Dead Blood Book 1 by Jay Bower

 

A few weeks ago I read Jay Bower’s short story collection, Hanging Corpses. I found out soon after that one of those short stories, named New World Hunger, set the theme for a series he is writing, called Dead Blood. I ordered that one as soon as I could. 

So it comes in the mail. I put my current book down and open this book up. I turn to the first chapter and read it quickly. Yeah, this is going to be good!! That hooks me pretty quick. Then chapter 2 is done and I can’t put it down. So for two days I took my time savoring this story, ignoring the other book altogether. 

After a 5 year slumber, vampire Dorian Wilde wakes up to a world unlike one he fell asleep to in Brownsville, Illinois. The world is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse! And dead blood is nasty blood. He needs to find fresh blood, from the very few people he can find. He also needs to make his way to St. Louis, to get some answers as to what happened to everyone. So far everyone he meets is either consumed by his need for blood or gives vague answers to his questions. Now, he just needs to survive one day without being attacked by the undead or by humans that mean to kill him. By the end of this story, Dorian has had it with being nice and patient. I am going to need to read Book 2 and 3, which are out right now. I think Dorian is fixing to kick some ass and do a lot of killing. I’m excited to find out how his story plays out. 

There is quite a bit of gore and violence in this one, which I like. A whole lot of Dorian finding himself in precarious situations. All in all, this is a solid read. I definitely recommend it for vampire, zombie, and apocalypse readers that don’t want romance and glitzy dumb ass vampires. 

Demon Dagger by Russell James

 Demon Dagger by Russell James is a fast paced thrilling ride. It is under the horror genre, but I would say this is leaning more toward a thriller with some horrorish scenes. There isn’t a lot of thrilling action about the last three-fourths of the book. But it is a fun and exciting adventure!

The story starts out with a young kid, Drew Price, going into therapy because he sees monsters. His mother has been trying to find a therapist that can help him, until they finally find the right therapist. As the story progresses, Drew learns how to become a demon hunter. The story shifts between Drew’s younger years of training, to his older years of becoming a husband and father. During a family trip to a theme park, Drew’s son loses his soul. Thus begins the long road and process of getting his son’s soul back and ridding the world of a demon. 

Overall, this is a solid read. I did get bored with it occasionally and felt like skipping ahead. It has a lot of words for a simple story. 

Thank you #NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for sending me a copy of #DemonDagger by Russell James.

The Buzzard Zone by Ronald Kelly

 If you have seen the movie Train To Busan, then you know what I mean when I say this book is so full of emotion. For my very first Ronald Kelly book, I went with The Buzzard Zone. This is definitely a book meant for my bookshelf. 

This is a story about Levi Hobbs and his family surviving the zombie apocalypse. His family lives in Tennessee up in the mountains. At first they were pretty safe from the Biters. But soon, that luck changes and they are forced to leave their home. 

I know it seems the zombie genre is overplayed and is everywhere. Ronald published this book 4 years ago, so at that time, it was getting really popular. His story of the apocalypse is so well written, I wish I had read this as one of my first stories about zombies. This kind of writing is why I keep going back to a good zombie apocalypse book. 

I highly, highly, recommend this book for all zombie enthusiasts. For everyone else, if you can ignore the fact that this is about zombies, you will read a magnificent story.

The Witch's Cookbook by Fortuna Noir

 

This cookbook is beautiful. The artwork really draws you in, as well as the exceptional recipes it offers. 

Under each recipe title, there is a paragraph of history of the recipe or some facts about witchcraft and all it offers. There is also an occasional witchy tip. 

It is mostly plant based, with just a handful of recipes that have fish or ground turkey. 

This cookbook is definitely “Chef’s Kiss”! 

Thank you #NetGalley and The Quarto Publishing Group for letting me read and review #TheWitchsCookbook by Fortuna Noir

Sacred Lamb by Tom Seeley

 My first impressions, the cover is okay. Not very spooky or horror-like, but do not let this prevent you from giving this book a try. I absolutely loved it, I devoured it in two days!

Starring Kellyn West, a social media influencer. She is being hunted by a serial killer. An officer of the law saves her and helps her get to Sacred Lamb, a secret town where the survivors of killers live in safety and comfort.

Kellyn makes some friends and enemies in this town, as she struggles to settle into her new life. We follow along as the stories of the victims become known to us. And wouldn’t you know it, Sacred Lamb isn’t what it is meant to be. 

Thank you #NetGalley and TKO Presents for sending me a copy of #SacredLamb to read and review. 

Rocket Man: Master of the Universe by Yoel Bereket

 Now who couldn’t use a fantastic short satire story?! I gotta tell you, this was hilarious! If you have a couple hours and need a good laugh, albeit at the expense of a dictator and his bestie, you should give this one a go. As a warning though, I don’t think this will be for everyone!

Kim Jong Un is bored and depressed. His bestie Dennis Rodman is trying to help him get out of his funk.. One evening, Kim has a dream, to become a great world leader. With his trusted friend Dennis and the world thinking this is a great idea (leaving the planet), Dennis helps Kim jet off into outer space to begin his exploits of taking over the world. 

Thank you Yoel for sending this to me. Just like your previous book, Dreidel to the Grave, you wrote another fantastic story! I look forward to the next book about Rocket Man and his blunders!

The Whispering Policeman by Elizabeth J. Brown

 The Laughing Policeman by Elizabeth J. Brown

I picked this book up mostly because of the cover. It reminds me of the game We Happy Few. Then I read the synopsis and I knew I needed to read this. Boy, am I glad I got a hold of this book! This story is fast and furious!

Detective Constable Stephen Anderson is one hell of a detective. He is committed to his job, his family, and his friends. He is an all around well loved guy. One evening, after a significant case is closed, Stephen is enjoying a night out with his work buddies to celebrate. At the end of the festivities, he heads home, to a horrible sight. Stephen’s world comes crashing down around him.

Time passes.Then one night, Stephen wakes up, disoriented. He has no idea where he is or what has happened. Thus begins a story of horror, possession, magic, and gruesome scenes. 

Elizabeth J. Brown is a superb writer. The world building, character development and overall engrossing story, leave me begging for more. I need to read what happens next. While I wait for that book, I am going to read her other book, The Foundling.