Unk's Fiddle: Stories to Touch the Heart

If you've got a hard-to-buy for person on your list, this book is great. We've got nearly three generation of men and women reading this collection and it's been an exact match for all of us. Each story is so distinctly different than the one before it, yet they all have a feel-good (note: not corny) tone. The writing itself is delicious; strong and soft at the same time - like each word was hand-picked for that sentence. Since you won't want to give away your copy, order a few for gifts at the same time.

I knew I had read the title story, "Unk's Fiddle," before somewhere. I saw it in Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul. And sure enough, there was the same author's name. Great story. And so are many of the others. I especially liked "Whinny," about a girl who loved horses. And I found the Christmas stories very moving. "The Trellis," about a grandson's memories of his grandparents' love for each other, was terrific. And the tall talein which the old men conned the young boy was hilarious. A perfect gift for anyone who likes Chicken Soup kinds of stories!

Really held my interest. I'm not usually a short story reader, but this one not only drew my attention, it made me go out and get his other book, A Christmas Dozen, which is even better. Can't wait for this author to produce more short stories or a novel. He's very talented.

Nice mix of literary and popular short stories, including some Christmas tales. Good mastery of the language and great sense of storytelling that keeps the reader hooked and enjoying it. The writer knows how to nail and ending, too. Very satisfying reading.