Impostors. Rebels. Broken Hearts.
In worlds both familiar and fantastical, twelve protagonists demonstrate the power of choice and the transformative moments that can change everything.
Left Turns brings together eclectic tales of lives thrown off-kilter by unexpected choices and bold, impulsive decisions.
The characters, settings, and genres featured in this story collection could hardly be more different. But as with any great work of short fiction, the protagonists have in common the fact that they’ve come upon some crucible moment-a critical inflection point-in their lives, and afterward, nothing will be the same.
Tabella dei contenuti
The Knife – Katherine Longshore
While pursuing a dangerous man through the streets of Victorian London, a midwife must battle her own conscience in order to avenge the assault of a woman in her care-and fulfill the rumors of her namesake.
The Pickpocket – Laurie Calkhoven
Resisting the guardians who are trying to turn her into a thief, a young Irish girl struggles to keep herself and the children in her life fed in the slums of turn-of-the-century New York City.
Dream Catcher – Mark Figlozzi
When a childhood buddy resurfaces and offers him a part in the heist of the century, a lonely young dishwasher finds out who his real friends are.
Purple Sock – Laurie Calkhoven
When a socially invisible high school girl impulsively steals her neighbor’s laundry, she ultimately brings down a bully and finally feels seen by her classmates.
The Spring Grove Experiment – Regina Sokas
Looking to escape a boring summer, a sixteen-year-old girl takes a job on a locked men’s ward of the local state psychiatric hospital and learns more about life than she anticipated.
The Reinvention Intervention – Francesca Mc Bell
When her colleagues stage an intervention to pull her out of self-doubt, a young woman is thrust into a false identity, leading her to a deeper understanding of her true self.
Lost and Found – Kate Johnston
A woman’s obsessive behavior gets her into trouble after her boyfriend inexplicably breaks up with her.
Sylvia and Jack – Regina Sokas
Seven-sisters coed Sylvia Plath contemplates taking a walk on the wild side after meeting an older, bohemian, rogue named Jack Kerouac.
Garlic and Butter – Sherrill Nilson
When Nancy finds a talking, cannibalistic snail in her jewelry box, her life quickly goes off the rails.
Wings – Melissa Hed
An otherworldly mother wrestles with the emotional trials of parenting.
He Will Make His Own Luck – Mark Figlozzi
A pair of bronze-age newlyweds wrestles with destiny and a giant squid one stormy night on the Mediterranean.
The Big Crunch – Lorin Oberweger
An elementary school science teacher has all the answers for their students but is at a loss to explain why their true love seems to be slipping away.