Dora Esquivel's Blog: Ancient Bond: Masters and Servants, page 19
June 26, 2019
GOOSEBUMPS!
Original 1993 Summary
Make a Wish!
Samantha Byrd is a klutz. An accident waiting to happen. She’s the laughingstock of the girls’ basketball team. And that mean, rotten Judith Bellwood is making her life miserable on and off the court. But everything’s about to change.
Sam’s met someone who can grant her three wishes. For real. Too bad Sam wasn’t careful what she wished for. Because her wishes are coming true. And they’re turning her life into a living nightmare!
[image error]GOOSEBUMPS – Be Careful What You Wish For by R.L. Stine
The WishMaster
This time into the realm of wishes and what can happen when we are given what we think we want. I remember discovering this book and one of my guilty pleasure horror movies at about the same time.
It struck me as really odd since both dealt with the same theme and context. The horror series was WishMaster and while yes a Wes Craven film; it isn’t the first one that comes to a fans mind.
WishMaster dealt with the realm of the Djinn and one specific Djinn is particular. The Djinn, played by the fabulously talented and easily recognizable Andrew Divoff, only wanted one goal and that was to free his kind from their prison.
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He set about this the only he knew how which was by horrifically mangling the wishes of the user until they made the wish he wanted them to make. It has always been a favorite series of mine, even though Mr. Divoff was only in the first two movies as the Djinn.
Now in Be Careful What You Wish For, we follow protagonist Samantha Byrd as her life is about to change. She has met someone who can grant her wishes for real but definitely not in the way she expected! Instead of a dream she has fallen into a nightmare, and it doesn’t seem like she will wake up soon.
The Story
Samantha Byrd is 12 and extremely tall, one of the tallest in her class. Somehow along the line her rival Judith honed in on this and poor Sam’s ability to stumble, and has made her life miserable with her teasing.
The book opens up to two examples of this and your heart really goes out to Sam. It is easily to relate to being scared someone can not only see our flaws but call us out on them directly.
Thankfully she has someone to help her through it, Cory, the other tall person in school and her best friend. He tries to ease her mind about Judith but when the final nail hits the coffin in Home Ec, Sam goes at Judith with all she has got. Separated and told to blow off steam, Sam keeps thinking that if she had three wishes they would all be to destroy Judith.
[image error]GOOSEBUMPS – Be Careful What You Wish For by R.L. Stine
Especially when incident after incident keeps happening not only in Home Ec but at basketball practice and the fake apologies start to add up. Little does Sam know that soon enough she will get the chance to make her wish come true.
On the way home that night she helps a strange woman on her way home. Clarissa tells Sam that she is so grateful for her kindness that she wants to repay her with 3 wishes.
Dumbfounded and unsure Sam says the first wish that comes to mind, she wants to be the strongest player on her basketball team. After the words are spoken she leaves and chaos shortly follows.
Slowly things begin to unfold and Sam learns just how precarious her words can be. Her wishes are coming true but not in the way she wants or expects. As the tagline states “It might come true.”, and that is what poor Sam has come to find out. Readers be wary, this tale is simply scary!
[image error]Goosebumps Novels by R.L. Stine
Conclusion
This one has really good memories for me but upon reading it again, I have seen the theme done better. It is great for a giggle and it has some moments where you would be scared but it doesn’t hold a candle to some of the other works of Stine’s where fear is front and center.
I give it 7 out of 10 though for the feel good memories and for overall being a good tale. One of my very favorite tales is next in lucky number #13, Piano Lessons Can Be Murder, join me next time readers! And remember, Practice!
June 24, 2019
The Ohio Reformatory
No Difference and No Exceptions
Ohio is no different. There are several within the state itself and none of their histories are kind.
Filled with strife, murder, abuse, and other various forms of violence—in fact in the Ohio Penitentiary 322 inmates were killed the night the building caught fire. Wrought with horrible events, it is not hard to imagine why they are among some of the most haunted places in America.
[image error]Ohio State Reformatory
The Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio is one of the most haunted prisons in the United States. It is reportedly so haunted that even the road leading up to it is considered haunted.
I found multiple accounts of a woman named Phoebe Wise that is reported to walk the road. She was considered bold, outspoken, and unafraid to taken on a man in an argument. She even unintentionally killed her long-term boyfriend during an argument.
Many Other Ghosts
However, that fate would later be turned around on her when she was killed by men who assumed she was rich despite her living conditions. She walks the road to this day dressed in bright clothes and stands over 6 feet tall.
There are other various ghosts in the Reformatory—Arthur and Helen Glattke are said to still reside within the apartment they occupied when they were alive. There is also a 14-year-old boy who wanders the basement, and many other ghosts trapped in the chapel where guards repeatedly tortured inmates.
[image error]Ohio State Reformatory
If there was ever a place religion was rarely found, it would be the Ohio Reformatory. There are so many experiences reported by people, that I simply do not have room to place them all in one article!
A Hollywood Past
Hauntings and poltergeists aside, the living love coming to visit and explore. Located in Mansfield, Ohio, The Ohio Reformatory was the set for the movie The Shawshank Redemption. There are tons of guided tours where you can explore parts where the movie was filmed, as well as tours where actors and animatronics bring the halls to life in a way only they can!
Gory and Gore Awaits in The Beast by Dora Esquivel
#1 Best Selling in LGBT+ Horror Fiction! But first…
Who Is Dora Esquivel?
Dora Esquivel has been on her own since the age of sixteen years old 16. She considers herself born a rebel.
She grew up on the border of the American State of Texas and the country of Mexico. Dora had many adventures in her military career in the AirForce. She traveled the world and yet, kept her dream of writing alive.
Dora has many various journals that she kept. Each of them, filled with written stories that now needs to be worked on and step in the world of literature. She has now reached a point in her life where she wishes to dedicate herself to her passion for writing. With many stories in her head, Dora believes her imagination can’t leave her alone.
Get your copy of THE BEAST on Amazon!
While listening to 80s music when not writing, you can also find Dora either exercising. She loves taking care of her family, as she has a full house with her mother, husband, two sons, and dogs. She keeps herself busy and well surrounded.
[image error]Dora Esquivel
However, do not categorize Dora as a happy go lucky author. This author prefers the dark side of literature, where horror, gore, and sexual encounters meet one another. There is nothing more luring than the darkest of creatures dragging you into its hell.
A regular writer for the paranormal webzine, Gothic Bite Magazine, Dora has also participated in various anthologies and projects. She has a few novels out, her latest being, The Beast.
To keep up with Dora, join her website mailing list and follow her on Gothic Bite Magazine!
Now, The Beast Awakens
The hunters become the hunted in this thrill ride of dark terror and steamy mad obsession.
Remi Dumas, a local detective, is reluctantly partnered with the mature, more experienced FBI field agent Elias Suarez.
It happened when a string of mutilated corpses starts showing up near the Louisiana swamps. As a result, a serial killer once known as The Beast, who terrorized the community by targeting young men for years resurfaced.
[image error]The Beast – Hunters and Killers – Criminal Delights Serial Killers by Dora Esquivel
Furthermore, there is an odd feeling that Remi might know who the notorious serial killer could be. Then, the moment Remi recognized the victims’ carving in their flesh were the same as those found on his older brother’s body, Rene, twenty years ago, the case becomes personal.
When the tables are turned, and The Beast moved his obsession with Remi, it was clear Detective Dumas would need to push himself to his own limits. In other words, he had to make it out of this investigation alive to avenge his brother’s death.
As Remi searched throughout his past to his present for clues to the murderer’s identity, he must fight the delightful distraction before him. In this case, the mature and irresistibly athletic FBI Agent, Elias who was sent to help him solve the case.
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In a world where killers hunt under the cover of darkness, Detective Dumas must rely on his steamy partner. While he’s not sure he can trust him to help drag a murderer in the cold hard light of day, Remi must face his unresolved issues from his past.
Mature Audience Only
WARNING: This is a dark, M/M novel with high heat. The content shows explicit violence, gore, and disturbing themes. It is NOT intended for all audiences; reader discretion strongly advised.
This book is part of CRIMINAL DELIGHTS. Each novel from the anthology is a standalone and contains a dark M/M romance.
WARNING: These books are for adult readers who enjoy stories where lines between right and wrong get blurry. High heat, twisted and tantalizing, these are not for the fainthearted.
Can’t Get Enough?
Well, good news! There is a secret for you: A special edition of The Beast is in the making to be available to everyone on Labor Day Weekend! Don’t believe us?
