Jack-o'-Lightning

by Phillip Davis

There is a barrier between this world and the worlds of fantasy and terror. Fourteen-year-old Martin Kelly has until Halloween to keep that barrier from collapsing.

A centuries-old spirit has slipped through the veil and brought with him a warning. Forces are gathering on the other side—their sights set on annexing the realm of man. Led by an ambitious dark soul who has already brought many realms to heel, their power is growing. That power is fear.

Martin must gather the tools, and the team, necessary to shift the balance of power and keep the mortal world from being overrun.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2020

About the author

Phillip Davis has been writing short stories, novels, poems, and plays for most of his life, although Peppermint Lightning is his first published book, and decidedly so, for reasons that are quite personal to the author. While in high school, he won awards for two plays that he authored, and later he completed the NaNoWriMo challenge three times, the literary equivalent to multiple Boston Marathons. Phillip was born in Waterloo, New York, but has made dwellings in Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, and Tennessee, ultimately returning “home” to East Liverpool, Ohio. Along the way he has attended Merrimack College, The University of Massachusetts, and he has earned a degree from Western Governors University. Over several decades Phillip has earned his keep warehousing vitamins, renting everything from heavy machinery to automobiles, setting up tents, acting in theater, laboring in a grocery freezer, scheduling service jobs, mixing paint, slinging java, washing dishes, and selling books, eventually answering his calling as a teacher, where he helps his students find lightning, peppermint and otherwise, in the spots it is least likely to strike, and magic in the corners that require a special eye to uncover. Although he has always written, we may now add “author” to that considerable list of vocations. Phillip has parents and step-parents, brothers, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws all of whom he cares for deeply. Inquiries may be sent to peppermintlightning@gmail.com

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story to read just before Halloween. Yes Halloween back when the air was still clean and it was safe to send your kids out to trick or treat. I don't ever remember being tricked but I do remember a year when my neighbor left her husband home to answer the door while she drove to the store to purchase more candy. It was a a good thing it was a short drive because when she got back home her husband was giving some poor kids pickles----Yes I said PICKLES. That sure was a trick for them. Well now back to the story, well written, holds your attention and at times toward the end made be very happy it was only a story. A book full of magical creatures, things that go bump in the night, and the kid in the story was both nice and smart.

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
I did not realize when I took on this book that it was not the first in a series. As a result, I spent the time always feeling like I was trying to see through a frosted glass window... always on the outside with only a vague idea of what I was supposed to be seeing. It is a pity, because the story is well written and full of magic, dark and light, which I normally very much enjoy. As it is, I was never really able to immerse myself into the story. If you HAVE read what came before and loved it I have no doubt you would feel the same for this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.

[Shannon Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows after Peppermint Lightning and takes on a darker twist to the concept, using fear instead of holiday cheer. I enjoyed the other worldliness, the characters were a bit more fleshed out, and more was at stake. A few characters return and adventure happens again.

I liked the folklore weaved into the story. It made for a deeper and more interesting tale for me. If you want a fun Halloween story, pick this one up. It's a good read to share with kids and loved ones during spooky season.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant set of stories to read.
Wonderful well written plot and story lines that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.