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Mari Collier
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Twisted Tales from the Desert (Star Lady Tales Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Mari Collier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 40 ratings
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Twisted Tales from the Desert - an anthology of short stories with twisted views and endings.

In this collection you will find humor, murder, a love story involving a ghost, an inhabited ghost town, a Fairy Godmother tale unlike anything you would expect, and more.

NOTE: Contains content considered unsuitable for readers 17 and under.
Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 5
    Star Lady Tales
  2. Print length
    98 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 4, 2016
  6. File size
    1477 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01BHDLKLQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Creativia; 1st edition (February 4, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 4, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1477 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 98 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 40 ratings

About the author

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Mari Collier

Mari Collier

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Mari Collier born on a farm in Iowa, and has lived in Arizona, Washington, and Southern California. She and her husband met in high school and were married for forty-five years. She is the Accessions Curator for the Twentynine Palms Historical Society. She has worked as a collector, bookkeeper, receptionist, and as an Advanced Super Agent for Nintendo of America. Several of her short stories have appeared in print and electronically, plus four anthologies. Twisted Tales From The Desert, Twisted Tales From The Northwest, Twisted Tales From The Universe, and Twisted Tales From A Skewed Mimd can be found online. Earthbound, Gather the Children, Before We Leave, Return of the Maca, Thalia and Earth, Fall and Rise of the Macas are the six books in Chronicles of the Maca. Man, True Man, The Silver and The Green, and Marika are the three novels in the Tonath Chronicles. All are on Amazon.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
40 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Eve Gaal
5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted But Awesome!
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2017
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Bestselling author, Mari Collier writes amazing science fiction sagas taking place in the old west. These are contemporary stories with unique characters and desert landscapes. Her detailed, descriptive writing is well researched, showing an authentic command of language and a deep grasp about subjects most of us have only heard about, such as ham radio frequencies, shifting harmonics and cruise control. Unusual topics, only the most talented writer can make interesting. In fact, all her Twisted Tales from the Desert are mesmerizing and most will leave you breathless if not shocked. To spin a thrilling tale on a few pages complete with a suspenseful plot in each story is brilliant and in this case, truly twisted.

Whether it’s a story called Forgotten Gods about Native American folklore that had me searching on the floor for the bottom of my jaw, or simply a story about a wife wishing her husband Phil would someday return, in The Kiss, there’s a lot to love in this fascinating collection. In Ghost Town Remodel, Kim wants to refurbish a haunted bordello, in Conversations with the Unknown, Kevin is spending entirely too much time working on a broken radio while his wife Darla keeps nagging that he should stop so they can start a family. The hairs on the back of your neck will rise as Collier pulls you into A Victim of Murder which, along with many of these stories could be made into television movies or full-length novels. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d choose Rest in Peace which is a happier ghost story with a satisfying ending. The combination of ghosts, science fiction and “sweet spring desert air,” makes for some seriously great reading and since these are short stories, you can read one and put the book down until you have time to read another.
2 people found this helpful
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Bjonsmom
4.0 out of 5 stars A Gentler Twist
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2021
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I’ve now read all three of Collier’s Twisted Tales, and found this one a gentler collection, perhaps a bit more traditional than the previous two. The scenarios are just as imaginative, but far less bizarre and creepy. The characters are more relatable, more like regular folk, who find themselves in extraordinary situations - but the twisty end is there: surprising, ironic, and oh, my!
Who among us hasn’t hoped to hit a big money payoff? Or felt the presence of a loved one who has passed on? Believe in ghosts? Maybe not, but how do you explain two “entities” in an eternal battle for male/female dominance shape shifting before your eyes? Conversations on either side of a radio “Portal” result in an identity switch. There are Bad Seeds, a battered wife fantasizing a way out and driven to the brink, a Fairy Godmother (be careful what you wish for). There’s a stunning reminder to always maintain “control” while driving; and watch out for that sculpture of a Desert Iguana.
I gave the book four stars because one of the stories is published in a previous collection, although it is an intriguing adventure. Pick up this final anthology and make your collection complete.
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Broadway Turk Superstar
5.0 out of 5 stars California Creeping?
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2021
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Twisted Tales by Mari Collier is an intriguing collection of short stories by the Californian indie lit author. Many of the tales are situated in rustic towns and backdrops with an authentic flavor that enhances the ambiance. There is also a welcome absence of the blood and gore that 21st century horror novelists seem compelled to depict. Instead we are delighted by the skillful weaving of poignant yarns that will enthrall readers of all ages.

Many are anecdotal in nature, compact bits of cleverness as we see in the opening Fairy Godmother Tale, as well as The Kiss and Bath Time. A trip to the author's hometown of Twentynine Palms is a longer story as we enter Conversations With The Unknown on a netherworldly radio. The topics grow deeper and darker as abused women seek payback in A Victim Of Murder and Ghost Town Remodel. It ends in a crescendo of cosmic harmonies in Between that Stephen King fans will greatly enjoy.

It's a smorgasbord of spooky tales that ghost story lovers and returning Collier fans won't want to miss.
One person found this helpful
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L. Paul
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, Eclectic Collection
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2020
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There's a little something for everyone here, horror, sci-fi, a ghost tale, murder. The book could have used an editor as there's a fair amount of errors in it ("fortunate" instead of "fortune", "you he" in one sentence, etc.) But it didn't detract from an enjoyable read.
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Book Addict
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Reads.
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2016
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Twisted tails lives up to it's name. The stories are short, very fast reads. They're fun with nice twists and some peculiar endings. I think my favorites were the last two, Ghost Town Remodel and Between. All of the stories are based in the desert and the writer dies the descriptions of it justice. This is the second book I've read by this author and will definitely be getting more of them.
3 people found this helpful
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heinz
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018
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What a fun book! I love surprise endings & you'll get plenty of them with this book. Stories include wicked ones, weird ones and funny ones, but they'll all surprise you! I can't wait to read the rest of Mari Collier's "Twisted Tales from . . . " books.
One person found this helpful
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Just Judi
5.0 out of 5 stars What fun, intriguing short stories!
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2018
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This is the second Twisted Tales book by Mari Collier I've read, and it's incredibly, wonderfully written. I enjoyed the short stories and their WOW! endings that were surprising, twisted and fabulous. I'm a fan for sure now!
One person found this helpful
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William B. Cheney, III
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting anthology of short stories.
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2017
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These stories would not necessarily take place in the desert, but the desert adds another element of interest.
Well Written short stories that will tease your mind, tickle your fancy, and blast you out of your comfort zone.
There is even a ghost story.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Tracy S.
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Twists
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2020
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I didn't enjoy this as much as I did "Twisted Tales from the Universe." That being said, Mari Collier provides a wild ride with unexpected turns and unusual twists. There were a few stories that I wished were a bit longer so I could have a bit more closure to the story but I suspect that this was a deliberate style choice by the Author.
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HM Holten
4.0 out of 5 stars Paranormal Stories from the American Mainland
Reviewed in Germany on August 9, 2020
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In Twisted Tales from the Desert, Mari Collier lets her fantasy out to play. There are all manners of ghosts, active Stone Lizards, murderers, infantile and grown-up, just to mention a few. Certainly, there are twists and turns and surprises at every corner. The reader feels comfortable in her deft hands – except when the stories go to the bare bones of humanity. That’s when cold shivers run down your back. There is mythology and subconscious horrors to enjoy in this collection of short stories that I can recommend to those readers who dare.
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KS the Dreamer
5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted and diverse
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2020
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Twisted Tales from the Desert is a collection of short stories by author Mari Collier and is the third book in her Star Lady Tales. I really enjoyed the variety of tales, from love and hauntings, to forgotten gods and fairy godmothers. I really enjoyed each tale, and the different tales gave the author a brilliant opportunity to display their diversity. Great descriptions combined with strange and unusual plots which are, as the title suggests, twisted in their own way.
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KS the Dreamer
5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted and diverse
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2020
Twisted Tales from the Desert is a collection of short stories by author Mari Collier and is the third book in her Star Lady Tales. I really enjoyed the variety of tales, from love and hauntings, to forgotten gods and fairy godmothers. I really enjoyed each tale, and the different tales gave the author a brilliant opportunity to display their diversity. Great descriptions combined with strange and unusual plots which are, as the title suggests, twisted in their own way.
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yop
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to take on holiday
Reviewed in Spain on March 23, 2019
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Twisted Tales from the Desert :by Mari Collier
A real mix of twisted short stories with unexpected endings. From a two way radio with a disastrous outcome for one of its users, to Native American folklore. There is something for everyone in this compilation of short stories. The endings are definitely twisted, dark, weird and occasionally funny. There is such a mix of tales here. In my opinion, this would be a good little book to take on holiday as the stories are truly diverse and short enough to read in whatever free time the reader has.
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glasgow reader
5.0 out of 5 stars lots of surprises
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2017
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While a desert may be the common setting for these short stories, there’s no dryness in the prose. Written with skill and style, they are varied, easy and enjoyable reads with lots to surprise you and some entertaining twists.
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