A HORROR STORY

We stand alone in this bleak hall.

There won’t be dancing at this ball.

Time to leave this creepy place.

We must quicken our slow pace.

But since this is a horror story,

We will not be leaving with glory.

THE DEAD GAME SERIES

LOST

A clown leers at me.

The knife-thrower aims 

and misses.

I run into a tent.

Mirrors surround me.

I flee into the darkness

and crash through a mirror.

I stand in a dark room.

The floor spins.

I grab the walls.

My hands slide

on the slippery stones.

A hole opens in the ground.

It widens,

pulling me closer

to the abyss.

I’m falling.

THE DEAD GAME

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JOIN ME FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF MEET ME IN MAINE

Will Logan survive or become the next victim? Elizabeth and David rush to the hospital to find out.

Chapter 11

I trailed behind David at the hospital through a maze of corridors, announcements ringing in our ears, overhead fluorescent lights bouncing off the too-white walls. He reached for my hand when my steps slowed, and I took a deep breath. “I hate hospitals.”

“No one likes hospitals, but they’re a necessity.”

I frowned at his response.

A nurse exited as we entered Logan’s room. He lay on the bed, his eyes closed, a white bandage covering the left side of his head, closest to us. His eyes opened at our footsteps, and Logan tilted his head to see us.

I ran past the empty bed to reach him. “How are you?” I extended my hand before dropping it at my side. “We should have brought flowers or a gift.”

His slow grin made my heart flutter. “I don’t need gifts, just you.”

David cleared his throat.

Logan chuckled. “I need you too.”

“What happened?” His eyes flashing, David sauntered to the opposite side of the bed.

Logan glanced at him. “All business, no ‘how do you feel’ from you?”

“You’re conscious.” David cocked an eyebrow. “So, you’re fine.”

I inched closer to the bed and touched his hand. “What happened?”

Logan looked at me, his gray eyes softening, his chiseled face gaunt. “I spotted two men lurking on the pier behind the fish restaurant, so I tracked them until they ambushed me on a side street. While I was tackling one of them, the other hit me. The next thing I remember is waking in the hospital attached to tubes.”

“Did you recognize them?” David paced at the foot of the second bed, waiting in the shadows for its next patient, its lights and machinery dark.

Logan faced him with a disdainful expression. “They wore hoodies and dark clothing.”

“That’s it?” David halted, his expression grim.

A grunt escaped Logan’s lips. “Let me see you identify someone who bashed you on the head.”

“I was just checking.” David shrugged. “We’ve been attacked before.”

Logan frowned. “Thanks for the show of sympathy.”

I squeezed his hand. “Did you hear about the woman?”

“I was there.”

“Why were you there?” David asked, his voice hardening.

“The chief heard rumors of an attack at tonight’s opening.” Logan closed his eyes. “He asked me to check the restaurant.”

“The chief expected an attack?” I let go of his hand. “Scarlett was there.”

He opened his eyes, giving me a glassy stare. “I didn’t know until I saw her and Jonathan.” Logan winced. “I was approaching Scarlett when the woman… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I grabbed his hands in both of mine. “They could have killed you. You should rest.”

David grunted and strode from the room.

“We’ll return tomorrow.” I gave Logan a wistful look before hurrying after David into the corridor.

While he marched ahead of me to the nurses’ station, his tense words drifted to me over his shoulder, “I’m going to speak to the nurses before I drive you home.”

I waited as three nurses surrounded him, eager to answer his questions. After nodding to them, David led me to an empty lounge. “Do you need to sit?”

I shook my head.

“Logan has a severe concussion… they’re taking him for an MRI.”

“Poor Logan; you could have been nicer to him.”

“He has a thick head. This isn’t his first concussion or mine.”

“Are you trying to comfort me?” I frowned. “Your technique isn’t working.”

David shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess not.” He searched my face. “I’ll take you home… I’m sorry for the way our date ended.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Blue Harbor has an awful habit of interfering in my life,” he said as we followed the twisting hallways to the exit. 

At my apartment, he stood in the hallway, watching me. “I’ll wait until you lock the door behind you.”

I unlocked the door, stepped inside, and turned to him.

A hooded expression crossed his face. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” The soulful chords of Tchaikovsky’s “Pas de Deux” from The Nutcracker drifted from his jacket. He pulled the offending cell phone from his pocket, glancing at the screen. “The chief is calling. Lock the door,” he said, backing into the hallway and motioning to the lock.

I shut the door and locked it. Date finished.

MEET ME IN MAINE – Let’s Read A Chapter Together

Chapter 9

Elizabeth’s first date with David goes differently than expected.

I spun in front of the full-length mirror hanging from my closet door, eyeing my black dress and high heels. My hands trembled as I smoothed the silky fabric against my thighs.

Scarlett came through the doorway, wearing a tight red dress. “Sexy.”

“Is it too short?” I turned to her. “I can change.”

“Don’t change. You look hot.” She grinned. “It’s not as short as my dress.”

“You’re comfortable in too-revealing clothing while I’m not.”

“Are you calling me a slut?” Her eyebrows arched.

“If the shoe fits.” 

Scarlett stalked across the room, a shoe dangling from her hand.

I stepped back, shaking my head. “You wouldn’t.”

The doorbell rang.

“Now, you’ll never know.” She slipped her foot into the pump and winked before rushing from the room.

“Lizzie. It’s for you,” Scarlett called from the living room.

Why was David early? I raced for my bag and coat. My heart was pounding as I came to a stop. I must act cool and collected. I took a deep breath and sauntered through the doorway.

He came to his feet. “Hello, Elizabeth.”

My gaze drifted from his cleft chin to chiseled cheekbones, coming to rest on dazzling blue eyes. I opened my mouth, but no sound escaped.

“I hope you’re happy to see me.” He shifted closer, lifting his hand to stroke my cheek.

“I am.” I closed my eyes as his touch sent shivers through my body.

“Okay, lovers.” Scarlett pushed between us. “You’ll miss your reservation, and my date will be here soon.”

David took my hand. “We can take a hint.” I followed him from the apartment, but not before I stuck my tongue at Scarlett behind his back.

* * *

After clicking the remote to unlock the black Jaguar parked at the curb, David opened the passenger door, and I sank into the beige leather seats. Once the car was humming, he seat-belted himself and faced me. “Are you comfortable?”

I nodded. “It’s a gorgeous car.”

“Air-conditioning or sunroof?” David grinned, giving me an enticing glimpse of dimples.

I thought of the wind messing my hair. “Air-conditioner, please.”

We drove in silence until I asked, “Is there any news?” When he didn’t respond, I added, “We don’t have to mention the explosion or –”

“Pick any topic.” He glanced at me. “I want us to relax and enjoy the evening.”

I lowered my face and smoothed the black fabric bunched beneath the seatbelt. 

He placed his hand on my arm, and I lifted my face to the glittering blue eyes seeking mine. “Don’t worry. We’ll find the ones responsible for the explosion.” David pulled the car in front of a one-storied teal blue building, its windows and door strung with twinkling lights. “We’re here.” 

Valets rushed to open our doors. I took David’s arm as we headed inside behind the couples filing through the doorway. Soft music accompanied the hushed conversation in the darkened room. A fire sizzled in the fireplace, nestled in the far left corner. The maître d led us to a table set for two overlooking the water.

After the maître d seated us, a server filled our water glasses and handed us menus. I glanced through the pages, amazed at the steep prices.

“Don’t look at the prices.”

I raised my face and stared at the handsome man sitting across from me, grinning. “I wasn’t.”

“You were.” David chuckled. “Your arched brows tell the complete story.” When I blushed, he continued, “Don’t worry. You have lovely eyes and brows.” As heat suffused my face, he laughed. “I have the money, so spend it.”

I shook my head.

He reached for my hand, which rested on the table, covering it with his. “Order what your heart desires.”

“I’m not familiar with most of these dishes.” As I perused the menu, my gaze drifted to the tables closest to us. Well-dressed couples drank wine and ate, smiling at each other, laughing, and holding hands. His finger stroked the inside of my wrist, and I shivered.

“Are you cold?”

I met his gaze. “I’m fine. Can I order the same dish as you?”

A smile deepened his dimples. “I was going to order steak and home fries.”

“A steak-and-potatoes man.” I smiled. “I’ll have the same.”

The server took our orders and David’s choice of wine. I turned to the window where the moon stroked the dark water with shimmering silver streaks. The soft music and murmur of conversation helped to soothe my frayed nerves.

“Are you upset?”

I caught his concerned expression. “No. Why do you think I’m upset?”

He leaned forward, giving me a lopsided grin. “I was hoping you weren’t angry from last night.”

“Last night?”

His jaw tightened. “The way Logan interrogated you, I should have stopped him. The chief allows him to take control.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” I twirled the wine glass in my hand, watching the dark burgundy liquid catch the votive candle’s flickering light. “Why does the chief allow Logan to intervene?”

“Logan is wealthy and has influential contacts.” He leaned back in his chair. “The chief needs his help to solve the recent crime wave.”

“Is it a crime wave?”

David took a sip of wine, his unhurried gaze following the contours of my face. “A few incidents have occurred in the past six months.”

“Murders?” My stomach plummeted as if I’d consumed a lump of coal.

“Yes.” David shifted in his seat. “Chief Lively has requested my help.”

“Why you? Aren’t you a lawyer?”

“Yes. I’m a mere lawyer.” His eyes darkened to midnight blue as they met mine. “But the chief claims to enjoy my keen mind; he told me I chose the wrong profession.”

“I can see you as a detective.” I busied myself with sipping wine instead of witnessing his woeful expression.

David laughed out loud. “I’m not hurt.” Heads turned from neighboring tables. “I’ve been an officer of the law.”

“As a marine?”

“You’ve heard.” He winked. “Major David Hunt, at your service, ma’am.”

“Nice.” His uneven smirk captivated me as I struggled to compose myself. I didn’t hear the server arrive and place our dishes on the table.

I came to realize I loved to watch David eat. He cut his steak with precision, chewing with his mouth closed, his Adam’s apple bopping along his tan neck. My gaze lingered at the juncture of his white shirt and blue-striped tie. I noticed he had stopped eating, and I raised my face. 

“Hi.” Dimples appeared in the light stubble on his cheeks.

“I enjoy watching you eat.” Blood rushed to my face, and I glanced away. Why did I say that?

David took my hand. “And I love watching you.” His face shifted closer to mine, and I shut my eyes. “Lizzie.”

I opened my eyes.

“You’ve mesmerized me as no other woman has for a long time.” He sat forward, his hungry gaze devouring me until I trembled from its intensity.

“There you are.” A shout rang across the room, followed by the husky figure of Chief Lively. 

David shot to his feet, facing Lively with an annoyed expression. “What’s wrong now?”

“There has been another death.” The chief halted beside our table, his dark glare landing on me.

“I can’t help you; we’re having dinner.” His face ashen, David sat, replacing his fallen napkin on his lap.

“I need you,” Lively replied, his voice sharpening. “They took Logan to the hospital.”

“What happened?” David threw me a concerned look before hurrying to his feet and leading the chief to an isolated spot beside the window.

“Logan will be okay. A woman is dead.”

“A woman, this time?” David glanced over the chief’s shoulder at me. “I’ll drive Elizabeth home.”

“No. We don’t have time.” Lively stepped in front of me, his heated gaze meeting mine. “You’ll have to come with us.”

I nodded.

David said to the chief, “I’ll meet you.” He then turned to me. “I’m sorry.”

Attempting a smile, I said, “I’m fine. I might even help.”

His eyebrows rose in disbelief as he escorted me from the restaurant. And so began my journey into Blue Harbor’s secrets, known only to the select few, which now included me.

THE PERFECT NIGHT FOR A PARTY

It’s a magical night for a party.

Beautiful couples dance

between the glass statues.

Fancy gowns drape the perfect bodies.

The glasshouse shimmers in the moonlight.

The party is perfect.

A little too perfect.

THE DEAD GAME

THE DEAD AND GONE

I should have listened to my heart’s song,
Listened to reason and right from wrong.
I’m now trapped in this horror of despair,
Waiting for death to take me in its arms.

The shadows are growing larger,
Surrounding me from all sides.
There’s nowhere to run or hide;
I will stand strong against the tide.

He’s here.
I can feel him.
He’s come back for me.
No one is safe from his wrath.

The cold wraps around my body.
My hair drips icicles down my neck.
I shiver in dread of my future.
My future as queen of The Dead.

THE DEAD GAME

LET YOUR LOVE SHINE

Let your love find me.
I’ll be waiting in
Blue Harbor, Maine.

MEET ME IN MAINE

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THE WINDS HAVE SPOKEN

What strange manifestations does the Indian curse have in store for the residents of Blue Harbor?

Neither sand, water, snow, nor fire can defeat the Penobscot curse.

But the cursed ones have never faced Elizabeth and Scarlett as they fight to protect their town.

Follow our fearless heroines as they investigate the curse at its source.

Will the Penobscot Indians welcome their intrusion or close ranks?

Find out in BOOK TWO, available this summer.

MEET ME IN MAINE

BOOK ONE of THE BLUE HARBOR SERIES

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SCREAM THE HALLS HOLIDAY PROMOTION

 

I have found one of the creepiest, eeriest groups of horror authors. Join us and sample our goodies if you want to tremble and shake while reading with the lights on. We’ll begin with a short introduction for each author and their spotlighted book. William Schumpert and I will be offering free ebooks. If you’d like one, post your comments. We’re eager to hear from you.

Paranormal Author Susanne Leist

A career in writing has been an enormous leap for me. After leaving my first career in finance, I pursued my dream of writing. I do not regret my foray into literature for one moment. I write every day and have even tried my hand at poetry. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late in life to try something different. It is never too late to follow your heart.

THE DEAD GAME SERIES brings fantasy and surrealism to the classic murder mystery with dead bodies, suspects, and clues. In addition, it offers vampires, vampire derivatives, and a touch of romance to spice the motley mix.

My new release, MEET ME IN MAINE, is the first book in THE BLUE HARBOR SERIES. A seaside town in Maine provides the backdrop for murder, mystery, and romance. Love falters and flourishes as the residents fight the persistent evil plaguing their small-town lives.

Sit back, put up your feet, and let me bring mystery and romance to your lives.

MEET ME IN MAINE

5-Star Amazon Review

5.0 out of 5 stars The quiet life, that isn’t. Yikes

Author Susanne Leist begins The Blue Harbor Series with a bang. Elizabeth Reading’s boyfriend, Martin, moves out. This gives Scarlett Harding, Elizabeth’s best friend, the chance to move to a small town. She announces a serious relocation to Blue Harbor, Maine. The goal is for these best friends to buy and run a
quaint bed and breakfast, a major shift from their busy city lives. A fresh start.

The two women arrive in town ready to settle in. Arriving at the rental place Scarlett arranged, the girls get move-in help from a tall handsome local named David. The sparks pass between them with dinner arranged for the next evening.

“Scarlett hurried through the narrow hallway to the right. “Isn’t this an awesome apartment?”
She disappeared into the first bedroom. I glanced into the two identical bedrooms before wandering to the end of the hall and entering the small den overlooking a compact lawn. David joined me at the rear window.

“I’ll collect the bags from the porch.” When I spun to him, he took my hand and raised it to his lips. “I’m happy I walked Stella on this block today. I got a feeling.”
“A feeling?”
He grinned. “I get those.”
“What other feelings do you get?”
“Let me see.” David paused as his thumb rubbed the inside of my wrist. “I got a feeling you’ll enjoy the French cuisine at the restaurant I picked for tomorrow evening.”

The fast pace of this story puts the reader next to the girls as they find beautiful quiet surroundings, handsome men at every turn, spirits, and murders. Lots of death. A twist also includes an ominous Indian curse placed on the original settlers waiting to pounce on the current town’s descendants. Elizabeth and Scarlett are not willing to give up their dreams, but they decide they can only trust each other as lies are exposed.

From the time these girls go for their first ice cream, a treat for completing the move, Author Leist turns up the action and the heat. Her world-building and characters are brought alive with realistic interactions. I enjoyed all the people, places, and things as I became immersed in the town.

Readers who love fantasy, romance, chaos, and murders will enjoy this page-turner. This page turner grabs your attention to the very end. I enjoy Susanne’s writing, and this series promises to be as compelling as her writing in The Dead Game series.

LINKS

Amazon author page https://www.amazon.com/Susanne-Leist/e/B00F253FE6/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Website https://www.susanneleist.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/SusanneLeist

Meet Me In Maine

Amazon   amzn.to/3z0EcsQ

Nook       https://bit.ly/3gj85hz

Kobo       https://bit.ly/3grfqL6

Ibooks     https://books.apple.com/us/book/meet-me-in-maine-book-one-of-the-blue-harbor-series/id1572019658

Horror Author & Blogger Christopher Zisi

Max Gunssler is the pen name of Christopher Zisi.  Under the Max Gunssler name, horror writer and blogger Christopher Zisi publishes pulp/exploitation novels.  Mr. Zisi produces the horror film blog Zisi Emporium for B Movies ( zisiemporium.blogspot.com ) and can be found on Twitter ( @cjzisi ).  The author is a retired FBI agent (25 years) and a graduate of Boston College and Tulane Law School.  After retiring from the FBI in 2015, he spends all his time traveling and writing horror.  He has two grown children and lives on his estate in central Virginia.

SLAUGHTER OF THE DANGER DAMES

Four of the sexiest assassins in the world are all that’s left of the ruthless Danger Dames. Someone is slaughtering the Danger Dames and the four remaining beauties become hunted damsels. The sultry quartet are lured to a deserted island where they believe their enemy is headquartered. Alas, the Dames have been betrayed by their employer, the CIA, and ambushed in the South Pacific. The assassins are now strung up for rape, torture, humiliation, and execution. The beset lovelies must find a way to escape, kill their nemesis, and journey back home to deal with the government creeps that set them up for decapitation. To do that, the Dames will need to use all their seduction and lethal killing skills against forces bent on their annihilation.

5-Star Amazon Review

Slaughter of the Danger Dames, is another excellently written tale. This book is fast paced, with assassins unlike anything you’ve ever read before. It’ll blow you away, be careful not to get in the way of any of them, least if you want to keep your head. Make friends with them, if you want to stay alive. Filled with gratifying gore to satisfy you in everyway. Something I particularly loved. Nothing beats a blood bath to get your heart racing. You’ll get to know each of the dames, and you might just side with them, I know I did. They are evil, they are deadly. They will – well I won’t say, you’ll have to read it to find out. Be warned, scenes within the story are graphic, and excellently told. The author has done an exceptional job of story telling, that will hold your attention. Pages turn quickly. A must read for all fans who love gore, eroticism, and great characters. You’ll never look at assassins the same, ever again!

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Max-Gunssler/e/B0956BMF8Y?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1639085342&sr=1-1

Horror Author Ellie Douglas

Ellie Douglas is a Kiwi, born and raised in New Zealand.

She’s addicted to everything related to Horror. Her love affair with horror led her to write award-winning horror fiction, and there’s always more of that on the way. She enjoys creating strong characters who rise above their ordinary lives in their quests to survive and prevail. She strives to give her readers amazing stories that she herself would read.

Being a natural Creative, she also has adult coloring books, themed journals, children’s books, and an online casino slot game in her repertoire; but her main focus is on her horror tales. She’s also available to make book covers, banners, logos, video trailers, and animation.

Her ultimate aim is to give back, by entertaining her audience, paying it forward by helping others, and constantly bettering herself. She donates what spare time she has to volunteer work with autistic children.

Ellie would love to frighten you out of your wits! Connect with her at http://www.authorellie.com/

PHANTASMA: FORGET THE FUTURE! FORGET THE PAST!

Set in Ohio, the story tells of the haunting tale of newly weds, Liam and Zoey Hall. After moving into their dream home, the Ohio couple started to feel as though they were being watched, stalked and taunted.

Unable to find any evidence of this, they tried to carry on as normal. Only to experience traumatizing apparitions that appeared during the night and day.

Not wanting to give up their home, they do everything to get rid of the unwanted spirits, but the phantasm has other plans.

Unheard and unseen, they find themselves trapped. Fighting an invisible force that should never have been fought with.

Flee their home? Or find a way to evict the most unwanted, uninvited guest on the planet.

Can they do this? 

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Ellie-Douglas/e/B01GCA3H9M?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_6&qid=1639085427&sr=1-6

Horror Author William Schumpert

THE LAKEFRONT

A ghost story weaving of mystery and suspense…

Matt was always fond of River Falls after leaving to live in the city. Eager to visit the countryside he grew up in he drove in anticipation to his old home by the lake. The home he loved, and to be with family once again.

The memories of that warm, summer day by the lake. That special birthday he always cherished…. but along the way he finds a lost child. One who is also making his way to River Falls. And as hard as Matt tried to drive through that horrendous storm his car crashed.

He checked on the boy- but he wasn’t in the car! He leaves to find him, relieved that he found River Falls. 

Yet he finds that his old home is not what it used to be…

Haunted by a bizarre atmosphere and mysterious creatures in the very bellows of Hell. All while a child’s life hangs on the balance of intricate madness-

What nightmares lie in the fog?

“But that shadow- that foreboding presence… As hard as I tried I could not ignore its presence… there had to be an end to it! For God’s sake there must be an end to this menacing chaos!”

5-Star Goodreads Review

The Lakeside is about a guy named Matt he is on his way to his childhood Hometown and he wants to pay his family a visit since he has been so busy with city life and his job . On the way he reminiscences his childhood memories for example how he met his best pal whom was a chubby kid he met near the lakeside also how he spent his birthday with his mom and sister of course his father had died before he was born so he knew nth about him !

the weather is stormy and rainy and there are fogs everywhere which made me sense a Gothic aura kind of similar to that of Frankenstein story , then things happen on his way to his hometown and the moment he finally reaches there we have our first encounter with what he seems to be afraid of . page by page the story becomes darker and more interesting.

I have to say this was one of the best horror stories I’ve ever read ! Beautiful sceneries and description of them and the significance of the Lakeside . Everything was perfect in my opinion ! I loved it.

And for your listening pleasure, the author reads the book on audio.

https://www.amazon.com/The-Lakefront/dp/B09CG7FW24/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

Horror Author Kit Reed

Don’t miss the second installment in Kit Reed’s exciting new short fiction series Zombie Squad! Can Silversi save an up-and-coming rock star? And what will it cost him?

Get both Zombie Squad stories along with Kit’s Apocalypse Diaries at https://allthehorror18.wixsite.com/event/kit-reed.