| A TIME TO... |
| Some of the stories appearing in the anthology include From the April - June Issue Act of War - Lee Martindale Blood and Ashes - Michele Acker From the July - September Issue Nim of the Kamankay - Tracie McBride Debtor - J.Michael Matuszewicz From the October - December Issue Chilpequin 22 Miles - Marva Dasef Swing A Sparrow on A String - Ken Goldman Along with several others. |
| Some comments regarding A Time To... |
| "Whether a warrior or lady, enchanted or free, each story within A TIME TO... artfully reveals the hidden strength that dwells within a woman's soul and the circumstances that gave it birth." ~ May the Magic always brighten your world ~ Sheri L. McGathy - author of Thief of Dreams www.sherilmcgathy.com *** An entertaining anthology featuring gritty female protagonists, A TIME TO sends the reader to an intriguing array of realms - and times - where often a woman's most challenging task is merely to survive. Kim Headlee - author of Dawnflight Kim also had this to say when she read Chilpequin 22 Miles by Marva Dasef "This line alone is worth the price of the whole antho!!" --Yeah, my cousins both play for the Seahawks. I've got an aunt who's a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.-- *** Exciting, thought-provoking, and, at times, wryly humorous, this is a fine collection of short stories and poems. Through its strong female characters, A TIME TO... accomplishes what science fiction and fantasy do best; it explores what it means to be human in all possible times and circumstances. David Lee Summers - author of Vampires of the Scarlet Order and editor of Tales of the Talisman *** From Lee Martindale's spine-chilling story "Act of War" to Elizabeth Barrette's whimsical poem "The Night the Moon was Stolen," this is a strong collection of fine prose and poetry and has a little something for every reader. Buy this book. You won't regret it. Laura J. Underwood - author of Dragon's Tongue and The Hounds of Ardagh |
| Reviews we have received What a wonderful collection of stories and poetry. Something for everyone, A Time To... will have you feeling a range of emotions. Each story has their own unique flair, their own distinct voice. I recommend this book to lovers of literature everywhere. Curl up and delve into the pages --y ou won't be disappointed. M.E Ellis Act of War – Lee Martindale A wonderful tale with a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. A cleverly written piece about war—but not the kind you would expect. Well-written and a joy to read. Blood and Ashes — Michele Acker Sorea, a warrior, is portrayed with excellence in this tale. With wonderful imagery, I was transported to another time and place. Daryn is also well characterised, and I felt his emotion at the end of the tale. The Last Vhalgenn — Kayelle Allen Blown away by this story. Beautifully written, and very vivid. Most enjoyable! Urania — Bobbi Sinha-Morey A poem that says so much with so few words. Lovely. Before Their Time — Elizabeth Barrette Something to make you think! Debtor — J. Michael Matuszewicz A well-written, heartfelt story. Enjoyable! Nim of the Kamankay — Tracie McBride Vivid imagery. A well-written joy to read. When the Vengeance is Gone — M.H Bonham What a wonderful world created in this tale. To be considered a criminal just because your relative was one is horrendous—to have to chase down these so called criminals even more so. Great story. Chilpequin 22 Miles — Marva Dasef A smile-inducing story. It set my mind to wondering if Bigfoot really does exist. Well-written with a great voice. New Beginning — Ashley Arnold A poignant tale, one I enjoyed immensely. Swing a Sparrow on a String — Ken Goldman A story that brought great imagery to mind from the first sentence. Enjoyable to read! The Night the Moon was Stolen — Elizabeth Barrette Another poem that speaks volumes and gives wonderful visuals within the mind. *** |
A TIME TO… Volume 1
Edited by Carol Hightshoe
Reviewed by Edward Cox for Sam's Dot Publishing
The Lorelei Signal is a fantasy webzine dedicated to strong female characters. With three issues now under her belt,
editor Carol Hightshoe has commemorated the first year of publication with the release of A Time To… Volume 1. This
anthology brings together the best short stories and poems of The Lorelei Signal 2006, and it stands as testament to what
a success that inaugural year was.
The best of issue 1 kicks off with Lee Martindale’s Act of War. This piece of flash fiction uses stark descriptions to
build a tense and creepy atmosphere, as a group of villagers take refuge inside a warehouse. Outside, soldiers are
preparing for battle against something that approaches. The story is tidy and complete, and there’s a great twist at the
end, but its briefness has the feel of a prologue, and that makes it perfect for the first story of the anthology.
