If Dracula was my BFF Part 3

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Hello bookworms

What are you up to? Happy Monday! *evil laugh* Ok, ok, let's continue with our post.

Monday morning, 5:00 AM

Anila is reading, while happily drinking her cappuccino. Her best friend Dracula decided to pay her a visit, before going to his coffin.

Dracula: What do you think you are doing? You better have an explanation for this!

Anila: Good morning to you too!

Dracula: Do not tell me good morning! I have to go to sleep, but before I do, I want you to explain me this.

*shows Anila her review of “’Salem’s Lot”*

Anila: Explain you what? That is my review.

Dracula: Your review? What are these words about Kurt? He is so frightening? Who is you best friend then? Kurt Barlow? I hate him. He wants to be like me. What a cheap imitation of a great vampire lord.

Anila: Stop acting like a child, ok? He is quite frightening.

Dracula: I don’t know you anymore.

Anila: Come on! Look at him. He is bone chilling.

Dracula: I am seriously reconsidering our friendship.

Anila: When will you get over the fact that Vampira chose him instead of you?

Dracula: Why are we friends anyways?

Anila: Because we hate everyone.

Dracula: You're right.

Creatures mentioned here:

The vampire lord Kurt Barlow from Stephen King’s “’Salem’s Lot”

Vampira – character created by Maila Nurmi

By the way, here’s my review of “’Salem’s Lot” ;)

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Haunted by Heather Beck Review

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*This book was given to me, in exchange of an honest review.

Title: Haunted (The Horror Diaries #1-5)

Author: Heather Beck 

Description: When darkness falls and the air turns cold, ghosts come out to play. Heather Beck presents Haunted, an anthology of ghostly encounters and paranormal events. *Haunted contains The Horror Diaries Volumes 1-5.

Ghost Park
After discovering a mysterious playground in the woods, Chase is stalked by angry ghost children.
A Haunting Past
Truce’s class trip to an old native reserve turns deadly when Bear, an infamous chief who died two hundred years ago, blames him for the tribe’s extinction.
The Manor On The Rocks
Grey, damp and surrounded by jagged rocks, Calla Lily’s new home isn’t only unpleasant, it’s also haunted by the world’s most evil boy.
A Medieval Nightmare
When Ellie and Brandon get trapped in a medieval museum that’s a bit too real, they fall under a spell and become pivotal players in a ghostly regime.
A Watery Grave
A camping trip becomes a heart-pounding race for survival when Justine meets a ghost who’s determined to change her fate by trading bodies with a living entity.

Review:

While reading the book: 

This was an interesting light horror read. It wasn’t that bone-chilling, or extremely scary, but it was quite interesting. The stories started getting creepier, and honestly I don’t know if that was what the author intended. The book starts with a not-so-scary story, but as the stories go on, I see some rising of the creepy factor. If this book was read by a normal reader, he would have found it incredibly scary, but for a horror lover not so much. I actually enjoyed the last story.

The extra element:  

All these stories included ghosts, and even though some parts were the usual cliché scenarios (only some parts), overall I enjoyed reading about the legends. The legends included different cultures and time periods, making the stories differ from each-other. In the first story the ghost children can't handle sunlight, because their skin will be burnt. (Do I sense some vampires here?)

What I didn’t like: 

I feel like the stories had potential. If only some cliché parts were removed, and some interesting plot twists were described better, I think that the stories could have been much creepier. It is a shame, because I really liked the stories, the legends, and the uniqueness of the ghosts, but sometimes the writing style made it less scary.

Recommended To:  

 I think that this would be a perfect book for readers, who want to enter the dark side (those who want to start reading horror). If you are transitioning into the horror genre, I would recommend this book.

Rating:

Links: 

Goodreads / Amazon

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

First Chapter First Paragraph ~ Tuesday Intros -

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Hello Bookworms

This is a feature hosted by Bibliophile By the Sea.  We have to share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading, or thinking about reading soon.

