Shorts

       Between novels, I really enjoy writing short stories filled with suspense, humor and good old fashion romance with happy endings.

        BIG NEWS FOR 2021: I have sold SEVEN short stories! "The Works" will appear in an upcoming CRIMEUCOPIA anthology from Murderess Ink Press, a UK-based publisher; "Just Call Wally" will appear in an anthology called ASININE ASSASSINS, published by SmartRino Publications, and five will appear in the 2021 BOULD AWARDS Anthology!

       Below, you'll find covers and brief descriptions of my stories. Of course, ordering/ reading links are included!

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Black Cat Weekly #32 features my short story "Insieme" in the April 2022 issue. "Insieme" is a story about Detectives Chadwick Hamilton and Denzel Lewindowski who are not pleased with working together. However, the ritualistic death of a young woman brings them closer to resolving their dislikes as they match intuitive skills against brutal facts. "Insieme" reveals working together has its advantages.

Black Cat Weekly showcases the best short mysteries and is published by Wildside Press LLC and its sister publication Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine. Submissions to Black Cat is by invitation only. I am pleased to be on the Black Cat author’s list.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Please click here to order.

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Be on the lookout for “Blue Suede Shoes," the story of two private eyes who face off against a wily blond and a mob of egotistical gangsters will be appearing in GROOVY GUMSHOES: PRIVATE EYES IN THE PSYCHEDELIC SIXTIES, Vol. 2, from Down and Out Books, late this year. (Cover not yet available; this is Volune 1.)

Click here to read an excerpt.

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ASININE ASSASSINS, published by SmartRino Publications, includes my short story "Just Call Wally, " which has been nominated for a Derringer Award.

Click here to read an excerpt.

ASININE ASSASSINS was released in digital format and trade paperback on 14 September! Please click here to order.

About the anthology:

Simpletons & Suspense - Welcome to ASININE ASSASSINS. Inept, brainless, daft, harebrained, loony, witless, lunkheaded, just plain stupid. Not exactly attributes you seek when employing a hired gun, right?

We asked our authors to write stories with an "asinine" element critical to the plot—we preferred dark humor, but we also considered anything comedic, zany, or surreal. The stories could be any genre, but they had to fit the anthology’s theme. We were intentionally broad here and asked the writers to stretch their imaginations. They paid off in spades!

This is NOT your typical crime fiction. If you love a wonderful blend of suspense, humor, and general weirdness, expect to be surprised and entertained by these 23 great stories.

Please click here to order.

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AVAILABLE NOW in both e-book format and trade paperback: CRIMEUCOPIA: CARELESS LOVE, an anthology from Murderess Ink Press (a UK-based publisher), featuring my short story "The Driver," which has been nominated for a Derringer Award.

Click here to read an excerpt.

About the anthology:

"Oh Baby, Baby, How Was I Supposed To Know… Is Love ever perfect? Or is it an obsession that remains rather than just a passing phase? And who’s to say that Revenge isn’t, in fact, a dish best served hot from the flames of passion?

"Fifteen writers tell us about affairs of the heart – some with humour, some with a darker intent, and others that are never quite exactly what they seem. Is it all about manipulation? Can there be more than one agenda? And does Love really conquer all, even when it’s supposedly blind? Or maybe Love is just an old Devil, looking for mischief?

"Hitchcock may well have said Dial M for Murder, but we say Dial C for Crime, extension L for Love.

"Featuring material from: Steve Sneyd, Ange Morrissey, James Roth, Michael Wiley, Gustavo Bondoni, Matthew Wilson, Peter W. J. Hayes, Wil A. Emerson, Brandon Barrows, Bern Sy Moss, Michael Anthony Dioguardi, Russell Richardson, Robert Petyo, Sam Westcott, Bryn Fortey and Vicky LaPerso – all of whom take us on roller coaster rides through a fictional Tunnel of Love.

"So, while the jury’s always going to be out regarding Love’s guilt or innocence, we hope you’ll find something or someone that you immediately like, as well as something that takes you out of your comfort zone – and puts you into a new one.

