So here we are. The big four-oh. My 40th birthday is tomorrow, and I honestly don’t know how to feel about it.Part of me wants to wax lyrical about life and milestones and everything I’ve learned – to say something meaningful and reflective, the kind of thing people nod along with and say, “Yes, that … Continue reading Tomorrow I Turn 40 – And Honestly, I Still Can’t Believe It
⭐️ I really wanted to love this book. The concept of soldiers dropped into a jungle swarming with dinosaurs? That’s the kind of wild, pulpy setup I’m absolutely here for. On paper, Primitive War sounds like it should be a blast—tense, brutal, chaotic, full of suspense and prehistoric carnage. And to be fair, the idea … Continue reading Great Concept, But Poor Execution Dragged It Down
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So, The Troop by Nick Cutter. Where do I even start? I’ve had this book on my TBR shelf for a while, knowing vaguely that it was about a group of scouts stuck on an island with something... unnatural. However, I definitely underestimated just how visceral and intense this story would be. Let me … Continue reading A Gory, Gripping, Stomach-Churning Ride That’s Not For the Faint-Hearted
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker completely sank its claws into me from the first page. I’ve always loved horror with folklore at its core, but this took it to another level — eerie, brutal, and layered with real emotional weight. The story pulls no punches, exploring grief, … Continue reading Dark, unsettling, and beautifully written — and weirdly timed for me in the most fitting way possible
⭐⭐⭐ Little Jar of Teeth by A.L. Hatcher is an odd, eerie, and often intriguing collection of short horror stories that thrives on the strange and unsettling. It’s the kind of book that draws you in with its title alone — that perfect mix of creepy and curious — and for the most part, the … Continue reading Bite-Sized Chills with Mixed Results
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Never Flinch by Stephen King picks up where Holly left off, and it’s great to see Holly Gibney back in action—older, wearier, but still as sharp and stubborn as ever. This latest instalment doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of her previous outing, but it’s a solid, chilling continuation of her story, and Stephen … Continue reading Holly’s Still Standing: “Never Flinch” Brings Her Back With Bite
⭐⭐⭐ Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning is a fun, blood-splattered romp through familiar slasher territory, and for fans of the genre, there’s definitely something to enjoy here. It’s a modern take on the summer camp killer setup, complete with eerie woods, a group of people with dark secrets, and a masked murderer picking them … Continue reading All Slash, Not Much Substance
Today’s the day! My short horror story collection, Short Sharp Shock, is officially out in the wild. After months of writing, editing, and nervously waiting, it feels surreal to finally say it: my book is available to read right now!This collection has been a labour of love—and terror. Each story was crafted to deliver a … Continue reading Release Day: Short Sharp Shock is Here!
It feels surreal, but we're just one week away from the release of my latest book, Short Sharp Shock. This collection of short stories has been a long time in the making, and now, as the final countdown begins, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that brought me here. From the initial spark … Continue reading One Week Until Short Sharp Shock Launches!
As I near the end of editing my current book, a short story collection, the familiar feelings of excitement and anxiety have started to creep in. After months of working through drafts and revisions, the finish line is finally in sight, but that also means it’s time to think about the next step: publishing. Every … Continue reading The Journey from Manuscript to Published Book: My Self-Publishing Experience
Gareth Ellis - Author 