Turtle Feathers

by Marian Allen

The dog Joseph's stepmother gave him leads him away from his intended route. Disobedience puts a young mermaid's life into the relentless claws of a crab. A penguin thinks his fortune is made when he discovers a cache of Scotch. More off-beat animal stories from the author of LONNIE, ME AND THE HOUND OF HELL.

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2012

About the author

For as long as I can remember, I've loved telling and being told stories. When, at the age of about six, I was informed that somebody got paid for writing all those books and movies and television shows, I abandoned my previous ambition (beachcomber), and became a writer.

I've worked as a high school teacher, an executive secretary, a soda jerk, a bank clerk, an accountant, and in Red Cross Youth Services. While working for the Red Cross, I met my husband, a widower with three young daughters. We married and had a fourth daughter. Their names are #1 Daughter, #2 Daughter, #3 Daughter and #4 Daughter.

Small town life agrees with me. I like the interconnectedness of everything and everybody. The internet is a little like a small town: I frequently "run into" an old friend in a new venue. I like connecting and reconnecting with people, meeting new friends and keeping in touch with the friends I already have.

My writing reflects this love of network. I try to remember, in my books and stories, that no one exists in total isolation, but in a web of connections to family, friends, colleagues, self at former stages of maturity, perceptions and self-images. Most of my work is fantasy, science fiction and/or mystery, though I write horror, humor, romance, mainstream or anything else that suits the story and character.

I've had stories in anthologies, on-line and print publications, including Oceans of the Mind and Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress anthologies 22 and 23, on coffee cans and the wall of an Indian restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky.

Professionally, I'm a member of Southern Indiana Writers and Green River Writers.

Reviews

[Carol Preflatish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and easy read. I read it on one day. Marian Allen does a wonderful job with these short stories of animals. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, something else does. My favorite story was the first one about her chickens.

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read a short sample of one of the stories 'For a few bottles more' about a penguin who thinks his fortune is made when he discovers a cache of Scotch, I bought this book anticipating a good read.

What I found was a whole bookful of great reads.

My personal favourite?

Home on the Range!

See my review also at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turtle-Feathe...

http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Feathers...

[ML Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like fantasy, you will enjoy Marian Allen’s frothy exploration of the genre. These short stories all have two things in common: animals—existing or imaginary—and fine writing. Among my favorites are Millefeurs, a lush piece which changed my view of unicorns; Follow Your Bliss, a short-short that gave me a dark chuckle and Out of the Cradle, which takes a fresh look at life under the sea. Marian’s imagination is a fertile playground, well worth the visit. I loved seeing the facets of Ms. Allen’s writing, by turns playful and then thoughtful. This e-book is highly recommended.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly engaging and often very funny set of short stories, mostly with animal protagonists of one sort or another. Wacky and delightful.