Title: The Devil Within Author: T.R. Slauf Genre: Horror Release Date: February 1, 2024
In 1886, widowed psychiatrist Dr. Wilhelm Grey, Questions his sanity as mysterious events plague his hospital. A new patient tempts his mortal soul, while a maniac mocks his pain. When his eldest daughter is mutilated, he searches for answers, allowing his vengeance to feed his wrath.
He reaches his breaking point when a patient dies in a freak accident, and a maniac set loose on the grounds.
Has he gone mad as his patients, or is something more sinister afoot?
This was my first time reading a book by T.R. Slauf. I’ve always enjoyed horror stories about demons and ghosts, particularly haunted houses and asylums, so this book was right up my alley.
I had to admit, it took me a good chapter or two before I reached the “I can’t put this down” stage of the book, but I did finish the same day I started reading it. I took off half a star because of the head hopping issues that presented a few spots, but otherwise, I really enjoyed the story.
Humans are interesting creatures, and this book definitely puts a big spotlight on that fact. The “good” doctor was worse than his patients, particularly because all the pain and harm he caused was meant to help his patients. The demonic being was the most honest of them all — well, and Mary. I really loved her character. Despite all she suffered, she remained strong to the very end.
Dr. Grey might have been a bad guy but he wasn’t the bad guy in this story. The fact he couldn’t see his own flaws and dark desires made me want to reach into the pages and punch him, but his lack of self-awareness is partly what drives the story. He’s a distasteful character, and got what he deserved.
The Devil Within is a twisted horror tale that will stay with you… Don’t think you’re finished once the book ends. No, you’ll only be left wondering what happens next because this one doesn’t stop with a hard “the end”. It’s left to your imagination what becomes of the characters once the story is over.
If you’re a fan of House on Haunted Hill, then you’re going to love The Devil Within.
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy from a book tour company and am voluntarily leaving a review. The review above is only my opinion.
Brigita Nowak has only ever wanted one thing—her freedom. Labelled
psychotic and committed to a mental institution at seventeen, she missed the
chance of a “normal” life. She never held a job, owned her own
place, or experienced love. Until now.
After awakening sprawled on the common room floor—the hospital in
ruins, the staff and patients missing—she realizes it’s her
chance to escape. Seeking sanctuary with her sister, she meets “the
boyfriend” Renner Scholz, a vile yet brilliant geneticist. He has
developed a bioweapon, the Code of Reanimation, destined to destroy the
world. Or so Brigita believes. She’s been seeing zombie hallucinations
as of late, a sure premonition of the highly contagious bioweapon getting
out of hand. Why the connection? Because the bioweapon reanimates dead
organisms into bloodthirsty killing machines.
Brigita has typically experienced death-based hallucinations, blamed on her
mental illness. She, however, always felt they were psychic premonitions.
Convinced that Renner intends to release the bioweapon at a public
fundraising event, she teams up with a handsome love interest to thwart the
catastrophe. But, as Brigita’s visions kick into hyperdrive and
timelines blur, she must determine which events are based on reality or
delusional constructs of her subconscious mind…
before it’s too late.
About the Author
Lanie Mores is the award-winning author of the science fiction and fantasy
book series, Father of Contention. She has an Honours Bachelor of Science
Degree, a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, and she is an active member
of the Canadian Authors Association. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her
reading, binge-watching Netflix, baking, and slaughtering zombies and other
monsters on her Xbox. She lives in Ontario with her family and forever
barking fur babies, Batman and Petri.
The Mature-rated Boys’ Love horror webtoon from Lezhin that became a global manhwa hit! Get this chilling and thrilling tale in a deluxe, full-color paperback in English for the very first time.
Yoon Bum, a scrawny and quiet man, has a crush on one of the most popular and handsome guys in his college: Sangwoo. After the two cross paths again during their military training, Yoon Bum’s feelings grow in intensity until they become an obsession–and he breaks into Sangwoo’s home. But what he sees inside is not the Sangwoo of his fantasies; his dreams of this alluring man abruptly turn into a nightmare.
This wildly popular BL horror manhwa webtoon is the grand prize winner of the 2nd Lezhin Comics World Comic Contest, and has been published in numerous languages since its 2016 debut, winning critical praise across the globe. Now readers can own this full-color, deluxe paperback edition in English for the first time, with a special fold-out insert included in every volume!
TAGS: Manhwa, BL, Dark, Horror, Comics/Manga
MY REVIEW – 5 STARS!
I actually binge-read this series as a web comic the had to have the physical copies –and yes, I read the entire series.
First, if really dark content bothers you, then you probably aren’t going to enjoy this. But if you enjoy deeply disturbed characters with some serious psychological trauma that results in a twisted tale, this is a must read.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for both characters to some degree. Bum truly did get the short end of the stick. Bullied in school, traumatized at home, and he falls for a killer… Kid had the worst luck ever. I won’t go into all the details, but I did mark this as a spoiler alert for those who prefer to go in completely blind. Once you learn all the things Bum suffered, you’ll understand why he turned out the way he did. All he really wanted was love and acceptance, and it didn’t seem to matter where it came from.
Sangwoo at first just comes across as your typical serial killer. And maybe I’ve A) studied serial killers too much and B) read too much dark twisted stories to use the words “typical” and “serial killer” together. However, as the story progresses, you begin to pick up on the clues and realize that he also suffered trauma at home, just of a different type than Bum.
The downside to this series is that once you’re done, you’re going to have a hard time finding anything this spectacular in the same genre. I was truly blown away by the art and storyline, and the true depth of the characters. If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I would!
Disclaimer: The review above is only my opinion. I purchased/borrowed the book. Neither the author nor publisher requested a review.
False Haven Rebecca Rook Publication date: February 13th 2024 Genres: Horror, Young Adult
False Haven is a young adult horror novel for fans of Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Asylum by Madeleine Roux, and Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff.
Seventeen-year-old Vivienne Barston’s life has fallen apart.
With her mother recently dead, her father disappears into his grief – leaving Viv to deal with her sadness and anger alone. Viv turns to destructive behaviors like petty vandalism, but after a disturbing stint in a juvenile detention center frightens her, Viv agrees to a court mandated service opportunity designed to expunge her record. The deal: work for six weeks with a trail conservation crew in the rural woods of southern Oregon, and she’ll be free with a clean slate.
She knows it’s her last chance to fix her life.
When Viv arrives at the small town of Hard Luck, Oregon, she meets her motley crewmates, all with troubles of their own. The unusual group travels to Grafton Stake, a remote and derelict former asylum with a haunted history–and now Viv must face the ghosts of the past while fighting for her future.
Don’t miss this inventive horror novel where Holes meets The Haunting of Hill House!
They were all large, dressed in furs, leathers, and thick boots. The men had thick beards and braids; the women either wore braids or had shorn hair. All of them wore armor of some kind, with runic designs upon their crests. Ghost green flames danced and kissed across their skin. As Valentine watched, she saw that their skin flickered and faded in the moonlight, alternately translucent and opaque. During the translucent phases, she saw their skeletons underneath.
She shivered.
Then, beyond the Huntsmen, she saw the mounts.
They were stunning.
Each horse shimmered, dressed in golds and silvers, blues and violets, coppers and moonlight. They were enormous, with hooves the size of dinner plates and lush manes that draped across the starlit skin. Valentine watched as they huffed, stamped their feet, and half-reared. They were ready, she could tell. They wanted to hunt, to chase.
She heard Malcolm’s prosaic voice in her head. Choose the smallest mount.
Valentine scanned the herd. There.
The smallest mount glowed like a golden fire in the moonlight, with a silver mane. Compared to the others, this one was dainty, almost delicate. Valentine cast a quick glance at the Huntsmen, then started forward, crouching low to avoid notice. As she moved forward, she draped the bridle over her shoulder, then pulled out the packet of frankincense and myrrh. She poured it into her hands, then crept forward. She stopped before the golden creature, a good six feet away. Though this mount was smaller than the others, it was by no means tiny.
When Valentine stilled, the horse raised her head.
What do you want, mortal? The voice sounded like a crack of lightning in her head. The eyes glowed with violet flame.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Rook designs tabletop games, manages a little free library dedicated to sequential art and comics, and lives in the Pacific Northwest with two wonderful dogs. She writes young adult fiction in the fantasy, thriller, and horror genres.
A 2021-2022 Hugo House Fellow in
Seattle, WA, she also attended the 2021 Tin House YA Fiction Workshop in
Portland, OR. Rebecca was selected as one of the 100 invited writers to participate in the Write Team Mentorship Program’s curated Pitch-a-Thon event before being chosen as a Mentee for the 2021 Program. Prior to this, she completed the wonderful Yearlong Workshop for Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction at Hugo House.
Abandoned Horrors. Deranged Souls. A Deadly Survival Story.
In the chilling new horror novel, “Urbex Predator,” by Jens Boele, a group of intrepid urban explorers embarks on what they believe to be a routine trip to an abandoned barracks in the middle of nowhere.
As a relict from the Cold War era, they are a popular destination for photographers, influencers, and adventurers. A place that is closely guarded and harbors a multitude of risks. But it’s not just the derelict buildings that pose a danger.
Nela and her friend Tess venture to the eerie ruins to complete their photography thesis, only to find themselves relentlessly pursued through the darkened corridors by a group of ruthless thugs.
Zander, Yelka, her sister Vivien, and her manager Damon set out on a photo shoot, only to be unexpectedly cornered by a gang of depraved youths. As night descends, the boundaries between life and death blur, and the group is forced to confront the darkest corners of their own souls.
In the face of danger, will they fall victim or rise as hunters in the shadows?
Inspired by early works from literary giants like Jack Ketchum and Richard Laymon, “Urbex Predator” promises readers a heart-pounding journey through the realms of fear and survival, where every turn reveals a new nightmare. Yet, this spine-tingling narrative is not just the product of imagination; it’s also a reflection of author Jens Boele’s real-life experiences as an Urban Explorer, who spent many years venturing into the very places he describes in his book.
“However, that’s the shortest way!” Out of the corner of his eye, Zander Regan watched the rest of the group with his arms crossed.
“Are you telling me that I have to crawl through a bush and then climb over a wall for a photo shoot? Really?” Yelka handed Vivian her sneakers. She was carrying her flip-flops in her right hand, like she was carrying a purse. Vivian’s outfit for the trip to the abandoned barracks was far from practical, especially her choice of hot pants and a spaghetti-strap top.
“I must admit, Yelka,” added her manager Damon, “I’m quite irritated about this location too. Isn’t there an official entrance to the site?” He lifted his sunglasses and glanced at Yelka and Zander, eyebrows raised.
Zander ignored Damon’s gaze, pretending to check his watch. Vivian and Damon were already starting to get on his nerves. This could have been a fun trip, but he was used to their behavior. It was likely that one of them would become dramatic at the slightest opportunity. The other sure bet was that Yelka would try to appease her sister, his pretty Yelka.
Oh, if only she knew how much he desired her …
“Zander really tried everything, Viv. This is the fastest way to the barracks—and your photos.” She smiled. “You’re going to look more than gorgeous, darling sis. The barracks make an impressive backdrop, right, Zander?”
There she was again, Yelka with her velvety voice and twinkling eyes that made his legs feel weak. Zander didn’t understand why Vivian, not Yelka, was the Instagram model. It was like a joke.
I am a model on Instagram.
Yes, and I’m a mercenary in Call of Duty.
“Isn’t that right, Zander?” repeated Yelka.
“Huh? Oh yes,” Zander stuttered as if he had been caught in a lie. “The barracks were abandoned after German reunification and have lain fallow ever since,” he explained. “The area is in the middle of a 6,000-acre woodland and consists of barracks, a civilian settlement, and a military hospital. All areas are separated from each other, but are supposed to be connected by underground bunkers …”
“For fuck’s sake, can you please wake me up when he’s done with his monologue?” Annoyed, Vivian glanced at Damon.
“Viv, please.”
“6,000 acres is pretty darn big,” Damon hooked in. “I hope we don’t have to trek for miles through the woods. Tonight we have to post our stories, and by tomorrow morning the pictures. And our designers still must retouch them before.”
“This is the fastest way. We’ll be there in half an hour,” Zander meekly assured.
“I’m supposed to spend another half hour …”
“Get down! Down!” shouted Zander and Yelka at the same time.
As they walked along a dirt path next to a weathered stone wall, a car approached.
Author Bio:
Jens Boele, a veteran media designer in the entertainment industry, brings over two decades of cinematic expertise to his writing. Born in Germany in 1975, Jens embarked on his writing odyssey in his youth, culminating in the publication of his debut book, “Sunshine,” in 2015. This was followed by “Hurensohn,” and his latest spine-tingling creation, “Urbex Predator.”
