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Petit Fleurs
It’s a first love unfinished, a family bond tested and forged. It’s a young woman staring at the messy underside of her dreams, and another facing a future she hasn’t chosen for herself. We meet an alcoholic country singer trying to be a father, a child who may never hear the beautiful sound of his mother’s voice, a fallen hero’s daughter, a stray who stays, and so much more. In PETIT FLEURS and its companion VIGNETTES, we come to know fascinating and flawed people from all over the world, each with a unique story to tell - scenes of life shown throughout the years. Secrets exposed, tender hellos, and tumultuous goodbyes.
This multi-faceted two-book collection of short stories, captures those defining moments that challenge and change us, those that serve as the catalyst to our greatest experiences, our dearest memories, our deepest joy, and perhaps our sincerest sorrows.
Ideal for readers ranging from the seasoned literary fan to today’s savvy young adults.
This multi-faceted two-book collection of short stories, captures those defining moments that challenge and change us, those that serve as the catalyst to our greatest experiences, our dearest memories, our deepest joy, and perhaps our sincerest sorrows.
Ideal for readers ranging from the seasoned literary fan to today’s savvy young adults.
ebook
First published September 1, 2014
14 people want to read
About the author
Louise Caiola
6 books41 followersLouise Caiola, former administrative assistant and small business owner, has authored several works of genre fiction, including WISHLESS, released in 2011, and THE MAKING OF NEBRASKA BROWN, an Amazon bestseller released in 2014. Her two-book short story collection PETIT FLEURS and VIGNETTES will be released in September 2014.
Louise has just wrapped up work on the first installment of a romantic fiction series, LITTLE MAY BIRDS. She has also begun crafting another contemporary mystery entitled COUNTING SNOW DOVES. WHAT TRULY KNOWS is her first paranormal novella debuting on August 5, 2014.
Visit her at www.louisecaiola.com or on Twitter via @AuthorLouiseC and @lcwritten.
Louise has just wrapped up work on the first installment of a romantic fiction series, LITTLE MAY BIRDS. She has also begun crafting another contemporary mystery entitled COUNTING SNOW DOVES. WHAT TRULY KNOWS is her first paranormal novella debuting on August 5, 2014.
Visit her at www.louisecaiola.com or on Twitter via @AuthorLouiseC and @lcwritten.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 1, 2014
Louise Caiola's short stories in Petit Fleurs and Vignettes are as lovely as the covers of these sister books. The author deals delicately with subjects such as loneliness, change, relation- ships, and the loss of loved ones, each story with a theme of its own. And while Vignettes focuses more on "tales of choice and change," and Petit Fleurs concerns "first tries and second chances," the two intertwine and complement each other.
My favorite story is "Twin" from Petit Fleurs, which deals with dreams fulfilled, but perhaps too good to be true. I felt drawn into the story of Tori and Jenna, two cousins close in age as well as spirit. Keeping in touch even when Jenna moves from New York to Tampa, Florida, they share their happiness with each other when they both end up with the men of their dreams. But will it last? The story kept me guessing until the end.
"The Chameleon Dance" from Vignettes is about self-discovery and living the lives which are right for us. As little Ileana spins and twirls for approval in New York, so far from her home in South Africa, she never stops to wonder whether or not she wants to be a prima ballerina--until later in her life. Why is she there? Is it because her parents and others tell her how graceful and poised she is, or because it's what she wants?
"Unbridled Hope of Eighteen," Petit Fleurs, is where past meets future, helping us look at life in a different light and wonder. When Gwendolyn Sykes takes a bus toward her home in Pennsylvania after a ten-year stint of trying out her acting skills in New York, she feels discouraged. But when the bus makes a stop, a bubbly, eager eighteen-year-old climbs aboard, reminding Gwendolyn of herself at that age, but a mystery prevails. This story reminds us that sometimes our goals and dreams are still out there and it's not too late. We might just need to revisit the familiar to be recharged.
Hearts can't help but be touched by the depth of Louise Caiola's stories, and her descriptive language well-expresses the thoughts and feelings of the characters, making both Vignettes and Petit Fleurs enjoyable reads.
This review was based on an ARC
My favorite story is "Twin" from Petit Fleurs, which deals with dreams fulfilled, but perhaps too good to be true. I felt drawn into the story of Tori and Jenna, two cousins close in age as well as spirit. Keeping in touch even when Jenna moves from New York to Tampa, Florida, they share their happiness with each other when they both end up with the men of their dreams. But will it last? The story kept me guessing until the end.
"The Chameleon Dance" from Vignettes is about self-discovery and living the lives which are right for us. As little Ileana spins and twirls for approval in New York, so far from her home in South Africa, she never stops to wonder whether or not she wants to be a prima ballerina--until later in her life. Why is she there? Is it because her parents and others tell her how graceful and poised she is, or because it's what she wants?
"Unbridled Hope of Eighteen," Petit Fleurs, is where past meets future, helping us look at life in a different light and wonder. When Gwendolyn Sykes takes a bus toward her home in Pennsylvania after a ten-year stint of trying out her acting skills in New York, she feels discouraged. But when the bus makes a stop, a bubbly, eager eighteen-year-old climbs aboard, reminding Gwendolyn of herself at that age, but a mystery prevails. This story reminds us that sometimes our goals and dreams are still out there and it's not too late. We might just need to revisit the familiar to be recharged.
Hearts can't help but be touched by the depth of Louise Caiola's stories, and her descriptive language well-expresses the thoughts and feelings of the characters, making both Vignettes and Petit Fleurs enjoyable reads.
This review was based on an ARC
September 16, 2016
First off can I admit that I read these stories months ago but just the other night made reference to one... in my sleep.
Clearly they left their impression.
Each and everyone of these stories is beautiful in both very similar ways but also completely their own.
(Because that makes sense!)
I guess what I mean is that life, no matter how it's being lived or what road a person takes, is beautiful if you look at it that way.
These stories are all about different people, in different points in their lives and it serves as a reminder that we're all in this world together but we might never completely know what a person is going through.
I don't think I'd be able to choose a favorite if asked (although I did give one set 5 stars and the other 4 so maybe I could lean towards a few favorites).
Each one is perfectly told, as I've already mention, each brings something special. They're perfectly timed, we get in, meet the characters, find out the situation, see it play out and get out. They're short stories and I think some authors are losing the meaning to that by either giving you something that is far from "short" or just making it seem like they threw something together. While these are a perfect length each.
These stories are so wonderfully done that I think if Louise Caiola decided to stick with short stories and never wrote a full novel again that'd be alright.
I hope not though her novels are pretty amazing too.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review
Clearly they left their impression.
Each and everyone of these stories is beautiful in both very similar ways but also completely their own.
(Because that makes sense!)
I guess what I mean is that life, no matter how it's being lived or what road a person takes, is beautiful if you look at it that way.
These stories are all about different people, in different points in their lives and it serves as a reminder that we're all in this world together but we might never completely know what a person is going through.
I don't think I'd be able to choose a favorite if asked (although I did give one set 5 stars and the other 4 so maybe I could lean towards a few favorites).
Each one is perfectly told, as I've already mention, each brings something special. They're perfectly timed, we get in, meet the characters, find out the situation, see it play out and get out. They're short stories and I think some authors are losing the meaning to that by either giving you something that is far from "short" or just making it seem like they threw something together. While these are a perfect length each.
These stories are so wonderfully done that I think if Louise Caiola decided to stick with short stories and never wrote a full novel again that'd be alright.
I hope not though her novels are pretty amazing too.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review
November 17, 2014
This is such well written book of life changing moments that come that moved me so much .This is a collection of short stories of touching moments in the lives of others that effect them dearly within ,and by the grace of God gets another chance at the blessing to happen to them.This is such a well written book with so much warmth ,and joy in it that many forget there is ,and it shows we can all have this as long one do not give up.There are so many heart stories that move me ,but my Favorite is The sound of snow Flakes that move so much.I read many books from Louise that are beautiful ,and moving ,which this one is right up there .This is truly a timeless classic that will be handed down to all who reads it.I highly recommend this for all.
November 10, 2014
I am a big fan of Nicholas Sparks, but rarely have time (middle school English teacher and high school yearbook adviser) during the school year to read his novels.
I am now an even bigger fan of Louise Caiola's short story books. Petit Fleurs has a way of grabbing your attention and putting you into the lives of her characters in just a few short pages each. The only problem, I want to knw more about each character!
Knocked it out of the part this time, Louise! Already started Vignettes and it is just as promising!
I am now an even bigger fan of Louise Caiola's short story books. Petit Fleurs has a way of grabbing your attention and putting you into the lives of her characters in just a few short pages each. The only problem, I want to knw more about each character!
Knocked it out of the part this time, Louise! Already started Vignettes and it is just as promising!
February 20, 2015
Louise Caiola has done it again! What an amazing author! I love her works so much! Petit Fleurs is a collection of short stories that leave you in a good place. Perfect collection to add to any library to read when you need that little extra warmth in your heart. What an amazing story teller!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews