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Deviations from the Norm
Vampires, time machines, deals with the devil – all classic genre tropes familiar to readers. With DEVIATIONS FROM THE NORM, Mark Allan Gunnells delivers three novellas that offer up these tropes with fresh and original twists, making the familiar new again.
In “The Unholy Eucharist,” a stranger visits a priest with a strange confession, providing a shocking origin story for the vampire legend that takes readers back to Biblical times and then forward throughout history, weaving a tale that is both epic and deeply personal.
In “Kronoz,” a brilliant scientist has broken the barriers of time and found a way to travel into the past. Before going public with his discovery, he will use it to first go back in time to right a terrible wrong and save someone close to him. But will saving her mean destroying his own future?
In “The Price of Success,” a frustrated writer grows jealous of his friend’s literary triumphs. During a night of drunken bitterness, he makes a deal with a devilish entity to change his friend’s fate as well as his own. However, this deal has unforeseen consequences.
Step into these three worlds with Gunnells, allow him to surprise and delight you with his DEVIATIONS FROM THE NORM!
In “The Unholy Eucharist,” a stranger visits a priest with a strange confession, providing a shocking origin story for the vampire legend that takes readers back to Biblical times and then forward throughout history, weaving a tale that is both epic and deeply personal.
In “Kronoz,” a brilliant scientist has broken the barriers of time and found a way to travel into the past. Before going public with his discovery, he will use it to first go back in time to right a terrible wrong and save someone close to him. But will saving her mean destroying his own future?
In “The Price of Success,” a frustrated writer grows jealous of his friend’s literary triumphs. During a night of drunken bitterness, he makes a deal with a devilish entity to change his friend’s fate as well as his own. However, this deal has unforeseen consequences.
Step into these three worlds with Gunnells, allow him to surprise and delight you with his DEVIATIONS FROM THE NORM!
- GenresHorror
368 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2018
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2019
Wow! We get three longer stories here and not one of them was weak, as is often the case in short story collections. I love this author and his voice. He has a way of moving every story forward where you dont want to stop. There are surprises and even when things take a horrible turn everything always turns out like it should. Everything he writes feels right and i never leave dissappointed.
The first story The Unholy Eucharist is the longest. A vampire story that spans centuries. I loved the ending on this one.
Kronoz was amazing as well. I dont want to give too much away but its a story about someone oveecoming the odds in amazing ways and choices. Very emotional and loved the character.
The last story The Price of Success was my favorite. There were parts that i could visualize that scared me half to death. It was original. I absolutely loved it. There isnt enough good words to say.
Will definitly read more by this author every chance i get.
The first story The Unholy Eucharist is the longest. A vampire story that spans centuries. I loved the ending on this one.
Kronoz was amazing as well. I dont want to give too much away but its a story about someone oveecoming the odds in amazing ways and choices. Very emotional and loved the character.
The last story The Price of Success was my favorite. There were parts that i could visualize that scared me half to death. It was original. I absolutely loved it. There isnt enough good words to say.
Will definitly read more by this author every chance i get.
December 4, 2022
I'm a fan of Mark's books, and this one was so much fun to read. Twisted, disturbing, and well-written...I really enjoyed it!
I grew up in the Baptist church (Southern Baptist), and for reasons innumerable to write, I loved "The Unholy Eucharist." I'm a sucker for a vampire story and this one delivered over and over. If you like irreverent and scary fiction about vampires, read this one.
"Kronoz" was a surprising one. When I read, I am constantly trying to find the road to the end. I didn't have any idea where this one was going until it got there, and when it did, it hit me in the face. So disturbing and so interesting.
"The Price of Success" was also well-done. I think we all think about success and how our success impacts others. This story takes that thread to a whole new level. You'll enjoy this.
If you've read any of Mark's other work, you'll enjoy this. If you're a new reader, I think this is a great book to pick up to experience his prose.
I grew up in the Baptist church (Southern Baptist), and for reasons innumerable to write, I loved "The Unholy Eucharist." I'm a sucker for a vampire story and this one delivered over and over. If you like irreverent and scary fiction about vampires, read this one.
"Kronoz" was a surprising one. When I read, I am constantly trying to find the road to the end. I didn't have any idea where this one was going until it got there, and when it did, it hit me in the face. So disturbing and so interesting.
"The Price of Success" was also well-done. I think we all think about success and how our success impacts others. This story takes that thread to a whole new level. You'll enjoy this.
If you've read any of Mark's other work, you'll enjoy this. If you're a new reader, I think this is a great book to pick up to experience his prose.
December 20, 2018
Packaged as three novellas, these are wonderfully original takes on classic themes. The origin of vampires, the time travel paradox, and the deal with the devil are all retold in magnificent fashion. With a remarkable voice, all three tales are stunning, but I found the second to be the weakest. Still, I absolutely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews