Excerpt: Tales of Hope, Love and Discovery: A Collection of Short Stories of Enlightenment - Rachel Devine

Just in Time for the Holidays: Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery is now available on Amazon! What could be a better gift than an inspirational book that will transport you into an oasis of fantasy, self-awareness, hope, love, and discovery?

Dive into Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery, where each story not only entertains but also illuminates the human spirit. Following in the footsteps of literary giants like Langston Hughes and Alice Munro, this collection of short stories is filled with profound messages of hope. One can slip into the 1800s in one story and, in another story, go back 38 years with a nostalgic theme.

These stories are crafted to not only entertain but also encourage introspection, offering a mirror into one's own life experiences. The light that radiates from these short stories will overcome the darkness in the world. In a world often clouded by darkness, Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery acts as the beacon, illuminating paths we never knew existed.

Each tale weaves a narrative that not only captivates but also enlightens, offering a profound spiritual message wrapped in compelling storytelling. The value in each story is the ability to land on a learning experience, which will resonate with each reader in a different way. The tales are also designed to transport you into the story, where your imagination can soar. These tales will take the reader out of an uncertain world and into a world of endless possibilities. In a world of so much calamity, one thing is certain: a short story takes you into a safe world, where you can find a reprieve from life for a little while.

One thing is undeniable: these short stories offer hope, love, and a sense of discovery.

So, pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, settle into your favorite chair, and let 'Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery' transport you to unique worlds where hope, love, and discovery take center stage.

A short excerpt from a chapter called, The One:

Abby was struggling with dating. After 20 years of marriage, she now found herself divorced and floundering in the precarious world of dating.

“Where are all the good men?” Abby blurted out loud to herself. After two years of endless dates, she was wondering if her ‘prince charming’ even existed. However, she was not going to give up. At 47 years old, Abby was doubtful about ever meeting a good partner. Abby looked in the mirror at her long, brown, wavy hair and big blue eyes as she stood there tall and slim. ‘Why can’t I meet a good man?’ she thought with conviction. 

Abby started to do an inventory of her life; she was happy. She was definitely happy in her occupation as a teacher. Her grown daughter was married to a wonderful man, and they just bought a house. She did have her dog Luke, a Siberian husky, to fill in the voids of feeling lonely, and that was a blessing to Abby.

Abby was reading a book on relationships and was up to the middle of the book. She was trying to wrap her head around the idea of her childhood experiences being the culprit for her relationship woes.

She thought with conviction, ‘The way I learned to love in childhood is how I will navigate adult relationships. To go one step further, I will attract men accordingly. Wow, that was a lot to resonate with.’

She started to review her childhood as a middle child. The forgotten middle child syndrome is very real. She was able to get attention from her parents by doing good deeds for them, like offering to do the dishes for her mother and offering to shine her father’s shoes. This gave her attention, praise, and love. As an adult, Abby realizes that love should be unconditional. As a child, she should not have had to earn love and attention. 

As she reviewed her marriage, she realized that she did create her childhood in her marriage. She married a clone of her father, who was a workaholic. She tried to keep her ex-husband engaged in the marriage by doing good deeds for him in order to get attention. She would make elaborate dinners and buy him gifts, all in an effort to get him to engage in the relationship and lure him away from his addiction to his work. Her husband was always working, and Abby was very lonely in the marriage.

Now fast forward to her dating life, where Abby is meeting the same type of men as her ex-husband with a different face, over and over and over again. Men who are emotionally distant and in need of coaxing to engage in any meaningful relationship.

As Abby continued to read the book, she realized she had to change this inner dialogue. The patterns from her past were embedded in her subconscious mind, and this was why she was continually meeting the same type of man as her ex-husband. Abby was fascinated by this theory and wanted to break out of this childhood pattern. The book went on to show her, step by step, how to clear this childhood pattern from her subconscious mind so she could meet the man of her dreams.

She had to write a letter to her ex-husband thanking him for all the lessons she learned in the marriage and then ceremoniously burn it in the sink as she released this from her subconscious mind. It was a way to clear the channels and let the universe know that she learned the lessons she needed to and would move on now. She could clear the channels so she didn’t have to repeat the lessons she already learned in her marriage. Abby did this ritual and felt lighter after the letter was burned.

The next step was that she had put up a visual picture in her mind of the man of her dreams as she fell asleep. She had to resonate with loving thoughts of this man and a feeling of harmony and compatibility. According to the book, this would put a positive image in her subconscious mind and would help her attract a suitable partner. The book went on to say that if she resonates with the feelings, this would help her create her destiny. Apparently, the feelings are what penetrate the subconscious, and the subconscious mind directs 95% of our lives! Abby was a little skeptical of this whole process but was open to giving it a try. So, for the next few weeks, she fell asleep with the feelings of being in love and meeting a compatible partner, as she put one image of this new partner in her head.

On day 21 of doing this nighttime ritual, she decided to go to a singles dance with some girlfriends. She needed to be out in the single world to test this theory of meeting an ideal partner. Abby put on her best dress and headed out to the dance. She felt silly thinking that she could manifest a partner into her life, but nonetheless, she was still open to it.

As she was driving to the dance, an old song came on the radio that made her think hard about manifestations.

The song was called I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden. Sung by Darren Hayes.

Abby sang along with the song:

“Maybe it's intuition.

But some things you just don't question. 

In your eyes, I see my future in an instant. 

And there it goes. 

I think I found my best friend. 

I know that it might sound 

More than a little crazy, but I believe 

I knew I loved you before I met you. I think I dreamed you into life. 

I knew I loved you before I met you. I have been waiting all my life. 

There's just no rhyme or reason. 

Only the sense of completion 

And in your eyes 

I see the missing pieces I'm searching for. I think I've found my way home. 

I know that it might sound 

More than a little crazy, but I believe 

I knew I loved you before I met you. I think I dreamed you into life. 

I knew I loved you before I met you. I have been waiting all my life.” 

Abby must have heard this song a hundred times in the past, but tonight the lyrics resonated with her in a way she could not begin to explain. She was stunned that this song of manifesting love was playing as she drove to the dance, especially the part where it says, “I think I dreamed you into life!”

©all rights reserved

The end of the excerpt.

To complete reading this short story, you can get an instant ebook download or order my book on Amazon. In closing, I want to say that as a local and self-published author, most of my sales are from networking and word of mouth and I thank those who promote my books. And this new book on short stories is the perfect Christmas gift, as I do have a chapter called The Connection (A Christmas Story) that conveys the true meaning of Christmas. Look for an excerpt on this chapter next week. And I want to thank you in advance for your support.

Get your copy now on Amazon.

Order your ebook and get an instant download.

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Press release - Tales of Hope, Love and Discovery: A Collection of Short Stories of Enlightenment - Rachel Devine

Press release: New York, NY USA October, 2024, KDP Independent publishing

Tales of Hope, Love and Discovery: A Collection of Short Stories of Enlightenment, Rachel Devine

Just in Time for the Holidays: 'Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery' is now available on Amazon! What could be a better gift than a book that will transport you into an oasis of fantasy, drama, hope, love, and discovery?

Dive into 'Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery,' where each story not only entertains but also illuminates the human spirit. Following in the footsteps of literary giants like George Saunders and Charles Dickens, this collection of short stories is filled with profound messages of hope. One can slip into the 1800s in one story and, in another story, zoom into the future.

These stories are crafted to not only entertain but also encourage introspection, offering a mirror into one's own life experiences. The light that radiates from these short stories will overcome the darkness in the world. In a world often clouded by darkness, 'Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery' acts as the beacon, illuminating paths we never knew existed.

Each tale weaves a narrative that not only captivates but also enlightens, offering a profound spiritual message wrapped in compelling storytelling. The value in each story is the ability to land on a learning experience, which will resonate with the reader in some way. The tales are also designed to transport you into the story, where your imagination can soar. These tales will take the reader out of an uncertain world and into a world of endless possibilities. In a world of so much calamity, one thing is certain: a short story takes you into a safe world, where you can find a reprieve from life for a little while.

One thing is undeniable: these short stories offer hope, love, and a sense of discovery.

So, pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, settle into your favorite chair, and let 'Tales of Hope, Love, and Discovery' transport you to unique worlds where hope, love and discovery take center-stage.

