Stories

Plants and animals were my thing. The intricacies of nature intrigued me and yet there was an elegant simplicity that I loved.

6888 Ardra. Heavy gravity planet. Human-compatible atmosphere. Generally temperate climate; I’d aimed for the southern continent which had milder weather and a good mix of terrain.

“Damn Sonez anyway.” He’d tried to keep me on his ship instead of letting me explore the planet with a team after the probe returned. Well I’d stopped his plotting before he could ruin my life.

And I’d show everyone just what Essell Deray could do.

Duke Silver takes on Jihan who is determined to protect his sister from an arranged marriage. Jihan Kamran is the Master of Kamran Estate. After a gruesome war with West Nation, Jihan’s powerful network gains the Emperor's attention. The Emperor orders a member of the Kamran Family must wed into his Imperial Family. Kastan Miran (Duke Silver) is the second prince in the Akasha Imperial Family. The Empress is afraid of his growing power. When she tries to murder him, The Emperor asks Kastan to marry a member of the Kamran Family. Kastan is to keep Kamran in check and in turn their vast wealth protects Kastan from the Empress's jealousy.

In Newport for a wedding, CJ’s confronted from the right by a Donald Trump acolyte and from the left by an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fan. In both instances, he deftly refutes their arguments, impressing the groom’s father sufficiently he offers CJ a job.

“The wound caused by a sword can eventually be healed; the hurt resulted from vicious remarks can never be undone.”

Under the rule of the Second Emperor of the Guan Dynasty, the Empire has begun to fall into civil ruin, with conspiracies running rampant and political unrest echoing throughout the land.

Yan Rui, a peasant of the lowest caste, has always been ugly since he could remember. Harassed and ridiculed because of his looks, the most he can do to stay alive is lick the feet of the wealthy and pray for scraps.

But when a blind man stumbles into his life, even the ugliest person can have a heart of gold.

Jake is a popular high school student that couldn't be more lonely. Nic is a prickly loner with a dark past. The two couldn't be more different on the surface, and initially clash. An encounter between them changes everything, whether they want it to or not.

Andy's father pushes him to take a position as assistant to a gambler. No one but Andy seems to notice that his new employer is a snake. An actual, scaly, fork-tongued, yellow-eyed, limbless reptile.

A Wednesday Brief Holiday Short Story

César asks for family time as a birthday present, so Brett charters the sailing mega yacht Flying Circus for a vacation. Cruising the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, César celebrates his 50th, and Owen his 35th. While the adults enjoy the white-glove service, Liebe, Roosevelt, and Jefferson Abelló keep them on their toes.

It's been said that suffering builds character. And there are few that know suffering better than young Justin. Only 14 years old, he has found an easy way out. A suicidal tendency that he is hoping will bring an end to his misery. But when he meets a mysterious boy at the end of Navy Pier one dark evening...he is given an alternative. One that will give him purpose, and set in motion the events that will lead to his ultimate destiny....in a world not like our own.

After Detective Shaw's death, Vincent and Mason feel the pressure to prepare themselves for the fight with Stefan. Vincent must master his affinities, as North America's fate depends on his victory. Will he be successful in exacting revenge, or will Aliz's destiny of war come to life?

Tierney moves to Owensville, but must handle the EC's investigation into Alpha Stuerm first. Dirk tries to woo his newly found mate, Sarah Poll. Cyrus, Kaplan, and Wagner dig deep into Harold Snyder's business ventures.

This, and much more in the final book of the In the Shadows trilogy!