Before captivating America as Morticia in The Addams Family, actress Carolyn Jones appeared in 30 movies (including starring roles with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra) and had a decade-long marriage to producer Aaron Spelling. But the road to Hollywood from her native Amarillo, Texas, was studded with rejection, typecasting, and unwanted comparisons to an actress who hated her: Bette Davis. Author James Pylant unveils the real Carolyn Jones, with access to her personal correspondence and journal, as well as interviews with her family, friends and fellow actors. What emerges is an intimate portrait of the iconic actress, a consummate professional who created a mystique not only for Morticia but for herself.--Website.

It began in the 1800s. In the Texas town of Mineral Wells, people drinking the strange-tasting water claimed to be cured of insanity, rheumatism, and terminal illness. Discovery of the phenomenon beguiled thousands of tourists, curiosity seekers, and the afflicted who desperately sought cures. Yet, the town that promoted its “crazy water” attracted eccentric citizens, including wealthy Will and Anna Johnson, who, unable to cope with the deaths of their children, spared no expense in preserving the bodies for entombment in a mausoleum; paperclip inventor David Galbraith, the builder of a house in the shape of a honeycomb; and influential mortician Bob Beetham, who gained power by keeping the town’s secrets. In Texas Gothic, author James Pylant also uncovers the mysterious life of beautiful and ambitious Mineral Wells resident Corinne Griffith. After becoming a famous star of the silent screen and one of America’s richest women, she made a shocking courtroom claim that she was not the “real” Corinne Griffith. Under the looming 14-story Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells thrived with visits from movie stars; yet, the “crazy water” beckoned exploiters and predators. Texas Gothic reveals true tales of the town’s forgotten past: murder, white slavery, prostitution, and mysterious deaths.

From 1869 to 1918 more than 1,200 women lived as prostitutes in Waco, Texas. When the city legalized its red-light district, floozies flocked to Waco where saloons and bordellos boomed. The Oldest Profession in Texas: Waco’s Legal Red-Light District examines the city’s complex stance on prostitution, debunks myths, and unveils (for the first time) the true identities of several early day madams.

In 1925 Texans were stunned when a young man’s severed head was found in an abandoned farmhouse near the town of Stephenville. An investigation led to ex-convict F. M. Snow and the mysterious disappearances of his wife and mother-in-law. But this shocking, bloody saga began 50 years earlier . . . Beautiful, vivacious Samantha Jones had a penchant for dangerous men. Her teenage marriage to gambler Amos Smith ended when he was gunned down in a hit orchestrated by his wife’s alleged lover, who was lynched. The widow then married the abusive Bill Olds, who was later arrested for theft, forgery and murder. Violence stalked the next generation when Samantha’s daughter, Maggie Olds, was twice widowed with the brutal murders of her second and fourth husbands. Yet Maggie’s unfortunate choice for a fifth husband, F. M. Snow, led to a gruesome, triple tragedy. In Blood Legacy: The True Story of the Snow Axe Murders, James Pylant delves into family history and sheds new light on a tale of twenty shocking deaths fueled by greed, insanity and revenge. "From hits to lynchings to black widows, this chronicle proves endlessly intriguing." —The Midwest Book Review "Set in the seemingly quiet isolation of small-town Texas, Blood Legacy is a well-written, well-researched true tale with Gothic overtones and more than a hint of Stephen King-style horror." —Carlton Stowers, best-selling and award-winning author

In the idyllic town of Willowbrook, a mysterious carnival known as "Chuckles in the Shadows" materializes, bringing with it an aura of enigmatic delight. However, unbeknownst to the cheerful townsfolk, this carnival conceals a hidden agenda—to unleash laughter and merriment upon the world. At the heart of the tale is Aria Kensington, a gifted artist and a fervent advocate for spreading love and laughter through her craft. As the whimsical carnival graces Willowbrook, it sets in motion a series of extraordinary events, uniting a cast of eccentric characters: Charlie Grimshaw, a stand-up comedian with a dark sense of humor; Mortimer Creepy, the undertaker yearning for a clown's legacy; Isabella Moon, a reclusive artist drawn to the macabre; Sheriff Rottenwood, a well-intentioned yet clumsy lawman; Dahlia Nightshade, the mysterious ringmaster; Dr. Ichabod Quirke, a scientist infatuated with the supernatural; Greta Hex, a dramatic fortune teller; and Barnaby Twitch, a ghostly former clown. Through a tapestry of laughter, revelations, and personal growth, each character's journey intertwines with the carnival's magic. "Chuckles in the Shadows: A Ghastly Comedy" explores the transformative power of laughter, the beauty of embracing one's true self, and the unifying spirit of community. This dark comedy invites readers to a realm where laughter is the key to an extraordinary adventure, revealing that even in the shadows, hilarity awaits.

The holidays are here, and this year, they’re deadly… It’s my first Thanksgiving back in Moonshadow Bay, and everything is hunky-dory until the Witches Guild assigns me a research project for the upcoming Winter Solstice Festival. Not only do I melt down my computer, but I download a demon who ends up stuck in my house. But Tarvish the Funtime demon is the least of my worries when my grandmother asks my BFF and me to go undercover. A magical pyramid scheme has moved into town and it’s siphoning more than money off its recruits. Will we be able to take it down, or will the leader of the cult manage to silence us for good? Keywords: Paranormal, Witches, Faerie, Fae, Fairy, Weres, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Badass heroine, kickass women, action and adventure, Ghost hunting, cats, ghosts, urban legends, shadow people, Shadow towns, wolf shifters, cat shifters, elemental magic, shapeshifter romance, mystery, strong women, kickass heroine, steamy, Pacific North West, woods, fae creatures, divorce, life change, new life, hometown, hauntings, dark creatures, amazing friendships, family secrets, spells, challenging foes, magical creatures, mythology

“Outstanding, intriguing. Dark, grim, fast paced, nerve wracking!” “A riot to read!” “Read it in a single sitting.” “An exciting addition to the LitRPG field with loads of character development and interaction, I found this a difficult book to put down.” “Humor, action, suspense, mysteries and twists!” “Crimson Gauntlet certainly will appeal to fans of both the LitRPG and apocalyptic subgenres of sci-fi. It sticks the ending and opens up an intriguing world to explore further.” Even as the world burns, the game is everything… When a wave of monsters attack the town of Bell Park, Eddie Rush has no idea the invasion is an introduction to a new interactive experience. Crimson Gauntlet Online wasn’t supposed to go live for weeks. But for Eddie and his group of gamer friends, the chilling realization dawns on them that the promised game is responsible for the spreading destruction and death. If Eddie wants to survive, he’ll need to learn the rules, and fast. Because Crimson Gauntlet isn’t taking prisoners. Full of action, dark humor, and mystery, Crimson Gauntlet is perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Ready Player One, and Robopocalypse. From the award-winning author of Shadows of Mars and The Seraph Engine. Discover a new favorite series in this post-apocalyptic LitRPG adventure. Grab your copy and enjoy the ride!