One Soul's Journey: Second Collection of Short Stories (Book 2)

by Barbara Daniels Dena

One Soul's Journey is an eclectic and extraordinary collection of short stories. The imagination, a dash of real life, inspiration, and lots of love. If you've read and loved her first collection, “For the Soul,” this book will delight you.

Two Short Stories “Stop talking to me. You know owls don’t talk. Do you want someone to hear you? People will think I am nuts, talking to you.”“Tracy knew a man was there. She felt his eyes on her, watching her. Feeling her fluttering heartbeat return to normal and the adrenaline surge passing, the original lure of the cabin returned to niggle at her curiosity bone.”
Praise for “For The Soul”
5.0 out of 5 stars“Delightfully charming short stories”“Excellent book. A must read”

Genres: Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2023

About the author

Barbara Daniels Dena is an indie author and influential writer of an eclectic collection of short stories that include many genres. Book one, "For the Soul: A Collection of Short Stories," was released in August 2021, and book two, titled "One Soul's Journey," was released on Jan. 25th, 2023. Her books are available on Amazon Books, Amazon Kindle, and many fine online book sites.

The stories are almost a memoir of inspiring and unique stories of 'good ole fashioned living,' along with many humorous past and present memories that will tug on the heart, fictional tall tales, and some children's tales delighting readers worldwide. Barbara began writing at an early age as a lover of "Make-Believe." Today, her writing has developed from memories of family and 'life unexpected with various compilations of events in her life, and her love of animals. She is willing to admit that her vivid imagination plays a role in her stories.

The author is an Illinois native who has lived in many places. As Barb says, I am like a free-spirited "Gypsy." She has lived and worked in Illinois, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Missouri, and Georgia, but ultimately, returned home and settled back in the Quad Cities area of Illinois. She is a proud mother of two grown children.

She was a business owner, ran a temporary employment agency, then transitioned into her passion for floral design, and opened two floral shops. When she isn't writing, Barbara spends her free time oil painting and enjoys quilting, knitting, and reading. Her favorite book is "Death Be Not Proud" by John J. Gunther.

Her first love is her fur baby, a little Yorkie named Zoe. She continues to write from her cozy nook as she gazes over a pond full of geese and ducks. On many days it is more gazing than writing.

Reviews

[Joy York · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Soul’s Journey is a collection of well-written, heartfelt, and inspiring stories brought to life by gifted writer Barbara Daniels Dena. These unique stories were inspired by true experiences, a fanciful imagination, and the author’s ability to create “what if” scenarios. I loved that so many of the anecdotal stories are rooted in the loving and generous nature of Ms. Dena and her family and friends, with just the right dashes of humor. The theme of philanthropy and lessons learned brought a heartwarming and moving element. The stories that personified animals are delightful. There is just the right amount of descriptive detail to put the reader immediately into the scene, some with surprising twists. Ms. Dena diverse geographic locations, subject, tones, and styles made for an entertaining journey filled with laughter, tears, and introspection. I highly recommend this charming and eclectic collection of stories. If you missed it, I also recommend the first book in the collection, For the Soul.

[Ivy Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read For the Soul by Barbara Daniels Dena and I believed that the short stories by this author couldn't get better than that. But after reading One Soul's Journey I'm convinced that she is the queen of heart felt short stories. The author has lived a full life filled with laughter, tears and a lot of emotional moments and in this book she reaches deep within for all those nostalgia filled events and with a dollop of love and a spoonful of imagination she creates a versatile collection of stories that will entertain, intrigue as well as force you to shed a few tears. I must confess I took a while to finish this book, because her short stories are special and you need to savor them in those special moments when you are feeling lost or alone or also if you want to bond with a child or an elder in the family and read the stories out to them. I imagine this author as an active, swashbuckling heroine of sorts as she expertly dives in and out of different professions thus curating a huge body of experience and memories from which I assume she has curved out these wonderful stories. A despondent woman, a tearful child, a humorous ghost, enterprising ladies, thoughtful characters there is so much filled in the pages of this book.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Soul's Journey is Ms. Dena's second collection of stories. Just like her first delightful book, "For The Soul," this anthology is a reflection of the author's life experiences combined with her lively imagination and sense of whimsy. It's a pleasure to see these slices of life from another time and place. Some of the stories are poignant, while others are more light-hearted. All in all, this book is certain to leave the reader with a smile!

[Joyce Sorensen-Plunkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book and this author. So true to life. Transforms us right into the book. It is like we are right there. Can smell the smells and feel everything. i recommend this book to everyone. Young and old. ❤️

[Catherine Townsend-Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Temp Agency Hires An Ex-Con?

I sure enjoyed this second set of new short stories by this author!

Amazing, unique, and funny short stories of real-life memoirs that will surely entertain all readers as they did me! Loved the story about the temp agency hiring an ex-con.
Another interesting and funny story of backroom antics that go on in a flower shop, and much more.

Believe me when I say there is something in this collection for every reader's taste. Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy this book. It's no wonder it got a beautiful Reader's Favorite 5-Star Seal and Editorial Book Review... Bravo!

The Avid Reading Cat says; she highly suggests both books in the "Soul series."

[Sandra Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the first book in the series, these offerings are drawn from the author’s life experiences and woven into fun fiction. They run the gambit from animal stories, to florist experiences, to shopping. The adventures ranging geographically from Illinois to Colorado. I particularly enjoyed the brief blurbs at the end of each tale explaining the origins of the story. If you loved Ms. Dena’s first work, you’ll relish this one.

[Vicky Whedbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book!

Once again this author has delivered a wonderful book filled with anecdotes, true stories, great recipes, and first-hand experiences!

It's a great book to read in small intervals at your leisure for a great pick me up!

The writer has a way with words and a plethora of interesting experiences she shares with readers in a special way. It's well edited and a great gift for any reader!

I enjoyed this book as much as I did her first one! I hope she has more experiences, real or make believe, to bring to her readers!

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “A Writer’s Courage,” it took bravery to try a task in which one might be “rejected, criticized, ridiculed, or hurt.”

“A Child’s Musings of an Unjust World” shares a glimpse of racial inequality.

A baby sister gets lost and causes hysteria. A story from the view of a shelter dog—a dog with the uncanny ability to match the animals with their forever homes. The mysterious death of flowers. A temp agency hires an ex-con.

Short and quick, these were simply delightful reads. The author has a clever way of making you think one thing only to reveal something different in the end. Quite frankly, the flower shop stories weren’t that interesting. Some weren’t that great, but, for the most part, they were pretty good reads.

Honest and insightful, these stories are the author’s personal recollections and interpretations. These tales are full of heart. A nice collection.

[Joy Goddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Soul’s Journey gives readers a glimpse into the heart and soul of author Barbara Daniels Dena. Similar to her first book, For the Soul, it is an eclectic collection of short stories about Dena’s life and the lives of people in her circle and beyond. Some are poignant, others whimsical. None disappoint. I especially like her asides, for they include explanations and background about her stories. It’s like she has welcomed the reader into her home to share stories over a cup of tea. My favourite story was “Stalled Tales,” which are bathroom anecdotes, with its funny and sometimes indignant tones. Well done! Looking forward to the next book.

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Collection of short stories is always great for those times when you don't have a lot of time, but want an escape. This is the perfect collection, they might be short but they pack a wallop - so much to think about.
Barbara Daniels Dena's stories are sweet, comforting and wonderful tales to get us through these crazy times.
Well put together and a satisfying collection.

[Samantha Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection. I love that you can start and stop and read a little or a lot at a time.
I felt myself loving each of these short stories for different reasons. They are not all similar, but you can tell they have been written by the same author.
Great wit and humor that keep these very entertaining.

[Callie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed reading all the short stories stories that’s I’ve consumed this far! I love the ability to read just a short amount and have a quick giggle or cry. I enjoy the variety and the ability to move through all of the emotions with in just a few short pages. Her writing is thoughtful and I look forward to more short stories in the future… hopefully 🤞🏻.

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story was very entertaining and inventive with diverse narrative voices. Each one also contained some amazing world-building! The immense creativity spills over throughout the book.

[L. M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Soul's Journey contains a great many short stories, some fictional, some anecdotal, and some fictional but based on real-life events. The same as all books of short stories, some appeal more than others. The first one caught my heart and I heartily agree with that child. I found "Fluttering Notes" particularly amusing. Five stars for an author not afraid to write in a variety of ways and tell unusual stories.