DOG BONE SOUP is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….
Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga. Available now at “YOUR AMAZON”
From the Reviewers
“Dog Bone Soup is the poignant tale of a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in America in the 50s and 60s, when most others were on the crest of a wave. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. But most of all it will make you glad you read it.” ~ Charlie Bray, founder of the Indietribe
“In Dog Bone Soup, Bette Stevens captures the feeling and images of growing up in hardscrabble times perfectly.” ~ John Clark, librarian and author
DOG BONE SOUP
READ the opening Excerpt from Chapter One right here…
The postcard arrived four days before my eighteenth birthday. All I had to do now was sign the final papers and light out for basic training. I could hardly wait to leave this place behind.
There were six of us ready to become soldiers. The other five guys were headed to Fort Dix. Soon as we were inducted, the sergeant who swore us in started calling us a bunch of lily-assed bastards and worse. When the jerk marched the other five guys off, I was happy as hell I wasn’t one of them.
Lieutenant Richards called me into his office. “You’ll be heading out tomorrow, Private Daniels. Here are your tickets.”
We sat in his office and talked about my future with the U.S. Army. Then he handed me a schedule for the next day’s journey and we went over every detail.
“Now let’s get you home so you can get a good night’s sleep before you fly off to serve Uncle Sam, soldier.”
“Good luck Private,” the lieutenant said when he dropped me off at the house. We saluted and I stood there watching until his car disappeared over the hill.
I’d always liked army people. They called me Mr. Daniels and even sir sometimes. Now I was officially a private in the U.S. Army and I was ready to start a new life. I pictured myself in an officer’s uniform one day—a lieutenant, a captain, maybe even a general.
Mum and I didn’t get much more than a few winks of sleep that night. I don’t know how many pots of coffee she perked while we sat at the kitchen table and talked the night away. Of course, it was Mum did most of the talking. Once she opened her picture books, I felt like I was drinking in the life I wanted to leave.
Mum took all of those pictures with her Brownie—that camera was her pride and joy. None of us kids was allowed to touch it unless she supervised a picture taking every now and then. If Dad wasn’t around, it was me peeking through the lens. Mum was fussy about taking pictures just so.
Five books were piled on the table and we went through them one page at a time. Mum had a story for every snap shot. Some made me laugh so hard that I doubled over.
It was two minutes shy of three when she closed the last album.
“Thanks for staying up. I’ve got the alarm set for six and I know that won’t give us much sleep.” Mum pulled out her hanky, sniffled and hugged me before we turned in. My leaving would to be hard on her.
Willie was snoring away, likely dreaming about cars. I slipped in next to him and pulled away some puffs and huddled under them.
The minute I closed my eyes I started dreaming about my new life. No more freezing to death up north. I was headed for southern sunshine and I saw myself soaking it all in.
Bzzzzzzz. I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, grabbed the suitcase and headed for the kitchen. Mum already had breakfast on the stove, so I ran outside to do my business and came back in to grab a hot biscuit and down it with a cup of steaming coffee.
I was half frozen and snow was whipping around me in circles when I headed out on the three-mile walk into town to catch that bus.
I shook flakes big as quarters from my jacket when I climbed the steps of the Greyhound. Two hours and I’d be boarding a plane headed to Fort Jackson. South Carolina was sure the place to be, especially in February.
### end of excerpt
- Read all of Chapter One
- OR Grab Your Copy of DOG BONE SOUP at “YOUR AMAZON” and dive right in!
About the author
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).
Bette A. Stevens is the author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA; home/school resource, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to DOG BONE SOUP.
Find out more about the author and her books right here on “YOUR AMAZON”
- Bette’s WEBSITE/BLOG
- Find Bette on FACEBOOK
- Follow Bette on TWITTER
- Author Bette A. Stevens at “YOUR AMAZON”
Comments on: "Book Launch Tour: DOG BONE SOUP is Simmering!" (35)
Bette, I just finished Dog Bone Soup – loved it! I read it in one day. Will post a review on Amazon, Goodreads etc soon.
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Thank you so much, my dear friend! Hope we can get together in August during your book signing in Boothbay Harbor. Looking forward to getting a signed copy or two of your books. How the summer is flying… Have a wonderful week! ❤
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Could be! 🙂
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Insomnia gave me an opportunity and I finished the book this morning. West Point? Did I get that right? Will the next part of the story feature Our Young Hero as a General of our Army?
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West Point! Who knows… 🙂
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I think there’s a sequel screaming to be let out!
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Reblogged this on MARSocial Author Business Enhancement Book Review.
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Many thanks for the shout-out on MARSocial! If you would like to read/review, you can email me at bettestevens@tds.net Again, thanks so much. ❤
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Congratulations, Bette!
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Many thanks for the visit, my friend! 🙂
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Many thanks, Marie Ann, for the comment and for the reblog as well! 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Reblogged this on 1WriteWay and commented:
Celebrate the launch of Bette A. Stevens’ new novel, Dog Bone Soup!
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Thanks so much for lending a hand! 🙂
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Thank you, my awesome friend. Have a great day! 🙂
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Wow, it sound so good. I wish you all the success for the new book and launch. I posted it in twitter, fb, google, LinkedIn. All the best, my good friend.
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Thanks so much for your support and well-wishes, Gigi. Blessings to you and yours! ❤
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Reblogged this on Sandra Bennett – Author and commented:
Children’s Author of “Amazing Matilda A Monarch’s Tale”, Bette Stephens has written her first adult novel, “Dog Bone Soup.” To find out about her latest offering read reviews and a sample chapter below. I”m sure her latest offering will be another memorable read.
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Hi, Sandra. Many thanks for your reblog and for the awesome shout-out, too. You’ve made my day! Blessings to you and yours, Bette
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Congratulations on your launch!
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Thank you, Slo. Hope you’re enjoying a great day with your beautiful GRAND! ❤
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Reblogged this on Gifts To Go and commented:
Chapter One has captured my interest!
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Thanks so much for the reblog, the read and your thoughtful comment. It’s started my day off right! Blessings, Bette
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Thanks so much, Gifts to Go! Your thoughtfulness made my day. 🙂
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You’re welcome – your novel sounds like a great read!
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Already read the first chapter…looking forward to the rest.
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Hi, Barbara. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement, my friend. Happy reading and writing! ❤
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Reblogged this on Scribbles on the Wall and commented:
Fellow author Bette A. Stevens has an exciting new novel hot out of the press! Check out the opening excerpt from chapter one and see for yourself!
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Thank you, my awesome friend and author! ❤
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Congratulations!!! So excited for you 🙂
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Thank you so much, SK. I’m floating on ‘Cloud Nine’ thanks to support from wonderful friends like you! ❤
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No more waiting! It’s HERE! Yay!
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Hip-hip Hooray! The soup is finally served. And you, my dear friend, know how much laboring goes into the pot. Thank you, my Forever Friend! ❤
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Congratulations Bette ❤ I wish you the greatest success in this and EVERYTHING you do.
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Thanks so much, Catalina. Your friendship and support mean so much. Blessings to you, my awesome author friend. ❤
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