“I can’t just leave you.”
“You’re sweet,” she said, smiling. “But I’ll be okay. I’m a big girl.”
“Yeah, but Gary’s bigger. And meaner.” He winced. “Not that you’re mean. You know what I mean.”
She laughed. “I know. Really, I’ll be fine. You go home to your wife.”
Joe sighed. Then he rubbed his palms together with feigned enthusiasm and said, “What the hell, let’s have another round. I’ll call again in a few minutes. That’ll give her time to finish her shower.”
Even as he said the words, he knew she wasn’t in the shower. She wouldn’t be taking a shower at suppertime. She would be pacing the floor, trying to decide if she should be worried or angry that he was late for supper—if she was home and nothing was wrong.
Something was wrong. He could feel it. He could hear it. One of those sirens out there in the wild night could be screaming its way to his house.
End of Excerpt
HELLz BELLz is available on Kindle and Nook
About The Author
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Randy Chandler is the author of the new novels Dime Detective and Daemon of the Dark Wood, and of two previously published novels Bad Juju and HELLz BELLz. He also co-authored Duet for the Devil with t. Winter-Damon (God rest his soul) and has contributed short stories to numerous anthologies. Randy has been a magazine editor/publisher, a freelance book reviewer, a mental health worker, a gas-pump jockey, an ambulance attendant, a soldier in Vietnam, and a funeral home flunky. He often haunts fields of carnage where angels and devils do battle.
Also by Randy Chandler
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DIME DETECTIVE
Comet Press
When barroom bouncer Joe Dall’s ex-wife is murdered, he finds himself pressed into service as a novice private eye. Something very dark and deadly lurks in the lush shadows of the sleepy Florida town and if he can’t unmask the killer soon, others close to Joe will die. Working on a powerful client’s dime, Joe Dall’s first case could be his last.
“The new breed of retro authors isn’t getting paid by the word and, therefore, isn’t padding thin stories; instead, they’re crafting their books with considerable care and quality, and this novel is every bit a winner. Chandler introduces PI Joe Dall in a slick, atmospheric work that captures the underbelly of the 1950s with a sharp eye for detail and a flair for the sinister.”—Booklist
“With the publication of his latest novel, Randy Chandler gives modern readers a truly wonderful taste of a bygone age complemented by today’s views on women and minorities … From Dot Barker, a kind of big sister, to Valentine Cooper and her shotgun, Chandler’s characters go beyond the stereotypical dames, dolls, and broads that filled the pulps for a cast of strong, multidimensional, and entertaining characters. Readers can only hope to see them again in a sequel.”—ForeWord Reviews
“To find a wonderful example of hardboiled detective noir today, you need not look any further than Randy Chandler’s latest novel Dime Detective … Dime Detective is both an homage and a love letter to the genre, but in many ways, an interesting and original departure.”—Walt Hicks, Hellbound Times
DAEMON OF THE DARK WOOD
Comet Press
A man who digs cursed earth, uncovers great sorrow. When the women of Widow’s Ridge begin to go missing, a deputy sheriff, a psychiatrist and a community college professor become mired in chilling myth and mystery. When the missing women reappear, the horror of the Helling comes home to roost.
“Randy Chandler writes with apt audaciousness. He seems truly fond of the salacious wenches he has created. Daemon of the Dark Wood deals with loss of control, but the novel’s author is in masterly command.”—Hellnotes
“If the devil is truly in the details then Chandler is a Practiced Master of the Dark Literary Arts.” —Walt Hicks, Hellbound Times
“Chandler wastes no time when it comes to creating tension and his narrative immediately conjures up a world of screams and fear.” —HorrorTalk
"Daemon of the Dark Wood will please any reader who relishes a well-written tale of ancient knowledge and hidden dangers, and those who fight to keep the human realm free of unbridled evil." —ForeWord Reviews
HELLBENT HOUSE
Comet Press
Haunted by a house seen only in her dreams, Ava locates the old plantation house in the real world and makes the mistake of venturing inside. She lands in the middle of an honest-to-goodness ghost story with murderous roots in the Civil War, but in this hellbent house, there are things far worse than ghosts. And one of them is hungry for Ava's soul.
BAD JUJU: A NOVEL OF RAW TERROR
Acid Grave Press
Dark forces are afoot in Vinewood, Georgia, a deceptively sleepy town where the dead don’t stay dead and a sinkhole is as sinister as it is deadly. Violent events both natural and supernatural build to a chaotic crescendo of horrors that will threaten the entire town and everyone in it.
An odd handful of townsfolk put their lives on the line to save the town—but the darkness may swallow them up before they have a chance.
“Hot and thick, the atmosphere reeks of earth, blood, and decay. The astringent air carries with it a sense of malevolence and resentment. No matter where you look, no matter how shallow you breathe, this town will touch you.” —Kelly Tomblin, Horror-Web
DEADCORE: 4 HARDCORE ZOMBIE NOVELLAS
Comet Press
By Randy Chandler, Ben Cheetham, Edward M. Erdelac, and David James Keaton.
“Randy Chandler’s Dead Juju is a wild, graphic ride—a fast-paced array of elements including religion, politics, race relations, news media, socio-economic classism, contumacy—all handled with skillful precision as Chandler gives us deft glimpses of humanity in all its chaotic, whacked out splendor.” —Walt Hicks, Page Horrific
"(Dead Juju) A wild ride and with an ending which leaves the readers as shocked as it does with its opening. Dead Juju opens Deadcore with a visceral thrill which is hard to ignore and equally tough to stomach."—Fantasy Book Critic
“DEADCORE achieves all extremes. Violent, perverse, depraved and, as such, quite recommended.” —Fangoria
THE DEATH PANEL: MURDER, MAYHEM, AND MADNESS
Comet Press
13 Hard boiled, violent tales of crime and horror from Randy Chandler, Tom Piccirilli, Scott Nicholson, Simon Wood, John Everson, and more.
“…be prepared to be blown away by some of the best genre short story fiction written in the last few years.” —Horror World
“With sharp writing and a crisp design to match, the anthology makes a strong case for 2009’s best. It’s only Comet Press’ third release, but already, the small-press label has distinguished itself as a reliable name brand. Pick it up, if you’ve got the balls.” —Rod Lott, Bookgasm
Comet Press is an independent publisher of horror and dark crime.
Visit us on the web at: www.cometpress.us
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Comet Press titles are available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and other major booksellers.
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