karlakayjenniges's reviews
794 reviews

The Plastic Priest by Nicole Cushing

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

"Reverend Ford is not Reverend Ford. At least, not to her parishioners. To them, she's "Mother Kaye."

Kaye is an Episcopalian priest in the small town of Owlingsville. She questions her faith along with the townspeople who continually fail to attend services. She questions why she continues in her role for the people of the town are thinkers of the old fashioned ways, unwilling to accept changes or ways of life. Bigots, gossips, unaccepting, and judgemental. Kaye doesn't dare integrate new ideas for fear of more rejection. She feels stuck in a situation she can't remove herself from. 

As she moves forward with her plan to try prayers in the park, she is confronted by what is seemingly a man, but turns out that was clearly not. The things she is told have settled into her mind and she becomes "The Plastic Priest." 

I can't tell you what the plastic priest is because that would be a huge spoiler. But this novella will take you on a journey of how one loses their mind, going into complete psychosis, giving into it. 

Pay close attention because this is a mind bender. Makes you think and wonder, ponder and contemplate. 

The imagery and writing style is captivating. Bizarre, surreal, but entirely unique, nothing like anything I have ever read. There is something very special about this that I just can't quite explain because it has to be experienced. 

That is exactly what this novella is, a complete experience often times causing me to reread a phrase or take pause and really think about what I just read. 

Demon's Wrath: Death in Caguas: A Michael Moretti Novel by Patrick James Ryan

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

4.0

"The rain continued to pour outside, foreshadowing additional gloom in a town gripped in unspeakable evil."

Something very evil has entered into the small villages of Caguas, Puerto Rico. The deaths continue to rise as the monstrosity shows no mercy and devours everyone in its wake. 

The Vatican is the villages only hope for survival. They must defeat the evil or risk losing many more lives. They call for the help of Specialist Michael Moretti and Demonologist Robert Giametti. They know that they are their only hope at defeating the evil. Many lives will come together to fight and many lives will be lost. The sacrifices must be made or be lost to the evil for all eternity. 

Michael must stay strong and fight far more than just the evil, he must fight for his soul, and for the souls that are threatened. He must not lose hope nor faith or lose the battle between life and death, good and evil. 

Read the synopsis and you will see much of what this story is about. But it is so much more. A high impact adventure with brutal death scenes. Evil itself reeking havoc upon the world is scary to even think about, it's chilling. Michaels character has strengths and weaknesses that opens a doorway of connecting and rooting for him throughout his plight. Friendship, honor, faith, and even love adds to the characters making them come to life and feel for them, especially during their times of loss. 

There were some scenes that had me reeling in disgust at the thought of what was occurring, but those are just my thoughts alone, as we all as readers take from stories our own thoughts and opinions. 

Religious/Occult horror, dark fantasy, and supernatural suspense.

This is a planned series, so more of Michael Moretti will be coming our way. He's an interesting character worth investing your time in and will hopefully want to follow as his adventures continue.

"Time for you to die."

Madness IN Tandem by R.J. Powell

dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

"Do you think we'll always be like this?" he asked, looking down into the green eyes of his beautiful wife."

"I sure hope so," whispered Tilly, pressing her hips into his and kissing him hard once again."

Imagine yourself at a peaceful cabin, along side your love, just hoping to relax and enjoy each other. That is the goal for Tilly and Adam. Things start out fantastic, erotic sex, relaxation, and serenity. Seems perfect. Until something is just not right. Little things start happening that don't make sense and it all quickly turns into a confusing mess for this poor couple. 

Things turn up missing, creatures start dying, and it's as hot as hades.

What was a hopeful lovefest becomes "Madness in Tandem." 

The author really dives into her character development and swiftly takes the story into madness between the couple. Things are open to interpretation as it's hard to figure out what the hell is going on. Clearly they are losing their minds, but we don't know why, and the abhorrent things they do to each other is absolutely repulsive.

For fans of the extreme, I think you will really like this one. It's a novella done well and packs a punch. It's a nasty, tasty little morsel, and the ending is sinister and surprising. 

