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(Logo Designed by Karen Wiesner)
Woodcutter's Grim Series
(Classic Tales of Horror Retold)
the Guardians have sworn an oath to protect the town
from the childhood horrors that lurk in the black woods.
Without them, the town would be defenseless...
and the terrors would escape to the world at large.
(Map Designed by Karen Wiesner)
 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner)
Papa, Book 1
A wickedly horrifying rendering of the classic children's story Hansel and Gretel, in which modern revenge is served up sweet... Less than a year after Randall Parker left his family for elementary school teacher, Amy, the unthinkable happens--is ex-wife and two children are killed in a car accident. Ever since the accident, Amy has had terrible nightmares in which Rand's son and daughter return to exact revenge on their father and Amy herself (the wicked step-mother) for abandoning them. When Rand convinces her to come away with him for a healing respite to an isolated cabin in the woods, Amy's guilt-filled nightmares turn into pure horror. Read an excerpt 5 Angels! "Are you looking for creepy, hair-raising tales? This anthology has it! Seven of the Jewels of the Quill authors each contributed a spine-tingling story to SHADOWS IN THE HEART. Even though the stories happen around Halloween, it doesn't need to be Halloween if you are in the mood for chills! I liked all of the stories and find it hard to make comparisons or pick a favorite. I might prefer one tale because it is a type of story I prefer, but each tale is uniquely different from the others and are all good for their type of story. I would like to suggest that you might want to leave an extra light on when you sit down to read this anthology, just in case... Papa (Woodcutter's Grim Series--Classic Tales of Horror Retold, Book 1) by Karen Wiesner is the creepiest story in this whole anthology. It is a twisted reversal of the Hansel and Gretel story I grew up with. This story is off the creepiness meter. I had chills down my spine reading this one. Do not read this story at night, alone, and especially not in a cabin in the mountains! If you love the scary ghost stories you probably used to hear around the campfire when you where a kid growing up, then this is the story for you." ~Stephanie B. for Fallen Angel Reviews http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2007/November/StephanieB-ShadowsOfTheHeart.htm Read more reviews
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SHADOWS IN THE HEART finaled in the 2008 EPPIE Awards!
SHADOWS IN THE HEART was a recipient of the 2008 Dirk A. Wolf Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in eBook Cover Artwork, which honors the runner-up covers in the 2008 Ariana Best in Category contest
SHADOWS IN THE HEART, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology, finaled in the 2007 Dream Realm Awards!
 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner) |
Blood of Amethyst, Book 2 A blood-curdling answer as to why the childhood-nightmare creature Rumpelstiltskin so wanted a child of his own... Amethyst Phillip's father--her only family--disappears in Woodcutter Grim's evil woods. Town Sheriff and Guardian Gabe Reece sends out a search party and eventually they find the body, completely drained of blood. A devastated Amethyst refuses to do anything but carry on all by herself in the isolated area she grew up. But something strange is happening, and Gabe realizes it every time he drops by to check on the woman who's held his heart for long years. She's grown pale, cold. She's sleeping all the time, waking only in the night, when her taste for blood overwhelms her. Then Gabe becomes aware that something in the woods is calling to her, something that's stealing her life... Gabe will face his deadliest foe yet when the woman he loves falls prey to a nameless creature who wants her very soul. Read an excerpt
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4.5 Hearts and Reviewer Top Pick!
"What do a love story, paranormal romance, romantic horror, suspense, romantic historical/American West, paranormal/science fiction, and humorous romantic mystery have in common? They're all here in the newest gem of a collection from the authors of Jewels of the Quill, TALES FROM THE TREASURE TROVE, Volume IV. Blood of Amethyst (Woodcutter's Grim Series—Classic Tales of Horror Retold, Book 2) by Karen Wiesner takes the stories we all remember from childhood and puts a decidedly different twist to them to come up with a tale that keeps the reader enthralled, no matter how hard her heart is pounding! Even though some of the stories are advanced parts of series, they easily stand alone as well." ~reviewed by Samantha Ann for Night Owl Romance http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1221
Dancing to the Grave, Book 3 Loosely based on The Pied Piper of Hamelin. The children of Woodcutter's Grim are changing...and only one person, music teacher Diana Anders, realizes the truth. Can she and her husband, Kurt Jones, a member of the ancient lineage of the Protectorate's Chosen Seven, save them and the future of their town? Read an excerpt
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The Amethyst Tower, The Final Chapter Loosely based on Rapunzel. The isolated maiden meets her knight in a time-traveler who's come into the future to rescue her from the Warlock Lord holding her captive in the amethyst tower. Where else but in the fairy-tale-horror town of Woodcutter's Grim? Read an excerpt
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner) |
WOODCUTTER'S GRIM SERIES Collection (Classic Tales of Horror Retold), Volume I
Award-winning author Karen Wiesner is the founder of Jewels of the Quill, an award-winning group of authors in all genres banded together to promote their books. The group also does anthologies together. Woodcutter's Grim Series--Classic Tales of Horror Retold is a compilation of the first two novellas in the series that Karen contributed to Jewels of the Quill anthologies, plus two bonus stories in the series never before published! Includes Papa (Book 1), Blood of Amethyst (Book 2), Dancing to the Grave (Book 3), and The Amethyst Tower (The Final Chapter)
"Papa is one wickedly twisted story that runs parallel with Hansel and Gretel, but it's ten times more exciting. I loved this story from beginning to ending. Rand and Amy are having one heck of a time with the death of Rand's kids and Amy is having a much harder time yet because she feels somewhat responsible for their deaths. I was so happy that they were able to work on their love and relationship, even when they were being chased by the evil. I also loved that Rand gets to play the hero. It makes the story that much better. I have to tell you, the horror elements in this story were both bone-chilling and exciting at the same time. I read page for page, as fast as I possible could. Ms. Wiesner knows how to mix horror and romance together so you are scared and yet happy that the couple is in love. "Wow, Blood of Amethyst was a great, blood-curdling story. We get to learn a little more about the wicked ways of the town known as Woodcutter's Grim and also the Guardians sworn to protect this little town. I once again was amaze at the depth of horror I felt when Ms. Wiesner described the wicked evil that lurked out in the woods. Rumpelstiltskin is the classic tale this one is based on and I will never forget the pictures that came to mind while I read this story. I loved how Gabe was so excited about his life with Amethyst and their new baby to be. The contract between the loving, caring man and the sheriff and guardian of the town was a great addition to the story. We get to see two great sides of the sexy man. "Dancing to the Grave was a great love story with a twist of evil demise thrown in along the way. In this story, we get to see Diane and Kurt healing and loving each other again after a mistake six months earlier split them apart. With the loss of their baby, Kurt tried to find away to heal without Diane. Now that they've reunited, they love each other more than before, but the mistake is still hanging about and they both still think about it quite a bit. It gets put on the back burner quickly when the children at Diane school start to get sick and miss class. Then, when they do return, we see some exotic behavior from the children. Poor Diane can't stop sneezing, and to make matters worse, the new band teacher is a little on the 'weird' side and might have it out for Diane. I think the turning point for me was when Kurt was hurt guarding the woods and when he returned home, Diane was able to make him feel better. I was hoping I knew where the story was going and was excited that Ms. Wiesner would throw that little curve ball in to make the story so much more exciting. This story gave me major goose bumps when I realized that this was based on the classic story The Pied Piper of Hamelin. You can't miss the great story. "The Amethyst Tower by far was my favorite. I had goose bumps pretty much during the whole story. Prince is expected to find Rapunzel and save her. His dreams are starting to take a toll and time is running out before he dies, only to be born again, and start the search for her over again. Poor Rapunzel she is locked away in her tower with no choices and the nasty father of her gave me the creeps. Once again, I have to give Ms. Wiesner props for such a wonderful and scary story. She has re-written Rupunzel and has done it beautifully. I also loved this story because Prince was the son of Gabe and Amethyst and had such a special yet horrible life. And just wait till you read the last page. It was the best in the whole book. "WOODCUTTER'S GRIM SERIES by Karen Wiesner is a spooky read that will have you re-thinking classic fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and Rapunzel. I was instantly sucked into this book from page one and spent my whole afternoon engrossed in these scary tales. I would like to applaud Mrs. Wiesner for her graphic imagination that had her intertwine romance and horror around every corner. One minute I was smiling because there was a bit of romance, then the next I was scared and had goose bumps! I hope she continues to write these types of stories because I would love to get my hands on another one of these books. I will recommend this book to everyone that I can." ~reviewed by Becky Gaede for Dark Angel Reviews https://www.darkangelreviews.com/Woodcutter_s_Grim.html Read more reviews
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Highest Rating! "Welcome to Woodcutter's Grim, where your own horrors come to life and the evil ones follow the classic children’s fairy tales, adding a little blood and death in the mix. The ancient Seven Guardians will do anything in their power to keep everyone in this little town alive, but when evil ups the ante will, it be enough to keep everyone safe?
 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner)
Moonlight Becomes You, Book 4 Also available in the WOODCUTTER’S GRIM SERIES, Volume II collection The first in a four-book miniseries within the Woodcutter’s Grim Series dealing with the curse on the Shaussegeny family. Very loosely based on The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. When her child becomes deathly ill and none of the doctors and specialists can help him, Heather Rowe rushes to Woodcutter's Grim, hoping the boy's father can help their child. But Lance Shaussegeny's explanations terrify Heather, even though she's intensely attracted to him all over again. She soon learns that nothing in Woodcutter's Grim--including Lance--is what it seems.
Read an excerpt 5 Stars! “This first story takes place thirty years after the curse was cast. For those with a soft heart, rest assured that the infant, Gavin, never comes to harm. So there is no need to fear or avoid this awesome tale. I could not stop reading until the very end and am about to submerge myself into the next Shaussegeny story.” ~Huntress Reviews http://www.huntressreviews.com
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner) |
Bewitched, Book 5
978-1-61160-272-2 (electronic)
978-1-300-79490-5 (mass market paperback)—40% discount!
Also available in the WOODCUTTER’S GRIM SERIES, Volume II collection The second in a four-book miniseries within the Woodcutter’s Grim Series dealing with the curse on the Shaussegeny family. Very loosely based on The Little Mermaid. Glynnis Shaussegeny becomes bewitched by the mystery man who appears out of nowhere on the abandoned property across the lake from her family’s estate. But does Aric Sayer have even more dark secrets than she does? Read an excerpt
4 ½ Stars! “Has Glynnis betrayed her chosen mate before she’s even met him? Glynnis is a werewolf who has made a huge mistake. She was sure that she’d already met the man destined for her. When that man walks away from her, she is devastated. Even worse, this means that she has been unfaithful to her true mate. I could practically feel her pain and loneliness as she howled her anguish at the moon. It isn’t long before Glynnis becomes aware that she’s not alone. Aric Sayer has been watching her. From the moment they meet, Glynnis and Aric are drawn to each other, but Aric isn’t an ordinary man, and his past is a mystery, even to himself. Is Aric her true mate, or is Glynnis making another mistake? Read more reviews
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner)
One Night of Eternity, Book 6
978-1-61160-273-9 (electronic)
978-1-300-79976-4 (mass market paperback)—40% discount!
Also available in the WOODCUTTER’S GRIM SERIES, Volume II collection The third in a four-book miniseries within the Woodcutter’s Grim Series dealing with the curse on the Shaussegeny family. Loosely based on The House That Jack Built. The curse pronounced on the Shaussegeny clan for all time was very clear: "Because the Shaussegeny name has long been synonymous with faithlessness, even unto your own chosen mates, only one chosen mate will be allotted to each of your kin henceforth. These chosen mates must also fall under the family curse, but these pairs will know true peace when they become one. Herein lays your salvation—and your damnation. Only if each of your clan remains faithful to their chosen mates in word and deed for all of their days will they have blissful contentment. Apart, mates shall be restless and forever unsettled, gripped by a sadness and despair unlike any other. A terrible fate will come upon the one who breaks the mate covenant." Gavin Shaussegeny has broken the covenant with his wife, Marnie, by cheating on her, and the betrayal carries a harsh penalty and punishment. Although Gav regrets his faithlessness and loves his wife more than anyone or anything else, the house that he's built for himself is rapidly beginning to tumble down around him. There is one chance for salvation for him now: Only his mate's undeserved forgiveness will free him from his punishment to re-live his betrayal over and over for all time. Read an excerpt 4 Stars! “This is the third in a four-book novella miniseries within the Woodcutter's Grim series. Each story can stand alone, but by reading them in order you will get the full gut-punch. In the first story, Lance returned to Woodcutter's Grim because his father, Gav, had disappeared in the woods. In the second story, Gav's disappearance is remarked on also. The family has figured out that Gav must have cheated on Marnie again and that the covenant part of the curse is at work, and they suspect (correctly) that Marnie knows exactly where Gav is and what is happening to him, but Marnie will not speak about her husband. The character of Marnie is very strong. Family means everything to her. I was impressed by her character during the first two stories. After this tale, I like her even more.” ~Huntress Reviews http://www.huntressreviews.com Read more reviews
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner)
Beauty is the Beast, Book 7
The final in a four-book miniseries within the Woodcutter’s Grim Series dealing with the curse on the Shaussegeny family. Very loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. The Shaussegeny family curse came with one final pronouncement: “And now there is but one manner in which this curse can be broken and obliterated entirely: That beauty falls in love with the beast and vice versa, that evil loves good and good loves evil. If this should happen, your family shall be released from each aspect of my curse and your alliance with evil shall be ended.” When Ransom Shaussegeny attempts to cure the family of the curse they live under, he becomes a werewolf trapped in his beast form and isolates himself inside the family fortress. When he meets Tess Moore, a beautiful enchantress, and falls under her spell, Ransom no longer knows who or what is real—or whether the evil in Woodcutter’s Grim is about to have the last laugh by dooming him, the woman he loves, and his family for all time... Read an excerpt
5 Stars! “I admit that Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale and Wiesner's story is loosely based on it; however, that is not why I am giving this story such a high rating. This story deserves every star. Instead of accepting his fate and grieving, this hero is trying hard to lift the curse or find a cure. As for the heroine, she is not perfect. Her secret is worse than his. I find that fact to be a refreshing change. It is a gentle twist to make the tale even more interesting. Karen Wiesner knows what readers want in their stories and she delivers.” ~Huntress Reviews http://www.huntressreviews.com Read more reviews
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner) |
WOODCUTTER'S GRIM SERIES (Classic Tales of Horror Retold) Collection, Volume II
by Karen Wiesner
Award-winning author Karen Wiesner is the founder of Jewels of the Quill, an award-winning group of authors in all genres banded together to promote their books. The group also does anthologies together. WOODCUTTER'S GRIM SERIES, Volume II contains the first novella in the series that Karen contributed to a Jewels of the Quill anthology, plus three bonus stories!
A four-book miniseries within the Woodcutter’s Grim Series dealing with the curse on the Shaussegeny family. Includes Moonlight Becomes You (Book 4), Bewitched (Book 5), One Night of Eternity (Book 6), and Beauty is the Beast (Book 7)
5 Stars! “WOODCUTTER’S GRIM SERIES is collection of short stories about the inhabitants of Woodcutter’s Grim who are anything but ordinary. These hauntingly romantic tales will give you the chills and have you swooning within the same sentence. In Volume II, the author focuses on the Shaussegeny family, who has a terrible curse placed upon them. Moonlight Becomes You, Book 4 is about Heather Rowe discovers she’s pregnant with Lance Shaussegeny’s child—who displays some curious symptoms. Her son is sick, and Lance may be the only one who knows how to cure him. Many relive past wrongs over in their mind, but nothing could be worse than reliving them in the flesh. Bewitched, Book 5, is not your ordinary fairytale. This story is an amazingly dark fairy tale laced with some romance, making for a very intriguing story. The descriptive imagery helped me to imagine just what this world must be like for these characters and grow to love them for it. The characters are very well written, easily luring readers into this fantastic new world full of secrets, curses, and love. Glynnis is part of a family that is plagued with a curse and because of this, she has to go through plenty of problems in order to make things right. Aric was a mysterious character who I enjoyed figuring out along with Glynnis. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good dark fairytale. One Night of Eternity, Book 6, was by far one of the most emotion-packed stories in this series yet. Much of it is bittersweet and the mixed emotions and fears of the characters practically ooze off the page. It was very easy to become engrossed in Gavin and Marnie's story, and I couldn't help but feel empathy and even joy at times. Marnie and Gavin both have scars because of their actions, but throughout the book they get a chance to finally accept them and possibly have a happy ending of their own. The scenery and descriptive language in the story helps set the mood for this haunting tale. The imagery used was beautiful and creative. I enjoyed every minute of this story and couldn't put it down. I recommend this story to those who love a romance with some relatable characters and tons of emotion-packed scenes. Beauty is the Beast comes with a new twist. I love fairy tales and I am always happy to check out new retellings. This one is definitely one of the best. I love the dark romance and the twists and turns that are added into this story. Ransom brings some real depth to the beast character which I love because not all retellings of this story have very much depth to the beast's character. This story is so much more than a retelling, though as it brings in a magic of its own and drew me in, keeping me glued to the pages for hours. I highly recommend Beauty is the Beast not only to fans of fairytales, but anyone who loves a good paranormal romance.” ~The Romance Reviews http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=5933 Read more reviews
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner) |
THE DEEP, Book 8,
by Karen Wiesner Very loosely based on Metamorphoses: The Story of Pygmalion and the Statue by Ovid Cheyenne Welsh can't forget her past and the disappearance of her younger sister. When she returns to Woodcutter's Grim to sell the family property she grew up on, she's confronted with all the nightmare-realities of her childhood, still alive and well, still right where she left them--down in the darkness the Deep dwells inside. Her home... Read an excerpt--coming soon
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Status of this book: Complete and submitted to editor. Click here to register to be notified of the release of THE DEEP
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 (Cover Designed by Karen Wiesner) |
HUNTER’S BLUES, A Woodcutter's Grim Series Novel
by Karen Wiesner Return to Karen Wiesner’s award-winning Woodcutter’s Grim Series, where you first met and fell in love with this terrifying, magical town with its intriguing cast of characters, in an all new novel. Very loosely based on The Evil Mother-in-Law by the Brothers Grimm The year is 2040. When the evil in Woodcutter’s Grim unleashed ten years earlier, humans turned into spooks who avoided the sun and had a taste for human flesh…along with the innate instinct to contaminate others with their evil. In no time at all, the evil spread and wiped out half of the town’s population before the Protectorate—the Guardians sworn to protect Woodcutter’s Grim and those outside against the evil pervading it—came up with a way to hold the threat at bay, not completely but enough to save those left. In these years, everything has changed, from occupations to entertainment. A curfew has been imposed, and few are stupid enough to break it. Protectorate bounty hunters patrol the cities in the daylight. Humans live in fortress-like homes that aren’t always capable of keeping the ghouls out. Guardian bounty hunter and ex-Marine, Reece Pallaton, wonders what it’s all for and whether he’ll lose everyone he cares about in this endless battle. Fellow Guardian, Michell “Shell” Jones insists that they can find a cure, that life will someday go back to normal. But Reece is beginning to believe that the battle he’s waging can never be won…until he discovers the source of the evil and his own, terrifying connection to it. Note: This story will fit into the Woodcutter’s Grim Series after THE DEEP, Book 8, and before “The Amethyst Tower”, the Final Chapter. Read an excerpt--coming soon
Read reviews--coming soon
Status of this book: Planning research and outline in December 2015, write in April 2016, revise and polish in Summer 2016. Click here to register to be notified of the release of HUNTER’S BLUES
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