Review | Curtains, Scott Nicholson

Curtains by Scott Nicholson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon product description:
A collection of 13 tales of mystery, crime, and suspense from the pages of Cemetery Dance, Blue Murder, The Third Alternative, Crimewave, and more. From tales of vengeful mobsters to dark family secrets, from psychotic killers to reluctant heroes, the stories tap the dark recesses of the human heart and the temptations that bring out the worst and best in all of us. Features the 2006 Year's Best Fantasy & Horror selection "Dog Person." You'll never look at fruit the same way again after experiencing "Watermelon." And junk mail takes a sinister turn in "Letters and Lies."

Includes bonus stories from award-winning writers J.A. Konrath (Origin, the Jack Daniels series) and Simon Wood (Working Stiffs), totaling 57,000 words of digital-pulp thrills.


My review:

Top-Notch Writing!

A quality selection of short-stories, each one vividly detailed with a precise eye for descriptive prose.

The themes vary greatly, and I enjoyed the variety. It’s always rewarding to read an anthology which feels like a blind dip into a selection box… you just don’t know what you’re going to get next.

Considering the fact that they are short pieces, I won’t ‘synopsis’ each individual item: I don’t want to give out spoilers. Suffice it to say, each is narrated in a consistent style in keeping with the title and product description – and what you would expect of this calibre of authorship by such renowned names – and yet showing a differing style of delivery; some slow and detailed, some nippy.

Speaking of ‘themed’…be warned that this not a cheery, candy-floss collection, but rather a dark and deliciously moody reflection on the less-than-sunny-side of life. Now this I enjoyed. I like a good fluffy short story, sure, but I love to see the dark and somewhat twisted aspect of humanity with all its quirks.

A very satisfying read with some clever twists, including the two stories which unexpectedly link up.

Recommended.


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Review | Molly Hacker Is Too Picky, Lisette Brodey

Molly Hacker Is Too Picky! by Lisette Brodey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliantly observational rom-com!


Very sharp and witty commentary of a single woman who won't settle for `Mr Anybody' ... and believes that, despite her cynical outlook on dating and romance, she deserves `Mr Right'. She'll fiercely fend off any attempts by others to make her settle.

Molly Hacker is not for compromising!

As a reporter for The Swansea Herald, Molly turns down the opportunity to be a press-pass-carrying socialite...in favour of doing the obituary column. She spurns the attempts of the manipulative Naomi (an awful, self-righteous, social-ladder-climbing, deadly-nightshade of a woman)... to be set up on a blind date with some man that Naomi is determined to match-make.

Yet, notwithstanding the machinations of the dreadful Naomi, as the story progresses Molly goes from zero partner-prospects to too many to handle. And still, despite her overwhelming choice of suitors, Molly remains determinedly picky, and wanders even into neurotic.

On the surface, Molly is a tough, feisty, no-nonsense woman, who is juggling several potential relationships in a skilful but considerate fashion. As each of her suitors is so very different from one another, and offers her different prospects, she appears to be making the best of each in a caring and pragmatic way. But beneath her cool exterior, she is pestered by memories of her lost `true love', and her own insecurities. This provides a wonderful contrast within her personality which makes you all the more curious ... what exactly will it take to make Molly happy?

I particularly enjoyed the snipey attitude illustrated in dialogue, the lovely comedic expressions - many of which are made as though she is talking-to-camera, like an aside to the narrative run - and the clever use of metaphor. I don't often laugh out loud, but this indefatigable character is both passive-aggressive, and vulnerable with her over-analyses.

What Molly's big problem seems to be is her inability to trust. An issue which I felt - without the succour of her irrepressible and flamboyant friend Randy - would most likely drive her insane!

With all of the men vying for Molly's affection, the suspense element kicked in as I tried to guess which of these very different characters was going to reach through to her. I also wondered... will any of them get there?

Now, to the best `fist-thump-on-table-triumphant-yell' section I have read in a long time. The Big Event. No spoilers here - so suffice it to say this was expertly delivered, tied up so many threads that the author wove in earlier chapters, and outcomed in a way you would never guess was coming. Really, I was thumping fist and shouting YES! ... Superb!

And just when you think you've had all the twists you can handle...wait `til the end. It's a brilliant turn of events, and settles the entire story in the most surprising denouement.

Recommended with a high Five!


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Review | An Uncommon Family, Christa Polkinhorn

An Uncommon Family by Christa Polkinhorn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So good I read it twice!

A rich and emotive story around three principal characters, each with their own troubled pasts. Although each of the characters bears an entirely different burden to the others, all three become inextricably linked in the unfolding story of an unlikely union.

Karla, a precocious and talented young girl; her guardian aunt Anna, withdrawn and mistrustful of men, devoted only to her niece; and Jonas, a kindly, gentle-souled man who undertakes art tutoring of young Karla. In doing so, a warm yet cautious relationship develops between he and Anna – but one that the reader wonders how it may possibly develop with Anna so rigid and full of doubt.

All three have tragedies to conquer, from grief to betrayal to guilt. Yet a close bond forms as Jonas becomes closer to both his protégé Karla, and the woman of his increasing desire, Anna. But as secrets unfold, and memories of betrayal linger, even as childish mischief comes into play, it looks sadly like this trio of loveable characters are going to drift apart.

This is a story described in a beautiful literary prose style, the narrative detailed and lyrically descriptive. I’m especially fond of the portrayal behind each three personalities. In Karla I see the amazing, if tragic, devices that a child may employ to deal with grief. Imagining under certain circumstances that a crack opens in the sky and you can see into Heaven to talk to those you’ve lost. Very touching. In Anna, the stoic mentality that is her armour against another betrayal, yet her own self-doubt at her capability to be enough of a ‘parent’ to Karla. And in Jonas, the persistence and patience of a solid character with a heart of gold, but a mind full of guilt for a crime that, in my opinion, really isn’t his to bear.

And… wherever I may have suspected the story would lead, I could not guess at the surprise twist in Anna’s past, a revelation that changes Anna’s perspective and, perhaps, enables her to release some of her pain. Only by moving beyond the past and looking optimistically ahead, will she have any chance of happiness.

All of the texture in this story, the smooth passage of time through seasons and years, the crisp dialogue and smooth plot development, makes for a thoroughly rewarding read. I recommend you read it, and ease into the nourishing atmosphere of this charming and cleverly depicted story of love, loss, loneliness, and hope.


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January 2013 Issue

Supporting Authors One Read At A Time

Includes catalogue of network authors,

with book links and bios.

Please check out this very important issue.

Free book for Christmas

 

 

Free SciFi adventure Drama/Comedy

 

'til Sunday December 30th

 

5 Minutes - Free! Amazon US | Kindle

 

 

A Christmas Karol

 

 

 

 A short story by

 

Gareth Stokes

 

Copyright © 2011

(Adult Content & language)

 (Approx 4,300 words)

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A monastery is the home of dear old Santa. But he's not there by choice. He's there by punishment. And Santa doesn't intend to keep his punishment all to himself...

After all, he is a giver!

 

 

 

NOW AVAILABLE AS PAPERBACK ON AMAZON IN THE COLLECTION "COMPULSIVE"

 

 

 

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End Of An Affair

 

Copyright © 2012

Stock Image by Dreamstime

 

A 3,000 word story

(Contains Adult Content) 

_____________________________

 

Synopsis:

A man witnesses the approach of the end of everything...everything he knows, and thinks he knows; annihilation of his world. In the short time remaining, he regards his last great love, intagible and surreal though it may be, its significance is all the more poignant as a benchmark for everything that can never be.

 

NOW AVAILABLE AS PAPERBACK ON AMAZON IN THE COLLECTION "COMPULSIVE"

 

 

 

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