Ryan J. Lyons presents Drums and Dragons: A Field Guide to Mokele-mbembe and Other Living Dinosaurs in Africa with such a realistic edge, readers may wonder at the fictional account of the many prehistoric survivors contained within the book.
Lyons crafts Drums and Dragons as a journal written by an assistant curator, who joins an expedition into the African jungles to discover cryptids. Readers will become immersed in the spell-binding story of what happens when one dares to believe that this world still has hidden things yet to be discovered. Lyons’ approach to his work will delight and inform readers, as every aspect of these creatures’ lives is carefully documented.
Meet Matt Preston, an assistant curator at the F. Donald Hagstrom Museum of Natural History in Fairview. His life takes a strange turn, and he encounters the notorious “monster hunter,” Walter Spink. This meeting sets the stage for a mission to find dragons in the African wilderness.
The expedition leads the two dragonologists to uncover the existence of many species of surviving dinosaurs.
Preston records it all. The comprehensive work includes additional information in its appendix: A. Brief Guide to African Dragons, B. List of Plants Consumed by Mokele-mbembe, and C. Body Measurements of the Biafran Sea Dragon. Preston’s journal serves to shed light on Walter Spink’s legitimate discovery, which an apathetic public dismissed and mocked in the 1980s.
It turns out that not everyone seeking the elusive beasts is a friend to them.
Spink and Preston must preserve these species from natural predators in the forest and from human game hunters. Meanwhile, a feticheuse, a witch doctor of Toukalaka village, attempts to stop the two men from seeking more dragons. She warns them that they are the most significant risk to these creatures’ survival. As for Preston and Spink, they believe in what they are doing.
Drums and Dragons illustrates how we derive meaning and purpose through caring for others and other species, and author Lyons accomplishes this with a good bit of humor.
Spink, a well-informed naturalist, divulges information on dragon physiology, diet, habitat, behavior patterns, and plants indigenous to African forests. Moreover, he shows compassion for the dinosaurs, to the point that he frets about one female mokele-mbembe’s choice for a mating partner. This dry humor permeates Matt Preston’s record.
This story concerns the nature of dwelling on desire.
Spink determines to stop the hunters from killing his savage dragon friends. He also insists on keeping track of their lives as long as possible. When the feticheuse demands that he leave the dinosaurs alone, and in exchange, she will keep the creatures safe from the hunters, he is torn. What happens next will make the book stick in readers’ minds long after it is finished.
October helps us understand why campfires are a good idea, why it’s never safe to go down into the cellar alone on certain nights of the year, and, among other things, why it’s prudent to know the history of a house before you buy it.
In October, strange things happen when these bits of wisdom are ignored.
I’ve said it before, and I am going to reaffirm it now, October is my favorite time of year. I love the goblins, ghosts, monsters of the dark as much as the next person (okay, maybe more) and so it’s no surprise that I love October because October means Halloween! I can even put it into a mathematical formula:
And this year’s a little different. In a very real sense, we all are living in a global nightmare because of a horrible virus that supposedly came from (wait for it!) BATS.
We know what it’s like to be afraid, to be brave, to yearn for companionship, and not be able to hug our loved ones. We know what it’s like to run out of hand sanitizer and toilet paper. And we wonder when things will get better.
Still, I am a BIG fan of horror. Why? Because fiction helps us here. Especially horror. Between the pages of the scariest novel, we see our own humanity, our own hopes, and our own fears. Our defeats – and also our victories. It is cathartic to dip into an imaginary world where things are falling apart and monsters are real. It gives us a sense of control. A sense that even though things are bad, they will get better (and then worse…). Yes, we’re in a major pandemic here. People are sick and things are confusing, but the vampires haven’t risen from the grave yet, and Frankenstein’s Monster is not coming to dinner. Ghost stories are simply that. Stories.
Ghostbusters
So gather around (while you’re social distancing) the campfire and tell us your favorite spooky stories. Because, I don’t know about you, but I could sure use some fictional horror in my life… Are you ready?
Welcome to the PARANORMAL Book Awards!
Send us your stories of dark places, alien abductions, magic and magical beings, the supernatural, vampires & werewolves, angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, weird otherworldly tales… and gothic horror stories. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2018 Paranormal Book Awards, a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards – the CIBAs.
But don’t wait too long. The deadline for the Paranormal Awards is October 31, 2020. Enter here, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Travel with me through the Paranormal Awards Hall of Fame…
The 2019 PARANORMAL Book Awards Grand Prize for Supernatural Fiction is:
The 2018 PARANORMAL Book Awards Grand Prize for Supernatural Fiction is:
Joy Ross Davis, Paranormal Grand Prize Book Award Winner
The Madwoman of Preacher’s Cove “One man searches for the truth in the quiet hamlet of his childhood, only to uncover the terrifying reality. Thrilling and spinetingling! Joy Ross Davis knows how to keep you up at night! Highly recommended.”
Joy Ross Davis is more than an eloquent storyteller. A college professor, mother, daughter of Irish descent whose family settled in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, Joy loves all things Irish, including the Green Isle itself.
2018 Paranormal Book Awards First Place Winners for Supernatural Fiction Novels:
The 2017 PARANORMAL Book Awards Grand Prize for Supernatural Fiction is:
Van Ops – The Lost Poweris a story in which “Alexander the Great’s obscure Egyptian weapon has been lost for eons. Can Maddy Marshall and covert agent Bear Thorenson find the ancient weapon in time to stop fragile post-Cold War peace from being forever shattered?”
Avanti Centrae is the author of the international award-winning VanOps thriller series. Her work has been compared to that of James Rollins, Steve Berry, Dan Brown, and Preston/Child’s Pendergast series.
2017 Paranormal Book Awards First Place Winners for Supernatural Fiction Novels:
Almost Mortal “Blending the high-octane thrust of a contemporary legal thriller with the magical realism of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, “Almost Mortal” cleaves a new, inventive niche in the legal thriller genre. This fast-paced legal thriller will leave the reader hungering for more. A terrific read!”
Christopher Leibig is a novelist and a criminal defense attorney. He thinks about Fiction like this…”Fiction, while by its definition invented, need not tell that lie. In fiction, the devil is everywhere. And everyone has their story.”
2016 Paranormal Book Awards First Place Winners for Supernatural Fiction Novels :
The Aurora Affair(retitled asMobius) “… is a story about a skeptical heroine who discovers that her love affairs are the key to harnessing her own power to influence the world—for better if she does it right, or for worse if she fails.”
Carolyn Haley “… is a freelance writer and editor who lives in rural Vermont. I write a mix of commercial copy, articles for regional and national publications.” She writes award-winning novels in her spare time.
2015 Paranormal Book Awards First Place Winners for Supernatural Fiction Novels :
An Ex to Grind in Deadwoodis a wickedly funny paranormal mystery romance series that takes place in its namesake city in South Dakota.
Ann Charles, USA Bestselling Author
Ann Charles“…lives in the beautiful Northern Arizona mountains with her clever husband, charming kids, and an incredibly sassy cat. After many years and several colleges, she managed to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington.”
2014 Paranormal Book Awards First Place Winners for Supernatural Fiction Novels:
The Watcher is a story where “…ancient history is only the beginning.”
Lisa Voisin “… spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was my love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction.”
2013 Paranormal Book Awards First Place Winners for Supernatural Fiction Novels:
Sacred Firesis a well written and crafted romantic paranormal novel with elements of intrigue and suspense along with a story set in a lush locale with mystic Aztec undercurrents. Greenfeder has succeeded in writing a fast-paced romantic suspense novel that is refreshingly different.
Catherine Greenfeder “… continues to pursue her dream of getting her work published. To date, she has had five novels including a western historical, two adult paranormal novels, and two young adult paranormal novels published. She anticipates a few short stories and another young adult novel published in the near future.”
Our 2020 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year!
The 2020 PARANORMAL Grand Prize Winner is namedChanticleer ReviewsBest Supernatural Fiction Book of the Year and goes on to compete for the Chanticleer Overall Grand Prize Best Book of the Year
The Overall Grand Prize Winner is namedChanticleer Reviews Best Book of the Year and awarded the$1000 prize
All winners receive a Chanticleer Prize Packagewhich includes a digital badge, a ribbon, and a whole assortment of goodies detailed below (winners outside the US pay a shipping & handling fee)
That’s more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes! The Fine Print.
~$1000 for one lucky Overall Grand Prize Winner
~$30,000+ in reviews, prizes, and promotional opportunities awarded to Category Winners
Currently accepting entries. Deadline: Oct. 31st, 2020.
What are you waiting for? Enter today!Who will win the PARANORMAL Book Awards Blue Ribbons for 2020?
Submit your works today!
The last day for submissions into the 2020 Paranormal Book Awards is October 31, 2020.
Congratulations to the First Place Category Winners and the Grand Prize Winner of the PARANORMAL Book Awards for SUPERNATURAL Fiction, a division of the 2019 CIBAs
The Search for the Best Supernatural Fiction
Chanticleer International Book Awards celebrates the best books featuring magic, the supernatural , weird otherworldly stories, super humans , magical beings & supernatural entities, vampires & werewolves, angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We love them all.
The 2019 PARANORMAL BOOK Awards First Place Category Winners and the PARANORMAL Grand Prize winner were announced at the Virtual Chanticleer Authors Conference that was broadcast via ZOOM webinar the week of Sept 8 -13, 2020 from the Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash.
Chris Leibig, author of ALMOST MORTAL, (a Paranormal Grand Prize Winner), announced the PARANORMAL Award Winners.
This is the OFFICIAL 2019 LIST of the PARANORMAL BOOK AWARDS First Place Category Winners and the PARANORMAL Grand Prize Winner.
Congratulations to all!
Ryan J. Lyons – Drums and Dragons
Linda Watkins – The Tao of the Viper
Kaylin McFarren – High Flying
Susan Lynn Solomon – Abigail’s Window
Palmer Pickering – Moon Deeds
Jack Cullen – Runes of Steel
Joy Ross Davis – The Witch of Blacklion
D. J. Adamson – At The Edge of No Return
The Paranormal Book Awards 2019 Grand Prize Winner is:
Abigail’s Window by Susan Lynn Solomon
This is the badge for the Grand Prize Winner of the 2018 Paranormal Book Awards, The Madwoman of Preacher’s Cove by Joy Ross Davis
A Note to ALL the WINNERS: The coveted CIBA Blue Ribbons will be mailed out starting in October. We will contact you with an email to verify your mailing address and other items. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
If you have any questions, please email info@ChantiReviews.com == we will try our best to reply in 3 or 4 business days.
invented, need not tell that lie. In fiction, the devil is everywhere. And everyone has their story
The Watcher is a story where “…ancient history is only the beginning.”
Catherine Greenfeder
