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Nightmare's Eve
A collection of twisted tales that touch on the occult, time travel, mythology and contemporary suspense. Sixteen short stories and 10 dark poems in the tradition of "The Twilgiht Zone" and "The Outer Limits."
Trapped for eight centuries in a space no larger than a shoebox. What would you do to escape? How far would you go to rid yourself of that parasite in your brain that feeds off the worst of your nightmares? What if the person closest to you were fated to die - and you were powerless to stop it? What if your savior were also your greatest fear? Would you trade years of your life for a chance at redemption? Would you slay or spare the dragon whose eyes gaze up at you pleadingly in the final moments of its life? These are the questions that run through the mind when twilight fades and eyelids grow heavy. Fight the onset of sleep. Thrash beneath the covers in futile defiance of what lies beyond. This is the between-time of Nightmare's Eve, those brief but lingering moments between the waking world and the abyss. It will have you. It's only a matter of time.
Trapped for eight centuries in a space no larger than a shoebox. What would you do to escape? How far would you go to rid yourself of that parasite in your brain that feeds off the worst of your nightmares? What if the person closest to you were fated to die - and you were powerless to stop it? What if your savior were also your greatest fear? Would you trade years of your life for a chance at redemption? Would you slay or spare the dragon whose eyes gaze up at you pleadingly in the final moments of its life? These are the questions that run through the mind when twilight fades and eyelids grow heavy. Fight the onset of sleep. Thrash beneath the covers in futile defiance of what lies beyond. This is the between-time of Nightmare's Eve, those brief but lingering moments between the waking world and the abyss. It will have you. It's only a matter of time.
266 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2018
30 people want to read
About the author
Stephen H. Provost
102 books101 followersStephen H. Provost writes fantasy adventures and historical nonfiction. A journalist with more than 30 years of experience and a former educator, he has worked as an editor, reporter, and columnist at four daily newspapers in California.
His works of fiction include "The Talismans of Time" and its sequel, "Pathfinder of Destiny"; the fantasy novels "Memortality" and its sequel, "Paralucidity"; the young adult science fiction adventure "Identity Break"; the novellas "The Only Dragon" and "Death's Doorstep"; and the "Twilight Zone"-inspired collection of short stories and dark poetry titled "Nightmare's Eve."
The author's nonfiction works include "Fresno Growing Up" and "Martinsville Memories" (history and nostalgia); "Highway 99: The History of California's Main Street" and "Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real (Americana and travel); "Yesterday's Highways" (Americana and travel); "A Whole Different League" (sports history); "The Legend of Molly Bolin" (sports biography); "Media Meltdown," "Political Psychosis" and "Jesus, You're Fired!" (commentary); "Please Stop Saying That! (humor, commentary); and "50 Undefeated" (history and inspiration).
His survey of American middle-sized cities and small towns, the Century Cities series, includes five titles so far: "Fresno Century," "San Luis Obispo Century," "Cambria Century," "Roanoke Century," and "Danville Century."
His extensive survey of ancient history, fable and mythology is contained in his Phoenix series of books.
His works of fiction include "The Talismans of Time" and its sequel, "Pathfinder of Destiny"; the fantasy novels "Memortality" and its sequel, "Paralucidity"; the young adult science fiction adventure "Identity Break"; the novellas "The Only Dragon" and "Death's Doorstep"; and the "Twilight Zone"-inspired collection of short stories and dark poetry titled "Nightmare's Eve."
The author's nonfiction works include "Fresno Growing Up" and "Martinsville Memories" (history and nostalgia); "Highway 99: The History of California's Main Street" and "Highway 101: The History of El Camino Real (Americana and travel); "Yesterday's Highways" (Americana and travel); "A Whole Different League" (sports history); "The Legend of Molly Bolin" (sports biography); "Media Meltdown," "Political Psychosis" and "Jesus, You're Fired!" (commentary); "Please Stop Saying That! (humor, commentary); and "50 Undefeated" (history and inspiration).
His survey of American middle-sized cities and small towns, the Century Cities series, includes five titles so far: "Fresno Century," "San Luis Obispo Century," "Cambria Century," "Roanoke Century," and "Danville Century."
