A new Weird Western anthology called STRAIGHT OUTTA DEADWOOD was just released by Baen Books, and it contains stories by both Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell and me! Marcy's story is "Dreamcatcher," and it explores--in a dark and twisted way, of course--the Ojibwe roots of that well-known talisman, and what happens when a Christian clergyman objects to its use. My story, "Sunlight and Silver," is about a frontier photographer who specializes in memorial photographs--pictures of the recently deceased--whose subjects start disappearing from his photos. Both are, I think it's safe to say, wonderfully creepy.
There are plenty of other terrific stories in the book as well, including some by pals like Charlaine Harris, Shane Lacy Hensley, and Steve Rasnic Tem, along with Mike Resnick, Jane Linskold, Stephen Graham Jones, Mario Acevedo, and a whole host of others. Check it out at the title link above.
In other news, Harper Voyager, publisher of our novel 7 SYKOS, has made the ebook a 99-cent special for the entire month of October! Because October is when people's minds go to the weird and horrific, that's perfect timing for our psychopaths vs. zombies epic. In case you're still on the fence, here's what NYT bestselling author and zombie expert Jonathan Maberry had to say about it: "7 SYKOS is a wild and crazy ride that smashes through barriers and roadblocks and drives way the hell out into new territory for the zombie genre. Inventive, fun (in a dark, weird, twisted way), filled with twists and turns, and packed with characters you'll love--even if you also hate some of them. I loved it!"
Whatever ebook format you prefer, you'll be able to grab it for less than a buck at the title link above. You can still get it in paperback, too, but it'll run you $7.99. Still a bargain.
I've been talking a lot about my teen horror epic YEAR OF THE WICKED, so I'll take a break from that and let the book speak for itself. The publisher, Simon Pulse, is offering an "extended excerpt" for free for the entire month! Again, there's no better time than October for a spooky story. Give it a read at the title link (you have to register with your email, but that just gets you news about other great YA books, and of course you can unsubscribe at any time).
Finally, here's a review of COLD BLACK HEARTS, from Kaye Lynne Booth's blog Writing to be Read.
"In Cold Black Hearts, by Jeffrey J. Mariotte, evil stirs the ancient legends into reality. When Annie O’Brien is caught in a bust gone bad and the resulting explosion, she loses both her hearing and her job, but she gains an uncanny sense of empathy for the people around her. So, there’s nothing to stop her from taking a job investigating a four year old murder where the original investigation was botched, and working to free the convicted man, even though he gives her the creeps and is probably guilty of numerous crimes, if not this one. Her investigation uncovers not only the evidence needed to free Johnny Ortega from prison, but also evidence that there is something much more sinister going on in Hildalgo County than a simple cover-up, but when Annie manages to put all the pieces together and tries to stop the return of an ancient demon, it could cost her her life, or worse.
"Filled with sacrifice and betrayal, Cold Black Hearts will chill you to the core of your soul. Lots of unexpected twists and turns to this story. I give it four quills."
It's coming soon from WordFire Press and Baen Books, and you can nab a copy at the title link above, in paperback or ebook.
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