Glenn Rolfe's Blog, page 11
June 19, 2017
(Review) CAVERN OF THE DAMNED by Russell James
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Broke and desperate, paleontologist Grant Coleman gets the chance of a lifetime exploring a long-sealed cave, the fabled home of a gigantic creatures.
NPS Ranger McKinley Stinson discovers a rancher’s prize bull has been butchered by an airborne killer, and tracks the blood trail back to the re-opened cavern. But as she’s about to arrest the trespassers, the unstable roof collapses, trapping all.
Their only way out is at the cave system’s far end. But an eco-system of terrifying mega fauna stands between them and freedom. Death, double-crosses, and a slew of monstrous cave creatures take their toll as the group battles to what they pray is an exit.
Will anyone survive this cavern of the damned?
MY REVIEW:
Cavern Of The Damned by Russell James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
James at the top of his game!
From start to finish, Cavern of the Damned is a thrilling, well-written, kick ass piece of dark fiction.
James crafts real characters to life and places them next to impossible pre-historic creatures. Part The Descent, part reality TV, Cavern of the Damned delivers big.
One of the most fun stories I’ve read this year and a top 5 contender for best horror novel of 2017.
Highly recommended!
I give CAVERN OF THE DAMNED 5 stars!
June 16, 2017
June 9, 2017
FULL MOON FRIDAY: BLOOD AND RAIN 99 CENTS!
GRAB YOUR 99 CENT COPY HERE:BLOOD AND RAIN (eBOOK)
PRAISE FOR BLOOD AND RAIN:
“Rolfe draws on the work of Stephen King, particularly “Cycle of the Werewolf”… (and) hits his mark whenever he buckles down to describe a killing.” – Publishers Weekly
“With slashing claws and blood-soaked fur, Glenn Rolfe’s novel will have you howling in terror and delight. A welcome addition to the werewolf mythos and proof that we’re in the presence of a rising star in the genre. Highly recommended!”–Ronald Malfi, author of December Park and The Night Parade
“A major new talent rises from the Maine woods…Rolfe is the real deal, and Blood and Rain is a classic monster novel, full of blood and teeth and the kind of razor sharp writing that makes the pages sing. Small town horror is back, with a vengeance!”–Nate Kenyon, award-winning author of Sparrow Rock, Diablo: Storm of Light and Day One
“Many authors nowadays get lauded for writing ‘throwback’ horror fiction, but none of them quite goes the distance like Rolfe does in Blood and Rain. Werewolves, silver samurai swords, and small New England towns: it all makes you wish this was twenty years ago so you can take the paperback off a supermarket spinner-rack and huff the yellowed pages.” – Adam Cesare, author of Zero Lives Remaining and The Summer Job
“Rolfe is the real deal, folks, and anything he writes is well worth checking out.” – Gord Rollo, author The Jigsaw Man and The Crucifixion Experiments
“Brutal, tension-fueled and captivating…Blood and Rain is the best werewolf novel I’ve read since Jeff Strand’s Wolf Hunt.” — Horror After Dark
“A monumental piece of horror fiction.”- Horror Underground
“It’s Silver Bullet on speed!…a mix of early Stephen King and Bentley Little…” – Aaron J. French, author of Festival, and The Dream Beings
“Wow! Easily one of the best werewolf books I’ve ever read.”- Hunter Shea, author of We Are Always Watching, and The Montauk Monster
“We have a great villain to root against, and heroes to cheer for. Many more experienced, more celebrated writers could learn from Rolfe. If you Love werewolves, you’ll love Blood and Rain.” – Brett J. Talley, author of He Who Walks in Shadow
[image error]“A vital part of this generation” – Brian Keene, author of THE RISING
Glenn Rolfe is an author, singer, songwriter and all around fun loving guy from the haunted woods of New England. He has studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University, and continues his education in the world of horror by devouring the novels of Stephen King, Jack Ketchum, Hunter Shea, Brian Moreland and many others. He and his wife, Meghan, have three children, Ruby, Ramona, and Axl. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness.
He is the author of Becoming, Blood and Rain, The Haunted Halls, Chasing Ghosts, Boom Town, Abram’s Bridge, Things We Fear, and the collections, Out of Range and Slush.
June 1, 2017
GET ROLFED: UPDATE CITY
Hey, ho, Let’s go!
Okay, so I’ve been on the DL for the last few weeks. Here’s what’s up:
The Print Edition of BECOMING will make its way to Amazon/CreateSpace later this week.
Jason Lynch has done a wonderful job with the cover and the overall look of this one. Thank you, sir!!!
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I’m also hard at work on finishing up FOLLOW ME DOWN, my next novella that will be available in print EXCLUSIVELY at Scare That Care IV.
As soon as that’s finished, I’ll be diving back into the sequel to BLOOD AND RAIN and then finishing up my (already) completed 4th novel, THE WINDOW.
For all my GET ROLFED HORROR CLUB members… I have another EXCLUSIVE eBook short story coming your way at the end of summer.
If you want to get in on the GRHC, leave you email address in a comment or private massage it to me here, on Twitter, or Facebook. Or you can email me: glenntheory@hotmail.com
For you GRHC members that only do print, I have something special in mind for this fall.
There will be a number of anthology announcements coming shortly, as well.
STAY TUNED!
I also wanted to take time to share a review for CHASING GHOSTS (Sinister Grin Press, 2016). It is always great when your vision is realized, but that gets even better when someone else receives the same feeling and joy reading what you wrote:
“In both the dedication and author bio of CHASING GHOSTS, Rolfe cites Richard Laymon (among others), who will always be one of the undisputed kings of the slasher horror. If Laymon were still around to read this novella, he’d approve. Reading CHASING GHOSTS reminded me of when I was younger – staying up all night watching slasher flicks, and reading Leisure horror paperbacks. And that is a fine thing. I thought this title was the perfect length, as it was just long enough to get the creeped out juices flowing, but didn’t try to drown me in those murky juices by including anything not relevant. Fast paced, a good read. 5 stars!” – Amazon Verified Purchase Review
Grab your copy of CHASING GHOSTS here: http://mybook.to/ChasingGhosts
ICYMI
The cover for FMD
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May 25, 2017
(REVIEW) THE BOULEVARD MONSTER by Jeremy Hepler
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I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT ME
You say that I am a madman. You say that I am dangerous. You say that I am the one who has been abducting women, slaughtering them, and burying their corpses all around this city for years. You are wrong, because only part of that statement is true…
I AM NOT A KILLER
I know that you probably won’t believe me. Not now. Not after all that has happened, but I need to tell my side of the story. You need to know how this all began. You need to hear about the birds, but most of all, you need to understand…
I AM NOT THE BOULEVARD MONSTER
The Boulevard Monster by Jeremy Hepler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
THE BOULEVARD MONSTER by Jeremy Hepler is a nice swing for the fences debut novel with an original story, great characters, and some tense moments. Hepler’s writing is easy to follow and definitely shows signs of better things to come. He does a great job constructing the plot, making it believable, and executing a number of wonderful scenes. There were a number of moments where he strings you out, pushing your nerves until they’re on the verge of fraying, and then brings it home with some surprising twists.
The main character, Seth, is likable and you feel for his plight throughout the novel. It definitely makes you wonder what you would do in his situation. Hepler does a terrific job putting together Seth’s life—his past and his present—endearing him to you even more.
What didn’t hit on all cylinders for me, and something often found in debuts, were a few chapters that felt redundant, where we’re shown the same sort of thing over and over in an attempt, I assume, to add to the tension. I think the story would have been a bit tighter, a bit stronger with a few of these cut out.
Overall, a very good first novel. I can’t wait to see what Hepler offers next.
I give THE BOULEVARD MONSTER 4 stars!
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Follow along the tour with these hashtags:
#TheBoulevardMonster #bluebirds #birdsofhorror #BloodshotBooks
The Boulevard Monster
by Jeremy Hepler
Bloodshot Books
Pub date: April 7, 2017
A debut novel you won’t want to miss!
The Boulevard Monster , Synopsis –
I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT ME
You say that I am a madman. You say that I am dangerous. You say that I am the one who has been abducting women, slaughtering them, and burying their corpses all around this city for years. You are wrong, because only part of that statement is true…
I AM NOT A KILLER
I know that you probably won’t believe me. Not now. Not after all that has happened, but I need to tell my side of the story. You need to know how this all began. You need to hear about the birds, but most of all, you need to understand…
I AM NOT THE BOULEVARD MONSTER
Purchase –
And it’s available at other online retailers too. Plus, ask your indie bookstore to order for you or tell your local library about it!
Jeremy Hepler, Biography –
Native to the Texas Panhandle, Jeremy Hepler now lives in a small rural community in central Texas with his wife Tricia and son Noah. Throughout his life, he has worked jobs ranging from welder’s hand to health care assistant, but writing has always been his passion.
Jeremy is a member of the Horror Writer’s Association (HWA) and is currently working on his second novel, Demigod Dreams. In the last five years, he has had twenty-four short stories published in various small and professional markets, and in 2014, he placed second in the Panhandle Professional Writers Short Story Competition. You can contact him via Facebook or Twitter (@jeremyhepler) where you will find links to his blog and Amazon author page.
Want to Feature?
If you’re a book blogger or media site and would like to feature Jeremy Hepler or review The Boulevard Monster, contact Erin Al-Mehairi, publicist, at hookofabook@hotmail.com.
May 15, 2017
Cover Reveal: Follow Me Down
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FOLLOW ME DOWN is a novella of supernatural revenge.
Special release: July 21, 2017
More info to come…. stay tuned!
May 2, 2017
People have opinions. You’re an artist, it comes with the territory. Deal with it.
ICYMI
I posted this earlier on Facebook:
Just so everyone knows, just because a number of people who read my works enjoy them, that doesn’t mean I think I’m some amazing writer. I’m still at the beginning of my writing career. I have a long way to go to reach the place, the writer I’d like to be. I do share my great reviews, also some of my bad, but that doesn’t mean I buy into my hype. I write stories I like to read and create. If you guys like ’em, cool. If not, that’s cool, too. Thanks to everyone who willingly spends time with my words. I appreciate it. Keep reading! Cheers!
This was the response from several Facebook friends:
Writing is one of those things you never stop learning how to do.
You should be proud and be able to share all the good things that come with…
View original post 605 more words
May 1, 2017
(REVIEW) WE CAME BACK by Patrick Lacey
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Growing up dead.
Melvin Brown sees things that aren’t there. Monsters with tentacles and razor-sharp teeth. Ever the social outcast, he is bullied to the point of suicide. And his hatred of those who did him wrong does not die with him.
One decade after Melvin’s death, something strange is happening to Lynnwood High School’s smartest and most popular students. They begin to act out and spend time at the former high school, now abandoned and said to be haunted. And their numbers grow at an alarming rate.
Is this just a passing fad or are the rumors true? Does Lynnwood really have a teenage cult on their hands?
(REVIEW)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
WE CAME BACK is the second novel from Patrick Lacey. After reading his novella, A DEBT TO BE PAID, his collection, SLEEP PARALYSIS, and his debut, DREAM WOODS, I thought I had this guy figured out. I assumed he was gonna slip into a comfortable little spot a lot of horror writers find themselves in and stay there. And he could, but Lacey doesn’t seem to care for complacency. He’s eager, he’s productive, and guess what? He’s pretty damn good. His previous works showed promise. WE CAME BACK delivers on that promise, and I’d be willing to bet that it’s just a hint of things to come.
WE CAME BACK isn’t just a great horror novel, it’s a horror novel with depth. Multiple characters deal with loss throughout, and find themselves figuring out how to move forward. The problem is that, in Lynwood, there may be no future. A past incident at the old Lynwood High School sets into motion the eventual troubles that spring up in town in the present. The Lynwood Vampires, a new and ever-growing clique of honor roll students gone all Marylin Manson, are upsetting expectations and smearing their darkness across this quiet little town. Are they just a pack of good kids going through a rebellious phase, or is there more behind the black outfits and sudden change in moods?
Lacey does a wonderful job drawing these characters–their hurts, their losses, their frustrations, and their faults—on his way to delivering a fantastic piece of horror fiction. The emotional undercurrent is what pulls this dark story along. Lacey crafts and executes some wonderfully frightening scenes throughout and does not disappoint in the blood and carnage department, a playground he’s proved himself as adept at running as a chambered bullet exploding your brains against the wall.
Incorporating pain and heartache with touches of humor, and pound-after-pound of fear and creepiness, Lacey proves that scars are not the exclusive property of weathered vets. Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re not paying attention to Patrick Lacey yet, now is the time, and WE CAME BACK is the book. This author is something special. Introduce yourself to his work now, you won’t regret it.
I give WE CAME BACK 4.5 stars!
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Follow along the tour with these hashtags:
#WeCameBack #monstersandcults #AmericanCancerSociety
**Patrick Lacey will be donating all his proceeds from this book to the American Cancer Society in memory of his dad, who lost his battle with cancer.**
We Came Back , Synopsis
Print Length: 354 pages
Publisher: Sinister Press
Publication Date: April 15, 2017
Patrick Lacey, Biography
Patrick Lacey was born and raised in a haunted house. He spends his nights and weekends writing about things that make the general public uncomfortable. He lives in Massachusetts with his Pomeranian, his mustached cat, and his muse, who is likely trying to kill him. Find him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter (@patlacey), or visit his website.
Praise for Patrick Lacey
“WE CAME BACK is an emotional trip through our darkest fears. One of the best books I’ve read in years.”–Kristopher Rufty, author of SOMETHING VIOLENT, DESOLATION, and JAGGER.
“The man’s imagination is incredible. A must read!!!!” – David Bernstein, author of A Mixed Bag of Blood
“It’s a rare and joyful thing for me to read a book and realize I’m in the hands of an author who can go absolutely anywhere, who works without a formula and without a net. Such is the case with this stellar debut collection.” – Russell Coy, author of The One Who Lies Next to You
“Patrick Lacey’s Dream Woods works a razor’s edge into an after school special.”
– Unnerving Magazine
Purchase Links
Also find at other online retailers like B&N, Kobo, Smashwords, etc. Also ask your local indie bookstore to order or ask for your local library to order it!
Want to Feature?
If you’d like to feature Patrick Lacey on your blog or site, or review We Came Back, please give Erin Al-Mehairi, marketing and publicity at Sinister Grin Press, a shout out at hookofabook@hotmail.com.
April 28, 2017
(INTERVIEW) A Quick Chat with Jeremy Hepler, Author of THE BOULEVARD MONSTER
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Jeremy Hepler is a new name to me. His debut novel, THE BOULEVARD MONSTER (2017, Bloodshot Books) is getting some great reviews, and I trust Pete Kahle over at Bloodshot. I’m getting ready to dig into the novel this week, but I had a chance to harass Mr. Hepler early. So, here’s how that went:
GLENN: Hi, Jeremy!
First off, congrats on your debut novel, THE BOULEVARD MONSTER. I’m getting ready to start it myself, but how about telling everyone where the initial idea for the story came from. Also, how close to the original idea did the final product turn out?
JEREMY: Thanks for having me, Glenn! The initial idea for The Boulevard Monster came many years ago when my son Noah and I left story time at the library. We stopped at a red light, and when I glanced to my left, I saw a couple of Hugh’s Construction trucks parked on a site where a new strip mall was being constructed. Three or four of the workers were standing by the truck, laughing and eating, but there was a separate worker off in the distance behind a porta potty, digging with a small shovel. The digger kept glancing at the others, and he appeared both paranoid and unhappy. I had been brainstorming ideas for an anthology I wanted to submit to so later that afternoon while Noah took a nap I started writing a short story I called For Love and Money. It was about the worker, his relationship with the other guys, what he could’ve been burying, and how that linked to why he looked so paranoid and unhappy. When I reached the 10,000 word mark, I knew it was too deep for a short story and I wasn’t confident to write a novel at the time, so I set it aside. Six years later, after I finished my first novel and wanted to start a second, I remembered For Love and Money, pulled it out, and took off with it.
When it comes to the blue jays on the cover, after I’d written the first three or four chapters, I knew something was missing from the story, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. Then one day when Noah and Tricia and I were chalking on the back porch, a blue jay landed on top of our A-frame swing. It watched us draw for a while before hopping down onto the cement right next to us. It stayed for an hour before flying off, seemingly playing a game of cat and mouse when Noah chased it around. Over the next week or so it came back, sat on the swing nearly every day, and watched us. We named it Mr. Blue, and while we were outside one afternoon, Noah, prodded by a slew of recent break-ins on our street, asked me, “Dad, do you think Mr. Blue protects the house for us while we’re gone?” A spark went off in my head, and I immediately knew that was what was missing from my story. That night I worked until dawn rewriting the first few chapters, adding blue jays into the story as the antagonist’s deliverers, watchers, spies, but more importantly, his companions.
In the end, the final novel turned out similar to the original idea, but there were some major changes I didn’t see coming until I got there. The birds were a big one and many of the side characters—Seth’s adopted daughter and dementia-ridden father, for example— were too. They didn’t exist in the original. Also, the ending turned out way different than I’d first imagined it would when I started the short story.
GLENN: I find that I learn things about my stories that I didn’t even realize I was putting into a character or situation, secondary themes. Looking back on THE BOULEVARD MONSTER, did you make any of these discoveries? Did you surprise yourself?
JEREMY: I did. An example that immediately comes to mind is that I named the fictional town my protagonist Seth lives in, Mercy—a name I actually pulled from one of my wife’s foreign exchange student’s names—not realizing until the editing stage that mercy was what Seth was searching for the entire time.
GLENN: I checked out your blog and see you like doing Top 5’s. Upon also reading that you’re working on a coming-of-age novel, how about Jeremy’s Top 5 coming-of-age horror books?
JEREMY: Thanks for checking out my blog! You’re one of the few Like many readers, I love coming-of-age novels. My top five, in no particular order, are:
1. December Park by Ronald Malfi
2. It by Stephen King
3. Ghoul by Brian Keene
4. The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon
5. The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton (I know this one is categorized as a mystery not horror, but it’s still a dark, thrilling, kick-ass coming-of-age tale.)
GLENN: What are you currently reading?
JEREMY: I’m late to the party on this one, but I’m currently reading John Dies at the End by David Wong. So far, I’m digging it.
GLENN: All right, last one: Would you rather…. Enter Thunderdome with Glenn Danzig or be thrown into the ocean with Jaws–your boat (and safety) twenty yards away?
JEREMY: I love heavy metal, grew up on Pantera, Metallica, Slayer, White Zombie, etc., and would therefore much rather enter the Thunderdome with Glenn Danzig than swim around with a blood-thirsty shark. I feel like I’d at least have a sporting chance at convincing Danzig that I’m a fan who spent hours of my youth riding around in cars jamming out to “Mother,” and that I’m a writer and love Poe, too, and that we should rock out together, discuss dark ideas for comics, not fight. In the ocean, there’d be no convincing Jaws of anything.
GLENN: Thanks for stopping by Jeremy. Anything you want to say to potential readers?
JEREMY: Thanks for having me. I’m a huge fan and feel privileged to be here. To potential readers out there: Please give my story a taste and see if you like it.
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Follow along the tour with these hashtags:
#TheBoulevardMonster #bluebirds #birdsofhorror #BloodshotBooks
The Boulevard Monster
by Jeremy Hepler
Bloodshot Books
Pub date: April 7, 2017
A debut novel you won’t want to miss!
The Boulevard Monster , Synopsis –
I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT ME
You say that I am a madman. You say that I am dangerous. You say that I am the one who has been abducting women, slaughtering them, and burying their corpses all around this city for years. You are wrong, because only part of that statement is true…
I AM NOT A KILLER
I know that you probably won’t believe me. Not now. Not after all that has happened, but I need to tell my side of the story. You need to know how this all began. You need to hear about the birds, but most of all, you need to understand…
I AM NOT THE BOULEVARD MONSTER
Purchase –
And it’s available at other online retailers too. Plus, ask your indie bookstore to order for you or tell your local library about it!
Jeremy Hepler, Biography –
Native to the Texas Panhandle, Jeremy Hepler now lives in a small rural community in central Texas with his wife Tricia and son Noah. Throughout his life, he has worked jobs ranging from welder’s hand to health care assistant, but writing has always been his passion.
Jeremy is a member of the Horror Writer’s Association (HWA) and is currently working on his second novel, Demigod Dreams. In the last five years, he has had twenty-four short stories published in various small and professional markets, and in 2014, he placed second in the Panhandle Professional Writers Short Story Competition. You can contact him via Facebook or Twitter (@jeremyhepler) where you will find links to his blog and Amazon author page.
Want to Feature?
If you’re a book blogger or media site and would like to feature Jeremy Hepler or review The Boulevard Monster, contact Erin Al-Mehairi, publicist, at hookofabook@hotmail.com.
April 24, 2017
(REVIEW) BLUE DEMON by David Bernstein
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When the meek need defending, they call on Blue Demon, a guardian of bloodshed and retribution. Its loyalty is forever, as long as you remain righteous. For those that oppress the demon’s flock, life grows short. It kills in the most brutal fashion, and maims those it most despises. It has no feelings, only loyalty and devotion for the ones it protects.
Of course, this is all from the Blue Demon television show and Cal Langston, Blue Demon’s biggest fan, knows such things can’t be real, at least not until the people who messed with him start dying in the most horrific of ways.
Frightened and not sure what to believe, he sets out to discover what is truly going on, and if Blue Demon is for real, does he want it watching over him?
First off, look at that freaking cover! Beautiful!
Here’s my review:
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a wonderfully entertaining and ruthless novella.
David Bernstein’s BLUE DEMON is about a blue demon action figure that holds the ability to exact revenge upon command. It’s a fun idea that Bernstein runs with and executes like a boss.
The main character here is Cal Langston. He suffers a horrible amount of shitty things in the 100-plus page story. There were multiple times I found myself saying, “Holy fuck, Bernstein!” There’s two scenes in the hospital that got me for different reason. The first shocked me, the second was just a perfectly executed horror scene. Great stuff.
I love how Bernstein’s twisted mind works. He has a vision and follows through fearlessly. I won’t give anything away, but even the most Sherlock of you readers out there are in for some surprises.
The blue demon’s viciousness might seem like a bad thing, but these people have it coming.
I give BLUE DEMON 5 stars!
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Follow along the tour with these hashtags: #BlueDemon #SinisterGrinPress
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Biography of David Bernstein
David Bernstein is originally from a small town in Upstate New York called Salisbury Mills. He now resides in NYC and misses being surrounded by chainsaw-wielding maniacs and wild backwoods people that like to eat raw human flesh. He’s grown used to the city, though hiding bodies is much harder there. He is the author of Amongst the Dead, Damaged Souls, The Tree Man, Witch Island, Relic of Death, Apartment 7C and the forthcoming Episodes of Violence. David writes all kinds of horror, from hair-raising ghost stories to gore-filled slashers and apocalyptic tales of terror. He loves hearing from his readers. You can reach him on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/david.bernstein.3. Visit him at his website: davidbernsteinauthor.blogspot.com email dbern77@hotmail.com, or on Twitter at @Bernsteinauthor.
Praise for David Bernstein
“David Bernstein delivers a fast-moving tale of desire and destruction that gives new meaning to the words, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ Relic of Death twists reality and will leave you reflecting on your own personal Achilles heel long after you finished reading…” —Allan Leverone, author of Mr. Midnight
“A fascinating, unpredictable, ever-shifting tale of greed and desperation. Highly recommended!” —Jeff Strand, author of Pressure
“Fast-paced, cinematic, and excellent. Horror fans gather around, it’s time for another chilling tale from David Bernstein.” —Keith Deininger, author of Within and Ghosts of Eden
“A harrowing, brutal thriller, Skinner is Bernstein at his best!” —Peter Giglio, author of Shadowshift
Purchase Link
Check out Sinister Grin Press
