Books with author "Darren"

When three friends go on holiday to Bulgaria, protecting themselves from sunburn is their only real concern, but when they run into a nightmarish beast unlike any they've ever imagined in the forested hills far from civilization, their vacation becomes a savage fight for survival."The beast licked its upper lip, teasing dried flakes of blood, remembering other bright nights when it had hunted and killed and wallowed in thick red juices. The beast could manoeuvre in total darkness but preferred nights like this, when it could see the blood dripping from its fingers, the terror in the eyes of its victims, its guts shifting sinuously as it ripped with its fangs and swallowed."Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, Sunburn will introduce you to a monster like none you've seen before. The question is -- will you survive the encounter or will your torn flesh and splintered bones be added to the scattered remains in the creature's rat-ridden underground lair?EDITORIAL REVIEWS"The story flows like a dream, and the characters are diverse, divisive and distinct. Mr Dash can not only create a thrilling horror, but the kinds of characters, depth and quality with which he completes the novel bring it to a much higher level. Sunburn is engaging, horrific and visceral, interesting and truly well-written." Matthew R Bell's Book Blog Bonanza."Vivid and unrelenting... Dash fully realizes the unnamed monster in all of its grotesque, imposing physicality... the novel offers captivating tension and brutal, gory fun." Kirkus Reviews."I cannot go on enough about the book, how great it is and how entertaining. This is an author who knows how to make the readers laugh, cry and scream in terror. To call this a must-read is an understatement!" Kelly Smith Reviews."A well-written and disturbing piece of fiction that explores relationships and delves into the deepest corners of the human mind. The plot reads like an international horror movie, enticing the reader with a series of detailed and comedic chapters before exploding into a vision of blood-chilling gore." Books, Films & Random Lunacy."This demonic masterpiece does not fail to disappoint even the biggest of horror fans." Crossing Pixies."A violent culmination of love, friendships, hilarity, thrill, horror and sex… Isn't that what we all want from a good book?! Sunburn literally had me completely HOOKED. A brilliant and thrilling read." Chase That Horizon."The elements of classic horror are very much present here. Sunburn held me firmly in the moment, demanding my full attention right to the very last page." Thoughts Of An Overactive Imagination."Darren Dash builds up the suspense with skillful pacing and a healthy dose of literary restraint, wisely refraining from indulging in the most horrific and grotesque elements of the plot until the reader has become invested in the characters. The result is a horror novel that is suspenseful, fun to read, and at times, very gruesome indeed. It also contains some very good reasons for never forgetting to wear sunscreen." Safie Maken Finlay, author."Like the Hostel films, they have a lot of set up and then shizzle hits the fan... and then hits it again for good measure!" Dark Readers.

Get ready to enter the dark, disturbing waters of a dystopian sci-fi world in this widely-praised, mind-bending trip to An Other Place... where time and space are fluid... where the moon changes colour and savage beasts run wild... where teeth are used as currency and love-making is a perilous proposition... where cannibalism occasionally comes into fashion and the dead are swiftly forgotten... where strange sandmen offer sanctuary in times of danger and a mysterious Alchemist rules over all.When Newman Riplan's flight into the unknown turns into a nightmarish slide between worlds, he must explore an unnamed city where unpredictable terrors are the norm. By the end of his first day adrift, his life has spun completely out of his control, but the most mind-twisting and soul-crushing revelations are only beginning. As he desperately searches for meaning and a way out, he starts to realise that perhaps only madness can provide him with the answers, while surrender might offer him his only true hope of escape...

Dave Bushinsky is one of London's more powerful gangsters, and he has a dream -- to raise enough money to buy a football club, which will allow him to put behind his murky past and become a legitimate businessman. To realize those funds, he has imprisoned a chemical genius who is working hard on an insanely addictive designer drug that will sweep through the world like a virus and generate a quick fortune for its unscrupulous distributor.Big Sandy is the ganglord's strong right arm, loyal and dependable, swift to follow his master's command. Clint Smith is a drug dealer, scheming to move up in the world. Kevin Tyne is a twisted lowlife with a disturbing hold over his innocent young sister. Gawl McCaskey is a brutal killer who has returned to his old stomping ground.The fates of these four men of violence will weave together as Dave Bushinsky's plans develop, and in the darkness of the long winter nights they will confront their demons -- and each other.A dark, fast-paced, twist-packed crime thriller, set on the bloodstained streets of London.EDITORIAL REVIEWS"The book flaunts the grim panache of a London crime saga, and all the characters are engaging, no matter how despicable they are. Not for the faint of heart, but this novel’s character studies and ever shifting plot will excite fans of English noir." Kirkus -- a Recommended Read."The Evil And The Pure is a deliciously dark delight; a gritty, realistic look at the depths of human depravity. The journeys of the four men are fascinating and enviably complex. The twists and turns have you reeling with shock. A glory to read. 5/5 stars." Matthew R Bell's BookBlogBonanza."A thoughtful and enthralling examination of a society that is seedy, corrupt and painfully uncompromising. Darren Dash is a skillful writer, whose greatest talent lies in his depictions of character. Few writers can so easily and powerfully communicate the complexities of people dragged into a world of darkness and despair." Safie Maken Finlay, author."I found myself brilliantly horrified and captivated as I read and was taken along on a dark journey with a range of dangerous, sick and even innocent characters." Chase That Horizon."an amazing read... a book you won’t want to end... It’s got the cast complexity of a Maeve Binchy novel as if written by a violent madman, and I mean that as a compliment! 5/5 stars." Kelly Smith Reviews."Although it’s dark, great characterization and a superb plot keep you turning the pages. If you’re up for an adventure, this book is for you. I rate this book a five-star read." Tracey Lampley, author.

Get ready to journey to An Other Place... where time and space are fluid... where the moon changes colour and savage beasts run wild... where teeth are used as currency and love-making is a perilous proposition... where cannibalism occasionally comes into fashion and the dead are swiftly forgotten... where strange sandmen offer sanctuary in times of danger and a mysterious Alchemist rules over all. When Newman Riplan’s flight into the unknown turns into a nightmarish slide between worlds, he must explore an unnamed city where unpredictable terrors are the norm. By the end of his first day adrift, his life has spun completely out of his control, but the most mind-twisting and soul-crushing revelations are only beginning. As he desperately searches for meaning and a way out, he starts to realise that perhaps only madness can provide him with the answers, while surrender might offer him his only true hope of escape... Dark, dystopian sci-fi is on offer in this widely-praised, mind-bending trip of a novel. EDITORIAL REVIEWS “This is, by far, the best book of 2016, possibly the best book of this decade... the bastard love child of Kafka and Rod Serling, throwing in a dash of Ray Bradbury for good measure. 5/5 -- brilliant. Just brilliant.” Kelly Smith Reviews. "An Other Place sees an imaginative writer at the top of his craft. It brings to mind The Twilight Zone, yet even Rod Serling himself would have struggled to come up with an alternate world so completely off-the-wall and yet oddly meaningful as Dash has here. 9/10 stars." Starburst. “Darren Dash has opened a new artery of terror... unlike any book I have ever read... hints of The Twilight Zone, Pines, and Station Eleven.” The Literary Connoisseur. "Its luckless hero moves from ghastly scenarios to even ghastlier scenarios with such horrid reliability that his story reads like extreme black comedy. 4/5 stars." SFX "Lewis Carroll, L. Frank Baum, and Brett Easton Ellis may have written some weird stuff, but An Other Place tops all of it, both in terms of re-readability and overall scope." Dread Central. "Dash’s surreal tale has its share of unsettling moments. There’s also an abundance of intriguing peculiarities. An often baffling tale, but its protagonist’s wry commentary is undeniably entertaining." Kirkus -- a Recommended Read. “This book really did blow my mind... each page turn was both chilling and thrilling in equal measure... the conclusion left me with goosebumps. 5/5!” Rachel Hobbs, author. "An Other Place is a deliciously quirky novel that is surreal and powerful in equal measure. This is by far Dash’s best work to date. It is challenging and absurd, artistically brave and politically conscious, but this abstract painting of a novel is one thing above all else… completely original." Books, Films & Random Lunacy. “This story had me hooked from the get go... an ending that sent my mind into a spin. 5 stars.” Reviews And Randomness. “This book is utterly unique... I was amazed at how well Dash could create this baffling world from scratch and draw me into it so completely. 5 stars.” A Place In Which Jessie Writes. "If Jonathan Swift wrote horror, he might have written An Other Place. Powerful, imaginative, and occasionally disturbing, An Other Place will linger in the reader’s mind long after the last page is turned." Safie Maken Finlay, author.

