Books

~NOVELS~

THE CRIERS CLUB

Adam Spencer, a happily married 37 year-old father of two young boys, has everything he wants. A successful business, a beautiful home, two cars in the garage, and a dog. What he doesn’t want is to die. But Adam doesn’t have a say in the matter. He just found out he has brain cancer.

Troubled by his newly-discovered death sentence, Adam joins a support group for the terminally ill. There, he meets six strangers who are struggling to cope with their own impending demises.

When one member of the group dies, leaving behind an unfulfilled dream, the others realize just how limited their time is. Now, as the youngest member nears the end of his short life, they become determined to make sure the boy’s dream comes true before it’s too late. Together, they embark on a road trip that will teach them all what it means to live, and to die.

22918 (Held Series, Book 3)

Lester Wine is a serial killer. Having brutally murdered dozens of women, he serves out his final days on death row. As his execution date nears, he recounts his story to a young journalist and budding author, telling every gory detail of his life and of the crimes he committed, all while fantasizing about the chance to do them one more time.

PUSHED (Held Series, Book 2)

Ron Redwine is an up-and-coming author, a man whose lifelong dream of achieving celebrity status in the literary world is finally becoming a reality. But Ron isn’t only a writer. He’s also a sadistic serial killer who kidnaps, tortures, and murders women in his basement.

Nicole Lee is a beloved wife and mother. She’s also the only woman who has ever escaped Ron’s clutches. After being held in captivity for nearly a year, she found a way out, a way to be free once again and go back to her life. Only she can’t. The life she knew before her abduction is gone. Separated from her husband and son, Nicole is psychologically broken. She spends months in a mental health facility trying to put the past behind her so she can return to her family.

Upon her release, Nicole hides herself away in a fleabag motel where she wrestles with her demons alone. When an interview on the local news advertises the last two stops on Ron’s latest book tour, she becomes enraged. Furious that he’s able to live his life happily while she’s reduced to an existence filled with guilt and despair, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Pushed too far, Nicole seeks her revenge, using Ron’s own devices against him.

HELD (Held Series, Book 1)

Nicole Lee, a young wife and new mother, steps out of the mall, squinting against the glare of the midday sun, completely unaware that her life is about to change forever.In a matter of seconds, she is steeped in fear as the world she knows and the life she loves fades away.As the panic sets in and the terror takes hold, Nicole tries to keep calm, though she’s now in a frantic fight for her life. Locked in a deadly battle of wits with a psychopath, she struggles to keep her sanity as she’s held.

“…one of the best purchases I have made on Amazon. I took a chance on an unknown author and found a new favorite to follow. I was just expecting a dark run-of-the-mill thriller and found a writer who can actually scare the heebie jeebies out of me.” — Independent Review

“Brilliant start to finish. I can’t believe this came from the mind of a woman.” — Independent Review

“Texas Chainsaw meets Silence of the Lambs.” — Independent Review

“…grabs you by the throat on the first page and relentlessly squeezes you to the last.” — Independent Review

THE DAY BOB GREELEY DIED

It’s August, 1952 in the small town of Sweetwater, Missouri, where a deadly drought has the residents begging for rain, and with it, mercy. But on this particular day, just another in a long line of dry days with three-digit temperatures, mercy will not be given. As the mercury rises and the power fails, gossip runs rampant and tempers flare, causing a handful of the most prestigious members of the community to point their fingers at Bob Greeley. Until today, Bob has lived among them as a friend and neighbor, but with his fate in their hands, that’s about to change.”

…this novel is spot on. It is the story of what gossip and crowd mentality can do, and it’s not very pretty. This novel will make you think twice before you judge others…” — Independent Review”

…I felt like I was there.” — Independent Review

BEFORE THE HARVEST

HIS TIME HAS COME

When the Martins move their daughter from the crime-filled streets of St. Louis to the safety of the countryside, they don’t realize that the rural town they think of as a haven is loaded with secrets, and the farm they lease is far from safe. It is cursed land, and they’re about to find out the hard way that danger lurks everywhere, even in a small, peaceful farming community.

AND SO HAS THEIRS…

In a struggle to survive until dawn, will they make it, or will they only add to the rising body count?

RAGE

Brian Boozer is a good kid in a bad situation. At thirteen, he’s already endured the pain of losing his father and the agony of living with a step-father who hates and abuses him. At school, Brian suffers even more torment, delivered by bullies who seem to enjoy making his life miserable. The only bright spot in Brian’s life is Carly, the girl on whom he’s had a crush for years. As his relationship with her evolves, so do the problems at home and the confrontations at school. A distressed Brian retreats further into himself, hiding behind the wall he’s built as protection from the cruel chaos around him. Eager to be free of his troubles, Brian fights to be heard in a world that won’t listen.”…heart wrenching, gripping, successful, suspenseful and elaborate…”

— Independent Review“Bettes was not afraid to take you to the deepest darkest hell a person can live through…” — Independent Review

“Kimberly A. Bettes got all the feelings right: helplessness, hopelessness, anger, and desperation. This is an important book which should be required reading for everyone. The messages are powerful. The teachings timely; and needed now more than ever.” — Independent Review

“This story should be read by every teen, preteen, and adult.” — Independent Review

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR

Hewitt Street, a normally quiet neighborhood where everyone knows their neighbors. Or at least they think they do. Lately, things on Hewitt Street have been strange. There have been a number of mysterious deaths and disappearances. The neighbors have become suspicious of one another. Fear takes hold and fights ensue as they race to learn the truth behind these strange occurrences before the killer can strike again.So who among them is the murderer?That’s what the residents of Hewitt Street are dying to find out…

“…just like an Alfred Hitchcock thriller!” — Independent Review

“Brilliantly written. Never saw the end coming. Well done as that is rare these days. Loved it!” — Independent Review

ANNIE’S REVENGE

Elizabeth Anne Phillips, known as Annie, is a seventeen-year-old girl with few friends. Overweight for the majority of her young life, she’s teased at school, made fun of and called names by the other kids. Because of the constant ridicule, she becomes an introvert with no confidence and low self-esteem, seeking comfort in the safety of books. She eagerly awaits graduation, which will end the torment she endures daily. However, when three classmates do the unthinkable, stripping from her everything that she holds dear, it changes Annie’s life forever and sets her on a path of destruction that will years later bring them all together once again.

~NOVELLAS~

NIGHT FALLS

Amy and Scott Crane leave their suburban St. Louis home and head out into the backwoods of the Ozarks where they enjoy each other’s company as well as the beautiful scenery. But when night falls, the normally serene forest becomes a terrifying jungle and the couple find themselves entangled in a nightmare.

When Scott disappears, Amy is left worrying about what might’ve happened to him…and wondering who the people lurking in the darkness around her might be.

SHINERS

Lifelong friends Billy and Tom set out into the moonlit Georgia wilderness one hot summer night to make the year’s last batch of moonshine. But when they stumble upon a 150 year-old secret that will change them both forever, greed consumes them, putting their friendship–and their lives–in danger.

THE CABIN ON CALHOUN RIDGE

Leslie Lane sits on the porch of her rustic cabin, trying to convince herself that the whistling coming from the woods is only a bird. And she believes that.

Until she recognizes the song.

When a stranger descends on her house, Leslie’s ordinarily peaceful night turns into a nightmare.

One from which she may not wake.

~ESSAYS~

EVERYBODY WANTS TO WRITE A BOOK

In this essay, Bettes hits us with the truth about the four most common things people say to writers that drive them crazy. But she softens the blow with a touch of humor.

~COLLECTIONS~

TWISTED

From the dark mind of Kimberly A. Bettes comes this unsettling collection of 26 short stories, each more twisted than the last. The stories within will leave you feeling uneasy, shocked, and disturbed.

This 48,000 word collection – the first by the author – features never before released stories.

Meat Market
Romance
Quiet
Fever
Poor Charlotte
A Whisper
Beautiful Life
A Souvenir
Bitten
A Hard Lesson Learned
Paulie Loves Peanuts
The Man and the Monster
Freckle Face
The Bend
A Shot in the Dark
Boys
Guest
Ready or Not
Under the Mimosa
Grizzled
Snow and Ash
The Lure
Judgmental
Grim Ends
Hot Date
Flicker

ONCE UPON A RHYME…

From the author of RAGE and Held comes a diverse collection of rhyming short stories and poems. In true Bettes fashion, the author explores the darkest recesses of the human mind, shedding light on the evil deeds they do, only this time, she does it in the form of poetry.

~MINUTES TO DEATH SERIES~

THE LONELIEST ROAD

Chris Peters takes an impromptu road trip to ease his woes following the death of his wife. Stopping at a roadside diner in a town not marked on a map, he notices the waitress looks remarkably like his beloved wife. The sight of the waitress brings comfort to Chris for the first time since his wife’s death. Unable to bring himself to leave her, he gets a room at a nearby hotel, and realizes too late that sometimes justice can be macabre.

*The 1st story in the Minutes to Death series.

CLOSE TO HOME

As their vacation winds to a close, Clyde and his family decide to take a scenic shortcut, which turns out to be much more than just a mistake. After a sudden rainstorm, their vehicle gets stuck on the road that has become little more than a path. Forced to walk for help, Clyde leaves his family behind, promising to return. He’s about to learn the hard way that sometimes justice is macabre.

*This is the 2nd story in the Minutes to Death series.

THE LAST RESORT

Ashley Carter grew up in the city and prides herself on her street smarts. But when she meets a handsome stranger in a roadside diner who invites her to his resort, she ignores her instincts and soon discovers that sometimes justice is macabre.

*This is the 3rd story in the Minutes to Death series.

SHOCK ROCK

Rock ‘n Roll took him to the top. He never thought it’d be the death of him.

After breaking up with his girlfriend, rock star Ace Haven drives his beloved Shelby Mustang across the country to meet up with his band and continue their tour. Stopping off in a small town, Ace soon discovers that being a rock star isn’t always a good thing. In fact, it’s downright bad. Too late, he realizes that sometimes justice is macabre.

*This is the 4th story in the Minutes to Death series.

THE FRENCH QUARTER

After picking up a hitchhiker and quickly realizing it was a bad mistake, Anthony finds himself in a minor car accident. When the police officer arrives, things get weird and he realizes that sometimes justice is macabre.

*The 5th story in the Minutes to Death series.

~SHORT STORIES~

THE HUNGER

Things are different now. Life has been replaced by death. The population has decreased immensely due to the many dangers in this strange new post-apocalyptic world. Life—what of it is left—is different than it was before in every way but one. Those who are left still need to eat.

There’s just one problem.

The food supply is gone.

HIS ASHES

Lisa is still in mourning after the death of her beloved husband Mike. Her depression has caused her to develop a bizarre habit, frowned upon by others but comforting to her. But an accident takes that habit a step further, turning it into a strange obsession.

TRANSFERENCE

Josh Bradshaw is a troubled young man. Leah Johnson loves him in spite of his troubles. For nearly two decades, Leah has tried to convince Josh that the guilt he’s been carrying all these years isn’t his to carry. What happened wasn’t his fault. It’s an impossible task, as Josh long ago convinced himself that he’s to blame. On a beautiful October evening, a twist of fate changes everything, and suddenly Josh’s burden is lifted…and placed directly on Leah’s shoulders.

THE HOME

Reporter Thomas Allen arrives at a meeting with an old man claiming to have a story. Figuring this to be another small-town scandal, Tom keeps his expectations low. But when Emmett Jacobson tells his horrific tale, Tom realizes this story is much more than he bargained for.

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

It’s 2 AM. She leaves work and begins the long drive home, exhausted after another twelve-hour shift. Suddenly a tire explodes on a desolate stretch of highway, leaving her stranded at the side of the road. With no jack and no cell phone reception, her only option is to wait in the car…and depend on the kindness of strangers.

~ANTHOLOGIES~

CARNAGE: AFTER THE END – VOLUME I

The Apocalypse has come, leaving in its wake small pockets of survivors battling to stay alive; each carving out a new beginning for mankind.The ten stories in Carnage: After the End – Volume 1 are the terrifyingly harsh and brutal realities those survivors must face. Each one takes us to a place where humanity’s stragglers are forced to battle with enemies outside of their control; mutant beasts, groups of depraved and desperate people, and the terrifying threat of a dwindling food supply. Their fight for survival gets even more difficult as they search among the tatters of civilization for the will to carry on.In a world where society has collapsed and terror lurks around every corner, no one can be trusted and nothing can be taken for granted.Hell has invaded and happy endings are a thing of the past…

Contributing Authors in Volume One are Kimberly A. Bettes, Shane Cashman, Shane R. Collins, Laura Diamond, Rodney James Galley, Michael Griffin, Russell Linton, Adam Millard, Christofer Nigro, and Julianne Snow.

LEGENDS OF URBAN HORROR: A FRIEND OF A FRIEND TOLD ME

We’ve all come across them. The warnings told by a friend of a friend – don’t go in there, I wouldn’t if I were you, did you hear about…? Or perhaps your mind leaps to the cryptozoological realm – creatures barely glimpsed, and yet to be identified. Other spheres of existence – they can’t be real… certainly not until you’ve experienced one!

Maybe the real horror lies in the minds and hearts of others just like you. People with a slightly bent perspective that feed on the fear in others. Twisted souls that would take advantage of the weak, or vulnerable. Those who believe they are doing good for a higher power, or to gain power simply for themselves. Petty vengeance that breathes a life of its own once unleashed.

Whatever your poison, the ten stories in Legends of Urban Horror: A Friend of a Friend Told Me are sure to intrigue, and perhaps bring back fears long forgotten.

Run, don’t look back… or should you?

Contributing Authors include Morgan Bauman, Kimberly A, Bettes, Matthew Borgard, Alex Chase, Austin Fikac, K. Trap Jones, Sean Keller, Lisamarie Lamb, Jon Olson, and C.M. Saunders.