I’m proud to release The Family Business, my 36th novel of the Haunted Series just in time to keep you warm in the February chill. Leave the shoveling to the spouse, the dinners to Uber Eats, and hunker down for a great PEEPs adventure.
Cristian has a few songs that he sings in this book. I’ve put links to the songs below the blurb. Also, for your convivence I have put the glossary and terms for The Family Business below also. It may be easier than jumping to the end of the book if you have a question. Hugs, Alexie Aaron
The Family Business opens with Mia, Ted, and PEEPs working on two continents. Mia is filming another season of Enyo in rainy, mountainous Austria, where the mud is as deep as the storylines Mia is dealing with. She also has to deal with a lady in white with an attitude, her friends as costars, and a director who is pushing to get the best performance out of her.
Back at home, Ted is looking for places to rent for his new startup business Romulus Mobile. Ted and Patrick walk into a dealership and find it’s haunted and has been for over fifty years. What’s more, the sale from 1965 is still going on.
If this long distance relationship isn’t hard enough on the Martins, someone is out to ruin the producer of Enyo by taking Mia down with well-crafted lies; Cid has written some salacious scenes; and Ted has decided, demons or not, they are going to investigate the dealership.
Join Mia and PEEPs as they navigate filmmaking and a multidimensional haunt and still manage to get the boys to school on time.
The Family Business is the 36th novel of the Haunted Series.
Cristian’s Songs
Arrivederci Roma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crk3-g4Us6k
All’alab Sorgerò
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk8hPQdIcSc
Ti Ringrazio
Glossary for The Family Business
PEEPS: Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners.
Garrett, Cid: Contractor, investigator, cameraman, and technician.
Hicks, Burt: Founding partner of PEEPs, lead investigator, and cameraman.
Holden, Jessie: Crossover character from Cid Garrett P.I., contractor specializing in pre-Civil War roof structures. Recently developed sensitive gifts after being brought back to life by Stephen Murphy, Walnut Grove Cid, Garrett P.I. Book #5.
Jake: Ghost, research, and computers.
Martin, Mia Cooper: Sensitive, lead investigator, and security. Ted’s wife and Brian, Varden, Genevieve, Maeve, Cristian, and Dieter Martin’s mother. Healer of angels.
Martin, Ted: Lead technician, computers, and communications. Mia’s husband and Brian, Varden, Genevieve, Maeve, Cristian, and Dieter Martin’s father. Technical genius.
Stavros, Audrey: Researcher and investigator, married to Orion Stavros, mother of Luke and Brede Stavros.
Murphy, Stephen: Ghost, translator, and security.
Recurring Characters:
Abigor, Duke of Hades: Fallen angel, commander of 60 legions of demons. Ruler of Hell after Lucifer ascended.
Aldridge, Ethan: Teenage paintball-gang member who was sentenced to a juvenile detention facility for his part in coercing Rory Kline and the deaths of Jason Jones and Keith Summerfield. Aided in bringing Blair Summerfield to justice.
Ahlberg -Martin, Cristian: The Martins’ adopted son. Lost Child.
Ahlberg, Varden: Part of Angelo’s birdman guard, brother of Victor, killed in the battle of the witch trees. Biological father of Cristian.
Ahlberg, Victor: Warrior Flock general, brother of the fallen Varden.
Alessandro, Father Tomas: Exorcists who passed away. He played a vital part in shaping Mia’s calling of saving lost souls. He first appeared in Old Bones.
Altair: Fallen archangel. Also known as Wyatt Wayne.
Azrael: Archangel of Death.
Babcia aka Sophia: Very powerful Crone witch. Lazar Popov’s Polish grandmother.
Barachiel: Archangel reputed to be in charge of 460,000 angels at one time. Identifiable as holding a glowing orb and has flowing white-and-pink robes.
Baraqijal: Fallen angel astrologer who Mia gave her blue-energy hellfire wings so he could return Arcas to Polaris. Lost Child.
Bathin: Fallen archangel, known as the Pale Rider. He rode with Joan of Arc. First mentioned in Myth and Malice.
Baxter: Wizard, doctor, paranormal psychiatrist, friend of Quentin.
Beleth: Fallen angel. Is a self-proclaimed king and has over 85 legions of demon soldiers. He rides a pale horse behind a band of musical instruments. Grave Matters.
Bo, Liú: Leader of The Twelve (The Brotherhood of the Wing’s senate). Sticks and Stones.
Bouvier, Beth: One-time PEEP, Beth worked with Roumain to control Ted in order to destroy his marriage with Mia. After, she joined with the Cynosura to destroy the Martins. She is a dark witch.
Braverman, Susan: Mega Chicago Bears fan, housewife, Tom Braverman’s mother and the Martins’ babysitter.
Braverman, Don: Husband of Susan and father of Tom. Lifelong resident of Big Bear Lake.
Braverman, Tom: Sheriff of Big Bear Lake, school friend of Mia. Murphy brought him back to life, inadvertently giving him the sight.
Cabello, Acalan: Artist, painter, seer of angels, Mia’s childhood school friend.
Cabello, Zarita aka Grandma Z: Grandmother of Acalan and shop assistant.
Calcar, Mr.: Gargoyle that owns a bookstore in Chicago and is part of the Honorable Society of Gargoyles.
Callen, Mason: Delinquent teen who was trapped in the middle school in Puzzle.
Callen, Patrick: Mason Callen’s brother and distant cousin of Murphy. Puzzle.
Carmichael, Andy: Big Bear Lake Cemetery worker and volunteer fireman. Maeve Martin’s godfather.
Cerise, Tauni: Sabine Norwood’s nurse and friend.
Cooper, Amanda: Mia’s mother, sociologist. Died in A Daughter of Nyx.
Cooper, Beverly: Very talented sensitive. Was assumed to be an aunt to Mia Martin, mother of Sabine Norwood, sister of Charles Cooper, and associate of Father Santos and Gerald Shem. Killed in Myth and Malice.
Cooper, Dr. Charles: Mia’s father, archaeologist.
Cooperson, Ed: aka as He-who-walks-through-time. Adam and Charlie are Judy’s and his sons.
Cooperson, Judy: aka Refugia. Adam and Charlie are her and Ed’s sons.
Cornelius: A promiscuous demon reputed to have lain secretly with Mia’s grandmother, Adele Neyer, and most of France.
Dionysus, Rosemary: Director of the Enyo movie. Myth and Malice.
Dis Pater: Roman god of the underworld. Protects the graves of the paupers with his horde of di inferi.
Dupree, Glenda: Mike Dupree’s mother and family friend to the Martins.
Dupree, Mike: Founding partner of PEEPs and on-camera personality.
Ed, aka He-who-walks-through-time: Superhuman, Judy’s partner. Adam and Charlie are Ed and Judy’s sons.
Elizabeth: Former Gray Lady in charge of the Italian aerie. Things that Go Bump in the Night.
Enos: Young birdman in his twenties, Danish orphan, adopted by Victor, Angelo’s half brother.
Ester: Acalan’s guardian angel.
Etan: Lazar’s and Mia’s distant French cousin. Former Black Ops. Present day smuggler and protector of die Zuflucht. First appeared in Book of Souls.
Faye: A female ghost with the ability to change her image as well as her clothes. Crossover character from Cid Garrett P.I..
Fowler, Hagan: Convicted murderer (he killed his family under the influence of a demon) who donated a home to be used as an Abused Women’s shelter. The Garden.
Franks, Calvin: Crossover character from Cid Garrett P.I. series, High Court. Rich gallery owner and supporter of the arts. Has ties in a group that investigates paranormal occurrences discreetly.
Gabriel: Archangel general who didn’t like Mia in the beginning but is her most ardent supporter presently.
Gleb aka Rostyslav Skliar: Undead painter who wanted to possess Mia. Then became obsessed with her.
Glynn, Noah: Brian’s artistic preschool friend. Affectionately known as camouflaged, tissue-paper-licking Noah. Paula Glynn’s son.
Glynn, Paula: Noah’s mother and Burt’s lady friend. Crossroads.
Hogan, Scott: Former Big Bear Lake History teacher now principal of the elementary school. Had a small part in Enyo as Mia’s love interest. Former alum from Burt’s college, Burt investigated poltergeists in Scott’s frat house.
Idra: Head healer of the Gray Ladies in the Italian Alps aerie.
Jefferies, Alan: Lawyer for PEEPs and the Martins.
Judy, aka Refugia: Birdwoman, former Gray Lady, independent healer, and Ed’s partner. Adam and Charlie are her and Ed’s sons.
Kabir: Indian birdman engineer.
Komogelo: An African birdman recovering from in injury in Smoke and Mirrors.
Lahash: Fallen Archangel, known as the twister of God’s word. Rode with Joan of Arc. First mentioned in Myth and Malice.
Leighton, Mark: Teenager who can see angels. Son of a veteran with Locked-in Syndrome.
Lensic: Azrael’s assistant. Manager of the Light. Book of Souls.
Lerajie: aka Lerajie Reynolds. Fallen archangel, known as the Archer. Quentin’s father. Myth and Malice.
Lucifer: Fallen archangel in charge of Hell.
Liú Bo: Leader of The Twelve (the congress of the Birdmen).
Maggie Mae: Mixed-breed dog of PEEPs who can see ghosts.
Martha: Grandmother to the Kowalski family. Gwen Kowalski was born on her farm where most of the action of Dark than Dark took place.
Martin, Brian: The Chosen One. Son of Mia and Ted Martin.
Martin, Dieter: Teenage attrpeur-âme (a catcher of souls) from Nigeria, adopted son of Mia and Ted Martin.
Martin, Genevieve: Twin daughter of Mia and Ted Martin.
Martin, Maeve: Twin daughter of Mia and Ted Martin.
Martin, Millie: Ted’s mother.
Martin, Reg.: Ted’s father.
Martin, Varden: Son of Mia and Ted Martin. Carries the soul of dead birdman Varden, Victor’s brother.
Martin, Whitney: Former Deputy Sheriff, Mia’s high school crush and ex-boyfriend. He runs a special paranormal investigative group for the FBI.
Mauritz, Dante: Impressionist artist, former mentor of Acalan. Possessed by Gleb.
First seen in Origins.
Mbengar: High demon. Not controlled by Hell. Noble, sometimes acts as arbitrator between the fallen and the demons. First mentioned in Given Enough Rope. More recently he has taken on the role of healer and advisor.
McKinney, Mr.: Elderly cemetery worker.
Mendelssohn, Ralph: Musical stage designer, Mia’s godfather, married to Bernard Wesley.
Messing, Mrs.: Principal of the preschool.
Michael, aka Saint Michael: Prince of Angels, leader of angel winged army, Mia’s boss.
Michaels, Angelo: Birdman and associate of Father Santos. Lead warrior and librarian for the Brotherhood of the Wing, commander of the Excelsior Flock.
Mirror: Angel aid to Raphael. Mirror can impersonate anyone.
Montage, Judge Celeste: Judge of the Demon court. Quentin’s love interest. First seen in Restitution.
Murphy, Chastity: Deceased wife of Stephen Murphy.
Murphy, Kevin: Stephen Murphy’s father who died when a bar fell into a sinkhole. Given Enough Rope.
Nanny Berta: Birdwoman caregiver of children. Introduced in Sideshow.
Neyer, Adele: Mia’s maternal grandmother who is part angel.
Neyer, Émile: Patriarch of the Sanctuary and Mia Martin’s grandfather.
Neyer, Aubree: Mia’s maternal aunt. International comedian.
Nicholai: Birdman, Mia’s trainer, Warrior Flock commander.
Nietzsche Big Tree: Archaeologist Barb Peters’s O.I. (Obligatory Indian) site manager. Mia calls him Chacha.
Norwood, Sabine: Dual-vessel sensitive. The Hauntings of Cold Creek Hollow. Widow, daughter Leta Ann, Maisha
Norwood, Leta Ann: Sabine Norwood’s daughter with diseased husband Brian.
Norwood, Maisha Violet: Sabine Norwood’s daughter with diseased husband Brian.
Norwood, Nura Louise: Sabine Norwood’s daughter with diseased husband Brian.
Nyx: Goddess of the night, daughter of Chaos and mother to Charon. First appeared in Book of Souls.
O’Brien, Gates: Stunt woman and former associate of Arlo Wilson. Last seen in Lost Child.
O’Conner, Fergus: Best friend of Kevin Murphy. Given Enough Rope.
Percy: Gerald Shem’s mage. He appears when Mia touches a tattoo of a flower on the back of her hand. Poison.
Peters, Barb: Archaeologist and friend of Charles Cooper.
Pickles, Kiki: Crossover character from Cid Garrett P.I. series. Owner of a high-end construction company specializing in old buildings. Cid’s boss.
Popov, Lazar: One-legged veteran hired on as a farm manager for the Martins.
Popov, Magda: Lazar’s mother and Babcia’s daughter.
Popov, Grzegorz: Lazar’s father, farmer.
Pretzer, Owen: Caretaker of Dante Mauritz.
Quazar: Gargoyle wizard that Gerald Shem was apprenticed to. The Candle.
Quetzalcóatl: Toltec god, appears as a feathered serpent. Myth and Malice.
Raphael: Archangel of Healing. Specialty is the mind. Green aura.
Reiner, Petra: Birdwoman who runs Angelo’s olive oil groves. Angelo’s stepmother. Crossover from Angelo.
Reiner, Sophia: Eldest half sister of Angelo – runs the olive groves. Crossover from Angelo.
Reiner, Vivia: one of Angelo’s half sisters. Clothing designer. Crossover from Angelo.
Reiner, Pamina: one of Angelo’s half sisters. Member of the Excelsior Flock. Crossover from Angelo.
Reiner, Elena: Matteo’s illegitimate daughter. Crossover from Angelo.
Reiner, Laura: Matteo’s illegitimate daughter. Crossover from Angelo.
Reynolds, Quentin: Mia’s half uncle, son of her grandmother Fredericka and a fallen angel Lerajie, Nephilim.
Romulus aka Rom: Di inferi leader. Recent classmate of Mia’s.
Romanov, Enrich Dr.: Brother of Leonid.
Romanov, Leonid: Russian businessman, sword sparring partner of Mia Martin. Producer of the Enyo series. Leader of a repatriation team. First seen in Lost Child.
Romanov, Polina: Leonid’s sister.
Roumain, Judge: Judge of Purgatory.
Santos, Father (Paolo): Roman Catholic priest, exorcist, mind reader, and leader of a professional group of paranormal investigators.
Sariel: Archangel, Mia’s guardian angel.
Samyaza: Fallen archangel who leads the Watchers. First appeared in Loose Threads.
Sapienta: Sage who deal with the darker things in life. Counselor to Angelo.
Savatier, Piers: Ballet instructor who originally harmed Amanda Mia's mother. Cynosura, evil. Never Forget. Outed as a wizard in Myth and Malice. Angelo’s master in Angelo.
Seth: Young birdman in his twenties, adopted by Victor.
Shem, Gerald: Associate of Father Santos, businessman who trades in favors, The late Beverly Cooper’s paramour, Forneus.
Skliar, Rostyslav aka Gleb: Undead artist who wanted to possess Mia in Sideshow.
Soren: Elder and judge of the Brotherhood of the Wing.
Stavros, Brede: Daughter of Audrey and Orion.
Stavros, Luke: Son of Audrey and Orion. First angel to be born on earth.
Stavros, Orion: Birdman, level-30 wizard of the light, scribe, researcher, field medic, Mia’s grandfather, Angelo Michaels’s friend, and Audrey’s husband. Father of Luke and Brede.
Sterling: Artistic director of Romanov Productions and Acalan’s boyfriend. Grave Matters.
Sticks: Heroic demon from New Orleans. Mia mistakenly was engaged to him for a short time. Mia’s general.
Takemi: Crossroads demon.
Uriel: Archangel with God’s ear. Michael’s boss.
Vender, Crissy: Part owner and waitress of the Big Bear Lake diner that Mia frequents.
Wayne, Riley: Art store manager. First seen in Origins.
Walters, Dr.: Chief of medicine for Green Ridge Hospital. He’s handled Mia and PEEPs’s unusual injuries and isn’t afraid of a paranormal situation but rather not know the source.
Watchers: Angels who fell in love with the daughters of man and were tossed out of Heaven and punished by Lucifer. First mentioned in Loose Threads.
Wayne, Wyatt: Demon, also known as Altair.
Wesley, Dr. Bernard: Retired director of the Culture Department of Chicago’s Field Museum, friend of Father Santos, Mia’s godfather, and married to Ralph Mendelssohn.
Wilson, Arlo: Australian host of Wheels Up and adventure series that contract PEEPs to work with them on Sideshow.
Wright, Sally: Army veteran introduced in Walnut Grove House, Cid Garrett P.I. series book #5. Currently Cid’s fiancée.
Vender, Crissy: Owner and waitress of Mia’s favorite diner.
Yolanthe: Quentin’s twin sister that was hidden from their father at birth and presently resides in a different dimension. She is watched over by Nyx. Yolanthe is a Nephilim who was introduced in Smoke and Mirrors when she met Mia at the fold of the world.
Zack: Second director for the Enyo series.
Terms:
All Sight: The ability to see in the present, past and future (a few minutes) at the same time.
Altiplano: a high plateau or plain, similar to a mesa.
Aónikenk: aka Tehuelche, are an indigenous people from Patagonia in South America, with existing members of the group currently residing in the southern Argentina-Chile borders.
Apport: To produce an object without any apparent physical means.
Attrpeur-âme: A catcher of souls.
BFF: Best friends forever.
Bilocation (bilocator, bilocating): The movement of the soul out of the body. See OOB.
Bolt: An arrow a crossbow shoots.
Caul: Old world name for the amniotic sac.
Council of Women: A group of spirits and living women who govern ghosts.
Cynosura: A cult of wealthy people who operate under the guise of bringing enlightenment to all but, in reality, want to enslave all for the benefit of furthering their agendas.
Dark Vault: Vault where information, relics, and entities of Dark Magic are contained.
Dark World: An unescapable prison for spirits who interfere physically with the living. They wander alone for an eternity, never coming in contact with anything else.
Déchu: Fallen.
Devo: Australian slang. It’s short for devastated.
Die Zuflucht: The sanctuary of the Neyer clan. See: Book of Souls.
Di inferi: beings controlled by Dis Pater. They guard pauper graves.
Disapport: When things disappear. Re: poltergeist incursion.
Drusus: Knife that only gets sharper when used. Given to Mia by Dis Pater.
Dual time: Ten days in aerie or at the Reynold’s mansion equals one day.
Earcom: Communication device worn inside the ear while investigating.
Evzones: Greek elite guards.
FBO: Fixed based operator, an organization granted the right by an airport to operate at the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and similar services.
EMF: Electromagnetic field.
Enyo: Goddess of war and destruction. Sister of Ares.
First father: the very first winged being in a birdman or angel line. Traces back to the thunderbirds and the Watchers.
Flitch: A demonic parasite that slowly takes over the mind of its host, causing the host to act contrary to their natural makeup.
Gray Lady: Female birdwoman whose vocation is healing.
GMD or Ghost Mountain Dimension: the between which covers the Andes Mountain range in South America.
GSD or Ghost Ship Dimension: the between but over water.
Hall pass: Permission to beak a rule of code of conduct.
Hellfire Club: Club that flaunted their sexual and political intrigues in eighteenth-century England. In Cold Creek Hollow they abused the parish founded in the summer settlement. The Hauntings of Cold Creek Hollow, The Middle House: Return to Cold Creek Hollow.
Hellhounds: Supernatural dogs who typically serve demons and Others.
HSG aka Honorable Society of Gargoyles: Social society of gargoyles.
House of El: Superman’s family (clan).
Lago Blue: Expensive Birdman school in Italy that Angelo went to as a child.
La Terreur: Reign of Terror, also called the Terror, French La Terreur, period of the French Revolution from September 5, 1793, to July 27, 1794. During the Reign of Terror, at least 300,000 suspects were arrested; 17,000 were officially executed, and perhaps 10,000 died in prison or without trial. ~ Britannica
Locked-in Syndrome: a medical condition, usually resulting from a stroke that damages part of the brainstem, in which the body and most of the facial muscles are paralyzed but consciousness remains, and the ability to perform certain eye movements is preserved.
Mind Palace: A way your mind stores memories. The consciousness invents a place that you’re familiar with. It’s basically how it separates thoughts and stores memories. Each person’s is different.
Nymphs: Beautiful female humanoids with blue seal skin and womanly bodies who work with Baxter to heal.
Ocular: Little wormlike robot. Normally used for observation activities. It can produce an electric shock when needed.
O.I.: Stands for obligatory injun. A phrase coined by the Native American Nietzsche Big Tree in Given Enough Rope.
Other: Paranormal contract negotiators and enforcers.
OOB: Out of body. State of bilocation.
Rite of Isis: A potion drunk between Piers Savatier (wizard) and his apprentice (Angelo Michaels) to keep the other from speaking or writing about their activities together. Angelo.
Parkour: the sport of traversing environmental obstacles by running, climbing, or leaping rapidly and efficiently.
Permeation spell: A controlling spell or curse received by touching a cursed object such as paper.
Rahab: Refers to a prostitute in Jericho who hid two men who were sent to reconnoiter the city before a battle.
Redshirt: Last PEEP hired. In homage to Star Trek’s red-shirted crewmen and women who were the first sacrificed.
RPGs: Role playing videogames.
Second Day Sea: Fabled sea where God separated the water from the sky. Thought to be where life was born from.
Spousal contract: Birdman originated contract that binds two people to wed when one or both of their spouses dies. Used to protect widows and orphans and to secure the best breeders of the birdman culture.
Striga (strigae): female witch from Mordovia. Practitioner of dark magic.
Tardis: Famed Dr. Who time craft, known to be quite a bit larger inside than the outer shell of phone box appears on the outside.
Tartarian: Denizens of Tartarus (underworld).
The between: Areas of airspace where paranormal creatures can navigate unseen by the human populace.
The fold: The airspace at the top of the world where several dimensions or veils join.
The Twelve: Elected bird people from the twelve districts of the world. Similar to the congress of the United States.
Veil: Another dimension occurring alongside our own, invisible to the human eye. Half veil: A veil that can be maneuvered to send entities or other tangible items invisibly from one place to another. Example: showering flowers, rocks, and other items, often thought of as poltergeist activity. Slide veil: Abbreviated dimension, open on both ends. Often used as a portal, a way to shorten travel, and sometimes alters time.
Vente: Elite birdman warrior flock from the Frontier Flock. Loose Threads.
Yeti: Fabled Abominable Snowman, ape-like creature lives hidden in the Sherpa hidden valleys.