Happy 14th CM...and save the date for Something Wicked Fall 2025!

I'm passionate about horror, as anyone who knows me is aware. I had some years of segue into reading mostly historical fiction, but horror is once again at the forefront of my reading, and writing (I'm currently at work writing my first horror novel). So, I've gone back to my roots since horror was the genre I mainly read when I started reading adult fiction as a preteen. 

A big thank you to all the horror lovers out there, authors and readers alike! Also, thank you for following this little corner of the horror universe. It means more than you will ever know.

Here's to many more years of horror!

Save the date for our scary fall events. Something Wicked Fall, which runs through September and October, kicks off on September 1st. I will have the kick off post live with all the info, and the reading schedule for our read-along of Richard Matheson's Hell House that day (this is a reread for me and I'm excited because it's my favorite horror novel!). The FrightFall Readathon, hosted over at my readathon blog, Seasons of Reading starts on October 1st. Sign up for that event will be posted by mid-September. 

Check out the FrightFall event button. So excited for spooky season! I hope you will join us for all the fun!

Happy Blog Birthday, Castle Macabre and Save the Date! #SomethingWickedFall

One day late, but yesterday was the anniversary of 10 years of blogging here at Castle Macabre. Wow! Ten years of horror goodness. I've so enjoyed this journey, and the branch off from my founding/sister blog, True Book Addict. It has been great getting know those who are just as passionate about horror as I am. Here's to many more years of all things murder and mayhem. Long live horror! 💀👹👿

Save the date! Coming up September/October is our FOURTH year for Something Wicked Fall AND, as always, we have the annual FrightFall Readathon all month long in October. SO excited! Stay tuned for the official event post for Something Wicked Fall by the end of the month, along with the read-along schedule for The Blood Countess. The FrightFall sign-up will be posted at Seasons of Reading in September. 

Get new posts by email:

Save the Date! #SomethingWickedFall 2020

Stay tuned for details...coming later in August.

Gothic September - Edgar Allan Poe #GothicSept #Poe (and more upcoming events)

Gothic September is here...and that means fall is just around the corner! One of my most favorite times of year! It has become a tradition for us to read Poe during this month and so that is what we're doing again. The stories and schedules are listed below.

Week One - Berenice: A Tale
Week Two - William Wilson: A Tale
Week Three - The Imp of the Perverse
Week Four - A Descent into the Maelstrom

Discussion for each story will go up by the weekend at the end of each week on this blog.

More upcoming events this fall here at Castle Macabre, over at Seasons of Reading and at Gather Together and Read!

In October, Season of the Witch is back. We will be reading stories about witches by Algernon Blackwod, George Brewer (a short novel) and Shirley Jackson. I will post the reading schedule and more specific details in the starting post on the first of October.

The Witch by Shirley Jackson,
Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood - You can get a Kindle copy of Blackwood's Complete Works on Amazon for 99 cents. The Blackwood Stories site is back up! You can download a PDF copy of the story, or any of Blackwood's stories, at their site here.
The Witch of Ravensworth by George Brewer for Kindle on Amazon $2.99

The FrightFall Readathon is back and I've made it a month long event! Sign up is open now so head over and add your name. Would love to have you join us!

Everyone knows I'm a huge Anne Rice fan (my favorite author) and she has written a sequel (with her son, Christopher Rice) to one of my favorites of her books, The Mummy, or Ramses the Damned. The new book is titled Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra. So, I've decided to host a read-along of the first book (October) in honor of the sequel's release in November. This will be a reread for me and frankly, I'm pretty excited. Rereading a favorite is always fun! Check out the announcement post and express your interest HERE.

That's it! Let's get the fall fun under way!

Kicking off Season of the Witch featuring #Poe and #Lovecraft Read-Alongs #witchseasoncm

Today's the day! Happy October and Halloween season! For some reason, I'm especially psyched this year. How about you?

Here's a refresher on the Poe and Lovecraft stories we will be reading and the schedule.

Week One - The Mask of the Red Death, Poe - Discussion on October 7/8
Week Two - The Dunwich Horror, Lovecraft - Discussion on October  14/15
Week Three - The Pit and the Pendulum, Poe - Discussion on October 21/22
Week Four - The Dreams in the Witch-House, Lovecraft - Discussion on October 28/29

In addition, I'll be reading a TON of scary books this month and sharing reviews. I'm also looking for guest reviews on scary reads, and/or guest posts on favorite spooky topics. Get in touch!

It's going to be a frightfully awesome Autumn!

Don't forget, the FrightFall Read-a-Thon starts Monday. You can sign up here at Seasons of Reading.

I'm also hosting a read-along of Stephen King's Salem's Lot over at my new reading community site, Gather Together and Read. Check it out here.

Announcing Season of the Witch - October 2015 #‎witchseasoncm‬

One of my most favorite times of year is just around the corner. The month of all things scary...October (and my birthday *wink)! This year, we're having a read-a-long with the normal festivities of Season of the Witch here at Castle Macabre. And don't forget about the FrightFall Read-a-Thon over at Seasons of Reading!

Our read-a-long is for the book The Bell Witch by John F.D. TAff...

The Bell Witch by John F.D. Taff is an historical horror novel/ghost story based on what is perhaps the most well-documented poltergeist case to occur in the United States. It tells the story of the Bells, an early 19th-century Tennessee farm family who begin to notice strange occurrences—odd noises, bangings, gurglings. Eventually, an entity reveals itself to the family, calling itself, simply, the Witch, and makes it clear from the outset that it was sent to kill the patriarch of the family, John Bell, for a reason it never makes quite clear.

The Witch’s antics, while not exactly endearing it to the Bells, make the spirit somewhat of a novelty. Word of its existence spreads, first through the Bell’s slaves, then through the rest of the community. It tells jokes, makes predictions, offers unwanted advice and even sings. It shows an intimate knowledge of The Bible and of history and politics.

It harasses those who annoy it most, saving its ire for John Bell and his teenage daughter, Betsy. These two people become the focus of the apparition’s attacks, both verbal and physical. Ultimately, the Witch fulfills its promise of killing John Bell, while also forcing Betsy and her mother, Lucy, into considering their own roles in what created the spirit.

The Bell Witch is, at once, a historical novel, a ghost story, a horror story and a love story all rolled into one. (from Goodreads)

The book is available on Kindle from Amazon for $2.99

We are also reading this book for my TuesBookTalk read-a-long group's October read on Goodreads. You can find the group here, if you care to join, and/or join us each week on Twitter at 8:30pm CST/9:30pm EST to discuss each week's reading section. Hashtag #TuesBookTalk

Here is the reading schedule we will follow at TuesBookTalk. I will post discussion posts here the day after our Tuesday Twitter chats. I will also post this in the sidebar when the event officially starts on October 6.

week of October 6 - Part I (discussion post October 7)
week of October 13 - Part II (discussion post October 14)
week of October 20 - Part III & IV (discussion post October 21)
week of October 27 - Part V (discussion post October 28)

I would really love to have some guests this year so if you have something scary you would like to write about, whether it's favorite horror books or movies, an original story or tale, or just a spooky experience you may have had, please contact me at truebookaddict AT gmail DOT com  I would love to have you as my guest!

The hashtag for Season of the Witch: #‎witchseasoncm‬

It's that time of year again...Season of the Witch!

Season of the Witch is back for another season! This year, I'm once again going to try to read some witch related books during October, but the event is really to focus on anything scary. I will be participating in my FrightFall Read-a-Thon (going on now--click link to join us!) from here during the event as well. Again, I would love some guest bloggers so if you'd like to participate by writing a guest post or being a guest reviewer, let me know. I hope you will join me and share your witchy or scary reads with me this month!

I have a lot of scary on my plate this month, with R.I.P. VIII in full swing so there will be some scary books up for review. Among these are This House is Haunted by John Boyne, Stephen King's Joyland, Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert (how appropriate!) and Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty. Royce will be stopping by with a guest post too!

If you do a post, feel free to share your link in the comments, or just let me know what you're going to be reading.

FrightFall Read-a-Thon: My reading plans #FrightFall

I'll be spending my FrightFall read-a-thon time here on Castle Macabre. It will fit in nicely with the kick off of Season of the Witch tomorrow. I actually have mostly scary reading lined up to read this week. I'm not aiming to finish a book, unless I just happen to. I'll be focusing on pages read, my goal being between 500 - 1000 pages.

Reading list:

Finish The Arrow Chest, Robert Parry (today)
Reading from...The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova
Starting Joyland, Stephen King
Reading from Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (need to finish this tomorrow)
This House is Haunted, John Boyne
Starting Season of the Witch, Natasha Mostert
Need to start Write-a-Thon, Rochelle Melander (prep for NaNoWriMo next month)

Audio:
Anna Dressed in Blood, Kendare Blake

Are you joining us for the read-a-thon? You can still jump in HERE.

FrightFall Read-a-Thon: Starting Line/Updates

*THIS IS A STICKY POST FOR READ-A-THON UPDATES.  PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW CONTENT*

Join us--Click the Button

Update #1

• # pages read: 279 (27 pages of The Gunslinger, 75 pages of The Passage, 177 pages--The Lurking Man--finished) 
• # books finished: 1 (The Lurking Man by Keith Rommel) 
• WTD pages: 279 
• WTD books: 1

Yes, I'm hosting this read-a-thon and yes, I'm just now putting together my starting line post.  It has been one of those days...again! Here's what I'm planning on reading this week and below that are my mini-challenge entries.

• The Passage by Justin Cronin (reading section for TuesBookTalk)
• The Lurking Man by Keith Rommel
• American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis (for Dueling Monsters & Banned Books Week)
• It by Stephen King
• The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King (for my EPIC Dark Tower read-a-long)

My updates will appear at the top of this post, below the read-a-thon button.

Mini-Challenges

Nova at My Seryniti is hosting a little question and answer mini-challenge.

You’re sitting by a campfire with some friends. The wind is blowing and the air is just getting that crisp feeling. The beach is just a few feet in front of you and you can hear the surf crashing upon the shore.

• Who would you want warming you up?! (Fictional characters please!!)
• What are you listening to? (Music or a story)
• What snacks would you have?
• We know you brought a book, which one is it!
• It’s your turn to tell a spooky story, which one is it going to be?

I was going to say Mr. Darcy, but in keeping with the theme, I'd have to say Edward Cullen (don't judge!).  Music would be some White Stripes, of course.  I'm thinking Seven Nation Army.  Snacks would be, since it's Fall, some hot spiced cider heated over the fire and some roasted marshmallows (the only way I'll eat them) or maybe even S'mores.  I brought The Witching Hour by Anne Rice (a favorite).  My spooky story would be to recite the classic Edgar Allan Poe poem, Annabel Lee.

Just for Fun questions:

• Do you celebrate Halloween?  But, of course! My second fave holiday (Christmas is my heart)
• What’s your fav horror story?  Hell House by Richard Matheson
• Fav type of villain? (Vamp, zombie, etc)  My old, immediate answer would have been vampire, but I'm pretty partial to zombies now too!
• Fav horror movie?  A new favorite--Insidious
• Fav bad guy! The Vampire Lestat
• Halloween costume you plan on wearing (or would) this year.  I haven't dressed up in ten years! I have no clue.  Let me see...in keeping with Season of the Witch here at Castle Macabre, I think I'd be a witch.

Melissa at Must Read Faster is hosting a creepy challenge! 

My mission for you is to find the creepiest picture, video, or story and link it here or the link to your post if you post on your website.

Okay, this one...need I say more?

Castle Macabre is a Year Old! Celebrating with a winner's choice {Giveaway}!

Today is Castle Macabre's one year Blogoversary and I would like to thank all of you for making this year so amazing!!

I have some great events coming up this Fall.  October brings Castle Macabre's Season of the Witch.  I'll be posting full details soon, but here's a little preview.  I'll be looking for guest posts from authors and/or bloggers and if any authors want to donate a book for a spotlight/guest post/giveaway, please let me know.  The focus is going to be witches, but anything scary is game! I will be focusing my reading in October on witch related books and I would love for people to join me.  And of course, there will be a giveaway.  Stay tuned for details!

The FrightFall Read-a-Thon is coming October 1-7.  I will be hosting over at Seasons of Reading, but I think I will participate via this blog this time.  Poor CM is feeling neglected! Details and sign-ups will be coming soon over at Seasons of Reading.  Hope you will join me!

****GIVEAWAY****

Now...it's time for the blogoversary giveaway! I've picked four of my favorite horror/scary novels and I'm going to give one winner their choice out of the four.  Since I'll be using Better World Books, this will be an INTERNATIONAL giveaway! Please keep in mind that these will be used books, but Better World Books has a great selection of used books.  I've ordered many from them and I've never been disappointed.  Please fill out the rafflecopter form to enter.  Giveaway ends on 8/31/12 at 11:59pm CST.  Good luck!

Here are the books (covers shown may not be the cover you receive).  Interview with the Vampire is the first book in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.  If you've already read it and would like one of the other books in the series (see the entire list HERE), that will not be a problem.

Duma Key by Stephen King
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Quick shout out to my friend, Kate (Read 2 Review) for helping me put this post together. =O)