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Legends and Lore: An Anthology of Mythic Proportions
Delve into myth and legend, where the Fates force post-modern man into a world of the unknown—a world long since dismissed as ignorant superstition.
The Brother-Sister Fable by Alyson Grauer: a young boy disappears into a realm where only his sister can follow.
Faelad by Sarah Hunter Hyatt: Claire Whitaker didn’t even know she was Irish, let alone The Morrigan, the goddess of war.
By Skyfall by Emma Michaels: a mer-couple from Atlantis find themselves in the middle of a human murder investigation.
Charon’s Obol by. R. M. Ridley: Jonathan Alvey didn’t believe in gods, until he helps a lost child find her all-powerful parents.
Peradventure by Sarah E. Seeley: a jinni must choose between the woman he loves and destroying the city that persecuted her.
Natural Order by Lance Schonberg: when Carlos Vasquez is kidnapped, he discovers powers within himself to change the world.
Two Spoons by Danielle E. Shipley: A little girl’s soul meets its match in the family diner’s most mysterious patron.
Grail Days by A. F. Stewart: Living forever has its drawbacks, especially when you spend it clearing away the messes of other immortals.
Downward Mobility by M. K. Wiseman: they say love conquers all, but can it save a Valkyrie when she breaks all the rules?
The Brother-Sister Fable by Alyson Grauer: a young boy disappears into a realm where only his sister can follow.
Faelad by Sarah Hunter Hyatt: Claire Whitaker didn’t even know she was Irish, let alone The Morrigan, the goddess of war.
By Skyfall by Emma Michaels: a mer-couple from Atlantis find themselves in the middle of a human murder investigation.
Charon’s Obol by. R. M. Ridley: Jonathan Alvey didn’t believe in gods, until he helps a lost child find her all-powerful parents.
Peradventure by Sarah E. Seeley: a jinni must choose between the woman he loves and destroying the city that persecuted her.
Natural Order by Lance Schonberg: when Carlos Vasquez is kidnapped, he discovers powers within himself to change the world.
Two Spoons by Danielle E. Shipley: A little girl’s soul meets its match in the family diner’s most mysterious patron.
Grail Days by A. F. Stewart: Living forever has its drawbacks, especially when you spend it clearing away the messes of other immortals.
Downward Mobility by M. K. Wiseman: they say love conquers all, but can it save a Valkyrie when she breaks all the rules?
- GenresFantasy
404 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2014
About the author
Penny Freeman
9 books36 followersAs editor-in-chief of Xchyler Publishing, Penny Freeman has collaborated with several award-winning authors, with a focus on the speculative fiction for which Xchyler Publishing is know. She has also helmed the publication and/or continued production of over thirty books, and personally guided seven anthologies through the editorial process.
Penny engages her thirty years of wordsmith experience in historical fiction, journalism, editing and desktop publishing. Literature, history and storytelling are her great passions, although the technical aspects of the language arts satisfy her compulsion for order.
She lives with her husband of 35 years in southeast Texas.
Penny engages her thirty years of wordsmith experience in historical fiction, journalism, editing and desktop publishing. Literature, history and storytelling are her great passions, although the technical aspects of the language arts satisfy her compulsion for order.
She lives with her husband of 35 years in southeast Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 11, 2014
I am one of the authors in this book, so take this as you will, but I felt the rest of the talented writers in this book deserved a review.
If you like your paranormal and urban fantasy chocked full of gods, goddesses, and legends then this anthology is a perfect fit. Nine talented authors bring ancient myth into the modern era, deftly mixing magic into our everyday reality and beyond. All the stories have a unique voice, from a touch of fairy tale in The Brother-Sister Fable to detective noir in Charon’s Obol (think Harry Dresden meets Phillip Marlowe for that one), and much, much more.
My favourite tale in this anthology (and that was a difficult choice) would have to be Two Spoons. I loved the soft, well-crafted atmosphere of the narrative and the setting, and the creative take the author used for a distinctive “deal with the devil” story.
