Campbell Books

Each of the stories in this book have you asking yourself "What if?" You are left with a feeling of horror and wonder after each and every piece. Each one is more believable than the last. Though you tell yourself that you don't believe and that it's all just fiction, you are constantly looking over your shoulder to see if just maybe you are wrong. Paul Campbell's world is so believable that after reading this book you may just find yourself questioning the very things you thought you've been sure of your entire life.

An excellent book by an up and coming new artist. The stories were exciting with horror features and even a funny hilarious horror story,Flush, which I loved. The way Paul Campbell describes his characters, you can actually visualize them and the images stay with you. The way he describes the smells and the gruesome ways some of his characters are tortured is sickening and makes you grateful you are not them. He has a great way of telling horror stories that make you think and not forget what you read easily. I look forward to reading his next book.

Review of "Inside The Insane And Other Pieces Of Horror"
By
Paul Campbell

Paul Campbell has definitely captured the horrors that fill all our minds in his novel "Inside The Insane And Other Pieces Of Horror" and these are not images that will be easily forgotten.
Bizarre endings, as well as beginnings, create a chilling foundation for the many tales that fill this unique novel.
Beginning with the books name sake, "Inside The Insane" readers will be enthralled by the raw horror of the images created in this book. This story dares to question who in fact are the insane in our society, and who may be the sane members. It begins with a doctor that is determined to find the reason behind the killing spree of one Billy Bean. What makes this serial killer so enticing to the doctor is the fact that he killed seventy-three people at the young age of five. This is just the beginning of the shocking facts that this story unravels, and each journey that Doctor Van Hoesenburgh takes is more disturbing than the next. The doctor is obviously obsessed with the make up of his patients mind, and soon finds himself deeper into the inner chambers of the boy's psychic than he had ever imagined.
Before your head stops spinning from the many vivid details of this horrifying story, you will be thrust into the next. Like a roller coaster ride the journey will continue, and you're in for the ride of your life.
Many times while reading this book, I wanted to turn away from the pages and the often sick images I found there. However, I couldn't pull myself away, no matter how much I wanted to. I was compelled, and even driven, to move on to the next mind boggling story.
I must admit that, despite or perhaps because of, the often gruesome details that each story held, I was amazed at the quality of writing I found. I've actually never been much of a fan of horror stories. I felt that mostly that were just a combination of scary details and a lot of gore. However, in the case of this novel, I was pleasing surprised.
Campbell brought to life his characters and scenes in amazing clarity. He was able to make sense out of the "insane" world he created, and build a solid plot and believable characters. Even when I found out that the main characters were in fact maggots, I do mean literally, there was a quaint realism about them.
Ultimately, I must applaud the talents of this brilliant author and admit that I genuinely enjoyed his work. I also must say that I now look at the genre of horror in a much different light, and will certainly be looking for more of his talented work.
Besides, who's to say that you can't add a little spine chilling horror to your reading list of fine literature. I certainly did, and it was an enlightening experience.

Reviewed by T.A. Von Reiman, of the Writer's Nook and Reader's Corner

I have read several of Paul Campbell's work, he has had quite a few published online, and he is one good writer. I've read some of the stories in the book, and plan on getting my copy. Here is a man who will be a big name one day; I highly recommend this to anyone who likes to read.
Chris Bartholomew

Paul Campbell has a deliciously warped mind. His compilation of horror, titled "Inside the Insane," reads like the Twilight Zone with an edge.

The title story, "Inside the Insane," begins with the premise that insanity is a point of view. It starts, "How do we know that the insane aren't really the sane and the sane aren't really the insane? That answer is easy. There are more people we call sane and majority always rules. So those of us on the outside of rubber rooms must then be the sane right?"

The above is just one example of the originality of Campbell's work. He sees things from outside the box, a must for horror writers.

Probably Campbell's best work in this book is his flash fiction. The stories "Death of a Raindrop" and "I am the Knife" are positively brilliant. For the longer stories, "Tin Boy" is my personal favorite.

Campbell writes in a style that, on the surface, sometimes appears to be grammatically incorrect. However, that is because he writes in the style of "urban modern," as though he were telling his stories out loud, in person. His style of writing is conversational and unique.

The cover art is superb, with two skulls merged together to appear as though it were one skull moving. The cover art is an attention-getter and is very well done.

I am going to close this review by saying: if you are looking for original horror done in an unusual style, then this book is for you.

Excellent.I read this book a few years back...I would highly recommend it! .. You will not be disappointed!

Jig is the code name of an Irish assassin with a sense of right and wrong that separates him from other IRA hit-men.

Frank Pagan is the Scotland Yard agent assigned to bring him down.

When a ship carrying over a million dollars' worth of money and weapons for the IRA is attacked in the Atlantic, the two adversaries are thrown into a game of intrigue, deception, violence, and trust that Campbell Armstrong has woven into a flawless novel of suspense that will have all readers on the edge of their seats.

It is in New York City that the two meet face-to-face...and the chase begins. Jig doesn't know where to begin looking for the money. Pagan can't convince the FBI to allow him to investigate in his own way. And Ivor McInnes, a Belfast minister, is working on something so deadly that Jig and Pagan are forced to join forces to stop a scheme that will bring the IRA to its knees.

Featuring a conscience-torn ex-priest, the President's brother, and a mysterious woman named Celestine, "Jig" is a riveting page-turner that echoes the dance it is named after. And the faster the dance gets, the harder the book is to put down.

I tripped over this thriller in Heathrow Airport and got hooked on Campbell Armstrong. It is rare to find a book that balances gripping action, three dimensional characters and immersion in current events. But Jig (and its sequel Jigsaw) accompishes this. Armstrong avoids falling into predictable formulas which keeps the reader involved and on the edge of their chair the whole time.

I can not believe no one else has written a review for this outstanding thriller.

Frank Pagan, the protagonist, is a bruised, battered London cop, whi is assigned to the anti-terrorist squad.

The "Jig" of the title is a well-accomplished Irish killer.

Frank has to catch him.

So, yes: it's a chase story. And it moves. The body count is awesome, the tension is overwhelming. The atmosphere is gritty, sweaty, saeamy. It's real. While it doesn't actually say so in the text, you know that Frank Hagan is a man who farts. He's human. He's damaged: a widower, still in love with his dead wife. He's... eccentric: a Londoner who drives a huge American car and plays 1950s rock and roll LOUD on the car stereo.

The story is a tad dated, but gripping nonetheless. Read it, then read the follow-ups: Jigsaw, and Heat.

They all compare favourably with Nelson Demille's "Cathedral".. enough said?

It's a shame that Jig is one of those countless thriller novels that will sink into literary history without anyone noticing. I would just recommend that you should really, really try to find this book. Jig is a classic assassin chase type thriller, and I believe it's one of the best in the genre, even approaching the perennial favorite, Forsyth's Day of the Jackal.

Jig is an Irish assassin who is well trained and ruthlessly efficient. He is a fascinating character, his emotions, his feelings are well written throughout the book. Even better is the clever twist about 100 pages into that book that reveals the assassins real identity, making further study into his life and family even more enjoyable.

The story revolves around a stolen shipment of 10 million dollars sent to IRA coffers from a group of high profile American backers. Jig is sent to America by his mentor to find out who took the money and to take it back. Tracking him down is maverick MI-5 investigator Frank Pagan, a man obsessed with Jig. Pagan's wife was killed in an IRA bombing, and he takes it very personally.

The action is well paced, the mystery fairly compelling. The Jig vs. Pagan dynamic drives the book, but there are a host of supporting characters that are intriguing as well.

Jig the book deserves a lot more attention, even as Ireland seemingly is on the path to peace. It's hard to believe that the stories hinted at in Jig took place in reality. Try to find it, it's worth the look.

