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Desperado Dino by Dunkie Tang #BookReview
Desperado Dino 4 Star Book Review
This is another Unnerving Rewind or Die book, and once again, it doesn’t disappoint. I know you might be thinking I’m biased, since I am a Rewind or Die author, but I took off my author hat and put on my book reviewer hat to assess this book. It’s wild!
While many other books in this series start off with a jolt, this one is a little slower to get to the B-movie fun. It starts serious and twisted as we’re introduced to the killers. Desperado Dino makes her entrance a little later, and again, the tone is rather stark, reading like a crime drama. That’s not a criticism. It’s extremely well developed and the writing is top notch, but the subject content is a bit hard to swallow at times.
Desperado Dino is the stage name Linda Tompkins, a stripper who is desperate for money. Linda has a stalker, which takes the book down a dark disturbing rabbit hole. I’ll be honest. By the halfway point, I was ready to put it down. Not because of anything the author did. Again, the book is well written. I just preferred not to read the subject content.
Then, everything bonkers. I mean B-O-N-K-E-R-S! And the B-movie love prevalent in the Rewind or Die series came to light.
I can’t say much about the second half without spoiling it other than it took me on a wild adventure, and it was worth reading the first bit to get to the craziness of the last part.
So I recommend giving it a read. The characters are fun, the plot is well developed, the dialogue is great. 4 stars.
Chopping Spree by Angela Sylvaine: Unnerving Rewind or Die Book Review
Chopping Spree 4 Star Book Review
Chopping Spree is a fun fast thrill fest perfect for the Unnerving Rewind or Die series. I was expected a murderer running rampant through the mall, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a plot involving a cult, a strong and passionate protagonist, and greed.
Penny is a rich teenager who never had to struggle in life for the necessities, but she's not a stereotypical spoiled brat so often found in books or movies. She's sweet and caring, dedicated to helping others. Her family may be one of the most influential in the town, but Penny is down-to-earth.
We're immediately sucked into the tension when a creepy man in a wolf mask is introduced. A warning is issued to Penny. Leave the mall. But while Penny may not be the stereotypical rich girl, she is the predictable naive girl who doesn't heed the warning. The mall closes, Penny and her coworkers decide to stick around for a little party, and the horror unravels.
This is a fun fast paced book for anyone looking for a delightful fright and a quick escape from reality.
A little disclaimer: I was published under the first round of Rewind or Die in 2020.
Five Favorite Horror Couples
The Best Horror Couples
Romance is in the air! This Valentine’s Day, take a peak at some of the most iconic and deliciously devious horror couples in movies:
PETER AND RACHEL
Quick question. What accent was Nic Cage doing in Vampire’s Kiss (1988)? You know what? Don’t tell me. It’s bonkers, and I love every second of it. Love isn’t always roses and walks along the beach. Sometimes, it’s rabies and a plastic set of vampire fangs. Watch. This. Movie.
FRANK AND MICHAEL
Stranger by The Lake (2014) may not be a well known horror movie, but it should be. It’s a slow burn, but worth it. Frank is enjoying his summer cruising for a partner at a popular lake front spot. Enter Michael, a seductive and dangerous man who instantly captures Frank’s attention. What follows is a story of infatuation and murder.
CHUCKY AND TIFFANY
Nothing says “I love you” like resurrecting your serial killer boyfriend into the body of a doll. And, of course, taking a romantic road trip where love (and murder) is in the air. If you haven’t seen the Chunky movies, what are you waiting for?
THE GIRL AND ARASH
The Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night (2014). This is one of my all time favorite horror movies. The Girl is a lonely vampire wondering the streets of an Iranian city protecting woman from abusive men. She meets Arash, a young man trying to live a good life in the middle of danger and chaos. Together, these two complete one another.
BOL AND RIAL
A refugee couple narrowly escapes from war-torn Sudan, but they’ve brought something deadly with them. This couple brings new meaning to “‘till death do us part.” Their marriage is put to the test by grief and haunting guilt.
Now it’s your turn! Tell me who your favorite horror couple is!
Sweet Home 5 Star Review *No Spoilers*
Sweet Home 5 Star Review *No Spoilers*
Sweet Home on Netflix
When people start transforming into deadly monsters, a ragtag group of neighbors, confined to their apartment complex, must come face-to-face with their own inner demons and answer the question, who are the real monsters? Released on December 18, 2020, Sweet Home became the first South Korean series to hit Netflix’s top ten list, and it’s much deserved. With incredible performances by young and seasoned actors, this show lands every punch.
Despite many characters getting a moment in the spotlight, the main protagonist Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) is where the focus resides. He’s a minor whose family has died, leaving him little money or prospects, and has been forced to move into the apartment complex where he spends lonely days playing video games and dreaming up his death. We are introduced to the other main protagonists including Seo Yi-kyung (Lee Si-young), a firefighter who is grieving the loss of her fiancé, Lee Eun-hyuk, (Lee Do-hyun) an aspiring medical student who quickly becomes the brains of the group, a teenage ballet dancer Eun-yu (Go Min-si) who is Eun-hyuk’s younger sister, Jung Jae-heon (Kim Nam-hee), a devoted Christian who happens to know how to wield a sword, and Pyeon Sang-wook (Lee Jin-wook), a mysteriously man who everyone thinks is a gangster. Together, these and other neighbors must ban together to fight the growing number of monsters infiltrating their building.
Available on Netflix
The monsters are awesome, and it’s no surprise considering the team had $2.4 million dollars an episode to play with. The many different types of creatures jump off the screen, including a giant eyeball looming outside the complex, a half-headed elf-ish creature that can’t see, and a version of the Hulk except much more blood thirsty. The concept behind the monsters is even cooler. They are us. We are them. They spawn from what most desire, and no one is immune from transforming.
The real beauty of this movie is the balance between external and internal struggles. We get glimpses of backstories and discover that each character has something to hide, and each character has a secret desire that could easily cause their inner monster to spawn given the right circumstances. The actors do an impeccable job of displaying this turmoil in their actions and dialogue creating plenty of tension mixed with many empathetic moments and a few shed tears. The ending leaves viewers with plenty of questions and high hopes that another season is on the way.
Popcorn #BookReviews: Quick Kernel Reviews
This Is Not A Ghost Story by Andrea Portes #BookReview 3 Stars
While I'm sure this book will find a large audience, it wasn't the right fit for me. It's written from the POV of our seventeen year old protagonist Daffodil, who speaks to the reader and tells her story. There's an authenticity to her voice as she sometimes rambles, sometimes fumbles, sometimes repeats herself. While that is realistic to the character, it's a tad overwhelming at times as a reader who doesn't naturally gravitate toward fiction written for younger audiences. Although, I do believe teenager horror fans would find this type of voice entertaining and relatable. The plot is a little hard to talk about without giving anything away. At first, I wasn't sure where it was leading me. I didn't get a clear picture until about 2/3rds into the story, and it made for a fun twist. The flip side to this- it took 2/3rds of the book for me to really get invested, and while the ending had a enjoyable unexpectedness to it, there was a large part that left me disappointed. Overall, this wasn't for me, but I do think a younger audience would enjoy.
‘Tis Better to Want by Sonora Taylor #BookReview 5 Stars
This twenty page short story is exactly what the world needs right now! It’s an erotic Krampus tale about a young woman who lusts for punishment. Enter the hot and steamy demon Krampus, who is eager to oblige. This little slice of passion is a ton of fun!
Devil’s Creek by Todd Keisling 4 star Book Review
Keisling's cult horror novel takes a hard look into small town religion and culture. The book starts with a disturbing and vivid introduction to the small Kentucky town that becomes notorious for a grisly murder suicide event. Six children are saved from sacrificial alter and grow up under the watchful eyes of the town. Jack Tremly, one of the six. vowed to leave the town and never return, which is exactly what he did until the death of his grandmother. Now, he must return home and the evil that's waiting.
Jack is a brave protagonist, motivated to uncover a secret hinted to him after his grandmother's death. He teams up with a few of his fellow survivors and delve into the mysterious happenings of the cult that nearly took their lives. Small town bigotry is exposed. Alliances are tested, and all while the devil from their past starts to rise from the grave. The supernatural mixes with horror as the tension rises throughout the book. There were moments when I felt the plot could have moved a little quicker, but overall, the stakes were high and the horror palpable. This was a great read!
#BlackOwnedBusiness Unique Christmas Gift Guide
Christmas Guide for the Person Who Has Everything #BlackOwnedBusiness Edition
Maybe you’re looking for something other than books or writing related gifts. Here is a gift guide of unique gifts all sold by #BlackOwnedBusiness shops!
Check out these incredible “That Time of The Month” ceramic earnings by Kenya Cree Shop on Etsy. They’re $35.00 with ear wire closures. If you happen to get there too late to snag these up, don’t worry! This shop is packed with amazing earrings.
I love Pierre Santos! He is an amazing UK based artist who makes the most unique and spectacular pieces. While his larger pieces are a bit pricey, you can pick up a “POC Pack Series” which includes seven images at 6x4" 300 GSM Ultra Pearlescent Hi- White paper for $25.00
Did you know that orange calcite is a crystalline form of calcium carbonate found in limestone? The energy in the stone amplifies positive energy and gives off creative energy. Cool, right? You can pick up one of these stones for $3.80 from Gold Soul Treasure Room on Etsy.
How about a tattoo? I know I’d love if someone gifted me with new ink! Check out Toronto based tattoo artist Brittany Randell on Instagram where you learn about scheduling and browse her flash. She’s self-taught and focuses on animals, floral, and portraits.
#BlackOwnedBusiness Christmas Shopping List for Writers and Book Lovers
Let’s Make A Pledge
In 2020, let’s pledge to skip Amazon. Instead, let’s show this holiday season at Black owned businesses. Here is a list of such business with amazing gifts for writers and book lovers:
Coloring Books by XavierArts available on Etsy
If you’re looking to take a break from reading and writing, check out these gorgeous coloring books designed by Xavier Arts on Etsy. This shop offers digital downloads of single sheets as well as coloring books that include five originally designed 8.5” x 11” coloring sheets.
Khoas and Kreations available on Etsy
Khoas and Kreations has a wide variety of unique stickers perfect to spice up your day planner or any boring surface. They’re reasonably priced, all under $3.00, with shipments usually arriving between 3-5 days.
Black Mom Magic available on Etsy
This shop has so many incredible gifts! They make custom corporate gifts, journals, stickers, and tees. This shop aspires to provide qualities items to encourage “authentic inspiration to be your best self.” Check out their journals!
Alijhae Arts available on Etsy
Alijhae Arts creates stunning bookmarks, art prints, stickers, t-shrits, notebooks, pins, and beauty supplies. The bookmarks are one side laminated, 2'“ x 6”, and come in a pack of three for only $4.00.
K Ligg Co. available on Etsy
K Ligg is on a mission to “inspire women of color,” and she succeeded! This shop specializes in bookmarks, stickers, notebooks, and prints. The incredible print featured below is $10 for a 5 x 7 or $15 for 8.5 x 11.
The Trini Gee
The Trini Gee creates products “infused with Melanin and Culture.” They produce clothing, aprons, mugs, notebooks, pillows, phone cases, masks, stickers, duffel bags, water bottles, and beanies. Below is one of there shirts with faces of Black women authors. The best part of this shirt is that the owner of the shop doesn’t list the authors displayed. It’s up to you to educate yourself and learn the identity of each woman. This shop is absolutely worth checking out!
There are TONS of Black owned businesses! These are only a few to get you started on your holiday shopping!
Shiver Anthology Pre-Sale Is Live!
Shiver Anthology is Pre-Sale Here!
You’ve patiently waited, and now the big moment is here! Shiver, a chilling anthology, is officially available for pre-order through Amazon! Paperbacks will be available on January 11, 2021, the official launch date. Check out this amazing wrap by Rooster Press!
Here is the TOC:
Sam Sumpter
Patrick Barb
Mark Wheaton
Sarah Jane Huntington
Ian A. Bain
Emily Reinhardt
Richard Webb
Christopher Wood
Mason McDonald
Alex Ebenstein
Michael Tichy
Lillah Lawson
Jonathan Torres
Erin Louis
Charles Maria Tor
Ziaul Moid Khan
Stehpanie Rabig
Eric Raglin
Steve Stred
Jessica Guess
KC Loesener
Jeremy Megargee
Sara Mullins
Jessie Small
Laura Nettles
Tiffany Michelle Brown
Sam Heaps
Brennan LaFaro
Enjoy!
Helena by Claire L. Smith #BookReview
Helena Book Review
4 stars
Helena is a fun fast-paced mystery horror book set in the 1800s and staring a strong female protagonist. Helena Morrigan is a mortician and funeral home director who can see ghosts. Unfortunately, her circumstances lead her to take up residency in an old home on the brink of a graveyard. While this creates obstacles for Helena, it weaves a fun mystery for readers as Helena finds herself in the web of a serial killer and his victims.
The gothic elements great a dark and macabre tone, set from the opening chapter where we are first introduced to Helena and her unique ability. Her arch starts as a woman with little self-confidence and blossoms into a heroine who courageously battles evil. She’s a bold character with many likeable and relatable traits. In fact, all the female characters were extremely well developed and came alive from the page. Since this plot was set in the 1800s, it would have been easy to create females more stereotypical of how females were perceived in that time period, but these women challenge those conventions, and thank goodness for that!
I enjoyed the horror elements of this book but I’m not sure I would classify it as a horror novel. The mystery elements outweigh the horror, and while there are stark and vivid horror descriptions, those who enjoy a strong dose of horror might be a little disappointed. However, those who enjoy atmospheric horror without the overwhelming guts and gore will find a pleasurable read in the handful of disturbing imagery and themes. (Think more along the lines of The Alienist and Penny Dreadful in terms of horror.)
Overall, it was a fun quick read with some unsettling scenes and a solid mystery plot. Thank you for the free ARC!