Last Rites: And Other Tales from the Heartland

An attorney with a groundhog dilemma and an even bigger girlfriend problem. A criminal turned evangelist who receives a mysterious, miraculous letter that could solve all her financial woes. A young boy whose mother attracts the attention of an alluring but dangerous cowboy. A retiree who becomes a gourmet cook to help navigate the loneliness of being newly widowed. And a best friend who undertakes a dangerous wilderness journey to fulfill a promise made long ago.

These are some of the memorable characters and their unforgettable stories in Last Rites, the debut short story collection by Ronald Holtman. From the heartfelt and heartbreaking to the wry and satirical, these episodes will carry readers across the continent, from small towns in the Heartland to the wilds of Canada, with their vibrant dialogue and powerful writing—tales that will stay with the readers long after they have finished reading.