FREE READS!

It's better to drown sometimes!

Beacon 

Zombies wanting to change, to better themselves--what's wrong with that?!

UNDEAD ANONYMOUS 

A most unusual circus! Discover their secrets! 

THE CIRCUS STORY THAT INSPIRED A NOVEL! 

About Evil

Evil is evil. If a human being is evil, then this is what the soul looks like. But what about the entire cycle of human life and after? That's at the core of some of the stories in this collection. For example: What happens to a serial killer when he dies?  If there is something else after this life, I wonder if all of his victims wait for him on the other side.

Are their parents there? Each time he killed, there was a ripple effect. That's how it is. Evil. In this case, human evil. That's one story.

And what about a weird little boy no one liked, especially his mother. Was he doing something in secret that was indicative of a monstrous mentality just getting started? That's another story.

Then there's this: the greatest evil in my opinion, the one that completely corrupted the 20th century, the effects of which are still being felt today--that's the basis of another story. Probably my favorite.

There's more too, much more. I didn't forget traditional monsters. They're all There and they're waiting...!

¬*¬

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 

AMAZON 

UPDATE ON NEW BOOK ABOUT THE BLOOD COUNTESS!

The darkest published fiction I have written is my Blackstone Vampires Series. I have often said I don't know where all the darkness came from, but it just poured out of me. After I wrote Justine: Into the Blood (first novel in my new series) I thought, 'well, I'll go a little lighter now.' But then I started to write a novel about Erzsebat Bathory, The Blood Countess.

Why'd I do that? I'm still not sure. I always say, we write what is in us to write. I think that's true. With Bathory, I found her the most puzzling. How could a woman do what she is purported to have done? Hundreds of torture killings, bathing in blood--perhaps there is an exaggeration but let's face it, any country that prohibits the name of a noble personage being SPOKEN for a century after her death, has to have some reason for doing that. Really.

She had children, they stood by her, from what I read. A son-in-law pleaded for her. She had to have been very complex at the very least. I don't think she was ever unaware of what she was doing. Nothing I have read suggested that.

She just had the power to do what she wished. A sadistic sexual murderer with unlimited power! That was her story. As I have said she is the same Bathory in my telling, albeit one that is more aware and conflicted. But the horror is there.

I began to think about all my published longer fiction and I realized, it's all very dark. As for the first series, each novel in The Blackstone Vampires is darker than the preceding one. I guess--it was a given for me to go on to a novel about Bathory.

There is a great deal of eroticism in the story. Eroticism and horror easily go together. They are two elements of a whole. There are relationships that have both present.

Power may be central to the equation. Unlimited power and a loyal lover can help a monster do anything. Her rages continue in my novel, they fuel the violence. Regret cannot be permitted to take over because the rage is too strong. Her realization of that is her curse. It's all pretty complex.

The book's release has been delayed because of my husband's sudden death in September. However, I am going through it now and will be sending it on to editing and then it will go in Creativia's line up. I'm glad about that. My husband liked the book and, as always, encouraged me. 

So just hang on a little longer. Bathory and her madness will be worth waiting for! 

Try Not to Get Carried Away This Christmas!

Just enjoy yourself but be careful who takes you home from a party! You never know, he/she may not be wrapped to tight! 

I wish everyone the very best of Christmases. I particularly wish the world hope for the New Year, so that there is less horror in it! 

Take care all!

The Other Side of What I Write

I write horror, but at the core of it, especially in my Blackstone Vampires Series is the eternal battle between good and evil.

Some people question, why write horror? Have you read the news lately? History is filled with horror perpetrated by all faiths and cultures at one time or another. No smugness, just honesty--that's the way to go, I think,

And another thing, this, in case we forget, is what Christmas is all about. It IS Christmas. Believe what you like. But please remember before there was anything commercial, there was this.

No sermon from me. Just a reminder that this birth is what is being celebrated. This and only this at Christmas.

here's a link to a story I always put up for Easter, a little present:

http://carolegillauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-ointment-story-for-easter.html

YOU CAN TAKE A DEMON TO WORK!

EXCERPT:

"She saw him in the doorway, all glowing and brilliant. His magnificent bronze wings fluttered in greeting. Who said all demons were bad?  “Sit down, Dark Lord. I was just having breakfast.”

He looked quiet this morning, which was alright.  She didn’t mind carrying the conversation. In fact she didn’t mind anything as long as she was away from her mother’s sick room.

Fifteen years caring for her mother. Listening to a lost life, a life lived and ended sadly when illness and old age finally encroached upon the mediocre life that was there.

“Frances! Frances I want you!”

Frances sighed and glanced over at her demon. “You see, you see how it is?”

Dark Lord told her he understood. He knew because he came from hell and could always recognize someone else’s purgatory. Purgatory because Frances and all the Franceses who are driven nuts get mean and wind up toe dipping in the lake of fire no matter what they do. They get a taste of perdition beforehand. All the damned knew that.

“I know how you suffer, Frances.”

Frances closed her eyes. His voice sounded so caring. He understood everything.

