Coming up on 16 novelettes from the epic, posted online:
Administered by:
#freebooks
4 posts3 participants0 posts today
Continued thread
@bookstodon 2/2
There are many women in this book. Married, unmarried, widows, farmers, housewives, pompous, bright, silly, hypocritical, brave, all strong in their own ways. Also, one very lesbian-coded woman who pops up to challenge Kirsty's assumptions that happiness necessarily meaning marriage to a man. And leaves her with a chaste kiss!
The child characters (Kirsty looks after three orphaned children) are charming and realistic, full people in their own right, depicted with respect and humour. There are several scenes with the children where I genuinely laughed out loud. And cried a bit too.
The book is sentimental at times, with the author's hand too apparent as it smoothes out the bumps created by story threads of poverty, sickness and injustice. But those darker topics are still in clear focus. For example, one of the poorer characters challenges Kirsty's blithe ignorance of her privilege as a wealthy woman.
Definitely a book I'll read again.
@bookstodon
Found a wonderful book for free on Faded Pages. "Pink Sugar" by Anna Masterton Buchan writing as O Douglas. What a lovely book! Written in 1924, a light, happy romance set in a Scottish country village after the First World War.
It's cozy and friendly, although the aftermath of the war is apparent in the dearth of young men and the general attitude to mental health. Basically "suck it up we all have unacknowledged PTSD".
A sharp but kind look at the flaws of the various characters. Funny, feminist, wry, and clever. The main character, Kirsty, is traditionally feminine. She's a selfless, nurturing person who loves making others happy, especially small children. She's also confident, bright, and never passive, and not defined by her relationship to a man.
The romance storyline is there, but in the background. We learn a lot more about Kirsty's relationships with other women and with children, than with the man she falls in love with.
1/2
And we're halfway through "Plenty," the Thanksgiving special of novelettes (also, the 16th in the sequence):
City of RosesCity of RosesIn which donuts are laid out, blades are engaged, a date is made, a confrontation's forced, and three fit in a bed.
Continued thread
The Core Directive by Lyam V Lockwood is free to read today: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1687553
SmashwordsThe Core DirectiveIn a world where every action is monitored and every decision is calculated, compliance is the measure of success. His task is straightforward: ensure that the system's core directive—absolute stability—is upheld. But when discrepancies in the data begin to surface and compliance ratings fluctuate unpredictably, he finds himself drawn into a deeper mystery. What is the true nature of the system...
Continued thread
Excessive mucous
"Frail," the 15th novelette in the epic, is almost done—
City of RosesCity of RosesIn which lunch is ruined, a sleeper wakes, time is nicked, sea air is taken, and a dinner party's wrecked.
For the last 4 weeks I have had 3 of my fiction books going free on the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale.
So far only 13 people have taken copies of "The Enchanted Grove" in which three children have to battle bullies and witches, and finally the police who suspect them of knowing too much about a secret government project.
I hope at least some of those who have taken copies will read them and write reviews on both the Smashwords site and also on GoodReads, where, if a books gets enough ratings/reviews it gets on to a list of "people who liked this book also liked..."and I keep hoping that my books will make it to that list.
Get your free copy, and other free books on the Smashwords sale, here before the end of July -- and tell your friends:
This is a bit last-minute, but here's a nice line-up of over 70 books you can grab for free in exchange for your email addy.
That's 70 books of fantasy and science-fiction that are not romance - subplots are allowed, but none of that sweet, icky love, okay?
Check it out here:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/fantasyjuly/8h9ivphrc0
This is your chance to try a new author with no regrets! But hurry, this goes away on the 31st.
Only a few days left in the #Smashwords July Sale. My hopepunky SF thrillers w/a side of knitting romance are $1.24 each, & the prequel novella is free. #SWSale2025
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/K._M.Herkes
Long and Short Reviews has three gift card and book giveaways this week.
Continued thread
The Occurrence at Boyd Boone’s House by is free to read today: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1788442
SmashwordsThe Occurrence at Boyd Boone's House (Urban fantasy crime drama)A young demon hunter stumbles into a serial killer's trap and has a rude discovery about her abilities.
Replied in thread
@rlpastore #FreeBooks would love to hear about your free books.
The 14th novelette, "Mayhem," now available on the website in its entirety:
City of RosesCity of RosesIn which a knife is plunged, a debt repaid (in part), an oracle's consulted, words are had, and swords are drawn.
Continued thread
Child of the Sea by Elvira Dahl is free to read today: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1545160
SmashwordsChild Of The Sea"I'd had the dream for as long as I could remember: I'm standing on the edge of the jetty, under a steel gray sky, looking out over the inlet. Watching the waves crash against the shallow reef out in the bay. There's a large, submerged rock in that spot, and in my dream, someone is standing out there, waist-deep in the water. A dark silhouette perfectly still among the waves. I know it's...
Mid-month memorandum that ALL my books are on sale (or free!) between Smashwords and Kobo! #freebooks #bookstodon 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/96863
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/secrets-of-sleipnir-volumes-1-3
www.smashwords.comSmashwords – Secrets of Sleipnir