horror

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The Other Side of the Wall by A.D. Starrling

The publisher sent me an ARC of this book (epub format) in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Have you ever seen flashes of darkness where there should only be light?

Ever seen shadows skitter past out of the corner of your eyes and looked, only to find nothing there?

Forced into a sabbatical following his affair with an undergrad student, university professor Jim Grayson rents Holloway Farm for the summer, in the hope that time away from his wife will help salvage his marriage. But all is not what it seems at the farmhouse and he soon finds himself at the mercy of powers beyond his understanding.

The Other Side of The Wall is a horror short story from multi-award-winning paranormal action thriller author AD Starrling. If you like things that go bump in the night, then you’ll shiver at this spine-tingling tale.

Genre(s): Horror, Short Story
Series: n.a.
File size: 2 939 KB
Release date: 2017-05-12

 

Teaser

Bar the faint ticking of the clock, the place was silent. Jim brought the suitcases inside and closed the door.

A sudden feeling of claustrophobia swamped him. He froze, gripped by irrational fear. He strode across the hallway and opened the first door.

My Opinion

This book introduces you to Jim Grayson, on a sabbatical at Holloway Farm, hoping to save his marriage.

With The Other Side of the Wall, A.D. Starrling has created a chilling horror short story centred on Jim Grayson. It is a quite compelling read, drawing you into Holloway Farm. A.D. Starrling paints a clear picture of Jim’s mind while the story evolves.

This is a book for you if you like the horror genre and short stories.

Recommended.

In brief:

Cover ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Mood Suspenseful
Pace Fast
POV Third person – past tense
Language :mrgreen:
Violence/Horror 😳
Sexual content :mrgreen:

 

About the author

AD Starrling’s multi-award winning thriller series Seventeen combines action, adventure, science, and a dose of the supernatural to make each book an explosive, adrenaline-fueled read.

When she’s not busy writing and reading, AD can be found looking up exciting international locations and cool science and technology to put in her books, eating Thai food, being tortured by her back therapists, drooling over gadgets, working part-time as a doctor on a Neonatal Intensive Care unit somewhere in the UK, reading manga, and watching action and sci-fi flicks. She has occasionally been accused of committing art with a charcoal stick and some drawing paper.

Find out more about AD on her website www.adstarrling.com where you can also sign up for her awesome newsletter and never miss her latest release. You’ll also get a chance to read advance copies of her forthcoming novels, have access to sneak previews of her work, participate in exclusive giveaways, and get special promotional offers.

Connect with the author:

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about The Other Side of the Wall?  Or – if you did not yet read The Other Side of the Wall – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

 

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Sarah by Teri Polen

 

I bought this book (mobi format).

My rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old horror fan Cain Shannon thought helping a ghost find her killers would be the supernatural adventure of a lifetime. Now, he just hopes to survive long enough to protect his family and friends from her.

A bet between friends goes horribly wrong, resulting in Sarah’s death. When she returns to seek justice against those responsible, Cain agrees to help her. But when he discovers Sarah has been hijacking his body, he realizes she wants retribution instead of justice.

Terrified of what could have happened when he wasn’t in control, Cain commands Sarah to leave his house – but exorcising her isn’t that easy. She retaliates against her murderers in bloody, horrific ways, each death making her stronger, then sets her sights on Cain. With the help of friends, Cain fights to save himself and his loved ones and searches for a way to stop Sarah before she kills again.

Genre(s): Kindle eBooks > Teen & Young Adult > Horror
Books > Teens > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Horror
Kindle eBooks > Teen & Young Adult > Literature & Fiction
Series: n.a.
Length: 203 pages
Release date: 2016-12-07

 

Teaser

My heart was pounding and deep within my gut I knew what I’d just experienced wasn’t a dream. Still looking around the room for Eby, my gaze fell on the attic door. The chair that had been wedged beneath the knob was now turned over on its side, the door wide open, revealing the heavy, threatening darkness behind it.

My Opinion

This book introduces you to 17-year-old Cain Shannon. He and his family had to move to a smaller house, he cares for his younger sister and his cat, is on the soccer team, does not have the heart to break up with his trying girlfriend. Luckily he has his friend Finn to support him in hard times.

With Sarah, Teri Polen has created a remarkable and thrilling horror story for young adults, centred on a boy who suddenly has to face Sarah – a ghost. It is a compelling read, drawing you close to Cain, his family – including Eby the cat, his best friend Finn, Erin, and to Lindsey. Teri Polen expertly combines the horror and young adult genres; I had the feeling of being an invisible and close ally. Cain is complex and likeable, so is Finn; Sarah is complex – obviously less likeable. The other characters are of sufficient depth (according to their relevance). The story comprises realistic characters in a “normal” environment with interesting turns and nicely fitting surprises; it has a great flow. Sarah’s story disturbing; Cain and Finn need to solve the mystery about Sarah’s demise, find out if she is telling the truth.

This is a book for you if you like well written and compelling young adult horror stories with a touch of mystery, if you like getting close to likeable and believable characters.

Highly recommended!

In brief:

Cover ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Mood Suspenseful
Pace Steady
POV First person – past tense
Language :mrgreen: – 😳
Violence 😳 – 😡
Sexual content :mrgreen: – 😳

 

About the author:

Teri Polen reads and watches horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. The Walking Dead, Harry Potter, and anything Marvel-related are likely to cause fangirl delirium. She lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband, sons, and black cat.

Connect with the author:

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about Sarah?  Or – if you did not yet read Sarah – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

 

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The Disembodied by Anthony Hains

 

The author sent me an ARC of this book (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Thirteen-year-old Griffin Rinaldi seems like a normal kid. He plays basketball at the Y and he’s just learning to talk to girls. But Griffin doesn’t feel normal. He’s been diagnosed with Depersonalization Disorder—he feels disconnected from his body, and at times, he doesn’t know if he’s dead or alive. And it seems to be getting worse.

Following the brutal death of his abusive father, Griffin is haunted by a red-haired kid only he can see and who wants him to do things he doesn’t understand. Griffin’s only sources of support are his grandfather, Soren – a regional author of Outer Banks ghost stories – and his same-aged cousin, Tanner, a boy coping with his own troubled life.

When a rare blizzard strikes the Outer Banks, Griffin recognizes the red-haired boy as a vengeful specter from Soren’s tales. To make matters worse, his well-meaning aunt has convinced his mother he’s under some sort of spiritual attack. Unsure if the mysterious boy is a symptom of his disorder or an entity with evil intent, Griffin finds himself in a struggle to save his life, his sanity and maybe his very soul.

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Suspense > Ghosts
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Suspense > Horror
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Suspense > Psychological
Series: n.a.
Length: 316 pages
Release date: 2016-08-16

 

Teaser

Beatings and belittling were common methods of child-rearing employed by the adult Rinaldi brothers. For Griffin, the terror had ended when his father died the previous summer. He’d felt a sense of relief. What would other people say if they knew? They wouldn’t understand. None of them had any idea what he went through – other than Tanner, of course. They’d both lived with the same shit, but now his nightmare was over. Did Griffin feel guilty for being relieved? No, that didn’t weigh on him.

My Opinion

This book introduces you to 13-year-old Griffin Rinaldi. He is suffering from strange out-of-body experiences.

With The Disembodied, Anthony Hains has created a surprising and thrilling story about a boy who is having mental issues after his father’s death. It is a compelling read, drawing you close to Griffin and his grandfather, Soren. Anthony Hains knows how to keep you glued to Griffin’s story, giving you the feeling of being an invisible ally and/or at least part of the events. Griffin is quite complex and likeable, so are Soren and Tanner, the other characters are of sufficient depth (according to their relevance). The story comprises realistic characters in a “normal” environment with interesting turns and nicely fitting surprises; it has a great flow. The story covers a disturbing topic; its characters are sometimes too realistic for comfort.

This is a book for you if you like well written and compelling stories with major psychological and horror aspects, if you like getting close to likeable characters.

Highly recommended!

In brief:

Cover ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Mood Suspenseful
Pace Steady
POV third person – past tense
Language 😳
Violence 😳 – 😡
Sexual content :mrgreen:

 

About the author:

Anthony Hains is a professor of counseling psychology with a specialization in pediatric psychology. His latest novel, The Disembodied, is a Kindle Scout winner and published by Kindle Press. He is the author of two previous horror novels, Birth Offering and Dead Works. Anthony lives with his wife in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. They have one daughter.

Connect with the author:

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about The Disembodied?  Or – if you did not yet read The Disembodied – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

10 Statements – Anthony Hains

 

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Come On Up to the House by Dane Cobain

come_on_up_to_the_house

The author sent me an ARC of this book (epub format) in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Doesn’t life seem nasty, brutish and short?

This horror novella and accompanying screenplay tells the story of Darran Jersey, a troubled teenager who moves into a house that’s inhabited by the malevolent spirit of his predecessor.

As time goes by and the family begins to settle, Darran begins to take on more and more of the qualities of James, the dead teenager who committed a bloody suicide.

As tragedy after tragedy threatens to destroy the family, Darran’s mother Alice decides to leave the house behind and start afresh, but is it too late?

Find out when you Come On Up to the House…

Genre(s): Fiction > Horror > Occult
Series: n.a.
Length: 125 pages
Release date: 2016-12-05

Teaser

Darran breathed a sigh of relief an turned around. As he did so, the lights flicked on by themselves and his nightmare was back, only this time he was living through it. The walls and carpet were daubed with blood. Darran did not know it, but he was looking at the room as it was left by its previous inhabitant. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

My Opinion

This book introduces you to the Jersey family – especially teenage son Darran – and their house.

With Come On Up to the House, Dane Cobain has created a horror story about a house, the evil spirit within, and a family. It is a fight between evil and not-so-evil; the horror is not limited to the evil spirit. Dane Cobain paints a clear picture of Darran while the gory story evolves. The other characters are of sufficient depth, supporting the novella-length story appropriately. The story has a good flow.

This is a book for you if you like the macabre, novella-length horror stories with a psychological touch, and screenplays.

In brief:

Cover ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Mood Dark
Pace Steady
POV Third person – past tense
Language 😳
Violence 😡
Sexual content 😳

 

About the author

Dane Cobain (High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK) is an independent poet, musician and storyteller with a passion for language and learning. When he’s not in front of a screen writing stories and poetry, he can be found working on his book review blog or developing his website.

Connect with the author:

Amazon:  Dane Cobain
Buy link(s):  books2read.com/u/bQZXQw

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about Come On Up to the House?  Or – if you did not yet read Come On Up to the House – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

Review:  Former.ly by Dane Cobain

Review:  No Rest for the Wicked

10 Statements – Dane Cobain

 

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Cover Reveal: A Sinister Six by Steve Boseley

a_sinister_six

 

‘A Sinister Six’ is a collection of darkly disturbing stories, where the ordinary and mundane become extraordinary and fantastic.

Come along, as we journey to the edges of reality and glimpse what lies just beyond our reach. Discover that nothing is quite what it seems, and explore the horrors that travel with us throughout our lives.

The characters you will meet within have been forced beyond the boundary of their reality and have encountered what lies beyond.

Die, Blossom Bloom is the story of TED HARRIS, an old man who feels a yawning chasm of grief and guilt from the loss of his wife and the way her life ended. Keeping these details secret leads him to commit acts he never thought himself capable of.

The Girl in the Park tells the tale of a boy who encounters an enigmatic young woman in the park. As he grows, he begins to fall in love with her, but it is only at the end of his life that he discovers how he can be with her.

A Snap of The Fingers asks the questions What would you do for a loved one? Would you die for them? Would you kill for them? Ten-year-old SETH ROGERS is asked that very question by a stranger that offers to save his mother from the cancer that is killing her.

The Photograph A photograph is rediscovered decades after it was lost, only now the picture has several new faces in it, faces that were not there when it was taken.

The Book demands to be read. It needs to be read. Doctor MONTE HILTON is tasked with helping a man that believes The Book is urging him to read it and that the very existence of our universe is in danger if he does.

I’m Watching You is the story of one man’s descent into insanity. Long hours and late nights force MIKE to question what is real and what is imagined. Some people can only be pushed so far before something breaks. 

Author Steve Boseley

Steve was born and raised in Nottingham, UK, in 1971, and he lives there now, with his wife, two children, two cats and a rabbit.

Steve worked with children and young people for several years, before being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of just 30. He now works for a local charity, supporting and empowering disabled people. Writing resurfaced following his diagnosis, offering endless imaginary worlds to escape in to.

Steve was published in several online horror webzines, including Microhorror, Schlock! Horror, and several others, and he has also had work published by Alfie Dog fiction and those stories will be appearing in one of his future collections.  Over the past 18 months, Steve has had stories included in the anthologies The Asylum Within, and the Halloween edition of Dead but Dreaming.  Most recently, Steve was a guest author for the short story collection Deathly Musings, which was at the end of 2015.

Steve’s next goal was to self-publish his first book, which he succeeded in doing, when Die, Blossom, Bloom was published in May of 2016.

A Sinister Six will be published soon – I’ll keep you posted.

Steve offers a FREE copy of I’m Watching You by going here:  http://www.authorsteveboseley.com/freehorrorstories.