One to Watch – 5-star Review for The Matriarch

On June 23, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Cemetery, Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

5.0 out of 5 stars: “One to watch” June 22, 2013
By L. Reuther (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Matriarch (Paperback)

Kevin A Ranson beautifully blends the boundaries of vampires and ghosts. This story of revenge takes place in the real world with a straightforward insight on stakes, sunlight and soil. Kevin creates characters with believable motives who show that vampires, just like mortals, must ultimately chose their own path in life, and decide whether it will be a blessing or a cure. Either way, these are creatures with an impact on their ecosystem. They have been present in every human civilization, and deserve to be studied both historically and scientifically. Kevin’s cars, Kias and Escalades, add an element of fun. He has written a well-balanced story with elements of action, humor, and humanity.

“Come Along” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)

On May 17, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

I use music – often an entire playlist – to create a mindset and mood when I construct a scene.

At the beginning of the story, the main character is angling to fix or finish an on-again, off-again romance. When I first heard “Come Along” by Vicci Martinez and Cee Lo Green, it immediately struck me as a seduction, someone taking the lead and yearning to move past whatever the roadblock is in their relationship, all without assigning blame.

Come along now, come along and you’ll see
What it’s like to be free
Come along now, come along with me
And I’ll ease your pain
Come along, come along with me
And lets seize this day
Oh, come along with me

It has a hopeful, eclectic, sexy yet laid back sound with a bit of a country twang. I didn’t own this song when I originally wrote the chapter I’ve paired it up with, but I did have it while editing.

“Save Yourself” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)

On May 15, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

I use music – often an entire playlist – to create a mindset and mood when I construct a scene.

The boyfriend/best friend often pops up in stories where the female main character is struggling and may need support. Sometimes they step up and sometimes they drop the ball, but the most they can hope for is to help in only a small way because, frankly, it isn’t their story. That said:

I know your life is empty
And you hate to face this world alone
So you’re searching for an angel
Someone who can make you whole
I can not save you
I can’t even save myself
So just save yourself

Stabbing Westward’s “Save Yourself” is a great step-up-and-believe-in-yourself anthem because help isn’t coming. Is it ironic that this is my supporting character’s favorite song or am I just being cruel?

Read more about The Matriarch…

“Fly On the Wall” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)

On May 14, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

I use music – often an entire playlist – to create a mindset and mood when I construct a scene.

The opening chapter to The Matriarch was actually one of the last I wrote into the first draft. “Fly On the Wall” by Thousand Foot Krutch was what I was thinking of as I wrote about a solitary old man who took it upon himself to do the only thing he still could: exactly what he was told.

If I could just see it all, Just like a fly on the wall
Would I be able to accept what I can’t control?
And would I share what I saw? Or just sit back and ignore
Like nothing never happened, I haven’t seen you before?

To me, the song suggests a struggle between standing against something wrong or living with the regret of deciding to do nothing about it. How would you feel knowing something terrible happened because you didn’t act? And before anyone points it out, yes, that’s Spider-Man’s back story and not Batman’s, and no, you don’t get to become a superhero as a result.

15 Stars on Amazon! Sure, you have to add all 3 reviews together, but…

On May 14, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn ExistentialismLeave a comment

5.0 out of 5 stars The Matriarch April 26, 2013
By Shells
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice twist on the vampire story. Well thought out and detailed. Not quite what I expected from reading the synopsis but was pleasantly surprised. It’s a story that will appeal to teens and adults. Will also appeal to guys and gals.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book April 29, 2013
By aanandi
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Loved it a must read for vampire lovers. A can’t put it down page turner. Can’t wait for the next one. 😉

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! April 26, 2013
By Drexell W. King II
Format:Kindle Edition

I knew this book involved Glenville, WV, but I didn’t know what the plot would be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Kevin has me begging for a sequel. He knows how to spin a great vampire story. The way he portrays how vampires use their powers, with a little bit of twist on their weaknesses, will keep you glued to each page.

The Matriarch – Now in Kindle and Paperback!

On May 1, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Cemetery, Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

Supernatural horror thriller, mature content.
A present-day college student becomes the target of an immortal, a killer linked to a century-old ghost story.
279 print pages. Published April 2013. ISBN: 9780615803449
Availability: Kindle – $3.99 and Paperback – $12.95

Vampires don’t believe in ghosts.

Every October, the freshmen at Glenville State College are told stories about Sis Linn, the local ghost who haunts Clark Hall and the graveyard where she’s buried. Murdered in 1919, she was beaten beyond recognition, the target of a brutal killer who was never caught.

Present-day student Janiss Connelly is about to find out that the stories are wrong – and that there are greater things to fear in life and in death than ghosts.

Read more about The Matriarch…

The Proof! Of the Paperback Edition is Available!

On April 30, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Existentialism, Literarian, ParanormalLeave a comment

Get the paperback version on CreateSpace now!

Wanna know what the paperback version of The Matriarch looks like? Got ya covered.

Why Vampires?

On April 23, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Cemetery, Creativity, Existentialism, Literarian2 Comments

Hasn’t everything been said about vampires already?

Frankly, no.

I love these creatures because they are us and yet they are not us. The most evil forsake their humanity while the noble struggle to retain it, but the idea of becoming the monster – by choice or by fate – and a need to prey on what it once was in order to survive is a very human story: the stuff of legend.

Not to slight any book or movie, but I’ve grown tired of stories about inner city vampire wars against other paranormals that paint the vampire as one among many; they are kings of the night, the ruling class of the darkness. I wanted Dracula-level ubervamps for my own novel, alphas that don’t put up with rivals or need to swear fealty to some Italian governing committee.

A true vampire should be royalty itself and treated as such; I believe this is one of the reasons Bram Stoker’s title character remains so popular today. A modern vampire should be like a Bond super-villain: lairs and minions and secrets and plans. This was the template for my own bloodsuckers, and a castle in the countryside (even if it isn’t recognized as such) is so much cooler than the penthouse of a skyscraper.

“Life Is Beautiful” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)

On April 5, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

I use music – often an entire playlist – to create a mindset and mood when I construct a scene.

The acoustic version of “Life Is Beautiful” is a haunting hard rock ballad (from The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack album by Sixx:A.M., a side project of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx). Any funeral scenes is a great excuse to get characters together that would never appear in the same room, but it’s also a powerful setting for character reflection, and this track works for both instances.

I was waiting for my hearse,
What came next was so much worse,
It took a funeral to make me feel alive.

Continue reading ““Life Is Beautiful” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)” →

“Temptation Waits” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)

On April 3, 2013 By Kevin A. RansonIn Creativity, Existentialism, LiterarianLeave a comment

I use music – often an entire playlist – to create a mindset and mood when I construct a scene.

The first time I heard “Temptation Waits” by Garbage was on the Buffy The Vampire Slayer soundtrack. I imagine an urban predator stalking its prey with illicit intent, crossing a bar in full view of patrons that can’t help but take notice; this fit perfectly for the scene I had imagined.

I’ll tell you something…
I am a wolf but… I like to wear sheep’s clothing.
I am a bonfire…
I am a vampire… I’m waiting for my moment.

The target is meant to think that someone is coming to see them, but they’re actually coming for them.

You are a secret… A new possession…
I like to keep you guessing.