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S. R. Mallery
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TALES TO COUNT ON Kindle Edition

by S. R. Mallery (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
See all formats and editions
From Award-Winning Author S.R. Mallery

Curl up and enter the eclectic world of S. R. Mallery, where sad meets bizarre and deception meets humor; where history meets revenge and magic meets gothic.

An Unforgettable Collection

Whether it’s 500 words or 5,000, these TALES TO COUNT ON, which include a battered women’s shelter, childhood memories, Venetian love, magic photographs, PTSD, sisters’ tricks, WWII spies, the French Revolution, evil vaudevillians, and celebrity woes, will remind you that in the end, nothing is ever what it seems.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    110 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    March 5, 2015
  5. Grade level
    12 and up
  6. File size
    563 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

S.R. Mallery has worn various hats in her life.First, a classical/pop singer/composer, she moved on to the professional world of production art and calligraphy. Next came a long career as an award winning quilt artist/teacher and an ESL/Reading instructor. Her short stories have been published in descant 2008, Snowy Egret, Transcendent Visions, The Storyteller, and Down In the Dirt. Her debut novel, "Unexpected Gifts," and short story collection, "Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads" are both up on Amazon and B&N

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00UCBENY6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 5, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 5, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 563 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 110 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
S. R. Mallery

S. R. Mallery

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A USA TODAY Best Selling author and two-time READERS' FAVORITE GOLD MEDAL winner, S. R. Mallery--as her fans say--"brings history to life."

They say I'm as eclectic as my characters. I've been a singer, a composer, a calligrapher, a quilt artist, and an ESL/Reading teacher. But it is the world of writing historical fiction and time travel that I feel I've truly come "home." Why? Because then I get to do my second love: Research.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT S. R. MALLERY'S BOOKS:

Unexpected Gifts: “This is a book to be savored, as there is much information, as well as a captivating story about one family greatly affected by the events of their times. A thought-provoking read indeed!” -- Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Sewing Can Be Dangerous and Other Small Threads

This is a fascinating collection of anecdotes and historical snippets focusing on the timely art of sewing. - Emily-Jane Hills Orford for READER's FAVORITE

"Mallery is an extremely talented writer. Her style lures the reader; you actually become a part of her tapestry of expression." –– Blogger Melinda Hines, on Tales to Count On.

The Dolan Girls "was so enjoyable. At times rollicking, at times poignant, but always authentic, well researched and a beautifully told story. Highest recommendation. Five stars." –– B. Nelson, Top Amazon reviewer

Genteel Secrets “is a beautiful story which transports the reader in time. True to life historical fiction at its best, it's so much more than romance.” – Riley, Top Amazon reviewer

Trouble in Glamour Town “is very historically accurate, portraying the real workings of the Hollywood sleaze, dishonesty and corruption happening at that time. S.R. Mallery is a gifted author who drew me into the story from the first word and kept me reading until the very last page... " - Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Ellie & The War On Powder Creek

"This is one of those rare western romances that are historically accurate. From the way the characters talk to their dress and their way of life, the author has given a very accurate account of how the west was back in the late 1800s. The narrative was reflective of that time; the descriptions took me to the places and the characters and had me experiencing the hardships and tension along with them ...

The author's writing style is the magic behind this amazing novel. S.R. Mallery did a great job at keeping the story alive, keeping the momentum going and making sure that the reader didn't lose interest at any point. I loved this book"

----- Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite *****

Tea, Anyone?

***** "Tea, Anyone? is one of those books that you just fall into and stay there until it's finished. The plot is clever, unique, and is told in a believable way. All the characters are wonderful, well-developed, and a really eclectic mix too. An intriguing story, this is guaranteed to hold your attention late into the night." -----Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

SARAH LOVES TO HEAR FROM HER FANS:

BLOG/WEBSITE: https:///www.srmallery.blog

BOOKBUB PAGE: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-r-mallery

NEWSLETTER: https://www.subscribepage.com/t6s5a7

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SarahMallery1

FACEBOOK PAGES:

Personal page: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.mallery.3

Fan Page: http://facebook.com/pages/SR-Mallery-Sarah-Mallery/356495387768574

GOOGLE+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107388739382996104658/posts

GOODREADS:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7067421.S_R_Mallery

PINTEREST: (I have some good history boards that are getting a lot of attention—history, vintage clothing, older films)

http://www.pinterest.com/sarahmallery1/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mallerysarah/

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
57 global ratings
All of these can be read quickly-I am sure you will love them all!!
5 Stars
All of these can be read quickly-I am sure you will love them all!!
I actually read and reviewed two of the short books in this collection-Charlotte and the Map Room. Yes I read them again they were that good! All of the stories in this collection are short but tell a complete story. Let's face it--there are times when you want to read but have limited time. All of these can be read quickly-giving you a sense of accomplishment!I am sure you will love them all!!
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Top reviews from the United States

Patrice Wilton
5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning collection of short stories.
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
I am new to books written by this talented writer, and expected a normal story from start to finish. But nothing was normal or ordinary about this collection of short stories. Cleverly written each story engrossed me and I wanted more. From modern day to the French Revolution Ms. Mallery captured the time, the feel, from love and loss, to angst and revenge, every emotion perfectly revealed and dragging the reader with them.
Starting with short, enticing, heart-pounding stories, the word count grew, as did the depth and passion and hunger to learn more from each of the nineteen stories. It is obvious that the writer is very much in touch with the vast array of human emotions throughout every generation, and she displays her love of history, her great writing skills and vivid imagination. I couldn't pick one as I loved them all.
Congratulations, Susan Mallery--outstanding work.
One person found this helpful
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Lornwal
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking stories written with insight and irony
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
Written with insight and irony, but not a single wasted word, S. R. Mallery's short story collection TALES TO COUNT ON is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Most, if not all, of the stories contain some type of twist at the climax.

My favorite of the stories was "Traffic Jam," with its telling snapshots of people's lives inside various vehicles during a traffic jam in which the highway is completely shut down for a time. These vignettes were not only interesting, but demonstrated insight and understanding into the way people think and behave. With a clear and engaging storytelling style, Ms. Mallery shows how quickly life can turn in unexpected directions.

Another stand-out story is "Him", an Historical Fiction Winner of the Golden Shorts competition. Even though the story's reveal of the title character came as no surprise to me (as I was once a cast member in a college production of a certain revolutionary and shocking musical play), the story was nevertheless very involving and suspenseful. I also thoroughly enjoyed the vignettes in the short story "Pillow Chat", which used important events in the lives of several couples to reveal much about their characters and society in general.

If you enjoy deftly-written stories that will stay with you even once you've closed the book, don't miss TALES TO COUNT ON.
3 people found this helpful
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MrsG
4.0 out of 5 stars Some of the stories have somewhat of a humorous outlook and some of them are thought provoking and sad. Whatever you take away f
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
Tales To Count On is quite an entertaining little book that you can read through in a few hours. “Nothing is ever what it seems” is the truest depiction of this book. Some of the stories have somewhat of a humorous outlook and some of them are thought provoking and sad. Whatever you take away from this book it most definitely will not be disappointment. The experiences that Mallary writes about gives me the impression that she has encountered a lot or a lot of people with whom she has met in her life.
One person found this helpful
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Graydon Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars I Should Be Wearing a Neckbrace
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
There is something so delectable when a Tolstoy or a García Márquez lavishes all that mastery and emotion on a tiny canvas. Perfect prisms of a great author’s world are produced and then lurk, waiting to be discovered and cherished by readers. S.R. Mallery, well known for longer fictions that vibrantly reincarnate history, has achieved this narrative feat in “Tales to Count On,” a breathtaking collection of 19 stories, cleverly arranged from shortest to longest. Heartbreak, chills, warm humor and love—they’re all here are here in abundance in stories short enough to read while waiting for a bus (“Good Advice,” 552 words) or long enough for a nice coffee break (“Map Room,” 5243 words: California noir meets John Le Carré.)
Mallery’s endings keep me holding my breath until the very last word, and this made for ultra-engaged reading as I tried to anticipate where it was going, only to suffer whiplash at the end—19 times! (I should be wearing a neckbrace).
“Tales to Count On” contains vintage Mallery, like the Prize-Winning “Him,” (3191 words), a romantic and shocking spin on a notorious episode of the French Revolution. It’s déjà vu all over again in “Pillow Chat,” (3611 words), which juxtaposes the pillow chats of three married couples from three periods of American history --the Revolutionary, the Civil War and the modern-- to reiterate a heartening message: the hard times are a gift. We always come out better. “Tales to Count On” features impressive departures from the historical trenches, as well. I was really struck by “First Impressions.” This remarkable story, about a compassionate English teacher who learns the secret of her conceited student, gives a long-lingering insight into human nature as it is, not as we wish it was.
If you are starved for good reading, if you want to be dazzled, shocked and entertained at any time of the day, however busy you are, and to revel in storytelling at its best, this book is a gift for you.
3 people found this helpful
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MikiHope
5.0 out of 5 stars All of these can be read quickly-I am sure you will love them all!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
I actually read and reviewed two of the short books in this collection-Charlotte and the Map Room. Yes I read them again they were that good! All of the stories in this collection are short but tell a complete story. Let's face it--there are times when you want to read but have limited time. All of these can be read quickly-giving you a sense of accomplishment!

I am sure you will love them all!!
Customer image
MikiHope
5.0 out of 5 stars All of these can be read quickly-I am sure you will love them all!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
I actually read and reviewed two of the short books in this collection-Charlotte and the Map Room. Yes I read them again they were that good! All of the stories in this collection are short but tell a complete story. Let's face it--there are times when you want to read but have limited time. All of these can be read quickly-giving you a sense of accomplishment!

I am sure you will love them all!!
Images in this review
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One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Marmalade
5.0 out of 5 stars Her stories will touch you...
Reviewed in Canada on March 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
TALES TO COUNT ON, is S.R. Mallery's second collection of thought-provoking short stories, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. She ‘s chosen the unifying theme of ‘word count’—a major consideration and an absolutely deciding factor in many aspects of a writer’s journey. The stories are arranged—almost like in a family album—from the shortest (flash fiction) to the longest (short story), and seem to parallel the emotional evolution of the writing process. The first outbursts are short and crisp, almost timid, and progress slowly in word count to a final full-blown roar. The stories chronicle the different stages of women’s struggle to assert her place in a patriarchal society—“open windows to the souls of women crying out for help.”
From flash fiction to the longer contemporary and historical form, her stories will touch you in a way that only great writing can.
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Simon
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Tales
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2015
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TALES TO COUNT ON by S.R. Mallery is her second collection of wondrous short stories that simply leap off every page full of the human condition. The title says it all and is a cute play on the words as each story is progressively longer and in order of word count, quite unique actually. The writing is superb and the author really knows how to fit in a story in such limited confines. I loved the WWII and especially the PTSD story as I suffer from that depressive reaction to trauma, the author got it spot on and it brought tears to my eyes.
Think of this collection like being at a wine-tasting event. Each delicious taste makes you want to try more until by the end you have several empty bottles at your feet and a satisfied smile on your face.
This author truly excels at writing historical fiction and detailing the human extremes of behaviour with a passion all too evident in her books.
Very highly recommended.
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Father Ted
5.0 out of 5 stars "Captivating"
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2015
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A veritable cornucopia of short stories; from the 'flash fiction' bite-sized pieces at the beginning to the more expansive banquets as you progress through this superb collection. There are so many different themes; modern day tales of love and loss; historical tales with depth of character and all with beautifully drawn settings throughout. The attention to detail is staggering; a dress, a photographer's tricks of the trade, a traffic jam and many more aren't mere outlines, given the brevity of the piece, they spring from the page as if you are reading in 3-D!

As with any collection of 'tales with a twist' some will shock you, some will be much as expected; it's not knowing for certain whether you are right or wrong that will keep you reading until the last word every time!
One person found this helpful
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David. M. Prosser
5.0 out of 5 stars Travels in time.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2015
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A unique journey encompassing tales of the bizarre, tales of humour. of history of magic and of revenge. Stories ranging from the French Revolution take you back in time while a story of a women's refuge brings you bang up to date..
Ms Mallory is able to grip the interest of the reader in everything from a flash fiction piece to a full story. Her imagination will grip your emotions and twist them.
Superb writing. I can't recommend this book enough.
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Ann Marie
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2016
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I found this book disappointing. The writing is good and drew me into each story, but they all end very abruptly. A real let-down. Not finished.
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