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.