Meet your next favorite book! Click on any cover for details
Action, adventure, drama, conflict, humor. It's all here, along with the macabre, the supernatural, and the paranormal. My books satisfy your cravings for suspense and intrigue. Several have garnered award nominations in their genres, providing enjoyable reading for ages 8 to 80+.
It isn't easy being 13 ...
And being raised by your grandfather ...
and having a name like Minno ...
and then having to journey through
a strange land to rescue your parents.
But Minno is doing the best she can.
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For all her young life Minno believed her parents were dead. Then she learns they're alive, but they're in grave danger. Her friend Hailey thought she was having a sleepover at her friend's house. Now she's Minno's ally on an incredible quest.
The girls embark on the adventure of a lifetime, facing a menagerie of strange creatures, both friendly and unfriendly to their cause.
Oh, yeah, then there's one evil high minister Craveaux, who must stop Minno while he steals all the magic in the kingdom for his own sinister purposes.
Minno must save her parents, and along the way discover who she really is.
"This book is part Wizard Of Oz, part The Hobbit and part Alice In Wonderland, but all amazing."
-- Amie, Goodreads
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"Overall I would rate this book 4 ½ stars. The pacing is really fast, the exciting scenes and action is almost non-stop."
-- Richard, Goodreads
"I enjoyed this unique, playful, and fantastic adventure. Two young girls are whisked away into a magical land, where they meet strange and wonderful characters. The friends must band together and learn who they truly are."
-- E. Mason, Amazon
"Minno is an absolute thriller from beginning to end. I loved the two characters, Minno and Hailey.This book should be made into a movie! Great plot."
-- Tianna, Goodreads
"From a parent's point-of-view, this is a good book for a tween or younger teen."
-- Fizzgig, Goodreads
Read more
reviews at Goodreads.com
Minno 2 packs more zany adventure,
more creatures, and new characters into
this thrill-a-minute
sequel. Every chapter
sweeps you along in the strange
and marvelous world of Ambrosia.
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For Minno and Hailey there's no time to rest. They must forge alliances with new creatures and characters to
take on even more bizarre adversaries.
The bond forged between Minno and Hailey in book 1 is about to be tested. Can the girls' unlikely friendship
survive another harrowing adventure in an unfamiliar land?
Hugely engaging, the Minno series is the perfect one-two punch of excitement for middle school and young
adult readers.
"I enjoyed this unique, playful, and fantastic adventure. Two young girls are whisked away into a magical land, where they meet strange and wonderful characters. The friends must band together and learn who they truly are."
-- E. Mason, Amazon
"Minno is an absolute thriller from beginning to end. I loved the two characters, Minno and Hailey.This book should be made into a movie! Great plot."
-- Tianna, Goodreads
"From a parent's point-of-view, this is a good book for a tween or younger teen."
-- Fizzgig, Goodreads
Read more
reviews at Goodreads.com
College is a time for unbridled discovery, but some
things were never meant to be disturbed ...
In late August of 1995, junior Ali Goodfellow
returned to quaint Ranhurst college in rural
Ohio. A day later she vanished without a trace.
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Her friends and the authorities concluded Ali just took to the wind. Maybe she couldn’t handle the relentless pressure of college life. Lucky for her, roommate Trish Van Worten refused to accept their unfounded theory.
What you’re about to read is Trish’s horrifying odyssey into the seamy, dark world that exists beneath the surface of every college campus. Someone’s using terror to keep Trish from uncovering the evil truth behind Ali’s disappearance. Trish’s struggle to save her friend will take her to the very gates of hell, where she faces demons and the devil itself to rescue Ali.
Become a witness to this hellish unending nightmare and hope you'll never have to face something this frightening alone.
"Windows To The Soul is a heart-pounding, palm-sweating, blood-chilling thriller of a novel."
-- James Cox, Midwest Book Review
"I have really enjoyed both books that I have read by this Author. Will continue to read this authors books"
-- Macay25, Barnes & Noble
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"I found this book to be mysterious, creepy, with a few twist and turns. It grabs your interest from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out if people were/were not involved. I enjoyed the book immensely and the price wasn't bad either."
