Category: Romance Publisher: Literary Art Publishers
ISBN-10: 0974486620
Type: Fiction
Pages: 87
Copyright: March 2006
The Familiar, a variation of the beauty and the beast theme, is also an experiment in role reversal, for in this story, beauty is the beast.
Frederick, an artist, attempts to escape the horrific memory of his wife's death by moving to the mountain village of Halo. There he transforms a century old barn into a gallery and studio. He resumes painting, only now, all of the female images he creates are in the likeness of his departed wife. One rendering having an overwhelming resemblance to her is of a half-human lioness.
He pays little attention to the hunter's stories of slaughtered animals and livestock, until on a hot summer night, while sleeping outside on the front stoop, he awakens to find himself face to face with the beast of his painting, and he soon discovers the tie binding them together is far stronger than mere paint and canvas.
The beast withdraws in a cautious step allowing Frederick to gaze upon the fierce countenance and exacting womanly fullness borne from his inspiration. Subtle curves of erotic form, as they were cast upon the canvas, are here, beneath a bodice of golden fur, matted by rain. His heart softens and is moulded by the gentle hands of empathy.
The attentions of both are drawn toward the muted snap of a twig at the distant edge of the grade that leads to the gallery. The beast charges to the far end of the stoop, hurdles the railing, where she vanishes amid the near vertical drop to the forest's edge. Gone, she leaves a lasting vision of herself bounding the railing, and of her tail reaching to its fullest extreme to guide her balance.
"Mr. Frederick!" he heard from behind, and turns to see Rankin trotting up the last steps of the grade.
"Didn't mean ta startle ya, Mr. Frederick!" the hunter added, as he approached the stoop, "up a might early, ain't cha?"
"The storm knocked out the electric," the artist replied, and for the first time takes in the disquieting silence and gloom of the darkened street, "it was too hot inside, I came out here to sleep."
"Storm maybe downed a tree ‘cross a power line, bin out all night trackin' down what's bin tearin' up livestock," and the hunter lowers to one knee to examine a muddy footprint.
"Find anything?"
"O‘most same as a man," the hunter explained, "‘cept, large pads on the sole. Ain't like nothin' I ever seen. See ‘ere," and Frederick peers over the railing to where the hunter indicates, "claws."
"A bear?" the artist suggests, and Rankin eyes the tracks up the step and onto the stoop.
"Like I said, ain't like nothin' I ever seen. Smart too. Backtracked on me more times ‘an I care ta think about. Milled about yer chair a bit too. Lucky she took a likin' to ya."
"She?"
"Yeap, done my share of things I bin shamed ta admit. Even convinced m'self that after I pass, I may do time with tha devil. But only tha devil can make what I seen, an' it's a cryin' sin fer it ta walk among tha livin'," and standing, he looked off into the forest, resting the crossbow in the crook of his arm.
Professional Reviews
BookIdeas.com
The Familiar is an entrancing work of fantasy revolving around two evolving souls as they reach out for one another time and time again. Reincarnation is the theme of this artistically wrought work of words.
Frederick is an artist drawn to recreate the images of his mind, the image of his tragically departed wife, and the magic of the natural world. Rankin is a hunter who is tracking a creature unlike any he’s ever encountered before. It is a beast of mystery; half woman, half lioness, and it is hunting as well. The beast takes down her prey and consumes its heart and nothing more. She also steals the heart of Frederick who comes to her rescue one evening as the hunter pursues her. It is during her recovery, hidden in his gallery, that he discovers who she is.
Is this a story of soul mates, or a chance encounter of fantasy? The reader will make that determination. It is a work of art and the value will be created each time it is looked upon. I found the text to be exquisite, full of detail and emotion. It was a magical immersion into the world of the author’s mind, one that touches the soul and remains within my heart.
Review by Heather Froeschl of www.Quilldipper.com
TCM Reviews
Devastated by his wife’s tragic death, Frederick moves away to escape the bad memories that plague him. He settles in a mountain village called Halo and converts an old barn into an artist studio. All of the female images that he begins to paint are likenesses of his beloved departed wife. He creates a painting of a half human lioness and it bears an overwhelming resemblance to his wife. One night he opens the door and is confronted by the beast of his painting, which is injured in the same place where his wife received her fatal wound. He shelters the animal that has his wife’s essence and demeanor. He later realizes that the beast is his wife reincarnate who came back to tell him that she loved him one last time. This leads to a miraculous transformation that proves that love can bind people together and triumph even after death. This book is a delightful poignant tale that is reminiscent of a Beauty and the Beast style fairy tale. It is beautifully written with a lyrical poetic style that is a joy to read. It will leave a lasting impression on your heart.
Reviewed by Qetesh
CoffeeTimeRomance.com
Frederick has retreated to the sleepy ski resort town of Halo in an attempt to heal from his wife’s tragic death. In a flash of clarity, he realizes he is reproducing the features of his wife in various paintings, be it a fish or lioness. When the local hunter Rankin tells him of an unusual animal hunting in the forest, he thinks nothing of it until he encounters a lioness with his wife’s face. Could he have created this creature?
Stephanie was stabbed by a mugger and subsequently died in her husbands arms. Her next conscious thoughts are about hunting for food in a forest and of being hunted by a human. Being ever vigilant is paramount. She does not know how this is possible, but survival is an animal instinct inherent in all living creatures.
When Stephanie is wounded by Rankin, she seeks shelter with Frederick and finds compassion and solace. Frederick nurses her back to health and finds comfort in her presence. How will this tentative friendship end?
Mr. H.J. Courtright has written a beautiful love story with a strange twist. His prose evokes emotions and images that make the reader feel and see all that his imagination has conjured with ease. Frederick is tortured by a love lost to circumstances beyond his control, while Stephanie is awakened in another form with her mind intact. The one underlying emotion that has not changed is their undying love for each other. I absolutely adore this book.