Legends and Lore is a fantastic book, and I recommend it.
If you like your paranormal and urban fantasy chocked full of gods, goddesses, and legends then this anthology is a perfect fit. Nine talented authors bring ancient myth into the modern era, deftly mixing magic into our everyday reality and beyond. All the stories have a unique voice, from a touch of fairy tale in The Brother-Sister Fable to detective noir in Charon’s Obol (think Harry Dresden meets Phillip Marlowe for that one), and much, much more.
My favourite tale in this anthology (and that was a difficult choice) would have to be Two Spoons. I loved the soft, well-crafted atmosphere of the narrative and the setting, and the creative take the author used for a distinctive “deal with the devil” story.
Legends and Lore is a fantastic book, and I recommend it.
October 16, 2014
For the benefit of my fellow authors in this anthology, this review is a shout-out highlighting each story and what I loved most about them.
"The Brother-Sister Fable" by Alyson Grauer
“And the Mystery Winds began to blow…” As the title suggests, this delightful tale is told in fable-style, and would appeal to audiences both young and grown up. It is at once charming and a little creepy, with lovely milieu immersion in the forested mountains of a New Englander’s back yard, and creative depictions of the less natural creatures that live there who are desperate for a victim of their ethereal call to rule them when the seasons change. This is the sort of tale that would be fun to read around a campfire at a family reunion, or at a Halloween party with friends.
"Charon’s Obol" by. R. M. Ridley
This gritty suspense-mystery features a private detective who uses magic to help a young girl find her missing immortal parents—Plouton and Persephone. This story has plenty of action, an explosion, and, of course, magic. I enjoyed the adventure. This story piques my curiosity about Ridley's White Dragon Black series, and the urban-magical universe this author has created.
"Grail Days" by A. F. Stewart
With immortal witches fighting over who’s life has the most drama, as well as the all-powerful magic of the Grail, “Grail Days” is whimsical and entertaining. I enjoyed the descriptions, particularly through Nimue’s comically exasperated point of view. Stewart has a wonderful way of conveying personality with words. The characters were quite amusing, and I enjoyed this little adventure.
"Natural Order" by Lance Schonberg
A weird yet satisfying tale, about two people who are kidnapped and discover they have something unusual in common with each other and their captor. What I like most about this story is that the bizarreness of what is going on kept me curious throughout. For this story, the questions raised at the end were as interesting as the mysteries solved. This story is a puzzle, mixed with suspense, and the fun is wrapping your head around the magic and meaning of the events.
"Downward Mobility" by M. K. Wiseman
“Did you actually think you could run? With an undelivered soul?” I loved the characters in this story. Amelia and Michael were endearing from the start, and I enjoyed following Amelia’s urgent antics to save her mortal lover’s soul from an undeserving fate. The outcome was lovely, with a nice little twist I wasn’t expecting at the end.
"By Skyfall" by Emma Michaels
“How beautifully…human.” This tale of sirens responsible for observing the human world above and overseeing the fate of parted souls in an underworld somewhere in the sea below was a combination of murder mystery, reunion, and redemption story for all the characters involved. I was intrigued by the details of how sirens in this story shift forms, their supernatural abilities, and a few other twists related to the people that the viewpoint character, Ari, meets in town.
"Faelad" by Sarah Hunter Hyatt
Many of the stories in the anthology depict magical transformations, including the pain and wonder of each. Faelad is centered on the magical transformation of not only a clan of Irish werewolves, but of an ancient goddess who cursed herself to live as a mortal, ignorant of the love she thought she’d lost. The transformation the latter strives for is difficult to obtain for a number of reasons, and watching protagonist Claire struggle to realize who she is and what power she has within her for instigating both war and peace in her world was a fascinating conflict.
"Two Spoons" by Danielle E. Shipley
This story…was freakishly disturbing to me. Like the viewpoint character describes, this is both a fairy tale and a horror story twisted in one. I liked the author’s voice and style to her storytelling. It brought the scenario of the fictional diner to life quite vividly. Shipley definitely has a way with creating that just-below-the-surface-there’s-something-really-creepy-going-on-here mood.
My story is "Peradventure." :-)
Read and enjoy!
"The Brother-Sister Fable" by Alyson Grauer
“And the Mystery Winds began to blow…” As the title suggests, this delightful tale is told in fable-style, and would appeal to audiences both young and grown up. It is at once charming and a little creepy, with lovely milieu immersion in the forested mountains of a New Englander’s back yard, and creative depictions of the less natural creatures that live there who are desperate for a victim of their ethereal call to rule them when the seasons change. This is the sort of tale that would be fun to read around a campfire at a family reunion, or at a Halloween party with friends.
"Charon’s Obol" by. R. M. Ridley
This gritty suspense-mystery features a private detective who uses magic to help a young girl find her missing immortal parents—Plouton and Persephone. This story has plenty of action, an explosion, and, of course, magic. I enjoyed the adventure. This story piques my curiosity about Ridley's White Dragon Black series, and the urban-magical universe this author has created.
"Grail Days" by A. F. Stewart
With immortal witches fighting over who’s life has the most drama, as well as the all-powerful magic of the Grail, “Grail Days” is whimsical and entertaining. I enjoyed the descriptions, particularly through Nimue’s comically exasperated point of view. Stewart has a wonderful way of conveying personality with words. The characters were quite amusing, and I enjoyed this little adventure.
"Natural Order" by Lance Schonberg
A weird yet satisfying tale, about two people who are kidnapped and discover they have something unusual in common with each other and their captor. What I like most about this story is that the bizarreness of what is going on kept me curious throughout. For this story, the questions raised at the end were as interesting as the mysteries solved. This story is a puzzle, mixed with suspense, and the fun is wrapping your head around the magic and meaning of the events.
"Downward Mobility" by M. K. Wiseman
“Did you actually think you could run? With an undelivered soul?” I loved the characters in this story. Amelia and Michael were endearing from the start, and I enjoyed following Amelia’s urgent antics to save her mortal lover’s soul from an undeserving fate. The outcome was lovely, with a nice little twist I wasn’t expecting at the end.
"By Skyfall" by Emma Michaels
“How beautifully…human.” This tale of sirens responsible for observing the human world above and overseeing the fate of parted souls in an underworld somewhere in the sea below was a combination of murder mystery, reunion, and redemption story for all the characters involved. I was intrigued by the details of how sirens in this story shift forms, their supernatural abilities, and a few other twists related to the people that the viewpoint character, Ari, meets in town.
"Faelad" by Sarah Hunter Hyatt
Many of the stories in the anthology depict magical transformations, including the pain and wonder of each. Faelad is centered on the magical transformation of not only a clan of Irish werewolves, but of an ancient goddess who cursed herself to live as a mortal, ignorant of the love she thought she’d lost. The transformation the latter strives for is difficult to obtain for a number of reasons, and watching protagonist Claire struggle to realize who she is and what power she has within her for instigating both war and peace in her world was a fascinating conflict.
"Two Spoons" by Danielle E. Shipley
This story…was freakishly disturbing to me. Like the viewpoint character describes, this is both a fairy tale and a horror story twisted in one. I liked the author’s voice and style to her storytelling. It brought the scenario of the fictional diner to life quite vividly. Shipley definitely has a way with creating that just-below-the-surface-there’s-something-really-creepy-going-on-here mood.
My story is "Peradventure." :-)
Read and enjoy!
October 13, 2014
I’m pleased to say this is one of the best anthologies I’ve read in a while. I thought I’d found a favorite in the opening piece, “The Brother-Sister Fable” enchantingly told by Alyson Grauer. Then I got to A.F. Stewart’s “Grail Days”, a witty take on Arthurian legend, and wondered whether the book could contain anything further up my alley. But it was the poignant romance of “Peradventure” by Sarah E. Seeley that kept me up reading ‘til the wee hours and haunted me well into the next day. (Ye gads, the feels!) Also in the lineup are tales to entice fans of mythology – Greek, Norse, and Celtic – and fae creatures of earth and water. Not to mention the collection’s flavorful finale, “Two Spoons” by— oh, Danielle E. Shipley. Hello.
Read
February 18, 2015In general, you should never completely trust the review of an anthology by one of its authors. You can’t know whether they actually liked it or not, regardless of what they write about it. Each author in the book is pretty much obligated to love it or, if nothing else, risk the anthology’s publisher never looking at their work again.
Whatever anyone might think, this is both reasonable and fair. If you can’t support something you’re part of, then you probably shouldn’t have been part of it in the first place.
But even if it sometimes takes me a while, I try to actually read all of the stories in every book or magazine I’m lucky enough to be published in. Being familiar with the stories that surround mine gives me a nice feel for where I’m at as a writer, at least for the story at hand, as well as a snapshot of the state the subgenre the story might be part of.
But like I said, you should never completely trust an anthology review written by one of its author. In that light, I'm not going to review Legends and Lore, though I will be just egocentric enough to bold my story in the TOC.
Published in October of 2014 by Xychler Publishing, Legends and Lore was edited by Penny Freeman. It’s a Fantasy collection of mostly novelettes (two stories, including mine, fall just below the official 7,500 word threshold). They’re all more or less set in the current day, but borrowing bits of various mythologies for the storytelling. It’s a fun anthology, peeling back some layers on the modern world to things that could have been with just a little bit of magic.
"The Brother Sister Fable" by Ayson Grauer
"Charon’s Obol" by R. M. Ridley
"Grail Days" by A. F. Stewart
"Natural Order" by Lance Schonberg
"Peradventure" by Sarah E. Seeley
"Downward Mobility" by M. K. Wiseman
"By Skyfall" by Emma Michaels
"Faelad" by Sarah Hunter Hyatt
"Two Spoons" by Danielle Shipley
I won’t put a rating on it, or draw your attention to the book beyond saying I enjoyed the volume, an eclectic variety of tales and myths and voices.
How’s that?
Whatever anyone might think, this is both reasonable and fair. If you can’t support something you’re part of, then you probably shouldn’t have been part of it in the first place.
But even if it sometimes takes me a while, I try to actually read all of the stories in every book or magazine I’m lucky enough to be published in. Being familiar with the stories that surround mine gives me a nice feel for where I’m at as a writer, at least for the story at hand, as well as a snapshot of the state the subgenre the story might be part of.
But like I said, you should never completely trust an anthology review written by one of its author. In that light, I'm not going to review Legends and Lore, though I will be just egocentric enough to bold my story in the TOC.
Published in October of 2014 by Xychler Publishing, Legends and Lore was edited by Penny Freeman. It’s a Fantasy collection of mostly novelettes (two stories, including mine, fall just below the official 7,500 word threshold). They’re all more or less set in the current day, but borrowing bits of various mythologies for the storytelling. It’s a fun anthology, peeling back some layers on the modern world to things that could have been with just a little bit of magic.
"The Brother Sister Fable" by Ayson Grauer
"Charon’s Obol" by R. M. Ridley
"Grail Days" by A. F. Stewart
"Natural Order" by Lance Schonberg
"Peradventure" by Sarah E. Seeley
"Downward Mobility" by M. K. Wiseman
"By Skyfall" by Emma Michaels
"Faelad" by Sarah Hunter Hyatt
"Two Spoons" by Danielle Shipley
I won’t put a rating on it, or draw your attention to the book beyond saying I enjoyed the volume, an eclectic variety of tales and myths and voices.
How’s that?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews