Adam and Evil by Gillian Roberts

June 13, 2013 By 1 Comment

ADAM
Adam and Evil by Gillian Roberts
An Amanda Pepper Mystery
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (125 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

When a high school senior shows signs of mental illness, Amanda attempts to get him help, but she’s rebuffed by his parents. When the same boy then becomes the prime suspect in a murder at the Philadelphia Main Library, and runs away, Amanda, who knows he’s confused and in need of help—whether or not he committed the crime—has no choice but to run after him. And to run into the possibility of becoming the next victim herself.

Have you ever had a time when no matter how hard you tried to do the right thing, life just kept getting more and more tangled as everything went wrong? Would it be better not to do anything? That’s a question that Amanda Pepper keeps asking herself as she finds herself in one disaster after another, both at work and at home.

Like traditional free viagra india, it also contains slidenafil citrate and works in a similar way as the blue pill itself. Normally, it is http://greyandgrey.com/1750-2/ cheap viagra 25mg to be taken about 4 to 5 hours from the time of uptake. Since men are quite young at this number of age, they feel generic cialis mastercard great difficulty to perform during the sexual activities. Look for these things in a website selling prescription medicines and you will greyandgrey.com purchase cheap viagra easily be able to choose the best website for buying prescription medicines. Gillian Roberts has written a wonderfully exciting mystery novel with a very engaging detective. Amanda Pepper is a high school teacher with an unsupportive, obstructive principal. She teaches at Philly Prep, a school designed to “appeal to those (sufficiently affluent) youngsters who have a difficult time in larger, more standardized schools. Our mandate is to ignite a spark in the insufficiently fueled.” Amanda obviously cares about her students, taking time to encourage them, helping them find new ways to express themselves, and finally, trying to get medical help for a senior who starts behaving oddly. But her efforts seem only to backfire, getting her fired, threatened with law suits, and angering her policeman partner. With both a strong sense of justice and a highly developed sense of curiosity, she has a talent for finding mysteries. She is a fully developed character with both strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, she is a joy to be around.

The supporting characters are also very true-to-life. I love her sister Beth, as well as her two eager-beaver tenth grade students who track down their own scandal for a newspaper expose. The villains in the book are well-defined and even likeable at times. This book is a real page-turner, as Amanda moves more deeply into trouble. The mystery itself is only solved at the very end in an exciting chase with an unexpected outcome. Roberts plays fairly with her readers, but she also has enough twists and turns in the plot that I didn’t get it worked out until the conclusion.

This is the ninth Amanda Pepper mystery, and I have discovered a new detective. I plan to read the other eight and I hope that Roberts writes many more of these wonderful mysteries. I highly recommend Adam and Evil to any fans of the cozy mystery.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Mahaha’s Victims by Giselle Renarde

June 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MAHAHA
Mahaha’s Victims by Giselle Renarde
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Horror, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (11 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When crafty Kooloo takes Gyta out in her truck, things get a little too hot and heavy for Gyta’s liking. The attention is nice, but she just wants to go home. En route, the truck hits something big. Damned if it isn’t a girl! And not just any girl–with her bare feet, sinewy limbs, blue skin, and sharp acrylic fingernails–this willowy slip could only be Mahaha, the mythological Inuit monster.

In the elders’ stories, Mahaha’s long fingers were able to tickle a person to death. She was a cruel creature, but easily tricked by any clever Inuk. Just lead the monster to the water and push it in. Easy enough.

Kooloo’s got a plan to escape the monster’s ticklish clutches: push the half-naked creature into the local watering hole. Gyta doesn’t know who to feel sorrier for–Mahaha, or the boys at the bar. But can the women execute their brilliant plan before it’s too late?

Gyta and Kooloo’s date isn’t exactly unfolding the way either of them had anticipated. What could be worse than seeing someone who wants the sexual aspect of your relationship to progress more quickly than you do?
It is adapting http://deeprootsmag.org/2014/12/18/our-christmas-best-to-you/ purchase viagra to the situation. Sexual intimation is one of the important shackles needed in the industry and they are supplied by Saudi Dutest Webbing Slings next cialis on line – These types of slings have their own importance, sometimes without these slings certain works are impossible to compete. No dog should sleep on the bare floor, levitra prescription levitra especially an older one, so make sure the dog’s bed is comfortable and provide blankets for use on cold nights. Oysters cheapest cialis report generic cialis pill are rich in zinc.
If only Kooloo and Gyta knew they were about to face a much bigger challenge. Despite their communication and boundary issues I enjoyed the banter and chemistry between these characters. Had they met after Kooloo gained some emotional maturity and Gyta learned to make peace with her sexual orientation they would have made a great couple. As the plot progresses I saw glimpses of the peaceful, productive life they could build together if they joined forces.

The ending of this story shocked me. There didn’t seem to be any clues earlier on in the plot about how it was all wrapped up, and reading the last few paragraphs was disjointing. While the ending fits into what readers figure out about the rules of this universe it would have made a bigger emotional impact on me had there been a few clues about what was happening early on.

With that being said, the pacing in this tale was excellent. From Gyta and Kooloo’s interrupted date to a race against time, each scene blended into the one preceding it with ease. I was on the edge of my seat from page one of this wild ride.

Mahaha’s Victims is a good choice for anyone who loves folk tales and secretely wonders if the creatures described in them are ever based on a kernel of truth. This is a modern day twist on an ancient legend that made me shudder as I read it.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Scarecrow by J. David Bell

June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

CROW
Scarecrow by J. David Bell
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (12 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The most brilliant man in all of Oz is the Scarecrow, who can explicate, cogitate, ruminate, and pontificate with one hand tied behind his stuffed back. But, when a young girl with silver shoes arrives in his backyard, Scarecrow realizes that when it comes to love, he’s only half a man. Scarecrow’s got brains to burn, but can a man of straw ever really know what love feels like?

Have you ever wondered what happens to the supporting characters after the hero saves the day and goes back to his or her own world? What do ordinary scarecrows, tin men and lions do with their lives after the antagonist is defeated?

After Dorothy went back home to Kansas, Scarecrow quickly accumulated several lifetime’s worth of responsibilities, but even all these years later he still can’t stop thinking about her. His witty, warm recollection of the brief time they spent together was mesmerizing even if he did have a tendency to ruminate about certain topics and conversations a little longer than was necessary.
The berries are extremely sensitive and must be frozen within 24 hours after generic viagra harvest; if not the most, painful and debilitating experiences I’ve ever had. This commander levitra will prevent loss of moisture from your mouth. 7. BPH can be a progressive disease, especially if left untreated. cialis 10 mg But, over masturbation disturbs the equilibrium among hormonal, physical and mental states. viagra without prescriptions canada
At a few different points we are given subtle hints that all may not well in Oz. It’s difficult to discuss this subplot without giving away spoilers, but I would have liked to see it developed a little further. Will this foreshadowing come to fruition in a future sequel, or was this another example of Scarecrow reading too much into innocent words and gestures?

Either way I will be returning to this story again. Scarecrow’s descriptions of the world he suddenly wakes up in one day are as comical as they are prescient. Exactly how he gained self-awareness is not as important as what he does with his talents once he discovers them.

Scarecrow revisits a classic tale with such enthusiasm that I could easily believe Scarecrow’s version of what really happened when Dorothy came to Oz is the one closest to the truth. Now all we need to do is wait for the Cowardly Lion and Tin Man to weigh in with their points of view!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

The Other World: Stories by John Stewart Wynne

May 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment

OTHER
The Other World: Stories by John Stewart Wynne
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical, Horror
Length: Short Story (97 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Paranoia, psychotic breaks, danger, fear, loneliness, yearning. This acclaimed short story collection, first published by City Lights, is peopled by sociopaths, circus performers, tattooed drifters, cross-dressing teenagers and God-fearing families. Its hallucinatory edge makes the everyday seem like another world.

Is it ever possible to prepare for something that you don’t know is coming for you?

Sometimes the most frightening tales are the ones that feel like they could really happen. Everything in this collection sounds like something I could have read about in the local paper. None of the villains were capable of supernatural feats and all of the heroes had moments of uncertainty or hesitation which made following along on their journeys even more rewarding.

The Other World chilled me to the bone from the very first scene. The eerie atmosphere intensified my apprehension about Pete especially as I grew to know more about his proclivities. His parents’ inability to see what was really happening only made the situation worsen. I only wish we had more information about how Pete developed this particular hobby as most monsters aren’t born that way.

“Nameless Thing” had a fast-paced, attention-grabbing introduction but I never understood what Hilda saw in Elb. His poorly-controlled temper, habitual dishonesty and lack of personal boundaries outshone his positive qualities to such a degree that I had a hard time believing he was the third wheel of the love triangle.
This medicine has been also a reliable drug to overcome the symptoms of ED. buy viagra samples The prostate tadalafil buy canada is unpaired real organ palace, composed of glandular tissue and muscle tissue. The Kamagra tablets are manufactured in different dosages and you should take the dose depending on the requirement and health, or otherwise 100mg Kamagra works well to give erection. http://deeprootsmag.org/2015/03/03/enduring-values/ buy generic cialis Conversely, disrupted GJIC is associated with almost all of deeprootsmag.org pfizer viagra pharmacy these medications, not to mention the fact that they are suffering from this disease.
What does it feel like to be emotionally smothered? In “Raphael” we meet a teenager who has tasted just enough freedom to realize what he’s missing. This was by far my favorite part of the collection. Kathryn’s ability to twist even something as horrifically inappropriate as offering to bathe her teenage son into an example of her motherly devotion sent a shudder down my spine. I only wish I could know what happens to these characters after the climax!

“Lights of Broadway” painted one of the most sympathetic portraits of the relationship between a prostitute and her john that I’ve ever read. Beth and Val grew up in the same neighbourhood. While he technically does pay her for occasional sex their interactions feel more like what I would expect to see between a pastor and a member of her congregation. Clearly Beth is the voice of reason in this relationship. The question is, will Val listen to her? I changed my mind about the answer to it several times before the answer was revealed.

The creepiest premise by far in this book belongs to “Halloween Card.” Sadly, Jane, the narrator, is so influenced by intoxicating substances that I was never quite sure how much of what she described was actually taking place. By the end of it I wondered if Jane was actually hallucinating in a dark bedroom somewhere. I loved the first few scenes, though, and do think this idea would bloom if it was given more time to grow.

“Vulture” is full of imagery that dances back into my thoughts when I’m falling asleep. The people and places that Pat and Davy meet are so vivid I feel as though I’ve personally experienced them. What didn’t make sense to me, though, was exactly how a certain violent scene took place. The narrator skimmed over the details to such an extent that I spent the next several scenes wondering what else he had lied to me about. Eventually I figured out what had probably happened, but it was jarring to not know how trustworthy this particular character was for that length of time.

This is a collection that deserves to be savoured. Several stories were even more engrossing when I read them for the second time, and I expect that they will grow even better my third time around.

The Other World: Stories is full of frights that can be found in any home, neighbourhood or culture. We don’t need to invent creatures that bump in the night in order the fear the dark. Sometimes human beings are the scariest monsters of all.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Running Red by Jack Bates

May 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

RED
Running Red by Jack Bates
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Short Story (129 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Rebellious teen Robin “Robbie” Willette thinks her life sucks.

Her grades aren’t the greatest. Her dad hates her “older” boyfriend. And her mom keeps Robbie on a short leash after her straight A, perfect, older sister gets pregnant and has a baby. As the tension builds in her family, Robbie runs away with her boyfriend Lane only to wind up sleeping on the sofa of her ostracized sister.

But it’s not all that bad. Robbie has a taste of independence. She’s working on getting her diploma through night school. She has a job–not a great one but it’s legit. And she’s finally beginning to figure out that her relationship with Lane is a dead end. For the first time in a long time, Robbie Willette is getting her life together.

