters, but they were only there to serve the men of the story. There is so much rich world building packed into this novel, it is a shame there were no quality female characters to populate it.
Immortals’ Requiem is an epic adventure that would rightfully need the page count it comes with. I expected a slow burn but the first hundred pages are a bitter pill to swallow – time shifts drastically and the point of view switches often. I am a fan of a perspective change among the variety of main characters and Immortals’ Requiem lends itself well to this narration style. It keeps the plot moving and allows the various character plot points to develop simultaneously. But in the end, I felt that the the perspectives change so rapidly that it was difficult to follow along and establish a focal point for each character. I can tell that the author put a lot of thought into every aspect of the individuals, it would have been nice to get more time reading about each character before moving on to another. The quality of the writing is easy to read and there were no major mistakes. And while I appreciated the scenic details, some of the chapters were drawn out with too many specifics clashing together.
Overall the Vincent Bobbe does a fantastic job of blending the modern feel of Manchester to the old-world magic he so eloquently writes about. The two characters Cam and Grimnir personify this juxtaposition perfectly and quickly become my two favorites among the cast. The characters truly drive the plot and develop the story as you learn more about their history and evolving personalities. If you are a fan of urban or dark fantasy I would recommend you give this book a go.
Pages: 554 | ASIN: B07DDDVDR5
The Winter of Swords: A Grimdark Epic
![The Winter of Swords: A Grimdark Epic (Overthrown Book 1) by [Bunce, Aaron]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51s5mkhuRDL.jpg)
What begins as a carefree adventure among siblings turns deadly in a heartbeat when Eisa is left alone following the violent deaths of her loved ones. Snatched from the scene and carried away by what can only be described as a monster of epic proportions, she is left wondering why she was allowed, or perhaps chosen, to live. A story seemingly unconnected to the tumultuous lives of Julian, Roman, Dennah, DaeGeroth, Balin and Gladeus soon becomes much more clearly interwoven into the experiences of all of the them. None of them could have predicted the evils that lie beyond the wide expanses of beautiful countryside they all know so well.
The Winter of Swords, by Aaron Bunce, is a stunning visual of fright-filled fantasy, old world charm, and a wide assortment of well-developed characters. From the moment I began reading of Eisa’s experience in the wilderness, I was swept into a world of creatures and hidden realms from which I found it difficult to separate myself–the hallmark of effective writing. Eisa’s entire ordeal set the stage for some of the most fantastic imagery I have read in a long time. Not many books can boast such horrifying beings so vividly described and so dreaded by even the reader.
Roman, one of the chief characters in Bunce’s work, has the most poignant subplot in my opinion. His backstory tugs at the heartstrings. The scene set by Bunce at the farm owned by Garon is a step-by-step reveal of one heart-wrenching horror after another. It is an artfully written chapter that has the feel of a slow motion movie scene set to an emotionally-gripping score.
Though Bunce’s book is filled with delightfully terrifying images, for me, there was none quite like the scene that takes place involving Julian in the simple town of Craymore. When an author can conjure up a visceral reaction with the mere mention of the sound of a horn in the distance, you know you have found an author to follow. More unsettling than the beastly gnarls was the powerful commandment of the horn’s sounding–wonderfully ominous and capable of provoking a sense of mystery.
Bunce has managed to give readers a novel rich with dialogue. Not every book of this genre is able to carry out a plot so heavy with character interactions. Many books rely on narrative to tell the story, but Bunce is more than capable of telling the tale via characters’ thoughts and exchanges.
While it is solidly based in fantasy, the element of mystery is strong throughout the plot, and that is one of many striking factors in Bunce’s work. Bunce has created a spectacular work of fiction which will appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy with incredible creatures, high drama, and an assortment of strong lead characters.
Pages: 818 | ASIN: B07MCX4CFD
Damnation
![Damnation: A Grimdark Fantasy Political Drama by [Valec, Igor]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41x%2Ba5mqJrL.jpg)
I immediately liked Asuf the moment I started reading the book. On their hunting spree with Valhelm, the latter confessed how scared he was to hunt. He mentioned that he had heard stories, unpleasant of course and that something could be lurking around the part of the caverns the two were hunting. Asuf shut his partner down, Saying that whatever Valhelm was on was weakness and unacceptable. I like bold characters in books; Characters like Asuf, who are not frightened by minute issues. Though a little bit aggressive, I admired how Asuf demanded respect. He instilled a little fear in Valhelm when speaking, in that Valhelm felt inferior in his presence.
The book gets to be more interesting as one reads on. I like how the society in Igor Valec’s book held authority in high regard. A subject could not address the king in any manner. They had to use the appropriate title when speaking to those at the throne. One could also tell the mood and tone of the subjects Vis a Vis the king.
King Lortar’s reaction to discovering that there was a heathen cult in the kingdom was priceless. How and where was that? I appreciated Valhelm for informing Lortar about this cult. As they were speaking, one could feel Lortar’s concern in his words. He was worried that Valhelm had gone on his own to do the hunting. I enjoyed the conversation that followed as everyone was given a chance to air their views.
Damnation: A Grimdark Fantasy Political Drama is not your average book. Through the story, the author incorporated themes of leadership, family relations, and infighting among members of the same society, politics, and fantasy. Every chapter built on the story and tension of the last chapter, so as you read you always felt like something was about to happen.
Igor Valec’s character choice was marvelous. Looking at how the characters were distributed across the book, I have to admit that the author took his time to select which traits to give who. Hirr Valhelm remained my favorite character. Other characters I found interesting include Vost Kon Schmitt, Wiktor Kon Oydrich and Lady Eidi Kon Huss and of course King Lortar. I found the kingdom’s way of dealing with criminals and those who went against the king intriguing.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good story. The characters in the book are fascinating. The plot is superb and the writing style is amazing. I loved every page of Damnation. The book is action-packed, with suspense, adventure, drama, twists, and turns.
The book is fairly long, at 600+ pages, but this story does not feel overwhelming. I felt that opposite actually, the ending leaves you on a cliffhanger and I wanted more. This leaves the book open for a followup book to start, what could be, a fantasy series with a deep backstory and dynamic characters.
Pages: 644 | ASIN: B07HVHVDDY
Steel, Blood & Fire
Dark, gritty, and altogether brutal, Steel, Blood and Fire is an archetypal dark fantasy novel. In the first chapter, one of the main character’s hands and feet are amputated, and the story continues in similar fashion from there onward. The setting is fantasy grounded in muddy reality, although there is a vein of consequential magic that adds a little sorcery to this otherwise swords-based world. If you’re familiar with Game of Thrones then you’re familiar with Allen Betchelder’s style; multiple character perspectives, inter-weaved story lines, and a healthy dose of murder. It’s a fantastic modern-style medieval fantasy, and a definite read for any fan of the genre.
When I began Steel, Blood and Fire, my first thought was, “Wow, this is a lot like Game of Thrones.” Then I began to think, “Or is it more of a Witcher book?” As I continued through the novel, I began to decide it was a blend of both. By the end, I thought that perhaps it was its own thing.
The book isn’t afraid to touch on the brutal. In fact, it seems to revel in it. Blood flows freely; rape is the buzzword of the day. It’s a mature novel for sure although it doesn’t quite cross the line, but regularly toes it. A lesser author would have toppled their novel over into prurient pulp.
The writing is well-executed, with the author’s own voice clearly shining through. There is one trap that Allen Betchelder tends to fall into, and that’s the ‘fear of said’. Every other sentence seems to find a new synonym – characters question, murmur, mutter, bellow, but words are never just ‘said’. It’s awkward to read, and tends to draw you out of conversations that should flow naturally.
In any perspective-hopping plot, characters are one of the most important factors. Fortunately, Steel, Blood and Fire features a strong and memorable, if slightly generic, cast. They come off as slightly one-dimensional, particularly towards the start of the novel, and the inclusion of a comedy group of village bumpkins – who of course meet with terrible fates – struck me as being an attempt at generating some frisson with the grim background. Other than those minor niggles, the diversity and depth of the cast begins to truly shine through around the midway point; from here onward they become much more than the sum of their parts.
Despite my above criticisms, I really did enjoy the story, and it quickly became engaging only a few pages in. If you’re a fan of the genre, particularly Game of Thrones-esque fantasy, you’ll certainly enjoy Betchelder’s offering.
Pages: 548 | ASIN: B00AW53RMQ
LITERARY TITAN 