Blog Archives
DARKER THAN BLOOD (The Psychic Thriller Experience)
Taylor Marsh’s Darker Than Blood is a psychological and spiritual thriller that threads together trauma, intuition, and the battle between light and dark energy. It follows Gaynell Debs, a brilliant but fractured psychic researcher who investigates crimes through energetic and spiritual phenomena while confronting her own buried past. The story moves between philosophical musings on the soul and gripping scenes of investigation, murder, and mysticism. It’s part psychological study, part metaphysical manifesto, and part crime story, all wrapped in a stream of intense emotion and strange beauty.
The writing is poetic, rhythmic, almost hypnotic at times. Marsh writes with conviction, though her style can be dense, full of spiritual theories and raw inner dialogue. Still, I couldn’t look away. Gaynell’s voice is sharp, vulnerable, and maddeningly honest. I found myself torn between skepticism and belief, between wanting to shake her and wanting to protect her. The blend of astrology, psychology, and metaphysics is bold, and even when I didn’t buy every claim, I admired the audacity of it all. The emotional tension is constant, and that’s what makes it compelling, there’s never a dull page, just moments that leave you unsettled and curious.
At times, the prose teeters on the edge of chaos, but that’s part of the charm. Marsh writes like she’s chasing truth. I felt that too, reading it. The story jumps from intimate confessions to philosophical revelations, and I loved the unpredictability. The dialogue is raw and relatable, especially between Gaynell and Nun. There’s a deep current of loneliness running beneath the mysticism, and it hit me harder than I expected. The ideas about trauma, energy, and emotional alchemy are strange but oddly comforting. It’s a book that feels alive, pulsing with the author’s own search for meaning.
Darker Than Blood is a rewarding read. It’s for readers who crave intensity and don’t mind getting lost in spiritual terrain that feels dangerous and divine. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves fiction that questions reality, faith, and the limits of human understanding. Reading Darker Than Blood felt to me like stepping into the same haunted, cerebral space as The Secret History by Donna Tartt, but with a far more mystical, electric pulse running through every page.
Pages: 311 | ASIN : B0F79GQWHX
Self-Deprecating Humor
Spelled in Ink centers around a gifted but snarky mage on a supernatural heist that suddenly goes wrong. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Plenty of inspirations for my novels come from my travels. This one was inspired by a trip to the French chateaus of the Loire. We visited both Clos Lucé and Chenonceau, and I found them both so magical that I simply had to write about them. Da Vinci was an amazing person, and the exhibition in the chateau gave me plenty of food for thought. I always have paranormal elements in my novels, and Magical Realism is a thing for me. This one borders on urban fantasy; I simply wanted to have more magic than in my other series, the Magical Misfits Mysteries. I also wanted something faster-paced. Poor Cyn and Dan are almost constantly on the run….
Cyn is such a fantastic main character. What was your inspiration for her traits and dialogue?
I prefer characters who break the mold, that’s why she–while grounded in Europe–isn’t purely of European descent. Fortunately, my kind Indian friends made sure I didn’t introduce any bloopers when it came to the Indian part of her heritage. The voice is typical–or so I’m told. My MCs seem to suffer from self-deprecating humor, are intelligent and resourceful, and that makes for some snappy comebacks. I love writing dialogue. Apparently, it’s one of my strengths, or so I’m told.
What is the most challenging aspect of writing a mystery?
Getting the “trail of breadcrumbs,” i.e., the clues aligned so the ultimate conclusion is not only logical, but the reader also has a chance of working it out for themselves. Getting that right requires a lot of careful planning and mapping. Spelled is also a heist, which means I had another plotline to distract from the murder, but it still had to fit.
Can you give us a glimpse into the next book in the Da Vinci Mysteries? Where will it take readers?
The next one, Cursed out Loud, will take readers to Da Vinci’s home country and even his birthplace – Vinci in Tuscany. This book is stronger on the murder mystery aspect. To get hold of the next part of Vinci’s treatise, Cyn and Dan take part in an oldtimer rally. The winner gets the treatise. Well, that’s the theory. When a rally organizer is murdered, things go sadly pear-shaped… I’ve also been asked about the romance – yes, it develops during the series, and the next instalment makes their attraction very clear. But be warned – I’m anything but linear….
Author Links: GoodReads | Bluesky | Facebook | Website | Amazon
With the goddess Kali’s death curse hanging over her head, dark witch Cyn is running scared.
To get help, Cyn must sell her services to DAFT, a top-shelf supernatural society.
The mission is tricky—find Leonardo da Vinci’s missing formula to protect the witches’ fading psychic powers from modern hi-tech. The last thing she needs is more trouble.
Trouble is what she gets.
Mysterious ongoings at the maestro’s final residence in France throw Cyn’s assignment off track, leaving her with a murdered man, Dan the magic-hating art thief—and a pet tortoise.
Now Cyn and her new criminal sidekick Dan must solve the puzzle and flush out an invisible foe, who might or might not be an undead Da Vinci.
Of course, the killer strikes again.
And misses.
Given their clashing characters, backgrounds, and a slow-burn romance sparking between them, Cyn and Dan are a team forged in hell. But, hey, a little creative chaos can work wonders…
“Spelled in Ink”, the first book in this suspenseful series of paranormal cozy murder mystery and fantasy novels, will keep you laughing—and guessing—right to the very end. If you like witty and strong female characters as written by Janet Evanovich, Kristen Painter, Helen Harper, and Colleen Helme, this short and fast-paced novel will have you rooting for team Cyn and Dan.
And now go up and click Read Now or Buy Now to find out why it’s never a good idea to mess with watersprites!
Spelled in Ink
Spelled in Ink, by Lina Hansen, opens with a sharp, funny mix of magic, murder, and museum burglary. Cyn, a snarky and reluctantly gifted mage, is sneaking through Leonardo da Vinci’s old haunts when her job goes sideways. Cue spells, secret societies, and a charming thief. What starts as a supernatural heist at Château du Clos Lucé spirals into a mystery full of curses, dead bodies, and a centuries-old manuscript. It’s witty, fast, and delightfully chaotic.
Cyn’s voice hooked me from page one. From the moment she’s telepathically arguing with her boss while hiding in a bush, it’s clear she’s both capable and a total mess. She’s smart but allergic to her own magic, sarcastic to a fault, and impossible not to root for. When she mutters, “Maggots, what am I supposed to do?” over a corpse and a runaway tortoise, it’s equal parts absurd and oddly tender, a perfect snapshot of the book’s tone.
Hansen’s writing crackles with energy. Dialogue snaps, world-building slides in seamlessly, and every scene feels alive. The humor lands without derailing the tension; when explosions go off in Da Vinci’s bedroom or whispers rise from behind locked doors, the suspense feels earned. The blend of sharp wit and eerie atmosphere gives the book a rhythm that’s hard to put down.
The world itself feels fresh yet grounded. Magic here isn’t lofty; it’s messy, inconvenient, and often treated like an irritating chore. Cyn’s exasperated take on spellcasting (“Decades of toothache, more likely”) adds a human touch that makes the supernatural elements believable.
Between rival factions, magical science jargon, and Cyn’s chemistry with Dan the burglar, it can be hard to track every thread. But the chaos mostly works in its favor; it feels intentional, like watching a magician perform too fast for comfort but with total confidence. Cyn and Dan’s banter especially grounds the story; when he calls her “Cinderella in jeans,” it’s cheesy but endearing.
Spelled in Ink hits the sweet spot between mystery, fantasy, and comedy. It’s clever, brisk, and charmingly offbeat. Fans of Ben Aaronovitch or Seanan McGuire will love it. If you prefer your heroines scrappy and your magic delightfully unglamorous, this one’s a gem.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0FPBJHC8V
Out of Body: Straight to Hell
Out of Body: Straight to Hell is a wild, genre-defying ride that blends psychological drama, speculative science, supernatural horror, and heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling. The novel follows Harley Baker, a paralyzed young man who, after a childhood trauma tied to a dream-world soulmate and a very real fall from a second-story window, sets off on a determined, mind-bending journey to rediscover the truth of those dreams. Armed with government-declassified astral projection guides, banned hallucinogens, and a stubborn belief in the soul’s reality, Harley risks everything to find Stephanie—a woman who may or may not exist. Along the way, he tangles with literal demons, the CIA, and the biggest enemy of all: his own doubt.
I didn’t expect to get sucker-punched by emotion so often in a story that features Satan as a literal antagonist. But Chater does something special here. His writing has this knack for yanking you through a dozen moods in a single chapter. One minute, I’m laughing at Harley’s razor-sharp sarcasm and tragically millennial monologues, and the next, I’m stunned into silence by the sincerity of a line about loneliness or parental love. Chater’s voice is sharp, raw, never too polished, and it suits Harley’s inner chaos perfectly. Some of the scenes, especially those involving the black-eyed dream demon or Harley’s aching memories of his dog Barney, hit harder than I expected. And while the dialogue flirts with melodrama at times, it never crosses into the unbelievable. Harley’s voice is exactly what it needs to be: brutally honest, emotionally bruised, and relatable.
Now, the ideas in this book? They’re bonkers—in the best way. We’re talking government-funded psychic training, astral projection as espionage, spirit dogs quoting hip-hop, and an actual demon with a libido and a vengeance. And yet… it works. Chater doesn’t dump exposition on your head. He lets you piece together the crazy through Harley’s obsession. There’s a surprising amount of research under the hood—Gateway tapes, Monroe Institute lore, CIA documents—and it’s all used not to impress, but to deepen Harley’s desperate search for truth. The line between madness and metaphysics is always razor thin, and Chater walks it like a tightrope artist. Sure, some plot turns stretch credibility, but so does reality when you’re twenty-two, emotionally shattered, and chasing your dream girl through multiple dimensions. I bought in—and I stayed in.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if The OA made out with Stranger Things while reading a Monroe Institute report high on DMT, this book is your answer. It’s heartfelt sci-fi for the spiritual misfit, horror for the sensitive soul, and a love story written in the language of astral projection, regret, and raw hope. I’d recommend this to readers who crave deep weirdness with emotional bite—fans of Chuck Palahniuk, Neil Gaiman, or anyone who’s gone down a rabbit hole at 2 a.m. and come out wondering if any of it was real.
Pages: 216 | ASIN : B0F4ZJ8WVG
The Orbriallis Institute: Lost Grove: Part Two
The Orbriallis Institute – Lost Grove: Part Two is a captivating and unique tale, blending mystery with a sense of eerie suspense. From the very first paragraphs, the reader is plunged into a creepy and enigmatic situation that immediately sparks curiosity and compels you to keep turning the pages. The writing is gripping, pulling you deeper into the story with each detailed description that vividly brings the scenarios to life. Set in the small, quiet town of Lost Grove, the book’s atmosphere is beautifully crafted, evoking a sense of unease in the reader. The town’s eerie silence, coupled with the mysteries and secrets that the characters harbor, creates a palpable tension. As the story unfolds, each new character introduced adds another layer to the intrigue, and their connections gradually reveal the larger narrative at play.
The characters themselves are fascinating, with some exuding an unsettling, almost creepy vibe. The author excels at painting vivid pictures of both the people and the settings, making it easy to immerse yourself in the world of Lost Grove. This depth of detail enhances the reading experience, allowing you to fully delve into the lives of the characters and become engrossed in the unfolding mystery. The author’s writing style is one of the highlights of Lost Grove. It is consistently engaging and richly descriptive, never faltering in its ability to draw the reader in. The combination of intriguing characters, a well-paced plot, and a hauntingly atmospheric setting makes this book a standout in the mystery and horror genre. The character development in Lost Grove, Part Two is also commendable. The authors skillfully depict the complexities of the characters’ relationships, particularly the bond between Noble and his sister Zoe, and the tension surrounding Nettie’s belief in the “Green Man.” The way the characters grapple with their fears and the unknown adds depth to the story, making it not just a mystery, but also a compelling exploration of human emotions under pressure. I also appreciated the book’s handling of the supernatural elements, which are introduced with a subtlety that makes them feel grounded in the world of Lost Grove. The hints of folklore and the mysteries surrounding the Orbriallis Institute create a rich backdrop for the story.
I would recommend The Orbriallis Institute: Lost Grove: Part Two to anyone who enjoys mysterious and horror-filled tales. The author’s skillful use of description and character development makes it a compelling read from start to finish. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the genre or just looking for a good book to get lost in, Lost Grove is sure to satisfy.
Pages: | ASIN : B0DBFLL679
Obsessiveness Pays Off
Lost Grove: Part One follows a tenacious lawman who digs into the mystery of a woman’s death, discovering the town is hiding more secrets than he anticipated. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Charlotte: The idea first originated when I visited the quaint and stunning Victorian town of Ferndale, CA. I was inspired by the picturesque surroundings and the magical vibes it made me feel. While I was there, I came up with the idea of a series of interconnected weird tales, something akin to Josh Mallerman’s Goblin, six separate tales that all happen in the same town, with some loose connections. A few of the original stories I came up with were one about The Green Man, one about Mary the Vampire, and one about a mysterious institute (which became the Orbriallis).
Alex: When Charlotte brought the idea to me, I came up with the concept of tying them all together through a detective story, which are my favorite books to read.
Charlotte: I came up with the idea and image of Sarah Elizabeth’s body being found on a beach. With Mary being there.
Alex: And I grabbed the baton from there to come up with the actual case.
Sergeant Seth Wolfe is an intelligent and intense character who is set on discovering the secrets that the town has hidden even as the clues drift away. What was the inspiration for the main character’s traits and dialogue?
Charlotte: I think Seth was an amalgamation of some of my favorite detective characters from books, as well as my husband.
Alex: Insider secret – that’s me. The husband. But what else are you leaving out, Charlotte? Don’t hold back.
Charlotte: Ugh, fine. Yes, I will also admit there was a little bit of Seth Rollins, the current WWE Champion, in there.
Alex: There ya go. So, Charlotte established his overall character and then passed him off to me, knowing my penchant for detectives. I wrote the majority of Seth’s dialogue and really leaned into the stoic nature that Charlotte came up with. He’s seen things in his almost twenty years as a homicide detective in San Francisco that make it hard for him to get phased by much. I also consciously forced his dialogue to not be from my personal voice.
Charlotte: Right, because truthfully, you talk more like Nate Abbot, one of our favorite teen characters.
Alex: Very true, which is why I had to rewrite a lot of his dialogue to make him awesome and hilarious.
Charlotte: Is that why? (laughs)
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story, where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
Charlotte: I think one of the hardest parts of writing a mystery story is keeping track of the clues and what’s been revealed, when, and by whom.
Alex: And this is where our obsessiveness pays off. We did an epic amount of prep work before digging in to start actually writing the novel(s). Coming up with the overall story arc first, and then using flashcards to break it down event-by-event, date-by-date, covering our entire living room floor with them.
Charlotte: Yes, that was very important. But we also had to allow for natural surprises to come out in the process of writing the novel and not be fully tied to these pre-planned events.
Alex: Right. Much like preparing for an opponent in sports. Like if I were a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves—-
Charlotte: You’re not.
Alex: No, but if I were, it would be practice, practice, practice, study tape, read reports. But then, when the game comes, we’d have to be willing to throw all of that aside and just go play. Allow for the opponent, in this case, our story, to challenge you and force you to switch gears.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
Charlotte: I’m going to take a queue from Mr. Scott Gimple, franchise boss of The Walking Dead Universe, and vaguely reply: you’ll get answers.
Alex: (laughs) Oh, I think we can say a little more than that. Every now and then, Gimple will actually give the audience something to chew on. I will say this: the title of book two is The Orbriallis Institute, which one could logically conclude that you’ll learn a lot more about the mysterious research facility.
Charlotte: Very true. I will add that you’ll also see the teenager’s friendships grow and that their mystery will take less of a backseat in this one.
Alex: And you’ll learn more about the Green Man and that Peter Andalu—
Charlotte: Okay, that’s enough.
Alex: Fine, fine. Can we at least tell them the date?
Charlotte: Absolutely. The Orbriallis Institute: Lost Grove Part Two will be released on Tuesday, October 8th.
Alex: And that’s this year, 2024. So, not long to wait! Just the way we planned it.
Charlotte Zang Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Alex J. Knudsen Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In the eerie, enigmatic town of Lost Grove, where secrets whispered among the rustling pines are as thick as the fog rolling in from the sea, the discovery of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams’ lifeless corpse on the windswept beach is but the first note in a haunting symphony of mysteries.
Sergeant Seth Wolfe, the town’s tenacious lawman, penetrates the cryptic and labyrinthine secrets veiled beneath the town’s murky facade. A connection to Sarah Elizabeth, one he could never have fathomed, begins to take shape, blurring the lines between his own existence and the mysteries that enshroud the town. Suspects multiply like whispers in a haunted forest, but each lead unravels, and the mysteries of the case deepen.
Meanwhile, a group of local teenagers embark on their own harrowing mission, driven by a relentless desire to answer the riddle of their friend’s vanished brother and expose the sinister secrets harbored by an affluent institute nestled in the heart of Lost Grove. Bringing their disturbing findings to Seth, he discovers eerie parallels between their quest and his case.
As Seth dives deeper into the abyss of darkness gripping Lost Grove, an unsettling incident threatens to derail his investigation and shatter the illusions of safety the town has harbored for far too long. A chilling web of malevolence begins to tighten its grip, ensnaring them all in a nightmarish dance that will test the limits of their resolve.
Readers who love the eerie, unsettling mystery of Stephen King’s The Outsider and the monstrous legends of Brian McGreevy’s Hemlock Grove will enjoy this twisty, taut thriller.
Lost Grove: Part One
The seemingly tranquil town is shaken to its core by the discovery of Sarah Elizabeth Graham’s lifeless body on its desolate beach. This grim event sets off a series of unsettling mysteries that ripple through the town’s fog-enshrouded streets. Sergeant Seth Wolfe, a steadfast lawman, finds himself entangled in the town’s complex web of secrets and lies. His investigation takes a personal turn as he uncovers a startling connection to Sarah Elizabeth, blurring the boundaries between his professional duties and personal history. As suspects emerge and leads dissolve into the town’s eerie atmosphere, Wolfe realizes that the mystery is far more intricate than he initially thought.
As the plot progresses, Charlotte Zang and Alex J. Knudsen’s adept storytelling becomes increasingly apparent. Each chapter weaves a tapestry of suspense and mystery, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. The unexpected twist of incorporating supernatural elements into what begins as a conventional thriller is a bold and successful gamble. This aspect, in particular, adds a layer of complexity and intrigue, setting the novel apart from its contemporaries. The vividness of the settings and characters is another commendable aspect. The authors’ use of descriptive language paints each scene with such clarity that it feels like watching a movie unfold in one’s mind. The attention to detail, especially in the portrayal of the small-town setting and the various struggles of its inhabitants, provides a rich backdrop against which the central mystery unfolds. What truly elevates this book, however, is its exploration of themes that go beyond the typical thriller. The sensitive handling of death and the nuanced portrayal of the characters, especially the teenagers, are handled with a deft touch, adding a sense of realism and depth to the narrative. The blend of genres – from mystery and thriller to horror – is executed with a rare and exhilarating finesse.
Lost Grove: Part One is not just a compelling read; it’s a journey through a maze of emotions and suspense. It is a testament to the authors’ ability to craft a story that is as haunting as it is enthralling. This book is highly recommended for readers seeking a narrative that seamlessly blends mystery, thriller, and horror with a dash of the supernatural, creating a unique and memorable experience.
Pages: 344 | ASIN: B0CSX713FZ
LITERARY TITAN 