Monday, October 26, 2026

When the Magic Comes by Shereen Vedam #EpicFantasy #CozyMystery



When the Magic Comes
A Grimm Medieval Mystery
Book One
Shereen Vedam

Genre: Cozy Epic Fantasy Mystery
Publisher: Shereen Vedam
Date of Publication: October 13, 2026
ISBN: eBook 9781989036464
ISBN: Paperback 9781989036471
ISBN: Audiobook  9781989036488
ASIN: B0FVYCWP33
Number of pages: 240
Word Count: 62,000
Cover Artist: Suzie O’Connell from Sunset Rose Books

Tagline: Magic. Prophecy. Murder.

Book Description:

It’s been said that Kennard of Grimm is destined to be the first in a long line of warriors who battle evil with magic.

Just one problem: he teaches magic at a prestigious university, but he has no magical abilities.

What he has is a dangerous curiosity, piercing instincts, and a responsibility for a baby dragon named Tala. Normal chaos rules Kennard’s life until a student is murdered, and another is blamed. Convinced the accused is innocent, he sets out to find the real killer.

To further complicate Kennard’s life, his mother and sister visit him, sparking Tala’s protective instincts. Then things turn more dangerous when a second body shows up.

The killer’s audacity is mounting.

Kennard must stop the murderer and soothe his indignant dragonet or risk death and destruction on a much larger scale.

If you enjoy your mystery with a hint of fairy tale, you’ll love meeting Kennard of Grimm and his dragonet, and sharing in their epic adventure as amateur detectives in a magical medieval fantasy world.


Excerpt

This is who I am. I’m the widow of a knight. My father was the Baron of Grimm. I’m the eldest of four. And my brother is the first Grimm to insist he can see magical creatures. My name is Violet.

On this November day, in the year of our Lord 1312, an unusual crime was committed at Edensa University, where my brother lives. There had been no warning that this event would be life-changing for both him and me.

As Master of Magical Theory and History, he soon became entangled in the event, for it had magical undertones. I intended to keep him out of harm’s way. But then I became worried, as I wondered if his convictions were not just the result of an overactive imagination.

What if there really are invisible monsters?

* * *

“Surely magical creatures are naught but myths, sir?” Gazi spoke from a bench two rows back. “They don’t exist.”

This late-night class, the first Kennard had held this autumn, would hopefully be the last. It had made for a long day.

The lit torches shadowed Gazi’s strong features, giving him a devilish cast. He suspected the clever lad of being deliberately provocative. At fourteen, he was only seven years Kennard’s junior, yet Gazi might as well have been a mischievous child of eight, the way he sometimes acted.

Kennard addressed his students. “What do you think of Gazi’s question? Is it worthy of our consideration?”

“No!” Fanil lounged on a bench to Kennard’s left and flashed Gazi, his arch-nemesis, an over-the-shoulder smirk. “But such creatures are present in Bernada,” he added, snapping on the bait despite his avowal to the contrary.

Two vociferous rivals for the class fool.

“As if you would know.” Gazi chuckled. “You’ve never been to the sorcerers’ kingdom. No mortal has.”

“Our queen has,” Elspera countered, one of only three lasses registered for his class, and the only one of them present tonight. She sat directly across from Kennard, her favorite spot.

Her maid sat by the door, head tilted, eyes closed, and mouth half open, while releasing soft snores.

Elspera pointed at a portrait of our fair monarch on the wall. Her long sleeve slid down as she raised her arm, revealing a pale hand and wrist covered in intricately painted, darkly dotted patterns.

Gazi straightened on his bench, running a hand through his hair. “I grant, unlike us, God bestowed Queen Amity with exceptional powers. Yet, even she’s never spoken of magical creatures, not in our lands or even in Bernada.” His tone grew soft as his gaze rested on the fair maiden. “Also, this topic is about magical creatures, like ogres, griffins, and water spirits. Not sorceresses.”

“As a sorceress,” Elspera argued, “the queen could be considered a magical creature. If you seek further evidence, what about religious texts, which mention behemoths, demons, and even dragons? They do not lie.”

“My pa says it is blasphemous to discuss witchery,” a lad said from the last row. “The church forbids it.”

Though Gregory had addressed his comments to the class, his gaze lingered by the doorway. Was he hoping he could be anywhere but here? Possibly. Kennard glanced toward the doorway, where Elspera’s maid, having awoken, sat straight and blinked tired eyes. It had been a long day.

His attention returned to Gregory, who hailed from a small village in Greece. Normally, a quiet lad. Why a religious boy wished to attend sacrilegious lessons had once troubled him when the lad’s family applied to enroll him in this class.

Had the Church sent this “little bird” to Edensa to report on Kennard’s teachings, so they could smear his father’s name? For the Baron of Grimm had spoken out against the Pope a time or two.

Kennard’s fist had clenched at the possibility of his behavior being used to attack his father. In the end, he met Gregory, and his instincts insisted the lad had good in him. So, deciding an enemy close at hand was worth three in the bush, he’d admitted him. Time would prove if he’d been wise or not.

 


About the Author:

Once upon a time, USA Today bestselling author Shereen Vedam read fantasy and romance novels to entertain herself. Now she writes heartwarming tales braided with threads of magic and love and mystery elements woven in for good measure.

Shereen's a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily-ever-after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.











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Friday, October 9, 2026

Author Interview- Dead Man’s Trigger by Kat Huddleston #UrbanFantasy


What inspired you to become an author?

My mom was a really creative artist and I grew up making things with her. She was so talented in everything she tackled. As I got older I went into writing, which I felt was something I could do creatively. So even though she wasn’t a writer, my mom was my creative inspiration. The first author who really inspired me to write was Ray Bradbury.

What is your favorite genre to write?

Urban fantasy. I love supernatural stories. Your mind can go any way and anything can happen. But I love seeing it in today’s world and seeing how it can relate to the things that are happening now.

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

Sometimes I have a title that pops up right away, but usually it’s the story first and then it’s agony finding the right title.

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

I was actually surprised by some of the themes that popped up in my book, Dead Man’s Trigger. My main character, Max, was a victim of child abuse, and that ended up shaping everything that happens to him in one way or another. I also really liked the idea that when the worst thing happens to you that tries to force you to become a literal monster, what is it going to take to overcome that and is it even possible. When you’ve done horrible things, can you get past them? Max has dealt with so much of the trauma that happened early in his life, and then suddenly he’s a vampire and how the heck do you deal with that?

We all face horrible things in our life. My husband of 24 years just died this summer from cancer. We all make mistakes and have struggles and have to overcome the bad stuff. And it’s hard. My husband originally edited the book and we published it four years ago. But nothing ever happened with it and I felt it still needed work. So after he died, my heart was broken, but there was this book that was just sitting on Amazon like a zombie and nothing was ever going to happen with it.

I decided I’d just clean up the typos, because I knew there were a few in there. But it became a journey and the book became better. I got a new title, a new cover and revised the book. On Amazon I could then republish the book as a new book. It wasn’t a journey I was expecting to take, but it helped me get through the summer. My heart is still broken, but every day I take another step and I’m so proud of this book.

Is there a genre that you’d like to write that you haven’t tackled yet?

I’ve been plotting out a new series called The Jake Casper Supernatural Mysteries. So even though it will still be Urban Fantasy, it will fall into the mystery category.

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

Max is my favorite. You spend that much time with a fella and… well… I fell in love with him. Not as much as my husband, but still. I also fell in love with many of the characters in the book, even the ones who end up getting killed off. When you breathe life into a character they become real to you. I was sad to see some of them go.

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

The next book in A Max Maguire Vampire Novel series is called Kill Radius. I hope to have the same cover artist do all the covers in my series. What I can say about book two is that Max and the other characters are still reeling from the traumatic events from book one. As the book opens, Jade is missing, but it’s become the wild, wild west as her vampires are causing lots of trouble for Max and the Corps. People are dying and there’s a real threat that vampires could be exposed. And Max and his deaf lover, Sumi, will continue to face the challenges of falling in love when a war is going on.

What book are you reading now?

I’ve been reading the Joe Ledger Series and Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International Series by Jonathan Maberry. I’m toward the end of the series with Burn to Shine.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding all the freaking typos. They are like ants. You think you’ve found them all and then another read and you find another one. It’s really annoying. Mostly it’s just a missing word or something like that, but in a 119,500 word book, it’s really annoying.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

BroseDesignz. I’m so happy with the cover, I hope she’ll do all of my books in this series.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Yes. Write. Join a writers’ group if you can, but don’t let others dictate where your writing can take you. Writing exposes who you are and you may not like what others have to say. It doesn’t mean they are right. And if you just take your writing and put it into ChatGPT, Chat’s going to tell you it loves it. That’s not helpful either. Constructive criticism is the best place to land when looking for an honest critique. But at some point you just have to pull the trigger and write, edit, revise, and publish. And the hard part is you have to be more than a little fearless. But even if you’re not, fake it.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I’m an award-winning Fused Glass Artist and teacher. I won a lifetime achievement award from The Beverly Arts Center as a teaching artist. I have two kilns and I have an art show this weekend. My mom was always the artist, but I’ve found art never left me and I love it. Making something with your hands is truly gratifying.

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?

I’m working on putting together material so I can find a narrator for Dead Man’s Trigger and I hope to have the audiobook released early next year. As far as writing goes, I’m working on Book Two, Kill Radius, which will continue Max’s story.

Dead Man’s Trigger
A Max Maguire Vampire Novel
Book One
Kat Huddleston

Genre: Urban Fantasy Vampire Thriller
Date of Publication: Oct. 5, 2026
Number of pages: 378
Word Count: 119,000
Cover Artist: BRoseDesignz 

Tagline: Former Special Forces Sniper. High School History Teacher. Vampire.

Book Description:

Who Knew Immortality Could Be So Short?

When high school history teacher Max Maguire begins to suspect one of his brightest students is in trouble, he ends up walking down the wrong alley. Suddenly, he's staring down the fangs of a beautiful, powerful, and utterly merciless vampire named Jade.

As Max's life takes a dark turn, he’s forced to learn how to survive in Jade's twisted world. But if Jade thinks her hostage is going to play nice, she really should have read his resume. This former Special Forces sniper might just have to dust off some very lethal muscle memory.

While Max plots exactly how to kill the most dangerous predator on the planet, he discovers there’s another group of vampires that have their own plans for Jade. Before he knows it, Max is caught in the crosshairs of a vampire war that neither side can afford to lose.

And there's one thing neither side knows... Max has a secret of his own.

CONTENT WARNING: This is NOT a romance. The novel contains mature content intended for readers 18 and older. This is a gritty, fast-paced genre hybrid combining vampires with dark urban fantasy, tactical military thriller action, and sarcastic humor, with a wisecracking protagonist at its center. There is explicit sexual material, including non-consensual sex, graphic violence, torture, adult themes, and visceral horror elements. In other words, my vampires don't sparkle.

Excerpt from Dead Man’s Trigger

When Max Maguire joins a group of vampires who hunt vampires, his first mission gets complicated very quickly and Max has to draw on his Special Forces training – and get creative.

Without a word, the team quickly exited the van. They barely made a sound, with only the muffled noise of doors opening and closing to betray their arrival.

Max crawled up into the passenger’s seat and waited. Terry had a revolver out and ready on his lap. Chase and the team stood near the trees sizing up the situation.

“Five hostiles inside with two humans, two hostiles out back,” Chase said in a low voice through his headset. Max watched as Chase pointed to Sumi and Tank and then to the rear of the house. He knew from experience, no one would talk at this stage unless they had to. Sound was always risky.

Sumi and Tank took off in a blur. Max did as Tank suggested and reached out with his senses to follow the action. The rest of the team crouched by the tree line for a moment and then Chase motioned for them to go.

Chase, Shades and Father Frank were beginning their approach from the front. Everything in the backyard was happening so fast, Max was having trouble keeping track of what was going on. One of the vamps went down immediately and vanished from Max’s internal radar. The other had avoided a round to the heart and took off. Sumi was in pursuit, but Max lost her. He tried to find her again, but she was out of his range.

He looked at Terry, a worried expression on his face.

“She’s okay, Max. She can take care of herself,” he said.

Max nodded and got back to the action. The attack from the front had started and Max could sense the chaos in the house as the vampires dove for cover or tried to reach their weapons. Two were killed immediately, but the other three were putting up a fight. Then one of them dove through a side window, right through the wood covering it, and Max saw he was out of the house and headed for them. Max didn’t have a weapon, but he wasn’t about to be a sitting duck. Terry nodded at Max and they both opened their doors to get out of the van.

The vamp looked like a biker, defined by leather, tattoos and long hair. And he was really pissed. When the angry vampire saw them, he raised his revolver and started shooting at them on the run. One of the rounds whizzed by Max’s ear and he dove to the ground in a roll, coming up on his hands and knees. Terry started firing back, but the vampire was moving fast. They were trading shots, so Max pushed himself up and flew at the vampire, tackling him, the two rolling one over the other until they crashed into a tree.

Max was stunned for a moment, but so was his opponent. He saw the flash of the revolver and he went for it, the two struggling over the weapon. The vampire smashed Max in the chest with his fist and sent him flying backwards. Ending up flat on his back, he rolled onto his knees just as the vampire got a shot off. Suddenly his lower back was on fire and Max knew he’d been shot. Now he was pissed.

Terry was rounding the van. He took a shot, but missed the vampire. The bad guy was distracted for just a moment, and that’s all Max needed. He scrambled onto his hands and knees. Ignoring the pain, Max launched himself at the vampire again, breaking a branch of a tree off along the way and knocking his opponent to the ground. Max drove the large end of the branch into the vampire’s chest as the bad guy was raising the weapon to take another shot. The vampire stopped, a look of total surprise on his face. The branch with its leaves still intact stuck out of him as if the tree was growing right through him. And then he turned to dust.

Max’s back hurt like hell and he fell to the ground on his side. Then Terry and Chase were standing over him.

“Death by maple. That’s a first,” said Terry.

About the Author:

Kat Huddleston is a Chicago-based writer, teacher and artist who loves all things sci-fi. She was an entertainment journalist for the Syfy Channel’s website and for Sci Fi Magazine a while ago, and has always had a deep addiction to writing, teaching and creating art.

Kat is an award-winning painter and fused glass artist who taught fused glass, and her art can be found in several galleries.

While Kat has mostly lived in a fantasy land, she’s made a living as a journalist and dabbled in short story and screenplay writing. 

Dead Man’s Trigger is Kat’s first novel in the Max Maguire Vampire series.

Kat lives with her two helper cats, Jax and Nicky.






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Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Bound Beauty by Jennifer Silverwood



Bound Beauty
Wylder Tales 
Book Three
Jennifer Silverwood

Genre: Dark Fantasy / Fairy Tales
Publisher: SilverWoodSketches
Date of Publication: July 14, 2026
ISBN: 979-8186406099
ASIN: B0GY9XF3LC
Number of pages: 390
Word Count: 96,456

Cover Artist: Qamber Designs and Media

Tagline: Forgotten gods haunt her steps, and the cursed prince she left behind isn't done fighting for her soul.

Book Description:

Vynasha is bound to the prince of Bitterhelm. Even if she were to die, her spirit will remain trapped with him in the castle forever. But she won't give in to Grendel without a fight. With the aid of an oracle, a witchling, and the wolf that claims her heart, Vynasha plans to claim her power as the curse breaker.

Ceddrych guards their nephew secretly while fighting to keep the feral beasts roaming their borders at bay. But the monsters are closing in, and the madness he has struggled with drives him to one desperate, unforgivable act.

A war is about to begin between the forgotten people of Wylderland and the cruel might of Bitterhelm. Beings of prophecy and legend unite in the epic third chapter of the Wylder Tales Series, a romantic gothic re-telling of Beauty and the Beast.

Excerpt

IN A FORGOTTEN CASTLE IN WYLDERLAND…

Alone with Grendel, the man she had been tempted to love, the prince she loathed, Vynasha didn’t want to wake up. Let her sleep for a thousand years like the cursed princess, Morana. Let these walls crumble, the rose garden spread throughout the keep with thorns and vines to keep the world out forever.

“I know you are awake, Ashes.”

Vynasha opened her eyes. The prince stood before the hearth, his back to her. He hadn’t changed clothes since she had last seen him. Yet his faintly luminous skin had dimmed from bronze to the dull gray she remembered. “What happened?” she asked.

“A fever in your sleep. Odym says it was the runes.” Grendel’s shoulders hunched as he hung his head. “I should not have come, I know this. But I…” he twisted to face her. “Forgive me, Vynasha, but I cannot stay away from you any longer. I could feel your pain through the bond, yet there was nothing I could do to stop her,” he growled. “Do not ask me to leave you again, I beg of you.”

Vynasha should have been disgusted, but she was coming to accept the fact that Odym had been right. No matter how she truly felt, they needed each other. And she could not deny the way his words danced about her mind and breathed life back into her limbs.

“I wish I could tell you I was different,” he continued, “before my mother cursed me. But the truth is, I was always a monster.” Grendel drew his shoulders back and lifted his chin, pushing away from the fireplace mantel. He shook his head and held his hands before him, palms upturned. “I never wanted to be my father. I shall not make his mistakes, and so I will be honest with you, Ash. No more secrets.”

She shuddered and desperately wished she could bathe, could banish dreams of Nymwe and be rid of the prince. The dread she felt before only grew as Grendel paused, clenching his fists as though steeling himself for words he could not take back.

“I owe you everything, so much more than you know. When you willingly accepted the curse, you took some of the monster into you. I have not been forced to change into a beast ever since. It has given me time to remember myself in your absence, who I was and who I hope to be.”

Vynasha ground her sharp teeth. So they not only shared a bond with his spirit, but she had taken part of his beast? That they were forced to share something she had learned to take pride in made her ill.

Whatever he saw in her face must have pained him, enough for him to turn away. “Forgive me. I shall go. I should have never hoped…” He shook his head, dispelling whatever he might have said as he took two more steps to the door.

She traced the tip of her tongue on her lip, tasting the blood she spilled to forget. His hand was on the doorknob when she said, “Wait.” The strength behind her command surprised her and caused the prince to freeze in place.

Vynasha lifted her hand with surprising ease. “Stay?”

We need each other.

His graying skin flickered to golden life as he turned with hope burning in his violet eyes. “Always.”

At his word, his promise, Vynasha released the breath she didn’t know she had been holding. Even then, a small corner of her mind railed against her actions, at the feelings she couldn’t seem to control. It must Grendel’s influence, his feelings trickling through their bond.

This is wrong.

Still, she couldn’t deny how the persistent itch beneath her skin abated with him beside her, holding her hand. It shouldn’t have mattered. Truly, she hated how easily she gave in to these feelings. She could never tell him. Grendel had bound her life to his. Even if she were to leave, to beg the wylderfolk to take her back into their home, she would never be rid of him. And the longer she remained in the prince’s castle, the less she wanted to be free.


About the Author:

Jennifer Silverwood lives in the middle of an enchanted forest surrounded by cursed books, nosy spirits, and mischievous goblins she calls her children. After beginning several nonsensical degrees, she found her calling helping other authors bring their books to life. Jennifer is the author of two fairy tale fantasy series: the Borderlands Saga and Wylder Tales. Because she wasn't satisfied writing in one genre, she also invites you to explore uncharted space with the Heaven’s Edge Novellas—and dare to fall in love again with the standalone romance titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight.









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Monday, September 28, 2026

The Whispers of the Pale Witch Playlist #Horror #ParanormalThriller




My playlists aren’t just for me to get into a mood. They’re for me to hold onto that mood as long as I can while I’m writing my books. 

Here’s the playlist from my multi-award-winning novel, Whispers of the Pale Witch, the novel that kicks off the Beckett Coven series on September 29th. 

It’s a story four hundred years in the making. Shall we begin?

“Ave Maria”, artist Tommee Profitt - Whispers starts off with a woman digging in a cemetery in the middle of the night. Her torso appears as if it’s a disembodied specter hovering above a thick breath of fog. The body that’s being dug up is someone who greatly harmed our villain. This version of “Ave Maria” is super creepy and totally captures that weird, surreal moment. 
Key Lyrics: “Ave Maria (Hail Mary)…Sancta Maria(Holy Mary),…ora pro nobis peccatoribus (pray for us sinners), Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae (now and at the hour of our death).” 

“Thunder”, artist Imagine Dragons - Kylie Beckett arrives in Salem during a thunderstorm. It’s a hopeful and bittersweet moment as she makes her way toward her great-aunt’s home. They were supposed to finally meet in person during the upcoming Halloween season, but Hester Beckett died unexpectedly in August. Now Kylie has moved to Salem and is about to start a new job as a forensics photographer for the local sheriff’s department. 
Key lyrics: “Just a young gun with a quick fuse…I was dreaming of bigger things and want to leave my old life behind…I was lightning before the thunder…Who do you think you are?...Lightning, then the thunder.”

“mary madgalena”, artist FKA twigs - I liked this song because of the strange noises at the beginning. They sound almost like chimes until they meld into a voice that splits into multiple voices. The lyrics don’t totally match what happens overnight at the Beckett house, but “coming closer to me…until we collide”, evokes the creepiness of one particular scene. 
Key Lyrics: “A woman’s touch, a sacred geometry. I know where you start, where you end, how to please, how to curse…I’m fever for the fire…Come just a little bit closer to me…Step just a bit closer to me…’til we collide.”

“WITCH”, artist Delilah Bon - This song is very aggressive and angry. The villain in the Beckett Coven series is consumed by the past and wants revenge against the people she feels abandoned her. 
Key Lyrics: “They just want to burn me like a witch…I feel the rage of women on fire…to those who called her a liar.”

“People Are Strange”, artist The Doors - Kylie Beckett spends her first morning jogging through Salem’s streets until she enters an outdoor mall and finds some quirky residents, including her new boss, Sheriff Moira Burrows. There’s also irony in this song because the locals know exactly who the Becketts are. Anyone who’s ever visited Salem may recognize what Kylie is experiencing. Stay weird and strange, Salem.
Key Lyrics: “People are strange, when you’re a stranger…When you’re strange, faces come out of the rain…No one remembers your name when you’re strange.” 

“America’s Sweetheart”, artist Ellie King – Later that night Kylie meets Sarah Griggs, a young witch who’s a just a little bit naughty. She helps Kylie get her bearings and tells her the truth about witchcraft and witches. Before the night is over, Sarah ends up going home with Kylie. 
Key Lyrics: “No, there ain’t nothing I got to prove…You try to change me, you can go to hell. Cause I don’t want to be nobody else…Fire in the hole. Gonna lose control tonight…I’m not America’s sweetheart.”

“A Little Wicked”, artist Valerie Broussard - Another great witchy song. It’s eerie, feminist, and captures the sexy wickedness of my Salem’s fictional rival covens. 
Key Lyrics: “That’s what I am. No one calls you honey, when you’re sitting on a throne…I am a little wicked.”

“Haute”, artist Janelle Monae – Black occult shop owner Finlay Williams is estranged from the love of her life, Elizabeth Ingersoll. She holds a terrible secret and hopes if she can share the truth, it will bring Elizabeth back to her. Before Elizabeth arrives at the shop, Finlay tries to puff up her confidence while she checks her makeup and outfit in the mirror. I think this song perfectly captures that moment. 
Key Lyrics: “They say I look good. They say I look haute. They say I look pretty. Can’t tell me I’m not. I’m feeling so sexy.”

“Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered”, artist Sinead O’Connor - Finlay has an impressive record collection in her apartment behind her shop. She puts this song on when she and Elizabeth sit down to talk. Elizabeth finds it very distracting as Finlay hums along to the music. This is such a crazy, sexy version of the song, and I would find it seductively distracting, too, even if we had a falling out. 
Key Lyrics: “Like a daisy I awake…I’m wild again, beguiled again…Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I…Lately I’ve not slept a wink…I’ve sinned a lot, I mean a lot…When [she] talks, [she] is seeking words to get off [her] chest. Horizontally speaking, [she]’s at [her] very best.”

“Sinnerman”, artist Nina Simone - On the night before Autumn Equinox, things go off the rails in Salem. I liked this song because it captures some of the frenzy that’s happening as everyone separates and has to navigate complete confusion and shock on their own. 
Key Lyrics: “Oh, Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?...Well I run to the rock, please hide me…But the rock cried out, I can’t hide you…all along dem day…So I run to the river. It was bleedin’, I run to the sea…It was boilin’…Please hide me, Lord…I ran to the Devil. He was waitin’…Don’t you know that I need you Lord?”

“Psycho Killer”, artist Talking Heads - Our villain is not well, and this seems to be a very tongue in cheek way of getting into that sociopathic part of her character after she kills someone and runs off to hide in the woods.
Key Lyrics: “Don’t touch me cause I’m a real live wire. Psycho killer…better run run run run run away…We are vain and we are blind. I hate people when they are not polite…run away.”

“Rest”, artist Alanis Morisette - This song is about coping with addiction. It also fits with avoiding the hidden, painful parts of ourselves that we all carry around. It’s all that stuff that we don’t notice until it just gets to be too much. There are several characters who don’t realize they are at a breaking point. 
Key Lyrics: “The more I take, the less comfort I know…Can we cut this woman some slack?...Aren’t we all hovering around the same end?...God rest, God please rest our souls.”

“All the Things She Said”, artist t.A.T.u. - I feel like this song captures a bit of what Kylie must be feeling in her new relationship with Sarah. There’s the whirlwind of moving to an unfamiliar place, meeting someone who might be the love of your life, and then suddenly Kylie is photographing her first murder. It also mirrors the manic thoughts going through our villain’s mind. 
Key Lyrics: “All the things she said running through my head…I’m in serious shit, I feel totally lost…Being with you has opened my eyes…I keep closing my eyes, but I can’t block you out…This is not enough...Yes, I’ve lost my mind.”

“Wytches Chant”, artist Inkubus Sukkubus – The next night is the Autumnal Equinox and all the witches in Salem are celebrating this Sabbat. It is the mid-point of fall and a time to seek balance. This song is a chant invoking goddesses’ names, but very specific ones. They are the ones who embody change and transitions. Several of them wander between the veil of the living and the ancestral dead. Ancestors will become more and more important as the Beckett Coven series progresses. 
Key Lyrics: “Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna.” Isis and Hekate are goddesses of magic. Diana is the goddess of the hunt. Astarte, Demeter, Kali, and Inanna embody warfare and maternal powers.

“Crazy in Love”, artist Sofia Karlberg - This is a very slow and haunting version of the song. Finlay and Elizabeth have gone to the forest to celebrate Equinox. Elizabeth reveals her secret which causes Finlay to invoke The Great Rite, a Wiccan ritual of healing. But the way Finlay invokes it is specifically about using sex as a healing mechanism. When they finish their rituals, Finlay confesses her secret to Elizabeth who is shocked and infuriated by it.
Key Lyrics: “When you leave I’m begging you not to go…Just how your love can do what no one else can. Got me looking so crazy right now…Got me hoping you’ll save me right now.”

“Witch”, artist Karliene - This is another dark song. It’s about men accusing women of being witches in order to mask their own shortcomings. Our villain uses Equinox not to find balance, but to level several curses at her enemies.
Key Lyrics: “We dance with the Devil…we’ll make you tremble…you best be careful…You bitch, you’re a witch, you’re the reason for all my sins…we cannot suffer you to live.”

“Savage Daughter”, artist Sarah Hester Ross - As Kylie learns more about her family and what she has truly inherited from Hester, this song is very appropriate. 
Key Lyrics: “I am my mother’s savage daughter… She looks for her omens…in the curve of old bones…My mother’s child dances in darkness… I will not lower my voice…we are all brought forth through darkness…And deep in our bones, the old songs are waking.”

“Grounds”, artist Idles – There are plenty of reasons for Kylie to be angry and frustrated at this point. She channels all that anger into trying to save her new-found family from the person she sees as an evil force. 
Key Lyrics: “Do you hear that thunder? That’s the strength in numbers…Not a single thing has ever been mended by you standing there and saying you’re offended.”

“BURN THE WITCH”, artist Pvris - Our villain is barreling toward the point of no return. She remembers what her former coven members did to her and what they took from her. 
Key Lyrics: “There’s blood on the walls. There’s spirits in the doors… Naked in the street. Shirtless fucking freak… Oh, ya I’m famous… Burn, burn, burn the witch.”

“Dragula”, artist Rob Zombie - As the witches find the location where our villain is hiding, this song embodies the frenetic moments as they fight to stop her.
Key Lyrics: “Dead I am the sky watchin’ angels cry…Dig through the ditches and burn through the witches…Dead I am the pool spreading from the fool.”

“Song To the Sirens”, artist This Mortal Coil - This song is about mariners lost at sea. Many of Elizabeth’s ancestors were Salem mariners, so I felt this captures the moment perfectly as she struggles to stay alive.
Key Lyrics: “Did I dream you dreamed about me?...Now my foolish boat is leaning…I’m as puzzled as the newborn child…Should I stand amid the breakers? Or should I lie with death, my bride?...Swim to me, let me enfold you. Here I am. Waiting to hold you.”

“Chasing Cars”, artist Tommee Profitt - This is a sweet and emotionally dramatic version of the song. Everyone is trying to recover from what they just went through and move toward something new.
Key Lyrics: “Just forget the world… All that I am. All that I ever was is here in your perfect eyes…Just know that these things will never change for us at all.”

“Dancing Lessons”, artist Sinead O’Connor - The book ends with a joyous moment. But, of course, nothing can be completely okay while there’s still a cursed object left untended.
Key Lyrics: “I wanna go dancing darling…You’re so happy and so glad you found me…Long time I’ve been dreaming of you. May this dream come true…Can this really exist…Take my rainy days and make them go away…On this journey may the good lord guide us and may the goddess dance beside us.”

“Season of the Witch”, artist Lana Del Rey - The beginning of the Beckett Coven starts at the end of the season of the witch. Whispers of the Pale Witch’s shock ending is a reminder for everyone to always look over your shoulder while you are in Salem.
Key Lyrics: “When I look over my shoulder, what do you think I see?...Strange. So strange…It must be the season of the witch.”

“DARKSIDE”, artist NEONI - We all have our dark and our light side. Which side will each member of the Beckett Coven choose?
Key Lyrics: “Do you want to meet all my monsters?...There’s no heroes or villains in this place. Just shadows that dance in my headspace…My devils, they whisper in my ear…Welcome to my dark side.”

Welcome to my dark side. I hope you enjoy my book, Whispers of the Pale Witch! Learn more at BeckettCoven.com










Whispers of the Pale Witch 
Beckett Coven Series
Book One
S.A. Sizemore

Genre: Horror/Paranormal Thriller
Publisher: Rowan Prose Publishing
Date of Publication: September 29, 2026
ISBN: 978-1-961967-99-1
ASIN: B0FTBTKG9J
Number of pages: 398
Word Count: 98,000
Cover Artist: Kelly Moran

Tagline: Shall we begin?

Book Description: 

Some secrets should just stay buried. 

After the sudden death of her great-aunt, Kylie Beckett lands her dream job as a forensic photographer in the small seaside town where she was born. But once there, a series of murders and the theft of a dangerous relic force Kylie to uncover the dark truth about her ancestors. 

With the help of newfound family, she learns to harness unconscious powers to stop the vengeful and unstable Pale Witch before she unleashes a demonic spirit on Salem, Massachusetts once again. 

Shall we begin?

Excerpt 2 from Chapter 3

Elizabeth was distracted. This is just so damn overwhelming, she thought as she studied Kylie’s face.

The last time they were both on this porch, Elizabeth held her small toddler hand and tried not to cry as they hugged goodbye. Now, Kylie Beckett was a grown woman standing in the doorway some twenty years later. Elizabeth waited decades for this moment, but it felt unexpectedly awkward and strange.

Kylie had the same caramel complexion and bright smile of her African American father, along with a feminine version of his athletic build. Her mother’s Anglo-Saxon features were also apparent in her soft reddish-brown hair and intense amber eyes. She looked rather androgynous without any makeup or earrings. Her t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers were more appropriate for Southern California this time of year than the coming New England autumn.

The rain poured down hard on the porch roof.

“You can come inside if you like.” Kylie motioned for her to move forward.

Elizabeth glanced past the front door towards the cellar. A pained look flashed over her eyes. “It was me.” She touched a tiny bronze cylinder hanging from a chain around her neck. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t completely honest. I was the one who found Hester after the heart attack. I haven't been able to step foot in the house since.”

There was an awkward pause between them.

Kylie was thrown upon meeting Elizabeth. After their phone conversations, she had pictured someone quite different. Instead of the frumpy, busy-body white woman she imagined her to be, Elizabeth was by far one of the most strikingly beautiful women she’d ever met. It was strange, though. She felt familiar, like a childhood friend, not just a recent acquaintance.

“I meant to be here when you arrived.” Elizabeth tapped some raindrops from her umbrella again. “My assistant only just told me you called. We had a very busy Friday afternoon.” She pointed to the left of the doorframe. “The switch for the porch light is on the wall just by the coat hook.”

Kylie leaned over to flick it on. The porch became bathed in a warm glow as if the house was coming back to life. A moth tapped on the ceiling lamp after missing its warmth.

“When do you start your new job?” Elizabeth asked.

“Monday.” Kylie brightened. “Thank you so much for the introduction. I’m really looking forward to it.”

A warm smile crept across her mouth as Elizabeth noticed the tiny, white seashell on a black cord around Kylie’s neck. More emotions rose inside her.

“I'm sorry.” Kylie rubbed her eyes. She didn’t want to seem inhospitable, but she was very tired. “It took a few days to get here, and I still need to pull some stuff out of the car before I get to bed.”

“Of course. Of course.” Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “Can I help you?”

“Oh, no worries.” Kylie peered out at the rain and then back at Elizabeth’s impressive heels and expensive suit. She waved her hand. “I've got it. Just bringing in a couple of things.” She paused for extra emphasis as she said, “I really do appreciate everything you've done for me over the last few weeks.”

Elizabeth thought her heart was going to break right there and then. Her fingers fumbled around in her vest pocket and fished out a white business card. She handed it to Kylie. “Here’s my contact info again in case you need anything. I'll have my assistant set up a time for us to talk. Maybe The Roof on Sunday for brunch?” She opened her umbrella, but the showers magically abated as she descended the porch steps.

“Sounds fun.” Kylie nodded in agreement, not having a clue what The Roof was.

“And we can discuss the lawsuit,” Elizabeth said as she walked down the path.

“W-wait, what?” Kylie stuttered. “What lawsuit?”

“I emailed you about it.” Elizabeth turned slightly. “Beulah Prudaetor is contesting your aunt's trust. But don't worry. She can't take this place from you. I'll make sure of that.”

“But...” Kylie moved forward and wrapped a hand around the white porch post. She looked past Elizabeth at the neighborhood beyond. She liked this place. Loved its quirkiness. Hester’s house already felt like home, even though she’d only been there for a few minutes.

The stress on Kylie’s face drew Elizabeth back to the porch. “Please don't worry about it right now. Go in and get a good night's rest.” Then, she broke her promise and said what she had planned to hold back. “You look so much like your father and so very much like your mother.”

“You knew them?” Kylie asked while startled and curious by the sudden compliment. “You knew my mother? I never did.”

“I know.” Elizabeth pushed down her emotions and patted Kylie's hand. “You get settled in. There will be plenty to talk about and lots of time in which to do it...now that you’re back.”

Before Kylie could see her cry, Elizabeth walked out to the rain-soaked street. She got into her brand-new, white, electric sedan and drove off.

Kylie was alone again on the porch.

The rain paused long enough for her to run out to her hatchback and bring in a few boxes. Before going inside, she picked up the business card she had set down on the porch railing and read it aloud, “Elizabeth Ingersoll, Esq.”

There was so much to focus on in such a short time. Kylie hadn’t noticed the surname until now. Ingersoll was her mother's last name.

“Elizabeth is family.”

 

 

 


About the Author:

Drawn to playwriting from an early age, S.A. Sizemore began writing professionally while studying English and theater arts in college. After producing several plays regionally in Southern California, Sizemore pivoted to the themed entertainment industry. Whispers of the Pale Witch is the first installment of the Beckett Coven series inspired by Sizemore’s ancestral connection to the Salem Witch Trials. She is a full member of the Dramatists Guild of America, proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, European and Cherokee/Chickahominy decent, and resides in California with her wife and two dogs, Agatha and Harry.









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