Worth it? Depends on what you're after. It's not the most original plot—psychic echoes in an old hospital, a skeptic forced to believe—but the execution is competent. The prose is functional, not beautiful, which keeps the pace moving. I blasted through it in two sittings.
My main gripe is the protagonist. He's another gruff, divorced detective with a drinking problem. We've seen him a hundred times. The supernatural elements are where the book shines, especially the concept of 'residual trauma' manifesting physically. That stuff was clever and suitably creepy. If you can look past the cookie-cutter lead, the lore is engaging enough to carry you to the end.
Yeah, I'd say it's worth a shot, but manage expectations. The middle sags a bit with procedural details—lots of interviews, research montages. The payoff in the last fifty pages is satisfying, though, and ties up most loose ends neatly.
It reminds me of early Preston & Child or Simone St. James vibes, but not quite as polished. If you're starved for a new supernatural thriller and have already hit the big names, this will fill the void. Just don't go in expecting 'The Shining' or 'The Silent Companions'. It's a solid B+ effort that knows its audience.
My book club chose this, and we had a surprisingly heated debate. Half of us felt it was a predictable, by-the-numbers thriller with paranormal dressing. The other half, including me, argued that its strength is in the clinical, almost forensic way it treats the supernatural. It's less about jump scares and more about the systematic unraveling of a curse-like phenomenon.
The villain's motive tied back to historical medical malpractice, which added a layer of real-world grimness that elevated it above mere ghost story fare. Is it high literature? No. But as a genre piece, it's thoughtfully constructed. It's worth reading if you prefer your thrillers with a methodical, puzzle-solving edge rather than pure atmospheric dread.
I don't get the lukewarm takes. 'Mater Mortis' genuinely spooked me. That scene with the elevator and the heartbeat monitor? I had to put the book down and turn on all the lights. It understands that true horror lives in the quiet moments, the wrong details in a familiar place.
It's a tight, focused story without unnecessary subplots. Maybe it doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it delivers exactly what it promises: a chilling, straightforward supernatural thriller. For fans who just want that eerie, page-turning feeling without a ton of literary pretension, it absolutely hits the spot. Sometimes you just want a good, scary book, and this is one.
I picked up 'Mater Mortis' because the blurb mentioned a haunted asylum and a detective with a mysterious past, which sounded like my usual jam. The first half was solid—creepy atmosphere, some genuinely unsettling imagery with the 'weeping statue' in the basement. But honestly? It started to lose me in the third act.
The supernatural rules got a bit muddled, and the final confrontation felt rushed compared to the slow-burn tension they'd built. If you're a die-hard fan of the genre who loves atmosphere above all, you might still dig it. I'd say it's a library borrow or a Kindle deal, not a must-buy hardcover. The side plot with the journalist character was more interesting than the main mystery, which is never a great sign.
2026-07-16 21:19:16
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“If you find yourself and your friends in a haunted mansion with sex demons, what would you do?”
***
So, five friends, a couple among them, decided to sign up for CNC group sex to celebrate their 20th birthday. But as soon as they stepped into the haunted mansion, they realized they were trapped, and the hot strangers they came to meet were actually monstrous sex demons. These demons were all about feeding on their sexual energies as they helped them hit climax after climax. But at what cost?
****
If you're easily aroused, grab a rose. If you're easily spooked, maybe snuggle up with a teddy bear before diving into this twisted tale.
The journey ahead will challenge your senses and push boundaries, so brace yourself for an experience that’s as thrilling as it is unsettling.
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
MORTAL is book #1 in a new paranormal romance series by bestselling author Bella Lore, whose series MY TRUE MATE and THE ALPHA’S MATE have over 500 five-star reviews.. “I couldn’t stop reading.”--Amazon review (My True Mate)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐When her father suddenly dies, Winter Grace, 17, is forced to fly across the country and attend a mysterious prep school, an ancient castle in a fog-covered island on the coast of Maine. Nothing here is what it seems, and it isn’t long before Winter, feeling a surging power for the first time, realizes that she is not who—or what—she thinks she is.But when Winter feels an inexplicable crush for an elusive and dangerous boy at the school, she realizes a greater destiny is at play. She knows the relationship might destroy them both—yet she also knows that they can never be apart.Will Winter sacrifice it all to be with the one she loves?Creating an unforgettable world of vampires, werewolves, shifters and magic of all sorts, a world of fantasy, love and sacrifice, MORTAL will take you to another place, rife with shocking twists and turns. Fans of books such as Vampire Academy and Twilight and Crush are sure to fall in love!Future books in the series are also available."The story was very well written and was unique as compared to other shifter stories.”--Amazon review (The Alpha’s Mate)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellent from start to finish and leaves you wanting more.”--Amazon review (My True Mate)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MATED is book #2 in a new paranormal romance series by bestselling author Bella Lore, whose series MY TRUE MATE and THE ALPHA’S MATE have over 500 five-star reviews. <p><p>“I couldn’t stop reading.”<p>--Reader review (My True Mate)<p>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<p><p>When her father suddenly dies, Winter Grace, 17, is forced to fly across the country and attend a mysterious prep school, an ancient castle in a fog-covered island on the coast of Maine. Nothing here is what it seems, and it isn’t long before Winter, feeling a surging power for the first time, realizes that she is not who—or what—she thinks she is.<p><p>But when Winter feels an inexplicable crush for an elusive and dangerous boy at the school, she realizes a greater destiny is at play. She knows the relationship might destroy them both—yet she also knows that they can never be apart.<p><p>In MATED, Winter and her crush embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve the magic relic and save their friends their school.<p><p>Yet they have no idea of the fate awaiting them—or what they will need to do for each other to survive.<p><p>Creating an unforgettable world of vampires, werewolves, shifters and magic of all sorts, a world of fantasy, love and sacrifice, MORTAL will take you to another place, rife with shocking twists and turns. Fans of books such as Vampire Academy and Twilight and Crush are sure to fall in love!<p><p>Future books in the series are also available.<p><p>"The story was very well written and was unique as compared to other shifter stories.”<p>--Reader review (The Alpha’s Mate)<p>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<p> <p>“Excellent from start to finish and leaves you wanting more.”<p>--Reader review (My True Mate)<p>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<p><p>
What would you do if you saw a woman who really looks like you in your dream murder someone?
What would you do if you know that it is not you but when you woke up the dead body is already under your bed but there is no evidence or even a single sign of murder?
What would you do if you heard voices and saw scenes that made you insane?
And what would you do if you’re the only one who came back from the dead after the bus accident?
Find out the life of Irish Stephen who came back from the dead after the bus that she was riding together with her friends, colleagues and boyfriend fell off a cliff that made it totally wreck. People call her “Lazarus” and “Lucky” for returning back from the dead but for her it is a curse because after an accident she knows that there is something wrong with her. She starts seeing things, seeing people that she doesn't know, and hearing voices that she thought is just an effect of the accident. Only her friend Devon understands her and helps her by consulting his friend named, Luna, who knows about spiritual awakenings who told Irish to empty her heart from hatred because of what happened to her in the past of losing someone she loved and her life. When she starts discovering what is happening to her; it is more than what she expected because it is all connected to her dreams and to her visions. The voices that she hears and the things that she sees are all connected to her. Find out how it happened and how Irish became a living dead. Here in MORTEM from one of the best story-teller; I.B.LOYOLA
MATCHED is book #3 in a new paranormal romance series by bestselling author Bella Lore, whose series MY TRUE MATE and THE ALPHA’S MATE have over 500 five-star reviews.
“I couldn’t stop reading.”
--Amazon review (My True Mate)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When her father suddenly dies, Winter Grace, 17, is forced to fly across the country and attend a mysterious prep school, an ancient castle in a fog-covered island on the coast of Maine. Nothing here is what it seems, and it isn’t long before Winter, feeling a surging power for the first time, realizes that she is not who—or what—she thinks she is.
But when Winter feels an inexplicable crush for an elusive and dangerous boy at the school, she realizes a greater destiny is at play. She knows the relationship might destroy them both—yet she also knows that they can never be apart.
In MATCHED, Winter and her love reach the place they never though they would. They are so close to retrieving the relic—when an unexpected twist may just force her love to sacrifice everything—even himself—for her.
Creating an unforgettable world of vampires, werewolves, shifters and magic of all sorts, a world of fantasy, love and sacrifice, MORTAL will take you to another place, rife with shocking twists and turns. Fans of books such as Vampire Academy and Twilight and Crush are sure to fall in love!
Future books in the series are also available.
"The story was very well written and was unique as compared to other shifter stories.”
--Amazon review (The Alpha’s Mate)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent from start to finish and leaves you wanting more.”
--Amazon review (My True Mate)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
She falls for two handsome vampire brothers. Now, she must choose.... Lovers of VAMPIRE DIARIES or TRUE BLOOD will enjoy this story.
Discovering the mother that you thought was dead for over a decade is very much alive can shake your world.
Even more so would be to discover that she has become a mutant-vampire leader and has promised you in marriage to a wicked vampire king in order to unite the two kingdoms. Now, let’s combine that with the fact that the bearer of such news is a hot and sexy guy who turns out to be a vampire and he steals your heart. Then, complicate it even more with the fact that he has an equally hot vampire brother vying for your love and who you also have feelings for and you get an idea of Casey's dilemma in this sizzling, action packed first book of paranormal romance thriller trilogy.
I'm really glad I stuck with 'Marry Grave'. The first few chapters felt a bit like a standard revenge quest setup, but the supernatural elements ramp up in a way that's genuinely clever. It's not just ghosts and monsters—the magic system is tied to the protagonist's journey in a sad, poetic way. The art style shifts subtly to match the tone, getting more surreal as he uncovers the truth about his wife. Some fights drag a bit, but the emotional payoff when he uses the powers connected to her memory... it hits differently than a typical shonen power-up.
That said, the pacing is a point of contention. If you're expecting non-stop action, you might get impatient during the more reflective, world-building chapters. They're necessary, though, because the rules of the supernatural world are complex. It feels like a story where the adventure is a vehicle for exploring grief and commitment, which might not be for everyone. The horror-tinged creatures he encounters are creatively designed, often reflecting themes of loss or broken promises.
I'd recommend it if you like stories where the supernatural is deeply personal. Think less 'monster of the week' and more a decaying, melancholic world where every strange occurrence ties back to the core mystery. Just go in knowing it's a slow, sometimes painful burn, and the adventure is as much internal as it is external. The ending, without spoiling, lands its emotional beats because of that careful buildup.
I've read a lot in the genre, and 'Anubis Curse' is on my maybe pile. The Egyptian mythology hook is solid, and the initial setup with the archaeologist and the cursed tomb artifact has a fun pulpy energy. But I found the pacing in the middle third really dragged for me; it gets bogged down in historical conspiracies when I just wanted more direct supernatural menace. The protagonist's internal monologue can be a bit repetitive too.
That said, the climax delivers some genuinely creepy set-pieces involving the god's judges. If you're deeply into Egyptology-themed horror, you might overlook the slower parts. For a casual thriller fan, though, there are tighter, faster-paced options out there. I finished it, but didn't feel the urge to immediately hunt down the sequel.
So, I just finished re-reading 'Mater Mortis' for the third time, and that twist still gets me. It's not just a simple 'who's the bad guy' reveal; the whole foundation of the protagonist's mission gets turned on its head. For most of the book, you're following this determined archaeologist trying to prevent the resurrection of the titular ancient goddess, believing it would bring about an apocalypse.
But the real gut-punch comes when you realize the cultists he's been fighting aren't trying to raise 'Mater Mortis' to destroy the world—they're trying to summon her to heal it. The ecological collapse and the spreading 'Grey Wastes' in the novel's world aren't natural disasters; they're symptoms of her absence, a kind of metaphysical wound that appeared when she was sealed away ages ago. The protagonist's entire understanding of good and evil, passed down through his order, was a lie perpetuated to maintain control. It reframes every sacrifice and every battle he fought as potentially making things worse.
What makes it hit harder is the personal cost. He's already lost his mentor and a close friend to stop the ritual, and the twist forces him to ally with the very people he considered monsters, all while grappling with the guilt of his own actions. The book doesn't offer a clean resolution from there, just this agonizing new path forward.