Horror Aficionados discussion

This is the thread for our October Group Read and we have none other than the legendary James Newman to scare us out of our minds this month. James has been gracious enough to agree to be on the hot seat all month long as we read his book, Ugly As Sin. I've worked with James before and he's a pleasure to chat with. He's also giving away signed copies, of Ugly As Sin, to two lucky winners that join in on the group read and post honest reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. So, without further ado, please help me welcome, James Newman!

James Newman?!?! I got a signed copy of with my Nocturnal Readers box this month!

Hi Lena - What a bonus!

Super excited about this!

Sweet! Hope you dig it, Lena.

Lol, I hope so since I didn't appreciate the other book in my box.

I can't wait to start this book!

This is so cool. I had no idea the group did this. Thanks for setting this up, admins! Nice to e-meet you, James Newman. I've been meaning to read The Forum.

Welcome James, we are glad to have you here

Welcome James.

welcome James and thank you.

Welcome James!

Welcome, James!

Welcome James! I've already reviewed UGLY AS SIN, but I will be re-reading and joining in--fantastic choice!!

Man, I LOVE this book! My schedule won't really allow a re-read right now, but I definitely plan to follow and participate in the discussions.

So thrilled with this, greetings James.

Welcome, James! This will be a super-fantastic month.

James,
(view spoiler)[(Is it too early to start pestering for a sequel?) (hide spoiler)]

Welcome, James! This is going to be awesome. UAS is one of my all-time favorite reads! I think that all the HA members who have not had a chance to read you yet are going to be in for quite a treat! (and still a treat for all of us that are already familiar with your excellent body of work)

P.S. Kimberly -(view spoiler)[ Never too early to early to start bugging James for more of The Widowmaker! Such a graet character. (hide spoiler)]

Bill wrote: "Welcome, James! This is going to be awesome. UAS is one of my all-time favorite reads! I think that all the HA members who have not had a chance to read you yet are going to be in for quite a treat..."

Bill--EXACTLY!! :D

John Boden approved.

Welcome and thanks James :D This sounds like a great book. I am looking forward to reading this, I just have another rather long book to finish first.

Since we haven't official started the Ugly as Sin I'm going to do a The Wicked highjacking.
I'm on page 69 and I wanted to say I loved the creepy background of Becca's doll therapy. Kids absorb the truth.

Bill wrote: "Welcome, James! This is going to be awesome. UAS is one of my all-time favorite reads! I think that all the HA members who have not had a chance to read you yet are going to be in for quite a treat..."

Totally agree on this one, I loved the book! Everyone have fun with this one! (though when I think about it, fun is not exactly the right word to use here...)

I'd long been a James Newman fan... and then I read Ugly As Sin. Now he's been elevated to the insta-buy category of authors. Can't wait for another Nick Bullman story!

Oh, I finished this book a couple of days ago. So cool! It seems I'm becoming James Newman's fan :) I read his story 'Odd Man Out" not long ago and it was awesome. Have one more of his novel on my Kindle

Wow! I've got a lot of catching up to do . . . I wondered why my ears have been burning the last couple of days. :p

Thanks so much for the warm welcome, everyone! Made my whole week.

Adam wrote: "This is so cool. I had no idea the group did this. Thanks for setting this up, admins! Nice to e-meet you, James Newman. I've been meaning to read The Forum."

Nice to meet you too, Adam! I always dug THE FORUM quite a bit, wish it got a bit more attention than it has. Besides UGLY AS SIN (coincidentally enough), it was the most fun I've ever had writing anything. So, if you get around to it, lemme know what you think . . . thanks, man!

Kimberly wrote: "James,
[spoilers removed]"

Kimberly (and Bill!): Haven't written one yet, but there is a new story on the way via an anthology that will be announced soon. Just finished the story this past weekend, in fact. It's called "A Friend In Need..."

Lena wrote: "Since we haven't official started the Ugly as Sin I'm going to do a The Wicked highjacking.
I'm on page 69 and I wanted to say I loved the creepy background of Becca's doll therapy. Kids absorb the..."

Thanks so much, Lena! I've always been quite proud of that little moment, thought it was darkly humorous but at the same time quite disturbing because it's *real*, ya know?

Katerina wrote: "Oh, I finished this book a couple of days ago. So cool! It seems I'm becoming James Newman's fan :) I read his story 'Odd Man Out" not long ago and it was awesome. Have one more of his novel on my ..."

This makes me smile. :)

Much appreciated, Katerina!

Finished up The Wicked, a love letter to 80s horror! Loved it, recommend.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've got requests in at two libraries for Ugly as Sin.

Great work, James. I finished it in two sittings and I have a newborn so that should say something.

I'd never heard the phrase, "that smarts" before but learned it means something really hurts. What I read said it's a British term. Do you guys use it a lot in NC?

My favorite character was Leon by far. I enjoyed reading in a thick southern accent!

Take care, man. I'll let you know what I think of THE FORUM soon.

Adam wrote: "Great work, James. I finished it in two sittings and I have a newborn so that should say something.

I'd never heard the phrase, "that smarts" before but learned it means something really hurts. W..."

Weird . . . I had no idea it was a British term. Yeah, I've heard it through the years -- maybe not a lot, but enough so I would have thought it was a Southern thing. Interesting!

Leon was obviously a blast to write. Meth-heads need love too! LOL

Thanks so much for the kind words, Adam. I'm glad you enjoyed it, man.

Adam wrote: "
I'd never heard the phrase, "that smarts" before but learned it means something really hurts. W..."

No, not quite. Yes it does mean hurt, but it is a particular sort of hurt. If say your face is slapped and it really stings afterwards - that is smarting. Or jumping off a wall and jarring your feet.
So to say "that smarts" in conversation isn't just saying that was a hurtful thing to say, it is also saying "that came out of the blue, where the heck did that come from, why did you do that"

this is so amazing

I started this one today and totally got sucked in fast. Your writing is so descriptive that even though I know nothing about "rassling" I felt I was there.
You also totally crack me up with the quirky details you add about your characters (the diaper fetish the boss may have!)
I can tell this is going to be great.

Are you a wrestling fan or where did this idea come from?

I am wrestling fan but I don't know where the Idea came from but I am so happy .

Just started! I refuse to miss out on the chance for another signed James Newman book.

Holy shit. I didn’t realize we could win a signed copy! Does everyone who participated have that chance or just the super readers?

Vicki wrote: "I started this one today and totally got sucked in fast. Your writing is so descriptive that even though I know nothing about "rassling" I felt I was there.
You also totally crack me up with the qu..."

Thank you so much, Vicki! I'm glad you're enjoying the book . . . .

My history with wrestling is weird. I hated it -- HATED it -- growing up. My dad watched it all the time, and a lot of the jocks I couldn't stand at school thought it was the greatest thing ever, so I grew up despising it. Then, around 1999 or so, my wife and I started liking it somehow. I still don't know how this happened, but I know the Rock had a lot to do with it (I still think he's an incredibly talented guy, and will watch just about any movie he's in). We adored the Rock vs. McMahon-Helmsley era. We even went to see a live show once when it came to town.

And then, just like that, we were out of it again. Got tired of the same old predictable storylines/matches. And suddenly we stoppped watching. Haven't watched it at all since 2004 or so.

So, yeah . . . that's my really long-winded way of saying that I'm not a wrestling fan. But, like my main character in UGLY AS SIN -- even though it's not a wrestling novel, per se, it is a part of his past. :)

55% in. I feel there is a strong connection between trailer park murders and titty bars. It’s like the peanut butter and jelly of crime.

Lena wrote: "55% in. I feel there is a strong connection between trailer park murders and titty bars. It’s like the peanut butter and jelly of crime."

LOL! I love it, Lena. You could be right.

Guess I should’ve just read the description. Oops :). Just added reviews to Amazon and Goodreads!

Just submitted reviews to both sites so put my name in the hat 🎩 please!

James, what can we expect to see come down the pike for 2018 and beyond from you?

I finished.
Loved it!
The description of the horror room!
I thought the intensity of the ending matched the intensity of the beginning.
I loved the ending too. (view spoiler)[especially how life wasn't perfect or normal. It was going to be a tough road. Working at a diner third shift, trying to reconnect with family you never knew, etc.
The interview at very end was a cool teaser too. You get right on that James!
(hide spoiler)]

Vicki's Review

So who won the signed books?

Ken wrote: "James, what can we expect to see come down the pike for 2018 and beyond from you?"

It shouldn't be too much longer before I have details to announce re: two new novels, DOG DAYS O' SUMMER and SCAPEGOAT!

Vicki wrote: "I finished.
Loved it!
The description of the horror room!
I thought the intensity of the ending matched the intensity of the beginning.
I loved the ending too. especially how life wasn't perfect or..."

Thank you so much, Vicki! I'm glad you enjoyed it!