STRUGGLE - To Reach the Bridge of Light

 STRUGGLE - to Reach the Bridge of Light - an excerpt

PAGE 25 - 26

Humans still do not know that they can't rise above their circumstances without first being immersed in them. And they can't be immersed in their circumstances if they refuse to feel them.  You have become hardened. The ability to feel,  and to demonstrate caring and compassion, is one that has been lost to the human race. Will you never learn that you can't get beyond what you have never been in?

Yes, I will admit that, at first, it made me deeply saddened to realize that you have lost the ability to feel, and to grow from your feelings. I am sad no longer. I am angry! You walk all over me without thought, without care, leaving a trail of physical, emotional, and spiritual rubbish behind you.

The phoenix created a nest of boughs and spices. It proceeded to set its own nest on fire, and it was consumed in the flames.

Humans, you have inhabited me. You have created your nests.  You have wrapped yourselves in wood, brick, and plastic. You call these structures your homes. You forget that I am your home. You forget that you build upon your mother. And when you leave your structure, if not before, you immediately proceed to destroy me.

This is the reason I will choose to be consumed in the flames. I promise you, unlike the phoenix, I will not rise. Make no mistake, nor will you.

Only those who have the insight, and who are chosen by the Lord, by Great Cosmic Power, and by me, to see the bright, blue lights will be rescued.

A small group of seven will be chosen. I am not the one, alone, to do the choosing. If it were up to me, I would choose no one. But another has made the decision to save one soul family. I will say no more about the phoenix. I am your Mother and you have been warned for the last time!

STRUGGLE - To Reach the Bridge of Light is available on all Amazon sites.  You will find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/STRUGGLE-Reach-Bridge-Audrey-Austin/dp/B08YHYVB2D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EDHDGWEKMHW1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x_RpmwaQ8YH8VkbwgJK6qg.7IKA3gHMezKFfgj9oyUS4WH6UZPDX6Q084VhBAjjU0Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+Struggle+to+reach+the+bridge+of+light&qid=1772551872&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+struggle+to+reach+the+bridge+of+light%2Cstripbooks%2C120&sr=1-1

THE OBSERVER - His Eye is on the Sparrow - an excerpt

 THE OBSERVER - His Eye is on the Sparrow - an excerpt

PAGE 54 

The waitress returns and takes away the dishes. Mom pays the bill with her debit card and then starts to get up from the table. "Come on, Karen. It's time to go home."

It is obvious my mother doesn't want to talk to me about my grandmother or about her Hindu religion. When we arrive home from The Fireside that evening I sit alone in my bedroom atop my bed with my laptop upon my knee. I think about it and soon I reach the decision that, if my mother is not willing to share with me, I will just need to see what I can learn on my own about the Hindu religion. There is no one I can talk to about it; no one I can call or go to and ask for help.

PAGE 66

I am five  years old when Britain finally grants India its independence. This great event happens three years after my father is killed.  I am six years old when Mahatma Ghandi dies; too young to understand anything about all the changes that are taking place in the City of Bangalore.

Bangalore, a mega city in Southern India, is where I am born and where I live for thirty-seven years before marrying Thomas Wakeling and, with him, making the move to the small northern town of Ellliot Lake in Ontario, Canada.

THE OBSERVER - His Eye is on the Sparrow is available on all Amazon sites in both Kindle and Paperback formats.  You can find it on my Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/OBSERVER-His-Eye-Sparrow/dp/B0857CFLVL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MH0RDRL4NAVU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._nb2E814PosBoxtz6xZKOmcZanWMudRK8jlOZE7YH8H248NH8Ohy_QqUAE9eHKH9c3Oy5D9py203a5lzXoejhgKq0TW4WLFIA3DIhDNVaV4.PUBQBS_CV7VWRy9X2bzQMxaAAiz_8zwLQzoWG_HzXNQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+the+observer&qid=1772478235&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+the+observer+%2Cstripbooks%2C205&sr=1-1

NO PLACE TO LAY HER HEAD ..... a handful of moments

 NO PLACE TO LAY HER HEAD - a handful of moments - an excerpt

PAGE 5

And when a woman loses a man she loves, she is filled with emptiness; with silence; and with a yearning that nothing can satisfy. Nothing and no one can fill the restless vacancy; the hole behind the veneer of practicality; of sad smiles; and of one foot placed in front of the other in order to achieve those ordinary tasks that they used to always do together; that she used to think important; that don't matter anymore.

Thus the grieving process begins.

Life goes on whether she cares; whether she doesn't care; whether she feels strong; whether she feels nothing at all. Life goes on.

PAGE 31

I sometimes feel resentful at being so very alone. At the same time I don't want to be with anyone. I feel sometimes left out when not included in community events. No one phoned and asked, 'do you want to go?' At the same time I don't want to go anywhere. I am grateful when I look at my daytimer and see that there is nothing scheduled. "Good,  I don't have to leave the house today."

NO PLACE TO LAY HER HEAD - a handful of moments is available in Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You will find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Place-Lay-Head-handful-moments/dp/1687202834/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OG2JPDTGYN6G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fhTnHzRSztbbG5T8858auQ.EkDqrUt-GqSDIxFshUsCTT01Rw1kNmCwxrPF68AEZ-o&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+no+place+to+lay+her+head&qid=1772374659&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+no+place+to+lay+her+head%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-1

Simply BE - an excerpt

Simply BE - an excerpt

PAGE  36 - 41

Be Forgiving

Be forgiving

Begin by forgiving

 Yourself.

Look within

for your own

highest 

good.

Be forgiving

Try to remember

that

all the time you are

putting up with someone

someone

is

putting up with you.

Be forgiving.

Holding a grudge

is

a burden.

Let go

and let God.

You will be glad

you did

"My burden is light".

Be forgiving.

"But that you may know

that

the son of man

has

power on earth

to forgive."

"As we forgive those who

trespass against us."

Be forgiving.

If you hold on to

yesterday's pain

your progress today

will be limited.

To forgive

is

to love.

Be forgiving.

If you stand

with one leg in the past

and the other

in the future,

you won't have

a leg to stand on

today.

Simply BE is available in both kindle and paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You will find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

or directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Simply-BE-Audrey-Austin/dp/1508916101/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WQ8SVNDDRR1A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-OXkJhbjX2_G_7yP0u7vHcivu4TyQovC9bBS3MjLzYgVnP-lq9fybvInTWUaAvaCPjc-F8nhuDMIaVTX1q2ASY6E8sNO1V4zWmoc3XE8mPlZ2Z6xd5nQEx15wXnT828tdYJkiQ50FPwvBJyN2rwHWQ.L77-wl8XJRPzti1BrnWPDAAojxQ-wnM1TcSvFcuFjwU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+simply+BE&qid=1772292974&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+simply+be%2Cstripbooks%2C164&sr=1-1

ALL THEM HOUSES - an excerpt

 ALL THEM HOUSES - a memoir - an excerpt

PAGE 81-82

I had already been working for two  years by then.  My first job was as a clerk typist working for a downtown magazine distribution company called Gordon and Gotch which was located on Bay Street in Toronto.

After one year of working there, along with several others, I was laid off due to some kind of magazine scandal about which I never did understand the details.

I remember that day. And I remember thinking, how can I possibly go home and tell my mother I've lost my job? On my way home I stopped in at the downtown offices of the Bell Telephone Company. To my delight, I was hired that day; hired to be a teletypist. I didn't know what a teletypist was, but I figured I would learn.

I felt blessed.  My unemployed status had lasted less than an hour. Instead of going home with sad news, I arrived home to give my mother the good news of my new job.

PAGE 89

Yes, I have jumped over a lot of pot holes in my road but, in  spite of that, or maybe even because of that, my journey never ceases to amaze me.

I was seventeen, a child bride, when I moved into the basement apartment at 35 Alameda Avenue, my fourth of all them houses.

ALL THEM HOUSES, a memoir is available in paperback and kindle formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/All-Them-Houses-Audrey-Austin/dp/1542874076/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IVTZST3Z6BHI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z-iqvAgC-hWWF7c_jQrBqYlJWrMheZyhXMQc6P2EDA0.C-VO4Y97f9XcGEt7WZluJEufmtS-Gw_PLeQWtN5xf_8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+All+Them+Houses&qid=1772211148&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+all+them+houses%2Cstripbooks%2C144&sr=1-1

THE SILENT STAR PLUS A DOZEN SELECTIONS - an excerpt

 THE SILENT STAR PLUS A DOZEN SELECTIONS

AFTER WORDS - an excerpt - PAGE 10 -11

Everything changed six months ago when John bought a laptop. He'd been on his way, as usual, to the movie rental store to rent his daily video. A new computer store had opened up in town. It was situated right next door to the video store. John impulsively wandered into the new store and surprised himself when he put the purchase of the laptop on his credit card. One thing seemed to lead to another. He needed to hire a fellow to come in and hook everything up. He needed to hire an internet server. He needed to learn a whole new language, not any easy thing to do when you are seventy-eight years of age, but achieve it he did.

Words such as e-mail, surfing the net and googling became an integral part of his vocabulary. But what brought about the dramatic awareness of wrinkles, brown-spotted hands and purple-veined nose was John's discovery of the Senior Chat Room.

The laptop turned his life upside down. No longer did he dust the tables, rent the movies or pay attention to the BBC News.

Instead he chatted.

And he had been chatting with Mary for nearly six months.  He became very creative in expressing himself in the chat room. He drew a picture of a man that he had only read about or watched perform in his daily movies. He introduced Mary to an affable, well-travelled, middle-aged man; well, maybe not middle-aged at sixty-two, but certainly not the old gramps his daughter checked in on every day to be certain he was eating and staying alive.

The chatting was fun. It was something John relished and enjoyed but now she had invited him to meet in the real world. That was all well and good. But, even though he knew he had done so, John found it impossible to believe he had said yes.  He had agreed to meet .......................

THE SILENT STAR PLUS A DOZEN SELECTIONS is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at  https://www.amazon.ca/Silent-Star-plus-dozen-Selections/dp/1508664919/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11UP5GUDSJKMV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S0HtuoEG1np-BiarETkT9gFHR19xnWuE4DBsYCr8uX4.tQN3b0UXKN2p2sL4u8Y4PnWoNcrPFxXaZy3K7YIdyM0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+the+silent+star+plus+a+dozen+selections&qid=1772044382&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+the+silent+star+plus+a+dozen+selections%2Cstripbooks%2C116&sr=1-1

CRABAPPLE COURT - an excerpt

 CRABAPPLE COURT - an excerpt

PAGE 44 - 45

Without hesitation, Heather opens her medical bag, withdraws what is required and injects Patricia. Within moments Patricia is calm and soon sound asleep on the living-room couch.

"Gerald, I asked you have they started a search party yet? Why aren't the police here? Have they already left? I can't believe they would leave poor Patricia alone in the state she was in."

"The police haven't been here, Heather."

"What? Why on earth are they taking so long to get here? What time did you call them, Gerald?"

"I haven't called them yet, Heather. You're the only person I've called and to be quite frank I did not know what else to do."

"You didn't know what to do?  Gerald, for heaven's sakes, call the police. Why haven't you called them?  Call them right now! Have Susan's playmates been contacted? Could she have left the house and gone somewhere to play before Patricia woke up this morning?"

As he dialed the number for the police station, Gerald answers, "Patricia told me she did all that this morning before she called me." Then, "Yes, sir. I need to report a missing child."

Within ten minutes two police officers arrive at the door of Number five Crabapple Court.

After questioning Heather the police allow her to return next door to her home. She walks back across her neighbour's front lawn to her own house. The first thing she does is to phone her husband, Ernie, at work. She explains the little she knows of the situation to him. "The police kept asking me why I put Patricia to sleep before they had their opportunity to question her.  And they were right, Andy. It was a stupid thing to do. I don't know why I did that."

CRABAPPLE COURT is available in Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Crabapple-Court-Audrey-Austin/dp/0978023870/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A9DD7MJ2E2LO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9KyJHI59gjPEMyXNYCK6IA.QAfEREG9CsM0TXMGFow3rt6Hh1IFBHXkXTlZllI1OYI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+crabapple+court&qid=1771943688&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+crabapple+court%2Cstripbooks%2C99&sr=1-1

WHEN GOD GIVES US SPRING - an excerpt

 WHEN GOD GIVES US SPRING - an excerpt

PAGE 14 - 15

I looks up to Leona thinking she be like my new mama; my smiling saviour but now Massa Alfred out the room she be the one to terrorize my heart. "Get your scrawny self out my way, boy! she say.  Her smile done disappeared with the Master's departure. In its place I see my frightening future.

Next thing I know Wilbur be yanking my arm with his big, black fist and pulling me over to the corner of the kitchen. "See that box?" he say.

"Yes, sir."

"You see any wood in that box, boy?"

"No, sir."

"You get your nasty self out this house and go chop you some wood. I want to see this box filled with firewood," he ordered.

I picked up the axe and carried it out the back door of the big house. I stood between the big white pillars and stared down the hill at the little patchy grey shack that was my mama's home. "I wants to go home, Mama," I cry.

I don't hear no words but I remember what my Mama say. "Aint nobody done cares what you wants, son."

WHEN GOD GIVES US SPRING is available on all Amazon sites in Kindle, Paperback, and also in a wonderful audiobook, beautifully narrated by Earl Sewell.  You can find WHEN GOD GIVES US SPRING  on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR direct at https://www.amazon.ca/When-God-Gives-Us-Spring/dp/1499106769/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33MTCZSTWXUO5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-5TLoY7FT82ji-KZsaYWBw.oQkVu7_IA-ZT5a-fl7LFxBy36WR3KGM4yvgT4tTCKXA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+when+god+gives+us+spring&qid=1771769320&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+when+god+gives+us+spring%2Cstripbooks%2C136&sr=1-1

cover paperback

audiobook cover

RECOMPENSE - an excerpt

 RECOMPENSE - an excerpt

PAGE 20-21

My mother's white Baptist face shone like a bright star in a deep dark sky. She was the only white woman who attended our church. People accepted my mother's whiteness more readily than they accepted me. I sat between my black father and my white mother on a hard wooden chair. I was neither here nor there. I felt different from everyone and often I wished I were invisible. It was difficult to avoid sin when I was deemed by the clergy and most of the congregation to be one.

When I reached my early teens I wasn't into athletic sports or rough-housing like most of the other boys my age though I did admire their prowess. I knew I was not like the other boys in this way but what seemed of greater concern to me was that I did not want to be like them.  I preferred to share my time alone with a good book. I began to write little stories and journaling was something in which I began to take a great interest.

Of course I was not blind and I could see the young girls as they travelled along the road in their school uniforms. If I were to choose a girl I would not necessarily choose the most beautiful or the most clever.  No, I would choose a girl who was more interested in things like cooking or sewing.

Girls seemed to accept me as a friend but no girl ever showed any interest in having me as a boyfriend. I loved to listen to the girls talk about how a boy kissed them or how he behaved with them on dates. While these girls dreamed and shared their desires I simply buried my own. .............

RECOMPENSE is available on all Amazon sites in both Kindle and Paperback formats.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Recompense-novella-Audrey-Austin/dp/1500503010/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1I84WDRAA2D9X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FbEUoSHjD32_Xocixga_pYTgOgO7J00EDHYYcY5I7sjGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.t63fDT-j_NQsg-gbBuPIrUsGKTi0GiJYyThvC0Nmdjc&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+recompense&qid=1771686362&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+recompense%2Cstripbooks%2C116&sr=1-1

POETRY FROM A to Z - an excerpt

 POETRY FROM A to Z - an excerpt

PAGE 15 - 18  

This is a poem I wrote way back in 1994 and it was then published by a Toronto magazine titled Empowerment Magazine.

BEYOND TIME

In motionless silence

the mad woman travels to places that do not exist

impatient, she sleeps

by the still water pool

awaiting the touch

of the wise loving fool

And suddenly now

he is holding her close

aware, she's no longer herself

the wise fool's at peace

in this strange private land

the mad woman places her life

in his hand

Why are you? she whispers

with eyes that are open

be with it he silently pleads

I carry the key

it will unlock all fear

we've travelled far

to possess what is near

He unlocks her soul

which unites with her own

and drowns in an ocean of lust

she cries when she wakens

dear God, set me free

let me have here on earth 

what is destined to be

Walk in peace, Go commands

wear a clever disguise

respect your brother and sister

what in timelessness thrives

cannot happen on earth

the wise fool belongs to another

In motionless silence 

the mad woman travels

to places that cannot be found

the wise fool enquires

of tall tree of knowledge

will we meet

the next time around

And God in his heaven

enjoys the cruel joke

how wondrous his power

how heavy the yoke

rebellious and willful

yet true to God's rule

the mad woman travels

to meet the wise fool.

POETRY FROM A to Z is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Poetry-Z-Audrey-Austin/dp/150098910X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=126NUOWEWDY5O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Y4grRz-h0G8CDWP4uIdKcb3lm74ziGYAClccg03srUnp60qA3WoCLn4LHfvl7cim6kzSCHT1PgKZunzxqmhUGjm9JSfu6l8nX3Ws9itlpXw.42ZHBXQBJqec7Q8naX3Xj4e_DydbGsKEac1ezcC0SUE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+poetry+from+a+to+z&qid=1771600831&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+poetry+from+a+to+z%2Cstripbooks%2C114&sr=1-1

ELLEN and The Hummingtree - an excerpt

 ELLEN and the Hummingtree - an excerpt

PAGE 18 - 19

I'm old but I'm not ancient yet. In spite of the cataracts that cloud my vision, when I look at my face in the magnifying mirror that sits on my bathroom shelf over the sink I can see that it comprises a myriad of wrinkles. If I can convince myself to take the time in order to focus I can actually see that each one of my wrinkles is more like an artist's ink drawing of a deeply carved, long, winding road. And I believe that each road exists because of its own story to tell and I believe that at the end of each road is another tale waiting to be shared.

Yes, with age, the body bumps and weighted wrinkles have increased. Indeed they have multiplied but I've often thought that, in His wisdom, God's goodness has allowed my optical vision to simultaneously decrease.

Leave it to man to interfere with God's plans by inventing a seven times magnifying mirror!

In any event I know that I had better befriend old age because he is moving in whether I like it or not. The good Lord knows I don't want to be developing any new enemies at this stage of the game.

And now here I am, sidetracked again. Let me get back to my story.

I started collecting stones at an early age and today I am the proud owner of a wonderful, large stone collection. The larger stones are scattered around and about the house in the front and backyard gardens. Those which are the size of my hand or smaller fill the large plastic bowl that sits atop the ornamental elephant in my living-room.

As a shy and often awkward child I somehow thought I could find myself; my true, confident, talented and clever self in the stones. When I held one in my hand I could feel its pulsing surge of power. I loved and continue to love stones and as a child, knowing their power, I could only imagine how much more powerful a rock would be.

Everyone, even a child, knows rocks are greater, more powerful, than stones.  I knew that a rock was something I could depend on. Rocks are hard and solid. A rock would never let me down; never disappoint me the way my daddy did. Rocks don't die.

ELLEN and the Hummingtree is  available on all Amazon sites in both Kindle and Paperback formats.  You will find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/ELLEN-HUMMINGTREE-Audrey-Austin/dp/1926614674/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3B6NKERO9AWIP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JcIT7S9JcTSZVLHWqqDYTF0hzo9XJ0-PxTIby6Z3j67GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.-VYloX8XPD0Zl1Nxd5r6GLVlMcO3EdymDVCTE91L_4E&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+ellen+and+the+hummingtree&qid=1771515219&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+ellen+and+the+hummingtree%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-1

KEEPING IT SIMPLE - Imagine Being Whole - an excerpt

 KEEPING IT SIMPLE - Imagine Being Whole - an excerpt

PAGE 98 - 101

You may be wondering how nice person can be the name of a negative emotional issue. Generally speaking a well-balanced, emotionally healthy individual is one who is able to feel and express in a healthy way all of his wide-ranging feelings. Perhaps sometimes he is nice but sometimes he is not. It is expected that a healthy human being has access to and free, healthy expression of an extremely wide range of emotions.

There are those among us who feel the need to appear as always a nice person.   If this is you then you may be described as being nice, sweet, charming, friendly, always nice, nice, nice and nice.  If this describes you then you will not know how to deal with anyone who is not nice.  You will see the world through rose-coloured glasses and strive to keep the world at a distance. You can be so entrenched in niceness that when anything at all gets out of kilter you will know it is not your fault. How could it be? You are always so nice. You will keep your cool when all around you are losing it. You will walk away and leave the room when unpleasantness occurs.

You don't want to hear about any so-called not nice feelings in another; for example, anger, sadness or fear.  It is certain you will never admit that you ever feel those feelings.

The truth is you probably don't. You are afraid of these feelings and strive to keep them buried within. You will always have a kind word to say as long as there are no difficult issues with which to deal.

This so-called nice person will look for the nearest bitch to take care of it for him.

Nice people avoid confrontation. And nice people truly believe that they are always nice. No one could ever accuse them of being otherwise.

But it is rare, indeed, that this person will find the courage to go within to discover what is often evident to others about them and that is the motivation behind all this niceness.

These people wear their niceness like a suit of armor to keep all unpleasantness away.

These nice people always ensure that they have someone in their lives to take care of those things that are not so nice. The individual who coined the phrase, Beware the nice guy! is offering timely advice.

Meditation with the focus on the Solar Plexus Chakra will give the nice practitioner an opportunity to look within and to observe the rigidity of this so-called niceness.

If you feel this issue applies to you then, if you choose, it is possible to get in touch with deeper feelings and emotions through psychospiritual therapy.

You can discover the potential to transform into a real person with a wide range of emotions available for you to use in the expression of your true essence, your true identity.  You can begin to understand that it is not always nice to be nice.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE - Imagine Being Whole is available on all Amazon sites in both Kindle and Paperback formats.  You can find this book on my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

OR directly at https://www.amazon.ca/KEEPING-SIMPLE-Imagine-Being-Whole/dp/0978023838/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SJTO2J68QBOF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wAkOhsE7Cqaky74BHeslAg.JfOZ0Hl2IEdKA7MDhwRB-W1VkN_UlHhDWJERMyACEbU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+keeping+it+simple&qid=1771451769&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+keeping+it+simple%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-1

SOCIAL STUDIES, BOOK THREE, Weaving Alice - an excerpt

 SOCIAL STUDIES, BOOK THREE - Weaving Alice - an excerpt

Chanti's Escape - page 38 - 41

By the time I was seven I would carry the bucket to the public water tap. Clean water was not always readily available. If we were lucky we would have water on alternate days but most often the tap would be running once a week. On the days when water was available I would fill the bucket and carry it back to our home.

If I spilled even a drop of water my mother would shout, "Stupid child! Stupid child, watch what you are doing!"

My father had a softer side and he would always step in to protect me from my mother's wicked tongue lashing.  His name Mahavir, I came to learn, meant great hero and throughout my childhood and even longer my father was just that to me.

My earliest memories of my home town of Nawada are vague. Nawada is located in the larger area of South Bihar in India. The residents of Nawada live on both sides of the River Khuri. The right bank was more modern and it was there that one would see government buildings, manufacturing plants, and other important places. We lived on the left bank; the older part of town and it was here that one would see pitted roads, piles of garbage, open drains and stagnant pools of water.

In Nawada an observer would see many street urchins. Child labour was customary but not all children were fortunate to have a job. I was more fortunate than most of the other children in South Bihar. I was neither a child labourer nor a street urchin. My father who worked as a potter provided well for my mother and for me, his only child. My name Chanti means peace  and apart from my mother's sporadic rantings and ravings, it was with peace thaat my childhood years were filled. No one ever laid a hand on me in anger......

CHANTI'S ESCAPE  is one of 12 short stories in SOCIAL STUDIES, BOOK THREE, Weaving Alice.   You will find this book in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  My Amazon Author's Page is found at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin 

Or directly at https://www.amazon.ca/SOCIAL-STUDIES-Three-Weaving-Eleven/dp/099371630X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=H94ZAG42EI4C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.85vuDUhvhebgA7L94Ux-Ew.yoaHWXSJHbp-EdQuGytobiQYnW_d7094CN7PaKsuYGQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=audrey+austin+social+studies+book+three+weaving+alice&qid=1771342343&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+social+studies+book+three+weaving+alic%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1

SOCIAL STUDIES, BOOK TWO - Shattered and Broken - an excerpt

 SOCIAL STUDIES, BOOK TWO - Shattered and Broken - an excerpt

PASSION FOR STAYING PUT - PAGE 25 - 27

In a dimly lit corner of the sitting room Arthur sits, book in hand. His long, string bean body is stretched out in an old, faded lazy-boy chair that used to be maroon but now borders on a shabby pink. "Turn the lamp on. You'll ruin your eyes trying to read in this light! Storms coming!" I send the double warning his way but he demonstrates his usual selective hearing.

