As the year winds down, I’ll also unleash a few howling shout-outs on behalf of some of the more outstanding artistic achievements that caught my eye, captured my attention, grabbed me by the soul and/or shivered my proverbial timbers in 2013. There were precious few musical highlights that I found worthy of embracing over the past twelve months, but of the dozen or so artists that made me stop, drop and (rock &) roll, Breting Engel, a singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, gets my nod for Album of the Year with his absolutely haunting eponymous debut on Big Bend Records.

Imagine yourself ridin’ shotgun down a lonesome Montana road at midnight in a truck driven by a ghost … a tormented ghost with a voice reminiscent of some whiskey-soaked and unpredictable Lindsay Buckingham–feral and captivatingly dangerous beneath a surface of brilliant melodies. Try to envision that and you’ll soon understand the atmospheric power of Engel’s song-craft. Better yet, throw the need for imagination to the wind and sample the record for yourself. The experience is not to be missed. First single (and accompanying video) Avalon is indicative of the album’s superlative quality, and the surety of the effort heralds a welcome new voice on the horizon, indeed. Engel soars, he shatters, and he scorches the earth with a set of masterful self-penned tunes that ought to turn “Americana music” (or music in general) on its ear. Have a listen and be sure to download the album on iTunes or Amazon.
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Jonathan Kieran’s (as-yet-untitled) new novel is slated for release in late Spring 2014. Look for news about the release here and at Amazon.com in the coming weeks and months.

Jonathan is also the author of the classically appointed Rowan Blaize series of modern fairy-tales and novels. Visit Jonathan Kieran’s Official Facebook Page and give it a “Like,” if you are so inclined. Meanwhile …

Escape the Imminent Collapse of Civilization, if only for a few hours. A sweeping modern fairy-tale is born with the Rowan Blaize series of books. Click on the book covers to the right or have a look below …

Watch the Rowan Blaize Book Trailer HERE.

Book One = The magical cornerstone – a lavishly illustrated epic narrative poem … a genuine “spell” for the young and young-at-heart to treasure for a lifetime, telling the story of sorcerer Rowan Blaize’s battle to regain his magic powers. (Think Beowulf-meets-Dr.Seuss or an epic story-in-verse of a scope similar to Tolkien’s soon-to-be-released The Fall of Arthur, only contemporary.)

Book Two = The rip-roaring novel that continues the adventures of Rowan Blaize and introduces the three hilarious witches of the Ancient City, along with its dysfunctional werewolves, wraiths, ghosts, vampires, dryads, banshees and a beauty pageant brat that just might destroy the world.

Book Three = The next novel that finds Rowan trapped by a spell in another world, caught between a faery-squashing sorceress who’ll stop at nothing to conquer the kingdom … and a feisty teenage prince who’s determined to get it back.

Click here to purchase the Kindle e-books and watch a video of Jonathan discussing his work.
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Rowan Blaize Official Website
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