♥Donnie Darko Girl♥: Short Tales of Horror Part II by Regina Puckett ~ Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Short Tales of Horror Blog Tour hosted by My Family's Heart!

Title: Short Tales of Horror Part II

Author: Regina Puckett

Publication date: September 2nd 2014

Publisher: Punk & Sissy Publications

Genre: Horror

Length (pages): 77

Cover Artist: Ryan Jorgensen owns copyright on photo. Charity Parkerson put together the book cover.

Ours

While Sheriff Wilson has no idea what really transpired the night twelve people were murdered in the old mental hospital during what was supposed to be a simple night of ghost hunting, he was at the scene moments after the lone survivor committed suicide. Now it's a year later and a group of paranormal investigators want to set up a haunted house and invite the general public in that same abandoned mental hospital. How is he supposed to keep that many people safe from whoever or whatever killed the last group?

Silent Baby Screams

Gwen doesn't understand why her husband resents their newborn baby so much, but she never suspects that one day she'll return home from work to discover their baby boy has simply vanished. What happens next is the stuff of nightmares.

Lucky Thirteen

Thirteen black cats help keep watch over a bedridden, old lady. Sometimes the number thirteen is lucky but then again it might just depend on who you are.

Pay Back

There's nothing unusual about Jeremy waking up late for school, but on this particular morning something feels different. When he goes downstairs to face the music, he finds his grandmother waiting for him but no one else appears to be at home. Jeremy believes he's caught a lucky break and his mother and father won't get to know, but he soon discovers that not everything is as it seems. He finds he'll have to face up to his mistakes, though, and maybe even suffer a little payback himself.

Slimmer

Sandy loves her new boyfriend, but ever since they moved in together, Donald won't get off her back about how much she eats. When he offers her a new miracle diet pill, she decides to try one just to shut him up. Unfortunately, there are unexpected side effects that take them both by terrifying surprise.

Sam I Am

The morning after moving into her dream home with her young daughter and husband, Paige learns that the three story, 18th century house might be haunted. She then finds that her daughter has a new imaginary friend called Sam I Am. It isn't long before Paige's perfect home turns into a living nightmare.

These six stories found in Regina Puckett's Short Tales of Horror Part II chilled my very bones and had twisted endings that kept me guessing. There's all kinds of paranormal mischief going on here! I thought about which story is my favorite and quickly realized I can't choose - they're each frightening in their own way. It would be impossible to choose just one. I'll review each tale for you, and I promise there are absolutely no spoilers! :)

Ours

I love horror flicks where a group investigates haunted sites. "Ours" reminded me of one of my favorite horror movies, Grave Encounters, (which if you haven't seen, you really should and make sure you're watching it in complete darkness) but stands on its own and has an amazing ending.

Silent Baby Screams

I was a bit nervous to read this one - horror involving babies and small children can be difficult for me ever since I became a parent. I remember feeling reluctant to see Paranormal Activity 2 because I knew a baby boy was heavily focused on in the story, and my own son was about that same age at the time. This story was nothing like I thought it was going to be. The twist is pure genius.

Lucky Thirteen

This story was so surprising and full of dark humor, which I really appreciate. And don't we all have a cat lady living near us? After reading this, you may think differently about the cat lady living on your street.

Pay Back

I really enjoyed this story. You don't know what's going on at first, and when you begin putting the pieces together, you'll still be surprised. An excellent and well told story.

Slimmer

I hated the boyfriend in this story. He was a total douche. The ending was fantastic, and I read it a couple of times to savor it.

Sam I Am

A story also involving a young child, this one reminded me of Poltergeist. Regina, you had me at 18th century house - how could a house that old with that much history NOT be haunted??

My Rating:

Regina Puckett is an award nominated author for her short story, Balloon Wishes.

Concealed in My Heart is a Readers' Favorite Book Award Winner.

Claimed by Sin is nominated for 2014 Ellora's Cave Golden Ankh award.

Concealed in My Heart won runner-up in the international 2014 MARSocial Author of the Year Competition.

Borrowed Wings, has received the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

Memories won first place in the 1st WSBR International Poetry Contest. This poem may be found in her book of poetry, Tilting at Windmills and Words.

Slowly Drowning won second place in the 3rd WSBR International Poetry Contest. This poem may be found in her poetry book, My Words into the Beyond.

Sir Galahad Comes to the Rescue won third place in the 3rd WSBR International Poetry Contest. This poem may be found in her book of poetry, Ramblings and Dreams.

Her collection of poetry, Fireflies, won 2013 Turning Pages Poetry Book of the Year.

She writes sweet romances, horror, inspirational, picture books and poetry. There are several projects in various stages of completion and there are always characters and stories waiting for their chance to finally get out of her head and onto paper.