~be entertained and amused from Anne and Romanoff’s naughty pack, Stephanie finds trouble with a wounded cat and a remorseful landscaper; and the beach cottage that brings Cheney’s nightmares of the Sci Fi warrior into focus in Stories & Imaginings For The Reading Spot~
The Cemetery Affair ~ This is a tales from here to eternity about love, hate, envy, vengeance, death and maybe murder. Well, not murder, but revenge is sweet!
Dangers of the Wilderness, New York, 1755 ~ What was it like in a young country where the lack of understanding causes people so different from one another to fight for the land, or flee in hopes of surviving.
Spiders ~ Terminal or not, under the right conditions would a little time with your loved ones be asking too much?
Too Many Bobs ~ When a cat named, Bob has his tail bobbed by a remorseful landscaper, Stephanie is sent to return the cat and collect the money for the vet bill. The wounded cat’s injury proves more troublesome than Stephanie could imagine.
The Name Game ~ A young boy named, Kelly becomes famous for ‘one day.’ Having the same name as a famous singer, Kelly is asked to appear on a game show taking the singer’s place.
Where The Heart Is ~ Annie is a cat. She and young Ally from next door make Mae’s decision to move into the Mountain View’s Retirement Home difficult.
Trespasses ~ Life has been a gamble for Jacqueline. People she counted on have left her scarred and wanting solitude. Deciding to avoid any entanglement as her goal she fights an internal conflict when Craig strolls up the deserted beach she considered to be her own.
Inside ~ Left the beach cottage owned by her grandfather in the block leading to the Atlantic ocean, Cheney had no idea selling it would change her nightmares of the Sci Fi warrior.
Captive Memories ~ Sometimes the unthinkable happens in war. No, not just death.
The Boy In The Leaves ~ Max’s friend Tony has a problem. Max believes this problem is a killer like it was for “the boy in the leaves.”
Here is a small part from The Boy In The Leaves.
http://jdswritersblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/from-short-story-boy-in-leaves-by-jd.html
The One Eyed Wink~ Angie never thought to see Joe again after so many years. After all, he was long dead, wasn’t he? So the day she sees him on TV returning from a lost war, her life comes up against a new problem.
Cherished Dreams ~ Dreams can bring with them memories of loved ones gone. Their visits sometimes are a gift.
Excerpt
Read an Excerpt of The Boy In The Leaves at: http://jdswritersblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/from-short-story-boy-in-leaves-by-jd.html
Professional Reviews
Stories that will haunt you forever: OUTSTANDING
Review by Fran Lewis
Each story takes the reader on a separate journey in time, place and event. The first is in a cemetery a place that should be tranquil, in some cases holy and others where loved ones can remember, reflect and think about those that have passed on. But, when learning about the family buried beneath the stone of one particular headstone and we learn of what is supposed to be an error in print and even more what happens will surprise readers and although the story is about a cemetery the author adds a touch of intrigue and humor. Talking about coming to the cemetery to visit his mother’s grave Ron reflects on her character and more. Telling readers of this story that his job or vocation is making custom wallpaper and the job he is working on is crucial and needs to be done, receiving a phone call from the cemetery director sends him straight to his mother’s headstone and a mix-up or maybe not that you just won’t believe. Mistakes in printing can be made but what about burying the wrong husband along with his mother? How could that happen? Well, what if the wife of the man buried with her turns up and relates a story you just won’t believe. Bantering and arguing back and forth with this irate wife, listening to her rant and belittle his mother and explaining the situation and you just might juggle or laugh without stopping when you learn the truth about who this man really and who gets the last laugh. Who is buried with his mother? Enter the cemetery and listen to the conversation to find out.
There are quite a number of stories but I will only spotlight a few because the fun of reading this book is to discover the themes for yourself, meet the characters, get to know them and find out just how real most of the incidents might be. Spiders are short and really quite spooky as we meet someone that is about to end her life with the help of a doctor and her husband. But, there is a significance of spiders that like to gorge on the webs, the killing of a bug and the end result of what happens when one life ends and others go on.
Bullying is wrong and often kids are afraid to fight back and if in need of help never want to tell their parents, teachers or older siblings thinking they can handle it on their own. Simon is cruel and often belittles or hits Kelly just because he can. Simon always starts it and all the kids are afraid of him but something just might change it all, as Kelly does not like to be humiliated in front of other kids. His mother received a phone call asking that he appear on a TV show called The Name Game. He is supposed to replace a singer with the same name as his who cannot appear. The show requires that a panel of famous stars and people question the contestant hoping to find out information about the person and what they do: sing, dance, act or anything else. Poor Kelly does not sing, act or anything else and the decision to appear on the show would require coming in front of a TV audience, preparing for the show, hoping to understand the format and not fall flat on his face. Being uncertain his mother and father made the decision for him since his father thought it would be a great way for him learn how to deal with people and be a star. Meeting the producer, his mother telling everyone and his brother James supporting him, Kelly manages to get through it with flying colors. But, bullying is wrong and just because he did really well on the TV program does not mean that Simon will stop taunting him. What happens when Simon goes after Kelly again? Will anyone stand up for him or will Kelly fight back? Find out when you read THE NAME GAME.
There are many themes that run through these stories but none so compelling as a young girl’s love for a cat named Annie and the hope that the woman caring for the cat would never give her up. Mae or Aunt Mae as Ally called her was someone she could count on all the time. But, Mae was about to sell her house and move into an assisted living with her two friends Helen and Cindy because all of her needs would be handled and she wanted to be close to her friends. But, that would mean doing something about Annie a stray or lost cat that no one claimed. Ally loved Annie but she has a dog and her parents did not want a cat. An idea from a young child can often change an adult’s perspective and what Ally suggests might change everything for three friends. If you want to know what happens read the story titled: Where the Heart Is: Love, trust, faith and understanding will fill the pages of this great story. Characters that are true to life and one little girl that readers will love.
A frightening experience can often come back to haunt you but what happens in the story titled Inside will surprise readers as Cheney learns the true meaning of trust, understanding and why you should not judge a person or book by its outer cover.
The Boy in the Leaves revisits the theme of bullying and what happens when two boys find the body of a young child. Do they call the police; do they leave the body there? But, as Tony and Max begin to talk Max learns about Tony’s father and the cruelties he hands out to both him and his mother. Wanting to help him and hoping that he lives to see another day, Tony warns him to keep quiet and never tell. Tom is Max’s stepfather who loves and cares for him. But, when things escalate with Tony’s father, Max begins to distrust Tom and pushes him away. But, something happens that just might change his perspective as the ending is a surprise and what happens will encourage others to enlist help if bullied. Trust, understanding, fear, bullying and distrust are just some of the themes in this true to life story.
Author J.D. Holiday brings to light many real life issues we face everyday. Should we sell our home and move somewhere that is safe? Should we chance a new relationship or run away? Should we tell when something or someone hurts us or hide? Finally, what happens when someone you love has been gone for so many years and returns? What happens when you learn his past and where he was and why? Returning from a lost war, what happens to the person’s life when this somewhat stranger returns? What happens when he brings more than himself along? Can you rekindle what was taken from you or will he leave again? Stories that are different yet each dealing with a serious or tragic issue some turning out the way we hope and others not. Find out what is hidden beneath the pages of Stories and Imagining For the Reading Spot by author and illustrator J.D. Holiday and meet the characters, get to know them and take the journey along with each of them from start to finish.
Stories Filled With Love and Hope By Marie V. Cole
These stories are delightful, filled with love and hope and much more.
Each story in this collection is unique, and in their complexity and hopefulness very pleasing. These stories are full of spirited and captivating characters. The author clearly grasp who each character is and give the readers a sense they know someone just like each one. The illustrations, also by the author, give you the sense that of you touched them you would feel their contour and texture. This was a entertaining read.
A must read
A must read
By Dan Jones on November 22, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Great short stories. A fun read. Go buy a book.
Sarah Thompson has ten days on Maui to find her lifetime after lifetime soulmate. She is certain he is waiting for her there on one of the last remaining land masses of Mu still above water.
I Made My Boy Out of Poetry is a powerful literary vision of rare scope, beauty and emotional intensity composed of stories and poems that flow in and out of each other like the most lucid and articulate of dreams. These are portraits and studies of
Determined to confront the hazy memories of his troubled youth, Oliver Matthews, a retired detective and confirmed bachelor, returns to the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames for the first time in years.
