I have to start this review with the statement that this book was nowhere near what I expected. It was sent to me to review as a horror novel but, it’s much than that.  I was aware it would possibly have some erotica in it and though I’m not a fan of erotica, I gave it a shot.  Although I didn’t care for the actual content really, I thought the book as very well written.  It was a quick read.  And if I were into reading erotica mixed with horror this would probably be something I would rave over.  But, I will warn you, one has to have an open mind when approaching something like this.
 
Here’s the blurb on the back cover:
 
The book is set in city of Boston that is infected with zombies, roaming the streets and seeking human flesh—not to eat but to use as sexual servants. 
 
Mattie, one of the tribe, wants out. She’ll do anything—manipulate, cheat, lie—to get what she needs to break free from the sex cult. Hayden Thomas, a tabloid reporter, and wonderkid, knows firsthand how cruel and consuming Mattie can be. Book smart, a good writer, and willing to do anything to get the story that will take his career to the next level, he’s made some depraved enemies. 
 
“This is contemporary pulp horror that harkens back to the over-the-top Tales from the Crypt stories with a knowing wink to the present. I love that it’s set in the world of exploitive tabloid journalism!”
 
In a city that thrives on scandal and conspiracy, nothing is a coincidence.  Beware: once you’re in, you’re in.
 
For example: In the book there are zombies that turn humans into sex slave zombies, like toys or playthings, to service the master when beckoned and become invisible when the master has finished with them.  This applies to all of the slaves.  The master is a male but still takes female AND male sex slaves.  
 
Now, the sexual encounters described in this novel are not overdone, over exploited and fit the story in a fantastic manner.  It’s not like the detail is SO specific that it takes over the book but, it IS specific enough that it definitely has an impact.
 
If you are not a modern, forward thinker, don’t even bother with this book.
 
But, if you don’t mind the erotica and you like zombie stories, this one will be a nice fresh read for you.  The zombies have a more mystical and almost vampire-like essence, in the way they gather, the behaviors, the ownership of others below them…others they’ve turned. 
 
I enjoyed the magical and mystical aspect.  The zombies in charge are fantastic manipulators and eerily display an ability to use every bit of their sexuality and sensuality to get whatever they want. 
 
But, more importantly, the rest of the story was really good.  So, THAT part I DID enjoy.  AND Drake is a great writer, I can’t dispute that.  I thought the story itself was very thrilling and entertaining.  A good horror story.  Like I said though, it just wasn’t my thing.  I’m also not going to hold my my disinterest in erotic novels cloud the fact that this was a good book.  Even if it wasn’t my taste.  I try to be as objective as possible.  However, since I am a little conflicted, I’m not going to give a general target recommendation on this one.  You’ve read the review.  I’ve included the blurb.  You can decide for yourselves.
 
RATINGS
4/5 Stars
 
About the author:

Isabelle Drake got her start writing confession stories for pulp magazines like True Confessions and True Love. Since publishing those first few stories she has written in multiple genres, earned and MFA in Creative Writing and became an English & Writing Professor.
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When away from her keyboard, she watches films, especially classic noir, horror and romance, and reads (of course). An avid traveler, she'll go just about anywhere--at least once--to meet people and get ideas. 
 
Get your copy at the link below:
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Isabelle-Drake/e/B002TD2YPK
 
Find Isabelle Drake on her social media sites below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Isabelle-Drake/262135373800722
Website: www.isabelledrake.com        
Instagram: http://instagram.com/isabelledrake/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/isabelledrake
Tumblr: http://isabelledrake.tumblr.com/
 

This is a short novella from Poage rather than a collection of short stories.  This was longer, more detailed and had a lot of suspenseful and intense moments.  Poage really hit the ball out of the park with this one.  I do hope he continues to write some more in this novella format.
 
Bradley Poage is a fantastic horror story writer.  It reads as if it were his passion.  He is so creative and inventive with his stories that not one is the same as another.
 
This particular story is about a young woman named Danica.  Danica has recently developed a debilitating bout of insomnia.  Sleep deprivation can cause horrible reactions.  People hallucinate, they can hear things that aren’t there, they can develop paranoia and sometimes even become violent.
 
See, sleep is nature’s way of resetting the brain.  The brain is basically the CPU for the whole body.  Sleeping is like shutting down the CPU so it can cool down and rest its inner working parts.  It’s also a way for the brain to “reboot”.  If it doesn’t get a chance to do this there can be dire consequences.  Some people finally just pass out, some lose touch with reality completely and go crazy and some…well, some die.
 
Danica has had sleep problems before but, she thought she had gotten it under control.  Soon, we find out that things become very complicated as mysterious voicemails full of horrible sounds keep getting sent to Danica’s phone.  She has no idea who they are from or how they got to her but, it scares her something fierce.
 
Soon, Danica starts getting pieces of flashbacks and her gut keeps telling her something is wrong.
 
Will Danica determine the source of these menacing voicemails?  Will she find out what they mean?  Is there any hope for her to find help again?
 
You’ll have to get your own copy and find out.  But I guarantee, you won’t be disappointed.  This story could go right up there with a Twilight Zone kind of feel, it’s that good.  I really hope you guys will check it out.  It’s only about fifty pages or so.  You should breeze right through it.
 
To purchase on Amazon, Kindle Edition please visit link below.  Don’t forget to check out the other goodreads Bradley Poage has to offer!!!
 
https://www.amazon.com/Bedtime-Tales-Horror-Bradley-Poage-ebook/dp/B075BWT4PZ
 
RATINGS
5/5 Stars

Here we have a fantastic crime novel.  The writer puts all of her years of experience and expertise into play for the completion of her first novel…and it’s a doozy.  The story is about a pathologist who works at a hospital.  Dr. Antoinette Day is known as Toni.  Toni runs into a hard wall of ethics when another doctor, Dr. Sally Shore comes on board the staff as a temporary surgeon while the regular surgeon recovers from a quadruple bypass.  
 
From the moment Dr. Shore arrives, Toni experiences problems with her.  Dr. Sally Shore is a real piece of work.  She thinks she’s the best the medical profession has to offer yet her capabilities and training seem to be from closer to the stone age of medicine. She is way behind on the use of up-to-date practices.  She is absolutely and inexplicably condescending and rude to anyone and everyone she comes into contact with.  She causes the dismissal of the hysto-tech in the lab, leaving Toni shorthanded.  After many disagreements and heated discussions, Toni goes to the medical staffing board and puts her foot down.  They are going to have to choose between Dr. Evil Witch and Toni.  Meanwhile, a “too good to be true” replacement hysto-tech shows up.  And there are some strange things about this gal. Toni starts uncovering secrets that had long since been buried.
 
That’s when things take a very dramatic and deadly turn for the worse.  Dr. Day finds Sally Shore dead in Day’s office.  This comes in the wake of an attack on the original hysto-tech, putting her in the hospital.  Once Shore turns up dead in Toni’s office, given all the trouble they’ve had with each other, Toni is immediately the prime suspect.  Now, she must race the police in a search for the truth to uncover the deadly deeds of a masterful criminal adversary.
 
THE END 
 
Because I have long had a passion for forensic science, I found this novel exceptionally interesting. The author perfectly constructs a dynamic mystery, thrilling and captivating the reader with every turn of the page. The medical terms and situations are as accurate as a professional of thirty-three years can relate them.  Therefore, the story has a very authentic feel.  But, make no mistake, the book is not full of technical medical jargon that makes no sense.  Although real terms and diagnoses are used, they are either briefly explained or used in a context where you can figure it out.  
 
The story is also smoothly written and flows with magnificent ease.  It was easy to get through this book once I finally got the chance to pick it up.  I was shocked that this was Bennett’s first novel as it seemed to just pour out of her so effortlessly.  With seamless transitions from chapter to chapter and gripping components, everything about this novel comes together like a perfect meal, from the mouthwatering starters to the decadent dessert.
 
I tore through this novel and found it a fantastic murder/crime thriller.  I’ve been getting more used to reading fiction but this one was particularly fascinating and entertaining. I think those who love forensic science will be drawn to this novel.  I also think those of you that like crime stories or murder mysteries will really dig this too.  It’s sure to be a fast read for anyone who picks it up.
 
RATINGS
 5/5 Stars