Book Blog Tour | Gloria McBreen

This time last year — more or less — I was promoting the publication of Story Chat Online Literary Conversations: Series of Short Stories and Ruminations. I can’t believe it’s a year ago!

Well… Story Chat Vol II is available now on AMAZON.UK. and AMAZON.COM just in time for Christmas.

The Blurb

Story Chat started as a unique online blogging program for authors and readers. This second book includes a diverse set of original short stories by authors from almost every continent in the world. While most of the stories would fall into the category of drama at all ages from children to older adults, this collection includes sci-fi, comedy, and two non-fiction articles about the writing process. All of the selections are family-friendly, even though the topics are aimed at adult readers.

In this book, you will enjoy realistic fiction, surprise, and open endings. Halloween vampire horror stories might make you laugh and wonder how you could. Traveling to an alternate universe – that happens to be familiar to some of you will keep you entertained. You might find yourself stepping into another universe or two that are so bizarre you don’t know what to do with them.

Characters will bring you to tears as they bravely reach for love or face tragedy you hope no one will have to face. You will laugh at the older couple discussing booking the adventure of a nudist cruise. You will cheer for a mother and her autistic child as they surmount obstacles. One story will remind you of Toy Story or the Velveteen Rabbit. Another is an epic children’s poem with illustrations made of fondant by the talented author and her son.

This book is so much fun. Yet, it can be educational, especially for writers who constantly work to improve their craft. Each story has discussion questions that you can use if you belong to a book club or writing group.

All of us, known as Story Chatters, hope this book will make an impact in your lives.

Marsha Ingrao (Always Write) and Hugh W, Roberts (Hugh’s Views and News) are responsible for starting Story Chat four years ago to get an online chat going about short stories. The success of Story Chat has encouraged the authors to make their stories and chats available in book form so that offline readers can enjoy them too.

Discussing short stories might be an idea you could take to your book club, if you’re involved in one. It would make an interesting change.

This book has a fine collection of stories in multiple genres written by authors from all corners of the world. You’ll find comedy, young drama, poetry, science fiction, mild horror — or not so mild; it depends on how well you sleep at night!

The stories explore themes such as identity, coming of age, fate, perception vs reality, familial obligations, friendships, and self-discovery.

I like to have a book of short stories just to open up now and then for a quick read. Story Chat is just perfect for that, with each story taking just three to five minutes to read.

It’s hard to pick a favourite but I will mention a couple.

One in particular touched my heart; Anxious About Sea Horses by Gary A. Wilson. It’s a story about a man who introduces a young autistic girl to the concept of AAS (Animals Assisted Therapy); in this case, Sea Horse As Therapy, with incredible results. Gary wrote this story in such a gentle way, that it tugged on my heartstrings.

I found The Watcher by Hugh Roberts creepy as hell! Hugh has a knack for drawing his readers in, getting to the point, and ending with a twist.

The Replacement by Amanda Forestwood made my jaw drop. Lucky escape for the main character in this story. The cheek of that guy Max!

For new or budding writers reading this book, there are some interesting sections on the art of writing; How to Write Fantastic Stories That will Impact Readers by Hugh Roberts, Tips on Point of View by Diana Peach, Writing Advice From a Real Character by Vanessa Carlton, and Book Publishing 101 by Colleen M. Chesebro.

If you’re a fan of short stories of mixed genres, you’ll love Story Chat. Here are the links to Amazon.uk and Amazon.com