[Meli Hooker]

Hey, fiends! Thanks for another successful book club month. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Carnage Road (published by Print Is Dead) and I hope you did as well.

We've got a special treat for June. I'm just a few minutes from leaving for my Thelma & Louis trip to Florida with my mother and I probably won't be able to post until after the first of the month, so I decided to reveal the surprise a bit early.

For June 2012, we have Carnage Road author Gregory Lamberson joining us and I have passed the reigns over to him to chose our book.

If you don't know Greg, he's been around for a while. He's a filmmaker, author, father, husband, rebel-rouser, Slime Guy, horror fan and all around great guy.

He's written Johnny Gruesome, The Jake Helman Files series (the first 3 books in the series are currently available, with book 4 coming out this October), The Frenzy Way (the follow-up The Frenzy War will be out this June), and our May Book of the Month Carnage Road.

He's also the creative mind & director behind the 1988 cult horror-comedy Slime City and the sequel Slime City Massacre (2010).

You can find out more about Greg via his website Slime Guy and be sure to check out his page on the Medallion Press website where you can find most of the books I mentioned.

So, without further adieu, I pass the mic over to Greg to announce The Mortuary June 2012 Book of the Month!

[Greg Lamberson]

Thanks for that awesome introduction, Meli! I think I want "he's been around for a while" engraved on my tombstone. I'm honored that Carnage Road is the Book of the Month for May, and double dog honored that I've been entrusted to make the selection for June. I did not take this responsibility lightly; I circled some of my favorite novels, like A Manhattan Ghost Story by T.M. Wright and First Blood by David Morrell, but in the end my mind kept returning to one title, a brand new release:

Lambs, a novella by Michael Louis Calvillo, published as an e-book by Dark Fuse (and as a LE hardcover).

Michael was a friend of mine, and as some of you know, he passed away recently after a heroic fight against cancer. I love his writing, and I championed his amazing literary horror novel As Fate Would Have It on this very message board, and now I'm happy to be assigning Lambs to you to read ... and to be discovering it right along with you.

Here is the link to Lambs on Dark Fusion's website; click on the order button, and you'll be delivered to a page that lists all of the e-book platforms ton whch the book is available. I would tell you to enjoy, but I already have no doubt that you will; just read the description!



Plagued by a trio of murderous ghosts, Arthur has bigger problems than your average teenager. Young love, wild hormones, and The System haunt him, but those phantoms are nothing compared to the concern he has when watching the darkened corners and deep shadows around him. These spaces are now consumed by a spectral evil seemingly hell-bent on destroying everyone he loves.

As the bodies pile up, Arthur distances himself from his roommate, Connor, a pyromaniac crack-baby with destructive tendencies, and his girlfriend, Melanie, an all-American Satanist with a hidden agenda. He embarks upon a grisly odyssey of self-discovery in hopes of burying the past, cleansing his soul, and obliterating the blood-thirsty spirits once and for all.

[Greg Lamberson]

I've got my copy of Lambs!

[Meli Hooker]

Me too! So excited

Now to catch up on Carnage Road discussion and ask some questions!

[Dark Mark]

I have just purchased this for my Kindle and will dive in when I have completed my current read.

[Meli Hooker]

The Darkness! YAY

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

The Darkness! YAY

I much prefer that salutation to Dahk Mahk which is wearing a little thin

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Dark Mark

I much prefer that salutation to Dahk Mahk which is wearing a little thin

Dahk Mahk still makes me laugh, but doesn't really fit my perception of you.

Feedbag and Lamp just don't understand you like I do

[Dark Mark]

I have just started reading this and I'm enjoying it immensely thus far.

[Meli Hooker]

I've made it 25% of the way through (haven't had much reading time this past week) and lovin' it!

The great thing about Lambs is Calvillo's innovation with the horror genre. This isn't a book that a horror lit fan of even the most jaded variety will pick up and roll their eyes at lamenting "not another one of these stories." This is totally something new.

There was an article floating around Chonebook about horror authors ruining the genre they love by writing the same stories over and over, not doing anything new. Lambs is a glaring contrast to that. Of course, I am not quite that burned out on horror fiction. Seems like I consistently pick up titles that renew my love for the genre.

In fact, the new Everson novel, NightWhere, is a completely wet & wild erotic horror title by the likes of which I've never seen. But I'll get into that in the other ongoing reading thread.

[Dark Mark]

I am finding this a very affecting and original novel. Stories about children especially deeply scarred and emotionally damaged ones cut me deeply. The clue to where this is heading is in its title.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Dark Mark

I am finding this a very affecting and original novel. Stories about children especially deeply scarred and emotionally damaged ones cut me deeply. The clue to where this is heading is in its title.

And Calvillo has already made me sympathize with all of them (the three main kids anyway - Arthur, Connor, and Melanie). Even though the latter two give us good reason not to.

Just noticed your new location (The underage blood orgy fuckpit) - you're in NightWhere!

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

And Calvillo has already made me sympathize with all of them (the three main kids anyway - Arthur, Connor, and Melanie). Even though the latter two give us good reason not to.

I have just got into Melanie's story. Great Scott!

[LLSoares]

Just got my copy of LAMBS, too. Michael was a great writer. If you like this one, you really should read AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT. I love that book!

[Meli Hooker]

Kick ass! Now we're cooking

We're almost halfway through the month. I hope we have some more readers join in this experience with us. Truly an immense talent and a unique horror tale.

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

Kick ass! Now we're cooking

We're almost halfway through the month. I hope we have some more readers join in this experience with us. Truly an immense talent and a unique horror tale.

Indeed I am more impressed with this novel as I progress and it is consistently surprising me.

My current location by the way Meli is borrowed from Christwire, a faux fundamentalist website describing a Black Metal festival, though NightWhere by John Everson does sound like my cup o' hemlock. So many books and so little time!

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Dark Mark

My current location by the way Meli is borrowed from Christwire, a faux fundamentalist website describing a Black Metal festival, though NightWhere by John Everson does sound like my cup o' hemlock. So many books and so little time!

Oh, haha, thanks for sharing! That is bizarre.

And yes, I think you will enjoy NightWhere once you get the chance to read it. Bloody, sexy, good times! It's A Serbian Film for horror lit, without the NBP.

Things are really heating up in Lambs (wink wink) and I could hardly tear myself away to sleep! Can't wait to get home and read more tonight.

There really is no lull in this plot whatsoever. The pace is blistering the whole way through (thus far).

It's sick, sad, pathetic, whatever, but I've taken a bit of a shine to Connor. I can't help myself. I giggled out loud when I read the following:

Pure, unadulterated joy was a feeling uncommon to Connor. There were small pleasures. Cards with Arthur. Favorite foods. Videogames. Planning destruction.

[jmorey01]

Originally Posted by LLSoares

Just got my copy of LAMBS, too. Michael was a great writer. If you like this one, you really should read AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT. I love that book!

I haven't even downloaded my copy of LAMBS yet, with only a little more than a week left to go. Sheesh!

While I was looking to see if I had a copy, I did note that I had AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, 7 BRAINS, and the one I'm most looking forward to, BLEED FOR YOU.

Where to start, where to start?

[Dark Mark]

Pure, unadulterated joy was a feeling uncommon to Connor. There were small pleasures. Cards with Arthur. Favorite foods. Videogames. Planning destruction.

Don't all small boys plan a little destruction now and then?

Oh we'll know when you have finished this....

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by jmorey01

Where to start, where to start?

Start by downloading Lambs!!

Originally Posted by Dark Mark

Don't all small boys plan a little destruction now and then?

Oh we'll know when you have finished this....

I'm so tempted to ask you if my little Connor dies, but I will try to resist the urge and just finish the damn story already

[jmorey01]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

Start by downloading Lambs!!

Done! Plus I added a copy of BLOOD & GRISTLE. I'll probably get a few chapters in tomorrow before everyone else gets out of bed.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by jmorey01

Done! Plus I added a copy of BLOOD & GRISTLE. I'll probably get a few chapters in tomorrow before everyone else gets out of bed.

Unless you are staying up til the wee hours of the night writing monster / fastfood haikus

[Meli Hooker]

Wow, I just finished moments ago and the ending is superb! Unbelievable read.

The pace is unrelenting, the characters endearing, and the storyline is completely unique. It's graphic, supernatural, dramatic, sentimental...

I need a few moments to let this sink in.

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

I need a few moments to let this sink in.

I rarely find a genre novel so moving and thought provoking,

Spoiler Alert!

Connor's death in particular inspired strong emotions and although I suspected that the kids were all doomed I kept hoping it wasn't going to be so.

This novel will stay with me for a long time.

[Meli Hooker]

Ditto. It was quite dramatic and moving.

Spoiler Alert!

Connor's flashback sequence when he died was so sad. Calvillo managed to drive home the tragedy of Connor's life long before that sequence and that just solidified it. Such a talented writer. I wasn't sure what would happen at the end so I was actually quite surprised by the conclusion. Couldn't have been better though.

Calvillo never lets the reader up for a breather in Lambs. From the first word to the last, every single note is a frenetic burst.

[jmorey01]

I'm just finished with the fourth chapter, about 40% in, and wow, what a compelling and well written story. Each of the first three chapters, centered around the three main characters, read like an individual story. Stand-alone, yet obviously tied together, which becomes even more clear as the story continues to unfold.

I can see why some of you finished it so quickly!

[Meli Hooker]

I'm assuming you made it to the 60% mark by now, Jim? I know you are a fast reader anyway.

The book is consistently fast-paced from the first page, but at the 60% point it is absolutely unputdownable! I could hardly tear myself away to sleep. I was exhausted the week I was wrapping up the story because I was staying up way too late.

[jmorey01]

Finished it on Saturday night on the way back from dinner. We had quite a drive over, and I got down to the last 6 pages, but they wouldn't leave me alone long enough to finish. ARRRRGGGHH!!!

It was really amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When they got deep into the rituals and the preparation for the impending "event," I was so deep into the moment, I had completely forgotten about the three ghosts!

I was so pleased with the way it played out, I immediately started BLEED FOR YOU. I'm about half-way through that one now, although to be fair it is very short. I think it may end up on par with LAMBS. One wonders just how far Mr. Calvillo could have gone, given more time.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by jmorey01

I was so pleased with the way it played out, I immediately started BLEED FOR YOU. I'm about half-way through that one now, although to be fair it is very short. I think it may end up on par with LAMBS. One wonders just how far Mr. Calvillo could have gone, given more time.

I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did and I have to ditto that last statement.

Now you need to get a copy of The Wicked by James Newman and join us for July

[Greg Lamberson]

I'm happy to see that so many of you enjoyed Michael's work! His wife Michelle, who's a wonderful person, will continue to promote it work on his website; he has eight books yet to be published.

http://michaellouiscalvillo.com/

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Greg Lamberson

I'm happy to see that so many of you enjoyed Michael's work! His wife Michelle, who's a wonderful person, will continue to promote it work on his website; he has eight books yet to be published.

http://michaellouiscalvillo.com/

Thanks for the heads up.

I'll keep an eye on the site.

[jmorey01]

Originally Posted by Greg Lamberson

I'm happy to see that so many of you enjoyed Michael's work! His wife Michelle, who's a wonderful person, will continue to promote it work on his website; he has eight books yet to be published.

http://michaellouiscalvillo.com/

That is F*ING AWESOME news!

I found a couple more buried on my Kindle that I had picked up long ago on Darkside Digital that I think I'll be whipping through after BLEED FOR YOU. You know how I like to read an author's works in succession when I get hooked!

[jmorey01]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did and I have to ditto that last statement.

Now you need to get a copy of The Wicked by James Newman and join us for July

I haven't decided on THE WICKED yet, though I was a couple weeks into June when I gave in and downloaded LAMBS. While I was digging through the uncatagorized items I had on my Kindle, I found another half dozen or so short works/novellas that I want to get started on, as well as a few in-print that I already have sitting on the kitchen table.

But who knows, sometimes I am such a lemming.