Category Archives: Horror

#Review – The Asylum Confessions (The Asylum Confessions Files, #1) by Jack Steen

November 13, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

They arrive alive. They always leave dead.
But first, they give me their confessions.

My name is Jack Steen, and for those who arrive on my ‘death’ ward at the Asylum, I’m the last face many will see before they die. I am the night nurse at an Asylum for the Criminally Insane, and most of my patients know me as their Angel of Death. I know them as mass murderers, rapists, and serial killers – among other things.

Here’s what happens: they come on my floor, they give me their deathbed confession, and I help to make their death less painful. There’s a catch, though: I want the real story, the one they haven’t told anyone else.

The majority of these killers are expert manipulators. They could be playing their final game with me by messing with my head.
Now, maybe they’re messing with yours too.

Inside this book are 4 DeathBed Confessions:

Patient 1024 has an interesting ‘appetite’.
Patient 974 is the Ken to his Barbie, and he would do anything to keep her happy.
Patient 871 is a Nanny, but not one you want watching your kids.
Patient 1203 is the sweetest, broken soul you’ll ever meet but her confession is a hard read.

WARNING: There is swearing in this book. And some stories might be a trigger for something you have a hard time handling.

But, these are the confessions of serial killers, mass murderers and such.

Wow. Okay…um…

So I was looking for something quick to read to up my books read for my Goodreads challenge and I came across this series on Amazon. I was in the mood for horror. Figured it would be a good genre to read, seeing as it was October when I was searching for horror reads.

I ended up coming across this series and devoured the first book.

I guess the author is a night nurse at an asylum but some people are saying that that isn’t true. The author said that these books are about the confessions his patients give him before they pass. Again, not sure if that’s true or not. So it kind of messes with your head. I know it did mine.

There are four parts to this book. Each part about a different patient. They’re in the asylum for the criminally insane, so they’re all bad people, right? That I really can’t answer. The one I felt awful for. Another, I was disgusted. One just made me feel like “oh that’s been done before and isn’t anything new” and the last one? Are they a good person or not?

I think I had more questions than answers by the time I was done this book but I instantly one-clicked the next book in the series.

Please be warned though: There ARE triggers. But this is a horror book, so triggers kind of come with the territory. If you decide to grab this book, please read with caution.

I truly have no words for what I just read but of course, I’ll read the rest of the series because I want to know more. Oh and I wonder if the author is truly who he says he is, maybe he writes these books as a way to cope with what he’s dealt with for years. But I also wonder, if he is who he says he is, if he is a good guy or not…

Horror, Paranormal, Review

#Review #Haunting – Maroon by William Joseph

July 31, 2023 Kelly S Leave a comment

Don’t Play With Dead Things.
When young Charlotte Hempstead goes to visit her Aunt Victoria who she has not seen in many years, she realizes that her Aunt has not aged one bit. She soon discovers her Aunt’s mansion has many other dark secrets, and that her Aunt may not ultimately be all or who she thinks she is.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Sooooo creepy! Charlotte goes to visit Aunt Victoria who lives alone in a large, but old, mansion. Charlotte is welcomed with open arms and really takes a liking to Aunt Victoria. However, it doesn’t take long to realize there are secrets here…many dark secrets. The more Charlotte starts to question and investigate, the more she realizes the danger she is in. The worldbuilding and character building does take some time in this one but hold on for a wild ride because once the crazy cranks up you won’t be able to put it down. The terrifying twists throughout the story will keep you engaged until the very end!

Author Logo

William Joseph is an exciting Horror, Paranormal, and Psychological Thriller writer from New Jersey, USA. He loves to draw the reader into believable worlds, creating everyday characters the readers can relate and connect with, and then forcing them to face their deepest and darkest fears. William Joseph’s writing has been detailed as twisted, dark, terrifying, raw, and emotional.

Dark Romance, Fantasy, Horror, Mermaids, Paranormal, Suspense, Witches

#Review – A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle

July 25, 2023 Kelly S Leave a comment

A standalone adult dark fantasy pirate romance re-telling of The Little Mermaid from the New York Times Bestselling Author of River of Shadows and Blood Orange.

Princess Maren is a woman with a secret.

Ten years ago she sold her soul to the sea witch Edonia, giving up a life underwater in exchange for the love of Prince Aerik on land. But after a decade of abuse and misery inflicted by the cruel prince, Maren wants nothing more than to leave him and her royal role behind and find Edonia to reverse the spell.

An opportunity for escape presents itself when the prince and princess are traveling overseas and are taken hostage by a band of notorious pirates, led by the fearsome Captain Ramsay “Bones” Battista. Maren has heard the sordid stories about the infamous pirate–not only is his ship supposedly haunted and crewed by the damned, but that no prisoners ever survive.

Fortunately for Maren, she learns that the captain also has a score to settle with the sea witch. With any luck, Maren may be able to get her old life back, even if it’s being held in the captain’s wicked hands.

But Ramsay gets more than he bargained for when he learns who–and what–Maren is, and that her appetite for revenge, freedom, and bloodlust rivals his.

Meanwhile Maren finds herself falling for the pirate’s dark nature, even as she discovers that Ramsay has a secret more deadly than her own.

When it comes to the high seas, not all monsters lurk beneath the surface.

Content Warning: Though this is a fantasy, it is also a dark romance with potential triggers. A full list can be found inside the book or on the pinned cover reveal post on IG (authorhalle)

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Wickedly devilish! Being caught between the devil you know and the devil you don’t, can be a terrifying place. Especially when you exist in a space between worlds with nowhere to belong to.

I needed this story! It is a standalone adult dark fantasy pirate romance re-telling of The Little Mermaid, but I have to say that A Ship of Bones and Teeth is SO. MUCH. BETTER! I mean, Syrens and Pirates? Sign me up!

Be prepared when you open this book because it will consume you. For days, all I could think about were Maren and Bones. What was going to happen next? How would they overcome? Will they really turn on each other? Who else will die? And let’s not forget… OMG, how hawt was that?

Maren and Bones are completely different people, but once together, they are intensely drawn together. It’s one of those intense feelings that actually scares you. However, these two really helped each other throughout the story without really realizing it. This has a bit of everything from friendships, sex, kinks, feuds, betrayal, beauty, death, abuse…you name it, it has it! It will even make you smile and laugh!

There are a tremendous number of twists and turns in this retelling, unlike any other I have read. There is nothing that I can say that will prepare you for the consuming obsessive monster you will become until you reach the end of the story. An absolute must read!

Remember: “There are no mistakes. Just choices that took us on a different path.”

Author Logo

Karina Halle is a screenwriter, a former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author of River of Shadows, The Royals Next Door, and Black Sunshine, as well as 70 other wild and romantic reads, ranging from light & sexy rom coms to horror/paranormal romance and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever genre you’re into, she’s probably written a romance for it. When she’s not traveling, she and her husband split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles. She seems a bit boring in her bio but I assure you she’s a big ol’ goof in real life. For more information, visit www.authorkarinahalle.com.

Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Horror, Novella, Trigger Warnings

#REVIEW – No One Rides For Free (An Extreme Novella) by Judith Sonnet

June 30, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

Jodi was driving her children to college when The Man got in their car.
Uninvited, unwanted, and unhinged…
The Man has no name, but he does have a gun… a knife… and a bag of “toys”.
What starts as a forced ride into the desert escalates into a disturbing series of crimes and assaults.
Jodi and her children will soon pray for death.

WARNING: This novella is incredibly disturbing. It features graphic scenes of sexual violence, torture, and gore. It is not intended for easily offended readers. The print edition of this book includes an exclusive short story, which is not availble on ebook. It is also gross and disturbing.

Ok…um…WTF did I just read?? You know the book is going to be crazy when there’s a warning half way through. Especially when the end of said warning says “It’s just a book” over and over again. But seriously…wow. So I’ve watched a lot of horror movies. And I’m not talking horror movies like Scream or Halloween (I love those movies of course). I’m talking movies that have been banned or make you feel like you’re an awful person just by watching. So I’ve seen some stuff. But I swear nothing compares to reading horror. What I see in my head while reading and what you see in your head while reading, are two completely different things and that’s what I love about it. That’s what I love about reading in general but there’s just something so deeply disturbing with reading a horror novel that just hits me differently. And this extreme novella was no different.

First I’m going to start by saying IF YOU HAVE TRIGGERS – PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION. And please please PLEASE read the warnings.

So in this short but intense story, you get Jodi who is driving her two kids to college. They stop at a gas station where they meet The Man and his bag of toys. The things that happen…I seriously can’t even put into words. The author did her job. I felt dirty, disgusted, like I needed a shower and just plain gross. I have a strong stomach but there were parts of this that made me feel nauseous. I really have no words. At all. Even though the content of this book was horrible to say the least, I gave it a high rating because the author succeeded in making me feel things that I’m sure she set out to do. So kudos to her.

Horror, Review, Suspense, Thriller

#Review – Carnival of Terror by William Joseph

May 18, 2023 Kelly S Leave a comment

Carnival of Terror by [William Joseph]

Welcome to the most spectacular, heart racing, entertaining, and deadliest show you’ll ever see.Ever want to see what happens after you leave the circus and the show is over? Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes? Have you ever wanted to see the darkest side of human nature? Then step right up, enter, and be prepared to have your breath taken away, literally.Victor, Jug, the Fortune Teller, Shilo, and Olivia. A horrifying, graphic, and pulse-pounding five-part novel from five different points of view in one interconnecting story surrounding one circus.Welcome to the Carnival of Terror.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This is a truly twisted read! Who knew one circus would have so many levels of WTF… This is the stuff that nightmares are made of. Being able to experience the story from so many points of view was the right touch. The first experience is from a couple who visits the circus and ends up staying for dinner, to be dinner for the circus. Experiencing it from the ringmaster’s perspective, along with his heir, just reminds you how insane people can be. But also seeing it from the fortune teller and a relative of the circus really brings things full circle. I honestly can’t tell you how many times I cringed, winced, and uttered W…T…F…. No matter how much I wanted to look away, I just couldn’t. I HAD TO GET TO THE END!

Author Logo

Audio Book, Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Dark Romance, Duet, Horror, Novella, Reverse Harem, Trigger Warnings

#Dark #ParkOfASeries #TriggerWarnings #Audio #Horror – Satan’s Affair, Cat and Mouse Duet #0.5 by H.D. Carlton

May 17, 2023 Angie J Leave a comment

Every Halloween, Satan’s Affair will come to you. We travel the country, offering terrifying haunted houses, thrilling rides and the tastiest food.

And with every passing town, I cleanse this world, one execution at a time.

I hide within the walls, casting my judgement for those that reek of evil, singing lullabies to their rotting souls. Once you’ve been chosen, there’s no escaping my henchmen—they cater to my every desire.

You can run and you can hide, but it only excites me.

Come. Take a walk through my dollhouse, where your screams will blend and your cute little pleas will go unanswered.

But I can’t promise it’ll be over quickly…

Trigger Warning: This is a dark read that contains graphic violence, sex, and triggering situations.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audio book.

I was super excited for this novella. I know you are supposed to read it first but for me, I read it after the original duet. For me, it makes more sense.

This book was a great look at Sibby. We learn about her family and why she is the way she is. We also see her meeting the characters from the main duet.

I do think this could have been part of the Sibby duet but maybe she wasn’t sure about a Sibby book series?? Anyway, it was a good read if you love Sibby like I loved her.

H. D. Carlton is an International and USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.

Horror, Novella

#Review – White Ibis (Florida Gothic) by Wendy Dalrymple

April 19, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

“Truly terrifying” – Jenna Dietzer, author of “The Lovebugs”
“Creepy as hell” – Sheri L. Williams, author of “Forest of Blood’

Obsession. Lies. Greed.

Chelsea is vain, self-absorbed, and driven in life only by want and her obsession with being the best. Even though she is desperate to portray an outwardly perfect image, things are far from perfect at home.

One day at yoga class, Chelsea meets a woman named Damaris who is exactly like her; beautiful, confident, and reaching high to be her best self. Damaris and Chelsea become instant best friends and bond over healthy eating, fitness, and their love of luxury items. As Chelsea’s heart hardens toward her boyfriend, her obsession with the enigmatic Damaris only blossoms.

As one bad decision turns into another, Chelsea begins to think she is being followed by a white bird. Her new best friend Damaris suggests a girls’ weekend in New Orleans to get away from it all and Chelsea readily agrees. Unfortunately for Chelsea, it soon becomes clear that she can’t run away from her problems and instead finds herself tumbling head-first into a downward spiral

Content Warning: Mentions of suicide and eating disorders.

I just want to start this out by saying that I really have no idea what I just read. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what was going on and how this story would end.

Let me preface this by saying that I’m new to reading horror – huge fan of horror movies – but reading horror, hits differently, ya know?

I’ve recently fallen down the horror side of TikTok and after a friend introduced me to horror novellas, I’m quickly becoming obsessed. They are quick little reads, perfect for a busy schedule when you don’t have time to read a ginormous book but still want to get some books added to your reading goal on Goodreads or to just get some words read.

Enough of my rambling. Let’s review:

Chelsea is a thirty-something year old woman who has a deadend job and is also in a deadend relationship. She ends up befriending Damaris, this beautiful woman, who almost seems to good to be true. I didn’t overly trust her. Too many times she hardly ever gave any insight into herself. It felt like she was holding a lot of secrets.

As their friendship grows, which is more like obsession on Chelsea’s part, they decide to take a trip to New Orleans and that’s when the crazy starts. Something is up about the women Chelsea hangs out with that weekend. When she gets home, I read the rest of the book with wide eyes and was like “OMG”.

Something happens to both Chelsea and her boyfriend and obviously I don’t want to give it away but it does leave room for questions. A lot of questions. A part of me wished we could have gotten more answers BUT the horror loving part of me, absolutely loved the open ended ending.

All in all, this was a perfect little read by a new to me author.

Erotica, Horror, Standalone

#Review – It’s Me, Charlie by C.M. Guidroz

April 18, 2023 Jo-Anna W Leave a comment

I know everything about her, I’ve been her “book bestie” for over a year now. I’ve read every book she has ever published. The books that tell me every fantasy she has, the books that tell me exactly what she wants. She doesn’t know who I am behind the screen, but I don’t’ think she will care much once I show her that I am the perfect man for her. Women have rejected me in the past, but I’ve studied Jessie so much there is no way I could get it wrong this time.

What happens when the person you thought was just an online friend turns out to be an obsessive monster. You never know who is truly behind the screen when you are engaging with people online. Especially, things like “bookstagram” where the community is so welcoming. What happens when your “book bestie” falls in love with you and will stop at nothing to show you just how deep that love is.

Charlie has been posing as a woman in the book community to gain the trust and friendship of the woman he has been obsessing over, Jessie. Jessie is a self-published author of smutty or erotic, books who is just trying to get her books out there in a massive genre. What Jessie doesn’t know is that her biggest fan has been waiting for the perfect time to meet her and make all of her fantasies come true.

Are you ready to meet Charlie?

Author Note: 18+ WARNING! This short story is considered EXTREME HORROR, there are GRAPHIC SITUATIONS! This book is disgusting, and you probably shouldn’t read it. But if you are still interested in meeting Charlie, please be aware that you were warned. YOU WERE WARNED.

Um…what the heck did I just read?

When Angie shared the link for this book with me, I checked it out and saw a throwing up emoji in a review and instantly one-clicked. I hadn’t even read the blurb at that point, so I went into this story completely blind and boy, am I glad I ever did.

This short story takes the book/movie “Misery” to a whole other level.

It’s depraved, sick and twisted.

Charlie is obsessed with an author and does everything he can to make her his. He “loves” her. Wants to spend the rest of his life with her and wants to show her that they are perfect for each other. When he captures her and brings her back to his place, a place they’re supposed to share together and in his mind, she’ll be happy about it, the…um…icky things start happening.

I have a strong stomach but when it comes to mucus and anything slimey…that’s a huge hard limit for me. Spit I can handle but…in this case…not so much. That’s all I’m going to say on that…

If you have triggers, please be warned: THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE BOOK.

As a romance author myself, it was easy to put myself in Jessie’s shoes and I think that’s what makes this book even more terrifying. Because you wonder, what if?

This story, although short, is quite the ride and leaves you wondering, what would you do?

Dark, Horror

#WOTR23 #Dark #revenge #Horror – Dolly by Measha Stone, narration by Michele Blackstone

April 9, 2023 Angie J Leave a comment

He’s promised me sunlight.
Hope for a better future.
Freedom from this horror.
A life that doesn’t end in a dark cellar.

But, we’re trapped together.
Forced to live for the worst kind of people.
Desperate to survive for each other.

I crave his touch with every breath I take.
My heart aches for him.
He’s my hope for survival.
The man I want a future with.
I can have it all again, if only I trust him.
Even if that’s the only thing I can’t do.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

Dolly by Measha Stone, narration by Michele Blackstone

I purchased the audio and paperback of this book.

I bought this paperback a year ago?? Like right when it came out. I like dark books but I gotta work my way up to reading them. I know I am weird. ANYWAY! I finally decided this was the time. I saw the audio was available and since it was 5 hours that would only take me a day to read.

I want to start out by saying the narration was not my favorite. I would have loved to have a female voice it AKA Dolly vs having a man AKA Ken Doll voice the story. I also didn’t get drawn into the story with Michele voicing the characters and the story either. I pushed through because I wanted the story. The story was where it was at.

Ok yall. This book is a little slower to start but I wanna say PAY ATTENTION to the beginning 10-11 chapters because once we hit chapter 12-13, ITS GO TIME!!! I was there for it. Dolly and Ken Doll are trapped and being abused by 2 horrible humans but why??? WELL, we soon discover why when they get free and go on their bloody revenge tour. I was there for that as well. The stuff we learn in each chapter had me saying YOOOOOO WHAT. And also, a big GASP with “I did Not see that coming!!” I mean I knew stuff would be flying outta closets but it got me good with the twists.

The story of Dolly/Abigail and Ken Doll/Brian was a good one. The relationship between the 2 characters was sweet and loving one minute while total Bonnie and Clyde murders the next!!

Measha Stone is a USA Today bestselling romance author with a deep love for romantic stories, specifically those involving the darker side of romance, all the possessive dominant heroes, and their feisty heroines. If you love a well deserved happily ever after, you will enjoy her books.

Twinsie Talk Book Reviews

Category Archives: Horror

#Review – The Asylum Confessions (The Asylum Confessions Files, #1) by Jack Steen

#Review #Haunting – Maroon by William Joseph

#Review – A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle

#REVIEW – No One Rides For Free (An Extreme Novella) by Judith Sonnet

#Review – Carnival of Terror by William Joseph

#Dark #ParkOfASeries #TriggerWarnings #Audio #Horror – Satan’s Affair, Cat and Mouse Duet #0.5 by H.D. Carlton

#Review – White Ibis (Florida Gothic) by Wendy Dalrymple

Obsession. Lies. Greed.

#Review – It’s Me, Charlie by C.M. Guidroz

#WOTR23 #Dark #revenge #Horror – Dolly by Measha Stone, narration by Michele Blackstone

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