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Mothers Day is coming up on Sunday and you still have time to get her something nice. If your mom is in the same generation as my mom grew up in the 20's and 30's, experienced WWII as an adult, and is fond of stories set in rural America, this is a book she will enjoy. Also, if she's sight-impaired, it's available in a Large Print paperback and audio book.
These are stories about my father. He's passed now, but he took great pleasure reading his almost true tall tales. I think you'll enjoy them too. The descriptions of stories below are of particular interest to mothers.
Here are a few of the twenty-one stories included in the book.
Ma’s Story
Mothers have their own joys and sorrows. Too often they keep their feelings to themselves and even their own families don’t know.
WHEN I WAS a boy, my Ma was a woman of few words, which surprised quite a few folks. The town ladies came out to visit on occasion and she’d go to town to return the favor, but mostly she listened. That did set her apart from the gossipers and them that just liked to talk to hear themselves.
Crossin’ the Creek
Kids went to school, but they didn’t exactly catch the school bus outside the house. Getting to school could be an adventure.
IT’D BEEN RAINING forty days and forty nights is what Ma said, but I only counted up eleven days myself. She did tend to put things in Bible sayin’s, so I won’t say she was lyin’, just exaggeratin’ for effect.
The Thief
The Great Depression was beginning to seep into the lives of the people in West Texas. Insulated to some extent, they began to see the repercussions of the droughts by the people who came south from Oklahoma for relief from the dust storms.
IT ALWAYS MEANS a good time when Pa lets me go with him in the truck. I liked the truck a lot and sometimes he’d let me drive a ways, too. This time, Pa planned on goin’ further than Hereford. We were goin’ to go to Amarillo, the trip some fifty miles. It would take us most of one day to get there and do what we needed to do, so we’d have to camp overnight somewhere along the way.
Out of the Chicken Coop
Most
animals on the farm were there for a purpose, rarely as pets. That
meant that animals were not allowed in the house like they are today.
If they got in, however, it wasn’t always easy to get them out
again.
WHEN
I WAS just a little kid, no more’n seven if I remember rightly, I
was down in the chicken yard tossin’ grain like I was tol’. This
one little red hen started followin’ me around instead of peckin’
up the grain like the other chickens. I thought it strange, but just
went about my business.
How do you handle a crazy jackass? Eddie knows. If you ask Eddie, he'll tell you pigs can fly and show you where to find real mammoth bones. Take his word for it when he tells you always to bet on the bear. These are things he learned while dreaming of becoming a cowboy in West Texas during the Depression. Through Eddie, the hero of "Tales of a Texas Boy," we find that growing up is less about maturity and more about roping your dreams. Hold on tight. It's a bumpy ride. A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys books like "Little House on the Prairie" or "Tom Sawyer." A great bit of nostalgia for seniors, too.
Buy the Audio Book for only $6.95 at Audible. Don't worry, you don't have to sign up to buy the individual book. However, if you find you enjoy audio books, subscribing to Audible might be for you. Promo codes for free copies available for US and UK. TALES OF A TEXAS BOY AUDIO BOOK at Audible Tales at Amazon at iTunes (Apple)
Here's a sample from the book, or you can sample on either Amazon or Audible.
If your dad is in the same generation as my father who grew up in the 20's and 30's, experienced WWII as an adult, and is fond of stories set in rural America, this is a book he will enjoy. Also, if he's sight-impaired, it's available in a Large Print paperback and audio book.
One Fine Dog
These are stories about my father, which also plays into the "great gift for Fathers Day" concept. He's passed now, but he took great pleasure reading his almost true tall tales. Many of the stories feature my grandfather, who Eddie looked up to and admired. I think you'll enjoy them too.* Here are the buy links: Ebook: Kindle Ebook $2.99 Smashwords EPUB - Set Your Own Price
BLURB
How do you handle a crazy jackass? Eddie knows. If you ask Eddie, he'll tell you pigs can fly and show you where to find real mammoth bones. Take his word for it when he tells you always to bet on the bear. These are things he learned while dreaming of becoming a cowboy in West Texas during the Depression. Through Eddie, the hero of "Tales of a Texas Boy," we find that growing up is less about maturity and more about roping your dreams. Hold on tight. It's a bumpy ride. A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys books like "Little House on the Prairie" or "Tom Sawyer." A great bit of nostalgia for seniors, too.
EXCERPT
One Fine Dog
Dogs weren’t just pets, but working members of the family. Sometimes, they could do amazing things and perform feats that were almost like magic.
Ma yelled loud enough for me to hear into the next state. “Edward Preston! Get yerself in here right now!”
I wondered what it was I done now. I didn’t recall any particular mischief I’d been up to. At least, not today. I finished throwin’ the hay into Beau’s corral and went on the run up to the house.
“Yes’m,” I said soon as I got to the porch where Ma was standin’ with her fists planted on her hips. I reckon you know the look she was givin’ me. If’n your mother called you by your first and middle names, then you know exactly what I’m talkin’ about.
Then, she surprised me ‘cause she smiled. Now, that sure weren’t the normal expression she’d have if she was about to give me what-for. I thought maybe she was just havin’ some fun with me.
“Your Pa is goin’ to pick up the ewes from the Braddock’s place, so go help him get the truck out of the barn.”
I grinned myself and almost shouted “Yes’m!” But, I caught myself in time as Ma doesn’t like us to be yellin’. I took off to the barn to find Pa. He was already pullin’ the tarp off the truck, so I went about helpin’ him finish up. We got behind the truck and pushed ‘er out of the barn. I jumped in behind the wheel. Like Pa taught me, I checked to make sure the hand brake was on, then I checked the spark and gas levers on the steering column. I pulled up on the spark and pushed down on the gas. Pa gave a mighty pull up on the crank. When the engine roared, I pushed the gas lever up a little more.
“You gotta give it more gas a little faster, Eddie.” Pa was tryin’ to teach me how to operate the truck as I was goin’ on eleven, which is plenty old enough to drive. He was takin’ it slower than I’d like. I thought I had the basics down already. Brake. Spark. Throttle. Crank. Throttle. Take off the brake and go!
“Yessir, Pa.”
Then, I got my second surprise of the day when Pa went to the passenger side and got in. Now my grin was gettin’ even wider, but I tried to tuck it down and act growed up. Pa was goin’ let me drive!
I steered out to the road half expectin’ Pa to only let me take the truck that far, but he waved me ahead and we turned left toward the Braddock’s.
I should explain what we were doin’. We have some ewes, but we don’t have a ram. So, in the fall, we bring the ewes to the Braddocks, who do have a ram. We’d just let them winter over with the Braddock flock. Now, it was spring and the hijadores, who came round to help with the lambing, had finished their work. It was time to put the ewes back into our own pastures.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from "Tales of a Texas Boy" and consider purchasing an ebook, paperback, or audio book.
What book has jackrabbits, chickens, sheep, rattlesnakes, cattle, dogs (several), mules, horses, a jackass, blackbirds, a bear, a bobcat, pigs, an eagle, skunks, coyotes, fish, a mammoth, and a curious and mischievous boy?
There might be only one in the world, I reckon. That'd be TALES OF A TEXAS BOY. The Large Print paperback is very popular with folks who lived a rural life and remember it with fondness. This book will take them back again to those golden days.
Great Book for Dad or Grandpa - Surprise them with a Gift of Old-Time Humor
How do you handle a crazy jackass? Eddie knows. If you ask Eddie, he'll tell you pigs can fly and show you where to find real mammoth bones. Take his word for it when he tells you always to bet on the bear. These are things he learned while dreaming of becoming a cowboy in West Texas during the Depression. Through Eddie, the hero of "Tales of a Texas Boy," we find that growing up is less about maturity and more about roping your dreams. Hold on tight. It's a bumpy ride. A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys books like "Little House on the Prairie" or "Tom Sawyer." A great bit of nostalgia for seniors, too.
There's still time to get Tales of a Texas Boy. Here's a sample to see if this is a book that'd appeal to your father, step-father, grandfather, or favorite uncle.
There are has plenty of weirdos who amuse, baffle, and set Eddie to wondering. One of those weirdos is a man named Cage McNatt. See, even his name is kind of oddball. But it's his actions that take the prize, 'cause his prize sow sure didn't one year at the County Fair.
Tales of a Texas Boy is available in ebook, print, and audio formats. Side note: this book in large print especially for those who may have lived through the Great Depression themselves or simply grew up in a rural area. They'll feel right at home.
Each evening, when the fair was over, Dad would untie Sophie from her post and let her sit closer to the fire. One night, after things calmed down, Dad Boles and I were sittin’ by the fire with Sophie right next to us. Dad Boles was in the middle of a story about trappin’ when we heard something crashin’ around inside the fairgrounds. Dad decided to go check what was goin’ on, and I followed along since he didn’t say to stay put. We went into the fairgrounds to see what was up. The moon was full so we could see well enough.
A man was goin’ toward the fairgrounds’ front gate and it looked like he was pullin’ a big dog along behind him. When I heard the squeal, though, I realized it wasn’t a dog, but a pig. I could also see the pig was white, so I knew right off it was the Luck’s sow. The trouble was that the man was Cage McNatt and not one of the Luck brothers.
Well, you might already have guessed what was goin’ on. Cage McNatt was stealin’ Whitey, or at least, he was tryin’ to. The problem was Whitey was bigger than Mr. McNatt and she wasn’t of a mind to go along quiet. She was doin’ her best to pull away from the rope. She was shakin’ her head back and forth and kept up squealin’ the whole time. That was about the unhappiest pig I ever saw.
Then, she spotted the open gate. She quit squealin’, snorted a couple of times, and all of a sudden she was doin’ the pullin’ and Cage McNatt was runnin’ behind her tryin’ to keep up. She was makin’ a beeline for the gate where we just happened to be standin’. I figured we’d better just step out of the way. Bein’ run down by three hundred fifty pounds of hog flesh was not an idea I cottoned to.
What I didn’t realize, and Whitey didn’t either, was Sophie followed us through the gate. She, meanin’ Whitey, got about twenty feet from us when she looked up and saw a bear standin’ in the way of her freedom. She stopped short and Cage McNatt ran right by her as he had such a head of steam goin’. When he reached the end of the rope, it came right out of his hand. I could see her sittin’ down on her haunches and starin’ at Sophie like she was wonderin’ exactly what it was she was seein’. All she knew is it was a big, hairy critter and probably smelled pretty bad, too.
The sow made up her mind. She whipped around like she was a cuttin’ horse and headed in the opposite direction. I think Sophie was gettin’ curious about this activity, so she went along after the pig. We took out runnin’ as well. Dad Boles didn’t want to risk Sophie harmin’ any livestock, so he was in a big hurry to catch up with her.
I was runnin’ right behind Dad Boles and I heard Cage McNatt’s footsteps right behind me.
The sow headed straight for the Ferris Wheel. I could see one of the cars was at the bottom and it was open. I think you’ve guessed what came next. The pig jumped up into the car and it shuddered like it was hit by a tornado. The gate on the car slammed shut and the pig was jumpin’ around and the car was rockin’ somethin’ furious.
Sophie followed on up the ramp to get to the pig. I don’t think she meant any harm but was just curious. Sophie went to one side of the ramp then to the other lookin’ for an opening to the car. As she stepped to the right, she pushed up against the lever that ran the wheel. The Ferris Wheel started up and the pig was bein’ hoisted up along with it. That seemed to baffle Sophie, so she just stepped off the ramp and walked calm as you please back to Dad Boles.
All three of us stood and watched the car go up with the pig in it squealin’ like she was bein’ introduced to the slaughterhouse.
Dad came to his senses first and ran up the ramp. He hit the lever and the wheel stopped with the pig’s car about halfway up. Now, he wasn’t sure what to do as it seemed the only way to get the pig back down would be to start the wheel back up. I think he felt sorry for the pig as it was cryin’ like a baby and was clearly real scared to be up so high.
By this time, the carnival folks had come out of their trailers to see what was goin’ on. The head man ran over to the wheel and started it back up again. He’d already seen the only way to get the pig down was to run her clear round the circle ‘til the car come to earth again. Unlike Dad Boles, he didn’t mind givin’ the pig the rest of the ride.
The sow made the trip safe enough. When the car reached the bottom, the carnival man opened the gate and she took off like a streak of lightnin’. Dad Boles started laughin’ so hard he could hardly stand up. In between his guffawin’, Dad Boles couldn’t help but say, “Well, I never figured I’d ever really see a pig fly.”
Tales of a Texas Boy are stories my father told me about his life in West Texas as a child. When WWII started, my father signed up, of course. His father (my grandpa) served in the military as a veterinarian. This is his story. Excerpt - Pa's Story
World War I took many young men away from their homes and sent them off to foreign shores. Eddie's Pa was one of those young men. He has his own tale to tell.
In 1916, I was still a young buck and not yet married, so I signed up with Black Jack Pershing to go after Pancho Villa. Ol' Pancho and his banditos came into US territory and killed a bunch of folks in Columbus, New Mexico.
I was real good with horses, so soon I was the veterinarian. This was just as well, as I didn't take well to using a gun. I'd never studied vetting in school, but I'd grown up on a farm in Nebraska and knew just about all there was to know about horses and mules. We chased Pancho and his gang just about all over Mexico, but never did catch up with him. A couple years later, I was still in the service, so I ended up goin' to France with Black Jack when he got to be a General. I could have decided not to go as I'd done my time, but I knew Black Jack could put me to good use.
We were on the troop ship for weeks. Everybody was seasick for the first few days. The horses seemed to fare fine in that regard, but I was worried we couldn't exercise them enough. We brought them up from the hold, a few at a time, and let them stretch their legs. We'd lead them in a quick walk around the deck. With the metal decks, we didn't want them to move very fast for fear they'd slip and fall.
I'd hate to have to put down a horse with a broken leg, so we took it real easy. As a result, the horses were not in good fightin' shape by the time we landed in France.
It took some time, but me and Joe, who got assigned to be my assistant, got them in shape again. Mostly the horses were used to pack gear, but a few officers still rode them. Black Jack Pershing liked to ride on occasion, as did Captain Patton. I thought we should only have mules, since they make better pack animals than horses, but there were never enough mules to go around.
We weren't in too many battles directly as we were the supply line for the army, but in 1918 it turned pretty bad when we went into the Argonne Forest. They called this an 'offensive.' I can see why as it offended me a lot. The fighting went on for nearly two months and only ended in November when the big guys signed the Treaty at Versailles.
In that short two months, it was hell on earth. Thousands of men died. One whole division, the 77th, was cut off for near a week and held out surrounded by the German forces. It was some battle, I can tell you. Almost all day long, I could hear the shells bursting and the sharp reports of rifle fire. And I heard the screams of dying men and horses.
The worst part for me was the horses being swept up in the middle of the battle. It broke my heart to go out on the fields after the fighting passed by and after the dead and wounded men were collected. Sometimes the ground was so soaked with blood that my boots were covered before I got back. A horse with an artery torn open bleeds gallons of blood; men only a few pints. It angered me when I thought how much the horses gave. They didn't even have a say in goin' to war. Men, at least, had a choice.
I carried a sidearm and had to shoot more horses than I can count. Those we could save, we'd bring back to the line and see if we could treat their wounds. It was a second heartbreak when they wouldn't heal proper and we'd take them out behind the tents to put them down. We dug a deep trench to bury them for health reasons and we kept digging every day to hold them all.
While we treated the horses, close by we could see the wounded men being brought back from the battlefield. Legs and arms were already gone or had to be cut off by the doctors right there in the field. From the history I'd read about the Civil War, this was just about as bad. If the choice was amputate or die, then they had to do what was necessary. We dug another trench to hold the arms and legs the doctors cut off; the dead soldiers we wrapped in oilcloth to be sent back behind the lines, where we hoped to send their bodies back home to their families.
All told I spent twenty months in France. It was the worst part of my life and I hoped and prayed we'd never see another war like this again.
* * *
Pa's story made me sad in a way, though I was proud of him for what he did in the war. It seemed to me people should learn to get along. I never was sure why Pa had to go to France. Later in my own life, I'd learn what it was to go to war. I was lucky to not go overseas, but somethin' in me wished I had.
Little Eddie tells some almost true Tall Tales set in West Texas of the 1930s. Guess what's true and what Eddie fudged on. Was it about the bear? Cage McNatt's prize sow? The skunk in the cornpatch? Guaranteed for a chuckle and maybe a tear here and there.
Bored spitless? There are a ton of books (very light since they're ebooks) discounted on Smashwords Writers Give Back sale. Find something to read in just about any genre.
I'm from the Pacific Northwest. We have few crypto-critters, but Big Foot or Sasquatch is definitely the favorite of folks from Oregon's southern border to Washington's northern border. So, we speculate. We watch grainy films of hairy giants which resemble apes, but walk upright. We nod knowingly when the casts of giant feet are lovingly stored in glass cases.
I, however, know the true secrets of Sasquatch, and it's not secret at all. Bonus today with two Big Foot tales. Both true, both rely on the powers of human observation being not so great.
Both stories published in ezines. The cover illustration of the first story is by Holly Hunter.
Of course, this story is one of the many I have compiled in "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" which is available on Amazon and Smashwords for only $1.99.
The term "extraordinary rendition" was the euphemism the government agreed to use when prisoners were tortured for information. Of course, this was illegal in the World Court and should have been anathema in any case. Still, it's a practice becoming popular again with sadistic types of people who have been awarded their dream job by an outlaw country. Thanks to Brian Catherman adding realism to this story. It was published in two ezines: The Deepening and November 3rd Club.
Of course, this story is one of the many I have compiled in "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" which is available on Amazon and Smashwords for only $1.99.
This story was my response to a prompt to write about Potter's Field. If you don't know, Potter's Field is the graveyard for unclaimed or indigent people who died with nobody to mourn their passing. It was good enough to end up in Lorelei Signals ezine and one of the Best of... anthologies published annually. I miss Carol Hightshoe's publications. The fabulous illustration for this story is by Lee Kuruganti.
Of course, this story is one of the many I have compiled in "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" which is available on Amazon and Smashwords for only $1.99.
My husband was murdered. Well, ex-husband, but he was still the father of my kids. I don't know precisely how the murder occurred, but this story is based on the information I got from his family and from news reports.
This story was never published anywhere because it was a catharsis story. However, there's no reason why anybody shouldn't read it. It's dark, so be warned.
And, as usual, all my stories are included in the collection "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" on Amazon or Smashwords and other on-line estores. It's also available in paperback at Amazon.
I write almost all genres from humor to horror to romance to science fiction to mainstream to...some unexplainable genres. This story, however, is good old social science fiction. What does the future hold for oppressed minorities? For that matter, who are those minorities? Read it and see what you think.
Originally published in Lorelei Signal and “A Time To..., Volume 1” from Wolfsinger Publications. Illustration by a really lovely artist whose name escapes me. Since the on-line archives are unavailable, I can only apologize for the omission. I loved this illo a lot.
And, as usual, all my stories are included in the collection "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" on Amazon or Smashwords and other on-line estores. It's also available in paperback at Amazon.
Where did I get this idea? I don't recall, but it did get published in another defunct ezine, "Green Silk Journal." If you knew me when I wrote this, please tell me exactly how I came up with Big Bessie running a juke joint in the 1930s. I'm puzzled.
And, as usual, all my stories are included in the collection "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" on Amazon or Smashwords and other on-line estores. It's also available in paperback at Amazon.
This is one of the stories I wrote about my father. Since my book of his Texas Tales ended with high school, I just posted this one to Wattpad. It's not in my collection either, so this is an exclusive. Consider yourself lucky to have found it.
TALES OF A TEXAS BOY tells Eddie's stories as a boy growing up in Texas during the Depression. Lots of people enjoy them. The large print size is very popular as a gift to older folks with limited vision.
How do you handle a crazy jackass? Eddie knows. If you ask Eddie, he'll tell you pigs can fly and show you where to find real mammoth bones. Take his word for it when he tells you always to bet on the bear. These are things he learned while dreaming of becoming a cowboy in West Texas during the Depression. Through Eddie, the hero of "Tales of a Texas Boy," we find that growing up is less about maturity and more about roping your dreams. Hold on tight. It's a bumpy ride. A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys books like "Little House on the Prairie" or "Tom Sawyer." A great bit of nostalgia for seniors, too.
I don't write romance often or very well. However, I came up with this story recalling the song "If You Could See Her Through My Eyes" in Cabaret. It has a bit of a twist. I hope it melts your heart. And, as usual, all my stories are included in the collection "Mixed Bag 2: Supersized" on Amazon or Smashwords and other on-line estores. It's also available in paperback at Amazon.
This fantasy tale was originally published in Sorcerous Signals. I was particularly pleased to get an original illustration from the fantastic Marge Simon. Check out her art and writing on her web page.
Another story from my sort of bottomless pit of various short stories in a variety of genres. Remember, boys and girls, you can have a copy of all my stories in a single volume: Mixed Bag 2: Supersizedon Amazon or Smashwords and other on-line estores. It's also available in paperback at Amazon.
On to this chilling tale of an invasion of monstrous creatures lurking everywhere, but only seen when the conditions are right and the battleground is in their favor.
Another tale for your reading pleasure. It is my desire a few of you get some goose bumps and more say or think: "Ew." All my stories are available in my collection: Mixed Bag 2: Supersized.
Mixed Bag 2: Supersized on Amazon on Smashwords A little science fiction, a bit of fantasy, plenty of humor, and some really shocking horror. These are tales to suit any mood. All stories in this book were previously published in on-line or print publications. The author is re-issuing the stories since an editor somewhere liked them enough to publish them in the first place.
How appropriate to be the Year of the Rat when all the rats in the Senate are doing their damnedest to destroy our way of life. They give rats an undeserved bad reputation.
In ancient times, there was a monster named Nián (年). It usually lives at the bottom of the sea and comes up once a year to feast on animals and humans. On this day, the villagers would all escape into the mountains.
Nian is a horned beast, a mix between a dragon and a kirin.
One year, a beggar came to seek shelter, but everyone was hurrying away. Only an old woman took him in and he promised to chase Nian away. He busied himself with decorating the homes.
At midnight, Nian lumbered in but stopped short when it saw the red paper on the doors. As it roared in anger, firecrackers suddenly sounded and it trembled in fear. When it saw the beggar, dressed in red, laughing at it, it could only run away.
The villagers came back the next day and were pleasantly surprised that the homes were all still standing. They realized that loud noises and the color red were Nian’s kryptonite.
This is why, on New Year’s Eve, families eat dinner in their homes fortified by red decorations. At midnight, firecrackers are sounded. In addition, people will wear new and festive red clothing to celebrate.
This story is a departure from my usual. Then, again, I don't have a usual. I have written stories in all genres including (gasp!) romance. This isn't a romance by any definition. As with all my tales, all of them can be found in my compilation.
The compendium of the four books and one short story of Kat's adventures learning her witch powers is now available for only $4.99. If purchased individually, the entire set would cost $12.
BAD SPELLING (Book 1): A klutzy witch, a shaman's curse, a quest to save her family. Can Kat find her magic in time?
All of Kat’s family are either witches or warlocks, depending on their sex, of course. Kat is fourteen and really ought to be able to turn a rabbit into a toad, but things just don’t work out for her. What she gets is a slimy green hopper. That’s the good part. Unfortunately, it also has long ears and fur. That’s bad spelling.
MIDNIGHT OIL (Book 2): Shipwrecked on a legendary island, how can a witch rescue her boyfriend if she can’t even phone home?
Kat discovers that an evil forest spirit has kidnapped her brand-new boyfriend. She sets out with her brother, Rune, from her Arctic island home on a mission to rescue the boy. Things go wrong from the start. Kat is thrown overboard during a violent storm, while her brother and his girlfriend are capant island tribe. The mutants hold the girlfriend hostage, demanding that the teens recover the only thing that can make the mutants human again–the magical Midnight Oil.
Mustering every bit of her Wiccan magic, Kat rises to the challenge. She invokes her magical skills, learns to fly an ultralight, meets a legendary sea serpent, rescues her boyfriend, and helps a friendly air spirit win the battle against her spiteful sibling. On top of it all, she’s able to recover the Midnight Oil and help the hapless mutants in the nick of time.
SCOTCH BROOM (Book 3): A magical trip to Stonehenge lands a witch in the Otherworld where an ancient goddess is up to no good.
Kat expects to have a great time on her graduation trip to Stonehenge. However, from the moment she leaves the witches’ arctic island, Galdorheim, she gets in nothing but trouble. Her younger half-brother tries to horn in on her trip, she gets lost in the magical Otherworld realm, is led astray by a supposed friend, then she has to confront a Scottish goddess who’s fallen on hard times.
While dodging the goddess’s minions and trying to find her way out of the Otherworld, Kat soon learns she shouldn’t underestimate the old has-been for one second; the crone still has a few tricks that can drain a witch’s magic in a flash. To make matters worse, Kat's brother secretly followed her into the Otherworld. Now he’s in danger, too. Kat has to go one on one with the goddess to save herself and her brother.
BLOOD TIES TESTED (Book 4): Written by popular demand of readers who want to know what happens to Rune after the Book 3 conclusion. Unfortunate events lead a half vampire boy into indulging his vampire side, leaving him with regret and sadness. Can dear old Dad help him forgive himself?
Following the events in the series Witches of Galdorheim, this additional tale relates what happens to Katrina the Witch's younger brother, Rune. Half vampire and half warlock, he faces life with a wisecrack and some powerful magic. Whatever happens, he does not want to be a vampire like his father. Unfortunate events lead him to fatally call on his vampire half. This failure leaves him in anguish. How can he assuage the guilt he feels? His mother thinks he needs to visit dead old dad, a vampire residing in the Tatras Mountains of Slovakia.
SPELLSLINGER (Prequel Short Story): Written by popular demand of readers who adore Kat's smart-aleck brother. It's a short story prequel to the Witches series is dedicated to Kat's brother, Rune. A super speller, he's plagued with his half vampire heritage. This story gives a bit more of his trials growing up on the Witches' Island.
Included in my short story collection, Mixed Bag: Supersized, this tale is set in the far future when new colonies were sought out for the overflow of earth's population. Check it out either on Amazon or Smashwords. Or just read my other stories on Wattpad.
I've posted a lot of my stories on Wattpad. A few were never submitted for publication, but all of my stories are included in two anthologies. Mixed Bag 1 is G-rated. Mixed Bag 2 is R-rated with the addition of stories not fit for delicate sensibilities. Both anthologies are available at Amazon and Smashwords for real cheap or you can just go to Wattpad and read a few I like best.
Mixed Bag 1 on Amazon, on Smashwords
Mixed Bag 2: Supersized on Amazonon Smashwords
The village magician has gone missing. His four pupils think he has left a clue to his whereabouts in the Magicalis Bestialis, the book of magical creatures. They must seek the help of the elusive Simurgh, the mythical bird who know all the secrets of the universe.
However, this is not an easy camping trip into the mountains. Spirits, gods, and demons confront the four friends, who are not aware they're being set up by otherworldly forces for a much larger task.
Faizah, a farmer's daughter, is chosen to lead the humans in the battle. She must persuade a slave, an orphan, and a rich merchant's son to join in the battle on the side of good.
Although divided by Dev, the evil god of war, the teens must band together to find the Simurgh, rescue their teacher, and stave off Armageddon.
Ma’s Story
Crossin’ the Creek
Amazon Kindle Ebook - $2.99
Amazon Kindle Ebook $2.99
I'm from the Pacific Northwest. We have few crypto-critters, but Big Foot or Sasquatch is definitely the favorite of folks from Oregon's southern border to Washington's northern border. So, we speculate. We watch grainy films of hairy giants which resemble apes, but walk upright. We nod knowingly when the casts of giant feet are lovingly stored in glass cases.
Mixed Bag 2: Supersized
Mixed Bag 2: Supersized
Amazon, of course
