Publisher's Synopsis
These Strange Matters is a short story science-fiction/fantasy collection, offering incredible worlds beyond and even next door.
In the South, strange weather matters frequently revolve around hurricanes. EYES IN THE STORM enters the mysterious world of Kill Storm: a society of powerful African women - thought to be myth but hiding in plain sight - who can influence the weather and make hurricanes do their bidding. The leaders of Kill Storm have unlocked the deep secrets and discovered how to create bigger and bigger hurricanes to unleash on the world. Bound by these secrets and others, Agaire and Jamboon struggle to make sense of their place in this fantastical community - and the fight is much more complex than mere meteorology.
In FINDER'S FEE, Detective Cal Sinnick is resigned to leading a meager existence on Far Shore, a resort colony decimated by a cataclysmic geological event. For many poisoned by the radiation of the planetoid's tri-suns, death would have been a relief. When one of the world's infected inhabitants comes to him for help locating her missing sister, Sinnick can't say no to the strange job. What he discovers in taking the case is a mysterious and cunning plot to change the course of a vast interstellar empire.
A strange partnership comes into play in HUMAN ... KIND OF, which dabbles in matters of time travel. What would happen if you brought together three figures from history and set them on an adventure? The Mother of Nursing, the Father of Assassins and the Iron Horse come to life in an exhilarating tale about who decides the definition of humanity and what it means to be human.
NO THIRD CHANCES tells the story of the strange kidnapping of Hazel, a lonely resident of Q'ol - a planet in a far-flung corner of the universe. The matter of Hazel's kidnapping turns into a defense of her world while its shocking history is revealed to her by a secretive Justice of the Peace, which fronts the Systems Alliance that wants to extinguish life on Q'ol to rectify a mistake of the past.
POOPED is a twisty tale that takes a strange and horrifying turn for Lajno, an engineer who lands a coveted corporate job helping to open a new planetary frontier. The long journey to Delta Peg becomes a matter of personal torture for Lajno as he deals with his older sister and his fourteen-year-old dog. Both the older woman and the canine have bowel issues. Let's just say things get messy on the trip.
Strange tides take us below the surface in UNDERSEE. A self-centered prince has everything except the power he craves so much. To make the grab he believes will unlock that power, he sets sail on an expedition of environmental greed to the mysterious Sea of Shadows. The primary matter on his arrogant agenda is to capture a rare creature, but he gets more than he bargained for in what he thinks is the discovery of a lifetime.
We're all drained after a long day on the job. Poor conditions just make matters worse. WARNING LIGHT ignites with a drive home from work during a terrible tempest. The ride sets off a nightmarish chain of events that leads to the unveiling of a dark secret. Refusing to see the strange signs that have punctuated his life, a man learns the truth about a dishonorable and horrific act committed by his father during World War II.
It's no longer strange to speak up when you want to be heard. Everyone has a voice in today's world, but you have to use it, especially if you hope to right a wrong. A MONSTROUS SILENCE takes you to a place where the consequences of keeping quiet can be as deadly and harmful as standing up to protect others.
We love our pets! We take personal pride in their well-being, but is it strange to wonder what they might think of this whole deal? In CAT CARE, thoughts on the matter definitely run along a two-way street.
