Sara, a Canadian Saga

Sara, a Canadian Saga 

The time is 1916. Sara is a 10 year old girl in rural Prince Edward Island. Roy is a 10 year old boy in mining town, Nova Scotia. Through their eyes we see, feel and experience their childhood challenges.

We follow them through adolescence and their turbulent teen years. We celebrate their courtship and suffer their lost innocence in the wedding ritual. They take us through the Great Depression and share with us the frustrations, dreams and challenges they face in adulthood. As parents they introduce us to their children.

This story appeals to all ages because Sara and Roy hold up a mirror and ask the reader to recognize truth about the human condition for many Canadian families through difficult economic times. We witness love that does not come neatly wrapped and experience the quiet, sometimes desperate, drama of lives unfolding.

Sara, a Canadian Saga  is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.

 

Thanks for visiting my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy

#15 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Canadian
#16 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Canadian > Drama

Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy is holding its own in Amazon.ca's Kindle Store. This book has been in the top 100 in its category for quite some time now.

If you haven't read it, check it out.

Visit my author's page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

When God Gives Us Spring ... a novella

Michael Custis Washington is a young black slave living on a cotton plantation in the Province of Virginia. He was born in 1802. Left an orphan at the age of five he is taken into the big house by his master, Alfred Gordon, to be trained as a house servant.

While in this house he suffers severe emotional and sexual abuse. When he finally runs away with his wife Lucinda he is helped by the Quakers. Through the Underground Railway they reach the Elgin Settlement in Ontario, Canada. Freedom is his at last.

But when the American Civil War breaks out in 1861 Michael chooses to join the Union Army. He works his way back to Virginia. Is he seeking justice or vengeance?

When God Gives Us Spring is available in both Kindle and Paperback on all Amazon sites.
My author's page is found at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Passion for Staying Put, a short story, free in the Kindle Store January 12, 2018

Eleven years have passed. Arthur and Marion attempt to move on in the aftermath of the tragic loss of their only child, Jennifer. 

 

Passion for Staying Put was a semi-finalist in the 2013 John Kenneth Galbraith Short Story Writing Award Competition.

 

From the Author

As a mother and a grandmother I cannot imagine anything more devastating than to experience the loss of a child.  To move on; get over it; get on with life must be near impossible yet there are many who, like the characters in this story, do find a way to take the steps from one day into the next.   To write about such a life event was an emotional experience for me.  God bless all who lose a child yet find the inner strength to carry on.

About the Author

Audrey Austin's passion is creative writing. She recently celebrated her tenth writing anniversary and invites you to enjoy her many short stories, novellas and novels. Check out her author's page at amazon.com/author/audreyaustin   Austin lives and works in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada.

 

Passion For Staying Put,  a short story, is free in the Kindle Store Friday, January 12, 2018 for your reading pleasure.

 

Visit my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

 

The Hole In The Wall ... a short story... free in the Kindle Store January 8, 2018

The Hole In The Wall,  a short story, is free Monday, January 8th, in the Kindle Store.

Lucille is worried. The mortgage is due and she doesn't have the money. What leads her into the basement? And is the hole in the wall really an answer to prayer?

From the Author

To buy a home on your own when you are a single woman in your senior years takes a lot of courage, faith in self, and downright determination.   I know this from some personal experience.  And I was able to draw upon personal memories when writing the short story, A Hole In The Wall.   I hope you enjoy the story.

About the Author

Audrey Austin's passion is creative writing. She recently celebrated her tenth writing anniversary and invites you to enjoy her many short stories, novellas, and novels. Check out her author's page at http://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

Austin lives and works in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada, and is Coordinator for Elliot Lake Writers; a vibrant writers group.

 

 

 

 

Farewell 2017 and Hello 2018

This will be my final blog post in 2017.

What a year this has been!  A most challenging year; a most disappointing year; and a most rewarding year.  For me, that's life.  Life is good and life goes on.   Life goes on even when we are no longer participating in the human race here on this planet we call home. 

In 2017 my life focused on illness; on packing and unpacking; on down-sizing; on moving house; on losing dear Brian; my loved one.   And my life focused on  the publication of my book, All Them Houses.   More good friends moved away and my friend, Rachel, suddenly passed away.   There were family matters and, hopefully, these matters have run their course because to me, family matters.  Baby Benjamin was born and with his arrival, comes hope, faith, and trust for a better world.

There were times throughout 2017 where it was all I could do to simply put one foot in front of the other and pray for positive outcomes.   There were times of comfort and reassurance when supportive friends made me know they were there for me.   

The behaviour of my fur babies improved day by day throughout 2017.  They are now the loves of my life; the centre of my world; and I know I would be lost without them.   Yes, they are far from perfect and that is perfectly fine with me.  They accept my imperfections and love me as I love them; unconditionally.

And this old lady has registered to take some on-line university studies.  And I hope to do well enough, especially once the specialist will finally remove the film from the lens of my eyes so that I can, once and for all, be rid of the blurred vision I've been dealing with the last few months.

I don't look for converts but it is my belief that all dis-ease originates in the emotions.   I experienced sadness in 2017 that I truly did not want to see; the suffering of a loved one and the necessity to accept that I could not fix it.  No, I did not want to see this.   So I am not surprised when the specialist tells me the lens of my eyes need a laser zap to clear my vision.

Yes, there have been challenges and disappointments throughout 2017.

There has been joy, happiness, and hope throughout 2017.   There has been much learning.  I have learned who my true friends are and I love my friends.

I have let go and I have let God guide me often throughout this year.   Some people viewed me as being very strong in trying circumstances.   I saw me as someone who had no choice.  I saw me as someone who knelt and prayed for understanding; hope; and strength.   I learned to say, "Thy will be done" and mean it.

I have learned to love my house.  The necessity for the move to this house no longer existed but I was in it anyway and perhaps one day I will once again appreciate the necessity for being where I am.

I have learned that expectation is an invitation to disappointment.     I am learning to let go of expectation; it is a process.

There is joy.  There is the joy of watching Sam and Lila bark, play, eat, and wag their little tails as they run around their new backyard.   There is the joy of a new adventure with oil painting.   I have the joy of attempting to paint faces on canvas.  I know that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.   I don't mind waiting and, in the meantime, I paint anyway.

There is the joy of creative writing.  I am working on two books currently.  The working title of one is From John, Paul, to Bedlam and of the other One Woman's Journey Through Grief.   I hope to successfully complete each of these manuscripts.

There is the joy of new beginnings.  I have bitten the bullet and I am happy to say that I accept the leadership responsibilities of Elliot Lake Writers from my dear friend who has been meeting the challenge throughout the past four years.   With the participation and help of my writing friends, I know we can be a vibrant and positive addition to our arts community.

Life is good and life goes on.

Thank you to all who read my blog posts; buy and read my books; and thank you all for caring about me.  I love you too.

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2018!  ♥♥♥

Recompense

Maurice Wilson lives in Salt River, a small town near Cape Town, South Africa. He is the son of a black father and a Caucasian mother. After the sudden death of his parents he makes the decision to move to High River, Alberta, Canada, the place of his mother’s birth in search of a sense of belonging. He becomes a Canadian citizen, is employed as a mail carrier for Canada Post. The morning of his first day on the job he meets Alison Pierce, a plain woman whose silent passions run deep. Shortly into her relationship with Maurice all her hopes for fulfillment plummet however she continues to live with him for more than twenty-five years. In their later years Maurice and Alison become acquainted with the Internet and with the Senior Befriender Chat Room. When temptation with the name of Conrad enters their lives the shared bonds of loyalty and trust are put in jeopardy. Will deception rule the day?

Bringing two worlds together was my goal in bringing together Maurice from Salt River, Capetown, South Africa and   Alison, a postal clerk in High River, Alberta, Canada.  Cultures blend but passion is lacking.  I thought of these two people living together as a couple; not too unlike many couples who live together for years in unsatisfactory, unfulfilling, and boring relationships. Then I thought what if, when they reach their senior years, something happens to wake them up?    That's when I decided to introduce Conrad and the Senior Befriender Chatroom.    Writing "RECOMPENSE' was an enjoyable challenge.  Most of us are unused to reading about senior men and women in romantic situations .......... I thought maybe it is time that I write something that will make us see our elders through new eyes. 

RECOMPENSE  is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.

Thanks for visiting my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Look for me on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and Google Plus.

Your positive reviews are always welcome on Amazon and on Goodreads.

Simply BE

Simply BE is a collection of inspirational thoughts, sayings and quotations. This book is a reminder of the importance of striving to be who we really are. It’s all about choice, and knowing that who we really are is a good thing to be,

From the Author

I wanted to illustrate this book although I am not a visual artist.  The most important thing I hope to illustrate is that we don't have to be perfect.  We do the best we can with what we have and give thanks.

It is my hope that Simply BE will encourage you to step up and be all that you know you can be.

From the Back Cover

Simply BE ...  Sometimes we forget that we are born into this world as human beings.  We forget because too much of the time is spent as human do'ers.  We do this; we do that; and then we do some more.  Sometimes we become involved in doing so much we forget who we are.  Simply BE is a reminder to all of us that it is possible to be who we really are.

 

 

Books make great Christmas gifts.

 

Simply BE and all my books are available

in both Kindle and Paperback formats

on all Amazon sites.

 

Visit my author's page

at

http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

Recompense

Maurice Wilson lives in Salt River, a small town near Cape Town, South Africa. He is the son of a black father and a Caucasian mother. After the sudden death of his parents he makes the decision to move to High River, Alberta, Canada, the place of his mother’s birth in search of a sense of belonging. He becomes a Canadian citizen, is employed as a mail carrier for Canada Post. The morning of his first day on the job he meets Alison Pierce, a plain woman whose silent passions run deep. Shortly into her relationship with Maurice all her hopes for fulfillment plummet; however she continues to live with him for more than twenty-five years. In their later years Maurice and Alison become acquainted with the Internet and with the Senior Befriender Chat Room. When temptation with the name of Conrad enters their lives the shared bonds of loyalty and trust are put in jeopardy. Will deception rule the day?

 

 

Recompense   and all my books are available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.

Visit my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

SOCIAL STUDIES - Book Two - putting the focus where it belongs on social issues

Social Studies - Book Two is part of a trilogy of short story anthologies focusing on social issues.

SOCIAL STUDIES - Book Two sub-titled "Shattered and Broken Plus Eleven"  is a compilation of 12 short stories with the focus on social issues including such subjects as spousal abuse, elder abuse, child abuse, and animal welfare.

 I have drawn from my experience as counselor and psychospiritual practitioner in order to write and compile  this trilogy of anthologies about contemporary topics that, sadly, are far too common in the world in which we live.

 

Available in both Kindle & Paperback formats

on all Amazon sites.

 

Books make great Christmas gifts.

 

http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

Cover design:  http://yuneekpix.com  

Dinner At Seven ... a romance novel

The story begins in 1985 at The Carrington Club in Toronto. Marsha feels in the doldrums until David arrives on the scene. Love and romance flourish until deception and betrayal raise their ugly heads. To escape Marsha flies to Bermuda where the power of love cannot be under-estimated.

 

Dinner At Seven  is available in both Kindle & Paperback formats

on all Amazon sites.

 

Check out my author's page at

http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

The Human Condition

I am sometimes asked, "What are your books about?"

What a difficult question this is for me and I am rarely, if ever, able to come up with a good answer simply because I am very eclectic in my creative writing just as I am in my choice of books to read.

Recently at a local event where I, hoping for some sales with my table of books plus three oil paintings on display, met a gentleman who struck up a conversation with me.  The three paintings were of women's faces.  One painting I call The Lady in Blue while another I call The Lady With an Earring and the third I call The Lady with a kerchief.     This gentleman looked at the covers of my nineteen publications and he smiled as he looked at my Ladies.

"Ah, I see you write and you paint about the human condition."

"Indeed I do," I responded with a genuine smile because now, thanks to him,  I have a good answer to the question when asked, "What are your books about?"

"I knew that," he said, "by looking at your book covers and your paintings."

I continued to smile and responded, "Thank you."

This gentleman hit the nail on the head because, yes, indeed, all my writing and all my painting is my expression about the human condition.

 

 

 

 

My first book, Sara, a Canadian Saga is about a struggling family making its way from the Maritimes to Ontario in search of a better life during the years of the Great Depression. 

My second book, Reawakening, is a story about unrequited love in a world where the human condition no longer exists, yet the power of love surfaces. 

My short stories focus on social issues and there are many issues I've written about including incest, alcoholism, domestic abuse,  child abuse, animal abuse, teen suicide, body image, and many more.  I let the characters share their stories and I hope their stories will be of help to readers.

Ellen and The Hummingtree is about a woman who, throughout her life, never seems to fit in; one who talks to her God in a rock; and one who in her last days is a victim of Alzheimer Disease, yet even in death she remains spiritually strong.
 
Crabapple Court is about a kidnapping but, more than this, it is about a single street in a small town and its inhabitants who live so nearby yet care and know so little about one another.

Beyond The Blue is a story for young readers about one young boy's challenge and victory over bullying.

Recompense is about an older couple who discover a chat room for the first time and find that their lives are turned upside down as a result.  They are forced to take a real look at their lives; something they had not done in many years.

Moose Road, a Canadian Tragedy is about a collision just before Christmas between a school bus and a snow plow but, more than this, it is about the impact that this tragedy has on the lives of the residents of Moose Road and how this tragedy leads to an even greater tragedy.

Dinner At Seven is a light romance about a man and a woman and about miscommunication so often evident in relationships today.

Keeping It Simple - Imagine Being Whole is a self-help manual, sharing some knowledge of the chakras, their emotional relevance, and the healing power of psychospiritual therapy for those struggling with emotional issues.

The Last Drop is a book for very young readers.  It is about a rainy day, umbrellas, and it offers the opportunity to the reader to learn more about rhyming and the alphabet.

When God Gives Us Spring is about the life experience of a black slave during the dark days of slavery and the civil war in America. 

Poetry From A to Z is an anthology of poems, all of which focus on the human condition.

Simply Be is not a story.  It is a collection of thoughts, quotations, and words which encourage the reader to take the time to be who he is; not what he does.

All Them Houses is my most recent publication.  It is part one of my memoir.  I don't promote it much because I sometimes have my moments when I wish I did not publish this book; when I wish I did not put my own human condition on view for the critical eyes of others.   Yet, it is written, and it is hoped that by sharing some of my personal life challenges it may help another to say, 'hey, that happened to me too', or 'Yes, that's right.  I can relate to that.'  Sometimes we mere mortals feel alone in our struggles but I find it helpful to know that if something undesirable happens in my life, that I'm not the only one, and that there is strength and there is power in the ability to make lemonade out of lemons.

Recently my life partner passed away.  And by attempting to paint his portrait; to record his life in an album; to write a book about grieving; I continue to do my best to meet some of the challenges in my own human condition.

And life goes on.  ♥♥♥

I love creative writing.  I love to read books.  I love to sell books.  But I don't write just in order to sell books because even if I never sold a single book, I would still love creative writing.   I always have loved writing stories ever since I was a young child.  I hope you will want to buy a book because your purchase is a reward for this author;  it makes me feel good to know my work is wanted and appreciated.   But mostly I hope you will want to buy a book because you will really like the story.  All my books are available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.

It's less than one year ago that I picked up a brush and discovered that I love oil painting.  For most of my life I was intimidated by the talents of family members.  But I feel more aware recently and I am of the opinion that art is a very subjective form.   I am sure it is evident to anyone who sees my work that I am untrained, and unpolished, but I hope it is also evident that I am expressing who I am .............. far from perfect.   I said to a friend recently, "I probably have more nerve than talent when it comes to oil painting."    Yet, I put myself out there.  I put my work out there.  I put my thoughts, my hopes, and my prayers for a better world out there.  And this is what I try to encourage others to do with my book titled Simply Be.

The Human Condition is not in very good shape.  We have much to learn.  But we also have much to give, much to share, and much to appreciate.

Life is good and life goes on.  ♥♥♥

Crabapple Court

Susie Donnelly is missing. Has she run away or is she just a little girl playing hide and seek? Is it a kidnapping? A murder?

Without exception the residents of Crabapple Court do not like to draw attention to themselves or to their homes. They do not like publicity. They do not appreciate media attention but this day, whether they like it or not, the Fairmont residents are keeping them under strict scrutiny. Indeed the eyes of the entire country are fixed upon them.

 

Available in both Kindle and Paperback formats

on all

Amazon sites

 

My author page:  http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

Books make great Christmas gifts.

Chanti's Escape - a short story

Chanti is a 13 year old girl living in Nawada, South Bihar, India. Her parents introduce Chanti to Sam Saraswati, a Canadian, and within a very short time the marriage takes place. The child bride travels with her new husband to Elliot Lake, Canada where they live with Sam's parents. Life is good for Chanti until Sam's parents are killed in a car crash. Suddenly at the age of 15 Chanti is mistress of the household and expected to take over all the household duties Shirley Saraswati performed. Children are born of the marriage. Chanti's husband becomes more abusive as time passes. Feeling alone and trapped in her situation Chanti dreams of returning to Bihar but it is not until she has reached the age of sixty-eight that she finally makes her decision to leave her husband. Will she succeed in her attempt to escape?

 

Chanti's Escape, a short story, is available in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites.

 

If you like this short story, check out one of my anthologies of short stories which are available in both Kindle and Paperback format on all Amazon sites.

 

My author's page is located at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

Keeping It Simple ... Imagine Being Whole

Review

It Really is Possible to Heal

 Mary Belanger 

 

This  very well written manual  is by Audrey Austin; a wonderful therapist, author, and teacher.  

 
This book is written in a  sequential manner.  A reader is given a methodical overview of meditation, psychospiritual therapy, and the chakra system.  Learning to open  blocked chakras enables the reader to unite mind, body, and soul.

I am very grateful for Austin who has created such a wonderful resource on chakra meditation.
It really is possible to heal. Keeping it Simple has my Five Star rating. It has changed my life for the better.

A very easy-to-understand explanation of chakras

By Anu 

 

This is a well written book - very easy to understand the concept of chakras and the significance of each chakra. I am yet to try out the exercises for opening up each chakra. But if you are looking to familiarize yourself with the 7 chakras of the Indian/yogic tradition, I highly recommend this book.

From the Author

When I put together the pages of Keeping It Simple my thought was that if this book helps one person in this chaotic world I will feel I have accomplished a job well done.  I was unprepared for the number of people who have come to me and told me that the reading of this book for them has been positively life-changing.   For this I am happy and I am grateful.

 

KEEPING IT SIMPLE  - Imagine Being Whole   is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.

 

 

Passion For Staying Put - a short story FREE in the Kindle Store Friday, November 3rd

Free in the Kindle Store Friday, November 3rd.

Eleven years have passed. Arthur and Marion attempt to move on in the aftermath of the tragic loss of their only child, Jennifer. Passion for Staying Put was a semi-finalist in the 2013 John Kenneth Galbraith Short Story Writing Award Competition.

As a mother and a grandmother I cannot imagine anything more devastating than to experience the loss of a child. To move on; get over it; get on with life must be near impossible yet there are many who, like the characters in this story, do find a way to take the steps from one day into the next. To write about such a life event was an emotional experience for me. God bless all who lose a child yet find the inner strength to carry on.

If you enjoy this short story you will enjoy many more short stories with the focus on social issues found in my 3 anthologies titled Social Studies, Books 1, 2, and 3. Check it out. The anthologies are available in both Kindle and Paperback formats. Available on all Amazon sites.

 

NO PLACE TO LAY HER HEAD - one woman's journey through grief

I am three thousand words into my next publication.   Its working title is NO PLACE TO LAY HER HEAD - one woman's journey through grief.

It is my hope that by sharing this journey it will be of help to others.   It is not an easy story to tell.  I am trying to keep it simple but I learned a long time ago that it is not always easy to be simple.

The writing is definitely cathartic.  I find that with each word I type, I am coming a little bit closer to the way I am truly feeling.  Yes, feelings are elusive.  They don't want to be identified, singled out, or pinned down in any way.  They want to sometimes hide; sometimes fill a headline; and sometimes change every thirty seconds.

I have no idea how long I will be working on this project before I will feel ready to share my journey.   It is this writer's hope that once it is finally released that it will be of benefit to others who have lost a loved one.