Trick of the Porch Light — Jessica Inclan / Jessica Barksdale Inclan

This is a collection about people facing situations and people they hoped they would not have to. They would all rather have just let things slide, but the story refuses to let them.In these diverse stories, readers are invited to witness the transformative power of adversity. Whether it's a chilling encounter with the unknown or the poignant exploration of human connections, each story reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the profound growth that can emerge from facing the unexpected. Jessica Barksdale Inclán weaves themes that resonate deeply with the human experience. This collection urges us to embrace the challenges that come our way and discover the hidden truths that lie within. These stories explore the complexities of difficult conversations often swept under the rug. Unspoken truths, buried emotions, and uncomfortable confrontations force the characters to confront their vulnerabilities and issues head-on. In the process, they must grapple with their own fears, doubts, and regrets, ultimately finding a way to reconcile with the truths they uncover.Instant dreams drawing you in from their first (fresh, crisp) sentences, Jessica Barksdale Inclán's stories hold you: smart, wry, funny, tender, shocking. They sideswipe and seduce; their sparkling range startles and provokes. You may recognize many of their people and predicaments, warm and pulsingly real, wildly imagined yet utterly grounded. Shot through with wise compassion, Trick of the Porch Light casts a reverberant spell.—Joan Frank, author of Juniper Street and Late Work