Wax Part Two by Amy Cross

 

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Four "Mysterious Haunting" Stars

Creepy Haunting!

A taste of what lies within:

Rachel finally locates her mother, Evelyn Cassidy but things just seem off as Bernard seems over protective of Evelyn and doesn't seem to want to share any information. Evelyn tries to explain her reasons of abandoning Rachel but she just seems out of sorts as well which makes Rachel and Brad wonder what is really going on in Harlham Hall. 

Rachel and Brad are invited to stay at the house which they end up doing but the house has secrets of its own and it seems there is a haunting afoot, but Bernard and Evelyn just dismiss it as an old creaking house. 

What is really going on in Harlham Hall? Is there a haunting? What are Bernard and Evelyn hiding? 

No spoilers here as you will need to read this book series! :) 

Thoughts:

This second book in this series is just as mysterious as the first one and the mystery deepens with Evelyn Cassidy as she doesn't reveal too much to Rachel and yet Rachel is still not satisfied with what she has learned so far. The house itself seems to be very secretive and things begin to happen within the house that seem to make it haunted. 

Secrets, hauntings, mystery is the main theme of book two and the characters of Evelyn and Bernard seem to be out of touch with reality. I read book two really quick as I was planning on reading just a little bit of the book but the mystery of what was happening within the house just grabbed me and I read almost half of the book in one sitting! 

Definitely looking forward to reading book three to see what happens next in this mysterious house and to learn more about the characters of Evelyn and Bernard. 

Attached is the author, Amy Cross, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5344482.Amy_Cross

Attached is the author, Amy Cross, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Cross/e/B006DE8I6U

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4807722519

Devil's Retribution (Book 2 of the Devereaux Chronicles) by Debbie Boek

 

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Four "Creature Carnage" Stars

Ski Lodge Terror!

A taste of what lies within:

The Devereaux brothers are back (Tim and Scott) and this time they are on the hunt for a Bigfoot creature. Emma (from book one Devil's Bait) is back as well as Scott and her hook up as they try to come to terms with what had happened a couple of years before at Emma's house. 

Tim and Scott are hot on the trail of the creature as it wrecks havoc at the ski lodge as the creature not only wants to make life miserable for the brothers but it also wants to kill the guests at the ski lodge. The more they try to hunt it down the more it seems to elude them, but they are determined to track it to hell and back before it causes any more terror at the ski lodge!

Where did the creature come from? Why is it causing trouble for them at the ski lodge? Do the brothers take it out before it can kill again? 

No spoilers here as you will need to read the book! 

Thoughts:

This story is a mix with creature feature and there is some romance as well within the pages as the characters, Scott and Emma become involved with each other. There is tons of creature action though with some blood and gore spread around the pages of the book too which required my gore suit as I had to wade through some icky goo here and there within the book. 

The story keeps pace well and has some mystery that surrounds the creature. There are quite a few characters within these pages as they are the guests of the ski lodge so a few of them are likable and a few are not so much. 

Looking forward to the next adventure by the Devereaux brothers to see what they become involved in next. 

Attached is the author, Debbie Boek's profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/935631.Debbie_Boek

Attached is the author, Debbie Boek's profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Boek/e/B07C6VHQ4Y

My review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2475857632

Wax (Part One) by Amy Cross

 

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Four "Mysterious Spooky" Stars

Mystery Galore!

A taste of what lies within:

Rachel is trying to locate her real mother, Evelyn Cassidy who had left her outside of a hospital when she was young. With the help of her boyfriend Brad she is determined to find her real mother and goes on an extensive search for her. 

The search leads her to a house called Harlham Hall but when she arrives along with Brad they wonder if Evelyn if resides within as the house looks to be abandoned, but when they almost decide to leave to come back another day the door is opened by an elderly man named Bernard and Rachel wonders if maybe she will find her answers from Bernard. 

That is about all I can give on a taste without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then you will need read the book. 

Thoughts:

This short book ends on a major cliffhanger and there are six books total in the series. I found the book to be very mysterious with the hunt for the mother, Evelyn Cassidy and what Rachel has to go through to find her. The mystery of the story just draws you in right away as I was only 5% into the book and I could already feel the mystery starting to deepen. 

The more I became involved in the story the more I wanted to know more about what Rachel was going to find when she reached Harlham Hall. Though there is one mysterious part of the book that needs some answers but hopefully I will find more out about it as time goes on as each book ends with a cliff hanger so it will be interesting to see what will happen next in book two. 

Attached is the author, Amy Cross, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5344482.Amy_Cross

Attached is the author, Amy Cross, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Cross/e/B006DE8I6U

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4789653362

Devil's Bait by Debbie Boek

 

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Five "Scary Demon" Stars

Haunting Horrors!

A taste of what lies within:

Emma Draper along with her husband and three children move into a new home out in the country. Not too long after moving in, things start happening in their home that is unexplained, along with some physical attacks from an unseen force. The events mostly happen to her and the children, but nothing happens to her husband and he seems to think that it is all in Emma's mind. He believes that the house is just settling along with the moans and groans of an old house.

Lights flicker off and on in the house, cupboards open and close on their own, doors open and slam shut through the house, cold drafts of air waft over the family, but the story really starts to ratchet up when the electricity goes off and they send for an electrician to fix the problem. Something ends up happening to him and Emma decides that she needs to find help for the problems in the house. She makes friends with a new neighbor across the street who helps her decide about having someone come out to check out the house, like maybe a medium.

Emma decides to get a medium involved but that doesn't help as whatever force is inside the house is beyond the capabilities of the medium, so Emma enlists the help of two brothers (Tim and Scott Devereaux) who are a paranormal team and when the brothers become involved, then things start really heating up in the house. Emma also starts having problems with her marriage and her husband decides not to stay with her as he would rather stay in the city to be close to his job. Though with her husband gone, the house becomes even more active which puts her and the children in even more danger. 

Does Emma and her children escape the clutches of the entities in the house? Are the Devereaux brothers able to help Emma and her children with the evil entities in the house? 

No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book to find out what happens.

Thoughts:

This is my second reread of this book as there are five books in this series and I am wanting to read the whole series now. Though the series is initially about the Devereaux brothers and each book is different as they go on ghost hunts. 

This book though was one scary haunted house story and when I read it years ago the book scared me enough to leave the lights on as there is plenty of demon/ghost activity within this story and the book reminds me of the tv show "Supernatural" but with more of a twist. 

There is a little bit of romance in the book, but nothing to deter from the haunting as it continues throughout most of the book. The characters are very believable and it was very easy to get attached to them along with their situations of what they were enduring.

Once again I was entrenched with this book and found my insomnia being fueled a few nights as I made my way through the story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what the Devereaux brothers find themselves wrapped up in next.

Attached is the author, Debbie Boek's profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/935631.Debbie_Boek

Attached is the author, Debbie Boek's profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Boek/e/B07C6VHQ4Y

My review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2471792264

The Family Man by Anna Willett

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Four "Serial Killer Thriller" Stars

Creepy Criminal Vibes!

A taste of what lies within:

Dustin and his wife, Marcy decided they wanted to do some renovations on their two story house but while Dustin was cleaning out the attic he came upon a box that had an old video camera inside. Thinking nothing of it he checked it out because he was curious of what could be on the camera but what he found was beyond his imagination which was so horrific that him and his wife called the police. 

In steps, Sgt. Veronika Pope and her crime team as they try to figure out who would commit such crimes as what is on the video tape leads them to believe they could be dealing with a serial killer. 

Pope and her team go on an extensive search trying to track down leads and they will not rest till they have turned the city upside down looking for answers! 

That is about all I can give on a taste without giving away spoilers so if you want to delve deep into this serial killer mystery then you will need to read the book!

Thoughts:

This book starts out right away with the mysterious video camera and the crimes found within! From that point on the story just takes off as the lead character, Sgt. Pope is constantly working the case and the more I delved deep into the story the more twists and turns appeared which kept me glued to my kindle. 

I have read a few books by author, Anna Willett and she always keeps me on the edge of my seat with her books. So now I have one more that I can add to my "Willett" collection of crime thriller tension stories! 

Attached is the author, Anna Willett, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15315859.Anna_Willett

Attached is the author, Anna Willett, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Willett/e/B01HU1SG3E

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4717505908

Lords of the Deep by Tim Meyer and Patrick Lacey

 

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Four "Scary Sea Serpent" Stars

Plundering Pirate Ghost Action!

A taste of what lies within:

Setting: Lea Bay

The town of Lea Bay is wrapped up tight with past transgressions when pirates use to rule the town and they took advantage of whatever came across their path. 

Though now in the present the ghosts of the pirates are making their presence known to the townsfolk as they are wanting something that belongs to them and the pirates brought along a "sea pet" to help them secure what they are looking for which is going to turn the town upside down. No matter who gets killed in the process the ghost pirates are going to do whatever it takes upon blood and death to find it!

That is about all I can give on a taste without giving away spoilers, so you if you want to know more then you will need to read the book!

Thoughts:

This is a great creature feature story meshed within ghost pirates, a ghost ship, and a treasure chest. There are quite a few characters to keep track of as well which is why I didn't add them into my "taste" description as the whole town is involved in the story. 

There was action right out of the gate with this book and a slow buildup of things happening with the ghost pirates, but then after the half way point the book picks up speed and then all hell breaks loose with more sea serpent action along with pirate action as well. 

I found myself flying through the pages as there was so much action on all fronts that I wanted to see what would happen next!  This book kind of reminded me of the horror movie The Fog as it seems when the fog rolls into the town of Lea Bay is when the ghost pirates appear. Definitely was a fun filled adventure with a haunting and creature feature action! 

Attached is the author, Tim Meyer, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7831833.Tim_Meyer

Attached is the author, Tim Meyer, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Meyer/e/B009ISFTZ6

Attached is the author, Patrick Lacey, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569851.Patrick_Lacey

Attached is the author, Patrick Lacey, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-Lacey/e/B00EWLHT6Q

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2808551687

The Ritual by Adam Nevill

 

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Four "Hiking Horror" Stars

Creepy Camping Vibes!

A taste of what lies within:

Four friends (Hutch, Phil, Dom, and Luke) all decide to go on a hiking/camping trip in the mountain hills of Scandinavia for a reunion get together as they haven't seen each other since college days. 

Though once they end up in the Scandinavian wilds the friends come across something weird in the forest that is hanging up in the trees which cannot be explained which really unnerves them but they keep hiking as they try to figure out what they have seen. From that point on they are cautious but when something horrific happens to one of them is when the panic sets in as they realize they are not alone out in wilderness as something is out there and it is waiting! 

That is about all I can give on a taste without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then you will need to read the book!

Thoughts:

This book was one creepy and dreadful suspense novel that right away you could feel the fear permeating the story. The author, Adam Nevill draws you right into the storyline and then adds a slow suspense buildup twisting your guts with fear the more you become involved in the story. 

I have been reading some camping/hiking horror lately and I have decided that I am not going anywhere hiking or camping even with taking friends as they are usually the first ones that get snatched so to keep them safe they can stay home and to keep myself safe so will I! :)

Though I thought this story reminded me a little of one of Nevill's other books "Cunning Folk" as there are some creatures in the book that are parallel to this book. The folklore setting is deep in this book as well though this story was more twisted. I found this story to be more creepier and spookier as there seemed to be more of a "fear factor" that slowly builds up as you read the book. 

The only reason that this book is not getting five stars is the length of being stuck in the wilds of Scandinavia for so long - almost the whole book is the friends trudging along through the backwoods hiking in fear. Though some stuff did happen along the way (not going into details because of spoilers) I felt that it took a long time to get to that point of something happening. 

Nothing really happens till about the 34% mark and then after that it just slowly moves along before anything else happens. Also this book has two parts - the first half of the book is the friends hiking through the wilderness in fear of the unknown and the second half of the book is totally something different as things come to light but in an odd way which I wasn't expecting. 

This book is little long in the tooth as I felt there was too much time spent in the wilderness before anything really happened, but all in all the book is a great one - now I need to track down the movie to see how well it holds up to the book. 

Attached is the author, Adam Nevill, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3381686.Adam_Nevill

Attached is the author, Adam Nevill, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Adam-Nevill/e/B0034PH9HA

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2107105645

Dracul by Dacre Stoker & J. D. Barker

 

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Five "Spooky & Suspenseful Vampire" Stars

Creepy Shivers! 

I am not going to do a taste as I am just going to share my thoughts of the book. 

Thoughts:

Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was freaking amazing! The gothic style writing and story was a total gripper! A small slow burn in the beginning of the book but that was to be expected as the book jumps back and forth between the past and the present as the world building is set up for what is to come. 

Most of the book is written like a journal from different points of view from the characters (Bram and his sister Matilda along with their brother, Thornley plus another character that shows up later in the book) within the story. I loved the journals more than anything as they just kept me saturated in fear. 

Fear you say?! Yes - this was one spooked out book! I consider myself hardcore horror but sometimes there are those books that seep under your skin and embed deep into your psyche with a slow buildup of unrelenting fear of the unknown. The visuals of what happens with each character made me feel that I was there with them. 

As much as I hate to say it, but I loved this book more than Dracula as this whole book just gave me the "heebie-jeebies" and I was having some crazy wild nightmares that involved vampires. 

If you want a book that will scare you out of your skin then you need to read this book! I would not read it at night as when the darkness seeps in around you then you might find yourself not alone as if you look in the corner of your room you just might find evil red eyes glaring your way! 

Highly recommend!

Attached is the author, Dacre Stoker, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2909175.Dacre_Stoker

Attached is the author, Dacre Stoker, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Dacre-Stoker/e/B097HJG9BC

Attached is the author, J.D. Barker, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8224327.J_D_Barker

Attached is the author, J.D. Barker, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/J-D-Barker/e/B005FCUYU4

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2763468018

Abra-Cadaver by Matt Drabble

 

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Four "Maniac Magician" Stars

Twists and Turns! 

A taste of what lies within:

Location: Denver Mills

Past:

It was supposed to be a fun filled time birthday party for "Tommy" who was turning 12. The party included not only cake, ice cream, and presents, but also a renowned magician - the Great Cosmos X a/k/a Arnold Trotter. 

Tommy and his best friends Dixon, McEwen, PJ, and Ally became curious about what kind of fun stuff was inside the van that belonged to the Great Cosmos X so they go check it out. They fiddled around with one of the props which made it not work properly causing something horrific to happen to the assistant of the Great Cosmos X landing him in a murder trial and being sentenced to prison - though no knew that the kids were even involved in the prop mishap.

Present:

Now the kids are all grown up and Tommy is coming back home to take care of his fathers estate. Upon his arrival, murders start happening in the small town of Denver Mills, which no one knows who it could possibly be until they find out that Arnold Trotter who was the Great Cosmos X has escaped the mental institution where he was staying.

A ticked off magician is on his way back home to Denver Mills and he has all kinds of tricks up his sleeves! Bodies are piling up and no one knows when it is going to end!

Thoughts:

This book captured me from the first chapter and took me on a thrill ride all the way to the end. Lots of twists and turns with fast pacing from the beginning of the book to the end! 

This book reminded me of the 80's horror slasher films and it definitely captures everything from that memory trip into time. The author throws in a big twisted surprise thrown near the end of the book which was unexpected and pulled the rug out from under me! 

Attached is the author, Matt Drabble, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6447741.Matt_Drabble

Attached is the author, Matt Drabble, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Matt-Drabble/e/B0089NFG8Q

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2146788468

Note: I read this book back in November 2017. 

Summer of Night by Dan Simmons

 

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Five "Supernatural Summer" Stars

Spooky Summer Vacation!

A taste of what lies within:

Setting: Elm Haven, Illinois - 1960

The school Old Central is steeped in mystery and it has also seen its last days as the old school is closing its doors and the kids will be going to a new school, so once school has let out for the summer - six friends are looking forward to having fun with not a care in the world, until something evil appears and their summer turns into something totally unexpected that they will each have to learn to face together. 

That is about all I can on a taste without giving away spoilers so you will just need to read the book if you want to know what happens!

Thoughts:

I loved the detailed information of the story and how the author weaves the story around you till it feels like you are experiencing what the boys and the town were going through.  This book reminded me a lot of Stephen King's book "IT" with the way the friends all stuck together and the coming of age feel as you slowly read what happens to each individual friend along with how they cope with the evil that settles itself into the town. 

The book was a slow burn but there was tons of suspense and mystery surrounding the school and the town. The book is definitely a masterpiece and it is one horror book that horror fans should read and add to their collection of summer time coming of age stories. 

Attached is the author, Dan Simmons, profile page from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2687.Dan_Simmons

Attached is the author, Dan Simmons, profile page from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Dan-Simmons/e/B000APQZD6

Attached is my review from Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2002276001