Blog Archives
Facing Demons: An All Hallows’ Eve Tale
Set in the early 1900s in a quiet South Carolina town, Facing Demons: An All-Hallows’ Eve Tale by Kevin Matthew Hayes offers a gripping blend of gothic horror, mystery, and historical detail. The story opens when a young girl approaches William, the town constable, with an alarming accusation: the esteemed O’Neill family is involved in unspeakable satanic rituals. Skeptical at first, William dismisses her claims. However, his companion Bridget, more attuned to the unusual, urges him to investigate. What begins as a reluctant inquiry soon spirals into a terrifying descent into the darkest corners of their seemingly peaceful community. William and Bridget, drawn ever deeper into the investigation, uncover a sinister reality lurking beneath the town’s façade. The evil they face is no fleeting malevolence—it is ancient and pervasive, threatening to unravel the very fabric of their world. As they inch closer to the truth, the stakes become higher, revealing secrets that could forever alter the town’s tranquil existence.
Hayes masterfully weaves this chilling narrative with a rich gothic atmosphere reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury. His writing evokes the eerie charm of the era, with echoes of Poe’s C. Auguste Dupin stories adding a layer of mystery. The horror builds subtly but relentlessly, grounded in the detailed depiction of period-specific dialogue, accents, and mannerisms that lend authenticity to the characters. William, the level-headed, pragmatic constable, provides a steady contrast to Bridget, whose intuitive curiosity drives much of the investigation. Their dynamic keeps the story engaging as they confront not only external dangers but also their own doubts and fears. Together, they uncover unsettling truths about the O’Neill family, an aristocratic clan whose behavior might not be so far removed from the power-hungry elites of the modern world. While their methods may be different, the underlying thirst for control and secrecy rings disturbingly familiar. The novel’s strongest asset lies in its atmospheric detail and the tension that mounts as the investigation unfolds. The O’Neill family, with their aura of decaying grandeur, serves as the perfect embodiment of hidden corruption. Hayes ensures that each element, whether it be the gothic horror, historical setting, or creeping dread, coalesces into a gripping narrative. The final twist is both satisfying and haunting, delivering a payoff sure to please fans of horror, history, and mystery alike.
In Facing Demons, Hayes captures the essence of classic gothic storytelling while offering fresh, unsettling insights into the darker sides of human nature. The result is a richly layered tale that will leave readers both unnerved and enthralled.
Pages: 56 | ASIN : B0DCDKM3GH
The Beast of Talbotton: An All Hallows’ Eve Tale
In The Beast of Talbotton by Kevin Matthew Hayes, Captain Dave’s return to Talbotton, Georgia, stirs up a storm of unresolved pasts and supernatural dangers. Once, he left Elizabeth, Mr. Baron’s daughter, at the altar to elope with his true love, a decision that defied family expectations and broke hearts. Now, as he heads back to intercept a supply wagon before joining the Confederate army, he’s forced to face the ghosts of his past. But his homecoming coincides with a series of gruesome werewolf attacks, raising questions about whether this is mere coincidence or part of a darker, more personal sabotage.
Hayes masterfully weaves together themes of love, duty, and the supernatural, creating a narrative that explores how fate, past mistakes, and personal redemption intertwine. The story’s depth lies in Dave’s emotional journey as much as the external horror. As he grapples with the terror of the werewolf threat, he also comes to a painful realization: the hurt he inflicted on those he left behind runs deeper than he ever imagined. This internal reckoning sets the stage for whether Elizabeth and her father can offer him forgiveness, adding a layer of emotional complexity that enriches the plot. One of the standout elements of The Beast of Talbotton is the seamless blend of historical and horror elements. Hayes strikes a perfect balance, allowing both aspects to enhance the story without one overshadowing the other. The result is a tale that feels immersive and engaging, where the Civil War era provides a rich backdrop for the chilling werewolf narrative. The novel’s twist is another highlight. Hayes keeps it hidden until the very end, delivering a shocking and satisfying conclusion that lingers long after the final page. It’s this unexpected turn that elevates the book, leaving readers with a memorable experience.
Short and easy to read, The Beast of Talbotton is packed with intrigue, historical richness, and spine-tingling suspense. Fans of horror, fantasy, and historical fiction alike will find this book to be a gripping, enjoyable read. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a captivating blend of the supernatural and historical drama.
Pages: 50 | ASIN : B0DDW5Y4DZ
Reckonings: An All Hallows’ Eve Tale
Reckonings: An All-Hallow’s Eve Tale delivers a captivating horror story that lures readers into the eerie depths of a seemingly innocent Halloween party. Jessica, a college student, craves a night of escape from the pressures of school and decides to attend an off-campus celebration with a Western theme. The ranch setting, complete with horses and a lively host, promises lighthearted fun, but the night soon spirals into a nightmare. As the revelry unfolds, Jessica and her friends are horrified to discover that some among them have transformed into the undead. What starts as a carefree evening turns into a desperate fight for survival. Time is running out, and Jessica finds herself thrust into a battle not only against a rising tide of evil but also with the shadows of her own unresolved past. With danger closing in, she must confront the traumatic events she’s long buried, discovering a resilience she never knew she had.
While the theme of vampires may feel familiar, Hayes infuses the narrative with fresh energy, evoking comparisons to classics like The Lost Boys or Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. The undead menace, while a staple of the genre, is handled with an urgency and dread that quickly escalates from discomfort to outright terror. Hayes doesn’t simply rely on the lore of vampires, he uses them as a springboard for a deeper exploration of personal demons and unresolved grief.
At the heart of the story is Jessica, who initially appears well-adjusted but is soon revealed to be carrying emotional scars from a tragedy she hasn’t fully faced. Her personal journey, intertwined with the horrific events of the night, is both compelling and transformative. The terror she witnesses becomes a catalyst for her to confront her inner turmoil. This makes her evolution feel both natural and powerful. Over the course of the night, Jessica undergoes a striking metamorphosis. Once introverted and hesitant, she emerges as a fierce protector of her friend Ashley. This transformation feels earned as a result of both the physical horrors she endures and the emotional catharsis she experiences. Her unexpected clash with the supernatural forces on the ranch becomes a metaphor for her own emotional reckoning and forces her to confront the pain she’s been avoiding. Hayes deftly balances action with introspection, crafting a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
Reckonings has written a horror story that takes readers on a journey of personal growth. A journey that is wrapped in an intense and nerve-racking battle against supernatural forces. Hayes combines psychological depth with classic horror elements to create a gripping and multi-layered tale that will leave readers scared and satisfied.
Pages: 45 | ASIN: B0DCCLZLHH
Hunting Demons
ShadowBane follows twins bound not only by blood but by their role as formidable demon hunters who each are taking on the role of demon hunting for different personal reasons. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original inspiration was a nightmare I had where Demons were attacking our home. It was really intense, really frightening. I woke up to my dog howling and growling at the door. I checked the whole place, thinking maybe someone had tried to break in, but everything was fine. When I came back to bed, my dog sat sideways on my chest, staring alertly at the door for about an hour. He’s never done that before or since.
It was really unsettling, and it had me wondering if there was any stock in the nothing that animals can sense otherworldly entities. I don’t believe in that stuff, but I thought it might make a cool story. So the original idea was “a guy and his dog hunting demons,” and that eventually transformed into “two twins and their pet tiger hunting demons in feudal Japan.”
Shura and Jin may be twins, but they have unique personalities. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I definitely enjoyed writing Jin more. I had a lot of fun with his and Wallace’s dynamic (once he stops being such a jerk), and I liked peeling back the layers of his surly personality over the course of the novel. I love anti-hero characters, and Jin was no exception. He’s got this weird honor code where he can do some terrible things in pursuit of his goals, but his goals are noble and he pursues them even at great personal risk. He’s weirdly selfless. I can’t help but root for the guy like that, hoping he can both achieve his goals and change for the better.
Shura was more difficult to write because I had to step further outside my own experiences. As someone who has spent her life being constantly overlooked, underestimated, and dictated to, she’s built up a lot of resentment for the very society she’s trying to rise up in. She’s cunning and ambitious, but she also is insecure about her place in the world and her ability to achieve her goals, all the while feeling this immense pressure due to her lineage. It’s a powerful mix of fears and driving factors, and it took me a while to distill it all into a clear, consistent worldview that also evolved throughout the narrative. It was a challenge, but I’m glad I took the time to work through it.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
So much research… I read two books about the cultural significance of the yokai (non-human beings in Japanese folklore) just to get a feel for it, then combed through a list of hundreds of yokai to find the ones I wanted to represent in the novel. I also had to do a ton of historical and mythological research, everything from creation myths to major wars to tiny details like the proper way to hand over a weapon, honorific usage, or the differences in men’s and women’s kimonos.
