Anthologies
The Indie Eclective: What is it, who are they, and why can they spell neither “eclectic” nor “collective” correctly? The Indie Eclective is an ensemble of authors operating under the assumption that Readers like Good Books. The Halloween Collection showcases spooky reads from nine very different authors. Whether you enjoy light or dark paranormal, YA or adult-themed genres, there’s bound to be a story to suit your tastes. Thanks for reading! Rhyn Trilogy: Origins, by Lizzy Ford: Gabriel's fate as an assassin seems set until he meets a courageous half-demon child named Rhyn, whose plight rekindles the humanity he thought he'd lost. Ralphie the Special Werewolf by P.J. Jones: Ralphie doesn’t want to get snipped, but his pack is tired of watching him defile the sofa cushions. Now, he’s got to find a mate by Halloween night—or else. Sunwalker's Kiss by Shéa MacLeod: While searching for a magical bloodline, Sunwalker Jackson Keel discovers magic of a different kind. The Village of Those Who Touch The Dead by M. Edward McNally: "All obligations will be paid. There are no exceptions."’ Haunting in OR 13, by Alan Nayes: Halloween never frightened Sara McCaffe, until she stepped into Operating Room 13! To Taste of Shimmering Revenge by Jack Wallen: A vampire is awakened after four hundred years only to find his kind embarrassed and shamed by the rash of shimmery, hunky vampires on the big screen. His revenge will be sweet and tasty. Magickal Vendetta by Heather Adkins - Revenge is a dish best served up in a pink saucepan for accident-prone blood witch, Gretchen. By harnessing the power of Halloween, she hopes to break the bond with the soulmate who did her wrong. From the Keegan’s Chronicles series: Haunted House by Julia Crane - Keegan, Lauren, and Anna find much more than they bargained for during an innocent trip to a commercial haunted house. Someone long dead awaits them on the second floor... From the Gifted Teens series: Mind-Blower by Talia Jager - Kassia and Daxton’s romantic picnic is interrupted by the arrival of creatures bent on her destruction. Will her powers fail her when she needs them most?
“The Holiday Collection” is the second anthology of short stories from the Indie Eclective: A group of nine authors crossing genres. These holiday-themed stories range from serious to humorous, and all express the sentiments of the season in their own “Eclective” way. In many traditions, the cold of winter is perfect for curling up and spending time with family. We cordially invite you to spend some time with ours. (Curling up is optional.) Alan Nayes—St. Claws Ever made a wish? Ever wished you hadn't wished what you wished? Matt Haskel has. Lizzy Ford—Snow Whisperers Winter brings the holidays…and snowmen, the quick-witted snow creatures that drive Sandy crazy every year. Until one is turned into a human—and tries to win her over. Julia Crane—Saving Grace Grace is an Empath with a problem—she’s chosen to work for the largest department store in New York City during the holiday season. Dealing with other people’s issues has destroyed her sense of the Christmas spirit, until a chance encounter with a special boy changes her mind. M. Edward McNally—O Cactus Tree, O Cactus Tree "How beautiful thy...green arms full of prickly spikes." P.J. Jones—Fred’s Best Christmas Fred’s determined not to let mental illness stand in the way of his ‘best Christmas’. When painful childhood memories threaten to ruin his day, will his friends be able to help him overcome his fears? Talia Jager—Fresh Snow Orphaned and alone, Chloe is hit by a car on Christmas Eve. What she doesn't know, is the woman who did it needs love as much as Chloe. Together, they will remember the true meaning of family and Christmas. Shéa MacLeod—Let’s Ride Zala Lei's bid to stop a dangerous criminal leads her to Omicron 5 and a very special box of surprises. She can only hope that what she finds in the box is enough to stop evil in its Santa posing tracks. Jack Wallen—A Very Shero Christmas Dickens gets a smack upside the face with a size-12 Blahnik in A Very Shero Christmas. Heather Marie Adkins—The Darkest Night Before there was Christmas, there was Yule—the Winter Solstice. For modern-day witch Mena McGinty, it may still be the season of rebirth, or at least second chances.
Six stories from The Eclective, six accounts of Celtic things. There's more than one way to go Green. Irish Kiss by Shéa MacLeod Morgan Bailey, vampire Hunter, thought finding a Leprechaun's missing pot of gold would be easy. She couldn't have been more wrong. The Luck of the Irish Brigade by M. Edward McNally The Irish are fighting themselves, only because there are no other worthy opponents. Song of the Banshee by Heather Marie Adkins Belinda has a job to do, but a dying man’s grandson may be a big problem. It’s a hard world for a lonely banshee. The Red Veil of Vengeance by Jack Wallen Vlad Kurvail is back and, as usual, he's pissed. This time his cold vengeance is served up to the Irish. Will their luck hold out? Zombies Eat Leprechauns by P.J. Jones When a zombie curse infects the Fairytale Kingdom, Lucky the Leprechaun needs the help of an idiot dragon slayer and a cross-dressing dragon to escape. Can he make it out with his pot of gold, or will Lucky's luck run out? Five Shamrocks by Alan Nayes After her husband dies on St. Patrick's Day, life goes on for Mattie O'Malley.
The fourth short story anthology from the Eclective brings together seven writers from across genres, each contributing a unique take in recognition of LGBT Pride Month. Go Team Everybody. "Saving Suzanna" by Rex Jameson - As Sara and Morgan struggle to escape the ruins left by the Northern Organizational Militia's campaign of terror, they hear the cries of an infant through the darkness. If they keep running north, they may save themselves… but if they stay and fight, they may just save their future. "Shero: Glam, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am!" by Jack Wallen - Don't judge a book by it's cover and don't judge a queen by her smooth moves alone! Shero is honored to serve as judge for a local drag queen pageant. When all hell breaks loose, can Shero save the queens from a disaster worse than a loose gaff or broken heel? "Gay Angels in Heaven" by Alan Nayes - A teenager learns having pride in who she is is far more important than what others think of her. "Moon Blossoms" by P.J. Jones - Outcast from their colony, two sprites learn to accept that their love is not a sin against nature but a thing of beauty. "Urbs in Horto" by M. Edward McNally - There are many gardens in the city of Chicago, and none are as different as they may seem. "Be Careful What You Wish For" by Shéa MacLeod - Cross-dresser Ryan Roberts has always dreamed of being a real woman for just one day. He'll soon discover that when it comes to cupcake-addicted ancient Welsh goddesses, you should be careful what you wish for. "Love & Disaster" by Heather Marie Adkins - Becca is finally marrying the woman of her dreams, but she’s frightened of what the future holds in a world that doesn’t accept their love.
"Empty Vessel" by M. Edward McNally : Captain Wil has command of his own ship, the respect of his crew, and his wife is expecting their first child. But at sea, the winds always become calm just before the storm breaks. "The Smell of Death" by Tara West: Maggie's unusual powers bring new threats to her already troubled childhood. "Safe" by Emma Jameson : In Victorian London, a grave robber makes a nice living off the dead, until he opens the wrong crypt. "Soulfully Sweet" by Shéa MacLeod : As if helping the living isn't enough of a pain in her divine hindquarters, Branwen (former goddess of love and beauty) is stuck helping the dead on All Hallow's Eve. "May I Go Play?" by Heather Marie Adkins : Micah inherits a southern mansion where ancestors long dead relive their violent deaths. And now, they want company... "Blehdward, the Vampire who Couldn't Sparkle" by Pj Jones : Blehdward desperately wants to fit in with the cool vamps. If only he could learn how to sparkle. "Franscesca" by Alan Naye s: Break a promise to a feiticeira and you will live to regret it. "Soul Eaters" by R.G. Porter : Kaitlyn never believed in the existence of other worlds. Now she's in the middle of one where humans aren't the hunters but the hunted. The Eclective is a group of authors dedicated to the premise that The Story is The Thing, and classifications of genre are mostly a matter for bookshelves. While the following stories share a "Haunting" theme, they might variously be filed as Horror, Paranormal, Fantasy, YA, etc., or anything else. Our idea is that the story itself is more important than whatever label somebody feels like giving it, and by bringing our work together in collections like this one, we hope readers may find a story they might like. Even if it is not in "their" genre.