I know that everyone has favorite authors and novels that they like to recommend to others, just look at the Duma Key or Richard Laymon threads.   However, I see what I feel were great novels never mentioned here (maybe because they aren't great ;) ) from authors that aren't  household names.  Recently there has been discussion of Owl Goingback and Tamara Thorne for examples.  So, I figured that I would suggest a novel occasionally from a lesser known author, and what it was comparable to,  to help people find new gems.  I hope everyone else will offer up a few suggestions, and maybe we can all expand our horror reading a bit.

1st time out:

Rage by Steve Gerlach ISBN #9780843953114

Steve Gerlach is an Australian that has run the Richard Laymon Kills! message board for years, and his own writing is heavily influenced by Laymon.  Gerlach can use a lot of gore in his books, and most of his characters can exhibit major psychological issues.  Sometimes, some scenes will have extreme behavior, going beyond "typical" sex and drugs to necrophilia, hardcore bondage S&M, and snuff.  Fans of Survivor by Gonzalez would appreciate Gerlach's work, as well as Ketchum's fans.

Rage is the story of Ben, an outsider looking in.  Ben tends to blame things on others, ie "I don't have a girlfriend because girls are snobs", rather than looking at his own behavior as a cause.  Things would just be easier if the women were like they were in the movies.  You know the ones.  Or those special movies in the back room.  The expensive ones, that really show them getting what the deserve.  That would show them.  Then one day, Ben meets a girl, and everything is perfect.  Until.......

Rage was the 1st book by Gerlach that I had read, and I liked it enough that I tracked down the limited HC (which has a minor scene cut out of the paperback, involving a kitten).  Since then, I've also read Lake Mountain (another excellent book, but only available in limited HC), and Love Lies Dying (again, limited HC).  They are well worth tracking down.  I definitely think that Gerlach deserves a larger audience.

Great idea!  Rage sounds like my cup of tea, so I'll be on the lookout.

Two authors I never see mentioned in the forum  are Tananarive Due and Brandon Massey.  My particular favorites are My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due and Dark Corner by Brandon Massey.  I'm not very good at summaries, so I'm including links to the Amazon write ups for these two.

My Soul to Keep  http://www.amazon.com/My-Soul-Keep-Tananarive-Due/dp/006105366X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216171464&sr=8-2

Dark Corner  http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Corner-Brandon-Massey/dp/0758202504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216171767&sr=1-2

Sandy, I've read Dark Corner, and thought it was a good take on vampires, and I have Thunderland on my TBR.  Other than a Due story in an anthology that is on my TBR, I haven't read her though.  I'll have to check out some cover copy the next time I am out and about.

Bob:  I'm sorry that Rage didn't do it for you.  Until recently, I worked with someone who really seemed to fit the mold, and another coworker that read the book tended to agree, so I might be biased.  Rage was his first novel IIRC, but I just liked it.  Maybe it spoke to my adolescent and self-indulgent side ;)  )  I liked Lake Mountain, although the funeral home seen, and the "goodies" in the jar were over the top, and didn't add much to the story.  Part of what I enjoyed about Love Lies Dying, was the feelign of  "I know what we are being told is wrong, I just don't know how".  I don't recall, although I think it has been mentioned before, how do you feel about Laymon's work?  I'll have to read up on Prey.

I thought Rage was tightly focused and well written. I didn't like some parts, but I do think it was a worthwhile read.

What good anthologies can be reccomended ???

I ahve enjoyed  The Oz Chronicles by RW Ridley.I think it may be young adult and a bit sci-fi/horror but Very different.I read the first one straight through.I have number 2 and I see #3 has also been released.They can be found at amaon:)

Stacy

Sherry, FWIW, I'm fond of Dark Dreams: A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers   http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780758207531-Dark+Dreams+A+Collection+of+Horror+and+Suspense+by+Black+Writers

There are three books in the Dark Dreams series right now that I know of.  Search out Brandon Massey and they should all come up.  Pretty sure they're all WLd though.