A Brief Halloween Lesson in Human Depravity


A Brief Halloween Lesson in Human Depravity
As observed by Lucifer, who, incidentally, despises humans

Humans love to blame me for their excesses.

It is flattering. Incorrect, but flattering.

Consider the case of Elena Hoyos.

Born in 1909, Elena’s only real mistake was being young and beautiful in a species that routinely mistakes desire for entitlement. During the Roaring Twenties, she did what young women did when joy was still permitted. She attended dances at the Cuban Club in Key West. She wore a red rose behind her ear. She lived as though the future might arrive intact.

It did not.

Tuberculosis was in fashion then.  In April of 1930, after X-rays at the Marine Hospital, she learned she was dying.

Enter Carl von Cosel.

Fifty years old. A radiology technician. A man who claimed to be a German count and a trained medical doctor. He was neither. What he was instead was far more common. A man convinced that obsession is destiny.

From the moment he met Elena, von Cosel decided she belonged to him. He told her he alone could cure her. That he had been sent to save her. That she would be his wife.


When one is young, ill, and surrounded by death, hope becomes negotiable. Elena believed him. There was no miracle cure. There never is.

She died on October 25th, 1931, at the age of twenty-two.

One would assume that would be the end.

Humans rarely stop when they should.

Elena was buried in Key West Cemetery. 

Two years later, von Cosel built an elaborate mausoleum and, with her family’s permission, had her body exhumed and placed inside. For eighteen months, he visited the corpse daily.


Eventually, that was not enough.

According to von Cosel’s own memoirs, because men like this always believe their version deserves preservation, the ghost of Elena guided him as he stole her decaying body from the mausoleum and carried it home.

There, he removed her burial shroud and began reconstructing her.

Pumps. Wires. Chemicals. Wax. Glass eyes. Perfume. A wedding dress.

He slowed the decay just long enough to convince himself that marriage, and consummation, were still possible.

I did not intervene. I was watching. Appalled. Taking notes.

Rumors spread. Elena’s sister confronted von Cosel and demanded proof that her sister’s body remained in the mausoleum. He agreed to show her.

 


He took her to his home.

That is where she found the reconstructed corpse of her sister.

On October 5th, 1940, authorities seized Elena’s body and took von Cosel into custody. A public viewing was held at the Lopez Funeral Home. School was canceled so children could witness the spectacle. Because nothing says civilization like turning necrophilia into a curiosity.




A hearing determined that von Cosel had committed the willful and wanton destruction of a tomb. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations had expired. He was released.

To protect Elena from him, her body was secretly reinterred somewhere within Key West Cemetery. Only a select few know where she lies.

Von Cosel left Key West in 1941. Two hours after his departure, an explosion destroyed the mausoleum that once held her remains.

No, that was not my doing. Humans are remarkably efficient at finishing their own messes.

To this day, locals report cries and apparitions behind the locked gates of the cemetery. Over one hundred thousand souls rest there, many without markers. Elena, among them, for reasons far darker than most.

So if you wander the grounds of Key West Cemetery this Halloween and catch the scent of a rose or glimpse a young woman dressed in red, consider offering something rare.

Compassion.

She found very little of it in life.

And even less in death.

~Lucifer


The Fablecastle Chronicles
Trina Spillman

Genre: Magical Realism
Publisher: Trina Spillman
ISBN: 9798649138604
ASIN:B08956JDBP
Number of pages: 252
Word Count: 47,500

Cover Artist: BrainyGeeks

Tagline: How do you report the truth when the truth could end everything?

Book Description:

Maggie McCullough is a star reporter for the Daily Mirror. In her monthly column, Setting the Record Straight, she revealed the truth behind the fables you may remember from your childhood. Those interviews brought her to the attention of someone in another dimension, someone claiming to be Lucifer. 

Join Maggie and Andrew Wolfgang, her boyfriend and quasi bodyguard, as they travel to Earth and hopscotch across this strange dimension, in pursuit of a story that explains the truth behind Lucifer’s origins, the mutation he unleashed on Earth’s inhabitants, what really happened to the ark following the great flood, and why pyramids dot the planet. 

Can Maggie write her earth-shattering article and escape Earth before all hell breaks loose?

Amazon

Watch the Book Trailer


Excerpt:

Maggie and Andrew approached the bar and were relieved they had arrived twenty minutes early. That is, until an attendant approached Maggie and said, “Good evening, Miss McCullough. If you would follow me, I will lead you to your private cabana. Your guest has already arrived and is waiting for you.” Maggie held up her finger and said, “I’ll be right with you.” “Certainly, take all the time you need.” The man moved to the end of the bar and waited discreetly. Maggie grabbed Andrew’s elbow and dragged him to the opposite corner of the bar. She was a little frazzled. “I am not going into a closed tent without you being able to watch me, especially since I have no idea who I’m supposed to be interviewing.” “Tell the waiter you are claustrophobic, and you need one of the side flaps on the cabana removed. That way I can keep an eye on you during the interview.” “Perfect.” Maggie summoned the waiter and explained what she needed. He seemed irritated but, without a word, walked to the cabana and unzipped the side flap, revealing an attractive man of medium build with a head of thick auburn hair lit with natural highlights of red and blond. Hair color to die for, Maggie thought. She squeezed Andrew’s elbow and whispered, “Here goes nothing.”

Andrew didn’t want her interviewee to be alerted to his presence, so keeping a respectable but short distance from Maggie, he nonchalantly whispered, “You’ll do great.” Maggie followed the attendant to the cabana where the man was sitting. He stood as she approached and held her chair out for her. She thanked him and sat. Turning toward the waiter, the stranger authoritatively commanded, “Bring the 1869 Chateau Lafite.” “Very good, sir. Will there be anything else?” “No,” he said dismissively. The waiter left. The man sitting across from Maggie said, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lucifer, but you can call me Luc.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Maggie extended her hand. The man sitting across from her looked at it with disgust. She slowly withdrew her hand and placed it in her lap. A palpable energy radiated from him and made her skin crawl. Maggie quickly drew a protection spell in her notebook and was relieved when the unsettling sensation abated. Luc addressed Maggie. “There are a few ground rules that will need to be established before we commence.” Maggie said, “Absolutely. Please, continue.” “First, don’t speak unless spoken to. Secondly, there is a lot of information to cover and I will tell you what is important and what isn’t. Lastly, don’t be irritating. Keep your questions relevant and we will get along swimmingly.” What a dick, Maggie thought, but bit her tongue since she was positive such a comment would undoubtedly irritate him. “Duly noted.” “You may proceed and ask your first question.” Maggie jumped right in and asked, “What story do you want to set straight?” Luc chuckled. “I am not the figure humans have made me out to be and I would like to tell my side of the story.”

 

 

 

About the Author:

Trina Spillman, who also writes under the pen name Selene Greenleaf, crafts both practical witchcraft guides and immersive works of fiction that span romance, magical realism, and contemporary thrillers. Splitting her creative life between Colorado’s mountain landscapes and a growing library of story ideas, she blends current events, folklore, plant magic, and real-world rituals to invite readers into transformative experiences. Under Selene Greenleaf, she’s the author of Witchcraft Essentials: A Modern-Day Guide to Spells, Herbs, and Crystals; Cupid's Craft: Love Spells for Valentine's Day; and her forthcoming Plant Magic Encyclopedia: Rituals & Remedies, resources designed to help modern practitioners weave intention and botanical wisdom into everyday life. 

Writing as Trina Spillman, she’s best known for her engaging fairy tale retellings. Upcoming projects include: 

A New Dawn — a gripping political thriller of power, ethics, and love, to be released by The Wild Rose Press 

Collateral Justice — the powerful sequel to A New Dawn, where a hidden alliance of the world’s elite blurs the line between justice and vengeance. 

The Witches of Fablecastle— When a witch hunter’s mirror exposes her forbidden magic, Holly McCool flees through a portal to Fablecastle, only to learn she’s the one destined to stop him from tearing both worlds apart. 

The Quantum Hitchhiker’s Guide to Escaping the Matrix — a witty, mind-bending manual on how to hack reality, rewrite your personal code, and manifest with humor, consciousness, and a touch of modern witchcraft.  

Whether she’s exploring the ethics of power in a thriller or sharing herbal recipes for daily rituals, Trina/Selene’s work reflects her unwavering belief in the healing and transformative power of words. 







Join Me at the 10th Annual Galentine's Day at Sloan Museum

 



Join me at the 10th Annual Galentine's Day at Sloan Museum

I'll have copies of my books and art available for purchase

Save the date for the ultimate Girls' Night!

Grab your best pals - pamper and spoil yourself and your besties during our annual one-stop shopping event! 

Enjoy shopping, pampering services, tons of local vendors to shop from, and more! 

All four museum galleries will be open to event attendees until 8 p.m. 

A cash bar and the Coffee Beanery Cafe will also be open for food and beverage purchases during the event.

When: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Location: Sloan Museum of Discovery
Tickets: $5 per person

This event is for 18+ years of age.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door the day of the event.

Author Interview: The Serpent’s Order by SZ Estavillo #Interview #AuthorInterview


  1. What inspired you to become an author?

I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I was always reading, always scribbling stories, and I can’t remember a time when writing wasn’t a part of my life. There wasn’t one specific book that “made” me want to be an author — I’ve simply always felt drawn to the page. Storytelling is how I process the world, how I express myself, and how I hope to reach people. I honestly can’t imagine not writing. It feels as natural as breathing.

  1. Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes. My background is in film production, so my writing tends to be cinematic, gritty, and emotionally charged. I focus on tension, atmosphere, and sharp dialogue — all of which fit naturally with the tone of my thriller series.

  1. Do you write in different genres?

Not currently. I’m focused on thrillers and suspense, especially detective-driven and vigilante-driven stories. I did write a contemporary rom-com years ago, but it was never published. Once I started writing thrillers, I realized this is where my voice truly belongs.

  1. How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

I usually start by brainstorming themes, character arcs, and the core conflict. Because my series centers around the “Serpent” motif, the titles naturally evolve from that foundation. My upcoming release, The Serpent’s Order (launching February 10th), fit perfectly with the story’s deeper layers and the direction the series is headed.

  1. Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I title the book first. Because I’m under a publishing contract, my publisher needs titles early so they can report them to Publishers Marketplace and build out the release schedule. That means all titles must be submitted in advance. I’m contracted for eight books — possibly more — so I already have titles for the next four books in the series.

  1. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. My books explore vigilante justice and morally gray characters. I’m fascinated by the idea that people can be good and bad at the same time — that motives can conflict, and that someone might break the law for what they believe is a righteous reason. I love writing anti-heroes who walk that line. If there’s a message, it’s that humans are complex, layered, and often contradictory. Those are the stories that interest me most, and those are the characters I want readers to connect with.

  1. Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

There are always pieces of me woven into my books. For example, my uncle, Nicholas Estavillo, was the highest-ranking Puerto Rican officer to achieve three-star status in NYPD history. Detective Anaya Nazario’s father is loosely modeled after him.

Some of the more emotional storylines also come from personal experience. I’ve faced trauma, and when I introduced Von Schlange in The Serpent Woman, she became a way for me to fictionalize and reclaim some of those experiences. In Twilight of the Serpent, stalking plays a significant role — something I personally endured for seven years. I also lived in Los Angeles for over a decade, so many of the settings and atmospheric details in the series come directly from my time there. While the books are fiction, pieces of my life inevitably find their way into the stories.

  1. Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

My absolute favorite character is Von Schlange. She’s such a badass. She starts as a vigilante serial killer — very much a Dexter-type figure — taking revenge on men who slipped through the cracks of the justice system and got away with truly evil things. Over time, she evolves into an assassin, a federal asset, and eventually a member of an elite off-the-books black ops team.

She’s morally gray, fearless, and complex, and I love writing her because she forces me to explore the line between justice and vengeance. Readers have connected with her, too — one even told me she was the best character he’d ever read, and that my book was the best he’d read in a decade. That meant a lot.

  1. If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

Yes, this book is part of an ongoing series. The next installment is titled The Serpent of Flesh and Fire. It continues Von Schlange’s arc as a lethal assassin working in the shadows — but this time, the story also explores her deepening connection with a fellow assassin who becomes her love interest. When the two are separated and he disappears under dangerous circumstances, Von is forced to track him down before it’s too late.

Like the previous books, this one is told through three POVs: Detective Anaya Nazario, Xander Holt, and Von Schlange. Their storylines intersect as they hunt a drug dealer responsible for a new, deadly strain of tranq dope hitting the streets. The book raises the stakes emotionally and operationally, pushing all three characters into darker, more vulnerable territory.

  1.  Do you have any advice for other writers?

I once had an agent for five years, and I went on submission, but that book never sold. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that having an agent doesn’t guarantee a book deal — and not getting one doesn’t mean your career is over. Don’t give up.

Two of the books that were supposed to “die on sub” actually ended up being picked up by the small press I’m with now. That duology became the foundation for an eight-book contract. So no, it’s not one of the Big Five, but it has been incredibly rewarding and creatively fulfilling.

Publishing is tough. It’s full of rejection, and it’s deeply subjective. My best advice is to stay open-minded about your path. Everyone dreams of the seven-figure book deal, but not all of us will get that — and that’s okay. There are many routes to publication, and small presses can offer opportunities, support, and growth you might not have expected.

Most importantly: don’t stop writing, and don’t stop trying. Your breakthrough might come from a direction you never saw coming.

 

The Serpent’s Order
The Serpent Series
Book 4
SZ Estavillo

Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Oliver-Heber
Date of Publication: February 10, 2026
ASIN: B0FX5TFVLP
Number of pages: 314
Word Count: 90, 219
Cover Artist: Oliver-Heber

Tagline: An assassin bound by obedience. A detective marked for death. A cartel war with no survivors.

Book Description:

Von Schlange thought she’d escaped her past. Now Black Nova owns her—an elite, off-the-books task force where obedience is survival and failure means death. As their newest assassin, she’s unleashed on targets tied to Jaxon Ryker, a drug lord buried deep in the Alaskan wilds.

Her partner, Xander Holt, a former Navy SEAL with ice in his veins, lives by the same brutal code: no attachments, no lines crossed. But as missions turn bloody, the fragile boundary between partner and lover begins to blur—and desire becomes its own kind of danger.

Across the country, Detective Anaya Nazario faces a nightmare of her own. A synthetic “zombie drug,” deadlier than fentanyl and immune to Narcan, is ripping through Los Angeles. Her investigation exposes a network of dirty cops shielding Ryker’s empire—and puts a target squarely on her back.

Two women on opposite fronts. One war against corruption and cartel power. And a single truth—every betrayal leaves a body behind.

Explosive, unrelenting, and razor-sharp, The Serpent’s Order propels the Serpent Series into its most dangerous chapter yet—where justice is a myth, and survival comes at a price paid in blood.

Book Trailer:

https://www.tiktok.com/@szestavillo.author/video/7573464953785535774

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Darkness pressed against her eyes. The air carried no warmth, only a damp cold that burrowed into her marrow. The metallic taste on her tongue sharpened. Air scraped colder against her throat. Every nerve screamed awake as the chemical fog bled out of her veins. It was easy to fend off the hazy pull of delirium when it felt like she was sitting in an ice box. Frigid salty air wrapped her in an arctic grip, numbing her body. The sound of the seas never betrayed its location, offering no clues as to her whereabouts until the blackout hood was lifted.

Her surroundings winked awake, blurring slowly into focus. Faint traces of soot and aged timber amplified the cabin’s solitude. As her vision sharpened, the first thing she saw was the rugged glaciers looming beyond the drafty windows. Snow consumed the landscape, a frozen expanse as thick as packed sugar, burying the world beneath at least twenty inches of wintery silence. At a distance, she could hear how the ocean roiled, a wild, restless beast, while the bitter subzero terrain stretched in stark harmony with the gray horizon.

Groggy, her eyes roamed in search of Zeus, panic setting in, forcing her heart to quicken until she spotted him across the room in a dark corner. Her head felt like a thousand-pound weight pressed down on her skull, each pulse of pain a hammer striking her temples. She found herself passed out on a lounger that looked to be a decade old—at least her kidnappers, or rather, her new boss—had the courtesy to leave her somewhere relatively comfortable. At the sound of her steps, Zeus lifted his head, tail thumping against the rickety wooden floorboards, though not quite making it to his feet.

It looked like she wasn’t the only one trying to shake herself out of the cocktail she’d been injected with, as Zeus tried to drag himself up. She knelt beside him and massaged his legs, trying to coax circulation back into his limbs. After a few minutes, Zeus soldiered to his feet, the kneading doing the trick. Von exhaled, tension ebbing at the reassuring presence of her loyal companion. She ambled back to the kitchen, taking in her surroundings while Zeus kept time with her steps. A thin film of dust coated the kitchen counters and cupboards, telling her that time had been the lonely cabin’s sole friend for a long while.

She rooted around, discovering there were enough dishes for one person, and the fridge had been stocked with salads and fruit. At least her mysterious employer had the decency to respect her food preferences. They even left a bowl of dried dog food and water for Zeus. How thoughtful. She smirked at their attention to detail as she headed to the bedroom—and then she saw it.

Sitting dead center on the bed, the phone was waiting for her.

Sleek, black, and unbranded—just a smooth slab of technology with no markings or logos, nothing to indicate who made it. While it appeared to be just another typical high-end smartphone, Von knew better. This wasn’t an ordinary device. It was a leash. She picked it up. Lighter than she expected. No buttons, no ports, no removable SIM card. Completely sealed. The kind of hardware designed to be untouchable, tamper-proof. Not to be trusted. The screen stayed dark for a ten-count before flickering to life, awakened by a simple touch. The interface was equal parts minimalist and sterile.

Nothing personal. No apps. No browser. Just a lone notification, already there.

“Welcome to Black Nova.”

She flipped it in her hand, examining it. There wasn’t even a password prompt, fingerprint, or facial recognition scan. Von wasn’t logging in. She was already in—immediate access like it knew her. Then she remembered where she’d seen one before: Jefferson Pierce. Former Marine-turned-hacker, an asset for the FBI. Asset. The word twisted in her stomach, acidic and biting. She recalled the words—“federal asset”—before her world went black. Right before they took her.

“Silent Circle—” Jefferson had called it.

“A what?” She recalled how her brows had knitted together, confused over the unfamiliar phone. “Never heard of it.”

“Military-grade. Locked down tight. End-to-end encrypted calls and messages.”

“Sounds a bit paranoid,” Von had said.

“For what I do—I gotta be. Safest, most private phone out on the market.

She recognized it now. Its black matte finish and elegant, no-nonsense style. But it wasn’t hers—it was theirs. A direct line to the people who had dragged her into this. Her permission not needed. Her choices, her next movements, her next breath would be dictated, assigned. The second she thought this, the phone rang. She stared at it, letting it ring three times before quietly answering.

“You’re awake. Good. Commander Lucian Cain here, in case your memory needs a little reminder,” a calm, authoritative voice began. “Let’s see if we didn’t make a mistake bringing you into the fold.”

“Where the hell am I?”

“Kodiak Island.”

“Fucking Alaska?”

“Impressed you know your geography—most people don’t know where Kodiak Island is,” Cain said. “Before we officially begin, you must complete our test.”

“And if I fail?”

“Don’t think failure’s in your DNA,” he said, then switched to German, “Schlangenfrau.”

She hadn’t intended to assume the title of the Serpent Woman, not before the brutal attack that dragged her to the edge of death. Her guts shredded, body mutilated and left infertile, stripped of the capacity to bear life. A monstrous snake-like crimson keloid scar now etched its path along her abdomen, sewn back up like an object in a sterile lab—efficiently reconstructed like a modern Frankenstein experiment, an uncanny patchwork that left her hollow.

Von Schlange—Schlangenfrau—the Serpent Woman had become her signature.

 

About the Author:

As a BIPOC thriller author, she previously parted amicably with her agent and, three months later, secured an eight-book deal with Oliver-Heber Books—now boasting 24,000 downloads in its first year and a BookRaid bestseller ranking in the thriller category. The Serpent Woman (Book 2) reached #1 on Amazon and topped all three of its categories. Her background spans literary agencies and TV studios, where she contributed to greenlit screenplays that became Lifetime movies. She holds a Master’s in Television, Radio, and Film, has taught author branding workshops (L.A. Writer’s Conference, North Texas RWA), and maintains a 100K+ social media following.










The Princess of the Wraiths by Peregrinus Hierusalemsis


A Halloween Memory

When I was in 11th grade, I had a classmate whose name was Héctor Jaramillo. He had a crush. Her name was Paulina Moreno. They were not friends. However, they were acquainted with each other. Both were my schoolmates, but Paulina was not in the same class as us. 

Héctor Jaramillo always claimed that she was the most beautiful girl of the school and that he was in love with her. 

Every year, there was a school party that was attended by all the students. That was the Hallowe’en party. Jaramillo always claimed that during the Hallowe’en party he would dance with Paulina and become her boyfriend. 

The Hallowe’en party always happened during nighttime. At 3:00 PM Héctor Jaramillo left the school and went to Mariana’s house. Mariana was the cousin of Héctor Jaramillo. Both of them were teenagers. From 3:00 PM until about 7:30 PM Jaramillo was drinking alcoholic drinks. According to him this would allow him to have lots of Dutch courage to be able to become Paulina’s boyfriend. 

When Jaramillo and Mariana arrived at the school at night Jaramillo was totally drunk. He was not able to walk properly. He was not able to speak properly either. He also had alcohol breath. Jaramillo was sitting on a bench. Mariana and I were with him. Suddenly we saw Paulina dancing on her own. We then said to Jaramillo, “It is time for you to dance.” Thus, Mariana and I helped Jaramillo to stand up. We both helped him to walk until he reached Paulina. We must remember that he was too drunk to be able to walk properly. There we left him in front of her. Jaramillo started to speak like all drunk people in front of her. She was disgusted to see that he was not standing properly, having alcohol breath, and slurring the kind of nonsense said by intoxicated people. Therefore, she walked away…

Jaramillo did not become Paulina’s boyfriend. He was not even able to dance with her that night. He was not able to dance that night! He was too drunk!

That night, Mariana danced with a guy named Eduardo Santos. He fell in love with her. Months later, he almost killed himself due to being heartbroken due to Mariana. If you want to find out the story of their relationship you should read my memoir titled “The Princess of the Wraiths.”

You can read my memoir online on Scribd

The so-called “Princess of the Wraiths” is the villain at the end of the book. And no, she is not Mariana or Paulina. They were good girls. The antagonist is scary.


  


The Princess of the Wraiths
Peregrinus Hierusalemsis

Genre: YA Memoir
Publisher: Books to Hook Publishing, LLC.
Date of Publication: 21st of June 2025
ISBN: 979-8-89283-269-4

Word Count: 262,705 
Cover Artist: Katarzyna BurzmiÅ„ska 

Book Description:

Biologist-turned-author Peregrinus Hierusalemsis presents “The Princess of the Wraiths: an herbal, bestiary, human zoo, and memoir,” a captivating book that intertwines science, spirituality, and personal growth. This memoir offers a profound look at the intersections of love, knowledge, and resilience, all while reflecting on the author's rich experiences. 

Peregrinus describes the cultural experiences that he lived while growing up in Mexico between the years 1984 and 2002. He also discusses his later life in the United Kingdom and Sweden. During this time, the 2000s culture is explored.

At its core, the book conveys a powerful message: knowledge and wisdom are the ultimate tools for living a successful life. Through deeply personal anecdotes, Peregrinus touches on universal themes such as the influence of global events on individual lives, overcoming fears, seeking spiritual teachers, and navigating love and relationships. Richly illustrated with 94 handmade natural history and people-focused illustrations, this memoir provides not only an intellectual feast but also a visual delight. 

Key highlights include childhood fears of ghosts, mystical experiences, navigating young adult relationships, and insights into the biodiversity of our natural world. Peregrinus also sheds light on his experience avoiding toxic relationships, a lesson that inspired the title, “The Princess of the Wraiths.” The Princess of the Wraiths is a woman who is able to produce nightmares using hypnosis. Defeating her was Peregrinus’s greatest challenge. Through this work, readers will uncover how science and spirituality can coexist to offer a broader understanding of reality. 

This unique memoir is available for free online, making it an accessible and enriching read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of science, spirituality, and personal evolution.

FREE Download

Internet Archive     ResearchGate


Excerpt:

 

Regarding death, my grandmother Lorenza used to tell me an anecdote that happened to her while she was a kid. She was an orphan, so she went to live with her grandmother, who became her primary caregiver. My great-great-grandmother lived in Los Ranchos de San José, a village close to Villa Guerrero, State of Mexico. In her house, there was a black cherry tree (Prunus serotina). One night, a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) perched on a branch of the tree and started to vocalize. My great-great-grandmother thought that such an event was an omen. She claimed that meant that she would soon die. Thus, she told Lorenza to do whatever she could to scare the owl. My grandmother Lorenza was unable to scare the owl. The owl vocalized in the same place for several nights, and my great-great-grandmother died less than a month after the owl started hooting. After the burial, Ismaela arrived to tell her niece Lorenza that she should leave the house to go to live with her, as Lorenza was still a kid. When both were leaving the house, Lorenza claimed that she did not want to leave the building, as she was able to listen to the ghostly voice of my dead great-great-grandmother who was calling her inside…

According to the Graeco-Roman Olympian religion, Ascalaphus was an angel of the Hades God. Hades is the dwelling place of the souls of the dead. The task of Ascalaphus was to snatch the souls of dying people to Hades. Ascalaphus was transformed into an owl by Persephone the Kore, the queen of Hell. Since then, owl Ascalaphus has visited dying people before they finally died. That is why Pliny the Elder stated in his “Natural History” that the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) was an extremely bad omen. Spanish bishop St. Isidore of Seville transferred this superstition to Christian Catholicism in his book “Etymologiae.”


About the Author:

Peregrinus Hierusalemsis is a biologist, writer, and seeker whose life has woven together science, philosophy, and spirituality. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh (2010) with a degree in biology, he has published scientific papers on biodiversity and worked in plant sciences, entomology, and molecular biology since 2009. His professional passion lies in systematics, the classification of living things, while his personal explorations reach into philosophy, metaphysics, and the world’s ancient spiritual traditions.

From early encounters with eastern philosophy in childhood karate lessons in Mexico, to late-night debates on western philosophy with friends, to the guidance of a spiritual teacher during his A-level years in the UK, Peregrinus has always sought to understand life’s hidden patterns. These experiences, alongside his scientific training, shape his unique voice which can be described as a bridge between the empirical and the mystical.

His debut work, The Princess of the Wraiths: an herbal, bestiary, human zoo, and memoir, invites readers into a journey that blends memoir with natural history, spiritual reflection, and philosophical inquiry.




Grown-Up Book Fair This Saturday, November 15, 2025

I'll be at the Grown-Up Book Fair on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 6-9 p.m. @ Sloan Museum of Discovery

I'll have my haunted history and paranormal romance books along with bookmarks, stickers, art, and more. 

Get a head start on your holiday shopping.


Are you craving that nostalgic feeling of being excited about a school book fair, and browsing all of the new books to find the perfect one?

At the Book Fair for Grown Ups, you can do just that! 

On Saturday, November 15, join us after hours at Sloan Museum to browse a selection of new and used books from RB Used Books, Dragon's Roost Press, Friends of the Flint Public Library, plus several local authors, and plenty of vendors with book-related goodies and merch. 

There will be drinks available for purchase from Coffee Beanery- Sloan Museum while you browse, and your ticket includes access to the entire museum (please no food or drink in the museum galleries).

If you're a book lover and looking for new reads, this event is for you! 

Just $10 entry - visit: SloanLongway.org/BookFair for tickets and info. 

Cash bar, drinks, and snacks available at the Coffee Beanery Cafe. 

This event is open to guests 18 and up. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/763825506674129

Cover Reveal: Selecting The Wrong Love by E. Masson and Julie G. Henry



Selecting The Wrong Love 
The LoveWade Tale Series 
Book One
E. Masson and Julie G. Henry

Genre: Romance 
Publisher: Author E. Masson , LLC
Pre-Order: 02-20-2026
ASIN: B0FWX8GBLP
Cover Artist: Marina

Tagline: Three men. One future. A choice that will change everything.

Book Description:

Love can turn your life upside down. 

Sometimes more than once…

Just ask Amber…..

Amber thought she knew exactly what she wanted. 

She was wrong.

Medical school. Career. Success. Everything mapped out perfectly until three men walked into her life and turned her world upside down.

James crashed into her on campus and never really left. Sweet, steady, completely devoted. He became the friend she couldn't live without, even though his eyes promised so much more. But Amber had bigger plans than falling for a business major student.

Then Levi appeared like a gift from the universe. Gorgeous, brilliant, medical school's golden boy. When he chose her out of everyone else, Amber felt invincible. This was it. This was her perfect match.

One positive pregnancy test later, and Amber's carefully constructed future crumbled. Medical school could wait. Dreams could be rebuilt later. She married her prince and prepared for happily ever after.

What she got instead was a nightmare in designer clothes.

Years of trying to save a marriage that was doomed from the start left Amber broken and questioning everything. While she was busy playing the perfect wife, the perfect man had been waiting in the wings. Still single. Still hopeful. Still completely in love with the woman who'd shattered his heart.

But some chances expire. And Amber's running out of time to claim the love she was too blind to see.

Will she wake up before it's too late? 

Get your copy at Amazon and start reading to find out.  




About the Author:

Hello lovely readers! Welcome to my corner of the literary world, where fiction comes alive in all its glory! I am E. Masson, a captivating romance author with my pen dipped in dreams and a heart full of romance, I set my readers on the path of unforgettable journeys through the depths of the human heart. From whirlwind romances to slow-burning love stories, each page of my books are infused with warmth and emotion, leaving readers yearning for more.

I have a talent for creating characters you'll adore while feeling like old friends and settings that transport you to new worlds. I am here to sweep you off your feet with every word. So, get ready to rediscover the joy of falling in love with my enchanting romance novels. Welcome to the adventure!







The Chosen One’s Assistant by Kimber


The Chosen One’s Assistant 
Kimber Grey 

Genre: Epic/High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery
Publisher: GrayWhisper Graphics Productions (
Date of Publication: 7/12/2023
ISBN: 979-8851108464
ASIN: B0C9SNG88J
Number of pages: 359
Word Count: Aprox. 98,000
Cover Artist: Kimber Grey

Tagline: Hilarious, Dark, and Epic! Everything you’d expect in a book with vampire weasels.

Book Description:

Never meet your heroes.

Outcast by every guild, starving, and left beaten and shamed in an alley, he was beyond desperate when the timeliest opportunity presented itself: The Greatest Hero of Men was in need of an assistant.

He was so eager to leave his old life behind, he didn't hesitate to accept the role of Tiberius, personal assistant to The Chosen One. The magically binding contract was signed, and the previous servant was out the door before the blood on the quill was dry. Tiberius quickly learned he was responsible for all of the hero's needs from mundane to absurdly ridiculous, and the hero himself was the most ridiculous of all. Woefully inexperienced as a quester, thrown into the hero's world of danger and debauchery, he could never have guessed how harrowing and frustrating this new position would be. Then he learned the God of Pestilence was holding a well-justified, 100-year-old grudge. Death, disease, and evil beyond any Tiberius could imagine awaited them on the path ahead, and The Chosen One had been called to stand against it.

How could Tiberius hope to survive his first campaign with the gods' champion against Trion, God of Darkness?

Amazon      Hardcover      Books2Read


Excerpt:

I returned to the room and knocked, entering at the direction of The Chosen One... who stood in front of the mirror wearing nothing but his Chosen underwear and the tyrian purple cloak wrapped around his shoulders. His chest was puffed out, and his enormous, muscular limbs flexed this way and that as he posed himself in dramatic battle postures with his famous great sword. Every inch of visible skin was hairless and glistening. He had worked up a sweat admiring himself, and I could still smell the liquor on him.

"Um..." I mumbled, wondering if I should return at a more convenient—and less embarrassing—time. Much to my chagrin, he didn't stop flexing on my account.

"Go ahead and pack," he grunted as he clenched his stomach to make all of his tightly bound abdomen muscles pop. "I'll wait for the pressed clothes." He turned to the side and threw the cloak over his shoulder so he could admire his hips and backside, casting daring glances at his tiny embroidered face on the seat of his underpinnings through the polished brass.

I was certain my own face was scarlet as I skirted past him to gather up everything and return the items to the trunks that seemed the most appropriate. The entire time I worked, he didn't break from his posturing, and I wondered if it was a form of exercise for him, or if it merely exercised his ego. My work was hastened by embarrassment, and when I was done, I silently took up the first Tome of Tiberius. I turned my back, ignoring his grunting and wheezing, and flipped to chapter 3, skimming for the most pertinent pieces of information. I needed to know how to handle The Chosen One's finances.

I quickly learned it was my duty to draw up contracts when The Chosen One agreed to take a deal, enforce the contracts, and collect the fees. It was my duty to arrange for appraisers, auctioneers, and moneychangers to convert any "spoils" of The Chosen One's labors—those that he did not keep for his personal collection—to coin. It was my duty to ensure there was sufficient coin for The Chosen One to live whatever lifestyle he chose and to fund any campaign. Incidentals incurred as a direct result of a campaign—such as bribing furious husbands—came from funds before they were deposited into a bank and Tiberius' percentage was calculated. There was a list of "lifestyle" actions that came from the bank and were not considered incidentals; "donations and women" were on that list. Thus, I assumed him throwing coins into the crowd was not an incidental, either, but came from The Chosen One's own bank holdings.

"You need to plot a course for Vevesk," The Chosen One said between poses. "They have vampire stoats."

"What," I asked, slightly startled by the break in silence. "What is a stoat?"

"I think they said it was like a long rat." He glanced over at me. "Find out. And find out how to kill it."

I stared at him until his self-admiration embarrassed me enough to look away. "You don't know how to kill them?"

"I assume I cut them up enough, they'll die," he quipped. "You need to figure out how it happened so I can stop it. Evil wizard, ancient curse, typical vampirism, that sort of thing."

"I have to learn what caused this outbreak of blood-sucking long rats?" I asked, incredulously. Surely he was jesting. That was his job.

"Chapter 2," he said, stripping off the cloak so he could better admire his shoulders.

I grimaced and turned to the second chapter in the Tome of Tiberius. This detailed how I was to conduct necessary research for a campaign and successfully translate it to The Chosen One, for him to then implement that knowledge to complete his feats of heroism. I sighed deeply. "There is no university here to hold historical works, and many of the larger temples do not have any books in them at all. I will need to visit the Wizards' Guild, the Questers' Guild, and the Scriveners' Guild," I explained.

"Go quickly," he ordered without sympathy. "We leave soon."

I gritted my teeth and rose from my chair, throwing Tiberius' quill and a stack of paper sheets into my shoulder bag. It was all but impossible to do the kind of research this would require in only a handful of hours. So, I ran.

About the Author:

Kimber was born in the arid and alien land known as southern California. She began consuming fiction from an early age, and has ever been eager to emulate the works that dramatically shaped her heart and mind as a child. She began creating short fiction and poetry in grade school, and wrote her first (laughably bad) novel in jr. high. With a grandmother who is a writer and an editor, English teachers who encouraged her budding potential, and a husband with an even greater appreciation of the written word, Kimber has never lacked support in the pursuit of her bliss.

She published her first fantasy novel Quietus in 2009, and her second Seeking Destiny in 2012. The first three books of Faiden Reborn, Kingdoms Lost, Fallen Heroes, and History Forgotten were published in 2017. She has published two anthologies and four novellas, and her work has appeared in anthologies such as Missing Pieces IV, V, and VI; The Hapless Cenloryan-The Troubadour's Inn Book I (2017 Ed.), and On Wings of Steam: Ears and Gears. The Chosen One's Assistant, published in 2023 is her most popular yet, with it's heavy fantasy tropes and sharp wit.