Useless Creatures by Jay Bower

 

When I read Jay Bower’s Dead Blood (Book 1), I knew I would end up reading some of his other books. I decided to read Useless Creatures as the next book. It is just as entertaining as Dead Blood and Hanging Corpses. 

Jacquie Arnold and Nikki Bilderback both receive text messages demanding they follow the instructions of the text or they will witness the suffering of a loved one. They are given a set time and place, and must follow the instructions specifically. 

The story picked up really quick and was fast throughout the entire story. While it held my attention the entire time, I did find that the girls accepted the situation a bit too easily. I realize that this is unrealistic given that it is a fictional story, but I wanted more fear and anger before the demands were hashed out to victims. I got a brief level of pain and anger and then all of a sudden, gore and destruction. 

With that, I would still recommend the story. It was a lot of fun and the ending has a nice plot twist that many people won’t see coming. This would be a good story to fill in a slot on your reading challenge for one of the deadly sins or a book under 300 pages (204 pages according to Goodreads). 

My Top 10 Novellas of 2022

 I thought I would add a few more books to my favorites list for 2022. I read so many fantastic books this year it is hard to narrow down a select few. The following books are my favorites because they are so unique and different from the usual novellas you might find. These are in no particular order.

1. Burden by Matt Duchossoy

2. Antique Bed: A Horror Novelette by Timothy G. Huguenin

3. Realm of the Exiled (Exiled Elementals, #0.5) by T. L. Price

4. Donn, TX 1969 (The Donn, TX Collection) by Eric Butler

5. Talia by Daniel Volpe

6. Where the Devil Waits by Wesley Southard and Mark Steensland 

7. The Handyman's Guide to End Times: Poems by Juan J. Morales

8. Phantom Pain by Ruth Anna Evans

9. Reconstructing a Relationship by Micah Castle 

10. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by KC Grifant, Brigids Gate Press

 

Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by KC Grifant, Brigids Gate Press

Publishes February 2, 2023

What started out slow ended up picking up really quick and had nonstop action all the way up to the end. KC Grifant is a talented storyteller. I enjoyed this story more than I realized I would. 

Melinda West and her partner Lance travel from town to town helping to exterminate supernatural creatures that venture away from the Edge, a place of other-wordly beings and no one returns. Unfortunately, Melinda releases a demon and now they are tasked with tracking down this demon to retrieve what it stole from them. The story follows Melinda and Lance, as they meet new enemies and friends on their travels to hunt down this demon. A whole lot of people get in the way and a whole lot of bad luck follows them.

Overall, I would say this is a quick book to read in a couple days. It was different from other science-fiction/horror stories as the creatures are different from the usual ones represented in these types of stories. There is also a large variety of weapons and magic. It does keep to the Western genre with horses as transportation and Melinda being a gunslinger. I enjoyed the story, it was a nice, quick and easy read.  

Thank you KC Grifant for sending this book to me. I appreciate your kindness.

Season of the Witch by RJ Roles and Jason Myers, Crimson Pinnacle Press

 

Starting right off, the foreword by Natasha Sinclair and Ruthann Jagge will pull you in. It sets the tone for what is to come in the 19 short stories. All of the stories offer a wonderful witchy delight. 

The first story, Black Rabbit by Marend Nieuwstraten III, is a fantastic and mesmerizing story. This is one of my favorites. There is a picture at the end of the story.

 

Lunacy by Linley B. Marcum is a revenge kind of story but so different from other types of revenge stories. Definitely one of the better ones I have read. 

The third story, 1885 by Brian McNatt is right up there with Black Rabbit. The writing is amazing and the witch is very relatable. Hehe

Ecoven.org by Zaslow Crane is an okay story. Some witches need to save the town and use their powers to help.

Fifth, Crash Course in Brain Surgery by Rebecca Rowland is awesome. Gruesome and ghastly, so much fun!!

The Witch’s Kiss by Robert J. Stava is a well written story about magical items that can come to life. 

Bobbing For Apples by Matthew Gorman has a plot twist I didn’t see coming! Pretty hard to do with a short story, but it worked well in this one.

The eighth story, Moon Through The Pine Boughs by Deborah A. Coldiron is a lost child type of story. Definitely a magical telling of  this trope. 

Another favorite of mine, A Room of Emerald And Clear Skies by Colt Skinner. It is such a sad story, but I loved it.

Within A Withering Eye by M. Ennenbach. Holy smokes y’all, this was magical! The writing, the style, the story, is just  extraordinary and incredible. I need to read everything Ennenbach has written.

Lowly Creatures  by Sidney Shiv is a different take on a couple going camping. Definitely different from the other types of this kind of story. 

The Mud Witch of Dogtown by London Blue is a quick story. It felt a bit rushed at the end but it was still enjoyable to read.

The thirteenth story, Dark Beira  by M. J. McClymont is a story of abduction. McClymont is a great story teller.

The Devil in the Dealer by M. Betterelli is an entertaining story about a witch’s creation. Karma is a good word for that story.

The Killing Moon by Stephanie Scissom (not to be confused with the song sung by Echo and the Bunnymen)  has a supernatural feel more than the rest of the stories in this book. 

The collector of these stories shares a short story with us. At What Cost?  by RJ Roles. This is a story told over time. Generations have to deal with a witch.

All Hollow’s Rites  by Leon Saul is a Halloween tale of kids finding some mischief. 

The eighteenth story, Moonflower Coen by D. A. Latham is definitely the most gruesome of the stories. 

And lastly, The Baynes  by James D. Balestricri is a love story set during the Civil War.

So all of these stories are fantastic. RJ Roles and Jason Myers has put together a fantastic collection of witchy stories that everyone will enjoy. 

 

 A new collection of horror stories was released recently by KJK Publishing. This is the Sapphire edition. It features many familiar writers as well as some new authors I haven't read before. All of them are great little nuggets of horror. 

I honestly didn't expect to enjoy some of these stories. Initially, they were dull, but quickly picked up and became entertaining. Several of them teach a valuable lesson about life, but in a grim way. There is a cursed object, the supernatural, apocalypse, revenge, and so much more. There is something very unique and different about each of them.

The Void: 15 Creepy Tales by Chad Miller

 I have decided that Chad Miller is becoming one of those authors that I will always grab his latest book. I enjoy his writing quite a bit. While he can be straight to the point and direct, he is also great at spending time with the details of an important scene. He can set the tone and the scene with ease. I imagine, given time, his writing will only improve. He definitely has the skills as a great story teller.

His collection of 15 short stories, The Void, is a great introduction to his writing. Miller puts a lot of heart into his stories and it shows with these fifteen tales. There is a story of revenge, regret, the supernatural, sadness, love, and an odd and weird story (called Tall Tale). My favorite story of them all is The Beast Awakens. 

Exiled No More by T. L. Price

 

Exiled No More by T. L. Price is a story rich in scenery and emotions. Price can describe a scene in the right amount of detail. The character development is strong and you begin to form a strong bond with the main characters. There is a whole lot of story packed into this novel, entertaining from start to end. 

Nahri Evans is banished to the Land of the Exiles. They thought she could not survive its harsh conditions, but they were completely wrong. Nhair forms a special bond with other outcasts and finds her new family. One day, Nhari discovers that she has to compete in a vicious competition, hosted by those that banished her. Using everything she has learned over the years, she becomes determined to win. 

Exiled No More is a fast paced story, never letting up on the action and emotion surrounding all the characters. I am looking forward to reading book two, Enviro-Scapes.

Femina: A Collection of Dark Fiction by Caitlin Marceau

 

I had heard that Caitlin Marceau is an outstanding writer and I have decided that she is. I am blown away with Femina: A Collection of Dark Fiction. This is my first book by Marceau, and I feel I must read more of her stories. 

Women are the topic in Femina, a collection of stories and poems. Some give you pause to think and others will have you cringe. The stories contain many concerns and issues women deal with, but that doesn’t mean this book is only catered toward women. There is some subject matter that can relate to everyone. There is revenge, tragedy, guilt, anger, sadness, and closure. A must read for anyone interested in checking Caitlin Marceau’s powerful voice.

