Content: murder

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A prominent cat is murdered in a world of talking animals.

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THIS IS A REWRITE OF, The Devil's Handshake. I edited it down from 7900 words to 5600 words. This is for my, TEN SHORT STORIES, TEN SCREENPLAYS project. (On my third one of ten). ≈≈≈I owned a Weimaraner for 12 years. My favorite type of dog, a lot like me in personality, lol. ≈≈≈ This is horror, but listed as lit-fic, since horror never gets the readers I want. ≈≈≈ I cut so much that I may not have correct ted/rewritten 100%. ≈≈≈≈

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Joey finds his house ranksacked and his mother dead. With help of neighbors and friends he learns who the perpetrator is and then takes action. The story could actually be used as the first portion of a novel I wrote. This is my first post and as a newbie I want the reviewer to be critical, brutal. Let me know whats good and whats not. I'll be able to use your input to help my novel too. Thanks, Wes Ellington

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When a Fish and Wildlife official takes bribes not to do his job and ends up dead, the killer may not be human. This is the very last rewrite. If you have reviewed this before, but still have suggestions you can always send them to me at dagnee_2002@yahoo.com. I need all the help I can get.

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NOTE: Sorry for the confusion about the title. I decided to go back with the original title (the one I had before posting here on tNBW). I think it suits the trilogy better.

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Is being psychic a gift? For Mackenzie it's a curse--especially when that "gift" delivers her into the hands of a serial killer.

When Mackenzie Hill discovers her mother’s colossal deception, she tosses her life down the garbage disposal and relocates to Watcher's Point, Oregon in search of answers. What she finds is shocking; the man she's been dreaming about for years not only exists in the flesh, but he's got a secret agenda of his own.

Aidan Payne doesn’t expect to get emotionally involved with anyone, least of all a woman who looks at him with disturbing insight. As a serial killer escalates his twisted game, Aidan’s protective instincts take over and sparks begin to ignite. Both realize that if the killer isn't caught, Mackenzie might become the next victim. But neither could have foreseen the web of lies spanning three decades—lies which paved the way for the wrath of a serial killer.

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Rewrite. It is horror, but literary? I am lost in the forest of the trees after writing this and I chopped away with my tense ax, but can't see the clear sky yet. ≈≈≈ Another version of this is coming down the chute soon. This is the first of 15 (with 2 versions = 30) short stories I will be rewriting for an envisioned book of short stories. ≈≈≈ This is not a true story. I CAN'T MAKE CORRECTION SINCE IT IS 5.87K, THUS IT IS IN THE DREADED RED STATE- måx

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THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THE REVIEWS. If you don't want to know what's coming, don't read them. Martin's name has been changed to Roland, just trying to cut down on all the "M" names. For feedback, anything!! Does it keep your interest? Do you care about the characters? Like? Dislike? Trust? Mistrust? Are you finding a few laughs along the way? I'm in the process of fixing the TIME LINE - holler if you see stuff I might not know about, but bear in mind, right now it's a mess. All feedback welcome and very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for reading.

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Welcome to the Park. This is a revised version of the previously titled Chandler Mirror. I changed the name for reasons of my own and doing so allowed me make neccessary adjustments. This is written like a series, and only for fun. Grammar isn't my strong suit and feel free to point out what I missed. - Thanks!

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The inspiration for this novel is the Victorian obsession with 'sanitising' history; changing, ignoring or deleting facts which they found unpalatable. One such myth is the belief that women did not go to sea in the ships of His Majesty’s Royal Navy. They did. Officially they were forbidden, but some captains and officers took their wives with them and allowed women to accompany some of their men. There were even enlightened masters who allowed troupes of resident prostitutes to sail on board to service the physical needs of the crew! Another myth is that the Royal Navy was an evil organisation run by sadistic officers handing out cruel, wicked punishments to men fed on putrid, rotting food who regularly indulged in acts of sodomy! The truth is, the royal Navy was a benevolent employer with a keen interest in the welfare of its men. Ships depended on vast amounts of healthy manpower to keep them afloat. Every ship carried a surgeon. Many of whom went on to become eminent physicians of their time and many discoveries and advances in medical science can be attributed to them. Injured sailors received a pension and, realising the value of healthy men, captains and pursers devoted much effort in procuring fresh water and food whenever possible. With the exception of voyages to America, West Indies or the Southern Ocean, ships were seldom far from land. The health and fitness of the men of the Royal Navy was a considerable contributing factor that enabled them to win every major engagement in which they were involved for over two hundred years. Britain did, indeed, rule the waves. It took a lot of manpower to work a man-of-war and every man was vital. A sailor flogged until his back bled was of no use at all, and the lash was used far more sparingly than we have been led to believe. Floggings did, however, occur when necessary. Discipline had to been maintained for the safety and efficient running of the ship and the most common offence was drunkenness, due to sailors hoarding or acquiring illicit supplies of alcohol. An inebriated sailor was a danger to himself, his mates and the ship. As water quickly became unfit to drink, sailors were, paradoxically, given a daily ration of beer and diluted rum which took care of their bodily need for fluids. The low alcohol content being worked off by the sheer physical nature of the work they had to do. Sailors, usually young men in their late teens and early twenties, had other bodily needs and the navy took care of that as well. Sexual frustration leading to fights, clumsiness and accidents was as much a hazard as drunkenness, storms or enemy action and not conducive to efficiency. As most voyages lasted about six weeks, sexual frustration, to the point of leading to sodomy, which was a hanging offence, did not occur. Prostitutes existed in abundance in every port and it was customary, before a ship sailed, to allow the women on board. 'Marguerite, Heroine or Whore' is at the moment, a working title. I am useless at coming up with good, imaginative titles that inspire the interest of would-be readers. The story is about Margaret, a destitute Huguenot silk weaver in eighteenth century London. When her husband fails to return from a rendezvous with someone offering him employment, Margaret goes in search of him and discovers that he has been pressed into service aboard a Royal Navy frigate. Having nowhere to go or means to support herself, she joins him on board but tragedy soon changes her circumstances. A naïve and righteous young woman she is determined to avoid the only salvation open to a woman in her situation and strenuously avoids descending into a world of prostitution but, in spite of her efforts to remain chaste, is raped and left with a child growing in her belly. A child that she believes, because of the circumstances of its conception, was sired by the devil. Adding to her misery she is afflicted with the scourge of the eighteenth century, the pox, the stigma of sin that could destroy her good looks and which she fears above all else. Sharing the trials and tribulations of a 'Jack Tar' Margaret survives a horrendous battle where, accredited with the killing of an enemy sailor, she assists the ship's surgeon in his grim task of amputating limbs and suturing terrible wounds. Called upon to interpret the language of a captured Frenchman Margaret is introduced to the soft comforts of gracious living and the low morality of the upper classes. In spite of her determination to avoid prostitution and unrequited love for the first lieutenant, she is abused by the captain. Unexpectedly finding the love of a decent man fate, however, is determined to deny her happiness. Following the cruel rape of slave women at the end of a voyage to the West Indies, she is attacked by men she once regarded her friends. Giving birth at sea to a child which, clearly, is not her man's, she is abandoned by him upon the ship's return to England. Once again alone, destitute and impoverished, hunger forces Margaret to forget her righteous principles and sell herself to anyone with cash in his pockets and lust in his loins. Determined not to remain a dockside molly, she sets out to attract a better clientèle and, as mistress to a gentleman, is presented to the most eminent fornicator in the land; His Royal Highness, The Prince Regent. Having climbed the social ladder, reaching the pinnacle of her hopes and dreams, fate cruelly intervenes when, in an argument with her benefactor, she believes she kills him and is forced to revert to her former means of survival; selling herself at the dockside gate. Now a fugitive, Margaret is determined to escape harsh, undeserved justice, and returns to the sea aboard a man-of-war commanded by Great Britain's most celebrated naval hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson. The story concludes with our heroin at Trafalgar and present at the death of the illustrious admiral and, having performed his dying wish, is denied her rightful place in British history.

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Frisbee Rat knew something was strange when Greg allowed Fiona to have a Ladies Lunch... I think it's ready to go now thanks to my beady-eyed reviewers :)

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Allison Lockhart moves to Danvers, the spooky New England hometown of the birth parents she never knew. She is immediately plagued by nightmares and an irksome suspicion that her estranged grandmother does not want her there. When Allison falls for a boy suspected of a heinous crime, she vows to help him clear his name, but soon discovers that in a town like Danvers, every family has its own secrets...including her own.

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Some time ago I posted a short story titled "The Bus Spotter." I am trying to extend this into a novel. This is the first two chapters, but I think it might be better as chapter 1. I'd like opinions. Also I am not sure whether to include the first section which briefly describes the relationship between the MC and his missing father. Also of course, did it hold your interest? Explanatory notes: DI: Detective Inspector similar to US Detective Lieutenant. DCI: Detective Chief inspector, similar to US Detective Captain. Sweets - candy. Black Jacks - licorice flavoured soft candy.

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A diamond studded art work worth tens of millions of dollars is stolen. A woman is pushed aside by a powerful man, lied to, used. A convict escapes the hangman, only to take on the identity of a man on the run. A drunken playboy tries to redeem his life, but falls further and further into others machinations and more murders. My characters come together for a last wild night on the town in Lahaina, Maui in an action packed ending on Halloween night. Who is this man Nigel Dick? Who is this man Miles Todd?

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Mario Barbieri is sent to Alcatraz Prison for a grisly murder he did not commit. Having escaped in the riot of 1946 he gets a second chance at life. But he must first find who the murderer was, but more importantly why as his conviction was clearly a set-up at a federal level. Another fugitives from justice and SFPD detective Andrew Johnson help Mario uncover the web of the post world war II red scare and to the ultimate plot which reaches far beyond a simple homicide.

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≈≈≈ 2nd draft - Thanks! - måx ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

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Contests are great motivator. I feel the need to preface this by saying I've been reading Stephen King lately. So, too creepy? Are you surprised at the end? Worried about my sanity? Bring on the comments! Thanks for reading :)

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After a hiatus of two novels, I'm bringing back my old protagonist, Jack Lansing. Jack has shucked his medical career completely now and become a full-time writer after the success of his first two novels. After meeting a man he knew back in his surgical residency days, murders begin popping up in and around his peaceful beach town. And amazingly, they point to him as the killer. Jack must convince the police and the FBI of his innocence, while he attempts to unearth the mystery himself - because, he realizes, he and his wife could be the next victims.

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Detective Andrew Johnson has a mutilated murder victim in a San Francisco apartment, who for a moment, appeared to come back to life. The evidence doesn't follow a clear path until he discovers that the victim wasn't who he thought she was.

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Twelve women are dead! Now, a thirteenth is missing as an unpredictable serial killer stalks the small and usually peaceful town of Eau Bouease, Louisiana, in Lucky Thirteen, a suspense packed thriller coupled with a twist on the impact of love other than romantic love. From a small town in Mississippi, Larkin Sloan is a dedicated teacher who finds herself in a struggle for her life against a sadistic serial killer bent on ritualistic sacrifice. When she awakes chained to a bed by a mysterious man, Larkin realizes she is the thirteenth intended victim in a string of brutal slayings. As Larkin works to convince her captor to set her free, Detective Raiford “Ray” Reynolds investigates twelve horrific murders. He becomes obsessed with finding the thirteenth victim before she becomes another statistic. Along with his temporary partner, Special Agent Christine Milovich, he investigates the thirteenth disappearance of a woman who seems to have nothing in common with the other twelve victims who also have nothing in common other than their murders and discovers the impact of love from a source he never knew existed. Captive, captor, and law enforcement join forces to defeat a sinister killer in a rollercoaster of intrigue, deception, and tumultuous relationships. Lucky Thirteen will keep readers on the edge of their seats anticipating the next turn of events. Any and all comments appreciated.

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The set was perfect. Two birds with one stone. What could possibly go wrong?

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He thought he'd gotten away with murder.

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Long time writer in the margins of books and thief, Rupert, makes a colossal mistake...

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This is a fictionalized account of a true incident. A few things have been changed, but the basis is true. I am submitting this to Glimmer Train Bulletin 55. Any and all thoughts welcome. I have to submit by 8/31, so quick response is needed. Thank you my friends. I am the teacher, and the student is real, just not the names and places or some of the "personal" info.

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okay... im going to attempt to write this in very small chapters, one per day. This is a crime story set in the fictional town of Cotton Creek, Texas. Part murder story, part character drama and part love story, it's a look at the clash between traditional values, modern times, and the unfairness of fate. I hope you enjoy it! i appreciate your feedback on the form as well as the content, naturally.

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REVISE 09.22.11 ) THANKS - måx ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

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REVISE 09.22.11

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Celestina has arrived in South Florida safely and is getting to know the area. She enters a Walmart store to enjoy the air conditioning on a hot August day. She also likes Walmart because she can study the merchandise and learn the English names and prices. Then tragedy strikes.

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Starting with a seemingly routine crime scene of a slaughtered Suit and his Furniture, Detective Bruce Throne is rapidly drawn into a deep conspiracy reaching from the heights of Soylent Medical to the slums of the overpopulated Fringes. Puzzle pieces of stolen Aztec gold, super-flu, lost banks, and ex-government assassins muddy of the cement rivers of the newest LA Riots.

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This is a plot synopsis in 3 acts. Does it work? Are there big holes? I've been handwritting this, so should I bother to type it up or not? Any suggestions, esp. with names, are politly requested. Thank you, Mike McCoy

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The EGO OF COOL is a hardboiled screen story styled thriller set 45 minutes into a future manipulated by deception, desperation, and despair. THE COP: Officer Vickey Worthey works 4 the nearly unstoppable Gov-Corp monstrosity called the Truth Maintenance System. The last Work Order went bad, real bad. It got her killed, a cloned heart, and an E-ticket ride to the Twilight Zone. THE CRIMINAL: Juan Sanchez, 4 days out of prison and with debts to pay, immediately joins a mercenary gig directed by a mildly insane Colonel McLove. Juan wants 2 change, but he is El Alacranro, a scorpion hunter, a killer of killers, and can never change. THE CASUALTY: Switch is the Biological flesh around “the Wire,” a piece of Outlaw Technology fetal graphed to brainstem. The memory is fuzzy, but the bruises testify 2 violence as she hits reality hard, prison cell top bunk as a Blank, no file, no record, and no past, except a conviction of Murder.

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This is just snippit of a larger plot synopsis, called Murder in the Shadow of Chelsea Towers West.

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A wealthy recluse finds a way to put miserable people out of their misery.

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Recently read a poem about the trials of American motherhood. Mothers in America don't realize how good they have it. ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ Reading and seeing recent videos about the plight of women in the Middle-East (and elsewhere) bothers me. ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ This is a poem I published in eight eZines by this title, or Whisss... Chang!≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ Birth, Murder, Abuse, Motherhood, Twins, Spouse, Innocence, Death penalty guillotine ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

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This was an opening chapter brought on by the prompt "tell about water on your skin" off some writing website or another. It bloomed into something fairly dark, and the material may make some uncomfortable, due to violence and sexuality. I am looking for feedback regarding my grammar, sentence structure, missed details that simply don't gel, others areas of confusion. This is NOT my normal genre, but the story came forward of it's own accord. Please do not read it if you are easily offended.

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Hello everyone! This is my first posting here. It is the first chapter of my second novel in a series about two women. I'd like to know: 1. if it's easy to get this first chapter without having read the first novel. 2. can there be too many tags and are there here? In a writers group it was said I didn't use enough tags and now I wonder if there are enough or maybe too many. Thanks for any input. It's exciting to be here! Anja

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In the semi-small town of Cedar Creek, some people don’t care to lock their doors, even though the woods hold secrets and the children are terrified to venture into them. The warm sense of security is shattered for Majesty Alistair, a feisty but grief-stricken teen, when she uncovers a mass murder plot deep in the thick. She struggles to find and defeat the would-be-killers before they act, but they have an agenda far bigger than she ever assumed. Violence rocks the town, leaving residents reeling and drawing Majesty into the middle of it all. With danger always pressing, police seemingly getting nowhere and those closest to her looking guilty, she continues hunting and charges into an evil web, but the truth and her actions threaten to haunt her forever, especially since she’s left with blood on her hands, the blood of someone she loves.

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They tried to kill me. I was only protecting my wife's good name. I was insanely mad with jealousy. Now I can only smell and hear the world around me. I was a good man before this happened... why me? Why did this have to happen to me? Think you have bad neighbors? Wait until you meet Robert Rubio's. No zombies, no vampires, no supernatural events... only a very wicked human monster who will go to the extremes to achieve resolution for his perverted idea of love.  ÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷

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As small river towns go, Adele Illinois is typical in many ways, right down to the haunted house at the end of Main Street. Not so typical are the stories that surround the house. Memories of a murder, untold grief and an undying love fill the heads of the residents old enough to remember a time when Adele was a thriving community. Meet the people of Adele, learn their secrets, hear their gossip and spend some time in this small backwater town along the Illinois River. Any feedback is welcome. I'm not as concerned about nits as I am about the content of this novel. It is actually a sequel to a novel I wrote in 2007 called 'Rory's Song' and I'm working hard to make it stand alone. Many thanks in advance!

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This is what I call a "seed" piece. It gives an overview, and I am wondering where to take it. All ideas welcome.

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Okay, this is going to be difficult for American readers (even yonger British ones), This is a very English thing, even regional -- as in London. Bus spotting was a popular hobby with kids (and nerds) in the 30's, 40's and 50's. However, this is a mystery short based around bus spotters, which I think stands up as a short story, but has potential to be expanded into a novel. I would really like some feed back on the plot. If this is expanded into a novel I plan for the reader to be transported all over London and learn some local history. Does it have a potential?

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This is a very rough, very raw, still evolving work in progress. The characters are communicating effectively in my mind, I just hope to translate their interactions effectively onto paper. ***** Chandler Jones and Dino DiGallo open a cafe at the ripe age of 22 years of age. Their similarities are many, having been best friends for the past 17 years, but their ideas and motivations for success develop different paths, opening a gap between them. Cappuccinos, lesbians, multinational wannabe gangsters and a murder investigation follow, adding chaos to deteriorating relationships, both personal and professional. How will it all end? Based loosely on my own experience, this is a departure from what I consider my 'typical' style / genre. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated - please be brutally honest about what you like / dislike and areas of improvement. Thanks. Allen

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Some have been calling these things prosetry which is okay, but an unsettling sounding word. I tried this one with punctuation and that is unsettling to me as well. This might be a true story for the most part. It happened a long time ago. Comments welcome.

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This is a story of a man with an addiction. It is not gambling or drugs that compels him, however, but a woman, whose siren call he can't resist. It is a tale of a man's obsession that threatens to destroy his reputation, his career, and jeopardizes his very survival. Finally, at the brink of disaster, he looks into the abyss and wonders if it is too late to, if not save himself, then at least obtain some measure of redemption.

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A novel in three parts. An intense piece that runs the gammut of emotions. An odd mix of street and commercial fiction. A thriller yet a mystery and filled with poetry throughout the theme. A war of art. This is a modern day view of a Greek hero. Inspired by religious mind control cults. A cult.VEIL.Experiment.Justice. Mind Control. Conspiracy. Survival.

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Observations from someplace unimportant

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Pamela Miller, flutist, is about to return to Australia after a concert tour in the UK. As she approaches Cardiff for her last performance, a seemingly innocuous incident occurs on the train, which appears to have no bearing on her future. After the concert, Pam and her cousin, Marigold, hire a car and drive to Cardigan where Goldie visits friends, while Pam tours the nearby Iron Age Fort where she is attacked.

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A botched drug raid took her father’s life when she was 7. On her 13th birthday she witnessed her mother’s murder. Alone in the world, Jennifer Blade set out to even the score. At 33, enmeshed in a game that knows no rules, she is about to fulfill her quest when everything unravels. Fleeing for her life, she heads to the mountains of upstate New York, where she unexpectedly finds new reason to live and a threat to die. Steve Sanders, a 38-year-old psychologist with a predictable life, is on a fishing trip in the mountains. Little does he know that all vacations are not created equal. Catch and Release, a 76,000-word romance/suspense novel, is the story of two lives from vastly different backgrounds, drawn together by fate and a common love of the great outdoors. The crossing of Jennifer’s and Steve’s paths releases an explosion of love, passion, adventure, and ultimately a reason for a shared journey. Within 24 hours, they catch a few trout, have a passionate affair, shoot and kill a man, are involved in two gun battles, receive wounds, and end up in Miami, Florida. All this, and as Steve says, they still have six days of vacation left. Their relationship touches long-buried feelings in Jennifer, and shatters the mundane existence suffocating Steve.

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This is a chapter from my novel, The Thatcher Head, a middle chapter. I think it works as a short story. Sennett (Dad) is a famous and very rich B-movie, horror film producer and director. There is a whole lot of back story to these characters, but I don't think it is needed here.=== Sennett McCray is 78. Maureen Peters is 47. Roger McCray(Sennett's son) is 44. Mary Comfort is mid twenties(Roger's boss and lover). Desire Peter's is 14.=== I'll be starting over and re-posting the rewrites soon.=== Ka'ma haina, means a person who has lived in Hawaii long enough to realize one has to work for a living here. === And thanks to Zak - vsworld!

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"A Matter of Life and Death" is a tale of a tiny Midwestern town harboring a dastardly secret, festering to an ultimate showdown a quarter of a century after the story begins. Friendships are questioned, lifes are ruined, some lost, all with an isolated farmhouse in Fosterburg, Ill., as the muse for the saga.

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On my walks, gees, sometimes a poem just jumps into my mind already hatched and writes itself. Don't know if this works, but here it goes.==== Alternate title is: Youme or Meyou. ==== If your were a twin in the womb what your you call your twin? Youme or Meyou? === 9th month, dark, sun’s gravity pulls up, the moon pulls to one side. The twins prepare to enter a brave new world... UPDATE FOR THIS POEM (12/2/2010) - I have had this published 7 times. This poem hit a resounding cord with many editors/readers. thanks - max

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The Thatcher Head rewritten to a short story form. Miles Todd is not who he appears to be (see Chapters 5 and 6). I have remade him into what appears to be a somewhat likable man, but under it all he is a homicidal maniac, with a great set of new teeth. These are two of my extreme characters for this novel, I do have some very likable ones who lead normal lives, until Miles breaks into their presence. I do need readers for this novel if you have the time and energy, Thanks

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A gothic little number to tickle your fancy. Reviews and comments appreciated.

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A prostitute learns of an unsolved murder next door, the work of a modern-day Jack the Ripper. Can a group of Trekkies help her? This is actually taken from a ghost tale that lingered in my grandparents' hotel when I was a kid. It scared the peejeebies out of me then.

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Seeing the human monster in all of us...

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What if Purgatory existed in a pane of glass?

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A selfish hatter covets an ancient skullcap that promises riches to its owner. He will stop at nothing to obtain it. A traditional parable hopefully told in the traditional way... :D

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A deranged dwarf gets put in her place by a supernatural force while a woman with a doll phobia discovers the root of her problem.

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I entered this story in a competition a couple of weeks ago. If you don't place or win in the competitions, you don't get feedback. I want to learn from the feedback. This is my second attempt at writing, so I still get nervous submitting my stories. I hope you enjoy this!

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Vicarious is chick-lit on steroids married to guy-spy thriller on Midol. The result is PMS meets AK47 where barbs fly faster than bullets.

Avery Bonelli was an investigative journalist with Pulitzer ambitions until Logan Nash destroyed her credibility and made her Chiquita non grata in the journalism world. Now he's back with a bullet in his shoulder and a scoop that can put her back in the big leagues. All she has to do is stay alive.

When an international terrorist escapes justice on a technicality, the country wants blood. Avery just wants the exclusive … and Logan has it. He also has ulterior motives, a familiar hazard when fraternizing with the Y chromosome. But having just broken off an engagement, Avery has no interest in Logan’s pecs … or his 21st digit.

But you can’t go cold-turkey on men. Not when Ben & Jerry are calling your name from the frozen foods aisle and Logan's the one holding the scoop.

Avery is about to uncover the truth behind the terrorist trial, which threatens a political conspiracy that permeates every branch of government, from the FBI to the White House. Assassins are gunning for her and she doesn’t know why. The only guns she carries are a pair of 34Bs in a Victoria’s Secret holster. She’s forced to get Logan’s help. They break into a maximum-security stronghold, steal top-secret research, and run for their lives. Caught between a terrorist and a military commando, Avery will have to trust her life to the man who just might want her dead.

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“God won’t bother with plagues and floods. He’ll just send me.�? When a serial killer is murdered while in the act of enjoying his latest victim, former LAPD detective, Hale Parrish, is asked to use his supernatural talents to investigate. His search is short-lived, because the vigilante, referring to himself as “Judgment,�? tracks Hale down to reveal a life-changing secret: both of them are members of an elite bloodline created to enact divine wrath upon the wicked. While Hale decides whether his birthright is a blessing or a curse, shadows from his past emerge, forcing him to face his demons, protect his family, and take back control of his destiny.

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Theresa Blue is a forensic accountant by day...talented jazz saxophonist by night. When her old accounting professor pulls her into a case he's working on, Terri discovers there's much more than meets the eye to "Miss Vonnie's Little Tykes Dayschool.

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An addition to the anthology "A Visitor to Sandahl", this short story follows Cable Hornman and his two companions on an adventure into the mountains just north of Sandahl in the mystical land of Methanasia. Written for 'A Visitor to Sandahl' anthology, this episode picks up where "Heart of an Assassin" left off, it mentions events from "The Road to Sandahl" and has a cameo appearance by the 7 Dwarfs.

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This story concerns the same psychopath mentioned in my Locked - In short story. I must warn you that you may find this read disturbing. I wanted a villain to rival the most dastardly in literature. Fritz-Marilyn Mann is a Frankenstein monster, very evil at the core, born wicked, a eunuch and I think totally unique in fiction. This character is from, The Swiftness of the Sea. I thought I might shock a few reviewers into helping me with this and Chapters 1-6 (that I have also posted). Locked - In short story is actually cChapter 1... egads, why do I make things so complicated? I think the chapter stands on its own, but the one back story needed is: Fritz murdered his twin sister and had her vagina transplanted into his body in Thailand by Dr. Chop-chop (real name Dr. Choochai) so he could sincerely pursue his romantic love for his adopted brother Oz Osmund.

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The war over Wyoming land rights did not begin with the lynching of Jim Averell and “Cattle�? Kate Watson in 1889, nor did it end with the Butch and Sundance-style execution of Nate Champion outside his KC Ranch cabin in 1892. Those whose generations have lived in the Cowboy State know that land counts for much and family can be a secondary thing. When Sheriff John Pruett’s wife of 44 years is murdered by her own brother in the whirlwind of a family feud over precious mineral rights in the gas boom of the 2000’s, he will face not only a test of professional mettle, but also a formidable reconciliation with both his faith and his own flesh and blood—Pruett will ultimately battle his child, his town, his ghosts, and his God. This is a tale of twisted, hardscrabble greed set against the majesty of one of the last, true American paradises.

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Nestled in the Vermont countryside, the Duncan family is lulled by the comforts of rural anonymity. Jillian Duncan, a widowed mom, is doing her best to raise her teenage sons. Unfortunately, her life drastically changes when her dog comes to their door and drops a finger on the doormat. The finger belongs to a neighbor, assumed a runaway months ago, when the girl disappeared during a blizzard. Before Jillian contacts police she uncovers a makeshift hangout in her basement dubbed by local teenagers as The Cheech Room. It smells of candles and puberty but reeks of a deadly secret that can't be kept. Jillian must decide whether reporting the girl's body, months after the case was closed, will destroy the only people she truly loves. Challenged by how far she'd go to protect her sons, Jillian attempts to put to rest a troubling secret from their distant past, while staying one step ahead of a detective bent on proving her boys involvement in the girl's disappearance. Swiftly, characters' layers peel away like onion skin and only in the end is the stinging core of truth revealed. Will it be too late to prevent another tragedy? Any constructive feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your support.

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A story of when jealousy can take someone a step too far and the price they have to pay. I would love any feedback on this as all views are thought provoking and helpful. Spelling is British English as usual. Many thanks in advance! Keen

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Ancient Egypt. With the Pharaoh's regime on the cusp of crumbling, the world's first detective looks into a series of murders.

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My writing penchant is humour, so this one is unusual for me, but had to be written. Whether I should have posted it on tNBW is another matter. I find the saturation promotional advertising of up-coming tv programs to be extremely irritating. One in particular that was doing the rounds really p'd me off. As I lay in bed one night trying to sleep I got quite incensed. I could not sleep until I had grabbed my laptop computer and wrote down what was bounding around inside my skull. This is the result.

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Ever wonder what it's like to kill someone from half a mile away? Neither did this guy... I'd appreciate any feedback!

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A Brooklyn teacher named Charlie Maiks retells at gunpoint the story behind his current predicament while in a separate but related story line a character's life in Argentina during the Dirty War develops into one of the root causes of the Charlie's nightmare.

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The story begins with mystery writer, William Tyler, contemplating his life in the midst of a citywide blackout. When he is confronted by a figure from his past, he makes a decision that will change his life forever.

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This is an old poem circa 1987 that my wife recently unearthed from an old, forgotten diary. This is somewhere in between a poem and a short story. I plan to include this, along with "Bane" in a gothic werewolf novel I am currently working. I am seeking any and all feedback. Thanks for taking the time to read, and hopefully, review as well.

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A nasty little foursome have their eyes to the main chance! After all, if you don't look after your own interests, who will?

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This is a mystery in 250 words. Does it work?

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Siera begins to fear her life when those around her start to die. The detective on the case is floundering and falling for the person he is trying to protect. Can he solve the case before the vampire killer decides to claim his ultimate prize? It's my first draft of the novel (placing it up as i go), so it can be quiet rough. I'm hoping to get the main concepts and plot down and then develop it more, especially with your comments :). I would love feedback in all regards to this story, including any suggestions on where i can improve to make this story more catchy, faster, better character development, or generally better, please let me know! I generally suck at grammar etc so any tips on things i am doing wrong or could be improved are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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A strange note sends a mother and son on a journey of discovery.

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This novel takes place in the mid to late 1970's in the US and Japan. Bill Sanford is a young CPA working for the Tennessee Fried Chicken Corporation. He was brought up as a Foreign Service brat and had spent three years in Japan and four years in Europe. He had dreams of an international career but, his wife would have no part of it.// Ray Easton, TFC's Regional VP, Far East, is a cunning scoundrel and consummate liar. Ray is a master of insider trading of stock, and spreads the wealth to gain favors. He has always stayed one step ahead of the law.// Inoue San is an executive with one of Japan's major trading companies. He was a war hero who had been captured on Saipan and learned English from a U.S. Marine Officer. He launches a plot to bring a major U.S. fast food company into the Japanese market, relying on a high school chum who runs the Osaka Yakuza (mafia) to establish a chain of industrial espionage.// Strategic Planning is taking corporate America by storm. TFC'S CEO has caught the bug. He brings in a hot shot to produce and lead a corporate-wide strategic planning initiative. Resistance to strategic planning and the new hot shot builds, and the corporate politics accelerate, with battle lines being drawn.// Japan has been through post war reconstruction and is becoming a world class economic power. Some of its former military leaders are determined to achieve economically, what they failed to accomplish militarily.// Two trading company giants, Mitsugawa and Sawamura, become embroiled in a struggle for dominance of the exploding, western style, fast food market.// The cultural differences between Japan and the U.S. complicate matters for both sides. The inner workings of Corporate America and Japan are revealed in all their successes, but also, their corruption and greed.// Personal conflicts and deep seated vendettas, some originating during World War II, unfold.// Seduction and love affairs are an integral part of the plot. They illustrate the differences in social views of sexuality between the East and West.// Industrial espionage involving two highly competitive U.S. fast food companies, two Japanese Zaibatsu and the Japanese underworld unfolds.// Many of the key characters were involved in WWII and their individual experiences influence their business behavior.// Cultural differences subtly emerge, and the exploitation of others to achieve one's ends is front and center.// Personal ethics, or the lack there of, and the constant tug between good and evil are interspersed throughout.

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The story follows a successful attorney who uses his new-found fortune to purchase a fishing resort. When he and his wife are murdered, his son takes over running the resort. The son, Jason, finds evidence incriminating the local Police Chief in the murder of his parents. When his twin, Jared--a federal prosecutor--threatens to prosecute the Police Chief, Jared is also murdered. Following an altercation with Jason, the Chief is found murdered. All evidence points to Jason as the murderer. Before the trial is over, Jason brings forth evidence that will hopefully point to someone else. Someone who has orchestrated events to obtain vengeance against Jason.

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Because this novel does not fit into any specific genre, I am going with Commercial Fiction. It has equal elements of Romance, Love Story and Drama. Suspense and humor are no strangers to the story, either. To me, it is a drama fueled by the quest of two lovers to find one another after a very lengthy separation. Two young lovers, Randy Harris and Brenda Chandler, are separated by totally unexpected circumstances beyond their control. They are taken from their small-towm roots of rural Kansas, Randy to Georgia and Brenda to Texas. The year is 1963. Weeks turn into months, months into years. Each starts a new life of his and her own. However, rarely does one completley forget about the other. But Randy and Brenda face substantial, and sometimes horrific, challenges in their new, seaparate lives. The drama and tension hover around every corner. Randy goes to jail, charged with the brutal slaying of his dearest friend. And that's not the only major trauma in his young life. Brenda's life moves in a most unexpected direction for a naive farm girl. She has her own tragedy to deal with. The untimely deaths of people they love torment both of them. In Brenda's case, the death leaves her with a heavy burden of guilt she can't seem to shake. Each enjoys moments of joy and rewards. But it seems there is always something lurking around the corner that wants to dampen those moments. But you will fall in love with the quirky humor of old Pop Johnson and the compassion of Bruce Armstrong. They are sure to make you smile between the tragedies and challenges. And there are a couple of places where you might want to have a Kleenex handy. Pop's story of his early days in Georgie will almost certainky bring a tear to your eyes. Randy's return from Vietnam culminates in a gut-wrenching discovery. There is quite an unexpected twist at the end. You probably won't see it coming! All comments, suggestions and nits are welcome. And thanks in advance for your time to read and comment, should you choose to. PS: The improper grammar in some of the dialougue is intentional.

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Let's just say about 80 percent of it is based on a true story and leave the rest to your imagination. LOL -- Feedback: Not looking for anything really technical. Just a fling of a story for the contest.

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Detective Star Malloy investigated one too many rapes in Los Angeles. She suffers from what she calls “Victim Syndrome�? – she hears the victims’ cries in her sleep, sees their anguished faces, and feels their humiliation. Then she cracks. She executes a child rapist and at the age of 28 her police career is over. She returns to her hometown of Weyham, Massachusetts, to look into the murder of her best friend, Cara Laurens. Another friend named Ricky Chase is blamed for the crime, but he conveniently died of a drug overdose the next day. Star doesn’t believe it for a second. She is determined to find the real killer of Cara and exonerate Ricky. She seeks help from a local detective named Ed Brown. He’s not remotely interested in reopening a case that is as clear cut at this one. But he half-heartedly agrees to let Star investigate as long as she stays out of his way. Then a rapist strikes. His MO is to shove oxycondone pills into the mouths of young women and tape their mouths shut. They die of an overdose, but before they do he violates them. Star is thrust right back into the kind of vile crime that has already ruined her.

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I wrote with a killer headache one night and decided to post, obviously prematurely. This piece is based upon an actual event. Poetic license has been used and the names have been changed to protect the guilty. This also serves to protect this humble writer. Caution: this is a graphic portrayal, although not nearly as graphic as the pictures of a snuffed innocent child that the jury was forced to endure. As always, any and all reviews, no matter how critical, are welcome.

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Christy was molested by her father when she was a little girl. Her torment ended when she accidentally set the family garage on fire and her father was paralyzed in the building's collapse. Since that time, fire has haunted and lured her, especially when she is in conflict or under pressure. Now Christy is grown. Lately, she is having dreams of fire...and waking up to find herself in possession of clues to yet another arson that has been committed nearby. Is she the arsonist? If not, who is manipulating the scenes to implicate her? Christy and her firefighter husband, Brian must find the answer before Detective John O'Reilly and FBI Profiler Sarah Morning Dove make a case against her.

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Novel based upon many of the circumstances we find ourselves in as parents and step-parents in today's divorce-ridden society. I am looking for constructive criticism.

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Sometimes things aren't always what they seem. Glossary: rort: scam dumpster: big steel garbage skip/bin bum in butter: living in luxury clobbered: hit.

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WARNING: This is NOT politically correct. If you are easily offended you probably shouldn't read. If you're a French film director, you should read and take notes. I've written several Conversations with Richard and the conversations are verbatim. Scary. For some reason, Richard and I also decided to record this conversation. I came out of it sounding like a bitch, so that's cool. It's dedicated to Alimckay and she knows why! Ali, enjoy your stay in the Witness Protection Program. Not that they take Brits.

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This is a competition entry for the next writers festival in our shire (county) The criteria is : Imprints. MIne, yours, people who've gone before. Fiction, memoir or article. Limit: 2000 words.

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This short piece was written a year or so ago, has been on the site but I'd forgotten about it. Now I'm "tarting up" some of my stuff, it may as well be launched into the world to see if it can find a place for itself!

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THIS IS A SEQUEL. This is also raw, a work in progress. I'm taking a risk here, going out of my comfort zone by putting up something that's not yet finished. I’m hoping you’ll see some growth from me in this. Sapphire Reign takes place almost 10 years after Kings & Queens. I’d appreciate reviews from readers, who've read my first book, since they can (hopefully) see what I’m doing differently and if it’s working, but anyone is welcome to read this. However, since it is a sequel, spoilers abound. So only proceed if you have no intention of reading Book 1.

In a world where wickedness is exalted and even children know the sting of suffering, Majesty is trapped in anguish five months after her young daughter's death in a preschool gas explosion. When she receives a bizarre glimmer of hope that her little girl may still be alive, she fights heaven and hell to reclaim the happiness that's been stripped from her. But with so many enemies, maybe someone is determined to make Majesty pay. Or maybe her daughter really is gone forever.

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I promised to get an edited copy of this into the hands of the friend on which the main character is based by April 15, 2007. In an effort to only be a year late, I've finally started working on it. I'll repost each chapter as I make changes. I'd like to thank those who read it the first time and gave me excellent suggestions. Weasel, aka Larry, is a most unusual private detective. He is hired by an attorney who needs protection and along with his secretary, Miss Everhart and two odd sidekicks, he saves the day. Almost.

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This is the start of a series of stories about a young man that makes a tragic mistake but benefits from it and has to deal with the struggle between guilt and the desire to live.

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Time for another installment...I had so much fun the first time around.

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CONCLUDING PART - (Note to potential reviewers - it's important that you read this short story in sequence) Nursery Crimes - Alan Grant intercepts a call from his troublesome wife who sounds as though she is about to take her own life. He arrives at the motel to find her almost dead and watches as her life slips away. A happy ending?

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(Note to potential reviewers - it's important that you read the parts of this short story in sequence) Nursery Crimes - Alan Grant intercepts a call from his troublesome wife who sounds as though she is about to take her own life. He arrives at the motel to find her almost dead and watches as her life slips away. A happy ending?

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This short story was posted last year and then taken down from the site. I apologise to anyone who has read it before, I don't want to bore you! I have never submitted it a magazine or competition. Taking the advice of my good reviewers, I have edited it as the reviews have come in. I don't want to re-write and re-post again, it would try everyone's tolerance too far!

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The working title of this novel is Corporate Samurai "love begets hate, trust begets betrayal, lust leads to death"// This novel takes place in the mid to late 1970's in the US and Japan. Bill Sanford is a young CPA working for the Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation. He was brought up as a Foreign Service brat and had spent three years in Japan. He had dreams of an international career but, his wife would have no part of it.// Ray Easton, KFC's Regional VP, Far East, is a cunning scoundrel and consummate liar. Ray is a master of insider trading of stock, and spreads the wealth to gain favors. He has always stayed one step ahead of the law.// Mike Adachi is an executive with one of Japan's major trading companies. He was raised in San Francisco and speaks English as a native. He launches a plot to bring a major US fast food company into the Japanese market, relying on a complex chain of industrial espionage.// Strategic Planning is taking corporate America by storm. KFC'S CEO has caught the bug. He brings in two hot shots to produce and lead a corporate-wide Strategic Planning initiative. Resistance to strategic planning and the new hot shots builds, and the corporate politics accelerate, with battle lines being drawn.// Japan has been through post war reconstruction and is becoming a world class economic power. Some of its former military leaders are determined to achieve economically, what they failed to accomplish militarily.// Two trading company giants, Mitsubishi and Sumitomo, become embroiled in a struggle for dominance of the exploding, western style, fast food market.// The cultural differences between Japan and the US complicate matters for both sides. The inner workings of Corporate America and Japan are revealed in all their successes, but also, their corruption and greed.// Personal conflicts and deep seated vendettas, some originating during World War II, unfold.// Seduction and love affairs are an integral part of the plot. They illustrate the differences in social views of sexuality between the East and West.// Industrial espionage involving two highly competitive US fast food companies, two Japanese Zaibatsu and the Japanese and Mexican underworld unfolds.//The head of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia)is an effective eliminator of problem people.// Many of the key characters were involved in WWII and their individual experiences influence their business behavior.// Cultural differences subtly emerge, and the exploitation of others to achieve one's ends is front and center.// Personal ethics, or the lack there of, and the constant tug between good and evil are interspersed throughout. View table of contents..

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This is the ultimate rant about one of my biggest pet peeves. Not for the faint of heart and by this, I mean men. All my male friends are horrified by this story. Luckily all my women friends are as sick and twisted as I am.

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J.D. discovers Henry is more than a hired hand. The witch protects. An innocent girl is murdered. The county balance is gone. The end is near.

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This is the first of i think three parts. I am trying to figure how to break it up. The story is about a rural County divided into four sections. The events in this particular part of the story set up the rest of the story. There is a lot of meanness with ignorance and isolation. Please, see for yourself.

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The murderer of a beautiful child, lost in the foggy mist.

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You must always be careful what you wish for. Sometimes it comes true... (This story was written for the Australian market, which necessitated adding an explanation for the USA reviewers)

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