All posts by Jo-Anna W

Self-Help, Standalone

#BookPromo – The 12 Hour Walk by Colin O’Brady

Leave a comment

“A master class in athleticism, resilience, and human potential.” —Hoda Kotb, Today

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Impossible First, an inspiring blend of riveting adventure stories and life-changing wisdom that teaches us how to embark on a transformative one-day journey that will unlock our best lives.

Millions of people dream of living a more fulfilling life, yet many settle for a life of comfortable complacency, allowing excuses and negative thoughts to invade their minds. I don’t have enough time…I don’t have enough money…I’m afraid to fail…I don’t have what it takes—we allow these limiting beliefs to control us.

Now, The 12-Hour Walk provides the inspiration—and catalyst—for getting unstuck and realizing your full potential. Featuring life lessons from explorer, endurance athlete, and entrepreneur Colin O’Brady—whose adventures in such extreme places as Antarctica and the perilous Drake Passage and on the peaks of Mount Everest and K2 have seen him establish ten world records—this book’s vivid narrative and powerful insight will show you how you can embark on your own life-changing journey.

With Colin as your guide, The 12-Hour Walk asks you to invest one day in yourself. By walking alone, unplugging, listening to the voice within, and rewriting the limiting beliefs etched into your psyche, you can break free of the patterns holding you back and learn how to cultivate a “Possible Mindset”—an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities. The reward: being the hero of your own destiny.

One Click Here – https://amzn.to/4dgrdab

I’m going to do this walk one day!! – Twinsie Jo

Horror, Psychological Thriller, Standalone

#Review – We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Leave a comment

Get Out meets Parasite in this eerily haunting debut and Reddit hit—soon to be a Netflix original movie starring Blake Lively—about two homeowners whose lives are turned upside down when the house’s previous residents unexpectedly visit.

As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. As they’re working in the house one day, there’s a knock on the door. A man stands there with his family, claiming to have lived there years before and asking if it would be alright if he showed his kids around. People pleaser to a fault, Eve lets them in.

As soon as the strangers enter their home, uncanny and inexplicable things start happening, including the family’s youngest child going missing and a ghostly presence materializing in the basement. Even more weird, the family can’t seem to take the hint that their visit should be over. And when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family—or is Eve just imagining things?

My favourite horror author, Mique Watson, posted about this book and said how it was the scariest thing he’s ever read. So I dropped everything and grabbed this book. I’ve gone in completely blind, so I have no idea what’s going on and I’ll write my review as I read this book.

10% in – I have no idea what’s going on but I feel like something really bad is going to happen. Eve is home alone and is waiting for her girlfriend, Charlie, to get home but this random family shows up. Thomas, the father, said he used to live there. Something is off about this whole situation.

20% in – What is even going on? Charlie is finally home and is acting like nothing is strange about this family showing up. She’s the type to give people the benefit of the doubt instead of assuming right away that they’re horrible or evil. Jenny, the youngest child in the random family, decided to play hide and seek in the basement and is hiding out there. Apparently, just letting her come out on her own is a thing.

30% in – Ok this is getting creepier. Also, something happened and I kept thinking that there’s no way my husband would tell me that he would deal with it in the morning and for me to go to sleep. Like, no way at all.

40% in – I still have no idea what’s going on. I have so many questions. Like what does this family want and why the heck won’t they leave?

50% – I think I’m going to be saying that I have no idea what’s going on until the end of this book. Something is definitely off. With the family. With the neighbor. With the random man living in a rundown shack in the middle of the woods. Everything is off.

60% in – I’m wondering if it’s something having to do with the house.

70% in – I have theories but they’re probably all wrong.

80% – 100% in – Yup, my theories were all wrong.

This book was so good. Like beyond good. My mind is reeling and I have no words, so thankfully I wrote this as I read. I didn’t now what was true or not by the end of the book and it was so well written. I think this is the author’s debut as well? Either way, it was chef’s kiss and I’ll definitely be checking out more by this author.

One click here

Extreme Horror, Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella

#Review #ExtremeHorror – Jane Doe: An Extreme Horror by Ash Ericmore

Leave a comment

JANE DOE

Gordon is an everyday seaside psycho, kidnapping and killing for fun, with a quality torture basement to boot. His latest victim is Jane. Sadly for Gordon, Jane turns out to be a handful of energy. Cosmic energy. And everything is about to go wrong, in the bloodiest way possible.

Jane Doe is a novella that some people might find distasteful. Actually, most people might find it distasteful. If you are of a nervous disposition, or have a weak stomach, perhaps you might want to give this one a miss, yes?

Full of blood, gore, brain matter and more, Jane Doe is an extreme horror, painted with the blackest of humour. Consider this a trigger warning for just about everything.

This was a fun quick little read that didn’t take me very long to read. This doesn’t happen often, so I really like when it does. The book starts out with Gordon who is a taxi driver looking for his latest victim. A woman gets in his cab and he convinces her to go home with him for some coffee. Super innocent right? Why, nothing could ever go wrong over some coffee.

Gordon ends up drugging Jane and places her in a room in his basement. He goes to bed and wakes up somewhere else, with no recollection as to how he got there. Things take a different turn for him right away and I was intrigued from the very start.

While reading, I really had no idea who this Jane person was and why Gordon ended up unknowingly doing the things he did. It was hard to predict and that was what I liked about it.

If you want something quick, fun and with some gory details, grab this one now!

Available in Kindle Unlimited

Extreme Horror, Horror, Standalone

#Review #ExtremeHorror – Call Me Son by Mique Watson

Leave a comment

George Marley has it all: the loving wife, the perfect family, and the job that pays all the bills.

It starts with an innocent chat. What harm could come from entertaining a longing he’d had for years?

He never expected to encounter someone like Chasten. The perfect specimen; the embodiment of all his fantasies come to life. Maybe just one meet-up wouldn’t hurt. After all, what his wife doesn’t know can’ hurt her.

But how far is he willing to go? How will he keep his fantasy a secret? What will he do when he finds out just how dangerous a game he is playing?

Oh boy. Okay so this was a delicious slow burn and something I was not expecting. Mique wrote in the beginning of the book how he hopes this story ruins your day. Lol! I didn’t ruin mine. Nice try. Better luck next time. Challenge accepted, Mique? 😉

Anyway. We meet George, who I instantly didn’t like by the way. He has a good life, a loving wife, a family, two beautiful kids, a successful job but of course, something is missing and he wants more.

George ends up on this app and meets Chasten. We find out that George is into some things that involve someone younger. Did I say how much I did not like him?

One thing leads to another and George and Chasten meet. Things take a turn for the worse and George makes a decision that doesn’t just affect him.

We learn that Chasten isn’t such a sweet kid after all.

Like I said in the beginning, this book was more of a slow burn horror for me and once the “stuff” started happening, it happened fast. It involved a lot of blood, gore, fluids, gore and so on. It was extreme.

I did predict one part and was wondering why George was so surprised when this certain thing was revealed. He clearly didn’t understand who he was dealing with and I was like, “Do you know nothing about the people on the dark web?”

This was another perfect extreme horror by Mique. He compared it to Broken Dolls but I think this one is completely different. Still gruesome with plenty of triggers but definitely a horror masterpiece all on its own!

Purchase here.

Aliens, Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Novella, Sci Fi

#Review #Horror #Novella – Don’t Look In The Trees by Jason Nickey

Leave a comment

Don’t Look In The Trees; the main rule in Appalachia. Many question why, but Justin and Billy found out the hard way on their way home from a bonfire party after coming across a fallen tree and mysterious lights coming from the sky. Can they survive the night and the strange beings coming from the forest that surrounds their cabin?

From Jason Nickey, Author of ‘Road Hazards’ and ‘They Come From Within’ comes a new fast paced sci-fi/horror novella.

This was a short fun little read.

Justin and Billy are heading home after a party with their drunk friend Kevin. While they’re driving, they see a bright light from the sky and the rest of their night doesn’t go as planned.

I do wish this story was a little longer but that’s a me problem, not the author’s. When the alien type stuff started happening, it reminded me of many alien movies I have seen over the years. Creepy crawly things coming out of someone’s mouth? Yes please!

If you want a quick read about a couple who are just trying to survive the night while dealing with aliens and the unknown, be sure to check this story out!

Available in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/4cdipl8

Extreme Horror, Horror, Kindle Unlimited

#Review #ExtremeHorror – Rural Decay by Jason Nickey

Leave a comment

Jack Buckley always admired his father. even after he found out he was a serial killer. As Jack grows older, and he begins helping his father, he begins to develop an unhealthy obsession with him; an obsession that would send both of their lives crumbling into decay.

From Jason Nickey, Author of ‘Wreckage’, comes a new story of extreme horror.

This was a quick fun gory little read and my very first by Jason Nickey. I was in the mood for a short book, so I went to my trusted horror group and came across this one and it did not disappoint.

We meet Jack who caught his father murdering a woman. But that didn’t stop him from loving his dad. In fact, it seemed to only make his love and admiration for the man, more intense.

As the years go on, Jack ends up working with his dad but things take a little turn that throws the father off his course. He doesn’t know how to handle it. After making a wrong decision that costs them both quite a bit, someone looking for revenge makes a little appearance.

If you like quick, gory reads, then I suggest this one. Please remember that this one is an extreme horror. So nothing is off limits.

Available in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/4d2iGba

Horror, Kindle Unlimited

#Review #Horror – Be My Friend by Mique Watson

Leave a comment

On March 14, 2010, 16-year-old Jacob Stewart vanished.

In the weeks following his disappearance, strange interactions he’d had with a mysterious online figure also known by the name Cronos came about.

This document is a collection of interviews, computer files, public news reports, and online speculation, as well as copies of Jacob’s online interactions with Cronos that were obtained via the Freedom of Information Act.

What we hope to accomplish by bringing this case to light is to reignite the desire to find Jacob and Thomas … because they could still be out there.

I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to this book. This is quite different for Mique and I can now officially say that I’ve read everything he’s published. I’m super proud of this by the way.

This book was written in an interview sort of way and I really liked that style. Maybe I just have a vivid imagination but I could picture myself sitting in the interview with the characters. Either at a police station or in their home. It was a unique way of writing the book, so kudo to Mique for doing it this way.

Now first I’ll say that this is not an extreme horror. But man…I’m not sure what’s worse. Extreme horror with all the gory bloody details or this type that’s depressing and just sad. Oh so sad.

Jacob is lonely. Man is he lonely. I wanted to reach into the pages and give him a hug. His dad passed away and his mom ignores him. His older brother is off doing his own thing and living his own life, so Jacob feels like he has no one. Which technically, he doesn’t. Not in the way he needs.

He finally ends up on this online chat and meets Cronos. I got icky vibes from him right away. Jacob did not and that made me sad. He just wanted a friend. He wanted someone he could confide in. Someone who loved him. He was awkward and shy and anti-social. He had a hard time talking to anyone really. I can’t say I blame him for that. Especially when he tries voicing his thoughts and all his mom does is yell at him.

Jacob ends up finding what he needs in Cronos. After chatting for a few weeks, things get weird. Really weird. And outright disturbing. Cronos has Jacob doing things to make him feel better and to help him heal. But these aren’t your ordinary type stuff. No. It’s dark web crap. It’s called The Blue Whale Challenge. – I looked it up and from what I found quickly on Google, it was a TikTok thing back in 2016.

Jacob ends up going missing and the whole book is about trying to find out where he is. You find out. Sort of. Not in the way people wanted though.

I have to say that this is my favourite non-extreme horror book of 2024 so far and I can’t wait to see what else Mique comes up with.

Available in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/45NOjTN

Extreme Horror, Horror, Kindle Unlimited, Standalone

#Review #ExtremeHorror – Them by Mique Watson

Leave a comment

Jeanette thought she’d get to enjoy the cozy, rainy evening after the hellacious week she’d just endured.

Snuggled up on her couch with her Labrador, Nico, everything seemed perfect. Rest couldn’t come sooner.

Then it happened.

The program on the television cut to black.

EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM.

Jeanette’s heart stops. The signal is choppy, yet the message is clear: “They look like people.”

And then the power goes out.

Someone knocks on the door. It is soon made clear to Jeanette that the world she once knew has ended. The place she once called home is now anything but. The world beyond the threshold of her door is a passageway to the deepest bowels of hell itself. Will she survive?

This book started out as a slow burn type horror novel and then when the horror stuff finally happened, it was like a slap in the face. I knew going in that this book was extreme but I wasn’t expecting what I read. Did I love it? Yes. Of course. Not sure what that says about me though.

Jeanette intends to have a quiet night at home with her dog and then suddenly, her world changes for the worst.

Like Mique’s other books, the scenes in this one are detailed, gruesome, and not for the faint of heart. If you like creepy, maybe alien type people who do things that are…awful doesn’t even begin to describe what they did, then this one could be for you.

This book was also beyond gory, which I feel like Mique likes challenging himself and making his gory scenes that much more…well…extreme.

This one is a fun little read and it definitely has some disturbing parts to it.

Now onto the next one!

Available in Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/4evBdhX

Extreme Horror, Horror, Kindle Unlimited

#Review #ExtremeHorror – Broken Dolls: Deliverance by Mique Watson

Leave a comment

You’ve gone through hell… now prepare for deliverance.

Fleeing a childhood of darkness and abuse, Dane thought he’d finally taken ownership of his life. He sold his soul for the price of an escape; mutilating his childlike body and performing abominable sex acts for sick perverts on the dark web.

Years later, a specter from the past re-enters his life, making him want to abandon that which has put a roof over his head.

This quest for freedom on his own terms comes with dire consequences for both him and someone he treasures. They land themselves in the crosshairs of a sadistic man known only as The Puppetmaster.

Abducted and held within this abomination’s basement, Dane’s physical, mental, and emotional resolve is put to the test. Will he—and the person who matters most in the world to him—escape? Or, will their lives end in this basement of snuff and terror?

WARNING: This is an incredibly disturbing and extreme book. It deals with themes that will and should upset most readers. This book is STRONGLY NOT RECOMMENDED for readers under the age of 18.

This is so much more than just a horror novel. Yes, the horror scenes are graphic, vile and disgusting but besides that, this book shows a person who is struggling. Dane and Joe became friends when they were kids. They were best friends in fact. One day Joe disappears and it sets Dane on a path of self-destruction. It didn’t help that his home life was awful. His mother was useless and evil and his dad was a monster.

Dane runs away during his high school years and the things he goes through. What he puts himself through. What he does to himself. I wanted to hug him and keep him safe. My soul hurt for this broken shell of a person. A person who just wanted to be loved. A person who was chasing his best friend for years.

Dane and Joe reunite eventually and it sets of a chain of events that don’t end well for either of them.

I like how the author showed us chapters written in the past and chapters written in the current day. It helped build up the backstory, so we could get to know the characters.

Oh and if you’re a horror movie lover, this book reminded me of A Serbian Film. 100% do not recommend watching that movie but if you’re curious like I was, good luck! Anyway, this book definitely had A Serbian Film vibes.

I’d like to also think that there’s not people like this who exist in the real world but I know they do.

This book is hands down one of the best I’ve ever read.

Read now in Kindle Unlimted: https://amzn.to/4bpCB3m