Category: General

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Secrets & Spires is an NIEA Finalist!

Secrets & Spires is a National Indie Excellence Award Finalist! 4 Horsemen is so excited to have Dominic N. Ashen receive this acknowledgement for Secrets & Spires – Book 3 in the Steel & Thunder series. This is such an amazing adventure with Khazak and David! If you have not started you need to dive in and catch up with all of these amazing books.

Can they make it to the top before it all comes crashing down?

Khazak has been feeling a little lost lately. By the age of thirty, he’d become the youngest Ranger Captain in his city’s history. He thought he had the rest of his life figured out until he was betrayed by people he trusted and forced to resign. The one bright spot is David, his human lover and former captive (though “former” doesn’t always apply in the bedroom). After coming so close to losing him, Khazak didn’t think twice about leaving everything behind to follow after him. Things are still new, but they have all the time in the world for David to grow comfortable with their relationship.

David’s having a rough time himself. After miraculously surviving a deadly attack, he’s left looking for answers and seeking revenge on those responsible. His search brings him to the city of Pákannon, and he’s not alone: not only is his entire team behind him—he also has Khazak, the orc who loves him and once owned him (and technically, still does). Just as he’s getting used to the idea of people knowing they’re together, someone from his past shows up and threatens all of his progress. Lucky for him, a side-quest to a mysterious city in the mountains should be exactly the distraction he needs. It’s not like anything bad or dangerous could happen, right?

This is a book filled with action, comedy, tent sex, giant snakes, and ghost stories! Read the next chapter of Khazak & David’s story and join them as they explore more of the magical world they inhabit. Readers of gay/male-on-male romances that feature kinky power-exchange relationships, BDSM, and Dom/sub elements: this book is for you!

Male/Male, Kink, Orcs, Anachronistic World, Magic, Otherworld, Award Winning, Elves, BDSM, Action & Adventure, Erotica, Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Our Own Voices, Romance, Ken B. Erotic, Dominic N. Ashen, Steel & Thunder

You can purchase this book and all the others in the series here:

Secrets & Spires (Steel & Thunder #3)

You can learn more about these awards here:

https://www.indieexcellence.com/18th-annual-finalists

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I’m in Love with Mothman: One of Halloween’s Best Romance Novels!

We are so excited for Paige Lavoie!

I’m in Love with Mothman was included by The Mary Sue in her 10 supernatural romance books to keep Halloween in your heart

22-year-old Heather is suffering from an epic case of burnout.

So, just like any other young influencer, she

  • abandons her social platforms. Check!
  • gathers up her best flowy dresses. Check!
  • and moves to a desolate cabin. Check!

Heather imagines spending her #unplugged days traipsing through the woods and tending to her garden. However, her cottagecore fantasy is turned upside down when a wounded cryptid crashes into her roof—and her heart.

With no help from her internet followers, and the local monster-hunter growing suspicious, Heather’s quiet life in the wilderness has suddenly become a little more complicated. To make matters worse, she thinks she might be falling in love with the brooding winged man in her living room.

See post from The Mary Sue here:

Or you can order I’m in Love with Mothman and the two sequels to the trilogy here:

I’m in Love with Mothman (Mothman in Love #1)
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Haunter’s Tale: Where Terror Comes to Life

The sun sets earlier, and the chill in the air grows sharper as we approach October 31, 2024 – the release date for Haunter’s Tale. Published by Accomplishing Innovation Press, this anthology promises to be a haven for horror enthusiasts, filled with spine-tingling tales, real-life ghost encounters, haunting artwork, and more. Curated by none other than the legendary mastermind of Halloween events, James-Michael Roddy, Haunter’s Tale is set to become the ultimate horror anthology series.

Behind every horrific creation lies a dark mind. In the case of Haunter’s Tale, that mind belongs to James-Michael Roddy. With his impressive background in crafting fear-inducing experiences, Roddy brings a unique perspective to this anthology. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of Haunter’s Tale, curious to see what horrors he has in store for them within its pages.

Haunter’s Tale promises to be more than just a book; it is an immersive experience. Each volume will feature:

  • Original Stories: Terrifying tales that push the boundaries of horror.
  • True Ghost Accounts: Real-life hauntings that will make you question the safety of your own home.
  • Haunting Artwork: Stunning visuals that perfectly complement the stories.
  • Backstories and More: A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of these terrifying tales.
  • Interviews: In-depth conversations with the creators, offering insight into their dark minds.

Volume One, Haunters and Hauntings, kicks off the series with an introduction from none other than horror legend Tom Savini. Known for his work in special effects and makeup on some of the most iconic horror films, Savini’s foreword sets the tone for the rest of the anthology. His unique insights and experiences add an extra layer of terror to the collection.

The Haunter’s Tale Podcast

To further engage with the horror community, a podcast will be launched alongside the book series. This hour-long show will feature:

  • Interviews: Conversations with the creators featured in Haunter’s Tale.
  • Genre Discussions: Deep dives into various aspects of horror, from literature to film.
  • Readings: Dramatic interpretations of the original works, bringing the stories to life in a new way.
  • Enter the World of Haunter’s Tale

Dare to enter the world of Haunter’s Tale, where every shadow conceals a story and every whisper is a warning. This anthology is not for the faint of heart. Prepare to be terrified!

www.haunterstale.com

www.michaelroddystoryteller.com

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Meet J. B. Moonstar

A woman in a blue shirt witha blonde ponytail smiles at the camera.

Hi, I’m J.B. Moonstar!  

I have loved the natural world from an early age and enjoy going to zoos and aquariums and watching animal shows on TV.  One of my favorite animals is the meerkat!  My stories are eco-fantasy adventures for juvenile readers (7 years and up).  In my stories, the dragons and mermaids are the “good guys”, and with help from my young heroes, they rescue endangered animals.  I want my readers to learn that animals have lives – families and homes – and just want to survive among the growing threats posed by humans.  My books also give children a glimpse of the world from the animal’s point of view.  I hope that I can encourage children to learn about, and love, nature as much as I do!

Living in Florida, it is summer most of the year. Even in winter it doesn’t get too cold, and I don’t even own a heavy coat. I raised orphan squirrels for several years and started because in 2004 we had three hurricanes within a six-week period and numerous squirrel nests were blown from the trees. I rescued two of them and contacted a local wildlife group on how to raise them.  While I don’t raise the babies anymore, I have “my squirrels” now whom I feed and provide water out in the back yard. One squirrel is a character in my books (Sedric from the Jenna books). I also have two red-winged hawks that perch on my fence and screen porch on a regular basis, we can hear them calling to each other all the time. We call these two beautiful hawks Mr. and Mrs. Taylor based on Taylor’s hawk from the Taylor books.

Why did I start writing?  

My daughter was an avid reader in grade school, always one of the top readers in the class. When she was in 4th grade, she was reading at a much higher level. However, as a 4th grader, I didn’t want her to be reading some of the books that are out there for high school students. So that is why my first book was written, I wanted to write a story with lots of action and adventure, dragons, unicorns and magic, but still safe for a 4th grader to read.  

It hasn’t been an easy road – but I’m glad I decided to keep going!  One of my favorite quotes is by Henry Ford – “If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right!”  When I first started writing books, I had a rocky start, and almost stopped; however, I answered the call for submissions from the 4HP and I feel great now about writing – my characters are ready to have adventures and happy to be part of my books.  Some of them write their own books, and I’m just here to type them up.  I really enjoy writing now and consider myself an author.  Thanks, 4HP!

How do I write – am I a Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser? 

I’m not sure. I try and plan the facts out, but facts don’t tell the story. Sometimes you just don’t know what is going to happen. When writing Jenna and the Eyes of Fire, I remember getting about three quarters of the way through and everything was stacked against Jenna. I thought to myself – how is she going to get out of this, and I just stared at the computer screen for a several minutes. My character, Jenna, (in my head) realized she had to do something now – time was running out.  She couldn’t wait for me to figure it out, so Jenna basically wrote the rest herself, letting me know how she would handle things and how the book would end.  I was just there to write it down. Now that dragon Megan is in Ituria’s world, she loves adventure, so I just put her in a situation, and she takes it from there.  As I told my publisher, Taylor and Megan really wanted to be in a book together, so they basically wrote Taylor and the Final Nine themselves in just a few weeks.  

I learned early on that I should listen to what my characters want to do, because if I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do, whole chapters fall apart, and I have to start over. They are in control, and if they don’t get what they want, the story doesn’t work. 

Ituria’s Alliance continues!

Come join me in the adventures of Knocker, Megan, Michelle (the part-time mermaid), and the other members of Ituria’s Alliance as they rescue animals and protect nature from illegal poaching and other dangers posed by humans!   We are always looking for new recruits for Ituria’s Alliance! 

Website:   www.jbmoonstar.com

Instagram:   @j.b.moonstar 

Email:  [email protected]

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A True Story of Cosmic Horror

Let me tell you a true story of cosmic horror. 

It’s a story from my childhood. 

I used to be so afraid of lightning storms. A long time ago now, I lived in Illinois, in a small town—I’ve basically always lived in small towns—and the weather in that state can be extreme. It’s got tornados, yes, and I have some memorable moments hiding from those—but that’s not what I mean. Illinois doesn’t mess around. 

The summers aren’t as hot as Florida, where I currently live, but they certainly weren’t pleasant. Springtime brought rain that would last for hours. The wind during fall was enough to make you step backward. And the winters…there’s a reason Chicago is famous for its winters. To my now Florida-acclimated self, the idea of the outside being that cold is truly scary. 

But what scared me was the lightning storms. The sound of them. The wind. Loud noises didn’t usually scare me. But the thunder did. I would try to sleep, try to rest, but each and every thunderclap would keep me awake. The usual childhood fears often didn’t find me, but the storm was real. I’d seen the damage storms can do. I can’t recall now, but I have to imagine I even feared that the house’s walls would not hold back the storm. That the world, at least where I was, was ending.

If you’ve read my first book, Nothing Will Be Left, the idea of something in the sky destroying things might sound familiar. The very first part—and still one of my favorite things I’ve written—of the book is about an event where hands from the sky take thirteen people. I gave it the name Murder Sky. 

One of the things I’ve always liked about exploring cosmic horror—and science fiction, too—is the idea of scale. Going back to my time in Illinois, I would marvel at the scale of a city. Skyscrapers are impressive, yeah, but it was thinking of each of those massive buildings being full of people that really got the mind going. Being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic is unpleasant—to put it mildly—but even seeing that sea of cars hinted at how many people there were. Even to this day, I get a sort of existential vertigo when I consider that things are happening everywhere at all times. The stores are open all day, the restaurant makes hundreds of orders, and cars are constantly carting people to more locations than I can know, visit, or understand. 

It’s honestly kind of shocking it took me until my late twenties to really start writing cosmic horror, given all this. Sure, I haven’t been scared of lightning storms in a long time. Sometimes the arcing lighting is amazing, and the rain helps clear away the heat. I think I like storms now. But the sky is a different matter. I think about the night sky and the space between planets and it does, in a way, still scare me. 

Follow October Kane on social media:

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Series Catch-Up: Magic, Love and Mischief

Do you love diving into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Paranormal Romance series for you: Magic, Love and Mischief Series

There are 3 books so far in this series.

Check out book one Antique Magic here:

Magic and romance meet at Spirit Antiques!

Bridget “Brie” St. James wasn’t looking for excitement. She just needed a part-time job while she finished grad school. Hired to be the assistant at an antique shop, she soon realizes there is more to her new place of work than meets the eye. Way more. Spirit Antiques caters not only to humans, but an array of mythical and mystical creatures.

Brie quickly makes friends with the witches, fairies, incubuses, and other unique customers at the seemingly sentient store, but more than anyone, it’s the shop’s handsome and mysterious owner Ezra who has her attention. But as their bright romance blooms, a dark spot from Ezra’s past emerges. An ancient and dangerous warlock has returned to claim his former pupil. Now it’s up to Brie to bring the magical community together to free her new love interest from the confines of a centuries-old blood contract.

With her newfound family, the graduate student has all the magic she needs, but will it be enough? Antique Magic is the first book in the Magic, Love, and Mischief series.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

Antique Magic (Magic, Love, and Mischief #1)
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My Writing Journey

As a child, I wasn’t particularly fond of reading. However, things changed during my first year of high school. My friends were excited about a new movie, Carrie, by Stephen King. One of them asked if I had read the book. I hadn’t, so they gave me a copy to read before the movie came to town.

I took the book home, read it in my spare time, and quickly fell in love with the author’s writing style. I was captivated by the vivid details and loved how I could imagine the story unfolding in my mind.

When I finished Carrie, I knew I wanted to tell stories. I began keeping journals and writing short stories, though it was a secret I kept to myself. The process was more challenging than expected, but I continued writing throughout high school.

Life, however, had different plans. I joined the U.S. Air Force and served four years, mainly overseas. I got married and started a family with no regrets about the path I chose. Once my youngest daughter went to college, I felt it was time to pursue my writing. What started as a hobby quickly turned into much more. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams—sometimes, it’s something you’re born with.

Fourteen years ago, during the Christmas holidays, I fell ill and had a vivid dream about a brother and sister facing their worst fear. Their family was moving cross-country at Christmas. I could see them clearly in my mind and hear their voices. It felt like a calling—I knew I had to write their story.

Initially, my wife thought I was a bit crazy, but I stuck with it. I committed to reading and writing daily, teaching myself along the way. That’s right—I’m a self-taught writer with no formal training. My education has come from a handful of books on writing, some online classes, and a large writing conference I attended in Dallas in 2019.

In my opinion, the value of storytelling doesn’t lie in the number of degrees you hold but in how you tell a story. Crafting a novel is a skill developed over time, and reading is vital because it allows you to see how others tell their tales.

I read Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan about ten years ago, and his writing profoundly influenced my writing. I reached out to him, and he promptly replied to my email. We continued to chat, and his best advice was to enjoy the journey. He was right. The publishing world is full of firsts: the first time I held my book, the first time I sold a book to a total stranger, my first book signing, and so on. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but that’s all part of the journey.

I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like I wasn’t an actual writer or didn’t fit in. At times, I doubted the quality of my writing. But my mind self-doubt shifted during my next book signing. It was an incredible high—people who had purchased some of my earlier works were now seeking my new book. Just like any job, writing has its ups and downs. But if you love what you do, don’t give up.

So far, the highlight of my career has been signing a contract with 4 Horsemen Publications. Let me tell you how it happened. I was offered a table at a show in Orlando, which I gladly accepted. I’m not one to pass up a free table and the chance to sell my books. On the event’s second day, one of the authors invited my wife and me to dinner with them and a few other authors. We were excited to attend, but the author had to cancel at the last minute. Nonetheless, I decided to go and enjoy the evening.

When my wife and I arrived, we were greeted by the Chief Operating Officer and the Senior Editor of 4 Horsemen Publications. I had the feeling that I had been set up. After a wonderful dinner and listening to their pitch, I knew I was right. I also knew it was time to take my writing to the next level. Of course, I had to submit my work and see if it met their standards. After a few long weeks of waiting, I was offered a contract. I’ve never been happier and still write under the 4HP label today.  

Some of the most important advice I can offer an inspiring author is to read and write daily, even if only a paragraph or two. Never give up. If you enjoy writing, then write. Most of all, enjoy the journey!

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Series Catch-Up: Tales for Well-Dressed Cynics & Optimistic Ragamuffins

Do you love diving into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Literary Fiction (Social Commentary) books for you: Tales for Well-Dressed Cynics & Optimistic Ragamuffins

There are 3 books so far by Cathleen Davies

Check out book one Cheeky, Bloody Articles here:

Acid trips, terrorists, and one hundred birthday candles. Icy baths, burning bodies, and everything in between.

This thought provoking debut short story collection from Cathleen Davies pulls no punches. Expertly skewering readers’ expectations on failing relationships, cabin fever, police violence, feminism, loss, and loyalty; each unique character tells a tale of the dissatisfied, the angst-laden, and the justifiably outraged.

Elder members of the LGBTQ+ community lament simpler times.
Young women in foster care construct a death-pact because #promises.
A cult dismembers their followers to prove more than loyalty.

In a place where horror straddles humor, Cheeky, Bloody Articles dares to answer questions like: What if you lived to be 100 years old but absolutely hated your family? What were the lyrics to that awful Eminem song? And: Exactly how long does it take for a rat to decompose?

The poignant yet provocative collection is terrible, wonderful, but most of all insightful.

Every story of this anxiety-ridden tongue-in-cheek romp makes you question how many stitches you would have needed if your mother had actually taken you to the hospital. They will make you wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t been stood up on that first date. There’s a chance you may even find yourself wishing you could redact your ex’s name from the diary of your life.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

Cheeky, Bloody Articles (Tales for Well-Dressed Cynics and Optimistic Ragamuffins #1)
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Where I Get My Ideas!

A woman in a blue shirt witha blonde ponytail smiles at the camera.

Hi, I’m J.B. Moonstar!  

I have loved the natural world from an early age and enjoy going to zoos and aquariums and watching animal shows on TV.  One of my favorite animals is the meerkat!  My stories are eco-fantasy adventures for juvenile readers (7 years and up).  In my stories, the dragons and mermaids are the “good guys”, and with help from my young heroes, they rescue endangered animals.  I want my readers to learn that animals have lives just like humans do – families and homes – and just want to survive among the growing threats posed by today’s world.  My books also give children a glimpse of the world from the animal’s point of view.  I hope that I can encourage children to learn about, and love, nature as much as I do!

Where do I get my ideas?

The main plot in my books are many times based on nature/conservation magazines that discuss the plight of animals who are being pushed to the brink of extinction because of human greed or ignorance of what their actions do to wildlife. Since the purpose of Ituria’s Islands on the moon is to rescue endangered animals, I get ideas from these types of magazines for the plot or theme.   

You may wonder about Ituria’s Island and if living in the caverns of the moon is pure fantasy.  However, I did a lot of research for the first book in The Ituria Chronicles – several months of reading about the moon, and how I could create islands under its surface. I learned about the volcano flows, cavern structures, water/ice believed to exist on the moon, as well as the moon’s relationship with the earth.  All these facts were considered to create a world that could exist.  In my research, I learned people are now talking about making human habitats in the moon’s caverns. It would keep humans safe from the 500-degree shifts in temperatures and meteor impacts on the surface. However, should they attempt this, I do need to tell them that Ituria got there first!  

What do I write?  

My books are written for elementary school readers, basically seven years and older and are safe for young readers.  My stories are “fantasy” adventures because they have dragons and mermaids, unicorns, magic potions, and magical items.  However, my dragons are vegetarian and don’t need to be defeated by the end of the story.  My stories are “eco-fantasy” because the dragons and other fantasy creatures are working with my main characters to rescue endangered animals, and in the process showing the reader that the natural world from the eyes of the animals, and that they need our help and protection.  

So far, my young heroes in The Ituria Chronicles series have helped rescue Red Wolves, Chinese Crested Terns, sick deer, a stranded manatee, and even tiger cubs – these creatures were being threatened by humans and needed someone with the courage to help them. I have also started a new series, The Mermaids of Crystal Cay, where the mermaids are helping sea creatures survive the threats created by humans in their underwater homes.  In the first book, Kimmi and the Sea Dragon, they deal with a ghost net and its devastating effects as it sweeps through a kelp garden.  In the second book, Roselia and the Ancient Warriors, they must rescue horseshoe crabs illegally poached from a wildlife refuge.

Who are my characters?  

My two series, The Ituria Chronicles and The Mermaids of Crystal Cay, are both composed of numerous stand-alone stories with a main theme of rescuing endangered animals.  In The Ituria Chronicles, my dragons Knocker and Megan have a potion that allows them to assume human shape for short periods of time so they can blend in with humans to accomplish their mission, and they enlist young heroes and heroines on Earth to assist in the rescues.

I love working with Knocker, he has such a confident air about him, and being a very large fire-breathing dragon allows him to control any situation, even when he is in human form. He has had many years of experience dealing with humans and doesn’t get upset when confronting them anymore, he knows he has the upper hand even though the humans may think they are in control.  Megan is a dragon who was trapped in a cave by humans for 350 years until freed by Jan, and she has an attitude, don’t try to hold her back!

My heroines, Jenna, Jan, and Michelle are ready and willing to stand up for themselves and not take orders from anyone; they are the ones in charge – even if they are only 11 to 12 years old. I guess it is how I wish I would have been at 12 – when I was 12, I was told that I could either be a nurse or a secretary – that was the only thing girls could do. 

My heroes, Russ and Taylor, also have their own backgrounds, and I have enjoyed seeing Taylor grow in confidence as he realizes that while he may have what some consider a handicap, he also has many strengths that outweigh this perceived weakness.  All my characters are compassionate and really care for their families and the animals that live around them. 

Ituria’s Alliance continues!

Come join Knocker, Megan, Michelle and the other members of Ituria’s Alliance as they rescue animals and protect nature from illegal poaching and other dangers posed by humans!   We are always looking for new recruits for Ituria’s Alliance! 

Website:   www.jbmoonstar.com
Instagram:   @j.b.moonstar 
Email:  [email protected]

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Series Catch-Up: The Mermaids of Crystal Cay

Do you love diving into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Children’s Action Adventure series for you: The Mermaids of Crystal Cay

There are 2 books so far in this series.

Check out book one Kimmi and the Sea Dragon here:

“It looks like its tail is broken! Let’s make sure it gets home!”

Young mermaid Kimmi has been chosen to raise a baby sea dragon until it is large enough to live with its parents in the open ocean. Although warned not to go beyond the reef with her young charge, after Kimmi’s necklace breaks and the pearls scatter, they forget the warning and swim out to find the lost pearls.

When a ghost net threatens the mermaids’ kelp garden and the sea creatures who live there, Kimmi and Snappy must be brave in order to save the day. Will they make it back to the safety of the reef?

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

Kimmi and the Sea Dragon (The Mermaids of Crystal Cay #1)