~Adult/YA Book Reviews~
~Book Reviews~
Women’s Health
The Menopause Manifesto
– by Dr. Jen Gunter
~Publishing Corp./eBook – 05/25/2021~
~Amazon Image – Citadel Press/Kensington~
Currently Reading
~Available On Amazon~
Oblivion In Flux
– by Maxwell I. Gold
~Cover Design by Dan Sauer~
Crystal Lake Publishing/eGalley~
Currently Reading
~08/03/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Zombie CSU: The Forensic Science Of The Living Dead
– by Jonathan Maberry
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Tantor Audio Publishing/Audiobook/Own/06/29/2021~
Currently Listening To
~Available On Amazon~~
Zombie CSU – The Forensic Science of the Living Dead~
The Boy With The Spider Face
– by AJ Franks
~Amazon Image/Crystal Lake Publishing/11/26/2021~
Fifteen-year-old Jeff Pritchet is made to feel like an outcast at school, called names, and bullied because he looks different when what he wants most in the world is to make a friend who likes him for who he is, both on the inside and out.
When Jeff meets the new student Aarav Jain, the two boys become friends, immediately giving Jeff hope that his life has finally changed for the better.
‘But as the boys grow closer, their deepening relationship becomes hijacked by a darkness Aarav can’t escape, and a life-altering secret Jeff can barely contain.’
THE BOY WITH THE SPIDER FACE is the first book that I have read by AJ Franks, and I can’t wait to read more.
TW/CW: Racism, Homophobia
Thank you, Crystal Lake Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of THE BOY WITH THE SPIDER FACE in a request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Boy With The Spider Face~
The Warden
– by Jon Richter
~Amazon Image/Bloodhound Books/eBook/Blackthorn Book Tour – 11/24/2021~
~05/25/2021~
‘The year is 2024, and the residents of the Tower, a virus-proof apartment building, live in a state of permanent lockdown. The building is controlled by James, who keeps the residents safe but incarcerated….This suits Eugene just fine. Ravaged by the traumas of his past, the agoraphobic ex-detective has no intention of ever setting foot outside again.’
‘But when he finds the Tower’s building manager brutally dismembered, his investigator’s instincts won’t allow him to ignore the vicious crime….To unravel the Tower’s mysteries, he must confront James…’
‘The flickering lights gave the dimly-lit space an otherworldly glow, as though it was full of fireflies; the gentle hum of the straining servers might have been the laboured breathing of some lurking, monstrous creature.’
I was introduced to Richter’s writing early last year by way of the short story collections, DISTURBING WORKS Vol. One & Two, AUXILIARY: a Cyberpunk Science Fiction novel set in 2039, London, and now, the Physiological Thriller THE WARDEN: set in 2024, London.
I LOVE stories that place characters, and by extension, the reader, into situations where survival is key. Favorite movies that come to mind that remind me of this book are DIE HARD, P-2, and TRAPPED.
If you’re like me and you enjoy reading a fast-paced narrative via short chapters and alternating timelines that ultimately converge the past and the present into a suspenseful tale, then I think you’re going to love THE WARDEN.—Highly Recommend!
THE WARDEN – by Jon Richter
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Source: Blackthorn Book Tour
Tour Date: November 24, 2021
~Available On Amazon~
The Twin Paradox
– by Charles Wachter
~Cover Design by – Rafael Andres/NetGalley/ Trevaney Bay Pubishing/eBook~
~08/27/2020~
THE TWIN PARADOX by Charles Wachter started out really good, I was getting Michael Crichton vibes throughout until the sixty-three percent mark. I’m not going to delve into spoilerville, but I will say how the narrative plays out, including the introduction of certain characters, at this point, didn’t work for me.
DNF – 63%
Thank you, NetGalley and Trevaney Bay Publishing, for providing me with an ebook of THE TWIN PARADOX in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Absolute Unit
– by Nick Kolakowski
~Cover Art – by Ben Baldwin/Crystal Lake Publishing/eGalley~
~07/29/2021~
‘Yes, our future spreads before us, bright and pure….Our one regret is a small one: that we didn’t realize our potential from the very beginning. . .’
ABSOLUTE UNIT by Nick Kolakowski is a unique ride that still has me tripping on the bizarre, funny, and heartbreaking content within; however, part of me—by stories end—feels like this fast-paced narrative needed more meat in the center to create the informative whole eager readers may be thirsting for.
I LOVE the perspective narration Kolakowski chose for this book, which was perfect!
Go into this one without reading the synopsis, Dear Readers, if you can avoid it.
Thank you, Crystal Lake Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of ABSOLUTE UNIT at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Perfect Ruin
– by Shanora Williams
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Dafina Books/Kensington Publishing Corp./eBook – 07/27/2021~
‘A brutal tragedy ended Ivy Hill’s happy family and childhood. Now in her twenties and severely troubled, she barely has a life—or much to live for. Until the day she discovers the name of the woman who destroyed her world…’
WOW! I love when a good book doesn’t play out the way I expect, the twists in the Psychological Thriller THE PERFECT RUIN, kept me on pins and needles until the bitter end.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Dafina Books (Kensington Publishing Corp.) for providing me with an eGalley of THE PERFECT RUIN at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Just One Look
– by Lindsay Cameron
~Book Design by Diane Hobbing – NetGalley/Ballantine Books/Random House/eBook – 07/27/2021~
JUST ONE LOOK centers around the life and time of Cassie Woodson, wherein we follow Cassie as she begins a new chapter in her life as a temp reviewing correspondence for a large-scale fraud suit.
As the reader, you’re given retrospective moments served in bits and pieces that lay the foundation of her past that explains her current circumstances in the present. (Love It!)
Does the causality of her past explain her unhinged behavior—coupled with a lack of love, friends, and stability in her life, that creates a fixation that ultimately turns into stocking?
You will have to read the book and find out.
I love the premise of the book and the ending is perfect! What I didn’t feel whilst reading JUST ONE LOOK was a sense of suspense-thriller throughout and the pacing, to me, felt too slow.
Do I look forward to reading more books by Cameron?
Of Course!
I can’t wait to see what Lindsay comes up with next!
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books (Random House), for providing me with an eGalley of JUST ONE LOOK at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Razorblade Tears
– by S.A. Cosby
~Book Design by Donna Siisgalli Noetzel/NetGalley/Flatiron Books/eGalley~
~07/06/2021~
The following is a snippet of the synopsis, in whole, provides enough of a setup into the storyline that to divulge more would delve into unnecessary spoiler alert territory:
‘Ike and Buddy Lee, two ex-cons with little else in common other than a criminal past and a love for their dead sons, band together in their desperate desire for revenge. In their quest to do better for their sons in death than they did in life, hardened men Ike and Buddy Lee will confront their own prejudices about their sons and each other, as they rain down vengeance upon those who hurt their boys.’
My immediate thoughts and feelings after reading this Book:
In a word, WOW!
Little Bit—My Heart!
Yes, Yes, I am crying again.
I Highly Recommend RAZORBLADE TEARS, written by S. A. COSBY. Thank you, NetGalley and Flatiron Books, for providing me with an eGalley in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Come With Me
– by Ronald Malfi
~Amazon Image/NetGalley/Titan Publishing Group Ltd./eBook/07/20/2021~
COME WITH ME pulled me in and kept me glued to every page—Highly Recommend!
I LOVE Malfi’s writing and the story—that ending—My Heart!
Here’s a couple of snippets that hit me in all the feels:
‘I thought of the image I saw—or imagined I saw—standing in this very doorway nights earlier. The certainty that you were in that room right now was so profound in that moment that I felt a grim and terrible smile crack the lower half of my face. My arms itched to embrace you. A taste in my mouth was your taste, as if in anticipation of a kiss…’
‘I stood there, waiting for you to materialize out of nothing right before my eyes. But when that didn’t happen—when the grim smile faded from my face, and the taste of you drained from my mouth—I was left with nothing but a hollow jack-o’-lantern sensation, as if someone had taken a sharp utensil and scooped out all my vital bits.’
And…
‘She opened the lid and I saw that it was filled with photographs. They were scattered about in there, in no particular order or arrangement, just loose and existing and touching each other like memories do.’
Thank you, NetGalley and Titan Books, for loaning me an eGalley of COME WITH ME in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
A Woman Of Intelligence
– by Karin Tanabe
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/St. Martin’s Press eBook – 07/20/2021~
A WOMAN OF INTELLIGENCE, by Karin Tanabe, started out really good, slowly progressing into an intriguing plot with interesting characters I wanted to know more about—how their paths intertwine, as the reader, eagerly waiting to partake in this Historical Mystery-Thriller.
However, as I ventured towards the end of the book, the lead-to felt nothing like a Thriller, seeped in some Mystery, but unfortunately not enough to sustain me to the end—resulting in a DNF for me at eighty-four percent.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with an eBook of A WOMAN OF INTELLIGENCE at the request of an honest review
~Available On Amazon~
The Book Of Accidents
– by Chuck Wendig
~Design by Fritz Metsch – NetGalley/Del Rey/Penguin Random House – eGalley – 07/20/2021~
Some say this book is too Political, I say ‘More, Please!’ I love that aspect Wendig brought to this book!
The twisted-mind-bending-storyline-by-design that is the foundation throughout THE BOOK OF ACCIDENTS is intriguing and unique to me.
I like how the storyline plays out, but its repetitive scenes, some featuring familiar formidable foes, overall fall flat in action and slow the pacing too much, in my opinion, making for a difficult read.
Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me at eighty-three percent.
Will I be reading more books by Wendig, even though this book didn’t work for me?
Absolutely!
Thank You, NetGalley and Del Rey Books/Random House, for loaning me an eGalley of THE BOOK OF ACCIDENTS at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Sinful Lives Of Trophy Wives
– by Kristin Miller
~Book Design by Jo Anne Metsch – NetGalley/Ballantine Books/Penguin Random House~
~eGalley – 07/20/2021~
‘Georgia St. Claire allegedly cashed in on the deaths of her first two husbands, earning her the nickname “Black Widow”—and the stares and whispers of her curious neighbors. Rumored to have murdered both men for their fortunes, she claims to have found true love in her third marriage, yet her mysterious, captivating allure keeps everyone guessing.’
THE SINFUL LIVES OF TROPHY WIVES is a Domestic Thriller that centers around three women you love, and at times, may love to hate.
A little predictable in parts and unpredictable in others—an ending that didn’t play out as I expected, though it genuinely satisfies my little dark heart. 😉
Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for loaning me an eGalley of THE SINFUL LIVES OF TROPHY WIVES in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Sinful Lives Of Trophy Wives~
Steel Fear
– by Brandon Webb & John David Mann
~Amazon Image/NetGalley/Bantam/Random House/eGalley~
~07/13/2021~
‘The moment Navy SEAL sniper Finn sets foot on the USS Abraham Lincoln to hitch a ride home from the Persian Gulf, it’s clear something is deeply wrong. Leadership is weak. Morale is low. And when crew members start disappearing one by one, what at first seems like a random string of suicides soon reveals something far more sinister….’
‘Finding the killer offers a chance at redemption . . . if he can stay alive long enough to prove it isn’t him.’
Or is it?
You have to read the book and find out! 😉
STEEL FEAR is a fun and engaging thriller-whodunit that kept me guessing until the very end.—Highly Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam Books – Random House, for loaning me an eBook of STEEL FEAR at the request of an honest review
~Available On Amazon~
The Very Nice Box
– by –
Laura Blackett & Eve Gleichman
~Book Design by Emily Snyder – NetGalley/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/eBook – 07/06/2021~
‘Ava Simon designs storage boxes for STÄDA, a slick Brooklyn-based furniture company. She’s hard-working, obsessive, and heartbroken from a tragedy that killed her girlfriend and upended her life. It’s been years since she’s let anyone in.’
That is until she meets the young and magnetic Mat Putnam.
The storyline centers around Ava’s work, with heartbreaking flashback moments that unveil the past, as she tries to move forward when Mat enters her life and changes her world—for good or bad?
You will have to read the book. 😉
I will say, I Love the ending!
THE VERY NICE BOX is the first book that I’ve read by Laura Blackett & Eve Gleichman, and I can’t wait to read more.
Thank you, NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, for providing me with an eGalley in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Dear Miss Metropolitan
– by Carolyn Ferrell
~Designed by Steven Seighman – NetGalley/Henry Holt And Company/Macmillan Publishing Group LLC./eBook – 07/06/2021~
DNF – 38%
~Available On Amazon~
The Strange Thing We Become
– by Eric LaRocca
~Cover ©Leopardmoth/Off Limits Press/eBook From The Author~
~09/01/2021~
If You Are A Fan Of Dark Horror, Allow Me To Introduce You To —THE STRANGE THING WE BECOME AND OTHER DARK TALES – by Eric LaRocca
‘The Strange Thing We Become and Other Dark Tales collects eight stories of literary dark fiction. Tense and terrifying, these masterful stories by Eric LaRocca explore the shadow side of love.’
As a parent reading this Collection—Holy Crap!!
Below are my immediate thoughts after reading each one, though short and to the point, displays the emotions that swirled through my mind by stories end:
’YOU FOLLOW WHEREVER THEY GO’ —My Heart!
‘BODIES ARE FOR BURNING’ —
I…Words…Dark…So…Dark…Good?…Yes…Disturbing?…Yes!…Very!…And…So Dark…
Hence The Title 😉 *whispers* ‘Not for the squeamish.’
‘THE STRANGE THING WE BECOME’ —Just, Wow—My Heart!
’THE TREES GREW BECAUSE I BLED THERE’ —Dark And All Kinds Of Creepy
’YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE’ —Whoa!
’WHERE FLAMES BURNED EMERALD AS GRASS’ – The question that immediately comes to mind, ‘What would you do?’ My Heart!
‘I’LL BE GONE BY THEN’ – WOW!
‘PLEASE LEAVE OR I’M GOING TO HURT YOU’ – Heartbreaking with a side of Creepy.
Thank You, Eric LaRocca and Off Limits Press, for providing me with an eBook of THE STRANGE THING WE BECOME AND OTHER DARK TALES at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Strange Thing We Become and Other Dark Tales~
Somebody’s Voice
– by Ramsey Campbell
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Press/eBook – 06/22/2021~
In the beginning of the book, which hooked me in immediately, Carl Batchelor tells his life story to ghostwriter Alex Grand, which is heartbreaking and in parts difficult to read, as are many biographies and fictional stories centered around abuse.
Overall, the storyline admittedly confused me a bit at the halfway in regards to where it was going and a puzzling ending.
Also, there are different points throughout the book wherein Alex and various characters constant inner monologue and dialogue about questioning the true meaning of what each other says, got to be too much, though I understand it’s meant to be a means to reflect Alex’s insecure mind in some scenes.
There are other misgivings I have that venture into spoiler territory that I won’t reveal.
Not my favorite Campbell book, but most definitely not my last.
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of SOMEBODY’S VOICE in the request of an honest review.
TW/CW – Child Sexual Abuse
~Available On Amazon~
Aniela
– by William Presley
~Cover Design by BetiBup/Little Demon Books/eBooky~
~07/05/2021~
‘There is something so dark, and yet so fantastical, about a Slavic fairytale. It tugs at our morbid sensibilities, begging us to read on. . .’
‘He didn’t know her name; he didn’t know any of his victims’ names. That made killing them easier…Yet, he couldn’t stop. Shewouldn’t let him.’
‘“She blurs the line between real and imaginary. She isolates you, makes you feel like you’re living in a sort of… unescapable fairy tale. A very dark fairy tale. One that she gets to write.”’
ANIELA Prelude to the Apprentice’s Notebook Series is the first book that I have read by William Presley; I look forward to reading the entire series.
The story idea as a whole I Love, though it left me with questions, specifically regarding the end—meant to tie into the beginning—didn’t quite fit together.
The opening scene is perfection that pulled me into the story immediately—followed by moments that had me gasping in surprise.
Thank you, William Presley and Little Demon Books for providing me with an eBook of ANIELA: Prelude to the Apprentice’s Notebook at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Barrens
– by Joe Goodglass
~Amazon Image/Dark Stroke/Self-Published/eBook From The Author~
~06/03/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Darkside Of Sunset Pointe
– by Michael Allan Scott
~Amazon Image – From The Author/eBook – 11/26/2013~
DNF – 39%
~Available On Amazon~
Floaters
– by Garrett Boatman
~Amazon Image/Crystal Lake Publishing/eGalley/09/10/2021~
DNF – 23%
~Available On Amazon~
Slattery Falls
– by Brennan LaFaro
~Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke/Silver Shamrock Publishing/eGalley/07/20/2021~
‘A Book About Paranormal Activity? An Evil Spectre, You Say? Haunted Houses? Why, Yes, Please!!
Tis The Season For All Things That Go Bump—Or Boo—In The Night.
*insert evil laugh and menacing grin here*
In SLATTERY FALLS by Brennan LaFaro, the reader is introduced to a Ghost Hunting Duo turned Trio who hunt Ghosties without the use of modern-day technology as their guide.
LaFaro does a great job of creating that spooky vibe; here’s a snippet:
‘Not so much as a creak to suggest the old, empty house settling. Almost too quiet, like something holding its breath, ready to pounce.’
And …
‘This place felt like it had a pulse. I guess I’ll never know whether my knowledge of the events that took place here impacted my train of thought, but the woods felt alive, like something ancient and inhuman studied our every move. . . . I recall taking every step with care, afraid to put a foot down in the wrong place in case it stirred up whatever made the hair on the back of my neck crawl.’
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, though, at times, I didn’t feel fully submerged in the storyline by way of narration. However, I do recommend it.
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of SLATTERY FALLS at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Malignant
– by Michaelbrent Collings
~Amazon Image/Written Insomnia Press/eGalley/10/23/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
‘When armed commandos storm an elite boarding school, the police think it’s a plot for ransom or an attempt to extort favors from the teens’ powerful parents.’
‘But the men, led by a killer who calls himself ‘‘Teacher,” have much darker plans in mind.’
In a word, ‘Whoa!’ MALIGNANT, by Michaelbrent Collings, is an intense read that kept me engaged to the very end.
Highly Recommend!
‘Teacher wasn’t a DJ of some maleficent music, he was a snake charmer, weaving and bobbing and inevitably drawing first the attention and then the subservience of a snake that, though deaf, danced the way the master desired.’
From The Authors Note:
MALIGNANT is a horror story, in its purest sense – or at least, I hope it is. The things that happen in this story are horrific, and should cause readers to shudder and squirm. And, worst of all, they are representatives of real things that happen to real people.’
Thank you, Michaelbrent Collings, for providing me with an eBook of MALIGNANT at the request of an honest review.
God Forbid
– by A.A. Medina
~Amazon Image/UglyByProxy Books/eBook~
~10/15/2021~
GOD FORBID: SHORT STORIES – by A.A. Medina – Highly Recommend!
***Content Warning Is At The Beginning Of The Book***
I wanted to provide a snippet from each story; however, some are shorter than others, and I don’t want to give anything away. I want you, Dear Reader, to experience these Gems for yourselves.
‘In this collection of fifteen short stories, be prepared to dive into multiple worlds of horror, mystery, intrigue, and dread. Visit dystopian futures and get a glimpse at the dark underbelly of the human condition. Cyberpunk, steampunk, and military science fiction. Demons and devils—both metaphorical and literal. Tales of life, death, and rebirth.’
The Following Are My Favorites:
‘I’M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS’ – Love This One!
‘I knew I would not be able to sleep with all the ruckus going on outside my bedroom door—so I did not even attempt to… I found some relief when the screaming stopped, but the sound of the poor b*stard choking on his own blood was not much better. At least it wasn’t as loud.’
‘A NIGHT IN BLACK CANYON’ – On pins and needles until I read that ending.
‘Janis’ mind often drifted off during her father’s rants. She always knew when his speech was over—he ended it the same way every time: “Remember, Jan,…there were many evils on this earth before the demons crawled up from hell.”’
‘THE CUPBEARERS’ – Love This One
‘I had seen nearly two dozen worlds outside of Earth…These missions rarely made me anxious, but something about this planet left me unnerved.’
‘SALVAGE’ – Love This One
The countryside was once a peaceful place; blue skies, rolling hills, singing birds, and frolicking children. Now, pillars of smoke rose from the fires that pockmarked the fields, ash and remains—of both man and machine—littered the landscape.
‘THE NEGLECTFUL ARMS OF MORPHEUS’ – My Heart!
‘LUNCH WITH JACK’ – Yes, Yes, I am crying!
‘TRADITIONS’ – Oh, Wow!
‘THE TOPHETH PEDIGREE’ – Oh, Wow!
‘EVERY NIGHT’ – Oh, Wow!
‘OUBLIETTE’ – Oh, Sh*t!
‘FROM RIPPLES TO WAVES’ – Whoa!
‘HAGRAVEN’ – WooooooooW! That was good!
‘BLUEBERRY PANCAKES’ – My Heart—Love The Ending!
‘8-BIT REBELLION’ – Love This One!
Thank you, A.A. Medina, for providing me with an eBook of GOD FORBID: SHORT STORIES at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Followers
– by Christina Bergling
~Cover /Crystal Lake Publishing/eBook~
~09/24/2021~
‘Sidney, a single mother with a dull day job, has big dreams of becoming a full-time horror [movie] reviewer and risqué gore model. Between managing a cellphone store, honoring her soccer mom duties, and wrangling her hostile ex-husband, it seems building her following and interacting with her fans is the only authentic outlet she has—and the validation it gives her is proving to be a little addictive.’
‘Her website is gaining traction, and every day it seems more and more people are sliding into her DMs to chat with her and tell her how amazing she is. In fact, Sidney has so many followers that chatting with them is getting to be a job in itself. More than a job, it might even be getting a little risky….’
FOLLOWERS – by Christina Bergling Published by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from The Darkest Depths
I’m a Uberfan of the SCREAM movies, which FOLLOWERS seem to pay tribute to, from the names of two of the main characters, Wes and Sidney, to the horror movie tropes—does and don’ts, the dialogue comparison, and lastly—sans spoilers—the well-known scream of ‘Sidney!’ a time or two.
Is the above depiction of the book a bad thing, in this reader’s opinion?
No, not at all.
There are moments, however, throughout the book, wherein viewing the world via Sidney’s perspective; as the reader, you swirl around her every thought that at times becomes too much repetition and bulk that I found myself skimming through certain parts.
There are points in this book where I want to grab the fallible (aren’t we all) Sidney, shaking her while screaming, ‘Don’t You Watch Web Of Lies?!?!’ ‘WAKE UP!’
*Deep Breath*
I digress…
Overall, this book didn’t tick off all the boxes for me, but I will say it was a (fun—because, hello, I’m a Horror Fan) and creepy ride I recommend.
Thank You, Crystal Lake Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of FOLLOWERS at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Savage Island
– by Brian Moreland
~Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke/Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~06/28/2021~
THAT. WAS. AWESOME!!
SAVAGE ISLAND – by Brian Moreland – Highly Recommend!
‘We cruised our fishing boat here on holiday to escape from the civilized world. We anchored near the lagoon’s beach, picnicked, and swam. Then we made the mistake of exploring the island. . . .’
‘Those fortunate enough to pass by this isolated green hell will never learn its secrets.’
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of SAVAGE ISLAND at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
What One Wouldn’t Do
– Edited by Scott J. Moses
~Cover Art/Design: George C. Cotronis/eBook~
~10/05/2021~
WHAT ONE WOULDN’T DO An Anthology on the Lengths One Might Go To Edited by Scott J. Moses
The Following Are My Favorites:
‘With Animals’ – by J.A.W. McCarthy – Love This One!
‘The first time Ezra brings me back, thirty seagulls fall from the sky.’
‘The Grievous Art of Compulsion’ – by Avra Margariti – The last line is beautifully perfect and heartbreaking (Not included here).
‘Sleep, sweet son, and dream what you like best./ This, I whispered in your ear during the latest siege / of our jeweled city, our home for all your young life.’
‘Moira and Ellie’ – by Marisca Pichette – Wow, Love this one! I wasn’t expecting that ending.
‘Radha got her imaginary friend before me. We were walking home from school on Tuesday when she stopped and stared at the fence. I kept walking until I realized she wasn’t with me anymore. When I looked back, she was smiling.’
‘Cry Me a River’ – by Stephanie Ellis – WOW! As A Mother, My Heart.
‘It wasn’t even really a gym. It was officially a Generator Unit, an addition to the bunker’s power supply dreamt up by the council’s scientists. It was one of the few remaining places in the complex capable of adding to the power grid, and the incubator was a greedy beast.’
‘The Opening of the Mouth’– by Christina Wilder’ – Love This One!
‘I cut through the thread that’s woven between your lips. Your mouth is stained a dark red, and a memory emerges…’
‘Traditional Women’ – by Donna Lynch – That Was Good
A simpler time/ overflowing with tragedy/ and ironic curses/ We’ve always said / you can’t appreciate what you have/ if you don’t know what it is to lose
‘Conversion’ – by Katie Young – That Was Good!
‘Looking back now, I wonder if it was chance that led us to find Saint Augustine’s or whether something else was at play even then.’
‘The Witch of Flora Pass’ – by Scott J. Moses – That Was Good!
‘My name is Thomas Reardon, and I did not kill my wife. I want to be absolutely sure the one recording this typed that correctly. Her hand is quick, and I must ensure that inattention to my words does not birth me a death sentence.’
‘Blood is Thicker’ – by Angela Sylvaine – WoW! That Was Good!
‘They were twins, but of the fraternal variety, merely siblings born one after the other. Viviane was thirteen minutes older and stood three inches taller…Viviane liked to joke that Diane had spoiled a bit during those extra minutes in their mother’s womb, coming out bruised and soft like an overripe piece of fruit.’
‘Baby Girl’ – by J.V. Gachs – Love the ending
‘Just two words. A simple incantation to destroy a world. The doctor speaks as I wipe off the ultrasound gel.’
‘Red Rotary Phone’ – by Tim MacGregor – My Heart!
‘Take Control’ – by Emma E. Murray – That. Was. Intense!
‘Ella Minnow’ – by Nick Younker – Wow! That Was Good!
‘Maze-Minded’– by Jennifer Crow – Love This One!
‘We stitch ourselves/ into the labyrinth,/ walls tapestried/ with silk cocoons/ and torn webs/ where our knives/ carve away/for nightmares/ to cross into flesh.’
‘I Married A Dead Man’ – by Joanna Koch – Love Koch’s Writing
‘The rules change down at the docks after dark. That’s where I’d find him, where daytime people masquerade, donning their desires inside-out, so the raw truth shows…Things go on that don’t stand up to logic and light, things that need to happen so the daytime world can keep on kidding itself that it’s all merry and bright.’
‘I Have Become A Graveyard’ – by Lex Vranick – Love!
‘I carry them with me, these past-tense people./ But I can’t ever seem to keep them in the past./They were here once, and aren’t they still?
‘The Last Word’ – by Laurel Hightower – That Was Good!
‘Silver Dollar Eyes’ – by Eric Raglin – My Heart!
‘The Wishing Well’ – by Daniel Barnett – That Was Good!
I love the description Barnett uses to set the scene here:
‘There were floorboards in the kitchen that groaned even when no one was walking on them. There was the rain gutter that had come loose outside and conspired with the wind to tickle and scratch the walls. Windows clicked in their frames. The chimney told secrets under its breath. I listened, and I listened, and I shivered all the worse until the only warm part of me was the blood leaking out of my leg.’
‘Holding’– by Simone le Roux – WOW! That Was Good!
‘The Thread That Dreams Are Made Of’ – by Hailey Piper – Love This One!
‘They Don’t Eat Teeth’ – by Jena Brown – Love This One!
‘She’s learned how to navigate this treacherous land. How to avoid the raging floods that come out of nowhere and the importance of watching for creatures the color of sand. It’s the deadly side of nature that appeals to her. There’s no bullshit here. Only life. Only death. And a blink between the two.’
‘The desert adjusts to her intrusion, coming alive with every footstep. Predators hunt, and prey tries to hide, both following instincts centuries old. She does the same.’
‘The Old Switcheroo’ – by Christi Nogle – That Was Good!
Thank you, Scott J. Moses, for providing me with an eBook of WHAT ONE WOULDN’T DO at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Hungry Business
– by Maria Deblassie
~Amazon Image/Kitchen Witch Press/Short Story/eBook~
~Copy Provided By – Blackthorn Book Tours~
~10/12/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
~Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating~
Petrichor
– by Melanie Rees
~Cover by – Jade Zivanovic/Hague Publishing/eBook/10/15/2021~
~Blackberry Book Tour – 10/21/2021~
PETRICHOR, written by Melanie Rees, touching, heartbreaking Teen & Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy story about family, love, loss, inner courage, and hope.
Highly Recommend!
‘Drought has turned the paddocks of Paddle Creek Station to dust. Now the death of Clayton’s older brother has shaken his family to its core and left a gaping hole in Clayton’s memory. A hole his parents won’t even discuss. . . .’
‘The wind picked up and tossed whiffs of dust into the air. Clayton let the hot air dry his eyes. The breeze swept through the window, stirring the flies that had been content to cling to the inside of the windscreen. Clayton swatted at the little black beasts, but his dad seemed content to let them dance around his eyes and cracked lips. It was as if they were clinging to a carcass. Clayton wanted to swipe them away. There was still life in Dad, somewhere—deep down.’
15% of the publisher’s revenue from the sale of this book will be donated to the following charities: Rural Aid and Beyond Blue
Thank you, Blackthorn Blog Tours and Hague Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of PETRICHOR at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Someone To Share My Nightmares
– by Sonora Taylor
~Cover Art by Doug Puller/eBook From The Author~
10/19/2021~
***A list of content and trigger warnings can be found at the back of this book, before About the Author.***
A Snippet From The Foreward [LOVE!]Written By V. Castro:
‘Besides being a wonderful human, she is a splendid voice in horror right now. And this is most definitely a time when women are leaving their mark in horror. We are redefining what it is and how it is told. From the horrors we experience with our bodies, life experiences, love and the mundane, there is a huge shift in the genre. Women are charging through fearlessly not caring if they are called shrill or crazy.’
‘Sonora’s work reflects the shift happening below our feet. She is not only part of the shift, but she is also cheering on other women in the game.’ *chef’s kiss*
‘Someone to Share My Nightmares’
It almost seemed like the woods delighted in Ransom’s death and had seen his flesh as a means of creation. Kristin knew it was silly to think so, and yet she couldn’t shake the feeling. Something was wrong with the forest…’
‘Branches reached towards the moonlight and arched and cracked, their maws gaping wide as the stars gave them eyes. All of them watching, all of them whispering.’
‘Petal, Page, Piel’ – Dark & Creepy—Love It!
Each flower was a gift from Seth, each page a transcript of the loving words he’d said to her. A book of love notes that would hold what he’d said to her forever, even though he stopped saying such words to her long ago.
‘Bump in the Night’
The doorbell interrupted Tasha’s nighttime cup of tea. She didn’t mind at all. She stood up and smiled as the ends of her white satin robe fluttered against the tops of her thighs. She closed the robe over her matching lace teddy.
“Late-night plumbing,” the woman said as she held up a bag. “Tasha?”
Metal Meticulous’
Metal meticulous / Blood upon bone / She held him aloft / And she turned him to stone.
‘The Parrot’ – This One Is My Favorite!
He wouldn’t be surprised if she’d intentionally walked in front of that car. How dare she leave him like this? How could she leave him alone, after all he’d done to take care of her? To improve her as a woman, to make her perfect by making her his?
‘Candy’ – Sweet & Dark—Yum!
‘Martha hated Valentine’s Day, but she loved the candy. Her favorite was a box of truffles filled with fruit-flavored cream. Every February, when she walked by CVS and saw the sickening display of hearts and teddy bears in the window, her mind would wander to a heart-shaped box filled with truffles, and her mouth would water as she imagined biting into each piece of candy’s tender flesh.’
‘The Sharps’ – Love This One!
‘On that first day, as her boat entered the cove, she heard rustling in the water. She smiled at the sound, an aquatic hush she’d loved since she was little.’
‘She gazed down at the water, then furrowed her brow. The river was still, and yet the rustling noise continued. It grew louder, and soon . . .’
‘You Promised Me Forever’
Cody gasped with pleasure, then bent to kiss her neck. “I want to feel your skin,” he said with his lips still pressed against her body. “While it’s still warm.”
‘Tis Better to Want’ – Oh My! *Is it hot in here, or is it just me?* 😉
‘Lydia had misbehaved before, but it was her seventh Christmas that brought the demon to her window.’
Thank you, Sonora Taylor, for providing me with an eBook of SOMEONE TO SHARE MY NIGHTMARES at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Someone To Share My Nightmares~
Echoes Of Fate: Book Three
– by Cheryl Campbell
~Amazon Image/Sonar Press/Paperback~
~11/02/2021~
‘Dani’s return home to Maine after three years of diplomatic missions overseas lands her in jail and within Colonel Houston’s crosshairs. Maine’s civilian and Commonwealth forces continue to work together against the Wardens-the genocidal faction of alien Echoes-but Dani’s relationship with Colonel Houston deteriorates into a personal conflict, putting others’ lives at risk.’
Wow, Just Wow! Having just finished Book Three in the ECHOES TRILOGY, ECHOES OF FATE, before reading Book One, ECHOES OF WAR, and Book Two, ECHOES OF DARKNESS, I’m even more excited to see how this story begins.
I LOVE the bad*ss women in this Trilogy—as the reader, it’s easy to follow their storyline if ECHOES OF FATE Book Three is where you chose to begin.
ECHOES OF FATE will have you laughing out loud one minute and will break your heart the next.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, Sonar Press and Smith Publicity, for providing me with a Paperback copy of ECHOES OF FATE in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Forest Of Vanishing Stars
– by Kristin Harmel
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster/eBook – 07/06/2021~
***Amazon would not post this review, however, Barnes & Noble Did***
Yes, yes, I did cry—nonstop. Have a box of tissues (or ten) nearby; you’re going to need them.
THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS By Kristin Harmel is a heart-wrenching, suspenseful, Historical Fiction novel with a love story at its core—at the moment; it has me at a loss for words; other than—WOW!
Here’s A Snippet Of The Synopsis:
‘After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation.’
I love the depiction of Yona, the young heroine in the book, specifically: her strength, perseverance, bravery, and selflessness.
Opening her heart isn’t something Yona has done before, so when a moment presents itself—My Heart!
Here’s A Snippet Or Two:
‘“Perhaps I just don’t know how to love.” “Or maybe there is something broken in me.” Somehow, speaking the words aloud felt like releasing a flock of birds to the sky.’
‘“You will know. . . When it is the right person, you will know.” [He] took a deep breath. “And you’re not broken, Yona. . . It’s the cracks in us that make us who we are, and you . . . you are stronger than anyone I have ever met, I think.”’
And . . .
‘The only thing that remained was the only thing that mattered: love—the kind that could be found in the darkness when all pretenses had disappeared, the kind borne of pain and despair and hope, the kind that was a shelter in the storm.’
THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS—Highly Recommend!
PLEASE, make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end of the book, highlighting the research and interviews that went into creating the book.
Thank You, NetGalley and Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster, Inc.), for loaning me an eGalley of THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Forest Of Vanishing Stars~
Black Sci-Fi Short Stories
Senior Project Editor – Josie Karani
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Publishing/eBook – 06/15/2021~
BLACK SCI-FI SHORT STORIES – Anthology – Recommend!
‘Dystopia, apocalypse, gene-splicing, cloning and colonization are explored here by new authors and combined with proto-sci-fi and speculative writing of an older tradition (by W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin R. Delany, Sutton E. Griggs, Pauline Hopkins and Edward Johnson) whose first-hand experience of slavery and denial created their living dystopia.’
Those That Stood Out To Me:
‘An Empty, Hollow Interview’ – by James Beamon
‘Élan Vital’ – by K. Tempest Bradford
‘The Floating City of Pengimbang’ – by Michelle F. Goddard
‘The New Colossuses’ – by Harambee K. Grey-Sun
‘Imperium in Imperio’ – by Sutton E. Griggs [This Book Was Published In 1899 – Historical/Social Science Fiction]
‘Of One Blood: Or, The Hidden Self’ – by Pauline Hopkins – [Published in 1902-1903]
‘Space Traitors’ – by Walidah Imarisha – ‘In conversation with Derrick Bell’s short story ‘Space Traders’.’ [Published 1992]
‘The Line of Demarcation’ – by Patty Nicole Johnson
‘e-race’ – by Russell Nichols
‘Giant Steps’ – by Russell Nichols
‘You May Run On’ – by Megan Pindling
‘The Pox Party’ – by Lyle Stiles
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eGalley of BLACK SCI-FI SHORT STORIES in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Malignant Summer
– by Tim Meyer
~Front Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke – Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~06/01/2021~
‘Every road looked haunted, every parking lot vacant. The days weren’t much better; fossil-gray clouds stole the sun from the skies, cool and airy afternoons laying waste to the last granules of summer. But the nights were still much worse. Empty and soulless, a town lost on the edge of total destruction.’
‘It was like Hooperstown had forgotten how to live.’
The lead-to and build-up are good; I would be remiss if I did not equate the vibes I felt—specifically regarding my love of the characters throughout the narrative with those I felt while reading Stephen Kings, IT.
I won’t delve into spoiler territory, but I will say—to this reader—certain aspects in the conclusion worked while others didn’t.
Overall, MALIGNANT SUMMER is not my favorite of Meyer’s books; however, anything written by him will always be an Auro-Yes, Please! from me.
Those last few pages, though, hand to my heart and tears in my eyes. . .
‘When you’re eleven, friends feel like they will last forever. It isn’t until you’re older that you’ll realize the naivety of that mindset. The reality that not all of them will stick around. It happens. Friends come and go, but their memories will last forever.’
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eGalley of MALIGNANT SUMMER in a request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Apex Magazine Issue 122
– Edited by Jason Sizemore
~Cover by Thomas Tan/Cover Design by Justin Steward – eMagazine- 03/02/2021~
‘Strange. Beautiful. Shocking. Surreal.’
‘APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards.’
APEX EMAGAZINE ISSUE 122 – Highly Recommend!
Original Fiction:
‘Barefoot and Midnight’ – by Sheree Renée Thomas
‘The faith she once had was replaced with an unholy rage, an anger so hot, it incinerated all forgiveness. She willed her body to move. But the scent of roses, overpowering in the night, strengthened her resolve, holding her there.’
‘The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century’ — by A.C. Wise
‘“Think of Georges Méliès,” the old woman says. “Moon men appearing in puffs of smoke. Only these were like fairy tales, the old kind meant to assure the world that women were empty-headed, foolish, and vain. I’ll give Don Leaming this, he thought up dozens of clever ways to make us die.”’
‘Black Box of the Terraworms’ —by Barton Aikman
‘“We begin to make the planet a place that one day can be called yours. We do this for you because this is what you created us to do. This is our purpose. But we don’t call you gods.
You are not gods.
That is the first thing you coded us to know, which was wise.
If you were gods, we would want to eat you too.”’
‘If Those Ragged Feet Won’t Run’ —by Annie Neugebauer
‘The night comes. It can’t yet be seen, felt, tasted, or smelled, but you can hear it. You can hear all things fall quiet as the dusk draws near. It is a fearful silence, waiting.’
‘Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating’ —by Sabrina Vourvoulias
‘Philadelphia is a food city.’
‘If you don’t believe us, believe Travel + Leisure, which last year wrote that our city has a “vibrant culinary landscape” and named us “one of the most exciting food destinations in the nation.”’
‘A second site lauded our cheesesteaks, meatballs in red gravy, and innovative vegan eateries. Yet another reminded us that top restaurateurs like Marc Vetri, Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov and José Garcés have all left their imprint on how, and what, we eat in the city.’
‘FWIW, all of that is true.’
‘But we know how you are.’
‘You want to know the hidden.’
‘You want to know the real.’
‘A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Last: Deleted Scenes from a Documentary’ — by Sam J. Miller
‘Listening to her on the radio, watching clips, you feel it, a little, you know this is something special, something (supernatural) different, and if you really listen hard and let your guard down maybe it will start to stir up something you can’t explain—give you something you didn’t have before—a faint smell in the air, a memory that’s not yours, a shadow shaped like her in your dreams that night.’
Classic Fiction:
‘She Searches for God in the Storm Within’ — by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali
‘For a time I left my grandmother’s home far below, as well as the indecision and uncertainty. I left behind the jittering bone-deep ache of the coming storm. Then I became the storm. I shed the tempting brown flesh in favor of that which cannot be possessed and obscured.’
‘One cannot rope a cloud and keep it for their own. Can they?’
‘The Eight-Thousanders’ –by Jason Sanford
‘[I]t wasn’t good enough to want to climb. You had to have the means to climb. And that’s what working for Ronnie gave me. Not that I hated Ronnie. Working for him was like aiming for Everest—it didn’t matter what we created, only that we reached the top.’
Also, In This Issue –
Interviews with Authors:
Sabrina Vourvoulias
Annie Neugebauer
Interview with Cover Artist:
Thomas Tan
Nonfiction:
Jimi Hendrix Sang It’ – by ZZ Claybourne
‘Telling Stories of Ghosts’ – by Wendy N. Wagner
‘Words for Thought: Short Fiction Review’ – by A.C. Wise
Thank you, Editor Jason Sizemore, for providing me with an Emagazine of Apex Publications Issue 122 at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Geirmund’s Saga – by Matthew J Kirby
~Cover Image by Jung Gi Kim -NetGalley/Aconyte/Simon & Schuster Inc./eBook~
~11/10/2020~
“‘Show me a man who is never afraid, and I’ll show you a fool.’”
ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA: GEIRMUND’S SAGA by Matthew J Kirby—’Introducing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Geirmund’s Saga sets the scene for Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, the latest game in the world-conquering series by Ubisoft.’
I read somewhere there may be an expansion pack letting players play on either side.
*squeeeee*
‘Mid-9th Century CE. The Viking attacks and invasions are shattering England’s kingdoms. Born into a royal lineage of Norwegian kings, Geirmund Hel-hide sets out for an adventure to prove his worth as a Viking and a warrior. A perilous journey across the sea brings him into contact with a being out of myth and grants him a mysterious ring that promises both great power and bitter betrayal.’
Where or where to begin with this review,’ she mutters to herself as she resists the urge to set aside this tablet and plunge headfirst into the world of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla on my daughters PS4.
Having never played the game, I asked her to acquaint me with the storyline within, which doesn’t appear to be in line with this book—a fact that did not put me off of reading it, either.
As a huge fan of the show VIKINGS and Norse Mythology, my Norwegian lineage on me Pops side (both my kids are over six feet tall and tower over me), I could not wait to read this book!
If you’re a fan of the show and/or Norse history, then you will know who Ragnar Lodbrok is and his many sons (Björn Ironside—My Heart!).
*ahem*
Sorry, I was thinking about one of the last episodes of VIKINGS.
*sniff*
As mentioned above, the book is set in the Mid-9th Century CE, wherein Ragnar’s son, Halfdan, is King of Northumbria, and Hjörr Halfsson, King of Avaldsnes, is father to Geirmund Hjörrsson, the lead character in this book whose life this story is centered around.
The book started really well, though a slow burn; immediately pulled me in and eager to see how this saga would unfold as we follow Geirmund on his journey to England, which is somewhat similar to that of Ragnar’s—an aspect of the narrative that has me on this fence with this book?
Possibly. That, and I wish the Kirby fleshed-out scenes a little more.
Overall, not a fan favorite, but a book I recommend.
Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Inc., for loaning me an eGalley of ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA: GEIRMUND’S SAGA in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Assassins Creed Valhalla: Geirmunds Saga~
Morningside Heights
– by Joshua Henkin
~Jacket Design by Kelly Blair – NetGalley/Pantheon Books/Penguin Random House LLC./eBook – 06/15/2021~
‘When Ohio-born Pru Steiner arrives in New York in 1976, she follows in a long tradition of young people determined to take the city by storm. But when she falls in love with and marries Spence Robin, her hotshot young Shakespeare professor, her life takes a turn she couldn’t have anticipated.’
‘Thirty years later, something is wrong with Spence.’
As the synopsis reveals very little regarding Spence, I won’t reveal any spoilers, but I will say that some readers may find certain aspects of the family dynamic (myself included, minus the affluence and Ivy League education) heartbreakingly relatable.
MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS – Recommend
Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, for loaning me an eGalley of MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Blue Madagascar
– by Andrew Kaplan
~Amazon Image/NetGalley/Smugglers Lane Press/eBook~
‘The only person you can ever really trust is yourself.’
If you enjoy reading Fast-Paced Cat & Mouse Spy Thrillers, (Yes, Please!) then I think you’re going to like BLUE MADAGASCAR.
‘She was a throwaway kid from the mean streets of Central Los Angeles. Now a Homeland Security Special Agent [Casey Ramirez], the future of America may depend on what she does next.’
The lead-in scene of the book immediately hooked me in, followed by murder, mystery, and puzzling clues that Special Agent Ramirez must solve before it’s too late.
I LOVE Casey Ramirez, the main character in this book, and that ending! Please tell me this is Book One in what I hope will be a series.
The only issue I had was I struggled a bit with the timeline regarding the sequence of events. Also, there are numerous characters to follow throughout the book; many of the key players are discernible while others, not so much.
Overall I enjoyed reading my first Kaplan Book, and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you, NetGalley and Smugglers Lane Press, for loaning me an eBook of BLUE MADAGASCAR in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~06/30/2021~
La Reina De Las Chicarras
The Queen Of The Cicadas
– by V. Castro
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Press/eBook – 06/22/2021~
‘The currency of loyalty and blood surpasses anything that can be exchanged by hand.’
THE QUEEN OF THE CICADAS La Reina de las Chicarras is the first book that I have read by Castro, the storyline and mystery behind the title—as I had not reread the synopsis prior to diving in—pulled me in immediately!
The various scenes Castro creates in this book run the gamut from: heartbreaking, anger inducing, cringeworthy, creepy good, hot and steamy erotica, and touching moments that brought me to tears.
It’s easy to get invested in the characters, as the reader you are first introduced to Belinda as she arrives for her friends wedding at a Victorian farmhouse in Alice, Texas.
Then, what’s viewed by many as an urban legion we learn—through alternating timelines—the story of Milagros and her sister, Concepcion, my curiosity piqued as more is revealed about them.
I couldn’t wait to learn more about Milagros, though I won’t reveal spoilers, I will say— Bloody H*ll! My Heart!
The first half of the book was hit and miss for regarding the frequent change in the timeline, which at times was confusing. The second half was perfect, all the feels with an ending I was and wasn’t expecting.
Recommend!
‘Science says we do not exist.. But next time you hear that scratch or howl or have a sensation of unease, it is not science in the room; it could be one of us, passing through your realm.’
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eBook of THE QUEEN OF THE CICADAS La Reina de las Chicarras in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Bad Girl In The Box
– by Tim Curran
~Cover by – Kealan Patrick Burke/ Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~05/17/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Scorpion
– by Christian Cantrell
~Amazon Image/Random House/eBook~
~05/25/2021~
‘Quinn Mitchell is a nine-to-five spy—an intelligence analyst for the CIA during the day, and a suburban wife and mother on evenings and weekends. After her young daughter is killed in a tragic accident, sending her life into a tailspin, Quinn hopes to find a new start in her latest assignment: investigating a series of bizarre international assassinations whose victims have been found with numeric codes tattooed, burned, or carved into their flesh.’
If you’re a fan of In-Depth Mind-Bending Techno-Thrillers (Yes, Please!), then I think you’re going to like SCORPION, the first book that I have read by Christian Cantrell, and most definitely NOT the last.
I have to say; I really like how Henrietta is portrayed in the book—the childlike innocence coupled with a weeeeeeee bit more to her character (Sorry, no spoilers) that honestly had me glued to the pages.
Now, which Cantrell do I read next? Most likely, CONTAINMENT, though I am open to suggestions.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for loaning me an eBook of SCORPION in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Double Vision
– by Hamelin Bird
~Amazon Image/Piper House/eBook From The Author~
~12/01/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Transmuted
– by Eve Harms
~Amazon Image – Unnerving Publishing – eBook From The Author – 07/15/2021~
‘Next time, I will not fail. Next time, I will create an unworldly being of indisputable beauty. Next time, they will know my genius . . . .’
‘Her doctor is giving her the body of his dreams…and her nightmares.
Isa is a micro-celebrity who rarely shows her face, and can’t wait to have it expertly ripped off and rearranged to look more feminine. When a successful fundraiser makes her gender affirming surgery possible, she’s overjoyed—until she has to give up all her money to save her dying father.’
If you’re a fan of queer body horror, then I think your going to like TRANSMUTED—a story that is creepy good—with a dollop of hot and steamy—followed by a conclusion I wasn’t expecting.
Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
Inheriting Her Ghosts
– by S.H. Cooper
~Cover by – Morrighan Corbel/ Sleepless Sanctuary Publishing/eBook From The Author~
– 07/09/2021~
INHERITING HER GHOSTS by S.H. Cooper – I Love This Book, I Love The Writing—Highly, Highly, Highly Recommend!!
The opening sentence:
‘The house inherited me as much as I did it. We were alike, this house and I. Both filled with bones that creaked and dark hallways where memories lingered still.’
Here’s another example:
‘‘Night made a labyrinth of the house and it seemed to build itself further in shadow. Rooms doubled in the dark, hallways pressed in and pointed on, longer than they had before. It was a restless place in a way I had not known a building could be; unsatisfied, hungry, the very air thick with its disquiet.’
Thank you, S.H. Cooper, for providing me with an eBook of INHERITING HER GHOSTS in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Ride Or Die
– by James Newman
~Cover by – Kealan Patrick Burke/Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~06/15/2021~
‘Amelia Fletcher is a good girl. She’s a straight-A student, second chair in her middle-school chorus, and she never uses the Lord’s name in vain.’
‘But a few days ago, she discovered that her dad has been cheating on her mom.’
‘For the first time in her life, Amelia decides she would like to know what it feels like to be a bad girl. For just one night . . .’
Teenage mischief turns a night of harmless revenge into a horror-filled nightmare Amelia, and her friends will never forget in RIDE OR DIE – Recommend!
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of RIDE OR DIE in the request for an honest.
~Available On Amazon~
The Apocalypse Seven
– by Gene Doucette
~Book Design by Emily Snyder – NetGalley/John Joseph Adams/Mariner Books/eBook~
~05/25/2021~
‘The whateverpocalypse. That’s what Touré, a twenty-something Cambridge coder, calls it after waking up one morning to find himself seemingly the only person left in the city. Once he finds Robbie and Carol, two equally disoriented Harvard freshmen, he realizes he isn’t alone, but the name sticks: Whateverpocalypse. But it doesn’t explain where everyone went. . .’
THE APOCALYPSE SEVEN, by Gene Doucette, was fun! Twisty-mind-bending-fun-at-times, but fun nonetheless. As many of you know, I’m a massive fan of survival-apocalyptic-type stories; this one is minus the Zombies.
So, when I say ‘fun’—from the reader’s perspective—I love to see the said writer of the story I’ve submerged in throw their characters into the literal apocalyptic-sh**t-storm, stir it up a bit, and bear witness to the tension-filled narrative that unfolds.
Doucette does a great job confusing this reader, and the characters, as we struggle to piece together their altered surroundings.
The one pet peeve I have is the depiction of Carol regarding her inability to be self-sufficient and contribute. I don’t want to tread down Spoilerville Lane, so I will stop there.
Thank you, NetGalley and Mariner Books, for loaning me an eGalley of THE APOCALYPSE SEVEN in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Knight In Paper Armor
– by Nicholas Conley
Love This Cover!
~Cover Art by Streetlight Graphics/Red Adept Publishing, LLC./09/17/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
From Death Reborn
– by Kenneth W. Cain
~Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke – Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~04/12/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Raising LGBTQ Allies
– by Chris Tompkins
~Amazon Image – Edelweiss/Rowman & Littlefield Publishing/eBook/Own Audiobook~
~05/14/2021~
Currently Rereading
~Available On Amazon~
Rabbits
– by Terry Miles
~Book Design by Simon M. Sullivan – NetGalley/Del Rey/Random House/eBook – 06/08/2021~
‘I felt like I’d uncovered something in the arcane mythological puzzle that was Rabbits—an access point to a world as far away from our own mundane existence as Narnia or Middle-earth. It was a world of mystery that I desperately wanted to access.’
Excellent premise, but the storyline feels disjointed, especially the characters’ reactions regarding what’s going on around them—palpable tension one minute and then nonchalant the next.
The mystery behind the game may be enough to pull me back in for a reread, but RABBITS is a DNF for me at 46% for right now.
Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey Books (Random House), for loaning me an eGalley of RABBITS in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Chasing The Lion
– by A.J. Tata
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/St. Martin’s Press /eBook & Paperback – 06/01/2021~
About:
‘As a child, Dariush Parizad survived Iran’s Islamic uprising, becoming a symbol of the revolution. Named The Lion of Tabas by the ayatollah himself, Parizad rose through his nation’s military to become a lethal soldier and brilliant tactical commander. Now a general, he leads Quds Force, an extremist terrorist organization targeting America and its western allies.’
‘Assigned to stop the terrorist strike are Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair and his Joint Special Operations Command team. Across the Middle East, Europe, and the US, Sinclair pursues Parizad only to discover a deeper conspiracy . . .’
My Thoughts:
That. Was. Intense! If you enjoy reading Military Thrillers, (Yes, Please!) I Highly Recommend CHASING THE LION!
Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin’s Press, for providing me with an eBook and physical copy of CHASING THE LION in request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Making Of Gabriel Davenport
– by Beverley Lee
~Amazon Image – Kindle/Own- 04/08/2016~
About:
‘Something is waiting for its time to rise.’
‘Beth and Stu Davenport moved to the sleepy English village of Meadowford Bridge to give their young son, Gabriel, an idyllic childhood. But one night a hidden, ancient darkness shatters their dream and changes their lives forever.’
My Thoughts:
THE MAKING OF GABRIEL DAVENPORT: GABRIEL DAVENPORT SERIES BOOK 1 is the first novel I have read by Beverley Lee, and I can’t wait to read Book 2 in the Series, A SHINING IN THE SHADOWS.
It has been some time since I read the book synopsis right before purchasing the eBook, so I was excited to watch the making of Gabriel Davenport unfold before my eyes at the will of unexpected malevolent forces.
And That Ending!
Well . . . No spoilers. 😉
Highly Recommend!
THE MAKING OF GABRIEL DAVENPORT: GABRIEL DAVENPORT SERIES BOOK 1
Source: eBook/Own
Released: April 8, 2016
~Available On Amazon~
~The Making Of Gabriel Davenport~
The Disappearing Act
– by Catherine Steadman
~Book Design by Susan Turner – NetGalley/Ballantine Books/Random House/eBook – 06/08/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Three Cold Hours: Supernatural Thrillers Collection
by – Jonette Blake
~Amazon Image – BookSirens/I received an eBook – 01/14/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Wagon Buddy
– by Steve Stred
~Amazon Image – Gift From The Author/eBook – 09/15/2018~
About:
‘Wagon Buddy tells the tale of a man and his creature, his only friend, who time and time again comes to his aide. But what happens when you can’t control the creature anymore?’
My Thoughts:
I have read a few books by Stred, and I must to say WAGON BUDDY is hands down my favorite! The imagery and creepy vibes mixed with the angelic child-like quality of the creature were perfect!
WAGON BUDDY
Source: Gift From The Author/eBook/Own
Released: September 15, 2018
Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
Jedi Summer
– by John Boden
~Purchased From Night Worms Book Club Monthly Package – November 2020~
~Cover Design by Alex McVey~
~ Thunderstorm Books / Paperback/Own – 11/2020~
Boden touches on life, love, and loss in JEDI SUMMER WITH THE MAGNETIC KID, a coming-of-age story about two brothers, John, and Roscoe, growing up in the 80s that is not only nostalgic but oh so relatable. The boys spend their summer eagerly waiting for the release of the new JEDI movie and spending time with their mother, who works three jobs to support them.
‘We are history, and we are memories. Here are some of mine:’’
JEDI SUMMER WITH THE MAGNETIC KID—Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
Horrific Holiday
– by Aiden Merchant
~Amazon Image – eBook From The Author – 11/20/2020~
If you’re a fan of Splatterpunk, you’re going to LOVE Merchant’s gore-infused Collection, HORRIFIC HOLIDAYS! As you dive into this collection, the gore amps up, so have your waders at the ready—you’re in for a bloody ride.
The following are snippets from each story and my immediate thoughts after reading each one:
‘Fresh Start, Fresh Blood’ – Love the ending!
‘Have you ever drunk yourself to a comforting abyss? I save all my urges for New Year’s Eve. That may sound odd, but it intensifies the experience for me. I look forward to it more than any other holiday. My new girl, however, has a different urge she staves until December 31st. I don’t know what it is yet – she wants to surprise me. . . ‘
‘Love You Like Hell’ – Bloody Hell!
‘Sometimes you just know, am I right? It’s the way he looks at you. The way he says your name. Kisses your neck. Nibbles on your earlobe. The way he fucking breathes. That’s how it was with Adam.’
‘House of Eggs’ – Love This One!
The lights were momentarily blinding when Newman opened his eyes for the first time in the pastel blue house. After wishing and blinking away the spots that danced before his eyes, the parlor room came into view . . . Looking about his unfamiliar surroundings, he realized everything that surrounded him was at least that much bigger than it should have been. It was as if he’d shrunk in size and become a toy miniature.’
‘Nummy Fingers’ – Not for the squeamish, but creepy good. Love the ending!
‘I don’t know what I should get this Halloween. I’m not much for candy myself, so shopping for the stuff isn’t exactly fun or easy. Those variety packs seem to be my best friend. But sometimes I think of switching things up. Not use candy at all. Maybe I’ll just hand out human fingers instead . . . .’
‘Stuff the Turkey’ – Love the ending!
Sadly, for me, Thanksgiving falls flat in every way. That’s why I stopped celebrating it. Now, don’t get me wrong – I do have my own tradition for this time of year. But it’s not Thanksgiving. I call it STT, or Stuff the Turkey. It’s kind of like a game. . . .’
‘Awful Gifts’ – Creepy Good
‘Apparently, the Reece’s even had a reputation beyond the neighborhood borders. People knew of them all over town. Sam didn’t take well to their harassment. We knew he disliked them – we all did – but we didn’t realize just how deeply his hatred ran until winter rolled through.
***Trigger Warning – ‘[P]lease refer to the back of this book for warnings we’ve listed per the individual story.’
Thank you to the Author, Aiden Merchant, for providing me with an eBook of HORRIFIC HOLIDAYS in request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Buzz Books Fall/Winter 2021
~Amazon Image/Buzz Books Preview/Free eBook~
~05/25/2021~
‘For book-lovers looking to discover their “next great read,” Buzz Books 2021 is a treasure-trove of what readers value the most: substantial excerpts from a curated selection of dozens of the most highly-touted books scheduled for publication this fall and winter.’
The following are a few of the MANY books in this catalog that spark my interest:
THE STRANGER IN THE LIFEBOAT – by Mitch Albom
ONCE UPON A WARDROBE – by Patti Callahan
ANTHEM – by Noah Hawley
THE SPANISH DAUGHTER – by Lorena Hughes
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE – by Claire Keegan
PERPETUAL WEST – by Mesha Maren
BUZZ BOOKS – THE FALL/WINTER 2021 PUBLISHING PREVIEW eBook is FREE! What are you waiting for? Go Check It Out!
~Available On Amazon~
~Buzz-Books 2021-Fall & Winter~
The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 3
~Amazon Image/Minotaur Sampler/St. Martin’s Press/eBook~
~05/25/2021~
THE MINOTAUR SAMPLER VOLUME 3 –
I love reading excerpts from books, especially those that are due to release soon-ish or later in the year— reading just enough to entice me—then—stopping to request the book on NetGalley and/or clicking Order link at the end of each if I have money in my Need/Want/MustHave BookFund.
Also, THE MINOTAUR SAMPLER VOLUME 3 eBook is FREE!
*Insert-Internal-(because-I-am-at-work-and-people-will-stare-at-me)-Squuuuuuuueeeeeeeee!*
Books that I have requested thus far from NetGalley/Want To Purchase are:
ALL OF THEEEEMM!! Shocking, I know!;)
Hannah Morrissey’s HELLO, TRANSCRIBER
I LOVE Morrissey’s Writing! Here is a snippet:
‘It called to me like a siren that day and has every day since. I was already halfway across when I suddenly felt its railroad ties beneath my feet, and I stared for the first time into the cruel black below. Everything went silent, then, as the river demanded something of me. Just one piece. A tribute in exchange for it letting me remain above its obsidian surface.’
Kimi Cunningham Grant’s – THESE SILENT WOODS – My Heart!
Julia Dahl’s – THE MISSING HOURS – My Heart!
Nancy Springer’s – ENOLA HOLMES AND THE BLACK BAROUCHE – I cannot wait to read this one. I love Enola already!
~Available On Amazon~
~The Minotaur Sampler Volume 3 – eBook Is Free!~
Creepy Sheen
by Rebecca Gransden
~Amazon Image/eBook From The Author~
~03/17/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Kill For Them
– by Aiden Merchant
~Cover Photography by Alexander Krivitskiy/I received an eBook From The Author – 01/20/2021~ ~Available On Amazon~
Dead As Soon As Born
– by Aiden Merchant
~Cover Photography Aron Visuals – Snow Capped Press/I received an eBook From The Author- 12/15/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Bell Witch
– by John F.D. Taff
~Amazon Image – Own eBook/Audiobook/12/11/2017~
~Available On Amazon~
If It Bleeds
– by Stephen King
When reviewing a work by Stephen King, be it Novel, Novella, Short Story, or Collection, words often fail me when I try to describe what I just read—hoping, praying to jot down something other than ‘Book Good, Buy Book.’
When I reviewed books for Kendall Reviews a few years ago, having never reviewed a book before in my life, Gavin Kendall gave me a chance and always sound advice. One of his suggestions was to explain to potential readers when writing a book review, ‘How the book made me feel.’
While reading the novellas in IF IT BLEEDS, the one-word descriptor for how I feel while reading any King book, to be honest, is, ‘Home.’
Ridiculous, I know, but true.
Like many of you, Dear Readers, I grew up reading Stephen King Books at the age of ten. The one constant throughout the King catalog is his ability to write characters you can’t help but care about:
In ‘Mr. Harrigan’s Phone’, nine-year-old Craig not only works for but befriends Mr. Harrigan, an elderly neighbor.
Next is an apocalyptic puzzle that has everyone wondering who the mysterious ‘Chuck’ is, his face plastered everywhere in ‘The Life Of Chuck.’
‘If It Bleeds’ reunites us with Holly Gibney (a.k.a. Hollyberry) and Jerome from MR. MERCEDES and THE OUTSIDER, and a familiar foe they face.
And lastly, ‘Rat,’ wherein struggling writer Drew Lawson, desperate to write his first novel, drives to his cabin in the woods for privacy and is confronted with an internal and external storm.
And like Dorothy says, ‘There’s No Place Like Home.’
IF IT BLEEDS—Highly Recommend!
Source: Own/Hardback
Publisher: Scribner/Simon & Schuster
Released: 4/21/2020
~Available On Amazon~
A Dark And Secret Place
– by Jen Williams
~Cover Design by Nicole Lecht – NetGalley/CrookedLane Books Publishing/eBook~
~06/08/2021~
About:
After the suicide of her mother, Heather Evans returns to her family home, a place she hasn’t been to in decades, wherein she discovers hidden secrets about her mother’s past by way of letters written to her by a serial killer dubbed as The ‘Red Wolf.’
‘What did Heather’s mother know? Why did she kill herself? And with the monstrous Red Wolf safely locked inside a maximum-security prison, who is stalking young women now?’
My Thoughts:
If you’re a fan of horror and mysteries, A DARK AND SECRET PLACE, which is dark and all kinds of creepy, might be right up your alley.
As a fan of both, I couldn’t wait to read this book. Though the execution was hit and miss for me, I liked the expected/unexpected ending.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for loaning me an eGalley of A DARK AND SECRET PLACE in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Cuts That Cure
– by Arthur Herbert
~Amazon Image/eBook & Paperback From The Author- 05/11/2021/White Bird Publications~
~Available On Amazon~
In Human
– by Eric Leland
Love The Cover!!
~RTNY Image – NetGalley/RTNY Publishing Inc./eBook & Paperback – 02/05/2021~
About:
Sergeant First Class John Nicholas and his Recon Team New York, lead by the inexperienced Captain Brandon Doran, are sent on a rescue mission in North Vietnam to find Recon Team Florida have gone missing.
‘At first, John expects heavy resistance. But intercepted radio traffic suggests something near that village has spooked even hardened NVA. And soon after New York’s midnight insertion behind enemy lines, John finds out what.’
My Thoughts:
INHUMAN is an intense Supernatural, Military Thriller that I didn’t want to end—with unexpected, cringeworthy moments and scenes that broke my heart. Author Eric Leland does an excellent job submerging the reader into the vast jungle of Vietnam alongside characters you genuinely care about as they come face to face with formidable foes.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, Eric Leland and Publicist Shelby Kisgen, for providing me with an eBook and Paperback copy of INHUMAN in the request for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse, suicide, child abuse, discrimination
~Available On Amazon~
The Year’s Best Science Fiction Vol. 1
– Edited by Jonathan Strahan
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Simon & Schuster/eGalley – 09/08/2020~
Rereading
~Available On Amazon~
~The Year’s Best Science Fiction~
Synchronicity
– by Michaelbrent Collings
~Amazon Image/Written Insomnia Press/eBook/Paperback I WON!~
~05/10/2021~
‘What if you could be anyone, anytime?’
‘What would you do?’
‘Where would you go?’
‘Who would you KILL?’
Tyler “Book” Malcolm has lived a life on the run. Off the grid, out of sight of the authorities. Hoping to escape a terrifying secret; to outrun what he has seen and what he has done.’
‘But how do you know who to trust, when the man who wants you dead can be anyone he pleases?’
I had a blast reading Michaelbrent Collings’ Suspense Thriller SYNCHRONICITY, book one in a series, I’m hoping!! *fingers and toes crossed*
Highly Recommend!
Thank you to the author, Michaelbrent Collings, for providing me with an eBook of SYNCHRONICITY in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Promises To Keep
by – Nan Rossiter
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/HarperCollins Publishers/ eBook – 04/27/2021~
PROMISES TO KEEP, Book Two in the Savannah Skies series, is a heartwarming story about love, loss, faith, family, and forgiveness—Highly Recommend!
The novel, set in Tybee Island off the Georgia coast, centers around thirty-somethings Maeve Lindstrom and Gage Tennyson, as they begin their relationship—though it’s love at first sight—each has not been forthcoming about their pasts, which threatens to put an unyielding wedge between them.
I don’t want to give too much away, Dear Readers, but I will say you may want to keep the tissues close at hand. I haven’t cried this much while reading a book in a long time—touching moments that brought a smile to my face and warmth in my heart, and at times, mournful tears of memory and remembrance of life, love, loss, and longing of hope.
I look forward to returning to Savannah as I delve into Book One of the series, PROMISES OF THE HEART, as I eagerly wait to see if Rossiter writes a third in the series, or perhaps, the start of a new one.
Either way, it’s an Auto-Yes from this reader!
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of PROMISES TO KEEP in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Nirvana Effect
– by Brian Pinkerton
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Press/eBook – 05/04/2021~
I would describe THE NIRVANA EFFECT as a plot-driven narrative wherein a new fad of escapism takes the form of an addictive virtual high that divides society into groups of chippers and anti-chippers—add a dash of politics and a pinch of conspiracy theories–and you have a compelling read. . . .
What would you do if offered a means to escape the natural world through virtual reality technology, the lure of a promised utopia in which you too can exchange your freedom for false pleasures?
Would you say yes?
What would you do if saying no wasn’t an option?
‘The Nirvana Effect has taken over. . . What started as a playful diversion turns deadly. The future of the human race is at stake.’
Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eGalley of THE NIRVANA EFFECT in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Last Fallen Star
– by Graci Kim
~Designed by Joann Hill – Rick Riordan Presents/Disney.Hyperion/eBook – 05/04/2021~
I had an absolute blast reading THE LAST FALLEN STAR, action-filled from beginning to end, complex and often spur-of-the-moment life choices made by thirteen-year-old protagonists—as a Mother, those moments broke my heart, made me laugh, and made me cry.
As I neared the sixty-eight percent mark in the book, my immediate two thoughts were: 1) ‘Wow, I love this book with all the feels, I don’t want it to end!’ and 2) ‘Holy Mac-N-Cheese-Doodles ‘What new foe will they have to endure next?!’
Literally, on pins and needles at this point in the book, but, No spoilers! I will say. . .
THE LAST FALLEN STAR centers around love, loss, family, friendship, diversity, inclusion, bravery, sacrifice, bad*ss characters, and an ending that gave me the chills.
That’s not hyperbole, Dear Readers, that’s the truth—THE LAST FALLEN STAR—Highly Recommend!
‘I won’t have to rely on someone else to write my story if I’m brave enough to take the pen into my own hands.’
I can’t wait to read more books by Graci Kim, including the sequel to this book—Yeeeesss!
Thank you, NetGalley and Disney • Hyperion Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of THE LAST FALLEN STAR in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Secret Talker
– by Geling Yan
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/HarperVia/HarperCollins Publishing/eBook – 05/01/2021~
THE SECRET TALKER is a secret stalker, both cyber and real-world—someone that the main character Hongmei seems all too enamored with, revealing more about herself through their email correspondence.
‘Desperate and self-destructive, she embarks on an investigation into her emailer’s secret history…one that may tear her life and marriage apart forever.’
Though THE SECRET TALKER isn’t a favorite for me, it’s definitely one I want to reread in the future.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Inc., for loaning me an eGalley of THE SECRET TALKER with the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
THE CLEANER
by – Mark Dawson
~NetGalley Image – NetGalley/Welbeck Fiction Limited/eBook/ Rerelease – 05/04/2021~
‘John Milton is the man the government call when they want a problem to vanish. But what happens when he’s the one that needs to disappear?’
‘After a botched job leaves a bloody trail, government assassin John Milton does the one thing he’s never done before: he hides.‘
The ending of THE CLEANER, Book One in the John Milton, left me puzzled to the point I Must read Book Two to see what direction the Series takes next.
Overall, an intense read that has me hoping one character in particular and their parent survive, and that more is revealed in the books that follow.
Thank you, NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of THE CLEANER in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Firebreak
– by Nicole Kornher – Stace
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Saga Press/Simon & Schuster/eBook – 05/04/2021~
‘[H]eroes, . . . of nothing they were expected to be . . . . The beginning, I hope, of the changes to come. A spark that starts a fire of our own.’
‘It’s a nice thought anyway.’
About:
‘Two corporations have replaced the US, splitting the country’s remaining forty-five states (five have been submerged under the ocean) between them: Stellaxis Innovations and Greenleaf. . . . . New Liberty City is the only amalgamated city split between the two megacorps, and thus at a perpetual state of civil war as the feeds broadcast the atrocities committed by each side.’
My Thoughts:
FIREBREAK is a Science Fiction Thriller depicted as a mix between READY PLAYER ONE and BLACK MIRROR—a bonafide Fangirl of the latter and future reader of the former; I couldn’t wait to dive into FIREBREAK!
That Ending—My Heart!
The narrative is a bit of a slow build, with some repetitive parts within, likely cut or trimmed in the final editing process. The version I read is an unedited ARC.
The storyline, gameplay, and real-life tension in this futuristic setting held my interest to the point when during the wee hours of the morn, when my eyes screamed for last call, my mind pleaded for just one more page until my dreams started to meld into the storyline.
You ever done that?
Wake up and say, ‘That’s not part of the book!’
Or my favorite, waking up abruptly in bed because you fell asleep and your eReader or IPad slammed into your nose.
Just me? 😉
FIREBREAK—Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Saga Press (Simon & Schuster), for loaning me an eGalley of FIREBREAK in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Crucifixion Experiments
– by Gord Rollo
Front Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke – Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~05/11/2021~
About:
Criminal profiler Jake Mercer, one of the senior homicide detectives in the Oakland Police Department, has spent the last twenty-five years getting inside the minds of a madman, to the extent that he becomes an alcoholic who’s recently suspended from active duty. That is until the police commissioner has no other choice but to reinstate his best homicide detective when a serial killer makes a game out of murdering Catholic Priests.
My Thoughts:
THE CRUCIFIXION EXPERIMENTS is the first book that I have read by Gord Rollo, and I look forward to reading more of his work. I enjoy reading detective/murder mysteries, and this one kept me guessing throughout, with an ending I wasn’t expecting.
Recommend!
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of THE CRUCIFIXION EXPERIMENTS in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Legacy Of Old Gran Parks
– by Isobel Blackthorn
~Amazon Image/ Blackthorn Book Tours – May 17, 2021~
~Available Now On Amazon~
~The Legacy Of Old Gran Parks~
Slow Burn On Riverside
– by Chad Lutzke
~Cover Design by Chad Lutzke – eBook From The Author – 03/19/2021~
~Available Now On Amazon~
Chatroom With A View
– by Glenn Maynard
~Image/Cactus Monn Publicaions, LLC/eBook From The Author – 01/08/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Goblin
– by Josh Malerman
~Book Design by Edwin Vazquez – NetGalley/Del Rey/Random House/eBook – 05/18/2021~
‘These six novellas tell the story of a place where the rain is always falling, nighttime is always near, and your darkest fears and desires await. Welcome to Goblin. . . . ‘
I enjoyed reading GOBLIN, a town that I hope to revisit in future works by Malerman, a place that incorporates the right amount of Dark and Creepy Goodness that has this reader yearning for more.
The following are my favorites, some with snippets and my immediate reaction after reading each:
Prologue: Welcome’/ ‘Epilogue: Make Yourself At Home’
‘If Tom hadn’t left his sweater in his locker, if he hadn’t gone back to get it, and if he hadn’t passed the main office on the way, the whole dark night might’ve been avoided.’
‘A Man Of Slices’.– That was Creepy Good – Richard and Charles are childhood friends, and let’s just say Charles is a little. . .off.
‘Kamp’– That was good!
‘The next Gobliner in line. Maude used to say it was in the water. And it always made Mrs. Doris laugh because she knew her sister wasn’t talking about the tap. She was referring, of course, to the endless rainfall outside and the fact that nobody ought to be tasked with maintaining their sanity forever in a city that never stopped crying.’
‘Happy Birthday, Hunter!’ – Hahaha, LOVE the ending!
‘Neal Nash was, as the invitation for his party proudly boasted, the most celebrated big-game hunter in the history of Goblin.’
‘Once upon a time, a fabled hunter tracked the one thing he was not allowed to have …’
‘Presto’– Love this one!
‘Roman Emperor was a fixture on the Spell Circuit, and all his peers considered him a threat … His show was electrifying. It was dangerous. He did things with weapons so frightening audience members would leave an Emperor show with a sense of having survived it.’
Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey Publishing (Random House), for loaning me an eGalley of GOBLIN in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Punch Me Up To The Gods
A Memoir
– by Brian Broome
~Book Design by Emily Snyder – NetGalley/HoughtonMifflin Harcourt Publishing Company – 05/18/2021~
About:
‘Punch Me Up to the Gods introduces a powerful new talent in Brian Broome, whose early years growing up in Ohio as a dark-skinned Black boy harboring crushes on other boys propel forward this gorgeous, aching, and unforgettable debut. Brian’s recounting of his experiences—in all their cringe-worthy, hilarious, and heartbreaking glory—reveal a perpetual outsider awkwardly squirming to find his way in. Indiscriminate sex and escalating drug use help to soothe his hurt, young psyche, usually to uproarious and devastating effect. A no-nonsense mother and broken father play crucial roles in our misfit’s origin story. But it is Brian’s voice in the retelling that shows the true depth of vulnerability for young Black boys that is often quietly near to bursting at the seams.’
My Thoughts:
Though I do know what it’s like to be treated as different, I can’t even begin to imagine what life was and like for Broome growing up, and later into adulthood. My heart broke and my soul hurt reading what Broome’s life story.
Raising a daughter who is Bisexual, from a parent’s perspective, our children need to know they’re loved and supported.
Life is hard enough without adding the burden of isolation and loneliness. Thank you, Brain Broome, for your strength and sharing your life story with the world.
My Heart:
‘My biggest failing in this life has been my gasping need to be loved at the expense of so many other things. I have allowed others to tell me who and what I am supposed to be and, when I failed to meet their expectations, I blamed myself. This need to be loved by everyone has led me down dark roads more times than I can tell in one book — in one thousand books even — and all I have to show for it are these stories.’
PUNCH ME UP TO THE GODS: A MEMOIR—Highly Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of PUNCH ME UP TO THE GODS: A MEMOIR in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Punch Me Up To The Gods – A Memoir~
Howls From Hell: A Horror Anthology
– Editing by HOWL Society
~Cover Art by P.L. McMillian/Cover Design by Molly Collins/ HOWL Society Press/eBook~
~05/18/2021~
‘In HOWLS FROM HELL, sixteen emerging horror writers pave the way for the future of the genre. Fans of dark and macabre fiction will savor this exhibition of all-original tales born from one of the fastest-growing horror communities in the world: HOWL Society.’
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this Horror Anthology! I had a Blast reading each story from Authors that are new to me, and I can’t wait to read more of your work!
SIDE NOTE – I LOVE the interior artwork (And The Cover), which precedes every story, each created by different Illustrators’ Joe Radkins, P.L. McMillan, Solomon Forse, and Drew Nault,
The Following Are My Standout Favorites; some include snippets and my immediate thoughts after reading each one:
‘A Casual Encounter’– by Quinn Fern – Creepy Good!
‘Manufactured God’– by P.L. MCMILLAN – That Was Awesome!
‘Red Punch Buggy’ – by B.O.B. JENKIN – That was good!
‘She’s Taken Away’ – by Shane Hawk – That was good!
‘It’s okay, Annie. Breathe. Let’s start over. Can you describe your feelings regarding your sister’s situation?’
‘Um, well. I hate it. I hate when she’s taken away. Barbara and Father console me by saying she will be back in no time, but she never comes back that fast. It’s always a while.’
‘Suspended In Light’ – by Alex Wolfgang – That. Was. Awesome! Love it!
‘The countdown flickered past, and the scene opened on a man sitting in a plain wooden chair who stared out of frame. An overcoat wrapped his lanky body, and a wide-brimmed hat concealed half his face in shadow. Idly, he stroked his mustache as if lost in thought.’
‘Gooseberry Bramble’ – by Solomon Forse – Love it!
‘“Well, Yer Honor, I s’pose that was when it all began—with that warnin my grandmammy gave me some sixty years ago. She looked me right in the eye, wavin that switch in her hand, sayin, “Boy, ya stay away from Gooseberry Bramble, ya hear?”’
‘Clement & Sons’ – by Joe Radkins – My Heart—That was good!
‘Possess And Serve’– by Christopher O’Halloran – That. Was. Awesome! One of the best in this collection.
‘Duplicitous Wings’ – by Amanda Nevada Demel – That was creepy good!
‘It Gets In Your Eyes’ – by Joseph Andre Thomas – Wow, that was good!
‘The Intruder’ – by Justin Faull – That was good!
‘Sprout’– by M. David Clarkson – LOVE IT!
Oh My! That opening sentence, I can’t stop laughing (sorry, not sorry) 😉
‘When my right testicle popped, I think that’s when I realized how serious the situation was. That I wasn’t getting out of this alive.’
Love This: ‘She was everything I had ever wanted, but yet the only things I’d ever truly feared. The first hint of sunlight after a rainstorm, yet the creeping shadows behind trees at night.’
‘Junco Creek’– by S.E. Denton – That Was Good!
‘A Fistful Of Murder’ – by Lindsey Ragsdale – That Was Awesome!
Thank you, Solomon Forse and Society Press, for reaching out and providing me with an eGalley of HOWLS FROM HELL: A Horror Anthology in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Howls From Hell – A Horror Anthology~
Six Weeks To Live
– by Catherine McKenzie
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Atria Books/Simon & Schuster/eBook – 05/04/2021~
When forty-eight-year-old Jennifer Barnes is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, she decides to spend the remaining six weeks of her life with her adult daughters Emily, Aline, and Miranda, and her grandchildren.
‘[W]hen she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, [Jennifer] is determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good. Separated from her husband and with a contentious divorce in progress, Jennifer focuses her suspicions on her soon-to-be-ex.’
I honestly thought I knew how this psychological thriller would play out; though I was right in one aspect, I am pleased to say I was wrong another. Books with endings that I am unable to predict are my favorites. More, please!
Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books (Simon & Schuster, Inc.), for loaning me an eGalley of SIX WEEKS TO LIVE in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Gulf
– by Shelly Campbell
~Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke – Silver Shamrock Publishing/eBook~
~04/27/2021~
About:
GULF centers around seventeen-year-old protagonist David, the youngest of seven siblings, who goes on vacation with his three older brothers James, twins Jess and Jordan, and their parents at a lakeside rental cottage.
A life spent constantly fading into the background, David longs to be seen, heard, and become a part of something bigger—when his siblings discover a new extension added to the cottage they stay at every year, David is first to find the key and opens a gateway to an ever-changing version of his world in a different timeline.
My Thoughts:
You can’t help but feel for David from the hook-line, ‘The first time my parents forgot me; I was six years old—the first time that I know of.’, to the very end of the book, that I’m hoping leads to a sequel.
I love the imagery and description Campbell creates in a book that I would describe as quiet horror—a slow walk into the narrative allowing the reader to see, feel and experience what David does.
The family dynamic is heartbreaking—the longing and need to stay connected with the one family member who sees David is palpable on the page.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of GULF in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Perfect Daughter
– by D.J. Palmer
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/St. Martin’s Press/eBook – 04/20/2021~
About:
The book opens with Grace Francone, mother to Ryan, Jack, and sixteen-year-old Penny—the youngest—who’s arrested for murder.
Penny’s fate is most assuredly sealed, found in the victim’s apartment, holding the murder weapon and covered in the victim’s blood—her guilt is beyond doubt.
The only question is, where will she serve her sentence:
Will the jury find her not guilty by reason of insanity?
Or will she get a life sentence in a maximum-security prison?
‘As Penny awaits trial in a state mental hospital, she is treated by Dr. Mitchell McHugh, a psychiatrist battling demons of his own. Grace’s determination to understand the why behind her daughter’s terrible crime fuels Mitch’s resolve to help the Francone family.’
My Thoughts:
As a mother, it’s easy to empathize with Grace as she struggles to keep her family together, keep the family business from going under, all while trying to prove her daughter’s innocence.
Palmer did an excellent job keeping this reader guessing throughout. I honestly thought I knew how it would end, but nope!
THE PERFECT DAUGHTER—Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for loaning me an eGalley of THE PERFECT DAUGHTER in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Hummingbird Salamander
– by Jeff Vandermeer
~Designed by Abby Kagan – NetGalley/MCD Publishing/eBook – 04/06/2021~
The opening chapter in the novel HUMMINGBIRD SALAMANDER, an eco-thriller—is written in a ‘What if?’ scenario using the second-person point-of-view, placing you Dear Reader in a coffee shop, recipient of a mysterious envelope drawing you into the narrative.
Do you take it?
Vandermeer’s lead by way of his writing is deliciously dark, mysterious, and had this reader effectively tethered.
Here’s a sample:
‘Standing there on the sidewalk. Black slush of snow pushed to the sides of the street. A dead robin in the gutter, one torn wing spread toward the drain like an invitation to the underworld.’
‘Another winter morning in a city in the Pacific Northwest.
Where, exactly?
I won’t tell you.
Who am I?
I won’t tell you. Exactly.
But you can call me Jane.
Jane Smith. If that helps.
I’m here to show you how the world ends.’
The unreliable narrator security consultant ‘Jane Smith’ is given a mysterious envelope that contains a note and key to a storage unit, wherein she finds a cardboard box that contains a taxidermied hummingbird and clues left by a woman named Silvina.
Lured by the mystery and obsession to know more about Silvina, Jane sets into motion a chain of events that put her and her family in danger.
‘I didn’t know anymore if Silvina was a false beacon. The kind that wrecked you on the rocks. But she shone so darkly in my imagination. The only light I had to guide me.’
‘As [Jane] desperately seeks answers about why Silvina contacted her, time is running out―for her and possibly for the world.’
Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and MCD Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, for loaning me an eGalley of HUMMINGBIRD SALAMANDER in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Forest
– by Michaelbrent Collings
~Amazon Image – Written Insomnia Press – eBook~
~08/16/2020~
‘Three kids went in.
Now, twenty years later, the two survivors are going back…’
‘For Tricia and Alex, the idea is simple: find and rescue their friend, Sam, from his insane mother. But when they enter the forest, they discover that their idea is anything but simple.’
THE FOREST starts really good—the opening chapter is full-throttle as the reader bears witness to two high school students, Alex and Tricia, running for their lives in the forest from whatever is chasing them as they search for their friend, Sam.
In the subsequent chapters, two timelines are intertwined, present-day that centers around Alex and Tricia as adults when they go back to the forest, and flashback scenes when they’re teenagers in the woods, moments leading up to the build at the beginning of the book.
It’s in the midway point of the book, wherein the timelines are similar, that the pacing lulls for several pages, pulling me out of the book to the point I was skimming forward.
Though this book is a did-not-finish at fifty-six percent, based on the plot, my investment in the characters (Sammy and Silly-Corny—My Heart!), and my inner sleuth, I have a growing need to know how it ends.
Will I be returning to THE FOREST at some point to find out?
Most Definitely!
Thank you, Michaelbrent Collings and Written Insomnia Press, for providing me with an eBook of THE FOREST in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Wild, Dark Times
– by Austin Case
~Cover Art by Jim Tetlow – eBook From The Author~
~Between The Lines Publishing – 07/22/2019~
WILD, DARK TIMES by Austin Case was, well . . . a wild and dark good time for this reader, my favorite character is Eddy, a wise-cracking sorcerer who first saves and befriends Elizabeth—a bank teller, and then Hugh—a skeptical scholar of the occult.
Eddy then drags Elizabeth and Hugh to Europe where they meet three of Eddy’s friends Albert, Veer, and Frater, who also have magical abilities—their collective mission—‘preventing a Demiurge, a creature out of Gnostic Christian mythology, from fulfilling the visions of doom in the Book of Revelation.’
‘Through ritual magic and a series of psychedelic experiences, the group learns that Elizabeth is the key to taking down the Demiurge . . . .’
I had fun reading this WILD, DARK TIMES, moments that made me laugh, made me cringe, and broke my heart.
Here are a couple of excerpts that made me laugh out loud:
‘As Elizabeth opened the door Maya grabbed her and flung her to the floor. “Jesus Christ!” shouted Elizabeth. “What the hell, Maya?!” Maya thrashed and clawed Elizabeth at the same pace that she had been knocking on the door.’
‘Elizabeth screamed and struggled helplessly in an attempt to throw her off. Maya’s blue-painted fingernails dug into the flesh near Elizabeth’s collarbone. Suddenly, Maya was tossed off which was promptly slammed shut and locked by a man [Eddy] now standing in her entryway looking down at her.
“Those Jehovah’s Witnesses have gotten really persistent lately.”
And . . .
[Albert:] ‘“Chaos magic in particular just tends to view the imagination in a way that’s faster and looser than traditional ceremonial magic.”’ . . . “‘I mostly do invocations or spells composed from scientific treatises and sci-fi or fantasy films and TV.”
‘“He tends to take a lot from Star Trek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” said Eddy.’
‘“Remember when Albert did that ritual…” started Veer, “…and my apartment got haunted for a week by a phantom Tribble?”’
Thank you, Austin Case, for providing me with an eBook of WILD, DARK TIMES in the request of an honest review.
Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
The Minotaur Sampler Vol. 2
![The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 2: New Books to Make Your Heart Race by [Brian Klingborg, Ashley Weaver, Ragnar Jonasson, Mary Dixie Carter, Joanna Schaffhausen]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51omiBLBfHL._SY346_.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/St. Martin’s Press/I received an eBook – FREE 04/05/2021~
‘Looking for a new book that will make your heart race? This free, second edition of The Minotaur Sampler compiles the beginnings of five can’t-miss novels publishing Spring/Summer 2021 for easy sampling.’
If you are looking to add to your potential pre-order want-need-must-have list of books to make your heart race—that is coming out soon, and you are undecided—then I Highly Recommend downloading the eBook(s), [insert echoey announcer voice here] THE MINOTAUR SAMPLER, Volume 2!
Bonus Kids, THE MINOTAUR SAMPLE catalog in the eBook format containing potential books to purchase is Free for the Barnes & Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle (I use the app. or my Kindle) Kobo, Google Play, iBooks, and eBooks dot com.
No, I’m not talking about Kindle Unlimited ‘Free,’ I mean FREEEEEEEE to download now!
What you will find in each volume are enticing excerpts from each featured book followed by the date of release and a conveniently placed purchase link.
After reading the excerpts from each of the five books in Volume 2, those that tickle my fancy are:
ALL OF THEM!!
Mary Dixie Carter’s – THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Ragnar Jónasson’s – THE GIRL WHO DIED
Joanna Schaffhausen’s – GONE FOR GOOD
Ashley Weaver’s – A PECULIAR COMBINATION
Brian Klingborg’s – THIEF OF SOULS
I’m not going to spoil the contents of each, a discovery that is yours alone to make, Dear Reader. Have fun, happy reading, and don’t forget to pre-order.
Okay, I lied—here’s a snippet from GONE FOR GOOD only because it made me laugh out loud:
‘DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOMENT YOU REALIZED YOU WERE GOING TO DIE? I was five years old, lying in my princess bed with its canopy and pink dust ruffles. My mother had sent me there after I put her expensive brassiere on Louie, our beagle. I might’ve gotten away with it, but I also used the Polaroid camera to take a picture of him and showed it to our mailman.’
I love the opening lines above, as the reader is first introduced to Grace Harper by the way this lighthearted journal entry segues into her contemplation about death—the focus then turns to cases that involve THE LOVELORN KILLER in subsequent entries. You see, Grace is a member of The Grave Diggers—a group of amateur sleuths who take on dead cases, ‘gone cold so long that most others have forgotten about them or given up.’
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for loaning me an eGalley of THE MINOTAUR SAMPLER, VOLUME 2, in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Minotaur Sampler – Volume Two~
The Sweet Taste Of Muscadines
– by Pamela Terry
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Ballantine Books – 03/16/2021~
About:
How can you not be drawn into the story with a hook line such as this in the Prologue spoken by the book’s narrator, Lila, as a child:
‘The first time Mama died, I ran off to hide in the muscadine arbor.’
The story centers around three adult siblings, the eldest Lila, Henry, and the youngest, Abigail, as they all return to their childhood home in Wesleyan, Georgia, after the sudden and suspicious death of their mother, Geneva, her body found under the muscadine arbor behind the estate.
‘[A]s they uncover more about Geneva’s death, shocking truths are revealed that overturn the family’s history as they know it, sending [them] on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives. THE SWEET TASTE OF MUSCADINES reminds us all that true love never dies.’
My Thoughts:
In a word, WOW! I cannot recommend reading Pamela Terry’s debut novel, THE SWEET TASTE OF MUSCADINES, high enough, Dear Readers, but be prepared for the tears to flow.
As I read this book, my mind kept circling back to how I feel each time I watch STEEL MAGNOLIAS, a narrative set in the south featuring southern women, wit, charm, and heartbreaking moments that never fail to bring me to tears.
Terry’s writing, to me, is outstanding!
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books (Penguin Random House LLC.), for loaning me an eGalley of THE SWEET TASTE OF MUSCADINES in the request of an honest review.
~Available Now On Amazon~
~The Sweet Taste Of Muscadines~
Your Turn To Suffer
– by Tim Waggoner
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Press – 03/23/2021~
‘Lorelai Palumbo is harassed by a sinister group calling themselves The Cabal. They accuse her of having committed unspeakable crimes in the past, and now she must pay.’
I would describe YOUR TURN TO SUFFER as a weird, Dark Fantasy, Occult Horror novel that borders on the bizarre—the imagery and corresponding dialogue Waggoner conjures up in certain scenes is ‘Chef’s Kiss’ perfection.
Before reading this book, I don’t recall having ever seen goat eyes before, so I made the mistake of Googling images of the aforementioned eyes. Let me tell you, Dear Readers, that imagery added a whole other layer of creepy to my reading experience.
I have to admit that though I stopped reading this book at a little over sixty percent of the way in, I have an almost desperate need to know how the story ends, so a may return to this book at a later date.
The main issue I had when reading was the inability to stay submerged within the narrative–scenes that, to me, felt over-explained or repetitive to the point I was skimming through some of the pages.
The tease of the main character Lori’s past related to her present-day circumstance is palpable on the pages, so perhaps, my need for answers bypassed my patience in a race to the reveal by way of the conclusion. So, again, I will be revisiting this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eGalley of YOUR TURN TO SUFFER in the request of an honest review.
~Available Now On Amazon~
Creature
– by Hunter Shea
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 09/06/2018~
CREATURE – By Hunter Shea HUNTER
Source: eBook/I Purchased/FLAME TREE PRESS/2018
In a word, Wow! If you haven’t read CREATURE already, I Highly Recommend it. If you have read it, I encourage you to reread it.
~Available On Amazon~
Kill Creek
– by Scott Thomas
~Cover by M.S. Corley – Own/Paperback –10/31/2017~
About:
‘At the end of a dark prairie road, nearly forgotten in the Kansas countryside, is the Finch House. For years it has remained empty, overgrown, abandoned. Soon the door will be opened for the first time in decades. But something is waiting, lurking in the shadows, anxious to meet its new guests…’
My Thoughts:I have waited a long time to read KILL CREEK, a novel that has been sitting ever so patiently on my bookshelf, my fingers sliding across the spines of each of my to-be-reads—with a wink and a nod—a bit of self-restraint, I chant my morning mantra, ‘In due time my friends, in due time.’ 😉
I Love This Book—I had a blast reading it! If you are a Horror fan, I Highly Recommend reading KILL CREEK.
Love Thomas’ writing, here’s a sample:
‘The furry green vines that draped the countryside like exposed muscle began to awaken at the soothing touch of the cool rain. Their movement was subtle, the construction slow like the stirrings of an animal roused from hibernation. As the creek bed filled with rainwater, the vines wriggled beneath the surface, leafy worms digging in the dirt. Still the ground did not drink.’
KILL CREEK – By Scott Thomas
Source: Paperback I Purchased
Published: 2017/First Edition/Inkshares, Inc.
Cover Design: M.S. Corley
~Available On Amazon~
The Bounty
– by –
Janet Evanovich & Steve Hamilton
~Amazon Image /Atria Books/ eBooks/03/23/2021~
About:
Special Agent Kate O’Hare and international criminal Nick Fox pair up again in this thriller wherein the two team up with their fathers to find the $30 billion in Nazi gold before The Brotherhood finds it first.
My Thoughts:
THE BOUNTY, book seven in the Fox and O’Hare series, features indestructible foes amongst likable, though seemingly invincible characters in this plot-driven narrative.
I will say that suspension of disbelief is necessary as you delve into this action-filled novel which reminds me of the 007 movies I watched as a kid with unbeatable characters like James Bond, Blofeld, and Jaws with his steel-capped teeth.
The main issue I have with the storyline in THE BOUNTY, specifically the historical aspect, is morally based and has nothing to do with the writing, per se. To me, the thought of anyone looking for and possibly finding the Nazi gold makes me sick to my stomach.
Why did I want to read this book?
1.) To know that the gold isn’t found.
2.) If it is found, see that it doesn’t get into the hands of The Brotherhood.
3.) To bear witness to The Brotherhood and their affiliates get taken out.
Did any of that happen?
You will have to read the book and find out.
I look forward to reading novels one through six; the first five co-authored with Lee Goldberg (Yessss!), and number six with Peter Evanovich, who is new to me.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for loaning me an eGalley of THE BOUNTY at the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Buzz Books
Great Reads
Spring/Summer 2021
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/eBook – 01/19/2020~
‘BUZZ BOOKS 2021 presents passionate readers with an insider’s look at the buzziest books due out this spring [/summer] season.’
Here are a few of the standout-picks I requested from NetGalley, and there are SO many to choose from, be it fiction or non-fiction, and don’t even get me started on some of the awesome cover art:Kat Chow, SEEING GHOSTS: A MEMOIR
Gareth Worthington, A TIME FOR MONSTERS
Sanjena Sathian, GOLD DIGGERS
Emma Stonex, THE LAMPLIGHTERS
Danielle Henderson, THE UGLY CRY
Daniel James Brown, FACING THE MOUNTAIN
Gregory Brown, THE LOWERING DAYS
I have to admit, I don’t recall having ever read a BUZZ BOOK catalogue featuring up-and-coming books before, but color me excited when NetGalley approved me to read and review it.
I mean, how can a bonafide bibliophile not drool over the mere prospect of possessing a gold mine such as this, that includes summaries, excerpts, and conveniently placed request links of new releases for NetGalley reviewers.
Will I and fellow reviewers get approved for every request we wholeheartedly hope for? Nope! I equate that feeling to the Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalogs of yesteryear filled with all the toys our little hearts desired. Did I get everything I wanted on my list to St. Nick?
Nope! Did it sting? Yup, a little bit. I never did get that Barbie Dream House I asked him for year after year. *sniff*
Sorry, I went off on a tangent…
It’s important to note; you don’t have to be a book reviewer to take advantage of this catalog and be in the know of new releases, free as an eBook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, which includes summaries, excerpts, and pre-order links for each book.
The only question left is, what are you waiting for? Check It Out!
Thank you, NetGalley and Publishers Lunch, for loaning me an eBook of BUZZ BOOK 2021 in the request of an honest review.
~Free Kindle Edition Now On Amazon~
~Buzz Books Spring/Summer 2021~
Flora & Jim
– by BP Gregory
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 07/30/2018~
~Available On Amazon~
The Night Crawls In
– by Steve Stred
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 09/01/2019~
THE NIGHT CRAWLS IN – by Steve Stred
Source: eBook/I Purchased/First Edition/2019
Genre: Horror
There are thirty-three drabbles and seventeen poems in this horror collection; the following is a list of my favorites including snippets from each one: ‘The Night Crawls In’ (A Drabble) – I Love this one; probably my favorite.
‘The path rolled its way through the trees. The branches overhead worked to create a claustrophobic enclosure. If you listened close enough you would swear you could hear the sun yelling to be let in.’
‘ScareCrow’ (A Poem)
‘“I saw the scarecrow wave at me.” / “No you didn’t, keep walking.” / We kept pushing our way through the acres of hay, knowing the house was ahead.’
‘The Clearing’ (A Drabble)
‘It took us three days to hike to the edge of their territory. My daughter grew heavier and heavier on my back, but I knew we needed to make it.[…] We had to try. We wanted to live, to survive.’
‘Worms’ (A Poem) – Love this one.
‘They live just below our feet /Crawling, slithering, trying to latch on / We go about our normal days, / Oblivious to the horror three feet below.’
‘Dinner Guests’ (A Drabble)
‘The man eats alone at the table.
Old, wooden, hand crafted. A thing of beauty.
He looks at the empty seats, momentarily wishes that he had company.
But it won’t happen.
The seats were filled in years gone by. But one by one they met their fate.’
‘Out of Time’ (A Drabble)
‘We hid in the cave for four days.
Whatever it was that was out there made sure we knew it was still around.’
‘Rumble Strip’ (A Poem)
‘Five hundred miles alone/ Driving down that stretch of forgotten highway /Just me and the radio keeping me company/ Robert Earl Reed crooning about Hattiesburg/ My bags were packed Destination somewhere out there’
‘Introvert’ (A Poem)
‘A cold corner in a darkened room / Is the only place where I feel loved/ For rather than deal with the perceptions of others / Wouldn’t you seek shelter from the storm?’
‘The Crooked Lady’ (A Poem)
‘The crooked lady who lived in the shack/ Was the lady I was told who made kids a snack / If it was the truth and she really ate kids / Would she keep the leftovers fresh with Tupperware lids?’
‘Sundown’ (A Poem)
‘“The clouds, the clouds!”/ The old man yelled, / As he ran as fast as he could./ “They’ve ate my wife,/ Taken her life, ”/ But none of us understood.’
‘Final Goodbye’ (A Drabble) – My Heart!
‘Sixty four years of marriage. The last thirteen she hadn’t remembered my name or my face. But every day I still visited. Fed her lunch, wiped her chin, played cards with her. The days grew long but her time was getting shorter.’
‘Summers’ (A Poem) – Love this one.
‘Remember how grass used to feel between your toes? / Long summer nights under the moon’s tender glow./ Evening thunderstorms down the valley ahead, / The rattling boom after the lightning had led.’
~Available On Amazon~
Remains
– by Andrew Cull
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 09/16/2019~
REMAINS – By Andrew Cull
Source: eBook/I purchased/2019/IFWG Publishing International
Genre: Horror
Love this opening paragraph:
‘No one talked openly about the space, the empty corner of Lucy Campbell’s room. The way it would draw your attention, like a stranger quietly whispering your name. The way it was filled with a cold that felt as if it moved over you, pulling the warmth from your body, like someone pulling in a breath before a scream.’
And this one…‘What had she done? Lucy answered her own question. She’d done what any mother would have done. She took one last breath of dusk air, steeling herself. She stepped over the threshold and the house swallowed her whole.’
My Thoughts:
As a Mother, my heart bleeds for these characters. Specifically, Lucy, her grief is so deep it’s palpable on every page.
~Available On Amazon~
Diabolica Britannica
– Edited by Keith Anthony Baird
~Amazon Image – eBook From John F. Leonard – 07/13/2020~
DIABOLICA BRITANNICA is an anthology of fourteen dark tales from the dark isles.
My Favorites Are:‘CARREG SAMSON’ – BY CATHERINE MCCARTHY
‘’I am Carreg Samson, cromlech of Cwm Badau, Pembrokeshire. For five millennia I have stood on this spot.[…] Think of me as a lookout post. I watch and I listen, as do thousands of my brethren the world over. We are stewards of the earth.’’
‘’Her grief awoke in me a sense of caring that I did not think possible. You see, until knowing her I was not even sentient. Unthinking, unfeeling, devoid of emotion. But this girl brought me to life.’’
‘TOURIST TRAPS’ – BY CHRISTOPHER HENDERSON – THAT WAS GOOD!
‘You stand in London’s most haunted spot. You will never find this tale recorded in books, nor will other tours ever lead you here. What took place beneath this claustrophobic roof was so evil, so malevolent, so inexplicable, that its very existence was hidden from the world.’
‘THE SECRET OF WESTPORT FELL’ – BY BEVERLEY LEE – LOVE THE ENDING!
‘’This is as far as I go. And God knows it’s half a mile too long.’’
‘’Could you not take me into the village at least?’ she asked, wishing she could fall into the simpering prettiness of Clara, her younger sister.’
‘’Wild horses wouldn’t drag me any further, Miss. And mine know the score.’ He waved his arm at the two bay mares shivering in their harnesses.’
‘’She wanted to ask what he meant but it was obvious he was going to leave her here, and she was in no mood for folklore and superstition.’
‘THE FLOW’ – BY TIM LEBBON
‘She’d spent over twenty years of her life in the little village, most of them happy, the last few much less so, and she’d walked these hillsides many times before. She knew them well. Knew the sweeps and slopes, the streams and small ravines. The places to hide.’
‘WE PLOUGH THE FIELDS AND SCATTER’ – BY STEPHANIE ELLIS
‘They appeared at dusk. Six phantom shapes against the dead winter skyline. Not ghosts though. These were real, filled with blood – oh, so much blood.’
‘LINGER’ – BY JOHN F LEONARD
‘Edward wasn’t overly bothered. His father had joined his mother in the sweet hereafter. This time, the bequest was more than an in-arrears mortgage on an ex-council house and a pile of mouldy paperbacks. A hell of a lot more.’
‘SONG OF THE MOOR’ – BY ALYSON FAYE
‘Ilkley Moor held a hoard of caches. He’d been surprised though when Eva had suggested the idea to him, then texted the coordinates and instructions. His prize – the key to her cottage.’
‘I love games, Luke, don’t you? All sorts of games,’ she’d said.’’
‘WALKED A PALE HORSE ON CELTIC FROST’ – BY KEITH ANTHONY BAIRD – LOVE IT!
‘Firelight from the already burning homes lured a watcher from the woods. Locals had spurned her for as long as she could remember, and so this day held a poignant rapture she savoured.’
‘THE HOLE’ – BY SARAH J BUDD
‘Books were a portal for her, once opened she would slip away from her surroundings and be transported somewhere else. Away from the death of her mother. But today of all days she had left her book back at the chalet.’
‘SCRIPTED IN SHADOWS’ – BY MORGAN K TANNER – LOVE IT!
‘Looking back at her discovery, it was really more like the book had found her. The curious nothingness of the tome had first attracted her. It was like nothing she’d ever seen before but at the same time looked like a thousand other old books. A mysterious aura emanated from it, enticing her to make it hers.’
‘CALL THE NAME‘ – BY ADAM L. G. NEVILL
‘She has no doubt now that it will finish the destruction initiated by the burning of coal on an industrial scale. Mankind has obliviously, yet fastidiously, spent its last two hundred years waking an angry parent.’
‘New voices now sang through the wind, rain and relentless tides, and in dreams that required a lifetime of interpretation. But every shriek in her nightmares foretells far greater horrors, yet to be endured.’
Thank you so much, John F Leonard, for providing me an eBook of DIABOLICA BRITANNICA in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Wormwood
– by Chad Lutzke & Tim Meyer
~Purchased From Night Worms Book Club Monthly Package – November 2020~
~Cover Art and Design by Elderlemon Design~
~Night Worms/ Thunderstorm Books /Paperback/Own – 12/15/2020~
About:
‘For some kids, Long Lake, Georgia is home. But for fourteen-year-old Baker Gray, it’s just another stop, another town in another state. Because of his mother’s nomadic lifestyle, he’s never had a best friend, never kissed a girl, and he’s certainly never met anyone like Cassandra Larsson […]‘
My Thoughts:
Oh, My horror-filled heart! I have waited a long time for WORMWOOD to crawl up to the top of my TBR list, and now that it has and I have read it, I reiterate—Oh, My horror-filled heart!
When I learned on Twitter that Chad Lutzke and Tim Meyer were going to co-author a book together, I was beyond thrilled!
I have had the pleasure of reading their books over the past couple of years; (though I haven’t read them all yet), they never disappoint in bringing all the feels in their writing that grabs your heart and squeezes, refusing to let go even after you turn the last page.
I think Sadie Hartmann said it best in her foreword regarding the collaboration of Lutzke and Meyer, calling them the Dream Team, and I wholeheartedly agree.
That’s not hyperbole, horror peeps; that’s just being honest.
WORMWOOD – Highly Recommend!
Source: I received my paperback copy of WORMWOOD in a Nightworms Subscription Box that I purchased in November of 2020.
~Available On Amazon~
THE DEAD BOXES ARCHIVE
– by John F. Leonard
~Amazon Image – eBook From The Author-12/10/2020~
THE DEAD BOXES ARCHIVE: Dark Tales of Horror and the Diabolical – Volume One – By John F Leonard
‘The Dead Boxes Archive’ is a chilling collection of short horror stories and horror novellas. Together for the first time in one volume, seven tales from the critically acclaimed Dead Boxes series.’
My Favorites:CALL DROPS – A Short Horror Story – Love this one, dark and a whole lot of creepy!
‘Vincent Preece acquired an odd object. It looked like an old mobile phone, but it wasn’t. It was something called a Dead Box. Even after experiencing the effects, he didn’t understand it. Why would he, they’re incredibly rare items.
‘The Dead Boxes are scary things. They can be easily overlooked. They’re ordinary on the surface. At first glance, that is.’
DOGGEM – A Tale of Toy Dogs and Dark Deeds
‘Time for a five-year-old is, after all, an elastic thing. Stretching and folding in ways that are forgotten as age dulls wonder, and everyday mundane takes the reins. Moments littered with whispered conversation and simmering discord.
‘There was something amiss between his parents.’
I had the pleasure of being introduced to Leonards’ writing last year when I purchased DOGGEM as a standalone. Though the story enticed my dark heart, it was also his writing that held me captivated in the moment. Here’s an example:
‘Even the everyday tired and tedious has a spangly fascination when seen with fresh eyes. The creeping progress of a shadow as dawn unfolds with implacable composure. The hypnotic see-saw swing of a feather at the mercy of invisible tides. The nimble industry of a spider as it spins a web of hope and hunger.’ – Love It!!
A PLAGUE OF PAGES – Dark Words and Darker Hearts
‘What did they call it when you wrote without any real knowledge of doing so? Automatic writing? Psychography? Whatever you called it, his version had a lovely little twist, a proper belter of a variation.’
‘His stuff, scrawled in a swirling mist of forgetfulness, came true.
NIGHT SERVICE – A tale of travel and terror
‘It was surely the worst experience of Luke’s short life. He couldn’t say for the rest of them. The statement was undoubtedly true for at least some. Certainly those that died.’
‘LINGER’ – A Tale of Art and Abomination
‘Edward wasn’t overly bothered. His father had joined his mother in the sweet hereafter. This time, the bequest was more than an in-arrears mortgage on an ex-council house and a pile of mouldy paperbacks. A hell of a lot more.’
Thank you so much Author John F Leonard for providing me with an eBook of
THE DEAD BOXES ARCHIVE in request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Food Yum!
– by Chris Zeid
~Amazon Image – eBook/From The Author -03/21/2020 ~
‘What if beings from another planet came to earth with a peace offering in the form of a small candy which would kill all excess body fat, build muscle, give you incredible energy, and clear, wonderful skin?’
‘Would you be interested?’
A tough question, and one that Isaac internally struggles with as he watches his friend’s extraordinary transformations. Once a hard sell, it has gotten a lot easier for him to say yes—but does he?
You will have to delve into this quick, creepy-good read and find out. 😉
Thank you, Author Chris Zeid, for providing me with an eBook of FOOD YUM! in the request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
The Searching Dead
– by Ramsey Campbell
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Press – 02/16/2021~
About:
THE SEARCHING DEAD is set in Liverpool, England, in 1952-1954, and is centered around three friends—a.k.a. The Tremendous Three— Jim Bailey, Bobby (short for Roberta) Parkin, and our narrator, Dominic Sheldrake.
Shortly after Jim and Dominic begin their journey at Holy Ghost Grammar School, their history teacher, Mr. Christian Noble brings in a guest speaker to talk about World War I, followed by a field trip to France. Rather than the promised adventure, the boys get an eye-opening glimpse of what’s in store for the world.
‘Dominic used to write tales of their exploits, but what they face now could reduce any adult to less than a child…’
My Thoughts:
I didn’t know that THE SEARCHING DEAD is book one of a trilogy (Yeeeessss!!) Which has me wondering if books two and three will be re-released, and perhaps, a book four is in the making?
The pacing is a slow build; however, I like the time Campbell lets the reader spend getting to know his characters—three friends whose relationship gets taxed by the day-to-day navigation of grammar school, love interests, and, of course, the darkness that stirs in the shadows of Liverpool.
If you like cosmic horror, coming-of-age stories, then I think you will like this book!
Recommend!
Scheduled For Re-release – February 16, 2021
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eGalley of THE SEARCHING DEAD in a request for an honest review.
Up Next By Campbell – Reread of WISE FRIEND
~Available Now On Amazon~
A Caller’s Game
– by J.D. Barker
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Hampton Creek Press – 02/22/2021~
About:
Jordan Briggs is a no-nonsense take-no-crap-from-anyone kind of woman who clawed her way to fame as a popular satellite radio talk show host in New York City—who’s not afraid of taking risks, speaking her mind, and doesn’t spare anyone’s feelings.
However, success comes at a price—a failed marriage, a troubled relationship with her mother, and balancing motherhood with her career.
Briggs’ one solace in life is her eleven-year-old daughter, Charlotte, who’s not surprisingly just like her.
The book opens with Jordon stuck in morning traffic in the Big Apple, running late with seconds to spare—she makes it into the lobby of SiriusXM, snatches a wireless headset from the hands of a wide-eyed intern, grabs a cup of Joe after she starts the intro to her show, Overdrive with Jordan Briggs, and settles in for what she thinks is going to be a day like any other.
That is until she gets a call from a listener who asks if she wants to play a game.
And what starts as a game soon turns deadly…
‘I’m going to offer you a choice.’
My Thoughts:
That. Was. Intense!
An action-packed suspense thriller with the tension set at full throttle? Yes, Please!
A CALLER’S GAME, if memory serves, is the third book that I have read by Barker, an author whose writing I was introduced to last year and is now one of my favorites.
As I read the novel, I noticed a few times where suspension of disbelief may be required. However, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of A CALLER’S GAME in a request for an honest review.
Highly Recommend!
~Available Now On Amazon~
I Spit Myself Out
– by Tracy Fahey
~Design And Cover by J.R. Park~
eBook From The Author/Sinister Horror Company/I Purchased Paperback – 02/13/2021~
This quote from Fahey’s Introduction in the book resonated with me so much, specifically the last line, which hit home with me, and I wanted to share it with you:
‘To write the Gothic body is to recognise what we already hold within us. Like a series of Russian dolls, our bodies contain within them shadows of illness, trauma, memory. The worst monsters of all are inside us; the most destructive seeds are those we plant within ourselves.’
After reading and reviewing THE UNHEIMLICH MANOEUVRE, to say I am a fan of Fahey’s writing would be a complete understatement, so when I saw her promoting this collection on Twitter, I knew I had to read it!
‘This collection, I SPIT MYSELF OUT, presents eighteen stories of female-voiced terror inspired by Julia Kristeva’s 1982 essay ‘The Powers of Horror.’
I haven’t read Kristeva’s essay yet. However, I did find it online and look forward to reading it.
The following stories are my favorites and those that resonated with me the most:‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’ – That is really good!
‘The Wrong Ones’
‘Becoming’ – That is really good!
‘It Comes Up‘ – Wow! I wasn’t expecting that ending.
‘I Write Your Name’
‘The Cure’ – Wow! I didn’t expect that ending.
‘I Kiss the Wounds’
‘The Girl Who Kissed the Dead’ – Love It!!!
‘Sin Deep’ – My Heart!
‘Noli Me Tangere’ – My Heart!
‘Reducing’ – Wow! This one hit home!
‘Inside Out’ – That is really good!
‘Love Like Blood’ – That is really good!
‘The House Under the House’
‘I Spit Myself Out’ – My Heart!
Thank you, Tracy Fahey and Sinister Horror Company, for providing me with an eBook of I SPIT MYSELF OUT in the request of an honest review.
~Available Now On Amazon~
Children Of Chicago
– by Cynthia Pelayo
~Cover Design by Mimi Bark – NetGalley/Agora Books- 02/09/2021~
CHILDREN OF CHICAGO – by Cynthia Pelayo
Released – February 9, 2021
‘Legends, myths, and lore all came from somewhere, and, as Lauren discovered, all came back.’
‘When Detective Lauren Medina sees the calling card at a murder scene in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, she knows the Pied Piper has returned.’I love the way Pelayo sprinkled bits and pieces of Chicago’s history throughout the narrative (both the good and the bad), including the tangible history on view today, the likes of THE DREAM LADY in Lincoln Park—the hag depicted in granite on its base—is particularly disturbing in its juxtaposition with the angelic bronze figure and sleeping children on top, which lends to the darker side of the book as does the folktales of Brothers Grimm at the core of the story—Love It!
Quite a bit is revealed early on, so the ending doesn’t hold a lot in the way of a big reveal or surprises that I was hoping for in the conclusion.
Pelayo wields some awesome cringe-worthy moments throughout, imagery that feels forever embedded in my mind. I can honestly say sleep may not be peaceful for me tonight.
Thank you, NetGalley and Agora Books Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of CHILDREN OF CHICAGO in the request of an honest review.
~Available Now On Amazon~
The Damned Highway
– by –
Brian Keene & Nick Mamatas
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Macabre Ink Production/eGalley – 02/15/2021~
As you delve into this book, and, perhaps, your first impression of the narrative is that it reads like the nonsensical (at times hilarious) ramblings of a drug and alcohol-infused unreliable narrator who’s on a road trip, or perhaps he’s just tripping, you would be on point, because, well…that is kind of the point.
THE DAMNED HIGHWAY: FEAR AND LOATHING IN ARKHAM, intended as both a tribute and a parody,is set in the early 1970s—Authors Nick Mamatas and Brian Keene mix the gonzo journalism of Hunter A. Thompson, the Comic Horror of H.P Lovecraft, and 1972 Presidential election featuring Incumbent Republican Richard M. “I Am Not A Crook” Nixon.
Thompson wrote his novel FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS in 1971, billed as a cult classic that centers around the journalist and his lawyer, their drug-addled brains, and a road trip they go on during a long weekend.
As much I am transfixed by the Shroom-induced hallucinations—out of pure curiosity, to be honest, as to where this book is headed, I had to call it quits at the fifty percent mark.
Trust me, Dear Reader, the promise of seeing Nixon portrayed as a tentacle-waving member of the Cult of Cthulhu (mentioned in the synopsis) is well worth the price of admission—my one hope—that he’s met with an unpleasant end. So, I may return to this book at a later date.
I have to admit I have yet read any of Thompson’s work, and this is my first introduction to Brian Keene and Nick Mamatas’ writing, though Keene’s book THE RISING has been creeping it’s way up to the top of my towering TBR pile, which I hope to read soon.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crossroad Press, for loaning me an eGalley of THE DAMNED HIGHWAY: FEAR AND LOATHING IN ARKHAM in the request of an honest review.
~Available Now On Amazon~
Unethical
– by Marla L. Anderson
~Amazon Image – BookSirens/Wolfheart Press/eBook– 01/08/2021
UNETHICAL, a Psychological Thriller, is the first book that I have read by Marla Anderson, and I can’t wait to read more!
About:
‘Josephine aka ‘Jo’ struggles to balance the demands of her budding legal career with caring for her recently widowed and very cantankerous father who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. […] When Jo’s boss suggests she enroll her father in a client’s residential research program at the Kessler Institute, it seems like the perfect solution.’
‘But her relief is short-lived when questions about Dr. Kessler go unanswered, and she is forced to hire Scott Benson, a private investigator, to find out what is going on behind closed doors.’
My Thoughts:
This novel simultaneously warmed and broke my heart, surprised me, and sent me on a roller coaster of emotion as certain parts of the narrative hit home for me as I reflect on my loved ones who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
The conclusion brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes—Highly Recommend!
Thank you, BookSirens and Wolfheart Press, for providing me with an eBook of UNETHICAL in the request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Roadside Attractions
– by Eric Lahti
~Amazon Image – BookSirens/Kyanite Publishing – 01/27/2021~
I introduce to you…The Terror!, a roadside attraction in the small town of Dragoon, Arizona, wherein a ghost resides—and something far more sinister.
By way of a strange text message, ghost-hunters Jordan Jones and his girlfriend, Char Rivera, are summoned to Dragoon with the lure of hunting a ghost unlike any they’ve ever met and a substantial payout.
As they coast into town on a wing and a prayer in Jordon’s 1978 Dodge Van, the couple soon discovers they’ve just entered a literal hell on earth scenario, and I am not only talking about the Arizona heat.
If you like dark occult horror with a touch of humor, then I think you will like this book.
I like strong women portrayed in books, so I immediately liked Char, Jennine, and to a certain extent, Lilith.
Thank you, BookSirens and Kyanite Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS in a request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Roadside Attractions~
The Burning Girls
– by C.J. Tudor
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Ballantine Books/eGalley – 02/09/2021~
THE BURNING GIRLS – by C.J. Tudor *****Amazon Won’t Post My Review/I Have No Idea Why*****
About:
Single parent and Vicar, Jack Brooks, moves to the small village of Chapel Croft to start anew, though her fourteen-year-old daughter Flo wants nothing more than to return to city life in Nottingham. Well, that is until Flo meets the dark-haired and green-eyed teen named Wrigley.
Jack and Flo soon discover that the seemingly quiet town of Chapel Croft is rife with conspiracies, age-old rifts, mysteries, suspicions, and specters of girls ablaze that refuse to be laid to rest.
The history of the burning girls is at the core of Chapel Croft—dark times dating back five hundred years when Protestant Martyrs were betrayed—and then burned.
‘Uncovering the truth can be deadly in a village with a bloody past, where everyone has something to hide, and no one trusts an outsider.’
My Thoughts:
THE BURNING GIRLS is the second book that I have read by Tudor, the first being THE OTHERS, which I immediately purchased as a hardback copy, both books I highly recommend!
Though the ending wasn’t a complete surprise to me, as I pieced it together early on, there was one detail at the very end in the last scene that explains a lot, and I’m not going to spoil it for you.
THE BURNING GIRLS – Scheduled To Release February 9, 2021 (Subject To Change)
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for loaning me an eGalley of THE BURNING GIRLS in a request of an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Burning Girls~
The Future Is Yours
– by Dan Frey
~Book Design by Elizabeth A.D. Eno – NetGalley/Del Rey/eGalley – 02/09/2021~
The premise of the story I Love! LOVE! The characters, not so much, except for co-founder Adhi Chaudry, to a certain extent, the brains behind the revolutionary technology, a computer that can connect to the internet one year into the future.
As I delved into THE FUTURE IS YOURS, my first and lasting impression of one of the main characters and co-founders of THE FUTURE, Ben Boyce, is that he comes off as a complete and utter arrogant, greedy, [Insert your choice of expletive here].
How it all began…
Ben Boyce and Adhi Chaudry met at Stanford University in California as roommates. (hence the use of ‘Bro!’ and ‘Dude!’ and I was waiting for the occasional ‘Sweet!’, but that didn’t happen) I’m from California, so…yeah. I mean, ‘Like, Totally Fer Sure!’ 😉
Chaudry is working towards his Ph.D. in Computer Science, that is, until the department put the kibosh on his thesis and Chaudry drops out of the program.
With a good word from Boyce (kudos to him for that), Chaudry lands a job with Google.
A short while later…
Ben asks to read Adhi’s thesis paper, which begins the ball rolling.
For any big idea to get off the ground, it takes startup money, and that’s where Boyce comes in, even if he has to lie to potential investors to get it, while later treating them and his staff like the dung on his shoe.
Overall, I wanted to love this book in its entirety, but that didn’t happen.
I liked the formatting and narrative style—using emails, text messages, blog posts, transcripts, and online news articles.
I look forward to reading what Frey comes up with in the future. Next up by Frey, the Audible Original, THE RETREAT.
Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey Publishing, for loaning me an eGalley of THE FUTURE IS YOURS in request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Future Is Yours~
Crimsom Lake Road
– by Victor Methos
~Cover Design by Christopher Lin – NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer/eGalley – 02/09/2021~
CRIMSON LAKE ROAD is Book Two in the Desert Plains Series; A KILLER’S WIFE is the first and scheduled for release in August of this year, Book Three, THE UNRELIABLE TRUTH.
Getting ready to retire as a prosecutor, her office already packed up, Jessica Yardley is asked to stay on for one last investigation—a set of murders depicted like the grisly scenes in a series of paintings called The Night Things.
‘[T]he more Jessica finds out, the less clear her case becomes. Out of options, she’s forced to consult her serial killer ex-husband—to gain additional insight into the crimes and the killer’s motivations.’
Having not read the first book in the Desert Plains Series, as I dove into book two, I knew right away that would need to be remedied, not due to something lacking in CRIMSON LAKE ROAD (easily read as a standalone), but a growing need to learn more about Tara and Jessica Yardley and Jessica’s serial killer ex-husband and Tara’s father, Eddie Cal.
As I made my way through book two, I couldn’t help but wonder if the narrative plays out similar to the film Mr. Brooks, wherein his daughter may or may not be just like him—a killer?
Will Jessica catch the killer or become the final addition to the killer’s masterpiece?
You will have to read the book and find out! 😉
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for loaning me an eGalley of CRIMSON LAKE ROAD with a request for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Crimson Lake Road~
The Last Tiara
– by M.J. Rose
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Blue Box Press/eGalley – 02/02/2021~
I love the story’s premise—the mystery of the tiara from two separate timelines—that of a mother’s perspective, Sofiya Petrovitch in 1915, and her daughter Isobelle Moon, 1948.
Though it is the secrets surrounding the diadem that held my interest for almost three-quarters of the way through the book, it wasn’t enough to sustain it.
I never felt fully submerged in the narrative and the characters’ lives as there was more telling than showing throughout, pulling me out of the story.
THE LAST TIARA may not have ticked all the boxes for me; I am, however, looking forward to reading more by Rose.
Thank you, NetGalley and Blue Box Press, for loaning me an eGalley of THE LAST TIARA in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Last Tiara~
In Darkness Shadows Breathe
– by Catherine Cavendish
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Flame Tree Press/eGalley – 01/19/2021~
‘You’re next…
Carol and Nessa are strangers but not for much longer.
In a luxury apartment and in the walls of a modern hospital, the evil that was done continues to thrive. They are in the hands of an entity that knows no boundaries and crosses dimensions – bending and twisting time itself – and where danger waits in every shadow.’
IN DARKNESS, SHADOWS BREATHE is the second novel that I have read by Cavendish, the first being THE GARDEN OF BEWITCHMENT, and the third will be THE HAUNTING OF HENDERSON CLOSE.
I love the title of this book, IN DARKNESS, SHADOWS BREATHE, and how it ties into the story, which I will let you discover on your own.
There are parts of the novel that confused me a bit, specifically the Prologue when the reader is first introduced to Carol. Later towards the end, through a recap that seems to contradict what the reader learns early on about the father of one of the characters regarding his demise or lack thereof?
It’s important to note, from different points-of-view, characters stress that time isn’t linear throughout the novel, that it can’t be bent, twisted, and curled, as flows the narrative and possibly the source of my confusion.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that Cavendish’s writing is dark and beautiful, in parts, bringing me to tears. It didn’t take long for me to become fully invested in the lives of the two main characters, Carol and Nessa.
I will be rereading this book in the future, and I look forward to reading what Cavendish comes up with next.
Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eGalley of IN DARKNESS, SHADOWS BREATHE, in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~In Darkness Shadows Breathe~
Bone Canyon
– by Lee Goldberg
![Bone Canyon (Eve Ronin Book 2) by [Lee Goldberg]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vYaIPOrfL.jpg)
~Cover Design by Shasti O’Leart Stiydabt – NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer/eGalley – 01/05/2021~
BONE CANYON, Book Two in the Eve Ronin Series, is the first book that I have read by Lee Goldberg, and I can’t wait to read Book One, LOST HILLS.
I love reading books centered around strong women protagonists, the likes of Eve Ronin, who aren’t afraid to stand up and do what’s right, but who are also not infallible. This well-placed flaw had this reader donning a tweed jacket, cloth cap, and puffing on an old briar-root pipe by the end of Act One, whilst quoting Jessica Fletcher, ‘I may be wrong, but frankly, I doubt it.’
About:
Eve Ronin is the youngest homicide detective in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, paired with the seasoned detective and soon-to-be-retired Duncan (aka Donuts) Pavone.
A catastrophic wildfire sear through the Santa Monica Mountains, exposing the charred remains of a woman who disappeared years ago, and Ronin is assigned to investigate. What else she discovers, well, no spoilers!
I can’t wait to read more about Eve Ronin in LOST HILLS and what I hope will be published shortly, Book Three in this series.
Side Note: How did I not know that Lee Goldberg and Janet Evanovich co-wrote not one but several books in the Mystery/Romance Series, Fox and O’Hare?
Oh, If I could live in a Library, I would! #BookLoverProblems *sigh*
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for loaning me an eGalley of BONE CANYON in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Bone Canyon~
The Survivors
– by Jane Harper
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Macmillan Audiobook – 02/02/2021~
Category: Mystery & Thriller
THE SURVIVORS – By Jane Harper
Source: NetGalley/Audiobook Review
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narration – By Stephen Shanahan
About:
Kieran Elliott’s haunted past and guilt resurface when he, his girlfriend, and their three-month-old daughter visit with his parents, who live in the small coastal town of Evelyn Bay, Tasmania.
‘When a body is discovered on the beach, long-held secrets threaten to emerge. A sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away….’
Narration/Pacing/Flow:
THE SURVIVORS is narrated by Stephen Shanahan, who does an excellent job of capturing each character’s essence, making each distinct. The flow and pacing are perfect, in my opinion.
My Thoughts:
As I listened to the story, it’s easy to see the title’s connection as it relates to certain aspects of the narrative and the setting. But, it’s the tie into the present-day relations of Kieran’s parents that I found so heartbreakingly relatable.
THE SURVIVORS is the first book that I have read by Harper, and I look forward to reading more of her books. If you’re a fan of Mystery/Thrillers as I am, then I highly recommend reading this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio Publishing, for loaning me an Audiobook of THE SURVIVORS in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Survivors~
Lola On Fire
– by Rio Youers
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Harper Audiobook – 02/16/2021~
LOLA ON FIRE – by Rio Youers
Source: NetGalley/Audiobook Review
Publisher: HarperAudio
Have you ever said to yourself, after reading a book that encompasses all the feels, ‘How in the world can I do this book justice in a review?’ LOLA ON FIRE is that book for me, at this moment.
Youers’ writing pulled me in immediately with the action, then slowly tightened up on my heartstrings and refused to let go until the very end.
I want to share an enticing tidbit without revealing too much, so here goes: Lola is essentially the female version of John Wick; in other words, Bad A##, and her nemesis?
Well…No spoilers. 😉
Like the movie I referenced above, LOLA ON FIRE is more than tension-filled gun fighting throughout; there’s more to the story, A lot more. I will let you discover these gems on your own, but I will say, at its core, it’s about love, loss, family, friends, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
‘Empathy is a valuable resource when it comes to forgiveness.’
My Thoughts About:
Narration
The narration enhanced my reading experience from the very beginning, delivering heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes, the tension so thick through sinister inflection coated with calm from the red lips of one foe, had me eagerly waiting—anticipating— for that moment when calm meets the firestorm.
Jim Meskimen brought life and emotion to all of the characters in a distinct voice; each is discernible from one another, which is no easy task when the cast is so varied.
Pacing/Flow
The pacing of an audiobook is a tricky thing. In this reader’s opinion, I find that I tend to speed up the narration in all the audiobooks I listen to, except for a narrator who has a thick accent, then I slow it down a bit from my norm.
The flow and pacing of the narration are perfect. I have hearing loss in both ears, so the ability to speed up or slow down an audiobook helps tremendously.
Brief Overview Of The Story:
When life deals Brody Ellis with a lousy hand, he finds himself in need of cash to buy the medication his sister Molly needs, so he robs a convenience store. As he flees the scene, he bumps into a young woman and loses his wallet.
Expecting the police to arrive on his doorstep at any moment, he gets a phone call from Blair Mayo, the woman he bumped into; she has his missing billfold. If he wants it back, he has to do something for her, first: steal her late mother’s diamonds from her wicked stepmonster.
When Brody enters Blair’s house, he soon discovers that he’s just walked smack dab in the middle of a gruesome crime scene, in front of a security camera. Brody knows he’s been framed.
After arriving back at home, Brody gets another call from Blaire, who tells him her mobster father, Jimmy Latzo, won’t provide the security footage to the police because he wants exact his own kind of revenge.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperAudio Publishing, for loaning me an Audiobook of LOLA ON FIRE in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
Prodigal Son
– by Gregg Hurwitz
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Minotaur Books/eGalley – Own/Hardback – 01/26/2021~
Evan Smoak, a.k.a. Orphan X was a government assassin until he eventually broke ties with the program and became The Nowhere Man—helping the most desperate. That is until the highest power in the country offers him an unofficial pardon; however, he must cease his activities as The Nowhere Man.
As Evan tries to settle into early retirement, he gets a call for help from a woman claiming to have given him up for adoption—his mother.
Her one request, help a man by the name of Andrew Duran, whose life is upside down after he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, bringing him face to face with a team of assassins.
PRODIGAL SON, the first book that I have read by Hurwitz, is Book Six of the Orphan X Series, and one of the best Mystery-Tech-Thrillers I’ve read in a while, centered around characters I genuinely care about and never-ending tension that had me on the edge of my seat until literally the very last word.
Please tell me Book Seven will be released soonish!
Needing to know more about Evan, Joey (I love her!), and how these cast of characters happened to converge together, I will be delving into Books One through Five of this series in what I hope will be the near future.
PRODIGAL SON – HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for loaning me an eGalley of PRODIGAL SON in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Prodigal Son~
Writing In The Dark
– by Tim Waggoner
~Cover Design by – C.V. Hunt – eBook From Raw Dog Screaming Press – Own/Paperback – 09/16/2020~
WRITING IN THE DARK includes excellent advice from the award-winning author of this book, Tim Waggoner, who has thirty years’ experience as a writer and teacher, and includes…tips from some of the best horror professionals working today, presented at the end of each chapter.
If you are new to the genre or are unfamiliar with the different sub-genres of horror, Waggoner takes time to explain each and gives examples of authors to read who excel in that type of writing.
It is often that I feel, after reading a book, including those that center around the art of writing, a compulsive need to highlight every favorable and remarkable detail to include in a review and for future reference.
After reading WRITING IN THE DARK on my Kindle, I found myself highlighting almost the entire book, which was evidence enough for me that I needed to purchase a physical copy for my library on writing, and so I did.
Now, that brings me back to the question of what quotes to include in this review; as I said, there are many excellent tips and advice to choose from as a means to entice you without revealing too much, I hope.
I will start with a couple of my favorites from Waggoner:
‘Horror writers are like dark clowns that caper in front of our readers, making grotesque faces in the hope that the audience won’t look over our shoulder and see the true darkness of existence behind us.’
‘Any type of fiction can teach us more about ourselves and our fellow humans by showing us how particular characters deal with conflict—both external and internal. But horror turns up the conflict all the way to eleven.’ (Exactly!)
One of my favorite horror novels is Stephen King’s NEEDFUL THINGS, a story that taps into human behavior by way of external and internal conflicts that result in ‘What would you be willing to do?’ scenarios to get what said character wants—or rather—Needs. Consequences be damned?
Yep!
‘Kill them all. Let God sort them out.’ –Leland Gaunt, NEEDFUL THINGS
For me, as a writer, reader, and viewer of horror, the following quote sums up my viewpoint and interest in the genre perfectly:
‘Horror stories allow us to confront our deepest fears through the buffer of fiction. Wrestling with the darkest questions of human existence—why is there violence, pain, cruelty, and death?—can be emotionally overwhelming. These questions can be too intense to deal with directly. Like an eclipse, the only way to safely view these aspects of life is indirect. Horror allows us to do this.’
Bryan Smith, the author of MERCILESS, is one of the writers who answered a couple of interview questions for this book regarding writing tips hit home to the point I said aloud, ‘Hey now, I feel attacked!’ 😉 But, he’s right.:
‘[D]on’t get hung up on finding the exact right word to perfectly describe a thing in your first draft. Just write and get the story told. If you can do that, you’ll have an easier time finding that perfect word in the revisions phase.’
Have you ever spent an insane amount of time trying to find that perfect word or sentence structure only to go back to the original version…hours later.
*raises hand and sighs*
Craig Spector, the bestselling author of TURNAROUND, said (and I wholeheartedly agree), ‘To me, good horror is something that gets under the skin of the characters: it has an intimacy, regardless of the scope and scale of the ghastly events. Good horror shocks and unsettles and lingers long after. It can be “loud” or “quiet,” but it resonates either way. Good horror rocks.’
And…
‘Write from the inside out. Crawl inside your characters, make us care about them living, then we’ll care about them dying.[…]’
I love the advice Michele Garza, co-author of THOSE WHO FOLLOW, gives beginning writers about adding a build-up of suspense in horror writing while allowing the reader to use their imagination to fill in the blanks.
Here’s a snippet of what she said:
‘Though it can be fun to go into every gory detail, and we do quite often, letting your audience’s imagination fill in some blanks can be effective […] It’s not the maggot falling out of an undead attacker’s maw and into a squirming protagonist’s screaming mouth, it’s imagining watching it dangle from his dry lip and knowing where it’s going to end up that will leave someone thinking about your story for a long time.
My apology for barely scratching the surface of WRITING IN THE DARK, as there is so much more to this book for you to discover about writing horror; I want you to experience it on your own.
Whether you’re a newbie to the horror writing genre, a seasoned pro, or somewhere in between, I highly recommend reading this book.
I want to close with my favorite quote from Tim Waggoner, that made me laugh out loud in agreement:
‘So if anyone ever asks you why you’re wasting your time writing horror instead of “real” fiction, tell them, “Horror is as real as it gets, baby.” For good measure, hiss and bare your fangs, then get back to work.’
Thank you so much Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi and Guide Dog Books, for providing me with an eBook of WRITING IN THE DARK in a request for an honest review.
~Available Now~
The Gulp
– by Alan Baxter
![The Gulp: Tales From The Gulp 1 by [Alan Baxter]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/413amf6ELJL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – eBook From The Author – 01/12/2021~
Baxter melds five novellas together into a dark and twisted harmonious horror tale set in the harbor town of Australia known to the locals as THE GULP.
‘The Gulp has a habit of swallowing people. But sometimes it spits one out.’
That was a fun ride I did not want to end—More, Please!
Thank you, Alan Baxter, for providing me with an eBook of THE GULP in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~The Gulp~
Ever Winter
– by Peter Hackshaw
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Podium Audio – 01/26/2021~
My Thoughts:
The Post Apocalypse Thriller, EVER WINTER, narration by Dan Stevens, is the first book that I have read by Peter Hackshaw, and I look forward to reading more of his works.
One of my favorite books to read are survival stories, so it’s not surprising that I thoroughly enjoyed reading EVER WINTER, a tale filled with love, loss, courage, strength, revenge, and a willingness to survive against overwhelming odds, be it the elements or the worst of humanity.
As a horror fan and one of the revenge stories, I love the books mentioned within and Henry’s interpretation of each in relation to his circumstance at various points in the novel.
About:
‘Henry and his family have managed to survive on the tundra of what was once a vast ocean, far from the savage remnants of humanity. When the family is discovered, their peaceful existence is shattered, and their lives are changed forever.’
Thank you, NetGalley and Podium Audio, for loaning me an Audiobook of EVER WINTER in exchange for an honest review.
~Available On Amazon~
~Ever Winter~
Unfettered Journey
– by Gary F. Bengier
![Unfettered Journey by [Gary F. Bengier]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41xPWqL3eDL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – eBook From The Author – Own/Audiobook – 09/07/2020~
Reread
~Available On Amazon~
Dead Woman Scorned
– by Michael Clark
~Amazon Image – From The Author/PDF & Paperback – 11/12/2019~
~Goodreads – Dead Woman Scorned~
~Available On Amazon~
Ink
– by Jonathan Maberry
~LOOK AT THAT AWESOME COVER!!!!~
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 11/17/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
After All I’ve Done
– by Mina Hardy
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 11/10/2020~
~Goodreads – After All I’ve Done~
~Available On Amazon~
They’re Gone
– by E.A. Barres
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 11/10/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Tech
– by Mark Ravine
![The Tech by [Mark Ravine]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qxv3lcaCL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From Dawn Hill Publications – 02/03/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Seeds Of The Dead
– by Andy Kumpon & Gary Malick
~Cover Illustration by – KillerBeam Entertainment- 06/29/2020~
~Goodreads – Seeds Of The Dead~
~Available On Amazon~
Disturbing Works – Volume One
– by Jon Richter
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle & Paperback – 10/15/2019~
~Goodreads – Disturbing Works Vol. 1~
~Available On Amazon~
A Pretty Deceit
– by Anna Lee Huber
![A Pretty Deceit (A Verity Kent Mystery Book 4) by [Anna Lee Huber]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hLkgSkFvL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/06/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Worm And His Kings
– by Hailey Piper
![The Worm and His Kings by [Hailey Piper]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fw+F75pgL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – eBook From Off Limits Press LLC. – 11/15/2020~
~Goodreads – The Worm And His Kings~
~Available On Amazon~
Lie, Lie Again
– by Stacy Wise
![Lie, Lie Again: A Novel by [Stacy Wise]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+XUSJR+BL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/01/2021~
~Available On Amazon~
Netted
– by K.T. Rose
![Netted- The Beginning: An extreme horror suspense (The Silent Red Room Saga Book 1) by [K.T. Rose]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uCndfBKRL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Blackthorn Book Tour – 02/22/2019~
~Available On Amazon~
Take It Back
– by Kia Abdullah
![Take It Back by [Kia Abdullah]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517hkVC7YgL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/08/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Red Hands
– by Christopher Golden
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/08/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Blade Between
– by Sam J. Miller
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/01/2020~
~Goodreads – The Blade Between~
~Available On Amazon~
Whispers In The Dark
– by Laurel Hightower
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 12/07/2018~
Highly Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
Beers And Fears: The Haunted Brewery
– by Chuck Buda, Frank Edler, Tim Meyer,
& Armand Rosamilia
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 05/11/2019~
Highly Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
~Beers and Fears: The Haunted Brewery~
Human Resources
– by Robin Triggs
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 11/10/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Machine
– by Elizabeth Bear
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/20/2020~
Rereading
~Available On Amazon~
Master Of Poisons
– by Andrea Hairston
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Own Audiobook – 09/08/2020~
Rereading
~Available On Amazon~
The Genius Of Women
– by Janice Kaplan
~Amazon Image – NetGalley/Own Audiobook – 02/18/2020~
Rereading
~Available On Amazon~
Murder In Old Bombay
– by Nev March
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 11/10/2020~
~Goodreads – Murder In Old Bombay~
~Available On Amazon~
Slay
Stories of The Vampire Noire
– Edited by Nicole Givens Kurtz
LOOK AT THAT AWESOME COVER!!!
~Cover Art And Title Concept by Taria Reed – NetGalley – 09/28/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Fearing: Blood & Brimstone
– by John F. D. Taff
![Blood & Brimstone (The Fearing Book 5) by [John FD Taff]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qFm-BI4iL.jpg)
~Cover Art by Francois Vaillancourt – Saturday Morning Scenarios – 10/20/2020~
~Goodreads – The Fearing: Blood & Brimstone~
~ Kindle eBook Available On Amazon~
~The Fearing: Blood & Brimstone~
After Sundown
– Edited by Mark Morris
![After Sundown (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Mark Morris]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vPdLPrZwL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/20/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Black Sun
– by Rebecca Roanhorse
![Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky Book 1) by [Rebecca Roanhorse]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510m8UDDErL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/13/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Magic Lessons
– by Alice Hoffman
![Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic by [Alice Hoffman]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AVvRHJRXL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/06/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Halloween Season
– by Lucy A. Snyder
![Halloween Season by [Lucy A Snyder]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pxnGuApFL.jpg)
~Cover art by – Lynne Hansen – Raw Dog Screaming Press – 10/05/2020~
~Goodreads – Halloween Season~
~Available From The Publisher~
Highway 181
– by D.S. Ullery
![Highway 181 by [D. S. Ullery, Terry M. West]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41x-TIGmQ9L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 10/01/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Edited By
~Ellen Datlow~
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/30/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Gobble, Gobble Murder
-by Leslie Meier
![Gobble, Gobble Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery) by [Leslie Meier]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/410t4PY-udL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/29/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
To Sleep In A Sea Of Stars
– by Christopher Paolini
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/15/2020~
~Goodreads – To Sleep In a Sea Of Stars~
~Available On Amazon~
The Hollow Places
-by T. Kingfisher
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/06/2020~
~Goodreads – The Hollow Places~
~Available On Amazon~
Our Biggest Fears
-by Bo Chappell
~Amazon Image – Paperback/Own – 07/07/2020~
~Goodreads – Our Biggest Fears~
~Available On Amazon~
The Loop
-by Jeremy Robert Johnson
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/29/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Coast To Coast Murders
– by James Patterson & J.D. Barker
![The Coast-to-Coast Murders by [James Patterson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xRDFluVQL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/21/2020~
~Goodreads – The Coast-To-Coast Murders~
~Available On Amazon~
It Came from the MULTIPLEX
80s Midnight Chillers
– Directed By Joshua Viola
![It Came from the Multiplex: 80s Midnight Chillers by [Kevin J. Anderson, Stephen Graham Jones, Betty Rocksteady, Orrin Grey, Warren Hammond, Mario Acevedo, Steve Rasnic Tem, Gary Jonas, Angie Hodapp, Joshua Viola]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sgf8RFTTL.jpg)
Let us take a moment and bow our heads to pay tribute to that Nostalgic Kickass 80s Cover!!!
I’m getting all misty-eyed *sniff* I need a minute…
*ahem*
‘I am a Generation Xer and I approve of this cover.’
Roll Credits…
~Cover design by – Joshua Viola – NetGalley – 09/15/2020~
~Goodreads – It Came From The Multiplex~
~Available On Amazon~
~It Came From The Multiplex 80s Midnight Chillers~
‘Lights!’
The Cipher
– by Kathe Koja
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/15/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Raven
– by Jonathan Janz
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/08/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Bones Remember
– by Sara E. Johnson
![The Bones Remember (Alexa Glock Forensics Mysteries Book 2) by [Sara E. Johnson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cWnZi5-ML.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/08/2020~
~Goodreads – The Bones Remember~
~Available On Amazon~
Misfits
– by Hunter Shea
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/08/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Night Of The Mannequins
– by Stephen Graham Jones
![Night of the Mannequins by [Stephen Graham Jones]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5184IsPTJ1L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/01/2020~
~Goodreads – Night Of The Mannequins~
~Available On Amazon~
The Book Of Two Ways
– by Jodi Picoult
![The Book of Two Ways: A Novel by [Jodi Picoult]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518rJtqDMFL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/22/2020~
~Goodreads – The Book Of Two Ways~
~Available On Amazon~
The Darkest Evening
– by Ann Cleeves
![The Darkest Evening: A Vera Stanhope Novel by [Ann Cleeves]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51u-XRekjUL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/08/2020~
~Goodreads – The Darkest Evening~
Reread
~Available On Amazon~
The House That Fell From The Sky
– by Patrick Delaney
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/01/2020~
~Goodreads – The House That Fell From The Sky~
~Available On Amazon~
~The House That Fell From The Sky~
Comanche
– by Brett Riley
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/01/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Recall Night
– by Alan Baxter
~Amazon Image – Grey Matter Press – 08/25/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Manifest Recall
– by Alan Baxter
~Amazon Image – Grey Matter Press – 05/17/2018~
~Available On Amazon~
Crossroads
– by Laurel Hightower
~Amazon Image – Off Limits Press LLC. – 08/09/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Ballad Of Black Tom
– by Victor LaValle
~Amazon Image – Own/Audiobook/eBook- 02/16/2016~
Highly Recommend!
~Available On Amazon~
Shadow Puppet
– by Eve Harms
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 06/13/2020~
Reread
~Available On Amazon~
The Shadows
– by Alex North
~Amazon Image – Audiobook/Own – 07/07/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Dreams Of Thunder
– by Christian Cura
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 09/21/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Out At Sea
– by Aiden Merchant
~Goodreads Photo~
Source – eBook From The Author
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
Tenebris
– by Aiden Merchant
~Goodreads Photo~
Source – eBook From The Author
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
Peck
– by Aiden Merchant
~Goodreads Photo~
Source – eBook From The Author
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
Follow The Dead Tracks
– by Aiden Merchant
~Cover Photography – by Andrea Boldizsar – 07/2020~
Source – eBook From The Author
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
The Day I Disappeared
– by Brandi Reeds
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 8/25/2020~
~Goodreads – The Day I Disappeared~
~Available On Amazon~
You Can Trust Me
– by Emma Rowley
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 8/25/2020~
~Goodreads – You Can Trust Me~
~Available On Amazon~
The Patron Saint Of Pregnant Girls
– by Ursula Hegi
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/18/2020~
~Goodreads – The Patron Saint Of Pregnant Girls~
~Available On Amazon~
~The Patron Saint Of Pregnant Girls~
Departure
– by Joseph Reid
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/11/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Space Between Worlds
– by Micaiah Johnson
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/04/2020~
~Goodreads – The Space Between Worlds~
~Available On Amazon~
Animals We Are
– by Valerie Brandy
~Amazon Image – BookSirons – 11/12/2019~
~Available On Amazon~
A Desperate Place
– by Jennifer Greer
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/11/2020~
~Goodreads – A Desperate Place~
~Available On Amazon~
Sins Of The Father
– by JG Faherty
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/11/2020~
~Goodreads – Sins Of The Father~
~Available On Amazon~
The Living Dead
– by George A. Romero & Daniel Kraus
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/04/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Blue
– by Lare’va Lemorte
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 04/24/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Ancestor
– by Lee Matthew Goldberg
~Amazon Image – Blackthorn Book Tour – 08/21/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Night Swim
– by Megan Goldin
![The Night Swim: A Novel by [Megan Goldin]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-vaDPOJ3L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/04/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
This Is My America
– by Kim Johnson
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/28/2020~
~Goodreads – This Is My America~
~Available On Amazon~
Devil’s Creek
– by Todd Keisling
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/16/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Deadlock
– by Catherine Coulter
![Deadlock (An FBI Thriller Book 24) by [Catherine Coulter]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Pgl3X69mL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/28/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Crossings
– by Alex Landragin
![Crossings: A Novel by [Alex Landragin]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519iPmTeANL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/28/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Apocalypse Strain
– by Jason Parent
![The Apocalypse Strain (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Jason Parent]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yzo4QmQWL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/11//2020~
~Goodreads – The Apocalypse Strain~
~Available On Amazon~
Touch The Night
– by Max Booth III
![Touch the Night by [Max Booth III]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41iH-IFCCwL.jpg)
That Cover is Creepy As F**K–I LOVE IT!!!
~Amazon Image – Own/Paperback – Cemetery Dance Grab Bag Sale~
~06/16/2020~
~Available Now On Amazon~
Bird Box
– by Josh Malerman
![Bird Box: A Novel by [Josh Malerman]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41sRIihnXzL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Kindle/Own – 05/13/2014~
~Available On Amazon~
What You Wish For
– by Katherine Center
![What You Wish For: A Novel by [Center, Katherine]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/516f0-CbAnL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/14/2020~
~Goodreads – What You Wish For~
~Available Now On Amazon~
Bad Parts
– by Brandon McNulty
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/23/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Only Good Indians
– by Stephen Graham Jones
![The Only Good Indians by [Stephen Graham Jones]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41dsNanQm-L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley~
~Goodreads – The Only Good Indians~
~Available On Amazon~
Auxiliary
– by Jon Richter
~Amazon Image – From The Author- 05/01/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Heron Kings
– by Eric Lewis
![The Heron Kings (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Eric Lewis]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MZLvyrclL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/23/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Worst Laid Plans
– Edited by Samantha Kolesnik
![Worst Laid Plans: an Anthology of Vacation Horror by [Samantha Kolesnik, Greg Sisco, Hailey Piper, Kenzie Jennings, V. Castro, Patrick Lacey, Scott Cole, Laura Keating, Mark Wheaton, Jeremy Herbert]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RADAJzuuL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From Grindhouse Press – 07/01/2020~
~Goodreads – Worst Laid Plans~
~Available On Amazon~
A Fatal Fiction
– by Kaitlyn Dunnett
![A Fatal Fiction (Deadly Edits Book 3) by [Kaitlyn Dunnett]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mi3LCr4pL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/30/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Bright Lands
– by John Fram
![The Bright Lands: A Novel by [John Fram]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Ph87An62L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/07/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Devolution
– by Max Brooks
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/16/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Everyone Knows How Much I Love You
– by Kyle McCarthy
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/23/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
~Everyone Knows How Much I Love You~
The Beetle
– by Richard Marsh
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/08/2020~
Reread
~Available On Amazon~
The Second Home
– by Christina Clancy
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/02/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Subcutanean
– by Aaron A. Reed
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 02/18/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Feasible Living
– by Ken Kroes
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 11/28/2019~
~Available On Amazon~
Hellcrafter
– by Eve Harms
![Hellcrafter (Kendra Temples: The Demonic Diaries Book 2) by [Eve Harms]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FJveK5STL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 02/11/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Tomb Of Gods
– by Brian Moreland
![Tomb of Gods (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Brian Moreland]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Ds9GMjURL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 05/21/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
A Song Below Water
– by Bethany C. Morrow
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/02/2020~
~Goodreads – A Song Below Water~
~Available On Amazon~
Of Mice And Minestrone
– by Joe R. Lansdale
~Cover Design by – John Coulhart – NetGalley – 05/28/2020~
~Goodreads – Of Mice And Minestrone~
~Available On Amazon~
What Lies Between Us
– by John Marrs
~Cover Design by – @blacksheep-uk dot com~
~NetGalley – Own/Paperback – 05/15/2020~
~Goodreads – What Lies Between Us~
~Available On Amazon~
Until Summer Comes Around
– by Gleen Rolfe
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 05/21/2020~
~Goodreads – Until Summer Comes Around~
~Available On Amazon~
The Window In The Ground
– by Steve Stred
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 07/01/2020~
~Goodreads – The Window In The Ground~
~Pre-order Now On Amazon~
Dark Of Night – Flesh and Fire
– by Jonathan Maberry & Rachael Lavin
~Amazon Image – From The Author/Own – 04/22/2016~
~Goodreads – Dark Of Night – Flesh And Fire~
~Available On Amazon~
~Dark Of Night – Flesh And Fire~
Boy In The Box
– by Marc E. Fitch
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/23/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Altered
– by Maria DeVivo
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 01/07/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
Follow Me
– by Kathleen Barber
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/25/2020~
~Available On Amazon~
When I Was You
– by Minka Kent
~Cover Design by – Shast O’Leary Soudant – NetGalley – 02/01/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Slow Down
– by Lee Matthew Goldberg
Star Rating – 1.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Envious
– by Lisa Jackson
Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/31/2020
Star Rating – 2.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be
– by J.D. Barker
~Cover Design by – Stuart Bache – NetGalley – Own/Hardback – 03/31/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be~
~Available On Amazon~
~She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be~
The Passengers You Cannot See
– by The Behrg
Cover by – Mat Yan – NetGalley – 02/19/2020
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Passengers You Cannot See~
~Available On Amazon~
~The Passengers You Cannot See~
The Wise Friend
– by Ramsey Campbell
![The Wise Friend (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Ramsey Campbell]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yA3kAoWeL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/23/2020~
Star Rating – Reread
~Goodreads – The Wise Friend – Will Reread~
~Available On Amazon~
The Forgotten Island
– by David Sodergren
![The Forgotten Island: A Horror Novel by [David Sodergren]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZLYhwasVL.jpg)
Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 10/01/2018
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Dead Daughters
– by Tim Meyer
~Own – 04/28/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Stone Cross
– by Marc Cameron
![Stone Cross: A Gripping Thriller (An Arliss Cutter Novel Book 2) by [Marc Cameron]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SCaHloLXL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/31/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Dark Celebrations
– by Calvin Demmer
![Dark Celebrations by [Calvin Demmer]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41KogjgbcCL.jpg)
Cover Art by – George C. Cotronis – From The Author – 03/13/2020
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Dark Celebrations~
~Available On Amazon~
The Salem Hawley Series: Book Two
Borne Of The Deep
– by Michael Patrick Hicks
![Borne of the Deep (The Salem Hawley Series Book 2) by [Michael Patrick Hicks]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+L7WNB7HL.jpg)
Cover by – Elderlemon Design- NetGalley – 04/07/2020
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Borne Of The Deep~
~Available On Amazon~
After She Wrote Him
– by Sulari Gentill
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/07/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – After She Wrote Him~
~Available On Amazon~
The Forever House
– by Tim Waggoner
![The Forever House (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Tim Waggoner]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510y33JCAHL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/26/2020~
Star Rating – DNF @ 53%
~Goodreads – The Forever House~
~Available On Amazon~
The Patience Of A Dead Man
– by Michael Clark
![The Patience of a Dead Man by [Michael Clark]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5180dRHy8hL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author- 04/22/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Patience Of A Dead Man~
~Available On Amazon~
No Good Deed
– by Heather Chavez
![No Bad Deed: A Novel by [Heather Chavez]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eqxgIooEL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/18/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Strang Girls –
Women In Horror Anthology
Edited by – Azzurra Nox
![Strange Girls: Women in Horror Anthology by [Azzurra Nox]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hCZSxYJ7L.jpg)
~Cover Art by James – NetGalley – 02/18/2020~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Strange Girls – Women In Horror Anthology~
~Available On Amazon~
Ancestral Night
– by Elizabeth Bear
![Ancestral Night (White Space Book 1) by [Bear, Elizabeth]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EkDHL2IsL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/05/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Where Dragonflies Dance
– by A.A. Medina
~Cover by A.A. Medina – From The Author/Paperback – 02/08/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Where Dragonflies Dance~
~Available On Amazon~
The Roo
– by Alan Baxter
~Cover by Elderlemon Design – Own/Paperback – 01/28/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Twin
– by Natasha Preston
![The Twin by [Preston, Natasha]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41MzSoKYIFL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/03/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Missing Sister
– by Elle Marr
![The Missing Sister by [Marr, Elle]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41fZBaYjHcL.jpg)
~Cover by – Shasti O’Leary Saudant~
~NetGalley – Release Date Changed To – 04/01/2020~
Star Rating – 2.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Missing Sister~
~Available On Amazon~
The Last Human
– by Zack Jordan
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/24/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Problem Child
– by Victoria Helen Stone
![Problem Child (A Jane Doe Thriller) by [Stone, Victoria Helen]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41A93D666FL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/24/2020~
Star Rating – 2.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Cold Dead Hands
– by Jeff Strand
![Cold Dead Hands by [Strand, Jeff]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51NJj1NAjmL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 11/12/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Stolen Obsession
– by Marlene M. Bell
![Stolen Obsession (Annalisse Series Book 1) by [Bell, Marlene M.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51O7t9je5ML.jpg)
~Amazon Image – BookSirens – 03/20/2018~
Star Rating – DNF
~My Thoughts On – Stolen Obsession~
~Available On Amazon~
The Perfect Mother
– by Caroline Mitchell
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/14/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Perfect Mother~
~Available On Amazon~
A Good Neighborhood
– by Therese Anne Fowler
![A Good Neighborhood: A Novel by [Fowler, Therese Anne]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41u2IXHpzgL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/10/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – A Good Neighborhood~
~Available On Amazon~
The Companions
– by Katie M. Flynn
![The Companions by [Flynn, Katie M.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511bwXNrRgL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/03/2020~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Yellow Bird Sings
– by Jennifer Rosner
![The Yellow Bird Sings: A Novel by [Rosner, Jennifer]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BpDX571RL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 03/03/2020~
~Goodreads – The Yellow Bird Sings~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Disturbing Works Vol. 2
– by Jon Richter
![Jon Richter's Disturbing Works (Volume Two): Another Collection Of Dark Stories by [Richter, Jon]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51AbTAnP0AL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From Blackthorn Book Tours – Own/Paperback -10/31/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Jon Richter’s Disturbing Works Volume Two~
~Reviewing for Blackthorn Book Tours – March 14, 2020~
~Available On Amazon~
The Girl Who Cheated Death
– by Alan Baker
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/23/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Girl Who Cheated Death~
~Available On Amazon~
A Head Full Of Ghosts
– by Paul Tremblay
![A Head Full of Ghosts: A Novel by [Tremblay, Paul]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ddxgGqRDL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Own/eBook – 11/10/2016~
Star Rating – 4.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Turing Revolt
– by Rob Bartlett
![The Turing Revolt: The War Against Infinity by [Bartlett, Rob]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xi6tRgVTL.jpg)
Amazon Image – eBook – 07/31/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Turing Revolt~
~Available On Amazon~
Till The Score Is Paid
– by Gemma Amor
![Till the Score is Paid: 11 Illustrated Horror Stories by [Amor, Gemma]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ACl3CXgOL.jpg)
~Cover Illustrated by – Mark Pelham – 12/09/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Till The Score Is Paid~
~Available On Amazon~
Incident On Ten-Right Road
– by Randall Silvis
![Incident on Ten-Right Road: A Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series prequel novella - And other stories by [Silvis, Randall]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4137D3DE0LL.jpg)
Cover photo by: Johannes Plenio on Unsplash – NetGalley – 06/18/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Incident on Ten-Right Road~
~Available On Amazon~
Dreams Of Fire
– by Christian Cura
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 12/08/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Garden of Bewitchment
– by Catherine Cavedish
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/20/2020~
~Goodreads – The Garden Of Bewitchment~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
When You See Me
– by Lisa Gardner
![When You See Me: A Novel (Detective D.D. Warren Book 11) by [Gardner, Lisa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51LwZDH3TFL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/28/2020~
Star Rating -5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Holdout
– by Graham Moore
![The Holdout: A Novel by [Moore, Graham]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41FW9bjcMhL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/18/2020~
Star Rating –4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Dead To Her
– by Sarah Pinborough
![Dead to Her: A Novel by [Pinborough, Sarah]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41F3e7y4ylL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/11/2020~
Star Rating – 4.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Words I Never Wrote
– by Jane Thynne
![The Words I Never Wrote: A Novel by [Thynne, Jane]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HgQSL1aRL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/21/2020~
Star Rating – 1.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Museum Of Desire
– by Jonathan Kellerman
![The Museum of Desire: An Alex Delaware Novel by [Kellerman, Jonathan]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51klCvAI70L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 02/04/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Museum of Desire~
~Available On Amazon~
The Other People
– by C.J. Tudor
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/28/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Other People~
~Available On Amazon~
We Are Monsters
– by Brian Kirk
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/30/2020~
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
My Best Friend’s Exorcism
– by Grady Hendrix
~Cover Design by – Doogie Horner / Cover Illustrated by – Hugh Fleming – Own Paperback~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – My Best Friend’s Exorcism~
~Available On Amazon~
The Intended Victim
– by Alexandra Ivy
![The Intended Victim (The Agency Book 4) by [Ivy, Alexandra]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51yzsj4IJsL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/31/2019~
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
~Goodreads – The Intended Victim~
~Available On Amazon~
Lullabies For Suffering
Edited by – Mark Matthews
![Lullabies For Suffering: Tales of Addiction Horror by [Kepnes, Caroline, Burke, Kealan Patrick, Iglesias, Gabino, Taff, John FD, Yardley, Mercedes M, Matthews, Mark]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51coD%2B61D7L.jpg)
~Cover Art and Design by – Dean Samed~
~LOOK AT THAT LINEUP AND COVER~
Star Rating – 4.5/5.0
~Goodreads – Lullabies For The Suffering~
~Available On Amazon~
~Lullabies For Suffering: Tales of Addiction Horror~
True Crime
– by Samantha Kolesnik
~Cover by Squidbar Designs – Grindhouse Press – 01/15/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Snowball
– by Gregory Bastianelli
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/30/2020~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Vanished Birds
– by Simon Jimenez
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/14/2020~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Vanished Birds~
~Available On Amazon~
Mr. Nobody
– by Catherine Steadman
![Mr. Nobody: A Novel by [Steadman, Catherine]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510NT3uw-hL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/07/2020~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Better Liar
– by Tanen Jones
![The Better Liar: A Novel by [Jones, Tanen]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51AzQKPpQlL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 01/14/2020~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Network
– by L.C. Shaw
![The Network: A Novel by [Shaw, L. C.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41LfK7TCS2L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/17/2019~
Star Rating – 4.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Treachery
– by S.J. Parris
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/03/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Festering Ones
– by S.H. Cooper
![The Festering Ones by [Cooper, S.H.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Yh5lvkMlL.jpg)
~Artwork by – Elderlemon Design – From The Author – 10/04/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Festering Ones~
~Available On Amazon~
The Possession of Natalie Glasgow
– by Hailey Piper
![The Possession of Natalie Glasgow by [Piper, Hailey]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51REXlmVaTL.jpg)
~Cover by – Eddie Generous – Paperback From The Author – 10/02/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Possession of Natalie Glasgow~
~Available On Amazon~
~The Possession Of Natalie Glasgow~
Behind The Door
– by Mary Sangiovanni
![Behind the Door (A Kathy Ryan Novel Book 1) by [SanGiovanni, Mary]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514Sr5klt5L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Own – 08/28/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Just Watch Me
– by Jeff Lindsay
![Just Watch Me: A Novel by [Lindsay, Jeff]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41B7twg-mSL._SY346_.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/03/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Trace Of Evil
– by Alice Blanchard
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 12/03/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Spy
– by Danielle Steel
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 11/26/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
A Very Scalzi Christmas
– by John Scalzi
~Illustrator – Natalie Metzger – NetGalley – 11/30/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – A Very Scalzi Christmas~
~Available On Amazon~
The Fearing: Book Four – Earth & Ember
– by John F.D. Taff
![The Fearing: Book Four - Earth and Ember (The Fearing Series 4) by [Taff, John F.D.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515BmHcelAL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Publisher – 11/12/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Fearing: Book Four – Earth & Ember~
~Available On Amazon~
~The Fearing: Book Four – Earth & Ember~
The Siren And The Specter
– by Jonathan Janz
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 09/06/2018-
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Siren And The Specter~
~Available On Amazon~
Chills
by – Mary SanGiovanni
![Chills by [SanGiovanni, Mary]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EryaOae1L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 09/27/2016~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Penny For Your Secrets
– by Anna Lee Huber
![Penny for Your Secrets (A Verity Kent Mystery Book 3) by [Huber, Anna Lee]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zZ8-QpGXL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/29/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – A Penny For Your Secrets~
~Available On Amazon~
Dead Leaves
– by Kealan Patrick Burke
~Cover by – Elderlemon Design – Own/Paperback – 10/06/2011~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Like Follow Kill
– by Carissa Ann Lynch
![Like, Follow, Kill by [Lynch, Carissa Ann]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51nxFCdFZqL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/25/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Like, Follow, Kill~
~Available On Amazon~
Her Mother’s Lies
– by Rona Halsall
![Her Mother's Lies: A gripping psychological thriller with a stunning twist by [Halsall, Rona]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41FtVro2%2BWL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/23/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Her Mother’s Lies~
~Available On Amazon~
Pivot
– by L.C. Barlow
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/15/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Midnight In The Graveyard
– Edited by Kenneth W. Cain
![Midnight in the Graveyard by [McCammon, Robert, Monteleone, Thomas, Massie, Elizabeth, Burke, Kealan Patrick, Everson, John, Lutzke, Chad, Meikle, William, Hepler, Jeremy]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51fMR5BkgoL.jpg)
~Cover by – Elderlemon Design – NetGalley – 10/15/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Midnight In The Graveyard~
~Available On Amazon~
Breathe. Breathe.
– by Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 10/09/2017~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Breathe. Breathe.~
~Available On Amazon~
Christmas Sweets
– by Joanne Fluke
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/29/2019~
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
~Goodreads – Christmas Sweets~
~Available On Amazon~
Echoes: The Saga Anthology Of Ghost Stories
– Edited by Ellen Datlow
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 08/20/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Cricket Hunters
– by Jeremy Hepler
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/01/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Institute
– by Stephen King
~Amazon Image – Own/Hardback – 09/10/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
A Lush and Seething Hell
– by John Hornor Jacobs
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/08/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – A Lush and Seething Hell~
~Available On Amazon~
Walk The Darkness Down
– by John Boden
![Walk the Darkness Down by [Boden, John]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41vmRNx8MjL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 07/17/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Walk The Darkness Down~
~Available On Amazon~
The Fearing: Book Three – Air & Dust
– by John F.D. Taff
![The Fearing: Book Three - Air and Dust (The Fearing Series 3) by [Taff, John F.D.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513KT2zpYUL.jpg)
~Cover by – Grey Matter Press – 10/01/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Fearing – Air & Dust~
~Available On Amazon~
~The Fearing: Book-Three – Air & Dust
The Shape Of Night
– by Tess Gerritsen
![The Shape of Night: A Novel by [Gerritsen, Tess]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41xGITGprvL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Net Galley – 10/01/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Shape Of Night~
~Available On Amazon~
The Good Neighbor
– by Cathryn Grant
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/08/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Good Neighbor~
~Available On Amazon~
Lords Of The Deep
– by Tim Meyer & Patrick Lacey
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 03/19/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Lords of the Deep~
~Available On Amazon~
Full Throttle
– by Joe Hill
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/01/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Sangre: The Wrong Side Of Tomorrow
– by Carlos Colon
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 05/31/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
~Sangre – The Wrong Side Of Tomorrow~
Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked
– by Christa Carmen
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 08/21/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
~Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked~
The Ocean Dark
– by Christopher Golden
![The Ocean Dark by [Golden, Christopher]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jcmuicOQL.jpg)
Cover Illustration by: Kealan Patrick Burke (2018)
Cover Design and Setup by Dyer Wilk
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Served Cold
– by Alan Baxter
![Served Cold by [Baxter, Alan]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41cWSWucnWL.jpg)
~Cover Design by – Grey Matter Press -09/17/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
The Art Of Dying
– by Derik Cavignano
![The Art of Dying: A Ray Hanley Crime Thriller by [Cavignano, Derik]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41jh10BtgAL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley -09/20/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Girl On The Porch
– by Richard Chizmar
![The Girl on the Porch by [Richard Chizmar]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vLBgHWHXL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/05/2019~
~Goodreads – The Girl On The Porch~
Star Rating – 2.0/5.0
29 Seconds
– by T.M. Logan
![29 Seconds: A Novel by [Logan, T. M.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41TknAdn7SL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/10/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Swan Song
– by Robert McCammon
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – Original Date – 1987~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Violet
– by Scott Thomas
![Violet by [Thomas, Scott]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41QUqXcWZGL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/24/2019~
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Nightmare Room
– by Chris Sorenson
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 01/25/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Slash
– by Hunter Shea
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/24/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Stoker’s Wilde – by
Steven Hopstaken & Melissa Prusi
![Stoker's Wilde (Fiction Without Frontiers) by [Hopstaken, Steven, Prusi, Melissa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51pGA1nplZL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 05/30/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
In The Scrape – by
James Newman & Mark Steensland
![In The Scrape by [Newman, James, Steensland, Mark]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51pnChi98lL.jpg)
~Cover by – Elderlemon Design – NetGalley – 07/01/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Spicy Constellation & Other Recipes
– by Chad Lutzke
![Spicy Constellation & Other Recipes by [Lutzke, Chad]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510OMK39-aL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Own/Kindle – 05/15/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
~Spicy Constellation & Other-Recipes~
Those Who Came Before
– by J.H. Moncrieff
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 10/24/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Fearing: Water & Wind Book Two
– by John F.D. Taff
![The Fearing: Book Two - Water and Wind (The Fearing Series 2) by [Taff, John F.D.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vobNjRCSL.jpg)
~Cover by – Grey Matter Press – 08/20/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Fearing: Book Two~
~ Available On Amazon~
~The Fearing: Water & Wind – Book Two~
Of Foster Homes And Flies – by Chad Lutzke
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 07/22/2016~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Of Foster Homes and Flies~
~ Available On Amazon~
All Things Lead To The End – by Edward Lorn
![All Things Lead to the End: A Bay's End Omnibus by [Lorn, Edward]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4138ViEUTtL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 07/04/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
The Escape Room – by Megan Goldin
![The Escape Room: A Novel by [Goldin, Megan]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ePhEX2LwL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/30/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – The Escape Room~
~ Available On Amazon~
Labyrinth – by Catherine Coulter
![Labyrinth (An FBI Thriller Book 23) by [Coulter, Catherine]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5101gTdKCKL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/30/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
One By One – by D.W. Gillespie
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 09/26/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Rites Of Extinction – by Matt Serafini
![Rites of Extinction: A Short Novel of Occult Horror by [Serafini, Matt]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41W8rGHQ1QL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 03/30/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Rites Of Extinction~
~ Available On Amazon~
Recursion – by Blake Crouch
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 06/11/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Gwendy’s Button Box
by Stephen King & Richard Chizmar
![Gwendy's Button Box: A Novella by [King, Stephen, Chizmar, Richard]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51loEhMHKbL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Own/Audiobook – 05/16/2017~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Goodreads – Gwendy’s Button Box~
~ Available On Amazon~
The Stranger – By Steve Stred
![The Stranger by [Stred, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51lR76YCQmL.jpg)
~Cover Art by – Chadwick St. John – From The Author~
Star Rating – 3.5/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
We Live Inside Your Eyes
– by Kealan Patrick Burke
![We Live Inside Your Eyes by [Burke, Kealan Patrick]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/411XNvs4yAL.jpg)
~Cover by – Elderlemon Design – Own/Kindle – 04/26/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Terminal – by Michaelbrent Collings
![Terminal by [Collings, Michaelbrent]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51o6wFA4U2L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 08/22/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
The Gordon Place – by Isaac Thorne
![The Gordon Place by [Thorne, Isaac]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41e3DgRV1pL._SY346_.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 04/15/2019~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Cruel Works of Nature – by Gemma Amor
~Illustrated by – Gemma Amor and Mark Pelham – Kindle Unlimited – 09/04/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Skullface Boy – by Chad Lutzke
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 09/14/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Dead Of Night – by C.M. Saunders
~Goodreads Image – From The Author – 10/01/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Fountain Dead – by Theresa Braun
![Fountain Dead by [Braun, Theresa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-2Fd6tLqL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 11/20/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Three Days In Ashford – by Ty Tracey
![Three Days in Ashford by [Tracey, Ty]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41JS6DanzvL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 10/03/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Doggem – by John F Leonard
![Doggem: A Tale of Toy Dogs and Dark Deeds by [Leonard, John F]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51LJ-z0qtcL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Kindle Unlimited – 12/02/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 07/02/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
~Review – WANDERERS by Chuck Wendig~
The Fearing: Book One – Fire and Rain
by John F.D. Taff
![The Fearing: Book One - Fire and Rain (The Fearing Series 1) by [Taff, John F. D.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51WFX6F9b0L.jpg)
~Cover Artwork by – Sabercore Art – From Grey Matters Press – 07/09/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
The Fearing: Book One – Fire & Rain by John F.D. Taff
~Goodreads Review – The Fearing~
The Resurrectionists – by Michael Patrick Hicks
![The Resurrectionists (The Salem Hawley Series Book 1) by [Hicks, Michael Patrick]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/517N4QZ9XJL.jpg)
~Cover by – Elderlemon Design – NetGalley – 06/04/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
‘THE RESURRECTIONISTS is the first book that I’ve read by Michael Patrick Hicks, and one that I enjoyed reading. The one pet peeve I have, is that little is revealed about Salem, the main character, and I found myself wanting to know more about him. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and more books by Hicks, my only problem is, deciding which one to read next. Highly Recommend!’ – D.K. Hundt
The Dead Wake – Vol. 1
by Ellie Douglas
![The Dead Wake Horror Collection Vol 1 by [Douglas, Ellie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/410I34JSkFL.jpg)
~Cover Art – by Ellie Douglas – Own/Kindle – 12/28/2017~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
~The Dead Wake Horror Collection Vol. 1~
Death O Death: Horror Collection Vol. 2
by Ellie Douglas
![Death O Death Horror Collection Vol 2 by [Douglas, Ellie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51F6JKiDLgL.jpg)
~Cover Art – by Ellie Douglas – From The Author – 10/31/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Death O Death: Horror Collection Vol Two – Ellie Douglas
Dreaming At The Top Of My Lungs
– by Israel Finn
![Dreaming At the Top of My Lungs: A Horror Collection by [Finn, Israel]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ACGYOe2cL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – Paperback From The Author – 02/11/2016~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Dreaming At The Top Of My Lungs – by Israel Finn
Darkest Hours – by Mike Thorn
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 11/21/2017~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
The Dark Game – by Jonathan Janz
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/11/2019~
Star Rating – 4.5/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
The Dark Game – By Jonathan Janz
‘THE DARK GAME is the first book that I have read by Jonanthan Janz, the narrative feels like a blending of one of my favorite Stephen King and Agatha Christie novels – Love It!’ – D.K. Hundt
Little Darlings – by Melanie Golding
~Amazon Image – NetGalley – 04/30/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
‘“Mother knows best” takes on a sinister new meaning in this unsettling thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Grimms’ Fairy Tales, and Aimee Molloy’s The Perfect Mother.”
~ Available On Amazon~
Little Darlings – By Melanie Golding
LITTLE DARLINGS is the first book that I have read by Melanie Golding and one I couldn’t put down. I would describe this book as a Psychological Thriller/Folklore, that hooked me in from the very first page and kept me guessing until the very end. Highly Recommend! – D.K. Hundt
Dead of Winter – by Kealan Patrick Burke
~Cover by – Elderlemon – Own/Kindle – 12/15/2010~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Dead of Winter – By Kealan Patrick Burke
She’s Lost Control – Edited by Elizabeth Jenike
![She's Lost Control: The female voice is strong, and will not be controlled by [McHugh, Jessica, Snyder, Lucy A., Wytovich, Stephanie M., Pelayo, Cynthia, Jayne, KT]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41jwiUX3g-L.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From Cynthia Pelayo – 02/26/2019
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Goodreads – She’s Lost Control – My Favorites~
~ Available On Amazon~
She’s Lost Control – Edited by Elizabeth Jenike
To Dream Is To Die: The Dead Dreamer Series
by Sarah Lampkin
![To Dream Is To Die by [Sarah Lampkin]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5154zon1KgL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 10/09/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
To Dream Is To Die: The Dead Dreamer Series – Sarah-Lampkin
The Pale Ones – by Bartholomew Bennett
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 10/17/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
The Pale Ones – Bartholomew Bennett
Garden Of Eldritch Delights – by Lucy A. Snyder
~Cover Art – by Daniele Serra – From The Author – 10/18/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
Garden Of Eldritch Delights – Lucy-Snyder
Cthulhu Wars: In The Belly Of The Beast
– by Ben Monroe
~Cover Art – by Richard Luong – From The Author – 09/10/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~ Available On Amazon~
In The Belly Of The Beast – Ben Monroe
Hell Ship – by Benedict J. Jones
![Hell Ship by [Jones, Benedict J.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61kcRwkOEaL._SY346_.jpg)
~Cover Design by: Vincent Hunt – 08/01/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
SuperNatural: Joyride – by John Passarella
~Cover photograph – by Warner Bros. Entertainment – 10/30/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
Supernatural: Joyride – John-Passarella
By Year’s End: A Year 47 Anthology
~Cover by: Bo Chappell – From The Author – 11/25/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Available On Amazon~
By Year’s End: A Year 47 Anthology
The Unheimlich Manoeuvre – by Tracy Fahey
![The Unheimlich Manoeuvre by [Fahey, Tracy]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51dZk%2BG-1aL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 03/16/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
The Unheimlich Manoeuvre – Tracy Fahey
Rabid Heart – by Jeremy Wagner
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 10/03/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Rabid Heart – Jeremy Wagner
Limbs: A Love Story – by Tim Meyer
![Limbs: A Love Story by [Meyer, Tim]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4135t5rcdzL.jpg)
~Cover Design by – Rachel Autumn Deering – From The Author – 02/09/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Limbs: A Love Story – Tim Meyer
The Auld Mither – by William Meikle
![The Auld Mither by [Meikle, William]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51oYkmw5F8L.jpg)
~Amazon Image- From The Author – 02/20/2019~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
The Auld Mither – By William Meikle
~Available On Amazon~
The Auld Mither – William Meikle
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees – by Steve Stred
![The Girl Who Hid in the Trees by [Stred, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51olk436AtL.jpg)
~Cover art by: Mason McDonald – Paperback From The Author – 02/28/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
The Girl Who Hid In The Trees – Steve Stred
~Available On Amazon~
Tracing The Trails – by Chad A. Clark
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 12/18/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
Tracing The Trails – by Chad A. Clark
~Available On Amazon~
Tracing The Trails – by Chad A. Clark
Shadows At The Door – An Anthology
– by Mark Nixon and Helen Grant
![Shadows at the Door: An Anthology by [Nixon, Mark, Grant, Helen, Cassell, Mark, Long, Christopher, Holt, Kris, Marceau, Caitlin]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518poXxHKtL._SY346_.jpg)
~Illustrated by: Barney Bodoano – 12/14/2016~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
Shadows At The Door – Anthology
~Available On Amazon~
Shadows At The Door: An Anthology
Coyote Songs – by Gabino Iglesias
~Cover art and design by – Matthew Revert – From The Author – 10/31/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Coyote Songs – Gabino Iglesias
The Same Deep Water As You – by Chad Lutzke
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 01/11/2019~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
The Same Deep Water As You – Chad Lutzke
But Worse Will Come – by C.C. Adams
![But Worse Will Come by [Adams, CC]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/410kNsYU3PL.jpg)
~Cover by: Mathew Davis – From The Author~
Star Rating – 5/5*
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
But Worse Will Come – C.C. Adams
Grotesque Souls – by Liam Llewellyn
![Grotesque Souls by [Llewellyn, Liam]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51uQS324JgL.jpg)
~Cover design by: Liam Llewellyn – From The Author~
Star Rating – 3/5*
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Grotesque Souls – Liam-Llewellyn
The Jesus Man – by Keith Anthony Baird
![The Jesus Man: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale of Horror by [Baird, Keith Anthony]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51i7CZsWfYL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 01/04/2018~
Star Rating – 3/5*
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
The Jesus Man – Keith Anthony Baird
Out Behind The Barn – by John Boden and Chad Lutzke
~Cover by – Zach McCain – From The Author – 10/05/2018~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Out Behind The Barn – John Boden and Chad Lutzke
The Mask Shop of Doctor Blaack – by Steve Rasnic Tem
![The Mask Shop of Doctor Blaack by [Tem, Steve Rasnic]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513GYP80RKL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author~
Star Rating – 4/5*
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
The Mask Shop Of Doctor Blaack
~Available On Amazon~
The Mask Shop Of Doctor Blaack – Steve Rasnic Tem
Phantoms: Haunting Tales from Masters of the Genre –
Edited by Marie O’Regan
![Phantoms: Haunting Tales from Masters of the Genre by [O'Regan, Marie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jHiEqDNtL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Publisher – 10/09/2018~
Star Rating – 4/5*
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Phantoms: Haunting Tales From The Masters Of The Genre
The Toy Thief – by D.W. Gillespie
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 10/18/2018~
Star Rating – 3.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
The Toy Thief – D.W. Gilliespie
The Mirror of the Nameless – by Luke Walker
![The Mirror of the Nameless by [Walker, Luke]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51y9xgPU27L.jpg)
~Cover Design by – Graeme Parker – From The Author~
Star Rating – 5.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
The Mirror Of The Nameless – Luke Walker
Heartless – by Tom Leveen
![Heartless by [Leveen, Tom]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-zqyu65tL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Predators – by Michaelbrent Collings
![Predators by [Collings, Michaelbrent]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51R6r9NgYRL.jpg)
~Amazon Image – From The Author – 09/04/2018~
Star Rating – 4.0/5.0
~Posted On Kendall Reviews~
~Available On Amazon~
Predators- Michaelbrent-Collings
‘If my review or the synopsis sparks your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative mind of the author – you may be surprised what you find lurking within.’ – D.K. Hundt
~NetGalley~
~NetGalley~
~NetGalley~
~BookSirens~
~Blackberry Children’s Books~
dkhundt.com 