Small town girl, Lynnie Russell, wakes after a late night celebrating her twentieth birthday, naked and caked in blood. As memories rush back to her, the horrifying reality of what she’s done—what she’s become—rips her soul to shreds.
To keep those she loves safe, Lynnie must race to unearth the source of the death magic inside her—discovering an ancient familial secret Nana and Mama had kept her whole life.
Understanding her place in the balance of the universe—exacting vengeance on those most vile—Lynnie grows desperate for the power of knowledge.
When an unexpected ally offers help, there’s no way she can refuse. Choosing to leave the home she’s known since birth, Lynnie will travel to the ends of the earth in search of the truth. Not only for herself, but for the future of her bloodline.
Seamlessly blending horror, fantasy, and Southern small-town life, Gilmore (17 Marigold Lane) crafts a hauntingly beautiful world. Lynnie Russell is turning 20 and hopes to finally leave Havana, Ark., where she lives with her brother, Garrett. Her days are spent working at the gas station, her nights drinking at Maldoon’s bar with Garrett; her best friend, Hattie; and Garrett’s best friend (and Lynnie’s nemesis), Rusty Kemp. But Lynnie’s birthday celebration takes a dark turn, throwing a wrench in her plans. After a revelatory conversation with Rusty, Lynnie wakes up covered in blood, finding Rusty dead and herself somehow changed: she’s capable of spouting claws, fur, and fangs. Thrust into a supernatural world drawn from Irish folklore and urban fantasy tropes, Lynnie must reconcile her new form with the desire to keep her family safe. Her coming-of-age is kicked into high gear by her transformation, forcing her to find balance between who she thought she was and who she’s becoming. While Lynnie’s story can get fairly dark, Gilmore tempers the horror elements with dry wit, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a small but memorable supporting cast. This is sure to capture readers’ hearts and imaginations. (Self-published)
R.M. Gilmore has delivered an exciting fantasy novel that is exceptionally well paced and thoughtfully developed. In my mind I could hear a young Jessica Simpson’s voice speaking to me as Lynnie narrated her story. From the quintessential, “My, mama, God love her,” to the more comical but no less evocative, “You can’t polish a turd,” And The Creek Don’t Rise will transport readers to the small Arkansas town where Lynnie’s story begins. But don’t let the southern drawl fool you! This story is dark and difficult, even dreadful at times. The transformation of Lynnie is vividly described and skillfully told. If you enjoy stories with ancient occult phenomena, Gilmore’s got you covered. If you like just a little romance and heartbreak, she’s got you covered there too. And The Creek Don’t Rise is a bold mystical fantasy novel that demands to be read in one sitting.
And The Creek Don't Rise by R. M. Gilmore, is a chilling paranormal story based on the fabled monster, the Arkansas Howler. It is a thrilling novel where aspects of ancient Irish legends and myths meld together with the legendary cryptid. These intriguing elements create a spellbinding story that is unique and original. Cleverly written, it is a haunting, spine-tingling story that sparks the imagination and provokes nightmares. For those who love a shiver-inducing tale, this is a fabulous paranormal novel that makes the hardiest reader's blood run cold. However, due to some strong language, sexual situations, and filled with blood, guts, and gore, this story is more suitable for mature readers.