Peter May's China Thriller series of books continues with The Killing Room. All is not well with Margaret and Li's relationship as the location is mostly Shanghai in his third of the series.

Having visted Shanghai nine times in the past two years, I find the Chinese background and culture in this series and this mystery in particular are outstanding. Written in 2000 and just released in the USA, this highly charged mystery actually foretells some of Shanghai's modern 21st Century political history of local corruption. While other novelists may touch on the corruption in a lighter, more oblique way, May gets right to the point in demonstrating how the hierarchy works. He touches on the continuing power struggle between Beijing and Shanghai.

The other reviews cover the story line well. The setting of Shanghai is remarkably accurate, and the description of life and families is still quite relevant eight years after the book was authored. (Many things can change in Shanghai in eight years.) As I have Shanghai friends to explain many customs in modern China, I find that May captures them in very subtle ways. May distills the Chinese manners and details them into background throughout the novel.

If you are travelling to Shanghai and want to get an inside look into the city's life, this is a must read. Only you will find that Shanghai is a much safer place than what happens in the vicinity of Margaret and Li.

I just started reading this book and I'm already hooked. I will definitely be reading any others that Mr. May has written or writes in the future. Definiately a must read!

First Sentence: The rain, like tears, streaks his view of the world from the back seat of his limousine.

Beijing detective Li Yan is working on a case where a woman's body has been found. It appears the victim had undergone an autopsy while alive, organs removed and her body cut into pieces.

Now Yan is sent to Shanghai to oversee the investigation instigated by a mass grave being found there with the similar remains of 18 women. Yan, oblivious by the attentions of his female counterpart in Shanghai, sends for American pathologist Margaret Campbell, with whom he has worked before and with whom he is lovers. While the nightmare of the case escalates, so do the problems with their relationship.

There was definitely more to like about this book than not. I really enjoy learning about China of today and seeing it through the eyes of both a resident, albeit of Beijing who, himself, doesn't feel comfortable in Shanghai, and an American make the story particularly interesting. Yan is a very good policeman who is classically clueless as a male at times, while Margaret is an excellent pathologist who is almost overwhelming insecure as a woman. Those aspects make the characters very believable and human.

I also learned about pathology and science, but in a way that was clinical; not horrific or ever boring. There is suspense that does build nicely. Although I suspected one villain, I didn't see the other one coming.

The first book of the series, "The Firemaker," is still my favorite, but I shall definitely continue on with Margaret and Li.

When the bodies of eighteen women are discovered in a mass grave at a construction site in Shanghai, Deputy Section Chief Li Yan is sent to establish if the corpses relate to an unsolved similar murder in Beijing. He requests that American pathologist Margaret Campbell be allowed to assist with the forensics. Their on again-off again relationship remains rocky, especially because of local Deputy Chief Nien Mei-Ling, who Margaret finds a formidable competitor for Li Yan's heart. While examining the bodies, Margaret discovers that all of them had organs removed while they were still alive.

I particularly like two aspects of May's books. One is the culture clashes between Li Yan and Margaret Campbell. Despite their strong feelings for each other, they are just very different people. I learn a lot about Chinese culture through Margaret's eyes and would probably make the same missteps she does.

The other is May's ability to explore social and cultural problems in Chinese society. He tries hard to portray both sides of a controversial subject without taking sides. In this book, and a bit of the previous book, The Fourth Sacrifice, that subject is the single-child policy enacted to reduce the population in China. Li Yan's sister previously dropped off her daughter with him when she found she was pregnant with a son. Li Yan remains the child's guardian in this book.

I found more humor in this book than the previous two in this series. The competitions between Margaret and Mei-Ling for the attentions of Li Yan were laugh-out-loud funny. I also find it interesting that these books are written by a Scottish man living in France, writing about an American woman living in China. And he does it very well.

Armchair Interviews says: Super read as a mystery with a lot of cultural learning thrown in.

Already upset that a killer was freed because of either corruption or incompetence in the Procurator's office, Ministry of Public Security Deputy Section Chief Li Yan is not in the mood to talk to anyone. However Detective Wu tells his superior that the dismembered girl found in the shallow grave near the Summer Palace was not buried alone; upwards of twenty females share a grave with her. The powers that be demand Li fix the mess that was shown internationally as a New York bank CEO was the VIP digger in a sea of body parts.

Shanghai Public Security Serious Crime Squad Deputy chief Mei-Ling is assigned to assist Li, who learns from her that there are eighteen torsos and sixteen heads so far. Li's on and off Irish girlfriend pathologist Margaret Campbell arrives following the wake of her deceased father. Although the two ladies compete for the affection of Li, the trio works together realizing that someone apparently conducted autopsies on the female victims while they still lived; the cause of death in each case is the autopsy. They know preventing the monster from more killings comes before straightening out their personal relationships.

This excellent Chinese police procedural will please fans of that sub-genre immensely as this is a top rate whodunit in a country in which connections impedes the strong investigation much more so than in the United States where influence gets a great lawyer. The story line is action-packed and the triangle cleverly developed to allow the reader to understand the motivations including personal demons of the investigating team. However, as with THE FOURTH SACRIFICE, the novel belongs to Peter May's deep insightful look at modern China's Socialist market economy in which Shanghai is filled with Porches, sex shops, discos and nightclubs standing near traditional mom and pop stores.

Harriet Klausner

If you live in New Mexico (or even if you just like the New Mexico landscape) and you like art, you'll love this book!

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to New Mexico. We always like to buy a photographic book as a memento of our travels to enjoy once we return home. While shopping, we did not find such a book with pictures that did the landscape justice. This book provided exactly what we wanted. We are now enjoying the landscapes of this beautiful state through the eyes of various artists.

Great book if you like New Mexico and seeing the land.

The book opens with a discussion of landscape painting in New Mexico, with reference to the late nineteenth and early twentieth century artists and what inspired them. The bulk of the book, pages 30 to 279, is given over to the present day artists and their paintings. The book concludes with a very brief Biography for each artist, a Glossary and an Index to the artists.

Each artist has a page of introduction and at least three examples of his/her work, occasionally more. While brief the text for each artist is surprisingly comprehensive, providing an indication of background and training along with comments on the work. What is particularly appealing is that it also manages a certain intimacy, bringing each artist to life. What is particularly interesting is the even balance between male and female artists represented. The artists, thirty one in total, range from the established to the immerging, and the range of work is wide, predominantly representational from impressionist to realist, but with a few approaching abstract.

This is a large book, landscape in format which of course allows for most of the work to be shown advantage. It is illustrated throughout in full-colour with well in excess of 200 paintings.

As a landscape painter, I moved from Hawai'i to NYC then out West to see the land, the light; to experience first hand the profound spiritual quality of being one with the Universe. These painters get it! This book is by far, the best contemporary representation of landscape painters' painting I have seen to date. Each artist has a profile/commentary prelude to set the stage for their experience of this enchanted land. There are just enough wonderful photographs of their work to entice you to want to see more. It is a treasure.

Teresa is an amazing and courageous woman. Her book is
uplifting and inspirational. Her life before and after
her diagnosis of MS was well written and I found I had to
finish reading it even though I had already started a
John Grisham novel. She has lived her life well and
fully. I recommend Life is an Adventure to anyone--
whether disabled or not.

