Posts tagged books 2020
Book Review: Accounts of Ephemeral Oddities

Accounts of Ephemeral Oddities: A Collection of Short Stories by K.P. Hallow is a 21-page collection of tales on the ethereal, the impermanence, and one character experiencing borderline ludicrous urban paranormal phenomena.

Hallow has a unique way of writing, more akin to something poetic and ancient. Certain sections are abstract, possibly a little too abstract for clarity. While the book is very short, and I was able to get through it in less than an hour, I did have to reread a few of the stories to fully grasp what was written, so it may have taken me a little longer to read than something normal would of this length.

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Book Review: Women of the Woods

Women of the Woods by the Fabled Collective et. al. is a collection of dark fantasy and folk horror short stories, reminiscent of a contemporary style of Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Washington Irving.

I haven’t been so impressed by a collection of short stories in a while. If I could give this a 6/5, I would! Each story is polished, well-paced, great character development, and awesome stories.

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Book Review: Stranded

Stranded by Rosalind Tate is a historical fantasy where two students find themselves in 1925 England, after a very unconventional lift ride.

I really enjoy reading books with strong female main characters, and this story didn’t disappoint! The protagonist, Sophie Arundel’s, is headstrong and clever. I really liked her and identified with her in many ways. I feel like if I was in her shoes, I would have acted very much the same.

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Book Review: The Boxer and the Blacksmith

The Boxer and the Blacksmith by Edie Cay is a historical romance about, you guessed it, a boxer and a blacksmith, and it was absolutely wonderful.

The boxer, Bess Abbott, was a hardass, cauliflower-eared fighter who just wanted love and wanted to give love. I think my most favorite thing about her character was her many imperfections.

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Book Review: Protecting His Night

Protecting His Night: The Men of River City by Nola Marie is a hot romance about a mobster named Rory and a stripper named Layla.

Once in love ten years ago, Rory leaves Layla, but he doesn’t realize all that he’s given up, not until he sees her again dressed up as a stripper, hiding her identity—and not just from him.

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Book Review: Finding Innocence

Finding Innocence: Book 1 by Karen Keith is a young adult fantasy novel focused on 17-year-old Alexa Walker and her growth from living in an orphanage to starting new with a family and friends who love her.

The funny thing is, I’m not a big YA fan, yet I’m excited for book 2 to come out because I found the story so engaging. Don't get me wrong; it is very much a YA book.

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Book Review: The Unnaturals

The Unnaturals by Dustin Dixon is a dystopian novel about two different life forms on earth: the humans and the unnaturals.

The story centers around one of the unnaturals named “UN-27.” Stolen from his golden-skinned comrades outside the human city, he is primed, like many of his other brethren, to be part of the fiercest fighting force of the humans the world has ever known.

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Book Review: The Clocktower

The Clocktower: And Other Short Stories by N. T. Laemmle is a set of modern-day fables, interwoven in a striking poetic world.

Each story is very different from the others in this collection. What connects the stories is the lesson behind each one, and while some of the lessons were so subtle I had to go back and reread the story again, others were bright and bold in my face.

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Book Review: Caprinian Saga

The Caprinian Saga: An Anthology of Space Travel, War, and Hope by Melissa Myring is a collection of twenty short stories and four sneak peeks into Caprinian life and culture.

Our story takes place in the year 2026. Caprinians have come to Earth as refugees, living and working alongside humans after the Caprinians’ world was destroyed during war. The humans take them in with open arms, despite their odd appearance, from their height to their protruding head horns (sometimes envied by other Caprinians). Even so, they feel very human to me. They think and feel and struggle, just like humans.

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Book Review: Liberty Key

By Elizabeth Suggs

The Liberty Key by author Michael R Goodwin is when a house meets a person. This isn’t so much a paranormal story as it is the house is the living thing.

The story starts when [character name] is searching for a house after dealing with the death of his wife and child. When he finds The Liberty House, it’s much too big for him, but he loves it.

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Book Review: Late Night Shots

Late Night Shots: Intoxicating Mystery & Suspense Stories by Charlotte Valentine with a special extra story by Laura Cation is a collection of four quick, mysterious short stories--perfect for a nice night in.

We start strong with “Ghost Writer,” which centers around Alan, who at one point was a bestselling author, yet as the years passed by and Alan continues to drink more heavily, the words won’t come. Worse than that, Alan’s publisher and agent have grown agitated.

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Book Review: Eyes of Sleeping Children

Eyes of Sleeping Children by D. A. Butcher is nonstop intensity. This story revolves around the Sandman and how he affects a father and husband Louis Lockhart.

The setting and the story are refreshing and kept me guessing. I didn’t expect any of the twists at the end, and each and every one fit perfectly within the universe.

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Book Review: Her Infernal Name & Other Stories

Her Infernal Name & Other Stories is a collection of short horror fiction from the mind of author Robert Ottone.

Each story takes us on a journey on a different sort of nightmare. From one about an Instagram Famous model in “Her Infernal Name” to “Playing God,” each story plays on the nightmares of our modern society.

I like this collection, but I found some of the stories a little predictable or cliche. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’ll get a kick out of these horror stories.

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Book Review: The Shadows of Hades

The Shadow of Hades by Paul Williams is a fantasy novel set in a world where practicing magic is possible for those who dare, but it is considered dangerous or evil by many.

The most notable characters are Pam, a drunk singer witch; Blake, someone who can walk between worlds; Alle, a rich witch who loses everything, and twin boys, Carlos and Daniel. Each character is different, with different personalities and different wants and needs.

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Book Review: We Bleed Red and Green

Each story touches on the holiday spirit, from “Candy Cane” about a little girl who puts her bullies on the “naughty list” to “Blessed Silence,” about one character who finds complete silence during the holiday break.

One of my favorite stories is “Blacker than Coal,” where we focus on Santa Claus. He is watching Fox News and complaining about how everyone doesn’t fear Christmas because they can get whatever they want from Amazon.

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Book Review: 25 Gates of Hell

25 Gates of Hell: A Horror Anthology by John West et. al. is a horror anthology with twenty-five different horror stories that will lead you closer to the fiery depths of inferno.

If you like scary stories, especially ones with distinctive voices and styles, then this is the anthology for you. I was in awe of the different stories…

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Book Review: The Axion

The Axion: A Varsian Kingdom Adventure by Jason Hein is a high fantasy stand-alone novel based in the world of Varsia. The characters in this book play important roles in the Varsian Kingdom Series. Hein emphasizes that while the fourth book in the Varsian Kingdom Series is not required reading to understand the story, it may help build the world of the book.

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Book Review - The Parasite from Proto Space & Other Stories

If you’re looking for something weird that touches on serious content, like dealing with autism, then you’ve got to read Brett Peterson’s new sci-fi anthology The Parasite from Proto Space & Other Stories. The book is dedicated to those on the “autism spectrum, those with mental illness, and those with disabilities both visible and hidden. My advice to you is to never stop pursuing what makes you happy.” I whole-heartedly agree with this sentiment.

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