Charmed & Strange and Other Stories

These are stories that stop the heart. Enter the mythic worlds, both charmed and strange, of award-winning author Maggie Secara. This hand-picked collection brings together Secara's lyrical fantasy, twisted science fiction, and tiny, chilling snippets of horror. Some previously published, others entirely new, all are certain to delight. Here are lascivious ghosts and hungry planets. Cockney brats and fairy queens. Marvelous mysteries, tiny terrors, and enchantments to entice the soul. ... Eternally separated, eternally sparring: a pan-dimensional couple just wants a little domestic bliss. ... For some people even a trip to the corner market can be a roller coaster ride through the star-spangled hills of Hollywood in search of ... And what exactly has happened to James? ... Many consequences fell from Jack's youthful adventure with the Giant. Twenty years later and there's still a score to settle. ... Poor Pinch! Every day she goes to the crystal doors of Faery, begging to be admitted. "I can't bear it any longer. Can't I come home?" Thank goodness the King's Raven of Faery is paying attention! ..."I swear I never saw a goddess go," as the poet says. How many days has Deah sauntered through the farmers market scattering fragrant benediction? ... More miserable than any adolescent has ever been, ever, Beatriz didn't want to emigrate to the planet Indigo at all. Now something is changing her mind. A double dozen magical tales of wonder and madness in story and verse, this is a collection to enchant, terrify, and delight.