horror

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2024 (3/29/24)

March 29, 2024 — 1 Comment

March was a good reading month for me! I temporarily lost track of the Goodreads challenge, though. I’m pretty sure I actually read Pressure by Jeff Strand in February… Oops! I’ll review it here since I missed it last month. (I am usually reading 2-3 books at any given time, so I occasionally mess up this list.)

Pressure (Jeff Strand)

Rating: 4/5

I have read one other Jeff Strand novel (My Pretties), and I find I like his writing style and his twisted ideas. Pressure was a tense story throughout. The reader can feel the frustration of Alex’s dealings with Darren and how hopeless it is to think Darren can be bested. I won’t say anything else because I try my best not to include spoiler alerts, but I highly recommend adding Pressure to your TBR is you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you on the edge.

Virgin Night (Christopher Robertson)

Rating: 5/5

I love Christopher Robertson. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m just devouring his books. Lol. I love his take on all of my favorite horror tropes, and Virgin Night is another masterful ode to 90s slasher flicks. The core characters were well-written and relatable, and the ones you’re supposed to hate…well, you will. The references to AIM, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” industrial/metal bands that were what I listened to back then, etc., just carried me on a wave of nostalgia, while the story itself was crafted in a way that kept you on your toes. There was never a lull in the action: Virgin Night will have you hooked from page one!

Hannah’s War (Jan Eliasberg)

Rating: 4/5

Hannah’s War was sent to me via a “Blind Date With a Book” purchase on Etsy. I put off reading it for a while because I wasn’t sure it was going to be my cup of tea. However, once I started it, I was drawn in almost instantly. This book is historical fiction, set during the final months of World War II. It’s a love story, yes, but all the intricacies of the tale are not drowned in a sappy, over-the-top romance. Hannah is a remarkable woman, intelligent and poised, and the men around her can’t help noticing. She also holds the future in her hands, as she has made a discovery that could alter everything – and she risks losing it all, including her life, to protect that discovery and keep it out of the wrong hands.

Ice Cold Murder (Michele Pariza Wacek)

Rating: 4/5

Another installment in the Charlie Kingsley series, Ice Cold Murder takes the reader on a journey through a blizzard, to a haunted house, for a weekend with estranged family members and a will reading. Only before any business can be handled, the lawyer is found dead in the woodshed. Now, it is up to Charlie and Officer Wyle to discover the culprit. Have they unwittingly found themselves spending the weekend with a murderer?

All I can say is, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ve gotta try this series.

The Ritual (Adam Nevill)

Rating: 4/5

I actually watched the movie based on this novel a while ago, so naturally, I had to read it, too. The Ritual does take a bit of patience to get through. The main characters are lost in the woods, so there are times when nothing much is happening aside from hiking or huddling I tents. However, the shadow of fear lurks around every corner as Luke, Hutch, Phil, and Dom attempt to escape the ancient forest and slowly discover that they’ve stumbled upon a corner of the world where the things that go bump in the night still exist. If you like messed up stories about people who live beyond the outskirts of society and still respect old traditions (including human sacrifice), this is the book for you.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet (Madeleine L’Engle)

Rating: 3/5

I read A Wrinkle in Time many, many years ago. When I found three of the companion novels, I bought them without hesitation. I’m glad I did, but I have to say that neither A Wind in the Door nor A Swiftly Tilting Planet was able to recapture the magic of that first book. A Swiftly Tilting Planet was readable, I just didn’t get sucked in. I had to work to get through it. Here’s hoping Many Waters is better.

The Playroom (Wallace Henry)

Rating: 3/5

I generously gave The Playroom three stars for one reason only: the first part of this book is gloriously fucked-up. The story began like dozens of horror movies I’ve loved. Two cops find a woman covered in blood out in the middle of nowhere, and she has a harrowing tale about a house in the woods where a twisted duo did unspeakable things to her. Sounds promising, right? Yeah, it’s not. The twist killed it for me. You can try it, though. Just brace yourself for the genre-bend about halfway through.

