Darker

By James A. Brakken

About DARKER:
Imagine you are a mind reader—a voyeur who can steal dreams. It happens in the book, DARK. Now, DARKER, the midsection of DARK you are “The Thief of Dreams,” allowing you to purloin many dreadful, occasionally humorous, and sometimes downright disturbing dreams--fantasies and nightmares of others. All are expressed as poetry and short stories, each designed to make you laugh, shudder or cringe, or all three.

For example, all SIX parts of “The Zombie Apocalypse” series (two in DARK, one in DARKER and 3 more in DARKEST) drew that title from a recent admission by Google® that this was their most-searched term in June, 2012. Many believe the Z A will happen. Brakken explains, in his Z A series, that, thanks to recent scientific innovation, this idea, this threat, is, indeed, plausible. Those who initially thought this term laughable may find themselves reconsidering. As we all know, science can be wonderful—or terrible—depending on the final outcome. (In DARKER, there is an invitation to new authors to submit their own Z A episodes for an upcoming anthology.)

Brakken's poems such as “In Gloomy Wood” and “The Parson Joshua Black” tell stories that will tingle the spine. Others like “Something in the Shadows” and “Bedtime Story” may lead to the bedroom light being left on until morning. “Gramma’s Noggin” will elicit a laugh while helping readers pronounce Namakagon correctly. Brakken's earlier book is THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON.) A sonnet, “The Count,” will beg readers for restraint regarding releasing evil upon the land. There are so many more.

Brakken included “Nevermore” a poetic tribute to Edgar Allen Poe and a favorite of many. “Nevermore” answers Poe’s question about the final resting place of the spirit of the deceased maiden in Poe’s, “The Raven.”

A number of poems, including “The Ballad of Ole Johnson” and “A Pinery Tale” found inspiration in actual deaths that occurred during northern Wisconsin’s 19th century timber harvest, giving them the western texture akin to the cowboy poetry of Baxter Black. Several mysterious excerpts from Brakken’s 19th century“lumberjack” era novel, THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON, complement the poems nicely. And, if dragons are to your liking, you’ll savor the author’s “Three Dragons” series.

Beware! Although this large collection of Brakken’s macabre writings will delightfully scare the reader and sometimes stimulate nervous laughter, the author advises us that some of these works are utterly disturbing. His advice? Beware! Read at your own risk: Here there be dragons.

Perhaps that is why, for visual relief, the author included many darkly evocative engravings by long-dead master artists from ancient times. Gustave Dore and Albrecht Durer are among the artists who now, long after their death, add mystery and macabre charm to Brakken’s work. Note that these images are not intended to illustrate the writings. Rather, they simply add to the enigmatic, bone-chilling nature of DARK.

THE AUTHOR ADVISES READING DARK IN THE ORDER PRESENTED. Jumping ahead may spoil the twisting, turning plots of some sequential works.

Sneak peeks of both DARK and THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON are at BadgerValley.com.

Enter DARKER at your own risk. Then, if you dare, find DARKEST at Smashwords.com. Step into DARKER -- We've been waiting for you.

Contents of DARKER (Second of 3 sections):

Thief of Dreams III
Nevermore
Like Magic
Thief of Dreams IV
The Ballad of the Ne’er Do Well Boys
The Great Makwaa
Oh, Shanty Boy
That’s One
Beneath the Clay
The Widowmaker
Beastly Feastings
The Zombie Apocalypse Part III
Gramma’s Noggin
Three Dragons Part II: The Second Dragon
Death’s Dreadful Schedule

Over 20 more poems and short stories await you in DARKEST. Muster all your courage and seek them out at amazingly discounted prices!

• Language: English
• Publisher: James A. Brakken
• Release date: Oct 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301104703

James A. Brakken

James A. Brakken was just a boy when he first heard tales of Chief Namakagon and his lost silver mine. Born and raised not far from the Namekagon River in Cable, Wisconsin, where this story takes place, he knew at an early age of the ice roads and logging camp sites and heard, first-hand, the stories of the old logging days. An educator and active conservationist, James Brakken has earned statewide recognition for his work to protect and preserve the lakes and streams of Northwest Wisconsin through his writing, teaching and leadership.

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