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HOPE: Short Inspirational Stories
This eBook is a biographical account of the life-changing experience of HOPE that was gifted to the author, as a child, in 1953.
In this 5000-word short story, you will meet the real-life girl who inspired the fictional character Emily in the acclaimed series, The Stolen Years and A New Beginning.
Following this short story, is a 13,500-word sample of To Kill for a Ghost, Book 1: The Stolen Years by Ryn Shell.
In this 5000-word short story, you will meet the real-life girl who inspired the fictional character Emily in the acclaimed series, The Stolen Years and A New Beginning.
Following this short story, is a 13,500-word sample of To Kill for a Ghost, Book 1: The Stolen Years by Ryn Shell.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2016
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Ryn Shell
35 books8 followersRyn Shell Author and Book Cover Artist and Designer
FREE chapters of current WIP & Newsletter
“THE STOLEN YEARS”
Historical, rural noir, family saga, open mystery series set in Australia,
The current COZY, Work in Progress features a female, former lawyer turned artist & retired detective amateur sleuths. Set in the beautiful high country of Victoria, Australia.
Ryn Shell is also an internationally acclaimed fine artist, formerly of Bunninyong Gallery.
FREE chapters of current WIP & Newsletter
“THE STOLEN YEARS”
Historical, rural noir, family saga, open mystery series set in Australia,
The current COZY, Work in Progress features a female, former lawyer turned artist & retired detective amateur sleuths. Set in the beautiful high country of Victoria, Australia.
Ryn Shell is also an internationally acclaimed fine artist, formerly of Bunninyong Gallery.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 2, 2016
Having read so many of Ryn Shell's books about the Australian outback and the Fyfe family, I was incredibly excited to discover this little gem of a memoir that covers just one year of Ryn's life.
I had long ago realised that the hero, in many of Ryn's books, Emily, had been modeled around her own history and I wondered, just how much of Ryn was in Emily and vice-versa.
Clearly, Ryn had a difficult childhood and although this book covers just one year in that childhood, it was obviously a seminal year, in the life of the future artist, author and good, keen, Australian woman.
Despite coming from a moderately well-to-do family, it was clearly a very dysfunctional family and Ryn was a malnourished, underloved and sickly child. It was the Government of Victoria and the authorities that were responsible for ensuring Ryn got to attend the Outdoor School for a year, that would prove to be the making of her. She credits this year with turning her difficult childhood around.
The story is told in typical, no-nonsense style by the author and as, a reader, I was left to marvel at how some people are just able to raise themselves above adversity and succeed despite their early background. As someone who clearly had a privileged upbringing, in comparison to the author, I couldn't help but think, "there, but for the grace of God, go all of us."
Hope is just a short story, but it is one that does indeed fill the reader with hope. As a bonus Ryn has included an excerpt at the end of the book that details the story from her novellas, that leads up to the birth of Emily. This was a real bonus for me as it was the only book in the series I had yet to read.
What shines through in this story is the author's "just get it done" attitude that she has clearly carried through into her adult life. I really enjoyed this little dalliance and would highly recommend it to anyone. At 0.99c it's a bargain - good one!
I had long ago realised that the hero, in many of Ryn's books, Emily, had been modeled around her own history and I wondered, just how much of Ryn was in Emily and vice-versa.
Clearly, Ryn had a difficult childhood and although this book covers just one year in that childhood, it was obviously a seminal year, in the life of the future artist, author and good, keen, Australian woman.
Despite coming from a moderately well-to-do family, it was clearly a very dysfunctional family and Ryn was a malnourished, underloved and sickly child. It was the Government of Victoria and the authorities that were responsible for ensuring Ryn got to attend the Outdoor School for a year, that would prove to be the making of her. She credits this year with turning her difficult childhood around.
The story is told in typical, no-nonsense style by the author and as, a reader, I was left to marvel at how some people are just able to raise themselves above adversity and succeed despite their early background. As someone who clearly had a privileged upbringing, in comparison to the author, I couldn't help but think, "there, but for the grace of God, go all of us."
Hope is just a short story, but it is one that does indeed fill the reader with hope. As a bonus Ryn has included an excerpt at the end of the book that details the story from her novellas, that leads up to the birth of Emily. This was a real bonus for me as it was the only book in the series I had yet to read.
What shines through in this story is the author's "just get it done" attitude that she has clearly carried through into her adult life. I really enjoyed this little dalliance and would highly recommend it to anyone. At 0.99c it's a bargain - good one!
August 13, 2016
We are introduced to the author as she begins life in Melbourne in the 1950s at her mothers boarding house. The first half of the book tells the story of a life changing experience and her learning at an outdoor school for the under privileged. The second half of the book, bizarrely, moves on to introduce the author's other works.
The short story is excellent, although ends a little abruptly. I wanted to know more. Give me more. There was a lot of padding to take the book up to a higher page count, but not within the story itself. This happens when the author introduces the prologue for other stories. Those other stories do look of interest, but maybe shouldn't have taken up more than half the book.
However, it is well written and really places you in the 1950s in Melbourne. I can imagine what life must have been like then from these pages, which is all that it should do. Hope to read more by Ryn Shell.
Would definitely recommend this short story.
The short story is excellent, although ends a little abruptly. I wanted to know more. Give me more. There was a lot of padding to take the book up to a higher page count, but not within the story itself. This happens when the author introduces the prologue for other stories. Those other stories do look of interest, but maybe shouldn't have taken up more than half the book.
However, it is well written and really places you in the 1950s in Melbourne. I can imagine what life must have been like then from these pages, which is all that it should do. Hope to read more by Ryn Shell.
Would definitely recommend this short story.
January 23, 2017
IT IS INSPIRATIONAL
I was attracted to this book as it was described as inspirational and that is apt. By the age of five, the young daughter of a mother who does not care for her properly, already believes she is worthless and her esteem is at an all time low. Set in New Zealand, the authorities there in the 1950’s are seen to be far more aware of those children who are not thriving. The author – this is a biography – is sent to an open air school and learns for the first time that certain ordinary foods are not for adults only, and in the year she attends, she begins to thrive, not only physically, but in mind as well. As an introduction to the author’s other books, we learn about the characters who star in her other books. I recommend you read this before you pick up book one and yes, it was inspirational with a feel good story and I must now go and look up her other books. Enjoyable and hopeful.
I was attracted to this book as it was described as inspirational and that is apt. By the age of five, the young daughter of a mother who does not care for her properly, already believes she is worthless and her esteem is at an all time low. Set in New Zealand, the authorities there in the 1950’s are seen to be far more aware of those children who are not thriving. The author – this is a biography – is sent to an open air school and learns for the first time that certain ordinary foods are not for adults only, and in the year she attends, she begins to thrive, not only physically, but in mind as well. As an introduction to the author’s other books, we learn about the characters who star in her other books. I recommend you read this before you pick up book one and yes, it was inspirational with a feel good story and I must now go and look up her other books. Enjoyable and hopeful.
August 1, 2016
A wonderful piece of short fiction. The author describes her harrowing childhood in a dysfunctional family in post war Australia. Badly neglected by her mother and abandoned by her abusive father she fades away with malnutrition and childhood despair until fate steps in, in the form of a concerned policeman and she is sent to the Forest Open School where she experiences the joy of nature and the possibility of hope through art.
Well written and poignant.
Well written and poignant.
August 3, 2016
It is very inspirational. I wish the place that gave the author such a solid reason to hope still existed. Grand story.
March 26, 2017
This was a very, very, short but very inspirational memoir.
I loved it.
I loved it.
April 19, 2017
This short story made me angry and sad at times reading about what she went through as a child, but also left me happy and inspired at the end learning how she overcame those obstacles and used them as a positive in her life. A very interesting read, i highly recommend it to readers who like stories about perseverance.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews