short story

A Year at the Star and Sixpence – Holly Hepburn

This was originally a series but not a complete story.

The first part is Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence. A sweet start so far but no character has grabbed me yet.

Okay there really isn’t any spark to the story. It’s ok as a story but there is no feelings for the characters development for me to care what happens to them.

Book Two is Valentine’s Day at the Star and Sixpence.

This little story doesn’t add anything to the characters. Still not loving the characters as they seem flat.

Summer at the Star and Sixpence

Okay we are up to Sam’s big secret coming out. Leaves on a small cliffhanger but guessing it will not continue into the next part apart from a small mention. I will update in the next instalment of the story.

Autumn at the Star and Sixpence

Okay another ten chapters that does not really move the characters from a will they or won’t they situation. Frustrating story development and still no chemistry between the love interest.

Christmas at the Star and Sixpence

This story failed to developed for me. I didn’t really like the characters or the different dramatic problems that really wasn’t much of a pull or a worry to me as a reader.

Uncommon Type – Tom Hanks

Three Exhausting Weeks

A bland quick tale.

Christmas Eve 1953

This was a lovely little story.

A junket in the City of Light

A quick tale of an up and coming Hollywood film actor. Nice story.

Our Town Today with Hank Fiset

That to me was a jumbled mess. Might be my formatting though.

Welcome to Mars

Okay can’t say much about this without giving the story away but I know how Kirk feels.

A Month on Greene Street

This one has been my favourite so far. A lovely tale.

Alan Bean plus four

A nice little story.

Our town today with Hank Fiset

Still not a fan of this style of writing in the collection.

Who’s Who?

Another good story.

A Special Weekend

A nice story but went on a bit.

These Are the Meditations of My Heart

I really liked this story.

Our Town Today with Hank Fiset

…Still hating this section of the book.

The Past is Important to Us

Oh fantastic story. Wish I could say more but I’ll give the story away if I did.

Stay with Us

Another good story.

Go See Costas

Okay a nice story. Really liked the ending of this one.

Our Town Today with Hank Fiset

Oh again? Not a lover of this way of storytelling.

Nope still don’t like it.

Steve Wong is Perfect

Another good story.

These for me ranged from brilliant to meh and poor. I would be happy to read more from Tom Hanks because of the good stories in this collection. I don’t get the fascination of typewriters though.

Children’s Classic Stories – Aniesha Brahma

About the book

This gorgeous treasury of ten classic stories is guaranteed to delight and entertain young children, bringing the magic of traditional stories to the new generation of children. Aimed at 8-12 year olds, each favourite fairy tale or story has been sensitively retold for young readers.

The series ‘Children’s Classic Stories’ contains total 100 stories in 10 volumes. The stories in this collection show the consequences of greed, pride, and vanity, but also tell of the love that grows from a kind heart and a cheerful nature.

Volume 1 includes the following stories:

01. Little Red Riding Hood

02. Cinderella

03. Hansel and Gretel

04. Sleeping Beauty

05. Snow White and Rose Red

06. The Emperor’s New Clothes

07. Rumplestiltskin

08. The Wise Little Girl

09. Goldilocks and the Three Bears

10. Rip Van Winkle

Goodreads * Amazon

About the Author:

Aniesha Brahma knew she wanted to be a writer since she was six years old. She was schooled in Dolna Day School and went on to pursue B.A., M.A., and M.Phil in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur Univeristy. She currently lives in Kolkata, with her family and five pet cats. She is the author of All Signs Lead Back to You, When Our Worlds Collide, The Guitar Girl and The Secret Proposal. She compiled and edited the 10 volumes series, ‘Children’s Classic Stories’ with love and great efforts.

Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook

Dreaming of a White Christmas – Mary J. Williams

This was given to me to read for an unbiased review.

This little Christmas ebook is made up on two short stories. About two hours long each. I do love these little stories especially when I have very little time to read with a hectic lifestyle.

The first one is the fifth instalment of a series but you don’t need to have read any of the others as it’s a stand alone story. Like all good romance novels it has a good character development and build to the story. Nothing surprising but a good little story and it’s like comfort food for readers. It gives you that glow inside even though the recipe is the same. Looking forward to the second story and I’m fast becoming a fan of this author.

The second story starts out a little sweet but still an excellent story that kept me pulled into the story.

Both excellent quick romantic reads.

Ivy in Bloom – the poetry of spring – Vanita Oelschlager

A beautiful illustrated book for younger readers and a great way to introduce poetry to them. Love the added poetry at the end. You get one main one with illustration all the way through then get a few inspirational ones that brought life to the main one from other poets and authors.

All proceeds go to muscular sclerosis.

Ghosts of the old year – New Welsh Short Fiction


Woman Recumbent – Stevie Davies

I can’t explain this too much without giving away the story but excellent quick read.

The Ghosts of the year – Jo Mazelis 

Oh this was an emotional read. Beautifully written again.

Watershed – Rhodri Clark

Only a Welsh person living in the valleys will get the meaning of this story. So true… loved this. 

Ten Quid for a Busted Casio – Brian George 

A great little story that I could relate too. Never went that far but an unhappy marriage can leave you wanting something else.

Hello – Ken Barlow

Ah didn’t expect the ending but had a neighbour’s music at all hours so I can sympathise with the character. 

A sort of homecoming – Tristan Hughes

A melancholy tale but excellently written.

The Point – Deborah Davies

Okay…. from something that starts out sweet? Written great but one of those stories that get to you. I will remember this quick story for awhile.

Love’s Ligature – Dennis Lewis

Another good one of starting again.

Pod – Stevie Davies

Okay not my favourite but as a mother I can relate to the story. 

Mysterious Ways – Belinda Bauer

Great story.

Patchwork – Ruth Joseph

Oh a sad tale.

Cover reveal Love,Murder & Mayhem – Russ Colchamiro 

About the Book
Love science fiction stories that all include elements ofLove, Murder & Mayhem?

 

Then welcome to the latest anthology from Crazy 8 Press! This amazing collection from 15 all-star authors will delight you with superheros and supervillains. AIs, off-worlders, and space cruisers. We’ve also got private eyes, sleep surrogates, time travelers, aliens and monsters—and one DuckBob!

 

With tales ranging from wild and wacky to dark and gritty to heartbreaking and fun, take the deadly leap with authors Meriah Crawford, Paige Daniels, Peter David, Mary Fan, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Glenn Hauman Paul Kupperberg, Karissa Laurel, Kelly Meding, Aaron Rosenberg, Hildy Silverman, Lois Spangler, Patrick Thomas, and editor Russ Colchamiro.

 

You’ll never look at Love, Murder & Mayhem the same way again—and that’s just the way we like it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35500173-love-murder-mayhem

About the Editor

 

 Russ Colchamiro is the author of the rollicking space adventure, Crossline, the hilarious sci-fi backpacking comedy series, Finders Keepers, Genius de Milo, and Astropalooza, and is editor of the new anthology, Love, Murder & Mayhem, all with Crazy 8 Press.

Russ lives in New Jersey with his wife, two children, and crazy dog, Simon, who may in fact be an alien himself. Russ has also contributed to several other anthologies, including Tales of the Crimson Keep, Pangaea, and Altered States of the Union, and TV Gods 2. He is now at work on a top-secret project, and a Finders Keepers spin-off.

As a matter of full disclosure, readers should not be surprised if Russ spontaneously teleports in a blast of white light followed by screaming fluorescent color and the feeling of being sucked through a tornado. It’s just how he gets around — windier than the bus, for sure, but much quicker.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

 

https://amazonreviewsareus.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/love-murder-mayhem-crazy-8-press/

Love, Murder & Mayhem – Crazy 8 press

A goon’s tale – Kelly Meding

Not what I expected but a bitter little revenge story. Short but enough to count as a story. 

The reboot of Jennis Viatorem – Karissa Laurel

I did love this story but felt it cut off a little too sharply. Would have liked a conclusion. 

Fractured – Robert Greenberger

Interesting story. I like that you didn’t know which direction it was heading. 

A Matter of Principle – Lois Spangler 

Ok felt more of a scene than a story but still entertaining. 

The case of the missing Alien baby mama – Paul Kupperberg

A strange little tale but keeps you interested. 

Super Mom’s Cookie Caper – Paige Daniels 

A great little story of a super-hero mum’s life. 

The Responders – Michael Jan Friedman 

A sweet little story that reminds me of the Beatles. 

Invasive Maneuvers – Hildy Silverman 

This one is my favourite so far. A great story and I’ll be looking up this author. 

The Note on the Blue Screen – Mary Fan

A futuristic Sherlock Holmes story. Very good. 

The Hardwicke Files: The case of my old life and the new one I never knew – Russ Colchamiro

I’m becoming a big fan of Russ Colchamiro. Love his easy writing style. Humorous and intelligent comes across the page as you read. 

As Time Goes By – Patrick Thomas 

Oh what a powerful story, loved it. 

This Mortal Coil – Peter David, Kathleen David and Sean O’Shea

Another great story. 

Speedeth all – Mariah L. Crawford

Another good story of war… I will not give it away but brilliant. 

Make it didn’t happen – Glenn Hauman

Great story about the problems with time travel….

Duckbob: Killer Service – Aaron Rosenberg 



Funny little tale and one of my favourites in this collection. 

A fantastic collection of short stories 




Trials of a Teenage Werevulture – Emily Martha Sorensen


A magical tale that is funny and entertaining for fantasy fans. More for the younger reader but I loved it so older readers can happily enjoy this but don’t expect blood and gore that you would get from an adult type fiction. 

A great little story that I would be happy to read more off. 

Thanks to the author in letting me read this little gem for an honest review.