ALL'S WELL: An Eclectic Collection of Short Stories (45,829 words)
+ BONUS: Preview chapters from three of the author's books!
No Place to Cry
Sometimes a woman just needs a good cry, you know? Jolie’s got a job, a husband, and three kids who dare her to keep up with their antics. When life gets her down, what’s she supposed to do when she can’t find a private place to open the flood gates?
Brave Little Soldier
A family loses a husband and a father on December 7, 1941. Mama grieves for the man she loved; Robbie grieves for Papa, but also for his lost childhood. Mama expects him to be the man of the house and tolerates no tears. Decades later, Mama still mourns her lost love. Laden with guilt, she holds herself responsible for Papa’s death. After all, she encouraged him, a German immigrant, to fight for his new country. After years of keeping herself distanced emotionally from her family, Mama is about to reveal a startling encounter that will change their lives forever.
The RBs
Teaching needlework can be a challenge, but Abby has been doing it successfully for years. Inevitably, there’s a rudester in the group—usually more than one. This latest class is no different, except they’re much worse than any who have come before. Abby stitches up a bit of mild retribution, completely dumbfounded when her efforts net unexpected results.
One More Time
Didi and Eric McCumber have three kids, a dog, jobs, a mortgage, and a marriage on the way out. Didi is recovering from a fractured skull as a result of an accident; Eric is not being supportive, but he’s cocky about his husbandly rights, even if Didi is laid up in a hospital bed. She’s had it with her husband and Eric’s out the door. Now that push has come to shove, is it inevitable they’ll wind up in divorce court, or will life deliver a slew of little surprises?
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
All her friends are married and having babies, but Caty Santangelo is still looking for the right guy. She’ll know if she’s met him when they exchange their first kiss. So far, not one of her relationships has lasted more than one month. On this particular night, Caty’s date is sixteen minutes late. She heads to her godfather’s restaurant alone. The place is packed, but Caty can always get a table. Luigi asks, would she mind sharing hers? Caty expects one of the neighborhood ladies to join her, and instead a stranger joins her. Sebastiano Cervi has nice lips, but can he kiss?
Who’s There?
Serena Jackman could put the doomsday preppers to shame. Not that she has a warehouse full of food and supplies, but she has contingency plans for all types of situations and emergencies. She’s upstairs putting away laundry when two punks knock on the door and take her husband hostage in a home invasion. Serena springs into action. With surprising innovation and an unexpected outcome, she learns that she’s pretty good at winging it, too.
And for a change of pace…
The Three Bares
Goldie Locke is out for a stroll in the nearby woods. It’s her birthday and she’s just happy to be alive, enjoying the beautiful sunny day until she hears the growls. The love of her life, Joe, did warn her there may be bears in the forest. Then she happens upon a garish little cottage with three creatures flitting around outside. These are not bears, though, but they are bare. And they have green polka dots and three eyes. What in the world has she encountered and why is she thinking that even though they invite her to join them for lunch, she may be the main course?
