Category: Fiction

Liar, Liar . . . Pants On Fire

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A Book Review

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

The most recent book I’ve read is by the great words-worker himself, Mitch Albom, The Little Liar. This is the seventh book I’ve read by the author, so I am sure there’s no need to say how much I love his work.

But The Little Liar will stay with me for decades, just like Tuesdays with Morrie.

Below is the review I shared for it via Amazon:

“This Is Such A Poignant Work of Art!

I had no doubt that I would relish every word in this book, for I am a hardcore fan of Mitch Albom’s writing. To say that I flitted through so many emotions while reading The Little Liar is an understatement.

I laughed. I cried. I got angry. I sighed.

Every part in this book feels like truth being carried to the forefront; put on display for all to see. For this to be a work of fiction is almost unbelievable. It feels real. It seems real. I thought it was real. I had to remember several times throughout my reading, it is not.

However, it isn’t far from the truth. The Holocaust and the horrible tragedies many families endured in the 1940s can be found in these pages; only embellished or Houdini’d in a way that is digestible on a smaller level.

I became attached to Nico and Fannie. I rooted for Gisella to live a longer life, and I was sad when this did not occur. I prayed for Sebastian to find it in his heart to forgive his brother.

Every event happened in a way to shift the story full circle and allowed it to come back to what was most important, “The Truth.”

If you’re looking for the next fiction book you should read, look no further. It’s right here!”

If you do not have anything of interest on your reading list as of right now, add this book to it. You will not regret it.

15 More Days Until Séduire Is Published!

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The publishing date is October 30, 2024!

Séduire (Front & Back Covers): Serial Tales & Flash Action

Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales
and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period
of three years. I want you to feel something,
and with these stories, you will.

Below are the blurbs shared over the last few months about Séduire, and I am more than grateful for these words of acceptance and approval in advance:

Tremaine isn’t just a writer; she is a sage who applies the practices and alchemy of empathy. She doesn’t just create compelling characters; she inhabits them and allows them to speak their truth through her grounded prose, regardless of how vulnerable, how conflicted, how beautiful, or how harrowing.

–Barry Dawson, Jr. IV, Writer/Poet

In Séduire, Tre Loadholt gives us the full range of her storytelling magic. Beyond the humorous dialogue, the raw earthiness of relationships, and the intense despair of grief and loss … eternal hope is the emotion that always shines through her stories.This iconic collection of short fiction belongs on your must-read list.

–Kay Bolden, Writer & Editor

Tre is an absolute force—the kind of writer who makes others  (like me, often) feel this thing I like to call “Writer’s Envy,” where you love the writing so much you wish you could get on her level. Séduire shows her at her absolute best (so far) and you’ll find yourself either flying through piece by piece, or reading it over a period of weeks because you keep going back to re-read certain passages. Either way, you won’t want to put it down.

—Scott Muska, author of I Thought This Was Worth Sharing: Stories and Some Other Stuff about Love and Some Other Stuff

Whether I’m reading her poetry, serial fiction, or autobiographical prose; whether the characters are rooted in reality or possessing of supernatural abilities beyond my own imagination, I am always blown away by Tre’s ability to portray the way we all relate to each other in such a completely relatable way. Her characters breathe, think, and feel just like I do. Just like you do. I do not need to have experienced exactly what the character is experiencing; Tre understands that if readers can feel what the character feels and connect that way, they can step into the page and fall into the story. She really gets us. All of us. And it’s an amazing feeling, being understood.

–Elizabeth Bentley, Writer & Health Program Analyst

Séduire is a smorgasbord of delectable–short but expansive–subtle but insidious–spicy but tame short reads that have a little something for everyone’s taste buds that sits right on the tip of your tongue, solidly, before dissolving into a low-key irreverent balance of salty, sweet, sour, and bitter read. There’s something for everyone!

–Walker J. Lee, Writer, Playwright, & Poet

Are you interested in reading my previously published books? You can do so here.

Stay Tuned.

“Do Gerbils Love?”

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Flash Fiction

AI-generated image created with WordPress images.

“Do gerbils love?” Paul pondered as he spent what could be his last moments breathing next to the love of his life, Sophie. The two were a pair of hopeless half-wizards and even though their hearts were recently connected, it felt like they had been in love for centuries.

Maybe in a past life?
Maybe in a past spell?

Whatever it was, Paul stood there with an invisible rope binding him in place–the slightest movement was an act of severe futility. Would Humphrey turn him into a gerbil, an elephant, a gecko, or the latest edition of Better Homes & Gardens magazine?

Whatever he was going to be, he wished for the ability to love. And to continue to love Sophie, too. But what would she be? If Humphrey could turn them into anything under the natural sun, what spell would he conjure up for his beloved Sophie?

The dank air of the firm’s office swirled around the hostages as Humphrey laughed maniacally from his throne. A snap of his finger . . . a flush of his lips . . . a slap of his left hand to his right ear and then . . .

*POOF*

They would all waddle like ducks waffling around for a place to find comfort.

As he snapped back to life from his daydream, the bulky image of Humphrey approaching him increased in size. His jowls hung viciously on his face, and his razor-sharp teeth barked out of his mouth.

He gawked at Paul with the intent to do bodily harm and whispered, “Now, where were we, you insolent fool?”

“Gerbils,” said Paul. “Gerbils . . . do they love?”

I am currently reading, The Portable Door by Tom Holt, and a particular phrase in this book (the title of this story) shook something alive in my brain. What you have just read is the product. I am nearly done with the book, and I cannot wait to write the review for it, too!

Séduire (Just One More Month!)

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The publishing date is October 30, 2024.

Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Action

Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales
and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period
of three years. I want you to feel something,
and with these stories, you will.

As we near the publishing date for Séduire, what I will tell you about this book is that my heart, soul, and dreams are in it. Characters have been speaking to me since I was nine years old. I have always found it best to heed their conversations and share their stories. I haven’t stopped yet. And as long as there is breath in me, I will continue to weave the words I hear from every character into the stories they want me to share. I am certain they will never stop talking.

Here is one last blurb from a friend of mine and a fellow writer and author about Séduire:

Thank you to those of you who have always supported me. I hope you will do so again when Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction is published on October 30, 2024.

Are you interested in reading my previously published books? You can do so here.

Stay Tuned.

It’s All About Fantastic Mr. Fox

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A Book Review

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Being that I love the animated film, directed by Wes Anderson and released in 2009 so much, I thought it would be fun to read the book by Roald Dahl, with illustrations by Quentin Blake. I wanted to see how close the film measured up to the source from which it was adapted.

And, the book does NOT disappoint! In fact, I actually love it just a bit more. It’s a children’s tale with staying power, and I am happy to have it as part of my collection.

Here is the review I shared via Amazon about it:

“I Was In My ‘Happy Place’ For Two Days

And I loved every moment of it! A children’s tale such as this one will never get old.

As an avid fan of the movie, this was my first time reading the book, and I have to say, I love it just a bit more than the film. I found delight as I turned each page, I smiled incredibly wide and laughed out loud at some of the descriptive scenes.

I wanted so badly to have Kristofferson (Mrs. Fox’s nephew) as a part of this book, but he’s a movie-only character. That’s the thing with movies adapted from books, you gain some extras and you lose some bits that are rather intriguing.

This is very well-written, has a sensational plot, and every scene is vivid and captivating. I felt as though I was ten years old again. And that is a very good place in time to be.

I am glad I decided to purchase the book. I was not disappointed; not in the least!”

If you have seen the movie, and you enjoy it as much as I do/did, you’ll want to do yourself a favor and read the book. That is, if you have not done so already. I highly recommend it! It prompted me to cart “Matilda” and “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory”, too!

Séduire (It’s Almost Time)

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Publishing date is October 30, 2024

Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Action
Séduire Video announcement. Created by Tremaine L. Loadholt

Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales
and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period
of three years. I want you to feel something,
and with these stories, you will.

For those of you who have always supported me, thank you. I hope you will do so again when Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction is published on October 30, 2024.

Are you interested in reading my previously published books? You can do so here.

Stay Tuned.