Review: The Gigolo and the Princess by Adri Brewer

 

Genre: Short Story/Literary Fiction

Description:

“Princess Dymphna increasingly finds herself the target of tabloid criticism for her her choice of clothing, always buttoned up to her neck. She is labeled excessively prudish. Retreating from the public eye, she becomes somber and withdrawn.

In a bid to restore her joy for life, her father entrusts her to a gigolo. He gains her trust, and as she bares her upper body, she reveals her hidden secret. The gigolo uncovers the source of her shame and begins by teaching her to appreciate her own body. Through moments of physical intimacy and trust, he reaffirms her beauty.

With gentle corrections, minor imperfections are addressed. In the end, the tabloids are graced with photographs of a radiant princess, exuding an almost fairy-tale-like erotic allure.”

Author:

Information about Adri Brewer, the author of this and the rest of the Soul Journeys with the Gigolo series is limited. All I can say for sure is that he is Dutch. His stories are translated to English for publication on Amazon.

Appraisal:

If your first thought upon seeing a story (or a series of stories, currently there are seven of them) with a title starting “The Gigolo and …” and assume you’re going to find erotica or something that would get at least an R rating as a movie like I initially assumed, you’d be wrong. Sure, the main character in these stories is a Gigolo who does what is implied by that. But he does much more than that. When he leaves his partner and his two kids at home to go on a job he’s much more than a “professional lover.” His clients are always wealthy women. He’s hired to hang out with them at the location of their choice for 10 days. During that time he might do what you’d expect from a gigolo, but even more he’s acting as a psychologist, helping his client work through some personal issue that is holding them back and hopefully finding a solution, whether helping them view themselves differently, make a change, or possibly something else. Yes, physical intimacy is part of the arrangement, but it isn’t his main purpose.

This first story in the series involved a princess who had an issue that was holding her back in some ways. The Gigolo figured out the reason and helped her find a solution that worked for her. I suspect that buried in this story and the others in the series is a lesson for anyone who is unhappy with themselves and a potential way of looking at it differently to help get past those things holding them back.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Although you might expect lots of notes here, the reality is that the story implies adult things happening a few times, but that’s about it. No adult language and nothing explicit.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words

Reprise Review: The Wedding Planner’s Son by Donna Fasano

 

Genre: Sweet Romance/Short Story

Description:

“Tawny McNealy is a driven, high-achiever who fully expects to someday take over and run the family accounting firm. But when an attempt is made to use her as a pawn, Tawny flees to the only place she’s ever felt truly free and happy — the beach.

Jack Barclay spends his summer days creating romantic seaside weddings for lovers. His laid-back attitude has served him well over the years. He feels stressing out about work only causes a person to miss the best parts of life.

Jack and Tawny are as different as sea and sky, but the fascination they find in each other’s company can’t be denied. Can they withstand the crazy twists that fate tosses their way?”

Author:

“USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

You can learn more about Ms. Fasano on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Tawny McNealy has gotten herself in a real bind accepting an engagement ring from her friend/business partner during a surprise dinner party of family and friends. Both families are thrilled with their engagement. Immediately struck with second thoughts Tawny panics and takes off for the beach to clear her head, organize her thoughts, and decide how to handle her situation without hurting anyone’s feelings. She had no intention of falling asleep on a dune overlooking the ocean.

Jack Barclay and his trusty dog Roo happen to be setting up a sunrise wedding on the beach that morning. When Roo rudely awakens Tawny and she screams from the surprise, Jack comes to the rescue, not that she needed rescuing from the friendly dog. Jack apologizes for Roo’s behavior and offers to buy her breakfast.

Due to an unfortunate turn of events Tawny ends up staying at Jack’s place. As Jack and Tawny get to know each other they both feel an attraction to each other. Their dialogue is realistic and entertaining. They both live very different lives but are able to find some commonalities. Jack has been burned in a past relationship and is having trouble getting over it. With a mind-blowing twist everything in Jack’s life is turned upside down. I loved the way that Tawny and Jack are able to help each other on their journey.

The Wedding Planner’s Son is the perfect short story to read at the beach or on summer vacation. Ms. Fasano’s books are always intelligent, and humorous with clever twists you don’t see coming.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Wedding Planner’s Son is book six in Ms. Fasano’s OCEAN CITY BOARDWALK SERIE??

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 13-14,000 words

Reprise Review: Jezrei's Justice:Tales of Aldura by Susan Stuckey

Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult/Short Story

Description:

“Elderly and frail, Jezrei is tasked with the safety of more than twenty children when the City of Azraelis is attacked by an enemy bent on slaughter and subjugation. How can one old man hope to stand against an entire army?”

Author:

Susan Stuckey: “Currently (mostly) retired, but 'back in the day' Susan was a meek, mild-mannered, self-effacing accountant/auditor by day but after 5:00 her imagination broke free. She either played with historical stories, or in the magical World of Aldura she created.

Besides playing in fantasy worlds and/or historical times, Susan dabbles in various hobbies, loves to try new recipes, and is the servant of multiple fur-children (both feline and canine).”

To learn more please follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

This short story is a glowing testament for love and faith on many levels. Jezrei is an elderly Lieheiren Muhadun, a teaching priest with healing powers, of the Kalieri. He is tasked with the protection of a group of children in the Temple while the barbarian Halurdow storm the town killing and burning everything along their way. 

As the battle moves closer, Jezrei recites the history of the twin god, Azrael, who created the population and creatures of Aldura, the land on which the Kalieri live. Jezrei is able to see the hopelessness of their situation locked in the Temple. However, he is able to keep the children calm and with that peacefulness the children remind Jezrei the words spoken by Azrael as they come face to face with the Halurdow.

Ms. Stuckey has developed an intriguing and detailed history for her series. I find it a joy to be drawn into her stories. Even as heart-rending as Jezrei’s Justice could have been.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Although part of a series, Jezrei’s Justice can be read as a standalone

Format/Typo Issues:

I noticed no issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 4-5,000 words

Reprise Review: Tales of Aldura: Tears of a Seeress by Susan Stuckey

 

Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult/Short Story

Description:

“If Father Tree dies so will all children and creatures of the Twin Goddess including the Njae. Arael's Rest, the home of the Kalwyn Njae, has been under siege by the Halurdow for more than a generation. Added to the enemy, a plague has struck the Njae--a plague that is always fatal. If any Kalwyn Njae are to survive, they must flee their home. Seeress Illyani and her son, Glimrion, fight to save Father Tree and stop the Halurdow. Will they succeed?”

Author:

Susan Stuckey: “Currently (mostly) retired, but 'back in the day' Susan was a meek, mild-mannered, self-effacing accountant/auditor by day but after 5:00 her imagination broke free. She either played with historical stories, or in the magical World of Aldura she created.

Besides playing in fantasy worlds and/or historical times, Susan dabbles in various hobbies, loves to try new recipes, and is the servant of multiple fur-children (both feline and canine).”

Learn more about Ms. Stuckey by checking out her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

Tears of a Seeress is a prequel to Phaedra. It’s a powerfully emotional tale about love and commitment for family, clan, and hope for a better future. Father Tree grows in the heart of Arael's Rest, the home of the Kalwyn Njae, who have been entreated to its protection. The Njae have erected a Barrier Wall surrounding Arael’s Rest, which will be imbued with magic following their exodus, to safer territories. The Halurdows, blood-thirsty warriors of the Dark God - Urdow, are sworn to annihilate everything the Twin Goddess has created, are fast approaching the gates of Arael’s Rest.   

Seeress Illyani and her entire family, are facing heart-wrenching decisions before the exodus through a secret tunnel under the Barrier Wall. The plot moves fast, as there are only fourteen pages. However, that doesn’t mean this is a light read. Ms. Stuckey has chosen her words wisely to weave heart-breaking tension and reflection to draw the reader in quickly while setting up the premise. The main characters and setting are well described. The magic is well thought-out and fascinating. I am glad I picked up this short story and highly recommend all of Ms. Stuckey’s stories in her Tales of Aldura series. She is a masterful storyteller and will not let you down.??

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Although Tears of the Seeress is set earlier in the time-line, than other Tales of Aldura series, I would recommend reading this after reading Phaedra.

Original review published June 21, 2017

Format/Typo Issues:

No errors in proofing or formatting.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 4-5,00 words

Reprise Review: To Shoot a Musky by Bill Stokes

 Genre: Short Story

Description:

“Satchel was the undisputed king of the resident muskies. He had roamed the flowage for years, periodically terrorizing innocent fisherman by surfacing like a whale so close to a boat that the occupants could look deep into the fish's black eyes and see what seemed to be undiluted piscatorial evil.”

Author:

A native of Wisconsin, Bill Stokes has had a long career as a columnist and journalist for several newspapers in Wisconsin as well as a stint at the Chicago Tribune.

Appraisal:

This is a fishing story, I suppose. But I'm not much of a fishing story kind of guy and I loved this short story because it is so much more. It's a Cheesehead Moby Dick. It's a wonderful tale about the love between a grandparent and a grandchild. It's a short glimpse into life in small-town Wisconsin. It's a darn good read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Original review published March 16, 2017

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 2-3,000 words

Reprise Review: Fireworks by Mardeene

 Genre: Erotic Romance/Short Story

Description:

“On the 4th of July, former basketball star Brandy Sue Barnes declares her own personal ‘Independence Day’ from her unreliable boyfriend she realizes will never show up for her when it matters. The blonde statuesque fifty-one-year old, disappointed for the last time, asks for a real man she can depend upon. He shows up in the most unexpected of places—a burning building. Not just any building—her burning building: the Barnes Pyrotechnic warehouse. In this explosive sizzler of a romance in an unexpected twist, it is the beautiful lady who ends up rescuing the fire captain from the fire.”

Author:

“Mardeene has worked in the publishing and film industries for over 32 years as a photojournalist, scriptwriter, nonfiction book author, literary manager and producer of events for writers in Northern California’s Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Atlanta, and Brazil.

She's launching her debut fiction with her collection of short erotic romances as a celebration of life after a near death experience and an affirmation of living and loving full out at any age! Read a free story on her website.”

Appraisal:

Brandy Sue Barnes may be fifty-one-years old, but she is smart, spunky, capable, and knows what she wants. She also knows that she is tired of her thoughtless boyfriend who was supposed to pick her up early to escort her to the Independence Day Fundraiser for her children’s cancer center. Claiming her own independence she decides to drive herself. On the way to the gala she notices a glow in the sky in the direction of her family’s warehouses for Barnes Pyrotechnics.

Taking a small detour to the offices and warehouses she finds one building totally demolished. As the firefighters are putting out the last of the fire on one of the five story structures a firefighter needs rescuing. During his rescue the fire chief falls through the roof. Since Brandy knows the building and is sure she knows a better way to get to the hunky injured chief. As soon as she is able to get past the line of distracted firefighters, and taking proper safety precautions, she heads off to rescue the sexy fire chief who has caught her eye.

The plot is well written and suspenseful. I found the characters well defined for a novelette. Mardeene uses a lot of sexy humor in this story that involves sparks and heat that will keep you reading. I would recommend this for a little afternoon delight any time of the year.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

While this is an erotic romance there are no overly graphic sex scenes and only two small F-bombs.

Original review posted January 30, 2017

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues with proofing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 10-11,000 words

Review: The Coward of Grimsby by Eric Daniel Ryan

 

Genre: Historical Fiction/Short Story

Description:

“In the final years of the Victorian era, a French fisherman and an English aristocrat team up on a harrowing adventure that brings forth an epic battle of greed, survival, and redemption.

In the port city of Grimsby, England, a down on his luck French fisherman named Georges DuFort meets Cornelius Braddock, a widowed aristocrat searching for a reason to live. Georges tells him the tale of a long-lost ship loaded with Spanish gold that disappeared off the African coast while on the run from the conquering armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. After Georges shares the treasure's secret location, the two men form a quick bond and begin to plan for the voyage of a lifetime. Things then take a turn for the worse when Georges mysteriously disappears on the eve of the journey and forces Braddock to embark on the treasure hunt without him.

After many months and thought to be lost at sea, Braddock washes up on the shores of France half-dead with a tragic tale of bloodlust and mutiny. Since he returns home without the ship or its crew, he is thrown into prison and blamed for their disappearance. Unable to convince the authorities of what really happened, Braddock is labeled a coward and a criminal for saving only himself and abandoning his crew to the harsh fate of the ocean.

Now, only Georges may hold the key to what truly happened on that fateful voyage and if the stories of the Spanish treasure were true after all. Will he find redemption for Braddock, or will the truth remain buried at sea? Find out in this gripping tale of a long-lost treasure and the lives it forever changed.”

Author:

“Eric Daniel Ryan and his family live north of Boston in the shadows of Old Salem Village, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, and Lovecraft’s Arkham Asylum. After studying screenwriting and film production at the School of Visual Arts, he served three years in the US Army and is a combat veteran of the war in Iraq. In 2005 Eric became a Boston Firefighter and, in 2017, opened a business selling and collecting rare, original movie posters. Each night, after tucking the little ones into bed, he settles down in his two-hundred-year-old home to finish his first novel. His short story, The Orchid, was previously published in the anthology Portraits of the Pen by City Limits Publishing.”

Appraisal:

A short, but intense read. This story has aspects of a thriller and a mystery, as well as historical, taking place long enough ago that most readers (or at least this reader) wasn’t sure what kinds of things we wouldn’t anticipate today that might have happened in that day and age. All of this worked to keep me interested and engrossed in the story.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words

Review: Chad Stinson Goes for a Walk by Shawn Inmon

 

Genre: Short Story

Description:

“Chad Stinson is fat. When a series of unflattering pictures at his 49th birthday party burn that fact into his brain, he decides to do something about it. Turning to Amazon, he orders an Azuul ExerTracker, hoping to find the discipline he lacks. He finds it. His life will never be the same. Chad Stinson Goes for a Walk is a short, macabre tale of obsession and possession, perfect for a quick lunchtime read.”

Author:

A native of Washington, Shawn Inmon is a former DJ, Real Estate Agent, turned prolific full-time author.

Appraisal:

If you’ve joined the crowd of people who count your steps with one of the “fitness trackers” available today or know anyone who owns one, this story will strike home. (I felt like the protagonist was a kindred spirit, at least at first.) It’s a fun story of inspiration and motivation gone awry.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 7-8,000 words

Reprise Review: The Second-Best Ranger in Texas by Kathleen Rice Adams

 

Genre: Western/Romance/Historical/Short Story

Description:

“His partner’s grisly death destroyed Texas Ranger Quinn Barclay. Cashiered for drunkenness and refusal to follow orders, he sets out to fulfill his partner’s dying request, armed only with a saloon girl’s name.

Sister María Tomás thought she wanted to become a nun, but five years as a postulant have convinced her childhood dreams aren’t always meant to be. At last ready to relinquish the temporary vows she never should have made, she begs the only man she trusts to collect her from a mission in the middle of nowhere.

When the ex-Ranger’s quest collides with the ex-nun’s plea in a burned-out border town, unexpected love blooms among shared memories of the dead man who was a brother to them both.

Too bad he was also the only man who could have warned them about the carnage to come.”

Author:

Kathleen Rice Adams: “Descended from a long line of Texas ranchers, preachers, and teachers on one side and Kentucky horse thieves and moonshiners on the other, award-winning author Kathleen Rice Adams had no choice but to become an outlaw. Maybe that's why in her stories, even the good guys wear black hats.

For the past thirty years, she's stayed two steps ahead of a lynch mob as an award-winning journalist. She also has ghost-written or edited several nonfiction books.

A Texan to the bone, when Kathleen's not being a nuisance she bows to the whims of the Hole in the Web Gang -- a herd of tiny but enthusiastic outlaws with four legs.”

For more please visit Ms. Adams’ website.