Dora Esquivel is attending the Heather Graham’s Writers For New Orleans event from August 30th to September 1st, 2019 at Hotel Monteleone in Louisiana!
[image error]New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet Dora in person and get your signed copy of, The Beast!
The OCD Vampire,
A.D. Wayne
Looking For A Haunted Castle?
However, there is so much more to a haunted castle than those few categories. Sure, there are castles that are FULL of royal ghosts, and they can be found easily with a Google search.
So Many Ghost Stories
Why do we love a good haunting? Everyone loves something that is going to cause the hairs on their arms to stand up. Whether you believe in ghosts, or just love to read a good ghost story – then this is something that you are going to LOVE!
When you begin traveling, you are going to discover that every place has stories. Each has a piece of history that is going to evoke those feelings of loss. After all, that is where true ghost stories start.
Visit a battlefield, read through old letters or diaries, or just find someone that has lived there forever, the historical society is a great place to start, and as questions.
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You are going to find more than your share of ghosts in any town that you travel through. However, castles are where some of the best-known stories take place. Let’s take a quick visit to a few that are sure to give you that spooky feeling!
The London Tower
If you want a huge ghost-fest, then you must visit this location. The Tower has been the last residence for hundreds over the years. While many royals used to spend the night in the Tower before their coronations, there is a darker side to the residence. It has been the last stop for many who were on their way to the executioner’s block.
The story of Anne Boleyn is one of the best known, but there are so many more. Beneath the gleaming white walls, torture, despair and death were common. This is not the idyllic home that many would wish for, and for the doomed souls that went into the Traitors Gate, one can only imagine the terror that they were feeling.
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The spirit of Anne Boleyn has been reported to have been seen, carrying her head underneath her arm. The two missing princes have also been said to have been seen, still playing on the ramparts where they once had happier moments. Visit here and see what type of ghosts you might run into! There are many to choose from – just be careful to not be left alone anywhere!
The Highlands of Scotland
Scotland has a full cacophony of ghosts. The bloody history of Scotland has left many unwilling to wander out of doors alone at night. Now, if you want a tragic ghost story, head on over to Aberdeenshire.
It is said that one of the ladies, a Blanche Drummond was killed so viciously that her blood could not be removed from the staircase that she was pulled down. Now, the stairs have undergone some renovations, but it is said that the blood does reappear at times, and there is nothing that can be done to remove it.
[image error]Scotland – Stirling Castle
While you are wandering around the countryside, there are many castles that can be visited, each with their own special visitors. But Stirling Castle is another that must be placed on the list of the ultimate spook fest. This castle has been active for a very long time, with a retinue of famous royals in and out of its hallowed halls.
There are reports of servants looking for their masters, and of course, we cannot forget the bloody history of Scotland. This Castle was said to have been almost impenetrable, but that does not mean it was not attempted. There are tales of soldiers, one complete in a kilt, seen wandering the grounds and halls of the castle.
[image error]Castle Fraser – Scotland
One of the castles in Stirlingshire, has some younger guests in residence. Heartbreakingly, there were two children who died during a fire, and it is said that their spirits still reside waiting for someone to come back for them. They can be heard running through the castle halls, playing.
What About Ireland
We cannot forget to add Ireland to the list! Ireland is the home of some of the best hauntings. Clonony Castle is one that is a MUST! While this was built back in the time of the Tudors, it has quite a history around it. Get ready for some spine-tingling horror.
There is a spot called the murder hole that is located within these halls, and one can only imagine the horror that went on in there!
[image error]Clonony Castle – Ireland
Leamaneh Castle is rumored to be among the most haunted places in the world, and this one screams of terror and ghosts. The woman who owned the castle was rumored to quite a few husbands, the number creeps into the twenties, and each one of them was murdered.
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She was eventually killed by some of the townspeople, but her ghost is rumored to still wander the grounds and the halls of the place she once called home.
So Many Hauntings
As far as castles go, this list could go on forever. Murdered husbands, children killed for gain, wives and mistresses who were taken care of, prisoners, and so much more – the ghosts are just waiting for a chance to tell their stories.
There are many who are searching for something, or someone, and they spend their time just waiting for the right person to set them free. As long as there is breath, there will be ghosts and ghost stories.
June 22, 2019
Jane Jordan New Release of Whisht Hall
Who is Jane Jordan
Jane was born in England and grew up exploring the history and culture of London and the surrounding counties. After some time spent in Germany in the 1990s, she immigrated to Detroit, USA, eventually settling in South West Florida.
She returned to England after a fifteen-year absence, to spend six years in the South West of England living on Exmoor. Here, inspired by the atmosphere, beautiful scenery and the ancient history of the place, she wrote her first novel, Ravens Deep. The next two books, Blood & Ashes and A Memoir of Carl, completed her gothic vampire trilogy.
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Jane is a trained horticulturist, and spent time working and volunteering for Britain’s National Trust at Exmoor’s 1000-year-old Dunster Castle.
Gaining more insight into the history and mysteries surrounding these ancient places, and having always been intrigued by the supernatural, inspiration came for her fourth novel, The Beekeeper’s Daughter, combining the age-old struggle between good and evil with the passion and romance of the characters she creates.
Jane Returned to Florida in 2013 and lives in Sarasota with her family.
Whisht Hall Summary
After losing her father, Amy Derneville travels to remote Whisht Hall on Dartmoor, the home of her step-uncle and three step-cousins. Far from being close, her cousins have unresolved rivalries, and one possesses an odd and destructive power.
After an eventful outing to a dangerous tor and haunted wood, Amy does not know whom to trust, and the cries from of the legendary Whisht hounds shatter her nerves completely.
[image error]Whisht Hall by Jane Jordan
As the mystery of the family starts to unravel, her uncle is murdered on the moors. Fearful that she could be next, Amy flees to New Orleans and a strange house in the middle of the black-water swamp–where lies some dark fragment of a past she never knew.
Drawn into the world of voodoo, she uncovers the shocking truth of her family as she is propelled toward disaster. Now, Amy must return to England and face an adversary who means to destroy everything she holds dear.
New Releases
Jane Jordan is an amazing author with more than one novel under her belt! Check her out on her Website, Facebook and other social media. To show your support, don’t forget to Like, Comment, Share, and leave her a Review! You won’t regret it.
[image error]Whisht Hall by Jane Jordan
Don’t forget to stop by Amazon to get your copy!
The OCD Vampire,
Alexa Wayne
June 20, 2019
The Horrifying Definition of Monster
Monsters of History
The definition of the word monster is one we attribute to many subjects. Moreover, we can call a person a monster for their actions, responses, or appearance. Ultimately, a monster could be in the eyes of the beholder.
What each of us finds individually attractive doesn’t mean it pleases the masses. What was beautiful in the Renaissance might not be so today. However, have the word monster lose its meaning over time?
[image error]Social Media Era
When one thinks about a monster, does he see the shape of a human male, female, or a being of the paranormal dimension? The word itself, subjective to one’s thought, might be more than we think.
A Monster Origin
When it comes down to the etymology of the word, ‘monster’ from moneo meaning, ‘warn.’ The word monster comes from late Middle English, borrowed from French, ‘monstre.’ As a result, the French people adapted it from its Latin origin, ‘monstrum.’
Monsters have a heritage in their history. Either it is from religion or mythology, monsters possess an origin of their own. As an example, the Greeks and Romans saw monsters as divine displeasure. Consequently, they perceived congenital disabilities or malformations as ominous.
[image error]Raven
In Ancient Rome, monsters were not always an abomination. A bird’s ability to fly was to some monstrous. Of course, we wonder why back then they would think such a thing. Their logic was that it went against nature. However, it reminds us how far we have come.
The negativity associated with the word monster coincides with philosophical meanings. The word is representative of horrific sightings. Just as well, it can be of unknown origin to the witness.
[image error]Medusa
There are ‘monsters’ in mythologies such as Medusa who are a representation of delicate beauty. Her status in Greek mythology is so that the line between monster and divine is thin. Another way to see it is that maybe it was their representation of beauty and power could result in corruption.
The Monsters of Fiction
When speaking of monsters, we all have our favorites. It goes from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’s Monster to Bram Stoker‘s Dracula. The classics of all time vampires, reanimated body parts, zombies, mummies, witches, and blobs.
It is needless to say that our monsters of today come from the inspiration of earlier writings and findings. While we made mummies monsters, in Ancient Egypt, the process was nothing but monstrous. The unknown is what often determines our reaction to the sighting or revelation.
[image error]King Tutankhamun
When it comes to witches, their overall look often depicted as ugly with big noses and flying on a broom is far from the truth. Because the Clergy wanted people to despise witches, changing their appearance to one that is monstrous, encouraged people to hate them based on false appearances.
