Champion of the Empire Hercules Tom thinks this is a mere diplomatic mission to Baast; little does he know what the Baastards have in store for him. But don't worry - this cat has proven time and again that he has more than the usual nine lives. Read to find out how Herc finds his way out of this one.“Baastards’ Revenge" is a speculative fiction novelette, the fourth of the "Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire" tales.

Why are these things always so hard?Johns are dying in Barnstow. It was bound to happen eventually, in a city where legal prostitution is a big part of the tourist industry, but not so many so fast. And of course, if there are dead bodies in Barnstow, Detective Jimmy Delaney isn’t far away."Hard Times" is the sixth Detective Jimmy Delaney tale. If you like a little self-deprecation and humor with some speculative elements thrown in (think "The Rockford Files" mashed up with...

Major Tom has plans for his leave time: this cat is finally going to get some much needed R&R with his mates. But recent additions to the household (including his Admiral father-in-law and an uppity mouse chef), as well as an unexpected visit from yet another enemy puts his whiskers in a twist. Ready for a comical adventure with some unlikely characters? Read “Cat and Mouse.”"Cat and Mouse" is a speculative fiction short story, and is the third of his "Major Tom, Champion of the Em...

The Lynx hasn’t returned from his mission, so it’s up to disfavored Champion of the Empire Herc Tom to discover what’s happened to him, and what the deceitful feline Isabella and the diabolical canine Lord Phylo are up to in this tale of two species.“A Tail of Two Species" is a speculative fiction novelette, and is the ninth of the Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire stories.

Riddled with a more than terminal disease, Commander Solitaire considers an extreme way to protect the Earth. There's more than one way to be immortal."Immortal" is a speculative flash fiction which borrows slightly from Richard III (see if you can spot the influence – read "Immortal.")

The Collective is ALL! At least that's what Abbe's been told, but events lead him to wonder if there might just be some intelligent life "out there." Is there? Read "The Collective is All" and find out for yourself."The Collective Is All" is a short, speculative fiction.

Trapped within the haeld-sword for four hundred years, the treacherous Svaerd circumvented his prison and gained release into the world. It was a near thing, but Svaerd was reimprisoned.Having survived Svaerd’s short-lived escape, Sandrik is tasked with keeping the evil sorcerer in his prison. But aerh is returning to the land, and the wily Svaerd knows better than Sandrik how to make use of the increased power. He vows revenge on Sandrik and all he loves.Will Sandrik disco...

Can mind control work on someone who can't control their own mind?It's frustrating to deal with the inconsistencies of dementia and it's effects on maturing minds, but what if our defense against a future invader depended on that unreliability. Read "The Unreliability of the Mature Mind.""The Unreliability of the Mature Mind" is a short, speculative fiction, and is also available in the collection "Still Even More Things I Could Get OUT OF MY MIND."

On a routine shift, a miner is exposed to something...different. The company doctor says it's just in his head, and he's right, but that doesn't mean it's a good thing. There may be a Workman's Comp claim here. See what you make of it – read "The Black Spot.""The Black Spot" is a VERY short speculative flash fiction, and is also available in the collection "Still Even More Things I Could Get OUT OF MY MIND."It's so short that it might not show up in a standard preview, so her...

Cats of War II continues the adventures of Herc Tom, Champion of the Ramses Empire.In “Baastard’s Revenge”, Champion of the Empire Tom thinks this is a mere diplomatic mission to Baast; little does he know what the Baastards have in store for him. But don't worry - this cat has proven time and again that he has more than the usual nine lives. Read to find out how Herc finds his way out of this one.Herc Tom is on the outs with Emperor Maxamillian and has to deal wit...

A collection of ten short speculative fictions by William Mangieri, in which we learn some life lessons:What constitutes a true waste of timeSentience is in the eye of the beholderThings aren't always where they should bePerception is realityWhat to expect if you were to talk to GodDon't be too eager to perform labors proffered by goddessesNo crime is victimlessA love that lasts forever may not be a good thingBe good, or the ji...

Collected together here are the first 3 stories in the Detective Jimmy Delaney series:In a FlashJimmy was a good cop, but age and changing times were getting the better of him. If he could only get an edge, take advantage of some of that new-fangled tech - what would be the harm? I mean, everybody cheats a little, don’t they? Just be careful not to get caught…Mixed SignalsNothing was going Jimmy’s way, lately. Jill had moved to Portland and filed for divorce...