Snow by Paul Kane

I really enjoyed reading the “praise for Paul Kane” at the start of this novelette, this is unusual as I find self-promotion a bit sickly, however I was intrigued by some of the names mentioned, high praise indeed and, as it turns out, all warranted.

PK grabbed my attention with his introduction, I really do enjoy finding out how a story developed for an author, although the constant stream of name dropping had me rolling my eyes by the end.

PK is an excellent master of vivid description, he uses words beautifully to evoke the mental image of a scene. With his fast moving narrative, I was soon imbedded in the story.

Angela’s family background and history are swiftly and succinctly dealt with giving you just enough information to get a brief snapshot of her life and understand the dynamics, grinning at all the comparisons and links to the original fairy-tale.  The overall premise IS the story is Snow White. All the elements from the “original” are there but PK has brought them in to the modern world with a bang.

I loved Angela’s inner dialogue as it really pulled the story along and gave odd flashes of tongue in cheek humour.

PK was very clever in adding all the elements that were so central to the fairy tale and slotting them in so I barely noticed them until they slapped me upside the head and made me grin like an idiot.

There is just a splash of gruesome and horror as in all good fairy tales.

Overall, I really loved the way PK writes and will definitely be seeking out other titles by him to enjoy.

Snow

Jennifer Thomas reviews.... Christine Sutton

Christine Sutton gets the special review treatment from my guest blogger Jennifer Thomas.

Shame the Devil

This is one gripping short story! From the beginning the characters have depth and are well developed, you are able to feel the fear and anger as it leaps from the pages.

Arthur thinks he can keep his life secret from his friends and co workers. He never thought he would be caught red handed by anyone for his evil deeds but then on one little elevator ride his life is turn upside down. 

You many be able to hide from the living but the devil will always know.

Prodigal Son

If you are a reader of horror or serial killer fiction then this book will be right up your alley. 

From the start I was pulled into the story and by the time I got to 30% I was completely pulled in and could not put it down until I had finished the entire thing. 

As will all of Christine Sutton's writing there were some very emotional parts in this book for me. She has a way of really giving you characters that you can both love and hate and Prodigal son is no exception. 

This is one of those books where you feel there is just so much I want to go on about but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.

I will leave you with a couple of question that stays in my mind as the end of this book was in site; Is a person born with darkness and hate in their heart or is it put there as time grows and they have no one to love and care for them? 
How much abuse can a person take before they loose their minds?

Outstanding horror read!

Kayla - Enchanted Fairy Tales

Once I started this wonderful, suspenseful and fun book I could not put it down!! I was drawn in and with every word I had to read more. 

Christine Sutton takes your imagination on a fascinating and wonderful adventure as you get to know Kayla Burkheart and what kind of life she was forced to lead with a mother that is more than you will ever expect and more evil than you can imagine.

I love fairy tales and in reading this series I was drawn in and reminded as to why I enjoy them so very much.

This is a must read if you are a fan of werewolves, vampire, horror or suspense. If you love fairy tales or if you just love a wonderful book that has great flow and a world you can get caught up in.

Killers

In this collection of four short stories you will be taken through so many levels of fear it is crazy. 

Christine Sutton takes you not only into the minds of the killers in her stories but into their wants and their fears.

I think the scariest part of all of these stories is the simple fact that Christine give you ideas of what can really happen and what really goes on in the world we live in. 

These are very emotional and enjoyable stories to read.

All the Little Children

If you like haunting and ghost stories this book is for you.

 It was a well written good read. It had the suspense to keep you reading and a story line that holds your attention. 

I do not read a lot of haunting books but I am glad I took the time to read this one. Christine Sutton has quite a way with words.

 Because this book has to do with the loss of life of children and babies it was a bit of a heart breaker for me but a good book is a good book that is all there is too it.

Purple Wish: A Valentine Fairy Tale by Lorraine Versini

Let me start by saying that this is not my usual choice of book. However the cover artist is Jeffrey Kosh and I am always thrilled to look at his artwork and am often intrigued by the book inside.  As this was a short read and looked "cute and sweet" I was in the mood for reading this or a bar of chocolate - reading, chocolate? reading, chocolate? its a hard fought battle!

So, this little fairy tale won out. 

This is written with full palate of colour, typical of a fairytale there is a lot of love and the characters are clear cut and fall into either good or evil, whilst there was no out right evil, merely a mischievous fairy.

Clearly based at the YA market it had some challenging words, but my only niggle was the "slap" and the hint of sex, whilst ok for pre teen/teen readers it put its self out of reach for "the story at bedtime", but only in my opinion.  

The writing was plain and easy to follow, with some good editing as no obvious errors.

I would love to see this author expand the story a little or follow on with the saga maybe tell us more about the fairy, she has left it wide open for other worlds and characters, and I think she needs to increase and complicate the plot lines to entice YA or bring it down a notch for the bedtime story market - do both! 

Purple Wish

Kayla: enchanted modern fairy tales! by Christine Sutton

RED: In this first chapter of the book you are introduced to a cute character, Kayla, who is not quite the dumb idiot bimbo in most horror films who goes down the dark alley alone but she is not far off!!

Her inquisitiveness and personality seem to get her into all sorts of trouble... and this is only the beginning!

Christine Sutton slowly builds up the suspense, with hints at what might be, but then does a nice little twist at the end!

SNOW: This second chapter carries on the Kayla saga, can things get any worse for this more girl, well it seems, yes!

If the first tale incorporated the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale this one makes you giggle with the references to Snow White, complete with little people! and wonderful fairy tale ending... sort of!

Very clever writing, introducing some great new characters with a dash of magic and fairy dust.

LET ME COME IN: The next instalment of Kayla's mad life does not disappoint.

Hysterical & horrendous nods to The Three Little Pigs; has almost put me off bacon sandwiches, almost!

Bit more gore in this one and plenty more magic to explain the wonderful details of a strange, warped fairy tale world!

Ms Sutton has excelled herself with the details in this fantastic modern day twisted tale, adding another layer of fantasy and a beautiful new character that you find yourself already in love with.

GRACE IN THE DARK: Such a shame that Ms Sutton has decided this is her final instalment of the Kayla series as they are so enjoyable, but she does tidy up all the loose ends and leaves you feeling very full (mostly of giggles and love).

This book dives into the magical world once again, but further along their life lines, we now have the little baby Grace as a little girl....and a cute one at that!

We meet old friends and new enemies with a clever twist of humour and Grimm style horror.

A brilliant tale that is funny, gore laden and exceptionally clever!

Kayla: enchanted modern fairy tales!