Majanka Verstraete's Blog, page 23
March 15, 2018
TV Series Review: The Frankenstein Chronicles
The Frankenstein Chronicles feels like a mix of Penny Dreadful, that delicious, creepy Victorian supernatural drama that ultimately was one of the best shows to ever grace my TV screen, and Ripper Street, another atmospheric, tense historical series set during the Jack the Ripper murders in London.
Here, in The Frankenstein Chronicles, viewers are treated to a mix of murder mystery with the absurd and supernatural. Sean Bean stars in the lead role, in what is perhaps the best performance of his entire career.
By far one of the best new Netflix original series (although not entirely original, considering it aired in the UK first on general TV, if my sources are correct), it’s a spectacle worth viewing.
In the show, Sean Bean plays a down-on-his-luck detective who was struck with tragedy throughout his life and is now practically drowning in misery. When he discovers a stiched-together corpse of a child, he brings in one of the most renowned surgeons to investigate, who discovers the child’s limbs come from eight different corpses, all of them who passed away within the last two weeks.
With a child murderer on his hand, Sean Bean doesn’t only has to fight for justice – he’s also drawn into a political game involving the Anatomy Act, which the Home Secretary desperately wants to pass through parliament, the disappearance of a young girl named Alice, and he also has to deal with resurrectionists – people who do business in distributing the bodies of the dead to the surgeons.
With all these gruesome things going on, it’s no wonder the series bleak, dark and disturbing, but all of it in a good way. With appearances of Mary Shelley, the authoress of the famous Frankenstein novel, the series feels like a solid mix of mystery and the supernatural.
The ending is phenomenal, and this season is a terrific beginning to the series.
March 13, 2018
Real Haunted Houses: Cedar Grove Mansion
The Cedar Grove Mansion located in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is a striking antebellum mansion that has, unfortunately, seen its fair share of tragedy.
The History
The house was originally built by John Alexander Klein, an intelligent young man who made his fortune in banking, cotton and lumber. In 1840, he commissioned the built of the house while courting Elizabeth Bartley Day.
In 1842, Elizabeth and John were married. She was 16 at the time, he was 30.
After the marriage, the pair headed on to their honeymoon in Europe. While there, they purchased many of the furnishings that can now be found at Cedar Grove.
It took until 1852 before Cedar Grove was finished, but this Greek Revival style mansion turned out quite magnificent. Unfortunately, soon after it was finished, the house was bombarded during the war, leaving a cannon ball lodged into the parlor wall. The house was subsequently used as a Union hospital.
However, at the end of the war, both the house and the Kleins were still standing. The Kleins ended up having ten children in the home, three of whom did not survive past childhood.
In 1983, the house was purchased by Estelle and Ted Macky who restored the mansion and turned the home into the Cedar Grove Mansion Inn and Restaurant.
When the home was renoved, they uncovered several graves located on the property. These graves supposedly belong to the Klein children who passed away.
The Ghosts
The entities most often scene are those of John Klein. Several people have claimed to smell pipe smoke – usually a sign that John Klein is near – near the gentleman’s parlor.
Other visitors heard the sounds of a baby crying or of little children playing.
The spirit of Elizabeth Klein often walks down the front stairs of the home.
On the review page for Cedar Grove Mansion Inn & Restaurant, several reviewers mention the place is haunted, although the website of the inn itself doesn’t mention anything of the hauntings. While lots of venues have started using hauntings as a way of advertising their business, the Cedar Grove Mansion Inn & Restaurant seems to steer away from that.
And maybe they should, because with a location as beautiful as this one, you don’t need any ghosts to draw guests in…
March 12, 2018
Jaguar Keychain Raffle to Celebrate Release Free Sampler A Study in Shifters
Oh my God! I have some amazing news. The free sampler for A Study in Shifters, the first book in The Adventures of Marisol Holmes Series, releases today, and we’re celebrating the upcoming release of the sampler with an epic raffle for a jaguar key chain!
Doesn’t it look awesome?
If you want to preorder the free sampler so you can read it the moment it’s released, go here.
And if you want a chance to win this awesome, badass jaguar keychain, enter the Rafflecopter below, or if that doesn’t work, follow the link here.
Jaguar Keychain Raffle to Celebrate Upcoming Release Free Sampler A Study in Shifters
Oh my God! I have some amazing news. The free sampler for A Study in Shifters, the first book in The Adventures of Marisol Holmes Series, releases on March 15, and we’re celebrating the upcoming release of the sampler with an epic raffle for a jaguar key chain!
Doesn’t it look awesome?
If you want to preorder the free sampler so you can read it the moment it’s released, go here.
And if you want a chance to win this awesome, badass jaguar keychain, enter the Rafflecopter below, or if that doesn’t work, follow the link here.
March 9, 2018
Author Interview Sanctuary
Author Interview
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Jeeze, so far back I can hardly remember. It goes all the way back to when I was a little kid sitting in my fifth grade class with a notebook writing Harvest Moon fanfictions. I remember once writing a horror story (albiet a terrible one) and binding it together with cardboard I found around the house and some string. I think I tried to illustrate it with a “how to draw anime” book I had at the time but I might be getting two memories mixed up with that one.
I do remember, though, that in sixth and seventh grade I had this red notebook that I wrote (again) Harvest Moon fanfiction in, and all my friends loved it. They passed it around to each other whenever I finished a new chapter and would beg me to write more. That’s one of my fondest memories of my middle school days, and probably one of my best memories in my life so far. I’ll always be grateful to my friends for that early support.
What inspired you to write this book?
This is the second book in my Titanomachy series, and it didn’t occur to me until it was too late that maybe I should’ve done this with the first book (“The Gilded Cage” ) first, but with this book I really wanted to explore the psychological trauma Shiloh experianced thanks to the events of the first book, and how hard it can be to adjust to a new situation when you’ve been sheltered all your life. But, more than anything, I wanted to show someone overcoming that sort of thing.
What is your editing process like?
My editing process has gone through something of a metamorphosis since I started publishing again. For a while I did it just reading through the whole thing and using my best judgement, then I tried this app called “Hemmingway App” that goes through and helps you find words that could be better or sentences that sound bad or paragraphs that could be parred down. I liked that app for a while, but it stopped working for me when I had to switch to “OpenOffice” instead of paying for a full subscription to Microsoft WORD (cause at the time we weren’t making the kind of money that would allow something that expensive), so I had to go back to where I started, and that’s where I am now. I just read through the whole thing and pick out things that sound funny to me or that I think I can do better.
Is this your first book? If not, please tell us about your first book.
No, no, this isn’t my first book. This isn’t even the first book in this series (lol). No, my first book was a steampunk fantasy called “The Ruby Curse” which, although it was good at the time and I really enjoyed working on it, wasn’t a super awesomely written book. But I had fun and it was really good for an 18 year old just starting to publish for the first time in her life. I’ve just grown since then and I feel like my style has refined a little more.
Did you set any writing goals for 2018?
I did, actually! My biggest writing goal for 2018 is to just let go of my self-doubt, and learn to once again just shut my brain off when I’m writing. I don’t know how but I’ve gotten into a bad habit of massively overthinking my entire career and it’s done nothing but cause problems for me. I’ve made the decision though to knock it off and get back to where I was two years ago when all I did was write and I could zone out for hours doing it.
That’s my goal, and I feel confident I can do it!
Are you working on something right now?
I’m working on a lot of somethings right now. A couple of one-shot books that aren’t related to any of my series at all, the third book in both the Lost Angels series and the Titanomachy Series (the book after this one), and just toying around with a few other things that probably will never see the light of day.
About the Book
Title: Sanctuary
Author: Makayla Love
Genre: Steampunk / Post-Apocalyptic
Shiloh isn’t adjusting well to her new life in Ironbridge. Life isn’t how she always imagined it would be, and every day is harder than the last. Things only get worse when a small family on their way to a settlement called “Sanctuary” shows up on Shiloh’s doorstep looking for an escort the rest of the way. But Sanctuary isn’t all its supposed to be.
When they find themselves trapped, every second becomes a fight for survival. Can they find a way out before one of them falls to a mad tyrant? Or will their little group be broken up forever?
Author Bio
Makayla Love is an aspiring Harley Quinn-esque super villain who has decided to spend her time between nefarious schemes by writing paranormal novels in her lair somewhere in the general Kansas area. She enjoys sit-coms and doesn’t have enough shelf space for her ever multiplying collection of books.
Links
Instagram: @agirl_unwritten
Facebook: Facebook
Blog: Website
Twitter: @AGirl_Unwritten
Amazon: Amazon
March 8, 2018
TV Series Review: Re-Mind
The concept of Re-Mind is strange and eerie, but the TV series delivers this concept really, really well. With thirteen episodes in the first season, and a Netflix Original, you’re ready for at least a few nights of entertainment with this rare gem.
I’m always amazed by how well Asian series manage to captivate their audience, and establish a mystery component, slowly yet in an engrossing way, completely drawing the viewer in.
Re:Mind starts with eleven school girls waking up in a strange, eerie room, all of them with bags over their heads and perhaps even more disturbingly, their feet boarded and locked to the floor.
They’re sitting around a dining table but dinner is the last thing on their mind. Despite such a limited setting (mixing between the eerie dining room and the girls’ school), it works really well, giving an otherwordly, claustrophobic vibe to the show.
As the story unfolds, the viewer begins to realize the girls are brought here for a reason. All of them are connected to something: but what? As psychological insights are shared, the girls draw conclusions, and several of them begin to confess to past wrongdoings… The lights go out and one of the girls disappears.
Who brought them here, and why? With more girls disappearing every time the lights go out, they’re playing a cat-and-mouse game with an unknown opponent.
While the story doesn’t always progress that well and some aspects of the mystery could’ve been stronger, the show really focuses on a strong cast, on secrets, and on giving the viewer a slightly unsettled, disturbed feeling, and it does really well in all those departments.
March 7, 2018
Thunderclap Campaign for Ghost Slayer
My publisher has set up a Thunderclap campaign for my upcoming release, Ghost Slayer. For a limited itme, Ghost Slayer is available for just $0.99 as a pre-order deal.
The Thunderclap campaign, however, could use some report as it’s currently stuck at 164 out of 250 supported…
If you’re not familiar with Thunderclap, you can support by allowing Thunderclap to post on your Facebook page, Facebook account, Twitter or Tumblr. They will only post ONCE, on the date the campaign goes live, and just the campaign message, nothing else (which in my case is: “if you #preorder now, you get Ghost Slayer for $0.99, a free, exclusive short story AND an exclusive bookmark. http://thndr.me/St4Dhv”)
So please, if you’re a fan of me and my books, or you just want to support a fellow author, please support my Thunderclap campaign here or follow the link on the banner below.
I appreciate any and all support and if there’s anything I can do for you (support your thunderclap campaign, share something about your book or anything else) please let me know.
March 6, 2018
Real Haunted Houses: Woodruff Fontaine House
The Woodruff-Fontaine House is a historical building located at 680 Adams Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. Currently a museum where you can even go on ghost tours, and a wedding venue, it was once a family home.
The History
The house was constructed on behalf of Amos Woodruff, the owner of a successful carriage business. Construction began in 1870 and was finished by 1871. The house was so grandiose that the neighbours became jealous and hired the same firm to complete the house.
Amos Woodruff’s daughter, Mollie, held her wedding in the house shortly after. Unfortunately, Mollie’s first husband died, but eight years later, she remarried.
After the Woodruffs left the mansion, it was purchased by Nolan Fontaine, a succcessful business man and cotton factor. The Fontains lived in the home for 46 years until Mrs. Fontaine passed away in 1928.
The house was sold in 1929 with the intention of becoming an antique shop, which never happened. After, the house was sold again to Rosa Lee, who intended to expand her Free Art School. In 1959, the art school moved and the house stayed vacant until 1961 when it was bought through a public fund. It’s now a museum and can also be rented for weddings.
The Ghosts
The ghost most commonly spotted haunting the mansion, is the spirit of Mollie Woodruff. She most often hangs out in her old bedroom on the second floor, called the Rose Room. She’s pretty harmless, though, nad mostly just sits on the bed or moves a rocking chair around.
Another ghost rumored to be haunting the house is the son of Fontaine, who purchased the house after the Woodruffs lived in it, Elliott Fontaine.
Ghost tours in the Woodruff-Fontaine mansion can be booked and last two hours. Paranormal enthusiasts can also book a 3-hour investigation with the lights out and access to all rooms.
February 28, 2018
Monthly Goals March 2018
Where has the month gone? It seems like just yesterday, it was still February… And now, it’s already March!
Here’s a rundown of my goals for March:
Write a short story a week. This week already counts for that, which means 5 stories this month!
Write two blog posts on my blog per week. Total: 0/8.
Rewrite / Revise Allegro Academy #1 ; the first book in the Allegro Academy series.
Schedule all my posts for this month on the Monster House Books blog.
Finish writing my reviews for Ind’Tale Magazine (Total: 0/3)
Make sufficient progress on my article to send it to the editor.
Finish working on a presentation for the article.
Write first draft of The Sign of the Serpent , the second book in the Adventures of Marisol Holmes Series.
What are your goals for this month?
Release Blitz Massage & Murder
Teasers
“Don’t make me arrest you, Autumn.” His voice low and almost growling.
I scoff. “For what?”
“The list is growing, but right now you’re the last person to see the victim alive. You’re our primary suspect. You have means, motive and opportunity.”
He’s really making a case against me. The room is spinning or am I spinning? I can’t tell. This can’t be happening. I feel sick. Sure, I hate April…hated her. Envisioned killing her multiple times, but I would never do it. I’m not a killer. I’m a healer. Surely, Travis knows that. Then again maybe he doesn’t.
Everyone in town has a motive to kill April, but who actually did? It’s the million-dollar question, one I have to prove before Travis decides to pin the murder on me.
About the Book
Title: Massage & Murder
Author: Jenn Cowan
Genre: Cozy Mystery
I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist.
A professional.
A healer.
Not a killer.
When a client ends up dead on my massage table, I become the number one suspect.
I have Means.
Motive.
Opportunity.
But I didn’t kill her.
The clock is ticking, someone is stalking me, I have to find out who before I end up in jail or worse…dead.
Author Bio
Jenn Cowan is the author of several genres and pen names under Jenna Richert and J.R. Cowan. When she’s not writing you can find her in her massage office working on clients, cooking up a storm in her kitchen, singing and dancing with her hubby at a concert, cheering on the sidelines for her kiddos or cozied up by the fire reading a novel. She loves a good mystery and a happily ever after.
Links
Facebook
Twitter: @JRCowan1
Instagram: jrcowan1 (Jenn Cowan)
