Sunday, February 26, 2012

Hidden Object Games Review: Phantasmat


One of my favorite games is the Hidden Object Game (HOG). The idea is to find concealed objects and work out mini logic puzzles while usually solving a mystery. Since many of the HOGs I play contain preternatural themes, I decided to write the occasional review.

Phantasmat begins with you, the player, driving a car that crashes in a remote wooded area. Wandering through the forest, you meet a Young Woman who tells you to go to the hotel and call for help. But the Hotel Owner confesses with the electricity out, the phone won’t work. Even after getting the electricity restored, the phone remains dead. You have no choice but to stay in the hotel, where you meet the Old Woman. (Incidentally, the Young Woman works at the hotel too.)

Unable to leave and drawn to the tragic history of the town, which was destroyed in a catastrophic flood, you become embroiled in discovering the secrets of the hotel’s three inhabitants. And they all have secrets they’d rather you didn’t find out.

 The character designs are among the best I’ve seen for a HOG. The backgrounds are richly detailed, giving the game an almost cinematic quality. I found the puzzles challenging but not frustrating to the point I wanted to give up. (And there is a walk through available if you get stuck.) Although the puzzles remain the same, the hidden objects change from game to game, so you can replay if you like.

Although I can’t speak for other game sites, Big Fish Games lets you play an hour free trial of their HOGs. If you’re interested in mysteries with a touch of the macabre, Phantasmat might be one to check out.  

Saturday, February 18, 2012

"It's In Your Blood": A Vampire Story

I'm excited to announce the inclusion of my short story "It's in Your Blood" in Bites - Ten Tales of Vampires, released this week. Those of you who've read "Initiation" may notice similarities between this story and that one.  That's because it is the same story, revised for this edition and with several significant changes. Darker in tone, also. I'm fascinated with how humans deal with the shadow aspect of their consciences.

This is probably one of the reasons I enjoy writing and reading horror. True, it's not always easy to acknowledge the dark side of human nature. Even more difficult when you realize real life can be far more terrifying than fiction. Horror forces us to confront our deepest fears.

Perhaps Nietzsche's warning suffices here. “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

You can learn more about Bites - Ten Tales of Vampires on Amazon or Smashwords. Also, February is Women in Horror Month. What better way to celebrate than with a new release that includes many stories written by women?


Scene of "It's in Your Blood"

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Death Sword Interview with Gabriel and Metatron

Note: This interview is a companion to another dual character interview. (The link will go live February 2nd) http://gravetells.com/2012/02/02/interview-giveaway-death-sword-author-pamela-turner-chats-with-her-characters-xariel-karla/


Pamela Turner: 
Hello and welcome. As you may know, I have an interview with Xariel and Karla Black, my hero and heroine from my urban fantasy/paranormal Death Sword, over at GraveTells. Gabriel and Metatron complained they hadn’t been asked so I agreed to give them some air time here. Besides, the sight of Gabriel swinging that damn scythe is too nerve wracking.  Gabriel, Metatron, welcome. Please tell us a little about yourselves.

Metatron:
Thank you for having us. (To Gabriel) Put the scythe away. Thank you. I’m Metatron, king of angels and overseer of the angels of death. I report to Azrael, the archangel of death, who gives me a list of those who are to die that day. I pass these on to my subordinates.

Gabriel:
I’m Gabriel, better known as the messenger angel of the Annunciation. But my other roles are as an angel of death as well as a warrior angel. I collect the souls of young people.

Metatron:
He forgot to mention he’s a damn good chess player. Practically grand master.

PT:
Metatron, I’ve heard there’s some dissension in your ranks. How do you deal with that?

Metatron:
I prefer to let my charges work their problems out themselves. If the situation becomes too difficult, I’ll step in but these arguments usually don’t last.

Gabriel:
Tell that to Xariel. I think he’s still pissed off at me even after all these years.

Metatron:
Well, to be honest, you do have a tendency to act like you’re better than him. Of course, we all know how you feel about Xariel.

Gabriel:
What? Metatron, stop spreading rumors. There is nothing going on between Xariel and me. Besides, he’s in a relationship with Karla.

Metatron:
For now...

PT:
Gabriel, you actually like Xariel?

Gabriel:
I like him but I don’t “like” him.

Metatron:
(Rolls eyes) And you are so in denial. If Xariel didn’t have those curses placed on him, you’d probably be scheming to get rid of Karla as much as Samael is.

Gabriel:
Can we please change the subject?

Metatron:
Well, you were the one who complained Xariel and Karla got all the attention.

Gabriel:
(Throws up his hands) I’m sorry I ever opened my big mouth.

PT:
Let’s move on. This question’s for both of you. How do you think Karla is doing as a half-human angel of death?

Metatron:
Better than I expected. Xariel is a remarkable teacher and mentor. Of course, I know something about her that no one else does. But I’m not going to reveal it. You’ll have to wait.

Gabriel:
I agree with Metatron. Karla is proving to be a capable angel of death. Surprising, given her human attributes. She’s fiercely loyal to those she cares about. I admire that about her, even if she is an insolent brat sometimes.

Metatron:
He’s never happy.

PT:
Right! Before you both set off World War 3, what’s your take on Samael?

Gabriel:
Too dangerous to be left running around. I’m not worried for myself, but Xariel and Karla are vulnerable. (Glares at Metatron) Thanks to you.

Metatron:
How many times do I have to tell you, I had no choice? But you’re right. I only hope they can deal with Samael when the time comes.

PT:
Karla and Xariel have also indicated Samael’s dangerous. If this is true, why do you keep him around?

Metatron:
He’s an angel of death as well as chief of satans. And as an angel of death, he reports to me. Samael also knows the consequences if he steps out of line.

Gabriel:
He just doesn’t care about the consequences.

PT:
Point taken. Well, our time here is about up. I’d like to thank  you both again for stopping by.

Metatron:
Thank you for accommodating us. Hope we haven’t been too difficult.

PT:
No. Not at all. Well, to quote The Prisoner, “Be seeing you.”

Gabriel:
Likewise.

PT:
Good bye, folks. Thanks for checking out these interviews. :-)