Tag: short stories drama

The Last Waltz in Zurich and Other Stories by Amir Tomer Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Amir Tome shares a unique and fantastical journey into a collection of short stories that are entertaining and engaging in the collection “The Last Waltz in Zurich and Other Stories”.

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The Synopsis

From the surprising and shocking to the heartbreaking, erotic, and philosophical, Amir Tomer’s debut collection of literary short stories will delight both avid readers of the short story genre and casual readers seeking entertainment and enlightenment.

“My right eye, which was lost in the accident, was alive and well and by some miraculous means, it continued to transmit to my brain all that it saw! … My left eye saw, concurrently, the hospital room, and the brain, as it always does, fused the two images transmitted by the eyes, creating a sort of photomontage in which the images blended!!!”

A car crash leads to an unexpected voyage across dimensions of perception, a painting reveals more than just artistic vision, and a forgotten childhood game becomes the backdrop for reconciliation with the past. These are just a few of the surprises hidden among the pages of Amir Tomer’s debut short story collection.

The Last Waltz in Zurich offers its readers a rich tapestry of unusual and thought-provoking stories. Shifting between the surreal, the mundane, and the fantastical, this collection of stories never fails to surprise, challenge, and offer unique insights into the human psyche.

The Review

This collection of stories was genuinely emotional and thought-provoking. The author found various ways to touch upon the fragility of life and kept the reader engaged in each story and the characters that drove them. The visceral imagery and the poetic writing style helped capture the settings of each story and the connections between the characters, allowing the reader to bond with these characters as they experienced life’s various challenges.

The heart of this story is in the powerful themes that the stories touch upon. The bond we share, the power that love holds in our hearts, and the emotional threads that connect us all. The standout stories for me were The Last Waltz in Zurich, The Proposal, and my favorite, A Quiet Evening with the Parents. Each touches upon the pain and love that comes with those bonds that connect us, from the loss of a parent to the romance between two people connected by tragedy and so much more.

The Verdict

Memorable, authentic, and heartfelt author Amir Tomer’s “The Last Waltz in Zurich and Other Stories” is a must-read short story collection. The twists and turns in the stories themselves, the emotional and engaging stories and characters, and the powerful themes will keep readers coming back to this book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. Amir Tomer is a professor for Software Engineering. He holds three degrees in computer science and has worked in various industrial and managerial positions at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. He transitioned to academia to meet the challenge of establishing a new Software Engineering department at Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee. He headed the department for over ten years, successfully earning its official recognition from the Israeli Council for Higher Education.

The Last Waltz in Zurich is Amir Tomer’s second book. His first, a poetry collection titled Love Designer, was published in Hebrew by Assif Publishing House in 2021.

Somewhere in Minnesota: Short Stories by Jayna Locke Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Jayna Locke shares a wonderful collection of short stories that reflects on the human condition in the book “Somewhere in Minnesota: Short Stories”.

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The Synopsis

With springtime in the air, a toddler chases a ball onto a melting ice-covered lake far beyond his parents’ reach.

As the chill of Autumn comes to Minnesota, Max opens the door to find a grizzled drifter on the doorstep. Then Max realizes he knows the man.

When Julie returns to her mother’s home on the shores of Lake Superior, she sees an odd shape tossed by the waves onto the beach. What is it?

Somewhere in Minnesota is a short story collection about the frenetic human experience and the ways in which life manifests itself and delivers defining moments. With Minnesota lakes and seasons as the backdrop, each story shares a different tale of characters experiencing life’s unexpected turns – from peculiar circumstances to moments of crisis – that at least temporarily set their world off its axis.

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The Review

This was a heartfelt and moving collection of short stories. They found a way of capturing the heart and compassion within families and relationships. The use of Minnesota as a standard setting for all of these stories was inspiring, giving readers a look into the local culture and background of these characters while bringing Minnesota to life on the page. 

Yet the themes of family and relationships stood out in this election. Whether that was found in the story of a woman who had to decide if she was staying in a relationship for love or comfort, or the story of a father who recently returned to his family, and so much more, each story delved into the inner workings of the human heart and experience. The rich dynamics between these characters and the thoughtful approach to world-building in these stories made this quite a memorable read.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and captivating author Jayna Locke’s “Somewhere in Minnesota” collection is a must-read short story. The honesty that the stories invoke within the reader and the relatability of the characters and the situations they face will keep readers eagerly gripping their copies of the book in their hands. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jayna Locke is the author of Somewhere in Minnesota, a collection of short stories about characters experiencing life’s unexpected twists and turns, and about grit, hope and resilience.

She is a Minnesota writer who has had a lifelong love of fiction. She earned her MFA from the University of New Hampshire. Her work has appeared in various literary journals, as well as several anthologies — all available on Amazon. She is reachable through her website, jaynalocke dotcom, or on X at jaynatweets.

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