Tag Archives: thriller

August 10, 2020 · 5:00 am

The Kelping: Rewind or Die Book 9 by Jan Stinchcomb (Book Review)

Print Length: 68 pages

Doctor Craig Bo has everything: a perfect wife and children, a thriving dermatology practice, and a house in a lovely coastal town. Nobody is surprised when he is chosen to be the Sea King of Beachside in his hometown’s annual festival.

But after the festival Craig’s world turns upside down. Something starts growing on his skin. His son tells him a story about a sinister mermaid who lives in the attic of the local history museum. And his beautiful wife, Penelope, can no longer hide her dark connection to the sea.

As Craig grapples with his own secrets and misdeeds, he finally understands the woman he married and the plans she has for him.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

 

When you think of mermaids, your mind probably first goes to The Little Mermaid; sweet, singing, happy go lucky, under the sea people. 

Jan (the author) DID NOT write a Disney tale. Instead, she wrote a story that would make the Grimm Brothers proud. 

As a reader, Penelope was throwing up red flags all over the place. Certain phrases in conversations would lead any smart man to run for the hills. Example: Penelope wants him to “worship” only her. 

Craig didn’t see or didn’t want to see the warning signs that something was off about his wife. Heck, if he looked hard enough, I bet he could see she had crazy eyes. That’s the problem, he didn’t stop to look. Craig thought with his little head, and Little Craig got him into a particularly sticky situation. 

I didn’t feel compassion for Craig. I didn’t care about the outcome of anyone besides Dash. 

While I did like the progression of Craig’s inevitable transformation, I wanted more horror, much like we glimpsed in the opening credits. 

No doubt, this was an intriguing short story and one worth reading.

 
Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 

 

 

Jan Stinchcomb is the author of The Kelping (Unnerving), The Blood Trail (Red Bird Chapbooks) and Find the Girl (Main Street Rag). Her stories have recently appeared in Wigleaf, Hobart and Pithead Chapel. A Pushcart nominee, she is featured in Best Microfiction 2020 and The Best Small Fictions 2018. She lives in Southern California with her family. Visit her at janstinchcomb.com or on Twitter @janstinchcomb.

 

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August 2, 2020 · 5:00 am

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm by Kathryn Knight (Book Review)

After tragedy strikes, Callie Sinclair is left with a gift she never wanted—the ability to communicate with ghosts. But when a desperate widow begs for her help, she reluctantly agrees to investigate the strange occurrences at Hillwood Farm. She quickly realizes she’s dealing with a dangerous presence beyond anything she’s ever experienced, and something else becomes equally clear—the only other living person in the house, Mrs. Turner’s handsome grandson, thinks she’s a scam artist. While she’d prefer to just ignore him, her heart beats a little faster every time he’s nearby.

Luke Turner doesn’t believe in spirits. He’s moved back to restore the family farm, but living on the property serves a dual purpose—he can watch out for his grandmother. He’s not happy about the sudden appearance of a self-described psychic, or his inexplicable attraction to her. His initial suspicions crumble as evidence points to an actual haunting, but he’s still determined not to fall for Callie—the past has taught him it’s best to avoid relationships.

As Callie is drawn deeper into the mystery, she becomes the target of a vengeful spirit, and Luke can no longer fight his feelings for her. Unable to resist their desire, passion ignites…even as the paranormal activity escalates to a final deadly confrontation.

Winner ~ RONE Award – Best Paranormal 2019 ~ InD’Tale Magazine
Winner ~ Reviewer’s Choice Award 2019 ~ Paranormal Romance Guild
Winner ~ Best Romantic Suspense of 2018 ~ N.N. Light’s Book Heaven Reviews
A Top 3 Read of 2019 ~ Read Free.ly
A Top 40 Paranormal Romance Pick ~ Reedsy Discovery

This title previously published in the USA TODAY Bestselling Love Under Fire Romantic Suspense Thrillers Box Set.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Haunting of Hillwood Farm had two spirits: one good and one evil. 

Kathryn (the author) came right and disclosed who was the good ghost. However, she didn’t come right out and tell us who the evil ghost was until close to the end. She wanted it to be a mystery. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it challenging to piece the puzzle together. I doubt many others will be stumped either. 

Despite Haunting of Hillwood Farm predictable moments, I found it enjoyable. Chapter 21 was quite thrilling. Chapter 24 was moving… Henry’s words will touch your heart. 

I encourage others to give Haunting of Hillwood Farm a chance. It might not be overly frightening, but it does show a love that surpasses even death. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kathryn Knight writes books filled with steamy romance, dangerous secrets, and haunting mysteries. Her novels are award-winning #1 Amazon and B&N Bestsellers and RomCon Reader-Rated picks. When she’s not reading or writing, Kathryn spends her time exploring abandoned places and searching for ghosts. She lives on beautiful Cape Cod with her husband, their two sons, and a number of rescued pets.

 

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July 22, 2020 · 5:00 am

Ghost Moon by Kathryn Knight (Book Review)

When Lark Cavanaugh’s life in New York City falls apart, she’s left reeling from a staggering betrayal. She escapes to Cape Cod, where a distant relative has left her an old house with a tragic past. Rumors of a haunting presence plague the abandoned home, but Lark doesn’t believe in ghosts…until she has no choice.

After completing his military duty, veterinarian Jesse Holt returns to his small hometown to take over his father’s practice. He soon finds himself drawn to the alluring redhead now living next door, but she has made her intentions clear—she’s moving back to the city as soon as possible. When frightening events threaten her safety, though, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Unable to fight their feelings, they give in to desire…but another battle looms. Lark’s arrival has awakened a decades-old mystery, and the truth of what happened at Holloway House will only be revealed when it claims yet another life.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Without a doubt, Lark is a much braver woman than I. Even before her bags were unpacked, the house felt off to her. Preston, her cat, felt a disturbance in the force as well.

I understand money is tight, and options seem scarce, but I don’t think I’d move into a house that’s a hotspot for paranormal activity. 

Moans. 

Loud Crashes.

Apparitions.

Eerie sounds (lullaby tune).

Flickering lights.

Brrr, who turned down the heat?!

 

And that’s just what Lark is facing in her waking hours. Don’t get me started on her sleepy time horrors. I mean, I could, but I don’t want to give too much away. I want people to read Ghost Moon. It was spooky, but it also contained the right amount of romance. No, Lark didn’t get it on with a ghost. She fell for a military vet who was also a veterinarian. 

If you like paranormal (supernatural) stories that have a mixture of suspense, mystery, romance, and spookiness, then I encourage you to BUY GHOST MOON. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

 

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kathryn Knight writes books filled with steamy romance, dangerous secrets, and haunting mysteries. Her novels are award-winning #1 Amazon and B&N Bestsellers and RomCon Reader-Rated picks. When she’s not reading or writing, Kathryn spends her time exploring abandoned places and searching for ghosts. She lives on beautiful Cape Cod with her husband, their two sons, and a number of rescued pets.

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July 18, 2020 · 5:00 am

The Trapper by Ellie Douglas (Book Showcase)

They can’t run. They can’t hide. Danger is around every corner, waiting for them.

Chased into the Tongass National Forest by their father and left for dead, adolescent Blake Stevenson and his younger sister Kitty fight for their lives in extremely terrifying conditions.

Lurking in the trees is a hunter and experienced trapper, and he isn’t just hunting animals. Troy Cage is extremely dangerous, cruel, and clinically insane. His traps are everywhere, he’s everywhere, and he won’t stop until he finds them. And it’s what he’ll do with them when he finds them that’ll make them scream bloody murder.

He’s not the only one hunting the kids, for the forest is home to many dangers; wolves, bears, fallen trees, the nasty elements, and many hidden traps.

On the brink of starvation, hypothermia, and a brutally cold winter, how will they survive?

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“I have to find my sister. He could have shot her, too. Will you help me find her, please?” When he didn’t answer, Blake asked again, and he instantly regretted it when T.C. lashed out and thumped him across the mouth with a closed fist. Blake was sure he’d loosened a tooth. He wanted to spit the blood out but was too afraid to. He swallowed hard and coughed back the urge to puke.

“I told you to shut up. I didn’t go looking for some kid—not my job. You can find her yourself. If I let you. If ya ask me again, I’ll string you up by your balls and gut you like a pig.” T.C. slammed the door on his way out of the room, leaving a bewildered Blake to figure out what he’d done to deserve such ill treatment. His twelve-year-old brain thought he would have been better off dead. It was his determination to make sure his sister was alive and not dead at their father’s hands that helped him to recover. His focus was on finding her. He hoped that people were out looking for him and his sister, but he hadn’t much hope for that. In the time he’d been with T.C., he had heard no choppers, no police dogs, nothing. Which made him question just where the hell he was.

 

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This was an amazing read! Ellie quickly made it to my favorite author’s list. From beginning to end, The Trapper was a captivating tale of trial and triumph, intrigue and suspense. Well Done!
 
EroticNovelsOrg:
First, this needs to be adapted into either a movie. It was amazingly powerful and endearing. Extraordinary visually descriptive. I felt every bone breaking punch, branch, twig; even when winter arrived, I could feel how cold things got for those kids, and the breath out of their very mouths. It gave me goose bumps. What those children experienced is unbearably well told. As a parent, you want your children safe, unharmed, in a world where they can play and learn and grow. In this story, you follow Blake and his little sister Kitty into one hell of a roller coaster ride of survival. It plays on your mind, grabs at your heart and pushes you into a world so vividly well imagined. That you fear for your own kids’ safety.
I could hear every creepy noise, alarmingly well. What this author does is something I’ve not seen for a very long time. The way she writes captures you and holds you on every page, you actually feel your own heart racing against an invisible clock. Breathtaking, scary, heart pumping action, never a dull moment. Every page held my attention. I remember when I read Hannibal Lector and felt those similar emotions. This book evokes those emotions by taking you hostage along with those kids, turning this into a survival of yourself as much as it is for them.

All three of the characters are more than just three dimensional, they are so believable, so much so, that I had to pinch myself. Right down to the location of where this book is set, everything just felt unbelievably real. The antagonist, T.C. He is something from nightmares, yet one can’t help but feel sorry for him, for what he went through and how he became to be such a horrific monster.

Don’t pass this one by, it is a and unusual psychological horror tale, terrifying you at the edge of your seat, action packed and yet heart-warming, that will leave an everlasting impression. You’ll scream, your eyes will bud tears, you’ll jump with joy, you’ll hit something with frustration; when I say it evokes emotions, it really does.

 

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Ellie Douglas, born and raised in New Zealand. A graduate of Massey, is a freelance graphic artist, spent 10 years working with Autistic Children, and has done some overseas traveling. She is a member of NZSA and SpecFicNZ.

Ellie went into motherhood, with four children, including one set of non-identical twins. Ellie was able to dive right into her creative side. She started out as a freelance graphic artist, and to this day she still creates award-winning professional pre-made book covers.  During her designing of book covers she would write, sparking her inner desire to be an author.  Writing more and more until she finished her first novel, Zombie Dogs.

Ellie has two brothers, one younger, one older, both of whom she adores dearly. Ellie is a very warm, fun-loving, friendly, generously giving woman, she’s mysterious and enjoys keeping the suspense going.  She is hard-working, loyal and very down to earth.

I suggest you bookmark her site, and join her emailing list, because believe you me, you’re not going to want to miss out on her novels.

Website Link / Twitter Link
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May 30, 2020 · 5:00 am

Double Barrel Horror Vol. 3 – Six Authors, Twelve Chilling Stories (Anthology Review)

Brace yourself for another two-barrel blast of unrelenting horror and suspense. Volume 3 of the ‘Double Barrel Horror’ anthology series delivers two chilling tales from each of six talented authors for a twelve-story onslaught that will blow you out of your sneakers. This time around, your fate lies in the hands of Christine Morgan, Mark Matthews, Theresa Braun, Calvin Demmer, Glenn Rolfe, and Robert Essig.

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(review request submitted by Theresa Braun, contributing author, for an honest critique)

There are twelve stories in this gory anthology. I am going to share my favorite story from each author. 

 

I had no idea so many phrases had the word “eye” in it. Christine Morgan’s Eye See You discussed mentioned several. 

  • keeping an eye on you
  • look with your eyes, not your hands
  • eye spy with my little eye
  • eyes in the back of your head
  • eat with your eyes first

When a child hears these phrases, their minds might translate to a literal form. Maybe a child believes EYES are in the back of heads. If you step into their mindset, this phrase is creepy. That’s why I think many will find Eye See You disturbing. It makes you rethink and picture a not so pleasant scene. 

 

 

If you have a weak stomach, as in the mere mention of puke causes you to gag, then pass on From Unclean Spells by Robert Essig. There was so much vomit in this short story. I mean, you could slip- n-slide in the slimy stuff if you wanted to… not that I am suggesting you ever do so. I am just giving you a nasty visual of how much upchuck was involved. Oh yeah, there’s a grotesque monster in this tale as well. He made me wanna relieve myself of my breakfast foods as well. 

 

 

Wicked Smart Carnie by Mark Matthews solidified what my mother told me every year of my childhood when the carnival came to town… “Never trust a carnie. Never talk to a carnie. NEVER, EVER, go off with a carnie alone!” 

I’m sure carnies are lovely people, but they give off a creepy vibe to me. I’m assuming Mark Matthews (the author) has felt the creep vibe from them as well. 

 

Theresa Braun’s Stillborn had a great combination of science fiction, mystery, suspense, gore, and shock. I mean, first, she had body parts in jars. But, she topped herself when more jars were exposed. (no spoilers)

Mad scientist… Invasion of the Body Snatchers… I’m not sure what the heck is going on in that hospital, and I’m not sure if I want to know. Who am I kidding… I so want to know. I didn’t want the story to end! 

 

Calvin Demmer drew me in with Highway Hunger. His monster was a seven-foot squid/octopus with two large eyes that fed on dying animals or humans. Ok, that sounds good on paper. In-person, not so much. 

And the ending, wow, I DID NOT see that coming. I bet Dudley didn’t either. 

Oh and the rat scene… SHIVERS! 

 

 

When I was a child, there was an urban legend that a Cabbage Patch Doll came alive and suffocated a baby in her sleep. I immediately tossed all my big dolls in the trash. Even now, as I shop in stores, I give them the side-eye. I know it’s my imagination, but I swear them look a little too intently at me. Plus, they can blink their eyes. That’s creepy. 

Oh, and don’t get me started on the dolls that look, feel, and act like real babies. Those dolls are nightmare inducers! 

After reading The House on Mayflower by Glenn Rolfe, I have a new fear. I’d tell you, but I don’t want to ruin the story for others. 


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Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

 

 

 

 

 

Christine Morgan (Author), Mark Matthews (Author), Theresa Braun  (Author), Calvin Demmer  (Author), Glenn Rolfe (Author), Robert Essig (Author), Matthew Weber (Editor) 

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