It’s that time of year again when our nation and families with connections to the military turn our thoughts to those who have served in conflicts and wars on our behalf, paying the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives or spending their future with mental and or physical injuries so we can live in freedom and security.

I come from a family with links to the British military going back well over a hundred years, possibly longer. I’ve researched my father’s and mother’s sides and both families have served and some still have active members of the forces.

Photo: Late Grandfather (British Indian Army) who served WWI (France) and WW2 (India, Africa) Photo (c) Jane Risdon

Every couple of years I contribute short stories to various anthologies that are raising funds for charity. Two anthologies I have contributed towards are in aid of military charities and I’d like to share their details with you in the hope that you might be able to purchase a copy and help fund them. I and those who have written short stories for these collections would really appreciate your consideration. Thanks.

Photo: My late Grandmother served in WW1 in the RFC (later the RAF) Photo (c) Jane Risdon.

Photo: My late father (right) served in Korea, Sumatra, Kenya, Singapore, and Malaysia in the 1950s. Photo (c) Jane Risdon

My late grandmother’s brother served in the 1st. Batt. Irish Guards in WW1. He died of wounds in 1916 and is buried in France. His grave is on the right. Photo (c) Jane Risdon

The first anthology is When Stars Will Shine. It was published in aid of Help4Heroes.

When Stars Will Shine is a collection of short stories from your favourite authors who have come together to deliver you a Christmas read with a twist.

With true war tales that will break your heart, gritty Christmas crimes that will shake you to your core, and heart-warming tales of love lost and found, this anthology has something for everyone. And, with every penny made being sent to support our troops, you can rest assured that you’re helping our heroes, one page at a time.

From authors such as Louise Jensen, Graham Smith, Malcolm Hollingdrake, Lucy Cameron, Val Portelli, and Alex Kane, you are in for one heck of a ride! Oh! and me.

When Stars Will Shine is the perfect Christmas gift for the bookworms in your life!

Fredrick Snellgrove, Private 23208 by Rob Ashman
Four Seasons by Robert Scragg
The Close Encounter by Gordon Bickerstaff
Believe by Mark Brownless
What Can Possibly Go Wrong? by Lucy Cameron
Mountain Dew by Paul T Campbell
The Art of War and Peace by John Carson
A Gift for Christmas by Kris Egleton
Free Time by Stewart Giles
Died of Wounds by Malcolm Hollingdrake
The Christmas Killer by Louise Jensen
The Village Hotel by Alex Kane
A Present of Presence by Hr Kemp
The Invitation by Billy McLaughlin
Brothers Forever by Paul Moore
Girl in a Red Shirt by Owen Mullen
Pivotal Moments by Anna Osborne
Uncle Christmas by Val Portelli
Time for a Barbeque by Carmen Radtke
Christmas Present by Lexi Rees
Inside Out by KA Richardson
Penance by Jane Risdon
New Year’s Resolution by Robert Scragg
Family Time by Graham Smith

We have 91 positive reviews and I hope you will read them.

‘I intended to only pick out a few of the stories to read, but once I picked it up I read one, and then another, and then another……and before I knew it I had read the whole book!’ Lorraine Rugman, The Book Review Cafe

Some of my reviews for those who might enjoy my writing and would like to read my contribution – as ever, there is a twist in the tale.

Penance by Jane Risdon: Oh I didn’t expect that! Great story.

Penance by Jane Risdon: A warning about getting your priorities right. A very moving story.

Penance by Jane Risdon: Oh my! Not what I was expecting at all. Very cleverly written.

Penance: And then there was Jane Risdon‘s Penance – creepy and sinister, so very different I had no idea where it might be going, but ultimately very touching indeed.

Jane Risdon’s Penance had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This is a creepy, sad story that I was gripped by. I had no idea where it was going or how it was going to end. I loved it!

Penance by Jane Risdon: I really enjoyed this one, Jane Risdon isn’t an author whose books I’ve read before, but I loved this ghostly Christmas tale. This one also gave me goose pimples, but they were mostly caused by a feeling of dread as Gabrielle looks for his missing wife and daughters. Christmas should be a time when families get to spend precious time together, and yet Gabrielle missed these special days, putting work first, leaving him full of regret. There’s something sinister about reading a story based around Christmas and the big man himself, especially when a crime’s committed. I was impressed with how well-written this short story was, the author creates a spooky atmosphere with an undercurrent of tension and unease, but ultimately it’s a touching story that pulls on the heartstrings.

My next contribution is Victory 75 written in aid of our forces (British) and several forces charities including SSAFA.

This is Electric Eclectic’s Storybook celebrating the 75th VE-Day anniversary on 8th May 2020.

These tales are dedicated to all the brave and unsung heroes who made victory possible by their sacrifice.

While each story carries a personal dedication, each is written with respect and gratitude to all those who gave their lives for our liberty and freedoms.

Contributors:

Paul White, Karen J Mossman, Claire Plaisted, Julia Blake, Jane Risdon, Audrina Lane, Electric Eclectic authors.

My short story is called We’ll Meet Again.

Here are a few of the reviews for the anthology.

This is a wonderful, yet very moving collection of short stories. I have to admit I had more than a couple of tears in my eyes whilst reading them.

Really good short stories, they all made you think and made you realise just how lucky we all are not to have had to live through a world war. A lot of the stories made me cry and some made me smile. A really good mix.

What an amazing collection of stories that makes the perfect Christmas gift this season.

A great personal read from a first-hand experience.

Victory 75 is a moving collection of six short stories to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day…the victorious ending of WW2 in Europe. These stories are filled with thoughtful reminiscing, friendships, loves found and loves lost, spirituality, and even a bit of hilarity.

I do hope you will consider reading these anthologies and giving them as gifts this Christmas, but honestly, they can be read any time of year. Thanks. Jane xx