D. J. Swales Gothic & Other Tales

Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant Bloomsbury playwright who receives weekly treats from a mysterious admirer. Mallory's mother Face-times him from her Torquay home atop crumbling cliffs, hoping that a marriage might be in the offing. After discussing his latest show, a genius work-in-progress, Mallory breaks the news about a terrible fate that has befallen his most virulent and vitriolic critic. His mother hatches a plan . . .   PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Discover how Sheila Barclay returned from London to Belfast, soon scandalizing the already-divided society with her newfangled take on Irish stew. Learn how Sheila boomeranged back to London in triumph, where one of her first customers outside Green Park Station was Josie (before she became Bloomsbury's mysterious midnight walker).  PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Turtle was conceived during an eventful skinny-dipping session on the coast of North Wales. He is obsessed with trapping pigeons for their "good luck feathers", using skills he claims to have acquired from staying too long in his mother's womb. We learn how Turtle has employed these unappreciated skills around the world . . . PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Jasper Mince recalls the tragic and fortuitous events leading to the day he came to be living secretly under the bed of his host. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Jasper Mince is a troubled runaway from Yorkshire. He lives secretly in Ridgmount Gardens, coming and going by stealth. He works a security job nearby, sharing his shift with a culinary Hungarian, who obsesses over a cake named Marmalade Whoopsy. Dressed like a ninja, Jasper watches Josie depart on one of her nocturnal jaunts.  PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Discover the debut episode of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY, the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secrets. Some stumble, tumble, or tiptoe through their days. Others hurtle towards outlandish destinies. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is as snug as an English country village, as intriguing as a Miss Marple mystery, and as enthralling as Tales of the City. This book is a literary antidote to the lock-down blues. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is available on Amazon from September, 2021. Be enchanted by author D. J. Swales' debut feel-good novel of spell-binding and quirky magical realism fiction. The pages of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY will charm readers of Strange Weather in Tokyo, Tales of the City, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Convenience Store Woman, The Diary of Adrian Mole, The Nakano Thrift Shop, and Palace Walk. Meet these neighbours and more: Josie is an nocturnal neighbourhood seer and midnight street dancer. Mr. Bootle is the owner of an esoteric bookshop haunted by a ghost named Jemima. Jasper Mince lives a clandestine rent-free life under the bed of an unwitting local resident. Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant purple-gowned theatre impresario who swings from one stage disaster to another. Mrs. Sorpresa owns and runs a cavernous invitation-only Colombian cafe and bakery, while quietly nursing a broken heart . Mrs. Hargreaves and her two children cultivate a fifth floor ramshackle balcony farm nicknamed, The Hanging Gardens of Bloomsbury. Danny Savarino must confront the disappearance of his parents and and investigate their mysterious sightings around the world. Listen now, your new neighbours are waiting . . . Be charmed by this first book in the CURLED UP AND COZY COLLECTION,  a series of charming short-chapter books inspired by Japanese popular fiction authors such as Hiromi Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Haruki Murakami, and the work of Armistead Maupin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Naguib Mahfouz, Sue Townsend, Salley Vickers, and Matt Haig.  Enjoy this audio drama exclusive preview podcast. This author is an independent creative. Please support him on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Emily in Paris meets The Exorcist! ★★★★★ Will you ever say "I Love Paris" again? Dare to find out . . . Don't miss this! ◆ Author D.J. Swales conceived this disturbing tale on a night walk, while working at Paris Fashion Week ◆ Ryan is an awkward Irish poet. He moves to Paris on the heels of a messy break up. Ryan's new home is a decaying mansion block, built atop the ruins of a monastery. Nearby, the Paris Metro rattles through Barbès – Rochechouart station at all hours of the night. Ryan finds a job in an Irish pub in Le Marais. He becomes besotted with Constance, his French co-worker from Bordeaux. Lovestruck Ryan’s eccentric Paris neighbour, Madame Blankenfelde, appears at his place of work. She is terrified. Together, Ryan and Constance are quickly drawn into disturbing events beyond their imagining . . . events of an old, malevolent, and determined lineage. KINDLE BESTSELLER RANKING:  #5 in Historical Fiction Short Stories #8 in Literary Short Stories #20 in Ghost Suspense #24 in Horror Short Stories Be sure to PURCHASE  Paris: A Curse in the City of the Catacombs on Amazon for Kindle and the free Kindle app (on all devices). ⚠FREE for Kindle Unlimited readers!⚠ A chilling short story, set in the City of Light. The unmissable latest release from the author of the BARATANAC TRILOGY, Book One of Fitzmarbury Witches –  the accomplished debut historical fiction, supernatural horror, and dark fantasy series and sagas available on Amazon, Kindle, and Kindle Unlimited. Shudder at this Short Story of the Macabre, the first of D.J. Swales' Bloomsbury Chronicles short stories to be published. DISCOVER THE ENTHRALLING BOOKS OF AUTHOR D. J. SWALES: Don't miss the thrilling history and occult horror of the FITZMARBURY WITCHES SERIES Immerse yourself in the bestselling darkness of MIDNIGHT'S TWIN: DARK POEMS PENNED IN MIDNIGHT HOURS Be charmed by the feel-good magical realism of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

OSHIDORI KWAIDAN: STORIES AND STUDIES OF STRANGE THINGS Listen as DJ Swales, author of BARATANAC, narrates this audio drama of personally selected Japanese ghost stories from Kwaidan. First published by Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) in 1904, Kwaidan is Japan’s most famous, widely read, and beloved collection of ghostly folklore and superstition. ====================================== Read BARATANAC for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED, or buy on AMAZON in paperback or ebook (for Kindle and the FREE Kindle App). ======================================= Inspired by Lafcadio's life and writings, DJ spent 6 months in Kumamoto City, Kyushu, while drafting two of his own upcoming dark fantasy and supernatural horror novels – The Golem of Nagasaki, and Radish. Kumamoto City was home to two of Japan's most notable writers – Lafcadio Hearn and Natsume Soseki, who was also an eminent haiku poet and former resident of London's Bloomsbury. Lafcadio Hearn utterly embraced Japanese culture and became a naturalised citizen. DJ visited his old Samurai house many times  – the only surviving example of its type in downtown Kumamoto. It is now a museum dedicated to the author's life.   In 1964, filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi released his highly acclaimed Japanese horror movie, Kwaidan. The film was based on (and named after) Lafcadio Hearn's collected tales of Japanese folklore. Lafcadio's work saved many of these tales from being lost during Japan's rapid Meiji Restoration.   Cover Art work: The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyō) by Kawanabe Kyōsai. Learn more about Lafcadio Hearn in this New Yorker article. ========================================= DISCOVER THE ENTHRALLING BOOKS OF AUTHOR D. J. SWALES: Don't miss the thrilling history and occult horror of the FITZMARBURY WITCHES SERIES Be terrified by the short story, PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS Immerse yourself in the bestselling darkness of MIDNIGHT'S TWIN: DARK POEMS PENNED IN MIDNIGHT HOURS Be charmed by the feel-good magical realism of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY Back INDEPENDENT Creatives. Please SUPPORT D. J. SWALES on PATREON AND PAYPAL

RIKI BAKA  KWAIDAN: STORIES AND STUDIES OF STRANGE THINGS Listen as DJ Swales, author of BARATANAC, narrates this audio drama of personally selected Japanese ghost stories from Kwaidan. First published by Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) in 1904, Kwaidan is Japan’s most famous, widely read, and beloved collection of ghostly folklore and superstition. ====================================== Read BARATANAC for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED, or buy on AMAZON in paperback or ebook (for Kindle and the FREE Kindle App). ======================================= Inspired by Lafcadio's life and writings, DJ spent 6 months in Kumamoto City, Kyushu, while drafting two of his own upcoming dark fantasy and supernatural horror novels – The Golem of Nagasaki, and Radish. Kumamoto City was home to two of Japan's most notable writers – Lafcadio Hearn and Natsume Soseki, who was also an eminent haiku poet and former resident of London's Bloomsbury. Lafcadio Hearn utterly embraced Japanese culture and became a naturalised citizen. DJ visited his old Samurai house many times  – the only surviving example of its type in downtown Kumamoto. It is now a museum dedicated to the author's life.   In 1964, filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi released his highly acclaimed Japanese horror movie, Kwaidan. The film was based on (and named after) Lafcadio Hearn's collected tales of Japanese folklore. Lafcadio's work saved many of these tales from being lost during Japan's rapid Meiji Restoration.   Cover Art work: The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyō) by Kawanabe Kyōsai. Learn more about Lafcadio Hearn in this New Yorker article. ========================================= DISCOVER THE ENTHRALLING BOOKS OF AUTHOR D. J. SWALES: Don't miss the thrilling history and occult horror of the FITZMARBURY WITCHES SERIES Be terrified by the short story, PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS Immerse yourself in the bestselling darkness of MIDNIGHT'S TWIN: DARK POEMS PENNED IN MIDNIGHT HOURS Be charmed by the feel-good magical realism of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY Back INDEPENDENT Creatives. Please SUPPORT D. J. SWALES on PATREON AND PAYPAL

CHERRY TREE OF THE SIXTEENTH DAY. KWAIDAN: STORIES AND STUDIES OF STRANGE THINGS Listen as DJ Swales, author of BARATANAC, narrates this audio drama of personally selected Japanese ghost stories from Kwaidan. First published by Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) in 1904, Kwaidan is Japan’s most famous, widely read, and beloved collection of ghostly folklore and superstition.  ====================================== Read BARATANAC for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED, or buy on AMAZON in paperback or ebook (for Kindle and the FREE Kindle App). ======================================= Inspired by Lafcadio's life and writings, DJ spent 6 months in Kumamoto City, Kyushu, while drafting two of his own upcoming dark fantasy and supernatural horror novels – The Golem of Nagasaki, and Radish. Kumamoto City was home to two of Japan's most notable writers – Lafcadio Hearn and Natsume Soseki, who was also an eminent haiku poet and former resident of London's Bloomsbury. Lafcadio Hearn utterly embraced Japanese culture and became a naturalised citizen. DJ visited his old Samurai house many times  – the only surviving example of its type in downtown Kumamoto. It is now a museum dedicated to the author's life.   In 1964, filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi released his highly acclaimed Japanese horror movie, Kwaidan. The film was based on (and named after) Lafcadio Hearn's collected tales of Japanese folklore. Lafcadio's work saved many of these tales from being lost during Japan's rapid Meiji Restoration.   Cover Art work: The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyō) by Kawanabe Kyōsai.   Learn more about Lafcadio Hearn in this New Yorker article. ========================================= DISCOVER THE ENTHRALLING BOOKS OF AUTHOR D. J. SWALES: Don't miss the thrilling history and occult horror of the FITZMARBURY WITCHES SERIES Be terrified by the short story, PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS Immerse yourself in the bestselling darkness of MIDNIGHT'S TWIN: DARK POEMS PENNED IN MIDNIGHT HOURS Be charmed by the feel-good magical realism of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY Back INDEPENDENT Creatives. Please SUPPORT D. J. SWALES on PATREON AND PAYPAL

FATAL AMBITIONS. Emeshmoon must confront the intruder and past revelations about her origins.  Read BARATANAC for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED, or buy on AMAZON in paperback or ebook (for Kindle and the FREE Kindle App). ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, supernatural horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial African city of Carthage, to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. Sixty years have passed since the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of perilous and violent missions. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Pillars of the Earth, The Last Kingdom, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Neil Gaimon, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Ken Follett, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC TRILOGY (Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS MIDNIGHT'S TWIN: DARK POEMS PENNED IN MIDNIGHT HOURS (2021 BESTSELLER: KINDLE CONTEMPORARY POETRY) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

SEKHT-AM SECRETS, A PRETENDER & AN INQUISITOR. The priestess suspects she has attracted the attention of another blackmailer. She recalls the fateful ends of those who previously exploited her greatest secret to extort favours and temple riches . . . ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller.   A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

ROBED MERCHANT OF THE RED LANDS. A trespasser confronts the priestess as she navigates through Baal's great temple in Carthage. Before the gleaming sacrificial Tophet ovens, she suspects a familiarity in the concealed man's voice.  ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

AN ORNAMENTAL EGYPTIAN BOX. Waves rock the ship as the sailor spies on the priestess. She is possessed with her tasks until a sudden interruption. His blood freezes as her incantations tear open old scars. The sailor suspects she is not alone in her cabin. . .  ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

A SAILOR DIVULGES DESERT SECRETS. The despised monks of an ancient desert crocodile cult file on board the lead ship of the Silver Fleet.  ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★★ "I'm eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series!" -- Chris Hudec ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

DRIED COBRAS AND THE CHILDREN OF SEBEQ. The sailor Igider spies on the priestess of Baal and makes a discovery that could rock the ship to its core.  ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★★ "I'm eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series!" -- Chris Hudec ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

EMISSARY OF DARKNESS. The concealed sailor is utterly alone at the stern of the ship when a host of disturbing sights violate his mind and body. The crew discuss the many sadistic cults and ruthless predators that stalk Carthage.    ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

BLOOD ON CEDARS AND WARNINGS OF A NECROMANCER. Bloody sacrifices and pious self-mutilations are recalled from the times Baal's faithful priests gathered around the roots of the greatest holy cedars. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★★ "I'm eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series!" -- Chris Hudec ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.

THE CHAINED AND THE WRETCHED. The Libyan sailor pauses over the grate of the slave galley. Misery whispers from the lips of the chained men below, all trapped in a dreadful fate.  ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Whitby victim. His debut novel BARATANAC (Parts I, II, and III) will chill your blood. Discover the audio drama of this genre-busting dark fantasy, horror, and historical thriller. A ruthless priestess of Baal sails from the imperial city of Carthage, sixty years after the fall of King Leonidas and the Spartan 300. She is a hardened warrior, wrenched from the only love she ever knew and raised in merciless service to Baal. Her iron heart holds the secrets of a young girl trafficked across the Sahara from the decaying Egyptian city of Sekht-Am (Siwa). Ever threatened by the scandal of her origins, she proves herself by embarking on a series of violent missions. Once again, she is sent from Africa – this time to penetrate new frontiers at the edge of the world, in ancient Britain. The Fitzmarbury Witches series unveils a web of predatory evil that spans eras and continents. Fans of Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and matured readers of Harry Potter and His Dark Materials will love BARATANAC. Read BARATANAC for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, or BUY ON AMAZON and read on Kindle or the FREE Kindle APP. For adult fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Alix E. Harrow, Diane Setterfield, Kate Mosse, Hillary Mantel, Philippa Gregory, Amy Harmon, Raymond E. Feist, Joe Abercrombie, Sabaa Tahir, Naomi Novik, Diana Gabaldon, Neil Gaimon, Koji Suzuki, Bernard Cornwell, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Ken Follett, Susanna Clark, Bridget Collins, V. E. Schwab, Charlie N. Holmberg, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Cassandra Clare, and Madeline Miller. Books by D. J. Swales include: BARATANAC (Part I) BARATANAC (Part II) BARATANAC (Combined Parts I, II, & III) PARIS: A CURSE COMES TO THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS LOVE IN AN ISIS TOWN: COLLECTED POEMS OF EXILE AND RESURFACING (Volume I) ★★★★★ "OK I’m shook, I think I just graduated from Harry Potter . . . Game of Thrones meets The Witcher . . . Totally amazing writing." --BookBabe760 ★★★★★ "I'm eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series!" -- Chris Hudec ★★★★ "Loved it! An impressively written and captivating first installment of supernatural historical fiction. . .the intricacy of the plot and detailed descriptions are truly praiseworthy." -- Mariah Pappas (Reedsy Literary Critic) ★★★★★ "An epic, epic book. So rich, so textured, so colourful." -- Charlie Green Support INDEPENDENT Creatives. If you enjoy this work please back D. J. SWALES on PATREON and PAYPAL.