CHOSEN by D. T. Neal

 

Oh, the irony of Mercy River showing no mercy to all who enter her waters. If you enter and perish, you emerge as something otherworldly. 

Mal Lazarus leads a people to the Light in the Dark. He hopes to spread his gospel throughout Ludlow. Only a handful of people hope to overcome his followers' demands of sacrifice and prevent Lazarus from destroying Ludlow and all who live there. 

I really do enjoy D. T. Neal’s stories. It is easy to lose yourself in the world he creates with his writing. Of all the stories I've read by Neal, CHOSEN is by far the darkest and most wicked. I look forward to reading the rest of his collection. 

The Curse of the Ratman by Jay Wilburn

 

Jay Wilburn's The Curse of the Ratman was so much fun! There was a lot of fast action and gory good moments! This is my first book by Wilburn. It is sure to get your heart pumping and cause some involuntary shudders because of his writing style. 

 

Tommy Rinder is just trying to live his early teenage years having a blast with his buddies and hanging out in the town junkyard. One horrible boy scout trip ends up starting a vicious retaliation from the Ratman because promises are broken. 

This was a quick story to read. It is just a bit over 100 pages so a great book to pick up to finish up your end of the year reading goals! Even if you have met your reading goals, you should read this. It is worth it. 

My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2022

 As of writing this, I have read 175 books this year. From non-fiction to bizzaro fiction. I know I have more than 10 five star reviews this year, but I will keep it at an even 10. In no particular order...

1. The Fungus by Harry Adam Knight

2. Fang Fiction by LM Kaplin

3. Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc. by Ash Bishop

4. The Cursed Earth by D. T. Neal

5. Doyle & Braham in: The Prisoner of Fear by Chad Miller

6. Golem by PD Alleva

7. The Laughing Policeman (Brimston Chorus Book 1) by Elizabeth J. Brown

8. At Home With the Horrors: 14 Chilling Tales by Sammy Scott

9. The Butcher by Laura Kat Young

10.  Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Golem by PD Alleva

 

Golem by PD Alleva is one of those books that you can easily get absorbed in and forget about everything around you. This is one of my top books of 2022, easily in the top five. This three-part horror novel needs to be read. If you enjoy Anne Rice, Neil Gaiman, or Brian Keene, you will most likely love this. 

Detective John Ashton is on a case that is hard to believe. He needs to find the District Attorney's missing daughter. The only lead he has is Alena Francon, who says she has seen the missing daughter. The problem is, Alena is residing in an asylum and is having many outbursts that make the doctors feel she is unstable. Alena has a story to tell that is so unbelievable and filled with so much death, Detective Ashton thinks Alena is delusional and needs to remain in the asylum. She tells a story of sacrifices, cannibalism, and possessions. It is up to Detective Ashton to solve this case, and find the missing daughter. This could give a huge boost to his career. 

PD Alleva is definitely an elegant writer. His writing style is mesmerizing at times. The story is filled with every emotion that belongs in a horror book. 

"Her body quivered before she devoured the organ, her porcelain skin now stained with crimson chunks of organ with blood brushed on her cheeks like paint coated on a canvas." That is such a graceful and tasteful way of saying she is a cannibal. Yet the visuals it gives are beautiful and disgusting at the same time.

"Alena registered the glint in his eyes as if an ocean wave rushed from one side to the other." As you can imagine, the eerie feeling of what Alena felt and how fearful she was. Delicate and evil, all in one sentence. 

I could give many more examples of the writing style, but I feel you should read this novel and experience the love and devotion Alleva put into this book for you. I will recommend this book many times to many people. It is worth it. It is like a love story between good and evil, with only one outcome. 

A Hammer, A Worm, and a Fortune Cookie by Jeff Menapace

 

A Hammer, A Worm, and a Fortune Cookie: Three Tantalizing Tales of the Macabre by Jeff Menapace

Three creepy and quick short stories for your amusement! I enjoyed reading all three, even though they were quick to end abruptly. At the end of each story, Menapace gives a brief telling of how he came about the story. 

The first short story,  Second Chance, is about a young boy who seeks a second chance at earning his fathers love. He goes to an extreme measure to win his love. The story is fast paced and gruesome.

Story number 2, Worm, is a nasty story! A woman swallows a worm for health reasons. Major plot twist at the end!

The third story, Paying It Forward, is about a young couple wanting to do something kind for a stranger. All actions have consequences! 

All of the stories were entertaining and quick to read. You could read each story on your lunch break or in the evening before bed. I would recommend this book for everyone, especially if you are looking for a quick book to read.

A Categorical Defense of Our Future by Esteban Montero and Brandon Baylor

  

“The future we envision needs more than a new device or product. It requires new paradigms, methodologies, education, norms, competencies, languages, technologies, and more” -from the introduction of this book, page xiv. 

Starting in Chapter one, I have learned that our choices we make, from the past and today, have consequences both good and bad. I liked the analogy of picking fast food and its alternatives, how there is a complex system to get to an answer of where we choose to eat. 

I learned about using labels for similar objects. I liked how the authors referred to us putting ourselves into boxes, or categories, and we lose sight of other parts of ourselves. Sometimes these labels are too many and cause confusion.

Montero and Baylor go into great detail about what is holding us back by removing the labels that prevent us from growing and learning, such as “I am only human.” To overcome these limitations, we have to learn to accept change and take the necessary steps to adapt and grow. We also need to learn that sometimes, we need to let things go. 

Chapter 5 has an introduction that is a  fantastic explanation of how to let things “be.” The idea is for us to take a moment, accept the nuances around us  and breathe. Once we have come to this state of mind, changes can happen. A clarity can overcome us, and we can see the changes and what steps to take. This chapter goes into great depth about what holds us back. 

Coming up with a new concept “compcreation”. The authors explain this new “system design” would identify and include unforeseen consequences when more than one component interacts. They continue to explain measures we can take to help further our advancements in technology. 

This thought provoking book will have you question the moral dilemmas that we, as humans, will experience in our lives, from day to day. The idea that our complicated lives will only become more convoluted over time because our technology is becoming more complex, will give you pause to reconsider how you live your life. The choices that we make, from the past and today, have consequences, both good and bad. The concept of this book is to understand the relationship we have living with harmony while living with complex machines and applications. Once you identify these complications and then understand them, you can make changes that will affect you and your world around you.

Blood Stain Girl by Ash Ericmore

 

Well this was a bloody good story! Literally. A lot of blood. And gore. It was quite a rush!

The title says it all and fits the story perfectly.

Angelica and Don are on vacation at a secluded cabin in the middle of the Scottish highlands. At first, the time spent together was nice and quiet. Then, all of a sudden, things change drastically and fast. Angelica and Don fight for their lives while inbred brothers are on the hunt for dinner and some other torturous fun.

This story has lots of violence, gore, blood, assault, and gruesome death scenes. You gotta love a good survival story of this magnitude.

I think the next time you go camping, you should bring this one with you.

Maggie's Grave by David Sodergren

In Auchenmullan, the small Scottish town, the only four remaining teengagers are surviving and on bowling and drinking. One day, a young woman is passing through and meets the four teenagers. Three of the teenagers and the newcomer decide to go check out the only cool thing in town, Maggie’s Grave. On the way to the grave, Maggie's sad story unfolds. 

This was an absorbing book for me and I read it in two sittings. It pulled me in quickly and held my attention the entire time. I didn’t have any dull moments with the story. It gave the old school vibe of how horror stories used to be written. The dark and gloomy and straight to the gore and fear. You will have to read it to see what I mean. If I explain why I got the old school vibes anymore I would have to give you spoilers. 

This is my first exposure to Sodergren. I plan to read more of his books. I have another on my TBR list that I am going to move on up the list. 

If you want a sad and scary ghost story, lots of gore, a bit of sex, and tons of blood, put this on the TBR!

The Pope Lick Massacre by Eric Butler

 All you indie authors are just amazing writers. Practically everything I have read has been amazing! And today I finished another fantastic book by Eric Butler, The Pope Lick Massacre. This story is full of adrenaline and gore. Just the right amount in my opinion.

Sam’s brother and his boy scout group are missing. A group of people get together, with the help of a police officer, to go and find them. But what they found, nobody could be prepared for. In this story, the town's worst horrific myth comes true. What follows is a massacre!

Butler’s writing is candid and fast. While there may not be a lot of world building; there is a lot of dramatical events that make you speed read with the need to find out what happens. The action and the gore gets your heart racing and before you know it, the ending is here and you drop your jaw! Oh the ending was epic! I did not see that coming. Well played Eric!!

If you are wanting to read a quick weekend story, look no further. Once the story gets going, it’ll be hard to put down. Once you read this one, you really need to read his Donn, Texas series!

Fang Fiction by LP Kaplin

 Y’all this book of short stories was so much fun to read! Fang Fiction by LM Kaplin. Kaplin is an awesome story teller. You should definitely put this on your TBR list!

This book has ten short stories and an ode about vampires. Basically, it is like a historical story on how vampires came to be, and where they came from, to the future when vampires are known across the world. Starting in Jerusalem 969 BC and ending in an underground city in the year 2115. It is broken down into ten stories, all with when and where the vampires surface.

Normally I like to take each story and give a little blurb about it and how much I enjoyed them, but the stories in this book are hidden gems that you need to read.

Kaplin is great at world building and character development. The first story, The Garden Tomb, is a perfect example of how well Kaplin can describe a world that is easy to visualize. With the stories The Vampire of Notre Dame and Factory Farm, Kaplin writes with a strong emotion, having you feel the pain and suffering of the individuals in the story. Every story gets better and better. The Ode To Death at the end of the book, is definitely a fun ending.

Briardark by S. A. Harian

 This was quite a story to get lost in. It took me a bit to really get into the story, but once it got going, it was definitely worth reading. The character development was great, the world setting was brilliant, and the story became bewitching. It is about an expedition that does not go according to plan. 

Dr. Siena Dupont and her team, also her personal friends, are on an expedition to the Alpenglow glacier. Siena, Cameron, Isaac, and Emmett, are met with odd occurrences and try to piece together what is happening. First, the glacier is completely gone. Second, there is a dead body hanging in a tree. Third, a couple of them keep seeing shadows in the forest. 

While the four are exploring and trying to understand what is happening, far away, Holden Sharpe, who works in the IT department of a University, comes across some audio files that Dr. Dupont recorded and somehow found their way to Holden. He and a co-worker, Angel, are also putting together what has happened to Dr. Dupont and her team. 

Unfortunately, this book stops on a cliffhanger. I would have preferred a conclusion to this story of some sort, but I can understand that with the length of this first novel, it is best to break it into two novels. I will most definitely be reading the second book. I need to know what is happening, how everyone is connected to the events.

I would consider this book to be a light horror novel. There are lots of anxious scenes, a lot of foreboding thoughts and feelings, and an overall sense of dread toward the end of the story. I have a feeling the second one will be darker and lots more action. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #CompassandFern for sending me the ebook. I really did enjoy this one!

#Briardark

Summerville by D. T. Neal

 

D. T. Neal has a different way of telling a story that sets him apart from other authors I have read. His writing is smooth and expressive. I have not come across an author that can take hold of my passion of reading and bring it up a level. I find myself wanting to read all of Neal’s books, because his writing is on the same volume as what I am looking for in a great book.

Summerville by D. T. Neal is the perfect horror novella. It has witty banter, horror, and human v. nature. It is not a completely tense filled horror story, but it does give you pause to think and consider the outcome after the story ends.

Three friends take a road trip to Summerville in hopes of finding 150 year old brandy. Summerville has a horrible past that it can not escape. What starts out as a fun jaunt to a little town turns into a disastrous and evil end for these three. This story is more than just a group of friends finding evil, it is about mother nature claiming its land.

For fans of Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham, I highly recommend reading this novella. For those that want a little bit of eco-horror, you should read this one as well. The rest of you, I can almost guarantee you will find D. T. Neal’s writing is fully engrossing and long after you finish this book, you will still think of the outcome and what has been left to chance.

Petite Mort by Nikki Noir and S. C. Mendes

 

A horror filled, erotic escape for you, from the minds of Nikki Noir and S. C. Mendes. Eight short stories that will certainly have you cringing and gasping. Each story is filled with bizarre and gore scenes. Beware the heavy erotic theme in this one! You can thank these two authors for the awkward tingling in your nether regions! Hehe

Hustle & Heart Foretold

 I found this graphic novel to be entertaining. I enjoyed the artwork and the story line. It does leave off with a cliffhanger, hopefully it won't be too long to wait for the next book. 

Derek has been showing up in random places where a tragic event will happen. During one of those visits, he is with his wife, who dies during an event. Fast forward a few months and blacking out and traveling to other places of tragedy start to wear on him and he wants answers. He asks for help from a friend, Alice. She ends up traveling with him to another tragic event and witnesses what he is capable of. 

I think this is going to an excellent story once the errors are fixed. Releases February 21, 2023

Thank you #NetGalley and #OniPress for sending me the ebook to review. #HustleHeartForetold

Slaughter Lake by Jay Bower and David Viergutz

 

I enjoyed this story by Jay Bower and David Viergutz. The first half of the book is leading up to the trip to a cabin on Slaughter Lake. The second half of the book is full of brutal satisfaction. 

Years ago, Rebecca and her friends used to go to a cabin out at Slaughter Lake when they were in college. As the years pass, they lose touch with Jude, one of their friends. Jude is an odd guy, kinda creepy and all that. By chance, Rebecca and her fiance run into Jude and they invite him over for a cookout with the old gang. During the cookout, they bring up Slaughter Lake and decide they should go for a weekend, hang out again like they used to. The weekend at Slaughter Lake will be one to remember.

While the ending was predictable, the story getting up to the end was not predictable. Lots of gore and cringe worthy parts in this story. This would be a fantastic book to take with you on a camping trip!

The Day of the Nightfish by D. T. Neal

 

This is a fun little novella of less than 100 pages and is a delight to read. It took about a couple of hours to read through it and I was entertained the whole time.

This story is about a chef-in-training experiencing nightfish for the first time and needing to find out what nightfish actually is. Before I got too far into this book, I personally  looked up nightfish just to see if it is a real fish. Come to find out, it is! By the end of the story, what I saw online is not what the chef-in-training found. 

I think the story flows well. It has a decent pace and is highly entertaining. 

D. T. Neal is a wonderful storyteller. This is my second book by him, and I have decided I enjoy his writing style. I am looking forward to reading more.

Winter's Myth by Gage Greenwood

 

It is nice to find a new author that can sweep you off your feet and make you fall in love with reading all over again. In Gage Greenwood’s Winter’s Myth,  he takes you on a journey of epic proportions. With tales of survival, love, horror, redemption, and revenge; Greenwood has formed a story that will live in your heart for eternity. 

For father Winter, his only reason to exist is to protect his two daughters, Violin and Candlestick. He uses stories of mythical gods and creatures to build their resolve and strength. This story is the journey of Winter, Violin, and Candlestick as they venture out on Earth after their underground home is ravaged by disease. Everything is new and old, safe and violent. 

For those of you craving a deep and enchanting story, this is for you. There are so many memorable quotes. The world building is ethereal, the characters have such depth and beauty you can’t help but love them all. You will absorb this story unlike any other and in the end, while heartbreaking and endearing, you will feel complete and needing more at the same time. 

I look forward to reading Season 2, which comes out in November 2022. Thank you Gage, for sending me this book. I am truly a fan. 

“The world grew teeth and its deadly bite chomped closer to them with each passing day.”

Bad Vibrations by Lucy Leitner

 

Lucy Leitner has written a hilarious horror filled story about a war between mega health nuts and those that don’t believe in their methods. I laughed out loud so many times reading this!

In a hidden forest resides a group of people that help others overcome health issues, by drinking blood and changing to holistic choices. The town this forest is in, is not happy with this group of people, referring to them as vampires in a cult. There are so many twists and turns in this story to keep you second guessing on who survives the war and who wins. That ending was not what I was expecting!

I have not read anything by Leitner before, but her sense of humor is definitely on par with mine. I need to read more of her stories!

Chasing Ghosts by Justin Boote

 

You ever walk into a room and think I’m not alone? You look around and you don’t see anyone but you can’t shake the feeling. You get this overpowering oppressive feeling and know something bad happened here and the evilness is lingering, watching you. 

Justin Boote’s newest horror story, Chasing Ghosts, is full of atmospheric evil. The book takes off with no letting up. I started it at night, and I recommend you do the same. The quiet and darkness around me intensified the evil.

Welcome to Bradwell. Here is where you will find a home that has a troubling past. Many of its victims are in the sanitarium, Northgate. While others live the rest of their lives in prison. I picture in my mind a village so desolate and quiet with a deep history in violence. A home that claims its victims with no remorse. People on the verge of mental breakdowns and violent acts. And for what purpose? Why is this happening, again? 

Boote’s writing is smooth and direct. It is easy to get hooked on his books because the words flow effortlessly. Undoubtedly, Boote can turn the macabre into something beautiful. I know he has lots to choose from, and if his writing is this consistent across all of them, it doesn’t matter what book you start with. 

If you have been enjoying some cozy horror stories and looking to up your game, give Chasing Ghosts a try. I would consider this a great book to read for those of you that want horror, but not over-the-top gore. There is some violence and gore, but in my opinion, it is done to give a sense of dread and fear, not to make your stomach roll. 

Prisoner of Fear by Chad Miller

 

It is nice to find a new author for me that writes well and can put together a story that pulls me in and keeps me on my toes until the end. I enjoyed this book from start to end. Chad Miller is definitely on my radar and should be on yours as well.

This book is set in the late 1880s, when men and women were viewed to have different values. During the time of inequality, one of the two main characters sees this injustice and values a woman’s opinion as an equal. That appeals to me greatly. While this is a topic in the book, it does not cause a distraction for the story. I just happen to like this because I am a woman. 

Two best friends, John and Thomas, like to help people and solve cases of the supernatural kind. Using diary entries and personal letters, we follow the case of a missing doctor; who also happens to be a friend of John. The missing doctor was on his way to help a close friend in need when he vanished. John and Thomas travel to the town the doctor was last seen in and learn of another mystery needing to be solved. This is when it really picks up and becomes a faster story. So much is happening and so many questions come up, I can’t help but think about it long after I finished reading the book. The book does end with questions unanswered, but I still feel like it is a complete book that ended perfectly. We don’t have to wait long for the next book, it comes out in February/March of 2023! Yay!

I enjoy the Sherlock Holmes-esque feel to this book. The banter is both witty and serious. There are quite a few notable quotes I have highlighted as well. Overall, I found this book engrossing, riveting, and passionate. I would definitely recommend this book to all adult readers, no matter what your favorite genre is. 

Chad Miller also has a short stories collection that I am going to put on my to-read list. I definitely enjoy his writing style.

Thank you Chad for sending me a copy of your book for an honest review. I am looking forward to your next book in this series!

Holy Ghost Road by John Mantooth

 

Holy Road Ghost by John Mantooth Releases December 20, 2022

I found this story to be dark and engrossing. I loved every moment I spent in this story. The writing flowed smoothly and kept me immersed in the magic. 

Fifteen year old Forest is on the run from her soon-to-be stepfather, Nesmith,  when she finds him doing something he should not be doing. Forest has a plan to make it to her grandmother's house miles away. While eluding Nesmith and his sister, she finds a gentleman wandering the forest lost and confused. Elijah becomes a close friend and someone she can rely on to help her make it to her grandmother's house. When she finally makes it to her grandmother’s home, Nesmith arrives and the final battle begins. 

So much happens in this simple story. It is written in such a bleak and dark way, but it pulls you in to teach you how a young girl can delve deep into her heart and mind and find a strength she never knew she had. 

I would consider this to be a very mild horror story. I think it falls under psychological haunting. I don’t mean haunting as in ghosts necessarily. I mean it cuts deep inside your soul and grips your heart. For a deep and dark story, I recommend reading this one.