The Sci-Fi Guys have interviewed myself, Steven Shrewsbury, and Stephen Zimmer about our $0.99 short stories and other works available from Seventh Star Press. They also rated my entries, giving “For the River Is Wide and the Gods Are Hungry” 4 out of 5 stars and “Goodnight” a 5 out of 5!
If you leave a comment at the end of the post with your name and e-mail, you’ll have a chance to win a copy of all 8 stories! Good luck!
Monster Librarian recommends my novel, Cinema of Shadows. Here’s an excerpt of their review:
“Cinema of Shadows is a very creepy but fun take on the haunted house/building theme. There are interesting and well-rounded characters and a fantastic history for the old movie theater. We are given eerie glimpses into the tragic happenings, all the while building to the story’s terrifying climax….except there is more to this story than a final showdown with ghosts. I really enjoyed the ‘twist’ ending as it veers away from predictable. If you like ghosts, demons or hauntings then Cinema of Shadows belongs in your horror book collection.”
Parish the Word just posted a new review of my novel, Cinema of Shadows, giving it 4 stars and calling it “Fast-paced Horror at its best!” Here is an excerpt:
“Cinema is a story much in the vein of The Mangler with a touch of Rose Red. It’s got demons, ghosts and psychics. It’s got a parapsychology instructor eager for proof. And it’s got a great setting, well-rounded characters and plenty of scares. West does some interesting things with the trapped-ghost sub-genre…I couldn’t put this one down.”
Scott M. Sandridge, editor of Fear and Trembling, has posted a new review of my Harmony, Indiana novel Cinema of Shadows on the SpecMusicMuse Review site. Here’s an excerpt:
“Michael West delivers a ghost story that both holds true to the traditional tropes but simultaneously provides his own unique spin, and delivers a plot twist that leaves your heart pounding. West breathes depth and life into every character: living, dead, and demonic. You care for what happens to them, unlike in, oh say, the Saw films where you could care less if the heartless morons get torn into itsy bitsy pieces. If you like ghost stories or even just horror stories in general, you’ll love Cinema of Shadows.”
He even goes so far as to list the music one should listen to while reading the novel. His suggestions: “anything from Midnight Syndicate, Rob Zombie, Slayer, Tiamat, or Marilyn Manson.” Good choices all, but I would add some Jerry Goldsmith into the mix.
Another glowing review of Cinema of Shadows. This time, the news comes from Canadian reviewer Mad Moose Mama, who gave the book 4 stars! Here’s an excerpt:
“I thought this was a great book. I loved the creepy aspect…how the people interacted with each other and the ghostly back stories…I read this alone and late at night, giving the read some extra nuances and I loved how the book made me feel. I would give Cinema Of Shadows a four stars!”
R.J. Sullivan, author of the ghost story Haunting Blue, just posted a glowing review of my novel, Cinema of Shadows. Here’s an excerpt:
“9 out of 10! Cinema is a triumph—incredibly satisfying, offering the scares you hope for with an attention to detail, history, and a set of characters you like and root for, even knowing not everyone makes it through to the end. At 278 pages the book moves fast, yet never feels rushed. Highly recommended!”
The Bee’s Knees Reviews read my novel Cinema of Shadows during the month of October and have posted a very positive review. Here’s an excerpt:
“4.5 out of 5 stars! One day, I was sitting reading this book in my car and someone knocked on my window…I literally screamed. The Cinema itself was an awesome setting. The author writes people well…it made it more real and believable. I enjoyed this book greatly and look forward to reading some more by this author.”
David Rupp at Infernal Dreams just posted his review of my Seventh Star Press novel, Cinema of Shadows, giving it a rare 10 out of 10! Here’s an excerpt:
“I just finished this fast paced, non-stop thrill ride from Michael West and I’ll be damned if I didn’t start going through literary withdrawal. It’s like a drug, it hooks you early, draws you in then spins you into oblivion. Mr. West really did his homework on this and it shows…a spectacular read. 10/10″
Ryan Thomason at Watch Play Read is, by his own admission, a big scaredy cat, but he bravely picked up a copy of my novel, Cinema of Shadows and read it from cover to cover. Here’s an excerpt of his review:
“I loved the characters, the setting, and yes, even the baddies. Mr. West told us of his love for the horror genre and damn does he shine. If I can read this book and love it, anybody can, because it’s good. When at one point I was asked why I was visibly squirming in my chair you know he’s doing something right!”
This may not be a new review, but it is new to me. Richard Dansky of The Green Man Review, posted his thoughts on the Legends of the Mountain State 3 anthology, featuring my story “Flowers in Winter,” based on a legend of tragic romance that takes place in the John North House in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Here’s an excerpt:
“Massie leads off with ‘The Caretaker,’ a slow build of a ghost story that takes an unexpected but appropriate turn at the end. Scott Nicholson’s ‘Wampus Cat’ is another, sidestepping the pitfalls of both the predictable and the overly folksy. Steve Vernon gives a fresh take on the legend of John Henry with ‘Where You Gonna Run To?,’ and Michael West’s ‘Flowers in Winter’ neatly reverses the twist of Massie’s story, all the more effectively since the two are back to back…more than solid and deeply entertaining.”
