Tag: gothic horror

Vampire Verses by LindaAnn LoSchiavo Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author and poet LindaAnn LoSchiavo shares the power and seductive nature of the supernatural in the book “Vampire Verses.”

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The Synopsis

“Vampire Verses” explores the seductive mystique of the shadow sphere and savors the forbidden allure of encounters with the supernatural — illustrated by spooky full-page artwork.

For lovers of Gothic poetry and vampire lore, this collection captures what makes these immortals irresistible: their paradoxical existence where death becomes a gateway to living more intensely.

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The Review

The gothic horror atmosphere in these poems, and the blend of humor, heart, and dread, were so perfect for this collection. The haunting imagery found in these poems perfectly captures the bloody and visceral nature of vampirism and the supernatural draw that so many people have towards the genre and this particular supernatural creature.

The heart of these poems is so much more than the vampire angle, however. It is a beautiful fusion of history, mythology, and pop culture, delivered with a poetic touch. The poem “When We Rented ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’” gave readers a first-person perspective on how vampires would respond to a slasher flick of that caliber, and the section highlighting the impact Bram Stoker had on the genre was also thrilling. The shifting points of view in each poem and the way the poems delve into power dynamics in relationships, people’s fascination with death and danger, and what happens when a person’s needs overpower them, become powerful themes that bring these poems to life eloquently.

The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and enthralling, author LindaAnn LoSchiavo’s “Vampire Verses” is a must-read gothic horror collection of poems. The humorous illustrations, tidbits of knowledge, and quotes on history and mythology throughout the collection helped elevate the pop culture references and balance the tones in this very atmospheric collection. Readers will return to it time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A native New Yorker, LoSchiavo has received nominations for the Pushcart Prize, Rhysling Award, Best of the Net, the IPPY Award, CLMP’s Firecracker Award, Balcones Poetry Prize, and Dwarf Stars. She is a member of Science Fiction Poetry Assoc., The British Fantasy Society, and The Dramatists Guild.

Her poetry chapbooks include “Conflicted Excitement” [Red Wolf Editions, 2018], “Concupiscent Consumption” [Red Ferret Press, 2020], “Women Who Were Warned” [Cerasus Poetry, May 2022], and “Messengers of the Macabre” co-authored with David Davies [Audience Askew, October 2022].

Her full-length collections include Elgin Award winner “A Route Obscure and Lonely” [Wapshott Press, Dec. 2019] and “Apprenticed to the Night” [UniVerse Press, 2023].

Three of her short stories appear in “A Feast of Narrative,” Vol. 1 [Idea Press, 2020], edited by Tiziano Dossena.

Book Trailer:  https://youtu.be/V0vyi_v8hfU

https://www.prolificpulse.com/lindaannloschiavo

Editorial Review: “Cancer Courts My Mother” by LindaAnn LoSchiavo

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GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18972725.LindaAnn_LoSchiavo

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/LindaAnn-LoSchiavo/author/B084WSGD5K

* * “Apprenticed to the Night” [U.K.: UniVerse Press, 2023]

* * Publisher’s site: https://universepress.net/product/apprenticed-to-the-night/

* * Interview: https://spkofmarvels.wordpress.com/2023/02/09/lindaann-loschiavo/

* * Interview: https://medium.com/interstellar-flight-press/caught-between-two-worlds-family-far-away-places-and-formal-poetry-270426062797

* * Book Trailer: “Women Who Were Warned”

* * Book Review: “Women Who Were Warned”

Critic Yasmine Dashti

https://www.fahmidan.net/book-reviews

* * Interview & excerpts:

Women Who Were Warned – Book Excerpt

* * “Messengers of the Macabre” ― website: https://messengersofthemacabre.com/

* * Book Review: “Messengers of the Macabre”

Critic Joshua Gage

Review: Messengers of the Macabre by LindaAnn LoSchiavo and David Davies

Critic Jodie Crump

Messengers of the Macabre: Halloween Poems by LindaAnn LoSchiavo and David Davies

* * Book Trailer: “Messengers of the Macabre”

* * LindaAnn Literary: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHm1NZIlTZybLTFA44wwdfg

* * Twitter: @Mae_Westside

https://amzn.to/48UetHn

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The Shambling Lords by Henry Levi Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A king becomes desperate to save a kingdom caught in a blood plague that has warped everyone and everything in author Henry Levi’s “The Shambling Lords.”

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The Synopsis

Transience has come to the undying lands of Amelbaran.

A plague of blood cripples the once-immutable kingdom of Kelcarosa, replacing beauty with decay.

The advent of this calamity, like nothing the immortal kingdom has ever known before, distorts even the incontrovertible Nobles of the Scarlet Court, stealing away the righteous instincts of these great custodians, warping their sensibilities and making shambling monsters, debauched and dangerous, of those who had once been hailed as heroes.

Only the New King seems to remember the grandeur that once was theirs, and in reverence to all that was, he seeks to undo all that is.

This is the King’s requiem; the legend of the end of that which had been undying, the corruption of that which had been consecrated, the fall of that which had stood most high.

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The Review

This gritty, dark-toned fantasy novel was the perfect blend of horror and dark fantasy, bringing a rich new world and kingdom to life in vivid detail. The visceral imagery and haunting atmosphere that the author exudes in the story, as this plague decimates the land and begins to creep into the once majestic city, is thoughtfully written into the narrative, effortlessly conjuring up a feeling of unease and despair that the characters are hit with, as well as a physical sensation of grime and grit in this chilling world.

Yet it was the fast pacing and impactful themes the story seemed to embody that made this narrative feel so engrossing. The King, an antihero in this story, is steadfast in his view of his people’s failure and the kingdom he once loved so deeply, and, through hardship and struggle, fights to make his mission succeed, no matter the cost. The story reflects the loss of what was once good in a person’s life, and sometimes the inevitable realization that it cannot be recovered. Instead, all we can do is move on from that loss and start anew, a fitting theme the King embodies as he sees the plague of mortality plaguing his immortal kingdom and the need to start over. 

The Verdict

Viscerally written, compelling, and thoroughly enthralling, author Henry Levi’s “The Shambling Lords” is a must-read dark fantasy and horror novella. The haunting, atmospheric tale of betrayal, loss, and rebirth takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, and the depth of the world-building the author uses to convey this theme is remarkable. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Best known within the pages of other tales, acclaimed writer Henry Levi first made his name with the razor-edged prose of a bestselling crime thriller trilogy, though he has since outgrown the confines of any single genre.

In A Study on Falling, Levi emerged as the sharp-tongued voice behind the Alistair Black series, a sudden success that vaulted the then-unknown author into global stardom — only to be followed by a spectacular unraveling, marked by public feuds, private bitterness, and a much-publicized retreat from the literary stage.

Now, after a tumultuous hiatus steeped in further scandal, Levi returns: unapologetically eclectic and unfashionably sincere, having finally beaten back the jaded nihilism and acrimonious apathy that had once defined him.

Returned to writing on his own terms, Levi’s recent works are darker, stranger, and far more personal. The extent of his acclaim depends, as always, on who you ask. Whatever else may be said, he is writing again.

https://amzn.to/4aAKpBM

From The Dark Forest Hence They Came (A CRY IN THE MOON’S LIGHT Book Three) by Alan McGill REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Witch King and his supernatural army descend on a group of human survivors as a woman and her allies search for relics that could defeat the unrelenting army of the undead in author Alan McGill’s “From The Dark Forest Hence They Came”, the third book in the A Cry In The Moon’s Light series.

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The Synopsis

The Witch King and his Undead Army lay siege to Castle Parlimae. A deep ravine and high walls keep them at bay but evil does not give up so easily. Silver ammunition runs low, forcing Colonel Voelker to make an uneasy alliance as he awaits reinforcements.

Alessandra and her companions search the Dark Forest for a holy relic to defeat the undead. They arrive in Port Calibre to find it has been infiltrated by night creatures. And when the Black Fleet sails into the harbor, they barely escape with their lives.

More trouble awaits as they return to the City of Trevordeaux. The Witch King’s creatures loom amongst the destruction, for somewhere within these ruins lies a sacred book to lay all their secrets bare. But it may be too late, as an ancient evil far worse than the Witch King is on its way and time is running short.

Will Alessandra and her companions find what they need to defeat the Witch King? Can Colonel Voelker’s forces hold the castle long enough for Alessandra to return? Who will put an end to the Undead Wars.

To find out, you’ll have to look into the Dark Forest from Hence They Came.

The Review

This had to be author Alan McGill’s most explosive and compelling read to date in this series. The narrative harkens back to many horror and sci-fi fantasy reads and projects in the past, beginning with the main cast of characters, both friends and reluctant allies alike, separated by a seemingly impossible and unbeatable enemy. How these groups of survivors and heroes must face the escalating threats from the Witch King and the undead army attacking from multiple points of entry was both heart-pounding and terrifying, and yet provided enough action and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of their seats. 

The tension and atmospheric nature of the narrative felt like some of the author’s best cinematic imagery writing yet. The gothic, haunting tones of the dynamic settings of this story played well against the visceral, chilling behaviors and actions of the creatures the author brought to life on the page. Yet it was the dynamics between the cast of characters that stood out, with Alessandra a riveting protagonist to root for and become emotionally invested in, Colonel Voelker a complex and skilled survivor and soldier who must hold a castle against the never ending undead, and the Witch King a haunting figure of immense power that has an unexpected backstory readers will be shocked to see come to life on the page.

The Verdict

This may be Alan McGill’s most exhilarating and heart-pounding gothic horror thriller yet! The tension and drama that unfolds feels like a mix of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back meets the final battle with the white walkers in Game of Thrones, The Battle of Winterfell. The vast mythos and epic world-building the author pours into this narrative have unleashed a new era of supernatural horror that feels both historical and new at the same time. This is one book that readers will refuse to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

2025 BOOK OF THE YEAR CONTENDER

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About the Author

Alan McGill is an American author who lives in an old farmhouse with a clowder of cats. Alan was close to his grandparents, who grew up during the Great Depression. They were married young and remained together until his grandmother’s passing. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and was a gifted storyteller who wove humorous tales about tough events. Alan grew up listening to these stories of right and wrong and watching fictional heroes–such as the Lone Ranger, Adam West’s Batman and Captain America–stand up to bullies and protect those who count not protect themselves. This inspired him to always do what was right in his own life and shaped his love of storytelling. He is a multigenre author whose debut novel, A Cry in the Moon’s Light, combines horror, romance, and mystery. As with all his books, A Cry in the Moon’s Light centers on characters who strive to do the right thing regardless of the adversity they face. The book focuses on the theme of love–a pure and deep love that defeats all evil.

https://www.alanmcgillbooks.com

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8B2T7yX/

Interview with Author Ana Yudin

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I learned to speak English at four years old, and within a few years, writing in English became my favorite pastime. My summers were spent back home in Romania, where I sometimes went weeks at a time without friends, internet, or even TV. I learned to escape into unknown worlds between the pages of blank notebooks. Even back then, I knew I wanted to be an author. 

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What inspired you to write your book?

My most recent novel, A Song at Dead Man’s Cove, was inspired by my travels along the Pacific Northwest when I was living in Seattle. I heard the haunting echoes of the region’s history—a wealthy businessman in the Victorian Era, his daughter who was sometimes described as manic, a lighthouse keeper’s wife who threw herself from the crag, a love triangle that ended in tragedy, a place called Dead Man’s Cove where sailors used to wash ashore after shipwrecks… From Oregon up to British Columbia, the Western coast whispered its secrets. I decided to fictionalize them into one tapestry, using attachment psychology as the common thread. 

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?


I suppose that depends on what the reader most needs to hear. Some might walk away from the book having learned that even those they deem monsters are human beings deserving of compassion. Others might learn that you can grieve people even while they are alive. Others might take away that loneliness can be deadly.  

What drew you into this particular genre?


Horror in general is wonderful because it allows us to shine a light on our deepest fears, which chips away at their power. I love Gothic horror specifically for the same reason why I loved depth-oriented psychology when I was a therapist—because it draws parallels between the past and present. Plus, crumbling castles teeming with paranormal creatures have always felt like home to me.

