The Rogue Mountains is a story that drags its audience into the depths of the unknown, thrill, and fear. Tarquinio casts a spell over his readers in his debut novel and makes them yearn for more. He captured the fear of the unknown, fear of what is lurking in the shadows and even what is lurking within. This spellbinding tale steals time and sleep from its readers.”
– Jenn Weiss, Literary Cat Reviews
Set in a small mountain town in rural America, The Rogue Mountains by Joshua Tarquinio chronicles the harrowing story of Del Ballantine, a monster hunter self-tasked with ridding the town of its seething hell spawn infestation. With perilous creatures terrorizing natives on a constant basis, his job is easier said than done. Man’s place in nature is fading away as the beasts spread across the land. But Del Ballantine quickly learns eliminating the beasts from this wretched town might be the least of his woes.
Upon further investigation, he discovers the town’s neighboring mountains are occupied by terrifying beings all their own—one is inhabited by an evil witch and the other by a primordial, maddening beast that only one man ever lived to describe before he went insane. With the neighbors threatening to add even more chaos into the equation, Del Ballantine realizes the job of eradicating the “invasive species” can’t possibly be accomplished by a single man alone. As he voices his grievances to the townspeople, it becomes clear that they all have problems – and secrets – of their own. And despite everything unfolding before their very eyes, everyone has the same questions in mind: Can we take our mountains back and rid ourselves of these monsters? Can we reclaim our rightful place in nature?
A dystopian, supernatural thriller woven of horror, suspense and fantasy, The Rogue Mountains offers readers:
- A riveting tale of suspense, mayhem, magic, violence, and fantasy with a page-turning format that keeps readers wanting more
- A fresh, modern twist on man’s place in nature and what happens when we go against it
- A psychological take, shrouded in mystery, on events following the opening of Heaven and Hell on Earth
- A thrilling journey exploring some of life’s biggest questions
“The Rogue Mountains leaves the characters’ outcomes at the mercy of their instincts—all dependent on the way they play ball with nature,” Tarquinio explains. “Taking destiny into their own hands and even going against their individual natures can be both liberating and frightening at the same time. But it doesn’t stop each character from taking his or her risks. With time, their purpose and place on Earth is brought closer to the surface.”
It will take every ounce of Del Ballantine’s strength, courage, and expertise to complete the job he was set out to do. Along the way, he’ll encounter a slew of residents (and even unwanted guests), each with a story to be told—from taxidermists and musicians to hellcats and ghosts. Through a series of questionable deeds, noble sacrifices, and violent acts, Del Ballantine will battle his mixed emotions and put his determination to the test, fighting to bring the townspeople back to a life of normalcy. With the fear of the unknown lurking in the shadows, the fear of what’s lurking within may prove even more haunting.
About the Author:
Joshua Tarquinio is the debut author of The Rogue Mountains. During the day, he works as a professional photographer and video technician. He received his B.A. from Robert Morris University and currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
