Tasha Schiedel - Editing and Reviewing

  So that happened! Holy crap you guys!! Let’s talk about this insanely action packed story! Yellow Dress Girl wakes up on an island with no memory of who she was before. What she does know is that she is on an island filled with psychopathic murderers. She meets some nice people along the way and they become a group and watch out for each other. They all fight to survive three nights on the island.  For those of you who want gore, with some more gore, and a sprinkling of a bit more gore, here you go! If you want to read an 80s horror movie, this is it! If you want viscera, a little bit of sex, and some witty banter, this is definitely a book for you.  Keith Evans Gore starts out the story with some action and it just keeps going like the Energizer Bunny. A non-stop gore-fest you can read in just a few days. There is just enough character buildup to have you care what happens to Yellow Dress Girl, you end up being her cheerleader. The world building and the evil people on...

Last year I read a book called Below by Laurel Hightower and it was one of the best stories I read. I still remember the story vividly. Now, Hightower has a collection of horror short stories and let me tell you, AMAZING! I freaking love Laurel Hightower’s writing, she is a truly gifted storyteller. Twenty awesome short stories in this gorgeous book. Buckle up! I’m breaking it down again, believe me, it’s worth it. When I give a synopsis for these stories, I want you to keep in mind that they are very vague. So much more happens in these stories, but I don’t want to give it all away, of course. When you read these synopsis, keep in mind that they are just the tip of what the story is. There are five short stories called Vignettes of Womanhood , that are all one to two pages in length. Since they are so short I am not going to give a synopsis for them. They are titled: Scar Tissue, Broken Branches, Iron Lung, Pop Quiz, and Bullet Proof. They are all amazing little snippets.  Every W...

  Ten short stories by J. D. Allen. You think you know the endings to these stories, but I guarantee you will be wrong with at least eight of them. Allen is a talented author with a gift of changing the endings to stories making them one of a kind. Kill It! Oh my gosh, what a story!! There is a pest that is freaking out a couple when they see it on the floor and it keeps scurrying away. They keep trying to catch it but it always evades them. This one is my favorite story in this anthology. Entertaining, the right amount of spooky, and the ending was unexpected! Mirror Image. A guy is just going about his day when he sees someone who looks just like him, so he decides to follow the guy. Another totally unexpected ending.  Face Lift. Another different kind of story that I could determine where it was going. It’s about a young actress that is beautiful, talented, and always in demand to be cast in movies. One day, she decides to lay low for a bit, becoming a recluse. This story ...

Orchard of Skeletons by Eli Wilde, self published. Releases March 27, 2023 Oh damn! You know those stories that draw you in, and you can’t put it down; and then it is over and you lay the book down and think how amazing the story is and the ending was unexpected but still managed to end perfectly? That was my experience reading Orchard of Skeletons. I read that book in two days. I ignored all the chores and job duties just so I could finish this novel.  Isaac and Macy live in a dystopian world. The world has seen many pandemics and destruction leaving behind a desolate and dead world.  Macy has lived a very sheltered life until Isaac shows up and eventually shows her compassion. Isaac has had a hard childhood, and is soon given a home by Finch. In return for helping Finch’s family run an auto shop, Isaac is given a free room and food. All he has to do is stay in line and follow the rules. Macy has a job to fulfill as well for Finch’s family and friends. Isaac and Macy form a s...

Wow! I am almost speechless with some of these stories. I do enjoy some body horror, but I think I have found some limits, eyeballs being one of them. Evans found some fantastic authors sharing their wickedness with us. I think every story in this collection is excellent…some more disgusting than others, but I still liked those icky stories, too. Some will make your eyes water, you’ll cringe, and probably get a bit queasy. Don’t be eating something when you read this. I hope Evans puts together another anthology. They did a bang-up job with this one! P.S. I know normally I break down each story for a review, but there are some short and freaking sweet stories that any synopsis would be a spoiler. This is one anthology that needs to be a complete surprise.

  Pieces of Me by RJ Roles, self published. If you haven’t heard yet, RJ Roles has his own collection of short stories coming out tomorrow, February 17th. There are 15 stories in all; from baking to the apocalypse. A wide variety of awesomeness. I’ve reviewed each story to lure you in to picking this one up.  The introduction is written by M. Ennenbach. It is very cool to read how these two met, through the Books of Horror Facebook group. There is a lot of respect in BoH and RJ Roles plays a big part in it. Ennenbach reminds us that not only is RJ an awesome person and great friend, he is also a fantastic author.  Firefly Light. A group of kids are playing tag at night and whoever is “it” has a jar of fireflies to use as a light to hunt for the others. A neat little twist at the end. A highly entertaining story to start off this anthology. The Happiest Nightmares on Earth.  ZOMBIES!!! Enough said. I freaking love zombies. That this little story is in this selection, ...

  Sleeping Among Wolves by Robert Royal Poff, self published, March 4, 2023 This is my first time reading anything by Robert Royal Poff. I hope to read some more of this talented author.  I enjoyed this story, a horror story with a focus on love. This is a great little novella perfect for those wanting a more subdued horror story, but still need fast and gory, bloody scenes. This is a story that is more focused on love, to be with them during an apocalypse.  Atlas and Moose are on their third date when the apocalypse happens. They find safety for a short while with other survivors. But soon, they must flee and find a new home. They do everything they can to make it to a new place, meeting friends and enemies while avoiding those with an illness that turns humans into cannibals.  I feel that a lot of heart and soul went into this story. There is a depth to it that is usually not present in some horror stories. Poff was able to create characters I came to care for and ...

I really enjoy the writing of Eli Wilde. He is another author that once introduced to me, I had to grab his other stories as soon as I could. You might have seen his other book recently, The Scent of Liver, which is fantastic by the way. If you like some  light-horror poetry, definitely put this on the TBR! This book is strictly poetry. It has themes of blood, death, love and sadness.  Rufus Hobster, a vampire, is also a poet. In this little book of poetry, we  spend time with Rufus and how he views life living as a vampire. Along his journey, he meets Elise, who he quickly falls in love with. Filled with words straight from Rufus’ heart to paper, we read how the relationship evolves from needing Elise next to him at all times, to an ending where he is left all alone.  This summer, Rufus Hobster will have the first of a novel trilogy released. The second novel will be released in the summer of 2024. I’m looking forward to this!  I can’t get over the cover art fo...

  Scratches is a dark, family secret horror story. There are some references to the old comic books like Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt, giving the story an old 80’s era vibe. It was a quick story, around 130 pages, so I was able to read it within a few hours. It pulled me in right away and held my attention. There is a huge plot twist that completely surprised me! I’m definitely going to add more of Johsua Marsella’s novels to my tbr list. 

  Old Scratch: Demon Tales and Devil Hells, edited by R. J. Roles and Jason Myers. Crimson Pinnacle Press Jason Myers introduces us to Old Scratch, a.k.a The Devil. I didn’t know the Devil had another nickname, Old Scratch. So I got a lesson on the Devil himself thanks to Jason! What follows is a review of 15 short stories about the old codger, the Devil himself.  Dracula’s Devil by Chris McAuley. Here is a story about Dracula’s birth. A dark and lonely feeling in this story. An absolutely great first story, I like the writing style of McAuley. You gotta look at his photo in the back of the book!! Don’t Beat Yourself Up by Tony Logan . A very good story about devil possession, so unique and I really enjoyed the twists in this. Definitely a five star story! Doomsday by P. J. Blakey-Novis. A fabulous story of Hell rising from the earth and trying to overtake the world. I’m definitely looking for some more Blakey-Novis stories. I’m hoping his others are just as bleak as this one....

  Well, that was fun!! Here is a perfect story for Valentine’s Day!! It’ll only take about an hour to read, so definitely give this one a go! Jason Myers put a lovely twist on this story. Recommended to be read in February, before Valentine’s Day, or on love day would be best.  I figured this story was going to get all crazy and dark, and it did. This may be a short 40 page story, but it gives just the right amount of blood and gore you would expect from a story like this.  Cupid is not the cute little angel we see pictures of or hear about. He doesn’t carry a bow with love arrows who shoots people in the back to make them fall in love. No, Cupid is a mean vengeful wickedness that seeks out the betrayers and deals in karma.  And I just want to add, with a name like Jason Myers writing a horror story about Cupid, you can’t go wrong!

  When I think back on reading Prisoner of Fear by Chad Miller, I realize two things: One, I enjoy the light horror stories set in the 19th century; Two, I found a new favorite author that I will stalk and buy every book he writes and make him sign every single one of them (as long as my wallet says it’s okay).  Then, Chad Miller released book two, Paroxysm of Fear, and I learned another lesson. Miller is just now getting started in what I think will be a very long productive writing career. He really kicked it up a notch on this second book.  All those feelings from book one? They are twice as dark and devastating. There is more evil and gore in this story, and I loved every single minute absorbed in it. The format of diary entries is the exact same which makes moving from book one to book two, smooth and easy to jump right back in. You form a stronger bond with the main characters in Paroxysm of Fear, the world and scenes are vivid and clear as day, so you get to feel t...

This is my first book by Eli Wilde. I was expecting a fantastic anthology of horror and it delivered! I am blown away with what I read. There are eight short stories in this little anthology covering 100 years. And that cover is amazing!! And those black and white photos! Normally I would break down each story and share with you a short synopsis and my views on the story. This anthology would be difficult to do, and give way too many spoilers if I were to do that.  From the year 2099 to 2199, an apocalyptic event happens across the world. An infected population, called the sharded, deem to change the world by saving the humans who are deemed worthy of their souls, and eliminate those that are not. The sharded are guided by a higher power who has selected a few humans who will be important to the evolution of cleansing the earth. This higher power is not forgiving and is hungry for control.  First of all, your soul isn’t where you think it is, and it is quite tasty. Second...

When I read and reviewed Golem by PD Alleva, I knew that I would need to read everything else he has written. Alleva has a unique and stylish way with words. He can write a beautiful horror sci-fi novel and give you all the dark feelings you crave. Just like in Golem, in The Rose, Alleva uses similes to describe emotions and scenes throughout the story.  “Something was missing, something that didn’t connect, like a river that slammed into a dam with no means to connect to the water on the other side.” In book one of The Rose duology, it is 48 hours after World War III has ended. Underground there is a civilization that preys on humans. These creatures are tired of living underground and are getting anxious to go above ground and be at the top of the food chain. There is no end to the evil and torture to get what they want. Meanwhile, Phil has been given a job to find a woman who plays an important role in the fate of humanity. Soon he has found her, but not for very long. After San...