Dark Secrets Revealed
A New Home
Welcome to the home for my creative work. I have posted my current work here so far. I will be adding records of my past work and sharing my plans for future projects as I update the site. Enjoy a browse around. Please feel free to come back often. There will surely be something new to explore.
Dark Secrets Revealed
What does that mean? It means I have found the more digging you do, the more you find the world is full of weird troublesome details, details that when connected, reveal a world that does not work as you expected. Stories you think you know have more to them. Oddities you thought were disparate coincidences turn out to be related. You expect the unexpected to show up in horror, but it is lurking in all genres. It is with this eye toward revealing dark secrets that I approach storytelling.
Limited Time Offer - Free Books for Reviews
Between now and July, you can get a free download copy of any of my books in exchange for a review. Go to Book Sirens at these URLs to make your requests.
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The Jaywrites Newsletter is now live!
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I launched the monthly newsletter in September 2022. Each issue has news of what's happening in my writing career as well as columns on writing advice, movie reviews, and personal stories about my journey as a writer.
As an incentive to subscribe, I am offering Goddess Revealed, the research compendium to the Goddess Rising Trilogy, as a free download to subscribers. Twenty years of research unearthed gems from religion, science, and history that form the foundation of this globe-trotting adventure. Here's your chance to see how the pieces fit together and reveal how this story could have happened behind the news, and how magic works in the real world.
Goddess Revealed is also available for purchase wherever you buy books. But do yourself a favor and sign up for really cool newsletter.
The Insane God Selected as Finalist for Cygnus Science Fiction Book Award
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Chanticleer Book Reviews has selected The Insane God as one of its Finalists for the Cygnus Science Fiction Book Award for 2022! I am thrilled this book is finally getting the recognition it deserves as one of the best science fiction novels published last year.
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If you have not read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick up your copy today.
The Mirror's Revenge
The rest of the story you think you know
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The Mirror's Revenge was a huge success. One reviewer called it, "a triumph in music, theme, and story." Read the review here. Chelsea Bardellini, a Choreographer and Director I admire, wrote, "Your show last night was really excellent! Congratulations!" Another attendee wrote, "With strong vocals and clever staging, it's everything local theater should be, clever, funny, and full of heart." About 150 people saw the play at it's gala premier at the World Science Fiction Convention in San Jose and another 150 folks saw it at our regular run in Vallejo at Bay Area Stage. Over 100 people also saw it on YouTube here where I posted a filming for consideration to be nominated for a Hugo Award. (We did not get enough votes to get the nomination. We were competing with some very popular television shows.) I am thrilled to have brought this show to over 400 people. I wrote an article about the experience for the Hugo Award winning magazine Drink Tank. It is both a cautionary tale and a celebration of the effort. Read "Regina Snow Victorious" at page 24 here​. I edited all the changes we made to the play during production into the script and sheet music. The package is now in circulation with theatrical publishers. Wish me luck!
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One of my actresses, Bailey Barnard, earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her multiple parts in the play at the Napa and Sonoma County Arty Awards in 2019. Congratulations Bailey!
Writing, directing, and producing an original musical was a superhuman task, but it showed me that seemingly impossible things can be achieved if you get the right people on board to help. I could not have done it without the unflagging support of my Stage Manager Ashira Macy, the patience of my Music Director Jay Krohnengold and my composers Kristoph Klover and Margaret Davis. My cast worked so hard over the seven week rehearsals and the three week run of the show. I will never be able to thank them enough for their fine work bringing these characters to life.
The success of The Mirror's Revenge revived my love of theater in ways I did not expect. Yes, I am working on a new show. It is called Las Dos Flores, and it is an opera set in ancient Mesoamerica. Think Aida with Mayans instead of Egyptians. Read the details on the Works in Progress page.
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And of course, you can own the album of the songs from the show, produced by Flowinglass Music. Click here.
Concept art for original screenplay
(click here for From Idea to Stage)
Our fabulous cover art by Jeslyn Sebold
The Mirror's Revenge debuted as the opening night entertainment for WorldCon 76 in San Jose, California on August 16, 2018. The show then ran for three weeks at Bay Area Stage in Vallejo, California, closing on September 3. The show is currently under consideration by a major publisher, and by another local community theater. More news here as it develops!
Sister Catherine hypnotizes Snow
(click here for Cast & Songs)
Snow remembers her stepmother
Snow White's actual castle
(click here for the real story
behind the fairy tale)
Masters Po and Wing
(click here for YouTube trailer)
King Karl (fka Prince Charming) takes charge
(click here to hear song "I Am that Hero!")
The Evil Queen Bellaverna
Father Heinrich
Snow tries to break the Mirror
Evil King Krosus escapes the Mirror
(click here for spoilers synopsis)
A very special thank you goes to Stephen Jacobson for these gorgeous rehearsal pictures.
The Mirror entrances Birgitte
Karl's Men-at-Arms
(click here for the song lyrics)
The fateful last carriage ride
And they lived happily ever after
Mermaid Steel wins Silver at
The Book Fest Awards
The fantasy romance novel Mermaid Steel won Silver for Multicultural Fantasy Romance at The Book Fest 2022.
