You'll Be Glowing With The Fireflies By The End

First Paragraph:

"Ennis found a bird. He stood like a fence post, straight and still and about half as tall, cupping the small brown sparrow between his chubby palms and looking down in sorrow. Its feathers were softer than he had imagined and it didn't try to peck him or escape as he'd expected. Its tiny talons scratched him lightly and tickled his skin. Its dark blank eyes stared open, yet its body didn't move."

     Amazon /Amazon.co.uk

Fireflies by PS Bartlett is an enchanting story of the close-knit Whelan family, coming to terms with their unusual youngest member.

PLOT

Set in the tiny village of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth century, an Irish family's life is about to change. A big family, Owen and Sarah support their seven children, Fagan, Connell, Liffey, Teagan, Brogan, Patrick and Ennis.

Ennis was always an unusual baby, starting with his birth. He didn't cry out for many minutes after the delivery, and his parents feared the worst. Six years later, they cherish their little miracle, but being to notice he has a mature temperament far beyond his years. 

The other children are growing up too, and the oldest will be leaving the nest any day now. Fagan is enchanted with a young woman down the street, and the two girls (Teagan and Liffey) are becoming women- finally noticing the men around them. But Teagan is ahead of the times. Her father is a doctor and she desperately wants to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, this is the era where genders have their specific roles. Men go out and work, women take care of the homestead and children. Teagan will have none of it.

However, her dreams are the last thing on her mind when Ennis begins to act strangely. First the bird- which Teagan was sure was dead. Then the cut on her hand, that mysteriously vanished after Ennis touched it. As the week progresses, as do Ennis's odd, new powers and soon the entire family is aware of them. Their only thoughts are of protecting the young boy, but what should they do? Who can they tell? Can they protect him? Are these powers a curse or a gift?

REVIEW

This is a captivating story. Somewhere between an Irish 'Little Women', "Little House on the Prairie' and its own story. It has the same rustic appeal, with the story relying on the characters to carry it. And oh do they carry it. Mixed in the the daily life of the Whelan family, is the plot around Ennis. His powers are done pretty subtley, and I wouldn't call this a paranormal book. I would say it's more historical slice-of-life, mixed in with a little coming-of-age, a little romance, and a dash of fantasy. 

The story itself spans two generations. As their children grow and begin to think about starting their own families, both Sarah and Owen have flashbacks to their youths in Ireland, and the differences between them, as well as the coincidences that brought them both to America, where they met for the first time. Their strong, constant love, entwines with the new, exciting love their children are beginning to experience in a poetic contrast. 

The story explores the complex relationships between one person and the next. How easily they can be made and how easily broken. How they can subtly shift or slowly fade. The bonds that can be made or lost. The potentials that were never realised and the unconditionals that are there through it all.

Ennis's powers are a little reminiscent of those of John from 'The Green Mile'. Even their personalities are a little similar- they're both very aware of the world, both soft-spoken, they never complain. If you were to be a healer, these would be the ideal components for it, so it's not surprising that they have similarities. 

The characters are as realistic a band of personalities as you can get. The relationships they have with each other as so vivid, that you can forget sometimes that they aren't real people. This is especially true of the family. They are the core of this story. It's how they react to the changes in Ennis that makes this book so good. As the story progresses, a nervous energy settles over the house, and each family member goes through an almost 'five stages of grief' phase. Their inability to understand what's happening, mixed with their fear for Ennis builds and merges until it bursts out of them through anger, denial, bargaining, depression, acceptance, guilt, fear and confusion. 

The ending is nothing if not feel-good, and will leave you wishing for more of the lovely Whelan family. This is one of the few books I've read that kept me guessing till the end. I honestly had no idea how it would or could end. Once you get there, the reasons for the events become clear, but a little confused. I was left wondering why, but in the end it really didn't matter. I didn't read the story for the why, I read it for the who- for the family that are so warm and caring, and will take you in as one of their own. For the charm and description.

Because the description is beautiful and incredibly immersive. I could feel the summer heat, softened by a gentle breeze, as the fireflies glide around lazily and the crickets serenade the night. It's full of the simple pleasures of life, mixed in with a little magical wonderment. 

A story that reminds me of lights on a Christmas Tree, glowing in the darkness- beautiful, safe and a reminder of the love and happiness you share with the people whose names are scattered beneath it. Reading this book is like going to sleep content, with a smile on your face. There is simply nothing else like it. 

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author through a giveaway. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Kindle Kiosk

Part of a new series I'm starting, Kindle Kiosk will be posts about kindle books I've recently picked up from amazon. Most (if not all) of them will be free (at least when I bought them), and I want to share the deals with all of you. Any books that aren't free will have their prices beneath their image. If you don't see a price, there isn't one. It's free!

If you're interested in free e-books, watch these posts. The Kindle Kiosk may not be too regular an occurrence, but it'll bring freebies along with it.

For the first instalment, let's see what's in the grab bag today.



 

   The Narrative of Arthur Gordon                                                       A Twist In Time
             Pym of Nantucket                                            

                           

                                                       

Atlantic Island 1- The Event                            Christmas in Venice:                                                                                  A Short Story

                       




















    Elusive (On The Run Book #1)                                                The Time Machine

                 My review here: Elusive                                                       

 


















                    Officer Jones                                                                 The Long Midnight Of
                                                                                                                                          Barney Thomson: A Serial 
                                                                                                                              Killer Thriller (Barney Thomson #1)

       The Soul Garden (Twisted                                                     Let it Snow! Season's                                Souls #1)                                                           Readings for a Super-Cool 
                                                                                             Yule! (Christmas story book 2012)

My review here: The Soul Garden                                       My review here: Let it Snow



If you want to check out other Kindle titles I'll put the links below, click on them to go to the Kindle books page:

Amazon

Amazon.co.uk
                                                                                                          

Forget the Genie of the Lamp, Pennies Are the Way To Go

First Paragraph: 

"Wilson Fenniwig was running as fast as he could. Over pavement, over path, over cobblestone, over grass. He clambered atop wooden benches only to roar off toward a stray mallard or goose; he hurled himself at lopsided trashcans merely to zag at the last second toward a tree or a statue or a dangerously nonchalant bird. His legs pumped, his arms were a blur of balancing motion, his eyes roamed constantly in search of yet another squat Please Stay Off The Grass! triangle that he could defy."

   Amazon /Amazon.co.uk

Public Garden Penny is a short story by Daniel Kelley.

PLOT

Wilson is a ten-year-old boy, enjoying his days of youth. He spends most of his time playing with his best-friend Davey, whose family lives in the same apartment complex. The two are practically inseparable, and one of their favourite haunts is the Public Garden in Boston.

One day, Wilson finds a shiny penny on the gravelled ground of the Garden paths. A boy who makes finding old coins a hobby, he immediately checks the date. He is amazed to see the coin is nearly a century old. Especially since it's in mint condition.

But this shiny penny is even more special and magical than he knows. It can grant wishes. With a metallic genie in his pocket, the world is now his oyster, the penny his enabler. As the enormity of his discovery dawns, Wilson struggles to comprehend his new power.

Meanwhile, his home life is anything but special. Spending most of his free time with Davey and his warm family just intensifies his lack of one. His mother is constantly plagued with migraines and lives out her days in a darkened room alone, while his father drinks himself to an early grave. He wishes it was different, and now his has something that can make it happen. 

But Wilson is about to learn, the grass is rarely greener on the other side.

REVIEW

Full of charm, this short story is as enchanting as Kelley's others. Here he explores the ramifications of instant gratification, and the ways it they can affect other people, all mixed up with the chaotic energy of a ten-year-old boy. The range of  relationships we have with people, and how differently we treat someone based on our connections with them. How easy it is to take someone who's always there for granted. It's interesting that the more we care about someone, the closer we are to them, the less we tolerate from them. How many of your friends would you get along with so well if you were related?

Kelley's characters are always very warm and welcoming, pulling you into their world and along for the ride. I've enjoyed every one of Kelley's stories that I've read so far, no doubt I'll be checking out more.

I have reviews of a couple of his other books too.

Cupcakes here: http://needtoreadgottowatch.blogspot.com/2013/07/delicious-fun-drenched-in-rosy.html  A story about growing up.

Going Out in Style here: http://needtoreadgottowatch.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-many-ways-can-you-go-out-in-style.html  A collection of six short stories, all focusing on the different meanings of the title phrase. 

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Delicious Fun, Drenched in the Rosy Nostalgia of Youth

First Paragraph:

"It was, I think, her favorite expression: "You've got the wrong number!" That, along with, "And how!"  and "You don't say!" are what I most remember about Auntie Winifred's wide repertoire of crisp, automatic responses. Not that she wasn't truly interested in whatever had been said to prompt such a familiar reaction, but with so many of us constantly bleating for her attention, or asking for her support with some half-baked allegation made against one of the others, a noncommittal platitude probably seemed the best way to agree or disagree with the plaintiff, and yet at the same time do so without causing offense to anyone."

 Amazon /Amazon.co.uk

Cupcakes is a short story by Daniel Kelley.

PLOT

Frances (better known as Froggie) is six when the story begins. She and her brother, Zander, and their two cousins, Billy and Melissa- nicknamed Iggy and Shoeless- spend most of their time playing together in their Auntie Winifred's bakery. She adores the children and is more of a parent to them than their own. She has appointed them official Cupcakes. 

When they ask why they're Cupcakes, she always has a vague, ambiguous answer. They may not know where the title came from, but they like it nonetheless, and wear it with pride. They are the Cupcakes, and the apartment above the bakery is their clubhouse. 

Told in a reminiscent way, we watch as the children grow older, grow up and experience all the things that come with it. 

REVIEW

Seeped in nostalgia, like a delightfully moist sticky toffee pudding that Auntie Winifred no doubt served, the sweetness of the haze of childhood, is in perfect balance with the luscious treats they play around.

This is a story about being young, along with the inevitable growing up. We all know that growing up is hard to do. The characters slowly realise the facts of real life, and how precious their relationships with each other are. Frances begins to notice their individual roles in the group, and the changing dynamics as they age and become the people they're shaping into.

With the hardships and realities of life, the rose-tinted, carefree days of youth cannot last forever, other than in our memories. This is a story that anyone can relate to. We were all young once, we all went though our awkward phases, our in-between years of learning responsibility, to actually accepting it.

A great short story. If the nostalgia doesn't get you, the writing will.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.

A Moreish Blend of Humour and Suspense, Kept Fresh With Chilled Spines

Amazon /Amazon.co.uk

The Liar and Other Stories by Matthew W. McFarland is a collection of six short stories. 

PLOT

The first is "The Liar". 

First sentence: "In the past twenty-four hours, I have convinced various people that I am a fireman, that I make my own shoes, that I am a qualified pilot, that my middle name is Wenceslas, and that I have an inoperable brain tumour."

This story centres around (fairly obviously) an obsessive liar- though his lying isn't compulsive (according to his shrink), he just really enjoys it.

Today he is a businessman, and heading for the office of a corporate hot-shot. But is he really so free of reason? Who is the man of a million faces?

The next story is "Hospital".

First sentence: "There is a UFO outside the children's hospital, a huge, mirror-plated disc thirty feet across set at an angle on top of several pylons."

Four-year-old Sam had a bad experience, that left the young boy with a fear of blood tests. He is so afraid of them, that he won't complain unless the pain is too extreme. So when he says he has a sore back, they know it's serious. 

Told from the point of view of what I can only assume is his father, we get the adventures of Sam, going through the many hospital processes and the medical staff, with his parents getting more and more stressed as time passes. What could possibly be wrong with their little boy?

The third story is "Making Headlines".

First sentence: "The girl lay face down on the lawn, one bare foot nestled in the dark soil of a flowerbed."

Told from the point of view of her deadpan killer, we get flashbacks to the night before, when she died. Kathy Rogers was a local celebrity. An actress who was just hitting her streak, heading for the top. But she wanted more, she wanted the world to know her name. Someone should have told her to be careful what you wish for. 

Next is "The Savant".

First sentence: "No-one had ever called Hector Gutierrez smart."

Hector is a regular Average-Joe. He works in construction with his two brothers, until (on their way to work one day) the three of them are involved in a collision. Hector wakes up in hospital, with a new talent. One he's not sure what to do with.

The penultimate story is "Ripples".

First sentence: "'Let me help,' said the old man, standing up from his seat."

Anne is running. Running from a night she'll never forget. She gets on the first train she can, and meets the curious Stanley. Slowly she opens up, and tells him what horrors she witnessed the night before. 

The final story is "Toxic Love".

First sentence: "My wife of close to twenty years is slowly poisoning me, of this I am certain."

A man with an overbearing wife, believes she is slowly killing him, slipping something into every meal and snack she prepares for him. He is forbidden from cooking, and is struggling with the concept of her betrayal. All the tiny, insignificant hints he's found, have piled up into one obvious big slap on the face. A wake-up call.

He needs to know why? Who can he go to? What can he do? How did it come to this?

The story then switches to his wife's POV, before ending on their teenage son's. The revelations that come with each change seem to be vying for which can be the most extreme. How well do you know the people in your life?

REVIEW

McFarland is great at writing seemingly innocuous stories, that end up chilling and unnerving. He's very good at building tension and suspense, though sometimes tricking the reader with an unexpected plot twist or change of atmosphere. 

I reviewed his first collection, "50/50" and (though it still contains my favourite stories from him) these contain the same charm and enjoyability. 

My favourites are "Ripples" (which I could see making a great thriller- if only). There are some unexplained elements, but the power of imagination fills in the gaps and makes it more sinister. And "Toxic Love", which is a dark, twisted story, with almost comical switches in POV. Changing between the views- with their different levels of awareness- is somehow both humorous and unsettling. The characters are all very focused on the negative. During the story, I found myself imagining the cast singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" in my head. "Regrets, I've had a few.."

My favourite character would probably be Arthur (if that is his real name) from "The Liar". A con-man, who makes charm his business, he comes across as very likeable, funny and a little insane. There's no doubt he's unstable, but that just adds to his psychotic energy, and sucks you right in.

OVERALL

An entertaining, short collection that fans of his previous book will no doubt enjoy. His writing style and immersive stories will have you reaching for that one too.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.