Guest Post: CHILDREN OF THE WITCHING SEASON - By Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason

Today I'd like to welcome the Sisters of Slaughter to the blog.  Real-life sisters who certainly have the horror genre sitting up and taking notice.  Come  back tomorrow as I review their newest release.

CHILDREN OF THE WITCHING SEASON

By Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason

We have always been horror children, we don’t know how to explain it other than it was what drew us in, the same as some kids love astronauts and others dinosaurs or princesses, we, on the other hand, have always loved creepy scary things.  We were interested in stories of witches and ghouls, we dressed our cats in doll clothes and pretended they were werewolves attacking our Barbies, and we begged our mom to buy us Goosebumps books for our brother to read out loud to us.  We loved to watch things like Hocus Pocus and Ernest Scared Stupid, every Scooby-Doo episode we could find and even Alvin and the Chipmunks meet the Wolfman and Frankenstein.  As teens, we loved going to the school library and when that was closed we walked to the city library to get lost in the shelves of horror fiction and books of mythology and stories of true crime.  We were drawn to the macabre, the darkness of the human mind as well as the make-believe monsters creeping in the shadows.

Those days spent reading and absorbing the oddities and tragedies of the world helped shape our retreating into our minds was a much better place.  We dreamed of becoming storytellers and sharing our tales with other people but as we got older we buried that dream and thought it would remain just that. It was something we’d think about especially around Halloween, our love of horror and the dusty notebooks filled with pages of handwritten terrors…

imaginations and the stories we would tell.  We started writing together just for fun around the age of eight or nine, it was just an extension of playing pretend.  We wrote stories and drew little pictures to go along with the tales and then read them to our mother out in our little playhouse our dad made for us.  Those were magical times, some of our greatest childhood memories were of the occasional rainy Arizona day and reading to our mom while sipping cups of tea she would make and carry out to us. When we became teenagers, a time when most kids give up their make-believe worlds for entering the “real world”, we continued writing because we got a taste of what was beyond our imaginations and decided

The years slipped by and we got old enough to stop feeling the fear of rejection.  We were thirty when we finally decided to start submitting our work for publication.  The road was rough and the rejections came creeping in, but we didn’t give up.  Time makes you bolder, as the song goes, and we refused to give up until we achieved our goals.  We worked on our craft and kept on submitting until we started getting accepted. We were in a number of anthologies and then released, Mayan Blue, our first novel and it was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award.  Now, five years after making the plunge into the publishing world, we’re still at it, still fighting every day to keep our dreams alive, but they are, like a monster resurrected from sewn together corpses of daydreams we imagined decades ago, it breathes and it lives.

October is here and in the desert it signifies the death of summer’s brutal grip on the land and its people.  We are free to roam without the burning gaze of the sun, like creatures emerging from hibernation or spirits rising from the grave, we seek our old haunts in search of merriment and revelry.  We just released our latest book through Sinister Grin Press, Twin Lakes: Autumn Fires and following on its heels we launched a serialized fiction project, Silverwood The Door through Serial Box, alongside our idols and friends Brian Keene, Richard Chizmar, and Stephen Kozeniewski.  We can’t stop the stories from flowing from our fingertips like automatic writing.  They form in our minds like the whispers of ghosts and they take us back to listening to the rain outside and softly reading to our mother, they reconfirm that we are children of the witching season, now and forever.

-Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason

Review: Rabid Heart - by Jeremy Wagner

4 of 5 Stars     Review copy

It's hard to believe it has been more than six years since the release of Jeremy Wagner's last novel, The Armageddon Chord, now out of print and only available on the secondary market.  Work with his death-metal band, Broken Hope, has kept him busy, but now he's back with an entertaining new book, Rabid Heart.  There's other good news, too.  A revised edition of The Armageddon Chord, with a new cover and more, is planned for December 2018.

It's also been a while since I've read a zombie novel and just when I thought I was done with the sub-genre, along comes a story with something different.  Sure, there are plenty of undead in this new story, only instead of zombies, they're referred to as Cujos, you know, like that rabid dog in the book by that writer, Koontz, or somebody.

Rhonda Driscoll lives on a military base with her father and base Commander, Colonel Kenneth Driscoll.

“Dead Cujos are the only good Cujos.” Dad waved a fist. “I want every single dead-walking, maggot-breeding, flesh-eating, inhuman, un-American, rot-smelling biped within the range of a bullet, flame-thrower, grenade or any other form of ordnance, DEAD FOR GOOD!”

That's all well and good until Rhonda brings her undead fiance back from a reconnaissance mission.

Here's the thing.  I'm not really a love story kinda guy and, as I mentioned, I was getting a bit burned out on zombie stories, but mash-em-up and voila, "winner, winner, chicken dinner."  This is not a one-note horror story.  There are a number of tangents followed in Rabid Heart which add depth to the overall tale and I can definitely recommend this one for a fun read.  Welcome back, Jeremy.

Published by Riverdale Avenue Books, Rabid Heart is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.

From the author's bio - Jeremy Wagner has written lyrics to hundreds of songs spanning several albums with his international death-metal band, Broken Hope.  Aside from his music career, Wagner writes dark fiction and short works full time.  His published works include the best-selling debut novel, The Armageddon Chord and a number of short stories.

Guest announcement from Jeremy Wagner

My friend, Frank has given me a platform on his page here to share my horror-ific news:

Today my new novel, RABID HEART, is officially released everywhere!

RABID HEART is NOW AVAILABLE in Hardcover, Paperback, & e-Book/Digital!

How far would you go for love when all you love is DEAD?

There’s an AMAZON link below (but you can order this book form any bookseller!

Thanks for reading and thank you, FRANK!!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1626014655/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OoqSBbCQCRGPW

Review: Darksome Thirst (Alicia Anderson Novel Book 1) - by Morvan Westfield

3 of 5 Stars

Alicia Anderson is a hard-working IT professional without a degree, who knows more about the work than those with degrees who get promoted to positions where they lack any practical experience.  What a great character.  Having spent twenty years in that field, I saw this all the time.  Doesn't just happen there, it happens everywhere and can be so very frustrating.

Alicia's story intertwines with two other tales.  One involving an ancient vampire, Wesley and his much younger and inexperienced protégé, Frederick.  The other tale being that of a relatively new coven of witches.

There were some entertaining moments in Darksome Thirst...

"A mosquito bit Frederick (a vampire) on the neck, the irony was not lost on him."

Unfortunately, those moments were few, many of the conversations felt forced, and I had a difficult time becoming invested in any of the secondary characters.  Overall not very satisfying read, but if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you may what to check it out.  Your experience may vary.

There is a sequel where Alicia's story continues The Old Power Returns.  I may check that out one day, but not anytime soon.

Darksome Thirst (Alicia Anderson Novel Book 1) is published by Harvest Shadows Publications and is available in both paperback and Kindle formats.  If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge.  Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the author's bio - Morvan Westfield  Morven Westfield writes supernatural, fantasy, and horror fiction.  She also regularly writes non-fiction articles on the supernatural and folklore and is a freelance technical writer.  Morven also hosted and produced a podcast called Vampires, Witches, & Geeks, which is still available for listening online.  Currently a member of and volunteer newsletter proofreader for the Horror Writers Association, she is also an active member of the New England Horror Writers, at one time serving as their webmaster.

Review: Gruesome: A Gathering of Nightmares - by Terry M. West

4 of 5 Stars     Review copy

I was a bit reluctant to take on this massive collection.  I mean it's twice the size of the average book I read, but when I saw the introduction was written by Hunter Shea, I just had to add this to my reading list and I couldn't be happier that I did.  Gruesome: A Gathering of Nightmares is everything I look for in a horror collection.

Don't the Monsters All get Scarier at Closing Time - "Could you love something so hideous and offensive that it made you ill to look at it?"  We are off to a terrific start with this "ugly" story of Russell who just received his divorce papers and is drowning his sorrows a few towns over.  That way he doesn't have to listen to his friend's lame attempts at commiseration.  He should have stuck with his friends.

Honger - A dark and twisted tale of a curse where a few times a year, when the hunger comes upon you, you must feed.  If you allow your victim to live, they will likely feed on you and that's the only way you can die.  The story covers generations.  "Back in the days of prohibition, I frequented many blind pigs (or speakeasies, if you don't want to be too colorful).  The booze did nothing for me, but they were good places to spot an easy meal."  A truly gruesome story filled with surprises, including a reference to one of my favorite adult animated films from the seventies, "Fritz the Cat."

Morsel - There is an extreme content warning at the beginning of this story and it certainly lives up to that word of caution.  I loved this tale of a man looking for a little love on the road.

Turning Face - A wrestling tale with an excellent opening line.  "Marcus Aurelius Tojo Smith was an earthbound demon in service to Hell, but that didn't make him a bad guy."  His wrestling persona was, "Hailing from parts unknown!  He is the terror of Texas! The scourge of the South!  Beware the Crimson Demon!"  If you were ever a fan of professional wrestling, you won't be able to resist this story.

Picaro - When he came home and found Sweet Daddy dead, Binh Pham had to leave and he had to get far away.  He couldn't drive, his narcolepsy could prove deadly were he to fall asleep at the wheel.  A bus ride could have the unwanted consequence of ending up who-knows-where if he were to succumb to his condition on the road.  So sticking his thumb out seemed to be the logical choice.  I love a good hitch-hiking story.  You just never know where the tale will take you.  This one took Binh to a diner where he meets Paul.  Maybe he would have been better off with Sweet Daddy.

It Makes You Sad - Another extreme content warning.  This is a story of  Kevin, a thirty-year-old virgin.  That alone is enough to make you sad, but it gets worse.

The Rose Man - A wildly imaginative tale of a vagrant who sells roses by a busy Houston highway.  But, much like a thorn, this description merely pricks the surface of this story.

Southern-Fried Hex - The adventures of Cecil and Bubba.  Get ready for the weird.  Cecil Edward McGee has been charged with keeping his cousin Garrard company for the day.  When the two accidentally run over a gypsy's beloved dog, the result is a curse, "You will be plagued by the strange and evil until the end of your days."  Crazy fun.

Hair and Blood Machine - If you're old enough to remember the carnivals of old, the ones with the oddities trailers or freak shows, then you're really going to get a kick out of this story.

Honger 2 - See my comments on Honger.  More of the same.  And this story has a fun little kicker at the end.

All of the Flesh Served - An apocalyptic tale. Frightening in its parallels to the times in which we live.  "The 45th wasn't a prophet. He was a narcissistic fascist who plundered first our country and then our world for all he could. He let industrialists pollute the air, land, and water. He let people grow sick and die while he and his affluent cabal grew wealthier. He used hate. And he used it well. He encouraged people to despise and fear each other solely on creed and color. He set brother against brother, state against state, nation against nation. Until it was all undone. He was a monster."

Terry M. West may not be a household name, but he should be.  His writing is as good as any I've read this year.  He is an author that deserves your attention.  His characters all ring true.  Every one of them in every story.  I would have given Gruesome: A Gathering of Nightmares a solid five stars, but this collection could stand a thorough proofreading.

Proofreading issues aside, I completely recommend adding this to your TBR pile. 

Gruesome: A Gathering of Nightmares is available in both paperback and for the Kindle.   If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge.  Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

From the author's bio - Terry M. West is an American horror author.  His best-known works: What Price Gory, Car Nex, Dreg, and his Night Things series.  He was a finalist for 2 International Horror Guild Awards.  Terry was born in Texas, lived in New York for two decades and he currently hangs his hat in California.  He has a wife, Regina, son, Terrence, three dogs, and an enormous horror comic, book, and movie collection.

Guest Post: Terry M. West - Writing Above Your Grade

I'd like to welcome Terry M. West to the blog.  And a big thanks for his guest post here today.  I just finished reading his latest, Gruesome: A Gathering of Nightmares, which I'll be reviewing tomorrow, but for now here's Terry...

Writing Above Your Grade

Whenever I’m asked to write a guest blog, it’s tough to sort out what I should discuss.  Should I just go the self-serving route and talk about my work, my process, my current WIP?  Or should I risk a lashing and offer advice to my fellow ink-slingers?  And though the case can be made that I’ve been doing this for so long that I’ve forgotten more of my work than I remember from the fuzzy around the edges days of my writer-for-hire years, that doesn’t mean that the less seasoned won’t still scoff at any wisdom I have to impart. Or that I won’t still be just talking out of my ass.  Writers are lying con people with a wagon full of snake oil bottles in tow.

So I’ve decided to risk contempt and offer my thoughts on something that I’ve noticed in my own evolution as an author.  When I was a younger writer, I wrote smaller tales.  Nothing epic.  Nothing with an extremely challenging scope.  Back then, if you needed to research a story, you had to hit the library.  Not Wikipedia.  And like many in their baby steps as an author, I was lazy and undisciplined. I had that Ed Wood It’s Not The Small Details mentality.

There were ideas that I didn’t think I had the skills for.  I wasn’t a good enough writer to pull them off.  I carried that evaluation until five, six years ago when I decided it was time to build some worlds.  Night Things was an ambitious project for me when you look at the work that came before it.  A story where classic monsters lived among the masses, out of the closet and in the streets, found an audience.  And some love.  And though the world I had to build was intimidating for me and I felt that if even one brick was tugged the wrong way everything would collapse, I used what had worked for my fiction all along: characterization and dialogue.

Sure, there were a few who mourned that my world should have been in the hands of a better author (The Avengers want Iron Man, but not Tony Stark).  But it was a success for me and continues to find new readers.

But the tightrope I walked in 2016 was an even skimpier one.  All of the Flesh Served was my first ever full-fledged dystopian sci-fi attempt.  And I decided to use Trump’s election as the basis for the dark landscape it presented.  Because, you know, something I’d never dared before wasn’t hard enough without a political statement in the center of it.  Or maybe those works naturally come with societal attachments in hand.  The trick I think most would say is not to overwhelm the story with your message.  And while I agree that some messages should be whispered softly, others need to be tied to a rock and tossed through a window.

I’m proud of what I did with Flesh, and if it is heavy-handed, forgive me.  These are heavy-handed times it seems.

While it didn’t find an audience as big as some of my earlier efforts, it did earn some love, and is included in my Gruesome collection.

Both these projects were ideas that I would have immediately shit-canned twenty years ago.  But as you age, criticism doesn’t really bother you as much as it used to.  You become less self-conscious.  Like the old man dragging the trash can to the curb in his boxers.  You have to realize, getting in this game, that if a reader pays for the ticket, that reader has a right to give an opinion.  Fair, unfair, or indifferent.  I’ve found that bad reviews are usually more helpful than unabashed praise.  People who dislike a work are generally more honest with an appraisal than people who might be so in love with something that they fail to see its flaws.  Or fear that pointing them out will bruise the effort.
So don’t be intimidated by that huge idea that’s brewing in your head.  The one you keep pushing back because of the commitment it would take.  I’d rather fail spectacularly than play it safe.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to put some boxers on and drag these cans to the curb.

Review: The Toroa - by Erik Hoffstatter

3 of 5 Stars     Review copy

"The word Toroa refers to the Northern royal albatross, a bird that is sometimes used metaphorically to represent a psychological burden that may or may not weigh heavy on the soul as if it were a curse."

After reading this new work from Erik Hofstatter, I must say he has certainly succeeded in conveying the ideas in that definition into the novel's theme.

Abandoned by her father and abused by her mother, Mahi has grown up fast and when Aryan shows her affection she quickly falls in love, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy.  Her seduction is somewhat violent and may ruffle some feathers.

Each person who comes into Mahi's life is a disaster and little of what happens to her is pleasant.  When she flees to Aukland in search of her long-lost father, she finds answers, but not the ones she hoped for.

It's difficult to say more about Toroa without giving away too many of its secrets.  When those secrets are all revealed, I found myself nodding my head and thinking.  "Yeah, now it all makes sense."

Toroa is one of those novels where every character is flawed.  In the end, even Mahi is irredeemable.  This is not a book which I can easily recommend.  However, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, go ahead and read it.  You may have a totally different reading experience.

Published by Sinister Grin Press, Toroa is available now in paperback and for the Kindle.  If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read it at no additional charge.  Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE using the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

About the author - Erik Hofstatter is a dark fiction writer and a member of the Horror Writers Association.  Born in the wild lands of the Czech Republic, he roamed Europe before subsequently settling on English shores, studying creative writing at the London School of Journalism.  He now dwells in Kent, where he can be encountered consuming copious amounts of mead and tyrannizing local peasantry.  His work appeared in various magazines and podcasts around the world such as Morpheus Tales, Crystal Lake Publishing, The Literary Hatchet, Sanitarium Magazine, Wicked Library, Tales to Terrify and Manor House Show.   Rare Breeds is out now via Dark Silo Press.