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“The Painted Darkness delves into territory that fascinates so many of us — the fine lines between beauty and horror, faith and fear, art and the unconscious. Both a wonderful allegory and a gripping read, Brian James Freeman has written a taut, memorable tale.”

Regular columns include: Derek M. Fox’s The Art of Fear; Michael Knost’s “ProgKNOSTications” with Michael West; Scott Christian Carr’s “Someone Oughta Sell Tickets …!” Brian Keene’s “Seminal Screams.” Thrilling Fiction including: C. G. Bauer’s “ZOMBIE CHIMPS FROM MARS;” Eric Red’s “LITTLE NASTIES;” Brian James Freeman’s “THE PLAGUE OF SADNESS;” J. F. Gonzalez’s “CHRISTIAN WOMAN;” “DOWN THE PIKE,” by Stacey Longo; “BEAUTIFUL THINGS” by Anton Cancre; “SIDE RETIRED” by Craig D. B. Patton “DON’T LET THE BEDBUGS BITE” by Michael West; and “STRAY” by Ben Eads. Cover art by DrFranken. Original woodcut spot illustrations by Danny Evarts. Managing Editor: Tim Deal.  ISBN: 978-0-9827275-7-7 108 Pages

Read more on the publisher’s website!

“…a stunning example of how a skilled writer can make just a few hours in a character’s life and leave readers spellbound… Freeman is a gifted writer. His descriptions vivid, the horror lurking in the shadows he creates unsettling, the novella is carefully crafted like Henry’s paintings… This story is not designed to make you jump, the horror here is subtle like the prose of a master like Poe or Hawthorne. It lingers long after you are done reading. Highly recommended, this ranks with some of the best literary thrillers I have read.”

Read the rest at HorrorReview.com!

Here’s a short excerpt:

Freeman’s The Painted Darkness is a hauntingly beautiful tale exploring the thin line between fantasy and reality, which is so often broken in the creative process… Freeman’s narrative effortlessly straddles that of a young Henry when he first discovers the power of “painting against the darkness”  and older, conflicted Henry, whose demons have finally demanded he face the past.  What is real?  What isn’t?  A basement full of monsters?  Legions of red-eyed, haunting rabbits?  Freeman deftly handles a story which reveals itself in good time, and doesn’t leave the reader feeling cheated or hoodwinked at the end… Such a powerful theme Freeman delivers with this work, and perhaps the best answer to anyone who questions the validity and purpose of art and creativity in our daily lives: to combat the darkness and hold it at bay.

You can read the rest here.

http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/booknook/Painted_Darkness_a_must-read_for_lovers_of_horror.html

While we’re waiting on the second printing of the hardcover to arrive next month, you can read the Amazon Kindle edition right away if you don’t want to wait.