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If you found a jar of pennies attached to wishes that would come true after you read them, would you be able to leave the jar alone?
A Penny For Your Thoughts by Robert Ford & Matt Hayward is a tale that centers around exactly that. It’s a tale that is filled with suspense and unease, a splash of violence, and a ton of heart.
The main character, Joe Openshaw, has recently gotten out of prison. While he’s determined to turn his life around, he can’t help but waver from time to time. And sometimes, the pull toward something he knows he shouldn’t be doing is just too strong…
The phrase “be careful what you wish for” is definitely at play here!
This tale totally sucked me in right from the first chapter. It has such wonderful pacing throughout that will keep you fully engaged and a writing style that flows easily from scene to scene. I loved that the style was both beautiful when it came to the heartwarming bits and some of the description, but then it was also jarring and harsh when it needed to be.
The main plot was so interesting! I loved how we slowly got deeper and deeper into the mix as the story progressed to see just how this little town was affected by the wishes. Just like the characters- even though I knew reading more wishes was a dangerous endeavor, I also had a ton of curiosity that had me hoping that they would read a few more.
I also absolutely loved each of the characters with all of their quirks and harebrained ideas, even if I wanted to scream at them through the pages!
My Favorite Passages
There was a momentary swirling of expression as the woman turned back to me, like watching thunderheads in a smoked mirror. Her eyes grew dark as her fears vanished, leaving nothing but hot anger.
Hearing Ava say it out loud back to me made it seem insane, but then, the waters we’d been swimming in lately were all a bit murky when it came to defining crazy.
Angie stayed on my mind like bubblegum on a shoe.
Joe, there are things out there that make this life worth living. Rain tapping the window while you read a good book in bed. Christmas as a child. The taste of something warm on a winter’s day… and the first honest-to-God compliment that scares the butterflies all across your stomach.
My Final Thoughts
I couldn’t write down anything negative about this book if I tried! It is such an awesome tale; so original and captivating! I highly recommend this!
I cannot wait to read the follow up, Lady Luck, which is expected to be published on August 27th 2020 by Poltergeist Press!
A Penny For Your Thoughts by Robert Ford & Matt Hayward is a tale that centers around exactly that. It’s a tale that is filled with suspense and unease, a splash of violence, and a ton of heart.
The main character, Joe Openshaw, has recently gotten out of prison. While he’s determined to turn his life around, he can’t help but waver from time to time. And sometimes, the pull toward something he knows he shouldn’t be doing is just too strong…
The phrase “be careful what you wish for” is definitely at play here!
This tale totally sucked me in right from the first chapter. It has such wonderful pacing throughout that will keep you fully engaged and a writing style that flows easily from scene to scene. I loved that the style was both beautiful when it came to the heartwarming bits and some of the description, but then it was also jarring and harsh when it needed to be.
The main plot was so interesting! I loved how we slowly got deeper and deeper into the mix as the story progressed to see just how this little town was affected by the wishes. Just like the characters- even though I knew reading more wishes was a dangerous endeavor, I also had a ton of curiosity that had me hoping that they would read a few more.
I also absolutely loved each of the characters with all of their quirks and harebrained ideas, even if I wanted to scream at them through the pages!
My Favorite Passages
There was a momentary swirling of expression as the woman turned back to me, like watching thunderheads in a smoked mirror. Her eyes grew dark as her fears vanished, leaving nothing but hot anger.
Hearing Ava say it out loud back to me made it seem insane, but then, the waters we’d been swimming in lately were all a bit murky when it came to defining crazy.
Angie stayed on my mind like bubblegum on a shoe.
Joe, there are things out there that make this life worth living. Rain tapping the window while you read a good book in bed. Christmas as a child. The taste of something warm on a winter’s day… and the first honest-to-God compliment that scares the butterflies all across your stomach.
My Final Thoughts
I couldn’t write down anything negative about this book if I tried! It is such an awesome tale; so original and captivating! I highly recommend this!
I cannot wait to read the follow up, Lady Luck, which is expected to be published on August 27th 2020 by Poltergeist Press!
My goodness… These two tales are INSANE! To be fair, Kelli did warn me!
If you’re into dark and very brutal horror, you gotta check out Left For Dead and Fall From Grace by Kelli Owen.
As this small book held two stories, I will add my notes about each of them separately below.
Left For Dead – 5/5
Oh. My. God. This tale was totally horrific. The situation that set it off was the worst of the worst. Something only a true monster could be capable of. The violence was brutal and vividly descriptive.
The feeling after finishing this one though? I can’t wait for you to find out for yourself!
My Favorite Passages
Somewhere deep inside Susan, a weak voice sounded nervous and tried to break her, but was drowned out quick enough by the constant hum of anger in her mind.
Susan struck a match and held it under the glass globe of the hurricane lantern, igniting the mantle. Light filled the room and the shadows receded, growing darker, holding their secrets tighter.
Fall From Grace – 5/5
This is a very rare five star rating for me. I usually save my five stars for tales that I will happily re-read time and time again. However, with this tale, I don’t think I could ever possibly read it again! Phew!
This is by far the darkest and most brutal thing I have ever read. Tons of violence, violent sex, and LOTS of other dark elements. So heads up for ALL the trigger warnings here…
But even so, this tale was perfect. The pacing was awesome and I have to say that I have never reacted this much to a story… ever. My jaw dropped so many times. I audibly gasped a few times. I even groaned from disgust a couple times. (Bravo, Kelli!)
My Favorite Passage
I was too busy changing radio stations while cruising down the highway of self-destruction to bother listening to a backseat driver.
My Final Thoughts
These two tales are not for the light horror fan. This is one I would only recommend to those that like the darker, more brutal side of things. But buckle up before starting this read! Enjoy! *insert evil laugh here*
If you’re into dark and very brutal horror, you gotta check out Left For Dead and Fall From Grace by Kelli Owen.
