Writing The Rollercoaster
With a grant from the city of Burlington, Lynda launched Writing the Rollercoaster – Stories of Riding Out the Pandemic in Burlington. Giving people a way to tell their stories, make sense of what they were going through and share it with others. With help from fellow author Sylvia McNicoll, 80 stories written by children, teens, young adults, parents, singles and seniors were chosen for the collection. Tales that will make you laugh, cry and sometimes shake your head and say “whaaaat?”
Perfect Fit
Rachel Banks has never believed in magic or moonlight, but if she'd thought that putting a piece of wedding cake under her pillow would conjure up a nightmare in the form of blue-eyed charmer Mark, she'd have stuffed that cake into her mouth instead! Mark is only in Madeira Beach for some much needed R&R and his new neighbour is not the kind of woman made for vacation memories. But there's something about the incurable romantic that just keeps drawing him back.
Love, Albert
Vicky Ferguson loves her husband Reid, always has, always will. But with two kids to think about, it's time for the free-wheeling, sports car loving pilot to put his feet on the ground and lay down some roots. Reid can't imagine life without Vicky but neither can he see himself pushing a lawn mower or driving a mini-van. They're on track to a divorce neither one wants until a last request from beloved Uncle Albert puts them on the road together one last time.
Island Girl
If I were a teenager, this would be a coming of age story. But having celebrated my fifty-fifth birthday yesterday - complete with champagne, cake, and more candles than anyone wants to see in one place - I suppose this is more a coming of old age story. The tale of a woman well aware that the best is no longer yet to come. Proud that all the years of canoeing and weight training and green tea have given her firm arms, a straight back and a heart so strong the little darling will probably beat for years and years to come.
Getting Rid of Rosie
"Stop right there. I am not buying into this."
"Buying into what?"
"You, the t-shirt, this whole thing. You're obviously an illusion."
"You think you're imagining me?"
"Yes, although I can't for the life of me come up with a single reason why."
Rosie propped her butt on the railing and smiled. "Good old, Sammy. Still as thick as a plank. It's nice to know some things don't change."
Harvey's Boots
Harvey Kendal has a deep and abiding faith in the power of rabbits’ feet, four leaf clovers and anything else believed to bring luck to a man. As a rule, Luck finds the devotion of humans tedious, but this Harvey fellow is in a class by himself. And damned if his wife isn’t one of those rare mortals who sees gods and magical creatures as they truly are. Cupid and the Fates can be a lot of fun when they’re drunk. It’s just a shame the wife isn’t smarter. Luck has plans for Harvey, and Pam would do well to stay out of his way.
The Oldest Living Thing in the Building
When people think of hiking the Grand Canyon, they usually imagine fabulous vistas or flora and fauna. Lynda’s first thought? Airlift rescues. But you’re only as old as you feel, right? And when had she ever been smart enough to turn down a challenge. Find out how that turned out in her latest story, The Oldest Living Thing in The Building, part of the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul collection, Age Is Just A Number.
When In Texas
Jenna Scott loves the open road, solo camping and feeding people. A self-taught chef and lifelong vegetarian, she can't wait to open her first restaurant and prove that you can make friends with salad. But in Clifton Texas? Rancher and retailer, Alex Barclay, knows Texans live for steak and brisket. But kale and quinoa? Not so much. While the vegetarian is about as cute as a woman can get, she's also more than naïve about her business prospects, but Alex believes she has the right to fail anywhere she likes.
Charmed I'm Sure
One minute Maxine Henley is the happy bride-to-be and the next she's the girl who gets dumped over the phone. Max has never believed in magic and fairy's tales, but if wearing a love charm can warm her fiancé's cold feet, she's happy to stuff that little wooden heart next to her own and wait. The charm came with a promise that the right man will find her, guaranteed, but how can that happen when her teenage crush Sam O'Neil keeps getting in the way!
Just the Way You Aren't
A moment of madness. That's all Sunny expected when she donned a mask to crash the gala at Manhattan's newest hotel. Michael has no idea that the beauty staring at the mural is also the artist. When their moment of madness on the sofa comes to an abrupt end, his princess is off and running. He's determined to find her again, but all he has to do is look closer at the woman painting the mural in his office to see that the one he needs is standing right in front of him.