Mental Menagerie: A collection of genre-bending short fiction by Scotty Schrier

Posted on April 14, 2012 by

Amazon Kindle

New author Scotty Schrier has recently released Mental Menagerie: A collection of genre-bending short fiction, which, as stated, is a collection of 14 short stories ranging from horror, to comedy to suspense. I have to say I really enjoyed this collection. It was rather refreshing to have such a wide variety of tales within one volume.

I don’t plan on going over each story, but I will touch upon a couple that really stick out in my head. One such tale just happens to be the very first in the collection, Hammer Down is a heart pumping story of Homely Hal, a truck driver and his truck, Molly and the precious cargo they aid in delivering during a horrible blizzard. The Call is a suspense filled tale of a found cell phone and a nightmarish discovery when attempting to return the phone to its owner. Finally, The Skylight Saga (A Satirical look at paranormal romance) had me laughing out loud as I read it. Yes, it will probably piss off fans of a certain book series, but for me it was so funny. I loved it.

The other 11 stories are very enjoyable. The attention to detail in setting and characters is well done. The characters themselves are given believability (when believability is desired, I should say) which aided in my actually caring or not caring about a character when things began to happen to them.

Overall, if you are a fan of short stories and enjoy a nice collection with variety, I highly suggest you pick up Mental Menagerie: A collection of genre-bending short fiction.  I think you will find it to be definitely worth your time and money.

Mental Menagerie: A collection of genre-bending short fiction  is only available for Amazon Kindle at the moment so click on the cover image to pick up your copy for Kindle and, remember if you don’t have a Kindle there are all kinds of options for you to read Kindle books.

Espresso rating: Triple

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The Uncanny Valley by Bryan R Dennis

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

Amazon KindleThe Uncanny Valley is a collection of 16 unsettling tales that draws inspiration from old-school science fiction, horror, and dark fantasy series such as the Twilight Zone. 

“A Chance in Hell” – Life is about to get worse for one troubled youth after he breaks into a house he thought was empty. 

“Greet the World” – A company employee is told he’ll die if he tries to resign. 

“Nox Noctis” – What would happen if one day all light ceased to exist? The characters in this story are about to find out. 

“Scents of Life” – A husband has a late-night encounter with a mysterious woman cloaked in disarmingly familiar fragrances. 

“The Uncanny Valley” – The war between man and machines is the least of one survivor’s problems in this post-apocalyptic future. 

These, and eleven more tales, will launch you on a journey from the comforts of normalcy to a valley in which nature refuses to tread.

Anthologies/collections are always so difficult to review. I like to keep my thoughts short and to the point thus I am unable, and honestly, unwilling, to single out each individual story to discuss. So I do my best and hope I am able to portray some of my thoughts to you in a clear and concise manner.

That being said, The Uncanny Valley,  a collection of 16 tales from the mind Bryan R Dennis, was darn near right down the middle of the road for me. There were some tales that grabbed me and made me want more and there were a few that left me feeling deflated.  There were times that I felt like I was reading work from a variety of authors within the same story and that just felt wrong to me, especially knowing that it was the same author writing each story. Now, to be fair, I have no idea when each of these stories were written, so the author’s voice may have changed and developed with each story written.

The detail and description within the pages of each story was highly visual. The characters all seemed to have their own “voice” and didn’t blend into each other. Some characters just jumped off the page and forced me to pay attention to them while a few stayed off to the sidelines waiting for me to learn more about them. There was no excessive sex or violence in any of the tales, but there definitely was some high levels of tension and fearful elements, which I enjoyed greatly.

Overall, for me personally, this collection was a bit off, but still enjoyable. That being said, for the mere cost of $0.99 it is DEFINITELY well worth purchasing, because the stories that may not have tweaked my interest just might rock your socks. That’s what I love about reading, not everyone likes the same things.

So go grab yourself a copy for the Amazon Kindle and its various Kindle apps by clicking the cover image above.

Espresso rating: Double

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Death Wish Book 1: The Vamp Saga by Danielle Blanchard

Posted on March 24, 2012 by

Amazon paperback/KindleThe year is 2020. Vampires not only exist, they control the government, the pharmaceutical industry and the world. Manon Mourey is a Let It Ride card dealer at Transylvania Hotel, Spa & Casino in Summerlin, a suburb of Las Vegas, when Mikkel Damgaard enters her life. Sparks fly and as the body count begins to rise, Manon begins to suspect that their meeting was not entirely coincidental, and that perhaps something more sinister is at work. As Manon accepts her position as one of the elite undead, her very existence sparks a war that begins to consume the International Vampire Council and could soon engulf the human population as well. Werewolves and warlocks notwithstanding, a new breed of vampire sits at the top of the food chain and they’re hungry for something different than mortal blood.

I used to be a HUGE vampire fan, I guess I just got a little worn out on them. They became rather boring and tame and then they began sparkling….ok I’m not going down that road, because Death Wish is not about sparkling vampires. It is about vampires who are very close to what I think of when I think vampire. They are very primal, extremely sexual and intensely violent. They control the government, the pharmaceutical industry and soon the world.

Mikkel is a member of the International Vampire Council and has been in search of Manon for the past 20+ years. She has been drawing him to her, unknowingly, for many years. Manon is not a fan of vampires, in fact she hates them, but yet when she meets Mikkel and he explains to her the bond they have and he is here to make her his bride she jumps head first into believing his story. That was just about the only thing had issue with while reading Death Wish, Manon’s character fluctuated a bit too much for me.Manon was initially portrayed as being very self conscious who played second fiddle to her brother, a Warlock, and within just a few chapters she is a ruthless conniving hybrid vampire. Yes, I know there is a “change” that occurs when a human turns vamp, but it seems that in the world of Death Wish the vampires retain quite a bit of who they are, yet Manon seems to make a complete 180. The continuity in her character didn’t jive well with me.

I did greatly enjoy the conflict created between Manon’s turning and both the IVC and its individual members. There was definitely some intense fighting and blood letting going on and I loved some of Manon’s rivals. The setting was Vegas, which is a good place to set a vampire tale since the best part of Vegas happens at night. As I mentioned, the vampires are very sexual in nature, so there was sex involved in Death Wish and a few paragraphs were fairly graphic, but most of the sex is off the page.

Overall, a highly enjoyable book 1 to the Vamp Saga. I would definitely suggest grabbing a copy, I know I look forward to eventually getting my hands on the rest of the series as it is released.

Pick up your copy of Death Wish Book 1: The Vamp Saga at Amazon in paperback or for Kindle by clicking the cover image above. If you prefer Barnes & Noble for your nook click (HERE)

Espresso rating: Triple

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Slowing things down…

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

Hello Doubleshot Reviews Readers and Authors:

I need to take a few moments to let you know that reviews will be slowing down for a while. They will not completely stop and I promise that if I have your book it will get reviewed in time. However, there have been some personal issues come about that need to take precedence over Doubleshot Reviews.

Thank you for understanding.

Heather

Posted in Updates | 1 Comment

Ratings Game by Ryan C Thomas

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

Amazon KindleThis just in! Roland Stone and Doug Hardwood are New York City’s top news anchors. Trusted, respected, revered among the media’s who’s who. In their profession, it’s all about getting the exclusive. Whoever breaks the big story first gets the viewers, and whoever gets the viewers gets the advertisers. It’s all money in the end.

With their stations neck in neck in the ratings, and the threat of hipper, younger anchors waiting to take their places, each knows they must come up with a juicy story to save their job. Suddenly, a horrific murder rocks the airwaves, and Roland Stone has the inside story. But great mind thinks alike, and it’s just mere hours before Doug Hardwood is reporting on the work of a different serial killer.

Over night, New York City becomes a haven for two of the most inventive serial killers ever to walk the streets, each bent on getting more press than the other.

Two desperate news anchors. One city. A whole lot of bloodshed.

Story at eleven.

Extra, extra read all about it! Ryan C Thomas has written one of the most twisted tales of 2 (yes 2) serial killers and the reporters, seemingly, caught in the middle of their game of who will outdo who.  Crazy thing is, I found myself rooting for one of the killers, how crazy is that?!

Ratings Game was a very engaging, horrendously violent and absolutely hysterical book. Now, let me say, I have a twisted sense of humor, so what I find funny someone else might find horrifying. The focus is on 2 main characters, Roland Stone and Doug Hardwood the anchors of rival stations. Both are well established characters who each have their own insecurities away from the camera, which I felt brought a great deal of believability to their character. Mysteriously 2 serial killers come onto the scene and each have chosen to communicate with one of the anchors in order to get their stories publicized. We do get to learn a great deal about the Casanova Carver and The Chef but I will not share those details as you have to read them for yourself.

There were a few moments here and there were I got a little confused as to what exactly was going on because the writing seemed a bit rushed, but I was easily brought back into the story, so no major foul. Oh, and did I mention this story does cover the sadistic actions of 2 serial killers, so it’s not a pretty picture that is painted. It’s bloody, it’s disgusting and it’s awesome!

Overall, a very entertaining and enjoyable read. So STOP THE PRESSES (French Presses, that is) and go grab yourself a copy of Ratings Game. 

Learn more about Ryan C Thomas and his work by following his blog The Website of Ryan C Thomas and/or by stalking him on Twitter: @ryancthomas

Pick up your copy of Ratings Game in Amazon paperback by clicking (HERE) or Kindle by clicking the cover image above. If you prefer Barnes & Noble for your paperback (HERE)

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33 A.D. (Bachiyr #1) by David McAfee

Posted on March 4, 2012 by

Jerusalem, 33 A.D. The vampires of the era have long sought to gain a foothold into Israel, but the faith of the local Jewish population has held them in check for centuries. 

