Darswords

Dog Days of Dying – paramedic short story by Jacqueline Patricks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I was given this Smashwords copy of Dog Days of Dying by the author Jacqueline Patricks for an honest review. Thank you!

Okay, I have been a med-fan since Dr. Kildare and Dr. Ben Casey oh, and Dr. Welby. Later ER became my favorite. Emergency had too short a run for me. Now I am dying between Thursdays when Grey’s Anatomy is on. So it is a given that I would be a sucker for this story.

Let me take a moment to bow to people that have these life-saving jobs.

As addicted as I am to their drama personified, I knew at 16 that I wouldn’t be able to handle this type of life. I was a Candy Striper. My legs and back hurt all the time. I loved my patients and the staff. One day I went in to see my favorite paraplegic and found them cleaning the room. He had passed during the night. This man had been amazing for me. He could paint marvelous painting holding the brush between his teeth. I learned that some people like all their food mixed up. I am a purest that barely likes different food to touch. He had so many stories that he would tell me as I wheeled him outside in the sun. I don’t remember going back as Candy Striper after that. I knew I wasn’t made for it, physically or mentally.

***

This story takes the reader into a day in the life of an EMT. It was hold-your-breath exciting. I cared deeply for the main character and her job-partner. I felt the fear and angst of the crew and parents of the patient. I was literally holding my breath near the end of the story. I don’t want to throw in spoilers so I will go right to the very end…

Did the main character’s migraine go away? Did she find some Rolaids? You see, that is my problem with short stories. I want them to go on.

Excellent story, Ms. Patricks. I can’t wait to read more!

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The Fridgularity by Mark A. Rayner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! What can I say? This book is dangerous! I nearly busted my gut laughing. I would have finished it sooner, but I couldn’t stop myself from telling my husband why I was in tears while guffawing! AND yet… This book addressed very serious issues. It wasn’t completely irreverent, but nothing was entirely off-limits.

Not only were religions, the Internets, cosplay and other various lifestyles brought to play or kill, every game, book, or movie of the
sci-fi genre is presented or argued or laughed at.

I rarely say this: EVERYONE should read this. Especially those born to the computer era. Whovians and those who don’t leave home without a towel, Tekkies, or those afraid to talk near their computers for fear of Also sprach Zarathustra will finds themselves in the state I have been in since I started reading this treasure.

Dear Mark A. Rayner, I am so sorry it took me so long to get around to this book. Just like I loved your Pirate Therapy and Other Cures and The Amadeus Net, Fridgularity will stay with me for a long time. I intend to read them all again sometime. I can’t wait for my husbands and other friends to read this so I can laugh with them as them read the gems of humor throughout the books. I hope to read Marvellous Hairy very soon. Thank you for enriching my life!

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