Welcome! I'm delighted to host #RRBC President and Founder - Author Nonnie Jules.
June is board appreciation month at #RRBC.
Please support this supportive author by buying her books and posting your honest reviews.
June is board appreciation month at #RRBC.
Please support this supportive author by buying her books and posting your honest reviews.
EXCERPT from “OPEN, SHUT” by Nonnie Jules
(This excerpt begins in the middle of a larger piece but I’m sharing this portion as it gives more clarity into future posts along the tour).
Uneventful day number three of the week behind me, I stride briskly to be the first to board the school bus home.
*
Someone’s here…not sure who, but I can hear the TV blasting from the bus stop. It’s probably Bud. He gets home from school before I do.
Yes, I really do have a younger brother named Bud. His real name’s Bobby, but for the past few years he’s been aptly nicknamed after my Dad’s closest friend…his favorite beer. Now, before you go judging, my Dad has a good reason for being so close to Mr. Budweiser.
Seven years ago, my older sister, Lola, was killed. She was crossing the street when she was hit by a drunk driver. Some say she intentionally stepped out in front of that car. All lies. I was there. And, who would do such a thing anyway? Why would Lola? She lingered for two days before Mom and Dad removed her from life support. My once happy family hasn’t been the same since.
Lola was the life in our family. She smiled all the time, and my Mom would say she’d never met a stranger. Everyone was instantly her friend.
What I remember most about Lola is how she loved playing with me…she really loved her role as big sister. She would come into my room and hide in my closet, jumping out at me when I neared the door. Then, there were those times when she was just plain annoying, so she’d open and close the closet door quickly, while chanting “Open, shut, open, shut, open, shut…” as if she was trying to teach me the difference. I was seven at the time. I’m pretty sure at that age, I already knew.
No matter how old I got and how much taller than her I stood, Lola always told me how much she loved me. “If I should ever leave you, I’ll always let you know that I’m still here with you…even though you might not be able to see me,” she said one day. I wondered why she would say such a thing. Her not being here? Where would she go?
One month after she said this to me last, Lola was gone. It was almost as if she knew. But how? Had she been unknowingly preparing me for her absence?
As I walked up the stairs to my room, the first thing I notice is my door – ajar – again.
“Bud!” I angrily yell down the stairs. “What have I told you about going into my room when I’m not here?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t been in your stupid room.” He’s thirteen.
Here we go again. Mom and Dad are both at work, and although extremely annoying, Bud’s no liar. But, I’m pretty positive I shut my door this morning.
I slowly push it open wider. Closet door – open. Window – open. Dresser drawers – all open. I was beginning to feel a little freaked out. It was at times like these that I wished Lola was here for me to talk to.
Thanks for dropping by! Learn more at tomorrow’s stop!
Uneventful day number three of the week behind me, I stride briskly to be the first to board the school bus home.
*
Someone’s here…not sure who, but I can hear the TV blasting from the bus stop. It’s probably Bud. He gets home from school before I do.
Yes, I really do have a younger brother named Bud. His real name’s Bobby, but for the past few years he’s been aptly nicknamed after my Dad’s closest friend…his favorite beer. Now, before you go judging, my Dad has a good reason for being so close to Mr. Budweiser.
Seven years ago, my older sister, Lola, was killed. She was crossing the street when she was hit by a drunk driver. Some say she intentionally stepped out in front of that car. All lies. I was there. And, who would do such a thing anyway? Why would Lola? She lingered for two days before Mom and Dad removed her from life support. My once happy family hasn’t been the same since.
Lola was the life in our family. She smiled all the time, and my Mom would say she’d never met a stranger. Everyone was instantly her friend.
What I remember most about Lola is how she loved playing with me…she really loved her role as big sister. She would come into my room and hide in my closet, jumping out at me when I neared the door. Then, there were those times when she was just plain annoying, so she’d open and close the closet door quickly, while chanting “Open, shut, open, shut, open, shut…” as if she was trying to teach me the difference. I was seven at the time. I’m pretty sure at that age, I already knew.
No matter how old I got and how much taller than her I stood, Lola always told me how much she loved me. “If I should ever leave you, I’ll always let you know that I’m still here with you…even though you might not be able to see me,” she said one day. I wondered why she would say such a thing. Her not being here? Where would she go?
One month after she said this to me last, Lola was gone. It was almost as if she knew. But how? Had she been unknowingly preparing me for her absence?
As I walked up the stairs to my room, the first thing I notice is my door – ajar – again.
“Bud!” I angrily yell down the stairs. “What have I told you about going into my room when I’m not here?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t been in your stupid room.” He’s thirteen.
Here we go again. Mom and Dad are both at work, and although extremely annoying, Bud’s no liar. But, I’m pretty positive I shut my door this morning.
I slowly push it open wider. Closet door – open. Window – open. Dresser drawers – all open. I was beginning to feel a little freaked out. It was at times like these that I wished Lola was here for me to talk to.
Thanks for dropping by! Learn more at tomorrow’s stop!
BIO:
Nonnie Jules, Founder & President of the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB (#RRBC), partner in 4WillsPublishing Author Services and wrangler of a very busy family, is often referred to as an enigma. Nonnie prefers to take that label up a notch as she does with everything in her life. “An enigma wrapped in a brain,” is the label that fits her best. That brain is what keeps all the moving parts of the ever-fluid RRBC in constant motion. Managing these successful entities along with her home life, keeps her busy from dawn until dusk…literally.
Nonnie has authored several books in various categories such as SELF-HELP, NOVELS, POETRY and SHORT STORY. She refuses to be placed in a box as a writer of only one genre of literature. She feels that she can skillfully cover it all.
One of her desires is to become a best-selling author – not because all of her family and friends purchases her books, but, because her books are so good, everyone can’t help but spread the word about them.
Nonnie Jules, Founder & President of the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB (#RRBC), partner in 4WillsPublishing Author Services and wrangler of a very busy family, is often referred to as an enigma. Nonnie prefers to take that label up a notch as she does with everything in her life. “An enigma wrapped in a brain,” is the label that fits her best. That brain is what keeps all the moving parts of the ever-fluid RRBC in constant motion. Managing these successful entities along with her home life, keeps her busy from dawn until dusk…literally.
Nonnie has authored several books in various categories such as SELF-HELP, NOVELS, POETRY and SHORT STORY. She refuses to be placed in a box as a writer of only one genre of literature. She feels that she can skillfully cover it all.
One of her desires is to become a best-selling author – not because all of her family and friends purchases her books, but, because her books are so good, everyone can’t help but spread the word about them.
BOOKS BY NONNIE:
“THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS”
“DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND”
“SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS”
“IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC: THE POETRY OF FORBIDDEN LOVE”
“…AND THE MUSIC PLAYED”
“OPEN, SHUT: A SHORT STORY”
Book: "OPEN, SHUT" A Short Story
Twitter: @ NonnieJules
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonnie.jules
Website: Books By Nonnie
Blog: Watch Nonnie Write!
RWISA AUTHOR PAGE
“THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS”
“DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND”
“SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS”
“IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC: THE POETRY OF FORBIDDEN LOVE”
“…AND THE MUSIC PLAYED”
“OPEN, SHUT: A SHORT STORY”
Book: "OPEN, SHUT" A Short Story
Twitter: @ NonnieJules
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonnie.jules
Website: Books By Nonnie
Blog: Watch Nonnie Write!
RWISA AUTHOR PAGE
