Dark Worlds We Wander by Kristin Kirby is a collection of fourteen short stories and one novella that all center around the theme of survival in one way or another. From post-apocalyptic scenes to things like something odd in a dryer and something that‘s up with some tattoos, each tale will have readers on the edge of their seats!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/dark-worlds-we-wander-by-kristin-kirby-book-revi...

Nothing Is Real by Kevin J. Kennedy is this author‘s first non-horror tale that veers into some very dark existential territory.

So many topics are touched on. KJK has a killer way of taking everyday life elements and twisting them just slightly into something more intense.

Prepare yourselves for this wild journey!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/nothing-is-real-by-kevin-j-kennedy-book-review/

Song Dogs by Brennan LaFaro is another intense page-turner in the amazing Buzzard‘s Edge Saga! Within these pages, readers will find more terrifying monsters, more nerve-racking shootouts, and some major character growth!

Just like the maze of nails and darkness in the Scarlet revolver, Brennan leads us through the dark and treacherous path!

Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/song-dogs-by-brennan-lafaro-book-review/

In Kevin J. Kennedy Presents Horror Tales From Ireland, elements of death and loss are heavy. Covering such a wide range in just a few tales, this collection will leave you in a state of mourning.

This is another killer collection! Even with the darkness, I had so much fun with this collection. KJK Publishing just doesn‘t miss.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/kevin-j-kennedy-presents-horror-tales-from-irela...

Strange New Moons edited by Stephen Kozeniewski & Kayleigh Dobbs is a collection of werewolf tales where every tale is an adventure and full of the unexpected!

I love the lore of the werewolf, but I always seem to struggle to find a good story about them. In this collection, I struggle to choose favorites! Every tale was so unique and absolutely wild in its own way.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/strange-new-moons-book-review/

Nothingland by Katherine Silva is a grief horror tale of a woman and her quest for revenge and the heavy despair that hits time and time again.

There was so much action, tension, terror, and grief here, and the combination of those was intense!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/nothingland-by-katherine-silva-book-review/

Bottling His Ghosts by S.H. Cooper is an emotional journey that captures the pain of watching someone you love disappear into their bottles of alcohol and the strength and determination it takes to bring them back.

Plus, there are some seriously terrifying ghosts!

Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/bottling-his-ghosts-by-s-h-cooper-book-review/

The Devil‘s in the Next Room by John Durgin is a story about family and the lengths a mother will go to, hiding painful secrets, to keep her children safe for as long as she can. But when her protection is gone, the brothers must find a way to navigate what comes next together.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-devils-in-the-next-room-by-john-durgin-book-...

A Bleak Remedy by D.S. LaLonde is a gripping exploration of immortality, morality, and the horrifying price of survival. At its core, it‘s a vampire tale, but not the kind you‘re used to! And it‘s not just the creatures that lurk in the shadows; it‘s the secrets of those who know they exist…

It‘s intense & terrifying in ways that linger long after you turn the final page.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/a-bleak-remedy-by-d-s-lalonde-book-review/

Some short stories manage to pack more tension and emotion into a few pages than some full-length novels, and Ushers by Joe Hill does exactly that. From the first page, I was drawn into this wild tale that explores survival and suspicion.

For such a compact tale, this short story is incredibly powerful.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/ushers-by-joe-hill-short-story-review/

If you‘ve been following me for a while, you know how much I adore Stephen Kozeniewski‘s work... So this interview was seriously overdue!

Steve‘s ability to blend horror, humor, and raw human emotion is just unreal. From raising the dead to exploring life‘s biggest questions, his writing always hits hard.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/interview-with-stephen-kozeniewski/

A Graveside Gallery: Tales of Ghosts and Dark Matters by Eric J. Guignard is not a light read, nor does it pretend to be. This short story collection plunges headfirst into some of the darkest corners of human experience, unflinchingly portraying grief, trauma, cruelty, and the raw edges of humanity.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/a-graveside-gallery-tales-of-ghosts-and-dark-mat...

If one of the LOONEY! characters came to life for a day… what would Gavin Dillinger do?

“I don‘t trust any of the characters in this book. They‘re all unstable, and some are also evil.”

Dive into this wild interview Gavin — if you dare!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/interview-with-gavin-dillinger/

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond is a dark and twisted tale of generational horrors, spilling from one old man‘s lips as fast as the water drains from the pond on his property.

Content Warnings: death of a parent, animal death, child abuse, domestic violence, and more.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/black-out-the-stars-by-christopher-bond-book-rev...

Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon is a nightmare wrapped in neon light. In this tale, we follow two characters riding the high of an acid trip while they enter a fairground for an evening of fun (or at least what they thought would be fun).

Shifting between euphoria and unease with such artistry that you barely notice the turn… until it‘s too late.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/everybody-is-in-the-place-by-emma-j-gibbon-book-...

Spider to the Fly by J.H. Markert is SO ADDICTING. Right from the first few pages, you just know this story is going to get your skin crawling.

CW: Child abuse, mental illness, suicide, torture & more.

I HATE SPIDERS AND OMG. The atmosphere is so creepy and intense! This is a book that I highly recommend if you‘re into twisty true crime fiction with serious chills!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/spider-to-the-fly-by-j-h-markert-book-review/

In Horror Tales from Scotland II, the authors take things to an entirely new level. This collection dives even deeper into the darkness, featuring stories of sacrifice, seething rage, ruthless revenge, and two hauntingly different takes on the concept of the hunt.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/kevin-j-kennedy-presents-horror-tales-from-scotl...

Kevin J. Kennedy Presents Horror Tales from Scotland is an anthology of four tales that each bring a unique level of horror to the table! In this collection, we have gore, chilling transformations, and terrifying invasions.

Are you ready?

The Invisible by Steve Stred is a jumpy and patchwork tale of a man struggling with the journey that he is on.

Anything Steve writes, I‘m here for. This book was so brutally twisted. After reading, I was absolutely gutted.

Content Warnings: depression, suicide attempt, death of a pet, illness, and more.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-invisible-by-steve-stred-book-review/

The Old Man and His River by Matt Wildasin is a tale about a man searching for one last big catch, but who finds so much more out there on the river.

Though not strictly a horror novel, The Old Man and His River is a book that I would highly recommend to horror fans as well as other readers.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-old-man-and-his-river-by-matt-wildasin-book-...

Death of a Clown by Catherine McCarthy is a dark fantasy about a man struggling to escape his past and start a new life, even as the stubborn remnants of his former life pull him back.

This story was a captivating journey, blending dark fantasy with intriguing world-building. The hope for the future kept me hooked!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/death-of-a-clown-by-catherine-mccarthy-book-revi...

Fiend by Alma Katsu is a tale of intense drama, manipulation, and violence that propels this family into a whirlwind of emotional turmoil and chaos.

The anticipation and the unraveling of this family's dark fate in Fiend is a ride you won't want to get off. Readers who love twisted and dramatic family dynamics mixed with just a pinch of gore and the supernatural will love this.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/fiend-by-alma-katsu-book-review/

Below by Kev Harrison is a story of sheer determination in the face of the impossible. Every step of the way, this crew faces more and more horrific things, all while underground in an old mine. 

I was absolutely obsessed with seeing what was to happen next. By the time I reached the end, I was genuinely sad! But oh, how I wish I could see the footage from their adventure!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/below-by-kev-harrison-book-review/

Oh, I love a good tale set in a marsh! There‘s just something about marshlands that screams horror, and boy did this collection bring the horror! In Marshland Horrors: The Cellar Door Issue #5 edited by Aric Sundquist, we get some wildly dark fiction that delves deep into the horrors that haunt the depths of the swamp.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/marshland-horrors-the-cellar-door-issue-5-book-r...

I recently finished reading The Horror Collection: Crystal Edition presented by KJK Publishing and I‘ll kick off this review by saying it yet again because it‘s true: the variety in these collections is WILD. In The Crystal Edition, there‘s so much to take in and so many of these stories stuck with me. Some even got under my skin in a way I didn‘t expect.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-horror-collection-crystal-edition-book-revie...

Consumed by Evil is a killer follow-up to the first book in the series, building on the tension, terror, and twists that made the original unforgettable. It takes everything I loved about the first book and cranked it up to a whole new level. The stakes are higher, the characters more deeply tested, and the horror more relentless than ever before.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/consumed-by-evil-by-john-durgin-book-review/

BOREAL: An Anthology of Taiga Horror edited by Katherine Silva is a collection of dark and mysterious tales filled with suspense. With all the intense loss and longing, there is also a thin line of quiet hope in some that leaves readers thinking all will be well before being crushed again moments later.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/boreal-an-anthology-of-taiga-horror-edited-by-ka...

Where the Daybreak Ends: Stories from Buzzard‘s Edge by Brennan LaFaro is a collection of tales so vivid, that you can practically taste the grit of the dust, feel the suffocating weight of the heat on your skin, and hear the eerie silence punctuated by the sharp, metallic scent of coppery blood lingering in the air.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/where-the-daybreak-ends-stories-from-buzzards-ed...

Sinner by Steve L. Clark is a story where a single night at a college party triggers a chain of events that forces a group of characters to fight for their lives against a mysterious and terrifying paranormal force.

Horror fans, if you‘re looking for a read that will totally suck you in and spit you back out battered and bloody, this is a book for you!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/sinner-by-steve-l-clark-book-review/

The Horror Collection: Morte Edition presented by KJK Publishing is another incredible anthology! I had an amazing time reading through it, but five particular stories really stood out to me. Each tale was so unique and so darkly fun.

Horror fans, you gotta pick up this collection!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-horror-collection-morte-edition-book-review/

Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes is a tale of isolation and unanswered questions, centered around three-hour increments of time.

Having a kid showed me how quickly the hours can fly by. So the focus on pushing the button every three hours had me so anxious.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/cold-eternity-by-s-a-barnes-book-review/

Scarecrow Slaughter by E.C. Hanson is a tale of brutal bloodshed, intense revenge, and other terrifying things that occur in a cornfield!

This was such a fun slasher from start to finish! The opening was dark, fast-paced, and nerve-wracking! While things slowed down slightly after that, the bloodshed only got more intense!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/scarecrow-slaughter-by-e-c-hanson-book-review/

In 2024 I had 29 five-star reads, 25 of which were published in 2024, three from 2023, and one that has been published now in 2025!

I‘m so excited to share my favorite reads again this year!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/my-favorite-books-that-i-read-in-2024-a-list/

I‘m so excited to share my favorite quotes from the books I read last year. This is the eighth year in a row I‘ve done this! It‘s always fun to look back and remember the quotes that stuck with me.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/my-favorite-book-quotes-from-2024/

WOW, what a year 2024 was! I attended a couple of really awesome bookish events and acquired many signed books that I was so excited to include in this recap! While I didn‘t read nearly as much as I normally do, I found more time for reading while balancing being a mom and a full-time employee!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/2024-highlights/

Here we are again! Another year down, and another year where I totally blew past my actual blogiversary! Whoops!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/my-eighth-year-blogiversary/

Yes, I Am A Vampire is a unique blend of short fiction and Stephen Kozeniewski‘s autobiography, all woven together within a specific timeline. It‘s been described as something unlike anything readers have ever experienced, and I can wholeheartedly confirm that‘s the case for me!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/yes-i-am-a-vampire-by-stephen-kozeniewski-book-r...

Christmas Eve Carnage 2: Sprinkles Lives by John Lynch is a tale where the carnage leaves this book with blood pooled in the margins and dripping from the pages.

Prepare your buttholes for this one…. There were scenes I had to skim-read!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/christmas-eve-carnage-2-sprinkles-lives-by-john-...

Christmas Eve Carnage by John Lynch is a tale of dampened holiday cheer, the thick presence of loss, and well, all-out carnage.

This is a killer horror novel that really brings the terror to the holidays!

Fear of Clowns A Horror Anthology: Coulrophobia Stories edited by Kenneth W. Cain is a spine-chilling compilation of some of the most terrifying clown stories I‘ve ever encountered.

You may think you know clown horror… but you have no idea how wild the horrors can get until you dive into this collection.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/fear-of-clowns-a-horror-anthology-coulrophobia-s...

Stars Shining Darkly by Mercedes M. Yardley is a gripping story of terror, violence, and the unbreakable bonds of blood, enduring through even the darkest circumstances.

Horror fans, if this isn‘t on your radar, it should be! This was such a dark and fun read. Who doesn‘t love a tale of revenge?!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/stars-shining-darkly-by-mercedes-m-yardley-book-...

Red Sky Morning by Jessica Raney is a tale of the seas and a desperate hunger that one being will do anything to satiate.

Let‘s just say, that in today‘s edition of what-in-the-world-did-I-just-read… This was a journey! I mean, my goodness, this took such a wild turn!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/red-sky-morning-by-jessica-raney-book-review/

Splatterpunk Dreams is a blood-soaked rollercoaster of horror that may just push readers to their limits, but if you‘re willing to hang on, it‘ll take you places few books dare to go! And honestly, as horror fans, would we have it any other way?

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-horror-collection-splatterpunk-dreams-book-r...

From the very first page of A Flock of Crows: And Other Short Stories by Devin Cabrera, you‘ll find yourself immersed in stories that begin with the comforting familiarity of everyday life, only to veer into the dark, unsettling unknown. Whether you‘re a fan of psychological suspense or grotesque terror, this collection has it all.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/a-flock-of-crows-and-other-short-stories-by-devi...

Dead Folk by Katherine Silva is a tale of grief and a continued journey toward getting the revenge our main character seeks. While the first book in this series read like a gut-punch, this one was non-stop action and I thought the worst was about to happen at any moment!

Ugh, I‘m SO NERVOUS to see where book three takes us!

Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/dead-folk-by-katherine-silva-book-review/

Better late than never, right?

The Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival was held on October 19th, 2024, and I‘m so excited that I was able to attend this year after missing 2023!

Due to financial reasons, I had a very strict 5-book-purchase rule. But did I stick to it?

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/merrimack-valley-halloween-book-festival-2024-bo...

Halloween My Way by Somer Canon is a collection of stories and essays about the greatest day of the year; Halloween. While the cover may look sweet, you‘re in for some delightful tricks within these pages!

While Halloween-themed, this is a great read for fans of the holiday no matter the time of year!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/halloween-my-way-by-somer-canon-book-review/

The Stones of Landane by Catherine Cavendish is a tale of romance and destiny, steeped in tension and uncertainty.

I‘m all in for anything Catherine writes! I had an amazing time with this one. The slow build of dread was perfectly paced and incredibly impactful.

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-stones-of-landane-by-catherine-cavendish-boo...

After Tomorrow: The Cellar Door Issue #4 edited by Aric Sundquist is filled with tales of fear and the sheer determination to live in impossible situations. But in this collection, there are many tales where the apocalyptic landscape is the least of the characters' worries. 

Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/after-tomorrow-the-cellar-door-issue-4-book-revi...

The Clown: A Halloween Land Story by Kevin J. Kennedy weaves a story of teenage love intertwined with a bloodthirsty carnival, featuring scenes that are straight from the darkest of nightmares.

A prequel to Halloween Land, readers that have already read that know where the story is going to end up. But how we get there is a ride of terror!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/the-clown-a-halloween-land-story-by-kevin-j-kenn...