This book is a good read for Non-disabled and disabled folks alike.
If you want to be uplifted and inspired read this book. Her premise: Life is what you make it, so make it a full life.
It is the deeply personal, biographical story of a woman who knows how to live life well.
It is also a practical manual on the changes (physical, emotional and mental) one goes through during the transformation from able bodied to dis-abled. And it is a resource full of up to date medical information and contact numbers.
I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

As a Professor in a School of Nursing Terry has had a unique perspective to describe the disease condition that she confronted at mid-life. Knowing Terry as a cabin mate and fellow nurse on the medical ship HOPE, before she experienced Multiple Sclerosis, I am aware, to a small degree, how difficult the adjustments she faced must have been. Her capacities to experience life were extremely strong, physically, mentally, emotionally and to have some of these forces challenged must have called for courage that I'm sure she was unaware she had. I marvel at the way she has managed her life to realize what she did to fulfill her need to care for herself properly, to give to her community--large and small--what she had to offer professionally, and to travel to know and understand the world as deeply and fully and she had dreamed. I feel so privileged to know Terry and of her "Life of Adventure". The book is a wonderfully practical guide of how to deal with this disablng disease. As a nurse teacher I would highly recommend this book as a resource for nurse students as a way to understand better the special challenges of patients with chronic disease conditions.

I read this book in one sitting and I really enjoyed it. I was impressed with the author's honesty and really appreciated her candor in reactions to each new development in her disease.

While she did not always have positive reactions at every stage, she focused on what she "could do" rather than staying in the "land of what she couldn't do." She was never a "Pollyanna" and I found that very refreshing.

I could relate to her anger with people that ignored her and/or her needs in various circumstances, as well as her inventiveness (i.e. peeong on the lawn) was not only entertaining, it made me think about how I have handled what life has thrown at me, how I handled that in the past, how I handle it now, and how I will handle it in the future.

The author comes across as a person that is in charge of her life, and I admire that quality.

I would recommend this book not only to people living with a chronic illness, but to anyone interested in living life to it's fullest.

A READER WITH LUPUS

I just finished reading this book and found I could not put it down.It is one of the most enlightening, well written, important books on living with a disability that I've ever read.The author's descriptions are so precise I really feel as if I'm there or following behind her. I can almost smell the food as she describes it or see the cobblestones on the uneven surface as she tries to manuver.
I feel this book is so important in seeing the world through the eyes of a disabled person that Iam requiring it for all of my staff.I thank the author for sharing her life with me. She is a most remarkable person.

It would do this fine little volume an injustice to call it "The Book of Discipline Lite" but it does do a fine job of summarizing the big volume without forcing the uninterested party to plow through material about the United Methodist Church's administrative structure and procedures.

Don't expect a profound philisophical discourse on the similarities between Wesley's concept of "sanctification" and the Eastern Orthodox concept of "Theosis" in this book. But DO expect a nice, clean, concise history of the Methodist denomination, a good explanation of its eccumenicalism, a summary of Wesley's values, and all the promised essentials about what role communion, baptism, and clerical orders play in the modern UMC. The end of the book has a tidy summation of Wesley's "rules" and the general principles of the UMC.

For anyone thinking of joining a Methodist church, seeking information about Methodism, and for those Methodists who want a good, concise reference and explanation, this is THE book. Go hit that "add to my shopping cart" button if you fall into one of these categories!

This book is small and isn't one inch thick! It is concise yet thorough. It is easy to read and has excellent explanations on Methodist doctrine. Highly Recommended!!

This is a well organized and factually based book on the Methodist doctrine. Being a Methodist for more than 35 years, I have never had a clear idea as to what Methodists really believe. This book has cleared up many misconceptions that I have had over the years and is strengthening my faith in the UMC. A good resource for both students and laypersons!

Campbell's discussion of Methodist Doctrine is clear and well presented. He uses non-theological language to teach what could be complicated points. He gives references to support his statements. These could easily used for further reading. This is a good introduction which would make further study much easier.

Excellent, clear, well-written, comprehensive ... I've run out of adjectives attempting to describe this book. If you're looking for an excellent foundational book on Methodist Doctrine and Theology, go no further than Dr. Ted Campbell's fantastic book, "Methodist Doctrine." I've read a lot of books on the theological standards of the United Methodist Church, but this one really goes a long way toward answering almost any question in a way that is accessable to both pastor and lay person. Buy this book!

We own a business with two other people. Only one of the members is experienced in financial matters. This book was great for all involved and provided a springboard for much needed conversations. It helped the experienced person verbalize their concerns and helped the other two understand why cash flow is important. We highly recommend it.

I consult to jewelers on QuickBooks; budgeting and cashflow. This book is very easy to understand how to plan 6 weeks out if you will have any money to pay your bills.

All small businesses should read this, this is EXACTLY what big business does and it's rather simple. You have to LOOK at it once a week, but very simple.

David Geller

Philip Campbell does an excellent job of simplifying cash flow management principles. Cash flow problems are one of the leading reasons for business failures. Following Campbell's easy-to-use program will eliminate cash flow surprises. This book is written in a manner that is very easy to read, comprehend, and implement. This should be required reading in all college accounting classes. We thought this book was so good that we bought a bunch of copies, and sent one to each of our customers.

"My profit & loss sheet say I made money...but where is it"? This book shows in simple, easy to understand language how to "get a handle" on the cash flow of a business. Profits don't mean much in the day to day operation of a business if you can't manage the flow of cash, an integral part of the business. This book lays out the most direct, simple, rules on how to do just that.

Thanks to the writer for making my life easier.

Never Run Out of Cash is an excellent book. It's easy to read and understand while at the same time contains exclusive methods for managing money that I've not seen anywhere else before. Mr. Campbell doesn't waste the reader's time with empty or simply regurgitated financial advice that you can get anywhere, like many books. His tips are accessible and easy to implement. I really wish I had his methods earlier in my entrepreneurial pursuits - would have saved me a tremendous amount of wasted time and energy and more importantly, I believe that many of the poor money mistakes I made in business, would have been different if I had known what I know now, after reading this book. Simple and Essential - that's what I'd call this excellent book!

When I think about the Vietnam War, I picture the combat scenes from the various Vietnam War movies. This book offers a glimpse into the post-war era. It shows the continuing battles fought by these soldiers back home with others and with themselves. The book is a real eye-opener and will make you see our veterans in a different light.

This book is a good read. Viet Nam left us with so many with abuse problems or PTSD and the same is happending now in Iraq. The pain and trauma each one goes thru and the effects on their families is astounding. We must do more to combat this situation. Steve's story is very well told and thru Kerri he will live on and not be a forgotten veteran who lost his way.

Having finished "No Immediate Threat", I find myself contemplating on what I did not know prior reading it. This book does a number of things for its readers. It tells the story of a Vietnam veteran and his family, all that they went through and how they felt at each turn. It shows the human side of a war that has been ignored for far too long. It gives us a glimpse of the trauma that Vietnam veterans experienced and carried with them throughout their lives. Many of these vets are still alive today, trying to cope, trying to understand a war that made no sense. This book opens eyes and touches hearts. It pulls one out of their comfort zone and shows what such a trauma can cause in the mind and soul of a veteran who survived the war but not the after shock.

Not every Vietnam veteran had a sister who perservered in telling his story, so in many ways Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell's book speaks for every veteran. All who survived brought home their memories, and all have struggled, in their own way, in reconciling what they experienced at war with what they experienced when they returned home. Veterans may find that this book gives a voice to thoughts they have not been able to express themselves. Non-veterans will gain a closer view of how to bring as many as possible "all the way home again."

I couldn't put the book down. Even though the reader knows the author's brother's fate, I wanted to watch the process unfold. The stories Fivecoat-Campbell tells about her family life are poignant. There were times when I laughed and other times I felt choked up. The author gives details that make us wonder about the military, the V. A. system and other veteran/military related institutions. It's not just a book about Vietnam. The information she divulges can be related to the Iraqi war today. I highly recommend this book.

This anthology is full of variety. Most every tale is dark in tone and packs a visceral punch, but the inspiration behind each story is different and it makes for a great package. Never mind that I'm in it; I was laid up in the hospital when I got my copy, and READ BY DAWN II made the time fly. Not a dull moment!

I was particularly impressed with Scott Brendel's contribution, The Seventh Green AT Lost Lakes. I thought it was a well written, suspenseful, and interesting.

Read by Dawn was a fascinating read. Michele Lee rocks socks. Various dark and chilling stories to keep you up and looking at shadows all night long.

Let's just forget for a moment that I have a story in this anthology (Read by Dawn volume 1) and say it just happened to be an Amazon.com order mistakenly delivered to my house. I'm not going to go over story (because there are 27 of them), as I do with magazines. Instead I'm going to highlight a few stories that stood out to me. In the order they appear in the book these are:

# Last Day on the Job by Jeff Jacobson- I loved the imagery of the world of skyscrapers which so many take for granted raining down upon the bug-like people below. The ending sort of fizzled, but the middle was creepy and amusing, a combination I love.


# The Seventh Green a Lost Lake by Scott Brendel- Golf horror. I love it!


# Lessons by Katherine A. Patterson- One of the creepiest stories in anthology. It's troubling on many levels, with a just desserts style ending and centers entirely on family dynamics, not violence per se.


# Popee by Justin Madison- My co-favorite in the anthology. I love dark humor and I can't even look at the title anymore without picturing a old man zombie gnawing on his grand son, being shoved back and leaving his dentures behind. When I go back through this will be the first one I read.


# The Bloom of Decay by Patricia McCormack- This one wins the creativity award in my opinion. It takes a strong veer from the rest of the stories. The horror in this one comes not from something that happens, or something the character has earned, but from who the character really is. I'm not sure it's flattering to the author, but I'd consider it flattering if someone said it of me, but this story inspired a little story of my own. This one most definitely made me think.

# Final Girl by Joe L. Murr- This one is my other co-favorite. (Hah! And you thought it was going to be my own.) This one caught me by surprise. It's so wrong but so right. It all makes sense with those last few lines, but the situation isn't the only horrible aspect of this tale.


# Frankie by Matt Wedge- This one wins the "I'd need therapy" award. In fact, just browsing the story again as I thumbed through the book to do this review made me put the book down fast, lest I reread a disturbing scene. I'll tell you one thing, these horror writers know human behavior too well. No wonder why normal people are scared of us. We use them against themselves.


# The Woman Who Coughs Up Flies by David Turnbull- This kind of story gives me hope, as a writer. The plot I guessed close to the beginning, but the sheer beauty of the writing sold me this one. It give me hope when I see those "the plot was too predictable" rejects.


# Special Offer by John Llewellyn Probert- I will never channel surf by HSN or QVC again and not think of this story. I really like that it gives a physical pain to people who spend recklessly, either due to a psychological problem or to plain old greed. I know many of these people who show off their neat new playthings while my family makes sure all bills are paid first and fully. I wonder if they would still act the same if they had the consequences presented in this story.


# Body Hunt by Chet Gottfried- Had the above mentioned "Popee" not been in this collection this tale would have won my humor vote. Amusing and dark but a natural dark, not forced. It almost reads like a dark sitcom.


# What Betty Saw by Joel Jacobs- A nice story at the end about the end. I would not have placed this story anywhere else in the collection as it does a fantastic job of bringing the anthology to a very final (burning) end.


I'd also like to note that there were no bad, poor, or even fair stories between these white covers. Every story had it merits, some merely connected better with me than others. My complete reading only serves to make me more proud of being including among these fantastic writers' tales. I am definitely putting volume two on my to buy list, as I will not be within it pages.

Good luck to Bloody Books and all the authors who have been included within their publications. May you receive the recognition you deserve.

READ BY DAWN: Volume 1
This has been a great year for anthologies. First we got Lee and Wilbanks' knock out collection, "Damned Nation", and then Skipp's long awaited zombie anthology, "Mondo Zombie", and now from Bloody Books we have READ BY DAWN. Put together by Adele Hartley, Director of "Dead By Dawn", Scotland's International Horror Film Festival, the anthology showcases writers from around the world, including Finland, America, Scotland, Canada, and Australia. If there is an international language for horror, this anthology is it. Among the 30 stories within, I consider only a few to fall into the mediocre category, most go straight to my favorite short stories of the year list. If this collection doesn't sweep the International Horror Guild and the Stokers awards next year, and get some respectable page space in Ellen Datlow's "Year's Best Fantasy and Horror", there is no justice.
Some of my particular favorites- I mean the ones that downright made me gasp aloud or shiver while reading them- were "Bloodwalker" by Michelle Lee, an alternative universe tale of practical evil, "The Face in the Glass" by Brian G. Ross, and Rayne Hall's "The Bridge Chamber" (take that, The Descent). I'd also like to call attention to Samuel Minier's "Stuck" as a particularly well-written piece, subtle and heart wrenching, even to the bloody end. And I liked the way Lavie Tidhar takes the Alice In Wonderland theme across the world and plops it into war torn Germany in "Eine Kleine Nachmusik (1943)". But I think if I had to choose a favorite it would be "The Kylesku Trow" by Stefan Pearson; the tale's last riddle will haunt me for many years to come.
Bloody Books knows how to package. The austere red, white, black and gray cover draws you in, and the font is easy reading despite the size of the slim volume. I have only one complaint with the book's construction: There are no author names listed with the tales themselves, neither in the Table of Contents or the traditional top of the page of each story. If one needs to find the author, one must either go back to the first page of the story, or scan the tiny print of the copyright page. But this is such a small thing compared to the fine stories this volume gives us. My hope is that subsequent volumes will fix this issue. But in the professional hands of the editor, I think the next volume will be even more engrossing and bring to light some of the new names in horror. And the U.K.'s most respected living horror author, Ramsey Campbell, must think they've got what it takes to become something quite special, as he adds a touching story of his own to the collection and provides a wrap around piece as well. "The Place of Revelations" seems to be his nod to the new voices in the genre and is, as usual, brilliantly written work from a master of the craft.
In the absence of so many beloved ongoing anthology series, this is one to keep your eyes on in the future to give you the well-written, exciting horror fix you need.

--Nickolas Cook

WOW!! I just finished this book. Very good read... I laughed, smiled and reflected on the words that were on the pages. Being born and raised in VA as well as have worked with the Navy for 22 years, I could relate to everything the author was saying. Thanks Curtis for sharing this book with me. Can't wait til your next book, hopefully in a few months--- July 07. This book is a must read for all !!

T. Jones, Maryland

Great book Curtis. Great read, and most of all I know every word is true. We are all very proud of you and wish you nothing but the best. Book is wonderful. I laughed, I cried but most of all I just plain enjoyed this book from cover to cover.
I am eagerly awaiting your next installment, and look forward to someday seeing your name up in lights at the movies. Mr. "D" still believes in you.

I felt this was a book that many people can relate to, man or woman. Especially if you came from a hard upbringing. The book had humor, sadness and wisdom. It had powerful messages ranging from self-reliance to compassion and pride. I can't wait to read Mr. Campbell's next book.

This book is a rural, southern coming of age story written from the perspective of a child as he matures and makes decisions to define himself by a standard different than his parents.
There are experiences that do not fit into a child's world, decisions made, responsibilities accepted and bravery shown by someone with a strong desire to be a pattern breaker and move beyond the world he was born into.
This book parallels urban society in a myriad of ways and could be set in almost any country. It reflects the desire to grow and excel beyond our surroundings and the journey that gets us there. It is a page turner, thought provoking and a quick read!

I wrote Reflections because little is known about the way we conduct business in the Low Country of South Carolina. "Reflections Of A Black Man" tells a story in a way to let people know that it does matter what background you come from or what obstacles are put there before you, if you can endure them and put forth effort, ultimately you will be successful in life and as a person.