Thursday, January 2, 2025

2024 / 2025 reading lists

 Happy New Year readers!

What did you read in 2024? What's on your list for 2025? Any recommendations? 

Here's a list of 10 books that I read in 2024:

  • The PARA Method: The Simple System for Organizing Your Digital Life in Seconds - Tiago ForteT
  • The Wager - David Grann (audiobook)
  • Joyful Productivity - Ali Abdaal (audiobook)
  • The Enigma of Room 622 - Joël Dicker 
  • The Witch of Portobello - Paulo Coelho
  • The Wolf Wilder - Katherine Rundell
  • The Enigma of Room 622 - Joël Dicker
  • Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
  • The End of Drum - Time by Hanna Pylväinen
  • The Secret History - Donna Tart

Favourite was Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens. A coming-of-age murder mystery story, but really an ode to the beauty of nature and a reflection on solitude. 

Here is a list of some of the books I hope to read in 2025:

  • Quantum - Manjit Kumaro
  • You Think You Know Me - Ayaan Mohamud
  • The 48 Laws Of Power - Robert Green
  • The Psychology Of Money
  • The Between - Tananarive Due (audiobook)
  • How Much of These Hills Is Gold - Zhang, C Pam
  • The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store -James McBride
  • The Bee Sting - Paul Murray
  • The Vaster Wilds - Lauren Groff
  • Birnam Wood - Eleanor Catton
  • Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night - Julian Sancton
  • If We Were Villains - M. L. Rio
  • A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan - Richard Balls
  • The Cook - Ajay Chowdhury
  • Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain - Maryanne Wolf
  • Slow Productivity - Cal Newport
Don't forget to add the 3 books from The Witch's List Trilogy to your reading list. 
Happy reading!

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Voodoomsday now available in paperback! #voodoomsday #thewitchslist #beingauthor

 Excited to announce that my new book, Voodoomsday, is now available in both paperback and ebook versions! Grab your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DNSKKK9J

Happy reading!




Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Modern Technology and Ancient Magic

One of the most intriguing aspects of Voodoomsday is the intersection of  modern technologies with traditional magic. I wanted to explore how these seemingly opposite forces could combine to create a unique and terrifying new threat. The book also touches on some of the current philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness or the soul and how it could be put into question in our digital age.

The fusion of technology and black magic in Voodoomsday presents a scenario that challenges our understanding of both technological advancement and mystical traditions.  It offers a nightmarish vision of where rapidly evolving technological possibilities make take us in a not too distant future. 

Voodoomsday is now available for pre-order on: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP599Y82




Sunday, December 1, 2024

The Authentic Voodoo Behind Voodoomsday: Unveiling the Magic of The Witch's List Trilogy

While my stories are fiction, they are not complete fantasy. I try to base my writing on things that happened to me or on stories that I've heard from people I've met on my travels. From my experience, witchcraft is a lot more prevalent in Africa than elsewhere, and indeed the initial spark for this trilogy came from a visit to The Ivory Coast in 1999. My fascination with African mysticism and its lesser-known connections to Western magical traditions, has grown over the years, and what began as a simple story about a skeptical Scotsman encountering supernatural forces evolved into a complex narrative spanning continents and belief systems. 

For the subject of Voodoo, I drew on some of the encounters I had on a visit to Louisiana, but also on stories I have heard from friends from Benin, the original home of Voodoo or Vodun, where it is still practiced by sixteen percent of the population. Enhancing these experiences with extensive research, I've worked to portray these ancient traditions with as much accuracy as possible, so that the story feels real.

When I first conceived The Witch's List, I had a rough idea of the overall story arc of the trilogy, but I didn't realise how far down the rabbit hole of mysticism and magic it would lead me. My initial research into African spiritual practices opened up a whole new world of interconnected beliefs and rituals that span the globe. While Voodoo is often portrayed rather stereotypically in popular media, if you dig a little deeper you'll find that in Louisiana, it is a tradition that blends West African Vodun, Native American spiritual practices, and elements of Roman Catholicism, which I have attempted to include in Voodoomsday.  

The journey of writing The Witch's List trilogy has been one of continuous discovery of the world's mystical traditions. Through Sandy's eyes, readers are invited to challenge their preconceptions about magic, reality, and the nature of belief itself. As Voodoomsday brings this journey to a close, I hope that readers will come away with not just a thrilling story, but a new appreciation of spiritual beliefs that shape our lives.

Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or new to Sandy's adventures, I invite you to approach Voodoomsday with an open mind and heart. The magic you find there might just change the way you see the world.

Friday, November 29, 2024

Announcing Voodoomsday: The Epic Conclusion

This week marks an exciting milestone as I announce the release of Voodoomsday, the final chapter in The Witch's List Trilogy! The full series is now listed on amazon, with the final book available for pre-order in Kindle format. 

Over the next month or so, I hope to post a series of blog posts, giving more information about the book and the two others in the series. 

Voodoomsday represents the culmination of Sandy Beech's supernatural journey, as he hooks up with his teenage sweetheart, Gabriella and they travel to New Orleans and the mysterious bayous of Louisiana in search of answers. The story weaves together elements that have been building up throughout the series: ancient African magic and witchcraft, and adds new elements from Voodoo and cutting-edge technology. As Sandy faces his greatest challenge yet, he must confront not only supernatural forces but also question the very nature of reality in our technological age.

Voodoomsday picks up where the previous instalment left off, with Sandy delving deeper into the world of the occult while simultaneously grappling with worrying advances in the tech world. I have attempted to create an original narrative that blends the mystical with the technological, creating a unique tapestry that I hope will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

As hinted at, in the previous book, One More Arabian Night, Sandy's investigations lead him to the heart of New Orleans, where the line between the physical and spiritual worlds blurs. Here, he encounters a cast of colorful characters, from Voodoo practitioners to tech whizzes, each playing a crucial role in the unfolding drama. The city's rich history and vibrant culture serve as the perfect backdrop for this clash of ancient traditions and futuristic innovations.

Throughout the trilogy, readers have watched Sandy evolve from a skeptical outsider to a man deeply entrenched in the supernatural world. In Voodoomsday, his growth reaches its zenith as he faces choices that will not only determine his own fate but potentially that of something much bigger. The story poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of consciousness, the potential for new technologies to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms, and the unforeseen consequences of merging these disparate worlds.

For me it's been a real labour of love. I've poured five years of research and passion into crafting this finale. From studying Voodoo rituals in New Orleans to delving into the latest developments in the tech world, every detail has been carefully considered to create a story that is both fantastical and eerily plausible.

Voodoomsday is more than just the conclusion of a trilogy; it's a reflection on our rapidly changing world and the eternal human quest for understanding our place within it. Whether you're a long-time fan of The Witch's List or new to Sandy's adventures, this book promises a thrilling ride that will leave you pondering its implications long after you've turned the final page.

I invite readers to join Sandy on this last leg of his extraordinary journey. Prepare to have your perceptions challenged and your imagination ignited as you dive into this spellbinding fusion of magic, technology, and human determination.

As always, feel free to ask me any questions, or let me know your comments. Happy reading! 

Thursday, November 28, 2024

"Voodoomsday" - Book III in The Witch's Trilogy - is now open for pre-order on amazon! #thewitchslist #voodoomsday #99cents #beingauthor

Excited to announce that my new book, "Voodoomsday" - Book III in The Witch's Trilogy - is now open for pre-order on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP599Y82

Please order your copy now and share the news on your networks:
- Show your support.
- Create some buzz!
- Help the book make its mark on the best-seller lists on release day, 12th December 2024.
Please also write a quick review on amazon, from 12th December, to improve visibility. Just a line or two would be great.
PS Only the kindle version is open for pre-order. The paperback version can be purchased directly from 12th December.

© Elena Schweitzer / Dreamstime.com 

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Book III in The Witch's List Trilogy ready for publishing #thewitchslist

Happy to announce that Book III in The Witch's List Trilogy is now ready for publishing!

I am just going through the final review stages, and it should be available for sale by 12th December, 2024. The ebook (kindle version) should be available for pre-order on amazon from 1st December, 2024. Please add it to your Christmas shopping list or New Year reading list and help spread the word!

Here is a sneak peek of the cover image:


© Elena Schweitzer / Dreamstime.com