HUGEOrange Publication Review
Lady Capers
I love short stories! With a busy life and schedule, a
collection of good, quirky short stories is just the break I need when I get a
moment to relax. Lady Capers is just such a book. This is a lively read
with three quite different tales. The protagonist of each is a woman whose
personality or ethos you may see in a friend or relative. No superheroes or
vampires here, just regular people with regular problems. It’s how they see the
issues and how they handle the issues that are interesting.
First up is Mary Jane, who is still traumatized by a
social incident that happened years ago. But she lives for the calamities that
seem to pop up in her life. She doesn’t actually yearn for them but seems to
thrive on them to my eyes. Her long-suffering husband tries to manage her
hysteria and drama, but she’s like a runaway train car teetering on the rails.
There wasn’t a
simple, ordinary life event Mary Jane couldn’t turn into a twister of worries
ready to destroy peace on Earth and melt the polar ice caps to room temperature
water. Retirement from her position as the assistant manager at the local
clothier, Antonio’s Department Store, and taking residency in the 55+ community
of Beacon Acres had only accelerated the volume of invented catastrophes.
The second story is about Emily, a businesswoman whose
career path takes a wrong turn. The third is about Anne, a professional chef
who has to make big decisions regarding her career, and since a handsome repeat
customer begins arriving every Tuesday, her love life.
Making his plate, Anne tinted in recall of their first encounter as
she counted the minutes to see him again. In fact, she had spent extra time on
her appearance before her shift. Their interactions were professional—well, at
least her side, but Anne knew Tuesday would bring a sensation of electricity.
To be fair, the cuisine profile did trifle with language. But Anne loved
Tuesdays.
The stories are
lighthearted, not heavy reading; they are perfect for that diversion you need
sometimes. The author, Nina Szudzik, writes, “This short story
trilogy is designed for the pace of life, a quick respite from endless bills,
household chores, and responsibilities.” I recommend this book for any reader
who loves light, humorous tales.