Excerpt Wednesday – Twisted Lives

Daniel sat at his cluttered desk with his eyes focused on a stack of files, all needing his attention. He rubbed his jaw. The murders plaguing Vickville made the other cases seem trivial by comparison. Four murders with no clues or possible motives. The killer was slick, but somewhere, somehow, he’d slip up. Someone knew something. He gulped his coffee and signed a few reports.

"Ready to call it a night?" Ben called to him from his desk.

Daniel closed a folder and stood. "Yeah, the rest of these can wait until tomorrow. Lately I’ve been spending more time here than at home. When I am home I’m only there long enough to grab a few hours of sleep, and I’m back here again." He stretched.

Ben grinned. "So what else is new? But all work and no play makes Ben a dull boy. I think I’ll go to Vito’s for a couple. Care to join me?" he asked, pulling on his jacket.

Daniel glanced at his wristwatch. "Not tonight, Ben. Thanks anyway."

"Got a hot date?" Ben teased.

"Don’t I wish? Nah, I’ve got to get home. I need to touch base with Taylor."

"Such are the demands of single parenthood. But you’re lucky. Taylor’s a good kid.


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Excerpt Wednesday – Maggie Quinn

She did have a glimmer of hope, though. If what Paddy told their mother was true, they at least wouldn't starve to death. She didn't know which was worse, dying of the fever or dying from starvation. "Is it true what you told Ma, Paddy? Do we have some potatoes? Can we afford some decent food for Ma?" she asked optimistically.

"I didn't tell Ma anything, Maggie. I can't lie to her. I told her we would be fine." Patrick was thoughtful for a minute. "I suppose I was not truthful with her because we won't be fine." He ran a hand over his chin. "We have nothing, Maggie. There's nothing left! Year after year, the crop has failed. There's no hope left. The land is in ruins." He glanced around the almost barren room. "We don't have anything left of value to sell even if we could find a buyer." He shook his head. "It's done," he said wearily. "All hope is lost."

Maggie jumped to her feet. "No, Paddy! I won't give up! There has to be a way. We need to stay strong and keep our spirits high for Ma's sake. We need to keep trying."

Patrick's eyes welled with tears as he looked at his sister. "The earth has swallowed up the beautiful land we once knew, and left nothing but a filthy putrid black mass in its place. It will never be the same, Maggie. Can't you see?" His jaw jutted out defiantly. "You are a dreamer. Your dreams never come true. This is the real world, Maggie. Why can't you see? You need to face the truth."


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Excerpt Wednesday – Angel's New Friends

Stand Alone Book From The Adventures Of Angel

"What are you going to do today?" Butterfly asked.

Angel wrinkled her nose. "I'm going to find some new friends to play with!" she announced as she hopped away.

"No, you can't!" Butterfly warned, nervously flying around Angel in circles.

"I'm a big girl," Angel stubbornly answered as she washed her face.

"Besides, I heard Froggy telling neighbor Groundhog that he met some very nice forest animals on his vacation."

"But you'll get into trouble, Angel. Those animals and insects aren't our kind. You have to stay in the garden."

"I don't care, Butterfly. I'm going to see who's in there," Angel said and scurried into the dark forest. 

Devine Destinies
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Excerpt Wednesday - Deadly Tales

Excerpts From All Five Stories

I'm Waiting For You

"I'm worried about you, honey," he said again. "Hasn't it ever occurred to you how this woman you claim to see knows exactly where you'll be at any given moment and then shows up out of the blue? You're the only one who can see her."

"I know," she answered, her voice softening. "I wish you could see what I do. I'm not crazy, Will. Please believe me."

"I never said or thought you were, but I don't see anyone wandering down this highway. There hasn't been anyone walking on this road for the two hours we've been on it."

"Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me," she said, but deep inside she knew what she saw was very real. She wasn't dreaming or imagining this woman. 

It's Me

Why are all these people standing around my car?  Maybe they are just curious as to why it's been abandoned on the side of the road.  No, that doesn't make sense, but it's the only explanation I can think of right now.

I need to push my way through this crowd and get into my car and be on my way.  I'm pushing, but no one is even acknowledging my presence.  I'm speaking, but why aren't they responding?  Why do they appear as though they are looking right past me?  I'm waving my arms.  "Hello!  Please let me through!"

The Ducks

He watched Sally's webbed feet as she waddled towards him, squawking as her eyes beheld the customary feast in his hands. He laughed as she drew closer. "Look what I have for you, Sally." 

She grabbed the bread from his hand. The other ducks stood behind her until she'd had her fill, then watched as she stepped aside. They hungrily devoured the remains of the bread she'd left for them.

For the past six months Joe had pondered this strange behavior, but could come up with no logical explanation. It didn't make sense. He pored over books in the library and traveled to several duck ponds, but none of those ducks acted like Sally did. She was the ultimate leader. Joe watched carefully as her followers finished eating, then looked at her. They didn't move. They never did until she gave the signal…a slight nod of her head. Sally eyed him cautiously, then tilted her head, and led the group back to the other side of the pond.

The Ticket

Aside from his obvious joy of making his employees' lives miserable, Harry Ranko had one other passion—playing the lottery. He was constantly waiting for the big one and had grandiose plans for his winnings, which he didn't hesitate to share with Rosie. The money he threw away weekly on the lottery would have supported Rosie and Bart for a month. Ranko was already a wealthy man and he made sure everyone he met knew it. He had no sympathy for those less fortunate-the more money he made, the more he wanted, and the less he wanted to part with.

Every Thursday Harry Ranko called Rosie into his office to check the numbers on his tickets. Why he trusted her with this task he'd never said and she'd never asked, but would dutifully enter his office after the others had left for the day. His small beady eyes widened with glee when he learned he had a winner no matter how small the payoff. It was his obsession.

The Stranger

The girl looked into her eyes, then flashed her a toothy smile. "I'll have a milkshake, Jenny."

Jenny was caught off guard by the child's familiarity. "I don't believe I've ever met you before. How did you know my name?"

"You never met me, but you knew my daddy."

The waitress frowned. "Where is your father? What's his name?"

"He used to come here all the time when he was on the road driving his truck. He told me all about you and other people in this town. He said it was just about the friendliest place on earth." She smiled again.

Jenny was puzzled. "Is he in the restroom?"

"He's not with me, but he's in the most beautiful place," she replied softly.

"What's his name?" Jenny asked again.

"May I please have my milkshake?"

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Excerpt Wednesday – Squeaky Squirrel

Deep in the forest, a little squirrel named Squeaky lived with his mother and father, older brother, Sam, and twin sisters, Jenny and Julie. Actually, Squeaky's real name was Simon, but he'd been nicknamed Squeaky because every time he talked, his voice made squeaky sounds.

All through the long summer days, Squeaky and his brother and sisters frolicked and swung back and forth from tree to tree as they chased one another in a game of tag. Squeaky loved summertime best of all and wished it would last forever, but when he felt the first nip in the gentle winds that blew through the trees, he knew that it would soon be time to go back to school. He didn't mind school. He'd just rather be playing in the forest all day.  

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