His extensive survey of ancient history, fable and mythology is contained in his Phoenix series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 6, 2018
I was in the promotional blog tour for this book!
Nightmare’s Eve really appealed to me for the following reasons. First, I really like reading horror stories (as well as writing my own horror stories!) so, to see a collection of them available to read interested me. Next, the variety that was on offer such as the mix of poetry and prose. Since I do prefer to read poetry in collections, it was the poems here in this collection that struck a chord with me. I’m going to save reading the stories for around October time as it does make for quick Halloween fun! All of the plotlines were creative, spooky and spine-tingling. Looking for something quick but very scary? Stop by this one!
Nightmare’s Eve really appealed to me for the following reasons. First, I really like reading horror stories (as well as writing my own horror stories!) so, to see a collection of them available to read interested me. Next, the variety that was on offer such as the mix of poetry and prose. Since I do prefer to read poetry in collections, it was the poems here in this collection that struck a chord with me. I’m going to save reading the stories for around October time as it does make for quick Halloween fun! All of the plotlines were creative, spooky and spine-tingling. Looking for something quick but very scary? Stop by this one!
June 15, 2018
If you are a fan of things like “Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits” as I am, this is a great short story collection for you!
I unfortunately don’t have much to say about it as, if you have seen these shows, it’s all about the surprise, so I won’t go into great detail, but the message of many of the stories seems to be Human fallacy (my favourite subject!! Just let me put my tinfoil hat in first!! 😂) . Do we put too much reliance on material goods, Religion, our own mortality? Do we have too much of a “sheep mentality” ? What are our lives worth, really? The messages of these stories are very thought provoking, and they are told in a very entertaining fashion!
My one complaint would be that a couple of the stories went on a little too long after the big reveal. I was hoping for the big “but THIS is what is REALLY going on!!” and done, so you’re left with a surprise. There were a couple that were more “but THIS is what is REALLY going on!” *gasp*….. And then there’s more. It almost ruins that climactic moment. There wasn’t the gasp, No way! Done. That I had hoped for.
In saying that, I would still definitely recommend this book for someone looking for a little mind bending nostalgia!
I unfortunately don’t have much to say about it as, if you have seen these shows, it’s all about the surprise, so I won’t go into great detail, but the message of many of the stories seems to be Human fallacy (my favourite subject!! Just let me put my tinfoil hat in first!! 😂) . Do we put too much reliance on material goods, Religion, our own mortality? Do we have too much of a “sheep mentality” ? What are our lives worth, really? The messages of these stories are very thought provoking, and they are told in a very entertaining fashion!
My one complaint would be that a couple of the stories went on a little too long after the big reveal. I was hoping for the big “but THIS is what is REALLY going on!!” and done, so you’re left with a surprise. There were a couple that were more “but THIS is what is REALLY going on!” *gasp*….. And then there’s more. It almost ruins that climactic moment. There wasn’t the gasp, No way! Done. That I had hoped for.
In saying that, I would still definitely recommend this book for someone looking for a little mind bending nostalgia!
June 6, 2018
The first word that comes to mind after reading this awesome collection of horror poems and stories written for Young Adults, is WOW.
Not only will you be entertained by reading this book, you will also be challenged. How could you be challenged by a work of fiction? The answer to that lies in the way the stories and poems are told.
Readers are challenged to look inside themselves and to determine what they would do if placed in the character's shoes.
I love this type of book. I especially love it when it is written for Young Adults. It forces the reader to REALLY think about what actions they might take and what the consequences of those actions could be.
I rate NIGHTMARE'S EVE as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
** Thanks you to XPRESSO BOOK TOURS for providing me with a free copy of this book. **
Not only will you be entertained by reading this book, you will also be challenged. How could you be challenged by a work of fiction? The answer to that lies in the way the stories and poems are told.
Readers are challenged to look inside themselves and to determine what they would do if placed in the character's shoes.
I love this type of book. I especially love it when it is written for Young Adults. It forces the reader to REALLY think about what actions they might take and what the consequences of those actions could be.
