“Cons, Dames, & G-Men” An Anthology Part 3

The third story in the “Cons, Dames & G-Men” anthology is Dark at the Top of the Stairs by Elizabeth Horton-Newton. Here is a review of this short story from author Neil Douglas Newton. Review of “Dark at the top of the Stairs”   by Elizabeth Horton-Newton “Dark at the Top of the Stairs” is a story that can be found in the “Cons, Dames & G-Men ” anthology from … Continue reading “Cons, Dames, & G-Men” An Anthology Part 3

“Lifeline” By Alexis Alvarez (From the Anthology “Bleed Blue 69”)

  I was given a copy of the story Lifeline by Alexis Alvarez before publication and enjoyed this sexy take on the New York Police Department. As a former New Yorker, an art lover, and a fan of the television show “Seinfeld” I loved the author’s view of the city’s police department. Alvarez easily captures the flavor of the big city; its unique humor, its … Continue reading “Lifeline” By Alexis Alvarez (From the Anthology “Bleed Blue 69”)

“Crooked Tales” The Grande Finale

“A short story is something that you can hold in your mind. You can really analyze how the entire thing works, like a machine.” Chuck Palahniuk Satisfaction of a Full Story (but with fewer words) Despite fewer words, the journey into the imagination is complete, as is the satisfying story arc and memorable characters. For the curiosity tempted, no longer the slow slog to reach a … Continue reading “Crooked Tales” The Grande Finale

Crooked Tales: Short and Cool

“The cool thing about reading is that when you read a short story or you read something that takes your mind and expands where your thoughts can go, that’s powerful.” Taylor Swift Enrich Relatable Experiences with Short Stories With a Smartphone, eBook, or paperback easily at hand, it is easy to read anywhere. Let us count real reading moments that fill the void of time … Continue reading Crooked Tales: Short and Cool

More From “Crooked Tales”

“Like some kind of particularly tenacious vampire the short story refuses to die, and seems at this point in time to be a wonderful length for our generation.” Neil Gaiman Crooked Tales: As Crooked As They Want to Be It’s those shaded corners; the shadowy recesses of our minds where deceit and revenge take refuge. Only to surface when we choose to be most unpleasant … Continue reading More From “Crooked Tales”

More “Crooked Tales”

A short story is a shard, a sliver, a vignette. It’s a biopsy on the human condition but it doesn’t have this capacity to think autonomously for itself. ~Will Self “Ultimate Sampler of Exciting, Talented Authors” “Eager to meet great writers? Well, the short story is the ideal medium to discover new favorites. A single folio of short stories is the perfect platform to display … Continue reading More “Crooked Tales”

CROOKED TALES: Deception & Revenge in 15 Short Stories (Short Story Tales Book 2)

CROOKED TALES: Deception & Revenge in 15 Short Stories (Short Story Tales Book 2) “ALL HAIL the Short Story!” These 15 short stories come from those shaded corners; the shadowy recesses of our minds where deceit and revenge take refuge. Only to surface when we choose to be most unpleasant to our neighbors, our colleagues, our lovers, and to our families—and even our species. Above … Continue reading CROOKED TALES: Deception & Revenge in 15 Short Stories (Short Story Tales Book 2)

TWISTED TALES: 15 Literary Lies & Epic Yarns: The Night Passengers by Charlie Flowers and Hannah Haq

  Although I have never read anything by Hannah Haq prior to this story, I have read several of the Riz Sabir thrillers authored by Charlie Flowers. Flowers writes some great action stories, all revolving around the character Riz Sabir (Hard Kill) and his gang of girls who work off the grid for British intelligence. The short story the duo has included in Twisted Tales … Continue reading TWISTED TALES: 15 Literary Lies & Epic Yarns: The Night Passengers by Charlie Flowers and Hannah Haq

TWISTED TALES: 15 Literary Lies & Epic Yarns: Weather the Storm by Neil Douglas Newton

Neil Newton’s contribution to the anthology Twisted Tales is as different from his book The Railroad as cherries are to onions. Weather the Storm is pure science fiction, complete with other worldly beings. I won’t call them aliens because I don’t want to conjure up images of little green men or tall gray creatures. Written in the first person, the story instantly drew me in. … Continue reading TWISTED TALES: 15 Literary Lies & Epic Yarns: Weather the Storm by Neil Douglas Newton

TWISTED TALES: 15 Literary Lies & Epic Yarns: Margarita Mix by Joseph Mark Brewer

Joseph Mark Brewer is best known for his wonderful books featuring Japanese detective Shig Sato. The Gangster’s Son and The Thief’s Mistake are insightful crime thrillers set in 1990’s  Japan. I was more than a little surprised with Brewer’s short story in Twisted Tales , “Margarita Mix”. It is a dramatic departure from his usual genre. The story reads almost like a memoir although it … Continue reading TWISTED TALES: 15 Literary Lies & Epic Yarns: Margarita Mix by Joseph Mark Brewer