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“A vivid set of tales about connection to other people and to the natural world…Hale’s lovely prose shows a keen eye for detail…”
— Kirkus Reviews
Winedale Publishing | Brazos Bookstore | Amazon

When I first picked up this book, I knew to expect a collection of stories but I had no idea how entranced I would be! This collection is so very timely with many of us experiencing some level of grief, a great restlessness from being away from loved ones, and a deep need to be in a calm setting. I found all of these elements perfectly interwoven through the individual narratives throughout this collection. Most of the stories feature a person or family who abandon the hustle and bustle of the big city to experience a calmer life in the Hill Country. The motivations range from grief and loss to needing a change of venue. Throughout the collection of stories the “fish out of water” motif is repeated, but with incredible skill and beautiful prose.
While reading, I frequently found myself feeling a great sense of sadness, anger, frustration, and peace, sometimes simultaneously! Honestly, the experience was breathtaking! This is a fantastic collection of stories that reel you in and don’t let you go until the very end. The underlying theme through the collection is that of place. My favorite story is “A Skeptical Parrot”, which features quick time jumps, German freethinkers in Central Texas, the Civil War, and carries a deep sense of place and memory. I have always been someone who enjoys stories about memory, particularly generational memory. This story spoke to me in a way and reminded me of my own grandparents, their experiences, their home, and the great sense of place that I felt in their small town.
Overall, I felt a deep emotion connection to this collection of stories and I can certainly see why this author is an award winner! I found the writing to be excellent and the thematic elements to be very well done. I would recommend this to readers who are called to stories with a lot of emotional connection! The cover is gorgeous and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Just about 200 pages is a perfect length to read on an afternoon in a sunny place, possibly in a place that reminds you of home!
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for having me along on this tour!
TWO WINNERS each receive a signed bookplate
+ $20 Brazos Bookstore Gift Card to buy the book
(US only. Ends midnight, CDT, 4/2/2021.)
for direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,
or visit the blogs directly:
3/23/21 |
Author Video |
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3/23/21 |
Excerpt |
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3/24/21 |
Review |
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3/24/21 |
BONUS Promo |
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3/25/21 |
Review |
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3/25/21 |
Author Interview |
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3/26/21 |
Review |
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3/26/21 |
BONUS Promo |
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3/27/21 |
Excerpt |
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3/28/21 |
Guest Post |
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3/29/21 |
Review |
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3/29/21 |
Author Interview |
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3/30/21 |
Review |
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3/31/21 |
Review |
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3/31/21 |
Guest Post |
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4/1/21 |
Review |
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4/1/21 |
Review |

Wonderful review! I love reading short stories, and when a collection is not only interconnected but also connects so deeply with the reader, it’s a win-win! Thanks for sharing!
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