Blog Archives
The Case Files of GG Michaels Paranormal Investigator
J.L. Meredith’s The Case Files of GG Michaels: Paranormal Investigator delivers a gripping mix of supernatural suspense, investigative drama, and sly humor. Each short story follows Guenevere “Guen” Michaels, a fearless paranormal investigator, and her steadfast partner, Janet Yamashita. Together, they tackle eerie mysteries, confronting everything from ghosts and vampires to legendary creatures, all while juggling their professional cases and personal challenges.
Meredith paints each scene with precision and atmosphere. Whether it’s an abandoned asylum cloaked in shadow or a creaking Victorian house steeped in ghostly whispers, the locations feel alive and dripping with supernatural tension. The chemistry between Guen and Janet shines brightly, with Guen’s daring and resourcefulness playing perfectly against Janet’s down-to-earth practicality and skeptical humor. Their moments of banter and camaraderie bring a lighthearted charm that balances the book’s darker, chilling tones. The pacing of each short story keeps the suspense tight, pulling readers into one eerie case after another. Every tale builds anticipation as Guen and Janet piece together clues and face malevolent entities. Meredith seamlessly weaves historical details into the paranormal fabric, such as the haunting ties of the Monahan house to the Underground Railroad, adding a sense of realism and depth. The fusion of folklore with modern investigative techniques creates a refreshing and inventive take on paranormal sleuthing.
Despite its many strengths, the collection’s brisk momentum sometimes works against it. The sheer variety of supernatural cases can feel somewhat overwhelming, with transitions between stories occasionally losing clarity. Some climactic moments resolve too quickly, leaving a hunger for deeper exploration of these terrifying encounters.
The Case Files of GG Michaels: Paranormal Investigator is an engrossing read for fans of paranormal mysteries. Meredith’s knack for atmospheric storytelling, sharp character dynamics, and the interplay of horror and humor make this book an exciting and memorable entry into the genre. It’s perfect for readers who love their chills with a dash of wit.
Pages: 79 | ASIN : B0DLCG96ZF
Echoes of Broken Vows
Logan Glass’s Echoes of Broken Vows plunges readers into the dark and haunting world of the Eidolon, a powerful cult promising immortality through grotesque and morally corrupt rituals, rituals that often claim innocent lives. Sam and Rowan, once devout members, find themselves crushed under the weight of guilt after years of complicity. Desperate to redeem their souls and shatter the organization from within, they embark on a perilous journey to dismantle the cult they once served.
As they navigate this dangerous rebellion, Sam and Rowan grapple with profound emotions and embark on a journey of self-discovery. The novella explores themes of immortality, power abuse, personal guilt, and defiance, all against the chilling backdrop of the Eidolon’s shadowy chambers and unnerving ceremonies. Glass’s vivid descriptions make these scenes feel disturbingly real, evoking an oppressive atmosphere that mirrors the horrors of unchecked power, a timely parallel to real-world systems clinging desperately to control.
Rowan’s character stands out for his intense internal conflict. His guilt and longing for redemption are palpable, making it easy to sympathize with his struggle. In contrast, Sam’s daring spirit and quick thinking bring balance to the story. His boldness complements Rowan’s introspection, and their bond feels authentic and emotionally resonant. While the novella’s pacing is generally tight, some moments, particularly during Rowan’s reflections, can feel a bit slower. However, these sections also serve to deepen the portrayal of his moral turmoil, adding layers to his character.
Echoes of Broken Vows is a dark, intense, and thought-provoking read. Despite its brevity, the story achieves remarkable depth, offering fully realized characters and a chilling exploration of its themes. A gripping novella, it’s sure to linger with readers long after the final page.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0DKJX9CZD
Smuggler’s Love: A Sci-Fi Action Adventure (Reese Daniels Smuggler Series Book 3)
Smuggler’s Love by TD Wilson offers a gripping sci-fi adventure that’s both refreshing and thrilling. At its heart is Reese Daniels, a smuggler by trade and a criminal by necessity. While he skirts the law to make ends meet, Reese doesn’t see himself as a villain, just someone who’s willing to bend the rules when it benefits him. His main source of income comes from smuggling, but occasionally, he finds himself entangled in side ventures—like taking down mob boss Gideon Almora. This twist brings Irena Almora, Gideon’s niece, into his life. On a routine delivery to Mars, Reese and Irena find themselves drawn into a dangerous web. Unsavory figures now want Irena for leverage and wouldn’t hesitate to use Reese as collateral. Forced together by circumstance, the two must navigate not only the perilous situations they find themselves in, but also the growing connection between them. What starts as a partnership to survive soon becomes something more, adding emotional stakes to the physical danger.