Then I worked with a translator to create all the names (places and people) and in-world terms. I followed real Japanese naming conventions for locations and any fictional terms have a real meaning in Japanese. For example, ShikĹŤken, the bloodline from which Shura and Jin are descended, translates to “supreme sword.” It was a ton of work, and although I took some creative liberties when I felt it better served the story, I tried to faithfully portray the spirit of feudal Japan and pay due respect to a truly fascinating culture & period of history.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
Well, I won’t want to spoil too much, but if ShadowBane is the story of Shura and Jin operating as a duo and being driven apart by their own choices, the sequel will explore how they function once they can’t rely on each other. You get a glimpse of that in ShadowBane, and it takes a heavy toll on both of them. Amidst a full-scale war, things get pretty dire, and then there’s that ominous prophecy hanging over their heads…
A Schism of Souls will be a trilogy, and I have the ending all planned out, even if the minor details haven’t worked themselves out yet. To say much about the third book would heavily spoil the second, so I’ll just say that Book 2 sees some major plot threads resolved. If you had a lot of questions in ShadowBane, the sequel will see them answered.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
One womb, one soul, two fates. One will rise. One will fall.
Shura and Jin are the last of a divine bloodline, operating at the bloodiest fringes of society where they wield might and magic against the demons they are sworn to destroy. For Shura, it’s the only way to restore honor to her lineage and claim her rightful place in the world. For Jin, it’s a matter of begrudging duty—and escaping the influence of the three kings vying for control of the continent.
In their pursuit of the sadistic cult behind the demons’ resurgence, the twins find themselves hunted by an ancient demon harboring a blood vendetta, and are forced to set aside past grudges and seek the kings’ alliance. When Shura discovers a chilling prophecy, she fears that even her newfound allies may not be enough to stem the rising tide of shadow.
Even the palest chance of victory will come at a brutal price. But the prophecy never foretold whose fate would settle the debt: Shura’s or her brother’s.
Making Choices
The Righteous Place In Light and Shadow is a collection of short stories rooted in both science fiction and horror. Where did the idea for this collection come from, and how did it develop over time?
As an introvert, confrontations are especially hard for me. So, this book is about my struggle to get out of difficult situations. I mostly write about trauma and express myself with fantastic metaphors of what happened to me and some people that I know. I am from Brazil, and it took me a couple of years to translate to English and to revise my writing until I was satisfied with the result.
Is there one story that stands out to you? One that was particularly enjoyable to write?
I enjoy sci-fi a lot, but after Asimov, the virtual bar is incredibly high. So, my favorite story is “This handwriting is not mine,” as I am awfully forgetful, which causes me a lot of trouble, especially in school and work. I’m terrified of Alzheimer’s and tiny Greys that walk funny and don’t need a spacesuit.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore throughout your stories?
Being a man means being pushed to your limits every day. If you are not in pain (either physical or emotional), you are not evolving. These stories are mostly for boys and about becoming men; that’s why there is the label “Big Boys” on the book cover. “Jacobs Games” is an example of making choices and facing their terrible consequences while surviving a terrible situation presented to you (growing up means controlling your inner beast). Most of the time, we cannot avoid the horror of losing someone or moving on to “dangerous places” to solve an impossible problem.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I will take a break and reflect, but I intend to release another three books in this exact format — the next one is The odd place next to Coincidence and Fate, (about 20% complete) which will continue to be a mix of sci-fi and Horror. I hope my readers saw this, but some stories are interconnected, and the lore of this universe will be expanded. I also don’t want to write completely solo anymore, and for the next book, I will hire a pro editor to help me out in the dark corners of my mind with a better flashlight.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
THE RIGHTEOUS PLACE IN LIGHT AND SHADOW is the first release in a trilogy of short stories that explores the theme of confrontations and close, deadly encounters. Those dangerous places are in for power and dominance — and the reader’s mind is the battlefield where all those forces will collide and see which one gains the upper hand.
Event [1]
In the aftermath of an unprecedented nuclear event that wipes out several blocks of the city, the following story shows the perspectives of many individuals caught in the mysterious and unexplained event. THE LOST ARE ALWAYS BURNING presents horror, violence, mystery, and spirituality through an intricate story told from different points of view.
Event [2]
After receiving a book order in the mail that Mark Wenbley does not remember, the biology professor sees his own hand coming to life and making a different signature. This odd incident triggers Mark to pay more attention to what is happening.
THIS HANDWRITING IS NOT MINE is an accelerationism science fiction story about the collapse of the frail human society, with the ongoing silent war in everyone’s heads as the cities are slowly becoming deserted without anyone even aware of it.
Event [3]
After a small plane crashes into the dark waters of Greenwood Lake, a strange metal box is retrieved and stored in the Finn family Lakehouse. In this story, we will follow the family drama of the Jersey Fire brigade officers Joel Finn and his father. THE UNDEAD OF GREENWOOD is a dark fantasy and horror story about addiction and the bad decisions people make instead of confronting the real terrors inside their minds: the absolute fear of change and facing the consequences of their choices.
Event [4]
We will follow the life of Chris Miller, a survivor of WWII who finds himself inside a string of crimes that unfortunately hide a more sinister and out-of-this-world hidden truth.As the head of security for an elite industrial group, Miller gets involved directly with the inexplicable death of one young son from a privileged family. After being fired and accused of failing miserably, this event pushes Chris to the edge in search of answers, including his own inexplicable past in rural Louisiana.
