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PUBLISHING NEWS
Mickey Mikkelson | |
| | Crystal Lake Publishing Releases Danforth II: The Horror in the Lamplights by Christopher Michael
A chilling blend of World War II espionage, occult terror, and Lovecraftian cosmic horror continues the acclaimed Danforth saga
CHICAGO, IL—Crystal Lake Publishing is proud to announce the release of Danforth II: The Horror in the Lamplights, the highly anticipated second instalment in Christopher Michael's Danforth: Eldritch Tales of WWII series.
Set in the shadowed mountains of wartime Romania, The Horror in the Lamplights once again follows OSS operative Robert Danforth as he confronts horrors far beyond the battlefield. Blending historical fiction, military adventure, supernatural suspense, and cosmic horror, Christopher Michael delivers a gripping tale where the true enemy may be the unknown forces lurking beyond human understanding.
In Romania, 1942, Danforth is sent behind enemy lines after uncovering disturbing clues tied to a previous mission. His investigation leads him to the mysterious Ordinul Negru, a sinister alliance between Nazi occultists and the remnants of an exiled Romanian order. As children vanish from remote villages and whispers of ancient rituals spread through the Carpathian countryside, Danforth finds himself racing to prevent an unimaginable evil from crossing into the world.
Atmospheric, suspenseful, and steeped in Lovecraftian dread, The Horror in the Lamplights expands the mythology established in Tomb of the Black Pharaoh, the series' acclaimed first volume. The novel combines the intrigue of wartime intelligence operations with chilling supernatural threats, creating an unforgettable reading experience for fans of historical horror and dark fantasy. |
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About the Author
Christopher Michael is an author, law enforcement, and a former soldier in the U.S. Army, where he completed multiple deployments in Afghanistan, East Asia, and Europe. Blending his real-world military experience with a love for cosmic horror, Christopher is the author of the self-published novel series Danforth: Eldritch Tales of WWII, a thrilling combination of historical fiction and Lovecraftian horror that marks his entry into the literary world.
Chris began writing when he was in high school, going over-the-top on writing assignments that required the creation of an original story. Since then, he had intermittently written material throughout his adult life, but only recently began to commit. After attending therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) from military and law enforcement service, he began a new journey of using his writing as a form of therapy and channelling his demons into stories that reflect his inner-most thoughts. He hopes that by writing and infusing these stories with the pain and uncertainty that he has felt that it might help other military and law enforcement veterans, as well as anyone struggling with their own demons.
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About Crystal Lake Publishing
Crystal Lake Publishing is an award-winning independent publisher specializing in horror, dark fiction, suspense, thriller, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Since its founding, Crystal Lake Publishing has built a reputation for producing compelling stories that captivate readers around the world. [amazon.com]
Book Information
Title: Danforth II: The Horror in the Lamplights
Author: Christopher Michael
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Series: Danforth: Eldritch Tales of WWII (Book 2)
Genre: Historical Horror / Cosmic Horror / Dark Fantasy / WWII Fiction
Release Date: October 30, 2026 [amazon.com], [crystallakepub.com]
Crystal Lake Publishing Launches
Dark Reservoir
The newest work by critically acclaimed Bram Stoker Award Winners
Nzondi and Cindy O’Quinn
Released and published by Crystal Lake Publishing
The books are available worldwide in print and e-format
(LOS ANGELES, CA) Crystal Lake Publishing is thrilled to announce the release of Dark Reservoir by Cindy O’Quinn and Nzondi. O’Quinn is a Bram Stoker Award®–winning author whose fiction and poetry blend Appalachian folklore, dark lyricism, and haunting explorations of the human spirit. Her poetry has been nominated for the Elgin, Dwarf Star, and Rhysling Awards.
