I thought I would share a review that J.R. Armstead posted on the short stories Among Shadows and From These Eyes Of Abomination. Armstead is the author of a brilliant Supernatural Crime novel titled Darkness Fears which becomes the creation of a new and more vicious kind of vampire called The Moon Chosen. He's also reviewed the Cthulhu Mythos story that opens everything up titled INSECT! Joseph, I am going to give you some more readers buddy -- thank you for your support over the years.

"This was like returning to a time when horror writing was exciting and unclassifiable, like the heyday of the Frank Belknap Long/ Clark Ashton Smith pulp era! An intelligent and literate story, written in a classy neo-classic style reminiscent of Lovecraft and the pulp authors of the 30's and 40's." --- Joseph R. Armstead, author Darkness Fears reviewing the short story Among Shadows.

"Interesting write, I like the way in which you maintain the "archaic" voice throughout, a touch of Algernon Blackwood here, a lot of H.P. Lovecraft there... it gives the story a sense of impending dread with an aristocratic air of agelessness. A very cinematic story for you, Nickolaus, not the usual job of over-cerebralization of horror that you are prone to, and this plays out well! " -- Joseph R. Armstead commenting on From These Eyes Of Abomination.

These are reviews given to me by Ronald S. Dondiego from my beginnings on AuthorsDen. The short story he's reviewing here is the one titled, Among Shadows. This is my prized story in the collection. And this story will always be one of my favorite short stories because I don't show the vampires in the story, but one can tell they are around.

"Pure genius! Such a dark, random journey through the land of nod, where darkness holds its dominion - was truly struck by the power of your writing." -- Ronald S. Dondiego, author, A Wicked Twist Of Fate.

Then here is the one coming from a best selling author on AmberQuill Press, and one of my contributing authors on Tabloid Purposes after she read House of Spiders, this story is one of my babies because I first wrote it for Reality Check -- then I wrote a different story even more sinister for the anthology competion, I thought fuck it, I will put this one in my own book. The story is one that was inspired by Terry Lloyd Vinson when he wrote Bone Chills but with a no-bullshit attitude.

"This story truly kicked some horror butt! It was like 'It,' 'Dawn of the Dead,' and 'Fright Night' all rolled into one! I hate bugs and spiders, and I love haunted house movies, so it freaked me out. The story got really fast-paced toward the end, which made it very cool. You did a really nice job with this one. I liked it a whole lot." -- M.D.B. Wuesthoff, authoress of Sacrifice, A Question of Faith and In Death's Face on Tabloid Purposes.

Don't take my word on these stories -- these are from authors who've been established for a while. Then the final review is for the short story LAKE FOSSIL. LAKE FOSSIL can be read in the preview on one version of Tabloid Purposes.

"I really enjoyed this story. I love science fiction and the whole idea of a Nessie legend so close to home is very interesting to me. I found your main character to be very human. I like that. Many times, the main character is too heroic, even for a hero. You have kept it real here. Nice work. I look forward to reading more of your writing." -- Mary E. Rose, authoress of The Card on Tabloid Purposes.

Collectives is a marvelous set of macabre tales fairly reminiscent of the styling of Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Mr. Pacione adds his own unique technique of writing weaving each story together in a blend of horror and reality that is one hundred percent original. From the grim but true to life tale, Places of the Cold to the imaginative prose of LAKE FOSSIL each story takes the reader to new and darker dreamscapes.
      In a world where gore and violence have become the tool of horror it's refreshing to read a book where the terror is as close to the reader as the pounding of his own heartbeat.
      I would recommend this collection to any fan of the Mythos for Mr. Pacione is an author who would make Cthulhu proud. -- William P. Haynes, Author, The Curse of Mesphisto's Seed