jjares reviewed A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Hallows' Eve (Volume 13) on + 3539 more book reviews
This anthology includes six short stories. I've selected this book because of the first three authors, who are favorites of mine, but I am uncertain about the last three. I'm not fond of ghosts or "little people," so I'm hesitant about this anthology.
OF GHOSTS AND GARDENS (Sarah M Eden) -- VG
A scholar of Welsh folklore, Burke Kennard, is studying the area when he meets Enid Pryce, who has just returned from a season in Bath. She didn't meet anyone, and she's happy to be back home. Although she would have liked to have met someone in Bath, she's otherwise content with her life. When Burke discovers that there is a ghost in the area, he accepts an invitation to stay with Enid's family until he can confront the ghost.
Even people who don't like ghost stories will be captivated by this one.
IT'S ME (Annette Lyon) -- VG
Orphan Anna Brierley is now living with new relatives since her parents and then her grandparents passed away. She is looking for work, but it is challenging for a country girl. Given the job of clearing out a closet at the church, Anna becomes intrigued by the tale of the closet's previous owner, before her death. Charlie Beck, a local laborer, is drawn to the church, where he meets Anna. Together, they try to learn more about the woman who owned items in the church closet. An engaging story, even if it is not realistic.
SOPHIA'S CURSE (Heather B Moore) -- G
Long ago, Sophia left a curse on the Belrose and Rousseau families that someone in one of the families would die every five years until the two families were united in marriage. What ruined this story for me was the labeling of the orphan as Joan of Arc. What that had to do with the rest of the story escapes me.
THE SIREN'S SONG (Lisa Mangum) -- E
What a beautiful, creative writing piece. Oliver, recently widowed, assists a child who falls overboard. While saving her, Oliver is tugged by a siren and taken to an island. There, he is captured by three sirens and can only be released by giving up his memories of his wife, Cate. If he gives up his best memory, he can see Cate one more time.
THE MAN OF HER DREAMS (Jordan McCollum) -- 3.5 Stars
Alex Steen is a homicide detective who has dreams about murders. When the dream she has does not materialize, she worries about the significance of this alteration. There was too much plot and not enough dialogue to carry it through.
THE GHOST OF MILLHOUSE MANSION (Elana Johnson) -- 3.5 Stars
Naomi, who specializes in antique restorations, wants to restore the Millhouse Mansion. When she has a chance to see inside (her cherished dream), she is shocked to find ghosts. Colt Jennings, the owner, admits he has seen the ghosts since childhood. This is another rushed story that was too compressed. I liked the idea, but there wasn't enough dialogue to complete the tale.
OF GHOSTS AND GARDENS (Sarah M Eden) -- VG
A scholar of Welsh folklore, Burke Kennard, is studying the area when he meets Enid Pryce, who has just returned from a season in Bath. She didn't meet anyone, and she's happy to be back home. Although she would have liked to have met someone in Bath, she's otherwise content with her life. When Burke discovers that there is a ghost in the area, he accepts an invitation to stay with Enid's family until he can confront the ghost.
Even people who don't like ghost stories will be captivated by this one.
IT'S ME (Annette Lyon) -- VG
Orphan Anna Brierley is now living with new relatives since her parents and then her grandparents passed away. She is looking for work, but it is challenging for a country girl. Given the job of clearing out a closet at the church, Anna becomes intrigued by the tale of the closet's previous owner, before her death. Charlie Beck, a local laborer, is drawn to the church, where he meets Anna. Together, they try to learn more about the woman who owned items in the church closet. An engaging story, even if it is not realistic.
SOPHIA'S CURSE (Heather B Moore) -- G
Long ago, Sophia left a curse on the Belrose and Rousseau families that someone in one of the families would die every five years until the two families were united in marriage. What ruined this story for me was the labeling of the orphan as Joan of Arc. What that had to do with the rest of the story escapes me.
THE SIREN'S SONG (Lisa Mangum) -- E
What a beautiful, creative writing piece. Oliver, recently widowed, assists a child who falls overboard. While saving her, Oliver is tugged by a siren and taken to an island. There, he is captured by three sirens and can only be released by giving up his memories of his wife, Cate. If he gives up his best memory, he can see Cate one more time.
THE MAN OF HER DREAMS (Jordan McCollum) -- 3.5 Stars
Alex Steen is a homicide detective who has dreams about murders. When the dream she has does not materialize, she worries about the significance of this alteration. There was too much plot and not enough dialogue to carry it through.
THE GHOST OF MILLHOUSE MANSION (Elana Johnson) -- 3.5 Stars
Naomi, who specializes in antique restorations, wants to restore the Millhouse Mansion. When she has a chance to see inside (her cherished dream), she is shocked to find ghosts. Colt Jennings, the owner, admits he has seen the ghosts since childhood. This is another rushed story that was too compressed. I liked the idea, but there wasn't enough dialogue to complete the tale.
