What I'm Reading, January Reading List #horror #zombies

 A New Year, so time to get posting again, right? I'll try to be more regular about it, I hope.

That  means it's time to talk books for the new year.

The Classics

One thing I'd like to do is read and reread the "classics" and books by classic authors.

To start, one book that's been staring at me from my bookshelf for a while is Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney. 

Funny, that I always liked the movie and somehow overlooked that Finney wrote the book! And I love Finney! I confess, his time-travel book, Time and Again is one of my long-time favorites. I also have the sequel, From Time to Time, along with several of his other books. I know, it's not a horror/monster book, but I'll probably still have to reread that series again, too.

The true classics, of course, are always good to turn to and re-read again:  

Dracula, Bram Stoker, 1897 (I try to re-read this occasionally.)

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, 1818

I Am Legend, Richard Matheson, 1954 (More details and different than the movie, of course.)

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886 (I don't think I've read this one, though I've seen the movie many times.)

* See more: 19 Best Science Fiction Horror Books

Some Modern-Day Ghost - Monster - Zombie Books:

 Infected, Scott Sigler - Invasions of strange alien creatures. This book is gripping and had me glued to the pages even with some truly horrifying scenes. One of the few books I had to read all three books in the series. Book 2: Contagious; Book 3: Pandemic.

The Infection, Craig DiLouie - A mysterious virus suddenly strikes down millions. Three days later, its victims awake with a single purpose: spread the Infection. As the world lurches toward the apocalypse, some of the infected continue to change, transforming into horrific monsters.

They Came With The Rain, Christopher Coleman - Came across this one and sounds good! It hadn't rained in months in the isolated quiet town of Garmella, Arizona where cell phones are forbidden. And rain wasn't in the forecast. Then one June night, a day after the opening of a massive sinkhole at the town's edge, torrential rain descends on Garmella.The rain brings relief to the town, but that's not all that comes with the rain. By morning, an ancient evil has consumed the town. An evil responsible for countless deaths and disappearances over the centuries.

We Will Rise, Tim Waggoner - (Pre-order, releases July 19) Sounds fascinating - spectral and other zombies?  In Echo Hill, Ohio, the dead begin to reappear, manifesting in various forms, from classic ghosts and poltergeists, to physical undead and bizarre apparitions for which there is no name. These malign spirits attack the living, tormenting and ultimately killing them in order to add more recruits to their spectral ranks. A group of survivors come together after the initial attack, all plagued by different ghostly apparitions of their own. Can they make it out of Echo Hill alive? And if so, will they still be sane? Or will they die and join the ranks of the vengeful dead?

What will you be reading?

* posts use affiliate links which may provide residuals

#A to Z Blogging: M for Magical Read, Magic's Balance!

  
* Go to Day 1

Today I'm featuring a "magical" read - a new book by fellow Wisconsin author Steve Rouse.

Steve is still an honorary member of my writing group since he moved further north and enjoys writing short stories in the science fiction genre - yes, with some occasional "monsters," too.

His first book, Magic's Balance, is a collection of fanciful tales, including: (The first, Hodag is a favorite, based on a legendary Wisconsin creature. I can't wait to read the rest!!)

• Hodag - Playing Fetch
• Huntress - Grove of Ancients
• Magic’s Balance -The Note
• Inspiration -Salt Lick - The Nothing
• When You Buy an Old House - The Gilric

About the Book:

What would you do when Magic picks you?

Magic’s Balance takes you on many journeys of imagination. Some will fill you with trepidation, while others can make you smile. Visit other lands and find new characters who experience their own fantastic lives through magic and the unexpected.

Jonah has known of his family’s secret his whole life. One day, a golden apple appears in their orchard and Jonah is whisked into the heart of that mystery… one that he must now fight to solve. What must he do in order to save himself and restore balance to the world of Magic?

Any story is but a snapshot of the lives of the characters within it. As one of the characters in my stories, the wizard Min’darr has led a full life. You have met him at its end. Did you wonder how he became a wizard? How has he come to be here, at this point in time? What part of his past has led him to want to share his magic? Would you like to know of his adventures? …his successes? …his mistakes? …his love?

 *** Get Magic's Balance here. 

Blogging A to Z: S for Shattered Lives #apocalypse #paranormal

Today is the Letter S in the A to Z Blogging Challenge

Today I welcome Rissa Blakely, author of the Shattered Lives series, 
beginning with Broken Dreams.

 The series includes:

Broken Dreams (Shattered Lives, Book One)

Awakened Desires (Shattered Lives, Book Two)

Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three)

Blind Faith (Shattered Lives, Book Four)

Full Circle (Shattered Lives, Book Five)

A Little Taste if Naughty (A Shattered Lives Short)

 

** Plus!! ** Something Unique:  - Coming this summer: 

Becoming Henry: Shattered Lives the Comic Issue #1  - yes a comic!  That sounds really cool! Keep watching the author's website for news.

Today's focus is on Broken Dreams, (Shattered Lives, Book 1)

Favorite Quote:

 

"I love you whole, and I love you broken." - Elaina

 

This quote is a thread throughout the five novel series, weaving the plot lines together. When I first wrote the words down, they hit me hard. In a way, it's a reflection of my life. Henry is a mentally broken man, full of fear that he will lose Elaina if he tells her the truth about his past. Even though she reaffirms her love for him, he still struggles with his worries.

 

Synopsis:

 

What would you do if an apocalypse broke out on your wedding day? Follow Henry and Elaina's journey as he faces the demons of his past, fearing what could be waiting at the next turn. Along with a ragtag band of survivors, will Henry and Elaina's mercurial relationship survive regardless of what staggers in front of them?

 

Excerpt:

 

I walked up to the truck door and opened it. “Henry?” He didn’t turn my way. “I’m glad you’re back.” I stepped up on the side step and brushed my fingers through his hair. He looked at me with bloodshot eyes. “Hey.” He swallowed hard. “Want to talk about it?” He shook his head. “Henry… It’s obvious something is really bothering you. Please, talk to me.”

I waited for a few seconds before I took his hand and guided him out of the truck. I decided to just take him somewhere he could have privacy, just in case he had another one of his epic meltdowns.

We sat in the barn, watching the rest of the sunset. I lay with my head in his lap. He played with my hair, staring blankly off into the distance. I wondered if it comforted him as much as it did me. It was quite some time before he even said anything.

“I’ve seen a lot of shit, Elaina, but today…” He swallowed, “today tops it.” He covered his eyes, pushing the heels of his palms into them, his body shaking as the silent tears poured out. I sat up and grabbed him. Holding him, rocking him, loving him.

“Henry, tell me what you saw.”

“I can’t!” he cried. “I can’t.” His shoulders shook as his silent cries turned into sobs.

“Shh…” I ran my hands through his hair, trying to comfort him. “I’m here for you, lover. I’ve got you.” I held him tight while he sobbed into my shoulder. It was difficult for me to witness. I hated it when he was so upset, he couldn’t string more than two words together.

Eventually, he calmed down enough to look me in the eye. What a mess he was. His eyes were red and swollen. He had bits of vomit and gore on his shirt. I held his face in my hands.

“Talk to me,” I whispered, then took his hands. “I want to help you through whatever is going on.”

“It was the most horrific, gruesome scene I have ever witnessed.”

 

** Check out the full list of A to Z blogs here.

 

** See all this blog's A to Z posts and links here.