Letters from Heaven's Gateway 2
Reginald and Eleanor31 total reviews
Comment from Bill Pinder
Sally, very powerful story that I enjoyed reading. Thanks for sharing your creativity in this romance writing. That is genuine love that is so missing at many times in today's world. So many people don't even know what genuine love is.
Bill
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Sally, very powerful story that I enjoyed reading. Thanks for sharing your creativity in this romance writing. That is genuine love that is so missing at many times in today's world. So many people don't even know what genuine love is.
Bill
Comment Written 08-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Thank you so much, dear Bill. I am deeply honored by your outstanding marks and kind compliments. It is greatly appreciated. I agree, most people don't know what real love is, and I hope to share what I have learned about love in these stories.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally :))
Where do you live? USA or Australia?
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USA
and you?
Comment from WalkerMan
Waging war ought to be considered a Crime Against Humanity by the leader who starts one, viewing his (or her) population as a mere source of pawns expendable on a chessboard. The opposing side may rightfully be defending their people and territory, but the suffering of involved soldiers and their loved ones is just as sad. Worse, there seems to be no end to this scourge.
Against that backdrop (World War One in this case), the depth of love between Corporal Reginald F. Smith and Eleanor Thompson at home is beautifully expressed. The letters they exchanged sustain both -- until they stop because of severe injuries Reggie incurs while trying to catch the mail collector with his latest. The effect is a heartrending "might have been" scenario (all too common in war).
Back in England, Eleanor cannot give up hope, despite the silence which followed delivery of that letter. She manages to get hold of the "war list"; but the number of soldiers with family name "Smith" is daunting and hugely time-consuming to work through (unsuccessfully, at that).
On one of many sleepless nights, she gets the idea of visiting local hospitals full of wounded soldiers; and in the morning bakes muffins to brighten the day for those anguished souls. (Knowing your loving heart, I can picture YOU doing such a caring thing.) Of course they all love her for such unexpected kindness.
God knows our hearts and genuine needs, so what then happens is entirely plausible.
Eleanor finds Gerry (another nickname for Reginald); and, despite the shock of seeing the damage done to his body and his self-loathing over it, her unconditional love for him perseveres. By wisely waiting outside his room, she hears his anguished cry for her return (which else she'd have missed).
She finds the hospital Chaplain, and the couple fulfill their dream to marry. "The bride was dressed in love and so was the groom." Memorably beautiful.
In the sad but heartwarming end, the Lord taketh away but also giveth; and Life goes on. What might have been was not meant to be, but Love survives.
Superb, and aptly illustrated.
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Waging war ought to be considered a Crime Against Humanity by the leader who starts one, viewing his (or her) population as a mere source of pawns expendable on a chessboard. The opposing side may rightfully be defending their people and territory, but the suffering of involved soldiers and their loved ones is just as sad. Worse, there seems to be no end to this scourge.
Against that backdrop (World War One in this case), the depth of love between Corporal Reginald F. Smith and Eleanor Thompson at home is beautifully expressed. The letters they exchanged sustain both -- until they stop because of severe injuries Reggie incurs while trying to catch the mail collector with his latest. The effect is a heartrending "might have been" scenario (all too common in war).
Back in England, Eleanor cannot give up hope, despite the silence which followed delivery of that letter. She manages to get hold of the "war list"; but the number of soldiers with family name "Smith" is daunting and hugely time-consuming to work through (unsuccessfully, at that).
On one of many sleepless nights, she gets the idea of visiting local hospitals full of wounded soldiers; and in the morning bakes muffins to brighten the day for those anguished souls. (Knowing your loving heart, I can picture YOU doing such a caring thing.) Of course they all love her for such unexpected kindness.
God knows our hearts and genuine needs, so what then happens is entirely plausible.
Eleanor finds Gerry (another nickname for Reginald); and, despite the shock of seeing the damage done to his body and his self-loathing over it, her unconditional love for him perseveres. By wisely waiting outside his room, she hears his anguished cry for her return (which else she'd have missed).
She finds the hospital Chaplain, and the couple fulfill their dream to marry. "The bride was dressed in love and so was the groom." Memorably beautiful.
In the sad but heartwarming end, the Lord taketh away but also giveth; and Life goes on. What might have been was not meant to be, but Love survives.
Superb, and aptly illustrated.
Comment Written 08-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Thank you, my kind reviewer. I appreciate this honor once again. A deep one, entangled in the suffering of WWI. I'm glad you were able to grasp this emotional tanker, and just how special this story was among the ruins. All my writing seems to catch your attention and I'm so glad it does. Thank you, again, for such an honoring review. :)
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal :))
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You are most welcome, Sal. I prefer reading stories with heart, and yours certainly qualify. The depth of emotion always comes through in your posts -- and never out of place or overdone. You are a natural storyteller likely to acquire a growing loyal following. I intend to buy everything you publish. -- Mike
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Hello Sally, I am so glad I had a 6 star left. I could not give you less. This is a lengthy piece of work, very well written and so interesting. Very moving and I was so disappointed that Reggie had to die. You wrote the story so well with good grammar that I could not fault. It struck me reading the letter - what lovely letter they wrote in the war years - WWI and WW2. Now with mobiles and PC's the communications are not so good. It was a treat to read your work. Warm regards Doothy xx
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Hello Sally, I am so glad I had a 6 star left. I could not give you less. This is a lengthy piece of work, very well written and so interesting. Very moving and I was so disappointed that Reggie had to die. You wrote the story so well with good grammar that I could not fault. It struck me reading the letter - what lovely letter they wrote in the war years - WWI and WW2. Now with mobiles and PC's the communications are not so good. It was a treat to read your work. Warm regards Doothy xx
Comment Written 08-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Dear Dorothy, thank you so much for the lovely review and kind comments. It is wonderful to see you almost daily now and go back and forth. I'm already spoiled!! The six stars blessed me greatly. :))
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
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Welcome Sally - a worthy 6. Dx
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hello Sally. I believe I gave you six stars on the first of the series so I will give you six stars on the second of the series. It is a wonderful story. Humor is not funny unless it contains a modicum of truth. Tragedy is not perceived unless it also contains a modicum of truth.
This is a bittersweet story with happiness, sadness, tragedy and the condition of man all wrapped into one.
It is superb. Z
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Hello Sally. I believe I gave you six stars on the first of the series so I will give you six stars on the second of the series. It is a wonderful story. Humor is not funny unless it contains a modicum of truth. Tragedy is not perceived unless it also contains a modicum of truth.
This is a bittersweet story with happiness, sadness, tragedy and the condition of man all wrapped into one.
It is superb. Z
Comment Written 08-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review and star shower, Z. I appreciate your honoring review so much. I'm still thrilled my FanStory men still read me.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally :))
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You're welcome
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Awe, that's true love. How easy it would have been to walk away and not have to be there for him. I totally get him not wanting to burden her but with his declining health but that's what true love is. I love it.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Awe, that's true love. How easy it would have been to walk away and not have to be there for him. I totally get him not wanting to burden her but with his declining health but that's what true love is. I love it.
Comment Written 08-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Thank you very much for the lovely review and kind compliments, dear Megan. It is appreciated and so encouraging. I have two more coming in this series.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xo
Comment from rhymelord
Dear Sally,
A charmingly emotional piece of writing. Easy to read, simple English with excellent structure.One point does niggle, however: the young man is on the point of death, yet is capable of siring a child. Not impossible, by any means, but a little disturbing. Maybe if he was not quite so sick or had a miraculous rally???
Damn good yarn.
Regards
Reg
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Dear Sally,
A charmingly emotional piece of writing. Easy to read, simple English with excellent structure.One point does niggle, however: the young man is on the point of death, yet is capable of siring a child. Not impossible, by any means, but a little disturbing. Maybe if he was not quite so sick or had a miraculous rally???
Damn good yarn.
Regards
Reg
Comment Written 08-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Thank so much for the excellent review and fun comments. If devoted love doesn't revive, what will? I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. Sending you my best today as always and best wishes for the new year,
Sally :))
Comment from lyenochka
Such a sweet and moving love story. (And I'm one that doesn't like romance stories!) But I love the devotion and dedication that Eleanor had for her beloved. I'm also surprised that Reggie had enough strength in him to father a baby!
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Such a sweet and moving love story. (And I'm one that doesn't like romance stories!) But I love the devotion and dedication that Eleanor had for her beloved. I'm also surprised that Reggie had enough strength in him to father a baby!
Comment Written 07-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Thank you for the excellent review and comments, Helen. When one partner can move things along, it's not hard to imagine having a baby at all. This is based on a true story just in my own fictional setting. Like a tree or bush, the life is in the roots.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xo
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is fascinating. I have read much about World War One that follows this theme, but it never palls.
Just one thing. From our family correspondance, the soldiers in their letters from the front did not tend to go into such detail about where they were and conditions. Where did you acquire your information that an alternative scenario was true?
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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This is fascinating. I have read much about World War One that follows this theme, but it never palls.
Just one thing. From our family correspondance, the soldiers in their letters from the front did not tend to go into such detail about where they were and conditions. Where did you acquire your information that an alternative scenario was true?
Comment Written 07-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jan-2020
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Thank you for the excellent review and comments, Katherine. Please remember this is a fictional story although set in history. In real War history, The name, rank, and Batillion were marked, but not the whereabouts for security reasons. I had to paint the whole story for my readers to follow. Most readers needed a reminder of this historic battle from WWI and the severity of Reggie's situation.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xo
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Sally. I read this through a couple of times. Overall, I think it's a very good story. A couple of suggestions toward the end. Perhaps another sentence of two needed here:
1) "Eleanor wiped her tears and tried to calm herself. She cleared her throat to stir him.
"Ahem! (eliminate ahem--not needed--in prior sentence you've said she cleared her throat to stir him.) "Your friends tell me that you might enjoy this muffin. Would you like it?"
Here, I think, there needs to be a transition--surprise on Reggie's face to see her--some reaction from him. Suggest continuing with something like: (Seeing her,) Reginald Fitzgerald Smith turned away, burying his face in his hands. "Don't look at me, Eleanor," he said in a raspy voice.
2) Another thing to consider is that she is told by the nurse and also has told the chaplain that Reggie is near death, however he is vigorous enough to father a child in his weakened state. Suggest not revealing he is so close to death this soon after their reconciliation, but rather some sort of transition like: "Over the months, Reggie's health deteriorated until he succumbed to his injuries."
These are only suggestions, but I thought they were important enough to mention. Hugs, Marilyn
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Hi Sally. I read this through a couple of times. Overall, I think it's a very good story. A couple of suggestions toward the end. Perhaps another sentence of two needed here:
1) "Eleanor wiped her tears and tried to calm herself. She cleared her throat to stir him.
"Ahem! (eliminate ahem--not needed--in prior sentence you've said she cleared her throat to stir him.) "Your friends tell me that you might enjoy this muffin. Would you like it?"
Here, I think, there needs to be a transition--surprise on Reggie's face to see her--some reaction from him. Suggest continuing with something like: (Seeing her,) Reginald Fitzgerald Smith turned away, burying his face in his hands. "Don't look at me, Eleanor," he said in a raspy voice.
2) Another thing to consider is that she is told by the nurse and also has told the chaplain that Reggie is near death, however he is vigorous enough to father a child in his weakened state. Suggest not revealing he is so close to death this soon after their reconciliation, but rather some sort of transition like: "Over the months, Reggie's health deteriorated until he succumbed to his injuries."
These are only suggestions, but I thought they were important enough to mention. Hugs, Marilyn
Comment Written 07-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Thank you very much for the excellent review and critique. I appreciate them all.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xo
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Hi Sally. I noticed you made a change here and there which I think are clearer for the reader. Hugs, Marilyn
Comment from royowen
So, so sad, but yet joyful, a neverending love, and I'm sure honours undying love, there is no law that can judge it, no boundaries that stop, beautifully, beautifully written, I will have to show it my Elaine, she will love it. Words can't express it, well done, Sally, blessings, Roy
Typo : The suffused light (shown) shone?
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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So, so sad, but yet joyful, a neverending love, and I'm sure honours undying love, there is no law that can judge it, no boundaries that stop, beautifully, beautifully written, I will have to show it my Elaine, she will love it. Words can't express it, well done, Sally, blessings, Roy
Typo : The suffused light (shown) shone?
Comment Written 07-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2020
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Thank you so much for the excellent review and kind comments. My voice text seems to give me the most outlandish things ever. Thing is, I'm losing sight as we speak and need it more than ever.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally :))
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I?ll pray for you Sally,
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Thank you, Roy. A Nonet poem up for you and Australia today. I'm praying for you all, as well.
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Blessings Sally