I rate NIGHTMARE'S EVE as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
** Thanks you to XPRESSO BOOK TOURS for providing me with a free copy of this book. **
June 9, 2018
This is a collection of sixteen stories and ten poems centered mostly on the themes of nightmares and death. They cover various genres, including time travel, science fiction, paranormal, and fairy tales. Some are contemporary, while others are futuristic, historical, medieval, or gothic. So, something for everyone. Each piece is accompanied by a beautiful black and white illustration that gives the whole volume a vintage feel and makes me want to own the paperback version of this book. While some of the stories are a bit predictable, they are all well-written, although there are some editing errors and one major continuity issue (the armchair in “Virulent”).
Stories:
In “A Deal in the Dark”, strange things happen to Jen in the dark. Is her brother behind it all or is it something more sinister?
In “Will to Live”, a man is stuck in a recurring nightmare.
“Just the Ticket” shows us that you should never make a bargain with the devil.
“Turn Left on Dover”: What would you do if you could go back in time?
In “Mama”, we are left to wonder if the pendulum’s predictions will come true.
“Breaking the Cycle”: How far would you go to end the nightmares?
In “Virulent”, there is a virus on Mars, but not the type you might expect.
In “Anatomy of a Vampire”, a group of anatomy students gets an unusual anatomy lesson.
“The Ends of the Earth”: What happens when you build a wall to keep someone out of your town?
“The Howl and the Purr”: How are cats and dogs involved in an alien invasion?
“Teeth”: What’s worse: the nightmares or the cure?
“The Faithful Dog” is a cautionary tale about seeing what you want to see, regardless of the truth.
“Lamp Unto My Fate”: What would you wish for if you freed a genie?
After reading “Nightmare’s Eve”, you’ll never look at Santa the same way again.
“Stranger Than Fiction”: What would happen if everything you wrote came true?
In “George & the Dragon: The Untold Story”, a young man uncovers his family history.
Poetry:
“Certitude”: Only one thing is certain in life: death.
“Lost Soliloquy”: What thoughts might run through the mind of a dead man?
“Unwound” is about hiding your true feelings.
“Upon Reflection” takes a look at the role of mirrors in fairy tales.
“Merlin’s Lament” is about the May Day massacre of Arthurian legend.
In “Bleed Not”, a woman murders her lover.
In “Lost at Sea”, a man is trapped alone on board his ship, a prison of his own making.
“Torrent of Tears” deals with the struggle with mental illness.
“A Never-Setting Sun”: Would the nightmares come to an end if the sun never set?
“This Vale of Dreams” takes a look at the world of dreams.
My favorites: “Will to Live”, “Mama”, “Nightmare’s Eve”, “George & the Dragon”.
Warnings: coarse language, horror, violence.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
Stories:
In “A Deal in the Dark”, strange things happen to Jen in the dark. Is her brother behind it all or is it something more sinister?
In “Will to Live”, a man is stuck in a recurring nightmare.
“Just the Ticket” shows us that you should never make a bargain with the devil.
“Turn Left on Dover”: What would you do if you could go back in time?
In “Mama”, we are left to wonder if the pendulum’s predictions will come true.
“Breaking the Cycle”: How far would you go to end the nightmares?
In “Virulent”, there is a virus on Mars, but not the type you might expect.
In “Anatomy of a Vampire”, a group of anatomy students gets an unusual anatomy lesson.
“The Ends of the Earth”: What happens when you build a wall to keep someone out of your town?
“The Howl and the Purr”: How are cats and dogs involved in an alien invasion?
“Teeth”: What’s worse: the nightmares or the cure?
“The Faithful Dog” is a cautionary tale about seeing what you want to see, regardless of the truth.
“Lamp Unto My Fate”: What would you wish for if you freed a genie?
After reading “Nightmare’s Eve”, you’ll never look at Santa the same way again.
“Stranger Than Fiction”: What would happen if everything you wrote came true?
In “George & the Dragon: The Untold Story”, a young man uncovers his family history.
Poetry:
“Certitude”: Only one thing is certain in life: death.
“Lost Soliloquy”: What thoughts might run through the mind of a dead man?
“Unwound” is about hiding your true feelings.
“Upon Reflection” takes a look at the role of mirrors in fairy tales.
“Merlin’s Lament” is about the May Day massacre of Arthurian legend.
In “Bleed Not”, a woman murders her lover.
In “Lost at Sea”, a man is trapped alone on board his ship, a prison of his own making.
“Torrent of Tears” deals with the struggle with mental illness.
“A Never-Setting Sun”: Would the nightmares come to an end if the sun never set?
“This Vale of Dreams” takes a look at the world of dreams.
My favorites: “Will to Live”, “Mama”, “Nightmare’s Eve”, “George & the Dragon”.
Warnings: coarse language, horror, violence.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
June 5, 2018
Now here is a collection you don’t read every day. Twisted tales that not only give you shivers but also make you rethink a thing or two.
A collection of 16 short stories and 10 poems that explore several themes going from space exploration, time travel to mythology and supernatural events that will make you sleep with the lights on. If you found yourself stuck in a shoe sized-box for eight centuries, what would your plan be to escape? A parasite that enjoys your nightmares, how far would you go to get rid of it? If you had the choice between sparing or killing a creature, what would you choose? Is the darkness between reality and the dream world real? What if it’s out to get you?
First, I must say, the introduction is chilling to the bone and beautifully written. I got hooked on the book right from the beginning. There are certain short stories that spoke more to me than others, and some of them are:
• A Deal in the Dark is a reminder to be careful about what you wish for and to whom you make it to;
• Just the Ticket gives a whole new meaning to “The Devil is in the detail”. Like it happens in our daily life, read contracts with attention and read the small letters carefully. You never know when you’re being tricked, and the price of falling for it;
• Breaking the Cycle brings out the fear of closed spaces that took my breath away and made me stopped reading for a few moments. For claustrophobics, this one is a killer, literally.
• Nightmare’s Eve, good boys get gifts on Christmas, naughty boys get… a very different present-bringer. Where did the good Santa go? Was he ever good to begin with? He does look a bit pale there. A great, creative twist to your usually happy Christmas tale!
Certain poems kept replaying in my mind, even days after reading them the first time. Unwound, Upon Reflection, Merlin’s Lament, Lost at Sea, A Never-Setting Sun, talk about loss, the truth behind a mirrors reflection and the nostalgia of lost moments and memories. I found them to be touching and melancholic. I think Stephen Provost uses prose to explore his imagination and poetry to express feelings that he couldn’t express quite as well as writing about them. But then again, this is my own interpretation.
The style of writing is amazing. Stephen Provost is a master with words both in verse and in poetry; it’s like music written with words instead of music notes. It seems like there’s an influence of the gothic style in his writing in all his works which brings out a feeling of melancholy.
I recommend this novel to the fans of short-stories and of stories and poems that drift between genres.
A collection of 16 short stories and 10 poems that explore several themes going from space exploration, time travel to mythology and supernatural events that will make you sleep with the lights on. If you found yourself stuck in a shoe sized-box for eight centuries, what would your plan be to escape? A parasite that enjoys your nightmares, how far would you go to get rid of it? If you had the choice between sparing or killing a creature, what would you choose? Is the darkness between reality and the dream world real? What if it’s out to get you?
First, I must say, the introduction is chilling to the bone and beautifully written. I got hooked on the book right from the beginning. There are certain short stories that spoke more to me than others, and some of them are:
• A Deal in the Dark is a reminder to be careful about what you wish for and to whom you make it to;
• Just the Ticket gives a whole new meaning to “The Devil is in the detail”. Like it happens in our daily life, read contracts with attention and read the small letters carefully. You never know when you’re being tricked, and the price of falling for it;
• Breaking the Cycle brings out the fear of closed spaces that took my breath away and made me stopped reading for a few moments. For claustrophobics, this one is a killer, literally.
• Nightmare’s Eve, good boys get gifts on Christmas, naughty boys get… a very different present-bringer. Where did the good Santa go? Was he ever good to begin with? He does look a bit pale there. A great, creative twist to your usually happy Christmas tale!
Certain poems kept replaying in my mind, even days after reading them the first time. Unwound, Upon Reflection, Merlin’s Lament, Lost at Sea, A Never-Setting Sun, talk about loss, the truth behind a mirrors reflection and the nostalgia of lost moments and memories. I found them to be touching and melancholic. I think Stephen Provost uses prose to explore his imagination and poetry to express feelings that he couldn’t express quite as well as writing about them. But then again, this is my own interpretation.
The style of writing is amazing. Stephen Provost is a master with words both in verse and in poetry; it’s like music written with words instead of music notes. It seems like there’s an influence of the gothic style in his writing in all his works which brings out a feeling of melancholy.
I recommend this novel to the fans of short-stories and of stories and poems that drift between genres.
December 20, 2018
Stephen H. Provost created a beautiful book. The cover art is striking and the stories and poetry finely crafted. Do not mistake his conversational tone for a light read. Provost wields his pen with a psychological subtlety that is effective and lasting, tackling issues such as molestation and mortality, issues we all are affected by or know have affected someone we love. I really enjoyed this book. If you're looking for horror of a different kind other than monsters creeping under the stairs, get this one!
June 5, 2018
Wow. Each story is different and so good. And each make you wonder and think hmm. I don't really have a favorite story in this collection. Because I like them all. The last one about the dragon was like dang that is crazy. I can't wait to read more from this author. It's like the author creates something new and awesome with every story.
April 5, 2018
Nightmares Eve is a dream come true.. I received my book April 1
Since it was Easter I couldn't start reading it.
From the minute I peeked inside I couldn't put it it down. Stephen's stories were delicious like soft sweet chocolate melting into my soul.
I loved it and recomend it to everyone who can truly appreciate the Authors innate talent to entice and intrigue their taste buds with one of the best books I've ever read <3
Since it was Easter I couldn't start reading it.
From the minute I peeked inside I couldn't put it it down. Stephen's stories were delicious like soft sweet chocolate melting into my soul.
I loved it and recomend it to everyone who can truly appreciate the Authors innate talent to entice and intrigue their taste buds with one of the best books I've ever read <3
March 3, 2018
Man, these stories are not only spooky, they make you think, too. Some of them make you feel really sorry for the main character.
The poems just make you want to cry.
The poems just make you want to cry.
June 25, 2018
Nightmare’s Eve by Stephen H Provost is an intriguing collection of poems and short stories focusing on the darker side of life. From waking nightmares, and death, to the haunting madness of the human psyche, these stories and poems run a gamut. There are tales set in the modern or near modern world, tales from the ancient past, and tales of the future, each perfectly tailored for the era it represents.
I read this book within a day or two. I can be pretty picky with short stories, but I loved this collection. To me, the whole thing had a very Edgar Allan Poe feel, especially with the poems. My favourite story, though, reminded me of Stephen King's Needful Things. 'Just the Ticket’ is about the price you pay for what you think you really need. An offer to be sent into the future to snag winning lottery numbers sounds pretty sweet, right? Especially at the seemingly impossible ‘cost’ of three years of your life. Problem is, none of us really knows how many of those years we actually have allotted to us.
'Will to Live’ terrified me the most, bringing back memories of my earliest experiences of sleep paralysis. A feeling of darkness, and immobility, free of the expected weight of my body. ‘Fighting’, such as it is, only heightens the fear, and reinforces the immobility. Nowadays, should I have it, I allow myself to drift back to sleep. I know I'll wake. Never waking from that sort of state? I think it'd drive a soul mad quite quickly. 'Virulent’ really spoke to my own beliefs regarding the insidious nature of religious doctrine and dogma. They weren't all depressing though. Some, like 'Turn Left at Dover’, ended on a happier note.
Perfect for fans of Edgar Allan Poe's works, or shows like The Twilight Zone.
***Many thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I read this book within a day or two. I can be pretty picky with short stories, but I loved this collection. To me, the whole thing had a very Edgar Allan Poe feel, especially with the poems. My favourite story, though, reminded me of Stephen King's Needful Things. 'Just the Ticket’ is about the price you pay for what you think you really need. An offer to be sent into the future to snag winning lottery numbers sounds pretty sweet, right? Especially at the seemingly impossible ‘cost’ of three years of your life. Problem is, none of us really knows how many of those years we actually have allotted to us.
'Will to Live’ terrified me the most, bringing back memories of my earliest experiences of sleep paralysis. A feeling of darkness, and immobility, free of the expected weight of my body. ‘Fighting’, such as it is, only heightens the fear, and reinforces the immobility. Nowadays, should I have it, I allow myself to drift back to sleep. I know I'll wake. Never waking from that sort of state? I think it'd drive a soul mad quite quickly. 'Virulent’ really spoke to my own beliefs regarding the insidious nature of religious doctrine and dogma. They weren't all depressing though. Some, like 'Turn Left at Dover’, ended on a happier note.
Perfect for fans of Edgar Allan Poe's works, or shows like The Twilight Zone.
***Many thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 31, 2018
As an avid reader of Neil Gaiman, Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe, I appreciated Nightmare's Eve.
The book is structured in such a way that it reads easily for those wanting to get their feet wet in the worlds of horror the author weaves together.
I specifically appreciated the mix of short stories as it gave enough of a plot to instill a sense of spine-tingling thrill but allowed me to move on to something written completely different. I especially loved the poem written about a corpse as though he were watching his own decay. The imagery here alone was beyond amazing.
My criticism would be I wanted to feel more terror. More suspense. I felt the spine-tingling in some of the prose but in others it didn't quite reach the expectations I was looking for. There was almost a lack of inconsistency.
However! I did enjoy this book and loved the change of pace from recent reads. Really well written book, very imaginative and worth picking up.
Fans of Twilight Zone, Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe or dark poetry and short stories will love this book.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The book is structured in such a way that it reads easily for those wanting to get their feet wet in the worlds of horror the author weaves together.
I specifically appreciated the mix of short stories as it gave enough of a plot to instill a sense of spine-tingling thrill but allowed me to move on to something written completely different. I especially loved the poem written about a corpse as though he were watching his own decay. The imagery here alone was beyond amazing.
My criticism would be I wanted to feel more terror. More suspense. I felt the spine-tingling in some of the prose but in others it didn't quite reach the expectations I was looking for. There was almost a lack of inconsistency.
However! I did enjoy this book and loved the change of pace from recent reads. Really well written book, very imaginative and worth picking up.
Fans of Twilight Zone, Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe or dark poetry and short stories will love this book.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2021
I absolutely adored this book. As a lifelong Stephen King and Dean Koontz fan, I take my horror reading seriously. Also as a fan of The Twilight Zone and Richard Matheson who wrote many of the best stories for that show, I also have a critical eye for those trying to write suspenseful stories delving into the pit of man's fears. In this book, you will find horror, science fiction, the paranormal and psychological terror. You will even find some stories of love interwoven into these terrifying tales. I highly recommend Turn Left on Dover, Virulent, The Howl and the Purr and Teeth. Anyone who loves dark holiday legends like Krampus or Frau Perchta will love the story Nightmare's Eve. If you are a fan of twists in stories, then you will love Stanger Than Fiction. This is a must read, and I can't recommend it enough.
November 25, 2018
A 254 page collection of short stories and poems in the Twilight Zone theme.
Stephen H. Provost provided some heart thumping stories that nightmares are made of. Each one of the stories would wake you up sweating if they were real. Vampires, dragons and other creatures including a rather unusual Santa Claus occupy the pages of this hard-to-set-down novel.
A variety of wide-ranging topics has made this novel appealing. Loved it
Stephen H. Provost provided some heart thumping stories that nightmares are made of. Each one of the stories would wake you up sweating if they were real. Vampires, dragons and other creatures including a rather unusual Santa Claus occupy the pages of this hard-to-set-down novel.
A variety of wide-ranging topics has made this novel appealing. Loved it
June 8, 2018
Review coming soon!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews