Powerless in a family of Necromancers, Ezra has struggled to fit in his whole life. Going off to a normal college life seemed like the perfect place to escape the harsh realities of home. But when the girl he's had a crush on since they were eight is forced into an arranged marriage with another, darker, Necromancer family, Ezra returns and does the only thing he can to save her - he volunteers to take the test that will name him a full Necromancer, and her betrothed - if he survives. During the test, Ezra learns he isn't as powerless as he thought. Secrets and hidden truths are revealed that are all connected to the Reinhardt family, all of whom were thought to have been killed by the Necromancer's worse enemy, the Witches. Witches that are hell-bent on ridding the world of the 'black arts'. With the help of an unlikely ally and a raven familiar, Ezra has the power to save the girl he loves and his kind, too, if he can master it in time. ~Highest rank: #7 in Paranormal: 3/22/18, Featured in Paranormal: 12/5/17 ~ Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy ~ Completed

Samuel Brandt woke up with his thoughts written all over his body. His brother woke up with his head missing. His sister woke up to find that her skin would crack open unless she stayed in water. All of the other children in the secluded Iowa town of Oak Knoll woke up having undergone strange transformations. Now, they are all forced to live at 407 West Marshall Street, the mysterious house outside of town. With the new name of The Boy with Words for Skin, Samuel wants nothing more than to hide from his new life. He painfully and unpredictably sheds his skin, there is a Voice in the entryway closet that is often cruel, and-perhaps worst of all for a naturally shy boy-the other children look to him as a leader. As his seven-year-old brother struggles with their new life, as terrifying growls start to come from the pitch black basement, and as his feelings for a girl begin to grow, The Boy with Words for Skin realizes that he wants to change. He wants to put others first, learn from his peers, and let himself hope that things will get better. The Boy with Words for Skin is the first book in the 407 West Marshall Street series. Each book will advance the story but be told from a different character. Book 2 will be The Girl without Eyes.

Warning: I try to write Patrick at least a bit in character, so there can be some rather creepy moments. (Click on "read" to unlock part of Patrick Hockstetter's messed up, emotionally draining backstory)