Tag: short story

Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1 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. 

Four authors take a unique deep dive into a beloved sci-fi collection in the book “Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1”.

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The Synopsis

Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 3: Volume 1 Digital Download (English)

The Shadow Agent By Amy Marsden Illustrated by Massimiliano Longo

 A debt to the Planetary Council can be a death sentence if left ignored, so Jensen has no time to waste and zero room for mistakes.

Last Ride By Bradley Heywood Illustrated by Leonardo Guinard

 You can’t teach an old horse new tricks, but can the Dirty Man Dyson learn to let go of the past?

Bunker 787: Blood & Fortune By Azalan Reign & Julian Fernandes Illustrated by Luis Bazzan

 The island infested with Howlers has more secrets to reveal as shipwrecked members of the Oceanic Alliance and pirates clash for control of the abandoned PC bunker and its hidden treasures.

Homestead Refugee By C.M. Alongi Illustrated by Anastasia Nesterova

Dalmar knows to never trust anyone from Homestead, so when someone from the community of cannibals moves to her town, she is forced to stay vigilant and keep her friends close.

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Light Connectivity- Book 8: Homestead Hunts, Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 2, Book 13: Elutheramania: Freedom City

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The Review

What a fascinating, unique, and highly creative sci-fi adventure. Each story holds an extraordinary voice to the writing style, immersing the reader in the futuristic world. The mesh of different elements, from bounty hunters in the seedier parts of the world to mutants and cannibals in a lawless land and so much more, made these stories feel like a cross between Westward and Fallout. 

The dynamic characters and rich storylines each story held were thrilling to get lost in. A personal favorite was The Shadow Agent by Amy Marsden and the protagonist Jensen’s journey. The twists and turns the author threw at the protagonist, and the following revelations kept the reader on the edge of their seat as the world came to life around them. The rich imagery in each author’s story, both the illustrations and the writing style, allowed each tale to come to life on the page, immersing the reader in their vast world.

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The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and action-packed, “Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1” is a must-read sci-fi collection. The balance of emotional character development and action-driven narrative will keep readers invested until the final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Dark Tales of Whimsy 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.

Four authors bring a unique collection of folklore with a modern twist in the book “Dark Tales of Whimsy”.

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The Synopsis

Dark Tales of Whimsy 

Dark Tales of Whimsy is a collection of four short stories which weave elements of folklore with modern influences, engaging readers with tales of danger, curses, and more than a little mischief. This collection also includes illustrations  by Oz Osborn.

Tooth, written by Simone Le Roux

In her short, Tooth, Simone LeRoux introduces us to Peg, who is feeling the pressure of surviving tooth to tooth. Join Peg and her ambitious cousin, Orla, as they aim to evade the woeful fate of Tooth Fairies who break the rules. 

Anti-Cupid, written by Carlotta Cosmai

In Carlotta Cosmai’s story of love, we follow dead-beat husband and father, Cupid. In time, his arrows have been replaced by an enchanted smart phone, and his desires have become sleazy and self-serving. Follow his daughter, Pleasure, as she tries to bring true love back to Rome.

Little Miss Muffet Meets Anansi The Spider, written by Remy Fernandes

It’s been a while since ‘The Spider Incident,’ when Missy lost her foot from the bite. Now, she has grown to adulthood and landed a job at the Ice Cream Hut at the zoo. When her lunch break is interrupted by a talkative spider, Missy finds herself in a deal with a hungry, eight-legged intruder, whose antics could cost Muffet more than her job.

Three’s Last Stand, written by Alyssa Blackmon

In Alyssa Blackmon’s re-telling, we meet Three, the brick house-maker, who now has spent years being hunted by the big bad werewolf and his turned brothers. The day has come that Three can finally find closure with his brothers, and gain vengeance on the wolf.  

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The Review

One of the most challenging genres to break into is the retelling genre, which involves taking classic tales and giving them a fresh spin. Yet, in this collection, the authors have done just that, taking some of the world’s most iconic myths and legends and providing a unique, adult, and engaging spin. The amount of world-building that each tale can incorporate in such a short time is fantastic, and the haunting atmosphere that each story provides brings about that dark fairytale feeling that the collection aims to provide.

This was a short story collection driven by character dynamics. The heart of this collection was the way each story provided a unique, vulnerable, yet impressive protagonist to stand behind and a worthy problem to overcome. The chilling take on the black market and illegal thefts of children’s teeth regarding the lore of the tooth fairy was such an inspiring twist in the first tale and brought a standard of dark whimsy that each story thereafter lived up to. 

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The Verdict

“Dark Tales of Whimsy” is a must-read short story collection that is captivating, enthralling, and memorable. The chilling adult storylines and unique twists on iconic fairytales made this compelling collection richly developed and mesmerizing to behold. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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What About Tuesday: One ’n Done Book 1 by Adam Wilson 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. 

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One man learns the consequences of asking too many questions when one day of the week disappears in author Adam Wilson’s “What About Tuesday”, the first in the One ’n Done series.

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The Synopsis

An entire day of the week has disappeared. 

That’s normal, right?

In What About Tuesday? Adam Wilson reminds us that should you ever wake up to find a day of the week missing due to a freak abnormality in the nature of space-time, it’s probably a good idea not to mention it to anyone.

Seriously. Just leave it alone. Definitely don’t hire a private investigator.

Oh, and definitely don’t ask questions. Forget anything happened.

Because, technically, nothing did.

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The Review

This was a fantastic narrative. The quick precision with which the author could infuse heart and depth into these characters and make them feel real and fully realized in such a short read made this a compelling novella. The imagery in the author’s writing style and how each scene was brought to life made the story’s fast pace feel necessary and engaging.

The mystery element and prose of this story were fantastic. The commentary on social interactions in various scenarios, from roommates and office employees to random people on public transportation, was such a fun use of character development and allowed the mystery and world-building aspects of the story to feel more vibrant and alive on the page.

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The Verdict

Author Adam Wilson’s “What About Tuesday” is a must-read novella. It is memorable, fast-paced, and entertaining. The mystery and wit in the main narrative and the commentary on societal standards and how we interact with the world around us make this a compelling yet short read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

The Legend of Dave Bradley: (One ’n Done Book 5) by S Atzeni 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. 

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A group of employees must contend with unruly customers and the legendary Dave Bradley in author S. Atzeni’s “The Legend of Dave Bradley”, the fifth book in the One ’n Done series.

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The Synopsis

This is a story that may be true, partially true, or not true at all.

But it still definitely happened.

An eclectic blend of experiences from the New Jersey Shop ‘NBag, a supermarket at the Jersey Shore, The Legend of Dave Bradley celebrates the horrors that only exist in customer service. 

Every day, the employees at the New Jersey Shop ‘NBag take care of customers, clean up the aisles, and try to maintain a personal life. They must also survive Dave Bradley’s very confusing yet effective reign of chaos over the store. Before long, they have to make an important choice: get distracted by Dave Bradley’s antics or get back to work? The answer is obvious.

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The Review

This was a short yet powerful and humorous read. The short fiction style of storytelling played well into this narrative. The set-up for the story initially grabbed my attention, as the narrator makes numerous attempts to quantify the validity and reality of the presented story, allowing the author’s wit and unique writing style to shine brightly.

The atmosphere played a significant role in the story. The setting not only brought a sense of reality and relatability to the narrative but how the author captured the experiences so many people in the customer service industry have daily was so engaging and added an outstanding balance to the creative storytelling that the book was building into.

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The Verdict

A quick, entertaining, and humorous read, author S Atzeni’s “The Legend of Dave Bradley” is a must-read short fiction read. The witty and imaginative writing style the author brought and the compelling narrative will keep readers wanting more from this fantastic author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

S. Atzeni is a writer of prose, comics, and academic scholarship. She has a BA in Professional Writing and MA in English from The College of New Jersey. Her most recent work include the graphic novel series The MOTHER Principle, the first volume of which, MOTHER Knows Best, was released in August 2015 with the second volume, MOTHER May I, slated for release in 2019. She is a regular contributor to Read Furiously’s One ‘n Done series which has featured her stories Breath, The Legend of David Bradley, and the upcoming Beauty. S. Atzeni has been a writer for The Mary Sue and for Bustle. Her scholarly work has been published by the Sequart Organization, and she has been a presenter and panel chair at academic conferences throughout the East Coast. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Read Furiously and currently teaches post-modernism, Holocaust studies, superheroes, and pop culture at The College of New Jersey.

S. Atzeni lives in New Jersey with her husband, comic writer Adam Wilson, their son, and their cat Alaska who has yet to become internet famous, despite their best efforts.

http://www.satzeni.com/p/home.html?m=1

Shahrazad’s Gift by Gretchen McCullough 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.

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Author Gretchen McCullough explores the lives o people in modern Cairo in the short story collection “Shahrazad’s Gift”.

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The Synopsis

Shahrazad’s Gift is a collection of linked short stories set in contemporary Cairo—magical, absurd and humorous. The author focuses on the off-beat, little-known stories, far from CNN news: a Swedish belly dancer who taps into the Oriental fantasies of her clientele; a Japanese woman studying Arabic, driven mad by the noise and chaos of the city; a frustrated Egyptian housewife who becomes obsessed by the activities of her Western gay neighbor; an American journalist who covered the civil war in Beirut who finds friendship with her Egyptian dentist. We also meet the two protagonists of McCullough’s Confessions of a Knight Errant, before their escapades in that story. These stories are told in the tradition of A Thousand and One Nights. 

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The Review

One of the beautiful things about fiction writing is how it allows readers from one part of the world to explore and gain insight into how people live in other parts. This collection of short stories is no different, as the author wonderfully showcases the rich tapestry and vibrant life that breathes into the city of Cairo. The thoughtful imagery allows the setting and atmosphere to appear on the page. 

The connectivity of the cast of characters and the ode to the classic tale of A Thousand and One Nights made this collection truly shine. The humor and wit that these characters exuded, the exploration of the city’s lesser-known corners, and the emphasis the author put on stories of love and self-discovery made this a gripping and compelling read that readers will return to time and time again.

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The Verdict

Creative, insightful, and entertaining author Gretchen McCullough’s “Shahrazad’s Gift” collection is a must-read short story. The various cultures and histories of the characters and the melding of worlds within this one city made the story feel transformative and engaging and is not to be missed by readers. Be sure to check out your own copy of this fanstastic book today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gretchen McCullough was raised in Harlingen Texas. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, she taught in Egypt, Turkey and Japan. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Syria from 1997-1999. 

Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in The Barcelona Review, Archipelago, National Public Radio, Story South, Guernica, The Common, The Millions, and the LA Review of Books. Translations in English and Arabic have been published in: Nizwa, Banipal, Brooklyn Rail in Translation, World Literature Today and Washington Square Review with Mohamed Metwalli. Her bi-lingual book of short stories in English and Arabic, Three Stories from Cairo, translated with Mohamed Metwalli was published in July 2011 by AFAQ Publishing House, Cairo. 

Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition at the American University in Cairo. 

https://gretchenmcculloughfictionwriter.com

Americana: Stories by Bill Hemmig Review

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

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Author Bill Hemmig showcases the human experience through a multitude of snapshots and short stories in the collection “Americana: Stories”.

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The Synopsis

The many faces of curiosity. Which one do you see?

Welcome to Bill Hemmig’s Americana, a collection of snapshots that capture the everyday American experience. From filling the bird feeder to a realtor conference (behind) the happiest place on Earth to the picturesque canals of Venice, each story celebrates the eccentricities hidden inside the fabric of an ordinary life.

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The Review

From a storytelling perspective, the author’s work put into this book’s character development and imagery was riveting. The relatability and heart that these characters exuded and the rich dynamics between them were incredibly engaging. The thoughtful use of imagery helped elevate the enthralling yet thought-provoking atmosphere the author had tapped into for these stories.

Yet it was the balance of realism and almost fantasy-style storytelling that the author embraced that made this collection so unique. The way each story spoke to everyday situations and emotions that people go through, and yet the abstract imagery that made each story feel like another world entirely came across as a fairy-tale-like parable to take lessons from, and the idea that life itself stems from our thoughts and ideas made this a complex yet engaging read.

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging author Bill Hemmig’s “Americana: Stories” is a must-read short story collection that is not to be missed. The author writes in a way that allows us to see ourselves in these characters, yet the story’s abstract nature allows us to feel transported all at once. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Bill Hemmig is the author of Americana: Stories and Brethren Hollow, both published by Read Furiously. His short stories appear in Read Furiously’s Life in the Garden State anthologies, The World Takes and Stay Salty, and in the Toho Publishing anthology, The Best Short Stories of Philadelphia, 2021. He has had stories published in the journals The Madison Review, Philadelphia Stories, and Children, Churches and Daddies (cc&d), and he is a three-time finalist in the New Millennium Writing Awards. By day he is Dean, Learning Resources & Online Learning at Bucks County Community College in Pennsylvania.

Find Bill online at:

Website | Instagram | Twitter

It Came From The Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations by Joel McKay 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. 

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Author Joel McKay explores the cosmic, haunting horrors of the world in his collection, “It Came From the Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations”. 

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The Synopsis

Tree planters on the run from parasitic insects. A physicist who has become the target of a murderous airline. Teenagers trapped in a museum with an eldritch horror. An escaped pit fighter thrust into a desperate stand at a sagging mountain fortress. And a luckless cowboy sailing across a sea of grass to the bloody resurrection of an elder god. Welcome to Joel McKay’s It Came from the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations, a collection of five page-turners as strange, disparate and bloody as their titles suggest.

So, grab a stiff drink, turn the lights down low, settle into your favorite reading nook and enjoy this brief but memorable collection of tales from one of the newest voices in Canadian pulp fiction.

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The Review

This collection of stories did an incredible job of simultaneously capturing the essence of terror and pulp fiction. Each tale expertly weaves the haunting atmosphere the author’s writing evokes with the mounting tension that the genre is infamous for. 

The creepy settings and the horror-filled narratives perfectly complement the rich characters that populate these stories. The way these characters are thrust into these evolving bouts of terror and the unsettling nature of the horrors they face brings to mind the works of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft and the horror classic The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen. 

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The Verdict

Chilling, atmospheric, and engaging author Joel McKay’s “It Came From The Trees: And Other Violent Aberrations” is a must-read horror and pulp fiction collection. The cosmic horror setting and the grounded character development will keep readers interested and invested in the author’s work now and in the future. If you haven’t already be sure to check out this book today! 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Joel McKay is an award-winning writer. He calls Prince George, B.C. home, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Wolf at the Door is his first novella, which won the 2022 Global Book Award gold medal for horror. His most recent published fiction was the short story Number Hunnerd in Tyche Books’ anthology Water: Selkies, Sirens and Sea Monsters, and the splatterpunk western short story Hands, which was published in Brigids Gate Press’ anthology Blood in the Soil, Terror on the Wind.

The inspiration for his fiction is drawn from the landscapes and people of British Columbia, particularly the province’s vast, untamed and often misunderstood north. It’s the small towns and the people who call them home that inspired the good ol’ boys featured in Number Hunnerd, or the cool, crisp evenings and early sunsets of October that planted the idea for werewolves at a Thanksgiving feast.

Joel is passionate about Canada, its history and the history of the peoples who have called it home since time immemorial. As far as he’s concerned, New England has got nothing on Northern B.C. when it comes to perfect settings for supernatural tales.

In his spare time, Joel is an avid fly fisherman, mountain biker, hiker and reader. His work as an economic development professional, public relations specialist and journalist has earned him numerous national, provincial and local awards and recognitions.

https://linktr.ee/joelmckay

The Hotline at the End of the World (All Our Forgotten Futures Book 3) by Brady Koch Review

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

A man working a hotline at the CDC sees an opportunity to end a global plague when a woman the world has been searching for may be on the line with him in author Brady Koch’s “The Hotline at the End of the World”, the third book in the All Our Forgotten Futures series. 

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The Synopsis

In a world paralyzed by an unprecedented outbreak, Clint mans the CDC hotline, a solitary beacon of dwindling hope. Then, one fateful day, a call comes in. Clint finds himself navigating a delicate situation involving a mysterious woman, hinted at in classified files, who may possess the coveted cure. As the world remains under a suffocating lockdown, Clint’s every word, every choice, holds the weight of untold futures.

“The Hotline at the End of the World” is a gripping narrative of responsibility and suspense, set in a reality where a single phone call can alter the course of humanity.

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The Review

This was a gripping and compelling short story. The author is able to weave together plot points from the previous two entries in this series to illustrate the desperation and sorrow that has overtaken the world, emphasizing in particular the importance of book one protagonist Sarah. The fast pace of the narrative and gripping imagery really elevate the tension that has built over time in this world.

The character development and world-building that this story does for the All Our Forgotten Futures series was incredible. The subtle moments of the narrative, such as the protagonist scratching at a phantom limb illustrate the things and people that are missing from his own life and the way this story builds towards an emotional and fantastic final entry into this dystopian-level sci-fi thriller. 

The Verdict

Engaging, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking, author Brady Koch’s “The Hotline at the End of the World” is a must-read short story and emotional read. The twists and turns that drive this story forward and the shocking end that leaves the future on a somber note yet filled with endless possibilities make this a thoughtful and caring story to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Feel free to read over Brady’s shoulder if you see him working on a new novel or short story at the coffee shop or library. Despite his penchant for crime, horror, and the unusual in his writing, he’s actually a nice guy and welcomes your feedback. Brady Koch’s first collection of short works, Guns, Gods & Robots, is now available. His debut novel, All our Forgotten Futures, will be available in Winter 2023.

Website: www.BradyKoch.com

They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark by Francesca Maria Review

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

Author Francesca Maria takes readers on a journey into the depths of darkness to explore the shadowy nature of fear and control in “They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark”.

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The Synopsis

Who are we if not for the monsters that we keep?

They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark collects thirteen chilling tales that weave through the shadows, exploring the nature of fear, powerlessness, and control.

– A series of murders in a New England colony

– An untamed beast in pre-revolutionary France

– A mysterious stranger who invades 18th-century Ireland

– A traveling circus that takes more than the price of admission

– A gathering of the Dark, telling tales on the longest night of the year, and more.

Come play with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, ghouls and the devil himself. Make sure you check under the bed and don’t turn out the lights.

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The Review

The author does such an incredible job of weaving together a moving yet horrifying collection of stories. The way each story flowed smoothly and kept a great pacing, while still allowing the tension to build and the chills to build up in the reader’s mind made for a truly compelling and captivating collection. 

To me, it was the author’s use of both emotional storytelling and shocking horror moments that made each story shine. Some of my favorite stories in the collection touched upon the dark side of some of my favorite things, from ancient Egyptian mythology in the story “Imhotep”, to the shocking real story of Christmas in “Spreckles” and the gasp-worthy finale in the story “Wendigo”, each story wove between the horrors and emotions of reality with the twisted nature of the strange and the bizarre side of our world and cultures. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Francesca Maria’s “They Hide: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is a must-read collection of horror short stories that is one of my favorite short story collections of 2023 thus far! The suspense, drama, and heartfelt connection readers make to the characters of these stories and the rich world-building that the author employs throughout this collection will keep readers engaged and eager for more as the last story ends and a new one begins. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the Black Cat Chronicles, a true horror comic book series narrated by a mystical black cat. And her short story collection; They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark will be out in April 7, 2023 from Brigid’s Gate Press. Her short stories and essays can be found in Crystal Lake Publishing’s Shallow Waters series and anthologies and Death’s Garden Revisited.

https://francescamaria.com/

https://twitter.com/Writer_of_Weird