📚#Horror #ShortStories @ShelleyWilson72 Reviews The Broken Darkness by @tbraun_author for Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #TuesdayBookBlog

Today’s team review is from Shelley.

Shelley blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Rosie’s Book Review Team

Shelley has been reading The Broken Darkness by Theresa Braun.

Wow, what a debut!

Each story in this anthology was so beautifully written. You are pulled along with each character into their (sometimes) twisted worlds. The author has a talent for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and making you question everything.  

Braun has a wonderful voice for horror and never shies away from gruesome and descriptive scenes. Within the first story, you are set up for blood, gore, engaging characters, supernatural vibes, and tingles on the back of your neck.

As I read each story I thought I’d found my new favourite, but then I’d read the next tale and fall further in love with the ever evolving horror fest.

If you love unexpected endings, the supernatural, freaking out at graphic scenes, and anything creepy then you’ll adore this anthology.

I can’t end this review without mentioning the amazing cover art! A stunning cover for an excellent book. I can’t wait to see what this author does next. 

5 stars!

Book description

In her debut collection, Theresa Braun explores the inner workings of the human heart and what it is we most desire-forgiveness, acceptance, love, fame, or merely to escape who we really are. Whether we are battling ghosts, demons, mythical monsters, the past, or other dimensions, we are really facing the deepest parts of ourselves. These thirteen tales of horror and dark fantasy may appear to be a matter of good versus evil, but they are all a reflection of the hidden corners of the soul that are often shades of broken darkness. The characters in these stories must face their inner and outer terrors or else suffer the consequences.

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‘Every single one of us has an unlimited source of potential for personal growth’. @ShelleyWilson72 reviews #SelfHelp The 7 Questions by @theNickHatter

Today’s team review is from Shelley. She blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading The 7 Questions by Nick Hatter

This was the statement that hooked me in to The 7 Questions – ‘Every single one of us has an unlimited source of potential for personal growth – and the way to tap into this is not through following rigid advice or rules: it’s by asking the right questions.’ I’m not the kind of girl to follow rules, and if you ask my parents they’ll tell you I always ignored their advice and did my own thing! Okay, so this might have been true in my teenage years, but as an adult I still resist.

Following my own self-help journey has allowed me to ask important questions and reflect on the choices I’ve made over the years, and an opportunity to learn more about myself is always welcome.

I’ll start by saying The 7 Questions is one of those books you read from cover to cover and then dip in and out of when necessary. I found myself revisiting certain chapters when something in my day-to-day life triggered me. The author’s belief that self-awareness is key to our personal transformation is clearly evident in how he writes and what he shares.

As the title suggests, this book is divided into 7 chapters (questions) with ‘growth action’ sections at intervals throughout each chapter that helps you review and take action on what you’ve learned.

My personal favourite question was ‘Am I Running Away From Anything?’ (Chapter 3) as this was where I had a few revelations of my own.

Hatter’s conversational tone lets you explore additional questions and prompts without fear of judgement – something I realise is a fear of mine! The book takes you on a journey of self-discovery using the author’s knowledge and skills as a life coach to guide you through every step. It’s easy to follow and the growth actions are fabulous for reinforcing each lesson.

I especially liked the Challenging Catastrophising Exercise at the end of the book and have used this on a few occasions (and shared it with my daughter who is living away at University).

If you want to understand yourself better then I highly recommend you grab yourself a copy of The 7 Questions by Nick Hatter.

Do you feel stuck in bad habits, or wonder why you procrastinate, or why you keep repeating old patterns? You might not realise the answers you need are already within you.

Every single one of us has an unlimited source of potential for personal growth – and the way to tap into this is not through following rigid advice or rules: it’s by asking the right questions.

In THE 7 QUESTIONS, award-winning life coach Nick Hatter offers a toolkit that you can apply time and again for more clarity and continuous self-awareness whenever you feel you’ve lost direction in life. Each question will prompt you to search within yourself and address the bigger picture – from how you formed your opinion of yourself to whether your beliefs are serving you – and ultimately improve your self-esteem, confidence and emotional intelligence when the loss of a job, relationship or loved one brings you low.

Drawing on vivid examples from the cutting edge of psychology and the author’s personal experience, THE 7 QUESTIONS will help you discover your own unique answers.

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #NonFiction Writing Success by @susiekearley

Today’s team review is from Shelley. She blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading Writing Success by Susie Kearley

A great little non-fiction title that will become a helpful tool for writers interested in submitting freelance articles. There is plenty of information about tailoring your pitch, finding foreign markets, and a detailed chapter on how much to charge.

The author is a well-respected British freelance writer and journalist and has used her vast experience to provide a well-rounded resource.

For me, it was a delight to find two of my favourite authors sharing their personal experiences within the pages. Peter Jones played a pivotal role in launching my own writing career, and it was wonderful to read an open and honest account of his life and writing journey. Terry Tyler also features in a later chapter to share her wisdom on becoming a successful independent author. The case studies and author stories are a lovely addition to the book as it gives the reader a real-life perspective.

Although short, it certainly includes lots of information—a handy book to keep on any writers’ shelf.

This book contains inspiring stories of writing success, with hints and tips for making money writing. It explores opportunities in writing for magazines, how much to charge, and covers inspirational stories of people who’ve quit the day job and become full-time writers. Whether you’re interested in writing for magazines or writing books, fiction or non-fiction, there are inspiring stories here for you. 

The chapter breakdown is as follows: 
1: Introduction – Beyond Covid
2: Writing for Magazines
3: Targeting Foreign Markets
4: Community Journalism – Launching a Newspaper
5: How Much Should I Charge? 
6: Journalist’s Pay
7: Taking the Plunge! 
8: Peter Jones: Happiness Guru
9: Creating Works of Fiction: Inspired by the Classics
10: Karl Drinkwater: Writing in Different Genres
11: Injecting Humour into your Writing
12: Crime Writer, Dave Sivers Q&A
13: Lessons from Successful Independent Authors
14: 30 Years to Publication
15: From Book Deal to Independent
16: Marketing Yourself and Your Work

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #ParanormalRomance Wild Shadow by @MarthaDunlop #TuesdayBookBlog

Today’s team review is from Shelley. She blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com

Shelley has been reading Wild Shadow by Martha Dunlop

Wild Shadow is a standalone title by author Martha Dunlop. After reading Martha’s debut novel, The Starfolk Arcana, and loving the mystical and spiritual context, I was excited to see how the author would explore astral projection in this title.

Told from three points of view (Dylan, Tabitha, and Max), you get an interesting angle from three very different characters. I liked Dylan; he was warm and empathic but also ambitious and assertive. Tabitha, I could see in my mind as her character developed, and I loved that she had the ability to astral project as a tiger when she paints. Max was the only character I couldn’t gel with – as the author no doubt intended it. He’s a slimy creep who deserves everything he gets (I think the author let him off way too lightly!!)

The secondary characters added to the story nicely, although I would have enjoyed getting to know more about Rachel’s background. The musical arc also added a lovely ‘beat’ to the novel.

The tigers were the star of the show for me as they are my favourite animal. I was jealous that Tabitha could walk with them in her projected state and was glad to see how their journey ended.

Although this is a love story, there is still plenty of tension and angst. I would have liked to see some of the storylines unfolded on a deeper level, such as the backstory between Max and Sophie’s relationship, as I kept expecting a blackmail reveal or something equally sinister. I was also half expecting the owls to reveal themselves as astral projections too!

I don’t usually enjoy romance stories, but there was just the right amount of mystical content to keep me engaged.  

Beautifully written and a novel any paranormal romance fan would enjoy.

4 stars

Dylan wants to launch a solo music career and move out of the flat he shares with his old school friends, but he feels trapped by his life in Wildley Forest Village. When a mysterious artist catches his eye and a white tiger starts appearing only to him, Dylan finally feels things changing. But is this apparition all in his imagination, or is something more magical happening?

Tabitha moved to Wildley Forest to paint the tigers at the zoo. A reclusive young artist with a big reputation, she protects her privacy fiercely. Nobody knows her biggest secret: When she paints, she astral projects and her awareness walks as a white tiger. People don’t usually see her tiger form, but then she encounters Dylan and her defences begin to crumble.

Dylan’s friends aren’t keen on the new girl and the tiger keeper at the zoo wants Tabitha’s attention for himself. But as the tiger walks, change becomes inevitable for everyone. Can Dylan and Tabitha find their way to love? And will the truth unite them or will it tear them apart?

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #UrbanFantasy SOMETHING WICKED By Tom Williams

Today’s team review is from Shelley. She blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelly has been reading Something Wicked by Tom Williams

Vampire novels are my favourite, so I jumped at the chance to read Something Wicked when I spotted it on Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team list.

The story begins with a murder – always a great hook! The body of Lord Christopher Penrith is discovered by his butler, drained of blood. We meet Detective Chief Inspector Galbraith, who is tasked with solving the case.

In my mind, Galbraith was a cross between Columbo and Horatio Caine. He gives off the tortured detective vibe. His investigations lead to the dance hall, La Cieguita. Before he can get too deep into the case, Galbraith comes up against Section S, a counter-terrorism department. Enter John Pole, a 500 year old policeman who shares an interesting hidden world with Detective Galbraith.

Trying to solve a murder using modern policing isn’t going to work. Galbraith needs to rethink how he deals with the various suspects and additional killing and how on earth he hopes to close a case like this.

Something Wicked is well written with plenty of atmosphere. For me, it was a bit too deep into police procedure over vampire action. I had hoped for blood and gore, but instead, there was a hefty amount of ‘crime novel intermingled with historical fiction and politics’.

It was a good novel for anyone dipping their toe into urban fantasy, but my personal tastes meant it didn’t quite work for me. I like my vampire novels to have a bit more bite!

3 stars.

A peer of the realm dead in his study, his body drained of blood

A tango club where the Undead and the living dance together

A 500 year old policeman.

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #Fantasy #Romance The Starfolk Arcana (The Starfolk Trilogy Book 1) by @MarthaDunlop

Today’s team review is from Shelley, she blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading The Starfolk Arcana by Martha Dunlop

What a beautiful, mystical, and engaging novel!

The story follows Beth and Jonan, who are fated to be together. There are also a host of other characters who play important secondary roles in the development of the story and who add a deeper dimension and understanding to the lives of the main characters. Beth has hidden her psychic abilities incredibly well, but everything changes when she is drawn to the man with the violet eyes in such a way that confuses and frightens her.

When a ‘celeb’ begins to spread fear throughout the town by tapping into everyone’s fear of the spirit world, Beth and Jonan become targets. It’s up to them to stop her before she destroys everything. Jonan also has the task of helping Beth understand her destiny after he has spent many lifetimes searching for her. The link between the characters and the Starfolk Tarot pack was a lovely touch.

The author creates a rich world full of intrigue, well-rounded characters, and plenty of reference to spirituality and the psychic realm. If you’re a fan of this style of urban fantasy fiction, you’ll adore this book.

I loved all the characters and could connect easily with them. Beth is the strong, independent woman who guards herself against harm and who most of us girls can deeply relate to. Jonan is a careful hero, and Amelia is the bad element you love to hate! The author knows how to build relationships between the reader and the characters as you are fully invested within the first few chapters.

I look forward to seeing how the rest of the trilogy plays out.

I highly recommend it.

They’ve spent lifetimes being pulled apart. This time, they’re ready to fight.

After years of hiding her psychic abilities, Beth meets Jonan – the man with the violet eyes – and starts to feel like she belongs for the first time. Jonan has waited lifetimes to be with the woman who haunts his dreams. Drawn together by deeply buried memories from before birth, they try to make sense of a soul connection that opens windows into both their histories and their destiny.

But when a woman from Jonan’s past starts weaponising their emotions and stirring up hate, distrust and a fear of the supernatural, Beth and Jonan find themselves targeted in a wave of suspicion.

Only they can see what she is doing. But can they hold out against her bombardment and be true to who they really are, or will they allow The Fear to tear them apart?

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Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT #Na #Paranormal #Horror SINNER by @bchorpenning

Today’s team review is from Shelley, she blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading SINNER by Blakely Chorpenning

My Review:

I’m a sucker for a vampire story (no pun intended!), so when I spotted Sinner on the RBRT list I jumped at the chance to read it.

The book blurb assures us that the main character, Alice, is a vampire without a sire, but the books begins with her journey toward becoming a member of the undead. Wow! I can’t remember any other vampire book I’ve read going into such fabulous detail about the transition from human to vamp. It’s well written – I almost wrote well researched before remembering this is fiction, yes it’s that good!! You are pulled along the path of fear and terror as Alice throws up her internal organs and struggles to understand what’s happening.

Aside from the transformation, we all know to be developing there’s a dark menace that haunts our mc. Alice can’t be left in the dark, something is lurking in the darkness, and this pulls the reader between two distinct threats.

We get introduced to the first group of vampires who help Alice as much as she will allow. A quirky bunch of vampires with stories of their own. I liked them all, and was Team Gesick for most of the novel! Swiftly we’re torn from the sanctuary of this small group to the turmoil, excitement, and terror of Wolf and her group of less than orthodox vampires.

I didn’t like Wolf (Team Gesick all the way here), but Chorpenning has written a complex character which allows you to hate her yet still feel drawn to the dark side. You can understand why Alice is attracted to her world.

There are references to drugs and overdosing, cutting, addiction, and anxiety, but it’s beautifully done and managed. I like books and authors that don’t shy away from the tough topics, especially when writing for a young adult audience.

Sinner finishes off in a neat and tidy way while leaving a couple of threads for more stories in the series. Who is Pope, what hold does he have over the vampires? Will Alice do what she promised? These were a few of my unanswered questions (possibly to be answered in book 2), but they didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I read and reviewed Sinner on behalf of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team #RBRT

“The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” ~Oscar Wilde

SINNER IS A GRITTY, CAMPY RIDE THROUGH THE HEART OF OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DARKNESS.

Alice’s life is spiralling out of control. After an accident leads to a tainted blood transfusion, Alice descends into the supernatural world of vampires, addicted to blood, destined to sin. Only, that’s her second largest problem. The first might kill her for real.

With no sire or formal keeper, Alice is among the feral vampires, marked by white eyes and the ability to live without drinking blood, unless the cravings prevail. Caught between old rivals, Alice doesn’t know what she wants to be, a sinner or a saint. Wolf, an enigmatic firecracker, has the power to make Alice embrace her troubles as strengths, no matter if she is wicked or kind. But Gesick cools Alice’s anxiety, accepting the paranormal activity surrounding her presence.

Will Alice choose Wolf, a woman with little standing in her way, or Gesick, a man who knows a little something about temptation?

Triggers: Addiction/Overdose, Anxiety/OCD, Grief/Depression

(*Please remember that Alice & her world are fictional. Her actions aren’t to be emulated. She is, after all, a vampire.*)

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #HistoricalRomance THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR by @AilishSinclair #TuesdayBookBlog

Today’s team review is from Shelley, she blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading The Mermaid And The Bear by Ailish Sinclair

What a beautiful book! Historical romance is not my preferred genre to read but I’m committed to stepping out of my reading rut and was hooked in by the blurb and promise of faery castles and misty locks. I was swept up by Isobell’s story and the flow of the prose.

The plot was well developed and follows Isobell’s story as she sails to Scotland to escape a wicked man. We’re introduced to a colourful cast of characters from the motherly cook, Bessie Thom, to the charismatic Thomas Manteith whose combined actions lull you into a false sense of contentment. As I was reading about the joyous developments for Isobell there was this undercurrent that told me something was about to change.

The twist at the end was brutal, graphic, and yes, I shed a tear or two. I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of the witchcraft trials, and to see how easy it was for lives to be changed forever is quite sobering. Fabulously descriptive, The Mermaid and The Bear was a delight to read. There were moments when I felt like I’d stepped into an episode of Outlander, which is no bad thing. The Scottish phrases adding to the beauty of the story.

I may have found a new favourite genre!

5 stars.

Isobell needs to escape. She has to. Her life depends on it.

She has a plan and it’s a well thought-out, well observed plan, to flee her privileged life in London and the cruel man who would marry her, and ruin her, and make a fresh start in Scotland.

She dreams of faery castles, surrounded by ancient woodlands and misty lochs… and maybe even romance, in the dark and haunted eyes of a mysterious Laird.

Despite the superstitious nature of the time and place, her dreams seem to be coming true, as she finds friendship and warmth, love and safety. And the chance for a new beginning…

Until the past catches up with her.

Set in the late sixteenth century, at the height of the Scottish witchcraft accusations, The Mermaid and the Bear is a story of triumph over evil, hope through adversity, faith in humankind and – above all – love.

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #Horror #ShortStory DOGGEM by @john_f_leonard

Today’s team review is from Shelley, she blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading Doggem by John F Leonard

My Review:

At last, a short story that grips you in that warm and darkly fuzzy place. I love my horror stories to have an element of the supernatural and Doggem delivered.

After dutifully completing the doggy diary (or Edward the Bear in our case!) every year with my three kids, it gave me a deliciously skewed idea of why teachers force these stuffed creatures upon us every weekend and holiday – I took the bear but always refused the hamster!

A fabulous story and an easy read. Shall definitely be reading more from this author.

DOGGEM is a spooky little tale about toy dogs and dark doings. A gently disturbing horror story. But beware, this charming cocktail of witchcraft, imagined folklore and paranormal fantasy might just bewitch you.
Not easy to pin down genre. Without doubt it has a certain heart-breaking beauty to it. Maybe it’s a modern fairytale. A scary one, flavoured with a dash of the occult, written for an adult audience. After all, fairy tales feature the supernatural and have a magical aspect to them.
They often have old cottages and eerie, unnerving woodland settings.
Wickedly enchanting women and innocent children.
Ancient evil and everyday greed.

Doggem is a short story, one in a series of sinister tales from the Dead Boxes Archive.
The Dead Boxes?
Some objects are frightening things, and the Dead Boxes definitely fall into that category.
They can be easily overlooked. Ordinary on the surface. At first glance anyway. A mobile phone, a piece of art …a child’s plaything.
Take a closer look. You’ll see something unique.
You could very easily have one and not know it.
Exercise caution.
They hold miracle and mystery. Horror and salvation.
None are the same. Except in one regard.
You don’t need one.
You might think you do, but you really don’t.
Believe me.

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #Ya #Fantasy After The Battle by Matthew Moss

Today’s team review is from Shelley, she blogs here https://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading After The Battle by Matthew Moss

The cover is a great hook for any fan of young adult occult fiction, and the book blurb certainly draws you in for a closer inspection.

After the Last Battle kicks off with a promising Prologue where the author shares the backstory around the Angel and Demon war using Archangel Michael as his muse. I enjoyed this section and could connect to the energy between good and evil.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t then relate to the main characters and found them to be quite stiff and wooden. The dialogue was stilted, and I struggled to keep up with the flow.

There was far too much telling over showing for me.

A promising start with great potential but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

In a post-apocalyptic world, where the Hordes of Hell reign supreme, the only thing anyone could ask for is peace and quiet. Having lived his entire life in a secluded village, Telarious has had exactly that, yet for him it was misery. Bored of his monotonous life as a hunter, Telarious looked for any chance of conflict, so that he might prove himself to be more.

When a band of demons tear through his village in search of an angel in hiding, one of the last of the nearly extinct species, his wish is granted tenfold. This one act reveals Telarious’s hidden potential and sends him and his new angelic counterpart into a neighboring colony, where the struggle for power rages on. In over their heads, the two must learn to work together and with new, powerful allies to defeat the demons that have claimed Earth as their own.

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