The Last Rose: Stories of family and friendship

by Wendy Clarke

'The Last Rose' is a collection of thirteen stories of family and friendship by Wendy Clarke, a regular writer of fiction for national magazines. All of these stories have previously been published in either ‘The People’s Friend’, ‘Take a Break Fiction Feast’ or ‘Woman’s Weekly’. If you like stories with emotional depth and a satisfying ending, then this collection is for you. What Shirley Blair, Commissioning Fiction Editor for 'The People's Friend', says about the 'Wendy Clarke has become one of The People’s Friend’s most valued writers, offering our readers a range of themes and a level of emotional satisfaction that is rare in the short story format.' Saying Goodbye to When Summer leaves for university, Vanessa and Martin look to the future. Look at Little Natalie has Asperger’s syndrome. It takes a special someone to help show her mother she loves her. New Angie’s daughter tells her she is coping after the birth of Alex but is she really? The Toast of Maida When Margaret sees the face of Jesus on her morning toast, she knows her life will change – but not in the way she is expecting. Just After her second marriage, Kate hopes a holiday in Greece will bond her new family but the cracks soon start to appear. Links in a The bond between mother, daughter and granddaughter is more than just the fine gold necklaces they share. City Katherine is lonely after she moves from the country to the city to be near her son but finds unexpected friendship. The Writing on the The words written beneath stripped wallpaper reveal more than expected. Feels Like Coming Amelia has made it big as a country singer but the pull of home is strong. All Our A balloon ride brings back special memories for Jude and a new hope. A Growing Thelma’s grandson helps her to see that you don’t need bricks and mortar to house your special memories. Like Father Like Robert’s family have great plans for him. How can he let them see that his happiness is closer to home? The Last The last rose in Ron’s garden symbolises a special friendship.

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2015

About the author

Wendy Clarke has had over three hundred short stories published in national women’s magazines. With a degree in psychology, and intrigued with how the human mind can affect behaviour, it was inevitable she would eventually want to explore her darker side. What She Saw is her debut psychological thriller, published by Bookouture. Wendy lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex and when not writing is usually dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!

Reviews

[Holly]

Originally reviewed for Bookaholic Confessions

After enjoying Wendy Clarke’s first collection of short stories, Room in Your Heart, I was really looking forward to getting stuck into The Last Rose. I’d seen some excellent reviews already for Wendy’s stories and I had high expectations for what this collection would offer.
Since I started blogging I have become a firm fan of short stories and The Last Rose definitely ranks up there amongst some of my favourite collections because it was an absolute delight.
The underlying theme that runs throughout almost all of these stories is the importance of family, friendship and love.
Out of the twelve stories included in this collection I can honestly say that I enjoyed each and every one. They were all top-standard, well-written and brilliantly crafted tales that will be sure to melt your heart. A few of these stories in particular turned me into a big, gooey mess (Look at Me which is about a young girl with Aspergers and her mother, and New Beginnings which is about the struggles of a new mother), some made me chuckle (The Toast of Maida Vale) and some really made me stop and think about the bonds that families share and how important they are (A Growing Family and Like Father Like Son). These stories are the perfect distraction from the hectic lives that so many of us lead and are ideal if you’ve only got a short period of time in which to read. You can pick this book up, read a story of two, and return to it when you have the chance, unlike with a full length novel where you might lose track of the story. It’s the perfect book to dip in and out of.
Wendy has an obvious talent for writing short stories. Each one is realistic, the characters are well developed and the endings are always satisfying. The storylines are gripping, most definitely intriguing and I guarantee you will be able to recognise either yourself or others in at least one of the stories included.
The Last Rose will appeal to everyone; mothers, daughters, sisters, friends. If you’re looking to take ten minutes out of your day then look no further than this gentle, warm and all-round lovely collection of stories.

[Patsy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely stories about realistic characters. This collection is gentle, but full of emotion.

[Denise Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely short stories
About family and friendships.
A joy to read.

[Bodicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy’s collection of short stories are ones to melt the heart. She explores family relationships across the generations from the mother of a newborn baby to a widow moving out of the home she has lived in for decades. I must admit a couple had me quite emotional as I recognised my own family in there. All these stories are on point and very well written. I wanted to pick a favourite one for this review but, to be honest, I loved them all. Each story is a perfect snapshot of every day life and the emotions it brings.

As you will see from the blurb these have been printed in familiar magazines from the UK and when you read them you will know why. Short stories the way they are meant to be written by an author who really knows her craft. Perfect for coffee breaks and long soaks in the bath.

[Tracy Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these stories are uplifting and will make you smile. Some will resonate and you may blink back a few tears. Wendy captures the true feelings between mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and brilliantly evokes the love between grandparents and their grandchildren. I loved how she also effectively writes about fostering and the challenge of loving a child with Asperger's. These stories are also about friendship and finding new friends in new places. One of my favourites was the title story 'The Last Rose', a gentle and effective tale on the true meaning of friendship.

[Ann Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming collection of short stories that have previously been published in magazines. They are gentle tales about family and friendship and a lovely relaxing read. I can imagine that readers of People's Friend would love these stories - they all feature old fashioned values and respect. Shame there isn't more in this world!