Loren Rhoads

Wily Writers Presents Tales of Nightmares, edited by Loren Rhoads, is a nice collection of short stories that disturbs and, like the best horror, gives you something to consider about the world we inhabit.

Like any collection there are stories I liked more than others, but there were none here I absolutely did not like. A couple of the ones that I initially liked less actually became good stories to think about. Let me explain. If I am bothered by a story but don't think it was poorly written (which none of these are) then I try to think more specifically about what I didn't like. Which can lead me to thinking about whether I believe the writer was being gratuitous or trying to make a statement. Claiming gratuitous is the easy way out, it means one can stop considering. I found the ones I liked less to be making statements, albeit not as blatantly as I think would have been more effective.

If you like well-written horror in small doses this collection should make you happy. Ideal for those times when you don't want to dive into a longer work you're reading but have time for a quick trip into another reality.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (more)

#1, Loren Rhoads was born in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Gotta support another Michigander. #2, I couldn’t resist that cover.

Right out of the gate, I felt a kinship to Loren Rhoads. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and this was like going home. I went to Mott Community College. I know Dort Highway very well, because I worked at the AC Plant, after being laid off from the Chevrolet Plant downtown Flint. I do love a walk down memory lane.

Loren Rhoads found inspiration from her personal experiences…you never know where it will come from. We need to be open to all our experiences.

HOLD ON TIGHT!f These essays are dark and gritty, filled with truth. Loren lays herself bare. This Morbid Life is an apt title for the book and is not for the feint of heart. She lets it all hang out and I loved every minute of it.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of This Morbid Life by Loren Rhoads.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (more)

Unlike the previous book read about cemeteries, which was a very readable yet scholarly exploration written by an archaeologist and a anthropologist*, this book is more or less a guide in what is called ‘cemetery tourism.’ As noted in the title it features 199 cemeteries, old and new, half of which are in the United States. Most entries are 500 - 800 words long and nearly all have a accompanying photograph. The book begins in the states and in the northeastern region, and moves across the country featuring fifteen to twenty-five cemeteries in each region. It then moves on for the last half of the book for a broader look at cemeteries throughout the world.

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. It seemed so light after my previous read. I love exploring old cemeteries here New England but would I like browsing old cemeteries where I don’t have an ancestral connection? Turns out, yes. The collection features interesting cemeteries from ancient burial grounds to modern memorials. Cemeteries created around common cultures, war, plague, religion or ones that feature notable artistry. Some of the cemeteries that really moved me, considering our current times, were those of plague victims whether that be the Black Death, Leprosy or Aids. Also, very sobering are those cemeteries and memorials built around war. But I also very enjoyed observing how different religious groups have chosen to bury and commemorate their dead.

199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die is not necessarily meant to be read cover to cover. It can be enjoyed anyway you please. It would make a nice gift for some, or could be a nice coffee table, bathroom or bedside book in your home :-)

* The [Archaeology of American Cemeteries and Gravemarkers] by [[Sherene Baugher]] and Richard F.Viet… (more)

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.]

The blurb had me expecting a fun and engaging science fiction action story, but I don't think that's what I got in reading this. Yes, there's a little action and the world is science fiction, but this came out as more of an oddly-formed romance novel with a fair amount of sex and some situations that were just plain awkward or uncomfortable to read. I definitely see how some people might enjoy this, especially if they know what to expect, but this missed the mark for me and didn't deliver.… (more)