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Janelle’s grandfather is a broken man. Smart and caring, he still contains a sadness that never goes away—just like the permanent limp he won’t discuss.

The limp he got in the South in the 1960s, when being a Black man falsely accused of a crime meant terrible things.

Then Janelle gets a wild, impossible chance to help her grandfather and right the injustice….

“Bringing Light to Darkness” originally appeared in Obsessions: An Anthology of Original Fiction, 2020.

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When petty criminals Angela and Mike stumble across an abandoned coal mining facility in a Tennessee forest, they plan to stay for the night.

The next morning, Angela finds Mike and all their possessions gone.

And she learns why the mining company closed its doors, and what haunts its halls….

Eerie and unique, “Left Behind, She Waited” will give you chills and make you think twice about redemption.

“Left Behind, She Waited” originally appeared in Unexpected Heroines (Kydala Publishing, 2020).

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Where I’ve Been, or, Fuck Cancer

Some of you might have noticed I haven’t been as active online in the past six months or so. This is in part because I’m becoming increasingly disenchanted with Facebook (more on that later), but also because last year life hit us with a big nasty bomb, and we chose not to speak publically about it until things were resolved. We kept it close to focus on the tasks at hand.

In September of last year, Ken was diagnosed with cancer. He had a biopsy late in the month—two days before his birthday, in fact—and then it took some time for the exact cancer to be determined. Why? Because if you know Ken, you know he can’t have some kind of garden-variety, bog-standard cancer. Oh no, he had to have something unusual.

The final diagnosis was embryonal carcinoma, a rare, fast growing cancer that normally occurs in much younger men.

Rare cancers call for unusual treatments. We’re amazed and impressed at how specifically chemo can be targeted to an individual and their cancer. For Ken, it was three different drugs that took about twelve hours to administer along with other medications and fluids. For five days in a row. So from October to late December, he was in the hospital four times for a week, with two weeks off in between treatments.

Providence St. Vincent is a spectacular place in so many ways. Every single person was competent, smart, on top of things, personable—from doctors and nurses to the staff in the most excellent cafeteria I got food from twice a day during Ken’s weeks in hospital.

Ken’s oncologist studied under the oncologist who cured Lance Armstrong’s cancer, which gave us a lot of hope. Plus she was direct and clear about what was going on, and always available for questions. The oncology ward nurses were also wonderful. Of course, Ken charmed them to the point that they’d fight over who got to be his nurse for the day. One even came in early to change the schedule. (No, seriously!)

The only downside was that the hospital is thirty to forty-five minutes (or more) from our house, depending on traffic. I can probably drive the route in my sleep now. It made for long days, especially with the autumn time change; I’d get home at 7 or 7:30 pm and think it was bedtime. (I’d leave after traffic in the mornings, and eat dinner with Ken and leave after traffic in the evenings.) Then during the in-between-chemo weeks he had to go back for blood draws and bandage changes twice a week.

The chemo itself went very well. His oncologist said he was making it look easy. Almost no nausea, no pain, no swelling, no real side effects. We were told that at some point, he’d very likely develop some sort of infection (because chemo kills white blood cells that fight infection), but he was careful and followed all the rules, so he never did.

The first week he was home after chemo, he was wiped out and mostly sitting/napping in an easy chair. He’d start to feel better on the second week—and I knew he was better when I’d wake up to the sound of power tools. One time it was rewiring the Internet in the house. Another time it was pulling stumps from the yard. (Me? I’d go back to sleep, succumbing to the cat gravity of felines cuddling with me on the bed.)

He was done with chemo as of December 21. We had out-of-town friends visiting in December/January, and we had a quiet Yule at our house. Our friends rented an Air BnB for New Year’s, so the cat-allergy folks could safely hang out. They made sure there was a comfy recliner for Ken, which we greatly appreciated.

So. The surgery, on February 25 (almost exactly five months from his biopsy surgery), was to remove the remaining masses that were showing up on scans. They could have been dead, they could have been holding some cancer; we wouldn’t know until a post-surgery biopsy. It ended up being a ten-hour operation that the surgeon said in his notes was in the top ten most difficult surgeries he’d performed. We’d expected about five hours and a four-day stay in the hospital, which ended up being a week. The masses were around his aorta, and there were also lots of delicate nerves and blood vessels involved. The post-op complications were apparently not unexpected, but it seems I wasn’t clear to be expecting them, so all in all it was a pretty stressful situation.

The first few weeks after surgery, Ken was pretty wiped out, but he’s slowly regaining energy and strength. He’s starting to do more around the house, although projects that would normally take a short while end up taking several days with lots of rest breaks…and that’s okay. He goes back to work next week, although he’ll be focusing on paperwork, and will be limiting travel. Ken’s company has been absolutely supportive during all of this, and has kept his job safely on hold for his return.

Most importantly: on March 6, 2019, he was declared cancer free. The oncologist said the chemo had “The best of all possible outcomes” and the surgeon said, “Everything is clean—there’s nothing more I can do for you.”

Ken’s amazing mom, Jackie, flew up for his first week of chemo and recovery at home, and again two days after his surgery for another week plus, to help out. Thanks also go to my mom and sister for sending lots of cards and get-well gifts; our friends Thorn and Leslie, who organized funding for professional house cleaning right before Ken came home from chemo each time (to minimize the risk of infections); my friends who bought me a concert ticket and let me stay in their room for a Styx concert in Vegas because I “had” to be there (even caregivers need a break now and again); and everyone who wrote, called, sent gifts, and sent energy and well wishes. We wouldn’t have made it through this without all you.

We’re still processing that we made it through, honestly. “Cancer free” is the most beautiful and astonishing phrase in the universe.

So now we return to “normal life,”, with a much better appreciation for what makes it special. And with much more appreciation for family, friends, and most especially, for each other.

Aaand another new publication

More publication news! When it rains, it pours, as they say, so forgive me for inundating you with news.

My story “The Florentine Exchange” is now available in Fiction River Special Edition: Spies.

“The Florentine Exchange” is not the first story I submitted to the anthology. The first story was a YA set in the 1980s based on experiences I had in middle school. But editor Kristine Kathryn Rusch already had a solid YA story. She charged me with writing “a thrilling action/adventure spy story, something pulpy and fast-paced, filled with intrigue and double-cross.”

To say I was a bit daunted is an understatement. But I surprised myself with the double-crossiness, as I dug into memories of my visits to Italy and had so much fun in the process.

Of my story, editor Kristine Kathryn Rusch (aka Edgar award-nominated author Kris Nelcott), says,

“‘The Florentine Exchange’ was nearly the volume’s opening story, because it seems traditional, although it does subvert traditional spy story gender norms. But, surprisingly to me, I didn’t get many other stories like it, so I decided that as the lead-off, this story would lead readers to think they’d find more stories like it…and there are no stories like this one.”

And…

“…highly suspenseful twists and turns and some fascinating spies.”

I can live with that. I hope you enjoy the story too!

Uncollected Anthology, Issue 11: Bewitching Love

Welcome to the latest issue of Uncollected Anthology! It’s our annual urban fantasy romance issue, where the magic that lurks around every corner collides with love. Our guest author, Lisa Silverthorne, has written some of my favorite stories, and I can’t wait to read her contribution!

But before I get to the stories, I have to share some exciting news! Uncollected Anthology received a smashingly fantastic review from one of the founders of the Urban Fantasy genre, Charles de Lint! In the February issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, he wrote, “The idea behind this anthology series is a little different…what can’t be denied is that something is working with this new method.”

You can read the full review here.

Also, you can buy all seven of the stories in one bundle for only $4.99 at any of these fine retailers! (You can still buy each story individually for $0.99 each, but this way you save almost $2.)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Bundlerabbit

Now, on to the stories…

“Good Scrying Gone Bad”

The First Rule of Witchcraft: Harm none.

The Second Rule of Witchcraft: Practice magic only when you’re clear of mind.

That includes not practicing magic while drunk.

When drunken scrying goes awry, Madison connects with Brody, a cute guy trapped…somewhere. Freeing him becomes her obsession.

Does the Second Rule of Witchcraft count when it comes to love?

Buy it at any of these fine online retailers:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iBooks

The other incredibly fabulous authors—go check out their stories!

“The Bee-Keeper’s Daughter,” Leah Cutter

A ghostly swarm of bees haunt Elizabeth. They coat strangers in pollen while holding her still, making her watch.

Then they come for her. Sting her. Give her magical power, but at such a cost.

Why do they attack her? What do they want? And how can she make them go away?

Set in the same world as “The Midnight Gardener” and “Lost Stars.”

Part of the Uncollected Anthology series, written for the theme Bewitching Love.

“Burning Up,” Michele Lang

Marcy, a young Boston mage, works in a spellworkers’ boiler room on the wrong side of town. Magical malware in her brain threatens both her friends and her livelihood. She has to chase down the cause, but she’s running out of time.

Meanwhile, Marcy’s boss, a wolf shifter up against the full moon, grapples with secret demons of his own. And a malevolent, relentless evil hungers to burn them both.

On the midnight streets of Boston, they must fight an ancient and terrible adversary. And unless they surrender to the fire, they might not make it until morning.

A story in the anthology Bewitching Love, part of the Uncollected Anthology.

“Helmie,” Kristine Kathryn Rusch

When Helmie—a pampered Persian cat worth millions—goes missing, the estate hires not one but two investigators to find him.

Kelsie uses magic to track down lost animals. But in this case, even she wonders if she can find Helmie.

Travis normally uses his investigation skills to track down people, not lost pets. And he works alone.

But when the pair find themselves on the same trail to Helmie’s whereabouts, they realize finding Helmie will prove only the beginning. Rescuing him might just take more magic than any of them realize.

Part of Bewitching Love, an Uncollected Anthology.

“Rusch is a great storyteller.”
—RT Book Reviews

“Oracle,” by Leslie Claire Walker

To save the people she loves, Erynn consented to carry within herself the soul of the cruel man who once enslaved them—Sebastian, London’s criminal mastermind and soul-dealing sorcerer. Day by day, she wonders whether she will become as evil as he was—and whether her friends will be forced to kill her to keep that evil from destroying them all.

Now, Sebastian’s restless soul wakes her in the darkest hours of night. He compels her to search the dungeons beneath her home to uncover a secret so explosive it may turn her against her friends.

Erynn’s discovery may leave her with no choice but to trust Sebastian with the shreds of her life and her clockwork heart. She and Sebastian both understand that the consequences of such trust could be deadly.

In fact, they’re counting on it.

Oracle is a standalone novella, and the third story in Leslie Claire Walker’s series, The Clockwork Heart Tales.

Sorcery. Alchemy. Necromancy. Friends and enemies who have lost everything but the fire of magic that burns within.

Join Erynn’s journey of courage, strength, and heart. Bewitching love awaits…

“There is a complexity to Leslie Claire Walker’s stories that invites the imagination to put away the worries of the day-to-day and abandon oneself in realms as fraught with danger as they are joy.”
—Phaedra Weldon, National Bestselling Author

“Love’s Breaking Storm,” Stephanie Writt

One big-city were-cat seeks anyone to save her from her new home. A dog filled suburb. (Shudder.)

Emily’s human companion believes she only lives one life: as a cat. So doesn’t take Emily into consideration when she moves them across the country. Away from everything Emily has ever known. Cleaning herself on the branch of a tree one summer’s day, Emily ponders the next step out of her lonely circumstance.

Enter one steaming hot guy with storms in his eyes.

Lightning, love and a hefty kitty-freak out fills Emily’s story as she discovers a new place for herself and a future she never (ever) imagined.

Guest Author

“Jar of Souls,” Lisa Silverthorne

Finding an unconscious man on the steps of her magical perfume shop is just the beginning of Seattle sorceress Avery Starling’s troubles. She’s drawn to Braxtan Rhodes, a handsome and intriguing young man who reeks of a strange dark magic that is slowly killing him. Pushing her healing air magic to its limits, Avery puts her heart on the line to battle a powerful Fey queen for Braxtan’s soul.

Want More?

We do have a website and a newsletter, for the sole purpose of telling you when the next batch of stories is available. Check them out!

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Zombie apocalypse, or, I am possibly screwed

I saw a meme the other day that was basically “The zombie apocalypse is happening, and your team are the protagonists of the last three things you read/watched.”

And I had to stop and think about it.

1. Ross Poldark, Poldark. Pros: fought in the Revolutionary War (albeit on the wrong side), quick on his feet, smart. Cons: If Aidan Turner smolders at me or, gods forbid, takes off his shirt like he just did, I’m going to stumble and become zombie fodder. Then again, if we survive, I’d be happy to try and repopulate the earth with him. (We would fail, but we could try. A lot. Repeatedly.)

2. Barry Allen/The Flash, The Flash. He’d be a tremendous asset as long as he listened to me and not his idiot team with their cockamamey plans. Just grab some steel cable and wrap around the zombie very quickly. Better yet, just quickly grab the zombie and transport it far away. Better still, just pick me up and quickly transport me away from the zombies. The end. Jesus, why is that so hard?

3. Johnny Rock, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. Uh oh. I told Ken about this meme, and he said “We can throw him at the zombies.” Because yeah, Johnny’s pretty much only good for slowing the zombies down. If they ingest drug-addled brains, do they become drug-addled? Even better.

The best part of this exercise was to step back and think, damn, I watched a historical drama, a SF/superhero, and a sitcom about a washed-up rock-and-roll singer, all in one night. I am so weird.

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Catmas Carols 2014!

Last year, apparently drunk on tea and manic creativity, I  flooded Twitter and FB with Catmas carols. I put them on my old blog, along with the ones other people contributed.

The muse has struck again, so I’m back on Twitter/FB/G+ with them. I’ll post the new ones here as well. Feel free to join in on Facebook or Twitter! The more the purrier!

2014

Kittens we have heard on high/Meowing in their joyous glee/And the human in reply/Get down off the Christmas tree!#catmascarols #kittenswehaveheardonhigh

Kitten that purr/sweet-smelling fur/Playing with toys/bringing me joy/Merry merry merry Catmas #catmascarols #carolofthecats

I heard 3 cats meow for food/On Xmas Day, on Xmas Day/I heard 3 cats meow for food/On Xmas Day in the morning. #catmascarols #iheard3cats

2013

Kitten purrs, kitten purrs/Purring all the way/Oh what joy it is to hear a kitten purr today, hey! #catmascarols #jinglekittens

Kitten purrs, kitten purrs/It’s purring time by the heater/Purr and purr/Hear them purr/Soon it will be Catmas Day. #catmascarols #silvercats

O holy cats, the kittens are a-purring/It is the night of the sweet kitten’s purr…/Fall on your knees! Oh, give the kitten scritchies! #catmascarols #oholycats

God rest ye merry, gentlecats/Let nothing you dismay/Remember Bast, our Savior/Looks over us this day. #catmascarols #merrygentlecats

O come all ye kittens/Joyful and purricious/O come ye, o come ye/To eat gooshy food. #catmascarols #comeallyekittens

We three cats who rule your house are/Bearing gifts we traverse afar/Couch to armchair/Your fav’rite rug there/A hairball inside your boudoir. #catmascarols #wethreecats

We wish you a Merry Catmas, we wish you a Merry Catmas, we wish you a Merry Catmas, and a Treat—filled New Year! #catmascarols #merrycatmas

Do you hear what I hear?/A cat, a cat/Purring by the fire/With a sound as big as a lion. #catmascarols #doyouhearacatpurr

Last Catmas, I gave you a mouse/The very next day, you threw it away/This year, to save me from tears/I’ll give you a squishy hairball. #catmascarols #lastcatmas

Feed the cats/Let them know it’s Catmastime. #catmascarols #feedthecats #catcharitysongs #cataid

12 bowls of wet food/11 laps to sit on/10 catnip treats/9 laser pointers/8 beds to nap in/7 fish a-swimming/6 turkey drumsticks/5 HOURS OF SCRITCHIES/4 feather toys/3 paper bags/2 mouse-shaped things/and a pardon for climbing up the Yule treeeee #catmascarols #12daysofcatmas

My sweet Eostre, gone but so close to my heart

Oh catmas tree oh catmas tree, with branches made of catnip, your shiney bells to me foretells, tumbling through and backflip….

(Vicki-Marie Petrick)

~~~

Away in a catbox I don’t use my beds
This sweet little kitty digs, spatters and shreds,
The season’s for giving and so I will leave
Turds, birdies, and dead mice for you to receive.

The humans are moaning, they say it’s a mess
But these are the gifts that I proudly profess
And you’d better like it or you’ll get instead
Some cat barf and hairballs right smack in your bed.

(Meg Burns)