Gemma Files

From the very first story, this collection had me hooked and speeding forward. Gemma File's gorgeous descriptions combined with her haunting concepts makes for a collection which feels far more rich than the average short story collection. Most of the stories here are on the longer side, and deservedly so--I loved sinking into each concept and world, and feeling the reality she brought to each new horror. In a few cases, I finished a story only to want to immediately re-read and re-experience it.

I'd absolutely recommend this to horror lovers.… (more)

Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

Damn this book was one wild ride and definitely not the kind of western Grandpa read. Set a couple of years after the civil war, Asher Rook is a powerful hexslinger or sorcerer. With his lover and budding hexslinger, Chess Pargeter, they and their gang of outlaws wreak havoc in the old west. Rook's magic is unstoppable and what Rook seems to miss, Chess just shoots. A Pinkerton agent, Ed Morrow, is sent to infiltrate Rook's gang to gather information that will counter the hexslingers. Rook and Chess have much bigger and bloodier problems than the Pinkerton Agency. Rook is haunted by an old Aztec goddess who is set on bringing herself and some of her gang through Rook into the wild west. It's hard to believe that this is Ms Files first novel. She has her own magical way of weaving a gay, horror filled, bloody and gritty western into a terrific story. Rook and Chess jump right off the pages in chapter one and you can't help but like the guys. All of the very different characters that you come across in the book are very well developed and the detailed sex is hot. I was disappointed that the complex story ended with a cliff hanger but I'm ready to jump into book two. This was definitely not a light, easy read but it was worth the time.… (more)