Book Review: Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a fantasy tale about a science procedure on a lab rat and a man.

The story is written as a diary by a mentally disabled man named Charlie. He and a lab rat, Algernon, have an experimental procedure done to cause their intelligence to skyrocket. This seems like a breakthrough in science, and maybe it is! But what it means is not necessarily what anyone had planned.

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Book Review: Donn's Hill

Donn’s Hill by Caryn Larrinaga is a psychic mystery with great writing and interesting characters.

Larrinaga did well crafting unique characters with their own voice and personality. In fact, I think the interpersonal relationships are the crux of this story and it’s how our main character, Mackenzie Clair, learns to accept and understand herself.

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Book Review: Omer Pasha Latas

Omer Pasha Latas by Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić is set during nineteenth-century Sarajevo, a place where both Muslims and Christians live, harboring uneasy feelings toward one another and resentment for the Ottoman rule.

While I didn’t find a common plot in this story, other than the actions of Omer and his troops, I found the story quite engaging. This book is about characters, rather than plot, which fit perfectly.

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Book Review: Caprinian Saga

The Caprinian Saga: An Anthology of Space Travel, War, and Hope by Melissa Myring is a collection of twenty short stories and four sneak peeks into Caprinian life and culture.

Our story takes place in the year 2026. Caprinians have come to Earth as refugees, living and working alongside humans after the Caprinians’ world was destroyed during war. The humans take them in with open arms, despite their odd appearance, from their height to their protruding head horns (sometimes envied by other Caprinians). Even so, they feel very human to me. They think and feel and struggle, just like humans.

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100-Word Flash Fiction Contest Winners Announced

Thank you to everyone who participated! Keyra Kristoffersen is our first-place winner. She gets a premium Rosé Felina notebook from LeStallion and free editing of up to 5,000-word story/poem sponsored by EditingMee.com. Austin Slade Perry was our second-place winner. He gets a 2,500-word story/poem edited, and Olivia Hope came in third-place, receiving an honorable mention.

Stay up-to-date with future contests by subscribing to our blog.

Read their stories below

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Book Review: No Strings

No Strings by Virginia Babcock is an endearing sweet love story with some great character development.

The story tells the tale of two characters who meet for purposes other than for romance. Our female protagonist Emory (who is a complete badass) wants a baby, but she doesn't want to have a relationship to get it. Ten, our male protagonist, happens to be in the right place at the right time. This was a fun and very unique story. I was really pining for the characters, and while the ending was a little more old-fashion for my taste, I still enjoyed it.

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Book Review: Jurassic Park 2

Jurassic Park: The Lost World by Michael Crichton was a great read. Often, when I come across a sequel, I’m not that impressed. But Crichton’s knowledge of dinosaurs and advanced storytelling abilities left me wanting more.

Much in the same way that the first Jurassic Park starts, we discover dinosaurs on an island. Unlike the first book, where a park was coming to life, this story is about characters rediscovering the park long-abandoned.

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Book Review: Liberty Key

By Elizabeth Suggs

The Liberty Key by author Michael R Goodwin is when a house meets a person. This isn’t so much a paranormal story as it is the house is the living thing.

The story starts when [character name] is searching for a house after dealing with the death of his wife and child. When he finds The Liberty House, it’s much too big for him, but he loves it.

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Flash Fiction Contest for Romantic Letters!

Hey, Romance Writers! For those of you who are planning to attend the first Romantic Letters Event this weekend on the 9th, we are hosting a flash fiction writing contest, sponsored by LeStallion notebooks.

Please post your story on your IG or FB and TAG ME by midnight MST THIS Friday, the 8th! If you do not have an active social media, you can email me at luwromance@gmail.com.

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Free Online Romantic Letters Conference/Multi-Class Workshop!

Are you a romance writer or an author who enjoys including romantic subplots in your stories? Then this FREE online multi-class workshop is for you! Romantic Letters is an all-day event with multiple presenters on writing craft, marketing, business, and more, including a panel on marketing and business.

Featuring:

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Book Review: Late Night Shots

Late Night Shots: Intoxicating Mystery & Suspense Stories by Charlotte Valentine with a special extra story by Laura Cation is a collection of four quick, mysterious short stories--perfect for a nice night in.

We start strong with “Ghost Writer,” which centers around Alan, who at one point was a bestselling author, yet as the years passed by and Alan continues to drink more heavily, the words won’t come. Worse than that, Alan’s publisher and agent have grown agitated.

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Book Review: The Stand

The Stand by Stephen King follows a group of survivors as society collapses from a fatally contagious disease, wiping out nearly all of humanity. Masterfully written, the reader watches as infrastructure crumbles, and humanity is left to fill in the absence of power, for better or worse.

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Book Review: Eyes of Sleeping Children

Eyes of Sleeping Children by D. A. Butcher is nonstop intensity. This story revolves around the Sandman and how he affects a father and husband Louis Lockhart.

The setting and the story are refreshing and kept me guessing. I didn’t expect any of the twists at the end, and each and every one fit perfectly within the universe.

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Book Review: Scratches

Scratches by Joshua Marsella is a horror novella about a mother and son who inherit a house after the death of a family member with a violent past.

This story, while horrific with fun horror elements, does touch on what true monsters are out in the world. In a way, it talks about what evil men and women are truly capable in a safe space. We need more stories like this out in the world, detailing the worst of humankind, not to glorify it, but to shed a light on something that should be addressed. This story does that, while maintaining the theme of a fun horror story.

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Book Review: 1984

George Orwell's novel 1984 tells of a world divided into three different States, all under sovereign and totalitarian rule: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel focuses on one individual in Oceania (this included the United Kingdom) who goes against society's expectations. This man, Winston, believes there is a brotherhood, one that is the answer—the ultimate defender—to this world. In his process of discovery, he meets a woman named Julia and uncovers more of the world than he had ever thought he could, especially about Big Brother.

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Book Review: Her Infernal Name & Other Stories

Her Infernal Name & Other Stories is a collection of short horror fiction from the mind of author Robert Ottone.

Each story takes us on a journey on a different sort of nightmare. From one about an Instagram Famous model in “Her Infernal Name” to “Playing God,” each story plays on the nightmares of our modern society.

I like this collection, but I found some of the stories a little predictable or cliche. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’ll get a kick out of these horror stories.

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Book Review: The Shadows of Hades

The Shadow of Hades by Paul Williams is a fantasy novel set in a world where practicing magic is possible for those who dare, but it is considered dangerous or evil by many.

The most notable characters are Pam, a drunk singer witch; Blake, someone who can walk between worlds; Alle, a rich witch who loses everything, and twin boys, Carlos and Daniel. Each character is different, with different personalities and different wants and needs.

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