Reviews from

Letters from Heaven's Gateway 3

Gus and Alice

35 total reviews 
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Awe, Sally. This is so bitter sweet. Such a short time they had together but so rich in everything else. I loved it. It's very well written and well paced and it brought tears to my eyes. Well done. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
    Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Ulla dear. I loved this story, too. My mother and brother died of this aggressive mestastisizimg cancer and both passed a few days after diagnosis. It's so important to take care of those matters of the heart early on. Each day is so precious.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
reply by Ulla on 16-Jan-2020
    So true what you're saying. I'm so sorry for your loss! xx
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-Very nice image and excellent story, Sally.
-There were many layers to this one,
and you developed it well.
-The opening letter is very touching, and I
like the transition to Alice and her daughter
at home making those delicious pancakes!
-Great name for the florist, too.
-You show all kinds of emotions as Alice
reacts to the lovely flowers, her ex-husband
showing up, and then having Leonard stop by
with the news about Gus and his condition.
-But from there, you show the love
between Gus and Alice; how tender she
is as she helps him with his sweater,
as well as staying with him until he has passed on.
-He, in turn, wanted to take care of her,
and have her realize some of her dreams, too.
-A very good, but bittersweet story. Well done!


 Comment Written 15-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
    Dear Pam, thank you so much for this wonderful review and kind remarks once again. You have no idea how encouraging you are to me. I appreciate you so much and every compliment is a treasure.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
reply by Pam (respa) on 16-Jan-2020
    You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Sally. I appreciate your reply.
Comment from Teri7
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Sally, This is a very well written story about Gus and Alice. You used very good descriptive words, very nice imagery from the picture you chose and one of my favorite old time songs from Anne Murray. That brought back a lot of memories my friend. May God bless you! Teri

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
    Ah, Im so pleased you enjoyed this one. I appreciate the lovely review so much. After my novella is published, I hope to put these love letter stories in a books dn publish those as well.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This line immediately draws the reader in: "The Shipley girls inhaled the delicious aroma of the roses as they waited for Randy to retrieve the letter." That is such a good sensory image. This is a very poignant scene. Your story would be immediately accepted by the Hallmark channel. It is very well written.

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
    Thank you very much for the lovely review and kimd compliments. I'm so p.eased you enjoyed this one.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xo
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Wow! What an ending, Sally. I loved everything about the way you sweetly wrote this--everything but the passing of Gus. This is so romantic. I could feel the love between Alice and Gus. Each part is well-written. However, the last one is the best. I admire Gus for his bravery in the face of death and Alice for her understanding and love. This is true love til the end. Thanks for sharing. Respectfully with Love and Admiration, Jan

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
    Oh, I see you got to them all. I love that!! Thank you, Jan. I'm very pleased with these and so is my husband. He cries like a baby. Thank again for the excellent review and stars.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xoxo
Comment from Janilou
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This a such a sweet story. SO sad, but very sweet.


Notes:

Vera brought me the blue plate special today, and I thought, "(she) is the polar opposite of the woman I love."

Should be :

Vera brought me the blue plate special today, and I thought, "She is the polar opposite of the woman I love."

That's the only nit I saw. A beautiful story.
All the best,
Jan

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
    Thank you, dear Janilou. I appreciate the excellent review and kimd com,nets. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xo
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello Sally. I guess I'm going have to ask you to put a disclaimer at the front of every story if it's going to be sad. The writing was great but the story is tragic. One of the great phrases in the story that struck me was: "... pulled into their nanosized driveway." That is a great descriptive term.
The technique of the driver losing the letter really added to the suspense and conclusion of the story. That was awesome.
I'm not Pollyanna so I know that not every story has a positive ending, but I was looking for a miracle in this one.
It is a well-written story but it is very sad. It does arouse emotions in the reader. That makes it very good. :)
Z (*_*)



 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2020
    I am on a writing retreat and I'm afraid I'm a bit behind. Please forgive me? I'm so delighted you enjoyed this. I love writing these stories so much. Thanks again for being my fan.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal xo
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 21-Jan-2020
    Hey Sally. I'm always behind. I have a writer's group meeting in two hours. You're welcome.
Comment from rwilliam
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

OH wow... girl, you can weave a great story! This held me captive to the last line! Bravo!!

Below are some nits: :)

Today I worked up the nerve to tell how much I love you, and that was after my buddy slapped some sense into me. ..to tell (you) how much ...

"I'll get it," hollered Dana. -"Good morning," said the delivery man. "I have three deliveries for Ms. Alice Shipley." "I'm Alice Shipley. --You have Dana getting the door, and then the delivery man asking for Alice and Alice saying "I'm her"... it's confusing because it seems like he's talking to Dana. Does that make sense? Maybe clarifying that he's not talking to Dana...since she answered the door... Clear as mud? :)

Again, thank you for writing such heart warming story! This is true romance.

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
    Thank you so much for this wonderful review and kind commemts. I clarified that area and hope you like the improvements. I appreciate the critique as well. Good eyes are helpful as I am near blind as we speak. God is good and allowing me to write in spite of my difficulties. Sending you my best today as always with extra love and hugs!!
    Sally xoxo
Comment from JudyE
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It doesn't do to put off telling people we love them. One never knows what is around the corner.

Just a couple of comments:

Randy thoroughly searched himself and smiled nervously - I think this should be 'Randy himself thoroughly searched...' otherwise it reads as though he searched his own body.

"Oh no, this can't be happening! Let me freshen up. I'll meet you over there within the hour."

"Leonard, I'm in love with Gus." - I would run these two lines together; otherwise it sounds like two different people.

Best wishes

Judy

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2020
    Thank you so much for the excellent review and helpful critique. I appreciate you so much. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally xo
Comment from Diana L Crawford
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Ok more goosebumps, tears and Anne Murray's version of this song only added to this precious story. You really keep one on the edge of their seat in this one! Got to give you my last star fir this! xoxo

xoxo

 Comment Written 14-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 14-Jan-2020
    You are just too good to me, dear Diana. I thought you might like this one. {Smiles.} I love to please my fan base romantics. Thank you for the six baptism and outstanding review, once again. I am overwhelmed with your goodness. Thank you so much.

    Now, I'm crying....

    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal xoxoxo
reply by Diana L Crawford on 14-Jan-2020
    Aww! No crying unless they are tears of joy because I am always blessed by your work! xoxo