“Frances!”

She was being summoned again. She wanted him to go with her, but he rarely did because he scared the old woman. “She sees me you know. She didn’t always but she does now.”

Frances understood that because it took her years of pain and anguish to see him herself.

Her mother called her name again. So she’s off, shuffling her flat feet along the dusty floors toward her mother’s room.

A big smile full of perfectly honed false teeth greet her. “Good morning, Frances.”

“Morning.”  Frances replied, reaching for the full bed pan.

Yeah it’s a tough life—no one gets out alive.

It’s early but the room is already hot. It faces the Harlem River and the last river breeze passed out and died somewhere on a Washington Heights’ street hours ago.

“Sleep well?” Her mother doesn’t always answer it depends on her mood or perhaps her increasing dementia. Actually Frances does feel sorry for her, it’s Mom’s purgatory too. “I can put the fan on.”

The fan starts up but it sounds like it’s shuffling cards.

“Can’t you make it quiet? It used to be quiet.”

Quiet, I remember quiet, Frances thinks. It goes with peace.

“No, it’s fucked up, Mom.”

Her mother winced. She hated swear words. “Frances please.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

Ah yes, the famous proclamation declared intermittently that all that is horribly wrong is actually alright.

“I’ll get your breakfast.”

Breakfast and lunch and dinner too, and then it starts all over again with work tomorrow. Perhaps Dark Lord might come along just for fun.

*

She never took him with her to work before. He was like that, aloof and sometimes difficult to figure out but he did seem to understand her need to have him finally come with her.

“Of course I will go with you, Frances. It is my pleasure.”

Ah pleasure, that was something she was sadly short of. At age forty something she was grossly overweight because her only pleasure came from over-eating, ice cream in particular. Pleasure is pleasure after all.

Ten minutes on the subway and they had arrived.

“This is it, Dark Lord.”

He was very impressed, she could tell the way he was nodding.

Into the lobby they went and across to the elevator.  “It’s on ten, Ten East, nuts are us—the psychiatric ward!” She expected him to smile, but he didn’t. “Watch your step!”

(end of excerpt) 

In this horror collection you'll find stories of vampires, zombies, murderous midgets, demon clowns, 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!

Review: 

"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

AMAZON 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL OF SORTS! ANOTHER FREE STORY!

ANOTHER FREE SEASONAL UNDEAD STORY!

"It was a natural thing for him really. His father had been an avowed occultist and his mother had been deeply involved in spiritualism and because of both those factors Oliver learned to raise the dead. There wasn’t much to it, just a lot of concentration and the right incantations. He spent many a pleasant night creeping around cemeteries and slipping into crypts.

Of course he had to do his research first. But that was alright as he enjoyed pouring over obituaries. Seeing who had died and where.

“Ah, Myrtle Tidwhistle died of pneumonia, only 28. Tsk tsk. I must do something about that!”

And so he would. Finding out what killed people was so important to him because he had come to think of himself as an avenging angel of sorts.

“You, Eustace Fibbergil shall walk once more upon the earth! No dreary tomb for you, Eustace!”

Crypts were good because the dead held up better in crypts. And there was so much death in Victorian times. It was now 1922 and although infant and child mortality was less rampant, there were still so many who died far too soon.

He became so proficient at raising the dead he was peopling his home with a great many of them. These were kindly, well-meaning undead, not scary at all or evil. Generally they were just content to sit and chat with Ollie about their lives and deaths. They filled his life up because if it hadn’t been for them, he’d have rattled around quite alone in the huge turreted Victorian mansion his mother left him. Yes she was there too, still worrying about him catching a cold.

Things went on as they always had. Seasons came and went but the one thing that never changed was how few people came to call: living people that is. Just the postman occasionally and he rarely stayed longer than was necessary.

Still, people talked and there were rumors about strange goings on that very often Oliver would have to show people around like the police to make them see everything was alright. Of course this he did after ensuring his undead boarders were safely out of sight.

One year something unusual happened however. He was just decorating the tree, for it was Christmas, when he heard the front door bang open and the sound of an angry voice:

“It’s true! You do have dead people!”

Mrs. Mason, the town’s worst busy body, was gesturing to all of the undead folks scattered around the living room. There were quite a number of them too: Ollie’s mother and father were there, so too were some Victorian children who died of typhus, as well as other children who died of scarlet fever and polio. They were all present.

“I’m going to the police!” Mrs. Mason shrieked.

Oliver didn’t have to threaten her as his mother was upon her in a moment. One twist of the nosy nag’s neck and Mrs. Mason was soon one of them, albeit with a strange tilt of her head.

“Yes that’s better,” said Oliver. “Now we can carry on with our festivities.”

But they couldn’t because Mrs. Mason was even more obnoxious dead. She was insulting and accusatory and when she stood up and began shuffling over to the door Ollie realized there was only one thing to do. Grabbing his father’s genuine Turkish sabre he had acquired in the war, he sliced off her head.

“There now!” he said staring into her dead eyes. “You shall be Christmas dinner!”

Everyone cheered for their general fare consisted of rodents and the occasional beetle. They ripped her corpse apart in no time. Oliver was pleased for them. "You have your Christmas feast!" Ollie cried. "So now in the spirit of the holiday, I should like to wish everyone a joyful time!”

Everyone nodded. They were covered in blood and gore. Ollie had never seen them so happy.

Suddenly Oliver's own favorite little zombie boy called out: “Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone!”

© Copyright 2011 Carole Gill

One of the many stories in House of Horrors!

AMAZON 

UNDEAD ANONYMOUS, ZOMBIES NEED SUPPORT TOO!

ANOTHER FREE, COMPLETE SEASONAL UNDEAD STORY!

The meeting began promptly. A towering and decomposing hulk of a creature lurched up to the front of the class and announced:

“I’m Harvey and I’m a zombie!”

The other zombies were on their feet applauding. “Good on you, Harv!”

“Way to go!”

Harvey was overcome. Well, overcome for a zombie is kind of different than for anyone else. The tear ducts are gone, so sighing is all a zombie can do really.

Harvey sighed. “I’m so glad I came!”

Renaldo Gizzard blew Harv a kiss. “You honor us.”

The truth was this support group was solely Renaldo’s idea.

"We’re not all monsters the way the movies portray us as stomping flesh- eating morons who can’t string two words together!”

Sadly, most zombies were stomping flesh-eating morons who couldn’t string two words together but some weren’t. Some were tragic, moldering carcasses who wanted to support one another and share their angst.

“It helps to know we are not alone. You are not alone. Yes, friends we can help one another.”

Their support group was pretty new. They had only begun meeting shortly before Thanksgiving. As a matter of fact they had gotten together for their very own Thanksgiving Dinner.

Harvey still lived at home with his living mother (she insisted) so he wasn’t certain he could leave her alone on Thanksgiving, but he did and to her credit she encouraged him.

Thanksgiving went nicely. They shared a vegetarian roast Renaldo made from scratch. Even in his undead state he still loved to cook. At his worst (flesh eating) he insisted his fare be prepared in just the right way.

They discussed a lot of things at that dinner. One of which was how they should exist.

Renaldo as always tried to teach them to stomp in the light.

“There are choices! We can eat live flesh or we can choose not to. It’s your decision! Mine too!

And so it was.

And if Thanksgiving was great, Christmas was even more special for they had all spent it with Harvey and his mother.

Yes more vegetarian food although some had eyed Harv’s mom up a bit. Well she was pleasingly plump and if Renaldo and Harvey were now above eating human flesh, Big Guy, Maggot and Grave Stench were not.

Yet they were under control and Renaldo was proud. He told them so.

“I am delighted with you all and I have decided to throw a New Year’s Eve bash for all of us!”

And he did too. There was veggie party food and balloons and music. There were even DVDs to watch, with the exception of undead films. Just a precaution you understand.

As midnight approached Renaldo and Harvey were talking about the growing numbers of zombies.

“You see if we don’t do something soon, something to redirect our species away from the carnage, the world will be in a nightmare.”

It was true. And the truth made everyone pretty sentimental. Even Grave Stench and Big Guy began reminiscing about the past. As for Maggot he was sobbing about how bitterly he missed his living life.

Renaldo had a real crying jag on and began speaking about a hair salon he had in the Village years before.

“I used to cut Elton John’s hair! Imagine. What would he say now?”

Everyone tried to assure Renny that Elton John was a nice guy and would not make judgments. But Renny disagreed.

“We frighten people! No matter what we do we frighten the hell out of them!”

“We’ll have to change, with your help we will!” Harvey piped up.

Maggot agreed. “You have made us understand, Renny. And in truth there is knowledge.”

“And in knowledge we will be able to change!” Big Guy sobbed.

Grave Stench just nodded, he was so emotional he couldn’t speak.

But all was not well. Harvey sensed it. And when there was a knock at the door, he rushed to answer it for he felt it was his mother. She was supposed to drive him home.

He let her in and stood in front of her lest something happen. Actually he was right about something being wrong for he could see the way the others were staring at her and rubbing their tummies, even Renaldo appeared to be salivating!

Suddenly Renny rose to his feet. “Come here,” he grinned. "I would like to wish you a happy new year!”

“You leave my Mom alone!” Harvey shouted as all of them began stomping toward his mother.

But they stopped in their tracks as another voice called out:

“Anyone order pizza?”

Renaldo looked ecstatic. “Holy moly!" he said. "I forgot about that. Come in young man!"

They ate well that night. Yes, sadly they succumbed to the flesh, even Harvey did. A leopard doesn’t change its spots you see. And because that is true Harvey’s mother would soon become history too.

Well they did have to see the New Year in properly didn’t they and besides, they could always mend their ways--and if not, so what?!

© Copyright 2011 Carole Gill

AMAZON 

Hope you enjoyed that! There's more twisted tales where that came from! 

GHOST STORIES AT CHRISTMAS, A BRITISH TRADITION!

Marley's Ghost. A Christmas Carol

Did you know the practice of gathering around the fire on Christmas Eve to tell ghost stories was as much a part of Christmas for the Victorian English as Santa Claus is for many of us? Well truly, it is! And it’s no surprise that the great Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the most famous ghost story of all (and with a Christmas theme and great morality play)!

It’s a good balance to all the festivities, the present-giving and overindulging we tend to do, to then sit back and read or watch a good old ghost story–something to blow away the cobwebs, to clear our heads a little. A good scare always works! It wakes us up and gets us focused! And what a treasure trove of ghastly tales there are! Have your pick from MR James to Henry James or something contemporary!

The tradition still exists although some say it is nearly forgotten. Well, it isn’t with me! I read The Woman in Black in one sitting! My hand shook when I turned the pages, some of the scares were just too much! Yes, I get scared too, believe me.

Wherever you live, if you are any sort of fan of horror and the supernatural, please read or watch something scary this holiday season! There are so many good tales to choose from.

Some of my recommendations are:

The Woman in Black – Susan Hill

Seven Collected Stories by MR James

The Turn of the Screw – Henry James /The Innocents (film)

The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson/film: The Haunting

Ghost Story – Peter Straub (film of the same name)

Come on! Whatever your taste, go on! Get something you know will scare you, curl up with a book or watch something. Let yourself be embraced by the dark. Spook yourself out!

FREE SEASONAL UNDEAD STORY! Tootie's Bloody Good Christmas!

"Tootie McBootie was America's sweetheart and the biggest star Vapitt Pictures had. And boy were they cashing in on her popularity!

There were Tootie dishes and pillows and Tootie dolls of course. There were even Tootie dresses. Why Tootie was all over the place.

The public adored her pictures—who hadn’t seen all of Tootie’s somewhat sugary films? Films like: Tootie’s Teeny Town Tykes and Kute Kids on Parade?

The world was in love with Tootie. She was even popular in Europe. As a matter of fact one or two dictators were heard to say they found her irresistible. So what was bad about that, boy oh boy.

Times were hard. There was a depression on and it was good for folks to enjoy something. Even the President said Tootie was good for the Nation. If he felt that way, Joseph V. Vapitt chairman of Vapitt Pictures was prepared to give Tootie whatever she liked for Christmas.

There was a bit of a complication though. See, Tootie was a vampire. There were plenty of blood suckers about especially in Hollywood but they weren’t vampiric. Tootie was. The story was she was discovered by a talent scout. The truth was Joe Vapitt bought her from some shady characters he knew who ran a circus.

“I know how busy you are Mr. Vapitt but we got hold of a most unusual child for the sideshow…”

“Sideshow, eh?”

“She’s got unseen talents.”

“No kiddin’,’" Joe said. “But can she sing and dance?!”

She could and she was cute as a cupcake besides.

“Zowie!” Joe piped up. “This kid’s gonna make me a fortune and she’ll always be a kid!”

She made five pictures that first year. She was a sensation. So what if the golden goose liked a swill of blood every now and then she was entitled.

“You tell your Uncle Joe who you’d like to feast on. And Uncle will see that you get it.”

That’s the way it was all the time but holidays were special. Every Christmas Eve Uncle Joe would drive Tootie around Los Angeles in order for her to make her selection. They sometimes cruised Hollywood, but they were more easily spotted there.

So on yet another LA jaunt Tootie laid down the law:

“I don’t want any icky people.” she said dimples flashing.

“Of course you don’t precious. You want someone nice.”

“Nice and fat.”

“Of course.”

“With lots of nice blood."

“Gallons and gallons!”

Tootie didn’t always pick adults, sometimes she wanted children. For the past few years she asked for babies.

Uncle Joe tried to explain to her as diplomatically as he could that babies were more difficult to acquire.

“They’re not as easily obtainable as adults, Tootie.”

Tootie sulked while Uncle Joe tried to cheer her up.

“How’s about a nice puppy or kitten?”

“Not the same!” Tootie whined.

Uncle Joe didn’t know what to say. At last he had an idea. He could solve the problem in one go and accomplish something besides.

His rival studio Galling Pictures had their own child star under contract, Mary Pickfear and boy was she promising. She could do everything Tootie could plus she wasn’t a vampire, as a matter of fact she was an okay little kid.

Joe had an idea.

*

Tootie lived or existed with her Uncle Lou and Aunt Alice. Actually they were extras Joe had hired to look after his little prize. Money always talks even if they didn’t.

Tootie left them alone because Joe kept up a regular supply for her most of the time.

Although when Christmas Day came around she was starting to eye them up a little more than usual. They got nervous and called Joe.

“Can you come over, Mr. Vapitt?" Uncle Lou stuttered "We have a problem here.”

“Sure thing. Have Tootie put on her best party dress!” Joe said.

Tootie was all dressed up and Joe was pleased.

“Are you taking precious for her special dinner?”

“You got it.” Joe replied. And he was right because there in the back of the car was the present.

Tootie sniffed the air. “Smells interesting. What is that?” She was pointing to the kid in the back seat.

