Sally Cronin has Published a Short Story of Mine – Cultural Differences

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 5 Comments

Sally Cronin has a feature on her Smorgasbord Blog Magazine named Authors in the Sun, which encourages bloggers to submit a short story. I did just that, and Sally is featuring it today. I think most of you know how supportive Sally is to Indie authors. A visit to her blog will give you an idea of how supportive she is. Here is the link to the short story: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2026/07/16/smorgasbord-authors-in-the-sun-family-socialgatherings-cultural-differences-by-john-w-howell/

I have turned off comments so you can make them on her post.

Here’s a little about Sally in her own words.

I have enjoyed a nomadic existence living in eight countries including Sri Lanka, Malta, South Africa, USA and Spain, before settling back here in Ireland. My work, and a desire to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world in the last forty years, has taken me to many more incredible destinations around Europe and Canada, and across the oceans to New Zealand and Hawaii. All those experiences and the people that I have met, provide a rich source of inspiration for my stories.

After a career in customer facing roles in the hospitality, retail, advertising and telecommunications industry, I wrote and published my first book in 1999 called Size Matters, about my weight loss journey, losing 154lbs in 18 months. This has been followed by 17 further fiction and non-fiction books, including a number of short story collections.

Sally’s books

You can connect with her on her blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – Bluesky: @sallycronin.bsky.social

Guest Post – D.L. Finn #newbook – Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection

November 6, 2024November 2, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 132 Comments

I am pleased to have Denise Finn as a guest today. She is a terrific writer and a lovely person. We go way back, and I’m happy she is launching a holiday collection. My copy arrived last week and I can’t wait to get to it. So, without any further delay, here is Denise.

Thank you, John, for so generously sharing your blog with me today to share my latest release, Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection.

Please check out the note at the end of the blog post. 😊

Miracles and Ghosts started off to be a single story, but it soon branched out into a novelette and eight short stories. In one of these stories, A Man and His Cat, Usra is a bus driver who lost his beloved wife to Lupus. All he had left was the cat Shoes that she loved. He was planning on a quiet Christmas when he came home from work and found Shoes sick. Ursa doesn’t even bother to change out of his work uniform but immediately rushes the cat to a pet hospital. Money is no object; he can’t lose his connection to his wife, Gloria.

I based this story on the times we’ve had to rush a pet to an after-hours pet hospital, which is an hour’s drive for us. Sometimes we have had happy results, other times we haven’t. It wouldn’t matter if it was Christmas Eve or not if our pets need care that can’t wait.

Not every holiday goes according to plan, and sometimes we are taken to places we least expect, like a pet hospital. We haven’t had to go on a holiday to an ER veterinary hospital, but Ursa did.

Blurb:

Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection’s eight tales bring light in the darkest of circumstances. In the novelette, A Perfect Ghostly Christmas, Julie has survived the foster care system and finally comes home. She now owns her grandparents’ house and has received an offer that appears too good to be true. On top of that, the family she felt had abandoned her during her difficult times has reentered her life. But it’s the otherworldly experiences that lead her to something her grandparents left behind. This discovery changes everything and opens a door to danger. The seven short stories explore fractured families, a widower’s loneliness, a mall shooting, financial struggles, strained relationships, woodland kittens, and a woman haunted by a red truck. Whether it’s a ghost, an angel, or Santa, some unseen force is there to provide help when needed. A reminder in the busy holiday season or anytime we are never alone, and miracles are possible.

Excerpt:

A Man and his Cat

Ursa dropped off his last passenger at her bus stop. He was off for the next week and looking forward to going home and watching football with his cat, Shoes. It wasn’t everyone’s idea of a great Christmas, but after his wife, Gloria, passed, it was what he had. They weren’t blessed with kids to enjoy the day, but they always had each other until last year. She had been his light and joy in a dreary world.

He worked diligently to provide for the cat his wife had adored. He had no desire to have friends and pushed concerned neighbors, coworkers, and distant family away. A few persisted for a couple of months and then honored his wishes. Alone, he could remember Gloria and pretend she was next to him, watching TV as Shoes lounged on his lap.

He entered the apartment carrying the old gal’s special catnip treat. Shoes wasn’t waiting for him in her box like she always did.

“Shoes?” he called. Nothing. He searched all her favorite spots. “Where are you? Are you resting in the shoes again?” He smiled, remembering how Gloria had named the small kitten who hid in their shoes. They planned to name her something else, but Shoes stuck.

Finally he found the cat, her orange tail draped over his wife’s old sewing machine, which he couldn’t bear to part with.

“You’re missing her too, huh?” The cat lifted her head and sighed. “You okay?”

Shoes closed her eyes and went back to sleep. He felt the cat’s hot nose. Shoes’s breath came fast. “You aren’t okay! I can’t lose you too. I’m taking you to the vet. I don’t care how old you are or how much it costs.”

Ursa gathered the lethargic cat into his arms and tenderly placed her in the gray carrier. Without bothering to change out of his uniform, he tugged on the black wool coat Gloria had gotten him ten years ago, back when life was perfect, before lupus found its unwelcome way into their lives.

Grabbing his keys and the carrier, he stepped back into the freezing night.

“Merry Christmas!” his neighbor Bob called. “Going to visit family?”

“No. The vet,” Ursa said. He got into the red SUV without another word.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

Fun Finn Facts

Animals are not only a strong presence in my life but in my character’s lives too. We have four cats and a gold fish right now.
Ghosts, do they exist? I think so, especially if they want to protect someone or get a message across, but there might be angry ones out there as well.

About the Author

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

Note: There’s a chance to win one of two $10 Amazon gift cards just by leaving a comment! I will randomly pick two winners from the comments during this blog tour. Good luck and thank you for stopping by.

In the Trees Shadow by D. L. Finn #newbook

April 19, 2023April 7, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 100 Comments

Today, I am happy to welcome fellow Story Empire contributor and blogging buddy D.L. Finn to Fiction Favorites. She has a new collection of stories to tell you about, and if these are like her others, this will be an enjoyable collection to own and enjoy.

Thank you for having me visit today, John, to share my short story collection, In the Tree’s Shadow.

“Lyrical Dragon” has an interesting beginning. While commenting on one of John’s posts, I forget what the post was about now, but words from the blog, lyrical dragon, inspired me. I mentioned in the comment that I’d like to write a story about those words. With John’s encouragement, that is just what I did. The blog became my muse.

At first, I wasn’t sure how the dragon would be lyrical. I knew lyrical meant a way to express emotions or thoughts. Dancers, artists, and writers can express themselves lyrically, but how would a dragon? Then it came to me, poetically. What if the dragon spoke in haikus? Although the story doesn’t center on that fact, it creates a creative way to get the dragon’s point across to the young girl, Janine, in the story. I know poetry can tell stories, but my stories haven’t included poetry. This was the perfect way to combine two things I love: storytelling and poetry.

John’s note: I was interested in which post the Lyrical Dragon was mentioned, so I looked it up. It was one with Lucy and Twiggy, where they tried on sweaters as possible dragon costumes in preparation for Halloween. Lucy declared herself a Lyrical Dragon since her sweater didn’t fit.

BLURB

A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.

Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.

EXCERPT:

The walk home from the general store was hot and dusty on the red dirt road. Sweat poured down Janie’s face as she labored to carry the burlap sack of provisions her uncles had sent her to get. Because of their poor farming skills, almost everything had to be bought, and what extra money they’d had in the past disappeared when her mother did. Her uncles wouldn’t comment on where her mother had gone, but Janie had her suspicions. The town’s rumor mill, overheard on one of her shopping trips, decided her mother had run off with a man. Janie knew her mother wouldn’t leave her only child behind with these lazy, no-good men.

“They will pay for whatever they did to my mother. I promise you that, Lyrical Dragon.”

Heat radiated from the tiny green dragon charm that bounced against what Uncle Barry called her flat-boy chest. The necklace was the only thing Janie had left from her mother, so she hid it well around her greedy relatives. They’d sell anything of value so they didn’t have to work. With her mother gone, she was the only one left to provide food. The rains had stopped, and the garden was withering in the scorching sun. Water was limited, and everything was fading away except her fat uncles.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

FUN FINN FACTS:

I try to write poetry in new places, including the back of the Harley.
I like to be surrounded by color and rarely tolerate a white or tan wall.

BIO:

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

D.L. Finn Links:

Joan Hall Guesting Today to Talk About Her #newbook – Menagerie

February 8, 2023January 17, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

I am so happy to have Joan Hall visit today. Joan is a fellow member of Story Empire, and she has a new book that sounds fascinating. Come on in, Joan, and tell us about your latest.

The Homecoming

Thanks so much for hosting me today, John. It’s a pleasure to visit you and to share news about my latest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. Each tour stop features a different story and what inspired me to write it. Today, I’d like to talk about The Homecoming, a contemporary fiction story about a military family.

I have a deep respect for the men and women who serve and have served in the military. While I’m grateful to all the generations who have served, I have a special place in my heart for those who served in Vietnam. I had two cousins who served during that time—one in the Navy, the other Army.

In 2019, I first heard the story of Colonel Roy Knight, an Air Force pilot whose plane was shot down over Laos in 1967. He was listed as missing in action for many years before being declared killed in action. In February 2019, fifty-two years after being shot down, his remains were identified. That same August, his remains were flown home to Texas, his final resting place.

The story itself is touching, but what made it even more of a tearjerker is the fact his son, a pilot for Southwest Airlines, flew the plane with his father’s casket into Dallas Love Field Airport. The same airport then five-year-old Bryan and other members of his family last saw him as he departed Texas for what proved to be his final tour of duty.

I shed a few tears when watching the video and still do each time I see it. Colonel Knight’s story inspired me to write The Homecoming.

It’s the story of the Atwood family. Four generations have served in the Navy—except for the youngest son. Brady Atwood decided against a military career, which didn’t make his father happy. Brady reluctantly joins his family when his grandfather’s remains are returned from Vietnam a half-century after he went missing.

Told from four different points of view—Brady, his father Bruce, his mother Cindy, and his brother Chris, The Homecoming is story of family dynamics, mending relationships, and most of all honoring a fallen hero.

Excerpt:

I had long given up hope of this day ever happening. Now that it’s here, it seems surreal. I was six years old on that February morning in 1968 when we saw my father off at this same airport for what proved to be his final tour of duty. As the youngest child, it was hard for me to grasp what was happening. Growing up in a military family, I was accustomed to him leaving from time to time. It was all part of life, but Dad would always come back.

Vietnam was on the other side of the world. I’d seen clips of the war on television but never expected it to change our lives forever.

It’s funny how my memories of that day are as plain as if they’d happened last week. Dad was a handsome man with dark hair, twinkling blue eyes, and a smile that would light up any room. Mom said his smile was what she first noticed about him. It’s also what I remember most. He’d started up the jet bridge when he turned back. He waved and flashed a grin at us then continued toward the plane. It was the last time we saw him alive.

Blurb:

King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?

Each is a famous menagerie.

While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.

Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.

These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/jh-menagerie

About the Author

Social Media Links

Website | Blog | BookBub | Goodreads

A New Adventure by Charles Yallowitz

July 7, 2017July 4, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 9 Comments

Spend your summer with Ichabod Brooks in this 11 story collection! $2.99 on Amazon!

Enter the world of Windemere with 11 action adventure short stories featuring a man who is out to make an honest living.

Some heroes seek fame. Some seek fortune. Others simply want to save the world. Ichabod Brooks only wants to put food on the table for his family.

Known and respected as the man who can get any job done, Ichabod has seen his share of adventure. Most of which have been highly exaggerated by bards. Still, the man has his famous reputation for a reason. Whether it be climbing a temperamental mountain for eggs or escorting orphans to their new homes, Ichabod takes every job seriously and makes sure he is as prepared as he can be. Not that it helps since things always take a turn for the worse.

Available on Amazon!
Add it on Goodreads!

Excerpt: Preparing for Galaces

“Is this any way to greet an old friend?” a dwarf in dark gray chainmail asks before plugging his ears with his dark red beard. Wanting the bard to stop, the mountaineer marches over and puts a hand over the young woman’s mouth. “Are you supposed to use her as bait? I did hear there’s a hobgoblin pack that moved in a few months ago. You know how those drooling scavengers love elf flesh.”

“Sorry about that, Dex. She latched on at my last stop and I haven’t been able to shake her off,” Ichabod replies, shaking his guide’s hand. He rubs his own black and white beard at the sight of how his friend shows no sign of graying. “I have to give this one credit for tenacity, but this is where we part ways. Galaces Mountain is not a place to go unless you have experience, an excellent guide, and common sense. So far, I don’t see you having any of those things and I’m not going to babysit.”

“I must go. That’s the only way I can write about your newest adventure,” the bard insists, unwittingly proving Ichabod right. She crosses her arms and meets the icy stare of the dwarf, who she considers leaving out of her tale. “Being the first to speak of your climb will help my reputation. I promise not to cause any trouble and pull my own weight. Elves are graceful and agile, which makes us perfect companions for whatever it is you’re doing. Besides, Galaces Mountain doesn’t look like that bad a climb. The stories must be nothing more than colorful exaggerations.”

Ichabod puts on a pair of white-palmed gloves and slips a blue band on his finger, a charge going through his body to enhance his lungs. “I suddenly relate very well to this mountain. Take a look at the empty space between us and Galaces. You’ll see why this place has earned a reputation.”

The bard puts her lute over her shoulder and walks to the yellow rope, which sparks with a mild magic. At first, she is unsure of what she is supposed to pay attention to among the shrubs and fallen rocks. It takes the elf a few minutes to recognize weather worn bones sticking out from under a boulder. The limbs are splayed since the climber plummeted with the rough stone pressed against his back and the landing embedded him in the ground. Knowing what to look for, the bard realizes that there are at least ten old corpses hidden by the mountain’s litter. The bard spots the fresh body of a yellow-skinned creature sitting behind a shrub, the armored creature crumpled from landing butt first after its fall. She is about to ask a question when a small pain runs up her arm and she collapses into a magical slumber.

“Guess that’s more humane than knocking her on the head,” Dex mentions while Ichabod carries the young woman to the dwarf’s cart. He shields his eyes as he stares at the churning clouds that have been trapped around the peak. “Looks like the eagles captured a storm beneath their nest this year. Means the winds are going to be brutal and the tunnels are infested with horned spiders and revelers. Not going to be an easy trip. Sure, you don’t want someone else to take this contract?”

“I’d love to hand this off to someone else, but Chef Zyrk always insists that I take the job. I have no injuries, diseases, or family events, so I’m here,” Ichabod replies, sheathing his sleep-inducing shortsword. As an afterthought, he grabs a horse blanket and tosses it over the bard to hide her from view. “The Starwind Eagles lay eggs every ten years and now is the time to get to them. Wait any longer and the mountain will be crawling with hunters. A youngster wouldn’t know that or have you as a guide.”

The dwarf grins as he lifts the rope and gestures for his friend to lead the way. “They also don’t have your wife making deals that you can’t say no to. She mentioned that you’re getting three times the usual pay because this baby is going to be prepared for Duke Solomon’s wedding. Personally, I’m looking forward to your wife’s cooking after this. Surprised your gut isn’t huge considering that woman can make a pot roast even the gods would praise. Did you happen to bring some of her dishes for the road?”

“I can cook too, you know.”

“You can bake, Ichabod. Not the same as cooking in my book.”

“So you don’t want the cookies I brought.”

“Oatmeal and cranberry?”

“With a touch of cinnamon.”

*****

About the Author:

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After his wife decided that she was tired of hearing the same stories repeatedly, she convinced him that it would make more sense to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house under orders to shut up and get to work, Charles brings you Legends of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you, and his wife is happy he finally has someone else to play with.

Blog: www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz
Website: www.charleseyallowitz.com

Welcome to “MOMENTS” by @Harmony_Kent #RRBC

April 14, 2017April 12, 2017 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

I am very happy to be part of a one day Book Blast designed to let the world know Harmony Kent’s book “MOMENTS” is available

Moments

Book Blurb:

Come.

Take a moment to delve into tales from the dark side, have fun with fantasy, dabble in dystopia, and court danger in a little science fiction.

These tales touch upon death, grieving, war, fresh starts, hope, courage, change, choices, and encouragement.

And then, after all that, you’ll find the poems.

From the lonely echoes of an empty house to the soaring heights of unexpected love and joy and learning to live as free as clouds and water.

For each of us, a moment encompasses a lifetime and, yet, passes in but the blink of an eye. In but a moment, everything can change. And in this very moment, life beckons in all its potentiality.

When the shadows fall, what will you do?

* * *

Harmony Kent

Author Bio and Links:

Indie Author Harmony Kent is an award-winning multi-genre author. Her publications include:

The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved
The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree / New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015
Elemental Earth (YA Fantasy Fiction)
Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015
Finding Katie (Women’s Fiction)
Slices of Soul (Contemporary Poetry)
Interludes (Erotic Romance short stories)
Moments (Short Stories and Poetry)

As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers editing, proofreading, manuscript appraisal, and beta reading services. As well as reviewing and supporting her fellow indie authors, Harmony works hard to promote and protect high standards within the indie publishing arena. She is always on the look out for talent and excellence, and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes.

For all books available from me, check out my author pages at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Book Trailer videos: Harmony’s trailers.
My website: http://harmonykent.co.uk
Twitter: @harmony_kent https://twitter.com/harmony_kent
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyKentOnline
My 4Wills Author Page: https://4willspublishing.wordpress.com/our-authors/author-harmony-kent/
RWISA Author Page: https://ravewriters.wordpress.com/meet-the-authors/author-harmony-kent/

* * *
The tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.

Publish is as Publish Does

October 15, 2013October 14, 2013 ~ John W. Howell ~ 41 Comments

I am very pleased that the Paperbook Collective has published one of my short stories in the third edition. You can go to the site: http://issuu.com/jaydeashe/docs/the_paperbook_collective_issue_thre/1?e=0 and read the story and look at the rest of the fine collection. My story begins on page nine, but you might want to look at the others.

The Collective is interested in other submissions as well. You can go here: The Paperbook Collective for more information.