Today’s Friday Five features short story anthologies. As a short story writer myself, this topic is very near and dear to me. And, I’m pleased to feature some great ones here, in varied genres.

1. Ten bits From My Brain by Stuart Jaffe

Author Stuart Jaffe takes you across the Fantasy and Science Fiction landscapes with ten wide-ranging stories including three all-new tales. From the tiny life of a fly to the far reaches of space, from an elderly witch in WWII’s Lublin ghetto to a dragon detective in the modern world’s harsh streets, from tattoos and chess games to robberies and betrayals, these stories are packed with action, drama, and a bit of the weird.

“Stuart’s work defies pigeon-holing. The man who hosts the podcast “The Eclectic Review” with his wife, demonstrates a talent that is as facile and varied as his intellect. All of these pieces, though, show a master storyteller at the top of his art.” — from the introduction by David B. Coe
Available at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056P1D5U/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_g351_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0XXCP1JVF9J8G7HJ6KBR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

BN.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/10-bits-of-my-brain-stuart-jaffe/1103842820?ean=2940012892348&itm=8&usri=stuart+jaffe

2. Maybelle’s Revenge by LB Gschwandtner 
A short story collection with an edge. Paranormal events, vengeful attacks, payback for past pain — and lots of other quirky tidbits are the stuff of this collection, including a love stricken parrot and a town that takes on an electric glow. It’s all in here but, to start, there’s Maybelle’s Revenge. And she is out to get some payback.
Available at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Maybelles-Revenge-ebook/dp/B0053TSX1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1307110288&sr=1-1

3. Extinct Doesn’t Mean Forever Edited By: Phoenix Sullivan

Genre: Anthology and/or Science Fiction

Description:
Echoes of yesterday touch the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary ways in 19 provocative stories by some of the best up-and-coming authors of mainstream and speculative fiction around the world. Extinct Doesn’t Mean Forever is an eclectic mix of variations on the theme, including literary spec fiction, humor, and hard and soft science fiction stories that feature thylacines, dinosaurs, Neanderthals, alien races and more.

Available At:

http://www.amazon.com/Extinct-Doesnt-Mean-Forever-ebook/dp/B004SUOWMU

http://tinyurl.com/extinctantho-uk

http://tinyurl.com/extinctantho-bn

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/50769

4. The Space Hotel Series Collection by Alain Gomez
Hotel Moonwalk is earth’s first outer space hotel. Designed to be the ultimate party experience, it’s a dream come true for the the world’s wealthiest celebrities. But unbeknownst to its guests, an alien science vessel lurking nearby is also using the hotel… 

Contains the complete Space Hotel Series. Titles include “Celebrity Space,” “Doctor Fleicher,” “Hotel Moonwalk,” “Director of Human Resources,” and “The Hall of Immortals.”

Short Story Collection, approx 14,000 words total

Available at:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057HD64S
BN.com: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Space-Hotel-Series-Collection/Alain-Gomez/e/2940012883544

5. The Flirts: Five Romantic Short Stories by Lisa Scott
Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories to squeeze into your busy life. Fun, flirty, sweet, and sassy—always with the perfect happy ending. Discover the link that ties the stories together.

Each story is 8,000 to 11,000 words in length (approximately 32-44 typical book pages in length. 53,000 words total, or 210 typical book pages.)

The stories include:

“The Hot Girl’s Friend” 
How can a plain Jane find love when her best friend is a curvy blond man magnet? 

Jane usually busies herself during a night on the town, fending off the men lusting after her gorgeous friend Miranda. When Brady the bartender overhears her inspired, ludicrous excuses, he resolves to hook up Jane with his friends. But Jane would be quite happy with him. Pine along as Jane tries to find her own happily ever after.

“Wrong Place, Right Guy”
She’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can the guy who saves her be Mr. Right? Or will his past keep them apart?

When Kristen is jumped in a parking lot, Tony jumps in to save the day. While she thinks her hero could also be her heartthrob, Tony’s worried his past is reason to stay apart. Will the good guy get the girl in the end?

“Not You” 
One night with a stranger…gets even stranger the next day.

Single, lonely Carly thinks the best way to handle her mother’s third wedding is by throwing her own bachelorette-party-for-one the night before. What’s the harm in her first one-night stand ever? She’ll find out the next day.

“Desperately Seeking Cupid” 
Does she finally have the key for finding love?

Brianna has tried everything to find love—with no luck. So she’s turning to feng shui to bring romance to her world. Too bad the guy she’s after thinks its bunk. Will her formula for love work—or blow up in her face?

“Never Been Dumped”
It’s a relationship with an expiration date and it’s going to go bad.

Rachel hates breaking hearts. She’s never been dumped, and she’s tired of being the one to walk away. But a handsome stranger in town for the summer promises he’ll dump her after their summer fling. Will they be able to say goodbye?

Flirts! Five Romantic Short Stories to make you smile and swoon—buy the collection now for 2.99 or buy single stories for .99 each.

Available at:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flirts-Romantic-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B0056VBOCQ/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

BN.com: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Flirts-5-Romantic-Short-Stories/Lisa-Scott/e/2940012904300

If you enjoy a good short story every once in a while, feel free to check these out!

To have your book included in a future edition of Friday Five, please email me at karenlynn1225@comcast.net with “Friday Five” in the subject line.

~K. Crumley

I think most writers picture certain people in our heads while we write, or maybe we have characters inspired by certain celebrities.  Maybe even some of us fantasize about who will play our characters in the film versions of our books.  Hey, it’s fun to daydream…what can I say?  In fact, I think most of my stories start out as daydreams.  

Anyhow, here is my dream cast for my Daughters of Oberia series, in video format. (a video I produced just for fun, while fighting writer’s block.) 

Down on hope,
Lacking faith…
Feeling lost.

So many of us
drowning in gloom.
Dark clouds
loom overhead.
Storms brew,
thunder striking
invoking fear, doom.
We tremble…

To the skies
We look for a sign.
A ray of light,
Golden and pure
to stream
through clouds.
Our tears blend in
With pouring rain.

Cry out,
cry out loud.

The sign is there,
It’s all you need.
Sunbeams cut through
parting clouds.
Darkness starts to
quietly disperse
Skies turn from gray
to oceanic blue.

Too good, to surreal
to ever be true.

Look above,
Look overhead.

An arc of yellow, ornange green,
purple, and red.
Reaches out across the sky
touching green wet grass.

Amazing, beautiful
shocking, and uplifting.

We look skyward,
admiring it’s beauty.
All who have seen it
Touched, amazed
dazzled,
In love.

The frowns of many
have turned to smiles.
Hearts now
full of joy, hope, promise.

Young girls
feel like Dorothy.
The older, wiser
become like Noah.

No matter what
their walk of life,
their belief,
their past,
or present trails…

Each heart,
soul and mind
was touched.
Blessed.

And the future
seemed full of
Great possibilities.

~~~
This poem and at least 15 others will be included in my anthology Angelic Visions ebook edition feb. 15h, paperback edition march 20th.

Author LC Evans, who has touched as many hearts with her kind nature as her wonderful works.

Today’s Friday Five I will feature Five books from Linda “L.C.” Evans.

She was a truly gifted author, and will be remembered well by all.

My Planet or Yours
Nora Bryant is a single Earth woman out to ban men from her life after a recent breakup. Triskam is a strikingly handsome extraterrestrial, who crash lands near her remote Arizona home. Add to this mix, a couple of misguided thugs looking for a gold rush, an overly friendly, not-so-guard dog, and a communications device that thinks it’s a nanny, and you have My Planet or Yours?, a delightful new romantic comedy by LC Evans, author of the Kindle bestseller, We Interrupt This Date.

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0066QAR0K/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_g351_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0359YGXEC64PM2RE57HR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

We Interrupt This Date
Since her divorce a year ago, Susan Caraway has gone through the motions of life. Now she is finally coming out of her shell. Just when she decides on a makeover and a new career, her family members decide she’s crisis central. First there’s her sister DeLorean who has come back from California with a baby, a designer dog, and no prospects for child support or a job. As soon as DeLorean settles in at Susan’s home, Susan’s son Christian returns from college trailing what Susan’s mama refers to as “an androgynous little tart.” Then there’s Mama herself, a southern lady who wrote the book on bossy. A secret from Mama’s past threatens to unravel her own peace. But not before Mama hurts her ankle and has to move into Susan’s home with her babies—two Chihuahuas with attitude. Susan would like to start her new job as a ghost tour operator. She would like to renew her relationship with Jack Maxwell, a man from her past. But Jack isn’t going to stand in line behind her needy family.

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/We-Interrupt-This-Date-ebook/dp/B002CQU14U/ref=pd_cp_kinc_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Night Camp
A spooky graveyard. A creepy basement. A pair of coffins. Thirteen-year-old Shane Andrews hates summer camp. When his parents allow him to choose, Shane decides to pick the worst camp he can find. Night Camp must be terrible. For one thing, activities take place at night and campers sleep during the day. That can’t be good, Shane reasons. His parents will realize Night Camp is even worse than they thought and they’ll come back to get him. Then Shane’s plans for summer freedom fall apart. His cousin Brad, a boy with a huge collection of tabloid magazines, convinces Shane that two of the camp counselors are vampires. Shane enlists the help of Brad and a girl camper named Nicole. The three set out to save themselves and the other campers. Then Shane uncovers the secret of Night Camp…

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Camp-L-C-Evans/dp/1442124385/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2

Jobless Revovery

Dave Griffin is a poster boy for the American consumer. He drives a blood-colored Behemoth model SUV, has a new home in the suburbs, a beautiful girlfriend, a computer programming job, and all the benefits that come with middle class life in America. Then Dave’s employer replaces American computer programmers with cheaper imported labor in order to increase company profits. Soon Dave is out on the street. But he still believes in the system. All he has to do is bring the problem to the attention of the media and the people in Washington to get results. This move only deepens his trouble.
Meanwhile, Dave’s friend Joe Tremaine, a former FBI agent who lost his job after suffering a head injury, is struggling to stay sane. Cynical Joe knows better than to trust anyone in Washington or in corporate America. He embroils Dave in his fraudulent money-making schemes, and when Joe decides to educate the powerful senator who has been the driving factor in eliminating American jobs, his plan goes awry. Can an unemployed computer jockey manage to keep Joe–and himself–out of jail? Or will the oddly-shaped bundle in the back of Joe’s truck lead the cops to haul them both to the slammer?

“Jobless Recovery will push all your buttons as it tells a story that is too close to reality for many of us. It was a real think piece for me and I recommend the book highly.”–Sandy Nathan, award-winning author of Numenon and former Economic Analyst, Santa Clara County, California

“A brutally honest look at corporate America’s flaws and desperate people caught in the middle, Jobless Recovery is a masterful, gripping piece of fiction that rings true with every word. Candid, suspenseful and moving. Jobless Recovery was a very enjoyable read, one of the best novels I’ve read in a while. I think it would make an awesome movie.” –Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Jobless-Recovery-ebook/dp/B0041KL5C2/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

The Witness Wore Blood Bay

In Talented Horsewoman, the first book of the Leigh McRae horse mystery series, main character Leigh McRae discovers a body. She also ends up solving a murder. Along the way she helps her cousin Sammi, who is dating a burglar, and she manages to get out from under the control of her overbearing ex-husband.

Now Leigh’s friend Candy, a fellow horsewoman, finds herself accused of murder. Who else would she turn to for help except Leigh? After all, everyone in small town Del Canto knows Leigh has body-discovering experience. Never mind that Leigh is busy finding out who’s poisoning dogs in Sammi’s neighborhood and she’s trying to renovate her home without going broke. Or that her ex-husband Kenneth and former ranchhand Doug Reilly have become roommates in Leigh’s guest house.

There’s a murder to solve. And her friend won’t take no for an answer.

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Witness-Wore-Blood-Bay-ebook/dp/B004KNWHX6/ref=pd_sim_kinc_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

If you haven’t already, check out these great books by L.C. Evans.

you’ll come to
love one
Hate the other.

The first, your art
your passion.
The second,
a means to finance
Housing, food, clothing,…

When your budget is tight
and you feel
you can’t rely
on the second, practical
“day job.”

Whether middle income,
or minimum wage…
Your mind and heart
will stray.

And you dream of days
When you can aquire
a comfortable living,
or perhaps wealth and fame.

And, your time and talents
Dedicated to your dream job,
your passion…
slaving away
at art
with all your heart, mind,
body, and soul…

Until the day
that you can leave
your crueler master.

Astrid’s mother left when she was five years-old. Her mother left her nothing but a glance of pity as she left. The last words Astrid remembers her mother saying was when she called her father “A Killer!” Those words became like a curse word to Astrid, as she prefered to think of Assassins as “Exterminators.”

Astrid received a rude awakening to the world her father lived in when she was 16. She was kidnapped and brutalized by a rival assassin group, an arch enemy of her father. The leader had tried to rape her, but her father was an expert sniper, and shot the creep at the base of his skull.

Soon after, Astrid would follow in her father footsteps and join the highly trained, skillful team of assassins known as “The Agency.”
Mastery with blades of different makes and designs has earned her the nickname “The Blade,” as her father is known as “The Bullet.”

When their boss Emanuel is approached by his old friend Col. Briggs, to take out the American Football Player that brutally raped his teenage daughter, he knows there’s one person who can carry out the extermination with skilled precision. The Blade.

Superbowl Sunday…be prepared for Daddy’s Little Girl.

The demon
From my past
who used to plague
my existence
Haunt
my dreams
The nightmaric hell
of his phony
friendship, allegience
Misspent time
Tied to him
when I should have been
Seeking an Angel…

painful memory
crossed my mind
this morning,
and I cast it
away!
No more fear,
Manipulation or intimidation.
Bad spirits,
go away.

I’ve found my Angel now
I’ve found LOVE,
in its purest form.
All of its beauty, virtue,
faith and love.

Demon at last
cannot dominate me.
He’s fled to find
someone else to plague,
to intimidate, to dominate.
And, I feel sorry
for his prey.

~KLC 12/28/2011~

Raphael is a character that I created years ago, inspired by artwork from the Brothnd, ers Hildebrant. It depicted a Mer-prince sitting on a throne of shells. A picture really does tell a story, as it inspired the original version of A Prince Reborn (which still can be read at Elfwood.com, and in the now out-of-print anthology Facets).

When we revisit Raphael in the first book of The Corithian Saga, he is an adult merman still in love with Morrigan. He realizes his brother–who he keeps watch over–is still that naieve little boy at heart. Raphael has to face the fact that he cannot save the people he loves most from fates worse than death–and he has some difficult choices to make.

I hope that you’ll check out A Prince Reborn, FOR FREE at my website when it’s available within the next few weeks.
And, stick around for Prophecies Of Fire: Corithian Saga Book I.

~K. Crumley

Oh, what pure rose
Brought us together?
Do you love me now?

You ask of me
To stay forever.
Promises you vow…

All of the treasures
of your mystical palace.
I tread through,
Not sensing malice.

You say only
My love can free you
from this spell that
you are under.

Not knowing that
I suffer too,
If we are ever
Torn asunder.

That’s why I ask
one sacred question.
Do you love me now?

~K. Crumley, 2011
original version written 1992

Tell the stories YOU want to tell, not what you see as being a big seller, or popular trend. Trends come and go…
And, who knows what comes next after this vampire trend ends. It just MIGHT be your story. And, even if it isn’t there’s always someone out there–or maybe several people out there–who aren’t chasing fads, but want something new, fresh, original, and above all else a GOOD STORY.
Focus on the art and craft of writing, get in touch with your Muse…
Don’t sell out your art, in pursuit of a “get rich quick” scheme.

Don’t focus on unreachable goals like becoming an overnight millionaire, or being dubbed “the next so-and-so.”
Set attainable goals, and reach them one at a time. Remember “you have to walk before you can run, and run before you can fly.”
You may not have “overnight success” but you will have some success, whether it being able to live fully off of your writing OR just some small personal goal that you’ve reached.

Take this all for what it’s worth.

Write with pride. Pride in yourself!

~K. Crumley