Stories

Strawberry Fields

Oliver and Doll Turtle have only lived in their condo for a year, not long enough to become bored—at least from Doll's point of view. She loves having nothing to do except plump the cushions. Oliver, however, is already homesick for the scent of mown grass. When he sees a real estate ad for a property on Gale Island he can't wait to view it. Driven by his pie-in-the-sky idea, Oliver buys Strawberry Fields, and while he endures the most dreadful moving day anyone can ever imagine, Doll takes a drastic farewell to their condo.

Being Like Annie Fairfax

The day Maxine meets Annie she has a strange feeling that one day she will end up like her, which prospect is rather daunting. However, in the process of Maxine's marriage deteriorating she makes a closer friend of Annie, and discovers that being like her might not be so bad after all.

She Drove a BMW

Nell, in her forties, has fallen in love with Nick who's much younger. Things are going great. No one has a problem with their relationship, except Nell when Nick tells her he wants her to meet Maggie, his mom. Nell, fearing the worst, plans to find out what Maggie is like before meeting her formally. She phones her friend, Marcie, who runs a daycare centre, and asks if she'll accompany her to a café that Nick's mom frequents so that she can give her the once-over. Marcie reluctantly agrees, taking with her, six pre-school children—a sure recipe for disaster!

Reviews

Like to laugh while you read? Then this is the book for you, a collection of short stories by talented author Celia A. Leaman whose keen insights into human behavior will keep you reading with a huge smile on your face.

Get to know Oliver Turtle and his wife, Doll, and join them in their divided decision to remove to Gale Island because Oliver is bored with condo living.

Oliver's solitary trip to Gale Island is fraught with disasters that will have you in stitches. The marvelous supporting cast offers Oliver dubious support and you'll be thinking, "Wait'll Doll shows up." Whether you pity Oliver or envy him his courage to make such a move, you will enjoy his misadventures immensely.

This and other tales in Island Stories will leave you wanting more of the same and looking for other books by this very imaginative author.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards, author of Death on Delivery

Take a trip to Disillusion Bay with Doll and Oliver as they search for their dream home. Fall in love with Nell who has fallen in love with Nick, a younger man who just wants Nell to meet his mother. Maxine is worried about being like Annie Fairfax, an eccentric woman who doesn't seem to care much for public opinion.

Celia Leaman's Island Stories are delightful visits with her lovable, sometimes wacky characters. Her Gale Island stories have enchanted readers for years and this book is no exception. This is a fast-paced read that will leave you laughing out loud and looking for more stories about Leaman's islands in Canada.

-- Joyce Lavene, author of the Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime.