LOST AND LONELY by Brian James Freeman

LOST AND LONELY by Brian James Freeman

Interior art by Glenn Chadbourne

Releasing Spring 2018 

Published by Cemetery Dance Publications

(from the book description)

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This new collection by Brian James Freeman features characters who are haunted by horrors they think are out of their control, but perhaps the source of their greatest terrors is closer to home than they ever feared possible.

In “Losing Everything Defines You,” a bestselling author’s family mysteriously vanished three months ago, yet if they’re really missing, why is he hearing footsteps in the hallway outside his bedroom door every night?

Patty knows that everyone makes mistakes in life and when it comes to “Loving Roger,” she wants to fix the errors of her ways and make everything right again.

William Carver and his family fled the colonies to escape a monster stalking their community, but the western plains might not be the safe haven they had hoped for once they hear “How the Wind Lies.”

When Melissa was a little girl, her father told her that all children were like “Perfect Little Snowflakes,” each was different and unique in conception, but you never knew where they would land once they hit the ground.

And finally, a mother doesn’t remember when the coldness began to fester inside her and now she’s terrified for her baby as she suffers from “The Plague of Sadness.”

These five thought-provoking stories show why Stewart O’Nan has said Freeman’s writing has “great velocity and impact” and why Publishers Weekly has called his work “highly readable.”

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Lost and Lonely is a new collection of short stories written by Brian James Freeman. Most are reprints from previous releases with one new story (Perfect Little Snowflakes) added to round off the book. This is the first time they have been collected together.

If you have read any of Brian's work you will know that he has the uncanny ability to bring about a feeling of dread, like someone is just waiting around the corner and you are afraid to take that last step and look. These stories just cement Brian's place as a master of the art. 

A short story can be a small but complex animal. Sometimes the size leaves the reader wanting more or too much can be crammed into the few pages to make a story that ends too abruptly and the narrative can just be lost.

That does not occur here. The author has crafted stories, that in only a few pages, leave the reader frightened, uneasy, maybe saddened and most importantly, satisfied.

There could not be a better title for this collection. Each story will touch a cord with the reader. For what do we all fear the most but the loss of what we hold dear and the ever crushing feeling that loneliness brings into our lives.

If you are a fan of Brian James Freeman's past works or a first time reader, this is one release you will not want to pass up.

LOST AND LONELY can be pre-ordered from Cemetery Dance Publications.

To learn more about Brian James Freeman and his work, visit his website HERE.

                                                                                                                           Jim Coniglio

                                                                                                                           1/26/2018 

BROKEN SHELLS by Michael Patrick Hicks

BROKEN SHELLS by Michael Patrick Hicks

Releasing Feb. 6th 2018 

Published by High Fever Books

(from the back cover...)

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Antoine DeWitt is a man down on his luck. Broke and recently fired, he knows the winning Money Carlo ticket that has landed in his mailbox from a car dealership is nothing more than a scam. The promise of five thousand dollars, though, is too tantalizing to ignore.

Jon Dangle is a keeper of secrets, many of which are buried deep beneath his dealership. He works hard to keep them hidden, but occasionally sacrifices are required, sacrifices who are penniless, desperate, and who will not be missed. Sacrifices exactly like DeWitt.

When Antoine steps foot on Dangle's car lot, it is with the hope of easy money. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a deep, dark hole, buried alive. If he is going to survive the nightmare ahead of him, if he has any chance of seeing his wife and child again, Antoine will have to do more than merely hope. He will have to fight his way back to the surface, and pray that Jon Dangle's secrets do not kill him first.
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   Let me start off with a warning. If you are looking for a story with a few scares and an ending to make you feel all warm and fuzzy, this is not the book for you. In fact just set it down slowly and run away.  

Michael Patrick Hicks has managed, in only 120 pages, to craft a terrifying, steamroller of a story.

There is no stop in the action as you advance page to page. The author makes you immediately connect with the main character Antoine, who is down on his luck and just looking for a possible break. When Antoine is thrust into the dark, you are along for the ride, whether you like it or not.

And in the dark is where this story shines. Hicks makes you feel dread, like the walls are closing in as you read. And in the dark there are monsters. The author's take on an existing myth is a thing of dark horrifying beauty. I don't want to give away the creatures, but they will stay with you long after reading.

I can't wait to see if Michael Patrick Hicks will expand on this great new mythos that he has created.

{And I will never be able to look at those annoying Car Dealership mailing adds the same way again.}

BROKEN SHELLS will be released on Feb. 6th and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

For more info on Michael Patrick Hicks and his works, visit his website HERE.

THE WICKED by James Newman

The Wicked by James Newman

Originally published in HC by Necessary Evil Press 2007

Original paperback published by Shock Totem 2012

Revised and Expanded Edition by Apex Books 2017

(from the back cover...)

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After a fire consumes the Heller Home for Children, the residents of Morganville, North Carolina, thought they knew evil...

They were wrong

Unaware of the turmoil in their new hometown, the Littles - David, Kate and seven-year-old Becca - are moving from New York City to Morganville in hopes of repairing their own lives, which were recently shattered by an act of sexual violence.

Before long, David realizes that his family's troubles are worse than he could ever have imagined.

An ancient demon lurks beneath the town of Morganville, an unholy creature conjured into existence by the Heller Home tragedy.

Its name is Moloch.

It is hungry for the souls of the townspeople.

But worst of all, Moloch wants the children. It will not rest until it has them.

All of them.

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That is some build up. The first thing that caught me as I read the description was the use of the name Moloch. He or shall we say it, has been a character/deity used in many a novel and movie. He even showed up in the Sleepy Hallow tv series. So another Moloch tale. Lets give it a try.

James Newman does not disappoint. This is as close to a classic 80s horror paperback as you can get. In fact he states in his afterward that he was shooting just for that feel. Being a fan of the 80s horror boom, this was a awesome change compared to some stories today. 

I do not want to give any spoilers, I want everyone to be surprised on this roller coaster ride of a narrative.  The characters are all well fleshed out, with just enough background for us to care about them, but not so much as to feel overburdened. The tension and feel of oncoming doom makes you turn page after page without wanting to stop. I often sit and tell myself that I will stop after I get to a slow spot and pick up later, well during the 2nd sitting with this book i couldn't stop. As I turned the last page, let out a silent "wow" and looked at the clock, which somehow had advanced to 3am. 

The wicked contains all the scares, blood and sex we could ask for and presents it in a way we don't see to often anymore. 

I received this copy from The Nocturnal Readers box and is stated as Revised and Expanded. It makes me want to search out a copy of the original and compare the differences. There are also some very cool illustrations scattered throughout and a bonus story at the end.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is available on Amazon and other booksellers.

So get cozy, read it in a dark room with just your reading light on and try not to flinch at any strange noises in the night.

Blowing The Dust Off The Keyboard.

I have to say straight off that it has been over 10 years since I had a active blog. Back in 2005 I had a review blog that I kept up for a few years, but then life intervened and I had to abandon it. I always meant to go back to it because I enjoyed it so much. Years passed, situations changed and life goes on. Now as I lead the semi-retired life of a somewhat old man, time seems to be on my side. Finally I have time to return to what I enjoy doing. Reading, writing and sharing thoughts and ideas. I in no way imply to be a professional writer. I do it for myself and hope others might get some enjoyment and insight out of it. If I review a book or movie that sounds interesting to you, go out and buy it or see it. Support the writers, directors, artists and publishers.

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