A Legend Leaves Us

UK fantasy writer David Gemmell, born 1948, died this morning at his home, a week following quadruple heart bypass surgery. Gemmel was the author of over 30 novels, including Legend (1984), first in the long-running Drenai series, and numerous other books in the Slipstrassi, Hawk Queen, and Rigante sequences.

Half Light

Curled up on the couch last night with my wife to watch Half Light on TNT, based on my father's recommendation.

For once, Daddy got it right.

Half Light, starring Demi Moore, was a tense psychological thriller wrapped up in a ghost story that really delivered. Director Craig Rosenberg got the most out of a mostly stellar cast and captured the mood of the piece perfectly. The location didn't hurt things a bit. Filmed on an island off the coast of North Wales, the scenes were riveting, the landscape a character in and of itself.

Moore played a writer who leaves her husband and resettles in Scotland following the death of her son. To give you more of the plot than that would do the movie a disservice. Suffice it to say that Half Light is a thriller/ horror / love story that will captivate you from beginning to end. James Cosmo and Hans Matheson both delivered excellent performances and even Moore, an actress I've never been too fond of, played a convincing Rachel Carlson.

A must-see? Not necessarily.

Would you be disappointed? Definitely not.

A fine film.

I recommend it.

~BF

Biting the Bullet

Well, I did it.

I joined the Horror Writer's Association.

The HWA has a long and storied history and, at one time or another, the biggest names in the horror genre have been members. Now, my name too resides among their number.

I know, I know... you've heard me say before that the idea behind HWA was antiquated... that the HWA provides services that, in the internet age, are largely available to anyone anyway.

That being said, I have come to the realization that there is a place for the HWA. If Horror is to thrive and grow, there needs to be people working to maintain it, to help nuture it.

The HWA has that potential and therefore, I feel it is the best chance we have at keeping this genre alive and well, deep into the 21st century and beyond.

Carpe Nocturn,

~BF

Cavaties can be the Root of all Evil!

Remember the innocence of putting a tooth under a pillow at night and finding it mysteriously transformed into a reward the next morning?

My, how times have changed…Anchor Bay Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment Company, extracts the dark side of a beloved childhood ritual with The Tooth Fairy ! Co-written and produced by legendary producer Stephen J. Cannell (“The A Team”, “Hunter”, “Profit”, “21 Jump Street”) and featuring such horror alums as P.J. Soles ( Halloween, The Devil's Rejects ) and Jesse Hutch ( Freddy Vs. Jason ) , The Tooth Fairy turns the innocent fairy tale into the ultimate nightmare!

Presented uncut with never-before-seen footage, The Tooth Fairy also offers bonus features, including an audio commentary and behind-the-scenes interviews, that viewers can really sink their teeth into! Open wide for The Tooth Fairy on August 8, 2006 , with an SRP of $19.98. Pre-book date is June 28th.

Directed by Chuck Bowman from a teleplay by Stephen J. Cannell, Corey Strode and Cookie Rae Brown and starring Carrie Fleming (“Masters of Horror: Dario Argento's Jenifer”), The Tooth Fairy rips to shreds the whimsical icon. Amid the idyllic splendor of the Northern California woods, a quaint country inn offers respite for the weary traveler. It also harbors a dark secret. Almost sixty years earlier, it was the crumbling home of a malevolent witch who lured in children, stole their teeth, butchered their bodies, and cursed their souls to wander the earth forever. Now, the witch's slumber has been disturbed, and her vengeful spirit seeks the slaughter of all who stay there. And for one eleven -year-old girl with a loose molar and an active imagination, the ultimate horror begins with a visit from The Tooth Fairy...

The Tooth Fairy DVD provides a full set of extras including:

Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1), enhanced for 16x9 TVs
Uncut Version – Never-Before-Seen Footage
Audio Commentary with Director Chuck Bowman, Producer/Writer Stephen. J. Cannell and Actor Jesse Hutch
Hatchet Job: The Making of The Tooth Fairy
Cast and crew interviews
Trailer


THE TOOTH FAIRY
Street Date: August 8, 2006
Pre-Book: June 28, 2006
Catalog #: DV14147
UPC: 0-1313-14147-9 0
Run Time: 89 Minutes
Rating: Not Rated
SRP : $19.98

Give the girl a hand...

You've just got to love Jersey...

A severed hand in a mason jar filled with formaldehyde — and six human skulls — found by police Friday at a home here have led to the arrest of an exotic dancer, police said.

Linda E. Kay, 31, was charged with improper disposition of human remains.

Police responded to a call at 28 Diana Drive Friday about an emotionally disturbed man threatening to hurt himself. A 21-year-old South Plainfield woman told dispatchers a man living there was trying to kill himself with a hammer, police said.

When officers arrived, Kay refused to let them in, South Plainfield Police Chief John Ferraro said. The officers forced their way past her, he said.

Police learned the man who supposedly wanted to harm himself was not in the home. They found the severed hand in a foot-tall mason jar on a table in the basement and the skulls in a second-floor bedroom, Ferraro said.

Human skulls can be readily purchased on the Internet. But the hand, which Ferraro described as "large and crudely severed," was a more bizarre discovery.

The cut was jagged, and bone fragments were present, authorities said. "Our main concern is finding out where the hand came from," Ferraro said.

Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor Judson Hamlin said the hand is being tested, including fingerprint analysis. The hand appears to be that of a white male, authorities said.

Police said Kay is not cooperating. She has refused to tell them where or how she obtained the body parts, police said.

Jason Lafontaine said he lives at the home but didn't know how Kay got the body parts.

"I think she has a friend who is a medical examiner or something who does autopsies," Lafontaine said.
He said residents named the severed hand "Freddy."

"That's what everybody called it," said Lafontaine, 20.

Lafontaine said the human skulls were displayed neatly with animal skulls he believed were souvenirs.
Kay was released after posting a $100,000 bail bond.

Capt. Paul Brembt of the South Plainfield Police Department said police encountered items used in occult practices — such as capes, costumes and things bearing occult symbols — at the Diana Drive home on other calls.

Fallen

Fallen, a made-for-television movie event, unfurled its wings last night, unleashing the Angelic Host upon an unsuspecting audience.

I went in with low expectations... this was the Family Channel after all. In the end however, I was quite pleased. The movie was well scripted and fast paced, and it did a fair job of remaining faithful to its origins, Tom Snieogski's Young Adult series of novels about a young man coming of age and learning he is one of the Nephilim. For those of you not up on your Angelology or Old Testement Lore, the Nephilim are the offspring of Angels and Humans, something forbidden by the Almighty.

I loved the special effects, especially Elizabeth Lackey (Verchiel) and her white bat wings. Oh, and of course, the Flaming Swords... the fights scenes were chalked full of excitement.

Best about this was the acting however, featuring a great performance from veteran Tom Skerritt as Ezekiel.

This is show with a lot of potential, and if they opt to make this in to an ongoing series, well, I for one would be there every week.

The Nightstalkers of Indiana descend on the Converse IOOF...again.

Saturday Night found a gathering of Nightstalkers, intent on cracking the mystery of the Independent Order of Oddfellows' building in downtown Converse. As is often the case, only more questions were born. We shot video and digital pics, captured some interesting EVP, and felt the definite presence of at least two entities.

I'll issue a full report once we get a chance to filter through all that data.

My thanks to the intrepid adventurers who braved the site with me:
Doug, Josh, Joy, Landi, Shannon and Shelby.

Everyone played an intrical part in the success of the night's activities.

Bulgaria Unearths Acropolis-Rivalling Ancient Sanctuary

Bulgarian archaeologists have continued their amazing streak at the ancient sanctuary of Perperikon, unearthing a temple five times larger than Athens' Acropolis.

A bronze cross containing relics of the Holly Cross was also discovered at the site close to the southern city of Kurdzhali, and is the first preserved woodchip from Jesus' cross found in Bulgaria.

The Acropolis-rivalling temple dates back to the Bronze Age and is the biggest on the Balkans. The whole complex is spread over 7.5 square kilometres and covers the whole Perperikon peak. People came to pray at that spot for a period of over 2,000 years, archaeologists believe.

The complex is checkered with metallurgy workshops and the team discovered many awls, and axe moulds. The discovery represents a success for the archaeologists because it is the first complex of its kind ever found on the Balkan Peninsula. The only site that resembles it has been uncovered at the Island of Crete.

Finders of the bronze cross were thrilled as well, as it dates back to the IX or X century A.D. Its sacred contents were very well preserved, because it was hermetically sealed. The cross, bearing Jesus' image on the front and the Holy Mother's on the back, had to spend over a month in a special solution before scientists could pry it open.

The ceramics found near a tower at the newly unearthed sanctuary are similar to the pottery from ancient Troy. This evidence brings new support for the hypothesis that the Troy Homer had described was founded by the Thrace.

Babalon

Appearing at Treadwell's 22 August (Tuesday)

Byronic Occultist
Peter Grey, Practitioner 7.15 for 7.30 start £5.00

This is an ecstatic journey through this figure’s unheard history from Revelations, back through the Ishtar Gate and forward into a living modern magickal current. Peter Grey takes you through a tale of sex, drugs and violence which manages to take in the angelic work of John Dee, the excesses of Aleister Crowley and the immolation of the Californian antichrist-superstar Jack Parsons. This is an explicit and challenging vision of a very modern goddess coming into power.

But Grey gives more than a history, he shares a passionate account of living ritual magick. Suitable for anyone with blood in their veins, regardless of tradition, background or experience.

Expect to be aroused.

Peter Grey is a devotee of Babalon, magician and writer with a suitably nefarious reputation.


Feel free to forward to any other interested parties.

A Guilty Pleasure

In 1978, CBS (in the wake of their successful Hulk and Spider-Man television series') brought us the pilot for a new hero from the pages of Marvel Comics, Doctor Strange. Regrettably this pilot aired to abyssmal ratings. The fact that it was up against the likes of Roots didn't seem to dawn on anyone at the studio, so Dr. Strange slipped away into obscurity.

I was one of the few that was to be found sitting awestruck in front of the old boob tube that most fateful night of its debut... and I loved every cheesy seventies tv moment of it.

Sure, this origin episode, as pilots often are, strayed far and wide of the good doctor's comic book origin, but enough of the essense was left intact to pleasure this pre-teen viewer.

It sported more than competent acting from Peter Hooten (Strange), Anne- Marie Martin (Clea), and, the delicious Jessica Walter (Morgan La Fey). Playing the role of the Master to perfection was veteren actor John Mills, who brought an Obi-Wan like air to the character of Thomas Lindmer.

The occult babble is very accurate for a made-for-tv movie... more than impressive actually. Someone did their homework.

Look, it's fun... it's entertaining... Shakespeare? No. But quality programing with a touch of nostalgia? Most definitely.

This is must-see-tv for me, folks... and I think you might get a kick out of it to.

Joy to the World

Can you give me one good reason for not reading my friend Joy's Blog? The diatribe on catching her son with a bottle of rum is more than reason enough. Her first novel, Rose's Kiss, was a fun historical romance with enough manly combat to keep your testosterone intact and its follow up, the Compass Rose should be along soon. I, for one, am looking forward to it.

And you should be looking forward to our collaborative effort, Wolves of Wintered Night... a foray into the Paranormal Romance genre that we hope will turn a few heads. What's that? You want a sneak peek? Oh, alright, but just a little one:

On a frozen pass in the Russian wilderness, Faye Ayers and her tiny cherub-like daughter were alone. Encircled, she waited as the wolves crept in, slowly, methodically… their purpose clear. Strings of sinew hung from their maws and blood dripped crimson upon the virginal snow of the mountain trail-way. She closed her eyes and resigned herself to her fate. Her lips touched her baby’s forehead tenderly, but with the quiver of fear, dread, and heartbreak most evident.

“I’m so sorry, baby doll,” she whispered, kissing the child for the final time.

The wolves descended upon them and Faye Ayers’ screams were lost among the savage growls of the pack’s assault.

There, I told you...

We hope that you'll be reading the adventures of Shelby Lynn Ayers in the very near future.

Mickey Spillane (1918-2006)

Mickey Spillane was a Man.

Capital M.

I cut my teeth on Spillane's Mike Hammer. "I, the Jury"... "My Gun is Quick"... "Kiss Me Deadly"... Hard-Boiled and Two-Fisted, Spillane's Mike Hammer was the quintessential Tough Guy. So was Mickey.

I guess the older we get, the more of our heroes we have to bury. Well, Mickey Spillane was one of my heroes. He was as tough as nails as the characters he wrote. His words were pure fire and he wove tales that inspired all the Eastwood-Willis-Swatzeneggers that came after.

If you've not read a Mickey Spillane novel then you are doing yourself a disservice.


Some of my favorite quotes from Mickey include:


"Those big-shot writers could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar."


"The first page sells that book. The last page sells your next book."


"If you're a singer you lose your voice. A baseball player loses his arm. A writer gets more knowledge, and if he's good, the older he gets, the better he writes."


"Hemingway hated me. I sold 200 million books, and he didn't. Of course most of mine sold for 25 cents, but still... "


"...wherever I go everybody knows me, but here's why... I'm a merchandiser, I'm not just a writer, I stay in every avenue you can think of. "


So long Mick. Thanks for all the memories.

The Top 10 Archaeolgical Discoveries in Scotland

Compiled by ALICE WYLLIE for the Scotsman

1 The Lewis Chessmen - AD1150-1200

Made from walrus ivory and whale's teeth, the Lewis chessmen comprise a set of seated kings and queens, knights on their mounts, mitred bishops, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks. It is known that they were found on Lewis in the early 19th century, probably buried in sand if their wonderful condition is anything to go by. "The Lewis chessmen are my personal favourite find," says Robin Turner, the head of Archaeology at the National Trust for Scotland, "simply because they are such marvellous characters and so beautifully made. Each piece has incredible wit and character."
Some 93 pieces were discovered in total, 82 of which are in the British Museum in London, with the remaining 11 on show at the Museum of Scotland.

2 Skara Brae Carved Stone Objects - 3100-2500BC

Skara Brae was discovered in 1850, when a storm stripped the grass from a large mound on the mainland of Orkney known as Skerrabra, revealing this Iron Age settlement. Among the many artefacts found were a group of small decorated stone objects, mostly spherical, similar examples of which have been found elsewhere in Scotland. Anne Brundle, the curator of archaeology at the Orkney Museum, says: "We don't know exactly what they were used for, but they may have been early symbols of power, or tokens exchanged to represent a special relationship. They show us that there was so much more to the lives of the inhabitants than survival, emphasising how highly skilled their craftsmen were and telling us a little bit about the hierarchies in their community."

3 Deskford Carnyx - AD100-200

A carnyx is an ornate curved iron-age trumpet that was used in battle, and the Deskford Carnyx is the only one ever found in Britain. Discovered in the early 19th century by peat farmers, it is made of brass and bronze in the shape of a wild boar's head.
Turner says: "By making a replica of the Deskford Carnyx, we now have an idea as to the sound that it might have made. It's a fairly terrifying noise, so it's unsurprising that the Romans were pretty scared by it.
"It is a kind of a precursor to the bagpipes, in that it was intended to inspire the warriors on your own side and to terrify your opponents. The Romans found it so intimidating that they made it the emblem of their enemy."

4 Ballachulish Idol - 600BC

A wooden figure of a female, found in the late 19th century in a peat bog, covered by a wickerwork structure. It is thought to represent a goddess of fertility, as the figure is holding a phallic object over her abdomen. Alison Sheridan, the head of early prehistory at the Museum of Scotland, says: "She has a rather pained expression on her face, because when she was found she had been left to dry out and crack, which is very unfortunate. But she's still wonderfully charming, with the two little pebbles that form her eyes giving her an almost cartoonish appearance.
"It is unclear as to why she was placed under a wickerwork structure. What she shows us is that way back as far as 600BC people were questioning the world around them and had beliefs."

5 Hilton of Cadboll Symbol Stone - AD700-800

The Hilton of Cadboll stone depicts a hunting scene, as well as various ancient symbols widely recognisable elsewhere in Scotland, such as serpents, discs and Z-shaped rods. It was taken from its original site in the 17th century and used as a gravestone, before being donated to the Museum of Scotland in 1921. "There are lots of theories about what the symbols mean," says Turner, "but we don't really know, and I am concerned that we may never know. The hunting scene confirms that the Picts were hunting on horseback, as well as telling us a little bit about how they were clothed and the hunting weapons that they used."
The site of the stone's discovery was recently re-excavated and the bottom half of the stone was found.

6 Cramond Lioness - AD200

"In January 1997 a ferryman in Cramond noticed something peculiar sticking out of the mud, which turned out to be an exquisite stone carving of a lioness devouring a human being," Turner reveals.
"The beast represents death, and is devouring the body of the deceased, and there are two snakes wriggling away, which represent his soul. It is a Roman carving, which would probably have stood guard over an important tomb, and may have been one of a pair."
A large amount of money had to be raised to claim it for the nation, including £35,000 which was raised to compensate the finder, because under Scots law the Crown may claim anything as treasure providing that the person who discovered it is suitably compensated.

7 Rotten Bottom Bow - 4040-3640BC

Discovered in 1991 by a hillwalker, the Rotten Bottom Bow is the oldest bow found in Britain. "It is really a one-in-a-million find, so exquisitely made and incredibly rare," Sheridan says. "The fact that it has survived 6,000 years is astounding, and it gives us so many little clues about the people who used it. It is made of yew, which we know didn't grow in Scotland at that time, so it must have been imported from Ireland or Cumbria. We know that it broke while in use and was discarded on the spot, and since it was found near a precipice we can assume that hunters were driving deer towards the edge of the cliff in order to trap them there.
"It is a perfect example of how one small artefact can answer so many questions about the lives of the people who used it."

8 Orkney Woollen Hood - AD400

The Orkney Woollen Hood is a decorative woven woollen hood with a fringe of long tassels, found almost completely intact in a peat bog in Tankerness in 1867.
"It is incredibly rare to have such an old piece of clothing that has remained so intact, so the hood is really a very special find. It was made for a child but the fringe would have originally been used on an adult's hood," says Sheridan.
"By analysing the weave we were able to discover that it was woven on an upright loom and that the fringe was woven on a tablet, which involves weaving by hand using slivers of bone. A replica was made recently which proved that it would have taken a very long time and an incredible amount of work to make it."

9 Arthur's Seat Coffins - Early 19th century

The Arthur's Seat Coffins were happened upon by a gaggle of schoolboys who were out playing on Arthur's Seat in 1836. They are a series of 17 miniature coffins, each containing a little painted wooden human effigy dressed in clothes.
"They are so charming and fascinating, and they remind us of the superstitions present in society even at such a late stage, although we're not actually sure exactly what they were made for. Some say they have something to do with black magic, while others think they are a little memorial for the 17 victims of the grave-robbers Burke and Hare - a theory that I think is the most likely one," says Turner.
Unfortunately nine of the coffins have crumbled to dust, but the remaining eight are on display at the Museum of Scotland.

10 Scar Viking Boat Burial - AD875-950

The Scar Viking Boat Burial was discovered by a farmer in 1985, after a storm on the island of Sanday in Orkney eroded the coastline.
"After a full excavation by archaeologists, a complete boat was discovered with the skeletons of a man, woman and child inside it, alongside some lovely objects that were included to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The most spectacular of these is a beautiful linen-smoother with two carved horses' heads, made from whalebone," says Brundle.
"Although some of the objects would have been of special value, others are more commonplace, reflecting the belief that the Afterworld is very much like this one, and that it is good to have supplies to carry there. The boat was the means of transportation from this life to the next," says Turner.

These objects can be seen at the Orkney museum.

Archaeology Week events in Scotland:

• A Week of Bronze Age Bling!
Hands-on activities and demonstrations focusing on the materialistic culture of the Bronze Age. A bronze-casting class takes place on Sunday 23 July. Pre-booking not necessary. 15-23 July 10am-5pm, Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne, Insch, Aberdeenshire. www.archaeolink.co.uk

• Excavation of Two Prehistoric Burial Cairns
Would-be archaeologists can try digging, and guided tours take place for the public from 10am-noon and from 2-4pm. Pre-booking for digging only. 15-23 July, 10am-5pm, Newbarns, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway. www.sat.org.uk

• National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh (0131-247 4422; www.nms.ac.uk ; Orkney Museum, www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

Book Signing Recap

I couldn't be more pleased with the results of the book signing this afternoon. The store ordered 18 books for the event and we sold out of them in just one and three quarter hours. Oddly enough there were few people I actually knew who came out to Waldenbooks for the signing... the parents of an old friend from high school... one of my favorite teachers... mostly it was just interested locals who'd read about me in the paper and were curious. The book sold itself.

I wish I would have had more copies. I'm pretty sure I could have sat there all night and moved product. It was a great time.

My wife and son (pictured with me, above) played in the kid's section while I talked up Shadows Over Somerset. My thanks to my lovely wife Kim for helping to set up this event, and to the Store Manager, Vivian, and her assistant Mike for all they did to make my visit one I'll never forget.

It was the most successful signing the store had ever had and I'm dancing on Cloud Nine... It was a thrill to be a part of it.

~Bob

Book Signing

Well, I'll be heading out for my first store signing in the next half hour or so.

I'll be signing copies of Shadows Over Somerset from 1 - 3 pm at the Marion Waldenbooks, located in the North Park Mall on the corner of Kem and Baldwin.

Hope to have a good time and chat up the locals. This is my backyard so, with a bit of luck, some old friend might swing by to offer support.

Wish me luck.

I'll be back with a report later this evening.

Be Well & True

~Bob

FINISHED!!!

The first draft of CAIRNWOOD MANOR II: KEEPERS OF THE DEAD is now complete. Wow, what a roller coaster ride. Clocking in at over 83,000 words, it is the longest novel I've written to date, and I think once I address the proof reading it will probably grow a wee bit. Man, I'm almost sorry it's over. I really enjoyed this one. Lots of action. Lots of intrigue... and a lot of heartbreak. Fans of Shadows Over Somerset will really like this one... I cover the heirarchy of the pack and delve far more into the inner workings of the Wolves of Ash Lawn... and for those of you that were captivated by the immortal swordsman Garrick Ward, you will get a healthy dos of him and his Circle of Nine Skulls in this one.

I'll be sending this off to Black Death shortly and I will update you as to when it might see publication.

In the meantime, grab a copy of Insidious Reflections magazine and enjoy the interview with me therein. You will also find an excerpt from KEEPERS OF THE DEAD that I think will more than wet your appetite for more.

By the Sword,

Bob Freeman

PS... Next up on the writing block?

Wolves of Wintered Night, the paranormal romance I'm working on with author Joy Harber...

Within a Circle of Stone (A Wolfe and Crowe Investigation: Book One)...

and a couple of shorts for the Howard 101 anthology.

A writer's work is never done.

Why I do I feel like I should be writing the third Cairnwood book right now?

Beware the Witches of Hollywood

Tinseltown’s ‘Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble’ shop.

By MARY FRANCES GURTON, L.A. Independent Staff Writer

Got magick?

At Panpipes Magickal Marketplace in Hollywood, factions from every sector of the occult underworld can find what they need for paranormal or supernatural magic — black or white — witchcraft and sorcery, wizardry, astrology, alchemy, practical mysticism, voodoo, divination and fortune-telling.

“We cater to all traditions,” says owner Vicky Adams, 38, dressed a la Elvira at the shop’s Cahuenga Boulevard location. “Everyone has a right to practice what they feel, what’s right for them.”

Pagan symbology dominates throughout the store and is joined by that of Nordic and Celtic rites denoting the confluence of wide-ranging influences at what is known as the world’s oldest occult shop, first opened in 1961.

Jymie Darling, 36, and Adams, partners in the store and in life, have owned the shop since 1998, but both have been involved with it for much longer than that.

And their passion for the occult has existed for even longer, stemming from the years each spent at Catholic schools, Adams in Australia and Darling in Los Angeles.

“I take the ‘Wow’ out of the occult,” says Darling, the store’s lead alchemist whose doctorate in Ancient Religions from Cambridge University informs her explanation of occult history and the pair’s philosophy of tolerance and open-mindedness.

“The basic law of physics is that energy never dies, it just changes formats. So when a psychic or diviner speaks to someone who’s died, they are simply speaking to a different format. Human beings are basically an energy format.”

The philosophies of all religions, pagan, Christian, and otherwise overlap and influence each other throughout history, the pair stresses.And just how did two good Catholic girls wind up in a place like this? “You get out of Christianity or other organized religions,” says Adams, who explains that the Australian Catholicism she was exposed to focused on the strength of women, “because you don’t want to be directed by fear or because you want to find a way to have a direct contact with the divinity.”

Darling said a teacher at the Catholic high school she attended in the Valley told an entire class there was little difference between a book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the Bible.

“He wasn’t there long after that,” said Darling, her tousle of red hair and thick black eyeliner a clear indicator of her characterization by many as a witch, a term she said is as often misused as it is misunderstood. “But the bottom line is there are a profound amount of similarities between the religions. All are right, and all are not right.

“I prefer to be referred to as a occultist.”

The owners have literally been terrorized as a result of those misunderstandings, even having bottles thrown at them when they leave the shop, among other assaults.

A “Biker for Christ” came into the store, smashing up the glass counters while telling them they would burn in hell forever for their beliefs, Darling said.

“Every Friday someone comes and puts a pile of Christian tracts under the door,” says Adams. “What I don’t like is [feeling] ‘Why can’t I do what is right for me, when I let you do what is right for you?”

Meanwhile, the pair have been used as consultants for TV shows and movies such “X-Files,” and most recently “Pirates of the Caribbean,” for which they helped the producers accurately portray various voodoo scenes.

Actress Patricia Arquette, star of NBC’s hit series “Medium,” is rumored to be a regular.

Of the many difficulties that come with being a practitioner of her variety, Darling says, “If I can change or open one mind about what we really do, I feel that I am a complete success. I’m out of the broom closet, literally.”

Converse Fair Recap & Book Signing Announcement

First, my thanks to everyone who came out to see me at the Fair this year. It was a real blast and my expectations were totally blown out of the water.

I had intended to use the week of the fair as a means of self-promotion. My expectations for sales were very low. I mean, shopping for books is not exactly on your to-do list when your headed out for carnival rides and cotton candy.

I did meet a lot of interested people and got to talk up my novels and short stories... and lots of people were really fascinated by my work with the Nightstalkers and the Wabash Paranormal Investigation & Research Group.

All that being said, let's look at the tally for sales for the week:

8 Trade paperbacks of Shadows Over Somerset
1 limited edition Shadows Over Somerset Hardcover
2 over-sized paperbacks of Autumn Moon and the Book of Secrets (and other dark tales)
2 copies of the Autumn Moon and the Book of Secrets magazine
1 copy of the Cairnwood Manor limited edition magazine

I'd call that a very successful week. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success.

Now, on to other news.

I would like to invite you all to a book signing...

I will be appearing

Saturday July 15th

from 1-3pm

at Waldenbooks

in the North Park Mall

Marion Indiana

I hope to see you there.

Day Four @ the Converse Fair

Well... I had a decent night. I sold two copies of Shadows Over Somerset and one copy of Autumn Moon. Saturday is the last night the Fair and I;m looking forward to it being over.

Look for a Fair recap come Monday...

Latest Review of Shadows Over Somerset

Morgan's Review of Shadows Over Somerset @ Novelspot

Rating: 7

Review: Ever want to spend quality time with your personal role model? By dogging your role model’s steps, you could learn to be more like him. Pick up a few fashion tips, maybe some professional secrets. That’s what Samuel Beck is hoping for in Shadow Over Somerset. His role model happens to be a very efficient—vampire hunter.

