Tag Archives: Fantasy

Another Five-Star Review of ‘YEAR OF THE DEMON’ From NetGalley!

Here’s another amazing five-star review of my supernatural martial arts thriller, YEAR OF THE DEMON, from a NetGalley reviewer. https://www.netgalley.com/book/729579/review/142279

Get YEAR OF THE DEMON here: https://a.co/d/7KAnyh4

Description:

To his Taekwondo students, Vance Palladian is more than just a teacher; he is the Paladin, a man of warrior virtue. Now a widower, and with his finances in disarray, Vance feels disillusioned with his once noble life.

After thwarting a seemingly random robbery and the kidnapping attempt of a wealthy future heiress, Vance finds himself employed as her bodyguard by the young woman’s father, a mysterious businessman who holds the lineage of the last remaining esoteric school of ancient Japanese ninja fighting arts.

Vance is taught the deadly techniques of Japan’s invisible assassins, and finds the mythology behind these dark teachings is just as real, pulling him into a world of crime, deception, seduction, and vice, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Now, he must battle tengu and oni, along with the forces of organized crime and police corruption, to survive the…

YEAR OF THE DEMON

Get YEAR OF THE DEMON here: https://a.co/d/8R29F6a

Five-Star Review of ‘YEAR OF THE DEMON’ from NetGalley

Here’s an amazing five-star review of my supernatural thriller, YEAR OF THE DEMON, from a librarian and reviewer on NetGalley. https://www.netgalley.com/book/729579/review/613923

https://a.co/d/8R29F6a

https://www.netgalley.com/publisher/title/729579

To his Taekwondo students, Vance Palladian is more than just a teacher; he is the Paladin, a man of warrior virtue. Now a widower, and with his finances in disarray, Vance feels disillusioned with his once noble life.

After thwarting a seemingly random robbery and the kidnapping attempt of a wealthy future heiress, Vance finds himself employed as her bodyguard by the young woman’s father, a mysterious businessman who holds the lineage of the last remaining esoteric school of ancient Japanese ninja fighting arts.

Vance is taught the deadly techniques of Japan’s invisible assassins, and finds the mythology behind these dark teachings is just as real, pulling him into a world of crime, deception, seduction, and vice, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Now, he must battle tengu and oni, along with the forces of organized crime and police corruption, to survive the…

YEAR OF THE DEMON

Wolves of Vengeance FREE Terrify your Tablet Promotion!

My novel, WOLVES OF VENGEANCE, is part of the Terrify Your Tablet promotional event. It’s FREE on Amazon! Go grab it! My newest novel, YEAR OF THE DEMON, is $4.99 on Amazon. https://a.co/d/ed9qpaS

https://a.co/d/9uaDuAS

https://www.horrorsmithpublishing.com/pages/terrify-your-tablet

Get a Free Audiobook Code from Michael Cottam

Now available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes – DM Michael Cottam on Linkedin for an Audible code redeemable for a complimentary copy! Please review us!

I love how Michael breathed life into my characters. If you listen until the end, you’ll be treated to a hilarious bit with Sho! If you don’t, you’re missing out!

Year of the Demon: A Martial Arts Thriller Unleashed

The day is finally here! My new novel, YEAR OF THE DEMON, is available from Crossroad Press in print and ebook editions!

Books2Read Ebook Links:

https://books2read.com/u/bzkKg9?fbclid=IwY2xjawI9LoVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXYl5m2Snngmrf-niNs6VdOm0V74jMYiRNAhhx13vbFV__atrZ50MsDbDg_aem_v1OKex3zFJjA_9mLcgnkEA

Description:

To his martial arts students, Vance Palladian is more than just a teacher; he is the Paladin, a man of warrior virtue. Now a widower, and with his finances in disarray, Vance feels disillusioned with his once noble life.

After thwarting a seemingly random robbery, and the kidnapping attempt of a wealthy future heiress, Vance finds himself employed as her bodyguard by the young woman’s father, a mysterious businessman who holds the lineage of the last remaining esoteric school of ancient Japanese fighting arts.

Vance is taught the deadly techniques of Japan’s invisible assassins, and finds the mythology behind these dark teachings is just as real, pulling him into a world of crime, deception, seduction, and vice, where nothing is quite as it seems.

Now, he must battle tengu and oni, along with the forces of organized crime and police corruption, to survive the…

YEAR OF THE DEMON

*******

PRAISE FOR YEAR OF THE DEMON

“David North-Martino’s Year of the Demon is a gripping martial arts thriller that masterfully blends ancient traditions, mythological intrigue, and contemporary challenges into a captivating tale of redemption and survival. With its richly drawn protagonist and relentless pacing, this novel is a must-read for fans of action-packed, character-driven stories.” – Alan R. Warren, NBC News Talk Radio, award winning, bestselling true crime author.

PRAISE FOR WOLVES OF VENGEANCE

“A paranormal wolf novel with real teeth…North-Martino’s a writer to watch for.” – Reb MacRath, award-winning author of The Suiting and Caesar’s Ghost.

“A satisfying novel of occult horror.” – David T. Wilbanks, co-author of The Dead Earth Series

PRAISE FOR “THE MIDNIGHT CLUB”

“A [story] which stood out for me: ‘The Midnight Club’ by David North-Martino – a serial killer who lives for the thrill of the hunt gets what’s coming to him when his prey turns to predator. – Heather Daughrity, author of Tales My Grandmother Told Me: Sixteen Unsettling Stories

PRAISE FOR “SAT DOWN INSIDER HER”

David North Martino’s “Sat Down Inside Her”; finds a female alien abductee learning she has become a breeder for future humans. This scifi/horror hybrid really gets the creeps going. – Nick Cato, author of Death Witch

Year in Review: 2023

Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work my goals, track my progress, and commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Writing

Novels

  • Signed publishing contract! I signed a contract with a publishing house and I’ll have a new novel out sometime next year. Top goal!!! More info once I’m allowed to publicly announce.
  • Wolves of Vengeance became a #9 Best Seller in free Occult Horror Top 100 Free Kindle Books. https://www.amazon.com/Wolves-Vengeance-David-North-Martino-ebook/dp/B00F3GU182/ Top 10, baby!
  • Participated in the 1st annual  Terrify your Tablet/Spook your Kindle promotion.
  • Another one of my novels made it through 1st cuts and the full manuscript was requested.

Short Stories

Writers of the Future Honorable Mention 2nd Quarter 2023
Writers of the Future honorable Mention 3rd quarter 2023
  • Earned two Honorable Mentions in the Writers of the Future Contest (see above). The top 10% of entrants get Honorable Mentions. https://www.writersofthefuture.com
  • I edited “Tracer” from a rejection with comments to an Honorable Mention.

Sharpen the Saw

  • Attended: The Novel: From First Draft to Bookshelf Workshop with Jonathan Maberry.
  • Attended: Writing and Selling Short Stories Workshop with Jonathan Maberry.

Martial Arts

Rank Promotions

Essential Filipino Martial Arts Level 3 Basic Instructor 2023
Pacific Archipelago Concepts Level 3 Basic Instructor 2023
Jun Fan/ Jeet Kune Do Level One
  • Promoted to PAC-FMA Level 3 Instructor under Guro W. Hock Hochheim 2023 (See Above).
  • Listed as a Level 3 Instructor on Website. ForceNecessary.com
  • Began official ranking in Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do Concepts in the Sifu/Guro Inosanto Lineage.
  • Promoted to Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do (JKD) Level 1 under Sifu Raffi Derderian.

Seminars

14-Hour Combination Seminar in Inosanto Kali and Presas Family Arnis 2023
Drowning in JKD Seminar at Derderian Academy of Martial Arts
Two-Day Double Impact Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Kali Seminar with Guro Raffi and Sifu Kevin Seaman
Chris LaCava’s Beat ‘Em & Treat ‘Em Tour (2023) at Coach Jeff Burger’s K.I.C.K Karate in Salem, MA. Stockton Multi-Style Escrima Sword & Knife Seminar.

Martial Arts Classes

Martial Arts Home Training

  • Began training Patty in JKD at home.
  • Continued solo home training utilizing Mook Jong, wife as training partner, Bas Thai Boxing workout, and free-weights.

Co-Host: The House of Mystery Radio Show on NBC

  • As heard on NBC News Radio in Los Angeles/Riverside/San Bernardino/Palm. Springs/Seattle/Tacoma/Salt Lake City/Phoenix and online podcasts. https://www.alanrwarren.com/house-of-mystery-radioshow
  • Interviewed James Patterson. 309,672 podcast plays/downloads, 30k Youtube views.
  • Interviewed Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child – 5th most popular interview in 2023! 173,000 plays/downloads/airing with a 2.1 ratings marketshare in L.A. (252,000 estimated listeners)!
  • Co-hosted over 100 new episodes.

Martino Movie Reviews on NBC

Youtube & Social Media

Interviews

Interviewed by Dominick Izzo on Them’s fightin’ Words! podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSDjS5a3Csw&t=1920s

My Martial Arts Channel & HDaveMI

  • Continued to make long form and short form martial arts instruction videos on Youtube channel and also on Reelz, Instagram, and Tiktok. https://www.youtube.com/@davidnorth-martino/videos
  • Began HDaveMI movie review and physical media channel.
  • Earned top 5% in Facebook rising creators.

Podcasts

  • Published 3 episodes of the Live Martial Podcast.
  • Had martial arts teachers reach out who want to be on the show. I hope to expand the show next year.

Family & Friends

  • Mother’s Day at North End Diner.
  • Helped family member move into new apartment.
  • Celebrated 28th Wedding Anniversary with dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill. 
  • Visited In-Laws for get-together.
  • Father’s Day at North End Diner. 
  • Celebrated 31st Anniversary of our first date.
  • Cat-sat for our neighbor’s cats.
  • Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving takeout.
  • Continued friendship with Alan R. Warren. 
  • Continued friendship through email and social media with my former English professor. 
  • Kept up friendships with writer friends, martial arts friends, high school & college. friends on social media.
  • Made new writing and martial arts friends.

Health

  • Annual Physical – besides an increase in weight (it’s all muscle) everything looks good!
  • Eye doctor appointments -everything stable.
  • Cleanings with hygienist and X-rays A+.
  • Two appointments for crown installation.

Cars

  • Patty’s car – inspection, oil change, tire rotation.
  • My car towed Breaks, rotters, oil change, fluids, new battery.
  • Installed Cover Craft Dashboard cover on my car.
  • Drove 100 miles to reset computer in my car after battery died.

House

  • Get new bedroom air cleaner replaced through warranty service. 
  • New chair for Diesel.
  • Replaced aging recliners.
  • Installed nest Protect Smokes and CO2 Alarms.
  • Installed throw rug with mat in living room.
  • Replaced patio door handle in living room.
  • Troubleshoot dishwasher wasn’t draining. Hose clogged. Cleared out and draining again.

Movies at Theater

  • IMAX: Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning: Part 1.
  • IMAX: Oppenheimer 15/70 70mm film.
  • 50th Anniversary of Enter the Dragon at the Bellingham Regal Cinema.

AV/Tech

  • Apple Store Providence Place Mall. Replaced Patty’s Airpods Pro under limited warranty. 
  • Upgraded to iPhone 14 pro.
  • Upgrade to Panasonic 4k blu-ray player.
  • Increased our collection of 4k and blu-ray discs.

That’s all I can remember for now. It’s been a fantastic year of personal and professional accomplishment! See you in 2024!

Writers of the Future Honorable Mention 2nd Q 2023

I forgot to post about receiving an Honorable Mention certificate from the L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest, 2nd Quarter 2023. It’s always encouraging to get one of these certificates in the mail. Only approximately 10% of the entrants receive these from this very prestigious contest. Congrats to all the winners!

Year in Review: 2022

Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work my goals, track my progress, and commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire others to do the same.

Writing

Short Stories

  • My story, “The Midnight Club,” appeared in The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories published by HorrorBound Press. I shared pages with Ramsey Campbell, Nancy Kilpatrik, JG Fraherty and other great writers.
  • Received hard copies of the anthology.
  • Received audio book on Audible.

Magic Moment: Review from Heather Miller:

…The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories brings together twenty-five shirt-ripping, teeth-baring, guttural-snarling stories from names big and small. The collection includes tales written from both the victim’s and the wolf’s perspective. There are werewolves who are bloodthirsty monsters and those who try their hardest to retain some sense of humanity. There are stories which question whether their characters are werewolves at all or men suffering from psychiatric delusions. There are wolves at war, wolves at sea, wolves in the woods and wolves in the city. A few stories which stood out to me:

“The Change” by Ramsey Campbell – a psychological horror in which a writer becomes obsessed with – and then paranoid about – the strangers who gather just beyond his window in the blue glow of a bus stop lamp, and regresses to a primitive form of himself in his distress.

“Savages” by Trish Wilson – a feral child is found and held for observation, until the wolves who raised him come back for what’s theirs.

“The Midnight Club” by David North-Martino – a serial killer who lives for the thrill of the hunt gets what’s coming to him when his prey turns to predator.

“Origin of the Species” by JG Faherty – easily my favorite story in the whole collection, this one gives us a fascinating origin story for the werewolf race.

With an introduction by Stephen Graham Jones and a foreword by WD Gagliani, this anthology of moonlight metamorphosis is a great addition to any horror lover’s library, and a much-needed tome on a worthy but oft-overlooked horror character.

  • Writer’s of the Future Honorable Mention 2nd Quarter 2022.
  • Submitted to 11 markets.
  • Wrote 1 new short story this year.
    • Received my certificate for The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest Semi-Finalist for Expiation, 3rd Quarter 2021.

Novels

  • Sent out novel to the Berkely Open Submission Program in January – “No decision has been made about your query at this time.” No news IS good news!
  • Sent a novel submission to Cemetery Dance Books.
  • Completed new novel and forwarded to 1st reader.

Media

Radio/ Podcast/ Co-Host

  • As heard on NBC News Radio in Los Angeles/Riverside/San Bernardino/Palm Springs/Seattle/Tacoma/Salt Lake City/Phoenix and online podcasts.
  • House of Mystery Radio show on NBC in 2022 was the #3 most popular show in Los Angeles Market! It averaged a 2.4 market share (57,600 listeners per episode average) and had 2.9 million downloads/plays from our website!
  • Interviewed Dean Koontz.
  • Dean Koontz episode had a 4.4 market share with approximately 288,000 listeners.
  • Completed my first show acting as main host interviewing Reb MacRath.
  • Completed my second show acting as main host with co-host D.W. Gillespie interviewing Meg Hafdahl Science of Stephen King.
  • Completed my third show as main host interviewing Alex Gillis Taekwondo: A Killing Art.
  • Promoted to main co-host September 9, 2022.
  • Interviewed Simon Gervaise with Joe Goldberg co-hosting.
  • Constantly co-hosted weekly throughout 2022. Over 100 shows!
  • Assisted with edits, preproduction, and postproduction.
  • https://www.alanrwarren.com/house-of-mystery-radioshow

Movie Reviews

Youtube and other Video Platforms

  • Had a Kali knife video go semi-viral gaining over 9K views and 64 subscribers.
  • Decided to focus my Youtube channel on martial arts videos.
  • Achieved 100 subscriber and 300 subscriber milestones.
  • Featured on Izzo’s Wing Chun gaining me at least 70 subscribers.
  • 433 subscribers as of December.
  • Gained 400 new subscribers this year.
  • 80K total views, 33.5K watch-time minutes, and 1,268 total likes.
  • Made new friends in the martial arts Youtube communtiy.
  • Learned and began editing videos using iMovie.
  • Learned and began creating thumbnails using Canva.
  • Made Youtube Shorts.
  • Posted short videos to Tiktok, Facebook, and Instagram.
  • Uploaded over 48 shorts with over 36.2K views.
  • Top viewed shorts: Tae Kwon Do Sparring, 9 Sword Cuts.
  • Top viewed videos: Solo Knife Drills, Sword to Knife, Chain Punching From Yip Man to Bruce Lee to Taky Kimura.

Check out my Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWAGfK61_Pc6vOlOmUD1sRg

Martial Arts

  • Celebrated 35 years of formal martial arts training and teaching.
  • Joined The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association.
  • The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association accepted me as a 3rd degree black belt and issued a backdated certificate to my original promotion and signed by the President of the Association.
  • Made friends with members of the association.
  • Set up Mook Jong.
  • Home training 3x per week various arts.
  • Attended “Drowning in Kali 2022” at the Derderian Academy of Martial Arts.
  • Attended 2-day 14 hour weekend seminar Inosanto-Lacosta Blend/Presas Family (Modern) Arnis with teachers Guro Raffi Derderian and Guro Hock Hochheim at Chris Thompson – Just Train in North Kingston, RI.
  • Achieved First Level in Guro W. Hock Hocheim’s Essential Filipino Martial Arts System.

Achieved 1st Level in W. Hock Hocheim’s Pacific Archipelago (Combatives) Concepts.

Health

  • I had a cracked tooth fixed and my 6 month cleanings.
  • I had my booster.
  • Colonoscopy (I’m officially old!).
  • Eye Doctor – everything stable.
  • Brought Diesel for his vet appointments.
  • Annual physical – everything normal. All numbers good. I just need to lose a little weight.

Family

  • January after holiday (2021) get-together with the in-laws.
  • Celebrated 27 years of marriage & 30 Years together!
  • Helped my sister-in-law set up a Roku and Ooma Telo.
  • Ate breakfast with parents at the North End Diner. I helped my Dad take down his tent from campsite. Went with my mother to a jeweler to consider resizing original wedding ring.
  • Called my parents at least twice a week.
  • Decided to get new wedding ring. Also got a groove ring for martial arts training.
  • Chewy sent us a painting of Diesel and later sent him a Christmas gift.
  • We began training Diesel on a harness.
  • Attended local Independence Day Parade.
  • Attended Patty’s work dinner.
  • Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year with sister-in-law.
  • Cat-sat for our neighbor.
  • Kept up with my friend and former English professor through email.
  • Continued a great friendship with Al Warren.

Cars

  • Both cars inspected.
  • General maintenance on both cars.

Travel & Fun

  • Quiet Riot, Slaughter, and Steve Pearcy (Ratt) at Mohegan Sun Arena. Summer Shack for dinner and drinks.
  • Went to see Scream (2022)at the theater and dinner at the 110 Grill.
  • NKOTB MixTape at Mohegan Sun Arena. Summer Shack for dinner and drinks.
  • Kevin James at the Hanover Theater in Worcester, MA. Dinner at Chashu Ramen & Izakaya.

House

  • Had old gas water heater disabled and blocked and a new electric water heater installed in the closet. The old water heater couldn’t be replaced and remain up to code so a new one had to be relocated. We got estimates from three companies.
  • Had outlet replaced.
  • Replaced smoke alarms.
  • Replaced thermostat that stopped working. I was able to do this myself!
  • Had upstairs fill-valve etc. replaced.
  • Had downstairs toilet replaced. The old one was from 1955!
  • The condo association provided us with a dumpster for spring cleaning.
  • Management company fixed damage on front stoop.
  • Management company fixed woodpecker damage on our Townhouse.
  • Installed coat rack in foyer.

Whisk(e)y, Spirits & Cocktails

  • Greenspot Irish Whisky.
  • Black Saddle 12 – smooth, sweet rum raisin, cinnamon, carmel.
  • Kaiyo Mizunara Oak Japanese Whisky.
  • Lagavulin 8 – cough sweets, rum raisin, plumb, peppery spice, smoke, dry finish, like a white wine. 
  • Meiomi Pinot Noir.
  • Kohi Martini – Casamigos Reposado, espresso, brew, coffee liquor, simple syrup.
  • Dublin Smash cocktail – Irish whiskey, mint, lemon, simple syrup.
  • Bourbon Cherry Bomb cocktail.

A/V & Tech

  • Free subscription to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu with Ads from Verizon.
  • Free year of AMC+.
  • Got a subscription to Friendly TV to supplement antenna.
  • Patty Replaced ear pads on cinema headphones.

That’s all I can remember for now. See you in 2023!