Carl L. Hutchens, a West Virginia based author, has published his first novel titled Before the Dusk, which serves as the opening installment of the Salem Coven Chronicles series.
The book blends elements of urban fantasy with suspense and drama, set against the backdrop of a secret supernatural world intertwined with the everyday.
The story centers on Carter Osborne, a man who has spent years trying to escape the shadowy past connected to the Salem Coven, a secret society shrouded in mystery. His life takes a turn when he crosses paths with Samantha Ramirez, a former Marine grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder and her own set of dangerous adversaries. Together, they become entangled in a complex conspiracy involving criminal elements, supernatural creatures, and corrupted magical forces.
As unexplained deaths begin to mount, Carter and Samantha find themselves at the center of a hidden conflict threatening to break into the open. Their alliance includes several unlikely figures: a skilled hacker, a medical professional with an undisclosed monstrous identity, and a disgraced detective seeking redemption. The narrative explores how these characters navigate the precarious balance between the mortal world and the supernatural underworld, uncovering truths that challenge their loyalties and survival.
Carl L. Hutchens’s background informs his writing style, blending gritty realism with fantasy elements. The author lives in West Virginia with his family and is accompanied by two cats named Mylo and Luna.
Before the Dusk is currently available for purchase in both paperback and Kindle editions through Amazon. The novel may appeal to readers interested in urban fantasy, supernatural thrillers, and contemporary witchcraft lore.
For those interested, the book can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDG3PNKQ.
About the author: Carl L. Hutchens has a lifelong interest in storytelling and this novel marks his entry into published fiction. Outside of writing, he spends time reading and managing the demands of his household pets.
