Synopsis

When Jena’s new boyfriend Herm announces that he is traveling the Northshore of Lake Superior to meet Commander Donner, she is skeptical. After all, Herm is convinced that he is an alien from the planet Xylan who has been sent to Earth to search for rare minerals. As far as Jena is concerned, he is living in a dream world. However, Herm is also a nice guy, the best she’s ever known, and she enjoys being with him. So does her eight-year-old daughter Sylvie. If only it weren’t for that alien issue…

Jena is conflicted. Herm’s entire trip seems like a figment of his imagination. The night before he is scheduled to leave, they argue, but to no avail. He lives the next morning and Jena is not so much distraught as she is ready to forget all about him and move on. Six hours later, though, she receives a text. Herm has been put in jail for hitchhiking in a small town north of Duluth. Against her better judgment, Jena travels north to help him, taking Sylvie with her along with her best friend, Kalli.

Unbeknownst to Jena, on the drive north, Herm escapes from jail and goes on the run. Jena is able to find him, and she agrees to take him to his meeting with the commander. It is then she learns the awful truth about Herm’s past.

This is a story of the horrors that some people can inflict upon the innocent. It is also a story of how incredibly strong the human spirit is. Ultimately, it is the story of how strong the bonds of love truly can be.

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Review

This short story was a delight to read. While it may be a short story/novella, the reader is not shortchanged on the intricacies of the story.

Jena has a friend Herm, who is convinced he is from an alien planet. I was pretty sure going into the book that he wasn’t, and what I feared was the truth was just that. I don’t want to spoil that reveal, but it is not a happy situation, and Herm has blocked it out in his memory. Hence, why he thinks he is an alien. It is his brain’s way of coping.

On his journey to fulfill a mission, or so he believes, he is arrested for a minor offense, having no identification. Most people would not be arrested for this, but sometimes small towns go a little overboard. However, a few officers are on his side once they do a little research into Herm and the situation one of them remembers.

I really like the relationship between Jena and Herm. It is sweet, and they do care about one another. Even Jena’s daughter, Sylvie, likes him. Jena’s best friend is on the fence but comes around on this journey to save Herm from the police and help him get to his destination.

The story didn’t take long to read, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. It is filled with humor, adventure, tragedy, and happiness.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles, is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the nove, The Alien of Orchard Lak, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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