A Christmess Story by Joseph M. Monks

 

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 24

Read: 01/17/23

Synopsis: 

Those folks at Your Childhood Ruined ain’t got nothing on this timeless classic. The Blind Guy (who brought you ‘Tits A Wonderful Life’ for porno mags) gives you reason to want to shoot your own eyes out. Follow Joe Monks into a very sordid schoolyard, where you’re triple-dog-dared to stick your tongue…and maybe other things…to a rather creepy flagpole. See if you can spot the cameos by other memorable ’80s icons without the Easter egg guide, while Jewish readers will be glad they celebrate the holidays differently!

Review:

School can be tough, especially for a new kid. Trying to fit in and stay under the radar of being bullied. So, when Ricky is "double dog dared" and even "triple dog dared" to stick his tongue to an ice covered pole to prove that either it is going to stick or it's not, he accepts the dare. He doesn't believe it will stick, so imagine his surprise when it does. He is horrified and when even more strange occurences begin, it becomes a fight for his life. 

That's all I am going to say as I do not want to spoil anything but this is not a typical stuck tongue and what happens is horrifying. What a twist!!

 I am very familiar with the classic movie "A Christmas Story". Produced in 1983, I have been watching it since I was a child and I have watched it every year, sometimes even more than once, especially when they would run a 24 hour marathon. 

Also being quite familiar with many of the 80s references, I picked up on many of the easter eggs included. The references to the movies are some of my all time favorites from the 80s , so this made this short gorrific little tale even more fun to read, although it was often times painfully disturbing, I chuckled a lot.

(Even though it's not Christmas, it is winter here in Minnesota, so a very fitting time to read it.)

I very kind thank you to Joseph M. Monks for connecting and reaching out, appreciated!

Godless Purchase Link:

https://godless.com/products

Godless Author Page:

https://godless.com/collections/

Goodreads Author Page:

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

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joseph-M.-Monks/author/

Dark Murmurs: A Compendium of Curiosities

 

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 266

Read: 01/16/23

Synopsis:

Silent House Press returns from the void with fifteen of horror’s best voices...

Step into our library where you’ll find scavenger hunts, interdimensional portals, monsters, murder, and maybe even some magic....

These dark murmurs aren’t for the faint of heart, but you knew that already,

didn’t you?

Forward by Michelle Renee Lane

"In this “unthemed” anthology you’ll find a cross-section of humanity dealing with loss, unrequited love, greed, sadness, lust, and, of course, fear."

Edited by Jill Girardi & Lydia Prime

Content:

Farewell II Flesh by Mocha Pennington

Tea for Two by Elizabeth Massie

Last Words by Richard Chizmar

Stargazer Lily by Brandon Scott

Serial Numbers by Philip Fracassi

The Letter by Lydia Prime

A Show Called Life by Patrick R. McDonough

The Cobbler and the Golem by Catherine McCarthy

It Takes A Village by Josh Darling

Marble, Colorado by Rowan Hill

Error-X by Joshua Marsella

One Every Year by Jill Girardi

Shadow of Sanity by J. Snow

Webbed by Ellie Douglas

Things We Need for the Homecoming by Gwendolyn Kiste

Review:

Curiosities, indeed! 

The dark atmosphere and overall unique creativity shines through the writing style and talents from each of the 15 author's. 

Themes including: mental abuse, body dysmorphia, evil intentions, unrequited love, disturbing secrets, vampires, greed, demons, mistakes made,  futuristic, virtual control, dark fantasy, historical settings, mythology, conspiracy, failed experiments, cosmic horror, physical abuse, urban legends, revenge, psychological affects from abuse and isolation, creepy crawlies ( POV of a spiders life), teenagers plotting a great night of mayhem and fun to cast aside the feelings of being discarded by the world. 

There is so much to ponder on throughout each of these stories. Some are heartbreaking at their core and some are laugh inducing while all being completely entertaining. 

While I enjoyed every one of these, there were a few that really stood out:

Last Words by Richard Chizmar

Serial Numbers by Philip Fracassi

The Cobbler and the Golem by Catherine McCarthy

It Takes A Village by Josh Darling

One Every Year by Jill Girardi

Shadow of Sanity by J. Snow

A very 5 star worthy anthology!

A shout out and a very kind thank you to the lovely and talented, Jill Girardi, for putting this on my radar to read and review!

Goodreads Link:

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

Amazon Link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/

Review Links:

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

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

The Night It Got Out by Patrick James Ryan

 

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Horror

Format: Paperback

Pages: 220

Read: 01/11/23

Synopsis:

During a blustery winter night, two retired Navy Seals transporting a top secret cargo to NORAD are besieged by an unexpected blizzard. A terrible car accident unleashes a creature with unparalleled killing capacity. Within hours dozens of people are carved up and dismembered in the town of Mangas Pass, Colorado with no end in sight to the carnage. Police Chief, Don Girard pairs up with retired Green Beret Colonel, Elliot Harmon to try to stop the creature from decimating the entire town. Harmon will be forced to face the sins of his past, while Girard helplessly agonizes over every death in an effort to protect the town and his own family. As the bloody body count rises, both men become consumed by a horrifying sequence of events that will forever change their lives The Night It Got Out! From the author of the popular short story collection, Blood Verse, comes a horrifying novel of suspense and terror that you won't be able to put down!

Review:

"The beast hesitated, experiencing conflicting emotions for the first time in its savage life."

It's a blustery winter, the roads are icy, and traveling becomes risky as a blizzard hits in full force. As NORAD is transporting top secret cargo, a car accident ensues unleashing a monstrous, brutal killing machine. This creature is an enhanced hybrid protected by the government and they are now on the hunt to capture the beast. 

The town of Mangus Pass is now in great peril as the ghastly beast is on a killing spree, leaving a bloody trail in its wake, no one is safe that crosses its path. Torn limbs, spewing guts, decapitated heads, and death in huge numbers. 

More and more secrets are revealed and they are not very pleasant, almost making one feel just as upset and angered by the acts the government have done to create such a monster. It all goes wrong and now it's up to all involved to clean up the mess. 

If you are a fan of fast paced creature-features, leaving you on edge, with lots of blood, guts and gore, this is a book you will surely enjoy. Very entertaining! An adrenaline rush!

(I have to include that when I came to page 174......MY JAW DROPPED AND I WAS GASPING IN HORROR!) 

Many surprises and the ending will leave you wanting more!

Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patrick-James-Ryan/author/

Black Bed Sheet Books Author Page:

https://blackbedsheetbooks.com/patrick-james-ryan/

Review Links:

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

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

Black Bed Sheet Books

Larva Me Tender by Robert Ford

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 93

Read: 01/07/23

Synopsis:

It was a good run while it lasted, but Eddie’s days as an Elvis impersonator are coming to a close.
Middle-aged and overweight, even his yearly gigs at county fairs start to dry up.But Eddie’s priorities change when he fathers a very special kind of baby... sort of. Struggling with the responsibility and fear of every new father, Eddie is forced to take action to provide for his child.Even if those actions are illegal... even if he risks his life in the process.A father’s love knows no bounds... even for a child like this.

Review:

"But for the briefest of moments, they flew."

At approximately 93 pages, there is a lot to unwrap in this little gift. An unlikely bond between Eddie and Squirt (a combination of something akin to a larva developing into a somewhat alien-human being with personality. A hungry little squiggler with an unusual, grotesque appetite but also an endearing demeanor.)

The tenderness and dedication that Eddie gives to his new little nugget was just so sweet, he does whatever he feels is necessary to care for Squirt, but unfortunately he goes too far and in the end he must make a tough decision. 

There are moments that will make you want to squirm, laugh out loud, and tug at your heart. 

Quirky and hilarious with a lot of heart and soul!

Goodreads Author Page:

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

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-Ford/author/

Review Links:

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

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

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

http://robertfordauthor.com/about-author-robert-ford/

Beautiful Atrocities by Ross Jeffery

 

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror Short Stories

Format: Paperback

Pages: 172

Read: 01/06/23

Synopsis:

Beautiful Atrocities collects eighteen stories of literary dark fiction from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author Ross Jeffery, who terrified us with the sensational Juniper Series. These chilling stories run the gamut of modern horror and will leave the reader entertained, breathless and horrified in equal measure but still wanting to turn the page.

This is a masterful debut collection from one of horror's bright shining lights.

Review:

"Everyone has two warring beasts within them, and one always wins out."

I have been reading this one for awhile now. Opening the pages in the mornings before the start of my day, knowing that I would be reading something new to ponder on and take with me throughout my day. I chose to read it in this manner simply because I did not want to rush the experience. Enjoying each moment within the stories and reveling in the beauty of the words. Letting the emotions flow, often revisiting the stories that touched me the deepest. 

There is so much heart and soul written into these stories it wasn' t hard to look past the darkest moments that disturb the mind. Dark fiction including many of the deepest topics that are the hardest to face or often times to overcome. Abuse in many forms that sicken the mind and break the heart and soul. Body horror, death and grief, love and beauty, this collection is diverse in the depth and cruel beauty of horrifying storytelling. 

It shredded my heart, it broke my soul. Beautiful Atrocities is a treasure!

Bonus: Captivating Cover, story notes from the author, and illustrations.

Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ross-Jeffery/author/

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review

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

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

https://cemeterygatesmedia.com/

The Girl in the Cellar: An Extreme Horror from Two of the Darkest Minds: Matt Shaw & Aron Beauregard

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 68

Read: 01/02/23

Synopsis:

From two of the darkest minds working in modern day horror: A new series of dark and disturbing tales!

U-Turns is a new series from Matt Shaw and a series of guest authors. The brain-child of Matt Shaw, U-Turns sees the two authors taking it in turns to both start and finish the stories. One author will write "Part One", and then the second author will come in and write "Part Two" - drastically changing the course of the story in the process, in an effort to shock, disturb and - ultimately - delight you.

With each book being a stand-alone story to haunt your nightmares and plague your waking moments. How many can you handle?

Book One: The Girl in the Cellar - Matt Shaw and Aron Beauregard

No matter what she does, Brooke cannot put her past behind her. Wherever she goes, whatever she does - he is never far from her thoughts. More specifically, what he did to her. Brooke knows the only way to rid herself of this nightmare is to ensure it can never happen again and, for that, she needs to take the law into her own hands. But, she also knows, once she goes down that path - her life will change forever. The question is - for better or worse?

Warning: This is an extreme horror. There are brutal, potentially upsetting scenes within. For those who are easily shocked or offended, please do not purchase this book.

Review: 

"No matter where I go, what I do, who I see, there's always this shadow following me with its rancid breath constantly breathing down my neck. A whisper carried in the wind, I'm still with you."

Brooke:

The first half given to us by Matt Shaw takes into the mind of Brooke. She is telling us her story of her kidnapping and suffering. The effect it had on her drives her into a mental break and causes her to go searching for her kidnapper. She is out for revenge. 

"If you truly love someone, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours."

Crane and Brad:

The second half given to us by Aron Beauregard takes us into the minds of Crane and Brooke's son Brad. Brad is an angry child, feeling that he was neglected by his mother. Crane is disturbing and has some really disgusting fetishes. 

All these characters come together and we are delved into their darkest thoughts and disturbing desires. 

This collaberation is fantastic. I absolutely love the psychological aspects that Matt wrote into Brooke's story. Her character development was resonating and I couldn't help but feel her distress and pain. Then Aron hits us with Crane and Brad. Two very disturbed minds with some disgusting and creepy fetishes. But I could not help but feel sorry for Brad, poor kid. Crane on the other hand is a puke, the character that made my head spin with contempt and wishing he would get his just due!

I enjoyed this whole read and I am super excited for the up coming releases and collaberations!

Goodreads Author Links:

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

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

Amazon Author Links:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-Shaw/author/

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

Review Links:

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

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

https://linktr.ee/themattshaw?

https://www.abhorror.com/

The Horror Collection: Sapphire Edition by KJK Publishing

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror Anthology

Format: eBook

Pages: 384

Read: 12/31/22

Synopsis: 

The bloodthirsty master of terror, Kevin J. Kennedy, once again brings insatiable horror readers a tremendous variety of original fiction from some of the best in the business.

Thirteen is unlucky for some — KJK Publishing has put together a memorable Horror feast for the mammoth thirteenth book in this series. It’s perhaps our favourite number!

From rising indie talent to authors who have been in the industry for decades. Your appetite is guaranteed a veritable smorgasbord of styles and subgenres to feed the pallet. Join us between the pages of this bestselling horror series for the thirteenth time.

Review: 

Stories Included: 

The Oak by Steve Stred

The House on Royal Street by Tom Deady 

The Noose by Nick Roberts

Cursed by R.E. Sargent

The Last Meal by Veronica Smith

Enjoy Your Show by Christina Bergling

The Upstairs Neighbor by David Sodergren

Blueprint by RJ Roles

Anti-Claus by Graham Masterton

In Search of the Blue Footed Booby by Eric Butler

Christine and Tracey by Matty-Bob Cash

Skin Flick by Shaun Hutsen

Lost in Ephemera by M Ennenbach

Letters to Santa by John Durgin

The Long Con by P.J. Blakey-Novis

The Blood-Witch by Nicola Bombardi 

A Disturbed Sleep by DE McCluskey

All That Glitters by Gord Rollo

Blood on the Road by Mike Duke

Quote from "The Long Con" by P.J. Blakey-Novis:

"She had always been a 'pen and paper' type of person, forever making lists and organising what she called her 'overstocked mind' with notes and thoughts written out clearly."

Just by looking at the line up of author's there was no doubt in my mind that I would be reading something entertaining and quite special. These author's have a way of getting inside your head, making you reflect and think, and sometimes even getting inside your heart.

Having so much diversity also provided an even more entertaining read, like a mixed up box of chocolates, a complete surprise. There are stories of hauntings, supernatural entities, ancient creatures, extreme horror that unsettles the mind, psychological, and suspenseful. Often times creepy, disconcerting, and spine chilling.

Each author's unique writing style shines through like a bright shining star, or delves you into a dark night filled with terrors.

A tantalizing experience sure to please anyone that enjoys an escape while reading!

Goodreads Link:

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

KJK Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Links:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-J-Kennedy/author/

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5180777161

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

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