Review: Three stories of life and love
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 21, 2013
This review courtesy of topoftheheapreviews(dot)comFlash Friday today is a collection of three short stories by Ken Christopher Ping ranging from heart-warming, to heart-wrenching.With only three short stories this book wasn't a very long collection.  What was between the virtual cover though was heart-wrench, and heart-warming, and beautiful.We'll start with Of Sand and Castles:  A tale of twin brothers born to noble parents.  A story of children that have gone in two different directions.  One the hunter, and soldier, and apparently born to lead; the other more docile, romantic and born to the arts.  The story is about finding who you really are, even if who you think you want to be is someone entirely different.Then comes Mother's Day Gift:  This was the gem of the three.  As a little boy, six year old Timmy saves his pennies even though his friends are buying bubblegum cards.  He wants to buy his mother a very special Mother's Day Gift.  With some interesting twists and an ending that was as brilliant as it was beautiful, it will stand out and make you want to call your mom.Last but not least is the title story, Once in a Blue Moon:  As the title story, I expected a bit more.  Maybe it was the clash of Roman and Greek Mythology mixed with what seemed like a bit of Disney, but it didn't come off as well.  It was still good though.  It boils down to one simple factor.  Love.  Love, and the ability to choose the one you love beyond all barriers.One thing Ken Christopher Ping does is create characters that you can relate to.  They appeal to you at the most basic level, the human level.  There isn't any per-conceived notions or messages that he's trying to write about here.  He writes about what everybody wants and needs on their deepest level.  To know yourself, to love, and to be loved.The Bottom Line:  Two out of three ain't bad.  The characters and writing style are done so well it's hard not to find attachment in these 40 pages.  One if not all will stick out to you and relate to what's happening with you.  Also, at only .99 cents on Amazon, it's hard to skip this one.