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Extinction Crisis #0.1
Sole Connection
Charles Wilder has the life he’s always dreamed of… until it turns into a nightmare.
We all go through life as if each day will be much the same as the one before. And it usually works out that way. For better or worse, there is a certain momentum that keeps us going on the same road. But on every road and in every life, there are unexpected intersections and detours that can take us in a new direction in an instant.
Sometimes the new road is better, and sometimes it’s not.
Sole Connection is a 5900 word short story.
We all go through life as if each day will be much the same as the one before. And it usually works out that way. For better or worse, there is a certain momentum that keeps us going on the same road. But on every road and in every life, there are unexpected intersections and detours that can take us in a new direction in an instant.
Sometimes the new road is better, and sometimes it’s not.
Sole Connection is a 5900 word short story.
Unknown Binding
First published March 28, 2017
14 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
William Oday
34 books43 followersWant my FREE Starter Library? One novel, one novella and one short story, all for free. Get it at WWW.WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 30, 2017
Review of SOLE CONNECTION by William Oday
This short story is wonderful in itself: heartwrenching, heartwarming, and so realistic in terms of today's society. It is also a prequel to MANEATER, and introduces some of the characters, but why not enjoy it just for itself? I don't think too many readers will fail to be strongly affected by it, as author William Oday makes us fall in love with his characters, rejoice and mourn with them. Even in the short story form, they are fully realized characters and quite endearing.
This short story is wonderful in itself: heartwrenching, heartwarming, and so realistic in terms of today's society. It is also a prequel to MANEATER, and introduces some of the characters, but why not enjoy it just for itself? I don't think too many readers will fail to be strongly affected by it, as author William Oday makes us fall in love with his characters, rejoice and mourn with them. Even in the short story form, they are fully realized characters and quite endearing.
April 18, 2018
I normally don't read short stories because rarely is there enough time to develop a well thought out story line and bring it to a satisfactory conclusion within the confines of a short story. Mr Oday disabused me of all of those erroneous ideas. Not only is his story line well thought out but it is well executed. I really can't say much more without creating spoilers and I don't want to do that. Suffice it to say, this story will stay with you for a while and give you plenty of reason to contemplate life, love and what comes in between. I highly, highly recommend this one.
May 22, 2019
WOD. has. penned a story that reads like someone's life. Not only do things happen, but they constantly happen to the person of interest in this story. The story begins in Some Connection, but the primary answer is in the "Sole" and how it affects one man. The picture associated with the story, after you read both, answers many questions, plus, it makes you wonder whether this happen to someone the author knows, but if not, he has an eye opening imagination. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
September 25, 2019
It Captures Your Heart!
I was hooked from the first page. I never saw what was coming and hung on to find out the followup. This story never lets go. The characters are as real as the life portrayed in this short story but it is one that will stay with me because it hits close to home. A Must Read!
I was hooked from the first page. I never saw what was coming and hung on to find out the followup. This story never lets go. The characters are as real as the life portrayed in this short story but it is one that will stay with me because it hits close to home. A Must Read!
May 17, 2017
Deeply moving story. If you only have a few minutes to spare this story, this is a great read.
March 28, 2018
Heartbreaking
A story so real it burrows into your soul...no pun intended. A love story, a brief glimpse into how life events impact the life of a man, two women and a child.
A story so real it burrows into your soul...no pun intended. A love story, a brief glimpse into how life events impact the life of a man, two women and a child.
August 17, 2018
This is a lovely short story. It is heartbreaking but beautifully penned.
December 1, 2019
Well, this was heartbreaking. If you're going to read the Extinction Crisis series (and you should) then start here.
November 30, 2019
Well, this was heartbreaking. If you're going to read the Extinction Crisis series (and you should) then start here.
March 30, 2017
This was a tasty little tidbit to lead up to Sole Survivor. I enjoyed reading a little background to learn more about the characters. Great short read!
March 31, 2017
Having read most of William O'day's books, I must say, that I was taken aback with the first part of this book.
I haven't read any other book like this, as I prefer cops and robbers or at least bad guys. But, this story really awakened something. The tears actually flowed. and now I have to reread Man-Eater.
Good work. William!
I haven't read any other book like this, as I prefer cops and robbers or at least bad guys. But, this story really awakened something. The tears actually flowed. and now I have to reread Man-Eater.
Good work. William!
August 27, 2017
A great back story/prequel to "Man-Eater." Heartbreaking in parts, but great insight into Charles' and Emily's character.
March 31, 2017
STORY-LINE SOLE CONNECTION BY WILLIAM ODAY:
Sole Connection follows a short span of time in the life of Charles Wilder. Professor Wilder's life was wonderful. He loved his wife, Isabel, to distraction; they both loved and cherished their daughter, Emily. Life was good. Then fate stepped in and Charles and Emily's life imploded, only to rebound and implode again. How much can a daughter and father take and still go on? Do the Gods look down and laugh at the anguish humans endure? My review of Sole Connection follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Although I fully expected I would not like this short story, I found myself immediately enmeshed in the pages and longing for more at the end of the book. Sole Connection is an intense look into the life of Charles Wilder; a look which left me in tears. I felt his anguish and sense of lost as well as his hope and joy. ODay skillfully crafted this story-line, filling the pages full of human emotions and desires. He also demonstrated we are at the mercy of something other than ourselves and what we wish or want.
ODay created a love story of such large portions, I was amazed at the emotions I felt. This is not your typical romance by any means, rather it is love story of the heart and soul. Sole Connection is a heart breaking tale which will not leave the reader unaffected.
Finally, in concluding my review, I found a solid short book with pacing in line with the length of the story. Short stories can not explore the depth of character and plotting as a novella or novel; however, ODay, with poignant writing managed to convey so much in a short span of pages. His writing is clean and clear which made the book easy to read.
SOLE CONNECTION RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest reviews for romance suspense novel, Sole Connection. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influenced my reviews for romance suspense novel, Sole Connection.
Sole Connection follows a short span of time in the life of Charles Wilder. Professor Wilder's life was wonderful. He loved his wife, Isabel, to distraction; they both loved and cherished their daughter, Emily. Life was good. Then fate stepped in and Charles and Emily's life imploded, only to rebound and implode again. How much can a daughter and father take and still go on? Do the Gods look down and laugh at the anguish humans endure? My review of Sole Connection follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Although I fully expected I would not like this short story, I found myself immediately enmeshed in the pages and longing for more at the end of the book. Sole Connection is an intense look into the life of Charles Wilder; a look which left me in tears. I felt his anguish and sense of lost as well as his hope and joy. ODay skillfully crafted this story-line, filling the pages full of human emotions and desires. He also demonstrated we are at the mercy of something other than ourselves and what we wish or want.
ODay created a love story of such large portions, I was amazed at the emotions I felt. This is not your typical romance by any means, rather it is love story of the heart and soul. Sole Connection is a heart breaking tale which will not leave the reader unaffected.
Finally, in concluding my review, I found a solid short book with pacing in line with the length of the story. Short stories can not explore the depth of character and plotting as a novella or novel; however, ODay, with poignant writing managed to convey so much in a short span of pages. His writing is clean and clear which made the book easy to read.
SOLE CONNECTION RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest reviews for romance suspense novel, Sole Connection. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influenced my reviews for romance suspense novel, Sole Connection.
March 31, 2017
A great short story! So sad but explains Charles' state of mind as this is the prequel to the novella. Definitely recommend this author!
April 3, 2017
This is a great short story. I have to say it is a little sad but that can be OK and in this case it is really well done and well written. In the end it really leaves you wanting to know more. Great read.
Read
April 3, 2017I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. it's a great short story I hope he follows it with a longer story
April 5, 2017
A must read prequel
William Oday has written the best work so far. I have read every one of Mr. Oday's novels, novellas, and short stories. This is the first story that reduced me to tears. I have a friend who lost two wives in short order, both to cancer within a few years of each other. They were my friends and, as a cancer survivor myself, I know how hideous this disease is. You will develop a better understanding of Charles' motivations and core-being from this story. Don't miss this one and keep a hankie handy.
William Oday has written the best work so far. I have read every one of Mr. Oday's novels, novellas, and short stories. This is the first story that reduced me to tears. I have a friend who lost two wives in short order, both to cancer within a few years of each other. They were my friends and, as a cancer survivor myself, I know how hideous this disease is. You will develop a better understanding of Charles' motivations and core-being from this story. Don't miss this one and keep a hankie handy.
April 10, 2017
It was poignant, emotional and quite real in that life gets in the way of really spending time with our loved ones. Sole could also be soul, in relationship to how this couple felt about each other. A well-written short story that was longer than many short stories.
Not my usual cup of tea but it was free through one of the websites, newsletters, blogs or author pages, and I thought I would read something different. I never read or watched Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" but my impression is that if you like that type of story you would like this Oday's "Sole Connection."
Not my usual cup of tea but it was free through one of the websites, newsletters, blogs or author pages, and I thought I would read something different. I never read or watched Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" but my impression is that if you like that type of story you would like this Oday's "Sole Connection."
April 10, 2017
This is a very clever piece of writing, it manages to condense almost all of a man's adult life into a short story, including him loving, and losing, two partners. It is very emotional and conveys the devastation of the death of a partner brilliantly. The characters, although only briefly described are very nevertheless very real and believable.
I am not normally a fan of short stories, but if they were all as well written and powerful as this, then I would have to change my mind.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and voluntarily wrote this honest review from it.
I am not normally a fan of short stories, but if they were all as well written and powerful as this, then I would have to change my mind.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and voluntarily wrote this honest review from it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews