Welcome New Members! (Intro Thread)

[Robert]

Hello, I'm Robert from Missouri. I like to write weird books and short stories in the horror, mystery and thriller genres. My style is somewhat a hybrid of Hitchcock, Serling and King. I don't consider myself a professional writer, but more of a storyteller or perhaps a bullsh**ter. Writing is just a hobby of mine and all my short stories are always FREE to read. Other than that I'm just a simpleton from the Ozarks.

[Laura]

Laura from California. I'm a reader, not a writer, although I paint. You can see my ghost paintings here: http://zenbreeze.com/gallery_sale.htm I enjoy wandering cemeteries. Love paranormal books. I mostly listen to audiobooks, which enable me to read in some form while I'm going about my daily tasks.

[Robert]

Welcome Laura. Your paintings are really, really good!

[Laura]

Thank you, Robert :-). I'm looking forward to reading your stories.

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

Welcome Laura. Your paintings are really good. Robert does have amazing stories. I was honored to have read two of them. They are in this group under other topics. Check them out.

[Lisa, Le Poltergeist]

Laura wrote: "Laura from California. I'm a reader, not a writer, although I paint. You can see my ghost paintings here: http://zenbreeze.com/gallery_sale.htm I enjoy wandering cemeteries. Love paranormal boo..."

Great paintings. :)

[Lisa, Le Poltergeist]

I am Lisa, I live in Iowa with my two Chihuahuas.

I read a lot. Mostly horror, but love all kinds of books. I will switch it up if I get tired of one genre.

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

Hi Lisa. What kind of horror books do you like?

[Lisa, Le Poltergeist]

I like all different kinds of horror. Especially the kind that could really happen.

[Robert]

I'm with you Lisa. Horror for me must have a realm of probability like demonic possession, spirits,shadow people, re-incarnation and yes even aliens. Vampires, zombies and werewolves just are not my thing, but a lot of people are into it.

[Lisa, Le Poltergeist]

I read books about vampires and zombies, not werewolves so much, but I prefer the other types of horror.

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

I've never been a fan of zombies but I recommend one zombie book that blew my mind. Patient zero by Jonathan Maberry.

[Pamellia]

Hi, I am Pamellia Smith from Hamburg, Michigan. Robert invited me to join here, so I thought I'd check you guys out. Like so many other groups, seems like a lot of members, but few participants...which is fine with me.

I read one of Robert's books last year sometime and enjoyed it.

I do mainly read horror, more of the "mind" kind...lol...whatever that means, right. I'm not too much into blood and guts and really gross stuff. Having said that, I must say I LOVE Zombie Apocalypse books and I really skip over stuff in those books. I enjoy how the survivors survive. I suppose, I enjoy most any apocalypse books...Earth Abides being the first I read a few years back.


I recently discovered Valancourt Books. Valancourt Books is an independent small press specializing in the rediscovery of rare, neglected, and out-of-print fiction.

http://www.valancourtbooks.com/our-hi...

Recently read their re-published , all I can say, it's like no other Vampire book you have ever read. These are not the Vampires we normally read about. They are creatures of knowledge. I would recommend this to anyone enjoying horror or even a good fiction book.

I am now looking to borrow another Valancourt Book
.

My 2014 New Years Resolution was to write more reviews for the books I read. I have read 80 books this year and have written reviews for well over 90%.

[Pamellia]

I do want to make it clear that EARTH ABIDES (mentioned above) is NOT a zombie book!! LOL I believe 95% or more of the earth's popular dies from a virus, but they are dead and do not rise. Ha!

Yea, Robert. Now I have no excuse not to read your short stories!! You sent me an email a while ago and I have saved it thinking one day I'd get there. Now I see you are posting your stories here. My 26 year old son and some of his friends are stopping by tonight to have a bon fire at our home. I'm going to make a copy of your Camp Fire story and have one of them read it.!! It's going to be the price of using our back yard and also I'm (of course) going to make them some goodies!!! LOL I'll let you know what they think.

May God bless everyone's Sunday!!

[Robert]

Sounds like a lot of fun at your house tonight. Don't burn the Marshmallows or your house!

[Pamellia]

Robert wrote: "Sounds like a lot of fun at your house tonight. Don't burn the Marshmallows or your house!"

Oh, heavens! I'll try not, but those young adults do like their booze and whatever. So I better warn them.

I forgot to tell you guys I am a retired Pastoral Director of Liturgical Music for the Roman Catholic Church. I don't participate in paid liturgical work any more, but I have done some liturgical singing since I retired. Even prior to my retirement I read a lot.

In addition to horror I enjoy some Historical Fiction. Sir H. Rider Haggard has long been one of, if not my favorite writer. More modern writers, I enjoy Robert McCammon so much. The Five really spoke to me when I was feeling blue about retirement (albeit a totally different genre of music, still performers are performers) and
was probably the best book I've ever read.

[Robert]

Some of us old adults do like their booze and whatever also. I speak from a life time of experience. Lol!

[Pamellia]

Robert wrote: "Some of us old adults do like their booze and whatever also. I speak from a life time of experience. Lol!"

Ha! Ain't that the truth! I just hope someone brings a bottle of Tequila so I can take a swig. I really don't drink because of medication interference...lol

[Robert]

I thought Tequila was a medication! Throw the pills away and drink the Tequila.

[Thomas]

Hello, I am Tom from Arizona. Retired now so I have plenty of time for reading, sci-fi is the favorite. Wrapped up in the tv series now "The Strain" which I read last year. Spot on from the book so far and the ick factor is really high. Seems to be more graphic then I remember. Also reading a thrilling series from Nathan Farrugia about enhanced warriors.

[Pamellia]

I can't handle the rats in THE STRAIN. I read the first novel in the series and was a wee bit disappointed. I've watched the first 3 episodes of the TV series and once again, the rats. ewww

Hi, Thomas! I'm retired also. More time to sit and read I suppose. However, I read a lot when I worked, also.

[Kathy]

Hi Everyone, My name is Kathy and I come from MA. I love anything that is Paranormal, from books to tv shows as well as investigating homes/business with the paranormal group that I currently belong, as well as living in a 1700 year old home with a few spirits as roommates. Thanks for the invite Robert!

[Robert]

Wow! I bet you can tell us a few good tales from your paranormal group experiences. I'm sure other members will be picking your brain. Their all kind of weird you know.

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

Hi Kathy! I would love to hear more about you and your house, it sounds so interesting. Welcome!

[Lanie]

Thanks Robert & Aileen for this new "room"... I look forward to getting to know the other scaredy cats... Just getting back into reading, we moved over the summer. Our twins start Kindergarten in a few weeks - new school, new town, new home... All recipe for disaster for 5 year old boys! I do generally review books I've read. The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian and 14 by Peter Clines, I have to admit creeped me out a little bit. Both main characters moved into a new home/apartment building. In light of parallel experiences, I wondered how I'd react if I found the things that were in those two books. I have reviews of both books on goodreads, if anyone is interested.

[Lanie]

Hi Kathy,

I'm in MA as well. We just moved to Southborough - about 40 minutes west of Boston. Your house sounds fascinating. I love New England - so much rich history here.

Lanie

[Robert]

Everyone please make an attempt to introduce yourself, if you haven't already done so. Were just curious where your from, and that your really not out on parole from those grisly murders back in the nineties. If you are a dull, boring person that has nothing interesting to say about yourself, make something up that makes you look cool. That's what the rest of us did!

[Lisa, Le Poltergeist]

I have introduced myself before, but that was a while ago, so here I am again for the new members.
I am Lisa, I live in Iowa with my two Chihuahuas. I grew up on a farm, I have always loved to read, will read most anything, but mainly horror.
Welcome to all and happy reading. :-)

[Sharleen]

Hi All,

I'm Sharleen and I live in Hertfordshire in England with my boyfriend and my two gorgeous little kittens, Pennie and Perdie.

We have just redecorated and I am now the proud owner of a shiny new reading nook under the stairs! I'm like a little troll under a bridge but I don't care - I love it!

I have just finished reading strange highways by Dean Koontz - and I LOVED it!! I can't believe that this was my first Dean Koontz book, like where have I been?

I love anything horror, especially supernatural or paranormal.

Nothing better than reading about something that goes 'bump' in the night!!

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

Hi Sharleen. There's one Dean Koontz that's my favorite, it's called The Watchers. I think you'd enjoy it.

[Sharleen]

I've just ordered The Watchers from Amazon :o) Thanks for the tip.

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

I've known adult men who were scared so badly they couldn't sleep at night after reading Koontz' Whispers.

Whispers

Oh, and a welcome scritch or two behind the ears for Pennie and Perdie. :)

[Sharleen]

Oh wow!! That sounds right up my street! I'm ordering it this very minute.

Good job I have the cats to keep me company...

Although they do sometimes do that stare-at-something-for-ages-even-though-there-is-nothing-there

[Robert]

You have spirits in your house. Your cats can see them but you cannot. It maybe a shadow person or a black mass attached to the ceiling. Just kidding! You may have ants.

[Sharleen]

Just kidding? LOL

*dashes upstairs and hides under the covers*

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

Nah... it's just that cats are strange. I have my three inside-only girls and 9 semi-ferals who live out in my workshop in the backyard. Cats probably think humans are pretty strange, actually. ;)

[Mike]

Hello, all!
I'm brand new, but have enjoyed reading your posts-most normal in view of the group. I live in Kansas with my wife, a Maine coon cat, and 30 hummingbirds. (Wife inside, cat and birds outside)Have loved the horror genre since I was a wee lad. Always looking for the best novel I haven't discovered yet. Exciting!

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

Hi Mike! Welcome here. :)

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

Hi Mike. Welcome, great to have you.

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary]

Hello everyone, I'm Billie from Iowa. Although I'm not too much into the horror genre as I was back in high school,(was mad with Knootz, King, and McCammon) I still like a good scare once in a while.

[Aileen, #1 Scaredy Cat]

Billie, why were you mad at Koontz, King.....?

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary]

mad for them

[Wendy]

Okay, I'm Wendy from Ozark Missouri (pronounced Misery). I have watched and/or read horror since I was very young. I write poetry, and have written some short stories. Just getting back into writing stories again. I'm just around the corner and down the highway from Robert Roberts. We Ozarkians love a good scary story, whether it's oral history, books or movies.

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

There's something about dark, cold, forested mountains that elicits wonderfully creepy stories from folks. I have connections to the Appalachians (North Carolina). There is a long tradition of story telling in them thar hills. ;)

[Wendy]

Yep here too! The play/book "The Shepard of the Hills" was written here and is still performed in Branson.

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

I love the Ozarks, too. I traveled through there as a child with my parents on two or three vacations. My dad loved those marathon summer driving vacations back in the mid-60s. Ah... those were the days!

[Robert]

Some that haven't been to the Ozarks have the impression that we are a scene from DELIVERANCE. Not all of us cook meth and smoke pot from corncob pipes, but then some of us do, or write goofy stories.

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

Cook meth? Don't you hillbillies still make sour mash down in that back 40?

[Susan Jo]

Hi everyone! Thank you for the invite Robert. My name is Susan Jo and I reside in a very small town in SE Kansas, not too far from the Ozarks. "Shepherd of the Hills" is one of my favorite books as is the area it is set in. I love ghost stories, real and fiction, and am a certified paranormal researcher and investigator. I have not been able to do any investigating though since my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4 years ago but I still like to read about them.

[Eric, The Crypt Keeper]

The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright

Looks like an interesting book. :)

Welcome here, Susan Jo. I'm very sorry to read about your husband's situation. Stay strong for both of you during this time and the times to come.