I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Elizabeth Maria Naranjo shares a collection of short stories that taps into the theme of memory in the collection “What Was Never There: Short Stories”.
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The Synopsis
A mother and daughter lost in the woods must overcome their worst fears to find their way back. A father going through a divorce witnesses a seemingly impossible motorcycle accident,
which forces him to question the truth of his own perceptions. A little boy with a terrible secret routinely steals away at night to meet a girl beneath a willow tree—only to discover she has a
secret of her own.
What Was Never There is a collection of short stories with the common theme of memory, or rather, the way memory haunts us.
Includes Pushcart Prize nominated stories “We Never Get to Talk Anymore” and “The Dinosaur Graveyard" and the award-winning "Windows," selected for Best Microfiction 2023.
The Review
This was such a haunting yet beautiful collection of short stories. The author does a remarkable job of creating a sense of atmosphere throughout each story as if the setting becomes just as crucial a character in each story as the characters themselves. The imagery drew the reader into the narrative, allowing the stories to evolve and grow naturally so that readers could feel drawn further into them.
The author’s writing style stood out to this reader, as the author writes in a way that almost feels both poetic and cinematic, as if in an indie arthouse film. Stories such as Windows and Gravity highlight this writing style, as the reader can feel the artistry and emotion that these tales inspire in the readers. The depth of the characters in these stories also showcases the theme of memory quite well, exploring how memory can be a conduit to our perception of the universe.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, imaginative, and engaging author Elizabeth Maria Naranjo’s “What Was Never There” is a must-read short story collection. The fast pace and compelling storytelling instantly draw the reader in, and their emotional connection with each story will make them eager for more of this author’s moving work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Elizabeth Maria Naranjo is the author of The Fourth Wall, The House on Linden Way, and What Was Never There. Her stories and essays have been widely published and nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best American Essays, and Best of the Net, and her short story, “Windows,” was selected for Best Microfiction 2023. She lives in Tempe, Arizona, with her husband and two
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Sean Murphy shares a series of short stories exploring what it is to be a man in this world in the book “This Kind of Man”.
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The Synopsis
THIS KIND OF MAN offers an unvarnished look at life in 21st Century America, excavating the complicated, tender, wild truth of what it is to be a man across generations and relationships.
These stories interrogate the pressures and tensions of late-stage capitalism, and the ways men grapple with them, often without success. Issues such as marriage, fatherhood, aggression, alcoholism, gender expectations, generational backlash, and the inexorable dread of death, abound.
The Review
One of the most profound aspects of this modern world is the discussion around gender and “what it is to be a man.” While I have taken a viewpoint that gender norms are nothing but social constructs, constantly changing depending on the era. Yet, as this book so artfully explores, gender norms for men, in particular, have always stemmed from some hard-hitting truths. What I think the author does brilliantly here is write stories that don’t serve as excuses but as insightful nods towards the circle of repeated behavior that has instilled anger and a sense of rash actions within men, more so now than ever.
Each story was witty yet engaging, skirting the line between comfort and disturbance as the stories explored the many aspects of being a man in this world. Ironically, the emotional depth and honesty with which the author presented each story, and the exploration of troubling behavior linked to toxic family situations, a history of alcoholism, and unrealistic expectations of power and fortune placed on men from an early age, with a faux knowledge that people will view them as weak somehow if they don’t shut out their emotions and focus on career over family and emotions.
The Verdict
Vulnerable, heartfelt, and engaging author Sean Murphy’s “This Kind of Man” is a must-read collection of short stories. The author explores manhood and masculinity and how these men and their struggles impact the women around them. In doing so, he captures the mindset of many post-war American men and the often tragic circumstances between a father and their son and the relationship they form. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Sean Murphy is the Founding Director of 1455, a non-profit that celebrates storytelling. He has appeared on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and AdAge. A long-time columnist for PopMatters, his work has also appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, Washington City Paper, The Good Men Project, Sequestrum, Blue Mountain Review, and others. His chapbook, The Blackened Blues, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2021. His second collection of poems, Rhapsodies in Blue was published by Kelsay Books in 2023, and This Kind of Man, his first collection of short fiction, is forthcoming in 2024. He has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize, twice for Best of Net, and his book Please Talk about Me When I’m Gone was the winner of Memoir Magazine’s 2022 Memoir Prize. To learn more, and read his published short fiction, poetry, and criticism, please visit seanmurphy.net/ and @bullmurph.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I started writing songs at the age of 13. When I paralyzed a vocal cord in 2018, I turned to writing short stories to relieve my creative outlet. I also retired early, my husband and I bought a winter home. After a few weeks I knew I needed an outlet or one of us, was not getting through the winter alive.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
An idea hit me regarding the Lord’s Prayer. What if I were to write a short horror story for each line of that prayer? Our Father Who Art, In Heaven became the first story in the book where a boy who loses his dad at a young age, thinks he’s been praying to his father, Art, in Heaven. He ends up with a distant stepfather
who is mean and not good for his mother and decides the man must go. From the first story, to Amen, the last, I loved writing this series.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The Lord’s Prayer Series is about the struggle between good and evil. Even though we were given this prayer to pray, we are inherently sinners. It’s about man’s fragility and how close we are to stepping off the wrong side of honor.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I have always been fascinated with horror. You take the scariest thing, you can manipulate it, control it to its end. I love the power in that.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Each story in this book has some great characters. I’d like to find out why they did what they did. Why they went in the direction they did, and why they couldn’t conquer their shortcomings.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Facebook has helped a lot. Author groups are a wonderful support system, we hold one another up.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Don’t give up. If you don’t submit it’s a no. Read, read, read. You learn something new in every book. A phrase, a vision. Something that motivates you to write another story. It is hard to put yourself out there, naked, and exposed but when a publisher says “yes,” it’s so worth it.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
The Lord’s Prayer Horror series is coming out in July 2024 from Myth Mart Publishing. I am currently working on a work I call, The Morgan Dollar Series. Morgan silver dollars, were minted from 1878 to 1904.
I have written a short story for each year about a person whose hands the money passed through. The silver coins either did good or brought out greed in people. I was inspired by my husband showing his coin collection to a neighbor telling her, “Just think, this coin could have been in a cowboy’s pocket.” That inspired me to write where the coins had been, by telling the stories of the owners. I have a handful of stories yet to complete.
Thank you, Anthony, for asking me to interview. Bread Pudding was a fun write. A vampire who is a bit of an agoraphobic germaphobe, was an interesting contradictive character fighting his fears, but enslaved by the creature he has become. I was proud to be the runner-up in that competition.
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About the Author
Dawn DeBraal lives in rural Wisconsin with her husband, a stray cat and a rescued dog. She has published over 600 short stories, drabbles, and poems in online ezines and anthologies. She tends to lean toward the horror genre because it makes her life seem so much better! Falling Star Magazine nominated Dawn for the 2019 Pushcart Award; she was Runner-up in the 2022 Horror Story Competition, two-time Author of the Month, nominated 2020,2022,2023 Author of the Year and received Contributor of the Year 2023 Spillwords Magazine, she was named Member of the Month in Issues 103 and 115 in The World of Myth Magazine and Finalist in the Owl Canyon Roost writing contest. Dawn also writes under the pen name Garrison McKnight.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve been ‘writing’ since before I could write! I had a period of illness when I was five and spent some time in hospital. Having exhausted the hospital library and endless games of noughts and crosses, my mum whipped out a pen and a notebook and told me to tell her a story. She wrote it down. That became our go-to method of keeping me entertained during hospital visits, until I was able to write by myself (and until, thankfully, I got well). I love stories. I love their ability to take us out of the real world, to teach and enlighten us, to amuse and offer hope and camaraderie. I always knew I wanted to be on the other side of it, delivering the experience to other readers someday, I just wasn’t sure which medium was the one for me. I worked on a couple of screenplays and a stage play, and even tried my hand at writing a graphic novel before eventually circling back round to short stories and novels.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
I’m a big fan of fairy tales (I’ve lost count of the number of Beauty & The Beast retellings I’ve read). The stories are timeless, but there’s also a lot of humour to be found in retelling a much-loved story through a modern-day lens. Like, what if Cinderella wasn’t the only woman in the kingdom with dainty feet? What if the Seven Dwarfs (rightfully) called the cops on Prince Florian for kissing Snow White without her consent? I also knew I’d have a lot of fun writing a modern-day version of Little Red Riding Hood if I made the ‘grandmother’ figure paramount to the story. In these
stories, grandmothers are usually portrayed as a bit meek, vulnerable, or scatterbrained, but I’ve met my fair share of sassy, confident and refreshingly blunt older women. In most versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Granny ends up either eaten by the wolf or, at best, locked away in a cupboard. I wanted to put Granny back in the driver’s seat (literally!), where she belongs.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I prefer not to beat my reader over the head with my views, and rather that my story simply gets them thinking. In The Bhad Wolf, there are definite themes of gender and gender stereotypes, physical strength versus weakness, and ego versus insecurity.
What message readers glean from my story will be based on their own life experiences and views — I just hope the takeaway is a positive one.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve written (and continue to write) across genres, but I tend to fall into comedy when given free rein over my work. I think this is because I generally write often quite difficult or emotional subject matter, and humour just… softens the edges a little.
Makes it more digestible. It might also have something to do with that old British attitude of finding the joke in almost everything, because feelings are uncomfortable.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Mrs Granger would “tell it like it is”, so I’d probably ask her some really big, imposing question, like, “What’s the key to happiness?” or “How do I stop caring what people think about me?” I imagine she’d sit me down with a nice cup of a tea and a few biscuits, and we’d talk out all out. Who needs a therapist when you’ve got Mrs Granger?
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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’ve definitely had the most joy through X (formerly Twitter — how long do we need to keep saying that?). It’s where I connected with Julian and Remy, who run Endless Ink Book Publishing, and other writers in their catalogue, as well as an established readership. My youngest sister (and trusty consultant on all things Gen Z) has been trying to convince me to sign up to TikTok. She says it’s where all the readers are.
Like so many other writers, I’m a little (a lot) shy, and so putting myself out there on social media platforms can be a bit of a daunting task. But I’m working on it!
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
The main advice I would give is to keep learning and keep challenging yourself. Even established writers can continue to improve and hone their craft, so be open to critique and suggestions. This doesn’t mean accepting every criticism as gospel and altering your manuscript beyond recognition at every beta reader, editor, or publisher’s say-so, but be open to thoughtful and considered feedback. Attend workshops, read wide and diverse stories, and recognise and work on your weaknesses. I wish I’d been humbler in my early writing days. All of us can improve.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’ve been privileged to contribute another couple of stories towards Endless Ink’s Earth’s Final Chapter, including a short story and a novella. The short story has fantasy elements and some incredible characters we’ve only seen glimpses of so far in EFC, while the novella builds on a fantastic story by Nathan Banks (and illustrated by John Hawkins). I also have a couple of other projects in the pipeline, including a novel and a children’s book. I’m trying to keep myself contained to just one or two projects at any given time, but there are plenty of other ideas floating around in my brain, waiting to come out.
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About the Author
Martha Everitt is the author of The Wilding and Dove: A Mother’s Instinct, both of which are featured in the Earth’s Final Chapter series. Her short story The Bhad Wolf was published within the collection Blood Pudding and Other Horrific Delicacies. She lives in the UK and divides her time equally between reading copious amounts of literature and hollering football chants.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I loved writing and journaling as a child, and I wrote my first short story when I was in the fourth grade. I began to take it seriously as something I would like to do with my life when I was in college. I then pursued an MFA in writing a few years later. From there I became a professional writer in high tech, which was a wonderful career but not very conducive to pursuing my passion for creative writing, especially since in addition to my very demanding career I also got married and raised a family. But the kids are pretty much out of the nest, and I’ve been writing fiction with purpose for about five years.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
I love the art of the short story, and it has always been my primary focus for creative writing. For the past five years, I’ve been involved in a writing community called Write Club, and we write a story each month based on a prompt. Several of my stories have been published in literary magazines and anthologies, which has been thrilling. I decided the next step was to put my own collection together. Since I’m based in Minnesota, the lakes and harsh winter climate of this state are often the backdrop for my stories, and it seemed natural to shape them into a nice collection.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Life is challenging. We all know that. But what is so interesting and entertaining is how we all deal with the curve balls that come at us. That is first and foremost at the basis of my storytelling – an exploration of our quirky human ways of interacting with the people in our lives (with all of their own quirks), and how we face bizarre or difficult circumstances. In addition to that, I really try to leave readers with a feeling of hope. I just think we need more of that today than perhaps ever before. If we never lose hope, we can get through just about anything.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I love how satisfying a good short story can be, and how the best short story writers can take your breath away with the impact of their words. A few of the incredibly talented short story writers from the 20th and 21st centuries that have inspired me include John Cheever, Flannery O’Connor, Raymond Carver, J.D. Salinger, and Alice Munro. If you read Salinger’s Nine Stories collection, or Alice Munro’s collection, Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage, you’ll see what I mean when I talk about the power of a short story. It’s my mission to master that, and to have that kind of impact on readers. I think of it as a fine art.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I think it would be Frederick in The Usher. I would ask him how he’s going to go forward. In the story, we see him at a turning point, but we don’t know where his path will take him. I would love to know.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
It’s funny, because I have always kept my personal social media separate from professional. But a few weeks ago on the day I launched the book, I went ahead and put it out on LinkedIn in addition to Facebook, X and Instagram. It was the platform where I got the most people saying they were going to buy the book. I was so surprised. By contrast, X (formerly Twitter), where I have been working to build relationships with like-minded people, was on the other end of the spectrum.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
I believe it is really important to find a writing community where you can get feedback on your work. My involvement in writing communities has made all the difference for me in honing my writing craft. It also makes it a much less lonely endeavor!
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Yes, I’m working on another collection of short stories that take place in a fictional town in Minnesota. Whereas the stories in my first collection really would not be considered genre stories, the next collection will include ghost stories, thrillers and magical realism. I’ve got a contact form where people can let me know if they would like to hear about its release at https://bit.ly/ContactJayna.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Follow the chilling yet humorous events of this haunting horror filled short story collection “Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies”.
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The Synopsis
Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies Winning Collection 2022
We proudly present the winning collection from our 2022 short story Horror comedy contest! Featuring illustrations by Shander Carrero and four short stories by, Dawn DeBraal’s, Cliff McNish, Martha Everitt, and Jim Horlock.
Follow the peculiar perils of a germophobic vampire in Dawn DeBraal’s My Dear Mrs. Cunningham—just, be careful not to track mud through the kitchen.
Next, in Cliff McNish’s Problems With Online Dating, Ty confronts the challenges of finding someone who understands her particular quirks, all she wants is love. The kind that lasts forever.
In Martha Everitt’s The Bhad Wolf, Charlotte is on staff at Lunar Corps, and may be asking for a raise after her encounter with a very Bhad wolf.
Last but not least, Jim Horlock’s short that took top prize, Blood Pudding, is set in a world taken over by blood-thirsty desserts, and death is all that’s on the menu. What could go flan?
The Review
What a brilliant blend of humor and horror. The authors did an incredible job of weaving together a tale that captured the witty dialogue and interactions between the characters and the spine-chilling terror they witness or sometimes partake in. The imagery and atmosphere in the book will keep readers enthralled and engaged with each story.
The unique spin on the horror genre will speak to fans of the genre extensively. One story that really stood out was Cliff McNish’s “Problems with Online Dating.” It takes the relatable horrors of online dating profiles and gives them a deadly spin, showcasing the far more often truth that humanity is frequently far scarier than anything inhuman. The atmosphere and tension balance well with the funny, dark humor that usually permeates throughout this collection.
The Verdict
Shocking, entertaining, and memorable, “Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies” is a must-read horror short story collection. The twists and turns in the genre and the heart-pounding terror that will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word will keep the reader invested until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four authors take a unique deep dive into a beloved sci-fi collection in the book “Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1”.
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The Synopsis
Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 3: Volume 1 Digital Download (English)
The Shadow Agent By Amy Marsden Illustrated by Massimiliano Longo
A debt to the Planetary Council can be a death sentence if left ignored, so Jensen has no time to waste and zero room for mistakes.
Last Ride By Bradley Heywood Illustrated by Leonardo Guinard
You can’t teach an old horse new tricks, but can the Dirty Man Dyson learn to let go of the past?
Bunker 787: Blood & Fortune By Azalan Reign & Julian Fernandes Illustrated by Luis Bazzan
The island infested with Howlers has more secrets to reveal as shipwrecked members of the Oceanic Alliance and pirates clash for control of the abandoned PC bunker and its hidden treasures.
Homestead Refugee By C.M. Alongi Illustrated by Anastasia Nesterova
Dalmar knows to never trust anyone from Homestead, so when someone from the community of cannibals moves to her town, she is forced to stay vigilant and keep her friends close.
EFC Connections:
Light Connectivity- Book 8: Homestead Hunts, Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 2, Book 13: Elutheramania: Freedom City
The Review
What a fascinating, unique, and highly creative sci-fi adventure. Each story holds an extraordinary voice to the writing style, immersing the reader in the futuristic world. The mesh of different elements, from bounty hunters in the seedier parts of the world to mutants and cannibals in a lawless land and so much more, made these stories feel like a cross between Westward and Fallout.
The dynamic characters and rich storylines each story held were thrilling to get lost in. A personal favorite was The Shadow Agent by Amy Marsden and the protagonist Jensen’s journey. The twists and turns the author threw at the protagonist, and the following revelations kept the reader on the edge of their seat as the world came to life around them. The rich imagery in each author’s story, both the illustrations and the writing style, allowed each tale to come to life on the page, immersing the reader in their vast world.
The Verdict
Memorable, thought-provoking, and action-packed, “Short Tales From Earth’s Final Chapter Book 3: Volume 1” is a must-read sci-fi collection. The balance of emotional character development and action-driven narrative will keep readers invested until the final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four authors bring a unique collection of folklore with a modern twist in the book “Dark Tales of Whimsy”.
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The Synopsis
Dark Tales of Whimsy
Dark Tales of Whimsy is a collection of four short stories which weave elements of folklore with modern influences, engaging readers with tales of danger, curses, and more than a little mischief. This collection also includes illustrations by Oz Osborn.
Tooth, written by Simone Le Roux
In her short, Tooth, Simone LeRoux introduces us to Peg, who is feeling the pressure of surviving tooth to tooth. Join Peg and her ambitious cousin, Orla, as they aim to evade the woeful fate of Tooth Fairies who break the rules.
Anti-Cupid, written by Carlotta Cosmai
In Carlotta Cosmai’s story of love, we follow dead-beat husband and father, Cupid. In time, his arrows have been replaced by an enchanted smart phone, and his desires have become sleazy and self-serving. Follow his daughter, Pleasure, as she tries to bring true love back to Rome.
Little Miss Muffet Meets Anansi The Spider, written by Remy Fernandes
It’s been a while since ‘The Spider Incident,’ when Missy lost her foot from the bite. Now, she has grown to adulthood and landed a job at the Ice Cream Hut at the zoo. When her lunch break is interrupted by a talkative spider, Missy finds herself in a deal with a hungry, eight-legged intruder, whose antics could cost Muffet more than her job.
Three’s Last Stand, written by Alyssa Blackmon
In Alyssa Blackmon’s re-telling, we meet Three, the brick house-maker, who now has spent years being hunted by the big bad werewolf and his turned brothers. The day has come that Three can finally find closure with his brothers, and gain vengeance on the wolf.
The Review
One of the most challenging genres to break into is the retelling genre, which involves taking classic tales and giving them a fresh spin. Yet, in this collection, the authors have done just that, taking some of the world’s most iconic myths and legends and providing a unique, adult, and engaging spin. The amount of world-building that each tale can incorporate in such a short time is fantastic, and the haunting atmosphere that each story provides brings about that dark fairytale feeling that the collection aims to provide.
This was a short story collection driven by character dynamics. The heart of this collection was the way each story provided a unique, vulnerable, yet impressive protagonist to stand behind and a worthy problem to overcome. The chilling take on the black market and illegal thefts of children’s teeth regarding the lore of the tooth fairy was such an inspiring twist in the first tale and brought a standard of dark whimsy that each story thereafter lived up to.
The Verdict
“Dark Tales of Whimsy” is a must-read short story collection that is captivating, enthralling, and memorable. The chilling adult storylines and unique twists on iconic fairytales made this compelling collection richly developed and mesmerizing to behold. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
