Midnight Rides (An Anthology of Intense Stories) - Shannon Mayer

Midnight Rides by Shannon Mayer is a self-authored anthology riddle with nasties and delights. By this, I mean, the anthology is a fantastically. Now those who follow this blog or happen to enjoy a review or two know how I operate. The one thing that kills me in reading works of an advertised genre is that so many of them are far from my idea of the genre.

So, comparatively, Midnight Rides is more fantastical and provides a clever feel for the genre. It is well written, perfectly placed frights and interesting twist and turns along the way. I found most every tale with something to offer enough to maintain my interest. I am a skimmer, of section jumper be the tale boring or I feel impatient while I read. I want action, substance ort descriptive voice that has me visualizing the scene the author is trying to present.

Mayer has an eye for description. One that is not to dense or to vacant – meaning, I can see what she is saying. Now, my inpretation may not be on target with the author’s but she delivers enough to allow me to peel her words off the screen and piece together the scene. Amazing, in a word.

Nocturnaphobia is enchanting in the fears it conjures. The mood is intense and dripping with mood. A wonderfully crafted tale that spoils many a short story from other less talented pen, than that of Mayer’s. Cursed is another story of particular attention, in that it delivers in the vein of traditional tales of fantasy. I was drawn in through Mayer’s distinct descriptive voice and the woven fantasy of her character development.

For the reader – I say this all the time, $0.99 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to book sales. Supporting such authors, really any Indie author for a scant $0.99 is well worth the donation. This of course isn’t the case as most are tight with that less than buck in their support of the genre or Indie authors. Here – you are getting a bargin, drop the buck and enjoy the talent before that buck becomes more traditional as Mayer won’t be a $0.99 author for long!

For the writer – Mayer has a way with descriptive voice, character development in short spaces and atmosphere. Read her and take note of this talent, cause it is truly a talent.

Look Behind You - Sibel Hodge

Look Behind you is a rollercoaster ride of a mystery – in that there are high points and low points as you move through the chapters. Overall, it is a good read and following Chloe about trying to figure out what the hell is happening has its moments.

The character Chloe is likable enough but some of her encounters are totally probable and as such cause the plot to grind, not quite to a halt but at time pretty darn close. As you journey through Chloe’s world you will come to understand that her amnesia in some ways is a plot inhibitor, so that events do not need to be flushed out as much as one might expect.

Now mystery isn’t exactly my favorite thing, but every so often I will wander off the pure horror vein and read. The universe in which the protagonist journeys is interesting and at times quite intense, but on the other hand much is predictable and mundane.

The issue I have with books like these is that they are only $0.99 cents. I don’t see that as being much to drop on a decent tale or an experiment. Obviously others beg to differ.

For the reader, if mystery is your bag and you are not a critical or tease me reader than this may be a great read. If you want your mystery to be, well, mysterious then you might find a spot of disappointment.

For the writer – if mystery is your genre then take a note from above and perhaps take the tale for a spin and draw your won conclusions. I don’t find this as a learning tool.

Devil's Nightmare - Robert Pruneda

For some, perhaps, when the read the title they thought “ wha-? Who authorized this guy to write my biography?” I conjured up some wonderful scenarios, such as a Freudian look at the Devil’s dreams and their sexual impetrations or an intimate look at the Devil’s apparent “bitch” of a wife.  Wonder if the poor bastard is married – have to ask the next time I see him. One would think I would know if that was the case, but trust mw when you are around that bloke you want to get away as quickly as possible. Leaves scant time for small talk.

 

This crime, thriller, mystery (not horror) book offers some shocking detail about a series of murders. The story centers on a lone wolf detective named Aaron Sanders who must put the pieces together (on his own).  

The boy is an enigma. The killings he witnessed, the entity that seemingly haunts him is very well played out. The suspense is well manufactured, the thrills (I guess that is the term for a thriller) is hard and gruesome but not too much on the horror realm vice mystery, say.

Ending was predictable but most are.

For the reader – great pick-up and something if the genre is up your virtual library aisle, you will enjoy. I dare say this might be a sit down and finish book, it is that much fun to read.

For the writer – suspense is rich here. Atmosphere is nicely spooned and the overall mood of the story keeps its momentum. Not sold on character development but plotting is well storyboarded.

Horror 101: The Way Forward – Various

Alright, $0.99 book lovers! If you love horror and appreciate the names in horror then tune in, catch up and open your wallet or coin purse. This will be a rather short review as there is not much to say but- hell yes! Buy it, read it and enjoy it. The cost is only the first piece of excitement, each tale holds it own and presents horror in the way it should be.

Great tales of inspiration and style, all worth the cost of admission, all expertly presented. Learn what drives the genres best and what their inspirations are. This is for sure a virtual classroom. This is a once in a lifetime training tool that is simply amazing.

For the writer, this book truly is a classroom for the writer. The stories present lessons in plot, characterization, visualization, storytelling, presentation, and closing. BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!!

Old School Passion- Pic Minute

Remember when Pentax was the sh ..... t?

Gaming Minute: Innsmouth Escape

Being a student was never more entertaining or dangerous. In Innsmouth Escape you play a student (human) who is attempting to rescue her or her friends and you guessed it, escape Innsmouth. Other players will play the ‘Deep Ones’ creatures bent on keeping the student from succeeding.

Gameplay is managed through cards that allow the player to move through the environment. During these movements he or she will encounter the other players and must defeat them in battle or outsmart them and make his or her escape.

 Duration of the game is normally thirty to sixty minutes and servers two to five players. Gameplay is smooth and relatively quick depending on how the cards play out. It is not a intense game but does provide a bit of fun for a rainy afternoon.