What makes a person a trusted friend or lover?How does it feel when you have that status? It takes years to earn and seconds to destroy.Dive into these selected short stories, exploring romance, friendship, and the rocky roads. Trust isa key element in any successful relationship.Explore the bonds of trust and love. The journey determines the destination for these friends and lovers.Enjoy the stories.
Authors Breakfield and Burkey, reknown for their thrilling suspense thriller series – The Engima Series have a collection of short stories to delight their readers with. Trusted Friends and Lovers is a collection of select stories that focus on trust in relationships. Trust – it’s such a fragile thing. Once broken, trust is difficult, if not impossible, to repair. But when nurtured and cherished, it is a truly beautiful thing. In Trusted Friends and Lovers, we’ll get to bear witness to both sides of this delicate coin.
Trusted Friends and Lovers has a simplistic cover that features glittery lights or spheres displayed across the background of this book. These elements transition to a dark blue-black towards the middle before returning to dominate the cover again towards the bottom. Superimposed over this background is a red heart drawn across the middle section of the cover. This heart gives the impression that love will be a featured element of these stories.
Trusted Friends and Lovers is a collection of short stories by authors Breakfield and Burkey. In this collection, the subject that readers will discover will be about love and trust. Love comes in many forms, and authors Breakfield and Burkey showcase this in each of their stories.
What can you expect as you dive deep into Trusted Friends and Lovers? Familiar with the Enigma series? You can expect to cross paths with many a familiar character throughout Trusted Friends and Lovers. Haven’t read the Enigma series? Well, this will be a good way to wet your palette because you’ll want to learn more about these characters with each story you read.
Authors Breakfield and Burkey took a lot of care to make this collection of stories truly unique. This is showcased in how each story has its own special cover to introduce it. Each cover will give readers clues to the characters and the potential storyline that they can expect to discover within each story.
The first story that you’ll find in Trusted Friends and Lovers will be about JJ and Jo. Authors Breakfield and Burkey keep this story relatively calm, but they still know you’ll be craving some drama. So, at the right moment, the drama is delivered. Fears, Tears, or Cheers gives readers a glimpse into Jo’s trauma from her youth. This particular installment in Trusted Friends and Lovers gives an interesting insight into Jo and how she overcomes her trauma. Plus, there is a really sweet ending that you’re sure to love.
The next tale that you’ll discover in Trusted Friends and Lovers is a short story by the name of Hidden Target. Authors Breakfield and Burkey tease readers with this short story’s cover. Why do we say this? Well, we’re getting a scope sight with bullet holes and a jump drive on a key chain. What does it mean? Cue curiosity piqued!
Hidden Target in Trusted Friends and Lovers focuses on a new pair of characters. What do authors Breakfield and Burkey have in store for you? Well, this story will tell how two particular characters cross paths for the first time. Are you hoping for or looking for some drama to light up the pages? Great news! Breakfield and Burkey make sure that you get some high-stakes drama! This particular short story will be a real page-turner.
Remember the Future is the next story you’ll find in Trusted Friends and Lovers. This particular story takes a different pace in comparison to the earlier stories found in Trusted Friends and Lovers. The first thing you’ll notice in this story’s cover will be the chess board with specific chess pieces on display. That’s what will catch your eye first, but then you’ll notice the silhouettes of two people holding hands.
Authors Breakfield and Burkey decided to take a different course with Remember the Future. Why do we say this? Simply put – this story takes on a reflective stance. It’s one character remembering years gone by, but also how things came to be the way that they currently are in his life. You can expect to find, dear reader, “love” and heartbreak in more than one form.
For us, this story stands out the most because it has multiple strands that tie it back to the past in more ways than one. One strand ties this story back to the beginning of the R-Group and teases you with how things began to branch out and evolve. It’s intriguing, but authors Breakfield and Burkey also focus on the importance of family to this particular character. This story manages to be heartwarming while also bringing a tear to your eye at the same time.
The next story up in Trusted Friends and Lovers will be Caribbean Dream. From the cover of this short story, you’ll get the sense that this story is going to take place in a tropical getaway. This sense is compounded when you see a small sail boat with two individuals swimming in the water. What do you think this story will be about? Something romantic? Or maybe the topic will be more towards a theme of friendship?
Are these all the stories you’ll find in Trusted Friends and Lovers? No, there are more to be discovered, so that’s why we’ve withheld a few so that you can have the enjoyment of discovering the rest for yourself. What fun would it be if we revealed all that can be found within this delightful collection?
Each story that you’ll find in Trusted Friends and Lovers will be unique, engaging, and well-written. Authors Breakfield and Burkey give readers just the right amount of drama and details to draw you in. The stories throughout Trusted Friends and Lovers focus on different couples or groups of friends.
Some of these stories will give you romance and happy conclusions, while others will detail stories of friendships. Some of these friendship stories will give us a glimpse into the struggles that these particular characters experienced, but how they also came out the other side stronger for it.
One common thread of these stories is the obvious – relationships. Another is the impact of trust. Trust is something that is repeatedly highlighted in each of the stories that authors Breakfield and Burkey give us. We’re reminded of exactly how important trust is to any relationship. In some instances, the trust is sustained in a healthy way. In other stories? We witness the fragility of trust and how it is irreparably broken.
Every story found in Trusted Friends and Lovers centers around familiar characters from the Enigma series. You’ll enjoy and appreciate getting to know each of these characters a little more and a little better. Whether you’ve read the Enigma series or not, you’ll enjoy these stories immensely. If you haven’t read the series, though, you’ll find yourself eagerly looking to dive into them to learn more about these engaging characters.
From page one, Trusted Friends and Lovers will draw you in and keep you page-turning to discover more about these unique characters created by authors Breakfield and Burkey. While not all of these stories are packed with drama, suspense, and thrills readers, who enjoy those genres will not want to miss out on this book. If you are a fan of authors Breakfield and Burkey, you’re going to want to snap this book up and dive in.
Trusted Friends and Lovers, by Roxanne Burkey and Charles Breakfield, is an engaging collection of short stories exploring themes of love, friendship, and family. This compilation features seven interconnected tales: “Fears, Tears, or Cheers” follows Jo, a Brazilian model, and JJ, a Chief Master Sergeant. “Hidden Target” introduces Brayson, a cyber security expert, and Marian, a former Air Force member. “Remember the Future” centers on Wolfgang, his daughter Julianne, and his grandson Jacob. “Caribbean Dream” showcases Judith and Zee, friends working in San Juan to fund their college education. “Love’s Enigma” features Buzz and Zara, a couple who moves to San Juan and become teachers. “The Jewel” presents Haddy and Otto, new parents to a baby daughter. “Hot Chocolate” highlights Petra and Jacob, along with their young son, JW.
To fully appreciate this collection, it is recommended to read it alongside the authors' other works, as these stories provide additional insights into the characters from the Enigma series. The collection effectively highlights pivotal moments in the characters' lives, and several stories are beautifully interconnected, especially those depicting generational family relationships.
Set in diverse locations worldwide, the stories encompass a wide range of scenarios, such as distant memories, first meetings, reunions, proposals, weddings, and family celebrations during winter holidays. These varied settings and events keep readers hooked and invested in the characters' journeys. After finishing this book, I was eager to delve deeper into the lives of the characters featured and explore the authors' other works. A couple of the short stories felt rushed, with months or years passing in just a few pages. Additionally, some backstory details about the characters could have been conveyed more naturally. For instance, descriptions about Jo and JJ would have flowed better as part of the narrative rather than through dialogue, which occasionally felt unnatural. Despite this, Trusted Friends and Lovers remains a captivating read.
The collection's ability to weave together rich, interrelated stories makes it a worthwhile addition to the Enigma series. Fans of the series and new readers alike will find much to enjoy in this exploration of relationships and life's significant moments.
Trusted Friends and Lovers” by Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey is a poignant exploration of the fundamental elements that underpin meaningful relationships: trust, friendship, and love. Through a series of carefully crafted short stories, the authors invite readers to embark on an emotional journey that traverses the highs and lows of human connection.
At the heart of the book lies the central question: what does it mean to be a trusted friend or lover? With nuance and sensitivity, Breakfield and Burkey navigate this theme, weaving together narratives that showcase the transformative power of trust in its various forms.
Each story is a microcosm of the human experience, presenting characters grappling with the complexities of trust and its consequences. From the tender bonds of lifelong friendships to the exhilarating rush of new romance, the authors deftly capture the myriad emotions that accompany these relationships.
What sets “Trusted Friends and Lovers” apart is its unwavering authenticity. The characters feel real and relatable, their struggles and triumphs echoing those of the reader’s own life. Whether it’s navigating the aftermath of betrayal or rediscovering trust after heartbreak, the stories resonate on a deeply personal level.
Furthermore, Breakfield and Burkey’s prose is both evocative and eloquent, painting vivid portraits of love, loss, and redemption. Their ability to evoke empathy and understanding is a testament to their skill as storytellers.
As the reader progresses through the book, a common thread emerges: the realization that trust is not just a feeling, but a choice—a choice that must be made every day, through actions both big and small. “Trusted Friends and Lovers” serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of trust and the importance of nurturing it in our most cherished relationships.
In conclusion, “Trusted Friends and Lovers” is a masterfully crafted collection that speaks to the universal desire for authentic connection. With its richly drawn characters, compelling narratives, and timeless themes, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they’ve turned the final page.
Trusted Friends and Lovers by Rox Burkey and Charles Breakfield is an anthology of seven short stories that will each resonate with your heart and inspire you in some way. The tales explore the gamut of love, sadness, happiness, discovery, and loss. For example, one young woman must overcome her greatest fear in one story while another tale explores the resilience of two college-age friends pursuing their dream of starting a business venture to pay for their education. Each story explores how strong bonds between friends and sweethearts help each other overcome their hardships and fulfill their dreams.
Authors Burkey and Breakfield have masterfully woven tales that will speak to your heart in some way. One of my favorite stories is entitled The Jewel which includes a riveting action scene of a husband fighting off thugs to protect his wife from harm. During the harrowing scene, they make a remarkable discovery that profoundly impacts their lives. I felt emotionally engaged with the couple's unconditional love for each other.
Another favorite of mine is Hidden Target. This is an engaging and fast-paced story full of suspense with elements of romance. I particularly enjoyed the verbal bantering between Marian and Brayson. With her military training, she is a good match for Brayson whose expertise is in cybercrime. The bond from their new love will help them escape from their dangerous predicament. Other stories in the anthology might also speak to your heart.
I highly recommend Trusted Friends and Lovers to anyone looking for stories that will tug at your emotions and renew your trust in friends and loved ones to support you in rocky times.
‘You come from a line of men who don’t let the best woman escape’ – the roads of friendship and romance
Burkey and Breakfield are becoming more prominent with every new volume of their ENIGMA SERIES, and now they add supportive short stories with TRUSTED FRIENDS AND LOVERS. Charles V. Breakfield is a technology solutions architect (AI, cloud computing, security etc.) while Rox Burkey is a technologist as well as being consumed with writing fiction. Together they prove to be not only experts in the field of computers and all permutations of AI, but they also have mastered the art of composing stunning thrillers, populated with characters with whom we can identify, instilled with their keen sense of wit.
The characters populating this series of seven short stories, in response to the title of the book, entertain as well as provide moments for introspection on the qualities of the bonds of trust and love. A short excerpt shares the quality of writing: “Julie, the week was fantastic, what with the detective work and sleuthing. We laughed, talked, and worked together while plotting and behaving like kids on a treasure hunt. It amazes me how well we fit…Then I think about his abilities, and I worry…I’m afraid of not being smart enough in his world, and he’s scared of holding me back from modeling success. They say opposites attract, but when two people are so different, can it ever work?”
Each story is enhanced by photographs that maintain the mood. This is a fine book for fall and winter evenings’ relaxing entertainment – with a touch of Christmas! Very highly recommended.
This was a remarkable and heartfelt story. The author's incorporation of characters from other books in the Enigma Series into their stories was fantastic, as readers got to return to these beloved characters and witness a whole other aspect of their journey. The raw, emotional beats the authors explore in this book and the relatability of the experiences these characters share will instantly draw the reader in.
The character development is the true heart of this collection, as each story packs a powerful punch thanks to how each character develops. From finding balance within a relationship to the threat of loss putting things into perspective, the authors explored romance, mysteries, and thrillers in this fantastic collection.
The Verdict
Burkey & Breakfield’s “Trusted Friends and Lovers” is a must-read short story collection of Heartfelt, emotional, and compelling authors. The connection to the greater Enigma universe and the core theme of love and romance that permeates each story made this one collection readers won’t be able to put down.
This is a collection of seven short stories that are easy reads. Readers can curl up and immerse themselves in love through these stories.
There was lots of dialogue (which I love!). I am not a ‘lovey-dovey’ person, but I enjoyed this book. The stories are sweet but not over the top—except the last one. A few of the stories had danger and the characters overcoming past trauma. These kept me intrigued, and I could see an entire story being written about how the characters came to that place.
My favourite was Caribbean Dream, the story in the middle of the collection. The forged friendship and how they would work through tumultuous times were powerful. Having a true friend can sometimes be hard to find, but when you have one, the bond is unshakeable. You are in it together, ups and downs.
If you enjoy short stories that you can cozy up with, then this book is for you.
Breakfield and Burkey are masterminds within their creation of the Enigma Series books. They've created a world that is nearly unparalleled to the others in the science fiction genre, however, Trusted Friends and Lovers is something new. It feels as if they've conjured up all of the romantic elements of books past, and shifted them into short-story, narrative form so the reader can get even closer to the characters they've grown accustomed to reading. Within these selected shorts, you'll find seven stories that capture the nature of human beings dealing with the highs and lows of being in love, and what it means to truly trust someone. So take it from a stranger and "trust" me, you will enjoy these stories, and hopefully, from them, be able take something home.
Love the raw emotion in this group of short stories dealing with emotions from heartache and loss to the overwhelming love of birthing a child.
I’ve read numerous books by the writing duo of Breakfield and Burkey, so I knew some of the characters, but this brought them to another level, something you don’t see so deeply in other stories. Not because it was omitted—because these stories touched on different topics. Burkey and Breakfield have written together for so long, their styles mingle as one. Great work, you two!