Horror

Old School Book Favorites!

Angela54 Comments

I was a voracious reader growing up; I would read a book in a day, easily, and quickly collected quite the collection of books in my preteen and teen years by going to the grocery store with my Mom. They had a section of paperbacks, and I got one on every trip. The fact that I had the book read before I went to bed that night did not please her any, but I always reread my books. I lost so many of those paperbacks when they were stored in my parent’s basement and they had a water issue. To replace them now is near impossible as these older books are very expensive.

If you have followed me for a while you know that William W. Johnstone was my favorite author as a teen, and I could not read his horror stories fast enough. I honestly cannot believe my Mom bought them for me, considering what the covers looked like. Go Mom! “Rockinghorse” sent me down a path that literally had me typing a letter to him on my sister’s typewriter, telling him how much his story inspired me, and that I wanted to become a writer. It led to several back-and-forth correspondences, and I am so blessed that he sent me a couple autographed books which are among my prized possessions. As well as the letters I received from him. He went on to write many Western series, which have always been on the best-sellers lists.

Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators were another set of books I always checked out of the school library. I read the series several times, but unfortunately now, they have become collector’s prizes and to even get a hard cover book is very expensive.

Encyclopedia Brown anyone? How I loved those stories. And who could ever not read Beverly Cleary? She got me through some tough teenage angst! And my favorite elementary school book was “The Adventures of the Black Hand Gang”. A picture after every 2-3 page story for you to figure out the clues. That one will set you back over $30.00 if you try to buy it now. I have my beat-up-worn-out-copy in my library.

Adventures of the Black Hand Gang Cover Image

What are your favorite books that you cannot let go of?

Happy Birthday to the King of Horror!

Angela11 Comments

I wonder how many of us Mr. King has put on the path of reading, that we may otherwise had not found without his writing?

Were you reading Carrie, or It, or The Shining, when you knew if your parents had any idea of what was in that book, they would hit you upside the head with it?

Which book by Stephen King made you decide you absolutely had to be a writer?

And which book have you read over-and-again?

I’m going to spare you the biography on him, as I see there are a lot of posts in honor of Mr. King today. I will say I have read many of his books, but not all of them; yet.

My favorite:

From a Buick 8 Cover Image

I cannot explain what it is about this book that makes me love it so. It could be the actual story; it may be something that was going on in my life at the time I first read it that it gave me an escape from. There really is no other connection within the characters, plot, or even environment where it takes place that would connect with me. But I absolutely love this book the most!

The time Stephen King made me cry:

Bag of Bones cover image

Yes, this book made me physically, ugly-sob cry, and I would never have thought he could do that to me, and it came out of no where! Some of his best writing, in my humble opinion. I have not read this one in quite some time, so I am thinking a good reread over the  Thanksgiving holiday is due.

My Favorite Series:

Yes; I devoured this series by getting each book the day it was released, and having it read within 24 hours. I am currently experiencing extreme sadness that I have no access to the station showing the television show.

So Stephen King, I sincerely wish you the happiest 70th birthday, and cannot thank you enough for the countless hours of joy you have brought me for the past 33 years since I discovered your writing. 

Oh: and for scaring the shit out of me on many occasions where I sat up in bed for the night, with the lights on, and my tv playing loud so I couldn’t hear the noises inside my house. You are truly a master at your art, and for that, I am forever grateful!

 

Night Mask – William W. Johnstone

Angela1 Comment

Well, I know for a fact I have never read this horror story by Mr. Johnstone. When I bought it, I noticed many of the reviews discussed the high level of violence and depravity in the story. I was expecting it to be much worse than it was. It was right in line with most of the other horror novels he had written. I am guessing that those reviewers have likely not read anywhere near as many of Mr. Johnstone’s horror novels as I have.

Night Mask Cover Image

It is a rather lengthy story, but it certainly engages you right from the get-go and keeps those pages turning. I will not get into too many details since it really is quite graphic, and I always try to avoid spoilers whenever possible.

The main thing to remember about these stories is that they were written before there were computers in every home, DVD players, and cell phones. It is definitely part of the charm of why I enjoy these books.

Lani and Leo are police officers who are put on a case that will change their lives. What seems like one gruesome incident is just the tip of the iceberg. They are about to discover a killing club that has been active for decades.

As more and more bodies are discovered, more help gets brought in to assist the two officers. They soon realize there are people everywhere whom they should not trust, even in their own department.

Someone is using the local radio station to introduce subliminal messages to the listeners, who in turn fall under the control of a very evil pair of twins. What begins in one small town takes you from the East Coast to the West Coast, with a body count so high, it is the worst in history.

There are many characters involved in the story, so you definitely need to pay attention to all the different angles going on. In the end, it all comes full circle, and everything is tied together.

Definitely an intense read, but well worth the efforts!

What Are Your Halloween Reads?

Angela3 Comments

I love my classics: Sleepy Hollow, Pet Cemetery, Dr. Sleep, and oh so many more scary Halloween stories. But the stuff you find now is all children’s books.

sleepy-hollow-cover-image

Wait….What???

No one is writing sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-bed-with-every-light-on-in-the-house stories?

It seems not, my friends.

What have you read that has completely kept you awake? Blown your mind? Made you change religions?

Okay; all joking aside. I can no longer watch scary movies, but I will always pick up a scary book.

Edgar Allen Poe? You can never go wrong. Halloween is a great time to pick up Sherlock Holmes if you never have before.

edgar-allen-poe-cover-image

 

I would love to know what you are reading that keeps you up at night. That way I can stay up too!

Darkly the Thunder – William W. Johnstone

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This is not a book I read before, and it has a published date of 1990. I am very surprised I never read it, as I graduated in 1990, and I spent my middle school and high school years reading everything he published.

darkly-the-thunder

Anyhow….It was a great story, along the same lines as all of Mr. Johnstone’s Horror genre.

A little bit of supernatural, a lot of hometown-feel-good-connections. A whole lot of creepy things going on; blood and gore included.

People acting strangely, hearing thunder that shouldn’t be rumbling. The Fury, as it came to be known, was an evil presence that was controlling a town. But several deceased persons were fighting the fury on the other side. Sand and Morg and Joey. Howie is young, but he knows his stuff, and finds ways for them to communicate with Sand. His sister Angel is a strong force as well. Their parents are done for, as is most of the town.

One thing I loved the most about Mr. Johnstone’s stories is that young kids always played a major role. They were not dismissed for their age; but respected for their abilities. (Maybe I got pushed down one too many times for being who I was???)

I enjoyed the book, but it is not one I would read again. It was definitely worth my time, and I do not just say that because I had a personal communication with the author 🙂

william-w-johnstone
I could never express how much I miss this man!

 

What are your favorite horror stories that still keep you awake at night? I will be reviewing mine very soon!

Them – William W. Johnstone

Angela4 Comments

This has to be one of the very few books of Mr. Johnstone’s that I did not read growing up. I enjoyed it as much now as I would have 25 years ago.

It is classic old-school horror…no cell phones, computers in the house, or text messaging.

You have one town that has three geniuses who have had their fill of being beat up and bullied. Unfortunately; one of them has really went off their rocker. So when Cag, from another advanced planet, shows up, he is putty in his hands.

Cag did not realize the level of incompetence he would encounter on Earth, and possibly too late, he realizes he cannot destroy everyone.

Sorry folks; you know I do not give out spoilers. But I have to say; reading this story put me right back in my family room chair at 13 years old reading a story in a day (to listen to my Mom bitch because she just bought the book 4 hours before!), and not letting up until I got to the last page.

them-cover-image

William W. Johnstone will forever be my favorite author ever, and if you just need to get away for a day as Autumn embraces us…. find his books!

You can find this story here: Them – William W. Johnstone

My favorite story ever? Rockinghorse! Soon to be released. Stay tuned! I have this exact book front and center in my shelf. Well; one of my four shelves…

rockinghorse-cover-w-w-johnstone

What I’m Watching!

Angela1 Comment

Best Seller. Not a fan of horror movies, but I have to say so far; this is pretty awesome!

Synopsis: editor needs a break, goes to the UP in Michigan (my home state), secluded cabin, no disturbances.

Until the serial killer puts his manuscript on the front door step of her cabin.

Does she represent him? Does she play along? Or does she run and save her life?

….me; I woulda beat feet and got to hell out of there.

You don’t mess with Michigan. Seriously; some crazy shit goes down in this state…

Mr. William W. Johnstone are you done turning in your grave?

Angela12 Comments

I was so excited to see that my favorite author, who I had written to and had much communication, was having his family re-release all of his books.

I have all of these books, somewhere, but have rebought many on my Nook.

And whomever edited for ebook release needs to be shot.

Miscellanious 7-7-2014 164
William W. Johnstone

I started reading Sweet Dreams, a book he wrote in the 80’s, and sent me an autographed copy of, and the spelling errors are horrible. I fear that the family is so intent on making money, that they are not paying attention to the quality of his work.

Miscellanious 7-7-2014 163

I was a 13 year old girl who read his books, and literally wrote him a letter. I received many letters back, and autographed books. But the fact that they would re-publish his work, so fast and haphazardly, is really sad.

He stopped writing the horror books I loved as a teen, and started writing westerns. But he always replied to my letters, and encouraged me to write, and never give up.

Good gracious, I would edit these ebooks for free rather than see the crap they are putting out.

Mr. Johnstone, thank you for being kind to a teenager, and encouraging me.

Zombie Sheriff – Geoff Lynch

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As my Accounting for Managers class officially starts tomorrow, I am going to try to get my hands on as many short stories as I can. I do have a mystery novel I am about halfway through, but it will likely be this weekend before I can attempt to get it finished.

Zombie Sheriff Cover Image

Sheriff Ed Pool is a zombie living in Idaho. One of three zombies (two surviving) that were protected and given rights as any other normal, living citizen. Okay, the first one wasn’t protected all that well; he was burned to death (his second death) before he could even make it to his home after being granted freedom and rights. Matthew Schultz is the other surviving zombie, and is a police officer working for Sheriff Pool.

Dr. Dorn is being charged with murder, as he cut the heart out of a Doctor who fired him hours before, and threw it against the operating room wall. He confessed to Sheriff Pool, but forgot to ask for immunity from the death penalty before doing so. Trying to bribe Sheriff Pool that he could help him become more human, Dr. Dorn is doing whatever he can to stay alive.

The Sheriff’s second deputy is also a zombie, although no one knows this until they try to execute her on kidnapping charges, rip her head off in the process, and she fails to die.

All-in-all, the kind folks in this small town seem to be tired on dealing with this small population of 3 zombies. The 3 zombies do not live happily ever after here.

I did like this short story, it was a quick, fun read, but there seemed to not be a driving theme to the story, and the conclusion, as a whole. I guess I just could not find a point in writing this story at all, without there being a strong beginning (it had that), a great conflict (it kind of had that), and a resolution (it did not really have that).

There were numerous spelling errors in this story; and they appeared to increase the closer I came to the end of the story. I will definitely look up some of Mr. Lynch’s other stories, as I do feel he has a real talent. I think I am just used to having surprise-I-never-saw-that-coming type of endings with short stories.

The Wychetts – William Holley

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This was a great, quick read full of laughs and not complicated in the least. This is definitely a YA series (this is book 1) or at least 4 or 5 that are published, with the promise of more titles to come.

The Wychetts Book 1 Cover

The story focuses on Bryony, a presumed teenage girl and her father, Bill. Bill is newly married to Jane, who brings along with her a 10 year old son, Edwin. Bill takes it upon himself to purchase a new family home for all of them, sight unseen. I chose to ignore the fact that no one in their right mind, or any mind, would ever do this. He did not even get the seller’s name or any information. Okay, so we are just going to move along and ignore the clearly impossible things happening here, and enjoy the story for the fun read it is meant to be. This house, called Wychetts (pronounced Witchitts), was created 500 years ago to ensnare the magic from the Guardians, to be used by the Dark One.

Bryony and Edwin are of course 2 Guardians, and Bill buying the house was not by accident. It was all planned in order to take the magic from the guardians and use it for evil.

There is nothing too scary here, and I would definitely let my 10 year old read it. Other than some talk of overgrown spiders, I did not see anything that would be of concern to young readers or their parents. I read it easily in a few hours, and will definitely read the other ones published to date. If you have young readers in your home, these books would be great gifts!

Visit there website for more information here: http://www.wychetts.com/Wychetts/Wychetts.html

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If you missed my Thursday post and the chance for the free Amazon gift cards, be sure to go check it out and register to get your name in the drawing. There’s a couple few days left and I would love a great turn-out for this give-away before my next one 🙂 You can find it here: https://booksandopinions.com/2014/11/06/give-away-1-for-your-holiday-season/