Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Indie Short Stories


Cover art for TALES OF CHINKAPIN CREEK
INDIE
Released: June 27, 2011

"An accomplished, creative memoir by a writer with serious literary tools—West Virginia, we hardly knew your soulful depths."
Veteran short-story writer Ayer strikes gold with these enchanting sketches of the motley relatives and neighbors who peopled her mother's rural West Virginia girlhood—back when the 20th century was young and spry. Read full book review >
Cover art for LOOKING OUT THE BACK DOOR
INDIE
Released: May 26, 2011

"Harshly beautiful stories, shot through with spiritual exaltation."
Hardship, brutality and frustration are balanced by sudden gleams of grace in these luminous period fables. Read full book review >
Cover art for N-SPACE
INDIE
Released: April 27, 2011

"Martin's varied literary structure and assimilation of human emotions, fused with a fast-paced, imaginative storyline and realistic science fiction will leave audiences marveling over Maines' adventures in n-Space."
In Martin's collection of science-fiction stories, Lt. Jana Maines steers merchant ships of the Space Trading Commission through the fourth dimension, known as n-Space. Read full book review >
Cover art for MINDWARP
INDIE
Released: April 15, 2011

"A beguiling blend of high-concept narrative and old-school literary chops."
This scintillating collection of a novella and eight short stories uses offbeat character studies to wrestle with snaky issues of identity and self-knowledge. Read full book review >
Cover art for TALES FROM THE GRANITE ORCHARD
INDIE
Released: Feb. 25, 2011

"Engaging stories about an unusual career."
A series of humorous anecdotes from the long career of a New York City funeral director. Read full book review >
Cover art for CREATURES WE DREAM OF KNOWING
INDIE
Released: Jan. 13, 2011

"Fans of the fantastic, the quirky and the diversity of nature will find new ideas to relish and ponder."
Marr's debut is a collection of emotional, imaginative stories written from a spiritual viewpoint. Read full book review >
Cover art for IMAGINATION & REALITY
INDIE
Released: June 29, 2010

"A fun stocking-stuffer or distracting waiting room read.
"
A collection of whimsical stories based in--but not bound to--reality. Read full book review >
Cover art for ON THE EDGE
INDIE
Released: April 1, 2010

"A beguiling collection of well-wrought tales by a writer with talent to burn."
People trapped in a bleak reality cross the line into madness, murder, magic and even hope in these knotty, engrossing stories. Read full book review >
Cover art for "TWO SCOOPS" IS JUST RIGHT
INDIE
Released: Oct. 5, 2009

"A blog by any other name is still a blog."
A series of random, lighthearted anecdotes from a professional economist and family man. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BEACON
INDIE
Released: Sept. 11, 2009

"A collection destined to be popular with those who love amateur sleuths."
Smart plotting and a strong sense of place define this collection of mystery stories by playwright Elwood. Read full book review >
Cover art for SANTA IS OUT THERE
INDIE
Released: June 11, 2009

"Clever short stories that will entertain mystery fans and lovers of holiday tales."
An amusing collection of fanciful short stories. Read full book review >