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What is it to be honorable? In the eyes of others? In your own heart? Is it what you've done or who you are?
Jeff Smith was, as his bully of a brother-in-law Gene Engelhardt was fond of retelling, “what the cat dragged in.” A scruffy, bearded hippie Gene’s sister Bonne had met and fallen deeply in love with decades ago at a Washington peace rally against the Vietnam War. Even shaved and doing whatever the Engelhardts wanted, his in-laws never accepted or approved of Jeff. Now, Jeff is saddled with a family, a dead end job, and, after Bonnie died of cancer, a mountain of debt. Only Jeff has a secret and a unique possession that could possibly solve his financial problems and help his daughter realize her dream, if he can ever overcome the guilt and shame that has haunted him for over thirty years.
Honor, a novella by Daniel Grotta, explores the human cost when patriotism, personal ethics and the deep bond of friendship collide.
Honor is the first in a series of stories from Pixel Hall Press set in the fictional Pocono Mountains village of Black Bear, Pennsylvania. Black Bear, Pennsylvania is a fictional village in the Poconos Mountains created as a literary folie à deux by Daniel Grotta and his wife Sally Wiener Grotta. Both Daniel and Sally are dipping into the same pool of invented locale and characters to write a series of separate stories and novels that will, eventually, paint a full picture of the diversity of life and relationships in a small mountain village. The next Black Bear story will be a full length novel called Jo Joe, by Sally Wiener Grotta.
Jeff Smith was, as his bully of a brother-in-law Gene Engelhardt was fond of retelling, “what the cat dragged in.” A scruffy, bearded hippie Gene’s sister Bonne had met and fallen deeply in love with decades ago at a Washington peace rally against the Vietnam War. Even shaved and doing whatever the Engelhardts wanted, his in-laws never accepted or approved of Jeff. Now, Jeff is saddled with a family, a dead end job, and, after Bonnie died of cancer, a mountain of debt. Only Jeff has a secret and a unique possession that could possibly solve his financial problems and help his daughter realize her dream, if he can ever overcome the guilt and shame that has haunted him for over thirty years.
Honor, a novella by Daniel Grotta, explores the human cost when patriotism, personal ethics and the deep bond of friendship collide.
Honor is the first in a series of stories from Pixel Hall Press set in the fictional Pocono Mountains village of Black Bear, Pennsylvania. Black Bear, Pennsylvania is a fictional village in the Poconos Mountains created as a literary folie à deux by Daniel Grotta and his wife Sally Wiener Grotta. Both Daniel and Sally are dipping into the same pool of invented locale and characters to write a series of separate stories and novels that will, eventually, paint a full picture of the diversity of life and relationships in a small mountain village. The next Black Bear story will be a full length novel called Jo Joe, by Sally Wiener Grotta.
56 pages, Paperback & eBook
First published February 6, 2012
12 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Grotta
18 books7 followersOver the years, I’ve worn many different hats, though the hair under the hats has diminished and greyed. Photojournalist, war correspondent, investigative reporter, biographer, feature writer, book editor, book reviewer, technology journalist and consultant, ambulance driver and relief worker. … and novelist. It’s been quite a ride, but the adventure is just beginning. (My bio is online at www.Grotta.net). I’m married to the writer/photographer Sally Wiener Grotta, and we live with Watson, our Golden Retriever, and his two cats, Rascal and Diva, in the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 14, 2013
Honor by Daniel Grotta is Pixel Hall Press Publication. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Jeff had a great family life until his wife got sick. Now working for his brother-in-law, Jeff thinks back to his days in Vietnam, how he met his wife, his in laws and how he would like to be able to send his daughter to a school in France, but can't afford it. He hatches a plan to raise money without realizing it would have shocking consequences.
I loved this short story! The story is told from Jeff's perspective. If you don't like Jeff, then I don't know what to say. He's a great guy and you will find yourself really pulling for him. The story will pull you in from the beginning and hold your attention all the way through.
I have read other stories from this author and enjoyed them very much, but I have to say this one tops the list.
A+
I would also like to invite you all to stop by my blog on Dec.21st (2013) for a tribute to short stories. Pixel Hall Press and their authors will be profiled and I will feature other reviews from their authors. The blog address is http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com
Jeff had a great family life until his wife got sick. Now working for his brother-in-law, Jeff thinks back to his days in Vietnam, how he met his wife, his in laws and how he would like to be able to send his daughter to a school in France, but can't afford it. He hatches a plan to raise money without realizing it would have shocking consequences.
I loved this short story! The story is told from Jeff's perspective. If you don't like Jeff, then I don't know what to say. He's a great guy and you will find yourself really pulling for him. The story will pull you in from the beginning and hold your attention all the way through.
I have read other stories from this author and enjoyed them very much, but I have to say this one tops the list.
A+
I would also like to invite you all to stop by my blog on Dec.21st (2013) for a tribute to short stories. Pixel Hall Press and their authors will be profiled and I will feature other reviews from their authors. The blog address is http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com
May 26, 2012
Ok. The fact is I love this book, and not only because I love the author (my husband, Daniel Grotta). It is set in a fictional Pocono Mountain village that he and I have invented as a "folie a deux." While we "steal" characters and locales from each other, often taking them in directions the other didn't intend, the stories we write are quite independent and separate. Therefore, I came to this book as a reader, discovering new dimensions of characters and intrigued by the tale. I had difficulty reading the last couple of pages, because my vision was blurred with tears.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews