Dreams of Darkness, Dreams of Night
Terry D. Scheerer
Published by Gateway Press
Produced by PPC Books
ISBN 0-9770940-6
Paperback 116 pages

Dreams of Darkness, Dreams of Night by Terry D. Scheerer takes readers on a journey into his mind where they experience fragments of his life through poetry and short stories.  Seeing the dark side of life as depicted by the writings of a man in torment is a fascinating, nerve-wracking, and captivating experience.  The fact that there is a thin line dividing reality from fantasy, the natural from the supernatural, and the light from the darkness is evident in this book. How many of us have crossed this line?  I dare say that most of us have, or will do so, in our lifetimes. 

This is not the type of book in which readers would feel comfortable in skipping certain passages or selections.  To do so would be a great injustice to the mind of the reader and that of the author where living nightmares are discovered and received.  Mr. Scheerer, a very creative individual, exposes his innermost thoughts for digestion by his readers.  He, through the power of words, projects powerful images of death, destruction, suffering, pain, horror, depression, etc., that are determined to taunt and haunt his own life. Though readers will feel the emotion of some sentimental moments and will read two stories with fairly happy endings, such infrequent happenings are not told without a supernatural foundation built of gravesites and grief. 

The poetry, which is mostly free verse, reveals how the mind searches for peace and sanity in a painful, dark world.  The author speaks of a personal loss in “Spirit Dog” in which he says goodbye to his good friend and companion.  As he describes a loving spirit that he hopes is running free forever, I sense that he is also speaking of his own hope for a peaceful life after he goes home.  His unique poetry also somberly analyzes love, relationships, pain, time and, of course, darkness.

The short stories in the book are brilliant in terms of presentation and effective dialog.  Each story is unique and could be described as “printed glue” that won’t release readers from its grip until they have finished the entire section  Just as I was thinking, Where does he get his ideas, I turned the page to find a story entitled, “The Very Idea.”   As a published writer, I am always searching for new ideas but, after reading this story, I don’t think that I’ll check out his source.  Chilling, frightening, unsettling, suspenseful, enthralling, and gripping are just a few adjectives that I can think of to describe the stories.  There are two that I found particularly enticing:  One is entitled, “All that we See or Seem” and it reminded me of a dream that I often have—one that may be familiar to many individuals.  In it I am always in front of an old abandoned house that seems to be calling me to come inside and explore its mysteries.  I have never gone inside because I feel that it is occupied by some mysterious presence.  After reading this story, I hope that I wake up before I ever step one foot inside the evil, beckoning doors of such a house.  My other favorite is “Band of Gold,” and describes a powerful, all-consuming love between a husband and wife—a love that transcends death.  But the husband wants something done on earth so that his union with his wife, in and beyond the grave, is not compromised in any way.  Does he succeed in finding someone among the living to help him?  There is only one way to find out!

If you have a copy of this limited edition, I dare say that you will want to devour it and take it to your grave. All readers who enjoy horror, as well as journeying through the dark, will want this “first edition” book for their library. 

By Bettie Corbin Tucker
For IP Book Reviewers

Purchasing Information:  www.dreamsofdarknessdreamsofnight.com