Samuel Beck is no Van Helsing with his London Fog coat and glasses. Not to mention, all the little body parts the voracious vampires and zombies leave strewn about make him sick—literally. He’s no Indiana Jones of the stake pounding set, but he is determined to learn. That’s where his mentor, Garrick, comes in handy, but not soon enough.

Ward Garrick is a cross between a Viking Warrior and Bruce Lee. To top it off he is the avenging angel for all things evil; that’s his job description. Over the years, he and a few chosen others continually fight evil. Unfortunately, he doesn’t save Beck from being transformed. His failure haunts him, and makes him work even harder eradicating the undead. There is one especially nasty vampire with "his name on it". If that isn’t enough, there is always a chance he might meet up with Samuel Beck. Only this time they won’t be friends. Then there’s the boss, Lord Cairnwood.

Lord Cairwood, who seems to have mystical powers as well as a manor, asks Garrick to retrieve his heir. There are a few problems with the retrieval. Garrick is too busy ridding the world of evil to pick up the heir. The other problem is the heir, who now calls himself Michael Sommers, takes to hanging out in vampire bars. Besides the freaks that like to pretend they’re vampires, and the folks who know they look good in black capes, there is the occasional true vampire at the bar. Sir Garlan Peck arrives in time to decapitate a drug-crazed junkie who is intent on hamstringing Michael. Peck escorts Michael back to his ancestral home to meet Lord Cairnwood and learn what is expected of him—and it’s a lot.

Talk about a lot: this book is populated by witches, zombies, vampires, Viking Warriors, Templar Knights, Sheriff Andy Taylor, and people who never die or age. It also features a young girl dreaming of mysterious beings and bloody rituals. There is, of course, the battle against good and evil. It appears to be a hybrid of the Highlander, Van Helsing, and oddly enough, The Andy Griffith Show.

Shadows Over Somerset has more the feel of a graphic novel than a horror story. The action scenes are well written, which isn’t an easy thing to do. But there are too many characters to fully grasp the story line. It makes it difficult to read without a character outline. The use of recognized names such as Sheriff Andy Taylor is distracting also. Fans of vampire novels should enjoy this one—because it is, in the scheme of things, much better than your average vampire novel.

Reviewed by Morgan © June 2006

Day Three...the Converse Fair

I took the night off. There I said it. I had fully intended on setting up for a third straight night in the Merchant's Building and signing copies of Shadows Over Somerset. I didn't... and I offer no apologies... As you can see from the pictures, I instead had a wonderful evening with my wife Kim, son Connor (who at 2 1/2 years of age shocked me by spelling his name yesterday...damn that boy is smart), and Cassie...

Kim and I watched as our two darling charges relished in their youth... and we had an awesome time. We ate bad fair food, got ice cream from the Big Dipper on the way home, and to round the evening out, Kim and I watched Rock Star: Supernova while baby boy sleapt between us on the living room floor.

Life is good. I'll sell some books tomorrow... last night was for family. It was worth every second.

The Converse Fair... Day Two

Well, the crowd was slightly larger than the night before, but I only moved one copy of Autumn Moon and the Book of Secrets. I expect tonight to be more of the same... I had suspected that I would fare better come the weekend, so I'm still holding oput hope for Friday and Saturday night.

W.P.I.R.G. generated a lot of interest. I probably gave out a dozen broshures to people wanting to go on "ride alongs"... Nice to see a heightened interest in the paranormal by the common man.

I'll be setting up later than normal this evening so the wife and I can take the kids out to the carnival itself. Should be a good time... I'm really looking forward to seeing the joy etched on Connor's face as he gets to ride some of the "kiddie" attractions...

No Goat's Blood for you...

It's no surprise that Google wanted a piece of PayPal's pie and launched the long-awaited Google Checkout last week.

Sell anything you want, says the 'plex... but no drugs, no booze and no stolen material. But what's this in the Terms & Conditions?

Users are also prohibited from using Checkout to sell Occult goods (that's "materials, goods or paraphernalia for use in satanic, sacrificial, or related practices" to you and me).

No word yet on how much commission PayPal makes from sales of inverted crosses and ouija boards, but we're glad the Goobot is looking out for us.

End of Day One at the Fair

Four books sold in two hours... not too shabby. There was next to no crowd. I expect an even better day tomorrow. Considering that I did not advertise that I would be signing this week, I am thrilled that I moved as many books as I did.

It was hot and miserable... and the smell of ribs cooking next door was driving me to the brink.... But all in all... it was a good day.

Spent the later evening at a cookout held at my father-in-law's... Good company, good food, good fireworks,,, and my family held close in the late evning chill.

Yeah... it was a good day.

Come see me...

I will be appearing all this week at the Converse 4H Fair, promoting the release of Shadows Over Somerset and telling ghost stories to any and all that will listen. Also available will be copies of the Encyclopedia of Haunted Places, Autumn Moon and the Book of Secrets, plus issues of Lion's Den Studios' Loose Cannons...

