Kiss Me Deadly

by Tamela Miles

You never see the claws until you feel them.

 

Kiss Me Deadly is the chilling follow up horror and paranormal romance anthology to the fan favorite collection of stories, Rock Paper Scissors, brought to you from author Tamela Miles. Five unsettling tales of horror, with a pinch of the paranormal romance many readers have come to enjoy. 

 

The Swinging

Audrina and Matt are all set to enjoy a vacation in a charming little town in Northern California. But the town holds deadly secrets that no citizen is willing to speak about. Silence may be golden, but it puts Matt and Audrina on a collision course with a dark force that is hell-bent on vengeance.

 

Hands

Lili's life is forever changed after a beach house getaway with her friends. She is given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to exact punishment on the one who betrayed her trust, and she grabs it once because she doesn't believe in transcendence.

 

Be Home by

Chase has been taking care of headstrong Tiffany since he turned her into a vamp. When she does the unforgivable, he whisks her away into hiding. She hopes their bond will go from maker and child to lovers, but there's a looming presence that won't let them ride off into the moonlight together. Or let them go unpunished.

 

Witch

An afternoon spent with friends and new girlfriend, Luna, has Mason feeling hopeful about the future after his struggle with depression. When the situation goes from friendly to life or death, he is forced to confront the demons he has spent so many years running from. For some, forgive and forget isn't an option.

 

Paper

Zach makes a great escape from his old life to Vegas with his new partner in crime, Paris. She challenges him to reflect on his ways and embrace the dangerous path they're both on. Too bad, for a city full of women, his soul searching takes him to an even darker place. Two is company, three is murder.

Genres: Horror, Paranormal Romance

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2023

About the author

Tamela Miles is a school psychologist with an Ed.S and PPS credential and a graduate of California State University San Bernardino and California State University Dominguez Hills. She is also a former flight attendant. She grew up in Altadena, California in that tumultuous time known as the 1980s. She now resides with her family in the Inland Empire, CA. She's a horror/paranormal romance writer mainly because it feels so good having her characters do bad things and, later, pondering what makes them so bad and why they can never seem to change their wicked ways.

She enjoys emails from people who like her work. In fact, she loves emails. She can be contacted at tamelamiles@yahoo.com or her Facebook page, Tamela Miles Books. She also welcomes reader reviews and enjoys the feedback from people who love to read as much as she does.

Photo Credit: Nichanh Nicole Photography, Torrance, CA

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for some spine-tingling reads in this romantic horror anthology. Is romantic horror a genre yet? If not, Tamela Miles just invented it. Each of these short stories is a delicious blend of horror and paranormal romance. Each story is a complete tale with a tight cast of characters and a spooky plot. You’ll swoon as you scream in terror.

The Swinging Tree is such a well written story. The ghostly haunting is creepy and sent chills down my spine. The characters are realistic and relatable.

Hands Clean is one of those tales that’ll stick with you. Very well written with a plot most everyone will relate to. Quick reading as I couldn’t put it down.

Be Home by Sunrise is a vampire romance with a twist. I connected with Tiffany right away. There’s a morality vibe to this spooky tale that I found refreshing.

Witch Bitch is a magical tale you won’t soon forget. I got goosebumps while reading. I connected with the characters, especially Mason.

Paper Dolls is one of those stories that will fill your heart with terror. In Sin City, this tale oozes horror of the worst kind. Such brilliant writing in a short story is difficult to pull off but Tamela Miles pulls out all the stops.

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are all my own.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Nathan Pettigrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hell is full of insomniacs, she thought wryly, putting a pillow over her head to block out the moonlight.”

Story collections are my favorite books to read, and Ms. Miles delivers with 7 bangers. A quick read, “Kiss Me Deadly” is well worth your time.

We start off with “One” from Rock, Paper, Scissors. Everyone can relate to the situation that Anya James and Ethan Fallows find themselves in, but the story takes a quick and interesting turn when it’s revealed that Anya is struggling with mental health.

“You’re not real. None of this is real except the schizophrenic part.”

“The Swinging Tree” opens with a couple arguing over names for their firstborn daughter. Again, Ms. Miles draws the reader in with relatable characters before introducing mysterious and supernatural elements. A very interesting story.

“Be Home by Sunrise” is a unique take on vampire mythology.

“Witch Bitch” is one of my favorites. The title speaks for itself and the story does not disappoint.

With “Paper Dolls,” Ms. Miles saves the best for last.

“Hey, this is your rodeo. I kill to balance the scales and even things up when I’ve been wrong. Your shit… is something else entirely. I think it’s best that I don’t get involved.”

Ms. Miles is excellent at creating relatable characters, interesting and fun stories, and introducing surprising turns that leave the reader satisfied.

“Kiss Me Deadly” delivers, and you can’t beat the price. Definitely check it out.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you in the mood for one atmospheric horror story after another? Then check out this collection from Tamela Miles.

Ethan and Anya have an interesting connection, and Ethan is up to something, messing with forces he shouldn’t. Will Anya have any way to protect herself? A reader’s vision is sure to be fired up here.

Next, we have Audrina and Matt who are happily married and expecting a child. What could go wrong? They go on vacation to relieve stress, but things aren’t as they seem. The past will come to haunt them, and the future to threaten them. The mixture of eras is well done here as danger overcomes this couple.

Lili’s story starts with suspense as well. She’s hiding something. Also, someone did her wrong, and she wants revenge. An otherworldly character offers her help, but is the price too high?

Themes of abuse, violation, and empowerment come out often in this group of short stories. The next tells the tale of two vampires and their remarkable connection. They get themselves into a predicament with the other vampires. This story, like the others, ends in a cliffhanger, the outcome left to the reader’s fancy.

The following stories are just as unique as those before them. There is something here in this collection for various readers. Tamela Miles presents her tales with a journalist’s eye and the creative imagination of a talented fiction/paranormal writer. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiss Me Deadly is filled with lots of twists that will keep you hanging on for more. It is full of mind twisting evil. Is it real? I sorely enjoyed reading each and every story that Kiss Me Deadly had to offer. I pulled into its world the moment I read the first page.



One
A Woman hears voices in her head. Are they a product of her imagination or are they real?


The Singing Tree
A man and woman go on vacation. Strange things start happening to the man that he can’t explain. Is it all real or a product of his imagination?


Hands Clean
A Woman is the product of a violent crime. But the question now is – is payback worth the price?


Be Home by Sunrise
A vampire is brutally attacked and now she is in mortal danger. Can her maker save her?


Witch Bitch
Teenage boys decide to attack a witch. Did they bite off more than they can chew?


Ten Years Later
A man loses his job. After revealing this to his wife he learns that his life was never what he thought it was.


Paper Dolls
What a dark and twisted story of pure evil. I guess the saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Or maybe more like it never happened to begin with.


If you are looking for a short read that packs a punch then Kiss Me Deadly may be just what the doctor ordered. If you have a few minutes to spare grab a copy of Kiss Me Deadly today!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kiss Me Deadly is a collection of short stories and one snippet from another novel. Each story blends the paranormal with moments of horror and romance. The first "story" is the excerpt from another book. It's intriguing and sucks you in, making you curious about how it might all play out. I was left wanting more when the snippet ended, and now I feel like I need to seek out the story and read it in its entirety.
There are a couple of other really good stories within, but the others didn't quite hit home for me. They were well-written and generally good stories, but I'm a little bit fussy, so they weren't quite my cup of tea. But I'm sure other readers enjoyed them.
I think my other favorite, besides the first one, was The Swinging Tree, although Witch Bitch and Paper Dolls were really good too. I love a good revenge story, and Witch Bitch really scratches that itch more than any other, but only because it came across as "revenge done for a good reason", if that makes sense. The other stories involve revenge, and while probably justified, it doesn't seem like it's the right course of action. But maybe that's just my take on it.
If you're a fan of darker paranormal romance with elements of horror (demons, vampires, ghosts, etc), you may enjoy Kiss Me Deadly. There's sure to be one story that will appeal to every type of reader tucked within the pages.
3.5 stars.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “One,” there seemed to be a battle of mental wills between two friends…but, unfortunately, we don’t really see who wins.

There was a degree of mysterious darkness in these stories that’s alluring to readers. Stories, for the most part, were nicely written, and I actually got into some of them. I liked “The Swinging Tree” about a ghost that has been taking revenge on the white guys for their interracial relations and “Witch 8-itch” about a dead witch coming back from the grave for vengeance.

“Payback using the supernatural was intriguing.”

“Vengeance often turns us into someone we don’t recognize, then devours us whole.”

These were some good short stories. Some could’ve used more of a finish as they didn’t quite end well for me.

Overall, these were good reads and I hope to read more of them.

[Isabel Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a collection of short stories in the author’s unique voice. There are twists and turns and signature paranormal elements. The premises for the stories are varied and each one keeps your attention and pulls you in deeper.
I like the characters the author creates. There are always element of human foibles in them which make them more compelling to read about. I also like that the characters motives, even when deadly or evil are understandable to some extent.
What I like most about this author is how well she pulls the reader into every short story, leaving them wanting more of the story but not feeling short changed.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

You never see the claws until you feel them." This chilling phrase perfectly captures the essence of Kiss Me Deadly, the captivating follow-up horror and paranormal romance anthology by Tamela Miles. Building upon the success of the beloved collection Rock Paper Scissors, this book presents five unsettling tales that blend elements of horror with a touch of paranormal romance, satisfying the cravings of many readers.

Kiss Me Deadly is a creepy and mysterious anthology that leaves you yearning for more. Its stories provide quick, entertaining thrills that captivate readers, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a dose of suspense in a limited time.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the stories in this book, they really hooked me. Unfortunately, they seemed to end too quickly. I would have liked a little more plot development so that tension would build and the ending of each story would blow me away. I particularly liked the short story "One" and wished that the whole tale had been presented. I really wanted to know how Anya was going to get Ethan out of her head. This is a good book for those who like short, bite-sized horror stories. Do be aware, that there is a sexual element to the tales. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this short story collection. The stories are clever, well written and just disturbing enough that they DON'T make good bedtime reading if you're the type who likes to leave the night light on anyway.
You'll find witches, ghosts, vampires and a few really nasty humans who will give the paranormals a run for their money in the vicious and evil department.
If you're looking for some great, short stories for the commute to work or that half hour before the kids get home from school, Kiss Me Deadly is exactly what you're looking for.
Read and enjoy.

[Jennifer Wortman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved the short stories and how some of them tied together with each other but were still 100% a standalone short story. Some of them are a little darker then I thought they'd do (murder, paranormal, ect) but I really loved it. Would of loved more of the stories and see them intertwine more. Can't wait to see how much further this goes.

I was able to read this due to Voracious Readers and I appreciate it.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A anthology for paranormal and horror readers that includes a collection of 5 scary/spooky short stories that certainly will grab your attention. Interesting themes and characters made each story intriguing.

[M.T. DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, yikes. I don’t typically read horror because I’m a big wimp, but every so often, it catches my fancy. This collection is all kinds of creepy and terrifying. Despite this, I quite enjoyed it, and my wimp side didn’t even curl up in a ball and whimper.
These stories make great use of the paranormal. I loved the various ways paranormal elements were used and how they contributed to a set of unique tales that still felt like they were penned by one person. The theme of romance gone deadly is present throughout, more obviously in some places than others, and this book is a firm reminder not to tick off angry spirits if you want your love life to end well. If abusive situations/relationships or adult content aren’t your thing, you may not enjoy this, but otherwise, I suggest giving this a read…if you dare.
I received this book free and am leaving an honest review willingly. Opinions are my own.

[Crystal Dalke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a few reads to fully get everything. I enjoyed the read after that as it could be very possible that these situations could happen in real life. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

I really enjoyed this story! The author did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this book. Five stars from me!

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

6 short stories, of the horror/paranormal variety.

So, here's the thing.

I like short stories, I really do. The skill with a short is, you gotta grab the reader, and hold on for those few pages and not let go.

And here, I was only grabbed once or twice, and one of those was an excerpt from another collection.

I loved the excerpt from One, which appears in Rock Paper Scissors. That really got me good and excited for this collection, it really did. I'd like to go back and read THAT particular story.

The Swinging Tree was rather good too. That certainly grabbed and didn't let go!

Paper Dolls, I felt was perfect for a full length story. What Zach and Paris could get up to boggles the (obviously very twisted) mind!

But the other stories, while well written and well told, didn't grab me too much.

I think it would have better, for ME, had I not read these short stories back to back. Maybe if I had read one, then something else, then come back to these, I might have enjoyed them better.

But still, an enjoyable way to pass an hour.

3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

[Kylie Haskell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a bunch of short stories. I didn’t like that. They could all probably end up being good books. But they are just like 10 page stories.

[Madhavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stories back to back, really enjoyed reading them!

[Jill Mess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid horror/erotica anthology. Some of the entries were so good I wanted more.

[Angela Rexroat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and spicy! Would definitely recommend!

[Amanda Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was well written and i couldn't stop reading until the end. I love the characters as well continue writing will like to read more. I will probably read it again.

[Valorie Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiss Me Deadly is a short story collection of five stories told from a uniquely feminine perspective that explores the overarching theme of revenge. There are spirits made vengeful by racial violence, vampires, assault, betrayal, friendship, demons, and so much more. The stories are short but packed with emotion and great characterization. I read this in one sitting because I kept telling myself, “one more story,” until I realized I was done, and it was well past my bedtime. But I couldn’t put it down. I would have to say that the first story, The Swinging Tree, was my favorite and an excellent story to put in the front of the anthology to draw interest. In it, the very pregnant Audriana and her husband take a little vacation together, but the husband, Matt, is drawn to the trees… and the spirit of the beautiful Jewel. It takes us back to a time of horrific racial violence and prejudice, which I loved because I adore historical context. Man, did I want more of this story! I want a sequel. Within a few pages of the short story, we were given an entire novel, and I was into it wholeheartedly. Hands Clean was another story that I wish would have gone on more. The cliffhanger, the open end to Lili’s story, was both wonderful and agonizing. Witch Bitch was a story of the perfect revenge. Don’t mess with the witchy women who have powers beyond your realm. I cheered. Paper Dolls was just a mind trip a la Natural Born Killers. The perfect little vignette of violence and psychopathy. It was unapologetic and pure horror. I definitely want more Tamela Miles. This was top-quality feminine horror.

[katy p · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc review: I felt this book had good stories but I would have preferred if some had been given their own books so that we could have actually bonded with the characters. Books are meant to transport us from our own lives to experience something new, yes this did do that but it didn’t immerse me which books dedicated to those individual stories would have accomplished.