"An old-school creature thriller told with crisp pacing and kick-ass set pieces, Steve Stred's Mastodon is a monster-in-the-woods tale with some choice surprises and plenty of rampaging fun."

- Andrew Pyper, author of The Residence, The Damned and The Demonologist

17 years ago, Tyler Barton was born in the Rocky Mountains, while his parents were on a hike.

On that day, his mother disappeared, never to be seen again.

Now, history repeats itself.

On the 17th anniversary of her disappearance, Tyler’s father is flying home when the plane he’s on disappears – in the same area where his mother was last seen.

Undeterred by officials, Tyler decides to hike into the area in search of his father, hoping to find him alive and bring him back to safety.

But there’s a reason that area is prohibited to enter and even though Tyler doesn’t care, he’ll soon find out that the wilderness can hide some of the deepest, darkest fears known to man.

From the author of ‘Incarnate,’ ‘The Window In the Ground’ and ‘Ritual’ comes a new novel that’ll make you rethink your Summer hiking trip.

“Steve Stred's Mastodon reads like a cross between Gary Paulson's Hatchet and Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach Trilogy: a big-hearted adventure yarn with a dark and compelling mystery at its core.”

- Shaun Hamill, author of A Cosmology of Monsters

 “Mysterious. Gripping. High-octane. Mastodon is not the typical creature feature.”

- Eddie Generous, author of Rawr and Behemoth Risen

 “Mastodon is a jaw-dropping trek into a heart of darkness. Full of emotion, yet rife with grotesque imagery that only Stred can deliver.”

- David Sodergren, author of The Forgotten Island and Maggie’s Grave

“Mastodon is another tour de force from Canada’s master of dread. The journey into a forbidden wilderness cordoned off by the military is reminiscent of Jeff Vandermeer’s Annihilation, but as bleak, daring, and darkly comic as Harlan Ellison. The pace of the story never relents, its emotional highs are spectacular, and its lows will rip your guts out: a voyage and return epic with the balls-to-the-wall horror shows of S. C. Mendes’s The City thrown in. Stred should be held in the same regard as Straub and King.”

- Joseph Sale, author of Save Game and Gods of the Black Gate

“Mastodon is a compelling read that will leave you blistered and broken as you join a young man’s rescue mission into the Canadian wilderness inhabited by unspeakable horrors. Steve Stred masterfully delivers a story exploring the physical and emotional limits we push through in order to save the people we hold most dear.”

- J. A. Sullivan, horror writer and contributor to Kendall Reviews.

They say that third time’s a charm and for the third installment of the Books of Horror community Anthology, it’s a fact. With well over seventy stories submitted, there was just too much content for a single book. Volume 3 is being brought to you in two parts. You’ll find the book(s) you’re about to read filled with tales of horror that span the genre, crafted by veteran authors, as well as first time writers.

Matthew A. Clarke

Scott Deegan

Paul Lubaczewski

M Ennenbach

Jason Myers

Marina Schnierer

Edward J Spock

Andrew Bell

Justin Boote

RJ Meldrum

P.J. Blakey-Novis

James Harper

Lisa Vasquez

James Seamone

Dustin Ekman

Eddie Davies

David Watkins

Drew Nicks

Nicole Henning

Jesssica Raney

Matthew Cash

Stephen Cannon

Ruthann Jagge

John J. Hardic

Shea Herlihy-Abba

Steve Stred

Patrick Flaherty

Eugene C. McLean Jr

Catherine Kenwell
Chris Kosarich

Micah Castle

Jae Mazer

Charles Welch

C.M. Saunders

Brian McNatt

Sidney Shiv

What flavor is your nightmare?
Forty-nine authors have come together to tell us theirs. Each story is unique in its horror but all should be read with the lights on and the shadows kept at bay, because some stories tend to stay with you even after the book is closed.
From established authors, to people putting pen to paper for the first time.
Books of Horror presents its inaugural Community Anthology.

EXTREME CONTENT WARNING!

This book contains scenes of extreme violence and sexual content. Do not purchase this book if you are easily offended or require trigger warnings!

Beginning in October, 2019, Steve Stred released three of the darkest, most depraved novellas – Ritual, COMMUNION, and Sacrament (**Nominated for a 2022 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novella!**).

These three novellas completed the ‘Father of Lies’ trilogy, telling the story of a disturbed man trying to open the cosmic gates and enter the Black Heavens to live forever. Inspired by Steve Stred’s research acquired while joining a real cult, the stories from the trilogy have already become favorites within the horror world.

Now, here for the first time, is the complete and definitive ‘The Complete Father of Lies Series.’

Featuring;

- All three novellas

- An exclusive foreword by Sonora Taylor

- An exclusive essay by cover artist Mason McDonald

- A bonus fourth story ‘Eucharist.’

- ‘The Battle Raged On and On’ essay from the author, answering reader questions about the trilogy

Not to be missed, this Omnibus will be available in ebook, paperback and hardcover!

From the author of Frostbitten: 12 Hymns of Misery, comes his first full length nightmare.

Chased across the country-side by a ravenous beast, haunted by the decisions he has made.
The Lighthouse, where nothing appears to be what it is. 

A noise, constantly drawing him in, but keeping him at a distance from answers.
All of it comes to a crescendo, crashing down around him.

Invisible is a gut wrenching ride across a nightmarish landscape, filled with music references, peppered with claustrophobic bouts within the Lighthouse. Part fiction, part auto-biography, Invisible will etch itself into your subconscious long after you have finished reading.

Praise for Steve Stred’s works –

“Thank you, Mr. Stred, for allowing me to read into your world,” – Goodreads review, 5/5

“This was a very powerful read.  Highly recommended!” – Goodreads review, 5/5

“Widow’s Point meets A Monster Calls,” – Justin M. Woodward, Author of Tamer Animals, 5/5

Steve Stred is an up-an-coming Dark Horror author.  Steve is the author of the novel Invisible, the novellas Wagon Buddy, Yuri and Jane: the 816 Chronicles and two collections of short stories; Frostbitten: 12 Hymns of Misery and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick. 

Steve Stred is based in Edmonton, AB, Canada and lives with his wife, his son and their dog Oj.

Once Eldridge’s right hand man, Albert Harkins has been exiled to Earth.

Only Earth is supposed to be uninhabitable.

As the reality of the Empyrean lies are exposed and Harkins learns more and more about what Eldridge’s ultimate plans are, his hatred grows and vengeance floods his vision.

Return to the world of Empyrean, Lizzie and the future that exists within the orbs.

Not all that you see is real and not all that you know is true.

‘The Bandaged’ will answer some questions and ask some more, but ultimately it’ll be up to you, dear reader, to see if you can unravel the mystery before you.

The follow up to ‘The Future In the Sky,’ for fans of ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘The 100,’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland.’

”‘The Future In the Sky’ is a compelling literary treat – wholly original, surprising and ultimately moving. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

-Tim Lebbon, HWA Bram Stoker Award winning author, author of ‘The Silence,’ ‘Eden’ and ‘Relics.’

“Reminiscent of Bradbury, The Future in the Sky is an intimate, character-driven exploration of coming of age in a grim future. Dread builds from the first chapter and doesn’t let up.”

- Laurel Hightower, author of Crossroads

“I was only three pages in when I knew this story would be one I read in a single sitting. A sci-fi work of dystopian existence driven by Lizzie’s gut-wrenching fear and a need for the truth. Steve Stred’s characters jump from the pages, becoming part of your world, causing you to care what happens. Stred doesn’t waste a single sentence in this must-read novella.”

- Cindy O’Quinn, HWA Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Lydia

“Steve Stred has presented a tale of surreal, dark science-fiction here that asks questions of place and belonging, of duty and desire, and might leave you questioning your own choices... or lack of them.”

- Alan Baxter, award-winning author of Devouring Dark and Served Cold

“The Future In the Sky’ proves Stred can’t be restrained by genre”

- Gavin Kendall, Kendall Reviews

With no hope left, Jaz believes her future will change when she catches her orb. Gone will be the hurt and heartache that she leaves on the ship. Ahead, nothing but blue sky and smiles.

But Salvation isn’t what it appears to be, and when she finds herself on the surface of the planet, she must start to unravel the clues as they come.

Return to the world of Empyrean, Lizzie and the future that exists within the orbs.

Not all that you see is real and not all that you know is true.

‘The Devourers’ will answer some questions and ask some more, but ultimately it’ll be up to you, dear reader, to see if you can unravel the mystery before you.

The follow up to ‘The Future In the Sky,’ and ‘The Bandaged,’ for fans of ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘The 100,’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland.’

“Stred’s venture into dystopian sci-fi sparkles with originality yet, at its heart, there is a darkness that lingers. Ultimately, it is a thing of sinister beauty.”

- Dave Jeffery, author of A Quiet Apocalypse and Cathedral

“The Future In the Sky is a brisk, engaging read with shades of Ender’s Game and The Lottery, emboldened by the mystery of Stred’s strange and ubiquitous orbs. This novella is sure to keep sci-fi readers hooked!”

- Michael Patrick Hicks, author of Friday Night Massacre and the Salem Hawley series

“The Future In the Sky is a fast-paced, gripping sci-fi/horror hybrid. Putting an emphasis on dialogue and characterization, Steve Stred writes with lots of ambition and heart.”

- Mike Thorn, author of Shelter for the Damned

“The Future In the Sky is as heart-wrenching as it is horrifying. Steve Stred has created a truly bleak dystopian future, propelled by a strong character-driven narrative. The emotional turmoil is raw and believable. If you feel like having all your hopes turned to ash, jump into this novella.”

- Brian Fatah Steele, author of HUNGRY RAIN and CELESTIAL SEEPAGE

“A chilling dystopian nightmare, imbued with an aching sense of both loss and hope. Strap yourself in, because Steve Stred is gonna take you on a journey.”

- David Sodergren, author of The Forgotten Island and Maggie’s Grave