Dark Reservoir is an exploration of what remains after unimaginable loss. Through award-winning horror fiction, haunting poetry, and deeply personal nonfiction, Bram Stoker Award-winning authors Nzondi and Cindy O’Quinn guide readers through three emotional descents—Ghosts of Heartbreak, Blind Fury, and Mind Rot—where trauma, grief, survival, and the supernatural converge.
These are stories of ordinary people forced to endure extraordinary pain. Some are haunted by ghosts. Others by memory. All are confronted by the lingering question of what survives after tragedy. Inspired by both imagination and lived experience, Dark Reservoir is not simply a horror collection. It is a meditation on resilience, the cost of survival, and the ghosts—literal and metaphorical—that refuse to let us go.
NY Times bestselling author, Jonathan Maberry, says this of the book: ‘Dark Reservoir is a mind-bending collection of poems and short stories that take the reader into the darkest corners of human experience. Bold, unexpected, and deeply insightful! Highly recommended!’
Native New Yorker Nzondi is a Bram Stoker Award®–winning author whose work blends psychological horror with emotionally driven speculative fiction. His YA novel Oware Mosaic won the Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel, making him the first African American author to receive the honour in a novel category. His writing explores themes of trauma, identity, love, grief, and survival, often placing emotionally complex characters in extraordinary circumstances.
Cindy O’Quinn is a five-time Bram Stoker Award ® nominated writer. Author of ‘Lydia,’ from the Shirley Jackson Award-winning anthology, A Twisted Book of Shadows, ‘The Thing I Found Along a Dirt Patch Road,’ ‘A Gathering on the Mountain,’ ‘One and Done,’ and ‘Quondam.’ Her poetry has been nominated for the Elgin, Rhysling and Dwarf Star Awards.
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Forsaken Souls
Book Four of the Callum Walker series
The critically acclaimed supernatural series now fully relaunched with new covers and content
by J.M. Shaw
The book is available worldwide in print and digital formats
Driven south by their brethren in the Northern Kingdom, the Der'geron have bided their time for nearly two centuries, nursing hatred and plotting vengeance since their defeat in the great elven war. As a new conflict draws ever closer, Queen Jobella struggles to assert her authority over her northern domain—battling civil unrest, sabotage, and misinformation while attempting to mend fractured alliances.
Meanwhile, Callum and Jax set out on a perilous journey to repair the veil separating the magical realm from the human world. Unbeknownst to them, their path leads directly into the heart of danger, where they are captured by the Der’geron. Imprisoned in the hellish grotto beneath the subterranean city of Elfarian, Callum and Jax are forced to work or die at their enemy's command.
However, danger turns to horror when Callum learns of the Der’geron King’s plans for the Northern Kingdom and the rest of the realm. What is to come will be a reckoning, not a war. It will be a battle for the ages, where both lives and souls are at stake, and death is not the worst outcome.
Imperilled by violence, assailed by evil energy, and tempted by dark magic, Callum must stand against the rising darkness, but first, he needs to find the strength to face his buried anguish, even at the risk of fracturing what remains of his sanity. Yet, there is hope for a happy ending, if only Callum can summon the courage to accept it.
‘I absolutely loved the 3rd book on the Callum Walker series. I had a hard time putting it down. I really want to know what happens next for Callum, Jax and some of the other characters. I love how the author creates and develops her stories. I can’t wait until the 4th book comes out ’_Guardian, Amazon Reviewer.
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About J.M. Shaw:
J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a passion. It’s a compass. A sanctuary. A way to make sense of the chaos.
In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling ‘too much’ or ‘too different.’ Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.
When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.
For more information: www.jmshawauthor.com
Crystal Lake Publishing Announces Shadows of Nosferatu: A New Gothic Horror Role-Playing Game from Jason Juta and Chris McAuley
A chilling tabletop RPG inspired by classic vampire lore invites players into a world of darkness, intrigue, and survival.
Crystal Lake Publishing is proud to announce the release of Shadows of Nosferatu, an immersive gothic horror role-playing game created by acclaimed designers Jason Juta and Chris McAuley. Drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of vampire mythology and classic horror storytelling, Shadows of Nosferatu plunges players into a haunting world where every shadow conceals danger and every choice carries consequences.
Set against a backdrop of creeping dread, ancient secrets, and supernatural terror, Shadows of Nosferatu challenges players to navigate a realm dominated by darkness. Whether portraying desperate survivors, relentless hunters, or enigmatic figures caught between humanity and monstrosity, players must confront horrors that test both their courage and their morality.
‘With Shadows of Nosferatu, we wanted to create a role-playing experience that captures the atmosphere of classic gothic horror while offering the flexibility and narrative depth modern players expect,’ said co-creator Jason Juta. ‘Every session is an opportunity to explore fear, mystery, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.’
Co-creator Chris McAuley added, ‘The game blends rich storytelling, meaningful character development, and immersive horror elements to give players an unforgettable experience around the table.’
Designed for both veteran role-players and newcomers to the hobby, Shadows of Nosferatu provides a framework for cinematic storytelling, suspenseful encounters, and character-driven campaigns. The game encourages collaborative world-building while embracing the themes of sacrifice, temptation, and survival that have defined vampire fiction for generations.
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Crystal Lake Publishing Unveils Such Lovely Skin, a Haunting New Horror Novel by Jes Hart Stone
An unsettling tale of obsession, identity, and the darkness lurking beneath the surface arrives from one of horror's compelling new voices.
Award-winning independent horror publisher Crystal Lake Publishing is proud to announce the release of Such Lovely Skin, a chilling new horror novel by Jes Hart Stone. Blending psychological terror, emotional depth, and unforgettable imagery, the novel explores the fragile boundaries between beauty and horror, self-destruction and transformation.
In Such Lovely Skin, Stone crafts a deeply unsettling narrative that delves beneath the surface of appearances to expose the fears, desires, and vulnerabilities that define the human experience. Through atmospheric storytelling and sharp emotional insight, the novel invites readers into a world where obsession consumes reason and every revelation comes at a devastating cost.
‘Such Lovely Skin examines the masks we wear, the stories we tell ourselves, and the things we sacrifice in pursuit of acceptance, beauty, and belonging,’ said author Jes Hart Stone. ‘At its heart, it's a horror story about what happens when identity begins to unravel and something far darker takes its place.’
Title: Such Lovely Skin
Author: Jes Hart Stone
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Genre: Horror / Psychological Horror
Format: Available in print and digital editionsKnown for publishing innovative, boundary-pushing works of horror, Crystal Lake Publishing continues its commitment to showcasing distinctive voices within the genre. Such Lovely Skin joins the publisher's growing catalogue of acclaimed fiction that challenges readers while delivering unforgettable scares.
‘Jes Hart Stone brings a compelling and fearless voice to contemporary horror,’ said a representative of Crystal Lake Publishing. ‘Readers who appreciate psychological tension, rich characterization, and unsettling themes will find Such Lovely Skin impossible to put down.’
With themes of transformation, obsession, and the hidden terrors that exist beneath everyday life, Such Lovely Skin is poised to resonate with horror readers seeking both emotional complexity and genuine chills.
About Jes Hart Stone:
Jes Hart Stone writes dark psychological suspense featuring troubled, yet powerful female leads. Her award-winning novels explore themes of oppression and revenge, fear, courage, hidden desires, and the struggle to assert female agency in a male-dominated world. She hosts Her Poison Pen, a YouTube space where women study and create dark fiction. Living bi-locationally, Jes divides her time between a seaside town in the Pacific Northwest and a Pueblo Mágico in the mountains of México.
Jeshartstone.com
About Crystal Lake Publishing
Crystal Lake Publishing is an award-winning independent publisher specializing in horror, dark fiction, suspense, thriller, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Since its founding, Crystal Lake Publishing has built a reputation for producing compelling stories that captivate readers around the world. [amazon.com]
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