When one of their own betrays them to follow a young rabbi from Galilee, the elders of the vampire race send Theron, a nine hundred year old assassin, to kill them both. 

The rabbi’s name is Jesus. Killing him should be easy.

Back when I was younger, vampires were my thing. I loved the mysteriousness, the immortality, the knowledge that these creatures have been around for centuries and have lived through so many historical events. I reveled in the horror and the brutality of what they were and the plight of their victims in their deaths or possibly their introduction to the world of vampirism. And, yes, I even loved the occasional romanticism that comes with the vampire genre when done well and in a “believable” fashion.

But, alas, the vampire genre seems to have jumped from horror with a touch of romance into pure love story where young girls forget that these are creatures of evil and should ultimately be destroyed. There is no longer any fear as the blood sucking fiend as it makes its way to a young girl’s bedside to feed and leave her corpse to be found in the morning. That is until you read 33 A.D. by David McAfee. This book was fantastic! Set at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, we are introduced to a familiar story line and location, but with some plot twists and horrific violence that bring vampire back to the bloodthirsty creatures they are and should always be.

The story line of Jesus, his followers and ultimate betrayal that leads to his crucifixion are not unique. However,there are many gray areas during this part of Christ’s life where a story of a vampire conspiracy could easily be intertwined to make the events plausible and this is just what McAfee does. For me, this was highly original, very welcome and intriguing telling of the New Testament tale. The characters were well portrayed and the gore was bloody and brutal…the way a good vamp

While 33 A.D. is very much religious themed, it is not a religious book. It takes the story of Jesus’s crucifixion and adds in a new element, but the original story is still treated with respect. I would find it hard pressed for many whether religious or not to find the authors spin to be offensive.

33 A.D. is a definite recommend for anyone who wants a great story with vampires that bring the fear to your souls and wrench the heart from your chest.

Learn more about David McAfee and his work by following his blog McAfee Land and/or by stalking him on Twitter: @DavidLMcAfee

Pick up your copy of 33 A.D. in Amazon paperback or Kindle by clicking the cover image above. If you prefer Barnes & Noble for your paperback or you have a nook click (HERE) For those with other types of eReaders  or to read directly from your computer you can go to Smashwords (HERE) to get the file type you need.

Espresso rating: Quad

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Gears of Wonderland by Jason Anderson

Posted on February 29, 2012 by

Amazon Kindle/paperback

James Riggs lives a normal life with a mind-numbing job, an overbearing boss, and a demanding fiancée. Then he witnesses the murder of his best friend. Saved from the murderer by a strange man in a white suit, James is cast down a hole and into a world he always believed was a kid’s story. Wonderland. But things have changed since Alice’s visit. The Knave of Hearts has seized the Heart throne, conquered all of Wonderland with his steam-powered technological marvels, and rules the land with an iron fist. Aided by the Mad Hatter’s daughter, James journeys to discover why he has been brought to Wonderland and how the tattoo on his arm could be the key to Wonderland’s salvation—or its destruction.

It has been years since I have read Alice in Wonderland and I, honestly, don’t think I ever read the other books. I will have to fix that literary faux pas. I am, however, very familiar with the story and its various characters.

In Jason Anderson’s Gears of Wonderland, we are thrust into the world of Wonderland with a new human visiting from the outside world. James inadvertently enters Wonderland and is immediately thrust into an adventure that he never thought possible complete with The Hatter, the Griffin, the White Rabbit and a plethora of characters from Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland, all with a bit of a twist to their original character. The world of Wonderland comes from story books, it’s not real…ah, but it is and James plays a very big role in aiding the characters of Wonderland with their plight against the The Knave of Hearts who usurped the throne from the King of Hearts.

Anderson has taken a world we are all familiar with and added a Steampunk feel to it, hence the title Gears of Wonderland. Now, I have read only a few Steampunk tales and I hope to read more as I rather enjoy the genre.  Therefore, I am not well versed in Steampunk. but let me tell you Wonderland  is a PERFECT outlet for Steampunk. It’s already a crazy haphazard place and then add in various gadgets, cogs, clockworks that combine to create flying machines, new guards and weapons. It was AWESOME!

Seriously, if you like Alice in Wonderland and you enjoy Steampunk or you’re just looking for a fun and entertaining adventure. Put down the java, just for a second and click on one of the links to get your copy of Gears of Wonderland. 

Purchase links for Gears of Wonderland can be found for the Amazon Kindle and paperback by clicking the cover image above. Prefer Barnes & Noble? You can get your paperback or nook copies (HERE) And for other eBook readers head over to Smashwords (HERE)

Learn more about the author Jason Anderson by checking out his blog Word Pursuit-Jason G. Anderson and by following him on Twitter: @JasonGA

Espresso rating: Quad

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