Book picks similar to
The Portrait by Evelyn Chartres


fantasy
gothic
shelf-c-authors
self-pub

The Vampires of Tor Cliff Asylum


Amy Cross - 2018
    And when they do, there's only one place to send them. Tor Cliff is an asylum for the most insane and dangerous vampires. Run more like a prison than an asylum, and ruled over by doctors who themselves seem crazier than their patients, Tor Cliff is widely regarded as one of the most hellish places in existence. Kidnapped and sent to Tor Cliff, Abby Hart soon learns that someone is trying to get to the secret hidden in her mind. Teaming up with the mysterious Madeleine Le Compte, Abby tries to escape, only to discover that something even more dangerous is lurking in the forest beyond the asylum's walls.

The Carnival of the Night


Nicholas Carey - 2018
     And The Fool has one rule: No one leaves The Carnival. Ever. Christopher, the latest arrival thrust reluctantly through the gates, is certain that he doesn't belong there, and he's damn sure he's not staying. To have any chance of escaping, he must confront not only The Fool, but his own dark past.

Surviving the Fall


Stephen Cross - 2016
    Mac, an old landlord who locks down his pub with his wife and a few boozy locals to ride the coming zombie storm. Sergeant Allen finds himself fighting not only the undead, but also his conscience as the army goes rogue. Harriet becomes lost in the suburbs, now a dark, empty and sinister land. Sarah must escape from the channel tunnel when her train stops midway, a zombie on-board. Chris, a small town drug dealer and big time loser who takes on the council estate's undead once the apocalypse threatens his beloved Gran. Captain Andy Bracknell, whose holiday flight from Spain becomes death at 30,000 feet when a passenger goes full zombie. Dr Grace, a virologist in a secret underground research Facility that threatens to become her underground tomb when one of the research samples gets flesh fever.Would you Survive the Fall?

Power of Shadow (Earth, Blood and Shadow Book 1)


Dean Chalmers - 2015
     NOTE: Portions of this work were previously published in 2 separate volumes as Shadewright and Shadowslave under the pen name Dean McMillin in Dec. 2012--however this is a completely re-edited, re-imagined version of the story, re-written from front to back. Phantist just wants to be an entertainer, earning his living with his shadow magic. But then, an ancient evil known as Earth Darkness declares war on the land. The dark lord's allies have powerful war machines of a kind never seen before... And the enemy uses a combination of magic and technology to corrrupt life itself, creating monsters. Now, to save his people and his country, Phantist joins with an eccentric lightning-mage and a mysterious female soldier on a quest to stop Earth Darkness and its murderous plans. But this battle demands that Phantist find the warrior within himself… And that he must embrace the darkest, deadliest aspects of his own magic.

The Broken Scale (The Dragon Riders of Arvain)


Nicholas Clausen - 2012
    When Hayden sets out to become a Metallic Dragon Rider he discovers that his dreams are far from reality as he gets ready for the Trials that stand between him and a dragon egg. The Trials test Hayden in every way but he finds that it is what happens after the Trials that he could not have prepared for. War breaks out as the dwarves and their red dragons descend upon Celestial City, home of the Metallic Riders. Hayden and his friends find themselves at the center of the maelstrom and all of Arvain is resting on what they choose to do next.

Mr. Gray (aka The Meridians)


Michaelbrent Collings - 2011
    Eight years ago, he lost his wife and child at the hands of a killer known only as Mr. Gray. But now, Mr. Gray is back, and with strange powers that allow him to appear anywhere at will. Scott must protect a new family – a woman and her autistic son – from the madman's attacks. All they can do is run...and try to find the secret behind THE MERIDIANS.

The Boy on the Bridge: Extended Free Preview


M.R. Carey - 2017
    Once upon a time, in a land blighted by terror, there was a very clever boy.The people thought the boy could save them, so they opened their gates and sent him out into the world.To where the monsters lived.

Pandora's Lunch Box: Don't Open!


Richard Clark - 2017
     "The book is an absolute page-turner, and will leave the reader wanting to know more. I was hooked by the first page." Readers' Favorite 5★ review The difference between Pandora and your average 12-year-old girl is that Pandora knows exactly what she wants at all times. So when five magical genies pop out of an old rusty lunch box, Pandora knows her life is finally going to be perfect! …Or maybe not. When one of the genies blows up a mean girl’s head to the size of a basketball, Pandora has to figure out how to unwish her wish, and fast! If you like the Dork Diaries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid or The Baby-Sitters Club books, you'll love Pandora’s Lunch Box! From the writer of My Best Friend Is a Secret Agent, this middle grade chapter book is a comic romp full of magic and suspense for any reader - children, tweens, teens... and beyond! This funny wish-fulfillment story is the first in a series, so if you like it, there's more to come! (Don't forget to look for the surprise after Chapter 1!)

Nocturne House: Supernatural and human evil collide in a page-turning thriller (Legacy of Darkness Book 3)


London Clarke - 2020
    But the woman barely looks like his wife, and she’s going by a different name. Worse, she’s obsessed with another man and memories of a life she’s lived in a place called Nocturne House. As Laura relays the story of her disappearance and the people responsible, she also reveals her connection to a dangerous cult, a group of modern-day vampires that controls and manipulates through psychological strongholds, supernatural entities, and all-too-human wicked intentions. Hunter soon realizes that Laura is still in danger, and she remains bound to the house through her heart, mind, and blood. In the final suspenseful installment of the Legacy of Darkness series, supernatural and human evil collide in a tale about the power and danger of living outside society’s expectations and the relationships that can ruin or redeem us.

666 (31 Horrifying Tales From The Dead Book 4)


Drac Von Stoller - 2013
    It was Halloween and Samantha`s contractions were unbearable so her husband rushed his pregnant wife to the hospital to deliver their new bundle of joy. Mike told the doctor and nurse to take great care of his wife. The doctor and nurse reassured Mike they would take very good care of her and not to worry. Mike waited patiently in the waiting room as the doctor and nurse delivered their beautiful baby. After a few hours the baby finally arrived and the doctor entered the waiting room and told Mike to come in the room and see his new baby. Mike entered and his wife was all smiles and said "Honey, it`s a boy!" "I think he looks like a Johnny. What do you think?" asked his wife. "Johnny sounds fine to me," replied Mike. Mike was so excited and held his baby boy in his arms as tears rolled down his cheeks and said "Darling, I think he likes me." Mike stayed the night in his wife's room with their new baby, but as they were both sleeping, an unforeseen force came in their room that was about to change their lives forever, when they both woke in the morning. Morning came, and Samantha was discharged from the hospital, and time for their new baby to be raised in their new home. It wasn't until after little Johnny turned 6 years of age that things around the Delany Estate turned deadly. The first sign that Johnny had the mark of the beast was June 6. It was the 6th month, 6th day, and Johnny was 6. All the numbers represented 666.

Beware The Boogerman


D. Glenn Casey - 2018
    Hopefully.They have to look after the peace and quiet in a small town that has the unfortunate nickname “Monster Town.” Why in the world would the town be called that? Well, let’s just say that the residents of this little burg are a bit unusual and leave it at that.Anyway, what would happen if a terror came drifting into town that could scare the bejeezus out of any law abiding monster? Find out when the sheriff and his deputies go on the hunt for the Boogerman.

Moth to a Flame (Narrowdale Mystery Book 2)


Michael Omer - 2015
    Since then, the recurring nightmares, creepy hallucinations and overpowering fear are gone. That's good, right? I mean, no one in their right minds wants to feel like that. I am starting to wonder if I'm in my right mind anymore...When a lady in my neighborhood died, I couldn't help but stick my nose in, to see what happened. I should just get on with things–I've got some new friends, and a cool boy named Chris has taken an interest in me. Everyone is telling me to just leave this weird murder alone.But I can't stop myself. The more I find out about her death, the more twisted everything is.I think there’s a predator in Narrowdale. And now it’s hunting me…What have I gotten myself into?

The Wolves of Solomon


R.L. Blackhurst - 2010
    When he discovers the truth of their nature, he vows to destroy the Order and have the Knights burned to the last.When hundreds of Templars are arrested in France and Catherine is taken by De Floyran, Galeren resolves to rescue her and save as many of his brethren as he can. Alone, he journeys to France and into the heart of danger to face his enemy and risk everything to save his race from destruction.

Baylyn, Bewitched


Christine Cacciatore - 2013
    Magic has interfered with her dating in the past, and trust issues have kept her from true love. The quirky librarian falls hard for sexy Declan Hughes and the feeling is mutual. Will Declan still feel the same when he finds out Bay's biggest secret? After all, it's not every day you find out your girlfriend is a witch.

Our Lady Chaos


Erik Henry Vick - 2019
    Hiding out in Pennsylvania, they believe they are safe, and they may be…for a short while.Just when the demon hunters come to believe they have a viable plan for combating the demonic infestation of Oneka Falls, they learn of a new threat. Brigitta's power seems inconsequential by comparison. Confronted by an ancient demigoddess of pain and death, the demon hunter crew knows an open battle will lead to their destruction. The secret to her defeat lies steeped in Akkadian myth, obscured by time and a dead language. Harried by the archdemoness, her powerful servants, and the remaining demons in Oneka Falls, sifting the truth from the legend may prove an impossible task. Nevertheless, the hunters must find a way to save the world.. How can Toby, Benny, Shannon, Mike, and Scott hope to win a war against the demons entrenched in Oneka Falls? How can they even hope to survive?