***** Made You Look! Review by Rox Burkey
Author Maura Beth Brennan presents this short story with a sizzling cover. The plot of the ex-whore marrying up to Tom and living the life of luxury will grab you and hold you.
An old town friend, Angie the reporter, knew Sahara when she was just a girl named Alice. Alice reinvented herself as Sahara and married Tom. Beautiful, manipulative, and unforgiving, Sahara is determined to always land on her feet.
A friend of Tom’s, Chase, came to the house and they all had dinner and drinks. Sahara, a stunning woman with a seductive smile, showed him the house. The rest of the events of the evening changed the lives of Tom, Chase, and Sahara in ways not to be believed unless you read this story.
The story really begins with an honest discussion between Angie and Sahara.
“ I tried again.
“I mean, you must have been so hurt, how the town turned on you like that. How it seemed everyone closed ranks, conspired against you.”
I heard a soft expelled breath, like a sigh, or a laugh.
“Something like that. We’ll talk more tomorrow. Let’s set up a skype call. Say, twelve noon, your time?”
“Great, Sahara, talk to you then. But, Sahara, why me?”
“Well, Angie, you were one of the few kids who was kind to me when I was in school there, I remember. You tried to include me in things, even invited me to your lunch table. It was never enough for them, though, was it? My mom and I were never good enough. Even when I came back, I wasn’t accepted.” Sahara’s voice had gone soft, reflective.”
Author Brennan really weaves a story that will take you by surprise. She makes certain you don’t want to put it down until you get to the very end. The twists and turns are unexpected, though I admit to speculating on the result several times. I was wrong and the ending was superb. This is a tasty short you need to grab. Well done!
About the Author
The author, after early retirement, is thrilled to return to her childhood love, writing stories. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, watching old movies, rummaging in thrift stores, and walking in the woods . . ., if there aren’t too many bugs.
Maura Beth lives in a small New Jersey town with her husband and two adorable but bossy little dogs. A lover of words and books since childhood, she found ways to incorporated writing into a variety of jobs, from editing an organizational newsletter to writing job descriptions for the federal government. She is the author of “The Edge of Memory,” is hard at work on a sequel, and has written numerous short stories. When not writing, she enjoys walking her dogs, watching old movies, visiting the Jersey Shore, searching for bargains in antique shops, and, of course, reading. She has studied Reiki and is a believer in positive thinking, serendipity, and second (or third or fourth) chances.
You can find and follow Maura Beth Brennan
Email Maurabeth2014@gmail.com
