Review: "Really Funny Short Stories to Make You Laugh"
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 28, 2014
Well, you'll laugh at all these stories except the last two which have deep meanings and revelations.  Most of the stories feature Barbara Marr as the protagonist who is in previous novels of the author.  As I read these funny stories, I could not help compare the writing style to that of Janet Evanovich, a very popular and prolific author. The first story is "Taming the Hunk," a life-of-a-mother tale of how Barbara appreciates obedient, well mannered kids to make her feel happy and contented.  But there are times when tensions rise and moms tend to turn into the "The Hulk." But Barbara stands tall, assesses the busy schedule of the day, and takes control. The second story portraits Barbara again in "Top Lawn."  The lawn in six inches high, hubby Howard is working another 12 hour day, rain is forecast for the next four days, so she takes on the task to mow it after Howard gives her a one minute instruction on the old gas power mower.  She is determined to show Howard that she's made of "The Right Stuff." It's very, very funny, one story I can relate to. The third story with Barbara is "The Road To Shangri-La" where she wants to spend the day in her Utopia, Paradise, or Shangri La as she calls it.  But, is going to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. going to be fun or is it truly a trip to hell? This is so funny of how planned family vacations can be all in vain when everything goes wrong! Next up is "Mission Impossible" where Barbara is in training to become a private detective.  (If your husband was secretly an FBI agent, wouldn't this entice you to be an investigator also?)  This story is exciting and funny as she sits with partner Colt in freezing weather, sipping cold coffee, while a woman is under surveillance for possibly cheating on her husband. Wow, does this go awry with her mother involved, her Tae Kwon Do master, local police, and the FBI.  All because a wife may be enjoying another man other than her husband??  Twists and turns here, that really do capture your imagination!  "The Recollections of Rosabelle Raines" is a more serious story about living in the south at a time when slavery is coming to an end.  Rosabelle has lived many lives thus what she says may be considered predictions, they are her memories.  Her sister Flora has no understanding of this.  Because of what she dreams sometimes causes her to faint, she seems to realize something bad is about to happen and she turns into a stellar investigator like Agatha Christie's character Miss Marple trying to prevent a crime before it happens.  The last story, "Sherman's Purpose," is very moving and reflects brotherly love which lasts a life time, even after a brother passes away.  A very warm story to warm your heart.  These are all awesome stories, which I'm glad I finally got around to reading and I totally enjoyed them.  I could read them in one night, and now I wish to read more from this outstanding author, Karen Cantwell.