Blood and Ashes by Michele Acker plumps us straight onto a blood-soaked battlefield during the height of a war. Our
protagonist, Sorea, is a woman posing as a man in the army, and facing the complications that brings. And as the day on
the battlefield grows long, she soon realises that it sometimes takes a woman to know a woman, and it’s a lesson learned
too late. The sense that everything may not be as it seems is carried through this tale from start to finish. Acker packs a
lot of character information into a relatively short piece, but it doesn’t detract from an otherwise enjoyable story.
Next up comes Kayelle Allen’s The Last Vhalgenn, which is also the longest story in the anthology. Raik is the king’s
concubine, recalled to the kingdom from her duties with the army. The king’s wife is pregnant, and the unification of
two lands depends on the birth. Here, with a clash of cultures, Raik is assigned a covert mission, where she walks a
precarious line between the greater good and an act of treachery. Although Allen’s prose is easy to read, and the story is
both engrossing and poignant, I felt that as a whole The Last Vhalgenn could’ve been developed a little further. The story
is 10,000 words long, and with a few thousand more it could go from being a decent yarn to a great tale.
The final outing from issue 1 is Urania by Bobbi Sinha-Morey. This poem of the ancient Greek muse draws the picture
of a lonely woman, isolated in her dreams of the heavens. For a deity who holds philosophers and astronomers most
dear, Sinha-Morey’s lavish description of the galaxy creates a perfect atmosphere for thought and seclusion.
And this brings us to best of issue 2. First up is Before Their Time by Elizabeth Barrette. This is arguably the best poem
in the anthology. It’s a satirical look at how men have fashioned mythologies in a way that has pushed woman to the
back, or portrayed them in a bad light. Both funny and sad, Barrette makes a strong point that these mythologies have
created a mind-set that can never be rewritten.
J. Michael Matuszewicz’s Debtor is a story of mystery and intrigue. When an old man receives visits from an enigmatic
young girl, he assigns her domestic chores in return for food and board. Here, debts are revealed, both new and old, and
it slowly becomes apparent that this unlikely pairing are not the complete strangers they first appear to be. Matuszewicz
paces this story well, and does a great job of dangling clues that lead to a conclusion steeped in the mythic.
In Nim of the Kamankay, Tracie McBride presents us with a warrior worthy of any Sword and Sorcery story. Nim is
nobody’s fool, a battle-hardened soldier who has to prove her mettle with the band of mercenaries she wishes to join.
The tale is very short, and reads much like an early segment from a full-length novel. The atmosphere and characters
McBride creates reminded me of Robert E. Howard, and that’s what I found most appealing; it took me back to my
schooldays, and all those summers spent reading the exploits of Conan the Barbarian. It would be a crime, I think, if this
was Nim’s one and only outing.
The last selection from issue 2 is M.H. Bonham’s When the Vengeance is Gone. This is a SciFi story that parodies the
Nazi witch-hunt that occurred after WWII. In a land that is rapidly becoming a totalitarian state, Lara is a hunter of war
criminals. She is devoted to her job, and never questions the morality of the cause. Until, that is, her very old and dear
friend is implicated in the never-ending war trials. When the Vengeance is Gone stakes a good claim for being the best
short story in the anthology; Bonham’s characters are well drawn, the plot has a good, even pace, and the descriptions
are easy for the imagination to follow. But the problem, once again, is that this tale is crying out to be a much larger piece
of work. With its open-ended conclusion, the author could develop this into something truly special, and quite easily
discover she has a novel on her hands.
When the best of issue 3 begins, Marva Dasef treats us to Chilpequin 22 Miles. This story follows the journey of a
woman who “liked to take the roads less travelled”. One day, while driving her car, she sees a sign to the small mountain
town of Chilpequin, and on a whim decides to check it out. Once there she engages a barmen in a conversation
concerning the yeti myth, and soon discovers that Chilpequin possibly isn’t the simple town she first supposed. Dasef’s
tale is a quaint and enjoyable affair, where, to be truthful, not much happens. But she makes a clever point that the idea
of a myth is a seed that grows within the human consciousness, and it’s our imaginations that bring it into existence.
Next, Ashley Arnold’s New Beginning brings the age-old warning that we should be careful what we wish for. Bridgette
fancies herself as something of a child goddess, much to the amusement of her friends. But little do they suspect that
there may be a little truth behind her claims, and Bridgette learns the hard way that there’s more to her power than she
realises. This story has a nice feel and encapsulates the innocence of childhood. It’s fun to read, but the smile is soon
wiped from your face with an ending that is both sad and coldly logical.
And this brings us to arguably the best of the best in this anthology. Swing a Sparrow on a String by Ken Goldman gives
the stark account of Angela, a crippled girl imprisoned because of her disabilities. Continually interrogated by a nameless
and cold-hearted guard, Angela has to discover what use a cripple can be to a society where uselessness is punishable by
death. Swing a Sparrow on a String is a Kafkaesque nightmare, and Goldman’s storytelling carries a matter-of-factness
that is chilling to read. He makes us feel for Angela, and wish her reprieve from the situation’s absurdity. He slowly
draws us towards a conclusion that sounds off like a dark punch line, and it’s work like this that sets the benchmark of
quality that The Lorelei Signal strives for.
The anthology ends with a second poem from Elizabeth Barrette. The Night the Moon Was Stolen is a whimsical affair
that is both entertaining and a good pick-me-up after Goldman’s nightmare. There’s a certain mischievousness about this
poem, as the theft of the moon is witnessed by an indignant onlooker. Barrette’s inspiration melds styles from folklore
and modern writings, and it adds a positive epilogue to a collection of tales that form a vastly entertaining read.
A Time To… Volume 1 is a great body of work from a very respectable webzine. Carol Hightshoe can feel proud with
her achievements here. And with the first year of The Lorelei Signal behind her, she can look forward to another year of
toil, which I’m sure will see her publications move from strength to strength.
Edited by Carol Hightshoe
Reviewed by Edward Cox for Sam's Dot Publishing
The Lorelei Signal is a fantasy webzine dedicated to strong female characters. With three issues now under her belt,
editor Carol Hightshoe has commemorated the first year of publication with the release of A Time To… Volume 1. This
anthology brings together the best short stories and poems of The Lorelei Signal 2006, and it stands as testament to what
a success that inaugural year was.
The best of issue 1 kicks off with Lee Martindale’s Act of War. This piece of flash fiction uses stark descriptions to
build a tense and creepy atmosphere, as a group of villagers take refuge inside a warehouse. Outside, soldiers are
preparing for battle against something that approaches. The story is tidy and complete, and there’s a great twist at the
end, but its briefness has the feel of a prologue, and that makes it perfect for the first story of the anthology.
Blood and Ashes by Michele Acker plumps us straight onto a blood-soaked battlefield during the height of a war. Our
protagonist, Sorea, is a woman posing as a man in the army, and facing the complications that brings. And as the day on
the battlefield grows long, she soon realises that it sometimes takes a woman to know a woman, and it’s a lesson learned
too late. The sense that everything may not be as it seems is carried through this tale from start to finish. Acker packs a
lot of character information into a relatively short piece, but it doesn’t detract from an otherwise enjoyable story.
Next up comes Kayelle Allen’s The Last Vhalgenn, which is also the longest story in the anthology. Raik is the king’s
concubine, recalled to the kingdom from her duties with the army. The king’s wife is pregnant, and the unification of
two lands depends on the birth. Here, with a clash of cultures, Raik is assigned a covert mission, where she walks a
precarious line between the greater good and an act of treachery. Although Allen’s prose is easy to read, and the story is
both engrossing and poignant, I felt that as a whole The Last Vhalgenn could’ve been developed a little further. The story
is 10,000 words long, and with a few thousand more it could go from being a decent yarn to a great tale.
The final outing from issue 1 is Urania by Bobbi Sinha-Morey. This poem of the ancient Greek muse draws the picture
of a lonely woman, isolated in her dreams of the heavens. For a deity who holds philosophers and astronomers most
dear, Sinha-Morey’s lavish description of the galaxy creates a perfect atmosphere for thought and seclusion.
And this brings us to best of issue 2. First up is Before Their Time by Elizabeth Barrette. This is arguably the best poem
in the anthology. It’s a satirical look at how men have fashioned mythologies in a way that has pushed woman to the
back, or portrayed them in a bad light. Both funny and sad, Barrette makes a strong point that these mythologies have
created a mind-set that can never be rewritten.
J. Michael Matuszewicz’s Debtor is a story of mystery and intrigue. When an old man receives visits from an enigmatic
young girl, he assigns her domestic chores in return for food and board. Here, debts are revealed, both new and old, and
it slowly becomes apparent that this unlikely pairing are not the complete strangers they first appear to be. Matuszewicz
paces this story well, and does a great job of dangling clues that lead to a conclusion steeped in the mythic.
In Nim of the Kamankay, Tracie McBride presents us with a warrior worthy of any Sword and Sorcery story. Nim is
nobody’s fool, a battle-hardened soldier who has to prove her mettle with the band of mercenaries she wishes to join.
The tale is very short, and reads much like an early segment from a full-length novel. The atmosphere and characters
McBride creates reminded me of Robert E. Howard, and that’s what I found most appealing; it took me back to my
schooldays, and all those summers spent reading the exploits of Conan the Barbarian. It would be a crime, I think, if this
was Nim’s one and only outing.
The last selection from issue 2 is M.H. Bonham’s When the Vengeance is Gone. This is a SciFi story that parodies the
Nazi witch-hunt that occurred after WWII. In a land that is rapidly becoming a totalitarian state, Lara is a hunter of war
criminals. She is devoted to her job, and never questions the morality of the cause. Until, that is, her very old and dear
friend is implicated in the never-ending war trials. When the Vengeance is Gone stakes a good claim for being the best
short story in the anthology; Bonham’s characters are well drawn, the plot has a good, even pace, and the descriptions
are easy for the imagination to follow. But the problem, once again, is that this tale is crying out to be a much larger piece
of work. With its open-ended conclusion, the author could develop this into something truly special, and quite easily
discover she has a novel on her hands.
When the best of issue 3 begins, Marva Dasef treats us to Chilpequin 22 Miles. This story follows the journey of a
woman who “liked to take the roads less travelled”. One day, while driving her car, she sees a sign to the small mountain
town of Chilpequin, and on a whim decides to check it out. Once there she engages a barmen in a conversation
concerning the yeti myth, and soon discovers that Chilpequin possibly isn’t the simple town she first supposed. Dasef’s
tale is a quaint and enjoyable affair, where, to be truthful, not much happens. But she makes a clever point that the idea
of a myth is a seed that grows within the human consciousness, and it’s our imaginations that bring it into existence.
Next, Ashley Arnold’s New Beginning brings the age-old warning that we should be careful what we wish for. Bridgette
fancies herself as something of a child goddess, much to the amusement of her friends. But little do they suspect that
there may be a little truth behind her claims, and Bridgette learns the hard way that there’s more to her power than she
realises. This story has a nice feel and encapsulates the innocence of childhood. It’s fun to read, but the smile is soon
wiped from your face with an ending that is both sad and coldly logical.
And this brings us to arguably the best of the best in this anthology. Swing a Sparrow on a String by Ken Goldman gives
the stark account of Angela, a crippled girl imprisoned because of her disabilities. Continually interrogated by a nameless
and cold-hearted guard, Angela has to discover what use a cripple can be to a society where uselessness is punishable by
death. Swing a Sparrow on a String is a Kafkaesque nightmare, and Goldman’s storytelling carries a matter-of-factness
that is chilling to read. He makes us feel for Angela, and wish her reprieve from the situation’s absurdity. He slowly
draws us towards a conclusion that sounds off like a dark punch line, and it’s work like this that sets the benchmark of
quality that The Lorelei Signal strives for.
The anthology ends with a second poem from Elizabeth Barrette. The Night the Moon Was Stolen is a whimsical affair
that is both entertaining and a good pick-me-up after Goldman’s nightmare. There’s a certain mischievousness about this
poem, as the theft of the moon is witnessed by an indignant onlooker. Barrette’s inspiration melds styles from folklore
and modern writings, and it adds a positive epilogue to a collection of tales that form a vastly entertaining read.
A Time To… Volume 1 is a great body of work from a very respectable webzine. Carol Hightshoe can feel proud with
her achievements here. And with the first year of The Lorelei Signal behind her, she can look forward to another year of
toil, which I’m sure will see her publications move from strength to strength.
| I'm proud to announce that A Time To... Volume 1 has been named as a Finalist for the 2008 EPPIE Awards in the Fantasy Category Thank you and congratulations to the wonderful authors who made this possible. |
