"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent." -- R.D. Laing (died 1989)

The Gift of Life

Corpse Blossoms

Few realize that the term "anthology" -- which we use to denote collections of short stories by different authors, usually following a shared theme or genre -- comes for the Greek word for "flower-gathering." Corpse Blossoms, the first volume in a series of anthologies from the new horror publisher, Creeping Hemlock Press, is more than just a collection of some dead leaves -- it's like an amazingly fulfilling chilled salad. Or should I say a very full, chilling salad? Either way, it's fiction with an earthy, dark flavor in every bite. And though I'm more than satisfied by the meal,…