Tales of Malstria

The first two novels in my Tales of Malstria Series are now available. The novels take place in thoroughly researched historic settings, including England in the decades following the Norman Conquest and the Mediterranean in the time of Alexander the Great. Combining elements of fantasy, horror, and literary fiction, the series explores the adventures, loves, heroism, and misdeeds of complex characters changed by supernatural acts. Tales of Malstria's supernatural roots draw from the myths and folklore of various cultures.

Lose yourself awhile in another time and place. Cringe and laugh, love and hope for characters you like and hate in equal measure. Although part of a series, each book is written as a stand-alone novel.

If you're a fan of subtle psychological horror or fantasy with a gothic feel, check out The Taking. Three generations have passed since LeMerle carved out his realm during the Norman Conquest, and his atrocities have grown to legends. When the castle he built becomes her home, Amarys of Rensweald feels LeMerle's dark presence. The darkness haunting her tempts her, as well. Amarys struggles to make the right choices, but when love gnashes her, she craves revenge. How will she face the monster she is unleashing?

Like horror touched with edge-of-your-seat adventure and psychological tension? Then, Tangled is for you. A runaway in twelfth-century York, Quin builds a life from stolen trinkets and constant hope. His knack for survival keeps him alive after he's nabbed by Leoric of Rensweald, a nobleman with dangerous needs. When Quin falls in love with Leoric's ward Amarys, his precariously balanced life comes undone. Pulled into a quest for revenge, he must choose between saving himself or the one he loves.

For a synopsis and excerpts and to preview Gates the Hours Keep, the next book in the Tales of Malstria Series, visit TraciRobison.com.

Werewolves 101

Gévaudanais defends herself from the Beast of Gévaudan

Want to know how to become a werewolf?  Need to identify a specific type of lycanthrope or single out a famous case?  Begin your search at Monstrous.com, where you'll find art, stories, myths, and collected information about every aspect of the werewolf.

Professor D. L. Ashliman of the University of Pittsburgh has translated numerous folktales, among which you will find werewolf legends from Germany.  I especially like that Professor Ashlimann provides citations for the sources from which he has gathered his stories.

Werewolfpage.com, a site with an extensive werewolf collection, includes a great list of werewolf movies sorted by date ranges.  Synopsis and even some trailers are included for the films. (I'll be adding a few of these to my Netflix list.) 

The site Dans l'Ombre de la Bete (translation: In the Shadow of the Beast) contains primary sources and plenty of information related to the Beast of Gévaudan and the attacks attributed to large wolf-like creatures in Gévaudan during 1764-1765. The site is in French, but you can view scans of original documents.  And, using Google translate, you can read most of the site's text.  There's quite a bit there, and I've only begun skimming it myself--let me know what you find especially interesting.