Eight stories with a common theme - the wonder of finding love - sweep the reader into sensuous worlds where ordinary people discover, or rediscover, love. Foolish love, forbidden love, married love - even murderous love, each story is a seductive jewel populated with characters that seem like someone we could know - or someone we could be. Each of the stories in this collection is an exquisitely rendered portrait of people from a broad range of ages each proving that passion and love are eternal, regardless of life's far-ranging challenges.
I've read about half the short stories in the book, and I've enjoyed each one.
Here's my Book Beginnings on Friday post from "My Last Romance", the opening to the title story of the book:
8:53 am... 93 degrees.
The bank sign over the neon blue seagulls blinks. The day has scarcely started and already it's past ninety. A thin, watery haze rises from the pavement making me feel like I am driving into a dream. Whose idea was it for us to live in this insufferable climate anyway? Why in God's name did we think once we got old we would want to sweat? It boggles my mind.
And here's my Friday 56 from "The Haven" (56% on my Kindle):
We talk about the work I should be doing as I sit across the table from him watching as he pushes the air from the once-risen dough, divides and shapes it into loaves. He places them neatly on a wooden cutting board, patting them into the shape he wants and covering them with a clean towel. I look at the thick veins that stand out on the insides of his flour dusted forearms and squirm inside. My clothes seem too close to my skin.
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(sponsored by Rose City Reader.)
Interesting teasers. The cover grabs my attention the most though.
ReplyDeleteMy Teaser
I like the cover too. It definitely says "romance."
DeleteSounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteLove your excerpts! I was feeling too lazy to post today, but I enjoyed visiting yours.
ReplyDeleteEverybody needs to take a day off now and then! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
DeleteThose teasers make the book seem an interesting read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBoth excerpts contain very interesting images. I have also often wondered why people want to sweat when they get old. I plan to stay in the Northland for my retirement. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI can relate. I was raised in Texas and lived in South Florida too, and I like the cooler weather in the Pacific Northwest best.
DeleteGood excerpts, Sandra. Makes me want to read more. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat teasers! Interesting cover.
ReplyDeleteI love short stories! You get a new experience many times in one book!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
I agree. Lots of interesting characters and plots in these stories.
DeleteI like that beginning...THANKS for sharing.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Book Beginnings
Not my type of climate. Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteLove stories are good for all seasons!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this!
ReplyDeleteGreat snippets!
ReplyDelete