Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Blaze McRob's Book Review for "Noble Rot" by Carson Buckingham


Noble Rot by Carson Buckingham

Noble Rot, by Carson Buckingham, is a delight of a tale to read. It blends horror, the paranormal, ghosts, and thrills all in one fantastic novel. None of Carson’s books are the same. Every one is new and refreshing. Add in Carson's exquisite humor in the most perfect places, and you'll see why Carson is one of my favorite authors. Give this one a try. You'll be glad you did.

Blaze McRob

Book description:

What would you pay for half a huge duplex, ideally located and completely furnished with beautiful antiques that you could take with you, free of charge, if you ever move?

The answer is—next to nothing.

But why?


Allison Pilch discovers that what initially seems idyllic carries a horrific hidden cost.

With neighbors she hears but never sees, a creepy room that she keeps locked, and a new boss with a disturbing affliction; Allison will have her sanity stretched to the limit.

Oh, and let’s not forget a steadily growing, but inexplicable dread that arrives out of nowhere…

Sunday, September 9, 2018

THE TRAGIC, FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF ZOMBIES



https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/how-america-erased-the-tragic-history-of-the-zombie/412264/

Hit the link above and get a history lesson which deals with real-world horror. The article by The Atlantic is short and well worth your reading time. Do you know all about Zombies? Maybe not.

Blaze McRob


Friday, September 7, 2018

BOOK REVIEW FOR - GOTHIC REVIVAL - BY CARSON BUCKINGHAM




https://www.amazon.com/Gothic-Revival-Carson-Buckingham-ebook/dp/B00MU1F8MM/ref=cm_rdp_product_img#nav-subnav

Here's my book review for Gothic Revival, by Carson Buckingham. This is a great novel!
Blaze McRob

Book description:

Alex and Leo Renfield are a husband and wife contractor team who’ve recently moved to the village of Woodhaven, Connecticut to escape the chaos of life in New York. Pretty close to broke, they meet Theodora Hamilton, a somewhat unsavory and odd individual, who offers them an astronomical amount of money to repaint the first floor of her family home.

But along with the huge paycheck comes a set of unsettling rules that must be followed explicitly if they are to accept the offer; one of which is they must reside on the property having no direct contact with the outside world until the job is complete.

Is Theodora Hamilton just an eccentric woman with a peculiar way of doing things, or is there a more sinister agenda that Alex and Leo are unaware of? What exactly does she have in store for this down-on-their-luck couple who have no choice but to accept the offer and the strange requirements that come along with it?

Gothic Revival Is Carson Buckingham's Masterpiece!, November 9, 2014
By
Robert C. Nelson
5 out of 5 stars
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Gothic Revival (Kindle Edition)
Gothic Revival, by Carson Buckingham, is the author's best work to date. One would think a 536 page novel would have some slow, drawn out sections, but not for Carson. She is a master at Gothic story-telling and knows how to keep the story moving.

I am particularly impressed by the fact there is no elaborate over-description involved. To me, that is boring. Give me some action; some psychological horror. Carson gives the reader all the description she/he needs without describing every useless tid-bit a reader doesn't want to know.

How does she do this? Through her skillful use of dialogue. Too many authors are totally without dialogue skills. Carson could write a non-fiction book on the subject. But then again, anyone who reads Gothic Revival will see what I'm talking about. Her dialogue is written the way people actually talk. Fancy the concept! She has hit upon a secret so simple that it eludes far too many authors.

Now I come to a part of Carson's writing that I really enjoy. Her sense of humor. What, you ask, humor in Gothic horror? You betcha. Once more, Master Carson Buckingham comes riding along on her trusty steed and delivers the right amount of humor at the perfect time. Superb!

Take dialogue unmatched by any author past or present, add in humor, suspense, romance, and a foreboding creepy feeling polishing it all off, and you have Carson Buckingham.

You will notice my review does not tell you the details of the story. Yikes! Why do that? Read the description and the free sample for that. I'm here to tell you about the author's skills. Of that, Carson has many. Besides, I wanted to blurt out some goodies, but that would have been a spoiler. Not my style.

Gothic Revival is a masterpiece!

Friday, August 31, 2018

THE NIGHTMARE PROJECT - BY JO-ANNE RUSSELL


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077ZTBRBQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i5

The Nightmare Project, by Jo-Anne Russell, is one fantastic tale of psychological horror. Jo-Anne goes to the very edge of the abyss of insanity and hangs there with her tortured heroine, long enough so you don't know if she's coming back from it or if she'll take the plunge into a pit of no return. This is a chiller well worth every penny and more.

Welcome to The Nightmare Project!


Blaze McRob

Book description:

Julia Montgomery, a mother of two finds herself in a tug of war between the living and the dead when the asylum where she resides places her in an experimental therapy pilot program called The Nightmare Project.

Friday, August 24, 2018

COBWEBS - BY C. L. HERNANDEZ


http://www.amazon.com/Cobwebs-C-L-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B00IK6BC1W/ref=sr_1_18_twi_kin_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459440376&sr=8-18&keywords=cl+hernandez

C. L. Hernandez is a favorite author of Terri DelCampo and me. Cobwebs is the collection of wonderful horror shorts that introduced me to this skilled author. Read our reviews below. Believe me: you will find a new favorite author. She is that good.


