A night of passion turns into a nightmare when a mysterious drifter named Pablo disappears and Branca is left to explain to her influential father and the police about her involvement. A year later, she receives a cryptic text message from Pablo asking her to return to the romantic trysting place that started it all. What does he really want from her and are the rumors true? Could Pablo be a … Could Pablo be a killer?
This romantic story will surprise you and take you on and adventure to an incredible beach in the wilds of Northern California. Enjoy a story of myth, mystery and magical realism to soothe your weary soul. 18+ recommendation due to adult situations
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Author Bibiana Krall takes us on an unexpected journey into the fantasies of unknown worlds with this enchanting short story. A moment of passion with mystery man Pablo on a beach in northern California has chilling consequences for main character Branca that leaves a lasting imprint on her heart. As her destiny and past is revealed, will she leave her world behind or stay in the safety of the known? A short story that will leave you guessing and gasping to the end!
I’ve read most of Mrs. Krall’s work and don’t know how I missed this one. Abulon is a beautiful modern fairy tale about Branca and Pablo, the sea, and its magic described as no one can but Mrs. Krall. It’s a fast read, with lyrical prose, descriptions of the sea, and love almost poetic. I will keep this review short, but if you are looking for a quick summer read while lounging by the seashore, the magic of this book will speak to you more so with the water lapping at your feet.
Mrs. Krall, thanks again for sharing your special magic. Loved it!
Magical Realism at its finest!
Aubulon by Bibiana Krall is engaging, compelling, and absolutely captivating. The story seduces from the first line and sweeps you into a haunting, irresistible tale where Krall deftly draws back the veil between reality and what just might be equally real. From the moment the hero and heroine meet, you can’t look away. You must keep reading to see what happens to them in this almost mythical setting (a remote northern California beach) where love and passion flares only to dashed by mystery, danger, and loss. But readers needn’t fear – the magic is strong here and readers’ hearts will pound as the story concludes. I loved Aubulon so much! It takes a true wordsmith to craft such a brilliant, fully-satisfying and oh-so-readable tale in short story format. This author delivers with amazing characters, great storytelling, and incredible world building. She should be on everyone’s must-read list. Highly recommended.
Abulon is a beautifully mysterious, yet haunting tale.
And as Krall’s words sink into your consciousness, you can take part in the mystery as well because everything isn’t always what it seems…
On her 21st birthday Branca meets Pablo, and as is the case in young love, their lives are truly changed forever.
But we find Pablo is much more to Branca than the night of passion they share. When the truth unfolds as to the intricacies of their true connection we understand so much more. Then the question becomes:
Will she or won’t she?
Will Branca awaken to her true destiny or will she remain asleep like the rest of humanity?
Abulon is a magical fairytale leading us far away from our everyday lives. Maybe even we can hope for such a diversion causing us to question our existence – to awaken us.
Upon finishing the story, I find myself wanting to know more and I’m hopeful the author will consider returning to the wilds of Northern California for another chapter in the lives of Branca and Pablo.
Let yourself slip away in this unique tale. You may find a magical reality just within your reach, where it’s been waiting for you all along.
Abulon is a short tale that starts out as a romantic adventure of sorts. We cruise with Branca on a highway above crashing waves and Bibiana Krall sets the mood with Sarah Mclaughlin’s Sweet Surrender: Brilliant! This morphs into a mystery as we play voyeur to Branca and Pablo. They give in to their desires in a secret place away from prying eyes as the realization of a tragedy unfolds before them. This reality finally transforms into what it claims to be: a modern fairy tale where we learn of the mystery and who our protagonist and her lover are. Come see.
Abulon is a delightful read. I was quickly drawn into its mystery when the heroine, Branca, receives a note from a man she remembers only too well. But this isn’t just any man. The note is from “him,” the man who not only made love to her, but captured her heart.
But perhaps she’d been a fool. The thought was founded on experience. When she really needed him, when death had visited and intruded on their time together, he’d disappeared. Now, a year later, he wanted her to meet him again, at an isolated beach.
Was her mysterious lover really the person she thought he was? He had said some things that scared her. Then there was the dead body and the questions surrounding it! The mystery woven into the story and the nature of the affair between the lovers kept me turning pages.
The descriptions of the lovers, Branca and Pablo, and the locations of their trysts, had a magical quality that added to their passionate exchanges and appealed to my romantic heart! All in all, “Abulon” is a gem of a story that I can definitely recommend if you enjoy romance, mystery and a modern fairy tale.