Archive for the ‘Monday’s Minis’ Category

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills ~ Day #30 ~ My Monday Minis #71 ~ Mechaniclism

Posted: October 30, 2017 in apocalypse, horror, Monday's Minis, reviews
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’ll be sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to

get those scares on for the 31st!

And welcome to my Monday Minis Reviews where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

This one was free on Amazon. Click the cover to grab your copy. Make sure to check the price before clicking.

Mechaniclism

by Lynn Lamb

27221999

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Genre: Apocalyptic Horror

 My Review

This one caught my eye on Amazon and I decided to give the author a try.

What a strangAe and engaging spin to this book. You start with the 1600s and clockmaker Frederick Jori. His work is lauded and comes to the attention of Lord Godwine, who imprisons and tortures him in unimaginable ways to make the automatons he requested. Something Jori claims is an abomination.

Flash forward to present day and Ireland Barton, a smart, accomplished scientist who’s lived her entire life in a bubble because of an immune deficiency that could kill her. She’s sadly left on her own to cope when her father dies from a virus that’s spread across the globe, killing most of civilization.

As the two times blend together, Ireland races to solve the puzzle of the mechanical dolls before all perish.

Each character suffers their own kind of prison. What I liked most was how they weren’t broken. They struggled to accomplish what seemed impossible. And I was held rapt to see what each chapter revealed about their lives.

Well, this was different. At times so gory it made me cringe and at other times intriguing, I couldn’t stop reading it. Even when I felt confused, as the blurb says the times converge, I couldn’t see how that would matter, but I needed to see. The author showed me the way and I sure got an eye opener.

If you like horror, suspense, and a bit of the odd, you might enjoy this one. The writing is strong and, as the author shares each time line, you have no trouble telling when it is or who’s story you’re following. I’m happy I tried this author and will be looking at more of her books now.

  4 Stars

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Synopsis

The Past
In 1632, Lord August Godwine, an Austrian nobleman, commissions Swiss clockmaker Frederick Jori to create a miniature city of automatons to amuse himself and impress the aristocracy. When Jori refuses to commit offenses against God, he undergoes brutal, unimaginable torture until the once-pious craftsman surrenders to his fate. But what he hides in the innocuous-appearing automatons ignites a horrific apocalypse—one that will not be realized for 400 years.
The Present
In 21st century San Francisco, Ireland Barton is a brilliant, successful young scientist, but there is one drawback to her perfect life—she suffers from a rare immune disorder that keeps her confined in a plastic bubble. When a new virus is released on the world, she begins a heart-pounding race to find a cure to save what is left of humanity and battle malevolent forces housed in 17th century figurines.
An Uncertain Future
As two worlds—two time periods—collide, will Ireland unravel the mystery of the dolls before the clock winds down on humanity?

Mature Audience
Please be advised, as the genre states, this is horror fiction.

Amazon

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The first cover is the one I own from Goodreads. This one is from Amazon.

Which do you like better?

Mechaniclism: Apocalyptic Horror by [Lamb, Lynn]

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills ~ Day #16 ~ My Monday Minis #69 ~ The War of The Worlds

Posted: October 16, 2017 in Monday's Minis, reviews, Science Fiction
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Welcome to my 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’ll be sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to

get those scares on for the 31st!

And welcome to my Monday Minis Reviews where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

I’m going to take you back in time. To 1898 and H.G. Wells classic story War Of The Worlds.

The War Of The Worlds

by H.G. Wells

16147181

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Genre: Horror

 My Review

I remember the original movie for this book. It had loads of atmosphere and scared me way more than the more modern one starring Tom Cruise with the techie CG stuff. Mind you, I still enjoyed that one too. And I guess I’m showing my age here when I mention listening to shows on the radio. Not so old that I listened to the original show broadcast in 1938 that caused such a panic. People came into the radio broadcast not having heard it was just a show and actually believed aliens had invaded.  Having read so many books since I first read this and seen so many movies, I figured a reread was in order to see how I felt about it now.

Keeping in mind this was written in 1898, I was surprised by how modern it felt while still feeling like the time it was written in.  I think Wells was a visionary. We hadn’t yet learned to fly and he wrote about Martians in alien space crafts invading our planet.

It’s a thrilling They came, They saw, We conquered story. And I think what made it scarier for me was I kept seeing scenes from the original film while reading it. Towering alien machines that shoot death rays and slithering, ugly aliens. Mr. Wells was one of the great story tellers and I bet he enjoyed scaring the pants off people.

 4  Stars

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Synopsis

With H.G. Wells’ other novels, The War of the Worlds was one of the first and greatest works of science fiction ever to be written. Even long before man had learned to fly, H.G. Wells wrote this story of the Martian attack on England. These unearthly creatures arrive in huge cylinders, from which they escape as soon as the metal is cool. The first falls near Woking and is regarded as a curiosity rather than a danger until the Martians climb out of it and kill many of the gaping crowd with a Heat-Ray. These unearthly creatures have heads four feet in diameter and colossal round bodies, and by manipulating two terrifying machines – the Handling Machine and the Fighting Machine – they are as versatile as humans and at the same time insuperable. They cause boundless destruction. The inhabitants of the Earth are powerless against them, and it looks as if the end of the World has come. But there is one factor which the Martians, in spite of their superior intelligence, have not reckoned on. It is this which brings about a miraculous conclusion to this famous work of the imagination.

Amazon

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The War Of The Worlds trailer from 1953.

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The War Of The Worlds trailer from 2005.

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The War Of The Worlds Radio Broadcast in 1938.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis Reviews #67 ~ Last Chance Motel

Posted: September 18, 2017 in Monday's Minis, reviews, Romance
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Welcome to my Monday Minis Reviews where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

I’ve got a fun summer romance to share today.

Last Chance Motel

A Last Chance For Romance #1

by Abigail Keam

23203591

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Genre: Romance

 My Review

This is such a fun read. I was sucked right in. Might be partially because its set in the south and I’m a southern gal. Plus, I love staying in the quaint family owned motels along the coast.

The divorce was tough on Eva and I admired her pluck. She heads to Key Largo and a brand new beginning, buying a worn down little motel and fixing it up.

The author kept the romance real. With Eva just divorced it wasn’t an instant love thing with her contractor, Mike. In fact, the fun thing about it was Eva didn’t like him at first. Those kind of romances are always a delight to read about. The clashes. The first sparks. It makes finding out if they get together or not that much more fun. Especially after Eva’s ex shows up with divorce remorse.

As the motel took shape, it was fun to learn of Eva’s ideas for it and how she puts her own signature on things.

A sweet, fun beginning to the romance series. If you like them light and humorous, this is one for you. Perfect for reading by the pool or a cold winter’s day when you wish for summer to come.

There are four more books in the series and each can be read as a stand alone. Different characters wind up at the Last Chance Motel and we get their stories.  I’ll be grabbing them too.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Eva Hanover – a brilliant career, a gorgeous brownstone in Brooklyn, and a sexy husband. Or, at least, she thinks so. In a wink of an eye, Eva’s husband leaves her. She loses the brownstone and her career. With only the clothes on her back, she flees cold New York for the sunnier climate of Key Largo.

As Eva puts it, her marriage went south and so does she. Stuck in Key Largo, it is sink or swim for the devastated Eva. Starting over is hard for anyone, but Eva wonders if she can. Determined to make a new life, Eva buys a rundown mid-century motel and renovates it. She hires Mike Bishop for her general contractor, but from the very beginning they cross swords of how to remodel the Last Chance Motel. It irritates Eva that many of Mike’s ideas are betters than hers. It couldn’t be that Mike bothers her because he is handsome, sexy, and rugged, could it? Eva needs a handsome and sexy man around her like she needs another hole in her head. Yet, she finds herself drawn to Mike and is grateful for his help.

In the midst of the motel’s renovation and her growing feelings for Mike, her ex-husband shows up and begs for her forgiveness, saying the divorce was a mistake. He wants her back.

What is Eva to do? Does she throw in the towel on the motel and go back to her ex, or does she stick with the renovation and Mike? One thing Eva does know, as the Last Chance Motel comes back to life, so does she. Step by step, Eva is determined to find purpose and happiness in life again. The question is how and with which man?

Amazon

Check out the other books in the series. I just love the sassy, colorful covers and can’t to read them too!

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis Reviews #63 ~ Guarded and Bound ~ Two Urban Fantasy Reviews

Posted: July 31, 2017 in Fantasy, Monday's Minis, reviews, urban fantasy
Tags: , , , ,
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Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.

It’s time for some urban fantasy. Carmen Fox has a thrilling series, The Silverton Chronicles, and today I’m sharing the first two books, Guarded and Bound.

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Guarded

The Silverton Chronicles #1

by Carmen Fox

25688183

Genre:  Fantasy / Urban Fantasy

 

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My Review

This book was a blast. You have humans, vampires, werewolves, fae, demons and so on, all butting heads. There’s so much going on. So many different agendas. And a whole lot of surprises in store for you.

And then there’s the characters. too many to focus on just one or two. I can say that I really liked the friendship between Ivy and Florian. They are so opposite. Florian is a guy and he’s more concerned with fashion than a lot of women, whereas Ivy is all business. As things get going, they all get caught up in the action. The dialogue is very well written. And the snark had me snorting.

There’s some love interests too. The blurb might have you thinking there’s a love triangle, which I sometimes find annoying, but there isn’t one here. And while the romance isn’t the main focus, it sure adds some hilarious moments with Ivy and spices things up.

I think what I appreciated most was how easily the story flowed and how visual it was. It’s almost like you can see everything as it happens. I even had some idea of what I thought the characters should look like, which added to the fun.

A solid beginning to the series, and I’m on to the next one.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

When everyone’s existence depends on the lies they tell, trust doesn’t come easy.

Ivy’s neighbors have a secret. They aren’t human. But Ivy has a secret, too. She knows. As long as everyone keeps quiet, she’s happy working as a P.I. by day and chillaxing with her BFF Florian, a vampire, by night. When a routine pickup drops her in the middle of a murder, her two worlds collide. While Florian knows how to throw a punch, deep down he’s a softie. His idea of scary? Running out of hair product. It’s time Ivy faced facts. Even with a vampire on stand-by, one gal can only kick so many asses.

For help, she must put her faith in others. A human, who might just be the one. A demon, who will, for a price, open the doors to her heritage. And a werewolf, who wants to protect her from herself.

Torn between these men, Ivy must tread carefully, because one wants her heart, one wants her body, and one wants her dead.

Amazon / B&N

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Bound

The Silverton Chronicles #2

by Carmen Fox

29996760

Genre:  Fantasy / Urban Fantasy

 

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My Review

I adored Florian when I met him in the first book, Guarded. He’s a bit nutty and naive, has a healthy dose of charm, and is loyal to a fault. It’s fun that he now gets his own story, his time to shine.

In the first book, Florian was quirky and flamboyant, yet at loose ends. Now he’s found his place with the werewolves, but what happens when it’s discovered he’s a vampire? The pack might make an example of him. A wicked mess, and all in the name of love.

On top of that, a pack consisting of all females enters their territory and they’ll not be bossed around by a bunch of males. Tempers flare and it takes determination and finesse for Keely, their pack leader, to get Parker and his pack to not come in and try to claim them. These female wolves have been through some horrendous treatment by male leaders and want to find their own males.

This is where it gets sticky for Flo. He’s on Keely’s side, is juggling the situation with his own pack, and his Sire has shown up wanting to reunite the family. He’s old style vampire and sees Flo’s life as nonsense.

There’s more action, romance, and some consequences in this second book.  I’d recommend reading Guarded first so you have a feel for who’s who and you can dive right in and just enjoy the ride. A great follow up and I’m hoping there’s more to come.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Bound by blood. Bound by loyalty. Bound by love.

Florian has it all: excellent fashion sense, a kickass job with his best friend, and a hard-won place among Silverton’s werewolves. When a pack of females pads into their territory, Flo’s alpha dispatches him to handle a merger. Total cakewalk. Except Keely, their alpha, has no intention of submitting her wolves to Flo’s larger pack. Worse, a single glance from her baby blues sends his eloquence on vacation and his heartbeat into overdrive. His flirtations seem welcome too, but there’s a snag. She doesn’t know he’s a vampire.

While Flo struggles with his conflicts–obey his alpha or win over Keely–his estranged sire blasts into town with a catalog of radical ideas. And hanging out with unsophisticated werewolves didn’t make the list.

With violence in the air and all sides testing his loyalties, Florian must bite back, even if showing his fangs costs him the girl.

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis Reviews #61 ~ Zombie Beach and The Mike Beem Chronicles

Posted: July 3, 2017 in Monday's Minis, reviews, Short stories and collections, Zombies
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Zombie Beach: The Mike Beem Chronicles by [Renfro, Anthony]  The Mike Beem Chronicles: 6 Tales of survival, hope, and the zombie apocalypse by [Renfro, Anthony]

Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.

I’ve read a bunch of Anthony’s books and his stories showcasing Mike Beem are among my favorites.  Zombie Beach and The Mike Beem Chronicles are up for pre-order on Amazon and they’re killer.

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Zombie Beach

by Anthony Renfro

Zombie Beach: The Mike Beem Chronicles by [Renfro, Anthony]

This short story is told in two parts.

Part 1: Mike and Captain

On the Coast, Mike runs into an old Sea Captain and they form an instant bond. Mike learns of Captain’s boat and his son and daughter-in-law. Captain is desperate to get off Carolina Beach, but there is a problem (and it is a big problem) the town is swarming with zombies. Mike decides to help the old man fight his way through the hordes in order to gain safe passage on his boat.

Part 2: Mike and Myrtle Beach

Alone again. Mike finds an old motel on the South Carolina coast and decides to call it home. While rebuilding his life and motel he meets some new friends, fights off countless numbers of zombies, and settles into his new life by the sea.

Amazon: US / UK / AU / CA

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My Review

I’m always excited to read more about Mike Beem. He’s often bumping into new people, some good, some deadly. And he does what he has to in a calm manner, mostly. You don’t want to rattle his cage though. Then he’s as deadly as the bad guys he comes across and leaves death in his wake.

Zombie slaying is his game and he does it without flinching. It’s when people enter the mix that Mike gets sidetracked. This is where I warn you to get ready for blood and guts and some sad times. It’s an apocalypse after all and not everyone can make it through.

There are plenty of cringe worthy scenes and some glimpses at happy endings, maybe. Another winner from Anthony and I hope you give it a go. I’d recommend you read the previous stories about Mike, but you can read and enjoy this without having done so.

5 Stars

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Check out this glimpse inside

Mike Beem lowered his rifle, put his right eye on the scope, and closed his left eye. The zombie he was about to shoot was an ugly sucker. He was currently hanging ten on a tall gigantic wave. The zombie surfer was riding a long board, wearing red flowered swimming trunks, and a tee shirt with a dirty smiley face on it. His shirt and shorts along with his thin long blonde hair were flapping in the breeze as he sailed down the wave at top speed.

Poof!

The zombies head exploded leaving only a ragged stump shooting blood up into the air. The headless body surfed for a moment or two before tumbling into the crashing wave.

“Why’d you do that?” A voice behind Mike asked, an older voice full of age and salty wisdom. He sounded like a man who had sailed the sea for most of his adult life.

Mike turned around to face him, lowering his rifle.

“Just saying, he wasn’t hurting anybody,” the old guy replied, leaning on a wooden cane with a silver metal ball on the top of it. His long white hair and soft white beard reminded Mike of his own granddad who had died when he was just a boy.

“I found this silencer, and I just wanted to try it out,” Mike replied, reloading his gun. “Besides, one dead zombie is one less zombie in this world as far as I’m concerned. Don’t care if it’s a threat or not.’”

“Got a name, son?”

“Mike Beem, you?”

“Most folks call me Captain, and I’m fine with it,” the old guy replied, as a cool blast of air pushed back his long hair. “Storm’s moving in. Going to be a nasty one.”

“I had the same feeling,” Mike replied, scanning the late afternoon sky filling up with grey storm clouds.

“That your truck?” Captain asked, nodding towards the 1955 Chevy.

“It was,” Mike replied, turning to face the machine, which was currently sitting perfectly positioned in a parking spot. Pieces of zombies where sticking out of the smoldering radiator, including one complete head with the eyes still looking around, mouth chomping away. “Parking lot was full of corpses. I had to get down to the beach somehow.”

“Guess so,” Captain replied, thinking this Mike guy wasn’t exactly all there. “How about a hot meal and a place to rest your head?”

Mike looked up and down the empty beach, across the decaying splintered boardwalk and the buildings now falling into disrepair. His decision was a quick easy one to make. “Sure, lead the way, Captain,” he replied, climbing down off the bench he’d been standing on. He slung the rifle over his shoulder, picked up his small bag of personal items, and then set off after the old man.

Anthony shares about his books

If you haven’t read the rest of the Chronicles you can get all of them along with this story at the links below. What are the Mike Beem Chronicles? The Mike Beem Chronicles are a series of short stories that I wrote involving a character named Mike Beem. They are stories about hope, survival, and people trying to keep humanity alive in a world filled with the living dead. Descriptions for all six stories in this collection flow below. Enjoy.

The Mike Beem Chronicles

The Mike Beem Chronicles: 6 Tales of survival, hope, and the zombie apocalypse by [Renfro, Anthony]

A Zombie Thanksgiving: A short story about a woman who risks life and limb in a Zombie Apocalypse in order to keep the Thanksgiving tradition alive.

A Zombie Christmas: This short story is about three men who risk life and limb in a Zombie Apocalypse in order to bring happiness to surviving kids on Christmas Morning.

A Zombie New Year’s Eve: This short story is about Becky and Joe who are separated in a Zombie Apocalypse and risk life and limb in order to reunite for their New Year’s Eve kiss.

A Zombie Christmas 2: A boy lost. A family desperate. It’s Christmas in a Zombie Apocalypse and Mike Beem is once again aiming for another Holiday miracle. His goal this year isn’t toys for the kids in the neighborhood. His goal this time is trying to save one small life so another family doesn’t have to suffer the way he suffered.

Flesh for the Zombies: When Mike Beem’s community is savagely attacked, he must exact revenge on those who wronged him. He must put aside all the good he has ever accomplished in order to become someone else. A man without a moral compass. A man without right or wrong. A man who is a cold blooded killer. Will he get his justice or will he die trying? The answers lie within the pages of this short story.

Zombie Beach: Mike Beem has given it all up and run off to live by the beach. Life down on the coast isn’t all that it should be. Days of lying in the sun are replaced with brutal survival. Mike does his best to not only survive, but to rebuild a life among the ruins of these beach side towns.

Amazon: US / UK / AU / CA

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My Review

Of all of Anthony’s characters, I have to say that Mike Beem is my favorite. When I was first introduced to him he won my heart with his unending compassion for people in the horrific events of the zombie apocalypse. He went beyond what anyone could expect to try to make things as safe as he could while also trying to bring back some wonderful traditions.

But alas, no good deeds went unpunished as I learned how bad things got for Mike and how disillusioned he became. Now he’s wandering on his own, looking for purpose and dreaming of a time when things will be better.

Along the way he crosses paths with some desperate people, and though he’s reluctant to get involved, he lends them a hand, risking his life to help them and perhaps find his purpose.

Anthony has made Mike a flesh and blood man. One you might call a reluctant hero. I’m always glad to run into him again, and would be happy to have him by my side in dark times. He’s gentle yet aloof, and dangerous like a rattlesnake when provoked.

I felt for Mike in the encounters revealed in this series. The author puts him in some tough situations, throwing zombies into his path at every turn. It’s gory to the nth, but I was ready for it. Characters die at alarming rates and I try not to get too attached to them. I’m still caught off guard at times, surprised by who dies and who survives. It’s not always a familiar character, but you are made to connect with them quickly and feel the loss. A great talent of Anthony’s.

Lovers of horror, zombies and genuine characters should check out the Mike Beem Chronicles and meet the man.

5 Stars

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis Reviews #60 ~ Eenie, Meenie and The Curse Of The House On Cypress Lane

Posted: May 22, 2017 in horror, Monday's Minis, Mystery, reviews
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19129810  35075721

Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.

These are some twisted ones for fans of horror.

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 Eenie, Meenie

  by Willow Rose

19129810

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Genre: Horror

My Review

You expect trouble in a juvenile detention center. What you don’t expect is the old “an eye for an eye” adage to rear its ugly head. Someone is doling out punishment and the bad boys may just have it coming.

I really enjoyed this dark story. It wasn’t too long and had just enough suspense and mystery to keep me reading straight through. The author quickly fleshed out her characters and the fun part was being torn between liking them and loathing them. They were all bad boys and some were extremely dangerous. Still, I connected with some and felt sorry for them.

It was also fun to imagine which punishment would be doled out to each criminal. What would the punisher do to a thief? A rapist? An abuser?

And I had a time trying to figure out who the punisher was. Was it one of the boys? A guard? Or someone that was snuck in? Right until the end I didn’t have a clue. And when I did finally find out, it was a shocking reveal.

Watch out for the ending. It’s sudden and oddly satisfying.

  4 Stars

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Synopsis

Johnny is a criminal. He has been locked up before – but never in a place quite like this. Now he wonders if he will ever make it through to his release date – alive…

EENIE, MEENIE is a 15,000 word thriller novella from Willow Rose, author of the International Bestselling horror-series starring the Danish reporter Rebekka Franck. It is not for the faint at heart.

EENIE, MEENIE is also included in Willow Rose’s short-story collection called Horror-stories from Denmark.
This ebook also includes an excerpt from her novel One, Two … He is coming for you the first book in her Rebekka Franck series.

Amazon

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 The Curse Of The House On Cypress Lane

Book 0 : The Beginning

  by James Hunt

35075721

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Genre: Mystery / Horror

 My  Review

I enjoy watching B Movies, especially the creepy ones on the Scy Fy Channel. This would be a good one to watch.

A husband struggling to find a job and support his family gets a dream job. Only hitch is they have to uproot and move to the bayous of Louisiana. They can’t believe their luck and are astonished at the nice digs the company provides for them. If only they had known its history.

It started off fast, I became attached to the characters, which are well developed, and quickly got the creepy vibes. Probably because of the opening scene. It gives you an idea of what might be coming.

The plot gets going and weird and creepy stuff happens. This I really enjoyed visualizing. The only hitch is there were a couple of plot holes that weren’t taken care of and I was a bit confused with the ending. But I’d read more by this author and I think this story has more coming and maybe things will be revealed.

 3 Stars

Synopsis

There sits a large house on Cypress Lane in the small town of Ocoee, Louisiana, and its history is intertwined with the town itself. A feud was born within its walls, and it is there where it will die. The Cooley family finds themselves in the middle of a fight that started long before they arrived. Will they make it out alive, or will they become another casualty in the fight between the living and the dead?

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis #58 ~ Ararat and Origin ~ Scary is as scary does

Posted: May 1, 2017 in horror, Monday's Minis, thriller
Tags: , , , , ,
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Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.

It appears the devil is running loose on fuonlyknew. I just read two books that pertain to Satan. They both have similar and then not so similar plots and both scared me but good.

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 Ararat

  by Christopher Golden

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Genre: Horror / Thriller

My Review

So the story goes….An avalanche on Mount Ararat opens a fissure, revealing what could be Noah’s Ark. People go in the fissure. Inside the ancient ship is a sarcophagus. Inside it is something not human. A grotesque withered figure with horns.  People start experiencing hallucinations and nightmares. Could the thing be a demon? Could it’s evil be tainting the cavern and everyone in it? Once people start disappearing and dying, one thing is certain. Whatever it is, it doesn’t want them to leave.

Best thing about this one was how quickly you get thrown into the intrigue. The character’s are well fleshed out and the atmosphere builds. I found myself thinking about this scenario. What if it did happen. What would I do.

I’m also always drawn to frozen settings. It isn’t bad enough that something is trying to kill you. Throw in the frozen tundra and things get much worse.

A quick start and nonstop intrigue and action made this a very fast read. I finished it in one sitting.

  4 Stars

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Synopsis

When a newly engaged couple climbs Mount Ararat in Turkey, an avalanche forces them to seek shelter inside a massive cave uncovered by the snow fall. The cave is actually an ancient, buried ship that many quickly come to believe is really Noah’s Ark. When a team of scholars, archaeologists, and filmmakers make it inside the ark for the first time, they discover an elaborate coffin in its recesses. The artifact tempts their professional curiosity; so they break it open. Inside, they find an ugly, misshapen cadaver—not the holy man that they expected, a hideous creature with horns. A massive blizzard blows in, trapping them in that cave thousands of meters up the side of a remote mountain…but they are not alone.

Amazon

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 Origin

  by J.A. Konrath

6414121

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Genre: Horror / Techno Thriller

 My  Review

So, back in the early 1900s something is discovered. The powers that be decide we shouldn’t know about it and the secret is passed on from President to President.

Finally, after over 100 years of studying their discovery, it recently woke up.  New people are drawn into the big secret and things quickly get out of control.

I found myself very intrigued by the plot. It would be awful to be trapped underground with something ancient and evil through and through. As the characters fall for it’s trickery, they meet some bloody ends.

I’d love to see this as a movie. The action is relentless and the author pulls no punches when throwing horrific things in your path. Watch out for ceiling vents and corners. You never know what’s waiting to jump out at you.

Chilling reading served up just the way I like it.

4 Stars

Synopsis

Thriller writer J.A. Konrath, author of the Lt. Jack Daniels series, digs into the vaults and unearths a technohorror tale from the depths of hell…

1906 – Something is discovered by workers digging the Panama Canal. Something dormant. Sinister. Very much alive.

2009 – Project Samhain. A secret underground government installation begun 103 years ago in New Mexico. The best minds in the world have been recruited to study the most amazing discovery in the history of mankind. But the century of peaceful research is about to end.

Because it just woke up.

Book Description

When linguist Andrew Dennison is yanked from his bed by the Secret Service and taken to a top secret facility in the desert , he has no idea he’s been brought there to translate the words of an ancient demon.

He joins pretty but cold veterinarian Sun Jones, eccentric molecular biologist Dr. Frank Belgium, and a hodge-podge of religious, military, and science personnel to try and figure out if the creature is, indeed, Satan.

But things quickly go bad, and very soon Andy isn’t just fighting for his life, but the lives of everyone on earth…

ORIGIN by J.A. Konrath
All hell is about to break loose. For real.

Amazon

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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My Monday Minis Reviews #57 ~ My Delicate Destruction

Posted: April 17, 2017 in Monday's Minis, reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: , , , ,
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Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.

I decided it was time to read some more science fiction. I won My Delicate Destruction by Jillian Ashe in a giveaway. Actually, I won the first two books and will share my review of Book Two, Riding On Whispers, on next weeks Monday Minis Reviews.

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My Delicate Destruction

The Wolfegang Series #1

by Jillian Ashe

31280291

Genre: Science Fiction

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My Review

Katerina and her twin brother, Kris, both have a fatal type of cancer. With a new drug called Hope, they just might have found the cure. Only drawback, they will have to sleep, frozen, for two years. They jump at the chance. The year is 2016.

Over 500 years later, Kat awakens to a strange new world. It appears they were assumed dead after a great earthquake, but signs show Kris awoke and was now gone. As she navigates the new world, she discovers Kris made some enemies and fled to another planet. Hiding her past, she manages to get a ride on a ship and sets off to find him.

I was surprised how quickly I fell into this story. Kat won me over with her sense of adventure and her fierce dedication to finding her brother. As I learned more about why her brother fled, the story deepened.

While categorized as science fiction, the world building isn’t bogged down in detail. You easily get the picture. The pace is fast. The characters drive the story and those that enter the story as Kat finds her way are varied and interesting. And there’s secrets demanding answers that keep you anticipating what comes next.

I should warn you though. The ending is rather abrupt and it’s obvious you’ll have to read more of the series to wrap things up. I look forward to that.

4  Stars

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Synopsis

They Promised her Hope…

My name is Katerina Anderson. In 2016, a drug called Hope was created. Administered during suspended animation, the drug was supposed to cure the cancer my twin brother and I had. When an earthquake leveled Los Angeles, we were presumed dead.

Forgotten, we slept.

The day I woke up, I realized everything had changed. My brother was missing, and everyone else I knew was dead. I booked passage on a ship to find Kris. The government thinks I’m a criminal and the cure did more than just cure my cancer. My brother is the only one who might have the answers I need, but that drug and all its false hope set me on a path I’m not sure I can follow.

Will I find my twin and learn exactly what they did to me before it’s too late?

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis Reviews #56 ~ Beautiful Broken Girls and The Roanoke Girls

Posted: April 10, 2017 in Monday's Minis, Mytery/Thriller, reviews, YA
Tags: , ,
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Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.

For today I’ve got two books about sisters and cousins. Both of these were much anticipated and didn’t disappoint.

Beautiful Broken Girls

by Kim Savage

29102879

Genre: YA Mystery

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My Review

Mira and her sister, Francesca, never stood a chance. Everyone watches them. Wants to touch them. Wants something from them. That they end up drowned in the quarry, apparently having both committed suicide is such a tragedy. As Ben, the only one who got close to Mira, follows notes left behind by Mira, you too will find out just how tragic their suicide was.

The hardest part about reading this book wasn’t knowing the ending from the start. It was wanting to change it. To save these two sisters. So lost. So….broken. They reached out to me from the pages and I felt so sad for them. As I learned more about their lives, I couldn’t see it ending any other way though.

The writing is compelling. The plot is an intriguing journey you share with the characters. And the ending is surprising and satisfying at the same time.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Remember the places you touched me.

The parts of Mira Cillo that Ben touched are etched on his soul.

Palm. Hair. Chest. Cheek. Lips. Throat. Heart.

It was the last one that broke her. After her death, Mira sends Ben on a quest for notes she left in the seven places where they touched—notes that explain why she and her sister, Francesca, drowned themselves in the quarry. How Ben interprets those notes has everything to do with the way he was touched by a bad coach years before. But the truth behind the girls’ suicides is far more complicated, involving a dangerous infatuation, a deadly miracle, and a crushing lie.

Amazon

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The Roanoke Girls

by Amy Engel

30689335

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

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My Review

This is a convoluted mystery with dark undertones. Talk about a dysfunctional family. Lane had good reason to run far, far away from her grandparents house, Roanoke. Now, years later she must return to discover what happened to her missing cousin, Allegra. Memories return along with fear and anger. Lane is in danger of losing herself  as much as her life.

The whole time I was reading this it felt gothic. It’s not though. I believe it was what was occurring at Roanoke that made it feel that way to me. As I learned the dark history of these people, I squirmed. It wasn’t pretty.

Lane was my hero. When it looked like she might get lost in the past, she shook herself off and took care of business. I had all kinds of feels for her situation.

Where the author’s story really shines is with her characters. They’re authentic. You don’t have to like them. In fact, some you’ll loathe. But they’re well fleshed out and their stories will suck you in.

Looking for something to get lost in for a few hours? Grab this one. You’ll not want to stop once you start

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die.

After her mother’s suicide, fifteen year-old Lane Roanoke came to live with her grandparents and fireball cousin, Allegra, on their vast estate in rural Kansas. Lane knew little of her mother’s mysterious family, but she quickly embraced life as one of the rich and beautiful Roanoke girls. But when she discovered the dark truth at the heart of the family, she ran fast and far away.

Eleven years later, Lane is adrift in Los Angeles when her grandfather calls to tell her Allegra has gone missing. Did she run too? Or something worse? Unable to resist his pleas, Lane returns to help search, and to ease her guilt at having left Allegra behind. Her homecoming may mean a second chance with the boyfriend whose heart she broke that long ago summer. But it also means facing the devastating secret that made her flee, one she may not be strong enough to run from again.

As it weaves between Lane’s first Roanoke summer and her return, The Roanoke Girls shocks and tantalizes, twisting its way through revelation after mesmerizing revelation, exploring the secrets families keep and the fierce and terrible love that both binds them together and rips them apart.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

My Monday Minis Reviews #55 ~ Flesh For The Zombies

Posted: March 20, 2017 in horror, Monday's Minis, reviews
Tags: , , ,
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Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews, mostly, about books I’ve read.

For today I’ve got another chapter in the story of Mike Beem. If you’ve read Anthony Renfro’s other zombie books, you’ll recognize him. If you haven’t read them, no worries, as the stories can stand alone.

Flesh For The Zombies

by Anthony Renfro

34514131

Genre: Horror

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My Review

I’m a fan of short stories and zombies so it was an easy decision for me to read this book. Plus, I’ve been following the story of Mike Beem from the first book the author wrote about him.

Mike Beem is a hero, but he doesn’t think so. He thinks he’s just a man doing what anyone would do to help people and survive the zombie apocalypse.

Things are looking pretty good for the community. They’ve managed to build some kind of life. But it doesn’t last. A darkness comes calling and tragedy strikes. Seeing the destruction and loss of loved ones and friends, Mike snaps. The question isn’t just whether he’ll get his revenge, it’s also, will he be recognizable afterwards.

Anthony is a master at making his characters three dimensional with just a sentence or two to describe them. They become living characters that you can see and come to care about. Or despise, depending on their demeanor. I should know by now that not everyone can live in a zombie apocalypse. It’s horror, after all. But, it gets me every time when someone I only got to know for a brief time, dies. That’s how quickly you can become attached to them.

What happens to Mike’s community is so terribly sad. What Mike does to right the wrong is horrific. I hate that Mike has to go where he does. I can’t see a happy ending. And, if he survives, what he will be afterwards is a looming question as you read this short story.

Big feelings in a short bite of horror.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

When Mike Beem’s community is savagely attacked, he must exact revenge on those who wronged him. He must put aside all the good he has ever accomplished in order to become someone else. A man without a moral compass. A man without right or wrong. A man who is a cold blooded killer. Will he get his justice or will he die trying? The answers lie within the pages of this short story.

Amazon: US / UK / AU / CA

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

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