Return to Deathlehem: An Anthology of Holiday Horrors for Charity

Description

Slay bells ring,
Kids are screaming,
In the lane, snow is blood stained.
There's nowhere to hide,
Krampus has arrived,
There'll be feasting in a winter slaughter land…

Welcome Back
to
Deathlehem

… where the office Secret Santa proves more dangerous than a game of Russian roulette…
… where trips to Grandma’s house are fraught with danger…
… where a traditional Nutcracker poses a threat to a pair of would-be thieves…
… where ghosts of Christmases past haunt and take vengeance against the living…
… and many more!

Twenty-three tales of holiday horror that benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

I love a good Anthology and the only thing I love more than short horror stories with a Halloween theme is short horror stories with a Christmas theme. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite from these creepy little gems but I suppose I am partial to Krampus stories and would have to say I loved those. I think this volume was even better than last year's.

Authors include JP Behrens, Steven Bigwood, Rose Blackthorn, Chantal Boudreau, Kevin G. Bufton
Alyn Day, Nicole DeGennaro , David J. Delaney, Gerard Griffin
Vicky MacDonald Harris Susan Jay Geoffrey K. Liu  Kerry G.S. Lipp  Steph Minns, Christopher M. Morgan, Mark Parker, Jordan Phelps, Mike Pieloor, Joel Reeves, Michael Shayne, Philip Thorogood
DJ Tyrer, Jay Wilburn

Cold Hollow (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 1) by Emilie J. Howard

Description
The Barner family relocates to Cold Hollow, a quaint town nestled in a Vermont mountain range. They find it to be quite charming and the inhabitants endearing, except for a few residents. Odd laws are enforced, confrontations begin, and insanity reigns as a madman sits upon his imaginary throne, trying to keep the threads of his dream from unraveling. Will Sophia and Angus Barner be able to protect their children from the malevolence that lurks within the small township? This is the story of Cold Hollow, a place you’ll never want to visit.



The Barner family is relocating to a lovely home in  Cold Hollow, which from all outward appearances is a perfect little town. So what if certain residents like to dig a hole in the dirt to nap in or slap their wives upside the head to show appreciation for preparing their favorite meal. It's really not that big of a deal if you have no cell phone reception and have to leave town if you need to make a long distance call is it? Well... provided you are able to get out. What might be a problem however, is what happens if you don't show up to town hall on time to collect your monthly bill or if you can't pay your "living fee." I have to say I LOVE books about strange little towns with bizarre inhabitants so this was right up my alley.  I was enthralled from the first sentence and thrilled to see that there is a part 2 (Weaving The Web: A Cold Hollow Mystery (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 2)                  

I received a complimentary copy for review                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Blood On My Hands by Shannon O'Leary

Description
Set in 1960s and '70s Australia, "The Blood on My Hands" is the dramatic tale of Shannon O'Leary's childhood years. O'Leary grew up under the shadow of horrific domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, and serial murder. Her story is one of courageous resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors.

The responses of those whom O'Leary and her immediate family reach out to for help are almost as disturbing as the crimes of her violent father. Relatives are afraid to bring disgrace to the family's good name, nuns condemn the child's objections as disobedience and noncompliance, and laws at the time prevent the police from interfering unless someone is killed.

"The Blood on My Hands" is a heartbreaking-yet riveting-narrative of a childhood spent in pain and terror, betrayed by the people who are supposed to provide safety and understanding, and the strength and courage it takes, not just to survive and escape, but to flourish and thrive.

I don't know that I have ever read of such a horrific case of abuse that didn't end in death. I had to constantly remind myself to calm down, this is a first person account so the author did survive. Words spoken to Shannon by her mother are what truly defines this story.
"Go down the road until you come to a telephone box, and ring the police if your father kills me." Words spoken by a mother who never knew from one day to the next if she and her children would survive the madman she married.
I received an advance copy for review

Old Flames by Jack Ketchum

Description
When her lover betrays her and dumps her coldly, Dora’s mind begins to crack. She tracks down her old high school love to recapture what she might have had. He’s married with a family, but Dora isn’t about to let that stop her…

This novel contains graphic content and is recommended for regular readers of horror novels.


This book contains 2  novellas.
In the first "Old Flames" a psycho woman hires a detective to track down her old boyfriend and then proceeds to insinuate herself into his and his families lives.

In the second, "Right To Life"

A woman is abducted on her way into a clinic where she intends to terminate an unplanned pregnancy.
This was definitely the more graphic and horrific of the 2 stories, full of depravity and torture as Jack Ketchum fans have probably come to expect.