Halloween Tree Review By William Brian Johnson

The Halloween Tree By Ray Bradbury

 

Review and Guest Post By William Brian Johnson

 

They thought of All Hallows' Night and the billion ghosts-a-wandering the lonely lanes in cold winds and strange smokes.

Looking for a good creepystory for Halloween?

 
It was a small town by a small river and a small lake in a small northern part of a Midwest state. There wasn’t so much wilderness around you couldn’t see the town. But on the other hand there wasn’t as much town you couldn’t see and feel and touch and smell the wilderness. The town was full of trees. And dry grass and dead flowers now that autumn was here. And full of fences to walk on and sidewalks to skate on and a large ravine to tumble in and yell across. And the town was full of…Boys.
And it was the afternoon of Halloween.
And all the houses shut against a cool wind.
And the town full of cold sunlight.
But suddenly, the day was gone.
                                                                       

Eight boys are on the search to find their sick friend, Pipkin. 

A strange, tall man, Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud is their tour guide for the night.  This creepy ferryman takes the boys through time to distant civilizations that marked the changing of the seasons and the cycle of life.  In this journey, the boys find the true meaning of Halloween and the spirit of the season. 

This book shows the history of Halloween and provides it in the packing of a children’s book. Originally Bradbury wrote this for Chuck Jones to produce as a cartoon, but it was not animated until 1993.  Ray Bradbury won an Emmy for the script, but was unsatisfied with the movie. 

Ray Bradbury’s ‘The Halloween Tree’ is a book I will reread as the maple leaves begin to dye blood red, as the wind grows cold, and as night realizes its victory against the ailing sunlight.  This is a book to be read aloud to not only bring the season, but sooth the ghosts that haunt us and surround us.

William Brian Johnson is a writer, storm chaser, and an evil version of Robert Fulghum.  You can follow his misadventures at http://fatherthunder.blogspot.com/  and his storm chasing at www.ruminationofthunder.com.  Mr. Johnson’s novel ‘Hell to Pay’ is available through Amazon in e-book or paperback:  http://tinyurl.com/4yzb32k.
 

The unreleased Chapter 0 is available for free: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/118371

 

The Mile Below Resort Under The Sea!

If there were ever a story I’ve had more fun writing, it’s ‘Mile Below Peep Show’. The above picture is a fun interpretation of two characters in MBPS, the peacock twins. I really stretched my imagination on this one, as there are no underwater resorts of this scale anywhere in the world, unless you count The Poseidon Resort, which is still under construction (in the real world). Anyway, I had no idea it existed while I was writing MBPS. So, you see, there are quite a few treats waiting for you under the waves in this labyrinthine luxury of erotic steampunk adventure. And there will be more to come. I’m currently working on the third installment of the ‘Mile’ series, and the third book will be a novel, and it’s going to be one brassy adventure!

            You’re summer vacation doesn’t have to end. Pick up your e-book copy of Mile Below Peep Show and explore a world unrestrained by the walking world, and dive right in to what awaits: Delicious mermen, exotic peep shows, cocktails, a lusty labyrinth, and all manner of sexual follies wind themselves into a mouth watering novella that is sure to put a blush on your cheek.

Cheers,

Nishi Serrano

“Creating fantastic worlds imaginative enough to hold the unexplored…”
http://www.nishiserrano.blogspot.com

 MBPS Blurb:

Lady Rose fears her best friend Abigail Bertram is growing lonely and embittered by her life as heir and sole proprietor to her family’s business. After experiencing the pleasures and induction to the Mile High Airship Club, Rose and her husband William devise a plan to hopefully cure their friend of her prim ways and introduce her to a new, freer world, of carnal desires.

Taking Abby on their special vacation, the three friends embark on a steampunk carnival soiree under the sea brimming with mermaids, a cast of lusty characters, and of course—exotic peep-shows!

Will their adventure open Abby’s eyes to what she’s been missing, or will her heart stay chained to business as usual?

However, a surprise none of them intended shows up to test Abby’s brass, and possibly melt her heart.

Mile Below Peep Show can be bought here:

Decadent Publishing: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=610&osCsid=bh2u6j55pgt534sffeqa7li183

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mile-Below-Peep-Show-ebook/dp/B00930OPTK

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-milebelowpeepshow-924212-146.html

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mile-below-peep-show-nishi-serrano/1112685221?ean=2940015149692

 

I adore friends:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/NishiSerrano

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NishiSerrano

 

 

To go back to the giveaway and hop page click here: http://nishiserrano.blogspot.com/

           

The Most Important Object in the Universe

It’s no secret to my friends that I’m a sucker for all macabre things pertaining to the genres of horror and dark fantasy. So there’s no surprise one of my things is classic cars (and scary coaches, they make me drool). Stephen King had ‘Christine’, ‘Evil Dead’ had the 1973 Delta Olds 88, and television has the 1967 Chevy Impala on ‘Supernatural’.  What is it about cars that fascinate us, especially in horror? Perhaps it is the subconscious fear of the ever present possibility of a car accident. After all, we ride around in our little cages of love practically every day. I can’t even fathom how many hours in our lives we spend driving.

                Then there is the ever present spookiness of driving along a deserted road in the dead of the night—add some fog into that, and wah-lah!—the perfect moment to get your imagination conjuring the direst of fates. Where will the road take you? And, who’s that sitting in the back seat?! Oh, it’s just me … mwahahahaha!

                I had the pleasure of meeting some really rockin’ folks with the Cinema Classics Car Club, and they are a club I would be proud to be a part of (if only I had a classic movie car). Here is their link: http://www.juliehavelka.com/cinemaclassics.html

                They boast an impressive list of cars in their club: The Nova from Tarantino’s ‘Death Proof’, and the Mustang, and the ‘Supernatural’ Chevy Impala. How cool is that! So here you are folks, my photo opportunity to scratch off my bucket list:

Supernatural:

Death Proof:

Thank you Tod, Julia, and Vincent for a superb day with new friends!

...And I can't keep this photo out, 'cuase as a kid, I was a fan too:

Don't Hassel the Hoff

               

Zoo Promenade 2

Well, hello there, fancy meeting you on this trail! Nature’s great chandelier in the sky is sparkling all around us, and the breeze is hinting for us to follow it. Would you care to join me on a magical walk? Look there … do you see that vine covered arch? Just beyond it awaits an adventure. Come on—don’t be shy, the cute and wondrous inhabitants of the forest are always happy to have company, and to teach us a thing or two about life.

There are many wise eyes watching us from the treetops, but don’t fear, I’m right here with you.

Have you ever wondered what Yoda’s uncle might have looked like?

Yoda’s Uncle says: “Blind we are, if creation is destroyed by humanity.”

Oh, I almost forgot, handsome ‘Hairy’ promised me a photo shoot today! He’s the perfect gentleman, and so photogenic!

Hairy wanted me to add this photo of a very important message:

Do you know who Ganesh is? Ganesh is an elephant deity from India, who has a way with opening doors and eliminating obstacles. Let’s go see if we can find him!

Ganesh thought I should share this information:

Birds of a feather prey together …

Where did the wood go?

Boared …

Not amused …

Is it just me, or is nature’s art imitating life (look closely and you will see!) …

Ah, water, refreshing on a hot day, and teeming with surprises …

Eggcited!

Which way should we go now?

Helping hooves …

*Yawn* I think it’s nap time …

Time to wake up!

Wow, what a wonderful day it has been. I’m so glad you could take a walk with me. Will you join me again sometime? Who knows where I will head to, but it will always be an adventure! 

Thank you Portland Zoo for an amazing and educational visit: http://www.orgegonzoo.org