fiction

Waiting

~ Colline ~ 39 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The hardest part about setting out on a new adventure is the waiting. All I want to do is move, step forward, experience the new. Instead, I am forced to stay in one spot for hours and wait for a stranger to announce that the first step into my new venture is to begin. Not for the first time, I wish I had the money to bypass the regulations thus allowing me to move unfettered towards my destination. Unfortunately, I am merely a part of the herd.

“The flight to Beruit is now boarding.”

Finally! A new life awaits.

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)

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When I Was Young …

~ Colline ~ 43 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © Valerie J. Barrett

Visiting the museum with Gerald was always such a risk. So far, though, the day had been all that she had wanted and planned. The group had seen some beautiful paintings; the children had been interested in the artifacts unearthed by archaeologists in central Europe; lunch had been surprisingly tasty; and no-one had wanted to cut the visit short due to boredom. They all moved down to the basement to look at the exhibit labelled “Though the Ages”. In front of the first exhibit, she held her breath. Predictably Gerald began, “When I was young …” Everyone groaned!

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)

First Line Fridays: I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

~ Colline ~ 14 Comments

“The trouble with me is, I can’t let things go. They bug me. I see problems and I want to fix them, right here, right now. My nickname isn’t Fixie for nothing”

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella (2019, Penguin Random House Canada)

The opening lines of Kinsella’s latest novel introduces us to Fixie, the main character. Throughout the novel we read how she continuously works to fix things and how she allows opportunities to pass her by because of this. And yet she has a chance to grow and to learn when to let things be. I enjoyed Kinsella’s latest rom-com and if you enjoy reading this genre, you will too. If you want to know more, you can read my review here.

What do you think of the introduction to the main character? Are you curious about her?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post is linked to It’s Not Hoarding If It’s Books and her One Line Friday challenge.)

A New Start

~ Colline ~ 46 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © Ceayr

The setting to her new home was perfect! The rooms above the garage led to a view of the crashing ocean and the start of a different life. She would not miss the grey skies and gloomy house she grew up in. She would certainly not miss her austere father who insisted on curbing her movements! Here she would follow her inclination to dress as people her age do, to paint the entire day if she wished, and to make friends with whomever she pleased. Not only was her new home promising but also her life far from Gleneagles.

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)

First Line Fridays: All The Wrong Places by Joy Fielding

~ Colline ~ 15 Comments

“So tell me about yourself,” he says. He smiles what he hopes is a sweet smile – neither too big nor too small, one that hints at a wry, maybe even offbeat sense of humour that he thinks would appeal to her. He wants to charm her. He wants her to like him.”

All the Wrong Places by Joy Fielding (2019,Penguin Random House Canada)

Fielding begins her novel with a description of the online predator that plays an important role in her story. I like that right from the start the reader knows his intentions – and that he deliberately plans to ensnare women.

I loved this fast-paced thriller. If you want to know more, you can read my review here.

What do you think of the introduction to the online predator?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post is linked to It’s Not Hoarding If It’s Books and her One Line Friday challenge.)

Hopeful Lookout

~ Colline ~ 33 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © Susan Eames

He had spent weeks waiting, hoping, praying that she would come. This morning he had woken up optimistic – the ocean liner was docking today and he was sure she would step down the gangplank.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

He watched people disembarking and sensed their excitement. His avid search, however, did not show him a woman with straight black hair wearing her trademark sunhat and glasses. With the disappointment weighing him down, Alec acknowledged that she wasn’t going to come. A life on the islands far away from the city’s buzz was not for her. He had to accept her decision and move on.

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)

A Dangerous Game

~ Colline ~ 43 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Her mind flashed back to a party game they played as children: blindly they had pinned the tail to the donkey. Mistakes were laughed at and the consequences for errors minimal.

Now the consequences were fraught with danger. Going in blindly to complete the task meant the loss of their company and possibly their lives. What they were planning was no game and had to be done correctly!

Planning and thinking of solutions for all scenarios led to success. The result was not perfect but they had a man in and the transmitter was set and in place.

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)

First Line Fridays: Freefall by Jessica Barry

~ Colline ~ 4 Comments

“Breathe. Breathe.

My eyes open. A canopy of trees above. A flock of birds stare down before taking flight.

I survived.

He may have, too.

I have to see. I pick my way through the wreckage on bare feet.”

Freefall by Jessica Barry (2019, Harper Collins Publishers)

The opening lines of this novel left me with so many questions:

  1. Where is she?
  2. Who is after her?
  3. Did he survive?
  4. What happened to cause the accident?

From the first line of this novel, I wanted to read the pages to find out the answer to these questions. ( If you are interested to learn more, you can read my review here.)

I continued reading. Would you?

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post is linked to It’s Not Hoarding If It’s Books and her One Line Friday challenge.)

Temptation

~ Colline ~ 37 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The calm waters looked so inviting.

“You can do this!”

Her mantra for the last few months echoing in her head, Sandra padded softly to the edge of the pool. She wanted to slice her way through the water but could not allow herself to sink into the contaminated liquid. Her last attempt to fight her allergy had landed her in hospital for a few days.

The sound of women’s chatter and the splash of water roused her from her reverie.

“Morning everyone, welcome to your Aqua Fitness class. My name is Sandra and I will be your instructor today.”

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)

Refuge

~ Colline ~ 33 Comments
PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays

The bleak, arid land stretched out before them. Her search for shelter seemed hopeless but she would not give up! Shifting the weight of the sleeping child in her arms, Lily strode forward determinedly. The car had broken down but surely there had to be a homestead somewhere in this godforsaken land. Over the hill, she saw it in the distance. Help. Water. Refuge from the blazing sun.

“Mama, are we nearly there?”

“Yes sweetheart.”

They were welcomed with generosity. The homestead came to be the perfect place to change an identity and to hide from a killer.

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019

(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)