This anthology contains 11 stories. I will
go through each story in the order they come in the book, and then in the end I
will tell you which ones was my favorites and what I thought overall about this
anthology. But before I get there, you should know that this anthology IS with
a twist. Each story had to have a twist in it – and let me tell you, some of
these I did NOT see coming!
So, let’s begin with the first story:
Orella (Ella) has been hearing voices all
her life, but never truly understood what they were. She just thought she was
losing her mind. When her mother and herself get critically injured in a car accident,
Ella learns she is a soul-seer. Ella loses her mother and tries to move on,
which isn’t easy.
One day, she meets a boy – someone kinda
like her. Not entirely, but almost. Both are drawn to each other like moths to
a flame, and quickly they become a part of each other. But is it real? Will it
last? And who is Jonah Chantrey really?
I did like this story, although I have to
say it did remind me a little bit of Twilight. And no, I do not mean that in a
bad way. I enjoyed Twilight, but have found MANY other authors since. I’m just
saying, I could relate some of the things to that book. Voices of the Soul
starts out with a tragedy, turns into a love story…. Right before the twist is
delivered. And I know many romance Lovers will sit and scream of vengeance, but
for me, this ending was a really good one, one that made me want to read the
next book in her series; Eyes of the Soul.
Find Rene here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
Number 18 by Michael Loring
In Number 18, we follow a man, who has chosen
his target for the night, every thought he has about her and her boyfriend.
There’s no doubt about the fact that what he has on his mind for the night,
will not be pleasant for the poor girl.
But you know, sometimes Karma strikes back –
HARD.
I’ve got to tell you, this was a GREAT
story. I really want to tell you the so amazing twist the end has, but I’m
tying my fingers into knots. NOT going to spill! I liked that we got to see the
“bad guys” point of view in this story, and not the victims. It was different,
and I liked it. If this is how Michael normally writes, then I’m definitely
going to look into his books!
You can find Michael here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
Sweet Lenora by Bart Hopkins
Lenora is tired of listening to her mother,
of always doing the right thing. Every day, her mother (bound to bed by
illness) starts the day by “preaching” to Lenora about her duty, of the dangers
outside.
So, each day is a steady routine for Lenora.
And it goes well… But Lenora is a young girl, about to turn seventeen, and we
all know how teenagers at some point will try and unfold their wings, to try
and fly, right? So does Lenora. But she does it the only way she knows how to;
making friends with a young boy, Charlie Swain. According to her mother’s
standards, he is not worthy of notice, his family was new money and new to
town.
So, imagine the respond from her mother
when she finds out. (shivers) To make sure Lenora doesn’t grow too fond of the
Swain boy, she arranges a date for the Fall Fair and expects Lenora to go.
So, will she end up with the young, correct
man, her new friend, or maybe something else entirely?
Hmm, I’m not entirely sure how to feel about
this story. It was well written, don’t get me wrong, but somehow, I did see
this ending coming. In a way, I would have liked Lenora to fight more, but
maybe that’s a story coming later in her life. Who knows?
I did like the writing style Bart Hopkins
created, and the action in the story, so I have yet another author to put on my
TBR list ;-)
You can find Bart here: Goodreads ~ Website/Blog
Truth or Dare by Jon Messenger
This is a story about how a dare got out of
hand amongst friends. Jill, Jake, Whitney, Brent has a relaxing night, drinking
and playing a game of Truth or Dare. But suddenly the game turns into something
a bit scarier; Jill is dared to stay in a graveyard for an entire night…. Alone.
Arriving to the graveyard, Jill settles in
to win the game, little does she knows, her nightmare is about to start…. Or
did a lot sooner than entering the graveyard.
This story tugged at me, at my heart. I
have no other words, than well written Jon. This might be a story of fiction,
but the truth behind it – could happen for anyone who does what they do.
You can find Jon here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
Suburban Zombie by Anthony Lance
Ever read a story from a zombie’s point of
view? Well, you got the chance here! In this Town, zombies are the normal
thing. Guess what happens when a well groomed young man comes along?
This was a funny read for me – we always
see the zombies being the bad guy, the ones infecting everyone else with a disease
– this time, the tables are turned, and it was hilarious to read!
Find Anthony here: Goodreads ~ Blog
All I want for Christmas by Jason Brant
This story is in diary form, written by a
thirteen young girl. All she wants is to be treated like an adult (my thought
was… uhmm, yeah… you’re thirteen, not eighteen…) But what she want the most is Stevie. In this
short story, we get to follow her for the entire month of December, her
attempts to get Stevie to notice her and her fight with the popular ones in
school.
The end was
certainly a nice surprise (well, not for everyone involved, but shhh…) I liked
that this was a dairy, we could follow her through a difficult time in her life
– although I have to admit, she was younger than what I would have liked her to
be. But then – it was some time ago I was thirteen, and my concern was about
other things than boys. But, getting back to this story. Liked it a lot, the
twist was a good one too. :-)
You can find Jason here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
In the Eyes of the Beholder by Penelope Bartotto
Very few manage to put too much into a short
story without cramping it, mangling it. Ilona Andrews can do this, and to me
delight, so could Penelope.
This story’s focal point is Dominic and his
gal Rose. Dominic is a trucker, so most of his time is on the highway, with his
beautiful truck; Betty Lou.
Rose is living the life – dating a man who
might be The One, and have another one wrapped so tight around her fingers, she
gets everything she wants from him. But when Dominic texts Rose to let her know
he will be in her town the next day, and he can’t wait to see her, he is unknowingly
thwarting her plans for Mr. Right. What’s a girl to do? Well, I know what any
SANE girl would do – but then, this story wouldn’t be as interesting, would it?
I was amazed with this story. Penelope
manages to put so much into the few pages she had available, and I closed this
story wanting to know more about so many things!! Rose’s character is VERY interesting,
I did NOT see her like that in the beginning!! Reading about her first plotting
and then executing her plan was… amazing! I would love to know more about her,
just like the subplot with a certain truck needs an explanation! Couldn’t put
this story down!
Find Penelope here: Goodreads ~ Facebook (blog)
Little Tchotchkes by Nicki Scalise
Starting reading this story, my first
thought was… “Another vampire-story…” Well, I was wrong. Luckily. It’s not that
I’m tired of vampire stories it just takes a little extra to make me like them now.
They need a twist, something new.
And Little Tchotchkes isn’t “just” another
vampire story. The POV is from the male character, Marcus. We follow him
through his hunts in the night, and when he stumbles over a different girl,
someone who is the opposite if him, in all ways. Or so he thinks.
This story is well written but doesn’t
really speak to me like some of the others did. I liked that it was different,
and certainly the ending was a surprise, but there wasn’t really anything there
that made me want to go and read more of this author. Not based on this short
story. I’m not going to cross her off my list or anything, because I have been
pleasantly surprised in the past by some authors who wrote short stories that I
didn’t like, but when they got the space they needed to evolve their
characters, it was amazing to read.
You can find Nicki here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
I am Serna by Magen McMinimy
I’ve read the first book in Magen’s
Immortal Blood series, and I liked that one, so I was curious to see if she
would be good at writing short stories as well. She can. I found myself drawn
into the story about Damon and his hunt for Serna, his protection off Ariel, a
White Witch niece.
Just as Damon arrives to the bar where
Ariel works, Demons swarm upon them, and they have to fight for their lives.
Although Ariel swore she didn’t need protection, it might look like she needs
it after all. Trouble is, will either of them keep their heads level when the
attraction grows between them?
I liked this story, although I would like
to issue one complaint –but that’s for later. I got caught into this short
story, and loved it – then twist delivered in the ending was spectacular. This
was one I did NOT see coming! If you liked this short story, then make sure to
read Magen’s Immortal Blood series as well – you will see exactly how amazing
she is there!
Oh, that’s right… the complaint? The story
was too short! ;-)
Find Magen here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
Bloodlines by S.L Dearing
Sascha and Eduard are on the run from General
Heinrich Muller. They don’t understand why, all they know is that he took their
mother when she didn’t divulge where they were. The General WANTS them, but the
reason is unknown. He might work for the Fuhrer, but he isn’t his Boss. Now the
children are in France, hiding. But not with just anybody. The children do not
know, but the man who is hiding them is their grandfather, and there’s more to
their bloodline than what meets the eye. Before the end, secrets will come
forth, and their Faith will be tested.
This story was amazing to read. It was
short (it IS an anthology after all), but Dearing manages to give a full story
to perfection. The twist was beautiful made, and showed me that we shouldn’t
judge a book (or human) by its cover. There’s sooo much more than meets the
eye. Definitely an author I will look into – I happen to know she just
re-released her book; The Gathering!
Find S.L Dearing here: Goodreads ~ Facebook
Metronome by Eaton Thomas Palmer
I think this one was the one that baffled
me the most. When I started to read Metronome, I didn’t quite understand it. I
mean, I know and understand why the bad guys are in prison – but I’m getting
ahead of myself. This story takes place in a maximum security prison, where a
Dr. Edgar Collins has designed a special program in a try to normalize some of
the prisoners. There’s one patient/prisoner, who is… well, he’s not responding
as he should to the treatment. Everyone thinks he’s insane, and maybe he is.
Who am I to judge? The reason why he is in prison is not normal, but that’s a
different story, and one you really should read yourself. Gave me the chills
though.
The best thing about this story was… the
end actually. I really thought the twist Eaton delivered was freaking genius. And
truly a work of Karma. The rest of the story.. well, it was good, but.. It wasn’t
my favorite amongst the stories here. Sorry, but that’s my opinion.
You can find Eaton here: Goodreads
All in all, looking at the entire Anthology…
It was a good one. I liked the fact that the authors HAD to have a twist in
their story, that was the reason for this anthology. It started as a contest
actually.
I’ve read anthologies where I bought the
book for one story, and the rest was.. blah. I’ve read anthologies who directed
me to new favorite authors, where the one story I wanted to read was
disappointing. This is one of the rare anthologies where I can sit down
afterwards and say; I liked every story in this book. I didn’t love every
story, but there wasn’t a story that I skipped or shimmied. I read all of them,
liked all the stories, even loved some of them, but didn’t dislike or hate
anyone of them. So that is a freaking amazing in itself.
So, if you like your stories with a twist,
I suggest you make sure to click on some of the buy links in the end. You’re
not going to regret it. I know I don’t. :-)
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