Book Review: A World of Love and Envy by Kathy Handley

& book giveaway

The day is hot and slightly humid, the first triple digit day of the season. Energy bursts in pockets followed by spring-fever longings for iced tea and a short trip to somewhere. I need an escape from my workday—I need a short story with delicious detail to carry my mind away.

A World of Love and Envy does just that. This eclectic collection of short stories, flash fiction, and poetry by Kathy Handley offers thirty-one tales and tidbits rich in detail—a perfect sultry summer read.

Arranged in sections of Love, Yesterdays, Envy, Irish Voices, and California Lost, Handley takes us from California to Boston to Ireland. Along our journey jilted lovers tell us their tales, we catch glimpses of deed done in secret, and wounded hearts find their peace—or their revenge.

Handley’s strengths in setting and character are continually praised—and for good reason. With her we taste the salt of the sea air and the Jack Daniels in the flask. We feel the cool of the grass and the hot burn of passion. We meet a range of characters diverse in gender, race, education and dialect. She possesses a natural talent for getting into a character’s head and living the part.

An orphaned country girl finds abuse at her husband’s hands and solace in the night. A mother waits by the water for her children to re-appear after a storm has stolen them away. Although the characters and the stories are varied, the voice is all Kathy. Many authors struggle to find that unique something that sets them apart, Ms. Handley carried hers through the starting gate.

Kathy Handley expanded one of these short stories into her first novel Birds of Paradise which toured with WOW! in September of 2011. I’d like to see her follow suit with a few others in this collection.

Enter to Win! The author is giving away one print copy of A World of Love and Envy; please leave a comment by Friday, May 4 to enter.

Sale! Limited time only, .99 cent Kindle Edition available at Amazon.

Print version available at Riverhaven Books ($9.95)

Review by Robyn Chausse