PsychoActive: Transformative Horror Novellas

 

Unleash the transformative power of horror with Transformative Horror Novellas, a chilling anthology that delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche.

“Love is a Monstrous Death” by Ryan C. Thomas & Anthony The residents of Sunshine Spires, a dilapidated apartment building, are thrust into a nightmarish Valentine's Day party where survival means confronting sexually-charged parasites, mutated neighbors, and a relentless middle-manager.

“The Secret Eater” by Cody An Alaskan farming family discovers an addictive substance that triggers a catastrophic metamorphosis in their town, unleashing unspeakable dreams and bodily transformations.

“Black Rings” by Ed Kurtz follows an aspiring musician's quest to find her missing sister in a Connecticut red-light district, only to stumble upon a cryptic conspiracy lurking beneath the surface of a strip club and an hourly motel.

Discover the transformative horror of PsychoActive and embark on a journey through twisted narratives and spine-chilling suspense. Fans of Lovecraftian horror and dark fantasy will be captivated by these terrifying tales of metamorphosis and madness.

Dark Tide 16 will be published next week and I enjoyed my early copy. 

Psychoactive contains three grisly novellas in one gruesome book.

In Love is a Monstrous Death A dishonorably discharged veteran who enjoyed killing just a tad more than normal, along with other residents of an apartment building. take part in an experiment on how to love your enemy, If you're into body horror you'll love this one. 

Next up, a farming family finds that secrets are sometimes better kept when they unleash their special wine after their father dies in The Secret Eater. Body horror and folk horror combined made this one my favorite.

A young woman goes above and beyond to discover what happened to her missing sister in Black Rings. What she uncovers is an eldritch horror she may not escape from.

If you like your horror on the brutal and bloodthirsty side this is for you.

My thanks to Crystal Lake Publishing 

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The Haunted States of America by Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

 

Fifty two different stories. Fifty two different Authors. Endless fright for all ages.

Every state has an urban legend that evokes fear and curiosity in equal parts, and we've chronicled all of these logic-defying horrors here in the Haunted States of America anthology.

From the Jersey Devil to La Llorona, each story included introduces a new chill inducing, stomach churning monster, spectre, or poltergeist certain to keep you up at night. A broad ranging collection of authors, including seasoned veterans and some first timers making a fright-tastic debut, have all united to unearth the scariest lore from each state in the US, as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico. Make sure to strap in for this spooky cross country tour, but be extra careful not to let any of these terrors follow you home.

A perfect summer read for anyone who enjoys spooky thrills with milder chills.

These 52 short stories span the country with a haunting tale for each state. 

I had several favorites, but it was especially fun to read the story about my own state with local landmarks that I recognize. I think young readers will get a kick out of reading a spooky tale set in their own state too.

Most are local legends and ghost stories. I was especially delighted to read the vampire story which stood out among so many ghosts.

The target audience for this collection would be ages 8 to 12 but I know plenty of adults who still enjoy Goosebumps so I don't think there needs to be any cut off age.

My thanks to Godwin Books

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Killed By Death by Matthew Weber

 

Killed By Death 

These thirteen stories have appeared elsewhere over a span of ten years but now combine for a roller coaster of white-knuckle horror, featuring backwoods killers, murderous ghosts, otherworldly curses, and beasts that stalk the forest. You'll get madmen on the loose and tales from the outer limits, so hunker down in your storm shelter. Things are going to get hairy.

In "Men of Their Word," some things are best kept in the family — like vengeance.

The new waitress in town meets a local legend in the flesh during the "Incident at the Buttered Biscuit."

There's something weird down at the old fishing hole in "Dammit, Mavis."

Jaylen's new classmate has a magical talent that just might save their hide in "Let 'Em Have It."

..These are just a few of the most terrible things in Matthew Weber's Killed By Death!

Ghosts, curses, mutants, and clout-chasing psycho killers made for a tantalizing read in Matthew Weber's short story collection, Killed By Death.

Every story was a hit with me and I can't remember the last time that happened.

These dark tales have no happily-ever-after endings unless you count brutal vengeance, which for me, was a satisfying conclusion to several stories. In contrast, others tested my preconceived notions of who the bad guy really was with clever twists that shocked and appalled this reader in all the right ways.

I'm not very good with content warnings because not much bothers me. The few that I can think of that readers should be aware of here are child deaths, animal deaths, and a school shooting. As the title suggests, you will find multiple deaths here.

I was equal parts dismayed, horrified, and entertained by this collection. I hope the author will consider writing a second volume because he has a talent for short stories that few possess.

5 out of 5 stars

My thanks to Pint Bottle Press

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More books by this author

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

 A woman must learn to take life by the throat after a night out leads to irrevocable changes in this juicy, thrilling novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Such Sharp Teeth and Black Sheep.Sloane Parker is dreading her birthday. She doesn’t need a reminder she’s getting older, or that she’s feeling indifferent about her own life. Her husband surprises her with a birthday-weekend getaway—not with him, but with Sloane’s longtime best friend, troublemaker extraordinaire Naomi. Sloane anticipates a weekend of wine tastings and cozy robes and strategic avoidance of issues she’d rather not confront, like her husband’s repeated infidelity.  But when they arrive at their rental cottage, it becomes clear Naomi has something else in mind. She wants Sloane to stop letting things happen to her, for Sloane to really live. So Naomi orchestrates a wild night out with a group of mysterious strangers, only for it to take a horrifying turn that changes Sloane’s and Naomi’s lives literally forever. The friends are forced to come to terms with some pretty eternal consequences in this bloody, seductive novel about how it’s never too late to find satisfaction, even though it might taste different than expected.

 Sloane is dissatisfied with her mundane life, but she also feels safe in it. She hates surprises and doesn't like risks. She kids herself that she has forgiven her cheating husband but somewhere in the back of her mind she knows he won't change. She stays with him more from a fear of leaving than any sense of trust or love. When he surprises her with a long weekend getaway without him she is not that keen to go. Did he set this up so she could spend time with her best friend Naomi or did he just want her out of the house? The doorbell camera app on her phone has answers to that.

Naomi's life is anything but mundane but she too has grown dissatisfied with her relationship, work, and constant travel. What once seemed exciting is just exhausting now. When Naomi talks Sloane into partying with a group of strangers to celebrate her birthday, neither of them will ever be able to return to their old tedious ways of life.

So Thirsty is a vampire novel that will likely appeal to fans of True Blood and the Charlaine Harris books that launched Sookie off the page and onto the screen.

Themes of friendship and loyalty interspersed with domestic drama and lots of bloodshed kept me hooked on the story. 

I could relate to Sloane's feeling of being unseen as a woman getting older, no longer viewed as someone who matters, while the horror fan in me was enjoying the creepy vibe and carnage.

My thanks to Berkley Publishing 

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