Horror Books

Unusual Destiny is a firmly gripping tale that can suck you right in. Well-written and well-paced, it's difficult to set this book down. Not neccessarily the ideal book for children, it might put a chill down your spine. But that's what good horror is for, and this is good horror.

This is the second release of Unusual Destiny, and this edition has a much nicer cover design and a much more attractive cover price. Highly reccommended for horror lovers, or anyone wanting a read off the beaten path.

This version is currently out of print, but as the book did sell well, some bookstores still have inventory. To get to the newer Aventine Press Editon of Unusual Destiny, please click on "All Editions." You may have to click on "See More Product Details" to see this clickable link. Thank you for patience. Diane J. Newton

I thoroughly enjoyed the on-the-edge quality of Unusual Destiny.
I read it in bed with all the lights on, and my 38 special under the pillow. Reading between two worlds is the kind of experience devote's of this genre will enjoy. I have only one question for Ms Newton: When can we expect a sequel?

A must read for the serious mystery fan. Anna is a tough talking, street smart investigative reporter with a demanding editor who wants everything yesterday. She refuses to be intimidated by strange people and strange events, which interfere with her getting the story. Along the way she meets a handsome stranger who makes her heart flutter and an elderly lady who warms it. A rich feast for lovers of suspense.

I was captivated by the adventures of Anna Freeman. The paranormal activity in this page turner kept me in suspense until the last page. A GREAT read.

The stories in this book are dark. They also run the range of disturbing, creepy, sweet, stark, touching, and horribly beautiful. Though some stories are stronger than others, really, every one of them is a winner. Fans of dark sci-fi hit the jackpot with this collection.

This is an amazing book! It's social relevant and very interesting, exploring both science fiction and humanity. If English classes read books like this more kids would be true reading die hards.

Pelland speculates about the future and cuts to the core of the human soul with a collection of story that should be required reading.

Wow. I was blown away by this collection. It kept me turning pages long into the night. Each story got better and more intriguing than the last. Not for the faint of heart, a dark look at human fears, motives and a thoroughly thought provoking ride. Can't wait to see what's next.

UNWELCOME BODIES is the perfect blend of science fiction and horror, a walk through futures alternately beautiful and hideous, with characters we can see, hear and yes, touch. Pelland's clear, concise style draws us in without distraction and twists on a single note. Much like its striking white cover, this collection is something far different than the usual fare. I will definitely be looking for more of Pelland's work in the future.

[...]

One of the author's primary motifs is isolated environments. One of her primary themes is isolated souls. She handles both of these very well over the course of this collection. Whether looking at college-age and twentysomethings discovering the depths of their strange new worlds, or limning hopeful-but-precarious connections in desperate futures, the stories are generally very involving. "Captive Girl" fully earns its acclaim, and several other pieces here aren't too far behind.

This is a true lost classic that reveals the beginning of the great character of Dracula. The editor's notes add to the interest of the book and build knowledge on the times and elements of Varney. I recommend this reading for any Dracula fan or a fan of interesting reading. A+++ to Herr for bringing this hidden treasure back to the world of literature.

Varney The Vampire is an important leader in the vampire legacy. And here is the ultimate critical edition. I am so excited about the extras in this book. There are some arcane references in the original text that are finally footnoted and explained. I highly recommend this edition. A+++

Ignore all the talk about Dracula in other reviews, that book and this one are two uniquely different entities. Legends about vampires existed outside of Transylvania, and even Europe for that matter, long before the Victorians tightened their first bodice. My impression of this book is that the writing is closer to Robert E. Howard in its great forward momentum; another apt comparison might be to the movie serials of the '30s-'50s. Thrills and more thrills! The style may be a little underwhelming, but if you can read Ann Radcliffe you can certainly read this. And incidentally, I think the ungrammatical and linguistically oafish reviews for this book are very appropriate for a book written at top speed and with little editorial supervision. Take a trip back in time to a very different world - read this book!

I have been following Mr. Herr's work for years and I truly appreciate this edition of Varney the Vampire. If you are new to the genre, this is a great place to start!

I absolutely love this book! An excellent relic from the golden (or shall I say black) age of Gothic Lit. Why this gem has remained hidden for all these years is a mystery to me, but Mr. Herr has finally revived this old Penny Dreadful and brought a new light to this style of writing. A wonderful Gothic novel by the same author who originated the Sweeney Todd story. A must buy!

There is not much plot to Vegetation. It is a tale of the vengeance taken against Bertram Luce for the murder of his wife, pure and simple. Except that the avenging party is not a bereaved family member, is not even human, but rather happens to be the collective flora of the world. Even so, it is apparent from the start exactly where Vegetation is headed.

So the pleasures of Vegetation do not lie in intricate plotting, although the plants devise many clever means of attack. Rather, the fun -- and there is much fun to be had -- comes from two sources. First, there is author Mark LaFlamme's dry, darkly humorous writing. LaFlamme's omniscient narrator is almost another character in the novel, stepping in to further belittle Bertram and almost giving a voice to the plants who, of course, are unable to actually speak for themselves. For example, when Bertram feels wronged by a bank teller early in the novel, he longs to drive away dramatically after verbally harassing her. But as the narrator makes clear, Bertram is not quite up to the task: "He was so angry, he even considered squealing his tires to add exclamation to his dissatisfaction. Sadly, he did not know how it was done." And again, the narrator laughs with us (and with the plants) in setting the stage for another floral assault in Bertram's own bathroom: "Two things he learned very quickly: the rigid, pointed leaf of a Mother-in-Law's Tongue was as capable of piercing flesh as a combat knife. And a cactus does not belong in the bathroom."

Vegetation's other amusement, while perhaps more base, is no less genuine. For Vegetation is a novel for those of us who can admit that, on some level, we enjoy seeing evildoers suffer. Sure, some might argue that finding amusement in the torment of another, regardless of whether that person can be said to "deserve" his fate, only deadens the soul and begets more violence. And perhaps those people are right. But regardless of whether it is ennobling, the desire for vengeance is powerfully present in the human psyche. Watching it played out, even (or perhaps especially) in a fictional context (where no one is truly harmed), can be very cathartic. And seeing the pompous, amoral Bertram Luce increasingly harassed by the plants -- the novel makes clear that they are proponents of playing with their victims -- on the road to his ultimate punishment is, to be frank, emotionally satisfying.

But Vegetation actually is not quite so simplistic. LaFlamme goes out of his way to give us the background of Bertram's wretched childhood, so we can better understand the man (and the murderer) he grows up to be. As a result, we are not allowed the unfettered glee of uncomplicated justice. We know how Bertram came to be a monster, and so, even while applauding the plants' revenge, we also sympathize with the boy he used to be.

Yet LaFlamme's sympathy for Bertram, in turn, also is not quite so simplistic. LaFlamme comments on one occasion (after an incident during which Bertram has been brought especially low) that, if Bertram could only maintain the fleeting feelings of empathy and contrition he has been forced to experience, the plants might back off of their retribution. Bertram, however, is incapable of real change. So perhaps we are meant to understand that Bertram is beyond redemption after all, and that his punishment truly is deserved. I don't know if there is a right answer. But I credit Vegetation for being smart enough to raise the question, and nimble enough not to let it detract from the novel's overall fun.

I read the Pink Room, so when I found out that Mark LaFlamme had another novel out, I promptly whipped out the credit card, then waited by the mailbox. The excitement spent on waiting for this book was not wasted because this book was worth every penny! Just like the Pink Room, Vegetation had me on edge from the first page to the last. Yes, LaFlamme has done it again and once more, I'm impressed. A man who has murdered his plant loving wife and the plant kingdom is after him for revenge? Now that is genius! And these plants are unrelenting as their pursuit of the main character, Luce, intensifies by the page. The things these plants do to him will have you giving any form of vegetation some cautious glances. The part that affected me the most out of this novel was when Luce was in one of his countless violent battles with the plants, and he was fighting with an African violet. "The African violent, still anchored to it pot, was...pulling itself across the floor." The visual it gave me was stunning, vivid, and quite unsettling. Vegetation had my adrenaline pumping and I loved it. Thanks for another good read, Mark LaFlamme!

Cosmic justice has many faces, and this time it has the face of plants...

For egotistical, arrogant Bertram Luce, life couldn't get any better. He's a famous author. He's rich. He lives in a gorgeous mansion and drives luxurious, expensive cars. Oh yes, and he's also gotten away with murdering his kind, plant-loving wife. That is, until the world of vegetation decides to avenge her death and make him pay; and pay he will, in the most bizarre, unusual way possible...

In the beginning, Luce believes the strange incidents to be coincidences, but it's not too much later when he realizes the 'accidents' he's been suffering have a lot more to do with premeditated acts than with mere chance. But is he going insane? For how can a tree branch or an orchid mean him any harm? Is there such a thing as a unified, vegetative consciousness? Or is this simply his own guilty conscience playing tricks on his psyche?

Vegetation is an unusual, enjoyable read, one filled with bizarre and sometimes downright hilarious scenes. The writing is crisp and vivid and the pace flows well. In spite of the attacks of plantlife on the protagonist being a bit repetitive at times, the author keeps a strong sense of suspense and, to be fair, it takes ingenuity to create so many segments where Luce is attacked by the various plants and flowers. Since the protagonist is such an unsympathetic character, the reader will perversely enjoy all that befalls him until the very satisfying, surprising ending.

LaFlamme continues to prove his talent and skill as a horror writer. His first novel, The Pink Room, which I also had the chance of reviewing, makes for compelling reading as well.

---Mayra Calvani, The Dark Phantom Review

or whatever it is that plants use to kill people.

The plot line is simple: rich, successful, arrogant Bertram Luce kills his wife and gets away with it. Bertram's wife was an important environmentalist. Like all of us, Bertram was surrounded by plants, all in his case intent on vengeance for her death.

LaFlamme did intensive research on the plant kingdom, more challenging research he says, than he needed on string theory for his first book, The Pink Room. LaFlamme did his research well. It's astonishing how many ways plants found to exact their vengeance: gardens, trees, food, clothing, you name it, Bertram learns about them first hand.

I read about LaFlamme in a Review by an Amazon Friend. There are no LaFlamme books in the entire 62 library Bergen County system. If this book is any indication, that oversight will soon be corrected.

Robert C. Ross 2008

After watching most of my plants die from my black thumb over the years, I am not sure I'll ever be able to own another live plant again after reading Vegetation. What a SUPERB read. I was lured into this from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what would happen to Luce next. It was like a roller coaster for Luce that we all got to ride along with him. Brilliant writing, must like LaFlamme's first book, Pink Room. Keep them coming, I can hardly wait for the next book to come out.

This should be considered a modern classic. I think I like the book more than my son but he enjoys it as well. I bought a copy for every parent and grandparent I know.

This is hilarious light reading with excellent illustrations.

The conversations we've had with our kids about how they become baby elephants, and vultures, in their manners and behaviour has been a treasure.

A delightful light allegory about growing up and parenting.

I buy this book for my grown kids who are expecting their first "zagazoos" so they'll get a glimpse of what it's gonna be like. Really great perspective from the parents and kids point of veiw.

I love reading this book to my 2 year old because he thinks it is funny and interesting and I chuckle to myself about all the various stages of wild animal that we have yet to experience! It makes me sentimental for the times my husband and I had together before our Zagazoo came along! It is sweet. It is a great book that I will send to all the parents I know.

We took this book out of our local library, and I am now online to purchase 5 or more copies to have on hand to give to all my friends as they become parents. This book appealed to me particularly as a parent, because in a clever and amusing, albeit heartfelt way, it relates the feelings and thoughts a parent experiences as their child grows and develops.

I loved everything about it - the humor, the pathos, the simplicity of the storyline, and the colorful illustrations by Mr. Blake. My child really enjoys it - and he didn't mind my explaining the parts to him he didn't understand - or won't - until he, too, becomes a parent!!

In the vein of Shel Silverstein.

Just great.

Amanda Bynes is my favorite actress. She rocks in this book. So does Penelope. Although, I wish there were more pictures of Amanda in it.

Hi. I had no idea that there was a book on Amanda but I found this on the web and ordered it. It's really phat! I brought it to school and spent the whole lunch hour doing the games with my friends. We were rolling. I hope there's another book on the way! Penelope is great and Jenny Kilgen must be an Amanda fanatic too to write a whole book togethre. GO AMANDA AND MORE BOOKS----PLEASE!

I love the show but this book was totally awesome. The games and puzzles are really fun but the best is getting all the great information on Amanda. Anyone who loves Amanda MUST get this book. It's like bringing the show with you where ever you go. I would definitely buy this for a great stocking stuffer for anyone who loves Nickelodeon and THE AMANDA SHOW.

i love Amanda! i've totally been looking everywhere to find a book on her. i read this book and think it is 'da bomb, so phat, and really cool!

Penelope Taynt amanda bynes's #1 fan tells the story of how she
has loved amanda since she was 1 second old.You will see how much
penelope loves amanda and how she should be amanda's best friend
to why amanda should eat lunch with penelope!Discover what it is like to film a episode of the amanda show to what is in amanda's
garbage to how penelope tries to break up amanda's friend ship
with a girl named Annie.
this book is soo funny and i hope you like it!!

This book is amazing. You will find yourself peering at every full-color nook and cranny for days. There are so many historical, book, and film references, you'll find yourself taking endless notes for things to look up later.
If you consider yourself even the slightest of sci-fi/fantasy/horror fans, you will cherish this book.
It is quite a tome, however. Be sure to work up your bicepts before trying to lift it.

First off I think you should know that this wonderful book's 768 pages weigh a bit over ten pounds. It is a reprint of three very popular Collectors Press 20th Century series, Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy. I bought this copy because I'm interested in visual popular culture and I was very impressed with the historical scope of the subject matter, the 1300 colored illustrations include not only book jackets but covers of magazines, comics and nicely, film posters.

With so many illustrations you can search out your favorites, I like the work of Hannes Bok, Kelly Freas and Jeff Jones and there plenty of examples of their work. Running through all the images the three authors contribute a popular history of each genre but it is the huge collection of covers that make this a knockout book for me.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

BTW, I bought this big book at a huge discount and I suggest you take the trouble to check the title out on the comparison shopping book websites, you'll be surprised at price variations.

If ever there was a book that's a treasure trove of images and information, this is it. An incredible array of pulp, comic, paperback and other art of 20th century science fiction, horror, fantasy and the like. The production values of this mammoth book are great, with familiar and totally obscure titles shown and explicated. Buy this book!

Being a professional artist, and a mondo horror fan, I was craving to get my pencil smudged paws on this book. Over 700 pages of lavishly illustrated science fiction and horror history. Art of Imagaination brings to attention the works of the great artists who have worked in this field for over a century. Anyone with even a minor interest in thsi subject would find this text a true page turner. Highly Recommended.

This book is a must have for anyone who is creative. If you've lost your sense of wonder, this book will bring it back. You cannot help but be inspired by this fine tribute to the illustrators and art directors of fantastic art. You will not be disappointed buying this book. No cheap black & white stroll through memory lane here. It's a full color journey spotlighting the creative talent of imaginative artists from days gone by to today. High quality paper and binding are the icing on the cake. A tip of the hat to the authors and publisher for such an authoritative volume on a thinly treated subject.

The Barn is truly a spin-chilling, thought provoking and riveting short novel! This book will keep one on the edge of his or her seat and the reader will find it difficult to put down. Suspense is a word that irrevocably holds true in this original masterpiece! I feel that Brandon Swarrow is absolutely a great up-and-coming, new age author. I can't wait for his next!

Coming from someone who doesn't read all that much, this book was great. I read from cover to cover in one sitting without putting it down. Short chapters, great flow and suspenseful. Defintely something i would read again and look forward to reading more from the author.

As a former coworker of Mr. Swarrow's, and a current friend, I absolutely had to read this as soon as I heard about it. I was not disappointed! This book is fast-paced and full of action. No only that, but the underlying theme of family really gives this book a heart! Make sure that you pick up a copy A.S.A.P.! You won't regret it!

66 pages of action-packed thrills and chills! Plan on reading cover to cover when you pick it up, because you won't want to put it down. The tale of Danielle Reese and The Barn will keep you guessing and leave you shocked. This is the kind of suspense thiller that will be retold around campfires until the end of time.

When I first heard that my 11th grade engligh teacher Mr. Swarrow had written and published a book, I was very unsure of how I would feel about it, especailly since I am not big on reading. After purchasing the book I found I was totally wrong. The barn is a true thriller that will send chills down your spine and keep you on the edge of your seat. I could not put the book down because I just had to know what was going to happen next. I was so into it that I actually read the book in one night. If you are someone who enjoys a good scary read, I highly recommend purchasing and reading "The Barn". It it well worth the money and will leave you satisfied and wanting more of Swarrow's future books.

Love the book!!
Our granddaughter had this book memorized when she was 3 or 4. It's a very good book for kids and grannys too!!

When my brother and I were three and five either our mother or father would read this book to us everynight. We had hundreds of books but this one was our favorite. As the years have a tendency wear on books, our copy was in very sad shape when my daughter came along nearly 20 years later. I bought a new copy of "The Beast in the Bathtub" and gave it to my mother for christmas with a note saying it was from my daughter. The happy memories of hearing mom read the book to my little brother and I were brought back in a rush when my daughter climbed up onto her Granny's lap and heard the story for the first time. It was a real tear jerker.

I loved this book when I was a kid and now my son loves it. A silly and fun read :)

This story is about a boy named Lewis, he is terrified of the bathtub because he thinks there is a monster or Beast in the tub. His mother insists that he take a bath. All the way through the story one thing leads to another. I think the illustrator did a great job of making the pictures describe what was going on in the story. This is a great book for all children to read.

I bought this book in 1987 for my then 6 year old. It quickly became his favorite. The friendly green monster helped him to conquer his own fear of bed time monsters, and it became our joke that 'the beast' was under his bed guarding him! He is now a U.S. Marine and the book has become a favorite of his 2 and 4 year old little brothers who love it not only because 'Big brother Dave' loves it (still), but because they love to join in the pillow fight at bedtime and imagine stealing apples from the kitchen when the sheriff and deputy are watching t.v. They love to call out the final sentence with me as I read.... "OF COURSE there's no beast in the bathtub.... he's under my bed!!!"

Beasts was a very interesting and enjoyable take on this subject. The story flowed quite well and I thought the character development was well thought out and executed. I was able to connect on an emotional level with each of the major characters. I can't wait for the sequel.

BEASTS is the first adult novel I read completely through, and got me interested in reading. It was just in manuscript form when I read it many years ago, the author is my mother.

I have gotten positive reviews from the other soldiers in camp where a copy of this book has been donated.

Thanks Mom!

I thought this book was excellent!! It had a great pace and kept you wanting to read. The character(all of them) had good backround information, just enough about them to let you know where they where coming from and why they were who they were. If you like to be kept on edge, read this book! I can't wait for the next one!

"Beasts" takes an unusual look at werewolves, and pulls no punches with the grisly details. While not for the squeamish, anyone who enjoys a good scare will love this book. There isn't a dull moment, and the characters are carefully developed so that the reader cares about them. The dialog is excellent. More importantly, there are unexpected twists and turns that make it impossible to figure out the ending without cheating. In particular, the Native American lore is fascinating and makes sense, which contributes to the goosebumps and the reader's tendency to jump at shadows! This isn't a thick book, which is just as well, as it is impossible to put it down once it is started! The ending is totally unexpected, and leaves the reader hoping for a sequel. This is an excellent first novel by a very promising writer.

This is an original and satisfying ghastly yarn about serial killers who are human part of the time...they turn into werewolves. A star detective gets on the case and ends up...well, that would be telling! The offbeat characters of the identical twins -of the Havasupai Indian tribe- add to the mystery. The author knows her Indian ways, and comes up with some wild twists and turns under Sister Moon. Eeeek!!
Author Arthur Myers