Bellingwood Short Stories/Novellas
Nine-year-old Andrew Donovan, from Bellingwood, Iowa experiences an unbelievable adventure as he learns about the Underground Railroad and its importance in the lives of slaves who are running for their freedom and those who helped them. This short story, while related to the Bellingwood books featuring Polly Giller, is just the first of many which will explore Bellingwood in the past, present and future. You never know 'when' Andrew will end up! This short story is also found in the book Secrets and Revelations.
This holiday short story is filled with the love, fun and compassion that surrounds Polly Giller. Her veterinarian, Mark Ogden, has more animals he asks her to rescue and rather than Polly calling the Sheriff because she's found a body, he calls her because he needs her help. Room at the Inn takes place just after the fifth book in the Bellingwood Series - Life Between the Lines and sets the stage for a brand new year of excitement and growth in Bellingwood. There are new animals, new relationships and new ventures ahead for Polly. She can hardly wait to get started. But first, she takes time to be grateful for all that she has.
In this short story, we find Polly and Henry packed and ready for their honeymoon. After their last failed attempt, Henry intends to get her in the truck and out of Bellingwood as fast as possible, even if it means leaving right after work on Friday afternoon. Join them as they travel a small part of the Mother Road (Route 66) and experience the beauty of the Grand Canyon and Utah's gorgeous scenery. From blue whales to sleeping in concrete wigwams, changing scenery along the way and interesting people, it's a trip they'll remember. Will they manage to travel without any catastrophes or dilemmas? What do you think? Polly is always rescuing someone and you shouldn't expect her to do things differently just because she is far from home.
In this short story, Polly and Henry celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve with their brand new family. An old friend shows up in town to stay and they have decisions to make about some big plans for their future. Spend a little more time in Bellingwood during the holidays and see what everyone is up to. Rebecca and Andrew have a party to attend, Polly has yet another rescue. It's just one more week in that little world we all love.
In the tradition of Bellingwood Christmas short stories, this will be a favorite. Polly and Henry have moved their family into the Bell House, as unfinished as it might be. Their first big event is a company Christmas party and it causes more than a little stress for Polly, but it's nothing her family can't handle. There are a few surprises and your job is to not reveal any of them after you read it - not in reviews, not in comments. But the joy of family and friends during the holidays is what makes Christmas and New Year's celebrations special and those spent in Bellingwood are no different. Happy Holidays!
Before Polly Giller moved to Bellingwood, she lived in Boston where she had friends, a fantastic job, and a life she never considered leaving. When Polly left home to go to college in Boston, she never intended to go back - especially after her father died. She thought she had a plan for her future. In this prequel to the popular Bellingwood series, Diane Greenwood Muir uncovers the reasons for Polly's return to Iowa. Plans change. People change. Polly changed. People who are seen as ordinary become fascinating when viewed through Polly's eyes. From the stereotypical Italian mother, to annoying coworkers; self-centered friends to a wealthy boyfriend who knows no limits, she sees each one through the lens of love. Those who care for her, do so deeply, but once in a while, someone goes too far, frightening Polly and her friends. Follow Polly's story as she finds her road home.
When we meet Alistair Greyson at the beginning of the Book 11 - Look Always Forward, his arrival in Bellingwood is punctuated by a nasty car accident caused by a hurting and self-destructive young man. Grey understands this kid's needs, having just left a career where he cared for young people in trouble. Until now, his story has only been hinted at. Break Through the Clouds takes you back a few months to reveal it in more depth. Like many of us, Grey lived many different lives before this point. The Grey you meet at the beginning of Break Through the Clouds is quite different than the man who stumbles from his truck in front of Sycamore House. His story is so much bigger, and Bellingwood is the perfect place to heal from wounds that are buried deep. He was lucky to end up where he did. While you won't recognize characters in this short story (about 20,000 words), you will enjoy getting to know Grey and the friends he had while working in a therapist's office on the west coast.
The annual Bellingwood Christmas short story is here and promises to be another favorite. The big foyer at the Bell House has been decorated for the holidays and Polly's family has been hard at work decorating the rest of the house. She's ready for anything. The managers of the Sycamore Bed and Breakfast, Reuben and Judy Greene, have moved into town. While the old farmhouse is in the middle of its restoration, they plan to renovate a storefront down the street from Sweet Beans. They found something incredible in the upstairs apartment, bringing old and new together for a heartwarming moment. Moments like that prevail in this story. Last year, Polly and Henry brought two new little boys into their lives on Christmas Eve. This Christmas Eve, Noah and Elijah help the family create a beautiful new tradition. Like always, there are a few surprises. Your job is to hold them close so others can enjoy the fun. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year in Bellingwood.
The day after Christmas has finally arrived and Polly's house is empty. Rebecca is traveling with Beryl Watson, Cat and Hayden Harvey are taking a well-deserved holiday vacation, Henry took the kids to Grandma's house, and she's finally alone. A sofa, a book, a blanket, and her animals. Peace. Quiet. The front doorbell? Two strangers barge in, making plans to decorate and change the landscape and the foyer. She finally convinces them to leave, though they refuse to accept she's the homeowner and not some sloppy housekeeper. Who are they and why were they even there? Her friends don't know anything either, so Polly does what she always does. She lives her best life, helping her kids grow into themselves, helping her friends make big changes in their lives, and preparing a New Year's Eve party that brings them all together. The answers are out there and when she finally discovers what happened, not only has Polly made a new friend, but she has another opportunity to help an old friend. It's a New Year in Bellingwood. Everything is possible.
When your family is as large as the Giller-Sturtz household, nothing is ever just ... easy. Especially a busy Christmas season. Parties, kids, decorations, kids, pictures, kids, vacation, kids. It's going to take every single adult in Polly's house to pull off a successful holiday. Fortunately, they're up to the task. Doug Randall is still fretting over what to do with his future. He enlists Polly and Henry's help when he comes up with another great idea. He doesn't want Polly to find a body in the building they investigate, but a mystery emerges when he peels wallpaper away from a gigantic painting. Bellingwood's history hasn't given up all its secrets yet and the latest spooky tale stirs memories that had been long-forgotten. Henry's sister, Lonnie, remembers going to the library on her way home from school simply to avoid the old building and she didn't even know the whole story. Once she found out, the creepy factor made more sense. Everything is wrapped up in the joy and excitement of the season. There is nothing quite as wonderful as sharing the holiday with your friends.
With only one week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, Polly has a lot of work to prepare for a party. Does she spend all her time cleaning? Of course not. When a stranger shows up at the coffee shop claiming to be Jack's sister, Polly's protective instinct snaps into place. She's not about to let anyone hurt that young man. Not after the family has invested time bringing him out of his shell. No one will hurt that boy on her watch. Eve and Bergie Mansfield are still in town. There is so much work ahead for her. Elijah will be broken-hearted when his new best friend moves back to Wisconsin, but that is part of life. For today. Sylvie's Christmas story frustrates her friends. Sal is back in town after spending the holiday with Mark's family in Minnesota and Beryl ... well, Beryl is exactly who she is. Lighthearted, happy, ready to take care of her friends. It's only a short visit to Bellingwood, but it's worth it!
The Christmas season is flying past. Polly's big family gathers and goes to their own homes. Then they gather again. After the season she's been through and the amount of parties and dinners and gatherings she's been part of, she is looking forward to a day that focuses on quiet. She's in bed at the end of a long Christmas Day. Henry's almost there. An alarm on his phone rings out. What is it? The fun is in the finding out, even though Polly has to put clothes on over her pajamas so they can check on the house. An old, old friend returns to Bellingwood and for some reason, Beryl works herself into a fit. Not that it takes much. What's next for her? Another fun story to be told. The big ten-year anniversary party at Sycamore House is coming up and preparations are in full swing. It's going to be a great event. Everyone in town wants to attend. This is not to be missed. You won't want to miss it either. It's only a short visit to Bellingwood, but it's worth it!
The people in Bellingwood have many stories to tell, and the holidays bring many of those stories to the forefront of their lives. Spend time with them as they deal with many of the same things we confront throughout a busy holiday season. In this collection of vignettes, Bellingwood's characters get a chance to step out of the background into the spotlight. Old friends drop in, relationships are mended, character is tested, and holidays are celebrated. Thirty-one stories. Read them all at once or savor a new one each day of the month. For those who want to stretch Bellingwood stories as long as possible, this is a test just for you. Can you read only one per day? Welcome to the holidays in Bellingwood.