{Review} Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior Compiled by Christina Edson

*Cover and synopsis from Goodreads

Synopsis:

Get swept off your feet by an Internet romance

Escape from a war-torn encampment with a mystical healer/princess

Witness the murder of a NASCAR driver in the bathroom of local Home Depot

Join Miss Della and Chip as they find friendship and a new zest for life in their golden years

ORANGE KAREN: TRIBUTE TO A WARRIOR is a collection of 39 stories that explore the strength and resilience of the human spirit. From the monster in the basement to the teddy bear on a young woman's pillow, each story uses the colour orange as a thematic element, revealing the power of love, friendship, and the will to live.

Karen DeLabar is a friend, author, and mother. In June of 2012, she was tricked with Toxic Shock Syndrome.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the anthology will be donated to Karen and her family, to assist with her medical expenses, and ongoing recovery.

Meet the authors at www.orangekaren.wordpress.com, and learn more about the symptoms, effects, and treatment of Toxic Shock Syndrome athttp://toxicshock.com

*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Helpful Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Orange Karen Website

My Review

I have to say, the idea behind Orange Karen played my heart strings before I ever even opened the book. I knew the reason behind this anthology and the whole story just killed me. I am sort of a sucker for these kinds of things, I have always been told that I wear my heart on my sleeve so I knew that this anthology would get me. It is not everyday you see so many people pull together for a person that most had not even met in person! This whole idea amazed and floored me. 

I knew that the stories within were going to be a mix of everything, paranormal, fantasy, romance, and many more and I have to say that this idea excited me. I have never read a book like this before, but I can honestly say that I would compare reading it to the equivalent of reading all of my favorite books in one day. Orange Karen had it all. I got magic, action, adventure, romance, life stories, that all gave me a feel for both the author of the story and a theme that I think played throughout this anthology: never giving up. 

In every story, no matter the genre the underlying theme was one of dedication, strong will and strength, all connecting them to the purpose of this anthology. To help a beloved friend who they call Orange Karen. After reading the Foreward by Jennifer Gracen, I was in tears, and by the time I finished the Introduction by Karen DeLabar I was so disheveled I had to put the book down; and I hadn't even read 3% of the book yet! The story of Orange Karen really touched a place deep in my soul and totally shattered a piece of my heart. 

I happy to say that once I picked Orange Karen back up, and I finally got a hold of myself, I was pleasantly surprised by every story that graced the page. Every story offered me something different, kept me intrigued and in most cases kept me wanting more. Oh, and did I mention this theme of orange that ran throughout Orange Karen? Well there is, and I have to say it is rather fitting! Story after story I turned the page waiting to see how the next author would work orange into their work.

Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior is one of those books that you will want to read over and over again. As you devour all the stories within its pages you will find your favorites, find the ones that speak to you, the ones that have meaning to you and those stories you will treasure. Those are the stories you will gaze your eyes upon when in need of a little extra strength. Because that's what Orange Karen is, strength! And this book will not only lend you strength from the characters that you will find from within, but it will lend you strength from the one who this book is all about......Karen DeLabar. 

So, if you haven't already purchased your copy of this great anthology, then run out and do it now. Do it and be swept up in the strength that you will astound you!

Okay, first of all, there are so many moments in this book that are my favorite, I couldn't possibly pick one, but, I will pick one line from the entire anthology, that I think represents the strength in the characters and the strength in Karen DeLabar.

"Simply put, I don't quit." (Karen DeLabar, kindle, loc. 218).