Encounter

by Cherime MacFarlane

Paranormal, past life romance; she never picks berries in the patch behind the cabin. That hollow almost makes her skin crawl. The old cabin has been in her family for generations. There is a mystery about the place the elders would never discuss. All she knows is many years ago a young couple living there vanished without a trace.He's not sure what he was hunting. After waking next to the totaled all-terrain vehicle, he doesn't even remember who he is. What he does know is a stand of trees on a ridge is drawing him in that direction. Can he find shelter there or will he die in the Alaska bush? It's stupid, but he is going to make his way to the knoll.Together they will have an encounter with the past.

ebook

Published May 24, 2016

About the author

Although born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here for 37 years, I have survived -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and live in a cabin. I used a fish wheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and only roadie. I cut firewood on shares, worked as a cocktail waitress, then as a paralegal for over 26 years. I hold the #80 press card as a reporter for the Copper Valley Views newspaper which ceased publication in the 1980s. I've been writing stories since junior high. Retired now, I can devote my time to what I love.
I came to Alaska by way of Arizona and California. I experienced the building of the pipeline up close. Then my second husband and I moved to Wasilla to get warm. It hardly ever drops past -25 in South Central Alaska. I never thought I would love it so much I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. I lost my first husband to alcohol. My second husband, the love of my life died as a result of disease. We were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years . I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with.

Reviews

[Wendi Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Encounter this morning in one sitting. It's a short, quick read with mystery, action and romance. At first, I was confused- our male protagonist has lost his memory of who he is or how he came to be where he woke up, yet he remembered dreams he had growing up. It seemed a little at odds with itself, but the author addressed it and cleared things up nicely.
I found the story to be intriguing and fun. I wish it were longer and a little more fleshed out, but overall, a great read!

[Laurel Heidtman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encounter is an entertaining, short read with the theme of reincarnation running through it. A man and a woman meet in the Alaskan wilderness. The man has no memory of who he is, but he’s had a recurring dream since childhood about a traumatic event. I don’t want to say too much about the story and ruin someone’s read of it, but I will say it’s a nice love story with a little bit of the paranormal in it. My only criticism is I think the epilogue ruins the feel of the story, which was kind of magical up to that point. The last sentence before the epilogue was a perfect ending.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like this author's writing style, and though I prefer her fantasy stories, this was a quick paranormal tale that had me intrigued from the start.

Not one to give spoilers I will only say that it may be a short story but it'll make you wonder.

Worth a look.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past present future

Cherime tells a tale here of how the past, present, and future flow. It will hint at knowing things in ways that some ignore. The draw is strong. I loved this read. Perfect timing.

[Dermot Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The present overlaps the past in this short read where from the first page, just like the male character that can't even remember his own name, you have no idea what is going on. As the story enfolds, the details get filled in and the fun and action intensifies when he links up with the inhabitant of the cabin, Sara. Helping to solve the puzzle, she informs that there is a mystery concerning the cabin which has never been spoken about, only that a couple supposedly vanished into thin air. Revisiting the site of his accident and with the help of his dreams they finally discover who they are and what they mean to each other. It's an engrossing read right to the last page.

[Reg Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a second read

Romance, mystery and love for country is why I keep returning to read
Cherime MacFarlane’s work. She is both author and book cover photographer for Encounter, and I love both aspects of her work. I enjoyed the beauty of the ending, I marked the book to remain on my ereader to be read again.