HAUNTED ATTRACTION REVIEW: Castle Blood


Autumn/Halloween is my favorite season and time of the year. Of course, a large reason for this is the fall festivals and haunted attractions that open up for business now. When I was in college, I used to go with friends to every haunted attraction in the area we could possibly get to. Nowadays with pesky things called 'adult responsibilities,' I consider getting to at least two attractions a good Halloween (if I can do three it's a bonus).

Those of you who have been following my writing and blogging in recent years have likely seen me mention Castle Blood on more than one occasion as it is on my 'must go to' list during the Halloween season. Last night (Saturday night), some friends and I visited their brand new location, which is none other than a 100-year-old three generation funeral home.

Here is my video interview with the owner, Rick (aka Gravely MacCabre) from back in September. Here, we discuss what's in store for the attraction's new home:



So very quickly, what is Castle Blood, you ask?  Well, it is an award-winning attraction in Monessan, PA that is in its 21st year running. It is a live action, interactive tour with a different built in story every year. In fact, here is the description from their website, CastleBlood.com :

"We have an interactive storyline, and a game or challenge to send our patrons on each year.
The story changes from year to year, however it always remains true to our basic legend and the characters of the castle. You will take your time going through with your guide. So you’ll see everything. And everything will see you.
Depending on the Creatures you encounter, and what ‘denizens’ are in the Castle, your tour can even change from night to night." 

Instead of chainsaw wielding guys in masks, you are more likely to encounter the more classic, gothic creature such as a ghost, vampire, werewolf, and maybe a zombie or two. Fans of the classic Universal horror pictures, Hammer films, or the original Dark Shadows will very likely dig it. :)

I don't want to give away too much of the new location as it truly is an experience to be had. But I will say that the rather large old funeral home offers the cast and crew much more possibilities. Never seen before rooms and special effects have been added and according to one of the cast members, there is still more to come (which I look forward to seeing next year)! The crew did an excellent job with putting it all together in the short time they had and I look forward to seeing where it will all go. Yes, the old funeral home is certainly a great fit for them.

There is still time to get out to Castle Blood this Halloween but if for any reason you do not make it, check out their other seasonal events, including their Spooky Cryptmas (Christmas), Bloody Valentine's Day, and Midsummer Nightmare!
They also have an awesome gift shop complete with Midnight Syndicate CDs, whose music they license to enhance the already spooky atmosphere. :)



Official Site:
Castle Blood

My Castle Blood Articles on Ravenous Monster Webzine:
 Castle Blood: A Different Kind of Scare
Castle Blood: Halloween the Way It Ought to Be...Inside A 100-Year-Old Funeral Home

Highlighted Footage from an Interview with Rick (aka Gravely MacCabre):









October is not only Halloween, but also my birthday month! I'm also going to be releasing my first full length novel, Descent (The Birthrite Series, #1) and The Twisting House (Stories from Colony Drive, #4) very soon.
So in celebration of all that, I'm offering the three stories available in the Stories from Colony Drive Series for free on Smashwords. You can already download #1 (Cemetery by the Lake) and #3 (Romancing Elena) free, and until November 5, Dusk to Dawn (Story #2) is also free with a coupon code.

So on the Smashwords Dusk to Dawn page, enter the following coupon code at checkout:
RY63B

And then download The Cemetery by the Lake and Romancing Elena for free. :)

Then if you don't mind, rate and review on Smashwords and Goodreads , whether you loved them, sort of liked them or they weren't your thing.

Thanks everyone and Happy Halloween! :)

PS- Smashwords offers formats for pretty much any computer or e-reader. :)

Interview with Michael Wade Johnson of Faux Pas Films



My relationship with Faux Pas Films started back in 2012 when I was approached by Michael Wade Johnson to do a cameo in their dark drama,  Cyclical Effect. They also ended up using my song, "Ghost" in the film. The next project of theirs that I was involved with was 2013's Ovulation in which my song, "Ashes to Dust" was used. Since then, they have kept busy and are currently filming their latest project, Candie's Harem. So read on! :)

TA: So, what have you all been up to since the last time we talked?

MWJ: Films, films, and more films! After finishing "Ovulation", I wrote and directed "Incorporeal" and then a little short called "Attritional" while at the same time helping with tons of other projects like "The Dirty Sanchez". That and raising my soon-to-be 1 year old daughter, Adora, who is my brightest light imaginable.



TA: Now, you completed a new film titled "Candie's Harem." Can you give us a little synopsis (without giving it completely away, of course)?

MWJ: Well, actually we are in pre-production for the film right now and starting production in the upcoming weeks. We recently started an Indiegogo campaign (http://igg.me/at/candiesharem) to help with additional funds for the film. The film is massive and impossible to make on my usual no budget formula. I'm digressing though. The film is a whodunit horror murder mystery set in a more erotic kind of theme. I grew up on the old "everyone's a red herring" kind of films and thus I wanted to incorporate my own version. It's about Candie, a beautiful bisexual who has a string of lovers and none of them are aware of the others. She thinks she has the perfect set up until her lovers start dying off one by one. Who is murdering Candie's Harem? Find out.



TA: It looks pretty interesting, from what I've seen. Where did the idea for the plotline come from?

MWJ: Well, I wrote the screenplay way back in 2007. Basically I wanted to write a story that keeps you guessing while at the same time being edgy and provocative. It has horror, it has drama, it has the blood and the boobs, but it also has a lot of philosophy and cerebral moments and takes you on an emotional journey with a definite character arc.

TA: What type of audience would you recommend it for?

MWJ: Old school horror fans and adults who enjoy the slasher/murder mysteries. It does have a strong sexual theme with nudity and adult language, so anyone who likes the dark, hard R rated horror films.

TA: Any interesting behind the scenes stories you would like to share with our lovely readers?

MWJ: Nothing yet but I'm sure we'll have plenty by the time we wrap production. The scenarios in the film are sure to make the laughter ensue BTS.



TA: When can we expect it out as far as a premiere of a release goes?

MWJ: Everything should be complete by April 2015. Then we'll see where it goes. Most likely a festival run and then a DVD release.

TA: Finally, what's next for you guys?

MWJ: Pretty busy stuff as always. Up next will be a Horror/Comedy/Musical called "The Non Gratas", then I have an untitled Anthology in the works, and after that, we'll be making a remake of my first film "Brimstone" just in time for it's 10th year anniversary. Never a dull moment in the indie film scene!



 Definitely never a dull moment! :) So check out Faux Pas Films and Candie's Harem on Facebook:

And check out their Indiegogo Campaign

And last but not least, just say no to censorship. :)




ONE LAST SIDE NOTE:  I am offering all three short stories in the Stories from Colony Drive series for free until November 5 on Smashwords (which offers a format for pretty much any type of pc or e-reader). You can already download The Cemetery by the Lake (Story #1) and Romancing Elena (Story # 3) free. In order to get Dusk to Dawn (Story #2) as a free download throughout this month, visit the story's page and enter the following coupon code at checkout:
RY63B

And after you've read them, feel free to leave a review at Smashwords and/or on Goodreads, whether you loved them, sort of liked them, or they weren't your thing. :)
Thanks all!



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My stories, "The Cemetery by the Lake" and "Dusk to Dawn" are available at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble NOOK. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
and Amazon
"The Cemetery by the Lake" at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble NOOK
"Dusk to Dawn" at Smashwords
Tiffany on Goodreads
My music is also available at CDBaby
Support great authors and independent bookstores at Smashwords and Indiebound



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