Phantom Dreams

When Ines is injured in a carriage accident, her world is shattered. She begins to wonder if she not only lost her husband, but also her mind. As his nightly visits become the focus of her existence, she struggles to understand the reality of her mind. Can the visions she sees be real, or is she in fact haunted by Phantom Dreams of the love she lost?

Brenna Lyons has created a short story that is filled with emotion and eloquently illustrates one woman’s internal conflict. The characters in this work exhibit a wealth of emotion. The struggle Ines endures with her memories draws the reader in as they work to deduce, just as Ines must, what is real and what is fantasy. The transition between scenes is well done and does not give away the ending too soon. Yet, when the pivotal moment for Ines arrives, the reader is prepared for what transpires. The ending is both heart wrenching, as Ines must finally face the events in her past, and touching as she comes to accept her future. Ms. Lyons is to be commended for being able to instill so much emotion in so few pages. Phantom Dreams will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

Reviewed by: Amanda