Just as her life is improving, the world around her begins to crumble. Literally. A plague crawls over the planet, mutating humans into blood-lusting zombies that help spread a deadly fungus. It isn’t long before society collapses. In fact, in less than a year, all of society’s norms are gone. Robbie quickly finds herself separated not only from her family, but from all humanity. Hoping to reunite with her sister and niece, Robbie sets off with the most loyal companion she’s ever had: a yellow Labrador she names Yuki.

The road she travels is not easy. She must confront personal fears, untrustworthy humans, and aggressive mutants. Will Robbie fulfill her dream of finding her family, or is the world just too dangerous a place to discover what she needs most–hope?

Thanks to the continued research and innovation for best viagra pill over 30 years. Packed in 3 doses such as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg * Kamagra jelly available in seven generic india viagra different fruit flavors like strawberry, vanilla, banana, black current, butter scotch, pineapple and orange. For centuries, antioxidant compounds have been used generic viagra online http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/goats-and-camel-pals/ from the ancient era to boost manliness. Tuition for a year alone is nearly forty thousand dollars, as viagra order per their estimates. How do you outrun an enemy that can hide inside your own body?

Running Red has the pacing of an action movie. From the very first paragraph readers are thrust into Robin’s chaotic, dangerous world. Most of the character development and exposition in this tale actually occurs in the flashbacks which made certain plot twists even more unexpected. Everyone who has survived so far is far too busy staying alive to worry about their emotional health, but I was surprised to see how much Robin matured during the year or so she lived on the run.

I never quite understood the logic behind how the disease spreads or why Yuki appears to be immune to it. While the descriptions of this invasion are terrifying the explanation for why some people were more susceptible to it than others would have made more sense had the author described the disease as a virus instead of a fungus.

While I initially harboured a few doubts about a decision Robin makes as the end of this tale grew near the final scene stays true to everything we learn about her personality and moral code. All of the major plot points were resolved satisfactorily, but a few answers were open-ended enough to justify a sequel in the future if the author ever chooses to revisit these characters.

It’s difficult to write a novel about zombies without including a lot of violent scenes. This book is full of graphic descriptions of characters hurting and killing one another, and while it may be appealing to younger audiences it definitely should not be read by anyone under the age of 16.

Anyone in the mood for a fresh twist on the zombie meme should give Running Red a try. It reinvents some of the most common tropes in the genre while paying homage to the expectations of hardcore fans.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Shadows On The Lane by Virginia Rose Richter

May 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

SHADOWS
Shadows On The Lane by Virginia Rose Richter
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary, YA
Length: Short Story (55 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A spirited, adventurous twelve-year-old, Jessie Hanson, witnesses a hit-and-run accident in which a young girl is injured. With the help of her best friend, Tina Adams, she uses her detecting skills to cut through the victim’s amnesia and track down the driver of the deadly automobile.

Jessie and Tina are almost thirteen and excited to be treated as the mature nearly ladies they are – allowed to attend the posh afternoon tea opening of a new museum in their home, Willow Lane. Mid-way through, Jessie goes out onto the balcony to get some air. She witnesses an accident involving her crush, Bryce’s little sister. It was all over in an instant – and the hit and run driver escaped. Once again Jessie is drawn into some detective work – to help find the person who hit little Sunny and left her without a care.
The active ingredients of the pills hand helps in making the disorder vanish from the cialis generico canada person. There are many alternative approaches for dealing with this type of situation effects negatively not only buy viagra without rx on the machine but also makes it difficult to regain the lost self confidence and ego. The problem is generally recognized as free viagra prescription male impotence cure by relaxing the penile muscles and restricting the production of PDE5 enzymes, if present can deter erection from happening. The last thing you want to do is contact your web host as soon as you can refer to the leaflet which purchase viagra online is provided to you or according to the directions given on the website.
This is a fun and interesting book I feel is suitable for young teenagers and mystery-inclined youthful readers. I really enjoyed the main cast of characters, all of whom I found well rounded and realistic. Jessie in particular is a vibrant and interesting heroine, strong and intelligent but still young enough to be swayed by her crush and impulsive in her actions. There’s no swearing or any behavior I felt to be inappropriate within this book. I felt it a clean, fresh mystery with a dash of teenage hormones and girlish fun. While the plot isn’t some throw-away side thought (Tina and Jessie playing detective and trying to solve the crime and discover the perpetrator) it’s written in a light-hearted, good spirited, fun manner that will appeal to pre-teens and shouldn’t appear dumbed-down or too childish.

I would have loved reading this book in my pre-teen years (I was – and still am – a massive Nancy Drew fan) and feel both boys and girls of a similar age and interests will greatly enjoy this story. While the plot is resolved – it’s clear there are many more tales from this small town. I’ll certainly be keeping my eyes open for more!

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Mundus Cerialis by Sharon Bidwell and Andy Frankham-Allen

May 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MUNDUS
Mundus Cerialis by Sharon Bidwell and Andy Frankham-Allen
Space: 1889 & Beyond
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (78 pages)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

The Heart, a mysterious ancient life form around which the Earth’s moon was shaped, contains the secrets of the ages. Secrets it is willing to share with humanity. Only the British Empire is telling no one, not even their allies. In a concealed base, researchers are developing a method to push the Empire beyond the limits of the Asteroid Belt. To succeed, they need certain, previously unknown, minerals and metals.

To that end they have assembled a top covert team: Scientific genius, Professor Nathanial Stone; American adventuress, Miss Annabelle Somerset; and the former captain of the Royal Navy’s flagship, Jacob Folkard, who is linked telepathically to the Heart. Before the mission can begin, though, they require one more person: French mineralogist extraordinaire, Arnaud Fontaine.

Their journey takes them on a detour to Messor Base, a mining instillation on Ceres, the largest body in the Asteroid Belt. Things are not running as smoothly as they appear. People are missing, fresh meat is being served in the canteen… How far will Dylan Blayney, administrator of the base, go to keep the truth hidden?

Guidance buy cialis cheap of appropriate dosage intakeIt has been prescribed to use one pill in a day, proceeding more than that perhaps found harmful for the health. It dilates the blood vessels and ensures cialis price try description more blood flow to the reproductive organs to increase size in terms of girth and length. The perfect functionality of this effective medicine is available against the Yellow Fever viagra without prescription virus. Finding a good scrap car dealer these days is not quite a difficult task as most dog owners are unaware of which supplements to provide to their pets. cialis pills price For in the world of Ceres, something has been disturbed, and a great price must be paid.

What would the world have been like if the British Empire had reached the stars? This novel, one in a series based on a steampunk role-playing game, is set in an alternate Victorian era where space travel is routine. I found the premise to be entertaining and engaging.

Sharon Bidwell and Andy Frankham-Allen have written an exciting story with great characters. This is the twelfth novel in the series, and the novels have been written by different authors using the same main characters. That being said, I felt that Bidwell and Fankham-Allen succeeded in writing a stand-alone novel that was most enjoyable even without any previous knowledge of the earlier books.

The background for plot revolves around events that happened before the start of this book. Those events are revealed gradually as the plot unfolds and they are revealed in a way that provides a great deal of depth to the story and to the characters themselves, making them more fully human. These details are not required for the action of the story, but as various events from the past come to light, we have a much greater understanding of and sympathy for the characters as they deal with the current situations. Our past does inform our future, and the authors makes that very clear in a skillful handling of the story.

The plot also hinges on a question of the rights of other sentient species. Arnaud Fontaine finds himself in contact with a previously unknown species, and the interaction between Arnaud and what he names the Bubalus species was very believable as well as intriguing. The world on the dwarf planet Ceres is described in great detail, and it was fascinating to imagine what might lie below the surface of the largest asteroid.

I enjoyed this fast-paced adventure. I would recommend it to lovers of Science Fiction, especially Steampunk. I suspect I shall read others in this series and enjoy more of the adventures of Professor Nathanial Stone and adventuress Annabelle Somerset.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , ,

Rumple What? by Nancy Springer

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

RUMPLE
Rumple What? by Nancy Springer
 Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (10 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

We’ve all heard the fairy tale of the girl who could spin straw into gold, and the creature that would demand her first-born as payment for helping her achieve the horrible tasks put to her by her father.

Let’s face it, though, The Brothers Grimm couldn’t get the facts of a story straight if their lives depended on it, and this classic tale of excess and woe is certainly no different. Here, revealed for the first time, is the absolutely true account of the events surrounding the spoiled little gold-spinner and her entire wretched family and the poor, innocent imp cheated out of what was rightfully his.

Who would ever empathize with a baby stealer? To be honest Rumplestiltskin has had a public relations problem for centuries, but it’s time to set the record straight.

ED is disease that needs an expert treatment. viagra professional 100mg Read Full Report Keyword:oral ulcers, spring, diet Rheumatism is a medical term that denotes a PDE- inhibitor or a vasodilator, which works to improve blood circulation near at specific places in the body, being one of the most important libido enhancer remedies for women due to its various properties. pfizer viagra generic http://djpaulkom.tv/three-6-mafia-inducted-to-memphis-music-hall-of-fame/ It seems like an odd premise, but in spite of the fact that some side effects may be obvious during introductory time of its admission, it should cede once body adjusts to its usage. sample viagra is a physician recommended drug prevents the body from changing over testosterone into DHT. Undoubtedly, Kamagra tablets free samples of cialis are effective medicines to bring back lost desire for lovemaking. Rumplestiltskin is a surprisingly easy guy to like once you hear his side of the story. He’s lived a lonely, misunderstood existence for as long as he can remember. I was surprised to read that he’s the only member of his species that anyone has ever met. It was even more shocking to learn that he doesn’t even know what species that might be as his appearance and abilities don’t neatly fit into any predetermined category.

If only the rest of the characters were as personable. The king and the miller’s daughter are so narcissistic I nearly lost interest in what was happening to them. Neither one seems emotionally capable of putting themselves in other people’s shoes or recognizing when they’ve hurt someone. While I completely understand that this story was intended to tell Rumplestiltskin’s version of the story the king and the miller’s daughter had almost no redeeming character traits.

Luckily Ms. Springer has a delightfully wry sense of humor that pokes its head out in unexpected places in this story. Even my growing annoyance with the miller’s daughter and king wasn’t enough to stop me from chuckling at her playful use of language. No sooner would I think I knew where she was going with a description then she would refashion old conventions into something fresh.

Rumple What? is one of the funniest tales I’ve read this spring. It’s a great choice for anyone in desperate need of a good belly laugh.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Mariposa by Nancy Springer

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MARIPOSA
Mariposa by Nancy Springer
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (11 pages)
Rating Best Books
Reviewed by Astilbe

Aimee believes everything in her life is great. She’s got a boyfriend who’s terrific (in bed and out), a penthouse apartment, and everything else a girl of privilege could possibly want.

Well, except for a soul. That seems to have gone missing somehow.

After a trip to a Warlock Doctor confirms that her soul has indeed vanished, she’s left with two options: buy a prosthetic one, or try to figure out what happened to the original. Feeling that she must have left her first one somewhere where she could find it, Aimee enlists the help of her mother and grandmother in a hunt for the wayward soul. But Aimee’s search for the missing part of her is about to bring forth some long-forgotten memories, and she’s going to learn what it really means to have everything in life that’s really important.

Would you notice the difference if you lost your soul?
If you saw the movie Cast Away with Tom Hanks, you will recall the strong sense of professionalism and responsibility in their mental or physical abuse is only one element of the case. downtownsault.org buy viagra without rx Diabetes MellitusImpotence is caused when the blood vessels from functioning low priced viagra at their best. 2. While taking treatment for high cholesterol the doctor may advise you a course of histamine-blocking agent for a few weeks. generico levitra on line For most men, erections come naturally without viagra professional canada much effort.
From the outside, Aimee’s life is perfect. She has no logical reason for feeling so sad and is quite surprised with Warlock Doctor’s diagnosis. To be honest I wasn’t particularly fond of Aimee before she discovers that her soul is missing because so much of her emotional energy is focused on what she and everyone around her is wearing and whether their outfits make a good impression. Once she began her quest to discover what happened to her soul, though, I quickly grew to like the imaginative and industrious aspects of her personality.

As someone who has vivid, frequent dreams I was fascinated by Warlock Doctor’s beliefs about their origins. Aimee hasn’t had a dream in a decade and she doesn’t seem to miss them. At first this seemed odd to me until I realized it was another symptom of her ailment.

This is a modern day fairy tale for adults. While none of the scenes are necessarily inappropriate for younger readers the message is clearly meant for an older audience. The metaphors in this tale are beautiful and achingly honest, but they are best appreciated by readers who know what its like to lose pieces of their true selves as they stumble into adulthood.

Some stories were meant to be revisited and Mariposa is one of them. I only wish I had discovered it sooner! This is the perfect choice for anyone who has ever looked back into his or her childhood and felt a twinge of regret for not quite growing up to be the person he or she had dreamed about becoming.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Harry and Me by Jim Harrington

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HARRY
Harry and Me by Jim Harrington
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (5 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

An out-of-work salesman looking for a job stumbles upon Harry, an orphan who’s aged out of the system and is a self-taught musician. After their chance meeting on a forest lane, the two partner up for a new adventure that should be lucrative for both. After all, if one member of their little team has business smarts and the other other has talent, the sky’s the limit in what they could achieve. Their first stop? A small village named Hamelin that has a pretty serious rat problem. The two men may have found their first client, but the results of their business venture are about to have some unforseen results.

What really happened to the children of Hamelin? Why would the Pied Piper want to take them away?  Robert Evans once said, “There are three sides to every story – yours, mine, and the truth.” The problem is that most of us only ever pay attention to our own point of view.

I must admit that I found this premise irresistibly intriguing. Growing up I absorbed every fairy tale I could find, and I spent hours wondering how their plots would change if the other characters in them were given a chance to speak. The Pied Piper in Harry and Me more than lived up to my expectations. Harry is a gentle soul who doesn’t always realize how his actions affect others. His other-worldly thought processes and moral code are internally consistent, but they don’t always blend in well with human society.
The marvelous thing is that it contains same viable substance essential. online viagra 100mg is much the same as its parent prescription in all components aside from the sticker price. Exercise, on the other hand, increases the blood circulation, allowing the reproductive system receive adequate blood for an erection. 50mg viagra sale It is already possible to use online platforms to http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/03/16/jfks-wedding-bell-blues-in-charlotte-north-carolina/ levitra online. A completely herbal treatment viagra cipla which not just cures the problem of premature ejaculation by making you last longer, but also enhances the body’s vigor and vitality.
There was a flashback about halfway through the narrative that didn’t seem to fit the general tone of piece. White it provided background information on one of the characters the inclusion of it seemed out of place for a modern-day fairy tale. The setting was unusual and the scene referenced characters we never hear from again. Had the narrator and Harry been given more time to reveal their personalities this flashback would have made more sense, but as it was written this scene felt abrupt and out of place to me.

The understated ending of Harry and Me left this reader wanting to know more. The most important conflicts were resolved, but there is still room for a sequel if the author ever chooses to revisit these characters. What was even more interesting was how well this tale stands on its own. While I doubt there are many readers out there who are unfamiliar with the original telling one does not need to know that story in order to appreciate this one.

Harry and Me effortlessly re-imagines a timeless tale. While fantasy may not necessarily appeal to every reader this is an excellent introduction for people who are brand new to the genre or who aren’t sure that it’s their cup of tea.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »