Our Song

We have our very own song 

In 2017, I started this blog with a group of fellow authors. We took turns posting about a variety of topics such as hobbies, travel, pets, cooking, reading, and writing. We even had contests and enjoyed ourselves. However, in 2019, the group fell apart, and everyone went their separate ways. I continued to post occasionally on my own, but it wasn't the same without the camaraderie, so I stopped updating the blog in 2022.

Ever since then, I have been writing and have successfully published a few books. About a year ago, I started the What If? Anthology Series with a new group of writers, and we recently released our fourth book.

It then occurred to me that I had forgotten about my blog, but upon checking the STATS after 2 years of inactivity, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it still had a strong following. People continue to visit and read the old posts.

After bringing it up to the anthology writer's group, some of us decided to resume the group project and publish one or two new blog posts every week.

~Erika M Szabo

What If? Anthology Series

Read about the series HERE

​When a collective of talented authors merge their literary skills and unleash their imaginations, a series is born to delight readers who crave thought-provoking stories and aren't afraid to ask the question, "What if?" With each turn of the page, readers are transported to fantastic worlds where anything is possible, and every twist and turn leaves them eagerly anticipating what will happen next. This collaboration of creative minds brings to life a captivating journey for those who dare to question the boundaries of reality and embrace the possibilities of the unknown.

The authors of the Anthology Series

Erika M Szabo

https://authorerikamszabo.com 

Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative and educational and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.

Lorraine Carey

https://authorlorrainecarey.blogspot.com/

Lorraine Carey is a reading specialist and an Award-Winning Author. She was living in California until fate whisked her off to Grand Cayman. She currently lives in Florida. Her love for paranormal stories began at a young age, and is no stranger to the paranormal, having encountered unexplainable events that are woven into her stories.

David W. Thompson

https://www.david-w-thompson.com

David is a multiple award-winning author, Army veteran, and graduate of UMUC. He’s a multi-genre writer and a member of the Horror Writers’ Association, and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association. When not writing, Dave enjoys family, kayaking, fishing, hiking, hunting, winemaking, and woodcarving.

R. A. “Doc” Correa 

www.goldenboxbooks.com/ra-doc-correa.html 

A retired US Army military master parachutist, retired surgical technologist, and retired computer scientist. He’s an award-winning poet and author. “Doc” has had poems published in multiple books and had stories published in Bookish Magazine and Your Secret Library. His first novel, Rapier, won a Book Excellence award and was given a Reader’s Favorite five-star review.

Martha Perez

https://marthaperez.info/

Martha Perez was born in raised in Los Angeles, CA. She now lives in West Covina, CA, with her husband Sal Andalon and their dogs Toby and Bella. She has a son, a daughter, and two granddaughters. Her hobbies include reading, writing, exercising, and taking long walks.

Shebat Legion

Her work can be found wherever fine books are sold.

Shebat Legion is an award-winning, internationally best-selling, consummate storyteller/producer/publisher whose quirky tales have appeared in numerous anthologies of various genres, and offerings of her work have been archived on the moon via The Lunar Codex associated with NASA.

Robert Allen Lupton

https://robertallenlupton.blogspot.com

Robert Allen Lupton is retired and lives in New Mexico. He has three novels, seven short story collections and three edited anthologies available in print and audio versions. Over 2000 of his Edgar Rice Burroughs themed drabbles and articles are located on erbzine.com

S.S. Bazinet

https://www.ssbazinet.com/

S. S. Bazinet is a multi-genre author who loves penning stories that inspire her readers. When writing, she keeps it real. Her characters often start off in very dicey situations. They make their mistakes, hopefully learn to correct course, and find a way to keep going when all seems lost.

Alan Zacher

https://www.goldenboxbooks.com/alan-zacher.html

I graduated from UCLA, studying Acting and Writing. Fifteen years after graduating from college, I returned to my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, and began teaching English and stated writing.

S. M. Revolinski

https://www.goldenboxbooks.com/s-m-revolinski.html

A retired engineer. When not entertaining his grandchildren, he enjoys writing. Most of his stories are science fiction, connections between the supernatural and the real world – what if ‘this’ really happened? Breaking from Sci-Fi, his recent stories have been Westerns. The “Tales From Wyoming” is a collection of interconnected short stories of the Old West.

Toi Thomas

https://linktr.ee/toithomas

A self-proclaimed techie and foodie, Toi Thomas enjoys cooking, animals, geek culture, and collecting vinyl records. She writes clean, adult, multi-genre fiction as well as nonfiction, and picture books. Toi actively creates for and with her fans at The ToiBox of Words blog, her YouTube channel, and on Patreon.

E.V. Emmons

https://eclark46.wixsite.com/-evemmons

E.V. Emmons lives in Ontario. Author of the novels ETERNITY AWAITS, THE SINISTRATI, and the writer’s guide, ‘WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW!’ As a contributor to several anthologies, her work even made it to the Moon with the Lunar Codex Program aboard lander Odysseus in February 2024. Available on Amazon.

Karen Ovér

https://balletsandbogeys.weebly.com/golemwerks.html

Karen Ovér is back in Texas after more than a decade in New York City. Her latest works appear in the anthologies The Book of Carnacki, The Legion Press, Dark Yonder #6, and the forthcoming Arkham Institutions, available late 2024 from Dragon’s Roost Press.

James Harper

His work can be found wherever fine books are sold.

A transplanted native in a city full of them, James Harper is a bestselling horror writer living with his daughter in a suburb just north of Washington DC. His love of music is only rivaled by his passion for film, but both take a backseat when a Phillies game’s on.

Victoria Adams

https://victoriasreadingalcove.com   

Adams lives and works in the resplendent Pacific Northwest. She spends her time with her characters and a feline named Sir Linus. She has published two nonfiction titles and contributed to anthologies of fiction and poetry. Her exploration of the world and ideas, in general, can be found at victoriasreadingalcove.com.

Unexpected Trip

 Was it a dream or did she travel through time?

Pompeii

“Valeria . . . Valeria, can you hear me?” a strange voice echoed as the young woman struggled to open her eyes seeing two tall young girls possibly in their late teens dressed in white togas at her side. “She’s coming to,” said one of the girls.

“Where . . . where am I?”

“You are in the House of the Vestals, my dear. You passed out a short time ago as you were working out in the garden on your jug and hit your head on one of the pedestals. You know you were told to avoid being in the sun too long with your fair skin,” the first girl spoke.

“And who are you?”

Both girls looked at each other quizzically.

“I am Dalanya and this is Catania, your Vestal Sisters.” Dalanya took her hand and helped Valeria to sit up on the cot.

“I don’t remember any of this I tell you, the young woman claimed as she glanced around at her surroundings. Her eyes scanned the area that revealed tall pillars and large marble statues that led out to a massive courtyard with a huge fountain. “This has to be a dream! I mean—”

“Catania has sent for the Medicus. He should be here shortly,” Dalanya said as she laid her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “He’ll know what to do.”

An older man dressed in multicolored robes carrying a large satchel approached from the outside patio entering the small chamber. He had instructed Dalanya and Catania to inform him as to what had occurred.

“I know this young lady. She has simply fainted. I have treated her before for a similar condition. A vial of Posca is all she needs. She gets dehydrated easily. He pulled a small vial from his satchel and instructed her to drink, which she did.

She wiped her lips after chugging down the entire contents of the vial and gave the Medicus a skeptical look. “Exactly what’s in that?” She scrunched up her nose showing her distaste for the drink.

“It’s a mixture of vinegar, water, and herbs,” he said.

“My name is Ramethius, the Medicus and I believe you may also have a slight concussion from hitting your head.”

“Oh,” the woman uttered as he checked her eyes and head using a strange instrument from his bag that managed to clamp open her eyes.

“Her pupils are not dilated but she still may have a slight concussion,” he announced as he turned to the girls. “Best to keep an eye on her the rest of the day. Make sure you don’t let her sleep.”

“Why can’t she remember who she is? Dalanya asked.

“Well, she’s one of the oldest Vestals here, I mean—” Catania added. “Could be her age.”

“It may be a temporary case of amnesia. It should return in time,” Ramethius said as he secured his bag. “Now I must go as I’m needed at the House of Faun.”

Both Dalanya and Catania sat next to Valeria giving her words of comfort but most of all encouraging her to rest.

“Your artwork can wait, Sister,” Dalanya said, taking her hand. “You heard what the Medicus said.

“Rest . . . rest! I can’t rest!” She shot up. “I have to finish my piece for the art show for Aulius Restituto. It will be featured among some of the other fine pieces here in Pompeii then grace the main hall of the house of Vetti.”

The girls both looked at each other astounded. “Well then, I guess her amnesia has instantly returned,” Dalanya said.

“It was probably the mention of artwork that brought her back,” Catania said. “We both know how obsessive she is about that show she keeps talking about.”

Valeria tried to rise from her cot but both girls gently pushed her back to a lying position. “You will rest here for a few hours.”

Valeria reasoned she had to agree to the girls’ wishes but knew once they were out of sight, she’d plan to get back to painting her jug.

She watched the girls walk through the archway that led out to the lush gardens. I can only hope to see my beloved Marcus. I know he will be working in the kitchens today at the Vetti House. I long to feel his strong arms around me again. We’ve managed to keep this secret for some time now. Should we be caught- I’d be banned from the House of Vestals and he being a slave would be sentenced to death!

Valeria felt a slight dizziness sensation overtake her and decided to sit for a while until it had passed. I’ve got to finish that jug. Tomorrow is the show and I’ll crawl if I have to get it over there. She fiddled with her long black braid that hung to one side over her shoulder making sure the gold threads were securely in place that were weaved into the braid. A Vestal always had to look her best whenever she was out in the public eye.

“We both know what she’s up to,” Dalanya said as she and Catania walked through the garden.

“You mean that slave, Marcus that works over at the Vetti House?”

“Yes, Rumor has it she’s been sneaking off to see him.”

“It’s true, and if she’s caught, we both know the consequences both of them will face,” Dalanya said as she bent down to smell the flowery scent of a hearty lilac bush.

“You going to tell on her?” Catania asked.”

“No. I don’t think we need to be known as spies here. Besides she is close to being released from her service very soon. She can be with Marcus all she wants then.”

The ground shook with tremors and some of the larger garden pots had moved.

“Not that again!” Catania shouted. “This is the second time this week it’s happened.”

“Not to worry, it’s very common as you well know, Dalanya said trying to calm her friend.  That volcano has to release the pressure now and then, my friend. Now let’s head over to the Temple of Isis and make sure all is well over there.”

Valeria also felt the tremors as she tried to gain some steadiness to stand. “Great! Just what I need now,” she murmured.

Continue reading the story in the book:

https://books2read.com/u/m27NQd

What if you think the known world isn’t strange enough? Embark on a journey that pushes the boundaries, challenges your perception, and questions reason, logic, and established beliefs.

The Guest of Honor

 A short story by E.V. Emmons

A tale of two families: One family’s halcyon life is tragically disrupted, while another plans the perfect Halloween party. Evil is a point of view.

Life on a farm is hard and if not for family, it would be lonely too. We cherished life in the fields, breathing in the rich, loamy smell of the tilled and mounded earth. We celebrated the sun and rain alike because we understood that both nourished the land, and what was good for the soil was good for us.

Months in the sun had turned our skin leathery, but we wore it proudly as a mark of devotion to the fields. At night, we were content to sit under the moon and soak up the warm ambiance from the porch lights.

Some nights, the sky would rain stars, and we’d sit and marvel at the celestial light show. The cricket songs lulled us into an easy rest until sunup when we’d do it all again.

One day, we noticed that the warm summer air had cooled, and turned the maple trees flanking the lane from green to shades of gold and red. In the orchard, the apples were ripe and round and shone like rubies. The animals feasted at their troughs, munching the dried corn. Abundance surrounded us, and we were thankful. All that remained was to relax and celebrate autumn and the coming winter, or so we thought. We had no way of knowing the horrors that lay ahead.

They came just before dark. One by one, with knives digging into our skin, they plucked us from our beds. Large, powerful hands crushed to our faces kept us silent. We squirmed and fought, hoping to get free of their vice-like arms.

Father, with his thick and burly body, wriggled loose. 

“Get ‘im, boys!” One man hollered. “Show that fool who’s boss.” 

In seconds, they had Father pinned to the driveway, the pea gravel crushed into his cheek. Jeering and laughing, the three men took turns at his belly and sides with their steel-toed boots, and when that weren’t enough to keep Father still, a crushing blow to the head stilled him forever. Pale, hard crumbs and guts oozed from the ruined flesh amid a rising fog of limestone dust. 

“Load ‘em up. Let’s get outta here,” one of them barked.

The thick burlap bags they shoved over us kept us paralyzed as they slung us into the back of the heavy-duty farm truck. They slammed the creaky gate shut and bolted it tight. Darkness smothered the truck bed, which smelled like rotten beets, manure, and cabbage. 

Mother lay slumped atop a thin bed of straw, her body shaking under the burlap. After gathering the small ones close, we huddled beside her, hoping that somehow, we’d be of comfort to each other.

My insides quaked. With Father murdered and left behind to rot in the sun, what would become of us? He deserved so much more than to be brutalized and left for dead. He would never know a proper burial, a return to the earth he so loved. Visions of crows picking at his corpse and tugging at his entrails haunted me in the darkness.

Read the full story

In the What If #4 Halloween Edition Anthology

https://books2read.com/u/mq5qNO