Behind the Book: The Cliffhouse Haunting, with Jamison Walker on Thorne & Cross: Carnival Macabre

Tamara and Alistair sit down with Dr. Jamison Walker, narrator of the novel that started it all, The Cliffhouse Haunting. Go behind the book for an inside look at the writing and narration of the story, the development and portrayal of the characters, and the joys and frustrations of the process: https://bit.ly/3txSjDO

Dr. Jamison Walker commands an impressive vocal range and an extensive repertoire. From opera and oratorio to musical theater and pops, Walker has performed in recital, opera, symphonic, and academic settings, nationally and internationally across the United States and in Europe and Asia.

Before completing his education, Mr. Walker served as a Counterintelligence Agent in the U. S. Army. Since then, he has taught extensively and now serves as an Assistant Professor of Voice on the faculty of James Madison University.In October of 2020, Dr. Walker began his journey in the realm of voice acting and audiobook narration. As of April 2021 he has seven professional releases with dozens more under contract.

Tamara Thorne’s first novel was published in 1991, and since then she has written many more, including international bestsellers Haunted, Bad Things, Moonfall, Eternity and The Sorority. A lifelong lover of ghost stories, she is currently working on several collaborations with Alistair Cross as well as an upcoming solo novel. Learn more about her at: http://tamarathorne.com

Alistair Cross grew up on horror novels and scary movies, and by the age of eight, began writing his own stories. First published in 2012, he has since co-authored The Cliffhouse Haunting and Mother with Tamara Thorne and is working on several other projects. His debut solo novel, The Crimson Corset, was an Amazon bestseller. The Black Wasp, book 3 in The Vampires of Crimson Cove series is on its way. Find out more about him at: http://alistaircross.com

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In collaboration, Thorne and Cross are currently writing several novels, including the next volume in the continuing gothic series, The Ravencrest Saga. Their first novel, The Cliffhouse Haunting, was an immediate bestseller. Together, they hosted the horror-themed radio show Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! which featured such guests as Anne Rice of The Vampire Chronicles, Charlaine Harris of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and basis of the HBO series True Blood, Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter novels, Jay Bonansinga of The Walking Dead series, Laurell K. Hamilton of the Anita Blake novels, Peter Atkins, screenwriter of Hellraiser 2, 3, and 4, worldwide bestseller V.C. Andrews, Kim Harrison of the Hollows series, and New York Times best sellers Preston & Child, Christopher Rice, and Christopher Moore. Currently, Thorne & Cross are hosts of Thorne & Cross: Carnival Macabre, where listeners can discover all manner of demented delights, unearth terrifying treasures, and explore the dark side of the arts.

For book deals, updates, specials, exclusives, and upcoming guests on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!, join our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ckaBrr

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Thorne & Cross: Carnival Macabre – What Hollywood Gets Wrong with Forensics Expert D.P. Lyle

Violence. Murder. Death. As television viewers we see crime on a constant basis, but how reliable is Hollywood when it comes to the facts? Thorne & Cross go straight to the source: https://bit.ly/3wWpRh7

D.P. Lyle, MD, is the award-winning author of many nonfiction books and works of fiction. He is the co-host of Crime and Science Radio, and has worked as a forensics consultant with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Monk, Judging Amy, House, and Pretty Little Liars. Find him online at www.dplylemd.com.

At Thorne & Cross: Carnival Macabre, you’ll discover demented delights, unearth terrifying treasures, and explore your most frightful fantasies. Come one! Come all! You’ll hear of horrors old and new, of things that none dare mention, and bear witness to the dark side of the arts with the Demonic Duo, the Diva of Darkness, Tamara Thorne, and the Nordic Nightmare himself, Alistair Cross. Learn more at: alistaircross.com or tamarathorne.com

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SPITE HOUSE Cover Reveal

Here it is, the cover for SPITE HOUSE, coming soon from Thorne & Cross …

There’s an island up in Gold Country at the northern end of Snapdragon Lake. It’s named Manchester for the family that owns it, but the locals call it Spite Island. There’s a single lonely mansion on that island and a group of authors have been invited to write about its ghosts and its mysteries. But the real mystery is, who will still be breathing at the end of this luxurious and deadly retreat?

Vanessa Savage (Author of The Woods) on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!

Vanessa Savage is a graphic designer, novelist, and illustrator. She has twice been awarded a Writers’ Bursary by Literature Wales, most recently for The Woman in the Dark. She won the Myriad Editions First Crimes competition in 2016 and her work has been highly commended in the Yeovil International Fiction Prize, short listed for the Harry Bowling Prize, the Caledonia Fiction Prize and long listed for the Bath Novel Award.

This Thursday (August 20th, 2020) at 4 pm EST, we’ll be live with author Vanessa Savage, talking about her latest release, The Woods! Listen in at Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!

Join the Thorne & Cross newsletter for updates, book deals, specials, exclusives, and upcoming guests on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! by visiting Tamara and Alistair at their websites: alistaircross.com and tamarathorne.com

This is a copyrighted, trademarked podcast owned solely by the Authors on the Air Global Radio, LLC.

Tamara Thorne’s first novel was published in 1991, and since then she has written many more, including international bestsellers Haunted, Bad Things, Moonfall, Eternity and The Sorority. A lifelong lover of ghost stories, she is currently working on several collaborations with Alistair Cross as well as an upcoming solo novel. Learn more about her at: http://tamarathorne.com.

Alistair Cross grew up on horror novels and scary movies, and by the age of eight, began writing his own stories. First published in 2012, he has since co-authored The Cliffhouse Haunting and Mother with Tamara Thorne and is working on several other projects. His debut solo novel, The Crimson Corset, was an Amazon bestseller. The Black Wasp, book 3 in The Vampires of Crimson Cove series will be out later this year. Find out more about him at: http://alistaircross.com. 

In collaboration, Thorne and Cross are currently writing several novels, including the next volume in the continuing gothic series, The Ravencrest Saga. Their first novel, The Cliffhouse Haunting, was an immediate bestseller. Together, they also host the horror-themed radio show Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! which has featured such guests as Anne Rice of The Vampire Chronicles, Charlaine Harris of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and basis of the HBO series True Blood, Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter novels, Jay Bonansinga of The Walking Dead series, Laurell K. Hamilton of the Anita Blake novels, Peter Atkins, screenwriter of Hellraiser 2, 3, and 4, worldwide bestseller V.C. Andrews, Kim Harrison of the Hollows series, and New York Times best sellers Preston & Child, Christopher Rice, and Christopher Moore.

 

A Review of THE GHOSTS OF RAVENCREST from Fang-Freakin-Tastic Book Reviews

“The Ghosts of Ravencrest by Alistair Cross and Tamara Thorne continues the tradition of two authors who, when put together, create a world in which you aren’t sure if you want to belong or totally avoid.

Belinda is a chick who hates where she is in life and the opportunity to become a governess at Ravencrest is almost too good to be true. The life she encounters there is both what she hopes for and not at the same time.

As with most stories of this type there is an evil overseer of sorts, and in this case, it is Miss Cordelia Heller. Man is she a horrible person. She’s the epitome of the boss you never want. Except for the fact that she’s not really Belinda’s boss, she just thinks she is. Heller is the “house administrator”. So she feels she has more power than she truly does. Heller’s reach is unfathomable to me. She’s a genius and screw-up at the same time. I want to punch her face off. BUT I understand her need to exist for the story. I really can’t stand her.

Belinda’s friendship with Grant is one of the things I love about this book. You can see the growth in their friendship as well as Belinda’s maturity as the story goes on. Grant is easily liked and is the kind of guy most girls would love to encounter in a potentially difficult employment situation.

I enjoy the historic elements of the story. While not all horror based or real, they do play a part in the back-story and make the story feel more realistic. The authors do a good job in their world building and I appreciate that.

I recommend The Ghosts of Ravencrest to anyone who likes an exciting ghost story with characters you love to hate.” – Fang-Freakin-Tastic Book Reviews

Book 2, The Witches of Ravencrest, and book 3, Exorcism, are available now!

       

The Black Wasp – Cover Reveal!

The Black Wasp is the third book in Alistair’s Vampires of Crimson Cove series – and it’s coming this winter! Here is the cover and teaser. Get the first two books in the series: (#1 – The Crimson Corset and #2 – The Silver Dagger.)

Something is coming.

Cade Colter is dealing with a group of fanatical vampire killers even as he grieves the death of his girlfriend at the fangs of his own brother. His life is in turmoil and just when it seems things couldn’t get worse a new evil comes to town.

The Woman in Black is back.

Now, something else roams the streets of Crimson Cove – something far deadlier than any vampire. She comes with the fog, she comes with the night, and she’s spreading a lethal poison that slowly rots her victims from the inside out … and she’s looking for Cade.

Sooner or later, you’ll see her, too.

First comes the deadly low hum of a thousand black wasps…

Then a feeling of dread so deep and cold that you dare not breathe…

A figure, a woman dressed in old-fashioned widow’s weeds, appears before you …

Don’t Scream.

She wants to know your terror. She wants to taste your pain.

Dare to Cross the Threshold …

The summer sales have begun! All three books in our gothic horror series, The Ravencrest Saga, will be on sale throughout the month of July in ebook. If you’re into ghosts, witches, serial killers, and all things gothic, dark, and unspeakable, welcome to Ravencrest Manor, where the darkness never dies …

Darkness Never Dies

Ravencrest Manor has always been part of the family. The ancestral home of the Mannings, Ravencrest’s walls have been witness to generations of unimaginable scandal, horror, and depravity. Imported stone by stone from England to northern California in the early 1800s, the manor now houses widower Eric Manning, his children, and his staff. Ravencrest stands alone, holding its memories and ghosts close to its dark heart, casting long, black shadows across its grand lawns, through the surrounding forests, and over the picturesque town of Devilswood, below.

Dare to Cross the Threshold

Ravencrest Manor is the most beautiful thing new governess, Belinda Moorland, has ever seen, but as she learns more about its tangled past of romance and terror, she realizes that beauty has a dark side. Ravencrest is built on secrets, and its inhabitants seem to be keeping plenty of their own – from the handsome English butler, Grant Phister, to the power-mad administrator, Mrs. Heller, to Eric Manning himself, who watches her with dark, fathomless eyes. But Belinda soon realizes that the living who dwell in Ravencrest have nothing on the other inhabitants – the ones who walk the darkened halls by night … the ones who enter her dreams … the ones who are watching … and waiting …

Welcome to Ravencrest

Who is the man digging in the garden beyond Belinda’s bedroom window? Who – or what – is watching her from the vents? From ghostly screams and the clutching bony fingers of death in the indoor pool, to the trio of gliding nuns in the east wing who come at Belinda with black blazing eyes, to the beckoning little girl in the red dress who died more than two centuries ago, Belinda is thrust into a world of waking nightmares where there is no distinction between the living and the dead, and there are no limits to the horrors that await. Witchcraft is afoot at Ravencrest and as unspeakable terrors begin to unfold, Belinda realizes that her beautiful new home is a keeper of tragedy, a collector of souls. And it wants to add her to its collection …

Here’s what folks are saying …

“The Ghosts of Ravencrest delivers on every level. Delicate, creepy, detailed, and beautifully crafted, this reinvention of the gothic ghost story into a sexy, sleek modern chiller is a marvel of suspense and atmosphere. A knockout of a horror yarn!” – Jay Bonansinga, the New York Times bestselling author of The Walking Dead: Invasion, Lucid, and Self Storage

“Ghostly secrets abound. Tortured spirits wander the hallways. Star-crossed lovers walk the paths of time. Servants connive, and the heroine faces an uncertain future …Run, do not walk, to get The Ghosts of Ravencrest. Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross take the reader on a delicious journey of twisted family secrets, troubled dreams, and barely-concealed passions. Wrap yourself in the silken robe of this story and escape to Ravencrest.” – Sylvia Shults, author of Hunting Demons: A True Story of the Dark Side of the Supernatural

” … filled with delicious gothic delights … it has the ghosts, but there is much more. There are witches and spells, misshapen creatures, and statues that come to life. The Ravencrest mansion has a wing that is locked away – for there are strange things afoot in this side of the building. There is an interesting staff of characters; a charming and witty butler, and evil and jealous administrator, an innocent governess, who is the main protagonist of the story. Well thought out story, excellently executed.” – Dan Cheely, The Books of Daniel 

 

Get your copies of the Ravencrest Saga now!

 

Book #1, The Ghosts of Ravencrest – $2.99 in Amazon US and UK, July 6th – July 13th – Available at: https://amzn.to/2NHycjj

Book #2, The Witches of Ravencrest – $1.99 in Amazon US and UK, July 13th – July 19th – Available at: https://amzn.to/2NFZZR2

Book #3, Exorcism – $0.99 in Amazon US and UK, July 20th – July 26th – Available at: https://amzn.to/2BouKHN 

About the Authors

Tamara Thorne‘s first novel was published in 1991, and since then she has written many more, including international bestsellers Haunted, Bad Things, Moonfall, Eternity and The Sorority. A lifelong lover of ghost stories, she is currently working on several collaborations with Alistair Cross as well as an upcoming solo novel. Learn more about her at: http://tamarathorne.com 

 

Alistair Cross grew up on horror novels and scary movies, and by the age of eight, began writing his own stories. First published in 2012, he has since co-authored The Cliffhouse Haunting and Mother with Tamara Thorne and is working on several other projects. His debut solo novel, The Crimson Corset, was an Amazon bestseller. The Black Wasp, book 3 in The Vampires of Crimson Cove series will be out later this year. Find out more about him at: http://alistaircross.com 

 

In collaboration, Thorne and Cross are currently writing several novels, including the next volume in the continuing gothic series, The Ravencrest Saga. Their first novel, The Cliffhouse Haunting, was an immediate bestseller. Together, they also host the horror-themed radio show Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! which has featured such guests as Anne Rice of The Vampire Chronicles, Charlaine Harris of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and basis of the HBO series True Blood, Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter novels, Jay Bonansinga of The Walking Dead series, Laurell K. Hamilton of the Anita Blake novels, Peter Atkins, screenwriter of Hellraiser 2, 3, and 4, worldwide bestseller V.C. Andrews, Kim Harrison of the Hollows series, and New York Times best sellers Preston & Child, Christopher Rice, and Christopher Moore. 

 

For book deals, updates, specials, exclusives, and upcoming guests on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!, join our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ckaBrr

Harold Schechter Talks Murder and Mayhem on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!

Tomorrow night (7/9/20) at 8 pm EST on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!, we’ll be talking murder and mayhem with true crime author Harold Schechter, whose books have detailed the unspeakable crimes of such horrendous killers as Ed Gein, H.H. Holmes, Jane Toppan, Albert Fish, Belle Gunness, and many, many more. Harold has appeared on such shows and documentaries as Mysteries at the Museum, Serial Killers: Real Life Hannibal Lecters, Deadly Women, History’s Mysteries, A Crime to Remember, H.H. Holes: America’s First Serial Killer, World’s Most Evil Killers, Killer Kids, American Ripper, Ed Gein: The Ghoul of Plainfield, and more. Learn more about his work at: https://haroldschechter.com/ and listen to the show at: https://bit.ly/38CzzJG

Harold Schechter is an American true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo where his PhD director was Leslie Fiedler. He is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.

Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.

Join the Thorne & Cross newsletter for updates, book deals, specials, exclusives, and upcoming guests on Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! by visiting Tamara and Alistair at their websites: alistaircross.com and tamarathorne.com

This is a copyrighted, trademarked podcast owned solely by the Authors on the Air Global Radio, LLC.

And be sure and check out Thorne & Cross’ latest, Exorcism, Book three in the gothic horror Ravencrest Saga, available now in ebook and paperback at Amazon and everywhere books are sold.

Book Recommendation by Alistair Cross – UNDER THE LAKE by Stuart Woods

Witty, enthralling, and very, very spooky, UNDER THE LAKE was a much-needed breath of fresh air. It’s got ghosts, crime, action, drama, and lots of good twisted history. Highly recommended!

For more: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alistair-cross?list=reviews

The Spooky Good News Just Keeps Coming!

Hello again!

In case you haven’t heard, Tamara’s novel, BRIMSTONE is now available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com! BRIMSTONE is a coming of age story that takes place in 1968 in a little town called Brimstone in Arizona …

The Brimstone Grand Hotel, owned by reclusive former movie star, Delilah Devine, looms high on Hospital Hill, harboring long-buried family secrets that whisper of unimaginable horrors. Horrors that will echo down through generations. Within the walls of the Brimstone Grand, the past has come back to life, and Holly Tremayne and her grandmother Delilah are faced with an ancient familial evil that rages just below the old hotel’s serene facade. An evil that won’t rest until it possesses Holly – body, mind, and soul.

BRIMSTONE has been praised by THE WALKING DEAD author, Jay Bonansinga as “ … a kaleidoscopic cast of characters, a rich sense of place, and ever mounting suspense, BRIMSTONE brims with chills and thrills. Highly entertaining and highly recommended!” And New York Times bestseller, Kevin O’Brien says, “BRIMSTONE is deliciously scary … Earthquakes, nightmares, aberrations and ghosts keep the reader constantly on-edge.”

You can get BRIMSTONE now at Amazon …

And that’s not all!

We’ve just released installment #5 in our serialized gothic horror series, THE RAVENCREST SAGA: EXORCISM. This one’s called NATIVITY, and it’s available in ebook at Amazon now!

In NATIVITY, Jazz Age music drifts through Ravencrest manor on chill night breezes as the haunting in the old poolhouse grows stronger and the ghost of Violet LeBlanc tries to warn Belinda that an unholy child is about to be born.  All hell is breaking loose at Ravencrest and there is nothing that can stop it.

But wait! There’s more!

Don’t forget that Alistair’s ghostly murder mystery, SLEEP SAVANNAH SLEEP, will be on sale for just $0.99 in ebook June 19th – June 25th at Amazon! SLEEP SAVANNAH SLEEP takes place in a mysterious little northern California town called Shadow Springs where residents keep to themselves (most of them, anyway), fog creeps through the graveyard at all hours, and a young woman with a shady past and a grim future disappears under very unsettling circumstances. And that’s just the beginning of the mystery …

We hope this helps get your summer off to the spookiest possible start and we wish you haunted nights, sweet screams, and lots of happy horrific reading!

Thorne & Cross