THE JENNTU ARTIFACTÂ is a science fiction story with elements of horror, mystery, alien technology, and shadow government.
Event [5]
n the pioneering years of electronic games, graphics were not the cutting edge of technology.
Back in the eighties, when tech resources were scarce, the first light in interactivity was creating an entire virtual world by combining text and the player’s imagination.
JACOBS GAMESÂ is set in a very dangerous Compton of 1993, following a young boy passionate about his text adventures found on a computer sold by a friendly VCR repairman. Spending his nights immersed in other realities, Jacob enjoys intricate puzzles and fantasy narratives to escape his private hell of school violence and a runaway mother.
Unfortunately for the young boy, he enters a real game of survival when he meets a demonic entity called Lucius — a vicious and treacherous adversary. To survive, Jacob must win the challenge from the “simulacrum” created by the game master from the mighty Umbra, the dark legion of hell.
The Broken Dollhouse
In The Broken Dollhouse by Sofia Ekebom, readers are drawn into a haunting psychological thriller with elements of horror, weaving together themes of trauma, mental illness, and suspense. The protagonist, Micayla, has been haunted since childhood by a devastating event, the brutal murder of her aunt, which she witnessed at the age of five. The trauma left deep psychological scars, affecting her well into adulthood. Now living in a villa by a lake steeped in dark folklore with her husband, she finds herself ensnared in an eerie mystery. The legends surrounding a mystical creature lurking in the lake are mere whispers—until her husband dies under suspicious circumstances, and her 17-month-old son vanishes. As Micayla seeks answers, she uncovers unsettling connections between these events, the lake, and its cryptic secrets.
Ekebom’s novel intricately explores mental health, beginning with the abandonment of Micayla and her brother due to their mother’s postpartum psychosis. As the story progresses, Micayla’s struggles with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts create a vivid portrait of a woman teetering on the edge. Her character becomes increasingly layered, shaped by a toxic marriage and long-standing abandonment issues, leading her to distrust those around her. When her son disappears, the narrative takes a sharp turn, propelling her into a desperate search filled with suspense and uncertainty. She encounters various characters along the way, some trustworthy, others far from it, heightening the tension and adding depth to her journey. While the novel’s title is captivating and the premise promising, it falters in execution. The lack of descriptive detail, particularly surrounding the mythical lake creature, leaves readers craving more. Key elements, such as the creature’s motivations and the ritual mentioned in passing, remain frustratingly vague. This underdevelopment of the horror aspect detracts from the novel’s potential to fully immerse its audience in fear and suspense.
The Broken Dollhouse by Sofia Ekebom presents a compelling blend of psychological thriller and horror centered around trauma, mental illness, and a chilling mystery. The novel offers a strong premise and intriguing character development. Readers of psychological thrillers and dark fiction will find the story engaging.
Pages: 328 | ISBN : 9526502035
Your Biggest Fan
Jeremy Rosenholtz’s debut novel, Your Biggest Fan, is a captivating fusion of metafiction, satire, and horror. The story unfolds through three letters addressed to “TS,” and these letters gradually expose the intricately woven details of the author’s life, his admiration for TS, and the darker undertones that hint at his true motives.
While the letters never explicitly name her, I think it’s strongly implied that TS refers to none other than Taylor Swift, a global cultural icon. This premise becomes even more intriguing when we discover the author is a 53-year-old man claiming to be her “biggest fan.” The unexpected perspective immediately piqued my curiosity, and it will draw readers into the mystery of why he’s writing to her. As a fellow Taylor Swift fan, I found the narrator’s connection to her music both touching and unsettling, creating an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
One of the novel’s standout moments is the narrator’s use of Taylor Swift’s music in his AP Literature classes. This unique twist delighted me as both a Swiftie and a lover of literature. The book also touches on a deeper theme, the power of music to evoke memories and nostalgia, helping us revisit the past while forging new emotional connections. With layers of mystery, and a story that is packed with subtle references to Swift’s music and personal life, the book keeps readers guessing, and the twists leading up to the climactic reveal are fantastically shocking.
This novel is a great read for a wide audience, but I think Swifties will particularly love this story. Whether you’re a casual listener or a dedicated fan of Taylor Swift, this book will draw you in with its clever plot and leave you pondering its twists. Literature enthusiasts, in particular, will appreciate the intricate storytelling and the skillful way the ending unfolds.
Pages: 228 | ASIN : B0DDH6471B
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Depression by Christian Martin
Murder With Malice by Deirdre Oliver
The Coffee Traveler
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
LITERARY TITAN 