I love dipping into the works of local writers. There are so many authors in Colorado, both traditional published and self-published, who produce novels, novellas, and short stories in lots of genres.
Recently I had the chance to read a couple of stories by M.K. Theodoratus, and I wanted to tell you a little about them.
The first was The Ghost in the Closet, the story of Dumdie Swartz who was fired from her job and becomes homeless. When she and her friend move into a private shelter, Dumdie discovers the closet in her room harbors a ghost. A ghost with a message. The women’s shelter is about to be closed because the deceased owner’s will has gone missing. Without that valid will, the ladies who live there will be turned out.
Dumdie is not always as clever as she wants to be, but here’s a case she considers so worthwhile that she pushes herself to work with the ghost, find the will, and save the shelter.
I liked the character Dumdie Swartz a lot, and I enjoyed the way the author expertly wove the character’s personality, talents and shortcomings, into the story. The Ghost in the Closet is 32 pages long and an enjoyable read to have ready on your Kindle.
The second M.K. Theodoratus story I chose was Vengeance: Raging Parents on a Rampage. This one is 49 pages, another good length to have ready on your Kindle. Vengeance is fantasy, and is related to a series of stories the author has written featuring her world of Fair Isle Half-Elvins. In this piece, the character Mariah must seek the vicious killers of her granddaughter and the brutal attack on her daughter. There is no anger like that of a mother against those who would harm her child. Mariah, a strong woman and a capable warrior, is no exception.
For those who love fantasy worlds, I’d suggest trying the Fair Isle Half-Elvin world. M.K. Theodoratus also writes of the world of Andor where “demons of many forms stalk humans.” Sounds creepy, doesn’t it?
Learn more about M. K. Theodoratus and her stories at her website and her blog, Lessons from My Reading. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
More from my site
Writing by Sticky Note: Saving Those Fleeing Ideas … By M. K. Theodoratus
A bit of joy and a sense of humor at work
I’m Starting to Fill My Guest Blogger Calendar for the First Quarter of 2016 (and some other stuff)- What Happens in Vegas
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH – ARTISTS By Linda L. Osmundson
The Endless Adventure of Research for the Historical Novelist by Michelle Black, Guest Blogger
Hey, Pat. Thanks for the shoutout and kind words.
You’re very welcome! Thanks to you for the good plots and characters. You make reading shorter works a real pleasure.
Finding local or regional authors is such a great experience, isn’t it, Pat? I have to say, I’m not much of a ghost/fantasy story person in terms of my personal taste. But I do respect authors who create entirely new worlds like that, and who can invite readers to suspend disbelief. That takes talent.
Margot, I used to read nothing except cozy mysteries and gothic romances. As I got older, and became acquainted with so many writers who wrote in a variety of genres, I’m finding my interests expanding in all sorts of odd directions. My interest in ghost stories, horror, and fantasy are the direct result of these writers I meet along the way (including some of the members of my critique group).
Those who love a traditional mystery will probably enjoy The Ghost in the Closet. The author may not think her story is a mystery, but I sure do.