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Four women, four short stories #2
Making Changes
A wonderful new collection of four captivating short stories by Mary Grand, author of best selling anthology ‘Catching the Light’.
Four stories, four women making changes that will alter their lives for ever.
Give and Take
Days before her wedding, hairdresser Lisa has a huge row with her fiancé. He tells her she is over-reacting, so why does Lisa feel devastated? As Lisa listens to the two sides of a couple’s marital problems in the salon, she begins to find answers.
The Key
Looking at the remains of the fire in her beautiful new kitchen, Ruth is very frightened and confused. Since moving with her new husband to Worthing nothing in her life makes sense. What is happening to her?
The Right Shoes
After a devastating family tragedy, Emma moved with her minister husband and daughter to the run down seaside resort of Ruxton. She refuses to talk to anyone about no-one will understand. Can a new friendship and a new puppy help Emma and her family heal and make a fresh start?
Holly’s Perfect Christmas?
Holly plans her dream Christmas at an idyllic cottage in Snowdonia. However her partner’s difficult teenage daughter, ex-wife and new husband join them and then the spiteful anonymous texts start to arrive. Can Holly still have her perfect Christmas?
Praise for Mary Grand’s short story writing
Catching the Light : ‘Delightful collection of short stories, beautifully-written and with interesting plots’
Hidden Chapters
Also included in Making Changes is an excerpt from the author’s latest full length novel, Hidden Chapters.
Haunted by the death of Aled at Worm’s Head, his sister Catrin returns to prepare the family home for sale, accompanied by her adopted Deaf daughter, Bethan. A web of lies and secrets spun by Catrin’s father slowly starts to unravel. Catrin, facing a crisis in her marriage, discovers that she must face this past if she is to heal and take control of her future.
Praise for Hidden Chapters
‘Mary’s ability to spin tales that incorporate unusual characters and circumstances is uncanny.’– Grady Harp, Hall of Fame, Top 100 reviewer, Vine Voice
‘Absolutely brilliant read’
‘Mary Grand has a wonderful facility with character and setting and from these two she weaves and conjures a lively, stirring and page turning as well as beautiful tale. I can’t recommend it highly enough’
‘The beautiful narrative descriptions of Gower really brings the book alive’
Four stories, four women making changes that will alter their lives for ever.
Give and Take
Days before her wedding, hairdresser Lisa has a huge row with her fiancé. He tells her she is over-reacting, so why does Lisa feel devastated? As Lisa listens to the two sides of a couple’s marital problems in the salon, she begins to find answers.
The Key
Looking at the remains of the fire in her beautiful new kitchen, Ruth is very frightened and confused. Since moving with her new husband to Worthing nothing in her life makes sense. What is happening to her?
The Right Shoes
After a devastating family tragedy, Emma moved with her minister husband and daughter to the run down seaside resort of Ruxton. She refuses to talk to anyone about no-one will understand. Can a new friendship and a new puppy help Emma and her family heal and make a fresh start?
Holly’s Perfect Christmas?
Holly plans her dream Christmas at an idyllic cottage in Snowdonia. However her partner’s difficult teenage daughter, ex-wife and new husband join them and then the spiteful anonymous texts start to arrive. Can Holly still have her perfect Christmas?
Praise for Mary Grand’s short story writing
Catching the Light : ‘Delightful collection of short stories, beautifully-written and with interesting plots’
Hidden Chapters
Also included in Making Changes is an excerpt from the author’s latest full length novel, Hidden Chapters.
Haunted by the death of Aled at Worm’s Head, his sister Catrin returns to prepare the family home for sale, accompanied by her adopted Deaf daughter, Bethan. A web of lies and secrets spun by Catrin’s father slowly starts to unravel. Catrin, facing a crisis in her marriage, discovers that she must face this past if she is to heal and take control of her future.
Praise for Hidden Chapters
‘Mary’s ability to spin tales that incorporate unusual characters and circumstances is uncanny.’– Grady Harp, Hall of Fame, Top 100 reviewer, Vine Voice
‘Absolutely brilliant read’
‘Mary Grand has a wonderful facility with character and setting and from these two she weaves and conjures a lively, stirring and page turning as well as beautiful tale. I can’t recommend it highly enough’
‘The beautiful narrative descriptions of Gower really brings the book alive’
124 pages, ebook
First published November 7, 2016
110 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Mary Grand
20 books272 followersI grew up in Wales. Later I taught in London and then worked with Deaf Children in Hastings. I now live on the beautiful Isle of Wight with my family.
I am published by Boldwood Books and write murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. The House Party was published in July 2020
The next 'The Island' will be published on June 24th, 2021.
Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories, Making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.
I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.
I am published by Boldwood Books and write murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. The House Party was published in July 2020
The next 'The Island' will be published on June 24th, 2021.
Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories, Making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.
I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 13, 2016
Sweet little stories. Maybe a bit too sweet for a hard hearted woman like me.
Well written and eminently readable.
Well written and eminently readable.
November 17, 2016
Brilliant book. Great read for curling up on a cold night. Different stories shared. Loved the 1st one the most
December 23, 2016
Life is full of changes, some we must decide to make for ourselves and some are a part of life. Mary Grand has put together four short stories about changes in four women’s lives. Each is a brief, yet heartfelt tale that comes to life and many may find they can identify with the emotions these women face. Read them together or one tale at a time, as a brief escape into a world that we may not agree with the actions or reactions, but can understand when seen through the eyes and hearts of the characters involved. Welcome to MAKING CHANGES by Mary Grand.
Holly’s Perfect Christmas?
What could fill one’s heart with the spirit of the season than a getaway with the one you love, alone in a secluded winter cabin? Holly had it all planned out until her partner actually asked her if they could bring along his ex-wife, teenage daughter and the new hubby. Yes, really…what ensues is not necessarily a dream Christmas, but maybe somewhere in all the turmoil, it will be a Christmas to remember.
Give and Take
Hairdressers hear all kinds of things. For soon-to-be married Lisa, overhearing one couple’s marital problems from both sides, she realizes that the argument she had with her fiancé becomes a little clearer to understand. Is it a case of men are from mars and women are from Venus or is it something more?
The Key
Ruth should be on cloud nine, she has a new husband and a newly designed kitchen, but when the kitchen goes up in flames, she feels her grasp on her life has been torched with it. Is there something wrong with her or is it more than that? What is she doing to her new life or what is she letting it do to her?
The Right Shoes
When Emma’s family moved to Ruxton, a rundown seaside town, old memories and pain come flaring to life and between the sudden change in lifestyle, the complaints of her daughter, she finds herself isolating her pain by avoiding the townsfolk and their “earthy and simple” ways. What she discovers is that maybe it was she who had the problems and those around her were waiting until she allowed them to welcome her into their fold.
Hidden Chapters
This is an excerpt from a full length novel with just enough intrigue and emotional chaos to hook readers into wanting more as one woman returns home to a painful past and must finally face all she has buried.
Publication Date: November 7, 2016
Publisher: Mary Grand
Genre: Women's Fiction | Short Story Collection
Print Length: 126 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Holly’s Perfect Christmas?
What could fill one’s heart with the spirit of the season than a getaway with the one you love, alone in a secluded winter cabin? Holly had it all planned out until her partner actually asked her if they could bring along his ex-wife, teenage daughter and the new hubby. Yes, really…what ensues is not necessarily a dream Christmas, but maybe somewhere in all the turmoil, it will be a Christmas to remember.
Give and Take
Hairdressers hear all kinds of things. For soon-to-be married Lisa, overhearing one couple’s marital problems from both sides, she realizes that the argument she had with her fiancé becomes a little clearer to understand. Is it a case of men are from mars and women are from Venus or is it something more?
The Key
Ruth should be on cloud nine, she has a new husband and a newly designed kitchen, but when the kitchen goes up in flames, she feels her grasp on her life has been torched with it. Is there something wrong with her or is it more than that? What is she doing to her new life or what is she letting it do to her?
The Right Shoes
When Emma’s family moved to Ruxton, a rundown seaside town, old memories and pain come flaring to life and between the sudden change in lifestyle, the complaints of her daughter, she finds herself isolating her pain by avoiding the townsfolk and their “earthy and simple” ways. What she discovers is that maybe it was she who had the problems and those around her were waiting until she allowed them to welcome her into their fold.
Hidden Chapters
This is an excerpt from a full length novel with just enough intrigue and emotional chaos to hook readers into wanting more as one woman returns home to a painful past and must finally face all she has buried.
Publication Date: November 7, 2016
Publisher: Mary Grand
Genre: Women's Fiction | Short Story Collection
Print Length: 126 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 28, 2017
A good mix of four stories of strong women with different circumstances to conquer. A light read ... and we all need those sometimes.
March 3, 2017
Making Changes follows the fortunes of four completely different women through four completely different short stories. The thing that links this quartet is the way the author conveys the hidden tensions between the characters. These are stories about deception and self-deception. Nothing is quite what it seems.
In Give and Take it is the hairdresser who develops insight into the problems within her own relationship through close observation of the crisis developing in the marriage of two of her oldest clients.
In The Key, Ruth is betrayed by her second husband and it is her daughter who sees beneath the surface to uncover the treachery of her step-father.
In The Right Shoes, Emma regains her self-confidence and is able to accept her role as a clergyman’s wife in a poor parish, through the sympathy and understanding of the mother of her daughter’s new friend.
In Holly’s Perfect Christmas? Holly’s relationship with her partner Gethin is strengthened by bravely facing up to and gaining insight into his relationship with his first wife.
Accurate observation and acute insight save our four heroines, and in each case a happy outcome ensues; they are able to effect change.
These are brilliantly observed characters whose complex emotions are portrayed with sensitivity and understanding.
In Give and Take it is the hairdresser who develops insight into the problems within her own relationship through close observation of the crisis developing in the marriage of two of her oldest clients.
In The Key, Ruth is betrayed by her second husband and it is her daughter who sees beneath the surface to uncover the treachery of her step-father.
In The Right Shoes, Emma regains her self-confidence and is able to accept her role as a clergyman’s wife in a poor parish, through the sympathy and understanding of the mother of her daughter’s new friend.
In Holly’s Perfect Christmas? Holly’s relationship with her partner Gethin is strengthened by bravely facing up to and gaining insight into his relationship with his first wife.
Accurate observation and acute insight save our four heroines, and in each case a happy outcome ensues; they are able to effect change.
These are brilliantly observed characters whose complex emotions are portrayed with sensitivity and understanding.
December 4, 2016
I don't often read short stories as they tend to not have the depth that I like in a story. However, Mary Grand writes in such a way that from the first sentence of each story you are grabbed, her characters are well developed and I found myself enjoying each story greatly.
November 19, 2016
Interesting!
Enjoyed them and found them interesting. Would read more like these short stories, as I liked the style they were written in!
Enjoyed them and found them interesting. Would read more like these short stories, as I liked the style they were written in!
September 10, 2017
Captivating is right.
These stories don't rely on shock tactics to engage the reader. They're about fairly ordinary people in fairly ordinary situations, but written in such a way that the women seem very real and it's impossible not to want a happy ending for the characters.
These stories don't rely on shock tactics to engage the reader. They're about fairly ordinary people in fairly ordinary situations, but written in such a way that the women seem very real and it's impossible not to want a happy ending for the characters.
November 12, 2022
Different
Four different stories of different women where the stories actually develop quickly and have a real plot despite being short. Really like the style of writing where story moves forward quickly with little description. Have already downloaded her other short story book.
Four different stories of different women where the stories actually develop quickly and have a real plot despite being short. Really like the style of writing where story moves forward quickly with little description. Have already downloaded her other short story book.
July 14, 2018
Great short stories
I loved these four short stories, so easy and quick to read but still a lot going on to keep me reading till the end. Would recommend.
I loved these four short stories, so easy and quick to read but still a lot going on to keep me reading till the end. Would recommend.
January 30, 2021
Making changes
The stories were very good.you give and they take.also a person making another person thinking they are losing there mind.to lose some one and bring the two people together. My favorite was loving who you really love and sharing your life together
The stories were very good.you give and they take.also a person making another person thinking they are losing there mind.to lose some one and bring the two people together. My favorite was loving who you really love and sharing your life together
May 18, 2019
It's hard to have a great story in a short story simply because there isn't enough time for much character development or growth. These were okay to pass some time.
January 6, 2018
Four interesting stories about women, I enjoyed them all and could relate to the situations either from my own or my friends' experiences. This is a book to curl up with and read one story at a time in a quiet half hour. Perfect lunch break reading!
September 5, 2025
This was quite a surprise for a free kindle book. Four short stories (a couple pretty suspenseful!) but all very interesting. They had great character development and caused me to stay up way past my bedtime!
November 20, 2016
Boring
Felt like I was on this morning answering the agony aunt section . dear dedrie omg I can read anything but gave up after part two
Felt like I was on this morning answering the agony aunt section . dear dedrie omg I can read anything but gave up after part two
January 24, 2022
Good Read
First time I have read a book by this author and found it was an interesting read, would recommend it
First time I have read a book by this author and found it was an interesting read, would recommend it
December 16, 2016
Four stories about women who made me really frustrated with them. A lot of improvement could fix them. First, the progress of the plot is extremely rushed even for a short story. Some details are boring and do not add to the progress. I think the author should concentrate more on building the plot. Improve the personality of the characters in them, so the reader can relate to them and understand their struggles instead of being tired of them.
January 1, 2024
I loved these short stories. Yes, I tend to enjoy short stories anyway as I admire how an author can set the scene, start and conclude a plot and provide us with a good sense of the main character in so few pages. That was what Mary Grand did here, and did it well. The stories are vignettes in the lives of four women and they all resonated with me for different reasons and at least one of these four stories would captivate most readers.
April 4, 2017
Really enjoyed the short stories looking forward to reading her other books .
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews