(Click the Image to Open a Clear View.) "Message From the Author" Dear Reader,  Thank you for taking the time to join the release of A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul", a novel . The question of this piece is The Thinner Soul.  Is it within you?  Is it the soul without you? .. or Is it all around you?  Sometimes it's not about strait lines or circles, but rather, about the depths and the heights of our existence and how the ebbs and flow of those extremes impact the soul forever. This book follows the main character onto a journey of many loves.  Yet, with and even without each of these loves, her soul grows thinner by the sheer tug of war.  This story is a great exploration of things worth fighting for, and things worth relinquishing. It's no doubt Radiance is the central focus, and all the book's subplots remain superficial to the true scheme of things.  She remains resilient, and somewhat elusive until at last. I might also add, in thi...

(Click on the Image to Open a Clear View.) Thank you for following the Suspended-Release of A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul" , a novel.  This book has ended.  You may now read the book without any delays on the blog now!!  I would like to make my acknowledgements. Special Acknowledgement to My Lord Jesus.  Thank you Father for all the inspiration and wherewithal. Additional thanks and acknowledgement to my Grandmother Audrey.  You remain a delightful anchor to this powerful interactive tool-- The Suspended-Release Novel.   To the Kit and Caboodle, I love you. coming up.. more Awards and A Message From the Author.    

  (Click the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 37 Jeff - I'd never guessed when I first started wondering about my heritage that it would lead to two parts Dunbar.  When we'd gotten back to L.A. Ketly and I had taken everything we knew to a local historical society archives library.  We'd waited nearly a week to sit with someone, and it was everything in one sitting.  It was an oral record logged there by my grandmother Dorsey herself.  She'd made it just weeks after my father was killed.  It included her knowledge of her father's meaning by naming her Dorsey Dunbar and paper records of her marriage to Timothy Earl Dunbar, a railworker.  There was even news clippings about my father's death and my grandmother Dorsey's endorsement of his full-breed status.  It was a sort of oxymoron.  A Black full-breed Dunbar.  It made me wonder if my grandmother Dorsey had been in love with Timothy Earl Dunbar, or whether it had bee...

(Click on the Image for a Clear View.) Thank you for stopping by!    We hope you are enjoying The Final Chapters of our Suspended- Release Novel A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul" .  Stay tuned for Chapter 37.  Book ends today November 17, 2025.

(Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 36 Reece-   There were no more dreams.  I had only wished for another indication of Eaton's wellbeing, but all there was was Radiance's grief.  I didn't care about before, there was just no way that I was taking her word that he was gone.  I just couldn't.  So I waited diligently on the law; both to find Eaton and to arrest Unger. In the meantime, I was sure to protect Ample Records and Ample Sound from Cassandra's big eyes, and endless wandering.  I didn't dare test her family bond or her know how.  Instead I continued to steer the boat away from my side of Ample and suggested that she anchor with the parent.  It was what I saw as the real family connection and the proper way to make her feel right at home.  Although I knew that she could easily suggest that I hadn't paid at all for all the risk and resources it had taken to locate Eaton, I wasn't opposed to leaving such a ...

  (Click the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 35 Kaylin - I wasn't sure how it had happened, but I received a letter from Ample Sound releasing me from our diplomacy.  It was a friendly agreement that said Ample Records would continue to use my songwriting skills as long as there was no concerted effort by K-Ezra to compete with Ample Sound.  It was good for me, and I had easily signed on.  It didn't make me a business ally, but a sort of friend.  Now it wasn't clear what I would become. I took the letter and laid it down in a pile of other things that meant I needed to run faster.  They were indications that something in the eco system of my business had changed.  These things didn't call for rest or rejuvenation, but locomotive. My phone call to Radiance however, did required some fallback.  I'd heard about Eaton over two days ago.  It was all over the news that he was last seen in Russia where he was being held illega...

(Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 33 Reece - I didn't want to hate her or the green she was able to be. I knew it wasn't her fault for not knowing about Eaton.  She was only living up to her reputation, and whatever role she'd agreed to play in the game her and Radiance always seemed to be engaged in.  When I saw her review and the timing, I knew we were busted.  It was deep, and there was a bit of showboating, but it played well with her innocence. Her description of the stark white dress Radiance had worn on stage in Russia labeled as only her second favorite wedding dress behind a dress she'd seen once in a day's dream that she promised to tell the audience all about in due time, was her signature style briefing.  It was what her readers lived for.  Her knowledge for things that couldn't easily be imagined.  Like how the gown she'd seen was even more spectacular than her own dress, which she described as a steal away de...

Welcome Cassandra Simpleton and Eaton to A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul" .  Also say good-bye to Monica Shepher d and Radiance Dunbar as we shift gears to bring you the Finale to this story. (Click on the Image for a Clear View) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 31 Eaton - Since I had met Radiance, I'd only given a piece of my heart away. It was all encompassing, and then it wasn't.  I'd tripped them both.  They had each recovered, but it didn't matter to Unger as long as they had been properly derailed.  She'd eventually taken that piece of my heart back, and when I heard her let him down, I knew it wasn't just the principle of the matter why she wanted the last piece.  Seeing her in front of me fully immersed in the tribulations of my hidden world, also let me know I wasn't alone in my whole-hearted love. It was hard to talk freely, but we'd managed to convey everything we felt.  I was ran over and weak, but her presence brought elect...

(Click on the Image for a Clear View) Thank you for following the Suspended-Release of A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul", a novel.  Coming up on the blog is Chapter 31 and 32.  Expect two new speakers to join the unfolding novel, and say goodbye to other beloved characters from the book as we move into The Final Chapters.  Check in on November 7th for the beginning of the end!  

  (Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 29 Kaylin - I had not expected to hear about any tour dates for maybe another eight months when the chatter about Radiance in Russia hit my comment section. It wasn't too late, and I decided to be there. It was great timing, and a pop up concert was just the right kind of excitement.  Being the end of summer was also a plus.  I didn't get the invite, but I knew my readers didn't care about the ins and outs of the business or our relationship.  I had one single job, and I knew what it was. I'd shared the news about the ownership of the Ample Records name with Kayla, and she was even more surprised than I was.  Neither one of us were able to imagine what exact set of circumstances had made that possible.  Sam was Ample, and everybody knew that.  Even our best efforts to uncover how she outsmarted everyone led us nowhere. It was even new news to Ketly.  It certainly couldn't have ...

  (Click on the Image for a Clear View.) Welcome back to the Suspended-Release of A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul",  a novel and UnEarth!   Coming up on Thursday Oct. 30th is our Award Ceremony kick off!  Then we continue  with Step 12 of UnEarth  "The Final Chapters".    The Final Chapters of A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul"  begins November 7th. #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 27 Radiance - It was all very covert, and happened very quickly.  There was no U.S. press or real announcement.  All the buzz was kept on the ground there.  It was all a cover up.  Two nights; two shows, and one very important trip scheduled in between.  We'd needed just about everyone's connections, and it caused me to leverage Kaylin's fame.  Radiance Dunbar, "one half the songwriting duo".. was like a quick phone call or a stamped signature that appeared to be mine, but it always felt lopsided.   There w...

(Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 25 Jeff- We'd already booked our flights back to the west coast.  I'd considered Ketly's perspective, and she saw speaking to people from the old neighborhood the way to unlock the puzzle.  I didn't think any of the same folks were still there, or would have much insight on Ted Dunbar, but we had two completely different frequencies on the matter.  I thought Ketly's way offered the most possibilities, whereas mine harbored the most complexities.  I did still feel a pull towards the reader, so I found my way back to the gallery.  There was no competition on my thoughts, and so I walked straight up to the door to the small and overcrowded space with dim lighting, lots of plants, and a gentle sprinkle of Native American flute that had a mesmerizing effect on the senses.  When I stuck my head in, she was sitting in the corner of the room with her back to the door.  I assumed she was in m...

(Click on the Image for a Clear View.) Thank you for following the Suspended-Release of  A Better Pair of Shoes "The Thinner Soul" , a novel.  Don't forget the Character Creation Contest Deadline is October 22nd.  Pick up two new chapters this Friday!  Don't Miss This.  

  (Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 24 Radiance -  I was afraid to ask.  I didn't think I would get a straightforward answer, but our fears had reached their limits.  There was no greater amount of fear to be felt.  As soon as I knew he was with me, I launched my interrogation. "Where are you Eaton?  I need the truth.  And if you're in trouble, don't you think I should know?"  I lamented. "It's Unger International."  I heard pretty swiftly, but then there was nothing.  I made my way to the mirror, and he then continued. "I once worked for the owner.  Things got sour, and I'm being held in a Russian prison." "Russia?  Eaton are you kidding me?  How am I suppose to help with any of this?"  I walked away from my reflection and began pacing.  It had to be true.  It was the only sensible reason I could accept for why he hadn't returned or even surprised me with something to soli...

  (Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 22 Jeff - It hit me while I was mulling over some art, and considering another reading.  It wasn't that we didn't share everything.  It was the irreverence of the moment.  Asking the questions I was asking, felt like plotting to rob a bank.  It also reminded me of being an orphan, and I preferred the poise of my current persona.  It was a thought that had been walking with me quietly for a number of years however.  Though, none of the other times I'd considered looking at my connection to the Dunbar name and possible estate had brought me this far.   I sat on the edge of the bed prolonging my routine.  It was definitely an end of the day type of conversation.  I knew it was bigger than lunch.  It had the feeling of a Sunday morning kind of dialogue, but I squeezed it into the middle of the week.  I knew where she was in her process, and I was hoping tha...

  (Click on the Image for a Clear View.) #ABPOS The Thinner Soul, Chp. 21 Radiance - I hadn't bought a dress, yet I allowed John to assume I had.  I was becoming second to none in dodging all the bullets that seemed to be coming my way.  The interest in my upcoming album had exceeded my initial presumptions, and I decided to move up the release.  "Death to Forty" was living up to her predictions, and now I needed Sand and Stars to live up to mine.   I hadn't broken the news to John as yet.  It would put the album and the wedding in competition.  Either that, or it was bound to feel like a natural born take over.  I wasn't opposed to the surround sound of the moment, but I got the feeling John would be.  We were meeting for dinner and to fine tune some of the wedding day details.   I knew I had to get it out on the table before the radio announcements.  There was also the option to push back the wedding, and I was not a hundre...