Magic Mystery Ghost Fate Love Deceit Omen
Review Rating: 5 Stars
Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite
Imagine a love so powerful it can stand the test of time – a time that stretches across many centuries. How about a love that began in ancient Egypt between a Prince and a slave girl. Murdered and cursed the prince’s sarcophagus finds its way to a museum in the twenty-first century and the only one who could break the curse and set the love story in motion again. A riveting tale? How about a mystery about a seemingly worthless painting that causes so much furor that one begins to suspect its true value? Or an omen that threaten a woman’s life? A bedtime story for every night of the week that will probably set your dreams astray as your mind unravels the complexities of life itself.
Erika M Szabo’s The Seven Cozy Shorts is a collection of seven bedtime stories for grownups. Romance, mystery, intrigue and the totally weird and bizarre – just what adults need to wind down after a busy day. Each story, almost a novella in length, has a unique and intriguing plot which manifests in multiple directions, holding the reader’s attention to the very end. The descriptive narrative is thorough and engaging, the dialogue well constructed and believable and the characters are well developed. The author confronts all manner of human issues in her stories, from love, murder, family ties, a child given up for adoption and lost in the foster care system, forgiveness and so much more. Her stories span a wide range of genres, from historical romance and alternate histories to fantasy and the supernatural, to name but a few. With each genre, the author excels with the gift of creating a compelling story that will enrapture the readers from beginning to end.
Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite
Imagine a love so powerful it can stand the test of time – a time that stretches across many centuries. How about a love that began in ancient Egypt between a Prince and a slave girl. Murdered and cursed the prince’s sarcophagus finds its way to a museum in the twenty-first century and the only one who could break the curse and set the love story in motion again. A riveting tale? How about a mystery about a seemingly worthless painting that causes so much furor that one begins to suspect its true value? Or an omen that threaten a woman’s life? A bedtime story for every night of the week that will probably set your dreams astray as your mind unravels the complexities of life itself.
Erika M Szabo’s The Seven Cozy Shorts is a collection of seven bedtime stories for grownups. Romance, mystery, intrigue and the totally weird and bizarre – just what adults need to wind down after a busy day. Each story, almost a novella in length, has a unique and intriguing plot which manifests in multiple directions, holding the reader’s attention to the very end. The descriptive narrative is thorough and engaging, the dialogue well constructed and believable and the characters are well developed. The author confronts all manner of human issues in her stories, from love, murder, family ties, a child given up for adoption and lost in the foster care system, forgiveness and so much more. Her stories span a wide range of genres, from historical romance and alternate histories to fantasy and the supernatural, to name but a few. With each genre, the author excels with the gift of creating a compelling story that will enrapture the readers from beginning to end.
Audiobook
Listen to a short sample
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Narrated by Pat Mahoney
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Available in eBook and print
The stories in the book
The Ghost of Prince Akhmose:
Thousands of years ago Tanakhmet cursed Prince Akhmose to never enter the heavenly paradise. But after Layla breaks the curse, does he really want to?
Messenger:
Lauren has everything she’d ever wished for. When her Raven spirit guide warns her of impending danger, she knows her life is in danger. Who wants her dead and why?
The Potion:
A potion made with haste out of jealousy puts Dorian into a coma. The rare orchid that could save his life is fiercely guarded by werewolves in the forbidden forest.
Will they succeed to save his life?
Bittersweet Memories:
Elana’s life was a revolving door of shattered hopes and disappointments. Until she met Luca. Allowing them only a short time of happiness, cruel fate tore them apart. Will they meet again?
The Worthless Painting:
The snobbish new owner of the Couture mansion brings a worthless painting into Danielle’s antique shop and the town’s future is threatened by the plans of the ruthless, rich owner. Is the painting truly worth nothing…or?
Alone:
Caleb lost his soulmate, Valerie. Can he find her in a parallel universe? If his father succeeds to open the portal, will he find the same person in the alternate universe or a stranger?
Fake It Till You Make It:
People are not perfect, and we all come with baggage. They might show a picture perfect-family life but hide the struggles, heartache, compromises, and sacrifices they made to get there.
Thousands of years ago Tanakhmet cursed Prince Akhmose to never enter the heavenly paradise. But after Layla breaks the curse, does he really want to?
Messenger:
Lauren has everything she’d ever wished for. When her Raven spirit guide warns her of impending danger, she knows her life is in danger. Who wants her dead and why?
The Potion:
A potion made with haste out of jealousy puts Dorian into a coma. The rare orchid that could save his life is fiercely guarded by werewolves in the forbidden forest.
Will they succeed to save his life?
Bittersweet Memories:
Elana’s life was a revolving door of shattered hopes and disappointments. Until she met Luca. Allowing them only a short time of happiness, cruel fate tore them apart. Will they meet again?
The Worthless Painting:
The snobbish new owner of the Couture mansion brings a worthless painting into Danielle’s antique shop and the town’s future is threatened by the plans of the ruthless, rich owner. Is the painting truly worth nothing…or?
Alone:
Caleb lost his soulmate, Valerie. Can he find her in a parallel universe? If his father succeeds to open the portal, will he find the same person in the alternate universe or a stranger?
Fake It Till You Make It:
People are not perfect, and we all come with baggage. They might show a picture perfect-family life but hide the struggles, heartache, compromises, and sacrifices they made to get there.
The 7 novelettes included in the collection
If you'd like to read some of the novelettes, click on the covers below.
The stories are available in EBOOKS and some of them in AUDIOBOOKS
The stories are available in EBOOKS and some of them in AUDIOBOOKS
Audiobook reviews
.5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful stories perfectly narrated
I enjoyed each of the stories. Erika created believable characters and situations. Pat Mahoney's narration was excellent. I was impressed by his range as he change his voice between characters. His music also enhanced the listening experience without detracting from the stories themselves.
5 out of 5 stars
Great audiobook!
I enjoyed this audiobook very much. The stories by Erika Szabo were well written and engaging. The narration by Pat Mahoney brought all the characters to life. The music added to the enjoyment of the stories. Highly recommended!
5 out of 5 stars
Intense Cozy Shorts
These cozy mysteries went from absolutely creepy to seriously intense and I loved every moment of it. The stories are well written, entertaining and full of intricate twist that make you want to keep listening. The cozy shorts are different and some are quite unique. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries that range from the paranormal to second chances. This is my honest unbiased review.
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic storiesI loved listening to this audiobook. The stories were great and the narrator did a wonderful job. He is very talented and the music and voices he did made this a fantastic listen.
- Cindy J. Smith
- 05-17-21
Beautiful stories perfectly narrated
I enjoyed each of the stories. Erika created believable characters and situations. Pat Mahoney's narration was excellent. I was impressed by his range as he change his voice between characters. His music also enhanced the listening experience without detracting from the stories themselves.
5 out of 5 stars
- Chris S
- 08-05-21
Great audiobook!
I enjoyed this audiobook very much. The stories by Erika Szabo were well written and engaging. The narration by Pat Mahoney brought all the characters to life. The music added to the enjoyment of the stories. Highly recommended!
5 out of 5 stars
- Blackeagle
- 06-13-21
Intense Cozy Shorts
These cozy mysteries went from absolutely creepy to seriously intense and I loved every moment of it. The stories are well written, entertaining and full of intricate twist that make you want to keep listening. The cozy shorts are different and some are quite unique. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries that range from the paranormal to second chances. This is my honest unbiased review.
5 out of 5 stars
- Daisy
- 06-11-21
Fantastic storiesI loved listening to this audiobook. The stories were great and the narrator did a wonderful job. He is very talented and the music and voices he did made this a fantastic listen.