A Valentine Romance with a difference. A 'Read In One Sitting' short story. When Project Manager, fifty-nine year old Marie, realises that it's been way too long since having any kind of sexual relationship with any other than her magic wand, she knows action is needed. Using her professional training and project management skills she sets about a new project: Countdown to Love, using the forthcoming Valentine’s Day as her deadline. As an empathiser of being lonely, she also includes her gay neighbour Richard into her project to help give his boring and quiet life a boost. Little does she know that fifty-one year old Richard also has his own project on the boards and she blithely ignores his world while focusing on her mission to find them both dates/sex/love before the deadline. A mature woman's romance. “This short story was a great little humorous read, with a big difference. It dispelled the normal love, lust and romance theory when looking for a relationship as Marie, the narrator decides at 59yrs old, she needs sex and fast. Being a professional project manager, Marie tries to use the same skills of preparation, selection, and organising that she uses on a daily basis in a no nonsense way; which contrasts well given her age and stature. She includes her single neighbour Richard into her project to help find his soulmate with promises of love and sex by Valentine’s Day. He plays along albeit unwillingly only because he has his own agenda. Humorously and contrary to her own beliefs, she has no or little people skills and Richard bears the brunt of her outspokenness and plans. Some very funny parts and easy to visualise scenes. I enjoyed the different approach and the typical English upper class characterisations of Marie”. Erin. W (UK) Book provided for review purposes. O

Salsa or Die - A Short Story in the Silver Night Collection. A Hen Lit, Not a Chick Lit A moving, but also humorous love story about a couple in their sixties who are struggling to cope with the new lifestyle changes forced on them through redundancy. Pam, the narrator, wants more from life, while Jeff her husband of forty years wants peace of mind. "The relationship...is one that anyone in a couple can understand and relate to; especially those that consider themselves to have sunk into a rut. The threat of something new challenges their old way of life, even something as simple as salsa dancing." C.S from the UK. Salsa offers Pam an opportunity of excitement each week, particularly as Victor, a regular, takes a fancy to her and becomes determined to help improve her moves. She struggles between the loyalty to her husband and the draw of a new adventure. "The use of a first person narrative is an interesting approach to this story as it automatically brings the reader in on an equal level and allows them to be privy to the inner most emotions that the narrator feels."