I've been waiting to get my paws into this novel for MONTHS I tell you, months. The wait was worth it. I think everyone knows I'm the demon bear daddy -I've been waiting to get my paws into this novel for MONTHS I tell you, months. The wait was worth it. I think everyone knows I'm the demon bear daddy - right? I write the dark stuff. Hold on to your f@cking hats kids, my crown has been snatched.
I had to read this in the light of day. But let me tell you why...
Even though this is a piece of fiction - I happen to know MD rather well so I know he went out and interviewed people directly involved with paranormal, parapsychology, and ghost hunting experience and backgrounds. He also interviewed folks from the Catholic church and an ex-exorcist - yes you read that right. Not sure how he managed to get those interviews because the church is notoriously hush hush on this topic. What did he find out?
The events listed in Golden Hills Haunting aren't as unusual or rare as you might expect. Let that sink in to your already goosepimpled flesh. Are you going to sleep tonight? I didn't, for the last week - THANK YOU MARVIN.
In other words - THIS STORY IS BASED ON REAL EVENTS. Made up for the novel? Sure. But the elements of it? Garnered and gleaned from real-life stories. (Jesus, please take the wheel, and may the spirits calm me down).
Now, I'm a good pagan boy—I've been for years. I've had my fair share of run-ins with ghosts, entities, and even a demon once—no lie—and this book portrays them in every single terrifying, sweat-inducing, spine-tingling reality. I've also felt that all-calming, love-filling, and safety of a god being present - knowing that everything will be okay.
This is not for the faint of heart. Be warned, forge ahead carefully - but my gods, go read this.
Now - one criticism - sometimes the dialogue gets a bit clunky - even MD will admit to this - but who cares - the chills this story delivers will wipe that from your memory.
Holy crap - now I gotta come up with something really terrifying to get my soul-snatching, blood dripping, hellbound demon summoning crown back....more
MEDIUM RARE is here! It's the eighth installment in the Haunted Hearts series of MM paranormal romance stories. Pre-order now to get your copy on OctoMEDIUM RARE is here! It's the eighth installment in the Haunted Hearts series of MM paranormal romance stories. Pre-order now to get your copy on October 21!
New book coming out July 19, 2022 with Rebel Satori's Queer Space Press.New book coming out July 19, 2022 with Rebel Satori's Queer Space Press....more
A queer retelling of the fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood, with an all-male cast, and werewolves. It's kind of like a cross between Supernatural and A queer retelling of the fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood, with an all-male cast, and werewolves. It's kind of like a cross between Supernatural and Law & Order....more
3.5 stars but rounded up because the book is in beta.
Bellec has laid out a nightmarish future - one that's not too far from our own reality, with some3.5 stars but rounded up because the book is in beta.
Bellec has laid out a nightmarish future - one that's not too far from our own reality, with some clever and creative ties to our modern political landscape and references to COVID-19.
Sinister and amoralistic, greedy corporations run the world, and everything is interconnected. In the fight for dominance and power, the elite rich get richer, while the have nots are laid bare, jobless, and fed on manufactured nutrition.
The world has been decimated. The environment destroyed, and mother nature is fighting back - or is it mother nature?
The tale is reminiscent of Stephen King's The Stand, with a nod to The Walking Dead. I know once Bellec has another round or two of spit and polish, this will tale will creep out all but the most hearty of horror readers.
I'm left with nightmarish visions of soggy skin....more
Let's face it, writing is hard. Personally, I think horror is one of the harder genres to nail down because let's face it, not everyone is scared of tLet's face it, writing is hard. Personally, I think horror is one of the harder genres to nail down because let's face it, not everyone is scared of the same thing, right? For one person it's spiders, for the next, it's small enclosed spaces. What drives our fear is very personal and individualistic. When you start out to write a horror novel, you have a big task in front of you. How do you terrify your readers?
Turns out the definition of horror literature is a little broader. A story is considered to fit into the horror genre if the writer instills feelings of terror, dread, repulsion, and fear. I would argue disgust also should be added as well.
Reed has, as I mentioned above, nailed it. And in this tale, the antagonist uses whatever knife he can get his hands on to get the job done. He also preys on something that any gay man will resonate with - dating apps. Now, I'm a married guy and have been for a very long time, so the dating app scene came long after I was already hitched. But I've watched friends use them for years. Meet someone through pictures (or not), instant message them, have a conversation and decide to hook up. There's a lot of misplaced trust going into this scenario. How well do you know this stranger? Maybe a little, perhaps not at all. Reed plays on this - one of our most basic primal instincts - the need for sex - and creates a world where inviting strangers over for a good time, turns out to be the worst, and the last time.
I personally have a thing with metal going into the skin. Always have, always will. It's the sensation of the foreign object embedded where it doesn't belong, and the pain associated with the penetration of the metal through layers of tissue.
For those who do not deal well with graphic depictions of violence, or blood, or any of the other tags listed above, this is NOT the book for you. Reed takes us on a disturbing journey by using multiple points of view in the first person so that we can live each part of the story.
In one chapter, you're the victim.
In the next chapter, you're the cop trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
And then you're in the head of the killer, seeing what makes him so twisted and vile.
The backstories for each of the characters put on display are intriguing. Some are rather non-descript, or 'every day'. We all know people who would fit. And then the story of the killer is so incredibly bizarre, and yet believable, you're too fascinated to put the book down.
The other thing I loved about this book is that Reed went with a killer who is described as waifish, and elf-like. Small and petite. How could someone so fragile looking end up holding so much power and sway over his victims? How could he have gotten away with murder so many times over? And yet, he does.
Reed had me thoroughly repulsed, not only with the violent acts, but with the warped thoughts of the killer, the toxic relationships he endured in his family, and his sexual abuse. All of these layers contributing to the rage that created a serial killer.
It was fascinating.
And, for those who like some sexy fun times in their books, Reed had me hooked on Ed Comparetto's love life with the sexy librarian, Peter. Ed had several character failings and was at a very low point in his life throughout this tale, but his relationship with Peter was a highlight. One that kept him alive, and one that made you want to cheer him on because he deserved Peter in his life.
I've always said there are at least two good markers of a really good book:
1.) I don't really want to put it down. If I zoom through a tale, I know it had me hooked (Check)
2.) If I feel something...shed a tear, laugh out loud, or in this case, felt anxiety and nausea from the horrific crime scenes, then the author has done their job. (Check)
Reed has lots of books available. Third Eye is next on my list. What will be yours?...more
White has done one bang-up job in this tale. The novel is cleverly crafted between different points of view. The first-person point of view is used foWhite has done one bang-up job in this tale. The novel is cleverly crafted between different points of view. The first-person point of view is used for all of the scenes that are happening in the here and now. When the author dives into the past, the writing narrative switches to the third person past tense. In addition, the story is told to us from both of the main characters; Billie and Clare.
Billie and Clare are best friends and neighbors in small-town America, where every house is hiding some secret. This book has several. We get to watch as these two grow up together, experience the trials of childhood, snippets of the teenage years and finally into young adulthood. Clare seems to have traveled well on her journey and yet we get clues, sometimes very subtle, other times told quite loudly, that all is not as it might seem.
Billie, on the other hand, has had one hell of a journey. Growing up in an abusive and toxic environment, thanks to an alcoholic stepfather, we see the end results of Billie’s formative years spent in fear. But, is the abuse his step-father delivers to every member of the family the reason why Billie is the way he is?
Billie likes blood. In fact, he needs it. Which gives this tale an incredibly different take on Vampires. “The Other” is Billie’s way of describing the cravings that overtake him, the indescribable need for blood. White holds our hand at the beginning of this tale and shows us (plausibly) how step-daddy’s anger and lashing out slowly turns Billie into someone who finds satisfaction in the coppery taste of life-giving blood. From the journey’s first steps of self-harm to animal hunting, to human murder.
The pivot point in this novel is the death of Billie’s mother. As the reader, we are left guessing, sort of, how the murder happened. Again, White leads us down a path of suspicion that would have you believe that Frank (the stepfather) is the murderer. But then maybe was it Billie?
Believe me, the truth of it all, I didn’t see coming. And that’s kind of how I found the whole book. I just didn’t see it coming. You suspect that something’s up – like when you pay money at the movie theater for a horror movie – you know what you’ve signed up for, yet you still end up jumping in your seat at the scary moments.
This is what White’s done. Clever. Very, very clever. “Look here, let’s walk down this path. Isn’t it dark and scary? See the shadows and the gnarled old roots of the giant trees?” And then something completely wild and unsuspected jumps out and leaves you breathless.
That’s The Other Inside.
At the end of the book, the author has her bio listed and some interesting information. The ‘vampirism’ in this tale is modeled after a real-life condition (not truly recognized yet) as Renfield Syndrome. I encourage you to read the extra page. It will send shivers down your spine.
