Southern Bones

by A.J. Brown

Welcome to the South. Recognized for its traditions, beliefs and hospitality. The people are genuine and a helping hand and a home cooked meal are never too far away.

Welcome to the South. Where some traditions are better off forgotten. Where some beliefs are based, not on the Bible, but on what men want you to believe. Where behind the hospitable smiles are angry snarls trailed by the feral snaps of rabid people.

Welcome to the South. Where a house stands lonely on a hill, its owner a man deformed by life. Where children aren’t quite as naïve as they appear. Where the darkest secrets are found within its families, and where dying sometimes isn’t the end.

Welcome to Southern Bones, a collection of eleven short stories from the mind of A.J. Brown.

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2012

About the author

AJ Brown is a storyteller who pens emotionally charged/character driven stories that often include a touch of dark paranormal. His work has received such honors as a Pushcart nomination, and editor's choice for Issue #12 of Necrotic Tissue. Bards and Sages Quarterly, Liquid Imagination, and Midnight Echo are a few of the literary zines where his stories can be found.

Above all else, AJ is a husband and father of two beautiful children who not only support his creative endeavors, but also provide inspiration (sometimes in rather unexpected ways).

If you'd like to learn more about AJ Brown's life and work, visit his blog: Type AJ Negative. However, beware, AJ is a unique mixture of strawberry Kool-aid drinking redneck and traditional values Southern gentleman. The only things he takes seriously are serious things and he isn't one of them.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are twists and turns galore in this amazing collection of short stories by A.J. Brown. The characters are well defined and the stories flow as your mind takes you through many emotions. Love, hate, laughter, pain, hope, despair and terror. He writes of the good and bad in people, the beauty and harshness of the world and the joy and devastation of love and loss that happens to us all. What you take from each story will be different from what others do. To me the stories gave me thoughts of treating people kindly even if they're different, enjoy the beauty of life even during terrible times, never let anyone try to change you to their way of thinking, believe in yourself and possessions are just that, don't let them become obsessions. I have read most if not all of A.J. Brown's books and highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys great story telling. Well done A.J. Brown and I'm looking forward to reading more of your great stories.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, the writing is amazing. Most anthologies are a bit hit and miss; there were only one or two stories in this one that felt a little weak. Overall though the stories were quite varied and entertaining and I was drawn right in. There were just a couple of little typos (it should be moat, not mote)which is a pet peeve but I am so glad I grabbed this book and I will be seeking out more by this writer.

[Lindsey Goddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern Bones in an engaging collection from beginning to end. The characters are well-written. You will forget they are works of fiction as you view the world (and its many dark secrets) through their eyes. No two stories in this collection are alike. This book offers a ton of variety from a strong voice in horror, and all for an extremely fair price on Kindle. I highly recommend it!