Tag: Stephen Helmes

August 2026 Writing Prompts

A mysterious bouquet of flowers arrives anonymously at a funeral, carrying secrets no one expected to uncover. Imagine a world where ticks have risen to become the supreme species, ruling over all others. Step back into medieval times, where a murder trial unfolds in a tense courtroom and cruentation is used to reveal the accused. Then lose yourself in the fascinating world of bird calls, where every note, trill, and cry has a story to tell.

When the Night Comes Knocking – a Review

The hair-raising Appalachian legend about a monster who feasts on guilty hearts comes chillingly to life in π‘Šβ„Žπ‘’π‘› π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘  πΎπ‘›π‘œπ‘π‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘”. This is the kind of book you can’t turn the pages quickly enough because every chapter leaves you desperate to know what happens next. And yet, once you reach the end, you’re left wanting more.

Chad Duerksen Interview – Cats, Humanimals, and Heroes

Who better to write π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ πΉπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘™ πΆπ‘œπ‘™π‘œπ‘›π‘¦ than someone whose life has been deeply intertwined with cats? Chad Duerksen has shared his home and heart with cats for many years, and several of his own beloved companionsβ€”past and presentβ€”appear within the story. I invite you to read my interview with this cat-loving author and discover the inspiration behind π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ πΉπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘™ πΆπ‘œπ‘™π‘œπ‘›π‘¦.

Telling the Bees & More Bee Legends

The tradition of telling the bees is thought to have come from ancient Europe and is believed to have origins in Celtic mythology. Of course, if you didn’t happen to own hives of bees, telling them when something of significance happened – weddings, births, and most importantly, deaths – would be a bit difficult. But if you were a bee owner, keeping them informed of household events was something you must do. And it was believed that bees could communicate with those who had passed on.