Book Spotlight: The Joining: Scenes of Wedding Terror

Today's book spotlight is the anthology The Joining: Scenes of Wedding Terror edited by Jacob Steven Mohr.

The Joining: Scenes of Wedding Terror

Deadly Beloved, we are gathered here today for The Joining, a horror anthology like nothing you’ve ever read before.

 

Weddings are beautiful, terrible things. And in this chilling anthology from editor Jacob Steven Mohr (Dead Letters: Episodes of Epistolary Horror), you’ll see the happiest day of your life from both sides of the aisle... and the grave.

 

Undead bridesmaids feed on more than layer cake. Engagement parties spiral into blood-soaked horror and madness. Guests at a wedding feast must play a sinister Skin Game—for their lives.

 

Seventeen stories from horror’s rising stars deliver tension, gore and twisted romance, making this anthology perfect for fans of wedding horror. From the crackle of white lace to the blinding flash of the camera, no ceremony is safe in The Joining... and no guest can be trusted. 

 

Curated with precision by Jacob Steven Mohr, The Joining confidently earns its seat at the feast of must-read horror anthologies.

 

Perfect Union by T.L. Bodine

Severed Blessings by J.A.W. McCarthy

Cut-a-Skin, Outside-In by Jes Malitoris

Of Vows Bone-Deep & Sacrosanct by Jonathan Louis Duckworth

Bride of the Black Isle by Jack Lothian

Another Dirt Wedding by Donn L. Hess

The False Bride by Rebecca Lyons

Speak Now Or— by Gordon B. White

—Forever Hold Your Peace by Steve Neal

Same Barn, Same Groom by Corey Farrenkopf

Ermintrude by Amelia Mangan

Polodski’s Bride by Simon Bestwick

Other People by Scott J. Moses

Starving Stones, Speaking Stones by Joe Koch

The Dead Do Not Want by J.R. Harlow

Samanthas by Jacob Steven Mohr

The Better Man by Michael Harris Cohen

Perfect for fans of wedding horror, supernatural thrillers, and dark suspense, The Joining delivers stories full of tension, gore, and twisted romance. From the crackle of white lace to the flash of the camera, no ceremony is safe—and no guest can be trusted.

Book Link: https://geni.us/TheJoining

About the Editor

Jacob Steven Mohr does not believe in human consciousness; his works emerge as though from the ether, fully formed and fully ominous. Selections of these can be observed in Cosmic Horror Monthly, Shortwave Magazine, Chthonic Matter Quarterly, Weird Horror Magazine, and The Best Horror of the Year Vol. 15. He exists in Columbus OH.

Instagram: @jacobstevenmohr

Book Spotlight: 24 Frames Per Second

Another book spotlight today for the latest Dark Tide anthology, 24 Frames Per Second (Dark Tide 21) with novellas by Tim Waggoner, Andrew Nadolny, and Gary A. Braunbeck.  Enjoy.

24 Frames Per Second (Dark Tide 21)

Step into the terrifying world of Hollywood horror, where the line between fiction and reality blurs, and the consequences of cinematic creation become all too real. In 24 Frames Per Second, three chilling novellas bring to life the darkest corners of the movie industry—where horror isn’t just confined to the screen.

“The Last Zombie Movie” by Tim Waggoner: A group of student filmmakers embark on a project to create a zombie holocaust script—but soon, their fictional nightmare begins to unfold in real life. As their imagined horrors come to life, they must face the terrifying reality of their own creation.

 “I Am the Rainbringer” by Andrew Nadolny: A woman is transformed into a serial killer by her father’s dying wish, and her husband turns her deadly past into a movie. But the ghosts of his parents—and her brutal history—soon rise to haunt them both, blurring the line between the living and the dead in a nightmare that can’t be escaped.

 “This Is Not My Movie” by Gary A. Braunbeck: After a movie theater is consumed by fire, the charred ruins become a nexus for ghosts and alternate realities. A haunting tale of how a beloved movie theater’s destruction births a dark, sentient force, trapping the souls of those killed in the blaze.

In 24 Frames Per Second, horror reaches beyond the screen and becomes part of the fabric of reality, where the true cost of creation is more horrifying than any fictional tale. Each novella is a unique exploration of terror, art, and the boundaries of reality, set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s darkest secrets.

Book Link: https://getbook.at/DarkTide21

About the Authors

Tim Waggoner

Tim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then, he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among others, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He’s a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a one-time winner of the Scribe Award, and he’s been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.

Website: www.timwaggoner.com

Andrew Nadolny

Andrew is a trans writer living in Ohio with his family and other assorted oddities. He looks forward to one day being devoured by his own mitochondrial DNA.

Bluesky: cyrelia-j.bsky.social

 

Gary A Braunbeck

Gary A. Braunbeck was born in Newark, Ohio (the city that serves as the model for the fictitious Cedar Hill in a majority of his novels and stories) where he graduated from Newark High School in 1978, briefly studied for the priesthood (until he didn’t), worked as a supervisor for developmentally disabled adults, then in the paste-up room at the Newark Advocate, as well as a bartender (numerous times), a janitor (again, numerous times), a dog groomer, a short-order cook, and a salaried actor for one season of summer stock, (he would go on to work as a professional actor for several years –including as an extra in the Robert Redford film Brubaker, and the mini-series Centennial.

He made his first professional fiction sale to Twilight Zone’s NIGHTCRY (selling three additional stories to the magazine after that), and went on to place work in other pro magazines such as Cemetery Dance, The Horror Show, The Blood Review, 2 A.M., and such anthologies as The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, Borderlands, Masques, and Scare Care. His fiction has been translated into Japanese, French, Italian, Russian, German, Czech, and Polish. Nearly 250 of his short stories have appeared in various publications. His work has won the Bram Stoker Award 7 times, an International Horror Guild Award, and has been nominated for The Pushcart Prize, The World Fantasy Award, and Le Grand Prix de L’Imaginaire.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/gary.braunbeck/

Book Spotlight: Dark Tide 20: Urban Legends

Another book spotlight today with the new Dark Tide anthology from Crystal Lake Publishing. Releasing today is Urban Legends (Dark Tide 20) with novellas by Nick Roberts, Leigh Kenny and Dan Franklin.

Urban Legends (Dark Tide 20)

Enter the world of terrifying urban legends where the lines between myth and reality blur into a nightmare of unexplainable horrors. In this spine-chilling volume, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and familiar fears are taken to unimaginable heights.

Features a foreword by Adam Cesare, the author of Clown in a Cornfield (now a feature film).

“Nesting” by Dan Franklin: 

Amanda can’t shake the idea that her newborn baby isn’t hers…and maybe isn’t a baby at all. 

Not even one full day postpartum, and Amanda can’t shake the certainty that the baby isn’t hers. The charts say he is, the nurses and doctor all agree, but in her heart she can’t help but know better. His hair is wrong. He doesn’t quite smell right…and he has a tooth.

“Knock on Wood” by Leigh Kenny:

 

If he knocks, it’s too late. He’s already inside.

The house on Hawthorne Avenue has an unfortunate past. The adults think it’s just bad luck. The kids believe it’s something worse. Sometimes truth is scarier than legend.

“Poltergeist Password” by Nick Roberts: 

“Have you heard of Poltergeist Password?”

A reporter presents the unedited transcript of the final episode of the Broadcasts from the Grave podcast in which three hosts test an urban legend known as “Poltergeist Password.” Whether it’s real or an elaborate hoax, three people remain missing. You be the judge.

Dark Tide 20 takes you on a terrifying journey through some of the most unsettling myths and folklore, where terror lurks in the shadows and urban legends come alive in the most horrific ways. Prepare for twists, fear, and truths you may not want to know.

Book Link: http://getbook.at/DarkTide20

About the Authors

Nick Roberts is a native West Virginian and a doctoral graduate of Marshall University. He is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and the Horror Authors Guild. His works include Anathema, The Exorcist's House, It Haunts the Mind & Other Stories, Mean Spirited, and others. He currently resides in South Carolina with his family and is an advocate for people in recovery from substance use disorder. Website: www.nickrobertsauthor.com.

Leigh Kenny was born and raised in the garden county of Wicklow, Ireland. She lives by the Irish Sea with the love of her life, two wonderful boys, a black Labrador, and a three-legged cat that hates people. She describes herself as being both feral and aggressively friendly and apologises in advance for swearing in front of your children. You can find out more about Leigh’s work and any upcoming releases at www.leighkennywrites.com.

Dan Franklin wrote his first attempt at a horror novel when he was seven. It was terrible. He has, since, improved. The Amazon best selling author of These Things Linger, Down Into the Sea, and The Eater of Gods, Dan Franklin lives in Maryland with his extremely understanding wife, his cosmically radiant children, and a socially crippling obsession with things that creep. Website: Danfranklinauthor.com.

Book Spotlight: What Swallows The Light

Another book spotlight today, for the latest Dark Tide anthology, What Swallows The Light (Dark Tide 19) by John Durgin, Gage Greenwood, and Andrew Van Wey. Enjoy.

What Swallows The Light (Dark Tide 19)

Three stories. One terrifying truth: we are not alone!

Suffocating Skies by John Durgin:

Working Thanksgiving was supposed to be an escape for Carrie Richardson—a shift at Sinclair Pharmaceuticals meant avoiding her abusive boyfriend. But when the sky darkens and the office goes silent, escape becomes a trap. Whispers slither through the air, colleagues freeze in eerie trances, and something hungry moves unseen in the halls. As reality unravels and terror closes in, Carrie must uncover the truth hidden within Sinclair’s walls—before it suffocates her.

We Were Who We Were by Gage Greenwood:

Sometimes it looks like an accident, until you discover who is really pulling the strings.

When Tess visits the man who killed her brother in a drunk driving accident, she discovers the facts were not as they appeared to be, and someone else may have been involved. Her investigation brings her down a path of horror, lies, secrets, and a mysterious figure who haunted her brother for years.

Dark Matter Dreams by Andrew Van Wey:

An alien vessel powered by dreams. A human nightmare on board.

For millennia, the Grays have visited earth, seeing humans as simple and safe. They were wrong.

Aboard their living, star-spanning vessel, a forgotten horror awakens. Born of primal fear, stalking humanity since the dawn of time. Watching and waiting. Hungry to twist our desires against us.

As reality warps and crew members succumb, researcher Jin’qua-33 must forge an unlikely alliance with those he once abducted. Because there is something worse in the darkness than the aliens looking down. There is an unrelenting nightmare that will fill the cosmos with screams.

Book Link: https://geni.us/DarkTide19

About the Authors

Andrew Van Wey was born in the San Francisco Bay Area, spent his high school years in New England, and lived as an expatriate abroad for nearly a decade.

His debut novel, Forsaken, has been downloaded 95,000 times (and counting), and undergone film development at multiple production companies. His travel narrative of esports in Korea, Keyboard Dreams, won a Lowell Thomas award, the highest honor in the field. His short fiction has been featured in eFiction Magazine and Lamp Light.

Andrew is passionate about literacy, education, and cutting-edge pedagogies. He holds a B.A. in Screenwriting and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Prior to writing full time, he taught for over a decade.

Currently, he lives in Northern California with his wife and their Old English Sheepdog, Arthas.

Website: andrewvanwey.com

 

Gage Greenwood is the best-selling author of the Winter's Myths Saga, and Bunker Dogs. He's a proud member of the Horror Writers Association and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers association.

He's been an actor, comedian, podcaster, and even the Vice President of an escape room company. Since childhood, he's been a big fan of comic books, horror movies, and depressing music that fills him with existential dread.

He lives in New England with his girlfriend and son, and he spends his time writing, hiking, and decorating for various holidays.

Website: www.gagegreenwood.com

 

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 released two more novels, starting with Kosa which released to stellar reviews, and Consumed by Evil through Crystal Lake Publishing in November 2024.

Website: johndurginauthor.com

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: 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: Dastardly Damsels

Today, I have a spotlight for the cool new anthology, Dastardly Damsels.

A transcendental anthology of women in horror, altering all you know by revamping traditional lore while exploring the unfathomable and the obscure.

 

Prepare yourself for a harrowing journey through Dastardly Damsels, an anthology that redefines horror with a powerful lineup of female authors. This collection dares to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and the supernatural, presenting a diverse range of chilling narratives that will captivate and unsettle you.

 

From the Victorian Era’s haunted secrets to futuristic global disasters, Dastardly Damsels serves up an array of stories that blend psychological fear with mythological intrigue. Dive into tales of revenge with a twist, where women wield dark powers and confront terrifying entities, from cannibalistic horrors to vengeful ghosts. Experience the suspense of a secretive stripper turned avenger, a gladiatrix with a taste for brutality, and a peculiar elevator with a sinister personality.

 

If you’re ready for a blend of suspense and horror narratives that push the boundaries of traditional lore, Dastardly Damsels is your ticket to an unforgettable reading experience.

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

About the Editor

Over a decade ago, Suzie Lockhart finally gave in to the gnawing urge to write. Her first story was published in 2011, and she’s never looked back. Since then, she's had numerous short stories published in a variety of genres.

Suzie has also edited over a half dozen anthologies, including the award-winning Killing It Softly Vols. 1 & 2. 

Book Spotlight: Bestiary of Blood

 I have a spotlight today for the epic new anthology, Bestiary of Blood. Enjoy.

Bestiary of Blood: Modern Fables & Dark Tales

We are all prey to this anthology of modern fables and dark tales.

Bestiary of Blood was conceived in a moment of revelation, born from the visceral experience of watching nature’s savage ballet—lions tearing into flesh, hyenas gnawing bones, sharks thrashing in crimson waters. These raw spectacles gave rise to a chilling epiphany: life and death are entwined in a grotesque dance, each feeding the other in a ceaseless cycle of transformation, creating…beauty.

This paradox is captured in its full glory in Bestiary of Blood, a modern anthology of predation’s horrors inspired by the timeless tales of Aesop’s Fables, modernized for a more complex, unforgiving world. Exploring the joy in our hurts, the wrongs in our rights, and the suffering in the shadows of our light, Bestiary of Blood invites you to the intersection of human and animal experience, crafting dark tales that resonate with life’s endless cycles of transformation.
Written by 37 of Horror’s greatest writers, including 18 Bram Stoker Award Winners, this anthology features diverse voices from every walk of life as they usher you through the darkest and most profound questions of the modern age.

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

About the Editor

JAMAL HODGE is a multi-award-winning filmmaker, a native New Yorker, who grew up surrounded by the perils of poverty, the diversity of convergent cultures, and the harmonious circus of six siblings. His writing has been nominated for 2021 & 2022 Rhysling Awards and his poem “Colony” won 2nd place at the 2022 Dwarf Stars. He work appears in anthologies with such notable writers as Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk, and Josh Malerman. His first collection The Dark Between the Twilight was released in 2024.

Book Spotlight: Creatures of the Night (Dark Tide 17)

 Another book spotlight for the new release from Crystal lake Entertainment, Creatures of the Night (Dark Tide 17). Enjoy.

Creatures of the Night (Dark Tide 17)

Immerse yourself in a world of terror and darkness with three vampire horror novellas.

Return of the Blood-Feeders by Simon Clark: Viking vampires, and their latest vicious recruits, swarm through tunnels beneath the present-day town of Leppington. The Norse gods have created a Vampyrrhic army to wreak vengeance on people that turned their backs on Odin.  Just two fragile humans stand in their way – a down-at-heel drifter who is struggling to recover from a severe head injury, and a dreamer with a drink problem. Together, they must become extraordinary. Together, they must defeat something that is much, much worse than vampires.

Return of the Blood-Feeders is set in the world of Simon’s Vampyrrhic series of novels.

Perspective by Kevin J. Kennedy: "This is a story of my re-awakening, and vampires." A couple's lives are thrown into turmoil when a body is dumped at their door. The vampires are catapulted into a blood-drenched journey to the gates of hell. Fortunately, they have some werewolf friends that want to come along for the ride.

Beneath Still Waters by Gord Rollo: On May 16, 2020, disaster struck the small Canadian mining town of Beckley, Nova Scotia. An explosion deep in Shaft 3 unleased a massive torrent of water from an underground stream, quickly flooding the lower levels and dooming the workers below. Sixty-five people lost their lives that night, the tragedy one of the worst mining disasters in the province’s history. The Red Spruce Gypsum Mine would never reopen. 

The town tried to turn the heartbreak into something positive, converting the flooded quarry into a natural swimming hole for people to cool off in during the hot summer months. But something has awakened from within the abandoned mine shafts and staked its territory in the deepest part of the lake. Something ancient. Something savage. Something hungry… 

Book Link: https://getbook.at/DarkTide17

***

About the Authors

Simon Clark

Simon Clark’s novels, include Blood Crazy (now an entire series of books), Vampyrrhic, Darkness Demands, Stranger, Whitby Vampyrrhic, Secrets of the Dead, and the British Fantasy award-winning The Night of the Triffids, which was broadcast as a five-part drama series by BBC radio.

Weird House Press have recently issued Simon’s new collection, Sherlock Holmes: A Casebook of Nightmares and Monsters, and the novels, Sherlock Holmes: Lord of Damnation and Callisto: Blood Mission.

He has also scripted audio dramas for Big Finish, including for their reboot of the apocalyptic drama, Survivors and their multi-platform Doom’s Day.

The Cannes Film Festival 2024 saw the premiere of Protos, a dystopian Sci-Fi/Horror feature film, which he co-scripted with Brian Avenet-Bradley.

Simon lives in Yorkshire, England, where he can be seen roaming this legend-haunted landscape with a black and white Border Collie by the name of Mylo.

Gord Rollo

GORD ROLLO was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, but now lives in Ontario, Canada. His short stories and novella-length work have appeared in many professional publications throughout the genre. His novels include: The Jigsaw Man, Crimson, Strange Magic, Valley Of The Scarecrow, The Translators, The Crucifixion Experiments, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and The Dark Side of Heaven.

Two other novels: Beasts of Copan, a time travel fantasy/horror, and Voodoo Cowboys: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a weird western/horror/adventure novel, were co-written with the legendary Gene O’Neill. 

Besides novels, Gord has edited the acclaimed evolutionary horror anthology, Unnatural Selection: A Collection of Darwinian Nightmares and co-edited Dreaming of Angels, a horror/fantasy anthology.

 

Kevin J. Kennedy

Kevin J. Kennedy is a horror author, editor, and anthologist. He is also the owner of KJK Publishing and he runs the best-selling 'The Horror Collection' series. 

He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel, and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.

Book Spotlight: A Graveyard of Stars (Dark Tide 15)

 Another book spotlight today with the anthology, A Graveyard of Stars (Dark Tide 15). Enjoy.

A Graveyard of Stars (Dark Tide 15)

In uncharted and forbidden tracts of space, ancient evils awaken…

With its visceral action, escalating dread, vivid characters braving trauma and temptation, and startling feats of imagination, A Graveyard of Stars anthology will send the reader hurtling through space toward chilling revelations and breathless conclusions. 

In "The Temple," after an audacious crew of salvagers crosses into dangerous territory seeking otherworldly treasure, they discover an occult secret which could change everything.

In "The Station," the intrepid crew of the Argento encounters unimaginable horrors after discovering a mysterious, drifting megastructure in the depths of space.

And in the title novella "Graveyard of Stars," a routine maintenance job on the edge of the notorious Demon Star system goes terribly wrong, leaving the stranded engineers caught between the unfathomable forces of Algol and the lethal dangers of the encroaching defence net they are sworn to uphold.   

These three brilliantly inventive novellas combine in this compulsive sci-fi collection to explore threats lurking in a forbidden and blighted sector of space. Perfect for fans of Event Horizon, Alien, Dead Silence and Luminous Dead. 

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

About the Authors

Once Dan Soule was an academic, but the sentences proved too long and the words too obscure. Northern Ireland is where he now lives. But he was born in England and raised in Byron’s hometown, which the bard hated but Dan does not. They named every other road after Byron. As yet no roads are named after Dan but several children are. He tries to write the kind of stories he wants to read. His short fiction has featured in theGhostsSory.com, Disturbed Digest, Devolution Z and now Sanitarium Magazine among others. Five novels have spawned from his pen, including Neolithica, Witchopper, The Ash, Savage, and The Jam.

 

Lee Mountford is a horror author from the North-East of England. His first book, Horror in the Woods, was published in May 2017 to fantastic reviews, and his follow-up book, The Demonic, achieved Best Seller status in both Occult Horror and British Horror categories on Amazon.

He is a lifelong horror fan, much to the dismay of his amazing wife, Michelle, and his work is available in ebook, print and audiobook formats.

In August 2017 he and his wife welcomed their first daughter, Ella, into the world. In May 2019, their second daughter, Sophie, came along. Michelle is hoping the girls don’t inherit their father’s love of horror, but Lee has other ideas…

 

Joseph Sale is the critically acclaimed Amazon best-selling author of more than 30 books, including The Book of Thrice Dead, Virtue’s End, Dark Hilarity, and The Claw of Craving. Bram Stoker Award Finalist Ross Jeffery described Joseph Sale as “a gothic master”.

He has been published by Blood Bound Books, Crystal Lake, The Writing Collective, Nonbinary Review, Dark Hall Press, and Storgy Magazine, and his work has appeared in anthologies such as Tales From The Shadow Booth, Exit Earth, Burnt Fur, and Blood Bank alongside writers such as Richard Thomas and Neil Gaiman. In 2017 he was nominated for The Guardian’s Not The Booker prize.

Despite growing up in the Lovecraftian seaside town of Bournemouth, he now lives in Winchester (in the UK) with his wonderful family, where he obsesses over table-top RPGs, trading card games, book bindery, esoteric Christianity, and anime.

To read a free prequel novella in the critically acclaimed series The Book of Thrice Dead, visit Joseph Sale’s website: themindflayer.com

To follow him on social media, find him on Twitter / X @josephwordsmith 

Book Spotlight: Dark Tide 14: F.U.B.B.

 Another book spotlight for you today with Crytal Lakes new entry into the Dark Tide series, Dark Tide 14: F.U.B.B. Enjoy.

Dark Tide 14: F.U.B.B.

Three authors who will shake your belief, three stories that defy belief, f***ed up beyond belief!

Church of the Splatter Spray Saints by Jasper Bark: Every city has them. A wasteland at the end of a long dirt road, where uncaught serial killers dump their victims. This is where the Brethren in Blood hold their tent meetings. Dubbed – the Church of the Splatter Spray Saints, this blood crazed cult is building a huge national following.

Cindy, Mark and Gerard from the One Light Ministry are on a covert mission to rescue a wealthy donor who has fallen into the hands of the cult.

George Harding hates and fears the cult members who slavishly follow him. He is one score away from leaving it all behind, he just has to get through one last gathering with his life and sanity intact.

Dmitry works for the Russian Mafia, the cult’s secret backers. He would like nothing more than to kill George. When a deadly biological weapon is smuggled into the tent meeting, Dmitry might just get his wish.

Tonight, all of them will receive communion in the Church of the Splatter Spray Saints.

Double Feature by Candace Nola: Friday night at the drive-in! Horny teens, hot dogs, and horror movies, but the locals have a special feature of their own going on behind the scenes!

Like the best of Ed Wood Lee, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Joe R. Lansdale, it’s a typical Friday night at the drive-in, but turns sinister when the locals show up for some fun of their own.

The Chatter of Night Bugs by Daniel J. Volpe: Duke, Tammi Jean and Raylynn make their money in the vilest of ways. But when they pick up a young woman thinking her to be an easy score, they unleash an ancient magic of vengeance. Deep in the Appalachian Mountains something stirs, something evil, seeking justice. And with it comes the bugs…lots of bugs.

Amazon Book Link: https://geni.us/FUBB

About the Authors

Daniel J. Volpe is the Splatterpunk Award-winning author of Plastic Monsters, Talia, Left to You, and many others. His love for horror started at a young age when his grandfather unwittingly rented him, "A Nightmare on Elm Street.". 

He can be found on Facebook @ Daniel Volpe, Instagram @ dj_volpe_horror , X @DJVolpeHorror , TikTok @danieljvolpehorror1

Candace Nola is a multiple award-winning author, editor, and publisher. She writes poetry, horror, dark fantasy, and extreme horror content. She is the creator of Uncomfortably Dark Horror, an indie press, which focuses primarily on promoting indie horror authors and small presses with weekly book reviews, interviews, and special features.

Multiple award winning author, Jasper Bark is infectious – and there’s no known cure. If you’re reading this you’re already contaminated. The symptoms will manifest any time soon. There’s nothing you can do about it. There’s no itching or unfortunate rashes, but you’ll become obsessed with his mind-bending books.

Then you’ll want to tell everyone else about his visionary horror fiction. About its originality, its wild imagination and how it takes you to the edge of your sanity. We’re afraid there’s no way to avoid this. These words contain a power you’re hopeless to resist. You’re already in their thrall, you know you are. You’re itching to read all of Jasper’s bloodstained books. Don’t fight this urge, embrace it. You’ve been bitten by the Bark bug and you love it!

Book Spotlight: Dark Tide 12: Hunted Highways

Another book spotlight today on Crystal Lake Entertainment's new anthology, Dark Tide 12: Hunted Highways, with novellas by Carver Pike, Lucas Mangum and Rowland Bercy Jr. Enjoy.

Dark Tide 12: Hunted Highways

Embark on a journey into terror, where every mile is marked by suspense and horror. These three horror novellas transform travel into a treacherous adventure where the next stop could be your last.

B.I.R.D.S by Rowland Bercy Jr.: In B.I.R.D.S, a 2023 reimagining of Hitchcock's classic, a group of friends embarks on a cross-country trip, unwittingly stirring a vengeful avian onslaught. Raquel, Robert, Karen, and David face chaos and carnage, learning that appearances deceive and the price of their actions can be deadly. This bone-chilling tale weaves a narrative of suspense and consequence in a world where birds are not what they seem.

Dracula and the Devil Walk Into a Bar by Lucas Mangum: After a team of hunters raid their fortress, Dracula and Lucifer hit the road in search of a new place to call home. They stop at a roadside bar in an unincorporated locale to meet with a vampire named Mina. All three creatures of the night have the potential for violence. And none of them can resist the call of bloodshed. The people in this wood-paneled, neon-lit establishment are about to meet Hell itself.

Road Wrath by Carver Pike: For Melanie and her friends, this fun-filled trip to tour their favorite college campus is about to take a violent and macabre turn. If only they’d kept driving, if only they’d stayed far away from that rest stop, if only they’d been more polite when they encountered the creepy old couple. Now, it’s too late for apologies. Road Wrath is coming.  

Brace yourself for a ride into the heart of darkness. Grab your copy of Hunted Highways now and discover the chilling thrills that await at every turn!

Check out the Book:

https://geni.us/HuntedHighways

About the Authors

Carver Pike is a three-time Splatterpunk Award-nominated horror author. He hosts his own YouTube show called, First Chapter Freakshow, where he reads other horror authors’ books and talks about the world of indie horror publishing.
Pike wields his virtual pen and slings ink onto the page from his home in West Virginia where the people are friendly, the scenery is gorgeous, and horror story inspiration is in every nook, cranny, and holler.
As a Christian, a man of faith who writes some pretty messed up stories, he wants to create some of the vilest creatures you’d ever imagine, so you and he can slay them together.

Find him on these social media sites: Website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Bluesky

 

Lucas Mangum is the author of nearly twenty books, spanning from splatterpunk and extreme horror to cosmic horror and dark fantasy. He lives in Central Texas with his family and their pet bearded dragon. 

Subscribe to his newsletter or check out his YouTube channel @LMHorror. 

Rowland Bercy Jr. burst onto the writing scene just three years ago, and has quickly established himself as a talented storyteller. His novella Unbortion was met with both acclaim and controversy, earning him top honors at the 2020 American Fiction Awards and a finalist spot in the 2019 International Book Awards. Readers who seek to push their own boundaries while delving into the darker aspects of life will find his work exciting and rewarding. Rowland’s writing experience has been a rollercoaster ride of excitement and uncertainty, taking him on an adventure unlike any other. Throughout his journey, he encountered numerous talented authors and many devoted fans who have motivated and supported him every step of the way.

He can be found on social media platforms like Facebook, and TikTok, as well as on his website: www.rowlandbercyjr.com