#paranormal review

[hannahwatcheshorror]

THE OTHERS (2001)

A nice little thriller. A little slow and old, but nice.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nicole Kidman snapped, killed her kids and herself, and now haunts the house she lived in. But she doesn’t know she’s dead, and thinks the new residents are haunting her. It's a bit of a mind fuck but it’s a nice little thriller.

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[lucentparanormal]

Recently had the pleasure of watching Kan Hodder’s Balsam : A Paranormal Investigation and I really enjoyed it.

Kane and team were completely calm and relaxed through out the entire thing, i appreciated that not everything was “evil” and “darkness”, there was no hyping up and overreacting to every bump and squeak, and the whole investigation was relatively uneventful which to me gives the investigation more authenticity in my eyes.

[quirkycatsfatstacks]

Review: A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Author: T. KingfisherPublisher: Tor NightfireReleased: March 28, 2023Received: NetGalley Book Summary: Sam Montgomery is a paleoentomologist, which is basically the fancy way of saying she studies insects found in ancient sites. She loves the work, even if it occasionally results in her getting furloughed for indeterminate amounts of time. The good/bad news is that Sam will be spending some…

[nando161mando]

[anim-ttrpgs]

Bringing back this awesome review of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy.

[jessread-s]

Thanks to @penguinrandomhouse for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for an honest review

✩🐺🪢Review:

Hazelwood’s paranormal debut is addictive and all-consuming!

Bride follows Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman, who agrees to uphold a Vampyre-Werewolf alliance by marrying Alpha Lowe Moreland after discovering that her future husband may be linked to her missing friend.

It was really fun to see Hazelwood branch out into the paranormal romance genre! I enjoyed her world-building and thought the history surrounding Vampyres, Werewolf, and human relations was very digestible.

I love how Hazelwood incorporated the mystery of Serena’s disappearance into the storyline. The breadcrumbs sprinkled throughout paired with the novel’s paranormal elements kept me fully engaged and on my toes.

While “Bride” is quintessential Ali Hazelwood with women in STEM, a big male love interest, galaxy apparel, and palpable love for cats, I think that Misery as a female protagonist ultimately sets this book apart from her contemporary romance novels. I found myself laughing out loud at Misery’s sense of humor and really admired her strength and perseverance. Despite all she goes through having been cast out from Vampyre society, she still remains inherently kind and is fiercely protective of her found family.

Lowe and Misery’s development as a couple is well-paced and her slowest burning romance yet! It takes a while for the characters to give into their attraction to each other given that they are supposed to be mortal enemies, but once they do, Hazelwood delivers on the spice! I couldn’t get enough of the caretaking while injured and “that’s my wife” moments as well as the snippets of Lowe’s internal thoughts at the beginning of each chapter!

This book ends with the potential for a sequel and I hope she’ll move forward with it full steam ahead!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[blottyink]

My August Reads Ranked

1. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig: This was by far my favorite read this month. I love this book. I love it more than I love The Folk of the Air. More than the Dark Rise series. More than Captive Prince. Because it has EVERYTHING. The plot, the magic system, the characters, the writing, all of it is as equally good as the rest. Even though at the ending there’s a twist that’s sad, I was still EXCITED to see what happens next (more hype than sad). I root for the Nightmare too. “Long live the King.” The writing is show don’t tell and I fucking LOVE IT. I FUCKING LOVE IT. I am so tired of seeing a lot of telling in story books, and all my favs serve show.

2. Bunny by Mona Awad: This wasn’t as dark as I thought it was going to be, but it won me over with the writing. It’s clever, dark and hilarious. Samantha’s dilemma with the bunnies was relatable for me, especially the first smut salon she attends. It was a fun ride, and I enjoyed this book for reasons I wasn’t expecting to. The way Awad describes feelings is spectacular.

3. The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black: It was good to be back in Elfhame. I liked Prisoner’s Throne more than Stolen Heir because, of course, Jude and Cardan. I thought Wren and Oak’s story was cute and I had a fun time reading it, but I’m not over Jude and Cardan yet and that’s all I want.

4. The Stolen Heir by Holly Black: At first, I was a bit put off by how Jude-like Wren was, and how Cardan-like Oak was, but I had a good time. If Black wants to go back and write scenes showcasing Jude and Cardan falling in love, I’m all for that. Would love to see the two of them snuggling by a fire.

5. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: I knew I’d like this because every time I watch King speak, he’s fun. He’s fun to listen to, he’s fun to read. He’s at his best when he’s shooting the shit. This was a good time.

6. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: I love the dialogue in this, it can be interpreted in different ways and it’s exciting to think about. I’ve never read anything as quotable as this book. I lived for every time Dorian threw himself on a couch in a fit of angst.

7. The Corsair’s Captive by Ruby Dixon: Dixon never lets me down. It’s another cozy, fun sci-fi romance with the big blue dudes. I have to read her shifter smut; it’s going to be everything.  

8. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr: I appreciated how blunt this book was, and the information provided was interesting. If you’re looking for a book about why humans tell stories as well as scientific reasons why you should have an existential crisis. This is the one.

9. Victor by Brianna West: The most egregious offense to me was the smut. Because. How are you screwing an Angel, and it’s vanilla? No mention of where his wings are? Nothing special about his equipment? Only fucks in missionary? They could fuck in the air, but we’re going to sidestep that? Other than that the world-building wasn’t there for me, and the writing was a whole lot of telling. The adverb intense descriptions didn’t land for me, and I didn’t care about any of the characters. The fmc was annoying.

10. Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton: Zade is so Neil Breen coded. Like, if I found out Breen wrote this character for Carlton, it would make a lot of sense. I hate this book. I don’t know why I do this to myself.  

The books I'm most stoked to read in September are: Monstrilio by Gerardo Samano Cordova, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett and Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig.

[hyperficationcrafts]

Poorly Spelled Book Review #1 For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn

First book of 2025 and it was an amazing pick. You dont have to know about the authors amazing tiktok scetch series, Hells Belles, to enjoy but I really enjoyed the little nods the the series and being introduced to characters I already loved. Im not the biggest fan of Romance, so I read this more for the fantasy aspect, but the romance and spice that was there was incoperated so well that it didnt throw me off. I loved how the romance help the story along, and didnt take over the entire story (which is the problem I usully have with romance books). It might have been easier for me because I was already inlove with the characters. Seeing there story play out was amazing. This is deffently a must read!!!

Also as off this time it is only avaible on Kindle but will deffiently buy when it comes out in paper format.

Five out of Five Stars

[rabbit-harpist]

johnny and rubens considering photos. a gift for @factorialsotherfandoms, and inspired by his fics--merry christmas friend!!

[spacevixenmusic]

NEW Review has been posted for "Dimension W"!

Read it here! [site is NSFW]

[authorravenkanesblog]

How to Write Romance Stories When You Lose Inspiration for Love

Every writer experiences dry spells, but losing inspiration for romance can feel particularly challenging. Whether you’re feeling disconnected from love stories or struggling to capture the magic of romance, here are some ways to reignite your passion and keep your stories alive. 1. Revisit the Classics Sometimes, we need to be reminded why we fell in love with romance in the first place. Pick…

[hannahwatcheshorror]

DEAD SILENCE (2007)

Who doesn’t love a creepy puppet? I remember being so afraid of this movie when it came out, just the commercials freaked me right the heck out and when I was finally brave enough to watch it for the first time I was certainly right to be creeped out! This movie does an excellent job with the makeup and effects, Mary Shaw is downright terrifying. The story can get a little ridiculous at times but overall it is very theatrical and spooky.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A mysterious package arrives at Jamie and his wife's doorstep, inside is a ventriloquist dummy. That same night Jamie’s wife is brutally murdered. Now, I love that Jamie immediately doesn’t trust the doll but still props it up in the seat of his car and in a chair at the motel. That thing would be in my trunk or in the closet, are you for real? (Yes I realize that the damn thing would probably move but I would still try to put it somewhere away) Jamie has it set up looking out the window like Billy is thinking about who he wants to kill next, no, put him in time out! We got DONNIE FUCKIN’ WAHLBERG AKA Detective Eric Matthews from SAW. Amazing, simply amazing to see him in another horror movie as a detective busting another dudes balls over a different creepy puppet named Billy. Amazing. The universe is good.

Back to the film, there are whispers about Mary Shaw, a ventriloquist of yesteryear who maybe/ probably killed a child. There is a whole nursery rhyme about her where if you see her you better not scream or she will cut out your tongue. Cute right? Anyways, when she died she had a very special request and I gotta call shenanigans because there is no way that any mortician would turn Mary Shaw's body into a doll, it is so highly unethical, wild, wack and WHAT? Seriously, a spooky idea for sure but there is no way it would have happened and no way that the mortician's son would have just told Jamie about it (because jail). 

Jamie goes to the old theatre where Mary Shaw used to live and for no real reason he goes up on the decrepit catwalk that is literally falling apart as he is walking on it. What is this man doing? Oh, Mary Shaw’s room is up there, but how did he know that? He just assumed it was up in the rafters? Wack. He doesn’t really find anything but goes back to his dad to talk about his missing uncle. The dad is really quick to give up the story about Mary Shaw after he is caught and he was very quick to believe that Mary Shaw is an evil ghostie which is why the dad has always been a dick to his son, to push him away from the curse (ha). Jamie doesn’t take that answer lying down and sorta storms out (but gets interrupted by Don Walhberg) so he has to run back to the theatre to try and get some answers solved. Small chase then both boys are at the creepy theatre and now Jamie finds the hidden room behind the hidden room (couldn’t have found it the first time?). 

We find every doll that Mary Shaw ever had in this room as well as the missing uncle who Mary Shaw attempted to turn into a puppet at one point (wack). The dolls all start moving at this point and even talking, Donnie is shooting them up but there are too many, they must be cleansed with fire. As they attempt to escape Donnie Walhberg gets a gruesome end because he starts to fall off the catwalk which makes him scream so our lady in black scoops him up and takes out his tongue. Poor guy! He knew not to scream too but falling to your death will make a guy yell! Jamie does a pullup but gets scared by Mary so he falls and crashes through the floor into the dark water below! There are all these dolls and mannequins under the water so it is really spooky when he is under there, I hate/love it so much because dark water is one of my fears!

Jamie runs to find Billy, the last doll and therefore the last piece of the puzzle, and finds out his dad took him home? But how? His dad was paralyzed after the stroke, right? Jamie gets to his dads house, burns Billy and goes to face his father… Twist of all twists! Daddy is deady! He has been a puppet this whole time! Pretty unique movie with a twist I didn’t see coming. Sure I noticed that the wife was with the dad always but I didn’t think he was a puppet all along! How spooky! Too bad Jamie screamed at the end, if only he could have held it in! Either way Mary Shaw got really good at making dolls to make the wife and also the dad. I am unsure if the wife is a full puppet or if she is just a dead lady or what but again it was a solid twist so I will forgive them for not explaining every little detail of it.

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[bookwells]

BETA READERS WANTED!

Hi all!

I’m in the process of writing my 1st Debut Dark Paranormal Romance and am on the hunt for FREE Beta Readers to read my 2nd draft. I’m currently editing my 1st draft and should have the 2nd draft ready to go mid December. I know it’s close to the holidays, but I would prefer Betas that can do a read through within a 2 week period once I give you access.

My book, The Goddess Calls, is a story set in modern day America. It is about a woman who finds herself on a whirlwind journey to find what she truly is.

Book Blurb:

Kinley had a fulfilling career, her own home, and fur babies to come home to.

What more could she ask for? Oh right, maybe a love life…

The dating scene was slim pickings for a full figured, 27 year old.

A chance meeting with a handsome stranger would put into motion more than what Kinley bargained for. Not only would she gain love, friends that would do anything for her, but she would finally realize that she was not who she thought she was.

With light comes darkness and with that darkness comes a realization that magic exists and that she has no idea what she is. A dark entity from the past will threaten her new found happiness and her life.With light comes darkness and with that darkness comes a realization that magic exists and that she has no idea what she is.

Will Kinley be able to learn who and what she is in time to save herself and her new found family?

The threads of fate are unwoven. The song of the Goddess is calling. Will the Chosen be able to reclaim all that she has lost?

If you would like to join my writing journey and become a Beta Reader for me, please follow the link below, read the information, and fill out the form. At this time I’m not looking to pay Beta Readers, so if that is a deal breaker I completely understand!

[booktineus]

Have you ever read a book that you were sad was a standalone?

That was me with Bride. Like every other Ali Hazelwood novel, it was addictive and easy to read. I loved Lowe and his yearning. Misery and Ana made me laugh a lot.

And then there was the added bonus of the paranormal world building. Paranormal romance and urban fantasy are two of my favourite genres I don’t read nearly enough. This is a fantastic addition to those genres.

And while it might not be a STEM romance like Ali’s previous books, you can still see her science background in the pages. I loved how vampires’ and werewolves’ unique features were explained biologically which I, former veterinarian who has studied anatomy and physiology, appreciated.

I really hope we get to return to this world someday (maybe with Serena 👀)

[unexplained-events]

I was watching a documentary recently about found footage horror movies and it reminded me that I need to rewatch Afflicted (2013) because I LOVED it when I first saw it. Do you have any favorite found footage films & why!?

I absolutely LOVE the found footage subgenre (if its done right) It's a great subgenre for reflecting societal fears. Also its one of the few genres where slow burn horror can have a great payoff

Here are some of my faves (in no particular order) 1- REC 2- The Taking of Deborah Logan 3- Incantation 4- Hell House LLC 5- Deadstream 6- VHS 7- Creep 8- Chronicle 9- The Poughkeepsie Tapes 10- One Cut of the Dead

[heckyeahponyscans]

I love this series (debunking a silly "paranormal" TV show with the lowest of low quality monsters, aliens, and ghosts) and was very excited at an unexpected cameo by several HQG1C Halloween ponies!