“For those who still believe that love conquers all, that
the journeys of the spirit are the most important we make, it is the land of
dreams.”
Author Rod Barkley is speaking of France as the land of
dreams, the land of romance, and the setting of his collection of love stories,Evening in Atlantis. From the
crowded cities to the quiet countrysides, men and women are looking for love,
whether it is new love, lost love, or simply the chance at finding happiness
and a warm hand to hold.
Amnesiac Jacques falls in love with innkeeper Lisette who protects
him from the secrets of his past. Young
Sophia finds both love and the chance to live out her dreams when she meets
Stephane. Alain rescues suicidal Zoe and
they both rediscover a love of life.
In each tale the characters must overcome difficult challenges
as they search for love, hope, and the answers to life’s biggest
questions. Will I find someone who can
love me as I am? Is there more to life
than what I’m living? Can I find that
one thing that will make my existence matter?
To this end, Barkley has created an eclectic mix of
characters, each with a unique back-story and a unique set of circumstances. Male, female, rich, poor, good and bad - The
characters and stories could be found in any era, lending them a timeless
quality and one that makes them easy to relate to in matters of the heart. What better place to read of loves lost and
found than in France, where quaint villages house poets and rooftops hide
virtuoso musicians?
The most unusual aspect of Evening in Atlantis is
Barkley’s surprising use of an almost science fiction-like employment of
suspension of disbelief. Although each
individual story is romantic in nature, he sends characters through time, has
them playing a game of cards with Chance and Fate, and experiencing other magical
occurrences. While readers may be caught
off guard at first, this merely adds a touch of mystery to the romance and
takes nothing away.
Variety is certainly the spice of
life in Evening in Atlantis.
Stories of romance, mystery, and magic featuring dozens of characters
spanning nine stories means there is something for every reader in this
thoroughly enjoyable collection.
