Today we are celebrating ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ by D.L. Finn. Denise is my blogger buddy and a prolific writer who inspires through her fabulous stories. I am delighted to welcome her here, to talk about her latest book.
Thank you, Balroop, for having me visit today to share my latest release, In the Tree’s Shadow.
“Man on a Pier” came from a vivid dream during a power outage. The dream gave me many pictures to work from of an old man, a cage of dead fish, and a pier. I wrote it down as soon as I woke up so I wouldn’t forget it.
Captain Randall walked down the pier daily with his cage of dead fish. Sasha watched him quietly, knowing speaking to him had dire consequences.
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.
Let me share my review:
‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ is a unique collection of short stories, as it offers stunning variety. Realism, fantasy and paranormal mingle into each other in this assortment that contains all flavors just like a box of chocolates. Finn’s signature style of nature in harmony with her characters and Angels waiting nearby shines throughout the book, despite the dark themes. ‘The Bonsai’ illustrates it so well. Her stories may rise above the realities of life but they speak of love, loss and kindness.
The spooky aura that she creates with her words in ‘It’s Only a Dream’ and ‘When the Lights go Out’ makes you shudder and believe that some of our darkest nightmares are real! The dream in the ‘Deadline’ is so lucid that I could feel the labored breath of Sadie on my shoulder. Such is the magic of Finn’s style! If ‘Lyrical Dragon’ is highly imaginative, ‘The Bike’ exudes real human values. If you love short stories, you must read this collection.
Excerpt:
The lanky apparition known as Captain Randall carried a long cage full of dead fish in his arms along a wooden pier. He was dressed in brown pants and a blue shirt with brass buttons. His stringy gray hair was tied back with a strip of tanned leather, and his brown boots were scuffed and worn. He set his contraption across from where I sat on the newly painted white bench.
Nothing would have happened that day if it hadn’t been for that man out jogging.
The runner in gray sweats and a shiny blue fitted shirt skidded to a stop in front of Captain Randall, who looked like any other fisherman except for his dated clothes. I jumped up to stop him, but he said, “Hi, I’m Lucas, and I’m new to the area. What’s that for?”
Captain Randall smiled, exposing a mouthful of rotten teeth as he skillfully sliced open the rotting fish. “Come see, Lucas. Follow me.” He gripped the cage and jumped into the icy waters.
I grasped Lucas’s sweaty arm, shaking my head. He grinned, pushed me away, and followed the captain into the water without hesitation.
FUN FINN FACTS:
1. I checked an item off my bucket list. A humpback whale brought her baby to see us in Alaska while we were on a boat tour.
2. I talked my husband into flying over Kauai in a helicopter. I enjoyed it—he didn’t.
Meet 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, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
D.L. Finn Links:
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Meet the author:
Emotional Shadows 