2021 SPRING INTO HORROR

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Guest Post by Author Aidan Lucid + Review of THE SCAVENGER

 

Racism in Today’s World

 

Growing up in Ireland, the first time I heard the term, ‘racism’, was as a kid at 13 years of age. We learned about it in history class, reading stories of great men like Martin Luther King. Back then we thought all that disgusting name calling and judging people by their skin colour was a thing of the past, something that only happened in the ‘60s. Boy, was I wrong!

             In the past year, we’ve seen it raise its ugly head again with the killing of George Flyod. One has to wonder though, has it ever truly gone away? In Ireland there aren’t as many incidents of racism as in say, England or America, but it’s still here. I’ve heard some horrific stories from victims and one has to wonder, why is this still happening in 2021? Are we not supposed to be evolving as a human race instead of de-volving? Can’t people see that if we’re all equal in God’s eyes, then shouldn’t that be a strong precedence to follow?

             Last year during lockdown, this was an issue I decided to incorporate into my novella, The Scavenger. The main character, Jared Duval, a 17 year-old African American, is gay. Most of the people around Jared accept him for who he is. There are some, however, that mock him because of his sexual orientation with slight racial undertones. This is something I wanted to handle with care and make clear to readers that in 2021, abusing people because of their skin colour and being gay is not acceptable and needs to stop. Obviously, I’m not a black person but I do know what it’s like to experience some form of discrimination. As a person with a disability, people look at us differently, as if we’re not human. They seem to have a lower opinion on such individuals instead of treating us like equals, and recognising people for their talents, not for their physical deformities or slight mental deficiencies. I wanted to inject the emotion one feels when they experience such cruel abuse into my novella. Jared does have help in his friends and overcomes the taunting and racial discrimination.

             Yes, there have been improvements over the decades and racial equality has been made a priority in a lot of countries. Some people, however, didn’t get the memo, continuing to spew out such hateful bile. Maybe some day in the not-so-distant future, we will evolve as a species. Racism will be a thing of the past and man will treat his fellow man with the respect that they deserve. One can only dream that this will happen anyway.

 

-          Aidan Lucid

 

Authors Bio: Since 2004, Aidan Lucid’s work has been published in national and international magazines, as well as various poetry anthologies. For a period of nine months in 2007, he was a film reviewer for the award-winning Irish newspaper, The Kerryman. From 2009 to 2017, Aidan was an assistant editor for Bewildering Stories e-zine. Lucid began critiquing novels and short stories in 2018 and continues to do so. In October 2019, his debut YA fantasy novel, The Lost Son, was released. 

*********

Review: 5 STARS!!

Get your spooky on with a heart-wrenching tale of three fast friends, all of whom suffer tremendously in their personal lives, including domestic issues. Jared, Jessica, and Aidan at least have each other.  When they unintentionally are deceived into wishing on an abandoned rural well, the three awaken evil and are immediately plagued by the ghost of an evil racist, violent in life and in death. But the evil doesn't stop there!

            

Tour/Review: THE CHILDREN GOD FORGOT by Graham Masterson

 

Review: 5 Stars

I've been a fan of Graham Masterton for decades and am delighted at this continuation of the intriguing police partnership of London police officers Detective Sergeant Jamila Patel and the rougher-quality Detective Constable Jerry Pardoe, first paired in GHOST VIRUS [2018]. Although the two officers are assigned to different stations,  they share a reputation as capable of deciphering "the weird," and the current set of tragedies can't get much more weird. Say goodbye to practicality and logic. This is Weird,  this is Supernatural, this is seriously over-the-top. 

Strong Caution: The Horror contained here is Extreme,  including a substantial amount of Body Horror. Much of the violence is perpetrated on women and girls,  who are targeted due to the functions of the human reproductive system. Violence is also perpetrated against males, and there are references to prior episodes of violence against women and men, and to child fatalities.  Abortion is a significant issue here as are congenital birth defects, stillbirth and miscarriage,  and thalidomide.  So sensitive readers,  be aware.

 

I READ HORROR YEAR ROUND READATHON 2021

 Hosted at:

2021 I Read Horror Year Round

Watch my Progress at:

2021_i-read-horror-year-round

Horrifying. 36.

Of course. 

Review: MISFITS by Hunter Shea

5 Spooky Stars

Release Date: September 8 2020

Maybe you don't generally believe in "urban legends," or myths, or fantasy. Try MISFITS: see if it doesn't make a believer out of you. From Chapter 1, MISFITS absolutely terrified me. I'm not reassured living surrounded by woods, either, but as demonstrated in this novel, "Monsters" come out to play in communities,  too--not only in dense forest.

MISFITS is really brutal; in fact, I'd label this extreme horror.  There's also sexual violence,  child/adolescent abuse, sociopathy, bullying, poetic justice, strong undiluted friendship,  "first love," xenophobia, and a gore level over the top. Nonetheless,  and despite the also-over-the-top fear factor [could I take any more?], I loved it.  I will reread it, after the shock wears off.

FRIGHTFALL 2020!

FRIGHTFALL Readathon Sign up

Follow My Progress At:FRIGHTFALL 2020 Shelf

BOOKS READ: 131

[September 67 + October 64]

Horror: September 30 + October 43 = 73

Books Read: 

SEPTEMBER

MISFITS Horror 

THE NIGHT THE MONSTERS CAME Children's,  Light Horror 

THE SENTIENT SF

FEARLESS SF

THE BUTCHER OF ANDERSON STATION SF

THE RAVEN Post-Apocalyptic,  Horror 

LEVIATHAN WAKES SF

MEXICAN GOTHIC Horror 

THE VELA SEASON ONE SF

LIZARDVILLE: THE GHOST STORY Horror 

LIZARDVILLE: JIMMY'S CURSE Horror 

THE HOUSE OF BROKEN BONES (SADISTIC SOULS BOOK TWO) Horror
THE JOURNEY OF ATLANTIS: LEAVING HOME SF

THE ISLAND HG own Mount TBR 

ONE-SHOT,  Virtual,  James Blish,  Library 5THE THING IN THE ATTIC, Virtual,  James Blish, 4, Library, SFF

 STANLEY AND THE MAGIC SPIDER Children's

 SISTERS OF THE VAST BLACK 5 SPACE OPERA SEPTEMBER SF

HAWK: HELLFIRE HG 5 SF Space Opera September 

BLACK HELICOPTERS 4 SF Horror 

HELLHOUNDS OF THE COSMOS 5 SF Space Opera September SPACE OPERA BEFORE 1952

SCREAM RIDE HORROR AUSTRALIA
THE MANY HORROR
ANCESTRAL HORROR

THE EUROPEAN SCHOOL NG ARC 5 Horror SEQUEL

STRANGE SANCTUARY KU VIRTUAL 5 Horror 

GHOSTLY ASPIRATIONS HG 5 Horror 

NIGHT TERRORS VOL 3 Horror 

THE LAST RITUAL Lovecraftian Cosmic Horror 

SCARECROW ROAD by Lionel Ray Green  Halloween Horror 

SCARECROW by Matthew Pritchard 

.The Evergreen Motel[book:Sleepless|52809337]

THE EVERGREENMOTEL [book:Haunted|52809371]

THE EVERGREEN MOTEL [book:Chased|52809455]

THE EVERGREEN MOTEL [book:The Evergreen Motel: Hopeless|53539896]

 [book:The Evergreen Motel: Cursed|54131093]

GHOSTS OF MILLER'S CROSSING Horror 

CHILDREN OF TIME SF

THE METAPONTUM HOARD Historical Mystery

GHOST PROBE SF 

PRIVILEGE by Bharat Krishnan Speculative 

THE LUNA MISSILE CRISIS SF

BLACK RIVER, Sara Clancy.  Horror 

THE WITCH, Shirley Jackson Horror 

THE POSSIBILITY OF EVIL,  Shirley Jackson Horror 

CLOUDS OF VENUS SF

GHOST SHIP VIRTUAL SCRIBD

CITY OF SCREAMS VIRTUAL SCRIBD

THE MIDNIGHT WATCH VIRTUAL SCRIBD

THE MECHANIC AUTHOR ARC

THE DEVIL'S BONES 

THE RESIDENT (SS)

THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO 

THE ENCELADUS MISSION SPACE OPERA SEPTEMBER 5

ALIEN PEOPLE..Review for Shut Up and Read GR 4

THE WITCH OF HALLOWEEN HOUSE. Own

SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK 

MORE SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK VIRTUAL SCRIBD

SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK VOL 3 VIRTUAL SCRIBD

THE TITAN PROBE VIRTUAL KU SPACE OPERA SEPTEMBER

THE IO ENCOUNTER VIRTUAL KU SPACE OPERA SEPTEMBER 

RETURN TO ENCELADUS VIRTUAL KU SPACE OPERA SEPTEMBER 

ICE MOON COMPLETE BOXSET KU VIRTUAL SPACE OPERA SEPTEMBER 

NIGHT TERRORS VOL 4 HORROR 

OCTOBER 

LOOKING FOR LIFE SF

CHILLING EFFECT SF

THE BOOKING. HORROR [REREAD]

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN Fantasy 

THE ARCHIVE OF THE FORGOTTEN Fantasy 

THE JUPITER CATASTROPHE VIRTUAL KU 5

YOU MAY NOW KILL THE BRIDE VIRTUAL SCRIBD

THE HOLLOW PLACES NG ARC

THORNE'S TOME.  ARC HORROR 

VENUS PLUS X. SF

MONSTER PROBLEMS: VAMPIRE MISFIRE. Horror YA

THE DEVIL'S CAVERNS. Horror 

THE TWISTED WINDOW. Mystery YA

SILENT SUN SF

MR. SPACESHIP SF

THE SKULL SF

BLOOD [PRETERNATURAL BOOK 2] Horror 

EINSTEIN'S RAVEN SF

THE HAUNTING OF BLOODMOON HOUSE Horror 

DADS VS. ZOMBIES [OMNIBUS]. Horror

WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES ON HALLOWEEN. Children. Reread. 5. Light Horror PUMPKIN. MOUNT TBR 

THE HAUNTING OF SUNSHINE HOUSE. TWILIGHT. 5 OWNTOBER Horror 

THE TWISTED ONES. NG ARC. Horror MOUNT TBR. LEAVES. 

THE HAUNTING OF SUNSHINE GIRL Horror 

THE TWISTED ONES. NG ARC. Horror MOUNT TBR. 

THE HAUNTING OF SUNSHINE GIRL Horror 

THE HYDRAX GAMBLE SF Contemporary/Thriller 

THE LICTONWOOD Horror!

THE PORTAL Horror 

TERROR IN THE SHADOWS VOLUME 10 Horror 

GREYFRIARS REFORMATORY Horror 

OKTOBERFEAST Horror 

AFTER SUNDOWN.  Anthology.  Horror 

VOODOO HEART. Horror 

THE NIGHT WEAVER. Horror 

THE BONE CARVER. Horror 

SHADE TRILOGY. Horror. 

MURDERS OF MOLLY SOUTHBOURNE.  Horror 

GHOSTHUNTER.

GHOSTSTALKER. 

GHOSTHOUSE.

GHOSTLORDS.

THE HAUNTING OF IRONWOOD.

NIGHT TERRORS VOL 5

666 GABLE WAY 

LAKEWOOD 

BOBBY ETHER AND THE JADE ACADEMY 

TEMPLE OF ETERNITY 

DILATION 

CALL THE CHILDREN 

MEDUSA'S COILS

VELOCITY WEAPON SF

INSTINCT SF

THE DARWIN ELEVATOR SF Reread 

BLACK VELVET Thriller 

DEATH FLEET Horror 

ENEMY ALLY SF

THE WITCHES OF HALLOWEEN HAVEN.  HORROR 

HAUNTED: PERRON MANOR.  HORROR. 

THE HAUNTING OF MYSTERY MANOR Horror

THE FINAL HAUNTING Horror 

THE DEAD BOYFRIEND Horror 

A HAUNTING AT HOLLOW'S COVE HORROR 

Review: THE PROCTOR HALL HORROR by Bill Thompson

Release October 1 2020

5 Spooky Stars

I've been enjoying the Bayou Hauntings Series since its inception,  admiring the author's flair for twisty plotting and backdrops, including Southern Louisiana history as background.  THE PROCTOR HALL HORROR  is Book 7. The gore level is high, and only a cold or jaded reader could fail to experience these events as heartwrenching.  There is so much deceit, so much evil--both human and supernatural.  Of particular interest to me were certain genetic connections,  and the riff on Jekyll vs. Hyde. This is really a "Who can you Trust?" adventure. Featured are our favorite series characters,  caught up in a vastly puzzling--and tremendously dangerous--paranormal investigation.

Review: SHORT HORROR STORIES VOLUME 27

5 Spooky and Terrifying Stars!

"New Digs" by Ron Ripley: Absolutely no empathy was elicited for this sorry protagonist. I might say: poetic justice. However,  I enjoyed the imagery, particularly the basement scenes,  and I respectfully request an alternate ending, involving a certain inexplicable object protagonist discovers near the furnace. <smile>

"The Trip" by Sara Clancy: Okay. News reports and Fiction persuaded me years ago never to go camping.  However: this tale is the stuff of Nightmares! Talk about Subterfuge! Talk about Monsters and Monstrosity! Will I ever sleep again??

"Monster of the Week" by David Longhorn: Echoes of "The Truman Show"! Mike's life is constantly in transit, an "episode" a week of battling some strange different monster, barely escaping with his life, mourning the loss of innocents. He has to use his clever wits to figure out the type of monster and how to stop it,  and of course,  no evidence remains. But now the serious question becomes: is he in the current episode, or will this be his "End"?

Review: FAITHFUL SHADOW by Kevin J. Howard

5 Spooky Stars

 Simply wow! I don't know why I hadn't read this before, as I adore Yellowstone horror (so many possibilities!). Author Kevin Howard definitely leaves behind the usual (boiling pools, supervolcano,  bear and buffalo) and goes for an unusual creature which, if encountered say in Great Britain or Europe,  would have been the locus of centuries-old Folk Horror.  Horrifying it is, because unavoidable,  inescapable,  and implacable.  Not satisfied to kill in its den, this creature roams, and it's unstoppable. I can totally imagine this novel as a horror film, suffused as it is with a failing hero [Ranger Joe], young people in lust, abundances of gore, a diligent female ranger and an aging helpless male ranger.....what's not to love? Love I did, throughout a one-sitting literally nonstop thrill ride keeping me breathless,  alarmed, horrified,  and enthralled.

Review: SHORT HORROR STORIES VOLUME 26 (SCARE STREET)

5 Spooky Stars

"Porcelain Elephants" by Ron Ripley: One of Mr. Ripley's best in a long line of great tales, "Porcelain Elephants" is by turns heartwarming, terrifying,  and heartwrenching. For me, the human Evil proved far worse than the admittedly supernatural elements. I found this story very satisfying.

"The Cursed Necklace" by Anna Sinjin: Now that is scary. Kudos for the implacability of this particular horror,  and for the way that the author has interwoven simple, common,  human emotions to create a pathway to Horror.  Very good!

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Sara Clancy: I do enjoy my Christmas Horror...but this is TOO SCARY!! 

DO NOT read at night alone! I read it on a sunny, hot, front porch at noon

AND I'M TERRIFIED!!!

Cover Reveal: THE HOUSE OF A HUNDRED WHISPERS by Graham Masterton

The House of a Hundred Whispers by Graham Masterton

Publication date: 1st October 2020

About the book

On a windswept moor, an old house guards its secrets... The new standalone horror novel from 'a true master of horror.'

All Hallows Hall is a rambling Tudor mansion on the edge of the bleak and misty Dartmoor. It is not a place many would choose to live. Yet the former Governer of Dartmoor Prison did just that. Now he's dead, and his children – long estranged – are set to inherit his estate.

