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Dark Tide Horror Novellas #17
Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales
Immerse yourself in a world of terror and darkness with three vampire horror novellas.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Viking vampires, and their latest vicious recruits, swarm through tunnels beneath the present-day town of Leppington. The Norse gods have created a Vampyrrhic army to wreak vengeance on people that turned their backs on Odin. Just two fragile humans stand in their way—a down-at-heel drifter who is struggling to recover from a severe head injury, and a dreamer with a drink problem. Together, they must become extraordinary. Together, they must defeat something that is much, much worse than vampires.
‘Return of the Blood-Feeders’ is set in the world of Simon’s Vampyrrhic series of novels.
“Perspective” by Kevin J. "This is a story of my re-awakening, and vampires." A couple's lives are thrown into turmoil when a body is dumped at their door. The vampires are catapulted into a blood-drenched journey to the gates of hell. Fortunately, they have some werewolf friends who want to come along for the ride.
“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord On May 16, 2020, disaster struck the small Canadian mining town of Beckley, Nova Scotia. An explosion deep in Shaft 3 unleashed a massive torrent of water from an underground stream, quickly flooding the lower levels and dooming the workers below. Sixty-five people lost their lives that night, the tragedy one of the worst mining disasters in the province’s history. The Red Spruce Gypsum Mine would never reopen.
The town tried to turn the heartbreak into something positive, converting the flooded quarry into a natural swimming hole for people to cool off in during the hot summer months. But something has awakened from within the abandoned mine shafts and staked its territory in the deepest part of the lake. Something ancient. Something savage. Something hungry…
If you're a fan of extreme horror books, gothic suspense, and supernatural terror, this collection is your gateway to fear. Dive into these suspenseful gothic horror novellas and discover why this horror anthology is a must-read for lovers of vampire fiction.
Don’t miss out on this dark adventure. Order your copy now and let the nightmares begin!
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Viking vampires, and their latest vicious recruits, swarm through tunnels beneath the present-day town of Leppington. The Norse gods have created a Vampyrrhic army to wreak vengeance on people that turned their backs on Odin. Just two fragile humans stand in their way—a down-at-heel drifter who is struggling to recover from a severe head injury, and a dreamer with a drink problem. Together, they must become extraordinary. Together, they must defeat something that is much, much worse than vampires.
‘Return of the Blood-Feeders’ is set in the world of Simon’s Vampyrrhic series of novels.
“Perspective” by Kevin J. "This is a story of my re-awakening, and vampires." A couple's lives are thrown into turmoil when a body is dumped at their door. The vampires are catapulted into a blood-drenched journey to the gates of hell. Fortunately, they have some werewolf friends who want to come along for the ride.
“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord On May 16, 2020, disaster struck the small Canadian mining town of Beckley, Nova Scotia. An explosion deep in Shaft 3 unleashed a massive torrent of water from an underground stream, quickly flooding the lower levels and dooming the workers below. Sixty-five people lost their lives that night, the tragedy one of the worst mining disasters in the province’s history. The Red Spruce Gypsum Mine would never reopen.
The town tried to turn the heartbreak into something positive, converting the flooded quarry into a natural swimming hole for people to cool off in during the hot summer months. But something has awakened from within the abandoned mine shafts and staked its territory in the deepest part of the lake. Something ancient. Something savage. Something hungry…
If you're a fan of extreme horror books, gothic suspense, and supernatural terror, this collection is your gateway to fear. Dive into these suspenseful gothic horror novellas and discover why this horror anthology is a must-read for lovers of vampire fiction.
Don’t miss out on this dark adventure. Order your copy now and let the nightmares begin!
Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2024
8 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Simon Clark
212 books299 followersBorn, 20th April, 1958, Simon Clark is the author of such highly regarded horror novels as Nailed By The Heart, Blood Crazy, Darker, Vampyrrhic and The Fall, while his short stories have been collected in Blood & Grit and Salt Snake & Other Bloody Cuts. He has also written prose material for the internationally famous rock band U2.
Raised in a family of storytellers – family legend told of a stolen human skull buried beneath the Clark garage – he sold his first ghost story to a radio station in his teens. Before becoming a full-time writer he held a variety of day jobs, that have involved strawberry picking, supermarket shelf stacking, office work, and scripting video promos.
He lives with his wife and two children in mystical territory that lies on the border of Robin Hood country in England.
Raised in a family of storytellers – family legend told of a stolen human skull buried beneath the Clark garage – he sold his first ghost story to a radio station in his teens. Before becoming a full-time writer he held a variety of day jobs, that have involved strawberry picking, supermarket shelf stacking, office work, and scripting video promos.
He lives with his wife and two children in mystical territory that lies on the border of Robin Hood country in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 1, 2024
Reading this vampiric anthology was such a treat! Each story was well crafted, totally unique, and perfect for all fans of creature horror fiction.
I loved that Kevin’s story had a tie-in to the Werewolf anthology previously published through KJK Publishing (check this one out as well). It was great to see classic monsters in a modern setting (even pumping iron at the gym!).
Simon’s story was a bit surreal, with a narrator that was at times quite unreliable! His tale delves into Norse mythology and there were segments of body horror and claustrophobic spaces that had me shivering in fright.
Gord’s story had a small town, East Coast Canadian setting- which I loved, despite the subject matter. I think it’d be so cool to dive in a quarry that had equipment you could explore at the bottom. However, the monster in the dark mine shafts below the water was terrifying and has definitely put me off the prospect! I’ll take my chances with sharks in the ocean instead!! There was First Nations folklore entwined within the story, but done in a way I haven’t seen/heard of before.
This anthology is a great read for anyone who is looking for new literature with connections to folklore, classic bloodsuckers, and themed shorter stories.
I loved that Kevin’s story had a tie-in to the Werewolf anthology previously published through KJK Publishing (check this one out as well). It was great to see classic monsters in a modern setting (even pumping iron at the gym!).
Simon’s story was a bit surreal, with a narrator that was at times quite unreliable! His tale delves into Norse mythology and there were segments of body horror and claustrophobic spaces that had me shivering in fright.
Gord’s story had a small town, East Coast Canadian setting- which I loved, despite the subject matter. I think it’d be so cool to dive in a quarry that had equipment you could explore at the bottom. However, the monster in the dark mine shafts below the water was terrifying and has definitely put me off the prospect! I’ll take my chances with sharks in the ocean instead!! There was First Nations folklore entwined within the story, but done in a way I haven’t seen/heard of before.
This anthology is a great read for anyone who is looking for new literature with connections to folklore, classic bloodsuckers, and themed shorter stories.
July 26, 2024
Creatures of the Night contains three bloodthirsty novellas sure to satisfy the cravings of any fan of vampires who do not glitter and are most definitely not looking for love.
In Return of the Blood-Feeders a man who has suffered a traumatic brain injury when vampires stole the woman he loves, will risk his life to save her. Traveling deep underground through claustrophobic tunnels won't be the scariest part of this mission. This was a pulse-pounding story with lots of gory action.
Perspective- When a vampire couple befriends a werewolf couple, demons are no match for them.
Last but not least, my favorite novella was Beneath Still Waters.
At first I had no idea what this deadly creature even was. Who ever heard of a vampire that lives in a lake? How terrifying! This is a story of Indigenous folklore. This man like creature is more horrifying than a vampire. It's not just drinking the blood of its victims, it's eating their souls.
These novellas are perfect for anyone looking for unique vampire tales.
My thanks to Crystal Lake Publishing.
In Return of the Blood-Feeders a man who has suffered a traumatic brain injury when vampires stole the woman he loves, will risk his life to save her. Traveling deep underground through claustrophobic tunnels won't be the scariest part of this mission. This was a pulse-pounding story with lots of gory action.
Perspective- When a vampire couple befriends a werewolf couple, demons are no match for them.
Last but not least, my favorite novella was Beneath Still Waters.
At first I had no idea what this deadly creature even was. Who ever heard of a vampire that lives in a lake? How terrifying! This is a story of Indigenous folklore. This man like creature is more horrifying than a vampire. It's not just drinking the blood of its victims, it's eating their souls.
These novellas are perfect for anyone looking for unique vampire tales.
My thanks to Crystal Lake Publishing.
August 2, 2024
Creatures of the Night (Dark Tides Horror Novellas Book 17) gives us three very different takes on the vampire theme, and I'm glad to see a rusurgence, of sorts, in vicious vampire stories, and these three are definitely that.
In 'Return of the Blood-Feeders' by Simon Clark, set in the world of his Vampyrrhic novels, our narrator, Karl, suffers a brain injury during his girlfriend's abduction from the basement of the bar in which he works. With Magenta gone, and his brain not functioning quite as it should, he has to piece together the events, which are made a little clearer when the drunk who sits at the bar most days reveals his true identity, and Karl soon finds himself hunting vampires in the tunnels beneath Leppington. This starts off almost noir-like in its execution, and then turns to explosive action as the hunt for Magenta progresses. Solidly done.
In Kevin J. Kennedy's 'Perspective' we have another first-person narrative, much more epistolary than the previous story. Man meets girl at the gym, girl bites man, man and girl make friends with beautiful female werewolves and then go off on a spree across most of Europe, until they finally meet their match in a demon with an offer they can't refuse. However, they do refuse, and a battle ensues that lasts the better part of the second half. You can almost taste the blood as you read, and even when the dust settles, you know you haven't seen the last of these characters. A brutal, cinematic fight-fest that would work well in graphic novel form.
In 'Beneath Still Waters' Gord Rollo has created an altogether different beast. As the people of Beckley start to disappear in and around Red Spruce Lake, it's up to a group of scuba divers to find out what's going on. With the help of the Chief of police, who is also one of the diver's father, they uncover something otherworldy, a remnant of a past tragedy at a nearby mining shaft. One of the casualties of Shaft 3 is not quite as dead as the rest. This is a fascinating new take on vampire lore, which hearkens back to Creature of the Black Lagoon and includes an indiginous angle which this reader was more than excited to see. A truly great story well-told.
Combined, these three tales are well worth a look if you are searching for a different take on vampires, their stories, and their evolution. For a creature that has been done to death (literally!) you can't go far wrong with Creatures of the Night to freshen things up a little.
In 'Return of the Blood-Feeders' by Simon Clark, set in the world of his Vampyrrhic novels, our narrator, Karl, suffers a brain injury during his girlfriend's abduction from the basement of the bar in which he works. With Magenta gone, and his brain not functioning quite as it should, he has to piece together the events, which are made a little clearer when the drunk who sits at the bar most days reveals his true identity, and Karl soon finds himself hunting vampires in the tunnels beneath Leppington. This starts off almost noir-like in its execution, and then turns to explosive action as the hunt for Magenta progresses. Solidly done.
In Kevin J. Kennedy's 'Perspective' we have another first-person narrative, much more epistolary than the previous story. Man meets girl at the gym, girl bites man, man and girl make friends with beautiful female werewolves and then go off on a spree across most of Europe, until they finally meet their match in a demon with an offer they can't refuse. However, they do refuse, and a battle ensues that lasts the better part of the second half. You can almost taste the blood as you read, and even when the dust settles, you know you haven't seen the last of these characters. A brutal, cinematic fight-fest that would work well in graphic novel form.
In 'Beneath Still Waters' Gord Rollo has created an altogether different beast. As the people of Beckley start to disappear in and around Red Spruce Lake, it's up to a group of scuba divers to find out what's going on. With the help of the Chief of police, who is also one of the diver's father, they uncover something otherworldy, a remnant of a past tragedy at a nearby mining shaft. One of the casualties of Shaft 3 is not quite as dead as the rest. This is a fascinating new take on vampire lore, which hearkens back to Creature of the Black Lagoon and includes an indiginous angle which this reader was more than excited to see. A truly great story well-told.
Combined, these three tales are well worth a look if you are searching for a different take on vampires, their stories, and their evolution. For a creature that has been done to death (literally!) you can't go far wrong with Creatures of the Night to freshen things up a little.
August 15, 2024
*Huge thanks to Kevin J. Kennedy for sending me a digital copy of this one!*
Over the last number of years, Crystal Lake Publishing has been releasing a series of books that feature three authors contributing a novella each. The books are themed, and in this case, this one is all about vampires.
Now, I typically tend to steer clear of vampire fiction. It’s something I’ve never jived with and often find myself tuning out. Even vampire movies/shows. But, I’ve always heard amazing things about Simon Clark’s writing, have read a lot of Kevin’s work and some of Gord’s work, and knowing the pedigree these three bring to the table, I was more than intrigued to see what each one delivered.
What I liked: I will say, I don’t think any of the three stories stood out as being the superior one of the three, because they were all so solid. Clark opens the book with a story that takes place within his Vampyrrhic series of novels, and though I’ve not read any of them, I felt immersed immediately and read with glee as we see humans having to band together to overcome insurmountable odds. Clark’s writing was thoroughly engaging, and the violence was created perfectly. You’d be surprised that blood was splattered across your chest as you read.
Next up was Kennedy’s story, while similar in aspects thematically to Clark’s, quite different in its approach and cadence. A body ends up at the front doors of a home and with it, our characters’ eyes are opened, and violence soon follows. In this one, Kevin’s writing is far more pedal-to-the-medal than Clark’s opener, and with less humor, which makes for a decidedly darker second story, but one still written with plenty of fangs and gore.
Lastly, we get a story from Gord Rollo that’ll surely give some of you nightmares, because it features one of my favorite tropes, but made vampire. Creatures in a mine. I love anything involving mines – whether active or abandoned/boarded up, but in this case (and kudos for the Canadian setting!) we get to see what happens after an explosion in a mine in Nova Scotia. Rollo gives us some truly frightening moments and takes us on a subterranean thrill ride.
What I didn’t like: I’d say honestly, the only thing that I noticed was that the three stories were of very, varying lengths, with Rollo’s being the longest. It would’ve made for some great pacing overall if each one was the same length – though I do understand the logistical nightmare of having three authors all produce three individual stories, all within the same length.
And of course, I’ll mention it, but these are all vampire-based stories, so if that isn’t your thing, then don’t expect any sort of difference from the norm here.
Why you should buy this: If you’re a fan of any of these authors, you’ll be all over this. Also, if you’re a fan of the series that Crystal Lake is putting out, then this will be another fantastic offering to add to your bookshelf. Or, if you’re just a fan of blood-thirsty fangs, humans doing their best to stay alive, and ultimately how their role affects the fate of the world, then this will be right in your wheelhouse. Three well done, fun novellas that each pack an individual punch, while also heightening the other two within the book, Crystal Lake has a big winner with this release.
Over the last number of years, Crystal Lake Publishing has been releasing a series of books that feature three authors contributing a novella each. The books are themed, and in this case, this one is all about vampires.
Now, I typically tend to steer clear of vampire fiction. It’s something I’ve never jived with and often find myself tuning out. Even vampire movies/shows. But, I’ve always heard amazing things about Simon Clark’s writing, have read a lot of Kevin’s work and some of Gord’s work, and knowing the pedigree these three bring to the table, I was more than intrigued to see what each one delivered.
What I liked: I will say, I don’t think any of the three stories stood out as being the superior one of the three, because they were all so solid. Clark opens the book with a story that takes place within his Vampyrrhic series of novels, and though I’ve not read any of them, I felt immersed immediately and read with glee as we see humans having to band together to overcome insurmountable odds. Clark’s writing was thoroughly engaging, and the violence was created perfectly. You’d be surprised that blood was splattered across your chest as you read.
Next up was Kennedy’s story, while similar in aspects thematically to Clark’s, quite different in its approach and cadence. A body ends up at the front doors of a home and with it, our characters’ eyes are opened, and violence soon follows. In this one, Kevin’s writing is far more pedal-to-the-medal than Clark’s opener, and with less humor, which makes for a decidedly darker second story, but one still written with plenty of fangs and gore.
Lastly, we get a story from Gord Rollo that’ll surely give some of you nightmares, because it features one of my favorite tropes, but made vampire. Creatures in a mine. I love anything involving mines – whether active or abandoned/boarded up, but in this case (and kudos for the Canadian setting!) we get to see what happens after an explosion in a mine in Nova Scotia. Rollo gives us some truly frightening moments and takes us on a subterranean thrill ride.
What I didn’t like: I’d say honestly, the only thing that I noticed was that the three stories were of very, varying lengths, with Rollo’s being the longest. It would’ve made for some great pacing overall if each one was the same length – though I do understand the logistical nightmare of having three authors all produce three individual stories, all within the same length.
And of course, I’ll mention it, but these are all vampire-based stories, so if that isn’t your thing, then don’t expect any sort of difference from the norm here.
Why you should buy this: If you’re a fan of any of these authors, you’ll be all over this. Also, if you’re a fan of the series that Crystal Lake is putting out, then this will be another fantastic offering to add to your bookshelf. Or, if you’re just a fan of blood-thirsty fangs, humans doing their best to stay alive, and ultimately how their role affects the fate of the world, then this will be right in your wheelhouse. Three well done, fun novellas that each pack an individual punch, while also heightening the other two within the book, Crystal Lake has a big winner with this release.
November 3, 2024
As much as I enjoy the offerings of all three of these authors, I was hesitant to sink my teeth into a book of just vampire stories. Turns out that was all for nothing. Not only are all these entries well-constructed and entertaining, they are wildly different from each other. Clark delves deep into Norse mythology to conjure a vampire-esque monstrosity, the likes of which, I don't remember ever reading before. Kennedy's story is more standard vampire fare, but with the author's trademark combination of humor and gore, making for a story that drags the reader gleefully along to a horrid ending. Rollo's contribution is the longest, but never drags, expertly mixing underwater vampires with indigenous deities and curses. Three excellent additions to vampire horror, immensely readable and entertaining.
August 11, 2024
Normally, I'm not huge into vampires. But each one had a unique take on the lore and had plenty of gore.
July 29, 2024
Once again I am blown away by the many different forms of vampires in this book. From page one to the last page it's full of exciting action packed vampire glory. I mean a vampire at a lake that's impressive. Thanks for the amazing stories and the spectacular book. Highly recommended
August 9, 2024
Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales collects three vampire horror novellas.
First up is Simon Clark’s “Return of the Blood-Feeder,” which takes place in the universe of the author’s Vampyrrhic book series, which I admittedly haven’t read. However, this novella works fine as a standalone story. Our main character, Karl, helps his girlfriend, Magenta, run an old hotel in an out-of-the-way village in England. Things are going well enough for the couple until tunnel-dwelling vampires spawned by Viking gods break into the hotel’s basement one night and abduct Magenta. Neither clearly male nor female, and not much for talking, Clark’s zombie-like vampires are pale, hairless, vicious, feral, and starving. I especially enjoyed the bit of surreal body horror that occurs near the end of this fast-paced, pulpy story.
Next up, we have Kevin J. Kennedey’s action-packed “Perspective,” wherein vampires, werewolves, and demons collide. With a history of depression and moodiness, our loner protagonist recounts a time when he sought to better himself by getting fit and quitting antidepressants. While at the gym, he meets Samantha, an enchanting vampire who ultimately seduces him and turns him into one of her kind. He then finds himself in that unique position where “being a happy vampire beats being a miserable human.” From there we follow the couple on their travels through Scotland, Amsterdam, and Germany, as they enjoy la vida vampire—partying, feeding on human blood, and encountering both supernatural friend and foe alike—until they are eventually forced to confront an enemy perhaps more diabolical and powerful than they are. Kennedy does an effective job at creating a group of monstrous anti-hero protagonists that, despite their complete disregard for human life, you can’t help but care for.
In Gord Rollo’s “Beneath Still Waters,” a group of amateur divers discover a mutilated corpse deep in a quarry lake in a small mining town in Canada. From there, the bodies begin to pile up (or sink, I suppose I should say) as something evil in the lake returns to feed on the locals after enjoying a period of dormancy in its dark depths. The story combines aspects of familiar European vampire lore with a Native American myth to produce a fresh take on the bloodsucker trope. The careful pacing and descriptive power of Rollo’s writing made his underwater scenes in particular quite suspenseful—so much so that I do think I’ll be swimming in a deep lake anytime soon.
Taken together, the three novellas of Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales are a load of fun, each story having its own unique vibe and lore. Highly recommended, especially if you’re into vampire stories.
First up is Simon Clark’s “Return of the Blood-Feeder,” which takes place in the universe of the author’s Vampyrrhic book series, which I admittedly haven’t read. However, this novella works fine as a standalone story. Our main character, Karl, helps his girlfriend, Magenta, run an old hotel in an out-of-the-way village in England. Things are going well enough for the couple until tunnel-dwelling vampires spawned by Viking gods break into the hotel’s basement one night and abduct Magenta. Neither clearly male nor female, and not much for talking, Clark’s zombie-like vampires are pale, hairless, vicious, feral, and starving. I especially enjoyed the bit of surreal body horror that occurs near the end of this fast-paced, pulpy story.
Next up, we have Kevin J. Kennedey’s action-packed “Perspective,” wherein vampires, werewolves, and demons collide. With a history of depression and moodiness, our loner protagonist recounts a time when he sought to better himself by getting fit and quitting antidepressants. While at the gym, he meets Samantha, an enchanting vampire who ultimately seduces him and turns him into one of her kind. He then finds himself in that unique position where “being a happy vampire beats being a miserable human.” From there we follow the couple on their travels through Scotland, Amsterdam, and Germany, as they enjoy la vida vampire—partying, feeding on human blood, and encountering both supernatural friend and foe alike—until they are eventually forced to confront an enemy perhaps more diabolical and powerful than they are. Kennedy does an effective job at creating a group of monstrous anti-hero protagonists that, despite their complete disregard for human life, you can’t help but care for.
In Gord Rollo’s “Beneath Still Waters,” a group of amateur divers discover a mutilated corpse deep in a quarry lake in a small mining town in Canada. From there, the bodies begin to pile up (or sink, I suppose I should say) as something evil in the lake returns to feed on the locals after enjoying a period of dormancy in its dark depths. The story combines aspects of familiar European vampire lore with a Native American myth to produce a fresh take on the bloodsucker trope. The careful pacing and descriptive power of Rollo’s writing made his underwater scenes in particular quite suspenseful—so much so that I do think I’ll be swimming in a deep lake anytime soon.
Taken together, the three novellas of Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales are a load of fun, each story having its own unique vibe and lore. Highly recommended, especially if you’re into vampire stories.
July 23, 2024
Liked the previous anthologies, the Horror Collections put out by the same author who created those, I enjoyed this one where vampires are the main subject. Five stars.
August 16, 2024
Discover an unforgettable anthology of vampire horror novellas that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In 'Return of the Blood-Feeders,' Simon Clark introduces Viking vampires seeking vengeance in Leppington, and an unexpected heroic duo must face the ultimate challenge. Kevin J. Kennedy's 'Perspective' merges vampires, werewolves, and suspense in a blood-drenched tale that blurs the lines between predator and prey. Gord Rollo's 'Beneath Still Waters' unveils the supernatural terrors lurking in a flooded quarry in Beckley, Nova Scotia. This collection promises a chilling journey into the shadows, perfect for both veteran vampire fans and newcomers to the genre.
July 31, 2024
Creatures of the night
Creature feature with a few action packed stories full of their own lore. Each story was interesting and hard to put down and left you wanting more. The fight scenes were pretty easy to follow and I usually have a hard time with those. Each story was fantastic in their own way. Each very different stories. I would give this a 4.5 out of 5 only because I wanted more from each story in a good way. I would definitely recommend this to others.
Creature feature with a few action packed stories full of their own lore. Each story was interesting and hard to put down and left you wanting more. The fight scenes were pretty easy to follow and I usually have a hard time with those. Each story was fantastic in their own way. Each very different stories. I would give this a 4.5 out of 5 only because I wanted more from each story in a good way. I would definitely recommend this to others.
August 5, 2024
There is no sparkling here! These vampires are vicious and brutal. All three stories in this collection were unique. We even had an underwater vampire Gilman creature thing in the final story. I highly recommend this collection for anyone who loves vampires and loves when they’re brutal and bloodthirsty.
July 31, 2024
KJK never ceases to impress me with the anthologies that he puts out. If you’re looking to read some stories that bite back I highly recommend reading this anthology.
August 16, 2024
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/08/16/creatures-of-the-night/
Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Novellas is Book 17 in the Dark Tide series from Crystal Lake Publishing. This anthology is comprised of three wicked vampire novellas by three talented horror authors: Simon Clark, Kevin J Kennedy, and Gord Rollo. In these stories, you will find three very original takes on vampires. This isn’t the classic, standard, or usual, nor are they nice, so prepare for a bloody good time.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Clark is a dark and suspenseful tale set in Clark’s Vampyrrhic series. I found this story to surprisingly be as evocative as it is twisted. And yes, it’s twisted. And brutal. And the imagery is not for sensitive constitutions. There’s an excellent storyline here, and it has made me interested in reading more from the author’s series.
“Perspective” by Kevin J Kennedy is a brutal tale of modern vampires and werewolves and demons (oh my!). Kennedy skillfully employs suspense, clever dialogue, and gruesome action to tell a story where good and bad can be subjective but evil is absolute. It’s a dark and fun read.
“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord Rollo is a story of tragedy and terror and brings a wholly new-to-me ancient vampire entity. This story fascinated me. I found it compelling and moving as well as chilling. Rollo’s use of suspense and perspective creates a horror movie tension that keeps you glued to the page.
Creatures of the Night is an excellent anthology for those looking for something different in vampire horror as well as horror fans seeking tales of terror outside the norm. But these gruesome tales are not for sensitive readers, so check your intestinal fortitude at the cover.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/08/16/creatures-of-the-night/
Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Novellas is Book 17 in the Dark Tide series from Crystal Lake Publishing. This anthology is comprised of three wicked vampire novellas by three talented horror authors: Simon Clark, Kevin J Kennedy, and Gord Rollo. In these stories, you will find three very original takes on vampires. This isn’t the classic, standard, or usual, nor are they nice, so prepare for a bloody good time.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Clark is a dark and suspenseful tale set in Clark’s Vampyrrhic series. I found this story to surprisingly be as evocative as it is twisted. And yes, it’s twisted. And brutal. And the imagery is not for sensitive constitutions. There’s an excellent storyline here, and it has made me interested in reading more from the author’s series.
“Perspective” by Kevin J Kennedy is a brutal tale of modern vampires and werewolves and demons (oh my!). Kennedy skillfully employs suspense, clever dialogue, and gruesome action to tell a story where good and bad can be subjective but evil is absolute. It’s a dark and fun read.
“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord Rollo is a story of tragedy and terror and brings a wholly new-to-me ancient vampire entity. This story fascinated me. I found it compelling and moving as well as chilling. Rollo’s use of suspense and perspective creates a horror movie tension that keeps you glued to the page.
Creatures of the Night is an excellent anthology for those looking for something different in vampire horror as well as horror fans seeking tales of terror outside the norm. But these gruesome tales are not for sensitive readers, so check your intestinal fortitude at the cover.
August 11, 2024
Two people must face a group of Viking vampires. A group of vampires have some unique friends on their side. After a mining tragedy something hungry is released. Unique vampire tales
August 16, 2024
Book 17 of the Dark Tide Horror Novella series is Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales.
As an avid horror reader, vampire stories are my favorite. Whether the vampire is a wealthy nobleman or a putrid, rancorous corpse that rises from the grave to drink the blood of the innocent, I am enthralled.
If you are looking for a book of short vampire stories, then I strongly suggest you move on.
This book consists of three vampire novellas by some of the greatest masters of horror.
From the Bloodred world of Vampyrrhic comes the story, Return of the Blood Feeders by Simon Clark.
If you are familiar with the author's previous works then the name Helsvir should be no surprise. If not, then this corpse monster will send shivers down your spine. It is jointed with the body parts of vampires who have lain in the grave together for several years and it is blood-thirsty.
From the narrator losing his love to a group of vampires, up until the final battle with Helsvir, this story held my interest til the final page. These ancient vampires from the age of the Vikings when the exiled Norse Gods in their fury created them, are a force to be reckoned with.
Perspective is the second story in the book, written by that beloved author of the Horror Collection series, Kevin J. Kennedy.
Imagine a pair of vampires teaming up with a pair of werewolves to stop a horde of demons.
If you have read Kennedy's story, Elena, you know exactly who these werewolves are. In a way, this is a sequel to that story.
These vampires don't turn into bats, are unaffected by sunlight, and have to drink water to survive.
After encountering the demon Layzamon, King of the Underlands, our heroes face horde after horde of various demons.
I hope Kennedy writes a sequel story because we don't know what the demon's intentions were.
The final story is, Beneath Still Waters by Gord Rollo.
Rollo creates an amphibious vampire taken from Native American lore, the Sabawaelnu.
A doomed miner's prayers are answered when he summons the demon and thus becomes possessed. You will be shocked to learn the vampire's true motive in drinking blood and the unforgettable ending.
As an avid horror reader, vampire stories are my favorite. Whether the vampire is a wealthy nobleman or a putrid, rancorous corpse that rises from the grave to drink the blood of the innocent, I am enthralled.
If you are looking for a book of short vampire stories, then I strongly suggest you move on.
This book consists of three vampire novellas by some of the greatest masters of horror.
From the Bloodred world of Vampyrrhic comes the story, Return of the Blood Feeders by Simon Clark.
If you are familiar with the author's previous works then the name Helsvir should be no surprise. If not, then this corpse monster will send shivers down your spine. It is jointed with the body parts of vampires who have lain in the grave together for several years and it is blood-thirsty.
From the narrator losing his love to a group of vampires, up until the final battle with Helsvir, this story held my interest til the final page. These ancient vampires from the age of the Vikings when the exiled Norse Gods in their fury created them, are a force to be reckoned with.
Perspective is the second story in the book, written by that beloved author of the Horror Collection series, Kevin J. Kennedy.
Imagine a pair of vampires teaming up with a pair of werewolves to stop a horde of demons.
If you have read Kennedy's story, Elena, you know exactly who these werewolves are. In a way, this is a sequel to that story.
These vampires don't turn into bats, are unaffected by sunlight, and have to drink water to survive.
After encountering the demon Layzamon, King of the Underlands, our heroes face horde after horde of various demons.
I hope Kennedy writes a sequel story because we don't know what the demon's intentions were.
The final story is, Beneath Still Waters by Gord Rollo.
Rollo creates an amphibious vampire taken from Native American lore, the Sabawaelnu.
A doomed miner's prayers are answered when he summons the demon and thus becomes possessed. You will be shocked to learn the vampire's true motive in drinking blood and the unforgettable ending.
October 11, 2024
This was epic journey for vampires brilliantly written gave my head a wobble was it a monster a vampire I guess a bit of both hahaha it was bloody good pardon the pun
August 14, 2024
A fangtastic anthology of three varied tales that don't fall into the usual vampire tropes, this is one who want something different from their bloodsuckers.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Clark is set in the Vampyrrhic universe and features Karl, a man who has met the love of his life, Magenta and suffers a brain injury during an attack that results in the abduction of Magenta. He meets an old drunk who turns out to be much more and together, they try to track down those responsible as Karl struggles to deal with his injury that results in constant short term memory loss. A fun way to start the trio of stories.
“Perspective” by Kevin J Kennedy is essentially a story of a man's journey into vampirism when he meets and falls in love with a girl he helps to rescue from an attack and follows the couple as they journey through Europe, meeting a werewolf couple who they make fast friends with then coming into contact with a demonic creature, who wants to give them an offer they can't refuse. They do and the resulting slaughter is satisfying as it is gore filled. Another unique experience.
“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord Rollo is set in a mining town where an accident has resulted in tragedy for dozens of workers and is abandoned, turning the quarry where its located into a lake. Time passes and people start disappearing from the lake and surrounding area. Enter a young group of friends who dive regularly in the lake searching for lost possessions when one of them find a body. Things escalate from there when they find out the thing responsible is an underwater vampire. A fantastic story to end the anthology.
If you are like me and don't like vampire stories or like ones that feature a different twist on them, then this is for you. Each story is well written, unique and a refreshing take on the vampire mythos and comes highly recommended.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Clark is set in the Vampyrrhic universe and features Karl, a man who has met the love of his life, Magenta and suffers a brain injury during an attack that results in the abduction of Magenta. He meets an old drunk who turns out to be much more and together, they try to track down those responsible as Karl struggles to deal with his injury that results in constant short term memory loss. A fun way to start the trio of stories.
“Perspective” by Kevin J Kennedy is essentially a story of a man's journey into vampirism when he meets and falls in love with a girl he helps to rescue from an attack and follows the couple as they journey through Europe, meeting a werewolf couple who they make fast friends with then coming into contact with a demonic creature, who wants to give them an offer they can't refuse. They do and the resulting slaughter is satisfying as it is gore filled. Another unique experience.
“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord Rollo is set in a mining town where an accident has resulted in tragedy for dozens of workers and is abandoned, turning the quarry where its located into a lake. Time passes and people start disappearing from the lake and surrounding area. Enter a young group of friends who dive regularly in the lake searching for lost possessions when one of them find a body. Things escalate from there when they find out the thing responsible is an underwater vampire. A fantastic story to end the anthology.
If you are like me and don't like vampire stories or like ones that feature a different twist on them, then this is for you. Each story is well written, unique and a refreshing take on the vampire mythos and comes highly recommended.
August 12, 2024
Ready for a new spin on an old trope? Look no further! This short story collection by Simon Clark, Gord Rollo and Kevin J. Kennedy takes the classic vampire tale and breathes new life into the undead. Simon Clark’s Return of the Blood Feeders has a young and feisty pub caretaker taken from the pub’s basement with her live in boyfriend as the only witness. Problem is he has severe memory issues and the police don’t quite believe him. When a 60 something alcoholic with cancer shows up and tells he believes him and offers to help him get back his girlfriend it’s game on. Can they get her back and prevent the evil from escaping? Or will his memory issues cost them everything?
Kevin J. Kennedy’s Perspective brings back two of the main characters from Kennedy’s short story Elena (featured in his recent Werewolves short story collection). Though the story is from the vampire’s perspective, the werewolves and vampires team up together, as friends, to close the gates of hell. But are they strong enough to close the gates? Let alone survive?
Gord Rollo’s Beneath Still Waters is about a mining accident that a town tries to forget. Once the bodies are recovered they flood the mining pit and turn it into a man made lake, trying to make beauty from the pain. Not all the victims were laid to rest. One has said a prayer and had it answered. Now people are disappearing. When their bodies show up their throats are torn out or worse. Who or what is killing them? A group of divers think they can fix the problem. But can they?
The latest edition to the Dark Tide series is a dark ride into the vampire mythos. Vampires are evolving. Beware!
Jennifer Griffin
Kevin J. Kennedy’s Perspective brings back two of the main characters from Kennedy’s short story Elena (featured in his recent Werewolves short story collection). Though the story is from the vampire’s perspective, the werewolves and vampires team up together, as friends, to close the gates of hell. But are they strong enough to close the gates? Let alone survive?
Gord Rollo’s Beneath Still Waters is about a mining accident that a town tries to forget. Once the bodies are recovered they flood the mining pit and turn it into a man made lake, trying to make beauty from the pain. Not all the victims were laid to rest. One has said a prayer and had it answered. Now people are disappearing. When their bodies show up their throats are torn out or worse. Who or what is killing them? A group of divers think they can fix the problem. But can they?
The latest edition to the Dark Tide series is a dark ride into the vampire mythos. Vampires are evolving. Beware!
Jennifer Griffin
October 27, 2024
I can't say that vampires are my favourite monster but these three stories put an interesting spin on the genre. Each was very different from the next and all three had a nice easy writing style. I enjoyed all three but my favourite has to be "Beneath Still Waters" by Gord Rollo. There was such a creepy feel to this story and enjoyed the backstory. So if you enjoy vampire tales with a twist I recommend you give this a read.
July 31, 2024
This was awesome!
Simon Clark, Kevin Kennedy, and Gord Rollo bring some of the best vampire stories of recent memory. They are just down right entertaining.
If you’ve never read Simon Clark before, he has a nice resume of novels. I would honestly recommend all of his previous work, Blood Crazy and This Rage of Echoes are some of my favorites of his!
Anyway, Clark’s story is quick and to the point, and also set in the Vampyrrhic universe as well, but it could be read as a stand alone and still easily understood.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” takes place at barely surviving Station Hotel where a drifter, Karl, meets Magenta, a worker at the hotel. They quickly fall in love and let’s just say it doesn’t exactly turn out happily ever after. A couple months into their relationship, they hear mysterious sounds in the hotel’s cellar. Welp…as you could guess, it’s vampires. At this point, it turns into complete chaos, with terrifying scenes and twists and turns along the way. This story gets a 10/10 from me. I loved it!
The next story, “Perspective”, is written by Kevin J Kennedy. Unlike the other two authors, I had never read anything from Mr. Kennedy. However, I will be seeking more out from this author now. This story was just as awesome as the previous one. It’s fast-moving, full of intense scenes, and brings a highly entertaining vampire story. I loved the way this one was written. For whatever reason, I felt like this was a biography at first, as if Mr. Kennedy brought some of his life experiences to this story. This one starts as a love story, following two vampires. It tells how they meet and how their relationship flourishes as they get to know one another. It tells of their endless travels and how they even meet a pair of werewolves, and form a memorable bond. Life happens and becomes somewhat nonchalant for the pair, or as normal as one could expect for a pair of supernatural creatures. Eventually, trouble comes their way. After calling upon their werewolf friends, they travel deep underground and meet with a ruler of demons. They soon find themselves in life or death predicament and all claws are out for a battle of survival. 8 out of 10 is my rating for this one. Solid horror!
Last, but not least was Gord Rollo’s “Beneath Still Waters”. I have read a few other stories from Mr. Rollo including “The Jigsaw Man” and “Crimson”. He’s another solid writer and I recommend checking into his other books. The last story of this vampire collection takes us to Beckley, Nova Scotia. I loved the set up of this one. A mining explosion causes massive flooding which takes the lives of 60+ townspeople. A couple years later is agreed upon that flooded quarry can be turned into the town watering hole. As you can imagine, this does not turn out well. Missing animals turns into missing people turns into a town of hysteria. Something has awakened and the brave people of Beckley will do whatever it takes to stop tragedy from defining their homeland again. Overall, I loved the buildup of the story. There’s endless dread and a real human element to this one. This last story gets a 7 out of 10, mainly because I found the actions of the characters somewhat predictable.
Simon Clark, Kevin Kennedy, and Gord Rollo bring some of the best vampire stories of recent memory. They are just down right entertaining.
If you’ve never read Simon Clark before, he has a nice resume of novels. I would honestly recommend all of his previous work, Blood Crazy and This Rage of Echoes are some of my favorites of his!
Anyway, Clark’s story is quick and to the point, and also set in the Vampyrrhic universe as well, but it could be read as a stand alone and still easily understood.
“Return of the Blood-Feeders” takes place at barely surviving Station Hotel where a drifter, Karl, meets Magenta, a worker at the hotel. They quickly fall in love and let’s just say it doesn’t exactly turn out happily ever after. A couple months into their relationship, they hear mysterious sounds in the hotel’s cellar. Welp…as you could guess, it’s vampires. At this point, it turns into complete chaos, with terrifying scenes and twists and turns along the way. This story gets a 10/10 from me. I loved it!
The next story, “Perspective”, is written by Kevin J Kennedy. Unlike the other two authors, I had never read anything from Mr. Kennedy. However, I will be seeking more out from this author now. This story was just as awesome as the previous one. It’s fast-moving, full of intense scenes, and brings a highly entertaining vampire story. I loved the way this one was written. For whatever reason, I felt like this was a biography at first, as if Mr. Kennedy brought some of his life experiences to this story. This one starts as a love story, following two vampires. It tells how they meet and how their relationship flourishes as they get to know one another. It tells of their endless travels and how they even meet a pair of werewolves, and form a memorable bond. Life happens and becomes somewhat nonchalant for the pair, or as normal as one could expect for a pair of supernatural creatures. Eventually, trouble comes their way. After calling upon their werewolf friends, they travel deep underground and meet with a ruler of demons. They soon find themselves in life or death predicament and all claws are out for a battle of survival. 8 out of 10 is my rating for this one. Solid horror!
Last, but not least was Gord Rollo’s “Beneath Still Waters”. I have read a few other stories from Mr. Rollo including “The Jigsaw Man” and “Crimson”. He’s another solid writer and I recommend checking into his other books. The last story of this vampire collection takes us to Beckley, Nova Scotia. I loved the set up of this one. A mining explosion causes massive flooding which takes the lives of 60+ townspeople. A couple years later is agreed upon that flooded quarry can be turned into the town watering hole. As you can imagine, this does not turn out well. Missing animals turns into missing people turns into a town of hysteria. Something has awakened and the brave people of Beckley will do whatever it takes to stop tragedy from defining their homeland again. Overall, I loved the buildup of the story. There’s endless dread and a real human element to this one. This last story gets a 7 out of 10, mainly because I found the actions of the characters somewhat predictable.
September 25, 2024
With the DARK TIDE series, Crystal Lake Publishing seems to have found a winning formula. Each volume has three short stories that center around a particular theme, with one story per author. In this case, the theme is vampires. Overall, it’s worth the purchase, you don’t need to be a Nosferatu nut to enjoy the stories. In order, the three stories are: ok, good, and outstanding, the last one alone (which, thankfully, is the longest) is enough to make the whole book worth it.
‘Return of the Blood Feeders’ deals with a strange type of Norse vampires, and it’s all right. Nothing wrong with the writing or plot, but this one just didn’t click for me. It might be because the last monster seemed a bit over the top and out of place in the story, it just didn’t fit. Other readers may feel differently.
‘Perspective’ is one of those stories that attempts to ‘humanize’ vampires, and it does it well. Thankfully, these aren’t goody two-shoes vampires like the undead in Twilight. In this story, they may have human emotions like love, sadness, and loss, but they know how to kick serious ass-and serious ass they do kick! There is a wonderfully messy fight towards the end with vampires, werewolves, and demons ripping off heads and sending body parts raining down everywhere, a great smash of a conclusion to a well written tale. It’s a good combo of drama, mystery, and messiness, as well as a tale of vampires trying to find a reason to exist. They do find it, and it’s a good reason to endure immortality.
‘Beneath Still Waters’ is a true house-shaker, a pure rollercoaster of excitement, beginning to end. It has all the elements: a remote Canadian town with a tragic past, Indian folklore, and one very unpleasant underwater monster. There’s a decent amount of the story that takes place on or under a remote lake, and that’s where the writing really shines. The author knows his stuff when it comes to putting fear and excitement in underwater sequences. Diving can be nerve-wracking, with the claustrophobia of cave-diving and limited visibility. The author clearly knows this, and puts the natural dangers of diving to very good use in the story. There’s also a good twist to the ending. Sure, maybe the heroes may be a bit foolish with some of their plans to stop the creature, but who cares? It’s a thrill ride that keeps you hooked, that’s all that matters.
Overall, this is very cool stuff, give it a chance, you'll like it. MORE IN THIS SERIES PLEASE!
‘Return of the Blood Feeders’ deals with a strange type of Norse vampires, and it’s all right. Nothing wrong with the writing or plot, but this one just didn’t click for me. It might be because the last monster seemed a bit over the top and out of place in the story, it just didn’t fit. Other readers may feel differently.
‘Perspective’ is one of those stories that attempts to ‘humanize’ vampires, and it does it well. Thankfully, these aren’t goody two-shoes vampires like the undead in Twilight. In this story, they may have human emotions like love, sadness, and loss, but they know how to kick serious ass-and serious ass they do kick! There is a wonderfully messy fight towards the end with vampires, werewolves, and demons ripping off heads and sending body parts raining down everywhere, a great smash of a conclusion to a well written tale. It’s a good combo of drama, mystery, and messiness, as well as a tale of vampires trying to find a reason to exist. They do find it, and it’s a good reason to endure immortality.
‘Beneath Still Waters’ is a true house-shaker, a pure rollercoaster of excitement, beginning to end. It has all the elements: a remote Canadian town with a tragic past, Indian folklore, and one very unpleasant underwater monster. There’s a decent amount of the story that takes place on or under a remote lake, and that’s where the writing really shines. The author knows his stuff when it comes to putting fear and excitement in underwater sequences. Diving can be nerve-wracking, with the claustrophobia of cave-diving and limited visibility. The author clearly knows this, and puts the natural dangers of diving to very good use in the story. There’s also a good twist to the ending. Sure, maybe the heroes may be a bit foolish with some of their plans to stop the creature, but who cares? It’s a thrill ride that keeps you hooked, that’s all that matters.
Overall, this is very cool stuff, give it a chance, you'll like it. MORE IN THIS SERIES PLEASE!
July 24, 2024
I was given an ARC copy of this book to read. First off, I love vampires, and not the sparkly kind. I've read many books and stories by Kevin Kennedy, but very few from Simon Clark and Gord Rollo. That will change as I am now following them on Amazon and plan to fill my Kindle with books by both of them. Here's my reviews of each of their stories.
Return of the Blood-Feeders by Simon Clark
From the moment I opened this book, the first story completely sucked me in. Karl seems like an unlikely hero with his disablility but his love for Magenta strengthens him. But can he be the hero to save everyone?
Perspective by Kevin J. Kennedy
The life of supernaturals! This story was so full of action and emotion, it was like a grand saga where I was rooting for the "bad guys." Towards the end of the story I was cheering. This is the first I've read of Kevin's vampires and werewolves but now I'm thirsty for more
Beneath Still Waters by Gord Rollo
This was the most unique vampire story I've ever read. The actions described were so exact I could imagine what was happening, as if it were playing out in my head. It was a joy to read and I'm hoping there will be a sequel to this.
Overall I have to say, this is an amazing vampire anthology and I highly recommend it.
Veronica Smith - author of Salvation in the Wasteland, Nightmare on Indigo Street, & Chalk Outline
Return of the Blood-Feeders by Simon Clark
From the moment I opened this book, the first story completely sucked me in. Karl seems like an unlikely hero with his disablility but his love for Magenta strengthens him. But can he be the hero to save everyone?
Perspective by Kevin J. Kennedy
The life of supernaturals! This story was so full of action and emotion, it was like a grand saga where I was rooting for the "bad guys." Towards the end of the story I was cheering. This is the first I've read of Kevin's vampires and werewolves but now I'm thirsty for more
Beneath Still Waters by Gord Rollo
This was the most unique vampire story I've ever read. The actions described were so exact I could imagine what was happening, as if it were playing out in my head. It was a joy to read and I'm hoping there will be a sequel to this.
Overall I have to say, this is an amazing vampire anthology and I highly recommend it.
Veronica Smith - author of Salvation in the Wasteland, Nightmare on Indigo Street, & Chalk Outline
August 8, 2024
Simon Clark, Kevin J Kennedy and Gord Rollo. Three names in the Horror industry give us their most recent Vampire stories and Pack in the goods!
Simon Clark brings us another story from his Blood Red World of Vampyrrhic about Karl, a luckless individual that loses the love of his life to an unknown entity in the cellar of the hotel where she works. He loses his ability to remember, and the fun begins there! I had a serious "I didn't see that coming..." moment.
Kevin J Kennedy brings us Perspective. An interesting take on how supernatural creatures come together to coexist, and how they react to survive when their peace is threatened. I liked this one the most because of the chemistry of the characters. Although the end portion seemed a little rushed, it was still a solid read.
Gord Rollo gives us another take on the bloodsuckers with Beneath Still Waters. A gypsum mine in Nova Scotia collapses and floods during a storm. Many people are killed, but a lake is formed by the quarry. A couple of years go by, and people start disappearing. Divers in the lake find a body, and something doesn't like its presence known.
All three entertaining, bloody, gory and new views on the Vampire stage. Enjoy them!
I did.
Simon Clark brings us another story from his Blood Red World of Vampyrrhic about Karl, a luckless individual that loses the love of his life to an unknown entity in the cellar of the hotel where she works. He loses his ability to remember, and the fun begins there! I had a serious "I didn't see that coming..." moment.
Kevin J Kennedy brings us Perspective. An interesting take on how supernatural creatures come together to coexist, and how they react to survive when their peace is threatened. I liked this one the most because of the chemistry of the characters. Although the end portion seemed a little rushed, it was still a solid read.
Gord Rollo gives us another take on the bloodsuckers with Beneath Still Waters. A gypsum mine in Nova Scotia collapses and floods during a storm. Many people are killed, but a lake is formed by the quarry. A couple of years go by, and people start disappearing. Divers in the lake find a body, and something doesn't like its presence known.
All three entertaining, bloody, gory and new views on the Vampire stage. Enjoy them!
I did.
August 11, 2024
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT delivers awesome modern vampires combined with old school horror fun! The three-novella collection kicks off with a bang with Simon Clark’s "Return of the Blood Feeders". These monstrous vampires are absolutely wicked. The scary scenes had my heart racing. I loved the Norse Viking lore. The fresh spin on the vampire monsters was a wonderful surprise. The final chapters are a roller coaster thrill ride. Kevin J. Kennedy’s "Perspective" offers another cool take on vampires and other “supernaturals”. I enjoyed the main character and his observations about what it means to be a vampire. Plenty of fun monster action kept me turning the pages. And Gord Rollo’s "Beneath Still Waters" reads like a great horror movie with cinematic visuals and thrilling underwater action. The prologue’s history of the doomed mine gripped me from the get go. The mythology and deep characterization of the creature added a clever take on the vampire story. The ending was satisfying. If you enjoy reading vampire stories and other kinds of monster tales, I highly recommend this book!
August 30, 2024
Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales brings together spine-chilling horror from Simon Clark, Kevin J. Kennedy, and Gord Rollo. Brimming with terror, blood, and intense action, this collection promises readers an exhilarating and unforgettable ride!
I just can’t get enough vampire tales! So of course, I was really looking forward to what would be served up here. Little did I know, I was going to get three very unique stories that will haunt me for a long time to come!
Vampire fans, go grab this book immediately! I had an absolute blast reading these stories. Each one left me wanting more, and I was so sad when they ended, even though they concluded perfectly. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/creat...
I just can’t get enough vampire tales! So of course, I was really looking forward to what would be served up here. Little did I know, I was going to get three very unique stories that will haunt me for a long time to come!
Vampire fans, go grab this book immediately! I had an absolute blast reading these stories. Each one left me wanting more, and I was so sad when they ended, even though they concluded perfectly. I cannot recommend this one highly enough!
Check out my full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/creat...
May 12, 2025
Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales, features three stories that each present a unique spin on this familiar trope. I enjoyed each one of these tales and found them all to be creative and compelling.
Return of the Blood Feeders, by Simon Clark, was unlike any other vampire tale I’ve ever read, and mixed in some very cool Viking legends. Perspective, by Kevin J. Kennedy, tells the story of a vampire couple who get more than they bargained for when they try to discover who dumped a body on their doorstep. Rounding out the collection was Beneath Still Waters, by Gord Rollo. Underwater terror and native America lore blended seamlessly and made for a highly entertaining finish to the anthology. If you’re a fan of vampires, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR!
Return of the Blood Feeders, by Simon Clark, was unlike any other vampire tale I’ve ever read, and mixed in some very cool Viking legends. Perspective, by Kevin J. Kennedy, tells the story of a vampire couple who get more than they bargained for when they try to discover who dumped a body on their doorstep. Rounding out the collection was Beneath Still Waters, by Gord Rollo. Underwater terror and native America lore blended seamlessly and made for a highly entertaining finish to the anthology. If you’re a fan of vampires, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR!
August 3, 2024
I just wanted to thank Joe at Crystal Lake Publishing for putting this project together. It was an absolute joy to work with everyone at Crystal Lake, Kevin, and Simon on this book. I’ve read all the stories and I can honestly say Kevin’s and Simon’s novellas are top notch. I won’t review my own addition to the book, but hey, I thought it turned out pretty damn good too - lol!
Thanks to everyone who gives our book a chance. Cheers!
Thanks to everyone who gives our book a chance. Cheers!
August 26, 2024
If you like vampires, you'll love this anthology! Whether they're creepy, vicious or depressed, this collection of short stories will please every vampyric bone in your body. My favorite was Perspective, it was very thought-provoking as well as terrifying.
July 31, 2024
One if the most entertaining Vampire book I've read in years. Genuinely creepy. No glitter here.
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