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In the Tree's Shadow: A collection of stories that exist in your dreams… and nightmares.
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2023
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Finn
25 books303 followersD. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her. You can learn more about Ms. Finn at her website: www.dlfinnauthor.com , or email her at: d.l.finn.author@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 20, 2023
‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ by outstanding short story writer and novelist D.L. Finn is a collection of some of the finest terror and fantasy stories that will haunt your imagination. The stories in this collection are based in the cold forested regions of USA where the author resides with her loving husband, family, and pets galore. A reader notices that they are the inspiration or catalyst for many of the uncanny tales in this collection. All the stories are well penned, written with a professional hand and make excellent reading for the bustle free weekend in bed curled up with a cup of coffee with your cat by your side.
From stories about homicidal mothers to reptilian like aliens, from horrific civil war scares to vengeful maniac lovers, from spooky stalkers from the afterlife to demonic sisters of this present life – D.L. Finn’s masterly stroke is seen in each of these highly terrifying short stories giving you the chills and thrills wherever required. D.L. Finn’s story conclusions are always surprises that can enchant as well as enthrall a reader to her world. You can never be sure what terrifying revelation will come forth from her pen which makes the journey an exceptionally marvellous ride through the darkness of the woods of USA and the minds of the people who live there.
The book is really a wonderful accomplishment in fantastical literature. Even the last story-cum-novella which is inspired from the earlier D.L. Finn title ‘An Unusual Island’ is a breathtaking read about a summer holiday gone wrong which will keep you guessing right till the very end about the outcome of this most intriguing adventure into a world ‘between’ our world. The stories are unique, extremely fast reads, and mesmerizing; one cannot help but fall in love with the literature of D.L. Finn once one reads ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’. A reader will really be completely taken aback in a good way when the sudden plot twists in the stories capture them in their grips, making them stand stunned and amazed by the vivid imagination of D.L. Finn.
I especially applaud D.L. Finn for her courage in penning certain stories chronicling what could and might happen if the unrest in present day USA continues to escalate. Reading those particular stories in the collection was electrifying but heart wrenching at the same time. Every citizen of the world wants the best for the USA, a country which was and is our hallmark of what a truly free, democratic, prosperous, forward-thinking, and peaceful country is supposed to be. Reading those stories like the one titled ‘In That Moment’ was like reading something from a war-torn Asian country which can be painful to read but revelatory and educational at the same time. Want to know more about it? Pick up your copy of ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ and come to ground reality, where the greatest horror stories are the real ones! D.L. Finn’s audacity and ferociousness in depicting a reality we all try to run away from comes out wonderfully in the book.
One can actually feel like one is getting an electric shock of reality every time one turns a page from one dark story to another even darker one. Redemption and Salvation are also themes dear to the author’s life ethos as is evident from some stories which tend to make a reader shed a tear or two or get a bit nostalgic at the end of the tale.
My favourite story in the collection was ‘The Dolphin’ which is a suspenseful but fable like story about death and the afterlife that touched my soul. Many of us have lost many loved ones in the past few years of the pandemic, some through death, and some through events worse than death. Such stories like ‘The Dolphin’ of a college grandson bidding a loved one a last farewell by the ocean can touch a raw nerve in almost every reader but will also act as a soothing balm to the wounded soul.
There are other unique short tales in less than ninety-nine words or even lesser than that which the author has shared here in this collection which I feel are very entertaining and remarkable and which all readers should definitely not miss while reading the short story collection.
Being fond of trees and having grown and cared for some trees myself from my late 20’s onwards, I felt one with the atmosphere of all the stories in this collection which all come off as spooky, eerie but cosy and companionable at the same time. That is the magic of trees; live in their shadow and as they turn their leaves, new stories and old are revealed to edify those willing to listen to their silent rustling! One can feel more attuned with their environment when one lives in the company of trees; their magnificence and allure speaks even to the noise in our souls, telling us the truth even when we let the axes fall. You can hear the allure as well as the megalomaniac’s ‘axe’ when you enter the dark and forested world of D.L. Finn.
Nature lovers who love their gardens and the animal kingdom will have a great time reading about the pets mentioned in this book. Cats and dogs galore are what makes this book unputdownable. The icing on the cake in that milieu is the novella ‘Stranded’ which was another of my top favourite stories in this collection. We as human’s think we have conquered the ocean and have mapped them out completely on our computers – or have we? When an elderly couple thinks of going on probably their last tropical holiday, what do they uncover during that eventful season? Find out by purchasing your copy of ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ right now!
‘In The Trees Shadow’ gets 5 stars from me! Kudos to the author on a job well done!
From stories about homicidal mothers to reptilian like aliens, from horrific civil war scares to vengeful maniac lovers, from spooky stalkers from the afterlife to demonic sisters of this present life – D.L. Finn’s masterly stroke is seen in each of these highly terrifying short stories giving you the chills and thrills wherever required. D.L. Finn’s story conclusions are always surprises that can enchant as well as enthrall a reader to her world. You can never be sure what terrifying revelation will come forth from her pen which makes the journey an exceptionally marvellous ride through the darkness of the woods of USA and the minds of the people who live there.
The book is really a wonderful accomplishment in fantastical literature. Even the last story-cum-novella which is inspired from the earlier D.L. Finn title ‘An Unusual Island’ is a breathtaking read about a summer holiday gone wrong which will keep you guessing right till the very end about the outcome of this most intriguing adventure into a world ‘between’ our world. The stories are unique, extremely fast reads, and mesmerizing; one cannot help but fall in love with the literature of D.L. Finn once one reads ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’. A reader will really be completely taken aback in a good way when the sudden plot twists in the stories capture them in their grips, making them stand stunned and amazed by the vivid imagination of D.L. Finn.
I especially applaud D.L. Finn for her courage in penning certain stories chronicling what could and might happen if the unrest in present day USA continues to escalate. Reading those particular stories in the collection was electrifying but heart wrenching at the same time. Every citizen of the world wants the best for the USA, a country which was and is our hallmark of what a truly free, democratic, prosperous, forward-thinking, and peaceful country is supposed to be. Reading those stories like the one titled ‘In That Moment’ was like reading something from a war-torn Asian country which can be painful to read but revelatory and educational at the same time. Want to know more about it? Pick up your copy of ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ and come to ground reality, where the greatest horror stories are the real ones! D.L. Finn’s audacity and ferociousness in depicting a reality we all try to run away from comes out wonderfully in the book.
One can actually feel like one is getting an electric shock of reality every time one turns a page from one dark story to another even darker one. Redemption and Salvation are also themes dear to the author’s life ethos as is evident from some stories which tend to make a reader shed a tear or two or get a bit nostalgic at the end of the tale.
My favourite story in the collection was ‘The Dolphin’ which is a suspenseful but fable like story about death and the afterlife that touched my soul. Many of us have lost many loved ones in the past few years of the pandemic, some through death, and some through events worse than death. Such stories like ‘The Dolphin’ of a college grandson bidding a loved one a last farewell by the ocean can touch a raw nerve in almost every reader but will also act as a soothing balm to the wounded soul.
There are other unique short tales in less than ninety-nine words or even lesser than that which the author has shared here in this collection which I feel are very entertaining and remarkable and which all readers should definitely not miss while reading the short story collection.
Being fond of trees and having grown and cared for some trees myself from my late 20’s onwards, I felt one with the atmosphere of all the stories in this collection which all come off as spooky, eerie but cosy and companionable at the same time. That is the magic of trees; live in their shadow and as they turn their leaves, new stories and old are revealed to edify those willing to listen to their silent rustling! One can feel more attuned with their environment when one lives in the company of trees; their magnificence and allure speaks even to the noise in our souls, telling us the truth even when we let the axes fall. You can hear the allure as well as the megalomaniac’s ‘axe’ when you enter the dark and forested world of D.L. Finn.
Nature lovers who love their gardens and the animal kingdom will have a great time reading about the pets mentioned in this book. Cats and dogs galore are what makes this book unputdownable. The icing on the cake in that milieu is the novella ‘Stranded’ which was another of my top favourite stories in this collection. We as human’s think we have conquered the ocean and have mapped them out completely on our computers – or have we? When an elderly couple thinks of going on probably their last tropical holiday, what do they uncover during that eventful season? Find out by purchasing your copy of ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ right now!
‘In The Trees Shadow’ gets 5 stars from me! Kudos to the author on a job well done!
April 19, 2023
This short story collection by D.L. Finn is perfect for readers who like to dip their toes in dark waters but still prefer the light. Whether writing about evil, loss, or promises unfulfilled, readers will never be assaulted by grisly violence, gratuitous gore, or vile explicit content.
Stories span from micro installments to novella-length works, so whether you have a minute or an evening, you can find a new world to dive into. Fans of fantasy, horror, clean romance, and family fiction will have a hard time choosing a favorite. I know I did.
As I’ve come to expect from Finn’s work, nature plays a strong and wonderful role in many of the tales. Even in the realistic fiction, I could sense tree fairies flittering off the page. There’s always a sense of wonder and magic in her tales—I’m sure it’s part her voice and part her spirit that she infuses in her words.
I read In the Tree’s Shadow in two evenings because I kept saying, “Just one more.” I suspect many readers will do the same.
Stories span from micro installments to novella-length works, so whether you have a minute or an evening, you can find a new world to dive into. Fans of fantasy, horror, clean romance, and family fiction will have a hard time choosing a favorite. I know I did.
As I’ve come to expect from Finn’s work, nature plays a strong and wonderful role in many of the tales. Even in the realistic fiction, I could sense tree fairies flittering off the page. There’s always a sense of wonder and magic in her tales—I’m sure it’s part her voice and part her spirit that she infuses in her words.
I read In the Tree’s Shadow in two evenings because I kept saying, “Just one more.” I suspect many readers will do the same.
April 20, 2023
Readers who enjoy speculative fiction and short stories will find a lot to like in this book. The tagline refers to dreams and nightmares, and I found plenty of both in the read - well, maybe more nightmares and monsters than angels, but they’re both here within this eclectic and generous collection of 27 stories.
The stories cover a wide variety of speculative fiction subgenres, including horror, sci-fi, paranormal fiction, and fantasy. In the darker tales, readers will find Bigfoot, ghosts, demons, and human villains. Some of the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic stories were my favorites, including “In That Moment” and “The Last Ride of the Night.”
But the collection isn’t all doom and gloom by any means. There are plenty of stories about animals and angels and the renewal found in nature. Some of my favorites were “End of the Road” about a woman’s recovery from abuse, “The Bench” about the way animals come into our lives, and “The Bike” a tale about kindness. Many of the stories offer original twists on old spec fiction tropes, and the final story, a sci-fi novelette titled “Stranded,” is no exception. I’m happy to recommend this read to fans of speculative fiction short stories who enjoy a wide variety of tales.
The stories cover a wide variety of speculative fiction subgenres, including horror, sci-fi, paranormal fiction, and fantasy. In the darker tales, readers will find Bigfoot, ghosts, demons, and human villains. Some of the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic stories were my favorites, including “In That Moment” and “The Last Ride of the Night.”
But the collection isn’t all doom and gloom by any means. There are plenty of stories about animals and angels and the renewal found in nature. Some of my favorites were “End of the Road” about a woman’s recovery from abuse, “The Bench” about the way animals come into our lives, and “The Bike” a tale about kindness. Many of the stories offer original twists on old spec fiction tropes, and the final story, a sci-fi novelette titled “Stranded,” is no exception. I’m happy to recommend this read to fans of speculative fiction short stories who enjoy a wide variety of tales.
April 25, 2023
This collection of short stories is unusual, covering several different genres and all with satisfying endings, which is no easy feat for short stories. In this book, you'll find everything from a character finding exhilarating freedom to terror in an earthquake (with which California residents are all too familiar) to chilling ghost stories, sci-fi, and so much more.
I'm hard-pressed to pick any favorites from this collection, but I'll give it a try. I Loved "End of the Road." You see, I believe there are angels watching over us and there to give us nudges when we need them.
"Lyrical Dragon" is so cleverly written. The dragon communicates in haikus, which this author does extremely well.
An excellent sci-fi story, "The Playdate," takes an unexpected twist, leaving the reader gasping. "The Bike" is a heartwarming story of generosity and forgiveness.
The 99-word flash fiction pieces are so enjoyable and well done. If you are looking for a collection of short stories that has something for everyone's reading palate, this is the book for you! I highly recommend it!
I'm hard-pressed to pick any favorites from this collection, but I'll give it a try. I Loved "End of the Road." You see, I believe there are angels watching over us and there to give us nudges when we need them.
"Lyrical Dragon" is so cleverly written. The dragon communicates in haikus, which this author does extremely well.
An excellent sci-fi story, "The Playdate," takes an unexpected twist, leaving the reader gasping. "The Bike" is a heartwarming story of generosity and forgiveness.
The 99-word flash fiction pieces are so enjoyable and well done. If you are looking for a collection of short stories that has something for everyone's reading palate, this is the book for you! I highly recommend it!
April 26, 2023
An entertaining collection of flash fiction and short fiction stories.
The author's love of nature and its magic and wonders shines through in this lovely collection of fiction. Despite the mixture of light and dark stories, you're in safe hands with this writer, who never leaves you too traumatised. While her tales include serial killers, alcoholics, and evil supernatural, all of them end on a lighter note and are not overly graphic, so the reader gets the best of both worlds. Here are some lines I loved ...
'The cat and I had something in common--our loved ones had left us behind.'
And ...
'Being single grew on me in the same fashion as mold grows on shower grout.'
And ...
'Janie's heart took off like a rabbit running from a mountain lion.'
I could go on and on as there are so many wonderful one-liners and paragraphs. Had I been well enough, I would have read this in one sitting for sure. As it was, the varying lengths of each story suited me perfectly, and In the Tree's Shadow> gets a solid 4 stars from me. Go and buy this book!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
The author's love of nature and its magic and wonders shines through in this lovely collection of fiction. Despite the mixture of light and dark stories, you're in safe hands with this writer, who never leaves you too traumatised. While her tales include serial killers, alcoholics, and evil supernatural, all of them end on a lighter note and are not overly graphic, so the reader gets the best of both worlds. Here are some lines I loved ...
'The cat and I had something in common--our loved ones had left us behind.'
And ...
'Being single grew on me in the same fashion as mold grows on shower grout.'
And ...
'Janie's heart took off like a rabbit running from a mountain lion.'
I could go on and on as there are so many wonderful one-liners and paragraphs. Had I been well enough, I would have read this in one sitting for sure. As it was, the varying lengths of each story suited me perfectly, and In the Tree's Shadow> gets a solid 4 stars from me. Go and buy this book!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
April 24, 2023
Writing short stories is an art. But sometimes within the pages of a short story more than others, an author can lose their way. But not D L Finn. The author is sharp, focused and to the point, bringing out fear, anxiety, joy, anticipation and surprise as one turns the pages. At least two stories are only 99 words long and there to the author brilliantly comes to a heart stopping conclusion, almost literally. The stories are a mix of nostalgia, supernatural, paranormal and thrillers. Some had happy endings and some scary but each and everyone of them rocked as far as I was concerned. This is some amazing writing from D L Finn and I would give this collection of short stories an very well deserved 5 stars. This collection of heart stopping supernatural stories is highly recommended.
May 27, 2023
I have enjoyed stories by this author before, and this new collection is just as delightful, even though some stories have you checking under the bed before switching off the light.
We all have had nightmares and rarely do they survive the light of day, unless they are created by a master storyteller who knows just which buttons to push to make you shiver. Supernatural events and evil monsters battle for supremacy over humans and there are some wonderfully crafted characters deserving their time in the spotlight.
Alongside these stories are families who have drifted apart, parents who did not include kindness or inspiration in the upbringing of their children, and men and women seeking a new life away from their memories. There are also some dystopian reminders of why we need to take better care of our world, and how love survives loss.
Many stories touch the heart such as The Bike which showcased the kindness of strangers and The Bench which showcased the authors love of animals and their healing power.
The collection ends with a longer story, Stranded, with a retired couple seeking to recapture the sense of purpose and hope of their early relationship now that the children are grown and moved far away. They certainly get more than they bargained for and their adventure holds dangers that are out of this world as well as an amazing opportunity they would never have imagined.
I highly recommend this collection and be prepared to be drawn into the web created by D.L. Finn…
We all have had nightmares and rarely do they survive the light of day, unless they are created by a master storyteller who knows just which buttons to push to make you shiver. Supernatural events and evil monsters battle for supremacy over humans and there are some wonderfully crafted characters deserving their time in the spotlight.
Alongside these stories are families who have drifted apart, parents who did not include kindness or inspiration in the upbringing of their children, and men and women seeking a new life away from their memories. There are also some dystopian reminders of why we need to take better care of our world, and how love survives loss.
Many stories touch the heart such as The Bike which showcased the kindness of strangers and The Bench which showcased the authors love of animals and their healing power.
The collection ends with a longer story, Stranded, with a retired couple seeking to recapture the sense of purpose and hope of their early relationship now that the children are grown and moved far away. They certainly get more than they bargained for and their adventure holds dangers that are out of this world as well as an amazing opportunity they would never have imagined.
I highly recommend this collection and be prepared to be drawn into the web created by D.L. Finn…
May 22, 2024
In The Tree Shadow, a collection of stories that exist in your dreams and nightmares, is an entertaining variety of stories with unique themes and varying lengths, including a science fiction novella. The genres include paranormal, fantasy, horror, and romance. I felt so many different emotions as I read the captivating stories with well-developed characters I could relate to. Some stories are sweet, heartwarming, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and life-affirming, while others had me terrified, looking under my bed and in my closet for monsters. While I was reading When The Lights Go Out in bed, I had to put it down until it was light outside or I was sure to have nightmares.
Finn is an exceptional storyteller with a vivid imagination that will keep you turning pages. She immediately engages the reader in the heart of her stories. I enjoyed all the tales in this diverse collection, but these moving stories are my favorites, The Bike, The Journey, End of the Road, and The Dolphin. I highly recommend this collection of short stories and look forward to reading more from Finn in the future.
Finn is an exceptional storyteller with a vivid imagination that will keep you turning pages. She immediately engages the reader in the heart of her stories. I enjoyed all the tales in this diverse collection, but these moving stories are my favorites, The Bike, The Journey, End of the Road, and The Dolphin. I highly recommend this collection of short stories and look forward to reading more from Finn in the future.
April 26, 2023
‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ is a unique collection of short stories, as it offers stunning variety. Realism, fantasy and paranormal mingle into each other in this assortment that contains all flavors just like a box of chocolates. Finn’s signature style of nature in harmony with her characters and Angels waiting nearby shines throughout the book, despite the dark themes. ‘The Bonsai’ illustrates it so well. Her stories may rise above the realities of life but they speak of love, loss and kindness.
The spooky aura that she creates with her words in ‘It’s Only a Dream’ and ‘When the Lights go Out’ makes you shudder and believe that some of our darkest nightmares are real! The dream in the ‘Deadline’ is so lucid that I could feel the labored breath of Sadie on my shoulder. Such is the magic of Finn’s style! If ‘Lyrical Dragon’ is highly imaginative, ‘The Bike’ exudes real human values. If you love short stories, you must read this collection.
The spooky aura that she creates with her words in ‘It’s Only a Dream’ and ‘When the Lights go Out’ makes you shudder and believe that some of our darkest nightmares are real! The dream in the ‘Deadline’ is so lucid that I could feel the labored breath of Sadie on my shoulder. Such is the magic of Finn’s style! If ‘Lyrical Dragon’ is highly imaginative, ‘The Bike’ exudes real human values. If you love short stories, you must read this collection.
April 24, 2023
I've read many of D.L. Finn's books and In the Tree's Shadow: A Collection of Stories That Exist in Your Dreams...and nightmares (2023) stands out. It is an eclectic assortment of micro-fiction, short stories, some longer, that will often leave you shivering, wanting more, and always satisfied that reading them was time well spent. A few favorites: "The Old Gray Cat"--'delicately sniffs the air, searching for his youth'. Another: "The Playdate"--about the human who doesn’t know she's an alien. And every story with a dog in it.
If you’re looking for stories short enough to be read in a sitting and long enough to be completely engaging, you’ve found it in this collection. Highly recommended to those who love unusual plots and clever characters.
If you’re looking for stories short enough to be read in a sitting and long enough to be completely engaging, you’ve found it in this collection. Highly recommended to those who love unusual plots and clever characters.
April 23, 2023
This is a delightful collection of short stories of various lengths. Some are microfiction, others longer, and one story is novelette length. There’s a little something for every reader—fantasy, romance, horror, and paranormal fiction. Some stories take only a minute to read, others longer, but they all make for a cozy evening of reading.
As with most collections, I have my favorites. I especially enjoyed “End of The Road” and “It’s Only a Dream.” “Old Gray Cat” is a micro-fiction piece that says a lot in ninety-nine words.
If you’re a fan of short stories and are looking to be entertained, I recommend this one.
As with most collections, I have my favorites. I especially enjoyed “End of The Road” and “It’s Only a Dream.” “Old Gray Cat” is a micro-fiction piece that says a lot in ninety-nine words.
If you’re a fan of short stories and are looking to be entertained, I recommend this one.
May 1, 2023
Told through a series of short stories, D.L Finn proves once again how versed she is in creating tense, fantasy tales with heart.
“Lyrical Dragon” is one of my favorites. A cherished necklace comes to life in a unique and inspiring way.
In “End of the Road” a dispirited woman finds a fresh start with some guidance from above.
Being single grew on me in the same fashion as mold grows on shower grout. I kept trying to scrub it off, but it kept growing back.
Finn, D. L. . In the Tree’s Shadow: A collection of stories that exist in your dreams… and nightmares. (p. 10). Kindle Edition.
Fans of speculative fiction will love this array of micro-fiction and short stories littered with nasty antagonists, angels, and spirits of the afterlife in settings to raise the hair on your arms!
“Lyrical Dragon” is one of my favorites. A cherished necklace comes to life in a unique and inspiring way.
In “End of the Road” a dispirited woman finds a fresh start with some guidance from above.
Being single grew on me in the same fashion as mold grows on shower grout. I kept trying to scrub it off, but it kept growing back.
Finn, D. L. . In the Tree’s Shadow: A collection of stories that exist in your dreams… and nightmares. (p. 10). Kindle Edition.
Fans of speculative fiction will love this array of micro-fiction and short stories littered with nasty antagonists, angels, and spirits of the afterlife in settings to raise the hair on your arms!
July 2, 2023
This book was a fun read through a variety of paranormal short stories – some that touch the heart, some scary. You’ll find angels, horror, zombies, vampires, and dystopia within these stories. Stories to both spook and touch the heart with some dark and supernatural happenings, and others which deal with the human condition.
A sampling of stories:
The End of the Road – a feather, a flashlight and a bible changed Kelley’s life when she decided to take back her life.
In that Moment- a scary dystopian story – the power goes out, sounds like explosions, feels like an earthquake, almost sounding like war? Nora’s husband is away on a fishing trip. But is he? Nora has no idea what is going on until her husband Sam finally returns and tells her where he’s really been. Sam asks Nora to pack what she can quickly, as it was time to head north.
The Boy – Thirteen year old Bella continues to see a boy in the same place every day for the last two weeks and finally takes his picture. When she gets home she find’s her mother has gone back to the bottle and acting like a mean lunatic. In her drunken stupor she belittles Bella, leaving her feeling like an unwanted child, so Bella runs from the house back to The Boy and he warns her to keep running. No sooner does her mother come chasing down the road. It turns out, Bella and The Boy aren’t the only two victims caught in her drunken mother’s web of wrath.
Deadline – Sadie, a writer, is having frightening dreams that send her investigating the haunted house she keeps dreaming of and finds an evil spirit and discovers a story by the gravestones around the house. Soon enough she discovers the story to the gravestones leads to murder after discovering some mysterious boxes left behind from previous owners, and a diary and photos resembling the girl in her nightmares.
The Bike – Billy wants to buy a bike for his younger brother with his saved allowance. When he finds he doesn’t have enough money, he contemplates stealing it. It takes an angel and a good samaritan to teach Billy a few lessons.
The Clock – A young woman dreams of a clock, which she then notices above on the wall in the hospital as she stands at her estranged, abusive, alcoholic father’s bedside.
Alone – In a storm a woman’s husband had a heart attack after shovelling snow. The ambulance managed to pick him up, but she didn’t get in the ambulance, thinking she’d go in her car. With the power now out in the snowstorm, she worries about her husband and how she is going to get to him, all the while, a shadowy figure keeps following her.
The Bonsai – Mrs. Duffy is lonely after her husband Henry’s passing. They couldn’t have any children. Their Bonsai tree named Blossom, was in a sense, their child they’d planted and nourished together, which sat nicely near a cliff on their property. One day, Mrs. Duffy almost slipped off the cliff, and Blossom’s branches broke her fall, saving her life. In that moment, she was sure she heard her husband Henry’s voice in the wind.
There’s a story for everyone in this fun read of stories, flashfiction, and poems to touch the heart, or to leave you with goosebumps.
A sampling of stories:
The End of the Road – a feather, a flashlight and a bible changed Kelley’s life when she decided to take back her life.
In that Moment- a scary dystopian story – the power goes out, sounds like explosions, feels like an earthquake, almost sounding like war? Nora’s husband is away on a fishing trip. But is he? Nora has no idea what is going on until her husband Sam finally returns and tells her where he’s really been. Sam asks Nora to pack what she can quickly, as it was time to head north.
The Boy – Thirteen year old Bella continues to see a boy in the same place every day for the last two weeks and finally takes his picture. When she gets home she find’s her mother has gone back to the bottle and acting like a mean lunatic. In her drunken stupor she belittles Bella, leaving her feeling like an unwanted child, so Bella runs from the house back to The Boy and he warns her to keep running. No sooner does her mother come chasing down the road. It turns out, Bella and The Boy aren’t the only two victims caught in her drunken mother’s web of wrath.
Deadline – Sadie, a writer, is having frightening dreams that send her investigating the haunted house she keeps dreaming of and finds an evil spirit and discovers a story by the gravestones around the house. Soon enough she discovers the story to the gravestones leads to murder after discovering some mysterious boxes left behind from previous owners, and a diary and photos resembling the girl in her nightmares.
The Bike – Billy wants to buy a bike for his younger brother with his saved allowance. When he finds he doesn’t have enough money, he contemplates stealing it. It takes an angel and a good samaritan to teach Billy a few lessons.
The Clock – A young woman dreams of a clock, which she then notices above on the wall in the hospital as she stands at her estranged, abusive, alcoholic father’s bedside.
Alone – In a storm a woman’s husband had a heart attack after shovelling snow. The ambulance managed to pick him up, but she didn’t get in the ambulance, thinking she’d go in her car. With the power now out in the snowstorm, she worries about her husband and how she is going to get to him, all the while, a shadowy figure keeps following her.
The Bonsai – Mrs. Duffy is lonely after her husband Henry’s passing. They couldn’t have any children. Their Bonsai tree named Blossom, was in a sense, their child they’d planted and nourished together, which sat nicely near a cliff on their property. One day, Mrs. Duffy almost slipped off the cliff, and Blossom’s branches broke her fall, saving her life. In that moment, she was sure she heard her husband Henry’s voice in the wind.
There’s a story for everyone in this fun read of stories, flashfiction, and poems to touch the heart, or to leave you with goosebumps.
August 8, 2023
This collection is a little treasure covering a wide variety of genres written in as few as 99-word flash fiction up to the 37-pages of Stranded.
There’s something in here for everyone. It opens with the life-affirming tale of a woman taking control of her own life. Then there’s real beauty in the description of a sunset:
“Day faded into the pink and purple splendor when light caressed the darkness”. This scene so affects the character that it “birthed the first joy she’d felt since her days of busyness”. This is just one example of the power of Ms Finn’s words.
The next item is a piece of flash fiction that describes the gentle beauty of the Old Gray Cat, and following that, we’re plunged into the horror of The Playdate.
Some of the stories unfold like nightmares, others are more dreamlike. There are items that are in the realms of science fiction, others showcase horror, the paranormal or simply appreciate the simple things in life. Regardless, the power of the words imbues the pieces with suspense and emotion. One of the characters says “It might only have been a dream, but its tug continued when I was awake”. I thought that was a lovely way of expressing something that we’ve all felt.
This is a book that fits well into a busy lifestyle. It can be picked up and enjoyed when you only have a little time to spare for reading.
I’ll certainly be buying the author’s next book!
There’s something in here for everyone. It opens with the life-affirming tale of a woman taking control of her own life. Then there’s real beauty in the description of a sunset:
“Day faded into the pink and purple splendor when light caressed the darkness”. This scene so affects the character that it “birthed the first joy she’d felt since her days of busyness”. This is just one example of the power of Ms Finn’s words.
The next item is a piece of flash fiction that describes the gentle beauty of the Old Gray Cat, and following that, we’re plunged into the horror of The Playdate.
Some of the stories unfold like nightmares, others are more dreamlike. There are items that are in the realms of science fiction, others showcase horror, the paranormal or simply appreciate the simple things in life. Regardless, the power of the words imbues the pieces with suspense and emotion. One of the characters says “It might only have been a dream, but its tug continued when I was awake”. I thought that was a lovely way of expressing something that we’ve all felt.
This is a book that fits well into a busy lifestyle. It can be picked up and enjoyed when you only have a little time to spare for reading.
I’ll certainly be buying the author’s next book!
July 21, 2023
This beautifully written collection of short stories reeled me in from the first story, “End of the Road,” reminding me that happy endings can appear when you least expect them.
I really loved “The Dolphin.” In only a few pages, the story went somewhere unexpected, but brought forth thoughts and beliefs that I welcomed. I found it special as I believe many others will too: I’ll say no more.
“Lyrical Dragon” like many of these stories in this collection, is filled with phantasmagorical elements that when looked at, hold so many truths. So many of the stories have simple lessons, yet are told in a way that reminds the reader how many different ways there are to look at life—and death, and that the world gives us so many messages—in every form imaginable.
As an animal lover, “The Bench” particularly appealed to me, but I loved seeing dogs, cats, and nature in general in so many of the stories.
“Deadline” was another favorite. I felt as if I’d been transported into a horror movie – one I believe could really happen. “The Day the Ground Moved,” all within a few pages, was scary in imaginable and unimaginable ways.
This review will be too long if I continue with all of the notes I made. I'll end by saying that Finn’s writing is excellent, creative, and will definitely offer new perspectives. I enjoyed the stories of all lengths.
I really loved “The Dolphin.” In only a few pages, the story went somewhere unexpected, but brought forth thoughts and beliefs that I welcomed. I found it special as I believe many others will too: I’ll say no more.
“Lyrical Dragon” like many of these stories in this collection, is filled with phantasmagorical elements that when looked at, hold so many truths. So many of the stories have simple lessons, yet are told in a way that reminds the reader how many different ways there are to look at life—and death, and that the world gives us so many messages—in every form imaginable.
As an animal lover, “The Bench” particularly appealed to me, but I loved seeing dogs, cats, and nature in general in so many of the stories.
“Deadline” was another favorite. I felt as if I’d been transported into a horror movie – one I believe could really happen. “The Day the Ground Moved,” all within a few pages, was scary in imaginable and unimaginable ways.
This review will be too long if I continue with all of the notes I made. I'll end by saying that Finn’s writing is excellent, creative, and will definitely offer new perspectives. I enjoyed the stories of all lengths.
May 11, 2023
Every book I read from this author is great, and this was no exception. This book is a collection of short stories that she's written over the years, and I enjoyed every single one of them. She has a gift of creating such rich characters in just a few pages. Her scenes draw you in immediately, and you can't help but connect with what the characters are going through.
Many of the stories have a paranormal flare, which I LOVE! The author has a series on evildwels, spirits that invade people and encourage them to do evil things. It's a great series, and I was happy to see that she included a story about them in this book. She had several other stories where people were haunted by evil but found their way to the light, which I always love.
She also includes heartfelt stories of redemption or closure. A few of the stories focused on dystopia and a possible apocalypse here and there (lol!). And then there were the stories with crazy twists in them that were right up my alley. I honestly loved all the stories. Some are as short as 99 words while others were multiple pages, including a novella at the end. All of them were worth reading, and I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Many of the stories have a paranormal flare, which I LOVE! The author has a series on evildwels, spirits that invade people and encourage them to do evil things. It's a great series, and I was happy to see that she included a story about them in this book. She had several other stories where people were haunted by evil but found their way to the light, which I always love.
She also includes heartfelt stories of redemption or closure. A few of the stories focused on dystopia and a possible apocalypse here and there (lol!). And then there were the stories with crazy twists in them that were right up my alley. I honestly loved all the stories. Some are as short as 99 words while others were multiple pages, including a novella at the end. All of them were worth reading, and I highly recommend this book to everyone!
August 19, 2023
A diverse collection of 27 stories from micro and flash fiction all the way to a 12,000 word novelette. Some stories are sweet while others are more sour. Some are scarier than others. Dreams vs nightmares—obviously the latter are more likely to be on the scary side. Then there's twists; I love twists! Easy to read a few at a time or breeze right through.
There are angels and demons—(not usually in the same story). Add in a few monsters, abusive family members and other evil people. The bad guys or gals get what they have coming, one way or another, while the virtuous ones get the rewards they have earned for good deeds or enduring suffering. For me, that's karma.
For a fellow writer, it's inspiring to see how some of the characters were authors whose stories came from the dreams or nightmares, as part of the storyline. Beyond that, I found the mix encouraging for choosing a diverse collection of differing length and themes in a recent book of my own. Finn's may be better than mine. Only time will tell.
Some of my favorites in Finn's collection: End of the Road; A Man on the Pier; The Dolphin; When the Lights Go Out; and Stranded (the novelette; the story I liked most—which added in some sci-fi).
There are angels and demons—(not usually in the same story). Add in a few monsters, abusive family members and other evil people. The bad guys or gals get what they have coming, one way or another, while the virtuous ones get the rewards they have earned for good deeds or enduring suffering. For me, that's karma.
For a fellow writer, it's inspiring to see how some of the characters were authors whose stories came from the dreams or nightmares, as part of the storyline. Beyond that, I found the mix encouraging for choosing a diverse collection of differing length and themes in a recent book of my own. Finn's may be better than mine. Only time will tell.
Some of my favorites in Finn's collection: End of the Road; A Man on the Pier; The Dolphin; When the Lights Go Out; and Stranded (the novelette; the story I liked most—which added in some sci-fi).
April 23, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories that run the gamut from mild horror, slice-of-life, and sci-fi, to fantasy and paranormal. Creatures, angels, and animals populate the pages along with protagonists and villains. There is darkness, but also whimsy and plenty of hope. With a variety of micro-fics, shorts, and one novella-length work, the mixture will keep you flipping pages.
My favorite stories included Old Gray Cat, In That Moment, Effervescent Potion, Bonsai, and most especially, The Bike. In many places, I had to pause to savor the author’s deft turn of phrase. These are but a few that stood out for me:
“The other man, dressed all in black that matched his mesmerizing night eyes, had a voice like a bass guitar.”
“The dragon’s red eyes softly glowed like an autumn-toned sunset.”
“Tears mixed with her blood in a tie-dye swirl of insanity.”
If you enjoy speculative fiction that straddles lines of peril and hope, shadows and light, this is a collection that checks all the boxes.
My favorite stories included Old Gray Cat, In That Moment, Effervescent Potion, Bonsai, and most especially, The Bike. In many places, I had to pause to savor the author’s deft turn of phrase. These are but a few that stood out for me:
“The other man, dressed all in black that matched his mesmerizing night eyes, had a voice like a bass guitar.”
“The dragon’s red eyes softly glowed like an autumn-toned sunset.”
“Tears mixed with her blood in a tie-dye swirl of insanity.”
If you enjoy speculative fiction that straddles lines of peril and hope, shadows and light, this is a collection that checks all the boxes.
June 19, 2023
In the tree’s shadow is an entertaining collection of horror, paranormal and sci-fi short stories that is well worth reading. The stories all revolve around themes of self worth, love and relationships and use dark twists and turns to demonstrate the strength of love and its ability to overcome impossible seeming odds. The stories are of different lengths with some being quite long and detailed and others being 99-word flash fiction.
My favourite story was the first in the book called ‘End of the road’. The main character's dismal life was well described and the reach of her grandmother’s love from beyond the grave was welcome and heart warming.
‘The Playdate’ and ‘A Man on the pier’ were both unexpectedly dark with most interesting twists that gave me quite a shock.
Another tale that I found particularly pleasing was ‘The Dolphin’. It was not dark, rather heart warming and unique.
All the stories are well written and the characters are nicely drawn.
My favourite story was the first in the book called ‘End of the road’. The main character's dismal life was well described and the reach of her grandmother’s love from beyond the grave was welcome and heart warming.
‘The Playdate’ and ‘A Man on the pier’ were both unexpectedly dark with most interesting twists that gave me quite a shock.
Another tale that I found particularly pleasing was ‘The Dolphin’. It was not dark, rather heart warming and unique.
All the stories are well written and the characters are nicely drawn.
April 27, 2023
If you like speculative fiction like I do, you will love this collection of flash fiction and short stories. There’s a huge selection of horror, fantasy, paranormal, and even some sci-fi! However, not everything is full of darkness. There are some wonderful tales filled with magic, along with a bit of poetry!
One of my favorites is a magical tale called “Lyrical Dragon,” where the dragon communicates in haiku with a young girl. The author is never far from her poetic roots and shares other bits of poetry along the way.
I also loved the 99-Word stories—where some of the shortest stories held the most meaning.
From the light to the dark, watch for the story called “The Last Ride of the Night.” The story “A Day at the Lake,” amped up my creepy scale to a ten! This author embraces a spectrum of genres which really make this book sing.
One of my favorites is a magical tale called “Lyrical Dragon,” where the dragon communicates in haiku with a young girl. The author is never far from her poetic roots and shares other bits of poetry along the way.
I also loved the 99-Word stories—where some of the shortest stories held the most meaning.
From the light to the dark, watch for the story called “The Last Ride of the Night.” The story “A Day at the Lake,” amped up my creepy scale to a ten! This author embraces a spectrum of genres which really make this book sing.
July 13, 2023
D.L. Finn's "the Tree's Shadow" is a delightful collection of short stories that effortlessly weaves together elements of fantasy, romance, horror, paranormal fiction, and more.
With varying lengths, from microfiction to novella, these tales offer a little something for every reader. While exploring themes of evil, loss, and unfulfilled promises, the author skillfully avoids grisly violence and explicit content, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer a lighter touch. Nature plays a prominent role throughout the stories, infusing them with a sense of wonder and magic.
Each story showcases Finn's exceptional world-building, authentic characters, and engaging dialogue. With captivating glimpses into the realms of paranormal, horror, sci-fi, and romance, "the Tree's Shadow" is a captivating collection that will entertain and transport readers to extraordinary places.
With varying lengths, from microfiction to novella, these tales offer a little something for every reader. While exploring themes of evil, loss, and unfulfilled promises, the author skillfully avoids grisly violence and explicit content, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer a lighter touch. Nature plays a prominent role throughout the stories, infusing them with a sense of wonder and magic.
Each story showcases Finn's exceptional world-building, authentic characters, and engaging dialogue. With captivating glimpses into the realms of paranormal, horror, sci-fi, and romance, "the Tree's Shadow" is a captivating collection that will entertain and transport readers to extraordinary places.
April 20, 2024
In the tree’s shadow is a collection of 27 captivating and unique short stories ranging from half a page to just under 30 pages. Some of the stories are delightful fantasy, or science fiction and some are paranormal horror stories. There are also stories that are personal journeys about finding your self-worth and inner strength to live the life you want. The stories feature nightmares, beautiful dreams, castaways, space aliens, fantasy creatures, ghosts, demon-like entities, karma, and civil war. You just don’t know what you are going to read next as you finish one story.
The book engages your imagination a lot, which I enjoy. It is also well written and easy to read. Some of the stories are dark and scary, like “A man on the pier”, but most of these stories are entertaining and intriguing, and some are heartwarming. The book was a page turner and I highly recommend it.
The book engages your imagination a lot, which I enjoy. It is also well written and easy to read. Some of the stories are dark and scary, like “A man on the pier”, but most of these stories are entertaining and intriguing, and some are heartwarming. The book was a page turner and I highly recommend it.
April 17, 2023
In this collection of paranormal shorts, the author shows her versatility as she weaves through a variety of subjects with ease. Her stories include humans, creatures and aliens; encompass Christmas gifts and monsters and many what ifs, including tales of civil war. A scary subject given today’s environment.
Out of the many offerings, I had several favorites: The Bike. The Dolphin. This Journey. The Bench. AND End of the Road had a surprise ending that made me chuckle.
One of my favorite descriptive sentences was in It’s Only a Dream: ‘Dark blood flowed out in all directions on the beige carpet like a malicious flower.’
If you are ready to be entertained and awed, as I was, I suggest you put the coffee on, your feet up, kick back and enjoy.
Out of the many offerings, I had several favorites: The Bike. The Dolphin. This Journey. The Bench. AND End of the Road had a surprise ending that made me chuckle.
One of my favorite descriptive sentences was in It’s Only a Dream: ‘Dark blood flowed out in all directions on the beige carpet like a malicious flower.’
If you are ready to be entertained and awed, as I was, I suggest you put the coffee on, your feet up, kick back and enjoy.
June 14, 2023
In The Tree’s Shadow is an unusual and welcome collection of short stories.
I especially enjoyed The Dolphin, such a sweet story. I can imagine spending eternity in the sea as a dolphin, waiting for my family.
And Bonsai, as I would love to think of bonsai trees having souls. They live, so why not?
The Day the Earth Moved was terrifying to read and must be terrible to experience for real.
Happy or sad, spooky, or mysterious, these delightful stories allow us into the mind of the author, as she explores her love of all things dark and supernatural. Each and every one will remind the reader of so many moments and memories in their own lives…
I especially enjoyed The Dolphin, such a sweet story. I can imagine spending eternity in the sea as a dolphin, waiting for my family.
And Bonsai, as I would love to think of bonsai trees having souls. They live, so why not?
The Day the Earth Moved was terrifying to read and must be terrible to experience for real.
Happy or sad, spooky, or mysterious, these delightful stories allow us into the mind of the author, as she explores her love of all things dark and supernatural. Each and every one will remind the reader of so many moments and memories in their own lives…
January 7, 2024
In The Tree’s Shadow: A Collection of Stories that Exist in Your Dreams, by D.L. Finn, is filled with stories with magical qualities, stories that we only dream about…, and some, that we hope we never dream about. Some of the tales in this collection will leave readers feeling good all over and full of hope, but others will give you the chills. Filled with tales of angels and aliens, ghosts and supernatural beings, this multi-genre story collection has a little something for everyone.
See my full review and list of favorites here: https://writingtoberead.com/2023/07/0...
See my full review and list of favorites here: https://writingtoberead.com/2023/07/0...
May 4, 2023
Author D.L. Finn writes stories that tug at the heartstrings and this collection of short stories is no exception. I read the tales just before turning out the lights at night. It was a treat. Whether fantasy or romance, most stories have a bit of the paranormal - a lovely trademark of her writing. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.
August 1, 2023
In the Tree’s Shadow is a wonderful collection of short, and sometimes even Micro fiction. It held my attention for over a months. This is because I tended to read one here and there as time allowed. If you’re more likely to binge these fun stories, they will still work. I love all the oddities and twists that come along in these narratives. I will always remember Captain Randall.
December 31, 2023
Ms. Finn provides another wonderful book. It's a generous collection of speculative fiction shorts, done with the author's unique touch and captivating storytelling. Recommended for anyone who enjoys short stories.
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