Title: Sleepless in Calgary Author: Kevin Cockle In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Urban fantasy, Vampires Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Edge Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: David pulled his arms back then struck again.
A chance meeting with a vampire no one else can see on his daily commute causes David to start seriously thinking about the way he’s living his life.
This short story took an exceptionally unexpected turn. I
thought that the man would either be insane or turn into a vampire. And he kind
of did… to both. But not even remotely in the way that I was expecting. Actually…
it was kind of super weird and tripped out to be honest. Fun though. And it
gave me a good little giggle.
I’ve read a number of stories and theories that feature the idea that we just have to all believe in something strong enough for it to become reality. Cockle is able to harness this idea in a way that was completely unexpected. And one that was quite humorous and twisted in and of itself.
Title: Christmas for One Author: Amanda Prowse Series: No Greater Love #5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Christmas, Contemporary, Romance Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Head Zeus Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: Juno nodded.
As a child, Meg always dreamed of the perfect Christmas…
This year, she can make it come true for her own little boy. There will be turkey and all the trimmings, a glittering tree, and a stocking hung up by a roaring fire. Who cares if there’s no devoted husband in the picture? She and Lucas will be just fine on their own.
But then a chance meeting with a stranger in New York unravels everything she’s planned. Will Meg finally get everything she wished for? Or will she be alone this Christmas after all?
I bought this as part of the Black Friday sales, thinking it
would be an interesting little Christmas read. I didn’t realise that it was
part of a greater series until I was about halfway through, but it didn’t
really matter since it stands by itself beautifully. And beautiful really is
the best word to describe this novel. It is simple, easy, sweet and has the picturesque
backdrop of Christmas in New York and London.
A lot of the romances that I’ve been reading recently involve
a paranormal aspect of some kind. So it was kind of nice to settle into a
contemporary romance that didn’t require magic and mayhem to make the storyline
work. Rather, it was all about the love and romance between two people. And the
fact that it could truly happen to anyone made it somehow sweeter. I love the
realism in the story, and it made such a great break from these tales that involve
a magical mating bond and fate, and destiny…
Most romances that I read feature a young adult (normally in
their mid to late twenties) who might have a history, but aren’t significantly
attached to anyone or anything. Now, I am in that age bracket, and I don’t have
dependents that rely on me either, so I do enjoy the ways in which I can relate
to these stories. BUT it was really nice and a great change of pace to read
about a woman who has a son. Not only did this romance feature her and Ed, but it
also meant that there was a constant extra stake in their relationship – the
son.
Although this novel features Christmas, it isn’t necessary
to read at that time of year. It is a great, sweet, kind and warm-hearted story
that will be thoroughly enjoyable all year round.
We all know about Jack’s journey up the beanstalk – but what really happened up there? The giant’s wife reveals all!
I love different points of view on fairy tales. And Jack and
the Beanstalk is an incredibly well-known tale. The fact that this story is
told with him as a kind of villain made this thoroughly enjoyable. After all,
if you think about it… how does the good guy end up killing someone and stealing
things? There is nothing very virtuous and “good” about this at all.
Although Jack is mildly cast in the role of villain… he is
also looked upon with favour by the giant’s wife. After all, it is all from her
point of view, and the frustrated affection she feels towards her husband (ew,
who is called Harvey?) highlights her independence and intelligence. The fact
that Jack is as quick-witted and quick-footed as the giantess and an equal
match for her just made everything all the more entertaining. Especially when
you consider the brilliant ending of this story.
Title: Blade’s Escape Author: Bec McMaster Series: London Steampunk #0.5 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Romance, Steampunk Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Bec McMaster Year: 2016 5th sentence, 74th page: “Little runt,” the other man muttered.
Henry has just escaped from his prison with the blue bloods, but his first meeting has the feeling of fate and the shaping of many future lives.
This is an incredibly short short story (go figure) that is almost a scene taken from Blade’s earlier life. There’s not really much of a storyline here, but it still gives a little extra background into the enigma that features in Kiss of Steel.
Since this is so short, and I haven’t yet read Kiss of Steel, it is a little hard to make much commentary on it. it’s a basic missing scene moment from a former life and a good insight into how distraught and confused Blade was at the beginning. It is also the pivotal moment of change. But that is all that it indicates, there isn’t much of a storyline. There is an introduction of characters, but no real change, just a sense of a future shift in personhood.
Title: I Know Who You Ate Last Summer Author: Nancy Holder In: Blood Lite (Kevin J. Anderson) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Comedy, Horror Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Edge Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: Because I thought you told Carla M.
Two cannibal rockstars are about to be found out… but will they turn on each other before they can escape the truth?
It’s obvious that this story will have something to do with the
consumption of people in some way shape or form. I was honestly betting on
vampire. And even after reading the first few pages – I still thought vampire.
Until I got a little bit further along in the story and realised that no, these
aren’t vampires, they’re just really weird and disturbed cannibals.
This is one of those sick and twisted stories that I love
and keep thinking about it long after I have finished the tale. Two cannabilistic
rock stars running free and wild. Two men who have been eating and killing
their way across the country. Who have also joined AA and found a whole heap of
new “friends” that were previously unexpected.
Title: Abby’s Christmas Spirit Author: Erin McCarthy Series: Cuttersville #2.75 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Christmas,Contemporary, Romance Pace: Slow Format: Novella, Poem Publisher: Erin McCarthy Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: “Psychic visions, or just like a checklist?” Bree asked.
When Abby Murphy returns home to Cuttersville, it’s to buy back her grandmother’s house that was sold… and to meet the man she is convinced is destined to be her future husband. Being a psychic gives her that crystal ball advantage and she’s seen the face of the man she’s going to marry since she was seventeen. In the years since her first vision, she has spent many a night inserting herself into his dreams in some very sexy ways. So imagine her surprise when she discovers that her destiny lies with the man she can’t stand, the man who bought her grandmother’s house, the skeptic ghost hunter, Darius Damiano.
But sometimes reality can be even better than dreams…
This didn’t quite go as I had expected. Where the previous two Cuttersville novellas and Murphy sisters featured a kind of slow seduction, Abby was incredibly gun-ho. She also got twisted up and confused far more than either of her sisters, and it ultimately took a lot more to get to her happy ending.
Like the other novellas I have read so far (the novels in the Cuttersville series have only just arrived on my doorstep), this story left me with a happy, contented smile on my face. It was simple, it was cute and it didn’t involve a lot of in depth thinking. The slight snags along the way weren’t completely unexpected, and they weren’t so intense that you didn’t think you’d eventually get your happy ending anyway. I honestly just love the simplicity of stories like this, and I can’t wait to go back to the beginning of the series and sink my teeth into A Date with the Other Side.
Title: Clockmaker’s Requiem Author: Barth Anderson In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Steampunk Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: It needs little hands.
Is time supposed to be a constant? Or is it something that is a little more random and should be controlled by all?
Time is a human construct. Ideas of it change across
cultures and peoples. Across time and space. So it was kind of fun to read a steampunk
short story that featured time in a number of ways. From the current idea of
time in the story. Which from my understanding was controlled by each
individual clockmaker to the more common and well-known ideal of time. The idea
that it is uniform and governs everything.
There is a stark contrast between uniformity and total
chaos. And a great sliding scale of everything in between. Using clocks and the
concept of time are a great way in which to highlight the differences in this. There
is this sense of loss when a clock of standardised time is introduced. This
sense that individuality and independence no longer exists. And I was actually
sad as I turned the last page of this story.
Ian has an offer for Bree’s house… but, with the magic of Christmas and a meddlesome feline, their about to find out that there is a lot more at stake than real estate.
If you’re in the mood for an easy, cute, a little bit funny
read… then this is certainly the sort of novella you should be picking up. It’s
one of those find-your-true-love, Merry Christmas type of stories that may not
rock your world, but certainly leave you with a big, happy smile on your face when
you have finished reading them. Which, let’s be honest, is something that we
all need sometimes.
In Charlotte’s Web, there was a hint of Bree’s future beau, and I like that, twelve months later, they finally reconnect. From the glimpses in the previous novella, and Bree’s initial reactions to Ian, I was expecting a lot more reluctance and build up to the moment when the romantic leads end up together. And then it falls apart even quicker. And ends up perfect in the blink of an eye. It really is one of those stories that has an immensely fast paced romance that forms in a moment.
Not that the fast pace is a problem, but I could see how
this could have almost evolved into an entire novel on and of itself. I was
kind of disappointed that it ended so quickly. There was so much that happened
that I finished this novella with both a smile stretched across my face, and a
bemused look of what-do-I-read-next.
It’s best to use fresh ingredients… especially when you are making a pie with a bit of a kick…
Family is always messy. It is always difficult. And it is always
filled with crazy amounts of love (sometimes with extra helpings of the crazy).
So an anthology of Christmas stories just wouldn’t be complete without a tale
featuring a not-quite-functioning family. A set up. And a potential zombie
apocalypse gone mad.
Although the potentially poisoning grateful pie is quite
funny, as is the patient zero for the potential virus. What I loved most about
this tale was the way in which everyone
in the family is trying to set Kay Ann up. The plus ones that the family brings
along all show what kind of person they think makes the perfect mate… and man
do they run the gammitt. Yet, everything seems to work out well in the end with
the craziness of family and the holiday season. Ending in a great scene with
the lead striding off into the sunset, gun in hand…
Title: Conjoined Author: Jane Yolen In: Mad Hatters and March Hares (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Animagus, Easy reading, Fantasy Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Tor Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: “The value,” he used to say, “is not what a thing is worth intrinsically but what someone is willing to pay for it.”
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are constantly fighting, but that isn’t what makes their ape friend travel to Wonderland. Rather, a cheshire cat, a battle with the Jabber Wocky and a series of rather interesting events send him forth.
I thought that this story was going to be about Tweedledee
and Tweedledum. Until I slowly realised that it is about an orangutan in the
circus… which Tweedledee and Tweedledum are part of. Talk about a rapid change
of direction!
Tweedledee and Tweedledum are both such humorous characters,
but it wasn’t until I read this story that I really wondered how such human-like
creatures could be in Wonderland. And then it really wasn’t until the very end
that I felt like this was a great beginnings story. How the Tweedles made it to
Wonderland, where the idea of “off with your head” came from… and so many other
things.
The connectivity between modern-day circus performers and
acts, the Cheshire Cat and the world of Wonderland was incredibly fun. And I
was mostly just disappointed that the story was over so quickly… after all, I
wanted to know more about the man-ape that took centre stage.
