March 2018 Group Read with Guest Author # 2, Jason Parent

[Mamalovestoread]

welcome :-) I haven't read this so very excited!

[Jason]

Kimberly wrote: "Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Well it's safe to say that no pandas were "harmed" in the making of this book. ;)"

No spiders, either :)"

:D Spiders, I don't have a problem with..."

That's definitely a good thing, but.. wait... what's that on your ear?

[Jason]

Martina "mamalovestoread" wrote: "welcome :-) I haven't read this so very excited!"

Welcome, Martina! Looking forward to your thoughts!

[WendyB]

I know already I'd never be in Clive's situation. I'd have seen those webs and paddled in the opposite direction as fast as I could. yikes!

[Jason]

WendyB wrote: "I know already I'd never be in Clive's situation. I'd have seen those webs and paddled in the opposite direction as fast as I could. yikes!"

That scene, unfortunately, spawns from a real incident. I didn't fall in and it was more of a spitting-out-web situation

[Kimberly]

Jason wrote: "WendyB wrote: "I know already I'd never be in Clive's situation. I'd have seen those webs and paddled in the opposite direction as fast as I could. yikes!"

That scene, unfortunately, spawns from a..."

Still better than landing (or crawling into a wheelbarrow full of) a nest of ants carrying their little white eggs, that someone unknowingly dug up and left by the door......

[Jason]

Kimberly wrote: "Jason wrote: "WendyB wrote: "I know already I'd never be in Clive's situation. I'd have seen those webs and paddled in the opposite direction as fast as I could. yikes!"

That scene, unfortunately,..."

Yep, my experience was just gross, not traumatizing. But I got a book out of it, lol. Story idea?

[Kimberly]

Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Jason wrote: "WendyB wrote: "I know already I'd never be in Clive's situation. I'd have seen those webs and paddled in the opposite direction as fast as I could. yikes!"

That scen..."

There is one written about my "issue"--nicely tucked away in a filing cabinet. :)

[Elke]

Hello, as I am currently reading the book I must of course join this discussion! :) Love creature stories and spiders are just so cool!

Only a couple pages in (16% I think) but already love it! Though I didn't like that Clive destroyed those presumably beautiful spider webs - but then again, the story would have been a short one without that scene, so I generously turn a blind eye on that one...

I loved the scene where Kyle's daughter observes the little spider sitting on her hand. It's rather fascinating how little children don't have that sense of revulsion yet. While it does make sense to instill a reasonable level of it in them for certain things, it's also a shame to see them lose it for silly reasons, e.g. a parent projecting their fear of critters.

What made my skin crawl was the clogged ear - had that a couple of times myself and it is a rather nasty experience, as well as the doctor's treatment of it *shudder*

[Jason]

It’s unfortunate how many things I would have done without a second thought in my youth that I won't do now, picking up spiders being one of them. Even to let one walk over my hand these days I have to remind myself that it’s harmless. Well, 9 times out of 10 it’s harmless, lol

[WendyB]

Jason wrote: "It’s unfortunate how many things I would have done without a second thought in my youth, picking up spiders being one of them. Even to let one walk over my hand these days I have to remind myself t..."

I live in an area with tarantulas and black widows and a type of brown recluse.... so yeah, not gonna happen to let a spider walk across my hand.
Maybe that's why stories about spiders really really creep me out.

[Jason]

WendyB wrote: "Jason wrote: "It’s unfortunate how many things I would have done without a second thought in my youth, picking up spiders being one of them. Even to let one walk over my hand these days I have to r..."

Yeah, those types of spiders are extremely rare around where I live, though we could still get a nasty bite.

[Jason]

Elke wrote: "Hello, as I am currently reading the book I must of course join this discussion! :) Love creature stories and spiders are just so cool!

Only a couple pages in (16% I think) but already love it! T..."

Oh, and if you love creature stories, i will have a new novel out next month that just might interest you.

[Elke]

Oh, and if you love creature stories, I will have a new novel out next month that just might interest you.

Sounds good! :)

[Kimberly]

In what hides within I really love the "banter" (view spoiler)[between Chester and Clive. Did you decide ahead of time that you were going to make Clive into such a sarcastic, comical character, or was that personality something that "evolved" as you were writing? (hide spoiler)]

[Jason]

Kimberly wrote: "In what hides within I really love the "banter" [spoilers removed]"

Clive is not exactly me, but a lot of how I see myself, (view spoiler)[ or at least the lesser qualities of me. And I get that lots of people don't like him - he's not overly likable. So that sarcasm was inherent. I hope the character evolves, for better or for worse, as the story progresses (hide spoiler)]

[Jason]

What an amazing weekend at StokerCon. I moderated a panel, and who walks in and plops down in the front row? Ramsey Campbell.

[Kimberly]

*GASP!*

[Jason]

Kimberly wrote: "*GASP!*"

Yeah, it through me off my game a bit, but when I recovered, I looped him into the conversation. What an amazing man with no detectable ego.

[Elke]

Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "In what hides within I really love the "banter" [spoilers removed]"

Clive is not exactly me, but a lot of how I see myself, [spoilers removed]"

Heh, I like the humorous aspect of the book, too. And that there is a second, more sincere storyline included, which makes a nice counterpart.

The scene where Clive visits Morgan after what happened to Derek and their reaction to it was weird. Maybe not so much for Clive, as he is not the most likable guy from the beginning, but I was surprised how Morgan 'seized the opportunity' rather selfishly, that seemed uncharacteristic for her and made me like her a little less.

I can't wait to learn more about Chester (view spoiler)[and why the hell she lives in spider form, as she hinted that originally she was not a spider. I hope that will be revealed later, as well as what her intentions are with Clive. (hide spoiler)]

StokerCon: what theme was the panel about? I only ever hear about those Cons, but other than 'Midlisters' I don't really have an idea how they work...

[Jason]

Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "In what hides within I really love the "banter" [spoilers removed]"

Clive is not exactly me, but a lot of how I see myself, [spoilers removed]"

Heh, I like the humo..."

Burke's "Midlisters" is one of my favorite short stories, though I've never seen anything like that happen in a convention restroom... yet. The panel was called "The Vital Importance of Tone" in horror literature, poetry, and film. A lot about how to use humor in horror - which is ironic because some people like the humor I use in this book, particularly with the doctors, while other can't stand it.

[WendyB]

I like the humor. :)

[Elke]

Jason wrote: "Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "In what hides within I really love the "banter" [spoilers removed]"

Clive is not exactly me, but a lot of how I see myself, [spoilers removed]"

Heh, I ..."

I do like the humor, it works perfect here. However, the doctors also frighten me, I hope I never have to depend on someone like that.

[Jason]

WendyB wrote: "I like the humor. :)"

Thanks, Wendy!

[Jason]

Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "In what hides within I really love the "banter" [spoilers removed]"

Clive is not exactly me, but a lot of how I see myself, [spoilers remo..."

I'm not really sure why I presented each doctor as sort of an ass. I don't have any ill will toward them, but I have had some with awful bedside manners. Sometimes the most book smart people lack social skills... maybe myself included (minus the book smart part).

I think all my work contains moments of dark humor, though none so much as this one and a couple of short stories. My next novel, They Feed, is the closest in feel to this, but much much much faster paced. My goal with that one is to have people zip through it, pause, and hopefully think, "damn, that was really good!"

Whelp, we can hope :)

[Kenneth]

Just started this one tonight and I'm about 15% in. I'm totally cracking up at the smart-ass banter of Clive's dialogue and thoughts.

[Jason]

Ken wrote: "Just started this one tonight and I'm about 15% in. I'm totally cracking up at the smart-ass banter of Clive's dialogue and thoughts."

Glad you're enjoying it so far, Ken!

[WendyB]

My tablet was acting weird for a day or two and I wasn't able to read anything on it. Starting working again yesterday and I was able to get to about 30%.
Loving it so far. Can't wait to see how the two story lines merge.

[Kimberly]

I have to say that Clive's sarcastic personality was an instant magnet for his character.....

And personally, I think there are some of those doctors out there... ;)

[Kenneth]

Kimberly wrote: "I have to say that Clive's sarcastic personality was an instant magnet for his character.....

And personally, I think there are some of those doctors out there... ;)"

Yep. Reminds me of a few doctors that I know that could use a good kick in the nuts for trying to be Mr Funnypants.

[Elke]

Finished...and loved it! (view spoiler)[I just knew there was something odd about Morgan, and Chester moving on to Victoria was a great ending which I could imagine as a sequel, though much more creepy with the way Victoria acted... (hide spoiler)]

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

[Elke]

Jason wrote: "My next novel, They Feed, is the closest in feel to this, but much much much faster paced. My goal with that one is to have people zip through it, pause, and hopefully think, "damn, that was really good!"

I researched the book at Sinister Grin and I like what I see!

P.S.: publication date isright on my birthday which I take as a sign that I must read this book ;)

[Jason]

Ken wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I have to say that Clive's sarcastic personality was an instant magnet for his character.....

And personally, I think there are some of those doctors out there... ;)"

Yep. Remind..."

I think I need to talk to Ken and Kimberly privately about those doctors you've dealt with - might give me some great character ideas!

[Jason]

Elke wrote: "Finished...and loved it! [spoilers removed]

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thanks, Elke! I'm glad you liked it. And more to come on that (view spoiler)[ sequel already in the works ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Jason]

Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "My next novel, They Feed, is the closest in feel to this, but much much much faster paced. My goal with that one is to have people zip through it, pause, and hopefully think, "damn, t..."

I'm excited about that one because it's pure horror. As you can see from WHW, most of my work crosses genres. They Feed is non-stop, ever-escalating horror.

[Elke]

More to look forward to! :)

[Red]

A sequel?! I'm excited!

And I'm so tempted to ask about the origins of Chester. I speculated a little, but I don't know if I outright want to know.

Will there be more snippets of her history in the next one?

[Jason]

Red wrote: "A sequel?! I'm excited!

And I'm so tempted to ask about the origins of Chester. I speculated a little, but I don't know if I outright want to know.

Will there be more snippets of her history in ..."

There will be more clues in the sequel. Chester's motive will be the return to her former self.

[Elke]

Jason wrote: "There will be more clues in the sequel. Chester's motive will be the return to her former self. "

That's what I would like to know as well. And Victoria is already a weird little girl, I wonder what will become of her with Chester...

Thanks to the mods and, of course, Jason for offering this (once again great) group read! Now I have to hurry to catch up to the other read, with that theme I couldn't resist joining both :))

[Jason]

oooh, let me know how Violet Eyes is too. My kind of book :)

[Elke]

Jason wrote: "oooh, let me know how Violet Eyes is too. My kind of book :)"

I'm about half way through, and it's getting serious now...the body count is rising faster, spiders and their "baby" flies are everywhere, houses are cocooned in huge webs, people become hatching grounds - it's great! The most gruesome scene so far was a cute little dog attacked by the bugs, that bothered me much more than the human victims :(

[Jason]

Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "oooh, let me know how Violet Eyes is too. My kind of book :)"

I'm about half way through, and it's getting serious now...the body count is rising faster, spiders and their "baby" fli..."

WHy do they always have to kill the dog! lol - sounds good, though.

[Kimberly]

Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "oooh, let me know how Violet Eyes is too. My kind of book :)"

I'm about half way through, and it's getting serious now...the body count is rising faster, spiders and their "baby" fli..."

Exactly! (I'd be fine if they'd spare the animals and throw in a few extra humans....) :)

[Jason]

Kimberly wrote: "Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "oooh, let me know how Violet Eyes is too. My kind of book :)"

I'm about half way through, and it's getting serious now...the body count is rising faster, spiders and the..."

I would have never guessed that from you pic ;)

[Kimberly]

Jason wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Elke wrote: "Jason wrote: "oooh, let me know how Violet Eyes is too. My kind of book :)"

I'm about half way through, and it's getting serious now...the body count is rising faster..."

:D

[Anne (w/ an E)]

I will be starting this tonight (finally!). Can't wait!

[Jennifer]

What a fun book! I'm about 30% in and I'm having a great time reading it.

My boyfriend is terrified of spiders so I'm not allowed to talk to him about it, but I have a chuckle to myself imagining him in Clive's situation. Wow, I'm awful aren't I?!!

I'm really enjoying the writing. Some of the story is really pretty funny and other parts are gross. The perfect combination. I'm looking forward to reading more tonight.

The reason my boyfriend is scared of spiders is because of his mother. She has an extreme reaction to all little creepy crawlies, flailing and screaming. So my boyfriend, his sister and his male cousin are all terrified.

A few months ago his cousin came to visit. I was upstairs and they were in the kitchen chatting. Then suddenly there was high pitched screaming and wailing going on. I dashed downstairs to find the cousin repeatedly punching boyfriend in the shoulder as he had a spider on him. I had to find it and take it outside.

Although I'm not scared of spiders I definitely wouldn't put myself in the position that Clive did. Is there anyone reading along that would? I can let a spider walk on my hand if I really have nothing to pick it up with, but spiders over here in the UK aren't harmful.

[Jason]

Anne (w/ an E) wrote: "I will be starting this tonight (finally!). Can't wait!"

Happy reading!

[Jason]

Jennifer wrote: "What a fun book! I'm about 30% in and I'm having a great time reading it.

My boyfriend is terrified of spiders so I'm not allowed to talk to him about it, but I have a chuckle to myself imagining..."

Most spiders where I am aren't harmful either, beyond an itchy bite. Other areas of the country have some nastier ones - funnel web, hobos, brown recluses, and black widows, to name some - and of course we have tons of myths fueling the fear.

But though they don't have much bite where I am, they do seem to take a liking to living inside my car door cracks and occasionally drop from my mirror

[Kenneth]

You knocked this one out of the park, Jason. Here's my review -

http://intothemacabre.com/2018/03/23/...