As this small book held two stories, I will add my notes about each of them separately below.
Left For Dead – 5/5
Oh. My. God. This tale was totally horrific. The situation that set it off was the worst of the worst. Something only a true monster could be capable of. The violence was brutal and vividly descriptive.
The feeling after finishing this one though? I can’t wait for you to find out for yourself!
My Favorite Passages
Somewhere deep inside Susan, a weak voice sounded nervous and tried to break her, but was drowned out quick enough by the constant hum of anger in her mind.
Susan struck a match and held it under the glass globe of the hurricane lantern, igniting the mantle. Light filled the room and the shadows receded, growing darker, holding their secrets tighter.
Fall From Grace – 5/5
This is a very rare five star rating for me. I usually save my five stars for tales that I will happily re-read time and time again. However, with this tale, I don’t think I could ever possibly read it again! Phew!
This is by far the darkest and most brutal thing I have ever read. Tons of violence, violent sex, and LOTS of other dark elements. So heads up for ALL the trigger warnings here…
But even so, this tale was perfect. The pacing was awesome and I have to say that I have never reacted this much to a story… ever. My jaw dropped so many times. I audibly gasped a few times. I even groaned from disgust a couple times. (Bravo, Kelli!)
My Favorite Passage
I was too busy changing radio stations while cruising down the highway of self-destruction to bother listening to a backseat driver.
My Final Thoughts
These two tales are not for the light horror fan. This is one I would only recommend to those that like the darker, more brutal side of things. But buckle up before starting this read! Enjoy! *insert evil laugh here*
I could not wait for Dead Meat: Day 4 by Nick Clausen to launch! I mean, writing another installment of this series during COVID-19 outbreak? What a terrifying world event to deal with while writing about a zombie outbreak that spreads quickly!
When I got the email that the ARC was ready, I dove in immediately and didn’t stop reading until I had finished it!
With Day Four, things are really starting to get out of control…
From trying to slow the outbreak, to setting up road blocks to keep people from traveling, this tale hit on a number of things that are actually occurring now with COVID-19. And oh my gosh, the dialogue about people hoarding toilet paper had me chuckling!
Just like the other novellas in this series, the story is told through the viewpoints of various groups of characters. Each time a chapter end, there’s a bit of a cliffhanger, so you’ll have a very hard time putting this one down, as you’ll want to cruise through to see how everything turns out!
I loved the new characters we met and how there was a focus on the medical aspect of the zombies this time.
My Favorite Passages
Every new pandemic disease in the history of mankind has fallen within the spectrum of an already identified family of viruses; there’s absolutely no reason to suspect this will be different.
Except it seems different.
Very different.
Like the sheer speed of the spread of the infection.
Dead bodies don’t stay dead anymore. They get up and walk on.
“Guess people are the same all over the world,” Nasira finishes. “In times of crisis, they turn into their worst.”
“Well, let’s try and be the exception, then,” Henrik says, sending her a brief smile.
The zombie girl is still hanging from the side of the station wagon, but then one of her legs goes under the car and is caught beneath the tire. What happens to her can best be described as a doll being ripped apart between two kids fighting over it. Her arm gives way at the shoulder, as the rest of her body is torn under the car, flung around and spit out the front end, tumbling around a few times before lying still. The arm dangles from the window a few seconds, before it falls.
My Final Thoughts
Per usual, this was a totally captivating read that was wonderfully written! My gosh I cannot wait to see where the story goes here!
When I got the email that the ARC was ready, I dove in immediately and didn’t stop reading until I had finished it!
With Day Four, things are really starting to get out of control…
From trying to slow the outbreak, to setting up road blocks to keep people from traveling, this tale hit on a number of things that are actually occurring now with COVID-19. And oh my gosh, the dialogue about people hoarding toilet paper had me chuckling!
Just like the other novellas in this series, the story is told through the viewpoints of various groups of characters. Each time a chapter end, there’s a bit of a cliffhanger, so you’ll have a very hard time putting this one down, as you’ll want to cruise through to see how everything turns out!
I loved the new characters we met and how there was a focus on the medical aspect of the zombies this time.
My Favorite Passages
Every new pandemic disease in the history of mankind has fallen within the spectrum of an already identified family of viruses; there’s absolutely no reason to suspect this will be different.
Except it seems different.
Very different.
Like the sheer speed of the spread of the infection.
Dead bodies don’t stay dead anymore. They get up and walk on.
“Guess people are the same all over the world,” Nasira finishes. “In times of crisis, they turn into their worst.”
“Well, let’s try and be the exception, then,” Henrik says, sending her a brief smile.
The zombie girl is still hanging from the side of the station wagon, but then one of her legs goes under the car and is caught beneath the tire. What happens to her can best be described as a doll being ripped apart between two kids fighting over it. Her arm gives way at the shoulder, as the rest of her body is torn under the car, flung around and spit out the front end, tumbling around a few times before lying still. The arm dangles from the window a few seconds, before it falls.
My Final Thoughts
Per usual, this was a totally captivating read that was wonderfully written! My gosh I cannot wait to see where the story goes here!
The Fallen Boys by Aaron Dries is a wicked dark, twisted tale filled with very graphic situations that will make you cringe! But like all my favorite twisted tales, there was also a lot of heart, hope, and determination.
Trigger Warning: Suicide
Ooooh this book. It’s another one that’s impossible to discuss as I think you’d best go in blind. In my notes below, I will discuss two elements that I loved, but I won’t speak about the plot.
I had two favorite elements of this story; the gore and the descriptive writing. Each of which could go hand in and and play off one another wonderfully, or they could be used as a stark contrast between the lighter scenes versus the dark scenes.
So first we have the body horror. My god, I was so uncomfortable reading quite a bit of the scenes here… and it’s really difficult to make me squeamish! It was all written perfectly. It was certainly very vivid in many scenes. I loved that the author took things right up to the line, and then sometimes took a large step over the line. Each time that happened, I couldn’t help but cringe! But even so, the author didn’t over do any of the scenes with too much detail that could bog the story down.
Then we have the descriptive writing. As you can take away from my paragraph above, the description related to the violence was intense! But there were also plenty of really beautiful chapters about certain characters lives that was absolutely beautiful. I mean, just the way characters described or thought about their loved ones was so heartwarming. I found that even if I didn’t want to feel for specific characters, some of the beautiful character-building chapters had me waffling. But more importantly, it was the little things that were perfectly described that really got me. Like the description of light coming in through a window or the movement of a girls hair.
My Favorite Passages
Starke entered his house a detective, slipped off his shoes and became a husband and father.
He went to the refrigerator and opened the door, looking for answers to mysteries he would never comprehend. He closed it and settled for water instead.
Napier was surprised by how easily it was to get Joe to come around. Almost too quick, really. But then again, the best monsters are born of desperation.
…change is never easy and is often unwelcome. But that doesn’t stop it from coming your way. You can’t cheat change, just like you can’t cheat the hands were dealt.
My Final Thoughts
My toes will always hurt when thinking about this tale. Eek! Such a heartbreaking and absolutely brutal tale.
In this book, there was a quick mention of a certain bus driving character that got me curious. When I googled, I saw that she appears in another of Aaron’s tales. Guess I’ll have to pick that one up soon!
I highly recommend this one if you enjoy body horror and don’t mind a little darkness.
Trigger Warning: Suicide
Ooooh this book. It’s another one that’s impossible to discuss as I think you’d best go in blind. In my notes below, I will discuss two elements that I loved, but I won’t speak about the plot.
I had two favorite elements of this story; the gore and the descriptive writing. Each of which could go hand in and and play off one another wonderfully, or they could be used as a stark contrast between the lighter scenes versus the dark scenes.
So first we have the body horror. My god, I was so uncomfortable reading quite a bit of the scenes here… and it’s really difficult to make me squeamish! It was all written perfectly. It was certainly very vivid in many scenes. I loved that the author took things right up to the line, and then sometimes took a large step over the line. Each time that happened, I couldn’t help but cringe! But even so, the author didn’t over do any of the scenes with too much detail that could bog the story down.
Then we have the descriptive writing. As you can take away from my paragraph above, the description related to the violence was intense! But there were also plenty of really beautiful chapters about certain characters lives that was absolutely beautiful. I mean, just the way characters described or thought about their loved ones was so heartwarming. I found that even if I didn’t want to feel for specific characters, some of the beautiful character-building chapters had me waffling. But more importantly, it was the little things that were perfectly described that really got me. Like the description of light coming in through a window or the movement of a girls hair.
My Favorite Passages
Starke entered his house a detective, slipped off his shoes and became a husband and father.
He went to the refrigerator and opened the door, looking for answers to mysteries he would never comprehend. He closed it and settled for water instead.
Napier was surprised by how easily it was to get Joe to come around. Almost too quick, really. But then again, the best monsters are born of desperation.
…change is never easy and is often unwelcome. But that doesn’t stop it from coming your way. You can’t cheat change, just like you can’t cheat the hands were dealt.
My Final Thoughts
My toes will always hurt when thinking about this tale. Eek! Such a heartbreaking and absolutely brutal tale.
In this book, there was a quick mention of a certain bus driving character that got me curious. When I googled, I saw that she appears in another of Aaron’s tales. Guess I’ll have to pick that one up soon!
I highly recommend this one if you enjoy body horror and don’t mind a little darkness.
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In this issue, we begin with Deadpool and Kane (aka Weapon X) fighting. Then Bridge interrupts by shooting Deadpool and tells Kane that they need to talk because Bridge needs to bring in Cable. While they are distracted, Deadpool uses his personal teleporter and gets away.
Meanwhile, the X-Force are in the mountains doing a field test with their new equipment. Feral gets a little carried away and wounds cannonball badly.
On the roof of the World Trade Center, Black Tom calls "Cain" aka The Juggernaut, in.
Meanwhile, the X-Force are in the mountains doing a field test with their new equipment. Feral gets a little carried away and wounds cannonball badly.
On the roof of the World Trade Center, Black Tom calls "Cain" aka The Juggernaut, in.
Floaters by Kelli Owen is an original tale that dives right in and totally captivates the reader from the very first page and doesn't let up until the very last! From the amazing characters to the terrifying creature, and even the spooky setting, this tale had it all!
I had SO much fun reading this creature feature and police procedural mash-up!
This tale dives right in on page one when the main character, Detective Carly Greene, was called to the scene of the first two floaters. The town on Lake Superior is used to the lake claiming many victims and “floater” is the term given to bodies that wash up on shore.
From that initial discovery, more and more floaters appear. But where are they coming from? Why are they suddenly washing up on shore? And what else is out there, living in the river, claiming more lives?
My goodness. I went into this one pretty dark, only knowing that there was some type of creature involved…and what a creature it was! Let me tell you, I didn’t swim in rivers or lakes before now, and I certainly won’t seek out those water spots after reading this. No thank you!
This story was high-paced, wonderfully organized, and wicked engaging. I loved each of the characters so much and wanted to seem them all make it out of this crazy situation alive.
My Favorite Passages
That was the day Carly learned Lake Superior was just as capable of giving as she was of taking. That was the first time, Carly had heard the term “floater” in reference to the dead occasionally coughed up from the depths of the great lake.
Carly felt the twinges of disbelief crawling at the base of her skull like a blossoming headache.
Myths are shared. Real monsters are key secret.
My Final Thoughts
This is definitely one of my new favorite creature-features! It gave me SUCH a bad book hangover!!
You have got to check this one out if you enjoy tales with amazing characters, a very captivating storyline, and a bit of violence! This one certainly isn’t for the squeamish!
I had SO much fun reading this creature feature and police procedural mash-up!
This tale dives right in on page one when the main character, Detective Carly Greene, was called to the scene of the first two floaters. The town on Lake Superior is used to the lake claiming many victims and “floater” is the term given to bodies that wash up on shore.
From that initial discovery, more and more floaters appear. But where are they coming from? Why are they suddenly washing up on shore? And what else is out there, living in the river, claiming more lives?
My goodness. I went into this one pretty dark, only knowing that there was some type of creature involved…and what a creature it was! Let me tell you, I didn’t swim in rivers or lakes before now, and I certainly won’t seek out those water spots after reading this. No thank you!
This story was high-paced, wonderfully organized, and wicked engaging. I loved each of the characters so much and wanted to seem them all make it out of this crazy situation alive.
My Favorite Passages
That was the day Carly learned Lake Superior was just as capable of giving as she was of taking. That was the first time, Carly had heard the term “floater” in reference to the dead occasionally coughed up from the depths of the great lake.
Carly felt the twinges of disbelief crawling at the base of her skull like a blossoming headache.
Myths are shared. Real monsters are key secret.
My Final Thoughts
This is definitely one of my new favorite creature-features! It gave me SUCH a bad book hangover!!
You have got to check this one out if you enjoy tales with amazing characters, a very captivating storyline, and a bit of violence! This one certainly isn’t for the squeamish!
Chills by Mary SanGiovanni is an intense tale about a freak snowstorm in May where the residents of a town don’t just need to worry about the amount of snow piling up, but the dangerous things that are alive in the snow as well… and that’s not even the worst of it.
The opening line of this book was:
Jack Glazier had worked Colby Township Homicide for going on nine long New England winters, but he had never seen blood freeze quite like that.
As soon as I read that line, I knew this one was going to be a hit for me! This is yet another one of those books that you need to just jump right in to, so I’ll keep my notes below light.
I absolutely adored the characters, especially Kathy. I loved how she put up a very thick outer shell to protect herself, but that she was very vulnerable on the inside and let bits of that show through from time to time. I really enjoyed her time spent with one specific character as we got to see her let her guard down and relax a bit. I’m looking forward to seeing more about her in the next book!
The plot paired with excellent pacing made this a story that was difficult for me to step away from. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next, but I also dreaded it at the same time.
I loved the creatures and how violent and intense all of their scenes were! My goodness… They were all so interesting as well! There’s SO much I want to gush about here but I’ll leave this discovery up to you!
One additional thing I wanted to note, was how seamlessly the author weaves the gore in. Throughout the novel, I felt super unsettled and nervous. When the action scenes kicked in, I was totally immersed. But then, occasionally, I found that the gory details were added in a way that made me have to double back and make sure I actually just read what I thought I had read. I LOVE when that happens!
My Favorite Passages:
Jack Glazier had worked Colby Township Homicide for going on nine long New England winters, but he had never seen blood freeze quite like that.
There was nothing alive as far as she could see, except for her…and the giant creature scaling the side of the hospital’s mental health ward in the moonlight.
The entire town was coated and shades of blue and white, silver and gray. Crystaline sheaths of ice leant a surreal, somehow hunted quality to cars, park benches, fences, telephone poles, and signs. Houses bore rows of long, sharp icicles in a snarl above people’s heads. The heavy snowbanks that ate sound, burying it beneath mini avalanches from roofs and eaves, reminded the few survivors that terrible silent things were still out there. And the wind, the low and mournful moaning and wailing, was always around the head, in the ears.
People didn’t like to believe that they could share any traits with child-killers and molesters, cannibals, necrophiliacs, rapists, serial murderers, and the like, because it meant that, deep down, they would have to acknowledge that anyone could be that kind of monster, even a loved one. Even oneself.
My Final Thoughts:
Looking for a book that will chill you this summer?
I highly recommend checking this one out if you enjoy stories centered around amazing characters that is also filled with intense violence, a very chilling atmosphere, and super terrifying creatures!
Whew, I am so glad that I read this on a hot June day! The title of this one is so perfect, as I totally had chills while reading this!
The opening line of this book was:
Jack Glazier had worked Colby Township Homicide for going on nine long New England winters, but he had never seen blood freeze quite like that.
As soon as I read that line, I knew this one was going to be a hit for me! This is yet another one of those books that you need to just jump right in to, so I’ll keep my notes below light.
I absolutely adored the characters, especially Kathy. I loved how she put up a very thick outer shell to protect herself, but that she was very vulnerable on the inside and let bits of that show through from time to time. I really enjoyed her time spent with one specific character as we got to see her let her guard down and relax a bit. I’m looking forward to seeing more about her in the next book!
The plot paired with excellent pacing made this a story that was difficult for me to step away from. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next, but I also dreaded it at the same time.
I loved the creatures and how violent and intense all of their scenes were! My goodness… They were all so interesting as well! There’s SO much I want to gush about here but I’ll leave this discovery up to you!
One additional thing I wanted to note, was how seamlessly the author weaves the gore in. Throughout the novel, I felt super unsettled and nervous. When the action scenes kicked in, I was totally immersed. But then, occasionally, I found that the gory details were added in a way that made me have to double back and make sure I actually just read what I thought I had read. I LOVE when that happens!
My Favorite Passages:
Jack Glazier had worked Colby Township Homicide for going on nine long New England winters, but he had never seen blood freeze quite like that.
There was nothing alive as far as she could see, except for her…and the giant creature scaling the side of the hospital’s mental health ward in the moonlight.
The entire town was coated and shades of blue and white, silver and gray. Crystaline sheaths of ice leant a surreal, somehow hunted quality to cars, park benches, fences, telephone poles, and signs. Houses bore rows of long, sharp icicles in a snarl above people’s heads. The heavy snowbanks that ate sound, burying it beneath mini avalanches from roofs and eaves, reminded the few survivors that terrible silent things were still out there. And the wind, the low and mournful moaning and wailing, was always around the head, in the ears.
People didn’t like to believe that they could share any traits with child-killers and molesters, cannibals, necrophiliacs, rapists, serial murderers, and the like, because it meant that, deep down, they would have to acknowledge that anyone could be that kind of monster, even a loved one. Even oneself.
My Final Thoughts:
Looking for a book that will chill you this summer?
I highly recommend checking this one out if you enjoy stories centered around amazing characters that is also filled with intense violence, a very chilling atmosphere, and super terrifying creatures!
Whew, I am so glad that I read this on a hot June day! The title of this one is so perfect, as I totally had chills while reading this!
On the back cover blurb of this book, it says, “The Magpie Coffin is an unrelenting tale of revenge, with precise brutality and extreme violence.” Well… I was sold!
The Magpie Coffin by Wile E. Young was exactly that; it was brutal and had some very extreme violence that had me cringing from time to time… But it also had a lot of heart!
When the story begins, we meet our main character, Salem Covington, who had been spending the evening with a woman. He decides to head to a saloon and once inside, discovers that there is a group celebrating the end of the Indian Wars. Once Mr. Covington learns that they had killed an old “medicine man,” the bullets begin to fly.
From that moment on, Mr. Covington is determined to get his revenge on the people that killed his teacher. No matter the cost.
Phew, what a bang to start with! It was all pretty calm, and then suddenly Mr. Young hits us with: “The bullet had found his eye, blood pouring from the liquefied remains of his socket.” And then we were off and running!
This tale was written so wonderfully! The storyline and the pacing were laid out perfectly. It wasn’t full-on action the whole time, but there sure was plenty of it! The action scenes played out like a movie in my head, while the violence had me wanting to read while peeking through my fingers. But don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved that the violent scenes had me feeling a bit feeble!
The violence here was just so vivid. There are some scenes that I know I won’t be forgetting about any time soon. Like the rattlesnake scene for example. Ugh, that gives me a pit in my stomach just thinking about it!
I also greatly appreciated the breaths of fresh air that were the scenes where we got to know the characters a bit more. Salem Covington and Jake Howe are two characters that I loved both as individuals and as an unlikely duo. It was so fun to watch their relationship transform over time.
Salem Covington sure wasn’t a force to reckon with! I loved how intense and brutal he was. It was clear from the start that he wasn’t someone that you wanted to irk and wind up with his gun pointed your way. And while you teeter on the fence of being with Mr. Covington or afraid of him while reading, I guarantee you will be excited when some nasty souls meet their end when they cross paths with The Black Magpie.
There was one more element in this novel that I was so excited to see play out. It was super interesting and added a whole other layer to both the character development and the story overall! But, if you haven’t read this one yet, I’ll leave that discovery for you! If you have read this, then you know what I’m taking about.
My Favorite Passages
If Fate had plans for me tonight, she was sure as shit taking her time.
If anything decided to take me now, the devil would have to set an extra place at dinner tonight.
“Lies are a lot like a wrong note, Mister Covington; they just don’t ring right in the grand flow of things.”
Sometimes, you plan things from the start, but other times it’s all up to providence to see whether you catch a bullet or live to suck breath for another day.
And sometimes, an idiot is just an idiot.
My Final Thoughts
I had so much fun reading this! From the intense violence to the quick heartwarming scenes, I loved each and every second of it. From here on out, when I think about the American West, Salem Covington is going to come to mind.
I seriously need some more splatter westerns in my life! I also cannot wait to read more from Mr. Young very soon.
The Magpie Coffin by Wile E. Young was exactly that; it was brutal and had some very extreme violence that had me cringing from time to time… But it also had a lot of heart!
When the story begins, we meet our main character, Salem Covington, who had been spending the evening with a woman. He decides to head to a saloon and once inside, discovers that there is a group celebrating the end of the Indian Wars. Once Mr. Covington learns that they had killed an old “medicine man,” the bullets begin to fly.
From that moment on, Mr. Covington is determined to get his revenge on the people that killed his teacher. No matter the cost.
Phew, what a bang to start with! It was all pretty calm, and then suddenly Mr. Young hits us with: “The bullet had found his eye, blood pouring from the liquefied remains of his socket.” And then we were off and running!
This tale was written so wonderfully! The storyline and the pacing were laid out perfectly. It wasn’t full-on action the whole time, but there sure was plenty of it! The action scenes played out like a movie in my head, while the violence had me wanting to read while peeking through my fingers. But don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved that the violent scenes had me feeling a bit feeble!
The violence here was just so vivid. There are some scenes that I know I won’t be forgetting about any time soon. Like the rattlesnake scene for example. Ugh, that gives me a pit in my stomach just thinking about it!
I also greatly appreciated the breaths of fresh air that were the scenes where we got to know the characters a bit more. Salem Covington and Jake Howe are two characters that I loved both as individuals and as an unlikely duo. It was so fun to watch their relationship transform over time.
Salem Covington sure wasn’t a force to reckon with! I loved how intense and brutal he was. It was clear from the start that he wasn’t someone that you wanted to irk and wind up with his gun pointed your way. And while you teeter on the fence of being with Mr. Covington or afraid of him while reading, I guarantee you will be excited when some nasty souls meet their end when they cross paths with The Black Magpie.
There was one more element in this novel that I was so excited to see play out. It was super interesting and added a whole other layer to both the character development and the story overall! But, if you haven’t read this one yet, I’ll leave that discovery for you! If you have read this, then you know what I’m taking about.
My Favorite Passages
If Fate had plans for me tonight, she was sure as shit taking her time.
If anything decided to take me now, the devil would have to set an extra place at dinner tonight.
“Lies are a lot like a wrong note, Mister Covington; they just don’t ring right in the grand flow of things.”
Sometimes, you plan things from the start, but other times it’s all up to providence to see whether you catch a bullet or live to suck breath for another day.
And sometimes, an idiot is just an idiot.
My Final Thoughts
I had so much fun reading this! From the intense violence to the quick heartwarming scenes, I loved each and every second of it. From here on out, when I think about the American West, Salem Covington is going to come to mind.
I seriously need some more splatter westerns in my life! I also cannot wait to read more from Mr. Young very soon.
Rico Stays by Ed Duncan is the third installment in this fast-paced and revenge filled storyline. Just like the other two, this was quite the nail-biter! Phew, what a wonderful ending to the trilogy.
When this story begins, we see Rico watching a baseball game. Soon, he gets a phone call from Jean- she needs him to come pick her up, so off he goes.
As Rico is waiting for Jean to come out of the grocery store, he sees a pick-up game of baseball being played across the street. One of the boys runs to make an incredible catch, but unfortunately bumps into a man coming out of the shop, causing him to drop the booze he had just purchased. But this isn’t just any man. It’s the nephew of a mob boss, and he is a total loose cannon… This man flies off the handle in anger and when a good samaritan steps in, things turn physical.
Before you know it, bullets are flying. And from there, the story is off and running, and it doesn’t let up until the very end.
As this is the third book in the series, I will keep this very light!
Per usual, I have to say that that Ed Duncan’s writing style is just so wonderful! It’s very easy to read and wicked realistic. The action and suspense is so well done that I found myself holding my breath more than a few times while reading this one.
I also really enjoyed the relationships between the characters and loved seeing how much they developed both over the course of the trilogy as well as over the course of the events in this book. I think that may actually be my favorite element when it comes down to it. I just loved each of their personalities and how they interacted with one another!
I loved that the author provided bits of information within the story that helped recap what had happened before as it both helped readers of the series get caught back up, or it filled new readers in if they had missed the first two. Of course, I would definitely recommend starting with the first book and reading these in order so you can really get the full picture.
My only slight irk was that there was cheating involved here, which is a big no-go for me in any capacity. However, I will say that the way it was handled here was wonderfully refreshing. I especially appreciated the honesty that was brought into the situation and how the two handled it. Well done, Mr Duncan!
My Favorite Passage
One rule I live by is I never threaten to do somethin’ I’m not prepared to do if I hafta.
My Final Thoughts
I said it at the top, but I’ll say it again- this was a great third book to end this trilogy! I felt like it concluded in such a lovely way, and it made me hope for all the best for the four characters.
I also recently read that Ed Duncan has written screenplays adapted from each installment in the trilogy. MY GOODNESS. I would LOVE to see adaptations of these books!
When this story begins, we see Rico watching a baseball game. Soon, he gets a phone call from Jean- she needs him to come pick her up, so off he goes.
As Rico is waiting for Jean to come out of the grocery store, he sees a pick-up game of baseball being played across the street. One of the boys runs to make an incredible catch, but unfortunately bumps into a man coming out of the shop, causing him to drop the booze he had just purchased. But this isn’t just any man. It’s the nephew of a mob boss, and he is a total loose cannon… This man flies off the handle in anger and when a good samaritan steps in, things turn physical.
Before you know it, bullets are flying. And from there, the story is off and running, and it doesn’t let up until the very end.
As this is the third book in the series, I will keep this very light!
Per usual, I have to say that that Ed Duncan’s writing style is just so wonderful! It’s very easy to read and wicked realistic. The action and suspense is so well done that I found myself holding my breath more than a few times while reading this one.
I also really enjoyed the relationships between the characters and loved seeing how much they developed both over the course of the trilogy as well as over the course of the events in this book. I think that may actually be my favorite element when it comes down to it. I just loved each of their personalities and how they interacted with one another!
I loved that the author provided bits of information within the story that helped recap what had happened before as it both helped readers of the series get caught back up, or it filled new readers in if they had missed the first two. Of course, I would definitely recommend starting with the first book and reading these in order so you can really get the full picture.
My only slight irk was that there was cheating involved here, which is a big no-go for me in any capacity. However, I will say that the way it was handled here was wonderfully refreshing. I especially appreciated the honesty that was brought into the situation and how the two handled it. Well done, Mr Duncan!
My Favorite Passage
One rule I live by is I never threaten to do somethin’ I’m not prepared to do if I hafta.
My Final Thoughts
I said it at the top, but I’ll say it again- this was a great third book to end this trilogy! I felt like it concluded in such a lovely way, and it made me hope for all the best for the four characters.
I also recently read that Ed Duncan has written screenplays adapted from each installment in the trilogy. MY GOODNESS. I would LOVE to see adaptations of these books!
Worst Laid Plans is an amazing collection of tales centering around vacations that all take a bit of an unexpected turn. From the bizarre to absolutely terrifying, this collection had it all!
But be warned, this isn't one to pick up before you head out on your next vacation. Unless, of course, you want to spend your vacation looking over your shoulder for anything unusual, avoiding meeting new people, or second guessing your travel partner...
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
First things first, can we talk about that cover?! I cannot wait to snag a physical copy for my shelves… I’m obsessed!
Per usual with any anthology, I will add my quick notes on each of the stories below.
Foreword by Sadie Hartmann
Oh my gosh, what a forward! When reading, I assumed each point Sadie made would relate to a story in this collection, and I couldn’t wait to find out if that was the case!
Also… this passage, “I can’t imagine why anyone would think it’s a good idea to drag all of their nice things out into nature and sleep in a tent. There’s nothing but a thin layer of fabric to protect you from . . . ANYTHING.” AGREED. Camping creeps me out so much! I camped when I was a kid growing up on an island off the coast of Maine where the only thing you needed to worry about was sap and ticks, but even then I was always wicked spooked.
You’ve Been Saved by S.E. Howard – 4/5
This tales about two young men named Chris and Ethan who are on a road trip. At one of the stops along the way, a young girl bumps into Chris and hands off a note. The note reads simply “HELP.” Chris stalls and can’t decide what to do, while Ethan thinks it’s a joke. Little did they know, there was something much more sinister than a kidnapping going on.
What a creepy tale! And my goodness, I hated Ethan immediately when I saw how quickly he brushed off the call for help as a joke.
Summers with Annie by Greg Sisco – 5/5
Summers with Annie is the title of a film that a five year old boy and his father go to see when they arrive on an island for their vacation. But when the boy falls asleep before the end of the movie, he wakes up to find his father isn’t in the seat next to him…
This one was terrifying! What a creepy premise. I loved it! I also really enjoyed the way it was written! It was like I was sitting down with someone telling me a story about their past, complete with little one offs that tie the story together in the end.
I LOVED this passage: Life has a way of doing that. Something that crashes your world down one year is a scar you don’t think about the next, and something you pass without a second glance today, you realize tomorrow it meant the world.
Expertise by Asher Ellis – 5/5
When this story begins, we meet two people who are out diving in the ocean in a secluded area. The woman who paid for the private excursion notices something large following her. She panics a bit, thinking that it’s a shark. Her guide takes a look and sees that it’s a barracuda. He tries to keep her calm, even though it’s the largest barracuda he has ever seen. But the barracuda isn’t the only thing to be feared out there in the water…
This one was so fast paced and it really packed in such an intense feeling of dread throughout.
Unkindly Girls by Hailey Pipez – 4/5
In this tale, a girl and her father are vacationing on a beach. The father has very clearly drilled ideas into his young daughters head about not being “unkindly.” But just why that is… the girl is about to find out.
What a heartbreaking tale. What a brave little girl!
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan – 5/5
A family decides to take a trip into a cave to see the stalactites and stalagmites. While separated from the group, Michael hears something. The tour guide dismisses it and they move on. But what if something was lurking in the dark of the caves?
SO spooky. The darkness definitely creeps me out. I can’t even imagine being underground in total darkness… No thank you!
Peelings by Kenzie Jennings – 3/5
This story is about a family taking a last minute trip to the happiest place on Earth. While there, the mom gets a nasty sunburn. As she peels, she realizes that it’s not like any sunburn she’s had before…
LOVED the ending of this one.
The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators by Malcolm Mills-
Not one for me unfortunately.
The Cucuy of Cancun by V. Castro – 4/5
This story was about a boogeyman that preys on nasty tourists but needs a vacation herself.
Well, that was the worst timing, I got up to get a snack and then started this tale… The third paragraph was a doozy!
Taylor Family Vacation ’93 by Jeremy Herbert – 4/5
A heartbreaking tale about a family on vacation, but not everything is what it seems. “Double Digit” Dan Taylor brings his camera everywhere. While it records bits and pieces of their trip, it’s also recording more than Dan originally realized.
This one was wicked sad, but it had me on the edge of my seat!
The Penanggalan by Scott Cole – 4/5
In this quick tale, we see a couple taking a last minute trip. On the plane, one of the characters finds a book and reads about a Penanggalan; a creature with the head of a beautiful woman, but whose lower half is a mess of organs floating. As the couple explores the city, the main character can’t stop thinking about the being.
WOAH. That was intense. I love tales like this because they make me second guess what happened! I loved the element of the vinegar smell.
Sex with Dolphins by Chad Stroup- 4/5
When a couple travels on their honeymoon, a secluded section of beach calls to them. Right before they leave, something snags the groom and he doesn’t return to the surface of the water…
My gosh, I didn’t know what to expect diving into a story with a title like this! It was equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. I loved the ending!
Caught a Glimpse by Patrick Lacey- 5/5
Who doesn’t want to get away from it all for a bit? This man goes on a “work trip” where he stays in a cottage for some peace and quiet. But one day he spots a neighbor next-door…
While I hate that this character lied to his wife, I loved how the tale turned out! Phew! And that ending!
In the Water by Mark Wheaton- 5/5
In this tale, two girls are on vacation looking for fun. When a storm rolls in, they are worried about being bored. Little do they know, that’s not going to be their concern for long.
This one was filled with so many twists and turns! I loved the different storylines all woven into one.
Good Time in the Bad Lands by Laura Keating – 5/5
Ah road trips with the family… never a good time. That’s just what this tale is about. Determined to make good time, this father is set on making this a trip to remember for his family. But they’re about to enter the bad lands and learn why it got such a name.
What a tale to end with! Holy cow. Bizarre and terrifying!
My Final Thoughts
Ah vacation. Don’t get me wrong, I do love to travel every now and again. I also have a list of places that I want to see someday… but traveling really wears me out. I always feel like I need a vacation after vacation to regroup.
After reading this collection, I’m not exactly mad that I will be staying home for the foreseeable future…
This was such a fun collection. I highly recommend it to fans of horror!
But be warned, this isn't one to pick up before you head out on your next vacation. Unless, of course, you want to spend your vacation looking over your shoulder for anything unusual, avoiding meeting new people, or second guessing your travel partner...
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
First things first, can we talk about that cover?! I cannot wait to snag a physical copy for my shelves… I’m obsessed!
Per usual with any anthology, I will add my quick notes on each of the stories below.
Foreword by Sadie Hartmann
Oh my gosh, what a forward! When reading, I assumed each point Sadie made would relate to a story in this collection, and I couldn’t wait to find out if that was the case!
Also… this passage, “I can’t imagine why anyone would think it’s a good idea to drag all of their nice things out into nature and sleep in a tent. There’s nothing but a thin layer of fabric to protect you from . . . ANYTHING.” AGREED. Camping creeps me out so much! I camped when I was a kid growing up on an island off the coast of Maine where the only thing you needed to worry about was sap and ticks, but even then I was always wicked spooked.
You’ve Been Saved by S.E. Howard – 4/5
This tales about two young men named Chris and Ethan who are on a road trip. At one of the stops along the way, a young girl bumps into Chris and hands off a note. The note reads simply “HELP.” Chris stalls and can’t decide what to do, while Ethan thinks it’s a joke. Little did they know, there was something much more sinister than a kidnapping going on.
What a creepy tale! And my goodness, I hated Ethan immediately when I saw how quickly he brushed off the call for help as a joke.
Summers with Annie by Greg Sisco – 5/5
Summers with Annie is the title of a film that a five year old boy and his father go to see when they arrive on an island for their vacation. But when the boy falls asleep before the end of the movie, he wakes up to find his father isn’t in the seat next to him…
This one was terrifying! What a creepy premise. I loved it! I also really enjoyed the way it was written! It was like I was sitting down with someone telling me a story about their past, complete with little one offs that tie the story together in the end.
I LOVED this passage: Life has a way of doing that. Something that crashes your world down one year is a scar you don’t think about the next, and something you pass without a second glance today, you realize tomorrow it meant the world.
Expertise by Asher Ellis – 5/5
When this story begins, we meet two people who are out diving in the ocean in a secluded area. The woman who paid for the private excursion notices something large following her. She panics a bit, thinking that it’s a shark. Her guide takes a look and sees that it’s a barracuda. He tries to keep her calm, even though it’s the largest barracuda he has ever seen. But the barracuda isn’t the only thing to be feared out there in the water…
This one was so fast paced and it really packed in such an intense feeling of dread throughout.
Unkindly Girls by Hailey Pipez – 4/5
In this tale, a girl and her father are vacationing on a beach. The father has very clearly drilled ideas into his young daughters head about not being “unkindly.” But just why that is… the girl is about to find out.
What a heartbreaking tale. What a brave little girl!
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan – 5/5
A family decides to take a trip into a cave to see the stalactites and stalagmites. While separated from the group, Michael hears something. The tour guide dismisses it and they move on. But what if something was lurking in the dark of the caves?
SO spooky. The darkness definitely creeps me out. I can’t even imagine being underground in total darkness… No thank you!
Peelings by Kenzie Jennings – 3/5
This story is about a family taking a last minute trip to the happiest place on Earth. While there, the mom gets a nasty sunburn. As she peels, she realizes that it’s not like any sunburn she’s had before…
LOVED the ending of this one.
The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators by Malcolm Mills-
Not one for me unfortunately.
The Cucuy of Cancun by V. Castro – 4/5
This story was about a boogeyman that preys on nasty tourists but needs a vacation herself.
Well, that was the worst timing, I got up to get a snack and then started this tale… The third paragraph was a doozy!
Taylor Family Vacation ’93 by Jeremy Herbert – 4/5
A heartbreaking tale about a family on vacation, but not everything is what it seems. “Double Digit” Dan Taylor brings his camera everywhere. While it records bits and pieces of their trip, it’s also recording more than Dan originally realized.
This one was wicked sad, but it had me on the edge of my seat!
The Penanggalan by Scott Cole – 4/5
In this quick tale, we see a couple taking a last minute trip. On the plane, one of the characters finds a book and reads about a Penanggalan; a creature with the head of a beautiful woman, but whose lower half is a mess of organs floating. As the couple explores the city, the main character can’t stop thinking about the being.
WOAH. That was intense. I love tales like this because they make me second guess what happened! I loved the element of the vinegar smell.
Sex with Dolphins by Chad Stroup- 4/5
When a couple travels on their honeymoon, a secluded section of beach calls to them. Right before they leave, something snags the groom and he doesn’t return to the surface of the water…
My gosh, I didn’t know what to expect diving into a story with a title like this! It was equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. I loved the ending!
Caught a Glimpse by Patrick Lacey- 5/5
Who doesn’t want to get away from it all for a bit? This man goes on a “work trip” where he stays in a cottage for some peace and quiet. But one day he spots a neighbor next-door…
While I hate that this character lied to his wife, I loved how the tale turned out! Phew! And that ending!
In the Water by Mark Wheaton- 5/5
In this tale, two girls are on vacation looking for fun. When a storm rolls in, they are worried about being bored. Little do they know, that’s not going to be their concern for long.
This one was filled with so many twists and turns! I loved the different storylines all woven into one.
Good Time in the Bad Lands by Laura Keating – 5/5
Ah road trips with the family… never a good time. That’s just what this tale is about. Determined to make good time, this father is set on making this a trip to remember for his family. But they’re about to enter the bad lands and learn why it got such a name.
What a tale to end with! Holy cow. Bizarre and terrifying!
My Final Thoughts
Ah vacation. Don’t get me wrong, I do love to travel every now and again. I also have a list of places that I want to see someday… but traveling really wears me out. I always feel like I need a vacation after vacation to regroup.
After reading this collection, I’m not exactly mad that I will be staying home for the foreseeable future…
This was such a fun collection. I highly recommend it to fans of horror!