***

I am currently reading Sundial (Catriona Ward) and the next book in the Charlie Kingsley series, Murder Next Door.

Progress: 19/50

Must-Watch Movies/TV Shows?

January 30, 2024 — Leave a comment

Hello! Today, I wanted to ask my followers a favor. Can y’all recommend some good movies or shows, preferably on Netflix, Hulu, or Tubi? I’m a big fan of horror (obviously), thrillers, true crime documentaries, and I do enjoy comedies, but not childish/stupid humor – like everything Will Ferrell does.

Most of the newer movies/shows I’ve watched have been garbage, honestly. I’m keeping the hope, though, because I have stumbled across a few gems. It’s difficult when you don’t want to watch something where the writers voice their political opinions and social commentary every ten seconds.

Anyway, leave me your recommendations! Thank you in advance!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (12/23/23)

December 23, 2023 — Leave a comment

This will be my last update of 2023! I reached my goal of 60. I actually surpassed it and finished the year with 63 books read.

Here are the books I read in December with my personal ratings and a little review. If you would like to see my full year-in-review (without having to find the blog posts), you can visit my Instagram account.

Dracula (Bram Stoker)

Rating: 4/5

The story itself was really good. It definitely held my interest. The writing style, however, took some getting used to. (Yes, I am aware when it was written and that Stoker was Irish. Lol.) If this is a classic that you have also not read thus far, I would highly recommend it.

The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick)

Rating: 2/5

I was not a fan of The Witch of Halloween House. It was very simply written and rather predictable, and I didn’t care for how DeGordick wrapped it up. This is apparently part of a series, but I doubt I will be pursuing its successors.

You Love Me (Caroline Kepnes)

Rating: 2/5

Okay. I have overlooked a few things I do not care for in this series (like Kepnes’ insistence on waxing poetic about her liberal beliefs via Joe), but this novel… This was the worst of the series so far. I will not include spoilers; however, I will say that too much time is dedicated to the building of Joe’s relationship with Mary Kay for the book to end the way it does. Unfortunately, I am not a quitter, and I’ve made it this far, so I am going to read For You and Only You.

Camp Slaughter (Sergio Gomez)

Rating: 3/5

If you want a slasher without any deeper plot and with some graphic descriptions that might make you gag, Camp Slaughter is the book for you. It’s like a cross between Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Sergio’s writing style was not my favorite, but I do think I’ll try out the sequel, Halloween Slaughter.

Witching on a Star (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3/5

So far, Witching on a Star has been my least favorite of Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series. I do enjoy the cozy mystery genre, but Lee is teetering on a little too much seriousness. I will continue this series; if the books continue in this vein, though, I will likely stop reading them.

Redemption (David Baldacci)

Rating: 4/5

This was my first Baldacci. I received it when I did one of those “blind date with a book” things on Etsy. As someone who is not a huge fan of books that center around cops, FBI agents, etc. as the main focus, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Redemption. To my surprise, I enjoyed this one! Detective Amos Decker was quite likable, as was his former partner, Mary Lancaster, and the man Decker saved from death row, Melvin Mars. Redemption was the fifth book in Baldacci’s “Memory Man” series. I may have to go back and read its predecessors.

Twelve Slays of Christmas (Jacqueline Frost)

Rating: 4/5

Have I mentioned my love of cozy mysteries? I saw Twelve Slays of Christmas recommended on Instagram and decided to try it. After all, ’tis the season! This is definitely a book you choose when you’re going to be wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea or cocoa, and indulging in a merry murder mystery! I’m about to dive deep into this series, even if Christmas is almost over.

Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow (Christina Henry)

Rating: 4/5

Horseman was an interesting re-imagining of the well-known legend of Sleepy Hollow. Learn the “real” story of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane, the man who won Katrina’s heart and their granddaughter who bucks social norms and sets her own path. This was a fun read, a well-written page turner. I already have my next Christina Henry novel picked out: Alice.