I am currently reading "Haunted" by Heather Beck (Goodreads)

"Fifteen-year-old Chase Macmillan looked expectantly at her father from across the dining-room

table. She’d been doing so since his arrival and subsequent

announcement that he’d just received some

good news. Chase’s dinner, which consisted of meatloaf

and broccoli, was getting cold as she watched

Mr. Macmillan eat his own meal in a hurry."

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search Of Monsters #11: The headless horseman? Dullahan

Hello bookworms,

It’s been a while since my last In Search Of Monsters. Truth be told, this feature takes a lot of time.

Creature Feature Ep 4 : The Dead

Hello Bookworms,

Welcome to another episode of Creature Feature, where you will know about the most unique, unheard creatures ever (plus some creepy legends).

Today we are going to talk about the dead. Don’t be confused: I don’t mean the gruesome zombies eating your brains, and neither the fast ones in World War Z. As you already know, the first episodes are focusing on Albanian Mythology (later we will continue to other countries) Also, these legends aren’t taken from books, or internet, I got them from asking people.

Now let’s talk about our topic. The Rising Dead, in Albania, is supposed to be someone,

If Dracula was my best friend Part 1

Hello Bookworms,

How have you been doing these days? I have been fine, working on my horror book. These days I have been thinking, what would it be like if Dracula was my best friend. I think you have already accustomed to my weird thoughts, therefore I don’t have to explain anything, and we shall begin our fun post for this week:

If Dracula was my best friend Part 1

A Story by AnilaH. From A Writer’s Dark Corner

February's Guide To Reading: Find time to read

Hello bookworms,

Welcome to February’s Guide To Reading!

Today I am going to talk about time organization, more specifically reading time. Reading has always been a hobby to me, that’s why it is so difficult to include it in my daily planner, because then it will become just a chore. Trying to squeeze some time to read in your hectic day can be quite frustrating.

Creature Feature Ep.3: The True Story of A Witch Part 2

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Hello Bookworms

For the first part, click here

Truth be told, these two episodes, which involve witches, are quite difficult to write. See, I am not a big fan of witches. I was scared of them since I was little. 

Confession Time: I am a huge fan of “Blade” movies, especially the second one, and even though the vampires there are really creepy,  I don’t mind. Blade has been the first horror movie I have ever
watched (age 5). Still, even though I can handle Blade’s vampires, and even though I am 18 years old, I am extremely scared of Snow White’s Evil Queen. Yeah, I admit it, it is weird. Movies with witches intrigue me, but I am extremely scared of them. In contrary with vampires though. I am super scared of vampires, but I adore them.

Anyways, now let’s continue with our topic today.

Now, as I was saying, I have interviewed an Albanian old lady, and she has told me lots of stories, which are supposed to be true.

This story happens in a village of Albania, where a man, who worked as a night guard, was coming back home after his shift. Something in all Albanian legends is that a crossroad isn’t a good sign, especially when three women are standing there mixing some ingredients in a mysterious pot, in the middle of the night. Now, this sounds a bit like Macbeth from Shaekspeare. I thought that too, but the man didn’t become a king. The man saw the three women, and he instantly knew who they were. As I have mentioned in the first post, these witches are people, whom you know, and they don’t like it when you recognize them.

He did, but he was kinda stupid, since he told them:

“I know who you are.” And he told them their names.

They responded:

“If you tell anyone, we are going to eat your liver!” (This reminds me of the Korean kumiho, or the Japanese Kitsune, a nine tailed fox, who eats human liver)

Was he scared? No! Now, I am starting to think that he was quite stupid. He told everyone about what he saw. The next day he was found dead, in his house, his liver torn apart.

The moral of this story? Do not talk with three creepy women standing at the crosswords doing God-knows-what with herbs in a pot, and do not talk about them, if they warned you they are going to eat your liver.

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search of Monsters #10 The Face Powder Hag? Oshirobaba

Hello Bookworms,
Today we are going to talk about Oshirobaba. Now, here’s the thing, there exist a lot of legends about Oshirobaba. Firstly she is seen as the servant of "Goddess of Cosmetics". She is supposed to go around, tricking young girls in trying her face powder.

In Search Of Monsters #9 Deadly cotton? Ittan-Momen

Hello bookworms,

How have you all been doing? Today we are going to talk about a deadly roll of cotton. Yes, you read it right, a deadly roll of cotton. Making creepy creatures out of ordinary objects, that, my darlings, is a talent.

The Ittan-Momen is a roll of cotton that just flies around in the wind at night but if you happen to be around there, it will either wraps itself around your neck and choke you, or wrap itself around your head and suffocate you. It sounds like the alien movie, where those wrap their legs around your face. Yes, my alien pet told me that.

But wouldn’t it be funny, if you would decide to have a nice evening walk, and in you find yourself being chased from a deadly roll of cotton. 

If in case this Ittan Momen would attack a stranger, and I would be there, chances are I wouldn't even notice...

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

January's Guide To Reading

 Here’s to an amazing year! Now let’s get to our Guide To Reading:

January is all about starting fresh, starting new, new possibilities, new dreams, plans and goals. What kind of reading is suited for us?

Reading Challenge:

Usually during January we are very determined to accomplish our goals. That is why this month should be inspiring, this way we know there is going to be an awesome year ahead.

In Search Of Monsters #7 : Spider Woman? Jorōgumo

Hello Bookworms,

I know, I know, you are confused! Spider Woman? What do I mean with that? Spiderman or The Black Widow? No, the Spider Woman is not a hero at all, in contrary she is a creepy villain. Spiders are creepy (I am not a big fan of them)

The Spider Woman or Jorōgumo, is a kind of Japanese yokai, known for her ability to transform into a beautiful girl and luring humans, especially men.

Now imagine if a beautiful lady was holding a baby wrapped in a sheet on her arm. She seems so sweet and she asks you to hold the baby for two minutes. You, of course, accept, because you are kind. I mean, everyone would accept to help a mother, no? You are a bit stressed, because you are holding the baby of someone else, and you have to be extremely careful. The moment you take the baby, you see that inside the sheets, there is no baby, but a bunch of little spiders, whom take over your body. In your peripheral vision, you see the lady transforming into a spider. In a second you are dead.

Even though I handle monsters, this is something I can’t interview. I hate spiders. My interview with her would be like this:

Now on to some self promoting: I just uploaded my first video. Yes, yes, that girl is me. It was kinda awkward, but I will get better at this :D

  

 Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search of Monsters #6 : Are Aliens Cute?

Hello bookworms,

How have you been doing these fine days? I was sick with flu; therefore I was stuck at home, doing basically nothing at all. :(

Anyways let's get straight to our topic . In my last “In Search of Monsters”, I mentioned that the “aliens” are pretty cute. Roberta (OffbeatYA) suggested  to talk about these creatures in my next episode. So here you go! 
I am quite sure, that everyone knows the "alien", from “The Alien” movies (duh!) In this episode of "In Search of Monsters", we are going to talk about the creatures featured in these movies.

Not all of these creatures are what I like. I prefer the "dog aliens", the four legged ones, because they are cute. Well, not having the movie plot in my mind, and not having to witness how they kill, I think they are pretty darn cute, aren't they? Imagine if you had a pet like that. Imagine if that scary creature would be just a harmless pet! Wouldn't it be cool? This creature would scare away anyone, who dares to approach you. And they could kill anyone, whom is considered a danger to you. Like for example…

Walking all alone in a dark empty street? No problemo, I got my pet to protect me! 
Thieves just broke into my house? Puh-lease, I am not scared. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.

 Someone drank the cappuccino I ordered for myself? Get ready to die!

 (Ok, I was a bit overreacting there. I mean who would kill the thieves, just because they broke into your house? About the cappuccino thing, I am serious.)

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search Of Monsters #5 Talking Teacups? Tsukumogami

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Hello bookworms

It’s been a while. Where have I been? Oh well, I have been studying all the time.

 I wanted to write this quick update on my blog.

I have been thinking about my feature “Weird Legends”. Now, if you tell me that I am weird (I get that a lot), I gladly accept it. I don’t take it as an offensive word. When I am saying “Weird Legends”, I am thinking “awesome, unique, amazing legends”, not “weird” in a bad way. I know I am borrowing from other cultures, so I don’t want to be misunderstood. Even though for me “weird” means good, it may not be the same for someone else. I don’t want to offend anyone, so from now on “Weird Legends” will be called “In search of monsters”.

The feature won’t change. I will do memes, interviews, and I will provide information. This feature is supposed to be funny, and it’s main purpose is to bring a smile on your face with my crazy imaginary conversations.

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I am pretty sure, that you have all watched “Beauty and The Beast”. I am also pretty sure, that you think those animate objects are funny, and cute.

Funny? Cute? Nu-uh , not in my blog.

Let me introduce to you the famous Tsukumogami. Never heard of that? Were have you been all your life? How can I put this simply?

Tsukumogami are animate household objects. 

 They are supposed to be harmless, but they will play some pranks. They have the capacity to get revengeful upon those who are wasteful. So, be careful…

Imagine how cool would it be to talk to your pen for example. Or to your cup of tea…

It would be like:

Anila: Oh hello Dracula Jr! (Do not ask!)

Dracula Jr. and Frankenstein Jr.

My tea cup Dracula Jr.: Hello Nila! Why aren’t you studying?

Anila: Well, you know there’s this good book, and…

Dracula Jr.: Anila! Stop procrastinating!

Anila: But I am kinda hungry right now!

Dracula Jr.: Stop it! You got loads of work to do!

My tea spoon Frankenstein Jr.: Sweetheart, don’t forget you have to post “In Search of Monsters” in your blog today.

Anila: What??? Oh God, I forgot!

Frankenstein Jr.: You had to write about us today. How could you forget? I thought you loved us.

Anila: Frankie, stop being so emotional!

Yeah, it takes a lot to handle them.

They still look cute to me, but again I kinda think that “The Alien” looks cute too! (No? I would love to have a pet just like him. Am I being crazy again? Oh sorry!)

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

October's Guide To Reading : Horror Books

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Hello bookworms

Welcome to another post of October’s Guide to Reading! 

On Monday we have talked about spooky music. I have given that task to Klejda, since she is so addicted to music. Now we are talking about horror books, so it is my turn to write. If you haven’t noticed until now, I love horror books.
I think that October should be the horror month (hence the Halloween). Who said that Halloween should last only one day? I celebrate Halloween everyday actually, but let’s just tone it down to a month.

Last year I have posted a list of my favorite horror books. The list is still valid even for 2014, so here is the link.

This fall I am loving antique books. Since I am so into old books lately, I will go with those bone -chilling classics this Halloween.

Dracula

Need to say more? I am Dracula’s number one fan! I absolutely love Bram Stoker. The book is a piece of art. I don’t have words to describe it. The most special thing about “Dracula” is it’s writing style. This book is written in epistolary format. You are reading a diary. It is like you have been there. It feels like that diary exists, like those characters are as real as you. The problem with “Dracula” is that peoplehave watched the movies, and now they refuse to read it. The movies don’t really have a plot. They focus more on the effects, and the disgusting part. How can you compare an actress in Lucy’s character with that sassy vampire, whose description makes you feel fear, and admiration in the same time? Give Dracula a chance!

Frankenstein

Good ol’ Frankenstein. Before I continue any further, please people bear this in mind: “Frankenstein isn’t the monster, Frankenstein is the scientist, Victor Frankenstein to be exact.” In the novel the creature has no name! That’s why I will call him Frankenstein’s monster. Hands down, this monster is the only one, who makes me feel sorry for his (second) death. He is innocent, and sensitive. He only wants love. This monster cannot stand looking at his reflection. I mean, can we get a round of applause for all these human feelings, that he possesses? Doesn’t this sound familiar to you? Isn’t this monster a little part of us, at the end?

Well, that’s it for today!

Last Post: October's Guide To Reading : Scary Music

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

October's Guide To Reading: Spooky Music

(Klejda is back!)

Hello people, 

I’m back. I know I have not written a blog post in quite a long time, and I apologize for that, but I promise to start writing regularly. 

Anyways, now that’s done, let’s start with today’s post, which is

"October Songs". 

I’m going to include mostly Halloweeny songs, but also, maybe some autumny songs.

Creature Feature Ep.2 The true story of a witch Part 1

While continuing my research in unique creatures, I stumbled upon a true story, that made skin shiver from fear. I am sure you all know what a witch is. You think a witch is an old lady, who eats little kids.
This statement may be right or wrong, because these old fairytales may seem like a joke to you, but some old people in Albania really believe these legends. According to the person I interviewed, a witch was:
-A woman. She might be an old lady, or a young one.
- Someone who made children sick. She doesn't necessarily eat them. But if someone knows her identity, she will eat his/her liver.
- Someone close to the victim. Someone, who knows the victim. She is envious of the victim.
After writing that piece of information in my notebook, I asked the old lady again:
"Grandma (you usually call old people this way, even thought you don't have any blood relations with them), tell me how do you protect yourself from witches?"
"There are some ways. Something my mother would do was to put a mixture of seeds (the one you use to feed birds) into a bag, and then let it hang on the door. When the witch will enter, she will start counting the seeds, and because she can't, she will leave.  It would help putting a religious book, or object near the seeds."
That answer baffled me. I remember watching a greek TV series with vampires, and there was a legend that if you put rice at the entrance of your room, the vampires will start counting the rice.

The old grandma also told me the story when she met a witch.
"It was night. I hear my son taking a deep breath, and having difficulty breathing. I enter in his room, and in the darkness I find a woman with a blue towel on her head hiding her eyes, and her hand on my son's forehead. I tried to grab her, but she dissappeared. She was someone I knew, that's why she had put her towel in order not to let  me see her face."

Well, this was indeed a scary story, but I don't know if it was true or not. Regardless this was a very interesting creature, and I plan to continue my research. I will make sure to give the Albanian witch a lot more importance. By the way in Albanian "shtrige" means "witch". That ca be used even to offend someone.
This was the second episode of "Creature Feature"

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

"Manitou Blood" Book Review

*This book was purchased by me, while I was in Italy. I read the Italian Version, therefore I can't talk much about the structure of sentences and stuff like that.*

*I hope you like my new, improved review template. This is supposed to be easier to read.

Book Title: Manitou Blood (Il sangue di Manitou- Italian Version)

Author: Graham Masterton

Description:

In one of the hottest summers for decades, New York City is being swept by a strange and terrible epidemic. Doctors are helpless as victims fall prey to a bizarre blood disorder. They can no longer eat solid food, they become hypersensitive to sunlight ? and they have an irresistible need to drink human blood. As panic grips the city, and mobs of bloodthirsty people roam the streets, self-taught psychic Harry Erskine has to enter the shadowy realms between the living and the dead, and call on America's native spirits to help him in a struggle for human survival in which death is only the beginning . . .

Links: Goodreads / Amazon

Review:

While reading the book:

Well, I managed to read this book for five days, while being on vacation (I was going out every morning and afternoon).  I would squeeze some reading hours in my agenda, while the others were taking a nap. I read this book in the hottest hours of the day, sweat forming in my forehead.

This book was the fourth of the series, but I can safely say that you don't need to read the other books. Actually it is much more mysterious, if you don't read the first books. Or maybe that's just me.

Legends and Creatures:

What I loved about this book was that there was a mix between cultures, more precisely  Native American culture and Romanian culture. All the stories and the legends were right, and well Mr. Masterton did his homework. There are some scenes that are frightening, and make your skin prickle from fear. I loved how the Romanian Vampire fits all the standards of Romanian Legends. Also this is so easy for people to know these vampires, since after Stoker's Dracula the Romanian Vampire has kind of become the International Vampire. While the legends from other Balkan countries are too bizarre for people to get used to.(unless you are like me)

Main Character:

Harry Erskine was my favorite character. He was funny, and sarcastic in the same time. He had pretty much the same reaction I would have if I was him.

Extra Element:

Also Dracula was mentioned in the book. I am not talking about the vampire, but the real Count Dracula. It was a bit weird reading a story where Dracula is human, even though I know the real story of the Count. And the most ironic thing is that he is killed by vampires. 

What I didn't like:

The POV changes from Harry to doctor Fred, but that wasn't what bothered me. The book starts being written in third person, and then it changes to first. Actually for me, that was just an annoying element, and it didn't really bothered me, because I was so worked up on solving the mystery.

Rating:

5 cats! Good Job!

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Creature Feature Ep.1 Albanian Edition

Hello bookworms,
I am currently in Italy, enjoying some hot cappuccino even though it's summer. I spent an awful day today,from waking up at 2AM (after staying up the whole night reading "12 Years a Slave") , to traveling for 2 hours, to feeling nauseous while the plane was landing, to again traveling for 2 hours with a bus (falling asleep, and waking up scared) , to finally arrive at my destination only to find out that's raining pretty hard, and I don't have an umbrella...so...
But, anyways, I am ok now. I am currently writing on my IPad, and that's a bit annoying, but I don't have my laptop with me, so I have to bear with it.
Today "A Writer's Dark Corner" presents "Creature Feature" (credit to Roberta for the name), the first feature ever created to help writers find out about the most interesting, creepy, and unique creatures you never knew existed.
Anila interviews people for these creatures. Please support us in finding these unique creatures, by commenting, sharing, subscribing, and spreading love for horror.
I hope you enjoy it!
Not long ago, I interviewed an Albanian old lady about unique, creepy legends.This is "Creature Feature Ep.1 Albanian Edition" 
Pelhura is an Albanian creature, who is supposed to appear strolling around meadows. Usually shepherds are warned, when they go with their sheep in the meadows. If you see a "Pelhura" you need to hide between the sheep. This creature cannot pass the sheep, because the latest are supposed to be God's animals. While the goat is supposed to be devil's creature. "Pelhure" in Albanian means "fabric" or "cloth". The creature looks like a ghost, because it is covered in a white cloth, but it's huge, and it feeds on humans.

Lugat is the Albanian vampire, or the dead (usually vampires are called the undead, but in Albanian they are called the dead)
How is a lugat created?
It is told, that if you cry too much for the dead, he or she will wake up as a lugat, and he or she will eat you.
If you talk bad about the dead, this person will wake up, and he or she will eat you.
If this person has done something wrong in his or her life, the grave can't hold him or her.
There are a lot of everyday quotes regarding the lugat:
You eat like a lugat (You are filthy, and disgusting when you eat, and you are always hungry)
You sweat like a lugat (again, you are disgusting) 
Your nails are just like the lugat's (your nails are too long, just like the lugat's)
And then there is the curse "I hope you wake up as a lugat" , which means "I hope you die!"

Well, this was it! I hope you enjoyed it!

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search of Monster #3: The Long-necked woman

If you have been around here for a while, you may know that I love mythological creatures. Actually, I spend my free time scrolling through Internet sites looking for bizarre, unknown, and unique creatures. Japan seems to have a demon for every occasion, so you should know by now that I absolutely adore Japanese creatures.  They are not the usual creatures you have heard of. Some of them are frightening, and scary, while some others are just weird (but that is okay, because hey we are all a bunch of weirdos)

This new creature I will be talking about is the long necked woman, or rokurokubi . Rokurokubi is part of the yōkai group (monsters in the Japanese folklore)

Now before you get confused, I have to explain to you that there are two types, the one who stretches neck during night, and the one whose head flies around detached from the body (the most dangerous). They are said to have the appearance of a very beautiful, normal lady, but during night their neck stretches, and their head goes finding humans to eat.

Actually, I don’t think of them as evil creatures. They just love to scare humans. Seeing it this way, I love to scare humans too, except I spare you the long neck thing. A lot of Japanese creatures aren’t really evil, probably just playful, or mischievous. When I will put them in my books, I’m sure they won’t be the evil guys.

The way to kill the long-necked woman is by hiding, or killing their body, while their head isn’t there.

I hope you enjoyed this creature.

This is an example of what would happen, if I ever met her. I don’t even seem frightened, haha!

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!