Double The Savings! 4 NOVEL-OMNIBUS 99CENTS & HOUSE OF HORRORS 99CENTS!

Two promos overlapping! Both best-selling are priced at 99 cents!  

Don't miss out!

House of Horrors is packed with stories about Jack the Ripper, werewolves, demon clowns, vampires, zombies, murderous midgets, evil dolls, haunted cemeteries , a real shop of horrors, taxidermy gone haywire, serial killers and more!

Your worst fears and nightmares dished up for you with extra helpings of blood-curdling terror!

"There is no doubt that she soars above the endless parade of independent horror authors to shine as a true star in the darkness. With the brilliant anthology House of Horrors she proves why she is a perennial favorite. To put it simply, this is a great assembly of tales anyone would be proud to have in their collection"
~Joshua Skye
DARK MEDIA

99 cents through 12/3 then back to full price!  AMAZON 

AND

THE AWARD WINNING, THE BLACKSTONE VAMPIRES OMNIBUS:

The Blackstone Vampires Omnibus  99 cents through 12/1 AMAZON

Comprises all four novels:

THE HOUSE ON BLACKSTONE MOOR

After discovering her savagely murdered family, Rose Baines is plunged into a nightmare of hell. She is incarcerated in two madhouses, after which she is helped to obtain a position as governess at Blackstone House. Located on haunted moorland, nothing is as it seems for the House and its inhabitants have hideous secrets. There is unimaginable horror there, and love too--love that comes at a terrible price.




UNHOLY TESTAMENT – THE BEGINNINGS

Eco, first seen in the previous book, has documented all of the sins he has committed during the course of his immortal life. Trying to get Rose to forgive him, he forces Rose to read his journal by holding her children hostage.




UNHOLY TESTAMENT – FULL CIRCLE

Vampiric orgies and satanic rites fill the pages of this book. All of the hideous secrets of Blackstone House are revealed. Every evil that Rose Baines was subjected to is closely examined, as are those who committed the worst sins against her.




THE FOURTH BRIDE

After the tragic and sudden death of her groom, Dia, cursed by Dracula as a babe, is taken to his castle. Once there, she is seduced and turned by the count and becomes his fourth bride. The other brides are to be her sisters. All are to love and feed upon one another. Dia’s tale is full of erotic sex and graphic violence. It is a tale of love and lust but mostly of blood, for the blood is everything.

 eFestival of Words 2014: Best Villain, Eco/ Best Horror, The House on Blackstone Moor

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"92 Horror authors you need to read right now"

Carole Gill -- the Blackstone Vampires series

~Charlotte Books - EXAMINER

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"In the attempt to find the just measure of horror and terror, I came upon the writing of Carole Gill whose work revealed a whole new dimension to me. The figure of the gothic child was there. Stoker's horror was there. Along with the romance! At the heart of her writing one stumbles upon a genuine search for that darkness we lost with the loss of Stoker." 

DR. MARGARITA GEORGIEVA ~ Gothic Readings in The Dark

The House on Blackstone Moor:

"Carole Gill presents a monstrous mythology that evokes Milton and makes you resent any time you must take away from finishing this fabulous read!"

RICK LANGSTON

Unholy Testament - The Beginnings

"Outstanding horror by an amazing author!! Gave me the creeps! Ms. Gil really immerses the reader in her well-crafted and frightening dark world!"

LEONARD KILBANE 

Unholy Testament - Full Circle 

"Is full of dark, gory, evil and heinous twist and turns which keeps your adrenaline going. Unholy Testament - Full Circle with all of the horrific things that goes on in it is just right up my alley. And believe me you definitely get plenty of evil in Unholy Testament - Full Circle. The ending left me with my mouth hanging open it was so surprising. I never expected it but I loved it."

NANCY ALLAN - Avid Reader

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The Fourth Bride

Creepy and full of evil! Carole is by far the master story teller of vampire gothic horror. Once you pick this novel up there will be nothing more important than getting to the last page! There are more dark twists and turns than a roller coaster!

WENDE SHEETS ~ Julie's Book Review

Excerpt From Mask of Death (House of Horrors)

Barbara Steele in Mario Bava's film Black Sunday.

EXCERPT FROM 'MASK OF DEATH'

She said she was an actress when he picked her up in a Juarez bar. She was attractive too with her dark, smouldering looks, a look that was especially popular in 1960’s Hollywood.

“I can give you a job as an actress if you want it.”

“Hey kid, would you like to be in pictures?”

Yeah, same kind of line—only the asker was a real Hollywood director. She auditioned for him that very night, right in his room, all night actually and in the morning too.

The thought occurred to him that if she wasn’t really enjoying herself she was one, damned good actress.

He was a director alright, Sammy something. He had kind of a big name once. But then the war came and he got sidetracked: booze and more booze.

But then he sobered up and listened to an actor friend of his, one of two friends who hadn’t dumped him.

“Horror is where it’s at. Low budget—doesn’t matter. Give the fans dark, scary stuff and you’ll be rolling in dough!”

He tried it. He wanted to call his little picture company Shoe String Productions but some cigar chomping investor queered it.

“There’s no dignity in that. Call it Imperial Productions and I’ll back you!”

He did.

Imperial was just getting started when Miss Juarez returned to Hollywood with him.

He knew she had potential. There was something about her. Well there usually is with women like that. There’s a palpable hunger, a passion for life. In her case it revolved primarily around sex, but he didn’t know that then.

Sure enough they fixed her up in no time. She cleaned up well as the expression goes.

He actually loved her by that time. He was fifty but he was acting like a smitten teenager sending her roses all the time. Nothing was too much for his babe.

See he decided to marry her too despite the warnings he was getting. She had a reputation. Actually it was pretty well-established when he met her. He saw the winks and dirty grins he was getting. If it was like that then it only got worse.

Finally he listened to his friend.

So the poor schmuck hired a private dick to have her followed. "I want to know everything, all that she does, you know.”

“Sure thing.”

The detective followed her for a week.

He filmed her in cars, elevators, alleys and hotel rooms. It’s amazing what you can snap from a room across the way. Sammy got presented with a package of porn only it’s real live action shots and the star was his intended. Yup, she was a big tramp.

Sammy didn’t take it so well. He was rushed to Cedars of Lebanon with chest pains.

She visited him, and buttered him up real good. The poor bastard forgave her instantly.

“Honey, I want to marry you—but you have to promise me. . . ”

She promised him. “Whatever you say, Sammy.”
The wedding went ahead.


His phone started to ring shortly after with all sorts of anonymous tip-offs. If she was a tramp before, she got worse.

The gleam wore off. The cheap piece was making him the butt of a lot of jokes and it hurt like hell.

They fought like mad, really nasty, vicious stuff. But it’s the last fight they have that does it. She insults him so badly he decides to get back at her.

They’re shooting the last scene of the film, Mask of Death, when it happened. It’s the scene where the mask with the spikes is supposed to go onto the star’s face.

She was emoting, really well, but then she got hysterical. You see, she suddenly realized that the spikes were not going to fucking retract!

How did she know this?

She saw his face..."

(END OF EXCERPT)

AMAZON

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1955): Classic Sci-Fi But Also Timely!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a classic sci-fi film that may be more than it seems. Hang on, I'll get to that in a moment.

So what is it about? Dr. Miles Bentell returns to his small California town and discovers something is wrong. People are coming to see him in dire need of valium or something stronger! Even his girlfriend, Becky Driscoll is upset about her cousin, Wilma thinking her uncle Ira isn’t her uncle! The fear is mounting and just when we want things to happen and for it all to be fixed, everything’s okay! Wilma laughs and says Uncle Ira is fine.

HUH?

Her uncle is smiling and smoking his pipe, looking like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. We’re supposed to be relieved—in fact, we are a bit relieved. Perhaps Wilma had a bad dream or imagined something…But wait! The paranoia begins to spread. A boy is terrified of his mother, no soothing in the world helps but then, he’s okay.

Next up are pods--like giant sea pods they’re described. They seem to be all over the place, brought to your house by someone you know. Well, someone who knows you and wants you to CHANGE! Becky’s father is one of THEM.

THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!
Picture if you will Miles when he understands the horror that is taking place in his town.

"Mr. Mayor: I have a list of 134 people that are no longer human beings, but are alien pod people come to earth—they are working and living among us…they must be rooted out or they will take over!"

*

No, that line is not in the film—but that’s where I see a connection with politics. The film could almost go there. It was made in 1954, a very scary time.. There had just been The Army–McCarthy hearings which were a series of hearings held by the United States Senate's Subcommittee on Investigations between April 1954 and June 1954. Senator Joseph McCarthy was the guy with the list of those people he said were communists.

The novel, by Jack Finney was serialized by Colliers magazine that very same year and the film followed.

I happen to think the author was inspired by current events to write that novel. After all, there was a climate of fear. Some of it quite justified. There were spies in the U.S. and abroad. In time, McCarthy lost any credibility he might have had when he started. There is that famous interchange between him and Special Counsel to the Army, Joseph Welch where Welch asks, “Have you no decency?” McCarthy’s charges were baseless as he had accused a highly regarded member of Welch’s own team, hence the question and the memorable interchange.

Let us remember Hollywood had already had its purge—and whatever your beliefs, I think we can easily imagine what the fear factor felt like.

The novel has everything. There is conflict—the pods, the strangers (where are they really from), the discovery by Becky and Miles of a huge farm: PODS R US. They are on the run and so fearful of falling prey to this terror.. Suddenly, they hear the most beautiful music. They are hopeful. But it doesn’t last because as they approach this supposed haven with the beautiful, spiritual music, they discover it to be a huge pod depot! It's like an Amazon warehouse but for pods!

They take flight. Will they make it? I am not telling you just in case you didn’t see the film. I can say that the last scene is superbly jolting. It ties everything up and is most unsettling.

But here's the thing: can fear be a good thing? Should people think about what’s happening around them periodically and assess whether it is a good thing or not? What if a similar film had been made in the 1920’s and shown in Germany? I’d have liked that. Maybe it would have been really good if the people became highly suspicious of what was happening around them and questioned who looked likely to take over some day.

Just a thought. What do you think?

Mystical Christmas $1.99 - Bestselling Author, Susan Smith Avis!

What if everything you wanted was all within your reach but not yours for the taking?

Klaus and Stefan are tearing through the South collecting hybrids and leaving a trail of dead bodies behind them. Unable to reach Stefan any other way, Elena devises a holiday plan to lure Stefan back home.

Damon thinks Elena is wasting her time and fears the worst. He and Stefan no longer celebrate Christmas, but if Klaus approves Elena’s request, Damon will support her by giving her what she wants—a traditional Christmas.

What Elena wants and what she gets are two different vampires altogether. Elena approaches Klaus and asks for Stefan’s release, even if it’s only for one Christmas weekend. Klaus agrees, but his terms and conditions are nonnegotiable.

Soon, Elena is holed up in a snow-covered chalet with the Salvatore brothers and Klaus, an original vampire with an unusual agenda. And he’s gone to great lengths to find out who Elena really loves.
Excerpt One

Dear Diary,

I used to love mystery and danger. Like other teenage girls, I’d often imagined what it might be like to find myself in the middle of a catastrophe, stuck between two great forces—like good and evil—only far more dramatic.

At that time, Stefan and Damon Salvatore didn’t exist in my world. The world—at least the one I lived in—was less complicated. My days then were in black and white, with an occasional burst of color and flare, compliments of Caroline.

Then the Salvatore brothers entered my life and everything changed. I soon learned there wasn’t a line of division down the middle with these two. And after I met Damon and Stefan, my former life faded to black and now the past seems surreal.

I look down at the Salvatore driveway, now lined with packed snow and jagged tracks and wonder how I could’ve been so naïve. Who was that young girl who compartmentalized thoughts, people, places and things? Why didn’t she take the time to see the bigger picture with more multidimensional aspects, more depth?

As I think about the coming hours with a mix of dread and a dash of excitement, I now know a well-rounded life takes a triangle’s shape. Life isn’t clean and tidy with a circular rotation driven by nature to lead us all back to where we started. It’s not boxed up all nice and neat with defined planes and specific instructions to make our days easier. How boring would that be? Then again, after barely surviving these last few months, boring sounds like a little slice of heaven.

It’s the most wonderful time of year or it is for those who believe in the two-sided world, the world beyond this window, the one where others grade their mere existence by good or evil.


But there is a third entity or force. And he’s standing right behind me.


Excerpt Two


“You promised to release him while we’re in Tennessee.”

“And I will,” Klaus assured her. “Once we’re settled in and before the sun goes down.”

“Is there a ‘but’ in there somewhere?”

“All right, Elena, you win. I’ll let you in on a little secret.” His demeanor changed then. “You can’t play with fate or run from it, love. Katerina tried and as you saw for yourself, she failed on numerous occasions. She also loved two brothers as you love two brothers.”

“I never said—”

Klaus held up his hand. “Let me finish. Damon gives you what you need, what you must have at any cost. Stefan, on the other hand, gives you what you want—the ability to stay committed to your high moral standards. The Stefan you know gives you a normal relationship, an acceptable bond. Your friends like him. Your teachers accept him.”

“What about the Stefan you know?”

“The Stefan I know would rip your pretty little neck apart if I so much as compelled him to do so.”

She swallowed, processing. Klaus wanted to hurt her. He wanted to watch how she interacted with the Salvatore brothers. He would then later use what he learned against her. “You made Stefan into something he’s not.”

“On the contrary,” Klaus said. “We’re vampires. That makes us hunters or predators by nature. We’re only killers by choice.”

Beta Readers' "Favorite Lines from The Vampire Diaries"

Mystical Christmas
(Kindle Worlds Novella) [Kindle Edition]


1. Her mind’s eyes flickered with newspaper clippings about a rampant killing spree, a murderous binge controlled by Klaus and executed by Stefan.

2. “On the contrary,” Klaus said. “We’re vampires. That makes us hunters or predators by nature. We’re only killers by choice.”

3. "Stefan’s weapons are embedded in his gums. No one hands him anything. He takes what he wants.”

4. "You and Damon probably weren’t supposed to spend Christmas together. You aren’t exactly an ideal mistletoe-seeking pair.”

5. "At the end of the day, you’re nothing more than a bleeding vein to him, Elena.”

6. Their love washed over her like a high tide racing toward shore in the middle of a devastating storm, a volatile gale that would temporarily calm before striking with brutal force in the desolate hours of a quiet holiday night.

7. “Proximity is a real bitch when you’re the only one with a beating heart in a houseful of vampires.”

8. “You can make a deal with the devil but it doesn’t mean you have to follow him back to hell.”

9. "Far be it for me to break the news here, but we’re both dead, brother.” Stefan lifted his glass. “I thought you knew.”

10. "I can’t pretend I don’t have feelings for you when every single time I look at you, I only see an extension of me.”

11. “It’s hard to choose a side when your heart draws its sword for one cause while your head supports another.”

Only $1.99 Today At Amazon
About the Author: Susan Smith Alvis has been a career author for over a decade. With over 300 titles to her credit, her pseudonyms have been award-winning authors with international bestsellers in most genres. To sign up for updates and future release date announcements, email her at susansmithalvis@gmail.com

Excerpt 2 , Justine: Into the Blood 99 cents Promo!

"A great deal can be said for a vampire’s unusual abilities. There I was, perched on a windowsill. The night was waiting to welcome me and I knew it. Then, with no hesitation, no thought of injury or death—I flew down. Freedom was at hand. There were no goodbyes, no regrets—not one.

I began my journey with at least one lesson learned: if I were going to judge London by Grosvenor Square, I would soon be in for a shock. This I would find out later.

A man did stop me to tell me to run along, as the neighborhood was not suitable for the likes of me he said. Obviously, he figured me for a prostitute. I smiled, thinking if you only knew.

It did occur to me to feed on him, but I was too much in the open. I felt certain I would be seen. So I made no reply but hurried along not having any idea which direction to go in. As it happened, I turned eastward. This, I found interesting because the further east I went, the poorer the area. It didn’t seem as filthy as Paris. But it didn’t miss out by much. And like Paris, there were marked differences between rich and poor—there were beggars and prostitutes all of them quite forward calling, out to any passerby exactly what they would do and how much they charged.

There was constant movement and noise—as well as the stench of unwashed bodies and filth. People were sitting and drinking—others were walking or trying to. The crowds were even greater than in Paris. Many were drunk on cheap gin. They hollered and fought—there were scuffles and fights too, the worst being between women. I had never seen anything like it.

Droves of thieves and pickpockets were about. I could tell by one glance what they were; some came up to me—but backed off quickly. They knew a menace worse than themselves when they saw me.

There were too, madams known as bawds who waylaid any young girl they saw if they thought she would be good for business. A few started speaking to me. I let them talk. It was fun knowing I could easily get away. One had a man in league with her, quite a rough looking sort he looked too. When I left her side he ran after me. I just stopped and smiled at him. He looked bewildered at first until I threw him against an alley wall.

He screamed in pain. His face bloody, he started to lunge toward me but thought better of it. “What are you?”

I thought wouldn’t want to know but made no reply. That was the first of a number of such encounters. The most violent was from a gang of youths. They rushed at me, thinking they had cornered me in an alley; they began to laugh and tease. When one came too close and tried to touch me, I thought enough was enough. Besides, I was anxious to show them what I could do. I jumped the poor fool, hurling myself at him with such force, I was sure he had cracked his head open.

“Anyone else?” I taunted.

They backed away then although not before one threw a rather large stone at me. I threw it back, it caught him in the groin and he went down. They shouted murderer but I only laughed.

Soon, they stood now as one, threatening me and inching closer, I picked up a rat I saw. Biting its head off, I drained it.

“The next one who comes closer, I shall do the same to him!”

They were gone in an instant.

There was to be more trouble, more challenges; the worst coming from a man who surprised me. Since he caught me unaware, I was momentarily incapacitated or I’d have sprung into action. I didn’t as I suddenly became aware of a man watching me. He was leaning on a walking stick. “Leave her alone!” he cried.

My attacker laughed at him and moved to attack him. The man was ready for it. He swung the stick quickly, hitting the aggressor on the head. The man cried out in pain.

“That will show you!” My would-be savior yelled.

He asked me if I was alright and I nodded. He moved toward me, speaking as he did. I saw he was quite lame. “Miss, please. You will be safe if you go to Endell Street in St. Giles. I have lodgings there.” I said nothing and he smiled. “It is safe I assure you. I am known throughout this area, for I always help damsels in distress though I may not look the type.”

Something touched me, a memory from when I lived—a feeling of gratitude and admiration too. I told him I would find his home.

He looked pleased. “Yes, well go along now. Give me some time; I cannot walk too well…”

The vampire and the hero, I thought—what a combination.

I thanked him and hurried to the address he gave me. It was on a tiny street. His house was at the end; number 11a. The door was open. A young girl of eleven or twelve stood in the doorway. She was dressed in rags and had soot marks on her face. “The cripple send you here, did he?”

I said he did.

“Go on then, upstairs, in the back. He’s an artist,” the girl said. “And quite a good one I should say.”

*

I waited in the hall as the door was locked. He at last appeared. I knew it was him as I heard his step, the sound of shuffling and another sound—that of a stick tapping on cobblestones. He smiled when he saw me. “I wasn’t too long, I hope.”

I followed him inside, listening to his polite chatter and answering as best I could. I tried not to smell his blood but I did. It smelled good, fragrant--without the hint of alcohol.

He had me sit. “There is an alcove where you can sleep or you can have my bed. I mean on your own if you like.” He smiled.

Now I took a good look at his face. It was not a handsome face, it was a kindly face. “The streets are so unsafe. It seems things only get worse.”

He glanced at me I think wanting me to tell him why I was out walking. I smiled and said I had to leave my lodgings as they were unsuitable. Goodness knew what he thought of that.

I noticed some paintings scattered about. There was an unfinished one on a makeshift easel. I asked him about it. He told me he was doing it for a client. “Well,” he added. “I am hoping someone will buy it. I make enough for food…”

“I won’t be staying long …”

“You are welcome to stay as long as you like…?”

“Justine.” I answered.

“Justine. I am Edward. Are you French?”

“Yes.” And I am more than that, I thought. But I will never harm you.

(end of excerpt)

AMAZON 99 cents for a short time!

99 cents! Justine: Into the Blood!

Born in pre-Revolutionary France and orphaned as a child, Justine Bodeau is taken in by a family friend who employs her as a seamstress. Eventually, she winds up to work in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette.

A strong-willed survivor, defeat does not occur to her. When she fights off an attack by an aristocrat and kills him, she is given refuge but is soon betrayed and winds up on the streets of Paris, where she is attacked and killed by rogue vampires. But for whatever reason, love will not let her die.

Justine goes from wishing to be destroyed to wanting to survive, when she feels passion for the one who brought her back, Gascoyne — the one they call the Vampire Prince of Paris.

***

EXCERPT:

Unkempt and dirty, I fit in with everyone I saw. And because I slept out , I looked rough. No one looked at me twice; they seemed too disgruntled and weary. There was little conversation, just movement—wagons and barrels being moved along. A coach was going up the street , quite a rich looking one at that. People just stopped what they were doing to stare at it with sullen faces— menacing and full of hatred. The driver looked keen to get away as quickly as possible. And when a wigged occupant called out to someone in the street to show him a ware they were hawking, he received no answer.

“I'm speaking to you!” he cried. The crowd said nothing; a few began to move toward the coach. As they did , the wigged head vanished and the driver whipped the horses. “Faster, faster!” he cried. I thought of what the farmer had said and knew then, he was right. If this was summer, it was going to be very hot indeed. It was going to be as hot as the people of Paris wished it to be.

An old woman gave me bread. It was stale and moldy but she meant well. “It is all I have,” she said. “But you look as though you need it.” I thanked her, shoving it into my mouth. It tasted good and I was grateful. I cried my thanks and ate it so quickly, I nearly choked. I walked, without any idea where I was going. Where I would sleep next I knew not; perhaps in an alley. Mobs of homeless could be seen all about, especially in alleys and side streets. When the sky darkened, I looked for a place to rest.

One alley was as good as another. My need for sleep exceeded my caution. I lay down amongst a crowd of homeless. But when I was touched by two different men while I slept, I knew it was not safe. I shouted at them and they laughed. “Go to the palace then if you're too good for us,” one of them cried.

I didn't answer; instead, I stumbled along, sleepily only wishing to rest. I chose the first place I came upon— an abandoned shop, stinking of the sourness of filth and decay. There were rats and mice and heaven knew what else, but other than that, no people to bother me. I would rest. Sleep came quickly— but so did the attack. Something bit the back of my neck. The pain was excruciating. My first thought was, I was being attacked by a dog. I tried to defend myself. That's when I heard the hissing.

Frightened and in too much pain to think, I somehow managed to pull away . All I wanted to do was run from the beast. But then I was attacked again— this time from every direction. I fought hard but knew I was failing. A whole pack was attacking me, killing me.

I felt myself growing weaker by the second . I could just see the beasts' outlines in the dim moonlight. Why didn't they look like dogs? Death was at hand. I felt it and I welcomed it. The pain passed through me while the life drained from me. I am dying. Then, just before everything grew black, I saw its eyes, the eyes of the one that had been the most voracious of all. They glowed yellow, like a wolf's. With that last thought, I died.

The blackness turned to shadows and from within those shadows, I saw figures. They might have been my parents. I called out to them but then felt myself drifting away— slowly at first, then more quickly. I clearly heard the shouts and cries of the damned. Was I bound for hell? I don't think I cared. And then I heard a voice; quite distinct it was, too. Someone was calling me forth. “Rise!” A man's voice, rich and deep sounding.

At first I thought it was the count… I might have even called out Oriani's name. There was no answer though, just words spoken that sounded strange. “Enter the darkness and live again!” Soft murmuring ensued. Muffled voices and whispers, voices saying things I could not understand. “Drink!” Believing the offering to be water, I obeyed. But then I smelled it and turned away. “Please, no!”

Was it wine? If so, it smelled awful. “You must drink…” I looked to see someone's wrist, from which blood poured forth. I gasped as it was held over my mouth. The blood splashed down on me and still, I would not open my mouth. “She is sinking fast…” “Open your mouth and drink!” I obeyed because the man's tone was pleading. He looked so sad and impassioned. “It is the only thing that will bring you back!”

I opened my mouth to receive his blood and become what he wished me to be. What it was my destiny to become— a Vampire, a blood-imbibing creature of the night, a cursed being condemned to feed like the Vampire bat. I would call shadows home, along with night. Sun would become my enemy. I had visions of people I neither knew nor recognized. They weren't my memories, of that I was certain.

“The things you see come from my living life for it is my blood you drink.” I tried to understand but it was so difficult. Something struck me. It felt like a hard stinging slap, but I did not cry out. I heard the sound of another slap and the cry of a woman following it. Scuffling accompanied those sounds, as well as a warning: “Leave her alone or I will tear you apart.”

Finally, I regained my senses and looked about. I lay in a dimly lit, cavernous room. The light within came from flickering candles. The shadows frightened me, and the smell of damp and dust threatened to overpower me. I saw her then; a woman with disheveled hair glared at me before rushing away. I was certain she was the one that had slapped me. I tried to lunge at her! As weak as I still was, I tried, for I brimmed with rage and loathing. The man held me down. “Let me look into your eyes.” He nodded sadly after he did. “I don't know how you were before, but now you are the Devil's own. Some return different with Hell's taint upon them. I fear you are one of those…”

I had passed into the blood. The being that once was Justine Bodeau had ceased to exist. In her place stood a raging Vampire. Wantonness and hatred replaced my soul. Whatever I had been, I would be no more. They say I slept for days; not sleep as I had known it but the deep, nearly fathomless sleep of the Vampire. When I woke, I was alone but for a man sitting near me. As he had his back to me, I could not see his face. He turned suddenly, as if he sensed me looking at him. He was the man whose blood I had drunk. “I am Gascoyne,” he said. “I am called the Vampire Prince of Paris.” When I made no reply, he asked me my name.

“I am called Justine,” was my reply.

(END OF EXCERPT:)

Some readers comments:

"Carole knows how to pull you into her novels and make you feel as if you are one of the characters yourself., 

Nancy Allen (The Avid Reader) -

"Carole Gill does a fantastic job at bringing the characters and the settings to life"

Pamela Foley

“Revenge, betrayal, passion, bloodshed, lust and love are just a few of the elements of this dark and spellbinding book."

Lisa Burnett

"Humans Use Vampires and Vice Versa--an amazing story with so many twists and turns. A really good read.,"
Berk Rourke

Purchase for 99 cents/pence during this short promotion period!

AMAZON

An Orgy At Cleopatra's Court, From Unholy Testament - The Beginnings

From Book 2, Unholy Testament - The Beginnings. Another confession in demon spawn, Eco's journal. His journal contains all of the many sins committed in the course of his immortal existence:

(excerpt):

"The Queen! Where was she? Faruk saw how excited I must have looked and he smiled. “Look there,” he said. “You see?”

I turned and my eyes at last beheld her. She was dazzling; far more beautiful than I expected. She wore a draped dress of white linen—her shawl looked golden. That is, it had what appeared to be glittering threads woven into the cloth.

Around her throat, she wore a jeweled collar. I had never seen such stones for they seemed to have a life of their own. Her hair, as black as ebony, was done up in an intricate design of tendrils; there was no mistaking she was a queen.

We were motioned forward by a eunuch. He was quite tall and beautifully garbed. He bowed his head and asked us to proceed. “Her magnificence wishes you to come forward!”

The queen acknowledged us with a little smile. Antony, handsome in his Roman finery, sat near her. He gazed coolly upon me but had a special smile for my wenches. If Cleopatra noticed, she didn’t show she had.

“And what will you do for us?” she asked. This was not a command but a coquettish sounding question.

I smiled. “Magic, your magnificence. I will dazzle you with it!”

She nodded for me to begin.

I started simply. I didn’t wish to overwhelm her, so I conjured small winged creatures. There were gasps and applause, so I conjured more. I created wind and fire, too, which caused alarm at first but then joy and amazement at how easily I controlled my magic.

All of this magic I had learned from Imtep. Yes, I am most grateful to him.

My conjuring went on for some time but when I felt the moment right, I called for Ankata to enter.

“The Priestess, Ankata!”

Near pandemonium erupted in the place. People stood to see her. She came in and bowed. The place went wild, and even Cleopatra applauded.

Ankata had never looked more beautiful. She was dressed in lilac colored linen, so sheer, she looked nude. She bowed to the Queen and walked to my side.

I reached out and drew her veil down so that she was naked. I disrobed, too, and gently pushed her to the floor.

We made love first, easy and gentle, just fondling one another. But then we began to feed on each other, in the most amazing of places.

The spectators were thrilled and shocked. I heard their gasps and whispers. None of them enjoyed it more than Lucius Aratas—a Roman official Faruk had told me about.

The wenches came out next. They were entirely nude. The men followed, and soon they began feeding and copulating with them. It seemed there was no difference between the feeding and the orgiastic pleasure they gave one another.

Cheers rang out as the Romans, initiated by Antony, shouted their approval. Cleopatra laughed whereupon Antony took her right there where they were seated.

Others joined in until the entire room was one big orgy with Scaba and the wenches pleasuring each other and any man that wished it.

I never saw so many naked bodies copulating as they were. Shrieks of pleasure resounded in the hall—such that I’d never heard. Even the eunuchs joined in, pleasuring one another in wild abandon.

It went on for hours. People only stopped when they were satiated. It was as Faruk had said—desires of the blood. Odd that sexual excitement transpires from vampiric feeding, is it not, Rose?

At daybreak, Antony summoned me. He wished to know my name and something about me, where I was from, and so on.

“I told him I was from Antioch. He asked me what I was about. I think strangely enough he thought me to have eyes for the Queen.

I smiled and said I wished to take my troupe to Rome for I dreamt of the place and had done for a number of years.

He looked quite impressed with that. He was not only handsome but also arrogant. “Yes, Rome is the beginning and end of everything. Tell me,” he added. “Are you not staying? Are you intending to go soon?”

I think he asked this hoping it was soon, for he had seen the way Cleopatra watched me.

“It will be very soon,” I said.

He looked relieved. “Do make plans to travel. I am certain you will sail for Rome before you know it!”

I thanked him and as I turned to go, he called me back. “In the interim, could you leave a few of your wenches? Faruk will show you where to send them. I quite fancy them.”

He shocked me, Rose, as humans often do.

Later, Faruk introduced me to Lucius Aratas. He was quite a handsome man, tall and distinguished looking. He looked every inch the aristocrat he was.

“I have watched you,” he said. “You must tell me of your plans. I could not help but to overhear that you are leaving for Rome.”

I agreed that I was.

“That is good. I shall escort you there, if you will permit me.”

We shook hands then. His touch was interesting; I cannot always say I have an inkling about a person just from their touch, but I did rather have it about Lucius. I thought him most promising.

For all of Faruk’s many gifts, I offered him the gift of immortality.

He fell to his knees and wept. “Master, I cannot speak, I am so honored.”

“Then you shall listen. I have seen how you look at Scaba, and I cannot part you two. She is yours forever if you wish it.”

He fell prostrate before me and wept, but these tears were of joy.

And so I did create him and he fed upon myself and Ankata and Scaba, too. Then they fell about making love, for they were so entranced with one another. We would leave the next day. As for Faruk, he and Scaba were to remain in Alexandria because it was his city.

From what I understand, they had many successful vampire brothels. Scaba, as wanton as she was, came to care for Faruk and as far as I know, she may care for him still.

And so we left the glittering Alexandria behind. Our destination was Rome.

Rome, the city of cities—the new power in the world. I could not wait to see it for I knew much of my destiny awaited me there. And it did, Rose. Oh my, yes it did..."

(end of excerpt) 

Unholy Testament - The Beginnings, Book 2
(Confessions of the demon, Eco)
The Blackstone Vampires Series

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What Pushes Your Scare Buttons?

Dolls, clowns, ghosts, shadow people, the dark, bogeymen, zombies, werewolves, vampires, creepy children, haunted toys. If you can think of some more, please let me know!

That still by the way is from Village of the Damned (1960). I've baby sat for kids like that. Maybe that's why I write horror? Could be! Those were the best creepy kids on film I've ever seen.

On to dolls! Dolls have always done it for me. I mentioned that in a recent post about Annabelle, the doll from The Conjuring. 

Remember this cutie from Night Gallery? This doll did it for me. Every scare button I had (and I had a lot) was pushed when I saw her.

If I remember correctly, the doll was sent to someone with a curse attached. There were scenes where the doll was placed in one spot and then appeared in another! That did it. I knew I'd remember this bloody doll forever! I mean look at this damned thing!  Imagine waking up during the night and finding it next to you! ARGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!  I have stories based on this fear and yes, I am still afraid!

Yikes! I mean, what is it? Dolls should be cute--and when they're not, when there's a lunatic glint in their eyes, well--I'm ready to scream or run. Running is preferable.

Along with dolls I'd include ventriloquist dummies. Wow, they have been used to great effect in films like Dead Silence (2007). I love that film. It has everything.

Dead Silence rocked my boat. The urban myth device, daring us to say something three times was used to great effect! Here goes: Mary Shaw, Mary Shaw...oops not going to say it! And remember the beginning? The damned thing arrives and the wife thinks it's a present! HELP! 

There were superb films about 'scary doll ventriloquist dummies like Magic (1978), with Anthony Hopkins and Dead of Night (1945).

Reviews coming! As I'm writing this post, I'm remembering these films. Wow. Scary memory lane and everything.

Freddy Kruger Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) is the ultimate bogeyman. That's not to say that there haven't been others that were good, but Freddy is the best on-screen bogeymen. 

Having been a child killer, he is probably the most worthwhile villain in horror film because he represents an all-too real menace. The ultimate monster among us.

Ghosts? How about The Woman in Black?  (1989) and (2012). First of all it is based on the superb novel by Susan Hill (one of my icons)--if you haven't read it, please do!

The photo on the left is from the original (1989) film. A revengeful ghost, how scary is that? Hate never dies. I have that as a line in one of my books--and I think it's true. Relentless hatred doesn't die and if it leaves this world and comes back, how do we protect ourselves, answer: we don't!

From 30 Days of Night (2007) No pouty vampire, he! THIS is a vampire. This guy isn't going to seduce anyone! He's a vicious monster. I bet no one has the hots for him, right? Scary!

And the werewolf from An American Werewolf in London! (1984). That had everything, scares and humor. The Yorkshire Moors can look desolate but at night--is something deadly this way coming? Look out!

You know there is supposed to be a huge cat on Bodmin Moor! Sheep have been killed and the legend persists. Could it be based on fact? If it is, how do we know what's skulking around on other moors or anywhere in fact?!

28 Days Later (2002) A very well-made, scary zombie film. Sure, there are classics as well, but this is a fave.

Writers are influenced by things we see and fiction we read. I'm no different. So here's a suggestion:

Give my House of Horrors a read through some time, why don't you?!

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Psycho: How Scary Is It?

Answer: very scary because it demonstrates just how lethal vulnerability can be. What is more frightening than being attacked in the shower? Janet Leigh had been interviewed and said that shower scene made her realize that. You have nothing but the soap! How many people, I wonder, 'check' while they are showering and how many get soap in their eyes while doing it?

This kind of horror can happen and in my mind, that makes it even more scary! I feel that horror with no 'safety zone' is horror at its most frightening. Norman Bates isn't a vampire, that has to be invited in.

There are a number of lists on the internet that list 'The Hundred Scariest Films.'  I read some comments about The Exorcist always being number one or close to it. I think Psycho should be number one. It seems to me invariably it gets overlooked.

It should never be passed over. Psycho was able to scare the hell out of everyone who saw it (just about)!

And it's stark and frightening in its black and white treatment. It's like watching horrific murders filmed by a hidden camera!

Having been made and released within three years of Ed Gein's arrest, it is timely too. The irony of course is Ed Gein and his crimes were too horrific at the time to depict. There have been some pretty good films made since that focus on Gein. My favorite is Gein starring Steve Railsback.

Railsback captured the ordinariness of Ed Gein. The true horror of Gein was that he was the local oddball, apparently a harmless, dippy guy. When the truth of his house of horrors was revealed, that is when the shock set in, not only in Plainfield, Wisconsin, but a lot farther afield than that.

He still scares us. How many of us look at a loner and wonder what that person is capable of?  Are their rotting corpses in their basement? I wonder I suppose because I write horror. I find I am inspired by my own fears and nightmares to craft my own fiction. Inspiration, remember can come from anywhere.

The film is superb. It manages to be chilling without a lot of gore. The only 'blood' is actually chocolate swirling down the shower drain. This, while we are still reeling from the suddenness of the first murder.

The film is layered, crafted expertly because of Hitchcock's direction. That and Joseph Stefano's screenplay make it what it is. With Bernard Herrmann's jarring music fuelling this powerhouse of psychopathy as it does, we have a study in terror like no other. If the act of stabbing became music, it would sound like the theme. That's quite an accomplishment!

The supporting cast is very good as well. When Marion's sister, Lila (Vera Miles) goes into the creepy old house to see what's going on, we squirm. Squirm--as in ready to run and scream!

Don't touch the chair Lila!

You know, that chair in the fruit cellar! What Hitchcock manages to do with that scene is why he has the reputation he has. The reaction is pure terror. The light bulb casts eerie shadows as the horror is revealed, one horror after another. It's almost too much to watch!

They didn't call Hitchcock the Master of Suspense for nothing!

Psycho (1960): it doesn't get better than that. Stop with the remakes, Hollywood!

Becoming My Heroine!

Now, I'm writing the second book in the Blood and Passion Series, Anat: Blood Princess. Anat first appeared briefly in the previous book, Justine: Into the Blood. (on sale at Amazon).

Anat was a royal princess and loved a slave which was forbidden...the punishment for such an infraction was horrific. Her story is tragic and torturous. It spans many centuries.

In order to write about her, I become her. This I can do because I studied acting (The Method). I love doing that because it makes all my research come alive. I put myself in her world. Where she began and where she went and all that happened along the way; every emotion she felt, I will feel.

Naturally, I will carry on but the starting point is in Ancient Egypt.

This music gives me her story. I hear it and know that at the most difficult time in her life she was comforted by a slave, a slave called Ramet. He played music and sang to her to drive away her sorrow. And because he cared so much about her, she fell deeply in love with him, despite her mother's warnings.

Ramet sang and wrote poetry to her. Here is an example of Ancient Egyptian love poetry. Perhaps Ramet wrote something similar:

Her neck is slender, ample her breast,
Her hair is lapis-lazuli;

Her arms more splendid than gold
And her fingers like lotus petals.

Her robe is tightly caught in around her waist.
Revealing the most beautiful legs in all the world...

You cannot help following her with your eyes wherever she goes,
She is such an unrivalled goddess in appearance.
(14th century BCE)

~*~

This is world building in the most personal way I can make it. I want to immerse myself in her world, to feel as she did.

And when she becomes undead...I want all the more to know what it was like for her, because even though I have depicted such events in other books, I bear in mind that vampires differ from being to being as all beings do.

Annabelle, The Doll From The Conjuring; WHAT IS IT ABOUT HER?!

Really, why do dolls scare us sometimes? When I saw her in The Conjuring I knew I'd love the film and I do! Take her away, and I still love it. But she is 'scare insurance.' !!!

Before I give you my review, here are just a few thoughts on scary dolls: I think they are scary or can be so easily because they are passive. Dolls are child-like and children should be sweet and innocent looking. When representations of them are not, it's unsettling as in very.

Annabelle is one creepy doll. I would not sleep in the same house with that doll. I really wouldn't. She looks like she's about to jump out at you. That spindly glass case won't hold her. No way, she'd be in your face in a second. And then you'd be finished. In fact, you might even be lucky if she did finish you off, because there's so much more she could do!

Okay, so--The Conjuring Review:

Real-life psychic investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren are central to this film.

Three people tell them about their experiences with Annabelle--a doll that is supposed to be possessed. This is three years before the time our story is set in.

In 1971, Carolyn and Roger Perron move into a dilapidated, old farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island with their five daughters. During the first day, the family are there everything is fine except, the dog, Sadie refuses to go into the house.

Well, that's when I'd have turned around and left. Honest. First of all, I wouldn't have had my dogs sleep outside. Yes, I know they are both spoiled and we love them that way. Seriously, animals sense things that humans don't very often. So if they look creeped out there's a reason! They know stuff!

Ah, but the Perrons don't pay attention to Sadie at their peril. That's capital 'P', peril.

The scary stuff begins. The hide and clap game they play is really terrifying.There was such menace when the game was played, it was palpable. Still, the family go to bed even though poor Sadie is barking outside. Then something is pulling at one of the kid's feet. Very unsettling!

The next morning, Sadie is found dead and Carolyn (the mom) has mysterious bruises on her back, then all over! And if that isn't weird, she hears clapping when there's no one there. One daughter sleepwalks--but really all she does is stand at a wardrobe banging her head.

Eventually, Ed and Lorraine Warren, noted paranormal investigators are called in. Something's going on they say. A bad spirit has latched onto to the family. That's most unsettling to hear and what with the dead dog, bruises, clapping noises and one sleepwalking kid banging her head on the wardrobe door--well I'd have been out of there, wouldn't you have been?

There was one scene that was so scary (and I don't scare easily) I nearly screamed. In fact I think I did because my dog ran over to comfort me! Not telling you because it would spoil the scare!

Okay, the psychic investigators determination is they need an exorcism but further evidence and approval from the Catholic Church is needed in order for this to take place.

The Warrens begin to research the house and find the horrific accounting of a supposed witch. I mean this woman was caught by her husband as she was sacrificing their week old infant. This cannot be postpartum depression;  no way, right?

There have actually been (and I checked on this, see bottom of post) a lot of murders and suicides--in this farmhouse that is still standing. That is more than creepy. Just saying.

Our paranormal investigators dutifully set up thermal cameras to gain evidence for an official exorcism.

Things are alright for a while but then the sleepwalking--head banging daughter starts up again and doors slam--worse than that is the scene where Lorraine sees spirits of people the witch (Bathsheba) has possessed. This was a bitch of a witch. Not a nose wrinkling cute Elizabeth Montgomery, either!

At one point mom Carolyn goes nuts and tries to attack her own daughters. There is more immediacy because of this so Ed performs the Exorcism himself while Carolyn is restrained. Lorraine is able to temporarily distract the possessed Carolyn from killing her daughter by reminding her of a special memory she shared with her family, allowing Ed to complete the exorcism, saving Carolyn and April.

Ironically the priest does finally get permission but it's all been resolved. No ghost busters needed.

Now, there is more. In fact there is a great site about the hauntings and mysterious deaths, murders, suicides reported in this farmhouse over the years! I kid you not! Be sure to visit the link below.

And there is actually information about Annabelle--well it was a Raggedy Ann doll, you see. Of course nothing can beat Annabelle for pure scare.

The picture above comes from History Hollywood. Please visit the link it's got an amazing amount of information:

http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/conjuring.php

With regard to the doll--although unrelated to this film and the story depicted, there is a connection with the Warrens on a separate case in 1970.

VAMPIRES ON THE MOORS

99 cents on offer!

"I stole out to the moors in the direction of the altar stone. I stood there for some moments wondering where they had all gone, but then I noticed what looked like a tunnel. I could hear laughter and talking--screams and other sounds too, coming from somewhere deep inside. I decided to see what was happening.

It was dark but there were candles about. I continued on toward the sound. People moved about somewhere close by, sending flickering shadows along the walls ahead of me.

Creeping along a little more I saw chambers—enclosed areas filled with cushions and people… people doing things to one another.

I didn’t realize what they were doing at first but then I did, and I nearly cried out. Handsomely dressed men and women lay prostrate on the makeshift beds, offering their necks, their arms, their bodies, so that their mates – black-clothed figures – could bite into their flesh and drink their blood!

I watched in horror while the victims moaned with ecstasy while the predators licked the flowing blood from their skin. They loved it so much, they called out for the most indecent things to be done to them.

Then the clothing was discarded and men and women in all sorts of combinations began to pleasure one another.

Meanwhile they continued to feast on one another, and those they feasted on were screaming their delight!

I turned to run, but someone grabbed me. I managed to break free, and started to run as fast as I could.

I did finally emerge back onto the moors, only to be grabbed again and pushed to the ground. A girl held me down, a girl I recognized, a girl whose chin was caked in blood.
She was Imogene, the nasty one from the club. She reached for me and bent over me. “I will show you pleasure, I will show you worlds you cannot imagine!”

“No! No!” I cried, somehow managing to break away from her. I ran again as fast as I could. She chased after me but suddenly stopped to sniff the air. She then fell upon the ground.

At first I didn’t realize what she was doing, I only understood when she looked up and smiled. “Virgin blood, sweet to the taste!”
I don’t remember screaming. All I know is I was soon surrounded by a sea of anxious faces."

(end of excerpt)

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~Top 10 Books 2013, All Things Fantasy

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~efestival of words 2014 winner, Best Villain Eco Best Horror 

The House on Blackstone Moor

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"Worth its weight in blood."
~INDIE READER

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I for one found this gloriously gothic, refreshingly brutal, honestly horrific and a great read.
~Taliesin Meets the Vampires

"92 Horror authors you need to read right now"
Carole Gill -- the Blackstone Vampires series
~Charlotte Books - EXAMINER

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