Kindle Edition Amazon A way to move forward Amazon Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Domen Smole ISBN-10:  9612832933 Type: Fiction Pages: 120 Copyright: April 4, 2015 ISBN-13: 9789612832933 Price: $12.00 (eBook) This is a story of a couple who love each other truly, but face many obstacles in their relationship, just like any other couple. The difference is that in addition to couples therapy, they can also rely on dwarfs and fairies in a pinch. Are you experiencing problems in your love relationship? If so, then this is the book for you. It will inspire you to find a way to move forward. While Izzy the dwarf gives this novel a certain fairy-tale nature, he is really just a friend providing useful advice to the young woman Vivvy and her husband Felix. And true to life, there are no magical interventions by Izzy or the wizards who teach him how to guide Vivvy and Felix. The couple gets all the advice they could want, but they still have to find a way through their conflicts on their own. This novel is a fairy-tale after the fairy-tale. It shows the reader what happens after the lady and her prince charming have found each other. This fantasy novel about relationships will enrich you with human emotions viewed under a microscope. You will be able to relate to Vivvy and Felix in many everyday situations and also in more peculiar ones. Moreover, the two characters will show you that when there is a will, there is a way, sometimes a long way. Excerpt Izzy the dwarf comes out of the forest and into the city to befriend Vivvy. They both get a job at a circus. Izzy proves to be a true friend and source of wisdom throughout the story, also by consulting Wizards from his homeland – the Wood of Aquarius. Vivvy is a young woman who moves away from her mother to work in Skyscraper City. She even falls in love in the city, but eventually the situation becomes unbearable for her and Izzy. Thus, they both move to Pond Town, where Vivvy meets Felix – the love of her life. What follows is a story of a couple who love each other truly, but face many obstacles in their relationship, just like any other couple. The difference is that in addition to couples therapy, they can also rely on dwarfs and fairies in a pinch.

Review by RS
This book was a complete joy to read! The depth of the characters & plot were unique & engaging. It was so fun to see what Izzy & Vivvy were going to do next, all at the same time discovering the best & not so best about humanity. The end will leave you cheering!

Review by Mrs Justine J Royal
I really enjoyed reading this, and it’s definitely one that will make you think. The fantasy elements allow you to take a new look at different issues and the way people behave, and I think there are some great messages in this. I really liked getting to know the characters of Izzy and Vivvy and all the other people involved in their lives – a very interesting and enjoyable read.

Review by Colleen Chesebro
February 20, 2016
Silver’s Book Reviews – “Out of the Forest and Into the City,” By Helena Smole

Title: Out of the Forest and into the City: A Fantasy Novel (Vivvy and Izzy the Dwarf: A Series About Relationships Book 1)
Author: Helena Smole
File Size: 1046 KB
Print Length: 120 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN:
Publisher: Domen Smole
Publication Date: 1 edition (April 4, 2015)
Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00VP47OOA
ISBN-10:
ISBN-13:
Formats: Paperback and Kindle
Goodreads
Genres: Women’s Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

Izzy the Dwarf works for the circus. He is a kindly soul, one who looks out for the needs of others. Like many humans who work, Izzy has a boss that is difficult to get along with. All the boss seems to worry about is money. He even neglects the needs of others – especially his secretary, Miss Catherine who suffers from a stuttering malady.

A compassionate person, Izzy takes it upon himself to help Miss Catherine stop stuttering. He discovers that when she sings she does not stammer. After a brief visit to Central Park where Izzy has a telepathic visit with the Wizard of Singing from the Wood of Aquarius, he is able to sing melodies, just as the boss wanted him to. In no time at all, Izzy has instituted a Sunday singing session at the circus to help Miss Catherine.

During one of these singing sessions, Izzy meets Vivvy, a lovely girl who used to sing in a choir. The boss loves Vivvy’s singing and she is hired to sing with Izzy each Sunday. The two develop a friendship and Izzy realizes that Vivvy is the first human he has ever known in any great depth. It is no surprise then when Vivvy meets Felix and they fall madly in love, all with the blessings of Izzy, of course.

This is a fairy tale within a fairy tale. Vivvy and Izzy go through the normal ups and downs of a relationship. The difference is that Izzy the Dwarf through his friendship with Vivvy helps the couple understand themselves and their relationship. Isn’t that what friends are for?

Recommendation:

This is one of the most unusual approaches I have seen in the writing of a fantasy romance novel. Izzy, the Dwarf has access to many magical interventions that he could have used to assist the couple in their life journey. Instead, he consults with the wizards and turns that advice around to where the couple must figure out their issues on their own. Vivvy and Felix are on a journey of self-discovery. They are forced to come to grips with their childhood, how they feel about each other, and even their friendship with Izzy.

My favorite part of the book is when Vivvy acknowledges her feelings for Izzy and the friendship that he gives her. It is at that moment that Izzy realizes the importance of listening and being there for someone. He now knows that friendship is more important than all the wisdom found in the world. It turns out Izzy was on a self-discovery journey of his own.

This was a sweet engaging love story. I found it to be a bit predictable but that did not deter from my enjoyment in reading about Vivvy and Felix as their relationship unfolded. I enjoyed Izzy’s part in the story and actually liked that he did not use magic on the couple. It made it seem more realistic that the couple had to figure things out for themselves. It made them human.

If you are looking for a fun and different kind of romance story with a fantasy twist, you will love “Out of the Forest and Into the City.” It is a delightful romp into relationships and learning to love yourself and others.

Character Believability: 4
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 4
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 4
Overall Rate: 4 out of 5 stars