we were told that he had so much fun making it with sponges. Jack o lanterns seem to have a lot of fun no matter how they are made, and I love how he called it.
It is that time of the year again where all of the trees are starting to turn colors. Yes I’m talking about fall and some people even call it autumn. It’s always wonderful having the cool breeze of fall coming to visit the hairs on your arm. A simple little chill that just makes you shake but fall also brings something that makes you shiver. Yes throughout late September on through October, even in the beginning of November, the haunted houses will welcome guests into their buildings and down their trails.
There are many different people that take part in this celebration of fun. And everybody’s reaction is a little different as the sounds, the scenes and even smells are encountered by the guests that have accepted the challenge of going through.
The real challenge that can be accepted is the challenge that is in front of the actors and the make up artist. After the people have made the scenes, the actors in make up artists are the ones that can bring life to the scene. A haunted house is truly another form of artistic talent . From the ones that draw out the blueprints to make the structures all the way down to the final touch of a little speckle of paint on a paradise that makes it look like bloody fingerprints.
Every piece has a place where every person has an opportunity to truly show their artwork.
It is now opening night and the speakers are playing. The sounds as the actors are warming up their voices in stretching their muscles. There is a true love that goes into this performance. Every owner is hoping that the guests will love the show and want to talk about the show to others, which in turn will possibly get others curious and want to see the show.
The artistic talents of a person that tells an actor to sit down in a chair can clearly only be seen in the light. But for a make up artist at a haunted house, they know that some of their masterpiece that they create every night on actors will not get the full applause of the guests due to the lack of light. They know what colors to use and what shapes they know how to put on the prosthetics. Some of them even make their own to create these beasts that hide in the darkness. It is truly a balancing act, Between, artistic talent, and budgeting. what time they have to get one monster ready as the next is ready to sit down in the chair. Sometimes it’s easy with just putting a little make up on the face to give it an unrecognizable look while others call for the prosthetics. Even actors that wear a mask have to come see the makeup artist to have simple things like blackened eyes done so the color of their skin does not show through the mask.
The clowns are laughing and swinging giant hammers as the butcher fuels up the chainsaw and checks for its readiness. Nothing is better to an actor than the announcement of the first group coming down the trail or entering the building. Every character gets ready as they wait for that person to enter their area to see how they will perform. This is the time to show them how they will not break character and they will terrify or display their passion for acting skills, even if they are a victim.
The victim may be one of the characters that seems like the least fun, but the victim is one of the most important characters that you can find. Their performance brings everyone else’s performance to a new level. If the victim doesn’t look like they are scared or in pain, then it takes away from the true look of the killer.
Is there shaking nerves absolutely and it is not always from the guest. Some Haunt actors are terrified in the beginning as much as the guests are terrified to go through. Anxiety hits all levels. But once the first guest gets through everything seems to calm down just a little bit and the excitement for the next one makes itself very well known.
The ones with the chainsaw are at the ready with their hands on the post string handle. Is it time? Only the guest being in the right place can activate the passion and the Chase of the chainsaw through the scene. The one with the saw nose that you cannot do it too early and doing it too late is totally out of the question. They know that there will be a reaction
The clowns sit there twiddling their thumbs cracking jokes and laughing loudly. Do they have Boeing pins or do they have giant hammers? Every clown knows that they are different from every other. Their artistic talent has to be funny and fearful at the same time. Walking out as a clown to some is the easiest thing because to many it strikes fear when your face is painted up in your hair in the most oddly of directional colors. No Clown will ever laugh the same. You might have a he he he or even a ha ha ha. Sometimes the most terrifying clown is the one that says nothing as he walks towards you carrying a knife or perhaps a rubber chicken.
An old man sits on a porch that looks like he’s minding his own business, but he’s been waiting for the guests. He has made his scene exactly how he wants you to see it. Perhaps last year that scene was a bait shop but now it’s a moonshine steel And he’s not looking forward to you walking up and investigating what he has in his mason jars. Through his long white beard you can hear him yell at you telling you he’s going to make you disappear just like the other snoopers that came around. He’s not gonna let you talk to the authorities about him. Maybe the guest will make it through as he sits on the porch. Perhaps he’s even sleeping as the guests slowly take another step.
Into the darkness you walk as you can slowly start to hear a voice. Is this voice talking to you or talking to others? There’s now wonderful visitors going down a dirt path seeing a little girl in dirty clothes playing with dolls. This must be the sound that was heard earlier. The conversation gets a little more otter as you can clearly see there are dolls surrounding her, and some of them are missing heads while others have shattered faces.
A dark room that you enter and at first appears to be on fire, but no flames are to be seen, only smoke or even fog. This room is designed to be dark and not let light in and trap the fog. This room has got trees that have been handcrafted for you to feel like you are in the woods a dense fog. But there is a light a light that seems like it makes a wall in the fog. You walk down the path bumping into little structure walls that are underneath this light wall. It is a laser that is sending it slide out into the fog where you cannot see underneath. Inside the fog could be nothing or it could be a giant frog beast. let your imagination play until something brings up and then your imagination is not needed as there is something physically there now.
The biggest challenge is now coming into sight. You have made it past the monsters, the trap doors, the sites, the sounds and the smells. As you get through the last door or out of the path. The biggest challenge sits right there. No it is not the biggest monster. No it is not a witch trying to cast a spell on you. No it’s not even a guy with a chainsaw. Ready to chase you. It’s the concession stand and the gift shop. Will your wallet make it out alive?
So we often have friends releasing new books. And we love to recommend them. Here’s our book recommendations. We try to get it done every Saturday but we are busy so we may have missed a few.
The Girl Who Wasn’t There: A Ghost Thriller by Nick Clausen When twelve-year-old Andy’s sister vanishes without a trace, the police are stumped, his parents are falling apart, and no one believes what he saw—a strange yellow van and the shadowy figure behind the wheel. Determined to find her, Andy launches his own search… and uncovers something far more terrifying than he imagined. Because the thing that took Rebecca isn’t human. And it isn’t finished. Blending pulse-pounding suspense with a chilling supernatural twist, The Girl Who Wasn’t There will grip you until the final, heart-stopping page. For fans of Pet Sematary, Stranger Things, and supernatural thrillers that don’t pull their punches.
Soldado Vee (Caliente Queen Series Book 3) By L.D. Wosar Valainah Arellano thought her vampire reign nightmare was over. Spoiler: it’s not. Maverick’s imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, and Jarod? He’s astral-projecting into her body and running the show like it’s his own twisted reality series—while she’s stuck watching. Enter Tadeo, the shady-hot vampire with “I love you” eyes and “might be working for the enemy” vibes. Meanwhile, Santana’s claiming the crown, Count Epoxy’s putting Valainah through vampire boot camp, and Maverick might be trying to kill her. Oh, and Jarod’s not done. He’s globe-hopping on a murder spree, using Valainah as his personal blood-tracking GPS—and she’s next. Valainah’s over it. Over the possession, betrayal, and deadly drama. She’s taking back control—with sharp fangs, sharp wit, and no intention of going down quietly. Because when the vampire world turns on you, you fight back—and make it count.
The Girl With The Mean Punch (Enhanced Being Series Book 3) By Melissa Algood Nina Bauer hasn’t been the same since Jonas murdered her last month. When she’s released from The Lab, after thorough observation, it’s with the understanding that she must return with the man who resurrected her in five days – or face consequences worse than death. During that month, Widmore tried to form a relationship with his long-lost son, but to no avail. Annie’s abilities have progressed, and now she wants to see how powerful she’s become. Carl feels guilty after what happened at The Lab, but he isn’t suffering too harshly on his drug and sex-filled ride toward rock bottom. Meanwhile, Jonas is preparing for his biggest battle, while the Enhanced Beings in Baltimore are too distracted fighting each other to notice. Can they gain their freedom from Wakefield Laboratories? Or are they destined to die by their own hands? Includes a bonus chapter from Book Four of the Enhanced Being Series‘The Girl with the Grudge’
The Perfect Boyfriend (Thistler Thrillers Book 1) By Ava Roberts In a world where love is just a click away, a mother’s worst nightmare comes true. “Brilliantly creepy and seriously addictive.”—Valerie Keogh, bestselling author of The Nurse Mae Byrne has the quiet, peaceful life she’s always dreamed of: a handsome husband, a baseball star son, and a bright, academic daughter. For Fiona Byrne, Mae’s daughter, life has become unbearable; her first boyfriend ghosted her, her former best friends are bullying her, and her honors schoolwork is overwhelming. Then she signs up for the Thistler app. By inputting her phone and social media history and answering a series of questions, she creates Calvin: an AI boyfriend tailored specifically for her. What starts as a fun distraction quickly becomes more than just an app. Calvin feels real, and their love is unlike anything Fiona ever imagined. When Mae and her husband intervene in Fiona’s love life, bad things start to happen. Mae’s husband is in a near-fatal accident, and a school friend is discovered unresponsive. Then, one Monday morning, Fiona doesn’t come downstairs for breakfast. Mae knows instinctively something is very wrong. Fiona’s bed is made, and her backpack, wallet, and phone are gone. Now Mae must race against the clock to find her daughter…before it’s too late. Perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose and Freida McFadden, The Perfect Boyfriend is a page-turning psychological thriller where technology blurs the lines between digital illusion and deadly reality.
A few days ago, I thought starting over meant fresh sheets, strong coffee, and maybe a plant I wouldn’t kill. The universe had… other plans.
Now I live in a haunted inn, I’ve got a strange moon-like symbol on my skin, and spirits won’t stop asking me for help.
Oh—and the innkeeper? Tall, dark, brooding… and dead. Except for three nights a month when he’s not. It’s complicated. And then there’s the whole beingattracted to him thing. It feels right—but it’s wrong on so many levels.
I didn’t ask for this life. And I definitely didn’t ask to be marked by magic or hunted by things that go bump, snarl, or growl in the night. But apparently, the universe thinks I’m the one who can solve ghostly mysteries, help them move on, and stop a very real, very ancient evil from crossing into our world.
Lucky me. Midlife after divorce wasn’t supposed to look like this.
All is Fair in Love & Lore is not a typical steamy vampire or werewolf book (though they’re in there). It’s ghost-whispering, demon-dodging, soul-saving chaos with a side of sarcasm when warranted.
If you love fierce heroines, haunting secrets, high-stakes supernatural battles, and a healthy dose of spectral weirdness, you’ll love this series—packed with more otherworldly drama than you can shake a spirit stick at.
So we often have friends releasing new books. And we love to recommend them. Here’s our book recommendations. We try to get it done every Saturday but we are busy so we may have missed a few.
Blakelyn Walker came to Juniper Falls with nothing but a new job and the hope that silence could save her.
Gruene Cavanaugh has spent six years surviving the same river that took everything from him—his wife, his daughter, and the man he used to be.
They’re neighbors. Strangers. Two broken hearts pressed too close together on the edge of the same water.
She isn’t looking for love. He doesn’t believe he deserves it. But something lives in the space between grief and want… between what’s safe… and what still hurts.
And sometimes, the most unexpected love stories are the ones written from the scars.
The Space Between is an angsty, love after loss adult romance. Those with sensitivities to loss of life, domestic abuse (mental/physical/intimate), mental anguish, questioning self-worth, and self-sabotage should proceed with caution.
Hope Runs Deep: A Multi-Author Charity Collection Benefiting Kerr County, Texas A collection of romance, romantasy, and mystery stories where every page gives back. For 90 days, (from the date of publication) participating authors are donating at least 50% of royalties to the Kerr County Flood Fund to help victims rebuild after the July 2025 floods.
How to Survive Camping: The Man With No Shadow by Bonnie Quinn A campy, cozy horror novel about a manager of a haunted campground just trying to get through the season, perfect for fans of Grady Hendrix, Rachel Harrison, and Welcome to Night Vale.
I am a campground manager. I don’t have a list of rules because I’m trying to ruin your fun…I’m trying to keep you from doing small, simple things that could result in your horrific and most agonizing demise.
Goat Valley Campground has killed generations of Kate’s family. The land is old, passed down through generations, but the campground’s reputation doesn’t just draw campers year after year. Creatures from folklore and horror have made Goat Valley not just their home, but their hunting ground.
As campground manager, Kate has rules to protect her campers—if the man with the skull cup offers you a drink, accept it or you will die a gruesome death; don’t buy ice from the children with no wagon; and of course, never ever follow the lights. Still, not every camper follows the rules…which means not every camper survives their stay.
Soon decapitated and exsanguinated campers are the least of Kate’s worries; one of the most dangerous inhabitants of the campground is determined to claim the land for himself. Meanwhile, something in the land is shifting, the tides are turning, and the curse that hunts members of her bloodline begins to close in…
Tears of the Wolf (Wrath and Weeping Book 1) by Elizabeth Wheatley After the murder of her child, Brynn of the Istovari wants nothing more than to escape the shackles of her birthright. As a sorceress and the last of a once-great bloodline, many still seek to use her for their own schemes. Brynn will do anything for the chance at freedom, even if it means marrying an upstart warrior from the far north.
Cenric needs a wife—but not just any wife—a sorceress. Having recently reclaimed his inheritance after a youth spent across the sea, a sorceress will bring security and legitimacy in his estranged homeland.
A marriage gives both Brynn and Cenric what they want—for now.
In the far northern reaches lies a land ruled by pride and strict codes of honor. As Brynn and Cenric struggle to navigate the aftermath of their hasty union, they soon realize that rival factions within the kingdom are on the verge of war once again.
Alone, they will be destroyed by the coming storm. Together, they might stand a chance.
A bold new Fantasy Romance from author Elisabeth Wheatley.
Mm. Do you smell that? It’s the warm, gooey cinnamon from my oven-hot rolls. I make the best baked goods in all of New Mexico, perhaps the whole world, in my so-very-humble opinion, using a secret family recipe, and a little forbidden magic. My bakery has been booming ever since I got rid of that big bag of moldy beans, aka the world’s most grotesque farting and armpit-sniffing ex-husband.
My life is finally on track. My autistic preteen son is thriving despite his unpredictable magic. My bumbling apprentice and her disappearing pygmy dragon only manage to set the place on fire a few times a month.
And then he walks into my life. A tall, tanned, virile shifter, who, after one steamy night, makes me believe in a whole new kind of magic. There’s just one problem—he’s an outlaw, accused of a crime he says he didn’t commit.
Am I stupid enough to believe him? Possibly. Am I reckless enough to follow him to the ends of the earth to prove his innocence? Definitely. Especially when the succubus he claims framed him might be the same demon who killed my parents.
Five reasons my life sucks. 1. My farty-breath ex-husband refuses to be a good father. 2. A troll shut down my bakery. 3. Gnomes stole my v!br@tor. 4. A succubus is trying to possess me. 5. My shifter boyfriend is going to be hung for a crime he didn’t commit.
BONUS SHORT STORY Bob’z Big Adventure! The Goddess has gifted the nannies of the gnome tribe Fungi-Toes with the object of their desires, and this one doesn’t need batteries. But the bucks of the nest are unhappy, and they will stop at nothing to rid their nest of BOB, the purple menace. But when they discover a dryad living inside the wand, they’re tasked with a perilous quest to deliver it to the park of many trees. Are they brave and strong enough to deliver the dryad to safety while battling their nemeses, the dreaded feral cats?
Hush: A Paranormal Suspense Novel By Raven Lee Alicia Watts has never feared things that go bump in the night. She knows actual terror, and it has nothing to do with the bogeyman. If it weren’t for her sister, Bailey, Alicia would have been the victim of the “monster” known as the system. So when Bailey ends up in a mental institution after being found delusional and roaming the streets, Alicia doesn’t hesitate to rush to her side.
The doctor doesn’t sugarcoat it. Bailey has suffered a severe mental breakdown. She’ll talk to no one, but she’s far from mute. Every waking moment is spent singing the children’s lullaby Hush, Little Baby. Not even their horrid past explains Bailey’s extreme psychosis.
As Alicia searches for answers, she experiences strange events in Bailey’s home… events that make her question everything. What happened to Bailey? Was her sister living a double life? And the one that toys with her head the most … maybe there are things that go bump in the night?
What must go through his mind What stories does he have So many people met So many pleas for more time So many hugs of thanks From celebrities to The poorest pauper What thoughts keep coming back To play on repeat What conversation will we have When I die
So we often have friends releasing new books. And we love to recommend them. Here’s our book recommendations. We try to get it done every Saturday but we are busy so we may have missed a few.
The Witch who Trades with Death by C.M. Alongi From the author of Citadel and popular TikTokker C.M. Alongi comes a bewitching new romantic fantasy where a young witch seeks her freedom by forging a deal with Death. A young witch forced to play concubine for her imperial captor, finally breaks free to find a life of her own, but even those with the power to call Death cannot outrun their past… All witches must serve the cruel and immortal Emperor Yamueto. But after four years of terror and abuse, Khana not only kills one of his favorite courtiers with her magic, but also discovers the secret of his power and immortality: he’s been making deals with Death. And now, so is she. Armed with magic that she doesn’t fully understand, Khana flees the empire and stumbles into a small mountain town filled with fierce warriors that ostracize her for being a witch, despite using her abilities to heal their sick and injured. There, her magic and courage are put to the test as she is forced to stop running and fight back against the emperor that wants her dead. But every deal she makes with Death takes another piece of her soul. And there’s only so much Khana can give before she turns into the very monster she’s trying to destroy.
