Into the Flames

by Wendy Steele

This collection of short stories is raw, hard hitting and deals with contemporary and emotive issues.

594 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

Wendy Steele is author, wise woman, goddess. She is writer, dance teacher, mother and healer.

Magic is Wendy’s passion. ‘The Lilith Trilogy’ leads the reader along the paths of the witches Qabalah, following Angel Parson’s story of betrayal, retribution and redemption. Her magical story contains high magic as well as pagan ritual. ‘The Standing Stone Book Series’ focuses on the lives of three women linked together across time and space by the standing stone. The countryside is the focus of their magic, embracing the gods and goddesses, tree spirits, elves and fairies.

Her latest book, The Naked Witch, is about Lizzie Martin, receptionist, single mother and witch, who is asked by her new boss to conform and embrace the corporate dress code. The reality of paisley to pin stripe, an unexpected stay in hospital, monitoring of her fourteen year old daughter’s latest crush, the search for the truth about her father’s death and two new men in her life, give Lizzie plenty of plates to spin. Within the Sacred Wheel of the Year, Lizzie blossoms.

You can hear Wendy telling her short stories in Pan’s Grotto on her Welsh riverbank, on her YouTube channel, The Phoenix and the Dragon.

Wendy’s non-fiction title ‘Wendy Woo’s Year – A Pocketful of Smiles’ offers the reader 101 ideas to bring a smile to every day.

Wendy lives in Wales with her partner, Mike, and cats. If she’s not writing or teaching dance, you’ll find her renovating her house, clearing her land or sitting on her riverbank, breathing in the beauty of nature.

Reviews

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Into the Flames" by Wendy Steele is a short but pointed collection of four short stories which I found very powerful and evocative.
They share an intensity, a darkness and a thought provoking sharpness although in very different ways.
One story describes the bond between two friends, another is about revenge, one contains kinky 'love' and one contains violence.
This is definitely an adult read but not in a sleazy or violent way but one that appeals to a mature understanding of the issues. There seems a lot of wisdom and experience in the writing, a powerful voice that engages the reader from the first paragraph, before we even know where we are being taken.
All four stories evoke the sense of importance and left strong impressions on me.

[Anne (Angel Anne Reviews) Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great collection from Author Wendy Steele. This anthology has 4 short stories to it.
* Baptism of Fire
* Mirror Mirror
*Hand in Glove (? Not for me)
* For the Love of a Beautiful Women

While I did enjoy reading this anthology for the most part, I personally would have liked another short to accompany these three instead of “ Hand in Glove”. But then again I’m not a writer in any way, it’s just that I’m not really one for reading books of the violent nature, it just takes the enjoyment away for me. While I feel sure there are tons who would and do enjoy “Hand in Glove”, I personally didn’t. This is just my opinion of course, so as usual I suggest that you do read this anthology for yourself.

It sure is worth the read, I’ll really like to see how far I am off on this one. Well done Wendy Steele, your talent to put together amazing stories follows you once more in this collection.

Recommend: 18 and up (do to Hand in Glove)
Rating: 4/5 angel stars

Angel Anne Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

This compilation of short stories was truly amazing and showed the depth of talent the Author has. Within the first few sentences you are brought into a different world that the Author creates. Detailed Characters, intense feeling, unique situations all come to life as if you are walking along with them. I wasn't sure what to expect the first time I read it. Once I understood that each story was separate and not in any way connected, I was able to enjoy them and got more out of them. Wendy Steele has very powerful writing skills and the reader has no where to go once the first page is turned. You are captured until she is done with you!

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have come to know that short stories shows talent like little else.

This book is no exception, having read a fiction work as well as a non fiction work by the same author I figured I knew what she was capable off.

Boy was I wrong. This author has a range far beyond the norm and a talent to execute it superbly.

WaAr

[Brian Bigelow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book especially if you don't have a lot of time on your hands. It's possible to read the entire book in a little over an hour. Really excellent imagery has been used throughout in this well written book. It also delves into the characters mindset well.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review.

I found this collection of short stories wonderful.
A definite for anyone that wants a quick read.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small anthology of well written short stories. I liked the poor Mistress story the best, but all were good.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 short stories that are meant to be enjoyed alone. This collection has variety to keep it interesting. The page count is slightly off on goodreads!

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice selection of stories, they were interesting and only one wasn't interesting to me.