All posts by Jo-Anna W

Kindle Unlimited, Psychological Thriller, Standalone, Thriller

#Review – The Final Scene: A Thriller by Steph Nelson

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***A 2025 IngramSpark editorial selection in Mystery and Thriller***

The cabin is unlocked, but there’s no escape.

When Brooke was kidnapped on her way home from work, she thought her life was over.

That was ten years ago.

She’s been held captive in an isolated cabin on the Oregon coast ever since, scrambling to follow her kidnappers’ twisted instructions to the letter. Because the price of a mistake is death.

But when a new victim shows up, everything changes. Including the rules. And this time, the only way to survive is to break them.

This book was SO good. Like super super good.

We meet Brooke and find out that she’s been kidnapped and has been staying at a cabin against her will, for ten years. She’s the longest survivor and follows the rules, which is probably how she lived for so long. Other victims come and go, which only seems to harden her. I can’t blame her for that really.

Brooke and the other characters, play a part in a twisted type of play for this old lady. She’s filthy rich and has these victims recreating her past life for her own little sick and twisted reasons.

There’s a few twists and turns as learn more about each character and what’s actually happening. I truly didn’t know what was going on when I first started the book as I didn’t read the blurb. It’s way more fun that way.

If you like thrillers, scenes that keep you guessing, twisted psychopaths, then check this book out. I had a whole lot of fun reading and I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/3KOproU

Kindle Unlimited, Psychological Thriller, Standalone, Thriller

#Review – Last One Out: A Thriller by Steph Nelson

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Perfect for fans of Noelle Ihli and Stacy Willingham, this chilling, riveting thriller unravels the dark secrets behind Chloe Webster’s disappearance and her shocking return twenty-five years later, as her cousin Frankie races to uncover a truth more terrifying than she could imagine.

Chloe Webster is supposed to be dead.

She vanished twenty five years ago—the night her two friends were brutally murdered at an isolated hot springs. At least, that’s what everyone believes.

Everyone except her cousin, Frankie, who never lost hope that Chloe was alive.

When Chloe unexpectedly shows up at her own annual memorial event, Frankie is overjoyed. But this isn’t the reunion she imagined. Chloe has no memory of that night in 1999—or her life before.

Then Frankie starts getting cryptic messages that imply Chloe knows more than she’s letting on. Frankie wants to trust her cousin, but even more, she wants answers to the questions that have plagued her for decades.

But is the truth really worth uncovering at any cost?

This book was so good. I did end up putting it down for a bit but once I picked it back up, I couldn’t stop reading. I’m sure you all know how that is.

First we meet Chloe and her friends. I wasn’t a huge fan of her friends but I also didn’t want what happened to happen to them. They just gave off a mean girl vibe and definitely didn’t seem to fit what I would imagine Chloe’s friends to be like.

They go to a hot springs and that’s when their lives are changed for ever.

The story then jumps several years and we officially meet Frankie. Her and Chloe were inseparable as kids.

The book shows us Frankie’s life and how she copes with the disappearance of her cousin and best friend. She still believes she’s alive.

As the story progresses and we reach part 2, my theory had been correct. But it was the only twist I could figure out. The rest? I was shocked and had absolutely no idea how things would play out.

I really liked the twists and turns, so much so that I ended up picking up another book by Steph Nelson.

Please be sure to read the warning and don’t take it lightly. Well a lot of things mentioned aren’t on page, they can still be triggering.

One Click – https://amzn.to/4sbftyn

cult horror, Extreme Horror, Horror, Horror Erotica, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Standalone

#Review -The Sixth Hour by Mique Watson

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Erin Shepherd runs away from home, certain she’s escaped the worst kind of monster.

Despite her homelessness, she believes the pain and torment is behind her when a kind stranger offers her food, safety, and a ride out of town.

She is wrong.

Now a prisoner, her life unravels into a waking nightmare of captivity, cruelty, and whispered promises of something waiting beyond pain.

Surrounded by horrifying atrocities and dark mystery, Erin begins to wonder if she is running from her fate or becoming it.

I’m going to start this by saying that I’ve read all of Mique Watson’s books. Even the ones he wrote for anthologies. So I went into this new one completely blind.

We meet Erin who was taken and thrown into a world of debauchery. She ends up down a dangerous path but as she’s learning the ropes of her new lifestyle, she quickly realizes that things aren’t exactly as they seem and she doesn’t know who she can trust.

Just when I thought that this book isn’t as bad as Mique’s other stuff or that it’s not as extreme or gross as I expected…um…yeah I was wrong. The things someone does for survival. I kept thinking to myself, nope, there is no way but at the same time, I’ve never had to deal with this sort of situation. So who actually knows how they’d react or what they would do given the circumstances. I’d like to think I’m strong and would also do anything to survive but I’m not actually sure.

