Wishful Thinking

by Sheila Hall (Editor), M.C. O'Neill (Editor), Rick Austin (Editor)

Be careful what you wish for… you just might get it.

WISHFUL THINKING is the first of three anthologies illuminating the horror of wishes gone wrong. From love and loss to immortality, these stories all have a bite to them. So go ahead and make a wish. We dare you.

Genres: Horror, Poetry, Anthologies

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2014

Reviews

[Rodney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like it's predecessor "Wishful Thinking", this is a strong anthology, with even more of my favorites penning material this time around. I went back and forth between 4 and 5 stars throughout. I will post a longer review shortly.

[Donald Armfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

My short story "Lichtenstein Death Glow" appears in this book. A wishful thought of immortal living, turns into a glowing nightmare and the deal with a soul eater.

I read the anthology in it's entirety and will take a second thought next time I make a wish. This anthology has horror, poetry and strange. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. That phrase drags you to the pits of hell, to strange rivers, kingdoms, cemeteries and much more.

If you are a fan of Fireside Press then your in for a ride, if this is you first time. Then make a wish and open this book.

My Favorites, but the whole book ROCKS!!!

**James Daley's "Coffin Dwellers" a seducing nightmare with a Devil's contact.

**Rick Austin. "The flip of a coin can tell it all. What you wish for may just be on the flip side"

**"The Burning River" by Kevin Strange is an apocalypse like no other and the smell of burning flesh.

**Eric Hendrixson's Ninja story was short but the twitch of an eyebrow talking has me wanting more.

**Lily Luchesi; Tale that falls in suit of of Outer Limits. A horror story with a twist of humanity.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gift Wishful Thinking is an anthology about wishes and the horror of those wishes when they come to reality. I wanted to be properly prepared for my interview so I took an opportunity to skip ahead to a short in this anthology entitled The Gift.  
The Gift beautifully captures the community of a dysfunction neighborhood. Each house holds it's secrets and regrets.
Henry has his regrets. When the circus comes to town on Christmas ,an answer to one of Henry's regrets presents itself - companionship. But with it comes a price, and that price is The Gift.
The authors do a great job of characterization and create a very descriptive environment in which our characters live out a few nightmares. Can anyone survive the gift that is bestowed?I really enjoyed this tale and even though there are a few editing errors, I will give this story a very solid 4/5 rating and I am interested to see what Michelle & Melissa toss out to the literary world next.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie... I was a bit disappointed. There were highlights like The Coin and Lichtenstein Death Glow and Kevin Strange is a genius so his story ranks first, obviously. The rest of the stories were "meh" and some were boring. I believe, though, that this is merely a matter of taste as I can't say they were bad. I just hope the second Wishes anthology suits me better. Three stars, because overall it's ok.

[Jürgen Olschewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have (so far) read the story by Lily Luchesi in the book, namely "Killing 'Em With Kindness". I loved this story. It was both very entertaining and thought-provoking. If all the other stories are as good as this one, then this will be a great anthology of stories. There was both dark humour and a critical appraisal of modern life in Lily Luchesi's story. The main two characters are very alive, and individual. The story has superb pace and I was carried on through to the end. A joy to read. I don't want to give away the story itself, but wish to recommend it hugely to all readers!

[Stephanie Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent bundle of devilish yummy tales!!!

[Wojciech Uszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very enjoyable read, and definitely something to come back to every now and then. Many short stories intercepted by few poems, and everybody can find something catchy which resonates deeply in our own selves.
All wishes we make - how dangerous they are when they come true! - is the main theme of all stories. They can be good, wishing an infinite kindness and love for all, or more selfish, evil, serving only an individual. Either way, they are equally risky, tipping over the point of balance. For me Wishful Thinking is more a variation on the choices we make. Some of them free-willingly, some other powerlessly. Call it fate, karma, or destiny - we are all interwoven in the net of what we know as Reality. Are those wishes really ours?...
And at the end of all paths lies an ultimate pain, cleansing, self-offering and a final liberation, catharsis: god-like but destroying.
My favorites are the stories of Armfield, Strange, Kirk and Draa.
Go for it!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishful Thinking is a dark anthology that reminds you to be careful what you wish for. There is an old school feel to a lot of these stories and for fans of horror that's not a bad thing. Think Twilight Zone, or even Night Gallery and you have a pretty good idea what you're in store for. It's easy to imagine what if, but in Wishful Thinking you find out that getting what you want isn't always a good thing.

I had a hard time trying to pick a favorite here, and as I do with any anthology I view it as a whole. How well does it flow? How good are the stories? In Wishful Thinking the answers are quite well and well written. These are all talented authors that have written stories that fit the theme well and elevate it to an anthology that keeps you on your toes. If you like dark horror you're gonna love this one.

[J.C. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of full and open disclosure I have a story in this collection, so the cynics amongst you can feel free to suspect that my rating may have been edged up because of this.
Wishful Thinking is the first of a three part collection from Fireside Press with a tag line of "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." There's a mix of short stories and poetry and as with any anthology the "best" elements will be determined by personal taste. For me Rick Austin's The Coin, and Kill 'Em With Kindness by Lily Luchesi were the stand-out pieces (alongside my own Everything's Annoying of course!)

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review forthcoming...