I’m delighted to be part of the wonderful Story Chat II blog tour. The fantastic Marsha Ingrao started Story Chat ‘as a unique online blogging program for authors and readers’. After the success of the first book, she began work on the second, inviting authors from all over the world to send in their writing. She describes the second book as including ‘a diverse set of original short stories’.
Story Chat II is packed full of fascinating pieces of writing. It’s bookended by some useful non-fiction writing tips, which are helpful for any writer. Sandwiched in between are some brilliant stories. Nowhere else have I read such a wide range of writing, from pieces to make you laugh, then cry, twists you don’t see coming, stories aimed at younger readers, coming of age tales, sci-fi and much more. There really is something for everyone.
A particular favourite of mine was Gary A Wilson’s Anxious About Seahorses. I felt for the character, Charlotte, who has autism and has been sent for a unique type of therapy. I don’t want to give anything away, but I loved the way the story unfolded and how we connect with the characters.
Yvette Prior deals with grief so touchingly in her story Uncle Ted’s Assets. It can be a difficult subject to write about, but Yvette deals with it well, in an informed and thought-provoking way.
I do like a surprise ending and Diana Peach weaves her magic in her entertaining story, The Grand Adventure.
And, of course, I must mention the delightful read from Robbie Cheadle, Sir Stealthy and the Jewellery thieves, together with illustrations.
There are many other stories worthy of a mention, including ones from Hugh Roberts, Geoff Le Pard, Cathy Cade and Marsha herself. But each and every story has someone special and something different about it. I thoroughly recommend reading the book. I devoured it from cover to cover in only a couple of sittings.
To purchase from Amazon, click here.
Credit goes to Colleen Cheesbro for designing these wonderful ads.
Esther Chilton 
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