Thinking Time...

Hi, how are you today? I hope this week treated you well. I've been doing a bunch of different things.

A lot of thinking. And sorting. Some spring cleaning. Plenty of reading.

For most of this year, I've been so consumed with my own writing/planning and other stuff that reading has taken a bit of a backseat. If you check below, you can see what I read the last few days. One novel. One short story. One novella. All awesome and very entertaining.

Asides from enjoying some cool stories, I also continued what I started last week: revisiting novels that I thought were already done. Until I decided they weren't. LOL. 

Well, the longer novel was finished (again) last week, but not the shorter one. That story required a lot more thinking. So much that I decided to chat to my husband about it. He's very good at listening and offering great insight when I feel a bit lost or stuck, plus talking to him always helps me figure things out. And this time was no different. While discussing the issues I had with this story during one of our river walks, something very obvious clicked into place.

The reason why I couldn't stop thinking about this particular novel turned out to be very simple. In its current state, it doesn't work. And I quickly realised that attempting to fix all of the issues I have would require a complete rewrite. Something I just don't have the enthusiasm for right now.

There's only one thing left to do. I'm going to shelve it. I don't know if it'll be forever, but this version is back to sitting on my hard drive as a WIP. I might return to it in the future, but I might not. If I do, a complete rewrite is the only way to salvage the best parts. If I don't, it was a learning experience.

Either way is fine with me. Some stories work and some don't. But it feels good to have made a decision so I can move on to other projects. 🙂

And that means that I can now daydream and brainstorm my next WIP. This is a vampy story that's been renting space inside my brain for months. I love these characters and the snippets inside my head. I'm looking forward to joining their adventure soon.

Well, that's it for now. We've got a three-day weekend, so I'm very excited.

Have an awesome day!!

REALITY BUT MORE FUN by Madeleine Swann

Reality But More Fun by Madeleine Swann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that the cover is absolutely fabulous. And the story intrigued me so much, I got stuck into it last night and didn't want to stop.

Jade and Louise are sisters staying in the surreal Belle Epoque theme park with their mother. They're not supposed to stay there long, but can't remember how long they've been there, and stranger things than usual start to happen...

Peculiar. Bizarre. Awesome.

I found this story to be utterly delightful in its quirky weirdness. It's quite the trippy ride and the imagery is bright and beautiful with a very dark veneer. I love stories where everything seems perfect and lovely, almost to the point of being a sugary utopian experience... but the ugly truth slowly pushes its way through.

First, it's a simple glimpse at the utter confusion about what's really going on, but it doesn't take long for the eerie truth to become clear.

The sisters were quite charming. Louise is married and trying to do the right thing by her mother. While Jade longs for adventure and finds herself in the clutches of an unsavoury individual with questionable intentions. I also really liked Samir and Gillian because they're quite the problem-solving duo.

I had a LOT of fun reading this charming slice of strange, and loved the descriptive writing style.

 

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SOXORCIST II by Jamie Kort

Soxorcist II by Jamie Kort
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, I have to start by thanking the author for sending me a copy of this depraved slice of horror. It's the fourth erotic sock puppet story I've read, and it's certainly turning into Jamie Kort's subgenre. 🧦🪡

Anyway, here are my thoughts:

The Soxorcist needs help. She's sick and something is stirring inside her stomach, but what she finds is a terrifying nightmare worse than her memories...

O.M.F.G. The stories in this series might be short but require a lot of brain bleach. That doesn't ultimately work because the dark and gross imagery weaves its way so deep that the filth seeps too fast to stop.

In usual fashion, this story is as weird as fuck. Bizarre in too many ways to list without spoilers. Also very addictive. The writing is engaging and I didn't stop reading until I reached that very violent and disturbing end because I always want to know how it's going to end.

I also really like the addition of Sam the Raven.

If you enjoy being grossed out, but at the same time, intrigued by a storyline so strange that you're sucked right in... then definitely check this out. You won't regret it. Or maybe you will. 😅

 

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SWEETPEA by C.J. Skuse

Sweetpea by C.J. Skuse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this for a while, and when I found out a new show based on this book was coming out, I wanted to read it before watching.

Rhiannon is a bored editorial assistant caught in an unfulfilling relationship. She has an adorable dog she loves. She's also part of a group of friends she barely tolerates, and has an unhealthy addiction to making kill lists. But these aren't her biggest secrets...

Well. Rhiannon is really something, isn't she? She's certainly a flawed character, and quite unlikeable in many ways. She's full of insensitive opinions, isn't exactly nice, and has quite a few skeletons in her closet.

The journal/diary storytelling style really worked for me. It dragged me into the events that were unfolding very quickly. I also like how Rhiannon conveniently drops clues about the bizarre situations she finds herself in. Some details aren't clear right away, but it doesn't take long to figure out what this sweet little psycho is up to.

She certainly has a way with words. And men. And with insults. Lots of politically incorrect assumptions and judgements are made in this tale of murder, deceit, and how a violent past can morph someone's way of thinking forever.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Rhiannon's insane adventures. But like I said, she's not the nicest person in the world, and that's fine because while she's obviously a disturbed individual who constantly attempts to justify her despicable behaviour, there are a few glimmers of goodness that shine through. Occasionally.

Great start to the series, and that cliffhanger ending... 😳!! Good stuff.


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Hey!

How are you today? Long time no blog, right? 😅

But seriously, it's been a while since I posted an update, so I thought I'd pop in to chat.

Last month was really cool because my husband had annual leave and we went for some lovely adventures, long walks, and got plenty of rest. Then a long weekend followed... and now, Halloween Month is here. Yay.

A few great writing things happened. I made another book announcement: my haunted house ghost story, THESE STAINED WALLS, will be released by Horrorsmith Publishing next year. So excited to share this creepy story with the world.

Very happy about this one.

On the 30th of September, my latest book was released. NUMB (named after this very appropriate Linkin Park song) is my love letter to demonic possession stories. It's a bit THE EXORCIST and a lot SUPERNATURAL. I hope readers enjoy Chester's story. It's sad. It's creepy. And it's available in eBook and paperback right now!!

There are also some cool reviews already posted on Goodreads.

My other fantastic news is that my very first self-published book, ONLY DARKNESS,  will be released on October 31st. That's exactly 19 days from now. 

