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Game of Hearts
My name is Roman Wright.
I’m handsome, smart, caring. The works.
Any woman would be lucky to be with me.
But I still find myself alone.
I’m picky, and I’m looking for that perfect woman.
It isn’t until I discover that the porcelain doll I’d gotten for Sadie’s birthday is alive that I begin to find hope.
Hope that the perfect woman really is out there, waiting for me.
Three cards. Three very different women.
Reliving three Saturdays in a row.
One of them has to be my ideal partner.
Right?
Game of Hearts is a fantasy romance short story about the woes of finding the PERFECT partner.
I’m handsome, smart, caring. The works.
Any woman would be lucky to be with me.
But I still find myself alone.
I’m picky, and I’m looking for that perfect woman.
It isn’t until I discover that the porcelain doll I’d gotten for Sadie’s birthday is alive that I begin to find hope.
Hope that the perfect woman really is out there, waiting for me.
Three cards. Three very different women.
Reliving three Saturdays in a row.
One of them has to be my ideal partner.
Right?
Game of Hearts is a fantasy romance short story about the woes of finding the PERFECT partner.
70 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2023
About the author
Viola Tempest
50 books179 followersViola Tempest is a dystopian fantasy and paranormal romance author who yearns to expose the truth of those in the modern world: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her inspiration primarily stems from life experiences, those who annoy her, ex-boyfriends, and the crazy dreams that pop into her head every once in a while.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 2, 2022
Roman's Search for Perfection . . .
Roman went from store to store, trying to find a very special Barbie doll for Sadie’s birthday. He did not want to disappoint his niece, but every place he visited was sold out of the mermaid Barbie. He had only two hours left before he had to be at the party. When an accident brought traffic to a stop, he knew he had no more time left to get to the last department store. But spotting a small antique shop, he decided to take one last desperate look for a suitable gift. It was odd he had never seen this shop before since he passed this way often. He wandered the rooms, everything coated in dust. In the last room, he saw an old shoebox and was drawn to it. Under the tissue paper, found a tiny teacup with a doll in it! The porcelain doll was beautiful, perfect, and seemed to see him.
Racing to the party, Roman was happy to see that Sadie loved her new doll and named her Vivien. She kept the doll with her right up until bedtime. Roman’s sister, Olivia, took her daughter upstairs to tuck her in as Roman tried to turn off the Hallmark movie that had started. But the remote did not respond. A voice behind him commented that he could not stand watching what he can’t have, a perfect love. Startled, he turned around to an empty room. Every time he turned back to the TV, the voice continued to talk to him about needing real and lasting love. Then he saw the doll standing up on the carpet and talking to him! She claimed to be a matchmaker, chosen by men when they need her help. He told her the “ideal” woman for him. But a search for perfection can leave a person lonely if they are not willing to love anyone less than perfect.
Waking the next morning, he found a playing card next to the aspirin he had left there for the hangover he knew would come. The doorbell rang and a blonde woman, Maeve, handed him his mail mis-delivered to her. She was new to the neighborhood – and asked him to go for coffee with her! After spending the day together, he drove her home. But she pushed him into her living room where he saw pictures of himself taped to the wall and scattered over the coffee table. She told him not to be afraid, she would take good care of him. Then the lights went out and he woke up in his bed! He saw the playing card next to his aspirin, but the card was no longer the Two of Hearts… it was the Ace of Spades. What was going on?
This is such a clever story line! The suspense builds and the reader is not sure what to expect next. Grab your copy and experience the magic and chills of a well-told tale.
Roman went from store to store, trying to find a very special Barbie doll for Sadie’s birthday. He did not want to disappoint his niece, but every place he visited was sold out of the mermaid Barbie. He had only two hours left before he had to be at the party. When an accident brought traffic to a stop, he knew he had no more time left to get to the last department store. But spotting a small antique shop, he decided to take one last desperate look for a suitable gift. It was odd he had never seen this shop before since he passed this way often. He wandered the rooms, everything coated in dust. In the last room, he saw an old shoebox and was drawn to it. Under the tissue paper, found a tiny teacup with a doll in it! The porcelain doll was beautiful, perfect, and seemed to see him.
Racing to the party, Roman was happy to see that Sadie loved her new doll and named her Vivien. She kept the doll with her right up until bedtime. Roman’s sister, Olivia, took her daughter upstairs to tuck her in as Roman tried to turn off the Hallmark movie that had started. But the remote did not respond. A voice behind him commented that he could not stand watching what he can’t have, a perfect love. Startled, he turned around to an empty room. Every time he turned back to the TV, the voice continued to talk to him about needing real and lasting love. Then he saw the doll standing up on the carpet and talking to him! She claimed to be a matchmaker, chosen by men when they need her help. He told her the “ideal” woman for him. But a search for perfection can leave a person lonely if they are not willing to love anyone less than perfect.
Waking the next morning, he found a playing card next to the aspirin he had left there for the hangover he knew would come. The doorbell rang and a blonde woman, Maeve, handed him his mail mis-delivered to her. She was new to the neighborhood – and asked him to go for coffee with her! After spending the day together, he drove her home. But she pushed him into her living room where he saw pictures of himself taped to the wall and scattered over the coffee table. She told him not to be afraid, she would take good care of him. Then the lights went out and he woke up in his bed! He saw the playing card next to his aspirin, but the card was no longer the Two of Hearts… it was the Ace of Spades. What was going on?
This is such a clever story line! The suspense builds and the reader is not sure what to expect next. Grab your copy and experience the magic and chills of a well-told tale.
March 31, 2022
I already read one of Viola's short stories before and I was quite impressed how she managed to tell an entire tale and managed to add some kind of moral too in so few pages. So, when BookSirens offered me an arc of this novella I was quite excited to grab my copy. Since my boss sent me home a little early today I had just enough time to squeeze this in after my workday.
Once more Tempest wrote an impressive short tale with a beautiful moral. The story is longer than the average fairytale, with a lot more detail, but it still is some sort of fairytale. And just like the previous story I read the moral of the story is about love, what love is and what happens if you strive for love to be perfect.
Even though we meet most of the characters in the story only briefly, it still felt like I could build a connection with them. Those short moments were enough to get to know them, to understand what made them tick, what their life looks like and why they were a great romantic fit for the main character of this story.
I also loved how Tempest wrote the main character in this story. He felt real. Even though we don't see much of him, even though there is without a doubt more to his life and personality, it felt like I at least knew more than enough to understand why he made his choice at the very end and to fully understand why he eventually got what he got.
I hope Tempest will write more short stories. I'm looking forward to reading them.
Once more Tempest wrote an impressive short tale with a beautiful moral. The story is longer than the average fairytale, with a lot more detail, but it still is some sort of fairytale. And just like the previous story I read the moral of the story is about love, what love is and what happens if you strive for love to be perfect.
Even though we meet most of the characters in the story only briefly, it still felt like I could build a connection with them. Those short moments were enough to get to know them, to understand what made them tick, what their life looks like and why they were a great romantic fit for the main character of this story.
I also loved how Tempest wrote the main character in this story. He felt real. Even though we don't see much of him, even though there is without a doubt more to his life and personality, it felt like I at least knew more than enough to understand why he made his choice at the very end and to fully understand why he eventually got what he got.
I hope Tempest will write more short stories. I'm looking forward to reading them.
April 7, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It started of great. Completely relatable with Roman searching for a birthday gift for his niece Sadie. Then stuck in traffic he sees this old antique store he’s never noticed before. He goes inside and is drawn to a doll in a back room wrapped in tissue paper. The older owner tried to hint at something mysterious but he bought it anyways.
Sadie loved her gift but that night the doll “Vivien” came to life and asked Roman what his ideal woman was. The next day he woke up and met Maeve and spent an awesome day with her. Next morning it was Saturday again, no sign of Maeve but he met Hailey and spent an awesome day with her. The next day it was Saturday again and he met Brielle. The next day he woke up it was Sunday, the doll Vivien is in his kitchen. She asks him to choose. He chose non so she says he will always be alone because he only looked at what the woman lacked and not what they offered. At time it was a little confusing. Very quick read. I would be interested in reading something else by this author.
I received this arc and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Sadie loved her gift but that night the doll “Vivien” came to life and asked Roman what his ideal woman was. The next day he woke up and met Maeve and spent an awesome day with her. Next morning it was Saturday again, no sign of Maeve but he met Hailey and spent an awesome day with her. The next day it was Saturday again and he met Brielle. The next day he woke up it was Sunday, the doll Vivien is in his kitchen. She asks him to choose. He chose non so she says he will always be alone because he only looked at what the woman lacked and not what they offered. At time it was a little confusing. Very quick read. I would be interested in reading something else by this author.
I received this arc and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
March 31, 2022
What a deep message I got in this small book. Just 5 chapters, but a lesson to all was there.
Roman is a single man that is on the search with only 2 hours to go till his niece's birthday party. She wants a Barbie, a special one. He has lost all hope of finding it, when stuck in traffic, his eyes catch an antique store. With nothing to lose, he goes in to find a present for his niece.
He does, a very unique doll, that is loved by his niece, but she also has a little 'deal' for Roman. He wants the perfect woman, she will help him.
3 beautiful ladies, 1 day lived over and over again. Playing cards on a nightstand. What will happen? Who will he choice? A lesson will be learned for sure.
.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Roman is a single man that is on the search with only 2 hours to go till his niece's birthday party. She wants a Barbie, a special one. He has lost all hope of finding it, when stuck in traffic, his eyes catch an antique store. With nothing to lose, he goes in to find a present for his niece.
He does, a very unique doll, that is loved by his niece, but she also has a little 'deal' for Roman. He wants the perfect woman, she will help him.
3 beautiful ladies, 1 day lived over and over again. Playing cards on a nightstand. What will happen? Who will he choice? A lesson will be learned for sure.
.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 18, 2022
My name is Roman Wright.
I’m handsome, smart, caring. The works.
Any woman would be lucky to be with me.
But I still find myself alone.
I’m picky, and I’m looking for that perfect woman.
It isn’t until I discover that the porcelain doll I’d gotten for Sadie’s birthday is alive that I begin to find hope.
Hope that the perfect woman really is out there, waiting for me.
Three cards. Three very different women.
Reliving three Saturdays in a row.
One of them has to be my ideal partner.
Right?
Game of Hearts is a fantasy romance short story about the woes of finding the PERFECT partner.
i just love it a lot. even when im still left with questions. i still hope there will be more
I’m handsome, smart, caring. The works.
Any woman would be lucky to be with me.
But I still find myself alone.
I’m picky, and I’m looking for that perfect woman.
It isn’t until I discover that the porcelain doll I’d gotten for Sadie’s birthday is alive that I begin to find hope.
Hope that the perfect woman really is out there, waiting for me.
Three cards. Three very different women.
Reliving three Saturdays in a row.
One of them has to be my ideal partner.
Right?
Game of Hearts is a fantasy romance short story about the woes of finding the PERFECT partner.
i just love it a lot. even when im still left with questions. i still hope there will be more
February 25, 2022
This my second read from this author and I am a big fan. I enjoyed this story immensely! The supernatural aspect of this book sets up the plot of this story. The main character seems like a nice guy and you want to find his dream girl. When given a chance to meet his dream girl with some noticeable flaws, will he pick her or is he looking for an unrealistic perfect woman? It’s a short story with a potential to become a series. I wanted the story to last longer! It was a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2022
This was an incredibly intriguing book, though short, I did find that I wanted to know more and before I knew it I was finished with the book. The ending was not what I expected, but it was a good tale and definitely held a message for everyone about not needing to like every single part of your significant other to be happy and loved. Also, to not dwell on the negative aspects or you’ll wind up alone forever. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2024
This is was such a short story but with a good meaning behind it. I really liked this story and the way it was written. I thought it could have done with being longer as it packs so much Into 51 pages and at some points I did get confused with bits of the story as it kept jumping around a bit too much. I would read from this author again as this was my 1st time reading from them and enjoyed my time reading the book xxx
March 20, 2022
I wasn't a fan of this "matchmaker" book. It was a bit confusing and the ending was odd. I am aware that it was a novella so maybe things could have been explained better had it been a full length novel, but I think if that had been the case, it wouldn't have held my interest.
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
May 15, 2022
I really enjoyed reading the game of heart I wish it was a bit longer. The storyline keep you wanting to read more. It was about a guy Roman looking for the perfect woman. He was given the chance to date 3 different woman he had described to a doll to choose none as they weren't perfect for him. I would recommend this and would love to read more books from Viola.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2022
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from this story. I was intrigued as the plot was one I hadn't seen before. I loved the groundhogs day vibes. I also really liked the MC. He seemed very sweet, if a little picky. I totally understood the underlying message but be warned this story does not end in an hea.
May 29, 2022
This book was different then what i expected but I enjoyed it! I’ve never read anything like it before, it was a great short story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 4, 2022
A very entertaining little read with a great lesson to be learned.
This was the first book I read by this author, but I'm definitely looking forward to discovering more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was the first book I read by this author, but I'm definitely looking forward to discovering more of her work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews