Kim Cormack's Blog

Luke Murphy, Thriller Author, New Release Dark Horse 2026

Author Spotlight Interview

When the sister of his former teammate is found murdered, former football star Calvin Watters finds himself in the heart of the Deep South to find justice no one else seems willing to seek. The local police are more interested in cover-ups than clues, and the townspeople have made it clear: Calvin is not welcome.

For my newest novel, DARK HORSE, some of the inspiration came from growing up in Shawville, Quebec.
While the fictional town of Port Hope, Mississippi, bears little resemblance to Shawville on the surface, both communities share something important: the feeling that comes from living in a small town where everyone knows everyone.

In small towns, people know your family. They know your history. News travels quickly. Sometimes, so do rumors. There is a strong sense of community, but there is also a sense that everyone has stories they don't always share.

When I began writing DARK HORSE, I wanted to capture that feeling, the sense that beneath the surface of an ordinary community, secrets can exist unseen.
Port Hope became the perfect setting.

The town in the novel is fictional, but the atmosphere was shaped by years of living in a place where relationships run deep, and people know far more about one another than they might admit.

1. Congratulations on your new release! Can you tell readers a little about your book in your own words?

When the sister of his former teammate is found murdered, former football star Calvin Watters finds himself in the heart of the Deep South to find justice no one else seems willing to seek. The local police are more interested in cover-ups than clues, and the townspeople have made it clear: Calvin is not welcome.

2. What inspired this story, and where did the initial idea come from?

For my newest novel, DARK HORSE, some of the inspiration came from growing up in Shawville, Quebec.

While the fictional town of Port Hope, Mississippi, bears little resemblance to Shawville on the surface, both communities share something important: the feeling that comes from living in a small town where everyone knows everyone.

In small towns, people know your family. They know your history. News travels quickly. Sometimes, so do rumours. There is a strong sense of community, but there is also a sense that everyone has stories they don't always share.

When I began writing DARK HORSE, I wanted to capture that feeling—the sense that beneath the surface of an ordinary community, secrets can exist unseen.

Port Hope became the perfect setting.

The town in the novel is fictional, but the atmosphere was shaped by years of living in a place where relationships run deep and people know far more about one another than they might admit.

3. Which character surprised you the most while writing, and why?

Despite this being the 5th novel in the series, Calvin Watters always surprises me. He has so much depth, and brings so much to a story, that he is such an easy character to follow, root for, and write from. It doesn't seem to matter what direction I go in, Calvin is able to adapt and persevere under wild circumstances. He is so much fun to write about.

4. Without giving away spoilers, what scene was your favourite to write?

One of the early scenes in DARK HORSE involves the discovery of a body along a trail. While the story itself is entirely fictional, the setting was inspired by memories of walking home from school along the Cycloparc PPJ route in Shawville. Like many kids growing up in the Pontiac, I spent countless hours walking that trail and exploring the surrounding area. During the day, it was simply part of everyday life. But like many familiar places, it took on a different character after dark. What seemed ordinary in daylight could feel mysterious at night.

5. Is there a message or theme you hope readers take away from the book?I write fiction. There are no messages or morals to my stories. My biggest hope is that readers walk away feeling entertained... feeling like they had just spent hours in an adventure that they didn't want to end, and they can't wait for the next one. Certainly, "small town secrets" is a major theme, and maybe they can learn about the power of gossip and rumours.6. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced as an author?My biggest challenge as an author, always, is finding time to write. As a full-time teacher, with my young children playing youth sports and travelling all over, finding quiet time to sit down with my thoughts is my biggest challenge.7. What does your writing routine look like? Are you a planner, a pantser, or somewhere in between?My routine has changed over the years. I used to be a planner, a plotter. I'd have to have pages of notes before I started a novel, but now I don't. Now, since I have a series going, and my main characters are already created, I don't need as many notes to get going. Now, I just let the characters take me where they want to go.8. If readers could take only one thing away from your new release, what would you want it to be?See my answer for #59. What's next for you? Are you already working on another project?

I'm always working on a new project. Whether it's just thinking about a book or actually writing, the wheels are always spinning. I usually have multiple ideas happening, but I usually wait to decide if my next book will be a Calvin Watters novel, a Charlene Taylor novel, or something new and unrelated.

10. Where can readers connect with you online and purchase your latest book?

My website in http://www.authorlukemurphy.com
All of my social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) are under Author Luke Murphy.

What fictional world would you most like to visit? Which author has influenced your writing the most?

The Hardy Boys mysteries were the first mysteries I ever read, and James Patterson was the first adult author I ever read.

Coffee, tea, or something stronger while writing?

Actually both. My first cup is a coffee (with Hazelnut cream), and my second cup is a tea (with milk).

If your book became a film, who would you love to see in the cast?

Calvin Watters would be maybe Chadwick Boseman or Michael B. Jordan.

All of my books are available on Amazon.

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Published on July 02, 2026 12:32

COA Universe, Dark Fantasy Science Fiction Trailer 2025

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Published on May 31, 2025 10:20

Sweet Sleep, Children Of Ankh Series Book 1, COA Universe

Sweet Sleep: A Dark Fantasy Sci-Fi Adventure.
Death was only the beginning… but waking up was far worse.Kayn never expected to die at seventeen—or to wake up afterwards. But she did. Torn from everything she knew, she must unravel the mysteries of her existence, grappling with the shock of resurrection and the terrifying truth that she is no longer entirely human.How do you let go of everything you were… to survive what you’ve become?"She had never coveted the role of princess. She'd always wanted to be the hero."A Dark Fantasy Sci-Fi Adventure
✔️ A teenage girl forced to let go of her mortality
✔️ Dark humour, antiheroes, and razor-sharp wit
✔️ Avenging angels, supernatural battles, and deadly secrets
✔️ An edge-of-your-seat afterlife adventure
✔️ A haunting journey of self-discovery, sacrifice, and second chances"All heroes are born out of the embers that linger after the fire of great tragedy."Kayn’s only hope for survival? Accept her fate. Join Tri-Clan. Or lose herself to the creatures that go bump in the night.🔥 Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, and dark fantasy with bite! 🔥
"An emotional rollercoaster filled with danger, sacrifice, and love that transcends the boundaries of the afterlife."
She didn’t ask for this. She wasn’t ready. But fate doesn’t wait for permission.
💀 Can Kayn embrace her new reality before it consumes her?

⚠️ Warning: The information contained within this book is not intended for mere mortals. Reading this may inadvertently trigger your Correction. If you show great bravery during your demise, you may be given a second chance at life by one of the Guardians of the In-Between.

💀 The Moment of Death

The warmth of her mother’s love enveloped her tortured soul. She looked into her mother’s eyes. Her mother lovingly touched her face and started to sing a song that she had sung to her every night when she was small…
"Sleep, sweet sleep till the morning.
Just dream away and close your eyes.
My love, you’ll be safe until the morning.
Sleeping in my arms, all through the night.
Although bad dreams come to scare you,
My love will scare them all away. My heart…"
The lights flickered. The pain went away.
Her mother was holding her, singing, “Sleep, sweet sleep.”
The Beginning.

• Author: Kim Cormack
• Series: Children of Ankh
• Genres: Dark Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Action Adventure
• Publication Date: November 23, 2016
• Pages: 400
• Reading Age: 14+

⭐ What Readers Are Saying ⭐
🌙 "A hauntingly beautiful tale of love, loss, and the fight for survival!"
🌙 "Dark, twisted, and absolutely addictive!"
🌙 "Like The Hunger Games, but with immortal warriors and way more bite!"

💬 Praise for Sweet Sleep 💬
✨ “A fantasy adventure filled with magical realism, non-stop action, laughter, tears, and a coming-of-age paranormal romance that will capture every reader's heart.”
✨ “A story of a teenage girl who overcomes tragedy and evolves into something she never knew possible as an immortal destiny comes to light.”
✨ “This paranormal fantasy will leave you breathless as it takes you through the darkness and leads you back out into the secret world of immortality triggered by choices in the afterlife.”

📖 Don’t wait. Step into the afterlife… if you dare.
📖 Order Now:

📚 eBook:Amazon Link
📚 Paperback: Amazon Link
📚 Hardcover: Amazon Link

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Published on March 30, 2025 13:24

COA Universe, By Kim Cormack

Watch the Universe UnfoldSubscribe to my channel

Find this cool merch and read the universewww.coauniverse.com

All of my links in one place COA Universe Link Tree

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Published on March 15, 2025 17:27

Sweet Sleep, Children Of Ankh Series Book 1, Author Kim Cormack, COA Universe

Procreation is Forbidden Under Immortal Law.

You die today.There will be nowhere to run. No place to hide.Do you have what it takes to survive your Correction?Could you leave your humanity behind?

She had never coveted the role of princess. She'd always wanted to be the hero.

Teenage twins find themselves trapped in a terrifying twist of supernatural fate. Kayn is just a normal girl, while her identical twin Chloe possesses a Siren Crossbreed ability. Altering life paths, Chloe sets off a cataclysmic chain reaction known as the "Correction" that targets her family line.

Malevolent enforcers of the Correction come, and the Brighton family is thrust into a nightmare from which there is no escape.

Given a second chance as a sacrificial lamb for the greater good by the Guardian of the In-between, Kayn must join Tri-Clan, but when she awakens from her coma, she doesn’t remember. Ghost Chloe makes short work of that, and memories flood back as her world shatters into a landscape of ominous prophecies and terror.

In this deadly game, every ally she encounters could be a disguised adversary, and everyone she involves is in danger because no mortal can know of the immortal world's existence.

Darkness lurks around every corner as she awaits the immortals who are supposed to protect her with her brother Matt and Dad’s best friend, Jenkins. While Chloe takes over her body whenever she wants to. Dark forces seek to claim her soul. Her ghost twin is messing with everyone. Mainly Frost, a hot immortal with a Siren ability mirroring her sisters.

Kayn and Kevin must rely on each other's strength and unwavering trust. But as the secrets of their lineage unravel, they are forced to confront a heart-wrenching truth that could shatter their bond forever.

Can the twins defy their ominous destiny and outsmart the sinister forces that hunt them?

Will first love be the catalyst that propels them to victory, or will it be their undoing?

Can their bond withstand the darkness that threatens to consume them both?

Join Kayn, Chloe and Kevin on an emotional rollercoaster filled with danger, sacrifice, and a love that transcends the boundaries of their immortal destinies.

The End Of Kayn's Life Was Only The Beginning Of Her Story.

Fantasy adventure, magical realism, non-stop action with laughter, tears and a coming-of-age paranormal romance that will capture every reader's heart.

A story of a teenage girl who overcomes tragedy and evolves into something she never knew possible as an immortal destiny comes to light.

This paranormal fantasy will leave you breathless as it takes you through the darkness and leads you back out into the secret world of immortality triggered by choices in the afterlife.

Warning: The information contained within this book is not intended for mere mortals. Reading this may inadvertently trigger your Correction. If you show great bravery during your demise, you may be given a second chance at life by one of the Guardians of the in-between. For your soul's protection, you must join one of three Clans of immortals on Earth. You are still reading this, aren't you? You've got this.

Welcome to the COA Universe.

All Heroes Are Born Out Of The Embers That Linger After The Fire Of Great Tragedy.

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Published on March 15, 2025 16:49

COA Universe Promo