The Alternative – New Release from S. Burke

Published on by Jan Sikes

It is my honor and pleasure to host this author and her new release! I was lucky enough to be a beta-reader for this collection of short stories and I can tell you they are not only compelling but downright riveting! 

Welcome to Day 3 of my Choose “THE ALTERNATIVE” Blog Tour.

With my grateful thanks to my marvelous host.

Thank you for joining me here.

BOOK COVER

BLURB

There are those that cling unreservedly to the lifeboat that believing in Karma hands them so willingly.

They work, they live, and they function in a world that allows them the option of unreservedly trusting that Karma has no deadline.

Until they are handed the spark that ignites them into becoming the instrument of Karma itself.

There are others who have had all they once held to be truths, everything they once stood for and took pride in, torn apart and ripped from them by the hand of a cruel fate.

Then, of course, there are those who believed in nothing and no one, to begin with …

These are their stories.

The stories of people both good and bad, who made the choice to exact “The Alternative.”

***

Today I’d like to share with you a glimpse of the story behind one of the stories.

Part of my book blurb reads

“There are others who have had all they once held to be truths, everything they once stood for and took pride in, torn apart and ripped from them by the hand of a cruel fate.”

This story fits within this premise.

Chapter 2. Human Disinterest.

Within the pages of this particular story is someone I knew and loved. And whilst this is a fictional work, the persona of Jenny Thurston is intensely real.

In the story, Jenny runs a charity organization desperately trying to keep the people that found themselves out on the dark city streets, warm, dry, fed and alive.

Jenny takes up a large television network’s offer to do a feature piece focused on informing the public and making them aware of the circumstances that caused these folks to be out there. She puts up one hell of a fight to protect the unprotected.

My Jenny was barely eight years old when I  met her. I was eleven.  Jenny had the oldest eyes I’ve ever seen. We came from different places, she and I, both of them equally painful and dark.

Jenny spent her entire life fighting cruelty in all of its dark permutations. She inspired me to be stronger, she gave me loving arms without judgment to cling to. She opened her wounded heart to all those in need that she encountered.

She helped me to laugh, and she taught me that I was capable of loving unconditionally.

Jenny lost her ongoing battle with life several years back. She had no fight left in her. She took her own life. It was the only promise she ever made me that she had broken.

I hope I have somehow shared a glimpse of her strength, resilience, frailty and warmth within the pages of this short story.

I miss her still.

Here is a brief extract from the opening of Chapter 2. “Human Disinterest”

Jenny Thurston hung up the phone, then sat in her creaking office chair and gazed longingly up at the brief glimpse of sky visible in the confined space permitted to a two-story building surrounded by towers of concrete and glass.

Brad Levinson hesitated momentarily outside the door, and then he walked heavily, the sound of his intrusive feet deliberately loud to gain his boss’s attention.

“’Sup, Jenny?” he asked.

“I had a phone call, just now. CNN wants to do one of their ‘A Day in the Life of…?’ programs.”

“Wow, Jenny … I mean, hon, that is huge!”

“Oh, it’s huge alright. It’s not a focus on me or our work here they’re after; they want to do a three-part series based on interviews with our street folks. They want me, as the head of Street Angels, to gain them introductions after they have carefully chosen their preference. Jesus, Brad … they don’t give a crap. They just want someone guaranteed to spike the ratings.”

“Well, that would have been a fast conversation. You didn’t threaten them, did you … Jenny?” He looked at her face and found his answer, “Oh, Jenny … not again?”

He was trying hard not to laugh and failed miserably.

“Winter is coming fast, Brad. I don’t have time for this shit. You know we stand to lose a few. The donations always slow down around now.” Jenny smiled and then said, “Anyways, I made them an offer.”

She stood then and stretched her lean frame. “Let’s go over those rosters again for tomorrow night. You know it’s going to get crazy. Friday night and a full moon both at once. I’ll need our most resilient on duty. Can you contact the guys for me, please?”

“Whoa, go back a second, you made them an offer? Please tell me it wasn’t one they couldn’t refuse.”

“Yeah … Don Corleone, I’m not.”

Brad just grinned and said, “Coffee first?”

“Always.”

He laughed again. Jenny was like this most of the time. The other times weren’t so hard to witness, knowing that this Jenny … his Jenny would always come back.

***

Thanks so much for joining in my New Release Promotion. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Again my sincere thanks to my host, and to the great crew at 4 Wills Publishing for organizing my blog tour.

“The Alternative” NOW Available Amazon.com

Author Bio:

Suzanne Burke resides with her daughter and grandson in a small country town located hundreds- of miles to the west of her previous home in Sydney Australia.

Suzanne had long wanted to write, life interrupted and she didn’t begin her journey into the world of writing until she was in her early fifties.

Suzanne has written her memoirs under the author name of Stacey Danson, both her non-fiction books have ranked in the top 100 paid in Kindle on Amazon. “Empty Chairs” and “Faint Echoes of Laughter” continue to earn wonderful reviews.

Suzanne writes her powerful Thrillers “Acts Beyond Redemption” and “Acts of Betrayal” and her Paranormal anthology “Mind-Shaft” as S. Burke.

Suzanne Burke is a member of the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB!

Amazon Author Page

On TWITTER.

On Facebook.

My Blog

This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.

 

 

 

77 thoughts on “The Alternative – New Release from S. Burke”

  6. Snoooz, there are some pains that are so invasive and permeating that no medication can alleviate. I don’t condone suicide, but I can understand why anyone can be driven into it. Thank you, Jan, for the support. 😫

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. As usual, I’m late to the party. Of course, that’s the way phantoms are. In any case, thanks for hosting Soooz, Jan. Her books are compelling and I have two on my Kindle.

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. Hello! Heartfelt introduction to the excerpt. Great piece. A lovely homage to your friend. I’m sorry for your loss. You have a wonderful writing style, Suzanne. You immediately draw us in and engage our attention. Thanks for hosting, Jan! 😀 xx

    Liked by 2 people

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    2. 😀Thank you, Vashti. Jenny and I made quite a formidable tag team in those world altering days of the turbulent 60’s. I wrote my first ever story for Jenny, I used pencil and wrote the entire thing in the available white space of the daily newspaper. Jenny needed to know she could be a warrior, a victor and not a victim, and I did my twelve year old best to made her one in every story. I hope I have done her proud with this story.❤️️

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. 😊lol … That astral plane works for me too, Tina … The bonus is there’s no jet lag on that trip. Lovely to see you here, and I’m delighted that you’ve added my work to your TBR.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. I did have jet lag once, Soooz. Woke from an afternoon nap and couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, and could open my eyes only halfway. I started to panic, thinking I’d had a stroke, but told myself to go back to sleep and when I woke again, I’d be fine. And I was. Learned later that my body woke before my spirit completely re-entered. Guess that qualifies as astral jet lag 🙂

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  10. I just put Soooz and Suzanna together as being one and the same person. I’ve got to come in off the astral plane more often 🙂 Congratulations to Soooz on the release of her new Book! I’m fascinated by the theme and have added it to my TBR. Thank you for hosting Soooz, Jan, and for introducing us to her work ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Things like that or so tragic and can affect us for the remainder of our lives.

    Jan, it’s always a pleasure to visit your beautiful blog. Thanks for giving Suzanne a place to land today. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thanks, Rhani! I believe you would have liked Jenny. She was a warrior and one of the warmest and funniest souls I’d ever known. It’s a privilege to share a little of her here. 🌹

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  13. A fabulous post celebrating Soooz, Jan. This is a must read collection and this story with remain with me always.
    Bravo to you, Soooz, for sharing. You continue to inspire with all that you do. Hugs all around. XO

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. Having read about the real Jenny in your Stacey Danson books I now see the Human Disinterest story in a whole new light. I am so sorry Jenny lost her battle, but I know you feel blessed for having had her in your life.
    The Alternative is a great collection of stories that I hope many, many readers will discover. Wishing you all the best, Soooz!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. I couldn’t agree more, Mae. The Alternative is a great collection of stories written in such a compelling way that you can’t help but turn the pages. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!

      Liked by 1 person

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    2. Thank you from the heart, my friend. I can almost hear her right now. You’ll never guess just how much she’s charging for autographs. Jenny always found ways to make me lose myself in laughter. I miss her still.

      Liked by 2 people

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  21. Thank you, Jan, for hosting Soooz. She is a rare writer. Her stories grab the heart like no other. I loved The Alternative and like you, gave it 5-stars. Soooz is not only a great storyteller, she makes us think and see differently. How extraordinary. Congratulations, Soooz, you’ve created another masterpiece. ♥

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. No truer words were ever spoken, Gwen. Sooz is a rare writer and her stories do grab the heart. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate your support. Hugs!

      Liked by 2 people

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  24. Jan, I can’t thank you enough for the amazing support you gave me throughout this journey. This particular short story will always be one I hold close to my heart. I hope in some small way it personifies Jenny. How glad I am that I had the opportunity of sharing her with you today, my friend.🌹

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. It is my great pleasure, Sooz, to host you today. And, I was doubly thrilled when I saw the post for this stop was about my favorite character, Jenny. Just beautiful. I wish you loads of success with the launch of this new book!

      Liked by 1 person

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