Samhain by Lori R. Lopez

First off I have to mention the amazing cover art - as LRL does all her own work I am always intrigued at how wonderfully fascinating they are, the more you look the more detail you see, not to mention how she manages to really grasp the essence of her stories in the covers.

It is All Hallows Eve and self confessed wuss and multi phobic Daren Karl is on his way to his sisters house to a Halloween party. Rather than brave all those people he is coerced by his parents into taking his nephew Dare out trick or treating, they leave him with a strange comment about facing his demons!

Dare maybe named after his Uncle but he makes his name a challenge, not a burden and delights in teasing his Uncle on the route around the neighbourhood.

As they prowl the streets Darrens phobias about this night are surfacing and causing some interesting discussion with his nephew. Amid all the candy collection, pirates, werewolves and cowboys he spots THE witch and as memories come flooding back LRL drags you into a hellish house of horrors.

I really enjoyed the goosebumps I was given and the thrilling explanation of Halloween, Samhain and various other historical spookies. 

LRL manages in her small novellas to inject such emotion, tension and sense of history to all her characters, I miss them when i finish the story. 

I am glad I stayed in this Halloween - but it is as I have always suspected that children really ARE tasty little morsels best served broiled!

Samhain

Sleep Of Fools by Lori R. Lopez

In his sleep Chrono can climb like a monkey, only his waking world does not have monkeys, or trees or anything that is not grey and mechanized.

Fed by pills, dressed in grey, putting cogs into place each and every day, all day, then to sleep; this is Chrono’s world.  

Although sleep is not necessarily what it seems either as he is herded into a nether world; to destroy the clock he assembles during the day.

The analogies and mental visuals that LRL conjures up and lays before you are fantastic.

Then a chance fall, a kiss, an escaping screwdriver, a pair of green eyes and all that changes.

When Jewel spurs him into trying to escape the “system” their whole world is destroyed, the final twist in the tale is brilliant and I loved the end line.

Jar Baby used to be my favourite story of LRL of all her amazing work but I read this back to back three times I was so enthralled.  A masterpiece IMO.

Sleep of Fools

Jennifer Thomas reviews..... Lori R. Lopez part 2

The lovely Jennifer Thomas reviews her second batch of short stories and collections from the multi talented Lori. R. Lopez. Did you know all those covers are done by Lori herself! and you should have a listen/watch Fairy Fly Entertainment on YouTube where she brings her stories to life.

The Macabre Mind of Lori R. Lopez

This is a fantastic collection of Lori R. Lopez's work. If you have read anything by Lori you know that she has a wonderful and unique style to her writing that is able to pull you right into the world that her words paint through your imagination. 

This collection gives you thirteen different worlds!! In my opinion this is a collection of her darkest and most suspenseful work, never too dark but the suspense will have you hanging on the edge of your chair and as your mind gets twisted and twirled throughout each story.

There is something in this collection for everyone, you have zombies, creatures, circus freaks, ghosts, big foot, werewolves and more.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys reading for fun and who loves having their mind challenged with a unique outlook of the horror world.

An Ill Wind Blows

Lori R. Lopez writes this adventure with so heartfelt compassion that this is a book to love. 

There are so many characters that you get to know throughout this book that it is amazing that she is able to give each one a personality and background. 

I was brought to tears by so many of their memories and the sadness that they have been through it makes them so real that they seem to jump from the pages right into you mind. 

Reading this fabulous book is so much like watching a movie that you can get lost in the time that you are reading and before you know it the book is finished.

This book is such a great mix of horror, humor, emotion and suspense that it is a book for everyone of all ages, from young adult upward. You have so much to every page that your mind is able fully emerged itself and you are able to forget the real world and get lost in the storm that is the incredible mind of this amazing author. 

It doesn't matter what type of book you like to read this book has it all for everyone to enjoy.

Bloodpath

Lori R. Lopez had done it again!!!! She has blown my mind with another amazing story. Bloodpath takes you through the mystery of the legendary bigfoot and beyond. 

All Boyd Applegate wanted to do was have some drinks with his buddies to make himself feel better and then drive home. Well the first part of his plan works wonderfully and then everything happens. 

What is that he just hit? How drunk is he to think that it couldn't be human? 

This short suspenseful horrific mystery is a wonderful read. And as always Lori is able to help you envision the entire story through her unique and amazing use of words. 

You can feel the fear of the humans and the anger of the beasts and the sadness for the loss of the lives that are lost in this tale, but I have to say that I have never thought of a path of blood being beautiful until I read them described in this story.

Fossil

This is one of the most amazing stories that have come from the mind of Lori Lopez. This Bone Man is a character that equals a force to be reckoned with.

From one mansion that becomes a number of different things in it's years including a sanatorium, but the one thing it really was is a place where murder was always going to happen. 

When a psychic buys the old place to record and try to contact the poor victims of this evil building he bites off more than he can chew.

Dance of the Chupacabras

This is a great and fun book. It will hold your attention from beginning to end. Lori has such way of writing like no other. Each and every character in this book will catch your mind and embed itself there for years to come.

The words and descriptions of this book are written in a way that no one else but Lori could pull off. 

I love her no holds bar writing style every one of her books and stories never cease to amaze me.

If you love mythology, adventure and a bit of humor read this book you will not be disappointed.

Thank you so much Lori for just being you and letting your true self shine in your books!!!!

Out of Mind Experiences

This book takes you through the imagination of Lori R. Lopez in the best of ways. Every story in this book leaves you wanting more and when you finish it you feel a satisfaction in you mind like no other. 

So many of the stories hold the emotions of this brilliant writer and you can actually feel what the characters feel and see through their eyes. 

The pictures that these stories paint in your mind are like no other. If you like short story books then this one is for you!!!

Creep

When I started this short story I had a million ideas of what I thought the Creep was and I was wrong...If you like stories of revenge and hatred with a little bit of regurgitation thrown in for good measure, this story is for you. There is action in this horror from the first page all the way through until the final sentence.

This is also one of the stories where you want to feel bad for the thing doing the killing.

I think this is one of those few stories where you want just the right kind of people to read it and have to spend a while looking over their shoulders from the guilt they feel in their heart.

Spooked by Lori R. Lopez

It appears that LRL talent has now transcended to another species! As she gets inside the head of a cat at the beginning of this tale.

On the flip side of this story is Casper Bledsoe, a “bad‘un” according to his family; yet to fulfil his destiny.

The staccato pace of this story really lends itself to the rising anticipation and tension.

As the abused puss, with such a sad back story, runs terrified through the house poor Casper must face his family history and try to live up to their expectations of him.

As two angry predecessors fight it out, crockery goes a flying!

Both cat and Casper come to a timely end, just not the one I expected!

Another brilliant twist in the cat tail from the great LRL.

Spooked

Jar Baby by Lori. R. Lopez

Emerson Folly. What a fabulous name.

He starts the story off with a dramatic flourish that promises murder and mayhem.

In contrast is the gorgeous Alice in dealing with the weird Dmitri and his projectile vomiting inducing smell. Although I loved their little love affair at the end!

In a flurry the jar is opened despite warnings of curses and demons, which have a wonderful spookily told back story.

Salah, the Arabian Knight has family and bloating issues of his own, but finds the time to write a beautiful love letter to his pregnant wife.

UMBRAL is the word of the month - I adore how LRL just appears to casually throw a word in to her writing that makes you stop dead, go look it up and then it dawns on you just how complex and beautiful that word is.

There is an underlying element of smirk as Boris Karloff and his mates make an appearance and all manner of fun starts to occur; a more macabre version of Night at the Museum came to mind.

LRL manages to make mummy/zombie killing so eloquent sounding as you would you were at a tea party with Earl Grey and cucumber sandwiches.

The finale is brilliant, my favourite story by LRL to date!

Jar Baby

Jennifer Thomas reviews..... Lori. R. Lopez part 1

Jennifer Thomas is loved by many authors for her honest and wonderful reviews. In this guest blog she reviews some of the many novellas by the lovely Lori. R . Lopez.

                       Jar Baby

What a great story! Lori R. Lopez spins a great tale of the Jar Baby.

When a man sells the one thing he is supposed to protect to save the lives of his wife and unborn child he know that he has enabled another to unleash hell and the vengeance of the demon on the world. He must stop the actions that he has allowed to be set in to motion.

All Alice wants to do is check out this comic store that she heard about. The sells man is a little on the creepy side but little does she know that life is about to throw her into an adventure she would never dream of.

Wonderful word flow and outstanding character development.

Fruit Thy Womb

This story takes you through so many emotions, fear, loss, love, hope and then it puts you right where we all end up, death. The suspense and horror leaves you wanting to read more and keeps the pages turning.

All Ziggy ever wanted to was to know the truth. Was he wanted as a child? Did his mother really care? But little did he know that he was going to be the begining of a horde that will chase him to his answers as he is devoured by not only himself but the plague that is nipping at the heels of mankind.

Adele never gave up looking once her son disappeared and even after loosing everything that was precious to her she knows in some why that as long as she has hope everything will fall into place. When her past comes back into her memory and she realizes that maybe hope is foolish the best of the worst happens.

I highly recommend this story to all horror, zombie or suspense fans!

Fairy Fly

Have you ever wondered what the personality of a bug may be like? Well after you read this wonderful fairy tail you will have to wonder no more. Follow Spider as he tries to find his way back home to his mother and learn the lessons of life, fear and friendship along with him.

Every step Spider takes seems to be looming with danger, but the things he learns and both the friends and foes he meets along the way have something for him. That is right this little fella learns from everyone he meets in his travels.

This is a great novel for children and adults alike. Some of the lessons with in will stay with you or your child for a long time to come. One example is, words can hurt and it is not always what you say but how you say it. 

Lori Lopez uses her beautiful poetic words to bring this to life with loveable characters and slightly scary foes. This is in no way a book that is will cause fear unless you just don't like bugs. But even people who don't like bugs, I think, should give it a chance because it is such a fun and imaginative book.

Cereal Box Surprise

This story grabbed me because most people can relate. Everyone who is unhappy with themselves are looking for the next great thing to make us look better, feel better or just to give us the most amazing body ever. Well, unfortunately for our main character, Ned, he not only gets pulled into the hype of the next best thing, it really works!!!!

Ned is so tired of spending his life living and cowering away from all of he bigger meaner people in this great wide world. When his hero, and athlete, comes out with the super cereal that promises to give Ned the muscular body of his dreams how can he not try it? Not only is the cereal great tasting but it has a prize in the box. 

That little prize gives Ned the feeling of being a kid again. While happily wearing his his prize and full on cereal he sits and waits for it too work. But Ned has never had the best of luck. The news proclaims that the very cereal he just devoured was killing people and they don't know why?? All of Ned's dreams of being the big guy got a change and getting the girl are tosses in the trash bin as he is frantic and not yet ready to die.

What happens in the pages that come after will blow your mind!! You will have to read this story to find out what happens to Ned. Does he live? Does he find happiness? Most of all after you read this will you be able to eat cereal without this story popping in to your mind?

Monstrosities

Once again Lori Lopez has used her words to take my imagination to its limits.

When I first started reading this novelette I was no where near prepared for the amazement and horror that lies within.

Dewayne's father had no idea of the monster he was creating with his hate and abuse. The wrath that Dewayne inflicted on not only his parents but on anyone he can get his claws on.

When Dewayne decides he is ready to take a bride the story takes a drastic change. This you will have to read for yourself.

This is the darkest story Lori has written and I love it.

I recommend this to all fans of horror or suspense.

Jugular

In this story, once again Lori Lopez, gives you a world that you can't help but be pulled into. The characters in this story are so passionate and Magda, the main character is a strong willed woman who is able to face more than she should have ever had too.

Her husband killed himself and left her alone in the world with a son who was more monster than human. 

Magda has to find out about her life and her family in the worst of ways and just as happiness in within reach, well I don't want to be the spoiler but this is a wonderful story that everyone will enjoy.

Unnatural

This is an amazing and fast pace short story written in true Lori R. Lopez style that will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat until the last word.

What happens when the one and only place where you feel like you belong has to disband and the only friends you have in the great wide world are lost to you forever? 

Well in the case of Darius Exavier you end wondering the world not knowing where your head will rest or will your next meal will come from.

This story takes you through this young mans sad and lonesome existence as he is looking for a place in this world. The path Dariu takes and the things that he has the will to defeat will blow your mind.

Wraith

This is such a fun mix of pottery and story put together as only Lori Lopez can. In this story you find a beautiful young girl who has been hurt so badly in the past that as her life gets more lonely her mind starts to break. 

You cannot help but feel the pain in this girl's heart as you follow her down the path of insanity.

Lycaning

I will be the first to admit, and I have many times, I am not a werewolf fan. This story changed that.believe me, this is not the usual werewolf tale.

Lori takes this age old monster and makes it her own in the best of ways.

Weather a werefan or not you will enjoy the new twist this storyteller has put to paper for our enjoyment. I don't want to give anything away but you will find a bit of love between these e -pages.

Part 2 review for part 2 of the story, yes, thats right this story now as a part 2 and it is just as amazing as the first part. Lori gave everyone who reads this book more. More love, more compassion, more suspense and yes, more werewolves!!! 

The suspense of the second part of this story gives everything to the first part. I don't want to give anything away in the book but I am telling everyone it is AWESOME and well worth the read.

Some Thing

This short story will be an eery reminder of all of the water warnings from around the globe. What happens when someone does drink the water? Well I will tell you know that it can turn into a nightmare!! You will learn just how scary it can be.

Imagine sitting in your home and Something is there with you, you are not sure what it is but for Bash, all he can think is danger and gets his bazooka, yes bazooka. 

That is all this review will tell you about it, you will have to read to find out, but there is also the lady across the street. With all of the noise in the neighborhood Henna, that lady I mentioned, decides to investigate. 

Henna is a pistol packing lady with the intention to help her neighbor and keep her neighbor hood safe.

This story is awesome. Another Lori Lopez story that is a must read for all.

3-Z by Lori R. Lopez

As always with LRL the wording is lilting but has such a wonderful depth. I love that she makes me look up words!  

This is 3 amazing zombie based stories all wrapped up in one snuggle fest.

Pounds of Flesh: As you read the full extent of the horrible situation it dawns on you how brilliant LRL writing is, as she slowly leaks little pieces of information to you, like panning back/outward when watching a film. As the emotion is ratchet up with a phone call LRL manages to slip in all sorts of horrifying descriptions in that lovely lyrical "did she actually say that" style.

The ending was not what I expected but welcome nonetheless.

A Big Problem: oh my goodness, should you really be giggling they whole way through a horror story?  Just who do you call when your ear falls off from the zombie virus? Dagdon of course! He has the solution to all the issues....

Knock, Knock: another one to make your heart bleed. A real case of mistaken identity, I cant say too much without giving what happens away but this was by far the best ending I have ever read! it is so cleverly written you begin to doubt who the trick or treater is too.

3-Z

Splatterpunk Saints - charity anthology

So this was advertised as a ‘Pay it forward’ organization. Fantastic idea!

After my last disastrous anthology read I was really not sure what to expect but it wasn't THIS.

A beautiful collection of poetry begins the book. I can't review them individually as some are only a few sentences long, others are many pages, but as a collection it was refreshing, humorous  charming and a real soul cleanser even if they were mostly scary, gory, horror filled or just downright spooky!

"worms crawl in, maggots crawl out"  or "It was just past November but not quite December"

RED, Crime Scene Footage & The Village were my favourites.

Then came some short stories.

Prisoner on Chamber Lane by AM Reign: poor Sara what a rotten start to life and then it only gets worse. The torturous description of the fingers really had me gagging.  The question "why" and then "who cares" really freaked me out in the middle. A really great read.

There Goes The Neighbourhood by Murphy Edwards: it was a fun read, sort of, with two old ladies bickering in a car whilst a burglar ransacks their house. The ending was funny but stomach churning.

Necrofreaks by Timothy Frasier: sexed up teenagers in a cemetery  what can go wrong! well reanimated corpses, Nephilium, demons, you name it! Well written with an exciting pace as you are dragged the climax, which does not disappoint.

Red on the Head by Timothy Frasier: a strange little story that I couldn't really get in to.

Headcase by Lori R. Lopez: from the first line you cant help but giggle in gruesome fascination. As the tale winds it way to the finale in the bunker.... well, you need to read it!

Fire & Brimstone by Paul DeThroe:  a real twist in the tale, some strange torture scenes but grossness is WAY out there.

On The Road Again by Mark C. Scioneaux: Chad the serial killer, oh but he is an animal lover, so not totally bad IMO! Brilliant twist.

'Til Death Do Us Part by William Cook: blimey never mind a woman scorned. A wonderfully written total grossfest.

Dark World Tirade by Jonathon Dark: I couldn't really get into the rhythm that the author was trying to convey.

Bereft by James Ward Kirk: what's in the cellar? and who is the more mad, killer or cop?

Filthy Water by Alex Stephens: I found the staccato writing very hard to engage with, so I think I missed half the story.

Victims of Evolution by Chantal Noordeloos: the zompoc is neatly , if gruesomely, described. The attempted survival of a family, the inevitable failure. Then came the evolution, so what would happen if nature were to exert its force over zombies? read and see.....

Dark Dwellings by Dale Eldon: Actors in a haunted house, but not all are what they seem, a good premise with some yucky scenes, a really good read. At the beginning I was a bit dissuaded by the main characters downer comments on the horror culture of today, a shame that "everyone" harks make to yesteryear - things move on! 

Dealer of Death by Mark Gardener: a strange glimpse into Hell and deal done with the Devil. Nicely written, almost on the first person but not quite.

One Night in October by Michael Bray: inside a killers mind, yup its dirty. I felt like a needed a shower after this one.

The Roadie by K. Trap Jones: very clever; song lyrics that take you to Hell with a few really great nods to Metal Bands. Some fantastic imagery is conveyed, as if being drenched in the Devils blood is not bad enough he vomits on a few people! I really enjoyed this little story, and love when I find a new author to stalk (sorry, follow) - thats the BEST bit about anthologies.

The Vegetarian Zombie by K. Trap Jones: I'g glad I was not eating my lunch during this amusing tale of veggie turned zombie! I this was my favourite.

The Thing in the Shadows by Donald White: eeeek, this was really freaky, a goblin in the woods, a tale of discovery and revenge. It really gave me the shivers.

The Monsters of Capital Hill by Robert Holt: I love when humour and outright daftness plays a part in horror, that wonderful ease of tension before the slap around the head. As myths and monsters battle it out it all becomes a bit teeth, fur and claw.

Mary Me by Alex Stephens & James Ward Kirk: theories of two, dancing mice, murderers and mad Drs. All very peculiar but intriguing. 

Part of Me by Paula D. Ashe: I'm not sure if the author meant to be offensive or not but I did not see the point in the homophobic or racist jibes, so sorry, I could not finish this, maybe I missed a good story.

Parkland by William Markly: a very strange concept, a ?succubus transformed from a vampire post a deal with the Devil. As she floats around her chosen Banquet she feeds on the suffering she comes across many ghosts, which freak her out, ha! not as much as me reading the tale.

The Teppanyaki of Truth by Andrew Freudenberg:  a strange way to gratify a desire for something tasty, but what a wonderful way too.

Splatterpunk Saints