Amanda L. Webster's Blog: Write on the World

The Ordinary Bruja by J.E. Ortega shows us the histories we’ve been taught to forget

What do we inherit from the generations before us—magic, shame, resilience, silence? In J.E. Ortega’s novel The Ordinary Bruja (coming November 4, 2025), Marisol Espinal returns to her hometown of Willowshade, Ohio, after her mother’s death and finds herself face-to-face with the family secrets she’s been running from. The story unfolds with an atmosphere of both dread and wonder, as Marisol confronts not only the haunting presence of Hallowthorn Hill but also the pieces of her own identity she’s been taught to bury.

Get your copy of The Ordinary Bruja from my independent online bookstore today!

The novel is steeped in Dominican folklore and written with a lyricism that brings the supernatural to life. The hill itself becomes a character—watching, waiting, whispering—and what it wants is Marisol’s surrender to fear. But Ortega makes clear that the greater threat isn’t the folklore itself, but the way Marisol has been taught to erase herself: her culture, her curls, her curves, her magic. The suspense is as much psychological as it is spectral, and the real horror comes from how shame and generational trauma can consume us if we let them.

Reading this book, I realized how much of my own understanding of history has been flattened and whitewashed. At first, I’ll admit, I struggled with suspension of disbelief. Could there really be a Dominican family whose roots in Ohio stretched back generations? Growing up in the Midwest, I was taught a very limited version of history: Indigenous peoples displaced, Europeans settling, enslaved Africans forced here. That was the narrative, and it left little room for any other story. But fiction has a way of poking holes in the stories we’ve been sold, and Ortega’s novel pushed me to question my assumptions.

Like Marisol turning to Google in her search for her family history, I stopped mid-read and did my own research. What I found was eye-opening. In fact, Dominican settlers helped establish the first Catholic church in Ohio in Somerset in the early 1800s. Migration from the Caribbean has been happening for centuries, not just in the past few decades as many of us were led to believe. That realization reframed the book for me—not as an implausible fantasy but as a reflection of how complex and hidden our histories really are.

This is why fiction matters. Stories like The Ordinary Bruja remind us how little we know, especially those of us who grew up within whiteness. Too often, American education erases the full truth: that Black and Brown people from the Caribbean, Central, and South America have been part of the fabric of this country for as long as there have been ships crossing its waters. And many who migrate here today are not “newcomers” at all but descendants of Indigenous peoples and of Africans whose forced migration was the bedrock of this nation’s wealth. White America has exploited these populations for centuries. If anything, they have more of a claim to this land than those of us who inherited privilege by way of colonization.

That’s why reading #ownvoices novels is not just about appreciating diverse stories—it’s about dismantling the myths that uphold inequality. Ortega’s novel shows us that the supernatural doesn’t just haunt us; the past does, too. And unless we confront it, it will keep consuming us.

The Ordinary Bruja is a chilling, poetic, and necessary novel. It is a coming-of-age story, a ghost story, and a cultural reckoning all in one. Marisol’s journey to embrace her heritage and her power mirrors the work so many of us need to do: to stop shrinking ourselves, to stop denying the truths that scare us, and to start remembering who we were meant to be.

The Ordinary Bruja by J.E. Ortega releases November 4, 2025. This is one you’ll want to pre-order, especially if you’re drawn to folklore, magical realism, and stories that challenge how we see history itself.

What about you—have you ever had a book send you digging into history you thought you already knew? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related ContentAre My Books About Me? Writing From the Seed of Truth (Have a Cup of Johanny) JD Vance’s home town is bouncing back – and it’s largely thanks to immigrants (The Guardian) Dominicans migration to Columbus, Ohio (Dominicans in Columbus, Ohio) Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

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Author interview with Becky Healy

From newspaper deadlines to creative freedom, writer Becky Healy has spent a lifetime chasing stories. Her nonfiction piece, The Bad Moon and Me, appears in Bad Moon on the Rise: An Anthology of the Unsettling, where she blends the sharp instincts of a journalist with the reflective tone of a storyteller exploring new terrain. In this interview, Becky shares how childhood mysteries sparked her love of writing, what keeps her inspired today, and how her definition of success has evolved from Oscar dreams to the quiet satisfaction of connecting with readers.

Becky Healy’s work appears in the recently released Bad Moon on the Rise: An Anthology of the Unsettling.

Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: When I was in the fourth grade, I remember walking into my classroom one day and deciding I wanted to be a writer. I loved reading, especially the Nancy Drew mystery series, and the idea of creating these kinds of stories appealed to me. I didn’t know what kind of writing I wanted to do or how I would make it a career, but my decision to be a writer was born that day.

Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between?
A: I’m at my best late in the afternoon. That’s when my brain settles and I can concentrate on putting words on paper.

Q: What’s a book that changed how you think about writing or storytelling?
A: Two books have helped me adjust and improve my craft. On Writing by Stephen King sharpened my storytelling skills. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott provided great insight into the mechanics of writing. I also stop myself while reading a book or article and think about why I’m enjoying the read. I examine what techniques the writer used to grab and hold my attention. I look for word combinations that resonated with me. I tuck away my observations for future use.

Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?
A: I’ve recently been exploring songwriting and how songwriters use words and phrases to tell a story. Rhymes, metaphors and repeated phrases can be employed in novels or short stories. Trying new ways to shape a character or story arc is fun, and I hope it adds to reader’s experience.

Q: What’s a quirky or unexpected detail about your writing space?
A: My writing space is filled with toys, notes and other fun things I’ve collected. And a tiny book called Nancy Drew’s Guide to Life is perched on the windowsill near my computer.

Q: What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your writing career, and how did you overcome it?
A: I’ve been writing since I was in grade school, but I spent more than four decades writing for newspapers and in the corporate world. One of my challenges has been to open up my writing style, so to speak, and use more words to explain a situation or describe a character without overwhelming the reader. It has been challenging and fun.

Q: How do you define success as an author? Has that definition evolved over time?
A: I’m a huge movie buff. Watching the Oscars has been an annual event for me since I was in high school. My definition of success used to be accepting an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay based on my highly successful novel. (I used to practice my acceptance speech in front of the mirror!) Today, success is defined by reader feedback and personal fulfillment.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?
A: Nancy Drew mysteries ignited my love of reading. Next, I got hooked on Agatha Christie books. I still enjoy a good mystery. And I enjoy how authors such as Stephen King and Karen White weave mysterious elements into some of their novels.

Q: If your life were a novel, what would the title be?
A: I spent years writing for newspapers and magazines. I learned a lot. I interviewed hundreds of people. I wrote thousands of words. And I did it all with the reality of deadline hanging over my head. So, I’d call that novel Life on a Deadline.

Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: Retirement changed my perspective on writing. My routines and goals shifted. While I have two books in the works, I’m also exploring a couple of new ideas. I’m anxious to see how my writing evolves.

Becky Healy has returned to her love of fiction writing after retiring from a successful career in journalism and corporate communications. Her stories are blossoming on pages yet to be released. When not writing, she enjoys seeking inspiration from fellow writers, spending time with friends and exploring her native Colorado. Contact her at AQuietPage@outlook.com.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest suspense novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

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Night Watcher brings Halloween horror vibes to a storm-soaked thriller

Sometimes a thriller doesn’t just keep you on edge—it crawls under your skin and lingers like a nightmare. That’s exactly what Daphne Woolsoncroft achieves in Night Watcher, a dark, atmospheric suspense novel set in Portland, Oregon, where the rain never stops and neither does the fear.

Get your copy of Night Watcher from my independent online bookstore today!

Nola Strate has spent her adulthood trying to outrun the shadows of her past. As a child, she narrowly escaped a notorious Pacific Northwest serial killer known as the Hiding Man. Now she’s a late-night radio host, fielding calls about hauntings and strange sightings on the show her father once made famous. It’s the perfect job for someone who wants to talk about fear without facing it directly.

But then one night, a caller describes a chilling intruder—one that sounds all too familiar. Soon, Nola is convinced that the Hiding Man has returned, and this time, he’s determined to finish what he started.

Woolsoncroft doesn’t just give us a straight-up thriller—she blends crime with horror, layering in the kind of creeping dread that fans of the Halloween films will recognize instantly. The Hiding Man isn’t just a killer; he’s a predator who stalks his victims long before striking. He makes them doubt their own senses, convinces them they’re paranoid, unsettles them with little reminders that someone is always watching. By the time he puts on his grotesque, homemade mask, the true terror isn’t just the attack itself—it’s the long buildup of psychological torment.

The atmosphere is as important as the plot here. Portland is drenched in a week of severe storms, and the gray, sodden weather seeps into the story. Every gust of wind, every rattle of rain against the glass adds to the sense that danger is lurking just beyond the window. That damp, storm-soaked setting becomes almost a character in its own right, mirroring Nola’s growing paranoia.

What makes Night Watcher especially effective is how it toys with questions of trust and memory. Nola doesn’t know who she can rely on—not the police, not her mysterious neighbor, maybe not even her own father. The tension comes not just from the Hiding Man’s presence, but from the unsettling possibility that he’s closer than anyone realizes.

Dark, relentless, and tinged with horror, Night Watcher is a perfect #spooktober read. If you like your thrillers with masks, shadows, and stormy nights, this one will keep you reading long past midnight.

Have you read Daphne Woolsoncroft before? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this blend of crime and horror—drop a comment below and let’s talk!

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related ContentFour novels that twist the slasher model into something darker and more personal (CrimeReads) My aunt was murdered before I was born. I still miss her. (Oprah Daily) A masked serial killer menaces true crime podcaster: Daphne Woolsoncroft’s debut novel (The Keene Sentinel) Best thriller about hunting a clever serial killer (r/thrillerbooks) Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.

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Submissions open for Beautiful and Terrifying: Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny

There’s beauty in the things that unnerve us. Beautiful and Terrifying is the next anthology from Elderfly Press—an exploration of the eerie, the intimate, and the in-between. Submissions are now open for short stories, poetry, and black-and-white art that linger in the shadows of the strange and the sublime.

There’s beauty in what haunts us.
Submit to Beautiful and Terrifying today!

This collection seeks work that blurs boundaries—between beauty and fear, humanity and monstrosity, love and decay. We’re drawn to dark, literary narratives and haunting imagery that leave readers with a sense of wonder and unease. Not every story needs to fit neatly into horror or realism; the best pieces often live in the uncanny space between.

What Elderfly Press is looking for:

This anthology invites a wide range of voices and forms with themes of transformation, obsession, decay, beauty, violence, or the supernatural:

Genre fiction: horror, speculative, gothic, dystopian, weird, sci-fi, supernatural—anything that chills, disturbs, or unsettlesLiterary fiction: moody, shadowed, emotionally rawPoetry: rooted in chaos, shadow, or changeVisual art: black-and-white art that captures the eerie, surreal, or dreamlikeSubmission guidelinesShort stories: 1,000–5,000 wordsPoetry: up to 5 poems (1–3 pages each)Black-and-white art: up to 5 pieces; JPG or PNG; 300dpi preferred

Send original, unpublished work. Simultaneous submissions are fine—just notify Elderfly if your piece is accepted elsewhere.

Deadline: March 15, 2026
Compensation: A free digital copy, discounted print copy, and promotional support
Rights: First World English Rights and non-exclusive anthology rights—contributors retain ownership of their work

To submit

Email your submission to submissions@elderflybooks.com
Subject line: Beautiful and Terrifying Submission – [Your Name]

Include:

A brief cover letter (name, bio up to 50 words, and social links if you’d like)Your submission as a DOCX, PDF, or JPG/PNG fileIf submitting multiple pieces, attach them as a single file

Questions? Email info@elderflybooks.com

Elderfly Press publishes dark, literary works that explore the beautiful and the unsettling. Our anthologies feature fiction, poetry, and art that challenge, disturb, and linger long after the final page. Proceeds from these projects help fund the future brick-and-mortar home of Elderfly Books & Gifts in central Illinois.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.

Make a one-time donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateMake a monthly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate monthlyMake a yearly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate yearly

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong: When family secrets won’t stay buried

When Kelley Armstrong writes horror, you know you’re in for a story that goes beyond simple scares—and The Haunting of Paynes Hollow (releasing October 14, 2025) is no exception. This chilling, supernatural thriller digs into the shadows of family history, twisted memory, and the things we inherit whether we want to or not. The book is available now for pre-order on Amazon.

Get your copy of The Haunting of Payne’s Hollow from my independent online bookstore today!

Samantha Payne never expected to inherit anything from her grandfather, not after years of distance and the painful memory of her father’s alleged crime. Fourteen years earlier, Sam witnessed her father burying the body of a child—an image that convinced her he was guilty, despite his own father’s unshakable belief in his innocence. But at the reading of the will, Sam is shocked to discover she’s been left the family’s valuable lakefront property at Paynes Hollow, with one strange condition: she must stay in the cottage for a month and “face the fact she was wrong.”

That’s when the real terror begins.

The story unfolds with creeping dread as Sam returns to the lake, a place heavy with grief and suspicion. Her aunt vanishes within days of their arrival. The woods whisper with movement. The water hides unspeakable horrors. And the deeper Sam digs, the more she realizes that memory and truth aren’t always the same thing. Adults revise the stories children tell themselves, shaping memory to fit their needs—and in Sam’s case, those revisions concealed something much darker.

Armstrong adds another layer of myth to the setting: Sam’s grandfather always insisted that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was inspired by a visit to Paynes Hollow. The connection feels fitting, as the novel pulls from folklore, ghost stories, and even zombie-like horrors that lurk just beyond the tree line and beneath the rippling water. If earlier generations knew what prowled these woods, why was the only warning passed down: stay out of the woods and water at night?

What makes The Haunting of Paynes Hollow so effective is that its horror is never just supernatural—it’s about people, too. Greed, betrayal, and the mental gymnastics of self-justification twist families into unrecognizable shapes. Childhood memories get distorted by half-truths and silences. And while the monsters in the woods are terrifying, it’s the choices made by human beings in the name of money and power that leave the deepest scars.

As a fan of magical realism, I loved the way Armstrong balances the eerie with the believable. The supernatural elements are woven in seamlessly, making it easy to suspend disbelief and surrender to the story’s eerie pull. That said, I found myself genuinely sad over the deaths of a couple of good characters. Personally, I prefer when horror reserves its most brutal fates for those who deserve it—but Armstrong doesn’t hold back, which adds to the tension and unpredictability of the novel.

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow is a gothic, unsettling tale about family legacies, haunted landscapes, and the dangers of believing the stories we’re told as children. If you’re looking for a fall release that combines folklore, family drama, and true supernatural dread, mark your calendar for October 14.

Have you read Kelley Armstrong before? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let’s talk horror, folklore, and family secrets.

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related ContentWriting Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong (Smart Bitches, Trashy Books) Blog Tour: A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong (Sarah O’Connor) Wonderful Writers: Kelley Armstrong (Life of a Female Bibliophile) Q&A with Kelley Armstrong, bestselling fantasy writer (Los Angeles Times) Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.

Make a one-time donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateMake a monthly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate monthlyMake a yearly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate yearly

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is a haunting #spooktober thriller that cuts deep

Daisy Pearce’s Something in the Walls is the kind of book that makes you glance over your shoulder while reading. Equal parts folklore horror and psychological suspense, it delivers a chilling blend of witchcraft, mob mentality, and small-town secrets that feel both timeless and terrifying. If you’re looking for a gripping #Spooktober read, this one absolutely delivers.

Get your copy of Something in the Walls from my independent online bookstore today!

The story follows Mina, a young psychologist still finding her footing, who takes on the case of Alice Webber, a troubled thirteen-year-old girl in the remote village of Banathel. Alice insists she’s haunted by a witch, and her symptoms grow more alarming as the days pass. Mina, desperate to prove herself and help the girl, joins forces with journalist Sam Hunter. But Banathel is a place steeped in superstition, and the villagers have their own brutal methods of “dealing with” witches. The deeper Mina digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes—especially as echoes of her own past begin to surface.

What makes this novel so unnerving is its atmosphere. Pearce doesn’t just create a creepy backdrop; she draws readers into scenes that are downright visceral. The folklore elements are steeped in dread, and there were moments when I could sense the story gearing up to hit me hard. That’s when I had to set the book aside—especially at night—and save those passages for daylight. Horror movies are too much for me, but horror novels give me the control to step away, and Pearce’s writing tests that boundary in the best way.

Beneath the supernatural terror lies a sharp commentary on mob mentality and patriarchal control. Banathel has a long history of witch hunts, complete with a ritual called “the Riddance” where women are assaulted in the town square under the guise of tradition. The parallels to Salem are clear, and the townspeople’s hunger for punishment is as frightening as any ghost.

That patriarchal control is echoed in Mina’s personal life as well. Her fiancé, Oscar, is a rigid man of science who insists on rational explanations for everything. Mina herself feels a pull toward the supernatural—fueled by her longing to reconnect with her dead brother—but Oscar’s opinions weigh heavily on her. It isn’t just what he believes, but what he imposes on Mina, that pushes her to ignore the evidence right in front of her and frame Alice’s torment in clinical, rational terms. The tension between what Mina sees and what she’s expected to believe sharpens the novel’s themes of control, doubt, and silenced voices.

Pearce has crafted a story that is unsettling, unforgettable, and nearly impossible to put down. If you like your horror thought-provoking as well as terrifying, Something in the Walls will get under your skin and stay there long after you’ve turned the last page.

Have you read Something in the Walls yet? Would you be able to handle it at night, or would you need to save it for daylight too? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Related ContentDaisy Pearce on poltergeists, misogyny, and coming of age in a fractured world (CrimeReads) My review of Daisy Pearce’s The Missing (Stevie Turner) The Silence by Daisy Pearce (Jen Med’s Book Reviews) A few questions with author Daisy Pearce (New Writing South) Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.

Make a one-time donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateMake a monthly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate monthlyMake a yearly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate yearly

Interview with poet Jack Love

Jack Love’s poem “Cured Are You Above All,” featured in Bad Moon on the Rise: An Anthology of the Unsettling, reveals a writer deeply attuned to the beauty and complexity of everyday life. A lifelong reader inspired by the fantastical worlds of C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Rick Riordan, Love’s influences now span from the poetic precision of Langston Hughes and W.B. Yeats to the immersive storytelling of modern science fiction. In this interview, he reflects on how parenthood, memory, and simplicity shape his work—and how he balances creativity, academia, and the ongoing pursuit of artistic growth.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: For a large part, it was the conventional children’s authors who had significant influence on my interest in writing. I remember loving C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, Roald Dahl, and Tolkien’s Hobbit. I also remember thoroughly enjoying Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, which was being published while I was a kid. I think these writers (among many others) shaped me while I was young because they imagine such fantastic worlds that you can lose yourself in. As a kid, I recall trying to mimic their world-building by creating my own strange worlds when I would play by myself.

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
A: Many of my favorite authors are classic literary figures today. Flannery O’Connor, Mark Twain, Langston Hughes, WB Yeats, and Willa Cather are some who come to mind right now. Yeats and Hughes are specifically significant because I feel like their poetic styles have shaped and influenced my own writing. I say O’Connor, Twain, and Cather mostly because I have spent so much time studying each of them in my critical work. But I also admire quite a few contemporary writers. The science fiction of Ann Leckie and Timothy Zahn has been wonderful to read. Nathaniel Lee Hansen’s poetry was one of the first instances where I began to understand that poetry can apply to everyday life rather than complex subjects that are more often studied in school. And the nonfiction of Paul Willis and Jon Krakauer has always intrigued me thoroughly.

Q: How do you nurture your creativity when life gets busy or overwhelming?
A: As a recent new parent, life is certainly busy for me now. I think the way I nurture creativity is by simply writing about a moment in my day, whether it is an interaction with my son or some odd experience I had riding the bus to work. I’ve found that I have a lot to say about small moments if I really contemplate my experience at the end of my day. Also, I don’t try to revise or edit what I write in these moments. I just write down what I’m feeling. I can polish my writing at some other time. This method has proved useful for me so far.

Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between?
A: I feel most in the zone either in the early mornings or in the late night. My brain is usually functioning the best in the morning. So, I sometimes like getting up earlier than I need to just to get some writing done. On the flip side, I find that writing late at night allows me to tap into my experiences from the day in a way that benefits the overall quality of my writing. In a way, morning writing and night writing serve two very distinct purposes. Depending on what I want to get done, I try to write at one of these times on a daily basis.

Q: What’s a book that changed how you think about writing or storytelling?
A: I think Cormac McCarthy novels have changed how I think about storytelling. So often, his novels make profound statements in the simplest of things. Novels like The Road, All the Pretty Horses, and No Country for Old Men all do this so powerfully.

Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?
A: I’ve always been drawn to film. I used to see myself as an amateur film connoisseur when I was younger. In the past few years, I’ve found myself watching less film and television, but I still absolutely love it. In terms of my own writing, I find that I often make frequent allusions to famous film and television that has stuck with me over the years. When I write fiction, I feel like I set up scenes in a very cinematic manner—as if my narrator is a camera following a character’s actions.

Q: What themes do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
A: Parenthood: as a new parent, I often find poetry as a great way to express the big feelings I have for my experiences and my exhaustion. Memory and how it intersects with place: a lot of my work considers how different places in my life have left lasting impacts on me. Power in simplicity or everyday experience: a lot of my work also investigates how everyday actions suggest powerful reflections about who we are as human beings

Q: What’s a quirky or unexpected detail about your writing space?
A: Though I have a designated writing space at my home, I sometimes find that being out at a coffee shop or café can be generative for my work. There’s something about being out in public among other people that really motivates me. Maybe it is because other people are doing their own work. Maybe the coffee shops I visit have a welcoming atmosphere that I find generative. I don’t know what it is, but public spaces are super useful for me in this way.

Q: What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your writing career, and how did you overcome it?
A: I think the biggest challenge is breaking into the publishing space—getting your work published somewhere. There are many, many good writers out there. But it takes a lot of effort to get your work in print. It requires facing quite a bit of rejection, which can be a very hard process to face. Writing is so vulnerable, whether you are composing a poem, a story, or an essay. So, when you inevitably face a rejection letter, it can be a challenge to keep on working. It feels like your writing isn’t good, isn’t worth reading. At this point in my career, I think I’ve developed the resolve to submit my work to venues without fear of rejection. This isn’t because everything I submit is now accepted. On the contrary, I still face rejection like every writer. I just have less fear in confronting that rejection because I know my writing is valuable, and I know that many of my works will eventually find a home even if it takes some work.

Q: How do you define success as an author? Has that definition evolved over time?
A: A successful author is someone who writes what they love while evolving and growing over time. I firmly believe that, if you’re writing from a genuine place about some aspect of life, then you will eventually find an audience who loves your work. The audience may not be big, but it will be comprised of genuine people who admire what you do. To me, there is nothing more successful than having a reader who cares deeply about the work you’ve done. Additionally, writing is a process. As writers, we grow and evolve over time. Our work should adapt as we do. A successful author continuously shapes and reshapes their writing according to their own growth as a person.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?
A: Right now, my favorite genre is probably a combination of science fiction and fantasy. For the longest time, I enjoyed literary fiction the most. And I still enjoy literary fiction. However, I study American Literature for a full-time job right now. I find that science fiction and fantasy offer me a break from my studies. Sometimes, these genres offer me an escape from what seems an increasingly bleak world. Other times, I think SF and fantasy offer powerful critiques of our world. The genres interrogate issues in a way that I don’t think literary fiction often can. So, as much as people say sf and fantasy are escape from reality genres, I personally think they engage meaningfully with sociopolitical concerns facing us today.

Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: Anything by John Gwyne, who writes amazing fantasy novels. Stacy Deonn’s The Legendborn Cycle is a unique spin on Arthurian legend that offers a fresh, much-need perspective. The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane is a powerful novel that explores colonial Australia. Percival Everett’s James wonderfully re-envisions the classic American novel by Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The Star Wars Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn has also been thoroughly enjoyable to read as a fan of the franchise. You can’t go wrong with any of these books.

Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?
A: I think I’d have to say either Tolkien’s Middle Earth from Lord of the Rings or the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Both just seem like amazing, beautiful places. Both worlds are not without significant danger, but I still think it’d be fun to be a part of it for just a day.

Q: What’s a new genre or style you’d love to experiment with in the future?
A: Science fiction is a genre I’d love to break into one day. To me, it’s such a readable genre that can often attract a wide readership. The SF I have read is wildly entertaining but also very intelligent and critical of society. As someone interested in the intersection between social criticism and entertainment, I think that science fiction would be a fun genre to explore. I’ve written over half of an SF novel titled Formless and Void that I hope to share one day.

Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: I’m always working on poetry, and it’s my dream to one day publish a poetry collection. Also, I’ve got a science fiction novel I’ve been working on for years now. I think I’m making good progress on it, and I hope one day I can share it with the world. It’s a story that I think would resonate with so many people today. The working title is Formless and Void. If you have any interest in my work, I’d love to discuss it further.

Jack Love is a Ph.D. Candidate at Texas A&M University in the English Department. He has published creative work in Livina Press, Texas Bards 2025 Poetry Anthology, Educator’s Room, Literature Today, The Soliloquist, Taj Mahal Review, and DOXA. He has won several creative writing awards, including an honorable mention in the Gordone Awards hosted every year at Texas A&M University.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest suspense novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

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She’s Going to Pay by Alexandra Ivy struggles with execution despite a promising premise

I’m always drawn to novels set in overlooked places—small towns that don’t typically get the spotlight—and Alexandra Ivy’s She’s Going to Pay caught my attention for that reason. Set in Canton, Missouri, it has all the ingredients of a juicy domestic suspense: a missing father, a stepmother with a hidden identity, a hometown full of secrets, and a daughter who reluctantly returns to face it all.

Get your copy of She’s Going to Pay from my independent online bookstore today!

The setup is fantastic. Jesse Hudson left Canton years ago after her stepmother and stepsister vanished under suspicious circumstances and her father was suspected of murder. When he also disappeared, Jesse built a life elsewhere. Now she’s back to sell his old bar, only to learn her stepmother was never who she claimed to be. As Jesse digs into the past, she becomes convinced her father’s disappearance is tied to this buried identity—and discovers that someone in town has been waiting for her return.

It’s a strong premise, but unfortunately, the execution doesn’t live up to its potential. The novel feels like it could have benefited from another couple of rounds of revisions. Too many moments strain believability, from plot turns that don’t quite make sense to characters that feel more like caricatures than people. The sheriff who once tried to put Jesse’s father in prison and now seems to stalk Jesse around town is especially hard to take seriously. And while I appreciate a story rooted in a small-town setting, the “everyone is watching, everyone knows everyone’s business” trope is overdone here. Living in a town of 850 people myself, I know it doesn’t work that way—and Canton is bigger than that.

As a writer, I couldn’t help wondering how much of the problem lies with the author and how much with the editorial process. A good editor is there to help spot inconsistencies, tighten pacing, and challenge believability issues. With a traditionally published book, I expect a certain level of polish, but this one feels rushed through production. Did the editor miss the problems, or did the author push back against changes? We’ll never know, but either way, the final product suffers for it.

That said, there’s still an engaging story at the core. Ivy knows how to keep tension simmering, and the mysteries surrounding Jesse’s father and stepmother are enough to keep the pages turning. For readers who enjoy atmospheric small-town suspense and don’t mind suspending disbelief, She’s Going to Pay may still scratch the itch.

She’s Going to Pay is available now for pre-order on Amazon and releases October 31st.

Have you read this one? I’d love to know if you had the same experience or if it worked better for you—drop your thoughts in the comments below.

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related ContentAuthor Q&A with Alexandra Ivy! (Military Spouse) My Dual (VERY FUN) Interview with Alexandra Ivy about our Anthology (Rebecca Zanetti) Q&A: Author Alexandra Ivy on her vampires and werewolves! (Paranormal Romance) Dog days of August blog by Alexandra Ivy (Kensington Books Publishing) Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.

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Poison Wood by Jennifer Moorhead is a sharp psychological thriller about secrets, ambition, and survival

Some thrillers grip you not just with their twists but with the way they expose the lies we tell ourselves to get by. Poison Wood by Jennifer Moorhead (releasing October 28, 2025, available now for pre-order on Amazon) is one of those novels.

Get your copy of Poison Wood from my independent online bookstore today!

Rita Meade is an ambitious crime reporter still riding the wave of her acclaimed docuseries on the Broken Bayou serial killer. But when a skull turns up in the Louisiana forest where she once attended the troubled Poison Wood Therapeutic Academy for Girls, the story hits too close to home. The murder conviction of her former classmate’s killer is unraveling, her father—the judge who presided over the case—is in failing health, and returning to the woods means confronting long-buried secrets. As Rita investigates, what she uncovers threatens not only her career but also her family, her relationships, and her sense of self.

One of the aspects I most appreciated about this novel is the way Moorhead resists tired stereotypes. Rita’s stepmother isn’t written as the greedy interloper so common in thrillers; instead, she feels like a three-dimensional person with her own mix of flaws and strengths. Even the young reporter sent to replace Rita on the Poison Wood story—a setup that in many novels would make her a rival or saboteur—turns out not to be the backstabbing caricature we’ve been trained to expect. It’s refreshing to see a book where women aren’t automatically portrayed as enemies.

Another important thread running through this story is the way wealth and privilege can twist family dynamics. Again and again, we see how affluent parents sidestep responsibility by sending their daughters away to “therapeutic” schools instead of doing the hard work of parenting. The girls’ so-called “bad behavior” is often nothing more than a cry for help—ignored by the very parents who created the circumstances that pushed them there. Rita herself didn’t do anything serious enough to deserve being sent away; her youthful misstep was minor, yet her father still decided she should be someone else’s problem. Is it any wonder that when these vulnerable girls are clustered together, they get into more trouble rather than less?

That critique sits alongside one of the novel’s other central themes: secrecy. Throughout the book, characters struggle with the consequences of what they’ve hidden—whether out of shame, ambition, or fear. Time and again, Moorhead shows that burying the truth only compounds the damage. When revelations finally come to light, they sting, but they also free characters from the weight of carrying lies.

Poison Wood is a taut psychological thriller with well-drawn characters, layered family dynamics, and a story that asks tough questions about ambition, loyalty, and truth. It’s a novel that stays with you for how real its people feel—not because they’re perfect, but because they’re complicated.

Poison Wood by Jennifer Moorhead releases October 28, 2025, and is available now for pre-order on Amazon.

Have you read Jennifer Moorhead’s Broken Bayou or are you planning to pick up Poison Wood? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear what you think!

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related ContentGenre hopping with debut author Jennifer Moorhead (The Wickeds) Motherhood and writing novels (Jennifer Moorehead) Author R&R with Jennifer Moorhead (In Reference to Murder) BROKEN BAYOU by Jennifer Moorhead, EXCERPT (Women Writers, Women’s Books) Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.

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Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateMake a monthly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate monthlyMake a yearly donation

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Interview with horror writer, Bryan Alaspa

Every anthology begins with the voices that bring it to life. As I launch this new series of interviews with the authors featured in Bad Moon on the Rise: An Anthology of the Unsettling, I’m excited to start with Bryan Alaspa—a writer whose love of horror runs deep and whose storytelling continues to unsettle, inspire, and keep readers turning pages late into the night.

This Halloween, Bryan Alaspa unleashes The Witch of November, where something ancient and deadly has awakened in the Great Lakes. As boats sink and body parts wash ashore, survivors Logan Field and Mike Quinton must confront a force even more destructive than the Piasa Bird. But can anyone stop a creature that commands the storms themselves?

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Bryan has been writing since his early fascination with sharks led him to discover Jaws and the idea that authors could create entire worlds from imagination. From there, he dove into horror with Stephen King’s Cujo, the gothic tension of Shirley Jackson, and the psychological unease of Poe. Those influences have shaped his own ability to build characters readers care about—and then, as he says, “do dastardly things to them.”

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?

A: Well, I first came to realize who authors were in the 70s and Peter Benchley was everywhere with Jaws. However, the first horror novel I read was Cujo by Stephen King and I have been a huge fan every since. Madeleine L’Engle was an influence when I was a kid. It’s funny to think that I read lots of Poe and Shirley Jackson in school when I was still pretty young, too. I read a lot of horror when I was younger, and all of it influenced me to one degree or another. They taught me how to craft a scene, develop characters people care about, and then do dastardly things to them within my stories.

Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?

A: Jaws, for sure. I was obsessed with sharks when I was a kid, and Jaws was EVERYWHERE. I would stare at the infamous cover and I remember asking my mom about it and her explaining what an author was. And I thought – wow, if I could get paid to write about sharks, that would be so cool! I probably read that one way too young. I read Cujo in maybe 4th or 5th grade. My reading was always advanced, so I read these things way too young.

Q: What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned about yourself through writing?

A: That I am the worst judge of my own work. I mean that, really. It is especially true of my short stories. I explore even darker themes there and sometimes even get experimental. There have been times I finish a short story and think – not sure about that one, it’s too weird. Inevitably when they get published in one form or another, I get notes and letters from people telling me the weird one I wasn’t sure about is their favorite.

Q: What’s one writing habit you can’t live without and one you wish you could break?

A: I write every morning before I start working on the day job stuff. I have to do that to prime the mental pump before working on the stuff I have to write for work.  When I write, I wish I could stop using the word “that” so much and I sometimes forget characters names and will change their names mid-story. Thank God for editors.

Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between? 

A: Definitely in the mornings. I try to write every morning before I start working on the day job stuff. By night time, my brain is spent and it’s hard to write, then hard to shut it off so I can sleep.

Q: What’s a book that changed how you think about writing or storytelling?

A: I am pretty sure King’s early work changed my thoughts about writing and storytelling. In more recent times, Paul Tremblay’s work has done that for me – a LOT. I also find myself wishing I could write like Josh Malerman. I think as I have continued to write, and expanded into things like detective stories (where I got to take a mental vacation from horror), the works of Dashiell Hammett really helped change how I think about writing. My wife got me a collection of his work and I devoured all of it and it helped influence my Deklan Falls series of detective novels. I was also a big comic book collector at one point and writers such as Frank Miller and Alan Moore rocked my world.

Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?

A: Music is huge from me. There have been a few pieces I have worked on where one particular song is the thing I have to listen to before or during my writing. I find music very inspirational. I am also a big movie fan, so sometimes movies and TV influence me or get me thinking in a certain direction or about themes I haven’t explored before.

Q: If you could collaborate with any writer, past or present, who would it be, and what would you create together?

A: MJ Mars, Andrew Najberg, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, John Langan, Stephen King (of course), Joe Hill. I’d collaborate with any of them to create something truly terrifying that people would remember for the rest of their lives and that would haunt their dreams.

Q: What themes do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?

A: For some reason the theme of child killers has popped up quite a bit again and again. I think taking the life of a child is just so horrifying and the lowest of the low, so if I really want to convey the evilness of someone, that’s where I go. I also seem to have an obsession with alternate realities and dimensions. I just find the idea of a real life multi-verse fascinating, but also potentially dangerous.

Q: How do you approach writing characters with experiences different from your own?

A: I always do basic research, but I also just let the story flow. I usually feel like these characters come to me and tell me their stories. So, when I wrote my first Deklan Falls story I dealt with his alcoholism thanks to stories from friends, family, and some research, but also just vibed with the character.

Q: What’s your go-to snack or drink while writing?

A: Since I write in the morning – Dunkin Donuts coffee. Iced coffee, hot coffee, cold brews, I love it all and need that caffeine boost.

Q: What’s a quirky or unexpected detail about your writing space?

A: I write at a surprisingly tiny desk, actually.

Q: What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?

A: My greatest feedback came in college when someone told me my work gave them nightmares. I know, it’s a bit sick, but that is a triumph for a horror writer. I have also created characters only to kill them off and to have a reader get mad at me for that also makes me cheer inside. I created a fictional character that became so real to them they had a visceral reaction when something bad happened. That is a victory.

Q: In your experience, what has been the best way to market your books? Where have you found the greatest return on your investment (whether it be time or money invested?)

A: Since I do not have an agent or manager, I have to do the marketing all on my own. It means I have to be on social media even when I wish I could step away for a while. Using ads on Facebook and Instagram have given me the biggest bang for my buck.

Q: How do you define success as an author? Has that definition evolved over time?

A: My idea of success has changed a lot. I am under no delusion I am a well known entity in the world of books. I know I am at the bottom rung of the horror writing ladder. So, when I get feedback, or people tell me they love my work – that is success. I long ago gave up the idea of being an author full time. I just don’t get my books turned into movies or get huge book deals. So, I had to change my idea of success long ago.

Q: What’s one question readers ask you the most about your books, and what’s your answer?

A: Where do you get your ideas? is the biggest and I tell them they just come to me. I was once asked, why do you write about such dark stuff? Why can’t you write about puppies, bunnies, and flowers? I had to say, I must write about things that interest me so unless the puppies and bunnies are rabid and the flowers poisonous, they just don’t interest me.

Q: What do you wish readers understood better about the writing or publishing process?

A: I wish they knew how mentally taxing it can be. People seem to think it’s so easy, but at the same time so many say, “Well, I could never write a novel.” I wish they understood, as well, that they probably could if they sat down and just let the words flow. Too many authors get stuck right at the start, or they go back and worry about what they just wrote. I am a big believer in the “brain dump.” Write the first draft and don’t look back until you finish. THEN you can fret over that one sentence.

Q: What have you written that you found to be the most fun to write?

A: I love writing horror, but my Deklan Falls detective series is something else. I visit there like I am going on vacation, and the stories just flow. The character is fully realized to me, as well as the periphery characters and the settings.

Q: What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

A: Of mine? I wrote a YA ghost-love story called Sapphire that I really love and wish more people had read. If I were to recommend a horror author that doesn’t get enough love, well, I have two. Thomas Tryon did Harvest Home and The Other, two of the finest horror novels and they don’t get enough love. I also love Robert R. McCammon and his novel Boy’s Life is just one of the greatest underappreciated novels of all time.

Q:  Do you have an all-time favorite writer, or does your favorite change over time? Who is your favorite writer today?

A: Stephen King. He was the first, remains the favorite. Yes, he may have run down a bit in recent years, but that happens as you approach 80. Today, I have so many favorites. Paul Tremblay, Andrew Najberg, MJ Mars, Josh Malerman. John Langan’s The Fisherman is one of the greatest horror novels of this generation. Stephen Graham Jones has this unique perspective on horror and I love his work, too.

Q:  What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?

A: Simple: Horror, Yes, Yes. My tastes haven’t really changed much, but my appreciation of other authors has.

Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?

A: I’d live in my fictional town of Knorr, PA. I’d also live in the town of my detective novels.

Q: If your life were a novel, what would the title be?

A: The Low Rung on the Ladder: My Life and Times as an Unknown Horror Author

Q: What’s one thing you hope readers take away from your latest book?

A: For all of my books, I want them to be amazed and entertained. I’d like them to have a fright or two, as well. My upcoming novel The Witch of November is a sequel to my award-winning novel Devoured, so I hope people like visiting those characters again.

Q: What projects are you working on at the present?

A: Currently writing my fifth Deklan Falls detective novel. It is called Echo Protocol and I am having a blast. I have a bunch of novels in the pipeline currently with editors, too. One called The Culling and another called Reunion, and both of those are horror.

Bryan Alaspa has been writing in one form or another since he sat down at  his mom’s electric typewriter in the third grade. He has been doing it professionally since 2006. Bryan is the author of more than 60 works of fiction and non-fiction. Bryan writes thrillers, horror, suspense and young adult novels in fiction. Bryan also writes on a freelance basis including press releases, website content, news, journalism, and reviews of movies, television and literature. Bryan lives in Chicago with his wife and two rescue dogs.

Bryan Alaspa, in recent years, has won several literary awards for his work. He has won two BookFest Awards and two International Impact Book Awards and was recently a William Shakespeare Award finalist. He is also the writer and one of the producers of the horror fiction podcast When the Night Comes Out.

Connect with the authorAuthor WebsiteFacebookThe social media platform formerly known as TwitterBuy these and other Bryan Alaspa books today!Now available in print and on Kindle!

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest suspense novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

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Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate yearly