Bøger af Ben Steinlage

Edgar, by Ben Steinlage is another gripping story about the one of the characters in his first novel "Want to Go West Lady." This story is about Ida Duncan's first husband. As in the first novel it begins prior to the Civil War and into the Reconstruction. In this novel you get a better feeling of what it was like fighting in the war. Then the chaos and the loss of dignity as the southern people try to get their lives together again. In this battle for their lives their salvation was the love shared by the couple, children and friends. Along with the war the reader is taken on their journey to a new life out west.

In His Footsteps: Is a story that was written with our country's veterans in mind. It is also for the survivors left behind, by the ones that died in battle. Jeff O'Connor is a thirty-plus-year-old man who lost his father in the Vietnam War. He wakes up one morning feeling his life isn't worth much as it was. Though he is a successful business man, a father of two, his wife has divorced him. He figures his problem comes from not having been raised by his parents, but his grandmother. Though she did her best, she couldn't give him what he needs as to information about his father. To add to that, she told him all about his mother, but she wouldn't talk about her son. It was this lack of information that didn't allow him closure. He feels if he had a better understanding of who his father was it would help him. Though he knows that he'll never get his father back he feels the next-best thing would be to walk, "In his footsteps." In doing what he proposed to do may give him something to start a new life from.Though he sees some problems in what he decides to do, he also feels it will be worth it. As with so many things we decide to do, he finds himself with more than he expected. One of the things he learns is that no matter what you do; you're apt to touch the lives of others.So if you're up to a story full of adventure, action, mystery, suspense and a few tears: Start turning the pages for a story you will find hard to believe.

A Honeycomb of Smiles Between putting together my collection of stories in "Ant-Hology" and my inner child got this collection of stories together; though more than just stories. As you probably know most of my writings is of the serious nature. These pieces of works range from historical based, to mysteries as well as Sci-Fi. In writing in these different genres, they can weigh heavy on you. So to break the feeling it's fun to write something humorous. My first piece was about "Ants." Then looking for another subject, I fell onto one of my favorite pranks while attending different meetings. When I attend one, I'm apt to break up the dullness by bringing out a finger/hand puppet. Needless to say, I get a lot of laughs, once the mature members get thinking about their childish side; then the games begin. The same is true with my grandchildren and great grandchildren. Well this collection is my effort to take my fun one step further. I hope you like the short stories.

A Sunset Full of MysteriesBook oneByBen SteinlageThe first novel I ever wrote was for my mother and our family. The title of it is "Want to Go West Lady" which is loosely based on our family.To prove my ability, I wrote another sixteen novels. After writing that last one, I took on a different idea. As one famous mystery writer wrote, this novel's for me. Well with me having written mainly short stories most of my life; I thought I would write a few more. Those short stories are on dedicated subjects.Then at the end of last year (2017), I decided to share different short stories on "Facebook." In doing so, I found I had a growing group of readers. Though it might not seem surprising if you knew, I've been writing short stories for fifty-six years previous to my first novel; and have no how idea how many I've written.The first in general Short stories is, "Shared: SHORT STORIES." Now I've gone down another path, in honor of my mother. She was a reader of murder mysteries. So in honor of her, I present to you, "A SUNSET FULL OF MYSTERIES."Now here again, for those that don't know me, I don't write using blood, gore, sex or vulgarity. If you're like those that follow me on "FB", you'll enjoy the stories I've written.

A Tusk for Two: Most would think being an "Archeologist" or "Paleontologist" would be supper fantastic. Then you find yourself digging up ever so many different remains and artifacts; would be like winning the lottery. Well Doctor Robert Allison, is one of those few out there; learning about man and all there was in the days of old. Then on one of his best digs, where everything went better than one might expect; went sour when he returned home. He finds himself involve in a swindle, conspiracies, and a few murders.With Mr. Allison being what he is, are you brave enough to follow in his footsteps; into a world he never been a part of before. Then to, there's the point of finding oneself married not to one woman but two. Along with all of the above, to follow him to the point of possibly saving humanity as we know it.

Sally's WishesAn Adventurous FantasySally's Wishes: The majority of the teenage girls that have ever lived can identify with Sally. As with them, she is full of self-doubts and dreams. There is one that she would like to be as beautiful as her sister, and looking forward to dating as many have. Since she has a brother she would like to make sense of him, but she's learned to live with his moods so it's only a minor one. Then one, in particular, is to own an oriental doll she saw at a toy store, and that is where the story picks up at. You will enter her life on her birthday in hopes someone has bought it for her. To add to this dream, there was another that she considered to be more a nightmare, than one of pleasure.This second dream of hers is what the story is all about. You will follow her on an adventure to sort the dream out. She will take you to places you probably have never gone and meet some interesting people. Then three are creatures you may have dreamed of that she will have to contend with. If you think, you're up to it; you'll follow her to a time and place that will bring about the construction of one of the wonders of the world.

White-Water: Is a story unlike you what might expect. To start off, it's about a teenager by the name of Bob, who has a brother by the name of Roger. The two of them are as different as two boys can be.Roger being into sports the family is always on the run to taking him to practice and to games. With him getting, so much attention that Bob feels left out. To keep peace in the family it is decided that the family will take a weekend and do something that Bob wants to do. He sees an ad about a new Ghost Town, on television one night. He decides that if they were to go, he would get a better idea of how his great-grandfather may have lived. Then his mother receives complementary tickets to the town opening it up for something different for the family to do.On the surface, the fulfillment of his request seemed simple enough. All that it was going to take was a couple of hours of driving and a two-night stay at an old hotel. With the short trip, it was understood the boys would have a chance to learn to ride horse and a few other things. If those simple expectations were all that was going to happen, they would have been satisfied. In reality, Bob and his family were going to find themselves in the middle of an adventure so unreal an imaginative person would never have dreamt.Join Bob as he proves himself as being as good as his brother.

Stand Up To ThemByBen SteinlageIn "Bird Boy," Justin Osborne, was saved and befriended by a Tatoosh (or Thunderbird). With being saved as he had been, he lost all track of who he was. So an Indian Chief gave him the name of Bird Boy.Tatoosh, and Bird Boy, became a great team, fighting evil as well as dragons and helped the Indians relocate in northern New Mexico. With the magic the held, he promised to help Bird Boy regain his memory as well as see he gets home. So Justin learns, he was born in the twentieth century, where he had a family. Along with that, he learned he was half Zuni Indian. He also gained some respect for his brother Mark. Though all of that was interesting, the price he paid to learn it wasn't something he liked. The sad part was that fact that you don't get something for nothing. So what he learn/regained, cost Tatoosh his life. Though that was hard to accept his friend assured him, they would meet again. Though Justin didn't realize it, the ability of the big bird was to slide different time lines, was going to make it possible.Well the time comes that Tatoosh needs his help, fight the evil ones, and the dragons in the Yucatan area. In agreeing to help his old friend, he brings along his brother.So join Justin and Mark, as they fight the evil ones, to save the Indians.

Writing My ShortsByBen SteinlageAs the author of a number of novels I found myself with a suggestion of putting together some of my short stories. I don't know why but at first I rejected the idea. Though those that had read some of them found them to be enjoyable, I didn't like just putting them out to you the reader in the normal fashion. Though the way that most of them are presented seem to work out great for travelers, I wanted to do something different. After some thought, I came up with an idea that intrigued me. You the reader will be the judge of my idea being worthwhile or not.What I did was to bury thirty short stories into a novella. The basis of the book revolves around a writer and different things going on in his life. Then the short stories embedded into it are all different. I have an avid reader friend who found this to be one of the most interesting things; they have read. I hope you enjoy this as much as my friend did.

Christmas YarnsByBen SteinlageOnce you get into the book, you'll learn how my love for "Christmas," came about. This by itself is probably of no importance to you. Still, it might bring back some memories, you have. I would like to keep others interested in this holiday. Being Christian, family or humorous, you're bound to find a smile coming to you.What you're about to read, is a collection of short stories and poems; that I've written over the past ten years. It seems everyone around me wanted a story of some kind; now that I'm a published author. With me being who/what I am, I couldn't say no to my readers. You in turn, will get the benefit of what they asked me to write. A long with the stories asked of me, I've also added memories of an event we put on for six years. The event was called "Christmas Land;" held in the civic center. In it we erected close to two hundred trees, and many other things, including Santa telling stories to the kids. In the process, we witnessed things few would ever expect to see.I hope you will find what I'm offering to be enjoyable.

Shared: SHORT STORIESBook twoByBen SteinlageAs I have posted, I began writing many years ago. Then in 2017, my first novel was printed. Since then I've added now another twenty-one books.Though I love to write, being short stories, novellas or novel; I've taken a break by going back to writing short stories. Not that they are easier, but my readers can quickly read them over a cup of coffee and comment on them. With this I have to add, I've begun sharing on Facebook some two-thirds of what is in each collection.Here again, I have to add that I don't write in one "Genre" or another. These stories come to me, when I see or hear something. So I hope you'll find some stories that you'll enjoy. With that, as I took a vow to do some years back, all of what you are about to read is "G" rated.

The Canning Jar: Even in the city of Albuquerque, life can be full of surprises, as Mike Travis can tell you. He would also admit that he wasn't any different than most for he also was known for taking things for granted. When those times came about he wondered how it could happen with him being in his early sixties.As an example, he never foresaw anything ever happening to his best friend Alex. Their lives had started out in rags and became one of riches. The exception was with Mike's life, for he forgot about making money, because it was no longer a priority when he met his wife Carrie. She in turn liked her husband's best friend and thought of him as being family. So the three of them went about their lives depending on each other to the point they were closer than most siblings. Then the day came that everything was to change.Mike and his wife started one Sunday morning hearing on the news that Alex had been found dead, at his desk. Though that was a shock, it even got stranger for it seemed he had left a message no one could figure out. So this story is how Mike with his police and security system background, works with his friend on the police force, to solve the mysterious death of his best friend. In the end, he also finds out something about his friend, something neither he nor his wife knew. The well-kept secret as you might guess was life changing.

A FUNDRAISER'S DILEMMAGregg Moore is a man unlike others. He started from scratch, and became a business tycoon. The problem was in that his wife died leaving him feeling empty.Not one to give up, he turned his company over to another to run. Though he left himself as being chairman of the board he quit the day by day routine. Then he took him and his wife's employee's at home and turned them into family members. With their aide, he took on a life of helping others. The story you're about to read is one where Gregg's friend Otto Striker decides to hold a fundraiser he had been talking about for a while.Though he had asked for Gregg's help, he never expected it would be to do what he ended up doing for him.

THE LEGACY: To some, this may seem to be another story of man's search for a better life as well as another place to live. Though this desire is one reason why Columbus sailed to what was to become the New World or the Americas. Back then it was for a different reason than at the time this story takes place. It was a time that the population had grown to the point there wasn't room to expand. So man's eyes turned to the stars for a new home. The problem was how they would get there.Though this story may seem to be another story about space travel, it's different than most. For the men and women who make up earths first colonist, find themselves in the middle of a mystery they would never have expected. To add to it no one on earth are aware of these adventures.With this let me give you a hint as to what is to take place: The project was created and funded by one wealthy individual. Though his idea surpassed the scientific community had come up with his still had a mystery to it. As it turns out the crew space wouldn't learn of it until long after they were on their voyage and it's at this point the story starts. Join the crew and follow them into an adventure they never expected to be involved in. If you do you will also find what those on earth have to say when they find out. So as I have suggested come join those that are looking forward to starting a new life on a distant planet in the Orion Belt.

SuspendersByBen SteinlageFor one-hundred and ten years, the Civil War held the record for deaths suffered in a war: the unbelievable number was close to 620,000. Still, on April 12, 1861 a seventeen year old boy was to begin a search that would give him a life of his own. Though that was important, his driving force to leave his masters place was his grandpa. If he could get him to a drier climate he might get over being sick as he was. Our boys loyalties was with family not friends or those of his own kind.Come join Jimmy or better known on the plantation as Pan Face on his quest. Though you, like myself might not see the problem other than being caught. That would be right in most cases but the Buchannan's were not like most some slave owners. They had pretty much raised this black boy as if he was their own son. Though they do have a son by the name of Edgar, the two boys are like brothers. There is one problem in that the main character does try to maintain his position on the place to keep peace among the other slaves.Another problem Jimmy has is that he is head over heads in love with a slave girl at the Marsh place. Ironically Ida Marsh is the girl Edgar loves, which makes sense with the two boys being so much alike. So if he is to leave to be of help to his grandpa, he'll be leaving his best friend, and his girlfriend.There is one more problem that most don't think about when dealing with someone like Jimmy. He was a slave all his life. With that being the case he had never had the opportunity to do things on his own. To make it worse (though it doesn't matter in the middle of a war) he has no money, silver or gold to buy food or transportation. All he has for what it's worth is the "Underground Railroad." So as I said, come along and see how Jimmy does on his own.

The Tapestry By Ben SteinlageA joke of an idea turns serious when Jim came over for supper one night as he usually did. He begins talking to Karen about a mutual friend of theirs named Mark and other things. John steps out of the kitchen from cooking steaks for them and enters the conversation. What had caught his attention was their talking about ghosts.I doubt you're any different than John and Karen: A bit of story telling is part of life. To add to it, Jim doesn't seem to think anything of it. Still, as you will see this conversation leads John and Karen down a road they never expected to go. In the end their lives takes a drastic change. This change is from their life styles to rethinking what John was raised to believe.So come join them for supper and follow them down a road they didn't expect to visit.

Want to Go West Lady By Ben Steinlage Want to Go West Lady: is a gripping story that puts the reader into the action. The characters are so real, you feel they are family and you will laugh and cry along with them. Follow the lives of three teens, prior to and through the Civil War, Reconstruction of the South and then into the twentieth century in Oregon and California. You can gain a thorough understanding of what it took to start a life from chaos and find love after the war. Story based on family history of great-grand parents and friends.

Nrevac(Cavern)An Adventurous FantasyNervac: Is a story unlike any others. For an example, have you ever fallen asleep and woke up some were else? Then finding a familiar voice mentally speaking to you? If that wasn't bad enough, the voice sends someone to your rescue that you don't remember? As you try to make sense of what's going on you learn these people are fighting for their life and want you to help them.You might not have ever been in this kind of situation, but Roger found himself in this very predicament. Though he did his best to make sense of it, all his saviors didn't wait for him to put it all together. To make it worse when he asked questions he was told he would find out later. More than once he prayed there was an avenue of escape but there wasn't any. With all that was going on, he realized he wasn't having a bad dream. With that realization and the assurance, it would all make sense; he went along with what was laid out for him.Come join Roger on his quest to learn what had happened after he fell asleep.

More ShortsWithin A MysteryByBen SteinlageA little over a year ago, my wife said I should put together an anthology of short stories. I could see why she suggested what she did, for my collection is in the hundreds. Though I wanted to please her, I did have a problem with the idea. Like so many, I've read a number of such books. In doing so, I've found a short story here, or there I liked but others bored me. Whenever I found one of these, I wished there was something else to think about. So in fulfilling her request I came up with "Writing My Shorts."With my thoughts being what they were, I loosely patterned the main character after myself. He or "Jim," is a writer, as well as a member of a "Writers Group." As so often is the case, he finds himself in a position of doing something he doesn't really want to do. In that book as well as this one, he ends up solving a murder mystery. In the process, he is asked via Email, to critique a story or poem for different members of the group he belongs to. I thought it was a cute idea, but never expected to get the response from readers that I did. So here is another murder mystery, woven through thirty plus short stories and poems. I hope you enjoy "Writing my Shorts within a Mystery," as much as I did putting it together.

For You MomByBen SteinlageFor you, Mom: is a love story mixed with tragedy for Jerry Dawson who is a college student working on his degree in Archeology. As with quite a few students his age he is from a single parent family. Within this group he is part of a smaller group where his mother is rapidly losing touch with reality after his father is killed in an auto accident. With her decline he finds his greatest wish is to help her so he can go on with his life. Thankfully, he is able to maintain his sanity through his girl friend Cindy and their friends in college.One of his friends in this group convinces his father to let Jerry work on an archeological dig. Though this could lead him to a scholarship he is still bothered by his mother and needs a way of supporting her. Then while he is working the dig a possible answer makes itself available to him to solve his problem.Before he is able to do anything worth mentioning he finds out two of his friends are in the ICU ward at the university hospital. Between his mother and friends he is driven to do whatever it takes to make things right.Join Jerry on his quest for a normal if not a happier life.Excerpt: I didn't get to her before I broke into tears, because when I looked down at her, I found her to be in a mass of bloody bandages, with tubes in her arms, and going down her throat. From what I could see of all of her face, but what I could see of it, it was swollen, her eyes were blackened and cheeks here were scraped up to the point she didn't look like the woman I knew. The monitor beside her was beeping so I glanced over at it. Though I wasn't sure what the numbers were I got the feeling, they weren't good. A line on the left side of the monitor was showing peaks and then flat spots confirming the numbers."I'm sor...ry..., your...attempts didn't...," she tried to say. "I love you... anyway.""I love you...," I started to say. I knew what she was referring to so she didn't have finish the statement. I reached out and took her hand, as I began to squeeze it; her eyes went blank with the monitor squealing to tell everyone her heart had stopped.

Shared: SHORT STORIESBook threeByBen SteinlageBack fifty-four years ago, I began writing because of the snow we had when I was a lad. With there being twenty feet of the white fluffy stuff, I couldn't do much outside. Then as time went by I found I enjoyed that creative part of me. Still, being a young man I like to do other things to. So I basically wrote short stories.Then I wrote "Want to Go West Lady," then I began to write novels. Still, I missed the fun of coming up with an idea, and quickly putting it to paper came back to me. So in this collection, you'll find thirty "G" rated stories. They range from short stories to novellas. There isn't a set genre, other than interaction of people.

Shared: SHORT STORIESBook sixByBen SteinlageI have gone from writing "Short Stories" to novels and back again. Writing as I had for so many years, was something I was never going to stop doing. Then a need to fulfill my mother's dying wish I wrote, "Want to Go West Lady," which led to three more in the series. Then as you might expect, I had reprogramed myself out of the short story aspect of my mental state. Though I have to say, my first is considered a best seller (in the self-publishing market), so I'm proud of it. Then my readers kept saying, I barely have time for short stories; how about writing a few for me. So this particular book as it's listed on top number is number Six in my collections of short stories books. I hope you enjoy the stories you're about to read.

Shared: Short StoriesByBen SteinlageWriting has been a passion since I was eight. To say I've written a lot might be considered an understatement. Yet, this particular book has brought me bushels of pleasure. Not particularly the stories/story lines or that it's in print (this makes my twentieth book in print). What's got me excited is in both the writing and sharing these stories on line. Unlike rest of my books, I rarely get to meet, let alone talk to my readers. With the sharing I've been doing, readers have made a number of comments as time went by.So what is in this particular book? Well, most of my stories deal (as with most of my work) with the interaction of characters. The setting's if these stories range from the past to the present and the future. There are a few based on fantasy, to personal memories, as well as a few mysteries, and science fiction. Hopefully, you will find times a smile will come to you and other times a tear may appear. Along with these two examples, I feel it's safe to say; you'll be able to identify with a lot of what's goes on in the stories.Let me add, thirty seven of the stories have been shared. Then to for you that have read some of them there's another ten short stories.Though all the above is important for you to know; there's one point really important to me. This point is simple, into that I hope you enjoy the stories as I did writing them for people on-line.Ben SteinlageNote: There are 43 Short Stories and 1 Poem; in this collection

Over the years to entertain my friends, I began a series of stories revolving around the subject of "Ants." To be honest I began writing them because I was getting tired of receiving the same E-Mails day after day. As a writer I also found myself not sure what my next novel was going to be about so I had to do something. I found writing the following stories gave me a chance to come up with ideas for other novels. As to the stories in this collection, I don't know if any of these have ever been passed on to others, but I don't care. All I can tell you is that my wife and her battle with the Ants, has been my inspiration. Because of her and different people's reactions I have also added cartoons, illustrations, as well as poems. I hope you will enjoy.