Of Machines & Magics (29 page)

Curiously Twisted Tales

by P.S. Gifford

Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-49-7

eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-50-3

Curiously Twisted Tales
is a masterful collection of short stories from the devious imagination of horror writer P.S. Gifford. If you are not familiar with Gifford’s previously published works, this book will serve as a deliciously wicked sampler of some of his most fiendish tales—both old and new.

From cutthroat garden competitions to honeymoons from hell to wanna-be writers who are willing to do almost anything to get published, each story delves into the dark side of humanity with wit, charm, and a delectable dose of depravity. Creepy stories, twisted endings, unearthly beasties lurking in the corners—these nerve-rattling narratives will keep you turning pages as you turn on more lights!

“The stories of P.S. Gifford are smart, inventive, and scary as hell. This is horror writing at its very best.”
—Jonathan Maberry,
NY Times
Bestselling Author,
Rot & Ruin
and
The King of Plagues

“P.S. Gifford is a writer of great wit and talent. He remembers that most treasured of all storytelling purposes: entertainment! Keep an eye on this writer, because he’s going places and he’s delivering a lot of joy along the way.”
—Scott Nicholson, Author,
Red Church & Ashes

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First Communion: A Collection of Modern Irish Stories

by Jack Scoltock

Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-32-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-33-6

What should a young boy do when he discovers that his father is involved in the IRA? Who can you trust when an insane murderer is trapped on the same train you’re riding? How can a Catholic child manage to fit in at a Protestant school in Northern Ireland?

From the small towns and byways of Northern Ireland, this collection of short stories from renowned Irish author Jack Scoltock provides a rare glimpse into everyday life in the midst of religious and political strife. From coping with family members in the IRA to the trials of Catholic children attending Protestant schools, these stories reveal the complexities of modern living with a deft and insightful eye.

“Scoltock captures the hopes and dreams of working class northerners, still characters rarely seen in modern collections, and at all times he does this in the twinkling dialect of his own city. Here is a pen that records all of human nature but gravitates habitually toward the good.”
—Cahir O’Doherty, Arts Editor,
The Irish Voice

“Poignant day-to-day Northern Ireland life, with a touch of the Irish whimsy. Renowned author Jack Scoltock gives us a feast.”
—Midge Baker, SimeGen.com

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Revenge

by Gabrielle Faust & Solomon Schneider

Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-39-8

eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-40-4

When Marcus Glenfield committed suicide, he took his place among the Legions of Hell as the Demon of Regret. When he learns that the Prince of Wickedness, Belial, is planning to take his former fiancé, Brenda, as his consort, Marcus’ s newfound belief in a second chance is quickly shattered in a fit of all too human rage.

Incensed by the new demon’s disrespectful hostility, Belial plunges Marcus into the deepest pits of Hell. But Lucifer has other plans for Marcus. For in the tormented lands of Purgatory, a strange and powerful uprising has gathered to form a new plane of existence—one that would break the ancient caste system of Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo and Earth, thwarting both God and Satan’s permanency within the universe. Not only have these brash metaphysical pirates kidnapped the powerful child born of Brenda and Belial’s union, they have also guided Marcus out of the prisons of Hell to their new realm.

When they promise Marcus freedom in return for his help, he realizes that he will have to choose a side. But can he find one that he can truly believe in?

“REVENGE is horror fantasy at its very best: magical, truly frightening, lyrical and sewn-through with a thread of hope. Gabrielle Faust & Solomon Schneider are two of the most exciting horror writers in the business.”
— Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author,
Dust & Decay
and
Dead of Night

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River Bottom Blues

by Ricky Bush

Print ISBN: 978-1-935460-28-2

eBook ISBN: 978-1-935460-29-9

Mitty Andersen knows that rising blues star Bobby Tarleton didn’t die of a heroin overdose. He’d blown enough blues harmonica notes with Bobby to know that he would never let anything get in the way of his music. So when he gets the news in the middle of his blues set at Little Queenie’s, he suspects a cover-up—and he’s determined to put his ex-investigative reporter skills to work to find out what really happened.

Mitty hits the blues circuit with his “partner in chime,” Pete Bolden, and rounds up a posse disguised as a blues band. They gig the juke joints and blues bars throughout Southeast Texas and Louisiana, hoping to uncover the truth about Bobby T’s death. It doesn’t take long for Mitty to figure out that Bobby T just might be the latest in a decades-long string of serial murders aimed at eliminating “those who play the Devil’s music.”

Now Mitty must race against the clock to put an end to the madness before another harmonica player succumbs to a deranged psychopath who has managed to avoid capture for far too long.

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