Archive for the ‘Short stories and collections’ Category

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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The Tent

by Kealan Patrick Burke

17839402

Genre:  Horror / Short Story

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My Review

While browsing my Kindle for something creepy to read I came across this book. What? A Kealan Patrick Burke book that has been hiding from me. I’m sure you know what happened next. I immediately started reading it.

We begin with an old man and his dog on a porch. The quiet is shattered by the dog’s piercing barks. It won’t shut up so the man enters the woods to see what’s what. There, he finds a tent, and the story truly begins.

Being told from two perspectives, that of the man and that of a family of campers, worked great for me. I wanted to know what would happen to the man and his dog, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened to the not so happy couple and their boy.

There’s a reason scary stories are told around campfires. One, to scare you. Two, to warn you not to go camping. And Kealan gives us an all new monster to worry about.

I loved this spooky tale. Would have loved it as a longer book too. The attention to detail, character development and atmosphere of doom was just right. No easy thing with fewer words. The author did it so well.

Grab your insect repellent and join us around the campfire. Just ignore the rustling sounds from the woods. I’m sure you parked your tent in the permitted area.

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Synopsis

The perfect getaway…

The perfect place to hide…

Hocking Hills, Ohio is an oasis for campers, hikers, nature enthusiasts, and for those who just want to get away and lose themselves in the wild.

And as long as you follow your guide’s advice and stay within the permitted areas, you can expect to survive the night.

Because deep within the dark woods, something insidious awaits, something few have ever seen, something ancient, unknowable, and insatiable.

If you go down to these woods today, you won’t live to see the sunrise…

A brand new novella from the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of THE TURTLE BOY and KIN.

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

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The above cover is the one I own.

Here is a newer version.

36465049

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.

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.

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!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

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!

~~~~~

Doorbells At Dusk

Edited by Evans Light

40542827

Genre:  Horror

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My Review

I would have grabbed this collection just because of the creepy cool cover. But I didn’t. I grabbed it because I love spooky and this has some of my go to authors in it. Also some new ones I want to try.

I was hooked right by the third paragraph in the first story. If the scene had been from a movie I would have done a double take and said what the???? This is also when I knew it was going to be a late night. No way could I stop at just one. So I read several. And then some more. And that’s how it went until I finished them all.

I go into collections figuring I probably won’t love every story. And I won’t play favorites here. I can tell you that I enjoyed all of them, with many standing out from the pack. And now I have some new authors to keep my eye on.

If you like unpredictable, monstrous and out and out terrifying stories, then you’ll want to read these.

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Synopsis

Halloween has always gone hand-in-hand with horror. The holiday gives many children their first taste of terror, the discovery and overcoming of fears. For those who find they love a good scare, that first taste can grow into a voracious appetite.

That might be why you’re looking at this book right now. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Doorbells at Dusk is a treasury of brand-new Halloween tales from both modern masters and rising stars of dark fiction, horror and suspense.

These are the thrills you crave, packed into a collection of stories that’s pure Halloween.

Carve your pumpkins and turn on the porch light, Halloween frights begin with the sound of…DOORBELLS AT DUSK.

Featuring stories by

Charles Gramlich

Curtis M. Lawson

Amber Fallon

Evans Light

Josh Malerman

Jason Parent

Chad Lutzke

Gregor Xane

Ian Welke

Thomas Vaughn

Sean Eads & Joshua Viola

Adam Light

Joanna Koch

Lisa Lepovetsky

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

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!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

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!

~~~~~

The Sea Was A Fair Master

by Calvin Demmer

40033777

Genre:  Horror / Short Stories Collection

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My Review

There’s a slew of short stories in this collection. Some are only a couple of pages long. But don’t let that fool you. Each of these has a beginning and end, with some very nasty surprises for you.

With so many stories, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy them all, but I did. They left me wrung out emotionally, had me leaning towards my Kindle, apprehensive but unable to stop reading, and even had me leaning away, seriously creeped out.

The words atmospheric, malevolent, evil and ominous are just a few words that could describe this experience. There’s also poignant and romantic. Whether you enjoy straight out horror or something a little more, a little strange, I’m sure you’ll find something in here you’ll like.

I can appreciate the author who tackles short stories. To get you to connect to the characters and story with a slim amount of words can’t be easy. Calvin Demmer “mastered” this art and I’m glad I got to read these.

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Synopsis

The world’s fate lies with a comatose young girl; an android wants to remember a human she once knew under Martian skies; men at sea learn that the ocean is a realm far different from land, where an unforgiving god rules; a school security guard discovers extreme English class; and a man understands what the behemoth beneath the sea commands of him.

The Sea Was a Fair Master is a collection of 23 stories, riding the currents of fantasy, science fiction, crime, and horror. There are tales of murder, death, loss, revenge, greed, and hate. There are also tales of hope, survival, and love.

For the sea was a fair master.

Amazon / B&N

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I own the eBook with the cover shown above. Here is the copy for the paperback.

Which do you like more?

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

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!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

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!

~~~~~

Little Black Spots

by John F.D. Taff

41100259

Genre:  Horror

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My Review

When I took a gander at the cover art for this, I had a bit of an idea what was waiting inside for me. Well….I thought I did.

This collection took me all over the pace. Most of these stories really cranked my tractor. Really hit the horror radar. Purple Soda Hand, The Depravity Of Inanimate Things and The Bunny Suit, for instance. A few started to go right over my head. I almost missed the point. Probably not the author’s fault as I stayed up way too late reading these, so I set these aside and started up again the next day. And some were almost poetic, surreal in the best way. The sense of wrongness was palpable. However you like your horror, it’s in here.

 I’m really glad I got my hands on these. There’s nothing like a little horror with a reality check included to make me a happy camper.

Did I enjoy this book? Certainly. Any fan of horror will find something to like in these pages. Would I read this author again? You know it. Whether more short stories or a full length novel, I’d dive right in.

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Thanks so much to Author John F.D. Taff and Grey Matter Press for a complimentary review copy.

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Synopsis

First he gave us LITTLE DEATHS: THE DEFINITIVE EDITION. Then he unleashed his unique brand of pain in THE END IN ALL BEGINNINGS.

Now Bram Stoker Award-nominated John F.D. Taff – modern horror’s King of Pain – returns with LITTLE BLACK SPOTS. Sixteen stories of dark horror fiction gathered together for the first time, exposing the delicate blemishes and sinister blots that tarnish the human condition.

From a man who stumbles on a cult that glorifies spontaneous human combustion, to a disgraced nature photographer who applies his skills for a vile outcome.

Where a darkened city parking structure seems malevolently alive, and a Halloween costume has a husband seeing his wife in a disturbing new light.

When a ruined man sees far too much of himself in his broken family, and a mysterious bottle of liquid arrives with a deadly secret inside.

Little Black Spots is a beacon shining its light into some of life’s most shadowy corners, revealing the dark stains that spatter all mankind.

The next collection of horror from Bram Stoker Award-nominated John F.D. Taff, LITTLE BLACK SPOTS will be published worldwide on September 18, 2018.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

.
The 12 Terrors of Christmas
by Claudette Melanson
Genre: Horror Short Stories
 
Award-winning author Claudette Melanson offers eleven new and original stories to
make your skin crawl at any time of the year. This horror anthology
also includes an original short by Amazon International Best-Selling
Author, Lynn Lamb, titled “Bring Me Flesh and Bring Me Wine.”
A special bonus story is also included by Melanson, “Mislead,”
previously published only on the Halloweenpalooza blog. Grab a cup of
cocoa and make sure the windows and doors are locked tight as you
settle in by the fire to enjoy these tales of terror, but be
warned…locks have never succeeded at keeping Santa from gaining
entry. If you enjoy a slice of horror with your holiday cheer, this
collection of Christmas horror shorts will satisfy all your dark
cravings during the holidays…and beyond.
Terror One: 
Who is Santa really? Does something sinister lurk beneath the red suit
and apple-cheeked visage? More importantly, what does Santa want for
Christmas?
Terror Two: 
It is said that every wish bears a cost…even a wish of good intent.
What do Detective Talbot and his son, Mallory, stand to lose when the
pair seek to right a wrong on Christmas Eve?
Terror Three: 
Christmas can be a time for great joy…but also for heart-wrenching regret.
Can the magic of Christmas Eve turn back the clock before time runs
out for Morana and her family?
Terror Four: 
Snow falls white and clean, seeming to purify the small town of Moon,
Pennsylvania, but the woods behind Vaughn’s home have taken on a
sinister cast. The snow keeps falling in record-breaking depths, but
does evil lay hidden beneath its seemingly-innocent luster? 
Terror Five: 
As his elves scurry to fill the toy orders for the busy season, unknown
terror creeps toward the workshop intent on releasing an evil meant
to cancel Santa’s yearly deliveries forever.
Terror Six:
 A well-meaning elf casts a spell which could inadvertently reveal the
dark truth about Santa’s workshop and its inhabitants. The world’s
children may end up paying a terrifying price, proving that the path
of good intention oftentimes does indeed lead to hell.
.
.
Terror Seven: 
A scary twist on a classic Christmas poem
Terror Eight: 
Santa’s sleigh plummets to the ground, tearing all hope of a merry Christmas
to bits and pieces. Will the elves be able to employ enough magic to
stitch together some sort of solution? Or will their efforts only
deliver greater horror and loss?
Terror Nine:
 Trinette is preparing to celebrate her first Christmas in love. Her boyfriend
says he found the perfect gift for her, but beneath the shiny red
paper and ribbon lies a secret he’s kept hidden during all the months
of their courtship…
Terror Ten:
 The world’s population explosion means business is booming at Santa’s
workshop, with the need to expand making a difficult excavation below
the permafrost necessary. But the elves should use caution lest they
dig up an evil best left buried.
Terror Eleven:
 A special holiday treat for Maura DeLuca fans! Riptide ended on a happy
note, but how did Maura’s extended family celebrate Christmas? Could
it be that the holiday didn’t quite play out the way the vampires planned?
Terror Twelve:
 It’s a dangerous time to call oneself a non-believer. Those who scoff at
Santa’s existence are melting all over the world. But could the
benevolent head elf turn out to be the murderer?
Vampires, ghosts, demons, elves, werewolves, serial killers and a rampaging
Krampus are just a few of the monsters creeping amongst the pages
of 
The 12 Terrors of Christmas.
Are you brave enough to venture inside to experience the flip side of
the typical Hallmark-themed Christmas?
 .
.
.
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My Review
.

A Christmas stocking stuffed with chilling tales or were-deer, zombie elves, all manner of scary beings and a Santa like no other. It sure puts a new light on the holiday and being naughty or nice.

I enjoyed all of these. And I also liked how some of them connected to each other. While they didn’t particularly scare me, the author sure put a wicked fun spin on some legends.  I’d like to see several of these as full length stories. Especially one on how Santa came to be what he was.

If you’re a fan of short stories and holiday horror, these would be some tasty nibbles for you. Be careful though. It’s not all sugarplums and gaily wrapped presents. Some of these bite back.

.
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Claudette Melanson writes dark fantasy, horror and children’s books in
Kitchener, Ontario with seven bun babies at her side: Tegan, Pepper,
Butters, Beckett, Sansa, Daenerys & Caramel. She graduated from
Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English, BS in
English Education and an MA in Literature. Harboring a deep
admiration of vampires since the age of five left her with the desire
to eventually become one, and now fuels the creation of her favorite
paranormal characters. She hopes to one day work full time as an
author, since there are many, many stories playing out inside her head.
Inher very scant spare time, she enjoys watching Japanese Anime and
reading vampire stories…along with other genres of great fiction,
as well as riding every roller coaster she encounters in both her
hometown and away at signings. An advocate for good health and
ketogenic eating, her favorite foods are bulletproof coffee,
cashew-flour crust pizza and treats made with xylitol and almond,
coconut or cashew flours.
Future dreams include a cabin boasting a roaring fire, isolated inside a
snow-filled wood in the Yukon—the perfect writing spot—and the
completion of dozens of future novels and stories. A Rabbit Rescue
fanatic and loving bunmom, she also hopes to help rescues all over
the world save many innocent lives.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter 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.

Anthony Renfro has just released a new batch of short horror stories all in one book!

Check out Nightlight Tales #2.

This is FREE right now on Amazon.

Click on the cover to grab your copy!

ANTHONY Nightlight Tales 2 - High Resolution.jpg

 

Description

The Headless Fountain Man: A simple photo. A quick snap shot. One woman’s perfect picture is about to become her scariest nightmare.

Fear of the Scarecrow: This short story is about a desperate man hungry for revenge. Sometimes revenge comes with a price.

It Sleeps at Dawn: A short story about a Vampire who stalks the Appalachian Mountains. A traditional Vampire who uses fangs instead of guns. He hunts. He kills. He sleeps at Dawn.

The Dead of Winter: This short story is about an apocalyptic nightmare in a crisp frozen landscape filled with winter and living corpses.Two men try to find safety in this dead world. Hoping to ride out the night. Hoping to find warmth and shelter. Hoping not to become food for the zombies.

Gluten-Free: Death by Gluten? One man commits suicide in a most unusual way.

The Lot: A Christmas Tree lot isn’t all it seems to be. It hides evil deadly secrets.

The Dragon: A simple machine. Able to answer requests. Able to play music. Able to turn on lights and answer questions. Fun and enjoyable technology, but what happens when this machine is able to manifest actual things. In this short story two guys worst fears will come to life.

Webs: A pyramid in the deep dry desert. What secrets lie within its walls? One explorer is about to find his greatest desire and his worst nightmare inside this ancient artifact.

Gas Station of the Dead: This short story is about a former tanker truck driver who decides to use his skills to deliver gas to those in need during the Zombie Apocalypse.

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 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.

 

Excerpt from The Headless Fountain Man

 Kim was approaching the annual Canadian Comicon when she was startled by a headless statue sitting inside a large silver fountain. This statue had black Chuck Taylor’s on its feet, red socks on its bare ankles, blue jeans, and was wearing a tee-shirt that read “Water you looking at.”  She took out her camera and instead of taking pictures of the various people in cos play costumes (Star Trek, Star Wars, and Frozen seemed to be the lead choices, Frozen, weird, I know, but hey it is a Comicon), she decided to take a picture of this statue, sitting there on its butt, dressed like it was heading for a skateboarding convention, with no head on top of its body. Its head had been replaced with a large white geyser of water that sailed into the air and splashed all over the headless figure and the ground around it.

Her finger froze before she took the shot, something about this statue felt all wrong, something about it didn’t seem right. She focused the lens, and thought she saw the statue raise an arm and wave at her. She paused, and pulled the camera away from her face, opening both eyes. She looked at the statue in the dusky light. It was still sitting there spewing water from its neck, arms and legs unmoving. She shook off the goose bumps, raised the camera to her eye, and snapped the shot. Then she snapped a couple more because you didn’t know which one would be the money shot, best to have backups.

Purchase Links Amazon: US / UK / AU / CA / Author Page

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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.

Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today I’m sharing a couple of spooky fun children’s books and an interview with Author Terri Bertha!

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Interview with Author Terri Bertha

Where did the idea for Spooky Twisties come from?

I started Spooky Twisties with one story about a group of kids that go out to play their annual game of ghosts in the graveyard. After reading it to critique groups and others, I was encouraged to write more. The ideas for the other stories come from everywhere, as I observe people and kids, listen to conversations and think of weird “what if” scenarios to what I notice around me.

Did you create any of your characters based on someone you know?

No, not really, but my characters are a mishmash (composite) of people’s personalities I’ve met or observed.

Do you have a writing routine and where do you do most of your writing?

I normally like to write early morning at home, when my mind is fresh. Very rarely would you find me up late at night writing. It just doesn’t flow then.

What kind of books did you enjoy as a young reader?

During grade school summers, I enjoyed making trips to the local library for Agatha Christie books, loving her mystery plot twists, and the book “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Along with Christie’s books, I was also attracted to scary psychological thriller TV shows such as The Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Older, I enjoyed Edgar Allen Poe, James Patterson and Stephen King.

And five fun shorts:

Favorite movie? It’s a Wonderful Life

Dog or cat person? Dog (especially the Labrador retriever), but have owned both dogs and cats. We have a 5 year old fox red lab named Dexter.

Favorite beverage? A nice glass of dry red wine or a good strong cup of coffee

Cake or pie? Definitely pie. Always requested a lemon meringue pie for my birthday instead of cake.  Also enjoy coconut cream and apple.

Any Phobias? I don’t do well with heights, and I like to have my “space” around me standing in lines at the grocery store or movies.

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Spooky Twisties I

13 Tales Of Terror

by Terri Bertha

38493491

Genre: Middle Grade / YA / Supernatural

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My Review

I flew through this collection. I’m a fan of short stories and children’s scary books. Some of these were quite short. Some were longer. They go from creepy to kind of dark. Nothing so dark I wouldn’t recommend to young readers.

 The author had a great idea when she had the characters enter into each others stories. The cast seems normal enough. A group of neighborhood kids hang out together. Do what kids do. Then there’s those ones that make you pause. Something isn’t quite right about them.

I grew up on a dead end street. All of us kids hung out together. Got into trouble together. But never did we have anything happen like what happens to these kids. Good thing too, or I’d need some professional help. LOL Seriously though, you might think there’s no way these kids could handle what goes down, but kids can surprise you. I believe they accept the strange and scary much better than us adults.

On a lighter note, the author dribbles in some fun dialogue and humorous scenes. The character’s feel genuine as kids say and do the funniest things.

Spooky Twisties is the perfect title for this book full of unexpected and surprising endings. Several of them had me sitting back thinking I never saw that coming.

I’d recommend this to young readers and adults. Fans who  enjoy tales similar to R. L. Stine’s Goosebump books will get a kick out of these.

Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas

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Synopsis

Lindsay, Nick, Chris, Amy, and Paul are just a few of the kids in the neighborhood that enjoy each other’s company, hanging out together. From the usual antics that preteens enjoy, like playing in the graveyard, trick or treating, and celebrating birthdays, the kids find themselves in some unique situations that lead to unexpected ending twists.

Spooky Twisties I offers 13 tales of terror that will grab you from the start, and leave you with chilling surprise endings.

Adventures are speckled with humorous dialogue to frightening calls for help in working through their series of unusual encounters. Even though the chapters have individual story lines, many are intertwined with characters that are not so likable. For instance, Creepy Guy and Dan the Security Guard seem to have a ‘fixation’ for Lindsay and Amy who are best friends. Then there is old Mrs. Miller who appears to have lived on the street forever, but has found a secret to anti-aging. ‘Easter eggs’ or ‘hidden references’ mesh, and just when you think you’re headed towards a ‘fairy-tale’ ending, a strange unforeseen chilling conclusion occurs leaving the reader saying, “I didn’t see that happening!”

No happily ever after endings here.

Amazon / B&N

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Spooky Twisties II

13 Tales Of Terror

by Terri Bertha

38349097

Genre: Middle Grade / YA / Supernatural

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My Review

I really enjoyed the first Spooky Twisties collection and had even more fun with this next batch. It’s one weird thing after another with a humorous twist thrown in. Think Sand Lot with a spooky twist. Things that go bump in the night instead of a huge dog chasing you.

The author is up to her usual antics. The character’s are interwoven into each other’s stories. They have to deal with some strange goings on. And the endings are never what you expect.

And the book cover. How could young horror fans resist. As a young girl I spent hours in the library looking for covers like this. Then I’d race home and lose myself in the creepiness. Couldn’t resist them then and still can’t now.

I had such a blast with these stories. And I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite. They were suspenseful with just the right amount of spooky for the younger reader. Made me wish my son was still little so we could read them together. I did the next best thing. I had him read them after I was finished and we compared our favorites. It made me want to read them all again.

Creative. Spooky. Humorous. Unpredictable. Perfect ingredients for fun.

Star Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-MasStar Yellow Christmas Star Christmas X-Mas

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Synopsis

What happens when your average suburban town becomes a nexus of the paranormal and occult and no one told you about it?

Spooky Twisties II is the second book in the Spooky Twisties Series offering 13 standalone yet interconnected ‘scary’ short stories continuing the supernatural adventures of Amy, Nick, Chris, Lindsay and their friends.

Follow the horror and humor as the kids encounter and work through more unexplainable weird events in what was once an ideal normal community. From deciphering an old map and learning about an old town rumor, finding a briefcase of money, babysitting a small boy who has some strange habits, and being revisited by ‘old friend’, lead the tweens into some bizarre, creepy dilemmas. The kids also learn that magic sets and items bought from the town psychic have greater powers than what they originally imagined.

‘Easter eggs’ or ‘hidden references’ tie these tales together along with ‘twisted’ endings, leaving the reader saying, “I didn’t think that was going to happen!”

Don’t be afraid, as I’ll hold your hand and together we’ll re-enter their Spooky world, with a Twist!

Amazon / B&N

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Author Terra Bertha

Terri Bertha

Terri Bertha is author of the Spooky Twisties Series for Middle Grade/YA. Each book consists of thirteen interconnected stories which follow a group of friends as they navigate their way through supernatural events in an idyllic community during the course of a ‘normal’ day. A mix of horror, humor and ‘twisted endings’ make for fun and entertaining reading.

Terri has lived her entire life in the rolling hills and three rivers of western Pennsylvania and the majority of her working years as a Systems Engineer for a large corporation. When her sons were born, she took a hiatus from work, and tutored math and reading while being a substitute teacher in local schools. She returned to the workforce and retired a few years ago.

Besides writing, Terri enjoys watercolor painting, sketching, puzzles, exercising, and golf.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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My Favorite Story Podcast Anthology
Genre: Horror Short Stories
 
Project Entertainment Network Presents… My Favorite Story
Fifteen podcast hosts and authors share their favorite short story
they’ve ever written…
Spirits by James A. Moore
Two strangers brought together by tragedy are haunted by ghosts of the past.
The Tin Box by Kelli Owen
After the death of their grandma, siblings make a macabre discovery amongst
her belongings. Some secrets were meant to go to the grave…
Short Straw by Jay Wilburn
After drawing the short straw, the youngest son is delegated to wake every
year to monitor his sleeping family after an apocalypse forced them
into bunkers. But there’s something else out there…..with claws.
The Rag and Bone Man by John Urbancik
The Rag and Bone Man wanders—buying, selling, finding and collecting.
He always has what you need. He always finds what he wants. Or does
he have what you want and finds what he needs?
The Priest by Jaimie Engle
A fallen angel hopes to redeem himself and battles demons in a western
town so he can return to Heaven one day.
Seven Eight One Five Four by Amber Fallon
Some habits are hard to forget…even when you’re undead.
Kins by Mary SanGiovanni
Reality takes a dark twist for one man once the mannequins start appearing…
Rainforest of Bones by Armand Rosamilia
A reporter searches out a missing professor deep in the jungles of
Brazil – where the skeleton in his closet told him to go.
Put On a Happy Face by Christopher Golden
A clown’s wish to be the funniest clown in the circus has dire
consequences.
Mr. Giggles by Frank J. Edler
In the realm of demons, their boogeyman wants a hug and is called Mr.
Giggles.
M.EN.TOR. By Thomas R. Clark
An injured soldier gets an experimental chip implanted in his brain with
homicidal tendencies.
I Sing A New Psalm by Brian Keene
A man asks the question of how God can give love only to take it away,
and he decides on terrible and violent answer.
Dandelion Yellow by Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi
When a young girl can’t find her favorite yellow crayons, the world
takes on a dark and disquieting cast.
Dead Beckoning by Chuck Buda
A young man challenges demons to a game of poker with his friend’s
life up for bet.
Pegleg and Paddy Save the World by Jonathan Maberry
The Great Chicago Fire wasn’t caused by the cow…..they were trying to
kill what ate the cow.
 
 
With over a dozen diverse podcasts and growing each month, our aim at P.E.N. is to offer great content for listeners for free. With
podcasts on horror writing, publishing, interviews, pro wrestling,
heavy metal, bizarre fiction, the occult, cooking, book reviews,
radio dramas, horror films and so much more… we want to be your one stop for excellent podcasts!

So grab your headphones and listen in! All the cool kids are doing it!

JAMES A. MOORE
is the author of over forty novels, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, Blood Harvest, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) Cherry Hill, Alien: Sea of Sorrows and the Seven
Forges series of novels. He has twice been  nominated for the Bram Stoker Award and spent three years as an officer in the Horror Writers Association, first as Secretary and later as Vice
President. 
Never one to stay in one genre for too long, James has recently written epic fantasy novels in the series SEVEN FORGES (Seven Forges, the
Blasted Lands, City of Wonders and The Silent Army). He is working on
a new series called The Tides Of War. The first book in the series
The Last Sacrifice, came out this last January and the sequel, Fallen
Gods, is due out in late December. Pending novels also include A Hell
Within (a Griffin & Price Novel) co-written with Charles R.
Rutledge and an apocalyptic Sci-Fi novel tentatively called Spores.
Why be normal?
Being a confirmed Luddite, he is working up the nerve to plunge completely
into the electronic publications age.
Along
with Christopher Golden and Jonathan Maberry, he is one of the Three
Guys with Beards.
 
 
 
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kelli Owen
now lives in Destination, Pennsylvania. She has attended countless writing conventions, participated on dozens of panels, and has spoken at the CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA regarding both her writing and the field in general. Her fiction leans toward thriller and quiet horror, with an occasional bloodbath and even rarer happy ending.

Her podcast is called the Buttercup of Doom.
 
 
 
 
 

Jay Wilburn is an author of horror and speculative fiction that lives in coastal
South Carolina near Myrtle Beach. He is doing very well following a life-saving kidney transplant. He taught public school for sixteen years before becoming a full-time writer. His signature series is the Dead Song Legend Dodecology.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Writer. Photographer. Adventurer. Man.
John Urbancik, author of Stale Reality and The Corpse and the Girl From Miami, has written three series of Inkstains stories and hosts a podcast, also
called Inkstains, on the Project Entertainment Network. His first novel came out in 2002, and he’s still fighting to become an overnight success. He also takes pictures.
 
 
 
 
 

 
Like stepping into a living dream, Jaimie Engle writes visually stunning fiction where magic turns ordinary into extraordinary. She loves weaving lore into her stories and taking her readers on wondrous adventures. Engle is a cosplayer,  podcaster, entrepreneur, and speaker at schools, conferences, and colleges across Florida. She is the creator of Wick Books(tm), story-scented candles based off scents from her novels so readers can fully immerse in the experience of her books. She once danced in the Aloha Bowl, won the Miss Hawaiian Tropics bikini contest, and even ran a body
shop. Today, she drinks coffee, plays trivia, and spends time with her husband, two kids, and hound dog.
 
 
 
Amber Fallon lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two dogs. A techie by day and horror writer by night, Mrs. Fallon has spent time as a bank manager, motivational speaker, produce wrangler, and butcher. Her obsessions with sushi, glittery nail polish, and sharp objects have made her a recognized figure.
Amber’s publications include The Warblers, The Terminal, Sharkasaurus,
Daughters of Inanna, So Long and Thanks for All the Brains, Horror on the Installment Plan, Zombies For a Cure, Quick Bites of Flesh, Operation Ice Bat, and more!
Listen to her podcast, It Cooks!, on the Project Entertainment Network.
 
 
 
Mary SanGiovanni is the author of a number of novels including THE HOLLOWER TRIOLOGY (the first book of which was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award), THRALL, and CHAOS, and the novellas FOR EMMY, THE FADING PLACE, and POSSESSING AMY. Her short fiction has appeared in periodicals and
anthologies for the last decade. She has a Masters degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, Pittsburgh. She is currently a member of The Authors Guild, The International Thriller Writers, and Penn Writers, and was previously an Active member in the Horror Writers Association and the Garden State Horror Writers. She lives in New Jersey with her son and her cat.
 
 
 
 
 
Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida, where he
writes when he’s not sleeping. He’s happily married to a woman who helps his career and is supportive, which is all he ever wanted in life…
He’s written over 150 stories that are currently available, including 
horror, zombies, contemporary fiction, thrillers and more. His goal is to write a good story and not worry about genre labels.  
He not only runs two successful podcasts…
Arm Cast: Dead Sexy Horror Podcast – interviewing fellow authors as well as filmmakers, musicians, etc.
The Mando Method Podcast with co-host Chuck Buda – talking about writing
and publishing
But he owns the network they’re on, too! Project Entertainment Network
He also loves to talk in third person… because he’s really that cool.
 
 
CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the New York Times bestselling author of such novels as Ararat, Snowblind, Tin Men, The Myth Hunters, Wildwood Road, The Boys Are Back in Town, The Ferryman, Strangewood, and Of Saints and Shadows. He has also written books for teens and young adults, including
Poison Ink, Soulless, and the thriller series Body of Evidence, honored by the New York Public Library and chosen as one of YALSA’s Best Books for Young Readers.
Golden co-created (with Mike Mignola) two cult favorite comic book series, Baltimore and Joe Golem: Occult Detective. As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Seize the Night, The New Dead, and Dark Cities, among others, and has also written and co-written
comic books, video games, screenplays, a BBC radio play, the online animated series Ghosts of Albion (with Amber Benson), and a network television pilot. A frequent speaker at conferences, schools, and libraries, Golden is also co-host of the podcasts Three Guys with Beards and Defenders Dialogue, and the founder of the Merrimack
Valley Halloween Book Festival.
Golden was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. His original novels have been published in more than fourteen languages in countries around the world.
 
 
Frank J. Edler
My mother was an alien and my father was a lamp post. I was fed a steady dose of soap bars as a child as punishment for my foul mouth and incessant pranks. Little did anyone know the soap only made me stronger, faster, more agile. My brain filled with bubbles that were 99.9% pure. It was an amazing time. I left the city and moved out to the country where I heard tell there is an amazing banana bread store. I never found it, but I did find love. I loved that tuna sandwich like no other and we were married on the Fourth of July, just like Tom Cruise in that one movie about said date. It was a magical time but alas was not meant to be. I ate it. I tried to move
on, writing books and sharing them with the local townsfolk. They would tell me to shut up and make sure I flushed before I left. Never once did I wash my hands like the signs demanded. So here I am, dirty
handed and telling my tales. Wanna hear one?
 
 
Tom Clark is a writer, and a veteran internet journalist and podcast producer. His work has been seen in websites such as This is Infamous and Rue Morgue, among other freelance outlets. He currently produces podcasts at Project Entertainment Network, including his shows: the long running heavy metal and horror themed the Necrocasticon, and the Curtain Jerkers, a comedic take on pro wrestling podcasting. Tom’s debut novella, “Good Boy” will be self published and available through all your
digital reading outlets in 2018. Tom and his wife live in the wilds of upstate New York, cohabiting with a pair of Jack Russell Terriers and their pet rabbit.
 
 
 
 

BRIAN KEENE is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, The X-Files, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including a World Horror Grand Master award, two Bram Stoker awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

 
 

Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi has Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Journalism, and History. She has 20 years of experience in the communication fields and is currently a writer, a journalist, a publicist, and an editor among many other things. She is the mother of three school-aged children and a cat. She lives with her family in rural Ohio nestled in the forest—a place just ripe for nightmares. Her passions are reading, writing, book hunting, hiking, and entertainment such as movies/film, television, and music. Oh, and she bakes, because you can’t do any of that without cookies.

Erin is a co-host with her Marketing Morsels segment on Project Entertainment Network’s The Mando Method, an award-winning weekly podcast for new and veteran writers.  Breathe. Breathe., published by Unnerving, is her debut collection and a mix
of dark poetry and short stories. She will also be featured in the upcoming anthology from Unnerving called Hardened Hearts coming in at the end of 2017. Many other works in various genres are in progress as well.

 
 
Chuck Buda explores the darkest aspects of the human condition. Then he captures its essence for fictional use. He writes during the day and wanders aimlessly all night…alone.

Chuck Buda co-hosts The Mando Method Podcast on Project Entertainment Network with author, Armand Rosamilia. They talk about all aspects of writing. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.You can find The Mando Method Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher and most other places where podcasts are available. 

 
JONATHAN MABERRY
is a New York Times best-selling and five-time Bram Stoker
Award-winning author, anthology editor, comic book writer, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing
teacher/lecturer. He was named one of the Today’s Top Ten Horror Writers. His books have been sold to more than two-dozen countries. 
He is one third of the hirsute pop-culture podcast THREE GUYS WITH BEARDS, along with Christopher Golden and James A. Moore. Their guest include authors, actors, and filmmakers.
 
 
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive guest posts and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter 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 love Anthony’s stories and have read and shared a bunch of them. He’s got a new release you should check out.

Like your horror in smaller bites? The Dragon will do the trick. And it comes with a couple of bonus stories too!

The Dragon

With Bonus Stories

by Anthony Renfro

dragon anthony renfro

Synopsis

What happens when they ask The Dragon to summon a demon? A simple machine. Able to answer requests. Able to play music. Able to turn on lights and answer questions. Fun and enjoyable technology, but what happens when this machine is able to manifest actual things. In this short story two guys worst fears will come to life. 


Bonus Short Story: Webs
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A pyramid in the deep dry desert. What secrets lie within its walls? One explorer is about to find his greatest desire and his worst nightmare inside this ancient artifact.
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Bonus Short Story: The Headless Fountain Man
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A simple photo. A quick snap shot. One woman’s perfect picture is about to become her scariest nightmare.
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Enjoy this excerpt from The Dragon
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Pat followed, looking around at the huge house, no, not looking, gawking would be the appropriate word. The place was huge with a dining room filled with a table that could sit twenty, a library full of books (some rare, some new), and further down the massive hallway with the vaulted ceilings stood four more rooms, all of them hidden behind closed doors. They opened each closed door, and found bedrooms with full baths behind them. They moved on, stopping at the end of the hall when they reached the staircase.

“Would you look at that?” Doug replied, as he stepped onto the bottom part of it. He ran his hand over the ivory railing, and eye balled the expensive carpet that covered each step.

“I bet this place has at least ten rooms in it.”

“Probably more if you consider the attic and basement,” Doug replied, shining his light up the curved staircase. He couldn’t see beyond the curve, but he knew there was another massive amount of space lurking upstairs.

Pat started to move. “Come on, let’s see what’s at the end?”

Doug followed, and at the end of the hall they found a kitchen big enough for a hotel. It was covered with cabinets and hanging cookware, all kinds of cookware, from cast iron to copper bottom. They took a few moments to raid the pantry and fridge, both of which had lots of supplies in them. It was the packaged food and cold beer that both boys took advantage of. They were under 21, but just above the age of 18 so the alcohol was the real treat. After pounding back a few beers, Doug got up to go find a bathroom and on his way back to the kitchen he stumbled upon The Dragon.

“Look what I found,” Doug replied.

“Is that one of those Dragon things that work only with your voice?” Pat asked, standing up, stumbling over to where his friend was standing.

“I wonder if the house is hooked up to it?” Doug asked, looking at his friend.

“Plug it in, find out.”

Doug found a USB outlet, and slipped the plug into the square hole. He was happy to discover that the power hadn’t been turned off in the house. Both boys let the machine warm up, watching the blue light spin around the top, waiting for it to be ready to use. When the light died, the machine sat cold and lifeless, waiting for a response to wake it from slumber.

Purchase Links: Amazon US / UK / AU / CA

Find out more about Anthony and all of his books on Goodreads.

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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

.
Different, Not Damaged
by Andy Peloquin
Genre: Dark Fantasy Short Stories
 
Strength from Weakness
Disability becomes Power
Some call them disabilities, but for others they are gifts:
– A voiceless child painting visions of death.
– A killer with a deadly message plagued by a burden of guilt.
– A priestess divinely empowered to absorb others’ pain.
– A soldier fighting for courage in the face of fear.
– A broken warrior-priest on a mission of vengeance.
– A thief desperate to escape the burden of his memories.
Betrayed by mind or body, these people struggle to
survive in a grim world that takes no pity on the weak. Yet they will
discover that they are simply different, not damaged.
This collection of dark fantasy short stories will keep you turning the
page as you experience life through the eyes of the
differently-abled.

 

Pick up this uniquely heart-wrenching
book today because you want to feel what it means to live with a
disability.
What Readers Are Saying:
This collection of stories keeps you engrossed right through to the end. –
S.S.


These stories about people trying to overcome, or at least come to terms
with, the hardships of their lives. Worth the read! – T.E.
This is one of those books that leaves you wanting more. – S.S
 
 
I am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist–words are my
palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the
darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes,
villains, and everything in between. I’m also a freelance writer, a
book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend
hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the
pages of fantasy novels.


Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane
problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It
transcends age, gender, religion,race, or lifestyle–it is our way of
believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and
discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand
new way. Fiction at its very best!
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts 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