Tales From The Mist

My short paranormal Beneath Still Waters (Part One) is part of this highly acclaimed anthology. Each story is unique and chilling/horrifying in its own right and if you like spooky even just a little bit, I can tell you from having read the other 11 stories, you will LOVE this collection.

Amazon, Amazon UK, BN, Kobo, SW, ARe

TALES FROM THE MIST will take you on a journey into the dark world of the paranormal. These twelve stories vary in their degree of horror, yet all reach across the boundaries of their genres into the chilling realms of the macabre. Witches, ghosts, shape-shifters and vampire rats are some of the creatures that reign within these pages.

"To have a collection assembled by such a talented group of authors makes this THE anthology to own if you are a fan of horror." ~ TW Brown, author of Dead: The Ugly Beginning: 

Foreword, by Aiden James

Wampus Cat, by Scott Nicholson

A camping trip into the Appalachian Mountains leads to the discovery of a spooky creature thought to be nothing more than a folk myth. Wampus Cat was originally published in Legends of the Mountain State 2.

The Consuming, by Rhonda Hopkins

Serena knows her late uncle wasn’t crazy. So when she inherits his sprawling Carolina mansion and leaves the big city to restore both his home and his name, she uncovers a mystery that could cost much more than her sanity. As the house slowly reveals its dark secrets, and the extent of her peril becomes evident, she’ll settle for escaping with her life—if it isn’t already too late.

Addiction, by Marty Young

If you were told you could become a God, would you? Imagine the power, and how it could be used. But then there’s that saying about power isn’t there? And how it corrupts...

The Messenger, by Cate Dean

Sarah escapes her tour group, hoping to find some much needed alone time in the local cemetery. What she finds instead casts her in the unwanted role of savior, and forces her to make a life or death choice.

Jade O'Reilly & the Graveyard Shift, by Tamara Ward

Private investigator Jade O'Reilly finds herself on security–guard duty at a supposedly haunted historic mansion on Halloween night. She doesn't believe in the rumors that say the house is cursed; she doesn't believe in ghosts. Will she by the end of her shift?

In A Beginning, by Meredith Bond

There is no way Lilith is going to accept Adam’s chauvinistic attitude. If he wants to rule the Garden of Eden, she’s outta there! But things get a lot more interesting – and scarier – after she leaves the Garden and falls in love with the demon, Samael.

Haste, by Catie Rhodes

A betrayed wife who murders her cheating husband and his lover in a fit of rage becomes the victim of her own impulsiveness.

King of Rats, by Gregory Carrico

All that stands between him and a lifetime of food is a Queen, his sister, and a surface world overrun by vampires. Will the King of Alley Rats risk everything for his throne and his pack, or leave it all behind for a pretty mouse in distress?

To E. A. Poe, by Mitzi Flyte

In 1845 a grieving brother writes to the author, blaming Poe for his sister's death. Could one of Poe's short stories lead someone to do the unspeakable?

An Inconvenient Debt, by Natalie G. Owens

A mother makes a Faustian bargain for her son’s freedom. But can she truly meet the cost when his real prison demands payment of a different debt?

Dead Lily Blooms, by *lizzie starr

Someone wants vampyre Lily dead, and a bargain with Death has been struck. Death sends servant Agaar to bring Lily to him, but the task becomes more complicated than either Death or Agaar anticipated.

Beneath Still Waters, by Stacey Joy Netzel

An old legend tells of a beautiful witch unjustly persecuted who became a ghost bent on revenge. The danger lies in not believing.

~~~

EXCERPT from BENEATH STILL WATERS (Part One):

“Back in the eighteen hundreds, there was a young witch who lived in these mountains. In fact ... ” Ted paused and looked around. “What remains of her cabin isn’t too far from here.”

Megan gave a little moan, as if the long-dead woman would suddenly appear right behind her.

“The townspeople were all scared of her, but since she kept to herself mostly, they left her alone. Then one day—”

“Does this witch have a name? And why were they scared of her?” Becca fired off the questions as Megan glanced uneasily over Johnny’s shoulder.

“Shh,” Liz said with annoyance.

“The legend warns against speaking her name.” 

“Don’t encourage him,” Shane added.

“Why not?” The fearful question came from Megan.

“She practiced black magic,” Ted explained. “They say if you speak her name it could awaken her spirit.”

The fire popped, throwing a shower of sparks skyward. Becca noticed Megan and Liz both jerk in reaction, as if the witch had sent a sign.

She didn’t believe there was an ounce of truth to the story. “You guys probably don’t even know it.”

Ted met her gaze with a solemn nod.

“Are you chicken?” she challenged him and Shane. Now she was starting to have fun.

“Some things are better left unspoken,” Shane warned.

“Just tell us.”

Despite Liz’s urging, Ted hesitated. Becca guessed it was part of their presentation.

“Her name is ... ”

“Don’t say it,” Shane breathed, closing his eyes. “Please don’t say—”

“Alianna.”

A burst of rustling leaves preceded a loud clatter in the forest behind them. Megan let out an ear-piercing scream. Liz swore, hand pressed to her chest, and even Becca jumped—even though she’d spotted Johnny’s rock toss into the woods. She might not believe in ghosts, but Shane’s solemn “Please don’t say—” had left her oddly apprehensive.

Ted capitalized on the heightened tension. “Many nights, strange lights appeared over the mountain where the witch lived, and on days after a full moon ... animals were found in the surrounding woods ... their organs ripped out, all the blood drained from their bodies.”

“For rituals?” Liz wondered in an enthralled whisper. “Or do you think she drank it? Like a vampire.”

Megan’s hand covered her mouth. “Ew, gross.”

Becca agreed.

“No one ever knew,” Ted answered Liz. “She was very beautiful ... long hair the color of fire, green eyes like sparkling emeralds, and a body to rival the goddess Aphrodite ... ”

Becca twirled her long ponytail around her finger, mesmerized by the disturbing shadows from the diminishing campfire flames cast upon Ted’s classic features. She had to give him kudos for his master storyteller abilities. He pitched his deep, expressive voice at exactly the perfect level to keep the girls spellbound and hanging on every well-chosen word. Even she found herself holding her breath as she waited for him to continue—until she realized his attention had zeroed in on her.

“What?”

He gave her a slow sexy smile that she recalled seeing more than once the night of the social when they’d first met. “I imagine she looked somewhat like you.”

~~~

Get your copy of TALES FROM THE MIST at: Amazon, Amazon UK, BN, Kobo, SW, ARe

"I've grown up loving to be scared. Thus, when I had a chance to read Tales From The Mist, I jumped at the chance and jumped when I read the stories. All these stories are worth your while…” ~ From Bill Hopkins, author of Courting Murder 

"Tales From The Mist is one of those rare anthologies that gets it right from the first story to the last. It's a magnificent feast of horror from some of the most assured voices working today. From cold-blooded tales of revenge to Faustian bargains to terrifying journeys into the dark corners of our world, these stories will make the shivers climb your back." ~ Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Flesh Eaters and Mutated

And then watch for RISING ABOVE (Still Waters Part Two) November 2012.

Imagine you’ve lived before, but don’t remember or believe it’s even possible. Therein lies the danger. For in not believing and learning from your pasts, the power shifts to the one who would see you dead. Again.

Stacey Joy Netzel