"And in the spirit of the Murderous Ink Press motto: You never know what you like until you read it."

Order CRIMEUCOPIA: CARELESS LOVE

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BOULD* Awards 2021 Short Story Anthology (*Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless, Daring): This is always a fun publication, and I was lucky enough to have FIVE of my my stories included again this year: "What Mary Did to Daniel ," "Come Uppenance," "Nano Second, Nano Sorry," "Sweet It Is," and "An Unexpected Reunion."

"An Unexpected Reunion" is a finalist for the 2022 Short Mystery Fiction Society Derringer Award! Please click here for more info!

The 2021 edition was delayed slightly, due to a fire that destroyed the editor's home. Needless to say, he has had other things on his mind, but it is availble to order NOW!

Please click here to order.

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BOULD* Awards 2020 Short Story Anthology (*Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless, Daring): This is a fun publication, and I was lucky enough to have three of my my stories included this year: “No Matter”, which won third place; "Mama's Boy -- The Tale of Edward and Sophia," and “Honor Amongst the Rigid Loyals 2."

About the anthology:

"Are you an adventurous, daring reader? Like to explore new frontiers? If so, this one's for you.

"In this third edition, you'll find 53 of the weirdest, most outrageous, wackiest, scariest, puzzlingest (is that really a word?) short stories submitted for this anthology in 2020. (There were 21 in the 2018 edition, 40 in 2019, all selected by a panel of independent judges.)

"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be shocked, scared, and maybe even perflutzed by some of the stories you'll find inside, in many different genres and styles. But with nearly every story, we know you'll be surprised.

"We expect the 2021 edition to be BOULDer (no relation to the city in Colorado), and that'll raise the bar even higher for the 2022 edition. We might wind up changing “Limitless” to “Loopy” if writers can really let their inhibitions go and let their haywire creativity.

"But now it's time for you to quit reading these promo bits, brace yourself and dig in. Have fun!"

Order Kindle format   *   Order Print version

As a sample -- here's a link to “No Matter,” the 3rd place winner in the Bould Award Anthology. It’s not your usual mystery or romance. Meant to fall into the category of Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless, Daring….

Read "No Matter" for free (pdf)

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BOULD* Awards 2019 Short Story Anthology (*Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless, Daring): This is a fun publication, and I was lucky enough to have two of my my stories included: “Oh, Henry” and “Honor Amongst the Rigid." (Just click on the titles or scroll down for details on those!)

About the anthology:

"Are you an adventurous, daring reader? Like to explore new frontiers? If so, this one's for you.

: In this second annual edition, you'll find nearly 40 of the weirdest, most outrageous, wackiest, scariest, puzzlingest (is that really a word?) short stories submitted for this anthology in 2019. That's nearly twice the number of stories in the 2018 edition, our first.

" You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be shocked, scared, and maybe even perflutzed by some of the stories you'll find inside, in many different genres and styles. But with nearly every story, we know you'll be surprised.

"These stories have all been anonymously selected by a panel of independent judges. . . . But now it's time for you to quit reading these promo bits, brace yourself and dig in. Have fun!"

Order Kindle format   *   Order Print version

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Available Through Smashwords:

Honor Amongst the Rigid, approx. 3160 words. From their celestial place, Cornic, the ruler of the Other domain, and his devoted wife Beguile, share love, honor and duty. Unlike many in their homeland, they are devoted to one another and believe in eternal love. Life's force has brought them together to care for each other, bear children and foster others. But Cornic is nearing the latter stage of strength and vitality and demands Beguile have more children to insure proper care in longevity. Will Honor and Duty prevail, if she mates with another? This is a tale of love in an unearthly place. The mysteries of their universe unveiled, rules and regulations written by the Masters. Will loyalty prevail?

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Chocolate and Vanilla, approx. 7472 words. April's constant companion is her dog Tobler. Who would ever think the large brown lab would fall in love with a wisp of a dog like Cotton? The two are as opposite as their owners. The odd couples can't help but run into each other and before long, chocolate and vanilla becomes the best mix in town.

Order Chocolate and Vanilla

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Temporarily Detained, approx. 2737 words. What if you invented a device that could stop an individual in his tracks? Detained a convicted criminal or save a patient with Alzheimers from wandering away from home? What would you do if the wrong people got there hands on it? Kidnapped...and no where to go. Will the device save you or destroy the U.S.? (NOTE: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)

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Oh Henry, approx. 5136 words. Independence didn't come easy for twenty-two year old Henry Weinstein. But now that's he got a job at Metropolitan Hospital in Detroit, he comes and goes as he pleases. As a night shift orderly, he can entertain himself while he does his chores. He loves music and his favorite singer, Sweet Lady Jesus sings to him all night long. And he's a collector...well let's not talk about his latest treasures. What can be wrong with a guy who does his job and never complains. Oh Henry, we'd like to know!

Read on Wattpad

Oh Henry and my novel Fatal Mistake were featured at the 2015 Bouchercon World Mystery Convention! (For more information on the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, please see: http://www.bouchercon.info/)

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Dear Hunting, approx. 3684 words. Love and marriage...Not always made in heaven. Grace and Ted are working out their differences one snowy night in Northern Michigan. It's legal to hunt for deer and fill plates with the rich, warm meat until spring returns. Will Ted be the first hunter out before the sun breaks over the horizen? Or will the deep snow cause Ted to crawl back in bed and hope his wife takes a few more shifts at the diner to pay for his next case of beer? Grace has her mind set on resolving their problems... hunting season has just begun and this season she's not going to worry about meat on the table. (NOTE: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)

Read for free (pdf)

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Bone Music, approx. 4904 words. A walk in the park isn't what it used to be. A madman murderer has a knack for butchering his victims and leaving the parts in plastic boxes for strollers to find. During a hot, steamy summer, Mike and Dan have to stop this killer before the city is shut down. But it's the wit and gile of a clever reporter and her mom who find music is at the heart of the matter. (NOTE: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)

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Three Strikes...Out, approx. 8300 words. Danny Parker has been accused of murdering his beloved wife. Theresa Brown, who works at the Cooney Bar and Grill with Danny and his wife, has been called as a material witness for the defense. Of course, she'll tell the truth. Danny was devoted to Sara. But will her testimony set Danny free? She knows who killed his wife and justice must be served. (NOTE: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)

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Available To Read Online at Wattpad:

• Oh Henry:  See above for description.   Read for free on Wattpad

• Magic Interferes in New Orleans:  A widow and four sons. For Rose Marie, even though she lost her husband, an opportunity couldn't be ignored. Hard work and determination made all the difference. Can't help but be happy for someone who carves a path to success. Or maybe not.   Read for free on Wattpad

• Today At the Amusement Park:  Being a parent isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Just ask two parents whose only son has run off to join a carnival.   Read for free on Wattpad

• A Day in the Life:  An accident can change a life. It's what you do thereafter that counts.   Read for free on Wattpad

• Chasing the Enemy:  Brothers--opposite poles. It there a reason why two brothers, souls intertwining have different goals?   Read for free on Wattpad

• Business as UNusual:  It isn't everyday a woman gets to walk the streets of New York. But when she does, she should be prepared for the unexpected. A busy city. A safe city?   Read for free on Wattpad

• The Year is 2563:  Space Station life had its limitations but times have changed. Now it's just a flick of the wrist and the future is yours.   Read for free on Wattpad

• Friends on the Town:  Christie and Jared met on their first day of college. Years later, Christie has plans for change. Will the truth come between good friends?   Read for free on Wattpad

• A Lunch Date Gone Wrong:  It's not every day Louanne gets asked to a fancy restaurant for a Lunch Date. On this day, she gets more than she bargained for. and walks away a little wiser.   Read for free on Wattpad

• Sisters and Cousins:  It's all in the genes or is it the jeans. When it comes to sisters, they are what they are. And it doesn't take much for one or the other to know what makes a sister a sister. Or does it?   Read for free on Wattpad

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