Category Archives: Fiction

by Luanne | August 3, 2026 · 6:00 am

My Review of Deborah Brasket’s This Sea Within

Deborah Brasket blogs at Writing on the Edge of the Wild

This Sea Within, Deborah Brasket’s new novel is not a departure from When Things Go Missing in writing quality as both books are obviously written by a skilled craftsperson or in the search for identity at the heart of the stories, but in every other respect it is a vastly different book. This Sea Within is driven by passion and courage.

The protagonist Lena, a sheltered American college graduate, travels to the fictional country of San Balanque to learn more about herself. Soon after arriving, she discovers that she will jump into life feet first without looking back as she throws her lot in with the freedom fighters based largely on her passionate love for Raoul, the leader of the rebels. It seems like quite the leap to transform from the pacifist to a cult figure of the movement, but the reader witnesses Lena making that move step by step.

Brasket keeps the reader in suspense throughout as the secret of who Lena’s mother is hangs over her head throughout much of the book. The writing style features gorgeous descriptions of the beauty of the jungle, and the opening scene describing Lena and the ocean as she is surfing is a knockout. I can only imagine the extensive research Brasket had to do to write this story.

The top layer thread of the book is the relationship between Lena and Raoul which is a torrid love affair with beautifully written sex scenes. But perhaps the most hidden layer of the story I only realized after I finished the book. It pertains to what happens when we connect our lives with someone else and how that can change us. No spoiler alert here: you’ll have to read the book for yourself!

ORDER HERE

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Tagged as #amreading, book review, Deborah Brasket, epic novel, love story, political thriller, This Sea Within

by Luanne | June 29, 2026 · 6:00 am

Review of Louisa, a Powerful Historical Novel about Being Born a Woman

My book review of Gwen Wilson‘s new novel Louisa. You might know Gwen as The Reluctant Retiree blogger. Her new novel is a great read!

After reading Australian writer Gwen Wilson’s memoir I Belong to No One, I was eager to read her new historical novel, Louisa, based upon the life of her great-grandmother. I certainly can see how Gwen inherited traits of a desire for independence, strength, and a fierce spirit from her ancestor.

Louisa was born in England in 1855 to a successful Anatomical Bootmaker and his wife. When her father passed away, Louisa was 17 years old. She was inspired by her mother’s insistence on running the family business herself, even though it was frowned upon for a gentlewoman to do so. Louisa herself had dreams of independence and turned down two marriage proposals before shocking her family by emigrating. The new land of Australia beckoned her.

All Louisa’s idealistic plans for herself to become a teacher with no need to marry come crashing down around her as circumstances and cultural norms constantly dictate her woman’s place in society. Her life is very difficult, and at times it seems that Louisa will never be happy because as a woman she has no legal rights.

This theme is brought home at the first job she takes. She signs on as a so-called governess in a remote outpost where she witnesses how powerless a married woman could be, living under the thumb of her husband. The tragedy that occurs foreshadows later events in Louisa’s life.

The book addresses marriage, love, romance, domestic abuse, hypocrisy, single mothers, “illegitimate” children, and the role of women—all under the umbrella of Victorian Australia and England. I found the book to be well-written and very engaging. I didn’t want to put the book down and eagerly looked forward to “what comes next.” I find myself still going back to the book, thinking about feisty Louisa and the other women in her life. You will not want to miss this book.

I understand we are going to get a sequel to Louisa, Florence & Lucy, based upon the lives of Louisa’s daughters and focusing on what it was like to be of illegitimate birth. Gwen Wilson is also promising a companion nonfiction work where we will learn where Wilson’s research of her family history intersects with the novels. I can’t wait to read them!

###

After I read Gwen’s memoir years ago I knew we had stories that intersected. What I didn’t realize was that “illegitimate” births were a pattern in her family. My memoir Scrap: Salvaging a Family and Louisa might be different genres, different settings, and different stories, but they both center on the generational trauma of “illegitimate” birth.

CLICK THE BOOK COVER IMAGE ABOVE TO PURCHASE LOUISA!

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Filed under Book Review, Family history, Fiction, History, Novel, Writing

Tagged as Australian history, fiction, generational trauma, Gwen Wilson, historical fiction, illegitimacy, Louisa: An Historical Novel, novel, Victorian history, women's history

by Luanne | February 9, 2026 · 7:00 am

Prefer to Listen to The Weight of Snow and Regret? You’re in Luck!

Elizabeth Gauffreau’s newest novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret is now available on audio book. I think this is a fabulous move. Some people have vision issues and want to listen to novels. Some people have long commutes and like to “read” along the way. In fact, years ago, that’s how I first read Joy Luck Club–on my commute. The audio version at that time was read by the author Amy Tan.

I posted a review of Liz’s novel in October. Here it is if you missed it: REVIEW

Here’s the link to the audio version:

https://books2read.com/WeightofSnow

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by Luanne | January 1, 2026 · 1:54 pm

It’s a New Year!

Welcome to 2026! I’m not asking for amazing things for the year; I’d just like it to be gentle with me.

2025 was difficult, although I did have some writing successes in journals, have been working with the small press, ELJ Editions, that will be publishing my flash memoir, and had my manuscript inspired by painter Remedios Varo accepted by Shanti Arts.

*Scrap: Salvaging a Family, a hybrid flash memoir, will be out March 20, 2026

*Hunting the Cosmos, flash fiction and poetry for Remedios Varo, will be out fall 2026

I should have a cover reveal soon for Scrap. Can’t wait to share it with you!!!

The problem with the new year, though, is it springs from the old and all the unresolved issues of 2025 will go on in 2026. My mother’s dementia is one of those things. Taking over her affairs is very stressful and time-consuming, but worse is the dilemmas of communication with my mother. I can still have good conversations with her if I ignore the little idiosyncracies (the “critters” that have taken up residence in her apartment, but can only be seen by her), hearing about her going to a service two hours early and waiting for others to show up, etc.

Both Perry and Meesker have serious health issues. As you may remember, Perry was diagnosed with issues two years ago, but I don’t like to talk about it. All I can say is I am constantly feeding sick cats who need food all day long and cleaning up diarrhea, pee outside the box, and dramatically hurled vomit. And Lily still hates Sloopy Anne. Last night she threw herself violently against the gate we have up to keep them apart, trying to get to Sloops.

2025 was productive for me for writing, up to a point. I haven’t written anything for weeks now. Between grandbaby duty, my mom’s stuff, and these cats (on top of regular work and business), I’ve been too busy and very tired.

I read some good mystery series this year, though, as that’s a good way for me to unwind. Actually, I read far more than I usually do, but then I did have hip replacement surgery in May, so mysteries helped out a lot when I was suffering before the surgery and then during the recovery. Here are the series: Yorkshire Murder Mysteries by J.R. Ellis; Dark Yorkshire, Misty Isle, and Hidden Norfolk by J.M. Dalgliesh; Rev. Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries by Julia Spencer-Fleming; Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mysteries by Deborah Crombie; China Thrillers, Lewis Trilogy, and Enzo Macleod by Peter May; DCI Craig Gillard Mysteries by Nick Louth. (To give you a clue, I am a fan of Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, and Elly Griffiths, and the series I’ve listed here are more like the Griffiths and possibly the Cleeves than the Penny books. The Spencer-Fleming series is a lot like the Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway books, notably because of the hot love affair in the middle of the mysteries.

In addition, I read some wonderful stand-alone novels and poetry collections. I reviewed just a few of them for this blog. If I reviewed your book in 2025 and didn’t list it, please let me know!

POETRY

Review of Robert Okaji’s Our Loveliest Bruises

A Gorgeous Collection Combining Genres of Poetry, Genealogy, and History

Review of Merril D. Smith’s HELD INSIDE THE FOLDS OF TIME

FICTION

Book Tour Stop: Book Review of Deborah Brasket’s When Things Go Missing

Elizabeth Gauffreau’s Masterful New Novel, A Review

Christmas Magic

Just got a call from my son. He miscalculated the days this week and asked if I could watch Hudson again tomorrow. Sure! (Good thing I fell asleep on New Year’s Eve at 8PM). The other night the Gardener put together a tricycle for Hudson. He’s almost two, and his feet barely reach the pedals, but we can work on learning to pedal a bike again tomorrow. 🙂

Let’s work on making 2026 a tender, playful, happy year! If we all puts our heads and hearts together . . . .

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Filed under #amreading, #AmWriting, Book Review, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Flash Nonfiction, Memoir, Poetry

Tagged as book review, fiction, grandparenting, new year, Poetry, Remedios Varo, Scrap: Salvaging a Family

by Luanne | December 19, 2025 · 8:47 pm

Christmas Magic

Looking for a happy holiday romance? Check out Eden Dow Robins’s new Christmas release available in paperback and kindle versions. And inside find a little Easter egg in the form of my book Rooted and Winged!

https://www.amazon.com/Frost-Happily-Forever-After-Holiday/dp/B0G64ZSWC7

There’s more, too, but I don’t want to share it before you have read Frost!

Summary

“A small town, two frozen hearts, and a little Christmas magic…

Esme Gerard decided spending the holidays at her favorite place on earth was just what she needed. Once known as the most wicked wild west town in America, Jericho Ridge had been her asylum for more than a decade and was the perfect respite when her heart couldn’t risk taking one more hit.

Until Jack.

Their first encounter left her craving more. Something about him drew her closer. No matter how much she tried to tell herself she wasn’t ready, her heart told a different story.

Jack De Vine had priorities. As a single dad, his daughter was at the top of the list. Second was a secret legacy he had a sworn duty to protect. Third was the winery he and his family ran. Dating was at the very bottom. Ever since his ex-wife left him and their child years ago without a backward glance, he’d kept his heart stored in ice.

Until Esme.

From the first moment he saw her, he was drawn to her. That sent alarm bells off in his head. He knew he should steer clear of her, yet he kept looking for excuses to get closer.”

I hope your holidays are joyful!

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Tagged as #writingcommunity, book review, fiction, holiday reading, novel, poetry collection, reading, romance, Rooted and Winged

by Luanne | October 27, 2025 · 5:20 am

Elizabeth Gauffreau’s Masterful New Novel, A Review

Liz Gauffreau is a master of historical fiction. And rather than creating a series (so far), she has written completely different books with different historical settings. I loved Telling Sonny, and now I love The Weight of Snow and Regret.

Here is my review of the latter. At the end I’ll share with you how you can purchase the book!

***

Elizabeth Gauffreau’s new novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret, is a tribute to the residents of the Sheldon Poor Farm in Sheldon Springs, Vermont, as well as testament to the harsh lives of society’s disadvantaged. The novel takes place in 1967-68, the last year of the tenure of the poorhouse. But the plight of the poor and culture-rocking events of that year resonate with familiarity with contemporary readers.

The first part of the story weaves in the life of Louisianian Claire and how she falls from her place in middle-class society to living in the poorhouse far from home. In this way, the reader is drawn into the novel through the perspective of this mysterious woman, then the reader is delivered into the capable hands of Hazel, a sympathetic foster child grown into a compassionate woman who now runs the home itself while her husband manages the associated farm. Through Hazel’s kindness and perspective, we meet the other residents of the poorhouse.

The place hasn’t always been run as Hazel manages it. Before her hard work, dedication, and home management skills, the neglect was extreme. Every surface was filthy, with trash strewn about. The residents’ clothing was in desperate need of laundering. In fact, Hazel believes that the men’s underwear had never been cleaned. Hazel cleans the home immaculately, creates wholesome meals with a tiny budget, and gives the residents the care and understanding that they need.

These residents range from the forgotten elderly to the mentally ill to those with intellectual disabilities. Although they respond differently to events, and their interactions with each other can be fraught, Gauffreau’s exploration of their behavior and treatment rings true. One twist is that Hazel herself lived in this poorhouse at one time. A couple of the residents from her childhood time at the shelter are still living there when Hazel takes over. This feels like a gut punch to her to think of them still living in the conditions she and her family had undergone.

Gauffreau meticulously researched the history of the home, poor farm life in the sixties and before, the blues music that spoke to Claire’s troubled and depressed soul, the national and world headlines of the time, and local history. Her painstaking implementation of her research with her compassionate feel for the characters, and her excellent storytelling senses makes this an engrossing read. I read far into the night, without being able to put down the book.

***

Purchase from your preferred book seller.

Help Meals on Wheels!

Purchase the paperback from the publisher, and $5.00 of the purchase price will be donated to AgeWell Meals on wheels of Franklin County, Vermont.

Purchase paperback from Paul Stream Press.

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Tagged as #amreading, book review, Elizabeth Gauffreau, fiction, novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret, your next read

by Luanne | June 5, 2025 · 9:42 am

Missing Everyone

I’m still here, folks! This recovery period from hip replacement surgery has been a little challenging, but I hope to be in good shape at the end of this adventure. Don’t let anybody tell you how easy a hip replacement recovery is, though, because it isn’t for even the healthiest and everybody is different with a different recovery period.

Every morning I find Perry’s squid placed carefully where my back lies on the couch. If he’s worried, he drops it in my lap.

I have bought a lot of medical items on Amazon, only to end up with a tub of returns. Velcro shorts and underwear, compression stockings that were the wrong something or other, rubber gloves for the compression stockings that the Gardener won’t use, and so on.

The journal Waffle Fried published a flash story of mine that is close to my childhood memories. By that I mean that while the story is fiction, the emotions, sensory details, places, and characters are true to my childhood.

https://wafflefried.com/sumac/

I am wondering if these elements are only true to my experience or if they ring any bells for you.

Leaving you with a little poem:

pain pulses through me

the pills can’t work fast enough

Perry lies next me

all is well

Throughout all this the past few weeks, I’ve missed you all!

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Filed under #writingcommunity, Cats and Other Animals, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Writing

Tagged as #bloggingcommunity, #writingcommunity, cats, Childhood memories, Flash Fiction

by Luanne | March 14, 2025 · 11:48 am

Scenic Writer’s Shack First Place Story

If you read Scenic Writer’s Shack you know the site just sponsored a writing contest.

I’m THA-RILLED to report that my story won first place!

The contest rules included writing about a refrigerator delivery. What a fun assignment.

We Have a Winner!

brunette looking out of wooden old doors

Photo by Vika Kirillova on Pexels.com

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Filed under #AmWriting, #writingcommunity, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Microfiction, Writing

Tagged as Contest winner, Flash Fiction, literary allusions, microfiction, Scenic Writer's Shack

by Luanne | March 1, 2025 · 1:05 pm

“Amniotic Fluid” Published by WENSUM

This story was so difficult to write. I agonized over it, rewriting it again and again. Here is the finished project. It was inspired by a weather event in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on May 13, 1980. Hope you like this story! A huge thank you to Editor David Sexton and the wonderful journal WENSUM.

Amniotic Fluid by Luanne Castle

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Filed under #AmWriting, #writingcommunity, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Microfiction, Writing

Tagged as Editor David Sexton, Flash Fiction, microfiction, pregnant protagonist, Tornado, WENSUM

by Luanne | June 3, 2024 · 2:56 pm

Two Tiny Stories in The Hemlock

Wow, The Hemlock published two of my tiny stories–and I didn’t even know they were accepted. Great surprise today! A big thank you to the editors.

The link below will take you to the Summer Issue 2024 for downloading. My stories are on pages 35 and 36.

SUMMER ISSUE 2024

Here are the stories. The first one is very surreal, but I am very partial to its weirdness. The second one is much more realistic. Hope you enjoy them!