I hadn’t been home for a very long time. Actually, I hadn’t been home since I went away to college more than ten years ago. My parents and siblings preferred to come to the big city, New York, instead to see me. Much more exciting than our little town. The town could have been the model for a Hallmark movie. Everyone knows everybody and all that. The church socials, the Christmas market. Well, you get the picture(s).

Since I was going to move to Paris (France, not Texas) I finally decided to go back once before I moved. Of course, my family would love to visit Paris with the excuse of visiting me, so we’d still see each other but it was Christmas and all that… Also, I have to admit that part of the reason I went back was so that I could brag about my new position as the manager of our Paris office. Quite a career move for a young woman, especially one born as a boy.

Queen Dana of Highwinds the Elf Kingdom inside the Empire has a problem. One that she cannot fix personally. The problem is with a small minority of her population. A problem that has been brought to her attention by the half elf son of a problematic Duke. What is a Queen to do? She calls on help from a friend. The question now is does she realize what she is letting loose on her kingdom?

Set in modern Japan school, is a story of how a boy's life is turned upside down by a certain incident.

Autumn tries on several outfits as she and Carla shop. They had left the Voodoo lounge and went to some stores Carla knew well and trusted. She knew what to look for and what style best suited her body frame. All those years of playing women characters have helped her become familiar with what was practical for ordinary women to wear and what was needed for a special occasion and such.

One Week Later:
Zoey and Ashley give Jack and Debbie a hug before they board the Lear Jet that was going to take them to England. They had fun while they were in Montana and visiting their uncle and aunt. Mouse gives Jack and Debbie a hug as well.

“Sorry to see you go back to England, Mouse.” Debbie holds Mouses hands.

“My vocation time is up and I can’t get an extension. My boss needs me back, because there isn’t anyone who can do what I do.” Mouse knew she was irreplaceable.

“Well, don’t stay away too long.”

Soundtrack of a broken heart...

Lizbeth deserves more in her life.
She has the skills and knowledge.
What she is critically missing is confidence.
So much, that her friend Colette has a rather unusual and extreme solution to try.

[A stand-alone story in the "Naughty Witches" verse]

One Month Later:
Six-Shooter Fugitive Retrieval Agency, Boulder, Colorado:
Donald looks at Melissa and her new partner William Black Hawk. He knew Maria was at the private school Melissa enrolled her in.

“How’s Maria doing?”

“She was excited about going to school this morning,” William answered for Melissa.

“That’s good. How is your hearing?” Donald knew Melissa accepted Mrs. Blake’s offer to fix her hearing, along with getting rid of a few scars that she received when she was a teenager.

Leonora's Journal Volume One

The Sequel to 'Ring of Stone' by Bronwen Welsh

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Author's note: This is a story set in 19th Century Regency England, in the time of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and William Wordsworth, and continues the life of Leonora d'Anglais, who first appeared in 'Ring of Stone'.

CHAPTER 27
I had bent over the bed as she started to tremble, half-formed words gradually increasing in volume, and when she realised it was me, she crashed awake, pulling my arms about her.

“Shush, love. Let me move, just a second, okay?”

CHAPTER 26
There was a tap on the door, which opened for a nurse, and a hospital worker with the stereotypical tea trolley. I moved off the bed so that we could wheel the little table across for Alys, and after a quick check of her IV line and the provision of two mugs of tea, the nurse made a few notes on the sheet of paper hanging on a clipboard from the end of the bed.

“Before the tea please, Alys…”

My girl looked up, setting down her cup.

“But you do it from my ear these days”

“Old habits, love. Now…”

As I sit and watch the thunderstorm’s fury unleashed on the city I realize that my life reflects the activity of the storm. I sit here in my friend’s garage shut away from the world hiding from my past. I can’t believe that people can be so cruel and heartless. Well maybe I can’t accuse the whole world of being cruel as I have at least two friends.

I don’t really understand why people have to be so mean when they find out someone is different. Let me go back to the beginning, as it seems that I need to get this burden off my chest.

Julia’s Hospital Room:
Haylee, Chayton, Catori stands next to Julia’s hospital bed. Christmas and Debbie were standing behind them. The kids wanted to see their mother, so Jack sent two members from Alpha team to protect his grandchildren.

Haylee looks up at Christmas “is mom going to be, okay?”

“Yes, your mom will be fine.” Debbie knew how much Julia’s kids love her.

“Are you sure, grandma?” Chayton turns to look at his grandmother.

So close your eyes
And create yourself a better life
Let the wind blow through your hair
Let the music take you there
And make a better life, better life,

The Purity of Judgment
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

They were about as unalike as two men can be. Milo Laconda was tall and dark, powerfully built and with a swagger and deep throated laugh. He was recently divorced and that had knocked him back financially, but he was up and running again with the business and product that had he had developed – Laconda Plumbing Supplies – suppliers of the “Laconda Flush”.

Link: Every Day Is Your Last Title Page and Description

CAUTION - Highly Emotional Content

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I didn't hear about Jack or Rich until I'd been deployed to Bagram for over six months. When they extended our deployment another six, we were given ten-day Leaves. Mine came up first in rotation, so I got to fly back to Guam where I called Jenny as soon as I could get off base. She told me and I dug up the details after they were already buried and gone.

CHAPTER 25
Hollis led the conversation, interrogation, interview, Baillie making notes in an A4 book rather than the little notebook I expected. The woman was quietly spoken, but very clear in her questions.

“You were found in a disused blast shelter in the Dinorwic quarries, Alys. You were last heard of near the Penrhyn quarries, the other side of the hill. Can you tell us how you got there? From the beginning, please. Take your time, but it would help us if you could explain why you were there in the first place. DC Baillie here is what we call a statement taker, as am I. We will not put words in your mouth, but rather do our best to help you be clear in what you say. Is that acceptable?”