5.0 out of 5 stars Punchy and quippy stories packed into one bookReviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
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Twisted and Untwisted Tales, by Mari Collier is simply great entertainment packed into one book. These are relatively short stories; quirky, quippy and simply fun to read. These bite-sized stories are perfect for a bedtime read, or a quick escape into cleverly designed worlds that the author does a wonderful job of conjuring up. I recommend it for anyone, any age.
IF YOU HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME TO SIT DOWN AND TAKE IN THESE QUICK STORIES THIS IS YOUR BOOK. THE AUTHOR HAS PUT A LITTLE BIT OF HERSELF INTO EACH ENTERTAINING TALE.
SURPRISE! We have nominated you to join the Mercenary’s Union!
Here are a few stories to tell you who we are. Enjoy and see if we aren’t for you. War is our business, and business is good. Oh, small detail—if you got the guts, we got the money and adventure.
Paul Nosach has returned with new and exciting short story anthology that everyone is sure to love. From the fantasy to the horrific, and a new science fiction story, Mr. Nosach has mixed the old and the new once more. With characters such as teenagers to valiant knights and even vampires and romance, there is no shortage of intrigue.
Driving down a rocky road I saw the overgrown grass, weeds, and poison ivy overtaking the outer perimeter of the bushes. The smell of mildew permeated the air, along with the stench of animals killed by cars coming up from the ground along this dirt road. I could see the sadness on the faces in the cars behind me; I could feel the pain and sorrow.
As I looked inside the cars and saw the faces of the drivers, I began to wonder what they were thinking, their thoughts and feelings as they traveled down life’s highway, maybe for the very last time. What stories lay behind the faces behind the wheel of each oncoming car? What stories were hidden? Whose voices are now silenced?
Martha A. ChevesVINE VOICE5.0 out of 5 stars More voices from the pastReviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019All my life I had to struggle and work hard for everything that I ever needed. So, why not take advantage of a situation? My grandmother, Gertie, was frail and much older, needing constant care at home. Her mind was sharp, but her legs were weak. She could no longer shop for herself and going to the bank to deposit her disability checks had become a real chore. Each one of us had a different father, and not one of us had all of the conveniences that life should have given us. So, we joined forces to get what we deserved from our grandmother. My sisters and I had decided to take on the responsibility of her daily care. Of course, I felt, as they did, that we deserved something for our efforts. Moving into her huge house was not a problem, as she had six bedrooms, three baths, and enough closet space for everyone. The house was amazing, and the kitchen was state of the art. Taking some of what she had was not a problem until she began to realize that something was wrong.
The four granddaughters pool their ideas and resources to take over what their grandmother has worked her whole life to have. BUT… the situation takes a turn when Gertie turns the tables on them.
A funeral can evoke sadness on the faces of those that attend it, especially when they reach the cemetery. Looking at those faces, I began to wonder what they were thinking, and possibly what they were hiding.
As I scanned the tombstones, I contemplated whether many of the faces behind these stones were wronged during their lives. I can almost hear the voices behind those stones barely standing straight. Will they tell me how they ended up here? Were they guilty of great evil in life, or were they wrongly accused?
Listen as they tell their stories, and chills will run down your spine as you learn: What lies behind the stones.
The story each voice will tell you was silenced in life by the evil of others. Hear their words, understand their reasons, and then you the decide: Were the Accusations wrong?
4.0 out of 5 stars Short and creepyReviewed in the United States on July 31, 2016I enjoy short stories and collections, especially creepy ones. And I take into account that they are just nibbles, not complete stories.
Some of these were great. They gave me the shivers and I truly thought the characters got what they deserved. And a couple had me a bit confused. Perhaps because the dead were too.
The dead speak from their graves in Golden Stone Cemetery. They have some ghastly tales to tell. Just how wicked were they to be buried and forgotten?. Would they repent if they could? Do they lust for revenge? Are their souls worth saving?
The answers lie in these pages. It takes talent to spin good tales using so little words, and this author passed my test. While the stories are short, they leave a lasting impression.
This is one that I couldn’t stop reading until I read the last word. Several of the stories had me thinking long afterwards. That’s why I’ll be reading more from this author.
To quote R.L. Stine: “Beware, you’re in for a scare!”
I received this book for my honest review.
5.0 out of 5 stars What price Freedom?Reviewed in Canada on July 8, 2014
A gripping true story based on the author’s fearful, but courageous, Grandfather and others escaping from Russian occupied Poland in 1913,
WARNING! For those over eighteen. Three twisted tales revolving around the dark underbelly of Alaska. A view the tourists never see. What can induce a person to kill? And there may not be many roads in Alaska, but what is there can make for a wild ride.
Praise for Faces Three: Lies: Betrayals: Fear: Who will be the next to wind up behind a stone: FACES 3: Fran Lewis
Faces behind the stones will grab you from beyond. Watch where you walk-Karen H.Vaughan: Author of Daytona Dead
Fran Lewis’ Faces Three: Lies, Betrayal, Fear shows chillingly that crime comes in many forms. So does retribution. It’s filled with delicious irony. Mark Rubinstein Author, Mad Dog House and Love Gone Mad
Walk through a cemetery, and read the names of the Faces Behind the Stones. If you listen very carefully, you may hear the voices of the unfortunate souls who are forever interred there, desperately trying to tell their stories. Murder, arson, deception, and embezzlement…these are just a few of the crimes that led to their “change in zip code.” But, the question must be asked…were they innocent victims? Or did they deserve their grizzly fates? Lies, betray, fear: you be the judge: Maxine Bringenberg: Editor
With this brilliant blend of fiction with non-fiction the book illuminates a seemingly unimportant issue which in fact is at the root of much evil in the world. Through her powerful writing, the sharp presentation and great intellectual understanding of the subject at hand the author(s) has (have) created an important piece of literature and a moral lesson which nobody in my opinion is too young, too old or too wise to hear. Outstanding: Christoph Fischer
Fans of the Stones series won‘t be disappointed. Once again, Fran Lewis has shown her great insight into human nature. Another book to make the reader wonder: Ann Stanmore Author
IF YOU HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME TO SIT DOWN AND TAKE IN THESE QUICK STORIES THIS IS YOUR BOOK. THE AUTHOR HAS PUT A LITTLE BIT OF HERSELF INTO EACH ENTERTAINING TALE.
Thought-provokingReviewed in the United States on October 9, 2020
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
What If? has six dark stories and a poem that will make you think. I liked them, but I particularly two that rang true during the times that we are in:
“Confined!” is about Fern who self-isolates due to fear of the virus. See what can happen when someone isolates both their mind and body.
“One Race: On World – The Year 2050”: the government makes everyone multicolored, everyone works, everyone is paid the same amount no matter their job, and no one can have their own opinions (sounds a lot like 1984). Then, new neighbors move in…
“The Match” is a poem that’s disturbing. The other three stories are pretty good; they’re interesting and thought-provoking. What If? is a good book to read for when you don’t have much time (the stories are just 6 to 16 pages each) but want something that will make you think.
Enter worlds both strange and familiar.
Travel through time, encounter witches as they move about their day, be enchanted by childhood fairies, and slay dragons from tales of old. Encounter ordinary people in extraordinary situations, and rocket through space to a wasted planet that auctions its one exportable product… women.
As in life, Twisted Tales from the Universe offers a range of stories that include humor, murder, love, and situations that never end quite the way one would expect.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Short Stories!Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2017
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These stories are very well written. The author draws you into the story with her attention to detail and her obvious understanding of human nature. Then, on top of all that, she gives you a twist ending that is both surprising and plausible. This book is definitely worth the read.
Paul Nosach has returned with new and exciting short story anthology that everyone is sure to love. From the fantasy to the horrific, and a new science fiction story, Mr. Nosach has mixed the old and the new once more. With characters such as teenagers to valiant knights and even vampires and romance, there is no shortage of intrigue.
Driving down a rocky road I saw the overgrown grass, weeds, and poison ivy overtaking the outer perimeter of the bushes. The smell of mildew permeated the air, along with the stench of animals killed by cars coming up from the ground along this dirt road. I could see the sadness on the faces in the cars behind me; I could feel the pain and sorrow.
As I looked inside the cars and saw the faces of the drivers, I began to wonder what they were thinking, their thoughts and feelings as they traveled down life’s highway, maybe for the very last time. What stories lay behind the faces behind the wheel of each oncoming car? What stories were hidden? Whose voices are now silenced?
Martha A. ChevesVINE VOICE5.0 out of 5 stars More voices from the pastReviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019All my life I had to struggle and work hard for everything that I ever needed. So, why not take advantage of a situation? My grandmother, Gertie, was frail and much older, needing constant care at home. Her mind was sharp, but her legs were weak. She could no longer shop for herself and going to the bank to deposit her disability checks had become a real chore. Each one of us had a different father, and not one of us had all of the conveniences that life should have given us. So, we joined forces to get what we deserved from our grandmother. My sisters and I had decided to take on the responsibility of her daily care. Of course, I felt, as they did, that we deserved something for our efforts. Moving into her huge house was not a problem, as she had six bedrooms, three baths, and enough closet space for everyone. The house was amazing, and the kitchen was state of the art. Taking some of what she had was not a problem until she began to realize that something was wrong.
The four granddaughters pool their ideas and resources to take over what their grandmother has worked her whole life to have. BUT… the situation takes a turn when Gertie turns the tables on them.
