16 August 2024

Published August 14, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Mr. Binks

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

HEART OF GOLD WITH A SHMEAR

Bronia loved Kansas City. Who would have dreamed she would have such a home and business.

She loved her customers at M&M Bakery and never forgot a name.

“Do you hate the Germans?” People would ask her.

“You cannot condemn a nation. What will hate give me? I’d be a miserable, bitter person.”

One afternoon, a man burst into her deli wielding a gun. “Give me all your money or die!”

Undaunted, heart racing, Bronia stuffed a donut in his mouth. “You think I’m afraid? Hitler couldn’t kill me. No robber will kill me either!”

The would-be thief fled emptyhanded.

A bit more about this amazing woman and her legacy:

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9 August 2024

Published August 7, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE GOLDEN GOOSE

Clarabella climbed onto Alfred’s lap. “Tell me about Jacob, Grandad.”

“I was a lad in 1842, not quite nineteen, serving with the Coldstream Guard in the Canadian colonies. One of me mates had rescued a goose from a fox whilst on sentry duty. After that, the bird made himself quite at home, so we named him Jacob.”

Clarabella clapped her hands. “One night, Jacob spied some French rebels sneaking through the snow to attack. He squawked and flew at them. Your regiment showed their gratitude by making hiim an officer.”

“I’ve told you this story before, haven’t I?”

“O-Yes, Grandad.”

Some things you just can’t make up. CLICK HERE to meet the real Jacob

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2 August 2024

Published July 31, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

COME ON IN, THE WATER’S FINE

So begins my annual Sibling Revelry vacation . 😉 You can click on the link to see what it’s like. The pictures I take this year will be pretty much the same as last year, beach, sister-in-law, brother and fur babies.

With the Summer Olympics in the forefront, I went with a story about an Olympian I’d never heard for before. A swimmer, of course.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

“Lay down. You are sick,” said Dad.

“But I’m not—”

“Do as I say!”

When they came for her, Dad told the Pro-Nazi Arrow Crossman, “She is the swimming champion of Hungary, and one day you will be happy you saved her life.”

“She’s a Jew.” The officer’s eyes flashed—one brown, one gray. Yet, he let her live.

In 1950 Eva Szekely won a gold medal for the 100m freestyle on Margaret Island in Budapest. A special prize was presented by the major of the communist political police. He smiled at her, eyes shining—one brown, one gray.

To learn more CLICK HERE

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26 July 2024

Published July 24, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

TREDEGAR 1911

Tears streamed from my papa’s eyes, soaking his beard. “For this we fled Russia—to be slaughtered in Wales?”

I trembled. Last night I’d hidden under my bed, covering my ears to blot out angry shouts and the crash of shattering glass.

“Thank the Almighty we are alive,” said Mama.

“Ha! If God lived on the earth, the goyim would break His windows, too.”

At that moment a Christian youth entered our tailor shop, head bowed, and handed Papa a banknote. “Father sends his apologies.” The boy took a broom from the floor. “Perhaps we can help rebuild.”

For more on the history CLICK HERE

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Thank you, Dale for such a lovely review on LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE! 😀

12 July 2024

Published July 10, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Ronda Del Boccio

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Genre: Histerical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE THLOT PICKENS

“It was a matter of time,” I told Lois. “The man was evil personified. He cast a dark shadow on everything and everyone. It boiled down to where and when.”

Lois looked up from her register. “How did you end up doing it?”

“Derringer at close range.”

A gasp interrupted our conversation. I turned to see a blue-haired lady clutching a cantaloupe, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

Busted! My cheeks blazed. I flashed a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone else was listening.”

“Not to worry,” Lois pointed at me. “She’s just a crazy writer.”

It’s not exactly fiction. An author needs to be careful what she says in public. 😉 Believe me, this character really did need killing.

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5 July 2024

Published July 3, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Nancy Richy

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Genre: Humor if it weren’t so true.
Word Count: 100

MOMENT OF TRUTH

The menacing scale in my doctor’s office looms before me. Every six months I’m forced to face the numbers.

I’m sure I’ve gained thirty pounds since my last visit.

Mom would say, “Forget about the number. How do your clothes fit?”

Nurse Godzilla, clipboard in hand, urges me to step up.

The accusing voice in my head screams. “Hippo!”

This is ridiculous. I’m making myself crazy. Will the voices ever still?

Holding my breath, eyes shut, I ascend the monster. Opening my eyes, I’m surprised to see I’ve lost a pound since last time. I grin. I’m safe…until next time.

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28 June 2023

Published June 26, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT©Dale Rogerson

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WHEN YOUR IMAGINATIONS COME TRUE

“Can Lucy and Katie eat with us?”

Grandma shook her head. “Nonsense. It’s for sure and certain they’re imaginary, Maud.”

“They aren’t nonsense. They live in the fairy closet behind the bookcase. I’m going to write about them.”

“Enough!” Casting his steely-eyed gaze at eight-year-old Maud, Grandpa pounded the table. “Ladies don’t write.”

Maud later wrote, “Down, deep down under all the discouragement and rebuff, I knew I would ‘arrive’ someday,”

During her lifetime Lucy Maud Montgomery published twenty novels, including Anne of Green Gables, over five-hundred short stories, an autobiography, and a book of poetry. She indeed, had arrived.

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7 June 2024

Published June 5, 2024 by rochellewisoff

LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE is available to order in hardback, paperback or ebook, HERE, HERE, and HERE! Also available on Amazon Canada, Australia, UK, Germany and New Zealand. 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

FORWARD CRAWL

Eight-year-old Johann hurried through breakfast. He couldn’t wait to go to Fullerton Beach. “Swimming lessons, today.”

“What if you drown?” asked his little brother, Peter.

“Drown? I’m going to be the greatest fish in the sea.”

Later, trembling with excitement, he dove into the chilly waves of Lake Michigan, beginning a love affair with the water that never ended.

Johnny Weissmuller, an Olympic gold medal winner, went on to become the most popular on-screen Tarzan of all time.

When a young swimmer asked him for advice, he replied,

“Don’t let go of the vine when you’re swinging through the jungle!”

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31 May 2024

Published May 29, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Novel Excerpt
Word Count: 100

Tony, Elise’s husband, had never considered himself a candidate for therapy. He’d always believed all that psychobabble was hogwash and hooey. However, since he’d met Dr. Hank Rogers at the verteran’s support group meetings, his opinions had begun to change.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WELCOME HOME

Tony had great respect for Hank, a Vietnam veteran who’d lost both legs in battle. He was the recipient of two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Distinguished Service Cross.

At their first meeting, trying not to stare at the therapist’s stumps, Tony focused on the medals in their shadow box. “You must have some stories to tell.”

“You bet, but we’re not here to discuss my service history, Chief. Surely you have a few medals of your own. Nightmares?”

“I see how it is.” Tony had bristled. “What’s this gonna cost me, Doc?”

“Nothing, save some emotional baggage.”

All Versions are availabe for preorder HERE. Official release date June 4! and if you’re in the area:

24 May 2024

Published May 22, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genr: Memoir
Word Count: 100

ON A ROLL

My father was a cook by trade and a baker by passion.

There was nothing he loved more than cooking for a crowd or creating delicious desserts. Pineapple cheese pecan pie was his signature dish. It’s my decided opinion that the Philadelphia cream cheese company owes him for the publicity. In fact, as I was giving birth to my third son, Dear Old Dad was outside the door feeding the nurses cherry-cream-cheese muffins.

At his funeral a year later, the young rabbi delivered a beautiful eulogy.

I couldn’t help but think, “If Dad were here, he’d bake her a pie.”