Karla's Literary Korner

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ronald-McGillvray/author/

Amazon Author Link:

BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ronald-mcgillvray

Author Website Link:

https://www.ronaldmcgillvray.com/

About the Author

Ronald McGillvray is a writer from Ottawa, Canada. He’s published short stories, scripts, novellas and his most recent novel “The Candy Witch,” available now as a print or ebook. He is currently working on a new novel. His novel, “Cutter’s Deep,” his short horror story collection, “Tales From The Parkland,” and his fantasy novella, “James’ Journey To Dreamland,” are all available as a print or ebook. "Tales From The Parkland" is also available as an audiobook.

His writing credits include the short story, “The Garbage Collectors,” which was published in Horror Library Volume 2 as well as in their best of anthology. His short story “Ukrainian Chimes” was published in the anthology Screaming For Peace. An audio version of his story, “Big Boy,” was produced by Pseudopod and his story, “A Night Out,” was published by Dark Fire Fiction.

  Two of his film scripts, “The Storm” and “Chimes,” were produced by Cellardweller Projects. “The Storm” was chosen as one of the films to be screened at the World Horror Convention. It also screened at the Shocklines Film Festival in New York City.   His story, “Head Case,” was made into a film produced by Columbia College in Chicago. His film script, “Magic Man,” was optioned by Hyde Park Media.  

His stage play, “The Line,” was chosen as part of the reading series by the Saint John Theatre Company.

Review Links:

The Corner of Her Eye: The Light (Book 4) by JJ Carpenter

Genre: Ghost Suspense

Format: eBook (ARC)

Pages: 309

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

“I've never told you the full story... what happens when a Keeper fails...”

Charlie White has felt the ripples of imbalance through the Dream for months now. First, through the traumatised young child, Marie. Then, through the coalescing of frantic spirits on the Great North Road. And most recently, by facing the dangers of imbalanced, betrayed lovers destined for revenge.

She is about to discover where these ripples stem from. Who set them in motion. What they’ve unleashed into the world. And how this will continue to unseat everything in Charlie’s life.

Secrets will be released as yet more spirits drag unresolved memories back from the grave. But will Charlie regret what she discovers? And is she prepared for just how much she’s about to lose?

Review:

"I'd almost hoped... well... I hadn't hoped it was over, I suppose, but it was nice enjoying a normal life. Just for a little while."

As Charlie's journey as a keeper continues, she learns more about how the spirits have become imbalanced. Traveling to Newcastle with her dearest friends, Tess, Trent, and Brent, they visit the beautiful Nobbys Island and the lighthouse.

The island and lighthouse have been beautifully preserved, and the history runs deep.

Once again Charlie encounters many spirits, but something is quite different this time. The spirits are unbalanced here, unable to move on. There are many different colored spirits, and Charlie must figure out why they are here and how to help them move on.

Not only is there much confusion, mystery, and the task of keeping the balance, there is a shocking, painful, and life changing loss in the lives of Charlie and her lovely friends.

Charlie is also in for another major surprise, a very unexpected one, but one that is welcomed.

I love the strength of the characters’ friendship, and I feel like I have walked alongside them through every novel. Watching from a distance as Charlie learns more about her ability as a keeper and developing as a person with an earnest heart. The history of Australia that is included is so interesting to learn about.

Each novel has been suspenseful, intriguing, and sometimes chilling, but for me they have all touched my heart in some way as well. This series has been such a joy to read, and I am so looking forward to reading more to come.

"Don't go into the tunnel, or the soldier will drown you."

**Thank you so much; Jess, for the complimentary copy and for sharing your wonderful stories with me!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/JJ-Carpenter/author/

Amazon Author link:

BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jj-carpenter

Author Website Link:

https://www.jjcarpenterauthor.com/

About the Author

JJ Carpenter is the author of The Corner of Her Eye, a series of Australian ghost stories exploring the concept of purgatory.

JJ has been writing books since she was six years old - a collection of kooky tales she would staple together and hide in a shoebox under her bed. Penning her first novel at the age of 12, her love of all things creepy, supernatural and wild has never left her. Join JJ as she journeys through haunted places and chilling mysteries across the beautiful country, and rich history, of Australia.

She was born in Canberra, Australia. She spent her childhood in various locations, including the Barossa Valley, South Australia, and Hampshire, England. As an adult, she's spent much of her career living and working in the South Pacific: Solomon Islands (twice), Vanuatu, Fiji and beyond.

Review Links:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Joni Jones and the Ghost Train by P.D. Leyshon

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/Middle Grade

Format: eBook

Pages: 298

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

The Ghost Train is approaching... Are you brave enough to jump on?

A page - turning time travel, fantasy adventure for children aged 8-14, who enjoy the Harry Potter books, or films like The Goonies.

It is nearly a year since 11-year-old Cai Jones went missing on that awful Halloween night.

When Joni Jones starts hearing the eerie sound of a steam engine on the haunted old path in the woods, he is convinced it is linked to his older brother's mysterious vanishing.

After Joni and his friends, Osh and Ellie, sneak out to investigate, they discover a ghost train that takes them to a parallel spirit world, where all the ghosts that ever existed are trapped for eternity.

With the help of the Resistance, a commando unit of ghost fighters, Joni must rescue his brother, then somehow return home.

Travelling through time to fight ghosts isn't for everyone.

To have any kind of future, Joni and his friends must first conquer the paranormal past.

Review:

"It was a question that had troubled the villagers of Nant-Y-Glo in West Wales for nearly a year since that Halloween night when the eleven-year-old schoolboy disappeared. Eleven months and twenty-nine days, to be exact."

Joni's brother disappeared almost a year ago. Life has not been the same for Joni and his grandparents. Their hearts are filled with sadness and worry. Joni begins to experience strange occurrences. Waking in the night, hearing a train that should not exist. Seeing a woman and a white crow. Discovering his brother has his telescope pointed towards the old path in the woods, wondering why. He also discovers his brother's hidden diary with things written that are the same as what he is experiencing.

Joni convinces his best friend, Osh, to investigate where the sound of the train is coming from. They never could have imagined what they would encounter or the adventure they will be taken on after jumping on the train. Eventually joining up with others, they learn where they are, why they are there, what they must do to rescue Joni's brother, and are able to return home safely.

There is so much that occurs throughout the story. It is mysterious and filled with historical times. The adventure is exciting and engaging. I really enjoyed the quirkiness and diversity of the characters and the bonds between friends. It was great to see each of them discover more about themselves and begin to show their strengths. The descriptive prose created a vivid and atmospheric setting of the parallel world set in the past. There is just enough darkness that creates a creepy, ghostly, spine-tingling adventure.

As an elementary librarian, I can easily say that this is a perfect book for those kids that love a fantastical, historical, spooky read! There were certain names of the kids that popped into my thoughts that I know would love this book!

As an adult reading it with the kids in mind, it was really fun to read. But I also feel that as an adult, if you still love to read middle grade books, I definitely recommend grabbing your own copies to enjoy. Also, if you have your own children to read with or children with a passion for reading, this adventurous book is delightful!

**A very kind thank you to the author for reaching out and providing a complimentary copy!

Goodreads Author Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/P.D.-Leyshon/
BookBub Author Link:

Author Website Link:

https://www.paulleyshon.com/books/

About the author

P.D. Leyshon is a TV Producer and Director responsible for delivering some of the UK's most popular property, history, and antique shows. He is also very experienced in directing children's tv. Two decades working on history shows have provided the inspiration for some of the characters and locations in his debut novel. A passion for history, geography, and all things peculiarly paranormal led to him creating 'Joni Jones and the Ghost Train'. Paul is available for media appearances and school visits via his website.

Review Links:

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Remembering Demons (The God Cycle Book 1) by J. Cornelius

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Format: eBook

Pages: 284

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

Have you ever wondered what lurks in the mirrors?

Daryl doesn't have to wonder... he knows.
But why do they stalk him? Why can't he remember anything?
It's enough to drive a guy crazy!

Meanwhile, the eerie asylum seems to know more than an old pile of rock and mortar has any right to and his therapy is uncovering a blood-stained past of pain and death, alongside something dormant within him of disturbing power. When Dr. Walker teaches him how to face his demons, the psychoses and dreams conspire to warn him of something even worse stalking him. Something ancient and evil.

To survive, Daryl must confront the repressed memories that drove him insane.

For madness—is a blunt instrument.

Review:

“The process of your capture is to be part of your punishment. First, I will break your body and then deliver what is left to Purgatory for eternal damnation.”

Daryl is in an Asylum, he does not know why he is there, nor does he remember his past. He has repressed his memories and is too fearful to face uncovering the truth. He meets with a therapist who is trying to help him not only remember and face his fear of pain, but also to stop believing his hallucinations are real and there are no monsters.

Daryl is so confused he just does not know what to believe. His dreams do not feel like they are just dreams, they feel real, and he begins to realize there is so much more going on than he could have ever imagined.

Visits from imaginary friends, monsters in mirrors, angels and demons, pain, and fear.

Will Daryl figure out who he is, face his past, and will anyone believe him when the truth is revealed?

"Feeling safe is a promise your past makes to your future. It does not, in fact, mean that you are safe."

This dark fantasy is like stepping into a fever dream, wondering if you will be able to step your way back out. The lines between the realm of monsters and gods and Daryl's world are blurred until he begins to realize many truths which then blends cohesively together. And yet there are the elements of surprise that still cause the mind to wonder and question, is it all real? Or is it a way of tolerating suppressed memories and past traumatic experiences?

A blending of dark fantasy, elements of horror, mythology, and moments of humor. I chuckled a few times, which added a little enjoyable lightness to the story.

If this sounds like a book that you would enjoy reading, please try it. If you feel a bit confused at first, stick with it because it will come together and it will be worth your time spent in a world of imagination.

**Thank you so much, J. Cornelius for reaching out and for the complimentary copy.

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Cornelius/author/

Amazon Author Link:

BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-cornelius

Author Website Link:

https://www.j-cornelius.com/

About the Author

J. Cornelius writes traditional and dark fantasy. His debut novel, Remembering Demons, is an epic dark fantasy novel with traditional fantasy and sci-fi elements. It is the first in The God Cycle series, a contemporary fantasy epic. Besides books, he also juggles a job as a full-time virus researcher and father of two beautiful girls and a boy for whom looks are too early to tell. He has also been a bartender, a food oil sommelier, a singer and composer of songs, and an embarrassingly avid dancer of dances. In his copious free-time he greatly enjoy making snaps and following the world of physics and cosmology, both of which have served as inspirations for the themes of The God Cycle.

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

Monday, January 6, 2025

THE APARTMENT: Fear Stalks the Halls (Part 3 Houses of Horror Series) by Kevin Bachar

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 264

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

An unholy being is unleashed in the terrifying novel from the EMMY-award-winning producer and screenwriter of the LIONSGATE horror film THE INHABITANT.

What if the horrors of the past seeped into the present? THE APARTMENT is a place where every hallway, door, and staircase leads to madness. And where a serial killer by the name of THE HARVESTER has decided to stalk their victims.

Benjamin and his girlfriend Katherine move to New York City. Instead of stylish Manhattan, or hip Brooklyn, the couple end up on Roosevelt Island, a spit of land in the middle of the East River.

It's secluded and steeped in sordid history. The place was once known as the ‘Island of the Damned’ when it was home to a prison, a smallpox hospital, and a mysterious building where strange experiments occurred.

Review:

Katherine aka Kat has a special gift. Starting at the age of eight she has been able to see beyond what others are not able to. Pictures appearing in her mind showing her events happening or are yet to happen. Spirits appear to her at times, but there is one that is malicious, a bringer of doom.

After a traumatic experience at the age of eight, her ability goes dormant for many years. She has also become very susceptible to becoming terribly ill. She must be incredibly careful not to be exposed, so she mostly stays secluded.

"Time and trauma had etched their mark, leaving her with a perpetual wariness in her storm-grey eyes."

As her life moves forward, she has found love and a new future. She takes a huge leap of faith and moves to New York with her boyfriend, Benjamin. He chooses an apartment on a less populated island to help protect Kat from being exposed to illnesses.

Kat soon learns that the apartment building and the island have many hidden dark secrets, and it has awoken her ability. Once again, she starts to see disturbing and horrible things.

The other tenants seem strange and distant, often cranky.

"Some people are just not pleasant."

There is now a murderer among them. The crimes are heinous and have everyone on edge, feeling unsafe.

As thoughts of the island linger in Kats mind, her visions become more frightening, and her dreams become more disturbing. She does not quite feel like her normal self anymore.

Murder and mystery abound within these pages. Kat's character is so intriguing as she is not easy to figure out because of her ability, it turns one's mind to really wonder what is actually going on, what is real and what is not. The lingering spirits are unsettling because of how much pain they are in, lost and trapped. The most disturbing is learning what occurred on the island many, many years before, heart wrenching.

The end chapters are full of surprises!

Ghosts, paranormal, thriller, serial killer, mystery, and horror. This was a fun read!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-Bachar/author/

Amazon Author Link:

BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kevin-bachar

Author Website Link:

https://www.kevinbachar.com/

About the author

I’m a national EMMY award-winning documentary filmmaker and WGA screenwriter. If you’ve watched National Geographic, PBS, or The Discovery Channel you’ve seen my work. I’m the idiot in the water filming sharks in murky water or vampire bats in pitch-black caves. But I sometimes like to leave the factual world behind and work in fiction.

The elevated horror film I wrote - The Inhabitant - was released through Lionsgate last fall and is available on Prime. A reviewer in The Guardian wrote - “...there’s a lot more finesse here in the telling of the backstory … and a sense of menace lurking around every corner in the bland suburban setting; together it evokes indie “elevated horror” features such as It Follows.”

Review Links:

Saturday, January 4, 2025

The Atropine Tree by Sarah Read

Genre: Occult Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 317

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Aldane Manor is an ancient home of low-beamed ceilings, crumbling walls, poison gardens, and deadly secrets.

When Alrick Aldane returns to his family’s house, he expects to simply inherit his father’s land and title.

Instead, he discovers that he is also heir to the property’s disturbing history--one full of witchcraft--and a ghostly mystery that could condemn him to a fate worse than death.

Review:

"The wood was stained in splotches of unnatural colors, the surrounding plaster absorbing the hues—purples, reds, yellows fading out from the doorway as if it were a portal to another world."

House Aldane is a manor with a dark history. When Lord Aldane passes, the family is now all gathered in the manor. Alrick is under the impression that he will now be Lord of the manor, but his older stepbrother, Aemon, has other plans. He has gone to great lengths to ensure he will be Lord, and he uses his position of power in an unkind manner.

Tredan is Alrick and Aemon's uncle who is also the alchemist of House Aldane. He works hard to save many ill orphan children, and he is now teaching Alrick the craft.

Alrick is a gentle soul and only wants what is rightfully his. He also wishes to help as many people as he can while keeping the family together and peaceful.

"No healing could occur with Aemon in power—he was a hot infection keeping the wound open. Alrick would be the medicine. If necessary, the scalpel."

Nelda is Aemon and Alrick's sister. She is fascinated with nightshade and belladonna, and the trees such as laurel and oleander. Her mother's garden is filled with poisonous plants which she indulges in to open the door to the other side.

As Tredan and Alrick work together to prove he is the rightful Lord, many hidden secrets become known.

"There was duty to consider. And not all of the voices in the Aldane halls were happy. Frightened maids. Cries of anger. And the dead. So many voices out of their bottles."

The Atropine Tree is a wonderfully written dark gothic horror novel. Fascinating characters and an engaging plot. Questionable practices, shattered lives as well as a decaying manor. Trapped souls, some hateful, and some that are favorable. Sickly scenes of death. Deeply buried secrets to unveil. A dark manor full of deceit, tension, danger, and adventure.

I really enjoyed reading this one, just fabulous!

**Thank you Bad Hand Books for the complimentary copy!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://inkwellmonster.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sarah-Read/author/

Author Website:

About the author

Sarah Read writes and reads dark fiction in Colorado. She is Fiction Editor for Pantheon Magazine. When she's not playing with words, she's playing with yarn. Her hands are perpetually covered in ink.

Publisher Website Link:
https://badhandbooks.com/

"You can do a lot with a bad hand. We're bringing you the best horror, crime, and dark fantasy fiction."

Review Links:

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

It Lurks by Daniel Dean

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 96

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

What starts as an ordinary Christmas night for John and Caitlyn, quickly turns into a nightmare after they crash their car on their way home. It's not the accident that changes everything, though. It's what's out in the woods. It's what they don't understand. It's what they can't explain.

Review:

Christmas, a time when creating memories should be happy and comforting, A time spent with family, friends, or who is most important in life.

For John and Caitlyn, Christmas was challenging. Time with family was an unpleasant experience. Leaving early, not wanting to be there anymore, they head out in a bad storm thinking that they could make it home safely. As the storm becomes more daunting, strange happenings begin to occur, resulting in crashing their car. As the hours pass by, they realize their situation is becoming dire and they must figure out what they should do to survive. Leaving the car and heading out into the woods, they come upon a cabin. Hoping to stay warm and safe inside, they realize that the real nightmare is just beginning.

"The storm turned angry as the seconds ticked by, but Mother Nature didn't distribute her wrath evenly. Instead, she targeted them."

There is something lurking outside, haunting, and sinister.

"The snowman sat just ten feet from the cabin window."

This is an entertaining novella. There are some creepy elements, but mostly I felt that this is a "mind bender." The characters are separated from their reality, but they never really have an answer as to why it's all happening. This leaves everything open to one's own interpretation and it has an open ending, which really keeps one thinking about what the hell just happened and why.

A fun winter read that may give one a different opinion of snowmen lurking in other people's yards!

** Thank you to the author for reaching out, it's much appreciated!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Daniel-Dean/author/

Amazon Author Link:

Authors Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/danieldeanauthor

Review Links:

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Burning Glass (Book 2: The Glass Wings Series) by Elle Kaelee

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 342

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

She felt lifeless, her skin glowing like a siren on the hunt, a ghost adrift in the sea.

In the second installment of the Glass Wings series, Hadley has narrowly escaped her own kidnapping. Now hidden away in the remote mountains, she struggles to heal, haunted by her translucent wings and a mysterious shadow self that whispers only to her. But her peace is fleeting. The enigmatic Goddess Ayurveda seeks Hadley’s power for a dazzling and dangerous plan to rule over both the Earth realm and Myrilosis.

As Hadley grapples with her fractured heart and untamed abilities, she must choose between following the Goddess's treacherous path or forging her own destiny. But with the Kinnari and Vrae uniting to stop them, the world teeters on the edge of destruction. The fate of both Earth and Myrilosis hangs in the balance, and Hadley is key to either their salvation or their destruction.

Review:

"Gods were not symbols of bounty and harmony, they were symbols of retribution, of penance, of brutality. There was a special kind of sinister motivation, to create life and then torture it throughout its existence."

Discovering that she is Kinnari, Hadley continues her journey to discover more about who she is. She is confused, hurt, and angry. She has been claimed by her creator; Ayurveda, who is out to increase her power to become the ruler of earth and Myrilosis. She has Hadley assisting her to destroy many but after Hadley is separated from Ayurveda, she begins to question everything pertaining to her existence, her immortality, her new powers, and her feelings of betrayal and loneliness.

The Kinnari and the Vrae have come together to stop Ayurveda from her destruction. There is still descension between them and they are very unbalanced in their beliefs. With much of Myrilosis and its inhabitants now destroyed, there are few survivors left.

The earth's rotation is slowing, the moon is dying, and all is dependent upon the decisions that will be made.

Continuing from Book 1; Glass Wings, we learn so much more about the characters and we are introduced to new characters. The world building is expanded upon creating a vast, dark, magical realm.

Gods and Goddesses. Kinnari and Vrae. New characters from the depth of the sea. Morally gray characters. A wyvern. A realm with portals that allow entry to earth. A fantastical world!

A very adventurous, enjoyable, uniquely created dark fantasy!

**A truly kind thank you to Nicole Kincaid PA and Elle Kaelee for a complimentary copy, it is very much appreciated!

Goodreads Author Link: