Spooky Season Just Got Spookier, With Terrify Your Tablet!

Joss Paper, my collection of horror short stories, will be part of Terrify Your Tablet Oct. 17.

This annual one-day event hosted by Horrorsmith Publishing offers a wide selection of dark fantasy, thriller and horror ebooks for free or $0.99.

Don't miss the chance to grab some scary reads for Halloween!

You don't have to wait to download Joss Paper. The book is free from today through Oct. 18. Click here to check it out on Amazon.

These tales of terror are set in the U.S. and Southeast Asia, featuring creatures from Asian folklore that I grew up with. You’ll meet the toyol, the zombie baby from Southeast Asian myth. One story revolves around the Asian tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004, which was a devastating and horrific disaster that killed almost 228,000 people in 14 countries. 

The collection is for you if you like unsettling stories that will creep you out rather than full gore or slasher stuff. 

If you do pick up a free copy of Joss Paper, I hope you can leave a review or rating, especially if you enjoyed the stories! Every review and/or rating adds to the book’s visibility and will help it to find new readers.

Blurb

Terror lurks in the prettiest places.

Holiday destinations. Sun-drenched beaches. Pristine rainforests. But what comes out to play when the sun sets? Vengeful spirits. Malignant ghosts. Horrific creatures from Asian folklore. Sometimes the old wives’ tales are real.

East meets West in this collection of seven short horror stories set in the United States and Southeast Asia.

American ghost hunters investigate a tropical island with a dark past …

A man returns to a Thai resort that was devastated by the 2004 tsunami …

A woman travels to Singapore to claim her inheritance after her father dies in a freak accident …

And more …

New Release: The Box Set of the Complete ‘Geomancer’s Apprentice’ Series

I’m excited to announce the release of The Geomancer’s Apprentice Complete Series box set. This includes all five ebooks in the series, in one handy collection. 

For those of you who haven’t read the series, what better way to gear up for Halloween? The books are chock-full of ghosts and monsters, plus fast-paced action and adventure. 

If you do buy the collection or read it on Kindle Unlimited, I hope you can leave a review, especially if you enjoyed it! This collection is a separate product from the individual books. Every review or rating on Amazon or another platform helps the box set to gain more visibility and find new readers. 

Click here to check out the box set on Amazon.

Blurb:

Grab the complete Geomancer’s Apprentice series in this box set and dive into a mystical world where monsters are real, and a struggling feng shui consultant and an ex-barista finally find their true calling. 

Who knew feng shui would be this dangerous?

Junie Soong reaches a new low in her life when she’s fired from Starbucks. Her brother is brilliant, her parents are stars in their professions while she … trails behind in everything. Things start looking up when she lands a new job as apprentice to Joe Tham, a struggling geomancer and feng shui master based in Washington, D.C.

Junie finds out monsters are real while she and Joe investigate an eerie sinkhole in their client’s cellar. She also discovers she may be the last of a line of warriors who can channel qi, the essential life force underpinning the universe.

She now must race against time to learn how to wield her powers while fending off shape-shifting, malevolent creatures from the depths of Diyu, the Chinese version of Hell. Not only that, she and Joe must deal with the ghosts that are suddenly manifesting in the cellar.

This series is a blend of urban fantasy, action, mystery, horror, humor, and Asian folklore and mysticism.

You’ll love this unique action-packed series if you like stories with strong female characters, high stakes, messy family relationships, and redemption and second chances.

The box set of The Geomancer’s Apprentice contains the following books:

• The Geomancer’s Apprentice
• The Forgotten Guardian
• The Corpse Ritual
• The Four Perils
• The Soul Stealer 

Praise for The Geomancer's Apprentice (reviews on Amazon): 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ "a fun, wild ride with action, mystery, horror"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ "It kept me enthralled from the moment I started reading"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ "Empowering, fun, and excellently written"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ "This book is truly original urban fantasy."

My Newsletter Has a Brand New Look!

Do you subscribe to my newsletter? 

I’ve changed to a new platform for my newsletters starting Aug. 1. Please check your spam filters if you’re a subscriber and you didn’t receive an email from me this month. You can also add my name to your list of approved contacts to ensure you don’t miss any of my emails. 

The title of the August email is “A Brand New Look and a Halloween in August.” One new feature that I’m introducing together with the new look is book reviews. I’ll be sharing my reviews of books I’ve read recently and loved.  

If you’re not a subscriber, consider becoming one! I send my newsletter out on the first of every month. In it I discuss my books and my latest writing projects. I may send out additional emails to update subscribers on sales and promotions. 

As a subscriber, you’ll also have access to free bonus stories such as Conjuring the Rage Deity, the prequel to my Pearl Dragon series.

Click here to subscribe, or click here to subscribe and download Conjuring the Rage Deity at the same time. 

My Books Are Now More Widely Available Through Libraries, Barnes & Noble

Are you a card-carrying member of a library? 

If so, did you know my ebooks are available to libraries all over the world? 

All you have to do is request that your library carry whichever book that you want. Some libraries have small budgets, while others have more money to spend. So no guarantees that your library will agree to your request. But it doesn’t hurt to ask. 

And if your library does agree to pick up my ebooks, please let me know! You can email me at author@yinleong.com. I’m keeping a list of the libraries where my books are available. 

When I was little, my dad and I used to go to our local library together. That was where I developed my love for reading and writing. It makes me happy that other readers can now access my books through their libraries. 

Did you know my paperbacks are also available from Barnes & Noble?

That's right. You can buy my books in paperback format from Barnes & Noble, in addition to Amazon. 

Thus far, only The Geomancer’s Apprentice series is available as paperbacks. That will change as I add more books and series to my backlist. 

Happy reading!

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

To everyone who is celebrating: Have a great 4^th of July!

Wishing All Fathers a Very Happy Father’s Day!

Meet Raymond Soong, one of the fathers in The Geomancer’s Apprentice series. 

Raymond is father to Junie, the underdog ex-barista who is training to be a geomancer.

Besides being a loving and protective father, Raymond loves to make up his own sayings. 

Junie calls it his Confucius complex. Nonetheless, she takes her father’s sayings very seriously. One of her favorites? 

“Preparation is the gateway to success.”

Make an Author's Day ...

 

A new reader review on Amazon for The Geomancer’s Apprentice. 

Thank you so much for reading, kind reader.

If you enjoyed reading a book, make the author’s day by leaving a review and/or a rating. It doesn’t matter how short the review is. Every rating and review helps, and we authors sure do appreciate it! 

Wishing You a Happy Mother's Day!

There are all kinds of mothers in my books. The intelligent and hypercritical Elsie Tham, the bitter jilted Har Ping, the overprotective Stella Soong …

There are also mothers in Joss Paper, my collection of horror short stories inspired by Southeast Asian folklore. An unconventional relationship can be found in “Legacy.” The story revolves around a woman, Emily Conti, who travels to Singapore to claim her inheritance, including the luxury condominium that her late father left her. 

I won’t say more for fear of spoilers, but here’s an excerpt ...

From the story “Legacy”

Emily took off her shoes. The marble floor felt like heaven under her sweaty, cramped feet. She poured herself a glass of water and wandered around the condo. There wasn’t much else to see. There were two bedrooms in addition to the living room and kitchen/dining room. The master bedroom had a picture window similar to the one in the living room, as well as an attached bathroom. There was a second bathroom off the living room. 

She opened the closets in the master bedroom and was relieved to find them empty. Liew had kindly removed all her father's clothes and personal belongings. The bedroom was now as impersonal as a room in a luxury hotel.  

The guest room was quite a bit smaller than the master bedroom. It wasn’t furnished except for built-in storage. Emily opened one of the drawers and was surprised to find neatly folded clothing inside. She picked up the top piece and shook it out. It was a T-shirt, stiff and new, that probably could fit a toddler. She opened another drawer and found it full of plastic trucks and cars and other toys. 

She would have to ask Liew about the clothes and toys tomorrow. Did Keith Conti have a son, or perhaps a girlfriend whose son sometimes stayed over? But if so, why didn’t the room have a bed?

Want an Introduction to the Action-Packed 'Pearl Dragon Adventures' Series?

In the mood for a quick read with Asian-themed magic and monsters? 

Conjuring the Rage Deity, the prequel to my Pearl Dragon Adventures series, is ready for download! See the blurb below. 

It’s available for free to my newsletter subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber but would like to read the novella, you can subscribe by clicking here. The link takes you to Conjuring the Rage Deity's BookFunnel landing page.

Please note that when signing up, you must click the link in the verification email to complete the subscription process. Check your spam filter if you don't see the verification email after you sign up.

The Pearl Dragon novellas are only available in ebook format.

A gangster’s mansion in San Francisco. Unguarded safes with untold riches.

Pearl Tham is paralyzed by grief. She recently lost her mother, and now her landlord is evicting her from the apartment she and her mother shared.

 
She finally gives in to her boyfriend’s request to rob Donnie Chan, head of one of the most notorious gangs in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Pearl and David have the perfect opportunity. While the gangster languishes in jail, his mansion—located in an exclusive neighborhood high above the Pacific Ocean—will be left with minimal guards on the day his men meet to elect new leadership. 

This will be Pearl’s first major job. If successful, it could fund her budding career as an international art thief and tomb raider. Unfortunately for her, Chan’s residence is protected by something unnatural that never sleeps. 

She will need all her ingenuity and superhuman powers to make it out alive. 

Conjuring the Rage Deity is the prequel to the Pearl Dragon Adventures. This fast-paced urban fantasy novella series is for you if you like strong female antiheroes, Asian magic and mysticism, and terrifying monsters from myth and legend. 

 

Check out the first book in the Pearl Dragon series, Offerings for the Dead, available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

  
The Pearl Dragon series is a spin-off of The Geomancer’s Apprentice complete five-book series, available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. The Geomancer’s Apprentice paperbacks are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Ebooks of the two series are also available for acquisition by libraries. Contact your local library to stock these ebooks. 

My newsletter is a monthly email that updates subscribers on my works-in-progress. I may also give historical context for a book, or offer a look behind the scenes. I send additional emails where necessary about sales and promotions for my books.

Click here for other stories and books available to subscribers.

'Joss Paper' Is Free for a Limited Time; Check Out the Narratess Indie Book Sale!

Joss Paper, my collection of horror short stories, is free at Amazon from April 11 to April 13.

The sale is in conjunction with the Narratess Indie Book Sale, where you will find over 280 free or discounted fantasy, science fiction and horror titles. The sale is worldwide, with prices at free, $0.99 or $1.99.

Just in time for you to find some new reads for the weekend! 

Check out Joss Paper on Amazon.

Visit the Narratess Indie Book Sale. 

Some of you may know that I’m originally from Singapore. Joss Paper features ghost stories based on the folklore and folk practices of Southeast Asia. They’re basically the ghost stories I grew up with, re-imagined into new narratives set in the U.S. and Asia. 

Be warned: these tales of terror will give you chills … 

Want a look behind the stories? In the gray column to your right, you will find short write-ups about Joss Paper's underlying folklore. I also explain why I write ghost stories, and give the context and history behind the story “Tsunami.” 

Here’s the blurb for the book: 

Terror lurks in the prettiest places.

Holiday destinations. Sun-drenched beaches. Pristine rainforests. But what comes out to play when the sun sets? Vengeful spirits. Malignant ghosts. Horrific creatures from Asian folklore. Sometimes the old wives’ tales are real.

East meets West in this collection of seven horror short stories set in the United States and Southeast Asia.

American ghost hunters investigate a tropical island with a dark past …

A man returns to a Thai resort that was devastated by the 2004 tsunami …

A woman travels to Singapore to claim her inheritance after her father dies in a freak accident …

And more …

 

New Release: 'Conjuring the Rage Deity'

The prequel to the Pearl Dragon Adventures series is now ready for download! 

It’s available to my newsletter subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber but would like to read the novella, you can subscribe to my newsletter in the box below.

Here’s the blurb: 

A gangster’s mansion in San Francisco. Unguarded safes with untold riches.

Pearl Tham is paralyzed by grief. She recently lost her mother, and now her landlord is evicting her from the apartment she and her mother shared. 

She finally gives in to her boyfriend’s request to rob Donnie Chan, head of one of the most notorious gangs in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Pearl and David have the perfect opportunity. While the gangster languishes in jail, his mansion—located in an exclusive neighborhood high above the Pacific Ocean—will be left with minimal guards on the day his men meet to elect new leadership.  

This will be Pearl’s first major job. If successful, it could fund her budding career as an international art thief and tomb raider. Unfortunately for her, Chan’s residence is protected by something unnatural that never sleeps. 

She will need all her ingenuity and superhuman powers to make it out alive. 

Conjuring the Rage Deity is the prequel to the Pearl Dragon Adventures. This fast-paced urban fantasy novella series is for you if you like strong female antiheroes, Asian magic and mysticism, and terrifying monsters from myth and legend.  

Check out the first book in the series, Offerings for the Dead, available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

The Pearl Dragon series is a spin-off of The Geomancer’s Apprentice series, available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. The Geomancer’s Apprentice paperbacks are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Ebooks of the two series are also available for acquisition by libraries. Contact your local library to stock these ebooks.

My newsletter is a monthly email that updates subscribers on my works-in-progress. I may also give historical context for a book, or offer a look behind the scenes. I send additional emails where necessary about sales and promotions for my books.

Click here to check out other stories and books available to subscribers. 

If you're already a subscriber, click here to claim your free copy of Conjuring the Rage Deity.

If you'd like to subscribe to my newsletter, click here, or sign up in the box below.

Please note that when signing up, you must click the link in the verification email to complete the subscription process. Check your spam filter if you don't see the verification email after you sign up. 

Interview with The Butchered Writers Horror Group

Check out my recent interview with Nora Peevy from the horror writers group The Butchered Writers. 

In the interview on the group’s Substack, I talk about my writing process, a eulogy I would write for myself, and music with creepy vibes that I aspire to in my writing. 

Cover Reveal for ‘Conjuring the Rage Deity’

This isn’t just a cover reveal. It’s a title reveal as well!

Conjuring the Rage Deity is a prequel to my Pearl Dragon Adventures urban fantasy series. The novellas revolve around the escapades of art thief and grave robber Pearl Tham. 

This series is for you if you like Asian folklore, female antiheroes, fast-paced action, quick reads, and monster slaying. 

The Pearl Dragon series is a spin-off of my Geomancer’s Apprentice series, featuring two underdog feng shui practitioners who find, to their dismay, that they must save the world (or at least Washington, D.C.). 

My newsletter subscribers will be able to download Conjuring the Rage Deity for free when it releases in April.

Subscribe to my newsletter now if you’d like to read it. I’ve included a snippet below.

 
My newsletter is a monthly email that updates subscribers on my works-in-progress. I may also give historical context for a book, or offer a look behind the scenes. I send additional emails where necessary about sales and promotions for my books.

Come join the fun! 

A Snippet from Conjuring the Rage Deity

She was almost at the door when she detected the odor of smoke and incense. Following her nose, she discovered a small gray structure in a dark corner behind some bonsai trees. The structure rested on a thick slab of cement and was about waist-high and two feet or so wide.

Getting closer, she found herself looking at a brick and cement replica of a Chinese temple with a curved roof. Tiny steps led up to a door-shaped opening in its facade through which she could see only darkness. 

In front of the temple was a rectangular cement container full of sand. Joss or incense sticks bristled from the sand like porcupine quills, their flames long burned out. A porcelain bowl sat on either side of the container.

Pearl was familiar with these kinds of structures. They were Tudigong shrines. A Tudigong—or “lord of the land” in Mandarin—was a Chinese guardian deity or spirit who protected a specific place. There were several Tudigong shrines in Chinatown, including one near her relative’s restaurant. 

There was nothing odd about Chan believing in Tudigongs. He was originally from Hong Kong, where folk religion was widely practiced and where people were arguably more superstitious than those from communist mainland China. Nevertheless, there was something about this shrine that seemed off. 

Despite the lateness of the hour and the job still ahead of her, she crept to the shrine and bent over one of the bowls. They were filled with a substance that looked black in the failing light. She recoiled when she smelled a coppery odor. Both bowls held congealed blood. 

Her interest was truly piqued now. She went down on one knee and peered into the shrine’s opening. There was a dark shape inside. She fished a flashlight from her backpack and aimed its beam into the hole.

Watch This Space: Cover Reveal Coming Soon!

I’ve been working on a prequel to my Pearl Dragon novella series.

Subscribers to my newsletter will be able to read it for free once it’s done. 

I’ll be revealing the cover soon. Stay tuned! 

The Pearl Dragon novellas revolve around the adventures of art thief and grave robber Pearl Tham. She’s on a quest for treasure. The only problem? All the monsters that get in her way. 

This series is for you if you like Asian folklore, female antiheroes, fast-paced action, quick reads, and monster slaying. 

The Pearl Dragon series is a spin-off of my Geomancer’s Apprentice series, featuring two underdog feng shui practitioners who find, to their dismay, that they must save the world (or at least Washington, D.C.). 

My newsletter is a monthly email that updates subscribers on my works-in-progress. I may also give historical context for a book, or offer a look behind the scenes, among other topics. I send additional emails where necessary about sales and promotions for my books.

Come join the fun! 

Click here to join my subscriber list.

Click here to see other books and stories you can read for free as a subscriber. 

Feng Shui, Bubble Tea and Romance ...

Here's a slice of romance from The Geomancer's Apprentice ...

Junie was about to enter the stairwell for Joe's office when she spied the sign in the Laughing Buddha's window: “We serve bubble tea.” 

She had spent half the night reading the feng shui book. Bubble tea, or rather the caffeine in it, sounded like a good idea. She opened the cafe door and went in. 

A tall guy stood behind the counter. He was about 25, with short, curly dark-blond hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His name tag identified him as Noah. His eyes were light blue, like the waters of the Mediterranean Sea at midday. Junie hadn't been to Europe, but she and her mother loved HGTV's “House Hunters International.”

“Hi,” Noah said with a smile. “What can I get for you today?” 

“You,” she said to herself. But seriously, he was way, way, way out of her league. He probably spent most of his time fending off girls much prettier than she was. On the other hand, he worked the breakfast counter at an Asian cafe. Not a good prospect, her mother would say. 

“Hello?” Noah sounded a little uneasy. 

She realized he was still waiting for her to order. The eyes-like-the-waters-of-the-Mediterranean had turned quizzical. Had she been staring at him the whole time? Did she look spaced out? She adjusted her glasses, suddenly self-conscious. 

“Do you need a minute?” he asked. 

“Um, can I have the matcha milk tea?” 

To her regret, Noah didn't take long to prepare the tea. “I'm Noah, by the way,” he said as he handed her the order. “Are you just visiting our nation's glorious capital, or do you work around here?” 

“I work on the third floor of this building,” she said. “I just got hired.”

“Oh.” He looked surprised. “I didn't know Joe was hiring. Well, I guess I'll see you around.”

She couldn't think of a response, so she turned around and left. As she climbed the stairs, it struck her that she hadn't told him her name. Darn.  

 

Check out the series on Amazon. 

Get Your eReaders Ready: It’s the Urban Fantasy Free for All!

For one day only—Jan. 10—you can download more than 100 urban fantasy books for FREE, with no strings attached.

  
My novella Offerings for the Dead is part of the Urban Fantasy Free for All, hosted by urbanfantasyaddict.com. Also find books by L.A. McBride, Laura Greenwood, Krista Walsh, and other familiar names.

Click here to get your free books.   

In conjunction with the event, the other novellas in my Pearl Dragon series are on sale Jan. 10 through Jan. 12 in the U.S. and U.K. 

Offerings for the Dead is free worldwide through Jan. 12.

Click here for the sale. 

Blurb for Offerings for the Dead

A tomb hidden in a remote mountain in China, filled with treasure.

This should be an easy job for grave robber and art thief Pearl Tham. However, things go wrong from the start. A storm springs up, forcing Pearl and her team to seek shelter in an abandoned village.

She discovers before long that the village isn’t abandoned after all. Its residents have been around for hundreds of years and they’re hungry. Very hungry.

Pearl has her Dragon powers, her katana and her gun. Will they be enough to save her life, let alone the lives of her lover and her friends?

Dive into this fast-paced adventure if you like strong female antiheroes, Asian magic and mysticism, and terrifying monsters from Asian folklore.

Happy reading!  

Revitalizing Qi for a Good Start to 2026

It’s a brand new year. Want to start it on a positive note?  

Junie Soong and Joe Tham, the feng shui consultants in my Geomancer’s Apprentice series, would suggest that you take a few simple steps to revitalize the qi—or energy—in your home and workplace.

1. Declutter and Clean

Straighten up, throw out broken items and mop and dust, especially in the corners, to remove stagnant energy. Neater surroundings also help to declutter your mind, leading to clarity and focus. 

In addition, open blinds and curtains—and windows, weather permitting. The fresh air and light will create bright and welcoming spaces.

  

2. Enhance Energy Flow

Move a few pieces of furniture around to stimulate the energy in your surroundings. While doing so, make sure your qi has clear pathways in which to flow. 

Incorporate lamps and mirrors to amplify light and add vitality where necessary. 

Moving water symbolizes abundance and good fortune in feng shui. If you have the space, you can add a small desk fountain to “encourage” wealth into your life.

3. Add Feng Shui Elements in Your Décor

There are five elements in feng shui: wood, fire, water, earth and metal. Each element that you bring into a space can change its mood and/or its energy. It all depends on what you want. 

Remember, however, to keep things in balance. Too much of an element can result in negative emotions. For example, too much of the fire element can cause aggression or anger. 

Wood: Bringing the wood element into your living and working areas can help you spark growth and creativity. Use blue and green, for these are the colors of foliage and the sky. You can also add plants or natural fabrics, or wood furniture.

Fire: If you want to encourage boldness, enthusiasm or passion, introduce the fire element in the form of extra lighting, candles or sunlight. The element’s colors are red and purple.

Earth: The earth element evokes a feeling of order and stability. Use earth tones and square and rectangular shapes in your decorating.

Metal: The metal element enhances logic and clarity of mind. Bring metallic objects into your space to give the element a boost. Its colors are white, gray, or silver.

Water: The Water element can improve insight and wisdom. Its colors are black and dark tones. Also incorporate water features such as aquariums or fountains, or art depicting water. Reflective surfaces such as mirrors will help as well.

Wishing You ...

 

Peace, Love and Joy for the Holidays

And a Happy New Year!

’Tis the Season for ‘A Very Feng Shui Christmas’

Looking for a festive read? 

This short story is for you if you’re a fan of my Geomancer’s Apprentice urban fantasy series, or if you like magic, madcap adventure, holiday vibes, and terrifying monsters.

Read it now for free by subscribing to my newsletter! 

If you’re already a subscriber, download it here.

The holidays haven’t been merry for feng shui consultants Junie Soong and Joe Tham. Five days before Christmas, they run into a malevolent energy that turns inanimate objects into raging monsters hellbent on death and destruction.

Even worse, the monsters are headed straight for a kids’ holiday party organized by Junie’s father.

Can Junie and Joe save the day with the help of their resident tiger god? And as Christmas draws near, will Junie finally get the gift she wants with all her heart?

This story takes place after the fifth book in The Geomancer's Apprentice series. You can still enjoy this holiday tale without having read any, or all, of the Geomancer books.

My Books Are Now More Widely Available Through Libraries, Barnes & Noble

Are you a card-carrying member of a library? 

If so, I have great news. My ebooks are available to libraries all over the world.

 
All you have to do is request that your library carry whichever book that you want. Some libraries have small budgets, while others have more money to spend. So no guarantees that your library will agree to your request. But it doesn’t hurt to ask. 

And if your library does agree to pick up my ebooks, please let me know! You can email me at author@yinleong.com. I’m keeping a list of the libraries where my books are available. 

When I was little, my dad and I used to go to our local library together. That was where I developed my love for reading and writing. It makes me happy that other readers can now access my books through their libraries. 

On to Barnes & Noble. You can now buy my books in paperback format from Barnes & Noble, in addition to Amazon. 

Thus far, only The Geomancer’s Apprentice series is available as paperbacks. That will change as I add more books and series to my backlist.

 
Happy reading!