Archive for October 31, 2018

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #31 ~ Hunter

Posted: October 31, 2018 in horror, reviews, thriller
Tags: , ,
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2018! I did this last year and so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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 Hunter

by James Byron Huggins

39785780

Genre:  Horror / Thriller

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My Review

When will they learn. In the quest to have a longer life, perhaps even immortality, a scientist uses himself as a test subject. It all goes so horribly wrong and now something is out there, threatening all of humanity. A special team of military killers is put together to hunt it down, led by a legendary hunter and tracker, Nathaniel Hunter. Along with his gigantic black wolf, Ghost, they set out to find and destroy a creature that won’t go down without a fight.

I devoured this book in huge gulps. Only stepping away from it to sleep. And then immediately picking it back up to continue. I had to know who would survive. Who wouldn’t. And if they could bring down this monster.

The author gave me this awesome group of characters. Each had their own special hunting skills, from huge guns with grenade launchers and flame throwers to a man wielding a katana with a blade so sharp it could split a hair. But, the creature is force to be reckoned with. He’s come packing too, armed super human strength, long sharp claws to rend you with, a need to kill, and he’s driven by an ancient memory. There’s something he needs and he’ll go through everything to get it. You wouldn’t want to be standing in it’s way.

Egads. There are so many encounters with this creature. It saddened me that so many died heroically while trying to take it down. While I really liked the team, I loved Hunter and his wolf companion, Ghost. They had a special connection ever since he rescued Ghost as a pup. They work as one, always knowing what the other needs. It was glorious. And terrifying. Ghost would do anything for Nate and it scared me to think what would happen when the two huge predators clashed.

I loved Leviathan, another book by this author. It is one I’ve read over and over. Hunter is every bit as good. If you love tons of action, great characters, and a beast that walked out of a nightmare. you’ll want to read this one.

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I happened to catch this eBook on sale for just 99 cents! It’s back up to $6.99 now. What a steal, but I would have gladly paid the full price. I loved it so much I’m going to get the paperback too. It will be a book I return to often and I like those on my bookshelf.

Synopsis

In yet another experiment to extend human life, scientists accidentally tap into the deepest recesses of the human mind and unleash a force that might well be a terrible curse. For in their desire to use a power they did not understand, they unintentionally unleash a force that will spell the end of Mankind if it cannot be destroyed.

Now an infected creature is loose in the Alaskan wilderness, and the America military is forced to ask the world’s greatest tracker, Nathaniel Hunter, to locate the beast and destroy it before it reaches a populated area.

Hunter can track anything, anywhere, anytime. But he is both horrified and shocked as he begins to follow the creature’s bloody path leading directly toward a city. For the beast is both more powerful and more merciless than any animal Hunter has tracked before. In fact, it seems to embody the most ancient and darkest heart of Man – a power that Mankind has always feared as the greatest Beast of Prey.

And as Hunter closes on the beast and the final, bloody battle approaches, he frantically realizes that the scientists may have succeeded all too well in their experiment to extend human life …

For it may have become unkillable.

Amazon / B&N

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The above cover is the one I own.

Here are some versions.

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19092249  17345661

Which do you prefer?

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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The Devil’s Fingers by Hunter Shea ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: October 31, 2018 in giveaways, horror, reviews
Tags: , ,
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The Devil’s Fingers
One Size Eats All #3
by Hunter Shea
Genre: Horror
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My Review
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The story goes like this, a group of friends go camping in the woods. One of them is a botanist and she thinks she knows what the field of foul smelling pods are that they come across. Mind you, she thinks. When a couple slip off during the night to get freaky, they do their thing too close to the pods. Now they them growing on their bodies. And they’re about to hatch.

Ah, Hunter has found a devilish fungus to deter us from ever going in the woods again. It’s always a trip how he uses something genuine and then starts killing off his characters in the most creative, and often times revolting, ways.

I always like how the author gives me character’s that I get frustrated with. Then I don’t feel so bad when they’re killed off.  I want to ask them if they ever watched a horror movie. They should know not to go off alone in the dark. And especially not to have sex. But, that’s what they do and that’s when the fun begins.

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Well, take a gander at the cover for The Devil’s Fingers. Getting the picture yet?

Once again Hunter Shea shocks and awes me with another deliciously horrific tale. I’ll never pass up one of his books. Out of the park with this one, Hunter. Keep em coming.

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Hunter shared this video on Twitter. Did you know Devil’s Fingers are real!
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Enjoy this glimpse inside:
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Carrie’s screams rocketed Autumn’s heart into her throat. A crow big enough to carry a cat in its talons leaped from its perch above their heads, screeching across the blue sky.
“Carrie!” she shouted.
Her friend had forged ahead to take pictures, her passion du jour of nature photography separating her from the group. Autumn Winters had wondered where she’d gone. Now, she just hoped she wasn’t in a ditch or hanging off a cliff.
Like that time in Mexico, she thought, the heavy pack on her back thumping the base of her spine with each footfall.
“Over here,” Carrie called back, her voice coming from a copse of spruce trees to their left.
Latrell sped ahead of Autumn, letting his backpack slip from his shoulders so it wouldn’t hold him back. Carrie’s longtime boyfriend, Dan Waverly, was right behind him. Autumn’s much shorter legs couldn’t keep up with the former college athletes.
She followed their path, branches and weeds swaying from their passing. Veering from the official trail worried Autumn, but nowhere near as much as Carrie’s peal of terror. The gradual uphill climb had seemed so easy, the late spring air just cool enough to make it one of the more pleasant hikes she’d been on. It was amazing how arduous and stifling things got the second they had to sprint like madmen, thorny weeds scratching their legs.
The toe of her hiking boot caught on the underside of an immovable stone. Arms flailing, she twisted her body so she wouldn’t fall on her face.
“Got ya!” Brandon barked as he grabbed hold of her backpack. He held on until she steadied herself. He coughed up half a lung while she caught her breath.
There was no time to thank him. Carrie had grown frighteningly silent and there hadn’t been a peep out of Latrell or Dan.
“Come on,” she said.
“I’ll catch up,” Brandon wheezed.
There were heavy footsteps behind him. He’d be okay.
Autumn weaved her way around the closely packed trees, careful not to clip her shoulders on the sturdy trunks.
“Where are you?” she shouted.
“Over here,” Latrell answered.
Honing in on her fiancé’s voice, she stumbled out of the tree line and into Dan’s wide back. She caught an unwelcome whiff of sweat, her face smooshed into his moist shirt.
Regaining her balance—not that she had any to begin with—she stepped back, noticing that Carrie, Dan, and Latrell were standing alongside one another, hands on their hips, staring at something she couldn’t see thanks to being dwarfed by Dan’s massive shadow.
Latrell took her by the hand. “Look at this.”
Carrie sounded close to tears.
“Are…are they alive?”
Autumn looked across the meadow and fought a sudden wave of dizziness. As far as she could see, the ground was littered with shattered white pods. Sprouting from each pod were thick, pink tentacles. It was like looking at a sea of squid, the underside of each tentacle dotted with wet olive and black spots. Interspersed within them were deathly pale limbs, four or more to a pod, looking too much like severed baby arms for Autumn’s taste.
Autumn hated calamari.
She took a step toward the edge of the meadow. Latrell held her back.
“Don’t go near them.”
“Whatever the fuck they are,” Dan said, putting a protective arm around Carrie.
Crashing in the brush announced the arrival of Brandon, Tina, and Seth.
“That is wild AF. And I haven’t even smoked yet,” Brandon said, peering at the field as if his eyes were deceiving him.
Autumn let go of Latrell’s hand, crouching close to the nearest cluster of skyward-reaching tentacles. It was hard to believe that Autumn, the girl they all called Mighty Mite because her genetics refused to allow her to pass the five-foot mark, was out macho-ing her alpha male of a fiancé. Then again, this was kind of her specialty.
Or it would be in a couple more years.
“Jesus, don’t touch it!” Tina yelped.
Autumn turned to her friends, all of them looking as if they were standing on the precipice of untold horrors. Latrell’s smooth, shaved head ran with rivulets of perspiration. Seth’s hand went to the machete secured at his hip.
“It’s all right,” Autumn said.
“That does not look all right,” Carrie said, her hand on Dan’s chest.
A breeze whispered over the meadow, animating the tentacles as they swayed back and forth. Tina yipped. Brandon pedaled backwards, falling on his ass.
The only thing worse than fried calamari was living calamari. Blinking hard, Autumn willed her mind to just shut up and deal with what was in front of her.
You’re not at Nicky’s Fish Box or lost at sea, dummy. 
Autumn reached into her pocket for the little baggie of nuts she’d packed for quick snacking. Dumping the nuts on the ground, she inverted the bag over her hand.
She reached down, fingers grazing the papery flesh of the tentacle. She plucked it free from the pod. It was almost as long as her forearm, yet weighed next to nothing.
“Don’t bring that thing near me,” Carrie said, cringing.
Latrell’s eyes grew wide. The wind changed direction, blowing Autumn’s long honey hair into her face.
Hands flew to mouths as everyone started choking, Tina making tiny retching sounds.
Uh-oh, Autumn thought. I should have known better. 
The stench rolling off the meadow was impossible to ignore. It hijacked their lungs, nestled into the membranes of their noses, coated their tongues.
A fetid redolence encompassed the campers, the presence of death too much for Autumn to handle. Eyes watering, she dropped the tentacle, hands grasping her knees, stomach heaving.
“Oh my God,” Carrie gasped between gouts of vomit splashing her and Dan’s boots.
She was the first to pass out.
But not the last.
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“Old school horror.” —Jonathan Maberry
WHAT HAS LONG PINK FINGERS AND SMELLS LIKE ROTTING FLESH?
It is a slime-covered fungus known for its pinkish red tentacles and
pungent odor. It is indigenous to Australia but has spread to North
America. Its Latin name is Clathrus Archeri,
also known as Octopus Stinkhorn. Most people call it The Devil’s Fingers . . .
I DON’T KNOW BUT IT’S GROWING ON YOUR NECK.
Deep in the woods of Washington, botanist Autumn Winters stumbles onto a
field of the luridly colored fungi. Two of her fellow campers make
the mistake of touching it. Now it’s growing on them. Fleshy
gelatinous pods. Sprouting from their skin. Feeding on their blood . . .
AND IT’S STILL GROWING.
Autumn watches in horror as her friends are transformed into
monstrosities—grotesque, human-fungal hybrids as contagious and
deadly as any virus. Autumn knows she must destroy these mutations
before they return to civilization. But if there’s one thing that
spreads faster than fear, it’s The Devil’s Fingers . . .
 
 
 
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Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary
movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot would walk past
his house. He’s the author of over 17 books, including The
Jersey Devil (Pinnacle 2016)), Tortures of the
Damned (Pinnacle 2015), and We Are Always
Watching (Sinister Grin). Hunter’s novels can even be found on
display at the International Cryptozoology Museum. The Montauk
Monster (Pinnacle 2014) was named one of the best reads of the
summer by Publishers Weekly. He was selected to be part of the
launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line in 2011 alongside
legendary author Ramsey Campbell. His video podcast, Monster
Men, is one of the most watched horror podcasts in the world. Living
with his crazy and supportive family and two cats, he’s happy to be
close enough to New York City to see the skyline without having to
pay New York rent.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Wicked Harvest ~ Michigan Monsters & Macabre

Posted: October 31, 2018 in giveaways, horror, reviews, Short stories and collections
Tags: , , ,
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wicked harvest banner

 
Why Fall? Why Halloween? Why Michigan? And what does this have to do with these stories and books?
 
Let’s start with the great state of MICHIGAN. I consider myself lucky to have been born and raised in Michigan; a state I consider to be the absolute best in the country.  I was born in Hastings in the early 70s, and then when I was about 18 months old, my mother, sister and I moved to the charming small town of Ionia. My mother was originally from Ionia; in fact, my grandparents owned and operated a locksmith and bicycle business there, started in the 1940s. My child-rearing years were spent living in town, living on a farm and living in a trailer park until I graduated high school. I had a good childhood, a typical childhood where my imagination was able to run wild.
 
Once I became an adult, I moved around quite a bit; Kalamazoo, Lake Odessa, Grand Blanc, Pewamo, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Middleville and on and on. I’ve had the pleasure of driving all over the state visiting beautiful and wonderful towns like Petoskey, Holly, Munising, Harbor Springs, Mackinac City, Lexington, Flint, Fenton, Port Austin, and Grand Haven to name a few. All of these towns have left lasting memories, thoughts and ideas for me because they each offer unique sights, architecture, people and history.
 
Living in Michigan my whole life not only have I seen some amazing cities, towns, parks and beaches, but I have also heard many of its spooky legends, ghost stories and tales about its many haunted locations. I thought to base a series of spooky stories and books that included actual Michigan locations would be an excellent way for me to pay tribute to the people, places and things. As I said, it is the greatest state in the nation!
Nothing on earth gets my mind, body and soul aroused like the season of FALL. I get excited about the three months of September, October and November more than a person probably should (But I know I’m not alone). I look forward to the fall season every year and have since I was very young. And every year and I get asked, “What is it about fall you love so much?”
 
First, I call it fall; always have, always will. Some people call it autumn. I guess it depends on who you ask or where they’re from. I love the word autumn, but most people I know say fall. I guess for me, it doesn’t really matter what you call it, what matters is all that comes with it. It’s a laundry list of things that come with the season that gets me excited and makes everything in the world seem…right.
 
It’s the chill in the air and the crisp clean cool breeze, wearing warm cozy sweatshirts or my favorite flannel shirts, making s’mores over a bonfire with family and friends, drinking cider and eating donuts from a visit to the local cider mills and orchards, picking out those perfect pumpkins at the pumpkin patch to carve Jack O‟ Lanterns or just place as decorations, driving around taking in the sights of the beautiful colored leaves, drinking hot flavored coffee or hot cocoa on the porch, tasting all of the fall seasonal craft beers and hard ciders, the smell of burning leaves and wood burning in fireplaces, not having to deal with those pesky summer bugs, crock pot slow roast dinners, chili cook-offs, and yes, even the pumpkin spice everything!
 
To me, there’s no emotion and sensation like what I get and feel during the fall months. Even though I know the dreaded winter will soon follow. Still, I embrace the season for all it’s worth and bask in the pure comfort on how everything about it makes me feel. I could go on, but I’m sure you understand.
Everyone has their favorite holiday. Sure, I love Thanksgiving for the bounty of delectable food and watching the traditional football game. Christmas with the pretty lights, gifts and more delicious foods and even St. Patrick’s Day isn’t too bad with a cold Guinness in hand. But, for me, hands down, the best holiday is HALLOWEEN.
 
For starters, it’s smack dab in the middle of my favorite fall season. Second, it’s just so much fun, has so much tradition and you get to dress in costume to become anything and anyone you want…even if it’s for just one night. Oh, then third; the candy. Lots and lots of candy! 
 
Yes, even as an adult I like, nope, love the candy.
Granted, I don’t go Trick-or-Treating anymore, but I thoroughly enjoy decorating the house and handing out candy to all the little ones in the neighborhood. And if I have candy left in the bowl at the end of the night…so be it. Halloween is just fun and it can make us all remember what being a kid is all about.
 
I have enjoyed celebrating Halloween since I was a toddler. I love and appreciate the folklore behind it, the traditions, the parties, and the creatures and costumes. I’ve always admired and respected the classic tales of Dracula, Frankenstein and the myths and legends told by friends and family…especially real-life ghost stories. I look forward every year to watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and movies like Sleepy Hollow, Trick R Treat, Hocus Pocus, Young Frankenstein, Underworld, Zombieland, The Lost Boys and so many others. So bring on the bats, skeletons, black cats, witches, Jack O‟ Lanterns, ghosts, ghouls and goblins, and creatures and monsters of all kinds!
So why this book? Why now?
 
When I started writing articles and stories years ago, I never envisioned myself as a horror writer or any kind of scary story writer. Then one day in the fall of 2017 I was talking to my wife and kids about scary stories and then immediately got an idea in my head for one. That idea eventually became the Stone Hollow story. Funny enough, written about the very subdivision that I live in.
 
Once I wrote that first one I got hooked and couldn’t stop writing. The ideas and thoughts were pouring out of my head faster than I could type. I had notepads and pieces of paper strewn everywhere with ideas. I finally created a document called Ideas and it was just that; all kinds of story ideas, characters, partial paragraphs, locations, dialog…everything to keep my thoughts together so I wouldn’t lose them. There’s nothing worse than having a great idea and then forgetting it later.
 
Once I had a dozen full stories together, I wondered what to do with them. I thought about trying to enter writing contests and submit some to anthology books (which I did a few), but then I thought maybe I would just put them in book form and do things my way. My hope was that people would read them and enjoy them as much as I do.
 
Heck, I know there are hundreds of horror writers out there and I know my stories may not be made into blockbuster movies, but I’m going to let my imagination run wild and do the best I can. The plan is to make Michigan Monsters & Macabre a series of books; perhaps 5 to 10…if I’m lucky.
 
…add now it has really got my gears moving and I’m excited not only to write scary stories but to write other short stories and books as well. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me. I better make a few pots of coffee…it’s going to be a long year!
 
 
 
 
Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters and Macabre
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Book One
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Jerrod S. Smelker
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Genre:  Fiction, Horror
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Publisher: Last Leaf Publishing
Date of Publication: Sept 24th, 2018
ISBN:1720157022
Number of pages: 193
Word Count: 36,600
Cover Artist: BookDesign
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My Review
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Being born in Michigan, how could I not try these stories. I’ve always found urban legends fascinating and reading about some centered around cities I’m familiar with was sure to be fun.

There are many stories to savor, from macabre to harrowing. While none of them truly scared me, I pictured a few of these in my mind and wouldn’t want to be in those character’s shoes.

Being brief stories, I liked how they ended. The author introduced his character’s. Set up the why of how they ended up where the were, and then showed how they paid the piper. A few I felt sorry for. Some I felt got what they deserved. And then there were some I thought should have known better. You know those. The ones that go in the basement when they shouldn’t. The one’s that ignore warnings from those who know the skinny. Yep, the ones we call victims.

The author gave me some tasty nibbles and if you like short stories with a few twists, I recommend you take a bite.

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Book Description:
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Welcome to the Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters and Macabre spooky short stories books.
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Inside you will read 10 chilling haunts of encounters with terrifying creatures, cursed fountains, the undead, an abandoned asylum and other creepy and frightening things.
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All stories take place in and around Michigan cities and towns and transpire during the delightful season of fall and the greatest holiday of Halloween.
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These startling tales are fictional stories of course…or are they?
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Amazon
 

 

About the Author:

 

 

 

Jerrod S. Smelker is the owner/operator/writer for Last Leaf Publishing, Our Michigan Travels and Wicked Harvest MI. Author of “Vigilant in Today’s World” series of crime prevention books, “Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre” series of spooky short stories and books and numerous other short stories. He is a proud member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. He grew up in Ionia, a quaint small town smack dab in the middle of Michigan between Grand Rapids and the state’s capital, Lansing. He enjoys history, writing, reading, fine cigars and pipes, craft beers and hard ciders, coffee, and Michigan road trips. He currently lives in Grand Blanc Michigan with his wife, kids and cats.
 

Website / Blog / Wicked Harvest / Facebook / Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.