The writing is deliciously descriptive, and there were a lot of concepts to like within this story...but nothing really grabbed me and attach3.5 Stars
The writing is deliciously descriptive, and there were a lot of concepts to like within this story...but nothing really grabbed me and attached me to the characters or with the plot....more
Congratulations Mr. Nora on a fantastically brilliant debut novel.
I'm going to start off with: this book won't be for everyone due to language, violenCongratulations Mr. Nora on a fantastically brilliant debut novel.
I'm going to start off with: this book won't be for everyone due to language, violence, and some adult themes. Having said that, I thought it was perfect for the story. Let me explain.
Horror Comedy, much like Horror Romance has got to be one of the hardest writing achievements because it forces the author to make the audience laugh, and be grossed out and uncomfortable, whereas Horror Romance is asking for some soft and mushy feels from the heart, and I'm not talking about when you're holding the organ still hot and beating in your hands. Nora has successfully attained this lofty goal.
Nora had me giggling and outright laughing several times throughout the novel with quick banter and witty retorts interspersed throughout the dialogue and internal thoughts of the characters. Comedy aspect achieved.
The entire book is steeped in 1980's references to many slasher movies, from Friday the 13th to Chopping Mall. All of these movies I remember. But to add to the atmosphere, Nora has used many pop culture references as well. I thought I was pretty astute when it comes to this, and even still I had to Google a few of them. Again, very clever writing.
I have read some of the other reviews of this book, and I get it - this may not be for everyone, but Nora took me back to high school. As a confused gay teen, I remember what it was like sitting in a class and thinking, "I'm not like everyone else." I empathized with David, one of the main characters to the point where I was reliving my high school years, and let me tell you, they were their own version of hell, its own horror novel. I also understood the self-esteem issues that both Betsy and Kathleen faced. Their responses to the stressors of high school couldn't have been more polar opposites, and quite often Kathleen was beyond crude, but I knew people exactly like this.
Youth who were trying to figure out who they were, struggling with identity issues, body acceptance issues, faith crises...and each person I knew dealt with it differently. Some were attitudinal and rebelled against any kind of authority. Some banded together in tight-knit cliques and tortured anyone who didn't fit in (an attempt to make their group 'the norm'), where others used substances to find solace.
Regardless of how we dealt with the rigors of coming into our adulthood, each of us was our own worst enemy, and we highly critical of not only others but of ourselves. And I saw each of Nora's main characters doing exactly that.
So, where others took issue with language, fatphobia, homophobia, and misogyny, I saw the main characters berating themselves and others because they were teens, struggling to find personal and peer acceptance.
Now let's add in an escaped mental health patient who will stop at nothing to return to his past...and we get the horror.
The best definition I've ever seen of horror is simply this: A good horror story does one of two things (or both). You're either grossed out or made to feel uncomfortable (that's often where the 'scary' comes in). Nora succeeded on this level as well. The slasher deaths were exactly what I was expecting and they were difficult to read. I was sufficiently grossed out. The slasher party scene (slasher crasher) was filled with just the right amount of tension and the plot leading up to this pivotal scene was filled with hooks to keep me reading.
Overall, as I said earlier, brilliant. Well done, and a smashing debut!...more
As others have already said in their reviews, Harstock did an admirable job delving into the mind of a serial killer - there were several pas3.5 Stars
As others have already said in their reviews, Harstock did an admirable job delving into the mind of a serial killer - there were several passages that were tough to get through just from the darkness of the killer in this novel. Crimson's mind is a very deep pit of ugliness. Sex and violence has always been a tough reconciliation for me. Those accustomed to slasher horror may be comfortable with this, but I suspect many others will struggle. Anyone expecting a M/M Romance from this novel may find disappointment.
I love E.M. Hamill's writing. She's one of the few authors I've come across in the last couple of years that captures me with her tales effortlessly. I love E.M. Hamill's writing. She's one of the few authors I've come across in the last couple of years that captures me with her tales effortlessly. So, it's no surprise that I love everything she pens. This quick little tale is no different.
Paint, is a short yarn, something that could easily be read on a ten-minute coffee break. But don't let that deter you. Once again Hamill has managed to weave a beautiful tapestry, twisted, dark and most assuredly a walk into the deepest shadow.
Imagine a lover who's jealousy is so profound they take the "If I can't have you, neither can anyone else," to its extreme.
Immerse yourself in the feeling of being trapped forever, and surrounded by others who were also once lovers of a supernaturally talented artist. Confined and locked in a permanent state of bloody, exquisite torment.
Honestly, this is short to the extreme. But if you let your mind wander deep into a state of empathy for the lovers who once were, the full ramifications of this heinous tale linger with you for a long time.
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