Claire C. Riley brings us into a world where a disease has spread, pretty much everything has died off and there are monsters running around.
That's right- monsters. Not the kind that lurk. These monsters are the kind that hunt you down, rip cars apart and wear pearls.
The narrator never introduces herself, but we know she's traveling with Lily, her daughter. The narrator found Lily on her travels and quickly adopted her. It would appear Lily is an oddity, not because she has something supernaturally special about her, it's because she's a child. Most children died when the disease started spreading.
The narrator and Lily travel together, trying to find somewhere safe to stay where there is food while they tried to avoid the monsters. They do meet other survivors, but like most survival situations, hell is other people. For everyone willing to sacrifice their safe haven to save you, there's someone out for their own intentions.
When the end of their journey comes, Lily is faced with the one thing she doesn't want.
And we feel her despair.
But Lily is safe now and the time of monsters is coming to an end.
Right? Right?!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
COVER REVEAL!
Author Claire C. Riley has a new book series coming out and the cover got revealed today!!!!!
‘Out of the Dark #1’
We are temporary. Finite.
The choices we’ve made, the people we have loved. Who we used to be no longer matters.
Because now it is all about the ending. And the ending always comes too soon.
There’s fear in the dark. And behind every drop of light, the shadows creep and the darkness comes in the form of clawing, red-eyed monsters. They hunt us—stalk us…they are desperate to destroy us.
But I have a reason to fight the darkness and everything in it. A small glimpse of light that lives within my golden-haired daughter, Lilly. She is my strength. She is my everything.
Every life is an untold story, each scene unfolding until the final act. But our ending has yet to be written, and I will continue to protect us, until I can not.
Uh, no. That's a book blurb. Try again.
"Riley delivers a story that is equal parts thrilling and breathtaking. It beautifully illustrates the lengths we go to survive and what it means to love when we've lost everything."
NYT & USA Today bestselling Author A. Meredith Walters
"Riley’s ‘Out of the Dark’ holds a special place in my heart. Before I’d devoured it, I’d never read a book that so beautifully and eloquently captured the distressing, aching love a mother holds for her child. It is built into the heart strings of a woman, natural and uncontainable. It goes past biological and into spiritual.In her most unique and mysterious way, Riley has given us a transcendent picture of love in the midst of a terrifying climate. She has shown us what it means to choose your family, that it is a matter of honor and earning and not a matter of a blood bond and obligation. I am honored to have read this book pre-release and I know it will stick to me like honey, nearly glued onto the fabric of who I am as a human being."
Speculative fiction author - Eli Constant
"A beautifully written story that makes you realize that you should always have hope, even in the most desperate of circumstances. It will tug at your heart strings, until by the end, there isn’t a dry eye in the house."
Goodreads & Amazon reviewer
Now see, that's not a cover either. Those are review snippets for the book. Look, the folks came here for the cover, let's show them the cover!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Claire C. Riley is a USA Today and International bestselling author. She is also a bestselling British horror writer and an Amazon top 100 bestseller.
Her work is best described as the modernization of classic, old-school horror. She fuses multi-genre elements to develop storylines that pay homage to cult classics while still feeling fresh and cutting edge. She writes characters that are realistic, and kills them without mercy. Claire lives in the United Kingdom with her husband, three daughters, and one scruffy dog.
Author of:
Odium The Dead Saga Series (3 books),
Odium Origins Series (3 books),
Limerence (The Obsession Series) (2 books),
Thicker than Blood series (2 books),
& Shut Up & Kiss me,
Plus much more.
Contact Links:
www.clairecriley.com
www.facebook.com/ClaireCRileyAuthor
http://amzn.to/1GDpF3I
‘She writes characters that are realistic and then kills them without mercy’ – Eli Constant author of Z-Children, Dead Trees, Mastic and much more.
See now you're just being silly. That's the author's biography and how to find them on the web and social media. Where's the cover?
Add it to your bookshelves here --> Out of the Dark #1
No, that's how you can add the book to your shelf on Goodreads. Well hang on a second, let's click on the link. And then the cover.
Oh for #$%*^ sake, that's not the cover, that's the author! Look, if the cover is being shy, we can wait until they're ready.
Nice.
Oh stop showing off.
Look for Out of the Dark by Claire C. Riley on May 26th wherever you happen to look for books. I recommend the nearest pocket dimension or zombie friendly book seller.
‘Out of the Dark #1’
We are temporary. Finite.
The choices we’ve made, the people we have loved. Who we used to be no longer matters.
Because now it is all about the ending. And the ending always comes too soon.
There’s fear in the dark. And behind every drop of light, the shadows creep and the darkness comes in the form of clawing, red-eyed monsters. They hunt us—stalk us…they are desperate to destroy us.
But I have a reason to fight the darkness and everything in it. A small glimpse of light that lives within my golden-haired daughter, Lilly. She is my strength. She is my everything.
Every life is an untold story, each scene unfolding until the final act. But our ending has yet to be written, and I will continue to protect us, until I can not.
"Riley delivers a story that is equal parts thrilling and breathtaking. It beautifully illustrates the lengths we go to survive and what it means to love when we've lost everything."
NYT & USA Today bestselling Author A. Meredith Walters
"Riley’s ‘Out of the Dark’ holds a special place in my heart. Before I’d devoured it, I’d never read a book that so beautifully and eloquently captured the distressing, aching love a mother holds for her child. It is built into the heart strings of a woman, natural and uncontainable. It goes past biological and into spiritual.In her most unique and mysterious way, Riley has given us a transcendent picture of love in the midst of a terrifying climate. She has shown us what it means to choose your family, that it is a matter of honor and earning and not a matter of a blood bond and obligation. I am honored to have read this book pre-release and I know it will stick to me like honey, nearly glued onto the fabric of who I am as a human being."
Speculative fiction author - Eli Constant
"A beautifully written story that makes you realize that you should always have hope, even in the most desperate of circumstances. It will tug at your heart strings, until by the end, there isn’t a dry eye in the house."
Goodreads & Amazon reviewer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Claire C. Riley is a USA Today and International bestselling author. She is also a bestselling British horror writer and an Amazon top 100 bestseller.
Her work is best described as the modernization of classic, old-school horror. She fuses multi-genre elements to develop storylines that pay homage to cult classics while still feeling fresh and cutting edge. She writes characters that are realistic, and kills them without mercy. Claire lives in the United Kingdom with her husband, three daughters, and one scruffy dog.
Author of:
Odium The Dead Saga Series (3 books),
Odium Origins Series (3 books),
Limerence (The Obsession Series) (2 books),
Thicker than Blood series (2 books),
& Shut Up & Kiss me,
Plus much more.
Contact Links:
www.clairecriley.com
www.facebook.com/ClaireCRileyAuthor
http://amzn.to/1GDpF3I
‘She writes characters that are realistic and then kills them without mercy’ – Eli Constant author of Z-Children, Dead Trees, Mastic and much more.
See now you're just being silly. That's the author's biography and how to find them on the web and social media. Where's the cover?
Add it to your bookshelves here --> Out of the Dark #1
No, that's how you can add the book to your shelf on Goodreads. Well hang on a second, let's click on the link. And then the cover.
Oh for #$%*^ sake, that's not the cover, that's the author! Look, if the cover is being shy, we can wait until they're ready.
Nice.
Oh stop showing off.
Look for Out of the Dark by Claire C. Riley on May 26th wherever you happen to look for books. I recommend the nearest pocket dimension or zombie friendly book seller.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Urban Temples of Cthulhu
Most people think of Cthulhu from that South Park "Coon and Friends," but people who don't rely on pop culture to give them everything know Cthulhu as an elder God brought to life by H.P. Lovecraft. The stories in this anthology center around showing modern takes of the elder God....sans Eric Cartman.....
Little Gods- James Pratt's character talks about his beliefs and his encounter with someone who brings in some perspective.
Sects and the Single Girl- Steven A. Roman shows that sexual harassment suits can happen anywhere, but sometimes it's just a little understanding that's needed.
The Kings in Rebel Yellow- Kurt Khave presents the tale of a very sought after couch.
The Face of God Within- Brian H. Seitzman shows us what happens when a loser decides to take his life back by following a friend's referral to a place that sounds too good to be true.
The Black Metal of Derek Zann- Aaron Besson's Bleak Cathedral bring a new member into the fold and he brings them into a whole new level.
Cosmic Cavity or The Mouth of Man- Carl R. Jennings lets us meet the dentist of the damned.
Along the Shore of Old Ridge- Stuart Conover's soldier wants to satisfy his curiosity, to find an answer to something he found so many years ago.
Sleep Talking- Jeff C. Stevenson puts new meaning to getting rid of the ol' ball and chain.
Matriarch of Skid Row- M.C. Bluhm shows what happens when a cop gets a little too curious in the name of being righteous.
Uncle Lovecraft: The Complete Oral History- David Acord talks about a show that may or may not have existed and how it affected those who were able to see it.
Strange Communion- Allen Griffin shows how accepting new things can lead in very interesting directions
Death in the Sunset- Guy Riessen talks about what we do to fix things, but ultimately, we become fodder for something else.
The Abomination of St. Jude- David F. Gray introduces us to Destin. Destin meets Sloan. Sloan shows Destin his new destiny.
Flesh-Bound Shadow- M.S. Swift's gardens should be closely watched and not disregarded.
Doorstepping- Kelda Crich finally gives a third option that seems to more sense than what we're experiencing right now.
Saturday Night at the Esoteric Order of Dagon- Jill Hand talks about belief and dashed hopes. Bet they didn't think the belief was so strong to escape the mistaken identity.
City of our Lady, Queen of the Angels, Virgin Mother of a Thousand Young- Keven Wetmore lets us see what happens when you think you know more than you really do.
Warm Red Sea- Jaap Boekstein wraps things up with Nathalie's journey to become who she really is and not what Leon thinks he's manipulated her into.
The stories collected in this anthology were great to read and the way the voices came together was just great, but my biggest problem was the digital formatting. There were times it became difficult to read because of weird spacing and randomly inserted images.
Little Gods- James Pratt's character talks about his beliefs and his encounter with someone who brings in some perspective.
Sects and the Single Girl- Steven A. Roman shows that sexual harassment suits can happen anywhere, but sometimes it's just a little understanding that's needed.
The Kings in Rebel Yellow- Kurt Khave presents the tale of a very sought after couch.
The Face of God Within- Brian H. Seitzman shows us what happens when a loser decides to take his life back by following a friend's referral to a place that sounds too good to be true.
The Black Metal of Derek Zann- Aaron Besson's Bleak Cathedral bring a new member into the fold and he brings them into a whole new level.
Cosmic Cavity or The Mouth of Man- Carl R. Jennings lets us meet the dentist of the damned.
Along the Shore of Old Ridge- Stuart Conover's soldier wants to satisfy his curiosity, to find an answer to something he found so many years ago.
Sleep Talking- Jeff C. Stevenson puts new meaning to getting rid of the ol' ball and chain.
Matriarch of Skid Row- M.C. Bluhm shows what happens when a cop gets a little too curious in the name of being righteous.
Uncle Lovecraft: The Complete Oral History- David Acord talks about a show that may or may not have existed and how it affected those who were able to see it.
Strange Communion- Allen Griffin shows how accepting new things can lead in very interesting directions
Death in the Sunset- Guy Riessen talks about what we do to fix things, but ultimately, we become fodder for something else.
The Abomination of St. Jude- David F. Gray introduces us to Destin. Destin meets Sloan. Sloan shows Destin his new destiny.
Flesh-Bound Shadow- M.S. Swift's gardens should be closely watched and not disregarded.
Doorstepping- Kelda Crich finally gives a third option that seems to more sense than what we're experiencing right now.
Saturday Night at the Esoteric Order of Dagon- Jill Hand talks about belief and dashed hopes. Bet they didn't think the belief was so strong to escape the mistaken identity.
City of our Lady, Queen of the Angels, Virgin Mother of a Thousand Young- Keven Wetmore lets us see what happens when you think you know more than you really do.
Warm Red Sea- Jaap Boekstein wraps things up with Nathalie's journey to become who she really is and not what Leon thinks he's manipulated her into.
The stories collected in this anthology were great to read and the way the voices came together was just great, but my biggest problem was the digital formatting. There were times it became difficult to read because of weird spacing and randomly inserted images.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Deadsville
Deadsville is a horror collection from the minds of T.D. Trask and Dale Elster. After a little poem appetizer, we dig right in to the main course!
The Pit- (Dale Elster) Here we learn the consequences of when you cross the fine line between being a tool and full on douchebaggery.
Knacker Man- (T.D. Trask) A tale of the beliefs that carry in small towns, go bump in the night and ensure you know when it's time.
What Happened on Black Hill Road- (Dale Elster) Time to believe that legends will come back to get what they were promised in the first place. Comes complete with flamey bits.
Knew It All Along- (T.D. Trask) Psychics, serial killer truck drivers and rivers! Oh my!
Still Water- (Dale Elster) Are you ever really certain you're seeing things correctly? That you're really bringing about a solution and not just another problem?
The Other Redeemer- (T.D. Trask and Dale Elster) Theological discussions and unearthed secrets are often paths to destruction. Or murder. Whichever comes naturally.
Tree Branches in the Water- (T.D. Trask) There are times when you need to act and do whatever you can for family. And then there are times when you should go with your first instinct.
A Job's a Job- (T.D. Trask) Even the Devil has to think of new way to collect souls, but you'd think he would have done this one already.
A Crack in the Window- (Dale Elster) The monsters aren't in the closet, children, they're everywhere. And no stuffed kittens can protect you.
Knock Knock- (T.D. Trask) Sometimes you're so sick, you hallucinate someone at the door. Sometimes you're so sick, you need a hammer to go whack whack whack.
Head Shot- (Dale Elster) Zombies are the products of conspiracy theories. And drugs.
The Children in the Meadow- (T.D. Trask) Family farms are a strange thing. They seem to attract all sorts of interesting things that seem to cloister themselves in one part of the farm. And they know you'll be back because you'll always be back.
Dead Bird Waltz- (Dale Elster) Vampires hunt humans. Humans hunt vampires. Oh to dream of family before the fire.
And our time in Deadsville comes to an end. Hope you enjoyed your stay!
Suicide Station
I was introduced to this book via Kindle Scout. It didn't get picked up via scouting, but it still got published. The snippet on Scout intrigued me, so I picked it up when it got published and got down to reading.
Suicide Station is Jack Wallen's odd little take on death. He's introduced us to Foster Donovan, a comedian with the yips who decides to end it all. He thinks he'll be missed, but if his wife's reaction is any indication, the answer is "uh no," possibly "uh hell no."
Foster winds up in a purgatory like place called Suicide Station. It's where he has to get used to death before he's shipped off to his final, erm, well resting place doesn't sound right and final destination is a film series, so we'll just go with final spot on the map.
After death's minion dumps Foster off in purgatory, he meets Candy. Candy's job is to get him acclimated before the spot on the map thing can happen. Candy likes what she sees and decides to break the rules for the death marked comedian.
After the initial meeting with Candy, Foster meets his roommate David David, pothead extraordinaire. Some dinner, some flirting, some ganja, some speculation and then Foster is back in his life again.
Wait...what? He's living again?
Yep, apparently Foster went and found himself a little loophole and wouldn't you know it? The end comes up the same way, with some minor variations when he returns to the Station.
Going much further than that would spoil things and the odd little journey of Foster Donovan really deserves better than that.
So keep the dead baby jokes to yourself and give the book a try!
Suicide Station is Jack Wallen's odd little take on death. He's introduced us to Foster Donovan, a comedian with the yips who decides to end it all. He thinks he'll be missed, but if his wife's reaction is any indication, the answer is "uh no," possibly "uh hell no."
Foster winds up in a purgatory like place called Suicide Station. It's where he has to get used to death before he's shipped off to his final, erm, well resting place doesn't sound right and final destination is a film series, so we'll just go with final spot on the map.
After death's minion dumps Foster off in purgatory, he meets Candy. Candy's job is to get him acclimated before the spot on the map thing can happen. Candy likes what she sees and decides to break the rules for the death marked comedian.
After the initial meeting with Candy, Foster meets his roommate David David, pothead extraordinaire. Some dinner, some flirting, some ganja, some speculation and then Foster is back in his life again.
Wait...what? He's living again?
Yep, apparently Foster went and found himself a little loophole and wouldn't you know it? The end comes up the same way, with some minor variations when he returns to the Station.
Going much further than that would spoil things and the odd little journey of Foster Donovan really deserves better than that.
So keep the dead baby jokes to yourself and give the book a try!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
The Enemy Held Near
The story is told through multiple viewpoints- the Turner family, Melinda Goshen and Xandra. Through various experiences, they all wind up at the ancestral Turner family home.
Melinda and Xandra are expendable, but the ghosts of the Turner family want Foster to keep Ruthie and their girls in the home. Family must stay together you see.
Not everyone has been able to stay together though. Foster's parents died and he was raised by Uncle Duke. Uncle Duke tries to control things throughout most of the story, but even he can see the family's history can't continue.
Ruthie is focused on escaping the Turner home with her daughters. Due to her past, she might have been seen as easy to control to keep around, but inner strength is enough to conquer most demons.
Maggie is able to see the family ghosts while Heather is just a teenager.
The family's killer history comes to a head, just not in the way anyone really wanted. Prices are paid and now they must remain hidden.
There are so many twists and turns, you really have to read the story in one sitting to make sure you're keeping it all straight. Thankfully the story is so engaging, that's not an issue.
Enjoy!
Melinda and Xandra are expendable, but the ghosts of the Turner family want Foster to keep Ruthie and their girls in the home. Family must stay together you see.
Not everyone has been able to stay together though. Foster's parents died and he was raised by Uncle Duke. Uncle Duke tries to control things throughout most of the story, but even he can see the family's history can't continue.
Ruthie is focused on escaping the Turner home with her daughters. Due to her past, she might have been seen as easy to control to keep around, but inner strength is enough to conquer most demons.
Maggie is able to see the family ghosts while Heather is just a teenager.
The family's killer history comes to a head, just not in the way anyone really wanted. Prices are paid and now they must remain hidden.
There are so many twists and turns, you really have to read the story in one sitting to make sure you're keeping it all straight. Thankfully the story is so engaging, that's not an issue.
Enjoy!
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Z-Minus
So I got a message via Goodreads:
Hi Bazi,
I saw your review of The First Days by Rhiannon Frater on Goodreads and thought you might be interested in a novel I read recently that is in a similar genre.
It's called Z-Minus, by a writer called Perrin Briar. [blah blah blah filler filler filler blah blah blah]
Thank you for your time.
Dewi
Since I read the message before I drank any coffee, my morning sarcasm kicked in and I thought many things along the lines "Bot spam," but looks like the book was legit, so I picked it up and made some coffee.
The start of the book reads like a disaster movie- blurbs from experts, social media excerpts, etc. After we get past that, we're introduced to Chris.
Chris is pretty oblivious to the start of the zombie apocalypse until he runs into a neighbor who fills him in and gives him a copy of his "bible"- World War Z.
Not only is Chris oblivious to what's going on around him, he shuns the remaining living member of his family because he's not sure if he got infected while he was at home. Chris agrees to take his daughter, Maisie, to her aunt's house. The aunt isn't around, so Chris reasons Maisie needs to be with her grandmother and the best way to do that at the start of an apocalypse is to commit grand theft auto.
Grand theft auto is followed by random road stupidity, revelations and idiots dying zombie.
And then more blurbs.
After reading the book, it took me a really good chunk of time to think about what I was going to say because it was a struggle to finish the book and not say screw it and delete it from my Kindle. Quite frankly, it reads like a B movie script and to know it continues for another two books is pretty #$%@& painful and there's no way in hell I'll be reading them.
Hi Bazi,
I saw your review of The First Days by Rhiannon Frater on Goodreads and thought you might be interested in a novel I read recently that is in a similar genre.
It's called Z-Minus, by a writer called Perrin Briar. [blah blah blah filler filler filler blah blah blah]
Thank you for your time.
Dewi
Since I read the message before I drank any coffee, my morning sarcasm kicked in and I thought many things along the lines "Bot spam," but looks like the book was legit, so I picked it up and made some coffee.
The start of the book reads like a disaster movie- blurbs from experts, social media excerpts, etc. After we get past that, we're introduced to Chris.
Chris is pretty oblivious to the start of the zombie apocalypse until he runs into a neighbor who fills him in and gives him a copy of his "bible"- World War Z.
Not only is Chris oblivious to what's going on around him, he shuns the remaining living member of his family because he's not sure if he got infected while he was at home. Chris agrees to take his daughter, Maisie, to her aunt's house. The aunt isn't around, so Chris reasons Maisie needs to be with her grandmother and the best way to do that at the start of an apocalypse is to commit grand theft auto.
Grand theft auto is followed by random road stupidity, revelations and idiots dying zombie.
And then more blurbs.
After reading the book, it took me a really good chunk of time to think about what I was going to say because it was a struggle to finish the book and not say screw it and delete it from my Kindle. Quite frankly, it reads like a B movie script and to know it continues for another two books is pretty #$%@& painful and there's no way in hell I'll be reading them.
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