Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Book 81 of 2010: Draculas by Various Authors
Losing at his battle with cancer, Mortimer Moorecock decides to find his own “cure”. He purchases an old artifact, more specifically a skull with elongated teeth. Shortly after the skull’s arrival, Moorecock uses the skull to “bite” himself. Immediately following, he goes into convulsions, which neither his nurse or research assistant can control, so they are forced to call for an ambulance. Once at the hospital Moorecock dies… well… not exactly. It appears that the skull was holding some special “venom” in order to transform those it bites into Draculas, aka vampires. And with one wild Dracula in a hospital full of people, you can only imagine what happens next.
Draculas is one of the most unique horror books to date. Not only is the novel written in sections based on different characters’ viewpoints, but it is also written by four of the best horror authors around: Jeff Strand, Jack Kilborn, F. Paul Wilson, and Blake Crouch. Each author writes from the viewpoints of the characters they’ve brought to life and the stories of each character are intertwined throughout as the madness runs amok at the hospital. While reading Draculas, I got the impression that each author was trying to “one up” the previous one by killing the next victim in a more horrific way, as well as adding in an even funnier moment/joke. This just made the story that much more enjoyable, as it was impossible to predict what was going to happen next. Sure, someone was probably going to die, but who and how? Most all of the characters are memorable for one reason or another, but the one that stood out most to me was Benny the Clown. I assumed he’d freak me out due to my coulrophobia (fear of clowns), but I actually was cracking up during most of his scenes. I just couldn’t believe some of the tricks he had up his sleeve. Yes, this is a horror book, but that being said, it’s definitely comic relief as well. The authors involved in this project are fantastic horror authors, but are also all known for having a comedic angle mixed within most of their writing. That fact alone makes them powerful authors and you can see that within the pages of Draculas. Definitely a horror novel not to be missed!
Additionally, Draculas is only available in e-format. This allowed the authors to get the novel out quicker to readers and also gave them the freedom to add in bonus material. And who doesn’t like “freebies”? Draculas is the first e-book that reads like a DVD. Featured is an interview with the authors, deleted scenes, alternate endings, behind-the-scenes of Draculas(which consists of over seven hundred emails between the authors), extra short stories, and more! For $2.99 for the Kindle download, what are you waiting for?
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Violence, Gore
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Book 79 of 2010: You Morbid Westphal by Steven Rage
YOU. Yes, “you”… are a poor soul in the hospital on your last legs. And as it is, you’ve “given birth” to one of the most horrible “people” ever possible…
MORBID. Born from “your” rectum, Morbid dispatches many other patients in the hospital in extremely horrendous and painful ways. However, the main suspect of these murders isn’t Morbid, but instead…
WESTPHAL. Living with his ghost step-dad, Sammy, and his pet aborted fetus, Chip, Westphal works as a night shift nurse, getting stuck with all of the worst patients. All those that no one else wants to fool with. Just to get through the day, Westphal has to dope himself up with the strongest narcotics possible and that doesn’t always help make things easier.
These three characters, as well as a host of other interesting “people” make up Steven Rage’s You Morbid Westphal. Both the characters and story format are unique- Rage has created a one-of-a-kind voice with this novella, which has enough story to fill a full-length book. A large chunk of the story follows Westphal day-to-day as he suffers through many horrendous tasks at work, in his dreams, and even just trying to obtain more drugs along the way.
As soon as I read the final chapters of this book I was ready to re-read it. I ended up waiting a few months before doing just that, but after a second read, I would be more than happy to do so yet again… and again… and again… You Morbid Westphal is one of those novellas that never get tiresome, as you pick up something different with each read through. You Morbid Westphal is not for the faint of heart, as it is full of numerous crude scenes that Rage describes in graphic detail. For many seasoned horror/bizarro readers, this will be a plus, but for those that can’t handle things over the top, beware! Highly recommended!
Contains: Adult language, Adult Situations, Sex, Rape, Violence, Gore, Heavy Drug Use
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Book 75 of 2010: Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn
Proofing project to come out at a later time. :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Book 72 of 2010: ????????? by ????? ???????
This was a proofing project I did for an author friend. More info to come at a later date. :)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Book 70 of 2010: The Killing Kind by Bryan Smith
Rob Scott thought he was having a typical day, pumping gas at the local Kwik Mart, until Roxie, the goth chick he was ogling from across the street decides to hijack both him and his car for a psychotic road trip to Myrtle Beach in order to hunt down a group of rich college kids that happened to have made fun of the wrong girl that day. Of course, Rob would be lucky if Roxie were the least of his worries. Unfortunately, she’s not the ONLY psychopath out there nowadays and she’s even in for a few surprises along the way as they head towards the beach.
Known for his fast-paced and gory storylines, Bryan Smith doesn’t disappoint his fans with this madcap road trip adventure. Filled with psycho hillbillies with a few mental instabilities, insane chicks, snobby co-eds, and even a good ol’ boy, Smith sets the scene for ANYTHING to happen! Anything you think WON’T happen, does, and anything you think WILL happen, for the most part, doesn’t. The Killing Kind is one surprise after another and leaves the reader both cringing and peeking through their fingers, not wanting to miss what is going to happen next. Highly recommended to any horror fans that can handle the nastiness which comes with a gory novel.
Contains: Adult language, Adult Situations, Sex, Violence, Gore
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
Friday, July 16, 2010
Book 69 of 2010: Wolf's Bluff by W.D. Gagliani
Wolf’s Bluff is the third installment in W.D. Gagliani’s Wolf Cycle series. Homicide cop/werewolf Nick Lupo is back again and facing off against Wolfpaw Security. He is starting to believe it may very well consist of a full staff of werewolves. Lupo knows that getting himself involved in this case also puts his closest friends, including his girlfriend Jessie, at risk of harm as well. While looking into the Wolfpaw case, Lupo also gets wind of a series of “animal attacks” that are taking place in Wausau. Could the two be connected? It’s up to Lupo to find out. Will Lupo be able to take down this shifty group (no pun intended) before anyone else gets hurt?
Once again Gagliani has created a wonderful addition to the werewolf subgenre. Fans of this subgenre will definitely want to check out this novel, along with the two previous books in the series, as Gagliani puts a bit of a spin on werewolves. Most werewolf novels tend to either have all good werewolves or all bad, but Gagliani mixes things up. Lupo is an all-around good guy and does everything he can to control the “creature” within him. Unfortunately, he runs into a lot of people that can’t control their own “creatures”, and feels he’s the only one truly capable of getting things back under control. Due to this and the relationships he makes throughout, readers can’t help but sympathize and grow attached to Lupo’s character. He’s very likable, despite some of the “mistakes” he makes within this particular book. Everyone within the story better hope that nothing ever happens to him, because I tend to agree with him… if he can’t take down the bad guys, I don’t think anybody can!
This book would make a great addition to any library looking to expand its horror and/or werewolf sections.
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Gore, Sex
Once again Gagliani has created a wonderful addition to the werewolf subgenre. Fans of this subgenre will definitely want to check out this novel, along with the two previous books in the series, as Gagliani puts a bit of a spin on werewolves. Most werewolf novels tend to either have all good werewolves or all bad, but Gagliani mixes things up. Lupo is an all-around good guy and does everything he can to control the “creature” within him. Unfortunately, he runs into a lot of people that can’t control their own “creatures”, and feels he’s the only one truly capable of getting things back under control. Due to this and the relationships he makes throughout, readers can’t help but sympathize and grow attached to Lupo’s character. He’s very likable, despite some of the “mistakes” he makes within this particular book. Everyone within the story better hope that nothing ever happens to him, because I tend to agree with him… if he can’t take down the bad guys, I don’t think anybody can!
This book would make a great addition to any library looking to expand its horror and/or werewolf sections.
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Gore, Sex
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Book 66 of 2010: Despairs & Delights by Lincoln Crisler
Lincoln Crisler’s first anthology consists of ten short stories. Many contain paranormal elements and some are written as human horror, but all of them are worth reading. I found each story to be easy to read, allowing readers of all levels to enjoy this collection. “Easy to read” doesn’t mean this is a book for minors, because it is definitely not. Included within the pages of Despairs & Delights are mentions of gore, incest, and necrophilia, so it’s definitely NOT aimed at young adult. Not to name all of the stories in this book, but three in particular stood out to me.
“Lane Feeds the Multitude” is the first one I shall mention. It focuses on a “soup kitchen” that is having trouble funding their project in order to keep everyone well fed. One of the workers, Lane, gets an idea that will help everyone out, and takes it upon himself to “track down” some food.
“The Hitchhiker” was probably my favorite story out of this collection. It is about a hitchhiking werewolf, Jason, who is headed towards what he feels is his “destiny”. Most people would expect a very different destiny for a werewolf, but Jason feels strongly about his decision and has given up everything to make it happen.
“Victory Feast” is yet another fine piece by Crisler. In this story, a son is willing to make one of life’s greatest sacrifices in order to keep his secret from getting out. What is the secret and what is the great sacrifice? The answer is found within the pages of Crisler’s Despairs & Delights.
I would recommend this collection to all horror fans and especially those looking to get into horror without worrying about picking up a book containing extremely graphic sex and gore. Lincoln’s stories skirt around the graphic scenes and get right to the point. Despairs & Delights would be a welcome addition to any library collection.
Contains: Adult Situations, Adult Language
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
“Lane Feeds the Multitude” is the first one I shall mention. It focuses on a “soup kitchen” that is having trouble funding their project in order to keep everyone well fed. One of the workers, Lane, gets an idea that will help everyone out, and takes it upon himself to “track down” some food.
“The Hitchhiker” was probably my favorite story out of this collection. It is about a hitchhiking werewolf, Jason, who is headed towards what he feels is his “destiny”. Most people would expect a very different destiny for a werewolf, but Jason feels strongly about his decision and has given up everything to make it happen.
“Victory Feast” is yet another fine piece by Crisler. In this story, a son is willing to make one of life’s greatest sacrifices in order to keep his secret from getting out. What is the secret and what is the great sacrifice? The answer is found within the pages of Crisler’s Despairs & Delights.
I would recommend this collection to all horror fans and especially those looking to get into horror without worrying about picking up a book containing extremely graphic sex and gore. Lincoln’s stories skirt around the graphic scenes and get right to the point. Despairs & Delights would be a welcome addition to any library collection.
Contains: Adult Situations, Adult Language
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Book 54 of 2010: ???????? ???????? by ???? ????
Proofing project... no other info available at this time.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Book 46 of 2010: Sparrow Rock by Nate Kenyon
A group of high school kids looking for a secluded area where they can get drunk and party get more than they bargained for. Hiding away in a newly built bomb shelter, they hear noises overhead. When they go to check things out, the kids realize that the world as they know it is gone. They have to grow up quickly, as they have some major decisions ahead of them. Not only have they most likely lost their families, but other beings are hunting them. Whomever caused this catastrophe doesn't appear to want survivors
Nate Kenyon's Sparrow Rock is post-apocalyptic fiction at its finest. This novel will leave readers biting their nails and gripping the edges of their seats as they await whatever is around the next corner. Kenyon details how each main character changes and grows over the course of the story. Also, some of the characters have secrets in their past that slowly surface, allowing readers to connect with them further. Beyond the amazing characterization portrayed in Sparrow Rock, Kenyon also includes many "creep factor" scenes. Those disturbed by bugs, or LOTS of bugs, I should say, will definitely get the heebie jeebies while reading this book! Sparrow Rock is a definite must-read for all horror fans and is one of the best Leisure releases Ive read in recent time. I highly recommended it for the horror collection in all libraries.
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex, Violence, Mild Gore
Review also available at MonsterLibrarian.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Book 45 of 2010: When Darkness Loves Us by Elizabeth Engstrom
When Darkness Loves Us consists of two novellas by Elizabeth Engstrom, the first being the same title as the book itself and the other called Beauty Is, which is actually the longer of the two stories.
The first novella, When Darkness Loves Us, tells the story of farm girl Sally Ann Hixson, who is recently married. While roaming the farm, she accidentally falls down into an underground area that had been sealed off. Sally Ann is trapped underground, her whereabouts unknown. As she adjusts to the darkness of the tunnels and creates a new way to live, Sally Ann realizes she is pregnant with child. How will she ever be able to survive down in the darkness, much less give birth to and raise a child there?
Beauty Is tells the story of Martha Mannes, and how she is coping with her life since the death of both of her parents. Martha isn't your typical girl, as she was born with a deformity- she has no nose- and everyone in town treats her as if she is retarded. The story has flashbacks to Martha's birth and childhood, and even her parents' life prior to her birth As the story continues, Martha finds the kindness in a few townsfolk and in doing so, gains more confidence in herself. The story starts to unravel a bit at this point, as Martha starts remembering more and more about her past and how it relates to her present.
When Darkness Loves Us and Beauty Is are both vivid in detail and beautifully written. I find myself at a loss in determining which story I actually enjoyed more as they were both so entertaining. Engstrom has a way of making readers really get to know the characters, and it almost puts you into the story as one of the extras. Wanting to know what was going to happen to the main heroine of each story made me feel compelled to turn page after page until I knew how things were to end. Strong in both characterization and dialogue, When Darkness Loves Us is a fabulous two-story collection that shouldn't be missed by any reader. It is a book that not only horror fans will enjoy, but readers from other genres as well, if they were to give it a chance. Definitely a great addition to any library collection out there!
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex, Violence
Review also available at MonsterLibrarian.com
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Book 43 of 2010: Skull Full of Kisses by Michael West
Skull Full of Kisses collects a wide range of horror stories written by Michael West. Many are re-issues of stories printed in magazines and other anthologies, but there are a few new surprises in store as well. I hadn't had the pleasure of reading anything by West prior to this, so I was introduced to the wide array of his talents. Each story is a new adventure, and West pulls in many outside influences. One example of this is in the story "Jiki", where West's love of Asian horror is expressed in the way he twists the methods of the mob. Another favorite of mine within this anthology was "God Like Me", where a man is unhappy with his life, but soon realizes he has some amazing powers that prove very useful to him. Both of the above mentioned stories, as well as the others in this collection, contain drama, terror, and depth. The stories are easy reads, but they make you think, and some even touch close to home. One story that personally touched me was the final segment of this book, "Goodnight". In this story a young boy has lost his mother, and the spirit of his great-grandfather pays him a visit in order to explain to him about death. "Goodnight" is extremely touching, and, though I'm not a seven-year-old boy like the one in this tale, it made me think more about death and how to face it, as I recently lost someone close to me. West has proven he can bring forth emotions of the reader and to me, that is a sign of a great author! I will definitely be reading more by West in the future and would recommend that all horror fans give him a try. This collection would be a great addition to the horror section of all libraries, as with such a variety of stories included, anyone that picks up this book should find something they enjoy.
Contents:
Disappearing Act (Introduction by Gary Braunbeck)
Jiki
The Bridge
Dogs of War
Trolling
Einstein's Slingshot
God Like Me
To Know How to See
For Her
Sanctuary
Goodnight
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Book 40 of 2010: The Frenzy Way by Gregory Lamberson
Part horror, part police procedural, The Frenzy Way is a madcap ride of killings and chases as police captain Anthony Mace tries to hunt down a serial killer who appears to be of the wolf variety. It is unknown at first exactly who or “what” the killer is, and lots of investigations are made in order to determine what the police are facing. In addition, at each crime scene the killer leaves a calling card of sorts by writing words on the wall in various languages with the victim’s blood, and all of the words translate to “werewolf”. Also, it appears that the victim’s heads have been taken from each scene by the killer. Is he taking these as souvenirs for himself or using them for some other reason? This is one of many questions that Mace and his team must answer as they hunt down the killer.As with all of Gregory Lamberson’s novels, The Frenzy Way is fast-paced and intense! The killer Lamberson has created is one of the best I’ve come across in a long-time. He’s sneaky, seductive, and scary as hell! Along with a great cast, The Frenzy Way also has numerous graphic scenes that all gore-hounds will love. Some of my favorite moments in the book were when a girl was having sex with the killer only to turn around and see a wolf behind them. I can only imagine the terror each of those victims faced at that moment. Additionally, several murder scenes were fleshed out in detail. None of the gore was overdone, as is the case in some novels where it’s just tossed in to gross-out the reader. Lamberson keeps the story flowing from beginning to end with the reader not able to stop turning the page due to the anticipation of what is next to come! The Frenzy Way would make a great addition to any library’s collection, whether it is a public library or a horror fanatic’s personal collection.
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex, Gore, Violence, Mutilation
Review also available at MonsterLibrarian.com
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Book 38 of 2010: The Zombie Cookbook edited by Kim Richards
The Zombie Cookbook is an enjoyable collection of short stories by a variety of authors. Some of my personal favorites include "A Zombie's APB", by Cinsearae Santiago, the story of a disgruntled zombie; "Secret Ingredient", by Lisa Haselton, in which a husband hires on a zombie to help his wife run her restaurant; and "My Big Fat Zombie Wedding", by Karina Fabian, which tells a story of a girl falling in love with a zombie and trying to gain her family's acceptance of the situation. In addition to the short stories, several pieces of zombie artwork are included, and recipes are sprinkled within for the daring reader to use their brains to make, literally. The Zombie Cookbook is a must-have for zombie enthusiasts, and also a welcome addition to the collections of all horror fans. I would recommend it for all library collections.
Contents:
Forward by members of the metal band, The Zombie Cookbook.
Wokking Dead By Karina L. Fabian
Secret Ingredient by Lisa Haselton
A Zombie Named Clete By Lisa Haselton
Beer-Battered Zombie with Butternut Squash By Becca Butcher
The Right Recipe By Lin Neiswender
Quick & Easy Zombie Pastie by Kate Sender
Express Cuisine by Dawn Marshallsay
Brain Food By Carla Girtman
Brain Salad for Dummies by Scott Virtes
A Zombie’s APB By Cinsearae Santiago
My Big Fat Zombie Wedding by Karina Fabian
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
Book 37 of 2010: ????? by ?????? ????????
This was a book I read/proofed to help out a friend of mine. More to come later...
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Book 36 of 2010: Crystal Dreams by Kate Douglas
This novella will be released in an anthology called Nocturnal. Crystal Dreams is part of Kate's DemonSlayers series and is a wonderful addition to the series. I'm not dong a full review yet, but since I proofed the book wanted to add it to my "read" list. :)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Movie 13 of 2010: Mulberry St.
If you're desperate for a horror flick... feel free to give Mulberry St. a try. However, I wouldn't recommend it. People are being turned into rats and if they bite other people then they are also infected and start turning into rats. Very slow build-up, yet there was no chance to really "get to know" the characters during that part... and then it just turned into a rat infestation. The ending leaved a lot to be desired as well. Not sure why this was in the "8 Films To Die For" series unless the series means something more along the lines of the movie being so bad it kills you.
Here's the trailer if you're still interested at this point...
Book 35 of 2010: The Castle of Los Angeles by Lisa Morton
Lisa Morton’s first novel, The Castle of Los Angeles, takes place in a castle with both numerous artists and a theater. Beth Ortiz has just moved into the castle in order to take over the theater, which takes up the lower portion of the castle. Beth witnesses strange things happening in the castle and starts to wonder if it might be haunted. After asking around she finds out that, yes, the castle has been said to be haunted for a number of years. Soon even stranger things start occurring, and Beth decides to figure out what exactly is going on. At the same time, she is trying to piece together a brand-new play, inspired by disappearances that have been taking place nearby.
Last year, one of my favorite reads was Morton’s Stoker-winning novella, The Lucid Dreaming. This year, The Castle of Los Angeles may very well be one of my favorites. This novel has a little bit of everything and is written beautifully. Morton creates a cast of characters that typically wouldn’t mix. For example, the main character, Beth, befriends a prostitute early on, which leads to the whole idea of the big production that her theater takes on. Additionally, the eccentric characters that inhabit the castle cover a wide range of talents and don’t always appreciate the talents of others. One particular character I have in mind here is Jessamine, an artist within the building who can be a bit unapproachable at times and whose artwork Beth finds intriguing. The strong casting and realistically creepy haunting scenes sprinkled throughout make this a powerful novel. Morton has a very strong future ahead of her in writing horror if she continues as she has thus far. She’s definitely an author that belongs on everyone’s personal bookshelf. Highly recommended!
Includes: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Sex, Mild Violence
Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Book 34 of 2010: Carnageland by David W. Barbee
David W. Barbee takes readers on a madcap adventure as the alien Invader 898 goes on his first mission. Sent to a planet full of twisted characters of fairy tale and fable, Invader 898 and his trusty Doomshooter are ready to take over. One thing that Invader 898 did not expect, however, is the reaction of the green flesh between his legs. Upon viewing salacious sights of the inhabits of this new planet, he has a hard time controlling this green flesh that tends to form the shape of a trumpet and play music. Will Invader 898 be able to conquer this planet before the urge to give in to temptation becomes too strong, or will he give in to the pornographic delights and fail? Readers of the bizarro genre will not want to miss Invader 898's tale in Barbee's first release through Eraserhead Press, included in the New Bizarro Author Series. Carnageland is chock full of familiar characters, looked at in a whole new light. I found myself amused at every turn by Barbee's depictions of these characters and how Invader 898 reacts to each one, and the description of Invader 898's "trumpet" is a brilliant idea. Sure brings a new meaning to one saying they are horny! This novella kept me laughing non-stop and wanting more once the last page was read. Barbee definitely has a promising future in the world of bizarro and I would recommend all libraries adding it to their collections for readers to enjoy.
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Graphic Sex
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Graphic Sex
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Book 32 of 2010: Dweller by Jeff Strand
Jeff Strand's latest mass market release, Dweller, follows the life of a boy named Toby as he matures and ages. At the start, Toby is an eight year old boy who likes to explore the woods. One day he walks a bit deeper into the woods than his parents allow him, stumbles into a "monster", and runs! Seven years later, at age fifteen, Toby is dealing with the trauma of being tormented by the bullies at school and with being an outcast, and he still spends much of his time in the woods when not at school. One day he happens upon a cave and discovers the "monster" that he thought was created by his childhood imagination once again. Instead of running this time, Toby tries talking to him. The "monster" doesn't attack and Toby starts to visit him regularly, bringing him food, telling him stories, naming him Owen, and ultimately becoming best friends with him. Of course, can being friends with a creature such as Owen truly end well?
Dweller is noted as being Jeff Strand's second "serious" novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this release featured much more of Strand's humor than his previous release, Pressure, did. As stated above, the book is written over the course of numerous years, but is written in a format where certain years are focused upon. The other years are covered by chapters titled "glimpses" which feature snapshots from the years in between. This is a unique technique that I hadn't seen before, as most books just jump forward ten or twenty years, leaving the reader guessing at what occurred in the middle. Strand allows us to experience Toby's life as it progresses with these special chapters, and we watch Toby graduate, move out from home, get married, and so on. At the same time, we watch the continued friendship between Toby and Owen progress. So far this isn't sounding too much of a horror novel, now is it? Think again! There is a very dark storyline mixed within that will leave readers shocked. I would say more, but doing so may spoil the surprise. Let's just say that Owen doesn't JUST like ice cream for a treat! For readers who have yet to enjoy the works of Jeff Strand, Dweller is a great first book to read as it explores many elements of Strand's writing style. Many of his books are extremely humorous. In contrast, Pressure is dark and serious. Dweller, on the other hand, mixes these styles up and Strand churns out a story that is unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Mild Violence, Mild Gore
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.co
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Book 28 of 2010: Symptoms of a Broken Heart by Cory Cramer
In Symptoms of a Broken Heart, Cory Cramer tells the story of two sisters, Susan and Lisa, who go on a special trip to New Orleans in order to celebrate Susan's birthday. The sisters couldn't be more opposite in that Lisa has always been the "wild child" and Susan the quiet, reserved one. Susan is also preparing to get married to the one and only man she has ever been with and has decided that this trip will be her one big adventure before tying herself down. Little does she know that the "Full Moon" party, hosted by a society of werewolf and vampire enthusiasts, that Lisa has scheduled for them to attend, could end up more deadly for her than she expects. After Susan's death, Lisa is scared that her family will blame her, and goes on an adventure of her own to cover up what she feels she has caused... even turning to the aid of dark magic.
Cramer has created almost a fairytale with Symptoms of a Broken Heart. This novella is only forty-five pages in length, but has more story wrapped into it than some of the novels I have read. Lisa, our main heroine, seems shallow, especially considering she's more upset regarding the fact she may be accused of getting her sister killed when she was supposed to be looking out for her, than the fact her sister has died. However, Cramer makes us feel sympathy towards her as the story progresses and she deals with one of the most painful experiences one could imagine. However, that sympathy was short-lived, as I found myself doubting her tactics again. The final scenes of this novella will surprise readers and leave them thinking about the outcome long after having read it. Cramer is a talented new author and I plan on seeking out more by him in the future. I would recommend this to all readers of the horror and urban fantasy genres, though some scenes may be a bit too graphic sexually for a younger audience.
Contains: Graphic Sex, Adult Language, Adult Situations
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.com
Book 27 of 2010: In the Closet, Under the Bed by Lee Thomas
Lee Thomas' latest horror anthology, In the Closet, Under the Bed, contains fifteen short stories. Six had been printed before, but were new to me. As David Thomas Lord mentions in the foreward of this collection, the title plays a bit on two things... one, the "monster in the closet", or "boogeyman" as many people call it and two, the fact that many people keep certain aspects of themselves hidden in the closet. The most obvious example of this is dealing with one's sexuality, as some people are afraid to "come out of the closet" due to the fear of how they will be accepted in society, and especially by their own family and friends. Thomas provides us with numerous examples of this, as well as many other horrors that everyday people face. Several stories in this collection stood out to me- they were all extremely dark and lyrical, and deeply meaningful. "All the Faces Change" tells the tale of Tim, who runs into an old high school buddy, who he once shared a kiss with. Tim has hidden this fact and his feelings regarding it, and moved on with his life. However, after this "chance meeting" with his old friend, he now realizes that as much as he tries to hide his true self due to fear, it will always be a part of him. "The Good and Gone" provides us with a glimpse into the hospitalized Max Evans, who is not allowed to get out of bed. While lying in the hospital bored, he decides to play a childhood game his grandma taught him called 'The Good and Gone'. The game allows him to shut his eyes and while concentrating, allows him to "leave his body" and go visit other areas. In doing so, he manages to follow a Mr. Gohling back to his house and gets trapped inside only to discover the horrors going on within said house. Thomas mixes in also several stories tied to internet dating. My favorite of these titles was "Crack Smokin' Grandpa", not only for a catchy title, but also because it explores how hard it is to know whether you are actually meeting the person one says they are at the other end of the computer or if said person is actually taking on another's identity. This seems to be one of the scariest things out there in today's society. I've only mentioned a few choice stories from this collection, but all were enjoyable for one reason or another, and will truly make the reader think deeply while immersed in each story. I highly recommend this book to any library collection as it is a great addition, especially for those that are trying to expand their gay fiction as this would be included within the sub-genre, gay horror fiction.Contents:
* Foreword by David Thomas Lord
* All the Faces Change
* An Apiary of White Bees
* Healer
* Dislocation
* They Would Say She Danced
* Shelter
* The Good and Gone
* Appetite of the Cyber Tribes
* Crack Smokin’ Grandpa
* Anthem of the Estranged
* I Know You’re There
* Down to Sleep
* I’m Your Violence
* Tears to Rust
* The Tattered Boy
* Afterword by Michael Rowe
Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Violence, Gay Themes
Review also posted at http://monsterlibrarian.co
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Movie 12 of 2010: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Loved it as much as always! I never get tired of Captain Jack. :)
Book 25 of 2010: Wonderland 3: King of Diamonds by Cheyenne McCray
First off, the cover art pictured here is absolutely great for the book as I vividly had this scene in my mind when it came up in the book. Of course, if I recall correctly, the girl was without the lower fabric... LOL!!! Can't put that on the cover though. *grin* Anyway... this book may have been my favorite in the series so far as it was dealing with Karn, the King of Diamonds, battling with his inner self and trying to avoid falling in love due to events that have happened in his past. Also, Annie, the main girl in the story, is dealing with learning about her sexual side as she is taken to Wonderland as a virgin. So both characters have a lot of "waking up" to do and watching both characters change throughout the book is a beautiful process.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Movie 11 of 2010: Blood: The Last Vampire
Truly enjoyed watching this movie! Some of the martial arts and stuff was a bit over-the-top, but it made it fun rather than overly cheesy. A slightly different take on vampires from what I've seen... especially the most powerful looking vamps in the movie. Great plot all throughout. I was slightly confused by the very end, but it still didn't deter from making the movie great. I highly recommend this to all horror and vampire fans. (well, maybe not the "Twilight crowd" as I'm not sure they could handle all the blood!) Now I need to locate the anime version of this movie to see how it is in comparison. Pretty cool that they turned the anime into a live-action movie!
vs.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Movie 10 of 2010: Alice In Wonderland
So... I've been waiting for about a year for this movie to come out and have been prepping for it for the last couple of months. I read the original Alice In Wonderland/Through the Looking Class as well as a few spin-off "parodies". I rushed out and pre-ordered the Almost Alice CD as soon as I heard about it and have listened to it in the car daily since I picked it up three days prior to the movie release. As you can see, I was REALLY pumped for this movie!With that said... I think I got my hopes up TOO high.
Yes, I really enjoyed the movie. Yes, Johnny was great as usual. But... it just wasn't as good as I had hoped.
I hate to admit it, but my favorite character in the movie was actually the Cheshire Cat rather than the Mad Hatter, though the Mad Hatter was probably my second. The cat just cracked me up every time he came on screen. The Mad Hatter character was very creepy at times and hilarious at others. Definitely a great role for Johnny, but not one of his best I don't think. I much prefer him pretending to be Charlie Chaplin in Benny & Joon, Captain Jack in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, or... for a more bizarre role... Willy Wonka in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. This character just wasn't AS PERFECT for him as some of the others I mentioned.
The storyline for the movie was great though and I enjoyed the specific references that were made back to the original story by Lewis Carroll. The movie was around two hours long, but it didn't feel long at all. It was fast-paced and full of action from the start.
The girl playing Alice did a fabulous role in the movie as well. And as far as the Caterpillar goes... well, Alan Rickman always does a great job, though every movie I hear his voice in I picture Professor Snape still. LOL!
So all in all... a great movie! Though not sure it matters whether you see it in 3D or not because I didn't see where the 3D side of it was "all that". One of the trailers shown in 3D I thought was cooler when it came to the 3D effects. For fans of Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, or Johnny Depp... this is still a must-see film. I will also buy the DVD once it comes out. It just wasn't as good as I'd hoped.
On a side note, for those curious about taking their little ones to see it.... There are some somewhat scary scenes for young kids. I think if the kid(s) in question don't mind a few "scary monsters" or some slightly gory scenes (gory may not be the word I'm looking for here, but "cringe-worthy" anyway...) then they'll be fine with the movie. (And Laura... I think Gwynn may handle the movie better than you *grin*)
Now I'm just waiting for the next Burton/Depp movie... DARK SHADOWS!!!
There ya have it... my opinion... and spoiler free! :)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Book 24 of 2010: Wonderland: King of Spades by Cheyenne McCray
King of Spades is the 2nd book in Cheyenne McCray's Wondland series. The main character featured in this novel is Alice's sister, Alexi. Unlike Alice from King of Hearts, Alexi is not so willing to become the submissive to the king of this new world she has been taken to. I loved Alexi's fiery spirit and thought the nickname, "firecat", that Darronn gave her was more than appropriate. It is obvious who the female "victims" will be in the next two books in this series, but I'm curious to see what happens in them.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Book 23 of 2010: Predatoress by Emma Gabor
Written as a memoir by the author, Predatoress tells the tale of 18-year-old Emma Gabor, who is turned into a vampiress, and her adventures. Turned into one of the undead at the start of the book, Emma begins feeding on innocent victims, but chooses them carefully, such as homeless people that would not be missed. She quickly becomes bored with running around at night alone and decides that turning her best friend into a vampiress as well will help keep her company. This turns out to be both good and bad for young Emma, as her friend is upset with being turned into a vampiress, and also makes things more complicated for Emma in the long run. Later, they turn two more of their girlfriends and start hunting as a group of four. Emma soon meets Zoltan Szabo, a genetic researcher her girlfriends have lusted after for years, and he immediately falls for Emma, unaware that she is one of the undead. Emma is hopeful that once she tells Zoltan of her condition that they can come up with a cure for vampirism so that she can fix all the damage she has done. Of course, she doesn't think too much about what will happen when a non-vampire finds out her secret!
Predatoress appears to be the first book by Emma Gabor. Honestly, it felt like the author was haphazardly throwing down as many thoughts as she could before forgetting them, but unfortunately she forgot to add in a really good plot or to flesh out the story. I wouldn't say Gabor doesn't have a future as a writer, as I think with practice she could easily turn her ideas into a well-written story. However, many scenes within this novel I couldn't see possibly happening in real life, and even fiction should be believable to the reader. For example, Zoltan invites Emma to a dance. While there, Emma gets hungry, and corners someone in the ladies' room. Yet, nobody notices the other girl's absence from the dance until it is over. Once the dance has concluded, Zoltan takes Emma back to his place where she loses her virginity to him. He then returns Emma to her parents' house, where her mother has fallen asleep downstairs while waiting for her. Emma's mother is upset that she has been brought home at six in the morning. She asks Zoltan why he brought Emma home so late, and he proceeds to tell her that they fell in love and then made love, and tries to comfort the mother by telling her that they used protection. Then Emma's father joins the room, Zoltan proposes to Emma, and everyone is so excited by the prospect of a wedding that the trouble Emma was in is forgotten abruptly. For me, anyway, this scene just seems bizarre. I mean, what parents in their right mind would handle a scenario like this in this fashion? This is just one of many examples of such things in Predatoress. I did find myself enjoying the book at times, j ust because the scenes struck me as so absurd they were laughable. For those who don't care as much for plot and just like to gobble up as many vampire titles as possible, I'd recommend this book, but for anyone else... do yourselves a favor and pass over this title for one of the several thousand other vampire titles on the shelves today.
Contains: Adult Situations, Blood Sucking
Review also posted a http://monsterlibrarian.co
Book 22 of 2010: Wolf Tales 11 by Kate Douglas
No image of this yet as I was proofing it for Kate. This was probably one of the most emotional books in the series yet. I cried several times and had chills running through me at various sections. Some of the characters are just completely amazing me!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Movie 9 of 2010: Crazy Eights
Extremely creepy and disturbing movie. Unfortunately I didn't quite comprehend the final scene of the movie. Wish it had been more clear as I'm left feeling like I missed something of major importance, yet can't figure out what. Definitely worth watching though and maybe other viewers can help me figure out what happened at the very end.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Book 20 of 2010: Creeptych by John Everson
This was an unreleased chapbook I was proofing for an author friend. More to come after publication.
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