Location: United States
Member Since: April 04, 2011

Nancy Reil Riojas


Biography

Thank you for visiting my profile.

Throughout each of our lives, stories continuously happen all around us. What's thrilling is expressing them on paper, yet presenting the story to you with grace and clarity is in itself another story. In addition, we writers share a great challenge of maintaining your attention, never an easy task. Hence, my goal is to present stories that move your heart.

I am from San Antonio, Texas, and after decades of a successful career in real estate, I still live in this great state. Most of my novelettes, novellas,and short stories are inspired by true events and take place only in Texas settings. I attempt to keep my writing style clear and direct, which can be enjoyed from the young to the old. In several of the stories, I provide Texas facts with the violence of self defense battles and natural disasters as well as moving, emotional struggles then combine them with moral fortitude.

By keeping the reading time of some of the stories no longer than the length of a movie, the intent is to spark interest in those who dislike reading. "Writing opens the window to our souls, yet reading opens the door. If I can inspire anyone to read, then I feel successful in my endeavor."

My stories:
"Monster At My Window" (Novella)
"Moonshiner, The Wolf" (Short Novel)
"Hannibal~A True Story" (Short Story)
"Rabbi's Books" (Short Story)
"Visiting Mary" (Short Story)
"Flood of 1965" (Short Story)
"Veil of Doom" (Short Story)
"Lucky" (Children's Short Story)

~~~~ REVIEWS ~~~~

"Moonshiner, The Wolf"
1. This book helps us to understand two things: One, life is about the realization that if you know something has to be done, be self-reliant and do it, which in turn creates a strong sense of worth. And two, for some of us it can be difficult to know others as deeply as we might like to, especially those we love the most. Be good to those you love so you can live with them after this life, forever and ever." Andrew Campbell
2. "Kudos! A heart-wrenching story that entices you to keep reading. It's well written and certainly appropriate for all ages. Loved reading it." Thomas Holden
3. "A moving story from beginning to end, but one scene is a real tear-jerker." - Alpine Avalance, Alpine, Tx. Valerie P.
4. " 'Moonshiner, The Wolf' tells the tale of a courageous West Texas ranch woman. She befriends a wolf who becomes her lifetime guardian. Don't miss out, read it!"-- Bandera County Courier Editor, Bandera, Tx. Carolyn Edwards.

"MONSTER AT MY WINDOW"
1. "A highly recommended thriller! Good battle scenes and good plot will hold your interest all the way through. Not one unneccesary or boring word in the entire story as the author does not force elements that disrupt the flow. The characters come to life and the setting fits like a glove. It begins with an up close casting of a young daughter who tells the truth and from there it unfolds into a unique storyline when friends face up to creatures that infiltrate a south Texas town. The end will leave you wanting more thrills, I guarantee it." David Martinelli
2. "Great Read! I thought this book would be all about monsters, but I got more out of it than just a monster story. This book reminds people that no matter how a child describes something, you should always listen and hear them! The way a child views something is not always the way we adults view them. Great book! To me, much more than a monster story." Wanda S.
3. "Different, but interesting." R.em

"Hannibal~A True Story"
1. The storyline in this short story produces no punches as the author describes her survival against an animal that was never taught love." Kristina Howells, France author

"VISTING MARY"
1. "This short story is charged with emotion and the imagery is fantastic as well --- keep writing." Heather Kitt

"THE RABBI'S BOOKS"
1. "Excellent point of view. From the atrocities depicted in Elie Wiesel's "Night" to the haunting scene of Schindler's List, these events truly are worth teaching. To think that certain schools would have the nerve to excuse the matter is absolutely disappointing. Bravo to you, Nancy, for portraying that point of view and doing it so well!" Shane Ryan, writer

"Flood of 1965"
1. "I felt like I was a part of the story, good description." Laura Everly

Note from author: "In December the Christmas short story "Visiting Mary" was chosen for publication by the editors of four newspapers throughout Texas, "The Bandera County Courier" in Bandera County, "The Leader" in Dallas, Texas," La Prensa San Antonio", and "El Hispano News," Dallas, Texas."

I am sole owner of these published stories and they are copyrighted at the U. S. Copyright Office, Washington, D.C. It is illegal for anyone to violate any of the rights provided by the copyright law to the owner of copyright. Thank you.

Where to find Nancy Reil Riojas online

Website: http://www.worksbynancy.com
Twitter: abbydoodle
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nancy-reil-riojas/48/b63/546

Where to buy in print

http://www.worksbynancy.com

Books

Lucky    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: $0.99 USD. 2860 words. Published on May 8, 2012. Fiction.
Steven and Andrew find a tiny bird that fell out of its nest, and he's far, far from ordinary.
Veil of Doom    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: $0.99 USD. 2260 words. Published on May 2, 2012. Nonfiction.
Two teenagers whose father shoots their mother also shoots himself. On the way to the hospital, one of the teenagers experiences an accident that should have been fatal, and after the Priest gives him his last rights, he continues to live. EXCERPT: "Mother snapped her fingers. 'Get down on your knees,' she said while pointing to the floor. We knew she meant it by the stern look on her face
Hannibal A True Story    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: Free! 3590 words. Published on July 13, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
A very young woman faces up to an enraged dog dead set on killing her, and only one survives. EXCERPT: "...He continuously jumps up against the side of the bulldozer then finally clenches the dangling chain from Hannibal's collar between his teeth. Pulling like a plow, Sampson anchors front and back paws into the earth and pulls, and pulls as Hannibal's head jerks downward, until the large body..
Monster At My Window    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: $1.99 USD. 18130 words. Published on June 7, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
****Beasts of a social order arise from the depths of mystery to terrorize the residents on Picasso Lane, where they suffer their greatest losses. Set against the backdrop of sweltering 1995 Brownsville, Texas, a rousing tale full of conflict, anticipation, and realism depicts exhausting battles,all for the love of their friends.
The Rabbi's Books    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: Free! 2630 words. Published on May 7, 2011. Fiction.
Feeling robbed that schools did not teach the Jewish Holocaust, 30 years later she lives to see it happen.
Moonshiner, The Wolf    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: $1.99 USD. 30730 words. Published on April 5, 2011. Fiction.
Transformative and emotionally moving best describe this story of a struggling West Texas woman, Angela, and the alpha wolf that became her friend and protector. Angela lived to be 112 and overcame many obstacles during the course of her life. Always, when danger arrived so too did Moonshiner and his pack. Even after his death, the silver haired wolf's spirit kept a hedge of prote
Flood of 1965    by Nancy Reil Riojas
Price: Free! 2940 words. Published on April 4, 2011. Fiction.
During the wee hours of the morning,a family experience a horrendous flood ...."Our neighbors' distant, bloodcurdling screams bounce off the water's surface. Unable to help them we act as if unaware. What must my friends be going through? Suddenly a heavy weight plunges me further down, out of Andrew's arm hold. I am immediately under water with my hands touching a head ramming against my

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