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d probably want to know why Hurley Irving uses his power to take advantage of people. His character is capable of treating people as his equals, yet he often chooses not to. I’ve known men like him in real life, and I wish I could ask them, “Why do you exploit those with less power? Why do you always need more and more wealth, where nothing is ever enough for you? Would you ever change?”

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

YouTube! I’ve been building an audience on there for over five years, though my main channel is psychology-focused. However, after I decided to quit my career as therapist, I created a second channel, Book & Hearth, where I hope to continue growing a community of fellow book lovers. YouTube is great because its longform content allows for increased nuance and creativity.

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Read as much as you possibly can! It will help you discover your favorite genre. It will give you a sense of the current literary landscape. It will show you what you most love in a book, and how to masterfully execute it in your own writing. In my opinion, the most successful writers are often the most voracious readers. On the other hand, you can tell when a writer doesn’t actually love books; they’re just writing from a place of ego.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Yes, I hope to release my third novel sometime in the next year. The Splintered Parts is a work of psychological horror about a neuroscience student who begins to think that someone—or something—is trying to steal her identity. But is this a neurological disease, a skinwalker, a nervous breakdown, or something else altogether?

I’m also currently editing two other manuscripts. One is a work of Gothic horror that takes place in 18th Century Europe, during the time of vampire hysteria and overflowing cemeteries. The other is a modern-day psychological horror novel about an obsessive-compulsive woman who goes on a witchy retreat in Tuscany. Among the wooded hills, she catches the attention of a very ancient spirit.

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About the Author

Ana Yudin is an author, content creator, and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She writes Gothic horror, psychological thrillers, and journaling workbooks.

Links:

A Song at Dead Man’s Cove

The Curse in Their Veins

All Books & Workbooks

Author Website

Book & Hearth YouTube Channel

Psychology with Dr. Ana YouTube Channel

A Song at Dead Man’s Cove by Ana Yudin Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Ana Yudin’s ” A Song at Dead Man’s Cove,” a young woman is confronted with a terrifying reality when a spirit targets her. She must solve the mystery of what happened to this spirit before it is too late.

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The Synopsis

Never turn your back on the ocean…

2023. Another person has disappeared at Dead Man’s Cove in coastal Washington. Jaded from her job at the historic Irving Hotel, Zarya wanders to the scene of the tragedy. She has heard her Russian mother’s tales of rusalki—vengeful spirits that have died unclean deaths near a body of water—and never paid them much attention. But now, on a misty headland beside an abandoned lighthouse, Zarya locks eyes with the rusalka and is chosen to be the next victim. She must unearth the siren’s tragedy before Rusalka Week, a period in early summer when water-spirits roam freely on land.

1850. Josephine has just joined her newlywed husband in Washington, in the lighthouse erected by local businessman Hurley Irving. Marriage is not quite what she expected, and her melancholia grows over the course of the winter. The medic prescribes pregnancy as the antidote. What he doesn’t realize is how far Josephine is willing to go in order to become a mother.

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The Review

What a truly emotional, compelling, and haunting gothic horror read. The atmospheric nature of the setting and tone this novel exuded from beginning to end was intense and mesmerizing, with the reader instantly transported to this small Northwestern Pacific town. This narrative also artfully handled the idea of small-town life and deep-rooted beliefs playing a role in how events are perceived.

The heart of this narrative was the rich history of life in the mid-nineteenth century, especially life in a coastal town, and the rich character development explored in both periods. The historical fiction bend in this gothic horror story was an excellent addition that made the narrative feel more alive and pronounced on the page. The root of both perspectives and protagonists, Zarya and Josephine, respectively, explored what it truly means to be haunted in life, both emotionally and psychologically, giving readers more depth to this horror story and inviting them down the rabbit hole, so to speak.

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The Verdict

Haunting, engaging, and heartbreaking, author Ana Yudin’s “A Song at Dead Man’s Cove” is a must-read gothic horror novel that is impossible to put down. The twists and turns the story takes, and the question of what happens when the ghosts chasing us are those of people who never were, make this one book that readers will turn to time and time again, much like Henry James’s “The Turn of the Screw,” making it an instant classic. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ana Yudin is an author, content creator, and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She writes Gothic horror, psychological thrillers, and journaling workbooks.

https://www.dranayudin.com/

Reawakening by Althea Lyons Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Magic rises again in England in the wake of the events of The Hiding in author Althea Lyon’s “Reawakening”, a collection of short stories set in The Seer of York universe. 

The Synopsis

After centuries of suppression, the magic of England is

Reawakening

Return to the world of The Seer of York with this collection of new tales set in the aftermath of The Hiding.

Harper, Grace, Saqib, Heresy, and AJ bond as a team and as a family to save innocents, supernatural and human, despite hunters pursuing them.

Introducing Zero, a starlight cat with a bleak and painful past.

Demonic-possession

Faery circles

Pūcas

And more…

The Review

A compelling, haunting, and action-paced collection of short stories, the author marvelously showcases a modern-day York that has found the supernatural to be an everyday fact of life. The self-contained nature of each story allows readers to pick and choose which stories to read without risking losing too much background story from the main series while also paying respect to the original novel that began it all. The chilling nature of the threats facing the protagonists and the robust and emotional writing style the author brings to each story will resonate with many readers.

The flawed yet relatable nature of these characters, the substantial use of mythology and religion throughout human history, and the grounded nature of the supernatural made this book feel vibrant and alive on the page. The book’s slow exploration of some powerful themes, including but not limited to the blurred lines between what is considered good and what is considered evil, with many presenting as one thing and being another, allowed readers to engage with the stories on a whole other level.

The Verdict

Harrowing, memorable, and entertaining, author Althea Lyon’s “Reawakening” is a must-read collection of short stories. The stories themselves were fantastic, and with the holidays coming up, the gothic nature of Christmas in the Shambles was a personal favorite. The twists and turns in each story and the new additions to this universe’s growing mythos will make readers eager for more from this incredible author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Alethea (she/ze) writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. She enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants her stories to be great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Her short stories can be found in a variety of publications and links for these are on her website.

Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime.

Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website.

Socials: @AletheaRLyons

A Light of Little Radiance by Keith Anthony Baird and Beverley Lee Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A traveler who succumbs to great darkness must evade the brutal hunt of a witchfinder in authors Beverley Lee and Keith Anthony Baird’s “A Light of Little Radiance.”

The Synopsis

Selina Dragavei wanders the northern wastes in fear of persecution from the Holy Roman Church. In Europe’s Dark Age, witchfinders scour the lands and traveller folk such as she are put to flame and suffering. On the ruthless steppes, she evades them but something far sinister will lay claim to her soul.

Returning to the world of men, a dark, transformed Selina has a thirst for blood and only the drift down through the centuries will quench it. But she won’t make that journey alone, as she determines to bring others to her. As a troupe of entertainers, they attend pageants, festivals, and even royal galas, where a family bound to darkness feed on unsuspecting mortals. Such debauchery, however, does not go unnoticed. Famed witchfinder, Desider von Brandenburg, becomes obsessed with bringing this band of vampire-devils to a righteous cleansing, and so a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

Will the holy man bring God’s wrath down upon them, or will Selina and her nightwalkers battle the might of Heaven and emerge unscathed? Only instinct, cunning, and a little luck under the watch of a wolf moon will tell…

The Review

This was a truly unique and compelling read. The bone-chilling imagery the author deploys in this writing is so haunting to visualize as the story progresses. Immediately, readers are given an original and terrifying origin to the vampires of this story, as a Lovecraftian terror emerges from the darkness to turn the protagonist of this tale into a creature of the night. The action and historical setting played well into this story, as the author explored the persecution so many suffered during this time of religious persecution for anyone who walked a path outside the Holy Roman Empire and the church. 

The depth of character development the author can achieve in such a short time is fantastic. The complex nature of Selina before and after her transformation and the evolution of her nature itself was fascinating. Desider’s juxtaposition as the religious witchfinder who takes his horrific actions in the name of his faith was also intriguing. The theme of horror and the depths to which humanity is willing to plunge itself into those dark depths will both shock and engage readers as the story progresses.

The Verdict

Haunting, entertaining, yet thrilling, authors Beverley Lee and Keith Anthony Baird’s “A Light of Little Radiance” is a must-read horror novel. The shocking twists and turns in the story and the unique mythos the author develops in this narrative will stay with readers long after the story ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Beverley Lee is the bestselling author of the Gabriel Davenport series (The Making of Gabriel Davenport, A Shining in the Shadows and The Purity of Crimson) The Ruin of Delicate Things, The House of Little Bones and The Sum of Your Flesh.

Her shorter fiction has been included in works from Cemetery Gates Media, Kandisha Press, Brigids Gate Press and Off Limits Press.

In thrall to the written word from an early age, especially the darker side of fiction, she believes that the very best story is the one you have to tell. Supporting fellow authors is also her passion and she is actively involved in social media and writers’ groups.

You can visit her online at beverleylee.com (where you’ll find a free dark and twisted short story download) or on Instagram (@theconstantvoice) and Twitter (@constantvoice).

Keith Anthony Baird is the author of The Jesus Man: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale of Horror (Novel), Nexilexicon (Novel), And a Dark Horse Dreamt of Nightmares (Book of Shorts), This Will Break Every Bone In Your Heart (Novelette) and Snake Charmer Blues (Short). His works can be found on Amazon and Audible. He is currently working on a dystopian novel titled SIN:THETICA, a post-apocalyptic novel titled Wind Rust, and a psychological/horror short titled A Seed in a Soil of Sorrow.

The Diabolica Britannica horror anthology was his brainchild, in which you’ll find his own contribution Walked a Pale Horse on Celtic Frost.

When not at his desk writing, you might find him up a mountain, snorkelling, or simply having adventures. Failing that, it’s a good bet he’ll be on Twitter.

He lives in England’s beautiful Lake District.

Twitter – https://twitter.com/kabauthor

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keith-Anthony-Baird/e/B078TQD1J2

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Anthony-Baird/e/B078TQD1J2

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16771035.Keith_Anthony_Baird

Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent by Jennifer Anne Gordon Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young man struggling after the tragic loss of his wife and son goes to a haunted island in hopes of reuniting with them, only to become entangled with two others who all feed on each other’s memories and guilt in author Jennifer Anne Gordon’s “Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent”.

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The Synopsis

WINNER KINDLE AWARD FOR BEST HORROR/SUSPENSE 2020 WINNER Best Horror 2020 – Authors on the Air Awards, Finalist for American Book Fest’s Best Book Award Horror 2020Finalist for Book of the Year – Authors on the Air 2020

“I read this book over several weeks, early mornings before my family woke, and I loved every moment, savoring sentences, taking screenshots of passages to revisit, and shaking my head in admiration. The writing is incredibly beautiful, rhythmic, and precise, and Gordon’s use of objects laden with emotion is masterful–watch for her teacup, rope, and red crayon; watch her weave and stuff and loop those red hairs, how they come back, how you’ll find them in your own pockets. This is horror in love with life, and an author in love with language. You will encounter scenes you won’t forget. Be ready.”

– Diane Zinna author of The All-Night Sun

Adam, a young alcoholic, slowly descends into madness while dealing with the psychological scars of childhood trauma which are reawakened when his son and wife die in a car accident that he feels he is responsible for. After a failed suicide attempt, and more group meetings that he can mention. Adam hears a rumor of a Haunted Island off the Coast of Maine, where “if someone wants it bad enough” they could be reunited with a lost loved one. In his desperate attempt to connect with the ghost of his four-and-a half year old son, he decides to go there, to Dagger Island, desperate to apologize to, or be condemned by, his young son. Adam is not sure what he deserves or even which of these he wants more. While staying in a crumbling old boarding house, he becomes involved with a beautiful and manipulative ghost who has spent 60 years tormenting the now elderly man who was her lover, and ultimately her murderer. The three of them create a “Menage-a-Guilt” as they all come to terms with what it is that ties them so emotionally to their memories and their very “existence”. Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent is a poetic fever dream of grief, love, and the terrifying ways that obsession can change who we are.

Summer 2023

The Review

One thing that I’ve always loved about Jennifer Anne Gordon’s books has been the author’s ability to weave a tale that is both chilling and emotional at the same time. The best books in the horror genre are often woven in a way that allows readers to see the terror and horror that usually lurks in real life, with ghost stories frequently being able to mirror life’s tragic events. That makes this author’s books standout performers, as the narrative elevated the tension in these types of stories to new heights both on a scare factor and an emotional level.

