We all have our stories–about who we are. But we also have fantasies. What would we do if we won a lottery? Where would we live if we could live anywhere we wanted?

A new book by Vankleek Hill resident Violet Shields takes the reader into stories that are likely to intersect with what mature women are thinking about. Called “Mature Women’s Bedtime Stories,” the book explores several themes, including romance, friendship, aging and taking a chance on love. Shields has woven true stories with fiction as she delves into mature women’s dreams and desires.

Not that there aren’t disappointments along the way. Shields is the first to admit that life can throw some curveballs, at times. One of the stories in the book is a sad one, about the loss of a husband. Another is about being misled after taking a chance and trying online dating.

In her book, Shields has taken chances of her own. She offers a healthy serving of romance seasoned with some zesty intimacy scenes.

Reminder: None of the stories are exactly true. But note: if you are a mature woman, you may see yourself in some of these stories.

Reminder: None of the stories are exactly true. But note: if you are a mature woman, you may see yourself in some of these stories.

“I think people should be open to listening, instead of always talking,” says Shields, who describes herself as a quiet introvert who even as a child, studied people and spent a lot of time thinking. And it is the lives of those around her, and the stories she has heard, that have melded together in this book.

In a way, she says, some stories are universal. “We have all had bad experiences in relationships, and we have our fantasies about finding the right person and having an ideal relationship with someone who cares about us. Sometimes, older women give up on love or finding that someone, but if we dig deep enough, we all have our fantasies,” Shields says. One story also contains Shields’ own fantasy living space — a unique lighthouse-style, window-filled oceanfront house in the Maritimes.

Shields describes her life in Vankleek Hill as quiet. Retired now for several years, she lists off many jobs that she has done in her lifetime, including running a bed and breakfast, catering and cooking, real estate staging, cleaning, working on a pig farm and driving a school bus. She previously published a book of poetry. But obviously, Shields had more to say.

Shields relates that it was one day during the pandemic isolation that she asked herself what she was waiting for–as the notion of writing a book of short stories had been with her for a while.

“One Sunday morning, I began writing–in longhand. Before long, I was ankle deep in an ocean of paper.” Shields was crumpling up bad starts. But soon, she was on her way. Her stories evolved and a friend typed everything up for her. She circulated her stories to friends, who encouraged her to publish them.

At first, Shields was wary of the sex scenes in her book, but as she says, “There is nothing to be afraid of in the book and there is nothing offensive.”

Shields, who is somewhat shy, offers some simple relationship advice. “Be with someone because you want to be with them. And have children because you want children.” Her optimistic outlook is obvious as she also advises people to have an open mind and be open to learning and trying new things, whether it is hobbies, one’s outlook or changing oneself.

Shields’ book is for sale at The Review (76 Main Street East, Vankleek Hill), at Vankleek Cottage (105 Main Street East, Vankleek Hill) and can be found on Amazon as a print book and e-book. She will be signing books at Vankleek Cottage on Saturday, May 13, from 1 to 3 p.m.

You can also order the print version of the book from The Review’s online book store: https://reviewshop.ca/.