A compelling and heart warming set of four short stories by Mary Grand, author of ‘Free to Be Tegan’.
The New Arrival
Rachel has moved to the Isle of Wight determined to become invisible. Hiding a shameful secret she cultivates a ‘cold polite smile as effective as an electric fence.’ However, unexpectedly, into her life comes a loving, crazy, individual: Lottie the cocker spaniel. Everything is about to change.
Catching the Light
Erin thinks she has found her fairytale prince. However, the honeymoon in a remote cottage in Wales shatters the dream. For the first time in her life Erin discovers the mystical world of fairies.
Belonging
Megan works in a Theatre for the Deaf. She is Deaf. Her language is British Sign Language. One evening she meets John, who is hearing, and two worlds collide. This is the story of the struggles, joys and tears of their remarkable relationship.
The Outing
This was to be the most important day of Kay’s life. However her mission to be free from years of guilt reveals so much more than she could possibly imagine.
Free to Be Tegan
Also included is an excerpt from the author’s full length novel ‘Free to Be Tegan’.
Tegan, aged twenty seven, is cast out of the cult, rejected by her family and the only life she has known. She is vulnerable and naive but she also has courage and the will to survive. She travels to Wales, to previously unknown relations in the wild Cambrian Mountains.
Reviews of Free to Be Tegan
“An excellent debut novel, can’t wait for the next one.”
“Powerful and beautifully written and I look forward to reading further books from Mary Grand.”
“Loved the book …. I was gripped and couldn’t put it down.”
“It was very thought provoking and emotional with lots of plot twists to keep you on your toes. I highly recommend this book.”
Free on 23rd - 25th May 24
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Reviews:
"Four women, four short stories, four very different lives. Lovers of women's fiction and character drama should look this up. I'd also suggest them to literary fiction readers, as the character portrayals are that strong."
Reviewer: Reader for Bookangel.
Four women, four short stories, four very different lives. From dealing with infidelity and abuse, to the fae in the welsh hills, these are...gripping is not the right word, but perhaps intriguing or engaging would be better. The stories are entertaining if short, and driven very much by the characters rather than plot. In some cases the action has occurred long before and the cast are only now finding out about it.
The first story was to my mind the weakest, a woman starting a new life after the consequences of infidelity, and yet that was not to say it was bad. The characters were strong enough to carry it, and the author's writing strong enough to bring across the emotions that drove the story. While the second and fourth stories are stronger, the third story is a gem and to my mind the strongest: the relationship between Megan, who is deaf, and John her hearing boyfriend, is utterly believable and heartwarming, and the obstacles they overcome realistic.
Following the stories, there are the first three chapters of Free to be Tegan, the author's first novel. This takes up roughly 20% of the books length. While I usually abhor the practice, I should mention these chapters are actually strong enough that I looked up the novel and end at a good breakpoint in the story.
On the presentation side, there are no formatting issues and I didn't notice spelling or grammar issues. Either there weren't any, or I was engrossed in the book, and either of those is a good sign.
As a character-driven set it does lack the action and adventure some readers may prefer, although the converse is that these stories are clean: no gore and no swearing. Lovers of women's fiction and character drama should look this up. I'd also suggest them to literary fiction readers, as the character portrayals are that strong.
Rating: 4
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2016-02-21
