Ellen and The Hummingtree free in the Kindle store

To celebrate my 12th creative writing anniversary, I offer Ellen and The Hummingtree free in the Kindle Store for your reading enjoyment Sunday, July 6, 2019.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EODG06M/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10



Ellen and the Hummingtree
by 
Audrey Austin

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.


Some reviews of Ellen and the Hummingtree

A review by Celtic Frog Reviews:

4.0 out of 5 starsEllen and the Hummingtree

February 20, 2013

Format: Kindle Edition

Ellen and the Hummingtree is the story of Ellen and a rock 
through which she speaks to God. The rock moves with her
 as she lives her life. Ellen doesn't have an easy life, but the 
rock encourages her and gives her courage. Through Ellen
 we meet her family and close friends, and especially the voice
 of God that whispers to her through the chunk of yellow quartz.

Ellen is very human with her share of flaws. The story is as
 much about her learning to accept those flaws in herself 
and others as anything else. She grows substantially by the
 close of the book. There are times when I wanted to give her 
a good talking to, and other times when she shows grace and humility.

Audrey has created a memorable character in Ellen. She is very
 well portrayed and has a wonderful complexity. The story moves
 back and forth in time as Ellen explores her life. The important
 movement isn't chronological but her development of love and
 faith through the rock in her garden.

I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it for those
 who like strong women characters.

4.0 out of 5 starThe Write Read for a Wintry Afternoon

Phyllis Humby:   My books have been gathering dust and creating stress. Yes, 
it stresses me out when everything seems to take precedence
 over reading. Anyway, today I finished a book that I couldn't 
wait to receive in the mail - months ago − 
Ellen and the Hummingtree by Audrey Austin, a writer from Elliott Lake.

I had the good fortune to meet Audrey online and become 
acquainted with her writing. If memory serves correctly,
 I first noticed Audrey's work on Commuterlit.com, a site that
 has featured my work as well.

Ellen and the Hummingtree is an interesting book about a woman
 of deep faith who has a unique coping mechanism. She speaks to 
God. Now, I know you will argue that many of us speak to God. 
But Ellen believes God lives inside a large yellow quartz rock 
in her backyard. Oh, and of course He speaks to her too. 
There's a little hole in the top of the rock. Never mind, just read the book.

It is a collection of well-written stories that weave back and forth 
through the emotional circumstances of a woman's life. These
 stories delve into her relationships as a daughter, wife, mother, 
grandmother, and friend. Oh, and cousin - I forgot about her 
cousin Marielle.

In my opinion - only my opinion - the theme of this book is fear.
 I know that some of you who are familiar with this book
 may harrumph at that statement but a book is very personal. 
It's interpreted differently by each reader. That's why I love 
talking to my first readers. I'm fascinated by the interpretation
 of my work. Each person sees something different or relates
 with a different character. I digress (as always).

Audrey's character, Ellen, is on her own to raise two children. 
Fear. Her grandson, who has a learning disability, is bullied at school. 
Fear. God lives in a rock in her backyard. That would scare the crap
 out of me. (My attempt at humour - I'm sorry)

Ellen has many fears, as do we all. The fear of growing old and senile,
 the fear of having to give up a home to live in a facility. Then there is
 the ultimate fear. Of growing older and older and older, when all she 
wants is to re-unite with all the loved ones that have passed on. 
You do remember that I said this was strictly my opinion.

Near the end of the book there is a chapter I Need You to Remember Me.
 I remember reading that story, or at least an edited version, some
 time ago. Please tell me, Audrey, that this was a published short story
 at some point. If not, I had an incredible déjà vu moment. I liked the
 story the first time I read it - otherwise I never would have remembered
 it - and it will remain indelible in my mind.

The last chapter Time to Go Home is melancholy and poignant. 
I have witnessed death and thought about life after death. I 
appreciate Audrey Austin's rendering. This chapter was a fitting
 ending to a thought provoking book with a unique approach.

Ellen and the Hummingtree by Audrey Austin; a good read for
 a wintry afternoon.

5.0 out of 5 starsA GOOD read!

Susan:  A very relatable story with an unusual twist, the connection Ellen 

has with others both visible and invisible is a journey into 

sometimes comical, sometimes intensely personal and 

sometimes very real and ordinary. It's an enjoyable read that

 left me more familiar with my own beliefs and hopes.

Ellen and The Hummingtree is available in both Kindle and Paperback formats 

exclusively on Amazon.

Ellen and The Hummingtree is free in the KindleStore Sunday, July 6, 2019,

 for your reading pleasure.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EODG06M/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

Happy Canada Day by Duncan Wells

Happy Canada Day 2019! ♥

Dear Canada, I love you,

You have been so good to me.

How blessed am I to call my home

this country proud and free.

I'm grateful for the gifts you give

Freedom, hope, and peace. 

I've traveled far, seen many lands

But none so fair as  you.

Dear Canada, I love you,

My homeland strong and true.

Audrey Austin

My twelfth writing anniversary :-)

I sometimes find it difficult to accept that twelve years have passed since I retired from the so-called working world and began to work as a writer.  Yes, this July marks the twelfth anniversary of my writing career.

Of course, I did spend time writing prior to that special day, but I allowed too many road blocks like the need for money and the needs of my family; to take priority in my busy working life.   Everyone knows it is a rare event, indeed, for a writer to support herself through her craft.   And I certainly did know that the odds of an unknown, unpolished writer like myself being discovered were slim.   I knew I would have quite the struggle to find a publisher willing to take the time to get to know me and my writing dreams and goals.

The road I followed was a path I made on my own; something I learned even as a very young child.   If I wanted money, I would create ways to bring some into my world.   Although never the most helpful child around our own home, I would run errands for neighbours; I would baby-sit; and a little money would find its way into my pocket.

If I wanted entertainment I would find ways to make my own fun; ways that did not cost money.

The result, of course, is that, as an adult, if I want something done I have learned that I need only simply begin.  

And that is what happened with my creative writing aspirations when I retired from the working world.    I swallowed my fear and went out on a limb.  I wrote my first book and I titled it "Sara, a Canadian Saga".   

As luck would have it, when I began taking the steps to pay serious attention to my creative writing, the universe cooperated.    My dear friend, Shirley Green, introduced me to Maggie Kirton and Wynterblue Publishing; a company that offered wonderful writing competitions on a regular basis.   I fell in love with Wynterblue's Wynlits and the Confabulations that included my short stories.  Maggie Kirton's support and encouragement were inspirational.

She was the first to read Sara's manuscript.    She hated it!  She found so much wrong with it!  I decided I would just forget about writing.

But that thought didn't stay with me long.

Instead I went to work.  And I re-wrote Sara, and then I wrote it again, and yet again.  As I wrote, the manuscript, strangely enough, did not get longer.  No, indeed, the story became shorter.   Cut!  Cut!  Cut!   

I always knew I talked too much.  I was learning that I write too much.    In time Sara, a Canadian Saga was ready for publication.  Thanks to perseverance, Maggie Kirton, and Wynterblue Publishing, I gave birth to my very first real book.

Twelve years have passed since that day and, being a prolific writer, I have created many novels, novellas, short stories, and poems, not to mention some song lyrics and a couple of plays. 

My writing world is now an integral part of my journey.   Always I am grateful to Maggie Kirton and Wynterblue Publishing.   I'm also grateful to Sara, the little girl whose life created my own and allowed me to be who I am as I celebrate this, my twelfth writing anniversary.

Thank you to all who buy and read my books which are many and which are sold exclusively through Amazon.

And more recently, with the amazing, talented narrators who are willing to take a chance with me and to bring my stories alive in the world of audio books,  I am even more grateful.   Thank you to Earl Sewell; Falon Echo; John Carter Aimone; Kendra Murray, and Ralph Scott.  These creative people picked up my stories that were living in the Paperback and Kindle world and they gave my stories a new home not only in Amazon, but in Itunes, and Audibles.   They awakened all my characters  and gave them a voice that calls out to you and says,
 "Hey, come, take a listen."    To these talented people, I am grateful.

Sara, a Canadian Saga, my very first novel, is available for your reading pleasure exclusively in Amazon in paperback and kindle formats.   Sara is also there waiting to meet you in the audio book world for your listening enjoyment.

All my books are found on Amazon and my author's page is found at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Thank you for buying a book and helping me to celebrate this, my 12th anniversary.  ♥♥♥

Available in Paperback and Kindle

The people on this cover are my family of origin.

I'm the little one.

And the house behind is the house in which I was born

and spent my early childhood days.

Available now as an audio book

on Amazon, Itunes, and Audibles.

Both beautiful covers are designed by SusanRK

of https://yuneekpix.com

Emotional Healing Workshop

GETTING HIGH on life

a series of workshops for women

raise our spirits

raise our awareness

raise our consciousness

and learn about ourselves in the process.

Bring notebook & pen and come join us in the Meeting Room of the

Elliot Lake Public Library.

Second workshop in the series: GOOD  Grief!  

How can grief possibly be good?

Emotional Healing – Grieving Our Losses

Special guest:  Isabelle Meawasige

Tuesday, July 30^th, from 1 pm to 4 pm

$25 but register before July 1st, $20

(register early because minimum registration 6 – maximum 18)

Registration & payment directly with Audrey Austin – not at the library.

Beyond the Blue is now for sale as an audio book :-)

I'm very excited! Beyond the Blue is now for sale in Audibles.

Within 24 to 48 hours it will also be available in Amazon and Itunes for your listening pleasure.

A big thank you to Earl Sewell for the wonderful narration. A big thank you to https://yuneekpix.com for the beautiful cover design.

Beyond the Blue is also available exclusively on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats for your reading enjoyment. :-)

My audio books

With REAWAKENING recently released as an audio book and with Beyond the Blue on its way to retail, I am very excited that soon I will have five audio books available for your listening pleasure on Amazon, Audibles, and Itunes.

Ellen and The Hummingtree is currently in production and, narrated by Falon Echo, this book will also soon be available as an audio book.

All beautiful cover designs are created by https://yuneekpix.com

These books and more are also available exclusively on Amazon
in paperback and kindle formats.

Thank you for your continued encouragement and support.

And thanks for visiting my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Your positive reviews mean the world to me.

REAWAKENING now available as an audio book

REAWAKENING is not only available as a Kindle or Paperback book 

for your reading enjoyment.

REAWAKENING, 

narrated by Kendra Murray and Ralph Scott, 

is now also available for your listening pleasure 

as an audio book on Amazon, Audibles, and Itunes.

Beautiful cover design on this and on all my audio books

is by

https://yuneekpix.com

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

Beyond the Blue is heading for retail

Cover design: https://yuneekpix.com

Beyond the Blue is now heading for retail.    This audio book will be available soon for your listening pleasure on Amazon, Audibles, and Itunes.

A big thank you to Earl Sewell for his wonderful narration.

Earl Sewell, narrator

GOOD Grief - but how can grief possibly be good? a workshop

GETTING HIGH on life

a series of workshops for women

raise our spirits

raise our awareness

raise our consciousness

and learn about ourselves in the process.

Bring notebook & pen and come join us in the Meeting Room of the

Elliot Lake Public Library.

Second workshop in the series: Good Grief!  

How can grief possibly be good?

Emotional Healing – Grieving Our Losses

Tuesday, July 30^th, from 1 pm to 4 pm

$25 but register before July 1st, $20

(register early because minimum registration 6 – maximum 18)

Registration & payment directly with Audrey Austin – not at the library.

When God Gives Us Spring

When God Gives Us Spring  is free today in the Kindle Store on all Amazon sites.

When God Gives Us Spring is also available exclusively on Amazon in paperback.

The audio book is there for your listening pleasure on Amazon, Audibles, and Itunes.

Cover design by https:yuneekpix.com

Check out my author's page at

https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

Your support and encouragement mean the world to me.

Thanks for your positive reviews.

FREE in the Kindle Store

When God Gives Us Spring is free for your reading pleasure in the Kindle Store on Sunday, June 9th.

When God Gives Us Spring is also available in paperback exclusively on Amazon and as an audio book narrated by Earl Sewell on Amazon, Audibles, and Itunes for your listening enjoyment.

audio book cover by https://yuneekpix.com

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