Kumquat – coming soon from Jeff Strand

Cover art hasn’t been released – so THIS is what KUMQUATS look like.

Hey! Let me break in for a mo’ here… the REAL cover art has been released 😀 Take a look – much nicer than my fruit pic! Haha!

I didn’t know what to expect from Kumquat – but, after Kathy introduced me to Jeff Strand via Dead Clown BBQ, I was hooked, and already penciling in stalking appointments, ahem… I mean sorting my TBR to include all the new titles I need. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to preview it!
Jeff described KUMQUAT as “generally lighthearted romantic comedy and not much like anything in DEAD CLOWN BBQ” – and still… didn’t know what to expect.
A Rom-Com from a horror author?
Admittedly, he’s a horror author who cracks me up, (so you know that he must be a little twisted), but, no horror?
Well, I don’t know why I don’t read more of this genre! Maybe I will if Jeff Strand writes more of them!

KUMQUAT is the story of Todd & Amy.
It’s told through Todd’s POV, and I felt an immediate connection with him. I felt a smirk forming on page one, while Todd is having a hypochondriacal moment and describing his symptoms to his roommate. Craig is reacting like a laid-back, smart-ass WebMD – and I love this character already, too!
It’s the weekend of the first annual Tampa Bay Filmmakers To Watch Film Festival, (Florida’s Sundance). Armed with his All Access Pass and a backpack loaded with today’s schedule, and two days worth of snacks, Todd is prepared for hours of entertainment! Midway through his second ass-numbing movie of the morning, he gets to meet Amy – and an instant connection is made through witty banter and Red Vines.
When Todd and Amy decide to take a break from the festival and get some real food, they have a lightning fast, and intense ‘getting to know you’ session that leads to them packing their bags for a frivolous three day trip to Rhode Island!
I went on an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish – one minute a chuckle – the next minute I’m wiping something wet off my cheeks (cheek sweat). I was audibly laughing throughout, and even let a couple cackles, and one guffaw, slip out.
I have to mention Craig again, because even though he doesn’t have a huge roll in the story – he’s really a true friend to Todd. I thought he would play out as just an annoying, and oversexed roommate. He IS that, but he’s adorably annoying! He stood out to me, and I like him.
I had happy tears, and devastating tears. (Nope. No PMS. Jeff’s just that damned good!)

“Nobody can be in a bad mood when they’re eating a hot dog!”

DETAILS!!
Much respect must be given to the author!
The amount of time and effort that was put into the details has to be recognized.
The story’s must-watch TV show, EXIT RED, has a Dr. Who feel to it, and I wonder if we’ll get a closer look. Jeff put a lot of work into creating a fictional show that I WANT TO SEE!!
There was a movie shown at the film fest, WRETCHED EXCESS, that Todd thought very highly of. I wonder if it is based on a real film, or maybe a story idea?
A nod to the documentary about Africa, and starving, legless children. Todd’s internal dialogue, and OMG the dog! See… DETAILS! The little things make a HUGE impact!

About Jeff Strand:
Author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, A BAD DAY FOR VOODOO, WOLF HUNT, SINGLE WHITE PSYCHOPATH SEEKS SAME, BENJAMIN’S PARASITE, FANGBOY, THE SINISTER MR. CORPSE, and lots of others. Three-time Bram Stoker Award finalist. Three-time Bram Stoker Award loser. Four-time Bram Stoker Award Master of Ceremonies.

Other Titles from Jeff Strand
GLEEFULLY MACABRE Jeff Strand on WordPress
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Slaughtertown Circus – Xander’s Transformation

Slaughtertown Circus is available NOW @ Amazon.com

The Killing Club by Ty Schwamberger

Kristen always wanted to be part of the “in crowd.” Her social worries intensified after transferring from a small, public school to private, upscale Smithshire Academy in the middle of her high school career. She wanted so badly to be part of the social network in her new school, she didn’t think twice when one of the existing members of the popular girl’s group, The K-Club, invited her over one night for a sleepover. Where all the girls whose names started with the letter “K” are going to be. Kristen’s self-doubt allows her to be pulled into the group on one condition…

She must first go through the initiation process that the other girls have set forth before her.

What ensues is a group of popular high school girls practicing in the occult, Kristen going over to a stranger’s house to “scare” them and sacrifices to secure Kristen’s spot in high school legend.

Will all Kristen’s work be enough to appease the girls of The Killing Club and the great God of high school popularity to let her into the group?

The extent of blood that Kristen wishes to get on her hands will hold the answer.

This 25k word novella is now available for purchase in various eBook editions. You can find ordering links at http://tyschwamberger.com/.

GIVING UP THE GHOST by Dan Dillard

I received an early copy of GIVING UP THE GHOST from Dan in February. Right when I started it, my dad died. I read it on the plane, going to the funeral. I know this might sound strange to most of you, but, this story helped me get through the next few days! I took much comfort in it. Odd place to find peace, in a horror novel, but I did! The story is excellent! I cried, I laughed out loud, I got angry… I fell in love with these characters.

Gerry Sheffield is a real piece of work. Can’t keep a job, can’t stay any sort of sober, and he has always relied on his parents to bail him out of the trouble he can’t seem to keep himself out of. A grown man who won’t take responsibility.
After a particularly nasty bender, and a run-in with his landlord, Gerry is calling his parents, again – not asking for help as much as demanding their help. After all, they are his parents. It’s their job to look out for their son.
His parents, Margo & Bill, are at the end of their rope.
They’d always tried to help their son. The college tuition that was wasted, the car repairs, the down payment on his now ex-wife’s house, everything. They’re out of patience, and they’re almost out of means. After 27 years, they decide – no more. Clean up your self, clean up your act, put on your big-boy pants & cowboy the fuck up.
The following morning, Gerry gets two checks.
One is for his rent & a thousand bucks for the month.
The second… a great big really check from his dad.
This is it. No more. Sink or swim.
Gerry actually makes a whole-hearted attempt, one last shot to make something of his life, to make his father proud! But, within a day, any chance of walking the straight & narrow is blown. He’s actually made things far worse!
Self righteousness mixed with self pity doesn’t make a good combination. So, once again convincing himself that his problems are all because of someone else, Gerry’s anger helps propel him into calling his parents, to blame Bill & Margo for every single thing that has ever gone wrong in his entire miserable existence. It is bad. He finally says the things that make his parents turn their backs, close their hearts and lock him out. He’s gone too far this time. Realizing what he has done, Gerry’ s hurt eventually gives itself over to hate. And, Gerry lands himself in jail. Again.

Read GIVING UP THE GHOST to find out how far Bill & Margo willing to go to get Gerry to change his ways.
After death, is there anything they won’t do?

GIVING UP THE GHOST by Dan Dillard will be available June 1’st

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Sara Brook’s THE ZYNE PROJECT BOOK RELEASE

The zombie-related medical thriller is a fast paced ride down the terrifying corridors of clinical research gone wrong.

Preview of BITCH CALIBER 45 by F.P. Curti – with video trailer

BITCH CALIBER 45
by F.B. Curti

BITCH CALIBER 45 – the new book by FPCurti. Available everywhere. “…The boy turns towards me. Boom. The bullet blows his brain into pieces. The blood splatters on the ceiling. His body falls on the floor. The whore screams in terror. The sight of the black bloodstain on the train carpet blocks her. The other two men escape. One of the guys opens the door communicating with the other wagon and slips through it. The other guy grabs the yellow handle of the sliding door. I raise my bitch and I blow up the left side of his neck. His carotid artery is now fucked…”
Amazon synopsis :
•The whore pushes that damn bitch caliber .45 into my mouth. She smiles at me with her scar-laced lips. She knows she can blast my brains out in a split second. The bitch’s barrel is cold on my tongue. I can feel it pulse, ready to peer down my throat and blow a hole as big as the heart of a pig. The whore has fucked me, she has overturned the game. Now she’s handling the bitch, and the gun barrel is in my mouth. I’m not even trembling anymore. Her eyes stare at me full of rage and anger…

Bitch Caliber 45
•
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THE COLD BENEATH By Tonia Brown

This is the first chapter of the steampunk horror novel,
The Cold Beneath, now available in both print and Kindle formats from Amazon.com. Soon to be available as an audio book from Dynamic Ram Audio Productions.
Written by Tonia Brown thebackseatwriter.com
Ilustrated by Philip R. Rogers artbyphilip.com
Read by Chris Barnes thedynamicram.blogspot.com
Incidental music from Kevin McLeod Incompetech.com