Wilson’s third installment in the Smuggler series doesn’t disappoint. While Reese may evoke memories of Han Solo, the character stands firmly on his own, with wit, charm, and a knack for getting into—and out of—trouble. Though part of a series, Smuggler’s Love works equally well as a standalone, introducing newcomers to a cast of well-rounded, engaging characters without the need to backtrack. What sets this novel apart from typical sci-fi fare is Wilson’s ability to develop his characters while maintaining the fast-paced narrative. Reese’s charm is magnetic, but it’s his depth and complexity that make readers care about his fate from the very first page. Irena, meanwhile, offers a dynamic counterpoint, evolving from a potential damsel in distress to a force to be reckoned with, holding her own in both banter and action as the stakes rise. I found the plot a bit predictable at times. While the action sequences are fantastic, some of the twists—like the betrayal Reese faces from people he trusts—feel somewhat expected. That said, the writing still keeps the reader invested, and the characters’ decisions—especially Reese’s—are compelling enough to make you care about the outcome.
Smuggler’s Love is a fast-paced, character-driven sci-fi adventure that showcases TD Wilson’s talent for blending action with engaging storytelling. The chemistry between Reese and Irena, coupled with the exciting and perilous situations they find themselves in, makes for a compelling read. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Smuggler series or a newcomer, this book offers a satisfying mix of thrills, humor, and heart.
Pages: 86 | ASIN : B0D1LQWKD2
Societal Observations and Reflections
Desuetude follows an elite hunter of dangerous creatures struggling to find her place in an ever-changing world dominated by factories and growing cityscapes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for my story was watching society develop and change, both as a whole and in my personal life. I have a background in the social sciences. This allowed me to see the underlying trends and possibilities for the future impartially. My hometown had transformed over the last fifteen years from about 50K people to 150K people. I watched my world being bulldozed and remade; this was a huge influence on my writing of Desuetude.
How long did it take you to imagine, draft, and write the world your characters live in?
I started the book in 2020. My final first draft was completed in 2022. It took me over another year of editing before I got it copyrighted in 2023. This work taught me a ton as a writer and helped me grow immensely.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
Isolation and observation were the most important factors for Desuetude. I wanted Val to seem and feel intensely separate from the world she was thrust into. The other characters she interacts with were designed to have a distant feel to them. Most of the characters don’t have name, and that was done purposely for reinforcing Val’s sense of isolation as Val’s world caves in around her. For the observations, Val was a hunter. Her entire job was to watch, study, and track her query. This translated over to her societal observations and reflections. Being detached gave her a unique perspective on urban life and technology. It gave her an objective view, free of technology’s influence.
I find a problem in well-written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
No. For this book there will not be a sequel. Val’s story is complete in this one installment.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Technological selection is coming. There is only so much land left. Where there were once vast open spaces, there are now never-ending streets. Where there was once plant life, there are now factories and rows of buildings. Progress knows no mercy.
Val is aware of this. She has become a foreigner in her own homeland. Her hunting profession is dying out. Val is struggling to find her place in the new world, but what can one person do in a society that has forgotten them?
Desuetude is the exciting new literary sci-fi from Nicholas “Tac” Whitcomb.
Desuetude
Desuetude, by NTW, is a gripping work of fiction set in a dystopian future where nature and humanity clash in a fight for survival. The protagonist, Valerie Wiggins, is a hardened exterminator tasked with eliminating dangerous creatures that have evolved to threaten human encroachment into the wilderness. Through her eyes, we navigate a world filled with synthetic enhancements, corporate greed, and the ever-present tension between the wild and the civilized.
NTW’s writing is immersive and richly descriptive, painting vivid images of both the desolate urban landscapes and the treacherous wilderness. The scene where Valerie confronts a massive crustacean near the lake is particularly memorable, showcasing the author’s ability to blend action with deep, reflective moments. The narrative is interspersed with Valerie’s internal monologues, which provide a poignant commentary on her weary existence and the grim realities of her job.
The author explores themes related to environmental degradation and technological overreach. The vertical farm run by the biologist character serves as a microcosm of the broader societal issues at play. The description of the artificially sustained crops and the sterile, controlled environment contrasts sharply with the wild, untamed nature just beyond the fence, highlighting the unnatural balance humanity has imposed on the world. The novel’s pacing introduces a varied rhythm, with certain chapters offering a deep dive into technical details that enrich the narrative. The intricate descriptions of Valerie’s equipment and mission preparations, while detailed, provide an interesting layer of realism and authenticity to her character. The secondary characters, like the biologist, present opportunities for further development, which could add even more depth to Valerie’s interactions and the world she navigates
Desuetude is a thought-provoking read that offers a stark reflection on the consequences of humanity’s relentless pursuit of progress. NTW’s skillful storytelling and vivid world-building make it a compelling book for fans of dystopian fiction and those interested in environmental themes. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy immersive, reflective science fiction with a strong environmental message.
Pages: 98 | ASIN : B0CTHSNYVR
A Large Criminal Enterprise
In Smuggler’s Guilt, a man known for his smuggling skills finds himself working to bring down a cartel at the risk of his own life and moral code. What was the inspiration for this second book in your series?
I enjoy mysteries, adventure, sci-fi, and fantasy stories and shows. With Reese as a Smuggler, I planned for him to have run-ins with various criminal elements, and putting a large criminal enterprise operating in the belt or outer colonies was easy, not unlike The Expanse or Babylon 5.
What were some books or movies that you think were your main sources of inspiration for this story?
Modern and old-style sci-fi like Star Wars, mainly Han Solo, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, Bablyon 5, etc., provided some great inspiration for me.
Are there any characters that you especially enjoy writing for in this series?
Reese is so fun to write. Reese has that snarky, smart-ass quality, but a compassionate side for his family that makes him very relatable. Also, Maya Greywalker is a bad-ass and she is featured in my other Epherium Chronicles novels.
Can you give fans some insight into where the next book will take main character Reese Daniels?
The next story is called Smuggler’s Love and begins 3 months after the end of Smuggler’s Guilt. Reese and Irina’s relationship has progressed, but that kind of involvement with a family member of a crime family is wrought for trouble.
Here is a look at the opening:
“Experience provided me a long career. My adventures took me places I couldn’t dream when I was kid. Along the way, I found people; friends, allies, and plenty of enemies. I never expected to find love, love so innocent it broke boundaries. The kind of love poets wrote about. I heard once that love is patient, love is blind, love is transcendent—well something like that. All I knew was love got me in a whole lot of trouble.”
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Awarded Honorable Mention in the recent second quarter Volume 40 of L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future contest.
Reese Daniels has rules for smuggling and when he follows them everything clicks. Coerced into helping Earth Defense Force Security take down a criminal cartel, Reese has to violate his code to protect his family, his life, and humanity. With everything at stake, he must find unlikely allies to accomplish his mission.
Smuggler’s Guilt
T. D. Wilson’s Smuggler’s Guilt is an enthralling addition to the sci-fi adventure genre, seamlessly continuing the journey of Reese Daniels, the protagonist first introduced in Smuggler’s Valor. As a smuggler turned ally to the Marines in their battle against aliens, Daniels now finds himself in a precarious alliance with the authorities. His mission: to apprehend a group of smugglers who have brazenly pilfered from a headquarters. His reward is freedom, but he will risk his life to gain it.
Wilson’s narrative style remains as compelling as ever, masterfully balancing the pacing of the story with vivid descriptions of settings and action sequences. The blend of action and rich detail draws the reader deeper into the story. Wilson immerses readers fully in the unfolding events, creating another installment fans will find difficult to put down.
The character development in Smuggler’s Guilt is particularly noteworthy. Wilson crafts characters that are intricate and full of unexpected layers. The narrative skillfully reveals these layers, maintaining a sense of familiarity with the characters while allowing for new aspects of their personalities to emerge. The plot moves swiftly, adeptly exploring the complexities of human emotion, decision-making, and the myriad of circumstances that the characters encounter. The book’s conclusion is both satisfying and tantalizing, hinting at the potential for further exploration in the series, particularly with regard to the enigmatic Greywalkers. This effective setup paves the way for future installments, leaving the reader eagerly anticipating what comes next for Reese Daniels.
I highly recommend Smuggler’s Guilt to those who have a penchant for fast-paced, richly woven sci-fi adventures. For a more comprehensive understanding of the characters and storyline, it is advisable to read Smuggler’s Valor before delving into this sequel. Smuggler’s Guilt stands out as an exemplary read in its genre, offering a fulfilling experience that will leave readers both delighted and intrigued.
Pages: 73 | ASIN : B0CGYXJHG9
LITERARY TITAN 