Friday, January 30, 2015

FREE January 31 & February 1 - Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats





Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm is the latest offering in my series of farm life short stories.

The Blurb:

S.A. Molteni is well loved for her essays on hobby farming and animal husbandry - from the pain of losing a cherished pet cow and calf during childbirth to the sweetness of spending Christmas Eve in a manger with two Jersey cow babies.

In this new collection of short stories, she poignantly and reflectively brings to the surface the highs and lows of living on a hobby farm and the deep connection that a farmer has to her animals.

From predatory hawk attacks on her beloved chickens, to a goat with an attitude, to bottle-feeding a calf, along with a fictional tale based on Chicken Little, the narratives give a condensed version of the best times and the worst times during her past five years on a hobby farm.

What others are saying:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, Neat, Sweet, January 26, 2015

Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm (Kindle Edition)
*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Summary: This is a collection of 4 short stories + a bonus one that center on events in and around the author's hobby farm.

Random comments:

- Although a much greater fan of fiction than non-fiction, I have to say that I connected a lot better with the non-fiction tales in here than the fiction ones told from the animals' perspectives. The chicken in therapy ones just left me with a "meh" feeling, but the non-fiction stories about the grumpy goat and the beloved cow were great.
- The author has a nice, straightforward style that lends itself well to non-fiction tales of farm life. I think with another dozen tales in each vein, these stories could be two separate collections, one for people who like tales told from animal perspectives and one for people who just want to know what hobby farm life is like.
- Each story is pretty well-written.
- The about the author section is a pretty neat mini-story in and of itself.

Conclusion: Quick, light read for those interested in hobby farming. (I'd personally never heard of hobby farming until I read about the author.)

5.0 out of 5 stars In this book, I found a kindred spirit..., January 24, 2015
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm (Kindle Edition)
I lived on a small rundown farm for 15 years, and each story took me back to the bittersweet existence that comes from farming. These four short stories brought tears to my eyes as each one conjured up memories long hidden. The descriptions were expressive and soon I was transported to a hobby farm in Florida. This is definitely a good read (have a handkerchief handy).

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick and Interesting, January 19, 2015
This review is from: Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm (Kindle Edition)
This book is a collection of short farm stories. Some are fiction, some are non-fiction, but all are interesting and perfect for reading when you don't have much time, or if you don't feel like getting involved with a long novel. Well written and intriguing, I want to see what S.A. Molteni comes up with next!
5.0 out of 5 stars Kitty Muse Book Reviews, January 16, 2015
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm (Kindle Edition)
It takes a lot to live on a farm. Life isn’t easy, and there are always surprises. Some of these are good, some not so good.
S.A Molteni has written a lovely combination of stories, both fictional “Chicken Little in Therapy”) and non-fictional (“The Best Christmas Ever”). Each one of them is different, and all are very entertaining.
We are introduced to wild and domestic animals alike, some funny and some heart-breaking.
Ms. Molteni has a wonderful way with words, and her offerings here were a joy to read.
5.0 out of 5 stars  
Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm!!!, January 13, 2015
By 
brenda (LADERA RANCH, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm (Kindle Edition)
"The thought of the sky falling seemed to be ludicrous at present and the least of her worries."

Chickens, Hawks and Grumpy Goats: Five Years on a Farm is another endearing book filled with short stories by S.A. Molteni. The author has a down home comforting writing style that allows the reader to connect even if they have never lived this lifestyle. She brings you in with an open heart and genuine passion. Reading her stories is a great escape and a heart warming adventure.

I loved all the stories in the collection but I did get an extra fuzzy feeling from 'The Best Christmas Eve Ever'. Heartwarming and shares some precious moments in this family's life. The author manages to remind us that it is the simple things in life that are the most sacred.

These unusual, sometimes funny and at other times emotional stories are told from some unexpected voices. They are smart and precise. Each piece moved me and also brought a smile to my face.

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