Musings of Two Creative Minds

  HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! Sorry it's taken most of the day, but the "Library of the Obscure" is now officially open over on #YouTube . And since it's Trick or Treat season, here's the trick... Click on the link below to get your treat: Have fun and stay safe everybody!

*Author's Note: This short story first appeared on our other site The Vampyre Blogs - Private Edition (link: https://www.thevampyreblogs.com/ ). This site features mainly short stories involving Allan's long-lived 'Para-Earth' vampyre character Nathaniel Eoghan Steward, and his friends who know his secret. Nathan was serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, when he was 'changed' by a life-form from Para-Earth that has given him such a long life as well as many traditional vampire-like abilities, as well as limitations. However, this tale involves the history of Memorial Day from when it was first celebrated on, and seemed like an appropriate story to share with you all. So without further ado, I present  you with the tale of "The Soldier" :  May 1999 - Memorial Day, From the Journal of Brian Weston: The Soldier appeared again this year, just as he has over almost a hundred and fifty years.  The first reports of him showing up here in Pointer dat...

This year has been 'difficult' for me on a number of fronts, some of which I've already shared with you. Still there are others, that are still ongoing and taking up a lot of my time and brain power. I have actually done a number of audio short stories which are perfect for this time of year, I just haven't had the time to really gather and piece together videos to present on YouTube for my "Library of the Obscure" channel. However, if any of you wish to hear any those recordings (complete with sound effects), I'll be happy to post them as a prelude to the podcast itself here on this blog as well as on the Library of the Obscure YouTube channel. Please let me know what you think by leaving your thoughts in the comments section below. In the meantime, here's the link to a story by Lord Dunsany (one of HP Lovecraft's greatest influences), that I shared last year. I hope you enjoy this tale, and I thank you for your understanding... NOTE: I will be a...

Good news, it's finally happened. Helen and I now have an online store for our books. Anyone who has been wanting to get a personalized/signed copy of one of our books, now all you have to do is click on the link below and it will take you straight to our store. And "yes" it takes credit cards. (I know, welcome to the modern age, Allan. Took you long enough). Here's the link:  https://musingsof2creativeminds.com/shop/ And while not ALL our books are up just yet, I'm working on it and will be adding more this week. NOTE: I also plan to add another branch to the store for our original artwork, so stay tuned for that as well.  In the meantime, come see what we have available and maybe place and order or two. Until next time take care and keep writing and recording my friends.

 It's been several years since I released any books myself, as I've been mostly focused on voiceover work and recording the first 4 books of Helen's "Forever Detective" series (I'm currently recording the voiceover for her most recent novel "Forever Chosen" and her anthology "W. I. T. C. H. Hunters Forever"). However, this does not mean I have not been writing during that period of time. In fact I've been doing quite a bit of writing, along with editing and formatting all of Helen's books, along with my other collaboration with my old high school friend Rich Caminiti. And at long last, Rich and I are ready to present the cover of the first installment of a brand-new series of novels. And here it is... This beautiful cover was created by the very talented Gabrielle (Gabby) Callan, who in addition to being a fabulous artist, has recently added talented tattoo artist to her list of artistic talents. But in addition to creating this gor...

                                       Your last chance to grab the e-book version of each of Helen's "Forever Detective" Series of books for 1/2 off the regular price is ending soon.  ***Remember, the sale ends on January 2nd so act now!*** Here are the links: Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/HelenKrummenacker8614 AmazonUS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L5GM2B4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L5GM2B4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn AmazonCA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08L5GM2B4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn AmazonAU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08L5GM2B4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

  THE 1/2 OFF SALE IS NOW HAPPENING ON AMAZON TOO!!!! Now is your best chance to find the entire e-book collection of the Forever Detective Series for a promotional price at Amazon starting right NOW! Which books are included in this deal? PLUS the 1st anthology...   and the latest novel... Each are available at only 50% of the regular e-book price from today through January 1st, 2024!   And remember if you wish to gift e-books to a friend, you can schedule when that gift will arrive to their e-mail on a specific date, like say… a birthday, or Christmas Day, or maybe New Year’s? Use the link below, that is correct for you, and grab some copies for yourself/someone you know who loves vampire detectives in a noir setting: LINK:  AmazonUS:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L5GM2B4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn AmazonUK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L5GM2B4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn AmazonCA:  http...

Sorry for the long delay in posting here, but as you're about to find out we've been VERY busy. First off I am proud to announce Helen's 2nd solo book "Forever Haunted" is now live on audio at both Audible and Amazon for just $17.46 or 1 Audible Credit.   Once again I am the voice of her main character Rafael Jones (along with every other character). This is my 2nd full audiobook narration and I'm thrilled to help bring her characters to life once more. And yes I am still "Chief, Cook, and Bottlewasher" for the audio. The recording and editing process took longer than I'd hoped, but I learned some new tricks (through trial and error) that I will be sharing with you all in future posts. I've gotten things down to a checklist I keep on hand for myself of how to edit the audios for pacing speed, volume, pauses, etc. which I did not do the first time when I recorded "Forever's Too Long".  And with the amount of time that passed betw...

Hey Audiobook/Audible fans, Helen's first book "Forever's Too Long" is now on sale for 1/2 price (regular price $14.95 - now only $7.47) over on Amazon.  If you love vampires, noir/mystery detectives set in 1947, this is the one you've been waiting for. And a little FYI, I did the narrating and am recording on her 2nd book (coming this December) as we speak. So come and grab your copy, or gift one to a family member or friend. Just click on the link below to purchase: Link:  Forever's Too Long - Audiobook What listeners are saying over on Audible:  5 out of 5 stars Anonymous User 06-25-20 5 - Stars Good plot with smart characters Nice to have a story that isn't based on the inattention or inability of the protagonists.  Please continue releasing the series!

Well, after all these months of posting about making an audiobook, it's finally happened... I am now the newest voice actor over on Audible! To be honest, the reality of it is still kind of sinking in for me. We got the word on Tuesday, the day before Helen's and my 31st wedding anniversary. And it just seemed so perfect in so many ways. As you all know Helen wrote "Forever's Too Long" as her first solo novel, and she had me do the artwork for the cover. We've always been a team and we've always support each other in so many ways, so seeing this culmination of her writing skills, combined with my penchant for voices become a reality on the eve of our wedding anniversary just seemed so appropriate. To be honest, I'm still in shock over here. The idea of being the voice for an audiobook had been simmering in my mind for about a year or two before I actually tried it. A co-worker of mine who knew and loved our Para-Earth books kept tellin...

The first installment of "The Forever Detective" series is now available in Trade Paperback and E-Book formats And the review are just starting to come in... 5.0 out of 5 stars   " Clever writing without being campy " "This genre mashup of 1940s detective/vampire novel must have been a challenge for Helen Krummenacker to write, but she pulled it off beautfully...."   5.0 out of 5 stars " Fun Chandler-style with a twist "   "Had so much fun reading this book..." You can read the rest of the reviews by clicking on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RSGKTDF