When three friends go on holiday to Bulgaria, protecting themselves from sunburn is their only real concern, but when they run into a nightmarish beast unlike any they've ever imagined in the forested hills far from civilization, their vacation becomes a savage fight for survival. "The beast licked its upper lip, teasing dried flakes of blood, remembering other bright nights when it had hunted and killed and wallowed in thick red juices. The beast could manoeuvre in total darkness but preferred nights like this, when it could see the blood dripping from its fingers, the terror in the eyes of its victims, its guts shifting sinuously as it ripped with its fangs and swallowed." Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, Sunburn will introduce you to a monster like none you've seen before in the horror genre. The question is -- will you survive the encounter or will your torn flesh and splintered bones be added to the scattered remains in the creature's rat-ridden underground lair? EDITORIAL REVIEWS "The story flows like a dream, and the characters are diverse, divisive and distinct. Mr Dash can not only create a thrilling horror, but the kinds of characters, depth and quality with which he completes the novel bring it to a much higher level. Sunburn is engaging, horrific and visceral, interesting and truly well-written." Matthew R Bell's Book Blog Bonanza. "Vivid and unrelenting... Dash fully realizes the unnamed monster in all of its grotesque, imposing physicality... the novel offers captivating tension and brutal, gory fun." -- Kirkus Reviews. "I cannot go on enough about the book, how great it is and how entertaining. This is an author who knows how to make the readers laugh, cry and scream in terror. To call this a must-read is an understatement!" Kelly Smith Reviews. "A well-written and disturbing piece of fiction that explores relationships and delves into the deepest corners of the human mind. The plot reads like an international horror movie, enticing the reader with a series of detailed and comedic chapters before exploding into a vision of blood-chilling gore." Books, Films & Random Lunacy. "This demonic masterpiece does not fail to disappoint even the biggest of horror fans." Crossing Pixies. "A violent culmination of love, friendships, hilarity, thrill, horror and sex… Isn't that what we all want from a good book?! Sunburn literally had me completely HOOKED. A brilliant and thrilling read." Chase That Horizon. "The elements of classic horror are very much present here. Sunburn held me firmly in the moment, demanding my full attention right to the very last page." Thoughts Of An Overactive Imagination. "Darren Dash builds up the suspense with skillful pacing and a healthy dose of literary restraint, wisely refraining from indulging in the most horrific and grotesque elements of the plot until the reader has become invested in the characters. The result is a horror novel that is suspenseful, fun to read, and at times, very gruesome indeed. It also contains some very good reasons for never forgetting to wear sunscreen." Safie Maken Finlay. "Like the Hostel films, they have a lot of set up and then shizzle hits the fan... and then hits it again for good measure!" Dark Readers.

Dave Bushinsky is one of London's more powerful gangsters, and he has a dream -- to raise enough money to buy a football club, which will allow him to put behind his murky past and become a legitimate businessman. To realize those funds, he has imprisoned a chemical genius who is working hard on an insanely addictive designer drug that will sweep through the world like a virus and generate a quick fortune for its unscrupulous distributor. Big Sandy is the ganglord's strong right arm, loyal and dependable, swift to follow his master's command. Clint Smith is a drug dealer, scheming to move up in the world. Kevin Tyne is a twisted lowlife with a disturbing hold over his innocent young sister. Gawl McCaskey is a brutal killer who has returned to his old stomping ground. The fates of these four men of violence will weave together as Dave Bushinsky's plans develop, and in the darkness of the long winter nights they will confront their demons -- and each other. A dark, fast-paced, twist-packed crime thriller, set on the bloodstained streets of London. EDITORIAL REVIEWS "The book flaunts the grim panache of a London crime saga, and all the characters are engaging, no matter how despicable they are. Not for the faint of heart, but this novel’s character studies and ever shifting plot will excite fans of English noir." Kirkus -- a Recommended Read. "The Evil And The Pure is a deliciously dark delight; a gritty, realistic look at the depths of human depravity. The journeys of the four men are fascinating and enviably complex. The twists and turns have you reeling with shock. A glory to read. 5/5 stars." Matthew R Bell's BookBlogBonanza. "A thoughtful and enthralling examination of a society that is seedy, corrupt and painfully uncompromising. Darren Dash is a skillful writer, whose greatest talent lies in his depictions of character. Few writers can so easily and powerfully communicate the complexities of people dragged into a world of darkness and despair." Safie Maken Finlay, author. "I found myself brilliantly horrified and captivated as I read and was taken along on a dark journey with a range of dangerous, sick and even innocent characters." Chase That Horizon. "An amazing read... a book you won’t want to end... It’s got the cast complexity of a Maeve Binchy novel as if written by a violent madman, and I mean that as a compliment! 5/5 stars." Kelly Smith Reviews. "Although it’s dark, great characterization and a superb plot keep you turning the pages. If you’re up for an adventure, this book is for you. I rate this book a five-star read." Tracey Lampley, author.

The Midsummer Players stage an outdoor version of A Midsummer Night's Dream every year. The actors are dreadful and audience members almost never attend more than once. Except for... ...the fey folk! All of the fairies named in the play are obliged to attend every performance, due to a deal that they struck with a mischievous Master Shakespeare. In an attempt to break up the Players on the eve of their twentieth anniversary, Oberon and Puck hire a human trickster to infiltrate the actors' ranks and set them against one another by focusing on secret attractions and grudges that have been lying dormant up to now. Sparks will fly, and everyone will come to blows, but it's all executed with a wink and a grin, and there will be more smiles than tears by the end. At least, that’s the plan... This comedic fantasy is for lovers of Shakespeare, chaos and fairies everywhere. EDITORIAL REVIEWS "A clever and kinky theatrical romp with a big heart." Kirkus - a Recommended Read. "I think I’ve found my favorite book of 2018. Midsummer’s Bottom is Darren Dash at his best and most inventive form." Scare Tissue. "Midsummer's Bottom is one of the most entertaining novels of the year... filled with magic, mayhem and good old-fashioned storytelling that will hook readers from the very first page. Light-hearted and humorous escapism doesn't get any better than this." Rising Shadow. "This unique tale is that rare reimagination of elements of a classic story that captures all the comedy, drama, and emotional satisfaction of its original and in some ways exceeds them." US Review of Books - Recommended read. "Darren Dash has masterfully combined Shakespeare's style and greatness with his own amazing poetic agility to create an absolutely delightful tale that will make you laugh until you cry. I was skeptical of a 'retread' of Shakespeare, but this is very cleverly done and quite entertaining. Bravo!" Readers' Favorite - 5 star review. "Midsummer's Bottom delights with Shakespearian couplets and a cacophony of human foibles that smash up to a satisfying ending. Dash has created a stellar cast of full, engaging characters. Tightly-written and imaginative, Midsummer's Bottom glides the reader through a wonderful story towards a rewarding, and unexpected, end." Self-Publishing Review. "Shakespeare fans in particular will find the atmosphere and humor exquisite. While they stay true to some of the Bard's ironic contentions and satirical approaches, they also add embellishments unique to Darren Dash's style and contemporary approach to Midsummer's spectacles." Midwest Book Review. "Midsummer's Bottom is a laugh out loud comedy, a rollicking romp that will leave you with a warm, satisfied feeling long after you finish." Rachel Hobbs, author - 5 star review. "I loved the diversity. Bisexual, gay, questioning, straight, cross-dressing: there was a little of everything in this small cast, and the representation without shame, without it feeling forced, was wonderful." Kelly Smith Reviews - 5 star review. "Midsummer's Bottom warmed my heart and confirmed one thought in my mind, that was a distant whisper until now - Darren Dash can do anything." The Literary Connoisseur. "Midsummer's Bottom is funny, fantastical, and tremendously thoughtful... thrilling, suspenseful, and surprisingly risque." Book Blog Bonanza. "A charming, funny romp full of a host of quirky characters." Banshee Irish Horror Blog. "Midsummer’s Bottom is a swiftly paced tongue-in-cheek romp packed with bawdy humour and fantastical charm." Books, Films & Random Lunacy.

Adelphi may be a small town, but it houses a treasure that cannot be measured. When Bill McFar comes to town in search of a payload, he finds what he wants beneath the Adelphi hillside: a source of petroleum. But McFar's oil lies beneath something important to the people of Adelphi. On that grassy hillside rests a big wooden cross that represents the hope of the people, and inspires them as they go about their daily lives. No one in Adelphi wants the cross to move to facilitate McFar's greed. But he's powerful. And adamant. Will McFar get his way and uproot this beacon, offending the traditions and faith of the townspeople? Or will the story of the cross cause things to turn out another way altogether...?part 2 Bill Macfar come back to his home town of Chillicothe Ohio he has some question like where does evil come from? why is there evil? but when the cross show up again what will all the story will be about this time

The first volume of the new young adult novel series Zak Raven, Esq. Zak Raven is your typical 15-year old boy living in Bluffside. He wakes up, goes to school, comes home and does his homework. But somewhere between dinner and curfew, while most of his friends are playing video games - Zak can be found battling real life robots and his very own arch-enemy, Professor Dimitri Raine. Once a super-powered hero, Zak fought to save the world as Kid Ranger! Now his superhuman abilities have diminished and he's just ordinary Zak, a regular 15-year old who strives to remain the hero he once was. Without super powers he must depend on his own agility and training to help him save the day and still find time for that algebra homework!