SHAHRAZAD’S GIFT

 

by

 

Gretchen McCullough

 

Contemporary Fiction / Linked Short Stories / Humor

Publisher: Cune Press

Date of Publication: February 20, 2024

Number of Pages: 198 pages

 

 

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Shahrazad’s Gift is a collection of linked short stories set in contemporary Cairo—magical, absurd and humorous. The author focuses on the off-beat, little-known stories, far from CNN news: a Swedish belly dancer who taps into the Oriental fantasies of her clientele; a Japanese woman studying Arabic, driven mad by the noise and chaos of the city; a frustrated Egyptian housewife who becomes obsessed by the activities of her Western gay neighbor; an American journalist who covered the civil war in Beirut who finds friendship with her Egyptian dentist. We also meet the two protagonists of McCullough’s Confessions of a Knight Errant, before their escapades in that story.

These stories are told in the tradition of A Thousand and One Nights.

 

 

 

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Inspiration for writing Shahrazad’s Gift – And more!

 

By Gretchen McCullough

 

The stories in Shahrazad’s Gift were written after about five years living in Cairo. I was inspired by the flamboyant, colorful characters in my building and in the city. I actually met a woman who made costumes for belly dancers—and she told me marvelous stories about her experiences!

Cairo is a congested city. My building was only separated by a tiny alley to another building. You could actually see into the apartments of your neighbors. One of our Egyptian neighbors became obsessed by the sexual activities of one of my American neighbors. That story became “Taken Hostage by the Ugly Duck.” I wrote the story from the point-of-view of the Egyptian woman who was entranced.

“On the Run: Part II” was inspired by my experiences in the 2011 uprising. We didn’t sleep for days. We heard about many foreigners who fled and abandoned their pets. In “Part II” Gary and Kharalombos end up taking care of pets, even a diabetic cat!

“Part II” of Shahrazad’s Gift became the first section of my novel, Confessions of a Knight Errant. I was having so much fun with the characters, I wondered what would happen to them if they went to Texas. They were on the run from the authorities and end up working in a posh girls’ camp in central Texas. Kharalombos is a Greek-Egyptian ballroom dancing teacher, who doesn’t adjust well to a strict schedule. He becomes homesick for Cairo. Gary, the American professor who is accused of being a cyber-terrorist completely fails as the handyman, especially when they face a plumbing disaster!

 

 

 

 

 

Gretchen McCullough was raised in Harlingen Texas. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, she taught in Egypt, Turkey, and Japan. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Syria from 1997-1999. Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in The Barcelona Review, Archipelago, National Public Radio, Story South, Guernica, The Common, The Millions, and the LA Review of Books. Translations in English and Arabic have been published in: Nizwa, Banipal, Brooklyn Rail in Translation, World Literature Today and Washington Square Review with Mohamed Metwalli. Her bi-lingual book of short stories in English and Arabic, Three Stories From Cairo, translated with Mohamed Metwalli, was published in July 2011 by AFAQ Publishing House, Cairo. A collection of short stories about expatriate life in Cairo, Shahrazad’s Tooth, was also published by AFAQ in 2013. Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition at the American University in Cairo.

 

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 American University Faculty Webpage

 

 

 

 

 

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THREE WINNERS:

 

Two winners receive paperbacks

 

One winner receives the eBook of Shahrazad’s Gift

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 4/12/24)

 

 

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

04/02/24	Rox Burkey Blog	Excerpt
04/02/24	Hall Ways Blog	Notable Quotables
04/03/24	StoreyBook Reviews	Guest Post
04/03/24	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
04/04/24	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
04/05/24	Bibliotica	Review
04/06/24	Rebecca R. Cahill, Author	Author Interview
04/07/24	The Page Unbound	Review
04/08/24	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
04/09/24	It’s Not All Gravy	Excerpt
04/10/24	Carpe Diem Chronicles	Review
04/11/24	The Real World According to Sam	Review

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

Overlapping memories, overlapping lives, wide open spaces, and soft but sometimes heart-breaking reminiscences, with the mighty Mississippi running through it all — let Jim Bates take you on rich, human, intertwining journeys into a landscape of souls where you can glimpse beauty and peace, longing and contentment, the burden of past decisions and their forgiveness, and perhaps find yourself.

 

 

 

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Excerpt

 

 

The Standoff

 

Without warning the snow ledge we’d been traversing collapsed, sending Jerry and me hurtling twenty feet down the side of the shear granite canyon into the boiling rapids of the boulder-infested Tettegouche River. In a matter of moments our packs were swept away and our heavy winter clothes were completely soaked, but we were able to fight our way out of the icy water onto the snowy riverbank where we lay exhausted in the minus-ten-degree February air. I’d sprained my wrist and from the swelling in his ankle it looked like Jerry had either a bad sprain or a fracture. We were minutes from freezing to death and had to get a fire going. Thankfully, Jerry was able to.

“There’s hope,” I said scooting closer as the first flames licked the pine needles we’d used for tinder. “We may make it yet.”

Jerry gave me a sick grin, “Always the optimist, aren’t you Steve? We’ve lost our gear, I used all our matches to get the fire started and we don’t have any food except these granola bars.” A point he emphasized by reaching into his pocket and handing me one of the two he had remaining. I had none. “And no one knows where we are. Yeah, things are looking great.”

I gratefully took the bar, opened it and contemplatively munched. My friend did the same.

If I were an optimistist, Jerry was a realist. We’d been camping on Lone Loon Lake for two nights, only three miles from the trailhead where we’d parked our car. We could have snow-shoed the distance back in half a day easily, but we’d taken an alternate route for fun. Not a good idea. We’d gotten lost, ended up in the river, and now here we were, the flames from our fire the only thing keeping us from dying a slow agonizing death from exposure in the unforgiving Minnesota wilderness.

With the sun hanging low on the horizon and with the kindling in the fire starting to die out, I hurried to collect as much firewood as I could, hindered greatly by my sprained wrist. Jerry could hardly move due to his swollen ankle, now nearly popping the laces of his boot. By the time I had gathered a healthy pile of pine, birch and aspen, the pain had become so intense he was fading into and out of consciousness.

With that in mind, I almost didn’t believe him when he recovered momentarily and pointed to the top of the canyon on the other side of the river. “Steve, you’re not going to believe this. We’ve got visitors.”

Thinking we were going to be rescued, I was about to cheer when my throat constricted and my heart rate jumped from the adrenaline pouring into my blood. There, peering over the edge of the canyon in the fading twilight was a wolf – a large one, an alpha male. In a moment he was joined by a smaller wolf, probably his mate, then three more, most certainly last year’s offspring.

I turned to him, “My god, it’s a wolf pack,” I whispered. “What are we going to do?”

For once in his life, Jerry had nothing to say. Then he spoke softly, “I’ve no idea, but off hand, I’d say we’re toast.”

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

The old 19th-century Victorian house at 221 Baker Street is the home of the Holmes and Moriarty Society, where amateur sleuths from different walks of life would meet to solve crimes. On the black granite hearth in front of the mansion’s massive fireplace are three stone statues of monkeys – Mizaru holds its hands covering its eyes, Kikazaru with its hands covering its ears, and Iwazaru covers its mouth. The owner of the mansion and one of the society’s founding members, Osgood Ridley, turns up dead.

But, as more bodies are found, the true purpose of the society is slowly revealed.

When the statue of the fourth monkey, Sezaru, appears on the hearth, the questions begin to outweigh the answers.

This is no longer a job for amateurs.

This is now the job for two police detectives to solve the mystery.

 

 

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Review

 

This debut novella from WM Gunn was a delight to read. It included many aspects I enjoy in books, from mystery to murder to misdirection.

The Holmes and Moriarty Society isn’t quite what you imagine, at least not on the outside. This group of amateur detectives has deeper motives for what they are trying to accomplish. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t share any of those details. Let’s just say that no one should be trusted, and the truth will be revealed in the end. I liked the inclusion of the three wise monkeys. I even learned that this is a fourth wise monkey. This is one we don’t see often, but I liked learning about the last one.

I will admit that I did not suspect the killer. The author did a fantastic job of throwing red herrings into the mix and leading you down a different path.

This is a short read at 86 pages, but the author packs a lot of details, descriptions, and intrigue into those pages.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

After years in the pharmaceutical industry in sales, sales management, and training and development, I learned the courses and materials I created had to be relevant, thought-provoking, and usable or it was simply of no value.

In a similar manner, the reader of a novel should be able to relate to a character or an event. It should make them think, question, and enjoy the journey. That story should create a landscape, an enveloping atmosphere that the reader can experience, participate in, and sink their teeth into.

I have endeavored to infuse those concepts into my stories and books. Journey with me.

 

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Synopsis

 

This is a short, sharp collection of well-told stories by Jim Bates who once again brings us some evocative writing with a strong literary voice. We meet a plethora of characters, each with their own concerns and triumphs. They face life’s challenges and often have to turn situations around. Will they succeed? Will they make their lives good again?

In this collection of flash fiction and drabbles, Jim packs a lot of story into a few words.

 

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Desert Wind

 

Dave was grateful for the final emotional push as he clamored up and over the edge of Lizard Peak onto the top, a large flat area.

“Thanks, man,” he said to Lyle, his life companion for the last forty years. He was nearly out of breath.”I needed that.”

Lyle was also his best friend, and Dave fought back an urge to give him a nostalgic hug. They’d been making this climb for all of those forty years, and right now it felt good to be with him.

Dave walked over to the edge, took off his day pack, and turned to admire the view. He never tired of it: The half-mile wide spot in the Colorado River known as Lake Havasu; its namesake, Lake Havasu City, a few miles away to his right stretching up into the Sonora desert foothills; the serpentine flow of the Colorado River and, beyond it, the mountains of California rising west into the distance as far as the eye could see. It was a view he never tired of. Birds and hawks and eagles, even the occasion condor, were often seen soaring close enough to touch. Lyle had loved it up here just as much as he did. It was their special place. In fact, it was the first place they’d ever kissed and declared their love for each other. Forty years ago. A lifetime of love, was how Dave looked at it. Their lifetime together now over.

He opened his pack and took out the container that contained Lyle’s ashes. He’d died less than a week earlier after a mercifully short battle with brain cancer. Dave had been by his side throughout and was there when Lyle had briefly regained consciousness, squeezed Dave’s hand and said, “I’ll always love you, man.” Then, after a few moments, added, “Take me to the desert.”

He knew exactly what Lyle had meant.

Dave held the container reverently. There was so much to say that he didn’t know where to begin. Finally, he spoke to the wind, saying all that was needed, “Lyle, I’ll love you forever, my friend. I’ll never forget you.”

He moved right to the edge, six hundred feet above the desert floor, opened the lid, and waited. When the wind was right, he tilted the container and watched the ashes spill out, caught by a sudden gust as if it had been waiting for just that moment; Lyle’s ashes swirling away out over the desert that had formed the backdrop for their lifelong love. Then he put the container away and made ready to climb back down, already planning for his next trip when he would scale the mountain once again to stand in the wind overlooking the land and be with Lyle and tell him again how much he missed him and again how much now and forever he would always love him.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

In the early summer of 2022, an idea came to me. Why not write a collection of stories using holidays as a theme? I took out a calendar and selected the first ones that came to mind, coming up with thirteen. These became the focal point for the subsequent thirteen chapters in the book. I wanted to link the stories together so I devised a family and introduced them with the first story set on Valentine’s Day, 1954. I was off and running. The project took on a life of its own as the characters were fleshed out with each subsequent chapter, becoming more and more alive as the book progressed. I found out that for this family not all holidays were enjoyable, but thirteen of them were certainly memorable. I hope you enjoy reading about them.

 

 

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Excerpt

 

From Orange Juice the first story in the collection “Holiday Stories.”

Back then, Mom was what you would call a little sensitive to things. Seeing new babies or puppies or kittens made her tear up. Same with certain shows on television. Holidays, too.

She loved to get gifts, and it’s my belief that she knew Dad had planned on doing something special for her on that day, the day I spoiled so momentously when I’d heaved the orange juice at Eric. She just didn’t know what it was that he planned to do, and my behavior spoiled the surprise. In her mind, she saw a nice, mellow, trouble-filled day (mostly with my dad) and I’d ruined the mellowness part of it. Who knew? It was my first exposure to how complicated life really was.

But on the day of the orange juice incident, I had no idea about any of that stuff. All I knew is that I’d made Mom sad and I wanted to do something about it. So, I did.

