WEIRDLY: A COLLECTION OF STRANGE STORIES
C.T. ADAMS, CATHY CLAMP, FAITH BICKNELL-BROWN, JAMES CHEETHAM, MARVA DASEF, M.E. ELLIS, BERNITA HARRIS, STACIA HELPMAN, LION IRONS, RAE LINDLEY, ROSA ORRORE, AND AMANDA TIERNAN
ISBN: 1-934069-68-X
September 2007
Wild Child Publishing
www.wildchildpublishing.com
E-book
$5.95
122 pages
Science Fiction/ Horror/Paranormal
Rating: 3 cups

Those Who Won’t Be Missed by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

Father Patrick goes to a nursing home to bring comfort to the residents. He does so at the recommendation of his friend Todd. While there, he meets a woman named Francie Coughlin who will never really talk to him. He knows there is more to her story if only he can reach out to her.

This is quite a strange story with an ending that surprised me greatly! These two know how to weave a story full of twists.

Little Karen by Faith Bicknell-Brown

Harland has recently lost his love, Karen, in a freak accident and finds it impossible to cope with her loss. Her sister Shay comes, searching for a bracelet that is a family heirloom. She has no luck in finding it; Harland knows it is one thing that the family wants most of all. But will he ever find it for them?

Emotions were raw in this story. I wondered if Harland would realize he would eventually be okay.

The Violin’s Cry by Faith Bicknell-Brown

Dawn is on her way to find Buddy Alljoy. She wants him to tell her how he crafts violins. He is a wise man who lives in the Appalachians. Mr. Alljoy has a story to tell that brings Dawn's emotions to the surface. Buddy’s wife Mabel can barely talk since her stroke.

This is a beautiful story of how music can heal. I found the story enthralling.

The 63rd President by Faith Bicknell-Brown

Marshall is trying to find his family’s time box. He wants to know about his heritage. Fighting aliens is something he is accustomed to doing. Yet his family’s past nags at him. But will it be worth the effort or not?

The idea of an alien invasion seems real to some people. Marshall and his family deal with the aftermath.

Uncle Willy’s Cure by Faith Bicknell-Brown

Victoria and William go to a fountain with their parents. William is sick and wants to drink the water. On the way, Victoria and William leave their parents. An old caretaker finds them and helps William get the water. But will it really cure him?

A healing fountain is a concept found in many stories. This one had an unusual twist at the end that will really befuddle.

Collecting Data by Faith Bicknell-Brown

Denise must collect data if she is to learn the reason behind the killings and keep her head from the guillotine while doing so. Hopefully she will be able to get what she is after.

The reason for collecting the data is an odd one. Yet there is a purpose for it in the end.

The Beekeeper by James Cheetham

His family always thought he was distant because his focus iss on taking care of his hives and the bees. All Molly wants is to know her father loves her. She is not sure she will able to know as she takes her father to see his bees one last time.

Love will make people do strange things, but knowing they are loved is important to many people.

The Country Faire by Marva Dasef

A rape happens at a county faire and the female character comes to terms with it. She hopes they will find the rapist, but knows that is not a strong possibility.

The descriptions are vivid with almost too many details, but then some things need more explaining than others.

The Hunter by Marva Dasef

Who is the hunted in the story remains to be seen. Is the man attacking the woman or the woman needing to feel powerful?

This is one story that is a little odd and difficult to follow.

Coward by Marva Dasef

Gina is sold to a man who gets pleasure from hurting women. She finally figures out how to play his game and hopes it will help her stay alive.

I saw Gina as a strong, smart woman.

Heather’s Pain by Marva Dasef

Heather, in pain because of her spine, is not sure what to do next and wants to get the necessary surgery. But, when faced with circumstances beyond her control, will she be able to fight back?

Heather does not know how to fight, and has to make her body listen to her. She is surprised by the outcome.

The Game by M.E. Ellis

A man is on a game to kill women. He lets them run and then captures them again. There is no way out.

The strange nature of the man running the game is hard to stomach. I was terrified by this tale.

Serenity Sea by M. E. Ellis

Peter describes what he is doing to a woman. He finally gives her what she wants, or so he thinks.

Revenge can be a powerful thing when used incorrectly. Peter certainly wants to do something that will keep the woman quiet.

The Stanza by M. E. Elliss

After finding someone that fits the stanza in the killer’s mind, a crime is committed. The victim is completely unaware of what will happen.

It is bizarre how the mind of a killer works. Getting back at someone for little or no reason is rather idiotic.

Maurice’s Job by M. E. Ellis

Maurice would buy flowers for all the women he killed. He would bring the flowers in secret.

I have heard of such things happening. But reading about it seemed to make it even odder.

A Thousand for One by M. E. Ellis

The medical examiner made a promise and will keep it only if he is left alone to do as he is asked.

The stories seem to get even stranger as they go along. Imagination is key to be able to write like this.

You Shall Be Heard by M. E. Ellis

David is found trapped and brought to safety. But will he feel safe in the new place?

The descriptions in this story are detailed. It tugged at my heart and I hoped the little boy would find hope.

Manhunt by M. E. Ellis

A man stands with the crowd watching the scene unfold in the house across the street. He listens silently to what others are saying.

This way of seeing a crime scene is interesting as it gives an in-depth look at what happens. You never know what you will hear.

Stonechild by Bernita Harris

Lillie is called on when situations become difficult, or are considered hopeless. She hopes this case will have a happy ending, but there is a lot more underneath the surface than can be seen. One can only hope things will end well.

I loved the entrance of Trolls and the way they are presented. It makes the story much more fanciful.

Anya by Stacia Helpman

Carly is abused and is eventually killed. She gets a chance for vengeance on the man who hurt her as well as anyone else that she is assigned to. As much as she enjoys her assignments, one case leaves her questioning her decision. Will the gods look kindly on her for a mistake she never intended to make?

This is a horrifying story that ends up better than I expected. I found it rather touching and was surprised at how its ending.

Double Omega by Lion Irons

Many college girls look forward to Joining a sorority. Samantha has no idea what is in store for her when she joins Double Omega. It will be a life changing experience and maybe not for the better.

I found this story very possible although a bit strange. Things like this do occur and I am a little surprised by all the coincidences in the story.

A Day in the Life of Simplicity by Rae Lindley

Lyn does her best as a police officer. But she has memories of being with a man and that cannot be possible. The world is now under control and her mind wiped clean of memories, or so they thought. However, some of her memories still linger and she is not sure what to think.

This story, though odd, has plausibility to it. I could see this kind of thing happening, but I am not saying it will. Some people have weird ideas but all fiction has some truth in it.

Know It All by Rosa Orrore

Sarah goes into the house to rescue her family having no idea what horrors await her. She must go through many battles, but the last one will be one that she will not soon forget. Her only hope is to find her family.

This story is very descriptive and I think Sarah is a very strong character. She wants to make her family free and it will not be easy.

The Surprise by Amanda Tiernan

Jason lost his wife to Meth. Now, he is raising their daughter Naomi. He thinks he finally has a handle on his life when he sees on the TV that three women have escaped from the Rehab house where Maggie is staying. He only hopes she is not one of them.

I did not find this story very strange. I could see it happening in real life with the way our society is.

The Sickness by Amanda Tiernan

Alex loves camping and goes all the time with her dog Xander. She could never guess how one trip would change her life. She is attacked but unsure what creature that did it was. She now has strange desires and unsure of what to do about them, decides to go back and confront whatever attacked her. But will it help?

This story had a few odd moments but was very interesting. I really liked it.

All these stories had something out of the ordinary in them. It might be a visit with a vampire or being attacked by an unknown creature. Some of them I found very believable others were a little too far fetched for me. I am not saying that vampires, werewolves, or haunted houses exist, but I like it when I can see it is possible. But overall, if scary stories are what you are after, this is the collection of stories for you.

Krista
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books