A Particularly Wicked GhostMaude Morgan enjoys life in the tough mining town of Virginia City, Nevada. Surrounded by long loyal friends and allies. But two desperate men on the run bring a fierce specter of Maude's past that threatens to destroy everything. Can she manage to protect herself and all she holds dear?Or will the past put an end to her future? Part of Unexpected Histories, an Uncollected Anthology. A Most Unwelcome Reminder of Times Long PastMaude folded the letter, tucked it into a pocket of her skirt, and picked up her cooled tea."May I ask how you became aware of the threat to your life, Mr. Evans?"He stared down at his hands knotted in his lap, and Maude would have sworn a flush rose against his dark skin."I heard tell of the murder of friends of mine, " he said. "From before. Friends from the bad days, back in Georgia. Murdered in Richmond, and Philadelphia, and New York. Then Chicago, and St. Louis, and Denver. It was one of Jacob's people that got word of what Mr. O'Day knew, after we got out here to Virginia City a week past."Mr. Fairfax-Jacob-gazed at Mr. Evans with a fondness Maude finally recognized and understood. These two weren't simply friends or traveling companions. They meant far more to each other than that. Mr. Fairfax confirmed her suspicions with his words and the heat of his tone."The things William told me about his life.before, they aren't fit for a lady to hear, ma'am. I'll do anything in my power to make sure he's safe from harm. That man that's after him, Mr. Winters. He's the very devil in the flesh."

The Last Death of Angfil: A Soul Travelers Story - Uncollected Anthology: Unexpected Histories

Curiouser and CuriouserAmy gets the chance to relive a cherished childhood memory. To revisit a beloved movie, and remember a night full of wonder. A solo trip into the past both sweet and melancholy. But sometimes the past makes other plans. What will Amy discover on her unexpected visit to Wonderland?Also available in the collection Stepping Out of Reality An excerpt from Amy in Wonderland:Right On Time for A Most Important Date Amy stepped through the door the White Rabbit held, and she found herself bobbing down into a passable imitation of a curtsey for some bizarre reason. Up close, she couldn't see a trace of makeup on his white face, or how his constantly twitching whiskers could possibly be attached."Do be sure and enjoy your refreshments, " he purred. "We made them especially for you."Even though Amy's stomach loudly demanded popcorn now that the scent was thick in the air, she headed toward the burgundy velvet curtain leading to the auditorium. She had no desire to get too close to any of the other actors. Unfortunately Tweedledum and Tweedledee had relocated themselves to either side of the entrance, and they each held a silvery tray.

Amy in Wonderland

An Enchanting Victorian Fantasy In a whirlwind of change, Victoria Haversham plans to leave London behind. Dreaming of a life with her newfound family in paradise. Determined to choose her own future. A bit worse for wear but healing, Rob McDuff prepares for upheaval of his own. Besides departing Britain for the first time, he faces a reunion he long believed impossible. But a dangerous enemy they both thought defeated secretly begins his own recovery. Gathering allies and information that threaten to derail Victoria and Rob's adventures before they begin. Will Victoria and Rob recognize the danger before they're trapped forever? The Odd Society: Book Two An excerpt from Protected by Means of Magic: Return of a Menace Sister Amelia was nearly her composed self, though she looked far from happy. "Father Hall sent me with a most urgent message. For you too, Miss Jean, and I would think Miss Victoria would want to know as well. It seems someone has been asking after you at your boarding house, Mr. McDuff." Everything in McDuff's body seemed to stop at once, and a clammy chill overtook him. Jean spoke before he could manage to draw his next breath. "How did he hear of this? Did he say who, or what the person looked like?""Father Hall was strangely shy about that, " Sister Amelia said. "He said he'd much prefer to explain it himself, but if you asked I should go ahead. He left word there with a Mrs. Richards?"McDuff nodded, and his neck creaked with tension."She was my landlady there, yes. Father Hall didn't mention leaving word of any kind except that I wouldn't be returning.""That's what he said, exactly so. And that he should have told you both, but he'd hoped and prayed it would come to nothing. But he did leave word in case anyone ever came round. That happened yesterday evening."

Protected by Means of Magic - The Odd Society, #2

A Strike of Magic Zach Seagon loves the unusual town of Lightning Gap. The only place he feels at home. Graham Cassoni welcomes the change of pace of mountain life.  A chance to start over. When their eyes meet, an undeniable spark flares to life. Will Zach and Graham realize the change they really need is each other? An excerpt from The Lightning Festival: A Spark of Magic This new guy must be the caregiver, the one Craig Douglas had found to help out. The younger Mr. Douglas hadn't mentioned hiring a knock-out gorgeous caregiver while he was at it. From Zach's spot about twenty feet away, he saw curly brown hair and skin nearly as dark. About his own height, and built solid and strong, like he spent time hiking or biking or something equally enticing when he wasn't helping care for the sweet Douglases. Mystery Gorgeous Guy looked up at Zach and smiled, and the setting sun highlighted perfect teeth, full lips, and swoon-worthy bright green eyes. Nature's own spotlight created to entice Zach even more. The delightful waves of heat floating through his body told him he was about to experience the best Lightning Festival ever. Or, he was about to get himself into heartache territory. Either way, in the warmth of that amazing smile, he was willing to take the chance.

The Lightning Festival

Her Oasis of Calm in a Difficult TimeJanet prefers cats to people. The endless variety of personalities, voices, colors, and cuddles keep her calm in a hectic world. So when the world begins to close down, volunteering to care for cats makes sense. But Janet learns sometimes people need care too. And cats know how to help. An excerpt from In Service to a Superior Species:Offering Comfort in the Best Way PossibleAfter stopping to send up his perky greeting to each of the relatively happy cats, Bitu stopped in front of Moxie's home away from home. Rather than raising his head and calling out his version of "Good morning, " he sat, wrapping his tail around his feet. He purred softly, watching the bars the whole time. Janet walked over just as quietly, peering inside instead of reaching for the bars right away. Moxie had scooted her bright pink cushion as far away from the front as she could get it, nearly blocking the door to the litter box area. She'd piled a purple fuzzy blanket up on one edge like a tiny barricade, so only a hint of sleek, pure black showed. After a few seconds, Moxie raised her head. One orange eye opened, then the other. She slow-blinked at Janet, lifted her slender tail in a dainty greeting, and snuggled down behind the blanket again.

In Service to a Superior Species

An Invisible Countdown to DeathA cookie-cutter suburban house. A strange aroma. A dead body, and a suspect refusing to talk. Sometimes a stumped investigation needs a non-standard mind. A perfect case for Dana and her best friend Andre to work their magic. Can they solve the crime before the next victim's time runs out?A Dana Sanderson Short MysteryAn excerpt from Melting Point:Mira took a long drink of her coffee, staring out over the trees outside before she focused on Dana again."We've got the suspect, sure. Sitting in lockup, smug as hell, and not saying a word. What we need from you, Dana, is how on earth she did it."Dana drew back, blinking. "Me? I'm just an insurance investigator. This is your field. Surely the GBI has people on this." "They do. And they're coming up empty so far. Some of these cases are months old. They're afraid  this woman had a longer list of people she was paid to knock off."Mira took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds."They'll probably find it, " she said, "but I can't stop wondering what would have happened if someone totally innocent had walked into that bedroom instead. Like maybe her niece or nephew."

Melting Point - Dana Sanderson Short Mysteries, #4

Chasing a Lifelong DreamElla finds the perfect vacation spot in the Road to Paradise Mountain Resort. Stunning scenery. Fabulous rooms. Decadent food. Peace and quiet and reconnection. And best of all, a dream car and a great driving road just for her. But Paradise hides more than Ella ever imagined... Also available in the collection Stepping Out of Reality. An excerpt from The Road to Paradise Mountain: When Getting There IS the PointJacob often picked beachy places, where the recreational activities were limited to swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying exotic food and drink. Ella, on the other hand, too often found herself feeling...restricted on that kind of vacation. Stuck in one spot, and more antsy than relaxed. She often escaped on boat tours or walking tours. Anything to get moving and explore. That was another way the Road to Paradise Mountain Resort was her perfect choice. The road part of the name not only meant the long, twisting, gorgeous drive to the lodge itself. The vast acreage was also home to a fabulous network of roads meant for the best kind of driving. Beautiful. Challenging. And fast.

The Road to Paradise Mountain

The Successful Launch of a DisasterBilly's new tech start-up sits on the verge of greatness. A fantastic reward for leaving his rotten old job in the dust. Until a miscalculation lands Billy in a nightmare. And he only sees one way out. Unfortunately Billy's way out puts him squarely in cybercrime expert Dana Sanderson's sights. Can Dana stop him before it's too late?A Dana Sanderson Short MysteryAlso available in Kari's short story collection Hacking Cybercrime: Dana Sanderson Short MysteriesAn excerpt from The Fabulous Feats of Billy:The first line you cross is the easiestBilly pulled the power cord out, running it idly through his fingers. The lax security and asset tracking wasn't all he knew about Gossalor. He knew the yearly, quarterly, and monthly profit numbers for the place. They were nowhere near AllState or State Farm numbers, no. But they were easily a thousand times more profitable than the amount Billy was pulling his hair out over. And twenty-eight thousand wasn't much, not really. Not compared to the settlements Gossalor paid out every single day. Many times a day. Paying out was part of doing business for them, and they clearly had plenty to spare. Sometimes a gold-plated nest could do without a feather or two. Especially if no one would ever be the wiser.

Livres