Strange Publications, 2009
ISBN: 0982026625
Available: Trade paperback

Fifty-Two Stitches is a short (about 150 pages) anthology of flash fiction. The stories come at readers fast and furiously, and are potentially forgettable. Flash fiction is very hard to write and too often flash stories depend on see-through twists or (groan) puns. The stories here are no exception. There are some gems, and even more good writing, but much of it is strangled by dependency on clichés and character shorthand, although there could be interesting writing and twists. The length of the stories, too, lends to the feeling of them blurring together into one halting whole.

Fifty-Two Stitches will sate the needs of classic and ″monsters popping out of the shadows″ horror fans. I’d be able to recommend it more highly if there was a less expensive digital version available, or if there were more gems in the mix.
Contains: Sex, violence, gore, language
Reviewed by: Michele Lee

Macabre Ink, 2010
ISBN: 9780965813532
Available: multi-format digital

This is My Blood is a sneaky, beautifully written Christian horror tale of supernatural damnation and love. In this hard-to-put-down book, a vampire, turned by Lucifer himself to punish humanity, becomes enamored with the mythos of The Christ and finds the love and power radiating from the man himself to be more than she expected. Taking on the role of Mary Magdalene, she finds herself drawn to him, despite Lucifer’s promise that she’s bound to damn him.

Wilson’s tale is enchanting, deeply religious without being judgmental or hypocritical. Beautifully written, it’s definitely worth the cost and the time to read. Highly recommended for budding digital collections.
Contains: Violence, religious themes
Review by Michele Lee

Graveside Tales, 2010
ISBN: 9780980133868
Available: Trade paperback and multi-format digital

James Taylor is a small town Texas man with a painfully normal life, except for the visions. Even those are something he’s become accustomed to, until he starts slipping into the mind of a dangerous predatory beast hulking through the woods near the town. His unique perspective puts him in a position to hunt down this dangerous foe, with or without the cops’ help.

While it doesn’t cover much different territory than your average horror-monster novel, Doppelganger easily sates the “dark-thing-in-the-night” hunger of horror fans. The pace clips along nicely, and James is a clear good guy who wants the best for his wife, friends and neighbors and is willing to put himself in danger to help others. The character building is somewhat thin, with most of James’ friends, and even his wife not really breaking out of the role they play (the pregnant, dutiful wife who must be saved, the best friend who is well meaning but goes too far in joking, the Andy Griffith sheriff, etc). It’s an enjoyable read, recommended for collections with insatiable monster-horror fans.

Contains: Violence, language, some gore

Reviewed by Michele Lee

Medallion, 2011

ISBN: 9781605423821

Available: Trade paperback and multi format digital

A stray lightning strike burned out Maddy’s life but not her existence and after a few hours of unconsciousness she wakes up undead. Not that her life was wonderful (or terrible) to begin with, but now that she’s a zombie it’s definitely more complicated. And so are the things she wished could change—namely her pseudo relationship with jock cutie Stamp, and the mysterious deaths of her fellow students with all signs to Maddy being next, living or not.

Zombies Don’t Cry is a fun read with a true vein of darkness and tons of engaging characters. Highly recommended for public and private YA collections, its pacing and conflict make it a wonderful option to keep readers interested and amused in an increasingly disappointing fiction landscape.

Contains: language, violence, brain-munching