Our Books

This is a story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a famous person from Galveston, Texas. The plaque mentioned is at sidewalk level atop the sea wall. A Good Epitaph to Have     Have you ever thought about what epitaph you’d like to have? Recently as I walked Galveston’s seawall, I read a plaque: In …

A word from Curt The story below is a departure from my African stories. I write what my hearts tells me to. This story was both conceived and born yesterday. Enjoy! Be Grateful! Read “Beth’s Satellite Phone” from our latest newsletter. You can be directly involved in helping with the South Sudan Crisis.  My Mother is Named Mary  You can …

Homesickness and Friendship Fires   Today is our son Clint’s 30th birthday.  It’s only fitting that I drag out his most famous story. As the fire warmed the cold Arkansas night, our mouse friend enjoyed leftover pieces of our macaroni supper. As we sat there and just enjoyed the sounds of the night, I looked over at the boys. Clint, …

Today we continue tidbits and excerpts about our new novel,  A Spent Bullet. This blog is the “director’s cut.”  It features insights, photos, and links from the writing of  A Spent Bullet.  Enjoy! I’ll be updating it through Thanksgiving Day. If you haven’t signed up for our newsletter, visit the Creekbank home page and click on the newsletter button.   …

Friendship is one of the most important things this world has to offer us. But, it’s not just of this world. Jesus also offered us friendship. A friend is someone you can count on. Stop and think how amazing it is. Just like your friends here on earth now, Jesus is our friend. We can call and talk to Him …

This is an one-page synopsis Draft for my next novel, As The Crow Flies. It’s about 30% too long. What can I cut and not lose the story flow for you? Also, this is an early draft and I’m soliciting all suggested corrections, grammar, etc. You cannot hurt my feelings: I’m committed to constant improvement. Fifteen-year-old Nancy Lou Cotten arrives …

Today’s Quote: “A friend is a present you give to yourself.”  -Robert Louis Stevenson Lord, thank you for the wealth of friends you’ve given. Amen. You’re the Man (From Deep Roots, by Curt Iles) I’d never heard of the Broken Wings Award until recently. I haven’t met helicopter pilot Edwin Steve Coleman, one of the few two-time winners of the …

Thoughts on Generosity… Matt Farmer’s Barn   It is the first Sunday we’ve had church since Rita.  Much of our community is still scattered over four states but many are returning home to clean up.  Most homes are still without electricity and water pressure is only now beginning to build up for use. Our attendance is small today but there …

Below is Chapter 2 from The Wayfaring Stranger.  It introduces heroine Eliza Clark and shares about her love affair with whip poor wills. The oldtimers of Louisiana’s No Man’s Land had many superstitions and sayings about birds:  whippoorwills, owls, cardinals, wood ducks, and crows.   If you know of any, let me know. Here is the saying that is covered in …

New Orleans… City I love, City I hate Now as He (Jesus) drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. Luke 19:41-42 NKJV   This story from Hearts across the Water, was written in 2005.  It’s still one of my favorites because it attempts to explain the unique relationship between New Orleans and the “rest of us” in …

Discussion questions for A Good Place by Curt Iles Below are discussion questions from chapters 1 and 19 of my latest novel, A Good Place.   Help us by submitting your discussion topics for each chapter. This reader’s guide is to facilitate discussion by book clubs, individuals of all ages, and school groups. A Good Place is being enjoyed by readers …

Chapter 1   A Good Place WHEN Daddy shoved me under the table, I knew this wasn’t just any storm. As the crow flies, our Louisiana log cabin was a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. When this day had quietly begun, no one had any idea a hurricane was churning ashore. Here we were less than twelve hours later, …

A Friendship Fire From The Old House by Curt Iles It’s a beautiful March night.  During this third month of the year, the nights are cool and the days are normally mild.  The blossoms of spring begin to show off- the azaleas, dogwoods, and honeysuckle.  Most of the days are full of blue skies and moderate temperatures.  Best of all, …

My favorite current passage from A Good Place. I read the following story to a Sr. Adult group earlier in the week.  One lady laughed so hard I thought we were going to have to do the Heimlich Maneuver on her. Here is it for you to read, enjoy, and laugh. Author’s note:  Mayo Moore, preteen son of Joe and …