Title: Nightfall
Author: P.W. Creighton
Pub. Date: Jan. 31, 2012
Published by: Astraea Press
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Three years after everyone important to Connor Maitland was murdered by a fanatical cult he is still attempting to put his life back together. Accompanied by his ex-girlfriend and business partner, Alison Herne, he is making a living as a jack-of-all-trades running a security company, sailing charters, and even photographing weddings out of Dolliber Cove, Massachusetts. Connor’s world is finally coming back together until they find one of Alison’s ghost hunter friends murdered.
When a childhood love he thought was dead, appears on his doorstep during their investigation, Connor is forced to confront memories he convinced himself were the delusions of a man deep into grief. They are being stalked by a mysterious man who appears to know far too many of their secrets. After Alison is almost killed confronting her occult past, it is impossible for Connor to deny the connection between the cases. Someone is attempting to end Connor’s life and the lives of all those who surround him.
The crazed rantings of the murderous cult may be the key to his survival.
~From the Author~
Top Ten Paranormal Shows of All Time
When it comes to TV, there have always been shows that had a supernatural element to them. These shows are responsible for inspiring our interest in the genre, not only because the paranormal holds a certain mystique but because the characters and storylines were so well crafted that they could’ve dropped the paranormal element and they still would have captivated us. These are the top ten best paranormal TV shows of all time based on what they did for the genre and how much they impacted our TV watching habits.
10 – Dark Shadows – This show originally aired in 1966 on ABC as a daytime soap opera. It was completely unprecedented when ghosts were introduced to the show after six months and a year later the show revolutionized the drama by introducing the vampire Barnabas Collins. The show became hugely popular running until 1971 and introduced its audience to werewolves, zombies, witches, warlocks, man-made-monstrosities, time-travel and parallel universes. The special fx may seem hokey now but the stories still hold up well.
9 – Kolchak: The Night Stalker – This is another classic show that revolutionized the genre by adding a touch of humor to the dark and brooding supernatural. Kolchak aired on ABC in 1974 and featured a fictional newspaper reporter who investigates crimes with unlikely causes. Commonly these causes were some supernatural creature or element like a curse. While the series only lasted one run, it has been credited with inspiring many subsequent paranormal dramas.
8 – Ghost Whisperer – This series debuted in 2005 and followed the life of a psychic medium in a small town that could communicate with ghosts. The show focused entirely on ghosts and spirit-like entities that the character was able to see. While the show was fairly sedate compared to other paranormal dramas, it also brought ghosts out of the traditional horror aspects and introduced a more mystery based premise.
7 – True Blood – Based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris that take place in Louisiana. The show premiered in 2008 and followed the life of a telepathic waitress that gets caught up in events with other supernatural creatures. While the book series received much acclaim, it wasn’t until the show hit the air that ghosts, fae and vampires were brought back into the mainstream. The gritty realism and uncensored nature of the show have driven the show to not only critical acclaim but also a cultural icon status.
6 – Charmed – Originally airing in 1998, the show followed three sisters (later a fourth) that were witches with magical powers. The show brought a modern aspect to the paranormal genre, women’s empowerment. Through the run of the series, the show brought Wicca and New Age traditions to the mainstream. Not only did the show introduce witches as ‘good-guys’ but also it drove what were thought of ‘counter-culture’ movements to the mainstream of society.
5 – Freakylinks – The show premiered in 2000, following an internet journalist that ran a website after his brother’s death. Through the series the characters investigated paranormal phenomena and urban legends while pursuing the truth of his brother’s death. The most revolutionary concept of the show was the introduction of the Point-Of-View camera to add a sense of realism. While the show was short-lived the POV camera element has since become a staple of many ‘reality’ paranormal shows to add a heightened sense of drama.
4 – Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Debuting in 1997, the series follows a teen vampire slayer that lives in California and is aided by a number of friends. Through the series, a wide array of supernatural creatures and phenomena are encountered. The paranormal genre was driven mainstream with the relatable characters and episode plotlines. The series was so successful as to cause the creation of multiple spinoffs through novels, comics and shows as well as heavily influence other series.
3 – The River – Premiered in early 2012 on ABC as a mid-season replacement to critical acclaim. Following a search-and-rescue deep in the Amazon jungle by a family while being documented by a documentary film crew, the show focuses on a sense of ‘realism’ through POV cameras and personal cameras as the characters encounter paranormal phenomena. While the show was canceled it is cited for having a new innovative approach to storytelling and re-introducing the horror elements of the paranormal genre, most notably the ‘not showing the monster.’
2 – Supernatural – In 2005 the show debuted on the WB following two brothers as they travel around the country hunting all manner of supernatural phenomena. The show has won countless awards including Best Sci/Fi TV series and Best Drama TV Series. Through the series, the paranormal has been introduced with more ‘realism’ and a darker ‘horror’ tone. The show stands as one of the paranormal genre icons.
1 – The X Files – Premiering in 1993, the definitive paranormal show followed two FBI agents as they investigated a wide array of paranormal phenomena, conspiracy theories and Government secrets through the show’s decade-long run. The series created a number of pop culture references and is seen as the defining series of its era. The dark, methodical and gritty nature of the investigations into the phenomena has become the standard for the paranormal genre.
The Top Ten Paranormal Shows of All Time are shows that have been the game changers, shows that may not have lasted very long or lasted for years. They were innovative at bringing the paranormal to the mainstream and providing a new perspective that has influenced the genre.
What shows would you say were missed?
~Book Trailer~
~Giveaway~
~About the Author~
Author of the Psychological, Supernatural Thriller Series Nightfall, Writer, adventurer, archaeologist, photographer, videographer, Tech-Geek, Investigator
Originally from California, PW moved frequently, living in many places including Vermont, Tennessee and currently New York where PW took his interest in adventure to college earning a Bachelors in Folklore Anthropology, Archaeology and Art Studio. After his work was displayed in gallery exhibits and television documentaries, he returned to college for his MSEd as a Communications Specialist in Media Production. Between rock climbing, sailing and investigations, there’s barely enough time in the day but it’s all a modern adventure.
Ahhh, this book sounds fabulous!!
As for the paranormal shows, I can’t believe how many of my favorites are on that list!!!! As soon as I read the subject of the guest post, my mind went IMMEDIATELY to Buffy! 🙂 So glad it was on there!
Thanks for having me over today!
Thanks for having me over today!