Tasha Schiedel - Editing and BETA, ARC 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 ...