Appraisal:

I enjoy a little cowboy action occasionally. The Second-Best Ranger in Texas filled the bill nicely. The characters are well developed and realistic. Quinn is trying to deal with his best friend’s death through whisky. After losing his position as a Texas Ranger, Quinn is now on a mission to carry out the promise to his dying friend. The message is cryptic; all he has is the first name of a woman and the name of the town to find her.

Upon arriving in San Miguel all Quinn finds is a burned up town with only two buildings remaining: the saloon, thank God, and a mission at the edge of town. The mission houses a few nuns, orphans, and injured survivors. Quinn figures if Dulce had ever been in San Miguel it is likely she disappeared with everyone else when the town burned to the ground.

The story unfolds at a nice pace as Quinn does all he can to assist the nuns by burying their dead and helping them relocate to another mission. Ms. Adams does an excellent job capturing the flavor of the town and the essence of her characters with her excellent prose. The characters practically walk off the page and into your heart. This includes Quinn’s horse, Bulls-eye. I can highly recommend this novelette for a quick pick-me-up read.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Second-Best Ranger in Texas was the winner of the 2015 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker best short fiction award.

Original review posted August 31, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words

Review: Stella by Josh Dygert

 

Genre: Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult/Short Story

Description:

“Stella knew the names of the stars before she knew her alphabet. Although Stella’s mother disappeared when she was too small to remember, she grows up happy beneath bright Indiana stars in the small town of Torrance with her father, her dog, and her best friend. When a meteor lands in her father’s cornfields, Stella and her father run after the fallen star. Stella watches as her father touches the star. The moment he does, he disappears in a flash of golden starlight. Stella never sees her father again. From that moment on, Stella is terrified of the stars she always loved. She leaves Torrance, her dog, and her best friend only to discover that the truth she needs is still in Torrance. As a total eclipse approaches, Stella must find the courage to face her stars.”

Author:

“Josh Dygert’s short stories have appeared in a number of online magazines and anthologies, including in the #1 Amazon Bestselling Horror Anthology Secret Stairs. He is also the author of a middle-grade fantasy novel called The Story Traveler, which is available from Amazon. He studied English and Theater in college and now teaches middle school English.”

To learn more about Mr. Dygert check out his website.

Appraisal:

Mysterious disappearances are nothing new around the farming community of Torrance, Indiana. Sixteen years ago Stella’s mom vanished when she chased a comet that landed in their cornfield. Despite growing up without a mother, Stella grew up happy and was always home at dark to spend time with her dad stargazing. During the latest meteor shower Stella’s father was so taken in by the size of this shower that when he saw one headed for the cornfield, he took off running to meet the meteor where it hit the ground. When Stella caught up with him she saw golden light weaving a chrysalis around him, then he vanished along with the light.

Bobby O’Malley, Stella’s best friend and closest neighbor, found Stella standing in the spot where her father vanished. He took Stella to his parent’s farm where she stayed during the rest of her high school years. Stella also changed her first name because she was angry with the stars. Stella had plans to never return to Torrance after finishing her college degree in astronomy. However, the universe led her right back to her parent’s farmhouse in Torrance to take care of some loose legal strings on the eve of a solar eclipse.

I honestly expected this story to be a cozy romance. Stella and Bobby were so comfortable hanging out together, but the slow burning flame never lit that fuse. The twist at the end blew my mind. I never saw that coming. Stella left me totally creeped out!

Buy now from:                   Amazon US                    Amazon UK

FYI:

Stella is soft core horror, I just wasn’t expecting that.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no significant proofing issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 15-20,000 words

Reprise Review: What Happened to Winn Bailey by Edward Gold

 

Genre: Short story/Science Fiction/Mystery

Description:

What Happened to Winn Bailey is a story about a man who wakes up in a strange place with no recollection of how he got there... and he's not alone...

Author:

“Edward Gold is a writer of science fiction and fantasy and children's books. He has won contests for his short stories and has published several poems. He is the Organizer of a local writer's group with around 2,000 members. He has also produced, designed, and edited newsletters for several agencies and literary magazines.”

Appraisal:

Set firmly in the sci-fi realm, this is a short story mystery. On the first page, Mr. Bailey wakes up in a very strange environment. I found the descriptions of his room intriguing and compelling. As the scene changes, the mystery deepens and develops and kept the pages turning.

Often in a short story, I find myself cheated by an ending that either doesn’t explain enough or is too trite to believe. But in this instance, the finale was both satisfying and thought provoking, although I had to wait until the last page to find out what was truly going on—which is as it should be.

Buy now from:    Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Original review posted April 20, 2016.

Format/Typo Issues:

None.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Approximate word count: 5,000 words

The Love I Leave Behind by J.R. Wheeless

 

Genre: Short Story

Description:

“What goes through the mind of a man lingering on Death Row when he falls in love with a country western singer-songwriter he has never met?

A guitar picker is convicted of a crime he cannot remember committing. He is sentenced to die by lethal injection for a murder he may not have committed. While being booked into jail he is introduced to the music of Kayla Ray. Her down to earth style and southern twang captivates him. The words of her songs move him.

As the condemned man is waiting for his appeal to make its way through the court system Kayla’s music fills him with melancholy and yearning he had not experienced in years. He falls in love with her voice and the lyrics of her songs. His love for the woman he’s never met sustains him though the lonely days and the even lonelier nights in prison. As his date with death approaches, the convicted killer tells his life story to a reporter. The young writer promises to share the tale with the world.

Learn how an unrequited love can alter a doomed man’s outlook. How does his love for a woman he will never meet affect his thinking? Will it help him remember the details of the crime for which he’s been sentenced to die? Does he ask forgiveness from a god he has never had any use for? And, how does the reporter deal with the information that has been shared?”

Author:

A review of J.R. Wheeless’ available biographical information leaves me better than clueless, but barely. It appears that he’s currently living a nomadic lifestyle, mainly bouncing around the southwest US in an RV. He has several books available that range from short stories to short story collections, to collections of random thoughts, with a novel or two thrown in. For more, visit his blog or page on Facebook.

Appraisal:

It feels like I should lead off with a disclaimer. Whether a story appeals to a specific reader or reviewer has a couple big factors. The first is the obvious, how skillful the author was in weaving an entertaining story that would appeal to many, if not most people. We differ enough that even this isn’t always straightforward. This story got me in that way. The second is the unpredictable factor, what is there in the story that resonates with the specific reader that might not be nearly as meaningful to a random potential reader. This story got me in that second way as well.

As mentioned, this story has both aspects for me. I found the story compelling. The protagonist, Lyle, had stumbled through life, sometimes struggling and other times seeming to be on top of the world. Music is one aspect of life that is important to him, not only as a listener, but as a sometimes performer. Then something happens and he finds himself arrested and waiting for the end on death row. How the story evolves and works out kept me involved. I liked Lyle, as I think most readers will. Whether or not he is guilty is up in the air. A reporter, who makes a brief appearance at the beginning and end isn’t sure either. Reading this may get you pondering the death penalty, whatever your thoughts on it.

To most of you, Kayla Ray, the singer Lyle has fallen for from afar is probably not one you’ve heard of. This is where I find myself in a different place than the average reader. Music obviously plays a big part in this story and I find Lyle explaining his musical likes and the names he drops falling right in line with the music I gravitate to. Even Lyle’s obsession, Kayla Ray, is someone I’ve heard a few times performing online on a Facebook page called Sequestered Songwriters. Had someone set out to pull me in and to feel a kind of kinship with the story’s main characters they couldn’t have done better.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 10-11,000 words

Review: Gender Politics by Amanda Botfeld

 

Genre: Political Fiction/Short Story

Description:

“Societal commentary just got interesting.

Read this funny, racy, exaggerated take on a man running for office -- and the woman chosen to help him.

Peppered with satire of the elite and commentary on class warfare, this quirky political humor story explores power struggles between the sexes.

Perfect if you want to chuckle and think. This tale is one helluva ride -- a sexy little snicker.”

Author:

I can’t tell you much about Amanda Botfeld. If you want to subscribe and receive her emailed newsletters, visit her website. But that’s literally the only thing there. She may or may not be the same author as another one using the same name. I could point to things that would have me believe either way. Your guess is as good as mine. I guess for the moment we’ll have to call her the mystery woman.

Appraisal:

I think it would be fair to say that this short story got me wondering. Not about the characters and what I thought about the behavior I saw from them. I had no doubt about how I felt about that. But one of the characters, Priscilla, throws out some thoughts at the end of the story, thinking she has two choices at that point. I thought the choice to make was obvious, but wasn’t sure that I agreed with the way she presented the tradeoff between the choices. The author’s way of presenting them are what triggered that wondering. Maybe it will do the same for you. Either way, I’m sure you’ll agree that Priscilla’s choice is the right one.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language (it is a short story, so how much could there be) and a touch of sexual content.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 3-4,000 words

Review: His Enemy's Son by Iyana Jenna

 

Genre: Romance/Thriller/Short Story

Description:

“Young oil mogul Luke Garrett can't get his business counterpart to return his calls after a deal goes bad. After making every effort to contact the man, Luke decides to kidnap his former partner's son, Alex, to gain the man's attention to their shared problem.

Alex Parker is celebrating his eighteenth birthday by getting drunk with his best friend ... and studiously avoiding the debutantes his father tries to throw his way. His night of revelry is cut short when he finds himself a houseguest of a rather unconventional abductor.

Though he's angry and scared, Alex is drawn to Luke, whose plan falls apart when his attraction to Alex generates a change of heart. Luke can't do anything else but turn himself in to the police, much to Alex's dismay. Will Alex lose his chance at something great before it even begins?”

Author:

Iyana Jenna writes sweet romance, aimed at young or not-so-young adults with the two parties in the romance almost always being men. For more, visit their website.

Appraisal:

I describe this short story as a thriller as well as a romance, since the protagonist, Alex, is abducted, more or less, and then finds himself attracted to his abductor. Obviously, if this is a romance, that feeling must be reciprocated as well. Possibly needless to say, these seemingly contradictory things serve to make this quick read extremely quirky. Quirky enough that a reader who picked up the story with any expectations might not find what they hoped for. Luckily my only desire was for a short read outside of my norm, so it worked for me. It was both short and way outside my norm.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Definitely not explicit. Sex may be implied, but barely.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 8-9,000 words

Review: The Heroes Journey by John Henry Amlien

Genre: Short Story/Medieval Fantasy/Adventure

Description:

“A sociopathic super wizard joins the Wizards guild. A guild where heroes are made and commercialized. When things don’t go according to plan, he decides to improvise. A not-so-bright young and inexperienced wizard joins him along the way.”

Author:

“In 2018 John, after a lot of thinking, finally decided he was going to become an author. In 2020, still working on his big epic, he decided to let a short story, which he had written in the meantime, be his first published book.”

The Heroes Journey is Mr. Amlien’s debut story.

Appraisal:

In The Heroes Journey we follow Wizard Urick as he tries to turn Frank Fury into a Hero. Simply because Frank has a heroic sounding name. Urick’s means are unconventional, to say the least. Tendust is a young wizard who recognizes Urick and wants to become his apprentice so he regales Urick with false accomplishments. Urick knows Tendust is on to him so he tries to shake him off, but that’s not going to happen. Tendust sees Urick as a meal ticket. It’s an enjoyable ride as Urick tries to make his lies sound like the truth, as he leads his small troupe of unskilled warriors to destroy Tyson the Zombie King.

The Heroes Journey is an imaginative and fun romp as Urick defies the rules to turn Frank into his first Hero. The dialogue and inner thoughts of Urick are highly entertaining. If you want to know how real heroes are made this is the story for you. Hahaha. However, it will make you think about how much praise can actually affect change in a person’s life.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Heroes Journey is book 1 in Mr. Amlien’s, The Adventures of Urick and Tendust Series. Even though the book cover may attract younger readers, be warned there is a lot of colorful adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words