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Verve Flash: The Short Road to Big Fiction
Grab a cuppa and enjoy the ride on the short road to big fiction.
This multi-genre anthology features over 40 flash-fiction pieces by 17 authors, who are as diverse as these exceptional stories. Consider this anthology a chocolate sampler filled with “verve-alicious” bite-sized reads, divided into four scrumptious categories: Relationships, Psych, Intrigue, and Life and Death.
It’s a perfect book for waiting rooms, short commutes, and coffee breaks.
Grab one for yourself, one for a friend, one for your handbag, one for your car, and one for the loo!
See you on the road!
The Authors: Deborah Beck, Jeffrey Belanger, Barbara Cohea, Maria De Leon, Rachel Eliason, Phil Emmert, Angie Gallion, Sue Kotchman, Sharyn Bradford Lunn, John Nuckel, Owen Roberts, Janet Fix a.k.a. Helen M. Ruby, Rick Sanders, RJ Simon, Cindy Solomita, Dave Solomita, Phillip Vega
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2018
4 people want to read
About the author
Sharyn Bradford Lunn
12 books20 followersAfter reading Alex Haley’s Roots, Sharyn developed a passion for genealogy and history that deepened with the ensuing years. This went hand in hand with another newly discovered interest: writing. And so her first series was born, Southern Skyes, an Australian historical fiction family saga.
Now, after writing six books in the series, Sharyn has turned her attention to another writing passion: the good old-fashioned mystery. You can find those in the Cody Costin Cozy Mysteries and the Jami Laramie Mystery series, where this book, Deep Blue Death, is the opener.
When not writing or researching, Sharyn can be found enjoying time at home in Sydney, Australia, with family and friends, swimming, hiking, walking her dogs, reading, painting, tracing someone's family tree, or enjoying a rock concert. She digs a good rollercoaster ride as much as a trail bike ride. To round out her adventurer’s spirit, she embraces the joy of travel and learning about other cultures.
Look for more books from Sharyn in the coming months and years as she further develops her current mystery line-up, and tinkers with other ideas along the way.
If you enjoy her books, please spread the word and consider leaving a book review … they are always very much appreciated.
Now, after writing six books in the series, Sharyn has turned her attention to another writing passion: the good old-fashioned mystery. You can find those in the Cody Costin Cozy Mysteries and the Jami Laramie Mystery series, where this book, Deep Blue Death, is the opener.
When not writing or researching, Sharyn can be found enjoying time at home in Sydney, Australia, with family and friends, swimming, hiking, walking her dogs, reading, painting, tracing someone's family tree, or enjoying a rock concert. She digs a good rollercoaster ride as much as a trail bike ride. To round out her adventurer’s spirit, she embraces the joy of travel and learning about other cultures.
Look for more books from Sharyn in the coming months and years as she further develops her current mystery line-up, and tinkers with other ideas along the way.
If you enjoy her books, please spread the word and consider leaving a book review … they are always very much appreciated.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 23, 2018
Where I live it is already 23 December and I am about to go out on a buying trip for presents. I’ll be going with my family which means there will be a variety of shopping styles. My style is almost slash-and-burn. I know what I want, and I am going to buy it. Shoppers, please forgive my unintentional rude behavior when I do not emulate a deer in the headlights look as I stare at the lights and promos. I pay attention to price, the cashier, and the nearest coffee shop where I can sit down and retreat to a less noisy place while my tribe completes their much lengthier search (although for me, a stop at a bookshop is enough).
While I am sitting in the coffee shop, I need a collection like this. VERVE FLASH by Janet Fix (editor). Described as a “multi-genre anthology” that “builds a short road to big fiction,” the collection allows me to complete several thought pieces between bouts of pulling out my wallet to select different credit cards as limits are reached.
The collection offers works of seventeen authors contributing from one to five stories each. I won’t even try to list, count, or comment on all of them here but I will comment on ones that meant most to me. There are four thematic divisions: Relationships, Psych, Intrigue, Life, and Death. Each selection is under 2000 words. There is also a helpful “About the Authors” section that includes helpful links for readers to follow their favorite authors. The section takes up about 10% of the publication. I received this collection free through Book Funnel with the accompanying signup to an author’s mailing list. I give this collection five Amazon stars because I believe you can’t miss with a collection such as this. There is something for everyone. I will only look at the one or two I liked best in each selection.
RELATIONSHIPS
THE HOUSE THAT ME BUILT ***** Angie Gallion** There are two mysteries, one is at the end of the story. The other is a question from the title. Who is Me?
SECOND SHIFT ***** Rachel Eliason** For me, this is absolutely the best story in the collection. It has hope, redemption, and a very import social issue of today (the revelation of which would be a spoiler).
PSYCH
CARISSA ***** Angie Gallion** An excellent multiple personality study and more. Can you guess how many personalities emerge in this story?
INTRIGUE
THE MONSTER IS REAL***** Rick Sanders** Best story in the Intrigue section. Guess who or what the monster is (and yes, it is real).
SPINNING ***** Angie Gallion** This is one of the most depressing short stories I have read. There could be tears here.
LIFE AND DEATH
THE STAIRS ***** Owen Roberts** The best story in the Life and Death section with a moral lesson for almost anyone of us on the journey.
LESSONS FROM A KICKING COW ***** Phil Emmert** This story pulled me back to real life today. It was a wake-up call for those who live only on Twitter. Not mentioning any names like the Twit-in-Chief but just saying.
I found this to be a fun read while dashing from store to store. There are many, many selections to read. I found two that I couldn’t understand, and I won’t mention them to avoid my embarrassment. I only found one that I thought was not remarkable enough to include in such a great collection. Same comment. Overall, this was fun, and I highly recommend it.
While I am sitting in the coffee shop, I need a collection like this. VERVE FLASH by Janet Fix (editor). Described as a “multi-genre anthology” that “builds a short road to big fiction,” the collection allows me to complete several thought pieces between bouts of pulling out my wallet to select different credit cards as limits are reached.
The collection offers works of seventeen authors contributing from one to five stories each. I won’t even try to list, count, or comment on all of them here but I will comment on ones that meant most to me. There are four thematic divisions: Relationships, Psych, Intrigue, Life, and Death. Each selection is under 2000 words. There is also a helpful “About the Authors” section that includes helpful links for readers to follow their favorite authors. The section takes up about 10% of the publication. I received this collection free through Book Funnel with the accompanying signup to an author’s mailing list. I give this collection five Amazon stars because I believe you can’t miss with a collection such as this. There is something for everyone. I will only look at the one or two I liked best in each selection.
RELATIONSHIPS
THE HOUSE THAT ME BUILT ***** Angie Gallion** There are two mysteries, one is at the end of the story. The other is a question from the title. Who is Me?
SECOND SHIFT ***** Rachel Eliason** For me, this is absolutely the best story in the collection. It has hope, redemption, and a very import social issue of today (the revelation of which would be a spoiler).
PSYCH
CARISSA ***** Angie Gallion** An excellent multiple personality study and more. Can you guess how many personalities emerge in this story?
INTRIGUE
THE MONSTER IS REAL***** Rick Sanders** Best story in the Intrigue section. Guess who or what the monster is (and yes, it is real).
SPINNING ***** Angie Gallion** This is one of the most depressing short stories I have read. There could be tears here.
LIFE AND DEATH
THE STAIRS ***** Owen Roberts** The best story in the Life and Death section with a moral lesson for almost anyone of us on the journey.
LESSONS FROM A KICKING COW ***** Phil Emmert** This story pulled me back to real life today. It was a wake-up call for those who live only on Twitter. Not mentioning any names like the Twit-in-Chief but just saying.
I found this to be a fun read while dashing from store to store. There are many, many selections to read. I found two that I couldn’t understand, and I won’t mention them to avoid my embarrassment. I only found one that I thought was not remarkable enough to include in such a great collection. Same comment. Overall, this was fun, and I highly recommend it.
March 30, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed working with these great authors on compiling this anthology. Though the stories are "flash fiction," their individual contents are compelling and thought-provoking. What a mix!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews