About the Book
A Collection of 55 Short Stories with something for everyone.
Grady Harp (Amazon Hall of Fame and Top 100 Reviewer) says in his 5-Star Review, "a richly detailed series of engrossing short stories and flash fiction each of varying length, some referencing history, some commenting on philosophy, some just simply humorous. Every entry is polished and once again displays the fine talent of Dan Groat. Highly recommended - to all writers (!) as well as of course to readers who love fine stories."
Stories about coming of age, the Civil War, a return to youth, urban youth, unique families, tragedy, triumph, teaching, infidelity, abortion, wood carving and wisdom, war, work, lawyers, life paths, addiction, abduction, mental illness, mediocrity, miracles, God, dogs, funerals, birth, college, bank robbery, baseball and football, poker and pool, prison, ancestry, family secrets, homelessness, suicide, neighbors, childhood wishes, eternal life, spelling bees, floods, good and evil, love and romance, second chances, anger and fear, rebirth, parenthood, brothers, reunions, soul and spirit, gun rights, prejudice, old age and new age, victory and defeat, life and death. The shortest story can be read in one minute, the longest in ten minutes. Just enough time to laugh, cry, think, dream, remember, forget, learn fresh ideas, challenge old concepts, meet new people, recall former friends, find knowledge or wisdom or peace, escape and be entertained. Go ahead, put on someone else's shoes, walk in their footprints, see the world through their eyes, guess hidden motives, stumble into surprise endings, expand your imagination. Experience their anxiety, serenity, desire, joy, sorrow, danger, or freedom. Be selfish. Take a few moments just for you. Disconnect, drop out, change your mood, vary your day with stories about the past, the present, the future. Wander around in the author's mind for awhile. Encounter the strange, wonderful people that live there. Invite them in. Scroll up and grab a copy.
About the Author: Dan Groat gathered his formal education from the elementary and secondary public schools of DeSoto, Missouri, Jefferson College, the University of Missouri, and Southeast Missouri State University. His informal education was accumulated as a newspaper delivery boy, a grass cutter, a lunch ticket puncher, a factory laborer, a quality control technician, a hod carrier, a tow boat deckhand, a pool hall manager, a plumber's helper, a rock band manager, a bartender, a secondary math teacher, a furniture delivery man, a cross country coach, a shipping warehouse order filler, a consultant to an educational software company, a computer help-desk adviser at an insurance company, a college math teacher, a garden-center merchandiser, a bank courier, and an author. The education continues. Dan Groat lives with his wife, Arlene, and their Russell Terrier (Shorty Jack), Zeke, near St. Louis. He is an avid sports fan and follows Mizzou football and basketball, St. Louis University basketball, the Cardinals, and the Blues. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, watching movies, shooting pool, and planting things and watching them grow (including trees, shrubs, flowers, and ideas). He loves his wife. He loves his dog. He loves the outdoors. He loves learning. He loves a meaningful conversation.