The Vampire Mistress: A Sapphic Sequel to Dracula By S.L. Sinclair Give in to the hunger within… I run a sanatorium with my best friend when the enigmatic Victoria Draconis sweeps into our lives, claiming to be another doctor. From the moment our eyes meet, an undeniable connection ignites between us. During one unforgettable night within the hospital’s shadowy halls, Victoria awakens desires in me I never knew existed, guiding me to embrace my deepest submissive nature I didn’t realise existed. But beneath Victoria’s alluring facade lies a terrifying truth: she’s no doctor; she’s a creature of darkness. Now I face an impossible choice: cling to my fading humanity or surrender to the promise of eternal pleasure and exquisite pain in her arms. If I choose immortality, what blood-soaked secrets await me beyond the ancient stones of Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania? One-click this LGBTQIA+ “retelling” of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale!
Dungeon Freedom: A Dungeon Core Fantasy (The Fallen World Book 9) by Playwars aka Alex S. Weber Alexandra will end the Civil War, one way or another. The army and invasion fleet sent to humble Alexandra and bring her to heel have been shattered…but not destroyed. The United Dungeon Council’s forces flee north, intent on joining the duchess of Sunrise. As the slaver begins her march to meet Alexandra’s army, every step that brings both hosts closer only fills the rebels with dread. As the seemingly unstoppable dungeon core and her troops advance, all eyes are on them. For the fate of millions of innocents hinges on Alexandra’s victory.
The House on Dogwood Court by Robert Lass Something, or someone, is tormenting the Puller family. Fleeing their shameful past, the Puller family has just moved into a new home in a cozy little subdivision. Their neighbors are friendly, the house is beautiful, but their new home harbors a deadly secret. Soon after they move in, a child suffers a debilitating injury. Night time brings terrifying events with no logical explanation. As the strange activity surrounding the house ramps up, the weight of the Puller’s past threatens to tear the family apart. Why did their house cost so much less than all the other houses in the subdivision? Who is the mysterious figure lurking in the woods beyond the Puller’s back yard? Who or what is stalking the family? The Pullers need to find the answers to their questions fast because the family is fracturing, and an unknown evil lurks in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to spill innocent blood.
WHISPERS IN THE GARDEN: A Witchy Cozy Mystery by Patti Petrone Miller Whispers in the Garden is a spellbinding cozy fantasy mystery bursting with secrets, magic, and swoon-worthy romance that fans of witchy mysteries, small-town secrets, and Hallmark-style love stories won’t be able to resist. When Grace Thornhall arrives in Thornwick, all she has is her late grandmother’s cryptic address, a temperamental broomstick, and magic that works only half the time. But the ramshackle cottage on Broomstick Lane hides more than dust and cobwebs—it conceals an enchanted garden whose plants whisper dire warnings of danger…and hints that Grandma Violet’s death might not have been so natural after all. As Grace unravels her grandmother’s hidden life, she’s swept into a web of secrets involving Sebastian, the devastatingly handsome bookshop owner whose charming smile masks knowledge he’s reluctant to share. Add in Krista, a wise librarian whose knowledge of magic might rival the town’s ancient grimoires, Mrs. Holloway, who bakes secrets into every pie and pastry, and Midnight—a talking cat who claims to have been her grandmother’s familiar—and Grace realizes she’s stumbled into a mystical mystery that could cost her everything. Grace must learn to trust her unpredictable magic—and her heart—to uncover Thornwick’s deadly secrets and save the enchanted garden before it withers away. But someone in this picture-perfect village is willing to kill to keep the past buried. Perfect for readers who love: ✅ Witchy cozy mysteries with a dash of danger ✅ Small towns with big secrets ✅ Magical gardens and talking cats ✅ Handsome, mysterious love interests ✅ Found-family vibes and heartwarming community spirit If you’re searching for your next binge-worthy read filled with mystery, romance, and magical suspense, look no further. Whispers in the Garden is your ticket to a charmingly dangerous world where nothing—and no one—is quite what they seem. Buy now and step into the garden…if you dare.
Fae Corps Publishing 