Publisher Amazon Category:  Horror Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press ISBN-10:  1593749074 Type: Fiction Pages: 222 Copyright: September 1, 2007 ISBN-13: 9781593749071 Dark Lullaby is a supernatural horror novel about a young idealist astrophysicist who falls into a vortex of destructive memories, visions and murder after having met a strange girl at a tavern, and who ultimately must face his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child. At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated by her beauty as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. Soon, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her—her skin’s abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience. The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister’s baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her. But nothing, not even the stunning splendour of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…

The Book Connection
Dark, exotic, and filled with chilling twists and turns, Dark Lullaby by Marya Calvani is horror story that grabs you right away and doesn't release its grip until the final word is read.

Astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz believes in the higher good and that everything can be explained by science and logic. One night in a tavern, a mysterious and intriguing woman captivates his body and soul. After spending the next several days with the mysterious Kamilah, Gabriel is convinced to join her in Turkey to visit her family's cottage, even though he can't push away the nightmares of his sister Elena's unborn child.

Plagued by a strange illness that leaves him weakened and sore, Gabriel begins to wonder who or what Kamilah really is. With the help of a village merchant and a one-eyed witch, Gabriel makes a startling discovery, calling into question all he believes in and forcing him to come to terms with his past so he can save Elena's baby.

Equally scary and beautiful, Mayra Calvani has drawn the beauty of Turkey into a chilling paranormal tale unlike any I've ever read. The descriptions throughout this book were stunning. I walked along the hike up a Turkish mountainside, lived inside Gabriel's head during his disturbing dreams, and stood beside him as he looked into the strangely carved trees in the forest leading up to Kamilah's cottage.

A master storyteller, Calvani hooked me from the first moment in the tavern to the very last page. This is truly a unique story that I look forward to reading again.

Dark Lullaby will capture you with its rich descriptions, its exotic location, and the need to uncover the dark secrets hidden within its pages.

--Reviewed by Cheryl C. Malandrinos, The Book Connection http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/



Epinions.com
While Gabriel Diaz debates philosophy with his ex-girlfriend, Liz, in a bar, the two of them arguing hotly about the discrepancies between law and justice, and the notion of ‘higher good’, they are approached by a mysterious young woman, Kamilah, who fuels their discussion with the concept of corrupting a good and noble soul, and the notion of ‘ultimate evil’.

Young and blindingly attractive, Kamilah proceeds to seduce Gabriel, who succumbs readily to her spell. Even though he has promised to visit his pregnant sister in Belgium in time for the birth, Gabriel agrees to accompany Kamilah on a trip to her family cottage in Rize in the mountains on the Black Sea. There, amidst the splendour of the Turkish countryside, strange things begin to happen. First he loses his cell-phone, his one link to the outside world. Then he begins to feel physically ill. With terrifying nightmares, hellish hallucinations and threatening encounters assailing him from all sides, Gabriel is plunged into a maelstrom of inexplicable, supernatural events that threaten not only his very sanity but his integrity as well, not to mention the peace of mind of his twin sister far away in Belgium.

For Kamilah is not the young innocent she appears to be, and she has an agenda that is both shocking and bizarre. It will take all Gabriel’s strength of mind to resist being corrupted by her, as well as courage and ingenuity for him to escape from her clutches. And even then it might be too late…if not for him, then perhaps for his niece yet unborn and therefore highly vulnerable.

Dark Lullaby is an atmospheric paranormal horror that grips you from page one and refuses to let go until you’ve raced, breathless, to the end. The prose is so smooth there are no speed bumps as you devour the entire novel in one or two sittings. The exotic setting of the Turkish countryside is detailed and enjoyable, and the characterization of Gabriel, Kamilah, and even Liz (with her conflicted feelings towards Gabriel) is superbly handled, making all the main characters come to life. The subject matter is chilling and spooky, and the suspension of disbelief is constant. Highly recommended for fans of paranormal fiction, especially horror aficionados, though there is nothing to stop other readers from enjoying this too. Only make sure the more faint-hearted among you do not read this alone at night. You have been warned.

--Reviewed by J.C. Hall




Harriet Klausner
Astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz enjoys an intellectual debate especially over beer, but recently he has had doubts he will ever find a passionate love as his relationship with Liz went from girlfriend to friend. Meanwhile the only person he loves, his pregnant Elena begs him to be there when she gives birth as she is frightened having lost a newborn three years ago. Gabriel would do anything for Elena so he promises to come to Belgium where she lives.

However, his sibling's need vanishes form his brain when he meets Kamilah. She challenges his intellect with debates on good and evil and what is justice. Instead of going to Belgium, he accompanies Kamilah to her home in the Turkish mountains overlooking the Black Sea. Once in Rize, Gabriel loses his cell phone and becomes very sick suffering from nightmares that make sleep horrendous and he suffers even worse hallucinations when awake. As an increasingly paranoid Gabriel fears for his mind and wonders if somehow Kamilah is behind his descent into insanity and overall ill health, a panic stricken Elena keeps wondering where he is as he never failed her unlike their parents and she cannot believe he will fail his soon to be born niece.

This is a terrific horror tale that hooks readers who in spite of knowing that Kamilah is malevolent from almost the first siren meeting with Gabriel wonder what her her motive is and who she is. Fans will assume due to Gabriel's descent into paranoia and Elena's increasing manic panic attacks and anxiety-depression that borders on bipolar that this is a psychological thriller; but the Turkish locale and Kamilah make it so much more. Maria Calvani will have fans hooked in a one sitting read as the author's appreciative attentive audience will want to know is it madness or something more paranormally chilling.

Harriet Klausner