David Khalaf's Blog

Friends and fans — HALP! I'll be honest: I'm looking to build up the reviews for my books, so I'm running a deal this weekend offering them both for FREE on Amazon. If you're looking some fun summer reading, download both THE SIXTEEN BURDENS (Book 1) and THE UNKNOWN BURDEN (Book 2) for free and get reading. For a limited time only! Thanks for your help — I really appreciate it!

The Sixteen Burdens: https://amzn.to/2uMba0A
The Unknown Burden: https://amzn.to/2NtSF9e

It's no pumpkin spice latte, but this week only get THE SIXTEEN BURDENS and HOUDINI'S LAST TRICK each for only 99 cents. (I'll avoid all the puns about them being a scary-good deal and a frighteningly good read.) The Sixteen Burdens was named a Favorite Indie Book of 2015 (Self-Publishing Review) and chosen as a 2016 Editor's Choice (Historical Novel Society). Sale ends Oct. 15.

Read about them and get your copy here!

Don't cast a kitten! The official Sixteen Burdens book teaser is finally here, and it's the bee's knees (or is it the snake's hips? or maybe the monkey's eyebrows?). Watch it, like it, share it!

Watch it here!


If you haven't read The Sixteen Burdens yet, now's your chance to get caught up before the sequel, The Seventeenth Burden, gets released in just a few months. (Order it here ) Like the David Khalaf Facebook page for updates, book specials, and weird 1930s and 40s Americana!

The Sixteen Burdens

Hey-o! Let other folks fire up the BBQ while you get your summer reading on.

Now through July 6, both The Sixteen Burdens and Houdini's Last Trick are on sale for 99 cents! Download, read, and review! Only a few days left!

Get your copy here!

Excited to share that The Sixteen Burdens has been selected as an Editor’s Choice for the Historical Novel Society, which means it will automatically be longlisted for the 2017 HNS Indie Award.

HNS describes The Sixteen Burdens as "an exciting and thrillingly inventive mash-up of historical fiction and urban fantasy, with crime-fiction and mystery elements stirred in...The result is a drama full of history, action, and quite a bit of deadpan humor, all of it delivered with winning confidence. This is an author and a series to watch."

If you've read either The Sixteen Burdens or Houdini's Last Trick, please consider leaving a review on both Goodreads and Amazon. That really helps to spread the word!

Read the full review here.

What if humanity’s great historical figures weren’t just talented—they were supernaturally talented? In this fresh spin on urban fantasy, history’s illustrious leaders, thinkers, warriors, and entertainers all share a secret…and a perilous destiny.

Get a free download of The Sixteen Burdens now through Jan. 2. Click here to download. And if you enjoy it, consider leaving a review!



Professional Reviews:
"Eight-foot-tall bullet proof man? Check. Deadly female Jamaican knife thrower? Check. Dramatic 'I am your mother' revelations? Oh yeah. Zoot suit rioters? Of course. Corrupt police, vampires, and treasure maps? Yes! An amusing talking dog that speaks in rhyme? No. That would be stupid. But there were car chases. That always sells me."
-- Brian Katcher, Forever Young Adult

"The main thing to say about this book is: Wow. This is the kind of book you hope will get attention, so please pay attention! The novel is inventive, well-written and researched, and well-designed. The amount of historical detail is impressive and woven perfectly into this Hollywood Fantasy. An incredible first novel in this stellar new trilogy."
-- Self-Publishing Review

The Sixteen Burdens got a great mention from Dwarf + Giant , the official blog for The Last Bookstore in Downtown Los Angeles. From the post:

Cuddle up in your favorite sable blanket; this page-turner will keep you up all night. If you’re the type that needs your beauty rest, don’t start this book if you have an early call time.

​Read the full post here . Dwarf + Giant is a great literary blog, and if you're in Los Angeles be sure to make a stop by the best bookstore there is, The Last Bookstore.

Just a few hours left to get a free download of Houdini's Last Trick! Download it here and get reading!

Harry Houdini has a talent unlike any other—and it isn't magic. The world's most famous illusionist has escaped death countless times because of his supernatural ability to see potential outcomes. But his secret talent is about to be revealed.

Or get the paperback version for 25% off now through Sunday only! Just use code 25OFFBOOK at checkout.



Houdini's Last Trick is a novella prequel of The Sixteen Burdens, but it's a standalone story you can enjoy without having read other books in the series. If you enjoy this novella, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and here on Goodreads!

Hey gang! My next book is out today and I'm giving it away for free for the first 72 hours only!

Harry Houdini has a talent unlike any other—and it isn't magic. The world's most famous illusionist has escaped death countless times because of his supernatural ability to see potential outcomes. But his secret talent is about to be revealed.



Houdini's Last Trick is a novella prequel of The Sixteen Burdens, but it's a standalone story you can enjoy without having read other books in the series.

Download it here and get reading! If you enjoy this novella, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and here on Goodreads. Thanks!

Great review of The Sixteen Burdens from critic Brian Katcher over at Forever Young Adult:

"Eight-foot-tall bullet proof man? Check. Deadly female Jamaican knife thrower? Check. Dramatic 'I am your mother' revelations? Oh yeah. Zoot suit rioters? Of course. Corrupt police, vampires, and treasure maps? Yes! An amusing talking dog that speaks in rhyme? No. That would be stupid. But there were car chases. That always sells me."

Read the full review here