The Joining

by Frank Talaber

Welcome to Victoria in Beautiful British Columbia, the most haunted city in North America, and to Detective Carol Ainsworth's first day undercover at the very grand old lady, The Fairmont Empress Hotel. Ready to deal with the two Italian families flying in for a wedding to unite them, she did not bargain for the ghosts, the FBI agent or the ancient curses that come along too. Add to that the very wonderful and mysterious psychic lady claiming you've invited her, the young boys disappearing, and the weird things happening to the unfortunates looking for their next fix trapped alongside spirits in the sewers, Carol found her first undercover assignment way more challenging than she could have imagined.
The one saving grace was the great Empress High Tea that Agnes introduced her to and the fabulous scones that are to die for. Literally.


I hate you! My wife, who is off on medical leave, won't get out of the bathroom. Can't put your book down. LOL. Bruce W.

The ghosts of Victoria, BC are restless. The Joining is a riveting read for crime fiction lovers and those fascinated by tales of hauntings. Talaber expertly draws you into a multi-leveled world of local history, crime, and the supernatural, where a blue fairy, comprised of two sorrowful creatures, is more powerful than it knows. A perfect read for those foggy West Coast nights.
Melanie Cossey, A Peculiar Curiosity

I bought four of his novels, all right up my alley, Urban Fantasy and Paranormal thrillers. But as we were leaving my girlfriend opened up the copy of The Joining, I had purchased and said, "Stop! You gotta go back I have to buy this book." Frank had hooked her in the first three pages. Well Done. Joyce Nicholls

I've read and reread his previous series, Stillwaters Run Deep, several times. Frank's writing is original and compelling. You run into characters and situations totally unexpected. Keeps you on the edge of your seat and your heart.
Greta Olsson

ebook

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Frank, who lives in Chilliwack, BC, Canada, is a traditional and self-published author. People who have read Frank’s books describe him as a natural storyteller who writes like his soul is on fire and his pencil is his voice screaming. They go further to say that they find his books grabbingly intense and hilarious at times, screaming everyday life from such a realistic viewpoint you’re drawn into his world, hook, lime and plum bob, unable to stop; almost cursing that they can’t set the book down, page after page. Frank takes great pride in the realism of his work, painstakingly visiting most of the locations, (obviously, only the “real-life” ones!) and he is so thorough that many readers have remarked that they can hear, taste, visualize, smell and feel the essence of the place. “It really is like being there” one remarked. There isn’t a greater compliment to be made.
His tagline is Canada's Foremost Off-beat Author (also the name of his YouTube channel; check it out for his witty and informative videos) who writes in urban fantasy, science fiction, crime, spiritual, romance, erotica and comedy genres. Well, anything that comes to him, basically! Except westerns. Although he does like to ride Gangnam style; does that count?
Literature written almost beyond genres, whose compelling thoughts are freed from the depths of the heart and subconscious before being poured onto the page. Or, as he often says, “you don’t have to be mad to be a writer, but it sure helps”.
To date he has over one hundred articles/short stories, sixty blog posts, over live ten interviews and fifteen novels written or published.
One novel, The Joining, top three finalist in the Canadian Book Club Awards in 2020, out of nearly two hundred entries. Another, The Lure, finished a quarter finalist in 2018 Screen Craft Cinematic Book Competition. One of his short stories, Sylvia’s Suncatchers, was voted #1 by the readers in an anthology of over 300 entries.


He is also working on a script and movie project and plans to get his works into films at some point.

Reviews
Stillwaters Runs Deep, Book One: Raven’s Lament (Easily my best review.)
You’re a bastard!!
My wife bought Raven’s Lament from you and while I don’t like your genre or your style of writing, she was totally engrossed. All this woo woo stuff and moving underground through the root systems, it’s not for me, I thought. Until I read the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Damn! The other night I was been reading this book for three hours, can't put it down, thinking I have to get up for work in the morning. Your writing flows so well, I’m drawn completely into your novels while time goes by effortlessly reading them. I met you at another event last week and bought another four books. Now, I can’t wait for your next books to come out. You have hooked me! Did I mention you’re a bastard?!
Barry Harris

The Ainsworth Chronicles, Book One: The Joining
I hate you! My wife, who is off on medical leave, won't get out of the bathroom. Can't put your book down. LOL.
Bruce W.
The Ainsworth Chronicles, Book Two: The Mystery Of Ms. Teak
The Mystery of Ms. Teak
Fasten your seatbelt as Frank Talaber takes you on a multi-dimensional trek through time where history comes alive to reveal buried secrets and tortured souls. From the stately tea salons of old Victoria to the haunting desolation of British Columbia's rugged West coast waters, The Mystery of Ms. Teak will both entertain and invite you to confront the demons that live within us all.
Michael de Jong
Provincial BC Liberal Minister

The Mystery of Ms. Teak
Do not read this book! Seriously, do not read this book - unless you are prepared to deal with a rift on your personal timeline. You will find that this book causes you to postpone activities that you would otherwise be doing.
You will be transported into a world of history and mystery, crime and grime, Spirits and other worldly time travel, with the delectable Detect