Dreams Both Real and Strange

by K.W. McCabe

A Short Story
- The Reaper requires an answer to a what choice would you make?


A Short Story
- Dreams of Rebirth


The A Short Story
- A ghost story


A Short Story
- Mourning and regrets


A Short Story
- Anne is kidnapped by Wraith, and Lena must rescue her. But all three are wrapped in a web of selfishness, hatred, and cruelty- what will it take to redeem them all?

Genres: Short Stories, Anthologies, Fantasy

ebook

First published October 29, 2011

About the author

Born and raised in Oakland, California, K.W. McCabe has loved fairy tales, science fiction, and fantasy all her life, and has been writing stories and poems of that nature since she could first spell. As an author, poet, and music lover, K.W. McCabe’s work also includes contemporary spoken word, novelty speech, and prose. After first publishing 2012, she has since released several other poetry books, short stories, anthologies, and novels.

She maintains that art and writing can only be done when inspired, and inspiration comes from a sufficient amount of laziness. Currently, she is working on Dragon Kin.

To learn more about K.W. McCabe’s upcoming project, The Dragon Throne, contact her at:

http://kwmccabe.org

https://twitter.com/#!/kw_mccabe

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kywmccabe

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Reviews

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams both real and strange an anthology by K.W. McCabe
http://kwmccabe.blogspot.com
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K.W. McCabe is a Californian transplant to Minnesota. She lives there with her family where she tries very hard to stay warm in all the snow. She has loved fairy tales, Sci-fi, and fantasy all her life, and has been writing stories and poems of that nature since she could first spell. She has worked, in the past, as a library assistant, a baby sitter, a counseling hotline intern, and as a case manager. She maintains that art and writing can only be done when inspired, and inspiration comes from a sufficient amount of laziness. Currently, she is working on a teen dragon romance novel, The Dragon's Call.

Check out her blog to get more information on how to read it for free.

Contact her at:

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http://kwmdigest.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/kw_mccabe

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/In-L...

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Dreams both real and strange
Choices
A very short thought provoking story about a choice between paying your dues as per agreed or being forced to pay. I loved the open ending and found the characters interesting. I want to know, in which way the reaper will pay for his leniency.
Rebirthed
Wow, it's beautifully written. Truthfully I think the moral of the story was lost on me. But I loved the words and I hope that that was the intent. It is named rebirth after all and a birth is always beautiful.
The Lake
Your deeds become your destiny, are you sure you can live with your choices. I loved the dark and twisted turn this story had towards the end. It sure begs the question - does any deed ever go unrewarded?
Mourning
This story reminded me a lot of the song by Cat Stevens, Cats in a Cradle, again the question of choices comes to the fore.
Wraith
A sister bereaved, a mother wanting to safeguard her child against a monster created as a punishment for his choices. However, what if the choices of the just turn full cycle in reaction to the deeds of the injust, what then about the mother trying to save her child?
I read a paragraph about Steven King once where he said that a short story or a Novella is the perfect one night read! It allows you to start and end with a story in one night. Then the other evening JH Glaze asked me whether I liked his short stories because he is writing just enough to get the reader to fill in the rest.
I never really liked short stories or novella's before, I felt cheated, but I am starting to learn to love this form of writing. I am allowed to decide for myself what it means to me, and how my previous experiences will influence my take on one story or another.
I really enjoyed this anthology. It seemed at first as if it was a set of random short stories set in an anthology with the only common denominator the author. But it was with joy and surprise that I realized as I read through the stories how each one had a central point of choice to it. Also how each choice was shown as a possibility that could have existed, if only … I really enjoyed this anthology and am looking forward to reading more from this author. I might not go near a lake again -EVER - but then hey! We all need to make choices don’t we……
I give this an easy five stars. Everybody will love it as long as they love horror and short stories.
Oh and by the by, if you live near a lake? Well, I would recommend you keep your children out of the water.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Dreams Both Real and Strange II written by K.W. McCabe is a collection of short stories in the fantasy genre. Her stories have a dream like quality.

#7 Choices is a prequel to The Angel of Death. Thomas is sick and tired of working for the Grim Reaper who taunts and belittles by him. He knows the game of Choice is unfair because it lets people think they have more time and if they give the wrong answer they have to work for Death for an eternity. His daughter has given birth and Thomas is forced to offer her the game of choice. In order to save his daughter he must challenge Death and ask why Death chose him?

#8 Siren
A young lady named Kara feels an unexplainable pull to the sea. There is some tension between Kara and her mother. What I liked about this quick read is the delicious irony Kara finds a suitor, but not one her mother expects. After reading it I thought about it for a long while for it seems a reflection of life with differing outcomes than one expects.

Escape is a modern fantasy set in the hood where there is much suffering, shooting and dying. The area is especially hostile to young women. Aisha meets a stranger in the park.

12 Wraith Part II
This is a sequel to part I which was published in Dreams Both Real And Strange I. Lena lived in fear all her life since she could make crops grow. Now she searches for her daughter. The authoress explores the relationship between mother and daughter.

#13 Extra Short Story: Fairy Foibles is a tongue in cheek spin on Sleeping Beauty. Three fairies, Dyna, Myrta and Flyrta attend the christening of Princess Rosalee. The three fairies are charming and quick witted. They come to rescue Princess Rosalee after Grydela curses the baby to die on her fifteenth birthday. The royalty gasp. What I like about this story is the more the fairies try to be helpful the deeper in trouble they find themselves. They find themselves taking care of a charming baby while on the run.

I highly recommend Dreams Both Real and strange for it's exploration of parent and daughter relationships and the tensions involved as the daughter grows. Why? In growing up the daughter's desire to choose her own path some times conflicts with parental expectations and these issues are explored in landscape where magic and reason coexist.

[Apageaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stories:
The first short story is the continuance of Choices, I really liked how it was continued and thought the twist was great. I love stories that end well but never end the way you think they are going to. I also liked the underlying theme, well what I got from it, that just because you made a bad choice does not always mean you’re stuck with that choice. Also a great twist with selflessness.
The second short story is Siren. This one I thought was too short. I liked the twist with the siren as a male. I thought the story could have been longer. I loved the way it was written and the details put into the writing.
The third short story is Muse. I thought it was a great glimpse into the mind of a writer. It shows some of the emotions that are behind the words that are read.
The fourth short story is Mourning. This story was also in Dreams Both Real and Strange but from the father’s point of view. After thinking about the point of the father this point of the son’s really makes me sad. To know that the two should have spoken up and really talked to each other and all the things they missed out on. This story I think hit home with me more on a personal level. I enjoyed seeing an addition to the original story.
The fifth short story is Escape. I thought this short story was a great fantasy/escape reality story.
The sixth short story is the continuance of Wraith. Of the first book this story was my favorite. I was excited to get to it. This was my favorite story in this book as well as the first. I wanted to keep reading. I want to know what happens to Anne and Wraith. I could see this story being a book that I would defiantly read.
A bonus seventh short story is Fairy Foibles. I thought this was a great twist on a classic and found it hilarious. It was a good added bonus is a great book of short stories. I could even see more stories with twists on other classics.
I would defiantly recommend this book. I give the entire book 4 out of 5 stars.
I will be keeping an eye out for other works from K.W. McCabe.

[Apageaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an anthology of short stories of dark tales, fantasy and horror.
The Stories:
The first short story in is Choices, which I really liked. I thought it was a great start to a book. I really wanted more. I immediately had tons of questions and thoughts about where the story could lead. Defiantly want to read more.
The second short story is Rebirthed. The first time I read it I was actually a little confused, I had to read it again quickly. I thought it was great. The author did a wonderful job with encouraging the reader to really feel the emotions of the story.
The third short story is The Lake. I thought it was a good “scary” story. I think there is defiantly potential for it to have been a book, with more details. I enjoyed it.
The fourth short story is Mourning. This was a very tough and sorrowful way to think about ones last days or hours. It’s tough thinking about regrets at the end. This story can serve as a reminder to everyone that they should cherish what they have and be grateful rather than regretful.
The fifth short story is Wraith. This was my favorite out of the book. I began reading it knowing it was going to be a “to be continued”, but was sucked right in. I look forward to reading the next book to see what happens with Anne, her mother Lena, and Wraith.

I would defiantly recommend this book. It has great short stories that give you a range of emotions. I give the entire book 4 out of 5 stars.
I will be reading Dreams Both Real and Strange II next so fingers crossed they are continued there.

[OOSA · Rating 1 out of 5]

What Was This???

“Dreams Both Real and Strange” by K.W. McCabe is supposed to be an anthology of short stories. A collection of stories. I don't know about others, but when I think of the word anthology I think of a few stories at least 10,000 words or more. Or when I think of a collection of short stories, I see a collection as being more than five. Ok, I know you think I am nit-picking but had you spent your dollar on this "anthology" I think you would be disappointed that you spent your money on something that took about 15 minutes to read. Yes, I know it is only a dollar but it is the principle.

The first few "short stories" were only a few paragraphs that literally took me about 1 minute to read. These “stories” hinted at fantasy and a darker side. They were slightly confusing because it’s like the writer took a scene from the middle of a story and it left little to the imagination because readers are sure to be confused and wondering what, when and how. This "anthology" read more like a rough draft of an idea of a story that could potentially evolve into a real story. Had the writer taken the time to really develop the idea it could have been something interesting to read. I did get a glimpse of the writer's potential when I read the last one. It was considerably longer and left the reader wondering what would happen next. I really suggest the writer take time to craft his/her ideas because I think with some development this could be something so much more and worth spending money on.

Reviewed by: LeonaR

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams Both Real and Strange is kind of like being handed a nice, steaming hot latte....only to have it pulled away. A tease, but in a good way! It'll leave the reader wanting more from the anthology. A quick read comprised of a few short stories to start off and then ending with a longer, more detailed story.

The stories are well written, with characters that grab the reader. The story that sticks out the most, and will leave the reader wanting more, is Wraith. Anne, the daughter of a witch, is kidnapped by Wraith after she falls asleep while daydreaming, only to wake up to pitch dark. Anne and her mother have moved from town to town trying to escape the demons that are stalking them. The reader will soon find out that Wraith is a vampire, created by Anne's mother. Why can't witches and vampires get along?


K.W. McCabe is definitely an author to watch out for. I, personally, am looking forward to reading more about Wraith and Anne! Will Wraith be cured of the vampirism? Will Anne be saved by her mother in time? Guess we'll have to find out!

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another anthology from K.W. McCabe.

The following is a listing of my take on the individual stories:


Choices II: Captured me, due to the recent loss of my sister. It brought everything into a different train of thought, with a better understanding of death.
Siren: A little too short, but thought provoking.
Muse: Also too short. Made me think about my own muse though, and why she sometimes seems to go away.
Mourning: Very short, but made me think about my dad and our relationship. Escape: Didn't really get it.
Wraith: The conclusion of a story of selfishness, cruelty, revenge, magic, and love. Fairy Foibles: A tale about the advisability of interfering with human nature.


As I said in my January 2012 review of Dreams Both Real and Strange, I don't normally read anthologies, but after reading the first, I just had to get this one.

McCabe's short stories are often very short, but usually thought provoking, and good reading if you don't have a lot of time.

[Sage Adderley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreams Both Real and Strange I and II is an anthology pack of short stories by K.W. McCabe. Some of the stories are elaborate while others are super short. I was drawn to the darkness of each short story. The subject matter, while dark, ranged from death, afterlife, choices, grief, remorse, and sadness. I enjoyed the variety of characters and how each story carried itself while sharing the same mood overall. K.W. McCabe gives us magic, mystery, and suspense. I could have easily read an entire book of the tales, Choices and Wraith.

The extra short story, Fairy Foibles is the only story I did not find satisfying. I found it to be less serious than the other stories, making it seem out of place in the anthology.

The anthology ends with a preview of McCabe’s upcoming novel, The Dragon’s Call. It definitely grabbed my attention, and I eagerly await its release.

[Crystal Trent Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories are dark and magical, I enjoyed it even more than part one. I really liked Choice and Wraith.
Choice is dark yet it has light to it. Thomas is Lord Deaths servant, because of the choice he made, but when his daughter is faced with the same fate, it's up to Thomas to find a way to defeat Death himself.

Wraith picks up where it left off in part one, he has Anne locked in a cell and is trying his best not to feed on her, so the curse can be broken. But Anne is weak, both her and Wraith is hoping for her mother to save her, but it may be to late for Anne.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick and enjoyable read for me.

The short stories included in this volume were at times a little confusing, especially with how short they were. It seemed like I was just getting a feel for one particular story, and it was moving on to the next. However, I loved the lyrical style of writing, and the otherwordly feel to all of them.


**Thank you to K.W. McCabe for offering me this book to review**

My YT Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Bookgasmic
My blog: http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com/

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable short story collection.

What I especially liked was that these stories were a continuation on the ones from the first Volume. They have the same lyrical, magical feel as the first and answers some of the questions left hanging in Volume 1.

I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

**Special thanks to K.W. McCabe for offering me these books for review.**


My YT Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Bookgasmic
My blog: http://ravingbookaddict.blogspot.com/

[Shirlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many writer's these days want to create "Vampire" stories believing that is what the reader, the public wants; and that proves to be their downfall. There is more to the "darkness" than vampires and K. W. proves that with her collection of eerie "dreams". Finally someone who gets it, who knows how to tap into your inner fears because she shares hers. Well written and best of all.... I WANTED MORE! Cannot wait for the next installment of Wraith!

[Dierdra McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book made up of 5 short stories, the stories were okay but not something I will really remember past closing the book.
The first and last short stories were "to be continued" and I don't really understand that, are they going to be a longer book? I would not go out of my way to see what happens tho in either of them sadly.
The writing was not bad but none of the stories really held me and made me want to read more.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't normally read anthologies, but this struck my fancy. Also, I had a few appointments, so shorts were a good thing.

Most were very short, and I was disappointed that they were not a little longer. But, I felt they were very well written. The last, and longest, left me wanting more. Hopefully, it will be concluded in "Dreams Both Real and Strange II", which I have also downloaded.

All in all, these were good short reads.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this anthology. My favorite stories were Choices and Wraith. The author brilliantly mixes the magical lines we were introduced to in Part 1 a bit more of the darkness. The lines are intense and thought provoking in parts, but gentle and easy to read in others. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read amazing stand-alone stories :)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is very entertaining and full of magic, mystery, and horror. They were very original and the characters are highly entertaining. The stories were easy to follow and didn’t end too early. I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy or paranormal stories.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

KW is a great writer. Her stories are easy to read and very relate-able. Wraith was by far my favorite short story and I can't wait for the author to finish it!!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*s
Review posted here
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*s
Review posted here
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...

[Steven J · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read. I confess to being a McCabe virgin, and I was pleasantly surprised by this offering; it is always nice to discover a new author, and even better to be able to say 'i wish I found them sooner'

This particular title appealed to me in the first place because I am a fan of the genre, and the author does it justice. The descriptive passages are well thought out and constructed, detailed but not so that they become a chore to read through; not once was I tempted to skip ahead, I enjoyed every line.

The tales themselves are genuinely creepy, perfect for a quick, scary, read at night in bed. I definitely be reading more from McCabe, she just made my favourite author list and I have no problem in recommending her to everybody else.

five out of five for a job well done!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for an honest review. The first two stories are shorts, one of which I had read before in another of her books as she expanded on it. The last story was by far my favorite and introduces us to characters and a story line that I immediately fell in to. I am more curious now to see if this turns into a Beauty and the Beast type story or everyone dies drama.... it really could go either way and knowing some of the author's books already I wouldn't be surprised with either! In a few short stories we see the depth of the worlds that she creates, her descriptive writing leaves no doubt as to how the story will unfold. You will be held captive albeit briefly until the end. Well done and I can't wait to read the second one!

[K.W. McCabe]

Dreams Both Real and Strange II: An anthology of fantastical tales

1. Choices: The reaper must save his daughter from eternal bondage to Death.

2. Siren: A Short Story

3. Muse: A Short Story

4. Mourning: A Son’s Good-bye

5. Escape: A Short Story

6. Wraith: Anne, Wraith and Lena must find a way to break the curse before it destroys them all.

7. Extra Short Story! Fairy Foibles

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The short tales in this book were interesting enough but to short for me to actually enjoy them. If that makes sence to anyone..