This is a dark work of contemporary horror that I wrote so I could let my imagination roam free. I wrote it because I enjoy trying my hand at all genres of writing, from children's stories to romance to horror and thrillers. The story is the opposite of my personal character and beliefs, so I enjoy the challenge of creating something ”different.“ All my writing is done to entertain myself as much as the reader, and I enjoy the challenge.

Customer Rating:
Summary: The consequences of choices ..
Comment: Fantasies at the Bankers Club? Say it isn't so. This is already a horror story, and I've only read the first sentence. Just kidding: I've read the entire short and I'm even more concerned about the lives of bankers and matters financial.

Yes, some readers will work out the ending before they get there. For me, though, this didn't diminish the journey. I chose, at the end of 2008, to read this short as an allegory, or perhaps as a metaphor for the futures market. I choose, therefore, to wonder about the accounting to be faced. I'm even wondering whether Ms Dravis can pen a sequel - in red ink of course.

This is a fun read. I intend to follow it up by re-reading Dante's 'Inferno' ... as soon as I get back from the mysterious journey I am about to undertake.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Chase Von's Review Of V.O.
Comment: I've down loaded books before but this is my first time for an Amazon Short. Best 49 cents I've spent in recent memory! This is a very fast paced tale and extremely well written! I sort of figured out some of it but I certainly didn't figure out the reasoning behind it!

I do think with this writers ability to tell a tale, the only thing that might make this better is if it were part of a full length novel sized book of shorts. Providing the author reads her reviews, I would like to suggest that perhaps it be extended into a full length novel by itself or be contained in a novel sized book with more shorts. That way, upon completion of one, the reader would have more to look forward to! Horror isn't really my thing mind you but this is almost liked masked horror if that makes any sense. Horrifying yes, in your face gory? No, but then again... Any way..

Excellent write!!!


Your Chance to Hear The Last Panther Speak

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Customer Rating:
Summary: YEAH, whatever...
Comment: I'm always on the look-out for a good movie our book that can deliver some great twists and chills. To me, no movie or book is better than one that can make my draw drop to the floor towards the end, revolutionizing my entire perception of it. So, I came across this and based on these reviews that give it such high praise, I was pretty eager to download it.

The problem with V. O. is that everything builds to the climax. There is nothing else that you are waiting for. Nothing else is on your mind except "what is that food???" When a story is like this, it better deliver an amazing twist. Quite frankly, it doesn't. I mean no disrespect to Ms. Dravis. She is clearly a good writer with an interesting style of writing, but it just doesn't work for me.

There's nothing in the story that really reaches out and grabs the reader. In fact, it's all really just a big bore. The reviews here sum up the story perfectly, minus the ending. Oh yes, the ending? It isn't shocking at all. I saw it coming from the second I read a review on it, but I figured there must be something bigger if it can stun so many people. What really shocks me is that barely anyone saw it coming. Maybe I've watched too many movies dealing with this sort of thing, but I still think it's pretty obvious when you think about it.

Ok, so the ending is obvious, but is there anything else? Um... no. There is some colorful descriptions of the restaurant that Charles and his wife eat in, as well as a vivid description of emotions. But what it all boils down to is a story that did not make me think "Wow what's going to happen next???". Nothing in it really makes it this amazing story that all of the reviewers here make it out to be.

There's no doubt in my mind that everyone will flame me, telling me that I'm too childish and stupid to understand it's genius, but the fact is that I found no substance in this story. Click on the "no" button all you want. If you're not familiar with this kind of subject that Dravis covers in her story, by all means buy it. You may be just as surprised as the rest of the reviewers here. But if you're into the kind of movies I am (read my reviews), you've probably already figured out the twist, so you best skip it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It Works!
Comment: The theme for V.O. by author Betty Dravis is not a new one. It has been explored through the ages in story form, both oral and written. There have been mythologies woven around the concept that forms the plot.

However the similarities in theme, Dravis takes it a step beyond into a more macabre setting with undertones of eroticism fueling the engine which drives the story. Understand that there is nothing overt with regards to sexuality in the story, rather it is something that simmers below the surface as implied, more than realized.

Virgins have played various central roles in sacrificial settings from time immemorial. Here, they are no less innocent nor unassuming for the positions they accept in this bizarre ritual which would drive the less greedy, the less gluttonous to the brink of insanity. Have a read and feel the fear creep up on you when the curtain is pulled back to reveal the climatic discovery of the story.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It takes a very special skill to craft a convincing short story!
Comment: In the space of 10,000 to 15,000 words - what for a novel would be a mere one or two chapters serving as little more than introduction - a skilled short story author has to create characters, setting, atmosphere, tension, action, dialogue, plot, resolution and dénouement. A pretty tall order for any author but Betty Dravis is clearly up to the task!

V.O. is a catchy little horror story that leaps off the springboard of the typical human desire for physical beauty and longevity and deals with the consequences of what might be called the archetypical "deal with the devil".

The plot is simple enough and it's driven forward with Dravis's clever use of convincing dialogue. The eroticism in the protagonist's explanation of his experiences is thick and palpable - quite convincing enough to raise a mild sheen of sweat on any reader's brow that has a full set of hormones on board and is willing to allow their imagination to run away with the compelling words that Dravis puts in front of us.

Want to spend an enjoyable 10 minutes that will whisk you away from whatever you're doing? Read Betty Dravis's V.O.

Paul Weiss

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