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Michael J. Stiehl has had a lifelong passion for fiction, in particular horror, comics, adventure and science fiction, and is thrilled to finally be writing some of his own. Michael lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife, two kids and his very silly poodle Jack. When not writing fiction, Michael spends his time riding bikes, camping, reading books, obsessively listening to music and playing D&D with his friends. In short, he hasn’t changed a bit since junior high.
Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers' Favorite
Michael J. Stiehl intriguingly merges the worlds of the living and the dead in The Bauer Ranch. This novella narrates the harrowing tale of Abel Reed, a ghoul resurrected from the dead using dark magic. His resurrector is Madame Laroque, a formidable sorceress who sets Reed on a forbidding path to fulfill her vengeful quest. Through this riveting journey, Reed has to confront his inner demons while being manipulated by Madame Laroque. Reed's mark is Colonel Bauer, a cruel, greedy, and corrupt man whose heartlessness leads to the terrible loss of human lives. Colonel Bauer has a deep, dark secret involving his ore mine and his son, Carl Claudius Bauer. With little time to lose, Reed has to confront the evils prowling in the mine. Can he right a terrible wrong? In so doing, can he redeem himself?
The Bauer Ranch is a fast-paced Western filled with horror, paranormal elements, and suspense. Reed is a quick-witted undead bounty hunter wrestling with his conscience and eternal damnation. This action-packed novella will take readers on an exhilarating journey that tests the natural order of the living world. Michael J. Stiehl uses the theme of dark magic and sinister mystical forces to add a new layer of intrigue and fascination to Reed's character development. Stiehl fills each chapter with rich, vivid descriptions of a bleak Colorado setting, overshadowed by an ominous ore mine littered with deformed creatures and dark supernatural forces. The buildup leading to Reed's showdown against the evils hidden in the mine makes this thrilling story a noteworthy read. Fans of Western thriller/horror fiction will love it!
