The following is a trio of reviews on three short stories in a four shot story anthology soon to be available in print from Dark Castle Lords. Currently, all three of these little gems are available separately in ebook formats, and all were very good reading. I found these tales by Author Bill Haworth and unique and special. They are not traditional romances, they do embody the spirit of romance in the love and sacrifice that are the hallmarks of great story telling, So enjoy!
Title: Armistice
Author: Bill Haworth
Published in 2010 by Dark Castle Lords
Genre: World War I
ISBN: 978-0-9823610-9-2
Other Books by Bill: Castle on the Moor, Ice Palace, Ockham's Razor, Stonehenge, Whitby: Vampires Return?
Anthologies with Bill: Only in Spirit, Season of Love
Sergeant Jack Bennett has a rough row to hoe. There is a runner coming, and he is the highest ranking officer left standing in his bedraggled forces. His Lieutenant is down with dysentery, the Sergeant-Major killed in the no-man's land supervising the gathering and bringing in of the dead and wounded, an so he receives the news of the orders to stand down, and wonders what will happen next. Jack Bennett is a man with many years under his belt, and most as a non-commissioned officer. He has seen the struggles of the men under him, has suffered and prayed with them when the most stupid of orders have been handed down. Now, with his Lieutenant in the infirmary, he is the only officer left and takes things over.
When the Sergeant shows up for the conference, orders are received concerning developments in the war’s status. As to the news taken to the troops earlier to stand down, there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. There is to be an armistice, the documents were signed, and all is in order. But there is a hitch in the plans. To satisfy a bunch of lazy and inconsiderate generals who have not seen battle, and who realized how much further their careers could go if they engaged the enemy personally, there will be a last and final offensive. They have an hour to ready the troops, to make plans, and to implement the orders to begin the fight at 09:00, which is only two hours from the armistice implementation. The strategy has not been set, so the advice of Sgt. Bennett is taken as the best way to comply with orders and yet save as many lives as possible. What happens in that hour is a story in and of itself, but the outcome of the war for his troops hinge on their strategy working. Who will survive, and who won’t is the surprise for both sides…
From a time of war, where the enemy was an unknown commodity by either side, comes a story of love, and sacrifice centered around the Great War to End All Wars. This WWI short entitled Armistice, is a tale of sacrifice for one's country, the love and caring for the men in one's command, and the last battle of a war that should never have been fought. Again, from the pen of Author Bill Haworth, we get a poignant story, this time of men at war, their thoughts on home, and those left behind. The story of these courageous men who loved their country to the end will pull your heart and your soul. Well Done Bill! The movies couldn't do it any better.
Title: Stonehenge
Author: Bill Haworth
Published in 2010 by Dark Castle Lords
Genre: Time Travel
ISBN: 978-0-9823610-3-0
Other Books by Bill: Castle on the Moor, Ice Palace, Ockham's Razor, Armistice, Whitby: Vampires Return?
Anthologies with Bill: Only in Spirit, Season of Love
It is Holly's fourteenth birthday, and her father and mother have arranged a special surprise for her. Professor Bush has arranged a special field trip to the monoliths at Stonehenge, a place Holly has always wanted to see at Mid-Summer. This year, she is getting her wish and as the family enjoys the sights, sounds, and the carnival atmosphere surrounding the great stone circle, things are not what they may seem. There IS magic here, and young Holly is about to get the ultimate lesson in History. As her younger sister plays with her dog, a strange storm comes up, causing the crowds to scatter. When the Frisbee Jessie has thrown for Mags, her dog, seems to disappear over a mound, Holly runs to get both the dog and the toy, but gets caught in the vortex opened by the storm. Falling back in time, she enters a whole new world, but will she find her way home again?
The girl's appearance startled Alan, and scattered the sheep. Where once only the mound and the Sacred Dolmens stood, there was also a young woman, one not much younger than himself. Where she came from was not an issue, she was a gift from the gods, but a benevolent one or one bent on mischief he didn't know. It was an unknown and frightening proposition, but Alan knew something was up, something special was happening to him. She seemed puzzled by her appearance, seemed lost, and he had to find out why she was there, who she was, and for that he had to gather his courage. The dog brought her, then left without her and Alan didn't know what to make of the situation at all. She was truly a wonder, and he learned about her as he took her to his family. His mother was practical about it all, giving the girl advice, and as Alan watched, he saw something he liked very much about her. She was leaving she said, but Alan didn't know how, or why and he could only hope Holly was as attracted to him as he was to her. Could she get home and if so, could he go with her?
The legendary site of Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain is a place of myth, magic, and for all, mystery. The who, how, and whys of the building of the monolithic monument is hotly debated, but here is the setting for a good short story. From the moment the storm rose, the Arch Druid Rowan knew something was going to happen, he just didn't know what. Now it is up to him to help a distraught woman and her worried husband try to find a way to bring their lost daughter back across the mists of time. From a time, crudely written about in history, comes a story of love, sacrifice, and magic centered around the great stones in Salisbury. This tale of growth and making hard decisions is from the pen of Author Bill Haworth. For a man who claims he doesn't write romance, Stonehenge, the story of these teens will pull your heart.
Title: Whitby: Vampires Return?
Author: Bill Haworth
Published in 2010 by Dark Castle Lords
Genre: Paranormal
ISBN: 978-0-9842828-6-9
Other Books by Bill: Castle on the Moor, Ice Palace, Ockham's Razor, Armistice, Stonehenge
Anthologies with Bill: Only in Spirit, Season of Love
Detective Sergeant Clare McKee is a case closer, and as such, she has earned her rank, and her assignments in spite of the prejudice against women in the police ranks. She was not certain of what this case would entail, but she was sure she could get the job done. What she faced was a large amount of skepticism from the Super, the inability to believe a woman could do what his locals could not. Superintendent Norris was about to find out differently if Clare has anything to say about it. In this case she did because when CID (Criminal Investigative Department) was called in, she became the ranking officer, no matter what Norris thought. She is uncertain of how to handle Sgt. Doakes, however, and decides that to keep him by her side might be best. The old copper had a head injury recently, and due to his pending retirement was put on desk duty. Doaksie has other ideas, and gladly squires Clare around town. She realized that the head injury didn't really impair his wit or his ability to think, just scrambled his brain. His time on the force did give him some wisdom, and if she can get around the apparent absentmindedness, he could be, and will be a valuable asset. Clare was completely unprepared for what happened...
Dracula was alive and well in Whitby. Yes, the old rumours said he fled to Whitby from Transylvania, then went back when things became too dangerous in England. By that time, things had cooled down in Transylvania, but why was he back? It was the only explanation for the bodies completely drained of blood. Two murders, two bodies and no explanations for their condition and the lack of blood at the scene. Clare wasn't buying into the vampire theory, yet she knew something was behind the disappearing blood. She thought it was more than just murder, she knew there was a reason behind it, and set her sights on the big picture, not just the murders themselves. Any and all connections were to be explored, but when a mysterious young man was found with slashed wrists at the murder scenes...Things got dicey.
A tough cop, hardened from personal loss and the inevitable toll exposure to crime takes on one’s psyche, is pitted against a smart ring of thieves and murderers. Caught up in prejudice and a bit of xenophobia, an innocent victim could be charged for the murders. Something isn’t right, and Clare is certain this young man with a case of drug induced amnesia could be the clue to everything. What will come if it is still a puzzle, but there is plenty of excitement, a thrill of danger, and a budding romance between Clare and the “Vampire” under suspicion of murder. One can only wait the plot through, and as the twists and turns ensnare the reader, Author Bill Haworth wins you to his side. Whitby: Vampires Return? is a classic detective tale with all the right stuff, and the hint of love to come as well. I hope he decides to bring Clare around again, because she is one classy lady, as well as being a good cop. This is must read, and whether you wait for the print anthology, or if you get it as an ebook, Whitby is definitely on my must keep list.
If these three stories, Armistice, Stonehenge, and Whitby: Vampires Return?, are indicative of the fourth that is to be placed in this particular anthology, then you are in for some excellent reading. They are not your pure romances, but they are a well blended set of extraordinary tales about human beings, and about the vagaries of love. Whether it be for love of country, love of a woman, or love of the truth, each is a successful story with memorable characters, and the pull that will draw you back again and again. Well done, Bill, and please may we have some more?
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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