Saturday Shorts

Saturday Shorts

Saturday Shorts is a feature where I review 3-4 short stories that are 100 pages or less. Enjoy! 

*Books source ~ Many thanks to the authors for providing review copies in exchange for honest reviews.

Title ~ Cursed

Series ~ Touched, #1

Author ~ S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publisher ~ Ravynheart Publishing

Published ~ 28 October 2011

Genre ~ Fantasy

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

London Eyer is a private investigator specializing in the paranormal. When she is blackmailed into working for Rico of the Sidhe her life changes in an instant. She may be forced to work for him, but she’s not doing it without fighting for all she’s worth. She will do the job, but as much on her terms as possible considering the Curse he’s put on her. The question is: Will she survive?

Ok, this story is definitely a good start to a new series. It’s very short, so there’s only a brief glimpse of what this new world and characters are like, but it’s enough to make we want more. I like London. A lot. She reminds me of Harry Dresden (though he’s a wizard) and Anita Blake in the early books (though she’s a necromancer), but the attitude is one that I enjoy reading. She may be forced to do something, but she’s not going to just roll over and play nice. The ending is very intriguing and not how I expected it to turn out, but I very much look forward to reading more in this series.

Title ~ Dragged Into Darkness

Author ~ Lisa V. Proulx

Publisher ~ Lisa V. Proulx

Published ~ 18 October 2011

Genre ~ Paranormal

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

Frankie Morelli is an abusive husband to his wife Angela. Married young she fell into the mindset that she somehow deserved the beatings he gave her. Then one night he went too far and killed her. After he was sentenced to prison he stole from the wrong inmate and was beaten to death. Arriving in Hell, Frankie tries to think of a way to bargain himself out of Hell and into Heaven. He finally hits upon the idea that he could exchange his rotten evil soul for his wife’s purer one. Satan agrees, tells him what he must do and sends him on his journey. Will Frankie succeed? Or will he continue to be a pathetic loser?

This is an interesting idea. Bargain your way out of Hell by trading souls. Angela is a sad case of spousal abuse. If she had just had the courage to get out years before she might have made something of herself. Instead, she fell into the thinking that it was all her fault and making excuses for her pathetic excuse of a husband. Frankie’s journey is interesting and Frankie is completely repellent. I love the twist at the end.  All-in-all an interesting, if painful at times, read.

Title ~ Brightarrow Burning

Author ~ Isabo Kelly

Publisher ~ Samhain Publishing

Published ~ 4 October 2011

Genre ~ Fantasy

My Rating ~ 4 bites out of 5

Layla Brightarrow has been in love with Ulric of Glengowyn all her life. When war breaks out between humans and Sorcerers the elves decide to remain neutral, putting Ulric completely out of Layla’s reach. She is one of the best archers around so she is the one given many of the assassination orders to eliminate traitor elves, those who lure humans to the Sorcerers. Then she is ordered to kill Ulric’s brother Althir and almost dies in the attempt. Will Ulric remain neutral? Is he loyal to family? Or Layla?

Not bad for a short story. The world is described very well and the characters are decently fleshed out. The chemistry between Layla and Ulric is off the charts and the conflict put me on the edge of my seat. Ulric seems to care for Layla, but is he still loyal to his brother? Trust is hard for Layla, but in the end it’s all worth the effort. A wonderful quick read.