PURE TRASH—the short story prequel to the novel DOG BONE SOP by Maine author Bette A. Stevens, offers readers and book clubs insight into poverty and prejudice in rural New England in the 1950s. Download your copy for #FREE August 24th through August 28th !
“Pure Trash is unlike any story I’ve read. At first, it reads like a memoir from Reminisce Magazine, but as the story unfolds, I connected with the characters at a deep level. The author explores prejudice, class division, alcoholism, poverty, injustice, and bullying. It’s a story all audiences over the age of ten can enjoy. While reading this story, the reader will experience the joy of a carefree Saturday and the blistering pain of feeling not quite good enough.” — Tricia Drammeh, AuthorsToWatch
PURE TRASH (Literary Fiction/ages 11-adult) by Bette A. Stevens—FREE eBook through AUGUST 28th at YOUR AMAZON http://amzn.to/1T5tMAZ — is a short story about bullies and what it’s like to be bullied. It may redefine your concept of bullying. If you were a child who was thought of as “different” in some way, you know what bullying is about: torment, persecution, intimidation, to name a few of its descriptors. For Shawn and Willie, their difference was based upon the social status of the dysfunctional family and the alcoholism and abject poverty in which they grew up. This short story is a prequel to Stevens’s debut novel DOG BONE SOUP.
EXCERPT
Pedaling up the half-mile hill was a lot of work, but it was worth it, and not for just the empties. Flying down the other side gave me the best feeling in the whole wide world. I guess that’s how that old chicken hawk feels when he soars above the pines at the edge of the field out back of the house.
Once we reached the peak, we plopped our bikes on the ground and threw ourselves onto the soft, damp bed of leaves at the edge of the woods. It was so peaceful. My mind wandered into the sky and I dreamed about the ride down the other side and the 10 cent Orange Crush I’d buy at Stark’s General Store.
“Hey, Willie,” I finally asked, “did ya bring the slingshot?”
“Sure did, Shawn. Whatcha wanna shoot today?”
Willie’s brown eyes looked as big as Mum’s pan fried donuts and his smile pretty nearly filled his round face as he jumped right up from his leafy bed and hovered over me like a bear.
I helped Willie make that slingshot out of rubber bands I’d sliced from one of the old inner tubes piled out by Dad’s rusty Ford Roadster. That Ford had headlights on top of the fenders and the “old jalopy,” as Mum called it, was just rottin’ away out back of the two-holer. We broke a crotched limb out of the choke cherry bush to use for the handle. I tied the rubber band and the handle together with string from one of the flowered chicken feed sacks that Mum used to make her house dresses. That string was real strong and I was good at tying knots. Willie was proud as a peacock when it came to showing off that slingshot.
“How about we find some old tin cans and pile them up like a tower?” I asked Willie. “Better yet, let’s both make towers and see whose gets knocked down first.”
“Yes, siree!” Willie hooted as he made a mad dash to grab as many of the rusty cans as his chubby arms could hug together at one time. ###
Join Shawn and Willie for a 1950s Saturday adventure—Download PURE TRASH for free today!
AUTHOR BIO
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher. Stevens is the author of AMAZING MATILDA, an award-winning picture book; The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!, a home/school resource incorporating hands-on math and writing; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to her début novel, DOG BONE SOUP, a baby boomer’s coming of age novel.
[Explore Bette’s Blog]
Comments on: "PURE TRASH by Bette A. Stevens #free eBook thru Aug 28" (26)
I’ve heard such great things about this book! Thanks for linking this post up with Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
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Thank you, Tina. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Awesome!
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Thanks! 🙂
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I bought this one a while ago, Bette, but I haven’t read it yet. Apologies. Must make a point soon.
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Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Download Pure Trash, the prequel to Bette A. Stevens novel, Dog Bone Soup free through August 28th.
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Ever thanks, Michelle! 🙂
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My pleasure, Bette. Hugs.
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I love your book. I’d buy it again if I hadn’t already bought it twice 🙂
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HUGS! You’re a true gem, Marilyn…lucky me. xo
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Just Downloaded it on Amazon and will write you a review as soon as I finish. If you would like a free Kindle copy of The Ghosts of Ukuthula, just let me know and I can send you the link on your secure email.
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Thank you very much on all counts, Richard. Email me at bettestevens@tds.net Have a wonderful day! 🙂
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I’ll share your generous offer, Bette. Hoping you gather many sales too. ❤️
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Ever thanks, Tracy! ❤
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Bette, I love this book and as a result read Dog Bone Soup – one of my most memorable reads this summer. You are a terrific writer, Bette!
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Your thoughtful note made my day, Annika! 🙂 ❤
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A great introduction to your novel Dog Bone Soup. I enjoyed reading Pure Trash and hope you have much success with the promo. Tweeted to help spread the word!
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Thanks for the love! xo
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Bette. 🙂 A great afternoon read.
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Thank you, Diana! 🙂
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Thank you Bette,
I just ordered it on my kindle and am looking forward to reading ‘PURE TRASH’ I know it is going to be great!!!!
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Thanks so much, Pat. Sending lots of love your way! 🙂 ❤
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Good luck with your promotion. Reposted on WordPress. Such a tactfully handled hard subject.
Best wishes for the greatest success.
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Hi, Catalina. Thanks so much for continued support and encouragement! XO
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