Stories

Michael feels trapped. In his poor, conservative hometown. In his dead-end job. In caring for his grandfather. Everything changes when he meets Eric, the new curator for the railroad museum. Carefree and refreshingly confident, Eric guides Michael to places he's forgotten, reminding him that it may not be too late to follow his dreams.

40,000 words.

CJ Abelló returns to Georgetown in the fall of 2022 for an advanced degree. During the two years back on the Hilltop, his education is not limited to the classroom; his analytical mind and his ability to articulate complex matters in a way his audience could assimilate the matter helped. He was asked to write articles for professional journals, attend seminars by both liberal and conservative think tanks, and speak at schools and conferences.

A friend from Mexico visits, a Squad member moves south, a California teen prepares to start his freshman year at Georgetown University, and a local artist delivers a commission. From Cuban food at Abuela’s, to cocktails at The Alex, an excursion to the National Gallery of Art, and brunch at Everhope, the weekend is full of laughs, food, and fine art.

A week’s trip to New York City has Owen and CJ mixing business and pleasure. Meetings with high-powered attorneys and financial high-rollers combine with Broadway, Sag Harbor, and Fire Island for a memorable vacation. The couple’s efforts to increase CJ’s name recognition moves forward with TV appearances on multiple networks.

Another weekend, another out-of-town wedding for CJ and Owen. This time, Liebe comes along. She’ll serve as the flower girl for CJ’s high school classmate, Autumn Dingell. Surrounded by the magnificence of Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel and by Michigan political royalty, CJ reconnects with old friends and meets new people who may play a role in his future

Brett Davenport and César Abelló convince their Georgetown neighbors to combine their 4^th of July celebrations into a block party. With their segment of Prospect Street closed off, children play on the street and adults cross from one house to another undisturbed by traffic. CJ and Owen ensure Carson Sawyer, part of the group being assembled to propel CJ to public office, meets one of the block’s wealthy and connected residents. Liebe has a flashback to the park shooting and a friend from Mexico City visits.

A novel in fifteen chapters.

Fourteen-year-old Daniele Ferrero and his best friend Giacomo are finally finishing middle school. As they embark on the endless summer holidays amidst the mountains and olive groves of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, they begin to grow closer. But will Giacomo prove worthy of Daniele’s affections?

Meanwhile, Daniele’s other best friend Marco is waiting in the wings, and he suspects that Giacomo’s motives are anything but selfless.

Russ was blessed with the gift of beauty. The kind of beauty that causes witnesses to stare in awe and fall into an immediate state of infatuation. And while he doesn't have much trouble finding boys who would give anything to be with him...Russ is missing that same desire in his own life. He wants more. He wants the chills, the thrills, the longing...is it possible that it simply isn't out there? Or will someone come along...and finally give him the thrill he's been searching for?

In the east are monsters. In the north is the witch. In the south is the capital. To the west is the waste. The land is called Xin. Life has been nothing but cruel to the children soldiers Sumi and Harakin. They were not expected to survive as long as they have. In the north, a child with shadows ventures to the witch's lair. In the south, an organic mechanic is expelled from her guild.

How will these different individuals from a distant land connect to the events in Books One & Two? And what will happen with the monsters?