Rating: Summary: A secret look into the world of witches past and present! Review: "Bell, Book, & Beyond is an anthology of witch tales. Chilling and provocative stories that allow the reader a glimpse inside the world of witches past and present.Do witches really exsit? Or perhaps the 'Real Magic' in witchcraft may be our own belief that some little part of sorcery is at work around us. A new voice in terror (twenty-one) new writers weave their own spells over the reader with their tales of witchcraft. A peek into the secret world of witches from yesteryear to the present. "Hattie's Head" by Kelli Camphell, (my favorite story in this book) is a deliciously eerie tale that will no doubt remind young teens during their sleep-over parties the spirit of a witch could be summoned by saying her name three times while looking in the bathroom mirror. "Bell, Book, & Beyond," is a wonderful collection of stories that will frighten and delight the reader for hours on end.
Rating: Summary: Spellbinding Review: A spellbinding collection of stories. This book contains some very distinctive new voices with a wide variety of tales to tell. Although all of the contributions are witchy in nature, they range from the humorous (the laugh-out-loud "That Old Black Magic" by John R. Platt) to the truly terrifying (Kelli Campbell's hair-raising "Hattie's Head"...my personal favorite). Every story in this anthology of terrors is well worth the read.
Rating: Summary: Spellbinding Review: A spellbinding collection of stories. This book contains some very distinctive new voices with a wide variety of tales to tell. Although all of the contributions are witchy in nature, they range from the humorous (the laugh-out-loud "That Old Black Magic" by John R. Platt) to the truly terrifying (Kelli Campbell's hair-raising "Hattie's Head"...my personal favorite). Every story in this anthology of terrors is well worth the read.
Rating: Summary: Debuts over twenty new talents Review: Bell, Book & Beyond debuts over twenty new talents who feature tales of witchcraft, from comic scenes to witches dark and brooding. Readers interested in fiction stories of witches will find this an involving, revealing guides which will prove hard to put down. S.P. Somertow provides an foreword.
Rating: Summary: An exercise in publishing Review: Collection of stories by new writers. And it's an interesting mix at that. You'll find everything from spoofy humor, spooky scenery, and spinning plot twisters, with a familiar theme, that of witchcraft. Mainly, though, it's an interesting look at 'solid' short story writing compiled by an influencial and distinguished person in the horror industry. Which means, basically, a snapshot of the level of work being published. The introduction is from the publishing house, and the subject is selling your first piece of fiction. Pretty much saying, look, this book won't blow you away, but this is what is considered good enough, and let's take some time to celebrate new writers coming into the scene. I think buying this book with as much enthusiasm as the other reviews here might ruin the experience. These stories aren't the cream of the cream; they're not memorable. But they are an interesting, casual read which can take an amount of time: Since the stories are so different from one another, reading them all at once leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Rating: Summary: Hattie's Head Review: Hattie's Head was very crafty, weaving suspense with humor, and the present with the past. The last sentence tied it all up in a neat little package and left me dumbfounded! I felt as though I were beside the boys on their hunt for Hattie. Kelli Campbell told the story so cleverly that I could see everything clearly and isn't that what a good writer does? They let you "see" what you read. I'm anxiously looking forward to more of this writers' stories in the future. She's on her way to success as a well known Horror Writer.
Rating: Summary: Hattie's Head Review: Hattie's Head was very crafty, weaving suspense with humor, and the present with the past. The last sentence tied it all up in a neat little package and left me dumbfounded! I felt as though I were beside the boys on their hunt for Hattie. Kelli Campbell told the story so cleverly that I could see everything clearly and isn't that what a good writer does? They let you "see" what you read. I'm anxiously looking forward to more of this writers' stories in the future. She's on her way to success as a well known Horror Writer.
Rating: Summary: Witch lovers are going to love this great anthology Review: The Horror Writers Association (known for the Stroker Award) had twenty-one affiliate members (new authors with a limited published résumé) contribute a short story centering on witches and their ilk. The tales take place in a variety of locales including common mundane venues like suburbia (the next election, pundits will follow the suburban witch crowd). The tales are all well written though some seem more magical. Readers will enjoy this often-frightening yet somewhat satirical collection. BELL, BOOK, & BEYOND provides a glimpse of future ?kings and queens? of the genre, but in an entertaining way. With no weak contribution, genre fans will obtain a taste of the destined in this witchcrafty anthology. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: Witch lovers are going to love this great anthology Review: The Horror Writers Association (known for the Stroker Award) had twenty-one affiliate members (new authors with a limited published résumé) contribute a short story centering on witches and their ilk. The tales take place in a variety of locales including common mundane venues like suburbia (the next election, pundits will follow the suburban witch crowd). The tales are all well written though some seem more magical. Readers will enjoy this often-frightening yet somewhat satirical collection. BELL, BOOK, & BEYOND provides a glimpse of future ?kings and queens? of the genre, but in an entertaining way. With no weak contribution, genre fans will obtain a taste of the destined in this witchcrafty anthology. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: Outstanding!! Review: What a great book! The Horror Writers Association has given horror fans a wonderful taste of the up and coming talent (fresh blood, yum!), and these 21 authors have great futures. And how refreshing to read an anthology whose stories were chosen for the STORY and not the "big name" authors. They were all entertaining, but like most anthologies, a few stood above the rest. "The Child's Tale" was written by Carole Nomarhas in a unique voice with an almost lyrical, old-world style that worked very well; a beautiful read with an ending that proves there's always more than one side to a story. "As Promised" by Walt Jarvis was a little predictable, but good old-fashioned horror-fun and I loved the story. "That Old Black Magic" by John R. Platt was fun, clever, and humorous enough to make me laugh out loud, and his reader-friendly writing style immediately draws you into the story. "Trailertrash Annie" by Peter N. Dudar was a great story, although with a sad ending, and I love that title! "Hattie's Head" by Kelli Campbell was by far the scariest and most suspenseful, with an ending I would never have guessed--almost felt like the author was saying "gotcha!" after I read the very last sentence, it was that good, plus, again, I love that title! And "La Bete Est Morte" by Nicholas Kaufmann flat out gave me chills and I loved the story's background story. All these tales are worth reading, but I thought these 6 were the standouts, written by the authors to watch! Overall, a must-have for any horror fan, and far more entertaining than most of the "big name" anthologies I've read over the years. P.D. Cacek is to be commended for her story selections, and she and her authors should be proud! The talent shown by these "affiliate members" of the Horror Writers Association shines as brightly as any "professional." And lastly, what a gorgeous cover! When I ordered this book from Amazon, there was no cover pictured. Great stories by talented authors, and a killer cover, too! I hope to see more books like this from the HWA!
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