Book description
The woman behind the icon known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, the undisputed Queen of Halloween, reveals her full story filled with intimate bombshells--told by the bombshell herself. On Good Friday in 1953, at only 18 months old, 25 miles from the nearest hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, Cassandra Peterson reached for a pot on the stove and doused herself in boiling water. Third-degree burns covered 35% of her body, and the prognosis wasn't good. But she survived. Burned and scarred, the impact stayed with her and became an obstacle she was determined to overcome. Feeling like a misfit led to her love of horror. While her sisters played with Barbie dolls, Cassandra built model kits of Frankenstein and Dracula, and idolized Vincent Price. Due to a complicated relationship with her mother, Cassandra left home at 14, and by age 17 she was performing at the famed Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. Run-ins with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tom Jones helped her grow up fast. Then a chance encounter with her idol Elvis Presley, changed the course of her life forever, and led her to Europe where she worked in film and traveled Italy as lead singer of an Italian pop band. She eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she joined the famed comedy improv group, The Groundlings, and worked alongside Phil Hartman and Paul "Pee-wee" Reubens, honing her comedic skills. Nearing age 30, a struggling actress considered past her prime, she auditioned at local LA channel KHJ as hostess for the late night vintage horror movies. Cassandra improvised, made the role her own, and got the job on the spot. Yours Cruelly, Elvira is an unforgettably wild memoir. Cassandra doesn't shy away from revealing exactly who she is and how she overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. Always original and sometimes outrageous, her story is loaded with twists, travails, revelry, and downright shocking experiences. It is the candid, often funny, and sometimes heart-breaking tale of a Midwest farm girl's long strange trip to become the world's sexiest, sassiest Halloween icon. Instant New York Times Bestseller, Los Angeles Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, Publishers Weekly BestsellerA New York Times Best Books to Give This Season selection
Lava Nibbler
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Blink
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
MindfulMingle
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
Neophyte Believer
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
StorySculptor
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Freeze Queen
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Gas Man
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. ππ I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless.
Jersey
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. Noise reduction and tone changing are awesome features.
Hyper
π Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! πΊπ§ ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment.
CoB@lt
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Cujo
πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
Killer Grenade
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Serendipity
Unlocking a world of literary wonders β this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. π±π ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
Instant Star
Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Show Off
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Cool Iris
Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Mad Kid
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
RetroMirage
The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Mint Ness
π Adding excitement to each day β this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Mud Pie Man
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. The app's performance is nothing short of impressive β smooth, responsive, and designed with audiobook lovers in mind.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience