Lovably Dead

by Lex Allen, Alex Eldrich

Caution - Several of the stories in the "Lovably Dead" collection contain explicit language and adult situations. Peripheral Vision - have you ever noticed a movement, just there, from the corner of your eye; but, when you turned to see it more clearly, it was gone? Most people have, and everyone shrugs it off as their mind playing tricks on them. There's nothing to worry about, nothing at all; or is there? Doctor Gavin’s Patient - among horror story characters and villains there are creatures that excite the sensual senses. These evil beings are sexier than vampires, cleaner and smarter than zombies and more human than werewolves, for one thing. Aside from that, I don't think horror writers have given them the respect they deserve. Reapers - one of my favorite, best remembered axioms states, "I don't know what I don't know." It kind of sums up the inexplicable; things that go bump in the night without apparent cause. People die and the examining doctors don't always know why; they won't admit it, but they really don't know. What happens to a dead person's soul? Is there really such a thing as a soul? Can it be bartered for, sold or stolen? Well, I don't know what I don't know, which makes this a possibility. Black Converse - won inclusion into a horror anthology that was never published a couple years ago, so I could hardly exclude the story here. I can't recall the name of the story that triggered me to write this one, but it was long ago and far away; and, really, only one similar detail of that story comes through in this one. If you are a long time reader of horror stories, you might notice that one instance of similarity (at the very end). The Solution - I know exactly where the idea for this story came from…Stephen King's, "The Long Walk"; 'nough said. Voodoo Vortex - People who have experienced an NDE (Near Death Experience) invariably talk about seeing themselves from a top to bottom viewpoint immediately following death, before being drawn into a brilliant white light. Strange that no one mentions what happens after that or the effects that magic could have on the event. Lovably Dead - a writer friend made mention, a few months ago, of a publisher that was looking for unique zombie stories. She never got around to mentioning the publisher's name and address, though. No harm done - I didn't ask. I think you'll find this one to be refreshingly unique. It's a bit long in comparison to the others in this collection, but - it's the title story!

Genres: Horror

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 14

About the author

Texas expatriate living in Germany where I spent most of my military and subsequent civil service career.

Official book reviewer for Reader's Favorite International Book Awards, author, and musician.

Reviews

[Keri Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though these stories are dark and gory they also have a ribbon of spunk and fun to keep the tone from becoming monotonous. I read through them a lot faster than I thought I would. I just finished the title story and was sad to see it was the last one. I’m not left dissatisfied, but I do feel a little like Oliver Twist wanting some more.

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror Short Stories for Mature Readers

Lex Allen, internationally acclaimed author of No Hell and No Heaven, demonstrates his versatility with Lovably Dead. The collection of horror stories includes Peripheral Vision, Doctor Gavin’s Patient, Reapers, Black Converse, The Solution, and Lovably Dead.

My favorite story is Doctor Gavin's Patient. Dr. Gavin is in a class by himself. He not only specializes in an unusual field, he has a special voice in his head. Dr. Gavin named his voice LF (you'll see the reason for initials when you read the story).

LF focuses on the earthy human pleasures. He is very…er…excited by Dr. Gavin's new patient. LF's theory is she's a succubus. And LF is shocked and appalled when Dr. Gavin wants to put the suck back into succubus, regardless of the cost.

Lex Allen creates believable characters living everyday lives. He weaves horror into his characters' lives with a deft hand. Then he takes the ordinary to the extraordinary, leaving the reader reeling and wondering what happened. The stories mesh to form the wonderful whole of Lovably Dead.

[Jan Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovably dead is a wonderful tribute to my favorite author, Stephen King. This is a book of ghoulish, short stories, worthy of the King (in the author world), but though, author, Lex Allen, mentions who his inspiration was, many times over the book, none of the stories reflect Stephen King’s books. Lex Allen has his own unique style of writing that makes these stories, gruesome and funny at the same time.

Each story picks a random occurrence that happens quite often to us, but which we dismiss as our imagination. The author has let his imagination run wild with these small but insignificant occurrences and built quite a plotline out of it. Before each story, he tells us how the idea originated and that adds to the story rather than takes away from it. The last story is pure devilry. Horror par excellence with a twist at the end! Loved the book!

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fine example of short stories done right.
The stories range from supernatural to real life horror that can actually happen without a paranormal presence.
There's a short in here very influenced by Stephen King's story about people walking until they quit and getting shot. I haven't read King in many years, but that didn't take away from the story. Even though I enjoyed this version, I don't think I would enjoy the King version.
The last story, the title story, was surprisingly my least fave, which I still kinda liked it. It was much longer than the others and I wonder if that's the correlation.
This is a new to me author that I'm glad I found in FBS BOH>

[Kristy Volchko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-pumping!

Oooh! Another fantastic read from Lex Allen, and this ghoulish collection is just as good as the cover & blurb promises! Each imaginative tale delivers a shot of delicious, (and at times, erotic) heart-pumping horror straight to your heart. I liked all the stories but my top favorites were ‘Doctor Gavin’s Patient, Voodoo Vortex, & Lovably Dead’. I bought this in October because I thought it’d be a good Halloween-time read (did not disappoint) and then I re-read again this past weekend. Plus, I really enjoy this author’s writing style. Five stars.

[Sahara Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like short stories with a blend of fantasy/horror, you will love this book. Lex Allen does a great job building his characters and scenes. You feel like you’re right in the mix of things. Out of the 5 stories, my favorites were Doctor Gavin’s Patient and Lovably Dead.
Doctor Gavin has a “voice” inside his head that the good Dr. has learned to live with. In comes a new patient seeking assistance. And of all things, a succubus. I loved the interplay between the three characters, as the succubus slowly wins her way over Dr. Gavin. And just when you think she wins, the “voice” comes to the rescue. Very imaginative.
In Lovably Dead, my favorite part was how Lex Allen made the zombie, Julian so likable by giving him child-like behavior and mannerisms. And knowing that Julian is the “zombie”, you except him to be the villain. But not so fast. There’s dear, darling Kate, the fiancée. The things she has to go through to exact her revenge. I liked the twist at the end, but felt sad for poor Julian.
It’s hard to give a rating and review on a collection of short stories. Some you may love, some not so much. That’s kinda my problem. I wasn’t too thrilled with The Solution. And Reapers was okay, but I had to go back and refresh my memory on what the story was about. Overall, I will give my 4 feathers.

[Nicolas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the collection, overall, but a few of the stories felt too similar, and I would like to see the author handling more diverse characters. The women in the stories, especially, felt thin to me- in most of them, they were reduced to their sexuality, either by being sexual predators with comparatively shallow motivations, or by being present to be violated and killed, to further the story of the man telling it. It was a little uncomfortable to read.

It's pretty well written, aside from some problematic elements, but it would be much more enjoyable if the concepts handled more diverse viewpoints. The supporting characters could definitely use some more polish and depth. And the voodoo-practicing 'friend' in Lovably Dead is a bit cringeworthy, not just because aside from referring to that person as a friend, there's no indication he actually is the character's friend.
It wasn't quite my cup of tea, because some of these characterization issues, and the density of sexual assault stuff in the first few stories left a bad taste in my mouth. It's a fun collection, though, and I look forward to seeing more shorts from this author. It's tough writing a good short, and there's a lot of potential in these.

[L. Sommers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small collection of short horror stories was a great read. I liked the short introduction that was done before each story that gave me an idea of where the story came from. Each story was well written and the content flowed perfectly. Even though the stories were short a great deal of detail was given to describe what was going on. I was never left hanging. I will admit that goosebumps crept up on me a couple of times. I'd say my two favorite stories were Doctor Gavin's Patient and Peripheral Vision although, the other stories were done impeccably well too. This author has a brilliant imagination. I would recommend this book to my friends.

[Demelza Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written collection of horror tales that's definitely worth a read.

My favourite has to be Dr Gavin's Patient, and not just because I'm fascinated by succubi.

Each story is brilliantly written, more than a little creepy, and comes to a clever end.

Like with all short stories, I will voice my complaint that I'd have liked more...but only because they were so good.

[Beneath The Covers Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review can be found HERE --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~Lisa