DARKTALES Volume Two |
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Title: Darktales Volume Two
Publication Date: 5/17/2008
Language: English
Book Description (formally called "Annotation"):
Darktales Volume Two picks up right where Darktales leaves off!!
Just as you would expect, this new book is filled with fun and
unforgettable short stories. "More fun than the original!"
"Darktales Two is a winner!"
1 Fiction : Science Fiction - Short Stories
Publication Date: 5/17/2008
Language: English
Book Description (formally called "Annotation"):
Darktales Volume Two picks up right where Darktales leaves off!!
Just as you would expect, this new book is filled with fun and
unforgettable short stories. "More fun than the original!"
"Darktales Two is a winner!"
1 Fiction : Science Fiction - Short Stories
| © Copyright 2008 All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced reprinted in whole or part without the expressed written consent of Steven R. Zellers or Wordwizard Publishing |
Index
Promotion...............................................7
Screw Loose.........................................20
Ice Queen.............................................29
Northern Lights....................................35
Rookie...................................................44
Seven Dates From Myspace...............53
The Apartment......................................61
The Mantle Clock.................................74
Halloween.............................................89
Trust......................................................99
Pickle Juice........................................107
Till Death.............................................113
Promotion...............................................7
Screw Loose.........................................20
Ice Queen.............................................29
Northern Lights....................................35
Rookie...................................................44
Seven Dates From Myspace...............53
The Apartment......................................61
The Mantle Clock.................................74
Halloween.............................................89
Trust......................................................99
Pickle Juice........................................107
Till Death.............................................113
The Mantle Clock
It was a warm spring day when I first saw it. My girlfriend Carla brought
home an antique mantle clock and sat it on her cherry wood book case. The
case was filled with Stephen King books and scary movies. I love her but
she’s one of these people that loves scary stuff. I’m not. She’s not into Goth
and not a witch, but I know she does practice in the black arts. We’ve never
really talked about it much and so far it’s never been a problem.
“Where did you get the clock?” I asked.
“It was my Grandmother’s.” She said. “It’s not working right now but I
think it just needs some batteries.”
I just nodded and looked at the clock. It really was a good looking piece and
was a nice addition to our apartment.
“Will you get some batteries the next time you go out?” Carla asked. Or at
least I thought she did.
“Yes.”
“Yes what?”
“Yes. I’ll get you some batteries,”
“I didn’t ask you for batteries.” Carla said looking at me surprised. “But I
was just about ready to.”
I looked at her then back to the clock. “I know.” I said. I don’t know how I
knew. I just did.
An hour later I found myself at the store with a pack of batteries in my
hand. For some reason I couldn’t wait to get home and put them in the
clock.
When I got home Carla was sitting on the couch watching Attack of the
Killer Zombies or some crazy scary movie like that. The images on the
screen gave me the creeps. Oh My God! My girl is one sick puppy.
"How can you watch that garbage?" I asked.
"Shut up you big sissy." She said and got up and kissed me.
If she wasn't so damn cute I would of gotten rid of her scary movie Stephen
King loving ass. But things are the way they are. So I kissed her back. I
have to admit, she was a really good kisser. And her perfume,
all I can say is wow.
Needless to say the creepy movie on TV was the last thing on my mind. I
had a whole new agenda. So to make a long story short we did the wild
thing. And no I'm not going to give you all the juicy details. Sorry but it's
not really any of your business. But I do have a reason for telling you all
this.....
Quick Reads
By: Ron Wynn, rwynn@nashvillecitypaper.com
Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008 3:02 am Email Print
DarkTales: A Collection of Sick Twisted Scary Stories and DarkTales: Volume
Two
By Steven R. Zellers
Nashville author Steven R. Zellers originally penned the first volume of
DarkTales almost 11 years ago, but he’snow updated it and penned a second
collection.
As the title suggests, these are stories that can shock, stun, frighten or delight,
and sometimes manage all those things within their tightly constructed
frameworks. Zellers knows how to manipulate details, but also he varies his
approach. Sometimes things accelerate right from the opening paragraph,
and the remaining narrative simply sustains what’s already been generated.
Other times he’ll slowly build the tension, working to a strong conclusion and
injecting surprise elements that nicely wrap the story.
There are 18 entries in the initial volume and 12 more in the sequel. While
readers’ choices and preferences will differ depending on their perspectives
and interests, some recommendations from DarkTales include “Tinman,”
“Smokey Mountain Rain,” “Freak,” “Grandma’s Secret” and most
interestingly “Writer’s Block.” Anyone who’s ever had a problem composing a
letter or finishing an assignment will find it quite intriguing. His opening
story “My Wife” and final entry “Jewels” are also outstanding.
Prime pieces in DarkTales: Volume Two include “Ice Queen,” “Northern
Lights,”
“Seven Dates from MySpace” and “Till Death,” as well as “Halloween” and
“Trust.”
Some horror/suspense writers, most notably the late Rod Serling, used the
genre as asocial message tool. There are some stories with underlying or
implied themes, but overall Zellers is mainly interested in spinning a
compelling yarn rather than examining a particular social ill.
The DarkTales volumes offer fine examples of both striking horror pieces and
excellent short story writing. Ron Wynn Nashville City Paper
$9.95
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Want to have some fun? Grab a copy of D-2, sit down, shut up, and hang on because Darktales Two is a wild ride. Buckle up....