Jeanne The Woman In Red
“It is a quiet kind of political novel, but political all the same, carried by the force of one woman who refuses to be small.”
Literary Titan
“Some passages read like memories folded in warm light, while others hit like sudden blows. The sensory details work best when they’re simple: a wooden floorboard Paco never fixed, a pot of chrysanthemums at a grave, the sound of children giggling through a vocabulary lesson.”
“Overall, a heartening story founded on the truth.”
Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite
“The story continues at a slow simmer throughout and is definitely in the realm of literary fiction, particularly as the narrative leans toward symbolism. I loved the microcosm of power dynamics and the intertwining of ‘now’ and ‘then’ with a full-circle feel.”
Prickly Pears: A Collection of Short Fiction
“Prickly Pears is a vivid and haunting collection of short stories that explores the fragile edges of humanity.”
Literary Titan
“Prickly Pears isn’t a book for comfort; it’s a book for feeling. It’s for readers who like language that stings a little, who aren’t afraid of stories that leave scratches. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves short fiction. If you enjoy authors like Carmen Maria Machado or Clarice Lispector, you’ll find something electric here.”
“Author Isabelle B.L has produced a stunning collection of very personal, cathartic, and effective works that really feel as though you’ve been given a piece of her soul to look after and meditate with as you read her work.”
K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
“Although some of the themes sound like tough reading, the easy, ethereal narrative style lets the different emotions flow without them ever becoming too heavy or overwhelming to read on.”
“A collection of short pieces that strike the heart…”
Mary L. Tabor who taught Isabelle and is the author of the forthcoming re-release of Who By Fire, published by Empress Editions, The Woman Who Never Cooked, (Re)Making Love…
“A collection of short pieces that strike the heart with the personal, that show Isabelle’s gift with imagery, her reading of Kafka and Flaubert, her love of Van Gogh and biblical allusions that ring like tinkling bells. The collection sings like the ‘Golden Oriole,’ one my favorites among poetic glimpses of life, existence, troubled childhood, parenting, love and marriage. Another striking piece is ‘My husband didn’t make it on Marcel Proust’s Questionnaire.’”
“… so many mixed emotions.”
Steve Kay, Published Poet and Songwriter
“… these short stories are full of life’s adventures, some happy, some sad, so many mixed emotions. … this is definitely a book that once you start reading it you won’t want to put it down.”
“As a poet who prefers brevity in writing, I really enjoyed this collection of short fiction which I experienced much the same as a book of poetry.”
Marianne Mersereau, author, “In the Grip of Grace”
“While the stories are rich in imagery and detail, they also have a grounded sensibility that appealed to me as someone who rarely reads fiction. One of my favorites in the collection, “The Jam Jar” is an especially delightful story of a granddaughter’s wish to preserve her grandmother’s history. “Prickly Pears” is a fun and quick read and beautifully showcases the writer’s literary skills and vivid imagination.”