How The Skin Sheds by Chad Lutzke

 What a crazy story! I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was excellent!

Garrett is on a mission to seek revenge for the murder of his sister and help heal his niece’s broken body. They travel together with Garrett’s best friend, hunting down the evil man that did this.

As they travel the country following clues and a path of destruction, all three members of this revenge group learn a few lessons along the way.

I am a bit disappointed in the ending, though. It was so fast and quick and it left me with some questions. The story’s pacing was great, and it builds up to what could be an epic ending, only to reach this crescendo and then the lights go out.

I would still recommend this story. Lutzke did well with character development. I grew to like all three main characters and was hopeful they would get the revenge they sought.

Lutzke is a very talented writer with many more books to read. I'm absolutely adding some more. 

The Devil's Promise by Celso Hurtado

 The Devil’s Promise: An Erasmo Cruz Novel  by Celso Hurtado

 The Devil’s Promise is book two of this series. Book one is called Ghost Tracks. 

When I found out Celso Hurtado released book two in the Erasmo Cruz series, I was so eager and I let him know I wanted to read this. 

Erasmo Cruz is a kid that is missing something in his life. He has a sordid past and the emotional scars to show it. He is looking for a connection with anyone, or anything, to feel the acceptance and love he so desires. 

He is also a survivor of a supernatural attack in his past. He has the physical scars to prove that. After this assault, he takes it upon himself to help anyone that feels they are a victim of any supernatural events. It doesn’t matter how small or huge the problem is, he just wants to help.

But in The Devil’s Promise, Erasmo is introduced to many characters who are working against him and working with him. He accepts a case that is not at all what it seems. With curses, witchcraft, sacrifices, and tears aplenty, Erasmo must overcome one of the most difficult decisions of his life. 

What makes a story great is the emotional connection and the visual experience you can get from it. The details can help you get lost in a new world unlike any you have known.

I enjoy deep character building. I like to know the main characters’ ambitions, pet peeves, and inner demons they may have. It gives a deep connection with the story that I gravitate toward. Sometimes, when I am lucky, they become a friend that I want to see succeed.

World building is also a huge part of a remarkable story. I want the scenery… gore and all. The scenery always sets a mood or a tone.

 Hurtado has accomplished this with the Erasmo Cruz series. 

Celso Hortado is most definitely one of my newest favorite authors. His attention to the details, the characters’ needs and moods, and the world that he has built for Erasmo, is exemplary. There is a reason his first novel in this series, Ghost Tracks, won the International Latino Book Awards. He is that good at writing a gripping and fabulous story.

Hound

 

This is one of the best graphic novels I have read in years. It is up there with Junji Ito, but this story is unlike Ito's work. It will invoke in you some strong emotions that will linger, just the way a graphic novel should. 

This magnificent book offers the visceral and raw emotions of Private Barrow as he joins a group of men on the western front during World War I. He shares with us his inner demons and the battles not only in the trenches, but what he experiences internally. Will he always do the right thing? Can he, in the midst of blood and death, chose to remain collected and separate logic from insanity?

"My road has lots its sun and its moon."

The artwork is magnificent as well. It has a dark atmosphere with pops of different shades of red to enhance your experience with the blood and death on the battle fields. If you look closely at the panels (the individual boxes of artwork) you will find the many different faces of fear and pain. 

I highly recommend giving this a read, but take your time. Enjoy the artwork and feel the words. You will most definitely come away with a new sense of what war is like. 

Gollitok by Andrew Najberg

This story is amazing!! This is what literary horror looks like. The story draws you in and does not let go until the very last word is written.

Gollitok is an old prison ground on an isolated island. The government sends Varka to join a crew of people to determine what happened to the prisoners, the guards, and the warden. As soon as Varka sets foot on a small boat to take him and his colleague to the island, everything begins to go wrong. Between personal vendettas and unknown ‘things’ prowling the island – there is no telling what Gollitok’s history has to tell them. There are so many questions and so much fear for three, high adrenaline packed days. Just when one question is answered, dozens more come up. Is it supernatural? Is it humans doing barbaric misdeeds? Are the ghosts of the island’s past unsettled?

Andrew Najberg is an excellent writer, in my opinion. His ability to grip the reader by the eyeballs and grab hold of your emotions with what seems very little effort on his part is truly a gift. He weaves a story rife with history while also moving through current events as we follow the group of researchers. There is no break in dates in the book… it just comes together with perfect unity.

