Blog Archives
My Story Was Born
Stuck That Way and Other Quandaries is a collection of eerie short stories that tell some fantastic paranormal tales. What was the inspiration for the titular story in this collection?
The title story was inspired by a conversation I had with a former yoga teacher. We were discussing frequencies and elevating oneself to higher vibrational quality. The question, did I think ascension was the raising of one’s frequency, was asked. Fascinating question and it made me wonder if the lowering of the frequency sends one to this plane. My story was born.
My favorite story from the collection is “By Induction.” Do you have a favorite story in this book?
Something Lurking is my favorite in this collection. It is loosely based on my dog Finn and the dark woods behind my house. Sometimes he stares, frozen, out into the woods. Scary.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in your stories?
I am always finding ways to expose and explain the shadow aspect of our personality. That and perspective are always themes in my writing.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Since publishing Stuck That Way and Other Quandaries, I have had two children’s books published: A Perfect Place for Scary Monsters to Hide with author Jill Yoder and Pigglety Pigglety Poo, illustrated by Jane Jago. In addition to these two books, I also have The Many Worlds of Mr. A. Skouandy and Other Stories from Oakwood Sanatorium, a postmodern collage-style short story cycle featuring sketches by Tanweer Dar, and the first volume in a new series of gothic poetry with poet and author Derek R. King entitled The Darker Half, Volume 13
November 12 is the release of a beautiful inspirational book based on the Japanese art of Kintsugi, written with Derek R. King entitled Honey; Words to Heal & Mend. And on November 26, the release of Volume 12 in The Darker Half Series of gothic poetry, entitled Santa’s Claws. Another two books might squeak in as well: Our Christmas: Traditions, Memories, & More, with Derek R. King and maybe, just maybe, the release of That’s Creepy, Santa! The Trilogy, which includes part one from Stuck That Way. More to come in 2021.
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STUCK THAT WAY where a boy in a parallel universe plays a forbidden game and finds himself stuck in an unfamiliar place. Link to FREE audio version provided in eBook version.
Dark Tales from Dreamdale #1 – Book Trailer
When a scary nightmare creature escaped its underworld prison, a brave boy, Arden Wonder, must slay the quirky dream monster, Count Comatose. Before the vampire villain gets an opportunity to feed on the young souls that will allow Count Comatose to unleash a nightmarish apocalypse which will corrupt reality. Every dreaming child will morph into fantasy creatures and be the monster’s slaves in its lair – forever!
An Otherworldly Menace
Chindi follows a military officer and tribal chief as they join forces to combat an ancient Native American demon. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My inspiration for the setting for the novel grew from the area I grew up, as well from personal study of the main character, George Crook. He was a famous Indian fighter in the second half of the 19th century, but he was also the greatest advocate for the Native Americans of that time. The fort that bears his name is still a historical site near Fall River, in Northern California.
Specific to that time, I love the time period, because it enables a reader to harken back to when civilization as we know it was tenuous and fluid, with an unsettling and quick-changing backdrop for both cultures that are in the book. The chance to examine human conflict is heightened with the interaction of an otherworldly menace.
Your characters are interesting and well developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted to insert a facsimile of the real Crook into a supernatural and evil occasion of history. His real-life persona was also obsessed with honor, but it’s great to explore how we as humans would deal with being honorable when your world is collapsing around you.
For his supporting cast of soldiers and his civilian scout, I plucked those men from actual rosters on the frontier of that time. I bet those distant people would be surprised to see where they’ve ended up 160 years later.
For the Natives he interacts with, I wanted to create characters that strongly represent the chaotic and often unfair times that Indians had to contend with. Hopefully, I’ve managed to make human stories out of the trauma to their people.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most important theme to me is acquiescence to violating your personal values to make your way in the world—from both sides of the conflict. What could or should one do in the service of a higher goal? What price to pay for victory is too high?
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next novel, The Huntsman of Corvinus, comes out on December 15, 2021, and it will be available on Amazon in printed and audio form.
It is a contemporary story set in Budapest, where an American family is hunted by a supernatural killer. It should be a fascinating read, as it involves an ancient curse and normal people that must deal with a terrifying predator.
It’s full of excitement and violence, but also a twist and ending that is satisfying. I hope readers will like it.
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Chindi
![Chindi by [Timothy Bryan]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qJVx56OrL.jpg)
Chindi by Timothy Bryan begins in Northeastern California in the fall of 1862, diving into the story of a man named Abraham. As Abraham and his brother Billy dig something up in the rural landscape, they find a horrifying skull that strikes fear deep into their hearts. The story then travels across the plains to find a Native man named Chief Hakan as he discovers the bodies of a murdered family. He assumes the worst—that their tribe is being attacked.
