Psychological and Romantic Fantasies from the Surreal

Fractured Fairy Tales meets The Twilight Zone in this 2nd volume of 4 captivating, fast, fantastical stories, each twisting, bending, and stretching reality to deliver a powerful message that will linger long after the reads…

1. A modern twist on a classic Dicken’s novella, A Marriage Fable is a fantasy romance of a typical husband nearing his 20th anniversary, and the powerful genie that inspires him to be a better man.
2. Casey is almost 30, broke, single, and plagued by self-doubt. My Better Self is a flash of fiction on becoming who you’re meant to be.
3. Come see yourself in The Art of Driving—the immersive, interactive thesis installation by CalArts graduate Billie Davis, that holds a mirror up to today’s drivers.
4. Immerse Yourself in Another’s Reality, or LIVE STREAM your story, and Create Your Epic. Now Anyone Can BE SOMEONE! Enter VIRTUAL LIFE…

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Praise for FFTZ 2- ‘A Marriage Fable‘

★★★★★ Loved it!
This novella presents a new twist on the classic “A Christmas Carol.”This is a beautifully written story of hope and redemption. Through Cafesin’s vivid descriptions, I felt I was right there in the story. I highly recommend this book.
—B. J. Taylor, Amazon Review

★★★★★ Required reading for all married couples!!!
This is the perfect book for all couples contemplating marriage!! A take-off of the classic “A Christmas Carol” there is a very important lesson to be learned by the main character. Read this excellent tale about showing your true feelings of love: being a loving parent; being a loving spouse. This should be read before marriage and at every anniversary after, just to keep the “love-light burning”!!
—Iowarose, Amazon Review

★★★★★ Though Fictional, Great [Real] Life Lessons
Unique portrayal in this work that merged fiction with real life lessons on marriage and its impact on the family.
Attention-grabbing and well written plot that kept me engaged from start to finish.
—Valerie Caraotta, Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ Avoid a Stunted Marriage
A Marriage Fable is a classic examination of events that can stunt a marriage, told through dreams and visions with the help of a very special genie. Following the Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, Andrew has three encounters with his wife, Mary’s psychiatrist, who is also the powerful genie, Dr. Finnegus Boggs. The story is well-written and offers wise advice about sharing love and listening that will make a marriage last. It’s a short, quick read with an important message. Want a quick look at making a relationship work? This book is for you.
—B. Lynn Goodwin, Author of Disrupted

★★★★★ A Quick, Well-Written Read
If you’re a fan of magical realism like I am, you will enjoy reading this mystical story. A quick read with plenty of drama kept me engaged. It’s a story filled with equal parts regret and redemption. It always feels good when a narcissist gets a taste of his own medicine, and feels even better when this self-absorbed “family man” gets a chance to be a better person.”
—Divine Daytripper, Amazon Review

★★★★★ A Poignant Exploration of Love and Marriage
Cafesin’s expertly crafted characters and authentic storytelling draws readers into the thoughtfully told, “Christmas Carol” – like exploration of marriage, that captivates from start to finish. The narrative’s pace, elegant prose, and willingness to address the challenges of marriage with honesty make it a truly engaging read. This novel delves deep into themes of love, commitment, and life choices, encouraging readers to reflect on their own relationships. If you’re seeking a beautifully written, thought-provoking story that resonates with the complexities of human connections, “A Marriage Fable” is a must-read.
—Siavash Hajizadeh, Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ Stories of the Read World told with a Whimsical Touch
This story with a whimsical touch is reminiscent of what a lot of families face in modern times. Often family life suffers neglect in the chase for power and money. The short story is well-written and I recommend it as a good read.
—Shobana Gomes, Author ‘Where the Rain Falls’

★★★★★ Never take for granted those we love the most!
What a clever–and sobering–story of a marriage that has gone off the rails, yet still has hope. I found the novella to be very clever and although it was short, it felt like a full-length novel with its complexity and fleshed-out characters. A fun way to remind oneself never to take for granted those we love the most!
—Susan Blumberg-Kason, Author of Good Chinese Wife

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Praise for FFTZ 2- ‘Virtual Life‘

★★★★★ One hell of a ride!
Get a glimpse of tomorrow, and I mean tomorrow, because someone’s going to read this and make this app. This incredibly fast-paced story sharpens the lens on the near future, when everyone is recording their lives through their “smart glasses.” It’s a relentless rollercoaster ride. I was completely hooked, read it in one sitting, and then read it aloud to my love. Don’t miss this. And God yes, I hope someone is smart enough to option it for a movie!
—Jeff Reed, Blockchain/AI Business Writer

★★★★★ Engrossing Page-Turner – Exciting
Provides a glimpse into us humans, while revealing a darker side. I LIKE IT…a very interesting and engrossing story! It was a page-turner!!
—Royce D. Everone, Amazon Review

★★★★★ A Great Techno/Sci-fi Read
Imagine having a pair of glasses that could make you “see” and “do” things…spy on neighbors one moment, recording as you go; the next moment you’re skiing down a hill. But what happens when you see something that you don’t want to see, and someone you thought you knew, really isn’t who they say they are, and you’re caught in the middle? Virtual Life is just that…virtual…electronic…but it’s definitely real life. Fast paced with a great plotline. Any techno/sci-fi fans out there will love this short story. A great read!
—Beth Muscat, Amazon/Goodreads Reviewer

★★★★★ Wow! *EDtv* on steroids!
*Virtual Life* is a rocket-fast, prophetic story of a Google Glass app that lets everyone and anyone live-stream their lives. This is the highest caliber of technothriller. *Virtual Life* incorporates today’s technology, with a view to the future of what smart glasses hold in store for us all. It presents a dark and totally arresting vision of our societal obsession with being seen: getting Views, Likes, Favorites, Comments—anything to be noticed and acknowledged, and to achieve a kind of immortality through the most intrusive kind of fame. Highly recommended read!
—jeijeiroja, Amazon Review

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Praise for FFTZ 1

★★★★★ “Fantastical and Philosophical Fun! an intriguing set of short stories. Each deals in different ways with the theme of personal responsibility. While that theme could come off as preachy, these stories embed fantasy elements that bring the reader to imaginary but just possible places. They are a particularly strong set of stories and a great read for young adults, and even some not-so-young adults.” Bryan Price, Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★  ““Finnegus Boggs is an excellent story, especially told in the street language the author used throughout. Great message for kids, but also for adults…that we control our lives with the choices we make.” Neonator, Goodreads Reviewer

★★★★★ ““Totally engrossing!! Read through it in one night. Especially liked The Morality Police, related to Faith and her struggle to be her own woman in the shadow of her famous husband. But all the stories were fast paced and engaging, captivating tales. Highly recommended read!” BJ Fera, Goodreads Reviewer

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