What starts out as a romance quickly becomes an exploration of race relations and the power of love over hatred in this tale of two villages on the brink of war. I am amazed at how topical this story has become in the 2020s. You are in for a treat!
Links to all the sites that hosted the book release blog tour are on the News & Events page.
"Hartlove explores unconventional romance and the process of cultural erasure… A thoughtful, erotic fantasy that asks readers to see the best in one another."
- Kirkus Reviews
Publications, Audiobooks
and Stellar Reviews
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Paper Angel Press released Goddess Chosen (Book One of the Goddess Rising Series) on August 1, 2019, Goddess Daughter (Book Two) on December 1, 2019, and Goddess Rising (Book Three) on April 1, 2020. The audiobooks are now available from Audible and Amazon. Trevor Wilson did a wonderful job narrating my world-spanning adventures, accents and all!
Links to all the editions and the audiobooks are on the publisher's site https://waterdragonpublishing.com/product-category/book-series/goddess-rising-series/
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Rave reviews are rolling in:
Publisher's Weekly said this about Goddess Rising. "Complex characters draw readers into the intricate world of demons and angels, many of whom have multiple names. Desiree's struggle to reconcile her new powers with a strong sense of self is poignant; the cagey Joseph, the ambitious Alec, and the caring Sanantha round out the appealing central cast. Hartlove gives readers a sumptuous fantastical realm for readers to get lost in, a world where ancient Egyptian gods, Celtic spirits, and Catholic saints collide. His ability to suffuse each ancient deity with a distinct personality gives the narrative a delightfully human edge that will keep the pages turning.
Takeaway: Readers who enjoy thought-provoking fantasy will appreciate this complex final installment of Hartlove's urban fantasy trilogy about warring gods.
Great for fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens, Nalini Singh's Archangel series.
The full review is here: https://booklife.com/projectid/3a878530-9ee9-11ea-9fc5-547275647911
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Kirkus Reviews had this to say about Goddess Chosen. “Hartlove fashions a riveting blend of history, religion, and horror in this briskly paced series opener. The author balances his ferocious imagination with historical passion. A masterful historical fantasy that informs as well as enthralls.” The full review is at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jay-hartlove/goddess-chosen/
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This series tells how the Egyptian goddess Isis seeks revenge on Sammael, the Prince of Liars a.k.a. the Devil, for his sabotage of Exodus. In Goddess Chosen, Isis reincarnates a High Priest to be her champion. His ruthless determination creates a whirlwind of madness and destruction which ensnares Washington DC importer Charles Redmond. Charles' psychiatrist Sanantha Mauwad tries to save his mind, but can she save his soul?
Sanantha continues as the detective as the saga shifts to Malaysia in Goddess Daughter, and finally to Ireland in Goddess Rising.
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Featured Selection
The Rest of the Story You Think You Know
Why did the Evil Queen want to kill Snow White instead of arranging a marriage to grow the kingdom? How “happily ever after” could Snow White live after being dead for six months? How did Snow’s father’s die? Who was really behind the mayhem, and are they done?
Welcome to The Mirror’s Revenge! Picking up right after the traditional Snow White tale, this sequel plays out events and reveals what was really going on in the first story. Inspired by the Evanescence song, “Bring Me To Life,” this musical production features fourteen original songs which fill in details like who were the dwarves (displaced Kalmyk Buddhist monks), and how did Snow White change the prince’s life?
The play and lyrics were written by dark fantasy novelist Jay Hartlove. The melodies and arrangements were written by Celtic rockers Kristoph Klover and Margaret Davis. This is what happens when you get creative people together and no one tells them they can’t write a Broadway-worthy musical. This album is the the soundtrack of that musical. We thank the many talented musicians who generously contributed their voices and time to help us create this dream come true. Look out Broadway!
"Hartlove explores unconventional romance and the process of cultural erasure… A thoughtful, erotic fantasy that asks readers to see the best in one another."
- Kirkus Reviews about Mermaid Steel
"Hartlove fashions a riveting blend of history, religion, and horror in this briskly paced series opener...The author balances his ferocious imagination with historical passion...A masterful historical fantasy that informs as well as enthralls."
– Kirkus Reviews about Goddess Chosen
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"Jay Hartlove has fused several genres in a driving narrative sparkling with historical exotica. I recommend you buy this crazy novel."
- John Shirley, Bram Stoker Award winner about Goddess Chosen
"Jay Hartlove is a master at his craft! Doling out the facts in small, but tantalizing morsels, he finds a way to raise the "woo-woo" factor, keep the tension high while blending science, science fiction, ancient beliefs and religions in Asia! His style is intense and confident as he balances multiple genres once again in this riveting piece of creative genius!"
- Dii, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer about Goddess Daughter
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"Jay Hartlove's world of magic, madness and suspense comes to a climax with a boom, not a bang in "Goddess Rising." The Isis trilogy reaches new heights while keeping rooted in the creative depth and character development of the first two books. A fun, fast paced read!"
- Jason Stewart, The Last Words of Robert Johnson and Other Tales about Goddess Rising
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My Works
Contact Me
If you need to reach me directly, the best way is via email at jay.hartlove@gmail.com. Serious inquiries please. No solicitation. You do not have permission to add me to mailing lists or to distribute this address to anyone without my expressed authorization. Thank you.