Last day for a freebee epub or mobi copy of the novel

It's the last day of September.

It's also the last day for a free Epub copy of The Year of the Rabbit.  While we're at it, you can also obtain a free copy for your Kindle.

• Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) [Link]
• Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps) [Link]

A young priest goes through the motions of following the teachings of the church in a small Muskoka town during the 1970s. He finds his true calling through unexpected encounters with his precocious love child.

A little girl tries to make sense of her lonely world and sees the Year of the Rabbit as one of hope due to the birth of her illegitimate nephew.

• Enjoy comments from readers.  Please write in with your own.  
• Download 20% of the eBook for free at Smashwords. 
• You set the price if you choose to purchase it. 
• Bookmark the novel's domain at  www.yearoftherabbit.ca.

Thanks for dropping by! 

T

Abuse of Power and Trust

I am troubled by more worldwide reports of abuse cases involving priests. 

Does it make you wonder though if their sickness was already present and they chose this vocation or profession because of opportunities to abuse while in a position of power?  Do not forget that we have seen reports of abuse by teachers and other professions. 

Yes, the novel leans towards the suggestion that priests should be allowed to marry.  Who knows if that would have prevented the actions by some sick individuals. Would they have eventually abused their own children? 

The Year of the Rabbit is loosely based on my experiences growing up in the Catholic Church in a small town and questioning the rules at many turns (but apparently not as spicey and humorous as those by Jenny McCarthy).  It is not intended to insult or show disrespect but demonstrate a growing need for change as was seen in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  

Yes, I am a Lapsed Catholic.  

Yes, I believe in a woman's right to make choices for her body, her reproductive system.  
 

I knew some interesting priests in my early years.  One who performed the wedding ceremony for one of my family members eventually left the church and got married.  

 

I wanted people to see Father Gio as a lovable, trustworthy character - a human male.  He regrets not acting sooner to prevent abuse in the small town where he served and questions his future in the Church. 

 

Let us not judge Gio for his moment of weakness, a brief encounter with a married woman in 1962.  If he didn't have that night of passion, we would not have gotten to know Sera, to watch her grow and cope through difficult times.  Was it fate or just coincidence?

 

 

Excerpts featuring Father Giovanni Vinoletti:

1. Gio Meets Sera  (An excerpt from Chapter 1 where Father Giovanni Vinoletti meets Sera Fletcher, his newly discovered, biological daughter)
2. Parish Picnic  (A priest's joy and shame. A child's innocent view on life after death)
3. The Red Hare  (Traditions, community and home)
4. Zodiacs and the Bible (A continuation of Gio and Sera's debate at the Red Hare) 
5. Sudden Loss (Halloween night - Sera loses her friend and Gio regrets not acting sooner)   
6. A child is born  (Birth, joy, teen pregnancy)
7. Wine (The results of patience and loving care) 

 

You will grow to love Gio.  I have.   

• Enjoy comments from readers
• Download 20% of the eBook for free at Smashwords. 
• You set the price if you choose to purchase it.

 

Thanks for dropping by and reading this far.  Comments are welcome!

 

T

 

Happy Anniversary

This is a celebration of sorts.

It has been a year since the e-book version of the novel was released.  It has yet to achieve national recognition or international acclaim.  Since Flo is so darned shy and couldn't afford an agent or publicist, it has been more of a small town, home team effort.  We still have hopes for this bittersweet, quirky tale.

Thank you to the people who paid the full price of $3.99 for the e-book download from Smashwords.  Thank you to the people who took advantage of the coupon offers for free copies.  You all went through the pain of creating an account with Smashwords.  The way I see it, you also opened up your e-shelves to a world of promising indie authors. Thank you for making the effort.

As of September 8, 2012 Flo has decided to allow potential readers to set the purchase price, starting at the Smashwords recommended minimum of 99 cents.  Thank you to Smashwords for enabling a world of indies and satisfying my tree hugging sentimentality. 

Still not sure?

• Enjoy comments from readers
• Read some short excerpts online

Thanks for dropping by.  Do come back to read about le petit project for the next two years.  


T