Buckle up, because the Bone People by Wally Runnels is one creepy ride. I sure wouldn’t want them after me, as they give Rocky a task to complete if he wants his friend, Hector released. The Devil will have its due. It’s just what price will have to paid and who will pay it. I enjoyed the story and, if you like a walk on the weird side, I recommend giving Bone People by Wally Runnels a run for the money. But… Beware…The Bone People only have one agenda…they want what you have.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bone People by Wally Runnels.
3 Stars
AMAZON SYNOPSIS
Rocky and Hector take off on a supernatural chase to find a dead beat called Arango Mota who had stolen a Humvee full of drugs. Rocky and Hector learn that the Humvee was stolen again by a group of dead creatures called the Bone People. The Devil and his dark angels who roam the earth govern this crowd. Rocky and Hector are captured by the skeletal warriors of the Devil. Rocky is released to complete a task that will allow the Bone People to free Hector.
The question of Heaven or Hell, which is better, is never fully answered. Rocky and Hector will leave that question up to the reader.
ABOUT WALLY RUNNELS
I was born in San Diego, raised along the border at my family’s ranch and have traveled through Mexico and Latin America. Hanging out on the border between two countries, I’ve met a lot of unusual people: Hollywood types, Border Patrol Officers, smugglers, professional trackers, and people I won’t mention by name.
Did someone say dragons? I love stories about dragons and getting lost in fantasy worlds, but it took a while for me to get involved in the story and connect with the characters.
Quen knew she was not like others, with two different colored eyes and…well, that’s a secret. Did her father want her hidden because she’s a shapeshifting Rajani sorceress dragonmancer destined to destroy the human world?
Her curiosity and need to know what Kovatha Imbica wanted with her father, made her leave her home and walk into the desert, searching for answers. What she finds is more than she could have expected. She finds a friend, a love interest, Mishny (who cracked me up and, most definitely, is not a friend), Nivi, mages, dragons, and so much more. There are those that want to love her and help her, and those who want something else from her. Will she be able to save herself and merge her souls, or will the curse be the end of her?
The world building takes us across the desert, to the mountaintop, into caves and villages that hold intrigue and danger.
I think the fact I read Season Of The Dragon on my computer may have lessened my enjoyment. Also, I feel this is for teens and young adults, so the hot dragons and sexy scenes that I long for are absent. My three star review does not stop me from wanting to know what comes next.
At the end of the book is a list of pronunciations for the names and words that are probably foreign to you, a glossary of terms, and an explanation of the religion and mages.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Season Of The Dragon by Natalie Wright.
3 Stars
AMAZON SYNOPSIS
From award-winning author Natalie Wright, a sumptuous world of mages and rogues, dragomancers and dragons, myth and mystery, and court intrigue.
“A dazzling epic fantasy kickoff that rewards and upends reader expectations.”—Editor’s Pick, BookLife Reviews
Quen wasn’t born to save the world. She was created to destroy it.
Quen Santu works for her father tanning hides, waiting for her tides to turn. Everyone she grew up with has already committed to a herdclan. But Quen was born cursed with a second, shadow soul. Sensing the oddity within, animals run from her—an untenable trait in a herding culture. On the cusp of her twentieth year, Quen is at risk of becoming pesha—no one.
Then, a dragon kills her father. The murder turns Quen’s life upside down and dashes her hope for an honorable life. As her anger grows, so does her untapped power. Fueled by a quest for vengeance, she joins a vigilante group of rogues hunting the beast. But her journey soon reveals a terrible truth: beyond the safety of her desert village, she has caught the attention of dangerous eyes. And now, she has become the hunted.
At the end of her journey, Quen’s fate will be sealed. Can Quen overcome her curse and unite her warring souls? Or will her shadow soul consume her—and everyone she loves?
The fate of her homeland—and all she loves—hangs in the balance.
ABOUT NATALIE WRIGHT
Natalie writes Epic Fantasy and Science Fiction novels, short stories, and microfiction. Her newest novel, Season of the Dragon, is forthcoming in March 2023 from Menaris Books.
Natalie is the author of six published books, including the award-winning Sci-Fi series H.A.L.F. (Human Alien Life Form). She also authored Emily’s House, a story that was featured by Wattpad with over 2 million reads and counting!
In addition to writing, Natalie also co-hosts the Tipsy Nerds Book Club podcast: The best of Sci-Fi & Fantasy—with a twist! You can download the popular SFF podcast free wherever you get your podcasts. Read the book, grab a cocktail, and join the conversation: http://tipsynerdsbookclub.com.
Natalie is also a freelance content development editor and a judge in the international NYC Midnight writing challenges.
Natalie appears on panels and exhibits at book festivals and comic cons throughout the US. She has an adult son and lives in Arizona with her husband and two cat overlords.
You can check out her travel schedule on her blog (link below) to see if she’ll be in a city near you.
I have been a fan of the Light Brothers for some time now. They specialize in short horror stories that will keep you up at night. I only found this available as an audiobook. Visit his website below for some free stuff for you to check out and I highly recommend doing so.
First off, I enjoyed Black Door by Evans Light and have read several of his short stories. Black Door seemed like its target audience is preteens and teens looking for an adventure. I enjoyed my journey, but like things deeper and darker, giving me shivers and jumping at those things that go bump in the night. I feel the youngster might just do that.
I can hear the boys bickering, jabbering as the GPS leads them on a wild goosechase. The camp is not what they expected and I think we know what that means…some spookalificous moments are to be had.
Evans Light has a way with words, creating some creepy descriptions, but that is not the creepiest part. It is the ending. So, beware when you embark on your next camping experience. You may get more than you bargained for.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
William and his brothers are on their way to summer camp. But when a wrong turn leads them to an abandoned campground, things start to get weird in this nail-biting tale of adventure and suspense.
”Imaginatively cryptic . . .will delight readers young and old alike with good old-fashioned spookiness. Highly recommended.”
Appropriate reading for pre-teens, teens and adults.
ABOUT EVANS LIGHT
Doesn’t Evans look like someone you would like to take home to mother?
Evans Light is a writer of horror and suspense who suffers from frequent bouts of delusional grandeur interspersed with moments of soul-crushing suspicions of personal inadequacy.
His debut collection of short stories and novellas, SCREAMSCAPES: Tales of Terror, is now available from fine retailers everywhere, and his first novel is well underway.
Evans and Adam Light have a Goodreads Q&A group, Corpus Press: Horror and Weird Fiction, which can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/8….
I can’t remember how I got so many of Ashley Fontainne’s novels, but I think I won them in a giveaway. I have been trying to pick them off one by one as I also read/review her newer books. She is always a must read author for me since I cracked open the very first book.
I love this fabulous cover. What do you think about it?
Ashley Fontainne is a must read author for me since I picked up the very first book. That being said, Empty Shell is not one of my favorites, though I did enjoy the mystery. She has an ability to start her books with a fantastic hook, making me continue flipping pages.
Over the years, I had watched too many of my friends go through this nightmare. Held them while they wept, hearts ripped apart.So many strong women turned into empty shells, nothing but former husks of themselves.
I was lost inside the empty shell of my womb, unable to find my way out of the darkness.
Secrets, betrayals, mystery, murder and loss fill the pages. Good friends can make life easier, so it’s a good think Melody as a couple. I didn’t see the biggest betrayal of all, and I love when an author can sneak in a surprise that leaves me shaking my head because I didn’t see it.
Ashley Fontainne has included many Christian references and I found, at times, it slowed the reading down for me. That may not be the case for others, so keep that in mind if Empty Shell sounds like a good fit for you.
I am looking forward to the next Ashley Fontainne story.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Empty Shell by Ashley Fontainne.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
A pair of pink, silk underwear…
The quiet world of Melody and Jack Dickinson is about to be turned upside down. Twenty years of marriage hangs in the balance when Melody finds out about Jack’s infidelity. The betrayal is made worse when Melody discovers his lover is Serena Rowland, a young woman who works at Melody’s law firm.
A receipt from an overpriced hotel…
Harsh words are exchanged before Melody storms off to work, determined to have Serena fired. But when Melody hears Serena was murdered over the weekend, everything changes. Serena’s body is found beaten and strangled with a pair of pink, silk panties, in the same hotel that Jack had admitted staying at over the weekend. Within seconds of hearing the news, Melody’s life spins out of control when Jack calls in a panic. The police are at their home to arrest him for Serena’s murder.
Pictures of a young woman’s scantily clad torso on a cell phone…
Was she married to a monster? One who beat and strangled the young woman to death, or was Jack set up? Did Melody’s own dark secret, hidden inside her heart for years, have something to do with the nightmare they suddenly find themselves in?
Melody and Jack are about to discover that one fateful mistake will destroy many.
ABOUT ASHLEY FONTAINNE
Award-winning and International bestselling author Ashley Fontainne enjoys stories that immerse the reader deep into the human psyche and the monsters lurking within each of us. She writes in numerous genres including mystery, suspense, horror, sci-fi and sometimes poetry.
Ashley lives in Arkansas with her husband and is the proud mother of one son and grateful daughter of co-author, Lillian Hansen. To learn more about her books please visit https://ashleyfontainne.net/
I saw the tropical cover, investigated further and saw it takes place in Florida, and it was based on a true crime, what more could I ask for?
The book starts out slow and I am wondering how the two storylines will come together.
Author Deborah Goodrich Royce mother’s best friend was murdered. In Reef Road, we have a writer whose mother’s best friend was murdered and she never recovered from it. Her life was wrapped around her mother’s inability to move on. We, also, have a woman whose husband and two children disappear. These two points of view come together takes place during the pandemic lockdown. How convenient.
Two boys, on a beach where they aren’t supposed to be, don’t even notice the woman sitting alone, when they find a hand.
“What the fuck are we supposed to do with this?”
Isn’t that what you would expect coming out of their mouth? And, the mystery begins.
Not only do we have the pandemic, murder, a missing husband and kids, we also have 9.11. There is so much going on and the flip flopping back and forth, made it seem like I was reading two books at once, was confusing for me. It does come together in a weird way in the second half of the book and that is what saves it for me. By then, I was devouring the pages. I had to know how Deborah Goodrich Royce would wrap up Reef Road.
I enjoyed the story and would read more of Deborah Goodrich Royce’s work.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Reef Road by Deborah Goodrich Royce.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
When a severed hand washes ashore in the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach, Florida, the lives of two women—a lonely writer obsessed with the unsolved murder of her mother’s best friend and a panicked wife whose husband has disappeared with their children—collide as the world shutters in the pandemic lockdown of 2020.
“Reef Road is magnificent. It feels utterly real, a novel of deeply personal context. It swerves between truth and lies—the lies that lead to an even deeper—and more devastating—truth. Though pure fiction, it reads as compellingly as a mixture of memoir and exposé. It has left me shaken to the core. Deborah Goodrich Royce writes with brilliant understanding of the mystery and occasional grace of trauma.” —Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author
A young woman’s life seems perfect until her family goes missing. A writer lives alone with her dog and collects arcane murder statistics. What each of them stands to lose as they sneak around the do-not-enter tape blocking Reef Road beach is exposed by the steady tightening of the cincture encircling them.
In a nod to the true crime that inspired it, Deborah Goodrich Royce’s Reef Road probes unhealed generational scars in a wrenching and original work of fiction. It is both stunning and sexy and, like a bystander surprised by a curtain left open, you won’t be able to look away.
ABOUT DEBORAH GOODRICH ROYCE (from Amazon)
Deborah Goodrich Royce’s thrillers examine puzzles of identity. Ruby Falls won the Zibby Award for Best Plot Twist in 2021 and Finding Mrs. Ford was hailed by Forbes, BookRiot, and Good Morning America’s “best of” lists in 2019. Her newest, Reef Road, will be published on January 10, 2023.
She began as an actress on All My Children and in multiple films before transitioning to the role of story editor at Miramax Films, developing Emma and early versions of Chicago and A Wrinkle in Time.
With her husband, Chuck, Deborah restored the Avon Theatre, Ocean House Hotel, Deer Mountain Inn, United Theatre, Savoy Bookstore, and numerous Main Street revitalization projects in Rhode Island and the Catskills.
She serves on the governing and advisory boards of the American Film Institute, Greenwich International Film Festival, New York Botanical Garden, Greenwich Historical Society, the Preservation Society of Newport, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, and the PRASAD Project.
Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in modern foreign languages and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Lake Erie College.
I love the cover of The Final Winter by Iain Rob Wright…and who doesn’t love a story that takes place during a fatal weather even…in this case, a blizzard.
I began Final Winter eagerly. I love the cover and the blurb drew me in. It started out slow, for me. I kept thinking, will I finish it. My mind wandered and I kept bringing myself back. I am sooo glad I did. What began as a two, or maybe even, one star read, turned into a solid three stars. I would love to give it more, but I didn’t get into the story until I was halfway through. I thought…this is a story of our humanity…how low can we go…and that’s okay. Then, the last quarter of the book SAVED it. Final Winter was definitely worth reading.
There’s also some great bonus content: seven short stories of Final Winter, each spotlighting a family during the apocalypse and the standalone short: The Peeling of Samuel Lloyd Collins, which may be short, but, most assuredly, is not sweet.
I believe I have a couple more stories by Ian Rob Wright hanging around on my Kindle. I’ll be checking that out.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Critically acclaimed début novel of bestselling author, Iain Rob Wright.
What would you do if it started snowing in every country in the world? Would you panic? For a ragtag group of strangers gathered at a dilapidated English pub, the best solution is a pint of beer with a hearty shot of denial. The truth is too strange to admit; but, one by one, they will be forced to accept reality – that something sinister is lurking outside in the snow. Something no one could imagine.
Amongst those at the pub is Harry Jobson, the local drunk. Nobody would ever look to him during a time of crisis, but as things deteriorate he is forced to get a grip on his past and be the man he was always meant to be. It will be up to Harry to find answers to questions like: who just threw a body through the window with the word SINNER carved into its chest?
Not everyone is going to make it through the night – and those who do will wish they hadn’t.
Special edition bonus content – seven additional short stories set during the events of The Final Winter, plus one additional stand-alone tale: The Peeling of Samuel Lloyd Collins.
ABOUT IAN ROB WRIGHT
One of Horror’s most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than twenty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
The fabulous cover speaks horror and I love it! A pet food company messing with Mother Nature…I know that is not going to end well. You may look at your pet a little differently after reading Claws. Is your cute, cuddly little bundle of fur looking at you funny? Is your sweet kitty licking your hand as an appetizer…getting ready to take a chunk out of it? LOL Will that make you sleep better, when kitty curls up on your chest wanting snuggles? The main issue I had was with the ‘romance’. The dialogue did not ring true, but, then, I look at a book like Claws as a B movie, not known for its sophistication, but still a very enjoyable use of my time. Greed and all that comes with it was expected. The head of the ‘operation’ will stop at nothing to get more of that all mighty dollar. Will he get his comeuppance? I loved the ending.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
I’d like to give special thanks to Jason Merrick for the great cover.
Alcorn Pet Food Corporation is working with an experimental cat food laced with hormones and appetite enhancers. The special food causes cats to add muscle, gain weight, and exhibit extremely aggressive behavior. When an employee threatens to expose the pet food as a threat to public safety, she finds herself out of work, her home ransacked, and all her carefully gathered proof missing. Meanwhile, animal rights activists release the cats involved in the testing because they are scheduled to be euthanized. These bigger, stronger, and more aggressive animals begin to prey on small game in the area. Then the ravenous cats turn their attention to people.
Lovers, runners, hunters, dogs, deer, rabbits, normal cats, and even motorists begin to fall victim to the predations of these enhanced felines. An unemployed scientist, a small special ops team, a grieving father, a chief of security, and a homeless veteran join forces to try to prevent a catastrophe.
When a murderer steals the secret formula that created the menace and sells it to eight foreign enemies of the United States, the stakes suddenly get a lot higher, because the most deadly biological weapon ever created has just been released. The genie is out of the bottle and the world will never be the same.
To make matters worse, the scientist discovers that the first generation offspring will be even bigger and more aggressive, and then they learn that the food also affects dogs and rats.
ABOUT RICKY SIDES (from Amazon)
Ricky Sides was Born in Florence, Alabama in May of 1958. He has a wife named Sue that he married at age 18. He has one adult son named Larry Dale.
The author studied martial arts from 1981 to the mid 1990s. He has been an avid camper and student of survival. The techniques described in his fight sequences are often from his own personal experience and training. He has taught women’s rape prevention seminars in the 1980’s that he conducted free to the public.
The author’s writing experience includes the ” Peacekeeper” series, the “Brimstone” series, “The Ultimate in Women’s Self-Defense,” and “Adventures in Reading,” “Claws,” which is a suspense / horror novel that will ultimately serve as the back story for an epic post apocalyptic novel that he will release in 2011. “Claws 2. After the Apocalypse,” and “Lina’s Story,” which is connected to the peacekeeper series.
There is no way I would pass on Baby Talk by Mike Wells, just by looking at the cover. It made me think of Rosemary’s Baby, and, as I got to reading, it made me think of The Omen. Baby Talk is Book I of a trilogy and a quick read. Mike Wells managed to pack a lot into Baby Talk. Suitably creepy and I felt bad for Neal Becker. Even though it is not such an original story, I still enjoyed (?) my time with the characters and want to see where Mike Wells takes the story.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
In this creepy horror novel, Neal Becker is convinced that his 5 month old baby daughter can talk. But that’s impossible…isn’t it? Except that Neal didn’t really want to get married in the first place – the pregnancy was the result of a one-night stand, and he preferred an abortion. Now, Baby Natasha knows it, and she’s out to get him! Or so Neal believes…join the two in a terrifying battle for survival that will make your blood run cold.
ABOUT MIKE WELLS
Email me at mike (at) mikewellsbooks.com or follow me on Twitter (@MikeWellsAuthor) and get a FREE copy of one of my bestselling books. I’m an American author best known for my Lust, Money & Murder series and and written more than 25 other thriller and suspense novels. I also have taught in the Creative Writing program at Oxford. I’m known for my super fast-paced, ‘unputdownable’ books.
I won both the books and was so excited to read them, though The Secret Keepers has been patiently waiting for a long time, unfortunate that it got buried in the stack of books I want to read.
A fun and dangerous journey with Genie Lo and her friends and enemies and loves, in a young adult novel. A battle between magical creatures and demons. I enjoyed it and don’t feel I was lost by not reading the first book, though I do feel I may have gotten more involved in the characters and the outcome if I had.
I loved this horror thriller filled with shock moments that had me wondering…is it in her mind…as the secrets are slowly exposed, leaving it hard to figure out who is good, who is bad and why.
Dr Audrey Gilbert is in trouble, and the only way to save her job is to get Kevin to return the fold. She is a paranormal psychiatrist and her specialty is healing hackers with PTSD. With minimal information, she meets him…face to face.
Kevin Jorgensen is a recluse, but there is something about Audrey that intrigues him.
Nothing earth shattering, but a nice story and a quick read. I love reading paranormal/supernatural stories and Amanda Uhl has given me a fresh look at a familiar genre, filled with plenty of intrigue.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dark Waves by Amanda Uhl.
3 Stars
BLURB
A
fearless doctor
Paranormal psychiatrist
Dr. Audrey Gilbert is not used to failure, especially when it comes to her
career. She possesses an uncanny ability to see into her patients’ souls and
mend their brokenness. When she misdiagnosis a patient and is fired, she is
given a chance to regain her job. Her task? Restore the health of a deranged
mind hacker. But safeguarding her heart while convincing the detached and
bitter man to trust her, just might be the challenge of a lifetime.
A tormented hacker
Born into a family of
powerful psychics, Kevin Jorgensen has always had a quick wit and a sunny
disposition. But that was before he nearly lost his life battling a rogue mind
hacker. Now he spends his days in isolation, fighting for his sanity. He swears
never to use his gift, not even if he’s drawn to the woman determined to help
him recover.
A battle for survival
When Audrey and Kevin
discover someone has tampered with her mind, they must work together to
determine why. Because if they fail, their lives and the lives of many other
hackers will be destroyed.
EXCERPT
“Besides the hacker who went rogue, have there been any
other disgruntled patients of yours over the last few years?”
Audrey frowned and rubbed her temple. “Not that I recall.”
“You have a headache?”
The pain in her head throbbed as if in answer. “I… Yes, a
small one.”
“Have you noticed any recent gaps in your memory? Fuzzy
thoughts?”
She narrowed her gaze. “What are you suggesting?”
“Audrey, some of your memories have been wiped.”
Her heartbeat sped up, and it felt like all the blood
drained from her forehead at once. The room tilted in a crazy circle, and she
saw white spots in front of her eyes. There was a rushing sound, and in an
instant, all the colors in the room faded to black. She blinked and realized
she was slumped in the recliner with Kevin leaning over her, shaking her
shoulders, the earthy scent of him filling her nostrils.
“You okay?”
“Yes,” she managed. Her skull felt like someone had stuffed
it with cotton. “I…”
“You fainted. Take it easy.” He crouched next to her, tucked
a pillow behind her head, and helped her sit up. “I probably should have found
a better way to tell you.”
Ya think? What was even more shocking was him hovering over
her like she was his patient. He needed to move far away so she didn’t have to
breathe in his rich, masculine smell. She had the insane desire to reach out
and hug him so she’d feel safe.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and her head cleared. “I’m…I’m
all right now.”
Kevin didn’t budge, sending her blood pressure up a notch.
She brushed her hair behind her ears and tried to think.
“You said my mind had been wiped. How can you know for certain?”
“I’m a former hacker, remember. I know the signs. What’s
more, your blocks have been removed.”
“My…blocks?” She sat forward, the hair on her arms rising
with her. The blocks were for her safety—to protect her as she worked with
hackers. “They’re permanent. It’s impossible to remove them…isn’t it?”
He must have been reassured she had recovered from her faint
because he stood and returned to the couch before answering, and she managed to
get her breathing under control.
“Not quite. It’s difficult for the vast majority of hackers,
but not everyone.”
“You mean you can do it,” she said, hardly daring to breath.
“Yes, and any other class tens who specialize in blocks.
After all, we’re the ones who put them in place. Audrey, I need you to think
really hard about when you first started having headaches.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Award-winning author Amanda Uhl has always had a fascination with the mystical. Having drawn her first breath in a century home rumored to be haunted, you might say she was “born” into it. After a brief stint in college as a paid psychic, Amanda graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre and a master’s degree in marketing. Over the past twenty years, she has worked as an admissions representative and graphic designer, owned her own freelance writing company, and managed communications for several Fortune 500 companies, most recently specializing in cyber security. Amanda is an avid reader and writes fast-paced, paranormal romantic suspense and humorous contemporary romance from her home in Cleveland, Ohio. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find Amanda with her husband and three children, gathering beach glass on the Lake Erie shoreline or biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visit her online at www.amandauhl.com.
