Coven and Coffin Blog Hop: A Ghost's Story

We come to the fourth day of the party. Is your heart pounding yet?

A Ghost's Story

by Jessica Fortunato

I remembered picking him up from the airport.  Seeing him at the gate, so proud of himself he’d made it all the way to Europe and back.  I remembered he looked confident, and much older than the kid I’d dropped off months before.

Are we destined to turn out like the generations before us? Is it foretold in some place dark and unnatural that we repeat the mistakes we’ve bore witness to?  Are the Fates the weavers of our demise?  I don’t know.  Yet in the inky, moonless night, I believe so strongly it makes me sick, that we have only ourselves to blame for our sadness and misfortune.  Perhaps life is cruel and it is a bit of both.  Still, it seems like an endless struggle, a tugging between a foolish tradition of drifting and a plaintive desire to remain intact.  I’ve seen the ashes and smelled the bitter smoke of those burned bridges.  My fingertips have blistered as I came to realize it was I who lit the match. 

What would I dare say if they were listening?  If they spoke the same ominous and brutal language, I now whisper.  Lives can be separate but still entwined.  You needn’t choose one or the other.  It is not in our natures to pursue the hidden, but we should do it nonetheless.  I would ask if we don’t bother to save one another, then why bother at all?    Stop crouching behind the rotting decay of disease, anger, seductively busy schedules.  Speak even when you have forgotten your name or your purpose.  Cling to the belief that if not for the people in our portraits we would not be who we are. 

Whether because of them or in spite of them, they are our beginning.

This is the easy part.

I saw the wreckage, and I remembered the deer.  How had I thought for a moment that preserving a deer was better than this?

In that inky, moonless night, there will be demons.  Their claws will dig into your flesh, their teeth tearing for your throat.  They will be strong, their eyes will know no pity or remorse and they will know your heartbeat from a thousand others.  Hiding will do no good. As you stumble, realize that running will only make your bones ache, the evil has already caught up with you.

Because it is you.

The bloody lining will be suffocating and intoxicating at the same time.  The taste in your mouth as sweet as it is metallic.  But you mustn’t succumb. 

Finally, I found him.  Strapped to a backboard, awake and alert and for a moment he looked right through me.

There are still those who remember who you were.  Before you ran, before you knew the names of the creatures that stalk you.  You are within their memory.  In their knowledge, you will find your salvation.

That, little brother, is the hard part.

I saw the kind officers drape the white sheet over my body like angel wings.

Bleeding and full of anguish their light will guide you to the dawn, to your home.

But first, little brother, you must ask.

Jessica Fortunato writes a rare combination of Paranormal/ Supernatural/ Religious Literary Fiction.  She lives in Pennsylvania with her family, a clumsy black cat, and year round Halloween decorations.  Rarely seen in direct sunlight, reports of Jessica’s vampirism remain unsubstantiated.

Visit her Blog

The Sin Collector

"The Sin Collector" follows the life of Liliana, a born Sin Collector. She has spent over 100 years absorbing people's sins so they may rest in peace come death. However when she meets another Collector, one who insists everything she has been taught is a lie, Liliana must make her way from Sunny L.A. all the way to the streets of Madrid. Searching for answers to a question we all share. Why are we here? The friends and enemies she makes along the way only seem to blur the line between right and wrong. Can Liliana fight the Castus, an organization bent on killing off every Sin-Eater? Should she trust her head or her heart when the two most important men in her life are fighting alongside her?

Then there is the worst question of all, who will be left when the dust settles?

The Sin Collector: Thomas

This story is meant to be read following Book One in The Sin Collector Series.

Thomas has taken vows. As an immortal, he is impervious to harm on the battlefield. As a Collector, he alone can take away the sins of the fallen and allow them to move peacefully into the next life.

But valor never comes without sacrifice.

Far away from combat is his home, and her name is Lucy. Lucy is a human and frail from the explosion that nearly took her life, but Thomas’s duty pulls him from her before she can recover. His letters are his only connection to her, and to her caretaker, Thomas’s best friend Emmilina.

Thomas has gone to War for his God and for honor but there is an even more personal mission that drives him.

He will find other Collectors, and tell them the secrets he has learned.

Sacrifice: The Sin Collector 2

As an immortal Sin Collector, Liliana lead a transient life of solitude for over one-hundred years.

Now with a growing family, she has found herself liking normalcy and the façade of being human. However, when old friends begin to turn up dead, it is clear Collectors are not safe. The battle that Liliana thought she’d won, has only just begun.

She must save herself, her family, and her friends from the Castus, a fanatical group sworn to eradicate her kind.

As Liliana travels the globe making allies, and discovering secrets, she soon learns that the threat to her safety is closer than she ever thought possible.

Will she be able to fight her fate, or will she succumb to an ancient Castus prophecy?

Steam

Charlotte Amelia Caprice may seem like an ordinary girl. She has a job she hates, a boss she despises, and zero romantic prospects. Her friends call her Charlie, when she can keep one for more than a few weeks. Though Charlie may seem ordinary, she is anything but. Charlie doesn’t have a heart. Instead, she has a steam driven machine in her chest, always making her feel less than human. Gears and pistons have been using her own body heat to pump her blood for over a decade. There is one small problem. Her heart is beginning to break. When Charlie meets a brilliant man, one who could save her life, she must choose between being heartless and being alive. A simple choice for some, but for Charlie living on steam isn’t easy.

Return tomorrow for a new story. Be sure to visit the other blogs for some more festivities.

Peter Dawes: Stormy Night Flash Fiction
Jessica Fortunado: Halloween Treats and Recipes
Kayleigh Grian: Characters in Costume
M. R. Graham: Tributes to Those We’ve Lost
Kalya Curry: Murder Mystery Party

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What will you Sacrifice?

I have the honor of kicking of Jessica Fortunato’s blog tour for her long awaited second novel The Sin Collector: Sacrifice. Some of us have been waiting months and months for this. I got the privilege of reading it before it came out. Here’s what I thought:

Blurb: As an immortal Sin Collector, Liliana lead a transient life of solitude for over one-hundred years. 

Now with a growing family, she has found herself liking normalcy and the façade of being human.  However, when old friends begin to turn up dead, it is clear Collectors are not safe.  The battle that Liliana thought she’d won, has only just begun.

She must save herself, her family, and her friends from the Castus, a fanatical group sworn to eradicate her kind. 

As Liliana travels the globe making allies, and discovering secrets, she soon learns that the threat to her safety is closer than she ever thought possible.

Will she be able to fight her fate, or will she succumb to an ancient Castus prophecy?

I have to say I loved it. Liliana has matured quite a bit as she struggles to protect her new family. The focus of the story is less action but I still needed to keep turning the pages. This goes more into the mystery of Liliana’s past and why she has the ability to see auras. However it’s the small tidbits of prophecy that I find really interesting. Julia is a jewel as always and there is a host of new characters that you will come to love. Then there are the tender moments that brought tears to my eyes. I’m not telling. You’ll have to read it and see.

Don’t worry, I have a little glimpse as a treat for you:

“How long will it take to get to the hotel?” I hollered toward the cabin. 

No one was talking, no one was moving.  My blood froze, and I knew, in my gut, something was wrong.

“Please let it be in here.”  I desperately searched through my bag.  There was one rogue blade, it was bigger, harder to throw, but if there were people out there, I couldn’t miss.  Before I could formulate any type of plan, the tiny voice spoke from the other side of the door.

“Hey, LiLi, it’s time to go.” I smiled at myself in the mirror.  She was smart.  No one would dare call me that, not the nickname Billy used.  She was warning me.  That kid could have a pet lion if she wanted when we were through here.

“Coming,” I shouted.  I slid the knife up my sleeve and emerged to find what I’d expected.  Julia was standing in front of the sofa with her hands up.  A man with dark brown hair had a Castus dagger to Olexanders throat.  The cockpit door was open and I could see the small hole in the windshield of the plane where the bullet had entered and killed the pilot.  Yet, the bloodthirsty way this stranger was glaring at Julia is what strengthened my resolve.   It was the worst possible angle.  I didn’t think I could ever hit the man without risking harm to Julia or Olexander.  My blood boiled and each second dragged on.  The man was young and looked cocky and sure of his ability to kill us all.  Believers, true believers, were always dangerous.  They saw no grey, only black and white, good and evil. 

I had to make the choice for her, and I hated myself for it, but I couldn’t think of any other way.  I let the knife slip into my hand just enough for the man to see it.

“I see the knife in your hand devil, drop it on the floor and kick it away.”

The man spit out the words digging the dagger just a bit more into Olexanders throat. 

“You’ll be coming with me when I’m done with these two. Ariadne is just dying to meet you, Liliana.”

“Can I just say goodbye before you kill them?” I asked.

He looked confused by my request, he was not expecting it, but nodded at Julia who was wide-eyed and staring directly at me.

“Put the knife down first,” he spit out. I let the knife drop by my foot.  I looked into Julia’s eyes, hoping beyond hope she was getting this, and I saw the curiosity reflected in them.  She knew this was not me. I would never give up on her.

“I love you Julia and I believe in your abilities.  Every moment we spent together, especially that day in the woods.” As I said the last word I kicked the knife in her direction, she managed to drop down, pick it up, and throw it directly into the man’s left eye in a matter of seconds.  Olexander kneed him in the throat. The man was writhing on the floor in agony. Olexander rushed to us both. 

I threw my arms around Julia, “You’re amazing, you just saved our lives, but there could be more out there.  I need you safe, just for right now, go hide in the bathroom and lock the door until one of us comes for you.” She looked like she wanted to argue, but conceded and ran to the bathroom.

“What now?” I asked Olexander, who blessedly was unharmed.

He bent down holding the dagger over the man’s good eye. 

“How many are with you?” The man smiled and coughed a little, whatever he had heard about Olexander, he wasn’t scared.  Time was of the essence. 

I was seeing red, seeing it everywhere.  My family, attacked and I was having a very bad day to start with. I stalked over to the smiling man and kicked him until he was on his back. He looked at me and for the briefest moment, his smile wavered.  He knew who I was.

“Hold his neck so he can’t scream,” I said to Olexander. I walked around the side of the man and politely asked Olexander to hand me the dagger.  He looked worried, but did as I asked.  He was bleeding, but not so heavily, that he would pass out just yet.  He wanted to scream, but no sound came out.  I lifted the dagger and drove it through the soft spot above his elbow, it was a technique used in knife combat frequently.  It severed the ligaments and tendons, making the arm useless, and normally left the victim to bleed to death.  The man was going into shock so I needed to move fast. 

“You just tried to kill my family, my child, so I’m only going to ask one more time, how many more are out there?” 

He hesitated, clearly hit by the realization that he was in over his head.  My hand still on the dagger added some pressure. 

“Once I take this out you will bleed to death in a matter of moments, and lose consciousness even faster.  If I don’t remove the knife and you get to a hospital, you could have a chance,” I said calmly and rationally.

Olexander slightly loosened his grasp on the man’s neck.  He was trying to speak, and I leaned my head down to hear him whisper.

“Two more,” was all he could say in short gasps.

“Thank you,” I whispered back, and jerked the knife out of his arm.  Blood was everywhere, and he was most certainly dead.  Olexander released his grip and stood stunned. 

“Are there any other weapons we can get to?” I asked him.

“My gun is in my bag,” he said unsteadily.

I grabbed his face and pulled it close to mine.

“It was him or us.  They came to kill, so I chose us.”

This seemed to snap him back to reality. 

“I’ll go out the front, you go out the back,”  he said.

I picked up the bloody dagger and noticed a small tattoo on the man’s forearm. 

“Olexander, wait,” I said.

There was something familiar about the tattoo but I couldn’t place it.  I yanked my phone out of my boot, snapped a picture, and returned it to the pocket. 

“Lily, what the hell are you doing?”

“Tell you later, time to go.”

Quickly I maneuvered my way through the tiny crawl space under the plane meant for baggage.  I saw the first man waiting, gun drawn, by the SUV Olexander had requested be there for our arrival.   It took me only a few seconds to sneak up behind him and slit his throat.  As he dropped, I heard a single gunshot from the front of the plane.  I edged my way around cautiously, and met up with Olexander who grabbed and held on to me tightly.

“I’ll get the bags into the car, get Julia.”

“Disable the GPS in the truck first,” I hollered back to him.

Want more? Excellent! Get The Sin Collector: Sacrifice exclusively on Amazon. Also, Get The Sin Collector: Thomas for free August 30th to September 3rd.

Or you can enter for a chance to win your very on digital copies of the Sin Collector Series.

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About Jessica:

Jessica Fortunato writes a rare combination of Paranormal/ Supernatural/ Religious Literary Fiction.  She lives in Pennsylvania with her family, a clumsy black cat, and year round Halloween decorations.  Rarely seen in direct sunlight, reports of Jessica’s vampirism remain unsubstantiated.

 Jessica says she based the heroine of her book, Liliana, on the many extraordinary women in her life. 

The second book of The Sin Collector Trilogy, Sacrifice, is available now August 30th, 2013. 

She hopes that every person who reads the series finds a bit of themselves in at least one of her characters.

When I asked her what made her want to be a writer, she had this to say:

"Everything I write is a tribute to my Grandma, who taught me from a young age the pure magic that can always be found in a book."

Before I concluded the interview, I simply had to ask her the question she imposes on all her readers. What was your first sin?

"That question literally made me laugh out loud," Jessica says, "I guess my first sin was an act of thievery at the impressionable age of six.  I stole a handful of Swedish fish candies from the small store up the street.  I suppose ever since then you could say the sins just keep piling up."

Cover Reveal: Sacrifice by Jessica Fortunato

Sacrifice is the second book in The Sin Collector Trilogy by author Jessica Fortunato.  Also from Fortunato is The Sin Collector, The Sin Collector: Thomas, Steam and the short story Banished which can be found in the Nocturnal Embers Anthology.  She lives in Pittsburgh PA with her family, a clumsy black cat, and year round Halloween decorations.

You can find Jessica:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Link to Sacrifice Official Trailer

Find The Sin Collector: Sacrifice, exclusively for Kindle August 30th, 2013!

Synopsis:

As an immortal Sin Collector, Liliana lead a transient life of solitude for over one-hundred years. 

Now with a growing family, she has found herself liking normalcy and the façade of being human.  However, when old friends begin to turn up dead, it is clear Collectors are not safe.  The battle that Liliana thought she’d won, has only just begun.

She must save herself, her family, and her friends from the Castus, a fanatical group sworn to eradicate her kind. 

As Liliana travels the globe making allies, and discovering secrets, she soon learns that the threat to her safety is closer than she ever thought possible.

Today only, you can pick up The Sin Collector FREE!  Click Here, begin the journey, and Get Collected.

Alice Hoffman Blog Hop: Practical Magic

In honor of Alice Hoffman’s birthday I have joined the Alice HoffmanBlog Hop. For years, I’ve loved the movie Practical Magic. Last year I actually got around to reading the book by Alice Hoffman. I have to say that they feel like two different entities. I’m still unsure which I like better. Each has its own virtues.

 

Movie:

I’ll start with this since, I watched it first. This is the story of two sisters, Sally and Gillian who come to live with their aunts.  The thing is, they are from a long line of witches and the whole town knows it. Sally, the main character has a real talent for magic but she swears off of it after her husband dies, though she still dabbles in it. That and Gillian’s poor love life are the basis of the story. I love the themes of family, community, love, and magic that are presented in the story.  I especially love this story for the witches and magic that is in it. It makes me feel that anything is possible. I also love the aunts in this, they are great comic relief with their crazy attitudes.

 

Novel:

This story still focuses on Sally and Gillian, but add Sally’s teenage daughters, Antonia and Kylie. In the movie they are still children, but the book goes more in to depth with their lives. The changes start when Sally moves away from her aunts’ after her husband’s death.  She moves somewhere no one knows of her or her family. Over the years she earns the respect of the town. Her older daughter Antonia is the queen bee while her younger daughter is a mouse. Their regular life is disrupted when Gillian brings her problems in one visit. Gillian turns things upside down and in the end they all discover who they truly are. There is still a touch of the supernatural, but it’s not as prevalent. Sally actually doesn’t believe in magic here, at least not until the end. Still, the themes of family and love are still there. I do miss the aunts and wished they were in the book more.
 
I have to say that I love both, for different reasons. I recommend reading and watching Practical magic if you haven’t done so already.

Be sure to check out the other Participants in the Alice Hoffman Blog Hop.

Valentine's Day Treat: Steam by Jessica Fortunato

Ok, so today is the day for love. We all love the thrills that come with being in love, at least when we are in love. I have just the read for tonight!

Premise (from Goodreads):
Charlotte Amelia Caprice may seem like an ordinary girl. She has a job she hates, a boss she despises, and zero romantic prospects. Her friends call her Charlie, when she can keep one for more than a few weeks. Though Charlie may seem ordinary, she is anything but. Charlie doesn’t have a heart. Instead, she has a steam driven machine in her chest, always making her feel less than human. Gears and pistons have been using her own body heat to pump her blood for over a decade. There is one small problem. Her heart is beginning to break. When Charlie meets a brilliant man, one who could save her life, she must choose between being heartless and being alive. A simple choice for some, but for Charlie living on steam isn’t easy.

My Review:

Steam is different from the Sin Collector series, but this is a very good thing. It shows Fortunato’s gift to write a wide range of genres. First of all, Jessica once again hit the mark with her originality. The concept of a girl in the modern day with a metal heart is brilliant. What I love best, however, is the emotion depth of the characters. This book had me in tears at a few points. I was cheering for Charlie and Viktor the entire time.

As usual, the themes presented in Fortunato’s stories are ones that almost everyone can relate to. And yes, there is a hot shower scene. I really have no complaints for the story. Want a good read to snuggle up with for Valentine’s Day? Get Steam.

Steam is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author:

Jessica Fortunato is a writer in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

She has been a freelance reviewer for the past three years. She has always loved a supernatural aspect to literature, as well as the addition of theology, so it is no surprise that her debut novel "The Sin Collector" combines just that.

She has been a waitress, a cook, a librarian, a book binder, nanny, and even a hairdresser when the occasion calls for it. However writing is her main focus and she is thrilled to share the first installment of what she hopes will be a a beloved book series.

And for those of you not looking for love but want a thrill: Check out my book A Prescription for Delirium available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Cover Reveal: STEAM by Jessica Fortunato

Hello lovelies, I have a special treat for you in time for Valentine's Day:

Steam is a new short story from author Jessica Fortunato.  Also from Fortunato is The Sin Collector, The Sin Collector: Thomas and the short story Banished which can be found in the Nocturnal Embers Anthology.  She lives in Pittsburgh PA with her family and ever-growing menagerie of pets.

You can find Jessica:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Find Steam, exclusively for Kindle February 1^st, 2013!

Charlotte Amelia Caprice may seem like an ordinary girl.  She has a job she hates, a boss she despises, and zero romantic prospects.   Her friends call her Charlie, when she can keep one for more than a few weeks.  Though Charlie may seem ordinary, she is anything but.  Charlie doesn’t have a heart.  Instead, she has a steam driven machine in her chest, always making her feel less than human.  Gears and pistons have been using her own body heat to pump her blood for over a decade.  There is one small problem.  Her heart is beginning to break. When Charlie meets a brilliant man, one who could save her life, she must choose between being heartless and being alive.  A simple choice for some, but for Charlie living on steam isn’t easy.

Guest Post Jessica Fortunato: HalloQueen's Top 10

Today I'm pleased to have Jess Fortunao visit my site. We have dubbed her the HalloQueen on Twitter for her immense love of all things Halloween.

HalloQueen’s Top 10 Horror Movies This Halloween Season

10. Interview With The Vampire (1994)

Most Memorable Quote: “It's time we were on our way. I'm hungry, and the city awaits.”

9. Trick 'r Treat (2007)

Most Memorable Quote: “Always check your candy.”

8. Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

Most Memorable Quote: “They’re coming for you Barbara.”

7. A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)

Most Memorable Quote: “One, two, Freddy's coming for you. / Three, four, better lock your door. / Five, six, grab your crucifix. / Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. / Nine, ten, never sleep again.”

6. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Most Memorable Quote: “I see dead people. Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.”

5. Signs (2002)

Suspense has never been so palpable! In M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, you are introduced to widow and ex- Reverend Graham. He lives on a large farm with his two children and Brother Merrill.  As the family is still reeling from the loss of Graham’s wife, they begin finding crop circles on their property.  Soon enough there is a full-scale alien invasion.  The pacing of this movie is brilliant, and doesn’t rely on a pumped up soundtrack or too many special effects. Most nerve wracking is how clearly you see the fear and doubt of survival in the adult faces. The two children in the film are innocent and while scared, still feel somewhat secure. When you’re little you think your parents can protect you from anything, even aliens. It’s a little noted part of the movie that I found stuck with me the longest.

Most Memorable quote: “There is no one looking out for us. We are all alone.” ~Graham Hess

4.  The Crazies (2010)

The Crazies, marketed as another Zombie flick, is anything but.  Sheriff David is living the quite life in small town Iowa with his pregnant wife Judy.  A toxin in the water supply has turned most of the residents into violent psychopaths. David tries to make sense of the situation while he, his wife, and two other unaffected townspeople band together to escape the town full of Crazies.  The creepy part of this movie?  The government involvement is nearly immediate and is in no way lenient.  The declaration of Martial Law and the genocide of those they *think* are infected is terrifying to say the least. (Especially because I can easily see it happening.)  Also, as disturbing as this movie gets, it is subtly laced with great one-liners and humor.  Something that is hard to pull off during such a dire situation.

Most Memorable Quote: “What road can they not see? Tell me, what magic road can they not see? Tell me and I'll fucking go!”~David

3. The Skeleton Key (2005)

For starters, you don’t go messing with voodoo kids.  That is just fact. Main character Caroline finds herself in the middle of the dark arts when she goes to the Devereaux home in New Orleans to be the hospice nurse for the ailing Ben Devereaux.  There is a secret ritual room in the attic, and despite his poor health, Ben begs Caroline for help.  The deeper Caroline searches into the family’s past and the history of the house, the more danger she finds herself in.  This movie has all the suspense you could want and the most terrifying internal conflict I’ve ever encountered in a movie.  If you believe in the magic, you can use it to protect you.  However, the magic can only hurt you if you believe in it.  And by the end of the movie, you will believe.                                         

Most Memorable Quote:  “The thing folks just don't understand about sacrifice... sometimes it's more of a trade.”~Caroline

2. The Fourth Kind (2009)

When my sister and I first watched this movie we were so creeped out we had a sleepover, and the Fortunato women are made of stone. The movie, told in a documentary format, tells the story of psychiatrist Abbey Tyler.  After the death of her husband, Abbey continues his research into the insomnia that seems to be plaguing the residents of their home in Nome, Alaska.  What she finds is the unnatural commonalities between all the patients. They think they are sleeping, they dream of a Snow Owl, and then they remember nothing.  Abbey decides to take her research a step further and use hypnosis to get to the truth.  What she finds is downright horrifying.  The residents are being abducted from their beds.  However, the deeper she pushes her research the larger the target on her back grows.   The creepiest aspect to this film?  The similarities it shares with real-life documented cases in Alaska and around the world.  The idea of being taken from your home by monsters you can’t understand or fight is truly frightening.

Most Memorable Quote:  “An encounter in the first kind, that's when you see a UFO. The second kind is when you see evidence of it: crop circles, radiation. The third kind is when you make contact. But the fourth kind, there's nothing more frightening than the fourth. You see, that one is when they abduct you.”

1.       Halloween (1978)

Halloween is the father of the horror genre. I’ve been asked many times why it is a must see.   It was a simple premise for a movie.  A young boy, Michael Myers, murders his sister in cold blood.  Seventeen years later, he reemerges to kill his other sister.  It set the standard for suspense and pacing that left you glued to the edge of your seat.  With a psychopath on a murderous rampage, only one scene actually contains any blood at all.  The atmosphere and a one-song soundtrack establishes the fear from the very beginning without the gratuitous gore that seems so prevalent in today’s horror flicks. Why should you see it?  The fear and anxiety comes purely from a well-developed plot and great actors.  As Michael races to find his sister, and his Doctor races to stop him, the action is intense. Halloween exploded into not only a franchise, but also resurgence of the horror genre, and for that, we thank it.

Most Memorable Quote: “It's Halloween, everyone's entitled to one good scare.”

HalloQueen’s Top 5 Novels This Halloween Season

(And 3 of them are Free!!)

5. Interview With The Vampire, by. Anne Rice

The only content hitting both Halloween lists this season.  While the movie is excellent, you shouldn’t deprive yourself the joys of reading the much more detailed account of new vampire Louis.  In his own words he speaks of how he lived, how he died, and how he lived again. A sexy, heartbreaking, and dark emotional ride, Anne Rice is the Queen of Vampires.

Most Memorable Quote: “People who cease to believe in God or goodness altogether still believe in the devil. Evil is always possible. And goodness is eternally difficult.”

4. Frankenstein, by. Mary Shelley (FREE)

Shelley penned this novel at a mere 18 years of age, only to have it published three years later.  The first edition was published anonymously due to its writer being a young woman.  However, it was released again in 1823, this time bearing the authors name. 

Frankenstein is the running narrative of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant man who yearns to reanimate the dead.  His intent is to make is creation beautiful, but instead turns into a monster.  Although the monster itself has been called Frankenstein, it was never really given a name in the book.  It is always referred to in a disgusted manner, but never by name.

Why read it?  It is a personal and tragic narrative.  It too spawned a franchise and Shelley’s story lives on in various mediums.

In addition, she’s an 18 year old chick who wrote a horror novel in the 1800’s while kicking in societal norms! Rock on!

Most Memorable Quote: “It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another.”

3.  Dracula, by. Bram Stoker (FREE)

You *think* you know Dracula, but you’d be wrong.  This 1897 horror novel introduced Count Dracula to the world.  The novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing.  The story of Dracula is told through diary entries, letters and logs.  He is a bloodthirsty killer, very different from the Vampires we see in most fiction today.  Be a twi-hard if you must, but you should investigate where your vampires hail from.  If I claim Anne Rice the Queen of Vampires, Stoker is definitely the King.

Most Memorable Quote: “No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be.”

2.        Flowers in the Attic, by. Virginia Andrews

Flowers in the Attic is the only novel on this list that in no way includes the paranormal.  Don’t let that fool you though, it is plenty horrifying on its own.  It is the first book in the series; however, it stands alone as one of the creepiest books out there.  The four Dollanganger children had perfect lives until their father is killed in a car accident.  With no way to pay their bills, the four children and their mother are forced to go to their grandmother’s lush home for refuge.  After a brief happiness, the children are locked in the attic, told that their sickly grandfather cannot see them or their mother will be disinherited.  They at first attempt to make the best of the situation, despite the abuse they receive from their grandmother.  Soon the children realize they are not going to be rescued by their mother, as she has been dating and living a separate life.  The children begin to starve and outgrow their surroundings, and forced to fight for their lives.  Why so scary?  The book could easily happen in an abusive situation.  The religious fear their grandmother instills in them is also very unsettling.  The other themes of incest, murder, and psychosis are disturbing enough to last a lifetime.

Most Memorable Quote: “Sometimes I wish I were dead, because I think we would all be better off dead than buried alive up here!"

1.       The Picture of Dorian Gray, by. Oscar Wilde (FREE)

Ok, so the jig is up, Wilde is my favorite author.  The Picture of Dorian Gray, the only novel written by Wilde, is also my favorite of all his works.  The novel tells of a young man named Dorian Gray, the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Basil is impressed by Dorian's beauty and becomes infatuated with him. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of Basil's, and becomes captivated by Lord Henry's worldview. Lord Henry suggests the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and pleasure. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian proclaims he would happily nail his soul to the devils altar in exchange for eternal beauty. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, and he pursues a life of debauchery, the portrait Basil painted serving as a reminder of the effect each act has upon his eternal soul.  Why is it number one?  It is suspenseful, charming, and at times downright funny.  Wilde’s wit and cynicism make everything the characters do both desperate and intriguing.  What if you had a physical representation of your sins, your soul, as Dorian does?  Would you strive to keep it perfect, or take pleasure in watching it destroyed?  I’ve always found the internal conflict of the human mind to be the scariest thing out there.

Most Memorable Quote: “Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.”

Jessica Fortunato is the author of The Sin Collector Series. Her first novel The Sin Collector, as well as a short novella The Sin Collector: Thomas are both available on Amazon. When she isn't writing she is usually getting her fix of bad horror movies. Jessica hails from the exciting land of Pittsburgh located in the realm of Pennsylvania. She lives with her family, and a number of pets that are slowly taking over the household.
Jessica took part in an exciting Supernatural anthology due out in November and the sequel to The Sin Collector, Sacrifice, will be released next year!

Website: thesincollector.weebly.com

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

Jess and I are so excited that we want to spread or love of the Supernatural. We're offering a Major Prize Pack to one lucky person. It includes:

The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato (ebook)
The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato: Thomas (ebook)
Flower of Hell by Noree Cosper (ebook)
Prerelease: A Presription for Delirium (ebook)

Just join the Rafflecopter options below. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jeanne d'Arc: Of Cross and Steel

Jeanne d"Arc, Favored weapon: Her Banner.

Hello lovelies. So, this is actually going to be a series. I’ve connected it to a couple of guest posts that should show up on JessicaFortunato’s blog and Rebecca Hamilton’s blog. These are the strong women of history and myth. Since Gabby has sight powers, I decided to post about Jeanne d’Arc.

Jeanne grew up in Doremy, France. She started having revelations from God when she turned 13. Over a five year period the voices instructed her to lay siege at Orleans. I suspect that during these years they were also teaching her how to do so.

She tried on several occasions to speak with the Dauphin Charles but was refused. Perseverance finally won, because he did eventually agree to see her. He had her tested by the clergy and satisfied by the truth of her abilities he let her lead. OK, can you imagine the weight of that? An 18 year old girl was in charge of the armies assigned to take back Orleans.

And they did.

Orleans became theirs in ONE week. Charles was crowned King of France and he stopped listening to Jeanne’s advice. She continued to battle until she was captured in Burgundy. The Duke of Burgundy held her for a year before turning her over to the English.

They condemned her for witchcraft and heresy. Eventually she confessed and was absolved of her sins as long as she promised not to engage in acts such as wearing men’s clothing (Note to the ladies: According to the bible, wearing pants in an abominations right next to eating shellfish and homosexuality.) Jeanne later relapsed, She was found dressed as a man and listening to the voices again. So, the English burned her as a witch and a heretic. All for pants.

Joking aside, What Jeanne d’Arc accomplished is pretty amazing despite the obstacles she faced. Even the strong have moments of weakness, but they can overcome them.

Interview with Jessica Fortunato Author of The Sin Collector

*Imagine only blackness. You can hear murmurs from the audience around you. A spotlight shines on the stage, revealing two women at a table draped with a velvet tablecloth. In between them sits a crystal ball and a deck of playing cards with the ace of spades on top. The audience cheers.*

Noree: Welcome everyone. It’s time to “Trip the Eclipse” again. Today I have the vivacious Jessica Fortunato here to tell us about herself and her book “The Sin Collector.” It’s good to have you here, Jessica.

Thank you for having me Noree! Pardon me while I take off my crushed-velvet Capelet.

Noree: So, I know you get asked this, would you mind telling us more about “The Sin Collector?”

Of course! The Sin Collector follows main character Liliana. She is a Sin-Eater (referred to as a Collector) and when the book begins, she has left that world behind. She is trying to live a boring normal life, with a normal job, a cat, an apartment, the whole deal. Soon however two men from her past suck her back into her calling as a Collector. She hasn’t seen either in at least 100 years and is suspicious of both their motives for seeking her out. She learns that an ancient organization known as the Castus has resurfaced and their only objective is killing off her kind. Facing genocide, she joins a group of fellow Collectors in hopes to stop a war and find out where she belongs.

Noree: Is “The Sin Collector” your first book?

It is the first book I have ever published. I had previously written (most of) another book, but I find reality can be a whiny and boring genre when written poorly (which mine was). Therefore, I scrapped it and it will probably never see the light of day.

Noree: When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, it was mostly poems and very short stories. I always had stacks of notebooks growing up. I would write about pretty much everything. I think writing is the most therapeutic thing in this world, and that includes actual therapy. I finished The Sin Collector in November of last year. I had no idea how to go about finding a publisher, and in this economy, I knew that being unknown was going to make me seem like a financial risk to most companies. I received a Kindle for Christmas and then found out about their publishing program. I think it’s an excellent way to get feedback on your book and put yourself out there.

Noree: Is there anything in “The Sin Collector” written from real life experiences or is it pure imagination?

I worked in a library for four years. The character of my boss Jimmy is strongly based on the real life boss I had there. (I hope he never sees this book) I think a lot of the elements of my book are based in real life experiences, even though the book itself is fantasy. Things such as Liliana’s devotion to her family, as well as her loneliness and trust issues, those are experiences I’ve had and I think others can relate to.

Noree: I notice several themes in “The Sin Collector.” Did these come naturally with writing the book or did you plan them?

I knew I wanted to write a story about Sin-Eaters. I knew from the beginning what Supernatural abilities I wanted to give them. However, it was the human aspect of their legends that drew me to them, their social isolation for instance was important to me. I also wanted the theme of finding a home to take center stage. Liliana’s impression of home changes drastically throughout the novel. I believe she moves from a fairytale version of the word to the actual reality of it. That people can be your home, not a place. I also wanted to spend time on the meaning of family as well. Family is very important to me. Therefore, it seemed only natural to make it a driving element for my characters.

Noree: So, you’re currently working on the sequel. Will we learn more about the origins of Sin-Eaters in the next book?

Absolutely! I am the type of reader who loves instant gratification. I wanted to reveal everything in the first book, and it killed me not to. However, the main characters of The Sin Collector are just as blinded to their history as the reader. We will all learn about their origins together, as well as more detail of rituals. I solemnly swear that by the end of the series you won’t have any lingering questions!

Noree: I read in Rebecca Hamilton’s interview that you read about Sin-Eaters from a book of funeral customs. Do you have any other bits of interesting lore that you have found?

Some of the lore contradicts itself, and they aren’t a well known myth. I wish there were more accounts of them because I find then so fascinating.

In some stories, the Sin-Eaters are penniless humans who are called upon to take sins and given a sixpence for their troubles. In another story, Sin-Eaters are recognized as being different at birth and are treated as lepers to the community, until they are needed of course. One story described them as a sort of underworld Fae. In addition, a Twitter follower of mine told me there is a Heath Ledger movie that touches on Sin-Eaters. I caught part of it a few weeks ago. It seemed that in that movie Sin-Eaters were the “bad guys” so to speak, easily bought with little moral standing.

Noree: What’s your favorite type of supernatural creature?

That is a hard one! I’m a complete supernatural nut. I probably could have a PhD. In the Loch Ness Monster alone. I love dragons. I always have. I wanted a pet Phoenix when I was little (before I realized they weren’t just a bird you could buy at the pet store) I love theology so I’ve spent loads of time reading about Demons and Angels. I’ve also been known to ghost hunt. Ok, I’m not really answering this question, I don’t think I can pick just one!

Noree: Who is your favorite character on the show “Supernatural?”

Again, I don’t know how to answer! Of course the guys are just…can you say yummy! If Jared Padalecki gets any bigger, he’s going to crush buildings! I loved watching the evolution of Castiel finding his humanity. Sadly, I’d have to say my favorite character was Bobby (may he rest in peace) He served as a touchstone for every other character. He was the wise sage, the Dad, the rock. He always helped but never sugarcoated things. I truly miss his character. I think you need to have a realistic and relatable person on a show about monsters. He served as that ONE character who was 100% human. I don’t know what those writers were thinking in killing him off!

Noree: You mentioned your tattoos on Twitter. How many do you have and what are they?

I’m blaming Rob for this question! I have six total. I got my first one at sixteen it’s a red rose. I have a stitched heart, a spiral, 7 stars on my left hand, a Celtic knot on my ankle and The Little Prince on my left forearm. All of my tattoos are very important to me and I got them for specific reasons. A few are memorial tattoos. If they didn’t cost so much I’d certainly have many more. I would love to expand on The Little Prince, adding his planet and other aspects from the book and making that a full sleeve. The next tattoo I hope to get soon is going to be two bats, one small and the other a bit bigger to represent my little sister and I and our love for all things horror and Halloween.

Noree: What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Don’t let criticism destroy your universe. If you were a cement mixer or a gravedigger, someone would eventually have something crappy to say to you. If you want to be an author then this is your job and some people suck. Some people will love you. Others will hate you, C'est La Vie, C’est La Mort. You have a story inside of you meant for the telling, so tell it to the best of your ability and then be proud that you have, because that is something to be proud of.

Noree: Where can readers buy “The Sin Collector?”

Currently The Sin Collector can be found on Amazon in e-book format. I’m hoping to offer it in paperback by the end of this year for those of you who want to know what the fuss is all about but don’t have Kindles!

Noree: Jessica, Thanks for taking the time to visit. Everyone, thanks for taking this journey with us. I’ll see you again next week.

Thank you for having me Noree. I had an awesome time, and will continue to stalk you and your fantastic tweets!

Noree: Let's end this with the trailer for "The Sin Collector."

*Noree raises her glass and the lights fade back to the black.*

Review: THE SIN COLLECTOR

This is from another author I met on Twitter. She's bundle of funny. Check out @JessFortunato. Anyway, I was given a copy of this book to review.

Premise: (Taken form Goodreads) "The Sin Collector" follows the life of Liliana, a born Sin Collector. She has spent over 100 years absorbing people's sins so they may rest in peace come death. However when she meets another Collector, one who insists everything she has been taught is a lie, Liliana must make her way from Sunny L.A. all the way to the streets of Madrid. Searching for answers to a question we all share. Why are we here? The friends and enemies she makes along the way only seem to blur the line between right and wrong. Can Liliana fight the Castus, an organization bent on killing off every Sin-Eater? Should she trust her head or her heart when the two most important men in her life are fighting alongside her?

Then there is the worst question of all, who will be left when the dust settles.

The Good:

Voice: I loved the voice in this series. It was humorous, yet it didn't get overly snarky like a lot of books. I had several laugh out loud moments, such as Lily's whole balance and bike issues. The voice had a balance of light and dark moments when appropriate. It kept me interested.

Characters: I love Liliana. Yes, at times she can be immature for her age, but I think she is trying to cling to that last bit of innocence. I can really see this when she is with another character Juliana. The secondary characters are great as well. Each has their own personality and motivations. Jessica kept me guessing at who was the traitor for most of the book.

Story and Worldbuilding: The Sin Collector concept is something I have rarely seen. I think i have only heard of another movie perhaps a book that had anything like it. (I'll have to look those up again). Anyway, You know how we've talked about wanting to see a different type of race in Modern Fantasy. Well, here is your chance to read about one.

Themes: The main theme I saw through the book was finding home, whereever home was. I love this theme and Jessica has pulled it off. The story also touches on good and evil. Not just good vs. evil, but also intention vs action. If you have good intentions does that justify your actions?

The Bad:

Pacing: I loved faced paced books but I felt the pacing was little too fast on this. It is a short book, so it is like taking a bite and it's done.

Details: I felt the author could have shown more detail in certain points in the story. . I think this could have also helped with the pacing and gave us a deeper look at the characters. I had a few moments of confusion during the story, such as: "Wait, she on the ground? I thought she was standing." or "Where did she get that knife?" These were very few, but could have been cleaned up by going into more detail. Also, I would have loved for Jessica to go into the history of Sin Collectors more. I'm hoping she will in the next book.

Overall: Get this book. It was unique and entertaining!

Check out Jessica's page for the Sin Collector here.