Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

horror

Scary & Horror Book Recommendations (some even have romance!)

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Who’s in the mood to kickoff the Halloween season with a few scary reads? You know what I just realized? I haven’t felt the need to sleep with the lights on, in ages.

I remember way back when… after a scary movie (or book), I’d not only keep all the lights on in the house, I’d wake up after a nightmare (or scary noise) and stare at my closet and tremble. If I was with friends, we’d dare each other to peek under my bed… just in case (and I would totally do it and eeeeeeeep!!). But if I was alone… I wouldn’t even get up to go to the bathroom. And IF I had to… I’d leap from the bed as far away as I could so nothing would yank on my ankle while I attempted to get up. Why would I DO that to myself, you ask? *grins* I dunno. I JUST LOVE it!!! Oh don’t get me wrong… while I watch (or read) the horror, I ask myself that question all the time. read more

Reader Question… SOLVED! The book about the handsome guy that tortures women in his soundproof basement…

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Amanda needs our book help! GASP!!!!!!!! The first part of her question (a Beauty and the Beast aspect) had me immediately thinking of a few contemporary romances (like maybe from Katy Regnery)?

But then she mentioned the super-dark aspect and…. eeeeeeeep!! I have not read this one, but I’m dying to know.

She asks:

This is probably a strange email, but I love your reading lists and frequently get suggestions from you.

Therefore, I was hoping you’ve read this book that I encountered maybe 5+ years ago, but CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME remember the title. It’s not much to go off of, but please let me know if it sounds at all familiar to you. read more

Book Review – The Sleep Tight Motel by Lisa Unger

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The Sleep Tight Motel (Dark Corners collection)
So much story in such a quick read. Yes it’s short but it gave me goosebumps and… kind of warmed my heart, too!

Weird right? But there was a good message here, in its own way.

Nicole: I’ve listened to a couple of the others so far in the collection and mostly enjoyed them. The Sleep Tight Motel was pretty good…

Maryse: YAY!! I’m going to start “Sleep Tight Motel” next!!!! That one has really good reviews. The cat-cover one with that creepy title looks good too. read more

Book Review – Oak Avenue by Brandi Reeds

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Oak Avenue (Dark Corners collection)
Eeeeeep!! A little horror to titillate my lazy Sunday, and while it didn’t scare the wits out of me (I will sleep with the lights out tonight-darnit!! 😉 ), it did have a touch of creep factor to it, and the writing was good!! And well, we all know I’m a “haunted house/hotel/whatever else might be haunted” type of girl (Experiment in Terror, anyone?), but this one doesn’t veer too far off from the usual.
That said, the ending did run a shiver up my spine. 😉 Am I imagining things? Is she?
So what’s it about?
Ana has just moved to her husband’s hometown into an old Victorian home that he’s been desperate to purchase for years. It’s an absolute atrocity. Having been completely renovated in the 70’s, it’s lost all of its original charm, read more

Dark Corners Collection

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OH SQUEEEEEE!!!!! eek I can’t believe my eyes with this creepy looking series of short horror stories. Little scary bites just PERFECT for this month of Halloween. I’m tempted to read one a night… just before bed. 😉 *shivers*
Each one, by a different author, so you KNOW you’re going to get all sorts of terrifying tales. Some maybe… right up front and in your face scary, while some so subtle, they’ll sneak up on you in the worst of ways. YES PLEASE!!

“…a collection of seven heart-stopping short stories by bestselling authors who give you so many new reasons to be afraid. Each story can be read in a single sitting. Or, if you have the nerve, you can listen all by yourself in the dark.” read more

Dot Hutchison – The Collector Trilogy Reading Order

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<— PSYCH-THRILLER DARK READ ALERT!!! Gah!! I still think of this one (FREAKED ME OUT!!), and now there are three books!! I didn’t thrill over the ending of this one, but now it all makes sense. It’s a TRILOGY!! SQUEEEE!! LOL!!
Suspenseful, creepy, and quite terrifying. Beautiful girls are kidnapped and kept in an artificial “paradise” as “butterflies”. Collected. But… oh my… how sinister it is.

Di-Ann: Just finished The Butterfly Garden and OMG!! The writing was wonderful with a nice pace. Very unique storyline and a heroine the you feel for! Finished this book in one sitting. Loved it!
Tina: I waited to start this because I knew it was a trilogy but am in a book slump so I started this morning and just finished. I haven’t cried during a book in a long time and can’t wait until the next book. I think the fizzle at the ending is because we have to wait for the next book. I loved it!
Amanda: Omg it’s a trilogy!? What!? Butterfly garden was so creepy read more