2022 Short Story Challenge from A Virginia Writer’s Diary. Write one short story a month this year. The theme is Folklore. I’m going to try it.
Month: January 2022
#Football and #Poetry–A Sonnet
I have been a football fan since I was a kid, and right now I’m watching the College National Championship, thinking about risk, and writing a sonnet. I’ve always been a fan of the sonnet, although it doesn’t really seem to be in fashion these days. For those who don’t know, a sonnet generally has 14 lines, 10 syllables each line. There are three stanzas of four lines, and one of two lines. The stanzas of four lines have alternate rhyming and the last two lines also rhyme. The last two lines solve a problem or come to a conclusion. Below is my football sonnet, called Fourth and One.
FOURTH AND ONE–A FOOTBALL SONNET
The Bears and Rockets struggle on the field
Five minutes left, the star receiver’s out
The Rockets try to pass; the Bears won’t yield
It’s fourth and one; defenders range about
Should they punt or should they try to go?
The safest bet is punt and try again
To go for one’s a risk, as they all know
But safe won’t always win it in the end.
The Rockets walk determined to the line
Their jaws are set, their hands upon the ground
They lunge ahead; the measurement is fine
But in the end they garner four more downs.
The Rockets put six points up on the board
The greatest joy of risk is the reward.
Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com
Book Review: Shiloh
North Carolina, 1795. Over a year ago, Ian Cameron sent Seona and their son Gabriel to live with his family in Boston. Seona was formerly enslaved to Ian’s uncle but has now been freed. Ian is wed to Judith due to cruel manipulation, but has vowed to make their marriage work. Then tragedy strikes, and Ian finds himself alone with their daughter Mandy. He decides to head north and has a chance to obtain land in Shiloh, New York. Seona is in Boston, trying to decide whether to stay with Ian’s family or go out on her own with her mother. Then Ian arrives, promising a future in Shiloh. But is that what Seona wants? When evil creeps into their midst, will their faith see them through? This is the second book in the Kindred series.
Benton has taken on the daunting task of creating a sequel to two of her books at once. Shiloh is the sequel to Mountain Laurel but also brings in characters from her first published novel, Burning Sky. The characters are interwoven seamlessly, and the story is filled with historical details, adventure, love, doubt, and fear. As Ian embarks on a journey back to Seona, he is also on a spiritual journey of learning to trust God and become a better man. Seona and her mother, Lily, are each experiencing the ranging emotions of an enslaved person who has been freed, and both think of choosing a different path. The Christian themes of trusting God and each other abound in this book, but the results of greed are also explored through the character of Aram Crane. Shiloh, above all, is a journey of faith and a lesson that as faith grows, love grows along with it.
I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House via Historical Novels Review Magazine. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
See my review of Book One, Mountain Laurel, here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.
Lori’s debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.
BUY LINKS
Self-Published Saturday: Unfathomable Chance
Self-Published Saturday (SPS) is my effort to help Independent Authors with the huge task of marketing their books. Indie authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing to marketing, and if I can help even a little with the marketing, I’m happy to do it. Below is my review of a Young Adult Coming of Age Space Opera by K.T. Munson called Unfathomable Chance.
Buckle up for a wild ride through the galaxy after Diana finds a bracelet which, once put on, she cannot get off. She soon realizes this is no ordinary piece of jewelry as she’s swept away to other galaxies and told she’s to be the Empress of the Universe, chosen by said bracelet. On top of all that, she is supposed to get married and potential suitors are already vying for her hand. This is a lot for a 23-year-old to handle, but backed up by friends along the way, she sets out to discover how to get out of this particular honor. This is the first book in the Cosmic Gem series by K.T. Munson.
I found the characters very likable, especially Diana and Kal Zed, an extremely honorable cat. The world-building is fantastic and imaginative. I struggled to put this into a category, as it appeared to be written as a Young Adult novel, although the protagonist is 23. It does fit well into the space opera genre, since it includes space warfare, romance, melodrama, and interesting alien species. The storyline is wild and fun, but also contains some dangerous and serious moments. I found it very easy to connect to the cast of characters. It is a very enjoyable coming-of-age adventure that fans of science fiction and space operas will enjoy.
You can follow Diana’s continuing adventures in Book 2, Unfathomable Plan.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
K.T. Munson is an independent author. First published at 5 years old in the young writer’s conference, she has pursued writing ever since. She maintains a blog, creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com, which is about writing and her novels. She was born and raised in the last frontier, the great state of Alaska.
BUY LINKS
LINK TO BOOK 2, UNFATHOMABLE PLAN
*If you buy the book(s), please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books. Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.
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The Last House on the Street
This is a dual timeline novel, set in Round Hill, North Carolina, in both 1965 and 2010. In 1965, Ellie has decided to volunteer for SCOPE (Summer Community Organization and Political Education), which organized students in an effort to help African Americans in the South register to vote. She expected her family to object, but was not prepared for the level of anger aimed her way. In 2010, Kayla has just lost her husband to a tragic accident and is in unbelievable pain, continuing their plans to move into their new house in Round Hill. Then strange things begin happening, and it appears that someone does not want her there.
I enjoyed the description of and research into events in 1965. I was impressed with the character development of Ellie and Win. However, the events occurring in the 2010 timeline were not fully realized. Although there was a surprise at the end, the plot wasn’t completely developed or resolved. So much could have been added to make this a complete novel, such as more representation of the African American community in the 2010 timeline. Also while I loved the 1965 Ellie for the most part, the 2010 version of Ellie was a real letdown.
I was surprised, as I have loved all of Diane Chamberlain’s books prior to this one.
I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 27 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
BUY LINKS
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
IndieBound
iBooks
Google Play
Amazon Audio CD
Audible
My GoodReads Review (“Likes” Appreciated)
Book Review: Crickets
Kara returns to her hometown after her father’s unexpected death from a heart attack. She is there to get his affairs in order and sell the house. She has not been back since she was raped at a party ten years ago. She believes the rapist is Dalton Rolenfeld, who is from a prominent family and is now running for political office. Haunted by traumatic memories, she leans on her best friend Brent for support. Detective Kim Ellis has transferred to the town of Paige and has to work with an old boys’ club in the Police Department that is heavily influenced by the wealthy local family, the Rolenfelds. Despite objections from other detectives who don’t want to rock the boat and upset the prominent family, Kim begins to try and find out who assaulted Kara that night ten years ago.
This is a compelling and captivating psychological thriller. The villain of this story is well written and the mind games that they perpetrate and will keep you turning the page. The foreshadowing and subtle hints woven into the story are excellent. The mystery is well thought out, and we follow Detective Ellis as she tries to piece it together. This story is told from multiple viewpoints, and each chapter is titled with the name of the person who is speaking. One of the viewpoints is that of the villain, and I found this a valuable and fascinating addition to the book. The typical prejudices, favoritisms, and rumors of a small town are very much existent in the town of Paige. The reader is kept in suspense throughout the book, and the ending is surprising and satisfying. This combination of trauma, deception, manipulation, and the quest for justice is a compelling read and will keep the reader in suspense.
I received a free copy of this book from Bleau Press. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lee Chappel enjoys writing suspense and psychological mysteries but still can’t handle the surprises in Scooby Doo.
Lee’s writing patterns are dependent on the whims of a rare green scream chicken, pictured here.
They’d both love to connect with you. Say hello on Goodreads or email lee@leechappel.com.
LINKS TO BUY
REVIEW OF CRICKETS ON INSTAGRAM
*Likes/Support/Follows on Instagram appreciated.
Mountain Pictures and a Story Poem #Poetry #SmokyMountains
Here is the mountain view from my future retirement house in Bryson City, NC. My grandfather bought this land in the 1930s and passed it to his children. I bought my Mom’s house in 2009 and will get to retire here in a couple years. I got to thinking about families who have been on their land for a long time and how you can just feel their presence. So that inspired the story poem below. At the bottom of the page are more shots of our property. All photos by Doug DeMoss.
Welcome Home, Rosalie
I was born here
In a rough cabin knocked together
Cold wind screeching through
But my mother kept me warm and safe
In these mountains all her days
My children ran through these hills
We sweated the fields and hunted the ridges.
We struggled but we thrived
When my end came they gathered round to say goodbye
And my soul rushed away, content.
I came back to visit often
Watching over them as they laughed and cried
Until they joined me, one by one
Now there are no tears.
The cabins are fancy now
The mules gave way to “cars”
The way of life changed as I watched
And before long my great-grandchildren met me.
Now another Rosalie has arrived
Named after me, my daughter, and many other kin
She walks through these hills, not exactly knowing
But feeling all of us as we walk beside her
She can sense but not see
Our hands on her shoulders as we welcome her home
Self-Published Saturday: Leora’s Dexter Stories
Self-Published Saturday is my effort to help Indie and Self-Published authors with one of the most difficult tasks they have to do–marketing. Indie authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing, marketing, and more. If I can help even a little bit with the marketing, I’m happy to do it. This week’s feature is the wonderful Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression. the second in the Leora Series. This is the story of an American family struggling through the depression in rural Iowa.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
The undertow of the Great Depression becomes poignantly personal as we experience the travails of Leora and Clabe Wilson, a displaced Iowa farm family. Gritty determination fuels this family’s journey of loss and hope, a reflection of what many American families endured during those challenging times.
In this true story the Wilsons slowly slide into unemployment and poverty. Leora must find ways to keep her dreams alive while making a haven for her flock of seven children in one run-down house after another.
BOOK REVIEW
This is a wonderful true story of a family of tenant farmers struggling to survive during the depression years in Iowa. Spanning from about 1927 to 1942, we follow the family as they move from farm to farm, working hard to make ends meet and put food on the table. At the same time, we learn the history of a country as it falls into the Great Depression and then tries to rise out of it. We watch the Wilson family suffer hunger, sickness, and heartbreaking loss in a time of great hardship. We watch them go from farming to odd jobs to unemployment, working hard and finding a way to survive.
When the two oldest go off to join the Navy, they put the family on their shoulders instead of leaving them behind, sending money to help keep them warm and fed. The mother, Leora Wilson, who was not allowed to go to high school, gets to see her children graduate against great odds. Through memoirs, letters, photos, and newspaper articles, we follow this family as they learn of the New Deal, finally accept some help from the government, and eventually go off to war. And through it all, we realize that despite their lack of money, they are rich in love, loyalty, grit, and fortitude. This saga of a family and a country speaks in detail of a way of life that no longer exists and documents it for all time. It is a part of American history that should not be missed.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (In Her Own Words)
I am the keeper of family stories, letters, pictures, research, combat records, casualty reports, and terrible telegrams. Active on several history and military Facebook pages, I help administer local ones–Audubon County, Dallas County, and Guthrie County, Iowa–the places where my motherline stories originated, as well as Depression Era Iowa.
Born two days before D-Day to an Iowa farmer who became an Army Air Corps pilot, then an instructor–with orders for combat when the war ended–and an Iowa waitress who lost three of her five brothers during that war. I spent my childhood in an Iowa farmhouse with a front porch. Now I live with my husband, a Vietnam veteran, in a suburban house with a front porch.
I’ve published two books (“Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II” and “Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression.”) I’m a regular contributor to Our American Stories.
Awards: 2021 Great American Storyteller Award by Our American Stories and WHO NEWSRADIO 1040
2021 – First place Our Iowa Stories award named for Joy Neal Kidney.
BUY LEORA’S DEXTER STORIES ON AMAZON
*If you buy the book(s), please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books. Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.
*Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help self-published authors go a long way!
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