Before Summer’s End is a Mosaic Collection Anthology containing short stories by the following Mosaic authors:
- Johnnie Alexander
- Brenda S. Anderson
- Eleanor Bertin
- Sara Davison
- Deb Elkink
- Stacy Monson
- Marion Ueckermann
Before Summer’s End is a delightful collection of short stories perfect for a summer read. The seven stories by seven authors offer a wide variety of genre and style. Here are my brief comments on each story:
A Stranger Comes to Springlight by Johnnie Alexander
This zany tale starring eccentric twin sisters Elmira and Lemora McElhaney-Smythe reminds me of Stephen Leacock. The names give you a clue as to the mood of the piece, described in the dedication as “whimsical wordplay.” This includes overdone alliteration, narrator intrusion, omniscient point of view, and surprising little tidbits like the one below.
Eg. “Be assured that the handsome young stranger is not Lemora’s long-lost son…No way, never, huh uh!” (Location 469)
Hot Cocoa Summers by Brenda S. Anderson
What a great short story. Condensed so it’s a quick read, the journey of Jennifer and Chad contains all the perfect elements of a good romance. Light but meaningful. Loved the irrepressible character of the barista, Chad Taylor.
Favourite quote: “She’d known too many whose faith was as flimsy as a paper boat on the Mississippi.” (Location 1464)
Grounded by Eleanor Bertin
This is the first story I’ve read that’s set in the time of COVID-19! At the age of thirty-eight, Lissa leaves her predictable life behind and moves into a small apartment in the city, to be closer to work and a budding relationship that lures her there. She cuts her ties, only to be isolated from everyone and everything, including her misinterpreted dreams. Is there redemption for Lissa in this time of unpredictability?
As the author states in the Dear Reader section: “Quarantine is God’s way of sending her to her room.” A fitting analogy for this story.
Ten Bottles of Sand by Sara Davison
Nancy follows all the rules to a successful life as laid down by her mother, to make sure her life and future are safe and secure with no surprises. Her plan works fine, until she realizes the emptiness that goes with it, and until she meets Patrick, who gently leads he to question the current trajectory of her life. This story touched my heart.
Favourite quote: “Isn’t everyone upset about being fired?…Not if they know, deep down that they weren’t where they were supposed to be, or doing what they were meant to do. Quite often they’re relieved, as if they were suddenly forced to make a decision they’d secretly wanted to make for a long time.” (Location 2448)
Blue Genes by Deb Elkink
A fascinating glimpse into twinship. Identical twins may look alike, but in the case of Jenny and Gwynne, that’s where the similarities end. A term in college brings out the differences, along with much heartache to two lives that used to function as one. Only through forced togetherness does forgiveness and reconciliation come.
Favourite quote: “Head to head, the two animals mirror each other, my mare’s strong neck swaying in fluid tempo to the thrusting of the heifer’s horns. Their rhythmic movements—the heifer’s jutting and Buck’s checking—remind me of Thursday’s game, when Jenny and I took the finals in women’s doubles.” (Location 3549)
A Summer of Reckoning by Stacy Monson
This short story is a prequel to Stacy’s novel, When Mountains Sing. Dawson Dunne is highlighted in this short story as a teen people would class as a lost cause. Nothing keeps Dawson Dunne on the right track until he’s sent to Outlook Adventure Camp to learn more about life. There he is introduced to camp director, Walt, who is not afraid of him because he used to be very like him. In my opinion, this could have been a novel in itself, but it was condensed to include the predominant points of change in Daws’ life.
My personal favourite quote is this one, because I’ve lived it too: “Eyes suddenly burning, gasping for breath, he scrambled out [of the tent] on his hands and knees. His foot caught a rope and yanked the tent forward until it collapsed behind him…” (Location 4212)
I also marked this one: “Don’t be so smug, pal. In about ten minutes you’ll be 45 and wondering where the heck all the years went.” (Location 4465)
In an English Vintage Garden by Marion Ueckermann
Every time I see this title, the tune to a similarly titled song comes to mind. Ellen Oakley lives with her mother in South Africa, then inherits an English country house from a man she’s never heard of. The reader gathers there’s much to the story that Ellen’s mother knows but has never divulged to her daughter. They eventually agree to travel to England to see the cottage, and the past collides with the present. A delightful story on all fronts.
The takeaway that resonates for me is: “The truth will set you free.” John 8:32, and the fact that sometimes a lot of breaking has to take place before healing can begin.