I have to say that as someone with a uterus, one of the last scenes….holy crap on a cracker. What a way to go. It reminded me of Art from the Terrifier movies and what he liked to do to his victims. Wow. Mique, you upped your game with this one. I’m going to think of this scene every time I go for a physical now.

The ending of this book was NOT what I was expecting at all but like I’ve said many times in previous reviews for other books, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Like always, I suggest going into this book completely blind. It’s more fun that way. But I will tell you that if you like cult horror or anything remotely having to do with cults, then this may be for you. While this book isn’t as gory as some of Mique’s other work, it’s definitely just as gruesome.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4oqH6Rg

Extreme Horror, Horror, Novella

#Review – The Bug Collector by Wrath James White

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Joey has a very unique paraphilia that has ruined his health, destroyed his once handsome looks, and made him an outcast, a pariah. Now, this horrifying fetish threatens his very life, placing him in the hands of a profoundly disturbed and angry woman with a serious grudge.

From the twisted imagination of Wrath James White comes a tale of extreme horror, extreme violence, and revenge taken well beyond the extreme.

I’m not sure what it says about me exactly but I really liked this book. Even though for most of it, I read with my eyes wide.

We meet Joey who likes to collect things. Diseases in fact. But not just any diseases. Sexually transmitted ones.

As we get further into the book, you kind of feel sorry for him. We also meet Tina who has her own agenda when it comes to our beloved Joey.

I don’t want to give too much away but this book is gross, disgusting, super detailed and beyond vile but I liked it a lot.

Also, like my husband always says, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

One-click – https://amzn.to/43fRWSk

Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Uncategorized

#Review – MIRROR: A short horror story of how desire can become deadly… by Pawan Singh

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Mia always blended into the background… until a mysterious potion transforms her into someone irresistible. Suddenly, Ryan notices her. So does the rest of the campus. She has beauty, charm, and power. Everything she ever wanted.

But the potion comes with a horrifying secret: every week, she needs it… and she must take a soul to feed the creator of the potion.

Desire turns into obsession, charm into danger.

Mia is unstoppable. And the darkness will not release her.

I really liked this book. It was my first time reading this author and she did not disappoint. It also had me wondering what I would do in this situation. I was like Mia back when I was in high school. Unpopular, craving attention, insecure and so on.

Mia is lonely, craves attention but is completely invisible to everyone around her. Even to her parents.

She comes across a site that offers her a potion that would change her life completely. She thinks it’s a scam but tries it out anyway. But the potion works. It works way more than she ever thought it would. The power it has over her is unyielding and it will stop at nothing to get what it wants. That includes Mia herself.

There was just something about this little story that captured me right away. Maybe it’s because I can put myself in Mia’s shoes. The writing pulled me in, the story was engaging and if you’re new to horror but not sure what to read, give this one a try. It’s not scary but it definitely makes you think, what would I do?

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/43OJklN

Extreme Horror, Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella

#Review – Puppet (The Dollhouse Book 2) by R.J. Powell

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Miss Teacher hates children, but loves them all the same. Especially boys. Especially Charlie.
Until Puppet is ready to play.

***
Other works by the Author include Madness in Tandem, Thrice the Madness, Dollface, Puppet, Eight Cases of Jane, Vasectomy, and her newest palate cleanser, Feeler Deep.

These books are so much fun. They’re gross, nasty and absolutely vile and disgusting but dolls come to life and take out predators.

Miss Teacher is a pedophile and one kid, Charlie, has a doll that comes to life. They take out their revenge on Miss Teacher together in an absolutely gruesome way. The things they do had me wincing.

If you like quick reads that leaves nothing to the imagination, this may just be for you.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4nx4HPv

Bully, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Kindle Unlimited, Part of a Series

#Review – Vicious Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 3) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

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The King will fall.

While I continue my hunt for the Fae who killed my brother, I have to try to keep my heart away from the vicious boys who could be responsible for his death.

But as my investigation leads me down a dangerous road and answers seem closer than ever before, I’m whisked away to the elite school, Zodiac Academy, with the four Kings, and my heart becomes more vulnerable than ever.

There are so many secrets left to uncover, and I sense something terrible is about to come to light.

But I’m in so deep to this dangerous labyrinth, what if this road only ends in blood?

The series continues with Elise trying to find her brother’s killer. Lots of excitement, drama and tension between her and her guys.

BUT we finally get a scene between Ryder, Dante and Elise and holy crap on a cracker. It was what I had been waiting for. I loved every bit of it.

I am sad how the book ended and I hope things change. There’s still two more books, so who knows what’s going to happen. I can’t really say without giving some major spoilers but wow, what a ride.

Can be read in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/4lU3HVN

Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Standalone

#Review – The 31st Trick-or-Treater by Ben Farthing

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Thirty-one nights. Thirty-one chapters. One final nightmare.

Last Halloween, thirty trick-or-treaters vanished into the night.

This October, they’re coming back—one by one, each day of the month. But every child carries the same chilling warning: something is returning on the 31st.

Bob has never stopped searching for his daughter. Now, as the shadows of Halloween grow longer, he must face the darkness that stole her—before it takes everything again.

The 31st Trick-or-Treater is a Halloween advent novel: thirty-one nights, thirty-one chapters, and one final nightmare waiting on Halloween.

This book was a lot of fun! This is my second time reading an advent calendar type book and I really enjoy them. Sometimes we can only get a chapter read a day, so these books are perfect for that.

31 kids go missing last year and no one knows why or how.

Bob does his own investigations, especially since one of his daughters are one of the missing kids.

When the missing kids start returning thinking only a few hours passed and not a whole year, things start taking a turn for the worse.

With the help of Bob’s wife and their son, Sam, they figure out what happened and who took the kids. But they end up getting the wrong information, so before it’s too late, they have to make quick decisions.

But who knows if they can make these decisions before the 31st Trick-or-Treater makes an appearance.

Read in KU – https://amzn.to/3JBeh66

Anthology, Horror

#Review – Scary Stories You Can’t Un-Read by BJ Rawls

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A bone-chilling collection of nightmarish tales that will haunt your dreams.

“Brutal, unforgiving, and masterfully crafted, these stories strip away all hope and leave only terror.” — Writing Axis

Enter the world of SCARY STORIES YOU CAN’T UN-READ, where salvation is a distant memory and every page delivers a fresh nightmare. From scientific horrors beyond comprehension to ancient terrors wearing familiar faces, this anthology plunges into humanity’s darkest fears with surgical precision and relentless brutality.

This collection features six unforgettable tales of terror, madness, and cosmic dread, including:

THE LABORATORY A medical assistant’s routine shift becomes a descent into biological hell when he witnesses something that should never have been born.

CATS The beloved pets humanity has cherished for millennia reveal their true nature in a global nightmare that redefines the meaning of predator and prey.

THE TOILET A simple plumbing problem unleashes something ancient and hungry from the depths beneath the city.

THE LAST TRANSMISSION Mars holds secrets that mankind was never meant to discover, and one survivor learns that some knowledge comes with a price too horrible to pay.

THE NECRONOMICON PROTOCOL An archaeological discovery triggers a chain of events that threatens not just humanity, but the very fabric of reality itself.

THE RIGHT MATE Loneliness drives a woman to try online dating, where she discovers that some matches are literally out of this world—and hungry for more than love.

Perfect for fans of Lovecraftian horror, body horror, alien terror, The Thing, Event Horizon, Dead Space, and Clive Barker, this book is a merciless exploration of humanity’s insignificance in a universe that doesn’t care if we survive. Each story is a masterclass in mounting dread, featuring detailed scientific horror, impossible creatures, and protagonists who discover too late that some doors should never be opened.

Warning: This collection contains graphic content, disturbing imagery, and themes that may not be suitable for all readers. Proceed with caution—these nightmares are designed to linger.

Read it if you dare. Sleep peacefully if you can.

I kept seeing this book on TikTok and I caved and finally read it. Man oh man am I glad I did. I stayed up way later than I intended and read this in one sitting. It was a lot of fun but I have to say, I am very glad my husband was home. Horror books just hit differently and this one left me feeling a little uneasy.

Each story in this book is very different than the one before it. There are a few short ones and a couple longer novella sized stories.

I have to say that the one about cats, is my favourite. It definitely made me look at my own cats and go “Don’t you even think about it.”

I looked to see if this author had more books but it doesn’t look like they have a lot published, so hopefully they get more out there because I would love to read more.

I enjoyed the writing and it pulled me into each story.

I definitely suggest reading this one if you like anything horror related!

Good luck sleeping.

One-Click – https://amzn.to/472ZE3f

Horror, Kindle Unlimited, short story

#Review #ShortStory – Hell Hath No Fury : Short Horror Stories For Adults: Vengeful Spirits Unleashed: A Haunting Tale of Secrets, Survival, and Ghostly Revenge in a Victorian Home by J.K. Russell

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Dive into “Hell Hath No Fury,” a chilling ghost story set in a decrepit Victorian house that promises a fresh start for a father and his daughter but quickly turns into a nightmare. As they settle into their new home, eerie occurrences and violent hauntings escalate, revealing the vengeful spirit of a woman wronged. Bound by blood and desperation, they must uncover the dark secrets of the house and confront the spectral fury. Will they find peace or will the ghost’s wrath consume them? Unearth the mysteries within these pages and experience a spine-tingling journey you won’t forget.

Dare to turn the page—your next favorite ghost story awaits!

This is another short story by J.K. Russell and while it was similar to the first in this collection of stories, it was able to hold it’s own as well.

Mia and her dad move into a old house in a new city and after a few nights of peace, things start going sideways.

This little story is about a parent who refuses to stop at nothing to save their daughter. Even if a vengeful spirit is involved.

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/46OLH8V