Look for me in the Merchant Building...

7/4 Tuesday (5pm - 7pm)
7/5 Wednesday (5pm - 8pm)
7/6 Thursday (5pm - 7pm)
7/7 Friday (5pm - 9pm)
7/8 Saturday (5pm - ?)

All times are subject to change.

I really hope to see you out there.

When else are you going to get the chance to get Shadows Over Somerset signed in person and hear me tell you all about the latest Nightstalking exploits of the Wabash Paranormal Investigation and Research Group, all while eating an elephant ear?

Carnies! Fair Rides! Cotton Candy! Freak Shows... and a Bob Freeman Signing!

It's like a match made in heaven...

Come on out and watch Bob try to put a little Wicked in this Carnival...

I had a dream...

I walked slowly through the Elwood Opera House... shadowy apparitions flying overhead, swooping down to harass me as I traverse the room. The door to the right of the stage opens inward and I race to it for shelter from the menacing spectres that seek to do me harm.

Before I reach the door I stumble, falling roughly to the ground. I roll to my right and try to get up but my gaze leads me to a ghostly figure standing between the eastern pillars, a veiled woman robed in white. She reaches for me and I scramble away from her.

Lying on the ground are Tarot cards... I notice the Heirophant, the Moon, the IX of Swords, among others. One card sticks to my hand... I peel it away and am holding the Magician.

I notice the veiled woman backing away. I turn to look over my shoulder and I see a phantasmal figure coming through the North doors. A dark shape, robed like a monkish figure... It forms the LVX from Thelemic Ritual and speaks in a language I don't recognize, but somehow I understand that it is reciting the Star Sapphire (a Crowley-ian Rite).

The figure then puts a finger up to its hood and it says, "Shhhh".

I turn around and I'm standing atop Lada Mitherock, overlooking Shirley Creek. The sound of the artesian well is thunderous. Fireflies dance in the narrow wooded area below and I'm about to go down to join them when a hand grasps my shoulder and says, "I brought them through."

I turn and no one is there.

Then I wake up.

Elwood Recap

Jason picked me up in the WPIRG SUV at 9:30pm and we set sail for Elwood and the Haunted Opera House. Along for the ride were Jason's son Christian, Chris, Joy, and her daughter Shelby. We would be meeting Tim, his daughter Melissa, and her boyfriend Eddie at the site, along with the buildings owner, Randell, and the building caretaker Keith.

The ride itself was a thrill as I got to have my first listen of the EVP's from my first trip to Elwood and from our investigation at the Converse IOOF. Some truly fantastic sounds were captured by our equipment... Once I get copies for myself I will issue a transciption of the conversations we had, unknowingly, with the beyond.

Now, for some highlights of Saturday Night's Investigation:

*** Upon entering the Blue Room I was struck by a cold chill that was almost crippling. In addition, the air seemed almost too thick to be breathed. I had the overwhelming sense that we were intruding and were unwelcome. I immediately felt we should leave, a sense of dread coursing through my veins... but then the feeling passed and I was left standing in an oppressively humid climate that stayed with us the rest of the night.

Chris' experience, walking in behind me, mirrored my own... We were unwanted this night... We stayed just the same, but we found the spirits elusive...

***My first action was to visit the Tarot, to get a feel for what spirits would be present this night. The spread was an interesting one (see pic 1). First drawn was the Hanged Man which I believe represented the spirit in the back stairwell (pic 5); second drawn was the Devil representing, I believe, the groping, door opening spirit in the former Masonic Pool Room; my next draw found two cards stuck together... the card on top was the Wheel of Fortune, while stuck to it was the IX of Swords... these, to me, represented the veiled woman from my two weeks of lucid dreaming; finally I drew the Magician, which I feel, after discussion with Joy, Shelby, and Chris, represented a "Guardian Spirit" that had followed Shelby from home... an invitation that she and her mother made when they were charging their pendulums before Jason picked them up.

***Following this, we began exploring the second floor. I was thrilled when we entered the main hallway (pic 2) and I smelled the "phantom roses"... this was verified by Joy, Shelby, and Keith, who also caught wind of the ghostly scent.

***Next I took some digital photos of the Blue Room, catching some minor orb activity (pic 3). I include two orbs that I blew up 300% (pics 4a & 4b)

***I again paid a visit to the spirit in the back stairwell (pic 5). My visit experience with this spirit left me shaken and this time it was little different. It is such an overwhelming sensation... his death unexpected and violent...

***I spent most of the rest of the night with Keith, the building's caretaker and amateur historian. His was a wealth of information and I hope to use the information gathered from his research to help further my own so we can come nearer to understanding just why the Elwood Opera House is such a hotbed of paranormal activity...

More to come, I'm sure...