The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Time Travel Romance
April 25, 2011
E-Book, Novella
Carina Press
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “Holy giant schlong, Batman!“
I found The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale to be a delightful time travel story. Small in size, only about 25,000 words, Ms. Bell manages to produce a robust story filled with intrigue, suspense, humor, and romance. Ms. Bell writing is almost lyrical in it’s rhythmic ebb and flow. Fast paced with some truly laugh out loud scenes, I found myself unable to set it down.
“Dammit. I wasn’t even allowed to throw a decent hissy fit. With a sigh, I holstered my work pistols, packed away my puppy-kicking boots and pasted on a reassuring smile.”
Stormy Gale has to travel back to the 1800’s to steal back her brother Bacon’s TTM from an amateur scientist named The Loony Duke of Leister. She decides that disguising herself as a Romanian gypsy fortune teller and conning the Duke out of the TTM is the best plan of action. Unfortunately, the Duke speaks Romanian and she does not. After a humorous comedy of errors plays out, Stormy finds herself on the receiving end of her con game and chained to the Duke’s bed.
As Stormy and the Duke match wits we find out that his conning Bacon out of his TTM was not a trick of fate. The Duke knew who Bacon was and planned it all out. A curiously heart wrenching scene follows and we are torn, with Stormy, on which way to proceed.
The ending is sigh worthy and we are even granted a small epilogue so that we may see how our protagonists fared in the end.
My only fault with this book? I wished it had been longer so that we could have enjoyed the development of the secondary characters a bit more. Stormy, as the POV, fleshes out wonderfully but the Duke and Bacon seem a little “cardboard-ish” because the length just doesn’t allow for more in depth connection with them.
All in all a fun, fast read that delivers what it promises. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Bell and hope she decides to visit this topic again in future books.
Rating: C+
Recent Reviews:
RhiReading – 5/5
That Bookish Girl – 3/5
Goodreads
Kindle l Nook l Carina Press
SusiSunshine says
This one sounds really cute. I could use a nice change and time travel sounds like fun.
tori says
It IS cute. A smexy. :P
Karen C says
Sounds like an interesting and fun read! Thanks.
tori says
Its a great little story.
Beth says
I agree with you! This was a fun read, but I wish it had been longer and the side characters better developed. But overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
blodeuedd says
That is always my problem with short stories, I always want and need more
tori says
Yes. Im selfish. I want their entire life stories and beyond. lol
Christine Bell says
I’m so glad you liked it! I’m actually working on a full length sequel right now titled From the Logs of Bacon Frogs, and it delves a lot deeper into Dev and Bacon’s personalities, but has a healthy dose of Stormy as well.
Thanks so very much for taking the time to review my work, I truly appreciate it!
tori says
Thank you for stopping by! YEA!!! I’d love to read more about the Duke and Bacon. Can’t wait. :)
Paperback Daydreamer (Deanna) says
Great review Tori! Sounds like a good novella with the same issues that most of us have with novellas, they just aren’t long enough! I think I might places this on my list to check out sometime when I am in the mood (or need) for a short read! Thanks for the review. :-D
tori says
Thank you. It’s cute and there is more coming. :)
Paperback Daydreamer (Deanna) says
Really? Was this a novella to introduce a series??
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