Stella Coulson's Blog

My book Whitby After Dark won a Golden Book Award

Whitby After Dark (my book)
won a Golden Book Award Reader's Choice Semifinalist Award in Horror by Golden Box Books. I am most happy. Thank you to all that voted for me. Much appreciated.

http://www.goldenboxbooks.com/golden-...
www.facebook.com/vampirewhitbyafterdark

Cute children's storybook review; The Folk Tree by Shebat Legion, a review by Stella Coulson

Books are most important and never more so in early childhood. Here is one I recommend - The Fork Tree by Shebat Legion.
Shebat Legion writes this charming tale cleverly in rhyme.

'' The earth is warm,
the seeds are small
and from the child's
hand they fall.''

Erika M Szabo's illustrations are vibrant and dreamlike. If you're looking for a sweet tale to read to your little ones, then this is the perfect bedtime story for them. I adore the art of the protagonist Emily's adorable ginger cat.
The author teaches a vital lesson - reality can be different from our dreams and life can not always go our way, but they have the wonders and reward of imagination, one of life's greatest gifts. A simply lovely story book.

Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo The Dowser by Joe Bonadonna, a Review by Stella Coulson

Mad Shadows: The Weird Tales of Dorgo the Dowser is a detailed finely crafted creative work that brings the fantastical to life. The protagonist Dorgo has an eye for the female sex, is ordinary in appearance but is brave, charismatic and full of charm. The word he inhabits has the feel of a noir at times due to its descriptive gritty observant - yet elegant at the same time.

"The city streets were wet and slick and glistening in the light of a hunter' s moon. It must have been a good storm, the kind of heavy rain that keeps people indoors."

Plots within the novel that I adored were: Elema and Marlia tricking the men and running away together. Also lloved Vola and Kribble' s story - demon hands and a Faustian deal of darkness. Bonadonna' s novel has both darkness, light, houmor and horror.

"The old biddy even gave me another grown to dig him up. When she was satisfied that the one great love of her life was indeed dead, she spat on his corpse and gave me a third crown to cover him back up again."

A fun page turner for lovers of fantasy and adventure. Compelling fantasy with grit and wit.

Fade Out, Smile by Casey Renee Kiser, a poetry book review by Stella Coulson

I must say that I love this collection of intriguing poetry. Kiser's blunt honesty and beautiful darkness within the poetic language is a treat for one's mind. If your imagination tends to journey into the dark shadows that play upon the world, then this is the read for you. The work is a haunting loveliness, macabre thoughts and witty dark humor. We are invited into a wonderfully black imagination and its one he'll of a journey. My favorites are - 'Lay me Down', a striking confession that many may relate to. Kiser brings this stark moment to life. I also adore 'You Can Pretend', a compelling and darkly fascinating horror. Full of dark wit and intensity. 'So, Goodnight', is remarkable and tells of a person who hides behind a beautiful mask.
'Fade Out, Smile' is a darkly delicious read. Speaks to me immensely.

Vampire Therapy: Jackson and Eva: A Book Review By Stella Coulson

Jackson and Eva: Vampire Therapy by Shebat Legion is a Vampire tale that may surprise you. A wry look at the Vampire genre that is satirical and full of rich complex characters. Elizabetta/Shebat the eternal bride on the run from her sadistic powerful husband, is engaging, childlike, funny yet seductive and at her core a strong woman. Petra the caring but sometimes bitter best friend of Shebat. She both adores and resents her friend for being partly responsible for her being turned by friend's nefarious significant other. This event both caused a rift and yet in other ways bonded them forever. She is somewhat a disappointed Mother in some respects: despite being only two years older when human than her seventeen year old friend, she has always felt an unbreakable bond between them.This connection leads her to take the brunt of her Master's abuse. She helps her friend escape Abraham's abusive grasp but at the cost to her own safety. This is Petra's strongest quality, her heart. Duke has been trapped also by Abraham who turned him in the 1980s. Duke is a sweet, sincere man who is kept sane by his devoted beautiful sister Lilly/Lillian who much like Petra is much like a Mother to him. As a human Lillian developed early and is often ridiculed by envious people who can never seem to see the serious and serious heart of her. In spite of emotional neglect and physical trauma. Lily is defiantly my favorite in the 'Cat's Ass Boutique' Club. Her gentle charm hidden within a sensual and provocative outer shell. There is something just plain adorable about her and just wanted to protect both her and Duke. This is the first story I've read from the Cat's Ass Boutique-verse and I'm starving for more by these striking and neurotic Vampires. It is like a real solid world, full of complexities, quirky humor, intensity, dark themes that seem to hold a mirror to the real world and its own parasitic nature of psychological and physically destructive relationships that both damage and compel those within one. This is a brilliant metaphor for domestic abuse. The nature of self sacrifice, family, love, sexuality and friendship are explored here in stark honesty. A remarkable read. Five stars *****

Review of Lily Luchesi's 'Stake-Out'

Danny Mancini from Stake-Out is one of the best written protagonists in paranormal fantasy; Deeply flawed, complex and somehow endearing. He drinks away the pain to escape the recent events that haunt his mind. He was witness to the death of his cop partner/friend to a creature he once thought was myth. When he tells his bosses the events, they force him into early retirement.The fragile equilibrium is tested when Angelica Cross enters his life. She confirms that he was right all along and gives him a job and a mission. His life changes forever and is drawn into the City's paranormal underworld. With a new purpose, a new partner - Angelica, he sees new possibilities. Angelica Cross is fearless, tough, beautiful and compassionate to her core, but as Danny gets close to her, he discovers that she is hiding a dark secret. Can he overcome it or will Danny fall back into old habits.
I love Stake-Out. It is highly compelling tale that leads you into a strange exiting dangerous world that you won't want to put down. Angelica was the stand out character - I adore her wit, intelligence and her inner battle with the light and dark of her nature. She is a survivor much like Danny and that is why I'm rooting for them. Looking forward to reading the next instalment of the 'Paranormal Detectives' series. This is a thoroughly addictive and fast read. Thrilling, energetic and gripping throughout. This was my favourite paranormal read of 2015.

Audiobook Launch of my Vampire Fantasy book 'Whitby After Dark'

Really exited for the launch of my audiobook of 'Whitby After Dark'. Feel free to invite as many of your friends as you like. The more the merrier. Available in kindle and paperpack right now. £1.99 $2.99 ‪#‎kindle‬ ‪#‎pdf1‬ ‪#‎England‬ ‪#‎books‬ ‪#‎ebooks‬ ‪#‎publicity‬ ‪#‎fantasy‬
https://www.facebook.com/events/16580...

Tamara Philip's 'Romancing The Grinch', a review by Stella Coulson

When it comes to Christmas we are all split between being the cynic (Lenora) and sentimental (Logan). 'Romancing the Grinch' brings these two opposing natures together for this charming festive tale.
Lenora at any time of the year would be described as a 'sarcastic' woman, but Christmas always brought out the 'Grinch' in her.
''While pressing the Close door button, she stared blankly as the woman struggled to run huge gift bags with shiny wrapped presents banging against her legs. As the sliding door dinged shut, Lenora shot her a mischievous grin.''
Enter Logan, her polar opposite in every respect - his bright, cheery, optimistic nature jar with the contrast of Lenora's cynical persona. Yet the pair seem perfectly matched and balance each other out. Her sharp mind and wit combined with his gentile manners and shining warmth. I'm rooting for these two. I do hope RTG's author, Tamara continues their story - perhaps with New Year, Valentines Day etc. I really enjoyed this short but sweet glimpse into an early blossoming love. The characters' interactions are beautifully written and Lenora's dialogue fabulous with her cunning dry sardonic humour.
''Why is someone at my door at eight in the morning, isn't it illegal?''
I get her, as my own humour is somewhat on the dry side.
''It could be worse, you know? I could have a Meth habit!''
I adore the repartee between Lenora and her Logan.
''I have mace and I'm not afraid to use it..'' - Lenora.
''..You threatened to punch Santa.'' - Logan.
The story was touching due to the realistic portrayal of the characters and the interactions between them. Author Tamara Philip shows great promise and I look forward to reading more of her stories. Quite superb. Five stars *****

Carmilla Voiez's 'Starblood' - a review by Stella Coulson

'Starblood' is a most impressive novel which will redefine the Paranormal and Horror genre. Satori makes a deal with the demonic dark goddess Lilith in the desire to win back his former paramour. Magic comes at a great price, when what he gets isn't exactly what he wished for. Star is the object of Satori's affection, but Lilith has other plans. His deal with Lilith reshapes the destiny of Satori, Star, Lilith and the people they hold dear, resulting in events none could have predicted. A novel which penetrate the darker realms of fantasy. We are invited into a labyrinth of the senses, pleasures, pain and the grey silvery line between good and evil. No one in the novel is strictly good, evil, although each in their own way is capable of great love and immense cruelty. A powerful and almost Shakespearian tale of tragedy, desire, lust and love. Contains scenes of an adult nature. A genius work of contemporary fiction. Should become a future Horror classic. Highly recommend *****

Review of Sandrine Gasq-Dion's 'By The Light of The Moon': A Review by Stella Coulson

When Sam accidentally knocks down a Wolf on the road, his life is changed forever. To Sam's relief the wolf was alive, but injured. He takes care of the Wolf - Dakota and forms a pure bond of friendship with the noble creature. The Wolf is not all that he appears. Dakota has a duel nature; Both Wolf and Man. He is a Shifter. This was not to remain a secret for long and the reveal changes both Sam and Dakota's paths when they discover that their collision was kismet. By the Light of the Moon by Sandrine Gasq-Dion is a stunning story of friendship, passion and selfless love. The characters are perfectly developed and one finds themselves rooting for these two to make it through the turmoil that befalls them in the shape of Dakota's former 'Pack'. Love the characters. Dakota and Sam are adorable. The use of Dakota being an Alpha reduced to being a Omega due to a horrific sexual attack that befell him in his youth and the torment and abuse by his former Alpha, send him spiralling down. A metaphor of how society can sap power from those that are different. This is an empowering story of wrongs put right and love that can heal oneself, and those around us. This m/m paranormal romance has strong adult scenes. Five stars *****