Courage on Wheels: Tillie’s Big Race by Cate Martin

January 31, 2026January 29, 2026Leave a comment

Tillie’s Big Race
by
Cate Martin

Illustrated book cover shows the front of a black, vintage car. Link leads to Goodreads page.

Fan art by Nadine C. Keels: not an official book cover

| Description

• Historical Fiction | Short Story

Tillie longs to one day become a record-breaker racing on her bike. But even now that the Great Depression is over, her home deep in the farmlands of Minnesota offers few opportunities to test her. Then a car full of city folks blows into her town. City folks in a fancy city car, carrying very city weapons. Their target? The town’s bank. And when the gangsters’ getaway seems imminent, all Tillie has is her bike.

| My Thoughts

Yup, this author has some short story collections, but I’ve been picking stories of hers to read at different times when I need something quick.

Quick and good.

The Blurb, and the Bank

In this case, I’m glad I didn’t read (or at least didn’t remember?) much of the blurb from the publisher first, since I liked finding out certain key details once I got there in the story.

There’s also interesting context regarding the townsfolk that makes the bank robbery situation more than a basic one.

More from This Author?

Hey, I knew that in one way or another, the tale of Tillie’s race would be delivering a satisfying win—something this reader really needed this week. I’m looking forward to trying even more of this author’s short reads.

| Content Note

gun violence
no profanity
no explicit sexual content

3D book image of Christmas Town behind strands of Christmas lights

A Fateful Wish: Christmas Town by Shawn Inmon

December 19, 2025November 8, 2025Leave a comment

Christmas Town
by
Shawn Inmon

| Description

• Fantasy | Short Story

Attorney Pete Kelly is preparing to leave everything he loves behind and to move cross-country when he makes a fateful wish. Transported by one Christmas miracle, he looks desperately for another to find his way home.

| My Thoughts

I don’t remember where or how I found out about this quick Christmas fantasy read, but I’m glad I did.

Well Worth It

Even with the fantastical aspects to this, it has quite a down-to-earth vibe. And the story isn’t simplistic or sugary-sweet. It’s got a bit of a bite to it. And an ominous side.

Yet, the story makes room for emotion, and it’s touching, especially in the way it wraps up. Well worth the read, for fellow fans of short holiday stories.

| Content Note

some language, but kept to a “PG” level
no graphic violence
no explicit sexual content

3D book image of Mrs. Meade and the Schoolboy Prank

Murderless Mystery: Mrs. Meade and the Schoolboy Prank by Elisabeth Grace Foley

November 14, 2025November 8, 2025Leave a comment

Mrs. Meade and the Schoolboy Prank
by
Elisabeth Grace Foley

| Description

• Historical Mystery | Short Story

When the Wellmans receive a letter from their son’s boarding school informing them that Allen has been accused of stealing from a classmate, they promptly head for Denver to investigate. The situation looks bad, since almost the whole rest of the school have perfect alibis. It’s fortunate that Mrs. Wellman thought to bring along her friend Mrs. Meade to see if she can spot the solution.

| My Thoughts

I believe this is the third Mrs. Meade mystery I’ve read. The more I read these quick and smart tales, the more I like them.

Light and Entertaining

I do enjoy my share of longer and/or darker historical mysteries. But sometimes I just want a light and entertaining pick-me-up. And, given that even the cozy mystery genre is pretty dominated by murder cases, it’s nice to find murderless mysteries like this to mix things up.

This series is worth checking out.

| Content Note

no profanity
no graphic violence
no sexual content

Here’s my review of The Silver Shawl.

3D book image of Stories from Juniper Falls

Women’s Strength Out West: Stories from Juniper Falls by A.T. Butler

November 7, 2025November 8, 2025Leave a comment

Stories from Juniper Falls
by
A.T. Butler

| Description

• Historical Fiction

In 1882 Wyoming Territory of Juniper Falls, different women must lean into their strengths.

| My Thoughts

Having enjoyed a few of this author’s Jacob Payne, Bounty Hunter novellas, and loving the colors sweeping across the sky on the cover of this three-story collection, I decided to check it out.

Easy to Digest

I found this to be a quick dose of easily-digestible historical fiction. I wouldn’t call it a women’s fiction collection as the cover does, since not every story’s lead character is a woman. But female leads do open and close the collection.

3, 2, 1?

Now, if I’d known ahead of time that the stories aren’t arranged in chronological order, I would have started with the last story. Due to some side details in the second story, I knew what the outcome of the third story would be too early on. Also, certain details in the writing are pretty repetitive.

More from the Falls

Overall, I liked the read, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the characters were to show up in this author’s Juniper Falls series. Just saying!

| Content Note

theme of past domestic abuse, but with limited descriptions
no profanity
no sexual content

Prismatic Prospects

Nadine C. Keels, Author and Blogger of Hope and Inspiration

Tag: Short Stories

Courage on Wheels: Tillie’s Big Race by Cate Martin

| Description