This week has been a productive one, and it's really exciting to see the progress I've made on Death by TBR Books Press. The updated version of Small Town Slasher has been formatted. I will do one more pass on it before the publication date, but ePubs are now being sent out! One benefit of the FIRST VICTIM TIER (or higher) is digital ARCs! So if you sign up for it, you can receive an eARC of both Small Town Slasher and Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night: Another Halloween Horror Anthology. If you are already a member, just message or email me and I'll send it over.

If you haven't heard, the third Twisted Tales is Yuletide Horror, and after making some changes and receiving more support, I was able to move the release date back to THIS November. That means the next anthology will have an open call, most likely this summer. I'll be sending out a separate email over the next few weeks asking FIRST VICTIM TIER (and higher) what subject they would be excited to see as an anthology. One of the perks of being part of a paid tier is being involved in publishing decisions. Vampires? Werewolves? Witches? Liminal Spaces? Slashers? There are so many options and ideas I have and I don't want to release one in an area that has already had an anthology recently.

In between doing all of that I did find time to read and watch things.

BOOKS I update my Storygraph (deathbytbrbooks more than my GR Stephanie Rose)
The Dorians by Nick Cutter
Molka by Monika Kim
The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White

All of these kept me engaged in the story and that's the biggest trouble I have when reading.

Currently reading: Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle and Tea You at the Altar by Rebecca Thorne

Next Up - I received an uncorrected bound manuscript of The Secret Lives of Zombie Wives by Barbara Truelove and I cannot WAIT to start it this weekend!

SHOWS
NEW
24 in 24 Love cooking shows
Widows Bay Fun and hilarious. Cozy horror.
Euphoria I do NOT love this season but I have to finish it.

FILMS - I'm on LetterBoxd - horrormaven13
Faces of Death First horror film I've seen this year that I lived up to the hype.
Project Hail Mary Amaze amaze amaze!

Rewatches that I'm enjoying as I pretend to live in the late 90s/early 00s.
Daria
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The X-Files
Law and Order: SVU
The Hills

That's all for this week! I hope you get some time to read and watch and relax. Oh and I started a new Instagram for my personal nerdom. If you're interested my handle is: stephanieisspooky

xoxo

Spooky Girl

April was full of strange women, unraveling minds, body horror, caves, literary magic, and at least one scene that permanently altered my brain chemistry.

📖 LOVED

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer is easily in my top three books of 2026 so far. I related to the main character so much and the anxiety running through this book felt painfully real at times. The tension never lets up. It just slowly tightens around you until every interaction feels wrong in the best possible way. One of those books where you start questioning everyone and everything alongside the protagonist.

Decomposition Book by Sara Van Os completely caught me off guard. Weird, sexy, feral, uncomfortable. Exactly the kind of book I love stumbling into without really knowing what I’m about to experience. It felt messy and human and emotionally raw in a way that really worked for me.

Headlights by C.J. Leede proves once again that C.J. Leede apparently refuses to let readers know peace. There is at least one scene in this book that is going to live in my brain forever like a cursed VHS tape. I loved this more than American Rapture, though Maeve Fly still owns a permanent section of my soul.

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer had me from the first few pages. A blend of whodunnit, fantasy, and literary love letter with the kind of cozy magic that makes you want to disappear into a rainy bookstore for a weekend. I already know this is a reread for me.

Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams was our book club pick and Taylor Adams really knows how to create panic-inducing situations. The cave imagery especially got under my skin in a very claustrophobic way.

Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir... that ending. Absolute chef’s kiss. Quietly unsettling in a way that sneaks up on you.

📖 LIKED

The Cove by Claire Rose had a really strong atmosphere, but the plot became a little confusing for me by the end.

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Part 2 by Emil Ferris is still visually incredible, but I just wasn’t as emotionally pulled in as I hoped to be.

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer had a fascinating concept, though the pacing felt a little repetitive for me at times.

📖 NOT FOR ME

Odessa by Gabrielle Sher just never fully grabbed my attention.

Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth leaned way too heavily into world building for my personal taste.

Body Count by Codie Crowley unfortunately just didn’t work for me. The dialogue and character voices felt a little too cringy and whiny.

Abyss by Nicholas Binge sounded like something I should have loved on paper, but it never fully hooked me emotionally.

Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day by Emma E. Murray wasn’t bad at all, it was just a little too emotionally heavy for me personally without enough light breaking through by the end.

❓What was your favorite read of April?

There’s something kind of funny about this time of year for me. As of tomorrow, we’re halfway to Halloween which feels like a holiday I can actually get behind. And today is Beltane, which is technically the halfway point to summer… my least favorite season. So I’m standing right in the middle of two very different energies and trying to appreciate both.

Last night was Hexxenacht, or Witches Night. Traditionally it’s tied to warding off spirits and welcoming in spring energy, but for me it looked like a virtual ritual, lighting a few candles, and settling in with The Craft and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. It felt quiet and a little nostalgic, which was exactly what I needed.

Beltane has a very different feel. It’s a fire festival, all about life, growth, desire, and everything waking up at once. It’s louder in energy, more alive, a little harder to ignore. Instead of rituals inside, I spent today out exploring Whidbey Island. It’s close enough to home that it still feels familiar, but different enough that I can start pulling pieces of it into Woods Bay. The mix of water, trees, and small town spaces felt right for that kind of inspiration.

Tonight I’m leaning into the slower side of it. I’ll sit with the full Flower Moon, pull a tarot spread, and just see what comes up. I’m planning to leave out some water with an intention and drink it tomorrow. Nothing complicated, just taking a moment to pause and let things settle.

I was outside most of today, and honestly that felt like the most important part. Being in nature, noticing things, letting everything feel a little more vivid than usual. Beltane is supposed to be about life at its peak, and even if summer isn’t my season, I can still meet it halfway.

I shared a post on Instagram recently but wanted to give even more book recs on here for Pocahontas characters and the reasons I chose each one.

THOMAS
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling & Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
Both stories center control, repression, and systems that look orderly on the surface but are quietly rotting underneath. That tension between logic and something deeply wrong mirrors Thomas perfectly.

KOCOUM
Never Whistle at Night: Back for Blood & Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
These both ground horror in ancestry, land, and generational memory. Together, they reflect Kocoum’s connection to community and the idea that the past is never truly separate from the present.

JOHN
The Hacienda by Isabel Canas & The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Both books trap their characters in controlled, domestic spaces that slowly turn hostile. That loss of authority in the face of something supernatural lines up with John’s need for certainty.

RATCLIFFE
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin & The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson
These are both brutal, society-breaking narratives where survival requires adaptation to constant violence. They match Ratcliffe’s world, where chaos isn’t an anomaly, it’s the baseline.

FLIT
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede & A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
Both lean into indulgence, performance, and female rage with a sharp, self-aware edge. That mix of chaos and control fits Flit’s unpredictable, almost theatrical energy.

MEEKO
Nothing Tastes As Good by Luke Dumas & Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson
These stories start soft and intimate before shifting into obsession and transformation. That progression mirrors Meeko’s curiosity and loyalty evolving into something more complicated.

PERCY
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne + Rouge by Mona Awad
Both focus on vanity, image, and identity unraveling under pressure. They reflect Percy’s arc from surface-level entitlement to a more self-aware, fractured perspective.

POCAHONTAS
White Horse by Erika T. Wurth + Shutter by Ramona Emerson
These both center cultural memory, spiritual responsibility, and connection to land. Together, they align with Pocahontas’s role as someone who carries history rather than escapes it.

I'm definitely going to do more of these types of posts. Everyone has their own niche on Instagram and I think since I love watching and reading so much it's a great way to combine the two. Also, the books for each character are readalikes so generally if you like one you'll like the other.

I've been working on the outline for Book 2 in the Woods Bay series. I'm not used to outlining but after spending so much time on editing and rewriting Small Town Slasher I know it's needed. It's just not something that comes natural to me. I love brainstorming ideas and tucking certain ones away for future books. It's challenging. I hope to not put too many things in one book, subplots, locations, characters, etc. With the shit show that is America right now it's challenging to want to write.

Part of me just wants to consume media. Books. Shows. Movies. Games. Old. New. Mostly filled with nostalgia and comfort. So I meet in the middle. I have been working on my outline a few hours every day. Tinkering with it. It's challenging to focus but I'm doing my best. I definitely feel like I'm dragging my depression around some days like a piece of tiny piece of tape you can't get off of your finger. Or like Clark in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation where he can't get the sap off of his fingers when he's reading a magazine in bed.

See I can't even write a post without referencing something. Some authors I know don't read or watch much while others do and I find it fascinating. As a child of the 80s I didn't have a lot of money so we would rent movies and watch tv between riding around on our bikes or going to the mall. Now that I'm disabled I enjoy media because it's the one way I can travel in our world or fictional ones.

What media have you found comfort in recently?

I've read almost 50 books this year so far. A few on my list I had been looking forward to since early 2025. Some left me disappointed and others just weren't very memorable or were challenging for me to follow. As an author I know now how challenging it is to write a book and put a piece of yourself into the world. And with that I won't negatively review any book. I am just not the reader for certain books.

So let's break down my top 5 reads of 2026 (so far) in no particular order. Headlights by CJ Leede was a recent read and really shows how much Leede cares about the environment and animals. I love how she focuses on a part of the country with every book. Maeve Fly will always be my favorite of hers. American Rapture wasn't my favorite so I was a bit nervous about reading Headlights. It broke my heart and while CJ did put it back together it was done so in a messy way. It was haunting, heartbreaking, and sad. I'm not sure if I'll reread it as right now I am enjoying reading lighter horror or cozy horror.

Now some may not consider Morsel, Nothing Tastes as Good, and Trad Wife lighter but I do because they have parts in them that are so off the wall. Parts I did not see coming AT ALL and I loved that. I laughed at parts and thought "good for them" numerous times. This is my new favorite genre of horror. Not sure what to call it but for me all of these are in it.

The Caretaker grabbed me from the beginning and I was led through a wild ride. I'd say most of the decisions the MC make are ones I would have made too because money troubles are very relatable. I'm definitely going to read more fantasy and sci-fi this year too. I'm not sure where to start but I'm excited to dive into other genres.

What are your favorite reads of 2026 (so far)?

I don’t really do traditional reviews anymore. I just ask myself one thing… did it vibe with me?

Headlights absolutely did.

It felt like a love letter to Colorado in the same way Maeve Fly felt like one to LA. You can feel how much Leede sees the world around her and actually cares about it. The landscapes, the details, the way she writes place like it matters… because it does.

This one hurt. Like… ripped my heart out and put it back together a little wrong. I understood every choice she made as a writer, and still sat there feeling a little wrecked after.

There’s a stretch that gave me The Abyss and The X-Files energy. Those wandering, eerie, road-heavy moments where something feels just slightly off. That’s my zone.

As someone who can’t travel, this is why stories matter so much to me. Books like this take me somewhere real. Somewhere I’ve been, or somewhere I’ll never get to go. And for a little while, I’m there.

I’ve read almost 50 books already this year and I know this will be one of my top reads of 2026.

Maeve Fly still owns a permanent spot in my brain, but Headlights… yeah, this one stays with you.

If you’ve read it, tell me… did it wreck you too?

THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS BY CHUCK WENDIG
ABOUT
A group of friends investigate the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel.

READ IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN OR LIKE
- Supernatural horror - urban legends/magic
- Character-driven story
- Camping/Wilderness setting
- Friendship and nostalgia themes
- Dual timelines
- Small town horror

REVIEW
Clocking in at 400 pages it's actually a shorter novel for the genre bending author, Chuck Wendig. The publisher actually described this one better than I've seen in the past. It's not really a horror book but a dark supernatural thriller with feelings of dread and terror sprinkled in. It's well-written and reminds me of the character-driven characters of It by Stephen King and The Hollow Place by T. Kingfisher. I enjoyed it but I still think it could have been edited more and it felt a bit disjointed at times.

THE SWIMMER BY LORETH ANNE WHITE
ABOUT
Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.

READ IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN OR LIKE
- PNW setting
- Psychological suspense
- Neighborhood secrets
- Domestic lies
- Books that make you want to make a red string board

REVIEW
Warning. Do not engage in any activities while reading or listening to this book or you won't know what the hell is going on. There are a lot of characters in this book and I struggled in keeping them straight throughout the story. As a novel I didn't love it but I do think that there were about three strong story ideas. It kept me engaged most of the time but had too many subplots.

WOOM BY DUNCAN RALSTON
“Warning: this book contains graphic violence and sexuality most readers will find offensive.”

ABOUT
The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets... and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all. Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. Today he's come back to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all. Shyla, a plus-sized escort, thinks the stories Angel tells her can't be true. Secrets so vile, you won't want to let them inside you. But the Lonely Motel doesn't forget. It doesn't forgive. And it always claims its victim.

READ IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN OR LIKE
- Extreme horror
- Splatterpunk
- Vignette style stories
- Disgusting/disturbing content
- Trauma centered characters

REVIEW
PLEASE READ TRIGGER WARNINGS ABOVE. I finally ripped off the band aid and read my first extreme horror book. I made a lot of faces, gagged a few times, and had to pick my jaw up off the floor more times than I can count. I think it would have thought this book was average but the last few pages were INSANE. SHOCKING. APPALLING. But then somehow left me incredibly hopeful for the characters.

CHLOE BY CONNIE BRISCOE
ABOUT
A mansion haunted by the ghost of a cool, charismatic first wife. A second bride from a small Southern town who may be in over her head. A brooding billionaire who grows icier the more his new wife questions him about the past.

READ IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN OR LIKE
- Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
- Domestic suspense
- Gothic stories
- Reimagined classics
- POC representation

REVIEW
There are two types of people in the world. People who believe that their favorite book or film should never be adapted or rewritten and will curse anyone or anything that doesn't live up to their high expectations OR those who love the book or film so much they want to see all the different adaptations. I'm the second one. I LOVED this one. I read it in a day. Wonderful audiobook or wait for the paperback but if you liked Rebecca AND you want to read something that reads A LOT like it then this one is for you. Just think of what Ross said on Friends, "Don't you see? This is just like that. Only with a few details changed."

I recently finished a new draft of Small Town Slasher, which is now a novella. I’ve had some personal and medical challenges lately, but I’m hanging in there. 🖤

Today I’m celebrating the first Wiccan Sabbat of 2026: Imbolc, the midpoint between winter and spring. And tonight we also have the Full Snow Moon.

Imbolc honors the return of the light, creativity, new beginnings, and that quiet anticipation of growth. I’ve been seeing so many wonderful ideas online that I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing to prepare, and what I’m doing today.

If you want more details on any of these, just comment the number and I’ll happily share more.

IMBOLC

1. Prepared my altar (see photo below)

2. Full Snow Moon ritual

3. Baked a cheesecake

4. Winter workshop ritual

5. Tarot spread: Imbolc Candle

6. Tarot spread: Healing / Protection / Self-Care for Seeking Sanctuary

7. Tarot spread: Full Snow Moon

8. Fire release ritual

9. Open window ritual

10. Purification ritual

11. Warm Milk Wishes ritual

Since Imbolc and the Full Snow Moon are both about renewal, protection, and what we’re carrying forward, I’m also spending time with tarot today.

I’m doing a few spreads for myself — and I’m opening a limited number of paid tarot readings for anyone who wants one while I’m in this energy.

These are written readings delivered via email.

Choose your reading:

🕯️ Imbolc Spread (3 cards) – $15
This focuses on what is beginning to awaken, what energy wants to grow stronger, and what is becoming clear.

🛡️ February Sanctuary Reading (Healing/Protection/Self-Care) (9 cards) – $40
For grounding and nervous system care: what you need, what you’re carrying, what supports you right now, and what to protect.

🌕 Full Snow Moon Release (4 cards) – $25
What to release, what’s being revealed, what’s shifting, and what comes next.

How to claim one:

Comment TAROT + which reading you want, or send me a DM with your question.
I’ll confirm availability + send payment info.

Spots are limited so I can keep these intentional and not overwhelm myself.
(As always: tarot is for reflection and support — not medical/legal/financial advice.)

🕯️🌕🖤 Good journey.