What do you think?
Rate this book
The Odor of Orchids
When is a love story not a romance? When the lives of strangers collide, as they do on a steam-hot August weekend.
Don Burbage, the good-looking sheriff deeply in love with his wife Peggy, wrestles with what commitment means while working out the bloody event that happened in cabin six at the Buena Vista Motel.
Lyla, young, trapped in her youth and body, has to face what her youth and body have wrought upon her.
And enter the stranger, a photojournalist passing through in his big blue Pontiac convertible. He has just left the carnival of the Republican convention, heading to the same unrealities of the Democratic event, when he stops for a walk in the woods.
He does not come out of them the same. None of them do.
Don Burbage, the good-looking sheriff deeply in love with his wife Peggy, wrestles with what commitment means while working out the bloody event that happened in cabin six at the Buena Vista Motel.
Lyla, young, trapped in her youth and body, has to face what her youth and body have wrought upon her.
And enter the stranger, a photojournalist passing through in his big blue Pontiac convertible. He has just left the carnival of the Republican convention, heading to the same unrealities of the Democratic event, when he stops for a walk in the woods.
He does not come out of them the same. None of them do.
286 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2013
2 people want to read
About the author
Charles W. Bechtel
13 books14 followersMost recently released: 100 Shadows, meditation poems in tanka form
Available books:
The Lady from Spain novel
The Odor of Orchids novel
Book of Days novel
Sound Words Seen poetry
On Second Thoughts collected essays
The first five books in the series of six are presently available:
A Hole in the Water
Hell's Cold Furies
When the Ball Drops Foul
Running Before Thunder
And Then You Don't
Born:
Spring Lake, North Carolina, April, 1953, fourth day, five minutes past midnight (thus late for my parents’ anniversary, which sets a standard for all such events from then on.)
Educated:
A long while back, when colleges offered to improve human beings attending their classes, not dedicate themselves to the function of making a person employable. Ahh, the good old days.
Undergraduate degree: In English from a State college in Glassboro, NJ, that changed its name to Rowan University when Mr. Rowan gave it a huge wad of cash.
Master degree: In English from Temple University in 1996, which is where I got to learn exactly what I needed to know from David H. Bradley, the author of a fine book, The Chaneysville Incident (among others) which I recommend reading. Otherwise, graduate school for writers is a waste of time and money.
Marriage:
I am married to the finest woman on Earth, by accounts of many others more than myself: Manuela.
I married once before, but for practice. It lasted a mere sixteen months.
Manuela brought with her two wonderful young ladies, Elizabeth (Baby Beth) and Manuela (Meme), who each in turn delivered into my life young ladies of inestimable worth: Sky (b. 2003) Lucy (b. 2007) and Mia (b. 2008.)
Though I give to each huge chunks of my heart, doing so has increased that heart’s size.
Work History:
Let’s say I worked, and have enjoyed no occupation more than Educator. My students put their trust in me; I put my faith in them. Pretty much always works out.
What I do for fun:
Everything. If it is not fun, I quickly stop doing it. (see Work, above)
Writing Philosophy:
Make sense by appealing to the senses.
Available books:
The Lady from Spain novel
The Odor of Orchids novel
Book of Days novel
Sound Words Seen poetry
On Second Thoughts collected essays
The first five books in the series of six are presently available:
A Hole in the Water
Hell's Cold Furies
When the Ball Drops Foul
Running Before Thunder
And Then You Don't
All books available as e-books on Amazon.com.
Charles Bechtel is now working on A Hypocrisy of Oaths, the sixth in the series and last DREW NOLAN, reluctant detective, book.
His latest book, The Lady from Spain has been published and is now available on Amazon, Createspace and Smashwords
Born:
Spring Lake, North Carolina, April, 1953, fourth day, five minutes past midnight (thus late for my parents’ anniversary, which sets a standard for all such events from then on.)
Educated:
A long while back, when colleges offered to improve human beings attending their classes, not dedicate themselves to the function of making a person employable. Ahh, the good old days.
Undergraduate degree: In English from a State college in Glassboro, NJ, that changed its name to Rowan University when Mr. Rowan gave it a huge wad of cash.
Master degree: In English from Temple University in 1996, which is where I got to learn exactly what I needed to know from David H. Bradley, the author of a fine book, The Chaneysville Incident (among others) which I recommend reading. Otherwise, graduate school for writers is a waste of time and money.
Marriage:
I am married to the finest woman on Earth, by accounts of many others more than myself: Manuela.
I married once before, but for practice. It lasted a mere sixteen months.
Manuela brought with her two wonderful young ladies, Elizabeth (Baby Beth) and Manuela (Meme), who each in turn delivered into my life young ladies of inestimable worth: Sky (b. 2003) Lucy (b. 2007) and Mia (b. 2008.)
Though I give to each huge chunks of my heart, doing so has increased that heart’s size.
Work History:
Let’s say I worked, and have enjoyed no occupation more than Educator. My students put their trust in me; I put my faith in them. Pretty much always works out.
What I do for fun:
Everything. If it is not fun, I quickly stop doing it. (see Work, above)
Writing Philosophy:
Make sense by appealing to the senses.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.