But when the dead man's family come to stay, the atmosphere of the moors seems to drift into every room. Floorboards creak, secret passageways echo, and wind whistles in the house's famous priest hole. And then, on the same morning the family decide to leave All Hallows Hall and never come back, their young son Timmy disappears – from inside the house.

Does evil linger in the walls? Or is evil only ever found inside the minds of men?

About the Author

Graham Masterton is mainly recognized for his horror novels but he has also been a prolific writer of thrillers, disaster novels and historical epics, as well as one of the world’s most influential series of sex instruction books. He became a newspaper reporter at the age of 17 and was appointed editor of Penthouse magazine at only 24. His first horror novel The Manitou was filmed with Tony Curtis playing the lead, and three of his short horror stories were filmed by Tony Scott for The Hunger TV series. Ten years ago Graham turned his hand to crime novels and White Bones, set in Ireland, was a Kindle phenomenon, selling over 100,000 copies in a month. This has been followed by ten more bestselling crime novels featuring Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire, the latest of which is The Last Drop of Blood. In 2019 Graham was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Horror Writers Association. The Prix Graham Masterton for the best horror fiction in French has been awarded annually for the past ten years, and four years ago he established an annual award for short stories written by inmates in Polish prisons, Nagroda Grahama Mastertona “W Więzieniu Pisane.” He is currently working on new horror and crime novels. 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DejwGk

iBooks: https://apple.co/2P3pcFX

Kobo: https://bit.ly/338461g

GooglePlay: https://bit.ly/332yzxP

Follow Graham Masterton:

Twitter: @GrahamMasterton

Wesbite: www.grahammasterton.co.uk.

Follow Head of Zeus:

Twitter: @HoZ_Books

Facebook: @headofzeus

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Website: www.headofzeus.com

Review: THE HOUSE OF A HUNDRED WHISPERS by Graham Masterton

5 Spooky Stars

Enthralling,  as I expect from Master of Horror Graham Masterton,  terrifying, with implacable,  unavoidable,  horror, whose roots reach back centuries,  perhaps to prehistory,  and which gives no sign of ever stopping. In an antique (17th century) mansion on lonely Dartmoor, an evil old man dies during the Full Moon. His will specifies an unexpected heir, which only riles the offspring,  who are commanded to maintain the property, now in trust. 

But the house contains far more than valuable antiques and ugly memories.  Black magic has been done here, and for centuries.  A charmer, a gleaner, and a Catholic priest will all battle to stop the house's evil, with horrifying consequences. 

Review: TERROR IN THE SHADOWS VOLUME 9

5 Spooky Stars!!

The newest electrifying,  hair-raising,  spine-chilling, mind-blowing,  collection from authors Ron Ripley,  David Longhorn,  Sara Clancy,  and Bronson Carey.  Stick your finger in an electric socket while fresh from your shower: you'll get shocks galore, but nowhere like reading these stories, in which the dead are implacable and have a sharp axis to grind.

Recommended for daytime reading on sunny days.  Do not read at night alone....unless of course you like sleeping with all the Lights on.

Review: SHORT HORROR STORIES VOLUME 25

5 Spooky Stars

 All Stories in this volume are by Ron Ripley.

"Ricky's Toys": Ron Ripley demonstrates many gifts as an author.  Prominent is his ability to subtly direct readers into suspension of disbelief.  I have no trouble whatsoever accepting appearances by the deceased. I also marvel at his taut use of characterization.  Verbosity isn't needed because a few words do just fine. Then there's Revenge...or maybe in this case, Vengeance.  I wonder if the character Alex will reappear in future stories.

"The Bassinette": wow! About as seriously disturbing as I can handle. Reading this, outdoors in sunshine. Still I had to capture my scream.

"The Girl In the Window": I really enjoy the entertwining of characters and settings from throughout Mr. Ripley's oeuvre, and this story pairs two of my favorites,  the young autistic but highly intelligent Jimmy Hsu, and the beleaguered, troubled,  but admirable Dan Tate, now appearing as Anger, New Hampshire,  Librarian, replacing Diane. These two guys may be disparate,  but they definitely rock!

Review: THE LOVELIEST DEAD by Ray Garton

5 Stars

I read about half of this thrilling Supernatural novel in the sunny outdoors, the remainder alone-at-night. So.i was appropriately scared. Scary that such human Evil survives after death. Scary such exists at all. 

Ray Garton is an excellent author and THE LOVELIEST DEAD is going to be a favorite. 

I must caution that the subject matter is disturbing--very disturbing. Stomach-roiling in fact, but the characterizations, character evolution [and devolution], and the supernatural horror rivet the reader.

Review: TERROR IN THE SHADOWS VOLUME 8 [SCARE STREET]

5+ Spooky Stars

The Scare Street authors never disappoint and TERROR IN THE SHADOWS Volume 8 terrifyingly and terrifically continues that tradition.  Science Fiction and Horror reign supreme in this collection,  in which feckless fools, criminals,  and yes, innocents, all

discover there is a world or worlds beyond, much more horrifying than we could ever imagine. Get your Scares and Chills on; but first, check your doors and windows,  turn on all your lights, avoid Shadows,  and don't read at night alone. 

Review: SHORT HORROR STORIES VOLUME 24

5 Spooky Stars 

"When the Sun Shines" by Ron Ripley: This story awakened a lot of empathy in me, and the Denouement was unexpected and surprising...but it worked. 

"Riding the Bus" by Ron Ripley: I really liked this story, as it was tautly written,  full of surprises,  with deft characterization. Disbelief was easily suspended so that the story made perfect sense as it played out, even though it was supernatural. 

"Lost His Senses" by Bronson Carey: I think I shall never again go near a hospital.  This tale is so subtle about the horror,  and couched in terms of the patient experiencing possible hallucinations from side effects of his medications...or, on the other hand, maybe not hallucinations.  Serious scares here!

14th Canadian Reading Challenge!

14th-canadian-reading-challenge-

After an enlightening participation in the 13th Canadian Challenge,  I'm eager and ready for the 14th:
July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

Review: 324 ABERCORN by Mark Allan Gunnells

5+ Stars!!

  First off, this is my favorite title by Mark Allan Gunnells so far. I absolutely adore this novel; it's exquisite. From the "ghostly" presences to the beautiful iteration of the city of Savannah and its history; from the finely delineated characters of Brad, Bias, Neisha, Harold, but including secondary characters [the Detective is a gem]; the humor,  the love, the idealism, to character unfolding and evolution; it's all exciting. I read it in a sitting and could read it again,  right away.

Horror author Brad Storms visited Savannah and fell in love with the house at 324 Abercorn while in his twenties and still struggling.  Fortune smiles on him, and with several bestselling novels,  he purchases the property and sets out on a new life phase. But it seems "something" in the house isn't pleased with his presence.  Are the tales about the house fact after all? Has his residence in the long-empty home disturbed the occupants of the unmarked Slave Cemetery?

Read on and discover!

Review: THE NIGHTINGALE HOUSE by Steve Frech

5 Stars 

THE NIGHTINGALE HOUSE is the second novel bu y Steve Frech, a page-turner of Horror which riveted this reader, providing characters with whom I empathize, plus a horrendous villain who deserves comeuppance.  The author juggles a number of issues and does so seamlessly. 

Review: ANGER'S RUIN by Ron Ripley

5 Spooky Stars 

I've been reading this thrilling supernatural series since its inception,  yet each installment seems more compelling even than the proceeding. Now that we've discovered the identity of the "mastermind" plotting to destroy the populace of the tiny but evil-beset community of Anger, New Hampshire [in STREETS OF ANGER, Book 5], we watch as said mastermind's plot ratchets up and as feckless, vulnerable, hero Dan Tate throws up obstacles against the plot to destroy Anger. Fortunately Dan (capable but with the weakness of his children in danger) calls on ghost hunter Shane Ryan, an individual with terribly self-destructive impulses and a literally "stop at nothing " attitude.  Prepare for an uproarious roller coaster ride through unimaginable danger, as this literal battle of good vs. evil intensifies, introducing a  totally terrifying new character in the "collector."