After Eric and I got back from skating, I went to our bedroom and got out some color construction paper and sat at desk (on a pillow for my sore butt) and went to work. Eric didn’t even bother me. He must have known I was serious because I was. I made Mom a Valentines’ Day card. It was the first one I’d ever made, but once I knew it was Valentine’s Day, I remembered seeing pictures of them.

The card I made was on white paper that I folded in half. On the front I glued concentric construction paper hearts I’d cut out, starting with a big red one and then filling it in with smaller and smaller cut out hearts colored, green, yellow and blue. Inside I used a red crayon and printed, Happy Valentine’s Day, Mom! I love you!! I signed it with my name, Ben.

I gave it to her later that afternoon when Dad went to get Aunt Bea. In spite of my behavior, Mom and Dad were still going on their special outing, I guess out to eat at some hotel in Minneapolis.

“Here, Mom,” I said, handing her my card. I’d even found an envelope for it. Mom was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and smoking one of her ever-present Kools.

She set her cup down and looked at me. “What’s this?” she asked, surprised. She snubbed out her cigarette and took my card in her hands. She smiled when she realized what it was and held it carefully, like she was holding a valuable gemstone. She grinned. “Oh, Ben. Whatever have you done?”

“It’s for you, Mom,” I said. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Then I shuffled my feet, hung my head and added, “And I’m sorry about the orange juice.”

“Oh, sweetie,” she said. Her face broke into a huge smile, and she gave me a big hug. “Thank you so much.”

It made me happy to see her happy. Which was a valuable lesson I learned that day: It was good to make people happy. I didn’t always remember that as I got older, but I tired.

“Open it,” I said.

And she did. She read the words and she cried, but they were tears of joy this time. I sat with her while she read and re-read my little card.

I gave her a handmade card every year after that. Even last year. And you know what? It always makes her happy. I know because she always cries. Tears of joy.

Sometimes I do too.

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Elements seventy-eight through one-hundred on the periodic table serve as inspiration for this fourth and final volume in Jim’s Periodic Stories series. In it, two materialistic millennials get hooked on their platinum credit card with disastrous results. Do they learn a lesson? A young girl discovers there’s more to life than winning a gold medal in boxing. Find out what it is. And you will meet Stacy and Arnie, two science geeks who are devoted to each other and befriend the element fermium. Like in the previous three volumes, these stories are character driven and delve into the complexities of what it means to be human in this day and age. They are lovingly written and thought-provoking. Oh, yes, in every case, science plays a role.

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Fermium

 

Boy, I didn’t realize how lonely I was until I met Stacy and Arnie. I mean, I was a friendly element. I tried to chat with the guys on either side of me, but to no avail. Einsteinium didn’t have much to say and seems always thinking about something way out there on the other side of the universe, and mendelevium was the same way, thinking of ways he could add to the already bursting at the seams periodic table.

The same was true with the other elements. I spent hours and hours attempting to engage them in conversations about isotopes or subatomic particles like quarks and muons, but no go. I tried not to take it personally, but sometimes I wondered, was all this rejection because I was number 100 on the periodic table? Maybe they thought it should be a feather in my cap having that coveted three-digit number. Maybe they were envious of me.

Whatever the case, I had no clue as to the answer. It’s hard to find out what people are thinking if no one talks to you.

But that’s what’s awesome about Stacy and Arnie. They have no arrogant attitudes. In fact, they have no airA at all. They like to talk to me, and I think that’s really cool. And I like talking to them.

For those who don’t know, I’m a synthetic element, which means I was made from another element (thank you very much plutonium!) My symbol is Fm on the periodic chart, and, like I said, my atomic number is 100. By the way, the atomic number refers to the number of protons in the nucleus, just in case you didn’t know. I’m named after Enrico Fermi, one of the pioneers of nuclear physics.

I could go on and on, but what I really wanted to tell you about was my new friends, Stacy and Arnie. I first met Stacy when she was beginning to work on a science report. We hit it off right away because we both love science.

In my mind, she’s great, although she will not say that. Instead, she’ll say that she’s what they call “challenged mentally” because her mom is a drug addict, which caused Stacy all sorts of problems in the womb before she was born. And then she ate some leaded paint that was peeling off the wall of the apartment they were living in when she was two or three, so, not a good combination. But I don’t care. She’s nice, and she’s fun to talk to. Plus, like I said, she likes science, and that really helps.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

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The Pompadour Necklace: Sophie’s Adventures
Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – London, England
Foiled Plots Press (March 14, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 60 pages

Synopsis

 

The necklace had once belonged to Madame Pompadour—mistress of the French King Louis XV.

Now it’s gone. Stolen by a clever conman. And it will take every ounce of determination and ingenuity a young woman possesses to recover it.

But can a mere girl from Calais outwit a practiced fraudster?

 

 

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Theft in Sleepy Hollow (Sophie’s Adventures)
Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – New York
Foiled Plots Press (November 25, 2023)
Digital Print length ‏ : ‎ 101 pages

 

Synopsis

 

In Sleepy Hollow, a Monet is in danger of being spirited away. . .

But undercover art sleuth Sophie Fisher—also known as Jeanne Sophie Poisson—
is on the trail of the brazen art thief.

From a Hudson River Cruise to Cold Spring to a spooky lantern-light tour of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sophie will do what it takes to capture the thief . . .

And prevent him from spiriting away a valuable work of art.

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Undercover on the Hudson: Sophie’s Adventure

 

 

Lucky Sophie! She gets to take a river cruise every time she goes on an undercover mission. This time she’s on a Hudson River cruise to Cold Spring. The cruise takes you past the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse and Sunnyside, Washington Irving’s home. Enjoy a short excerpt from the story. Fans of the Celine Skye Psychic Mysteries will recognize FBI agent Julia Hood:

***

“It’s a Monet that Fairchild’s set his sights on this time,” Uncle Arthur, a middle-aged bear of a man in a tweed waistcoat and gray wool trousers, said to Sophie in a low voice.

“There’s a Monet in Sleepy Hollow?” Sophie’s voice rang out louder than she’d intended.

“You’d be surprised,” Uncle Arthur replied dryly, his brown eyes stern as he gazed down at her. She shouldn’t have raised her voice, his gaze wordlessly admonished her.

Leaning against the railing of the Seastreak catamaran that was ferrying them to Cold Spring, Arthur swiveled his head around, taking in the passengers on the deck. Sophie scanned the crowd on the open-air deck as well. There was no sign of Fairchild.

Was he even on the cruise?

Or had Julia Hood, their FBI contact, been mistaken? She’d met them at the airport the day before, whisking them through Immigration and Customs, and then driving them to their hotel.

“There’s been a slight change of plan as far as your travel to Sleepy Hollow is concerned,” the short, sturdily built FBI agent had told them, as she navigated the busy streets of New York City.

“There has, has there?” Uncle Arthur—also known as Detective Superintendent Ben Norris—had raised one eyebrow quizzically.

“You’re taking the Seastreak Fall Cruise to Cold Spring tomorrow. It sets sail shortly after 9 a.m. Arrives two hours later in Cold Spring. We’ll have a car there to drive you down to Sleepy Hollow.”

“I’m sure Sophie and I will appreciate the sights, Julia, but—”

“You won’t be sightseeing Arthur,” Julia had brusquely interrupted him. “You’ll be keeping an eye on Fairchild. He’s slated to be on that cruise.”

“Any idea why?” Uncle Arthur had asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Nope. We’re hoping you two can find out.”

But they hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Fairchild since they’d boarded the cruise.

Lips compressed, Uncle Arthur swiveled his head back around to gaze out at the Hudson River. It had been named after the English explorer, Henry Hudson, who’d sailed up the river for a considerable length, trying to find a way across the continent to the Pacific Ocean.

“He soon realized it was impossible,” their tour guide, Phyllis, had said with a bright smile. “The river grew narrower the farther up he sailed, the water becoming shallower as well.”

“I just hope we’re not wasting our time here,” Uncle Arthur muttered beside her. “If Julia’s wrong, Fairchild’s already in Sleepy Hollow, busy hatching his nefarious plans while we . . . .” He shook his head, more frustrated than Sophie had ever seen him.

“Tell me more about this Monet you think he’s planning to steal,” she said, hoping to divert his troubled mind.

“Nymphéas en fleur, Water Lilies in Bloom,” Uncle Arthur said. “It was part of the Rockefeller collection.”

“And it made its way to Sleepy Hollow?”

Who in the ghost-obsessed village would’ve wanted—much less appreciated—a French Impressionist painting? It sounded about as tall a tale as the legend of the headless horseman that Washington Irving had made famous. . .

The catamaran glided past a charming yellow mansion with an irregular red-shingled roofline and green shutters.

“Take a look at Sunnyside, folks. Notice the piazza facing the river. Can you imagine Washington Irving sitting there of an evening, drinking in the sights and concocting his stories?”

Uncle Arthur snorted. “Wish we could jump off here. That’s Tarrytown, you know, not far south of our destination.” He glanced at his watch. “We could’ve been there by now, taking care of business . . .”

Sophie was casting about in her mind for something reassuring to say when she noticed a burly coat-wrapped figure emerging onto the deck. Large shades shielded most of the man’s face and a few long blond curls poked out from the thick cap on his head. But there was something unmistakably familiar about the person, nevertheless.

“Arthur”—she nudged him hard in the ribs, ignoring his muffled howl of outraged pain—“is that him? Could it be—?” Round-eyed, she stared at her companion.

“Well, I’ll be!” Uncle Arthur’s mouth gaped. “I have to hand it to our FBI friends. Their information was spot on! That is Nigel Fairchild.”

 

 

About the Author

 

A former journalist, Nupur Tustin is the author of the Joseph Haydn Mysteries set in Austria, the Celine Skye Psychic Mysteries, based on the infamous Gardner Museum theft, and the author of Sophie’s Adventures, about a French James Bond who goes on undercover missions to recover stolen art and artifacts.

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Sherry and Zeke are two at risk teenagers who meet in their high school chemistry class and develop a bond over their shared love of science. In this follow up to Periodic Stories and Periodic Stories Volume Two, Jim takes us on another entertaining ride. This time, he uses elements sixty-four through seventy-seven of the periodic table as the basis for his engaging stories. He also adds a new twist; he has woven recurring characters throughout this collection to make it read as a novel. These stories will captivate and engage you, and the dramatic conclusion will surprise you. Like with his other two collections, this one deals with the complexities of love and human relations, both individually and with others. Oh, yes, sometimes science is involved.

 

 

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Excerpt

 

I reached for my paper and showed her. “It’s a report for science. Mr. Jordan’s class.”

“Your favorite teacher, right?”

“Yes,” I said perking up. I felt some energy running through me. Just talking about science made me happy. “I’m excited about it.”

Mom hooked a loose strain of hair around my ear. Her touch felt nice. “What’s the report on?”

“One of the elements on the periodic table. Number sixty-four. Gadolinium.”

“Never heard of it. It’s an odd name.”

I smiled. “It is. It’s named after the mineral gadolinite which was named after the Finnish chemist and geologist, Johan Gadolin.”

“Interesting. What’s it used for?”

I turned to Mom. It felt good to talk to her. “Remember after the accident, and I had those horrible headaches? They put me in that MRI. That magnetic resonance imaging machine?”

Mom brushed my cheek with the back of her hand and said, “I do remember that, sweetheart. That was a tough time.” She paused and clasped her hands, kneading them in her lap before adding, “For both of us.”

I reached out and hugged her. “I know Mom. I know.”

“But we’re strong women, aren’t we? We’re doing okay, right?”

I grinned. “Right, mom.”

I’d read enough about psychology to know that parents were supposed to say those things. But, still…mom was right. We were strong women. And that counted for something. It counted for a lot.

“Well,” I continued, “gadolinium is used in those MRI’s. It’s kind of like a magnet and helps make the image.”

Mom grinned. “I never would have guessed. You are so smart.”

Which made me blush. “Mom….”

She pointed at the report. “If you’d like, you can read it to me.”

“Really?”

“Sure. I’ve always wondered about gadolinkenfelter or whatever you call it.”

I laughed, which felt good. I have to tell you, sometimes Mom knew just the right thing to say. “Sure, I’d love that,” I told her. “That’d be great.” I picked up my report.

One thing was true, I liked science, and I loved chemistry. I liked its predictability. And I liked its mystery. Leslie didn’t like school so much, but she tolerated my passion for learning. We were good for each other that way. Her outgoing personality and love of art and poetry balanced my withdrawn, analytical side. Like I said, we made a pretty good team.

I flipped through a few pages of my report. “It’s not too long,” I said.

“I don’t care how long it is.” Mom smiled and stood up. She reached out and took my hand. “Let’s go down to the kitchen and fix some hot chocolate. Then you can read it to me. Deal?”

I smiled, “Deal.” Then I had a thought. “Oh, Mom?”

“Yes, dear?”

“Can Leslie come with? I think she’d like some hot chocolate, too.”

Mom smiled and hugged me. “Sure,” she said. “Absolutely.”

Mom led us out of my bedroom. I turned to Leslie and gave her the thumbs up sign. She winked, gave it back to me, and we followed Mom downstairs to the kitchen.

Me and Leslie, best friends for life.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website

 

 

 

 

THE EDGE OF TOO LATE

 

Harbor Pointe Series, #5

 

by

 

Jan Sikes

 

 

Ghost Suspense / Contemporary Short Stories / Action & Adventure Romance

Publisher: RiJan Publishing

Date of Publication: November 28, 2023

Number of Pages: 126pages

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

Brandon Miller has his dream job, financial security, and he’s madly in love. Only one thing is missing—a commitment.

Angela Cooper’s ex-husband left her with deep scars, souring her on the concept of marriage. She’s not interested in a do-over. Not with Brandon or anyone. Her heart is locked securely away behind a thick wall.

With a ring in his pocket and hope in his heart, Brandon arranges a romantic getaway to the historic Harbor Pointe Inn, where he plans to pop the question.

Before they reach the inn, Angela’s got her camera in hand and ghosts on her mind. But they arrive to find a much more tangible horror.

Accident or foul play?

Someone is up to no good, and Angela is the next target. When suspects can be worldly or otherworldly, danger and secrets lurk everywhere.

Poised at the perilous edge of too late, Angela and Brandon face the fight of their lives.

 

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for a spooky novella? This might be the answer to what you are seeking.

Brandon and Angela are in a somewhat serious relationship, and he decides to take her on a romantic weekend, where he plans to propose. This could go one of two ways, considering she is still gun-shy when it comes to relationships, thanks to her previous one. But that doesn’t deter Brandon in the least. He realizes what a gem she is and will not be swayed to wait! However, he does not expect the outcome of this weekend. But then, I don’t think anyone would!

Angela is an empath and has a passion for photography. She is able to see several ghosts around the inn where they are staying. Some believe her, and some do not. But that doesn’t deter her from her beliefs. She also hopes to capture a ghostly orb on film.

This is set before a time of cell phones and digital cameras. I really enjoy books like this because the characters can’t rely on technology to do what is needed.

While this may be a short story, I found myself engrossed in the tale, cringing at several conflicts and hoping that all would work out in the end. Luckily, it does! There are some somewhat violent parts, but we are left to imagine the scenes on our own, and the minute details are not shared. Considering how vivid my imagination can be, it isn’t hard for me to picture it in my mind.

There is one character I do not like from the initial introduction, and for good reason. Let’s just say he is not a nice guy.

While this is part of a series, each book stands on its own, and the inn is what ties the books together.

This book does not read like a short story, so I was surprised when I finished it so quickly. I wanted to know more about Brandon and Angela and where their lives would take them after this weekend at the Harbor Pointe Inn. We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale encompassing four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published numerous award-winning short stories and novels.

Jan is an active blogger, an avid fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

 

Website ◆ Blog ◆ Facebook ◆ X (Twitter)

 

Newsletter ◆ BookBub ◆ Amazon ◆ Goodreads

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

FIVE WINNERS:

 

1^st: $20 Amazon gift card

 

2^nd & 3^rd: audiobooks of The Edge of Too Late

 

4^th & 5^th: eBooks of Flowers and Stone

 

(US Only; ends midnight, CST 12/15/23)

 

 

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

12/05/23	Jennifer Silverwood	Review
12/05/23	Hall Ways Blog	Excerpt
12/06/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
12/06/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
12/07/23	JennCaffeinated	Review
12/08/23	Librariel Book Adventures	Review
12/08/23	Chapter Break Book Blog	Character Interview
12/09/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
12/10/23	The Clueless Gent	Review
12/11/23	Bibliotica	Review
12/12/23	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
12/12/23	Forgotten Winds	Author Interview
12/13/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
12/14/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Elements thirty-two through sixty-three on the periodic table are used in this unique collection, a follow-up companion to the first volume, “Periodic Stories”. Will Ken and his girlfriend’s son ever get along? Why is krypton so important to Duke and his brother and their friends? Will Mr. Jordan, a young high school teacher in his first job, be able to win over his class with a science experiment? Why was their silver anniversary so important to Bryce and Abby? These are lovingly written stories that deal with human beings and their relationship with themselves and others. Oh, yes, sometimes science plays a role.

 

 

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Germanium

Ken was happy to have gotten a rather difficult conversation out of the way. “Sure, breakfast sounds good.” He stood up. “Plus, I’ve got something you might like.” He touched Allen’s shoulder in a show of affection, something he wasn’t used to doing. Right now, though, it seemed like the right thing to do. “It’s in the cellar. I’ll be right back.” He hurried downstairs.

Bev stood at the counter and whipped up a bowl of eggs while Allen sat wondering what Ken was up to. He had to admit, the more he was around the guy, the better he liked him. At least he wasn’t physically abusive to him and his mom like his dad had been.  Plus, he helped his mom stay sober. That was a big thing.

Ken came into the kitchen a minute later carrying a shopping bag. He removed a package wrapped in brown paper and set it on the table. Bev stopped beating the eggs and came over to join them. “Open it,” she said, looking at Ken. He winked at her. She had no idea what he’d done.

Allen peeled back the paper, exposing a bright yellow box with a camera on the cover. It was a Nikon.

“Oh, wow!” he exclaimed, opening the box and taking out the camera. He held it up and admired it. “This is so cool.”

Ken grinned. “I thought this would work better for you for our hunting expeditions. That old Cannon of yours wasn’t doing the trick.”

Allen held the camera reverently. “Oh, man, this is awesome, Ken. Thank you so much.”

Ken grinned and handed him another package. “Here, this kind of goes with it.”

Allen’s eyes went wide. The package was about twelve inches long and four inches square. “What is it?”

“Open it. I think you’ll like it.”

Allen carefully peeled off the paper. “Oh. My. God!” he exclaimed. This is amazing.” He stood up and hugged Ken, something he’d never done before. “I love it.”

“It’s a telephoto lens,” Ken told him. “It’ll help get those closeup photos you’ve been trying to take.”

Allen was stunned. He’d never been given such a wonderful gift. As he held the new, wide-angle lens along with the camera reverently in his hands, he turned to his mother, “Mom, this is so cool. I’ll be able to take some awesome pictures.”

Ken sipped his coffee and watched as Allen showed his mom his new lens and camera. When he and Bev had first gotten together, he hadn’t really considered what it’d be like having a son. But now it looked like he had one. And Allen was a good kid. A little fat, that was for sure, but they could get that under control.

Plus, he was learning what it was like being a father figure, some of it good, some of it not so good. This was a good part. Ken disliked guns and shooting, so when he’d found out Allen liked photography, they’d begun going on what they called their hunting trips together taking pictures. Ken had done research and knew that the new camera and wide-angle lens would be just perfect for helping Allen develop his interest in wildlife photography. The new lens was made with a material called germanium. It was supposed to improve the optical quality of the photograph. Sounded good to him.

Ken glanced out the kitchen window. There was a soft line of light on the eastern horizon. The sun would be coming up in an hour. “Hey, Allen. You know, we should probably get going. Get out in the woods to the stand and get ready to shoot some deer.”

Allen grinned, “Sounds great.” He stood up and began packing the new camera lens in his old camera case. “Just give me a minute.” He turned to his mom. “Sorry about breakfast, but we’ve got to go.”

Bev smiled and hugged him. “Don’t worry. We’ll have something when you get home. In the meantime, you guys have a good time.”

Allen finished packing up his new camera and lens and was the first one out the door. Bev stopped Ken, “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that, you know. I know how expensive that camera equipment is.”

Ken zipped up his jacket and adjusted his cap. “Don’t worry about it. It seemed like a good thing to do. Besides,” he grinned, “I kind of like the kid.” He gave her a quick kiss.

She kissed him back and smiled, “I know you do.”

Bev closed the door and watched the two of them walk across the yard to the pickup get in and drive off trailing a plume of exhaust in the cold morning air. She poured a fresh cup of coffee and sat at the table slowly sipping it, thinking, you know, this might work out okay after all.

She stood up and tossed her pack of Marlboros in the trash. Then she sat down again. And smiled.

 

 

About the Author

 

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Website