I Write...
Elizabeth Horton-Newton, "The Seductress of Suspense"
  • Monthly Updates & Releases
  • New Releases & Specials
  • Electric Eclectic Books
  • About and Contact
  • Works in Progress
  • Home
  • The Crazy Writer Couple
  • Carved Wooden Heart
  • Riddle
  • Riddle - The Backstory
  • Book Trailers
  • "View From the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale" Exceprt
  • Stories From "View From the Sixth Floor"
  • Anthologies
  • Eric Schweig Masks
  • Short Story Reviews
  • Reviews and Interviews
  • Reviews for "Riddle"
  • Reviews for "View From the Sixth Floor"
  • My Photo Portfolio
  • Between the Beats
  • Around the World

Virtues of the short story told by an artful author

9/23/2016

0 Comments

 
Mark Fine- Ruminations
I’ve become extremely fond of the short story as a medium. Life is too busy, yet I enjoy a good read, so an enticing short story is a most satisfying treat. Being a fan of author, Elizabeth Horton-Newton—her two novels“The View from the Sixth Floor” and “Riddle” having provided hours of pleasure—I confidently chose her ‘Red Queen Check’ from the short story anthology, Crooked Tales. Glad I did.
The sheer glee in the author’s writing radiated from every paragraph. This doesn’t mean this is a cheerful, trivial read; in fact it is at times gritty. However, there is little doubt she wished for the reader to enjoy the delicious comeuppance she had in-store for the miserable sociopath (or, maybe psychopath) at the stories core. But, it is the recipe of the revenge fashioned that is most satisfying.
From the opening line, Horton-Newton teases the reader with sensual heat as she introduces the femme fatale. By the third paragraph we are repulsed by him, a contemptuous and possessive blowhard with deadly desires.  And so, in the best tradition of a fine short story the stage is set for a diabolical plot driven by an avenging heart.
Yet, despite the obvious pleasure in her writing there is little doubt that the author had earnest intent. Elizabeth Horton-Newton’s message is clear:  there is little use in society for those that abuse—no matter their power or position.
I applaud the writer’s craft exhibited by Horton-Newton; her ability to score such rich characters within such a satisfying story arc—and all this, with only 4,000 words used! No wonder I now find short stories so appealing…and hope for more from the artful Elizabeth Horton-Newton.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I have always enjoyed writing short stories and they are almost always horror stories. I hope you will take the time to read not only my stories in these anthologies, but also read the short stories of the other fine authors who have contributed. You will probably find other authors you enjoy. Look for other books they have written. And please take the time to let them know you enjoy their work.

    Archives

    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Knoxville, Tennessee

Contact Us

Elizabeth Horton-Newton Books Available at

Amazon
Dark at the Top of the Stairs
Old Habits
April Showers
Red Queen Check
Chattanooga Choo Choo