Posts Tagged ‘Horror’

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Freakin Fridays is my own little meme. I’ll be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.

Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts.

Get your scare on!

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It’s Release Day for Santa’s Little Helper!

I’ve been waiting anxiously to tell you about this book. When the author sent me the ARC I dropped what I was reading and dove in. H.D. Gordon writing horror! I couldn’t wait!

Come on in. I dare ya!

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And check out the giveaway after my review.

You could win a signed copy!

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Santa’s Little Helper

by H.D. Gordon

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My Review

When H.D. told me she had a new story and did I want to read it, I was so excited. When I found out the title and what it was about, I couldn’t wait to get started. A Christmas Horror story. How cool is that!

I’ve read all of her books, and her writing is incredible so I was sure this would scare me. Be one that would make me afraid to read it at night, alone, in the dark. It takes a lot to do that, and when I find an author who can scare me that good, I want to scream from the rooftops, “This book scared me!”

Horror has always been my first love, even when I was young. Books or movies, I devour it. My DVD collection and bookshelves are overflowing with the stuff. With all of those to choose from, you’d be surprised to know that a lot of them didn’t really scare me. Sure, they have there moments, but a really good scare, not that many.

Santa’s Little Helper scared me, a lot. I think part of it was the kids. There are several of them in this story and you’ll get each of their stories as they deal with the surprise.

The surprises mysteriously appear on each of their doorsteps, nothing saying where they came from. Upon opening the white boxes, they each discover a doll, one of Santa’s elves, along with a little red book saying the doll was there to watch over them for Santa.

Right away the kids sense something’s off, wrong about the elves.  They each try to get rid of it and some succeed. But they know. The doll will be back.

The terror begins quickly. The elves get to work right away, terrorizing the kids, and scaring me too. A few scenes had me pulling the covers up to my chin, with my hands peeking out to hold my kindle. My elbows were drawn in close to my sides. I was almost in a fetal position, making myself as small as possible.

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Then my imagination stepped in. I put myself in their shoes. The were frustrated that the adults didn’t get it. Didn’t feel the wrongness settle into their homes.  They didn’t want to come home from school, afraid of what awaited them.

There was one particular scene that reminded of the movie Legion. If you’ve seen it you’ll recall the scene where the ice cream man shows up and transforms. It was scary and the scene in this book is even more so for two young brothers.

They tried reaching out for help and that went very bad for one person. So now they each have to face a doll alone. And there’s a storm coming. Peculiar, Missouri has never seen one like this. It’s almost Christmas. Santa’s little helpers are about to get busy.

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How will they fight something that can’t be killed? What do  can they do when the one person who can save them doesn’t exist?

H.D. Gordon has proven she can write horror with the best of them. Don’t think because the main characters are young kids that this won’t scare you. Remember Stephen King’s IT? That one still scares me and this book will sit right next to it on my bookshelf. Where it belongs. In the “Scared the s#!t out of me section.”

5 Stars

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Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

“If the Bible Belt had a buckle, Peculiar was it.”

“…it had been the only good part of the holiday, just a sprinkling of sugar on top of a poo pie.”

“Selflessness is a powerful thing if just because of its rarity, but fear is even more powerful, and in an opposite sense. It is the food of the darkness.”

And this one really hit home with me. I got it. I do this with my reviews.

“Sometimes, you’re so close to the words you can’t see the whole picture they’re forming.”

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Synopsis

He shows up in a white box, with a bright red book under his arm… He wears a jolly grin and hat, a suit with gold bells and green yarn… He watches you for Santa, or so his red book claims… But though his grin is jolly, he’s not here for fun and games…

The children have been chosen, such precious little souls they are… And may the Gods be with them, if they wish to make it very far… For Santa’s Little Helper does not say, but knows important things… He knows when you’ve been bad or good, and what monsters stalk your dreams… He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake…He’s picking out his presents…He’s got some souls to take.

Purchase Links

Amazon

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The author has a giveaway on Goodreads. She’s offering two signed copies.

Click HERE to enter and Good Luck!

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Other books I’ve read by H.D. Gordon.

Click on the covers for my reviews.

The Joe Knowe Series

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The Surah Stormsong Series

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The Alexa Montgomery Saga

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and two more in this series that I’ve read and reviews will be coming soon..

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H.D. Gordon

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H. D. Gordon is the bestselling author of THE ALEXA MONTGOMERY SAGA, THE SURAH STORMSONG NOVELS and THE JOE KNOWE SERIES. She is twenty-five years old and a true lover of words. When not hanging out with her two beautiful daughters, she can be found reading, writing, or just taking in the world so that she can translate it’s beauty and wonders into the written word.

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You can follow H.D. Gordon at:

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

Happy Halloween!

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BOO!

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Freakin Fridays is my own little meme. I’ll be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.

Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!

Tune in every Friday. Get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

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This is the second Killers and Demons collection. It will be available to purchase on October 4th,2014 Just in time for Halloween!

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My Review

These thirteen stories have two sections. There are the killers, the human monsters, and then there are the demons.

The killers aren’t even recognizable as human except in their appearance. I found this out from the very first story. It was so brutal I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read on. Then I thought about all of the books I’ve read, the thrillers, the true crime, and the shows I watch, like my favorite, The Walking Dead. No one is safe in the pages, even the young aren’t spared. So I pressed on.

My favorite of the killers stories was Break Down in Communication. A couple that never thought about divorce. The author applied a warped sense of humor in the story and had me chuckling.

Another that really grabbed me was Alice in the Basement. It made me think of The Bad Seed and Case 39. Killers can come in small packages.

From child kidnapping, to black widows, to a different kind of Jack the Ripper, there’s  much to give you nightmares.

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Then I got to the demons. Family Trait completely grossed me out. Not so much by what the character is as by her dreadful appetite. Eww.

My favorite in the demons section was The Skeleton. Talk about a skeleton in your closet. The suspense just built and built. I knew what was probably going to happen and still the suspense built. And when the story came to an end, there was a wicked little twist.

The thing about demons is they were never human so begging them for mercy is futile. It just adds to their malevolent glee as two people found out in Runner.

Beware, the demons have come out to play, the witch will have her vengeance, and don’t listen to those whispers from the dark.

“Welcome to my nightmare. I think you’re gonna like it.” That song from Alice Cooper kept playing in the background of my mind while reading these.

These are not scary stories. These are horror stories, and as such, I only recommend them to those who appreciate the telling, the showing, of  the darker side of evil.

I was given this book by the author for my honest review. Now that I’ve read this second collection, I’m curious about the first set. Halloween is right around the corner. It’s time to go dark on fuonlyknew.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Evil is back, with a greater appetite for death.
Killers.
Demons.
They lurk forever in the shadows, smile at you in the morning, and haunt your dreams at night. You can’t hide, you can’t run, and there’s no escape. You can only scream when they come for you.
Killers and Demons II: They Return is a collection of thirteen tales, blending short stories and flash fiction, tales where the blood lingers on your tongue or spurts quickly from the swift cut.

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Author A.F. Stewart

I’m from Nova Scotia, Canada, and I write speculative fiction (fantasy, sci-fi, horror), as well as poetry. I have been plying the trade for several years, periodically interrupted by those pesky events from life.
I have published independently and authored such books as Fairy Tale Fusion, Ruined City, Killers and Demons, and Chronicles of the Undead. I’m also one of the authors in the steampunk anthology, Mechanized Masterpieces, published by Xchyler Publishing.

You can find out more about A.F. Stewart and her books by using the links below.

Goodreads ~ Blog ~ Twitter

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Got any scary books to recommend? What’s your favorite scary book or movie?

 I’d love to here from ya!

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Welcome to my Monday Minis Reviews.

For today I bring you:

Jezebel

by Gordon A. Kessler

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My Review
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He figured he’d die of old age. Not with his throat in the mouth of his beloved Jezebel, his beautiful coal-black Great Dane.
Jezebel lover her master. Until she didn’t. And now she’s loose in the streets, in the dark.
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Something is wrong with the dogs. They are turning on their masters, ripping and tearing, no trace of man’s best friend left in them.
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We think we’ve tamed the long ago wolf that crawled out of the dark to share man’s fire. But it’s still in there, and now it’s at the fore. The sweet dog you cuddle with could rip off your face.
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What could be the cause?
It’s up to Animal Control Officer Tony Parker to get to the bottom of it as more people are savaged and more die.
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As a dog lover, I was worried about this story. I knew that the dogs would have to be stopped, that some would have to be destroyed, and that’s a bitter pill to swallow. But the author knew what he was doing. He put you right in the character’s shoes as they fought to survive. There could be no tender feelings, only kill or be killed.
And the animal control officer, Parker, was still humane, he still didn’t want to kill any dogs he didn’t have to.
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The cause of all this was very interesting. You won’t be able to guess until the author gives you enough clues. It’s really quite creative and adds it own terror to the tale.
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Imagine it. Every other house has at least one dog. We feed them, love them, trust them. What if they turned? What if that pet became a killing machine? And what if they travelled in packs? No one would be safe.
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This book puts you there. There’s no mercy from the dogs. They will not stop. Many die. Add in a few sub plots and it gets disturbing on many levels. A tough story, written so you can handle it.
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5 STARS
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I love my horror and this book had plenty of it. But. I still I prefer my dogs thus:
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Synopsis
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Sleep lightly tonight…A madman has come to town seeking a diabolical revenge and large dogs begin attacking their masters for no apparent reason and with heinous results. Animal Control Director Tony Parker must find out why and stop the murderous attacks. Meanwhile, Jezebel, a huge black Great Dane has killed her master and is loose, terrorizing the city and stalking Parker and his family. Parker and Sarah Hill, his beautiful and seductive young assistant, attempt to unravel the mystery and stop the terrible carnage while dealing with their own demons and lusty desires. The attacks must be stopped. Jezebel must be found-and soon, you see–there is one other complication. Parker seems to have come down with an annoying little virus. No, it’s not one of those irritating summer colds. It’s certain death. She’s a murderess, huge and black as a hell-bound night. Beware. Jezebel is on the loose!
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Author Gordon A. Kessler

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Gordon Kessler is a thriller novelist living in the Kansas City metro area with his golden retriever, Jazmin (Jazzy Brass). He’s taught novel writing for several community colleges, worked over twenty years for the BNSF Railway, and is a former US Marine Recon Scout, Super Squad team leader, parachutist and troop handler. He enjoys SCUBA, sailing, snow skiing and sharing time with his kids and grandkids.

His thriller novels Jezebel, Dead Reckoning, and Brainstorm are all in both paper and eBook. His latest men’s action/adventure thriller series, “The E Z Knight Reports,” include the novels Knight’s Big Easy, Knight’s Late Train and Knight’s Ransom. Four or five more in the series are scheduled for release yet this year. These novels are about half the size of his big thrillers and are fast, fun reads.

Gordon’s also published two short story eBooks: a humorous piece called “Toothpick for Two” and a nostalgic romance called “Jack Baron”. Please check them out.

As a consultant and editor on numerous book and eBook projects over the past twenty years, Gordon has published three books for writers. Novel Writing Made Simple is a great primer for beginners and an excellent refresher for the experienced wordsmith. EBook Writing Made Simple focuses on the actual writing of eBook novels and how they can be crafted more effectively for the eBook novel reader rather than as a work written for the traditional publishing industry. How to Write a Novel–Storytelling, the Writer and the EBook Novel is his latest work, published especially with the beginning eBook novelist in mind.

Gordon is a founder and past president of the Kansas Writers Association, a seventeen-year-old organization of some very special people, and a current member of the Kansas Authors Club as well as a past president of their District Two. Last year, he started a group to help support independent authors called the Indie Writers Alliance–another group of great people.

Go HERE for more about Gordon and his books.

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Freakin Fridays is my own little meme. I’ll be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.

Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!

Tune in every Friday. Get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

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First I want to thank John and Olga for gifting me a copy of Wherewolves. I’m a creature girl at heart and a horror fan foremost so I knew I wanted to read this book.

Let me tell you what I thought!

Wherewolves

by John Vamvas and Olga Montes

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My Review

I’m a huge fan of B- movies and this reads like a good one. As I read each scene I easily and gleefully visualized it, every bloody bit of it.

A group of troubled teens are taken into the woods for a survival weekend. The teacher leaves them to fend for themselves. I know. Seen ir or read it before…. you think.

The author brings a lot to the table, introducing you to the characters which consist of the typical jocks, bullies, and geeks. You get to know what drives them, what scares them, before they even enter the woods that night.

As dark approaches, they huddle around the campfire telling stories. It might not be a cozy gathering, but things aren’t too bad. Until they sense something watching them.

This is where the story gets gritty. I love character driven novels and how, when a group is faced with a life or death situation,  the dynamics come into play. It takes just a few hours for the fight or flight instincts to consume the teens and chaos to reign once some of the group go missing.

The screaming and snarling from the deep dark of the woods scatters the group and they fear each other as much as what’s stalking them.

The authors brought it all to the table, the fear of the dark, the peer pressure, the teen angst, and the will to survive. This book may have teen characters, but I don’t think there’s much difference between how they acted and a group of adults would act. If you’ve watched Stephen King’s The Mist, you can see how quickly adults succumb to their own fears. In fact, I think the teens might be better prepared for something like this. They aren’t that far from when they feared the bogey man under the bed and may be quicker to believe the unimaginable.

From the title you get a clue to what’s stalking these teens. Feral beasts from your nightmares. These aren’t shifters. They don’t turn into humans and they are horrific in their maniacal glee as they rampage through the group.

 I knew what was waiting out in the woods, I knew not everyone would survive, and I knew some would turn on each other and that filled me with trepidation, built the tension to a fever pitch, and had me jumping when my dog suddenly barked at something outside. His own special effects to set the mood for me.

I just love a good werewolf book without the shifter glamour and romance. It was a bloody frolic right to the deliciously wicked ending.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Using a fun, explosive style, full of new slang and fresh dialogue, WHEREWOLVES is the story of a group of high school seniors, most “military brats”, who are headed for an army-type survival weekend.

The underdogs, Jeffrey and Doris, do not want to go as they fear for their safety among the disdain and cruelty of the popular students. Sergeant Tim O’Sullivan, their teacher, as well as their dysfunctional parents pressure them into going, but it is an unforgivable act by their peers that propels the pair to go. Likewise, Elie, a student resented because of his Arab roots, is even more determined to prove himself this weekend. In the background, a news report cautions of a wanted couple with alleged super-human strength supposedly brought on by a new drug on the streets.

In the woods, the students hike, hunt, camp, and soon act in unity as the forest brings them closer together. But does it? O’Sullivan leaves them alone for the night. The students bond, chant, tell campfire tales, and quickly lose their fears and inhibitions. HOO-AH! Though sexual tensions are high, it soon turns to violence and everything quickly turns sour.

When the kids start disappearing one after the other, the remaining begin to unwittingly “act like the natives” carving spears, ready to face whatever is out there. What has gotten into them?

Amid the blood-curdling growls and the gruesome deaths, the story’s underlying layers are revealed. We see how misconceptions, prejudice, greed, fear, and hatred bring out the worst and best in them.

What is out there? Can it really be werewolves?

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Author John Vamvas

John Vamvas

John Vamvas grew up in one of Montreal’s (Canada) roughest boroughs. His high school teachers always told him that he’d be in jail or dead by eighteen. Thank God for the Arts. Actor, playwright, screenwriter and now novelist, he has been writing with his writing partner/wife, Olga Montes, for over twenty years. He loves words, especially dialogue, and has a lot of fun coming up with new ways to say the same thing.

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Author Olga Montes

Olga Montes

Mother, preschool French teacher, avid reader, Olga dreamed of being a writer as a child and spent many high school lunch hours working on her writing with her English teacher. She has a college degree in Professional Theatre and a university degree in Spanish and French grammar and literature. She was on her way to becoming a translator for the UN when she heard of an open audition at one of Montreal’s biggest theatres. She almost didn’t get the role, though, because the director and co-star, John Vamvas, was scared of falling in love with the actress and ruining the play. That was 1992. She and John have been writing and working together on stage, screen, and in life ever since.

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So how do you like your werewolves? The shifters that can change back and forth, and retain their human intelligence? Or the beasts that stay in their monstrous form and kill for the thrill?

Let me know and thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

WWW Wednesday

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Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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What are you currently reading?

Thunder Moon

by Lori Handeland

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Synopsis

Practical, skeptical Grace McDaniel was not looking for romance. The Sheriff of Lake Bluff, Georgia, and the granddaughter of a Cherokee doctor, Grace’s hands are full with the daily trouble of small-town life. Arriving in the wake of a freak storm is Ian Walker, a mysterious stranger who blends modern medicine and traditional Native American cures. Even though she is wary of his ideas, Grace cannot resist what his touch awakens in her. But Ian is hiding a terrifying secret. And only he knows the truth about a creature stalking the citizens of Lake Bluff. A creature who preys on the dying…and then on the young, the living, the vibrant…Now, to save her people, Grace must put her faith in Ian’s haunting power and succumb to her wildest passions—before the rumble of thunder fills the air, and a relentless evil strikes again…

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What did you recently finish reading?

Day of the Animals

by Donald Porter

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Synopsis
No one knew what would happen…
when man’s chemical blundering destroyed the ozone layer in our atmosphere.
But in the hills and mountains of the world the effects were already clear.
The animals had turned angry – and vicious.
High in the thin air of the Sierra’s, a small group of men and women were caught in a struggle that at the same moment was being waged around the world – cut off without weapons – alone against the razoring claw, the piercing beak, the crushing fang of the bird and the beast – they were fighting for their lives…and losing.
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What do you think you’ll read next?

The Black Silent

by David Dun

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Synopsis

In the black depths of the ocean, a discovery has been made – one with the potential to change the future of humankind – and unleash mortal danger for those who know of its existence. Now, Haley Walthers is on the run. Her friend and mentor, Ben Anderson, is missing, and the one man she hoped never to see again is the only man who can help her. Sam Wintripp is a former covert operative whose shadowy past has trained him to be as lethal as anyone he’s up against. Together, they set out to find Ben – and learn the secret that a soulless corporate syndicate will do anything to possess. With a merciless enemy closing in, Haley and Sam must prevail in a brutal race through a vast wilderness. Against all odds, they’ll risk everything to secure the extraordinary finding that, in the wrong hands, could wreak untold devastation, starting with the Pacific Northwest – and ending with the world…

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So, whatcha readin?

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M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Horror Business by Ryan Craig Bradford

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presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

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Armed with a passion for classic B-grade horror movies, a script co-written by his twin brother, and a wicked crush on his death-obsessed neighbor; hardcore horror fan Jason Nightshade must finish his student film.

But his plans are derailed when the children of suburban Silver Creek start disappearing – his twin brother among them. Battling a possessed video camera, a crazy zombie dog, a monstrous bully, and a frighteningly broken down family life, Jason embarks on a mission to find his lost brother so the two can write an ending for his story.

As any horror fan knows, saving the day won’t be easy, as Jason finds himself forced to face the real world where death isn’t just a splash of fake blood on a camera lens.

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add to goodreads

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Title: Horror Business
Publication date: February 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Ryan Craig Bradford

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Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

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Ryan grew up in Park City, Utah. His fiction has appeared in Quarterly West, Paper Darts, Vice, Monkeybicycle and [PANK]. He currently lives in San Diego where he acts as Creative Director for the nonprofit literary arts organization So Say We All. He’s the co-editor of the anthology Last Night on Earth and founder of the literary horror journal, Black Candies.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter

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Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway

An eBook copy of Horror Business and a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

Raffle button

(Winners will receive their book on release day)

 

Button

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Welcome to my Monday Minis Reviews.

Got two for you today!

I read both of these stories back to back. Just Short of Paradise is a free flash fiction story available on Goodreads HERE. And Full Moon Over Cedar Hill is a short story that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

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My Review

Katlyn chooses the long road trip to California as an opportune time to tell her mother something important. Trapped in the car with miles to go, she’d have to listen.

Her mother does her best not to. She doesn’t want to hear it and when she’s forced to, her religious intolerance rears its ugly head. Hurtful thing are said.

Both women don’t back down and only a traffic jam stops the bickering.

What comes next is pure Edward Lorn. You may see the ending coming but he takes you on a twisted path to get there.

The mother may be firm in her belief but who is she to judge?

When I finished reading this story, I wore a wry grin, just like Katlyn.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Just Short of Paradise is a piece of flash fiction from Edward Lorn, author of Cruelty and Life After Dane, and is only available as a free download on Goodreads HERE.

During a cross-country trip to California, Katlyn decides to come out of the closet. Mom’s upset, but she’ll be okay. It’s not like it’s the end of the world … Right?

The consequences of intolerance can last an eternity.

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My Review

When Peter first suffered a debilitating stroke that left him trapped in his body, his loving family was very supportive. But as time revealed he would never get better, he wouldn’t ever speak again, they placed him in a rehabilitation center, and their visits dwindled, leaving him to suffer alone as they moved on.

I can only imagine how bitter Peter must have become. Sure, he can’t communicate, but he’s still alive, still able to hear and see. How could his family just abandon him?

Soon, Peter has something else to worry about. He hears the screams, the snarls, the rending of limbs from bones coming from outside his room. He can only imagine what’s out there. He can hear the slaughter coming closer, moving from room to room.  And then the click of claws on linoleum stops outside his door. And the door starts to open.

The author gives you some horrific creatures. They like to play with their food and have a sadistic sense of humor. Which Peter soon discovers.

I wondered how I would feel. Lying there, unable to defend myself, unable to hide, as the beasts came calling. What fate would be the worst?

I have to say thank you to Edward. I rubbed my hands together in fiendish glee as he gave me just the ending I was hoping for.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Peter Hoskins has spent the last three years confined to a bed at Cedar Hill Rehabilitation Center. A massive stroke rendered most of his body useless, but his mind is as sharp as ever.

When the screaming begins, being trapped in his own head is the least of his concerns.

Hungry beasts are roaming the halls, and death might be Peter’s only escape.

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A new release coming soon and I can’t wait!

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Emergency Room Physician Brent Cummings is harboring secrets he’d rather leave in the shadows of his past. But, when he finds a dead woman in a foggy park, all his skeletons come tumbling out of the closet.

In a deadly race against time, Brent attempts to alter the future so that he might finally let go of the past.

Will he heed the warning in the fog, or will fate prove more dependable than the good doctor?

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Other books by Edward Lorn

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The first 5 episodes in the Cruelty Serial

with more coming soon.

Click on the cover for my reviews.

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And you can click HERE to read my reviews for Edward’s other stories.

Among my reviews is World’s Greatest Dad which you can get free for the next 5 days by clicking on the cover below!

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About Edward Lorn and where to stalk him.
Edward Lorn

Edward Lorn is an American horror author presently residing in the southeast United States. He enjoys storytelling, reading, and writing biographies in the third person. Once upon a time, during a session of show and tell, a seven-year-old Edward Lorn shared with his class that his baby brother had died over the weekend. His classmates, the teacher included, wept while he recounted the painful tragedy of having lost a sibling. Edward went home that day and found an irate mother waiting for him. Edward’s teacher had called to express her condolences. This was unfortunate, as Edward had never had a baby brother. With advice given to her by a frustrated teacher, Edward’s mother made him start writing all of his lies down. The rest, as they say, is history. Edward Lorn and his wife are raising two children, along with a handful of outside cats and a beagle named Dot. He remains a liar to this day. The only difference is, now he’s a useful one.

For more about Edward Lorn and his books:

Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

Edward’s page on RAP

Edward’s blog

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

The Legend of the Chupacabra is now available! Today is Release Day!

This is the third book in a six book series and the last one to take place in this era. The author will be taking us to new territory as the series continues.

Michael has provided an exciting excerpt from the book and you can click on the link below the book cover for my 5 Star review.

After checking out Michael’s fantastic cover art and learning all about his series, you can find purchase links, news about his upcoming release of the audible books, and catch a fun chuppie video!

Legend of the Chupacabra correct  cover (RGB)

Author: Michael Hebler

Style: Series

Theme: Dark Fiction / Horror / Western

Length: 372 pages (print) / 85,500 words

Binding: Perfect bound, digital (.mobi, .epub, .pdf ), & audiobook

Retail: $17.95 (print) / $9.99 (audible) / $4.99 (e-book)

Click HERE for my 5 Star Review

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Synopsis:

Legend of the Chupacabra finds Jessie and Suzanne living peacefully in Portland, Oregon six years after they believed to have put an end to the curse of the chupacabra. But the women come to learn of their failure, and the futility of their sacrifices, when a remarkable reunion brings horror back into their lives; only this time, what they face will be unlike any creature they’ve encountered. Legend of the Chupacabra marks the end of a trilogy, but the continuation of a saga that will leave this moment of history drenched in blood.

Earlier this year, Hebler’s first volume in his Chupacabra Series, Night of the Chupacabra, earned him top honors in the category of “Horror” from the National Indie Excellence Awards. The NIEA was founded by Ellen Reid, the current President and CEO. Reid comments, “The awards celebrate the best of books in print, and represent a diverse group of first-time authors and seasoned authors.” Hebler was extremely honored to have received such extraordinary recognition for a story that had lived within his mind and heart for 20 years before its 2012 release.

In reference to Legend of the Chupacabra, Hebler hopes his fans and readers will enjoy their reunion with Jessie and Suzanne. There is no shortage of action, mystery, humor, drama, romance, or, of course, horror. And as usual, there are surprises around every turn. “I’m especially excited about including a little piece of Oregon’s scandalous history with the Portland underground,” states Hebler. “I think that particular element rivals the callousness of the chupacabra itself and examines the similarities between monster and man.”

In addition to the release of Legend of the Chupacabra in trade paperback and eBook on July 29, 2014, Hebler will also release an audiobook of his reading, which will accompany the release of the audiobooks of the first two series novels, Night of the Chupacabra and Curse of the Chupacabra.

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EXCERPT:

Blood poured out of the chief’s wound, cueing the squaws to form a ceremonious line at Eagle Claw’s feet. With their jars ready, each dancing warrior paired with a woman. It was Raven Child and Mighty Wind who were the first to concoct the sacrificial mixture. Raven Child caught Eagle Claw’s blood with her jar, while Mighty Wind poured the mountain goat’s blood out of the beast’s skull into the same, creating a broth that Eagle Claw lifted into the air, once ready. He presented the bequest to the spirits, calling the goat spirit forth with the offering of its own powers of agility and energy joined with his powers as chief, and then spouted, “Goat, I give sacrifice for your wisdom.”

Eagle Claw took a sip from the jar and swallowed. He, then, poured the rest of the contents into the fire.

Storm Cloud stood at the edge of the platform. He gazed down at the flames still flipping about as the burning mixture sizzled and sparked.

With bated breath, everybody watched to see if the goat spirit had been properly deceived. Eagle Claw did exactly as instructed by Atraco. The Pniese’s instructions were to simply ask the spirits for their wisdom and protection; making sure to keep all truth from them. Deceit from a heart filled with rage and hatred was the only way to conjure revenge; the requests for help needing to be as treacherous as the act of revenge itself. The one responsible for Loud Fire’s death would suffer mercilessly before dying.

The strength of the fire changed; the flames whipped about like a blistering weapon, and the escaping smoke blackened. It was happening; the goat spirit had been fooled into accepting the offering.

Storm Cloud continued to gaze over the edge as the thick smoke began to take the shape of a mountain goat. It rose into the air–as common smoke would–but gave the illusion of the goat charging towards him. Once he and the entity met, Storm Cloud took a deep breath and inhaled the smoldering spirit. The moment the possessed fumes filled his lungs, it took every ounce of self-restraint to suppress his urge to cough, but Atraco had warned him ahead of time of this egregious mistake as it would release the spirit back into the universe, never to return. He only needed to wait a short time before the smoke spirit would find its path and seep into his body like a cancer; and the old Pniese had been right. He could feel his need subside as the spirit began to take control.

The moment the smoke spirit had been born, the black stallion became restless. He and Tree Cradle had lived most of their years together, and she thought of Black Wild as family, as he did the same of her. So it was with considerable ease that she was able to calm her four-legged brother by stroking his elongated nose and looking him in the eye to let him know all would be fine.

Tree Cradle twisted her head back to the ritual, saw that the smoke spirit was gone, and Storm Cloud’s body was beginning to relax. She wondered if Black Wild would continue to listen to her when the next eight spirits were called.

Water Stone and Talking Bear were next. As before, Eagle Claw’s blood seeped into the jar while Talking Bear poured the blood from his bear’s head.

Eagle Claw lifted the jar containing the powers of defense and transformation, calling to the bear spirit, “Bear, I give sacrifice for your wisdom.”

He swallowed a single mouthful of the blood mixture then threw the remainder into the fire. Again, the blood spoke as it burned and the waves of the flames grew more intense.

Storm Cloud readied himself, now with the understanding of what was to come next should the bear spirit accept the offering.

It did.

The flames released another cloud of smoke that transformed into an earthly bear. Once more, the spirit rose towards the sky, charging at Storm Cloud as though he were its prey, only to be sucked into the young man’s body with one long breath.

Tree Cradle had guessed correctly; Black Wild did not like the bear spirit’s summoning, and he had not been as easy to tame the second time, but they both would have to endure since they were bound and could not leave. Each had a purpose for being there, as the wandering shaman had previously inculcated.

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For all of you who like audio books, great news!

Michael has a tentative release date of Sunday, August 10th for all three chupacabra books. And he’s priced them at a steal for around $10 each. So keep on the lookout.

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Booksamillion

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Author Michael Hebler

chup Author, Michael Hebler

Prior to becoming an award-winning author of his dark fiction Chupacabra Series, Michael was a full-time international film publicist who had worked on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, and the 2013 Academy Award-winning Best Forgein Language Film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty).

Born in the early 1970′s in Los Angeles County to a salesman and a homemaker, Michael dreamed of following his passions for entertainment and storytelling by becoming an actor. It was while studying theatre arts at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, did he realize his penchant for stories were better suited on the page rather than the stage. However, creating tales with suspense, laughter, and heart is not Michael’s only love. Hebler also enjoys volunteering in his local community for Meals on Wheels, as well as aid in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.

To date, Michael’s publications include Chupacabra Series Novels, “Night of the Chupacabra,” “Curse of the Chupacabra,” and now “Legend of the Chupacabra,” the first three of his six-part series, as well as his first publication, “The Night After Christmas,” a holiday picture book for believers of any age. Michael also authored the micro story, “Hunt for the Chupacabra,” (currently unavailable) preceding the events of Book I, and will release his first novella, “The Ghost of Christmas Past” on October 7, 2014. [Ghost] is a spiritual story placing the popular Dickens character in the center of its own afterlife, and life, while aiding a woman’s complicated past.

CONTACT DETAILS

Email ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Blog

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Fun short chupacabra footage.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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Welcome to my Monday Minis

For today I’ll be reviewing Derelict by Albert Berg

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My Review

When an E-class space ship docks at an orbital station without heeding to or sending any response, a team is assembled to enter and investigate.

Available information says the ship was the Persephone and it was supposed to have a full passenger roster and a cargo load. But when the team of three men begin to search the ship, they quickly realize something is very wrong. There is no evidence people or cargo were ever aboard the ship.

As they explore further, things begin to go weird. Doors are there, then not there. Corridors stretch on to impossible lengths and become dead ends where they shouldn’t.

 The team fears they may never find their way out. They believe the ship will never let them go.

This is a quick read at around 33 pages, so I zipped right through it. I was reminded of the movie Sphere, except this takes place in space, not under water.

I still felt the claustrophobic effect of being trapped with no help close by. Of the possibility their minds might be playing tricks on them. Or maybe something else was there with them. Something malignant, evil. Toying with them.

Eerie with a twisted ending.

3 Stars

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Synopsis

In the dark heart of space, a derelict freighter drifts empty and lifeless. But in the shadows…something waits.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

For more of my reviews go HERE.

zombie on autopsy table photo: Matthew Berdyck - Alien Autopsy 1379812_642556119123199_671991246_n_zps2b7470e7.jpg horror art photo: horror 1039058_3370109.jpg evil biker photo: biker 3886108228_7d25c98bf2_o.jpg

You are now entering the…..

Just kidding. But I do have three very different short stories for you.

Take a gander!

The Dead of Penderghast Manor

by Julianne Snow

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My Review

Zombies that don’t want to eat me? This I had to read.

Chester works at the family mortuary, preparing the recently deceased for their viewings. It should be easy. But these dead don’t hold still for embalming. They don’t lie still. They walk and talk.

He can’t have any disappearing so he has to handle them with care. This proves difficult when the local senior playboy wants to keep on being the ladies man, even after he’s dead.

Chester’s father doesn’t believe him when he tries to explain this, so he keeps it to himself and does the best he can.

Until a strange body arrives from the carnival. And has an even stranger request.

If you have a good imagination, you’ll be able to visual Chester’s struggles and have some good chuckles.

The zinger the author threw at me  with the carnival corpse was creative and gave the ending a boost.

A fun and creepy told you so.

If you’re looking for a humorous take on a new kind of zombie, I suggest you try this story.

3 STARS

Synopsis

What would you do if you knew the Dead could talk?

For Chester Penderghast, it’s not the easiest of questions to answer…

Ensconced in the basement of his family’s mortuary business is the last place he wants to be, but when the conversation starts flowing, Chester’s the only living person who can hear it. What do the Dead want, and why is he the only one who can hear them?

This is not your average zombie tale—the Dead don’t want to eat your brains, but they will chew your ear off!

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Kellie’s Diary

by

Thomas Jenner 

and

Angeline Perkins

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My Review

I like finding something different and that’s what I got in Kellie’s Diary.

What first surprised me was the way the story was told. Not just that it was presented in diary entries from a third grader. It was that it was in her printed words. It read slowly at first until I got used to the way she printed her letters, then it took off and I read it in about 20 minutes.

The ending is rather abrupt, but knowing this is told in parts, I expected that. It’s going to be fun reading more of this series.

You follow Kellie as she’s trapped in the school bathroom when the zombies attack. And follow her through her diary entries as she struggles to get home.

The author did an excellent job of expressing the thoughts of a young girl. It never felt like an adult trying to write as Kellie. It rang true.

I’m anxious to find out if Kellie finds her family? If she finds anyone, so she won’t be all alone.

3 STARS

Synopsis

A series of diary entries through the eyes of a little girl as she tries to survive the end of the world.

What if the early 1990’s didn’t happen as we remember it? What kind of world would we live in today?

This story is told from the viewpoint of 9-year-old Kellie, a typical third-grade girl living her life as anyone else would, and she shares her daily activities with her diary. When the world crumbles and the dead walk, Kellie struggles to survive and find her way home, all the while sharing her tale with her diary.

This is an account of our hypothetical past, present and future.

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It Came From Hell And Smashed The Angels

by Gregor Xane

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My Review

Ben used to be somebody. Now he lives in a rundown trailer, at the beck and call of a senior couple.

One night, he snaps. He hops on his treasured motorcycle and heads off into the night with no plans of returning. Just hits the open road.

When he spots a fire up ahead he slows and stops to investigate. Lying next to a huge hole in the ground is the mangled body of a woman. She was thrown from her car in the accident and before she dies, claims a huge creature attacked her car.

Ben hops on his bike and heads to the local watering hole to call for help. What happens next is out of this world.

I kept hearing the theme to Twilight Zone as I read this story. It had a dark, surreal feel to it.

Bizarre and a bit disjointed but I liked the idea.

3 STARS

Synopsis

Thanks to his big ugly mug, Ben Coburn always played the heavy in Hollywood. Yeah, his name was in the credits of a bunch of low-budget B-movie horror shows, but at least he could say he was in the movies.

That was a long time ago.

Now Ben sits alone in a trailer park listening to an old married couple across the way argue about money, just nursing a beer, waiting for something to happen.

But nothing ever happens. That pisses him off.

No, Big Ben Coburn isn’t going to wait around anymore. He jumps on his motorcycle and tears off into the night.

Intent on escaping into a new life, he races past a field of scarecrows, barreling headlong down the highway toward a blazing inferno and a bottomless pit.

This short story is FREE to download from the following locations:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (Canada) | Amazon (UK)
Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBook | PayHip (Mobi & ePub)

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Reading anything scary lately? Got some recommendations? Let me know!

And thanks for visiting fuonlyknew!