A Review of What Legends Are Made Of By Heather Beck

BLURB

What Legends Are Made Of is a collection of short stories that range within the genres of romance, horror, and fantasy. Each story takes the reader into a realistic world where unbelievable events occur. Have you ever experienced a story filled with so much suspense, terror, and romance that you couldn’t get it out of your mind? Be prepared to feel all of these emotions because author Heather Beck is about to take you on a journey that you won’t soon forget.

You’re personally invited to tour the halls of Sir Tristan’s Estate, a place where ghosts roam freely and fill your dreams at night. Following your stay at the estate, you’ll cruise on the Blue Oceana, a perfect ship for sightseeing. With patience and a careful eye you might see the merman that lives in the crystal clear ocean. If you enjoyed watching the odd ocean creature while aboard the ship, you’ll love Frank Stanford’s Freak Show. There you’ll see a unicorn with wings and a talking tree.

However, it’s the freak show’s horrifying main attraction that shocks everyone who sees it. If you can stop shaking after your encounter with freaky Frank, continue on to Karyn and Max Shield’s Costume and Magic Shop; just be careful of what you purchase there since the merchandise at the Shield’s shop is perhaps too realistic. Some stories make your heart soar, while others make you scream aloud; these stories will make you do both. They’ll leave you spellbound and yearning for more.

Ready to find out what real legends are made of? Turn the page…

REVIEW BY MICHELE R.

Title: What Legends Are Made Of - Anthology
Category: Paranormal
Reviewer: Michele R.
Reviewer Email: Deseng@crown.net
Author: Heather Beck
Publisher: Romance Divine
Release Date: 2008
ISBN Number: 978-1-93446-29-4
Author Homepage: http://www.heatherbeck.tripod.com
Rating: 4 Fangs
Format: E-BOOK

SIR TRISTAN’S ESTATE is an intriguing blend of ghosts, mystery, a glint of romance and surprises. When Skye Huntington, an intrepid photographer, is consigned to a photography job on Sir Trenton Estate, she doesn’t realize that she is in for more than she bargained for. She is introduced to Tom Dove, her tourist guide and history expert, after arriving at the estate by taxi. Things aren’t as they seem as Skye is lured further into the depths of the history behind Sir Trenton and his estate. Tom Dove is a very enchanting host and Skye is taken with him. The tale propels the reader along as the mystery unfolds in a deceptive way with an unsuspecting twist.

BLUE WATER is a delightful story of romance, paranormal suspense and good friends that takes place on the beautiful shores of Hawaii. Mandy Landon, a beautiful brunette, secretly has a crush on Ed, her best friend, Lucy Curran’s brother. A disastrous dinner at the Curran family’s home one night leads to Ed apologizing to Mandy at her abode the next day. Ed asks her to help him out on a boat tour since his sister is unavailable to work the following day due to his father’s sudden illness. Mandy accepts the surprise invitation with eager anticipation to work closely with him. Hidden desires simmer below the surface between Mandy and Ed as they work side by side. When Ed takes Mandy on a boat cruise on his family’s expensive yacht the next day, something very strange happens. What lurks in the waters below in the beautiful blue ocean of Hawaii?

FREAKY FRANK is a quick story of a bizarre carnival where a very unassuming romance blossoms. Brittany Addams loses her job at a day care center. She takes on a job at the local carnival to tide her over until she finds a better job. She is hired to work in the educational tent with Mr. Watson. On her first day, she meets an extraordinarily handsome man named Frank. He runs a freak show at the carnival. An immediate attraction blooms between the two of them. When Mr. Watson forces himself upon Brittany, Frank comes to her rescue. Does Frank reveal his carnival tent to Brittany? What important decisions will Brittany face?

ONE STOP HORROR SHOP is a creepy, riveting tale with a few surprises up its sleeve. Karyn and Max Shield have always wanted to own a magic shop. When Quentin, owner of Quentin’s Costume and Magic Shop, makes an offer to the Shield’s to buy his store, they accept. As soon as the contract is signed between both parties, Quentin immediately crumples and falls to the floor. He lies in a semi-frozen state. Karyn, Max and the two lawyers are very concerned about him and contact 911. He is whisked away in an ambulance and rushed to the hospital. The Shields delay the opening of their store out of respect towards Mr. Quentin. While organizing the shop they are startled to find a skeleton in a closet. Karyn, squeamish at first, decides upon displaying it in the front window in the hopes of attracting customers but Max isn’t wild about the idea. They finally open their new shop and receive customers on their first day. What bizarre things happen with the magic tricks that are purchased? Does it involve the creepy looking skeleton?

Heather Beck’s e-book, WHAT LEGENDS ARE MADE OF, is an intriguing blend of short stories designed to startle, astonish, making the reader ponder the outcome of the story. I found one of the stories to be charming also, especially BLUE WATER. Ms. Beck’s brisk, edgy writing style is definitely entertaining. I enjoyed how she sprinkled romance in a few places in the tales. The characters are quirky, witty and sassy with a ‘bent’ view of the world. The uniquely unusual characters and the engaging plots will have you hooked!