Published: May 03, 2011
Words: 8,463 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781458054531

Short description

Frank and Catherine are parents worn down by three young children, and life. As they try to come up with a new, more efficient, way of managing their lives, they are met with a series of unforeseen obstacles. When Frank gets home from work, things don't seem quite right. He begins to wonder if some of the problems experienced by his family are in fact the work of malicious people from his past.

Extended description

Currently ranked #1 on www.goodreads.com for Best Knock-out Novelette.

Related books:
Fergyville Episode II: The Intruder
Fergyville Episode III: The Party
**Fergyville Series Bundle (Episodes I, II, and III)**

Tags

fiction, drama, mystery, humor, fun, ebook, funny, contemporary, free, mom, novella, fun read, indie, free download, novelette, family life, indie author, online story, fergyville, ferguson, katina, short sotries, family affair, contemperary fiction, short storie, tell me a short story, give me a short story, read for free, while it lasts

Available ebook reading formats

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Format	Full Book
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	View
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Download
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Download
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Download
RTF (readable on most word processors)	Download
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Download
Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices)	Download
Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting)	Download
Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page)	View

Reviews

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Review by: Margaret (Literary Chanteuse) on Sep. 30, 2011 :
Although quite short it sets a nice story of a family going about their lives and you get a good sense of who they are. Just when you begin to think everyday is the same a curve ball is thrown and you are left wondering. I felt it left me hanging just a little too much in anticipation of the sequel. But otherwise good!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Cassie on Aug. 29, 2011 :
Fergyville: Episode 1, The New Plan
By: Katina Ferguson
ISBN: 2940012490889
Published May 3, 2011
Available Format: ebook

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Frank and Catherine are the proud parents of three small children and are trying to reorganize their lives so things run a bit more efficiently. After a tough day, Frank arrives home late with a feeling that things aren’t quite as they should be. Could some malicious people from his past be involved or is it just his imagination running wild?

A couple pretty stressed out parents and three young children—I definitely relate! I love that this is so ‘real-life’ with a pinch of mystery. Katina is a fantastic story-teller, entertaining and easy to follow. I was immediately drawn into Frank and Catherine’s life, while my own was bustling around me.

This short novella reads a lot like a prime-time sitcom and definitely leaves you wanting more. There’s no doubt I have to check out Episode 2, and I’m absolutely going to be following this series through the end!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: sally brown on July 29, 2011 :
The e-book starts with one of the main characters, Frank, going through atypical day at his job, where he does a bit of daydreaming. The focus then switches to Frank’s wife and kids at home, as they get ready and then, begin their trip to pick up Frank from work. The story line is pretty much reminiscent of the typical day in the lives of most two-income families until the end of this episode. There is a cliff-hanger which, in my opinion leaves the reader with a too sharp “what happened” feeling.

Katina does a great job of building the characters so that the reader feels like she/he knows them personally. She also uses dialog well, which in many instances is so believable, that it took me back to the years I was a mother of three children under five.

I am hoping in the next episode that the author will build more suspense towards the end as to allow the reader to have a clue that something is about to change. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and since it is not a long e-book, it can be read in one sitting.

Overall, I would give this book a rating of 3.5/5 stars.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: San Alini on July 11, 2011 :
Fergiville is a delight
A husband and wife, with the best of intentions, struggle with the day to day requirements of their lives. With three funny and, at times, demanding children they strive to do what it takes to maintain a family. I enjoyed this piece. I liked the characters – they were interesting and believable. The narrator was insightful and often funny. It felt like I had a window into this family. I look forward to more.
S Alini
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Tracy Smith on June 28, 2011 :
Common, but mysterious, makes "The New Plan" a wonderful page-turner.

Meet Catherine and Frank, a set of stressed-out parents, of three young children as they try to make the best of their daily routine. Mom has an idea to try to make it better for them, but is it really? When the day winds down and things aren't looking quite normal, the questions really begin.

I really enjoyed this short novelette. The characters are common like your neighbors next door and very comfortable to get to know. I also, liked the way the story moves very quickly and ends with a twist leaving you wanting more. I can't wait to see what happens next!
I highly recommend this short story to anyone who wants a quick and enjoyable, contemporary story with an edge of mystery thrown in.

This story was provided to me by it's wonderful author for my honest review.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Alcala Publications on June 21, 2011 :
A fantastic read with very realistic characters. The story is very well written and what is presented is a novellete that has been polished into a smooth glossy pearl. The characters are very real, but also have a lot to them that is still being held back I feel, and I am waiting on pins and needles for Episode 2 of Fergyville So far this is nothing less than a grand piece of writing! Keep it going, Katina.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Chantal Boudreau on June 20, 2011 :
In general, this was a commendable first effort that shows she has all the makings of a talented story-teller. The author has a nice, lively writing style that captures the nuances of the characters and their everyday lives, although she does use the occasional phrasing or metaphors that left me scratching my head, such as “Disappointment poured all over Lana’s face.” It added to the quirkiness of her tale, but I think it subtracted from the charming realism this story possessed and I found the story was at its best when she presents it with subtle simplicity rather than fanciful attempts at being descriptive that made it feel “fluffy”.

The characters were what truly made this story enjoyable. Frank was a typical middle-aged man, out of shape, bored with his job despite being competent, and obsessed with sex to the point where he resorts to sexual fantasies to help him escape his boredom and other uncomfortable situations. Catherine is the common working mom, trying to be superwoman but mostly just frazzled and run down. She instead finds herself at the whim of her young children, who are often beyond her control, and the clock, which she is constantly racing.

The thing I wasn’t expecting was that this story had just started when it came to an abrupt end, without really getting into the meat of the tale. I was under the impression that this was a stand-alone story, since it is listed as a novelette, but it was just the first incomplete section of a novel – more like a serial segment. If I were reading the full novel, based on this segment alone, I’d probably rate it at 4 stars but I would have preferred to have a full story to rate, since to me, a solid ending is one of the most important parts of the story. I reserve judgement on the story as a whole, until I get the opportunity to read the ending.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Romance Girl on June 19, 2011 :
Catherine and Frank have devised a schedule to make a more efficient way to manage their life and the lives of their three children. Unforeseen obstacles get in their way and life does not go as planned. Frank wonders if some of the events are from some of the people from the past. The fateful day comes when he returns from work and can't find his family.
This is the first in a series of twelve short novelettes. This is a well written story about a family and their daily life together. A life that is hectic and at times over-whelming. Catherine devises a plan to help them cope and make their days run more smoothly. Sadly, just like reality, life gets in the way. Plans are usually made to go according to a set schedule. Life always has a way of turning your world upside down. Such is the case with this family, and by days end, things are not going according to schedule. I can't really say much more or it would ruin the storyline of this short novelette.
On the surface, this couple appears much like everyone else; but with the ending to this episode, there just may be more to the story. The next installment may shed more light. We will have to wait and see. My only complaint is the length of the book. I have never been fond of novelettes and novellas. I prefer a full length book because the shorter ones leave you lacking and wanting for more.
I wish to thank Katina for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review; but an honest one. I was not compensated in any way except for receiving the book to review.

I give Fergyville 4 out of 5 stars
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Aurora Press on June 17, 2011 :
Frank and Catherine are a normal couple with the usual everyday problems: work, kids, making their marriage work. Catherine is stressed with her life, raising the kids and the increased amount of responsibilities she faces every day. Frank hates being pestered at his job as a web developer, but he keeps on going for the sake of his family. Everything seems so routine until the first cracks arise, just tiny fissures that shows something isn’t quite right and the influences might just come from a past long thought forgotten.

Fergyville Episode One was a very well written novella that captured my attention from the very first sentence. I could feel Frank's annoyance, not so much with his job but more with the customers who kept pestering him, demanding the often impossible. I could also relate to Catherine and her growing frustration at trying to get everything right. The atmosphere was one of marital normalcy, and yet I could sense something in the air. Subtle hints placed by the author, who really knows how to play on emotion, throughout the writing that increased my anticipation and growing dread. I really liked the cliff hanger at the end and can't wait for the next instalment in the series to find out what happens next.
If you want a short, well written mystery that will draw you in immediately and leave you wondering what's going on, get this.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Haresh Daswani on June 16, 2011 :
The story is written exceptionally well, and I can really read it as if I am watching a movie. The annoying kids, the tired mom, and the tired father.

But, you cannot just get episode one. You need to book yourself a couple of episodes as well. Episode one will leave you asking "what happened next? I NEED TO KNOW!!!" And now I have to wait until episode 2 comes out.

The book is light and a fast read. People who are fans of TV series waiting for the next story will find this book in their liking
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Maureen Mullis on June 09, 2011 :
Fergyville: Episode 1, The New Plan by Katina Ferguson is a novelette and the first in a new series. Ferguson is able to keep a finger on the pulse of marriage and life in suburbia, showcasing the banality that marriage and parenthood can have and giving it a twist that is left unresolved at the end of this short novel.

Ferguson is an excellent story teller and a good writer. Her writing is taught and bright. She obviously has some experience in dealing with the same situations as her characters which gives the story a feeling of authenticity. I’m hoping we don’t have to wait too long for Episode 2 in this tale. I for one am anxious to see what happens next!
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Marc Ferguson on June 07, 2011 :
Wow; I wish my life was as exciting as Frank and Catherine's! The way that the author tells their story astounds me. At the very core it's a story about a typical guy with his run-of-the-mill job; nothing spectacular there. The real struggle of a productive housewife taking care of their three kids and a home. Yet; it reads as some epic adventure -- I'm turning the page in anticipation of what's to come. I wishfully get lost in the very relatable description of Frank's job and the familiar cattling of their kids. It's a very short read and I yearn for more. What happens next? Who's that quirky Anthony fella? What's the deal with that door handle?

Overall; I'm glad I read this book. The things Frank thinks about are things most, if not all, guys experience, but will never share. It's brighten up the mundane cycles we all go through as responsible citizens of society; from the family man to the family woman. I look forward to the next instalment.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Kelvin O'Ralph on May 29, 2011 :
I really enjoyed reading this short story. It's really believable and I liked the writing style of the author. I loved the ending bit of the book, it compels one to look out for the next episode. The trouble Catherine gets from her three little kids is so entertaining, and I must add Frank's bit of the story is intriguing as well. I wonder what he saw at the end of the book. In conclusion, this book was well written and described. Good Job Katina :)
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Mandy White on May 28, 2011 :
Fergyville: Episode 1 is the first installment of an engaging new series that I, for one, am looking forward to following. Author Katina Ferguson transforms mundane family life into an exciting action-packed adventure which keeps you turning the pages from start to the cliffhanger finish that leaves the reader hungry for more!
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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