I got my author copies of COLD BLACK HEARTS the other day. That's always an exciting event, no matter how many books I've had published, because until I'm holding it in my hands, it's never really real. This is the fifth and final of the matching-edition reissues from WordFire Press, and it means my five favorite solo horror novels are all available again, in beautiful editions, in hardcover, paperback, and ebook.
If you're a fan of my work, you'll really want to own these. They're all set in the contemporary American west, mostly in border regions from West Texas to California (though SEASON OF THE WOLF explores Colorado's Rocky Mountains, instead--with spooky wolves and spookier humans). They're unrelated, so you don't need to read them in any given order. They're loaded with thrills and chills and unexpected twists, action set-pieces, and characters you'll love.
But don't take my word for it. Here's what the Tucson Weekly said about COLD BLACK HEARTS:
"This is Mariotte's great talent: His writing hooks you, and you just have to see how things end. And Annie, much in the vein of the maverick lady investigators and interrogators that populate cable television, is sassy, interesting and smart—and not afraid to risk her reputation, her relationships or even her life to get to the bottom of something."
And HorrorWorld.org said:
"You won’t find the excesses in this novel that you would see in most small press horror or even some of the newer mass market releases; it seems that Marriotte prefers to present his horror laden with atmosphere and emotion rather than the grotesque. That’s not to imply that there isn’t plenty of action and some vivid descriptions of carnage to be found in these pages, there is, but it doesn’t feel exploitive. It is the strength of Mariotte’s writing that initially keep the readers turning the pages and it’s the bond he manages to form between the reader and Annie that keeps us interested until the end.
"I would recommend Cold Black Hearts to all fans of horror and dark fiction."
And the publisher's blurb:
"When an explosion wrecks police detective Annie O’Brien’s career and destroys her hearing, she’s left with something new—a vastly heightened sense of empathy that makes it impossible to be around other people.
"Her home in Phoenix, Arizona’s bustling metropolitan area, rapidly becomes unbearable. An investigative job offered by an old family friend sends her to a lonely corner of New Mexico, to try to free an innocent man wrongly convicted of a brutal double murder.
"As she pursues justice for the unfortunate prisoner, she finds herself caught up in the saga of New Dominion, a nearby town wiped out in a bloody massacre back in 1933 . . . but is somehow rising from its own ashes. Annie’s presence creates unexpected ripples, summoning ancient, demonic forces and causing tragedy to repeat itself—unless she can find some way to stop it.
"Cold Black Hearts is a riveting supernatural thriller, and Annie O’Brien is bound to be your new favorite character!"
At the Baen Books website, click on the "Book" link on the left for links to a ton of booksellers, and snag it from your favorite, or click the Ebook link to get the ebook directly from Baen. You can also read a long excerpt for free!
Speaking of free, that's how much you'll pay for YEAR OF THE WICKED if you win Simon Teen's Halloween Sweepstakes! Not only that, but they'll throw in nine other spooky YA thrillers as well, including BROKEN LANDS by my pal Jonathan Maberry. Give it a try! And if you don't win, it's available pretty much everywhere books are sold. (Remember, you can still read an extended excerpt for free, until Halloween!)
If you're still looking for good reading on a budget, you've got 11 more days to nab an ebook copy of 7 SYKOS, by Marsheila Rockwell and me, for a mere 99 cents, wherever ebooks are sold! And I don't know how long it'll last--so act fast--but the ebook of my novel STAR TREK: THE LOST ERA: DENY THY FATHER is available now at the same low, low price! Before Picard starts streaming, learn all about the troubled relationship between Will Riker and his father, and experience Will's Starfleet Academy days and earliest missions.
Finally, Tucson Comic-Con is coming soon! Our level of participation will depend on Marcy's level of healing from cervical spine surgery a few weeks ago, so send good thoughts!
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