The meat of the story begins with conflict. After the shocking deaths of many good people, Lieutenant Crook realizes that the Native Americans must be attacking white settlers. This spurs him to ready his men for battle, as more disastrous deaths occur around them. As we watch him struggle to understand why the conflict is happening, we learn that Abraham has been possessed by a being named Chindi—as he traverses the landscape, he collects the bodies of the dead, raising them to join him in his trek.
I found Chindi to be a harrowing story that explores history while emphasizing elements of horror. I loved the action throughout the story, and found Crook’s battles with the creature haunting and intriguing. As Crook and his men learned of the demons entering the bodies of the dead, I felt their fear along with them, completely entranced by the terrifying tale.
I would have liked to see even more description of the actual monsters. I had a hard time picturing the creatures at first, but I was thankful when Bryan explored the fearful aspects of their appearance. However, I sometimes felt that the increased dialogue took away from the atmospheric terror.
If you’re a fan of horror stories, Chindi takes the idea of a classic western and turns it into something absolutely haunting. I loved the unique nature of the monsters and enjoyed how history played a part in this spooky story. I recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and scary read this Halloween season.
Pages: 243 | ASIN: B09FSCS87K
Different Than I Imagined
Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends who discover the truth behind their favorite story is darker and more dangerous than they imagined. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I’m always interested in telling stories that are based in reality but twist on genre conventions…stories that begin in a normal, recognizable world, but end up somewhere completely different. I wish there was some blinding moment of clarity that sparked this particular story, but there really wasn’t…I was just sitting around one day and wondered how I would feel if I went to The Hundred Acre wood and found that the animals from Winnie the Pooh were actually real…and then I wondered what would happen if they were actually completely different that I imagined them to be…and then I basically just began branching that idea off into darker and darker directions until I felt I had something interesting enough to develop. My process is utterly mechanical, so the answer to the inspiration question is always disappointingly unromantic lol.
Your characters are intriguing and well developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Well, I wanted them to feel familiar but also fresh, but they also needed to be complex and scarred and duplicitous in a way…they needed to present themselves as one thing but be another completely different thing in reality for the story to function correctly. One of the things that helped me shape them though is that initially I wanted each of them to represent a different mental health issue that I sometimes struggle with—depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and OCD—and though that turned out ot be more of a seed than a rule to follow as they developed, you can still see the footprint of that idea in their makeup.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This book is in large part about the gray of the world—the double edges that most things have. In that respect, I wanted to explore the dangers as well as the wonderful parts of nostalgia, the ups and downs of family history, and accordingly, both the pros and the cons of having a family in the first place lol. Apart from that, I always find the dynamic between power and perversion interesting as well as the lasting impact of those that have passed on…and of course, it’s no secret that this book deals a lot with the scars of our upbringings and how they shape us throughout our lives.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Well, I’m still in the development process for a few different stories, so it’s a bit early on in the game to say… but it’s either going to be a dark thriller with the framing of historical fiction, or another contemporary dark fantasy set in the world of moviemaking…either way it should be ready to roll late next year, so keep an eye out!
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Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends to the place that inspired their favorite book—a timeless tale about a tribe of animals preparing for their yearly end-of-summer festival. But after a series of shocking discoveries, they find that much of what the world believes to be fiction is actually fact, and that the truth behind their beloved story is darker and more dangerous than they ever imagined. It’s Barley Day . . . and you’re invited to the hunt.
Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse- pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run.
Winterset Hollow
Winterset Hollow keeps readers on edge throughout this riveting story. The author is expressive, entertaining and writes in an intriguing manner which really benefits this alluring story. Winterset Hollow is a great book to read if you enjoy suspense, drama, and plot twists all delivered with a good sense of humor. The construction of the plot, development of characters and the style of narration were all excellent. Jonathan Durham does an amazing job with his writing as he describes events and characters in a way that the reader can visualize.
Winterset Hollow will have you experience all sorts of emotions through the chapters. The book opens with a backstory on each character which sets up the characters nicely before we get into the depths of the mystery at the heart of this dark fantasy novel. I enjoyed how the tone of the novel slowly changes as the story progresses from cheerful to somber, but does so almost effortlessly, to the point where I really didn’t think about it until the story was over and I reflected on what happened.
Winterset Hollow follows the story of a group of friends that enjoy adventure and exploring. These friends have the best of times among themselves. Certain eerie events however have them questioning reality, wondering what is real and what is not. I love how curious they were and appreciate the author for making the characters diverse and relatable.
I recommend Winterset Hollow to readers that enjoy books that easily combine action, melodrama, and engaging dialogue. While I wish the story was a bit longer, I think this novel provides a fantastically refreshing mix of dark fairytale storytelling with a contemporary edge. With a lot going on and unexpected twists around every corner, the solid writing ensures readers always know what is going on in this captivating novel.
Pages: 326 | ASIN: B09F9YKSRT
There Is A Lot Of Emotion
Unleashed Chaos follows twins Jace and Jem who find their lives changed forever after the Chiang-shih demon is destroyed, freeing their evil half-brother Sebastian. What were some changes you made to this revised edition?
I believe you can always make a story better, no matter how seasoned the author is. And that’s exactly what I did in addition to a new cover, a new editor, and published it myself. Now, as I move into my sixth novel in the series, I have developed more skills as a writer—thanks to helpful tips from talented authors, a real editor, and gracious readers—especially when it comes to the fight scenes and the sizzling romance.
I enjoyed Jace and Jem Chamberlain characters. Who in Hollywood do you see playing them if this were turned into a movie?
Jace and Jem Chamberlain are my dearest characters. They started my story from the very beginning at the tender age of four. Since they are identical twins and all grown up now, their characters are very similar, although somewhat different in personality, like fire and ice. What actor do I see playing their parts in a movie? Well, that’s tough to say. My characters actually came from a “real” person that is not an actor. Sorry, keeping that one a secret. So, I’d have to say, they look a lot like Brad Pitt when he played in the movie “Legends of the Fall.” But since that was years ago, the actor in today’s time would be Charlie Hunnam. His voice would be great for Jace!
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Is this intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
Yes, there is a lot of emotion in my novels between my characters. Lots of new budding love, new beginnings, revenge, and forgiveness. I definitely wanted to start this story with our everyday human emotions. In my opinion, it makes the characters believable and seem “real” to the readers. Although most of my characters are not human, they still share all the traits of humanity.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
In 2022, I will release my sixth novel of the Breedline series, The Curse, along with revised editions of Sweet Chaos and Total Chaos. In 2023, I plan to release the seventh novel of the Breedline series, Living Nightmares. In 2024, I’m writing a special edition of the Novels of the Breedline series, The Vampires in Manhattan. This book will take readers into the era of the mid-eighteenth century.
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As Sebastian moves on with his new life, evading punishment for his crimes against the Breedline, he uncovers a secret from his past, leading him down a dangerous path he hadn’t bargained for.
Meanwhile, Jace is fiercely determined to protect his beloved Tessa, who is pregnant with his twin sons, from Sebastian Crow and his recurring nightmares. Worried his dreams are visions of her death, Jace battles with the lesser of two evils: to seek revenge against his half-brother, or to surrender his fury before his thirst for vengeance destroys everything he loves.
Now that everyone in the Breedline Covenant looks forward to Jem and Mia’s wedding, a mysterious guest arrives unexpectedly with an extraordinary gift of healing. The question is… are they all prepared to deal with the unforeseen visitor’s dark past of running from a corrupt group of scientists obsessed with his rare abilities, or will they be driven to the brink of madness?
Ékleipsis: the Abyss
![Ékleipsis: the Abyss by [Tamel Wino]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41jlpytWBnL.jpg)
Ekleipsis: the Abyss by Tamel Wino is a collection of dark psychological thriller stories that keep you on the edge of your seat. The book has five stories and some situations you might even be able to relate to. The book explores those desires that you have that can take a turn for the worse, and it can happen to anyone, your neighbor, your friend, or your social media follower. Tamel really captured that essence of society and the dark side of people.
Ekleipsis: a word that means abandonment. Abandoning your humanity and taking that plunge into the dark void. Each of Tamel’s story is colored by this idea. A billionaire who has too many skeletons in the past, or a jealous woman who lost everything she had. Each character or villain in the stories are well thought out and relatable in some sense. What I realized was that each story had a different focus and an element that makes it stand out from the others but as a whole gives a vivid and dark reflection of humanity.
While I enjoyed these stories and the gritty exploration of humanity that they provide I sometimes felt like some stories were rushed. These are short stories so I completely understand the need to move things along, and these stories certainly do move quickly, but I would have loved more of a buildup (or maybe I’m just so enthralled with these stories that I want there to be more). As soon as we are introduced to the intriguing characters, the fascinating plot is unfurled and then the story is over. Such is the nature of short stories I suppose. I would honestly read all the stories if they were separate novels! The plot of each story is that strong, and I want to know more about each person and their thoughts, and just sit inside the characters mind for a while.
I look forward to reading more of these dark thrillers from Tamel Wino and readers will appreciate the dark undertones of this horror anthology. Ekleipsis will surprise you more that you can imagine.
Pages: 235 | ASIN: B09CN7H667
LITERARY TITAN 