#paranormal/mystery/romance

[jjspina]

Take time to read and relax! Life is too short!

[theworldofetgoma-blog]

[feli-artblog]

Etsy

[theplotmage]

50 Supernatural Entities to Haunt Your Halloween Night for Paranormal Fantasy Writers:

1. Vampire

Description: Blood-drinking creatures of the night.

What They Do: Feed on the blood of the living, sometimes charming their victims first.

Appearance: Pale skin, sharp fangs, often dressed in dark, old-fashioned clothing.

2. Werewolf

Description: Human by day, wolf-like beast by full moon.

What They Do: Transform into violent wolves and hunt at night.

Appearance: Muscular, covered in fur, with fangs and claws; halfway between wolf and human.

3. Ghost

Description: Spirit of a deceased person.

What They Do: Haunt places they have ties to, usually in a restless state.

Appearance: Translucent, often resembling the person they were in life.

4. Banshee

Description: A female spirit who forewarns of death.

What They Do: Wails loudly to signal someone’s impending death.

Appearance: Gaunt, with long hair and wearing white or gray robes.

5. Poltergeist

Description: Mischievous, noisy spirit.

What They Do: Throws objects, slams doors, and causes disturbances.

Appearance: Invisible but known for chaotic energy and moving objects.

6. Revenant

Description: Corpse risen from the grave for vengeance.

What They Do: Seeks revenge on those who wronged them in life.

Appearance: Decayed and skeletal, with tattered clothing.

7. Wendigo

Description: Cursed, cannibalistic spirit.

What They Do: Feeds on human flesh and spreads madness.

Appearance: Tall, emaciated with antlers and pale, cold skin.

8. Zombie

Description: Reanimated corpse, often mindless.

What They Do: Wander in search of living flesh to consume.

Appearance: Rotting, decayed, with vacant eyes.

9. Ghoul

Description: Creature that feeds on the dead.

What They Do: Raids cemeteries, feasting on corpses.

Appearance: Grayish, decayed, with sharp claws and teeth.

10. Shadow Person

Description: Mysterious dark figure, often seen in peripheral vision.

What They Do: Follows or observes humans, inducing fear.

Appearance: Tall, dark silhouette without detailed features.

11. Lich

Description: Undead sorcerer who achieved immortality.

What They Do: Uses dark magic to control other undead beings.

Appearance: Skeletal, with tattered robes and glowing eyes.

12. Mummy

Description: Reanimated, embalmed corpse from ancient tombs.

What They Do: Seeks vengeance or protects their treasures.

Appearance: Wrapped in bandages, often missing pieces.

13. Grim Reaper

Description: Personification of death.

What They Do: Collects souls of the deceased.

Appearance: Hooded figure in a black robe, carrying a scythe.

14. Succubus

Description: Female demon that seduces men.

What They Do: Drains life energy through intimate encounters.

Appearance: Attractive, sometimes with bat wings and horns.

15. Incubus

Description: Male counterpart to the succubus.

What They Do: Preys on women, draining their life force.

Appearance: Handsome, often with dark or demonic features.

16. Dullahan

Description: Headless horseman from Irish mythology.

What They Do: Rides a black horse, heralding death.

Appearance: Carries their own head, glowing eyes, wearing dark armor.

17. Necromancer

Description: Sorcerer who commands the dead.

What They Do: Raises and controls undead creatures.

Appearance: Dark robes, carrying a staff or book of spells.

18. Hellhound

Description: Fiery, demonic dog from hell.

What They Do: Guards the underworld, hunts souls.

Appearance: Large black dog with glowing red eyes and flames.

19. Draugr

Description: Undead Norse warrior.

What They Do: Guards treasure and attacks intruders.

Appearance: Bloated, decaying corpse with armor.

20. Chupacabra

Description: Beast that preys on livestock.

What They Do: Drains blood from animals, mainly goats.

Appearance: Reptilian, with spines and sharp teeth.

21. Djinn

Description: Ancient spirit capable of granting wishes, often with a trick.

What They Do: Manipulates wishes to harm the wish-maker.

Appearance: Wispy, ethereal, with sometimes human features.

22. Yurei

Description: Vengeful spirit from Japanese folklore.

What They Do: Haunts those who wronged them in life.

Appearance: Pale, disheveled, with long, dark hair.

23. Headless Horseman

Description: Decapitated rider seeking revenge.

What They Do: Rides at night, often hunting for a head.

Appearance: Headless, in dark clothing, riding a black horse.

24. Gorgon

Description: Snake-haired monster that can turn people to stone.

What They Do: Hunts or curses those who look upon her.

Appearance: Female, with snakes for hair and a terrifying visage.

25. Kraken

Description: Giant sea monster, often attacking ships.

What They Do: Destroys ships, drags sailors underwater.

Appearance: Gigantic, tentacled beast resembling an octopus.

26. Nosferatu

Description: An older, monstrous version of a vampire.

What They Do: Preys on blood, more feral than elegant vampires.

Appearance: Rat-like features, bald, with elongated claws.

27. Shtriga

Description: Witch from Albanian folklore that preys on children.

What They Do: Sucks life energy from young children.

Appearance: Elderly, shriveled, with a long, pointed nose.

28. Jiangshi

Description: Chinese hopping vampire.

What They Do: Drains life force, hopping instead of walking.

Appearance: Rigid, dressed in ancient attire with a pale face.

29. Aswang

Description: Filipino shapeshifting creature.

What They Do: Hunts humans, especially at night.

Appearance: Changes from human to monstrous form with long tongue.

30. Noppera-bo

Description: Japanese faceless ghost.

What They Do: Terrifies people by erasing their face.

Appearance: Normal human but with a blank face.

31. Kitsune

Description: Fox spirit from Japanese folklore.

What They Do: Plays tricks on humans, can possess or enchant.

Appearance: Fox with multiple tails or as a human with fox traits.

32. Rakshasa

Description: Demonic being from Hindu mythology.

What They Do: Devours humans, uses magic to deceive.

Appearance: Animal-like face, often with fangs and claws.

33. Wraith

Description: Malevolent spirit tied to a place of death.

What They Do: Harms those who enter their territory.

Appearance: Shadowy, with skeletal hands and a hooded cloak.

34. Ghast

Description: Larger, more terrifying version of a ghoul.

What They Do: Consumes living and dead flesh.

Appearance: Grayish, skeletal, with sharp teeth.

35. Kappa

Description: Water demon from Japanese folklore.

What They Do: Drowns humans and feeds on them.

Appearance: Humanoid with a beak, webbed hands, and water-filled head.

36. Selkie

Description: Mythical seal creature that transforms into human form.

What They Do: Lives as human on land, as a seal in water.

Appearance: Human with soft features, seal-like in water.

37. Manananggal

Description: Filipino monster that detaches its torso to fly.

What They Do: Feeds on unborn children and blood.

Appearance: Upper body separates and grows wings at night.

38. Gashadokuro

Description: Giant skeletal monster from Japanese folklore.

What They Do: Crushes and devours people.

Appearance: Enormous, skeletal, with fiery eyes.

39. Pontianak

Description: Vengeful female spirit from Malaysian folklore.

What They Do: Attacks men, especially those who wronged her in life.

Appearance: Beautiful, but transforms into a blood-stained, terrifying figure with long nails.

40. Strigoi

Description: Undead creature from Romanian folklore, precursor to modern vampires.

What They Do: Rises from the grave to feed on blood or energy.

Appearance: Gaunt, pale, with sharp teeth, sometimes bearing claw-like nails.

41. Demon

Description: Evil entity from various mythologies.

What They Do: Possesses or torments humans, spreading chaos.

Appearance: Often with horns, red skin, and menacing features, sometimes invisible.

42. La Llorona

Description: “The Weeping Woman” from Mexican folklore.

What They Do: Wanders near bodies of water, crying for her lost children.

Appearance: Pale, drenched in white, with a sorrowful, ghostly presence.

43. Kelpie

Description: Shape-shifting water spirit from Scottish folklore.

What They Do: Lures people, usually children, into water to drown them.

Appearance: Often a beautiful horse, but can appear as human.

44. Dybbuk

Description: Malevolent spirit from Jewish folklore.

What They Do: Possesses living people, usually to fulfill unfinished business.

Appearance: Invisible, but exerts dark energy around the possessed.

45. Hag

Description: Wicked, old woman often associated with witchcraft.

What They Do: Casts curses, manipulates people, sometimes feeds on fear.

Appearance: Elderly, with wrinkled skin, often carrying magical trinkets.

46. Mare

Description: Spirit that causes nightmares.

What They Do: Sits on the chests of sleeping people, creating disturbing dreams.

Appearance: Shadowy, mist-like figure, sometimes with a vague human shape.

47. Fenrir

Description: Gigantic, mythical wolf from Norse mythology.

What They Do: Destined to bring about Ragnarok, devouring gods.

Appearance: Massive, fierce wolf with powerful jaws.

48. Tengu

Description: Supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, part bird and part human.

What They Do: Mischievous or malevolent; protect forests and mountains.

Appearance: Humanoid with bird wings, red face, and often a long nose.

49. Doppelganger

Description: An exact double or duplicate of a living person.

What They Do: Appears to forewarn misfortune or even bring harm.

Appearance: Identical to a specific person, but with an eerie, lifeless presence.

50. Nightmare Horse

Description: Fiery, demonic horse that haunts dreams and the night.

What They Do: Gallops through night skies, bringing fear to those who see it.

Appearance: Black horse with glowing red eyes and flaming mane and hooves.

[leannareneehieber]

GOTHIC & DARK ACADEMIA ENTHUSIASTS!

DARLINGS! Just noticed the double-volume revised edition of STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL via @torbooks is on super-eBook-sale right now. 684 pages! For only $3.99! Via Kindle, Kobo & Apple Books! Includes THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER and THE DARKLY LUMINOUS FIGHT FOR PERSEPHONE PARKER + extra scenes & content.

This book of my heart is: GOTHIC. It's Jane-Eyre-Meets-Dark-Academia+Hot-For-Teacher+GHOSTS+Greek-Mythology+Jack-the-Ripper+Found-Family

YES, there is a paperback omnibus edition, available via Bookshop.org (my favorite link to send folks to, it supports local bookstores!), B&N and any physical store can order it in. It's on sale too!

Please share? Thank you!

Kindle - Kobo - Apple Books

[authorkarajorgensen]

New art of Oliver and Felipe by @oblivionsdream!

With every book I write, I like to get art done of my characters. Here are Felipe and Oliver from THE REANIMATOR'S REMAINS (TRM #3) facing their greatest fears.

@oblivionsdream did an absolutely amazing job with my boys ;---; Book 3 comes out October 29th, 2024!

[aroaessidhe]

2024 reads / storygraph

Our Lady Of Mysterious Ailments & The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle

books 2 & 3 in the Edinburgh Nights series

paranormal mystery set in a climate-ravaged future Scotland, plagued by ghosts and magic

follows a 15yo Black girl who’s finally gotten an in to learn scientific magic properly - but it turns out to be an unpaid internship, so she has to take more jobs delivering ghost messages and investigating mysteries to take care of her gran and little sister

in book 2 she’s investigating a strange illness centred on a magic school for boys

and in book 3 she’s attending a global magician conference held in a creepy castle - when someone’s murdered, and they’re locked in until she figures out the culprit

Zimbabwean magic, friendship, disabled characters, no romance (so far)

[iftadwascool]

[bestlaidplansproductions]

After considering the feedback of our amazing beta-testers, we decided to replace our existing love interests with the REAL stars of Save the Villainess.

After all, who needs a Crown Prince, Duke of the North, Childhood Friend, and Servant...

When you can romance Cushion-chan, Horse-kun, House-sama, and Squirrel-sensei instead?

Interested in a fully animated black comedy murder mystery game with unique love interests and secrets?

🦋Wishlist Save the Villainess on Steam.

🦋Follow Save the Villainess on Itch.

🦋Sign up to the Mailing List for exclusive character cards every month.

Credits: Characters by Somate Studio; Animal & item art by @arodude; Profiles by Renerie; Special thanks to our beta testers!

[amayadartan]

15

Chapter 14

Amaya learns more..

Once more Amaya found herself awakening in the room in the infirmary. Once more her head hurt. Once more her stomach rolled with nausea, and she wanted to go back to sleep. Once more there were two little furry beings staring at her and chirping now that she was awake. The difference this time was that instead of it being the bright light of morning, the room was illuminated with longer shadows of afternoon. She had obviously been unconscious for quite a long time.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she tried to remember what happened. A headache started to form right behind her eyes that made it hard to think, and she decided that it was not very important. Whatever had happened, it was most likely unpleasant. Could she just go back to the Himalaya’s now? She could pretend that she’d never been in Imperium, didn’t know that any of the beings she’d learned about were real, and try to have some kind of normal life. Please, please let this be some kind of dream due to a head wound!

“Sleeping beauty awakens.” Olly’s deep voice from a chair in the shadows told Amaya that she was not dreaming. Slowly her head turned to look at him, her eyes slitted open to look at him. “We’re going to try to keep you from having any more bad experiences here in Imperium. It is really reflecting badly on our hospitality towards guests.” As he stood, he chuckled, then crossed the room towards her. She noticed he’d changed clothing, now he was in a dark grey hoodie and jeans. There was something about the relaxed nature of his clothes that made him even more sexy than he had been. Was that the right thing to think about some immortal being in literal Hell? “I have some news for you, but first you need some food. Do you feel up to eating?”

As Olly came into the light, Amaya could see Olly’s chiseled features clearer, and she had to keep herself from staring at him like some fangirl. The light bluish-grey of his eyes seemed to glow, and she once more found them captivating, and intense. He really did look and sound like real life prince charming.

“Yes, I don’t even remember when the last time I ate was.” She blew a breath out between pursed lips as she propped herself up in the bed to look up at him, still trying not to ogle. Normally men who looked like Olly didn’t pay attention to women like her, so she was both flustered and flattered that he currently was.

“I’m not even sure what day it is? Everything seems kind of fuzzy lately.” A half laugh came from her as she shrugged, then tried to give him a smile. It wasn’t that she was amused, more she was trying to keep herself from focusing on it too much, to keep herself from crying.

“I don’t know if it will help, but it’s Thursday.” Her eyes went wide, which almost made him chuckle. “Dartan said it’s been two days since you got here. You’ve only been HERE about 18 hours.” He gave her a soft and caring smile, trying to reassure her. The poor female had been through so much; and nothing in her life would ever be the same again. There was no clue how she would react when he informed her that she was now immortal. He hoped that she wouldn’t have a problem with both he and Arch helping her to acclimate to life in Imperium.

“I’m sure he’d know.” There was an edge to her voice and her lips thinned, eyes dropping to the blanket as she picked at a piece of fuzz. Of course he would; and if he was here, he’d be reminding her of it every couple of minutes. Her eyes once again rose to the much friendlier face of Olly, “sorry, I must be getting grumpy from lack of food.” As her cheeks pinked, she could feel the heat rising to them.

Olly had to fight to keep from chuckling. She was certainly snarky, but it was not as if she did not have good reason to. By all accounts, in less than 24 hours, Dartan had lost her, almost gotten her killed and eaten, and then provoked a demon that ended up causing her more pain than him. If she had any idea how to use any of the powers that Abriella had bestowed upon her, the spectre would be even more unhappy than he current was.

“You have every reason to be upset. Just know that he is strangely concerned for you in his own way.” Once more Olly had to control a chuckle when she rolled her eyes until almost all he could see was the whites of her eyes. While he had never had any experience with Dartan, he was beginning to wonder if there was ANYONE that could stand him. He would have to talk to Mithos and Arioch, neither of them were known for putting things delicately or holding back their opinions.

“Yes, well his way of things so far seems to be rather painful.” Amaya picked at the blanket again; not wanting to look up at Olly, and let him know how much everything that Dartan had said and done had really hurt her feelings. “And now I can’t even go home.” She sighed and wanted to cry, but clenched her jaw to try and control herself. No one was going to feel sorry for her, least of all herself.

Olly perched himself on the side of the bed, reaching over and taking her hand that was pulling the fuzz off the blanket. Her hand was small and delicate, totally dwarfed by his much larger and more powerful one. Slowly she looked up at him and he gave her a soft smile when once more their eyes met. She was truly beautiful.

“Food, and then I will share what I know with you, and we can start making some plans. OK?” She nodded and he tightened his hand around hers slightly, wanting to comfort her. Already he was feeling protective over her, something that came natural as a Horseman, but there was also something more.

“Our kitchens can make anything you desire, so what would Sleeping Beauty like to eat?” He winked at her and that at least earned him a smile and the pinkening of her cheeks. Her eyes dropping briefly to his hand holding hers then back to his eyes. How had Dartan found this beauty annoying and aggravating? Olly, for all his years, found himself quite bewitched.

There was a little bit of a discussion on what to eat, then Olly left her alone so she could take a bath in private. Now that they knew that any harm to Dartan would cause harm to her, he’d been warned that if he acted up, Abriella would make life for him torture for the rest of eternity once they broke the spell. Because of that, Olly didn’t fear going back to the kitchen again to get her the mac and cheese she wanted, along with some hot tea and a soda.

[jjspina]

Summer reading for 18+!

Reading during the summer is a wonderful way to sit or lay back and relax with a good book that will take your mind off of any troubles you have or the problems in this crazy world. Turn off the TV and grab that book today and forget all your worries and get lost in a story. Authors love to create stories for our readers to enjoy all year through but sometimes we just don’t have time to relax…

[theworldofetgoma-blog]

[devil-in-the-details-ay]

20

Chapter 19

The search for Yara's mother begins....

Smoke swirled along the gold inlaid floor, climbing curling and climbing the marbled walls, and seeming to creep ever closer to the couple at the center of the room.  Lighting flashed through massive windows across a deep indigo sky, lighting everything up before plunging it into an almost inky blackness.  There was a thrum that could be felt, making the room feel alive around them as they waited to be greeted.

“Who has entered Vahala, the realm of Odin, the Almighty Allfather?  State your name and reason for your visit, or you shall meet your DOOM!!!”  A loud voice demanded. It was deep and echoed off of all the walls around them making Yara’s ears ring, and she could feel the vibration of it within all of her being.  Her hand entwined with Astaroth’s tightened and her other one gripped his elbow as she pressed against him.  Whoever it was sounded angry, and she was not prepared, nor dressed, for a fight.  Astaroth seemed relaxed, and she hoped that meant that whoever it was could still die by his powers. “Oh for fuck’s sake Mordgud, Odin’s expecting us. You know damn well who it is, too. I swear if you loose Garm, and he ruins another pair of my shoes, I'm going to be seriously pissed.”  Astaroth rolled his eyes and the sarcasm was thick in his voice, before he looked over at Yara with an annoyed but apologetic look.  The look of confusion and fear on her face just made him sigh.  Leave it to Mordgud to start things off on the wrong foot.  “I’ll explain later,” he mouthed over to her.

“You know, Astaroth, you take all the fun out of things.  Do you know how long it is between visitors up here?”  The goddess stepped into view, the smoke that had filled the marble and gold room dissipating as she did.  “Don’t worry, after Odin’s response last time Garm greeted you, I wasn’t about to let him loose this time.”  The beautiful goddess, with her inky black curls that seemed to reflect a deep blue in the light, tipped her head and  grinned.  “And who do we have here?” Mordgud leaned closer as she regarded Yara, her eyes studying the beauty next to Astaroth.  From the way the female was clinging to Death, she had to be someone special.  Normally Astaroth was reticent to let anyone touch him, let alone almost climb upon him. That she hadn’t dropped dead yet meant Astaroth liked it, interesting indeed.

“This, Mordgud, is my wife, Yara.  Yara, the goddess Mordgud, guardian of the bridge to Hel and Valhalla.”  Astaroth made the introductions.  Seeing the surprised look on Mordgud’s face, he grinned more. “I take it the news of the wedding hasn’t made it up here yet?” There was a bit of a smug smirk as he asked the question.  This meant that when they showed up in other places, the surprise would also be the same.  Perfect.

“Not at all!  I will have to speak to father about this.  Welcome to Valhalla, Yara.  I apologize for scaring you, I did not realize that Astaroth would not have warned his guest that he is well known here.” Mordgud bowed to the couple.  “Now, please, follow me, I’ll guide you to mother and father.”  The goddess smiled brightly before turning to lead them from the room and down a bright hallway.  Oh there were going to be some broken hearts in the whole of the underworld when this news got out, and she couldn’t wait to be the one who spread it.  Such news was hard to come by anymore.  She couldn’t wait to tell Hel! 

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[megaeralwrites]

I drew Felipe and Oliver from The Reanimator Mysteries by @authorkarajorgensen. I love these two poor cinnamon rolls and can't wait to see what adventures are in store for them in The Reanimator's Remains, which will be out on October 29th!

[terristernwrites]

And now for something totally different!

Promises Delivered is a sweet, fated mate werewolf romance novel, releasing 28th November!

Some of you might remember this from the days of BookNet, but the full novel has never been available to buy until now.

This is a no spice story which is not my usual area, but the story is sweet and fun and I had so many requests to buy it directly that I thought this would be the best option.

If you are not fond of the Zon, other options are available too, just hit me up.

[rainingriversofyou]

Signa x Death - Belladonna - Artist: s.w.e.n.n