Cage Life — Karin Cox

What happens when life doesn't turn out as planned? This collection of two evocative, dark love stories explores the choices and compromises we make in life and in love, and how they can trap or liberate us, depending on our mindset. Each story comes with an unexpected twist that makes reading all the way to the end imperative.

In "Cage Life," first published by [untitled] in 2010 as "Still Life", a young mum feels like a prisoner in her own home. Her decision to escape the bonds of marriage and motherhood, just for a few hours, has unexpected consequences that force her to a re-evaluate what it really means to be loved, to be married, and to be free.

In "The Usurper," unconditional love is explored within the boundaries of age and longing. Basil is in his eighties, with an illustrious career in law enforcement behind him, when he meets Carla -- a beautiful, energetic and much younger mistress. But when Simon appears on the scene, can Basil keep her or does she, in fact, keep him?

Part of the Love in the Time of Literature series, these stories probe the depths of human despair and longing, exploring both the helpless and healing aspects of mankind's greatest motivation: love.