A short excerpt from a chapter called Seize the Moment:

You greeted the day with your usual tunnel vision. Perhaps you had breakfast, got dressed, and darted out in a big rush to get to work. While driving to work or maybe walking to the train, your mind was preoccupied with the day's tasks. Your brain was saturated with a long to-do-list. Upon arriving at work, you tackled the mounting emails while half-greeting colleagues. The nagging feeling of unfinished work pressured your entire day until you buried your head in your work. And before you knew it, the day was gone. The next day’s routine is a repeat of today, like a train barreling down the tracks at high speed.

Sure, you must make a living and plan your day; however, did you realize what you missed in your hurried pace this morning? You missed the magnificent, multicolored skyline outlined by God's majestic artistry. God placed a rainbow in the sky for you. You also missed seeing the most amazing little cardinal perched on the tree outside your home. And you overlooked that dime on the sidewalk. You missed the smile from a stranger as you hurried on your way. You didn't feel the incredible warmth of the sun on your face or notice the daffodils bursting upon the earth in the early morning. You didn't see the buds on the trees bloom into magnolia blossoms, a gift from God. You missed the grass coming back to life after a long hibernation. You didn't notice the most amazing oak tree with its leaves bursting with new life.

You also missed the incredible feeling of oneness, which can only be felt in that holy moment.

You actually missed the moment—the very place where the power of God resides in everything you do. You missed the opportunity to feel the amazing Spirit of God that surrounds and lives within you. You actually missed a beautiful spring morning. Remember, you can't have this day back. It's tucked away in the past, fading into your memory…

©all rights reserved

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Order your ebook and get an instant download.

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Everyone Loves a Good Short Story- Rachel Devine

I know this is a big statement, but I think everyone loves a good short story. Aesop's Fables are very brief stories featuring animals who demonstrate human traits such as speech and human follies. Each tale imparts a life lesson to its readers, as it always ends with a profound moral to the story. I used to love reading Aesop Fables to my two sons when they were little, and they loved them. It was very clever to use animals in the fables that children could relate to.

Other short stories can bring us back in time or propel us into the future. Some are designed to bring the reader to another dimension. And some tug at the heart, with human compassion at the forefront. And yet, some have great endings, and others have tragic endings.

The Origin of Short Stories

Short stories have existed since ancient times, with early examples found in the tales of Aesop's Fables, the stories of the Arabian Nights, and even the parables in the Bible by Jesus. However, the modern short story form is generally traced back to the 19th century, with writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Anton Chekhov being among the pioneering masters of the genre.

Tones and Voices in Short Stories

One of the defining features of short stories is the ability to enlist a wide range of tones and narrative voices.

Some common tones include:

1. Humorous/Satirical: stories that use wit, irony, and exaggeration to poke fun at human behavior or societal norm.

2. Dramatic/Emotional: Stories that explore intense emotions, conflicts, and human experiences.

3. Suspenseful/Thrilling: stories that build tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

4. Reflective/Philosophical: Stories that delve into existential questions, human nature, and the meaning of life.

We all have our stories. What would your short story look like?

Famous Short Story Titles and Authors

Here are some renowned short story titles and their authors:

1. "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

2. "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry

3. "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant

4. "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

5. "The Dead" by James Joyce

6. "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

7. "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs

8. "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

9. "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin

10. "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor

I have to confess, I have not read all of them. My research brought these up as significant short stories of our time. I did read a few of them, and I would highly recommend “The Yellow Wallpaper,” “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Lottery.” As you might guess, these short story examples showcase the diverse range of styles, themes, and voices that have contributed to the rich tradition of short fiction over the centuries.

I am very excited to announce that I am just completing a manuscript of my own short stories. My short stories have a range of different topics and definitely have endings that make you think about the moral of the story. I would say they fit into the category of number 2 and 4 of the, Tones and Voices in Short Stories listed above. I wanted to do a book on short stories for a while, and I finally just sat down and started it, and before long, I only have one chapter left to complete. I am hoping to have it completed by the beginning of September and put in a book form.

In closing, let me just say that short stories are a way to give us an exciting escape from everyday life and visit perhaps the Riviera, travel back in time to the 1800’s, or perhaps peer into the life of someone who is experiencing a “God Moment.” And you can do all of that without leaving the comfort of your living room.

Let me know what your favorite short story is in the comments or by emailing me.

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