The apocalypse didn’t arrive with nuclear war or a plague of zombies, just a quiet virus that sterilized most everyone and put humanity’s future in jeopardy.
Fifty years later, seventeen-year-old Ed Johnson plies his musical talents in New Philadelphia, jumping at the chance to help launch a coworker’s band. But Quinn, their beautiful bassist, is inexplicably cold toward him, and other strange things are afoot.
In spite of a growing unease, Ed shrugs off being stalked by a crazy, old Native American and a frightening crone. But when nightmare creatures threaten his sister, Ed discovers he is bound to the strangers. To get out of this mess, he must enlist the help of his friends and Quinn, who harbors her own dark secret.
But there is little time for Ed to discover the true power of music and save them, himself, and perhaps the future of the human race.
Uncaged Review: This is a bit of a surprising read, once you get past the first part. It’s a very slow starter – and to be honest, I struggled in the beginning. But it does jump into gear pretty well after Ed’s sister goes missing. The apocalyptic part of the book is the experimentation on a birth control medication that actually sterilized a majority of the population. Now, years later the population of the whole planet is under a million. Another very interesting part of this book is the Native American mythology brought in.
If you manage to get through the first 20% of the book, there is a pretty good story awaiting and it definitely picks up the pace. Tying it all together with the power of music, it makes for a good read. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about your romantic mystery, Blood Money?
Alex Baker, born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, inherits Great Aunt Honoria Alexandria Baker’s vast estate−an estate, complete with foundations, a Manor, and more money than she could ever spend. Is Alex up to the challenge or should she depend on fiancé, Greg, to manage her inheritance?
Armed with determination and very little knowledge, Alex travels to Boston to meet with the law firm that has managed the Estate for years. During the flight, Alex meets up with an old family friend, Clark Smith. Right away, Alex notices that Clark is apparently battling demons of his own. There’s definitely more here than meets the eye.
However, Clark’s demons are no match for sexy lawyer Kyle Patterson. Immediately, Alex is turned off by Kyle’s arrogance and resolves to steer clear, but she can’t help noticing his perfect mouth and piercing blue eyes.
Back home, fiancé Greg seems to do everything wrong. At first, Greg smothers Alex with his new-found protectiveness; then he drifts farther and farther away. Is Greg having an affair?
Alex decides to mend fences with Greg, but life-threatening accidents plague her every step of the way−from cut brake lines to being forced off the road. Alex escapes to Aunt Ria’s beloved cabin in Maine, a decision that almost cost her everything.
During the night, Alex is startled by a gunshot and finds Greg lying in a pool of blood and Kyle holding the gun. Kyle turns the gun on Alex and calmly outlines how, not only had he scammed money from Aunt Ria for years, he was also responsible for the death of Alex’s own father! Now Kyle reveals his plan for murdering Alex and Greg.
At the sound of a second gunshot, Alex swings around to see Greg slip to the floor. It must have taken superhuman effort, but Greg insists he couldn’t have done it without help from the mysterious elderly lady.
The New Year brings hope! With Greg on the mend and an upcoming spring wedding, the future promises a new beginning.
Alex wonders if Aunt Ria had anything to do with the outcome.
Uncaged: How much did you edit out of the book?
The book went through several revisions with the publisher, but the main story had very little editing−mostly grammar issues.
Uncaged: You have participated in book signings, what is your favorite part of attending them?
I love meeting new people face-to-face, especially when they’ve already heard about the book. Word of mouth sold several books for me and I love the interaction, especially once they’ve finished the story…and the questions, “when will there be a sequel?”
Uncaged: What are you working on next that you can tell us about?
The sequel to Blood Money is finished and I’m shopping around for a publisher. I have two other published books and am currently working on a sequel to my last one. I also have a new romance mystery in the early stages.
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below.
Sandi Underwood was born a PK (Preacher’s Kid) in the beautiful East Tennessee Mountains, where family stories were passed down, generation-to-generation. Her love of writing was cultivated at an early age when family get-togethers and Church dinners-on-the-grounds provided an idyllic backdrop for memories that fuel her stories. Sandi’s early career included working with children in both the public and private sectors. Later in life, her path took a different direction, but her love of books was ever-present.
Today, she shares a home with her rescue dog, Gus, and draws inspiration from her grandchildren as she continues to write for both children and adults.
In Alex Baker’s small world, where she’s in love with Greg, the man of her dreams, everything is perfect. When she inherits Aunt Ria’s vast estate in Boston, Massachusetts−complete with a huge mansion, stables, staff, and more money than Alex could spend in two lifetimes, she finds a new interest in lawyer Kyle Patterson.
After a series of unexplained accidents, Alex fears someone is trying to harm her. Her perfect little world is turned upside down, and she narrowly escapes with her life. Could Greg be responsible?
Needing to sort through her emotions, Alex escapes to Aunt Ria’s beloved cabin in Maine—a decision that could cost her everything.
The apocalypse didn’t arrive with nuclear war or a plague of zombies, just a quiet virus that sterilized most everyone and put humanity’s future in jeopardy.
Fifty years later, seventeen-year-old Ed Johnson plies his musical talents in New Philadelphia, jumping at the chance to help launch a coworker’s band. But Quinn, their beautiful bassist, is inexplicably cold toward him, and other strange things are afoot.
In spite of a growing unease, Ed shrugs off being stalked by a crazy, old Native American and a frightening crone. But when nightmare creatures threaten his sister, Ed discovers he is bound to the strangers. To get out of this mess, he must enlist the help of his friends and Quinn, who harbors her own dark secret.
But there is little time for Ed to discover the true power of music and save them, himself, and perhaps the future of the human race.
Uncaged Review: This is a bit of a surprising read, once you get past the first part. It’s a very slow starter – and to be honest, I struggled in the beginning. But it does jump into gear pretty well after Ed’s sister goes missing. The apocalyptic part of the book is the experimentation on a birth control medication that actually sterilized a majority of the population. Now, years later the population of the whole planet is under a million. Another very interesting part of this book is the Native American mythology brought in.
If you manage to get through the first 20% of the book, there is a pretty good story awaiting and it definitely picks up the pace. Tying it all together with the power of music, it makes for a good read. Reviewed by Cyrene
The witching hour has begun…. My essence has been stolen.
Tricked by the rogue witch that’s attacked Mystic Hallows from the beginning of Samhain, I’m drained and weakened in a dungeon cell far from home. Each passing hour brings me closer to the edge as I teeter on the brink of insanity. Fantasy and reality blur, my mind deteriorates, and I can’t distinguish between friend and foe.
My Cosan is too far away. I need their help to break me and Damian out of this hellhole. Secrets to Damian’s past and those of the Nosferatu bloodline are held within these stone walls and become the focal point in a ruthless battle for control. My only help comes from the sarcastic vampire that wants to drain my blood as much as seek revenge upon Dmitri. The vicious twin brother who tarnished the Rockcastle name and joined forces with the damned.
When everything is set in motion, each hour on the clock brings destruction closer. Every tick counts down. I only have twenty-four hours to restore my fractured soul before the changes are permanent. Confronting my enemy is the only choice. It’s time Roman English found out the power of the Salem bloodline once and for all – and I’m not the only one waiting to take him down.
Uncaged Review: The third episode finds Cassie prisoner in a cell with Damian out of commission chained to the wall and a necromancer in the next cell. She’s almost left for dead, when Damian’s brother Dmitri saves her. But what’s in it for Dmitri?
The action ramps up well, and the reverse harem is beginning to come into play, and we find out more about Damian and his past and his relationship with his brother. We also learn a huge whopping secret at the end of the book that is sure to be a complete game changer. The heat level is increasing as the author promised, and the Cosan bonding is closer than ever. Looking forward to episode four. Reviewed by Cyrene
He’s lethal and ruthless. Suspended from his work as an agent for the Crown, Griffin, Duke of Strathmore, exists under a dark cloud of suspicion for crimes he didn’t commit. He’s on a desperate race to clear his name by any means until a grave error lands him under house arrest with the last sort of distraction he needs.
She’s the sister of his nemesis. Lady Violet West is about to be married to the most boring man in England. When the disgraced Duke of Strathmore lands in her lap—literally—she decides he is the answer to her longing for adventure. Though her brother is convinced of Strathmore’s guilt, Violet isn’t as certain.
Falling in love is out of the question. Griffin doesn’t want her interference. Violet won’t take no for an answer. So begins a secret partnership between the fallen duke and the determined lady. Their quest to uncover the truth leads to danger and desire. But the most perilous risk of all is losing their hearts.
Uncaged Review: This is by far, my favorite historical romance this year. From the time that Griffin trips over Violet’s crochet yarn and lands in her lap, you knew that these two were meant to be together. Griffin’s language felt more natural – where in so many historicals, everyone seems so stuffy in their speech and actions, you never feel that with Griffin. What a breath of fresh air!
Perfect amount of romance, danger, intrigue and a couple of people who fell in love back during that trip over the crochet yarn and wouldn’t admit it, this book hits all the right buttons. Highly recommended for the historical romance lovers. Reviewed by Cyrene
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“The worst.” He placed his hands under her butt and lifted. “Should I stop?”
“I’ll murder you if you do.”
Hailey Odom’s life is out of tune. The bar she owns with her father is a Texas-sized money pit that she has four months to save. Her mean as a snake ex-husband is breaking their daughter’s heart daily. And the town of Zachsville hates her guts for something that was only fifty percent her fault.
And oh, right, she just ran out on her own wedding.
Beau Callen’s life is hitting all the right notes. Dubbed “The Heartbreaker” by his adoring female fans, he’s living the country music stardom dream. At least until an “altercation” lands half his band in jail and the other half in the hospital, this rising star could use a temporary place to crash.
The last thing Hailey or Beau needs is a scorching hot romance messing with their plans. So when Hailey rents Beau her backyard guesthouse and passions blaze hotter than the Texas sun, their dreams are in serious danger of going up in flames.
To make it all work, they’ll have to keep their hands off each other and their eyes on the prize. Too bad their hearts are singing a different tune.
Uncaged Review: Stupid book. Made me stay up way past the time I should have been sleeping and made me bust out the tissue box at the end. There was more than a few times that I wanted to stomp my feet at Hailey and tell her not to put up with the small town whiners, but she got there, with her friends, her daughter and Beau’s help. If you’ve been reading the Brides on the Run series, all of our previous characters from the books are all back in this one, a supporting cast this group, but it was so great to see them all again.
I think this series is getting better with each book as Jami Albright finds her voice more and more with each installment. Highly recommended series – start at the beginning and good luck getting to sleep on time. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about the Dark Victoriana Collection?
Originally I was going to write just one book: Anatomy of a Darkened Heart, which focuses on the Whitestone family and the eldest daughter, Abigail Whitestone. The question that defines this novel is: what is stronger, a person’s true self or other people’s assumptions about them? Abigail must struggle through this concept. It takes place in Victorian America, and I ended up loving writing it so much that I decided to make it into a collection. There’s already a second novel, Brotherhood of Secrets, and the idea behind the collection is that all the books and short stories are intertwined but don’t necessarily follow in date order. I planned to write two novels and three novellas or novelettes in the collection, but I always let my creativity dictate, so I now have a third novel that I’m writing, and the length of these books is a little unruly—characters keep wanting to tell their full stories, so novel length seems to be the only option right now!
Uncaged: How much do you edit out of your books?
I usually end up adding to my books to make sure they’re fleshed out and developed properly more so than editing things out, but I have had occasion to cut scenes. That’s relatively rare for me since I tend to be on the succinct side as a fiction writer. I have plenty of ideas and scenes that never make it into my books, they’re just part of my notes, and I post those on my Patreon page.
Uncaged: What do you have coming up next that you can tell us about?
I’m currently writing the third book in the Dark Victoriana Collection, which is an unplanned addition to the original five books. It picks up from a particular place in the second book, Brotherhood of Secrets, with the character Timothy Kiddson, a locksmith apprentice who’s badly injured from a daring…actually, I’m giving away a little too much about the second book! You’ll have to read it to find out what’s going on with Timothy, but what I can tell you is that there will be a ten year jump in book three, so the majority of it will take place during the Civil War era. This is what I’m working on during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below
Christie Stratos is an award-winning writer who holds a degree in English Literature. She is the author of Anatomy of a Darkened Heart and Brotherhood of Secrets, the first two books in the Dark Victoriana Collection. Christie has had short stories and poetry published in Ginosko Literary Journal, Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal, Andromedae Review, 99Fiction, and various anthologies.
An avid reader of all genres and world literature, Christie reads everything from bestsellers to classics to indies.
Abigail Delilah is the firstborn of three Whitestone children – and she is the most regretted.
But is it really her fault?
She can’t help that the revelation of Father’s wretched secret coincides with her birth. She can’t help the fear she feels during Mother’s psychological – and physical – assaults. As the shadows grow stronger over her soul and the noose of pain tightens around her neck, Abigail will find out which is stronger: her family’s wicked assumptions about her or her true self.
Excerpt
How could Mrs. Hinsley’s husband let her give something like that to a baby, especially in front of all those people? How could either husband let it happen? Elizabeth was humiliated, outraged. That barely controlled sort of outrage that showed on her face through a mask of wide, black-hole eyes, eyes that could chew up their victim, mouth in a stiff sort of smile like a bracket on its side, like half a square—the bottom half. Elizabeth’s fingers had gripped the brooch tightly, pinching it between her forefinger and thumb, the small bit of skin it touched completely white from the pressure. When she put it down on the table hard enough to scratch the surface, blood was left on her finger; the sharp end of the lover’s eye pin had stabbed her. She’d had to say thank you. Graciously. Among whispers and stares, following a vicious act, she’d had to show genuine appreciation. She wanted to break it. She wanted to force it into Mrs. Hinsley’s Cheshire cat mouth, force her jaw closed, make her choke on it as it scraped its way down her toxic throat and got stuck. She hadn’t known this was going on. But now… The lover’s eye in Mrs. Hinsley’s eye color was bad enough, but the pearls represented tears—everyone knew that. A realization pressed at her mind. There was one particular thing that had bothered her for quite some time. Elizabeth had always done the bookkeeping for their family. It was something Richard had once commented on as a particularly “moral” skill of hers, perhaps because it required pure honesty and so few people dealing with money had that quality.
Relish this mesmerizing murder mystery mash-up of short stories.
Murder and mystery have been the staple of literature and films for years. This anthology of short stories will thrill and entertain you. Some will also make you laugh out loud. Others will stop and make you think.
Think of this murder mystery short story anthology as a book version of appetizers or starters, hors d’oeuvre, meze, or antipasti. It can be read as fillers between books or, as is the case in some countries, as a bookish meze – in its own right.
There’s murder mystery styles and locations to suit all tastes: detective fiction, serial killers, scifi, histfic, England, Los Angeles, San Francisco, The Great Lakes, Las Vegas, the Nevada desert, Mexico and more in an exquisite exposition of the art of short story telling.
These stories come from an international cast of ten authors; some with bestselling books, others are emerging or new talents. Their roots, cultures, and life experiences are as diverse as their writing styles.
But one thing binds them together: they know how to tell a story.
The ten authors who have contributed to the anthology are:
Stephen Bentley Greg Alldredge Kelly Artieri Robbie Cheadle Michael Spinelli L. Lee Kane Kay Castaneda Aly Locatelli Justin Bauer Posthumously by ‘G’
The stories include the 2019 SIA Award-Winning Murder Mystery Short Story ‘The Rose Slayer’ by Stephen Bentley.
Each author introduces his or her stories and the theme that lays behind them. By the time you finish the book, you will agree the result is a mesmerizing murder mystery mash-up.
Uncaged Review: This is a good anthology, for those that enjoy the crime thrillers. Some of the stories almost straddle the horror line. This is about perfect for my speed, since I’m not a huge crime thriller reader, each of these short stories were easy to pick up and read in a short span.
I particularly liked The Rose Slayer by Stephen Bentley, Robbie Cheadle comes up with some quick stories that were actually based on true cases, and Kelly Artieri came up with a couple that tells me that the same house in both stories needs to be burnt to the ground.
This is a good anthology, and I could easily see some of the characters within these stories easily translating to a full length novel. If you are a murder mystery lover, these should fit the bill. Reviewed by Cyrene
