This book blows my mind. I love dark and morbid things. Truly fascinates me. There is not much that can be written that pushes me to the point of return....or so I thought. This book might have found some of those buttons. I never thought that I would say that. I will keep adding to this as I read the various novellas. So far 5 for 5 for leaving me uncomfortable and finding my hard limit. 5/5 for these authors are the best of the best.

All of these authors and novellas are reminiscent of the anthology When the Dark Wins, only this time there is a theme. I hope that this continues and that they find darker and delicious (albeit an increase of therapy sessions needed) stories to tell based off of other themes. It could be like the book version of the television series, American Horror Story. If they haven't thought of this before, please consider it. I and all the other dark twisted souls would love it.

"She Came Before God" by Addison Cain
This short novella might be one of my worst nightmares coming to life. Having been raised Catholic the majority of my life before I saw the light, this story and having a fascination with History made me question how close this might be to the truth. It wouldn't surprise me in the least, just saying. #sorrynotsorry

Addison seemed to get into the mindset of the time period when a woman's worth was dependent on many things; piety, purity, devotion, obeying the dictates of patriarchy, and obedience in order to ultimately become a wife and mother. She posits what happens when there are additional players in the grand scheme of where or what happens to the woman. How does the woman accept that? Religion has and continues to influence the lives of many people especially in this story and how this "tradition" continues with each daughter. All I could think about at the end of this short story is Holy Effing TITFIRE followed by how accurate is DNA 123 because there are going to be ALOT of screwed up family trees for all those genealogy peeps out there.

Imagine yourself sitting on the precipice of the abyss contemplating life with no intention of going over and then having someone shove you from behind. This story is the precipice in this case and Addison just shoved you over, cackling the entire time, because she knows you will be pushed out of your comfort zone. Be prepared.

This story just proved that I am definitely more at home in Hell with the Devil than dealing with Catholic Bishops. I am thinking because the Devil has no qualms admitting that he is bad and that Religious people such as these are acting as "God" when they are in fact, worse than the devil they condemn.

I LOVE this author because she has a gift at writing ANYTHING and make it intriguing juxtaposed with deeply disturbing. This story is no different. Generally, these short stories turn into something bigger (whether a full story or a series), in this case, this is one that I hope doesn't continue as it was out of my comfort zone. However, even saying that I know I would still read it because this author could rewrite a cereal box and I would read it.

"Last Rights" by Alta Hensley
This was a very interesting read. It definitely was not a romance. It was dark, gritty, and raw. It left me questioning what was real and what was imaginary. Still, at the end of the story, I am still not sure which was which. This author is always good at portraying a story or scene in a way that draws the audience in. This is very different than her other works so please be aware before reading. As mentioned before, this is not a story with sparkles, sweetness, and love.

"LILITH'S REVENGE" by Zoe Blake
Sweet holy titfire... did the authors all get together trying to see who could come up with what will screw with the minds of the readers the most? Or see how far they could push their audience before they will need to sleep with the light on or need to increase their therapy sessions? If so then it is a toss-up who the winner is because this author wrote a gripping and haunting tale that will leave you questioning what is real and what is just a figment of your imagination. It posits if there is a God, how far will he go to test your faith? Or worst, If Satan exists to what length and what tools will he use to tempt you to come to the Darkside. Be prepared there is no HEA here. NONE. Kudos to this author. Holy hellacious titfire...

"Baptized in Eden" by Jennifer Bene
Horror at its finest. I vacillated between wanting more and wanting the sweet torture to end for the h of the story. I am not sure what that says about me. It posits whether there is a heaven or hell. It also makes me wonder who the true "demons" are. As society and history have shown, Followers of God and Satan have good and bad people. That is because ultimately humans have a tendency to be morally bankrupt to satisfy their own desires. This story is going to stay with me for a while as I process all of the amazing symbology and hidden elements and message.

"Communion" by Celia Aaron
Well, I didn't see this coming when the novella started. I thought I could see how this was going to end. Oh, how wrong I was. Sick, disturbing, but deliciously decadent. It doesn't have a happily ever after...or does it? Well played Ms. Aaron. Well played. It takes a lot to truly surprise me but this novella did. In today's day and age and with what is going on in Society (particularly the US) it is quite refreshing and needed. Although this was unusual in how it got to that outcome.

"Say Yes" by Ashleigh Giannoccaro
Cults freak me out. Their devotion to God and a specific interpretation of what they perceive is his lesson is always so extreme. Generally speaking, it is often whackadoodle. This story confirms that I am right in thinking this. I sat here shaking my head as I was reading it while telling myself, "this is why you NEVER drink the Kool-aid." EVER. The author walked a fine line between making this intriguing (and a little sweet) and creepy as all hell. This is the first read from this author and I will be looking for more of her work in the future.

"I'm Better Than You" by SJ Cole
Well, this is a story that takes being the best to a whole other level. It reminded me of the movie Misery, albeit an even crazy person than what was portrayed by Kathy Bates. This ending totally creeped me out. TOTALLY creeped me out and made me wonder how this main character hadn't been locked away in an asylum because there is crazy and then there is sleep upside bat s* cray cray. This story was really different than the rest because the others novellas were more focused on religion and this one did not. I will have to mull this one over and see if I can find the connection.

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