Deadly Dozen

ZOMBIES INSIDE by Rebecca Besser and Courtney Rene is a collection of twelve zombie stories by the two authors:

ADMIT ONE, UNDEAD - stupid teens wreck a carnival

THE WORLD OF ZOMBIES - a nod to a zombie classic

MY KIND OF WOMAN - a bad breakup

EVIL MOUNTAIN - mix of monsters

THE HEART OF HEROISM - special needs superhero vs zombies

HEROIC DREAMS - rescue of a sidekick

A DAY IN THE NEW WORLD - more like a moment in a dead world

TO WALK THE HALLS - extremely horrific

WHEN PLANS FAIL - a mother's difficult decision

HIGH PRICE FOR HOPE - a father's difficult decision

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS - zombies at the North Pole

THE POWER OF A GIFT - the sequel to the previous story

Quite a range of stories for zombiephiles.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Harvesting the Dead

NURSE BLOOD by Rebecca Besser is the author's best work, and I don't say that lightly. She's written all kinds of stories ranging from zombie horror to science fiction. This time, Besser has combined suspense, horror and drama to create one hell of a crime thriller!

The story is told through multiple POVs, but mainly alternates between the FBI investigating dozens of missing person cases and a group of organ harvesters. Sonya has been with the group since day one, baiting and kidnapping victims, while Agent David is finally making headway in his twin brother's case. (Having the brothers be identical twins is a great detail!) Sonya's group are going after an entire family this time, and David is successfully connecting the puzzle pieces.

The dynamics of the harvesting group is better than any soap opera, with deadlier consequences when in-fighting begins. David's personal connection to the investigation reminds readers of how lives are destroyed, not saved, as Sonya often rationalizes. The ending is like a sudden drop after several wicked curves, and will likely have readers screaming long-after the ride is over.

I can't wait for the sequel!!

I am very excited to announce this week's prize is an autographed copy of NURSE BLOOD. To enter, just leave a comment below about this book/author/review. A winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 27th.

As always,
AstraDaemon

YA Science Fiction

HEART OF A SOLDIER by Rebecca Besser is a YA science fiction story about a couple falling in love, and risking their lives to help a loved one. Definitely a story for a younger audience. Besser has created such a fascinating setting, I think the author should consider writing a mini-series around the JMB.

FUELING A JOY RIDE is told through the POV of two young aliens stranded on Earth. The story is a bit of science fiction humor. Again, written for a younger audience.

While these stories are not what I'm used to reading by the author, they are a solid starting point for future fans. I recommend following up with the Re-Civilize novellas by Besser.

As always,
AstraDaemon

No Dice

HALL OF TWELVE by Rebecca Besser is one of her older short stories, but still a horrific thriller, with a mix of Lovecraft and science fiction. Readers experience Besser's nightmare through the eyes of a father who has come home to find a bloodbath within his home. He joins a group of his neighbors in an effort to find safety, dig up answers and exact revenge.

The Beings and their "pets" are easy to envision with the author's detailed imagery. While very little is revealed about the human survivors, readers will still be able to relate to the hopelessness of the new Hell on Earth. Never has a game of dice been so terrifying and demoralizing.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Throwback Thursday: Zombie Western

Cursed Bounty by Rebecca Besser was a pleasant, but macabre surprise. I’m not big into Western themes, but I still enjoyed the story. After a bank robbery involving multiple murders, the Sheriff of Bristleton requests help from the governor. Let me tell you, Besser’s governor would scare the crap out of The Walking Dead governor.

The foreshadowing in the governor’s office was a dead giveaway (no pun intended) as to the fate of the bank robbers, but nothing could have prepared me for the shocking ending.

Besser has written an excellent example of what a horror short should be like, especially when mixing genres.

You can find more of Besser’s work featured in Code Z.

As always,
Astradaemon