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Immortal Beings
A Tale for the Shadows follows a murdered woman who is reborn as a ghost and finds unexpected love and purpose alongside a hunted vampire in a world where death is only the beginning. What drew you to combining ghost lore with vampire mythology in the same narrative?
The simplest answer is that I love stories about ghosts, and I love stories about vampires, so I combined them for my own entertainment. I knew that I wanted to write a novel that I would love to read.
A longer answer would include a recognition that the lore around ghosts and vampires is deep, centuries of material. Those stories are also ingrained in our societal consciousness. We tend to view ghosts as fearful entities in most European traditions, but in so many cultures, they’re welcomed, revered. Vampires are feared because they are alpha predators of human beings. In the Victorian novels (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, for example), vampires are symbolic of a frightening force of sexuality. I think the fear of ghosts and vampires also rises from a fear of death, our own and that of those we love. My idea was to turn this fear on its head, at least to some degree. No group of humanity is monolithic. That includes the dead and undead. Could there not be kind ghosts, wise vampires? We know that, for those who live on, love lingers after death. What would happen if love were a force for those who have died?
And, finally, I was intrigued by how a friendship might develop between a ghost and a vampire, two supernatural beings. And from there, how love might develop. From that rose the promise of an eternity together, as two immortal beings. How cool would that be?
Senka’s story begins in trauma but grows into something more complex. How did you shape her emotional evolution?
A lot of my shaping of Senka’s character was instinctual, based on my own experiences. Life, not just mine but everyone’s, is a process of accumulating anniversaries—of births, marriages, deaths, significant events. When I was in high school, my father died suddenly. My grandmother, mother, and life partner all died in the space of a year. My son’s fianceé died about a year after he was in a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed from the collarbones down. I watched him recover and learned a lot about forgiveness from him. Senka’s losses and her eventual choices about how to heal come from my own beliefs about the value of life and the extraordinary healing power of forgiveness and compassion.
The novel explores love after betrayal. Do you see the story as more about love, survival, or transformation?
Hmmm. I see those three as inextricably intertwined. Each supports the others; each makes the others possible. In Shadows, there are obviously several different kinds of love: Finn’s for his mom, hers for him; Senka and Silas for Luna, his for them; Mrs. Wang for her husband; Jeremy for his parents; Sarah/Senka’s for Stanley; and, of course, Senka and Silas for each other. There are also several kinds of transformation: from living to dead, from apparently good husband to … not so good husband, from smoke to monster, from revenge-focused to justice-focused. There’s even a shape-shifter. If Senka hadn’t transformed from the self-absorbed, willfully blind actress she was into the compassionate, caring, introspective ghost she became, she wouldn’t have been capable of finding the love with Silas that she finds. At the same time, if Silas hadn’t found the love he has with Senka, he wouldn’t have been interested in continued survival.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
It’s 1972. When Poppy is forced to move to Monterey, California, just before her senior year in high school, she’s furious and powerless to stop it. Then she discovers a mysterious journal that answers her anger with something irresistible: every wish she writes becomes real. At first, it feels like freedom, like finally taking control. But the magic has a cost, and someone else always pays. As the consequences grow darker, Poppy realizes she must give up the magic and develop the strength to shape her life without it. It’s a coming-of-age story with a dollop of Twilight Zone. I’m hoping it will be in bookstores by October 2026.
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She was murdered by the man she loved. Now she’s a ghost bound to the cabin where she died—until a wounded vampire, an ancient enemy, and a mysterious cat change everything.
Senka was once a rising television star. Now, she’s a restless spirit, trapped in the site of her betrayal. But everything shifts the night Silas appears—an ageless Native American vampire fleeing a ruthless Maker determined to erase him from existence. When a violent confrontation leaves the cabin in flames, Senka is finally freed, and an unlikely partnership is born.
As Senka and Silas forge a path through shadows and centuries-old grudges, they begin to pursue justice—not just for Senka’s murder but for the other lives shattered along the way. Guided by ghosts who’ve chosen to remain in the world of the living and aided by Luna the twenty-third, a clever feline with a talent for love and loyalty, they face vengeful vampires, unravel hidden truths, and awaken powers Senka never imagined.
But love in the afterlife is complicated. Haunted by the past and hesitant to trust again, Senka must confront the choices that led her here—and decide if an eternity with Silas is worth risking her heart one more time.
Lush, lyrical, and darkly romantic, A Tale for the Shadows is a supernatural fantasy that blends ghost stories and vampire lore with emotional depth, wit, and resilience. Perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Dead Romantics, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this is a tale of second chances, found family, and the quiet power of choosing love—even after death.
A Tale for the Shadows
A Tale for the Shadows is a paranormal fantasy novel with a strong gothic streak and a surprisingly tender emotional core. It begins with murder, which sounds blunt because the book is blunt about it: Sarah Sommers is killed by her husband, becomes a ghost, and from there the story opens outward into something larger about grief, loneliness, survival, and connection. As her ghostly life unfolds, she becomes Senka and crosses paths with Silas, a hunted vampire, while another thread follows Finn, a sick teenage boy in a hospital, listening night by night to a story that may be doing more than simply entertaining him. It is a book about death and love, just as the subtitle promises, but it is also about what keeps a person, or spirit, moving when they have every reason to stop.
Author Joyce Sherry writes in a way that feels intimate without getting precious, and that is not easy to pull off in fantasy. The book has ghosts, vampires, ancient rules, and real danger, but the language keeps bringing everything back to feeling. A cabin smells wrong. A hospital room feels long after visiting hours. Loneliness sits in the air. That grounded quality made the supernatural parts easier to trust. I also liked the author’s choice to frame the novel through storytelling itself. The repeated sense that stories “want” to be told gives the book a self-aware quality, but it never turns smug. It feels more like someone sitting across from you and saying, let me tell you what happened, and meaning it.
I found myself especially drawn to the way Sherry handles character. Senka could have been written as pure vengeance, Silas as pure brooding, and Finn as the sentimental heart of the book. None of them stay that flat. Senka grows into someone more thoughtful and more brave. Silas has the old-world vampire sadness you expect from the genre, but he is not just a dark silhouette in a doorway. He is wounded, weary, funny in flashes, and very human in the ways that matter. Finn, meanwhile, gives the novel an anchor. His scenes keep the book honest. They stop it from drifting too far into mood for mood’s sake. I also appreciated that the novel takes its big ideas seriously without dressing them up in heavy language. It asks what love looks like after betrayal, whether pain has to define a life, and what it means to keep choosing existence. Big questions. Quietly asked.
I would recommend A Tale for the Shadows most strongly to readers who like paranormal fantasy, gothic romance, and character-driven supernatural fiction that cares as much about emotional healing as it does about eerie atmosphere or mythic stakes. It will appeal to people who enjoy vampire and ghost stories but want something softer around the edges and more reflective at heart. I came away thinking this book understands that darkness is only interesting if there is some light pressing against it. That balance is what gives it its pull. It is thoughtful, strange, and sincere, and for the right reader, that combination will feel like being led into the dark by someone who knows exactly where they are going.
Pages: 292 | ASIN : B0FBYTKMSB
Inhuman Intentions
The story follows Aaron White, a nephilim captain who leads an elite unit, S-0, across the hostile frontiers where monsters called nightmares roam and kill without mercy. It begins with a tense hunt in the wastes and quickly escalates into battles in ruined towns, desperate clashes with abominations, and the pursuit of Silas, a treacherous vampire who revels in carnage. Beneath the action, the book wrestles with questions of humanity, loyalty, and survival in a world where the line between man and monster is paper-thin.
The writing is sharp, violent, and unflinching. The creatures are described in grotesque detail, and the combat scenes are fast and vivid. At times, I found myself pausing, just to breathe after the chaos on the page. It’s rare for a book to push me into that kind of rhythm. The prose leaned into the gothic, almost theatrical at times, and it made the atmosphere all the more vivid and unforgettable.
What really worked was Aaron himself. He is powerful yet burdened, a man feared for what he is and respected for what he does. His struggle with identity gave weight to the story, and his exchanges with Durham and Dalton often made me smile, grim as they were. The people they saved, or failed to, gave the book a relatable core. The relentless pace kept the tension high, and the constant push from one storm to the next made the world feel dangerous and alive.
Inhuman Intentions is for readers who want dark fantasy that does not hold back, who enjoy worlds where morality is murky and survival is fragile. If you like stories with squads of hardened soldiers, grotesque monsters, and heroes who are not quite human, this book will grip you and not let go.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0FLZ2987N
Lost Love
Out of the Darkness centers around a biochemist who meets a mysterious stranger with a rare genetic condition seeking both survival and redemption. Where did the idea for this book come from?
The original idea for this story came from an old Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, Universal Soldier, which gave me the idea of vampire soldiers, Dean Koontz’s Moonlight Bay Trilogy, which gave me the idea of incorporating a real medical condition, and a tangent I went on while researching XP that gave me the idea of making vampirism a virus.
What draws you to the paranormal genre?
The idea of the impossible being possible.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Redemption, survivor’s guilt, lost love, forgiveness, power and corruption, and the healing power of love.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon?
Absolutely.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on edits for Embrace the Darkness, the second book in the Darkness Series, and completing the third book, Edge of Darkness.
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Her research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn’t get to her first.
Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience seeking a cure for his dark hunger. But when a scientist looking to create vampire soldiers captures and kills a fellow vampire, Vincent seeks out Dr. Megan Harper, a research scientist who discovered a link between a genetic light sensitivity disorder and vampirism. Dr. Harper could hold a key to a cure and the answers to Gerard’s death. But getting close to the beautiful scientist could endanger both their lives.
When Megan meets Vincent she believes he suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, the genetic disease that killed her sister. Sensing a deep loneliness within the handsome man, she offers friendship and access to her research files. But she and Vincent soon become more than friends and Megan learns the horrifying truth. She’s entered the dark and unseen world of vampires and Vincent is her only hope of survival.
Immortal Gifts
Katherine Villyard’s Immortal Gifts is a tender, layered, and unexpectedly intimate vampire novel that defies the genre’s usual brooding tropes. Instead of sleek, soulless predators, we meet Abraham, a centuries-old vampire who finds comfort not in shadows and bloodlust but in love, cats, and quiet domesticity. His relationship with his human wife, Destiny—a Wiccan veterinarian with a bleeding heart and a sharp wit—forms the emotional center of the book. Through alternating perspectives, we get a story that weaves deep questions about mortality, belief, identity, and love into a slice-of-life narrative where vampire myth meets real-world heartbreak and healing.
The writing is deceptively simple, yet emotionally precise. Abraham’s melancholy charm and Destiny’s fierce warmth play off each other perfectly. The prose flows easily but is filled with poignant moments that sneak up on you. There’s a real sense of lived-in love here, of two souls—one eternal, one ephemeral—trying to bridge an impossible gap. Villyard never glamorizes the vampire life; instead, she shows its weight. The grief Abraham carries for every lost pet, every lost love, feels real. I actually teared up more than once, especially during the sections with Victoria, their aging cat. That mix of supernatural elements with such grounded, human sorrow hit me hard. It’s rare to see a fantasy book so in tune with real emotional textures.
What I appreciated most, though, was how Immortal Gifts manages to be funny and soft even when it’s tackling grief, anti-Semitism, or ethical dilemmas around immortality. The characters talk like real people—awkward, earnest, sometimes ridiculous. There’s no need for purple prose here; the dialogue and emotional beats do all the heavy lifting. And can we talk about the Jewish and Wiccan interfaith wedding ceremony? It was weird, beautiful, and oddly hilarious. I was grinning one minute and choked up the next. Ludwig’s historical flashbacks were chilling, especially his origin story, but they gave the book depth and darkness without overwhelming it. Villyard handles historical trauma with care, and that care is felt.
Immortal Gifts is for people who’ve loved and lost, who find meaning in small rituals and shared quiet. If you’ve ever bottle-fed a kitten at 2 a.m. or struggled to hold it together at the vet, this book will feel like home. It’s for the weird, the tender-hearted, the spiritually curious. For those of us who like our love stories with equal parts warmth and weight, this book is a gift.
Pages: 414 | ASIN : B0DM9YKV2F
Mysterious Stranger
Inescapable follows a 17-year-old boy dreaming of escaping his small-town life, whose life takes a strange turn when a vampire and a witch move into town, and bodies start mysteriously piling up. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I find small towns intriguing because everyone knows everyone – and everyone talks about everyone. It’s like a soap opera. It can be great because there usually is a sense of community, but if you don’t fit in it can also be very lonely. When I was Dylan’s age – and I think it’s the same for most teenagers – I always felt like an outsider in my small town and I desperately wanted to leave. I loved stories about teenagers befriending the mysterious stranger who had just moved to town and turns out to be a vampire or a witch. But it got me thinking… What if – unlike in most YA vampire stories – the newcomer isn’t the good guy?
In many contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
As I said I’m from a small town. It is not as remote as Berlin, New Hampshire in Inescapable but everyone knows everyone there as well. I’m also really lucky to have an amazing mom – just like Dylan. We don’t have the same dynamic as Susan and Dylan, but I drew from my relationship with my mom to paint a convincing picture of Dylan’s.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore the concept of the vampire as an outsider – someone on the fringes of society who lives by their own rules – and what happens when they meet a human outsider. The concept of “monster” in general is something that I dive into in the book as well. What makes a monster? Who is the good guy, who’s the bad guy?
Friendship and family are an important topic, too. Who are we without the people who love us? And can we choose our own family?
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The next book will dive deeper into the vampire lore of the Immortal-Blood-Gift-universe. You’ll meet new characters and Dylan will face new challenges. I can’t really say much more without spoiling Inescapable. So go ahead and read it!
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As bodies start piling up, each one more gruesome than the last, the town suspects a wild animal is to blame. But Dylan’s world is turned upside down when he learns that Marie is a vampire and Molly, the daughter of his mother’s new boyfriend, is a witch who believes Marie is responsible for the murders.
As Dylan finds himself drawn deeper into the supernatural world, he must make a choice: embrace the darkness within or fight for his humanity. But with a bloodthirsty monster on the loose and no way to return to his old life, Dylan’s decision may already be made for him.
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Set against the backdrop of 1980s horror, “Inescapable” is a chilling coming-of-age tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you enjoyed “Stranger Things,” you’ll love this thrilling tale of magic, monsters, and self-discovery.
Don’t miss out on this gripping read.
Chasing Moonflowers
Pauline Chow’s Chasing Moonflowers is a vivid and haunting novel that weaves together historical fiction, supernatural horror, and coming-of-age themes. Set in 1920s colonial Hong Kong, the story follows Ling, a young woman caught between her family’s traditions and the turbulent sociopolitical currents of the time. As Ling uncovers strange disappearances tied to mythic horrors and colonial oppression, her journey through the Kowloon Walled City and the surrounding marshlands becomes a fight for truth, identity, and survival. The story is steeped in Chinese folklore, political tension, and eerie mystery, creating a rich and unsettling atmosphere.
From the first few pages, I was hooked. The prose is crisp, full of sensory detail, and never afraid to get gritty. Chow doesn’t just describe Hong Kong, she drags you into its alleys, lets you feel the damp walls of Kowloon, and hear the eerie lullabies whispered to children. I felt a real emotional attachment to Ling, a clever and fiercely curious young woman who manages to be brave even while terrified. Her relationship with her family, especially her younger brothers, grounded the novel in a warmth that balanced the story’s darker turns. And make no mistake, the horror elements here are chilling. The supernatural is strange, grotesque, and soaked in myth. Think Lovecraft meets The Monkey King.
Some chapters fly by in a haze of thrilling discoveries and shocking twists, while others linger long on introspection or minor characters’ subplots. That said, I appreciated how Chow dared to explore trauma without giving neat resolutions. Her portrayal of colonialism’s reach, how it deforms not just cities, but psyches, is brutal and honest. There’s a weight to this story that sticks with you.
Chasing Moonflowers is a powerful story that blends historical fiction and horror in a way that feels timeless. If you’re someone who enjoys complex female leads, folklore-laced thrillers, or tales of rebellion against monstrous systems—literal and figurative—this book’s for you. It shook me, entertained me, and made me think.
Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0F1G51FWX
The Awakening
Danielle Paquette-Harvey’s The Awakening is an epic blend of dark fantasy and supernatural romance, weaving a tale of fate, power struggles, and forbidden love. It follows multiple characters, werewolves, vampires, elves, and other mythical beings each navigating their destinies in a world teetering between chaos and order. At its heart, the story is about Nathan, a hybrid caught in an identity crisis, struggling with his dual nature as he embarks on a dangerous quest to save his fated mate, Emerald. Alongside him are allies and enemies, each with their own agendas, creating a rich and layered narrative filled with intrigue, action, and heartache.
The book hooked me right away with its intensity. The prologue, where Samantha watches the destruction of her city by a dragon, is breathtaking. The scene is painted with fire and blood, capturing a sense of loss and helplessness that sets the tone for the entire novel. The way Samantha feels disgusted by the looters but still finds herself entangled in the beast’s fate was one of my favorite moments. This is not a story where characters neatly fit into hero or villain roles; they are deeply flawed, sometimes selfish, sometimes noble, but always compelling. I appreciated how the author allowed them to make mistakes and struggle with their decisions rather than handing them easy victories.
Nathan, the brooding and tormented protagonist, is both frustrating and fascinating. His internal battle between his vampire and werewolf halves adds depth to his character, making him more than just another supernatural hero. His relentless search for Emerald is emotional, and his despair when he thinks he’s lost her is palpable. But what really got me was the contrast between his ferocity in battle and his vulnerability in his quiet moments, especially when he dreams of Emerald and wakes up aching for her. The romance doesn’t feel forced or overly sentimental, it’s raw, messy, and full of longing.
One of the standout aspects of The Awakening is its world-building. The different supernatural factions, the history behind their conflicts, and the magic system are all well thought out. I particularly liked the Shadow Weavers and their eerie presence throughout the book. The idea of secret cults and forbidden knowledge always pulls me in, and Paquette-Harvey handles it masterfully. There were moments when the exposition felt a little heavy-handed. I do feel that some sections, particularly those explaining spells and rituals, somewhat slowed the pacing. That said, the action scenes more than made up for it, fast, brutal, and cinematic, they kept me flipping pages late into the night.
The Awakening is perfect for readers who love dark fantasies with a strong romantic undercurrent, deep character conflicts, and an immersive world. This book thrives in the morally gray, and that’s what makes it so engaging. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next installment.
Pages: 442 | ASIN : B0D2WG6MX2
