Reviews from

The Gypsy's Timepiece.

Always be kind to strangers... or else!

50 total reviews 
Comment from flylikeaneagle
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Dean: I finally got a chance to read this awesome story of love and patience and wisom. I had to go by a lot of blue ribbons and awards and will stop by some of the other stories soon like "joy ride, bottled prayers, too late, dog-God, and run your own race."

Ok, gypsies have their own joy and stories to share. A spiritual missionary came to visit us at the Assemby of God. He said that the gypsies love music so he would draw them out of the houses with joyfilled music. Then, he would show them Christ love and they celebrated with food from their homes. Party time full of joy with dancing. A Baptist pastor knocked on the doors and tried to preach Jesus. They slammed the doors shut on him. We need to walk in kindness all the time. We never know when we entertain angels or new friends, diamonds. God says, how beautiful are the feet. God doesn't care the color or size or sex.

This lady showed the man love and gave him a gift of time. He repented after he lost his pride, ego, self works and saw through her eyes of love. Tears change the pottery into God's vessels. Well done. I will read more of yours. Feel free to read mine. I am trying to jump the hurdles of writing.

Brooke corrected so many of my commas in the beginning and told me I needed a beat. So I took her class. Thanks for letting me into your world...of love of words.

I think the contest of what's in your brain will be fun to read. I started a contest of of Be Fit, Eat Wise. I think so many of us exercise our fingers. I walk dogs.

I agree with you that we need to spend time with our families and make memories. You must have been an eagle scout leader for your sons and their friends. I see you as a camper then telling stories around the campfire or inside the tent. My dad also loved the scary shows on TV. We shared time together. Raphael was a chaplin and helped many people with chores. I try to do the same.

Until we meet again...God must have a large table for his scribes in Heaven. Someday, I will meet you there shinning brightly. Yada Yada... we will be learning Hebrew.

Dean, have a blessed Christmas! flylikeaneagle -- nancy

 Comment Written 24-Dec-2014


reply by the author on 24-Dec-2014
    Hah-ha! "We will be learning Hebrew.", she says. That was great, Nancy, and thanks for the laugh. I needed one today. I'm not doing anything with my editor today, nor doing any writing, so I'd be happy to go through your portfolio and see what I might come up with.

    Thanks for checking this story out for me. It will be published in my new book, "Screams from a Darkened Room: And Other Tales of Terror" by Samhain press in late summer or early fall of 2015. And you read it here first.

    I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas and a safe, happy & prosperous New Year as well.

    ~Dean ;)
Comment from nomi338
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is an awesome morality tale. If anyone needs an example of why it is wise to be kind to everyone this story is perfect. Be very careful who you are rude to, in fact strive to not be rude to anyone. If there is to be a punishment for rudeness let it go to the other guy. LOL.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 25-Jul-2014
    Hah ha, yep, I agree, nomi338. Allow the other guy take the fall. Thanks for the entertaining review, I really appreciate it. I'm very glad that you liked the story.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was a lovely story, Dean, I loved it. It does show that a little kindness reaps it's own reward, while being rude and thoughtless can bring about another, less wanted reward. I am not at all surprised you won this contest. I thought I was a fan of yours, I must check that out, because I miss a lot of what you write. Congrats on your well deserved win! Sandra. :)

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 24-Jul-2014
    Thank very much for the complimentary review, Sandra. I sincerely appreciate that. Anything I post in a blind contest entry you won't receive a notification in your inbox about. Obviously, because it is a blind entry, no one is permitted to know that I posted it. That is why I frequently go to some of my favorite authors portfolios, to see if they have posted anything new, and to see if they have entered into any contests. That way, I can be sure to catch their posting, and support them, if needed.
reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 24-Jul-2014
    What a good idea! Anyway, I am glad you won, it was such a great entry. :)
Comment from mfowler
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Super tale, Dean. I'd swear you grew up in 19th century England, so well have you set the scene and created the dingy atmosphere shrouding this tale. Your gradual release of plot elements from the rudeness to the ultimate plea for forgiveness is expertly achived via those episodic sections. The story, while imbued with a sense of dread and horror, escapes the trite fallback of horror writers, in that your story is really about compassion and forgiveness, and doesn't require copious quantities of blood and guts to float the narrative's boat. Your language, as always, exquisite, describes, connects and ultimately transforms the reader's response as the plot elements fall into place and the true nature of the curse is revealed.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 24-Jul-2014
    Thanks very much for your very kind complimentary words and exceptional rating, Mark. I truly appreciate that, my friend.

    I've always felt drawn to old England and that time period, for whatever reasons. Maybe it is the romanticism I attach to it. Perhaps I was a street bard beggar in another lifetime, who knows, LOL?

    Thanks so much again. I'm really glad that you enjoyed reading the story.
Comment from Cajungirl
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Bravo, Dean! This is an exceptional story, so very well told. I would never want to cross a gypsy, for their curse is one that cannot be removed by anyone. Do I believe in them? Heck, I'm from Louisiana, gris-gris are our specialties. LOL

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2014
    Thanks so much for reading and reviewing this story for me, Cajungirl. It was more difficult than I thought it would be to write a horror story with no sex, excessive violence, swearing or buckets of blood, and include a moral message at the end, just for good measure. I managed to get through it virtually unscathed, however, I'm very happy to say, LOL.

    Thanks so much again for the exceptional rating and wonderful review.
reply by Cajungirl on 23-Jul-2014
    You certainly made it see so easy. Well deserved rating.
Comment from Maureen's Pen
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dear Dean - Oh boy, oh boy!! Yikes I am sure glad I am reading this in daylight.
A fabulous work so deeply penned with expressive detail I think I shivered too.

No one writes the scary stuff better than you. You always seem to scare the heck out of me so I know you are doing an impressive job in your writing.

Congrats on your win - well deserved with this exceptional work.
Thanks for sharing.
Maureen


 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2014
    Thanks so much for reading and reviewing this story for me, Maureen. It was more difficult than I thought it would be to write a horror story with no sex, excessive violence, swearing and buckets of blood, and include a moral message at the end, just for good measure. I managed to get through it virtually unscathed, however, I'm very happy to say, LOL.

    Thanks so much again for the exceptional rating and wonderful review.
Comment from A Matter Of Words
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

First of all, I am so sorry I do not have a six. It is so early in the week and I do not have a six for this. Secondly, congratulations on this well deserved win. This tale is one that is so well told, I paused for several minutes before I was able to write this review. Amazing.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2014
    Thank, Stephanie, I really appreciate you giving me your opinions on this story. And a glowing review such as you've given me here is all the reward necessary, my friend. I just hope it entertained you for a little while, and maybe even made you pause to think for a moment. I like "Amazing" too, as a word associated with something I've written. That alone is well worth more than six stars, LOL!
reply by A Matter Of Words on 24-Jul-2014
    The pleasure was all mine.
Comment from Writingfundimension
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Dean, I so wish I had a six to give this winner. This is, to my mind, one of the best pieces you've ever written. What I love is how you use subtle imagery to build the horror in the opening of this piece -- the one eye open as the gypsy sleeps is one such -- and it never is over the top. Just really great writing. And I love the ending.

Warmest regards, Bev


 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2014
    Thanks, bev, and I really appreciate your glowing review. Hey, no sixes are necessary, my fellow horror aficionado. When I get a review such as this, that's all the reward I need!

    Thanks so much again, for everything.
reply by Writingfundimension on 23-Jul-2014
    You're very welcome, Dean. I really think this is a publishable piece. :) Bev
Comment from Kenneth Schaal
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed the story, and think maybe 'he' had it coming. The remarkable aspect of the story is his remorse for the old Gypsy woman, rather than for himself. The notes tell me you do your homework. Kenny

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2014
    Thanks, Kenny, I'm really glad you enjoyed the story, my friend. Yes, I do extensive research when I'm writing a story. If it doesn't come across as realistic, people are so knowledgeable today, they can easily pick up on those little indiscretions and will rip the story to shreds, and justifiably so. You have to do your homework, it's a must.

    Thanks again for your excellent feedback and review. I appreciate it.
Comment from forestport12
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I was truly held in sway when the man was gripped in death and relied on the ultimate mercy of the gypsy. I have to say, sometimes I enjoy your author notes as much as the stories themselves. I truly consider myself a fan, in part because of the work with history you put into your stories that give it all the more depth. I've always felt even with fiction, I want to learn something from it that expands my way of thinking. Such depth...

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2014


reply by the author on 23-Jul-2014
    Thanks, Stan, that really means a lot coming from you. A story must come across as authentic, even if you're writing about evil Gins taking over the White House or Buckingham Palace and running the government. Otherwise, a knowledgeable, well-read reviewer will chew your tall tale up and spit it out, and you along with it. But, I'm aware that you already know this fact yourself.

    Thanks so much again for the complimentary review. I'm really glad thet you enjoyed the story.