For an immersive, intense, and devouring tale… read Gollitok. You can not go wrong in choosing Andrew Najberg. Now to read the rest of his writing. Yes, he is that good at storytelling.

Dead Girls and Dead Things edited by RJ Roles

 

Here is an anthology of stories by some of Books of Horror’s fabulous women. Each story carries the distinct, amazing voices of these women. There is no way anyone can pick a favorite in this book. Below, I share the synopsis of each story.

One For Sorrow by AJ Mullican. A young lady crosses paths with a crow. A dark and twisted story. A fantastic story to lead us into this anthology. 

The Watcher by Angelique Jordanna. Aja has a stalker who is looking after her. I haven’t read many Jordanna stories, but this one seems different from what I have read. I absolutely think this story is so unique and amazing. 

Admission by Rayne Havok. Avery wants to go to this club and is going to do whatever it takes. Havok always brings her best to her writing. Freaking loved this one!

Living in Sin by Nat Whiston. A woman is grieving her husband’s death. I was blown away by this story. So many twists and turns and the ending was so unexpected.

Stay Awhile by Donna Latham. Lilly has a fascination with death. By now, Latham has put herself on my favorite author’s list. Great writing and storytelling. You never know what to expect from Latham.

In Her Reflection by Tara Losacano. Chelsea has lived a hard life and just wants a break from it all. Wow, this story was unexpected! Totally jaw-dropping.

The Doll’s Revenge by Peggi Boone. James, newly single, is having a hard go of life lately. A fun and quick story, a kind of palette cleanser story. 

Shuffler by Regina Watts. Opal is a young lady trying to survive day-to-day life. I really liked this story, but the ending!!! Ugh… 

Modern Relationships by Natasha Sinclair and Ruthann Jagge. Two women battle over what each other wants and deserves. These two authors are amazing with imagination and expressive writing.

Don’t Look In The Box by Allisha McAdoo. Maria is having a really bad run of luck lately. A dark, twisted, fantastic story to keep your heart rate up!

Good Eatin’ by Judith Sonnet. Ryann is a homeless man that spends the night in the woods. If you’ve read Sonnet, you know it’s a rough story. Highly emotional writing that puts you in the story and gives you everything you need to feel the darkness. Fantastic story.

The Cavity Wall by Michelle von Eschen. A married couple are in mourning and rely heavily on each other for support. A completely unexpected, warped story. I’d love to know how Eschen came up with this story. 

I think every story in this book is a hit. Amazing stories by very talented female authors. RJ knows how to find the stories that give a wide range of emotions. Every single story ranges from dreadful to happiness. It is like RJ makes a list of emotions and checks off each one as he finds the story to fill that feeling. You need this book!!

Frost Bite by Angela Sylvaine

 

Question: What do you get when a meteorite lands in your yard and prairie dogs go psycho?

Answer: Frost Bite by Angela Sylvaine

This story is amazing and undoubtedly one-of-a-kind. There is something for everyone in this book. Nostalgia, horror, blood and guts, friendship and family, laughing, crying, and getting anxious. It’s a story that has it all. It’s fast-paced and keeps you wanting more. It’s the perfect book for anyone looking for a good, reminiscent story, and a scare.

When a meteorite lands next to Realene’s home, she and her best friend Nate, spend hours trying to protect the ones they love and survive an apocalyptic event that is spreading through the town. 

The character development and world building is just right to get absorbed and lost in the story right away. The writing is smooth and not once was I ever taken out of the story. The main characters, Realene and Nate, are totally relatable and authentic. The scenes all throughout the story were written well and I could imagine the events happening, like an actual movie playing in my head.

Thank you so much, Angela, for reaching out to me and providing me with a copy of Frost Bite. I am definitely ordering a physical copy as soon as possible. I truly appreciate your kindness and LOVED your book.

My Pet Werewolf by James Kaine

Releases September 26, 2023

This story, at times, feels like a young adult horror novel, and at other times, it is an adult horror novel. I normally don’t read young adult, so there were times I was a little bored. But then something extreme happens and I love it again!

Brady and Brandi are twins who are surviving their last year of highschool. There is a lot of highschool drama in this story, but there is just as much horror going on for Brady and Brandi at home. Lies within the family, secrets that ruin relationships, and the supernatural to fix it all and make it better. 

