Category Archives: READING

Summer News

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A few things of note during the summer heat.

First, the digital edition of Hometown Heroes: A Christmas Anthology by Bienvenue Press, is currently on sale for only $0.99. It’s a collection of five sweet holiday romances featuring local heroes in all walks of life–both contemporary and historical. My offering in the collection is “Courtship and Courage: A Fortitude Short Story.” It released last December and proceed benefits Cajun Navy Relief.
Bienvenue Press is doing another charity Christmas anthology this December. The 2019 release will benefit animal rescue. My new story, “Grace Shadowed” (a Possession Chronicles short), will be included. More information in the months ahead.

In other news, POSSESSED: Timeless Gothic Reads is hosting our summer read discussion August 4-10 on a special event page associated with our Facebook group. Our seasonal book–chosen by voting–is from the Gothic family saga genre and is Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. For the autumn read, we’ll be dipping into the classic American Gothic genre. Voting on the title to read will happen next week. Now is good time to join if you’d like to participate. The seasonal reads are optional for members. We do discuss, share, and recommend Gothic literature from all sub-genres (classic, horror, Southern, family saga, romance, etc.) at any time and Gothic authors are allowed to post promotional items on Fridays. Check it out–it’s not as scary as you think.

The second book in The Possession Chronicles released last month. Now’s a great time to read Murmurs of Evil as book three releases in November. I’ve heard from several readers that they enjoyed it even more than the first book, Perilous Confessions, and it’s the only book in the series that you can reasonably read without having read the book(s) before it. Check out the “Look Inside” option to try out the first five chapters or read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

Questions, comments, and reviews are always welcomed. Happy reading!

 

FORTITUDE Sale

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I hope everyone’s summer is going well. There’s been a few shakeups and adventures in my end of the world, but I’m doing good.

Today is a quick post to let you know the Kindle edition of Fortitude is on sale through the weekend for $0.99.

In the vein of Southern Gothic coming-of-age novels like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Secret Life of Bees, Fortitude gives the reader an experience rich in the climate and culture of 1898 Alabama and the Spanish-American War camps in Florida. It’s a great summer read for ages twelve through adults, so tell a friend.

What’s on your summer reading list?

Murmurs of Evil Soundtrack

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The second book in The Possession Chronicles released two weeks ago and I’ve yet to disclose the full soundtrack. For newer readers, I’ve done soundtracks for my projects since I began writing as a teen. I also create mood music playlists and editing playlists, but today is all about the soundtrack for Murmurs of Evil. I’m providing links to the songs when available.

1906 ad cover Book2

 

  1. Last Look at Eden by Europe
  2. I Will Possess Your Heat by Death Cab for Cutie

  1. Magdalene by Boston

  1. Be With You by Mitch Malloy
  2. Surrender to Me by Boston

  1. Higher Power by Boston

  1. Dreams by The Cranberries

  1. The Prayer by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion

  1. Rainbow in the Dark by Dio

  1. The Courage of Others by Midlake

  1. Watch Over Me by Hanson

  1. If You Were in Love by Boston

  1. When I Look into Your Eyes by Firehouse

 

As always, the soundtrack showcases my eclectic musical tastes. And you can probably guess why I dedicated the book in part to Tom Scholz/Boston.

1906 Ad dedication

If you want more insight into my writing process, the characters, and the stories behind the stories, join Dalby’s Darklings on Facebook. (Now is the perfect time to join. We’re doing a group read discussion for Murmurs of Evil July 12-15, 2019–a virtual book club experience to get your questions answered and learn more about The Possession Chronicles as it relates to the newest release.)

Are there any songs that remind you of any of my stories or characters? I’d love to hear them.

Murmurs of Evil Release Day

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Happy Book Birthday to Murmurs of Evil!

This Friday, June 14, I’ll be at The Haunted Book Shop from 6-9pm for a book signing during ArtWalk in downtown Mobile. Located on Dauphin street, the store is less than a block from both Bienville Square and The Battle House Hotel–places you’re familiar with if you’ve read Perilous Confessions. (Both locations are often visited in The Possession Chronicles.) If you can’t be there but would like to order an autographed copy of any of my books, check out the order form. They ship!

If digital is more your thing, you can read Murmurs of Evil free on Kindle Unlimited or download it for the release sale price of $0.99. Regular price is $3.99, so add it to your collection soon.

Bienvenue Press arranged for a blog tour.book blitz to celebrate release week. Check out the action at Silver Dagger Book Tours and enter to win an Amazon gift card.

Thanks for your support. Happy reading!

Murmurs of Evil

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If you subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on one of my social media pages, this will be old news to you. But if my blog is the only place you hear from me, it’s all new. The past few weeks I’ve had fun with the cover image for my next release, Murmurs of Evil. I enjoy creating visual “teasers” to introduce readers to my stories and this one is no different. Here’s a few examples.

Do you have a favorite?

Be sure to read Perilous Confessions, the first book in The Possession Chronicles, to be ready for Murmurs of Evil in less than four weeks.

A Lull in the Storm

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It’s been a whirl year of books so far, but now things are settling down. This month–besides the release of Fortitude–I worked a round of professional edits on my next release. Murmurs of Evil, book two of The Possession Chronicles, will be available June 11. After finishing that editorial pass, I slipped into book three for a tightening round and now I’m on book four for the sixteenth time. I’m pleased to report the series is still as enjoyable for me to work on as ever–and that feels great.

I’m excited to share more of The Possession Chronicles with readers, so much so that I started an insider’s readers group on Facebook for those looking for more facts and inspiration behind my stories. To join the fun and learn more about my writing process in regards to all my stories, check out Dalby’s Darklings.

If an online group isn’t your thing, be sure you’re registered for my monthly newsletter. I send it out the first week of the month (next week for April), highlighting upcoming news/events, what I’ve been reading, and more.

Sneak peek: next up, I’ll be at Gulf Coast Children’s Book Festival in support of Fortitude on April 4.

 

Fortitude, Take Two

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Today is the fateful day.

Fortitude, my first published novel, is relaunched into the world with a stunning new design.Did you know Fortitude is listed as a “Best History Books for Kids” choice by Grateful American Foundation for its historical accuracy and reader engagement?  

Ever think about what would happen if a feisty Irish-American teen volunteered to serve the Buffalo Soldiers in the Jim Crow South?

Travel to the Tampa Bay area in 1898 with Claire O’Farrell of Dauphin Island, Alabama, and find out.

Kindle/Kindle Unlimited

Paperback

More ordering options to support local bookstores can be found here.