A Strange Case in a Strange Place A chance to recapture past glory days gone awry. A cybercrime expert forced to endure warm, sunny weather in December. A South Florida holiday with two stressed-out techies ending up in the wrong place at the right time. Will Dana manage to crack the case before it goes from missing person to murder?A Dana Sanderson Short MysteryAn excerpt from Glory Lane and the Humid HolidayDana had always been more comfortable with codes and computers than people."We got a missing persons report on Rich Walters a couple of days ago, " Michelle said. "Only had a plane ticket to go on. We've had the word out, but he disappeared after he flew into Miami. Not a trace until right here, last night."Michelle held up one of those evidence bags with a scuffed brown leather wallet inside, with a loose driver's license pressed against the plastic. Dana glanced the alley where a few uniforms still lingered, heads down. "He's not. Is he over there?"Michelle looked over her shoulder, then turned back to Dana with a grin."Don't worry, Dana. He's not dead, not that we know of. But Rich Walters isn't just missing. He's disappeared into thin air."

Glory Lane and the Humid Holiday - Dana Sanderson Short Mysteries, #3

The Race for a Snowy RescueWalt Colley loves nothing more than watching a good snowstorm settle in. Except for the chance to help people as best he knows how. Then one of the kids he takes under his wing goes missing at the worst time, sending Walt out into the night. Can he bring everyone home safe and keep himself out of trouble at the same time? A Storms of Future Past StoryAlso available in the collection Facing Down Extraordinary An excerpt from The Best Kind of Teacher:A Bad Night for a Friend to Go Missing Harry breathed in deep, then blew out loud enough that Walt held the phone away from his ear."You be careful out there, Walt. This snow might not be as bad as they predicted just yet, but with all the rain lately there's likely to be black ice. We don't want two of you skidding out." "I got my own four-wheel drive, and chains if I need 'em. Do me a favor and hold off on sending any more plows out for a bit if you can. I'd hate for them to cover over the very tracks we might need if he did go off the road. I'm heading out right now."Silly as Jimmy could be, Walt had never known him to be a careless driver in any kind of weather. But like anyone just barely nineteen, he didn't hardly have enough behind-the-wheel experience to tell for sure.

The Best Kind of Teacher - Storms of Future Past

When the cat drags in a mysteryA cold IT dungeon, full of noisy servers and grumpy  workers. Not exactly a natural fit for a cat. Until you consider blinking lights and all those places to hide. And folks more comfortable with animals than other people. But this cat discovers toys more disturbing than cute. What will Dana find in the impossible hiding place?A Dana Sanderson Short MysteryAn excerpt from Three Computer Geeks GruffGayle sat back, rubbing her chin and staring at a bright red line on the screen."Huh. Looks like Mr. Rawson is under suspension. Hasn't reported to work at all for a week, or even called in. Still doesn't explain how this thing got down here."She held the token up, turning the smooth black plastic back and forth. When Peluda jumped up on the desk this time, she held a heavy gold ring in her teeth. A man's college class ring, from the looks of it, with a big sapphire stone and lots of engraving."What the hell?" Gayle absently patted Peluda's head as she extracted the ring and held it up to the light. Agold G with a T joined to it."Please tell me McGranville went to Georgia Tech, " Dana said, trying to catch her breath through the falling sensation in her gut. "Please tell me that's his ring."

Three Computer Geeks Gruff - Dana Sanderson Short Mysteries, #5

The Oddest of JobsMore than the usual number of unusual people call Maple Ridge home. Carol Sanderson and her boyfriend Sid Rutherford work for the most eccentric of them all. They know to expect anything when decorating the most mysterious house in town. Except for what they discover on a snowy December night. A Storms of Future Past Story Originally published in Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Crime in the CountrysideAlso available in the collection Shadows Mountain Deep An excerpt from Adventures in Winter Driving:Watching Out for the Wrong Trouble "What's got you spooked?" Sid said. "You're watching the trees like something's going to jump out after us."Carol shoved him with a playful elbow."It's not what might jump out of the trees. It's the trees themselves. Some of those old pines are huge, you know? They'd be tough to clear if even one of them fell."Sid looked more closely, shaking his head. Like most kids who grew up in Maple Ridge, they'd both spent time working either at the Maple Barn or out in the ring of trees that kept it supplied. Understanding what kept a tree healthy and in good shape was pretty much hardwired by the time they graduated high school."They've stood there a long time, haven't they?" he said. "Good thing it's not supposed to snow too much tonight."

Adventures in Winter Driving - Storms of Future Past

An Uneasy Shiver of Something WrongReturning home to Hartstown, Virginia, thrills Beth Azen and her sweet dog Janie. Taking the chance to breathe and learn to listen her heart's voice again. Figuring out where her next path in life leads. But a missed appointment sets Beth on edge for reasons she can't explain. Will she solve the mystery before it's too late? A Voices Through Time Story Also available in the collection Facing Down Extraordinary An excerpt from A Soggy Brush with History:When Things Just Don't Feel Right  Even as Beth joined Janie on a quick trot in one direction on the gravel road and then back, she knew this didn't make sense. Ms. Sinnett had been so excited about this visit, sending notes a couple of times a day asking about what Beth might be interested in. She'd asked which of her several delicious cookie varieties Beth preferred (crispy ginger spice sounded best), and whether she'd like tea or coffee (coffee: always coffee). They'd shared their frustration that a couple of members of the Boun County Historical Society were being oddly stingy with time and materials. She'd even suggested ideas for areas of the town's often-tragic history that Beth might want to concentrate on during the interview. None of that added up to her just not being here.

A Soggy Brush with History - Voices through Time

When Self-improvement Turns DeadlyInsurance agency programmer Dana Sanderson only wants peace and quiet at work. A desire her micromanaging boss somehow never respects. Then the investigation of a rash of suspicious natural death claims lands on Dana's laptop. Failure means huge payouts for the company. Success means a huge bonus for her. Find out if Dana's risks outweigh her rewards in this clever cybercrime mystery. A Dana Sanderson Short MysteryAn excerpt from The Sound of Murder:"If you know about me, " Dana said, "you know why I can't get back into hacking, Mr. Redmond. That part of my life is over.""I'm not asking you to get into their bank accounts. Just find the common thread. Take a look, a careful look, and see what you come up with. Don't worry about your usual projects for now. There's a full year's salary bonus for whoever works this out.""A full." Dana shook her head, quite certain she'd misunderstood. "You're offering me a year's pay? How could it be worth that?"She didn't have to do the math. That much money would pay off her college debts and everything else she'd racked up putting her past firmly behind her. The prospect of returning to her hacker life, even temporarily, felt slightly less dreadful now."These were all in our lowest risk pool, " he said, raising his eyebrows. "Several of them had policies worth ten times your salary. Trust me. It's worth it.

The Sound of Murder - Dana Sanderson Short Mysteries, #1

On Certain Days, the Hurt Feels Brand NewMost people love the music computer in Sara's brain. Earworm lyrics. Trivia and connections. Obscure cover versions. She knows it all. Only one person knows the obsession behind Sara's knowledge. And the heartache she hides. Can a break with the past show Sarah a new future? Originally appeared in Obsessions: An Anthology of Original Fiction, Stark Publishing, 2020 An excerpt from At the Heart of It All:The Day All Her Best Defenses Fail  Sarah may have been born with the computer, but her father had at least installed the software and optimized it for music. The massive database she'd been filling as long as she could remember. Anything that changed after that hadn't been his fault."Not now. Not while you're in this traffic."She took advantage of a dead stop on the highway and called up Jimi Hendrix and Crosstown Traffic to distract herself. Keeping the calendars out of her office helped some with this dreadful, painful month. Same with turning off the displays on her phone and her computers at work. Even if she'd followed her occasional impulse and spent all of October in some sort of technology and communication void, she'd know. Some part of Sara knew exactly what day it was. Every single year.

At the Heart of It All

Not the Best Place for a Good Night's SleepDeb Powers finally gets to work. Helping an old friend with new potential upgrade his life. This time her cousin brings a case at a B&B in town that threatens the owner's sanity. A free stay plus a chance to investigate the bizarre proves too much for Deb to resist. Will she figure out the trouble before she loses her own sanity in the process?Also available in the collection Investigations Beyond Belief An excerpt from The Strange Critter at the Old Johnston Place:When an Old Friend Fears His Own Mind "Cliff's been finding things like his razor in the freezer, " Terri said. "An egg inside his pillowcase, which unfortunately had not been hard-cooked first. Piles of salt and pepper in his underwear drawer, potting soil in the silverware drawer, and the remote for the television inside the oven. Apparently he checked inside before he turned it on a couple of days ago, because he melted a pair of his reading glasses in there last week." "And no one else has been inside?" Deb said. "Nope, not until he called me personally to come take a look, " Terri said. "He hasn't seen anyone skulking around on any of the security recordings." "Maybe he'll let us install a few just for this?" Jeff said. "Help ease his mind?" "I don't think that would help Cliff feel better, " Deb said."Not unless it shows him sleepwalking, right? I'm going to guess he's afraid he's doing all of it himself but just can't remember."

The Strange Critter at the Old Johnston Place: Deb Powers, Otherworldly PI: Case #3 - Deb Powers: Otherworldly PI, #3

A Multi-Dimensional CrossoverAndre Telkin loves cat sitting for his best friend Dana. Spoiling them rotten and teaching them his special flair. Enjoying the peace and quiet of the old tree-lined neighborhood. Except when he hears a sound beyond explanation. Too strange and disturbing to ignore. What will Andre discover when he leaves his reality behind?Also available in the collection Facing Down Extraordinary An excerpt from Andre's Extra-Sensational Adventure:Something Truly Strange Lurking in the Night  When he closed the screen door behind him and stepped out into the night, that bizarre churning noise caught Andre's attention once again. It wasn't louder, exactly, and it didn't sound any closer. Partly because he was having trouble pinning down what direction it came from. But it did sound more discordant somehow to his highly sensitive and well-trained ear. Like the noise had turned up the volume, or the speed, only emphasizing whatever was unnatural and out of balance in the first place.

Andre's Extra-Sensational Adventure

Some Secrets Are Stranger Than OthersMaggie got super-lucky in the in-law department. Her sweet mother-in-law Fran shares the excitement of her life with everyone. Then a string of odd events catches Maggie's attention. Events she suspects might all trace back to Fran. Will Maggie regret trying to uncover the truth? Originally appeared in Cloak And Dagger (Blaze Ward Presents Book 4), Knotted Road Press, 2020 An excerpt from Beware a Dancing Mother-in-Law:The Truth Dances Right Past Her Suspicions I finally got curious. And suspicious. And worried that I was going nuts. Until the assisted living called and said Fran was dancing again. Humming up a storm, grinning. Dancing all around her room, and up and down the hallways, too. She even danced all around the cafeteria before settling down to have her lunch. I was so fixated on proving myself wrong that I grabbed Andy by the arm the second he got home. We headed for the assisted living, with him staring at me wide-eyed from the passenger seat the whole way while I told him what I was starting to think. Bless his heart, he listened to me the whole time without laughing or shaking his head or telling me I was indeed going nuts. I didn't even mind that he didn't say anything at all. I'm sure he didn't believe me. But I was grateful he didn't say so out loud. I'd imagine he's grateful too. Now.

Beware a Dancing Mother-in-Law

Run to a Brand New WorldWhen it comes to running, Alyssa Boothe knows to trust her feet. Giving her the treasured chance to clear her mind and daydream. Then on a crisp autumn morning in Atlanta, a fabulous man on roller skates shows the way to a place she never imagined. Will Alyssa have the courage to finally discover where she belongs? Part of Magical Quests, an Uncollected Anthology. Crossing Paths with a MuseChills that had nothing to do with the sweat now drying on Alyssa's arms raced over her skin. The air itself seemed to sparkle around them, and the mist over the field looked like a thousand Technicolor stars burst into life all at once."What do you mean, searching?"He shook his head, but he was still smiling."That's not for me to say. All I can tell you is to keep following your path. You're not far from what you're looking for. You can tell by all the colors."He backed up, weaving his skates in and out, and continued into another tight circle that he exited in the direction he'd been going."Welcome, " he called as he accelerated away. "Welcome home."Alyssa opened her mouth to ask at least a hundred questions, but he'd already turned another corner out of sight. And the chorus to "Xanadu" drifted back to her on a cool breeze. Informing her now she was here...

Magic Feet and the Xanadu Man: A Terminalia Story - Uncollected Anthology: Magical Quests

A Brewing DisasterRegina Burke never expects trouble on a fine morning in Bountyfield, Virginia. Especially trouble involving her sweet nephew Trevor. But trouble knows its own schedule, and holds its own secrets. Now Regina races to keep Trevor from driving into a nightmare neither imagined. Will she find him in time, before the nightmare wins? An excerpt from A Race Against Tea Time:A good kid headed straight into hot waterPam shook her head sharply, once to the left, then the right."You really need to get around here and start making phone calls. I'm guessing the folks Trevor delivers to aren't in the best of health. From what you're telling me about this jimsonweed, we need to make damn sure they don't brew it up thinking they can settle down for their afternoon naps."Regina held her breath, trying not to imagine Trevor's face if he was part of something like that happening, even with his usual best of intentions. She could wish all day long for a drone or a helicopter, or a high-tech satellite tracking device that wouldn't work on narrow mountain roads anyway. Or, she could do her best to help him like she always had."Thank you, Pam. Show me where I won't be in your way. We'll find him."

A Race Against Tea Time

The Changes That Redefine Us AllAn Impossible Task Filled with LoveTransitions Revealing More Than We ExpectWhen Family Secrets Turn PoisonousOn Certain Days, the Hurt Feels Brand NewA Truth Too Hard to FaceSometimes Everybody Needs Recovery All the years of life bring change. Beginnings and endings. Differences we welcome or dread. Many unavoidable, no matter how bitter or sweet. Every one bringing an in-between time that sometimes feels endless. And sometimes passes in a flash. Join storyteller Kari Kilgore as she explores the passages a lifetime brings. Includes On Choosing the Perfect Peach Dress, The Worry Trap, An Overdue Truce, At the Heart of It All, What Breaks a Man, and Traditions Worth Keeping A choice too big for a broken heartThe reality of the loss of one of the most important people in his life clenched up Michael's chest and made his throat ache. Revisiting childhood, and so much more."Hang on, Mom, " Marlene said, leaving her memories with her footprints and catching up. "That last step is tricky.""I guess I know how to go into my own house, Marlene. Even if I don't live here anymore." Digging Out the Toxins of the PastSean had quietly wondered why his mother didn't get the house, or any kind of spousal support that anyone knew of. Sean figured then and now he just didn't understand. Brad figured their father had weaseled out of it. The Day All Her Best Defenses FailEven if she spent October in a technology and communication void, she'd know. Some part of Sara knew exactly what day it was. Every single year. How many last chances does one man deserve?The last time Reggie heard Scotty's voice was the day he'd left home a few months short of high school graduation. A last grand screaming match, and his son disappeared from his house and his life. Learning to Trust Again, Especially HerselfThe next breaker rolling in on Lucy's rising guilt tide was how many huge liquor stores were probably still open, and perfectly willing to take her little brother's money. And his fragile new sobriety right along with it.

Passages in the Real World: Six Stories of Life's Transitions

When Everyday Life Turns Into AmazingA missed appointment sets Beth Azen on edge. Will she solve the mystery before it's too late? A friend in need reaches out to Hugh Fergusson. Will offering shelter turn the dream into a nightmare? One of Walt Colley's friends disappears at the worst time. Can he get them, and himself, home safe and sound? Andre Telkin hears a sound too disturbing to ignore. What will he discover when he leaves his reality behind? George Edwards struggles to adjust to life without his kids. Will he grab his chance at happiness or let it pass him by? We all need everyday heroes. And we play that role ourselves in ways large and small. Confused, overwhelmed, or scared to death, the hero inside rises to the challenge. Sometimes never knowing who they save. Join storyteller Kari Kilgore on unexpected adventures with heroes who get the job done. Includes five original series stories: A Soggy Brush with History, Decisions in a Dangerous Situation, The Best Kind of Teacher, Andre's Extra-Sensational Adventure, and Sunny with a Chance of Happiness. A Soggy Brush with HistoryAn Uneasy Shiver of Something WrongReturning home to Hartstown, Virginia, thrills Beth Azen and her sweet dog Janie. Taking the chance to breathe and learn to listen her heart's voice again. Figuring out where her next path in life leads. But a missed appointment sets Beth on edge for reasons she can't explain. Will she solve the mystery before it's too late? Decisions in a Dangerous SituationRisking the Safety of HomeDreams coming true after years of hard work. Settling into paradise with the love of his life. Hugh Fergusson savors every long-anticipated moment. But a desperate friend reaches out, with a cry they must heed. Will offering shelter turn the dream into a nightmare? The Best Kind of TeacherThe Race for a Snowy RescueWalt Colley loves nothing more than watching a good snowstorm settle in. Except for the chance to help people as best he knows how. Then one of the kids he takes under his wing goes missing at the worst time, sending Walt out into the night. Can he bring everyone home safe and keep himself out of trouble at the same time? Andre's Extra-Sensational AdventureA Multidimensional CrossoverAndre Telkin loves cat sitting for his best friend Dana. Spoiling them rotten and teaching them his special flair. Enjoying the peace and quiet of the old tree-lined neighborhood. Except when he hears a sound beyond explanation. Too strange and disturbing to ignore. What will Andre discover when he leaves his reality behind? Sunny with a Chance of HappinessWho Rescues Who?George Edwards knows his kids got a great start in life. They prove it every day. But that leaves George struggling to adjust to life without them. Needing to figure out the next part of his own journey. Then one morning, a change he can't ignore bursts into his life. Will George grab his chance at happiness or let it pass him by? Discover everyday heroes and step into amazing new worlds with five original series stories from Kari Kilgore.

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