Conjuring the Witch by Jessica Leonard

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"There is a house in the woods, covered in moss and time. It is a cursed place, and it hurries. There is a house in the woods where not even crickets will chirp. It is hurrying."

Deep in the woods, there is a lingering. It is ever watching and waiting. It calls to those who listen and see. It waits for the moment it can exact its revenge, but it will forever live within the darkness. Lost to the pain and suffering it has had to endure for a lifetime. There are witches in the woods and there they will forever stay. 

Religious horror can be very complex and disturbing. Not only are we experiencing the foreboding of the woods, not knowing what is exactly haunting within, but we are also experiencing the control of the church and the involvement of the men in the community. Submission of the women is their main desire and they have done evil upon evil deeds to obtain their status as the ones who must be in control. 

There is guilt that is layed upon the women that has them believing they are not godly enough and that they must work harder at being submissive to their husbands. But when the women discover what is truly happening, they do what must be done to punish the men. 

There is an atmospheric darkness that comes to life with the descriptive prose and setting. There is a melancholy that is unsettling as the story unfolds, it takes us deeper into the reasons behind all the strange occurrences. 

There is an eeriness and some moments that are chilling, not only by what lingers in the woods, but by the priest who demands submissive wives. 

Witches for the win!

The Sleepy Hollow Gang: Shivers #1 by Robert P. Ottone

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

"To turn and fly was now too late; and besides, what chance was there of escaping ghost or goblin, if such it was, which could ride upon wings of the wind?"

When Derek Houseman moved to Tarrytown, the Sleepy Hollow region of New York, he never expected to make new friends that loved spooky horrors as much as he does. As Halloween approaches he is invited to a night of trick or treating and shenanigans. They perform a ritual to awaken the dead not expecting it to be an infamous ghost. Now they must figure out how to stop him as the town is now at the mercy of the "Headless Horseman."

This is such a great spooky tale. Kids who love dark spooky reads will surely enjoy this. Halloween night, ghosts, and a  mystery to solve right along with the gang. They may also get those shivery spine tingles, and will also learn about acceptance, what it means to be a good friend, working together as a team, helping each other be strong and brave, and caring for each other. 

I really enjoyed reading this and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

I highly recommend this for any age, but especially for those looking for books for young spooky readers. 

*This is the first book in a planned series. The Sleepy Hollow Gang will be returning this year. "The Sleepy Hollow Gang 2: Invasion of the Purple People Eaters". 

What Happened at the Abbey by Isobel Blackthorn, Isobel Blackthorn

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

"Oh, to be a bat. To fly off when most of the rest of the world sleeps, and feast on other, lesser, creatures of the night. The freedom. The quiet. Away from the clamors of the day. Away from judgements and condemnations, and so many inquisitive eyes."

When Ingrid flees with her daughter from an abusive life, her hope is to start a new life. Going back to her homeland of Scotland, taking a position as housekeeper for a prominent family, she must protect herself and her daughter. Little does she know that she has stepped into a family that holds many dark and disturbing secrets. As the secrets are slowly revealed, each one becomes more disturbing and Ingrid realizes how dysfunctional this family truly is. 

Putting her trust in another has proven to be a mistake, but in doing so has also provided her with an unexpected freedom. 

This story has so much mystery and intrigue that it is quite surprising as each one comes to light. Ingrid and her daughter Sarah are the light of the story that shines in the darkness that is deeply seated within the walls of Strathbairn. The McClead family are so filled with dark hearts and disturbed souls, such unlikable characters, and yet one could not help but feel some pity for their plight. A past that forever haunts them. So much dissention and mistrust abound between them that leads them on a continuous dark path of doom. The past forever has a gripping hold, shattering their lives throughout their many years. 

The atmosphere is foreboding as the setting is in an isolated area in the highlands of Scotland. An old farm not far from an abandoned Abbey. A mire that holds a dark secret. Gloomy days and dark misty moonlit nights with seemingly voices on the wind. Haunting in the gloaming of the night.

A very captivating gothic story sure to entertain fans of the genre. 

Between Days: A collection of Dreams by Nick DeWolf

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

I have been following Nick's writing for many years. I have read all of his books and I have found a uniqueness in his writing that in my opinion is like no others. I chuckled through "Frightfully Ever After",  was chilled by "Pulling Strings", and entertained by his reverse superhero story "Villains Never Die." His debut collection is based on his dreams and his author's voice shines through each story. Prose that had me stopping and pondering my thoughts at the beauty that lies within the words. 

16 short stories that will take you into a mind of dreaming in the night, written onto a page that include a mixture of genres.

Dream a Little Dream: 

"Your love, stranger, still exists. Your story is not gone. The joy you felt in the moment of walking into that room, seeing your love unpacking, asking them where the books should go and watching them smile as they think about how to arrange the things of your life together, is not lost."

In a world of dreams, anything can happen. One can try to change the path, but it always creates its own and we are taken where it wants us to go.

Silent Sky:

"Walking the streets is like strolling between shelves in a library. This road here? Science fiction. There's Self-Help Avenue. The alleyways, cut with shadows and jagged light, soaked with scents of cooked meat and garbage, are horror stories. I only dare enjoy them during the day."

Nothing is as it seems and everything is a test of time and belief. Everyone has their own stories as they navigate life and eventually those stories come to an end.

"If the city is a collection of human stories, everyone here is an author in their own tale, and a character is someone else's."

What the Mountain Has to Offer:

"He told them he knew they spoke with stolen tongues, that the stories of his people still lived within him."

Ancient folklore, shapeshifters deep within the forest, native hunters, and the destruction of an ancient pact of peace and the broken promise of untouched lands. 

My Favorite Little Spot in the Middle of Nowhen:

"Right now is now, but it's the same now for everyone who comes here. It is current, past, and present, all at once. It is all of time, and none of time, at the same time."

Dreams often take us to our favorite places. Places that linger in our memories. Places that provide comfort and happiness. But there are times when one misses what they are looking for as if life has already been written for them.

"Sometimes people just exist on different hands of the clock."

Along New Lines:

"This was a new station. She'd never ridden this line."

Just rolling along, trying to get where one needs to go. Trying to figure out the best way possible to get there in the least amount of time. But does it ever go as planned?

Rusty's Run:

"Strawberries and apples and dirt."

Pets are amazing, aren't they? This is Rusty's story, the undying loyalty and love she has for her owner. Her journey to find her owner after being separated during a disastrous event. 

Harsh Lessons:

"We are who we are because our lives are hard. Our seas are rough and our land is unforgiving."

A harsh lesson learned by a hard hearted general. Not careful enough to keep his mouth shut, he learns quickly of betrayal.

Trouve:

"International company looking for able-bodied students willing to perform grueling manual labor in exchange for meager lodging and a pittance of a stipend. Come spend your summer in the cultural capital of the world, working hours which will leave you virtually no time to enjoy it. Work yourself to the bone in order to appease our stuck-up employees moving across the sea to work at the company's new France headquarters. Apply today, not because spots are limited, but because we’re desperate!"

A bone chilling ghost story. Memories held onto from the harsh life of a child, longing for release.

The Vine:

"He didn't usually feel anger, yet it lived with him all the time. A tiny, smoldering pile at the back of his heart. It was always lit, but little in his life made it burn. Not other people. Not the world around him. Only himself. His own mistakes. His flaws. That was the fuel his anger needed."

An allegory. The unrelenting vines in the garden of life that grow and grow and never want to let go. It takes root and burns there for many years until one day... let's go.

Between the Ropes: 

An homage to a beloved coach. Cherished memories of boxing days gone by. 

The Wheresit:

"Coins which tasted like need. Paperclips, rich with the hint of useful. Bits of paper, green and white, warm from their pockets, sweetened with greed."

I am not even sure how to describe this little creature. It's an interesting character with an interesting concept of all that is gathered in a home full of life. But also, lost items left behind to be gathered within the walls of a home that is lived in by different families and left behind, leaving emptiness and loneliness, only to be filled once again. Some things only have value for short periods of time and other things are cherished for life.

Goddess of the Forest:

A Kamiho, a character in Korean Folklore: A goddess of the forest and the night. A devourer of souls.

Called upon by one who has come to ask for help to rid her life of the man who is among the worst of men. One who takes and takes but never gives back. "You are a collection of stolen dreams."  His evil deeds are now being visited upon him and he will now give back everything he has taken. 

Threshold Intergalactic Cruise Services:

"Threshold Intergalactic Services is proud to present their latest venture; a voyage greater and grander than ever attempted. Join us...for the trip of a lifetime."

A highly exciting and anticipated trip through the universe does not go as planned and now everything hangs onto survival. (The ending of this one was chilling, I loved it!)

The Witch's Eye:

"That is because I am a member of Her Majesty's Navy, and not a flea-ridden, jolly rogering pirate who don't know his aft from his stern."

Pirates are among ye, aye they are, but there is more than meets the eye. Deep secrets threatened to be revealed that would change the loyalty of the sailors beholden to their captain. Some secrets are best kept as they are.

Behind the Hidden Door:

Things that go bump in the night. Creepy closets where monsters dwell. From childhood to adulthood, some things are best left alone.

Death at the Table:

If Death came knocking at your door, would you invite it in ? Knowing that it may be the end or a change in the course of your life. No bargaining can make a difference. It has been invited in and now it will be answered to. 

Everything has a consequence in the end.

The Dead Pennies by Robert Ford

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

5.0

"That's the first and last black eye I ever get because of a man."

Abby has had enough of living in a rough relationship. She makes the decision to leave and head to her mothers house to start a new beginning for herself. But things change on her way there when she reconnects with a longtime friend. Knowing that she really does not want to stay with her mother, she decides to take an offer from her friend to live in a new loft that has been recently renovated. This decision begins a series of events that affect her life and those that also become involved. As the darkness surrounds her, she searches for the reasons behind all the mysterious occurrences. As the unusual noises, dark shadows, and perplexing events continue to disturb, Abby and others' lives are hanging in the balance between life and death. 

This book is written in three parts, with the first part introducing us to all the characters and the build to what is to come about in all of their lives. Part two brings us back to the past and reveals to us the reasoning behind the disturbing hauntings. Part three intertwines all the parts together, revealing hidden secrets, and the rage of the vengeful souls.

Creepy and haunting, we are not only given a disturbing and heartbreaking story from the past, but we are given a story that involves abuse in different forms. It haunts the mind and the soul. It lingers and the memories are never forgotten. It's not the person that does not let go of the past, it's the past that does not let go of the person. 
"You feel it in these places, feel the sadness, the grief, a sense of mourning, but sometimes, you feel the anger, too. Enough bad things happen in the same spot, and the shadows begin to gather, and sometimes the pain, that...rage, starts up some sort of engine, makes the place itself come alive."

An engaging and haunting story. Robert Ford's writing craft shines through with some wonderful prose and a few plot twists that add elements of surprise and suspense. 

A ghost story that may just haunt your dreams, chill your mind, and give you those spine tingling chills!

Granny by Simon McHardy, Sean Hawker

adventurous funny fast-paced

4.5

"These lonely, old f*cks will do anything to feel wanted again."

Granny is not your typical, sweet little old grandma. She is not as she appears to be as she is hiding a dark and sinister secret.  She will befriend you. Make you want to take her home and love her.  Then when you least expect it, she will show you who she truly is and make you regret that she has darkened your doorstep. 

She is not a happy granny, she despises happiness and wishes to only torture and destroy. She's a total b*tch!

I always know when I open a McHardy book, I am going to be entertained. Highly disgusted, but nonetheless entertained. This being a collaboration with Hawker, I can only imagine the fun they had writing it. Sickos! I chuckled a few times, but one particular chapter made me gag a little...ewww...nasty! Then there is the chapter with all the little kittens at the shelter...a**holes...ripped my heart out. The ending, well let me say it was truly karma and well deserved. 

Did you have to write about old, wrinkled poonannies? 

Chuckles galore, but equally nauseating, what's not to like? 

If you are a fan, then you do not miss out on this one!

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0