Poetry: Again by Brian James Lewis

September 25, 2022Leave a comment

Glad that JMWW published my poem about mental illness! This goes out to everyone dealing with lifelong issues and also their partners and caregivers. #MentalHealthAwareness

JMWW

It’s happening again
The thing I said I was done with
But anger fuels and rage overpowers
Every single good wish in the universe

Like a California wildfire
Taking down acres of trees
Flames radiating heat and smoke
Firetrucks driving through hell

Look out! You better save yourself
Because I’m on fire with anger
Rage boiling over the pot sides
Like tomato soup left alone

Stinking, smoking, ruining
Everything in my path
You try to hold up your hand
But I can’t stop this volcano

People like to throw words
Like PTSD around to be cool
PMS, OMG, LOL, WTF?
Pop culture is so damn lame

Like a slap in the dick
Poke in the eye with a stick
Truth is they don’t know shit
About pain, fear, and that rage…

That arrives breathing flames
An out of control freight train
Hot steel screaming off the rails
Smashing the flimsy…

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VOTING HAS BEGUN FOR THIS MONTH’S SHALLOW WATERS CHALLENGE ON CRYSTAL LAKE’S PATREON AND MY STORY “HEART AND SOUL” IS ENTRY NUMBER 12

September 22, 2022Leave a comment

September’s challenge was to write a short horror story around the theme “til death do we part”. My story (entry #12) “Heart and Soul” visits a couple on their 50th wedding anniversary. You don’t see that kind of dedication too much these days! What’s their secret? Well, there’s a lot of them actually and every marriage does require sacrifice…Find out how big by checking out my story on Crystal Lake’s **Patreon**! It only costs 5 bucks a month and offers a lot of great benefits, including mucho good reading! If you’re already a member, I’d sincerely appreciate one of your votes. Members can vote for up to three stories and help 3 emerging writers to move forward in their careers. Many thanks from myself and all the authors who’ve reached this level of the challenge!

“VENUM MALUM” BY MICHAEL R. COLLINS IS ANOTHER GREAT TITLE FROM INDEPENDENT HORROR PRESS GLOOM HOUSE PUBLISHING!

September 8, 2022Leave a comment

VENUM MALUM
Michael R. Collins
January 9 2022
Gloom House Publishing
Reviewed by Brian “Skull” Lewis

Hello horror fans! It’s your old pal Skull with a cool new read by Michael R. Collins that goes by the title Verum Malum. This is just one new selection from growing independent press Gloom House Publishing run by none other than James G. Carlson who is a fine author whose work has been nominated for multiple awards. Be sure to check him out at: gloomhouse@yahoo.com As an extra bonus, Gloom House is currently having a half press sale this month! That means you can sample a lot of cool writing for less or get more books on a budget. Nice! And now back to the subject of this review…

Venum Malum looks absolutely terrifying if you go by cover art alone, but this is a complex story that’ll have you feeling much more than just fear. Ben and Noah are a married couple who not only have to deal with negative vibes about their love, but also about their skin color. This leads to police not taking their complaints seriously and people treating them as “less than.” However, they do have some solid friends who are their chosen family. Jackie is one of those friends. Noah is upset that his husband hasn’t informed him about the cancer returning to his body and there is an argument. Turns out that many things aren’t as they seem and after an uninvited guest sparks things off, Ben tells Noah and Jackie about his secret dark past in which he belonged to a satanic cult. While that is scary, the worst part is that the group wants Ben back and is willing to stop at nothing in their pursuit of him. They’ve opened a portal to a demonic world called the Venum Malum that makes going to hell look like a Caribbean cruise. Group leader Marius believes that this will bring him unlimited evil powers, but will it really? Noah becomes a lion to save his man, but will that be enough to protect them? Will the police finally protect them without discrimination? Skull recommends you get a copy and find out. You won’t be disappointed!

Damaged Skull Writer and Reviewer rates Michael R. Collins’ Venum Malum a hearty FIVE STARS! There is a lot going on in these pages to keep readers riveted with the bonus of being very contemporary. Horror is often a great vehicle for social commentary and Michael R. Collins does a great job weaving his message into the pages of his work without having it feel preachy or unnatural. This book is a great read about the power of love, friendship, and how even a seemingly evil satanic rock band can turn out to be solid citizens. Always look beyond a book’s cover before making judgement. Get yours at: gloomhouse@yahoo.com and visit Michael R. Collins at: www.michaelrcollins.wordpress.com Thanks for stopping by the Skullcave! Stay tuned for more interesting news and reviews coming soon at: www.damagedskullwriterandreviewer.com