#Bookreview of After Me

By: J. Shep

Publisher: Christopher Whisperings

Publication Date: August 31, 2024

ISBN: 979-8-9884643-1-0

Reviewed by: Nellie Calanni

Review Date: August 30, 2024

After Me by J. Shep presents a poignant and reflective tale set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Alabaster Coast of Normandy. The novel follows two siblings, Ellande and Madeleine-Grace, as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and heritage, exploring the legacy left by their parents and the traditions of their homeland.

The story begins with the young siblings visiting their family’s summer home for the first time since their parents’ passing, under the watchful and loving care of their Aunt Adèle. As they immerse themselves in the beauty of Pays de Caux, they become increasingly aware of the weight of their parents' choices in raising them. These choices, now more evident in their absence, shape the siblings' understanding of what it means to carry forward the values and customs of both their family and their country.

Shep skillfully navigates the themes of heritage, responsibility, and the tension between tradition and change. Ellande and Madeleine-Grace, though still young, find themselves confronting the harsh realities of life, including cruelty and carelessness, that threaten to erode the values they hold dear. Their journey is not just about exploring the physical landscape of Normandy, but also about navigating the emotional terrain of what it means to preserve and honor the past while moving forward.

The novel’s strength lies in its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, which transport readers to the sun-drenched beaches and verdant countryside of Normandy. Shep’s portrayal of the siblings’ bond is tender and authentic, capturing the complexities of sibling relationships and the shared burden of carrying forward a family’s legacy. Aunt Adèle, with her wisdom and nurturing presence, serves as a guiding figure, helping Ellande and Madeleine-Grace reconcile their parents’ teachings with the changing world around them.

After Me is a contemplative and beautifully written novel that explores the enduring significance of family and tradition. J. Shep offers readers a heartfelt story that reflects on the importance of what we choose to carry with us and preserve for future generations. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and tradition in the face of an ever-changing world.

Quill says: After Me by J. Shep is a richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant exploration of family, heritage, and the values we choose to preserve and pass on to those who come after us.

To learn more about After Me, please visit the publisher's website at: www.christopherwhisperings.com/products/after-me-novel-by-j-shep

#Bookreview of Hatfield 1677

By: Laura C. Rader

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Publication Date: May 7, 2024

ISBN:‎ 979-8885280778

Reviewed by: Douglas C. MacLeod, Jr.

Review Date: August 30, 2024

Hatfield 1677, at its core, is a simple love story. However, on its thinner outer layers, this new piece of historical fiction, written by Laura C. Rader, is a novel about a series of events that happened after what is known as (among other monikers) “King Phillip’s War,” a three-year skirmish that has been proven to be one of the bloodiest conflicts in Colonialist American history. Using real-life people as protagonists and antagonists as well as a hefty amount of dramatic license, Rader produces a romantic epic story reminiscent of, but not exclusive to, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie, in that readers tangentially experience the perils and hardships of a time when Netflix, Smart Phones, and Tik Tok, our contemporary creature comforts, did not exist.

Much of this colonial tale of survival and sojourners is narrated by three reliable but stressed storytellers who are inextricably linked together by gory battles, immense suffering at the hands of others, and a boundless need to forage for life-saving resources to assist them on their travels, forced upon them or otherwise. Benjamin Waite is an English settler who witnesses the meaningless slaughter of innocent and friendly Native American men, women, and children, and feels guilty he did nothing to stop the massacre from happening. Martha Waite is Benjamin’s wife, and mother to his three children (with one on the way), who is resourceful, caring, and protective of her family, but also fell victim to a kidnapping at the hands of those Native Americans who lost family and friends in the carnage that was King Phillip’s War. Finally, Ashpelon is an ardent and proud Native American who is the kidnappers’ leader, and exhibits a great deal of compassion and sympathy for those whom he abducted. Throughout the novel, readers follow all three characters as they try to manage and, essentially, save their own lives and the lives of their loved ones, after being involved with the murderous events that took place against the River Indians, a tribe willing to peacefully barter and bargain with White settlers.

Hatfield 1677 is Rader’s debut historical novel, and to her credit, it is a strong piece of writing, most especially in plot structure. Although not a historian by trade--she has a BA in psychology and she minored in history while taking creative writing and literature classes at San Diego State University--it is clear Rader has a significant amount of knowledge about American colonialism and how the English language was spoken during that timeframe in American history. The storyline itself also flows nicely; the work is told using first-person point of views and is linear in its construction, so it makes it easier to follow while also getting immersed in the complicated lives of 1600s European colonial settlers and oppressed Native American populations. Rader, because of her ability to perform pain-staking research and to tell a comprehensive tale, fully understands the cultural mores, struggles, and confrontations that shaped the United States of America, no matter how gruesome or unethical the historical events were. The most compelling storyteller in Hatfield 1677 is Ashpelon, who is avenging the deaths of his peoples by taking European community members hostage. With a keen ear for dialogue and an understanding of the mind and how it works, Rader fleshes out what it was (and is) like to be Native American: what it must have been like to be living peacefully on your own lands for them to be suddenly taken away by opportunistic poachers and devious charlatans who come from across the ocean and claim to be friendly but end up being murderous thieves. With Rader’s work being introduced into a genre filled with other fantastic works about this stained period in American history, the idea that history is always told by the winners continues to be debunked, and audiences are now hearing the more interesting stories of those who lost everything, which in many cases included their lives.

Admittedly, it is clear Rader is not generally a writer of novels. Although an effective work, Hatfield 1677 does heavily depend on the dialogue to tell the story, which means exposition and details about the historical context sometimes get lost. Readers may want to learn more about King Philip’s War, for example; or, they may want to get a better sense of the setting and the timeline as to when events were happening. Even if readers know where the actions are taking place based on what the characters tell us (the book primarily takes place in Massachusetts and New York), ultimately, because of the substantial use of dialogue, it is hard to visualize everything that is taking place within the story. With that said, however, Hatfield 1677 is still successful at keeping the audience engaged and connected with the main characters and their respective sometimes dramatic, sometimes tragic, sometimes thrilling, journeys through the primitive American wilderness.

Quill says: Rader’s debut novel is an engaging, solid, well-researched piece of writing that could benefit from additional historical details.

For more information on Hatfield 1677, please visit the author's website at: www.lcrwriter.com

 #Bookreview of Double Takedown

By: Kevin G. Chapman

Publisher: First Legacy Publishing LLC

Publication Date: December 15, 2024

ISBN: 978-1-958339-22-0

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: August 30, 2024

Kevin G. Chapman's police procedural thriller Double Takedown (A Mike Stoneman Mystery) is an intriguing read that revolves on the dramatic investigation into a horrific murder shrouded in mystery which occurs at a charity ballet event at Lincoln Center.

After the poisoning of lead actor Alex Bishop, detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson quickly gather evidence against the main suspect, Nathan Matthews. With the trial just around the corner, Matthews maintains his innocence and claims he was set up. However, the testimony of multiple witnesses suggests that Matthews had the opportunity and motivation to kill Bishop. His dissatisfaction supposedly stemmed from Bishop's leading part in a production he was the director of. He openly disregarded Bishop, terming him as a washed-up movie star and even said he wanted him to die so he could hire a different actor. The night before he died, Matthews had handed Bishop a drink at a function. His browser history also showed he had looked up the heart medicine Bishop was taking secretly.

Concerned that the real murderer may still be at large, an ex-policeman who is now a private investigator contacts Mike and Jason. He works for Matthews and is seeking a reopening of the case to establish his client's innocence prior to trial. His view of the case sends the two detectives seeking out a fake alibi recruited by an individual believed to have a deep-seated grudge against Bishop. However, witnesses begin to die mysteriously, as a well calculated series of falsehoods lead the authorities and prosecution further away from the truth.

This story delves deeply into drug abuse, premeditated murder, and extreme treachery. It eloquently conveys the complexities of friendship, professionalism, love gone sour, promiscuity, and jealousy. The protagonists are especially confronted with heartbreaking inadequacies that cast doubt on their sleuth skills and capacity to pursue justice in the face of fierce opposition. The plot twists and turns to a fascinating, unexpected, yet rewarding reveal as fresh information becomes accessible. The heroes are forced to act and think creatively, though, as a result of a supervisor brutally stifling the new evidence. With the introduction of their spouses, their familial values and strong work ethic add to the reading enjoyment. The high-stakes atmosphere of their work displays a red-hot zone where prompt decision making must be double-checked to prevent heart-stopping dilemmas from occurring.

As far as contemporary police procedurals go, this series is bound to stand the test of time and is unquestionably one of the best thrillers out there. Chapman's storytelling gifts are many and varied. Multifaceted character development, realistic and engaging conversation writing, and narrative development are all areas in which he thrives. Only after you peel back the layers of his writing do you realize you have not really figured out the plot, even if you thought you did.

Quill says: The sixth installment in the Mike Stoneman Mystery series, Double Takedown is a mind-blowing and perfect detective mystery read.

For more information on Double Takedown, please visit the author's website at: kevingchapman.com

 #AuthorInterview with Terry Broxson

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Carolyn Haley is talking with Terry Broxson, co-author of 12 New Christmas Stories.

FQ: Please tell us more about what inspired you to initiate this collection. For instance, did somebody in FanStory say something that gave you an “aha” moment, or did the idea arise independently? Or had you been mulling the idea for a long time and something triggered action?

BROXSON: Three of the stories in the book by Lee Hill and Jay Squires had won the contest for best Christmas Story for the three years. I really liked all three. I was familiar with their work. But I had not considered making a book. Last December, I read Diane Kenel-Truelove’s The Magic of Santa’s Box. The idea struck me. This story, Jay’s and Lee’s stories, and a few others would make a good Christmas book.

FQ: When it came to gathering the stories, did you put out a call among your FanStory colleagues inviting submissions, or did you have contributors in mind and approached them separately?

BROXSON: From the start, I knew Diane, Jay, and Lee needed to be part of the book. I also became friends with Ann Mullen-Martin. FanStory has members from all over the world. Ann and I found out we lived 25 miles from each other in the Dallas area. We are the only ones in the group who have met and spoken words to each other.

I had also read two of her Christmas stories when she was growing up in rural Louisiana in the 1950s. She showed me a third one, a fiction story based on her daughter and son-in-law adopting a baby. They are wonderful stories.

I also had a few Christmas stories, so I felt we had all the authors we needed for this project.

FQ: I’m curious about the logistics of managing the project. How many stories did you consider before winnowing it down to twelve? Was each selection a group choice, or did you serve as editor and made the selections? Did you have parameters such as length limit per story, or specific topics to include or avoid?

BROXSON: The first thing we agreed on was that there should be 12 stories. It sounded right for a book of short stories for Christmas.

The final decision about which stories to include was left up to the individual author. The question was simple: “Which of your stories do you like best?”

We discussed the book’s title a bit. We wanted 12 in the title, thinking of the 12 days of Christmas. Lee wanted us to add “New.” Our publisher’s editor said to keep it simple, and that’s how we got 12 New Christmas Stories, An Anthology.

FQ: How did you go about publishing the anthology? These days one can indie, hybrid, and traditionally publish. Was the decision collective, or did you marshal the manuscript from manuscript to release? Either way, what route did you take to publication?

BROXSON: We used a hybrid publisher, Atmosphere Press. I used them to publish a Christmas book in 2023. They produced a really good product for me, and I thought they would again.

The group's business structure was pretty simple. A budget was established for the project. Three of the authors became investors and provided the working capital. All authors own a piece of the project.

Most decisions are made as a group, and the process has been fun and educational.

FQ: Of the many topics you could build an anthology about, why did you choose Christmas?

BROXSON: I suppose several things came together at once. I had just published a Christmas book and had written several other Christmas stories, and then when I read Diane's story, a voice seemed to say, “A Christmas book with short stories.”

FQ: I imagine there are many more Spirit of Christmas stories to be told. Do you plan to make this an annual project, or will this volume remain unique?

BROXSON: Excellent question. You’re right about many more stories. It doesn’t mean our group would write them all, but we might consider publishing others as well. Or maybe we can sponsor a contest and choose new stories that way. The possibilities are intriguing. We do hope that this edition is around for a long time.

FQ: What else do you have in mind to write or have written before/during/since creating the anthology?

BROXSON: Last year, I did a Christmas book, Santa Claus: The Beginning.

Our authors continue to write and contribute to FanStory, Medium, and anywhere else we can.

 #Bookreview of 12 New Christmas Stories

By: Terry Broxson, Lee Allen Hill, Diane Kenel-Truelove, Ann Mullen-Martin, Jay Squires

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: July 31, 2024

ISBN: 979-8891323797

Reviewer by: Carolyn Haley

Review Date: August 27, 2024

This anthology proves that nice stories don’t have to be dull. Aptly named 12 New Christmas Stories, it comprises a dozen fresh tales presenting emotions and events associated with Christmases past and present.

Opening with a young boy and his dog in the high desert trying to buy a turkey for his mother for the holiday meal (but losing it to a mountain lion on the way home), and closing with another young boy in the city trying to arrange a special meal for his firefighter mother (who can’t be home in time, and he can’t cook), the stories range across Christmas traditions. Each offers a creative and poignant twist on family meals, gift exchanging, Santa Claus, shopping, singing, and choosing a tree.

The common denominator is Christmas as a time to give and receive from the heart, covering diverse “reasons for the season.” Kindness and generosity are the prevailing themes, and manifest in different forms.

All the stories present hardships and feelings ordinary people can relate to. We experience them through the eyes of children from tots to teens, along with adult men and women, representing different cultures and faiths. There’s even a talking cat who tells how she came to be named Holly, through a pedigree back to the Old West.

The collection differs from most by mixing fiction and nonfiction; or, more precisely, memoir, drawing from the nonfiction authors’ personal reminiscences. The mix highlights the close relationship between reality and fiction, showing how universal truths can be expressed through story.

One does not need to be a Christian to understand and share the spirit of Christmas conveyed through these tales. A paragraph from “Bring Back the Carolers” captures the book’s essence: “As we sat there, munching our cookies, sipping the scalding liquid from cups cradled in both hands, dabs of white cream on the tips of our noses, the Spirit of Christmas seeped right down into our bones, stored like a muscle memory where it would never be forgotten.” These stories seep into the body and soul in a similar way.

An introduction by contributor Terry Broxson explains how he came to gather the material from prize-winning authors he met through participation in FanStory, an internet writer’s forum. Five of the authors contributed one to three stories each to compile this original collection. Some stories are sad or nostalgic, most are sweet, and one has a laugh-out-loud-funny resolution. All are thought-provoking, and none contain the types of ugliness that pervade modern fiction and media.

The stories are short and easy to read, equally appropriate for private savoring or group sharing. The volume is ideal as a stocking stuffer. It’s also ideal any time one needs a shot of inspiration or something to comfort and inspire others. The authors invite all readers to not just enjoy the stories as a holiday tradition, but also to create their own traditions year-round to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Quill says: If you want or need to have your heart warmed, treat yourself to 12 New Christmas Stories, any time of year—and pass the warmth around!

For more information on 12 New Christmas Stories, please visit the book’s website at: 12newchristmasstories.com

 #Bookreview of The Committed Professor, A Memoir: My Fall from the Lectern to the Psych Ward

By: Kathi N. Miner, PhD

Publisher: KNM Publishing

Publication Date: May 10, 2024

ISBN: 979-8990653504

Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford

Review Date: August 26, 2024

In a direct and raw account of horrors, Kathi Miner shares the egregious assaults she experienced during her marriage (and divorce proceedings), across the pages of her memoir: The Committed Professor, A Memoir: My Fall from the Lectern to the Psych Ward.

Before one can delve into Dr. Miner’s countless abuses she endured during her marriage to Seth, one should take pause and read the quote at the beginning: “Silence about trauma also leads to death—the death of a soul:” Bessel V. Van der Kolk. Without question, this is the embodiment of the overarching story about to unfold. Dr. Miner explains how it took her ten years to write her memoir, and I can only surmise it is due to the constant barrage of abuses her ex-husband Seth tortured her soul with. The story opens with Dr. Miner sharing memories of a lighter and happier time—Christmas and the joys she remembered waking up to on this special day. As a child, she emotes the wonders and magic of running down to the tree where Santa has left a bounty of presents for all good little girls and boys. She steps into the loss of her mother when she was barely fifteen due to an allergic reaction and ultimately dying from asphyxiation. From there, the story fast-forwards to her meeting Seth at a party. He is the most gorgeous guy in the room and he ‘picks her.’

Kathi Miner is an accomplished and bright individual. She professes early on how grateful wouldn’t begin to describe how she felt about her life. She takes the reader on the journey of her educational accomplishments to arrive at the coveted and tenured position at a top university, Texas A&M. She is facing down forty and laments over her blessed life—a loving husband, two beautiful children, a magnificent home. How ironic that her studies embodied her own principles and values when it came to combating sexism and gender inequality in relations and society. She was committed to a fault when it came to lecturing on the importance of both. When she learns the husband she has been married to for fifteen years is living a double life of adultery (compounded by his narcissistic abuses that surface after she files for divorce), her last battle will place her in a psychiatric hospital before she begins her long and painful journey of healing.

Kathi Miner holds nothing back in telling her horrific life encounters from the time she met Seth until, like a phoenix, she began her rise from the ashes. The graphic scenes and intentional arrangement of descriptive encounters left me feeling sad, angry, joyous (whenever there was a light of triumph for her) and disgust. While I cannot speak for other women, I can speak first-hand what it is like for a woman in contrast to a man, when a blatant miscarriage of outcome has occurred. Dr. Miner often professes her allegiance with being a feminist, but her story delves deeper. It’s important to note that she never once played her role as the victim. Rather, she is direct and compelling with her word placement to get her point across. I was not familiar with the clinical explanation of what a narcissist is, but after learning the definition, it gave me goosebumps to think I have personally known a few in my lifetime. It’s far too easy to sit in judgment of why a woman (or man) will gravitate toward the abuses and we (as the outsiders) watch in utter disgust because we cannot believe they put up with that. There are a multitude of moments in Dr. Miner’s memoir when I had to take a pause in order to digest simple realities. One quote in particular sums up many facets of abuse: “but like a recovering addict confronted by their drug of choice, it was hard to resist, and I always regretted it when I used…”

Quill says: The Committed Professor, A Memoir: My Fall from the Lectern to the Psych Ward is a tantamount example of the courage it takes to face your demons and the triumph that awaits on the other side.

For more information about The Committed Professor, A Memoir: My Fall from the Lectern to the Psych Ward, please visit the author's website at: kathiminerphd.com

 #Bookreview of Perfectly You by Leigh Doest

By: Leigh Doest

Illustrated by: Marcin Poludniak

Publisher: Write Way Press

Publication Date: October 11, 2024

ISBN: 9789083446905

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: August 25, 2024

Mom-to-be Flamingo is so excited to be having a baby flamingo very soon in Perfectly You by Leigh Doest. She dutifully sits on her egg day and night counting the time before it hatches. It’s such a special time that flamingos from all around come to see this special egg for themselves. When it finally hatches, Mom and Dad are in for a big surprise. Flo, the baby flamingo, looks nothing like what everyone has imagined her to look like.

Flo is very different looking from all the other graceful and beautiful flamingos. She has eyes that are big and bobbly, her neck is a bit crooked, and her legs are short and chubby. No matter how Flo tries to blend in with the other flamingos, she stands out because she looks so different from the others. Plus, she has no special skills like the others do. Does Flo realize that looking and being different makes her unique and special? Does she ever fit in with the other flamingos?

This reviewer adored this story from cover to cover. The idea that Leigh Doest created Flo to be completely different looking, and made her have no special skills like the other flamingos did, was honestly a breath of fresh air. The story allowed the readers to fall in love with Flo because of her uniqueness from the other flamingos. It teaches children that looking and being different from others is something to be proud of, not something to hide from. Flo was a character that adults and children alike will easily fall in love with because she’s so sweet.

Since Flo was so different, it was a pleasure to see that Doest made Flo use her uniqueness in a positive way by allowing her to help other flamingos with whatever they might need. She learned to be proud of who she was, and in turn took that positive mindset to do great things for the other young flamingos that came to her for assistance. In showing how giving she was of her kindness, children will want to be like Flo and offer kindness to others in need as well.

The illustrations provided by Marcin Poludniak were colorful and very humorous to look at. There were illustrations provided on every page for the readers to enjoy and they pulled the readers further into Flo’s story just by looking at them. They were the perfect accompaniment to telling the author’s story. Readers will easily find themselves smiling at Flo’s silly adventures throughout the pages.

Quill says: Perfectly You by Leigh Doest is one children’s book that you will want to have your children read because it promotes positive thinking and shows that being different and unique makes you special. It comes highly recommended!

For more information on Perfectly You, please visit the author's website at: leighdoest.com