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Tales From the Graveyard #1
The Blacksmith
My name is Ainsley. I live among the dead.
Meet Ainsley. Ainsley lives alone, and she likes it that way. Ainsley has some secrets. Dark secrets.
Sometimes, Ainsley feels like the Blacksmith is the only one who will ever understand her. The Blacksmith resides in the graveyard in her garden. You see, Ainsley’s heart was broken long ago, and now it’s dead. As dead as the Blacksmith’s. They belong together.
Then there’s Sam: sweet, loving Sam. Ainsley was abandoned by anyone she ever loved, but Sam has always been there. If her heart weren’t already dead, Ainsley might even say she loved him.
Not even Sam knows the depth’s of Ainsley’s darkness…and lately, she’s come very, very close to revealing it to him.
But the Blacksmith says no. And what the Blacksmith says, goes.
Meet Ainsley. Ainsley lives alone, and she likes it that way. Ainsley has some secrets. Dark secrets.
Sometimes, Ainsley feels like the Blacksmith is the only one who will ever understand her. The Blacksmith resides in the graveyard in her garden. You see, Ainsley’s heart was broken long ago, and now it’s dead. As dead as the Blacksmith’s. They belong together.
Then there’s Sam: sweet, loving Sam. Ainsley was abandoned by anyone she ever loved, but Sam has always been there. If her heart weren’t already dead, Ainsley might even say she loved him.
Not even Sam knows the depth’s of Ainsley’s darkness…and lately, she’s come very, very close to revealing it to him.
But the Blacksmith says no. And what the Blacksmith says, goes.
55 pages, Unknown Binding
First published December 10, 2014
14 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Susan Shultz
20 books5 followersSusan Shultz is a writer/journalist living in Wilton, Connecticut with her husband and two children. Susan is the editor of The Darien Times, a Hersam Acorn newspaper located in Darien, Connecticut.
From her Amazon profile:
"I am a horror and anything else that moves me writer, poet and journalist. I enjoy writing about things that terrify me, and you. I consider a great privilege to allow me to frighten you.
I am an English major, from Staten Island, N.Y., now living in Connecticut."
Visit the author on:
Twitter: @SusnShultz
Blog: Creative Conjurings
The Darien Times
Photo Credit: Bryan Haeffele
From her Amazon profile:
"I am a horror and anything else that moves me writer, poet and journalist. I enjoy writing about things that terrify me, and you. I consider a great privilege to allow me to frighten you.
I am an English major, from Staten Island, N.Y., now living in Connecticut."
Visit the author on:
Twitter: @SusnShultz
Blog: Creative Conjurings
The Darien Times
Photo Credit: Bryan Haeffele
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 11, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Full Fathom Five and NetGalley.)
"Tonight, I sit in the graveyard and think of Sam. Poor Sam, always hoping to get a tomato from my dead garden."
Well, this was a bit of an odd story about a divorced woman who was unable to have children, who liked to ‘garden’ a graveyard, and talk to the ghosts of the people buried there. The story was less creepy, and more ‘this girl has issues’ though, which I’m not sure was the intention.
6 out of 10
"Tonight, I sit in the graveyard and think of Sam. Poor Sam, always hoping to get a tomato from my dead garden."
Well, this was a bit of an odd story about a divorced woman who was unable to have children, who liked to ‘garden’ a graveyard, and talk to the ghosts of the people buried there. The story was less creepy, and more ‘this girl has issues’ though, which I’m not sure was the intention.
6 out of 10
June 30, 2019
This is a 3.5 star read.
Oh, this was dark .... and cold .... so very, very cold ..... but also weird AF! Can you feel sympathy for a serial killer? I certainly felt it for the main character here whose life was moulded by senseless tragedy. I really enjoyed this short story - perfect for work break scares! 🔪🔪🔪😱
Oh, this was dark .... and cold .... so very, very cold ..... but also weird AF! Can you feel sympathy for a serial killer? I certainly felt it for the main character here whose life was moulded by senseless tragedy. I really enjoyed this short story - perfect for work break scares! 🔪🔪🔪😱
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July 6, 2018
Very short, under-developed "horror" story with no atmosphere, little character development and very poorly executed plot devices. Mostly moping characters attempting melodrama, with hints of spooky mystery. The short, stuttery sentences that are the protagonists' thoughts are more annoying that atmosphere-creating. Should be developed further, with more emphasis on the house and probably doesn't help that the first-person narrative means we get crazy people thoughts instead of good story.
March 13, 2015
2.5*
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ainsley has suffered her share of heartache and now believes that her heart is dead, she spends her time tending to the graveyard at the back of her grandmother's property and conversing with the dead at night. Her last chance at happiness may be her relationship with Sam but dare she share her dark secrets with him.
This seemed like a good premise but I don't think the author really has a strong enough story in this. The main character isn't very relatable, she comes across as very flat at times although there were some nice scenes with a ghost as they bond over motherhood.
I also don't really understand why this is called The Blacksmith as his character is the one you learn least about, you're not told how he died and why his relationship with Ainsley is so controlling. It may be that this is all in Ainsley's head and that The Blacksmith only serves as something for her to excuse herself of accountability for her violent acts.
There are themes of loneliness and isolation but these are not well explored with the author simply repeating info instead of digging a bit deeper into Ainsley's character. It's quite a short read so perhaps I'm expecting too much but this didn't grab me enough to want to continue the series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ainsley has suffered her share of heartache and now believes that her heart is dead, she spends her time tending to the graveyard at the back of her grandmother's property and conversing with the dead at night. Her last chance at happiness may be her relationship with Sam but dare she share her dark secrets with him.
This seemed like a good premise but I don't think the author really has a strong enough story in this. The main character isn't very relatable, she comes across as very flat at times although there were some nice scenes with a ghost as they bond over motherhood.
I also don't really understand why this is called The Blacksmith as his character is the one you learn least about, you're not told how he died and why his relationship with Ainsley is so controlling. It may be that this is all in Ainsley's head and that The Blacksmith only serves as something for her to excuse herself of accountability for her violent acts.
There are themes of loneliness and isolation but these are not well explored with the author simply repeating info instead of digging a bit deeper into Ainsley's character. It's quite a short read so perhaps I'm expecting too much but this didn't grab me enough to want to continue the series.
April 15, 2015
The Blacksmith is the first novelette in the Tales From the Graveyard series.
The story is very gothic, captivating and beautifully written. It reminded me immediately of Poe and it read like poetry.
Some of the content is disturbing and very dark, but never overly gory, and somehow you can't help but like and sympathise with the main character, Ainsley.
I cannot wait to discover what Susan Shultz has in store for us in the next instalment.
To be read in one sitting - allow a couple of hours. Give it a try even if you are not an horror fan - it might surprise you.
[ARC received via Netgalley]
BooksChatter
The story is very gothic, captivating and beautifully written. It reminded me immediately of Poe and it read like poetry.
Some of the content is disturbing and very dark, but never overly gory, and somehow you can't help but like and sympathise with the main character, Ainsley.
I cannot wait to discover what Susan Shultz has in store for us in the next instalment.
To be read in one sitting - allow a couple of hours. Give it a try even if you are not an horror fan - it might surprise you.
[ARC received via Netgalley]
BooksChatter
April 16, 2022
Poorly written and poorly edited. Showed promise but after 25% I just gave up. 2 ⭐
February 5, 2016
Ainsley has a dead heart. It's true: it's cold and black and has left her unable to love. But that's okay with Ainsley. She lives alone in an old house next to a graveyard and those buried beneath the ground are her friends and companions. Ainsley keeps a garden there, too. A very special garden. It's a work in progress, one that keeps Ainsley busy. One that gives Ainsley and her dead heart purpose.
On the one hand I really liked this story. It's dark and twisted, which is just my cup of tea.
On the other hand I was confused from the very start. And that's not really the author's fault. This is a release from Full Fathom Five's digital arm and I've long been under the impression that Full Fathom Five is focused on YA. (The cover design doesn't help, folks.) And this is not YA. At. All.
So that aside, again this was a dark and twisty tale that caught my attention and held it throughout its short length. Ainsley is definitely not a likable character, per se. But she is an interesting one. The way she interacts with the world and her hidden life are so at odds with one another that of course she's intriguing.
I kind of loved the end. I won't give it away, but I loved it. It couldn't have ended any other way.
This was such an odd little tale. It's Susan Shultz's debut and the first in an apparent series of Tales From the Graveyard. The short does include an excerpt from another story, though between "The Blacksmith" and that excerpt it's as yet unclear how those stories are connected. I don't know when "Jessie" will be releasing but I'm interested enough in following Shultz's work that I'd probably tune in even if it wasn't another Graveyard story - if "The Graveyard" is any indication I think she's a strong voice to watch for in the horror genre.
On the one hand I really liked this story. It's dark and twisted, which is just my cup of tea.
On the other hand I was confused from the very start. And that's not really the author's fault. This is a release from Full Fathom Five's digital arm and I've long been under the impression that Full Fathom Five is focused on YA. (The cover design doesn't help, folks.) And this is not YA. At. All.
So that aside, again this was a dark and twisty tale that caught my attention and held it throughout its short length. Ainsley is definitely not a likable character, per se. But she is an interesting one. The way she interacts with the world and her hidden life are so at odds with one another that of course she's intriguing.
I kind of loved the end. I won't give it away, but I loved it. It couldn't have ended any other way.
This was such an odd little tale. It's Susan Shultz's debut and the first in an apparent series of Tales From the Graveyard. The short does include an excerpt from another story, though between "The Blacksmith" and that excerpt it's as yet unclear how those stories are connected. I don't know when "Jessie" will be releasing but I'm interested enough in following Shultz's work that I'd probably tune in even if it wasn't another Graveyard story - if "The Graveyard" is any indication I think she's a strong voice to watch for in the horror genre.
October 2, 2015
I DO NOT under any circumstance willingly watch or read horror. I'll admit freely that I'm scared easily. I love reading books that connect me to a character and for better or worse make me feel their joy and their pain.
It wasn’t until I read “The Blacksmith” by Susan Shultz, that I thought about a different type of “scary story.” This story is more of a Dark or Gothic Romance. It relies on legitimate fears of loss and the flaws in human nature to make you feel uncomfortable. Don’t misunderstand — if you like blood, ghosts and sociopaths, “The Blacksmith” has that for you.
The main character, Ainsley is a librarian in a “sleepy New England town” by day and a friend to the dead in her backyard at night. Her favorite companion is the Blacksmith, despite his attempts to pull her away from her one real friend: Sam. Ainsley tells us that Blacksmith is a strong presence and reminds her that she belongs in the graveyard with him.
She acknowledges who she appears to be early on: a monster. Susan Shultz has a way of making something terrible sound so eloquent through a lonely woman’s eyes.
Read more of my review her: http://volumesofwords.com/halloween-r...
BOTTOM LINE: This ebook isn't very long. You could probably finish it in one day, but there's so much substance (PLUS, there are now several books in the collection). Give it a try, even if the genre or cover turns you off at first. You won't regret it.
It wasn’t until I read “The Blacksmith” by Susan Shultz, that I thought about a different type of “scary story.” This story is more of a Dark or Gothic Romance. It relies on legitimate fears of loss and the flaws in human nature to make you feel uncomfortable. Don’t misunderstand — if you like blood, ghosts and sociopaths, “The Blacksmith” has that for you.
The main character, Ainsley is a librarian in a “sleepy New England town” by day and a friend to the dead in her backyard at night. Her favorite companion is the Blacksmith, despite his attempts to pull her away from her one real friend: Sam. Ainsley tells us that Blacksmith is a strong presence and reminds her that she belongs in the graveyard with him.
She acknowledges who she appears to be early on: a monster. Susan Shultz has a way of making something terrible sound so eloquent through a lonely woman’s eyes.
Read more of my review her: http://volumesofwords.com/halloween-r...
BOTTOM LINE: This ebook isn't very long. You could probably finish it in one day, but there's so much substance (PLUS, there are now several books in the collection). Give it a try, even if the genre or cover turns you off at first. You won't regret it.
October 11, 2015
(I received a copy of the collection from Netgalley, In exchange for an honest review.)
Actual rating - 2.5
I felt a bit sorry for the main character in this at the start, but that only lasted a chapter, and then I just found her weird.
This fell flat for me unfortunately, and I just found it weird.
Actual rating - 2.5
I felt a bit sorry for the main character in this at the start, but that only lasted a chapter, and then I just found her weird.
This fell flat for me unfortunately, and I just found it weird.
October 11, 2020
Graveyards are generally quiet and can be interesting places, filled with the stories of those who reside there; one such story is offered in Susan Schultz’s The Blacksmith: Tales from the Graveyard #1.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Ainsley lives alone in a home far away from others and has some dark secrets she keeps from those limited few in her life. In her garden is a graveyard and in that graveyard resides the Blacksmith, a man she relates to as another with a dead heart to match her broken, and dead, heart. The one highlight in her life that might have a chance to revive her heart is her long-time friend Sam, who might be the only man she could love. Sam doesn’t know the darkness that fills Ainsley; though she’s tempted to reveal it to him the Blacksmith says no and what he says is what happens.
Intriguing elements of a supernatural, and potentially creepy, nature are presented for the characters introduced; however, there are too many questions that go unanswered in this story to make it a read that feels complete and satisfying. There’s an atmosphere of darkness to the tale that is conveyed fairly well, if a touch too repetitiously, but the characters and overall scenario are sadly rather underdeveloped. For a story titled The Blacksmith there’s very little within it that explores the titular character, leaving much to speculation instead of character establishment.
Overall, I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Ainsley lives alone in a home far away from others and has some dark secrets she keeps from those limited few in her life. In her garden is a graveyard and in that graveyard resides the Blacksmith, a man she relates to as another with a dead heart to match her broken, and dead, heart. The one highlight in her life that might have a chance to revive her heart is her long-time friend Sam, who might be the only man she could love. Sam doesn’t know the darkness that fills Ainsley; though she’s tempted to reveal it to him the Blacksmith says no and what he says is what happens.
Intriguing elements of a supernatural, and potentially creepy, nature are presented for the characters introduced; however, there are too many questions that go unanswered in this story to make it a read that feels complete and satisfying. There’s an atmosphere of darkness to the tale that is conveyed fairly well, if a touch too repetitiously, but the characters and overall scenario are sadly rather underdeveloped. For a story titled The Blacksmith there’s very little within it that explores the titular character, leaving much to speculation instead of character establishment.
Overall, I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
October 3, 2023
I oddly loved this. Whilst the main character is totally deranged, as a reader you can empathise with everything she had been through and how she was feeling. Wish this book had been longer and explored her life in more detail, however I enjoyed. Sam is a better person than I am, I could not have done what he did after finding out about her murders. The ending was strangely heart-warming? Idk, this book made me confused in the best way.
November 12, 2018
This book was ok. Not what I thought it would be. Had really gory parts, I almost stopped reading it.
It was strange to say the least. With a strange ending. If you like scary, creepy stories this will work for you.
It was strange to say the least. With a strange ending. If you like scary, creepy stories this will work for you.
December 7, 2014
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I'm not so sure what I was expecting from this novella, I don't usually read the "horror" genre. but I kind of fancied a change, so thought I'd give this novella a try.
MY REVIEW
I downloaded this one from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover depicts the main character of Ainsley, in the graveyard at the back of her house. In her hand is a dagger/knife with blood on it. The expression of the girl who is depicting Ainsley is so innocent, and naive which is the totally opposite to what you go on to read about her in the novella. So would the cover make me pick this novella up from a book store shelf? Yes, I would want to know more about the naive, childlike female on the cover holding the knife covered in blood.
The female on the cover is the main character involved in this book, her name is Ainsley. Ainsley had a quite a sad beginning to her life, her father abandoned her and her mother, which then caused Ainsley's mother to commit suicide. This left Ainsley to be brought up by her grandmother, and so when her grandmother passes away she leaves her house to Ainsley. The house is quite imposing as I visualize it, it has a graveyard at the back of the property which Ainsley refers to as her "garden". Ainsley tends her garden, speaking to those buried in the graveyard as she works away. Ainsley remember's her grandmother telling her the stories of the people buried there. One story that Ainsley retells us within the novella is of a young woman, who marries her ideal man, they go on to have a child, you'd think everything would be perfect? but alas no this young woman's mother-in-law takes a dislike to her and basically sabotages her cooking, cleaning etc. She literally tries to turn her son against his bride. Even when the young couple have a child, the mother-in-law is still trying to invade their lives and rule her son. The rumour say's that the young woman is so tired she falls asleep straight after placing her baby to bed. The gossip then goes on to insinuate that the mother-in-law places a pillow over the small baby and kills it. This then obviously distresses the young woman so much she dies. then the mother-in-law has what she wanted all along, her son to herself. When Ainsley goes to the graveyard she talks to the dead.
There are two sides to Ainsley, the quiet conservatively dressed library worker, and the girl she changes into at night when she dresses up in short black skirts, lacy tops and bright red underwear. This Ainsley goes out with one purpose in mind. . . to lure a man back to her home and kill him and consume parts of him including his blood and heart. She then buries what is left of them in the graveyard. You see Ainsley needs to consume their blood and more importantly their hearts as her heart doesn't work, it doesn't beat, the only time she feels warmth is when she has killed and devoured the hearts. The one that tells Ainsley when it is time to kill again is the spirit of The Blacksmith. Ainsley has asked why but he orders her to continue. Ainsley cannot feel true love. The only one she has felt anything close to true love is Sam. Sam was at the same school, etc. The only person's opinion that Ainsley cares about is Sam's. So she feels somewhat mortified when Sam see's her whilst she is out luring men to their deaths. The two sides of Ainsley's life have ended up overlapping each other.
I don't really want to go any further details about the novella, as that would spoil the reading experience for you.
To say this is a novella, a lot happens within it. The novella has quite a deep, at times complex plot. I really enjoyed the interaction that Ainsley had with the young mother. I also liked the vast differences between the two opposite sides of Ainsley.
So did I enjoy the novella? Yes, I really did, which was a little surprising as I usually avoid horror! This changed my opinion as I did enjoy it. Would I recommend the novella? Yes, I would recommend as a quick "all in one go" read because when I started this one I didn't want to put it down. I would also say give it a go even if you don't normally read horror. Would I want to read more in this series? I will certainly be keeping my eyes and ears open for the next installment of Tales From The Graveyard. Maybe we will learn more about Ainsley's grandmother, or will the tale be centred around Sam? Perhap's the epilogue of this novella is setting the scene for the next one? I'm definitely interested in reading more in this series. Would I read other titles by Susan Shultz? Yes, I would, I'd be interested in checking out the Spinetingler's Anthology that susan has a story in. I think I would also be interested in her book titled, Things To Do On The Otherside.
I'm not so sure what I was expecting from this novella, I don't usually read the "horror" genre. but I kind of fancied a change, so thought I'd give this novella a try.
MY REVIEW
I downloaded this one from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover depicts the main character of Ainsley, in the graveyard at the back of her house. In her hand is a dagger/knife with blood on it. The expression of the girl who is depicting Ainsley is so innocent, and naive which is the totally opposite to what you go on to read about her in the novella. So would the cover make me pick this novella up from a book store shelf? Yes, I would want to know more about the naive, childlike female on the cover holding the knife covered in blood.
The female on the cover is the main character involved in this book, her name is Ainsley. Ainsley had a quite a sad beginning to her life, her father abandoned her and her mother, which then caused Ainsley's mother to commit suicide. This left Ainsley to be brought up by her grandmother, and so when her grandmother passes away she leaves her house to Ainsley. The house is quite imposing as I visualize it, it has a graveyard at the back of the property which Ainsley refers to as her "garden". Ainsley tends her garden, speaking to those buried in the graveyard as she works away. Ainsley remember's her grandmother telling her the stories of the people buried there. One story that Ainsley retells us within the novella is of a young woman, who marries her ideal man, they go on to have a child, you'd think everything would be perfect? but alas no this young woman's mother-in-law takes a dislike to her and basically sabotages her cooking, cleaning etc. She literally tries to turn her son against his bride. Even when the young couple have a child, the mother-in-law is still trying to invade their lives and rule her son. The rumour say's that the young woman is so tired she falls asleep straight after placing her baby to bed. The gossip then goes on to insinuate that the mother-in-law places a pillow over the small baby and kills it. This then obviously distresses the young woman so much she dies. then the mother-in-law has what she wanted all along, her son to herself. When Ainsley goes to the graveyard she talks to the dead.
There are two sides to Ainsley, the quiet conservatively dressed library worker, and the girl she changes into at night when she dresses up in short black skirts, lacy tops and bright red underwear. This Ainsley goes out with one purpose in mind. . . to lure a man back to her home and kill him and consume parts of him including his blood and heart. She then buries what is left of them in the graveyard. You see Ainsley needs to consume their blood and more importantly their hearts as her heart doesn't work, it doesn't beat, the only time she feels warmth is when she has killed and devoured the hearts. The one that tells Ainsley when it is time to kill again is the spirit of The Blacksmith. Ainsley has asked why but he orders her to continue. Ainsley cannot feel true love. The only one she has felt anything close to true love is Sam. Sam was at the same school, etc. The only person's opinion that Ainsley cares about is Sam's. So she feels somewhat mortified when Sam see's her whilst she is out luring men to their deaths. The two sides of Ainsley's life have ended up overlapping each other.
I don't really want to go any further details about the novella, as that would spoil the reading experience for you.
To say this is a novella, a lot happens within it. The novella has quite a deep, at times complex plot. I really enjoyed the interaction that Ainsley had with the young mother. I also liked the vast differences between the two opposite sides of Ainsley.
So did I enjoy the novella? Yes, I really did, which was a little surprising as I usually avoid horror! This changed my opinion as I did enjoy it. Would I recommend the novella? Yes, I would recommend as a quick "all in one go" read because when I started this one I didn't want to put it down. I would also say give it a go even if you don't normally read horror. Would I want to read more in this series? I will certainly be keeping my eyes and ears open for the next installment of Tales From The Graveyard. Maybe we will learn more about Ainsley's grandmother, or will the tale be centred around Sam? Perhap's the epilogue of this novella is setting the scene for the next one? I'm definitely interested in reading more in this series. Would I read other titles by Susan Shultz? Yes, I would, I'd be interested in checking out the Spinetingler's Anthology that susan has a story in. I think I would also be interested in her book titled, Things To Do On The Otherside.
December 14, 2014
Book description:
My name is Ainsley. I live among the dead.
Meet Ainsley. Ainsley lives alone, and she likes it that way. Ainsley has some secrets. Dark secrets.
Sometimes, Ainsley feels like the Blacksmith is the only one who will ever understand her. The Blacksmith resides in the graveyard in her garden. You see, Ainsley’s heart was broken long ago, and now it’s dead. As dead as the Blacksmith’s. They belong together.
Then there’s Sam: sweet, loving Sam. Ainsley was abandoned by anyone she ever loved, but Sam has always been there. If her heart weren’t already dead, Ainsley might even say she loved him.
Not even Sam knows the depth’s of Ainsley’s darkness…and lately, she’s come very, very close to revealing it to him.
But the Blacksmith says no. And what the Blacksmith says, goes.
REVIEW:
I received n advance copy of this book to provide an honest review.
The story started creepy immediately with Ainsley's description of her life, home, and dead heart. I thought she was literally dead, but later determined that she either communicates, or thinks she does, with the dead family members and friends in the graveyard she tends behind her house.
Ainsley has a job as a librarian and a best friend Sam from childhood. Ainsley also has quite a secret night life where she lets the monster inside her out. She claims she incapable of love and also tells of some of the horrors of her friends who she talks to in the graveyard. If she could love, she would love Sam.
The story continues mysteriously with a touch of old horror stories where you don't know what she means about a dead heart. She had miscarriages and can't carry a baby.... Is it a figure of speech or is her heart ? Supernatural. Does she actually talk to the dead or is she crazy? I love it, and of course like old horror it ends horrifically sad.
My name is Ainsley. I live among the dead.
Meet Ainsley. Ainsley lives alone, and she likes it that way. Ainsley has some secrets. Dark secrets.
Sometimes, Ainsley feels like the Blacksmith is the only one who will ever understand her. The Blacksmith resides in the graveyard in her garden. You see, Ainsley’s heart was broken long ago, and now it’s dead. As dead as the Blacksmith’s. They belong together.
Then there’s Sam: sweet, loving Sam. Ainsley was abandoned by anyone she ever loved, but Sam has always been there. If her heart weren’t already dead, Ainsley might even say she loved him.
Not even Sam knows the depth’s of Ainsley’s darkness…and lately, she’s come very, very close to revealing it to him.
But the Blacksmith says no. And what the Blacksmith says, goes.
REVIEW:
I received n advance copy of this book to provide an honest review.
The story started creepy immediately with Ainsley's description of her life, home, and dead heart. I thought she was literally dead, but later determined that she either communicates, or thinks she does, with the dead family members and friends in the graveyard she tends behind her house.
Ainsley has a job as a librarian and a best friend Sam from childhood. Ainsley also has quite a secret night life where she lets the monster inside her out. She claims she incapable of love and also tells of some of the horrors of her friends who she talks to in the graveyard. If she could love, she would love Sam.
The story continues mysteriously with a touch of old horror stories where you don't know what she means about a dead heart. She had miscarriages and can't carry a baby.... Is it a figure of speech or is her heart ? Supernatural. Does she actually talk to the dead or is she crazy? I love it, and of course like old horror it ends horrifically sad.
December 3, 2017
I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ainsley is a 38-year-old divorced woman, who works as a librarian. She lives all by herself in an isolated house that used to belong to her grandmother, and she has a great passion for the graveyard at the back of the yard. Her life has not been easy, at all, and because of that Ainsley is now quite a troubled woman with some very dark secrets.
“My heart is dead. It does not beat. It died some time ago. Although it is dead, it feels hunger, like a zombie. It lurches on, seeking heat, blood. Sometimes it feels pain.”
In about 45 pages Ainsley’s secrets are revealed. By day, she’s a normal woman, a bit conservative, who doesn’t stand out in any way. It’s the things she does at night that reveal how damaged Ainsley actually is.
This story is so much fun! Disturbing, twisted, dark, yet you can’t help but feel a bit bad for Ainsley. There is also a very enjoyable twist at the end.
It’s a short story (and on top of that a very fast read). I would recommend it to anyone who is into the horror genre.
Ainsley is a 38-year-old divorced woman, who works as a librarian. She lives all by herself in an isolated house that used to belong to her grandmother, and she has a great passion for the graveyard at the back of the yard. Her life has not been easy, at all, and because of that Ainsley is now quite a troubled woman with some very dark secrets.
“My heart is dead. It does not beat. It died some time ago. Although it is dead, it feels hunger, like a zombie. It lurches on, seeking heat, blood. Sometimes it feels pain.”
In about 45 pages Ainsley’s secrets are revealed. By day, she’s a normal woman, a bit conservative, who doesn’t stand out in any way. It’s the things she does at night that reveal how damaged Ainsley actually is.
This story is so much fun! Disturbing, twisted, dark, yet you can’t help but feel a bit bad for Ainsley. There is also a very enjoyable twist at the end.
It’s a short story (and on top of that a very fast read). I would recommend it to anyone who is into the horror genre.
December 21, 2015
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publish date: December 2014
Full review can also be found on: Paein and Ms4Tune’s Book Blog
This was fascinating to read and that little bit at the end there was somewhat surprising, but I liked it. The story is told in first person from Ainsleys point of view. It's hard to know if we're meant to be cheering for her or not, she's had a bad time of it and...her situation is interesting. At first I thought there was a sort of love triangle the blurb gives that impression, but the Blacksmith is after something else so that's good.
This is a short story of only 55 pages and from what I can tell, the rest of the series all links in. We'll be seeing her again soon, from reading the other blurbs, even though the other books are about other people. The next is about one of the ghosts.
January 11, 2015
I didn't hate this book. I think it has an interesting premise, but there should have been a lot more filling in of the gaps. For a book titled "The Blacksmith," I would have expected to learn more about that particular character. Rather, the main character is a woman who does the bidding of said blacksmith that the reader never learns anything about.
This is a dark and twisted tale that has a lot of potential to be more than it is. I would have liked to know more about the main character before she became what she is...specifically how that happened.
This is a very short book--30 minutes to read or less for most, but in my opinion it didn't reach its potential.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This is a dark and twisted tale that has a lot of potential to be more than it is. I would have liked to know more about the main character before she became what she is...specifically how that happened.
This is a very short book--30 minutes to read or less for most, but in my opinion it didn't reach its potential.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2016
After some traumatic events in her life, Ainsley believes her heart is dead. She thinks she's unable to feel any kind of love and because of that, she also can't be loved. She does have a friend she likes a lot, but it seems that Sam doesn't share these feelings. Ainsley also has some serious issues. A calm librarian by day and a sexy man-killer by night...
It was a strange story that made me and my friend laugh, I told her about a part I was reading [here comes a spiler] that I though Ainsley will kill Sam, because she loves him and few moments later I had to tell her I was wrong and that she killed herself instead. [spoiler end]. So ok, the ending was surprising but other than that this story wasn't very good. Ainsley would rather fit in a psychiatric ward instead of living alone in a house next to a graveyard...
It was a strange story that made me and my friend laugh, I told her about a part I was reading [here comes a spiler] that I though Ainsley will kill Sam, because she loves him and few moments later I had to tell her I was wrong and that she killed herself instead. [spoiler end]. So ok, the ending was surprising but other than that this story wasn't very good. Ainsley would rather fit in a psychiatric ward instead of living alone in a house next to a graveyard...
June 17, 2016
Ainsley lives next to the graveyard, and just like the many bodies interred in the ground, she harbours dark secrets. The dead are her friends and they speak to her; they understand her. There are two strong males in her life: the first is Sam, her light, and life, and the second is the Blacksmith. The Blacksmith lives in the graveyard, and he whispers to her.
This is an enchanting but disturbing story, and it couldn’t have surprised me more. The writing is poetic and haunting: the reader can tell that Ainsley is a disturbed woman by the chilling way she narrates the story even before anything untoward is disclosed. I like the Gothic feel and the romance of it. I was cheering for the Sam the whole way through and for AJ too: I wanted her to be whole and satiated. I will definitely be checking out more of her work and hope that it’s as quirky as this piece.
This is an enchanting but disturbing story, and it couldn’t have surprised me more. The writing is poetic and haunting: the reader can tell that Ainsley is a disturbed woman by the chilling way she narrates the story even before anything untoward is disclosed. I like the Gothic feel and the romance of it. I was cheering for the Sam the whole way through and for AJ too: I wanted her to be whole and satiated. I will definitely be checking out more of her work and hope that it’s as quirky as this piece.
September 27, 2015
Susan Shultz hauntingly tales is the perfect book to pick up during the Halloween season.
The Blacksmith (story 1)
The Blacksmith is a dark and alluring tale. The way it weaves its story, it grabs you, won't let you go. Ainsley, the librarian, the keeper of the cemetery, has a dark secret, one she can't tell. The Blacksmith helps her, he's the only one who is there for her. If only she could let Sam in, but that isn't possible. He wouldn't understand. I really enjoyed this story, the ending was shocking, I didn't think it would end that way. Such a good story. Tales From The Graveyard was a good, dark, haunting story. Each story was different, but had the same occurrence, Ainsley. I really enjoyed the way Susan writes... it's dark, fits with her stories.
The Blacksmith (story 1)
The Blacksmith is a dark and alluring tale. The way it weaves its story, it grabs you, won't let you go. Ainsley, the librarian, the keeper of the cemetery, has a dark secret, one she can't tell. The Blacksmith helps her, he's the only one who is there for her. If only she could let Sam in, but that isn't possible. He wouldn't understand. I really enjoyed this story, the ending was shocking, I didn't think it would end that way. Such a good story. Tales From The Graveyard was a good, dark, haunting story. Each story was different, but had the same occurrence, Ainsley. I really enjoyed the way Susan writes... it's dark, fits with her stories.
January 21, 2015
I really don't know what to say about this book. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. Through most of the book I just found myself going 'wait, WTH did I just read?' It was entertaining. It was written very simply and was a fast, easy read. There was not much character development, but one can't really expect much in 55 pages. I would have liked more though. It was never explained why Ainsley was doing these things and listening to the blacksmith. I will most likely pick up the next story out of curiosity.
September 29, 2015
For such a short story, this was really awesome!
I'm still in shock really at how good this story was. I really liked how the story was written and to be perfectly honest, when it comes to short stories, it is VERY HARD to get a 5 star out of me because they normally leave me with more questions than answers. But this book was just brilliantly mastered!
Would defiantly recommend to read on Halloween or when you want to be scared.
I'm still in shock really at how good this story was. I really liked how the story was written and to be perfectly honest, when it comes to short stories, it is VERY HARD to get a 5 star out of me because they normally leave me with more questions than answers. But this book was just brilliantly mastered!
Would defiantly recommend to read on Halloween or when you want to be scared.
January 7, 2015
I received a copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was...I'm not exactly sure what it was. It was a little too short, so I never got a feel for the main character. It never really explained why she did what she did. She just killed people and licked their blood and ate their hearts. I just did not like this book at all.
This was...I'm not exactly sure what it was. It was a little too short, so I never got a feel for the main character. It never really explained why she did what she did. She just killed people and licked their blood and ate their hearts. I just did not like this book at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2015
I received this book from netgalley. I wanted to read a good thrilling story, and this is definitely one.
At first I didn't like the way the book was written or how Ainsley thought/spoke. But the deeper I got into the story, I found that it added perfectly to the craziness. I had so many chills running through my body as I continued to read. I loved it and was even surprised by the ending.
At first I didn't like the way the book was written or how Ainsley thought/spoke. But the deeper I got into the story, I found that it added perfectly to the craziness. I had so many chills running through my body as I continued to read. I loved it and was even surprised by the ending.
August 19, 2016
A sad and short story about a lonely woman living near a graveyard and her ghosts.
It is a bittersweet read that teach us not to waste time thinking about our losses (friends, relatives, opportunities...), because the greatest thing we could loss in the process, is ourselves.
I really enjoyed this little one.
It is a bittersweet read that teach us not to waste time thinking about our losses (friends, relatives, opportunities...), because the greatest thing we could loss in the process, is ourselves.
I really enjoyed this little one.
January 27, 2016
Just ok
Story is very fragmented and jumps around a lot. Doesn't explain any of the girls past or why she is the way she is.
Story is very fragmented and jumps around a lot. Doesn't explain any of the girls past or why she is the way she is.
May 9, 2016
That was interesting and.. Extremely messed up.
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