Mother’s Day and Other Stories

A book of short stories written by Roaming the Arts webmaster. 

Mother’s Day and Other Stories is comprised of six short stories. The first three take place on Mother’s Day weekend. As in modern life, cell phones play a role. The stories weave family, growing up with and without, and the role of chance in life. Filled with seriousness and humor, they are quick reads with memorable characters and events.

from Kirkus Review: Schwartz thoughtfully addresses real life dilemmas that other writers may overlook, such as the question of deleting a parent as a cell phone contact after the loved one’s death: “There at the top of her favorites list was the name ‘Mom.’ She had not had the will to delete the contact. Would anyone?” His use of a question is particularly effective here, provoking uncomfortable reflections from readers. It is also compelling to learn how each of the tales is interlinked–which the author reveals incrementally.

And in the Life Imitates Art category — check out this related story: A bittersweet Thanksgiving for the grandmother and teenager who met via an accidental text in 2016  — A grandmother accidentally invited a stranger to her Thanksgiving dinner via text message. Ever since, they’ve celebrated the holiday together and despite the pandemic, this year was no exception. Watch VIDEO

Order a copy of — Mother’s Day and Other Stories 

See Kirkus Review

Brian Freeman is a prominent American author renowned for his gripping psychological thrillers and suspense novels, which have achieved international success. With a career spanning over two decades, Freeman has established himself as a master of suspense, characterized by complex, deeply emotional character development and fast-paced, twist-filled narratives. His work, which frequently explores the dark, hidden motives behind human behavior, has earned him a place as a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. 

Born on March 28, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, Freeman displayed a love for writing from a young age, influenced by an eighth-grade teacher who recognized his talent. He graduated with distinction from Carleton College in 1984. Before transitioning to a full-time writing career in 2005, Freeman worked as the director of marketing and public relations at the Minneapolis law firm Faegre & Benson. This background in corporate communication provided a foundation for his disciplined approach to writing and self-promotion. 

The exciting thing about including Brian Freeman in Roaming the Arts is that the site’s founder began his reading passion with Robert Ludlum and his characters created in the 1970’s. The beginning of that came via Ludlum writing under the pen name Jonathan Ryder.

Freeman made his literary debut in 2005 with the thriller Immoral. The novel was an immediate success, garnering critical acclaim as an Edgar Award finalist for Best First Novel and winning the Macavity Award.
His writing style is often described as “psychological suspense” that delves into the “hidden intimate motives that draw people across some terrible lines”. He focuses on creating realistic characters, shunning the “all good or all bad” trope in favor of the moral “shades of gray”. His books are known for their “you are there” settings, often featuring the cold, atmospheric backdrop of Minnesota, particularly Duluth.

Freeman’s work has been honored multiple times by the thriller community. Spilled Blood won the Best Hardcover Novel award from the International Thriller Writers. His debut, Immoral, was a nominee for the Dagger, Edgar, Anthony, and Barry awards. He is also a multiple-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award. With more than 30 novels sold in 46 countries and translated into 23 languages, Brian Freeman is a fixture on bestseller lists. He resides in Florida with his wife, Marcia, and continues to produce thriller novels known for their high stakes and emotional depth.