Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

Hi Sandra,
This is a well told story about becoming good neighbors when difficulties hit one. It is sad that it took here getting hurt for anyone to do anything but steel her apples. I am glad the boys had some good in them too.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Joan

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 28-Aug-2024

Thank you, Joan. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. How are you getting on with your book?

Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xx

reply by dragonpoet on 28-Aug-2024

I tried to do edits in the Google Docs document you sent me but when I went to finish them they weren't save. I will try to edit again and change it to a pdf to download it to KDP. That is the last step. I have set up my book and cover on their site already.
Joan

reply by the author on 28-Aug-2024

That's good. It took me ages to get it right, so I got in touch with Microsoft and they told me my progam was out of date. So I updated it and it worked perfectly. Now I have to go and learn what this new update can do. xxxx

Comment from Cindy Decker 3

Excellent

Sandra,
I read your story with an eye for form and content. I can always learn from a seasoned writer.
Your description is great, and I found no errors.
I liked the content: a slice of England in much simpler days; (pre the British Invasion bands, and all their ruckus.
Simple and innocent. (Like America was in '50's)
Like the neighbors concern for an elderly lady.
Great story,
Sandra.
Congratulations on your 1st place!
Best wishes,
Cindy

P.S Sandra I love the Beatles' music, btw.

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2024

Lol! I love their music too. Thank you, dear Cindy. I'm glad you like this one, there are two more. One where she tries to get revenge, and the third is quite emotional. I was thinking of writing more of them, but it did finish nicely. Then I started on George and Jake two boys from opposite sides of the spectrum. George is upper-class, and Jake is working-class, drawn together in war torn London.

I like writing with different dialects. Thanks so much for the congrats! I am now taking a very short rest, then back to my next novel. In the meantime, I am going to write some more 'adventures' for my Gerome Giraffe poem story series.

Okay now I've written you a novel by means of my reply!!! LOL. Love and hugs, my friend. Sandra xxxx

Comment from l.raven

Exceptional

Hi Sandra, reminds me of days gone by...
when if one of us kids would've done something
like that to our siblings...Ma or Pa Kettle would've
gone out in the yard...picked a tree...and used every
limb beating the crap out of us...we did pick on each other...
but we knew our limit...and locking up one of our siblings
in the outhouse...that would have been a biggie...

and the trees we eat off of...were lemon trees...
one of our neighbors had a grove of them...he used to let us
sit in the trees and eat the lemons...all of us looked like we were
always puckered up...

and your characters talk just like Pa did...

so Trevor and Reggie got lucky...but I bet Valerie will get her revenge...
speaking from experience...I'm the sibling no one picked on...

this was a fun read...and can't wait to read the next chapter my
amazing friend and writer...sounds like an awesome story... NEXT!!!!...
very well written sweet girl...sending much love...from me to you...
Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 17-Mar-2024

Hi Linda, thank you so very much for this amazing review. I had such fun writing it. I had this picture in my head from my childhood days when the loo was outside and my grandfather used to empty it every so often under the apple tree!! Lol. and the coal shed was next to it. Having three uncles, who were close to my age, I had to put up with a lot of their 'jokes'. I wrote these stories using some of my memories. I never managed to get even with them. We laugh about it now, though. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story. Thank you, my dear friend. Love you so much!!! :)) Sandra xxx

reply by l.raven on 19-Mar-2024

Hi Amazing...well I bet those apples made some very interesting pies...that
would have be one desert I would have passed on...

it's funny the things we find out about our families looking back on them...

and this makes your story even more fun...and interesting to say the least...I'm going to love this...

well amazing...your always so welcome...and I love you in gobs...
but I only have a half gallon of milk left...so before I start shaking all over...I have to go get another gallon...xxoo 🤗🥰💖🌼🙏

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I read this but for some reason the review didn't stick. As I was rereading because I didn't notice the review, I thought, Hmm, I did read this. Who knows what happened. I probably forgot to save.

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024

I've done that so many times I'm begining to think I'm losing my mind! Thanks for reading my friend. Warm hugs, Sandra xx

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

This is a neat story. I could have taken place the southern US in the 50's except for a few differences in the dialect. Brother and sisters seem to be the same the world over. This story is another example of your versatility in writing.

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024

Hi Beth, I'm glad you liked this one. I think back in the 50s your country was very much like ours, laid back and although children were mischievous, they didn't want to upset their parents or the police for fear of punishment. Thank you for the lovely review, my friend. Warmest hugs, Sandra xx

Comment from Sanku

Exceptional

i loved it! It brought a lot of nostalgic memories .The only difference is that the mangoes replaced apples! Stealing mangoes 9both raw and ripe) were an adventure then . There was goodness all round .people helped each other...I believe in villages it would still be the same...

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024

Those days were happy, far more carefree for the children. And parents didn't need to worry about where their children were. In villages, there was always someone who knew where you were, and a lot of the time, they knew what you were up to! Lol. I'm so pleased you enjoyed this poem, Sanku. Thank you so much for the lovely review, my friend, and the lovely sixth star. Warmest hugs, Sandra xxx

Comment from alexisleech

Exceptional

Delightful! Those were the days, were they not? Days when you could steal apples, leave your bike in the front garden, the 'lav was in an outhouse, and total strangers offered help to lonely, elderly widows. Nowadays, Mrs Coombs would probably have lain undiscovered for goodness knows how long, and her house would have been cleaned out by a passing burglar.
Your excellent writing managed to transport me back in time in a delightful way - I do hope there's more to come!

Alexis xxx

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024

Thank you so much, Alexis, for this really lovely review and for the golden star!!!! There is another part coming up soon with Valerie seeking payback for her brother. I'm glad you enjoyed it, my friend. Love and hugs, Sandra xxx

Comment from Rosemary Everson1

Excellent

goodness, this was fiction writing and very well written. I was wondering what size font you used. It was small but easy to read.

I bet things like this happen when picking apples in daily living. Good thing the boys didn't tell, but I think she would have forgiven them, being they saved her in return.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024

Hi Rosemary, thank you so much for reading my story of sibling rivalry, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Valerie wants payback! Lol. Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xx

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Aw, that's a lovely story, Sandra, and good job the boys were nearby hearing her. I suppose you'll be continuing this story. I will be looking forward to that. I loved the colloquial accent. A big hug, Ulla xxx

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2024

Thank you, Ulla, I'm glad you enjoyed the accent and the story. The next part has Valerie looking for paypack! Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xx

Comment from Jacob1395

Excellent

I really enjoyed this piece Sandra, and I thought the pace of your story was excellent all the way through. I also really liked how you gave the characters their own unique voice which came through really strongly. An excellent piece.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2024

Thank you so much, Jacob, I'm glad you liked the story and my characters. It's Valerie's turn in the next part. She's bursting to get her own back. Thanks for the lovely review, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx