Friday, December 23, 2022

3:33 by Mark Towse















Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 119

Read: 12/22/22

Synopsis: 

A very exclusive club.
Invitation only, and by rather unorthodox methods.
How will you know? You’ll know.
No cash or credit card required.
Leave your sanity at the door.

Review:

Aging can be rough. Depending on the perspective one views in their life. Looks change, relationships change, children grow up and often drift, and sometimes it becomes too much to accept. 

This is Frank. He isn't happy with his looks, his wife lives in her own world of vanity, and his children are teens too cool to want to spend time with dad.

Frank is given an offer to a members only club. One that makes many promises, but at a cost, and a signed contract. He can only receive if he at first promises to give in return. Even though it is a high price to pay, Frank agrees hoping for a better life to look forward to but eventually learns that the price he has paid slips him into his own persanal hell. 

"When time splits the Devil in two. When time splits the Devil in two. 666—3.33!"


With mind bending horror and feels of going down a hallucinogenic "Alice in Wonderland" rabbit hole of fever dreams, erotic encounters, and offers of sinful pleasures too hard to refuse, you may just be more thankful for your own life and appreciate what you have. You certainly would never want to experience anything that happens in this story. It's freaky, bizarre, and creepy! There is nothing as it seems, a dream, within a dream, within a....nightmare!!


Bonus short story: Last Train


Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/


Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-Towse/author/


D&T Publishing Godless Link:

https://godless.com/collections/vendors


Website/Blog:

https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpress.com/


Review Links:

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


https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/



















Thursday, December 22, 2022

The Cuckold Considers the Conception of Christ by The Professor

 















Rating: ★★★★★

Format: eBook

Pages: 18

Read: 12/22/22

Review: 

"Humanity can share an appreciation of only one thing - suffering."


"The story of humanity to come will be the story of the struggle to maintain this faith."


As I sit here a bit speechless with a few tears rolling down my cheeks, I am truly humbled and amazed at how The Professor extracts these emotions by sharing his beautiful prose. The way he captivates one while reading and the way it can make one feel is truly an experience to be appreciated and never forgotten. I understand that not all will feel the same emotions, but this story....... is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever read and touched me deep into my heart and soul!


What an amazing gift that I am truly thankful for!


https://godless.com/collections/






Monday, December 19, 2022

Playground by Aron Beauregard
















Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror

Format: Hardcover/Limited Edition/Signed

Pages: 293

Read: 12/18/22

Synopsis:

Three low-income families have been given a handsome retainer to join Geraldine Borden for a day at her cliffside estate. All the parents must do to collect the rest of their money is allow their children to test out the revolutionary playground equipment Geraldine has been working on for decades. But there’s a reason the structures in the bowels of her gothic castle have taken so long to develop—they were never meant to see the light of day.

When a band of dysfunctional children is suddenly thrust into a diabolical realm of violence, they must grow up instantly to have a chance at survival. Will they find a way to put their differences aside, or be swallowed up by the insidious architecture all around them?

Review:

"You have no choice, you must play the game, and learn that Heaven and Hell are one and the same."

If you are at all familiar with Aron's writing, then you should be well prepared for the darkness that lies within his storytelling. But you should also be expecting superb character developement, well developed plots, and unique settings.

Geraldine and Fuchs are character's that are completely evil and unlikable, disgusting in all their enjoyment they have in living out their dream of watching the suffering of the children. There is a reason Geraldine is doing what she is, and it is somewhat sad, but clearly not justifiable. 

Rock is the character that from the beginning one can tell that he is a puppet on Geraldine's strings. Furthur in you will discover the true atrocities she puts Rock through. He is a character that is a product of his upbringing and control. He will surprise you later on as you learn more about him and he will be a character that you will learn to feel deeply for and you will be holding onto a hope that he will be able to find a happy ending in his morbid life he has to live.

The children have been chosen for a reason. Geraldine feels that the parents are  undeserving of the lives they are living and the children they have. Somewhat broken families and the daily life struggles of parenthood and the product the children are becoming because of those parental choices. 

The children will surprise you as your going on this vile and twisted adventure right along with them. The choices they will have to make, the choices some of them do make, and the consequences of thier actions. The familiarity of their  childhood is captured really well. The soft hearted, the hard hearted, the shy and meek, the conformed and the broken. I loved them all and was routing for them no matter their character, after all they are just kids. 

At the heart of this story, one can't help but develop a connection and just feel every gut wrenching punch as each child must make their choices. 

Of course there is also the bloody, disgusting gore and putridness. Yes, there are descriptions of smells that will possibly engage that gag reflex. 

It may sound terrible to some when I say I enjoyed the heck out of reading this, but it pertains to Aron's writing style and his ability to develop a story that completely engages one while reading. I do have to say though, that for me as someone who works with children, the further into the story the more difficult it became as it began to tear my heart apart. This wasn't an easy read, but it is a story well worth reading!

As a fan of horror one must always be prepared and well aware of what will be involved, because that's what reading horror is all about. For me horror is an escape from all the real nightmares of the world and this one surely suceeded in taking me away!!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aron-Beauregard/author/

Link to Author Website:

https://www.abhorror.com/

Review Links:

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

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/











Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun


 














Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: LGBTQ+ Holiday Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 351

Read: 12/13/22

Synopsis: 

One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money.

Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancΓ©e to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real

Review:

I am not going to give any of the back story on this. It can be found in the synopsis and if interested, in many of the other reviews.

Now romance novels are not my usual genre and I shocked a lot of my friends when they learned I was reading this and really enjoying it. 

I chose it from Book of the Month as I was just really intrigued by the overall themes. I am glad I chose it. 

 It is a perfect read for this time of year, that is if you are looking for a romance. Winter and Christmas themes, perfect for the holidays. I loved the family dynamics, the friendships, the characterization, and the wonderful winter setting. I loved the imperfectness of the characters, all their flaws layed out on the pages, so easy to connect with and wanting to route for. 

"And it's...real snow, like this...big snowstorms...they have the power to stop the world for a minute. Snow freezes time, so the constant pressure of life is briefly suspended in a blanket of snow, and for one day, it'slike you can catch your breath."

"When it snows," I say, more emphatically, "the world transforms. Snow is magic."

And this below pulled all the feelings:

"The thing is, I used to dream about someone who would always choose me above everything else. There was romance in that dream, sure. I wanted someone who woould see all my flaws and still lean in and tell me I'm beautiful. I wanted somenone who would hold my hand in public and hold the rest of me in private, a warm body in my bed, a constant presence in my life."

"I wanted someone who would see the whole mess of me---all the feelings and the perfectionism and the desire for control and the shape of my heart and the ache of my dreams, the wild, imperfect hunger of me, and the fear that keeps me from ever feeling full---and wouldn't get freaked out or turned off. Someone who would kiss me anyway."

Romantic and even a bit spicy. Delightfully charming!

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alison-Cochrun/author/

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Review Links:

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

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/

From BOTM:

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_LGBTQ

    LGBTQ+ themes

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_Quirky

    Quirky

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_FakeDating

    Fake Dating

  • Illustrated icon, Icon_Siblings

    Siblings




Saturday, December 3, 2022

Reg E. Rat's Birthday Fun Center and Same Day Outpatient Care Facility by Frank J. Edler

 















Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Horror Comedy

Format: eBook

Pages: 156

Read: 12/03/22

Synopsis:

For Mortimer, there are only two things in life to fear: kidney stones and children’s birthday
parties. For his son, Ichabod, its bullies and lame birthday presents. The father and son duo are
about to spend an afternoon facing their worst fears at the quirkiest place on Earth: Reg E. Rat’s
Birthday Fun Center.
Reg E. Rat’s is full of fun and games for the whole family. It’s also filled with maniac
animatronics, a questionable food menu and, somewhere in the back, the zaniest medical staff
imaginable.
Spend a hellacious afternoon with Reg E. Rat and friends. You’re gonna have a bloody good
time!

Review:

"Reg E. Rat's was the last place on Earth he wanted to spend a Saturday or any day of his life for that matter. If Hell had a basement, Reg E. Rat's Birthday Fun Ceneter was one floor below it."

Mortimer did not want to take his son, Ichabod to a Birthday Party at Reg E. Rat's. But he does what any good parent does and takes him anyway. Ichabod is excited and picks out what he thinks is the perfect gift. What starts out as an exciting party quickly turns into a chaotic blood bath of epic proportions and a fight to stay alive.

This was hilariously bizarre. Killer anamatronics, clown doctors at the Outpatient Care Facility that are crazy and weird. Gross pizza, cheesy fingernails, dead bodies in piles, quirky characters, and even a lesson on how to handle a bully. 

Join in on the crazy at Reg E. Rat's Birthday Fun Center and watch out for the Kooky Clowns at the Same Day Outpatient Care Facility, either way you're going to have a bloody good time!

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/Frank-J-Edler/e/

Godless Link:

https://godless.com/collections/

D&T Publishing Godless Link:

https://godless.com/collections/vendors

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/




Sunday, November 27, 2022

Blood Rose at Sundown by Brent Shepard


 

D&T Publishing LLC & Godless Emerge #11

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 16

Read: 11/27/22

Synopsis:

A disgraced, guilt-ridden ex-Calvary trooper, wanted dead or alive after killing a young mother,  finds demons from the past have driven him straight into the arms of one made of flesh and blood, and hungry enough to damn him to a special kind of purgatory.

Review:

"So quiet, not a ghost town, more like a town that had seen a ghost. Perchance wasn’t a man frightened easily. And he needed no ghosts to feel haunted."

Life for Perchance hasn't been a stellar one. He has caused a bit of trouble along his journey and now he is being hunted, wanted dead or alive. 

When he arrives in the desolate dusty town of Little Rose looking for some respite, fate deals him a hand there is no turning back from, for Little Rose is waiting with open arms. 

 A lonely, hunted soul and an enticing companion that shares her dreadful gift!

An entertaining short western horror.

Godless Link:

https://godless.com/collections/t

D&T Publishing on Godless:

https://godless.com/collections/




Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Petite Mort by Nikki Noir and S.C. Mendes





 










Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Coming-of-Age Splatterpunk

Format: eBook

Pages: 216

Read: 11/23/22

Synopsis:

Petite Mort features eight tales of new adults battling society, the supernatural, and themselves!

Meet Molly Massacre and her horror-themed OnlyFans account. Fall into the pit when Kelly discovers the fast-food restaurant she works at is built on a set of ley lines. Take a disgusting 
muckbang challenge, learn the twisted truth of positivity gurus, and much more.

These contemporary stories are for those who enjoy their horror erotic, bizarre, and full of dark humor.

After finding digital-only success on Godless, these stories have been remastered, enhanced, and brought together for the first time in print.

Grinder - short
Santa’s Package - novella
Into the Pit - short
HorrorGasm - novella
#DeadSealChallenge – short
Magick Brew – short
The Sack Cutter – short
Cucumbers and Comforters – novella

It's New Adult Horror meets Splatterpunk!

Review:

"Welcome to an exhibition of debauchery. A collection for those who enjoy their horror sexy, bizarre, and with plenty of dark humor."

Two stellar author's collaberating and producing a book that will surely delight all splatterpunk lovers!

You will be immersed in character's fulfilling their sexual desires, pushing their boundaries to the darkest limits of filth. 

Let yourselves be transported to a dream world where Santa fulfills sexual fantasies and delivers dark packages.

Mystery and Mayhem. Crime and otherworldly beings.

Sex, lies, and murder and  video nasties.

Glutonous exhibitions and the walking dead.

Love spells gone wrong. Flesh and body horror.

Revenge. 

A sweet friendship. River monsters and sex fiends. Deciept and death of epic proportions.

Bloody disgusting, gore-filled, satisfying entertainment!

I enjoyed each story and recommend taking the plunge into the minds of Nikki Noir and S.C Mendes, you won't be disappointed!

Goodreads Author Pages:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Pages:

https://www.amazon.com/Nikki-Noir/e/

https://www.amazon.com/S-C-Mendes/e/

Blood Bound Books Link:

https://www.bloodgutsandstory.com/home

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/






Beautifully Broken: An Autobiographical in Verse by Laura Fitzgerald
















Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Poetry

Format: Paperback

Pages: 87

Read: 11/23/22

Synopsis:

Fitzgerald has a smooth voice that romances a darkness, afflicting on its blooming infancy. Battling the grievous matters in autobiographical verse, becomes archivable reflections; subsequently neighboring the efflorescence design that metamorphoses into something Beautifully Broken.

Review:

"Now take the blessed, fractured pieces, forge a life from what you have been given, what a gift it is to defeat the darkness, to be alive...albeit beautifully broken."

To start off this review, I must first admit that I have not read a large amount of poetry throughout my life. I have read classic poetry during my high school days and with my children for their school assignments. Now we all know that the prose was completely different and often times not the easiest to understand without a lot of contemplation and study. 

I am learning to appreciate the beauty and richness that lies within books of poetry. To feel the emotions portrayed and connecting to meaningful understanding.

Beautifully Broken is poetry written in autobiographical form, a life unfolding on the pages. A life that is easily understood and so often resonating, it often had me in tears. I found myself going back and reading some of them over and over simply because they were just so touching and heartfelt. 

There are 52 poems included and each was beautifully written, reflecting on a broken life, finding light and hope in the darkness, knowing that you are broken but most of all beautiful.

My favorites:

Moon Bathing

Breaking Cycles

Dear Empath

Silent Tears

The River

Inside the Magical Air

Love Ellipsis

The Stranger in My Bed

Letter to My heart

No Tomorrow

Extraordinary

These are poems that will be revisited from time to time.

Highly recommeneded, undeniably profound!

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/

Hybrid Sequence Media Link:

https://hybridsequencemedia.com/product/

Amazon Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Beautifully-Broken-Laura-Fitzgerald-ebook

Review Links:

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

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews





Sunday, October 30, 2022

The Dead Heart by Lucas Milliron


 














Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 135

Read: 10/30/22

Synopsis:

A Tale of Resurrection and Necrophilia.

Wilbert’s a kind recluse, happier in his woodshop than the company of people. After the accidental resurrection, he’s ready to take his secret to the grave.

A champion dead lifter and veterinarian, Arielle’s taste in men is has left a trail of corpses in her wake. While indulging her lust for macabre, she discovers powers that allow her to explore beyond the limitations of life and flesh.

We all have skeletons in our closets, some more alive than others.

Not every secret can be taken to the grave.

Review:

“Just because you do the right thing, doesn't make you a hero anymore than not acting makes you a villain.”

Wilbert has a special gift. A gift he wishes he didn't have. He only wants to live a quiet life and be left alone. He has been hiding his secret for 17 years, but when this gift is discovered and it all comes out, people go crazy and he becomes the center of attention. 

Arielle is a dead lifter and a veterinarian, loves animals way more than people. She also has a deep hidden secret. Arielle is a dominatrix with horrifying, unatural macabre fetishes. 

When Arielle discovers Wilberts secret, she must have him and know how it is that he is capable of giving his gift to others. 

Two lives crossing paths turns into a grisly nightmare!

"Wilbert and Arielle couldn't have been more different, more detached from the world. Yet something terrible and strange tied them together. It was a gift, and a curse, a power neither compre‐ hended nor asked for."


Wow, wow, wow! As dark and disturbing as this is, the characters were excellently written. Wilbert is so likable, while Arielle is so damn vile one can't help but be completely disgusted by her. The whole story comes together so well and the ending is so, so good. Excellent prose that had me going back and re-reading certain parts. There is meaning in here alongside the disturbing that makes this an even more excellent read!


Hot damn, I love this one!


"There is no lover like a dead heart,"... "They don't break the living."


Goodreads Author Page:


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/


Amazon Author Page:


https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Milliron/

Godless Purchase Link:

https://godless.com/products/

D&T Godless Link:

https://godless.com/collections/vendors

Review Links:

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/



The Plastic Priest by Nicole Cushing

Rating: ★★★★ Genre: Horror Format: Paperback Pages: 108 Synopsis: When the soul has been thoroughly poisoned, the body must abandon it. Ever...