The Beast of Macon Hollow: Book 1 of The Guardian Stones Trilogy

by T.C. Harrelson

Second Edition! Fate brought Will Shepard to the isolated town of his ancestors where he's thrust into a life and death struggle with a legendary creature known as the Beast. With help from his sister, two new friends, and a kindly mentor, Will must unlock the secrets in Macon Hollow's sordid past to find the key to protect its future... before it's too late! In Book 1 of the Guardian Stones Trilogy, Will Shepard's journey to the mysterious Guardian Stone sets him on a collision course with an ancient prophecy, powerful adversaries, and his own inner demons. Can he find the strength to stop the Beast and save the world?

302 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2012

About the author

I grew up in the Seventies and Eighties and spent my days reading fantasy, science fiction, and horror. I cut my teeth on classics from Tolkien and modern masters King, Crichton, and Koontz. Now an author myself, my love for the strange, macabre, and supernatural often spills over into my writing. After all, I write stories that I would love to read.

I live in the Wilmington, NC area with my wife (Randie), son (Stephen), and two very spoiled dachshunds.

I love to read and to write good stories. I’m currently working on two different books, one of which is the sequel to The Beast of Macon Hollow.

The Beast of Macon Hollow was released by Second Wind Publishing on November 6, 2012. Beast is based loosely on my hometown’s legend—the Beast of Bladenboro. I must say "loosely based” because the story of the Beast grew far beyond what I had originally planned.

If you’d like to learn more about me or The Beast of Macon Hollow, click on the links below:

http://www.tcharrelson.com

http://www.beastofmaconhollow.com

http://www.facebook.com/tcharrelson

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Shepard is a fifteen year old boy who has just lost his mother to gang violence. His father has decided to move Will and his sister, Liz, to Macon Hollow and into their ancestral home that was left to them by Will’s great-aunt Eleanor. Strange things begin to happen as rumors start spreading about strangers in town and that the Beast has risen again. The Beast seems to be linked to the history of the town, but very few can explain exactly what it is. The Beast strikes terror and fear in nearly every town member, but the leader of the town, Mr. Howard Macon is insistent that the Beast is not real. As people begin to disappear, Will begins to have nightmares that show those people being killed. Through the help of his sister and his neighbors, Cate, Marty and Annie, Will realizes his destiny brought him here to Macon Hollow to destroy the Beast and save the town’s residents. But will it be too late?

Good and love battle evil and hate in a typical teenage world filled with bullies and school. T. C. Harrelson has done a superb job with this young adult paranormal thriller book. The intrigue and suspense builds as the readers’ eyes try to keep up the action. Harrelson creates a good representation of his readers in his cast of characters. Readers will feel like they are friends with Will, Cate, Marty, Liz, Annie and Possum. The ending sets up the possibility for several more books, which readers will be desperate to read. Excellent writing and story-telling make this a must-read for fans of young adult science fiction novels.


I loved this book! My heart was racing wildly as I neared the end and even though I could guess a few events, most of what happened still surprised me. I enjoyed the suspense and the action. The story was amazing and the writing was excellent. I hope that Will Shepard’s next adventure will be released soon. I highly recommend this story.


Notes:
A copy of this book was provided for me to review. To learn more about this author and his books, please visit his website: http://tcharrelson.com

This review was originally posted on my website, Ariesgrl Book Reviews. To learn more about my reviews please visit my site at http://ariesgrlreview.com

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a nice balance of beauty and threat, belonging and alienation, obedience and rebellion in the opening of T. C. Harrelson’s The Beast of Macon Hollow. Will and his sister move to the strangely old-fashioned home left to their father by an obscure aunt. They bring (almost) nothing of the outside world with them, and they find themselves in a place that time seems to have quietly left behind. But that’s what makes it so safe, of course, and there’s no crime in this town, though there are dead animals and occasional dead humans, and rumors of a beast.

The primarily young characters make this an appropriate scary tale for middle-grade readers and up, while some serious discussion of freedom, power and control, together with nicely drawn mythology, should enhance the appeal for older readers too. The sudden appearance of global rather than local threat had me remembering scary tales of my youth—Professors Palfrey and Quatermass come to mind (betraying my English roots). In a way, I almost wanted the story to stay more local. But it grows in depth as well as breadth, leading to a thrilling and thoroughly memorable conclusion. I’d love to see the movie version, and I'd say this is definitely a winner.



Disclosure: I got a free copy of this novel in a Second Wind Book Club deal

[Mary Dowless · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beast of Macon Hollow by T.C. Harrelson is a thrilling read from start to finish. Rich descriptions of the malevolent beast and the havoc he wreaked in a secluded mountain village are guaranteed to keep readers on the edge of their seats and thankful that this is a work of fiction. Young adult male readers will identify with Will's struggles as he seeks to fulfill his ultimate destiny and young ladies will appreciate the romance and drama. The eternal theme of good versus evil is portrayed throughout and will make for interesting discussions. The Beast of Macon Hollow is a great addition to any library and will spark the interest of young adult and adult readers, making them eager for more!

Mary E.Dowless
MAED, MLS
Middle School Librarian (retired)

[Mary Randle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although, paranormal thrillers are not, typically, my genre, T.C.Harrelson’s detailed character descriptions and use of relationships makes The Beast of Macon Hollow appealing even for those who enjoy a little romance. While the book implores the reader to seek out the fate of protagonist Will Shepard as he discerns his own destiny, it also allows the reader to become entwined in the lives of his trio of companions. The Beast proves to be a novel that the reader cannot break away from until the battle of good versus evil is complete and the fate of the cast of characters is revealed

[Rachel Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beast of Macon Hollow was a very interesting read. The further into the book I got, the harder it was to put it down. The characters are easy to relate to, being a teenager myself. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to many of my friends.

[Byron Suggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Beast of Macon Hollow by T. C. Harrelson

Let me start by saying that I like a good tale. I also like adventure. And there has to be action, good versus evil, and something must be overcome or neutralized. That said, what struck me about two-thirds of the way through The Beast of Macon Hollow was that I felt like I was reading a Classic. I'm familiar with the original folklore that sowed the seeds for The Beast of Macon Hollow, and I have to say that T. C. Harrelson did a marvelous job of bringing it to life and giving us a first-rate, richly descriptive YA tale that keeps you turning the pages in anticipation.

To avoid any spoilers, I'll keep this generic: Young Will Shepard finds himself embroiled in a mystery in isolated Macon Hollow that reaches far back into his origins. With the help of his sister, Liz, and their neighbors, Cate and her brother, Marty, the kids set out to find the truth about the legend of The Beast. Hidden agendas, fascinating indigenous history, budding love, centuries-old secrets, spooky passages, ethereal transformations of blockbuster-movie proportions, and action-packed suspense keep the reader on a harrowing ride toward a climatic finish.

I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old, who enjoys a good tale that satisfies. I see good things down the road for this author, and can't wait for the follow-up to The Beast of Macon Hollow.

Two thumbs-up to author T. C. Harrelson!

[Virginia Singletary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the descriptions of the characters and the town. I was able to visualize each one and feel as though I was actually viewing each event as it happened. I also enjoyed the suspenseful nature that captures your curiosity and stimulates a desire to keep reading. I would recommend "The Beast of Macon Hollow" to anyone that wants to live an insightful venture into the depths of finding the courage to accept destiny and all the thrills and hardships encountered along the journey.

[Reida Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beast of Macon Hollow is the kind of book that will make you want to grab a homemade quilt and a cup of hot chocolate and nestle by the fire while you read. The particularly keen imagery will take you to another place and time, make you want to be a part of the story. Author T.C. Harrelson is one to watch, as I believe we will see more great works from him.

[Meri Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I liked reading well enough, but it wasn't all that great. I thought it was solidly mediocre. The concept of the soul-eating Beast and its origins was pretty cool, and I liked some of the major characters, but at the same time those characters tended to be very archetypal and the plot felt quite predictable and contrived. The writing quality left a lot to be desired as well. My impression was mostly that of a good story idea poorly delivered. For a light read, it was fine, but I was rather disappointed. I had expected more.

[L.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first impression of The Beast of Macon Hollow was that it would be a mystery story akin to the likes of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys of old, perhaps with a Scooby and the gang monster twist.

When the story climaxed I was pleasantly surprised by the more monster than mystery turn the story had taken. (Of course, I like that kind of story).

I offered the story to my ten year old to read, but she didn’t get very far before quitting. I think the story was a bit too mature for her age level and taste in stories, although it certainly falls into one of the genres she likes. Perhaps not quite enough school girl drama for her.

I would recommend this story for ages twelve and up, perhaps an eleven year old with more mature tastes.


Macon Hollow. It certainly is an odd little town. The Hollow is a town cut off from time and from the outside world both geographically and culturally. It is a town that is “left behind” in Will’s thoughts, lost in an era before the twenty-first century.

Electronic devices are strictly banned, there is no television or radio from the outside, and a very select few are allowed telephone access to the outside world. Those few are the ones running Macon Hollow. No one except those who control the town are allowed to visit the outside world, and no outsiders are allowed in.

That is, until the Shepards came home.


The Shepards. Dragged from the life of electronics and the modern world they knew, Will and his sister Liz find themselves uprooted and moved back in time to the small town of Macon Hollow after their mother’s death.

The Shepard family came from the Hollow, before Will and his sister Liz were born. Their father had managed to leave the town behind, never intending to return.

Liz, who has a better relationship with their father, has a much more forgiving nature, trying to bridge the gulf of animosity between her brother and their father.

Will has a difficult relationship with his father, Joseph Shepard, or the Sergeant as Will calls him because he treats him more the way a drill sergeant treats a disliked grunt than he feels a father should treat his son. The dislike between them is palpable, the Sergeant blaming Will for his mother’s death as much as Will blames himself.


The Trouble With Macon Hollow. The trouble with Macon Hollow is that it is haunted. Or maybe it isn’t. The Hollow’s monster problems can’t really be classified as a ghost. It is a mystery for certain. The Hollow is plagued by periodic visits by a beast with a voracious appetite for killing.

The Beast is a curious entity that seems to change depending on the victim’s fears, growing stronger and bolder with each kill.

Will finds himself linked to The Beast, living it’s killings through the creatures eyes and drawn inevitably into the terror it wreaks on the Hollow.

Learning about his family’s past, Will also discovers secrets about himself, and that he is the one who must stop the Beast of Macon Hollow. With the help of his sister and their new friends from the Hollow, Will is drawn deeper into the mystery of the Beast and the town’s hidden past.



In The Beast of Macon Hollow T C Harrelson wove a story that kept me wanting to read on, pulling me towards a delightfully twisted ending. While many of the events in the climax were no surprise (the hints were there if you paid attention), there was one twist I did not see coming. I like that.



The Beast of Macon Hollow was published by Second Wind Publishing, LLC, where I got it from.



T C Harrelson