“It’s your first bloody Mary!” Uncle Joe replied, “See?"

Tootie clapped her hands. “It’s..!”

“Mary Pickfear, ready and waiting! Go on,” Uncle Joe said. “It’s Christmas, kiddo!”

© Copyright 2011 Carole Gill

Just one of the lunatic stories in House of Horrors!

AMAZON 

Meeting the Vampire Prince of Paris

What does it feel like to pass into the blood? Justine goes from death to undeath because love will not let her die.

"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.”

***

“Top of its genre!"

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

"Justine, realizes she as a vampire could actually love and in fact is in love with Gascoyne. I think that was the turning point in the story."

"This vampire romance is rich in history, deep in blood sex and exotic locations and is very highly recommended."

"Vampires have their own allure and none more so than the female."

An epic vampire journey from poverty to palaces, to embrace death in all its blood glory full of lust, passion, betrayal and finally love.

This is an expansive tale of vampires and their passion, travelling across continents and centuries, travelling across continents and centuries.

JUSTINE: INTO THE BLOOD 
PURCHASE HERE.

AMAZON

Book 1 in the Blood & Passion Series 

WHAT'S BEHIND THE BLACKSTONE VAMPIRE SERIES? LOTS!

I have several books out in total. But this Series is close to my heart. Let me tell you why.

Whether you are reading my dark horror fiction or Gothic romance and paranormal romance novels, you'll find meaning. My characters, whether mortal or not, are multi-faceted. They are good, evil and sometimes both. And why they are that way is made clear upon further examination.

I want readers to feel things, to suffer along with the characters. I even want you to understand the worst villains and monsters, with the exception of the incestuous, murdering father in The House on Blackstone Moor!

With regard to the demon, Eco and all of his sins and murderous ways and evil--I want you to know what it feels like to be him! 

At the core of my fiction, particularly what you will find in this Series, is the battle between good and evil. Don't underestimate the power of evil. History shows us that, both current and past.

When I began the series, with The House on Blackstone Moor and wrote of the worst evil I could think of--incest, I knew I had a tale to tell. Let's remember there were no support groups in Victorian England. If you came home, as the heroine does to discover your family butchered, and you go into shock, you would be taken to the madhouse. Period. No Oprah, no Dr. Phil--no self help books or groups. No helpline to phone.

In the madhouse you would be dependent on your doctor. But what if that doctor was evil?

Each book in the Series continues one upon the other with the exception of The Fourth Bride (of Dracula) which can be read as a standalone.

The stories and characters will draw you in, that I promise. Go for it.

$3.99 for 4 full-length award winning novels

AMAZON 

THE BLACKSTONE VAMPIRES OMNIBUS ON SALE 99 CENTS!!!

               

All four novels in The Blackstone Vampires Omnibus comprise the set:

The House on Blackstone Moor:

Unimaginable horror awaits you in The House on Blackstone Moor...

Rose Baines' journey into the dark begins with the murders of her family by her insane, incestuous father. Evil has found a way in, as has the world of the undead. Will she become one of them?

The horrific discovery causes her to be incarcerated in two madhouses. Doctor Bannion, superintendent of Marsh Asylum, helps his favorite patient obtain a position as governess at Blackstone House, but why is he so adamant? The house, her charges tell her, is built on haunted moorland. Nothing is as it seems for Blackstone House, and its inhabitants have hideous secrets; the greatest secret of all is that of the blood.

Amid the unimaginable horror there is love - which comes at a terrible price. The House on Blackstone Moor is the first novel in Carole Gill's Blackstone Vampires Series. It is an epic tale of the eternal struggle of good vs. evil, and a story of love that strives to prevail, despite all odds.

The House on Blackstone Moor is a sure pick for fans of gothic horror novels and darkest vampire romance.

Excerpt:

"Yes, dread and fear are different. Dread is beyond fear, I think. Dread knows fear was correct in the first place, and it just intends to sit and wait for the worst to happen, which will happen because dread, if nothing else, is sure of itself.

So what did I dread? The answer is a great many things, but mostly I dreaded the future.

Emotional pain is worse than physical pain, I believe. No part of my body hurt, yet I was suffering more than I ever had in my life. Here I was, barely seventeen and without family."


Unholy Testament - The Beginnings

The story of Rose Baines continues in book two of Carole Gill's Blackstone Vampires!

Rose and her children find themselves held captive on a ship staffed by vampires, overseen by the mad and evil demon Eco. The last time Rose saw Eco he tried to destroy the children, and now he tells her he loves her.

“I saw you leave the house that day, Rose. That terrible day you discovered your family butchered. I saw you…”

Eco, believing he has fallen in love with her, pens a confession documenting all sins he has committed during his immortal existence.

From Ancient Egyptian vampire cults, Roman vampire brothels, The Dark Ages, The Crusades, The Black Death of 1348, on to his meeting with the child murderer and Satanist Gilles de Rais, and concluding with his wicked, blood-soaked affair with the Blood Countess herself, Erzebat Bathory. The pages are filled with debauchery, vice and murder – how can one stained with so much blood and evil possibly be trusted?


Excerpt:

"I am the demon, Eco. I begin at the beginning, that is, my own beginning. There was hardly a time when the world did not know my name or the nature of my existence. I have been feared, hated and condemned to Hell. Yet, what is Hell to me but another place I call home? Demon though I am, my roots are in heaven; my father’s former stomping ground, for Father was one of God’s own angels, as Louis’ father was. Sad to say they backed the losing side, for they chose Lucifer. Yes, he who is called Satan now..."


Unholy Testament - Full Circle

Rose and her childrens' ordeal continues. They are still held on a ship whose crew are vampires, overseen by the demon Eco.

There are more blood-drenched confessions to read. Rose has no choice but to finish the journal. Eco, mad and as unpredictable as ever, can snap at any time. But will he?

The rest of the journal tells of the sick and twisted obsession Eco has had for Blackstone House's former mistress, evil and debauched Eve Darton. There are aristocratic devil rites, both in England and France, including satanic sacrifices. There is the Great Fire of London 1666, plagues, vampire destroyers, witch hunts and resurrection men who supply a necrophile doctor.

The novel comes full circle as all the hideous secrets of Blackstone House are revealed, as are the reasons Rose’s father killed himself and his family.

Dracula is introduced, as is a child cruelly orphaned by the vampires. Dracula, the child’s dying mother says, has cursed her daughter and pleads with Rose to take her. Rose does, but what hope can the hopeless have?

Excerpt:

"Then there is the being that calls neither Heaven nor Hell home, but exists somewhere in the middle—in whatever middle that might be. Do not look or call out for him, for he will come soon enough. Death is here for those passengers and crew the devils feed on. Death, who is always eager for more souls—Death, who always waits. And she is here, too—Lilith, first wife to Adam, the mother of all demons, mistress to both Satan and Eco. Lilith, who has come to think of me as friend. There! Now, can you see the nightmare world I exist in?"

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 to become his fourth bride. The other brides are to be her sisters, but there is great rivalry as the brides compete for their master’s affection. Dracula takes Dia away, but to whose castle has he taken her and are they being watched?

Dracula’s gypsies are loyal to their master and will try to save him, but the destroyers led by Van Helsing come and there is great carnage. Still, for one, there is salvation from the unlikeliest of saviors. There is betrayal and a freak show run by evil men, as well as the greatest passion Dia will ever know, but can she trust it?

And what of Dracula’s greatest vampire enemy, the one who has fallen in love with Dia; the nobleman Dracula turned. Can he be trusted?

Excerpt:

"The incident though, this rising up of vampire killers, disturbed Dracula and he became moody and silent. Eventually, he took me aside. He told me first of himself and of the princely blood he had, which flowed through his veins. “These veins,” he said, pointing at them, “once ran with living blood—blood that nourished a human being and not this evil and corruption you see before you.” I scoffed at that, whereupon he smiled sadly. “No, dear one, it is true. I am not as I was, a warrior prince of the house of Dracula who did battle Turks to keep this land free...”

Editorial Reviews

2014 - Amazon Bestseller in Dark Fantasy - THE BLACKSTONE VAMPIRES OMNIBUS
2015 - Amazon Bestseller in Vampire Horror - THE BLACKSTONE

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

Reviews:

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
.
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

AMAZON 

99 CENTS FEW DAYS ONLY!

DRACULA HAD A FOURTH BRIDE. DID YOU KNOW?

THIS IS THE STORY OF DRACULA AND HIS BRIDES. IT TELLS OF DRACULA'S LIVING LIFE AND HIS IMMORTAL ENEMY. IT IS A STORY OF EROTIC LOVE AND IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE READERS. 

99 cents NOV 30 - DEC. 6

Although it is book 4 in The Blackstone Vampires Series, it can be read as a stand alone. It is recommended for mature readers. 

EXCERPT:

"We left the castle in the light of a full moon. I moved faster than I ever had before. In a moment it seemed I went from the castle grounds to the edge of the forest. How magical it felt. The great height of the mountain was meaningless when vampire prowess is involved. If I flew, Dracula did as well, soaring even more quickly in his bat form.

Just as we reached the base of the mountain, I slowed down so that I merely floated. It was a strange feeling but a pleasant one. If I thought we’d feed on wildlife Dracula did not. He said we were bound for a village.

“The village is not far,” he said. “But we must be careful for we will not have the aid of the Szgany here.”

That had a great many implications all of them serious. Still, we were not deterred. In fact we were exhilarated, for there is pleasure in the hunt, an indescribable thrill in the stalking.

We came at last upon a small village. There were but a few white washed cottages and an inn. The inn drew our attention for it was full of chatter. The people sounded merry; possibly the worse for drink.

I was excited. Their perceived vulnerability was like an aphrodisiac. I wondered where we would lie in wait, but then Dracula gestured toward a small courtyard. It was good for our purpose, bathed as it was in dark, shadowy depths. I crept into a space to await my bounty.

“If you close your eyes you can smell their blood,” he whispered.

As I did this I realized I could distinguish different sorts of people from one another: men from women and so on. I could even discern their ages. It is, as I have come to think of it since, the blood scent and it is unique to each human being. Some scents were more interesting than others and I told him.

“They are drunk on wine...” he said.

I nodded and smiled for it was a heady scent I could almost taste.

He asked me then if I could smell the passion in the blood. This surprised me. I hadn’t noticed anything nor had I thought of it that way. But when he said it, I realized I could!

“It’s tangy and salty all at once. I have often been led to people coupling just by that scent alone. Of course there are other scents along with that!” he waved me off. “Shh, they are coming.”

I realized he was right for suddenly I heard the sound of a man’s voice and a woman’s. The man was whispering endearments and the girl giggled. He then began to tease and coax her into coming along with him. I wondered where they were going. I didn’t have long to wait for they were walking toward a house.

I heard the woman ask: “Is this where you live?” And the man replied. “Of course, I wouldn’t go to a stranger’s house.”

They thought that immensely funny and began to laugh. Just as they crossed the road, we rushed forward. Dracula grabbed the man and pulled him into the shadows as I took the woman. Neither cried out. They were too stunned. This was an early lesson I was to learn. “You can paralyze your prey,” Dracula had said. “Just be quick and feed well.”

This I did. I sank my teeth into the woman’s soft flesh. She began to shake as I sucked her blood. And I sucked a lot. It was good and sweet and tasted of spiced wine. She did try to pull away a few times, but I held her in an iron grip.

Dracula must have drained the man pretty quickly because he was soon by my side, kneeling before the woman. I watched as he began to feed on the other side of her neck. He fed in other places too, as he sometimes fed on me and the brides. I think he realized I didn’t like him to do that because he whispered, “Don’t be jealous, you do it too.”

I made no reply but instead sank my teeth into the woman’s breast and began to feed. This was not sexual. It is good to feed there because the heart is there; that wonderful, blood-filled organ throbbing with life.

“Organs are best for they are like casks of wine to us...”

Yes, his words to me.

Suddenly, Dracula began to fondle me. To feed and to be caressed at the same time is pleasurable in the extreme. This, he did for as long as I fed. When I knew I had drained the woman, I moved away. Then in the shadows of these bloodless corpses and every bit as evil as I felt the other brides to be, I coupled with Dracula. Both our passions were raised by our feeding. Yes, it was true. The passion was most definitely in the blood.

It was nearly dawn when we left. So full of blood we found it hard to move but move we did because we had to.

AMAZON 

99 cents

or

Buy complete set (4 novels) for $3.99

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JOE AND HIS DOLLS. BE WARNED!

 EXCERPT FROM CIRCUS OF HORRORS. FOR MATURE READERS, REALLY!

"Fred looked to see an assortment of dolls, one of which was a toy monkey playing a drum.

Joe grinned. “Now, he’s a favorite of mine, the initial experiment. He was never a real monkey. Just a man from another place.”

The monkey started to scream. “Yup.” Joe shook his head. “Still pissed off. He didn’t want to be summoned from Hell, but he was. He’s used to it now though. I fashioned him and other small demons into toys. Very popular they are, too. They possess folk, that’s their purpose, see? The rest are different.” Joe gestured toward the other dolls. “These were the sideshow stars that left. They got a little too big for their britches. The fat lady was a bitch on wheels. She took a knife to me once!”
Fred looked and to his horror, he realized the doll had been mutilated.

“See? I cut off her arms and legs and breasts, too. Then I realized that was stupid. Who’s gonna buy a doll like that? Anyhow, I leave her alone. She’s in another place. Doesn’t know where she is kind of thing.” He nodded and pointed out the rest of his former sideshow. “Yup, they brought it on themselves by disobeying and not respecting me. And the religious ones! Man! Was that a pain in the ass… Better not tell you where they wound up!”

Fred couldn’t take anymore, but Joe just continued: “It’s not as hard as you think. Just a few well-placed words and this soldier doll for example becomes just a toy for kids to play with! Now, his girl…” Joe smiled. “See, look here…” He held up a beautiful little woman doll. “I keep her around for my personal entertainment. She’s too good for the stand. Don’t want her bought, see?”

The little doll screamed but Joe only laughed.

Fred didn’t pay that much mind because he was screaming, too."

AMAZON 

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical." 

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs." 

"Never going to the circus again!" 

"True horror!" 

"The circus you really don't want to join."

ABOUT THE DEAD MAN

 “The larder is bare, fellas. ’Fraid not. We’ll just have some beer and pretzels if there are any.”

“Sounds good to me.” Joe smiled. “Let me just go back for my suitcase. My clothes and what not. I left it in a safe place in the woods not far from here. I had my tent pitched. See, I didn’t know how far I’d have to go.”

Fred took the truck to pick it up, while Joe gave directions. They located the tent and the suitcase.

Fred didn’t expect to see the dead man though. Dead as shit with a bullet hole in his forehead.

“Don’t mind him,” Joe said. “He owed me money. Besides, your clowns and the fat lady will like him, I’m sure.”

Fred started to shake, but Joe steadied him. “I knew what they were. I smelled your cooking before, dead giveaway. “Don’t look like you swallowed a squirrel whole, boy. I figured them for cannibals. Known so many I find they just give off their own scent. The world is stranger than you know, my friend. And before too long it’s gonna get a lot stranger. Meanwhile, let’s load my stuff up—including that dead bastard.”

*

The clowns carved the man up and roasted him. They were very good with their special knives, very adept. Baby Alice was delighted—she made potato fritters. She was able to because Fred stopped for hot dogs and some other things on the way back from town.

“To each his own,” Joe said. “I seen a lot of cannibals. They’re not the only ones; you’d be surprised how common it is. Most folks just don’t know.”

*************

What exactly is wrong with this circus? 

There are demonic, flesh-eating clowns, murderous midgets, there is a fat lady with some peculiar tastes (to put it mildly) and there is an old man with one hell of a secret. Old Pa keeps a trunk with some very special souvenirs. 

When a stranger joins up who has second sight (among other talents) the old man's son gets nervous. 

If that isn't enough, there are a lot of very strange beings not to mention a succubus or two and some beings from hell! 

AMAZON 



“This is horrific in the best way! It is extreme ... and disturbing.

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical."

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs."

"Outstanding story line and strong characters. I felt like I was right there and a part of the sideshow.

"An awesome little creepfest!"

"Never going to the circus again!"

"True horror!"

“Scary from beginning to end! Sit back and read your way into a horror filled tale! Enjoy!”

THE DARK PASSION OF EVE AND SATAN

During 99 cent promotion. Eve's Confession of an affair with Satan! Her confession along with the demon Eco's horrific confessions:

Excerpt:

"He stood silhouetted in front of my window, this tall being gazing down at me. I began to cry for I was fearful lest he hurt me.

His voice was a soft whisper. “I will not hurt you, Eve.”

I asked him how it was he knew my name but he did not answer. Instead, he came toward me. I let him touch me, for I longed for comfort. His touch was gentle, too. I opened myself to him, I wept as I told him what had happened. He let me speak for the longest time before he whispered: “I have come to love you.”

There was something about his tone that made me pull away. “Who are you?” I asked, feeling ever more frightened.

His answer was to let me gaze upon his face. Lighting a candle, he held it close. You know how handsome he can look if he so chooses and that was how he looked.

“I am lord of the dark, god of all you secretly covet. I am he who rules the great dark depths of punishment and beyond!”

As I opened my mouth to scream he came upon me. Like a wind he rushed over me, touching every part of me. At first it was calming but then he hurt me—he hurt me so, Louis. I screamed but his mouth covered my lips to stifle those screams. Blackness came then and he carried me off so that I felt nothing for the longest time.

I woke broken and bleeding. I was still so child-like, yet I knew I had been ravished. And because I feared my father’s wrath, I washed and waited for his return. When he came back, he said nothing. And I said nothing and life went on like that, but for the dreaded times when Satan returned in the quiet of the night—to continue what he started.

The months passed and my father’s cruelty continued. When I finally turned sixteen, I left my father’s home, foolishly hoping Satan would not know where I went.

I survived as best I could. And because I felt myself damaged, I sold my body, freely and often. I did this in order to eat and have a place to lay my head.

Many times I would walk into a shop and see the same look in the shopkeeper’s eyes that I had seen in Satan’s. And I would wait whilst he locked the door and led me to the cellar.

I was taken in that way in innumerable places, by all sorts of men. Old young, handsome, ugly, flushed with sickness—trembling with excitement, stinking with sweat, begrimed by dirt, too.

However they were it didn’t matter, as long as I had some coins for my trouble. I used to lie back whilst being pummeled to the floor, thinking of where I was next bound.

I created little fancies in my head, plays if you will, of what I wished to have for myself. Often I dreamed I was a great lady, the mistress of a fine house. It helped, you see. It was a glimmer of hope for me.

But then, Satan returned one day. I recognized him at once. He washed me and clothed me and was actually kind to me. I still don’t know why that was. Could it be I thought that sometimes Satan is good? He had been after all an angel once, had he not?

I longed to see him after that. Well, I was so unused to kindness that I did, because he was far nicer than most of the horrible men I coupled with.

However, I didn’t see him for the longest time after that, until one day...

“I will always come to you, Eve. But never to hurt you—for I care for you and always will.”

I believed him, foolish girl that I was. Imagine believing the Great Deceiver?

But I will tell you this, Louis. I was by that time obsessed with him. An obsession that was to grow in intensity to the point where I am still obsessed with him. I am a slave to him and to the corrupt passion he inflames within me..."

Regular price, $2.99. Now 99 cents on promotion.

Each of the four novels sold singly

AMAZON 

All 4 books in the series comprise the box set

which is priced at $3.99.

AMAZON 

2014 - Amazon Bestseller in Dark Fantasy

2015 - Amazon Bestseller in Vampire Horror

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

.