Works
(Short stories - Novels)

New Releases

THE DECEIVER

Wayne, PA: Leisure Books, 2003

The Devil, they say, is in the details. The small decisions we make every day. But for the Harkness family, this expression is all too literally true. For many years the members of this family have gotten seemingly helpful advice at key moments in their lives from a mysterious and very persuasive stranger.

He doesn't always look the same. But he's always around whenever some sort of decision needs to be made. And what he says makes so much sense. His influence on the Harkness family seems slight at first. But before anyone realizes it, the strange man is leading them down some very dangerous and terrifying roads indeed.

"...one of the most understated and subtle horror novels that I have ever
read. In fact, it is much more a literary success than a genre
exercise...." -- P.B. Strauss, Avon Grove Sun

SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT

Wayne, PA:  Leisure Books, 2002

Leila Blackwell is a normal person, trying to live a normal life.  In her mind, being a nearly blind, atheistic lesbian should have no effect on her ability to do so.

Unfortunately, an old high school acquaintance and religious zealot named Russell Gavon sees her keratitis as punishment for all of her life sins, and takes it upon himself to "rescue" her from her affliction through religious intervention.  He kidnaps her, and thus begins the most harrowing time of Leila's life.

One of the strengths of Slain in the Spirit lies in the veracity of the characters.  We all know Leila and Russell through our interactions with people like them in everyday life, and that's where the horror creeps in.

"A gripping, psychologically insightful tale." -- Hank Wagner

"thrilling story....I recommend it with enthusiasm." -- Robert W. Plyler,
Jamestown, NY Post-Journal

THE ICE DOWNSTREAM

New York:  eReads.com, 2001

The Ice Downstream contains nineteen of Melanie's greatest short stories, for hours of frightening enjoyment.

Now available in electronic form at Fictionwise.com!