I’m excited to announce the upcoming release of a short story collection: “In the Tree’s Shadow.”
For those who didn’t see it in my newsletter, here’s the cover:
Blurb
(It might change a bit before the release)
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares co-exist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, or a young mother who has the same dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 to 12k words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
Thanks everyone! The spots have been filled. I will contact you. xo
I won’t have the post ready until end of March. I’m going to be busy for a while with the grandkids so I’m getting things done ahead of time. More on that later.
I’m excited to have fellow Story Empire author and friend Gwen Plano, here today to talk about her latest book, “Redemption.” I’m reading this amazing book right now and loving it. The review will be posted very soon!
Thank you, Denise, for inviting me to your site today. It would be fun to join you for a cup of coffee in your magical Sierra foothills home. Since that’s not possible just yet, I’ll sip alone and share a bit about my latest book.
The story takes place in the Southeast corner of New York state, in the towns of New Rochelle and Cortlandt. The characters drive to Old Lyme, Connecticut, on occasion, but for the most part, the drama is in New York. Having spent about twenty years in and around that area, it was exciting to visit as a writer.
The book tackles themes of forgiveness and redemption through the mechanism of a family thriller. What does it mean to forgive when we’ve been deeply hurt? Is it possible for the culprit to be redeemed? What does that even mean? How do we create our future if we have an unresolved past?
Sometimes complicated situations help us see our own challenges in a different light. That is my hope for this book. Most of us won’t experience threats like those of my characters, but pain is pain, just as joy is joy. One may be more obvious than the other—but not less impactful.
In the excerpt below, the protagonist, Lisa Holmes, acknowledges that she sometimes knows things that others do not. At times her dreams/nightmares become a reality. This special gift plays an important part in the story.
EXCERPT
“Sometimes, I sense things. I can’t explain it. Since I was a kid, I knew things—about people, about places. Sometimes I had dreams.”
“Did you have a dream about this murder?”
“Yes and no. I dreamed of someone murdering Dad. I had the same dream several times, and that’s why I agreed to drive down for a visit. The nightmare didn’t tell me where or when, but I decided to tell my parents of my concerns. I never got to do that. The doorbell rang. I was too late.”
“Did you recognize the man?”
“No. A hoody covered his hair and face. I was in another room and could only make out his nose and hands. Nothing that would help identify him.”
“Your mom?”
“She can’t speak. Can’t move. I don’t know what she saw or if she can remember that day.” Lisa shifts in her seat, uncomfortable, and avoids eye contact.
“I’m deeply sorry, Lisa. This isn’t something you can forget, forgive, or even ignore easily. It will live in you until the mystery gets solved and there’s justice. Because of what you’ve seen and experienced, we might be able to help with that process. Are you ready to begin the work?”
Lisa purses her lips and stares at the psychologist. She doesn’t want to proceed, but given the circumstances, she agrees.
Dr. Schultz picks up his pen and moves forward in his seat. “When you think about your dreams, do you drift into that space?”
“Sort of. I just focus on it as though it were real and don’t pay attention to anything else.”
BLURB
Family secrets can be deadly. When Lisa Holmes visits her parents one fateful Saturday morning, she hugs her father and walks to her childhood bedroom. The doorbell rings. Her father opens the door, and one minute later, he lies dead on the floor—three bullets to the chest.
The Holmes family lives on a quiet street, but no one really knows Eric Holmes. He travels for business and comes home a few days each month. Unbeknown to all, Eric has multiple lives.
In this fast-paced psychological thriller, Lisa and her brother, Trace, embark on a quest to solve the mystery involving the murder of their father. The journey takes them into a secret world where nothing is as it seems. As the puzzle pieces begin to coalesce, they discover the meaning of Redemption.
Faith inherited her grandparents’ cabin in the deep woods of Colorado after her grandfather’s passing. Her best friend, Hope, is staying with her there through the holidays. Faith had broken off her engagement to Josiah while he was away serving in the army and did not know he had returned home. Late one night, someone tries to break into the house, scaring them. Faith believes her grandfather’s death wasn’t an accident and may be connected to the break-in. A massive storm hits, and they end up with some interesting houseguests. “Tall Pines Sanctuary” is a Christian-based story that deals with love, family, and forgiveness. I liked that one resolution was resolved early in the story, but other answers were revealed at the end. There was a beautiful setting, a place I could imagine living, and caring friendships. The pet ferret quickly became a favorite. This was an entertaining story about relationships and a mystery to be solved for those who enjoy faith-based stories.
“Crossroads Diner” is a quick read with a few surprises. Janie is a server in a small diner, and a storm rages outside. A cowboy enters and shows interest in her scars. Then he helps a young woman in trouble. At first, it seems like a tired woman will get the man of her dreams, but it veers off in a different direction. I love how this diner represents a crossroads. The conflict within Janie about why she’s there is never fully brought to light, leaving me curious. A clever story layered into a mysterious personal journey.
“Fractured Reflections” is a collection of poetry that has been published in various outlets but is new to me. I appreciated how emotions, observations, and subjects were approached through the vivid use of images, including nature references. Here are a few of my favorites. “Skeletal trees, up to their knees in mighty snow mounds/gather in paralyzed, mute crowds of bleak shadows”—Cabin Fever in March. “while you gave/me a final blink/and somewhere,/leapt one last time”—A Leaping Dog. “Walking by chains of sturdy oak pews/through the inebriating scent of/Frankincense and Myrrh,/my footsteps echoed off the high ceilings.”—Confirmation. “sculpted flanks shimmering, flexing tightly/each elegant vault pumped with/magnificent potency – until”—Come November. “At first the petals cling to the vine in panic/before succumbing to the darkness,”—A Death Unattended. “Each arm, some scarred with leaves,/other’s bare/slithering, climbing, never ending/their struggle for the screened rays of winter sun.”—The Greenhouse. This is poetry that is meant to be read more than more, and I can easily recommend it.
“All That Was Taken” is a contemporary dramatic thriller. John craves a solitary life. He buys a cottage in a small coastal town that suits his quest for privacy. While it is getting worked on, he stays at a local inn and develops a friendship with the owner, Sunny. As they learn about the losses the other has suffered, it becomes apparent that someone is stalking each of them for different reasons. As the couple unravels their history, their past haunts them in unsettling ways. Although it takes John much longer to share his story, there are a couple of surprises that I couldn’t have guessed. I love how John and Sunny’s dogs take to each other as much as their masters do. Sunny has a supportive group around her, and the group is careful with each other’s feelings. There are many layers to this story, and some include cruel, controlling behavior. This is a unique story for those who enjoy a darker second chance.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
Embrace your inner child, and read a good book! D. L. Finn
I have a new haiku for the Haiku Time Capsule Challenge. I’d love for you to stop by and say hello. A like, share, and/or comment is always appreciated if you are able. I will be pondering on the Time Travel short story challenge and post it here if I am inspired to write it.
“Amanda in France” is an exciting book for middle-grade or youthful adult readers—like me. Amanda gets the opportunity to go to France with her best friend and aunt and stay at a bookstore where she works part-time. When they explore the city, I feel like I’m with them and seeing all the places I’ve dreamed of exploring someday. Amanda gets free tickets to see a musical, they end up in a bomb scare, and a man she keeps seeing is there. I felt her sadness as the fire at Notre Dame burned, and her need to help save the art. Amanda’s best friend has been hanging around someone whom she wondered about his motives and those after him. There is not only history and exquisite details but a mystery to be solved. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure with Amanda and am ready to explore more with her.
“Menagerie” is a wonderful collection of short stories linked together with small-town living. Each story is unique, and several genres and time periods are included. They are beautifully written with attention to detail and vivid descriptions that captured my imagination. It’s hard to pick the ones I liked the best, but “Lone Wolf” immediately won my heart. Jake is trying to get over a painful breakup and camps in the mountains he loves every chance he gets. He runs across a lone wolf, and they watch each other from a distance. There was a potential for healing and a look at a relationship between man and a wild animal. I fell in love with that wolf and the land’s extraordinary beauty, but it isn’t always safe for wild animals around ranches. “Ghost Bridge,” a doctor, fell victim to a local legend in 1889. It is said he haunts a bridge now. Kate moves to an isolated house that overlooks this bridge. I admired the peace she found there but also something else. I enjoy exploring local legends in stories and how they affect the living. “Friends” was a mystery and a reconnection to the past. Cassie is a detective in a small town, and her ex-partner comes to help solve a cold case. It was fun guessing whodunit, along with her working with her partner, Nick. These are thirteen stories that I can highly recommend!
“Life and Other Dreams” is a unique story that questions what reality is for Rick/Dan. Rick is married to Cath, a character I dislike, and works a job he finds uninteresting. At night though, he has vivid dreams as Dan, six hundred years in the future, exploring another planet with his wife, Vanessa. Sleep becomes hard for him, and his wife, Cath, pushes him to get help. He ends up on experimental drugs that help him sleep and make his dreams more lucid. Rick’s wife becomes jealous of his dreams and decides he is cheating on her and leaves. I enjoyed the dream life in the future but disliked Rick’s current timeline and his marriage to Cath, or why he was even with her. He is likable in both realities, though, and you can’t help but root for him. This story doesn’t answer questions and offers more intriguing ones with the ending. I have a few theories and will read the next book to see where this goes and if Cath can redeem herself—or is even real. A fun read for sci-fi fans or those who enjoy a good thought-provoking read.
In 1876, sisters Maura and Emma were the daughters of a hangman in San Antonio. The sisters cared for the town’s yellow fever victims until they weren’t needed. The townspeople decided it was time for the hangman’s daughters to leave. With no house to return to, Maura sets out to find a place for the sisters and the recently orphaned children. She travels to an abandoned mission and discovers three nuns who would welcome them and the children. The Calhoun brothers, Jonas and Cutter, are trying to escape the outlaw gang Jonas has been in. Although twins, the brothers are on different sides of the law. Jonas and Cutter are pursued, and, in a shootout, both are shot. The story follows one unknown brother who finds a place to hide by the mission. Once the children and sisters get settled into the mission, Maura finds this man, takes him in, and doctors him, not knowing who he is. I quickly fell in love with Maura’s character. She was a strong, compassionate woman with a moral compass that guided her actions. Her love for her sister and those children was heartwarming, which nicely balanced how cruel the townspeople were to them. I found it intriguing not to know the brother’s name until the very end and enjoyed getting to know Uncle Max. As Maura and her patient grow close, a family and healing emerge at the mission, but the outlaw gang is a danger to them all. This fast-paced story has a couple of twists that make it hard to put down. I highly recommend “Winning Maura’s Heart” to all who love a good western romance.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
“This is a filtered version of a rose I photographed at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland.” Photographer, Terri Webster Schrandt, from secondwindleisure.com
Hi,
Today I submitted a short story of 1300 words over on Vocal. The Challenge was to start the story with “If walls could talk…” and then write it from their point of view. It is a mixture of the paranormal and a touch of horror. Stop by and offer a like, share, or comment if you can.
“They Call Me Mom” is an insightful look into being an elementary teacher. It starts with not only how Mr. Springer became a teacher after a few years of working minimum wage jobs to the wisdom gained through over thirty years of teaching. This is a great book if you want to understand what it takes to be a skilled teacher and the work behind it. As a student, I had a few outstanding teachers motivate me. As a parent some teachers encouraged not only their class but the parents too. It’s not only from hard work but a level of caring that shines through as it does in this memoir. I enjoyed reading not only his philosophies but how they were applied. The student stories were touching and sometimes amusing. Reading this was good timing for me as my son just signed up to get his high school teaching credentials—so I will pass this along to him. I can easily recommend this to all new teachers, parents, and those who want to be inspired by someone who loved their job and gave it their all.
“Virtually Gone” is book six of the High-Tech Crime Solvers. I haven’t read the first five in the series, but I had no problem jumping into this fast-paced story. Julie is a widow and investigative reporter trying to find a serial killer. Matt is a detective whose sister was killed ten years before, but the person was never caught. Although Julie is dating his partner, they clash as they both try to find a cruel murderer. DNA connects the past murders with the present, adding more urgency to catch this killer. This thrilling, quick read follows the clues to a chilling conclusion. I felt for Matt as he tried to seek justice for his sister. An added bonus, it tied in with Ms. Biggar’s Mended Soul Series. A story that I can easily recommend, especially for those who love a great whodunit.
I loved “Eternal Drive” and was eager to see where the second book would go. I wasn’t disappointed and glad to see James, Sam, and the 1956 Buick Oldsmobile reunite. They were tasked to locate a missing guide, Eddie Rickenbacker, and a new soul, Ryan Sanders, who had died a hero in Afghanistan. One of my favorite parts of the story is the history weaved in and how it is navigated by this group, with Lucifer always a step behind or ahead of them. They visit the Titanic, World War l trenches, the Roman Coliseum, a gold mining camp, and the Auschwitz concentration camp. It is obvious how much research went into the story, which brought their journey to life. Some past events are hard to relive as the group was challenged not to change history. Sam was cruelly treated in their travels by not only Lucifer but men in the past. Luckily there is not only some humor mixed in but hope and faith to counter the hopelessness of a situation. Even with the heaviness of some subjects covered, this story left me hopeful. “The Last Drive” was a wonderful blend of history and paranormal that I can easily recommend.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
