Suzi M. would make a great lunch date.

Enoch's Devil by Suzi M
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suzi M. has a real flair for painting a good scene and making it seem like you are standing just out of the picture watching. Enoch's Devil wastes no time building tension and pulling you into the story. Short stories can really be hit or miss. They have to hook you, keep you, and satisfy you. Suzi does just that here as she mixes in some Lilith AND some Cthulhu. How can you not be just a bit curious now?

A very clean read, Enoch's Devil may be just what you need for an afternoon lunch break.

"Superstorm" Sandy...and a heads up warning about tomorrow.

Every year, May December Publications produces an all-for-charity anthology. Last year we put out Wake the Witch. Every story was offered for not even so much as a contributor's copy. The art work, all expenses with producing the book, completely gratis. EVERY penny of profit generated is donated in a quarterly check to Red Cross. Now, if you don't want to wait, or a bunch of "witch" stories are not your thing, then just click on the link to Reed Cross. In any case, I hope that you will find it in your heart to help all those who are so desperately in need right now after the battering given by Hurricane Sandy.

For those who might be wondering, this is not a "buy my book" post. I won't see a penny from this and neither will any of the amazing authors, the cover artist...basically nobody is making a dime at this end. And this brings me to some other great anthologies. Horror for Good comes to mind. There are others, so look around. Pop in to your favorite social media hangout and pose the question. I am sure there are several out there to choose from.

So, that brings me to my closing...yep, this is a short post... Tomorrow I am going to weigh in with some very personal opinions that are political in nature. I don't talk politics or religion with friends OR strangers. Really, most people simply don't care what you believe as long as it is in line with theirs. (That was tongue-in-cheek so relax!) I am saying this now because if that is not your thing...don't visit tomorrow. I am not trying to convert anybody to my point of view, but I will be spouting some stuff that will anger at least one person. So if that person MIGHT be you...don't come to this blog tomorrow. I am very aware that what I will be saying is not popular, nor do many of my friends see things the same way. I have given you fair warning. If our connection is that tenuous that my expressions of my views could send you away forever with hard feelings...DO NOT VISIT THIS BLOG ON TUESDAY.

Now go enjoy your Monday and, if nothing else, send some positive energy to the folks hurt by Sandy. 

The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4...ARE YOU SERIOUS?

If last week seemed just a bit tame, this episode more than made up for it. This reminds me a lot of the graphic novel series in that you will get an "episode" that just seems to lag, but then Kirkman hits you right in the gut. This series has strayed well off of the graphic novel. There is something great about that for the fans who read the series. We get to be surprised. 

This one bounces back and forth between Woodbury and the prison. It starts with somebody pulling some subtle sabotage. You are pretty sure that you know who it is, and it is no surprise when the culprit is revealed later in the episode. What is surprising is the death of not one, but two major characters. Both go out in grand fashion, T-Dog saves (we think) Carol, and Lori has a backyard C-Section with a buck knife insisting that her baby "needs" to be born "for everybody". As usual, she misses the boat. The last thing a group needs while trying to survive is a baby with no mother. Last I checked, there aren't any bottles or baby formula on the prison shelves. I get the whole "motherly instinct" thing...but she was never very adept as a parent. Now, the group is strapped with a child and no current source of food.

I was sad to see T-Dog go, but he went out with honor. He was finally starting to develop as a character, so I guess we should have suspected something was up. 

Meanwhile, in Woodbury, Andrea is so far off from the character that is in the GN, but she seems to be the poster girl for women who make bad choices in men. She seems to be drinking the Governor's Kool-Aid. Thank goodness for Michonne, who is becoming the female counterpart to Daryl.

Speaking of Daryl, his brother Merle, who seemed to be a bit of a toadie for the Governor, may be about ready to jump ship. He has that "family first" creed and wants to search for his brother now that he has an area to look--thanks to more confusing Andrea action--but the Governor is not very supportive. I really liked the facial tic...wonder if that will come into play later. There is one little treat that I think they are going to keep from the GN. He does mention that it is just him "and his daughter" during a conversation with Andrea. I hope that means what I think!

A book to read with a friend.

Beneath the Tor by Kat Yares
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a horror buff. That is just my thing. My second favorite is fantasy like Song of Ice and Fire or Wheel of Time. This is a book that I would never have given a thought to on my own. I was given a review copy, and these are the types of surprises that remind me to expand my horizons.

With some very interesting and unique characterizations of some popular biblical figures, Beneath the Tor by Kat Yares is character-rich. This is not what I would consider a "casual" read, and demands that you actually spend some time with the book. It is engrossing and entertaining, and has a lot of "conversational" moments. I recommend that you read this with a friend because this is a story that you will want to talk about while and after you read it.

There were some editing touch ups that could make it smoother--mostly in the dialog, but there is nothing glaring that will distract the reader. So, find a friend, or tell your book club about this one.

Misses the mark...

Before the End by Melanie Edmonds
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not wanting to rain on this 5-star parade, but there just was not a lot here. I get that this is an introduction. However, I just did not get that invested in the narrator. Nothing much really happens other than some moaning and complaining. I think if this story really wanted to draw you to the next installment, there should be at least one zombie encounter that gives you an idea of what to expect.

Sadly, I just can not get too excited about Melanie Edmonds' The Apocalypse Blog: Book 0.

Biting off too much...just an excuse.

The month of November is the kickoff to the holiday season. Houses start seeing lots of traffic as friends and family make the rounds. For me, November means two things: cooking & NaNoWriMo. If you have followed me for any length of time, you know that food plays quite a role in our home. And I gotta say that I am a whiz in the kitchen. (If you missed last year's pictures featuring bacon-wrapped turkey as the Thanksgiving centerpiece...no worries...it has been demanded for this year as an encore.)

This year will be no different. However, for NaNoWriMo, I will be working on two novels at once. (Three if you count the finishing touches I am putting on the 5th DEAD book.) Some of you are already shaking your heads. I get it. But I am not burdened with the same loads as you. This is ALL I do for a living. Writing and editing are my line of work. I don't have a "real" job to run to for 8 hours of my day...no children getting underfoot or demanding attention. I write, edit, and take care of the house. Now sometimes I have to go out and do errands like grocery shop or what-have-you. But the reality is that I am living my dream.

My wonderful wife leaves in the morning for her job on the "wide accountant sea" (free ebook from the MDP catalog for whoever just got that reference...just post in comments, first person to get it just tell me when you post which of our books you would like) and I stay at home. The house is quiet and the only one demanding attention is my Border Collie, Aoife.

So am I taking on too much? Nope. I know my capabilities. My OCD makes me an excellent time scheduler. On day one, I broke 2,000 words on both of my new projects. Can I maintain it through the holidays? Stick around and find out. Along the way, you will see some pics of what I will be brewing in the kitchen. One of my first targets: Chocolate chip cookie-wrapped s'mores. Am I evil? Perhaps. But you know you want to be in my kitchen the day those come out of the oven.

Bookish Brunettes, Backwoods Boogies, and big thanks!

Yesterday was pretty good. As far as days go, Halloween is like Christmas in this house. Still, yesterday, it was a bit subdued. I was a bit busy with "life" stuff and didn't really get to dive in to the day with my usual enthusiasm. I plan to make up for that today. Of course today marks the start of NaNoWriMo. I will be taking on the daunting task of working on two novels at once! (A daring feat that I must warn should not be attempted without adult supervision.) I am working on the second book in the Dakota  series--finally!--(Dakota: Traitor/Patriot) and the first full-length book in the That Ghoul Ava series (That Ghoul Ava and the Zombie Queen). One will be my morning writing session and the other my afternoon. I will keep you posted. Wish me luck!

Before I turn the blog over to the wonderful Tabitha SHort, I want to send out some serious gratitude to Catie Rhodes for hosting me on her blog yesterday. (If you missed it, just click on her name and go take a look.) And today, you can cruise by The Bookish Brunette and check out another...with a chance to win free stuff. So a big thanks to Ashley...The Zombie Queen. 

And now, I give you just a bit more Tabitha, because we could all use a bit of Tabitha in our lives. (I think that is from the song Mambo Number 5...)

Title: The Corpses of Old Farm Hill Road: The Arrogant Man
By: Tabitha Short
BOOK TRAILER LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zd3lvWIXVg

Blurb:
He wakes up every morning knowing the world owes him something. Every woman was created for his demand, except for Vanessa Roundtree and her mother. Once lured onto their farm in the middle of nowhere he becomes their prey. As they torment his body, they break down his arrogance. Will he be able to escape? Or will he become just another of the corpses of Old Farm Hill Road?

Bio:
Author Bio
Tabitha Short is the writer of many horror short stories including The Roller Coaster of Death (found in the compilation titled Misery Loves Company) and The Please DO Feed The Animals ZOO. Her YA novel, Arena Games: Petrova's Legacy, is contracted and due for publication January 19, 2013. You can purchase her books at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and smashwords.com as well as at her author website at http://www.authortabithashort.blogspot.com. Tabitha also operates the literary blog The First Five Pages, which can be found at http://www.thefirstfivepages.blogspot.com

Excerpt:
His face lit up as his hand gripped the handle of the car door. His entire body felt relief and his chest rattled with cries of happiness. He pulled the handle and the familiar sound of the car door opening that met his ears brought an unsurpassable amount of joy. He climbed into the driver’s seat, arranging his broken leg with his unbroken arm. It was excruciating, but he had to get through it to get away. He was almost there. Sweat beaded up on his forehead and he prayed he wouldn’t pass out again. He just needed a few more hours of consciousness to get out alive.
As his breaths slowed he felt his way to the ignition switch to start the engine. His heart sank when he discovered the keys were not in the ignition. No worries, I can hot wire it, he said to himself. The wiring was easy to find, hidden behind an access cover. Fumbling with the wires because of his swollen fingers, he quickly found the two he needed. Bending forward was agonizing, but he managed it and used his teeth to strip the wires. He twisted the copper strands together and found the purple wire. It gave him a little bit of trouble, but he was able to skin the plastic covering from it as well.
He heard a loud clunk on the hood of the car and his head jerked to attention. Standing in front of the vehicle was Vanessa. She was jingling the keys in her hand.
“You…are…one…stupid girl,” he said aloud, most of it coming out as nothing more than mumbles. He hit the wires together and the engine stuttered and then came to life. He laughed heartily, his chest rising and falling painfully. He glanced out the front windshield, ready to enjoy the look on the stupid girl’s face, but she was not there. His fingers quickly moved to lock the doors just as he heard her grip the handle. She was at his driver’s side window.
Her face grew angry when she could not open the door. She removed her shirt, wrapped it around her fist and began hitting the driver’s side window, trying to bust it. Mathew put the car in reverse, looked over his shoulder and began to back down the driveway. He was free! As the car rolled down the curved driveway, Vanessa ran after it. He laughed out loud and considered running her over, but thought against it as he neared the end of the driveway.

Contact Information

Email: Tabitha_short@hotmail.com

Where to buy links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/236513

Diesel ebooks: http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000236513/Short-Tabitha-The-Corpses-of-Old-Farm-Hill-Road-The-Arrogant-Man/1.html

Author Website: http://authortabithashort.blogspot.com/p/short-stories.html