September 29, 2014 by Tina Williams

Zombie Takeover Guest Post by Author Tera Shanley ~ includes giveaway!

Today we extend a huge welcome to author Tera Shanley who, as part of her Zombielicious Takeover, is giving us valuable insider info on Vanessa Summers, the heroine of Tera’s upcoming Zombie themed romance, Love At The End of Days. A copy of the first book in this series Love in the Time of the Dead, an Amazon gift card and some super witches and angel themed prizes are up for grabs through the rafflecopter link. Tina and Caroline 🙂

Six Facts about Vanessa Summers

Release day is upon us for book two in the Dead Rapture series, Love at the End of Days, and to celebrate, I wanted to give you a closer look at the heroine of this book, Vanessa Summers. She’s a tough-talking, knife-wielding bad mamma jamma who is only afraid of Deads and getting her heart broken. And though she was introduced in book one, you’ll get to see her work through some of the grit that comes with being a zombie apocalypse survivor in this book.

Hard on the Outside, Soft on the Inside

Vanessa is mouthy and sarcastic, but once someone wiggles into her heart, they are there to stay and she will be a fierce and loyal friend.

Secret Crush

A year ago, the man she had a fling with left Dead Run River with her arch nemesis, and she’s taken all this time trying to get over him. He was the first man she allowed herself feelings for after the Dead outbreak, and when he blows back into her colony, she has to do some quick thinking to sever her heartstrings to the man who rejected her. But Sean Daniels, second-in-command at her colony, with his sexy eyes and undiluted attention make it a lot easier to move on.

Devoted Sister

She was responsible for getting her little brother, Nelson, out of the city alive when the Dead outbreak occurred. Weeks on the run with the constant fear for her brother’s safety made her afraid to allow anyone else into her heart. Her brother’s safety comes first, before anything else, and when he starts asserting his independence as he grows up, she has a hard time learning to let him go.

Not a Laney Fan

Laney Landry got the man she started having feelings for last year, everyone hails her as the reason for the possible vaccine that could save the human race, and even Vanessa’s brother, Nelson, has a huge crush on Laney. Vanessa is not amused, and when Laney comes back to Dead Run River, she must figure out how to deal with the emotional upheaval her return causes. But through the course of the book, and through their trials together, it is hard for Vanessa to continue disliking Laney.

Skilled with Knives

No one practices knife throwing as much as Vanessa. She’s dedicated, practicing her dead-eye aim at targets on a daily basis, and is determined that if she is ever in a scuffle with a Dead, she will be the victor by blade. Several knives accompany her at all times in the belt of her standard issue cargo pants.

Guard in Training

Vanessa had a bad experience with a Dead last year when she and her brother were caught unaware between colony gates. She was helpless, and frozen, just watching the monster come for she and her brother, and it broke something inside of her. She has grown an overwhelming fear of Deads. To rid herself of that reserve, she’s thrown herself headfirst into guard training, so she can get her stronger self back.

And oh, this girl gets tough and at the same time vulnerable in such a cool way. She was so fun to write!

Goodreads link:

Giveaway

Click on the link to win$5 Amazon Gift Card, Book One in the Dead Rapture Series, and eBooks by Cherie Colyer, Lisa Sanchez, Carol Oates Kate Evangelista, Trish Wolfe.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 17, 2014 by Caroline Barker

That Risen Snow: A Scary Tale of Snow White and Zombies by Rob Boley SPOTLIGHT

We simply cannot wait to read That Risen Snow: A Scary Tale of Snow White and Zombies! This horror has a twist on the Snow White fairytale and is to be read as a sequel to the original, tying in nicely for a Halloween review!! This is, author, Rob Boley’s debut novel, published earlier in 2014 by StoneGate Ink.

BLURB: The zombie sequel to Snow White begins where the classic fairy tale ends, with the Prince’s kiss waking Snow from her cursed slumber. Snow wakes up, but she doesn’t wake up right.

Now a deranged zombie, Snow infects both the Prince and the seven dwarfs’ leader. That leaves the young dwarf Grouchy, who is secretly in love with Snow, to find a cure for her malicious curse. So begins an epic journey that pits the lovesick Grouchy against dwarf-hating human soldiers, Snow’s ever-growing zombie horde, and his own bad temper. But when Grouchy and his motley crew of survivors escape Snow’s clutches and seek refuge in a nearby human village, he soon finds that her affliction has spread faster and further then he ever could have imagined. Snow is hell-bent on spreading her horrid curse across the land, and it’s up to Grouchy to stop her before it’s too late.

So begins THE SCARY TALES, a dark fantasy series featuring mash-ups of traditional fairy tale characters and classic horror monsters.

THAT RISEN SNOW trailer (please click to visit the YouTube trailer)

Author Bio:
Rob E. Boley is author of THAT RISEN SNOW: A SCARY TALE OF SNOW WHITE & ZOMBIES, the first in THE SCARY TALES series of dark fantasy novels published by StoneGate Ink. He grew up in Enon, Ohio, a little town with a big Indian mound. He later earned a B.A. and M.A. in English from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. His fiction has appeared in several markets, including A cappella Zoo, Pseudopod, Necrotic Tissue, and Best New Werewolf Tales, and his stories have won Best in Show in the Sinclair Community College Creative Writing Contest (2013) and the Dayton Daily News/Antioch Writers’ Workshop Short Story Contest (2012). He lives with his daughter in Dayton, Ohio, where he works for his alma mater. You can get to know him better online at http://www.robboley.com.

Author Website: http://www.robboley.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/robboley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RobBoleyAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4097555.Rob_E_Boley
Instagram: http://instagram.com/robboleyauthor#

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Advance Praise:
“Part delicious dream, part nightmare, That Risen Snow is an aberrant fairytale that is just as much a horror story. Boley has a knack for dark comedy and witty prose, and he blends it with a nearly-hardboiled voice uncharacteristic of (and therefore pleasantly unique in) dark fantasy fiction. It’s a story you’ll want to tear ass through but will equally want to slow down for, so you can savor the prose.”
—Brady Allen, author of Back Roads & Frontal Lobes

“In 1912, the Brothers Grimm published an old German fairy tale they titled Snow White. Little did they know that a guy named Rob Boley would come along a hundred years later to reveal the ‘true’ and adult story of Ms. White, or ‘Snow’ as she was known in real life… No one could have possibly foreseen what would become of Snow in the hands of a diabolical, maniacal imagination like Boley’s… Such a nice boy… with such a fevered mind. Read this with the lights on and a baseball bat or shotgun handy… you’re gonna be glad you did. This is a Snow White you ain’t gonna find in the middle school library… Get it, read it, and try to keep the screaming down.”
—Les Edgerton, author of Hooked, Just Like That, and The Bitch

“That Risen Snow and That Wicked Apple make a deliciously diabolical tale—part Walking Dead, part turned-on-its-ear fairy tale. Rob Boley strikes the perfect balance of depth, drama, and dark humor to keep readers devouring the pages and leave them hungering for more.”
—Linda Gerber, author of the Death by Bikini Mysteries

September 4, 2014 by Tina Williams

Literary Litter’s BLOODCURLING BLOWOUT 2014 ~ Win a Kindle Fire HD and Prizes Galore!

We are taking part in LITERARY LITTER’S BLOODCURLING BLOWOUT 2014!

For a chance to win a *KINDLE FIRE HD* and oodles of super horror themed e-books and also some gift cards enter this super giveaway!

Between Friday 29th August to Sunday 7th September participating websites will be doing a daily giveaway on top of the Kindle Fire HD and TEN prize packs that will be given away on Sunday the 7th! A Reader’s Review Blog is taking part in the event and we have a $5 Amazon gift card up for grabs. To win our gift card just comment on this post with your name and email contact details. The winner will be randomly selected once the hop finishes on 7th September.

Why not try your luck in our giveaway and the others associated with the BLOODCURLING BLOWOUT? Click on the link below to enter the Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find out more about the giveaway by clicking on the following link:

http://literarylitter.blogspot.co.uk/p/bloodcurdling-blowout-2014.html

Good luck!

Tina and Caroline ❤

Prizes:

Grand Prize (1 winner)

A Kindle Fire HD! You know you want this!! Check it out!

Schedule:

Literary Litter

August 29th – Shawn’s favorite horror ebook prize pack September 7th – final drawing winners announced!

Minding Spot

August 30th – Amazon Gift Card and Ebook Giveaway

Like a Bump on a Blog

August 31st – $20 Amazon Gift Card

Deal Sharing Aunt

September 1st – Book Lover’s Prize Pack

The Beauty of Literature

September 2nd – $10 Amazon Gift Card

Bryce’s Blog

September 3rd – Gift Card

A Readers Review Blog

September 4th – Book Prize Pack- Dext of the Dead Books 1-5 – Steve Kuhn Epub

Horror-Fix

September 4th – Book Prize Pack – Born of Oak and Silver – Marie McKean Epub Once Within – Marie McKean Epub A Life of Death Book 1 – Weston Kincade Epub Strange Circumstances – Weston Kincade Epub

3 Partners in Shopping

The Horror Bookshelf

September 6th – Book Prize Pack- Mr. Blank – Justin Robinson Epub Coldheart – Justin Robinson Epub Everyman – Justin Robinson Epub City of Devils – Justin Robinson Epub

JBronder Book Reviews

September 5th – Book Prize Pack – Born of Oak and Silver – Marie McKean Epub Once Within – Marie McKean Epub A Life of Death Book 1 – Weston Kincade Epub Strange Circumstances – Weston Kincade Epub

A Focus on one Book Bundle up for grabs!

Dext of the Dead Books 1-5 – Steve Kuhn

The undead plague has decimated the population, but pockets of survivors still remain. A battered military search for survivors while scientists work frantically to control the spread. When a rescue team on the west coast discovers a mutilated body holding a journal that documents one man’s journey across the country, they begin transmitting the information to the mysterious Colonel Lang. They discover that the journal may not only contain valuable information, but also the cause, and a possible cure, for the epidemic.

Dext is a regular man in a very irregular situation. The friends and enemies he meets in this new world will either make him a hero or a monster. The clock is ticking and salvation is only a mile up the road… if he can keep running.

“Fans of The Walking Dead are going to love this series. The characters are realistic and witty, the dialogue is great and the writing is quickly paced. The series should do well. Recommended.” ~ Weston Kincade, author of A Life of Death

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show

July 20, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Milk – Blood by Mark Matthews REVIEW

Blurb: Lilly is ten years old, born with a heart defect, and already addicted to heroin. Her mother is gone from her life, and there are rumors that she was killed by her father and buried near the abandoned house across the street. The house intrigues her, she can’t stay away, and the monstrous homeless man who lives there has been trying to get Lilly to come inside.

For her mother is there, buried in the back, and this homeless man is Lilly’s true father, and both want their daughter back.

Review

Milk – Blood is a completely unique horror, mixing the physical tension of fear, dread and violence with psychological and social concerns of poverty, drug abuse and social care surrounding a motherless young girl, Lilly, who has been struggling with a terrible illness from birth and later comes to learn the true fate of her mother as well as becoming reliant on heroin.

There is a sense of darkness and eeriness in the setting alone, with the story based on a rundown street in Detroit in a poverty-stricken area where virtually every other home is boarded up, the homeless roam the road in need for shelter and crime and drug use is always an issue. Lilly has to walk down this road on the way home from school every weekday evening, with the dark house across the street and a strange, creepy homeless man calling to her. She is teased by school kids and returns home to be ignored regularly and yet still dealing with her illness and pain. And yet these latter issues are nothing compared to the horror she is to encounter deeper into the story.

I found the opening chapters alone of particular interest as Matthews has written the same scene but from each point of view, i.e. the mother’s and her partner’s. This enables the reader from the offset of the story to empathise as much as possible with both sides. I found these chapters, although very tragic concerning the death surrounding the mother, very beautifully written when it came to the partner taking care of the very ill newborn. Such a caring and gently written sequence is rare in many horrors. It is because of this that I believe Milk – Blood begins like a thriller which later develops into a horror.

To use a child, especially one so young and addicted to heroin, I thought was daring of the author in this type of horror and yet it plays out really well. There were moments earlier on in the story that I couldn’t quite comprehend the direction of the story, however these passed very quickly and as the reader continues the story opens out into a great psychological horror that will not disappoint the reader! Due to the content I would recommend that the reader is of mature age of at least 17yrs.

The homeless guy in the boarded up house across the street is also one that has his demons (and for me could have easily been a development of a scavenging character from one of Matthews’ previous books, On the Lips of Children). For he sees and hears more than you would expect. Whether it is partly due to his drug intake or a ‘gift’ he has it adds a deep sense of grittiness, mystery and fear and the reader cannot help but long Lilly to have nothing to do with this character. Of course, Lilly might just get sucked into some inevitable danger as the reader is pulled into the horror too.

Mark Matthews has written Milk – Blood in a clever manner, being able to use some personal experiences and developing them into a suspenseful horror. And not all meets the eye to begin with but as the story wraps up (which it does superbly well) the reader is treated to a little more and realises that there certainly is a purpose for every character mentioned! Despite there being many horrific and tragic scenes, the real horror is where the story takes us – the end result.

This is written in a fantastic way and I love how the reader has no sense of the bigger picture until the conclusion! Although my personal favourite book of Mark Matthews is On the Lips of Children, this one is very close, using a blend of horror from On the Lips of Children as well as the social and dramatic elements of the author’s Stray. (The links of Stray and On the Lips of Children will take you to my previous reviews and some background info on Mark Matthews with On the Lips of Children review.)

A copy of Milk – Blood was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

Milk – Blood is available on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Milk – Blood was recently released in June 2014. The cover design is from Kealan Patrick Burke of Elderlemon Design, and the story was edited by Richard Thomas, Editor in Chief at Dark House Press.

The term upon which the title is based, “Milk-Blood” was made famous in the Neil Young Song “The Needle and the Damage Done.” A companion piece featuring a character from Milk-Blood, The Damage Done, is available for free on Amazon and has been receiving tremendous reviews.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

July 16, 2014 by Tina Williams

Review of ~CRIMSON SINS~ by Madeline Pryce

Deliciously Dark and Decadent – A MUST READ!

Erotic Paranormal Romance – 18+ read – contains violence, gore, mention of rape, torture, images of past abuse, spanking.

Book Blurb

Created in Darkness and born of Death, three brothers carry a deadly secret.

One lethal enough to have the dead outnumber the living. Necromancer. Biohazard. Zombie. The abomination inside Bastian Hale demanded constant payment—fresh blood. Without it, he’d rot from the inside out and become little more than a mindless monster. Some called him a living vampire, others considered him contaminated. One woman would call him hers.

Morgan Cross never understood the innate necromancer power running through her veins or why ghosts and zombies sought to ruin her life. When someone’s deadly obsession throws her into Bastian’s arms, their pasts come back to haunt them and she must avoid the one thing she was born to do—claim him as hers.

WARNINGS: violence, gore, mention of rape, torture, images of past abuse, spanking.

My Review

Deliciously Dark and Decadent

Erotic Paranormal Romance 18+read

Crimson Sins is a deliciously dark and decadent erotic paranormal read – utterly compelling and original. It introduces us to a world of magic, necromancers, zombies, ghosts, and more and contains a heady and combustible mix of smokin’ hot romance and scenes of horror. It is without doubt one of my top reads of 2014.

I ADORED the hero Bastian, a tortured alpha hottie who is immediately drawn to Morgan, the heroine. He wants to protect her, not only from his father Ronan, but also from himself as he believes that he is not worthy of a woman’s love. Morgan’s own life has not been easy as she has struggled to cope with her ability to see spirits and has been grossly misunderstood. She is shocked to realise that she is a powerful necromancer and despite her independence welcomes Bastian’s help in protecting her from his father, who desires her for his own evil ends. I LOVED how Morgan’s powers grew throughout the novel and how the couple united in battling Ronan.

Ronan is a formidable adversary and will stop at nothing to achieve his ends, including his evil sorcerer’s magic. Can Bastian open his heart to trust a female necromancer whose own magic could enslave him just as his father’s had?

The lovemaking scenes between Bastian and Morgan are sublime – graphic, scorching hot and emotionally intense and left me in no doubt that the couple are destined to be together. These scenes contrast with the bloody and visceral scenes of horror and violence which illustrate the evil that is Ronan, Bastian’s father.

The enduring bond between the three brothers, Bastian, Rory and Nathan, who had shared so much pain and abuse in the past was also a feature of the read which I enjoyed. Although this book focuses on Bastian we are afforded an insight into what makes his equally tortured and hot siblings tick and I seriously hope that Madeline Pryce will be penning their own books soon!

The pacing of the book and the balance between the scenes of magic and action and horror with the romance and lovemaking scenes were perfect. If you like erotic paranormal romances, with strong references to horror you will love this book too. Go forth and buy Cimson Sins now! You will not be disappointed!

A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK B&N

Connect with the Author

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June 26, 2014 by Caroline Barker

MILK-BLOOD by Mark Matthews released on 24th June 2014

Already reaching the Top 100 horrors on Amazon upon it’s release, A Reader’s Review Blog is excited to provide the press release details for the supernatural horror MILK-BLOOD by Mark Matthews. I cannot wait to review this one in the next few weeks!!! But for now, check out the blurb and quotes from early reviews, as well as the links! Enjoy!!

“One of the most anticipated reads of the summer.” –The Horror Bookshelf

MILK-BLOOD, by Mark Matthews, is now available on Amazon. It is a tale of urban horror set in Detroit that may be unlike anything you’ll read all year. MILK-BLOOD is the follow up to On the Lips of Children,the author’s debut piece of horror. The cover design is from Kealan Patrick Burke of Elderlemon Design, and the story was edited by Richard Thomas, Editor in Chief at Dark House Press.

What’s it about?

Lilly is ten years old, born with a heart defect, and already addicted to heroin. Her mother is gone from her life, and there are rumors that she was killed by her father and buried near the abandoned house across the street. The house intrigues her, she can’t stay away, and the monstrous homeless man who lives there has been trying to get Lilly to come inside.

For her mother is there, buried in the back, and this homeless man is Lilly’s true father, and both want their daughter back.

Praise for MILK-BLOOD

“An incredibly powerful story and one of the most original horror novels I have read in years. Guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat!”—The Horror Bookshelf

“I had to keep on reading no matter what, not able to break its spell.” -Goodreads Librarian

“The originality and tension of the urban horror story, Milk-Blood is evident on every page. Matthews takes you to some very dark places, twists and turns, with the rabbit hole going deeper and deeper, until there is no way out. Not for the faint of heart, this story of love, loss, family and acceptance is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.” — Richard Thomas, author of Staring Into the Abyss

“What a dark, twisted and bizarre book this was. One of the most striking urban horror stories I have read in a long time.” —Author Adam Light

“This is a helluva story. A discomforting tale of true inner city horrors, told by characters so real they pop off the page. Add the supernatural mix to the story and it really grabs you by the throat. Very much recommended!”— John F.D. Taff, author of Little Deaths

MILK-BLOOD

$2.99 for kindle

$6.99 in Paperback

You can also check out our review of On the Lips of Children, also by Mark Matthews.

April 3, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Blue Moon (The Blue Crystal Trilogy #1) by Pat Spence (blurb, review & GIVEAWAY)

Not only do we have the pleasure in reviewing the latest book published by Hashtag Books, the brilliant supernatural horror Blue Moon (The Crystal Trilogy #1) by Pat Spence BUT we are also giving away 2 ebooks! For a chance to win one all you have to do is add your name in the comments list below (or on our Facebook page)! The two lucky winners will be randomly selected on Sunday 13th April 2014. Good luck, guys 🙂

BLURB: “Forget vampires,” he laughed dismissively.

“Who wants to drink blood for eternity? What we have discovered is far more seductive and a great deal more dangerous…”

When 17-year old Emily Morgan meets beautiful but strange Theo de Lucis, there is an immediate attraction between them. But what is his secret? What ancient link ties him to Emily? And what is the significance of the Blue Moon Ball?

As Emily is drawn irrevocably into the glamorous and mysterious world of the de Lucis family, so she is forced to change every perception she has ever had about life, love, aging and death. The truth is terrifying and the consequences unthinkable…

A supernatural horror story, based on society’s obsession with aging and the desire for eternal youth, Blue Moon is the first book in the ‘Blue Crystal’ trilogy…

“For all ‘Twilight’ fans who want a change from vampires, this is the book for you.”

REVIEW:

To say I LOVED Blue Moon is an understatement. I was spellbound from very early on in the story as the characters and mystery captivated me. The intensity is ongoing as the heartbeat keeps pounding through the supernatural mystery and horror. Blue Moon is likened to ‘Twilight’ without the vampires, and to begin with that is the feel of the story as the main character Emily Morgan first meets with Theo and Violet de Lucis. However, Blue Moon took me on a nostalgic journey as Enid Blyton was mentioned, albeit a more mature read. As Emily secretly tries to find out more about Theo and his family she puts herself in grave danger at times as she explores Hartswell Hall alone, with the risk of being caught.

The language and descriptions throughout Blue Moon are very powerful, allowing the reader to feel every sense of fear that Emily experiences. Pat Spence creates amazing atmosphere, some moments are eery and dark, whilst other scenes are touching and warm. The story was so profound that one scene in particular had me almost in tears!

Two examples of the language and the power it has over the reader are extracts from early on in the story when Emily first encounters Theo and her thoughts on meeting him:

Extract 1 (the encounter)

“Gazing into his eyes, I was lost in their intensity. It was like looking into the bluest sky and carrying on to infinity. I felt mesmerised, hypnotised and transfixed all at once.”

Extract 2 (Emily’s reaction)

“This was like nothing I had ever encountered before. It was all consuming, all-powerful and quite simply beyond my sphere of experience. Some deep inner instinct warned me it might almost be dangerous, but this simply added to his attraction and, if I’m honest, gave me the greatest thrill of all.”

The reader can relate to Emily on many levels. We all feel love, and her love for Theo is deeper than any other. She is drawn to him and has a connection that only they seem to sense, Theo even moreso. Emily is confused at times, not knowing whether to believe Theo’s story as some parts make sense but it is all too fairytale-like! Is he just a fantasist or is there meaning behind what he says?

Firstly, there is the sheer beauty of the whole of the de Lucis family. One finds it impossible to overt their gaze. And how soon do they rebuild Hartswell Hall and it’s grounds to an impeccable level? Surely that cannot be! The reader truly becomes more and more surrounded by strange happenings, incredible characters (including Dark Ones, shapeshifters and reptilia) and questions with few answers. You become absorbed into the story just as deeply as Emily is.

As the story begins to touch on the idea of eternal youth, or the alternative, that is when the secrecy and mystery begins as well as the horror. I found the horror scenes to be horrendous, hideous and more psychological than gory. They certainly encourage you to think about the ageing process and the lengths that some go to in order to retain their youthfulness.

Emily’s family and friends are the characters that keep her truly grounded and help her to feel ‘normal’. Living with her mother and grandfather provides Emily with the support she needs from a loving family who only wish the best for her. And being able to speak to her friends, Tash and Seth, allow Emily the outlet she needs by being there for her when she feels she needs to talk and seek reason. However, Theo just has this hold over her and Emily can’t let go.

I recommend Blue Moon for readers 15yrs+ due to the subject matter and horror. Readers will be as captivated and drawn to Blue Moon as I was. I cannot wait for the second instalment.

A copy of Pat Spence’s Blue Moon (The Blue Crystal Trilogy #1) was provided by Hashtag Books for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

You can find ebook and paperback versions on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A COPY (2 copies up for grabs)! CLOSING DATE IS SUNDAY 13TH APRIL 2014 – just add your name in the comments below or on Facebook!

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

March 20, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Cry Heaven Cry Hell… The Return of Miss Mary Weather by Deno Sandz

From the original novel in 2001: “Miss Mary Weather: A Southern Nightmare,” a sequel arises. In a rural black community in the Deep South, there is a myth of a woman who is the most terrifying female creature ever unleashed in this world. Will’s battles with the evil woman continue from childhood to adulthood. The protagonist, Will defeats her: however his eldest son begins dreaming of the evil woman’s return. +++Now, after many years of forgetfulness and the tragic death of Will Sr. and his wife, Miss Mary Weather has truly returned bringing perdition and no absolution with her to collect more souls and to finally destroy the bloodline of the one man who defeated her….making the world as we know it, “Cry Heaven, Cry Hell.”

Cry Heaven Cry Hell… The Return of Miss Mary Weather is a fast-paced horror with a paranormal element, focusing on a mythical female creature who intends to end the bloodline of Will’s family. In the process she also terminates anyone associated with Will, i.e. friends, care family, etc. Be afraid, guys, as Miss Mary Weather can appear at any time and can control all that is around her! Due to the horror scenes I would recommend this book for those aged 17 yrs+.

The reader is provided with a nice introduction of Will Jnr’s family life and background which enables the reader to visualise and relate to Will. Due to this explanatory introduction, as well as various mentions of the previous book throughout, The Return of Miss Mary Weather can be read as a stand alone. I, myself, haven’t read the first book, however, I usually do recommend this as it does provide the reader with even the smallest of details that could help the reader to relate with the characters and events.

Throughout the story there are many different scenes of horror that are well-described, graphic and, therefore, remain quite vivid in the reader’s mind. During some of these scenes the reader will recognise the fear of the victim. However, I felt that many of these scenes needed a little more build up and description to create more suspense to really allow the reader to feel the fear in a more dramatic, dark and touching way. At times, it did seem that the reader was leaving one scene of horror to another, without chance to cool down from the previous one. In doing this, the reader can feel a little confused and it can take a few moments to realise what is taking place.

My two favourite characters are Officer Franks and Will Senior. Officer Franks is a beat cop who usually finds himself attending the scenes where Will and/or his friends are being threatened. Although not visible to many, Officer Franks can actually see Miss Mary Weather and this side of the story left me intrigued as I was trying to figure out why he could. What was the connection?

I also enjoyed reading about Will Snr. After being killed in circumstances surrounding Miss Mary Weather, there are moments when Will Senior’s ghost appears to Will and his friend to warn them of the danger and who it involves. Although he had met a tragic ending, it appears that by doing so he actually was able to aid Will Jnr.

Although a little confusing at times, the whole story wraps up nicely at the end as all is explained. And I did enjoy the little twist at the end. I do like surprises when I read a fictional book and Deno Sandz certainly added that element here.

The language and style of writing of Cry Heaven Cry Hell… The Return of Miss Mary Weather makes it easy for the reader to follow and imagine. It is to the point and a quick read, written with great imagination from the author. The idea of some of the scenes are memorable and certainly stand out. However, I feel that overall it would benefit with some more editing/proofreading which could really make this novel more enjoyable and easier to read.

A copy of Cry Heaven Cry Hell… The Return of Miss Mary Weather was provided by the author, Deno Sandz, in return for an honest and fair review.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

December 12, 2013 by Caroline Barker

1 day to go for WILL DAVIS’ ‘DEMONICA’ ebook GIVEAWAY

Wow, guys, we’ve had a quite a few entries for Will Davis’ twisted, dark, modern-day fairy tale Demonica Giveaway! Thanks to all of those that have entered. Good luck 🙂

For those that haven’t yet, please check out the book blurb and our review. All you have to do to enter the competition is enter your name in the comments box below or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AReadersReview.

Closing date is Friday 13th December 2013 for this fearsome Friday giveaway. You’ve nothing to lose.

We have two copies to giveaway.

The winners will be randomly selected on Saturday 14th December and will be notified in due course. Fingers crossed!

Oh, and please share via Facebook, Twitter etc – the more the merrier!

Caroline 🙂

December 6, 2013 by Caroline Barker

Stilts (Tessa Dark Trilogy #1) by Tim O’Rourke

STILTS = ORIGINAL + FUN + FASCINATING

Oh wow! Stilts has blown my mind!!! Such an original idea combined with the need to survive in this great dystopian adventure and not without the conflicts of character, along with a sweet romantic element. Needless to say, I absolutely LOVED this story from beginning to end! Yes, Tim O’Rourke has done it again with his fascinating imagination for story and characters as well as his ability to keep the reader constantly surprised!

‘Stilts’ is the first book in a new dystopian trilogy by #1 bestselling author Tim O’Rourke.

While eighteen-year-old, Tessa Dark was serving her prison sentence for murder, the world beyond her cell walls changed forever. The thunder came and destroyed the world she had once known.

Trapped inside the prison and faced with no future, Tessa’s only glimmer of hope is her friendship with fellow inmate Joe McBride.

Despite Tessa’s fear, Joe decides to go beyond the prison walls to seek help. But when he fails to return, Tessa is determined to go and search for him.

To gain her freedom, Tessa must first learn to walk, run, and fight on stilts if she is to survive the new and terrifying world on the other side of the prison walls.

When I looked at the words ‘Chapter One’ and read the first sentence “My elbow crunched into his face” it had me straight away. And that is a great example of Tim’s writing, direct, to the point and providing plenty of curiosity for the reader to want (and have) to read on!

The concept of the stilts is a very original idea. Before reading the book I was a little unsure of how this idea could be used in a believable way but I have to say it does work and it works brilliantly! The stilts are used to help the prisoners to survive. And the main focus of ‘Stilts’ is the need to survive for the sake of mankind. Trapped in a prison, it isn’t too long before supplies run out and in order to leave for more they need some way to try and avoid being attacked by Scorchers. Elements of the story early on reminded me a little of ‘The Walking Dead’ tv series. However, instead of zombies here we have Scorchers who have an easy ability to melt/scorch anything they touch.

The turning point is certainly when Joe leaves the prison in the hope of bringing back help. When he doesn’t return hope seems lost. The reader really experiences the rawness of Tessa’s determination to be able to find Joe and help for all of the inmates. These are desperate times and Tessa will do anything for a chance to find Joe. During Tessa’s adventure the reader is not hidden from the destruction and horror in which the thunderstorm has created. Many of the scenes involving the Scorchers are edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting, excruciating excitement. All of the action scenes are intense, dramatic and gory at times.

Tessa is a great heroine and, for me, not too unlike Keira Hudson from Tim’s Keira Hudson series. Tessa is a strong, decisive, young woman who, when challenged in some pretty terrifying ordeals, she rises above with her head held high and gives it what she’s got. I love her energy, her practicality and her drive. However, unlike Keira, Tessa has been on the wrong side of the law and trouble has come to her. ‘Stilts’ is told from Tessa’s point of view and reads like a narrative, allowing the reader to always be with Tessa and understand all of her thoughts and feelings.

Joe is adorable. Although very much a character to keep himself to himself, especially after past experiences, he almost has no option but to try and fit in after realising there are only those within the prison walls that have been unaffected by the change of the world. It isn’t too long before he finds a friend in Tessa and as their relationship blossoms so do the romantic gestures and dialogue. The writing is truly beautiful, so sweet and heartwarming. It certainly pulls on the heartstrings and the reader could lose a tear or two!

An example of a romantic moment between Tessa and Joe is when Tessa realised Joe had been keeping a CD player in secret:-

‘“Why didn’t you show it to me sooner?” I asked, my face just inches from his.

“Because I preferred to listen to you hum,” he smiled, leaning in and kissing me gently on the cheek.

Closing my eyes, I kissed him back. We danced together cheek to cheek in the workshop while the music played softly all around us.’

One of my favourite areas of Tim’s writing is the describing of the scenery. Tim always makes it so intensifying and exciting, allowing the reader to understand where the characters are and how they deal with their surroundings and the weather. However, whilst some authors can be a little too descriptive Tim writes in such a way that it is incorporated with the characters and their actions, whilst allowing the reader to imagine it for themselves. In ‘Stilts’ the world as we know it becomes cracked, smoking, and even the sky is a constant shade of red. It is absolutely fascinating stuff!

Already ‘Stilts‘, being the first of a trilogy, is making me a little sad to think that after the next two books it will be over. I didn’t want to stop reading about these characters. The only dislike I had was having to finish it. I’ll certainly be looking forward to the sequel, due for release in 2014!

A copy of ‘Stilts’ was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

‘Stilts’ is published by Hashtag Books and was released on the launch of the publishers, 1^st December 2013, along with Alan Williams ‘Gentleman Traitor’ (soon to be reviewed) and Will Davis’ ‘Demonica’. Please check out our review of ‘Demonica‘ and enter your name for a chance to win an e-copy of the book!!!

‘Stilts’ is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

Tim’s books are suitable for for young adults and over. To read our reviews of many of his other novels please click on the titles below:-

Vampire Shift (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 1)

Vampire Wake (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 2)

Vampire Hunt (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 3)

Vampire Breed (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 4)

Wolf House (Potter’s Story) (Kiera Hudson Series 1 Book 4.5) – novella

Vampire Hollows (Keira Hudson Series 1, Book 5)

Dead Flesh (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 1)

Dead Night – Potter’s Secrets (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 1.5) – novella

Dead Angels (Keira Hudson Series 2, Book 2)