My most recent previous novel titled Ellen and The Hummingtree is now a Kindle Book published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada. The first print run which received wonderful positive reviews is sold out.
Read these reviews in earlier posts in Calling All Writers
Currently my Kindle books on Amazon.com are my novels Sara, a Canadian Saga; Reawakening; and Ellen and The Hummingtree: all published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada and all cover designs by Susan Ruby K. of Yuneekpix.com http://yuneekpix.com http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
My short story anthology titled The Silent Star plus a Dozen is available as a Kindle Book
And so is my book about the trinity of Meditation, the Seven Major Chakras and Psychospiritual therapy titled Keeping It Simple available as a Kindle book.
I have a few print copies of Sara, a Canadian Saga; Reawakening; and The Silent Star plus a Dozen and if you wish a copy of one of these books please email me
.
No longer a work in progress, my fourth novel titled Moose Road - a Canadian Tragedy is now complete and in the hands of my publisher, Wynterblue Publishing Canada. Local Elliot Lake launch of this book is planned for the fall of 2013.
Creative writing is my joy -- the day it is no longer a pleasure is the day I will stop writing. I am enjoying some writing success and I also love competition writing. My mother enjoyed writing poetry and stories. I am grateful that she shared her gift with me. Since my retirement from the working world I have been successful in meeting my personal writing goal of one book per year.
Sara, a Canadian Saga was my first novel, followed by my second novel Reawakening, then The Silent Star Plus a Dozen (short story anthology); Keeping It Simple (personal growth) and my most recent novel that has been very well received, Ellen and The Hummingtree.
SARA, a Canadian Saga -- a review by Patricia McGoldrick ...
SARA, A CANADIAN SAGA-ANOTHER EARLY SPRING READ!
In Canada, many of us grew up reading about Anne of Green Gables, a fictional early 20th century girl who became part of our cultural identity and childhood memories.
In this 21st century, allow me to introduce Sara, a Canadian Saga, written by Audrey Austin from Elliot Lake, Ontario. For first-time novelist, Austin, the experience of "Letting her [Sara] out into the world was like watching my first child go off to kindergarten; hopeful yet frightening". After reading this all-to-brief novel, Audrey Austin's hopes have been well-founded.
A glimpse at the cover image by Susan Krupp takes one into the setting of this historical fiction with its early 1900's clothing styles and older wooden buildings. Rustic and sepia toned, the graphic carries readers back to the early 20th century in a story that follows main character Sara from 1916 to the 50s.
The Maritime setting of Prince Edward Island is home to ten-year old Sara and her family. She grows to adulthood, as does Roy from Springhill, Nova Scotia, through difficult economic times which, eventually, lead to mid-century Ontario.
Austin has integrated the spirit of the Eastern Canadian cultural location with mention of fiddles and step dances, games of cards and crokinole that passed the time in the pre-social media era.
In this book, family relationships play a central part of the story, as in the character of Sara's mother, Rebecca, a strong minded woman, challenged by harsh times and the struggle to raise a family with her husband.
Meanwhile, in Nova Scotia, generations of miners have worked at mining coal, a job that occupies Roy's father, Luke. The family is a part of the Salvation Army with Roy and his sister being involved with playing the cornet and singing. It is a faith-based group but, importantly, involves a social outlet as well for people in the small communities at the heart of this novel.
The children, Sara and Roy, grow up in their communities, helping out with daily chores, forming their own ideas of what they want in the future. However, no spoilers here. Suffice it to say, they do face obstacles, typical for the times in Canada with the "goldanged" Depression being a considerable challenge.
Audrey Austin, successfully, integrates highlights of the early 20th century era along with the everyday aspects such as the Rawleigh Company that sold products to households in Canada and the United States; growing emergence of telephone and cars; even "yellowing scribblers". Sara's discovery of "scribblers" is an element with which many readers will identify. In these notebooks, Sara has shared her thoughts and dreams, an experience shared by many of us!
In a recent e-interview, Audrey Austin noted that "SARA enjoys a general audience from young adult to seniors, some of whom have memory of the Great Depression and its impact on Canadian families". This book is a case in point for the writing of historical fiction. In this genre, one gets a glimpse of the past, from family life to economic hardships and job success in early 20th century Canada. Audrey Austin admits that the book contains "slivers of actual happenings" from life; however, the challenge of creativity in writing historical fiction is met with this new character, Sara, and her companions.
As with Anne of Green Gables, this young fictional character is a character who tells us much about our country's past. For a peak at early 20th century Canada, check out Sara, a Canadian Saga.
For information on obtaining this book, check out the author page for Audrey Austin.
By Patricia Anne McGoldrick, on March 18, 2013.
My most recent manuscript is titled "Moose Road - a Canadian Tragedy. This work came into existence due to my participation in NaNoWriMo. And, yes, I validated my submission and I am a NaNo "Winner". Again for this, my fourth novel, Susan Ruby K. of http://Yuneekpix.com has created five wonderful illustrations which you will find throughout the book. She also designed the beautiful cover for "Moose Road - a Canadian Tragedy".
I am the author of 3 novels; Ellen and The Hummingtree; Sara, a Canadian Saga; and Reawakening. I have also written one anthology titled The Silent Star plus a Dozen and one self-help manual titled Keeping it Simple.
I have a few paperback books available for sale. To order your copy just contact me at audrey@persona.ca Kindle books are found at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
I have many short stories published in Confab 2,3, 4 and 5 by Wynterblue Publishing Canada. I also have several short stories published on CommuterLit.com and Chapterandverse.ca Check them out. I hope you will enjoy the reading.
Below is a little bit about each of my publications:
Moose Road - a Canadian Tragedy
Elliot Lake launch will take place fall, 2013
Author: Audrey Austin, Cover design: Susan Ruby k.
A tragic accident between a snow plow and a school bus takes place on Moose Road. Who is to blame? Seven farms line Moose Road. Everyone has a story but maybe the road itself is the only one who can come close to the truth in the matter
My third novel titled Ellen and The Hummingtree celebrated its Elliot Lake launch, Saturday, November 10th. "Ellen is a composite of many beautiful, spiritual women I have known and loved throughout my journey. I hope you will welcome her into your heart and enjoy the stories she shares in Ellen and The Hummingtree"
ELLEN and THE HUMMINGTREE:
Author - Audrey Austin -- Cover design - Susan Ruby K., artist, also did all the illustrations throughout the book.
Ellen and The Hummingtree is a fictional, magical and mystical account of the memoirs of Ellen Dawson exploring many social issues: child abandonment; deadbeat dads; separation & divorce;financial struggle; family relationships; infidelity; love on line; aging; women's issues; Alzheimer's; death and dying. She is a composite of many beautiful, spiritual women I have known.
Ellen always finds the hope, support and encouragement she needs when she prays to her God in the yellow quartz rock beneath the Hummingtree.
At the outset of this writing journey I met Ellen. I became acquainted with her and now, after knowing her for more than a year, I can say that I truly like her. She has the courage of her convictions and no matter what life threw at her, Ellen never lost faith. Feedback from readers of Ellen and The Hummingtree has been very positive.
Sara, a Canadian Saga
Author: Audrey Austin.
ABOUT 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 marriage 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.
You will find SARA, the Kindle book on http://amazon.com or in paperback format from the author.
Reawakening
Author: Audrey Austin, Cover design: Susan Ruby K.
An excerpt from REAWAKENING...by Audrey Austin
"Linda and Jim were happy together in their marriage. Each day brought forth new and interesting challenges for the industrious couple. Life was good. Unfortunately, it was too good to last. Years flew by and Jim was now becoming an old man, even by Earth's standards. When he suffered the massive coronary he left his young heart-broken wife a childless widow.
She mourned. She grieved.
Linda was a beautiful woman, bright, vivacious and caring. After her husband's death she had many opportunities to date. Several men admired her and wanted to spend time with her but she chose not to go out with anyone. She had no desire to date and she never remarried. Jim was her one and only true love.
Linda grew old as her husband before her had grown old. She died a peaceful death.
And then it happened..............."
Reawakening is available as a Kindle book at http://amazon.com and in paperback format from the author.
The Silent Star Plus a Dozen --
Author: Audrey Austin, Cover design: Susan Ruby K.
The Silent Star plus a Dozen is an anthology of thirteen short stories.
THE SILENT STAR.....previously published in Confab 3, Wynterblue Anthology, North Bay, 2010
an excerpt: "My dreams made no sense to me. They held no relevance to my reality. As foolish as it sounded, even to me, I wished Joseph would come into my dreams and interpret them for me. But, of course, he didn't. I did love the rose garden I often dreamed of though and I got into the habit of keeping a red rose in a bud vase on top of the dresser in my room. I didn't know why the rose was so important to me. I just knew that it was."
IN CONTROL..previously published in Confab 2, Wynterblue Anthology, North Bay, 2009
an excerpt: "Mary, come with me this afternoon to look at the cottage lots. Come with me, please?" he asked.
"Come with you? Come with someone I know nothing about? You must be crazy!"
"Be crazy with me, Mary. Just once take a chance. Let go of control and have some fun."
"Fun," Mary mused. "I don't remember the last time I had any fun."
THE BIG BOOK..Previously published in Confab 2, Wynterblue Anthology, North Bay, 2009
an excerpt: "Come on into the alley with me, baby. I'll share my bottle with you.
Gwendolyn hesitated, then thought, what am I worried about? He can't kill me if I'm already dead. "I'll come into the alley with you on one condition," she stated.
"One condition? What condition you talking about? I'm not into making deals, you know. I just want to share a little drinkie-poo with you."
"It will cost you."
"Cost me? Are you a pro? Lordy, I never would have taken you for a pro, little lady. Aren't you too old for that kind of monkey business?"
Feeling insulted, Gwendolyn replied, "Why, the nerve! I don't know which is the bigger insult; calling me a pro or telling me I'm too old to be one."
This anthology containing 13 short stories is available as a Kindle book at Amazon.com and also in paperback format from the author.
Keeping It Simple
Emotional Healing through Meditation, the Chakra System & Psychospiritual Therapy
KEEPING IT SIMPLE is available as an E-book on Amazon.com
It is a work of non-fiction by Audrey Austin
Cover Design by Susan Krupp: Yuneekpix.com
Simplicity in meditation, as in life, is an admirable goal but it is not always easy to be simple.
Life, with its myriad of challenges, has a habit of doing its best to get in the way. Nevertheless we keep our focus on this goal and feel grateful when it is achieved.
It is my highest hope that you, the reader, will find KEEPING IT SIMPLE a useful guide as you continue your journey along the path of self-discovery and personal growth.
I wish you love and light.
The Ebook Kindle edition of Sara, a Canadian Saga is published as are all my books by Wynterblue Publishing Canada which is a non-profit company. Wynterblue is invaluable because of its support to northern writers.
Here are some more positive reviews of Sara, a Canadian Saga.
"Your well-written book brought memories of actual places and people to me. I was a child growing up on Prince Edward Island in the dirty thirties." K. Austin
"I've read your book already and loved the story. It reminded me of the stories my parents and grandparents used to relate about the 20's and 30's, Your story will sell very well with the older audience and educate the younger ones. They were not easy days for anyone." Judy Donovan-McDonald.
"I received SARA on Tuesday and cóuldn't wait to read it. I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the story especially the streets in Toronto. It brought back a lot of memories. It is good for the soul to remember the past. Could that be why we call them the good old days? Looking forward to a sequel. Maureen Jones-Motchan.
"I truly enjoyed reading SARA. At times I laughed and at other times I felt tears welling up. It was such a good story, well written and I loved it." Eleanor Lambert.
I just finished reading "Sara."
I took the book to work with me where I was teaching a grade 7 class. The children were directed to write about a time when they or someone they knew, demonstrated perseverance. I held up the book and used "Sara" as an example of a woman who demonstrated perseverance. I also spoke to the fact that the author demonstrated this quality in her determination to have her story published. You would not believe the response from these kids - many wanted to know if they could get it at Chapters. This story is uniquely Canadian and should be marketed to adolescents as part of their Canadian heritage. "Sara" is a narrative that figures in the histories of Canadian families everywhere. I will be passing this on to my son!
The line that cracked me up and drew me in for good:
"Their mother set the steaming bowls of vegetables in the centre of the large, old, wooden table that no amount of wax and polish could dignify." (p. 11)
I won't over-analyze why this struck me as hilarious, it just did. What sad, sad state Rebecca was in over her table. This table is a silent witness to generations of love, hope, fear, strife, courage, ignorance and finally, understanding. What a beautiful metaphor for an old scratched up, banged around history that none of us can escape and our fear of endlessly repeating it.
Thank-you for inviting us to the table.
Karen Preston.
I'm very excited that I have five, soon to be six, Kindle Books published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada at http://www.amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
If you click on a book cover you will then see an option to "like" the book.
Thank you to those of you who have read my books for your positive review.
I much appreciate your encouragement and support and your positive reviews are very welcome.
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