Book description:

A mummified hand seeks revenge. A harmless witch gets pushed a little too far. The Grim Reaper falls victim to a prank. This is the kind of ghoulish fun you'll find in Cobwebs, volume one of C. L. Hernandez's Horror Story Six-Packs! Six ghoulishly crafted stories to keep you awake long into the night! Try one a day, or be a glutton for punishment, and devour them all at once!

5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent ooky fix
ByTerri DelCampoon April 10, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Six different recipes for keeping awake at night. Hernandez weaves creepiness and dread into a horror merengue that oozes down your spine and chills your marrow.

5.0 out of 5 starsThere Are No Cobwebs In C.L. Hernandez's Head! This Collection Is Brilliant!
By Robert C. Nelson on March 14, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Cobwebs, by C.L. Hernandez, is a brilliant collection! I am new to this author, having stumbled across her when she asked to be my friend on Facebook. This collection would be outstanding for an established author, let alone a new talent on the scene. She is a classic example of why I love to read horror written by women authors. There is that special something and she "has" it!

All of these stories are awesome. And they are all so different. There is not only humor sprinkled into this collection, there is sarcastic wit bandied about - my favorite kind! Give The Man A Hand proves that.

The Leaf Lady is a wonderful revenge story. I am screaming to say more, but I would ruin it for you.

Stage Dive is the shortest one and it floored me because of the ending. Superb!

Death In A Bottle shows me the intelligence dwelling within this story. This is my favorite in the collection! The Grim Reaper versus . . . versus a most cunning adversary.

Brie Noir has horror, revenge, love, and witchcraft all wrapped up into a superb tale. Oh. It also has cheese.

Tub toys is the most chilling one in the collection. You know something is going to happen, but when and how?

There you have it! Six fantastic stories from an author I want to read more tales from. You will love every story! My personal guaranty!

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

BOOK REVIEW FOR - TOUCHING SPIRITS: CONTACT - BY JD PHILLIPS


https://www.amazon.com/Touching-Spirits-Contact-JD-Phillips-ebook/dp/B018NVCT2O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Here is my book review for Touching Spirits: Contact, by JD Phillips:

Robert C. Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Jumping Ghost!
February 16, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
JD Phillips has a fantastic tale in Touching Spirits: Contact! She tells the story from the perspective of a ghost. This poor spirit is lost in an afterlife, unsure of how he got there. He deals with things as best he can, taking the good with the bad. He discovers there are perks to being a ghost, but there are also things that are beyond his control.

One of my favorite lines in this novel is, "Still, the afterlife ain't all fireflies and rainbows, you know, or else damn near everyone would jump ship early to join the party."

Obviously, there is humor in this story: a lot of it. I won't add in some of the fantastically witty phrases JD fills this book with, but there are some that had me laughing out loud! Don't let that make you believe there is no horror in this tome. There is. Plenty of it.

Picture a ghost making a believer of a non-believing paranormal TV star and getting him to help solve a murder case. Add in hi-jinks of the highest order. Supply some touchy-feely moments and glimpses into the soul which show good as well as bad traits of humanity. Combine and stir well. Voila! You have Touching Spirits: Contact!

I recommend this book highly.


Book description:

Real live spook (Killian A. Black) decides to make Dusty's life hell until he agrees to do the right thing and help solve a murder.

Hijinxs ensue.

"Who says dead can't be fun?"

You'll love this novel!


Blaze McRob

Saturday, August 18, 2018

MONSTERAMACON COMES TO MY HOME TOWN!



Alpharetta, Georgia will be the site of Monsterama on October 5-7, 2018. There are many cool people coming. Click on the headings at http://www.monsteramacon.com/ and see all the great actors, authors, and more who will be there. With any luck, you will bump into my lovely wife, Terri DelCampo, and me. We'll be lurking around and could very well be breathing down your neck. Shenanigans will abound! See you there.

Blaze McRob

Monday, August 13, 2018

BOOK REVIEW FOR - BE PARANOID BE PREPARED - BY DINA RAE


https://www.amazon.com/Be-Paranoid-Prepared-Dina-Rae-ebook/dp/B007U00VFW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

This is a book review I did a number of years ago for Be Paranoid Be Prepared, by Dina Rae. I love this short story!

Blaze McRob


Book description:

A James Martin adventure and short story. While working in a strip club, James falls in love with a stripper. She is not what he expected.

5 out of 5 stars
Be Paranoid Be Prepared-The Ultimate Prepper Tale!
ByRobert C. Nelson on May 13, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
|
Verified Purchase
I love this little short by Dina Rae! Be Paranoid Be Prepared tells us what to look out for in this world of uncertainty: hinting that perhaps the crap will hit the fan sooner than we wish. The author takes us on a behind the scenes adventure in a strip club gone crazy with great visuals, leading us along a path that James Bond would love to traverse. The way this story starts in the past, combining real life horror with present world conditions makes me want to read the next installment. NOW!

Sunday, August 12, 2018

BOOK REVIEW FOR - CRAWL SPACE - BY DONA FOX



Crawl Space, by Dona Fox, packs a lot of pure horror into a short story. Dona is one of my favorite horror authors. This creepy back and forth, let me sort this out in my mind one more time story, will not depart from my thoughts for quite some time. If it ever does. I love to play a story around the gray matter and exhaust all possibilities. Dona has done that for me while still making me think, "Wow! Did I just read what I think I did?"

A lost girl, a wicked doll, and a sweet child brought into the mix. Who wins? Who loses? Fork over your 99 cents and find out. Let it walk around in your dreams. 5 Stars all the way!


Blaze McRob


Book description:


Claustrophobic, disturbing, and creepy. A lost girl is kidnapped and held for years by a dangerous man. Her doll takes the brunt of his abuse in place of the girl. Then the man is killed in a bloody and brutal attack. Now she must protect her own child from the jealous, intrusive, and sometimes vicious toy. Who will survive when they enter the crawl space under the house? Quiet horror that punches all the buttons.

Friday, August 3, 2018

BRIAN KEENE'S HISTORY OF HORROR FICTION


https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/brian-keenes-history-of-horror-fiction/

Go to the link above and read the outstanding posts that Brian Keene is writing at Cemetery Dance. So far, he has six chapters written plus a special one about Jack Ketchum. None of these chapters are to be missed. Brian takes great care to get his point across to you. His detailing is superb, and his attention to horror as it involves religion is truly spot on. Don't take my word for it. Get over there and read Brian's fantastic treatise.

Blaze McRob 

Saturday, July 28, 2018

GREAT POST ABOUT LIBRARIES BY LOIDA GARCIA-FEBO

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/editorials/article/77590-libraries-are-better-stewards-of-taxpayer-dollars-than-corporations.html
I love this post by American Library Association president Loida Garcia-Febo. Publishers Weekly posted it at the link above. It's well worth a read. Libraries are a special place for many people to visit for so many reasons. Give some love to your libraries!

Blaze McRob

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

GREAT REVIEW BY DONA FOX FOR - JAMES REBORN - BY TERRI DELCAMPO


https://www.amazon.com/James-Reborn-Terri-DelCampo-ebook/dp/B01IW69888/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469285520&sr=1-1&keywords=james+reborn#nav-subnav

Dona Fox, a fantastic horror author, and one of my Women In Horror, wrote a super review for James Reborn, by Terri DelCampo.

Dona Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly Frightening! Will shake you to your core.
March 2, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
Terri DelCampo is a fabulous writer with a diabolical mind. In James Reborn each new revelation, each unveiling of another, darker level to which the human species is capable of sinking, brought a fresh shock of wonder at the genius behind the relentless evil unfolding on the page. So painful, so physically emotive; I had to set the book aside to breathe. Visceral and truly frightening, though I had to pause for sanity’s sake, I could not stop until the end. If you want a well-written book that will shake you to your core, this is it.



Thank you, Dona! Terri is overwhelmed by your kind words, especially having them coming from such a talented author.

                                                               *    *    *    *

James Reborn is Terri DelCampo's best work yet, in my opinion. This is over the top horror. Terri holds nothing back. If you're looking for a great tale of psychological horror, give this novel a try. Terri has given you a generous free sample of the story so you can get a feel for her book.

Happy reading!

Blaze McRob

Book description:
Writer travels to mountain cabin,
Looking for a peaceful retreat.
On a quiet hike for thinking
A frightening sight her eyes did meet.
Young man imprisoned in a dog pen
Helpless to Pa's sadistic whim.
Writer can't believe the horror
And the injustice done to him.
She becomes involved in drama
More frightening than she's ever known.
For James and Pa bring out her instincts
And sides of herself she'd never known.


James Reborn is now available at many more digital stores  https://books2read.com/u/bMQpaX, and is able to be read for free at your local library https://www.overdrive.com/media/4169504/james-reborn. If they don't have a copy, ask them to order one for you. There is no cost to you. 

Saturday, July 21, 2018

CAMP NANOWRIMO WINNER


I've finished my novel for the July Camp NaNoWriMo. It's called Mother Earth's Revenge. It came in at 60,045 words. It's time for my personal edits before my editor gets it.

Synopsis:
One calamity after another strikes the planet. Can anyone survive what is constantly tossed at them? One small band in Wyoming believes they can. This could be the last chance for humanity.

Can't sit on my laurels. Time to get going on my next project.

Blaze McRob

Friday, July 20, 2018

DOGS, SKUNKS, AND OTHER RUNNERS


The photograph above shows me in a fifty-mile running race that I won forty years ago. I'm the guy in second place at that juncture in the race. The reason I bring this up now is that my upcoming book, Dogs, Skunks, And Other Runners, has gotten a bit out of hand and is at the point where I might be publishing this in more than one volume. I'll figure it out and let you know. My running career was a big part of my life for many years. I competed against some of the best runners in the world. Also, I had many solitary runs in natural surroundings and have some amusing stories to share. Thus my title. I'll let everyone know when this book, or books, is getting ready for its debut. To my running friends: happy running. To my readers: happy reading.

Blaze McRob

Friday, July 13, 2018

THANK YOU FOR BUYING OUR BOOKS


Terri DelCampo and I want to thank our loyal fans who buy our books. It's nice to know we are appreciated for what we do. There are many authors selling books and it takes time to develop a following. We try to price our books in such a way that even people who don't have a lot of disposable income can enjoy our tales. Terri's Owl's Eye View magazine is only 99cents and is chock full of ooky and spooky. We have small and large collections at prices from $1.99 to $9.99. Some of these collections are huge. We always offer a generous free sample at places such as Kindle and others. Some of the larger collections show as many as four short stories. Also, our entire catalogue will soon be available to read for free at libraries in eBook form. I'll keep everyone up to date on which ones are available when they come up. This includes our novels as well as our collections. This is another way for us to say thank you.

Once more: thank you for buying our books. We sincerely hope you get much enjoyment from them.

Blaze McRob

Thursday, July 5, 2018

GHOST IN THE MACHINE - BY BRUCE LOCKHART 2ND



https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Machine-Bruce-Lockhart-2nd-ebook/dp/B0737WTDW9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498699160&sr=8-1&keywords=bruce+lockhart+2nd

Ghost In The Machine, by Bruce Lockhart 2nd,  is a fantastic short story you won't want to miss! Bruce is one of my favorite horror authors! I have suggested a number of his books for you to read in the past, once even saying one of his stories was a literary masterpiece. If you think I'm blowing smoke up your ass, just read the free sample for this great story on Amazon. I know you'll hit the buy button.

I tried to leave a review on Amazon, but it appears that they are getting a bit finicky about who they allow to post reviews. Their new rules are that a reviewer has to have purchased at least $50.00 worth of merchandise in the last year, using a valid debit or credit card. I purchased Ghost In The Machine, but I used an Amazon card that I bought. All my books bought on Amazon have been bought using Amazon cards. Untold hundreds of dollars over the years. It seems strange that Amazon won't recognize their own cards as being valid for reviews. At any rate, here is my review:


5 out of 5 stars!

Another Literary Gem by Bruce Lockhart 2nd!

Ghost In The Machine is a short story of thirty-seven pages by Bruce Lockhart 2nd. This exemplary   tale grows with each word. I have read many of Bruce's books, and I always know I'm in for a treat. The one thing I don't know is where and when he will deliver the finishing blow. He never fails to tease you with his poetic prose before administering a gloriously satisfying finish. This story is acceptable and fantastic reading for teens, YA readers, and adults. Everyone can get in on the fun.

I have a science background, and Bruce did more than satisfy me with this story. Things that he mentions could happen. His characters' names are great. Black-spit is my favorite. And, I get personal satisfaction in the part where he helps an Autism patient with horrible speech problems being able to talk and communicate well. All this from his wonderful machine.

This tale is a gem to read, my friends. I guarantee it!


Blaze McRob



Book description:

I hope you enjoy my short story 'Ghost in the Machine', as it deals with a broken man trying to cope with the death of his wife by creating a machine that will let one relive any memory in perfect detail.

Saturday, June 30, 2018

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGES FOR TERRI DELCAMPO & BLAZE MCROB


https://www.amazon.com/Terri-DelCampo/e/B00NDX02AY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1513610585&sr=1-2-ent

https://www.amazon.com/Blaze%20McRob/e/B006XJ1I94/ref=la_B006XJ1I94_pg_4?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB006XJ1I94&page=4&sort=author-pages-popularity-rank&ie=UTF8&qid=1513610816


Not to toot our horns or anything, but Terri DelCampo and Blaze McRob have 89 books between us on Amazon. Okay, I guess I am tooting our horns. Check out our Amazon Author Pages and see what we have. There's some mighty fine reading there. Look at our individual and shared books with other authors. You will find something to tickle your fancy for sure. Just saying.
Blaze McRob

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

CLINTON ROAD, NEW JERSEY





I posted this a couple years ago, but it is cool, so it deserves a re-post.

                                                            *    *    *    *


Clinton Road, in New Jersey, has been voted the most haunted road in the world. There was never a doubt in my mind. I lived close to there for many years and often ran on the road. What a rush! The greatest thing a horror author can experience is that prickly feeling on the back of your neck when something is out there. I have written many stories about the horrors along this road and plan to write a novel based on the legends and what I have personally experienced.



From Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Road_%28New_Jersey%29

Clinton Road (New Jersey)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A typical stretch of Clinton Road
Clinton Road is located in West Milford, Passaic County, New Jersey. It runs in a generally north-south direction, beginning at Route 23 near Newfoundland and running roughly 10 miles (16 km) to its northern terminus at Upper Greenwood Lake.
The road and the land around it have gained notoriety over the years as an area rife with many legends of paranormal occurrences such as sightings of ghosts, strange creatures and gatherings of witches, Satanists and the Ku Klux Klan. It is also rumored that professional killers dispose of bodies in the surrounding woods—with one recorded case of this occurring.[1] It has been a regular subject of discussion in Weird NJ magazine, which once devoted an entire issue to it. In the words of a local police chief, "It's a long, desolate stretch and makes the imagination go nuts."[2]
There are very few houses along the road and much of the adjoining property is undeveloped publicly owned woodlands (either City of Newark watershed or state forest) and the road itself is a narrow two-lane highway that receives little maintenance, is not part of New Jersey's county-highway system and was until fairly recently unpaved for some of its length, connecting two areas of minimal population and growth and thus having little traffic even at the busiest times of day.
It is also notorious for having the country's longest traffic light wait.[3] This occurs at a double intersection where Route 23 crosses the road. The two lights can cause motorists to wait for 5 minutes in total. The lengthy wait was a result of traffic planners giving increased priority to Route 23 to reduce the tailbacks during rush hour.[4]

History


The sign for Clinton Road at Route 23, its southern end.
The road, like the reservoir and brook in the area, gets its name from the now-vanished settlement of Clinton, which was located about where the road crosses the brook.[5]

Legends and folklore

There are several tales regularly told about different areas along or near Clinton Road.[6]
  • The ghost boy at the bridge: At one of the bridges over Clinton Brook (Dead Mans Curve) near the reservoir, if you put a quarter in the middle of the road where the yellow line is, at midnight it will supposedly be promptly returned by the ghost of a boy who drowned while swimming below or had fallen in while sitting on the edge of the bridge. In some tellings an apparition is seen; in others the ghost pushes the teller into the water if he or she looks over the side of the bridge in order to save him from being run over as he was in life.
Besides the ghost boy, there have been other ghosts described by Weird NJ readers. One claims to have seen a ghost Camaro driven by a girl who supposedly died when she crashed it in 1988 (any mention while driving the road at night is supposed to trigger a manifestation).[7] Another claims to have encountered two park rangers one night while camping with friends near Terrace Pond, a glacial tarn on a ridge accessible from the road by hiking trails, who in the morning turned out to have been the ghosts of two rangers who had died on the job in 1939.[7]

The 18th-century smelter mistakenly believed to be a Druidic temple.
  • The Druidic temple: A conical stone structure just east of the road south of the reservoir was said to be a site where local Druids practiced their rituals, and horrible things might come to pass for any intruder who looked too closely or came at the wrong time.[citation needed]
The building is actually an iron smelter left over from the 18th century when the ore was common in the area and needed for the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Clinton Furnace in 1976.[8] It is currently fenced off by the Newark water department to prevent any entrance and the liability for injury that might result.
  • Ghost truck: There are accounts of phantom vehicles: pickup trucks or even floating headlights not attached to any vehicle that supposedly appear from nowhere in the middle of the night and chase drivers to the end of the road, then disappear.[9]
  • Strange creatures, from hellhounds to monkeys and unidentifiable hybrids, have allegedly been seen at night. If not of supernatural origin, they are said to have been survivors of Jungle Habitat, a nearby attraction that has been closed since 1976, which have managed to survive and crossbreed.[10]
  • Some visitors to the area report also seeing people dressed weirdly at odd hours who simply stare at those who see them and do not speak. Sometimes these people disappear or are apparently not seen by those present.[11]
  • Lastly, some travelers have reported a feeling of uneasiness or mounting dread as they drive down the road, sometimes so great that they have to turn back.[12]

Cross Castle

In 1905, a man named Richard Cross built a castle on high land near the reservoir for his wife and three children. Later in the 20th century, it fell into ruin after a fire had destroyed part of it and thus became a popular destination for hikers and local teenagers looking for secluded locations to camp out and have parties.[12]
It was also widely believed to have played host to gatherings of Satan worshippers and their sacrifices. Several past visitors have written to Weird NJ telling of strange occurrences in or near the castle site, such as people going into seizures and bruises appearing on their bodies afterwards, or having strange, disturbing visions. Writings that suggest Satanism have been reported as appearing on the castle's interior walls, particularly in areas that were supposedly inaccessible.[12]
Newark's water department razed the castle as an attractive nuisance in 1988, but the foundations remain and several hiking trails can still be followed to the site.[12]

The Iceman

One day in May 1983 a bicyclist going down the road noticed vultures feasting at a spot in the nearby woods. He investigated and discovered it was a human body.
An autopsy found that the man had died of foul play but also something initially puzzling: ice crystals in blood vessels near his heart. His interior organs also had decayed at a rate far slower than his skin. Pathologists concluded that someone had frozen his body after death in an attempt to mislead investigators into believing he died at a later time than he actually did.
The man was identified as someone on the periphery of Mafia activities in nearby Rockland County, New York. The investigation ultimately led to the 1986 arrest of Richard Kuklinski, a New Jersey native involved in Rockland organized crime who confessed to being the killer of not only the victim at issue but a veteran hit man for the mob. He claimed to have killed over a hundred others and similarly treated their bodies, which earned him the nickname "The Iceman." He pled guilty to five of the murders and received two life sentences, which ended with his death in March 2006.[1]

Other realities behind the stories

Reports of Ku Klux Klan activity in the area may come from the presence of the German-American Bund, which maintained some camps in the area in the years prior to U.S. entry into World War II. A number of local residents also were reportedly Bund members.
Weird NJ has also published an e-mail from a correspondent who had claimed to have been a practicing Wiccan and said that he and fellow adherents built shrines in the area and practiced casting spells, which he said accounted for some of the stories people told. He claimed there was a lot more of this activity than the magazine's editors knew about.



Here are the top five most haunted roads in the world.

5. Belchen Tunnel, Switzerland – The ghost of an old lady is known to haunt this Swiss road. One report said two women picked her up and she warned them something dreadful was going to happen. Then, she disappeared.
4. Stocksbridge Road, UK – Also known as the Killer Road, has been home to many ghostly sightings. Some security guards witnessed children playing on the road late one night, but when they disappeared before the guards could reach them. And the ghost of a monk has been known to appear on the road's bridge.
3. Highway 666, USA – Travelers on this haunted American highway have had reported speeding ghostcars, packs of devil dogs and a flaming, demonic semi truck that seems to drive right at the spooked traveler.
2. Tuen Mun Road, Hong Kong – Locals blame the high number of car accidents on the sudden appearance of ghosts in the middle of the road. A person will appear in an instant forcing the driver to swerve and crash. They say with every new carfatality, a new ghost will haunt the road.
1. Clinton Road, New Jersey – When visiting this haunted Garden State road, make sure you toss a coin into the river at the Old Boy Bridge. The ghost of a boy who drowned will throw it back. There have also been sightings of UFO's, mutated circus animals and mysterious glowing eyes.


How fitting that New Jersey rocks the charts!


Blaze McRob

CAMP NANOWRIMO



Well, I'm doing another Camp NaNoWriMo. I wrote a novel last November for the regular NaNoWriMo. In April I wrote another novel for Camp NaNoWriMo, and next month ( July ) I'll be writing another one. I have to keep busy. After all, I am a writer.

The title of my next one will be Mother Earth's Revenge. This is a thriller/adventure/horror/suspense tale with a few other things tossed in for good measure.

Synopsis:
One calamity after another strikes the planet. Can anyone survive what is constantly tossed at them? One small band in Wyoming believes they can. This could be the last chance for humanity.

I hope you'll enjoy it after it's published.

Blaze McRob

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

BLAZIN' TOYBOX - BY TERRI DELCAMPO & BLAZE MCROB




What kind of toys live within your children's toybox? If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to do so, but make sure the light is on and you're not alone. You're not afraid of toys? Read Blazin' Toybox, by Terri DelCampo and Blaze McRob, and your mind might very well be changed.
The toys in these eleven twisted and horrific tales are begging you to come and play with them. Don't keep them waiting.


Blaze McRob


Synopsis: 

Never a demonic rag-doll burn!
Mother paints child-killer's fate that turns. 
Tearful Teddy protects abused kids in a home.
Genius infant solves Rubik's Cube in this tome.
Cheating parents set up by blue-eyed stuffed cat.
Gnome and Cathy of neato surprise do chat.
Misused Vodou doll is no laughing matter.
Beware china dollies if your children you batter.
An evil-battling doll always grins.
Action figures versus Boogieman, how many to win?
Tiny soldiers and daughter must avenge vet dad.
All sorts of stories about good toys gone bad.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

EBOOKS ONLY FOR BLAZING OWL PRESS



Terri DelCampo and I have decided that Blazing Owl Press will remain an eBook only Press. We were thinking of adding in print books, as well, but we decided against it. I know a lot of people will think we're wrong for going this way, that we'll be hurting ourselves with this kind of limiting factor, but our decision is based on the fact that we are green-minded. We live on a wooded lot and look outside every day and see trees, leaves, and more. We constantly talk about conservation of all kinds. It lessens our footprint on the planet.

A lot of people talk about dead tree books, and they're completely right. None of that for us. We are not demanding the industry does as we do. This is our way to give something back to the planet we live on. Climate change is already at work, and it's not for the best.

I know this is perhaps a small thing in many people's eyes. Others will say we're depriving ourselves of money. Maybe. Maybe not. We have just expanded the number of digital stores where our books are sold. We have other plans in the works. However, none of these plans call for destroying trees or polluting the ground with chemicals needed to transform the trees into paper. This is a highly technical era we live in. We aim to use the best of what science has to offer.

Thank you for reading this.

Blaze McRob 

Thursday, April 26, 2018

I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK - BY MICHELLE MCNAMARA



I'll Be Gone In The Dark, by Michelle McNamara, is one fantastic non-fiction book that will grip you tightly. It is the result of painstaking work and research by the author. This is real-world horror that displays the worst that human-kind is capable of. Notice the review by Stephen King.

This great book is taking the world by storm after the capture of the purported demon responsible for so many murders and rapes. Get your copy while you can.

Blaze McRob


Introduction by Gillian Flynn
Afterword by Patton Oswalt

“I’ll Be Gone in the Dark will undoubtedly be stocked in the True Crime section, which is fine, but in so many ways it’s a brilliant genre-buster. It’s propulsive, can’t-stop-now reading, which makes it all too easy to ignore the clean and focused writing.

What readers need to know—what makes this book so special—is that it deals with two obsessions, one light and one dark. The Golden State Killer is the dark half; Michelle McNamara’s is the light half. It’s a journey into two minds, one sick and disordered, the other intelligent and determined. I loved this book.”   —Stephen King

A masterful true crime account of the Golden State Killer—the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California for over a decade—from Michelle McNamara, the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case.

"You’ll be silent forever, and I’ll be gone in the dark."

For more than ten years, a mysterious and violent predator committed fifty sexual assaults in Northern California before moving south, where he perpetrated ten sadistic murders. Then he disappeared, eluding capture by multiple police forces and some of the best detectives in the area.
Three decades later, Michelle McNamara, a true crime journalist who created the popular website TrueCrimeDiary.com, was determined to find the violent psychopath she called "the Golden State Killer." Michelle pored over police reports, interviewed victims, and embedded herself in the online communities that were as obsessed with the case as she was.

At the time of the crimes, the Golden State Killer was between the ages of eighteen and thirty, Caucasian, and athletic—capable of vaulting tall fences. He always wore a mask. After choosing a victim—he favored suburban couples—he often entered their home when no one was there, studying family pictures, mastering the layout. He attacked while they slept, using a flashlight to awaken and blind them. Though they could not recognize him, his victims recalled his voice: a guttural whisper through clenched teeth, abrupt and threatening.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark—the masterpiece McNamara was writing at the time of her sudden death—offers an atmospheric snapshot of a moment in American history and a chilling account of a criminal mastermind and the wreckage he left behind. It is also a portrait of a woman’s obsession and her unflagging pursuit of the truth. Framed by an introduction by Gillian Flynn and an afterword by her husband, Patton Oswalt, the book was completed by Michelle’s lead researcher and a close colleague. Utterly original and compelling, it is destined to become a true crime classic—and may at last unmask the Golden State Killer.

Monday, April 23, 2018

CAMP NANOWRIMO WINNER


I've completed eight November NaNoWriMo's, but this is the first year I've entered the Camp NaNoWriMo. There's one in April and one in July. I managed to squeak out 73,417 words for a novel titled Wolf Whispers. This is an unusual horror/suspense tale that I hope you'll enjoy. I'll keep you posted on the publication date. Time for me to polish it up before my editor sees it. I don't want her laughing at me.

Blaze McRob  

Friday, April 6, 2018

BOOK REVIEW FOR - TEN TO MIDNIGHT - BY SUZIE LOCKHART & BRUCE LOCKHART 2ND



I've reviewed a number of short story collections from Suzie Lockhart and Bruce Lockhart 2nd. Ten To Midnight is another gem flying at you from their fingertips. I just purchased this new short story of theirs. You will love it. My review is below.
Blaze McRob

Book description:

Ten to Midnight
By Suzie Lockhart & Bruce Lockhart 2nd
Presented by DigitalFictionPub.com

TEN TO MIDNIGHT Is A Horrific Romp through Time!, July 17, 2016
By
Robert C. Nelson

 5 out of 5 stars
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Ten to Midnight: Digital Horror Fiction Short Story (Digital Fiction Short Story) (Kindle Edition)
Ten To Midnight, by Suzie Lockhart and Bruce Lockhart 2nd, takes you on a ride of uncertainty, one with many stops and detours, until it reaches its climax. And what a climax it is! I never knew what fate had in store for Donnie. It's not easy for a short story to tell a tale of horror like this one does, using the theater of the mind to paint a vivid picture and create a crafty plot within a shorter form. Not many authors can do this. Suzie and Bruce can. They manage to fit all the pieces together in an ingenious, delightfully wicked manner.
You can't go wrong with Ten To Midnight. Times wasting. Latch onto a great read. You'll love the ending!

Saturday, March 31, 2018

CAMP NANOWRIMO


I've decided to write another novel in April this year, and what better way to do it than with Camp NaNoWriMo? I've done seven straight NaNo's in November, and it's time to start a new tradition in April. This time around, I'll be writing Wolf Whispers, a thriller/suspense novel.

Synopsis:
A man wakes to find he has no knowledge of his life. Who is he? What is he doing in this hospital bed? Why can he not remove a voice from his mind, one he recognizes, yet one he can't explain?

I've been meaning to write this for a number of years now and am finally getting around to it. I should get at least 60,000 words written for it. The completed novel will probably be longer. I can't say for sure, since I'm a seat of the pants author and what happens, happens. Most of my novels are in the 75,000 to 90,000 word range, so I believe it will be longer. Besides, I have some totally new to me elements that I'll be introducing.

That's all I'm saying for now. I'll let you know when I'm finished.


Blaze McRob 

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

TERRI DELCAMPO'S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE



 
There's a super Amazon Author Page in town, and it belongs to the Queen of Ooky: Terri DelCampo. Go to the link above and be transported to a scary place where horror abounds and no quarter is given. Revel within her Amazon Author Page and find 42 great novels, novellas, short story collections, and more to be perused. And visit Owl's Eye View Magazine, where her professional career began. There are links and more links. Bedevilment everywhere. Don't be caught on the outside looking in. Click https://www.amazon.com/Terri-DelCampo/e/B00NDX02AY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1495308304&sr=1-2-ent

Be there, or be square!


Blaze McRob

Monday, February 19, 2018

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BOOK ADDITION


Most authors like increasing the number of books they have for sale. Makes total sense, does it not? Sure it does, or does it? I have eleven of my short stories and my tales within anthologies in which the rights will revert back to me. Actually, all of them already do. However, the publisher is shutting down and I have a choice to make. Do I republish them or do I do something else?

I once believed that short stories were a way to get your longer books noticed. Could be, but for a 99 cent book, you're only getting 35 cents. So what will I do? I will at some point put these stories in collections and sell them that way. I have hundreds of them. My plan is to have collections in different word counts. I will charge $2.99 and $3.99 for a lot of them. Not bad for a 20,000 to 40,000 word collection. With a decent sized free sample on Amazon, readers can still get a sampling of my writing. Also, I'll get 70% of my sale on Amazon: that's $2.10 to $2.80 for these collections

As for the bigger collections, those in the 70,000 to 90,000 word range, I'll charge $6.99 to $9.99 for them, the same as I do my novels. That will give me royalties of $4.90 to $7.00.

So, the subtraction of eleven of my works will add to more over the long run. I'll polish them up a bit and make them better. My readers will receive value. That's what I like. I hope they will enjoy what they read.

I have many stories in anthologies with other Presses than Blazing Owl Press. They will remain where they are. They have good homes there.

Quality is always better than quantity, I believe. I have many new novels coming out as well as collections, and I want my readers to enjoy all of them.

Happy reading.


Blaze McRob

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

FINDING SUSAN - BY KATIE METTNER






Finding Susan, by Katie Mettner, came out on October 26th, 2017. I bought my copy! Yes, I know I write horror, but I read many genres and Katie is a talented author. Also, if you go to http://www.katiemettner.com/2017/10/finding-susan-cover-reveal-and-interview.html, you will be able to read an interview between Katie and the young lady who is the inspiration for this novel. She has been a friend of mine for a number of years now and is a person I really like and admire. So, I guess you see why I'm recommending this book. How could I not? Katie transfers non-fiction to fiction in a fantastic way.
 
Right now, this great romance novel is on sale for only 99 cents. 


Blaze McRob


Book description:


A real life story of deceit, acceptance, and the quest to find true love, while staying true to yourself.

The last thing Renay Skovgaard expected was to find herself a victim of a catfisher. No stranger to online dating, Renay didn’t see it coming until it was too late, and she’d already lost her heart.

Months after the catfisher had faded away, and time had healed the wound, Renay was finally able to grasp the truth behind the encounter. She was in love with the woman in the image she carried around in her back pocket, not the person behind the screen. Her hazel eyes were the same pair she’d seen since childhood, and she was ready to find the woman she knew only as, Susan Walters.
The last thing Olga Weber expected her first night at Oktoberfest was to come-to-face with the woman she couldn’t live without. Her kindness, humor, and easy going way of making her feel safe drew her to the woman like a moth to a flame. Olga knew the game she played was dangerous, because a woman like Renay could destroy the make-believe life she’s worked for years to build. After one chance meeting she could feel the walls of her closet crumbling around her, and she knew her life was about to change…forever.

Olga and Renay find themselves falling in love; one woman comfortable with her sexuality, the other uncomfortable in her own skin. A bottle of wine and a sweet, languid kiss told Olga the time had come to decide if Renay was worth fighting for, and if true love could conquer all.


Wednesday, January 17, 2018

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR US AT PREDITORS & EDITORS READERS' POLL 2017



Terri DelCampo and I are honored to have finished in the top ten in twelve different categories at Critters/Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll for 2017. We want to thank those who nominated us and all the super folks who voted for us. All your votes are much appreciated. Terri received eight Top 10 Finisher awards, and I received four. We placed as high as second, third, and fourth in some of these categories. The competition was fantastic, so placing as well as we did is certainly a great honor for both of us.

I will start off our Top Ten Finisher awards with Terri.








Mine are here.





Once again, thank all of you who supported us. To see Terri do as well as she did brought me great joy. She has worked hard for many years.

Blaze McRob





Saturday, January 13, 2018

ALL SIXTEEN NOMINATIONS FOR TERRI DELCAMPO AND BLAZE MCROB AT PREDITORS & EDITORS READERS' POLL


January 14th is the last day to vote at the Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll. Terri DelCampo and Blaze McRob have been nominated for sixteen awards. Here they are, along with the voting links.

Terri's nominations:

1. Horror Short Story published in 2017


2. Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Story published in 2017


3. Poem published in 2017


4. Book/e-book Cover Artwork published in 2017


5. Magazine/e-zine Cover Artwork published in 2017


6. Author published in 2017


7. Poet published in 2017


8. Magazine/e-zine Editor


9. Books Publisher


10. Fiction e-zine



Blaze's nominations:

1. Short Story (All other genres) published in 2017


2. Anthology published in 2017


3. Nonfiction article published in 2017


4. Book Editor ( Robert Nelson is actually Blaze McRob ) 


5. Review site


6. Writers's Resource/Information/News Source


We understand that we have a lot of nominations here. We certainly don't expect people to vote for us in all of them, nor do we expect to win all of them. There are some categories we are close in. Others, not so much. It is feasible we could win some. That would be great, but the competition is keen. Placing in the top ten in a number of them would be great. So, we would be appreciative of any and all votes. By the end of the day tomorrow, the contest will be over. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Blaze McRob