Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror

Why do we crave that which is killing us?Addiction is the perpetual epidemic, where swarms of human moths flutter to the flames of hell. Because that warm blanket of a heroin high, that joyful intoxication of a pint of vodka, the electric energy of a line of cocaine, over time leaves you with a cold loneliness and a bitter heart. Relationships are destroyed, bodies deteriorate, loved ones lost, yet the craving continues for that which destroys us—living, as the title suggests, like an Orphan of Bliss.Welcome to the third and final fix of addiction horror. The series that began with Garden of Fiends and followed Lullabies for Suffering can be read in any order. You can start here, you can end here, but Orphans of Bliss is certainly the biggest one yet. A more expansive and diverse table of contents brought together for an explosive grand finale, an unflinching look at the insidious nature of addiction, told with searing honesty but compassion for those who suffer.The full table of contents of Orphans of Bliss: You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You — Kealan Patrick BurkeOne Last Blast — S.A. CosbyWhat We Name Our Dead — Cassandra KhawHuddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe free — John FD TaffThrough the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell — Christa CarmenHolding On — Gabino IglesiasBuyer’s Remorse — Samantha KolesnikA Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic — Josh MalermanSingularity — Kathe KojaMy Soul’s Bliss — Mark Matthews__________________

Publishers Weekly

"Powerhouse anthology"

The Library Journal, Starred Review

"This triumphant conclusion to Matthews' trilogy is a must add to all collections.... Compelling Horror stories on their own, but gathered together, they hold a power, one that will break readers, opening their eyes to a truth we are all facing, something that only the very best Horror is capable of."

The Wandering Reader

"I absolutely loved and devoured this book. Haunting, powerful, and chilling. I can not stress enough how much you need this on your shelves."

Char's Horror Corner

"A phenomenal collection of addiction stories, written by a list of authors who qualify for a who's who of dark fictions best"

Booklist, Starred Review

"Memorable, visceral, cutting stories that will resonate with horror fans."

About the Author

ABOUT THE EDITORMark Matthews is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a licensed professional counselor who has worked in behavioral health for over 20 years. He is the author of On the Lips of Children, All Smoke Rises, and Milk-Blood, as well as the editor of Lullabies for Suffering and Garden of Fiends. In June of 2021, he was nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award. His newest work, The Hobgoblin of Little Minds, was published in January, 2021. Reach him at [email protected]

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