Jur: A Story of Pre Dawn Earth Now Available

Now available on Kindel, $3.99, "Jur: A Story of Pre Dawn Earth" by Tom Johnson & James Reasoner.

The giant saber-toothed cat continued its pursuit of Odette as she tripped and fell. Aaron moved forward on his unsteady perch and suddenly felt his balance desert him. He stumbled sideways off the high limb, directly into the path of the bounding saber-tooth!
Through the high thrills of adventure and the adrenalin-pumping lows of terror, two young people lost in a prehistoric world must unite in their fight to survive – and find a love like no other!

TOM&M V4 Review By JoAnna Senger

Tales of Masks and Mayhem v. 4

Edited by Ginger Johnson

 During and after World War II, pulp fiction captured the imagination of the America public with its clear distinction between good guys and bad guys with nothing less than the safety of the Western world at stake.  Most stories take place in a gritty American metropolis.

The protagonists are men (usually) of action, all-but-impervious to physical pain, and single-minded in their determination to rid society of dangerous undesirables.  Unencumbered by domesticity, they are wealthy or have no need of paid employment for some other reason.  When fighting crime or Nazis, they must conceal their identity.  Villains usually die in a hail of bullets.

Ginger Johnson has assembled five stories of varying lengths which celebrate the genre.  Like planets circling the sun, the stories share a literary focus but are sufficiently varied to make each story distinct and worthy of exploration.

“The Hooded Hunter” by Maxentius Andor Scarlatti proceeds at a breakneck pace without excessive backstory.  The interaction of the Hooded Hunter with the Texas Rangers was particularly fascinating, and this reviewer arrived at the end feeling vicariously exhausted.  A real adventure!

“Peril of the Prophet” by Lamont Wentworth departs from the genre through a female central character, a reporter, and a mysterious nun who appears at unexpected moments.  The protagonist, the Masked Avenger, and the famous special rings worn by his allies were celebrated in Woody Allen’s movie Radio Days.  Taking a real physical beating, the Masked Avenger hasn’t lost his touch.

“The Crimson Mask’s Justice” by Frank Johnson varies the theme by introducing us to a kindly father-figure pharmacist who is, in fact, the crime-fighter known to law enforcement as the Crimson Mask.  This plot cleverly entwines politics, a famous necklace, and the double-cross leaving the reader hanging on by the fingernails, still surprised by the ending.

“His Master’s Voice – A Doc Atlas Adventure” by Raymond L. Lovata and Michael A. Black takes place behind enemy lines in Germany rather than in an American city.  The authors are particularly adept at taking the reader through the Nazi medical experiment lab deep in a stone castle on a mountaintop.  The Golden Avenger, Doc Atlas, works with the United States military to thwart the brilliant but evil Dr. Von Strohm.

“Partners in Crime” by Tom Johnson treats the reader to a most unique protagonist: The Black Cat, not only a woman but also a thief.  Her prowess with weaponry including archery and knife throwing make her formidable in combat without the need to throw a punch.  She may be the most devious and ethically flexible of all the crime fighters.  In this story, the shortest in the anthology, the author has created an exceptionally nuanced crime fighter.  The reader is swept along with both plot and protagonist.

As the years go by, there are fewer and fewer people who can tap into personal memories of the American culture as it was in the heyday of pulp fiction.  This reviewer wants to thank Ms. Johnson and all the writers for continuing this uniquely American literary tradition.

Review by JoAnna Senger 

Double Danger Tales #65

Two of the greatest of the Greek heroes were Hercules and Atalanta, and both have survived in their own identities, as well as being the patterns for many other heroes of print, song, and screen. But no hero has ever achieved the strength of the mighty Hercules. Nor has any arrow ever flown as swift and true as one shot from the bow of Atalanta! Monsters from the land, sea, and moon face our heroes in these exciting pulp adventures!

In this double action adventure by Tom Johnson, Atalanta must seek out The Golden Lion, and Hercules battles The Moon Goddess. If you like your heroes strong, your heroines beautiful, and the action fast, then go no further, this adventure is for you!

Now available on Kindle $1.99

The Soul Stealers

Now available on Amazon Kindle $0.99.

Angels have walked among mankind since the dawn of civilization. Although we may not recognize them, or even see their presence, they are always with us. Perhaps they whisper advice in our dreams, or guide our governments without their knowledge, angels are moving us towards a higher good. Some even protect us in our final day, when violent death reaches out for our very soul - these are the Soul Sealers!

Teresa Tunaley Interview

I first became aware of Teresa Tunaley’s illustrations in Barbara Custer’s Night To Dawn magazine a few years back. In fact, I was so taken with Teresa’s art I went to her website and looked at the many pages of fine illustrations she had already done for book covers and magazines. It was no surprise to see the many Awards she has received for her art and website design. When it came time for a new edition of “Jur: A Story of Pre Dawn Earth,” I naturally thought of her for the cover. The previous three editions of my book sported some pretty horrible covers, I assure you. But I felt Teresa had the right technique to capture the scene I wanted. She did!  Let me now introduce you to a very fine lady who has been fun to work with on several projects so far.

Tom: Teresa, to begin, please tell the readers a little about yourself, where you are from, and where you are now living.

Teresa: Many moons ago, I was born in the United Kingdom in a small village called Wigston, in Leicestershire.  In my mid 20’s I had the opportunity to holiday in Tenerife, one of seven small islands off the West coast of Africa (governed by Spain).  I fell in love with the tranquil way of life and found myself spending every summer here…so, after dozens of holidays, I decided in 2002 to move and make it permanent.  So much easier having your Mum, sister and cousins already out here!  They had made the decision to move much earlier than I had. 

Tom: How did you become involved in art creations, and has this always been your life’s dream?

Teresa:  I recall painting quite early before my teens, but didn’t take it up as a hobby until much later.  I worked initially in Watercolors and felt quite proud as I sold a few of my paintings to co-workers.  Monet’s works adorned my lounge walls at this time.

I could spend hours in Art Museums; I was fascinated by art especially large pieces painted by the Masters.  The detail even in the background was stunning, fine lace, jewellery and clothing painted so well, every fold was real to me.

I experimented in Oils, Acrylics and left behind watercolors.  Oils became my favorite as it allowed me more time to add and blend.

Tom: Were there any inspirations or artistic influences early on, or later in life. I’m sure you have grown in your fantastic talent over the years. Did you attend art schools, or are you self-taught?

Teresa: No one person inspired me to paint…it was the creation of something new, something entirely familiar or even alien.  To put paint to paper meant you could imagine a scene, in any time; another reality or planet…put yourself and the onlooker right there.  There are no boundaries. 

Tom: I’m sure that art is a big part of your life, but do you have other interests? Family and associates, or hobbies that you would like to talk about?

Teresa: Art is a big part of my life because I need to do it.  I have images going around in my head all the time and need to get this on paper…some of my best paintings have been conjured up late at night between wake and sleep and I must say, most of these would be best placed in the Horror Genre lol.

Besides art, I do the normal day-to-day things around the house…cook, sew and clean.  I don’t dislike any of this but sometime find it difficult to pull myself away from my art.  I could sit at my easel at 9.00am just to touch up one section or fine tune another…before I know it literally hours have gone by.

Weekends I try to spend with friends and family.  My partner Stefano is Italian and paints as much as I do but only in Acrylic.  The lounge is mainly our studio with easels for each of us.  There are canvasses leaning everywhere, the walls are strewn with art.  We sit in the early evening talking about our work and commenting on each others. (Gently, as we are both sensitive to negativity) each to their own we say...we have differing styles but lovely all the same.

Tom: I noticed several Preditors & Editors Awards, as well as other awards listed on your website. Please tell us about them, and how they came about.

Teresa: I had forgotten about these until you mentioned them as they are quite a few years ago… Some have been won for my work appearing in certain publications. Others for the art website that I have www.artstopper.com

My most recent award was July last year here in Tenerife.  I entered a competition along with hundreds of other artists from all over the world.  I produced a lady on a large 1.5 m sq canvas. I painted the contours of her body in various colors, which represented the heat source. 

Well, I was both surprised and overwhelmed to win the Public Vote award. The certificate hangs in my office; it’s very special…being recognized as an actual Artist makes me feel special.     

Tom: What do you find is the most enjoyable aspect of creating art/covers?

Teresa: The fact that others can enjoy my work as much as me gives me the inspiration to create on a daily basis.

Tom: Would you say there is anything you find difficult with creating art, or working with authors/publishers?

Teresa:  I can’t really say that I have worked with any difficult authors or publishers.  I have worked with the same people time and time again…after 10 yrs of working with dozens of publishers, I have made many friends.  Perhaps, I have found it easy…I try to paint a cover or design that the Author/Publisher actually wants, not what I want.  I haven’t written the book, the author has.  They want a cover that depicts a scene and I create it.

There are times I get a full script to read but there are also times I only get notes from authors, one or two phrases to explain their needs.  Either way, I’m neither, happy nor done, until the client is happy!

Tom: Is there any advice you would like to give aspiring artists and creators who are just starting out, or on their way up?

Teresa: My advice would be…never lose your own style, although you may have to tweak and vary it a little for particular assignments.  Don’t get put off by rejections because they will come thick and fast (they never stop)…It’s only the acceptances that count and when you get one…put your heart into getting it right! 

Tom: Are you working on anything special at the moment? And most important, where can viewers find your website, and contact information?

Teresa: I have just completed ‘Eden’s Planet’ for you Tom, which is always a pleasure.  I have constant assignments from SamDotsPublishing. I am currently creating a piece that features strange planets and aliens for Tyree Campbell, scheduled to appear in the next Drabble issue. 

I enjoy receiving copies of each and every book or magazine I illustrate. Especially as I live on a Spanish island with little or no reading matter available in English.  I have a huge collection over the years and love to go to my book shelf and pick one up at random, read through the wonderful stories that take me to places afar.

Tom: Teresa, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Your art has really impressed me, and I know it will others. I love the work you’ve done for my books, and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

Teresa: Tom thank you.  I am proud to have been a part of your venture…I still get a buzz when a piece is complete, the author loves it and it’s ready for print even after creating art for the last 30 years.

Pangaea: Eden's Planet

Pulp adventure returns to science fiction in “Pangaea: Eden’s Planet”.
Seven astronauts en route to Mars encounter a time warp in space that disables their ship. Crash landing on Earth, they discover an alien planet sixty million years before the dinosaurs. Pangaea, the super continent, is filled with danger and terror, as they must survive against fierce reptiles that ruled the Earth 250 million years in the past! 


Now available on Kindle and Smashwords, coming soon to Nook. A great new cover by Teresa Tunaley. $2.99 eBook.

Tales of Masks & Mayhem V4

Edited by Ginger Johnson. Continuing in a great tradition, five stories in pulp action, adventure, and thrills are included in this anthology! "The Hooded Hunter" by Max Scarlatti. "Prophet of Peril" (a Masked Avenger story) by Lamont Wentworth. A new Crimson Mask story, "The Crimson Mask's Justice" by Frank Johnson. Doc Atlas returned in "His Master's Voice" by Michael A. Black and Ray Lovato. Tom Johnson's Black Cat story, "Partners In Crime" rounds out the volume. With a great cover by Matt lovato. If you like PULP this is the place to be!

Now available for $15.95 from Amazon and NTD www.bloodredshadow.com/