Journeys Within: Stories
Category: | Fiction - Literary |
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Author: | Don Tassone |
Publisher: | Rochak Publishing |
Publication Date: | May 15, 2024 |
Number of Pages: | 252 |
ISBN-10: | 9395131659 |
ISBN-13: | 978-9395131650 |
Journeys Within:
Stories by Don Tassone is a collection of 30 short stories that
explore the inner journeys of its characters as they face various challenges
and find their paths in life. In “The Hope,” Gabe is a young boy growing up
near war-torn Gaza, where his family lives modestly and faces the constant
threat of violence; he is anxious and constantly uncertain about what can
happen next to his life. He finds strength in the beautiful music of an old man
named Rueben, who plays the violin. The violin's sound becomes a source of
comfort and peace for Gabe, and eventually, he begins to learn how to play
himself. How will he use this gift to connect meaningfully with others?
A barista, Cassidy, is immediately drawn to a handsome
stranger named Alex, who enters her coffee shop. What awaits them at the end of
the road? Chase Asbury, a driven and ambitious executive, has spent 30 years
climbing the corporate ladder at Evo. However, his dream of becoming CEO is
shattered when the board selects a younger candidate. He retreats to his
hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia, to reevaluate his life and find a new
purpose. Dylan has spent his life hiding from his troubles. As a boy, he'd
escape to his treehouse after fights with his parents, and as an adult, he
would retreat to his bedroom or drive around to cope. Erin, his stepmother, is
the one person who understands and offers comfort. Can he find normalcy? Such
are the stories in this gorgeous collection: characters awakened by something
unique and compelled to dig deeper into their lives.
Don Tassone is a great storyteller with a unique gift for
the economy of words. His writing is measured and descriptive, with occasional
dialogues that reveal character authenticity and infuse the writing with
realism. The characters are finely drawn, and the author creates focused and
intelligently crafted scenes against the backdrops of elaborately developed social,
cultural, and physical settings. These short stories are moving and explore
themes of humanity, purpose, hope, and resilience. Reading Journeys Within: Stories was like
opening a box of cookies, each story offering a unique flavor and an aftertaste
that lingers.