Author & Editor Cynthia Hilston

Tag: work in progress

  • Excerpt from Rocks and Flowers in a Box (Unpublished Book)

    The first snow made its greeting just in time for Christmas. I stood on a stool, trying to place the star on top of the tree. Tristan sat in my dad’s old armchair, his nose buried in a book. Nearly toppling, I regained my balance and huffed, then pushed my hair out of my face. […]

  • Excerpt from Rocks and Flowers in a Box (WIP)

    When I rested a hand on his warm back, and a snore elicited from his mouth, my lips eased into a smile. Tristan shifted, then stirred. He blinked open his brilliant blue eyes and found me. “Lorna.” He licked his lips, thirsty, unsure. He sat up. My hand flopped to my side. “Are you okay?” […]

  • Excerpt from Rocks and Flowers in a Box (WIP)

    I sighed, hating the stinging of tears in my eyes. I debated on whether to follow Tristan, but a moment later, the sound of his heavy footsteps up the stairs told me he was secluding himself and would likely bury himself in his writing for several hours, if not for the rest of the day […]

  • Excerpt from Rocks and Flowers in a Box (WIP)

    When Macy showed up at my side door with a large pot and an equally big smile, a subdued John standing behind her, I let them in graciously. “What did you bring?” I asked. “It smells wonderful.” Macy set the pot on my stove and turned on the burner. “Just some of my infamous vegetable […]

  • Excerpt from Rocks and Flowers in a Box (WIP)

    I filled two glasses and placed them on the table. We drew up mismatched chairs and drank. Tristan finished first and sighed with pleasure. I eyed him over the top of my glass. He gazed out the back window toward his house, the line between his eyebrows deepening. I put my glass down and asked, […]

  • Excerpt from Murder: It’s All in Your Head (WIP)

    Matilda stared back for a while. The clock on the wall to their right ticked away the seconds. The murmur of the few other customers who occupied the teahouse faded into the background. Finally, Matilda giggled, withdrawing her gaze. “I’m sorry. It’s so odd, but it feels like I know you better than could be […]

  • Excerpt from Murder: It’s All in Your Head (WIP)

    On a late summer day, Helen walked through downtown Hurston. She sent a telegram to her aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania, updating them on her mother’s health. Her mother hadn’t been well even since coming down with a severe case of pneumonia back in the winter. She spent most of her time lying down these […]

  • Excerpt from Murder: It’s All in Your Head (WIP)

    Helen rested her elbows on the surface of the desk and cradled her face in her hands as she returned her gaze to the window. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted to sleep. She was walking through the unused field on Mr. Bender’s farm just outside of town. Wildflowers grew as high as her […]

  • Excerpt from Murder: It’s All in Your Head (WIP)

    “What are they?” Helen stared at the strange cookies in front of her on the table. “I found them when I went into town to get some groceries. They’re called animal crackers.” Helen’s mother kissed her daughter’s cheek and took the bag of groceries to the table next to the sink. Helen picked up the […]

  • Excerpt from Murder: It’s All in Your Head (WIP)

    Cassie walked up her street to the familiar sounds of kids playing. She gazed down at her hands and smiled. They were her hands, not some strange man’s. She was herself again. All those imaginings of being trapped in someone else’s body were just a nightmare. This was real. She skipped with renewed vigor, then […]