Jens is a genre-bending author, specializing in horror and crime thrillers. His narratives often blur genre lines, weaving intricate tales that plunge readers into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Jens’s storytelling brilliance lies in his fascination with the criminal mind; his villains are always profoundly human, offering readers a chilling examination of the psychological aspects of the criminally insane.
Jens sets himself apart by seamlessly integrating classic horror with the gritty authenticity of the present day. This innovative fusion imbues his narratives with a dynamic quality, seamlessly blending archaic thrills with contemporary intrigue, resulting in an immersive reading experience that resonates with both vintage enthusiasts and present-day readers alike.
Jens Boele’s latest endeavor takes his work across borders, as “Urbex Predator” becomes his first book to be translated into English. A globetrotter with deep connections to the United States, Jens’s passion for exploration and his international perspective, nurtured by family and friends in the US, shine through in his writing, offering readers a captivating blend of horror and cultural diversity.
Life as humans know it comes to a close when vampires take over as dominant species in our world, and magic makes its return. It’s up to several unusual heroes to protect the innocent in a select few areas around the world.
The Dancing Crow
The Kingdoms of Blood Book 1
by Des M. Astor
Genre: Vampire Horror, Dystopian Urban Fantasy
Hey, I’m Ares. Big, bad, scary vampire that your kind is supposed to be afraid of. And I’m here to help save you!
They call me the “Dancing Crow”. Don’t ask me who ‘they’ is. No idea. Anyway, my kind has emerged from the shadows and ripped the mantle of ‘dominant species’, or whatever, right from your hands. Shame, really. If only you didn’t erase magic from your history.
Anyway-z, I used to prowl the streets, ripping to shreds the evils of your society. Like some twisted superhero, or something. Everything changed when other vampires had enough, and well, here we are. Now my gang and I are trying to establish harmony in this city, at least. Not many would expect a gang, of all things, to be heroes. But here we are.
Our job is to help you widdle humans by getting rid of an evil tyrant, Ash, in this unnamed city. Well, that’s hard to do, so we got allies. A half-dragon, a Tasmanian Devil shapeshifter, you know, cool stuff like that. Now, if only I could get this vampire hunter to leave me alone. No idea what her deal is, but she clearly can’t kill me despite ‘trying’ her hardest. Ah well, I know my job, and it’s to continue doing SOMETHING to help out here.
CONTENT WARNING: Heavy gore, sexual assault and rescue from it, extreme religious indoctrination/manipulation, and heavy profanity.
This is Book 1, version 2 of “The Kingdoms of Blood” series.
Ever see a Tasmanian Devil shapeshifter before? Well, you’re about to meet one. The name’s Darcia Deville.
We might have established harmony in Elapid City, but there’s a bunch of twisted vampire hunters eyeing us now. If they get their knives into our vampires, well, that can only end badly. So, now, we’re taking the fight to them.
Everything just had to go wrong, though.
My partner, Robert Smoke, a turned vampire, ended up captured by an insane scientist known as Doctor Astral. I need to save that brat in distress before he gets himself tortured to death. Not only that, but this woman is messing around with magic and science to an alarming extent. Wolfmen never existed before.
Apparently, they do now.
CONTENT WARNING: Extreme gore, descriptive sex scenes, profanity, rescue from sexual assault, & graphic torture.
Des M. Astor is a dystopic urban fantasy author who twists everything you know about creatures like vampires. If you’re looking for gory, action-heavy novels that take several steps away from common myth for a flavor of her own, her works are the ones for you. She has a fascination with horror, and is unafraid of spiders, bats, and serpents. In fact, she adores all three. She takes pride in her worldbuilding, to the point where you might question if she’s stepped out of an alternative Earth onto ours in order to tell these stories…
Tagline: Vampires, the Mob, 1950s Hollywood = Awesome
Book Description:
Lena Morgan was an exotic-looking lounge singer with hopes of achieving the Hollywood dream in 1952. Here dreams were dashed when she became entangled in a lust triangle between the two mob bosses who ruled the city. She found herself turned into a vampire and was forced to leave her newborn son behind for fear of losing control and hurting him. She spent sixty years training to live among humans, building a fortune, and learning not only to fight, but to dominate. Returning to LA, she has one thought, one goal – revenge on both crime families.
From the Author – Practical Advice for Beginning Fiction (or other genre) Writers:
After writing my seventh novel, my twelfth screenplay, and my ninth comic book/graphic novel, I’m still learning what not to do. I often speak to other writers who ask me for suggestions and the first thing I ask is: “What is your story about?” I’ve heard things like, “It’s about a world where…?” or “It’s a cookbook, but also a story about my life in Afghanistan. The recipes are pages sprinkled into the story.”
