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Twisted Family Holidays #2
Good Friday: Dreams and Nightmares
On the eve of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, an unsuspecting bookstore owner, in a resort town, Daniel Johnson, finds himself entranced with the new woman in town. Five years a widower, Johnson is ripe for a new relationship—something real and tangible, with intimacy. Unfortunately, the arrival of the enchanting, mystery woman also brings problems with his reality. Johnson finds himself waking up in alternating worlds: the first world involves his newfound love interest and a happy life with his youngest daughter; in the second world he struggles with his bookstore and his relationship with his daughter, who believes he is becoming senile, or mentally ill. Johnson searches for the answers to the dream/wake realities, while trying to find a way to remain in the happy world with his brand-new, budding relationship. But, is he insane, or is there a greater, paranormal force guiding the action?
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2015
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Wirth
25 books37 followersJ.R. Wirth is an award-winning author and native of Southern California. J.R. Wirth was raised in the town of Azusa and now resides in the Inland Empire, very close to his family.
Recently released: The Institute is perhaps his best work to date. Soon to be released: When the Cold Wind Blows is a dramatic and, at times, disturbing look at alternative life and struggles to overcome the worst of odds.
J.R. has been on a bit of a hiatus. He had some health-related issues, and then, recently, spent thirteen months working as a supervisor at a 24/7 psychiatric treatment facility. This position had him busy every day—including Christmas. He’s since moved on and has been able to focus more on his writing.
The Institute has been a long-coming labor of love. With multiple edits and additions, it has been in the works for several years it seems. Finally satisfied with the manuscript, and with great reviews, it is up and active in paperback, hard cover, and Kindle with a limited time deal editions. The full-length novel offers thrills, secret experiments using brain chips, suspense, and supernatural elements, all the while keeping J.R.’s signature character and plot development.
J.R. remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us. In his spare time, JR is a licensed psychotherapist with a long list of accomplishments, including a stint as a university professor.
In all his works, J.R. combines ordinary people with extraordinary circumstances, to create characters that jump off the page and straight into the readers’ heart and psyche. He remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us.
Recently released: The Institute is perhaps his best work to date. Soon to be released: When the Cold Wind Blows is a dramatic and, at times, disturbing look at alternative life and struggles to overcome the worst of odds.
J.R. has been on a bit of a hiatus. He had some health-related issues, and then, recently, spent thirteen months working as a supervisor at a 24/7 psychiatric treatment facility. This position had him busy every day—including Christmas. He’s since moved on and has been able to focus more on his writing.
The Institute has been a long-coming labor of love. With multiple edits and additions, it has been in the works for several years it seems. Finally satisfied with the manuscript, and with great reviews, it is up and active in paperback, hard cover, and Kindle with a limited time deal editions. The full-length novel offers thrills, secret experiments using brain chips, suspense, and supernatural elements, all the while keeping J.R.’s signature character and plot development.
J.R. remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us. In his spare time, JR is a licensed psychotherapist with a long list of accomplishments, including a stint as a university professor.
In all his works, J.R. combines ordinary people with extraordinary circumstances, to create characters that jump off the page and straight into the readers’ heart and psyche. He remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 3, 2015
Widower Johnson has dreamed of a beautiful woman, during Lent. Perhaps he’s “blessed.” But “Johnson’s heart stopped,” when he saw her in the flesh. Still, “despite the feelings of panic and loss of essential organ function,” he makes his awkward way to speak to her, and true love follows... maybe.
Coffee is wonderful, secret recipes have power, and these two vendors of fine food and books seem made for each other. But Johnson’s daughter worries, and suddenly the story’s slightly odd tone makes perfect sense. Realities are clashing here, but is it dream or nightmare, the end or the beginning of everything? And what has Easter to do with it?
Good Friday Dreams and Nightmares is short, confusing, intriguing, and, in the end, really satisfying. A cool, odd little story, pleasingly out of the ordinary.
Disclosure: It was free, on Good Friday.
Coffee is wonderful, secret recipes have power, and these two vendors of fine food and books seem made for each other. But Johnson’s daughter worries, and suddenly the story’s slightly odd tone makes perfect sense. Realities are clashing here, but is it dream or nightmare, the end or the beginning of everything? And what has Easter to do with it?
Good Friday Dreams and Nightmares is short, confusing, intriguing, and, in the end, really satisfying. A cool, odd little story, pleasingly out of the ordinary.
Disclosure: It was free, on Good Friday.
April 13, 2015
What a compelling story JR Wirth brings us in Good Friday: Dreams and Nightmares, the second story in the Twisted Family Holiday Series.
Our story begins with the widower, Daniel Johnson, trying to catch a glimpse of the first woman that has sparked his interest since the death of this wife. Johnson is haunted by nightmares which seem to occur as often as they do during the day as they do at night. He seems to exist in two different time streams. In one it’s the midst of winter – snow is falling and his life is blessed with his new love. In the other, it’s the middle of summer and she’s not there. Poor Mr J has no idea what’s happening.
The author captures the innocent, naïve feelings of someone who is dealing with the first pangs of new love after losing their partner. Johnson is nervous, jittery and a bit of goof in the first meetings with the woman who has captured his heart. Deep down he knows that she is the one for him but he becomes terrified that he may fall asleep and wake up in the wrong time – the time she doesn’t exist in.
The story jumps from one time to another while the author cleverly plays with us. Like a cat batting a ball from one paw to another, JR Wirth, sends his reader on an emotional roller coaster. What is the point of the time shifts? Why are the relevant? Is our hero really going crazy like his daughter expects? I’m afraid you’ll have to grab yourself a copy to find the answers to these questions. I’m certainly not going to spoil the ending for you.
If you’re a bit of a romantic and like love the old-fashioned way – you know what I mean, with commitment, tenderness and sincerity - then JR Wirth’s stories are for you.
Our story begins with the widower, Daniel Johnson, trying to catch a glimpse of the first woman that has sparked his interest since the death of this wife. Johnson is haunted by nightmares which seem to occur as often as they do during the day as they do at night. He seems to exist in two different time streams. In one it’s the midst of winter – snow is falling and his life is blessed with his new love. In the other, it’s the middle of summer and she’s not there. Poor Mr J has no idea what’s happening.
The author captures the innocent, naïve feelings of someone who is dealing with the first pangs of new love after losing their partner. Johnson is nervous, jittery and a bit of goof in the first meetings with the woman who has captured his heart. Deep down he knows that she is the one for him but he becomes terrified that he may fall asleep and wake up in the wrong time – the time she doesn’t exist in.
The story jumps from one time to another while the author cleverly plays with us. Like a cat batting a ball from one paw to another, JR Wirth, sends his reader on an emotional roller coaster. What is the point of the time shifts? Why are the relevant? Is our hero really going crazy like his daughter expects? I’m afraid you’ll have to grab yourself a copy to find the answers to these questions. I’m certainly not going to spoil the ending for you.
If you’re a bit of a romantic and like love the old-fashioned way – you know what I mean, with commitment, tenderness and sincerity - then JR Wirth’s stories are for you.
October 24, 2025
What starts as a simple love story slowly transforms into something profound and psychological. The idea of living in two different realities, one filled with love, one filled with doubt, hit me hard. The writing is cinematic and deeply poetic, and the ending left me stunned. I love books that stay with you long after the final page, and this one definitely does.
March 19, 2019
Good Friday: Dreams and Nightmares is a novella. Full of twists and turns, it reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks novel.
April 6, 2015
Moving in and out of different realities, Daniel Johnson fights to keep his sanity and the life he so longs to have. In one reality there is life, color, beauty and a chance at love. The other reality is a desert of despair and loneliness. Depending on when he wakes, odd or even, he finds himself alternating between the two worlds. Johnson thinks he finds the answer to the dilemma: sleep-wake-sleep-wake, leaving him in the world where he wants to be. Or does he? His daughter is convinced he is suffering from a severe mental illness or brain disorder, and that he is creating a fantasy life built on delusions. The read is unlike any other, and definitely worth it.
September 16, 2015
I came in on the 2nd book of this series wasn't that excited with this read.I had no idea where it was going or what was going on.Narrated by Alicia Borden with great enthusiasm,we are following a man who wakes up to one reality on one day and another on the next.He meets a woman,or did he?
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast or MalarHouse dot com"
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast or MalarHouse dot com"
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews