THE KEEPER OF THE KEY is a Kindle Monthly Deal

Hi, everyone. And just like that, 2024 is almost in the rear-view mirror. Can’t say I’m going to be all that sorry to see it go, but it’s had a few good points here and there.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Some Austrian parents used to hang gold-plated birch switches on the wall year-round to warn their children about visits from which ominous Christmas-time figure? The answer is at the end of this newsletter.

THE KEEPER OF THE KEY IS A KINDLE MONTHLY DEAL: Just in time for the holidays, the eBook of THE KEEPER OF THE KEY is $1.99 in December! If you haven’t read my Bluebeard-inspired gothic YA horror, treat yourself now and save a bundle. If you have read it, you can gift eBooks to other horror fans for a great virtual stocking stuffer. Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Key-gothic-horror-novel-ebook/dp/B0CQFG8XWZ/

And when you’ve finished reading it, PLEASE leave a review. Positive, negative, or meh—they all matter. It’s at 23 reviews on Amazon as of this writing and I’d love to see it get more, for the sake of Amazon placements and for my career in general. And don’t forget Goodreads, StoryGraph, and other online venues.

AWARDS ELIGIBILITY: This is going to be short and sweet. THE KEEPER OF THE KEY is the only award-eligible work I have out this year. If you’re looking to nominate anything for Best Horror Novel or Best YA Horror Novel wherever that category exists, please consider Keeper if you’re so inclined.

And if you’re an HWA member, don’t forget to add your recommendations to the Bram Stoker Awards Recommended Reading List by January 15th. Even if a work is already on there, it needs at least eight recommendations for a chance to move to the preliminary ballot next year.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Bill and I caught Heretic last weekend, and I’ve decided that from now on Hugh Grant should only play villains. He’s utterly chilling as Mr. Reed, a man you should really avoid if you’re a missionary looking to convert someone.

We also subscribed to Hulu and are binge-watching Reservation Dogs. This comedy-drama about teens and their families on an Oklahoma reservation is by turns hilarious and tear-jerking, and it reminded me that I’ll give just about anything Taika Waititi does a chance.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Legend has it Krampus, Santa’s demonic pal, shows up on December 5 and whacks naughty children with his trusty bundle of sticks. Some enterprising parents would hang gold-plated bundles on the wall all year long to discourage their children from misbehaving. Quick—who wants to go in with me on creating “Krampus on the Shelf”? You can find out more fun facts about ol’ Krampus here: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71999/9-facts-about-krampus-st-nicks-demonic-companion

Public domain image via Wikipedia.

Thanks so much for reading, and if you know anyone who might be interested in my work, please feel free to pass this along to them.

Stay spooky and safe,
Nicole