False Haven

False Haven By Rebecca Rook
Publication date: February 13, 2024
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Summary:

False Haven is a young adult horror novel for fans of Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, Asylum by Madeleine Roux, and Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff.

Seventeen-year-old Vivienne Barston’s life has fallen apart.

With her mother recently dead, her father disappears into his grief – leaving Viv to deal with her sadness and anger alone. Viv turns to destructive behaviors like petty vandalism, but after a disturbing stint in a juvenile detention center frightens her, Viv agrees to a court mandated service opportunity designed to expunge her record. 

The deal: work for six weeks with a trail conservation crew in the rural woods of southern Oregon, and she’ll be free with a clean slate.

She knows it’s her last chance to fix her life.

When Viv arrives at the small town of Hard Luck, Oregon, she meets her motley crewmates, all with troubles of their own. The unusual group travels to Grafton Stake, a remote and derelict former asylum with a haunted history–and now Viv must face the ghosts of the past while fighting for her future.

Don’t miss this inventive horror novel where Holes meets The Haunting of Hill House!

—

EXCERPT:

The Huntsmen had arrived.

They were all large, dressed in furs, leathers, and thick boots. The men had thick beards and braids; the women either wore braids or had shorn hair. All of them wore armor of some kind, with runic designs upon their crests. Ghost green flames danced and kissed across their skin. As Valentine watched, she saw that their skin flickered and faded in the moonlight, alternately translucent and opaque. During the translucent phases, she saw their skeletons underneath.

She shivered.

Then, beyond the Huntsmen, she saw the mounts.

They were stunning.

Book Blitz: Shantallow

Shantallow By Cara Martin
Publication date: May 26, 2019
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Summary:

Tanvi isn’t the girl of Misha’s dreams; she’s the girl from his nightmares. She has appeared in his chilling dreams before he even meets her; when he DOES meet her, he falls for her. 

Their relationship turns stormy, bordering on abusive, and takes a dramatic turn when they are held captive by a group hoping to extract money from Tanvi’s wealthy family. 

But there is something more sinister at work, and the kidnappers and their victims find themselves struggling for survival as a supernatural force from Misha’s nightmares makes itself known in the real world.

—

EXCERPT:

Keion came in his cab when I texted him, like an indie 911. He shook his head at me as I dove into the front seat next to him. “I’ve never seen you in this sorry ass state,” he said. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” I told him.

“Yeah, you do.”

“Yeah, I do,” I admitted. I’d walked too far out on the ice and realized it could crack under my feet. “But not now, okay? I need to get home.”

Keion nodded as we pulled away from the curb. “I can see that, all right.”

Book Blitz: Death by the River

Death by the River By Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
Publication date: October 2, 2018
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Summary:

SOME TRUTHS ARE BETTER KEPT SECRET.

SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER OFF DEAD. 

Along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river. 

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Handsome. Charming. Intelligent. The star quarterback of the football team. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch. 

He is also a psychopath. 

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the ruined St. Francis Abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize. 

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes crystal clear that someone has to stop Beau Devereaux. 

And that someone will pay with their life.

—

EXCERPT:

Beau strolled down the elegant curved mahogany staircase of his parents’ plantation home. He stepped onto the hardwood floors and caressed the newel post at the end of the steps. Shaped like the head of a horse, the bit pulled taut in its mouth, he admired the pain carved into the creature’s bulging eyes.

He headed along the hallway, tugging his book bag over his shoulder, the occasional moan of the floor echoing around him. He glanced at a massive gold painting of New Orleans he liked, bought by some dead relative a century ago. Family portraits of other deceased members of the Devereaux clan littered the white wainscoting covered walls.

He passed the tall cypress door to his father’s office, not bothering to check inside. His old man was an early riser and probably on his way to the brewery.

Book Blitz: Death by the River

Death by the River By Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
Publication date: October 2, 2018
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Summary:

A high school “American Psycho.” 

SOME TRUTHS ARE BETTER KEPT SECRET. 

SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER OFF DEAD. 

Along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river. 

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Handsome. Charming. Intelligent. The star quarterback of the football team. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch. 

He is also a psychopath. 

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the ruined St. Francis Abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize. 

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes crystal clear that someone has to stop Beau Devereaux. 

And that someone will pay with their life.

—

EXCERPT:

Leslie clung to him, wishing they were outside. “What is this place?”

“The cells.” Derek kept his voice low.

She squeezed his bicep. “I’ve never been inside The Abbey.” Leslie peered into the dim, cavernous corridor ahead, with only patches of light coming through the thick stone walls. “I wish we hadn’t come.”

“It will be fine, I promise.” He patted her hand. “Nothing will hurt you. I won’t let it.”

They crept along, their feet hitting sticks and fallen pieces of plaster from the crumbling walls around them. Puddles of water dotted the uneven stone floor and dampened Leslie’s tennis shoes. Mounds of dead leaves lay swept to the side. The low ceiling had roots coming through it, and the walls were cold and slimy to the touch. Derek shined his flashlight into the first room on the left. It was a depressingly small space composed of four walls and no windows.

Review: Through the Woods

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror, Sequential Art, Short Stories
Release Date: Published July 15th 2014 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Buy Links: Amazon ♥ Book Depository

Book Description

'It came from the woods. Most strange things do.'

Five mysterious, spine-tingling stories follow journeys into (and out of?) the eerie abyss.

These chilling tales spring from the macabre imagination of acclaimed and award-winning comic creator Emily Carroll.

Come take a walk in the woods and see what awaits you there…

♥ ♥ ♥

Lately I’ve been on a big graphic novel and comics kick devouring big name books and smaller ones as fast as my library holds come in and Through the Woods by Emily Carroll did not disappoint.

In these five graphic tales, Carroll’s prose and art blend seamlessly to bring you on a journey through haunting tales of strange things that come from or go into the woods. With the strong folkloric feel, the stories themselves seem to end in such a way that leaves you wanting to go deeper into each little universe.

Book Blitz: Phobic (The Forbidden Doors #1)

Phobic (The Forbidden Doors #1) by Cortney Pearson
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: September 8, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Fifteen-year-old Piper Crenshaw knows her house is strange. It’s never needed repairs since it was built in the 1800s, and the lights flicker in response to things she says. As if those things aren’t creepy enough, it’s also the place where her mother committed murder.

To prove she’s not afraid of where she lives, Piper opens a forbidden door, which hides a staircase that leads to the ceiling. That’s when the flashbacks of the original residents from 1875 start, including a love affair between two young servants. 

Each vision pulls Piper deeper into not only their story, but also her house. Piper confides in her best friend, Todd, whom she’s gradually falling for, but even he doesn’t believe her. At least, not until her house gets axed during a prank, and the act injures Piper instead, cutting a gash the size of Texas into her stomach.

Piper realizes her house isn’t haunted—it’s alive. To sever her link to it, she must unravel the clues in the flashbacks and uncover the truth about her mother’s crime, before she becomes part of her house for good.

♥ ♥ ♥
Teasers:

Blurb Blitz: Lockdown

Lockdown by Samie Sands
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Release Date: April 10, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Leah's practical joke has spiraled way out of control. Now everyone seems convinced that the apocalypse is coming - in the form of zombies. 

The government is calling the virus AM13, and is advising – or more like forcing - everyone to stay indoors while they 'clean up the mess'.

Leah tries to persuade everyone that it was all just a horrible mistake, however she starts to see there may be more truth to it all than she first thought.



♥ ♥ ♥

Excerpt:

Finally, I've done it.

Red lights, flashing. Alarms sounding. Panic. Fear. What have I done? This must be bad, really bad. I can hear a screaming noise, where is it coming from?

They're coming out. This is it. Oh my God, I need to run. It's then I notice the screams are coming from me.

Time stands still. Everything has been so quiet for days, so the loud alarm noise feels like an intrusion on my brain, my thoughts. I can't get myself together enough to do something to stop it.

Review: The Landfill

The Landfill by Kevin Hopson
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: April 2, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Billy, a high school senior, has lost a lot in the past year, including his younger sister, Sara. Billy lacks excitement and purpose in life until his curiosity takes him and his best friend, Connor, to an old, abandoned landfill along the river.

Connor would rather forget the experience, but Billy can’t help but feel invigorated by their findings.

Taking it upon himself to uncover the mystery, Billy finds his life coming full circle – but is that a good or bad thing?




♥ ♥ ♥
"The Landfill" is a short story by Kevin Hopson. Now, normally I don't make a habit of reading a lot of short stories (at least not since they were assigned in college) since I'm mostly a novel and series kind of girl, but the description for this story seemed creepy enough to rouse my interest. And I'm pleased to say that it did maintain that interest while I was reading it.

Obviously, since it is a short story it's a very quick read. "The Landfill" totals at a little over 30 pages, and I was able to read it all in one sitting. The language Hopson uses is clear and direct, which also made it an easy read.

Review: Coraline (Book vs. Movie)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Age Group: Childrens/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy/Horror
Release Date:August 29, 2006
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Barnes and Noble

Book Description:

Coraline's often wondered what's behind the locked door in the drawing room. It reveals only a brick wall when she finally opens it, but when she tries again later, a passageway mysteriously appears. Coraline is surprised to find a flat decorated exactly like her own, but strangely different. 

And when she finds her "other" parents in this alternate world, they are much more interesting despite their creepy black button eyes. When they make it clear, however, that they want to make her theirs forever, Coraline begins a nightmarish game to rescue her real parents and three children imprisoned in a mirror. With only a bored-through stone and an aloof cat to help, Coraline confronts this harrowing task of escaping these monstrous creatures.

Coraline

Rating: PG

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: February 6, 2009

Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Best Buy

♥ ♥ ♥

I'm not going to lie; I actually saw the movie "Coraline" before I read the book. Normally this isn't my way of doing things, but that's just how it happened. I hadn't even heard of the story before the movie was released, so I went out to the theater without doing the usual pre-reading I like to do before seeing a movie that's based on a book.

And as long as we're telling the truth, I'll let you know that the movie gave me nightmares. The people had buttons for eyes, people! That's creepy! CREEPY! Maybe it was especially bad for me because I have this weird phobia about anything happening to eyes, so the idea of sewing buttons onto them didn't sit well with my subconscious. Or my conscious, for that matter.

Neil Gaiman, who wrote the book, said himself that his story is seen one of two ways. It was written as a children's story, but in true Gaiman fashion, it involved themes of horror some might protest in a work made for children. However, Gaiman has said that although adults read "Coraline" as a creepy horror tale, children just see it as an adventure story.

Review: Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes

Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes by Nina Berry, Sarwat Chadda, Shannon Delany, Max Scialdone, Karen Mahoney, Lisa Mantchev, Georgia McBride, C. Lee McKenzie, Gretchen McNeil, K.M. Walton, Suzanne Young, Michelle Zink, Leigh Fallon, Angie Frazier, Jessie Harrell, Nancy Holder, Heidi R. Kling, Suzanne Lazear, Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, Leah Cypess
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror, Short Stories, Fairy Tales
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

In this anthology, 20 authors explore the dark and hidden meanings behind some of the most beloved Mother Goose nursery rhymes through short story retellings. 

The dark twists on classic tales range from exploring whether Jack truly fell or if Jill pushed him instead to why Humpty Dumpty, fragile and alone, sat atop so high of a wall. 

The authors include Nina Berry, Sarwat Chadda, Leigh Fallon, Gretchen McNeil, and Suzanne Young.

♥ ♥ ♥

"We do not walk, but float, like wisps of breathy yearning escaping a lover's lips. We do not touch, except in our ancient ways--and only then, under cover of darkest sleep."

Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes is one of the creepiest and hauntingly eerie books I’ve read in the long time. I mean Mother Goose Rhymes turned scary? I love it! The quote above is from my one of my favorite retellings, Blue by Sayantani DasGupta based on Little Boy Blue.

I absolutely love the way in which this story is woven together. The woman, Blue seems ethereal (probably because she’s a spirit haha) and provokes this feeling of deep sadness inside of me and I have no clue why! But when the boy finds her and asks for her story their interaction, it was beautiful and dark yes, but in a good way. Plus, the word usage and descriptions, I just really loved it.

Review: Aporia (Wisteria #3)

Aporia (Wisteria #3) by Bisi Leyton
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror
Release Date: January 13, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Wisteria was forced to betray Bach in order to save his life. Two years later, his best friend and her blackmailer Enric shows up on the Isle of Smythe demanding she help the Family locate Bach's brother who has disappeared.

Dragged back into the center of the Family's politics, she searches for the missing Family member along with Bach who is still deeply bitter from her apparent callousness.

Traveling through the decaying human world, Wisteria and Bach uncover more truths about RZC Bio Technologies, Wisteria's complex family, Bach's mother and their seemingly impossible bond. And pay a very high price.


♥ ♥ ♥

Aporia by Bisi Leyton is the third book in the Wisteria series and by far the best one so far in my opinion. Aporia basically picks up where it left off in Myopia. Back is still attempting to heal while living in the Isle of Smythe. But their down time doesn’t exactly last long. Bach’s brothers and Enric make their way to the Isle to tell Wisteria that Bach is dying and the only way to save him is to send him back to his home world to regenerate.

But of course the only way to make Bach leave Wisteria is to make him hate her. The whole thing was incredibly painful to read, the way she treated him and everything that happened. I know she was just doing it to save Bach and protect her Mother, but still It was all super sad. There are a few time jumps in the story and once Bach finally does leave I believe it’s two years until he and Wisteria see each other again.

Review: Asylum

Asylum by Madeleine Roux
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror, Paranormal Mystery
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B&N

Book Description:

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

♥ ♥ ♥
I read Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children back when it first came out and fell in love with the mixing of historical photographs with a fantasy/paranormal story, so when I heard about a similar concept coming out set in a spooky old mental hospital I knew that I wanted to read it in October when I like to overdose on horror books. While I really like the idea behind this book, I felt like my expectations might have been set too high. It’s also one of the few times I’ve branch out into a male POV story.

Review: Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly by Lisa Binion
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: February 28, 2013
 Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

“Mom died in her sleep last night.” Those are terrifying words for a child to wake up to. The beetle that falls off the stretcher and stares at her is only the beginning one of the strangest and most frightening times in Lori’s life. Death is not a pretty thing, especially not when the funeral is to be at the Lights Out Chapel and Crematorium.

Once she walks into the funeral parlor, she experiences things that no little girl should ever have to experience. No one is acting normal. No one can see what is going on. Is Lori the only one who sees the blood oozing from the pictures of Jesus on the cross? Doesn’t anyone else see the beetles? Is Lori hallucinating when she sees her mom sit up and hears her speak? There is absolutely nothing soft and tender about what happens to Lori.

From her overly morbid piano teacher to the creepy preacher and a father that just isn’t acting like himself, Lori is surrounded by people and things that hint of something bizarre. Once she leaves the Lights Out Chapel and Crematorium, things will go back to normal. Or will they?

♥ ♥ ♥

Out of all the short stories I’ve ever read I have to say Softly and Tenderly is probably the most unique. I’m still not entirely sure what happened. The story is told from young Lori’s point of view. She wakes up to find out her Mother, who has been sick with cancer, is dead. Everything that happens after that is a result of her death at least I think it is.

Promotional Event: Altered (The Academy #1)

Altered (The Academy #1) by Aubrey Coletti
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Release Date: June 6, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N ♥ Smashwords

Book Description:

When Toni, Joseph and Charlie arrive at their new boarding school, they are glad to leave their families - and respective problems - behind. Isolated as boarders, they meet a handsome senior with a personality like iced snake's blood, teachers with a penchant for physical punishment, and four other outcasts who reveal that their being brought to the Academy wasn't random at all.

When the arrivals discover that their new school is engaged in "behavior modification" through electric shocks, isolation, restraints, and an ever-evolving set of methods to "fix" them, they declare war on their Academy. During their campaign of sabotage, they fight, hate, scorn, love, and begin to uncover the reasons why they were brought to the school.

But as their war against the school escalates beyond their control, will they become the very things the Academy believes they are: dangerous, delinquent - and mad?

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What was the plot of your very first piece of unpublished fiction you ever wrote?

Oh wow, I don’t even know. Probably something about teenagers with super powers, doing the sorts of things you would expect teens with super powers to do.

Writers tend to have a pretty active imagination for obvious reasons, if you had to describe what the inside of your head was like what would you tell us?

Review: Mostly Dead (Barely Alive, #3)

Mostly Dead (Barely Alive, #3) by Bonnie R. Paulson
Age Group: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: October 31, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Time is running out and Paul’s original wish for death looms. As his skin grays and hunger becomes uncontrollable, the world burns.

Heather and Paul have fallen for each other, but with life and death barricading them apart, and the potential cure disappearing into time, they have no hope.

Paul’s hunger is all-consuming. He has to walk into the flames, join Dominic, or eat everyone he loves.

Can he save anyone, if not himself?

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Oh my god.

OH MY GOD. Yes, that needs to be said twice and with capital letters. I cannot believe this story. It’s god knows what time in the morning and I’m mourning the loss of this finished series. Mostly Dead is the final installment in the Barely Alive series and boy did it deliver. I was literally on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn in this book.

Blog Tour: Barely Alive - Character Bio: James Ledger

Mostly Dead (Barely Alive, #3) by Bonnie R. Paulson
Age Group: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: October 31, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Time is running out and Paul’s original wish for death looms. As his skin grays and hunger becomes uncontrollable, the world burns.

Heather and Paul have fallen for each other, but with life and death barricading them apart, and the potential cure disappearing into time, they have no hope.

Paul’s hunger is all-consuming. He has to walk into the flames, join Dominic, or eat everyone he loves.

Can he save anyone, if not himself?

♥ ♥ ♥

James Character Bio:

Review: Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2)

Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2) by Bonnie R. Paulson
Age Group: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: September 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Book Depository

Book Description:

Falling Apart

Days slip through Paul’s graying fingers. Humanity faces the end. His brother has the virus and is dying, too.

Paul’s hopes ride on Heather’s genetic code. Her immunity leaves her unchanged and untouchable. What would she see in the zombie he was becoming anyway?

Dominic’s army of infected grows, capturing the south and leaving little alive in its wake.

While Paul and his friends work on the vaccine, protecting the north becomes protecting the world. Heather is taken hostage and Paul races toward Dominic to save his heart.

With his time “alive” shortened, Paul must do more than protect the uninfected. He has to get his brother and Heather back to Sandpoint before the zombies find them. Paul needs to survive the upcoming war before he finds himself defecting to the other side and leaving Heather to Dominic’s mercy.

He has three days to get the cure or he might as well find a fire to call home.

♥ ♥ ♥

I have mentioned that I’m Team Paul right? Because I am, I adore him. Falling Apart is a perfect continuation to Barely Alive. I love how we get to see the dynamic between everyone now that they are staying at Grandma Jean’s. Yes, she makes everyone even the non zombie, zombies called her Grandma Jean, it’s the best.

While the first story sort of built up to the action the second story is literally in the thick of it. Travis and Connie are in the process of creating a vaccine while James is healing from a bullet wound courtesy of the cop from the last story, I’m assuming you read that story if you’re reading this. On top of everyone doing their own thing is Heather and Paul.

Blog Tour: Barely Alive - Character Interview: Heather

Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2) by Bonnie R. Paulson
Age Group: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: September 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Falling Apart

Days slip through Paul’s graying fingers. Humanity faces the end. His brother has the virus and is dying, too.

Paul’s hopes ride on Heather’s genetic code. Her immunity leaves her unchanged and untouchable. What would she see in the zombie he was becoming anyway?

Dominic’s army of infected grows, capturing the south and leaving little alive in its wake.

While Paul and his friends work on the vaccine, protecting the north becomes protecting the world. Heather is taken hostage and Paul races toward Dominic to save his heart.

With his time “alive” shortened, Paul must do more than protect the uninfected. He has to get his brother and Heather back to Sandpoint before the zombies find them. Paul needs to survive the upcoming war before he finds himself defecting to the other side and leaving Heather to Dominic’s mercy.

He has three days to get the cure or he might as well find a fire to call home.

♥ ♥ ♥

Character Interview:

Thank you so much for having me today. I’m going to interview Heather from the Barely Alive series, if she’ll talk to me about more than just Paul. *whisper* She has a crush and she’s a teenager, need I say more?

Review: Barely Alive

Barely Alive by Bonnie R. Paulson
Age Group: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Horror
Release Date: March 26, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so.

Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity.

Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs.

Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate.

Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.

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Despite my crippling fear of zombies, I’ve read my fair share of post-apocalyptic books where zombies play a distinct role; apparently I’m sadistic like that. But I have to say Barely Alive is the first zombie book I’ve read where the zombies are necessarily the bad guys, or rather three of them aren’t. I really enjoyed this book, it was different and almost logical to a point that scares the crap out of me.

I can totally see a “zombie-like” virus being formed out of our need to cure disease or in the name of scientific exploration, which is one of the reasons zombie stuff, scares me so much. That and I have an overactive imagination, but I digress. Paul, the main character has been injected with the virus and is slowly dying even while his mind and sense grow.

Blog Tour: Barely Alive - Guest Post: Bonnie R. Paulson

Today we are pleased to welcome author Bonnie Paulson to Pink Fluffy Hearts where she'll be sharing a recipe that was inspired by her Barely Alive book series.

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Barely Alive Zombie Hash