Beautiful Blur

Demons can follow you, even when you think you've finally managed to evade them for good. Crystal thought the past was finally in her rear view mirror, especially when she meets the man of her dreams. Paul is everything she never knew she needed; he's gentle and kind, endlessly patient and understanding, and sexy to boot. Crystal can't believe that someone so wonderful would want her just as bad as she wants him. Their fairy tale romance and relationship is perfect.. at first - but soon pieces of Crystal's life that she had kept buried inside start to emerge. Awful flashbacks start to plague her, and she doesn't know how to deal with them. Her perfect relationship starts to suffer, despite everything Paul tries to do to keep her afloat. What will it take Crystal to confront the demons of her past and realize that her life is wonderful despite her emotional baggage and trauma? Filled with romance, passion, intrigue, and traumatic abuse. This novella of redemption and love is sure to delight readers and is a quick read with some steamy scenes that will be sure to delight. It ends on a cliffhanger so be sure to check out the rest of the novellas in this series!

Stationary Bike

I enjoyed this, but not as much as other Stephen King novellas. I can't pinpoint why exactly, but it didn't resonate with me even though I liked many different aspects of it. Stationary Bike opens with a middle aged overweight man in a doctor's office. Things are being written down in red, weight cholesterol, he has to do something about it. Actually taking the doctor's advice he starts to eat better, sleep more at night, and introduce some work outs. Rather than join a gym, he purchases a stationary bike and puts it in his basement. At first it's tedious and boring, there is nothing to look at. As an artist he decides to paint a trail, a bike path he remembers from childhood. Overnight his biking improves and it turns to his favorite part of the day. If it weren't for the timer to snap him out of his biking reverie he might never stop. It's like he really is biking right there in his art/memories. But one day he sees something and in the distance he can hear an approaching truck. He can't bear to think about what will happen if the truck catches him while biking. Suspenseful, unique, and witty.

Gwendy's Button Box

A short creative read by the "King" of horror. It's not what I was expecting, it's not scary but it's a little chilling and a little haunting. The novella opens with Gwendy running up the "suicide stairs." She's going to be entering the seventh grade soon and she's determined to lose her baby fat. At the top of the stairs a gentleman all in black sits on a bench. He introduces himself and beckons Gwendy to come over. Against all her instincts she does and he presents her with a beautiful little button box. One button when pressed will produce a small chocolate animal that satisfies the eater, another produces silver coins. The ones in the middle represent every continent and there is a black and red one as well. To press those is to cause calamity. Of what sort, Gwendy does not know. The man gives Gwendy the box as a gift, for it will change her life in wonderful ways, but it is also a huge burden, and over time it's all she can think about. What would happen if she pushed those other buttons. Can she keep her curiosity in check?

The Dark Side of Me

This novella explores the dark side of an insecure young woman just trying to find her place in the world. Unhappy with her weight, her boyfriend, her annoying friends, and her job; G takes solace in food and yo yo dieting. After a while this takes a toll on her and she can't even recognize the face staring back at her in the mirror. A dark, bitter, vengeful side emerges from the depths of her unhappiness and her life takes a sudden horrifying turn. Will she be able to live with herself? What makes her happiest? This short story quickly builds up into a dark suspenseful tale that will leave readers wanting more.

I received this book for free from the author in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Calves in the Mud Room

An enchanting novella that sucks you in on the very first page. Wade has big things planned, the girl of his dreams has asked him to go to the dance with her. He can hardly believe his luck! That is until he realizes the calves are coming, and they're coming if he's ready or not. Growing up on a cattle farm you think he would be used to it, but with his grandpa not long in the grave, his mom useless, and his stepfather a mean alcoholic, he's on his own. The calves couldn't pick a worse night to be born, all his wants to do is woo his beautiful date. To make matters even worse he realizes that his mom has taken him the car and left him with the ancient pick up truck, he's going to be late but at least he has something to look forward to. Or does he? A poignant coming of age novella that will resonate with readers of all ages. It's easy to sympathize with Wade and his horrible home life, so the reader keeps rooting for him, and the damn inconvenient calves. A fast, absorbing read.

I received this book for free from the author in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.