AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Nicole Belanger

1. When/why did you decide to become a writer?

I didn't really decide to become a writer, it sort of just happened. I've been writing since I was six years old and I've always enjoyed it. Writing became a passion for me at a very young age, and I wanted to do something larger; so I began Lost Voice.

2. What authors inspired you when you were younger? What books do you enjoy reading today?

I didn't read a lot growing up, to be honest. I didn't like having novels forced onto me in school, and it pushed me away from having a passion for it. After I wrote Lost Voice, I realized the only way to improve my writing, other than by doing it, was to read. I could see the different writing styles and create my own voice. I really admire work by Nicholas Sparks. I've never been able to write romantic pieces, and reading his work inspires me to try because nothing is impossible. 

3. What was the inspiration behind your novel Lost Voice?

I actually had to write a research paper for school and I didn't know what to write. I pulled domestic abuse out of a hat and after doing some research, I wanted to do more with it. I realized there was so much that people didn't know about it. There was a lot I didn't know, so I began doing more research.

4. What made you decide to write about such deep subjects at such a young age?

For some reason that even I can't figure out no matter what I write, it ends up dark. I'm a very happy person, don't get me wrong, but I lose myself in my writing. I want to make a point with the work that I do. I love action, and I'm able to get that when I write deeply.

5. All your characters are very three dimensional.  Were any of them based in real people?

It was unintentional at first, but there are traits in each of my characters that I pulled from at least one person I know. None of the characters are based off of one friend, they're kind of a mixture of each person and of people I meet. It makes the character their own person and I want my characters to feel real to my readers, not just a fictional person.

6. You're working on another novel now. What can you share about it with KSR?

Shadows is about a young woman who is fresh out of Nursing School and has been on the job for about three months. She works in a pediatrics unit and is happy that life is finally falling into place. After a traumatic shooting, she feels she didn't do everything she could to protect the person around her. Spiraling into a deep depression when the shooter slips away unnoticed, she discovers the only way out of the shadows of despair is to figure out who was behind the tragedy.

7. With fantasy and paranormal novels topping charts, why did you choose instead to write about such harsh reality target than what's popular now?

Fantasy and paranormal novels seem to be the norm nowadays, but I don't want to fall into a social mold. I prefer to write about things that can happen in everyday life. My readers are able to relate to my characters and what they're going through, even if it's just a small piece of the puzzle. I do want to try some kind of fantasy or paranormal piece some day.

8. What author (dead or alive) would you love to collaborate with?

That's a very good question. I love Stephen King's work. He puts such a dark twist on everything he writes and by collaborating with him, I think we could pull off quite the masterpiece.

9. Did you debate on how you ended your book or was it a set ending from the moment you thought it up?

I had an idea of how I wanted things to turn out for Emily. However, when I write, I let the story lead me. I love to be surprised with where the story may go. A lot of the time, I surprise myself with what I write next. Half of the ending of Lost Voice was a surprise for myself. Writing this way gives me the ability to enjoy the story as well, not knowing where it'll go next.

10. Why do you think,  personally, that so many people choose to live in an abusive home like Emily's instead of leave?

I think they're afraid of what would happen when they finally do leave. They become so used to the abuse that they don't know anything other than it. They become isolated and they're practically brainwashed into thinking that there's nothing else out there for them. They begin to think they deserve the abuse because they feel they did something wrong. 

11. What would you like readers to take from Lost Voice?

I want them to know that it's never too late to reach out. No matter how bad it gets, they can still get away. They're not alone, there are resources out there and people that are willing to help. It's not their fault and they deserve better. 

12. As a part of the next generation of novelists, what would you like to see change/return to the literary world in the near future?

I like originality. I understand there's a certain genre that becomes the "top" pick for readers throughout the year, however I want novelists to write what they want to write, whether it's what's "top" or not. If it's a good story and well written, people will read it, and that's what matters.

13. Where do you see yourself and your career in the next ten years?

Oh boy, ten years from now I'll be 29! That seems so far away. I'll definitely be working in the medical field, whether it be as a nurse or a paramedic. As for my career as an author, I'm hoping I'll have some more novels out. It took me three years after having Lost Voice published for me to start writing Shadows, but I'm hoping to start having a novel out every year. I don't care if I hit "famous" status or not. As long as I'm able to share my work with people and they enjoy it, I'll be happy. 

14. Would you like to see Lost Voice made into a movie?

I think Lost Voice would be a good Lifetime movie. I would absolutely be willing to see it become one, I think that would be pretty cool!

15. Thank you for participating in the interview! Can you please leave the readers with three things that may surprise them about you?

Oh gosh, there's so much about me! Let's see, other than the fact that I'm 19...
First off, I'm an avid photographer. I absolutely love taking picture of people, animals and inanimate objects. It's another one of my passions. The cover of Lost Voice is actually a photo I took in North Carolina.
Secondly, someday I want to travel the world. I know a lot of people say they want to, but I truly do. I want to learn about other cultures and the best way to do that is to visit them. I will travel, someday, while I'm still young.
Lastly, I'm actually learning American Sign Language at the moment and I'm almost fluent. I've taken four classes so far and I love it. I have a minor in deaf studies with a concentration of ASL interpreting at the college I go to.

Find Nicole Belanger online via:

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BOOK REVIEW: "Lost Voice" by Nicole Belanger

Everyone knows someone who or, God forbid, was themselves, in an abusive relationship. Whether it's sexual, physical or emotional abuse, it's still abuse and too many people deal with it everyday instead of escaping.
In Nicole Belanger's debut novel Lost Voice, written when she was 15 and published when she was just 17, she deals with what goes on behind the scenes of an abusive household.

19-year-old Emily Sharpe hasn't had a great life. Her father left her family when she was a kid, taking her brothers with her. Her mother died when she was 15 and her adoptive father raped her.
She thought she won the lottery when she met and moved in with the handsome Jake... but really she won a trip to Hell.
She is beaten, cut and emotionally decimated on a daily basis. No one, not even her best friend, knows what's happening. As the abuse escalates, Emily knows she must tell someone, but every time she does, her voice becomes lost.

Ms. Belanger had a great idea and ran with it, but sometimes it seemed like she ran a bit too fast. Lost Voice is a great read into the mind of an abused young woman who can't get out of her situation.
Most of the story is her mind conversing with the reader. You really well feel as if you're inside Emily's head, feeling her fear and listening to her try and get her life together.

The story has a fast ending that will keep you reading, but the last two chapters went by a bit too fast for my taste. I  would've liked to have had some more detail into the "after" part.
But I can't really fault this book. A teen wrote about a problem that so many teens and adults deal with and wrote about it so realistically.
Readers will feel for Emily--either sympathy or empathy--and her hurt psyche will make you want to alternately hug her and slap her to wake her up.

Good read; could've used a little more flair and detail at the very end.

4/5--eye-opening.

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RELEASE DAY BLAST: "Night Child" by Lisa Kessler

Love is the ultimate sacrifice...

Book Synopsis:

A psychic gift…

Muriah La Deaux’s latest job requires her to locate an ancient codex detailing a prophecy of an immortal birth. But before she can deliver it, her client is brutally murdered. Now a man with chaos in his eyes wants the codex she’s hiding.

An immortal child…

Issa is one of the original Night Walkers, a proud protector of the mortal world. Now, when the survival of his entire race rests on protecting an unborn child, Issa is the only immortal strong enough to protect Muriah on a risky mission—locate the lost scrolls that will trap their foe—but his tenuous grasp on his sanity is slipping.

The ultimate sacrifice…

Muriah’s headstrong spirit awakens feelings in Issa that are best left buried. But as the battle between love and chaos ensues, sacrifices must be made.

Night Child is on sale for $0.99 for one week only. Get your copy via the following:

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Author Bio:

Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

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My Review:

The final installment of Lisa Kessler's Night Series is here. As a longtime reader, I'm sad about its ending, but overjoyed at how the end was written here in Night Child.
Mrs. Kessler picks up after Night Demon and Night Angel, but, contrary to the title, the story doesn't center around the pregnant mortal Gretchen and her Night Walker beau Lukas, but around Lukas's mortal friend Muriah and Issa, the Night Walker god of the west.
Muriah has the gift of psychometry, which makes her job of finding ancient artifacts for sale easier.  Her boyfriend, Richard, is murdered after asking her to find a Mayan codex depicting the birth of the Night Child.
The murderer is the god of Chaos, Apep, and he wants to control and kill all Night Walkers. Only Muriah can find the artifacts needed to trap him, and the stoic Issa must go with her to Egypt. If they don't succeed, Gretchen will die, as will the entire Night Walker race.

Out of all the Night books, Mrs. Kessler saved the best for last. Muriah is a hurt woman with a big heart that she keeps in iron chains and Issa, despite being an immortal god, is very much a detached man. They are relatable and are definitely my favorite couple in ALL of Mrs. Kessler's stories.
The narrative is fast-paced and you are never really sure what's going to happen next to this vast cast of characters.
My absolute favorite part, however, is the budding relationship between Zafrina and Lori. I wish that there would be another book dedicated to them! The LGBT relationship isn't there for shock value or for a higher rating: it's there because it's a natural development.

5/5--perfect way to end the series!

BOOK REVIEW: "Lost In Prophecy" by SM Reine

If you've read SM Reine's The Descent series, you're familiar with Elise and James, the kopis and aspis who were forced apart from Elise being reborn as a demon and ruling Hell, and James becoming a half-angel Gray.
If you read her Seasons Of The Moon series, you know about the werewolf pack led by Rylie, the Alpha and The Apple.
If you haven't read them, warning: THIS REVIEW INCLUDES SPOILERS!!!

Elise is trying to get human slaves out of Hell. Rylie is trying to keep her pack from falling prey to Levi Riese's lies as he tries to take them over. Elise is being betrayed by her so-called allies. Rylie is being betrayed by her son, Abram.
Elise needs to help Rylie when the pack has mysteriously vanished, but tge pack are only 50 out of three thousand missing people she is searching for and she can't do it alone--she needs her aspis, James.
Old friends and enemies return and Hell and New Eden are shaken up in the latest engrossing story from Ms. Reine.

Reading Elise's stories are like reuniting with an old friend. She's one of my favorite fictional characters. Lost In Prophecy (the latest in The Ascension series) is a tantalizing story with depth and a new plot twist every so often. The cliffhanger ending is the icing on this bloody and delicious cake!
So wonderful to read! If you are new to her stories, you might find yourself a little lost, but even then, you will love this book!

5/5--great!

Purchase Lost In Prophecy via:

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BOOK REVIEW: "Silver Bullet" by SM Reine

In Silver Bullet, the second novel by SM Reine starring the sexy witch Cesar Hawke and the OPA, we find him and his coworkers getting over the aftermath we read about in Witch Hunt.

Isobel Stonecrow, the necromancer, is back, as is Suzy Takeuchi and the director Fritz Friederling, as they go to Reno, Nevada, to investigate strange paranormal activity.
While there, Cesar discovers that there are worse things than incubi: there are nightmares, werewolves and diamarachninds, giant demonic spiders. (Warning: this book will get uncomfortable if you have arachnaphobia!)
Cults, zombies and new kopides also abound in this book, which is also stocked with action, emotion, and information on the paranormal.

While not as good as her previous Cesar Hawke adventure, this book doesn't disappoint! I liked Ann, the slightly psychotic teen who can control zombies, the best, but these characters, more than any of Ms. Reine's others, feel the most real to me as I watch their lives unfold on the page.
As always, great work! Fans of the paranormal will eat this one up!

4/5--great!

Purchase Silver Bullet via:

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Spalding Manik

1. When/why did you decide to be a comic book writer?

That is a good question. I have to contribute that to my love of reading. I love to read anything and everything. This is what really got me on the road to writing, the influx of ideas from everything I read. Fiction, Nonfiction, Physics, Philosophy, Comics, you name it I was spending a lot of my free time reading and eventually all the ideas that I read started to come together. There was one story in particular that really game me the idea I had to start writing. It just hit me, and a little voice in my brain said hey this would make a neat story. I thought about it for months, I would lay in bed thinking about each scene until I could not take it anymore. I had to write it down. So, I started writing the story down a little at a time. Originally I wanted to turn it into a novel but slowly I realized that I was in over my head. I did a little research and found that the shortest novels are about 60,000 words. That was pretty over whelming, my first story was not even close to that word count. One of my friends told me, why not just make it a graphic novel. I took his advice and have not looked back. In a roundabout way I didn't choose to be a comic writer, it sort of fell into my lap.

2. What was the inspiration behind your book Death's Life?

I am honestly not sure. I took a course in college that focused on Vietnam Literature, it was really interesting, and by far my favorite class I took while I was in school. Since that class I have always been interested in war, in general and the stories associated with it, both fiction and nonfiction. I wanted to write a story about a normal soldier who gets mixed up in a few things that are beyond him. I also have a fascination with omnipotent characters that I read about in comics, they are always so mysterious. So it was cool to put a character like that in a story of mine. War is hell, but it is very interesting to read how each person experiences it and what their story entails. I always imagined that if I had to go to war and things got bad that I could see myself curling up in a ball and asking whoever is out there to save my life. Then I asked myself, well what if someone answered that call, what then? I think a mixture of those things is the inspiration behind Death's Life.

3. How did you come about gathering the creative team with which you worked on the book?

A lot of Google searches! Seriously, that and deviant art. I sent out quite a few emails trying to get in contact with different artist. Finally I got in touch with Jethro Morales, who is phenomenal. He has actually worked on Green Hornet for DC. I do not know the extent of his time there or what he did, all I know is that he has been awesome to work with. He also knows quite a few people in the industry so he is mostly responsible for putting together the team. So he gets most of the credit there.

4. How many chapters will Death's Life span and how frequently will they be released?

The story will be 4 chapters in total. The time frame is the issue, chapter two will be released here in possibly another month or so, probably a little longer. The last two may be a little longer as my budget will be close to being maxed out. My ultimate goal is to have all 4 released before the end of the year, and I do not think that will be a problem. My fear is for those that may be interested in the story will have to wait so long in between to find out what happens next. So for all two of my fans out there I am trying to make them happy.

5. Do you have any other comics in the work or are you just concentrating on this now?

I have tons of ideas and quite a few other scripts/stories written that are ready to go. The problem again is having the financial means to fund them. If it was not for that I would have every one of my stories in front of an artist right now. I am working on a short web comic for a short story I wrote, that is posted on my site, called C.T. I contacted a local artist and she agreed to work with me on it. So my goal is to have a web comic for that story on my site to give people something else to check out if they stop by. I am also thinking about a sequel to the story and if I do that then I guess I could keep the story going making it an ongoing series. That is my plan for now, as soon as I finish Death's Life I plan to start another project right away.

6. What comic writer and/or artist would you love to collaborate with?

Johanathon Hickman or Grant Morrison or Brian K Vaughan. Between the three of them they have been a part of some of the coolest comics/graphic novels that I have read or that have been made for that matter. I would love nothing else than to just talk to them and see how they come up with their ideas and how they turn them into a story.

7. Comic book writers, such as Neil Gaiman, have also written novels. Do you have any plans to write novels as well?

I would love to write a novel and it is on my list. I have some ideas that I am working with but right now my skills are limited. I have only been writing for about a year, so I am still fine tuning my style and getting some basics down. For the time being I think my skills are limited and attempting to write a novel would prove disastrous. But in the future I will definitely give it a try.

8. What do you think of the trend of comics in television and film? Would you like to see Death's Life join their ranks?

This is a tough one, I don't know would be my final answer. Maybe a TV show but I think it would make a pretty bad movie. Plus I do not think comics in general have a good track record on the big screen (RIPD, John Carter; which I saw and did not think the negative reviews were warranted.)  Wanted I think was a comic as well and kind of bombed in theaters. I also know there are quite a few out there that were successful. Honestly if the opportunity came along I would have to jump on it.

9. Why choose something paranormal as opposed to superheroes?

I think superheroes are way over-done. Plus, I think it is near impossible to break into the industry writing about superheroes again; that is my opinion. I do not think there is anything I could write about that has not already been done in that genre. I think it is interesting you ask because to me there is a stereotype that comic means superhero or someone in tights. Along with that I think most people thing comics are childish for the same reasons. I am not saying Death's Life will change any of that, but I hope someday in the near future comics will lost that stigma and be taken more seriously as an accepted form of literature.

10. Where do you see your career in the next ten years?

Hopefully retired sitting on the beach somewhere, (laughs) just kidding. My dream is that either this story of one of mine will become successful enough to where I can quit my real job and write full time. I would love to be able to do that, but unfortunately I do not have that luxury right now. Either way I think it is cool that, potentially, an idea I had could make money and I could support myself from it. I love to think about that, the power of an idea is truly amazing. I hope that I am fortunate enough to keep doing this for the next ten years and beyond.

11. Do you want to join a large comic publisher or do you prefer to remain independent? Why?

Being new to the industry I do not know enough about it to really give you my thoughts. I would say that I intend to send out Death's Life to the large publishers to see if they are interested in it. My dream would be for this story to be picked up by a large publisher so they take on the other costs. Not to mention the marketing aspect as well, that would be great. On the other hand I do not know what it would be like to write for a large comic publisher, as I doubt they would let me write what I wanted. I do not know how I would adapt to writing like that. If I were lucky enough, to write for an already well-established character I do not know if I could keep readers interested with a character that has already been through so much. That is another thing that kind of bothers me about the main stream characters in comics. They have all been through so much, sometimes more than once. When do they get a vacation, when do they get to walk away? If the opportunity came along I would have to jump on it. It would be a great learning experience if nothing else.

12. What do you hope to see in the comic book industry in the future?

I kind of mentioned above that I would love it if comics or graphic novels lose that stigma of being childish and full of nonsense. I think you are starting to see that trend now. There are a lot of comics or graphic novels out there that are great stories and full of deep meaning. So I think the trend is changing and I hope Death's Life helps with the transition. I also think that some super hero comics are doing a great job with having real world problems enter into the mix. I cannot relate to being invulnerable or being able to fly, but I know what it's like to have my heart broken or struggle to pay my bills. I love when I am reading a story and the hero has to deal with a problem like that, it makes it more real. I think the big publishers are realizing that the era of the "never do anything wrong superhero" is gone. Readers want a character they can relate to; I know I do. The truly great stories are the ones that have a mixture of these issues.   

13. Out of all the longstanding titles (Batman, Superman, etc.), which, if any, would you love to take a crack at and why?

I would love to take a stab at Superman, mostly because I would change everything about him, and then I would be swiftly fired (laughs). I am kidding but I think Superman is one of the worst characters in my opinion. He is too -everything, too strong, too powerful, too good. That bothers me, he is so unreal that he is impossible to relate to. If I was to work on a character and not anger an entire generation I think I would like to write a story for Fantomex. He is a very intriguing and interesting character. I first read about him in the series Uncanny X-Force. It is not very often that you find a character in comics that is very sophisticated and quotes philosophers throughout the story. He also has this smugness about him that no matter what you say to him he will have a better come back. Fantomex is a very interesting character all across the board, I think it would be cool to write a story for him.

14. What comics/books inspired you when you were younger? What do you read today?

Confession time! When I was younger I collected comics, (I still have a big box full of them) but I never read them I just would flip through them and made up my own dialogue as I looked over the pages. Weird I know. I just hated to read, but life is not without a sense of irony. Now I could spend all day reading and writing and then writing about what I read. It is pretty weird how I love to read now, but if you talked to my high school self I would say that reading is stupid. Youth is wasted on the young I suppose. On my blog I give a pretty harsh tongue lashing about college and how it was pretty much a waste of money in my eyes but the Vietnam Class I mentioned earlier really changed my opinion of reading, that and the Da Vinci Code of course. I read that one summer when I broke my foot, so that helped as well. As for what I read now, basically anything and everything. If I have a slight interest in it and can get my hands on it I will read it comic/graphic novel, fiction and nonfiction. I read quite a bit of nonfiction because sometimes real life can be far stranger than anything the imagination can come up with. As far as comics go I have kind of gotten away from the super hero genre a little, there is just so much out there I am trying to take it all in. Needless to say that I am failing miserably.

15. Thank you for participating in the interview! Can you please leave the readers with three things that may surprise them about you?

I actually grew up on a farm about 50 miles from Louisville in a small town. I often go back home to help my dad with anything he needs done. It is nice to take in the sweet crisp country air, filled with the titillating smell of cow manure. I am a huge soccer fan. I played in college and will do almost anything to watch my favorite team Manchester United. I have seen them play three times, twice in the states and once at Old Trafford where they beat Aston Villa 3-0 to clinch the Premiere League title. That was truly an awesome experience, plus it was Sir Alex Ferguson's final season. It just made it that much more special.

COMIC BOOK REVIEW: "Death's Life #1"

Spalding Manik: writer/editor
Jethro Morales: artist/assistant editor
Bryan Arfel Magnaye: colorist
Mark Oliver Santillan: letters

It's sometimes difficult to review only a single issue of a comic book. It can be confusing and inconclusive, but I took this job on for one reason: I love comics and am always willing to give a new story a chance. Thankfully, I was not disappointed.
Death's Life, written by Spalding Manik, with art by the very simplistic and talented Jethro Morales (formerly the artist for DC Comics' Green Hornet), is the story of a soldier who is so afraid of death that he makes a deal with Samael (the reader can think of him as simply the Devil or the Angel of Death) to live, in exchange for a little knowledge about human technologies.

The first chapter of Death's Life is a very quick read, relying as much on the art as it does on the writing to fully engage the reader.
While I, personally, prefer a little more dialogue in my comics (I'm a longtime fan of the great Marv Wolfman), the way this was created really works. The rather abrupt ending will leave readers wanting to know what happens to Jake once Samael comes to collect his due and the art perfectly meshes with the writing.

4/5--nice work!

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BOOK REVIEW: "Siren's Call" by Jessica Cage

Syrinada is a normal Chicago girl, if a little alluring to men. But one night she's jumped by a group of unsavory men and taken array to be respected and possibly killed. She escapes when one man's head seemingly combusts on its own. After that, everything changes.
Sy is a half Siren, half Warlock and her friend/crush, Malachi, is a Merman. He and his brother, Demetrius, have always been watching over her.
Now that she's awakened, Syrinada must learn to control herself before the covens catch sight of her and kill her like they killed her mother.
But a devious plan is being fulfilled. Can Syrinada stay alive long enough to enjoy her new powers? Or will she kill someone before any of that happens?

Jessica Cage wrote a really great book featuring creatures we don't see nearly enough in paranormal fiction. Sirens are sexual creatures and this book has no shortage of erotic content!
At least once per chapter someone is doing it with someone else!
But to counteract all the sex, there is also a great deal of mystery, betrayal and danger.
This was a good book with sequel potential and I think that a lot of readers (fans of Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampies series will probably gobble this book up, despite the lack of vampires) will read this over and over!

4/5--nice work!

Purchase Siren's Call via:

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COMIC BOOK REVIEW: "San Hannibal #1"

Writer: Dan Schkade

Artist: JD Faith

Letters: Jesse Snavlin

Cover: Dan Schkade & Jesse Snavlin

Editor: PJ Perez

"What's the story, Savannah Loy?" asks the debut issue of the comic book San Hannibal. Award-winning journalist Savannah has mysteriously gone missing and private investigator Avery has been hired to find her by any means possible.
The search involves an angry boyfriend (possibly current, possibly an ex), an enigmatic musician and a mysterious 5'5" who can move like the wind.
Also, it makes the reader wonder...what is the deal with the political posters of "Falk" the artist depicts quite a bit? Do they mean something...or nothing at all.

San Hannibal (published by popular indie company Pop Goes The Icon and Omega Comics) is what they are calling "neon noir", which is a great way too put it. It's a dark-tinged crime comic, colored in a vivid pink/black/white scheme that is slightly distracting and at the same time kind of brings the story together.
Schkade's writing is lyrical in a way and it's what I like best about the book as a whole. It makes the reader feel as if they're not reading and you will be surprised when you see that you've reached the end of the book already.

The book, overall, is simple and a nice change from the popular, busy comics most read today. I think that the story and its creators have a long, successful future in the world of comics.

5/5--great!

Purchase San Hannibal via:

Your local comic book retailer

Pop Goes The Icon

MONTHLY MUSIC MADNESS: Mat Devine

(Top to bottom: Mat Devine circa 2013; 2003; 2006)

Mat Devine is most known for his gig as frontman and songwriter for the atmospheric electronic Goth rock band Kill Hannah from Chicago, Illinois, but he is so much more. That's why he is this month's featured artist for Monthly Music Madness.

Mr. Devine formed the band Kill Hannah in 1994 and the band is still going strong today. I first saw them in 2003, when their music video for "From Now On" (a single off of their album For Never & Ever, released in 2003 on Universal). I fell in love with his voice and his words at that moment and have been a faithful fan ever since!
The band has released seven EPs, six full length albums and three DVDs (discography will be below). They've toured the world with some of the biggest artists and on their own headline tours.
Mr. Devine had also recorded music with a side project called Setting Fires and is currently working on a solo album titled Gold Blooded.
He has been a Broadway star, performing in the musical Spiderman, Turn Off The Dark.
Mr. Devine is also an author. Years ago he started the community The Raccoon Society, a place online for fans to go and talk about anything and he will give advice and wisdom. I have been a member since the beginning and can attest to all the Raccoons being done really great people.
In 2013 the book Weird War One: The Antihero's Guide to Surviving Everyday Life was released by Thought Catalog, and it is a compilation of the best of the best from The Raccoon Society. You can read my review of it here .
His appreciation for his fans is truly unique and makes his longevity in this fickle world make sense. In December 2013 Kill Hannah played a one-off show at the famous Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California. The place was sold out from fans all over the world. Why? Because Mat Devine's love, inspiration and talent are true; therefore, so is the love of his fans.
Enjoy the links below and maybe you will become a Raccoon, too!




(Mat Devine at The Roxy, 12/17/2013, photo by yours truly. )

























Discography:

Wake Up The Sleepers
9/29/2009





Amazon
iTunes
Google Play Music

Hope For The Hopeless
2007





Amazon
iTunes

Until There's Nothing Left Of Us
8/1/2006





Amazon
iTunes

For Never & Ever
10/14/2003





Amazon
iTunes
Google Play Music

American Jet Set
5/15/1999





Amazon
iTunes

Here Are The Young Moderns
1/9/1998





Amazon

The Curse of Kill Hannah





KH official store

Seize The Days (DVD)





KH official store

(While Kill Hannah has released other DVDs and EPs, they are currently unavailable. You can go to online bidding sites to try and purchase copies.)

Weird War One (Book)
2013





Amazon
Goodreads
iTunes
Official site




Visit The Raccoon Society for a wonderful community of fans and the wisdom of Mat Devine! Also find them on Facebook and Twitter .

Find Mat Devine online via these other links:

Official site
Facebook (LIKE page)
Twitter
Instagram
Wrongchilde Facebook
KH official site
KH Twitter
KH Facebook LIKE page
Setting Fires Facebook LIKE page
KH YouTube
Wrongchilde YouTube
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