Zombiewood Confidential

by Mari Mancusi

Cosmetology school drop-out Scarlet Patterson needs a job—any job. So when her best friend and award winning monster makeup artist Derek Keyes scores her a gig on Romeo George’s new zombie flick “Isle of the Living Dead” she’s on the next boat to the remote desert island set, makeup brushes in hand.

The good news? The movie stars her longtime childhood crush—action star Mason Marks (of “Sparkly Vampires from Hell” fame). The bad? It also stars his current made-for-tabloids girlfriend—the trashy Cissy Max—who seems determined to make Scarlet’s life a living hell.

But that’s not the worst thing. Not by far. Because all those zombie extras stuck on the desert island alongside her? Turns out they don’t need any makeup to look the part. And they’re always hungry. Really, really hungry.

As the horror movie set is transformed into a nightmarish reality show—where everyone wants to be kicked off the island—it becomes up to Scarlett and Mason to star as real life action heroes and figure out a way to save the world. And maybe even the paparazzi.

Originally published as part of the "My Zombie Valentine Anthology."

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Zombies, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Fiction

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2011

About the author

Mari Mancusi grew up where the north wind meets the sea (otherwise known as Massachusetts), but has since made her home in the great state of Texas, mostly due to her love of summer. (And tacos.) A former Emmy Award winning TV news producer, today she is the author of more than two-dozen books for kids, teens, and adults, mostly of the sci-fi/fantasy variety. In addition to writing, Mari loves traveling, video games, and cosplaying. She is also Mom to an eight year old Frozen superfan who, when recently asked by her teacher to describe her hero answered: “My Mom!” (Okay, fine, she said Kristin Bell.)

You can find Mari online at www.marimancusi.com. She knows several Samanthas.

Reviews

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet needs a job and when her best friend Derek gives her a chance to make some money on his most current monster movie she goes for it. She may have had to drop out of school but she is following in her grandmother's footsteps as a makeup artist. The star for the movie happens to be her childhood crush but he's starting in the movie with his girlfriend. What should be an easy gig turns south when those cast as zombies start trying to eat the rest of the cast. Will they make it off the island before the zombies force Mason and Scarlet to join their ranks?

I like Scarlet she's adorable even when things are going to their worst she still stays strong. Scarlet and Mason have this sweet undeniable chemistry but he has a secret that could change everything. Who doesn't love the idea of a zombie movie and the zombies turn into real life zombies they have an interesting origin story I never expected.

Zombiewood Confidential is a quick fast paced zombie book loaded with sweet romance and humor. I couldn't put it down I had to know how it would play out. I enjoyed every moment of Zombiewood Confidential but I wish it had been longer I wanted more of Scarlet and Mason. The author has done an excellent job weaving a captivating story with characters that are easy to connect with. Another wonderful story from the author she never disappoints.

[Amber Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombiewood Confidential was a wacky read, but not in a bad way. The zombie parts were truly gory and way more intense than I had thought they would be. The plot was ridiculous at points, yet I did want to keep turning the page. I found the humour was a nice balance to the zombie gore and really lightened the mood again. I will be yelling "BRAINNNSSSSS" for a some time now lol

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay this is my first review so don't be too critical. There might also be a spoiler or two.

I'll start out by saying I got this as an Kindle book for free on Valentines, I really dislike reading on devices like that so I procrastinated about reading it until now. But once I started I kept reading until I finished.

I liked the main girl Scarlet, though I didn't really like Mason. He was just too, I don't know nice maybe. And part of me kept thinking that in reality a romance between Scarlet and Mason would never work, high risk situations and all that but oh well.

There really wasn't any gore which disapointed me a bit (I watch/play way too much Walking Dead and Resident Evil). I also kind of wanted Cissy to get eaten but oh well, we can't get everything. I think my favorite part was the names of the movies that Mason had been in lame movies like Sparkly Vampires from Hell.

Anyway if you do read it don't take it seriously, it's sort of goofy like a sifi channel movie in that regard. It is a fast read and an enjoyable book though.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person who does not like zombies, I was not expecting to like this book. However, this book made me jump, made me laugh, and was an overall good book to read. It involved magic, animal blood, and chickens. Now put them all together and stir it up. The author did a good job with this quick read.

[sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaking awesome book

I absolutely loved this book .a new spin on zombies its has everything moves at a fast pace and you find yourself rooting for the guy and the girl and the little dog.impatiently wating on zombiewood book 2.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda reminds me of an 80s zombie movie...

Im not exactly sure how the zombies in this book were able to make more zombies considering there was no virus involved....
It reads like an 80s B Rated Zombie Movie but then again, i enjoyed those growing up so 🤷

[Kristi Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

All over the place and crazy

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characterization in this. Mancusi has a talent for displaying a character's core personality through a few well placed actions and words. For instance, Mason is a Hollywood big-shot who, for all intents and purposes, seems to be the shallow, womanizing, love-em-and-leave-em playboy the tabloids make him out to be. Mancusi could have devoted passages building a counter argument. Instead, she has a few scenes where this manly guy turns to mush over his best friend -- a small dog he rescued and dotes upon. No counter argument needed; anyone who can show that much love and affection to an animal is a good person.

Likewise, I liked Scarlet's integrity. She holds herself to a standard of professionalism and personal pride that not even heartbreak, ego-bruising, and wads of offered cash can undo. That's a good heroine. It's not that she isn't tempted to be petty and spiteful, she even considers how momentarily enjoyable it could be to take the moral low road, but she doesn't do it. I like that about her.

I even like the side characters. Jesus, the maintenance man, cracks me up. And the twist (I guess) at the end. Love it! Fun, fast read.

[G.E. Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome and I couldn’t help but smile as I read it. It was a little campy and made me think of the Evil Dead series which I loved. As the two main characters interacted throughout the story I could easily visualize Bruce Campbell and Embeth Davidtz playing those roles and even see them reciting the lines in my mind. The detail was very good as were some of the gory descriptions. A fun read on the set of a low budget movie about, of course, zombies. However, these zombies became all too real and things quickly spun out of control. The actors and crew became unwilling participants in unscripted rolls with no director to yell “Cut” or “Take five”. I will leave it at that as I don’t want to get into something that might spoil the book for anyone.

I will and do strongly suggest zombie’s fans that like the old ‘B’ zombie flicks and especially the Evil Dead series get this book and read it. It is a light, fun read and you will love it!

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review soon...