Sacrifice Island by Kristin Dearborn

This is the story of Jemma and Alex. Paranormal investigators, they travel to the Phillipines on the basis of a diary Jemma has received,  in search of ghosts on an island called Sacrifice Island. People in the town are none too thrilled to see them and soon they find out why - and what really resides on the Island. It's not what they expect at all...

I loved this. I think it is my new favourite of the year! It was a great story that gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go until it's dramatic conclusion. I loved the characters - Jemma needed a hug, but couldn't get one, Alex loved Jemma so much but couldn't show it and at the centre was Terry and his tragic loss of his wife. The showing of events without telling me appealed to me, I love when I can make up my own picture in my head, it makes a story for me. I also like the fact that the story was based on a local legend, it piqued my interest. A brilliant story all round, oh and did I mention I loved it?!

Mirror of the Nameless by Luke Walker

This is the story of Dave. He lives in a world ruled by three gods, three evil gods at that. They play with their subjects and use them as sacrifices on a whim. Dave's daughter has found a mirror that may be the answer to saving their world, or it could make things a whole lot worse. The problem is Ashleigh has gone missing, and it is up to Dave and Ashleigh's boyfriend Tom to find her. And they must do so before they are turned into sacrifices themselves...

I enjoyed this but found it a little bit perplexing. I think that's because I was struggling to keep up with the three gods! I liked the idea, it was original and so much more than just a dystopian story of three evil gods. It was a story of survival, of family loyalty and of hoping against all odds. If you like your gods evil and your stories dystopian then this is for you.

Hell Gate by Elizabeth Massie

This is the story of Suzanne, born with the ability to 'see' things about others, she is sent to school far away by her God-fearing mother. Many years later and she has made a new life for herself on Coney Island. She is asked to help solve some particularly gruesome murders by the local police Inspector, having helped his daughter previously. This will set off a chain of events that will lead to a confrontation she could only have imagined in her nightmares.

The first half of this went quite slowly as we established characters and settings in flashback. Once that was out of the way, the story rocketed to its conclusion. The characters were solid, and I believed in Suzanne. The confrontation at the end was quite shocking for me as I had been led down a few different paths before the culprit was revealed. I enjoyed that aspect of the story, I like to be kept guessing, not have things handed to me on a plate. I enjoyed this immensely and hope the author writes more.

Nightmare Man by Alan Ryker

This is the story of Jessie. he hasn't been sleeping too well lately owing to some heavy duty night terrors. when his nightmares start to impact on his son, Jessie seeks help from a psychiatrist who refers him to a sleep study. He goes along to enrol, and they give him a drug to supposedly help with the dreams, that's when things take a turn for the worse...

This is another of those stories that slowly, but surely wiggles its way under your skin and stays there. I have always had a thing about closed cupboard doors at night but now at least I know I am not alone, and this has validated my fears! The pace belted along, and I felt invested in Jessies story. The characters were solid and felt real. I really enjoyed this, although it brought back memories of when I was a child and my nightmares! For a quick read (with the lights on!) to keep you up at night, I recommend this.