Tales From A Tiny Thai Table

Beyond Parallel #0.5

by Matthew Turner

The night before the morning after. Can this small Thai restaurant be the setting to a monumental moment in four peoples lives?

Each person has their own story and an entire life ahead of them. But is something about to happen that will change their lives forever? These four young twenty-something’s aren’t aware, but their futures hang in the balance.

Tales From A Tiny Thai Table is a short prequel to Beyond Parallel, the debut novel from Matthew Turner. It’s here where Bella and Clark begin their adventure. The following 5,000-words redefines everything.

This coming-of-age tale is where it all begins. A single what if moment occurs, and with it, two worlds collide. Can a tiny Thai table be the key to two young futures? Will you spot the innocent what if moment?

Genres: Contemporary

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

Matthew Turner is a British Author who lives in a small town in Yorkshire, England. Having previously published three novels and a non-fiction business book, he wrote Beyond The Pale on the back of interviewing hundreds of successful entrepreneurs, authors, investors, and thought-leaders.

Gaining a unique insight into areas such as mindset, flow, and personal development, and a gaining reputation for crafting compelling stories out of other peoples’ lives, Matthew builds relatable fables for those looking to live a meaningful and purpose-driven life.

As well as writing for himself, Matthew ghostwrites both articles and books for other successful entrepreneurs and thought-leaders, in-between spending time with his two children.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this book because I was a huge fan of the Turndog Millionaire blog before the changes happened. I got updates sent to my inbox for every post on the site. Now I'm still a fan, but I only get the weekly newsletter. The emails I get sent are always interesting and worth a read, but I just don't have time to keep up to date with every blog post. That's why I downloaded this title from Matthew Turner. I was very excited to see his hand at fiction writing. His "what-if" fascination was an intriguing idea for a novel, and I hoped this prequel would whet my appetite for the book, Beyond Parallel. Let me say what I thought of it:
First off, the characters are named Bella and Clark. Seriously. The first thing that I learned when I was trying to write was to think carefully about your character's names - to name them something that won't distract the reader. I was distracted because to me Bella=Twilight and Clark=Superman. So I had ideas in my head about the characters before I even started reading! False ideas, I'm sure, but it did not help my enjoyment of the story to have expectations like that. But the names are done and there's nothing to do about them now.
I appreciated how short this was. It sounds awful to say, but I don't think I could have read any more of Bella and Clark's internal musings about travel, their companions, and Thai food. It wasn't outrageously bad or anything, I just didn't enjoy it. That said, however, I did enjoy the character of each of them, and I think they have great potential as characters if they would interact more and think less. I'm sorry, that's just my opinion.
As a whole, the story was interesting. I liked the setting and the potential for these characters.

Final verdict: 3 stars; right down the middle. And I will be buying and reading Beyond Parallel when it comes out; I really want to like it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story leading into a larger novel by the same author. In it, he introduces the characters, where they are and why they are there in general terms. He also gives the reader some insight about the novel to follow, with a slight inkling about the plot of that story. The author’s descriptions of the locale (Thailand), the restaurant where they all chance to meet and even the food on the menu are very authentic. In addition, the author definitely sets the stage for the novel to come, but doesn’t give away enough to tell the whole story. Even as a stand-alone short piece, this work has some definite merit. However, as the prequel to the novel it does the trip of introducing the reader to the characters, the setting while hinting at some of the storyline to follow.

[Anna Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Matthew's book. It got my "what ifs" juices flowing. Yes, I am a children's author but I found this book so interesting! I keep wondering how these two people are going to meet up again or will they? Hmmm... I guess you will have to wait for Matthew to finish his next book, so we can find out what happens with Clark and Bella. I give this book a thumbs up! I can't wait to purchase his next book! :0)

I purchased this book on Amazon Kindle.

Anna Church
Co-Author/Co-Illus Hug-A-Bug Travels

[Mitsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clark and Sam are travelers that eat at the first place they find, which is a Thai place. While there, Alex and Bella walk in. The details are perfect. The descriptions of the restaurant are hilarious. Clark and Sam are funny and real, whereas I am dying to learn more about Alex and Bella. Clark and Bella...I can't wait. These are four very intriguing characters. It is a very well written story that has me wanting to read more. I love it.

[Grecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but it gives you the perfect start to the novel that comes afterwards. I like the fact that it's about to parallel lives that are in the same place living different situations, and one story line is for a girl and the other for a guy. Interesting and straight to the point. Good!