In the beginning of the story, there is a lot of character development and setting the scene. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and grew close to Brady. It took quite a while to get to the supernatural part of the story, though. There were some sentences that just took me out of the moment in the story and a tiny little plot hole. If you can, try not to let that deter you from reading it, though. It really was a fun story. I won’t be sharing those details because they would be spoilers!

Overall, while the story is predictable, it was a satisfying story to read. If you like the extreme young adult genre (is that a thing?) then definitely give this a go. If you want something quick and slightly gory, read this. 

Thank you, James, for sending me a copy of the book. I appreciate your kindness.

Slipping and Other Stories by Jamie Benedi a.k.a RJ Benetti

*You need to read this collection. 

R.J. Benetti put this little book of ten stories together back in 2021. If you enjoyed his collection in The Upside-Down Voice That Speaks Backwards that he recently released, then you are going to want to read these crazy wild stories. 

All the stories are entertaining and definitely a must read. There is the Grim Reaper, evil creatures, and cryptids. Sad stories, scary stories, and funny stories. It’s a great mixed-tape of genre and emotion. 

And true to Benetti form, a twisted end to every story that you can’t see coming. I had a lot of different faces I made while reading these. Especially when I read the ninth story, Picking. Just by that title, I should have known!

Thank you, R.J. for sending this to me. I enjoyed all the stories! It is going to look beautiful with your other books. 

*You need to read this collection.

ZWA T-68 Flight of the Dead by J.D. Allen

From the author that brought us “They Are Coming To Get You, Barbara,” has brought us another fabulous zombie story “ZWA T-68 Flight of the Dead.” This would be good to add to your spooky season reading!

I’m a sucker for zombie stories. Even if they are overdone, I still need more zombie stories. When I found out Allen was going to publish another zombie story, I could barely contain the excitement!

There are a lot of main characters, but it never gets confusing. We have lots of blood and gore and adrenaline rushing scenes. I read this entire story in two days, but it could have been done in one day if I didn’t have a life outside of my books that I have to be a part of. 

J. D. Allen really does write fabulous stories. Most are quick novellas, with some short story collections and novel sized books. I imagine he would be one of those friends you need to have at your bonfire party. I bet he would have some amazing, spooky stories to share. 

Absolutely everyone needs to read this book. I promise you will have a blast!!

Dark Corners of the Old Dominion: A Virginia Horrors Anthology, edited by Joseph Maddrey and Michael Rook.

All proceeds from this book will be given to the Scares that Care program. 

This anthology is a collection of 23 stories and poetry. Each author has a section of Virginia to set their story in. This collection of stories takes readers to the darkest corners of the Old Dominion, where secrets and horrors await. It features stories from some of your favorite authors, as well as new-to-you voices. 

Brian Keene writes the foreword. He discusses the act of love and how it unites us all. The power of love is one action that helps Scares that Care be successful. 

The stories are about cryptids, human horrors, empty towns, ghosts, and historical horror.  It is a unique blend of different horrors.

It would be hard to choose one favorite out of this collection. Every single story was enjoyable, and it introduced me to authors I had not heard of before.

I definitely recommend this to all horror lovers. There is something for everyone. 

Dark Tide Book 10: The Dead Shall Rise. Three stories by Armand Rosamilia, Erin Louis, and Jay Wilburn. Crystal Lake’s Dark Tide Series.

Prepare Because Death is Coming by Jay Wilburn. This story takes place a couple of generations after the zombie apocalypse outbreak. The town of Dry Stretch is ignoring a warning that a horde of zombies is heading their way. This story touches on human error when in the face of deadly assaults. You could learn a thing or two with this story to help your survival rates when it actually does happen.

Zombie Diner by Armand Roamilia. Grady and his family stop at a diner for a quick bite to eat on their vacation trip. The zombie outbreak happens right when they get their food. A highly entertaining family drama during the chaos of when it first happens.

Dance with the Dead by Erin Louis. A group of people in a strip club try to survive the zombie outbreak. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes gross, and most often, bloody delightful. I really enjoyed this witty story. It’s different from most zombie stories.

All three authors bring a different stage of the zombie apocalypse and what to do and what not to do in the event of an apocalypse. There are a lot of lessons to learn here! This should be on every zombie aficionado’s bookshelf. And any of you preppers, you need this, too.

Impulses of a Necrotic Heart and Other Afflictions by Red Lagoe

Releases September 1, 2023

Anytime Red Lagoe publishes a book or has a story in other books, I need the book. Lagoe has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time. Her writing is deep and I can relate to many of the stories she writes. It is like she can dig into my soul and tell me this is what you need to hear right now, at this moment in your life. Even though the stories are horror and obviously fiction, some have a deeper meaning for us to interpret. Here is a breakdown of the 15 stories in this collection.

Impulses of a Necrotic Heart - A young man wants out of a nefarious family lifestyle. This is a dark story, with a poetic feel to it. 

Hollowed Hearts - Wesley is in the sixth grade and is dealing with all the struggles of being in middle school. He just wants to fly away and leave it all behind. The heartache is easily interpreted with Lagoe’s words. 

Don't Make It Awkward - Hannah just wants to play football with the boys. She has proven many times she is capable of keeping up with the boys. This story goes from a 10mph story to a 150mph, a totally unexpected twist!

Consumer Alert - Meredith has a shopping addiction that has escalated when her daughter stops by to check on her. This is a gruesome story.

Infectious Glow - Chuck loves astronomy. When a star becomes a supernova he heads to the roof of the apartment complex he lives in, to get a better look at it. I think there is a bit of Lagoe in this story, because she loves astronomy, too.

Arachnus - Jamiah can’t handle spiders. Especially the ones where you can hear the ‘crunch’ when you step on them. Yeah, Jamiah, me too! Icky story, spiders…

The Glass Labyrinth - Isaac has purchased an old rundown mirror maze in an old building. The building has a dark past. An odd story, but I enjoyed it a lot.

Dogwood - Elijah is busy painting walls in his home and watching his little girl play outside. The artwork that accompanies this story is amazing. You gotta look closely at it.

Sensory Deprivation - When a couple decide to spend some quality time together, a life changing event happens. I hope this isn’t foreshadowing my vacation coming up!

Blood Bogged - A young lady is bleeding so much and she can’t stop it. I feel like this story is revealing a deeper meaning. 

Tangerine Sky - A woman had a traumatic past that prevents her from handling certain aspects of life as an adult. This kinda tugged at the heartstrings a bit.

Here For You - A mom sees how motherhood changes a person. A dark and disturbing story.

Legacy - Ryan can’t seem to get rid of an evil in his life. His sister is of no help, either. A freaky story.

Fourteen Gallons - A couple are spending the last days of life wondering when their time is up. I love this story. A bit of romance at a bleak moment in life. 

The Haunting of Swan Lake - Danny returns home after his dad has died. A dreadful story.

I enjoyed every story in this collection. At the back of the book, Lagoe gives a brief description of how she came about the story. She covers a lot of sub-genres of horror in this book. For 

every story, there is artwork that she has drawn to accompany the story.

If you haven’t read anything by Red Lagoe, you seriously need to fix that. An absolutely amazing author. 

 Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston

Releases September 15, 2023

I haven’t read a lot of Duncan Ralston books, and after finishing Puzzle House, I realize I need to read some more Ralston stories. Puzzle House is a fabulous story with lots of violence, drama, and animosity. 

A group of six strangers are notified of Alexei Vasiliev’s death and they are the beneficiary. When they all arrive on the day of reading the will, they find out there is more to receiving Alexei’s millions. They have to complete six puzzles. They can leave right away with nothing, or they can work together and complete the challenges. - they all agree to stay. They quickly learn that these puzzles have consequences, some of which can be life or death. 

Ralston has crafted a story of unique puzzles and with special outcomes. The characters are all relatable, with enough background information to get a good feel for the players in this story. The setting, being in a house filled with puzzles, is quite imaginative. I bet it was a blast coming up with these puzzles and the outcome of each player, with the choices they have to make to get to the end. There are lots of twists and turns. Things happened that no one could possibly predict. It ends with an unresolved situation, keeping open to the possibility of a second book.

I highly recommend this story for a fast and bloody good time. Ralston has a fantastic imagination, and it shows in this book.

Tombstones by J. D. Allen

Out of all the J. D. Allen books I’ve read, this is my favorite one. It’s different from most any

short stories out there. I’ve said it before, J. D. Allen is a great writer that needs more love.

I haven’t been disappointed yet. 

Sheriff Ridio is having an eventful day. The City of Luna Vista is having a crazy day, too. Over at the cemetery, tombstones are rising from the cursed ground. Names are on the tombstones of the current living. Then, the deaths begin. Horrible, gruesome deaths.

This little story gave me quite an uneasy feeling. There are some grisly and ghastly scenes that definitely had me cringing. You might need a strong stomach for this one. It isn’t over-the-top horrible stuff though. I think it was just the right amount for the types of scenes he writes. 

I have read almost every book J. D. Allen has written. It’ll be a sad day when I run out of his books. I like his writing, obviously, and his stories are a nice, quick detour from the horror stories that are popular today. If you want a fast, fun, and horrifying story, you definitely need to grab a J. D. Allen book. There are so many to choose from!

The Devil Within Us All by William F. Gray

A three-part horror literary novel with tons of action. There are a lot of characters and events in this story. There is a page with a list of all the characters to help keep track of who is who. 

Rappahanok Falls will never be the same. An evil figure drives into town and manipulates others to commit aggressive acts of violence. Friends turn on each other. Families are torn apart. The evil figure is causing Rappahanok Falls to fall apart. Those who are not swayed to violence are fighting to stop this evil from destroying the entire town.  

Sometimes, when you start a book that has a list of the characters and their jobs before the story even begins, it makes some of us leery. Throughout the story, I did have to look at the list of characters because I would get confused. Even though I had to look, the story kept my attention, and I didn’t find it a problem referring to the list. 

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story because this kind of story can get confusing real quick. Gray did such a great job that I do hope to read more of his books. If I had to explain Gray’s writing style… I would say it is engaging and straightforward. At almost 400 pages, he doesn’t use a lot of filler. The smooth writing style makes the story quick and entertaining. 

If you are looking for a deep story with hidden meaning, The Devil Within Us All is a great book to put on your TBR. 

 

Everything Went to Shit: A Horror Collection by R.E. Sargent

Everything Went to Shit is a collection of nine short horror stories. All nine of them are five-star stories, in my opinion. Sargent’s writing style is smooth and precise. I liked how easy it was to get lost in these stories. Before I knew it, it ended so quickly and was a fantastic collection of stories to experience.

Daniel Volpe wrote the foreword and shares that he thinks this is a great collection for an intro to some extreme horror. However, the seasoned extreme horror readers will thoroughly enjoy this collection, too. I totally agree! A fabulous collection for everyone!

Killer Radio is about a DJ buying his first radio station. He has lots of plans, hopes and dreams with his new station. There are some folks though, that don’t like his music choices and make it clear they are not happy with his station. A truly awesome one-of-a-kind story.

‘Til Death Do Us Part is a love story, of sorts. Tyler meets the love of his life at a local coffee shop. Things are going great until they aren’t. The twist in this story was so unexpected and out there, I loved it!

Reunited is an amazing story of a mother mourning the loss of her daughter. An emotional and horrific story of mourning and revenge. This one really touched my heart, and it is still with me. I think this story is probably one of the best shorts I have read in years.

The next story, Lucy, is about Lucy who runs a business that helps people deal with unsavory types of other people. This is one of those catch-22 stories. Hopefully, when you read this one, you’ll see what I mean.

Shadow of Torment is a crazy story! A kid is constantly bullied and his online buddy helps him escape the torments of the abuse. He comes to rely on the companionship and support from his online buddy. Man, the outcome of this story… I didn’t see that coming at all!

No Sanctuary is another insane story with a twist. Kristen is in one of those love/hate relationships. I want this story to be a novel!! You get fear, gore, fire, revenge, and more!

A Shattered Mind. Subliminal messaging is turning a regular man into a mad-man! This story belongs on the Twilight Zone show. It has that weird, what-the-hell-is-happening-oh-my-god-did-I-do-that feeling.

Stayed Awake All Night is about a young man that can’t fall asleep because his nightmares are so surreal and he’s worried how real they feel. A fabulous story.

The House on the Hill. Woody is way down on his luck, but karma always has a way of sneaking in next door. I will say this is a great if-you-hate-your-job type story that’ll satisfy you, hehe.

I am excited to jump into some more of Sargent’s stories. He is a brilliant writer, and I enjoyed every moment in this book. I definitely recommend this one to all levels of horror readers!