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Dead Heart
How much would you pay for a night of passion with your favorite celebrity?
After her untimely passing, the body of a world-renowned actress falls into the hands of an unscrupulous restorative artist. Using the funeral home in which he works as a den of sexual depravity, he auctions off a once in a lifetime opportunity with one of Hollywood’s most beloved starlets.
One bidder, however, has something else on his mind.
After her untimely passing, the body of a world-renowned actress falls into the hands of an unscrupulous restorative artist. Using the funeral home in which he works as a den of sexual depravity, he auctions off a once in a lifetime opportunity with one of Hollywood’s most beloved starlets.
One bidder, however, has something else on his mind.
ebook
First published April 11, 2012
9 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Ford
39 books38 followersBrandon Ford (b. August 28, 1981) grew up in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started writing at the approximate age of 8 and spent a lot of time testing the waters with various genres. He wrote dramas, comedies, essays, plays, and, of course, thrillers. There were few things he took pleasure in crafting more than a good old-fashioned scary story. Throughout grade school, as well as high school, he continued to build his portfolio with various works (mostly short stories and novellas, but a few plays here and there). He’d pass around these manuscripts to friends and teachers for feedback. Knowing others enjoyed his work and craved more inspired him to keep going.
A few months shy of 23, he sat down to pen his first novel, which became Crystal Bay. Arctic Wolf Publishing, a small press based in Georgia, picked the book up a few years later. Shortly thereafter, he completed Splattered Beauty, an ode to his favorite Scream Queens. In 2009, he teamed up with Alan Draven and Jessica Lynne Gardner for Creeping Shadows (Pixie Dust Press), a collection of three short novels. Ford’s contribution, Merciless, was heavily inspired by a real-life kidnapping that took place in California in 2002. In March 2010, Arctic Wolf released his third novel, Pay Phone. Ford has also contributed works of short fiction to several anthologies, including Abaculus 2007 and Abaculus III (Leucrota Press), Sinister Landscapes (Pixie Dust Press), Raw: Brutality As Art (Snuff Books), and The Death Panel (Comet Press). Some of his biggest influences have been writers like Jack Ketchum and the late Richard Laymon. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching bad TV, and all things horror. He still resides in South Philadelphia.
A few months shy of 23, he sat down to pen his first novel, which became Crystal Bay. Arctic Wolf Publishing, a small press based in Georgia, picked the book up a few years later. Shortly thereafter, he completed Splattered Beauty, an ode to his favorite Scream Queens. In 2009, he teamed up with Alan Draven and Jessica Lynne Gardner for Creeping Shadows (Pixie Dust Press), a collection of three short novels. Ford’s contribution, Merciless, was heavily inspired by a real-life kidnapping that took place in California in 2002. In March 2010, Arctic Wolf released his third novel, Pay Phone. Ford has also contributed works of short fiction to several anthologies, including Abaculus 2007 and Abaculus III (Leucrota Press), Sinister Landscapes (Pixie Dust Press), Raw: Brutality As Art (Snuff Books), and The Death Panel (Comet Press). Some of his biggest influences have been writers like Jack Ketchum and the late Richard Laymon. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching bad TV, and all things horror. He still resides in South Philadelphia.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 12, 2026
Wow. This was wonderful. Went in a direction that I really didn't expect, but loved the creativity and depth, handled masterfully in such a short outing. For those of you Topsiders who read Love and Pieces, I think we can all agree that Mr. Whiskey was possibly my most memorable character to date. That is, until I release my next several books. "We have such sights to show you." You have no idea! Anyway, this story brought me back to when I developed that book and Brandon Ford just did this entire story so, so well. And, the craziest thing, is that it wasn't overly sexual or violent. It didn't need to be. And creating a horror story without certain elements like that is a really superb showing of immense writing skills. Well done and I'm eager to see his other offerings.
August 29, 2018
I’m wading through stories I downloaded some time ago. This was originally for a taboo challenge...not needed then.
A freebie and a short story, made me feel uncomfortable as I know there are people who are turned on by this...very illegal...practice in real life. In real life I’ve known a guy sent down for this...seemed like a friendly, nice guy, so this story has resonances of him, and his kink, necrophilia, and to be honest the thought of people willing to pay to get at a corpse for sex squicks me out. However, not too graphic, more suggestive...I’m pleased to say.
However, this has a story, and a twist, and isn’t bad for that. Horror genre is hit as well.
Editing, it has a few issues, but not too bad, and is readable.
At first I thought 2-2.5 but in reflection I think border three stars.
A freebie and a short story, made me feel uncomfortable as I know there are people who are turned on by this...very illegal...practice in real life. In real life I’ve known a guy sent down for this...seemed like a friendly, nice guy, so this story has resonances of him, and his kink, necrophilia, and to be honest the thought of people willing to pay to get at a corpse for sex squicks me out. However, not too graphic, more suggestive...I’m pleased to say.
However, this has a story, and a twist, and isn’t bad for that. Horror genre is hit as well.
Editing, it has a few issues, but not too bad, and is readable.
At first I thought 2-2.5 but in reflection I think border three stars.
March 10, 2013
This was an interesting story. It was a skillfully crafted idea with superb pacing and raw style that I found easy to read.
There were a few little hiccups that kept me from giving this a five star review, though. One such instance was when John Smith was described as smelling death creaking from the floorboards. The perhaps unintentional synaesthesia removed me from the flow pf the story. There were a few other minor errors here and there bit, overall, I really dug this. The end was not what I expected, at all. I will check out more of Ford's stories in the future. I recently downloaded PAYPHONE while it was free; it looks intriguing.
There were a few little hiccups that kept me from giving this a five star review, though. One such instance was when John Smith was described as smelling death creaking from the floorboards. The perhaps unintentional synaesthesia removed me from the flow pf the story. There were a few other minor errors here and there bit, overall, I really dug this. The end was not what I expected, at all. I will check out more of Ford's stories in the future. I recently downloaded PAYPHONE while it was free; it looks intriguing.
May 14, 2013
This was a taboo BDSM challenge book read. Subject: necrophilia. Story line involved selling rights to famous people's dead bodies for sex. It deserved the subject category.
May 31, 2013
A sadly disappointing read.
January 13, 2020
Carl is the makeup artist at the funeral home.
His sideline is auctioning a night with a recently deceased. This time it's a famous actress. The winning bid is $4,000,000 - but then...
Good twists to the story
His sideline is auctioning a night with a recently deceased. This time it's a famous actress. The winning bid is $4,000,000 - but then...
Good twists to the story
July 14, 2012
There are a lot of free books out there. Some good and some very, very bad. This one was great. I wish I could remember who recommended this one. It had to come recommended, because I don't go looking for free books any more. Too much I actually want to read and not enough hours in a week.
Carl is an artist when it comes to bringing the dead to life. Actually, it's his job to make a corpse look it's best for the family and loved ones when they come for the viewing. His boss, Xavier would call him an expert restorative artist. He's even due for a raise, he's that good.
Carl, however has found another way to make a quick buck. Seems there is a certain element that will pay to be with the dead.
Now, with the death of a Hollywood icon, Carl sees the chance at a huge payday, but when the time comes to collect he gets more than he bargains for.
Dead Heart is a twisted tale of sick desires and everlasting love. Brandon Ford does a very nice job telling a story of necrophilia without bludgeoning us with all the lurid details and taking us to a place unexpected.
I highly recommend this short story and right now, it's available for free at Amazon.com.
Carl is an artist when it comes to bringing the dead to life. Actually, it's his job to make a corpse look it's best for the family and loved ones when they come for the viewing. His boss, Xavier would call him an expert restorative artist. He's even due for a raise, he's that good.
Carl, however has found another way to make a quick buck. Seems there is a certain element that will pay to be with the dead.
Now, with the death of a Hollywood icon, Carl sees the chance at a huge payday, but when the time comes to collect he gets more than he bargains for.
Dead Heart is a twisted tale of sick desires and everlasting love. Brandon Ford does a very nice job telling a story of necrophilia without bludgeoning us with all the lurid details and taking us to a place unexpected.
I highly recommend this short story and right now, it's available for free at Amazon.com.
August 23, 2012
In Brandon Ford’s Dead Heart, his protagonist, Carl, is an artist. He makes the dead beautiful in their final rest. It is important to be stunning, handsome, well at least not dead looking when all our friends come by for that final goodbye. And Carl is the expert, but Carl also has a hobby. He delivers the bodies of the dead to the highest bidder for the purpose of… Let’s just say, here I’ll let you use your imagination and whatever you think it is, believe me it’s worse.
Dead Heart written by Brandon Ford is a story that will open your eyes to things you never wanted them to see, the only problem you do not know that until you have allowed your gaze to go there. So go there my friends, see what you did not want to see.
Excellent job, Mr. Ford, however, I have decided on immediate cremation or interment in the back yard upon my death. Read this horror story and tell me you have not changed your mind too!
Dead Heart written by Brandon Ford is a story that will open your eyes to things you never wanted them to see, the only problem you do not know that until you have allowed your gaze to go there. So go there my friends, see what you did not want to see.
Excellent job, Mr. Ford, however, I have decided on immediate cremation or interment in the back yard upon my death. Read this horror story and tell me you have not changed your mind too!
May 30, 2013
Synopsis:
What price would you pay in order to spend one final night with a celebrity? For one worker in the funeral home where the body of a well-known celebrity had been brought, the price couldn't be high enough. Arranging one last night with someone was a side business that Carl took pleasure and pride in until the night it cost him more than he'd ever imagined.
Review:
Very quick read. The story was well written, had just enough description to draw the reader into the story and flowed smoothly from one event to the next. I thought the it to be a good way to spend an hour on the dark side of a story. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. It wasn't what I had been expecting.
What price would you pay in order to spend one final night with a celebrity? For one worker in the funeral home where the body of a well-known celebrity had been brought, the price couldn't be high enough. Arranging one last night with someone was a side business that Carl took pleasure and pride in until the night it cost him more than he'd ever imagined.
Review:
Very quick read. The story was well written, had just enough description to draw the reader into the story and flowed smoothly from one event to the next. I thought the it to be a good way to spend an hour on the dark side of a story. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. It wasn't what I had been expecting.
September 11, 2012
At first I was kind of repulsed by where I thought this story was going. Even as I was about to get grossed out, I did recognize that I was being grossed out by exceptional writing. It was believable, and very well done. The truly scary thing is, I think the scheme going on in this book is probably really going on all over the place, which makes me want to be cremated instantly.
June 25, 2012
Creepy
December 27, 2012
Good story. Predictable though.
May 20, 2013
Short and enjoyable. Quite the demented love story.
February 18, 2014
One of those stories that makes you say ewwww, but you keep reading.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews