R.J. Sullivan is a hybrid author of urban fantasy and science fiction, perhaps best known for his paranormal thriller series: Haunting Blue (2010), Haunting Obsession (2012), and Virtual Blue (2013). These, plus his eclectic short story collection Darkness with a Chance of Whimsy (2015), were re-published in 2020 Revised Editions under his indie label DarkWhimsy Books. He also writes spaceship SF novellas about the misadventures of the crew of an antiquated asteroid mining ship. The first three are collected in Commanding the Red Lotus, juat republished by Hydra Publications.
The first novel, Haunting Blue, introduces readers to Fiona “Blue” Shaefer, a high school-age punk girl with wild spiked hair, and her computer nerd boyfriend “Chip” Farren. In their efforts to solve the great mystery of fictional town Perionne, Indiana, they unleash a vengeful ghost with potentially disastrous consequences.
Haunting Obsession, R.J.’s popular sexy ghost story novella, tells the story of couple Daryl and Loretta, and the ghost of Maxine Marie, an iconic Hollywood sex symbol of the 50s, who comes between them. This quick read also introduces readers to Rebecca Burton, R.J.s mysterious, magical occult detective who answers Loretta’s call for help. Haunting Obsession can be read independently of Haunting Blue (and frequently is).
Blue and Chip return and encounter Rebecca Burton in Virtual Blue, closing out the original trilogy. Now college students, Chip and Blue must go full Jumanji (or full Tron, pick your preferred generational reference) and merge their spirits with video game avatars to thwart the plans of an imprisoned demon and her cult of worshipers.
Blue Christmas is a short-story that concludes the first character arcs of Blue, Chip and Rebecca, and sets up the next phase of the paranormal series.
The Complete Adventures of Blue Shaefer (New 2021) is an omnibus that collects Haunting Blue, Virtual Blue and Blue Christmas between two covers.
R.J. is hard at work on the next phase of his protagonist’s adventures. His current project is an untitled novella in which Blue and Rebecca battle a vampire.
Here’s a page on R.J.’s website devoted to the paranormal thriller series.
Blue, Rebecca and supporting characters interact in the Tipsy Fairy Tales trilogy by R.J’s friend and awesome author E. Chris Garrison, so explore her titles here and click here to view the Skye-Blue-niverse timeline in the form of a book ad.
R.J. continues to sell stories to anthologies and magazines at a slow but steady pace. Order links to all anthologies with details of each story can be found at this book catalog page here.
Commanding the Red Lotus collects the first three novelettes of the Red Lotus series: “Fate of the Red Lotus,” “Innocence Lost,” and “Mutiny on the Red Lotus.” The colle
ction was republished in 2021, and the series will continue with new titles published through Hydra Publications.
Sayuri Arai abandons her father’s family business to find her own path. She invests in a broken-down asteroid mining ship and steps in as the commander of its crew. Every day presents a new challenge just to keep her ship from falling apart and the crew from killing each other.
Danielle Muething is RJ’s audiobook narrator and a VIP on Team RJ. If you are interested in audiobooks, the links are listed below.
Haunting Obsession, Haunting Blue, Virtual Blue ,
Darkness With a Chance of Whimsy