Spring Paths: An Anthology

by S.C. Eston, Allan Hudson, Pierre C. Arseneault

Sometimes, a compelling short story is all you need.Let our tales of gods, ghosts, alien worlds, mystery, secrecy, love, loss, and horror get under your skin for a while.Nine North Atlantic writers have collaborated to create this anthology, the third in a series of multi-genre fables that will entertain, possibly unsettle, and cause you to think about the present in which we live.Curl up on the sofa and allow yourself to be lost in the pages of this fascinating book.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2023

About the author

STEVE C. ESTON has been a lover of the fantastical and the scientific since he was a young boy. He wrote his first story by hand while still in elementary school—a five-page story about a tiger-masked ninja fighting mythical monsters that included his own illustrations.

When not spending time with his family, Steve makes time for his numerous hobbies, which include reading (and hoarding) books, listening to music, playing video games, watching movies, making puzzles, and playing hockey and tennis. He also loves to travel and developed an obsession with New Zealand after traveling there in 2015.

For information on current writing projects and for free short stories, head on over to:

www.SCEston.com

Newsletter: https://www.sceston.com/Newsletter
Facebook: @SteveCEston
Instagram: @SteveCEston

Reviews

[Ra Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to first thank you BookTasters for giving me the opportunity of reading this outstanding collection of short stories.

This collection has been made by different writers who have created amazing characters with personalities reliable to any type of reader.

I really liked this book mostly for how short the stories actually are and how fast and easy they are to read.

As a book i picked up to read between hours of studying or while im commuting somewhere, this book was amazing because the length of the stories was perfect; and as someone who takes a lot of time thinking what book to read next this book helped me so much because all the stories were amazing and very interesting.

I really recommend picking up this book and thank you again BookTasters for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book. I can't wait for the next one.

[Stavroula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the variaty!! Intersting stories and characters! My fav was Madame Beauvarry’s Curio Shop by Angela Wren.

[Emily Bellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I read Spring Paths as part of an ARC invitation.)

This anthology is a collection of quite wonderful and diverse stories. Some read like a slice of life (Juniper), some go full-on sci-fi/fantasy (Erasing). Some resonated with me, some didn't; I especially enjoyed 'Erasing' and 'When the Spring Paths Melt' - both have sci-fi elements, which is a genre I feel familiar and comfortable with. I'm curious to read more from 'Erasing' author S.C. Eston.

But I also really liked 'Madame Beauvary's Curio Shop', which I think was well researched in terms of judging art/paintings (I learned a lot!) and has a few wonderful twists at the end.

The stories in this anthology are easy reads, perfect for a summer (well, spring) vacation or a train ride, IMHO.

[Queen Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything from grief, friendship, adventure to... Aliens?! I found this anthology adeptly put together. Some of the stories had a way of stringing you along in a weave of suspense and it helped that they were short and easy to digest. Good work overall.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much the type of reader who reads anthologies, but with this one, I had a lot of expectations from the cover, which is extremely beautiful and aesthetic. As I read it I realized that it was exceeding what I expected. It has short stories with endearing characters, wonderful and nostalgic plots, the story I liked the most was the first "Juniper", it brought me melancholy with the themes of COVID and friendship. I think the book also invites you to reflect on various issues in life. And I found it incredible how they combined elements of real life with fiction, they made it work quite well. It is easy to read and completely captivates the reader, each story makes you get to know the writers. I loved. Thanks to Booktasters for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible anthology.

[Aisha Ayinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a very amazing read. It took me through a series of beautifully interwoven stories. The warm friendship and companionship windowed Wren enjoyed, the mystery of the Belfries farmhouse, the young love created by flooding and loneliness, the unbreakable love between sisters, the interesting secrets of the Curio shop, the interesting point of view of the gods, the doubtful existence of Nante, the amazing friendship of Boots and Biscuit and the horror like death of sweet Estelle. I loved Alice's curiosity the most.

The only negative comment I have of the book is that it was too short as I didn't want it to end at all. The book should be read by adults.

I'd love to thank Booktasters for giving me the wonderful opportunity to read this very interesting book.

[MJ LaBeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spring Paths is a collection of short stories by an amazing group of authors who write in various genres. Each story had something unique. I enjoyed the surprise endings, thought-provoking plots, unusual characters, and the unexpected that I encountered in the different stories. The writing is snappy and story-telling simple making for fun, easy reading. No matter the season, I highly recommend all of the books- Autumn Paths, Winter Paths, and now Spring Paths. It’s a great way to get to know different authors and their works.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an anthology of short stories by various authors. Sometimes a book like this is a good choice, particularly if you are feeling indecisive about what to read, as it offers some variety.

I liked these stories. Each of them seemed to have characters with distinct personalities, and each one felt like a little adventure for the reader. If you're feeling indecisive about choosing a book, or just looking for a light read, a book like this one is ideal.