Zombies are part of great intriguing folklores. Mostly from African origins, brought to America through dark times of history, the Voodoo religion took a turn in the Southern States and picked the curiosity of anthropologists and botanists. As a result, investigations rose the possibility of the zombified powder African Voodoo could produce.
[image error]Voodoo Markings
However, when it comes to vampires, their origin goes back millennia in humankind’s history. Their existence is almost part of every country, mythology, and folklore in the world. It is quite impressive and raises many questions. Because of its ever-growing popularity, vampires are part of many genres and subgenres of fiction.
Once A Monster
Despite some creatures seen as beautiful, they do remain in the monster category despite their best effort. There are more human monsters than there is furry moon changing beings.
[image error]Psycho Knife Silhouette
Furthermore, if you look at our history, monsters are those who conquer instead of exploring. As far as I know, no mummies crossed the Atlantic to settle in Florida. Monsters are subjective, and their history only the more fascinating.
June 5, 2019
Alleged Vampire Witch
Debunking History
Throughout human history, the word vampire spread around the world since the dawn of humankind. Legends and myths from different civilizations nowhere near connected, share the same type of creature. Originally meaning: forceful bite, in my cultures, the creature itself seems to share common grounds. Its number one being the taste for blood.
We can blame the existence of vampires on the lack of knowledge around the deceased. Often people that were dead were accused of vampirism. Recently deceased people would show blood around their mouths, bloating, blush, and growth of hair and nails.
[image error]Highgate Cemetery – London – England
Today we know those signs are typical and the bloating is due to build-in methane and other gases, nails and hair keep growing after death for several days, and blood rushes against the skin. All of those, quite normal reactions. Back then, not so much.
Curiouser and Curiouser
The legends of vampires throughout medieval Europe didn’t seem to pose a threat like witches and werewolves did. During the time of the inquisition, vampires were present in the folklore, yet, we only hear about the witch hunts and werewolf huntings. What is it about vampires that didn’t get as much attention?
When Gothic Bite Magazine held their 300 Years of Witch Hunt in the Vol. 1 of their Halloween Special, nowhere did the word vampire come up. We are talking about pre-modern times. Witches, hunted by the hundreds and yet, no vampire in the horizon. While doing research, I thought about True Blood and how vampires were actually in power in the church itself so that they could ensure their enemies to be persecuted and not the other way around.
[image error]Gothic Bite Magazine Issue 1 – Kindle Cover
It almost makes sense.
Well, vampires became more popular following the end of the witch hunt. Their popularity gained after the infamous Salem Witch Trial. The New England Vampire Panic. It seems like every so hundred years a paranormal being would be a target by ordinary people — someone to blame for bad weather, disappearance, plagues, and what not.
The Vampire Witch
In Venice, Italy, in the year 1550, a woman lived and was found in 2006 by archeologists. She had a stone forced in her mouth, dislocating her jaw. It was an exorcism method known to end a vampire. She is an “alleged vampire” or so is the declaration of the forensic archeologist, Matteo Borrini when the skull made its public appearance in 2009.
Borrini explained that in Italy, during the time of plagues or spreading diseases, often tombs would be reopened to drop in more dead bodies. Those were times of massive burials. Often, gravediggers would see decomposing remains and confused purge fluids—bloating mentioned above, and blood, hence the myth of vampires.
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Adding the corpse’s mouth looking like it’s been chewing on its shroud, and you have a vampire panic. Many believed, in Medieval times, that vampires were responsible for plagues. The shroud-chewing being their way to infect people. That is how the ritual of putting bricks or stones inside the mouths of alleged vampires came to life.
While doing scientific research, this particular 16th-century woman’s remains showed sign of a lower-class diet — no traces of animal protein, mostly vegetables, and grains. More in-depth analysis of her DNA even supported the fact that she died between the age of sixty years old and seventy years old. That fact alone raised some questions.
[image error]Pagan
Women in medieval Europe at the time of the witch hunt were not expected to live long. The belief of witchery went as far as stating that witches were capable of cheating death. A woman of this age would have raised brows at the time.
It is most likely that while alive she went through accusations of being a witch and a vampire after her death.
The Child-Eaters
In the 1500s, lifespan usually revolved around forty to fifty years old. However, do not believe all people died in their forties, that would be untrue. It is mostly due to people surviving their childhood. That is the line to cross. Once a child survived its childhood, often they would reach their sixties.
[image error]M0013388 T. Colley, The remarkable confession…
Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images
images@wellcome.ac.uk
http://wellcomeimages.org
The drowning of an alleged witch (Ruth Osborne), with Thomas Colley as the incitor.
The remarkable confession and last dying words of Thomas Colley
Colley, Thomas
Published: –
Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
However, when it comes to our alleged witch-vampire, we’re talking about an older woman during the 300 years of witch hunting. Middle Age Europe, often misogynistic, linked older women to witchcraft. This was because of the assumption of them being widows, poor, lonely, weak, and more.
The idea alone, prone men to say those women succumbed to temptation by evil to become witches in exchange of wealth, sex, power, and of course, beauty. How convenient. When the witch hunt was at its prime, mist 16th century to the mid 17th century, over a hundred thousand people, men, women, and children suffered medieval imprisonment. Out of those hundred thousand people of all sexes and ages, sixty thousand died. We call it the Dark Ages for a reason, however, those centuries represent the: Renaissance. How quaint.
[image error]The Salem Witch Trial
While Italy was not half as bad as Austria or Germany, many countries in Europe believed witches ate children, hence the tale of Hensel & Gretel. Add to this the “zombie flesh-eating” belief of vampire, and you have this old woman’s skull stuffed with a stone in her mouth.
Everyday Woman
Once the investigation on the skull ended, a 3D Artist reconstructed the face of the sixty or so, older woman. She happened to be quite healthy and no sign of paranormal anything. The forensic archeologist confessed his sadness because he believed she was a vampire due to many boxes she checked.
[image error]Vampire Skeleton
Back then, life was harsh. Your neighbor could accuse you of anything if he or she didn’t like the way you looked or walked. Many met their deaths way before they should have because of the witch hunt.
However, now we know that people only received accusations of vampirism when dead. So, witch by day and vampire by night?
May 29, 2019
All Dark Places: A DSP Anthology — Compiled by J.E. Feldman
A Book Review
If you want a good book to make the hair on
your arms stand up, pay attention. I love a good horror read. I need something
that is going to make me want to sleep with the lights on at night, with a
baseball bat, just in case. This book did not disappoint!
There are five stories, five short reads that are going to give you the chills! I can’t give you the entire plot, but I will do my best to give this book, and the stories, some justice.
Dark Secrets and Hidden Pasts
By: Hui Lang
When you make a pact with evil – you must be prepared for anything to happen. One woman is about to discover the true cost of this pact – and of course, what might befall one who does not fully follow through with their end of the bargain.
My Thoughts
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This one was good, but sort of fell flat in a few places. It seemed stretched, and some of the characters not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Overall it was decent – it definitely made the hair on my arms move just a little bit.
The Cursed Mirror
By: Anna Sinjin
There is nothing better than a little gift, especially when it comes from the one that you love the most in the world. But when that gift harbors a dark secret, you might secretly think that you are losing your mind! Discover the nightmare that one young woman finds herself in, just because of the CURSED MIRROR.
My Thoughts
So this one was really good. I truly enjoyed this one – the hair on my arms stood on end more than once! Oh, my goodness, I think I was thankful at that point that it was NOT dark outside, and that I could read it in the comfort of the sweltering heat outside. I promise, this is one story that you are not likely to forget anytime soon.
[image error]Horror in the Woods
Once In A Lifetime
By: Simon Dillon
Ghosts from the past might pop up when you least expect them, but sometimes those ghosts are often left better untouched. One gentleman is about to learn the hard way what happens when you forget painful memories of the past – even if those memories do not affect you in particular. As he struggles to get back to his family and out of the nightmare that he woke up in, stranger things are happening to him during the day… just what does that presence behind him want??
My Thoughts
OMG! This one was WOW. I felt like I was LIVING the story – which is probably not always a good thing. I could feel his desperation, the desire, and then at the end…. Well you are going to have to read that for yourself. But this one is even BETTER than the last one!
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The Harrison Farm
by: A.M. Cummins
When you find your dream home, its best to not poke in certain places. Finding the perfect house is not easy, but when one falls into their lap, this young couple is going to learn the hard way that secrets do not remain buried, and sooner or later, the truth is going to come out. As Emma pokes more into the history of the home, and the sadness that is felt, she knows that there are secrets still hiding. She is not prepared, however, for the changes that seem to be taking over their family. Can they survive their dream home, or will the dark secrets swallow them?
My Thoughts
I LOVED THIS ONE! Is it possible for sections to get better as you read through? Well, this one just hit me on so many levels. Be prepared for rolling emotions, crazy thoughts, and of course – that one eccentric character that just pulls the story together. I can’t tell you the entire plot – I must leave you to discover that for yourself, but I can tell you – DO NOT READ THIS IN THE DARK! There, you have been warned.
[image error]forest
The Mark Of The Spider
By: Hui Lang
Murder. But not any sort of death that anyone is used to. This one has the police scratching their heads, leading to Detective Price coming onto the case. As he tries to figure out who killed one of the wealthiest residents in San Francisco. But as Detective Price delves deeper into the case, it might turn out to the one of the most challenging ones yet…
My Thoughts
well anything that has to do with spiders is a NOPE! I cannot stand them. So, from the start, my skin was already crawling. I will not say that it got better during the course of the story. Oh, my goodness, I don’t think I have ever moved as much as I did reading this one! If you want something to give you actual feeling of creepy crawly, this story will do it! Please take my advice, a little warning if you will. If you detest spiders, tread lightly. This one will have you jumpy and scratching all over the place. Worth the read, but you might want to jump through the shower when you finish!
[image error]Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Overall
Alright, now that we have gone through each story, are you ready to dive in? I wish you happy reading, and of course, many sleepless nights! Read these stories at your own risk. You have been warned! May your nightlight be stronger than the shadows…
Rebecca Hill
May 28, 2019
GOOSEBUMPS! Welcome To Camp Nightmare
Original 1993 Summary
The food isn’t great. The counselors are a little strange. And the camp director, Uncle Al, seems sort of demented. Okay, so Billy can handle all that. But then his fellow campers start to disappear.
What’s going on? Why won’t his parents answer his letters? What’s lurking out there after dark? Camp Nightmoon is turning into Camp Nightmare. For real. And Billy might be next…
A Monster Mask Surprise
We enter this world through the eyes of Billy, our 12 year old, who is making his way to camp for the first time. On a bus with eighteen other boys and 4 girls, the boys are all set for the Camp Nightmoon while the girls are heading in a different direction.
[image error]GOOSEBUMPS – Welcome To Camp Nightmare by R.L. Stine
As the story moves forward the kids get their first taste of fear when the bus driver springs quite a nasty surprise with a monster mask. They have made it to what seems to be the stopping point for the bus.
Just Where Are We?
Billy gets his chance to start learning more about the kids that are on their way to their summer vacations as well. He learns from the girls, Dawn and Dori, that there are two versions of Camp Nightmoon, one meant for boys and one for the girls.
As they get their stuff situated at what seems to be a wait station, Billy gets quite the scare when the bus takes off, and the driver without a word leaves the kids there.
[image error]
Soon the kids are surrounded by what seem to be demented prairie dogs and all hope seems lost until a gunshot by Uncle Al scares them away and the kids get their true introduction to Camp Nightmare.
The girls get dropped off first at their camp and the boy get unloaded and sent to their cabins. From there it is a worst case scenario of lame camp consular, snake bites, bears. The weird part is everyone keeps making weird statements, emphasizing that this camp is different.
[image error]Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
Very different. In the night there are shrieks coming from a Forbidden bunk and something really bad is looming over the camp.
Both camps it turns out, the girls are experiences the same weird instances at their camps and when there are multiple disappearances of campers just gone, they band together for better or worse to figure out what is
after them.
Conclusion
As a Sci-Fi nerd this one made me really happy with the twist ending. It is definitely not one you foresee coming unless by chance you are a fan of the Predator series.
[image error]Goosebumps Novels by R.L. Stine
Then it gives you a few chuckles. Overall I loved this one over a reread and it was an enjoyably unpredictable tale. Horror mixed with a dash of Science Fiction, a perfect mix. Enjoy Boils and Ghouls and see you
next time!
May 27, 2019
Gothic Bite Magazine Interviewed Rayna Crimson
Who is Rayna Crimson?
I am a 35-year-old mother of three. I grew up in the small rural town of Mount Airy, Maryland and later relocated south to Alabama with my husband and then later back to Maryland.
[image error]Rayna Crimson Author Picture
Follow Rayna Crimson on Facebook !
Aside from writing my other passions include my family, music, and my career as an Assistant General Manager of a hotel local to me. I always imagined as a child that I would grow up to pursue a career in music, but I used to write short stories in a spiral notebook throughout my school years.
The Interview
ALEXA WAYNE (A.W.): When did you find out you would want to write novels?
RAYNA CRIMSON: Honestly, I never thought that I would pursue writing as a career. I think as an author we are often too hard on ourselves and doubt that our stories are good enough to publish.
I sometimes have a habit of letting my own self-doubt hinder my aspirations, but that is something I am working through one day at a time.
My first novel was a story that I had started five or six years ago after my creative wheels began turning. I was watching an episode of The Vampire Diaries, one about Siphoner witches and I caught myself thinking, what if? How about?
[image error]The Succubus Bond by Rayna Crimson
What if this caused this to happen, so on and so forth. I started writing and then life got busy. I picked it back up over a year ago and finished it. Even if people don’t like it, I am proud of it. It was my first step in following
a dream.
A.W.: You mentioned to me your work, all set in paranormal or Gothic settings, would you let our readers know why you are more attracted to that genre?
RAYNA CRIMSON: I think what attracts me to the paranormal genres and sub genres is the versatility of it all. You can research fables, legends and myths and come out with a believable story or you can make up every last detail and still come out with a masterpiece.
A.W.: When writing about paranormal, do you do research and if so, how far do you go?
RAYNA CRIMSON: My main characters are from Ireland, so I did have to do some research on Celtic myths and creatures, Celtic symbols, and even traditional Celtic vows, but as for the main story line, I made it up.
I just felt for this particular story; research would have taken away from it. I have a work in progress that I have to do a lot of research for. Truthfully, I think it depends on the book.
A.W.: What is most important to you when writing your novels?
RAYNA CRIMSON: The most important thing to me is creating characters that you either love or despise, maybe a little of both.
It’s important to me to try to make my story as believable as possible so my readers can actually feel what my characters feel as if they are living in the moment with them.
A.W.: Which authors influenced your writing?
RAYNA CRIMSON: I read so much by so many authors but if I have to choose the ones whose writing has influenced me the most it would be Jeaniene Frost, Susan K Hamilton, Gena Showalter, and Laurell K Hamilton.
A.W.: Which of your novels is your favorite and why?
RAYNA CRIMSON: This is a hard question to answer. I have to say my favorite one to have written so far is, Different Breed of Witch. I always said that I didn’t like stories where there was an immediate attraction or relationship between the two main characters, but with this story it was vital to the storyline.
Everything seemed to just fall into place with this one whereas with The Succubus Bond, I really had to work for it. My current work in progress titled, Purgatory, I think could take the spot as my favorite once it is completed.
A.W.: Do you believe in the paranormal, by that I mean in hauntings, that there are creatures out in the wild that we still don’t know the existence of?
RAYNA CRIMSON: I absolutely believe in ghosts. I don’t believe that experiencing their presence is as common as people say, but I do believe they exist.
I worked at a restaurant as a dishwasher and it before it was a restaurant it was a psychiatric facility for women and children. There was a lot of crazy things that happened there during my shifts that none of us could explain.
[image error]A Different Breed Of Witch by Rayna Crimson
A.W.: What what made you decide to be self-published?
RAYNA CRIMSON: Right now, I am self-publishing. Like so many Indie Authors I have started this dream with nothing to my name. When I picked my writing back up, I was a stay at home mom with no money to my name.
I started out doing my own editing and then when I moved back to Maryland from Alabama, a good friend of mine offered to edit my work
for me.
I have since managed to put some money into cover designs, writing apps, and marketing but not as much as I one day hope to.
A.W.: What sets you apart from other paranormal authors and Gothic authors?
RAYNA CRIMSON: Um, I’m not sure exactly. I don’t know that there really is anything that sets me apart from anyone else.
A.W.: What can readers look forward to in 2019?
RAYNA CRIMSON: While I don’t have an exact release date yet, my third installment of The Saraid Maddox series titled, Purgatory will be releasing this year
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Ancient Bond: Masters and Servants
Centuries ago Lucien's family and pack were slaughtered and betrayed by family. Lucien was then enslaved for five hundred years by the demon who killed ...more
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