My Top 100 Favorite Books
on Nov 21, 2009 in Favorite Books Top Hundred Books I could rearrange this list from week to week. And there are many other books that I've read worthy of making this list. I doubt the top 3 will ever change -- though it is possible. (Omitted from list: Holy Books, friends books, children’s books)...

Excerpt from" Beyond the Pale," Chapter 9
on Nov 14, 2009 in novel excerpt fiction historical fiction russia Chapter 91890, Kiev, RussiaJov Baklanov tossed a tattered, leather boot at the black, long-haired mutt perched up against the sofa. She barked wildly out the window at a white cat that pranced about in the littered alleyway, seemingly enjoying the do...

Don't Touch The Glass
on Nov 7, 2009 in short story I don't know about this one -- I figured what the heck! Post it, then file the story away.Danny lurched from his mother’s vomit-stained lap. He hit the floor with a thud. Face tensed. Eyes widened, he pulled at his stomach, yanking, yanking, like s...

Colbalt Green
on Nov 2, 2009 in young adult fiction literary fiction short story This short story is another one from the archives -- I'm guessing that I wrote it about ten years ago. First clue that it's an oldie, again: First person point-of-view (and once again male). And the second important clue that this one is an oldie,...

Excerpt from "One of Us," Chapter 1
on Oct 31, 2009 in novel excerpt Dublin Texas historical fiction SummerChapter 1Charlotte let out a wail that traveled to the edges of their thousand-acre ranch. Armadillos stopped in their tracks. Tiny white butterflies paused on blades of grass swaying in the hot August breeze. A rattler or two slithered out fro...

Excerpt from "Beyond the Pale," Chapter 6
on Oct 25, 2009 in novel excerpt literary fiction fiction historical fiction russia Sevastopol, Russia 1889Six year old Joshua picked up a stone and threw it so that it skipped along the rippling edges of the sea. All the neighborhood children, and even some adults, tried to beat the record, eight skips – set by thirteen-year-old...

2 Short Poems
on Oct 24, 2009 in short poetry literary fiction fiction poems I gave up my attempt at poetry many a year ago : ) But here's a few for your entertainment (though comic it may be), if there is anyone out there . . .PATRIOTISM (October 1994)The statue moves,I turn to follow.Ruffle the cage no more.And when it's ov...

Excerpt from "Beyond the Pale," Chapter 2
on Oct 18, 2009 in novel excerpt literary fiction fiction historical fiction wwii December 5, 1941, BerlinHazel eyes peered through the slits of the Becker’s boarded up windows where the wood planks made deep impressions in Lisette’s cheeks. You could hear only her shallow breathing as she spied through the crevice on three yo...

Waiting for Sunrise
on Oct 14, 2009 in ardennes fiction wwii short story battle of the buldge This one's from the archives -- written about fifteen years ago. The big clue that it's an oldie is that I wrote it in the first person point of view (a male pov at that!). I rarely write in the 1st person pov anymore. I used to find it easier, now I...

The Breaking
on Oct 9, 2009 in literary fiction slice of life vignette fiction short story It might take more pages than the actual story to explain why I wrote this one a little over a year ago. Not sure either if anyone cares. So, I'll leave you with only this story, and with one note to say that I had no intention on demeaning anyone, o...