Halloween, or Samhain, as it is commonly known, is the top topic for this week's newsletter. How could it be otherwise?
By the time I was nine years old, I had read everything ever written by Edgar Allan Poe. Obviously, I was a huge horror fan. Then and now, I read many horror books by many authors. It was in my blood for sure.
Before the days of television (yes, I'm that old) I listened to some of the great radio shows like Inner Sanctum, Suspense, Lights Out, and many more. I was introduced to many delightful episodes of these shows before I had turned five. Many more great shows and episodes can be found at:
https://www.artofmanliness.com/living/entertainment/scary-old-time-radio-shows/
When I was in high school, I would rush home from school and turn on Zacherley, The Cool Ghoul, on our television while I was getting ready to go to work He was a cult figure with not only the high school gang but adults, as well. A fixture of the Shock Theater fame, he was a huge celebrity in the 1950s and 1960s. Playing the host known as Roland, he introduced me to many of the great horror shows of that time. He even had a hit record, Dinner With Drac.
Some of the great movies I loved in the fifties and sixties were Them, Creature From The Black Lagoon, The Fly, Godzilla, The Thing, House On Haunted Hill, The Mummy, The Blob, all the Frankenstein movies, The Invisible Man, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, and House Of Wax, as well as all the Werewolf and Dracula films.
Of course, that wasn't the end of my horror movie watching. Every decade since then, I've always been able to find more and more great movies.
I've been fortunate enough to meet some great authors and actors at a number of horror conventions around the country. New York City, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Cheyenne, and more. If you get the chance to attend any of these in your area, I suggest you do so.
Before I go into some books that I happen to like, let it be said once again that these are books that I like and suggest. That doesn't mean that every reader will feel the same way. I always read a sample of a book before I purchase it. That's my method for picking out books. I'm reading one now that a famous author suggested highly. It's an okay book, but I wouldn't rank it as high as many other books I've read. My sentiments.
So, here are some horror books that I enjoyed:
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A Jar Of Fingers (The Complicated Life Of Deegie Tibbs): By C.L. Hernandez
Deegie is an independent young witch with a lot going on—maybe too much. She has a funky little shop full of magical items, and a tendency to cast crazy spells whenever the mood strikes her. But when her boyfriend and her traitorous next-door neighbor get together, she takes swift revenge and goes off to live in the back of her overcrowded bus, and not for the first time.
So when the strange old house on the other side of town goes on sale, she’s the first one to snatch it up. Complete with ghosts in the walls, a murderous history, and a basement filled with impossible things, like a jar of human fingers . . . and its very own demon.
Deegie’s going to need all her magical skills and inspired spell-casting—and some help from her slightly mad friends—to satisfy the ghosts and send the demon back where it belongs.
Don’t miss the next two books in the series: The Witch War of Fiddlehead Creek and Seven Deadly Ghosts!
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A great read by C.L. Hernandez! Don't miss.
Blaze McRob
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BLOOD SPATTER: BY TERRI DELCAMPO & BLAZE MCROB
Blood Spatter, a collection of horror stories by Terri DelCampo and Blaze McRob, is the perfect Halloween read. There are some gory little gritties hiding within its pages. This was the first book for Blazing Owl Press, and Terri and I are pretty proud of it.
Hit the above link and read our ample free sample section. You will see what we have to offer you. I'm up to my usual snarky shenanigans right off the bat.
We hope you take us up on our Samhain offering. We'll keep the candy bowl filled and the light will be on as you hop up on the porch for a little Trick or Tweet. Don't slip on the blood spatter. With Terri and I, Halloween lasts the entire year.
Blaze McRob
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Book description:
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ZACK PARTIES WITH BLAZE ON SAMHAIN NIGHT.
THE LUST DEVIL FINDS HIS VIRGIN TIGHT.
HEADLESS NATIVE ON A QUEST.
GOLDIE HAS A PIG-OUT FEST.
THE ATLAS IS NO PLACE FOR SOME DOCS.
GREED DEVILS THE HUMAN SPECIES MOCK.
THE HANFS OF JERSERY ARE A MYSTERY.
WITCH HAZEL HATES SLOTHS THROUGH HISTORY.
MEET MR. JACK ON DEVIL NIGHT.
FIGS GIVE NUDISTS QUITE A FRIGHT.
BALTHOR CLAIMS HIS VIRGIN BRIDE.
DOLORES ENVIES YOU YOUR HIDE.
DANNY LOOKS OUT FOR HIS NAMESAKES.
GIANT PUMPKIN ANGER WAKES.
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Cover art and poetry description by Terri Delcampo.
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Ghost In The Machine: By 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
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Since I wrote the above review, Bruce has expanded his great story. Now he has even more bang for the buck. Gotta love that!
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BOOK REVIEW FOR - THE LAST VAMPIRE; BY KATHRYN MEYER GRIFFITH
I've said it once, and I'll say it again. The Last Vampire, by Kathryn Meyer Griffith, is my favorite end-days novel. I can't recommend it highly enough. Check out my review below.
Blaze McRob
Book description:
Emma Bloodworth once had a normal life, a loving husband and two children, a cat, a good job in the city, and she was happy. Then, for her, everything changed…as the world ended. The earthquakes, the global floods and the devastating fires arrived first. The human race, displaced and panicked, at first fled, migrating to any place there was food and shelter. Then the worldwide plague arrived with its waves of death. And as mankind suffered and died out, vampires, their numbers dwindling from the same sickness, struggled and fought fiercely among themselves to survive in a world where there weren’t enough humans left to feed upon. As the months went by the vampires become fewer, more desperate and ruthless. Emma, as the world disintegrated around her, found herself alone, the old life she’d known, her family and friends all dead…and fighting off an unnatural hunger as she became one of the undead. Defying her unwanted destiny she was determined to resist the increasing bloodlust, the need to kill and feed on human blood, of losing her humanity, for as long as she could bear it, but she was so hungry, and the night, the wolves, called. And then she met Matthew and was no longer alone…but could the love she felt for him protect him from her hunger; could her love protect him from the other vampires?
Vampire With A Difference,
By Robert C. Nelson
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This review is from: The Last Vampire: Author's New Revised Edition (Kindle Edition)
Too often, vampires are either the horrific beasts of old or the new romantic heart throbs. I prefer the nasty buggers. This novel certainly has those, but it also comes up with an entirely different concept which personalizes the protagonist and endears her to your heart. Without destroying the story for you, when you blend this in with the other horrific aspects of the world taking place, it becomes riveting, drawing you in to see where the author is going to take us next. Just when I thought I had it figured out, there would be new twists and turns. My kind of novel! I read roughly 100 novels a year. The Last Vampire is at the top of my list.
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and find out some great things about this fantastic author. I'm going to have to put up some more information about her since she has a brand-new book out. She's a busy young lady and keeps active in many aspects of the horror genre. Keep your peepers open for more about Denise.
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That's it for this week. More is on the way.
Happy reading.
Blaze McRob
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