THE “TINY WINDOWS” OF SHORT STORIES

“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.” – Neil Gaiman

That’s the way many readers seem to feel about books of short stories. Not only did my book “Sunbeams from the Heart – A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories” make Amazon's top 100 paid best-sellers' list in the Literature & Fiction/Short stories category shortly after it was first released, but it was next to Stephen King’s “Hearts in Atlantis” in Amazon's Best Sellers in Literary Short Stories! Mr. King’s book was number 67 and Sunbeams from the Heart number 69.

The following month, Sunbeams from the Heart again made the top 100 paid bestsellers' list in the Literature & Fiction/Short Stories category, this time alongside Agatha Christie's “Miss Marple - The Complete Short Stories”. Miss Marple was number 45 and Sunbeams number 44.

“This collection of short, romantic stories is heart-warming and beautiful,” wrote a reviewer about “Sunbeams from the Heart”. “I was impressed by the way the author developed each plot and took the reader on a lovely journey of nostalgia, leaving a wonderful feeling inside. Stories such as these brighten your day and leave you wanting more of what the author has written."

“Sunbeams from the Heart – A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories” is available on Amazon as an e-book and in paperback (regular and large print).

"SUNBEAMS" ON AMAZON.COM

"SUNBEAMS" ON AMAZON.CO.UK

OUR ADVENTURE ON “007’s” BOAT!

Western side of Potters Cay, Nassau, New Providence,
where the marina used to be (this whole area is being
revamped, so plans will possibly include a marina again)

In 1967, before we had children and while we were still quite adventurous, Erskine and I rented a boat docked in the marina that used to be on the western side of Potters Cay. The boat was owned by a friend of ours, nicknamed “007” because he loved James Bond movies so much!

We had spent a year in Freeport, Grand Bahama, and the boat rental was just a stop gap until we decided what to do next. The boat had no engine, so we didn’t plan on going anywhere in it! However, it seemed such a romantic thing to do. One of Erskine’s sisters let us store our boxes while we moved onto “007’s” boat.

We’d sit outside on the deck in the evenings, watching the sun go down, and if we got up early enough, watch the dawn. The boat didn’t have a shower, but there was a public bathroom in a corner of the single storey building across the road (that building was torn down later and a two storey was built). The bathroom was well kept for boaters’ use and very clean back then, so it was no inconvenience.

The building across from Potters Cay Dock, Nassau, New Providence.
There used to be a single storey building here and the walkway that
we took to get to the public bathroom was where the stairs are now.

Our romantic interlude came to an end when the bilge pump stopped working and the boat began to sink! Whenever we pass by where the public bathroom used to be (down a walkway where stairs are now), we always think of that time on “007’s” boat.

SUNBEAMS FROM THE HEART POPULAR WITH AUSTRALIAN OLD TIMERS!

I was thrilled to hear from a cousin in Australia that after she read my book “Sunbeams from the Heart – A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories”, the book has been “doing the rounds”, to the old residents where she works. She says some of the people are in their nineties and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. Their comments range from “a pleasure to read” to “easy to read” to “very enjoyable” to “lovely stories”.

My cousin says, “It has been a very suitable book for this age group, as they would not bother reading a novel, so the short stories and clear print make it easy for them to manage.”

It gives me such a wonderful feeling to know that so many readers out there are enjoying “Sunbeams from the Heart”, especially those who are confined to a residential home.

FINAL HOURS FOR COUNTDOWN DEAL

These are the last few hours of my Amazon Kindle countdown deal for “Sunbeams from the Heart – A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories". Tomorrow it will return to the regular price.

“Sunbeams from the Heart” again made the top 100 paid best-sellers' list in the Literature & Fiction/Short stories category and was next to Agatha Christie’s "Miss Marple - The Complete Short Stories”!

 GET SUNBEAMS FROM THE HEART

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LOVE WITH VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL!

Around this time 50 years ago, my husband Erskine and I became engaged. He passed me the ring hidden in a napkin over dinner in a Shirley Street nightclub where Finance Corporation of the Bahamas is now located, to the music of Blind Blake.

And on Valentine’s Day I had a flower shop deliver a red carnation to Erskine, for him to wear the whole day!

Erskine actually proposed that Christmas, when I returned a day early from a trip to England. I had left the U.K. for Canada by ship in April of that year, planning to work my way around the world. Then a few months later, with a Canadian winter approaching, I headed south. I caught a Greyhound coach from Toronto down to Miami. From there, I flew into Nassau, planning to work there for only three months. However, my plans changed when I met and fell in love with Long Island Bahamian Erskine Knowles!

Before I originally left England, my mother made me promise I would be home by Christmas. I kept my promise, but I didn’t remain in England. I returned to the Bahamas where I had found a new home and my one true love. I never did work my way around the world!

To celebrate 50 years from when Erskine and I established our future together, I’m offering a Valentine’s Day Special on the e-book edition of “Sunbeams from the Heart – A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories” – 99cents on Amazon.com and 99p on Amazon.co.uk. This special price starts today Saturday February 13^th and runs through tomorrow Sunday February 14^th.

As one Amazon reviewer wrote about “Sunbeams from the Heart”, “While each story is unique, all share that one common thread we humans yearn for: LOVE….Valentine or not, Sunbeams From The Heart is indeed a delightful read.”