Arthur Fletcher pays me not the slightest mind. I cross the room and turn the lamp on. When I approach him I watch as he raises his right hand and with a quick jig of his index finger he pushes his eyeglasses into a more comfortable ridge atop his bulbous nose. "Nothing wrong with my eyes, mother."

"If there isn't, there soon will be! And I'm not your mother!"

"Now that is a fact. My mother knew how to keep quiet when a fellow was trying to read. I'm smart enough to know that."

"Every man is smart until he says something! And you better watch what you're saying if you want supper on the table tonight."

"With a sigh he lays his book aside. I'm just joshing with you, Marion, but I confess you are very proficient at getting on my nerves. Woman, don't you know you are getting me all riled up? You keep talking away while you know darn well I'm trying to read. What's the matter with you today, Marion? You're as jumpy as a virgin at a prison rodeo."

"You mind your tongue!" I snap.

I turn my back on my husband and walk over to stand before the living room's large picture window. The pounding in my head gives way to a pulsing ache.

I take a deep breath in an effort to still my mind. At last I am quiet with the view from my window.

My vacant stare barely takes in the green grass or the branches of the Maple tree as they bend in a breeze that I can tell is determined to become a strong wind. The sky is black. I don't want to look at its anger. I want release from my own.

I keep my eyes focused on the Maple standing tall on the front lawn between our house and the country road. I don't want to remember the road and I'm glad I can't see it from here. And I don't want to remember the swing that used to hang from the Maple's strong, inviting, outstretched limb. Instead I allow my mind to drift back to a better time when life was worth living; when my life held meaning and its name was Jennifer.

SOCIAL STUDIES, BOOK TWO - Shattered and Broken is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Or you can find it directly at  https://www.amazon.ca/SOCIAL-STUDIES-Shattered-Broken-Eleven/dp/0978023897/ref=sr_1_1?crid=158GJV11SKNC4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IyTeI4dKFIOvw1o2oWkhSBPeuJogsaTGC7_2RcO_cR0.8WJ-JVALlMh3cCAkhFS8vXAdjgtj_c9aHYq3didDJEI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+social+studies+book+two+shattered+and+broken&qid=1771257173&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+social+studies+book+two+shattered+and+broken%2Cstripbooks%2C114&sr=1-1

SOCIAL STUDIES, Book One, Dying to be Popular

SOCIAL STUDIES, Book One - Dying to be Popular

an excerpt from Daniel's Destiny  Page 37-39

Although the strange animal was much bigger than Daniel, he did not appear to be threatening in any way such as the nervous, hungry cats had been.

Fortunately Daniel's wound was not severe and already the blood was beginning to coagulate. He decided he would refrain from licking it. Instead he would leave well enough alone.

Daniel knew nothing of dog breeds. He didn't know that this large creature was a German Shepherd. What he did recognize was that this was a dog; a dog, though larger, not very different from himself. He allowed the big dog to enjoy his sniffing and he didn't object when the big fellow wanted to sidle up against him.  In fact he rather enjoyed the warmth and the sidling reminded him of the petting he had often received with pleasure from his mistress.

The big dog barked and maneuvered playfully as he moved away from Daniel, treading further down the alley. Daniel didn't hesitate for long.  Indeed, he fancied the company and, short tail wagging, he accepted the Shepherd's invitation to follow.

The German Shepherd led Daniel into a narrow walk-way which ran between two faded brick buildings. This small space was protected from the elements by the high walls on either side which were topped by roof overhangs which kept the walk-way dry in the most inclement weather and at the front there was a large commercial sign which prevented anyone from entering the walk-way from the city street. The only small opening was off the alley. It was the home of the German Shepherd. Daniel discovered that this home was shared by a sensible, shiny black lab; a long, short-legged but very affectionate Beagle, and a placid Collie dog with pointed nose and long, thick hair.

Daniel could not believe his good fortune. He was welcomed by the other dogs. Some might say these animals were homeless but Daniel was a smart Jack Russell and he recognized that this walk-way could be and would be his new home.

By following his room-mates' example, Daniel learned in no time at all to forage in the garbage cans behind the city shops. He learned how to climb along the ledge of a fence to the top of the big, blue dumpster behind the Fairview Restaurant. Just like his friends, he found meat-covered bones and often delicious morsels of steak, roast beef, fish and chicken. He had watched how his new brothers and sisters foraged and he learned to carry the food in his mouth back to their shared home in the walk-way.

In his new world Daniel learned many lessons but the one he valued most was the knowledge that dog was dog's best friend. He was unaware that Alice looked down from above. She was grateful that she had made the right decision and not left his fate in the hands of uncaring humans who no longer provided no-kill shelters for unwanted or homeless animals.    Daniel missed Alice and her caring ways but .........

SOCIAL STUDIES, Book One, Dying to be Popular is available in Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Or directly at https://www.amazon.ca/SOCIAL-STUDIES-Dying-Popular-Eleven/dp/0978023889/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UORFAUXDASD0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yIDKNt6R1LSNHQkNulz5N8K7TJDIHJy0kS1OjD8mTM7GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.kuXh_cIcQeFDfp5GReVrBwY2oAoourJvIrJCiO0ffVA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+social+studies+book+one+dying+to+be+popular&qid=1771180028&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+social+studies+book+one+dying+to+be+popular%2Cstripbooks%2C115&sr=1-1

Social Studies trilogy of Short Story Anthologies

BEYOND THE BLUE - a coming-of-age novella

 BEYOND THE BLUE - an excerpt

Page 21 - 22

"What happened to your head, Tony?"

"Nothing! Nothing unusual anyway!"

"Oh, no,  not Jerry's gang again?"

"Yep. So what else is new, eh?"

"Forget about them! Do you want to come to my place for a while after school?" David invited. "We've got a television now and the aerial went up on the roof yesterday. It's fantastic! We could watch The Mickey Mouse Club together."

"I wish I could, David. Boy, you sure are lucky to have a television. Sure do wish we had one too but now that I don't have my dad anymore my mom can barely afford to pay the rent on our house, never mind buying anything as great as a television set."

"Well, come on over and watch it with me."

"Can't David. It's Monday and on Mondays my mom always works a shift at the Dominion Store. I promised to look after Leona and Ronald until she gets home at six."

"Come tomorrow after school then. My mom says you can come over anytime you want. You could even stay for supper if you wanted. You're lucky to have a brother and sister. In our house, it's just me. The only companion I have is my television set it seems."

"I will if I can, David. You think I'm lucky? You're the lucky one! No other kids so you get all the stuff you want and you got a dad to get out there and play catch with you and do all kinds of good stuff together."

"Yeah, I got a dad all right," David admitted, "but it seems he's always working late. Says he needs to work a lot to provide all the good stuff like television sets and aerials so I don't see a lot of him. Mom's okay but she doesn't know much about the kinds of games  you and I could play together. She's what my dad calls a girly-girl. She's never taken an interest in boy stuff."

"Well, I'd like to come over, David, and I would if I could but if I don't get home in a hurry Lord knows what the young ones will be getting into in the house. If they make a mess you know it's me who will never hear the end of it."

Despondent but accepting David replied, "Okay, I get it. See you in school tomorrow, Tony." He carefully crossed the street and turned a corner on his way to his home.

Anthony smartly stepped up his pace. Between the horrible hassle with the bullies and the time spent talking with David somehow a half hour had slipped by. Lord knows what those kids are getting into, he worried.

BEYOND THE BLUE  -  a coming-of-age novella is available in Kindle, Paperback, and Audiobook formats on all Amazon sites.  You will find it on my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Or directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Beyond-Blue-coming-age-novella/dp/1500458341/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ND1NS0TPR5BD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Sd5188LAaj2IK7s3-XJ-q7in5k9eo0tkl9D9vOkgQ4A9_ww-78T56UyYDxyIFXTMThVqDhZ6brz0ZrUgiSm6GA.KiDcHc4Es0t4GiOMpNxYEQjTPGpPdNGRFXpoClyeE2A&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+Beyond+the+Blue&qid=1771090822&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+beyond+the+blue%2Cstripbooks%2C113&sr=1-1

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DINNER AT SEVEN - a romantic novel - an excerpt

 DINNER AT SEVEN  - a romantic novel - an excerpt

PAGE 24 - 25

And now it is nine-fifteen. With the precious portfolio under my arm I leave my apartment. I drive the ten blocks to Carpenter and Associates where I find Derek anxiously awaiting me in the conference room.

"Good morning, Marsha. You look sensational! We have a few minutes before they arrive; come, sit down and relax.

"Morning Derek." I sit beside him. He will reside at the head of the conference table. I remove the promising presentation from my portfolio.

"How are you feeling? I know this is a rotten thing to do to you, Marsha, but I just want you to know that whatever happens this morning, I am proud of you."

"Since your phone call yesterday it has been like pressure city, Derek. You scared the hell out of me but I'm pretty confident I have covered everything. We will soon know anyway."

Within a few moments the three gentlemen arrive and Derek rises to greet them at the door. "Welcome gentlemen. May I introduce you to Miss Marsha Stevenson who has some very interesting and exciting ideas to present to you this morning."

I shake hands with Mr. Madison; a short, fat, balding man.  I shake hands with Mr. Borstein; a tall, bespectacled man and then I shake hands with Mr. Martin who is the most attractive man I have ever met; Mr. Martin - David Martin.  Oh, my god! I'm freaking out!

DINNER AT SEVEN - a romance novel is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on all Amazon sites.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

or directly at https://www.amazon.ca/Dinner-At-Seven-romance-novel/dp/1508636184/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VRATQB5M4ZDB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.whMpDnM7iy6tCInxT1aC8A.yBlgbXHex9q9uDAsTMBXFP5eSImxJS5X2iqyiH7Rv2w&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+dinner+at+seven&qid=1771002312&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+dinner+at+seven%2Cstripbooks%2C114&sr=1-1

MOOSE ROAD, a Canadian Tragedy - an excerpt

 MOOSE ROAD, a Canadian Tragedy - an excerpt

Page 14-15

I was a good mother. I did everything for my children. I loved them and I devoted my life to them.

Now I rarely hear from them. It's been such a long time since I've seen them I don't even remember the last time. Today my son, Robert, the only boy who never left home, runs the farm.

More than thirty years ago Rob married Alice Murphy and brought her home to live here with  us on the farm.  I can't say that the Murphys are a lot better than the O'Briens so I will resist temptation and I'll not say another word about the family in which Alice grew up.

They say the apple never falls far from the branch but I feel no hesitation in stating that I believe Alice is an exception to that fabled rule.  At first I wasn't enthusiastic about her arrival into my home. I wasn't sure I wanted to accept another woman into my kitchen; into my son's life or into my own heart.  The warmth and caring that is the essence of Alice was far greater than any doubts I had about living with the daughter-in-law.

She is a very kind and thoughtful woman. I have to admit that from the very first day she moved in with  us, Alice has always been good to me.

Now that I am an old lady she never complains about having to bring me my meals or about washing my clothes.  Yes, my Robert could have done a lot worse than Alice. And she gave him the greatest gift of all, a healthy son; my grandson, Martin who is now twenty-nine years old. My life being what it is with my other sons and daughters keeping their determined distance, Martin is the only grandchild I have the good fortune to see and to know in these, my last days.

Whether I will be a great-grandparent again in the near future or not is debatable. Oh, there is no doubt that Martin's girlfriend, Angel O'Brien, is expecting a child. Why, she must be near seven months gone now and the girl has no shame, no shame at all, when it comes to prancing around the neighbourhood and even into Mansey with her stomach bulging; filled as it is with her bastard child.

Yes, I know bastard is a harsh word but just because I am saying it like that doesn't mean that you should get the idea I have anything against the poor, innocent, unborn child. I declare it is never the baby's fault what its mother gets up to.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that Angel is back and forth like a yoyo between the house of Alex O'Brien and our own house.

It's not that the young ones seek my approval because they know their reckless behaviour would never gain it but I am not blind. I have a more than fair idea of what goes on in this house between Angel and my grandson. I wasn't born anywhere close to yesterday.

But who really knows what goes on in the O'Brien household? That is something else again. I can only imagine and I can only hope the situation there is not any worse than what I can imagine.

MOOSE ROAD, a Canadian Tragedy is available on all Amazon sites in Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook formats.  You can find it on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Or directly at https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=Audrey+Austin+Moose+Road+a+Canadian+Tragedy&i=stripbooks&crid=24BG6G0XAVCDZ&sprefix=audrey+austin+moose+road+a+canadian+tragedy%2Cstripbooks%2C123&ref=nb_sb_noss

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REAWAKENING

 REAWAKENING - an excerpt

Page 36 - 37

Jim's arousal from the sleep state occurred in a predictable, normal enough manner. He glanced at his measure of time and, assuring himself that he had not stayed too long, he got up with care from the warmth of his sleep space.

Like all Primes, Jim had his own personal space where he spent his free time when he was not at work. His personal space was small but larger than those allotted to Primes categorized as Clericals or Caregivers. His was identical to the spaces allotted to all Primes of his intellectual level.

There was no outside world for the Notsewian citizens. With the exception of the Transport and Digger Primes who travelled back and forth from Earth in their space ships on a regular basis in order to complete their pick up and delivery  missions, no one ever left the confines of the gigantic sphere known as Notsew. There were many ships and all were triangular in shape. It was customary for them to travel in groups of three, never wandering too far from the sight of the mother ship which kept constant guard over Notsew to protect their homeland from invasion. No such invasion had ever occurred but, as a safeguard, The Powers That Be were adamant and issued strict orders that the mother ship be manned by Transport Primes at all times.

Just as each Prime on Notsew had his own personal space, the Midescents also had theirs but, of necessity, the Kidopausals and the Olbabes resided in dormitory-like fashion similar to the Newolds. Dormitory life for these Notsewians made the work easier and more efficient for the Midescents and Primes who carried out their duties and worked with those in the less capable categories.

The interior of Jim's space was austere, practical and as private as one could expect it to be on Notsew. Across the floor from the actual sleep space, there was a comfortable, molded structure that met the contours of a Prime's body when in a semi-reclining position. This structure was called a thought space. He would have no use for one as he was not expected to analyze or think through situations.

REAWAKENING is available in Kindle, Paperback, and Audiobook formats on all Amazon sites. It can be found on my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Or directly  at https://www.amazon.ca/Reawakening-Audrey-Austin/dp/1508652228/ref=sr_1_1?crid=91B2CZWIHPCX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xVL88zY25fFalcGCqRY3ok69EkwTkMrOHi9s5s8bBp-Z-MZtBs4_faqDVju147nP85CBSnXblBIAv8xj_n1p4_BsE7wkGJURlXMfckmSC7L3dsW-S1dDUHRivTElDHGH.LgWMqtU04cnqOIfS9AJWPLwdPP-9wl6AHjxc1m7hEa0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Audrey+Austin+Reawakening&qid=1770846585&s=books&sprefix=audrey+austin+reawakening%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1

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