The 2015 Catch Up -Part Four!

 

During December I took part in the Happy Harper Christmas event, an online celebration of Harper Impulse' festive reads.  As part of the event, I took part in the '3dathon', a very manageable readathon because, as the name suggests, the aim was to read three books!

Firstly, I read Brigid Coady's short story collection A Stocking Full of Romance.   Containing seven stories to satisfy romance readers of every type, each story had it's own unique flavour.  The first two stories which were more traditional in style were my favourites, but there were quirkier reads that will appeal to anyone looking for something fresh.  If you enjoy short stories, give this one a try!

Next I went for something totally different, Loving Winter Nights, Love Romance.  This perma-free story was written in a round robin style by a number of Harper Impulse authors and as a writer I loved the idea of reading a collaborative project written without a plan.  Without giving away the plot, this was full of tense scenes that made me wonder where it was heading, with a thread of romance interwoven for good measure.  I really loved the interview with the authors at the end, where they all spoke of their experience taking part in the project.  An interesting idea and well written, but at times, unsurprisingly when you consider the way it was written, the plot veered off on unnecessary tangents.

Finally, I read Cold Feet at Christmas, which had been a huge success for Debbie Johnson back in 2014.  It was even Christmas number 1 in the iTunes book chart! It took me a while to get into this one - I'd made the mistake of judging a book by its cover and had been expecting 'chicklit' (this was a pretty hot romance).  I'd also taken the cold feet to mean a nervous bride, rather than one who'd been jilted - the cold feet of the title were literal, rather than metaphorical.  The first section was built mainly around the sexual attraction between the two lead characters, with hints at the secrets of their pasts dropped in.  I definitely found the second half of the book 'meatier' and as I found out more about the characters and their lives it explained some of their choices and behaviours.  I also loved the Chicago scenes and reliving my own night up the Hancock Tower.  Why more books aren't set there I don't know, because it really is a city with everything going for it.  I'm looking forward to reading more Debbie Johnson now, and hear great things about her most recent release, Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper.

 

Did you take part in the event?  If so, I'd love to hear what you read!

Interview with Nik Perring

Today I'm delighted to welcome to the wonderful Nik Perring to Books with Bunny.  For any of you not yet familiar with Nik and his work, he writes incredibly moving short stories/flash fiction.  As a short story writer myself, I'm in awe of his ability and as a reader I admire his capacity to show the beauty and pain in everyday situations.  Nik's most recent book Beautiful Trees is out now, published by RoastBooks.

 

Welcome Nik, and thank you for visiting Books with Bunny.  I wondered, how much of your writing comes from your own experience?

I think most writing comes, in some way, from our own experiences. What probably differs is how well we hide it, or how aware of it we are. I’ve never ever tried to write directly about an experience that’s happened to me, or that I’ve seen – I prefer to write stories based on feeling I’ve had, emotions I’ve felt, or based, very loosely, on other things. Mostly, because that’s more fun – there’s plenty more scope to run with ideas and make stuff up than if I was writing about something that had actually happened.

But, in Not So Perfect, I could have been the person who gave his heart away too easily (though I didn’t put mine in a box), and in Freaks! I could have been the sixteen year old girl going on a first date to the cinema, and in Beautiful Trees and Beautiful Words, maybe I was that person who loved the word ‘lisp’ (actually, I definitely do), or the one who admires a tree for its heart shaped leaves...

 

What inspired you to write Beautiful Trees?  Which piece did you write first?

Beautiful Trees was a direct result of writing Beautiful Words. I’d written (or half written) a draft of Words and was talking my publisher (the brilliant RoastBooks) about how we could make it work and the idea of a series cropped up really early on in the conversation. And I think the conversation most likely went something like...

‘How about we make it into a series?’

‘Ooh, that could work. Err, what else could be beautiful? And interesting? And story worthy?’

‘Well, I’ve always liked trees...’

But I guess the real inspiration was an extension of me wanting to share and celebrate beautiful things. Trees certainly are that. Have you seen the blossom in Graves’ Park when everything’s blooming?

And which piece did I write first? Now you’re asking...

I want to say the cherry tree entry, because that’s how Alexander and Lily’s story begins – she works at a garden centre and he buys one as an excuse to talk to her. But with a book like that, that’s not always told in the right order (and with my memory!) it could have been any.

What I do remember, really clearly, is writing both the willow story and the hazel part. I’ve always loved willows – they remind me of people, for some reason. They seem very female. And very beautiful and they seem to have fragile beauty and a sadness that’s glorious and watery and fluid. (I’m not saying those are linked, I should add!)

Graves Park is one of my favourite places in Sheffield and I love watching the trees change appearance with the seasons.  Do you think word selection is more important in shorter pieces of writing than in novels?

Absolutely not. I think words, and their selection and their weight, are just as important no matter what length of story they appear in. And I know that they’re more likely to stand out more in a shorter piece, simply because there are less of them (bit like sitting on the front row of desks at school) but every word is as important as the next. If they’re not then the writing gets baggy and soggy.

What's your favourite word?

Love.

Your work is extremely emotive to read.  Do you get emotional whilst you write? 

Less than I did! And thank you. It’s a weird balance, writing (as you’ll know!). I think you absolutely have to feel something of what you’re writing – that’s where the heart is in stories, that’s what makes them glow and that’s what makes readers identify and empathise and feel. But I also think that sometimes the stories we write are because of what or how we feel about things. And I think that’s what we should strive for as writers – converting an emotion or translating a feeling into something different for others, hopefully, to enjoy. (And yes, I know I sound all ponsey and like I’m trying to be clever, but I’m not (clever or ponsey!). I just think that emotions are such powerful things they deserve to be shared. And people understand them: we all know what it’s like to be sad or happy, lonely or pining.)

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions Nik, it's been a pleasure.  Beautiful Trees which will be reviewed on Books with Bunny shortly.

Author Bio -

Nik Perring is a short story writer and the author of five books. His stories have been published in many fine places both in the UK and abroad, in print and online. They've won competitions, been used on High School distance learning courses in the US, printed on fliers, and broadcast on radio.

 

Nik's short stories have been collected in two books: Not So Perfect (Roastbooks, 2010) and, with Caroline Smailes, Freaks! (The Friday Project/HarperCollins, 2012).

 

He's also the author of A Book of Beautiful Words (Roastbooks, 2014), and the second in the series, Beautiful Trees, is out now.

 

His online home is www.nikperring.com and he's on Twitter as @nikperring

The Making of Us- Erin Lawless

The Blurb
HarperImpulse are delighted to introduce brilliant debut author Erin Lawless… perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Katy Regan and David Nicholls!

A free teaser of Erin Lawless’s fabulous debut The Best Thing I Never Had, complete with extra scenes and character biographies.

The Review

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Erin Lawless.  I absolutely raved about The Best Thing I Never Had back in 2013 and this summer's wonderful Somewhere Only We Know was better still.  I'd somehow missed that there was this freebie teaser for Erin's debut title, so I was delighted when I stumbled across it on Amazon.  More stories from one of my favourite authors!

The Making of Us is a collection of short snapshot moments using characters from The Best Thing I Never Had.   I love the banter between the students in the stories and particularly enjoyed the story of a forfeit following a lost bet!  There's also character profiles which reveal additional information about the friendship group.

If you've not read anything by Erin Lawless, this is a great way to get acquainted with her humorous, easy style and if you read and enjoyed her debut you'll enjoy the opportunity to know a bit more about her characters. 

It made me long for more!

The Making of Us is free and available to download from Amazon.  Published by Harper Impulse.

I read this as part of #HIReadathon 2015.  To get involved, follow the hashtag.

Fortune- A Short Story by Erin Lawless HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

Harper Impulse Fortnight is finally here!  And kicking off the fun is the fabulous Erin Lawless (who wrote the wonderful The Best Thing I Never Had) with an exclusive short story. 

FORTUNE by Erin Lawless

Sarah had always had a hearty appetite, and it had always been a point of amusement for Jack. As it was, she had valiantly matched her old friend course for course, serving for serving, right up until dessert, where the thought of deep-fried fruit was finally enough to make her queasy. Seeing her expression Jack hesitated, before closing the menu and asking instead for the bill.

"It's gonna be massive," he whined, slouching in his chair. "Why do you have to eat so much?" he pointed at chopstick at her accusingly. Sarah batted it away with one of her own.

"Me?" she asked, incredulously. "You had practically that entire duck to yourself!"

They were interrupted by the timely arrival of the bill, placed in a conspicuously inconspicuous manner on a plate piled high with gold-wrapped fortune cookies. Jack whipped the bill out from under them, skimmed it quickly before slipping the waitress his bank card.

"What's the damage?" Sarah asked, reaching for her purse as the waitress went to fetch the card machine.

Jack waved the moist towelette he'd just unwrapped dismissively. "You'll get the next one." Sarah made a mental note to make sure that she did; she and Jack had a long-standing dinner date, the first Friday of every month, without fail.

As Jack duly checked the amount and entered his PIN, Sarah opened one of the cookies.

There is no limit to love's forbearance - to its trust, its hope, and its power to endure.

Sarah read it through three times, then sighed and lowered her hands to the table, the small slip of paper folding between them. The waitress wished them a good evening and left with her cash tip. Jack made a grab for a cookie of his own.

Trust your intuition. The universe is guiding your life.

He waved his fortune at her with a smug expression.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. These things don't actually mean anything."

"What does yours say then?"

"It says, "Help! I'm trapped in a fortune cookie factory"," Sarah joked, reaching for another cookie.

Only love lets us see ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Sarah sighed and a curious Jack pulled the little piece of paper from her fingers. His eyes flicked up to look at his companion. The bridge of her nose was flushed pink and her long fingers were occupied with nervously shredding the golden foil the cookies had come wrapped in. Jack pressed his lips together to suppress a smile. She'd been so edgy these last few months. He'd hoped he'd guessed the reason why. He let the paper flutter down to the tablecloth and reached leisurely for the penultimate cookie.

One who admires you greatly is hidden before your eyes he recited aloud, this time unable to conceal his amusement. Sarah's blush darkened but she maintained an aloof expression, staring into the middle distance.

"These things are just for kids…" she murmured, her agitated fingers plucking and shredding. Jack regarded her in silence for a moment before reaching for the final fortune, extracting it from the cookie and reading it solemnly. Sarah waited for him to announce it in that typical jokey way, but instead he looked up at her, in silence, before folding the small piece of paper in two, sliding it into his wallet and slipping that in turn into his jeans pocket.

He grinned cheerfully at her as he rose from the table.

"C'mon," he said simply, standing at the side of the table and extending a hand to her. "Let's go walk all this food off." Hesitantly Sarah slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her up from her chair. Bidding their farewell and thanks to the waiting staff, they exited the restaurant and set off into the darkened city streets. It was finally the right time. He kept her hand in his.

Jack always kept that little paper fortune tucked in his wallet after that night: Decide what you want and go for it.

 

You can find out more about Erin by visiting her website, facebook or by following her on twitter @rinylou.  Her new novel, Somewhere Only We Know , is available for preorder now.

 

The Reckoning- Edith Wharton

The Blurb

'If marriage was the slow life-long acquittal of a debt contracted in ignorance, then marriage was a crime against human nature.'

Two moving stories of love, loss, desire and divorce, from one of the great chroniclers of nineteenth-century New York life.

Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.

Edith Wharton (1862-1937). Wharton's works available in Penguin Classics are Ethan Frome, The Age of Innocence, The Custom of the Country and The House of Mirth.

The Review

I was really excited by the launch of the Penguin Little Black classics books- 80 books to celebrate 80 years of the brand, all for 80p each.  Bargain!  On my recent trip to London I decided to treat myself to a few, and The Reckoning was the one I had my eye on from the off.

I've only read one book by Edith Wharton before, Ethan Frome which I first read many years ago when my husband had it as a set text on his English degree.  It has remained a firm favourite, a dark and haunting tale of deception which stays in the mind long after closing the final page.

The Reckoning is a different genre totally- two unlinked short stories, each with female protagonists with issues.  The first story was my favourite, focussing on the importance of the view from her window to a reclusive widow, but it is the second story which has stayed with me.  I wouldn't say I enjoyed it whilst reading, although the story is told with precision and a deliberate voice, but it is so immensely powerful and exceptionally thought provoking.  Marriage, and divorce, are explored in a controversial fashion in a tight wordcount- and left me with a sour taste and a lump in my throat.

I really need to read more of Wharton's work, because it is moving and controversial and so gorgeously bleak.

The Reckoning is out now, published by Penguin.

The Wedding Ring- Katey Lovell

Well, this is a bit of a cheat really.  It's not a book, it's a short story.  And what's more, it's mine.

I was chosen as a winner in a nationwide short story competition earlier this year, and The Wedding Ring was my entry.  You can read it (and the other winning entries) for free by clicking on the link below.

http://www.panmacmillan.com/thewindowseat/creativewritingcompetition

Be My Valentine- Short Story Collection from Harper Impulse

I'm not always a huge fan of short stories, but must admit that a bitesize romance always warms my heart.  This new collection from Harper Impulse was no exception.  There is something for everyone as Nikki Moore, Brigid Coady and Teresa F Morgan explore love in all its guises.  There is heartache, there is sweetness, there is romance. 

Whilst I enjoyed all of the stories, I particularly liked Nikki Moore's The Love Letter and  A Day in the Life -her voice as an author really resonated with me and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Be My Valentine is a great way to inject a bit of romance into your life this Valentine's day, and the perfect opportunity to try some new authors to boot.

Be My Valentine is out now, published by Harper Impulse.  You can find out more by clicking on the banner above.

8/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Lipstick on His Collar- Brigid Coady

The third instalment of the Kiss Collection has arrived, and it's got a more adult feel.  The First Kiss was tender and sweet, The Last Kiss an acutely painful read about goodbyes.

Lipstick on His Collar is a different beast entirely.  Still a short, one sitting read of approximately 1,000 words, it explores the emotion and sexual tension within an illicit relationship. It did make me feel a bit voyeuristic and uncomfortable at times, watching the event unfold, yet I couldn't bring myself to stop reading.

These short stories are wonderful, some of my favourite reads so far this year.  Passionate and powerful, Lipstick on His Collar is a dangerous romantic short that I feel almost guilty for enjoying.  But enjoy it I did.  You can find out more by clicking on the link below.

Lipstick on His Collar is out now, published by Harper Impulse, a digital imprint of Harper Collins.

8/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

The Morelli Diamonds- Sara Sheridan

 

I am an absolute fangirl when it comes to Mirabelle Bevan.  I can't help it.  She's just amazing.  Sharp, witty, beautiful, strong and with a deep down vulnerability which belies her outer exterior. 

 

The Morelli Diamonds is a short story, probably equating to the equivalent of one short chapter of a full length novel.  It took maybe 10 minutes to read, so would be suitable for reading on a coffee break or when commuting.

 

Mirabelle is caught in a scandal at the Imperial hotel when the body of a young girl is found at the same time that wealthy guest Morelli says diamonds have gone missing.  I found this an interesting short story with a lot packed in, but as with The Night Train I wished that it was longer so I could really get my teeth into it.  I liked the plot but did feel it would have been strengthened by more hints about Mirabelle's character for fans of the fictional sleuth.

 

However, for a quick Mirabelle fix it works well, and now that we're into 2014 it isn't long until the next full length novel!  I can't wait!

 

The Morelli Diamonds is out now in ebook format.

 

7/10

The First Kiss- Brigid Coady

 

Having read and enjoyed Brigid Coady's The Last Kiss recently (you can see my review here ) I was really excited to read the next instalment in the Kiss trilogy.  Designed to be read on a phone or tablet (or on a coffee break, bus, sat on the loo!), these short romantic stories are full of heart and soul despite their short length.

The First Kiss encapsulates the magic and anticipation at the start of a romance.  Brigid Coady wraps up the innocence and naivety of this experience perfectly and will transport you back to those heady moments of your own first kiss.  Despite being such a short read there is still a build up which had me gripped. This would be suitable for a young adult reader as well as mature readers and everyone else in between!

If romantic short stories are your thing (and they are most definitely mine) I would highly recommend you try the Kiss stories.  Tender, romantic and classic, these stories are a reminder that good old fashioned romance has not been totally ousted by the rise in erotica.

The First Kiss is out now, published by Harper Impulse, a digital imprint of Harper Collins.

8.5/10

Find out more by clicking the image below.

A Christmas Wish- Carole Matthews *including author Q and A*

 

A Christmas Wish is a festive ebook short released by Carole this month.  At the time of writing it is free to download on Amazon and also gives a sample chapter of Carole's latest novel, Calling Mrs Christmas (being reviewed on Books with Bunny very soon!)

A Christmas Wish is written in a first person narrative, giving us an insight into broken hearted Hannah's feeling.  She is revisiting Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, a place which holds memories of a date with he ex Mitchell. 

The absolute highlight is how wonderfully the carousel is described.  All it's magical glory is described vividly-the colour, the speed, the escapism.  I am a bit of a fan of traditional fairground rides anyway, but Carole Matthews really reminded me why.  They are aesthetically beautiful, allow for nostalgic reflection and enable us adults to regress to a time of life where we had fewer cares.

It is a really lovely read, beautifully written and well worth a download.  It gives a flavour of what Carole has to offer in her novels (which are fantastic-I particularly recommend some of her more recent releases).

A Christmas Wish is out now in ebook format.

8/10

Carole very kindly agreed to take part in a festive Question and Answer with me and here is what she had to say....

Do you have any festive traditions that are important to you at Christmas?

 

I love spending time decorating the house. Inside and out. We put the cheesy Christmas tunes on - thank you, Michael Buble - break out the wine and the mince pies and spend most of the day knee-deep in glitter.

 

Would you like a white Christmas this year?

 

Yes! I’m one of the few people who love snow. I think it comes from working from home and not having to go out in it except to play. We always build a snowman.

 

What are you hoping for under your tree this Christmas?

 

Ugg boots. It’s a dead cert as I went and bought them myself to make sure!

 

What is your favourite Christmas carol?

 

I’m not a big one for carols, but my favourite song is Judy Garland singing ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’. Has me in bits every time I hear it.

 

If you were a Christmas Elf what would your name be?

 

Tiddly Jingle Pants.

From Scotland with Love- Katie Fforde *including guest post from Katie!*

 

Blurb
When Daisy travels to Scotland to confront notorious author Rory McAllan, little does she know that within hours she'll be snowed in with him. But surely she's not going to have to spend her precious New Year's Eve with him too?

Put the champagne on ice, get the fireworks ready and step into the wonderfully warm, witty and romantic world of Katie Fforde.

Review
From Scotland with Love is a delightful story.  It is a quick, one sitting read, yet manages to grab the readers attention through skilled creation of strong characters.  Mediocre publicity assistant Daisy is full of surprises, and Rory McAllen is a rugged, private author.  Polar opposites in many ways, the two find out they have more in common than they expect when they are thrust together due to a snow storm. 

I was completely charmed by this novella- not a lot happens in many ways, but that doesn't matter as it is written in a way that hooks you in. I found the characters likeable and real, the snowy Scottish landscape vividly described and Rory's cosy cottage a haven that any writer will lust after!

If you love books about writers, winter and puppies, you won't be disappointed.  I only wish it had been longer as I am desperate to learn more about the characters-follow up please, Katie?!

From Scotland with Love is out now is ebook format.

9/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in return for an honest review.

Katie very kindly agreed to write an exclusive piece for Books with Bunny about how she has captured Christmas in some of her books...

'Christmas in books is so much easier than it is in real life.  You do have some measure of control.  You can make it snow, you can invent exciting relations you don't have yourself, you can have a big enough dining table (something else I struggle with), that said they can be tricky to make different from Christmases you've previously written.

In The Rose Revived, I had three protagonists and they all had to go through Christmas and all have a different kind.  May, my lead girl, went home to her parents and had to cope with the man she found quite tricky spending time in her boisterous family.  Harriet, quiet, restrained, had to endure Christmas with her incredibly stuffy grandparents.  But the girl who had to work hardest, and bless her, it was very hard, was Sally.  She was ostensibly and actress but she had fallen in love with a farmer who seemed not to reciprocate.  Somehow she finds herself organising Christmas in his very dilapidated farmhouse.  He had a lot of sisters and nieces and nephews, not to mention eccentric aunts.  She had to use a barn door as a table.  And yet that Christmas is  the one a dear friend has as her favourite literary Christmas ever.  In the book it all ended well, in real life, Sally would have had to murder someone.
In spite of my best intentions, my next book had to have Christmas in it, too.  This was very close to a real Christmas at my house one year.  It included vegetarians and neurotic women.  Luckily for the real life me, there were no heavily pregnant women present.
The most recent literary Christmas, in A French Affair, out in paperback in March, involved a diorama using every gold-foil covered chocolate animal available (and there are many.)  This was real wish full-fillment on my behalf.  One year, I'll do it.  I'll turn chocolate Father Christmases into the Three Kings and shepherds and really have fun.  Mm, may be this is the year to do it?  Or will having my 94 year old mother in law make that difficult?'

Yellow Cake- Margo Lanagan

As National Short Story week draws to a close, I'm sharing my thoughts on Yellow Cake by Margo Lanagan.  Highly regarded within the literary scene, loved by popular authors such as Jill Murphy and raved about by the press, I was excited to be experiencing Lanagan's writing for the first time.

I sometimes struggle with short stories, especially when they feel rushed or lack a solid conclusion.  The other downfall is that it is hard to build up an empathy for a character in so few words, much moreso than in a full length novel.

Yellow Cake is a diverse collection of short stories, magical and other worldly in both style and content.  There are ten stories in all, mostly 15-30 pages each in length.  I must admit that some of the stories in this collection were not to my taste, although in a selection such as this that is perhaps not surprising.  However, the stories I did enjoy, in particular The Golden Shroud based around Rapunzel's plight in the tower and Into the Clouds on High, a story of loss within a family unit, have made a lasting impression and I am sure will stay with me for a long time to come. 

Yellow Cake might not appeal to everyone.  The tales are fantastical and told through elegant prose.  The fairytale-like storytelling is original and quirky and there were points where I found myself craving more emotion from the characters- the stories where Lanagan explores intense feeling and longing are the most successful.

Enjoy the remainder of National Short Story week.  This genre is a great way to explore new authors, themes and writing styles and is well worth celebrating!

Yellow Cake is out now, published by David Fickling Books.

5/10 for the collection as a whole

With thanks to the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Last Kiss- Brigid Coady

 

 

 

The Last Kiss is the first ebook in the Kiss collection.  It is a short story of approximately 1000 words, designed to be read on a tablet or phone, perfect for romantics who need a quick fix.  Timed to coincide with Short Story week, why not give it a try?

Katie has enjoyed a holiday romance with rep Ryan.  Everyone remembers the first kiss, but what about the last?  Focussing on an airport goodbye this story is short and sweet-a bitesize love affair for fans of short stories, those who don't have the time to commit to reading novels or for filling your commute or coffee break.  Brigid Coady manages to make every word count and pack emotion into a small wordcount.

I can't wait for more of these short stories from Harper Impulse!

You can find out more about The Last Kiss and how to purchase it from the link below.

 

Secrets and Rain - Cally Taylor

 

Secrets and Rain is a collection of stories written by Cally Taylor, author of Heaven Can Wait and Home for Christmas.  I sometimes find short stories frustrating as there are obviously limits to how much you can learn about characters and how much empathy you can have for them when reading just a few thousand words.  However, Cally Taylor has managed to write beautiful short stories that capture the quirks and emotions of the characters within them.  Dealing with the search for love, bereavement and infertility amongst other subjects that women will relate to, Secrets and Rain is a thought-provoking collection that will make you appreciate what you have.

 

I read the stories over two sittings as I was enjoying them so much.  I could have devoured them all in one go but for pacing myself.  As stand alone stories they would also be perfect for reading in those quiet five minutes- coffee breaks, bus journeys, sat on the loo!  The stories are all well structured and I felt satisfied by the endings, something I don't always say when talking about this genre.

 

If you are a fan of short stories or women's fiction in general, I'd recommend Secrets and Rain.  Cally Taylor's novels have been popular and well read, but in my opinion her short stories are her triumph.

 

9/10

The Liar and other stories- Matthew W. McFarland

 

I am not always the biggest fan of short story collections.  Personally, I find they can be frustrating, particularly when they have little purpose, plot or an unsatisfactory ending.

However, there was none of that with The Liar and other stories.  Each individual plotline is unique, intriguing and well developed, predominantly studying the way one moment or decision can change the course of life.  As such, when reading Matthew W. McFarland's work there is an unsettling feeling that the 'normal' can quickly twist into a dark, threatening or nerve-wracking moment where the unexpected is always a possible.

'The Savant' and 'Toxic Love' were the two stand out tales for me, yet this collection of six short stories has no 'fillers'.  The topics covered are diverse, including a hospital visit from the perspective of a four-year-old, a one-night-stand that becomes a frightening experience and a fame-hungry woman who ends up making the front pages for reasons she would never have expected.

McFarland writes in a straight-forward, accessible way which makes this collection very readable.  Perfect for those who have no time to commit to reading a novel, as well as fans of fast-paced short stories,  The Liar and other stories was a fascinating compilation that piqued my interest in this author.  The only downside for me was that I felt the collection could have been longer, which is a testament to how much I enjoyed the inventive stories Matthew W. McFarland has constructed.

8.5/10
With thanks to Matthew W. McFarland for providing me with a review copy of this collection.  All views expressed are my own.

You can find out more about Matthew W. McFarland by following him on twitter @mcfarlandwriter or by visiting his website.