Short Stories

I love short stories.

If you do too, then you will want to check out Social Studies; my trilogy of short story anthologies where the stories within focus on the social issues of our time.  There are a dozen short stories in each anthology.

The beautiful cover designs are by http://yuneekpix.com

These anthologies are available in both paperback  and kindle formats on all Amazon sites.

Passion for Staying Put .. a short story

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.

Passion for Staying Put ... a short story, is available in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites.  Visit my author's page  at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

When God Gives Us Spring ... audio book will be released soon

I am thrilled that Earl Sewell is in the final stages of producing "When God Gives Us Spring" as my first audio book. It will be available soon from Amazon, Audibles, and ITunes.

National bestselling and award-winning author Earl Sewell has written over twenty novels and has had his work featured in several anthologies and magazines. He has won literary awards for the novels "The Flip Side of Money" "Keysha's Drama," and "Maya's Choice." In addition, the American Library Association placed several of his teen titles on its widely distributed Reluctant Readers List.

Sewell is also a voice-over talent and has narrated several books written by other writers and has done voice-over work to promote products and inspirational videos.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College in Chicago and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in creative writing from Goddard College.

Earl is also an endurance athlete who has finished a number of marathons and Ironman 70.3 triathlons. Additionally, has completed a cross-country bicycle tour from Red Wing, MN, to Bar Harbor, ME.

 

Audio Books

I'm thrilled that two of my books are in production to be audio books available through Audibles, Amazon, & ITunes. "When God Gives Us Spring", brilliantly narrated by Earl Sewell, will be released soon. "Sara, a Canadian Saga," is in the early stages of production. It will be narrated by Edmonton producer, Falan Echo and released this summer.

 

The Observers ... a short story free in the Kindle Store Sunday, April 15th

 

The MacPhersons are a Scottish clan who love to wallow in the drama of their neighbours while keeping just enough distance to avoid involvement. They are a nosy lot. They don’t suspect that everyone on the street is on to them. This couple is blissfully happy in their ignorance; unaware that they are known by every resident on Cordelia Crescent as the observers.

It was several years ago that I lived on a street in Toronto with a name very similar to Cordelia.  I had the idea that it would be fun to write a story about my interesting neighbours.  It was not until recently that I turned the idea into reality.  I hope you enjoy the short story, The Observers.

This short story is free for your reading pleasure in the Kindle Store on Sunday, April 15th.   Visit my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Ellen and The Hummingtree .. One woman's journey through Alzheimer Disease

A strong woman of faith, Ellen sits beneath her Hummingtree and talks to God through the yellow quartz rock.

She gifts us with glimpses of her life and shares the import of her personal relationshipwith family, friends and with God.

She allows us to witness her vulnerability and invites us into her heart where we experience her joys and sorrows.

In a few instances the author has drawn from her life’s experience but, in essence, Ellen is a composite of many beautiful, spiritual women the author has known and loved throughout her journey.

It is hoped you will welcome Ellen into your heart and it is hoped you will enjoy the stories she shares with you in this book; her fictional, magical, mystical memoirs titled Ellen and The Hummingtree.

At the outset of this writing journey we met. I became acquainted with her and now I can say that I truly like Ellen. She has the courage of her convictions And no matter what life threw at her, she never lost faith.

 

Ellen is a woman I came to know well during the writing of my third novel Ellen and The Hummingtree.    She often puzzled me yet she also had the ability to make me laugh and cry.  I grew to love her.  And the more I came to know her I began to realize that she truly is a composite of the many caring spiritual women I have known throughout my life.  Alzheimer is a dreadful disease and Ellen's victimization is a heartbreak.  My writing of Ellen and The Hummingtree comes straight from the heart.  I hope you will love her as I do.

 

Ellen and The Hummingtree is available in both paperback and kindle formats on all Amazon sites.   Visit my author's page at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

 

 

Dying To Be Popular -- a short story

A young teen's fashion sense is determined by what can be found to fit in Pennington's. She can no longer pretend to be happy; not even to please her mother. Why did she suddenly desire to be unattractive? When no one arrives for her birthday party she knows what she needs to do.

From the Author

She chooses to be obese and suffers the ridicule, unpopularity and bullying as a result.  How very sad that no one ever takes the time to discover what it is that this young teenager is doing her best to hide.   The number of teen suicides is a frightening statistic in our western society; one to which a reader's attention will be drawn through the reading of this story.  Feeling alone, alienated and unable to reach out to someone for help and understanding it's a sad fact that it is not uncommon for a teenager to reach out to food for comfort.  Emotional eating that leads to this young girl's death reminds us that all addictions kill sooner or later in one way or another.

 

Dying To Be Popular - a short story is available in Kindle format on all Amazon sites.

 

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

While You Were Sleeping -- a short story in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites

The year is 1208 in Lincolnshire, England. Walter never envied the wealth of his master. Throughout his life with the lovely Lucinda he was a happy man until that dire, dreadful day when her sickness struck with a vengeance.
The bloody flux stole Lucinda away. Walter's quest for redemption begins.

From the Author

Times were very different in the year 1208 than they are today in the 21st century.  But some things remain unchanged by the passage of time.  Love and loyalty are two of these powerful emotions and no one can give a better demonstration of these traits than Walter who truly loved his wife.  Temptation does its best to overpower his sense of devotion but  in this story we join him as he sets out on a journey to overcome.

 

 

I love short story writing.  Four of my publications are short story anthologies and several of my short stories, like Daniel, dare to stand alone.  You will find them in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites and I hope you enjoy reading them.

 

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

Sara, a Canadian Saga: the audio book coming soon

I'm thrilled that the very talented Falon Echo, Canadian producer, will be narrating my 2nd audio book, Sara, a Canadian Saga

Currently available on all Amazon sites in both Paperback and Kindle formats, Sara, a Canadian Saga will be available for your listening pleasure in audio book format, summer of 2018.

Sara, a Canadian Saga, is my first novel published by Wynterblue Publishing nearly 11 years ago.

A new cover for the audio book will be created by the amazingly talented artist, Susan RK of http://yuneekpix.com

The Big Book - a short story, is free in the Kindle Store Saturday, March 31st

Forty-seven year old Gwendolyn arrives at the pearly gates. St. Peter searches and finds her name recorded in The Big Book. She is distressed to learn that she is barred entrance to Heaven. He gives her one last mission to complete on earth. Will she achieve success and be granted entry by St. Peter?

From the Author

Short stories are my pleasure to write.  "The Big Book" was especially fun.  I am quite convinced that God has a wonderful sense of humour and in this story my imagination clearly visualized this woman learning her life lessons in a most unique way.  I hope you enjoy reading  the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

 

 

 

The Big Book - a short story, is free for your reading pleasure in the Kindle Store Saturday, March 31, 2018.

 

Happy Easter! 

When God Gives Us Spring ....

 

When God Gives Us Spring is currently available

in both Paperback and Kindle formats

on all Amazon sites.

 

Soon to be available in Audio Book format

on Amazon, Audibles, and & Tunes.

 

Revised cover design by

http://yuneekpix.com

 

 

"Hope of Glory" ... a short story, free in the Kindle Store Sunday, March 25th

Their father died and mom needed to work. To her young son she insisted, "hold her hand, Lester." And hold his sister's hand he did. They reached a certain age and a role reversal took place. Now it was sister, Linda, keeping her eye on her big brother who was heading in the wrong direction. Later on his death bed Lester is convinced there is no hope of glory for him. Little does he know of his sister's love and the power of prayer.

When writing Hope of Glory I thought of my own childhood and my brother who at a young age became father figure to myself and my younger siblings. Fortunately for our family my brother did not take a wrong path but it is easy to understand how a young man might make some wrong choices given such heavy responsibility at too early an age.  In addition there have been many times throughout my life when I've been assured that the power of prayer is a force to be reckoned with.  These are some of the influences which impacted on my writing of this short story.  I hope you enjoy this story.

Hope of Glory ... this short story is free for your reading pleasure in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites, Sunday, March 25th.

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

If you enjoyed this short story, you will want to check out my short story anthologies which are available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.

Check out 'Promo for When God Gives Us Spring' on Youtube

https://youtu.be/R11v9DrFmh4

The Silent Star .. a short story is free for your reading pleasure Friday, March 23rd

Young Andrew suffers many losses. An orphan, he feels alone and unwanted. He becomes the silent star. He walks alongside the track in life; often getting stuck on the wrong side. Rose is his redeemer and, because of her and their love for one another, he overcomes all odds and becomes an inspiration to others.

The Silent Star won first place in a WynLit writing competition hosted by Wynterblue Publishing Canada.  In addition to standing alone as a short story, it is also a part of my anthology titled The Silent Star Plus a Dozen Selections which is also available on Amazon.  If you enjoy this story you will want to check out the anthology.   This is a story of abuse, overcoming, redemption and inspiration.

The Silent Star is free in the Kindle Store for your reading enjoyment, tomorrow, Friday, March 23rd.

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

If you enjoyed this short story or any of my works, your positive reviews are invited and most welcome.   Thank you.

When God Gives Us Spring -- character voices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykmW2rDAiFQ&feature=youtu.be

 

How exciting it is to have my first audio book produced and how blessed I am to have it produced by narrator, Earl Sewell, pictured above.

 

When God Gives Us Spring  is currently available in both Paperback and Kindle formats.

 

Currently in production, the audiobook will soon be available

 

from Amazon, Audibles, and ITunes.

 

Check out the link below to hear Earl Sewell

bring alive some of the characters in  When God Gives Us Spring

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykmW2rDAiFQ&feature=youtu.be

 

 

An Audiobook Adventure -- When God Gives Us Spring

 



I'm happy and excited to be entering the new audiobook world!   When I chose When God

Gives Us Spring to be the first of my publications to begin this new adventure, I also hoped I would not have difficulty finding a talented narrator to bring my story alive. 

I was overjoyed when Earl Sewell offered to produce this story in audiobook format.

 

Here's a little bit about When God Gives Us Spring. 

 

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?

 

Michael is the main character but this historical fiction novella is home to many diverse and wonderful characters.  With his incredible talent, Earl Sewell, brings them all alive.  I feel

blessed to be working with him on this exciting project.

 

With his permission, let me introduce my reading friends to multi-talented, Earl Sewell.

 

 National bestselling and award-winning author Earl Sewell has written over twenty novels and has had his work featured in several anthologies and magazines. He has won literary awards for the novels "The Flip Side of Money" "Keysha's Drama," and "Maya's Choice." In addition, the American Library Association placed several of his teen titles on its widely distributed Reluctant Readers List. 

Sewell is also a voice-over talent and has narrated several books written by other writers and has done voice-over work to promote products and inspirational videos.He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College in Chicago and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in creative writing from Goddard College.
Earl is also an endurance athlete who has finished a number of marathons and Ironman 70.3 triathlons. Additionally, has completed a cross-country bicycle tour from Red Wing, MN, to Bar Harbor, ME.

When God Gives Us Spring is available in paperback and Kindle formats on all Amazon sites.

 

Soon it will also be available in audiobook format.   Watch for it!

 

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

When God Gives Us Spring ... audio book coming soon

 

When God Gives Us Spring  is available

in Paperback & Kindle format

on all Amazon sites.

 

Audiobook will be available soon

on Amazon; Audibles; and ITunes.

Quest for Cammirand, a short story, is free in the Kindle Store Sunday, March 11th

Peter Lowenza is an insurance investigator in search of a woman, Cammirand Gauthier, whose husband Jessie Gauthier has died. Cammirand is beneficiary of his estate and stands to inherit millions of dollars.

She had been abandoned by her parents at an early age, abused and deceived by her husband, Jessie Gauthier who was known to be a ruthless businessman. Rumour has it he was an abusive husband.

 Is this why Cammirand has disappeared? It is the insurance investigator's job to find her. What happened to Cammirand Gauthier? Peter sets out on a quest.

"Quest for Cammirand" is a story written for a mature audience exploring as it does social issues including spousal abuse; rape; deception; betrayal, murder and other topics of a sensitive nature.  It is not a story for young readers. 

I love writing short stories and, as is  often the case, with this story I found that, once I got started, the characters took the lead and it was all I could do to keep up with them.  I hope you enjoy the story.

Quest for Cammirand  is free for your reading pleasure tomorrow, Sunday, March 11th, in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites.

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

Simply BE .. a collection to inspire

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, 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.

My passion is creative writing. This summer I will celebrate my eleventh writing anniversary and I invite you to enjoy reading my many poems, short stories, novellas and novels.

I was inspired to create Simply BE by the loving memory of my dear sister and of my parents.

Check out my author's page at amazon.com/author/audreyaustin