The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.
Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!
My 56 for this week is from:
The Dark Land
by D.M. Shepard
Genre: Horror
From page 56 in the paperback.
She clenched her jaw, the scar on the side of her head throbbed, reminding her of how she’d come to live with Miss Penny, and meet Ulrik, the Iversons, and the rest of the wonderful people she’d come to know.
The scar twitched again as she thought of her parents and that last awful night.
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Synopsis
A dark tale of legendary creatures stalking the isolated trails of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in the deep cold of winter.Lured by her high peaks and vast forests, adventurers swarm to the siren call of Alaska’s backcountry. Her harsh bite scars many. Some never return.Please find my son’s remains…Haunted by the last request of her foster mother, experienced outdoorswoman, Rose Long, skis into the Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness to search for clues surrounding the missing man. Concerned about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the older woman’s death, her childhood friend, Ulrik, joins the quest to protect the woman he secretly loves.Ancient evil seethes in the ice-locked boreal forest, watching their every move during the long northern nights. The legend of the Headless Ravine is steeped in blood. The Dark Land’s hunger for flesh never sleeps, even in the deepest cold of winter—and it has marked Rose as its next victim.
If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
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The Hungry Ones
The Messy Man Series #2
by Chris Sorensen
Genre: Horror / Paranormal
Synopsis
At the outskirts of Maple City sits the Crossroads Motel, a throwback to the days when the motor lodge was king. Two years ago, the motel was the site of an act so brutal that its buildings were left to rot.
Jessie Voss, however, sees promise in the Crossroad’s bare bones and buys it up, determined to breathe new life into the place.
When the Larson family shows up on her doorstep, road-weary and desperate for a break, Jessie offers them lodging, even though her grand opening is still a week away.
But the arrival of guests awakens the motel, and Jessie soon finds herself host to both the living and the dead.
If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
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Cryptid Country
Cryptid Zoo #2
by Gerry Griffiths
Genre: Horror
Synopsis
Six months after the Cryptid Zoo tragedy gained national attention, violent creatures still terrorize the country.
Nick and Meg Wells continue to deal with the horrifying experience having to institutionalize their catatonic son, Gabe, in a facility for the mentally disturbed.
Now fugitives, Jack Tremens and Professor Nora Howard must stay one step ahead of Carter Wilde’s elite army of commandos sent to hunt them down and recapture Nora’s pet creation, while the botanic-wonder Allen Moss and his wife, Laney remain in seclusion so Allen can cultivate the cure-all plant to eradicate world disease.
Meanwhile, Miguel Walla, his family, and the citizens of Rocklin Falls must stay vigilant never knowing when the next vicious attack will occur in this exciting sequel to Cryptid Zoo…CRYPTID COUNTRY.
Today Fire Quill Publishers, and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for SOUL’S
DAY: A Halloween themed box set, which releases October 20, 2020! And it’s only
99 cents for all of these wonderful books! Check out the awesome cover and make
sure to enter the pre-order giveaway!
Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.
I couldn’t resist the title and synopsis for this one.
~~~~~
Conquest
by Robbie Dorman
Genre: Horror
My Review
This book is chock full of action and some bloody good horror.
Imagine a wildfire threatening your town. It’s approaching fast and it’s time to get out. But, a group of strangers aren’t having any of it, They see the fire as an opportunity to unleash their inner beast. To rend, tear and feed. They’re shapeshifters with long sharp claws and very big teeth.
As with most horror stories, there’s the character’s you want to survive, those that you really hope don’t and the ones doing all the deciding. It all adds fuel to the fire as the flames approach and each has to decide what side they’re on. It sure made for a super fast and wild read.
This would be such fun as a movie and I had a blast. I’ll definitely be watching for more from the author.
4 STARS
~~~~~
Synopsis
WHO WILL LIVE WHEN CONQUEST BURNS?
Tensions are running high in the small mountain town of Conquest, Idaho. Newly elected Sheriff Heather Hill is on one side, toxic and corrupt Mayor JH Bieter on the other, a standoff in a culture war. With a wildfire approaching, battle lines begin to form. As the cold war heats up, Heather and JH are at each other’s throats.
But they have more to worry about than the fire.
The Pack has arrived in Conquest.
A ravenous gang of bestial shapeshifters, they are hungry and eager to show their dominance. Conquest makes a perfect target. Now Heather, JH, and the people of Conquest must fight for survival as blood and ash fill the streets.
Join Us for this Book Series Tour from Mar 30 to May 1, 2020!
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“Quill says: If you like your thrillers with lots of twists,
plenty of “creepy,” some paranormal events, and a fast-moving plot,
check out BULWARK. You might just be afraid to turn off the lights after reading the last page.” – Red Feathered Quill “Brit Lunden’s paranormal fantasy novella, Bulwark,
is genuinely eerie and spooky, filled with the kinds of scary effects
that true lovers of the dark crave and rarely find. There are no gushes
of blood or other cheap special effects, just a consistently good
pulse-pounding story about an ancient evil and the one man who stands up
against it. Readers who grew up with the likes of Barker, King and Lovecraft will have a field day reading this classy, dark fantasy novella.” – Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review) “Author Brit Lunden has weaved an entertaining story that
spans paranormal, romance, and mystery. Thanks to the splattering of
action and the mysterious connection of characters and happenings, this
fast paced story is well suited to those looking for a light and
enjoyable thrill.” – Bianca Schulze
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SERIES DETAILS: Series Title: Bulwark Anthology Collection Category: AdultFiction (18+) (104 to 146 pages) Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release dates: Jan 2018; Mar 2019; Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M: Some violence and mild sex.
Series Details:
Bulwark: a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
The beating heart of this anthology is Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden.
Sheriff Clay Finnes appears in each book, but he is not the main character in each book.
There is NO series arc requiring readers to read all 10 books in the
anthology. Every book is completely stand-alone. You can read the books
in order or out of order.
Book Details:
Bulwark by Brit Lunden
. Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 146 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: January 2018 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
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My Review
Small town settings are such a draw for me. Especially in the horror and paranormal genres. Brit Lunden sucked me right into this one with her flawed, vulnerable character, Sheriff Clay Finnes. His daughter has been missing for a long time and his marriage is crumbling. Things happen to challenge him to the core as he follows the bread crumbs for answers.
Bulwark may be a shorter read but the author packed it with so much mystery to ponder. What’s real and what isn’t keep you guessing. Where does the weird green water come from? Is there a Gingerbread House? What about the reports of wolves in the woods around town? And can a witch be behind all of the bad things that have happened?
I wasn’t sure about anything as I raced through this book. The plot is revealed like driving a winding road. You can’t see what’s around the next curve, especially the ending.
4 Stars
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Book Description:
Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark.
Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went
wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He’s troubled by a
bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a
normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories,
told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves,
things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread
House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the
same.
Book Title: The Knowing (Book 1): A Bulwark Anthology Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 104 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Mar 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
Book Description:
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Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth
from the outside world. Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden. Who knows
what strange things can happen when the rest of the world can’t see you?
JB Stratton is alone in the world, and all he has left are the memories
of his beloved Ellie. Dirt poor JB and wealthy Ellie feel an instant
connection that is as intense and primal as the blood red earth of their
home. Unseen roots connect them, pulling them into an impossible
relationship. Will the memories of past lives help or hinder the path of
their love? Based on the original novella Bulwark, by Brit Lunden, The
Knowing continues the story of a town isolated from the rest of the
world where the impossible becomes plausible, and logic is determined by
reality.
The Devil and Dayna Dalton: (Book 9) A Bulwark Anthology by Brit Lunden Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 126 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.*Contains Sexual Content*
Book Description:
Reporter Dayna Dalton’s reputation has been ruined since birth. The
daughter of wild child, Becky Dalton, is expected to follow her mother’s
footsteps; never given a chance to prove she’s different. Dana’s been
in love with Clay Finnes since she was a teenager. Her unrequited love
for Sheriff Finnes leaves her empty. He’s happily married and
unavailable. Instead, Dayna finds herself stuck in the revolving door of
bad relationships. But this is Bulwark, Georgia, a town where strange
things are always happening. Dayna is doomed to this loveless life until
she can find someone who will appreciate the depth of her character.
Can she overcome her fears and look beyond her own perceptions to accept
a greater love? *Contains Sexual Content*
Meet the Author:
Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted
genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult
fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis
for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are
creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit
Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.
I couldn’t resist the title and synopsis for this one.
~~~~~
Cadaver Dog
Zombie Dog #1
by Doug Goodman
Genre: Horror
My Review
I was quickly caught up in the story of Angie Graves and her dogs. She trains them for all kinds of purposes, the newest being tracking zombies. Through fire swept forests, she races to save the life a young girl stolen by a zombie.
I fell hard for Murder, Angie’s zombie tracking dog. She found him near death on the side of the road, nurtured him back to health, and found he had a calling for tracking zombies. He stole my heart as fast as he could steal your french fries. And his heart was a large as a lion’s.
The zombies were a new approach too. You didn’t get turned into one by being bitten. Something controlled them, used them as hosts for a very deadly purpose. Creepy stuff.
And Angie was easy to bond with. She’s a loner, much better with dogs than with people and will not stop until she’s finished a search.
Some scenes had my heart racing and some had my heart aching.
This was an intriguing beginning to the series and I’ve already grabbed the next book. Can’t wait to see where these characters wind up next.
4 STARS
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Synopsis
Angie Graves trains dogs on all kinds of scents: guns, bombs, even cadavers. But when she is approached with the idea of training a dog to track zombies, she is not so sure. She needs a different dog for this line of work, and the only one available is a dog named Murder who she rescued when she found him left for dead. The problem is, Murder is nothing like a hero dog. He is scarred emotionally and physically. He is slow to trust, has a mischievous mind, and obsesses over his chicken toy. But if he and Angie can learn to work together, they may be able to solve the riddle of where the zombies come from, and why they are snatching up people.
Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.
I came across this one and couldn’t resist. I’m always on the lookout for my next werewolf read.
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Tooth & Claw
by Dave Jeffery
Genre: Horror
My Review
Take a good look at the cover for this one. What you see is what you get.
Some rich clients line up for the hunt of all hunts. Their host fills his coffers with their loot and gives them each a turn at the trophy of a lifetime. But the prey doesn’t run, It brings the hunt to them. It’s bullet and arrow facing off against tooth and claw.
For all of you werewolf lovers, doesn’t miss this one. It’s got an entertaining cast of characters, some intriguing back stories about them, and some nasty wolves you hope you’ll never encounter. I had a bloody good time and wish this would be made into a movie. I had fun trying to pick who would play who.
4 STARS
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Synopsis
There’s no place quite like Cofton Grange. Set in twelve-hundred acres of hills and woodland, it is a playground for the wealthy where, for the right price, every desire is made a reality.
Tonight is special; a group of hunters have bought into the most exclusive contest, the opportunity to track and kill a fantastic and terrifying creature not of this Earth. The stakes are high, each competitor determined to claim the kudos that will come from taking down their incredible prey.
But as the moon rises and the pursuit begins, each hunter is about to find out that sometimes there are fiercer things than the competition.
For fans of American Horror Story, Shirley Jackson, and Creepshow.
You know them. Those girls that aren’t quite like everyone else. Those girls who stand out in the crowd. Those girls that dare to be different. Those girls are dangerous.
In Strange Girls, twenty-one authors dare to tackle what makes the girls in this collection different. Vampires, selkies, murderous mermaids, succubus, and possessed dolls take center stage in these short stories that are sure to invoke feelings of quiet terror and uneasiness in the reader. Following the successful debut of Women in Horror anthology with My American Nightmare, Strange Girls is the sophomore effort to showcase these talented women in a genre that is often dominated by the male gaze.
Dare to take a walk on the dark side.
Stories in the Anthology:
24 Hour Diner by Charlotte Platt
Sideshow by Jude Reid
The Doll’s House by Alyson Faye
Blood by Red Claire
Self-Portrait with Pears by Rachel Bolton
Personal Demons by Angelique Fawns
Friends with Benefits by E.F. Schraeder
Night Terrors by Angela Sylvaine
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding by Sam Lauren
Leda and the Fly by Marnie Azzarelli
Jenny’s Bobo by Hillary Lyon
Extinguishing Fireflies by Rebecca Rowland
The Eyes of the Dead by Danielle R. Bailey
My Mirror Wife by Ash Tudor
Pattern of Faerytales by Azzurra Nox
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings by Emma Johnson-Rivard
Born in Catania, Sicily, Azzurra Nox has led a nomadic life since birth. She has lived in various European cities and Cuba, and currently resides in the Los Angeles area. Always an avid reader and writer from a young age, she loved entertaining her friends with ghost stories. She loves horror movies, cats, and a good rock show. She dislikes Mondays and chick-flicks. CUT HERE, her debut paranormal urban fantasy was inspired by a nightmare the writer had a few years ago. Some of her favourite authors include Anne Rice, Oscar Wilde, Chuck Palahniuk, and Isabella Santacroce.
Adventures of Death, Reincarnation and Annihilation
by Francis H. Powell
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Scifi Short Stories
What if the human race was considered irrelevant and then each being was just uploaded then locked away on hard drives called “brain pods” ?
What if a sub species was to come into fruition, then the human race turned on it, hunted it down before trying to annihilate it? Imagine you found out you were an ancient soul, who is reunited with another being from your former life?
Set in different times in a variety of settings and time periods, the past, the present and the future, the book explores the inevitable unknown that lies before us all “death”. Death can arrive in a multitude of forms. Each part of the book explores different themes. There are characters who following their demises have to face up to their lurid pasts. There are some who face annihilation and others who are in a crazy pursuit of world destruction. We are living in an age in which it appears that the doomsday clock is ticking ever faster, as we teeter over the edge of world destruction. The book aims to contain some ironic twists. Even as young children we build up nightmare visions of what death involves. The reader is often left to distinguish between what is real and what is not, as stories reside within stories and the storytellers can never be fully trusted. Not all the book is doom and gloom, there are Elsa Grun’s bizarre encounters with men and Shellys’ hapless husband Arnie.
From secluded beach houses, to obscure motels, to visions of heaven, which takes the form of the Hotel Paradiso, to the world of the future death is always a wild adventure.
Born in 1961, in Reading, England Francis H Powell attended Art Schools, receiving a degree in painting and an MA in printmaking. In 1995, Powell moved to Austria, teaching English as a foreign language while pursuing his varied artistic interests adding music and writing. He currently lives in Brittany, France writing both prose and poetry. Powell has published short stories in the magazine, “Rat Mort” and other works on the internet site “Multi-dimensions.” His two published books are Flight of Destiny and Adventures of Death, Reincarnation and Annihilation
