Thomas Sniegoski - Walking In the Midst of Fire

And in the center of the room, sitting in the middle of a circle of protection drawn upon the rough wood floor, sat the shadow of a man.

Simeon was surprised at how bad he looked, the incident on Gunkanjima having far more of a devastating effect on him than the forever man would have imagined.

“Do I know you?” the man asked, his voice soft with weakness.

“We met briefly,” Simeon said. “On the island.”

The man’s eyes grew wide and filled with tears, before his expression changed and the evil spirit that resided within him reared its ugliness.

“Oh to be there again,” the evil spoke in a voice horrible and rough. “To be part of all that death—glorious; but I do not remember you.”

The man turned his body in the circle to face him.

“Come closer,” the spirit said, motioning with a finger that had become like a claw. “Maybe if I was to taste you . . .”

Simeon crossed his arms, unfazed by the evil entity’s teasing.

“You do not remember, for I chose that you not,” Simeon said. He showed the entity possessing the man the rings adorning his hands.

The spirit gasped at the sight of the two rings.

“But I know you, Constantin Malatesta,” Simeon said. “As well as the ancient thing that resides inside of you.”

Malatesta closed his eyes, his face lined from incredible strain.

“Please,” he begged. “You must leave at once; you’re not safe. Even with all this protection . . .” His eyes darted about the room. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep it contained.”

Simeon smiled.

“Contained?” he asked. “And why would you want to do that?”

Malatesta looked horrified. “Why have you sought me out?”

“I come with an offer,” Simeon said, picking up a piece of religious statuary from a nearby table. “I require someone with your skills.”

“Skills?” Malatesta repeated with a shiver, still attempting to keep the entity inside him from regaining control.

“A sorcerer,” Simeon said. “I have need of a sorcerer.”

“Remy and his human friends are engagingly believable characters in a series noted for flashes of humor despite its overall serious tone. Series fans and followers of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files will enjoy this urban fantasy.”

— Library Journal

“A fun . . . thought-provoking book.”

—Innsmouth Free Press

“Sniegoski ups his game in this most recent Remy adventure, and we begin to see some of the grand scheme he is setting up for us. The conflict and situations within this novel are refreshingly personal, bringing the forefront of activity back to the Boston area. The characters are varied and very well developed, bringing life and humanity into this novel largely centered around the angelic pantheon. With In the House of the Wicked , Sniegoski has crafted a very powerful, very personal tale that is equal parts gut-wrenching, heartwarming, and awe-inspiring.”

—The Ranting Dragon

“An excellent read and part of an excellent series that gets better and better.”

—Fangs for the Fantasy

“Sniegoski nicely juggles a large cast and throws in some touching moments (Remy’s conversations with his late wife, Madeline, are especially sweet) and humor (as always, provided by Remy’s dog, Marlowe) to balance the epic violence. There’s more than enough nonintrusive exposition to let new readers jump into the story, while longtime fans will appreciate the development of recurring characters.”

— Publishers Weekly

“A fun, fast ride that takes advantage of a strong setting and interesting characters. And when a book combines that with serious angel smackdowns, really, what else do you need?”

—The Green Man Review

“This strong, fast-paced noir fantasy is a treat. Remy is a compelling character, as he constantly struggles to hold on to the shred of humanity he forged for himself by suppressing the Seraphim. . . . Sniegoski adds a creative new spin to the good vs. evil scenario while bringing in some biblical characters that are decidedly different [from] what you read about in Sunday school. This is one of the better noir fantasy meets gumshoe detective series on the market today.”

—Monsters and Critics

“[Sniegoski] nicely blends action, mystery, and fantasy into a well-paced story . . . a very emotional read with the hero’s grief overshadowing his every move. An intense battle is fought, new secondary characters are introduced, and readers should gain a more solid picture of the hero’s past.”

—Darque Reviews

“Equal measures heartbreaking and honorable, Sniegoski has created a warm, genuine character struggling with his identity and destiny. Although this innovative urban noir draws heavily on Christian beliefs, the author’s deft touch keeps it from being preachy. The fast pace, gratifying character development, and a sufficiently complex plot to hold your interest from start to finish make this one a winner.”

—Monsters and Critics

“A fun read. The pace of the book is excellent, and it never has a dull moment. . . . The tale is definitely something that you would read out of a 1930s crime noir novel, and it is engaging, tightly written, and moves along at a rapid pace.”

— Sacramento Book Review

“ Dancing on the Head of a Pin is the second novel in the Remy Chandler series and a wonderful addition it is. . . . Remy has this twisted sense of humor that lightens whatever situation and makes the story even more delightful to read. The plot of the stolen weapons is tight and very focused. Along with the great characters, including the secondary ones, and the action-packed plot, Dancing on the Head of a Pin is an entertaining and smart detective story.”

—Night Owl Reviews

“A powerful urban fantasy.”

—Genre Go Round Reviews

“The most inventive novel you’ll buy this year . . . a hard-boiled noir fantasy by turns funny, unsettling, and heartbreaking. This is the story Sniegoski was born to write, and a character I can’t wait to see again.”

—Christopher Golden, bestselling author of Waking Nightmares

“Tightly focused and deftly handled, [ A Kiss Before the Apocalypse ] covers familiar ground in entertaining new ways. . . . Fans of urban fantasy and classic detective stories will enjoy this smart and playful story.”

— Publishers Weekly

“This reviewer prays there will be more novels starring Remy. . . . The audience will believe he is on earth for a reason as he does great things for humanity. This heart-wrenching, beautiful urban fantasy will grip readers with its potent emotional fervor.”

— Midwest Book Review

“It’s kind of refreshing to see the holy side represented. . . . Fans of urban fantasy with a new twist are likely to enjoy Sniegoski’s latest venture into that realm between humanity and angels.”

—SFRevu

“Blurring the lines between good and evil, A Kiss Before the Apocalypse will keep readers riveted until the very end. This is an emotional journey that’s sometimes filled with sadness, but once it begins you won’t want to walk away. Mr. Sniegoski defines the hero in a way that makes him very real and thoroughly human. . . . Fast moving, well written, and wonderfully enchanting, this is one that fantasy readers won’t want to miss.”