As seen in the October issue of Uncaged Book Reviews

Uncaged: Your book Gilchrist really gives me the feeling of Stephen King books, especially his early works. Was he an inspiration for you?

Absolutely. I’d even say that Gilchrist is an homage to King’s earlier works, with the occasional Easter egg nod. I grew up reading him from a young age, and I remember getting my hands on a copy of Gerald’s Game when I was probably ten years old. I think I “borrowed” it from my friend’s mother after reading the first chapter at their house and being blown away by how different it was than anything else I had ever read. Up to that point, I had only been introduced to books that were age appropriate. But after that first taste of King’s writing, I was hooked, and I’ve been reading him since. I have to be honest, though—I don’t get the same vibe from his newer books that I did when I first read something like It or The Shining. I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve gotten older or maybe King has grown beyond his earlier writing self, but I missed his early style of storytelling, and whenever I set out to write a book, the plan is always to write something that I’d want to read. So that’s what I tried to do. Some of it was intentional—mainly the layout of the chapters and the time period—but the writing style and the story itself was just me. If there is a similarity to King’s own writing there, that’s just a result of writing the only way I know how to. When you’ve read forty or so of an author’s books, some influence is bound to show, especially when you’re a young writer still finding your own voice.

Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about Gilchrist?

It’s amazing. You should read it. Just kidding. I’d say Gilchrist is a novel for fans of horror that grounds itself in the fears of everyday life and doesn’t veer into campy territory with its supernatural aspects. That’s what I was going for, anyway.

Uncaged: On your website, your next book coming in 2019 is called Big Bad. What can you tell us about this book?

I can tell you I’m having a good time writing it. I don’t want to say too much because the story is still at a stage where it might change and I don’t want to spoil anything, but I can give a little bit of a vague overview. Here’s the gist of what it’s about: a bizarre murder on a small New England island at the height of a blizzard; the bond shared by sisters; dark underbellies; the lies we tell others and ourselves; the secret histories we bury and how they shape who we become, whether we want them to or not.

Wait… isn’t that the same description from my website? Why yes it is, but it’s the best I have at the moment. It’s a tough book to discuss without giving anything away. I can already tell the back blurb for this one is going to be a real pain to write.

Uncaged: What are some of your favorite genres to read?

I’ll read anything, really. Any book I pick up, no matter who wrote it or what it’s about, I’ll give fifty pages or so to pull me in, either with its characters or its story, ideally both. If it does, then I’ll read it. But I’d be lying to say that I don’t drift toward dark thrillers. Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs are two of my favorites. Thomas Harris might have been a serial killer in a past life, but I’m okay with that.

Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you feel you can take away from them?

I used to read them all… obsessively. But not so much anymore. Maybe for the first month or so after a new book is released, just to see how it’s being received. Besides that, I’ll occasionally check in on the negative reviews. Usually it’s the two-stars that have the most valuable info, and I look for trends in the criticism that might help me improve my writing on the next book. One-star reviews, however, I largely ignore—or read with a huge grin on my face. They tend to be full of anger over something someone simply HATED! about the book. I can’t tell you how many angry emails I got after my first novel. People called me a psycho because of a certain scene that doesn’t go so well for a cat. I love cats, by the way.

Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?

That’s a tough one. I can’t say that one thing in particular sticks out. But I’m always happy to hear from a reader who tells me they thoroughly enjoyed one of my stories. It’s kind of surreal. They see me as an author—maybe, I think—and I really don’t. To me, I’m just a thirty-four-year-old man-child who sits in a dark room, making up stories.

Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?

I try to get out of the house and be active—take a walk, go to the gym etc. I have a day job at a desk, and then I come home and write at a desk, so I spend a lot of time sitting, which needs to be offset somehow. Other than that, I enjoy cooking, which my wife seems to appreciate, and I built a little woodworking shop for myself last year, so sometimes I’m tinkering with a project in there. As for my favorite place on Earth? That would be standing in front of a woodstove (not a fireplace, a woodstove) while a snowstorm howls outside. Any woodstove will do.

Uncaged: What can you tell us that is very unique about you?

So far as I know, I am the only Christian Galacar in the world. My last name is oddly unique. Oh, and in college I spent six months working as a private investigator for insurance fraud.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

You keep reading and I’ll keep writing. Readers are the final step in the writing process and perhaps the most important. Follow me by signing up for my newsletter on my website. I have Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but I’m not terribly active on those platforms. In fact, my Facebook account is currently inactive because I find that it makes me a little cynical these days. If you had to choose one, I’d go with Instagram.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Christian Galacar grew up in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a small suburb north of Boston. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he received a BBA degree in Finance. Although interested in writing fiction from a young age, it wasn’t until 2012—and realizing the banking industry wasn’t all that fun—that he decided to pursue it as a career.

He is always working on his next book.[/symple_box]

christiangalacar.com

Gilchrist
Christian Galacar
Horror

Two years after losing their infant son to a tragic accident, Peter Martell, a novelist with a peculiar knack for finding lost things, and his wife, Sylvia, are devastated to learn they may no longer be able to have children. In need of a fresh start, and compelled by strange dreams, the couple decide to rent a lake house in the idyllic town of Gilchrist, Massachusetts, a place where bad things might just happen for a reason. As bizarre events begin to unfold around them—a chance encounter with a gifted six-year-old boy, a series of violent deaths, and repeated sightings of a strange creature with a terrifying nature—Peter and Sylvia find themselves drawn into the chaos and soon discover that coming to Gilchrist may not have been their decision at all.

Set against a small New England town in the summer of 1966, Gilchrist is a sinister tale about the haunting origins of violence, evil, and the undying power of memory.

Excerpt

Peter was having a dream. He was kneeling, bent down, and looking at an elderly reflection of himself in a river. When he focused on the constant burbling of moving water, the sound seemed to wax and wane, becoming a rhythm, as if the water itself were breathing. He broke away from his reflection and looked around the sad landscape. An ominous red sky cast a sick light over everything. In the distance, a dilapidated church stood in the middle of an empty field that looked scorched. He went to it. The doors were open, and he could see inside. The pews were covered in blood.
Something moved behind him. Many somethings. He turned around. They were pouring out of the ground like black ropes of oil. But the ropes had eyes. And the ropes slithered. And the ropes had teeth. They were all whispering, and it was one word hissed over and over again: Gilllchrissst… Gilllchrissst… Gilllchrissst…
One snaked across the back of Peter’s calf, latched on to him, and bit. He looked down and the ground was covered with them. He tried to scream, but no sound would come.
He awoke.
Sylvia was snoring when Peter opened his eyes. He caught his breath and picked his watch up off the nightstand: 3:27 a.m. He sat up, drenched in sweat, and searched around the floor with his toes until he found his slippers. A twinge of fear needled his mind as he thought of his foot touching something slick and slithery below, but he wasn’t sure what that something was exactly. The dream was already disintegrating and taking on a lost and distant feeling like a fading echo. It left behind only its disquiet, not its details.
He went to the bathroom. He needed water. His mouth tasted like a New York drain gutter. He hadn’t intended to get drunk when they had returned home, but after Sylvia had popped a few extra Equanil and followed through on her promise to go to bed early, he had decided to have a drink or two while he did a little writing on his new book. But as was often the case, one or two drinks became the whole bottle. Then after the bottle was gone, it became whatever else was in the house.
He bent over the sink and drank directly from the faucet, lapping the cold water like a greedy dog, each sip feeling somehow purgative. He straightened and looked at himself in the mirror. To spare his eyes, he hadn’t turned on the light, but he could still see his reflection. He looked worn out. A hint of something familiar touched him, but it was too faint, and he was too tired to grasp the connection to his dream.
Peter went back to the bedroom and stood at the foot of their bed. He watched Sylvia sleep. She snorted, cleared her throat, and rolled over on her back, kicking her leg out from under the covers. She threw her arm over her head, her hair somehow remaining perfectly neat. She really was a beautiful woman.
Five minutes passed. Maybe ten. The house was so silent, so still. Memories of their happier past seemed to have real volume when he replayed them in his mind at this hour, as if he could reach out and touch them. But behind it all, looming overhead like a storm cloud, was a very real thought. All he could think about was how easy it would be to pack a bag, leave, and never come back. Walk away from it all. That might be the only way either of them could ever have any sort of good life again. Death had hardened the soil of their hearts, and now no new love could grow.
The thought sickened him, and a surge of guilt rose up in him for even having it. He would never leave her. He loved her, and they would make it through this together. They would ride it out, no matter what.
That’s right, he thought. No matter what.
Peter got back into bed, but he didn’t sleep.

Uncaged Review

A small town escape for Peter and his wife Sylvia after the loss of their son, trying to scrape their lives back together – and the small town vacation sounds like it might be what the couple needs. Oh but be very leery of small lake towns…

Set in 1966, in the small lake town of Gilchrist, Massachusetts – author Peter and his wife rent a house on the lake, intending to relax and unwind. But there is a strange presence in this town, and it’s not all it seems. I can’t get into the story without giving spoilers, but the author really nails this one and slowly ramps up the tension so by the middle of the book you are glued to the pages. Reminiscent of King and Koontz, the author does a brilliant job setting the stage and the characters feel real and believable.

I think this book is a hidden gem in the world of horror, my only advice is you might not want to read it before bedtime. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged: You just released Warm, your latest book. Can you tell readers more about the book?

I have always been fascinated with the idea of solitary confinement and the effects it can have on ones self psychically and mentally. I’ve read articles, watched documentaries, read interviews from prisoners and prison guards. I knew it was something I wanted to try and write about. It was an idea that festered in my mind for two to three years.

Warn is a loose sequel to one of my previous books called Burning Down Paradise. Originally, I never intended for it to be but it kinda just happened. I guess my mind was just not finished with those characters. I intentionally wrote it in a way where you could still understand what was going on without having previously read Burning Down Paradise. So It serves as both a sequel and stand alone story.

Uncaged: What is the inspiration of writing in the horror genre?

I have loved the horror genre for so long that it has become a part of who I am. Halloween was the very first horror movie I saw at 10 years old and from there I was just obsessed. As a teen I read a lot of Stephen King and as I got older I transitioned to Clive Barker, Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. Those three authors have inspired my writing tremendously.

I often compare Horror to being like a roller coaster, providing you with an extreme adrenaline rush. I also love horror for the human study aspect, exploring what makes people tick.

Uncaged: Besides horror, you also write poetry. Do you have any that you can share with us here?

Amusingly enough, most of my poetry is horror based. I have written outside of the genre but nothing that I have officially published. I will share with you,The Little Tiny Spider, it was published in my first book Darkness:Poems of extreme horror.

The Little Tiny Spider

Birds chirp.
Children Play.
Its quite the beautiful day.

The sun shines brightly over the earth.
Temperature reaches eighty five degrees.
All the windows are open.
Letting in the air.

As well as other things.

A little tiny spider finds her way through.
Running her little legs over carpet.
She found herself a nice home.

Nightfall hits.
Lighting bugs flash in the grass.
Stars cover the dark sky.

A woman sleeps comfortably in bed.
The little tiny spider crawls up her leg.
She reaches her chest.
The woman yawns and moves her head.
She does not awake.
The little tiny spider continues to crawl.
She reaches her face, and goes up her nose.
She found herself a nice home

Birds chirp.
Children play.
Another beautiful day.

The woman still lays in bed.
Her skin a lime green color.
Her eyes wide open, a pale dead white.
Little spider legs pierce through her eyes.
Thousands crawl out of the sockets.
They come out of her ears.
Pour out of her mouth.

They crawl out the windows.
That are still open in the house.

Uncaged: What are some of your favorite genres to read?

Horror, (naturally) Comedy, autobiographies, and True Crime Stories.

Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you feel you can take away from them?

Yes, good or bad I love to read what people think of my work. I try to learn from the critic the best that I can. I am always looking for ways become a better writer. Finding news to improve my craft.

Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?

“You are a sick f*ck.” I loved it so much I used it in some of my marketing.

Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?

I watch horror films, read, drink beer (and drink it well). I have not done it much lately but I love camping as well, being outside in front a campfire while looking up at the stars is a great feeling.

Uncaged: What can you tell us that is very unique about you?

One thing that really annoys me about most Self published authors is how full of themselves they can be. I cant tell you how many facebook ads I have seen from authors calling themselves “The number 1 best selling author” or “The next Stephen King.”

I am realistic, I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my work and review it. I spend a lot more on just producing my books than what I actually make back. Any profits I do make end up going right back into producing my next work. That is okay though, when you do something you love you don’t do it for the money.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

Whether you loved or loathed it. I appreciate you all taking the time to read my little books. Id also like thank all the bloggers out there who have been extremely good to me.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Eric Kapitan fell in love with the horror genre at a young age. Binge watching Horror Movies such Halloween and Night of the Living Dead. It wasn’t long before Kapitan wanted to tell Horror stories of his own. Never afraid to push the boundaries, Kapitan believes Horror should be hard-hitting and leave an impression.

Eric Kapitan currently resides in Vermont. He enjoys spending time with family/friends, drinking a nice cold Vermont beer, and going to Horror conventions.[/symple_box]

Warm
Eric Kapitan
Horror

Only a truly broken soul can be possessed by the ruler of hell. Unfortunately for Adam, every second of his life has molded him into the perfect host.

Adam is a killer. There’s no getting around that. The state doesn’t care that he was a child of abuse, that he was beaten near daily by a father who never wanted him. They don’t care that he truly wants to change, more than he’s ever wanted anything. For his crimes, Adam won’t see the sun until the day he’s dead and buried.

Deep below Adam’s restless heart, the king of hell has a new name, and he’s desperate to prove himself worthy. In his previous life, Timothy was a serial killer haunted by an all-consuming obsession with death and destruction. Now that he’s dead, he’s determined to rise through the ranks and earn a power like no other. As the king of hell, he’ll be able to re-enter the human world at last—and then tear it down, piece by bloody piece.

But for that, he needs a soul just as corrupt as he is. And Adam is ripe for the taking.

Warm by Eric Kapitan is a dark fairy tale of disturbing proportions, a gory tale of revenge that will keep readers up all night, haunted by the horrors within.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

“Oh my God, Adam! I love college! It’s so amazing! The people, the classes. I’ve made so many new friends…Oh, you should really try and come and visit so I can show you my dorm room. You can meet my roommate Becca and…”
Adam sipped his coffee. He felt the heat rising from the liquid warming the upper part of his face as he listened to Susan speak. He nodded and smiled at her. Her big eyes were bright, filled with positivity and excitement. She used her hands to further illustrate how amazing and cool the thing she was talking about was. It was a trait Adam’s sister had had as long as he could remember. Adam giggled to himself as he continued to stare at Susan, imagining her as the little girl he remembered walking to school and making lunches for. They had both come a long way since they were children. A very long road out of hell it had been.
“Oh, listen to me jibber-jab on when I should be asking how you are, big brother…How are things going, Adam?” Susan said as she lifted her coffee mug, taking a sip as she moved a strand of hair away from her face.
Adan shrugged his shoulders. “Well, you know me, boo. Not much really ever changes. Just work, work, and more work. Besides, it’s been a month since I’ve seen you. I like hearing what you have to say.”
Susan looked down at her coffee as she tried to hide the fact that she was blushing. Adam and Susan were very close. Adam was always more of a father to her than a brother. “So how is Mom—”
Before Susan could finish her sentence, she let out a cluster of small coughs. She covered her mouth quickly, not wanting to spread germs.
“You OK, Suz?” Adam said as he raised an eyebrow.
As Susan continued to cough, she nodded at him. Her cough began to grow louder and more frequent; her face slowly began to turn a light shade of red as Adam got up from the kitchen table and walked over to the sink.
“Let me get you some water,” Adam said as he grabbed a clean glass from the dish drainer. He filled the glass halfway and turned around to go back to the table. Before he could even move, the glass fell from his hand, smashing on the floor, water spilling everywhere.
Susan’s face was as gray as cement, her eyes bloodshot, as dark blood ran from her eyes, nose, and mouth. She fell to the floor on her side, her body convulsing as she continued to bleed out. Adam rushed to her side in a panic as tears filled his eyes.
“My God, Susan, what’s happening? What do I do?”
Snap out of your fantasy.

Adam woke up abruptly as his head smacked against the glass window. He forgot where he was for a moment before the harsh reality sank in again as he looked at the bus. He looked down at his handcuffed hands and chained feet, almost wanting to cry. He knew he couldn’t though. No way could he show any weakness. Only punks showed weakness. He remembered what his mom used to tell him whenever he came home from school crying because a bully picked on him.
“Never let them see you cry,” she would always say to him. Those words could not be more true now, Mom.
Adam looked out the window, thinking he should enjoy the outside world as much as he could before it was entirely shut out from him. He looked out at the trees moving past him at rapid speed as the bus sped down the road. The sun was beginning to go down, casting the sky in a bright orange. The orange clouds made him think about sherbet ice cream. He remembered how he and Susan used to sneak up to the roof of their apartment building at night and look at the stars. They always brought a container of sherbet ice cream with them. It was Susan’s favorite.
Those days were long gone.

Uncaged Review

A rather strange tale of gruesome discovery into hell. In this book all the characters left an impression on me. In fact I found it fantasizing how the author got all the characters to intertwine throughout out the book. The story is very dark and twisted. Any readers who like their horror books clean cut this is not for you. Even though the story is very dark in places it has loads of human nature and behavior and this author doesn’t do this to shock his readers, he loves the thrill of having the audience left with an impression of horror. Whether it’s good or bad, I have dove into the very bottom of hell with this and have come to the conclusion it’s very dark and twisted but it’s well written by the author. He grabs a hold of the reader and refuses to let them go. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars