Vanessa Morgan

Best Places To Write

2012-01-21T02:34:00.000-08:00

The best places to write are warm and cozy and there is always a hot drink and some food around. Here are some of my favorite spots...

Hotel lobby or bar

There is something about hotel lobbies and bars that is just irresistible. Maybe it is the din from the other hotel guests, maybe it is the jazzy sounds in the background, or maybe it is the feeling that I am on holiday that makes this one of the best places to write.

Warm bed

There is hardly anything better on a cold winter night than writing in bed, keeping the chill at bay with a warm cat, a giant cup of hot tea, extra blankets, and a radiator on maximum heat.

Sun

Once the cold has shifted into shimmering hot days, I exchange my bed for an outdoor writing place. As long as it is comfortable, almost anything will do - a garden, a terrace, the park, ... I often write in the company of another writer and the day almost always ends with a barbecue or a dinner in a restaurant.

Nighttime terrace

The still late-evening air lends itself perfectly for writing outside. One of the best places to do so is on the terrace of a favorite bar. A glass of wine and a portion of marinated olives next to me, the smell of fresh herbs and garlic coming from a nearby kitchen, … I can sit and work for hours in a place like this.

Near the fireplace in my grandparents’ living room

My grandparents have a huge, ancient fireplace in their living room. You can not imagine how hot it can be near such a thing and that is exactly why I like it. There is always a glass of red wine around and a home-cooked meal for when I stop writing.

For more favorite reading and writing spots, go to my guest post over at Crazy Bookworm. What are your favorite places to write or blog?

Picture found on ValSoCal.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T04:47:00.000-08:00

Have a blessed and safe New Year's Eve! xoxo
Vanessa Morgan & Avalon

Book Trailer for Drowned Sorrow

2011-12-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

Here's the book trailer for my novel Drowned Sorrow, a creepy tale about a New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill.

Do you want to receive free pdf copies of my books Drowned Sorrow and The Strangers Outside? Then post this book trailer on your blog with a link back to http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.com/ and let me know you did in the comment section below. Happy holidays!

Christmas Cookies, Books and Egg Nog Tea Giveaway

2011-11-27T03:22:00.000-08:00

Winter boasts our desire for egg nog, books, comforting hot tea, and handmade Christmas cookies. As part of the international Winter Wonderland event, I have put together a Christmas gift bag combining these elements. Here's what the winner will receive...

Christmas Giveaway #1 - Christmas Cookies

Christmas Giveaway #2 - Bigelow Egg Nog Tea

Bigelow's creamy and smooth egg nog tea is the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter night, whether you are relaxing at home with your family or enjoying a good book by the fireplace.

Christmas Giveaway # 3 - Vanessa Morgan's The Strangers Outside (e-book, short story)

Two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside, but little do they know they are being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle of survival will begin.

Christmas Giveaway #4 - Bonni Sansom's Jack's Christmas Wish (e-book)

Aside from being broke, stalked and groped by Santa, Lissa Monroe wondered what would happen to her next? She never expected it would be love at first sight. Times are hard for Lissa, with her mother’s illness and her own financial problems. She took a job as Santa’s sexy helper in a department store. Her ex-boyfriend Rex is stalking her and leaving dirty messages on her answering machine. She thinks she can handle him, but things turn deadly causing her to have an accident. Being a widowed single father isn’t easy. Derek Baxter knows this first hand, but when your son wants a new mom for Christmas what are you to do? It’s not like you can go out and find one or is it?

Christmas Giveaway #5 - Vanessa Morgan's Drowned Sorrow (paperback)

The story of a remote lakeside village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill...

Christmas Giveaway #6 - James Hutchings' The New Death and Others (e-book)

Death gets a roommate...

An electronic Pope faces a difficult theological question...

A wicked vizier makes a terrible bargain...

44 stories. 19 poems. No sparkly vampires. There's a thin line between genius and insanity, and James Hutchings has just crossed it - but from which direction?

Giveaway Details:

The Winter Wonderland giveaway is open worldwide and ends December 4. The winner will be chosen through random.org and notified by e-mail. To have a chance at winning, do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment counts as a separate entry so your chances at winning increase.

- Follow me on Twitter (+1 entry) and/or Facebook (+1 entry)

- Share this post on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon and/or Google+ (+1 entry for each share)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Halloween Goodie Bag Giveaway

2011-10-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Halloween, I have a Halloween Goodie Bag filled with books, tea and candy up for grabs for one lucky reader. But hurry - competition ends November 2nd.

Halloween Goodie #1 - Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Reese's Halloween Peanut Butter Pumpkins are the ideal reward for this virtual trick or treat doorbell ringing. The rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate combine perfectly with a hot drink and a spooky read. All candy is individually wrapped in fun Halloween pumpkin packaging.

Halloween Goodie #2 - Drowned Sorrow (paperback)

DROWNED SORROW is the story of a remote New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill... An overprotective mother arrives in the village with her teenage daughter, but by the time she discovers its secret, it might already be too late. Drowned Sorrow has been called 'the scariest story of the year', so be careful what you are getting yourself into.

Halloween Goodie #3 - The Strangers Outside (e-book)

Two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Halloween Goodie #4 - Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea

Bigelow has a delightful collection of tea flavors to suit every season and holiday. Their egg nog tea is a real classic and so is their Halloween pumpkin spice tea - a mouthwatering mix of black tea, natural pumpkin flavors, cinnamon, licorice root, clover and ginger. A smooth and satisfying hot drink that will warm the hearts of friends and family.

Giveaway Details

The Zompacolypse Giveaway Hop is open worldwide and ends November 1st at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be notified by e-mail and has 48 hours to reply back. To have a chance at winning, do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances at winning increase.

Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect (right-hand column)(+1 entry)
Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and/or StumbleUpon (+1 entry for every share)

Participating Blogs

Halloween Truffles and Chilling Books

2011-10-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

I'm giving away a box of Moonstruck Halloween Truffles to one of my lucky readers. Giveaway is open worldwide and ends October 31st at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be notified by e-mail and has 48 hours to reply back before a new winner will be chosen.

But wait... What are chocolates without a good book? Right? So let's add a few chilling books to the prize pack to give you something to read while eating those Halloween truffles.

This is what the winner will get on top of the box of chocolates:

Chilling Book #1 - Drowned Sorrow (paperback). Drowned Sorrow is the story of a remote New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill... An overprotective mother arrives in the village with her teenage daughter, but by the time she finds out about its secret, it might already be too late to escape.

Chilling Book #2 - The Strangers Outside (e-book). Two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with the strangers outside. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Giveaway details

To have a chance at winning, do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase.

Become a member of this blog through Google Friend Connect (right-hand column)
Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and/or StumbleUpon

Other book related giveaways

This giveaway was shared for the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. Check out the other book related giveaways through the linky list below and don't forget to bookmark this page so you can come back to this list as often as you want.

Win Tickets For The Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival

2011-10-17T01:29:00.000-07:00

Today's giveaway is courtesy of the Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival who is offering 5 lucky readers 2 tickets to their film festival in Bruges. Best part? You get to choose which film you want to see.

To enter, visit the Razor Reel Film Festival website and choose which film you would like to see, then leave a comment below. You can gain extra entries by sharing this post on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and/or StumbleUpon. Each action and comment counts as a separate entry, so leave an extra comment for each action you took.

Entries will be accepted until October 26. The winners will be chosen at random and contacted by e-mail. Good luck!

Here are a few movie trailers of the films that will be shown at the festival. The complete festival program is available online.

The Divide

After a nuclear attack on Manhattan, apartment building residents seek refuge in the basement house of the janitor. The days drag on and it becomes a horrific psychological debacle between the mixed group of people trying to survive in these claustrophobic remains. When a rescue team tries to enter the building, hope rises, to be quickly crushed as they open fire. The survivors fight to stay alive , but that's not even their biggest problem... they have to survive each other. With known actors like Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia and Rosanna Arquette.

Bereavement

In 1989, six-year old Martin Bristoll was kidnapped from his backyard swing. For five years, Martin's whereabouts have remained a mistery, until 17 year old Allison comes to live with her uncle. While exploring her new surroundings, Allison discovers things aren't quite right at the farmhouse. Her curiosity disturbs a hornet's nest of evil and despair that once torn open, can never be closed.

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus

Mega Shark vs Crocosaurus is the new monster distaster film from The Asylum in which a giant prehistoric crocodile and a mega shark do battle against the Navy.

The Wicker Tree

Almost forty years after The Wicker Man (1973), director Robin Hardy returns with a film exploring similar themes such as neopaganism and fanatic belief. Based on Robin Hardy's own novel Cowboys For Christ.

Kill List

Jay and his wife are experiencing serious financial problems, causing constant stress and bickering. One night, when they invite their best friend Gal and his new girlfriend Fiona, everything escalates into a huge fight. When they talk it over, Gal offers a solution to all their misery. A job, like they often used to do in the past. A contract, a few kills, some easy money. What begins as a routine job, soon turns into a descent into hell. Who put out the hit? Why are the victims happy to see them? And what role does Fiona play exactly in all this?

The Howling Reborn

This all-new original chapter from The Howling combines romance, action and thrills and will appeal to Twilight fans as well as horror addicts.

Paranormal Wastelands Giveaway

2011-10-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Paranormal Wastelands has copies of my supernatural thrillers Drowned Sorrow and The Strangers Outside up for grabs for two lucky winners.

First place will receive a copy of my novel DROWNED SORROW, the story of a New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think… and kill… An overprotective mother arrives in the village with her teenage daughter, but by the time she realizes the danger, it might already be too late. Drowned Sorrow has been called ‘the scariest story of the year’, so be careful what you are getting yourself into.

The second place will win a PDF copy of my Kindle short story THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. In this story, two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they’re being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

To enter the giveaway, fill out the form on http://paranormalwastelands.blogspot.com/2011/10/we-would-like-to-give-special-thanks-to.html The contest is open worldwide and will run until October 19th.

Halloween Pumpkin Drinks

2011-10-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

Want to recapture the spirit of Halloween with some smooth and comforting pumpkin drinks? Then check out my Halloween guest post for Bending The Spine and discover mouthwatering Halloween delights such as the Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur, Trick or Treat Pumpkin Coffee, Three Lakes Pumpkin Wine, Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea, and Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa. The rich and round flavors of vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice in these drinks add warmth and zest to the windy autumn evenings leading up to Halloween. Click the picture to enlarge the article or go directly to the guest post at http://bendingthespine.blogspot.com/2011/10/guest-post-by-vanessa-morgan-halloween.html

Blogger Zombie Walk

2011-09-30T00:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time! Be prepared to 'walk' your way from link to link to all the blogs participating in the Blogger Zombie Walk and get more zombie stuff in one day than you could possibly imagine (link list below).

All the blogs have different and unique bends on the zombie genre for this event - zombie recipes, zombie reviews, zombie giveaways, zombie poems, zombie cartoons, and much more. When you click on a link below, you could then use their link list to click to other blogs and go through them all.

Blogger Zombie Walk Giveaway

As part of the Blogger Zombie Walk, I'll be giving away a package containing the books The Strangers Outside and Zombie Cupcakes.

To have a chance at winning, do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances at winning increase.

Become a member of this blog through Google Friend Connect (right-hand column)
Share this page on your blog, Twitter and/or Facebook

Contest is open worldwide! But hurry - the giveaway ends October 7. New follower? Let me know in a comment and I will follow you back.

Zombie Book #1 - The Strangers Outside

A frightening mix between The Fog and The Strangers... In the short story The Strangers Outside, two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Zombie Book #2 - Zombie Cupcakes

Cupcake bars are rapidly taking over the planet. The cupcakes in this book, however, aren't cute. The book is an introduction to making cupcakes that look weird, ugly and grotesque. Every recipe features step-by-step instructions for the baking and icing. You'll also learn how to make edible decorations such as maggots, flies, tombstones, rats, teeth and crosses. As a finishing touch, zombie quiz panels will test your undead knowledge. Here are a few cupcakes for which you can find step-by-step instructions in the book...

Participating Blogs

Ghost Hunting Theories
Above the Norm: Bizarre Arizona
Zombies Everywhere
Holly's Horrorland
Little Gothic Horrors
Anything Horror
Katy Bennett Horror Writer and Poet
Bubba's Place
Horror Smorgasbord
Gnostalgia
Monkey Man
Words and Music
Red Shoes Chronicles
The Wolf's Eyes
My Day in a Sentence
Pixie's Horror Galore
Strange State
The Misadventures of HalloweeNut
Halloween Blues
Kweeny Todd
The California Blogging Massacre
Horror Shock Lolipop
Vanessa Morgan
Improbable Frontiers
No Really, You Can Eat It
Art By Living Dead Girl Nicole
Two Gory Chicks
A Dust Bunny in the Wind
A Ghoul's Best Friend
Zombies Are Magic
Cherry Neko Saves the World
Tall Tales
At the Mansion of Madness
The Haunted Rose
The Rotting Zombie
Halloween Overkill
Out of the Shadows
Creepy Glow Keyhole Gallery
Creepy Glowbugg
Bifocal Univision
Haiku-Koo-Koo
Sherry Soule
Anchors and Roses
Paranormal Researchers Group
Whispering Pines History
Lovely Miss Megs
Sean Thomas Fisher's Blogwash
Rise and Fight
Stump Town Horror
LoliClown's Little Blog of Horror
Zombies Can't Love
Books and Beyond
The Grave Bandits
Screaming Goregasms
Lazy Daisy Life
Icky Monster
Pretty in Fiction
Ivy's Closet
Justine's Halloween
Annie Walls
Just Johnny

Making-of The Strangers Outside

2011-09-01T03:11:00.000-07:00

Katia Fontaine has made a cool making-of for the film adaptation of my short story The Strangers Outside. You can learn more about this talented artist by going to her website www.katiakrylova.com/. In the meantime, check out these screenshots from the making-of and don't forget to read The Strangers Outside if you haven't already done so ;-)

Story: A crippled man and his daughter return to their remote holiday cabin in the woods. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, they'll come face to face with the strangers outside and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Blog Jog Day - Spooky Giveaway Extravaganza

2011-08-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

It’s Blog Jog Day and I’m glad to be able to offer one of my readers a giveaway package filled with the 4 amazing goodies featured below.

To be in with a chance of winning, become a member of this blog through Google Friend Connect (right-hand column) and leave a comment to tell us you’re interested in winning. Contest is open worldwide!
But hurry – the giveaway ends on August 15!

New follower? Let me know in a comment and I will follow you back!

I hope you enjoy Blog Jog Day. Click over to Tonya Kinzer at http://tonyakinzer.blogspot.com/ to see what the next site has to offer! Lost in the links? You can always go back to the main Blog Jog Day Blog at http://blogjogday.blogspot.com/ and find a new link to jog from. I’m also participating with the webcomic about my cat; you can view that post at http://avalon-lion.blogspot.com/ Thank you for stopping by my site!

Goodie #1 - Boooo-opoly

Boo-opoly is like the classic Monopoly game but with a horror theme. It’s spooky! It’s ghoulish! It’s a scream! Players buy favorite Halloween properties, collect haunted houses and trade them in for full moons. Sounds easy enough, but add fright fees, bats in your belfry, or get caught soaping windows and it becomes a little more difficult and a lot more fun. You may win the Jack-o-lantern carving contest or eating Slimy Spider Tacos at the Monster Mash. For 2 to 6 players. Ages 8 and up.

Goodie #2 - Drowned Sorrow (paperback)

A spooky tale about a New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think and kill. Drowned Sorrowhas been called ‘the scariest story of the year’, so be careful what you are getting yourself into.

To get you in the mood, check out the reviews for Drowned Sorrow.

Goodie #3 - The Strangers Outside (e-book)

Two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside, but little do they know they’re being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with The Strangers Outside. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin. The Strangers Outside has now also been turned into a film.

Goodie #4 - Gummy Body Parts Candy

Halloween Candy Gummy Body Parts (22 Individually Wrapped Body Parts).

Dijlelanddag

2011-05-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

EN: Do you want to come and hear me tell a spooky children's tale about a cat that protects a child against a malicious ghost? I have written a new short story (in Dutch) exclusively for Dijlelanddag and on May 29 at 2.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. I will tell this story in the chapel of the Jan van Ruusbroecpark in Hoeilaart, Belgium. My cat Avalon (known from the cartoon series) will also be present. Be sure to come along, because Dijlelanddag also offers concerts, circus performances, guided walks and lots of tasty dishes.

Update: Just did an interview with Radio 2 Vlaams-Brabant on my books, my cat cartoons and the ghost story I will tell at Dijlelanddag. It will be broadcoasted May 17 between 12 and 1 p.m.

NL: Speciaal voor Dijlelanddag schreef ik een nieuw kortverhaal voor kinderen. "Angst voor spoken" gaat over een kat die een jong meisje beschermt tegen een kwaadaardig spook. Op zaterdag 29 mei, om 14u30 et 15u30 respectievelijk, kan je in de kapel van het Jan van Ruusbroecpark in Hoeilaart komen luisteren naar dit spooky sprookje. Mijn kat Avalon (gekend van de gelijknamige stripreeks) zal ook van de partij zijn. Kom zeker langs, want naast de vertelling van mijn eigen sprookje kan je op Dijlelanddag ook terecht voor muzikale optredens, circusartiesten, geleide wandelingen en vooral heel veel lekkere streekgerechten.

Update: Op 17 mei, tussen 12u en 13u, kan je op Radio 2 Vlaams-Brabant luisteren naar een interview met mij over mijn griezelverhalen, mijn kattenstrip en het spookverhaal dat ik tijdens de Dijlelanddag zal vertellen.

BIFFF 2011

2011-04-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

I just got back from BIFFF 2011, the Belgian International Festival of Fantastic Films, that I co-hosted for the 18th year in a row. I had the chance to see 25 films (Wake Wood, I Saw The Devil and Kidnapped were by far the best ones) and to hang out with several cool filmmakers who all seemed to have a passion for Belgian beer. Here are a few pics to get you in the mood :-)

The vampire priest from Thirst was one of the creatures at the Bal des vampires

Director Jake West (Doghouse, Evil Aliens) and his girlfriend Lucy

One of my favorite movie composers, Simon Boswell, disguised for the Bal des vampires

A creature of unknown origin

Some of the animations at BIFFF 2011

Special thanks to Marjorie Culot, Frank Dupont and Nancy Vanwynsberge.

Westende - The Town from The Strangers Outside

2011-03-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

Westende is a quiet little town on the Belgian seaside, situated close to well-known cities such as Ostend and Bruges. It is also the town where my novella The Strangers Outside takes place. For those of you who are fan of the book, I thought I'd share a few pictures of this charming little town as well as of the holiday cabin that I describe in the story.

The town's centre, also known as Westende Bad, has numerous restaurants, bars, shops, luna parks, hotels, and more. The Centre bar is where the climax of The Strangers Outside takes place.

Westende beach ...

The Rotonde is the most famous building in Westende. It is now a hotel.

This is the holiday cabin Veldblomme in the Heidestraat where the two girls find themselves trapped in The Strangers Outside.

A few other houses in the area...

About The Strangers Outside

Two sisters return to their remote holiday cabin after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Find The Strangers Outside on Amazon:

Follower Love Giveaway Hop - Win an Autographed Copy of Drowned Sorrow

2011-02-08T03:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop! I am participating with over 215 other bloggers who are offering you all book related prizes!!

My prize is an AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY BOOK DROWNED SORROW, a creepy story about a remote New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill. Drowned Sorrow has been called 'the scariest story of the year', so be careful what you are getting yourself into.

Contest is open internationally!

To Enter:

Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect.

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow my cat cartoon blog http://avalon-lion.blogspot.com/ publicly on Google Friend Connect
2. Like me on Facebook
3. Like my cat cartoon blog on Facebook
4. Follow me on Twitter @eeriestories. Please leave me your Twitter name.
5. Follow my cat @AvalonTheLion on Twitter
6. Tweet the giveaway. Please leave me the link to your tweet.

Open to all.

Giveaway ends February 13, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Good luck!

The Strangers Outside in a Music Video

2011-01-18T06:02:00.000-08:00

The very first images of the film adaptation of THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE are now available. They have been used in the music video of Alex Corbi's latest song AVALON. Feel free to put the video on your blogs and websites and to share it on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc.

The Strangers Outside Reviews

2011-01-07T02:40:00.000-08:00

Aobibliophile

"Vanessa Morgan has certainly written a fast-paced-bad-things-happen-to-good-people story. I have to admit that reading The Strangers Outside creeped me out and my imagination went into overdrive. I literally locked the doors, latched the windows, read with all the lights on and made sur n e that I sat with my back to the wall. I have no fear of the dark or even strangers, but now I am reconsidering..."

The Beaucoup Review

“Ohmigosh! Where to start?! Ohmigosh! I LOVED THIS!

The Strangers Outside reminded me of The Weeping Angels from Doctor Who! With the angels, everytime you closed your eyes, or blinked, they’d get close. And the strangers were so much like this. They just kept getting closer and closer.

I could imagine being in that cottage, fearing for my life. I was so surprised how calm Jenn was – though of course we find out why in the end. I feel so sorry for Louise, going through something like that and then finding out her sister… well I can’t say – it would ruin the plot, but it was that moment in a book when you think ‘AWWWWWW!’.

This had me on the edge of my seat, wanting more, more, MORE!

This is actually being made into a film [as is her other book, Drowned Sorrow] and you can view photos of where it’s being shot and more by reading Vanessa’s blog.

Basically, this is an amazing book you should go buy NOW.”

Elena’s Book Café

“This was a really great scary story. It was very short but very entertaining. I was in suspense the whole time I was reading it. It was well written.

This book is going to be turned into a film. I am excited to watch it. It kinda reminds me of the movie The Strangers starring Liv Tyler. In that movie, two people go to their friends’ house and soon become stalked by strangers in masks. In this book, two sisters go to their cabin and become stalked by people dressed like monks.

After reading this book, I can now tell it to my friends as a scary story. I usually can’t think of any scary stories to tell around a campfire, now I have one. Thanks Vanessa!

I gave this book five stars. It has been a while since I’ve read a scary story that has kept me in suspense. I recommend reading this book if you like scary stories or thrillers. The cover of this book suits the book perfectly. It’s creepy and it shows what happens in the book.”

Blog Critics

“The Strangers Outside is a very intriguing yet creepy story. Vanessa Morgan has truly brought to life an evening of terror. She has taken the nightmare out of the closet and moved it front and center in such a way that it cannot be ignored. As I read the story, I was not really sure what my feeling was: maybe the crawly feeling that seemed to come right out of a corner of your mind when you know something is changing. As I read further it took me back to some of the first scary stories I heard or even saw on TV. As I thought about how the story came together, it reminded me of many of the short Hitchcock-movies of that earlier era.

The Strangers Outside is a short novel, but packed with a large amount of punch. Truly a book that sends a chill up your back. If you enjoy spooky and creepy things, you will enjoy this story. And better yet, it is currently being made into a movie.

This would be a great book for reading around the fire with your friends. What could be better for the month of Halloween then to find a great new spooky tale to share?"

The Thoughts of a Book Junky

"Have you ever been home alone and felt like you were being watched? Usually it is just your mind playing tricks on you. Well in the case of The Strangers Outside, it's no trick. Jenn and Louise are two sisters just trying to have a nice night out when they are stalked and attacked. I really liked the idea of The Strangers Outside. It explored a fear that everyone has had and made it into something more. I really enjoyed the creepy-ness of this book and the unique story (...) The Strangers Outside was a scary story that was a good light read. Great for a quick Halloween read!"

Reader Recommended

“I liked this one. I actually got goosebumps reading it. Too many windows in my house! The description was just enough to allow me to imagine the setting and feel the fear of the characters. Great short read.”

Blue Duck Book Reviews

"Can I just say that it was a wonderful thriller? Last night when I was reading it, I totally began to get scared that I had to finish it this morning - and even in the bright hours of the day I was still scared. Even now, after reading the story, I cannot get the chill out of my spine!! (...) The story was wonderfully suspenseful and totally chilling!"

Pitching Pencils

“In her writing, Vanessa Morgan truly captures the spirit of terror. Her exploration of deeply felt human fears provides her work with a quality that captivates at the very core. While many paranormal thrillers focus on agents of the mystical, such as vampires and ghosts, Morgan creates terror through the subconscious fears of us all, such as the fears of darkness and death. Accessing those areas that we would most like to forget, she finds her way through this primal dread to an aspect of hope in these difficult situations. For Morgan, this conflict with our own anxieties and the attempt to overcome them is basic to a life truly lived. Perhaps this sets her work apart from other authors of paranormal thrillers, for she allows her characters a quality of endurance in spite of awful circumstances. This willingness to overcome gives them the ability to continue their journey alone as readers cheer their courage. For fans of the genre, Vanessa Morgan tells stories that will frighten even as they challenge our own concepts of love and self-reliance. The Poe-like darkness of her writing makes the reader shudder even as they search for that one bit of lightness toward the end of the story. Vanessa Morgan's writing is not to be missed, for it comes from the depths of fear to give readers a chance to be entertained as well as enlightened.”

The Diary of a Bookworm

“Anybody leading out a Boy Scouts camping trip soon? Because this would make for a wicked campfire story. The creepy factor was big and once the action started there weren't any lulls, it just raced to the end. For such a short story I thought there was nice development between the sisters and a reasonable amount of background given. (…) Short stories are always a great kind of aperitif between larger stories, I don't read them often, but good ones are always satisfying. And since this one had me thinking about the ending for a couple of days after, then I think it qualifies.”

Bookingly Yours

"The Strangers Outside is scary and creepy, the story will keep you guessing. I like the story and after reading this book, I have decided that I will never go to any remote place for a holiday. This book is currently turned into a movie and I want to see the movie once it comes out."

Little Squeed Book Reviews

"The Strangers Outside was a fast-flowing, action packed story. There were no lulls, there were no parts where I was just wishing the story would get on with it... It was constant action from start to finish (...) This was a really fun, creepy read PERFECT for Halloween!"

Kindle Obsessed

"There is an undeniable talent that shows through in Morgan's work, and to that I say... bravo. If an author can manage to make me do the sideways headcock in so few pages, there's just no telling what they'll be able to do with a full-lenght novel. So... if you are a fan of Hitchcock-esq shorts, or even a good tale to share with your friends on a dark night... The Strangers Outside is just what you are looking for, and with the day of the dead quickly approaching, it only seems natural to take a trip on the creepy side."

BK Walker Books

"The Strangers Outside is a heart pounding, hairs on arm standing on end novella. The story is definitely terrifying. There is a moral to the story, so to speak, that really makes you think. I believe that everyone can identify themselves in both Louise and Jennifer. This story creeped me out in the best way possible. I love a good scare! And this story does not disappoint. (...) I certainly will be reading a lot more of Vanessa Morgan's material. If you want a little spine tingler, The Strangers Outside is just the thing."

YA Book Reviewz

"What a thrilling, chilling horror novel! Though small in size, this novel really does hit hard! The Strangers Outside is all about two girls - sisters, on holiday. However shortly there, they discover that hooded figures are watching them. Morgan described them in such a way which sent shivers down my spine! This book was seriously creepy! (...) The setting was perfect too. It was completely realistic which I loved as it brought that sense of danger in the real world which added to the creepy-ness, and felt like the strangers could be watching anyone - even you. *Points finger dramatically* The ending was really shocking, and quite gory, and I shuddered while reading it."

A Book and A Dish

"Again author Vanessa Morgan has gotten to my sense of security after dark. I would love to see this made into a film."

Immortality and Beyond

"I certainly will be reading a lot more of Vanessa Morgan's material. If you want a little spine-tingler in a short amount of time, The Strangers Outside is just the thing!"

Infonu

"The Strangers Outside van Vanessa Morgan is een verhaal dat alle liefhebbers van spannende boeken zou moeten aanspreken. De suspense zit er vanaf de eerste pagina in en wordt beetje bij beetje opgebouwd tot een bijna ondraaglijke spanning die bij momenten koude rillingen over de rug bezorgt. Toch blijven de gebeurtenissen in het boek allemaal heel realistisch; het zou u allemaal ook kunnen overkomen. Het einde van het verhaal zorgt voor een onverwachte ommekeer die nog lang tot nadenken zal stemmen. Het begin en het einde van het boek vallen goed samen en de thema's worden mooi afgewerkt. De boeken van Vanessa Morgan worden door critici keer op keer de spannendste van het jaar genoemd. U bent dus gewaarschuwd."

RandKrant Talks About The Strangers Outside

2010-12-26T06:37:00.000-08:00

The Belgian magazine RandKrant has published a full page on me and my book The Strangers Outside. It features an exclusive photoshoot in the ruinous military bunkers where the film adaptation took place, so check it out.

Christmas Blogfest

2010-12-20T00:58:00.000-08:00

Unedited and Through the Looking Glass are hosting the Be Jolly by Golly Christmas Blogfest today. Participating writers will be posting recipes of their favorite Christmas treats and drinks as well as pictures of their favorite Christmas decorations. Click here to see the official description and to find out who's participating. If this blogfest brought you here, please check out my supernatural thrillers Drowned Sorrowand The Strangers Outside and become a follower. Thanks.

Favorite Christmas Treat - Christmas Cake with Chocolate Cream Frosting

It's an ancient pagan practice during the Winter Solstice to burn a log in the fireplace to bring luck in the coming year. This tradition has now been replaced by eating Christmas cake. The cake comes in many varieties, ranging from an ice cream cake to cake with chocolate cream and marzipan, but they alway have that typical trunk pattern and brown color that reminds us of the old tradition. The following Christmas cake recipe comes from my grandmother. She has been making this Christmas cake for almost 20 years now and it's my favorite cake ever.

Ingredients for the cake

4 eggs
100 grams of sugar
100 grams of flour

Ingredients for the chocolate cream frosting

3 eggs
150 grams of powdered sugar
250 grams of butter
100 grams of black chocolate

Preparation of the cake

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until soft and foamy
Beat in the flour and whipped egg whites
Pour the dough into a rectangular shape
Bake in a preheated oven (180) for about 10 minutes
Remove the cake from its shape and cut into three layers
Wrap in a damp cloth so that the cake remains soft

Preparation of the chocolate cream frosting

Heat the sugar and egg yolk until foamy
Add butter lumps when cooled
Stir in the melted chocolate and egg whites
Add a little almond flavor

Decoration

Cover each layer of cake with a thick layer of chocolate cream frosting and make sure that all sides are covered
Use a fork to make grooves in the top layer of the chocolate cream frosting so that the cake looks like the trunk of a tree
Decorate with Christmas figures such as marzipan

Favorite Christmas Drink - Hot Almond, Coconut and Cocoa Drink

This hot cocoa drink differs from the original one in that it is made with almond milk and coconut oil... and it tastes so much better. An ideal drink to start the day with a smile or to add warmth and atmosphere to the cold evenings leading up to Christmas.

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Preparation

Heat the almond milk to warm temperature
Add the coconut oil and the unsweetened cocoa powder

Favorite Christmas Decorations - Christmas in Colmar, France

My Cat Avalon In His Own Cartoon Series

2010-12-13T01:18:00.000-08:00

My cat Avalon has become quite popular since his appearance in the film adaptation of my book The Strangers Outside. After being a movie star, he has now also a weekly cat cartoon at http://avalon-lion.blogspot.com/. His fun, lighthearted stories about life as a cat will delight readers young and old. "Garfield was a phenomenon in the seventies and eighties," Avalon says. "I believe cat lovers are ready for the feline star of the new millennium and that's me."

About Avalon

*Name: He was named after the Mamoru Oshii movie Avalon; close friends and family members may also call him Lion
*Breed: He believes he's a Turkish Van, but there's no proof of that whatsoever
*Age: 10
*Profession: Celebrity
*Favorite food: Almo Nature, chicken
*Favorite movies: Avalon, The Strangers Outside, The Cat From Outer Space, Nekonade, The Uncanny, Uninvited, The Cat Returns
*Particularities: Roars like a lion after using his litter box, shows absolutely no signs of independent behaviour, knows which DVD boxes are the most expensive ones when it comes to getting attention, has two distinct personalities (turns to his Infernicus-mode around 5 o'clock in the morning)
*Websites: http://avalon-lion.blogspot.com/, http://twitter.com/AvalonTheLion

Drowned Sorrow Reviews

2010-11-21T01:50:00.000-08:00

The Literary Lioness

"If Jaws kept you away from the ocean, Drowned Sorrow will keep you away from any water!"

BK Walker Books

“Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan is a heart pounding, suspenseful, and got-to-know what happens next read! (…) Morgan did a fantastic job of keeping the suspense alive. This is one book that will have you turning the pages to find out what happens next. I give Drowned Sorrow ***** (5) Stars.”

The Horror Hotel
"The horrors that hide in the dark shadows and unknown depths of Moonlight Creek are in many ways externalisations of the main character's trauma. Morgan is using the accursed township to say something about relationships. As we all know, if you hold onto something too tight, it may well slip through your fingers, sometimes literally. The town is also awash in rain, clearly a symbol of cleansing. The novel is full of such symbolism which elevates it from simply being a ghost story to being something of a study of grief, the family unit, and how we deal with both. It is thougt provoking, intelligent stuff, and makes for a fascinating read. Each scene from the tough opening till the final moments when the town's secrets are revealed, is tense, atmospheric, and often very disturbing. As a lover of classic horror and of a good ghost story, this novel had me at 'hello'."

Hayes Hudson's House of Horror

"This is definitely one of the better Horror novels I have read in quite some time. I saw a reviewer call Mrs. Morgan the 'female Stephen King' and I can't argue with that. Drowned Sorrow reminded me of an old school Stephen King story. The story telling is simple enough, yet very descriptive. With every scene I read, I was able to picture it in my mind, just like I was watching a movie (speaking of that, someone needs to make a movie of this book asap)."

Tic Toc

“In Drowned Sorrow, Vanessa Morgan has crafted an extremely creepy story. The town of Moonlight Creek, while a beautiful and restful place on the surface, has dark and dangerous currents known only to the inhabitants. It is a kind of cult, but not like anything you have ever imagined. This is the kind of story you often find in a Koontz or King novel. (…) What I would have to really reiterate to you is, do not read the book at night. The ending was so uncomfortable I could not sleep for the rest of the night. And while I am not a horror fan, I do know when a book is gripping, and this is that at its absolute. Reading the nightmare as it unfolded, and even understanding that I would not like the outcome, I could not put it down. Once I was in, I was hooked. So if you have the fortitude for horror, here is the book that will bring it home. My recommendation though, lock the doors, have some friends over, just for company, but do not read this after dark.”

Suko's Notebook

"After reading only a few pages of Drowned Sorrow, I was immersed in the story. Both the setting and the characters are well-crafted. Wonderful, creepy details abound, such as walls and ceilings leaking water around the corners and edges, and a grocery store that only sells water, which add to the menacing atmosphere. I can imagine this as a movie, with the eerie, icy cold lake that seems to have a mind of its own, the pallid, expressionless villagers, and the constant dreary rain, dampness, and puddles. (...) I was shocked not only by the chilling contents but by how great I thought this book was. It's everything horror fiction should be: creepy, scary, suspenseful, and yet also touching. I thought this was a great read! Vanessa Morgan is a very talented screenwriter and novelist. Drowned Sorrow will be made into a movie, directed by Drew Barrymore. I can see this as the next The Shining, and will rush out to see the movie."

Reader Recommended

"Vanessa Morgan's Drowned Sorrow definitely had creep factor. The villagers of Moonlight Creek send chills down my spine as I pictured them grouping together, slowly following the main characters with their blank stares. The unique use of water as the object of fear in this book has renewed my trepidation of ever going into an ocean, lake, or river again. Jaws is no longer alone. It may take years again to get me back in."
The Current Reader

"Drowned Sorrow is a compact, disturbing gem of the horror genre written with a knowledgeable appreciation of the classic style. Set in a remote lakeside village that is shrouded in continual rain and inhabited by mysterious townsfolk, the story revolves around Megan Blackwood, an emotionally damaged television reporter trying to recover from the death of her son while still parenting her teenage daughter. By focusing on Megan's grief and loss, Morgan allows the reader to become distracted from the growing sense of ill-ease and general creepiness of the village where Megan is spending a vacation with her daughter. It is the subtly mounting terror that makes this book work so effectively. By slowly revealing details, a dawning sense of something's wrong begins to pervade the storytelling. Morgan does a fine job of creating a feeling of dread and foreboding, while keeping the story human and grounded in the relationship between mother and daughter. And like all great horror stories, you will inevitably catch yourself wanting to yell at the characters to "Get OUT!" or "RUN!", which is the essential mark of good storytelling (...)

Without physical monsters, the story becomes a psychological thriller with heavy atmospherics, similar to the near-perfect classic film, Carnival of Souls. And like that film, Drowned Sorrow gives its characters a place to center their loss and entrapment. After a summer of beach closings due to Great White Shark sightings, red tides and oil spills, we can thank Vanessa Morgan for giving us another reason to stay out of the water. At least until next summer."

Target Audience Magazine

"Drowned Sorrow brings an original twist to small-town ghost stories; it pulls the reader in different directions so that when he thinks he knows just what to fear the truth has all but suffocated him. This short, gripping tale combines the universal need for hope and faith in miracles with the unrelenting horror of drowning. Like the characters in it, this novel will grab hold of its readers and will not let go until all imagined details course through the mind like rivers of consciousness. (...) Some will go willingly while others may fight, but Drowned Sorrow will drag each reader on an emotional undercurrent."

Monster Librarian

“What makes Drowned Sorrow worth reading is the menacing, watery, and increasingly creepy atmosphere she evokes… the setting she creates will stick with readers long after the story is finished.”

SP Review

“Drowned Sorrow is definitely creepy. Possibly even crawly. I wouldn’t sleep in the same room with it.”

Dark Sites

"This book is receiving a lot of attention. Great horror novels are in short supply when it seems like vampire and werewolf romance have taken precedence in the literary world. Sometimes, it's just nice to get the crap scared out of you. Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan is definitely a breath of fresh air in the horror literature universe."

Smash Attack Reviews

"This was one eerie, creepy story! Once the tale of the lake is told by one of the townspeople, the story took on an entirely new feel. Using a body of water as the source of the fear is a great idea. Many, many people get spooked out by water and what lurks beneath. The fear instilled in the characters is not done through violence, but through what they cannot fathom. Moonlight Creek is the perfect spooky setting with its isolated location, odd townspeople and very damp environment. (...) This is an interesting spin on the genre. It's a quick read - great for a spooky, rainy night - and I will admit, it kept me turning the pages."

Bookingly Yours

"Have you watched The Village, a 2004-movie directed by M. Night Shyamalan? While I was reading Drowned Sorrow I kept comparing it to the movie. There's something not right in Moonlight Creek, but I couldn't figure it out. In the movie The Village, the elders told the young villagers that they cannot leave the village because there are creatures inhabiting beyond the woods. This book was similar to the storyline of that movie; the people living in Moonlight Creek cannot leave their town because they're afraid they won't survive once they go outside the town.

I couldn't stop once I started reading this and that was almost midnight! It was not really that scary so I don't consider this as a horror book, but it was the suspense in the story that made the book great!

I liked the book's ending; it was a complete surprise! I have never guessed that while reading the book. If you are looking for a great suspense story, you might want to buy a copy of this and you will not be disappointed with it."

Sword and Magic

"The scariest story of the year."

End of Story, Next Book

"I absolutely loved it. I could tell that if it was a movie I would be probably screaming at it with things like GO GO GO. I am glad I did not get this in the summer otherwise I would probably have been thinking of it as I was in the water. Vanessa Morgan did an amazing job writing."

Pitching Pencils

In her writing, Vanessa Morgan truly captures the spirit of terror. Her exploration of deeply felt human fears provides her work with a quality that captivates at the very core. While many paranormal thrillers focus on agents of the mystical, such as vampires and ghosts, Morgan creates terror through the subconscious fears of us all, such as the fears of darkness and death. Accessing those areas that we would most like to forget, she finds her way through this primal dread to an aspect of hope in these difficult situations. For Morgan, this conflict with our own anxieties and the attempt to overcome them is basic to a life truly lived. Perhaps this sets her work apart from other authors of paranormal thrillers, for she allows her characters a quality of endurance in spite of awful circumstances. This willingness to overcome gives them the ability to continue their journey alone as readers cheer their courage. For fans of the genre, Vanessa Morgan tells stories that will frighten even as they challenge our own concepts of love and self-reliance. The Poe-like darkness of her writing makes the reader shudder even as they search for that one bit of lightness toward the end of the story. Vanessa Morgan's writing is not to be missed, for it comes from the depths of fear to give readers a chance to be entertained as well as enlightened.”

Book Reviews by Crystal

“Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan is a gripping horror novel that young adults can enjoy along with any other horror fan. Not too detailed, or bloody-gory. It was actually a clean horror read that was quite entertaining. I’d read another Vanessa Morgan novel.”

My Overflowing Library

"This book was a very quick and creepy read. The story is set in a creepy little backwater village in the middle of nowhere. The residents are a little unsettling and you can't quite put your finger on it but something isn't quite right. The main characters are there for a short holiday to get away from it all having been recommended by a friend. As the story progresses it becomes more and more apparent that things are not what they seem and the final conclusion to the story was creepy. I liked the premise and there were scenes that were very creepy (especially the scene in the supermarket). The ideas were quite original although it did remind me in style if not content of a series called Invasion which was on TV a few years ago."

The Horror Fiction Review

"Drowned Sorrow is a good, creepy story."

Books in the Spotlight

"The concept of taking something quite banal such as water and making it into something menacing is a fresh horror twist that probably hasn't been revisited in books since Jaws. The author's talent really showed through the ambiance of Moonlight Creek, which was definitely haunting, and the events that took place in the water were disturbing and well-written. I loved how the villagers became one with the water, which I'm sure will give people who are afraid of the water even more reasons to justify their phobia."

Technorati

“Vanessa Morgan knows how to move a story, and she drives Drowned Sorrow, at breakneck speed—we dare not put it down, but are compelled to read to the end. Traveling through an eerie tale of evil deeds in a foreign environment, the reader is absorbed in this neat story of spine-chilling spookiness.”

Bitsy Bling Books

"A thirst-quenching blend of science-fiction with a twist of horror. The fear factor is accomplished not with blood and guts, but through what is not seen. Moonlight Creek provides the perfect setting to intrigue horror fans. It's isolated, mysteriously vacant and strangely damp. Simple elements like air, water and fire are used to enhance the claustrophobic entrapment that makes Drowned Sorrow a great rainy night read. It's not often that a horror book can be recommended to young adult readers, but this one fits the bill. It's not juvenile in any way, but brings the chills without gore, drugs or sexual violence. How, you ask? You've got to read it to find out."

Bites

"The concept of the water being a source of unknowable fear really creeped me out. But what I liked most was the execution of the villagers playing it all out. I thought how the people were one with the water, literally, was great. I actually felt a little dank reading it considering water was dripping and running everywhere. I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how it all played out."

Manic Readers
"What a good read Drowned Sorrow was! The beginning of the book catches you and doesn't put you donw until the end. I truly enjoyed it and it made my weekend!"

Leilani Loves Books

"From the synopsis, I knew this was going to be good and it certainly was! From the first chapter, Drowned Sorrow had an ounce of spookiness to it. The mystery of Moonlight Creek was very interesting. It would definitely be the perfect mystery for a thriller movie. Drowned Sorrow was in multiple POV's wich was interesting because you see the town from the residence's view and from the visitor's view. (...) Drowned Sorrow was a great read and it certainly kept me thinking about it afterwards!"

Aobibliosphere

"Megan Blackwood is a succesful investigative reporter for national television when her teenage son's suicide irrevocably alters her world. She divorces her husband Michael en quits her job to be with her daughter Jenna. 7 months after her son's death, they head off to Moonlight Creek for the summer. The small village seems like a great spot to get away from it all. There is something, however, about the lake, the water and the inhabitants that does not add up. Their perfect vacation becomes the perfect setting for a horrifying tableaux that neither of them wanted to be a part of. This is my second Vanessa Morgan read and she always gets into me. I mentioned in my review of The Strangers Outside how that short story creeped me out. This time, I had a strange dream the very night I was done reading Drowned Sorrow. I was in a room with some members of my family and water was rushing inside. Somehow I found myself on top of a bookshelf and I was screaming at everyone to avoid the water at all cost."

A Book and a Dish

"Drowned Sorrow took me completely by surprise. I have to admit that I never saw the ending coming. Or for that matter, I was surprised throughout most of the book. The characters created by author Vanessa Morgan were perfectly cast, as was the setting. This has been a very enjoyable read. But I will tell you that I will probably think twice before spending even a weekend at a small town with a lake."

Daph Nobody

“Ambiance et thématiques ne vont pas sans rappeler le Rosemary’s Baby d’Ira Levin ou The Village de M. Night Shyamalan. En fait, ce roman aurait constitué un excellent épisode pour The X-Files à ses débuts (avant que la série ne passe du fantastique à l’espionnage pur et dur, à mon sens, beaucoup moins imaginatif), ou trouverait parfaitement sa plaçe en adaptation pour la collection des Masters Of Horror qui réuni les plus grands maîtres du genre à travers le monde (John Landis, William Malone, Don Coscarelli…)."

Aztek TV

“Regisseur Pedro Chaves vergelijkt schrijfster Vanessa Morgan met Stephen King. Die vergelijking is niet zo vergezocht als je zou kunnen denken, want de structuur lijkt zo uit een boek van de Grootmeester van Horror te komen, al wordt alles binnen de omslag wel een beetje vermengd met Japanse horror à la Dark Water.”

Infonu

“Drowned Sorrow behoort het griezeligste boek van het jaar te worden. Drowned Sorrow wordt vaak met de film Let’s Scare Jessica to Death vergeleken: dezelfde onheilspellende sfeer, een gelijkaardig dorpje met al even bizarre inwoners, en een meer waarin zich half-dode mensen verschuilen. Een moeder en haar tienerdochter komen in het dorpje terecht en het is maar de vraag of ze ooit zullen kunnen ontsnappen. Een ideaal griezelboek voor Halloween.”

Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival - Bruges

2010-11-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

Bruges is known for its attractive buildings and canals, but also for the Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival RRFFF. I had the chance to do a q&a on my latest book of survival horror The Strangers Outside and the film that has been made out of it. Also present were director Philippe Geus, actor Pierre Lekeux, actress Iulia Alexandra Nastase and one of the creepy monks from the story. It was the first time we showed some rushes of the yet unfinished film to the audience.

The Strangers Outside is the about two sisters who return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Check out the filming locations and the behind the scenes images of The Strangers Outside at Behind The Scenes Of The Strangers Outside and Filming Locations Of The Strangers Outside.

Here are some pics taken during and after the q&a at the Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival.

Pierre Lekeux, Iulia Alexandra Nastase, Philippe Geus

Halloween Giveaway - Win a Signed Copy of Drowned Sorrow

2010-10-23T02:15:00.000-07:00

The Book Pixie has a signed copy of my book Drowned Sorrow up for grabs for one lucky winner! Drowned Sorrow is the story of a remote New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill. It has been called 'the scariest story of the year', so be careful what you are getting yourself into.
Halloween Giveaway Rules

* You must fill out the form on http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-giveaway-3-drowned-sorrow-by.html to enter.
* Contest is open internationally!
* Contest will run until 11:59 PM EST on October October 30th with the winner being announced on Halloween. Winner will have 48hrs to respond or another winner will be chosen.
* You can earn extra entries by promoting this contest via Twitter or in your blog sidebar.

Giving Me The Creeps October Contest

2010-10-18T07:49:00.000-07:00

Win one of my two supernatural thrillers in the Giving Me The Creeps October Contest at The Diary of a Bookworm.

First place will receive a copy of my novel Drowned Sorrow, the story of a remote New England village where water has become a supernatural element that can think... and kill.

The second place will win a pdf of my Kindle story The Strangers Outside. In this book, two sisters return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with the strangers outside. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

To enter the contest, fill out the form on http://www.thediaryofabookworm.com/2010/10/exciting-giving-me-creeps-october-news.html. The contest is open until midnight Toronto time October 31st. A great scary contest open internationally!