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Onyx Webb
Onyx Webb: Episode One: The Story Begins
Best-Selling Authors Fenton & Waltz Welcome You to the World of Onyx Webb. This is Episode One of Season One.
One reviewer says, "Fabulous. Different. Odd. Crazy. Wonderful. I've never read anything like it. You've created great value and I adore your pithy quote-ables all over the place. You've created the weirdest, coolest new genre of fiction and I love it."
- It’s June, 1980 and piano prodigy, Juniper Cole is on the way to her senior prom.
- It’s January 2010, and Koda Mulvaney has blown through his 20 million dollar trust fund and is told by his father to return home and get to work.
- It’s August, 1904 and little Onyx Webb is on her way to the famous World’s Fair in St. Louis with her father, Catfish.
Two of the three will see a ghost, one will become a ghost and everyone will learn that life is hard to let go of even when you’re dead. And that's just Episode One. A paranormal suspense, supernatural romance, with a dash of historical fiction, Onyx Webb is what author Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz have called creep-spiration. The stories may haunt you, the darkness may disturb you, but ultimately you’ll be reminded to treasure every moment of your life because… If you think life is precious now? Just wait until you’re dead.
One reviewer says, "Fabulous. Different. Odd. Crazy. Wonderful. I've never read anything like it. You've created great value and I adore your pithy quote-ables all over the place. You've created the weirdest, coolest new genre of fiction and I love it."
- It’s June, 1980 and piano prodigy, Juniper Cole is on the way to her senior prom.
- It’s January 2010, and Koda Mulvaney has blown through his 20 million dollar trust fund and is told by his father to return home and get to work.
- It’s August, 1904 and little Onyx Webb is on her way to the famous World’s Fair in St. Louis with her father, Catfish.
Two of the three will see a ghost, one will become a ghost and everyone will learn that life is hard to let go of even when you’re dead. And that's just Episode One. A paranormal suspense, supernatural romance, with a dash of historical fiction, Onyx Webb is what author Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz have called creep-spiration. The stories may haunt you, the darkness may disturb you, but ultimately you’ll be reminded to treasure every moment of your life because… If you think life is precious now? Just wait until you’re dead.
- GenresFictionParanormal
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2014
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Richard Fenton
67 books107 followersAuthor, best-selling business fable Go for No! Also Million Dollar Year, The Fear Factory, The Diamond Line, and others. Professional speaker. Now also fiction author of, Onyx Webb, the Series.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2016
I just hope this series lives up to its potential because so far I'm totally intrigued.
It opens with an excerpt from the journal of Onyx Webb written in Crimson Cove, Oregon March, 2010.
We then move back to 1904 near St Louis and a six year old Onyx and her father Catfish.
Then it's California 1971 where we meet child prodigy Juniper Cole and her brother Quinn.
London 2010 billionaire and sexiest man alive Koda Mulvaney.
St Louis 1904 Obedience Everhardt and her 'daughter' Lucinda.
Savannah Georgia 1979 Juniper, Quinn and Quinn's friend Wyatt Scrogger.
There's also Dane Luckner and Mika Flogler and that's just the main characters.
The more we read the more we can see the connections forming, the links that are/will be there.
We know Onyx was born a half-ghost the child of a human father and a ghost mother but the question is what connects all these characters.
February 4, 2015
What could a six-year-old from the turn of the century (1904), an irresponsible trust fund baby from the 21st century (2010) and a young piano prodigy (1980) have in common? Three lives, three eras, three completely divergent circumstances, one suspense-filled tale plated up in serial courses where we are served a small portion at time! Onyx Webb: Episode One-the Story Begins by Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton answers the question: “Is there anything new and unique on the Paranormal Menu?” with a resounding YES!
Onyx Webb is a young child filled with the wonder and awe of the St. Louis World’s Fair, but her short life was about to be become a nightmare with a dark ending. Juniper is a piano prodigy whose talent has garnered her the attention of the media as a child and who is now a teen about to attending her prom. Character number three has never wanted for anything, never experienced the reality of those who must work for a living, until he has let his trust fund flow through his fingers like champagne from a fountain. What possible ties could they have? Could that tie be Onyx? Has her spirit refused to let go of life? Does she have a message to deliver? A plea?
Get ready to expect the unexpected and to become addicted to NEEDING the answers! What a masterful, twisted start to a web of suspense that looks far from untangled. Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton combine talents and send us spiraling down into the world they have created, in their maze of seemingly unrelated eras, people and events. Far from frustrating, this enticing start to a serial series is magnetic, dark and promising! I’m in for the long haul, hook, line and sinker!
These authors have a way of presenting a tale that never stutters or confuses as we are taken on a journey bouncing off one era to another until we are standing at a precipice of darkness with no easy way out, except forward into the next addition. This is one serial to take a look at!
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Onyx Webb - Episode 1
Publication Date: October 31, 2014
Publisher: Lust for Living
ISBN: 0990751805
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Fiction
Print Length: 130 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Onyx Webb is a young child filled with the wonder and awe of the St. Louis World’s Fair, but her short life was about to be become a nightmare with a dark ending. Juniper is a piano prodigy whose talent has garnered her the attention of the media as a child and who is now a teen about to attending her prom. Character number three has never wanted for anything, never experienced the reality of those who must work for a living, until he has let his trust fund flow through his fingers like champagne from a fountain. What possible ties could they have? Could that tie be Onyx? Has her spirit refused to let go of life? Does she have a message to deliver? A plea?
Get ready to expect the unexpected and to become addicted to NEEDING the answers! What a masterful, twisted start to a web of suspense that looks far from untangled. Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton combine talents and send us spiraling down into the world they have created, in their maze of seemingly unrelated eras, people and events. Far from frustrating, this enticing start to a serial series is magnetic, dark and promising! I’m in for the long haul, hook, line and sinker!
These authors have a way of presenting a tale that never stutters or confuses as we are taken on a journey bouncing off one era to another until we are standing at a precipice of darkness with no easy way out, except forward into the next addition. This is one serial to take a look at!
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Onyx Webb - Episode 1
Publication Date: October 31, 2014
Publisher: Lust for Living
ISBN: 0990751805
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Fiction
Print Length: 130 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 1, 2015
The supernatural genre is one that is as wide ranging as the fantasy genre, there are so many different stories to uncover that sometimes it can be hard going sifting through the dross to find one that really touches you and opens up a love for literature that you never quite knew existed.
Onyx Webb: Episode One: The Story Begins is one such story. The book is made up of three different narratives that when you begin reading you wouldn’t think could all be intertwined so well to create this fascinating read.
The first of the three characters is a 6 year old girl who is at the St. Louis Fair in 1904, the second another girl who is attending her prom in 1979 and happens to also be a piano prodigy. The third is a little different from the other two, a playboy who finds himself having to work for a living in the modern helter-skelter world of 2010.
On the face of it, these three stories just don’t seem like they’ll mesh well, but somehow Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton manage to pull it off. Not only do they bring the three strands together like the spinners of fate in Greek mythology but keeps you guessing, think and yes even re-thinking through everything that happens in this book.
It is crafted much like a brain teaser puzzle so that it has to all carefully put together, but be warned you are left on a cliffhanger at the end of this book so if you don’t think you can take waiting for what comes next then it might be better to not drive yourself to distraction.
The characters are beautifully written so that they have a depth that is needed for this story to come together so well, it is really a new twist on this genre that many writers could take a lesson in originality from.
Onyx Webb: Episode One: The Story Begins is one such story. The book is made up of three different narratives that when you begin reading you wouldn’t think could all be intertwined so well to create this fascinating read.
The first of the three characters is a 6 year old girl who is at the St. Louis Fair in 1904, the second another girl who is attending her prom in 1979 and happens to also be a piano prodigy. The third is a little different from the other two, a playboy who finds himself having to work for a living in the modern helter-skelter world of 2010.
On the face of it, these three stories just don’t seem like they’ll mesh well, but somehow Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton manage to pull it off. Not only do they bring the three strands together like the spinners of fate in Greek mythology but keeps you guessing, think and yes even re-thinking through everything that happens in this book.
It is crafted much like a brain teaser puzzle so that it has to all carefully put together, but be warned you are left on a cliffhanger at the end of this book so if you don’t think you can take waiting for what comes next then it might be better to not drive yourself to distraction.
The characters are beautifully written so that they have a depth that is needed for this story to come together so well, it is really a new twist on this genre that many writers could take a lesson in originality from.
January 9, 2015
“Onyx Webb Episode One: The Story Begins” was a grand surprise. To start, I was swept up by the young girl’s name, Onyx Webb. If that isn’t enough to catch your attention, you will certainly have it within the first couple of pages. Described by the authors as “A paranormal suspense, supernatural romance, with a dash of historical fiction,” it is all that and more.
The story jumps around from early twentieth century to the mid-seventies and eighties up to the relative present and back again without missing a beat as we are introduced to a series of characters that are as engaging as they are eccentric.
The story itself is marvelous. The authors have a gift for weaving together a series of seemingly non sequitur events that fit together so brilliantly that I couldn’t put it down. For those who enjoy a well-crafted story with heavy paranormal elements, fantastic dialogue and imagery, and an all-around good read, order a copy now. Do it. You won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to read what happens in episode two.
The story jumps around from early twentieth century to the mid-seventies and eighties up to the relative present and back again without missing a beat as we are introduced to a series of characters that are as engaging as they are eccentric.
The story itself is marvelous. The authors have a gift for weaving together a series of seemingly non sequitur events that fit together so brilliantly that I couldn’t put it down. For those who enjoy a well-crafted story with heavy paranormal elements, fantastic dialogue and imagery, and an all-around good read, order a copy now. Do it. You won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to read what happens in episode two.
January 15, 2015
So what do three separate stories with three very different protagonists, all taking place in completely different time periods, have to do with one another? I don't know yet, but I suspect that question will be answered in an upcoming episode.
Onyx Webb: Episode One: The Story Begins is the first episode in a new series, described as "paranormal suspense, supernatural romance, with a dash of historical fiction". Onyx Webb, now a ghost 75 years after her death, is narrating part of the story, and that's most of what we've got so far in the way of paranormal. If you're expecting vampires and werewolves, you won't find them here, and like me, some may find that a welcome change. At the end, you also catch a glimpse of another ghost that may enter into one of the story lines, but we'll have to wait for episode two to find out more about that.
As a whole, this semi-short 130 page story ended with multiple cliffhangers and left me wanting. Only one of the current plots was resolved, the rest left in wait of episode two. I think I would've preferred to read several episodes at once, rather than be left hanging with what felt like an unfinished book. Since this is currently being sold only as an e-book, and only through Amazon at the moment, I think the author's would've been better served publishing it as a "Kindle Serial", so that future episodes would be automatically delivered to the reader after their initial purchase.
The aesthetics of the book are gorgeous, with old photographs, diary excerpts, and inspirational quotes interspersed between the chapters. I liked how the three stories, seemingly unrelated right now, will somehow tie together at some future point in the series. There's a deeper meaning beneath the stories as well: one that says to live in the present, and live each moment to the fullest, for you never know when it will be taken away from you. After I finished the book and had a chance to ponder it a bit, I went back to look at the pictures and reread certain key passages. When I did, I discovered small clues sprinkled throughout that hinted as to how some of these character's lives might interconnect, some even in explicable ways from beyond the grave.
Despite all its good points, the telling of the story didn't endear itself to me quite as much as the stories themselves. Most of the characters felt flat and one-dimensional, and I didn't get a strong sense of place from any of the scenes. The only exception was with the ghost of Onyx Webb. It was only through her narratives that I was able to fully connect and feel what she felt. (heh it's funny that the only character I connected to was the supernatural one.) As to the other stories, I believe it had to do with the author's way of telling us what was going on instead of allowing the reader to experience these things through the protagonist's eyes. And so I never really connected with any of the other characters, and couldn't immerse myself in the story the same way I did with other recent books I've read, those by Anita Diamant and Ann Aguirre for example.
Overall, I did find the stories interesting enough to want to find out what happens in future episodes. Though I do hope the authors are able to bridge that gap and let the stories captivate me and draw me into their world like I wish they would.
I would like to thank the authors, Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton, for providing me with a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review.
Onyx Webb: Episode One: The Story Begins is the first episode in a new series, described as "paranormal suspense, supernatural romance, with a dash of historical fiction". Onyx Webb, now a ghost 75 years after her death, is narrating part of the story, and that's most of what we've got so far in the way of paranormal. If you're expecting vampires and werewolves, you won't find them here, and like me, some may find that a welcome change. At the end, you also catch a glimpse of another ghost that may enter into one of the story lines, but we'll have to wait for episode two to find out more about that.
As a whole, this semi-short 130 page story ended with multiple cliffhangers and left me wanting. Only one of the current plots was resolved, the rest left in wait of episode two. I think I would've preferred to read several episodes at once, rather than be left hanging with what felt like an unfinished book. Since this is currently being sold only as an e-book, and only through Amazon at the moment, I think the author's would've been better served publishing it as a "Kindle Serial", so that future episodes would be automatically delivered to the reader after their initial purchase.
The aesthetics of the book are gorgeous, with old photographs, diary excerpts, and inspirational quotes interspersed between the chapters. I liked how the three stories, seemingly unrelated right now, will somehow tie together at some future point in the series. There's a deeper meaning beneath the stories as well: one that says to live in the present, and live each moment to the fullest, for you never know when it will be taken away from you. After I finished the book and had a chance to ponder it a bit, I went back to look at the pictures and reread certain key passages. When I did, I discovered small clues sprinkled throughout that hinted as to how some of these character's lives might interconnect, some even in explicable ways from beyond the grave.
Despite all its good points, the telling of the story didn't endear itself to me quite as much as the stories themselves. Most of the characters felt flat and one-dimensional, and I didn't get a strong sense of place from any of the scenes. The only exception was with the ghost of Onyx Webb. It was only through her narratives that I was able to fully connect and feel what she felt. (heh it's funny that the only character I connected to was the supernatural one.) As to the other stories, I believe it had to do with the author's way of telling us what was going on instead of allowing the reader to experience these things through the protagonist's eyes. And so I never really connected with any of the other characters, and couldn't immerse myself in the story the same way I did with other recent books I've read, those by Anita Diamant and Ann Aguirre for example.
Overall, I did find the stories interesting enough to want to find out what happens in future episodes. Though I do hope the authors are able to bridge that gap and let the stories captivate me and draw me into their world like I wish they would.
I would like to thank the authors, Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton, for providing me with a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2015
Sometimes I buy a book solely for its cover. If I had seen this short novel in my local indie bookstore, I would have been intrigued. The title would have made me leery, but on flipping through it, the antique photos of the main characters creeped me out enough to make me want to purchase it. Lucky for me, I didn’t have that conundrum. The authors sent me a copy.
At the beginning, it seems as if the book is told in vignettes without any rhyme or reason. But a few sections into it, the reader sees there is a pattern. The four main plot lines move between 1904 St. Louis (which is a favorite for me since I live in the Gateway City), Savannah 1979 and 2010, and Onyx’s 2012 journal. Each vignette is also divided by quotes from Onyx and other famous and not-so-famous personalities. While I cannot say I found the book spine-tingling, I was compelled to read…in fact, I read it in one evening.
The first story of Onyx and her daddy Catfish visiting the 1904 World’s Fair reminded me a lot of Erik Larsen’s Devil in the White City. As I read, my spidey sense was getting that “this isn’t going to turnout well” sense.
The second story of Juniper and Quinn Cole also raised a few hairs. Child piano prodigy leaves all that behind as she grows up. We see her headed out to her high school prom, and again, my spidey sense starts getting nervous.
The third story is about a young man who manages to blow $20 million dollars in a short period of time. This one, well it didn’t give me the same anxious feeling the other two did.
The fourth plotline, Onyx’s journal, seemed out of place and just stuck in there. I’m sure it will start to gell in later episodes.
I have some issues with this structure: first, while there are resolutions, there is the overall sense that the whole story isn’t told. I felt let down when I reached the end. The authors warned me: Episode One. I’m not sure that I would pick up Episode Two unless it was immediately available. Give me six months, and I won’t be interested. Second, the authors got some of their facts wrong (which drives me nuts): Tennessee Williams was wasn't even born in 1904 and could not have been the “celebrated playwright” in attendance at the 1904 Louisiana Exposition. He was born in 1911. Arrggghhhhhh. Nor was there ever (that I could find), a St. Louis News Dispatch newspaper. Double arrggghhhhhhh. Third, there is the introduction of the Southern Gentleman near the end. I’m sure that’s to add spice and anticipation for Episode Two, but it annoyed me.
Overall, I’m not sure I would classify this as paranormal, but that could be confirmed I future volumes. The writers have talent, no doubt. I wish the story had been more linear with less creepy photos and quotes. Still I’m giving the story 4 stars…I liked it but I won’t be talking about it in six months.
January 21, 2015
Once again, I’ve read a genre I don’t normally read. This time, though, it was because my mind somehow equated Paranormal Suspense with Fantasy and I agreed to review the book after reading the synopsis. I’m mostly happy about the mistake, after I got over my initial genre confusion when I started reading the book.
I say “mostly happy” because though this is a quick, suspenseful read, the subtitle “The Story Begins” means exactly that. There is a lot of character introduction spanning several different generations, and it’s known that the main character, Onyx Webb, is dead, and a ghost of some sort, but not the how or why. Just when I thought I was going to find out what happened to Onyx, there was a plot twist and then the story shifted to one of the other characters. I’m fine with that, but I wanted a little more story before all the cliffhanging.
If “Episode One” wasn't a part of the title, or if the book wasn’t as short as a novella or the start of a serial, I’d be angry about the cliffhanger ending. So, even though I would have liked a bit more of the story, I’m not disgruntled about it, especially since a preview of Episode Two was included in my copy. I look forward to reading the next parts, and I recommend Episode One to anyone who loves Paranormal or Suspense Thrillers or both, especially if you enjoy serials.
I say “mostly happy” because though this is a quick, suspenseful read, the subtitle “The Story Begins” means exactly that. There is a lot of character introduction spanning several different generations, and it’s known that the main character, Onyx Webb, is dead, and a ghost of some sort, but not the how or why. Just when I thought I was going to find out what happened to Onyx, there was a plot twist and then the story shifted to one of the other characters. I’m fine with that, but I wanted a little more story before all the cliffhanging.
If “Episode One” wasn't a part of the title, or if the book wasn’t as short as a novella or the start of a serial, I’d be angry about the cliffhanger ending. So, even though I would have liked a bit more of the story, I’m not disgruntled about it, especially since a preview of Episode Two was included in my copy. I look forward to reading the next parts, and I recommend Episode One to anyone who loves Paranormal or Suspense Thrillers or both, especially if you enjoy serials.
February 7, 2015
The authors of this book reached out to me on my book review blog and asked if I would review their book. They sent me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I'll admit, I was a little nervous when I received my review copy. The "presentation" of this book is a little different - there are black and white images before each chapter and cursive fonts in a couple of places. Then the first few chapters seem almost disconnected -- each chapter is a different character in a different time period and I wasn't quite sure where it was heading, but once each character came back around again I started to get into each story line.
The only thing I did not like was that the story (Episode 1) ends before the dots are connected. Just when you really start to get into the story of each character, Episode 1 ends. Because of that, it feels kind of incomplete and you want to jump right in to Episode 2, which isn't available yet.
Luckily, I read on their website that "Episode One...is a stand-alone episode. All subsequent episodes will be released in books containing three episodes per book." And the next book is scheduled for release in February 2015. I would definitely be willing to read the next book.
I'll admit, I was a little nervous when I received my review copy. The "presentation" of this book is a little different - there are black and white images before each chapter and cursive fonts in a couple of places. Then the first few chapters seem almost disconnected -- each chapter is a different character in a different time period and I wasn't quite sure where it was heading, but once each character came back around again I started to get into each story line.
The only thing I did not like was that the story (Episode 1) ends before the dots are connected. Just when you really start to get into the story of each character, Episode 1 ends. Because of that, it feels kind of incomplete and you want to jump right in to Episode 2, which isn't available yet.
Luckily, I read on their website that "Episode One...is a stand-alone episode. All subsequent episodes will be released in books containing three episodes per book." And the next book is scheduled for release in February 2015. I would definitely be willing to read the next book.
February 15, 2015
Love it or loath time stories caught in warp
I am not particularly fond of ghost_ time travel stories but these are great stories if they were written in full of there time frames instead of jumping eras to other eras. These are all intriguing and show great creativity in each and every page I picked up and read. This is a book series I will follow, because the creativity of the stories not the time fractured pieces
I am not particularly fond of ghost_ time travel stories but these are great stories if they were written in full of there time frames instead of jumping eras to other eras. These are all intriguing and show great creativity in each and every page I picked up and read. This is a book series I will follow, because the creativity of the stories not the time fractured pieces
October 25, 2016
It was a nice short read that told three stories about three different people in different places and in different time periods. It mixed thriller, crime and paranormal together and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the episodes to see what happens at the very end!
January 14, 2015
Really enjoyed this!
Interesting way to introduce characters and continue the stories for each one. Had me reading to the end. Ready for the next one right now!
Interesting way to introduce characters and continue the stories for each one. Had me reading to the end. Ready for the next one right now!
March 11, 2015
Where is the rest of the book?
January 28, 2016
This is honestly the first self pub that i didnt think was made of garbage. Hopefully the rest of the self pub items i got at conference will be of quality as well.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews