Book Spotlight: Hotel Macabre

 Another book spotlight today, for the anthology Hotel Macabre Vol.1 edited by Joe Mynhardt. Enjoy

Hotel Macabre Vol.1

Step into the halls of Hotel Macabre, where horror meets innovation.

 

Where horror knows no bounds…

 

And every turn reveals a new nightmare.

 

Hotel Macabre Vol.1 is not your typical horror anthology. It’s an immersive experience that breaks the boundaries of conventional storytelling. This one-of-a-kind collection gathers the chilling voices of horror’s most imaginative minds, presenting a rich blend of flash fiction, short stories, poetry, a suspenseful play, a novella, and even an illustrated comic book section, guaranteeing a diverse feast for horror fans like never before.

 

Whether you crave the suspense of flash horror, the depth of a full-bodied short story, or the haunting rhythm of dark poetry, Hotel Macabre Vol.1 has it all. And for those looking for something truly unique, this anthology includes a link to an exclusive dramatic reading, bringing the terror to life in a way you’ve never heard before. Each story and poem opens a door to new terrors, while the comic and play sections add a visual and theatrical thrill, making this anthology a must-read for fans of horror anthologies and short horror stories alike.

 

Dare to enter Hotel Macabre and discover a groundbreaking anthology that will redefine your expectations of horror.

Book Link: https://geni.us/HotelMacabre1

Contributing Authors:

Jonathan Winn, Grant Longstaff, Jonny Gensler, Jennifer Osborn, Devin Anderson, Diana Olney, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Joshua Viola, Jasper Bark, Patrick Malka, Alessandro Manzetti, Derek Odom, Alex McCarthy, John Smith, Bridgett Nelson, Mark Gunnells, Amanda M. Blake, Pixie Bruner, Tom Deady, Melissa Meachen, Maxwell I. Gold, Sean Eads, Mia Dalia, Nick Roberts, Chrissy Winters, Matthew R. Davis,Dylan Wells, Brandon Wills, Karen Bayly, Gregg Stewart, Larry Hinkle, Jamal Hodge, Gary McMahon, Claire Davon, Wil Dalton, John Palisano, Linda D. Addison, Naiad, Chris Phelon, Robin Brown, Naching T. Kassa, Esteban Vargas, and Michael Lawrence.

Book Spotlight: We All Go Into The Dark

Today I have a spotlight for the new Crystal Lake Publishing horror collection, We All Go Into The Dark by Kevin Lucia. Enjoy.

We All Go Into The Dark by Kevin Lucia

It's waiting for us, regardless of who we are. Banker. Lawyer. Teacher. Carpenter. No matter our station in life, someday, we will all go into the dark. And no town is more acquainted with darkness than Clifton Heights, NY. So take your chance and step into the dark throughout these four tales: 

Zootown: A lost man seeking a new purpose and life finds something ancient and sinister in the ruins of a carny town just outside Clifton Heights. 

The Man Who Sits in His Chair: There is a man who sits in his chair in front of his house, just across from The Motor Lodge in Clifton Heights. Why does he sit there? What does he see? A corporate lawyer on vacation will find out, much to his despair. 

In the Court of the Spider King: A photography enthusiast visits Clifton Heights to photograph the area’s spiders, and discovers a dark eldritch secret huddled in the ruins of the Freivald Health and Wellness Spa, out on Bassler Road. 

To Slip the Surly Bonds of Earth: The burned out and cynical host of the paranormal YouTube show Ghost Coasters finds something to believe in again as he searches the ruins of Raedeker Park Amusement Park for ghosts, and finds something much worse.

Book Link: https://geni.us/IntoDark

About the Author

Kevin Lucia’s short fiction has been published in many venues, most notably with Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, David Morell, Peter Straub, Bentley Little, and Robert McCammon. His first novel, The Horror at Pleasant Brook, was released from Crystal Lake Publishing, October 2023.

Book Spotlight: Consumed by Evil

Today I have a spotlight for the new Crystal Lake Publishing horror novel Consumed by Evil by John Durgin. Enjoy.

Consumed by Evil by John Durgin

“Small towns hold the biggest secrets…”

In the chilling aftermath of the Halloween homecoming massacre, the town of Newport struggles to recover from the terror unleashed by Jessica Black. But as the survivors come to terms with their losses, a new breed of horror lurks just beneath the surface, threatening to plunge them back into chaos.

Fifteen-year-old Howie grapples with the grief of losing his friends, haunted by memories of that fateful night. Cory is tormented by disturbing visions and violent urges that threaten to consume him. Meanwhile, Bethany finds herself ensnared in a fatal web of deceit as dark forces conspire against her.

Determined to uncover Newport’s buried secrets and dismantle the coven's sinister influence, Howie, Cory, and Bethany must confront their pasts and the malevolent entities that refuse to let go. As they delve deeper into the town’s dark history, they realize that the true horror lies not just in the shadows of Newport, but within themselves.

In Consumed by Evil, John Durgin weaves a gripping tale of survival, friendship, and the relentless fight against darkness. Perfect for fans of psychological horror and supernatural thrillers, this sequel expands on the chilling narrative of The Cursed Among Us, promising even more heart-pounding suspense and unexpected twists.

Are you ready to uncover the secrets that lurk in the shadows?

Book Link: https://getbook.at/ConsumedByEvil

About the Author

John Durgin is a proud active HWA member and lifelong horror fan. Growing up in New Hampshire, he discovered Stephen King much younger than most probably should have, reading IT before he reached high school—and knew from that moment on he wanted to write horror. 

He had his first story accepted in the summer of 2021. His debut novel, The Cursed Among Us was released June 3, 2022, and went on to become an Amazon bestseller. Next up, his sophomore novel titled Inside The Devil’s Nest, released in January of 2023, followed by his debut collection, Sleeping In The Fire in June of 2023. In 2024 he is set to release two more novels, starting with Kosa which released to stellar reviews, and Consumed by Evil through Crystal Lake Publishing in November 2024.

Book Spotlight: Blood and Bullets (Dark Tide 18)

 Today I have a spotlight on the horror western anthology, Blood and Bullets (Dark Tide 18). Enjoy.

Blood and Bullets (Dark Tide 18)

Prepare yourself for a chilling journey through the American frontier with Blood and Bullets, an anthology featuring three gripping novellas that blend horror, paranormal elements, and the harsh realities of the Old West.

 

“American Devil” by James Aquilone: In a suspenseful twist on historical horror, Randall Bond, a determined psychic bounty hunter, faces his most daunting challenge yet: capturing H.H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer, who has escaped from prison. With dark forces at play and the line between predator and prey blurring, Bond must navigate a treacherous landscape where the hunt turns into a battle for survival.

 

“The Deadwood Deal” by Michael Knost: Dive into the shadows of Wild Bill Hickok’s final moments in The Deadwood Deal. Michael Knost unravels the hidden truths behind Jack McCall’s infamous act of betrayal, revealing the dark and supernatural forces that orchestrated the tragic fate of one of the most legendary gunfighters of the Old West. This tale of vengeance and dark partnership will leave you questioning the true nature of evil.

 

“Elijah’s Elixir” by Keith Lansdale: Elijah’s quest for easy money takes a sinister turn in Elijah’s Elixir. Joined by Rose, a tarot reader with a troubled past, and Luther, an enigmatic companion, Elijah finds himself entangled in a web of supernatural mystery and personal demons. As they unravel the secrets of a strange town and confront their own haunted pasts, they discover that nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

 

Book Link: https://getbook.at/DarkTide18

 About the Authors

Keith Lansdale:

Author of short stories, comics, novels, screenplays, articles, and even napkin doodles.

Movie credits include writing credits for Christmas With The Dead, Pale Door, a Creepshow adaptation, and in production, The Projectionist. Comics are Red Range, X-Files, Vamprilla, Crawling Sky, Mud… and plenty others.

  

Michael Knost:

Michael Knost is a two-time Bram Stoker Award®-winning editor and author of science fiction, fantasy, horror, western, and supernatural thrillers. He has written in various genres and helmed dozens of anthologies. His Writers Workshop of Horror won the 2009 Bram Stoker Award® in England for superior achievement in non-fiction. His Writers Workshop of Horror 2 recently won the 2021 Bram Stoker Award® in Denver for the same category. His critically acclaimed Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy is an Amazon #1 bestseller. Return of the Mothman, Barbers and Beauties, and Author’s Guide to Marketing with Teeth were all finalists for the Bram Stoker Award®. Michael received the Horror Writers Association’s Silver Hammer Award in 2015 for his work as the organization’s mentorship chair and was recently recognized as the 2021 Mentor of the Year from the organization. He also received the prestigious J.U.G. (Just Uncommonly Good) Award from West Virginia Writer’s Inc. His Return of the Mothman novel has recently been filmed as a movie adaption. He has taught writing classes and workshops at several colleges, conventions, online, and currently resides in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his wife, daughter, and a zombie goldfish.

 

James Aquilone:

James Aquilone is the owner of Monstrous Books, writer of the Dead Jack: Zombie Detective series, and editor of the anthologies Classic Monsters Unleashed, Shakespeare Unleashed, and the 50th anniversary Kolchak: The Night Stalker graphic novel. He’s won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Graphic Novel, two Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, and a Scribe Award from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. He’s also been nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award.

 

Book Spotlight: In Those Fading Stars

I forgot to post this last Friday on its launch, so here it is today, a spotlight on the sci-fi horror collection, In Those Fading Stars by Andrew Najberg. Enjoy.

In Those Fading Stars

A father whose son fades away every day unless he passes the boy a bit of his own life.

Three robots holding a séance.

A man who suffers the effects of an intergalactic portal opening in his stomach.

These stories exist at the intersection of science fiction, horror, and magic and explore both our humanity in the face of the weird as well as our most ordinary and fundamental relationships.

Whether attempting to voyage to a distant star on a generational craft whose destination is so far no living passengers will reach it or whether a daughter’s new friend is teaching her to break the trendiest of dimensional boundaries, the stories press humanity against the macro and the micro scales of the universe—but every one of them shines a light on a little piece of our souls at the core.

Book Link: https://getbook.at/FadingStars

About the Author

Andrew Najberg is the author of the best-selling (#1 US Horror Amazon) novels The Mobius Door (Wicked House Publishing, 2023) and Gollitok (Wicked House Publishing, 2023), as well as The Neverborn Thief (Olive-Ridley Press, 2024) and the collection of short fiction In Those Fading Stars (Crystal Lake Entertainment, 2024).  He is also the author of the forthcoming novels Extinction Dream (Wicked House Publishing, 2025), Try Not To Die in the Shadowlands (Vincere Press, 2025), and Eat the Light (Wicked House Publishing, 2026). His short fiction has appeared in Fusion Fragment, Khoreo, Translunar Travelers Lounge, Utopia Science Fiction, Prose Online, Psychopomp Review, Solar Press Horror Anthology, and is forthcoming in Make Your Presence Known Anthology, and the Gods and Globes III Anthology. Currently, he teaches for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.