The author’s world-building and haunting atmosphere draws the reader in, and the tense psychological factor at play here as the characters intertwine their journey together really brings out the theme. That theme, the journey of loss and the pain that comes with grief, keeps the reader thoroughly invested in these dynamic characters and their arcs.

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The Verdict

Thoughtful, chilling, and entertaining author Jennifer Anne Gordon’s “Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent” is a must-read gothic horror and psychological thriller. The author’s poetic writing style and depth of imagery will transport readers instantly and connect them to the characters and their unique emotional journey, which many could relate to. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

JENNIFER ANNE GORDON is a professional ballroom dancer and choreographer by day, and a curly haired neurotic writer by night. She is an actor, a traveler, a photographer, a lover of Gothic Horror, and a dog mom. She lives in the wilds of New Hampshire with her partner on and off the dance floor. Her novels include the Kindle Award for Horror 2020 Winning book, Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent, as well as the historical Gothic novel From Daylight to Madness (The Hotel #1) as well as When The Sleeping Dead Still Talk (The Hotel #2). She also has a published collection of her artwork, titled “Victoriana {mixed media art of jennifer anne gordon}.

for benevolent stalking purposes you can visit her website http://www.JenniferAnneGordon.com

The Undead Wars (A Cry in the Moon’s Light Book Two) by Alan McGill Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A deadly threat emerges and former enemies must band together to stop it in author Alan McGill’s “The Undead Wars”, the second book in the A Cry in the Moon’s Light series. 

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The Synopsis

A LEADER WILL RISE AND A KINGDOM WILL FALL.

The former Duchess of Harcourt lives a quiet life. The events of the Dark Forest are a distant memory. But evil does not forget so easily. The sinister Witch King has sent new creatures to find the remaining witches.

Gruesome murders plague the land as eerie Wolf Song echoes from the mountains. Is this the return of Seth? Or something else?

Alessandra de Moreau must decide if she can work with those who killed her love, for only together will they be able to stop the Undead Army. But first, she will have to find the Dagger of Dark Silver and unravel the Mystery of the Wolf, if they are to survive The Undead Wars.

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The Review

This was a gripping and captivating fantasy read. The perfect sequel to A Cry in the Moon’s Light expands upon the mythos and world-building of the first novel, allowing readers to dive deeper and deeper into the world the author has crafted. The author’s dark and grim imagery in the book is spine-chilling and beautiful in its delivery.

The story’s fantastic character development and pacing became the heart of the narrative. The pacing matched the suddenness and shock of the emerging threat of this undead army, and getting to see the way these characters from the first book have progressed in the years since the shocking ending of that first novel was incredible to see, especially the emergence of Alessandra as the heroine who has to bring these ragtag fighters together to face this undead threat was great to see come to life on the page. 

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The Verdict

The harrowing narrative and shocking twists and turns make this a must-read dark fantasy and gothic horror read. The introduction of both historical figures and new foes for the heroes of this tale to face will draw readers in instantly, with a couple of threats emerging as new iconic villains in the genre and the emotional pull of the main cast of characters and their emerging struggles made this a top contender for novel of 2024 early on in the year. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Alan McGill is an American author who lives in an old farmhouse with a clowder of cats. Alan was close to his grandparents, who grew up during the Great Depression. They were married young and remained together until his grandmother’s passing. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and was a gifted storyteller who wove humorous tales about tough events. Alan grew up listening to these stories of right and wrong and watching fictional heroes–such as the Lone Ranger, Adam West’s Batman and Captain America–stand up to bullies and protect those who count not protect themselves. This inspired him to always do what was right in his own life and shaped his love of storytelling. He is a multigenre author whose debut novel, A Cry in the Moon’s Light, combines horror, romance, and mystery. As with all his books, A Cry in the Moon’s Light centers on characters who strive to do the right thing regardless of the adversity they face. The book focuses on the theme of love–a pure and deep love that defeats all evil.

https://www.alanmcgillbooks.com