Hi everyone! If you like reading horror, today’s book excerpt might be of interest to you! I am hosting author P.D. Alleva to share about his book, Golem. Let’s chat with P.D. first and then dive into the book.
Get to know the author: P.D. Alleva
Welcome, P.D.! Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!
Hello readers, grateful to you for your interest in reading an excerpt from my psychological horror novel, Golem. I’ve been writing short stories and novels since the second grade and have always been a reader. I love them all regardless of genre, from the classics to new age and even non-fiction. Some of my favorite authors include Poe, Shelley, the Bronte Sisters, Lovecraft, Hemingway, Bradbury, Clive Barker, James Herbert, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Blake Crouch, and VE Schwab. Golem is the seventh novel I’ve published. I write primarily in the horror and scifi genres. My scifi series, The Rose, takes place after WW3 and features a sophisticated species of alien vampires living in hollow earth who have conspired with grey aliens and elite humans to subjugate the human population. Vol 1 and Vol 2 are currently published.
My day job is writing, however I also moonlight as a psychotherapist and hypnotist with a speciality treating PTSD and addiction. I’ve been a practicing therapist for the last 16+ years, but took a smaller role in my private practice a few years ago to write full time. I teach behavior modification with spiritual practices for my patients suffering with addiction and utilize hypnosis-with other various therapeutic techniques-to treat PTSD with outstanding success. Trauma symptoms take no more than eight sessions to alleviate symptoms. I really would love to see more therapists utilizing safe and effective practices that are proven techniques that don’t retraumatize the patient and are effective in 90% of the population, because, well, that would help out a ton of people. Unfortunately I’m still waiting for the psychology industry to catch up to the rest of us healers, hopefully they do soon. My interests also include, science of mind concepts, Neuro Linguistic Programming, and quantum physics.
I enjoy intelligent reads that cut into the heart of human existence.Then again, a book that’s pure escapism is always fun too.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always loved classic literature, especially monster books like Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. My favorite book of all time is Frankenstein and I’ve had an author crush on Mary Shelley since I first read Frankenstein in eleventh grade. Additional influences include Edgar Allan Poe, HG Wells, Ray Bradbury, Anne Rice, James Herbert, and of course, Stephen King’s The Shining. I prefer intelligent books with a strong psychological component-I am a psychologist after all, it’s my night job-and in depth character development with a story that cuts into the heart of humanity and leaves the reader with a profound experience. Plus, above all, I love a well crafted, cerebral, and diabolical villain (think Hannibal Lecter, Lestat, or the Joker) who drive the story and represent the catalyst that drives our protaganist into the depths of despair.
How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?
Twenty years. The idea first spawned when I was attending a theatre class in college. Now this may seem strange, but the idea came to me after we read the play, Pygmalion, followed by a viewing of My Fair Lady. So, how does one get a horror novel out of My Fair Lady? Well, I was intrigued with the Pygmalion story-the myth of an artist who loves his sculpture to life-and thought it would make a great horror novel with just a few tweaks. A few years ago I watched the silent film, Der Golem, which solidified the idea.
Who would enjoy reading your book?
Readers who enjoy a great story. Readers who appreciate the classics (there’s a ton of literary references in the story). Also, although it is a horror novel, truthfully speaking any reader who enjoys crime stories, thrillers, and the psychological component will enjoy Golem. I think horror has received a bad rap over the last few years, with readers always thinking new horror novels are all slasher, blood, and gore, but if we can all remember that horror reaches into the darkness that exists inside the human heart and mind and then pushes those limits to see how truly horrific the human existence can reach, then hopefully we can see a return to the more classical component of the horror genre. True horror is a reflection of society and the undeniable struggle between good and evil, even if that good vs evil struggle is fought within the mind. A few books I relate Golem to include: Mexican Gothic, A Head Full of Ghosts, The Shining, Interview with the Vampire, and The Silence of the Lambs.
Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?
Yes, my favorite quote from the book is: “Books and movies are like a blueprint. A survival manual disguised as fiction. As folklore. Because the truth hides in plain sight and those that see have to hide and those who can’t see…well, they’re just a part of the plan.”
While I was writing Golem I read the book Dracul by Dacre Stoker and JD Barker. Dracul is a prequel to Dracula. I thought the book was fantastic, but equally intriguing was the author note. The authors reported the possibility that Bram Stoker believed his story was a true and accurate account and was not fiction. He believed vampires were real and the journals in his book were real, reflecting an accurate account of their dealings with Dracula. I thought that was cool, hence the quote above, which takes place towards the end of the book when Detective John Ashton is on his way to the Francon Mansion to search for the DA’s missing daughter. The cabbie driving him is afraid of the Francon Mansion and attempts to deter John from his search, comparing him bringing John to the mansion to Renfield being dropped off at Dracula’s castle. When John doesn’t catch the reference the cabbie asks him, “You don’t read do you?” to which John replies, “No time,” leading to the above quote.
Thank you for stopping by, leave a comment if you wish or feel free to reach out to me. Joining my mailing list is always a good way to go. I send that puppy out once a month with updates on current projects, ARC and beta reading opportunities, book fairs, and other little goodies. Hope to see you there.
Enjoy the excerpt and welcome to Golem!
P.D. Alleva
Golem
A haunting tale of suspense, loss, isolation, contempt, and fear.
On November 1, 1951, war hero John Ashton was promoted to detective. His first assignment: find the district attorney’s missing daughter. But his only lead is Alena Francon, a high society sculptor and socialite committed to Bellevue’s psychiatric facility.
Alena has a story for the new detective. A story so outlandish John Ashton refuses to heed the warning. Alena admits to incarnating Golem, a demonic force, into her statue. A devil so profound he’s infiltrated every part of New York’s infrastructure. Even worse, he uses children to serve as bodily hosts for his demonic army, unleashing a horde of devils into our world.
When Alena’s confidant, Annette Flemming, confirms the existence of Golem, John is sent on a collision course where fate and destiny spiral into peril, and the future of the human race hangs in the balance.
The Devil Is In The Details!
Fans of The Silence of the Lambs, Mexican Gothic, Clive Barker, John Connolly, Stephen King, and Anne Rice will be fascinated by this edge of your seat psychological horror novel with a story that rips out the heart of humanity and throws it on a slab to be feasted on.
Find this book on Goodreads, Indie Story Geek, Amazon.
Context for the excerpt below:
First things first, Sam is Annette’s golden retriever. Had to get that out there to avoid any confusion, although I’m sure you would have figured it out within the first few sentences but we all know what assuming does, so better to be transparent. Also, the excerpt is taken from the opening chapter, so you’re coming into the scene after Annette has wrapped up her Halloween night, handing out tootsie rolls and Charleston chews (the two most popular Halloween candies in 1951) to her neighbours in Long Island, NY. What you may be missing is Annette’s nervousness concerning her home and the fact that she doesn’t want the night to end out of fear of being alone-Annette’s husband Noel is away on a business trip. Annette is one of the three main characters in the novel.
Book Excerpt from
Golem
Sam scuffled to the bathroom door.
“Oh, Sam,” Annette said. “You scared the bejesus out of me.”
Sam sat in front of the bathroom door, panting as if he’d run a few miles, a whining, fearful wheeze beneath his breath. His tongue dripped across his canine teeth.
Knock. Knock!
Sam whimpered, rolled his tongue in, and backed away from the bedroom door. Annette surveyed the room. Another trick-or-treater? Maybe, she thought, but at this late hour? Anything is possible. She looked in the mirror, stretched her nose to make sure all the blood was gone (it was), then took a glance through the open window. The street was empty although leaves were bustling in the wind being carried on its heels.
Thunder!
Lightning!
Strong wind getting stronger!
She closed the window and locked it, then pulled off her towel—wiping some dried blood from her chest with it—and tossed her nightgown over her shoulders followed by a thick velvety robe.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. KNOCK!
Is this a joke, she thought and hurried to the hall, knotting the robe around her stomach as she stomped to the stairs when lightning and thunder rolled together.
Knock! Knock!
Maybe they need help?
Knock!
She raced down the stairs.
Knock, knock. More like a tapping this time. Or maybe a rapping. She couldn’t remember which one.
Rap Rap Rap.
She approached the door, reached for the dead bolt, and paused. Her hand pulled away from the lock as if it had a mind all its own. Her left hand on the doorknob, her right hand found the middle of the door and gently rested on the thick wood. She stretched her neck to the window. Staring back were those kids, and Annette recoiled from the window. Her stomach churned.
Rap Rap.
She was about to scream but held her hand over her mouth instead. “Who is it?” she stuttered, a crack in her speech.
The voice that answered was monotone and matter of fact. She couldn’t tell if it were boy or girl. “May we come in?”
“Why do you need to come in? Was there an accident? Do you need an ambulance?”
“May we come in?”
Pause. Brow furrowed. She pursed her lips and swallowed.
“Where are your parents? Aren’t they with you?”
Another pause.
“They’ll be here soon. May we come in?”
Annette nervously and slowly peeked through the window. As if this was anticipated, the little one was looking, staring, blank faced and…peculiar. Yes- the clothes were tattered, but what does that mean, their parents are poor? Probably trick-or-treating in the good neighborhood. But there was more not yet revealed. Their eyes, Annette thought. What’s wrong with their eyes? The little one, boy or girl she wasn’t sure although the dress definitely indicated girl, was mesmerized and blank faced. And the eyes. Yes, Annette could see it now. Her eyes were pitch black! No pupils, no iris, just jet, metallic bulging black eyeballs.
It was the older one who continued to speak through the door. “May we come in? Our parents will be here soon.”
Annette noticed Sam wasn’t barking. Noticed Sam wasn’t anywhere close to Annette.
“May we come in?”
Thunder! Lightning! Annette’s breath stuttered, constricted. She snapped her head around, looking through the hallway. Pitter patter pelts of rain snapped against the back windows. Lightning illuminated an empty backyard.
There’s no one there, no one out back. Am I going to leave needy children out in a rainstorm?
Then the little girl said, “Let us in!” Annette knew it came from the little one because the voice changed. Although still monotone there was a softness to it only little children carried.
The wind lifted into a frenzy. The rain fell hard now, showering the windows. Thunder. Lightning. Wind. Rain. Heavy rain.
“Can we come in?”
“Parents will be here soon.”
“Let us in.”
Annette caught sight of Sam at the top of the stairs. The retriever cowered in anticipation of Annette’s next move. Now the storm strengthened with a swirling, squall filled wind that howled through the house. She gripped the dead bolt, and Sam whimpered and whined and rushed down the hall to the bedroom.
“It’ll be all right,” she said. “They’re just kids.”
Interested?
Find Golem on Goodreads, Indie Story Geek, Amazon.
Many thanks to P.D. for sharing an excerpt with us! Connect with P.D. on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon and learn more on his website. You can also join his Facebook Reader Group and Book Club!
I love swag and has got tumblers, sweatshirts, shirts and hats available. I usually give these out during giveaways and events in my Facebook Reader Group and Book Club, however, if you want to score one just reach out to me and we’ll get you all hooked up.
P.D.
If you are an indie author and would like to do a book excerpt, check out my work with me page for details.
Cover image: Photo on Unsplash
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