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The Michael Bublé of Halloween is BACK (me) – Familiar is free on Kindle

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Christmas is a time for family, food and Bublé. And just like when Bublé pops his head up every year at the sound of Santa’s ‘ho, ho, ho-ing’, I come out from under my rock when there’s witch cackles, moaning zombies and revving chainsaws. Happy Halloween! 😀

As a horror writer and fan, it’s another excuse to watch and read creepy stories.

I want Halloween to be a time for Trick or Treat, being shit scared, and T. J. Blake novels. Which is why, for this Halloween, my paranormal thriller, Familiar, is free to download on Amazon Kindle in the run up to Halloween from 27th to Halloween!

Make sure that you set yourself a reminder, add Familiar to your Amazon wish list and download it when you can.

What’s Familiar about?

Familiar is a paranormal mystery that follows the journey of famous psychic medium, Arabella.

Familiar blurb

For as long as she can remember, Arabella has communicated with those who exist only in memory.

Being the centre of attention growing up was uncomfortable, and now, as a renowned psychic medium, it is becoming more of a struggle. Arabella’s ability and reputation always made it impossible to hold onto lasting relationships, but with those who no longer walk this earth, that’s not the case.

Arabella returns to where it all began fifteen-years before – on the very same stage. After an evening reconnecting loved ones and exposing untold stories, Arabella can’t help but wonder about the one unclaimed ‘friend’, and their cryptic message.

In an unexpected turn of events, Arabella finds herself the subject of morning headlines and at the centre of Detective Barnes’ investigation.

Can Arabella use her ability to prove her innocence and uncover the truth about the past?

Read Familiar now – it’s free for Halloween, and free with Kindle Unlimited.

A taster of the Familiar audiobook

Is Familiar scary?

Yes it is. Did you not listen to the audiobook teaser above!?

Writing the story I creeped myself out. And a lot of readers have told me how creepy the book is.

Which makes it the PERFECT read for Halloween!

Here’s another teaser of the Familiar audiobook

The ‘Familiar’ audiobook tour – AMAZING reviews

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Firstly, thank you to everyone who took part in the audiobook tour for ‘Familiar’ (narrated by Amanda Parrott). And of course thank you to the hosts Love Book Tours.

The average ratings of these two books on Goodreads and Amazon in particular are amazing – never have any of my books received this many wonderful reviews.

If you’re looking for a creepy audiobook this Halloween, then here’s why Familiar should be on your list

“I had to stay up to finish this book. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Then, I creeped myself out. I know better than reading paranormal books at bedtime!”

Goodreads

“A phenomenal lady who can speak to “friends” it was heart warming, terrifying and captivating!”

Goodreads & Amazon

“T.J has done amazing work with the storyline which helps to keep you guessing the plot right till the end…..there is a spiritualist side to this story but it all adds to the storyline and helps to grip the reader. The character will stick with you long after you have finished.”

Amazon

“Creepy Thriller with a Strong Female Lead!”

Amazon

“Familiar is the second of T J Blakes audio books that I have had the pleasure to listen to and both are fantastic.”

Goodreads

This was a perfect book to read in October: Spooky, creepy and believable… There’s one particular scene in which a friend makes itself known starting only with it’s eyeballs, then it’s teeth, which still makes me a bit jumpy if I think of it in the dark in my creepy old attic bedroom. The whispers and the sensations Arabella experiences turned my skin to gooseflesh and I found myself wondering whether I was really reading all alone…

Goodreads & Amazin

The above quotes are just a few of the great reviews I had. Along with the brilliant reviews, there were some nice bits of feedback from readers which I will take forward into my next books.

Get into the Halloween spirit and read ‘Familiar’ – it’s currently on Amazon on Kindle and Audiobook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Familiar/dp/B08VNS6QQP/

Familiar coming to Audible

GIVEAWAY ALERT – fancy a new audiobook to listen to? Limited codes available

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You could listen to my paranormal thriller, “Familiar”, OR psychological thriller, “Deception”, for free on Audible. Comment your email below.

I have 50 free codes for you to listen to my paranormal thriller, Familiar. AND I have 50 free codes for Deception: A Love of Lies too.

Check it out to see if it’s the kind of audiobook you would like to listen to.

Familiar audiobook preview

Deception audiobook preview

How you can get a free code for Familiar and/or Deception on audiobook

All I need from you is your email, location (UK or US), and which book you would like.

Then I will reply to your email with your free promo code!

Go! Go! Go! I only have 50 codes to give away!

T. J. Blake's Familiar paperback

I was interviewed by fellow author, Nina Soden

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We talked about my personal life and what I’m up to when I’m not writing my fiction novels (including the mention of my new cashless tipping app, TipSpend).

Here are some of the best bits of the interview:

(Speaking about my day job as a Content Marketing Specialist)

“Although my content writing is different to my fiction stories, there are a lot of similarities – there is still storytelling in everything I do. There’s a lot of psychology involved in what I do too, which is an element I really enjoy.”

“What is your favorite film based on a book?

There’s too many to choose from; The Harry Potter films, Lord of The Rings, The Avengers (I think that counts!), any adapted Stephen King novel!”

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

“Familiar” is my new paranormal mystery thriller book.

To describe it in 20 words: a murder mystery with a paranormal twist. The Conjuring meets True Detective.

Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it?

Does your character have any weaknesses?

There’s a big weakness to Arabella… but I can’t tell you! You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Arabella has a habit for getting too close with her ‘friends’, but she must distance herself. All ‘friends’ want one thing, to feel alive again.

You’ll have to read to find out more!

Check out the full interview with Nina here.

5 Star Amazon Review from Georgie

2019 and ‘DECEPTION’ is still receiving 5 star reviews!

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Although I decided to self-publish DECEPTION back in 2016, I’m happy to see that even after three years my readers are still loving it!

A ‘verified purchase’ 5 star review on Amazon.co.uk

5 Star Amazon Review from Georgie

A short and sweet review from Georgie. Chuffed to see that she enjoyed the ride!

DECEPTION’s blurb:

“Through the stark and leafless trees, I see her.

I remember the first day I saw her; an instant attraction. I think she’s beautiful. She has such pensive blue eyes; they remind me of a blue sky right before the sun descends. Every time I see her I want to talk to her, I want to get to know her, and I want to be her friend.

She usually completes the lower woodland walk in six minutes and forty-two seconds; she misses the deeper woodlands and goes home, I believe.

I walk down the road at the same speed as her. She reaches the crossroads at the bottom of the road, looks both ways, and then jogs across into the garden of a house. I stop walking and concentrate on which house is hers.

I can’t stare too long but I am intrigued already, I will come back.”

A psychological thriller that will not let you look at passing dog walkers the same.

If you would like to read this novel, you can download it here from Amazon. Click the link and it will take you to the right Amazon (UK, US etc.) for you.

Deception: A Love of Lies by T. J. Blake

If you do decide to read DECEPTION then please let me know what you think!

Deception: A Love of Lies by T. J. Blake

Book Cover Revamp for DECEPTION: A Love of Lies

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DECEPTION: A Love of Lies has a new cover!

I’m pleased to reveal to all of you the new front cover for DECEPTION.

The original cover was good, I still like it, but it became a little outdated and the quality wasn’t the best. I liked its artistic style – it was a black and white cover with an in colour eye line of Billy watching Eve from the bushes. We kept to this theme in the new cover, but modernised it.

So here we go, check out the new front cover for DECEPTION (available on Amazon & other bookstores) below!

Deception: A Love of Lies by T. J. Blake

A lot of you may be thinking, “err, it looks exactly the same.”

It isn’t, the image is crisp, the cover’s in colour, there’s still a line of sight from Billy’s perspective of Eve walking Ella, and the typography looks waaayyyy better. The slight fade of the ‘KE’ of Blake is a new feature, along with the addition of ‘A Love of Lies’, which all looks pretty awesome.

What do you all think?

Get in touch, would love to know your thoughts!

If you’re interested in finding more about the book, check it out on Amazon.

It’s available on eBook: http://getbook.at/DeceptionTJBlake (the link will take you to Amazon, promise. It’s a geo locater to take you to the right site).

Synopsis:

“Through the stark and leafless trees, I see her.

I remember the first day I saw her; an instant attraction. I think she’s beautiful. She has such pensive blue eyes; they remind me of a blue sky right before the sun descends. Every time I see her I want to talk to her, I want to get to know her, and I want to be her friend.
She usually completes the lower woodland walk in six minutes and forty-two seconds; she misses the deeper woodlands and goes home, I believe.

I walk down the road at the same speed as her. She reaches the crossroads at the bottom of the road, looks both ways, and then jogs across into the garden of a house. I stop walking and concentrate on which house is hers.

I can’t stare too long but I am intrigued already, I will come back.”

'Missing' - a 12 word story (121 Words)

My Latest Microfiction 12 Word Story – ‘Missing’

What can you do with 12 words? Write a story! Check out my 12 word story, ‘Missing’.

T. J. BlakeLeave a comment

I really enjoy microfiction and flash fiction stories. Isn’t it amazing what you can do with just a minimal amount of words?

In just a few words, you can paint a picture inside someone’s mind, you can convey meaning or several meanings, and you can tell a story.

My latest miniature story ‘Missing’ is a 12 word story that I wrote and tweeted for the website and online community 121 Words.

Now, take a look at the story below and see what you think it is about. It may or may not be what you believe; and that’s the beauty of it.

A 12 word story – ‘Missing’

'Missing' - a 12 word story (121 Words)

What is it about? Comment below!

deception t. j. blake amazon.com ratings

‘As a rating I would give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating and I will certainly recommend this book to other readers.’

The 5 star reviews keep on coming.

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Proud to say that Deception: A Love of Lies has not disappointed – another reader, another 5 star review.

deception-amazon-com-ratings

You may see that Deception has all these great reviews but wonder if you would like the book. I can tell you, if you’re someone who enjoys a detailed, realistic, intricate and personal read, then you will enjoy my new psychological thriller. 

Many book reviews can give certain stories away, but the latest reviews do not; and I’m very thankful. 

The latest review is a good one, the reader has understood the story, they’ve accepted it and they’ve most importantly lived with the main character, Billy, throughout the read. If you allow yourself to join Billy, you will enjoy Deception and you’ll most importantly enjoy the ride into Billy’s life in his little bungalow on Lavingsham Close. 

Here are some of the key quotes from the latest review which will help you understand what the book is about and what you can expect from the story itself –

“The book starts with a beautiful setting which unfolds into a gradual storyline full of shocking twists and suspense. The story is about a lonely dog walker who strolls through the local woods on a daily basis. On these walks a beautiful woman catches his eye and he watches her for some time from a distance and seems to become a sort of stalker watching her in the comforts of her own home.”

“Throughout the story I found myself feeling a mixture of emotions- there were parts where I felt shocked and horrified, I could feel little flips in my stomach when the writer dropped a shocking bombshell. Then at later parts I found myself shedding a few saddened tears”

“I was able to learn about each character and their backgrounds, the description used throughout the story was intense and very detailed; I was able to really imagine the surroundings and the characters. I had to chuckle at parts also like that description about the dog poo as these are real life occurrences; it was these things that really brought the story to life.”

“As a rating I would give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating and I will certainly recommend this book to other readers. It was a beautiful read that continually hooked me, it was certainly difficult to put down.”

You can read the full book review on Pen To Paper Review Service‘s Tumblr page – http://pentopaper94.tumblr.com/post/152730859391/deception-a-love-of-lies 

YOU can start reading Deception: A Love of Lies right now – download it from Amazon.com or .co.uk today onto your Kindle or eReader.

img_0249-5

Monday night’s creepy dream!

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I turn into the private close and pull up in the layby outside my parent’s home. Switching off the engine and shuffling in my seat toward the house, I see movement at the top window. 

Unplugging my seat belt and unwillingly stepping out into the dingy cold weather, I look back up to the top window and catch the blinds slowly rising, revealing a figure. Turning back to the car I press lock and await the clunk of the car doors before heading toward the house. 

Looking up at the top window I see a face I don’t recognise. A face that  sends a shiver down my spine. A face that looks like a mask. Midstride I freeze and stare back at the bald man. His puffy, grinning and moon crescent shaped grin frightens me. It’s permanent, with a bloody redness to it. 

I run straight through the wide open door, into the sitting room and then toward the stairs.

“Mum, Dad?” I shout. 

Third step up I see him, staring at me, still smiling uncontrollably from the top of the stairs. Reaching out to him I push him against the wall, he doesn’t flinch, he continues to smile. 

“Where are mum and dad?” I hear the fear and shaky intonation in my voice.

He continues staring and keeping his tight smile before eerily telling me “They’re not here.” 

I push him aside and run into my parent’s bedroom, staring to the bed I look away. I can’t look again. But I have to. 

Looking back to the bed I see two mounds under the duvet. 

Dream ended! 

That was my nightmare. It was quite creepy and easily woke me up and had me thinking for a while before settling back down. 

But why on earth did I dream of that happening? Especially with the eery man – extremely creepy! 

Feel free to turn your dream or nightmare into a short story and post it below! 

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2015

T. J. Blake1 Comment

So, the John Lewis Christmas advert for 2015 aired for the first time on Friday – many were impressed. For me though I was underwhelmed. 

Usually they build a story that entices the audience by following a specific character (child or animal) and draw people in. With such short amount of time, these adverts are able to quickly introduce you into a world and to a character. They then show you the situation and effectively conclude the advert with something endearing – which is always capable of drawing a tear or two. 

There’s always a message that pops up at the end and when it does, it usually makes you think or say ‘aww’. This man on the moon advert just didn’t do that for me. The message is great – to ensure no one is alone this Christmas – but I think it could have been executed more effectively. Maybe with a better idea and character? 

I get much more emotional over cartoon and real animals than a man on the moon. I suppose the fact that I couldn’t shift the thought of ‘he would be dead on the moon.’

Just my thoughts on the John Lewis Christmas advert for 2015.