I'M SO EXCITED! Not just because I can't wait to share this story, but also because it turned out really nice. The paperback copy is especially lovely. The formatting was done by Fabled Beast Design, and he did a great job capturing my vision.

I mean, check this out:

These are the author copies and the book looks FANTASTIC! Because the first half of this book has been previously published, I wanted this version to be very different. So, the former novella became a novel told in two parts.

The Kindle version is currently available for pre-order and the pretty paperback will be available on release day.

I hope readers give my lovely creepy book a shot. ☺️

Asides from all of the cool news, I've been mentally sorting through some of my finished stories. One thing that I love to do is talk to my husband about my writing plans whenever they start to plague my mind. Chatting things over always helps me make a plan, and that's exactly what I spent this week doing.

I decided to re-revise two stories that I thought were done because a bunch of different ideas/directions struck out of nowhere. I actually finished working on the longer story and I'm SO happy with the changes I made. I think this makes the story much stronger and I also fixed some unexpected errors while I was there.

The other story is next week's problem because I have more details to sort out first. ☺️

Well, that's about it for now.

Hope you all have an awesome weekend!!

LADY MACBETH by Ava Reid

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that the first thing that caught my attention was this lovely cover. And the fact I enjoyed Macbeth many, many years ago.

Roscille is a young girl married off to the Scottish Thane of Glammis, Lord Macbeth, who lives in a miserable castle and only cares about his ambition to become so much more. As his wife, Lady Macbeth, Roscille is forced to exert her own power in the only way she can: via reputation, suggestion, and manipulation...

I was hooked from the first word. The gothic vibes are all over this story: the cold castle, isolated location, rough terrain, harsh ocean, dark secrets, brutish man, and witches. I found the whole witchy thing to be especially interesting, as well as Roscille herself. Who happens to have her own legend attached to her, that may or may not be true.

I also wasn't expecting any mention of a dragon, but it was very cool, and definitely added to the depth of the story.

Roscille is a strong character who manages to hatch her own cruel plans but can't escape the constraints of horrible men who rule the world and control so much by using violence. These two very different concepts were balanced very well, and certainly made for a great story with an intriguing ending.

I really enjoyed this retelling.

 

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It's Release Day!!

 That's right!

Today's the day! ☺️🎉

My horror novel, about a teenager whose mother goes missing and she becomes a target for demonic possession, is now available:

SHE DOESN'T LIVE IN A HAUNTED HOUSE.

THE MONSTER IS ALREADY INSIDE HER HEAD.

Chester is no stranger to hearing voices, but after her mother disappears without a trace, the demonic voice trying to consume her is getting stronger every day.

The threat of possession might be her biggest problem, but it's not her only one. Chester's confidence in the stepmother who is trying to keep her safe is now unstable. The safe and comfortable connection with her very supportive stepbrother is slowly becoming a tangled mess that threatens their strong bond.

When Chester stumbles on her mother's precious journal, she hopes to find some answers about what's happening to her. But what she really wants to uncover is how to find her missing mother. And the answer to that mystery might come from the most unexpected source. Herself.

If you're interested, you can purchase an eBook or print copy from these stores:

AMAZON | B&N

ANUCI PRESS WEBSITE

You can also...

ADD IT TO GOODREADS

I want to thank Tony Anuci for proofreading this story and giving another one of my books a home, plus Ruth Anna Evans for the beautiful cover.

I'M SO EXCITED!

😁

STATIC by Stacey L. Pierson

Static by Stacey L. Pierson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"A nostalgic, dual-timeline trip that twists the ghost story trope into a never-ending groundhog nightmare with deadly revelations."

I want to thank Stacey for giving me the chance to read an ARC of this cool novel.

Jesse leads an average life during the late 1990s. Tatum is trying to get used to life changes in 2024. Both might be living in a haunted house with plenty of secrets...

This is an intriguing story told by several characters, and certainly throws the traditional ghost story upside down. At many times, it feels like a fever dream on repeat, that reveals a little more with the building tension until the devastating truth is revealed.

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NANA by Mark Towse

Nana by Mark Towse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had this on my Paperwhite for a while and decided to get stuck into it last night.

Olly’s parents are going through a hard time so they're going out to dinner to talk things out. That means that Olly will be spending some time with his nana and her friends from Newhaven Crescent. Lucky for him, it's the night of a talent night unlike any other...

Well, that was a delightful, heartwarming tale about growing old gracefully. I'm kidding, of course, because Nana is none of those things. 😅

I had a blast reading this novella. Although everything unravels slowly and all the characters are introduced at their own pace, the story still somehow flies. Mainly it's because it's intriguing and dark, surreal in many places. Definitely disorienting and full of body horror. But you know what? It's also funny. I laughed out loud many times because the dialogue from some of the more deranged codgers was hilarious.

Don't let the fun fool you, though. This tale about the unhinged residents of Newhaven Crescent is disturbing, and gross. Some of the darker imagery in the later half of the book will forever be turned into your brain, and the inappropriate behaviour will make you cringe... but it's a great story.

I especially liked Olly and his mother, even poor Alex.

Glad I finally read it!


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BLACKOUT: Micropoetry by Brian Bowyer

BLACKOUT: Micropoetry by Brian Bowyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been feeling a little restless this week, and that means that I haven't been able to pick one book to concentrate on for longer than five minutes.

That's when I remembered I had this lovely book on my Paperwhite...

So, with the rain falling outside and a chill in the air, I sat down on the couch and lost myself in this wondrous poetry collection that's broken up into months. A whole year packed full of small shards that cut deep. Really deep.

One of my favourite things about poetry is when the words are slim but the effect is wide. And every single one of these little drops of somber beauty really hits. Brian Bowyer manipulates words very well, until they bloom into piercing images that fill your mind.

Yeah, I loved these emotionally-charged poems and read the entire collection in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.


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A cool announcement!

My first self-published book will be released this Halloween! 🎃

ONLY DARKNESS is a novel told in two parts. Both parts originally started their very separate lives as novellas featuring the Roscoe family, and the dark curse that threatens to destroy them.

You might recognise the first part, because it was previously published for a while, but after I got my rights back... I wasn't sure what to do. Until my husband suggested we self-publish it.

And I thought, why not add the sequel/companion to the mix? I mean, it made sense. This way, anyone who already read the novella can now experience a slightly different version while finding out what happens in the previously unpublished story that follows.

So, I purchased an awesome cover made by Fabled Beast Design, revised/reworked both parts, hired Erin Al-Mehairi to do the final copy edit, and Adrian Medina to format the book, then decided to publish via KDP.

It just made sense.

Here's the result:

 

DARKNESS IN THE WOODS BECKONS HER...

SUFFER

Kae Roscoe’s daughter vanished sixteen months ago and all she wanted during her absence was for Molly to return. But when her daughter comes back, she isn’t the same. 

Molly hardly speaks and refuses to eat. The only emotion she displays is violence.

As much as Kae hates to admit it, there’s definitely something wrong with Molly, and her reappearance sets off a dark turn of events that threatens to tear the town apart. 

SURRENDER

Summer Urbina has finally graduated from college and is excited about spending time with her mother. But as soon as she gets home, everything feels odd.

When her best friend sends an ominous text, Summer decides to trek across the country to make sure he’s okay.

She might not understand why, but the town of Brittle seems very familiar. The darkness calling her from the woods threatens to consume her entirely, and she’s not strong enough to resist.

EBOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AT AMAZON

PAPERBACK WILL BE AVAILABLE OCTOBER 31.

YOU CAN ADD TO GOODREADS NOW!

I'm happy and very proud about how this book turned out. I hope you decide to revisit or discover how this family saga ends.

Thanks for reading! 😊

I have some awesome news!

The other day Horrorsmith Publishing made this fantastic announcement:

My haunted house ghost story novel will be published under Horrorsmith's Fear Forge imprint next year.

I'm SO excited and can't wait to share my creepy tale about a hellish house.

Here's a bit about THESE STAINED WALLS:

The walls within Helston House are alive, and they're very hungry.

 

Matilda Ashbrooke has been uprooted from her family home and forced to isolate with her eccentric grandfather during the pandemic. But the creepy Helston House has many secrets, starting with the stain on the bedroom wall that seems to be getting bigger every day...

I'm so happy to have signed a contract with Horrorsmith and can't wait to share more info as we get closer to release date.

Yay!! 😊

THE RACK: Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks, edited by Tom Deady

The Rack: Stories Inspired By Vintage Horror Paperbacks by Tom Deady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this awesome and packed anthology. I have to admit that I took my time with it, savouring a handful of stories a night.

Here's what I thought of each story:

BLACK PAGES by Cynthia Pelayo: Great story and I really liked the ending.

OTHER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED by Ronald Malfi: This little odd and awesome tale delivered in many ways.

FUZZY SLIPPERS by Jeff Strand: As much fun as it was ridiculous. Poor Grandma.

THE RAFT by Stephen King: Always cool to read a King story.

THAT CHEMICAL GLOW by Larry Hinkle: I enjoyed this creepy little tale.

I AM A HOUSE DEMANDING TO BE HAUNTED by Mercedes M. Yardley: Whimsical. Grotesque. Macabre. Beautiful.

URSA DIRUO by Kristin Dearborn: Really intriguing small-time horror tale with an unexpected and cool ending.

A DEVIL WE USED TO KNOW by Johnny Compton: I found this one a little hard to get into.

IRISH EYES by Bridget Nelson: A total fever dream and a hell of a freaky ride.

THEY LOOK BACK by Candace Nola: Yikes! Didn't expect the twist in this one, but when it hits... creepy.

BLOOD OF MY BLOOD by Christa Carmen: A fun wedding story featuring a very different spin on vampires.

THE KEEPER OF TASWOMET by Errick Nunnally: I REALLY enjoyed this one. The main character really carried this creature feature.

THE LAST CALL OF THE CICADA by Gwendolyn Kiste: A whimsical and lovely, horrific tale about a small town. And cicadas. So many cicadas.

MIGHTIER THAN BULLETS by Laurel Hightower: This story takes the awful real-life horror of school shootings and gives it an unbelievable twist. SO freaking GOOD.

LOUD AND CLEAR by Max Booth III: Interesting tale.

BETTER BY YOU, BETTER THAN ME by Rebecca Rowland: What a fever dream this one turned out to be!

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM LANE by Richard Chizmar: Hooked from start to finish!

THE VISITOR by Philip Fracassi: So creepy. Another one I enjoyed immensely.

LIPS LIKE A SCYTHE by Steve Van Samson: Not bad.

WHITE PAGES by Clay McLeod Chapman: Very nostalgic.

As I said above, this book is jam-packed full of nostalgic, fun and super creepy stories that I enjoyed. A lot. And there are quite a few that will stay with me for a long time.

I want to thank Erin Al-Mehairi for sending me a copy.


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Cover Reveal!

If you're on social media, then you've probably already seen this absolutely beautiful cover made by Ruth Anna Evans:

It's so bright and absolutely perfect because the imagery captures Chester's struggle in the book SO well.

Speaking of that, here's the story synopsis:

SHE DOESN'T LIVE IN A HAUNTED HOUSE.

THE MONSTER IS ALREADY INSIDE HER HEAD.

Chester is no stranger to hearing voices, but after her mother disappears without a trace, the demonic voice trying to consume her is getting stronger every day.

The threat of possession might be her biggest problem, but it's not her only one. Chester's confidence in the stepmother who is trying to keep her safe is now unstable. The safe and comfortable connection with her very supportive stepbrother is slowly becoming a tangled mess that threatens their strong bond.

When Chester stumbles on her mother's precious journal, she hopes to find some answers about what's happening to her. But what she really wants to uncover is how to find her missing mother. And the answer to that mystery might come from the most unexpected source. Herself.

NUMB will be released on September 30!

You can already pre-order a copy:

Amazon | B&N | Anuci Press Website

ADD TO GOODREADS

And yes, I named this book after a Linkin Park song because it totally fits Chester's story... Also, I named my main character after Chester Bennington.

Thanks for reading! 

August Update!

Hey, how are you today? How's August treating you? Can you believe it's almost over? Yikes.

A lot of good and one not-good thing happened this month. It started with an incredible announcement: signed a contract for my first short story collection with Cemetery Gates Media, and the release of a very cool and unique anthology edited by Lauren Carter.

And then I found out a book that I got my rights back for (at the end of June) had been published anyway. I mean, WTF? That wasn't a fun experience, but with the help of Amazon and Ingram, I was able to sort everything out. I was amazed and so glad for their help while dealing with this copyright infringement. And now the book isn't available anymore. Anywhere. Which is what should've happened in the first place. Sometimes, if you want something done properly and professionally... you have to do it yourself.

On a much better note, the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer. Only problem is that we seem to be skipping right to summer temps. Good thing I love summer. 😅

So, what else have I done this month? Well, I've been enjoying the weekends with my husband, and making decisions about my homeless novellas/novels. I've subbed some things, proofread others, updated a whole bunch of computer files, and even decided to change Wings of Sorrow to another title. In fact, I've decided to rewrite/rework the 46k-word story into a novel. I have some new ideas and additions I want to make, and a few changes. I refuse to let one terrible experience ruin my enthusiasm for Thera and Hector's story, but it's not ready to face the world yet.

I'm also excited about a few things that I've been working on and sorting out with another story. Plus the announcement that was made yesterday made me smile: My novel, FALLEN DESTINY, will be published by Brigids Gate Press late next year. This is a cozy/urban fantasy about a demon who's hired by a mysterious nun to find an angel. Yeah, lots to unpack there. But I'm super excited! 😁

This week we watched the series finale for two of our favourite shows. EVIL is a fantastic show that, IMO, ended prematurely and that was definitely reflected in the finale. It was SO disappointing. Betrayed the character arcs and motivation they took so long to establish. Oh well. THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, however, was brilliant. I loved every minute of the final season and the finale broke my heart, but it totally worked. There was no other way for things to turn out for the Hargreeves siblings. I'm gonna miss them.

So, I started the month with some great news, had to deal with a shitty situation in the middle, and am ending on a nice note. I really hope that September is a great month, packed with good weather, awesome news, and exciting writing projects.

My husband's having two weeks off during the middle of September, so that's a good start.

Have a good one!

Check it out!

 

I have some fantastic news to share today!

I'm VERY excited to announce that my first short story collection, MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS, has been contracted by Cemetery Gates Media and will be released early next year. Yay. 🥳

The collection contains 17 horror stories. Can't wait to share these characters and macabre tales of woe with you.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Cemetery Gates for giving my dark delusions a home. 

Popping in to say...

OMGosh, I just realised that it's been quite a while since I last posted something that wasn't a book review.

So, here I am! ☺️

How are you? How's July treating you? What's new? Anything exciting happening in your life at the moment?

I have to admit that in some ways, this month hasn't been the best. Well, some things have been great because spending time with my husband, and going on suburban adventures with him, is always fun and exciting. Not to mention that July is my birthday month. And we got a new fancy washing machine!

We've also been watching The Boys (great finale), Evil, and discovered some 90s episodes of Columbo on Prime! Which are totally addictive. 😅🔍

Winter has hit really hard, which I don't like. I can't wait for the longer days to come back...

Between the stress of routine health checks and what happened online, I've been dealing with a lot of stuff.

Anyway, I don't want to get into the nitty-gritty details because if you're on social media you probably already know what happened, but a bunch of my books are no longer published/coming soon. If you've taken a look around my website you probably already noticed.

And I'm once again really sorry if you pre-ordered Wings of Sorrow because it wasn't released as previously scheduled. 

Yep. I now have a bunch of homeless horror stories, but that's okay. I think my hard drive is the best place for them at the moment.

Although it's taken me weeks to clear my head enough to really deal with what happened, I'm finally ready to think about what to do next. I have to admit that the experience has been hard on my mental health, has left me with some trust issues, and a lot of disappointment. It's funny (weird, not haha) how situations like this can bring out the worst or best in people. And I've taken note because I don't forget gaslighting or being tossed aside for no reason. 🫤

But I'm not here to dwell on any of the uncomfortable things I've gone through lately because the routine tests came back good, and I had a great meeting with my Film/TV agent the other day. 

I just want to move on from all the other stuff. It's time to think about the future.

Well, that's it. Just thought I'd pop in and say a few things about how the last two turbulent months have affected me. And I also want to say that I'll keep you posted on what's next for my stories.

Watch this space. ☺️

Thanks for reading and have an awesome day!

MISTRESS OF ALL EVIL by Serena Valentino

Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy (Disney Villains 4) by Serena Valentino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yesterday I tried to read the third book in this series and unfortunately DNFd it halfway through, but I still decided to give this one (the fourth) a go.

Maleficent is often called the Dark Fairy, the Mistress of All Evil. Yet, there's a lot more to her story. Starting with the reason why she cursed an innocent princess and is determined to destroy everything...

Well, this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed it! I liked the portrayal of Maleficent in this dark fairy tale, and actually didn't mind all of the other characters either. I liked the explanation for her actions, and how she's misunderstood by everyone because they refuse to see things through her perspective.

The daughter angle was an unexpected surprise that adds a whole new level of emotion and motivation to a character who's so often shown as a one-dimensional villainous caricature.

I'm intrigued by the Odd Sisters, and although it made sense, the ending annoyed me.

Also, this reminds me that I need to watch the movies.


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THREADS OF ASH: SOUTH by S.H. Cooper

Threads of Ash: South by S.H. Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've wanted to read this book for a while now, and picked it up last night because I couldn't wait any longer. 😁

Yaveta has lost everyone and everything that mattered to her because of the weeping blight. So when a warrior called Wulfren saves her life, she decides to go with him on an adventure across a devastated world that provides more questions than answers...

Wow. What an awesome dark fantasy tale this turned out to be. It's got the right combination of fantasy and horror. Plus the worldbuilding is intriguing, and the writing is wonderful. It's set in a dangerous, but lovely, place that constantly surprised me and kept me glued to the page.

I really liked Yaveta, a young woman who's been through so much she doesn't realize she's strong at heart and might. Wulfren is a brooding big guy who hides behind his strength and isn't prepared to deal with someone like Yaveta. And together, they make an odd but great pair. Also, I love Svir! So cute.

Well, I enjoyed everything about this fast-paced, interesting book that has a bit of everything. Including some great body horror and plenty of gore.

Can't wait for the next book!


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INSOMNIA by Sarah Pinborough

Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this up because Sarah Pinborough never lets me down.

Emma Averell is a busy woman. She's got a career and two children. Luckily, her husband stays home to look after the kids and the house. But that all changes when her fortieth birthday draws near, and both her mother and sister return to her life. Now she's losing time and sleep...

Wow. What an awesome, twisty story!

As expected, this book hooked me from the very beginning. I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Especially since so much of Emma's POV is riddled with paranoia and disorientation.

This author has such an addictive way of sucking the reader into the seemingly average lives of people who slowly reveal that they aren't that normal at all. And instead, are riddled with complications, secrets and so many issues.

I knew there would be a twist, so when it hit: 😳! Absolutely loved it. Yikes.

And one last thing, this story is nerve-wracking pretty much all the way through, but the second half kept me on the edge of my seat.


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RED by Daniel Lorn

Red: A Horror Novella by Daniel Lorn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This week I've had a bit of a hard time engaging with every book that I started on my Paperwhite, so I was really excited when I started reading this and couldn't put it down.

It's the festive season but this guy doesn't have anything to celebrate. Especially when his marriage is going to shit and his job is pretty much done...

Yikes. This is an unsettling story about a man who doesn't feel very festive. Not when his life is falling apart, his troubled past is catching up with him, and his mind has decided to break.

My favourite part about this tale is how ambiguous everything is. At first, I was convinced I'd just met a creature of the night. But as the events moved along and I fell deeper into the character's head, I started to doubt that. Maybe I was spending time with a serial killer. Or a simple man desperate for revenge. By the time I got to the end of this violent but excellent story, I realised it could be all of those things. Or none of them.

Yes, that's the beauty of this story with such a cool cover.

But I'm certain about two things: the writing style was as lovely as it was brutal, and I felt a lot of sadness for what this man endured as a child.

Seriously great novella!!

 

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VERITY by Colleen Hoover

Verity by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read a Colleen Hoover book for ages, and decided to start with this one because it's supposed to be a suspenseful story.

Lowen is a writer who's been caring for her ill mother. The first day she decides to brave the streets of New York, she witnesses a horrible accident, meets a mysterious man, and is offered the deal of a lifetime. Or maybe it's the worst offer...

Well, okay. As soon as we're introduced to this character we figure out a few things. Lowen separated herself from everyone for quite a while. She hasn't written in ages. Her mother just died and left her with no money. Plus she's obviously hiding something. Or at least suffering from some kind of ailment.

All of the above is sure to get my interest. Throw in a nice-looking guy who also seems to be a nice man, a tragic family, a creepy house, and I'm definitely there.

I really liked the atmosphere of deception that's established early on. I didn't trust any of the characters, and as the story unfolds, my first instinct turned out to be right because all of these people are hiding something. Even the kid!

Seriously, lots of creepy vibes in that house. Not to mention that Lowen comes across as problematic as well. Actually, all the characters in this book are different levels of fucked up.

Oh, and when Lowen starts reading that biography. Yikes! What a trip that turned out to be.

I actually really enjoyed this story because the central theme is manipulation. Something the author does very well. And I liked the final twist, too.

Yeah, I really enjoyed this!


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CHOPPING SPREE by Angela Sylvaine

Chopping Spree by Angela Sylvaine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"An explosive, fast-paced slasher that stabs the cult of consumerism in the heart, and twists the blade until it bleeds."

I want to thank Angela for giving me the chance to read this awesome novella.

Penny lives in Eden Hills, a place where kids go missing all the time and the 80s-inspired mall rules supreme. But the night she stays for a late-night party with her workmates, all hell breaks loose when a killer storms into the mall...

Wow, this turned out to be one very unpredictable and intriguing story! I loved that there were so many different things happening beneath the surface of a killing spree at the local mall. There's a very cool culty angle and plenty of witty commentary about capitalism and consumerism. Not to mention an awesome, strong heroine that I was rooting for all the way.

Oh, and the ending doesn't disappoint.

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COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION by Brian Bowyer

COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION by Brian Bowyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, this book is so good I read it in one sitting!

Chuck is a no-nonsense kinda guy with a drinking problem, but when the world is about to turn to shit, he finds himself in the middle of a rescue mission...

Yikes! This story might be short but it grabbed me by the throat and dragged me along until the shocking conclusion. The sense of dread hit me from the very beginning, and only got thicker and harder to ignore as I turned the pages.

The family at the centre of this apocalyptic tale—with freaky SF elements guaranteed to give any reader nightmares—are a complicated and very dysfunctional bunch with a hell of a lot of problems. But that doesn't mean that I didn't feel for them, because I did.

Countdown to Oblivion packs quite the punch. It's violent and brutal. A total nightmare of apocalyptic proportions featuring characters I should've disliked but actually felt bad for, and enjoyed following until the very end. Except for Kyle. Kyle can fuck off.

Anyway, you should check it out.


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EARTHLINGS by Sayaka Murata

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had this on my Paperwhite for a while and decided it was time to check it out.

Natsuki's best friend is a hedgehog plushie called Piyyut, who happens to come from the planet Popinpobopia. She doesn't get along with her family and definitely doesn't fit in, but she's convinced they're always right. The only person she gets along with is her cousin, Yuu, who she sees every summer until an incident that changes everything...

O.M.F.G. Wow. Okay. Yikes.

I found the story concept very interesting and honestly didn't know what to expect. I mean, I did kinda know about some of the trigger warnings beforehand, but not much about what happens in the book.

A LOT of it is totally shocking. And the surprises just kept coming all the way to the end of the book. Seriously. Just when I was sure about where this was going... another shock is thrown in. 😳

So much of what happens to Natsuki is really screwed-up. And quite sad. I kept getting angry while reading because all she wanted to do was behave the way adults told her she should behave, and is instead abused by people that should be looking out for her. She's also constantly judged by adults. That's right, the asshole adults in this book keep judging kids. WTF?!

The bottom line is: I really enjoyed EARTHLINGS. A lot. The writing style is lovely. The story is SO OUT THERE. The eccentricities of this tale really grabbed me. As did the social commentary of how forced conformity warps impressionable minds, and how abuse (all kinds) can fragment a mind. Not to mention what dictating how every cog should live their life fucks with your brain.

Lastly, I need to include a list of CWs: childhood trauma, sexual, mental, emotional & physical abuse, incest, gaslighting, threats, murder, delusions... I could keep going but I'll stop there, and deliberately left out one big thing because it ventures into spoiler territory.

 

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YOU LIKE IT DARKER by Stephen King

You Like It Darker by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love getting my hands on the latest Stephen King, and got stuck into this collection as soon as I could.

Here are my thoughts...

TWO TALENTED BASTIDS: I really like how King can present such a seemingly mundane situation featuring two very average men, and then straight-up reveal that things aren't as they first appear. Fascinating story about the bonds of friendship and the loyalty of a son to his father.

THE FIFTH STEP: Wow. Okay. Now that's how you tell an absolutely terrifying story that you don't realise is even remotely horror until you reach the shocking conclusion. 😳

WILLIE THE WEIRDO: So, I have to admit that for most of the story I was thinking: Okay, what's this really about? What's the catch? Then I hit that last sentence, and... there it was! All the clues peppered throughout suddenly flooded my brain. Great story.

DANNY COUGHLIN'S BAD DREAM: What an awesome novella! I felt so bad for Danny and that Jalbert was... Ugh. This tale takes the No good deed goes unpunished thing to a whole new level of WTFuckery. It also proves that some people are just kind-hearted, no matter what. While others love to grab their torches and pitchforks without asking questions. Fantastic story. Loved this one!

FINN: A peculiar and violent little tale about a very unlucky young chap called Finn, and the awful crap that happens to him. Also really liked that ending.

ON SLIDE INN ROAD: I really enjoyed this story about a family who goes on a road trip with the old man they all resent. Only to find out there's a lot more to Granpop! Very cool take on bravery.

RED SCREEN: This is a very short and creepy short that builds mostly via conversations and leads the reader down a confused path that becomes very clear at the end. Another good one.

THE TURBULENCE EXPERT: A short tale that reminded me of recent events about the dangers of flying. It wasn't my favourite, but interesting enough.

LAURIE: I've actually read this before but it's a nice little story about a widower and an adorable puppy, so I enjoyed it all over again.

RATTLESNAKES: Okay, so I was initially going to skip this story because I haven't read CUJO... but then thought, WTH? And when my husband reminded me, I got stuck into it. Really glad I did because this is an amazing novella about Vic Trenton. Very sad and creepy ghost story. Total nightmare fodder that I REALLY enjoyed. I also don't think it ruined CUJO for me.

THE DREAMERS: I REALLY enjoyed this trippy, scary story. Features a very interesting main character (really liked William), some bizarre and creepy experiments, plus a bit of cosmic horror. This one's a dark one and I enjoyed it a lot.

THE ANSWER MAN: This might not make much sense, because I found this story to be very well written and the concept was fascinating, but for some reason this is the only story that I didn't completely lose myself in. Could be Phil. Could be the time period. Maybe it was even the Answer Man himself. Not sure.

The funny thing about this collection is that I initially wanted to read a few stories at a time, between other books, but once I reached a certain point... I just couldn't stop.

I REALLY enjoyed this book! Stephen King is such a brilliant storyteller. Love his work.


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SHORT SCARES: Two Sentence Horrors Anthology edited by Lauren Carter

Short Scares: Two Sentence Horrors Anthology by Lauren Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that I actually have a short scare in this very clever anthology, so I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy.

This book contains 69 very cool tales written by some great authors! And I couldn't wait to read every single one.

It didn't take me long. I read the whole thing in one sitting and love the varied selection of horror stories. I had a blast reading every new and creepy story. The use of language and imagery in a two-sentence horror isn't the easiest thing to do, yet every single story captivated my attention from start to finish.

I can't pick a fave because I enjoyed all of them for different reasons. Freaky. Creepy. Scary. Clever. Sharp. And they all linger in your mind after you finish.

Also liked the illustrations by Sophie Ingley. And I want to thank Lauren for putting it all together.

You don't want to miss out on this collection of two sentence horror stories. And royalties will be donated to charity. So that's another awesome reason to grab a copy! ☺️

 

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THE FIRST HORROR by R.L. Stine

The First Horror by R.L. Stine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've got a bunch of Fear Street books on my Paperwhite, and love to squeeze in a few between longer stories.

Cally & Kody are fraternal twins. Their family has just moved into a shoddy house on Fear Street. An ugly, dark house that creaks a lot and will take forever to repair. It's also got a dark history and might be haunted...

I really enjoy these books SO MUCH! They ooze 90s teen horror vibes. Seriously, everything about these stories screams: it's the 1990s!! And I love that!

Plus, this book is super creepy. It's one of those haunted house stories where awful shitty things happen from the moment the family gets there, but the parents keep making excuses to stay. Even though the father has to go to the ER. And the new puppy goes missing. Plus rats seem to live in the basement... Yeah, a lot is happening but there's an excuse for everything.

Until there isn't. And the only thing left to face is the awful truth. 😮

Like I said, this is a really creepy, and even gory at times, horror tale that kept me glued to the page until the end. Can't wait to read the other two in this particular trilogy.


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MY ROOMMATE IS A VAMPIRE by Jenna Levine

My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I've had my eye on this book for a while and then last week, after mentioning it to my husband, it arrived! 😍 And because I've had vampires on my mind lately, I decided to get stuck into it right away.

Cassie Greenberg is an artist who desperately needs to find a new place to live. So when she stumbles on a super cheap apartment in a great neighbourhood, she can't believe her luck. That's if she can handle her eccentric new roommate, Frederick J. Fitzwilliam...

This story is SO freaking cute. It's also a super fun rom-com about a woman who falls for her vampire roommate. I mean, come on, who wouldn't?! 😅

Anyway, I really liked Cassie because she's an interesting character with as many flaws as she has potential. She might be a little lost and unsure of her future, but her tenacity to work hard on her art is awesome. I also liked Frederick because he might be an old vampire, but in so many ways, he's very vulnerable. His circumstances were unexpected and gave the story a pretty cool vampiric angle.

The cozy vibes in this book are off the charts. I enjoyed every minute I spent lost within these pages. It's an interesting story, has a great cast of characters, and it's quite sexy too.

Also, I love the cover!

 

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Short Stories, Volume 2

Hey! How are you? What's new? This turned out to be quite a week! Yikes.

I spent all week proofreading my second short story collection. 😳

If you remember, last week I completed the first volume, so it was time to get stuck into the next one!

This actually took a bit longer to complete than the first one because it contains several longer (3k+) stories. Still, I managed to finish the Paperwhite read and made all the changes on the Word doc before the weekend. Cool.

That's 17 stories of varying lengths. All featuring a whole bunch of characters who get caught up in a lot of weird/dangerous/bizarre situations. 😈

This collection once again features a combination of brand new stories and pubbed ones. But every single tale has been revised, and in a lot of cases, totally rewritten.

This time, I especially wanted to make sure everything was finalised tonight because we've got a long weekend coming up and I want to take a nice break with my husband. Plus, I really need a mental break after spending two weeks with all those psychos and monsters. 😅

The final word count is: 50,965.

Now I have to find a home. For both...

Anyway, after putting them aside for a few months to get a bunch of editing done, I'm SO happy that I've finally finished both of them. Phew.

Have an awesome weekend! 😁

Short Stories, Volume 1

Hey! How are you today? I can't believe it's the first day of June. Yikes. 😳

What have you been up to? I've been proofreading all week.

Back in March, I spoke about revising my two short story collections. I actually got as far as reaching the proofreading stage, but then got stuck into a bunch of editing and had to put them aside for a bit.

This week, I grabbed my Paperwhite and started reading. Made all the changes. Checked the changes. Made more changes to the Word doc. Until I got to the end on Friday night. Yay!

That's 17 stories of varying lengths. All creepy and bleak horror stories featuring different characters leading strange and dark lives. But all of them find themselves in weird/bizarre situations. 😈

I really enjoyed revisiting these tales. Some are new. A few are old stories that I completely rewrote. Several have been published. But every single one has been revised/rewritten! All of them.

The final word count is: 50,928.

Now I have to find a home for the collection...

I'm taking the next two days off. Then next week, I'll get stuck into the second volume.

Have an awesome weekend! ☺️

THE WICKED UNSEEN by Gigi Griffis

The Wicked Unseen by Gigi Griffis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this up last night to get a feel for it... and kept reading. 😅

Audre recently moved from the city to a rural town with her parents and little sister. So she's finding it hard to fit in with the churchy crowd. It's not just that she's different, but also that most of the town is obsessed with the concept of Satanic cults hiding in the woods. And when the preacher's daughter goes missing, the police is quick to suspect Audre's family...

I really enjoyed this! It's a YA horror story that is ambiguous in many ways, while also highlighting the real-life horror that is religious zealots. Dealing with the self-righteous, who honestly believe they're doing 'god's work', is terrifying. And fucking gross, tbh.

Anyway, I really liked Audre's voice. She was stubborn, determined, and believed in herself. Something that's hard to do for any teenager, let alone one who doesn't fit the forced narrative about how a girl is supposed to dress, behave, and have a crush on. Plus I loved her parents. They were cool and so supportive, about so many things.

The family dynamic really worked for me. As well as the setting and the fact the story was set in 1996. Very cool.

Also, the mystery at the core of the story turned out to have a good twist. I suspected some, but not all of it.

This is a great book!


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THE IDEA OF YOU by Robinne Lee

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that until I watched the trailer for the movie adaptation, I didn't know anything about this book. But after that, it was everywhere... and suddenly, I HAD to read it.

Solène owns an art gallery in LA and certainly wasn't planning to take her daughter to see/meet her favourite boy band, August Moon. But then, during the meet and greet she feels an instant attraction to one of the guys. Before Solène knows what's happening, she finds herself in a whirlwind romance with Hayes Campbell. But will his age be a bigger problem than his celebrity status?

I REALLY enjoyed this! And was instantly drawn into the story because I found Solène's life interesting. I also thought Hayes came across quite charming and cheeky. Determined, and not afraid to make his intentions known. And his intentions with Solène were quite obvious from the beginning. Not that hers weren't. LOL.

This is one of those stories that could've become stale pretty early on, but stays fresh all the way through. I was hooked. Got swept away in the globe-trotting romance between a woman on the edge of 40 and the 20-year-old man who sweeps her off her feet. The mutual connection between these two sizzled off the page.

I also quite liked how this story deals with the invisibility that society tries to push on women over 40. And how every woman in this book refuses to fade into the background. They continued to excel at their jobs, raised children, or chose not to have kids at all, and refused to squash their sensuality. This is a facet that is often ignored, so it was great to see it in the forefront.

Also, I didn't expect all the family drama. Yikes! But all the ingredients work so well together and deliver a very entertaining, heartfelt, sexy love story.

I have to admit that the ending broke my heart, but it was the only way it could end. It's such a fantastic story! So glad I gave it a go.

Now I have to watch the movie to see what they changed...

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WOMAN, EATING by Claire Kohda

Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, this is the book I decided to get stuck into this afternoon... and finished by the end of the night. 😅

Lyd is ready to rent a studio in London and get stuck into an internship at a local gallery. It's time to get on with her own life and leave her mother behind. But she's always hungry and no matter how hard she tries, it's hard to erase a lifetime of her mother's toxic teachings and warnings...

Wow. I really enjoyed this unique take on vampires. Not only is it a quiet study about how a vampire might be forced to survive in the modern era, but it's also a testament to how hard it is for young people to spread their wings and figure out who they are and/or want to be. Especially if they've spent their lives under the shadow of a domineering mother.

The beauty of this story is how strong Lyd's voice is. How natural and unconventional her thoughts and ambitions are. How easily she allows her artistic self to get swept away by whimsy. Even her attraction to Ben raises a lot of red flags, but she's instantly drawn to him because he's the first person to show any real interest in her. Not what she is or who she can become.

Another interesting perspective is provided by the internship she finds herself in. OTA, a gallery that doesn't care about nourishing young artists and is run by a predator who hides behind his artistic interests. There are some creepy scenes in that place. Not in the horror sense, but in a real-world way.

All of these separate parts of Lyd's new and lonely life tangle together and tell a bleak and melancholy tale. Until that absolutely brilliant ending.

This is a fantastic book. Loved it!

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DAISY JONES & THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to read this for AGES! And I'm really glad that I finally decided to get stuck into it because I couldn't put it down.

Well, what can I say about this fantastic book that hasn't already been said? This is a fictional rock documentary that dragged me in from the very beginning and wouldn't let me go until I reached the end.

I can definitely see how Fleetwood Mac inspired this amazing rock story, but everything about what happens to this band and what they all go through together (and individually) is very much their own.

I feel like, in its own way, Daisy Jones & the Six fit perfectly into the 1970s music scene and their rise and fall survives on its own.

Yeah, I loved everything about this book! Including that little unexpected twist at the end.

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BURY THE CHILD by L.C. Marino

Bury the Child by L.C. Marino
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was in the mood for a novella this evening, and decided to get stuck into this one.

When Lydia and Wade lose their young daughter, Adeline, the couple struggle to adapt to their life without her. Instead of getting closer, they seem to be drifting apart. Then Lydia starts to see and hear things inside their home that make her hope for the impossible...

Wow. What a sad and creepy little story this turned out to be. As soon as I started, I kept reading until I got to the chilling end. I couldn't stop. Didn't want to stop.

Lydia's story is packed with so much emotion, that at times, I felt dizzy from it. Her loss is deep and infects the reader with so much sorrow, before it takes on a surreal edge that really made this story shine. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read the next book in this intense series.


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Checking In!

Hey, it's been a while! How are you? Is everything okay in your part of the world? Over here, we're in the last month of autumn (which felt a lot like summer until a few weeks ago) and we're currently stuck in the middle of some very shitty weather.

If you've read my posts through the years, or follow me on social media, then you know how much I dislike the rain. A couple of days are fine, but when it stretches out for over a week... I get irritable. I even start getting headaches. Ugh.

Anyway, enough about that.

Can you believe it's May? Yikes.

I've been MIA from my own blog for quite some time because I fell down an editing rabbit hole. Seriously. I edited an 85k-word (supernatural murder mystery/thriller/horror/ghost story) novel in March/April, and a 55k-word (SF horror) novel during April/May. Actually, I just finished the latter last night.

When I say edit, I mean EDIT. Both books required plenty of work, but the 55k one pretty much involved a rewrite and even a new direction. Now I'm very happy about how they turned out. ☺️

I'm not squeamish about editing because I'm always willing to do whatever it takes to make the story better, deeper, and stronger. I'm dedicated to making each book as awesome as I possibly can, and I think a good editor definitely helps to turn a good story into an excellent one. 

These two books were edited by Austrian Spencer. And man, does he dig deep into the characters and story. If you're looking for someone to thoroughly edit your book with the sharpest eye and true commitment, you should definitely check him out. What he helped me achieve with these two stories is amazing. Seriously.

Oh, and if that wasn't enough. I also edited a 30k novella in April, which I almost forgot about because my brain is scrambled. LMAO.

As you can tell, I've been very busy editing the nights away during the last few months. I did manage to squeeze in a little reading here and there—plus read/blurbed an awesome ARC—but my main focus while my husband was at work was the editing. It's always a fantastic experience but I think my brain is going to leak out of my ears if I don't take a break.

For the rest of the month, I want to spend some quality time reading. And daydreaming about a bunch of ideas. I even have a vampire story creeping up on me. One that won't leave me alone and wants to beat all the others to become the frontrunner. 😅

We'll see how that goes, because I still haven't done the final proofread of my two short story collections. They got left behind during the maelstrom of edits. LMAO.

BTW, I also celebrated the release of my myth & monsters novel, THROUGH THE BLUR. Have you checked it out yet? If you like your horror with a bit of Greek mythology and a dysfunctional family, you might enjoy it. 🐍

Well, that's it for now. Hope you have an awesome week!

 

BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE by Anna Biller

Bluebeard's Castle by Anna Biller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, I totally bought this book because the cover is stunning and the paperback version is lovely. There's nothing wrong with that. After all, I've always loved those old gothic romance covers from the past. ☺️

Judith is a successful gothic author with a terrible childhood and complicated family connections. Labelled an ugly duckling by her mother, she has issues. But the day she meets the handsome and alluring Gavin, she becomes a romance heroine with a haunted castle and a husband. But Gavin isn't what he seems and soon, Judith finds herself trapped in a gothic novel of her own making...

Wow. This book is something else. It's a bonkers gothic trip, and I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it.

I can understand this story won't be for everyone, but I totally got the undertones in the narrative. Understand how this novel doesn't just tell the obvious story about a woman who gets swept off her feet by a mysterious, sexy man who blinds her with sexual pleasures that melt away her every defence. There's a LOT more there, but I don't want to spoil anything, so this is all I'll say.

Judith, our hopeless romantic heroine is many things—delightful, hopeful, curious, interesting, and infuriating. I was often upset with her decisions and gullible nature, but also understood what she was up against. And the eerie, isolated vibes perfectly capture this genre and kept me glued to the pages.

I liked the writing style and the depth of this tale. A lot. It might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed the hell out of it!


PS. Yes, the overuse of the word gothic was intentional.

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I have some awesome news!

Hey! How are you today?

Can you believe it's April? 😳

As you already know, last Friday I celebrated the release of my first Anuci Press book release. Yay! And today, I want to let you know about the next book that Anuci Press will release...

This story is my love letter to one of my favourite horror subgenres: demonic possession.

NUMB = THE EXORCIST MEETS SUPERNATURAL.

I'm really excited about this dark story, and can't wait for you all to meet Chester and Darwin.

I'll share more details as soon as I can. For now, here's the story synopsis:

SHE DOESN'T LIVE IN A HAUNTED HOUSE. THE MONSTER IS ALREADY INSIDE HER HEAD.

Chester is no stranger to hearing voices, but after her mother disappears without a trace, the demonic voice trying to consume her is getting stronger every day.

The threat of possession might be her biggest problem, but it's not her only one. Chester's confidence in the stepmother who is trying to keep her safe is now unstable. The safe and comfortable connection with her very supportive stepbrother is slowly becoming a tangled mess that threatens their strong bond.

When Chester stumbles on her mother's precious journal, she hopes to find some answers about what's happening to her. But what she really wants to uncover is how to find her missing mother. And the answer to that mystery might come from the most unexpected source. Herself.

Have a great day! ☺️