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

The Best of Enemies (book 6 of the Demon Squad series) by Tim Marquitz

Somehow I can just picture the Dead Fiends as hells little versions of Minions; just less cute looking! As the book opens they are trying to entertain Trigg with Shakespeare renditions and musicals, that’s when they are not busy alien burning or doing some fart redecorating (no, that’s not a typo!)

Frank “Triglatheron” Trigg is trying to work out what the book that Lucifer sent him for safe keeping is all about and poor little stripy alien Rala is having to muddle through it and getting hassle for doing so. 

As they go in search for a new place for her research, because Hell is obviously too busy! they come across poor, mourning Marcus and the best line in a book ever!

As they venture back ”up” to Earth they find that Old Town is a war zone and Veronica, the succubus ex-wife is not far away from the mayhem. But there is also another player in town and Trigg is back to his usual bullheaded way of barge in, ask later, which makes for some great fight scenes. 

When I think back to the first book in this series it’s amazing how much Tim Marquitz has developed not only the characters and story lines, but his own writing skill, it’s a world away.

Rahim and Katon are attracted to the fray oh boy are they still pissed at Trigg for the alien snatcharoo.

As the ever beautiful Scarlett arrives with a warning from Heaven you know that there is a new undertone to the story, and in true TM style little clues are already in play.

As Trigg continues his search and slaughter method of finding the new pretender to be Old Town King, Squiddy turns up to add a new squelchfest to the fun, its seems the book translation is going well as new critters stream through a portal.

Just as the dust settles the DSI and their buddies decide to say knock, knock with an RPG! Told you it’s all go and mayhem!

The humour is rife again in this book eg. over some alien calamari and sushi Trigg tells the DRAC crew about God and Lucifer’s jolly holiday.

As Trigg learns more about his new magical abilities and how he got them, Karra and their baby are never far from his mind, with his bestest buddy Chatterbox, with his awesome musical tastes, keeping a watchful maggoty eye on him, just why is she keeping herself so far away from him?

Trigg finally gets to have a showdown with the New Potential Boss of Old Town with some more awesome monster fight scenes, I just love the way that TM has conjured up his own myths and monsters, reviving some classics with a twist… which ones? Read and find out!

All I can say is I feel sorry for Veronica and her interrogation techniques.

No major player is left out as Lord Focalor floats down from Heaven as yet another piece of the puzzle is put into place, but such is the writing skill of TM you are at such a close angle to the picture to not see it clearly.

As the vamps and werecritters decide to add to the already cruddy day that Trigg is having the funniest fight scene occurs, Wu Tang!

After doing a good reenactment of Shaw shank Redemption poor Trigg gets trapped, it is only then that TM allows you to pan back, full cinemascope, to see all the connections as pieces fall into place.

The final showdown brings in all the factions; there are deaths, surprises, portals and some throwing involved! The cliffhanger ending had me left sat with my mouth hanging open!

The Best of Enemies

The Peeling Series by Iain Rob Wright

I have been looking forward to more of this gruesome, yet riveting, story since it was hinted at as a freebie at the end of Animal-Kingdom: An Apocalyptic Novel (a fantastic read!).

This tale gives you a little glimpse of the horrors inflected upon a variety of individuals, which are unfolding all over the World by a new plague which literally peels the skin off its victims, IRW manages to describe this in glorious technicolor!

For such a brief tale, you cant help but be totally absorbed and taken over by the characters and they have such depth that you miss them at the end... and as always, the IRW,  the ending is not what you think....

Jeremys Choice

The second instalment of this gruesome new world that IRW has imagined and brought to life (or death) a ghastly new disease of unknown cause but very known consequences.

He continues his absolutely stunning grip on the real horrors in the world as superbly illustrated in his novel ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror and manages to bring forth the true nature of people in stressful situations and make them the real horror in the mess of apocalyptic terror.

As usual, the characters are rounded, with short but fulfilling back stories, you feel at ease with them instantly and are soon engulfed in their world.

As no-one is safe from the Peeling you are in full trepidation as to what dread is around the next page turn (or button click for us ebookers).

As always I was captivated by this new chapter and sad that it ended, but Mr Wright is consistent in his fabulous endings.

The Stadium

The focus is on a supermarket takeover, and not by Tesco!

Two sets of army teams fight it out with the "civvies" in the middle. Good vs Evil basically, yet so well done.

Attention to detail as always from this perfectionist author.

Some very attention grabbing defence plays; very apocalyptic in nature... makes for a "fun" read.

Now, the ending... OMG what a way to leave it!! amazing!

I cannot do spoilers... but you wont see this one coming!

Warriors

So IRW takes us to the heart of hell and the possible start of the virus, or is it?

The journey into this new pit is coldly scary and unnerving in its possibilities.... how do a group of intelligent people keep a hostage for so many years?

The creeping terror sensation you get with this book is very, very dark.

Classically done! Faultless in its editing, as usual, and amazing writing!

Patient Zero

A nice fresh setting to end the series, with some great new characters that have enough of a back story to be believable and cared about.

In such a short and horrific tale IRW still manages to inject some brilliant British humour!

I really loved the reality check of how the group felt and reacted, no movie style theatrics, no overt hero stuff, it all felt so real.

The tension and build up as IRW drags you to the finale was exquisite, I really felt myself squinting and half looking at my kindle, I'm sure if I had been listening on audio book I would have had my hands over my eyes or been hiding behind the sofa!

The ending is abrupt, but totally satisfying.

As always with IRW the editing is perfection, not a comma out of place.

The Peeling Book 4:The Lights

Jennifer Thomas reviews Billie Sue Mosiman part 2

Some more wonderful reviews of Billie Sue Mosiman by guest blogger Jennifer Thomas. 

BANISHED

This novel starts off strong and stays that way throughout. 

From the time you meet Angelique you know that this fallen creature will always want the best of everything. She has deemed herself queen and intends to stay that way through all time. 

She is one of heaven's fallen angels and has been on this earth before but after spending so many thousands of years banished from heaven she could not take another minute in the outreaches and must find life with humans once more. 

When she makes it into human form it is not what she had wished it to be but she will make the best of what she was given. After hundreds of years spent having humans care for her it was time for her to call one of her kind to help and care for her as only a servant that can live as long as she can.

She calls upon Nisroc, a fallen like she but she knows he can hold his place and care for her. But Nisroc has something she will never have, a love for the human creatures. He actually loves Gods beloved humans and wishes more than anything to be a part of them.

To be honest I could go on for hours about this book but I don't want to slip out anything that would mess it up for any one else, so I will leave after I say a few more things.

The writing and story line flows wonderfully and there was never a moment of confusion that I have had with other Fallen Angel stories. The characters are amazing and just detailed enough to give the mind something to lean on as they come into or leave the story. 

There were times of sadness, anger and loss that all added to the emotional suspense that lay in waiting in the pages of this book.

HORROR TALES

In this book of 3 shorts you get horror, obsession, fear and despair written in true Billie Sue Mosiman fashion.

In The Court Of The Invisible, when Mel finally finds out what her tarot cards are trying to tell her it is too late for her to do anything about it. For most of her adult life she has turned to the cards to guide her and has always lived happy, but the one thing she doesn't understand drives her to keep turning the cards.

The Shape Of Its Absence, This story pulled at my heart strings in it horror and sadness. Cora Lee just wants to be left well enough alone and live on her land, in her house and safe from the world, but her kids just can't leave well enough alone. As I read this I was pulled in and I think this is the most emotional story in the book.

Down By The Riverside, when a father must tell his son that he has to leave his home and live with his uncle because his time on this earth is about to end, the grown man who is only a child in his mind takes matters into his own hands and grows up just a tad as he realizes that no matter what you fear there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Great short story book.

LIFE THE NEAR BONE

This is a great set of 3 short stories. They are a quick read but you don't feel cheated in any way because the details are there. 

Life Near the Bone, You find out what happens when a man takes philosophy too far and looses his mind.

Antidote, you get a look into a very unique vampire story and what takes place in a vampire world where it is kill or be killed.

Rosa Two-Cents a man finds out what happens when you leave not only a debt but a promise un-paid.

This is only my take on the stories, you will have to read it yourself to see if you agree. I highly recommend this set too everyone who enjoys suspense and horror.

WIDOW

This novel has so much going on and so many characters that it is like 3 books rolled into one meeting in the middle to blow your mind.

I'm a sensitive reader and wear my heart on my sleeve and there were some part of this book that were hard for me to read, but as with all of Billie Sue Mosiman's books you get pulled in from the beginning and can't stop reading until the tale is told.

This tale for me is on of Loss, love and the need to forget the most horrible past and a search for a new and happy future, but sadly that is not meant to be for any of the unforgettable characters in this novel. With each character you meet along the way you are able to feel their impact on the story and they will stay with me for a long time.

This is an incredible book and well worth the read. I highly recommend it to all.

A LITTLE LIFE

Billie Sue Mosiman wastes no time digging right into this story and in doing so grabbing your heart and taking your emotions to the brink.

This is not just a story of the loss of a child it is more. I can only imagine how hard this story was to write. The power of the words are enough to bring just about any reader to tears and the loss of a child is a nightmare for any parent and that makes this story that much stronger but this story is also about the ability to move on. 

The main character in this story is so well written that you are able to feel her pain through the word.

I highly recommend this story but be aware that it is very emotional and you may need many tissues at hand.

QUIET ROOM

This is an emotional and gripping tale of what Gloria has lived with all for the support of the man she loves. 

Growing up knowing she was different and picked on by her school mates was one thing Gloria had dealt with her entire life and finding someone who loves her and makes her feel like a whole person is more than she could ever wish for. 

But for this poor woman it just opens up a whole new world of nightmares that she has to find a way to escape. She tried to repent in her on way for her soul knowing what was going on within the walls of her husbands special room was wrong. She had known it since the beginning but now she must stop it. She cannot live with it any longer and she has a plan.

You must read this amazing horrific suspense to find out if her plan works but be warned this is a dark place you will be visiting.

Interview with a Psycho

This is a great short story. When you stat reading you figure this is a story about an old man confessing his sins but you soon realize that it is much more. 

The thing about this story is it just goes to show you never know what evil hides within the people we come in contact with on a daily basis.

BAD TRIP SOUTH

This book is so full of suspense and terror that there are times where you want to put it down but you know if you do it will drive you over the edge because you have to know what happens.

Most of the story is told by Emily, she is the 10 year old daughter of a fifth grade school teacher and a cop. Her life has never been easy and she has lived with fear that most children her age never have to know. Having no friends, only her parents, who are far from having a normal and loving relationship. 

As bad as there life is, with a divorce in the cards and the family being separated you would never think it could get worse and then on one of the last vacations as a family their life takes another turn into the even deeper depths of hell.

This is a compelling read that will command every bit of your attention from beginning to end.

Chemical Flowers by Ian Woodhead & Suzanne Reeves

A wonderful mix of raunchy and horror!

Originally I found Harry to be a gross individual, cant call them characters really as Ian has a way of making them so real!  So, back to Harry...gross but strangely normal...eeek!

Then you get Sebastian, just when I thought Harry was the pits...Sebastian makes him seem like Brad Pitt!

The story is a fabulous idea of lethal plants and human efforts to escape the town they have sprouted from.  I could not forget the human to plant transformation, especially with an exploding flower penis!!

A great tingly sex scene between the aforementioned Harry, who cant quite decide if he is a male chauvinistic pig or just not met the right woman, who turns about to be the lushness of Maria; but did they forget in their passion that giant killer plants are on the loose mere feet from them!

I really enjoyed this story up until the end when I must have missed the explanation of why?  what was the slime? how did it all happen?

I beg Mr Woodhead and Mrs Reeves to PLEASE write a sequel or (and even better!) a prequel!!

I  need to know more.. my house plants are in danger until then, or is it me in danger??

Woodhead & Reeves what a great writing team!!

Chemical Flowers

That Ghoul Ava: kicks some Faerie A*** by TW Brown (also That Ghoul Ava & TGA & The Queen of the Zombies

A little novella that sparkles from the beginning.

Poor Ava wakes up from the death to find she is a ghoul.

There is much to learn in her new underworld and her great narrator style and wit introduces us to some of the supernatural world and its goings on with little quips, witty observations and a shark grin!

A brilliant concept loved this story and really looking forward to more episodes!

That Ghoul Ava: Her First Adventures

Love the little catch up comments, not too much for the faithful reader but enough to refresh a memory or two.

Bucket loads of new monsters, characters and friends. A first novel in what is no doubt going to be a truly amazing series! 

In this episode Ava is sent on a mission by her vampire boss to discover where all the zombies are coming from and why. It has a definite Thriller edge, but sadly with no dancing.

The style is a type of narration as we are informed of the supernatural  new world in which she 'lives'; all sorts of monsters are thrown in with some brilliant  twists on the  zombie, vampire, and other similar "myths" come horror.

The humour is so wonderfully subtle you find yourself smirking and snorting through the gore and slime.

No actual comedic moments, just the run of the mill everyday stuff is seen in the colour of comedy, like an excellent comedian TWB manages to point that out, giving you great snorting moments. Such as the ghost writer!

Some really clever movie references..... and omg how funny at Mark Tufo Zombie Fallout ref!

I want that story about the not real dead seeking cats!

That Ghoul Ava & the Queen of the Zombies

No dicing around here, straight in there with the action.  Some brief catch up notes, so you can read this as a stand-alone story if you wanted but works best as part of the series.

I really enjoyed all the little nods to “reality”. TWB has outdone himself with the clever chapter titles and the Spotify link. Really gave a holistic feel to the whole thing.

In this episode of Ava’s unlife we find her trying to bulldoze her way through battling fairies and discover what has got their panties in a bunch. It is a complex world that Ava lives in and nothing is what it seems; who needs politics when you have supernaturals!

The humour has really been ramped up in this one, M. Knight Shamalammadingdong had me giggling for ages! The fight scene in the fairies’ house was brilliant; only TWB could write with Star Trek theme music and a Daffy Duck voice over and still make me feel tense.

I will be ordering the Unnatural Grimoire from Amazon.su.uk

More monsters, some great connections, a few really lovely heart touching moments regarding friendship and I absolutely loved the Nessie comments!

(just a little side comment, yes I DO beta read for TWB but I ALWAYS buy all of his books; I believe THAT much in his work I wish to continue to support him. If I hate a concept or part of a book, or character I tell him at that stage, he is the talent so if that bit stays - I moan about it in the review!)

That Ghoul Ava: Kicks Some Faerie A***

Jennifer Thomas reviews..... Jerry McKinney

Jennifer Thomas, guest blogger, reviews one of my favourite authors Jerry McKinney.

Flesh & Blood

This story crushed my heart. I was in tears by the end of the first paragraph. It is sad, too sad, when a child looses his mother at a young age, but it is worse when his whole world comes crashing down around him. Jesse is just a boy but has to learn the painful lesson that death is just a part of life.

Jerry Mckinney has always amazed me with the amount os passion he usable to write into his stories. 

He writes with more feeling then most people have when they speak. This story is no exception to that.

If you like your horror to contain real life emotion, get this story. I promise you will not regret it.

Takers

This is a great read!!!! 

This short story takes you through what one man endures as the world as he knows it falls apart. Jerry McKinney has a way of writing that takes you right into the story, and with all of his work this is no different. 

The poor man in this story just wanted a wonderful day with his family and to have some special time with his wife when the day is over but the worms make sure that does not happen. This book will send you on a ride through love, fear and loss. 

A must read for all.

Christmas Spirit

Wonderful new Christmas story that makes you take a look at how your actions cannot only change your life but the lives of people who have not been born yet. The spirits in this story will stay with you long after the story is read.

Abe

Abe is the ultimate book for what should happen to every serial killer. Abe thought he had everything together and that he was untouchable..... 

Abe was wrong!!!! All it takes in one word writen in steam from the shower on the mirror and he finds out how fast thing can go wrong. This is a very detailed short story that will capture you with the first word and keep you captive until it is completely read.

Tick

This is a wonderful horror suspense book. 

Poor Colin, he has a lot going on in his mind, between missing his wife and not liking his job he can't get the tick of the office clock out of his head. This causes his to do some very extreme things.

Once again Jerry McKinney takes you straight into his world of words where you are held in awe until the book is finished.

In Extremis

This is a wonderful story. I was not expecting a zombie story to be so emitoinal but this one made me cry. 

You can not help but to feel the pain of the priest for his flock and for the Nun for the love of her priest and her religion. 

This is a wonderful story for someone who has not read a zombie story and wants to start and this is one of the best for zombie lovers everywhere.

Patchouli

Apartment buildings can be full of all kinds of people, and as the handyman, Stew, knows all of the tenants in his. 

He lives his normal life and does his normal things until the green eyed beauty moves in next door. Stew cannot understand why the smell of the girl next door stirs his hormones the way she does but he is more than willing to get to know her better.

This is a great erotic horror and another of Jerry McKinney's wonderful stories.

Death Bonds

If you like stories that leave you feeling like you need a shower after you read it, well here you go. This one has everything you could ever want in a horror. 

There is just enough background on the main characters to make you want them to be happy. You know something bad is going to happen when you walk into a house and find a dead animal in the flue of the fireplace and you get a dripping of maggots from and from it's mouth from the fireplace to the door.

Once again Jerry has used his gift of words to paint pictures in my mind that will last a lifetime. Awesome Read!!

Lie Canthropy

Wonderfully written story about a town and it's people who have a lot to bear. Characters that you will love, hate and be curious about. Highly recommended read for lovers of mystery, horror and the unknown.

Feed

This is a truly amazing and passionate vampire story. For me this book touched emotions that I never thought I would have for vampires. 

From the beginning you can feel the pain that the characters feel for what they have to do to survive and the hate that they feel for what they are.

I really enjoyed the way this story was written and the way you are able to get to know the characters in the book.