The Scent of Sunlight

by Annie Bellet

Single mother Queenie Hayes struggles to support her two young children and tells them stories of a world filled with sunlight instead of concrete, a world called the Veldt where magical creatures abound and her family roams, free from the trials of the real world. As a social worker threatens to break apart her family, the Veldt offers her family a chance to escape if she can find the courage, and imagination, to reach for it.

The Scent of Sunlight is a fantasy short story by Annie Bellet.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Urban Fantasy

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2011

About the author

Annie Bellet is a full-time speculative fiction writer. She holds a BA in English and a BA in Medieval Studies and thus can speak a smattering of useful languages such as Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Welsh.

Her books include Avarice (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division: Book 1), The Gryphonpike Chronicles series, and the Twenty-Sided Sorceress series.

Her interests besides writing include rock climbing, reading, horse-back riding, video games, comic books, table-top RPGs, and many other nerdy pursuits.


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Reviews

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scent of sunlight is a beautiful tale of a single mother striving to do the best for her children. She faces the normal challenges, not enough time, and no hands to help make her life easier. Her loving son is the sparkle in her eye, and her daughter is her moonbeam in the sky. Some moments are tense, scary, and sorrowful. Then there are moments that make your heart come alive with smiles.

[Anniken Haga · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should see the cover I have on this book. It is so beautiful! This old one here doesn't do it justice.

Once again, I think Annie Bellet writes with an amazong grace.
Then there is the story. This is only a short story, but there is so much in these 20 pages. Tradegy and love and magic.
Just a great and strong short, that is free on Amazon, so give it a look

**SPOILER**

I kept thinking that this is the story about the death of this family. I still feel like that, but want to just think it a happy read, the way it ended. Not sure that is plausible. Also don't think I'll forget this story soon.

[Peyton Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other reviewers have given a synopsis of this short, so I shall not add to their comments. I will add only that it is beautifully written, and not only is the writing beautiful, but the characters and the story completely engaged me. Like most Americans, I wonder what my life would be like if luck did not play out in my favor--that is, if my personal luck had not kicked in when I was a small boy with a lot of promise and a Mom with a husband who showed promise--what would have happened if I had been a small boy with a Mom but no husband...I would have been eager for the veldt.

[Kevis Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best thing I've read from this author. Brilliant story that makes you feel for the characters and whisks you away on another plane of reality. Beautiful. Once again, the old cover art fails to do this story justice. Glad to see the cover got an update worthy of the story itself.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story that had me on the figurative edge of my seat while attempting to figure out if this young mother was loosing her mind or if something magical was happening to her.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scent of Sunlight is an urban fantasy in which I would have loved to spend more time. This was so well-written that I could not only feel the warm sun on my face, but also the bone-aching tiredness and desperation of Queenie. I loved how Queenie and her children had such a beautiful escape from the ugly parts of life and the struggles of single parent-hood. Maybe I'm the only one who went there in my mind, but I did fear that there was a darker element to this story (like Peter Pan really being about dead children and/or Alice in Wonderland possibly being about an acid trip). Okay, yeah, I'm probably the only one. . .

I will definitely be looking into other works by Annie Bellet.
☆☆☆☆

[IAmAmandaBazil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishing that such a sweet escape is possible for all single mothers struggling to provide a life worthy for themselves and their kids. This is for all the mothers, and even fathers, who truly try, day in and day out to give all that their children need, but still come up short. For all the parents who end up being caught by the system and had to have their children taken from them. May you all find the path to Veldt, and leave the harshness of this world behind! Beautiful short story ❤

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate for togetherness!

I love this. It is a mix of fantasy, world building and the struggle to survive against a world not made for all. I would love to see more of Veldt it seems like such an amazing place and so vibrant. Really well written and at the same time builds the picture around you slowly.

[Donna Sbanotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Fantasy, worth your time

I needed a quick read tonight and chose “A Scent of Sunlight”. It was a very nice short fantasy. It took me away from feeling unwell for the few minutes it took to read. I really enjoyed it.

[Quinesia Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was great literature- style short story writing. The writing had the proper urban feel through description, and the premise of the story is creative and unique. Characterization of people of color was handled appropriately. I read it in about 20 min. Nice read.

[Antronette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I enjoyed the book and would've been happy to see a continuation of the storyline. Was saddened and happy for her at same time.

[mirba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is soo beautiful.
Elegant writing, beautiful story, great scenes and descriptions.
It is a short story, and it is closer to poetry than normal writing.

[Mari McConnaughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairy take for Adults

Long day today at work, story put much needed smile 😃 on my face, an escape from reality much needed.

[Toni Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah if only

Wonderful fantasy of a single mom with two small children. Sometimes you really wish a fantasy could be real and this short story is one of those times.

[ROBERT P MICHAUD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it a 3.5 if i could. It's a good short story and I enjoyed it. She's an amazing writer and this was not her best.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If wishes were carousel horses, all the beleaguered families could ride away to a world of sunlight and promise.
***
4 stars

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, well-written short story about a family with a need to escape.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short fantasy.

A sort of urban dystopia and fantasy world crossover. It even has a version of prince charming. Guess who gets to be the wicked witch.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disenfranchised/struggling single mom retreats, with her two children, into a fantasy world of her own creation. The ending was a little too easy and too pat for me, although I did like the way the fantasy crept into their real lives and the possible insanity that that might have implied, but it wasn't really explored, just offered up and then moving on!

The grammar could have done with a good proofread, but overall, not bad for a clearly self-published piece.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars.

This was so so good!! Don't we all wish at times that we could just escape to our special place and stay there whenever 'real life' gets too much? Well that's exactly what a young mother and her two children did. It was beautifully written and just a delightful little story. Definitely recommend everyone reads this. I know I will be re-reading this many times over. It's just amazing.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good escapism, to VELDT.

Bellet must have had an over active imagination in her childhood.... I love her style of writing, sci-fi, fantasy, and other world extraordinaire.

[Monica M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short story, how ordinary people escape their lives with a step to the fantasy world.