Welcome to the fourth Creative Perspective Challenge! I’ve been enjoying not only all the amazing and creative pieces everyone has been coming up with but the push it’s given me to create, too.
Here is this month’s image. I hope you join in, IÂ look forward to seeing what you come up đ
Embrace your inner child by exploring your creativity! D. L. Finn (Denise)
As promised, here are the amazing authors who participated in the third challenge, along with my attempt at this unusual picture. I love how everyone has a unique take on the same image. My mind oddly went down the Hanzel and Gretel path.
Yvette Calleiro: LINK
Teagan RĂordĂĄin Geneviene : LINK
A Forest Walk (app 950 words)
Blue skies, birds chirping, and blooming flowers marked a warm spring afternoon. My sister Ellie and I were walking the familiar trail in the forest behind our house. Today, we were searching for sugar pine cones to glitter. My sister loved the bigger cones and decorated the backyard with them. Yet, despite the day’s outward calm, a chilling unease unsettled me.
âCome on, Zoey! Youâre walking too slow!â Ellie skipped ahead.
âSlow down. Mom said we must stay together in the forest.â I sighed and raced ahead to be next to her again.
âIâm almost six years old! You think youâre grown up turning ten, but I can take care of myself.â She lifted her upturned nose, covered in freckles, and bounced ahead.
I frowned and pushed back the childish bangs growing out. I’d rather be home playing video games, but I followed her closely as she scooped up pine cones of all sizes into her basket. A chill filled the damp, tree-lined path.
âWe should turn around, itâs getting late.â I tugged on her arm, but she pulled away.
âI need one more cone. The tree is right around this bend. Then weâll go back, and you can play your stupid games.â Ellie ran off, disappearing around the corner.
âEllie!â I shouted and raced at full speed to catch her. All I needed was a mountain lion to think she, or even me, was food.
I quickly found my sister, along with a very odd stranger. Her hair was the brightest of red and appeared to glow. She reminded me of a creepy clown wearing a mad hatter hat. She was holding up a basket of candy.
âEllie! Come here.â My voice was firm, like our momâs when she expected an immediate response, and Ellie complied.
âOh, sweet girls, no reason to be afraid.â Her red lips sneered and then puckered up to the basket.
I pulled my sister close, she didnât fight me. One glance into Ellie’s blue eyes showed the same fear I was feeling.
Even with all the makeup hiding the beautiful woman’s face, I knew who this was. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest and run back home without me.
âLetâs get out of here!â I grabbed Ellieâs hand tightly.
âWait, sweet girls,â the woman said. She bent down and held out a chocolate bar. âI have a cake and a cup of tea waiting for you at my house. Then we can decorate your cones.â
âNo, thank you!â I yelled as we sprinted away from her.
A loud cackle followed us and tickled the back of my neck. Ellie dropped her basket, breathing hard. I urgently pulled her along. That woman exuded a strange, malevolent aura that was clinging to us.
âCome back! Come back! Letâs play!â The womanâs voice surrounded us like the speakers Dad got for the TV.
âLeave us alone!â I screamed.
âWe will have fun. Youâll seeâŚâ The voice faded away, and a birdâs screech filled the air.
A black raven circled above us. It swooped down, pecked at our heads, and flew at our mouths with bright red candy.
âCover your mouth!â I grabbed an oak branch off the ground and swung at it.
A direct hit launched the crow into flight.
âIs that  Ravenna, the Forest Witch? I thought she was dead.â Ellie’s eyes widened as she gasped for air.
âYes, it has to be her. We need to get home and tell Mom.â
âWhat if Ravenna follows us?â
âWeâre safe; we didnât take her candy. I think she’s gone,â I replied and glanced back over my shoulder, fully expecting to see her.
âBut Iâve heard she can still take you as long as you’re in the forest.â Ellie tripped over a branch, and I caught her before she fell.
âCareful! Iâve heard that too, but we are almost home and out of the woods. Come on.â
The caw of the bird in the distance filled my skin with goosebumps. We exited the woods as our mother burst out of the house with her rifle. The bird dove at us, and I threw Ellie down and covered her with my body, but before the bird got to us, our mother fired. A womanâs scream filled the air and then disappeared along with the bird.
âZoey! Ellie! Are you okay? You didnât eat anything, did you?â Mom yelled, her brown eyes scanning over us.
âNo, Mom. We remembered the stories about Ravenna, although I didnât know she wore clown makeup,â I said, pulling my little sister up and hurrying us toward safety.
âThank goodness! I heard that human-like caw and felt an unease Iâd never felt before. I was coming to find you. I was so relieved to see you, but when that bird with glowing red eyes came for you, I knew who and what it was. The make-up must be something new or a trick. Get inside, girls!â
âI thought… Ravenna… was dead… Mommy!â Ellie gasped as we passed by our mother, who didnât lower the gun and wasnât taking her attention off the sky and forest.
âSo, did I. Thatâs what your grandma told me. Itâs been almost a hundred years. Â I never would have let you go out there if I knew Ravenna was back.â
Hand in hand, my sister and I entered safety, knowing that wasnât the last of the woman who lured children into her house and made them into candy. The candy kept her youthful, according to the legend, but who could tell under all that makeup? All I knew was the forest was no longer safe, and video games were now the better option.
Watch for a special post tomorrow!
Embrace your inner child by trying a new challenge. D. L. Finn
I’m thrilled another story just came in from Sue Wickstead for the challenge! Sue graciously allowed me to debut it here. I will add any late responses to the original post, and you can always find them on my website if you miss any.
Lonely girl on a cliffÂ
by Sue Wickstead
The rains had fallen all night. The constant howling of the winds had added to the noise. With flashes of light and thunderous booms sleep had come erratically.
Nestleing down under her covers Bella tried to sleep. She seemed to doze but each time she awoke she could still hear the rain falling heavily on the roof of her house. At least she was warm and dry and out of the chilly blasts of the wind.
Turning over she snuggled down further as the sound of the storm raged on.
Come morning she still felt tired. It was gloomy and dark outside and she was tempted to stay tucked up in bed at least here she was safe and warm.
At least the rain was falling less heavily now as wearily she roused herself and got up. Drawing back the curtains she looked out at the soggy scene.
The dark grey clouds still swirled overhead, threatening to drop more rain at any moment. The gusting winds blew the clouds about rolling and stirring them up.
In the distance she could see the occasional flash of thunder and counting the seconds to the arrival of the thunder clap she was unsure whether the storm was passing on or whether trapped by the distant hills was ready to roll back once more.
As another flash of light shot across the scythe exploding boom definitely sounded closer once more.
She watched as Mother Nature seemed to play a game with the weather.
The clouds overhead continued to swirl getting nearer and blacker. Winds were again picking up a pace.
Bella took a deep breath. The storm was trapped, it couldnât pass the high hills. There was a definite feeling of fear in the atmosphere.
It was time to call on the powers of âThe Weather Witchâ.
Bella had studied and learnt the law of the weather but shied away from using it.
Nature could be unpredictable, so she had used her âpowersâ when absolutely necessary and only when no-one was around.
But the fear in the wind and the rain was growing, she could feel it all around her. She knew she had to at least try.
If she could calm the storm she would be able to smile to herself knowingly. But, if she couldnât no-one would know that she had failed. This would be a test of her powers.
Bella picked up her cloak and wrapping it around her she pulled her hood over her head and headed down to the viaduct over the ravine.
Below, the normally gentle river which would tumble along lazily, now had swelled with its waters swirling around the columns of the arched way below. It certainly wasnât a lazy journey today.
As Bella stood on the viaduct, she could feel the angry storm building up once more.
The dark grey clouds were rolling back toward her.
A flock of black crows rose into the sky cawing loudly as the wind buffeted them along.
The hood of her cloak fell from her head as the winds picked up once more. Her long hair blew behind her.
She stood firm and looked up at the skies above, swirling and rumbling ready to drop their pouring rain once more.
Looking up at the skies above she took a deep breath. She had to at least try to quell the fury of this storm.
She felt alone and vulnerable but at least there would be no witness to her success or her failure.
Taking a deep breath she whispered words of the wather. She lifted her hands high and called. She began to chant words to calm the skies. She clapped her hands and clicked her fingers to try to break the anger of the storm.
The winds swished around her as if they would push her from the viaduct and into the swirling river waters below.
But, Bella stood firm, closing her eyes and chanting.
She motioned up the valley where the hills formed a gap and she pushed her hands before her.
The gusting winds blew around her once more but the rain didnât come.
A flash of light broke the black clouds and the trailing boom of thunder boomed off as it left.
Bella stood and watched as the black clouds squeezed through the gap in the distant hills. As the storm moved on.
Bella stayed motionless watching as the storm receded. The distant thunder and lightening becoming further away now.
One more flash from beyond the hill tops seemed to echo a farewell.
The dark grey clouds began to lighten.
Bella had stayed long enough and turning headed for home.
Bella smiled to herself.
Did I do that?
No-one would ever know, not even Bella.
But perhaps, just perhaps, it could have been her, âThe Weather Witchâ.
By T.W. Dittmer
Teri Altro who is a part of a government drug enforcement team, is almost gunned down at a store. A mysterious man steps in, saves her, and then disappears. This man turns out to be John Walker Micheals, who is an ex-Vietnam vet. John also has close ties to the Hmong community who call him the Valley Walker. He is wanted by the government for desertion, but Teri is protective of the man who not only saved her life, but she shot. The settings and descriptions of the Vietnam War and the Hmong culture were very detailed and added a depth that made this story hard to put down. The flowing time and locations in the book include mysticism, politics, and powerful drug traffickers. Teri worked hard but forgot about her heart. John’s character is unpredictable until the end. I loved how this complex tale unfolded so skillfully on many levels. It is a story I can easily recommend.
Wings of Mayhem (The Mayhem Series #1)
I started this series with book six, âRestless Mayhewâ and was immediately drawn into the story. After that, I wanted to know what happened before, so I started with book one and found the beginning equally compelling. Shawnee is a cat burglar who steals from criminals to give back to their victimsâshe also works for the police department. When she was a cat burglar, she discovered the identity of a serial killer. Unfortunately, he found out that she had broken into his house and taken his prized possession, along with some cash and gems. Although the killer is known right away, the book is still a page-turner, and I couldnât wait to find out how she survived. At first, I wanted her to turn the killer in to save his victims from his creative yet inhuman and painful deaths. Shawnee was in a dangerous position and not only had to save herself but those she loved. Plus, she dates a detective who can easily throw her in jail if he finds out too much about her. Shawnee is not only a flawed individual but a determined one who had me on her side. A well-written thriller that kept me up late into the night, wanting to know what was going to happen next. I canât wait to read the next in the series and can easily recommend this to those who love fast-paced mysteries with graphic details of being a victim and a survivor.
By Nina Romano
âDark Eyesâ is set in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Anya is a young, unwed mother who struggles to provide food for her daughter after escaping an abusive relationship. After her daughterâs grandmother is brutally murdered, Anya wants to find the killer. This pulls her into a corrupt criminal world that ventures into the police department and includes dolls, diamonds, and drugs. Andrei is a police photographer trying to get hired onto the force. They meet during the investigation and seem drawn to each other. I didnât like Andrei at first because of his initial interactions with Anya. Later, as I got to know Andrei and Anya better, I became invested in these characters and rooted for their survival. Ms. Romano paints a vivid picture of how it would have been to be living in those times in the Soviet Union, especially as a woman. In the Soviet Union, shortages of food, heat, and jobs made life difficult. It was also risky to disagree with the KGB or be Jewish. A couple of scenes with Anya were graphic and brutal but showed her strength and determination to survive for her mentally challenged daughter and to find the truth. This story draws you into a world we are lucky we donât live in and offers hope amongst cruelty. A historical fiction love story I can easily recommend.
The Shadows We Breathe (Volume 3)
By Sarah Brentyn and various authors
This is the first anthology Iâve read of âThe Shadows We Breathe (Volume 3)â and really enjoyed it. I recognized a couple of the authors but was also introduced to new ones. The book is put together with first flash fiction and then micro-fiction with the theme of power. I loved all the different perspectives that were taken in the stories. Some touched on some very dark subjects, but all were well told. I enjoyed them all so I donât have a favorite story, but the micro-fiction was compelling in what could be told in fewer words. Although a fast read, it wasnât light on entertainment or depth. I can easily recommend this collection to those who want to explore the shadowy side of life.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
I’m excited to have fellow author, M. J. Mallon here today to share the release of her latest book: “The Hedge Witch & the Musical Poet.” I’ve included my review.
Blurb
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet is a collection of poetry and flash fiction celebrating the beautiful vulnerability of the forest kingdom. It begins with the poetic tale of the kind-hearted Hedge Witch, Fern, who discovers an injured stranger in desperate need of her woodland spells and magic.
The sweet pairing learn from each other and through Fern’s guidance, Devin embraces the power of magic to leave behind his trouble past to become The Musical Poet.
Poetry/flash fiction titles in section one of the collection include:
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, Rain Forest Love, A Forest Baby Boy, A Forest Baby Girl, A Modern Witch, Rock of Mine, Chester Don & I, The Network of Trees, More Trees Not Less, Two Boys Watching War, Mum Climbing Trees, Let’s Play, The Scorched Tree, Owl’s Holiday Home, A Man’s Holiday Home, A Child’s Excitement, The Teddy In The Woods, Run! The Organutans, All Hallow’s Eve Candy Girl The Forest Bash, Dreaming At Halloween, A Face on Bark, Golden Willow Tree, Rainbow – Parasol of Light, Lollipop Sunshine Tree,
In Section two I pay tribute to the following poets: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline, Ruby Archer, King Forest, Bliss Carman, Woodland Rain, Emily Dickinson, Who Robbed the Woods, Rupert Blake, Stopping by The Woods on A Winter Evening,Oscar Wilde, In the Forest.
With my poetry:
The Forest Weeps, The Forest King, Raindrops and Childhood Dreams, The Woodland Treasures, Winter Woodland Moon, Child Me.
Paperback to follow.
Cover and Formatting by Colleen Chesebro’s marvellous new formatting service, more about that here: https://unicorncatspubservices.wordpress.com/my-services/
PURCHASE LINKS:
https://books2read.com/u/mv1OeV
My Review
A unique and beautifully written collection of poetry and fiction weaved magically together. I love trees and nature, so a forest setting pulled me right in. Section one starts off with âThe Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet.â A whimsical tale of an injured man, Dale, found by a magical woman, Fern, who takes him in to heal. It was great to see a couple more poetic pieces continue this sweet journey. Section two offered poetry based on some famous poems. The beautiful imagery captivated me throughout this book. I appreciated all the poetry and prose, especially âThe Hedge Witch & The Musical Poetâ but here are more favorites, âRock of Mine,â âThe Forest King,â and âThe Scorched Tree.â It was great to see a couple of samples that I enjoyed from âMr. Sagittarius Poetry and Proseâ included. If you love poetry and flash fiction, especially the forest and magic, this is a collection you wonât want to miss. I plan to add the print version to my bookshelves so I can keep enjoying it.
Author Bio
MJâs favourite genres to write are Fantasy YA, Paranormal, Ghost and Horror Stories, various forms of poetry and flash fiction. She celebrates the spiritual realm, love of nature and all things magical, mystical, and mysterious at her blog home: https://mjmallon.com
She is a reading, blogging and photography enthusiast!
M J Mallon was born in Lion city Singapore, a passionate Scorpio with the Chinese Zodiac sign of a lucky rabbit. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong. During her teen years, she returned to her fatherâs childhood home, Edinburgh where she spent many happy years, entertained, and enthralled by her parentsâ vivid stories of lliving and working abroad. Perhaps it was during these formative years that her love of storytelling began bolstered by these vivid raconteurs. She counts herself lucky to have travelled to many far-flung destinations and this early wanderlust has fuelled her present desire to emigrate abroad. Until that wondrous moment, itâs rumoured that she lives in the UK, in the Venice of Cambridge with her six-foot hunk of a rock god husband. Her two enchanting daughters have flown the nest but often return with a cheery smile.
MJ writes fantasy/magical realism because life should be sprinkled with a liberal dash of extraordinarily imaginative magic! Her motto is to always do what you love, stay true to your heartâs desires, and inspire others to do so too, even it if appears that the odds are stacked against you like black-hearted shadows.
AWARDS
The First book in the Curse of Time series Bloodstone has received many fantastic reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and other platforms and was awarded a finalist book award recently from Amazon influencer N. N. Light, receiving a review rating of 5+stars.
Her writing credits also include a multi-genre approach: paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She has worked with some amazing authors and bloggers compiling an anthology/compilation set during the early stages of COVID-19 entitled This Is Lockdown and has also written a spin off poetry collection entitled Lockdown Innit.
Sheâs been blogging for many moons at her blog home Kyrosmagica, (which means Crystal Magic.) where she continues to celebrate the spiritual realm,her love of nature, crystals and all things magical, mystical, and mysterious.
Her eclectic blog shares details and information about her new releases, author interviews, character profiles and her love of reading, reviewing, writing, and photography: https://mjmallon.com/
INDIE PUBLISHED BOOKS
Mr. Sagittarius Poetry and Prose, (with photography,) This is Lockdown, (an anthology,) and Lockdown Innit Poems about Absurdity and The Hedge Witch &Â The Musical Poet.
http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius
mybook.to/Thisislockdown
mybook.to/Lockdowninnit
Next Chapter Publishing
YA Fantasy series, Â Bloodstone and Golden Healer in The Curse of Time.
For details of publications please visit:
https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/mj-mallon
Bloodstone Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bOyrgW
Bloodstone Audiobook:
UK:Â https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Bloodstone-Audiobook/B09SK9GFB1/
US:Â https://www.audible.com/author/M-J-Mallon/B074CGNK4L
Golden Healer Buy Link:Â https://books2read.com/u/mgjY67
CONTRIBUTIONS TO VARIOUS ANTHOLOGIES
Word Weaving #1: A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse
Moons of Autumn by Colleen
Chesebro (Poetry,) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DWDMXWK
Poetry Treasures 2 Relationships compiled by Kaye Lynn Booth & Robbie
Cheadle:Â https://books2read.com/u/3kP8aK
100 Ways To Write A Book Alex Pearl (proceeds to Pen International.)
Stay Home A year of writing through lockdown â Chantelle Atkins (Chasing
Driftwood Writers Group.) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stay-Home-Writing-Through-Lockdown-/dp/B09HVB6SZ6/
Contributions to Best Selling Horror Anthologies
Nightmareland compiled by Dan Alatorre
âScrabble Boyâ (Short Story)
Spellbound compiled by Dan Alatorre
âThe Twisted Sistersâ (Short Story)
Wings of Fire compiled by Dan Alatorre
âThe Great Pottooâ (Short Story)
Nightmareland: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZG3ZXP3/
Spellbound:Â https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08DM83XKR/
Wings & Fire:Â https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08KJ5SQND/
Contributions to Ghost Anthologies
Ghostly Rites 2019 compiled by Claire Plaisted âDexterâs Creepy Cavernsâ (Short Story)Â https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07ZQV2Y4Q/
Ghostly Rites 2020 compiled by Claire Plaisted  âNo. 1 Coven Laneâ (Short
Story)Â https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M9HYBLH
AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS
Linktree: (all my links in one place.) https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor
Author Blog: https://mjmallon.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L/
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjmallonauthor,
Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjm_reviews/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-j-mallon
Spiritual Sisters: https:/www.facebook.com/5SpiritualSisters/
Authors, Bloggers Rainbow Support Club #ABRSC:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Here’s Suzanne Burke’s ‘Fiction in a Flash Challenge 2021’ #41.
This week I decided to write a very short story where I used 99-words. No more, no less.
WAITING
I stood every night on the edge of the precipice. My tears had stopped flowing, but the valley hadnât stopped burning. Everything Iâd known was gone. Only my father heeded the signs and prepared our escape. Unfortunately, he could only take my baby brother and sisters. He sent mother and me to the mountain, promising to return. Mother never left the cave but kept our fire going. I caught fish and lugged our water from the icy stream. She insisted we were the only ones alive, but I believed. Tonight, my dreams were answered as my fatherâs balloon appeared.