Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "free-download"

Bestseller Bound Anthology by Darcia Helle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One of my short stories is featured in this collection, 'Flames'. My review does not include that story.



This is a diverse collection of stories, there's something for everyone in this anthology.



Wish Upon A Star by Lainey Bancroft

An insightful tale about a gifted singer who falls prey to the ravages of fame. Lainey is an author who understands the human psyche well.



Tears For Hesh by J. Michael Radcliffe

An entertaining fantasy tale, containing wizards, magic, curses, and spells. Hesh is a likeable character and I felt compassion for him. Well written with a tragic twist.



You Can Call Me Ari by Darcia Helle

A chilling, suspense story to keep you on the edge of your seat. By far the most vivid story in the collection. The descriptive quality of the writing pulls the reader in. Fans of Darcia's writing can be assured that even though this is just a short story it is just as scary as her novels!



Minor Details by Jaleta Clegg

A humourous tale about two teenage girls, one of whom can't spell. This leads to an unfortunate turn of events (or, fortunate, depending on how you look at it!) A fun read.



Ice Cream Man by Neil Schiller

Having read and enjoyed Neil's collection of short stories Oblivious, I was not disappointed by this story. It contains the same moody feel as much of his writing. It is in essence a poignant story of disappointment.



No Eyes But Mine Shall See by Sharon E. Cathcart

Sharon Cathcart sets the scene well in this heartbreaking story of a love denied. I liked the descriptive quality of the writing. Much of the story is written in the form of a letter that will never be read, making it all the more heartrending.



The First Texas Twister by Magnolia Belle

A fun and entertaining tale about how the Wild West collided with Native American culture to create the first tornado.



Shadow Lantern by Gareth Lewis

An interesting concept. A short story told entirely through dialogue with no narrative. At first, I didn't think it would work, and must admit to being a bit confused as to which character was speaking at times. By the end, however, I found myself entertained by this fantasy tale.



Stained by Amy Saunders

I hadn't read any of Amy's work before this short story, but now I will be seeking out more of her writing. I was very impressed by the way the author deals with the main character's emotions after a traumatic event. The tale is enthralling and the ending is moving. All believable characters.



All in all, this is a great collection and a wonderful way to introduce readers to some very talented independent authors.



View all my reviews

My good friend, Helle Gade, is currently offering her latest collection of poetry FREE for Kindle. It will be available to download free on the 9th and 10th October. Please download a copy and help spread the word about this talented poet. She is also a photographer and takes the most beautiful photographs (you can see some on her blog: http://hellegade.wordpress.com/). Some of her photos are included in Nocturnal Embers.



Remember, you don't need a Kindle e-reader to be able to read Kindle books. You can download free apps from Amazon that allow you to read the books on your PC, Mac, iPad, and smartphone.

Here are the links you'll need:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Nocturnal-Ember...

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nocturnal-Emb...

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/Nocturnal-Embers...

Amazon FR: http://www.amazon.fr/Nocturnal-Embers...

Amazon IT: http://www.amazon.it/Nocturnal-Embers...

Amazon ES: http://www.amazon.es/Nocturnal-Embers...

Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Nocturnal-Embers...

Amazon.com.mx: http://www.amazon.com.mx/Nocturnal-Em...

Amazon JP: http://www.amazon.co.jp/Nocturnal-Emb...

Amazon.com.br: http://www.amazon.com.br/Nocturnal-Em...

Amazon IN: http://www.amazon.in/Nocturnal-Embers...

While you're there, I recommend you pick up a copy of her debut collection, Silent Dreams.

Here are my reviews of her books:



I have to start by saying I don't read much poetry, but I really liked this collection. It's a quick read, but these are the types of poems that you can read again and again. Many of the poems are very brief, only a few lines, but somehow the author has managed to say so much in a few words. There are four sections to the book, Chaos, Nordic, Darkness, and Joy. Each section contains a selection of verse relating to the theme. Helle Gade writes with passion whether she is writing about something that is disturbing or a happier subject. My particular favourite is 'Watching'; a poignant poem. I also like the poetry inspired by Norse mythology. 'Thunder & Mischief' has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it. Helle Gade's poems seem to have been effortlessly written and like a true poet her verse seems to be utterly personal and tells the story of her life. There are poems of pain, regret, fear, love, and everything in between, in this collection. A wonderful debut.



After reading her debut collection of poetry, Silent Dreams, I was keen to read more from this writer. In this collection, as well as poetry, Helle Gade is also showcasing some of her photography. Just like her first book, this is a passionate collection of poetry. These are words from her soul. Many of the poems focus on pain, loneliness, and isolation, as seen through the eyes of someone who has a chronic illness. Her poem, 'Excruciating Pain' gives us some idea of how someone suffering Fibromyalgia feels. It's a touching and heartfelt collection of poetry. I think the photographs really fit with the poems and added a little extra. A nice touch. Some of my favourites are 'Dust', 'The Sting', and 'Hush Hush'. The title for the collection is great because there is a real dreamlike feel to much of the poetry and you really get the sense of the silence and darkness of the night when reading it. At the end, there is even a poem which was written while the author was asleep! I enjoyed this collection as much as Silent Dreams, and look forward to reading more from this talented artist in the future.