Tonia Brown – a Triple Shot of Quirky!

Isn’t it weird how life happens sometimes? I was just thinking about Tonia, and how everyone and everything was back when all this was new. Zombie Fiend’s Joy Killer introduced us, Tonia gifted me a copy of LUCKY STIFF… everything else – kismet!

Tonia Brown – Author

I was thinking about her Author Interview, and how I need to get cracking on Coffee Talk again, and BAM – I’m punched in the face with some free audio book codes for Tonia. See?! IK,R?! Fucking kismet!!

Tonia was cool enough to come hang out in my pillow fort for a little while, long enough to enjoy a cup of coffee, and answer a few questions… the first one being “How do you like your coffee?” To which she replied, “I like my coffee like I like my men. Ground up and in the freezer.” Buckle up boys & girls…things are about to get weird!

Exerpt from Coffee With Tonia Brown

The only things I know for sure about upcoming author interviews are 1. The style isn’t going to change. It will be tweaked, but I’m sticking to my goal, staying myself – F bombs and all, and YES, A LIGHTNING ROUND DOES TOO WORK FOR WRITTEN INTERVIEWS!! And, yes, people DO care about what kind of underwear their favorite author wears – THAT’S WHY THEY’RE GOING TO COME HERE! And #2. For the next interview I’m hoping for a round table / panel discussion co-authored with one of my fave extreme horror chickys, so… Stay tuned!!

About that audio book code… here’s the review for what I scooped up :

Triple Shot of Strange by Tonia Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since my original review was from March 13, 2012, and there isn’t an Audible edition listed here… it’s time to update!

I’ll meet you at the bar!
I can’t believe I had forgotten about Tonia Brown a little bit. I hate to pigeon hole anyone as anything, but I’m guilty of thinking ‘only zombies’, and I fell out of love with the genre a while back. It was a messy break-up but, I’m fine, really. Thanks.
I picked up Triple Shot of Strange (how I giggle every time I read the title! Innuendo is awesome), on audio and was so excited… I own the entire T3 collection and couldn’t wait to revisit Tonia’s World.
I would recommend this particular T3 to everyone. You get to get a nibble of her writing, and her style, and you’re guaranteed to fall in love 🖤 The three stories are fun, quick reads – listens in this case, and you’re left with a shudder and a smile. Tonia is active on social media, get to know her for a Triple Shot of Quirky, and I’ll meet you at the bar for the next round!

“Cawfee Tawk is an informal interview forum.”

Don’t forget to visit Coffee Talk and let me know what you think! Right this very second I’m just hoping that anyone remembers Mike Meyers as Linda Richman on SNL. I’m not old. You’re old. Shut up.

So, this has been my brain dump for now. Throwing out some ideas, see what you think about them, also to listen to what you want/need to see here. Yes, I was playing with my new editing program, but I gotta use it to learn it. I apologise if it gave you a headache 😬. I wanted to remind everyone that even with the new domain name, everything is the same – the old addresses still work, and will continue to. How do you prefer to review books – with a 5 star rating, or a 10 star rating? I thought 5 for books, 10 for movies, and make the rest up as I go along 😜 And if you don’t want to leave feedback in the comments (but I really wish you would!), you can shoot me an email at ShadowGirl@BeckisBookBlog.com PRETTY PLEASE START USING THE 5 STAR RATING THINGY ON EACH POST.. how else am I going to learn? Thanks!

Peace, Love & Necrophilia 💋 ~ sg

Coming Soon from Terry M. West

Welcome To All Kinds Of Hell

Release Date May 29, 2020
I requested an ARC to R&R

The Devil’s List is a dark tale of insanity and horror from Terry M. West. In the small Texas town of Pleasant Storm during the summer of 1985, Chuck Beall embarks on a journey of brutality and madness. Convinced he’s possessed by a demon that compels him to kill, Chuck’s murderous attention shifts from random transients to those he blames the most for his abusive past.

I see the sign welcoming me to Pleasant Storm and I get a warm, fuzzy feeling. It feels like coming home, and this is right where I’m supposed to be. It’s good to be back. 

Chuck Beall has been picked on his whole life. Family, school mates, town folk, no one missed a chance to remind he was different, unwanted, and unloved. They beat it into him hard enough that he’d never forget.
Tormented, and wandering around late one night out by the old Campbell property, Chuck comes face to face with a demon his mama used to tell legends about – The Plat-Eye.
Now that he’s not walking alone anymore, it’s time to turn the sins back onto the sinners, and everything is about to change. Revenge is going taste sweet, and warm.

Pre-order The Devil’s List on Amazon,
and check out the early reviews on Goodreads

Connect with Terry on Facebook, Goodreads

Marsha’s Morbid Museum Of Macabre – coming soon from Sea Caummisar

From The Dark Mind Of Sea Caummisar – 

‘Marsha’s Morbid Museum Of Macabre’

Release Date August 14, 2020 – Preorder Now

Warning: This isn’t a very bloody book, however there are a couple scenes that deal with animals. If you have any sort of animal sensitivity…. this might not be the book for you. You’ve been warned!

Marsha’s fascination with displaying corpses in her home started in an innocent fashion.

Now, bored with her wealth, she has found that she enjoys fusing human bodies and animals together.

When her loyal maid, Sylvia, stumbles upon her secret, how will she react?

How do you imagine Mila?

People who have hired help surrounding them eventually begin to not think of them – at all. They are merely a tool, an object in the background – not a human being, not a friend, and most definitely not something to be worried about.
This is how Sylvia is seen by her whiny, and overly demanding boss. She is disrespected by Marsha daily, yet dismissed as nothing to be concerned about. Not even when Sylvia is tasked to take care of the east wing, and Marsha’s special collection.

Beauty is in the eye of the creator.

Eventually Sylvia begins to believe that with her knowledge she has the upper hand, and the power struggle begins!
Who will emerge the victor, the boss, the HBIC (Head Bitch In Charge)? Well, the title isn’t ‘Sylvia’s Sinister Salon of Sin’, is it?

Don’t miss the other items on display in the museum… Preorder your copy today!

You can connect with Sea Caummisar, and stalk the author’s pages  – at your own risk – on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and email.

Coming Soon From the Dark Mind of Sea Caummisar: Acrotomophilia Maniac

The dark mind of Sea Caummisar brings us a story that the director of ‘Boxing Helana‘ would call FUCKED UP!

Release Date June 12, 2020 – Available for pre-order!

Acrotomophilia: The deriving of sexual gratification from fantasies or acts involving an amputee.

After Willard’s wife was disfigured in a car accident, he found himself to be even more attracted to her.
Then his obsession grew more everyday.

WARNING DISTURBING SCENES OF EXTREME VIOLENCE.

“Sometimes in life, people have a knack for things. Some people have a knack for art, or playing a musical instrument. It’s almost as if they were born with some sort of talent. Willard’s knack just happened to be abducting women and keeping them tied up.”

After an accident that causes his wife of 40 years to lose her leg, Willard sits in the hospital at her bedside and tries to sort through the various feelings he’s having.
And which one of those feelings – exactly, is causing the tent to form at the front of his pants?

You can stalk, urm…  ahem… connect with Sea Caummisar on Facebook,  Goodreads,  Twitter, follow on Amazon, or email here.

If you’re interested in becoming a beta reader, check out the requirements at BookSprout.

Check out Damon Dahmer in the Deadly Reality TV Series on Amazon, (Book 1 EASY MONEY here). Don’t miss Sly Verdict in the Verdict Reality series. Just follow the author’s Amazon Authors Page, and never miss out on anything!

IF IT BLEEDS by Stephen King

If It Bleeds by Stephen King

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone has a lot to it for a short story.
It’s told to us by Craig, beginning when he was nine years old, ending when he’s in his college years, and is focused on the big events that revolved around his elderly neighbor, and friend, Mr. Harrigan.
Read this with a box of tissues handy, just in case.

‘The waiting is the hardest part’
The Life of Chuck is told in reverse – but don’t worry…this isn’t Memento – it’s a great story that shines light on the good parts of being alive.
I feel in love with Chuck during his midlife years. You might fall in his beginning, or end, but let me assure you – you will trip.
And, man…that cat can dance!

‘No one provokes me with impunity.’
If It Bleeds is a sister story to The Outsider, (and the Bill Hodges trilogy).
Holly has come into her own, and has become quite the little bad ass. This is her first ‘solo outing’, and she sure took care of this story! I hope there is more of her in the future.
I also think I need to re-read The Outsider.

Rat centers on a writer who needs to prove to himself that he can get the novel that’s inside of him – out. (It’s something that hasn’t worked too good for him in the past).
With a little help from some southern NyQuil, a half-dead snarky rat, and a fever dream, the words pour out of his soul. Those words aren’t free though… is the cost worth it?

Shadow Girl‘s review Apr 24, 2020  · 

This is the way the world ends – not with a bang but with a virus.

Mass Hysteria from #MichiganMadman Michael Patrick Hicks grabs 4 of 5 stars 

Stargazing turns into a battle for survival after a freak, alien meteor shower causes everyone, and everything in Falls Breath to go bat-shit crazy (O.o)

I’m usually not much of a sci-fi fan, but this was a fast, furious, and fun read right from page one!

Check out more of my reviews

Resolutions Shmesolutions!

“Each new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows.”

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. I lie to myself practically every day, so why should those lies be any different than these lies? They certainly don’t deserve their own bullet pointed, color coded, sparkly sticker-d “BETTER ME” list to stare their judgmental stare at me from atop the refrigerator door! How about a big ol’ NOPE to any empty, and unrealistic Resolutions of 2017?!

“Are we really doing this again, SG?”
~ signed, Resolutions Past

I just read an article/post on Buzzfeed that made me think “Here’s a realistic resolution that I can really get behind!” (yes, my inner voice talks like Dr. Seuss.) It IS going to be a difficult promise to keep to myself, though – some quirks run deep, and habits are hard to break. Bear with me on this long & winding road that is my thought process…

“A resolution is usually to avoid an evil,
but in most cases the evil is far more advanced.”

I was looking over my Books of 2016 (on Goodreads), and so many thoughts started going through my mind – “Ooo… I really liked that book, why didn’t I continue with the series?”, “OMG – that was on my MUST READ list – WTF?! Why haven’t I read it yet?”, “Shit, I promised so and so that I’d read that book s/he really loved…” (or some other version of a “OMG YUS!! I can’t wait to never read that!” promise), and 42 other questions that are tripping over themselves trying to be the first in line for some brain time.

So… In MY case, what is the main reason that so many books get neglected?
I think I waste so much precious reading time because I feel guilty if I stop reading a book as soon as I realize it’s boring AF, and/or I hate it! “I’ll give it a few more pages/chapters.” “Well, I might as well finish it now.”  And, there is also that little FOMO twinge I get right before I shelf/window a book. You know what I mean –“What if it gets really good just after the point where I stop reading?!” Then I usually continue to bore myself, and hate what I’m reading even more.

This year I say “NO MORE!”  ⊗  My motto for 2017 ~ “Just ‘SHELF IT’!”

2017 Resolution ~ “Actually, no, I didn’t read that.” ::beams, pats self on back::

This year I am going to make a solid effort to put down any book that I’m not invested in by a certain point – TBD on a book by book basis.
I will [try to] not force myself to finish ANY book, under ANY circumstances [if I don’t want to].
I realize that life is too short, and my TBR list is too long to endure the pain of just getting to the back cover.
* You know that I will NOT shelf/window any book just because of this blog post. Every book will have different considerations, I’m sure.  If I’m feelin’ it just because I dig the author’s choice of font – I’m still feelin’ it.  I have no set of hard and fast rules anywhere in my life!!
And there will be certain exemptions, of course. Like I said in the 5 Signs You’re Reading A Bad Book post – Sometimes the actual story may not be the problem. I’ve picked up unfinished books at a different points in my life only to realize how amazing they truly are – I just wasn’t ready for them the first time.

I’m curious about what YOU do in a ‘bad book’ situation!
Check out the 5 SIGNS YOU’RE READING A BAD BOOK post, and answer the poll at the end – ‘You’ve reached the 100 page mark of your new book when you realize that you’re never going to ‘feel it’. What do you do?’

 

An Update On My 2016 GOODREADS READING CHALLENGE

Participants	3,037,077
Books Pledged	141,970,360
Books Finished	38,435,363
Avg. Books Pledged	46
Challenges Completed	20,037
Time Left	4 days, 17 hours

Shadow Girl has read 158 of her 125 book goal in 2016 / 33 books ahead of schedule.

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My last challenge update was on Septembember 28. At that time I was sitting at about 128 books read of my 125 book goal. Today I’m showing 158, but I have a few reviews that I need to catch up on. OH – on that note… If I post a review in 2017 on a book that I read in 2016 – I keep the correct dates Goodreads lists / challenges. Example? Sure! I just read SAN DIEGO HORROR PROFESSIONALS: HOLIDAY SPECIAL, SLAY BELLES, and HALFWAY HOUSE. If – for whatever reason – I don’t get reviews posted until after January 1st, my date read/finished will still reflect 2016.

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2015 GR Reading Challenge

2015 Reading Challenge

Shadow Girl has
completed her goal of reading 125 books in 2015!

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125 of 125 (100%)

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PINES (Wayward Pines #1) by Blake Crouch

When I started reading this one thinking it was a different book. I think I meant to pick the Andrew Thomas series – (I wanted to read more about Luther, from SERIAL, and BIRDS OF PREY), but chose this instead. I remembered the synopsis totally different than what is posted on Amazon, and Goodreads.

I’m happy I did, Wayward Pines is one messed up little town!

He notices that it’s a gorgeous day when wakes up outside. OK, that’s weird. He’s In a beautiful park, laying on the greenest grass, next to a crystal clear river – it would be heavenly, if he didn’t feel like he’d been beaten with a bag of bricks.
To his dismay, the pain isn’t the worst of his trouble right now. He can’t remember – anything. He has no wallet, no money, no phone – only a pocket knife, but, it’s not talking.
He knows he needs to get medical attention, but avoids the hospital – he has a gut feeling that that little adventure wouldn’t turn out in his favor. Something is very wrong, he can feel it – before everything goes black again.

The next time he comes to, he’s laying in a hospital bed and feeling a little more like himself. Himself, if he’d been beaten with a bag of bricks.
He remembers that his name is Ethan Burke, he’s a secret service agent, and he’s in Wayward Pines investigating the disappearance of two fellow agents. The hospital staff seems friendly, but a little condescending. He wants to know where all of his belongings are, and he needs to contact his family – but he’s met with vague answers, clearly meant to pacify him. Ethan comes to a realization – ‘I’m a secret service agent, damnit!’ He leaves the hospital and heads directly to the sheriff’s station, and things only get worse. No one has located his ID, and no one believes he is who he claims to be. In fact, he could be in some deep trouble here in Wayward Pines! He needs to figure out what’s really going on here.
His investigation turns up more questions than answers. Each step closer to the truth takes him further from the world he thought he knew, from the man he thought he was, until he must face a horrifying fact — he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive.

I’ve only scratched the surface of this story here – there is SO MUCH going on! You won’t believe the secrets that are held in this little Idaho town.
I REALLY loved reading what inspired the author to write this series, and how long he’d actually been working on it! It’s not often that I find another person who was as obsessed with who killed Laura Palmer as I was. Knowing that Blake Crouch was also a Twin Peaks fan of epic proportions made me feel a small connection with him, like we shared a little secret – whispers of coffee and cherry pie…
BUT THEN, I got some news that took some of the wind out of my sails. ::sigh::
I was surprised when I JUST saw that someone has decided to make a TV series out of Wayward Pines. I wasn’t for, or against it. Just surprised. Until…
♪ ♫ ♩ Dun dun dunnnnnn… ♪ ♫ ♩
Freaking directed by M. Night Shyama-lama-dint-dong! What?!
Oh nos!

That’s just me, and I truly hope that I’m wrong.
I hope that the series will do Blake Crouch, and his town, proud. I’ll be watching S1E1 – fingers & toes crossed!

IMDB – M. Night Shyamalan takes on WAYWARD PINES.

Blake Crouch’s website

Pines on Amazon

Pines on Goodreads

Blake Crouch on Goodreads