-- Cdyana, Amazon
"...a remarkable achievement. I identified so closely with the characters and action that at times I felt my pulse race and heard myself start to hyperventilate."
-- Buzz Book Review
"Overall, the book was good with characters I cared about and a plot that kept me involved, wanting to know what happened next."
-- Jim Fay, Amazon
Winner of the Reader's Choice award for Suspense at the Love is Murder Mystery Conference in 2000.
Do you believe in miracles?
Jenny Garrett does. Because only a miracle brought her through a terrible car crash.
Do you believe in ghosts?
Jenny didn't either until ...
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Jenny Garrett survived her crash thanks to a tenacious, talented surgeon. He made her almost as good as new. Almost ...
But Jenny's life has become a hellish inescapable nightmare. Her accident was no accident. Someone wants her dead. And she's being terrorized by a Doppelganger.
Jenny desperately needs to uncover the truth behind her accident. Why would anyone want to kill her? But more importantly, she needs to understand why her spirit is trying to destory her.
Dwight Mackenzie investigates paranormal phenomena. He wants to help Jenny learn the real truth: But the real truth is there is only one way to escape the vicious torment of a Doppelganger.
"This was a real great book! A major page turner - kept me on the edge of my seat. Definitely a five star book!"
-- Crusader, Amazon
"Great, enjoyable read. I really enjoyed this book, it flowed very well, and found that I couldn't put it down."
-- trek, Amazon UK
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"This book was very mesmerizing and I couldn't put it down! I loved the idea and storyline."
-- Brandyn, Goodreads
"This book is one of the best I have read recently. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery."
-- Pauline, Amazon UK
"Barlog skillfully creates a terrifying and creepy atmosphere which makes you want to keep your bedroom light on when you put the book down for sleep. "
-- Nicole, Goodreads
"I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something engrossing."
-- GC, Amazon UK
An emotionally gripping, brutally invasive
tale of four young Native Americans wrongly
committed to our nation's only Indian insane
asylum during the 1920s.
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It was the roaring 20s, and Americans were living the dream, except for…
… those hundreds of Native Americans wrongly committed to our nation’s only Indian insane asylum. Once there, they endured unimaginable torture and abuse with no hope of ever being free. Their story will touch your very soul.
This powerful, heart-wrenching saga came from the records in the South Dakota State Archives for the Canton Indian insane asylum.
Highly-acclaimed, Fallen Hopes, Taken Dreams is a must-read for Red Hearts, historical fiction, and Native American fans.
"It was definitely a page turner. I found myself caring about the patients and rooting for them to win. It is unfortunate that people were actually treated this way. Well written J.M. Barlog!"
-- Dawn, Goodreads
"This is one book that's definitely worth its price. If you like Native American books, read this one!"
-- Jenny, Goodreads
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"The novel is set in an Indian Insane Asylum and the poor souls that have been committed there will steal your heart and make you cry."
-- Elaine Waldron, Goodreads
"This book is one of the best books I have read in a long time!! So realistic that I am still not exactly sure how much of this book is fiction ... J.M. Barlog did a fantastic job in conveying the way these Indians must have felt. I look forward to reading more written by him."
-- Rebecca Hughes, Goodreads
"An emotionally powerful tale of native hardship. Parts of this novel hurt me deeply and yet other parts left me stunned, speechless even. I would definitely recommend this novel."
-- D. Kraus, Goodreads
Read more reviews at Goodreads.com
One woman's courage must decide the fate of the English crown.
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The English countryside roils in the throes of political upheaval as King Richard the Lionheart sails from defeat in the Holy Lands. His kingdom teeters on the verge of yet another bloody war-- this one against his own blood. To the victor goes the crown ... with death to the vanquished.
Waylaid and stranded on the continent, Richard must evade capture from his enemies, forcing Princess Joanna and Queen Eleanor to thwart Prince John's play to usurp the throne.
The Heart of the Lion whisks you away to a time long past and places far away, where thundering hooves, clanking swords, passion, and above all else, courage, ruled the day.
"Well written with plenty of intrigue, mystery, politics, courage, loyalty and heartbreak this book is a must read and lead to far many nights reading until 2 am."
-- Stachia, Barnes & Noble
"There are hero knights, sword fights, chases, and escapes before all is concluded in this tale loosely based on British history."
-- Karen M, Amazon
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"This was the first of J M Barlog's books that I have read. I have to admit that I am a great fan of historical fiction. I started this book and virtually read it non-stop. I am certainly not a literary expert but thought it was excellent in both in its style of writing and the story line."
-- John A. Mitchell, Amazon
"The author creates a rich tapestry of history and fiction held together with flesh and blood characters."
-- Kate Benson, Goodreads
"I found this book to be both engaging and adventurous. The plot is well laced with intrigue at every turn as it flips back and forth between England and Germany. The story and the complex characters keep you turning pages."
-- Jill Hillsten, Goodreads
The thrilling adventure of The Heart of the Lion continues in The Lion Unleashed, Book 2 of this intense historical fiction series.
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With her son, King Richard the Lionheart, a prisoner of Germany's King Henry, Queen Eleanor struggles to raise the steep ransom he demands. Henry holds all the leverage, and he's forcing his stranglehold on the English crown. Deliver or Richard dies.
Princess Joanna needs to keep Prince John off the throne, while staving off an expansion-hungry King Philip of France. Her only solution is to rescue her brother. But can one woman defy incredible odds to lead a small band of valiant knights to free her king?
Tense and action-packed, The Lion Unleashed shifts the Plantagenet battle from the verdant English countryside to the dark forests and impregnable castles on the continent.
"The frenetic pace of this book keeps you from putting it down. I am so hooked on Joanna's story that I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. "
-- Shelley, Goodreads
Sometimes children can be little demons ... literally.
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It was all supposed to be so simple. Seven days before Clare's due date, Hal and Marla drive to Connecticut to share in the birth of their newest grandchild. At the same time, they would care for their grandson Kyle, since Clare's husband is on a navy deployment.
After all, how difficult can a five-year-old be? Grandparents are perfectly capable, right?
But there's something terribly wrong, and Hal will need every ounce of courage and faith to confront a monster he could neither understand nor protect his family against.
" ... this is a genuinely frightening book, with plenty of demonic action. And if you have a four year old child that displays strange and unusual behaviour...don't put it down to a sugar rush! "
-- Jo R, Amazon UK
"If you love the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo stories - you will adore Barlog. This book is a terrific terrifying read that had me clicking my Nook pages as fast as I could and not wanting to put it down."
-- Anonymous, Barnes & Noble
Andrew's throwing a New Year's Eve bash for his girlfriend Julie...
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...and their nine libido-crazed best friends at a vintage Hollywood Hills mansion. The spacious old place provides the perfect venue to party ... and to die.
Fear erupts when friends start to disappear. Are they being punked? Then fear turns to terror when an innocent night of drinking becomes a harrowing, desperate fight to stay alive. Can they hang on? Who--if any--will live to ring in the New Year?
This sexy, intense thriller will hold you at the edge of your seat. You won't want to put it down until you see if any of them survive.
"This book had a good storyline. I liked the fact that I could read a scary novel, that kept me guessing to the end. If you want a short to the point scary story, this book is for you."
-- LibroAmante, Barnes & Noble
Code-name: Wolf Pack
They're ruthless. They're deadly ... they're CIA/MI6 black ops.
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Only seven know of their existence. Nameless faces, they hunt those who masterminded the World Trade Center bombing, the assault on the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, and at least three London explosions. But their ultimate target is the one so vital to the cause of terrorism that he can unite terrorist factions around the globe.
Both the U.S. and British governments disavow any knowledge of Wolf Pack's mission. These unsung warriors will let nothing keep them from achieving their covert target.
The unrivaled master of terrorism will face the ultimate master in counterterrorism. Only one will survive.
"If you love a sharp tale of counterintelligence and terrorism that seems ripped from the daily headlines, don't miss Necessary Measures."
-- A. Caruba, Bookviews
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"A complex tale of international espionage and counter terrorism, with a suspenseful ending."
-- Jack, Goodreads
"This book is fast paced, dramatic, and has enough suspense to keep anyone on the edge of their seat. It also gives the impression that this is pretty much the way the real world works; at least the real world where I would like to reside. If you enjoy spy/terrorist type books, this is a must read!"
-- Carol Donaho, Amazon
"Once I got a good handle on who was who, and I had to go back a couple of times to do that, I really enjoyed the story."
-- Lisa, Goodreads
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Death comes in threes...
An unresolved bloody past haunts the people of Albuquerque. For two years a killer lay silent. Now the signature killings of the Boulder Hill killer have started anew.
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For police lieutenant Dakota Blackwood, an Apache who never quite fit in either his or the white man's world, Angela Janine Walker's corpse rekindles images of the killer's previous spree.
The clock has started. Two more will die. This high stakes ruthless game has resumed. But another bitter struggle consumes Dakota's life: While one monster slowly destroys the woman he loves, another selects nameless victims to die.
"It is extremely descriptive and incredibly moving. I started this book yesterday and have just now finished it. It draws you completely into the story, you will not be able to put this book down."
-- Amy, Goodreads
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"Outstanding and very well-written. Characterizations are vivid, makes you feel as if you're right there. This would make a wonderful movie."
-- Anonymous, Barnes & Noble
"J.M.Barlog has given us a love story within a gruesome tale of murder and mutilation."
-- Bonnie Azzelino, Amazon
"I am a relatively new Barlog fan, and this is the best book of his that I have read so far. I plan to read more of his books."
-- Mattie Boyd, Amazon
The novelization of the highly anticipated God of War game.
His vengeance against the Gods of Olympus years behind him, Kratos now lives as a man in the realm of Norse gods and monsters.
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It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive... and teach his son to do the same. This startling reimagining of God of War deconstructs the core elements that defined the series-- satisfying combat; breathtaking scale; and a powerful narrative--and fuses them anew.
"Enjoyed reading it! It was a cool insight into the characters (particularly Kratos and his struggle to be a father), and the interactions between them all felt in character and realistic."
-- Anahi, Amazon
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"J.M. Barlog sure knows how to vivify the story in the game and narrate it to such an extend of reality. "
-- Diego, Audible
"I really enjoyed this book. I play the game and loved it, but the book stands on its own. As an Odinist I also appreciated the different take on the gods of the north."
-- Sean C, Audible
"Excellent book, I recommend it wholeheartedly not only to the fans of the series, but also to anyone interested in Norse mythology and who loves good storytelling. "
-- Liana, Audible
Award-winner Windows to the Soul
Dark Side: The Haunting
A Connecticut Nightmare
New Year's Bloody Eve
A Chicago native, I served in the Air Force during Vietnam. That was when the writing bug took me. I started (with no success) writing short stories about things that interested me. Before long I was expanding into novels and exploring many different facets of life. I came to realize that stories were all around. All I had to do was be observant and let my imagination go where it wanted.
Because of that, I have a personal connection to many of the books I write.
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My debut novel, Windows to the Soul, won the Readers' Choice award at an Illinois 'Love Is Murder' Mystery Conference. I wrote it for my daughter when she went off to college. She's always been a big horror fan, so I wanted to wrap a horror story inside an intense mystery. Each time we visited her at school, I gleaned more and more information that could be used in the book.
A Connecticut Nightmare came from the birth of one of my grandsons. I thought demonic possession was a perfect plot under the circumstances.
The Heart of the Lion is my retelling of the Richard the Lionheart story from the viewpoint of Richard's sister Joanna.
A favorite novel is Fallen Hopes, Taken Dreams, which I stumbled upon while researching a serial killer story set during the rave scene. When I first read about the Canton Indian insane asylum I just knew I had to write the book. Their story of suffering and survival had to be told. Though the words are mine, the voices are theirs, crying out to be heard.
I currently live with my wonderful wife in southern California, close to our grandchildren. I am busy working on sequels to my popular novels The Heart of the Lion, Minno, and A Connecticut Nightmare.
Copyright 2015-2019 by J. M. Barlog. Contact info: jmbarlog@gmail.com
