This short novel first appeared in an anthology released by Cemetery Dance publications. Kealan Patrick Burke edited. The main character was to have a brief encounter with a wise old man named Johnny Divine, who lived in a town called “Brimstone Turnpike,” the title of the anthology. That character would then to be given one object that would impact the outcome of the story. The writers were free to invent everything else. In award-winning author Harry Shannon’s entry, Sam Kenzie is an LAPD cop who can’t escape his obsession with a serial killer due to demons of his own. Shannon played by the rules, but his ending is both stunning and disturbing. “Behold the Child”, by Harry Shannon, is the perfect mix of classic Noir and the supernatural. A maverick, burned-out cop haunted by his last city case ignores advice and a “wrong” turn en route to his retirement gig in the isolated desert town of his youth. It’s dark, brooding, and reminds us that unfortunately, not everyone takes advantage of divine second chances.”-Shroud Magazine “This eerie collection includes five chilling tales with a common motif—a deserted highway with a ruined gas station where an old black man gives a traveler a special gift that could change his or her destiny. From Thomas F. Monteleone’s story of a reporter’s collision with the truth (“The Prime Time of Spenser Golding”) to Harry Shannon’s depiction of a detective’s journey into darkness (“Behold the Child”), these tales delve into the realm of nightmare and wish fulfillment.”-Library Journal “Master craftsmanship.”-Cemetery Dance “Shannon is a writer who is never afraid to walk into the shadows and drag the things living there kicking and screaming into the light.”-Brian Keene “Harry Shannon takes age-old themes and gives them a new and fearsome bite. Vividly realized, his writing is controlled, assured, and filled with the kind of spooky atmosphere that used to make you hide your head under the bedcovers on wind-wracked nights.” – Tom Piccirilli

Mercenaries vs the Living Dead! In the early morning hours of Day Zero, an urgent phone call comes in to Theo Atkinson, head of the QXR Mercenary Group. In mere hours, the country will be at war with the undead, giving Theo and his men precious little time to secure the island of Hilton Head before they are overrun by zombies. This prequel to the ongoing Dead America – Lowcountry series is fast paced, action packed, and is full of zombie warfare.

Deep beneath the earth of a North Cumbrian wood lies the germinating mass of a fungus-like organism. How long it has occupied the fibrous soil of that place is uncertain, but Dr Jim Alburton estimates it is close to ten million years. Then again, this is not his sphere of expertise. He would normally consult Jane Milner, the county’s only resident fungus expert. But Jane is dead, along with her partner — victim of a rare, acute brain disease. Alburton found her on the floor of a laboratory, sticky orange fluid oozing from her ears. This was disturbing enough, however her partner’s face was mutilated beyond recognition, an apparent result of his girlfriend’s killing frenzy.Alburton comes to know of the fungus because of Jane’s notebook, which describes its discovery but gives little scientific detail or where it is located. He can’t help thinking the discovery is bound up with her sudden death and that of her partner.The police are moving too slow for Alburton’s liking and don’t accept there’s a connection between this incident and an increasing number of horrific deaths rapidly blooming in the area. A woman walking her dogs along a popular pathway is savagely attacked, a local student inexplicably kills the school nurse, a care-worker suffers a psychotic episode and attacks an elderly man in his home. The news bulletins deliver more reports by the hour.As the number of incidents mounts, Alburton becomes convinced the county is quickly becoming the epicentre of a fungal disease epidemic that could spread nationwide. He concludes the fungus must be acting on its host’s nervous system, causing them to become depraved killing machines. Yet few believe him as he has little evidence for his theory. Now he faces the responsibility of tracking down the source of the disease, persuading the authorities and somehow preventing a cascade of bloody murders. With the newly christened phenomenon known as Mycophoria accelerating in its impact, there are only days or perhaps hours to accomplish this before the disease goes pandemic.

Some family trees are pretty twisted and too thorny to touch. Ember Gillespie was sent away from the island of Tulukaruk when she was only a child. Now returning as a teenager, she’s finding that the life she idealized from afar is actually a living nightmare, complete with a deranged family that is trying to drive her away and a town full of creepy people. Her only refuge from the constant strain comes from the subtle and mysterious Acton, who has taken her under his wing, and a dark friendship that seems to have the potential to ignite into romance. The only thing more shocking than her family’s rejection is the reason they want her leave. Her sister, Thalia, confesses that the town is inhabited by demons. Their mother believes that Acton is particularly dangerous and bent on revenge. Ember knows her mother is crazy. But as she starts losing her memories and waking up to strange notes that she’s left herself, she begins to believe her mother may also be right.

Even in the light of day, the darkest hour approaches… While a treaty remains in place between Werewolves and those who hunt them, their Alpha knows little peace. The tides are shifting–the shadows growing–and upon the edge of a knife, the threat of war looms. Niko, leader and protector of the New Bern pack, stands alone between two opposing worlds and the dark forces that threaten to destroy them. After a heinous crime is committed, Niko struggles to clear the name of his kin when wrongful accusations begin to fly. Suddenly tensions between hunters and Werewolves are boiling once more, and an already fragile relationship now smolders once again with the rising heat of hatred. Left vulnerable by the distrust between the two clans, Niko finds himself in the crosshairs of a formidable foe. With his claim to the throne now threatened from within, and his love life also spinning out of control. Niko is called into the arena of duty or dishonor. For as the hour of destiny grows nigh, a shadow is cast before the only man–or beast–who can pull them from the brink. Can Niko survive it all? Or will his whole world as he knows it come crashing down right before him! Don’t miss this action packed thrilling paranormal romance filled with steam, mystery, and jaw dropping suspense! A Prequel story to the Alpha Moon Rising Series. Warning: It’s recommended for 18+ due to language and sexual steamy scenes.