Horror

Cold Storage – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film Cold Storage.

Story

A combination between zombie and disaster movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It strikes the perfect balance between expected plot and surprise twists.

Score: 1

Characters

I like that for once it’s the guy who’s overly talkative and a little bit of a mess. The girl is grounded and clever while still being dangerously curious.

Liam Neeson was extremely entertaining as the elderly expert that no one listens to until it’s too late.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue was fast, quippy, and smart. It managed to move the plot forward and create character development even while being sarcastic and funny.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The movie was gory, gross, and over the top, but it was well shot and interesting. Despite the dark locations, it was always clear.

The music was a little underdone and didn’t add much.

Score: 0.5

Fun

I love smart and quippy movies and this was a great horror/end of the world movie. It was cheesy but oddly believable. I watched it on my own and enjoyed it a lot. I’ll probably watch it again.

Score: 1

Overall

A terrifying, funny, and fascinating film. Filled with quips, gore, and Liam Neeson being awesome. More than worth a watch for horror fans.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

Fear Street: Prom Queen – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Fear Street: Prom Queen.

Story

The story plays out like a mediocre R. L. Stine novel without the creative deaths or any form of tension. The twist was spoiled part way through and copied from Scream.

Score: 0

Characters

Most of the characters were cardboard cutouts of 80’s slasher movies or teen dramas. The main character was interesting and I did like the gender swap of the lovesick friend.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The dialogue was decent if a little over the top. Some really cringy moments. It also felt like the villains had very little originality, and it would have been nice if someone had pointed that out.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The cinematography, gore, and overall camera work were great. Not too much shaky-cam. Some of the deaths were a little predictable and lacked the Stine flare.

The music was good, especially the soundtrack.

Score: 0.5

Fun

Even though I’m not a huge fan of the movie, it was fun in its predictability. It’s nostalgic, has a few Easter eggs for the other movies, and is an okay slasher.

Score: 1

Overall

A fun slasher with lots of nostalgia, both for Fear Street and the 80s. It’s not original and falls flat, but it’s a good time.

Final Score: 2.5 Stars out of 5

You can buy Winging it and The Copper Tarnish RIGHT NOW!!!!

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Hello Readers,

I’m so excited that these two books are out. You’re going to love them!

Winging It
by Jen Desmarais

A wedding and a summer camp that Tommy and Carter are never going to forget.

Tommy discovers magic exists, his boyfriend is a rock giant, and his sister is marrying one of the leaders of a supernatural community called Aetherborn.

Carter learns to navigate an in-person relationship, introducing Tommy to the magical world, and being involved in his Ariki’s wedding.

Both boys need to build their confidence in each other, themselves, and their relationship. The Door Tech summer camp seems to be the perfect way to do that, until they get magically transported to the not-so-fictional world of Everdome. In this realm of Domed continents floating in space, winged beasts, and new cultures, the boys will have to overcome challenges beyond anything they’ve seen before.

The only way they, and their relationship, can survive is if they start Winging It!

49th Shelf Crushing It
Indigo Books Crushing It
Archambault Crushing It
Amazon Crushing It
Rakuten Kobo Crushing It
Apple Books Crushing It

The Copper Tarnish
by Éric Desmarais

Until last summer, I was the most popular girl in school. Then I was accused of killing my boyfriend when he disappeared. Luckily, he didn’t die, but he wasn’t the same when he came back. Murder accusations are nothing compared to the rumours that I kissed said boyfriend’s sister. That rumour proved to be the real killer for my popularity.

Now everyone hates me except the gorgeous new girl who seems determined to ruin any chances of being popular by hanging out with me. There’s also a cute soldier hanging around my mom’s diner and freaky sounds in the woods.

Autumn definitely won’t be dull. All I need to do is graduate…and stay alive.

eBook
Paperback
Hardcover

What are you waiting for? Go buy some books!

Éric

THEY’RE COMING!!! Winging it and The Copper Tarnish

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Hello Readers!

The books are coming out, the books are coming out! Just in time for your Pride Month reading too.

Winging It
by Jen Desmarais

A wedding and a summer camp that Tommy and Carter are never going to forget.

Tommy discovers magic exists, his boyfriend is a rock giant, and his sister is marrying one of the leaders of a supernatural community called Aetherborn.

Carter learns to navigate an in-person relationship, introducing Tommy to the magical world, and being involved in his Ariki’s wedding.

Both boys need to build their confidence in each other, themselves, and their relationship. The Door Tech summer camp seems to be the perfect way to do that, until they get magically transported to the not-so-fictional world of Everdome. In this realm of Domed continents floating in space, winged beasts, and new cultures, the boys will have to overcome challenges beyond anything they’ve seen before.

The only way they, and their relationship, can survive is if they start Winging It!

49th Shelf Crushing It
Indigo Books Crushing It
Archambault Crushing It
Amazon Crushing It
Rakuten Kobo Crushing It
Apple Books Crushing It

The Copper Tarnish
by Éric Desmarais

Until last summer, I was the most popular girl in school. Then I was accused of killing my boyfriend when he disappeared. Luckily, he didn’t die, but he wasn’t the same when he came back. Murder accusations are nothing compared to the rumours that I kissed said boyfriend’s sister. That rumour proved to be the real killer for my popularity.

Now everyone hates me except the gorgeous new girl who seems determined to ruin any chances of being popular by hanging out with me. There’s also a cute soldier hanging around my mom’s diner and freaky sounds in the woods.

Autumn definitely won’t be dull. All I need to do is graduate…and stay alive.

eBook
Paperback
Hardcover

What are you waiting for? Go pre-order them now!!!

Éric

Can’t Wait for The Copper Tarnish?

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Hello Readers!

If you’re as excited about The Copper Tarnish as I am, then you probably wish you could read it right now. (I’ve wrote it and I want to read it again.)

Pre-orders coming soon!

While you wait, however, you can now buy the second printing of Parasomnia and learn the origins of Agent Katherine Price.

At the Aux-Anges institute, nestled in the woods outside of North Bay, they study and treat parasomnias, or sleep disorders. Ashley suffers from night terrors, Terrance sleepwalks, Kiri sleep-eats, and Paul sets fires; they are there for treatment. Adelaide took the job as a counselor to discover why she still has an imaginary friend. When they discover the secret hideout of an old club called the Dreamers, they are shocked to find that the five of them are connected through more than just the Institute.

Amazon Parasomnia
Rakuten Kobo Parasomnia
Apple Books Parasomnia

Enjoy your reading!

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Shadowbox Ornament: The Copper Tarnish

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I got the idea to make shadowbox out of the cover image of our books, and I thought it would be fun for you to have access as well!

Presenting The Copper Tarnish!

Template Download

Materials:
Paper (or cardstock)
Colour printer
Scissors
Exacto knife
Cutting board
Tape (or glue)
Patience

Instructions:

  1. Print the template provided (PDF download above)
  2. Cut out the pieces using scissors
  3. Cut out the greyed out background with the Exacto knife
  4. Tape (or glue) the parts together.
The Copper Tarnish by Éric Desmarais available June 3rd, 2025.
eBook
Paperback

The Copper Tarnish cover reveal

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Hello Readers!

As you might have heard on social media, River City Siren Press has agreed to publish my next book. The Copper Tarnish is a Sci-Fantasy inspired by classic monster movies and my own experiences growing up queer in a small town.

Until last summer, I was the most popular girl in school. Then I was accused of killing my boyfriend when he disappeared. Luckily, he didn’t die, but he wasn’t the same when he came back. Murder accusations are nothing compared to the rumours that I kissed said boyfriend’s sister. That rumor proved to be the real killer for my popularity.

Now everyone hates me except the gorgeous new girl who seems determined to ruin any chances of being popular by hanging out with me. There’s also a cute soldier hanging around my mom’s diner and freaky sounds in the woods.

Autumn definitely won’t be dull. All I need to do is graduate…and stay alive.

I’m realy proud of this book and it’s cover. It’s going to be released June 3rd and I can’t wait to have you read it.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Abigail – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2024 film Abigail.

Story

A remake of the Daughter of Dracula, they make a good effort to update the story and add some fun twists. The pacing was good and the references to other books and movies were a nice bonus.

Score: 1

Characters

It’s hard to balance this much blood, violence, and atmosphere while still giving the large cast of characters time to breathe. Not only do we get to know the characters but even like them, despite the fact that they were all willing to kidnap and maybe torture a child. The actors did a fantastic job at making horror action tropes into real feeling people.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue feels like it belongs in more of a mystery or action movie and that’s a good thing. The horror is built with atmosphere and intercharacter tension as much as the vampire.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The special effects were minimal and practical which worked really well. The quantity of fake blood was awe inspiring.

The music was perfect. I’ll never hear the nutcracker the same way and the rest of the score did everything it could to enhance the action.

Score: 1

Fun

Bad guys getting destroyed by monsters is a fun relaxing night for me. (I might be weird.) This was perfect and it even gave me the “Final girl gets pissed and fights back” trope that I love so much.

Score: 1

Overall

If you like old-style slashers and watching bag guys getting ripped to shreds, this is a lot of fun. It’s a smart horror that knows enough to reference its influences and do its own thing. Coupled with a great cast, it’s a perfect film.

Final Score: 5* Stars out of 5

*A 5 star review doesn’t mean the movie was perfect nor that it is perfect for everyone but it is a movie I believe is as close to perfect as possible.

The New Mutants – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2020 film The New Mutants.

Story

With shades of the Nightmare on Elm street series, especially 3, the movie could have done with a little more horror but balanced the characters, story, mystery, and atmosphere.

Score: 0.5

Characters

A good mixture of damaged and interesting characters. I like the dynamics and character growth.

Score: 1

Dialogue

There are a few cases of silly dialogue but the movie overall is very self aware and does a good job balancing comic book cheese and genuine emotion.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The special effects were well done and kept much sparser than most X-Men movies. The obligatory big battle at the end was much more impactful because of the restraint throughout the rest of the movie.

The music was epic and creepy at all the right times.

Score: 1

Fun

I watched this on my own and I fully expected to hate it. Most of the later X-Men movies were pretty bad. I’m a big fan of the whole “Breakfast Club meets mental asylum” vibe they had, and the story letting the characters breathe.

I definitely want to re-watch this one.

Score: 1

Overall

A nice change from the usual X-Men movies. This is an atmospheric horror which understands the importance of character development and growth.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5