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. Everything feels unreal afterwards, but plastic heads shed no tears. Bram Stoker Award® winning author Nicole Cushing offers an excursion into the Weird, a quiet novella of a madwoman in a mad town.

Review:

"Reverend Ford is not Reverend Ford. At least, not to her parishioners. To them, she's "Mother Kaye."

Kaye is an Episcopalian priest in the small town of Owlingsville. She questions her faith along with the townspeople who continually fail to attend services. She questions why she continues in her role for the people of the town are thinkers of the old fashioned ways, unwilling to accept changes or ways of life. Bigots, gossips, unaccepting, and judgemental. Kaye doesn't dare integrate new ideas for fear of more rejection. She feels stuck in a situation she can't remove herself from. 

As she moves forward with her plan to try prayers in the park, she is confronted by what is seemingly a man, but turns out that was clearly not. The things she is told have settled into her mind and she becomes "The Plastic Priest." 

I can't tell you what the plastic priest is because that would be a huge spoiler. But this novella will take you on a journey of how one loses their mind, going into complete psychosis, giving into it. 

Pay close attention because this is a mind bender. Makes you think and wonder, ponder and contemplate. 

The imagery and writing style is captivating. Bizarre, surreal, but entirely unique, nothing like anything I have ever read. There is something very special about this that I just can't quite explain because it has to be experienced. That is exactly what this novella is, a complete experience often times causing me to reread a phrase or take pause and really think about what I just read. 

Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nicole-Cushing/author/

Author Website:
https://nicolecushing.wordpress.com/

About the Author

Nicole Cushing is the Bram Stoker Award® winning author of Mr. Suicide and a two-time nominee for the Shirley Jackson Award.

Various reviewers have described her work as “brutal”, “cerebral”, “transgressive”, "wickedly funny", “taboo”, “groundbreaking” and “mind-bending”.

Rue Morgue magazine included Nicole in its list of 13 Wicked Women to Watch, praising her as an “an intense and uncompromising literary voice”. She has also garnered praise from Jack Ketchum, Thomas Ligotti, and Poppy Z. Brite (aka, Billy Martin).

Her second novel, A Sick Gray Laugh (2019) was named to LitReactor’s Best Horror Novels of the Last Decade list and the Locus Recommended Reading List. She has recently completed and polished her third novel.

She lives in Indiana.

Publisher Link:

https://www.cemeterydance.com/

Review Links:

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

https://fable.co/review/

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

Demon's Wrath: Death in Caguas: A Michael Moretti Novel by Patrick James Ryan

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Occult/Thriller

Format: eBook

Pages: 419

Synopsis:

Brutal murders have been occurring in the rural villages of Caguas, Puerto Rico. A sinister force is beginning to show its terrifying presence. Michael Moretti, a seasoned expert in these matters, is hired by the Vatican City for his greatest challenge. But as he works with his partner Roberto, he begins to doubt his Catholic faith and capacity to defeat such an abomination. He falls in love with a beautiful woman who could jeopardize his mission. While the murders continue, Michael, Roberto and their Vatican mentor Cardinal Pussilano must pursue an unstoppable ancient evil while leaving a trail of bloody Carnage and monster mayhem only author Patrick James Ryan (Blood Verse) can deliver!

Review:

"The rain continued to pour outside, foreshadowing additional gloom in a town gripped in unspeakable evil."

Something very evil has entered into the small villages of Caguas, Puerto Rico. The deaths continue to rise as the monstrosity shows no mercy and devours everyone in its wake. 

The Vatican is the village's only hope for survival. They must defeat evil or risk losing many more lives. They call for the help of Specialist Michael Moretti and Demonologist Robert Giametti. They know that they are their only hope at defeating the evil. Many lives will come together to fight and many lives will be lost. The sacrifices must be made or be lost to the evil for all eternity. 

Michael must stay strong and fight far more than just the evil, he must fight for his soul, and for the souls that are threatened. He must not lose hope nor faith or lose the battle between life and death, good and evil. 

Read the synopsis and you will see much of what this story is about. But it is so much more. A high impact adventure with brutal death scenes. Evil itself reeking havoc upon the world is scary to even think about, it's chilling. Michaels character has strengths and weaknesses that opens a doorway of connecting and rooting for him throughout his plight. Friendship, honor, faith, and even love adds to the characters making them come to life and feel for them, especially during their times of loss. 

There were some scenes that had me reeling in disgust at the thought of what was occurring, but those are just my thoughts alone, as we all as readers take from stories our own thoughts and opinions. 

Religious/Occult horror, dark fantasy, and supernatural suspense.

This is a planned series, so more of Michael Moretti will be coming our way. He's an interesting character worth investing your time in and will hopefully want to follow as his adventures continue. 

"Time for you to die."

Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Author Link:

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

Author Link:

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

About the author

Patrick James Ryan is a native of Columbus, Ohio and the popular author of the diverse short story collection, "Blood Verse" and the best selling novel at Black Bed Sheet Books ~ "The Night It Got Out." He has also written "The Maggots Underneath The Porch," a diverse collection of narrative thriller poems titled, "Blood Prose: The Poems of Blood Verse," and a collection of novellas, "Out of the Shadows. His most recent release is a sequel to the popular Night It Got Out novel titled, The Night They Got Out. Patrick has appeared in numerous radio interviews and blogs and is recognized as a popular rising voice in the horror/suspense/thriller genre. Patrick and his wife, Molly enjoy the activities of their three children ~ Colleen, Michael and Patrick, Jr. An avid sports and music fan, Patrick enjoys Football, Basketball, Baseball, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and most hard rock. In addition to writing, Patrick is a voracious reader, taking in an eclectic swath of fiction and non-fiction across many genres, with horror being a favorite. A practitioner of martial arts for over 28 years. He holds a second degree black belt and is a huge fan of Bruce Lee. He is considered an expert with Nunchakus and in kickboxing. He continues to write and is currently in the midst of eight new projects.

Publisher Link:

https://blackbedsheetbooks.com/

Review Links:

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

https://fable.co/review/

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

Madness In Tandem by R.J. Powell

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Erotic Horror/Extreme

Format: Paperback

Pages: 105

Synopsis:

TRIGGER WARNINGS: This book contains graphic violence, gore, sex, vomit, and other acts that some may deem offensive. Reader discretion is advised.

Adam and Tilly, a recently married couple, vacation to a peaceful cabin situated by a serene lake to spend a week of relaxation. The trip offers Tilly a chance to work on her latest book while enjoying the tranquillity. However, their plans are disrupted by a series of strange events that occur shortly after their arrival.

Are they being driven into madness, or are they victims of something much more sinister?

As they struggle to grasp their new reality, their resilience and commitment to each other are put to the test, determining whether or not they can truly survive.

Review: 

"Do you think we'll always be like this?" he asked, looking down into the green eyes of his beautiful wife."

"I sure hope so," whispered Tilly, pressing her hips into his and kissing him hard once again."

Imagine yourself at a peaceful cabin, alongside your love, just hoping to relax and enjoy each other. That is the goal for Tilly and Adam. Things start out fantastic, erotic sex, relaxation, and serenity. Seems perfect. Until something is just not right. Little things start happening that don't make sense and it all quickly turns into a confusing mess for this poor couple. 

Things turn up missing, creatures start dying, and it's as hot as hades.

What was a hopeful love fest becomes "Madness in Tandem." 

The author really dives into her character development and swiftly takes the story into madness between the couple. Things are open to interpretation as it's hard to figure out what the hell is going on. Clearly,  they are losing their minds, but we don't know why, and the abhorrent things they do to each other are absolutely repulsive.

For fans of the extreme, I think you will really like this one. It's a novella done well and packs a punch. It's a nasty, tasty little morsel, and the ending is sinister and surprising. 

Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/

Author Website:

https://www.rj-powell.com/

About the author

R.J. Powell's illustrious writing career began at the ripe old age of seven, when she unleashed her creative prowess upon an unsuspecting elementary school. Little did she know that her tale featuring a jack-in-the-box would catapult her to literary stardom within the school walls. Her masterpiece was broadcasted over the intercom, leaving her classmates a tad bewildered.

 

R.J. continued to pen quirky yet dark tales and poems, most of which found a safe haven in her grandmother's possession. Rumor has it that Mawmaw was both awed and slightly terrified by the dark undertones of R.J.'s narratives, as they’ve been under lock and key ever since. 

By the age of fourteen, R.J. enlisted in summer writing programs, proving that her dedication to the written word knew no bounds. Despite her knack for weaving captivating stories, she took a slight detour, embracing the world of law as a Paralegal. It seemed that even legal documents couldn't escape the charm of her eloquent prose. Here is where she learned graphic design in designing custom events for lawyers and charities. 

Today, R.J. Powell embraces a life filled with the delightful chaos of children and pets, sprinkled with copious amounts of writing. A maverick in her own right, she continues to pen her whimsy and ingenuine dark stories. 

Review Links:

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

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

Conjuring the Witch by Jessica Leonard

 

Rating: ★★★★

Genre: Occult Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 190

Synopsis:

There are witches in the woods. These are the words the reverend of the Lilin Assembly of Our Lord repeats to his parishioners each week. Steve and Nicole Warby think it's just a metaphor, until Nicole takes a walk in those woods and comes back changed. Something came out of them with her, and the simple small-town life they've always known is forever altered when they discover the dark secrets buried deep and those intent on keeping them there. Fearing for his wife's sanity, and his own comfortable status in the church, Steve is unsure if he wants to help or ignore the problems. The reverend believes there are witches in the woods, and he thinks Nicole is only the most recent.

Conjuring the Witch is a dark, haunted story about what those in power are willing to do to stay in power, and the sins we convince ourselves are forgivable.

Review:

"There is a house in the woods, covered in moss and time. It is a cursed place, and it hurries. There is a house in the woods where not even crickets will chirp. It is hurrying."

Deep in the woods, there is a lingering. It is ever watching and waiting. It calls to those who listen and see. It waits for the moment it can exact its revenge, but it will forever live within the darkness. Lost to the pain and suffering it has had to endure for a lifetime. There are witches in the woods and there they will forever stay. 

Religious horror can be very complex and disturbing. Not only are we experiencing the foreboding of the woods, not knowing what is exactly haunting within, but we are also experiencing the control of the church and the involvement of the men in the community. Submission of the women is their main desire and they have done evil upon evil deeds to obtain their status as the ones who must be in control. 

There is guilt that is layed upon the women that has them believing they are not godly enough and that they must work harder at being submissive to their husbands. But when the women discover what is truly happening, they do what must be done to punish the men. 

There is an atmospheric darkness that comes to life with the descriptive prose and setting. There is a melancholy that is unsettling as the story unfolds, it takes us deeper into the reasons behind all the strange occurrences. 

There is an eeriness and some moments that are chilling, not only by what lingers in the woods, but by the priest who demands submissive wives. 

Witches for the win!

Goodreads Author Link:

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

Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jessica-Leonard/author/

Bookbub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-leonard

About the Author

Jessica Leonard is a horror author who loves ghosts and that felling you get when you think someone is watching you, She was born in a small town that may or may not exist and still lives there to this day. She lives with her husband, son, and two dogs. She has two published novels. Her work has appeared in Counterexample Poetics and Menacing Hedge, as well as in the Solarcide anthologies Nova Parade and Solarcidal Tendencies. Antioch is her first Novel. Jessica Leonard is the writer of stories about people and the things they do.

Publisher Link:

https://ghoulish.rip/

Review Links:

https://booksirens.com/book-review/

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

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