The Hand That Pulls You Under — Tales of Absurdity and Lunacy by James Flynn is a collection that certainly lives up to it’s title!

In the preface, James states: 

When I first read that, I thought: Bring. It. On. 

This collection did exactly that! I had a blast with most of the tales! Only a few weren’t for me.

I loved that each tale started with a poem, and that the poem set the mood for the short story that was to come next! There were even a few illustrations throughout.

My favorite stories from this collection include:

Here are my thoughts on each tale:

When a man falls on hard times, he ends up squatting in a place called Hilltop Harrows. The people he meets here, and their quirks that come out when they eat strange mushrooms that grow there, makes a lasting impression on him that he’ll never forget. 

Oh my gosh, the turns this one took! I loved the main character and how easy going he seemed. I kept getting so nervous that he would run into a really bad situation with a violent end. But I’m glad it was just a bizarre situation he wound up in! 

Piece Of Mind, a place that customers can cost in order to replace their memories. When a man named Justin goes, he feels better afterward but he is haunted by nightmares. Meanwhile a man named Ryan has sold his memories to the company to be given to others, and he’s realized he may have made a mistake… 

Oh man, not going to lie, I have some memories from high school and college that I would happily replace!  It wouldn’t risk a stay memory slipping through? I’m not sure. This one was so frustrating in the unfairness of it all!

Determined to find out more about a legend of a man that wanders called the Drifter, this man trespasses into an old hospital site to see if he can get video footage. But when he sees something move in the shadows, his life will change forever.

This one was so unsettling. At first I loved learning the lore about the Drifter. But when the group traveled, the tone got a little darker and it made me so anxious! 

A group called the Acute Ones are bored and try to find new ways to stay entertained in their synthetic life. Of course, the Acute Ones do something despicable. 

Content warning for animal fighting. Boy was this one brutal… and the turn at the end was so not for me. As you could guess from the title, fans of sexual horror will enjoy this! 

When an author writes up a novel with grisly murders, he’s hoping it will catch on as a cult classic. When he doesn’t see any traction, he decides to reenact parts of the book in real life… 

What a twisted tale this one was! At first I was chuckling at the authors desperation, but once he became more unraveled, I was hooked!  

When a family finds a cat dead on the curb by their home, they mourn the loss of their family pet. But then they see their cat come strolling by. Turns out it was a cat with the same markings. Rather than leaving the cat buried, they dig it up and out it back by the road… when the owner finds the original cat, she begins her quest for revenge. 

This was so bizarre and sad. The decision making skills by these people was not great. 

Not one for me. Fans of sexual horror will enjoy this! 

When a prank while on LSD goes very wrong, a crew breaks apart. Years later, one man has a hunch that the people going missing in that town have something to do with the prank. So he goes to investigate…

THAT ENDING! My goodness. This whole story was so unsettling. I am not a fan of pranks to begin with, and seeing this one go wrong was heartbreaking. 

What would happen if a machine was granted full rights to determine who or what was a fault during a court case? This story will allow readers to find out!

What a slippery slope this was! That poor woman who lost her baby… 

Another not for me as it was super sexual. 

The interior of the hospital was like a setting for a demented dream. Old fashioned relics and artifacts of a time gone by sat in every crevice of every room and hallway, all covered in dead flies and dust. Metal trolleys with torn tablet boxes in their compartments beside stairwells, bed frames with mouldy mattresses occupied empty wards, and small storage cupboards here and there were filled with broken mops and half-disintegrated rubber gloves.

This is such a great collection to pick up if you need to get out of your head for a bit. Each tale is so different, and like the author promised, you will walk away having been terrified, gobsmacked, and much more!

SLASH-HER: A Women of Horror Anthology edited by Janine Pipe and Jill Girardi is a collection of hard-hitting tales by an amazing group of horror writers! Buckle up before diving into this one as these women have brought darkness and brutality to the table in full bloody force.

HOW AMAZING IS THAT COVER?! It was creating by the super talented Gemma Amor. The red nails are such a great touch!

As I was provided an early copy, I definitely need to get my hands on the final version when it comes out! One story was unfortunately not fully loaded in to the version I had, so I couldn’t read more than just the first page. I can’t wait to dive back in to read that one!

As for the heavy topics I mentioned before, the final edition of this book will have a list of content warnings for each story at the back of the book. I would definitely recommend checking those out before diving head-first into the tales if you have any sensitivities. I personally had one story that was triggering to me for two different reasons that left me in a bit of a dark place afterward. I will edit this review again when the book comes out to note the ones I had missed in the content warning section here. 

That being said, I had a blast reading this collection! The range of stories here was incredible, and I loved that the central theme that tied them all together was the bloody and horrific slasher tropes. For some of the tales, they started out so sweet that when things went sideways, they still caught me off guard even though I know what I had signed up for going in. What fun!

My favorite tales from this collection include:

Per usual, here are my notes on each tale included in the collection:

Deep in the woods lives a being that gobbles up people who have crossed its path. When a mother determined to become a wolf instead of a timid lamb finds out who has been bullying her son, she’s ready to ask the Grukken for a favor. 

This one was heartbreaking at the beginning. No one should have to put up with bullying. But when this mom steps in, the tale takes an eerie turn. 

In this tale, we learn that a murderer has set their sights on the stand up poets at a little coffee shop. I love Somer Canon's writing and this one certainly didn’t shy away from the dark and brutal elements. 

The biggest pain in the ass about hindsight is realizing how clueless you are, walking through life, bumping into everything, and always avoiding catastrophe by millimeters. Well, you

don’t always avoid it. Sometimes it hits you dead on. Sometimes it hits you more than once.

When a typical Karen pushes this photographer over the edge, the family portrait shoot takes a brutal turn. 

I do photography on the side and I’m so grateful I’ve never had a bad client! But I can certainly relate to the frustration of people totally disregarding the time. That is something that drives me nuts in both my professional and personal life. When that happened, I was already on edge with this story. 

When a woman at a bar sets her sights on a couple to see what the uncomfortable woman will do, she isn’t pleased with the outcome. Meanwhile a man has set his sights on her and no matter how rude she is, he won’t let up. Soon, this night ends in a bloodbath. 

This was brutal! Any person reading this who has had someone at a bar pester them will have their blood boiling while reading. 

He follows me. Not like a puppy, because puppies are fucking cute and who wouldn’t want one ambling after them, all big paws and ears? No, this guy follows me like a strip of toilet paper, soiled and embarrassing and bizarrely hard to shake.

When a woman decides that she has had enough of the workplace bullies, she makes a plan to dispose of them.

My goodness, the thought this woman put into her plan… so brutal and so smart! I’d love to see what this woman does next. 

This started to innocent and then got insanely brutal. 

This one wasn’t for me once things took a turn. Fans of the sexually dark will love this.  

When three women go on vacation, it seems like they’re looking for some sun and relaxation. But they’re actually there for much different purposes. 

I was definitely expecting one thing to happen here, and the story did not flow that path. It was so much more intense than I had guessed!

When a girl is faced with making a very difficult choice, she heads to a clinic. On the way back out, she’s confronted for the second time by a protestor… Later on, she returns again, ready to face the protestor one last time. 

The first half of this one is gut wrenching and heartbreaking. The second half is brutal and such sweet revenge. If you’ve ever faced protestors going into a family planning, this one will make you want to cheer. 

Another that seemingly starts innocent then takes a turn that made this one not a story for me. Another that fans of sexually dark tales will enjoy. 

When a girl heads off with a mysterious boy, leaving her friends behind. She meets a brutal end… years later the friends return to the island, but as they’re drawn back to the shore, they’re about to learn what was waiting for them.

This one is so upsetting. How many girls have been in the position where a friend leaves to go after a guy they just met? I know I had many times in college to the point where I fought her every time and then ended up telling my friend I would no longer go out with her because I sat up the rest of the night worrying I would get a call from the cops saying she was found dead. I could have easily been labeled the coward like one of the girls in this tale. 

When she’s pushed too far by not being listened to, this momma wolf goes after the nasty mothers of the girls who had been terrorizing her daughter.

Such wonderful brutal revenge! 

When bored girls make up new scary stories to tell at camp when the old stories got stale, they end up bringing a new murderous camp legend to life. 

This one was so spooky! I loved the path of the narrative and how we circled back to where the story first began before things got super intense. 

When attending a Tupperware party, the guests show up for free food and drink and prepare themselves for the sales pitch. Little do they know, they should have been preparing for much more than that…

This tale certainly displays the brutality of the phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” Brutal! 

When bullying leads to a young girl making a life ending decision, her surviving sister wants revenge.

This one ruled as a short story but I could also see it being expanded to a novella! Love the revenge!

When Steve wakes up super groggy, he soon discovers that he’s been kidnapped by a bunch of women. He should be scared, but instead he’s just pissed. But they’re about to make sure he’s afraid.

Being inside Steve’s head for this tale was a brilliant way to bring readers along. Boy did I hate Steve. This one made my toes hurt!

When a group of sex workers are invited in for wine and a meal, everything seems too good to be true. But then they make a shocking discovery.

Oh. My. Gosh. This was intense! My heart was pounding while reading! 

On a video conference call, this woman greets her growing community and praises them for their work so far. But what do they do? I can’t wait for readers to find out!

If you are someone that gets irked by the standard slasher tropes or the perfect life that social media influencers try to portray and how unfair it is that they make so much money for nothing, you’re going to love this! 

Oh no! Something happened with my ebook copy and I could only see one page of this. I’ll have to check it out when my purchase comes in! 

When the ghost of a twelve year old realizes she can help people by possessing them to get revenge, she makes that the work of her afterlife.

This was terrifying! At first I was rooting for the ghost, but then it became clear that she wasn’t thinking this through or taking precautions to make sure the people she was helping would be okay afterward. Phew. Imagine a twelve year old girl possessing you to take care of something? No thank you. 

On the five year anniversary of Nicks death, a group of friends go to a cabin for a weekend away. Nicks girlfriend, while she keeps saying she doesn’t want to talk about Nicks death, has other plans in mind. 

Oh man, when this one goes from normal to brutal… it really goes there. A perfect slasher centered around revenge. 

When a night of breaking and entering goes very, very wrong, the girls try to escape the area as they start being brutally murdered one by one. 

This one was unfortunately quite triggering for me. Tread lightly here if you are triggered by elements of cheating and/or suicide. 

If you’re a fan of slashers, this is certainly an anthology to keep an eye out for!

SLASH-HER is expected to launch from Kandisha Press in March 2022.

Season’s Creepings: Tales of Holiday Horror by Ronald Kelly is a collection of dark and spooky tales that take place during the winter months.

There’s one tale in here that resurfaced a childhood fear and gave me nightmares! I can’t wait for readers to experience The Skating Pond…

First things first, a major shout-out to Ronald Kelly for sending me a signed copy with  awesome artwork inside! I’m obsessed!

I was also pumped to have purchased an ornament as created by Ronald’s wife! I had it hanging up in my library throughout the month of December. I’m still debating if this should be a year-round display item, or if I should pack it carefully away and bring it out again next December.

I saved this read for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and I’m so glad that I did. While we were unable to go to Maine to see my family again this year, I needed a little pick me up. This collection gave me just that.

These tales was SO much fun to read and many of the stories were absolutely chilling!

Per usual, here are my notes on each:

Introduction 

Per usual, Ronald Kelly gives readers a wonderful intro that features scenes from his childhood before taking the turn toward the spooky! I’m already nervous about the elf on a shelf idea coming to play later…

Brennan McDonough has a rough life thanks to his abusive stepdad. When he discovers a cardboard skeleton at a second hand shop one day, he buys it to get a little joy in his life. But soon, he learns that this skeleton can provide much more than that. 

I loved this one, but my goodness it’s a difficult read. It will make your blood boil as you’ll want to reach through the pages of the book to grab at these horrible men. 

When skating on a pond one day, a loud crack echoes across the property, leaving this boy fearing the worst. But what actually happened is much more terrifying than his original fear.

This tale is truly one out of my nightmares! My brother and I spent so much time on the pond in my childhood front yard. That noise that echoes out when ice cracks is unlike any other sound…

While on a dreadful road trip, this family stops in to a house that looks pretty abandoned to ask for directions. Trespassing, there are things seen here that are incredibly unsettling. 

Holy! The list of things these boys list off that they had seen in the house… I was so ready for this man to turn around and drop his wife off. 

When a woman travels back home, she finds her mothers box of Christmas ornaments. After she accidentally breaks one, she knows what else she needs to do. 

This one had so much packed into it! Content warning for sexual assault. 

A chilling murder mystery where a man is driven into darkness by the cold winds. 

I loved how this one played out! But at the end I actually shouted “OH NO!”

A wonderful tale about the woodsman who had lost his family to the big bad wolf, and is determined to hunt it down.

I loved this one so much! It certainly hits on the darkness of this familiar tale. 

When a trip to see the mall Santa goes sideways, the events of what happens next is sure to leave readers reeling.

Ugh, the thought of losing a child in a crowd certainly gets my anxiety spiking! 

Determined to bring home the perfect tree, this family ends up going across town lines. They find a great tree to bring home and decorate. But immediately, there’s something not quite right about the tree…

This one was so unsettling! The scratching at the bedroom door… no thank you! 

A short tale that packs a punch of dread! 

When a grandfather tells his grandsons the same tale he tells them every Christmas, these two boys are totally captivated. Little do they know, this story had a lot more truth to it than they originally thought. 

What a wonderful tale to end on! So spooky at first but then so heartwarming!

For a long moment, complete darkness occupied the cottage. Then the cloudbank moved onward and moonlight shown through the windowpanes, revealing the horror that stood before him. 

She held Tina‘s tiny hand just a little too tightly… as though afraid the child might break free and drift off amid the waves of winter coats and shopping bags, like a rowboat lost at sea.

“He sure was a weird one!” said Danny from the back, rolling his eyes.
“It isn’t nice talking about strangers like that,” his mother scolded. “Remember, you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover.” A chill ran down the back of her neck, whether it was from the December cold or something else, she couldn’t tell. She looked over and saw that Jordan was just as spooked as she was. “But I will say one thing. If that man back there was a book…he’d probably be written by Stephen King.”

This collection is a must read for fans of holiday horror! So many of these stories settled right into my brain and I know they won’t be leaving anytime soon…

We Bleed Red & Green: 12 Chilling Tales for Christmas is another collection of killer tales from short story master, Jeff C. Carter.

I had previously read Jeff’s book We Bleed Orange & Black and absolutely loved it! After that, I started counting down the days until I could jump into this one during the month of December. This collection was an absolute blast to read!

My favorite tales from the collection include:

Here are my thoughts on each tale:

What a creepy tale to kick things off with! This one will certainly make readers think about what may happen next! I first read this one in A Krampus Carol and loved it even more the second time around! 

This version of Krampus kills me! It’s so unlike any other tale I’ve seen the creature in. But of course, Santa needs Krampus to step it up. If he won’t, Santa will find another way.

The names of the characters in this one paired with their actions was hysterical! Take that and add in what Santa was planning and you have comedy horror at it’s finest! 

On a trip to try to job his memory so he can finally accept reality, this man is pushed to the edge. 

What a heartbreaking and terrifying tale! This poor man. 

Set the to tune of a song, this is a dark and brutal little tale about the quest for power! 

On a quest to get back into absolute silence, this man pushes things a bit too far. 

This one was so unsettling! I love my peace and quiet, but I don’t think I would last more than a couple seconds in absolute silence! 

A tale set up as a friendly letter from an elf to a child, there’s a dark message here that readers will see in the capitalized letters! 

Entering a house that had been wrapped in order to be fumigated, these men break in to find gifts to give for the holidays… 

What an awful idea these two had! Of course the gas starts to affect them. 

A discovery in a jungle leaves a man scrambling to get the word out that these trees are tainted. But is it too late?

This one was terrifying. The thought of bringing a live tree inside makes my skin crawl imagining all the bugs that come along with it… I’m extra grateful for our fake tree after reading this! 

At a bar, these first responders trade fiery stories and photos to compete for the most intense tale. Winner drinks for free. When this dentist strolls in, his story shocks the group. 

I’ve never wanted to see someones phone so badly in my life! 

This one reads like a fever dream! Phew!

When a boy has a rough upbringing, he makes a better life for himself by learning how to fix and build things. After crossing the wrong man, those skills come in handy! 

This one was so fast paced and it totally captivated me! 

While making his rounds, Santa makes a sad discovery. 

What a sad but beautiful tale to end on. 

Halloween delivers both trick and treats, but winter knows no such mercy.

Santa slipped down the chimney with the grace of a snow flake and settled atop a bed of cold ashes. A wisp of soot drifted forth like a languid murmuration of starlings. He recognized this perfect stillness and entered the home with a sigh.

I loved so many of these tales and I already cannot wait to revisit them again next Christmas!

Fans of holiday horror will have a blast with this!

Gothic Blue Book VI | A Krampus Carol edited by Cynthia Pelayo & Gerardo Pelayo is an unsettling collection of short stories and poems that center around the darkness of the holiday season that is usually so jolly and bright in most movies and books.

You’re going to need a hot chocolate or two to sip while reading this one!

First of all, how wonderful is that cover art by Abigail Larson?! I’m obsessed with the tone it gives off immediately. The color choices are so perfect and I love how the tongue and the red in Krampus’s eye pops. And just look at those teeth!

This entire collection was wonderful. There are so many tales here with great range from light horror, to the deeply unsettling, all the way to the full-on brutal. I loved never knowing what to expect next!

My favorite stories from the collection include:

Here are my thoughts on each tale or poem:

When a woman is brought home after the death of her father, she also learns her brother had passed. She soon realizes that something dark is going on… 

This one had me so nervous for the main character! I was rooting for her and didn’t want anything bad to happen. The ending was so intense! 

When a girl struggles with tradition after her mother passes away, she is determined to do her own thing. But she’s about to learn the consequences…

My heart broke for this poor girl. I can’t imagine the pain she was going through but I totally understand the determination of doing your own thing. What a terrifying ending. 

Wandering around town one day, this man spots a passageway he hasn’t seen before. Little does he know, walking down this path will change his life. 

I loved the pacing of this one! And the description was lovely. It was really easy to fall right into this setting. 

Dying of the plague, this older couple are not on the same page. One wants to stay in but the other wants to go get their last rites. Unfortunately only one of them can see the darkness looming.

What a heartbreaking tale! These poor people. 

A short tale about a girl that’s off doing her own thing and isn’t too bothered by the bullies. 

I love that this one equally leaves me satisfied and wanting more. What a creepy ending! 

Deciding to be naughty this year, this boy plans to meet Krampus! And oh boy does he get to meet the legend. 

This kid made me chuckle. I could see this one transforming into a longer tale!

When a man is traveling back home, he can’t help but stop in for a drink. After being questioned by the bartender, he quickly regrets the pitstop.

What a great tale about appreciating what you have and making the most of your life without rushing to the next thing.

When a wicked little boy has plans to steal Santa’s gift bag, things don’t go as planned and the boy meets another Christmas creature. 

This one certainly took a terrifying and brutal turn! Phew!

When a little girl named Claudia finds a book that magically shows one new page at a time, she’s shocked to learn that each scene is something that will happen in her life. Some are fun, everyday events. But when she see’s one of fire and death, she’s spooked. But still, she can’t help but be drawn to the book.

This is such an unsettling plot idea! What would you do if you found a book that could predict what was going to happen? Would you look, or would you hide it away?

What’s the one wish that his classmates, teacher, and even his own brother have for Christmas this year? For Connor to be punished for his wickedness. Krampus is ready to grant that wish.

While it got my blood boiling to see how this kid was reacting to everything, the visit from Krampus was wonderful.

A wonderful poem about a boy protected from the harm that keeps trying to come his way.

When a boy makes a wish for his abusive father to be taken away, that wish is wonderfully granted. 

What a brutal tale that packs such a gut-punch. 

When curiosity gets the best of this young kid, she meets Santa and leaves the event with a scar…

My goodness, this Santa was TERRIFYING.

When a woman finds a wonderful desk that she plans to sell for MUCH more than she haggled for it, she thinks she has an easy win with this sale. However, Krampus isn’t going to let her get away with her wickedness. 

In this tale, a nanny is sent to a small town to watch the two young children while the parents work. 

This one had some wonderful gothic-horror vibes! But man, wIth how much this character was trying to prove to us that she was nailing the role, I was so afraid for what may happen to the children!

I LOVE tales when people team up with Krampus! This one captured such wonderful payback.

A heartbreaking little tale of loss.

This tale was heartbreaking from beginning to end. This poor kid!

When a strange being knocks on the door, the little sister opens it… the older sister takes off after the being that snatched her sister, not knowing whether she will  be able to keep up and bring her sister home safe. 

Phew, that ending!

A dark tale of sacrifice for the good of the town. 

This one was intriguing! I mean, a protective wreath with the face of a doll stitched on that watches out for this girl? I’m in!

When a group of young men are sent out to look for supplies during times of war, they run into the enemy. But there’s something else watching them that is far more dangerous that the germans. 

This one was heartbreaking as it covered times of war. The description of the frozen mud alone will send a chill up your spine.

Such a dark tale of devotion and faith and how quickly things can turn when the powerful beings are forsaken.

When Mari Lwyd and her nightmare crew knock on a door, the family has to invite them inside for dinner and drink. But that soon turns to blood and mayhem. 

What a terrifying tale! And that ending!

A beautiful little poem about the changing of season.

When a creature terrorizes a small town, a man whose son had gone missing is determined to find this creature and end it. But of course, what he finds isn’t what he has expected.

This one was so eerie! The settings the author creates are wonderfully dark and dreary!

A tale of sheer determination! I caught myself holding my breath a few times while reading this one! At each pass, I feared the worst. 

It all starts off as fun and games, but doesn’t it always? When an app that rates children on whether they are naughty or nice goes viral, the naughty children begin to die.

I LOVED this one! What a dark idea and such a brutal storyline. 

A tale within a tale, this one will leave readers reeling! Krampus never forgets…

When a young girl finds a book of carols, she can’t help but steal it and hide it away, knowing that it is forbidden to sing. Thinking that the tale of carolers coming to take you away was just a myth, she doesn’t fear the danger until it’s on her front steps.

This one was so terrifying! What a world it would be if people were unable to sing, especially at Christmas! 

What a spooky poem to end on! 

It was awesome to read this collection the week leading up to Christmas! But now I think I’ll go watch a cheesy Hallmark movie to lighten the mood a bit. ;-D

Horror fans, don’t miss this one for your holiday reading this year!

A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories by Douglas R. Brown is a collection of hard hitting, real-world horror stories with a wisp of the paranormal. Fitting perfectly into the category of gut-punch horror, this one will leave an impact on readers.

And a word of caution; similar to how a firefighter may touch a wall to see if there is fire roaring on the other side, readers will want to check out the content warning before diving in here. (I’ve added that below)

Right first thing, there is a content warning from the author that I really appreciate. This book covers some really heavy topics such as suicide and PTSD. Suicide is a tricky one for me, but this author handled it very well.

Each story features a first responder and centers around their struggles either with the job itself or with the aftermath of being on the job. Each one captures a different human emotion; from soul-sucking emptiness, guilt, and loneliness all the way to the burning emotions of frustration and rage. Readers will have their hearts broken over and over as we meet each character in these tales.

But looking past the emotion, there is also a ton of action, horror, and ghosts!

I loved every one of these stories!

My top two favorites from the collection were:

Here are my thoughts on each tale:

This tale was A Christmas Carol reimagining and oh my, what a gut punch this one is. Going on the usual trips, we see this man’s past, present, and future. Each one was so upsetting to see.

There is so much heartbreak and horror included in these scenes. Will he be able to pull back and get help before it’s too late?

A tale about a man that sticks to routine and enjoys his job as a nighttime janitor.

This one seems so everyday, but wow the little hints that were dropped in here… they don’t add up until you know exactly what is going on. I felt so bad for this poor guy. It’s scary how the brain can betray us. 

When the tragic events of one fire becomes a legend for veterans to tell the new rookie, this woman heeds the warning when going into her first fire. But there’s something very sinister going on with this scene… 

To begin with, basement fires sound absolutely terrifying. I cannot imagine being in these men and women’s shoes. What a great and spooky tale about getting out alive. 

Told in two main timelines, we meet a man that is struggling with his anger issues while the other is just starting to feed into his anger after his wife receives a message from a troll.

When these two timelines merge… phew! I gotta say I love the idea of a Dexter-like vigilante that goes after people that act up on the internet! I’d certainly love to see it.

When a man’s daughter is kidnapped, he takes off after the man that took her. And he won’t stop until he has her back again. 

Oh I love when a story begins and you just find yourself automatically rooting for one character without having any context. Turns out, I was rooting for the bad guy!

When a woman is called to a scene of a DOA, she is looped into helping the ghost cover up what he had done before he passes on. She can’t believe that she is actually helping, but what she learns next is much worse…

This poor woman! What a tale this was; I was totally hooked. I could definitely see this one as a longer novel or a film! I love this idea so much.

The effects of PTSD and the progression from PTS may come on fast or slowly over time like the proverbial frog in a pot of water. By the time the person suffering realizes there is a problem, the water might already be boiling.

Eventually, the medic truck stopped, it’s wobbly siren slowly dying like someone was strangling it. A lurching shadow swallowed him from behind and he lifted his eyes to see the cloaked figure from the driver seat hovering silently above him. The black hood shadowed a long, narrow, pale face with a gaping mouth in the throes of a silent scream. His eyes were the blackest of pits. 

After deep breath, he leaped into the hallway and landed in some kind of made-up kung fu stance. He wasn’t sure what he would do if someone is actually there, but he knew he would do something. Most likely scream and run.

This is such a special collection. I’m so honored to have a copy now sitting on my shelf. The work that the author is doing here to help others understand more about PTSD is wonderful. I certainly learned a lot. Thank you, Mr. Brown!

This collection is something I would highly recommend to horror fans who enjoy horror stories that hit really close to home but also have a paranormal twist. But tread lightly with this one! I had to put this one down between stories to pull myself out of the darkness.

Piece on Earth by Adam Dietz is a brilliant Christmas horror short that is presented to readers in the form of a bar story told over drinks.

And trust me, you’ll want to snag a strong beverage for yourself before reading along and experiencing this story.

The tale begins with a monologue from man talking directly to a new person in town. Right away, it’s clear that something very bad happened. Bad enough that the town doesn’t like talking about it. Unless it’s over drinks at a bar, of course!

After getting some of the set up out of the way, and when new drinks are ordered, we get right into the story that the man had been setting up to tell… and what a doozy it was!

I loved that every chapter started up with a little side monologue before the narrator got back into the main story!

While reading, I was anxiously watching the time left in the story count down. When we started getting little recaps, I was prepared for it to end, but oh my god did that last paragraph about the little house where everything seems quiet… My eyes got SO wide and my jaw literally dropped. I sat there for quite awhile, just staring at my Kindle before moving on to the next page.

Of course I remember it. Terrible, terrible thing. The worst thing to ever happen to this small town. Hands down.

Griff’s shrieking stops abruptly with a thwack and dull unremarkable thud that would signify the end of a life lived.

“Let’s not worry until we need to,” Fred says.
“Call me after you talk to this…?”
“Jason,” Fred says.
“Never met a Jason I liked,” Greg says.
“Well, there’s Jason Vorhees,” Fred says, smiling.
“Oh that’s true,” Greg says, reconsidering.

What a brilliant tale! I mean, the fact that it’s set up as a story told at a bar?! You can literally imagine buying a drink and listening to this tale being told. Once the drinks are gone, the story wraps up, and both people move on with their nights. 

This is a must read for horror fans that don’t mind a quick wrap up that leaves you equally wanting more, but also totally satisfied with the format itself. I would love to see a part two one day!

Christmas in the Empty Cabin and Other Holiday Tales by E. Reyes is a must-read for fans of holiday horror.

Go pick up your copy, grab a comfy blanket, and dive into this one on a windy or snowy December evening! You’re going to love it.

I saw the cover of this one floating around on Twitter one day. Of course as soon as I realized it was Christmas horror, I snagged a copy for myself!

This collection is so much fun to read! There are tales that are lighter on the horror, while others went into the full-out terror.

I especially loved how this collection didn’t shy away from the darkness of the holiday season.

My favorites from this collection include:

Here are my notes on each tale-

Midnight Visitors
The night of November 1st, Sophie’s parents urge her to go to sleep. She finally does but is awoken at midnight by sounds in the kitchen. Of course she goes to investigate.

This one had suspense, a bit of spookiness, and a lot of love! Who wouldn’t give for one more meal all together? 

My Brother Daniel
From the start of this one, it’s clear something is going on. I just had no idea what until it was all laid out! This one threw me for quite the loop! 

The House by the Woods
When a beautiful girl asks this boy for help, he jumps immediately to do whatever she needs. She has him enter the woods with her to look for something…

This one seemed so innocent at first, but then it starts to get more and more unsettling. 

Christmas Blues
Short, heartbreaking, and sweet. A tale about a man that will do anything for family. 

Christmas in the Empty Cabin
While on their annual camping trip, disaster strikes leaving one man stuck in a tent with an injury while the other goes for help. He gets caught in a nasty storm, but the storm isn’t the only thing to worry about. 

Phew, this one was absolutely chilling. I was so nervous for these two every step of the way. I loved the ending!

A Scurry Furry Christmas
The toy of the year is an ugly little thing. It’s impossible to find and obviously it’s the only toy this man’s daughter asked for. But when a woman curses others trying to get the last three, the toys become something else!

What a bloody way to end this collection! Phew! The ugliness that comes out during normal crazed shopping is intense, but this tale brought it to a whole new level. 

Erica and Luke stepped into the woods. It was like a horror movie waiting to happen. The thunder started rumbling, and light rain started to come down, squeezing between the woods.

I love holiday short stories, and this one really hit it out of the park for me. Many of these characters and plotlines settled fully into my brain while reading, and I know I won’t be forgetting about them anytime soon.

While this may have been my first read from E., it most definitely will not be my last! I cannot wait to dive into more works soon.

The Best of Indie Horror: Christmas Edition is a must-own for fans of holiday horror! From the chilling to the full-blown brutal, this has a bit of everything included in just 11 tales!

I can’t get over this collection… I love that I never know what to expect when I pick up a book from this publisher. I know I’m always in for a wild ride though, that’s for sure!

My favorite tales from this collection included:

Per usual, here are my notes on each tale:

Tradition by Steve Stred
A family with a Christmas obsessed father heads in a trip to bring home the perfect Christmas tree. But of course, this isn’t a quick trip in and out. There’s someone else in the grove of trees… 

With Steve you always know you’re going to get something really intense! My god, what a tale to kick this collection off with. It started so heartwarming and then turned absolutely terrifying! 

Top Floor: Seasonal Furnishings and Christmas Decorations by Lex H Jones
When tasked to clear out a department store that had once been something wonderful, a man finds a hidden room. As he goes to explore, he finds out why it had been sealed off. 

This tale was super unsettling. It was so tough to watch the poor character get sucked in! 

Pennies for Santa by RJ Roles
When a bell ringer discovers the mall Santa and his elves are asking kids for their spare change, he’s furious that it is cutting into his take. After talking to the Santa Clause doesn’t go well, he decides to take things into his own hands. 

This one is filled with darkness. It certainly makes you think twice of bringing your kids to see Santa or donating to any of the bell ringers… 

Clitoris Krampus by Zoltán Komor
Not one for me, but fans of super bizarre and sexual happy are gonna love this! 

Let the Damn Elves Die Already by Veronica Smith
One Christmas ends with a little girl being sent to a psych hospital. Ten years later, she’s back with her parents and things seem to be well. But when she hears a certain song, things start to scare her. looking to find out what happened that one Christmas, this girl is determined to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

I loved this one so much! The first scene is absolutely terrifying. Seeing the girl go through that was just horrible. But when she’s back home, her bravery and determination was so wonderful to see. I was rooting for her so much! And I absolutely loved the ending. 

The Mall Santa by Eric Butler
When a group of men break into the house of a mall Santa, they think it’s going to be an easy job. But once they start getting split up, it’s everyone for themselves as they try to escape the maze. 

This tale is brutal! A wonderful story about being naughty or nice! 

Santa Claws by Patrick Reuman
Set as a story inside a story, readers are informed of who Santa Claws is. While On one hand, it’s said to be just a story, on the other it seems very real indeed!

Terrifying and brutal! This one will certainly haunt my dreams. 

A Last Change Christmas Miracle by Matthew V. Brockmeyer
A father that’s brewing up a special batch of meth, an older brother that has hired a sex worker for his younger brother who has murderous plans, and a young brother who just misses his mom are each trying to make the most of their Christmas Eve. 

Phew, this one was so upsetting. This poor boy. I hope he ends up okay!

Blood, Bullets and Baubles by David Owain Hughes
When men on a job think they’ve got this one in the bag, things suddenly go sideways…

The beginning of the tale sets the scene as we get to know what these people are doing, but then once the first moment of intensity happens, this story is action packed until the end!

Golden Ticket by Matthew A. Clarke
Not one for me. 

The Christmas Cabin from Hell by Kevin J. Kennedy
When a brother and sister reunite for Christmas, they’re shocked when snowmen suddenly appear outside the cabin they rented. But things only get stranger from there!

Ah I love a good cabin in the woods tale! Take that and add in some living snowmen?! Yes please!

I was saving this one to kick off my holiday reading this year, and it was the most perfect collection to do just that.

This is yet another collection from KJK Publishing that has a little something for horror fans of all types! Do yourself a favor and go pick this one up today!

Shockadelica by Jon O’Bergh is a tale about spooky things, friendship, and the love of community within an apartment building.

Snag a sweet drink before diving into this one! You’ll want it for the heartwarming scenes, and will need it for when things get scary.

When two friends who share a love of all things spooky begin to see hear about things happening in their building, they decide to investigate themselves. To do so, they introduce themselves to all of their neighbors to interview them. While they are looking for information, they end up finding much more! They begin to make connections with their neighbors, and it pulls this community together just in time.

There’s someone, or something, dark lurking within the walls… and no one is safe.

When this story begins, I was so happy to learn more about each tenant in the building. Having lived in many places where I never saw my neighbors, let alone spoke to them, I was so interested to see how this would play out. I loved the connections that they were making with one another and how much everyone was learning about not just one another, but also about supernatural legends from different cultures!

It was so easy to fall in love with these characters, but of course, when the story started to take a scary turn, I was so fearful for everyone!

I'll admit, I stayed up FAR too late on a work night when I first started reading this book. I just could not set it down! Then I unfortunately hurt my back really badly and wasn't able to pick it up again for almost a week. When I did dive back in, I was able to hit the pages hard as it continued to build toward the intense ending!

By mid-September, summer already seemed a distant memory. The weather had cooled appreciably–still pleasant, but the blue sky and verdant trees tricked you into imagining it was warmer outside than it actually was: not warm enough for a short-sleeved shirt but not cool enough for a coat.

A floorboard groaned as the thing came closer. It approached with slow steps, as if nervous about waking him. Beneath his sleep mask, with his eyes wide open, Kendall’s world remained pitch black. The thing paused by the side of the bed. Kendall tried to will his limbs to move but felt only frustration and terror.

Sunday turned out to be one of those days in autumn’s seesaw when nature tossed out a bone to those reluctant to see the summer depart.

Endings always made her sad. Maybe that was why she always picked up a new book the moment she finished one.

“… Embrace your multiplicities. All of them. What was it Walt Whitman said? Very well then, I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes. Don’t ever let anyone tell you who you are, or put you into a neat little box. Boxes are coffins.”

I had a blast reading this one and I did not see that ending coming. The author did a wonderful job throwing in a couple red herrings along the way!

Readers are sure to fall in love with these wonderful and quirky characters from the start! Once the spookiness kicks in, you won’t want to put it down!

I highly recommend checking this one out!