My initial response has been awestruck, but then gathered my thoughts and said in respective reply, “A story is never about a place, it’s about people.” To the second, “Your book is either about your life in Afghanistan or it’s a cookbook, it cannot be both. It can be a cookbook with a little anecdotal companion to each recipe, but you can’t stop the story to throw a recipe on a page and then continue – it would be jarring.”
The secondary response to each is the same – “How does the publishing marketing team market your book?” In the case of the biographical cookbook, it can only be marketed as one thing, so it’s either a cookbook or it’s a biography. It can’t be marketed as both. One will always take a backseat to the other. Sure, there are dual genre stories, like supernatural romance and sci-fi fantasy, but you’re still marketing to one set of readers. In other words, know your audience; know exactly to whom you are marketing. If you find yourself marketing to two different audiences, then there’s an error somewhere that you must reconsider.
After you choose your genre, then you must define your story. You can do this in one of two ways: 1) Create a character and then build the story around them or 2) Create a story and then build the characters that will run the obstacle course you’ve built for them. I’ve done both. Especially in the comic book medium, you find yourself building the character first. From there you must create the hero’s journey, which must be present in all stories. This is what makes your character not only relatable but makes the reader root for them. The harder the struggle, the more the audience will engage. However, that struggle must be grounded in the reality of your story. If your character falls a hundred feet from a cliff in the 1800s and in the end must win a foot race against the villain, most readers are going to check out due to the implausibility. Make sure you’re not going too far out of the box.
Make sure you stick the landing. I read a great many books published by major imprints where I find the ending ill conceived and disappointing. An ending doesn’t have to be epic, but it should give a nice bit of closure to the main character’s story where have achieved their goals and become the person they were meant to be. Give the ending a great deal of thought and make sure you get the opinion of several people before you settle into the editing process.
About the Author:
Frank Zanca is an award-winning writer and producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Frank’s first published work was the Shadow Raven comic book in 1995. He has since created the Destiny Aurora franchise, which has been wildly successful in both novel and graphic novel forms. It also spawned a board game, and the audiobook is now available on Audible. Also available on Amazon is Frank’s acclaimed WWII biography Escape from Berlin based on the life of Diane Jacobs.
Frank wrote and produced Six Gun Savior, the Supernatural/Western, starring Eric Roberts and Martin Kove (Cobra Kai), along with Star Trek: Renegades.
A Beast Within Aidan Lucid Publication date: November 10th 2023 Genres: Adult, Horror
Have you experienced true terror? For three criminals, they’re about to face it head-on!
Fresh out of prison, Jeremy vows to steer clear of a life of crime and clean up his act. But he quickly realizes that to the world, he will always be an ex-con and plunges back into his old ways. The perfect opportunity presents itself in the form of his best friend, Stephen, and his spunky girlfriend, Natalie.
After a failed bank robbery, Jeremy and his accomplices’ identities are made. So, they find refuge in the home of a typical Christian family. Their getaway should have been smooth sailing…after all it was three armed criminals against the wholesome Boyd family.
But the Boyds are hiding dark secrets of their own…
Malcolm looked in his rear-view mirror at the car and its driver growing smaller by the second. “I feel bad about leaving him there.” He slowed to a stop, then shifted the stick into reverse.
“What are you doing? This is insane!” Helena protested as he reversed the Wagoneer.
“Yeah, but if anything happened to him, I’d never forgive myself. Besides, I can’t just drive past him.”
“Course you can. Just press the accelerator and go.”
He brought the Wagoneer to a halt a few feet from the Buick and yanked up the handbrake. “I won’t be long.”
“Malcolm. Malcolm!” Helena hissed as he got out.
The stranger stood staring at the front left wheel, not acknowledging Malcolm’s presence.
“Howdy, sir. Having car trouble?” he asked the chubby driver who appeared to be in his fifties.
“Got a flat. Can’t change it with my back.”
“I can do that if you like? Got a spare?”
“That’s mighty kind of you, fella. Uh . . . yeah, in the trunk.”
“Let me get my wrenching nut.” Malcolm opened his own trunk and took out the tool. He kneeled down and began unscrewing the nuts. “You from around here?”
“The next town a few miles ahead. You?”
“We live about three hours away. Hartford Town. Ever heard of it?”
“Never, sir. Thanks for doing this. I’m starvin’, I’m just waiting for my brother-in-law to come. Lazy bastard probably hasn’t even left the house yet.”
Malcolm chuckled. “Got one of those myself. Just don’t tell her I said that.”
“Yeah, God I’m hungry. Good thing you came along.”
As Malcolm continued to unscrew the nuts on the flat tire, he noticed the driver walk a short distance away from him. Next, he heard the cracking of bones and popping sounds, as if joints were being dislocated. Low grunts soon transformed into growls.
Malcolm turned to look at the man but stood up, his jaw hung in terror.
“What…the…fu—” he uttered while retreating slowly to the Wagoneer.
The stranger’s shoulders grew wider as his shirt tore. Black fur replaced the man’s chubby stomach.
“Holy crap!” Malcolm exclaimed.
The only reply he received was a quick snarl as the man turned around, no longer bearing a human face but a wolf’s instead. Sharp, yellowed teeth dripped with saliva.
Helena’s screams confirmed she saw it too.
“Hurry, Dad, get in,” David cried, as tears streamed down his pale face.
Malcolm threw the wrenching nut, hitting the beast on the forehead. It staggered back, shaking its head, momentarily dazed.
Malcolm dashed into the driver’s seat, his trembling hands fumbling for the keys. He jumped when the creature let loose a feral howl.
“Come on, start the damn car! David, honey, lock both doors and get down,” Helena said.
The werewolf started walking towards the driver’s door as the engine roared into life. As Malcolm pulled out onto the road, the beast ran after them, leaping into the air. A thud let them know he was on their roof.
“Oh, Christ. Lose him,” Helena shouted.
Malcolm let loose a few expletives as an enormous paw smashed into his window. He swerved left and right to throw the monster off. Malcolm then slammed the brakes.
The beast rolled forward, digging his claws into the metal to keep himself on the car. Malcolm feared that they were so sharp, if the werewolf reached the windshield, it would slice or tear off the roof.
“Crap,” cursed Malcolm as he drove again, unable to loosen the monster’s grip and knock it off.
The tormentor crawled up towards the windshield. When it was on the hood, the creature went on all fours. He reached back his arm, ready to smash into the glass.
“Oh no you don’t.” Malcolm slammed on the brakes again, catapulting the beast off the Wagoneer. When it hit the ground, the werewolf tumbled and rolled around before coming to a stop, its left arm bent out of shape.
All the Boyds stared on in disbelief. Helena glanced down at her skirt; shame washed over her face as a circular patch of urine soaked her crotch.
Malcolm gave another quick glance in the mirror. David’s face was whiter than normal, his eyes wide in horror. Malcolm grabbed his own right hand to stop it shaking.
They all jumped when the beast grunted again and raised its head, his bright green eyes locked menacingly on them.
Author Bio:
Aidan Lucid began his author journey after a spiritual experience in 2002. Two years later, he sent several short stories, articles and poems to magazines and was published seven times that year. Having successfully completed courses in creative writing, writing for TV and radio, and freelance journalism, Lucid went on to have even more poems, articles and short stories appear in national and international magazines and anthologies over the years. Between 2019 and 2023, he published five books. Aidan is the author of a YA horror series titled, “The Hopps Town Series” and also a YA epic fantasy novel, – The Lost Son (Second Edition), the first in a YA fantasy quadrology – The Zargothian Saga. A few stand-alone stories have been released also. In his spare time, Aidan likes to listen to music (being a huge Elvis and Shakin’ Stevens fan!), read, go for walks and see the latest cinema releases with his wife, Claire.
The Drain, The Enforcers, The Fog, On a Spring Day, and The Trial.
Flash Fiction, Horror
Date To Be Published: September 23, 2023
Bite-sized horror stories are brought to you by thirteen authors. From
creepy crawlies to the seemingly normal pets. From hideous monsters lurking
in the dark to charismatic people showing their true colors.
Each tale is precisely 100 words and leaves a long-lasting chilling effect.
Some will make you question the security of the world around you, and
what’s more terrifying than that?
Featuring drabbles from Storm Lomax, Jonathan Reddoch, Zari Hunt, Kellee
Kranendonk, Andreas Flögel, Simon Clarke, Jacek Wilkos, Ferenc K.
Zoltán, Vanessa Bane, C.L. Hart, Natascha Eschweiler, Angela
Zimmerman, and J.E. Feldman.
Excerpt
The Drain
Professor Vladimir Reed-Field wished he had never taken the job at
Miskatonic University. He’d never had problems like this when he was
teaching at the University of Hawaii. A volcanic eruption would be a
welcome change over the sound coming from that damn kitchen sink.
The plumber from Blizzard Pipeworks could find nothing wrong with the
drain. She’d scoped it, snaked it, and performed a full flush. She
said that sometimes the plumbing in Arkham’s old houses just made odd
noises.
The problem wasn’t the pipes themselves. It was the thing inside the
pipes that kept whispering the professor’s name.
C. L. Hart, the owner and sole employee of Naughty Netherworld Press, is
spoken of in hushed tones. She is described as The Mad Scribe of the
Northeastern Colorado Plains, The Terrible Old Woman, and The Author That
Should Not Be.
When not penning sanity-destroying works of dystopian fiction, Lovecraftian
fantasy, or old-school horror with the occasional sweet romance thrown in to
upset the cosmic apple cart, Ms. Hart enjoys creating baked goods she hopes
will be considered palatable.
Ms. Hart shares a home in a remote rural town of 134 souls with her adult
son and three cats. Her sense of fashion is best described as Early
Twenty-First Century Unmade Bed. This disabled former nurse can usually be
found arguing with herself about subplots or rehabilitating eldritch
horrors.
A series of haunting nightmares draws five former residents of a New York
City high-rise back to their one-time home. But this is not a reunion. These
five strangers have never met. But they are connected.
The depressed photographer with telekinetic abilities … the
paralegal who reads evil thoughts of strangers … the struggling
author who can predict dark futures … the malicious hypnotist
… the witch’s daughter …
They have met in their dreams, and they have observed the shadows who
follow them until they awaken. Now they want answers. And when the five
board the same elevator at the same time, an ominous reality surfaces. They
did not return on their own. They were drawn back. Drawn by their
nightmares. Drawn by darkness.
Drawn … to be collected.
Excerpt
Prologue
The darkness descends, and the witch recoils. She senses it nearby but
cannot visually establish its location. But it is close. It remains trapped
inside The Amalgam high rise, one of New York City’s premiere
structures for the past one hundred years. The witch’s home. Her
powers existed for years under its nose. She fooled it for decades. Made it
believe she was but a mere charlatan taking advantage of the weak
minded.
But the witch is no
fraud. Her powers are real. Her powers are formidable. And she’s been
here the whole time. Planning. Plotting. Over the past couple days, she has
been leaving with her bags full. She is trying to escape before they can
capture her. Escape like the few over the years who fled before the darkness
could consume them. They were among the most powerful ones to cross into its
space. But they have also been located, and like the witch, their powers
amassed together will bring forth a darkness never seen in human
history.
Now the witch
understands that she has been exposed and is trying to flee to a safer
place. Because even she knows that she cannot stop it no matter how much
information she gathers on it. No matter how many of his minions she
deceives.
You no longer fool
me, Witch. It is time to set my gatherers in motion. And your book of spells
will not save you.
Or your
daughter.
Or the others.
In its century of
existence, The Amalgam has brought forth an abundant supply of those with
gifts the holders never quite understood. Most have been a mere pittance to
that of a true witch – a descendent of one of the most powerful ever
seen.
As it continues to
observe, the witch lingers through the lobby looking from left to right. She
knows it’s watching, and she sprints to the elevator. Other tenants
wait alongside, so the darkness dissipates back. But it’s now clear.
The witch must be top priority before she can escape.
But once she is
collected, the others will return.
The plan for a world
of darkness will reach its zenith.
It’s time to
call them home. It’s time to collect.
About the Author
A writer since grade school, Eric Woods resides in Springfield, Illinois
and finally published his first novel in 2018. Today he has five novels, two
novellas, and one book of stage plays. Most recently, his short story
“The Taurus Bull” was featured in HorrorScope: A Zodiac
Anthology.
If you want to be spooked in person, Eric hosts the Lincoln Ghost Walk in
Springfield (through October). Come take the tour and learn some creepy
tales about the 16th President of the United States!
Eric earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s
Degree in Communication from the University of Illinois Springfield. He
served as a collegiate speech and debate coach for seven years, and has been
a local freelance writer since 2005.
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