Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

“The murder of Abel, his brother, was Cain’s curse. He had shed blood, and blood would forever call to him.” In Those Who Hunger (An Amish Vampire Thriller) by Owen Banner, a simple community in rural Pennsylvania tightly guards their ancient secret against outsiders as they live their lives strictly by their beliefs. Yet, the murder of a teenager attracts too much attention, particularly from two FBI detectives, Jacobo Barrabas and Keith Linguard, who are on the hunt for a serial killer. Sixteen-year-old Hadassah Zook knows what happened but she's not telling, especially when her family has their own issue to deal with. Then, two more murders occur, bringing more attention and causing turmoil in the Amish community. Who's to blame?

Owen Banner gives readers an intriguing and different take on vampirism by interlacing the popular theme with the reclusive nature of the Amish people. The story exudes underlying Amish country charm while propelling the mystery and shocking moments through its well-paced plot. The prose and dialogue excellently deliver a certain amount of fear before revealing surprising twists. I savored every chapter, suspenseful moment, and the core enigma of the blood-craving curse including the challenging bond between family members and community. Loyalty between characters is greatly tested by an ancient bane, desire, and guilt as Esther's, Haddie's, and Peter's character developments are riddled with unexpected challenges. A complex, spine-chilling tale from the Big Valley, Those Who Hunger is a satisfying read about the dark, twisted side of a quaint community.

Reviewed by Teresa Syms for Readers' Favorite

Katie Berry, the author of Claw, transports the reader into the heart of the Kootenays where the gold rush of 1895 took place. Deep in the heart of the Cascade Mountains of Western Canada during the gold rush days, no one was safe in the town of Lawless. The name of the town, Lawless, speaks for itself for back in 1895 gold was prevalent as was theft and violence. That was then but now in Lawless, although the gold rush is over, times for the area are difficult with the change in the climate. Christine Moon is the new British Columbia Conservation Officer brought in quickly after the mysterious disappearance of her predecessor. Christine along with Austin and Trip, the local road and games authorities, band together to stop a ravenous predator that seems to be at the heart of multiple deaths, disappearances, and violent attacks. As Christine, Austin, and Trip track the ancient creature, they uncover a devious plot of corruption at the highest level in Lawless.

Claw by Katie Berry is definitely a thrilling page-turner. Her use of very graphic description and imagery, while telling the story of carnage, corruption and everyday life in the small mountain town of Lawless, British Columbia, truly draws the reader into the book. Not only is Lawless shrouded by the deadly ice fog at night, but uncovering what is plaguing the town and devouring the inhabitants is left up to our heroine, Christine Moon, the new Conservation Authority Officer, and her newfound friends, Austin, Trip, and Alex. With the knowledge and experience of the only survivor, Jerry Benson, the group sets out to locate and destroy the predator by any means. What they uncover while searching for the carnivorous beast is a story of corruption and murder that can bring the town of Lawless to its knees. Who will survive to tell the tale? I applaud Katie Berry for her work. She is an incredible story-teller and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Unleashed: A Science Fiction Horror Adventure is a work of fiction in the futuristic, thriller, and paranormal sub-genres, and was penned by author Aaron Bunce. Written as the opening work to the NecroVerse series, this high octane and highly appealing work focuses on a seedy backwater of the universe where something bad is just waiting to be awakened. The work is written for adult audiences and does contain the use of explicit language, some scenes of a sexual nature, graphic horror, violence, and horror. We find ourselves following the exploits of Jacoby, whose work on an asteroid mining platform turns into a fight for survival that threatens to engulf the whole of mankind.

Author Aaron Bunce has crafted an engaging work of dark science fiction that makes it feel as though you’re reading through an intense world where destruction is only a heartbeat away. I enjoyed the fact that the work is visual, with powerful descriptive moments that don’t hold back on giving you the scene in its every gruesome detail. This really enhances the horror elements of the story well and keeps you reading to soak up the next disaster to be uncovered. The character work gets better and better the more that we get to know our two central narrators, and what first appears as a classic group of science fiction characters develops into deeper people whom we can root for and relate to. Overall, I would recommend Unleashed to fans of horror and science fiction who like high octane action, fast-paced plots, and visual, visceral reading experiences.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Small Hearts by Bryan W. Dull is a unique story for me because I have never read anything like it, and while it is described as horror, I think it articulates the reality and the pain of those who have suffered tragedy in their lives. Emily Sinclair is a former educator who is now living in seclusion after the shooting of her third-grade students at Marie-Glen Elementary. She embraces an enforced solitude, afraid to meet the people of the town, but that doesn’t stop her from having nightmares that throw her life into darkness. She feels too weak to fight and when she starts hearing voices that resemble those of her old students now dead, she knows she can’t draw the line between dream and reality. Can the psychiatrist, Paul Cusick, help her reconcile with her thoughts and sentiments connected to that fateful day when her students were shot?

Small Hearts by Bryan W. Dull is dark and murky, yet strangely delightful; it is a story that explores the conundrum of human fear and pain and takes readers on the uncharted landscapes of loss and a world that is nightmarish. As I started reading this book, I got hooked by the strong character of the protagonist. She is real in every sense of the word and her personality enriches the psychological implications of this novel. The story is well-structured. There are many insightful passages and thought-provoking statements that allow readers to consider existential truths. One such is this: “No one ever tells you when you get older that some of the things that you hold dear in life will change at the drop of a dime.” Small Hearts is skillfully written and the characters are richly developed. The prose is crisp and easy to read. Bryan W. Dull writes intelligently about an example of the horrors that plague our society and allows readers to get vivid glimpses of what violence can do to a loving soul. It is gripping, thoughtfully written, and hugely entertaining.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Hag: A Horror Collection is the second book in The Bloodletter Collections by Erik Henry Vick. This collection is a perfect example of heart-stopping horror fiction on steroids. Benny, Toby, Mike, Scott, and Shannon join hands once again to defeat the demons that have plagued the lives of people living in Oneka Falls. They know that killing Herlequin will make them a target and they weren’t wrong. Now they have to fight Brigitta and LaBouche and this group of friends has to do something before they are caught by these demons. Benny and the others let Brigitta and LaBouche slip out of their clutches once and now they are paying the price. Now this group has to scramble for cover and pray to make it out alive while making sure Oneka Falls is safe from these waking nightmares.

I really love the way Erik Henry Vick writes. He has a gift for weaving pictures with words and making sure the reader is right there in the story with his characters. I’m usually not a fan of horror fiction, but I’m a fan of Erik. Book three, Wrecker, sets the tone of the story and makes sure the reader is hooked while book four, Black Swan, brings a very satisfying conclusion to the struggles of the characters. Benny, Toby, Mike, Scott, and Shannon make a cohesive unit that works together really well and the author makes sure all five of them get enough page space for the reader to connect with all of them. The atmosphere is sinister from the very beginning and the tension keeps building until the end. This is a fantastic collection that will absolutely be adored by readers who enjoy horror fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Memoirs of a Transferable Soul is a work of curious and intriguing literary fiction by author W. Town Andrews. Fictionalized in part from strange experiences of a real-life figure, the plot focuses on a dying man who discovers a method of survival by inhabiting others when their souls have departed. Separating his soul and taking this wandering course sets the narrator on the path of necessity, for he must continue to dance with the dead and near dying in order to maintain his own newfound strength. This 'danse macabre' leads him into a new secret life, with much to learn about life, death, and mysteries beyond it all.

Literary in its purest form, the considerations about death, medicine and the nature of the terminal are almost spine-chilling in their creation by author W. Town Andrews. There is a definite talent for atmospheric creation, both when the strange journeys are made and in the overall journey of the narrator himself, leading to important questions which are sure to haunt readers long after the experience of the novel is over. The plot, as such, is a series of episodes which take a strange narrative twist and turn, bringing readers along with such immersion that you almost begin to believe that you are the one doing the inhabiting, melding narrator and reader into one for the experience. Strange, although perhaps not for all literary fans, this work is certainly amazing and incredible in conception and execution, making Memoirs of a Transferable Soul a highly recommended read.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Gordon Place by Isaac Thorne is a spine-chilling tale of horror and spiteful spirits. Graham Gordon, the newest – and only – constable in Lost Hollow, is going home. For the first time in 20 years, he sets foot inside his long-abandoned family home, a place that doesn’t instill warmth or good feelings in him. Used by local teens over the years, there have been rumors of strange screams coming from the house. Town administrator Patsy Blankenship is meeting with Afia Afton, a news reporter whose father is a hate-crime victim. She wants to come up with a ghost story for Hallowe’en and Patsy thinks the Gordon place is just right. Bad move. The past and the present are about to collide with deadly consequences. Can Graham ever escape his family home? Will Afia get the story she really wants? Are both prepared for a fight with the spirit from hell? And can they both finally move on with their lives and put the past behind them?

The Gordon Place by Isaac Thorne is a great story. Isaac Thorne builds up the suspense gradually, writing in a way that draws the reader into the web. The descriptive nature of the story has you feeling you are really there, hearing every creak and echo of the past. The main protagonist has an interesting back story that is brought out throughout the plot as we learn more about the childhood abuses he suffered. All the characters are exceptionally well developed. The story is very well paced, full of detail and plenty of action to keep a reader hooked. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, unable to stop reading until you reach the end. It’s a clever mix of horror and supernatural, perfectly blended, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Pivot by L.C. Barlow is the first book in the Jack Harper trilogy, a brilliant blend of mystery and horror. Jack Harper is born to a woman who can’t look after herself, let alone Jack. But then Cyrus Harper, a charismatic and enigmatic leader of a cult, takes her in after testing the young Jack’s worthiness. Jack gets a normal education in all subjects—literature, economics, history, and mathematics—thanks to Cyrus. But Jack also learns the unique skill of an assassin. With the help of Roland James, Cyrus transforms Jack into a powerful killing weapon. But Jack quickly learns that there is more to Cyrus’ world than he lets on. Living in the same house with Roland is an old magical creature, the same that is responsible for Roland’s resurrection and the magical things that Jack has witnessed. This creature only becomes tame in the presence of Cyrus’ red velvet box. Jack wants nothing more than to escape from Cyrus, who is very dangerous, and the opportunity comes in an encounter with the mysterious creature. Jack is about to receive a gift far stronger than anything Cyrus ever imagined, plus freedom from the cult.

I was hooked from the very start of the novel as the narrator describes the encounter between the seven-year-old Jack and Cyrus. Cyrus is an awe-inspiring character, with a presence that commands both fear and respect, and a charm that grabs the young protagonist in a mysterious way. The prose is very good and it gives the story a natural flow that makes it enjoyable and exciting. I loved the dialogues, the vivid descriptions, and the author’s ability to lay the emotions of the characters bare. The conflict is strong, embracing the different levels of the story—physical, emotional, and psychological. Pivot is well plotted and the author introduces twists that readers won’t see coming. L.C. Barlow takes readers on a perilous journey, crafting scenes that are emotionally charged and focused and creating characters that are both complex and real.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

No thanks to the military, the world became apocalyptic after an outbreak of Necro-Rabies, a neurotropic virus that turns people into zombies or ‘Cujos’. Twenty-one-year-old Rhonda Driscoll is a former hairstylist turned soldier and one of the few hundreds of survivors who take shelter at Fort Rocky Military Base, better known as Camp Deadnut. During a mission in her old hometown of Levendale, she encounters her undead fiance and soulmate, Brad Savini, and brings him back to base, much to Colonel Kenneth Driscoll’s dismay. Rhonda’s father hated Brad when he was alive; he hates him even more now that he’s a Cujo. Can true love prevail in a dead, largely zombified world?

With deadpan names like Camp Deadnut and Cujo, how could I not read Jeremy Wagner’s Rabid Heart for wit? Of course, there are some disturbing, gory and frightening moments, especially when it comes to unsavory characters that the protagonist has to face. However, wit does encapsulate the tone of the story without being overwhelming. The narrative is easily engaging and vivid. When Rhonda escapes from the base with Cujo-Brad in a Humvee, with AC/DC songs for their dangerous road trip, I couldn’t help but root for the odd couple. Rhonda personifies true love despite her mistakes. Along the way, they meet young Tyler and Ellen, adorable siblings who take care of Rhonda as much as she takes care of them. “Love is like zombies... it never dies”. I liked Wagner’s spin on The Walking Dead theme. The characters are memorable and the fast-paced plot is well thought out. The story concludes with a bittersweet but fitting ending. Overall, this zombie adventure is witty, thrilling and has heart.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Are you ready to open your mind to the possibility that the weird and unexplained tales of folklore and legend could actually be true? This collection of three disturbing novellas in Horrors Of The Mind by H.E. Kline will make you ponder if the impossible is possible, if myth is fact. The first novella begins with The Dream, where we meet Lacy, a nine-year-old girl who dreads falling asleep because that is when the constant nightmares begin. She is transported to Auschwitz, and experiences the Holocaust first hand. In The Haunting of the Hockomock Swamp, there is an unexplained outbreak of horrific seizures among the children of a small town, where each one seems to be tormented by a native American Indian. Journalist Janie is sent to investigate but what she uncovers is far from a medical problem, and is connected to a significant time in American history. The third novella, Immolation, sees father Doug King innocently pick up a hitchhiker, which sets in motion a terrifying ordeal of bloodthirsty killer cats, including his own.

The author's writing style reminded me of Roald Dahl's novel Tales of the Unexpected, where the weird and wonderful are a possibility. This collection of stories is a masterful creation of twists and turns, building suspense and taking you on a roller coaster ride of chilling surprises. Each of the stories had strong characters that you could relate to. The historical and medical detail is well researched. The author knows how to trigger fear and dread in the reader; he can certainly draw you into the mystical world of the paranormal. There are spine-chilling details within each story that transport you into the characters' world. The characters are believable and three-dimensional. I loved the relationship between Janie and Alan in the second novella, as it gave some light relief from the suspense of the main plot.

Each of the three novellas was compelling for different reasons but each pondered the question 'what if?' What if these events were to happen? Immolation has to be my favourite of the three. The moment Doug picked up the hitchhiker, I felt that sense of dread that something terrible was going to happen and I was not disappointed in the slightest. These stories will play on your mind and you certainly want to read this book with all the lights on and check under the bed; you never know what could be lurking.