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Readers Wanted More
Rise of the Hunter follows a man who was thrown into a pit and supposed to be dead, who escapes, igniting a war between good and evil. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was prepared to end the series with the previous book in the trilogy but over 150 readers sent me emails wanting to know more about what could’ve happened if the Tall Dark Man had more of a role. Readers in my Blood Prophecy Saga love the Tall Dark Man and after thinking about it, The Dark Prophecy Series in the saga was born. Rise of the Hunter is the first installment of the Tall Dark Man’s Trilogy in which he could be seen as the protagonist from the villain’s perspective. I tend to love my villains in all my books so this was a perfect way to bring evil back to life in the Blood Prophecy Saga.
What were some driving ideals behind your character’s Tall Dark Man’s development?
The main idea about the Tall Dark Man is that you will never get a complete description of his face. I will bring out bits and pieces of certain characteristics but because evil can come in many different forms, this was a perfect way to bring him to light. In the next book, Fate of an Angel, readers will learn that he looks different to different people. Evil has many different forms. The Tall Dark Man is also a man, but an evil one. He is not a supernatural being but can possess supernatural abilities. The premise of evil and how it evolves is what gives the Tall Dark Man his edge, his nature and the persona that my readers embrace.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I never know how my story will begin or end. I just tend to write and let my characters do the talking. The twists and turns come naturally to me, allowing my creativity to dominate. I can’t sit down and plot my stories, but I definitely do research and travel to locations I write about.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
Fate of An Angel is the next book in the trilogy, The Dark Prophecy Series and will focus on the relationship between the Tall Dark Man and Zaraquel, the Avenging Angel. She is under his spell and faces the turmoil of giving into evil to be with him or to choose the light and save her family. Together, they embark on a journey that the Tall Dark Man learns could be his undoing or his success in overthrowing the queen.
There will also be novellas on the Tall Dark and his witches, just like I had done in the Blood Prophecy Series.
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The queen and her friends threw me into the dark pit three years ago, and I sought a way out, having used the power and life force of the others who were also thrown in. Today, I am free and planning my vengeance against her and the others.
In a supernatural world filled with vampires, werewolves, witches, demons, and angels, I will have my revenge against them. I am the epitome of evil and didn’t die like they thought. There’s a third prophecy with a nice little catch! This prophecy is meant for me; my revenge will turn the tables on the queen and her friends. I will turn them all against her, and according to the prophecy, the avenging angel be mine. Forever. As for the others, they will serve me.
It’s time for me to rise, beginning with the birth of a new hunter, new demons, and an angel that will be mine. Vengeance against the queen will be mine.
Rise of the Hunter is the fourth book in the Blood Prophecy series and is the first book of a new trilogy for the Tall Dark Man. It is full of dark magic and vengeance with a twist of good vs. evil but will good win this time? This supernatural book is set in the modern-day world between supernaturals to control the world and unleash evil as the world prepares for peace.
Vampires Are Our Friends
Immortal Gifts follows a centuries-old Jewish vampire on the run from an antisemite trying to make him permanently dead, who falls in love with a mortal woman in the twenty-first century. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original concept was a one-time challenge with my writing group: “The vampire has a wife. Set the story in the last five years.” Several people submitted wildly different stories. Mine turned into Immortal Gifts.
I’m a Pantser, and it’s a normal part of my process to reread what I’ve written and extract subtext. Early on, I started to feel that the character was Jewish. That was interesting, so I went with it.
A lot of Abraham’s early biographical details (date and place of birth and desire to study at an academy that does not allow Jews) came from the life of Jewish composer Louis Lewandowski. Obviously, Abraham is not Lewandowski! But Lewandowski ended up being the first Jewish student at the Berlin Academy. Lewandowski was admitted as a favor to his friend, Felix Mendelssohn. Abraham, not having a Mendelssohn, lied.
Abraham is not the typical vampire often found in paranormal books; he offers readers a human perspective on supernatural beings and explores how immortality affects who they are. What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
I was primarily interested in the concept of immortality in choosing vampires. It’s true that my vampires have the no-food and sunlight issues, but that was primarily so the reader wouldn’t immediately say “Immortality? Sign me up!” 🙂
Aside from that, I wanted my vampires to be very grounded in reality. Vampires are always people—that’s one of the things that makes them fun to me—but I wanted them to be very much the person they always were. If someone is a good person, eternal life in itself won’t change that. If someone is a bad person, immortality won’t change that, either. In other words: it’s your choices and actions, not the length of your life, that determines your moral alignment.
Early on the question of consent started coming up. Turning someone without asking permission first is, at the very least, a faux pas. When is it justified? Is it okay to turn someone without their consent to save their life if they haven’t offered an opinion? When is it okay to make someone’s medical decisions for them? Because that’s what it is in my book: a miracle cure for almost any ailment that also has significant drawbacks.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Mortality. Grief. Consent. Resilience in the face of oppression.
At one point I was describing the book to my sister and told her, “Don’t be afraid of the vampires. Vampires are our friends. You know what’s not our friends? The natural processes by which our loved ones get sick and die. Those are horrifying.” (Our parents are both dead, by the way.)
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
I’m working on the second book, and we’re still talking about mortality (and gifts). We did leave off with a couple of characters in uncertain situations and had a reveal about a third.
A lot of Immortal Gifts was written during the pandemic and has a lot of pandemic-feeling isolation. The second book is shaping up to be more… sociable.
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Prussia, 1841. Abraham only ever wanted to play violin. Hiding his Jewish status so he can study at the prestigious Berlin Academy of Music, the eager young man is delighted to find a patron who believes in him. But he’s mortified when his new friend turns him into a vampire… and Abraham earns the fury of an ancient antisemite who vows to see him permanently dead.
Fleeing the hate-mongering fiend across the decades, the sensitive violinist at last settles in twenty-first-century New Jersey with a mortal woman. But when he discovers his relentless tormentor has tracked him down yet again, Abraham despairs he’ll never find true happiness.
With everyone he’s ever loved at risk, can he escape the rage of a ruthless bigot?
In a complex tale woven through history, Katherine Villyard delivers a fresh and insightful twist on the vampire novel. Infusing the narrative with profound themes of love, betrayal, and the nature of monsters, she crafts an unforgettable saga of surviving prejudice that will keep readers turning pages deep into the night.
Immortal Gifts is the thoughtful first book in the Immortal Vampires contemporary fantasy series. If you like well-drawn characters, dual-timeline storytelling, and pulse-pounding suspense, then you’ll adore Katherine Villyard’s compelling read.
Buy Immortal Gifts to tap a vein of devotion today!
Case Files From The Nightfall Detective Agency: Trail of the Zombies
Trail of the Zombies is a supernatural detective story set against the haunting backdrop of 1920s America. The novel follows a trio from the Nightfall Detective Agency as they unravel a sinister conspiracy tied to eugenics, Indian boarding schools, and a nefarious project called the Utopia Institute. Zombies, mind control, and historical evils merge into a narrative that is both pulpy and painfully relevant. At its core, the book is a thriller with a conscience, blending paranormal intrigue with real-world atrocities.
The writing in Trail of the Zombies is striking in its directness and conviction. Gordon confronts the grim realities of the era head-on, refusing to soften or obscure their brutality. Chapter five, in particular, stands out as we are introduced to the eugenicist architects behind the Utopia Institute. Their dialogue, steeped in cold-blooded ideology and unapologetic prejudice, is profoundly disturbing and all the more powerful because of it. Gordon draws unsettling parallels between fictional characters and historical figures such as Harry Laughlin and Madison Grant, blurring the line between fiction and fact. The result is a narrative that reads like speculative history, yet feels alarmingly authentic.
The novel’s use of zombies is particularly compelling in its departure from conventional tropes. Initially, I approached this element with some hesitation, given how frequently the genre relies on familiar, often superficial portrayals. However, Gordon subverts expectations by grounding his depiction of zombies in Haitian Vodou tradition, reframing them not as mindless predators but as victims, individuals chemically manipulated and robbed of their will. This interpretation transforms the horror into something far more poignant. The attack on Professor Wallace in chapter one, for instance, is not simply a moment of terror; it is a sobering reflection of exploitation and control. The fear evoked is not of the undead themselves, but of the systems and individuals who create and command them.
What I also loved was the supernatural detective team at the heart of the story. Tori is a vampire with attitude and compassion. Frank is a golem with a heart. Mueller brings a touch of old-world wisdom. Their banter adds humor, but more importantly, their compassion balances the grim subject matter. When Tori rescues Malia from the Institute’s goons at the synagogue, it’s a fist-pumping moment of justice. The way Gordon blends mythology with gritty noir detective work just works.
Trail of the Zombies is an unexpected yet impactful work, gritty genre fiction used as a vehicle for urgent historical and moral inquiry. Beneath its pulp-inspired exterior lies a pointed critique of systemic injustice, particularly in relation to eugenics, racism, and the abuse inflicted on marginalized communities. Readers with an interest in social history, speculative fiction, or political horror will find its themes both provocative and emotionally resonant. Some passages, particularly those involving the mistreatment of children, are difficult to endure, but they serve a necessary purpose. This is a forceful and unflinching novel one that challenges as much as it entertains.
Pages: 158 | ASIN :B0DFM8W9FJ
Rise of the Hunter
Rise of the Hunter is the latest installment in the Dark Prophecy series by Barb Jones. It’s a supernatural fantasy brimming with ancient prophecy, gods, witches, vampires, and a whole lot of vengeance. The story kicks off with a chilling prophecy from the Sisters of Fate and unfolds into a sweeping battle between good and evil, led by a mysterious figure known as the Tall Dark Man. His rise sets off a domino effect of chaos, rebellion, and an impending war that hinges on a cursed child, a queen, and an angel.
What hooked me from the start was the unapologetically dark tone. The prologue alone pulled me into a mythological rabbit hole I didn’t want to climb out of. Barb Jones doesn’t hold back with the gothic energy either. The Tall Dark Man is straight-up nightmare fuel, whispering dark spells, controlling witches like puppets, and literally building an army from volcanic stones. That scene where he breathes life into his stone demon Arioch was chilling. The writing here is bold, vivid, sometimes a little graphic, but always deliberate.
The witches’ interactions with the Tall Dark Man occasionally veered into melodrama. The sensual scenes between him and Tituba tried to walk the line between dark romance and power play. The power dynamics were meant to feel disturbing, but I wished the narrative dug deeper into her arc emotionally. Raven Hexham, on the other hand, was a total standout. She’s calculating, loyal, and possibly questioning her role. There’s a quiet rebellion brewing in her, especially in her private talks with Tituba, and I found myself rooting for her despite her serving the wrong side.
One of the things I appreciated most was how Jones weaves Hawaiian mythology into the mix. The scenes with Pele and Kū weren’t just cool filler, they added real texture. The volcanic fire becoming a magical forge for an evil army was genius. And then she goes and tosses in historical tidbits like Philip II of Macedon and even Nostradamus, giving the book this wild, time-hopping energy. At times, it felt like reading a supernatural version of Game of Thrones meets American Gods with a big splash of soap opera.
If you’re into supernatural fantasy with a darker twist, where queens ride emotional rollercoasters and gods mess with mortals for sport, Rise of the Hunter is a wild ride worth taking. It’s a little over the top, but that’s part of its charm. Fans of series like The Mortal Instruments or A Discovery of Witches will feel right at home.
Pages: 343 | ASIN : B0C5T8QNK9
Moonrise
Moonrise is a dark, winding tale that starts off as a corporate retreat and spirals into a visceral horror-thriller packed with strange rituals, power games, and a literal beast lurking in the woods. At its center is Anthony Montgomery, a weary mid-level employee who’s forced to navigate a world where loyalty tests involve taxidermied wolf paws and a monstrous creature might just be real. The book straddles the line between corporate satire and supernatural horror, and the way it flips from mundane work-life nonsense to full-on blood and snow makes for one thrilling ride.
Claiborne starts things off slow, with Anthony being the perfect jaded everyman, reluctantly sipping wine at an awkward office retreat. Then suddenly, we’re howling under the moon with a taxidermy paw full of wine and being told to drink up like it’s a frat party hosted by Satan. The scene with Mr. Morgan and the “Omega” ritual was unhinged. And I loved it. The writing here is sharp and cinematic, capturing that uneasy tension between corporate absurdity and primal chaos. It’s weird, but in the best way.
But it’s not just the gore and weirdness that kept me hooked. The characters—especially Anthony—are written with surprising depth. His interactions with Luna, his sense of duty to his girlfriend Sidney, and that internal battle between temptation and loyalty felt real. And then that scene in the woods? Where Anthony sees the creature for the first time? Pure horror movie magic. The tension was unbearable, and I was genuinely sweating. Claiborne describes the creature in such vivid detail. Anthony’s injury, the adrenaline, the decision to play dead—all of it was so well done.
There were a few moments that felt a bit over the top. Some of the hospital scenes ran a little long, and a few of the jokes didn’t quite match the tone of the rest of the book. There’s also a lot of internal monologue—some lines hit just right while other didn’t. But honestly, that added to the charm in a weird way. It gave Anthony this raw, messy humanity. He’s not a hero. He’s just a dude trying not to die and maybe score a promotion, which somehow makes him more relatable. I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s just say it leaves enough questions dangling to make me suspicious of every CEO with a vineyard.
Moonrise is for fans of offbeat horror, black comedy, and corporate satire. If you like your monsters bloody and your protagonists flawed, this book is for you. It’s not for the faint of heart or anyone looking for a polished, buttoned-up read. But if you’re in the mood for something different—something wild, creepy, and a little unhinged—pick this up.
Pages: 267 | ASIN: B0CLYXKZGZ
Noir Mysteries
Case Files From the Nightfall Detective Agency: The Mummy’s Vengeance follows a vampire and werewolf detective who discover a gruesome murder, leading them on a race against time to solve the case before a curse causes a global catastrophe. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well, I was partially brought up by my Dad on Universal and Hammer Horror movies along with good noir mysteries like 1932’s and 1959’s Mummy, The Wolfman, Murder on the Orient Express, American Werewolf in London, and Laura. I wanted to create a story in that tradition. I was also influenced by modern television shows like Forever Knight and Supernatural.
Your book introduces readers to some unique and interesting characters. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I think Tori is the one I had the most enjoyable time writing because she originally came from the time travel stories of the Jigsaw Universe and she has a strong dynamic persona coupled with the arc of coming to grips with her vampirism. Frank the Golem was probably the most challenging in this tale but you will see him develop more in the next installment of the series.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
That you can apply the human condition through the parables of these tales. That makes them educational as well as entertaining.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book two: Trail of the Zombies came out last October and has generated some praise. The link is below. It takes our characters to the Tucson-Marana area a year after the events of the first book and it deals with our detectives having to solve a murder mystery before an evil organization can create an army of Zombie Slaves from the Native American students they are persecuting. This book, especially the first chapters, is very dark.
The third book of the series, Fury of the Vampire will be out this October.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
But the discovery of a gruesome murder plunges them into a race against time. At the heart of the chaos is the Eye of Aten, an ancient relic of unimaginable power capable of unleashing a deadly curse. With the help of an unusual team—including a golem with a surprising soul—Tori and Mueller must stop a fanatical cult from triggering a global catastrophe.
As alliances crumble and supernatural forces clash, Tori and Mueller face their most dangerous enemy yet. Can they contain the curse, or will the world fall to the Mummy’s Vengeance?
Savage Warrior
Savage Warrior by Denna Holm delivers an intense and captivating paranormal romance where the bonds of fate and the complexities of leadership collide. At the heart of the story is Raif, a cougar shifter struggling to lead his pack while facing constant resistance from the elders. Pressured by his grandfather to find a mate, Raif’s world is thrown into further turmoil when fate intervenes in the most unexpected way. His fated mate, Haven, arrives under extraordinary circumstances that change everything.
Haven’s situation is dire. Drugged and left for dead in the mountains of Oregon, she wakes up with no memory of how she got there and, to her horror, cannot shift into her wolf form. The last thing she recalls is leaving her homeworld, Laizahli, with her vampire partner to hunt down a rogue vampire on Earth. Now, caught in this new reality, Haven finds herself saved by a cat shifter whose presence stirs conflicting emotions within her—an attraction that ignites her desire to both claim him and sink her fangs into his neck. Though her mission to find her vampire partner and stop the rogue vampire should be her main focus, Haven’s growing connection to Raif and the challenge of proving herself to his clan add another layer of tension to an already complicated situation.
Holm masterfully crafts the character arcs of both Raif and Haven. Raif’s battle to assert his leadership while being torn between tradition and instinct showcases his internal conflict, making him a compelling protagonist. On the other hand, Haven struggles with her identity and feelings of rejection from her mate while under pressure to find her missing partner. This dual conflict of self-discovery and romantic tension keeps readers emotionally engaged. Their interactions simmer with attraction and tension, adding complexity to the push and pull between them.
The balance of romance, action, and emotional depth is a standout feature of Savage Warrior. Holm weaves external threats, like the looming danger of a rogue vampire, with the simmering passion between Raif and Haven. This creates a high-stakes environment that blends supernatural intrigue with raw emotional drama. The supporting characters further enrich the story, offering a glimpse into the complexities of pack dynamics and the challenges of interspecies relationships, making the world-building immersive and multi-layered.
For fans of paranormal romance, Savage Warrior offers a richly developed world filled with shifters, vampires, and djinns. Holmes’ strong lead characters and intricate plot make this an irresistible read for anyone who enjoys being swept away by supernatural conflicts, sizzling romance, and the fight for leadership and love.
Pages: 345 | ASIN : B0DGPPBN86
Paranormal and Supernatural
Twilight’s Veil follows two detectives investigating a series of gruesome killings who wind up descending into the darkness, where reality and time become blurred. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this story was the premade book cover and the main character, Ellie Graves. I saw a premade book cover I liked, so I decided to make an entire series out of that book cover. This means that the first five book covers for the series have been made. Unlike the Griffin Knight series, I wanted to focus more on the paranormal and supernatural from the get-go. The premade book cover helped me do this because I had to fit it into the story about why a werewolf is on the front cover. Ellie Graves’ name also fits into this because I like wordplay.
Ellie and Phil are both interesting and unique characters. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed creating all the characters and developing them was a pleasure. I didn’t find one more challenging to write than others.
You flawlessly blend mystery and dark fantasy in this book. It takes exceptional talent to do this. How did you go about blending the two genres without disrupting the story?
Reading other books helps a lot with creating a story. I found bits and pieces in the story that I could add here and there, so I just did it.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, this is the first book in the Ellie Graves series. The next book, Tangled Fates, has been written. It will continue where Ellie left off.
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What if there is more to the world than meets the eye?
In the dark alleys of London, Detective Ellie Graves is on a mission to bring justice to the city. Her relentless pursuit of truth leads her into a string of gruesome killings that have left the streets trembling in fear. With her partner, Phil Woods, by her side, Ellie must navigate through a dangerous game of cat and mouse as they race against the clock to stop the chaos unraveling before them.
As the body count rises, Ellie and Phil uncover a sinister web of ancient evil lurking beneath the surface. With every clue leading them deeper into darkness, the detectives must confront the malevolent forces at play before it’s too late. But as time slips away and reality becomes blurred, Ellie and Phil must make tough choices that blur the line between hunter and hunted. Amidst the chaos, one question remains: will Ellie and Phil emerge victorious or will they become victims of the very darkness they seek to defeat?
This gripping tale of crime and ancient evil will captivate fans of suspenseful thrillers such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
LITERARY TITAN 