**

If you read anything in 2023 that you particularly enjoyed, drop a comment and tell me about it!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (11/15/23)

November 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

My November was even slower than my October, in regard to the reading challenge. To be fair, that could have something to do with extra hours at work and my week-long trip to Colorado…

Anyway, I have only read five books since my last update. I did reach my goal of 55; time to raise the number again.

So here are the books I finished, complete with ratings and brief reviews. Enjoy, and remember to recommend anything you think I’d find interesting!

None of This is True (Lisa Jewell)

Rating: 4/5

None of This is True was an intriguing read – until the very end. The story was enough to hold my interest, and Lisa did quite well in keeping certain things shrouded in mystery. However, the big reveal was a mite disappointing and, frankly, dissatisfying. I would still recommend it, though, because not everyone will feel as I do about the conclusion.

Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

Rating: 2/5

After hearing about Frankenstein for years, I finally decided to read it. How had I missed such a classic, right? Especially given how much I love all things horror. Well… having read this infamous novel, I feel that I could have continued living without it. I’m sure many of you will herald Frankenstein as a must-read, and I do understand its importance in literary history, but I just couldn’t get into it. Victor pissed me off. That’s the gist of my complaint. I won’t bore you with my opinion on this particular book any further.

Ghost (Kat Blackthorne)

Rating: 3/5

Ghost is the first in Kat Blackthorne’s “The Halloween Boys” series. I like the concept behind this book, and I love Kat diving into several facets of the supernatural. On the other hand, I lost my patience with Blythe, the female lead. I’ll give the short version of what didn’t win me over: everyone wanted Blythe, she accepted what was going on way too easily, and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – most of the smut was unnecessary.

Witching You Were Here (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3.5/5

Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series are considered cozy mysteries, and that description is accurate. I read most of Witching You Were Here on my flights to and from Colorado. This is the third book in the series, and while I do enjoy the quirky relationships among the Winchester witches and their friends/significant others, I am waiting on a more intricate plot, or even a darker scenario like the murders in the first book. Still, these are fun and easy reads. I highly recommend grabbing your favorite blanket and a mug of tea (or coffee) and curling up with one of these books.

The Drowning Kind (Jennifer McMahon)

Rating: 4/5

My mom read The Drowning Kind first and told me that I would enjoy it, and she was right. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll say only that I was hooked from page one, I devoured this novel in three days, and this story carried me through a lot of emotions. It actually made me cry quite a bit. Read this. Read it now. Trust me.

**

I am currently reading Dracula (Bram Stoker) and The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick).

Fear Friday: Favorite Movie Vampire

October 20, 2023 — Leave a comment

I just realized how few Halloween posts I’m likely to do this year, so I decided to write one about a heavily debatable topic among horror fans: who is the best vampire on film? (And if you say any of the Cullens, I absolutely will not take you seriously.)

While there are those who swear the best will always be the originals, Nosferatu and/or Dracula, my personal choice is a little more recent. I am a huge fan of The Lost Boys, and David is deliciously evil, but nor does he have my vote. No, my favorite takes us back to 1985.

Fright Night, featuring the positively wicked Jerry Dandridge, as portrayed by Chris Sarandon. (And no, I don’t accept Colin Farrell in the role.)

He’s sexy, he’s suave, he’s charming, he’s seductive…and he is mean as a snake, emotionless, led by his baser needs. The creepiest, most dangerous thing about Jerry is how seamlessly he fits in with humanity. Sure, he’s a little odd, a bit too formal, but there’s something alluring in that, something that often persuades those around him to lower their guard.

The highlight of Fright Night, in my opinion, and the moment when I myself would be doomed to my fate, is the dance scene.

Sorry, Charlie. My hormones are overpowering my brain cells, and I’m going with the sketchy dude who’s been following us and watching you from next door…

So, in the spirit of spooky season, tell me which movie vampire is your favorite, and why.

Happy Spooktober!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (10/16/23)

October 16, 2023 — Leave a comment

It’s been a semi-slow month for me in regard to reading. I did reach my new goal of 50 books for 2023, though. Guess I have to reset the goal again. I feel like I’m getting through so many books because I use the Kindle app and read on my lunch breaks at work. My coworkers think I’m weird, but whatever. Losing myself in a good book makes me happy and, I swear, lowers my blood pressure when I’m having a stressful shift.

Anyway, I have finished 6 books since my last update. My favorites were The Cotton Candy Massacre and its sequel, written by Christopher Robertson. If you like gore-filled slashers, these are the books for you! And now for my usual list of what I read, along with a brief review of each.

Nightseer (Laurell K. Hamilton)

Rating: 3/5

I have read a lot of books by Laurell K. Hamilton, most of them part of her Anita Blake series. I’ve tried two of her stand-alone novels, including this one, and I enjoyed both. Nightseer had a good plot and decent story, but I had to knock off a couple of points for the way it built so gradually, only to end very abruptly. I wondered if she intended to continue this story at a later date, for the ending left it wide open for a sequel.

The Nightmare (Lars Kepler)

Rating: 3.5/5

The Nightmare is the second book in Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna series. These novels are intricately crafted, in-depth, and filled with twists and turns, but they are fairly quick reads because of how they are written, and they certainly grab and hold your interest. So far, The Hypnotist has been my favorite. With The Nightmare as its follow-up, I am sure I will finish this whole series.

Every Witch Way But Wicked (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3.5/5

I didn’t realize how many series I have started until I was putting this list together. Every Witch Way But Wicked is the second book in Amanda M. Lee’s Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I would call these books “cozy paranormal mysteries.” They’re fun and humorous and great for indulging while curled up with a fuzzy blanket and a mug of tea. I highly recommend checking them out.

Shadow Girl (Gerry Schmitt)

Rating: 4/5

I did one of those Blind Date With a Book orders on Etsy and was sent this novel. I was wary, because I don’t typically enjoy stories about cops, detectives, etc. However, I actually liked Shadow Girl. Perhaps my favorite thing about it was the way the characters were written, particularly Afton Tangler. Afton has goals, she wants to be a detective, but she’s not superwoman, and I appreciate that. So often authors make the mistake of having a main character who is super smart or unrealistically tough or something that puts them above their surrounding cast. But Gerry Schmitt has made a relatable, likeable protagonist in Afton, someone you can root for and that you want to see succeed.

The Cotton Candy Massacre and The Cotton Candy Massacre: Part Toots (Christopher Robertson)

Rating: 5/5

This was a nightmare carnival ride of clowns, gore, and creative kills. As stated, if you’re a fan of slashers – and if you hate clowns, or love them – these are books you should read. The characters were vivid and interesting and likeable, in their own way, and Leigh was just a straight badass. I loved both books and will definitely be reading the third one if it’s written (which Christopher has implied will happen).

***

As planned for October, I have begun reading Frankenstein. I’m also totally engrossed in Lisa Jewell’s None of This is True and Jennifer McMahon’s The Drowning Kind.

A/S/L?

October 11, 2023 — Leave a comment

Remember the days of AIM and chat rooms and people asking “a/s/l”? Haha! Today’s kids will never know…

Anyway, I don’t actually want to know your age, sex, and location, but if you’re seeing this, it would be cool for you to tell me something good about your day! I feel like I don’t do nearly enough personal posts. I keep intending to change that and I always fail miserably – then I do a post like this, explaining how I’m trying to do more personal posts and that I always fall short. Lol. In my defense, the focus here is music, movies, and books.

For those interested, I’ve been working a lot. I had a doctor’s appointment Monday, but there’s no diagnosis yet: I have to have an ultrasound to check my gallbladder, and I’m on meds to help alleviate the acid in my system, in case I have an ulcer. I’m not super worried; I simply hope I feel better by the end of the month, when I’m going to Colorado to visit my brother again. We plan to celebrate Halloween in Albuquerque, New Mexico, then we’re going to see Wednesday 13 performing Murderdolls. And my brother bought me the VIP meet-and-greet experience for my birthday. Eeeeek!

Hope y’all are having a fabulous October so far! I started Frankenstein, by the way. I don’t know if I like it or not. Victor annoyed me, the way he avoided a situation he created. But we’ll see. I’m about halfway through.

If you’ve made it this far, please leave me a comment, as I mentioned earlier, about your day. Or something you like. Or…whatever. I just want to connect with my followers a bit.

It’s Spooktober!

October 1, 2023 — 3 Comments

Fall is my favorite time of the year. It actually gets below 90° in Alabama, and the leaves are beautiful for, like, three days. Lol. And, of course, there’s Halloween. Given my love of all things spooky, y’all have probably guessed that Halloween is my favorite holiday.

This year, I have issued a personal challenge to myself, kind of an extension of the Goodreads Reading Challenge. See, I have never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I’m sure you’re thinking “what have you been doing with your life?” Well…I don’t know. Haha! I missed out on those classics, despite my parents having copies of both.

Anyway, sorry for my rambling. My point is, my goal for October is to read Frankenstein and Dracula. What better way to celebrate the season?

Happy October, y’all! If you have any other reading recommendations, I’d be glad to hear them. Drop a comment!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (9/20/23)

September 20, 2023 — Leave a comment

I actually completed my goal for 2023 and have since changed it twice. Haha. My new goal is 50 books! (It could rise again, as I’m already at 44.)

I last posted August 10th, and I have read ten books following that update, though one of them was a novella. Still counts. Here is a list of those books and my personal rating of each.

Ink and Bone (Rachel Caine)

Rating: 4.5/5

I love Rachel Caine. I love her writing style, her characters, her stories. If you’ve read her Morganville Vampires series, then you should know that Ink and Bone, and its successors, are worth checking out.

Going Dark (Melissa de la Cruz)

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this book a lot. I devoured it in maybe two days. The twist was…not quite believable, in a way, which is why I couldn’t give this a 5/5 rating, but Going Dark is still a great read.

The Things She’s Seen (Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina)

Rating: 4/5

This was another book I finished in 3-4 days. It was a quick read, and very emotional. The Things She’s Seen is a must-add for your to-be-read pile.

The Watchers (AM Shine)

Rating: 4.5/5

A coworker bought this book for me as a birthday gift. The summary didn’t give anything away, which I appreciate, but it still intrigued me enough to want to read it. I wanted answers, so I tore through The Watchers fairly quickly, and while I liked the explanation, I thought Shine could have ended it a bit sooner and not lost anything. I would highly recommend this book.

Late as a Rabbit (Kendra Moreno)

Rating: 3.5/5

Okay, I like the general idea around this series: a darker Wonderland where Alice is evil. But…I’m not a huge fan of the love stories developing, nor the unnecessary smut. These books feel like something that may have started on Wattpad.

Selfie (Stuart James)

Rating: 3/5

I don’t know how I feel about this book. The premise seemed interesting, but the execution wasn’t really for me, I guess. I can’t even say whether or not I’d recommend it. Just read the summary and decide. Lol.

Enter the Dark House (Laurie Faria Stolarz)

Rating: 4/5

This was a double feature, both Welcome to the Dark House and its sequel Return to the Dark House all in one. I enjoyed these books. They were right up my alley. I mean, trapping contest winners in an amusement park and picking them off based on their biggest fears? I’m such a sucker for that stuff. And, even better, Stolarz didn’t get sidetracked with the romantic relationship, even though her main characters were around the age of eighteen.

Sour Candy (Kealan Patrick Burke)

Rating: 2/5

I did not love this. I’m not even sure Burke knew what his own idea was, or if he just wrote some vague nonsense with no real plot in an attempt to seem deep or weird. The explanation at the end still didn’t clear things up. I don’t know. This wasn’t my cup of tea.

The Dark Room (Lisa Gray)

Rating: 4/5

This book disappointed me so much! It started out okay, seeming like my type of story, but then… It turned into a tale of men being evil, a theme I’m heartily sick of at this point. Even worse than that, the female protagonists were stupid and made all the same mistakes that piss me off in horror movies, with the result that if one of the men hadn’t helped them, they likely wouldn’t have survived. In case you couldn’t tell, Run on Red really annoyed me. And that sucks, because I loved the other books by Ihli that I’ve read (The Thicket and Ask for Andrea).

I read this on a whim. I had a $3 credit through Kindle, but it only applied to a handful of books. This one seemed the most like my type of story, so I bought it. And I’m glad I did! I won’t say too much here, but this is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

Run on Red (Noelle W. Ihli)

Rating: 2/5

***

I am currently reading Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Nightmare by Lars Kepler.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (8/10/23)

August 10, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hi, y’all! It’s been just over a month since I last updated you on my Goodreads Reading Challenge, and I have still been steadily climbing towards my goal. I did take a break and re-read Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw, just because I love it and it’s a comfort book for me (like the Harry Potter series).

As far as books from my to-be-read pile, I have marked off six more since the last challenge post. So, here’s what I finished and my rating of each one!

1. Any Witch Way You Can (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 4/5

The first in the “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series, Any Witch Way You Can introduces us to the Winchesters and the inner workings of the family. Oh, and there are a couple of murders sprinkled in, just for fun. I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the characters. I wasn’t even bothered that the murders, and eventual solving of said murders, was almost an afterthought. The twist wasn’t overly surprising, but the way it all unfolded was cute and humorous. I will continue with this series, for sure.

2. The Final Girl Support Group (Grady Hendrix)

Rating: 2/5

Having read The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, I was looking forward to this novel. Unfortunately, it fell short. The plot wasn’t the best, the characters weren’t very likeable, and there was a heavy emphasis on the slasher genre being misogynistic (which I wholly disagree with). I got bored with reading about how evil men are, honestly. Hendrix ignored how many female killers there are in horror, and how one can also view the final girl trope as rather empowering – women surviving through their strength and wit, outsmarting killers who are, in general, men. While I would recommend checking out The Southern Book Club’s Guide…, I might suggest skipping this book.

3. Mad as a Hatter (Kendra Moreno)

Rating: 3.5/5

I love re-imaginings, especially dark versions of Wonderland, so I was intrigued when I stumbled across this series. The back story – how Alice became The Red Queen – definitely feeds my horror-loving heart. However, overall, this book fell short. It was too predictable, too much of a romance. And Clara accepted everything way too quickly. I am going to read the second one, because I like the plot and I don’t want to write Kendra Moreno off too soon.

4. The Resort (Sue Watson)

Rating: 2.5/5

I don’t know how to explain this book. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. I will say one thing; Watson did a great job throwing suspicion on all of her characters, so that the killer could have been any of them. The ending did not impress me, though. I guess if you like mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie and Sue Grafton, you should add this to your list.

5. Four Found Dead (Natalie D. Richards)

Rating: 2/5

I didn’t like this book. The writing was confused and muddled, the characters weren’t relatable, and the killer’s motive was lame. I wouldn’t recommend it.

6. Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are (Kathryn Foxfield)

Rating: 3/5

The concept of this book was right up my alley. I love books/movies where there are groups of people going places they shouldn’t and getting terrorized by masked killers, evil spirits, etc. However, Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are wasn’t the best version of this horror trope. The characters almost saved it, though; I loved every single one, especially Lex and Python. I will be checking out Good Girls Die First.

***

I have now read 34 of 35 books. I may change my goal. Haha. My current read is Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine.