Reviews from

Letters From Heaven's Gateway #4

Manny and Theresa

22 total reviews 
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Sally, This is a story of love both won and lost. It is sad it took her so long to realize he was in love with her and she with him. I don't think that realling counts as a marriage legally but it did to them. The end is both happy and sad.
Congrats on placing in the contest.
Keep writing
Joan

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2020


reply by the author on 12-Mar-2020
    Wow, a true friend and fan. Thank you so much, dear Joan. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I've been with many of my relatives towards the end. It is usually the love ones they had put off or ran from that caused them the greatest amount of remorse. My personal mantra of "never wasting a day" is present in all these stories. I'm working on number five for this weekend. :)
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
reply by dragonpoet on 12-Mar-2020
    Don't mention it, Sally.
    Have a great weekend
    Joan
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Wow--powerfully poignant. Congrats on your prize. Quite a story, heartbreaking and uplifting both--though, on balance, I hope it isn't true. If it is true--can we clone Manny? Cheers. LIZ

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2020


reply by the author on 09-Mar-2020
    Thank you very much for the excellent review of my work. It is so appreciated. No, it's not a true story, but inspired by the photograph. I am near blind, and many times pictures, photos, and song lyrics have inspired my stories.
    Sending you my best today as always, Liz.
    Sally :)
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

OMG. Yes, I now need a box of kleenex. Be right back. Out of sixes. How absolutely heart wrenching. But a lovely way to end with the young boy playing in the field. I love it that you went back into history again with the letter. You do this so very well and believable. Great job!
Wendy

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 07-Feb-2020
    Thank you so much, Wendy dear. My husband said I need to issue Kleenex warnings with these stories. I'm sorry you missed my bonus goodies. I hope you got the Lucky Shamrock. Smiles. I think it's random. I always want my readers blessed in every way but I know life gets in the way. Just so you know, my newest blind girl is coming this Sumday. It will be my second Novella and new story with many of the same characters throughout. I am still in edit and almost through with my first one. I am so pleased with everything. I hope to be finished soon and get it published! I'll keep you posted.
    Thank you for following this series as they will be published as well. I still have many more to add though. I appreciate you so much and thankful for ALL your many kind reviews.
    Sal xoxoxo
reply by A. Willow Bends on 07-Feb-2020
    I am SO BEHIND! But I am so thrilled for your ongoing success and at some point, I hope to catch up with it all! HA HA HA HA HA! HUGS to YOU!
    Wendy
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-I love the image, Sally.
-The story is written very well, too.
-The first section with her thoughts
about Manny and the letter are very romantic.
-I find it interesting that they are both models.
-You do such a good job with these letters.
-I wonder if you actually wrote a lot of letters yourself?
-I like how you include Owen's thoughts
about the letter working its magic.
-Manny is overjoyed, but soon concern
and anxiety overtake that feeling as
the train is late, and there isn't any word about it.
-Unfortunately, the cloud of smoke appeared,
and Manny had to find out why, even though
I'm sure he was fearful about it at the same time.
-The ending is sad, but also shows deep
love between this couple.
-I was wondering about the marriage being
official since Manny just said it, and
also about including the son at the end,
with no mention of that early on. Just a couple of thoughts.
-I enjoyed the story.


 Comment Written 05-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 06-Feb-2020
    Aw, dear Pam, thank you so much. I am always so honored by your reviews, stars, and compliments. It means so much to me. The legalities of a wedding are easy to take care of, especially in a hospital that has clergy available 24/7. My husband is retired from ministry, but he has performed many weddings in all kinds of places. All you need are vows of mutual consent and one or two witnesses to sign a certificate, and then it is filed in the county court. Jackson and I still have our little certificate dated December 1975, and signed by two witnesses.
    Again, I am so blessed by your review and kindness. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
reply by Pam (respa) on 06-Feb-2020
    You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Sally. I know what you are speaking of, but I missed it in the story. Thanks for the lovely reply.
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Sally, what a bittersweet end to this wonderful love story.To be honest, I think it could have been made into a much longer story. There's so much potential areas to be expanded on. Well written, all the same. Ulla xxx

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2020
    Thank you, dear Ulla. This was real emotional for me but I enjoyed this write inspired by the vintage photo. The story kept coming. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I probably could have made it longer and yet, I am trying so hard to be mindful of my readers. I can be long winded.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal xoxo
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Dang. Heartbreaking for sure. My brother in law lives in New York. He went there to do plays and stuff. He works full time and does plays on the side. When he broke up with his girlfriend we all thought he'd move back, but he must like it there. He's still there years later. But, seriously, my heart hurts after reading this.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2020
    Thank you so much for the kind review and stars. Yes, many of these have a sad note as the title implies. I make sure love is had as the depart though. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from Father Flaps
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Sally,
Very well-written! This is sad, but so well told it seems real. Easily worth six stars. I think it tells us to be true to ourselves, and not get caught up in our careers. Life is fragile, handle with care.
This reminds me of a poem I wrote back in 2010, "Myna Chaucer", about a famous ballerina whose train was blown off the tracks in World War II. Celebrated while she was a young star, that train wreck broke her back, ending her career. It was her whole life. She ended her days in quiet loneliness, selling fine English china, cups and saucers she wrapped in blue boxes. Once a polished dancer who twirled an audience from their seats, but now couldn't stand up straight.
Manny & Theresa should be up for Story of the Month, assuming they still have that contest.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 03-Feb-2020
    Thank you so much, Kimbob. I am deeply honored, once again. I'm so glad you enjoy my writing. It means the world to me. I will definitely check out Myna Chaucer in your portfolio. I am almost finished with my novella and cover art and hopefully I will have more time next week. I hope to have my novella published by the end of February. I hope to finish before that but each day is a gift and my eyesight uncertain. I press on. You're a blessing!
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal xo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Sooooo, I was prepared for it this time and you still got me just a little bit! ;) A Beautiful sorrow in your pen, Lady Sal, and you paint a bittersweet yet smiling picture of two hearts joined here and forever - he'll always have a piece of her in Charlie! ;) Thanks for another reminder that does not always have a Happy ending in this lifetime, but it is still the strength that will carry us through!! ;) Yvette

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2020
    Thank you so much for the outstanding review and kindest comments, dear Yvette. I'm so glad you were moved by this. My husband and I both cried on this one. Life and love do go on and make us into the people we become, if we allow it to shape us. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from MamaBebop
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Sally,
Another fantastic story with compassion and romance and true love at the core. This one had a lot of realism in the story. The other "letters", at least for me, felt misty- this one was clear-very real.
Per usual, your narrative evokes emotions as the story is being read which made me grab for the tissue box.
This lovely story is a reminder that we don't have any idea what tomorrow brings. We need to live life to the fullest.
Blessings,
Beth

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2020
    Thank you very much for the excellent review and kind commemts. It is so appreciated dear Beth. These stories are dear to my heart and will be published hopefully this year. I'm working on my first novella right now and I'm on a writing retreat to get it finished and published by end of February, God willing.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from the13thpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello Sally a marvelous Monday to you. I hope this finds you well, in good health and spirit. Your letters/love stories are great, though they make me both jealous and skeptical. Jealous because I long for a love like that, and skeptical that that kind of love still exist in this world. Anyway, great job as always, have a great day.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2020


reply by the author on 03-Feb-2020
    Thank you, dear poet. I'm glad you liked it. Listen to the Seal song and put it on your playlist. Love is Divine. I'm still hoping for you.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally :)