I’m thrilled to welcome fellow Story Empire author and friend here today, Joan Hall, to talk about her latest release, “Menagerie.” Here is my review: LINK
Lone Wolf
Thank you for sharing your space with me today, Denise. It’s a pleasure to be here to tell you and your readers about my newest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. I feature a different story in each tour stop and tell what inspired me to write it. You’re an animal and nature lover like me, so today’s story is Lone Wolf.
Many of your readers will remember the late Suzanne Burke. She used to feature a weekly flash fiction photo prompt and invite readers to compose a short piece of fiction. I participated several times. One week, she shared a photo of a wolf.
Immediately, my mind went to a replica of a painting that hung on a bedroom wall in my Aunt Jessie’s house. Lone Wolf was by Polish artist Alfred Kowalski. In the painting, a wolf stood on a snow-covered hill overlooking a small village.
My creative juices began to flow. What if a lonely cowboy befriends a solitary wolf? Can a wild animal and a human develop a connection? The original flash fiction piece was around 750 words. I took the original story, expanded it to just over 3,000 words, and added a few characters.
Music also inspires my writing. John Denver fans might recognize elements of his song from the Farewell Andromeda album, “I think I’d Rather Be a Cowboy” in this story. John was also a lover of nature and an advocate of nature conservation. It’s my hope that Lone Wolf shows people and wildlife can co-exist.
Excerpt:
Jake tossed another log onto the campfire then lay back on his bedroll with his hands clasped behind his head to gaze at the countless stars. Arcturus sparkled like a diamond within the constellation Boötes, its brightness surpassed only by Venus in the western sky. The Big Dipper hovered near the horizon.
How could anyone look upon this beauty and not feel peace and contentment? The thought of living in a large city with the constant noise of traffic, honking horns, and sirens left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. Places where man-made light and pollution all but obliterated a view of the stars and where smog filled the daytime skies. Jake wanted no part of that kind of life.
Soon, the warmth of the fire lulled him to sleep. Jake wasn’t sure how long he dozed when a wolf’s howl awakened him. He listened earnestly. Most wolves in this area didn’t venture too close to civilization, but he was a good five miles from the ranch’s headquarters. The canines traveled in packs, but this one was alone. Likely a young male on the move to find new territory.
The cry faded into the distance. Assured he had nothing to fear, Jake crawled into his sleeping bag. Before long, he was sound asleep.
Blurb:
King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?
Each is a famous menagerie.
While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.
Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.
These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/jh-menagerie
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This sounds like a great story. I love the idea of humans and animals living together.
Wolves are among my favorite animals, Darlene. I do believe we should strive to achieve a balance between man and nature.
It is a great story, Darlene 🙂 I love the same thing of humans and animals living together peacefully.
Oh, how I remember Soooz (such a dear friend) and her writing prompts. I’ve spun a few of them into completely stories too, Joan.
Lone Wolf is a great tale, in a wonderful collection of stories. I thoroughly enjoyed Menagerie and highly recommend it.
Thanks for hosting today, Denise!
Thanks for your recommendation, Mae. I do miss Soooz. Those writing prompts were often just what I needed to spur ideas or get me through a “dry spell.”
She was a dear friend to us, Mae, and missed. I did rhe same thing with her prompts or left them short. It is a great story and collection. Happy to be hosting!
I listen to a lot of John Denver’s music while writing, so Lone Wolf is piquing my interest. It sounds like a great story. Thanks for hosting Joan today, Denise!
John Denver is one of my favorite singers. Sadly, he died much too young. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jill.
I can see how John Denver would be inspiring to write to, Jill. It is a fabulous story and collection! Very happy to have Joan here today 🙂
These are all sounding great, Joan.
Thanks, Craig.
They are, Craig 🙂
Thanks for hosting me today, Denise. It’s a pleasure to visit with you and your readers. I appreciate your support for Menagerie.
I loved your collection, and you couldn’t have picked a better story for the visit 🙂
Sooo enjoying this book so far, Joan, and I highly encourage anyone who hasn’t yet grabbed their copy to do so asap! Thanks for a great post today, Denise, and Joan, here’s to many, many, MANY sales ahead for Menagerie. It’s a super read! 😊❤️
That makes me happy, Marcia. I appreciate your support and your recommendation for the book. <3
It is a great read, Marcia! I give the same encouragement to get their copy to enjoy.
I wish I had started this book before the one I did. Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations, Joan and thank to Denise for hosting.
Thanks, John. I do hope you enjoy the stories.
I’m sure I will.
You have some good reading ahead, John 🙂 Happy to have Joan here today!
I believe that too.
Congratulations, Joan! I wish you all the best with your new release! I can’t wait to read this!
Thank you so much, Kymber.
It’s a good one, Kymber! Happy reading 🙂
I’m enjoying Menagerie and even more so now, seeing behind the scenes! Wishing you every success, Joan! Thanks for sharing, Denise. Hugs 💕🙂
These behind the scenes posts were fun to write. Thanks, Harmony.
It does add to the depth of reading knowing the background, Harmony. Happy to share in Joan’s great work 🙂
Lone Wolf is a great story. I sure enjoyed Menagerie!
I’m so glad you did, Priscilla!
It is a good one, as is the collection, Priscilla, I agree 🙂
I’m with Jake on his dislike of cities! I look forward to seeing how he first meets the lone wolf.
Me too, Liz. Concrete jungles just don’t appeal to me.
I feel the same, put me i nature, Liz 🙂 You have sone good reading ahead.
🙂
Wolves are interesting animals and John Denver’s songs are inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
I agree on both counts. John’s music has inspired a lot of my writing.
It’s a great combination, nature’s wolves and John Denver. Makes for great reading 🙂
I like the sound of this one, particularly the aspect of a friendship between a human and a wild animal. Yes, we definitely need to find a balance between economic needs while protecting nature. I cans see why Joan’s mind went to the John Denver connection.
Yes, John was an advocate for conservation and he loved wildlife. Plus, I loved his music. Thanks for visiting today, Pete.
It’s a good read, Pete. I agreed there has to be that balance. I saw that Jihn Denver influence.
This was one of my favorite stories in Joan’s new book. I could feel Jake’s loneliness, as could the wolf. A great collection of stories that I highly recommend! Thanks for hosting today, Denise. Best wishes to Joan!
Thank you, Jan. Lone Wolf was a favorite to write as well. I appreciate your recommendation.
My favorite story too, Jan and definitely a great collection.
This seems like a great book launch, Joan. Best of luck with it.
Thanks so much, Jacqui!
It’s a great read, Jacqui, and launch 🙂
Congratulations on your new release, Joan! It sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing, Denise!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Yvette!
It is a great collection of stories, Yvettee! Happy to share.
Soooz was an inspiration. Thanks to her, I took my first foray into writing short stories, and loved it!
Lone Wolf sounds great, Joan. I deeply believe humans and animals can connect on a spiritual level, they’ve even been known to save lives!
Soooz sure was an inspiration, Jacquie. Lone Wolf was my favorite, but the entire collection is good.
I believe that too, Jacquie. Animals can certainly sense if a human intends to harm them or if they are kind and compassionate.
I didn’t know Soooz inspired you to write short stories. Her legacy lives on!
Congratulations, Joan! You have my interest with Lone Wolf. I remember Soooz, such a wonderful person, always kind and encouraging. It was fun to participate it in Flash Fiction. Thanks for sharing this, Denise.
Its a good one, Mark! It was fun to participate in her flash fiction and she was always very encouraging.
Thanks, Mark. I agree about Soooz. She was a caring and encouraging person. One who is greatly missed.
Sounds like fascinating reads. Thanks for sharing, Denise.
scoxo
Thank you, Sandra. I enjoyed writing these stories.
It really is, Sandra and I agree about the cover. Xo
PS. Nice cover! 🙂
And thanks for the compliment on the cover!
HI Denise, another excellent extract from this collection of short stories. I remember Suzanne Burke, her passing was quite unexpected to me.
Hi Robbie. Thanks for stopping by. Suzanne was a wonderful person who is greatly missed.
It is an great excerpt and story, Robbie. It was very sad to lose Soooz.