Tinker and Other Short Stories


Fiction - Anthology
190 Pages
Reviewed on 10/15/2012
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Ronald L. Herron is a member of the National Writers Association, Michigan Writers and the American Academy of Poets. He has worked for some of the world's largest advertising agencies and had a long, distinguished career with a Fortune 10 company.

His non-fiction efforts have been rewarded with several prestigious publishing awards, including Gold and Bronze Awards from the IABC, Gold and Silver ARC Awards, and a "Best in Class" Award from the NAIA. Ron's earlier fiction work has appeared in print and on several respected e-Forums.

An avid amateur photographer and artist, Ron lives in the Midwestern United States with his wife, a musician-composer-artist son and a very large cat. He indulges in his passion for the written word by working on his next novel.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers' Favorite

This is a very interesting book filled with seventeen short stories. There are stories that describe life and death and the aging of an individual as well as a dog. It shows that life is so fragile and should be valued with such love and appreciation. There is also the description of what it is to be homeless and in need. Food, shelter and general health care issues are so important and yet so easily overlooked when life is good and things are moving alone. The reader will also see the love of a son and father as they explore the stars way up high in the sky. Lying under the stars and spending time with each other provides a great bonding moment, something that money cannot buy.

Old barns, love, communicating with those you love, helping those in need, and remembering family who fought in Vietnam are just a few of the many things you will discover within these short stories. There is the very interesting story of a blind writer who sits in a writers group, but must convince them he is indeed the author they are thinking about. How can someone blind be so descriptive in their details? Well, he shares that ability as he goes around the table, sharing about their clothes, their perfume, some had been drinking or smoking, etc... The very interesting point that the blind author gives is that one can't judge a book by its cover. One of the most amazing stories is about Hazel and the man in the red hat. She learns how to trust her instincts and befriends someone who had planned on harming her. This is a beautiful story about how God leads others to share and bless those who are without help. The story entitled 'Angel' is very moving and thought-provoking. How many times have we seen an angel and not been aware of it? This story helps the reader to see that an angel might be closer than we think. The 'Last Story' is beautifully written and a fitting end to this great collection of stories.

Ron Herron

The lead story "Tinker" does indeed involve the death of a young boy's dog ... hit by a car while they were playing. But that is just setting the stage for the emotions of grief and loss that same young man, now fully grown and elderly, faces at the prospect of putting his bride of many years into a nursing home because of her dementia. All the stories are meant to evoke strong emotions, both heart-rending and soothing. Some stories speak of dark things and desperation, but many also touch gently on the bright, soft things of life we need to remember; the subtle butterfly wngs of hope that occasionally tickle our hearts.