It’s First Friday, when three authors post their 150-word stories based on a single picture. Read them! You may find a new author to follow. Here’s the inspiration.
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| Nick Fewing, Unsplash |
Dougherty
It Ain't
So Bad, Really
Me and the dogs, we
seen better days. Worse days, too, though. Just now, it ain't so bad. We got
one another for company, and to keep warm. Out here's a pretty good place to
be; it beats them shelters all to hell. That's for sure. Shut up in there with
all them bums, that ain't so good. