An unforseen bi-product of terrorists bombing a children's hospital, the Lazurai could kill a person without touching them. The government made it worse by their experiments. All the children wanted was to feel love like any child. When they grew older, their powers increased. And they found they couldn't be stopped. By anything. Then they escaped Chuck hears a rumor of one coming his way, to his remote way station on the highway. But he can't leave his wife, who's dying. So he waits. And sees the hooded Lazurai walking the long miles on a hot desert day toward him. All he can do is wait. What he doesn't know is that this one is different from all the rumors. And his life is going to change forever... These collected tales explore the universe of the Lazarai, their own growth as a super-species of human, and their unique outlook on life and living. Get Your Copy Now.

New voices bring new ideas and new worlds to you in these six short stories of Science Fiction/Fantasy. That's what they are good at. Figuring out things that are completely different from the same old repeating plots and characters. Finding new ""what if's"" that have never been asked before. Whether you like dystopian stories of what happens after the world ends, or the sudden appearance of fairy tale creatures in our current worlds, you'll find a lot to keep you fascinated by these new authors. As well, you may find a bit of fine satire and hidden social commentary, something both genres have always been good at. Regardless, these short reads will fit into your busy schedule - about a week of good entertainment for the odd hours and minutes. Get Your Copy Now.

Welcome to another unique bi-monthly compilation of the inspired visions and universes from four Midwest Journal Press authors: C. C. Brower J. R. Kruze S. H. Marpel R. L. Saunders From their prolific output, we've assembled 16 short stories, grouping them by author and publication date. While every major genre is represented, you'll also see that in most cases, these books cross genres and plot structures to give you the best possible reader experience and entertainment. While each of these authors are still improving their craft, you will find their short stories to be just springboards to exploring the wider universes that inspired them. In this compilation, you'll see more where these authors have co-written and produced marvelous takes - and entirely new characters or aspects of existing ones - which flesh out these universes into greater reality and detail. Please enjoy - and do look up their other works... Get Your Copy Now.

A collection of short stories from new voices - the cross-currents of mystery, fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Worlds new or perhaps re-visited - but only you will know if this is the stuff of dreams - or nightmares. Wolves that talk to nearly-extinct humans through their minds. Witches that not only represent the five elements, but also the five principles that can defeat all magic. Goddesses who have to work together to defeat a priestess who has mastered social media, and is threatening to use it to zombify the world. How an angel regained her lost wings by finding her true self. A female mechanical genius escapes her failure by learning the finer points of marketing - and its key single core basic. Satire that bites a little close to the truth of our modern times - the political theater that turns deadly - and a woman witness who profits from her mis-statements about abuse, but loses all trust of the people around her... Get Your Copy Now.

Cozy, Detective, or Amateur Sleuth - contemporary or fantasy - these six short stories will keep you guessing right up to their quick end. Mysteries come in many forms, and in many locations. Here we have contemporary, dystopian, and paranormal venues so you can immerse yourself from the first sentence in each of these short stories. - A ghost who has to arrange her own scene-reenactment just to find out how she died. - How a writer helps a woman find out why she is so sad all the time - from a diner bar stool. - A private investigator assigned to find out the secret of nurses who can cure the incurable - but then becomes a patient when he breaks quarantine to save another's life. - A detective who is ordered not to solve a perfect death. These short stories will fit in the bits and pieces of your schedule, while you work to solve the crimes from wherever and whenever you are reading... Get Your Copy Now

Writers don't often write about their own worlds - but when they do, expect them to be every bit as imaginative as their other fiction. We've found a common theme in these six short stories. Where these new authors, not only explore their own thoughts, ideas, and angst through their own fiction, but also take apart their own ideas about how writers write. Here you'll see writer's block, the solitary writer's romances, the revenge of stalking stories, being transported by another writer into one of their worlds, and even examining the idea of your pet cat being responsible for a writer's output - or lack of it. Nothing is sacred to these authors as they turn their fiction microscope on themselves and their own profession. Get Your Copy Today.

The second collection of short stories by J. R. Kruze. Known for a unique take on common situations, and a dry wit, Kruze is also able to look at usual circumstances and see unusual aspects to write about. These stories will let you start wondering about the world around you. Mystery, fantasy, paranormal, romance and science fiction are a few of this mixed genre collection. Enjoy seeing your world through J. R. Kruze's eyes... This anthology contains: One Thought, Then Gone by J. R. Kruze The Lazurai Returns by C. C. Brower & J. R. Kruze The Case of the Forever Cure by J. R. Kruze Ham & Chaz by C. C. Brower & J. R. Kruse The Girl Who Built Tomorrow by J. R. Kruze Synco (TM) by J. R. Kruze & R. L. Saunders On Love's Edge by J. R. Kruse The Case of the Naughty Nightmare by J. R. Kruse To Laugh At Death by J. R. Kruze Voices by J. R. Kruze The Case of the Walkaway Blues by J. R. Kruze & S. H. Marpel Get Your Copy Now.

A second collection of short stories from C. C. Brower In addition to later earlier novellas and novels, Brower continues her prolific output with short stories - all full of wonder and high imagination. Contemporary, Fantasy, Science Fiction - 14 wonderful stories from a different view of life. New ways to look at the world you live in, and ask yourself ""what if"" things were different... For Brower fans, this includes the final installments of the Hooman Saga, where a single human female escapes from a moon colony prison and crash-lands back on earth. Wanting to rescue the rest of her family, she has only the sentient wolf pack she befriended, a decimated human population returned to the Dark Ages, and elemental spirits - but no space technology remaining to cross that 240,000 miles of empty space. And yet... Get Your Copy Now.

A Second Collection of the Dark Humor Satire of R. L. Saunders Life in our dystopian near-futures has never been funnier. Sauders gets inspiration from our daily news, and these stories are therapy for us as well. Skewering what is accepted as conventional wisdom, Saunders explores concepts which are more easily delivered with entertainment than op-eds or tweet-storms. Always taking the ""what if"" of current controversies to their slippery-slope results, Saunders reminds us constantly to not take the world around us seriously. This anthology contains: Smart Home Revenge by R. L. Saunders and S. H. Marpel For the Love of 'Cagga by C. C. Brower & R. L. Saunders Synco (TM) by J. R. Kruze & R. L. Saunders The Lonely Witness by R. L. Saunders Beltway Gremlin by R. L. Saunders Get Your Copy Now.