...and Something Blue: 21 Tales of Love Lost and Found

by Dennis Kastendiek

Overview

An anthology of short stories featuring romantic relationships in rich language with an in-depth understanding of human nature. The author blends a life-time of experience, an MA in sociology and cultural anthropology with first-class writing chops from famed University of Iowa to weave heart wrenching tales that somehow reverberate unforgettably. Includes stories about everything from romance to murder to humor to con men in 21 original, sometimes quirky, always charming and stylistically graceful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780986160455
Publisher:	Dennis Kastendiek
Publication date:	11/09/2017
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Born on the south side of Chicago, I was raised into the working-class milieu by a journeyman butcher father and a Western Electric mother, where I tried to figure out my position under varying forces like Eisenhower and God and Sputnik. In grammar school I recall ducking under the desk to prepare for an atomic bomb attack, and occasional outdoor field trips, once to see the actual Oscar Mayer wiener midget promoting hot dogs, and once to see a smiling Richard J. Daley breaking ground for a new bank with a golden shovel.

I eventually received an M.A. from the University of North Dakota, after majoring in sociology and cultural anthropology, go figure. I taught part-time for a spell, making zilch, then worked for a major book distributor. I often entertained and even wrestled with my muse. My submissions received a few hand-written rejections from the likes of McCall's, but most of my stories found their way into magazines like Pangolin Papers, Mobius, Potpourri, and the SouthWest Sage.

Currently in Albuquerque, where I coordinate a community center-sponsored writing class/workshop with published author Don Morgan. I still try to orient under arcane forces. I wake up daily, knock on wood, drink coffee, and ponder and wonder. In case you wonder too, my surname is pronounced: cas-ten-dike.

Table of Contents

. . . and something blue

a cautionary tale

as good as his word

boots and bacon and everything

california dreaming

the codicil

the dawn of civilization

dream, dream, dream

early education

errors

the kid

loveliness in the fields

pennzoil afternoon

the professional

the renaissance and the romans and the middle ages

root canal

shangri-la

side street polonaise

tahiti

virginity

whipped

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Mr. Kastendiek's poetic prose is delightful! I was transported by each story, and I savored every word.

—Sarah H. Baker, who writes as Sarah Storme, S. H. Baker, and Lydia Parks

Dennis Kastendiek writes with wit, style, confidence and originality.

—Johnny D. Boggs, seven-time Spur Award winner

Kastendiek’s stories will introduce you to a cast of quirky, original, and highly compelling characters. Add to that a finely tuned ear for dialogue and a sly, subtle wit, and you have a truly memorable collection that adds up to far more than the sum of its parts.

—Pam Lewis, author of “Speak Softly, She Can Hear”

The title tale—a charmingly told story of a shipwrecked man who finds what he'd been looking for—just didn't know it.

—Melody Groves, author of “She Was Sheriff”

Dennis Kastendiek brings a splendid new voice to short fiction in this collection. Readers will appreciate the grace and humor of his writing and insights.

—Steve Brewer, author of 30 books, most recently “Side Eye”

From the Publisher