Darren Worrow

10 authors write 10 short stories in order to raise 100% profit to benefit a children’s charity. This book is worth its purchase price if for no other reason than that. But if you need further enticement I will provide it.

As I read through this collection of original stories, I experienced a range of reactions—quickly captivated by some tales, emotionally touched by others, laughing and then crying and then gaping at a glowing page after one eerie folktale left me covered in goose bumps. I was dazzled by the creativity of a few authors while impressed by the sharp writing of others. While there are portions that could use additional editing and some skillful rewrite, this book covers a spectrum when it comes to individual tastes, which means there is bound to be an author and story to your liking.

I will briefly touch on each:

“A Wish for Lucie” by Maria Miller – This is a sweet tale of friendship that quite accurately portrays the behavior and reactions of two young girls coping with placement in an orphanage. It is perfect for those who love happy endings.

“I am not Frazzle” by Darren Worrow – This highly-creative and fun ‘change of heart’ tale might well please the youthful side of grownups. Blurring illusion with reality, a fantastical quest teaches a man to love.

“The Candy Vendor’s Confession” by Nancy Brooks – This story reads like a grim, local legend in many ways, possessing a need to be told over flickering firelight in the dead of night. It will leave your skin eerily prickling. Excellent writing. One read was disturbing enough for me, however.

“Mirror Image” by Holly M. Kothe – This is a love story, or the beginning of one. I found this realistic account a nice and touching read, but it struck me as only the beginning chapters to what yearns to develop into a full-length book. It is a very sweet story of triumph over heartache and finding past, young love.

“Simon” by Dave Darby – I adored this simple, brief story; I daresay it was my favorite. Simon, without knowledge of his own identity, willingly performs ultimate acts of love and kindness for complete strangers. Instead of brief moments of forgetfulness, his divine calling allows for only brief moments of remembrance.

“The Storekeeper” by Cecily Magnon - This story caught my attention early and kept a firm grasp as my mind worked to understand exactly what great task the kind, old main character was to perform. It is a spiritually enlightening tale of forgiveness and personal transformation. Highly enjoyable.

“Stingers” by Graham Downs – If nothing else, this story has the capacity to cause a bullying character to hesitate in his intimidating ways. A boy is aggressively harassed to the point of nearly being killed, but retribution visits those who ever dared to harm the young man. Use of strong language and disturbing scenes exist in this short story.

“The Beauty of Ugh” by Richelle E. Goodrich – This fable was written by yours truly; I happen to like it very much. It tells of a young man born with unsightly deformities, how he is scorned and shunned by villagers. Loneliness is his curse unless he can somehow show the world what it actually means to be beautiful.

“The King” by Paul Howard – This is an Elvis story that puts the ‘King’ in a fine light. The heightened publicity of an Elvis impersonation contest threatens to take on an unfavorable political twist until the real deal finds a way to disperse any plans to exploit his good and famous persona. A strong admiration for the late Elvis Presley is evident in the ending.

“The Story of Nugu the Baboon” by James Cruickshank & James Penhaligon – This parable reminds me of Rudyard Kipling’s tales in his animal book, ‘Just So Stories’ (a book I very much like, by the way). A story I would read to children, closing with a favorable moral.
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