TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep_Review

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was immediately enraptured with this book, trying to read it in one sitting just because I couldn’t set it down. Gwen Frost is such an endearing character, appealing to YA-age readers and even older readers (such as myself) who remember what school was like (what life is like) when no one understands you and you just give up trying to make yourself known. Author Jennifer Estep delineates her characters with a light touch, where others might have rendered simply stereotypes. This is true of the characters in and of themselves, even before and beyond their existence as “stuff of legend and myth.”

And that is the added “touch”; Mythos Academy, of which “Touch of Frost” is only, thankfully, the first in a series, is a private boarding school for descendants of gods and warriors. Yes, you read that right: those folks on Olympus, Valhalla, and elsewhere (many elsewhere) really did exist (and still do) and really did commence genetic lineages. Umpteen generations later, those children attend Mythos Academy, located outside Asheville, North Carolina; as did their parents and grandparents. They train to utilize their magic, to act as warriors and denizens of the good. But the Norse god Loki, once a trickster but due to the skewing of circumstances later actually evil, leads his army, the Reapers of Chaos, and those are present at Mythos Academy too-both professor and student-although covert.




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MIDNIGHT MOVIE CREATURE FEATURE_Review

Midnight Movie Creature Feature by T.W. Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An anthology of horror in which each story is framed as a film title, with the author as the star, “Midnight Movie Creature Feature” returns to us those monsters we feared so much at the movies as children, together with some legendary creatures such as the Golem, which has a centuries-old lineage from medieval European Jewish history. These are not flash fiction, either, but fully realized, characterized, and plotted stories. As an anthology, some readers might find all the stories intriguing; others, like this reviewer, might find some especially exciting. Either way, there’s material here to appeal to all, and the film framework is catchy and intriguing. This is not a quick-write, quick-edit and hit print anthology AT ALL. Everyone involved in this put in tremendous effort, and this anthology deserves wide consideration.

I won’t list my specific favourites, because that’s only my individual tastes. But if you’re hunting for jaw-dropping, skin-crawling, looking-over-your-shoulder-to-see-the-monster kind of scary, check out “Midnight Movie Creature Feature.” And do leave the lights on.




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Troll Hunters by Michael Dahl_Advance Review

Reviewed for Great Minds Think Aloud


Troll hunters by Michael Dahl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



An enjoyable tale of contemporary fantasy, suitable for middle-graders through adolescent (and even adults too ), “Troll Hunters” is an easy yet engrossing read. Author Michael Dahl credibly comprehends the viewpoints, fears, desires, and reality of the young, both quite young (as Louise), and adolescent (Zak, Pablo, Thora, Bryce), so that the reader observes (and participates) from the youngsters’ viewpoints. As well, his ability to suspend disbelief has readers readily conceding that even in today’s reality, trolls, centaurs, and other supposedly mythological beings could and do exist, and impact our society, culture, and lives. I recommend this book for the above age groups, and it would also be suitable for adults reading to younger children.




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My Favorite Fangs by Alan Goldsher_ADVANCE REVIEW

My Favorite Fangs: The Story of the Von Trapp Family Vampires by Alan Goldsher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


“My Favourite Fangs” parodies “The Sound of Music,” the classic heartwarming, hopeful tale fo the Von Trapp Family of Austria in the 1930’s, in the era of the rise of Nazism to power in Germany, which led to World War II. Now as we know, in the original, love, hope, faith, and charity triumphed. In this version, triumph goes to Vampires-specifically, Vampire Maria Trapp, an oversexed near-immortal who has spent a couple of centuries hanging around with the Zombie Sisters of the Abbey of the Dead in Austria. Zombies are not known for their intelligence or brain capacity, and so the Abbey’s Mother Superior (known of course as Mother Zombie) determines to send out Maria as governess to the wild, foul-mouthed, misbehaving, hoyden children of Georg von Trapp, a wealthy (but severely alcoholic) estate-owner. These little heathens were semi-orphaned by the death of their mother, and the emotional withdrawal of their father. Supervised by housekeeper Alice (see “The Brady Bunch”) and butler Albert (see “Batman”), the children run wild-literally; until the arrival of overblown Maria, who determines to set them straight-in some cases, by converting them to vampirism, in other cases by playing on their prurient interests.

“My Favorite Fangs” is campy-excessively so-and relies in large part on pop culture of the latter 20th century as the fulcrum of its multitude of joking references. The humour level struck me as appealing to adolescent boys; although I did enjoy the introduction of John Coltrane as a sort of Spirit Guide from the Astral plane, even though at the time he was still alive and an active musician.

I rate this 18+ for graphic violence, profanity, and sexual situations involving individuals under 18.
Although it is highly possible, maybe even likely, that fourteen-year-old boys and sixteen-year-old girls think, talk, and behave in sexually explicit fashion, I would prefer not to read about it and I caution readers who might find this uncomfortable.




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100 HORRORS Anthology

100 Horrors: Tales of Horror in the Blink of an Eye by Kevin G. Bufton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“100 Horrors” is a true centuple, collecting stories by 100 authors, of 100 words each, filing horror to a sharp, sharp point. No wasted details, no unnecessary verbiage here: just a century of words in which to titillate, frighten, or even terrify a reader. Subtitled “Tales of Horror in the Blink of an Eye,” this anthology can be read nearly that fast, or it can be slowed and savoured, letting the horror sink in and percolate in the reader’s bloodstream.

The introduction is like a carnival barker drawing us in…reminding us of what it’s like to experience real thrills and chills. It also beckons to those of us with decades of enrapture with convoluted and lengthy horror novels. Its premise turns out to be so very, very true: a story truly doesn’t have to run 1,000 pages of gore and graphic violence to terrify. All it takes is a simple, short, 100 words. 100 words to make the skin crawl, the eyes snap shut, the mouth scream, and the mind shake. 100 little words, 100 times over. Read this anthology with ALL the lights in the house on. I wish I had.




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TREASURE IN THE GRAVEYARD by Roberto Pavanello

Treasure in the Graveyard by Roberto Pavanello

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Treasure in the Graveyard” is a delightful children’s tale “starring” as narrator, Echo-a bat who writes stories, and who lives in a crypt in a quiet abandoned graveyard. Echo has three human helpers whom he refers to collectively as “the Bat Pack.” Delectable illustrations fill the story, helping identify Becca, Michael, and Tyler Silver; their parents; Echo the bat; and their new nemesis and his familiar. The plotline has its scary elements, but not inappropriately so for middle-graders, the book’s target audience. The story has a logical, sensible, progression, so that the young readers will not be left frightened; and word puzzles are also included at the end to stretch literacy skills. I read the book along with my 3.5 year old grandson, who very much enjoyed the story and inquiring about the illustrations. I promised him I would acquire other books in the “Bat Pack” series.



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CAGED VIEW by Kenya Wright_Review

Caged View: A Collection of Urban Fantasy Short Stories by Kenya Wright

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A short story collection set in the same “alternate reality” as the author’s “Fire Baptized,” “Caged View” contains four stories. Three include characters from “Fire Baptized,” and the fourth is from the point of view of Ms. Wright’s upcoming novel “Chameleon.” In this reality, humans have been aware of Supernaturals since the 1970’s, and oddly, it is the human race which is in control, branding any Supernatural newborns according to their individual species, and forcing the Supernaturals to live in separate “habitats,” organized by a specific religion. These stories are set in the Santeria habitat.

These are really fast-moving stories, heavy on the plot and characterisations, nicely done on the emotional level as well. It’s not easy to elicit a lot of empathy for characters in a short story format, but author Wright does so well. In the context of a short story, we come to know the characters well and to either like or dislike them, but we come from a place of understanding.

I rate this story collection 18+ for graphic violence and profanity. Although linked to “Fire Baptized” and to “Chameleon,” the stories also function well as stand-alones and are a good introduction to the writings of Kenya Wright.





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The Spirit Box by J. H. Glaze_Review

The Spirit Box by J.H. Glaze

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


“The Spirit Box” is a rather convoluted horror tale, centering around a carved clay box originally constructed by a con artist masquerading as High Shaman of an ancient Norse-like tribe. Designed to hold the animated heart of the deceased Chieftain, the Spirit Box must collect souls till a “critical mass” is reached in order to resurrect the fallen leader. Despite the fact that the original events occurred millennia ago, in contemporary times, the Spirit Box still actively seeks to pillage souls and to control circumstances, and so many individuals find that they are capable of taking human life, with no particular advance intent and sometimes without real awareness as the killings occur.
Even in the midst of the plot complications, the story does maintain its point; and it’s intriguing how the “protagonist” in the Spirit Box manages to control his “acolytes,” not so much by force but rather by mental and emotional manipulation, sensing their deeper desires and motives and playing upon them.

I rated this novel 18+ for graphic violence and for extended use of profanity.




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Safe Crossing by Chris Ewan_Review

Safe House: A Mystery by Chris Ewan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


“Safe House” is a rather convoluted mystery with an intriguing background and backdrop. Set on the Isle of Man-a location which is basically unknown to many readers, but delightful to discover-this novel hits the ground racing and doesn’t stop ever. Rob, a heating/plumbing small businessman, accepts a job in an isolated rural area. The cottage’s residents seem odd to him, but he dismisses that until one of them, a blond calling herself Lena, asks him to give her a scenic ride on his motorbike. Rob’s father had been a famous racer until the accident that nearly killed him, and Rob also races in junior category, hoping to become professional as was his dad. But the ride with Lena-which begins in near-secrecy-ends in a crash, injuring Rob, and disappearing Lena entirely. The police know nothing, and claim he is delusional from brain trauma. Rob knows better; and the London P.I. whom his folks have hired to investigate his sister’s recent “suicide” believes Rob may be speaking truth after all.



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Baltimore: The Curse Bells by Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden_Review

Baltimore: The Curse Bells by Mike Mignola

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dark Horse Comics and Dark Horse Books are the publishers which ended my long-standing aversion (avoidance) of graphic novels recently when I perused Dark Horse Books’ superb “Freaks of the Heartland,” a story I absolutely cannot forget. The gorgeous art; the story line; the dialogue; and the characterizations are immensely appealing. I find “Baltimore: The Curse Bells” intriguing too, although its appeals is just slightly less than that of “Freaks of the Heartland.” There are a couple of reasons for this which are specific to me:
1. The text font used in Curse Bells is smaller, and that is difficult on my poor eyesight. However, I imagine 99% of readers will find it just right.
2. It’s a vampire-type story, which unfortunately is not my forte.
On the other hand, this story has some real advantages:
1. It’s historical: set in Eastern Europe in the early 19th century, its storyline actually PREDATES Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” (although it is set more than a century after the original Vlad the Impaler).
2. The characterizations are very well done-and the art carries forth the aura of those characters marvelously.
3. The storyline is intriguing, neatly twisted, and carries a lot of emotional overtone with it, so that the reader speeds from panel to panel without dropping the thread of suspension of disbelief. In other words, you really want to know what’s happening next.




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FINAL CROSSING by Carter Wilson_Advance Review

A NetGalley Review


Final Crossing: A Novel of Suspense by Carter Wilson




I loved this book! “Final Crossing” has everything a reader of thrillers could ask: a skewed, psychologically bizarre serial killer who sees clues that no one else ever could; violent death; mysteries unbound; the horrors of war, still present even though far in the past; a Capitol Hill Chief of Staff who still has the skills of his special forces training; and the perverted childhood tortures that combined to make that serial killer the juggernaut he is today. A fascinating mystery/thriller/psychological study, “Final Crossing” is a compelling novel not to be missed except by the very faintest of hearts.

A serial killer with one purpose-molded by a perversion of religion tortured into him at the hands of an earlier madman, a creature he encountered only by accident one fated afternoon; a former Army Ranger who now lives for the political machinations of America’s capital; a psychic criminologist on contract to the Federal Bureau of Investigation: a fated trio, each with one foot in a world other than our own consensus reality.

Readers will literally find themselves perched on the edges of their chairs, astonished, driven, heart-wrenched, and horrified, turning the pages so fast they might almost ignite. The term “thriller” might have been conceived to describe “Final Crossing.” Please don’t miss out.




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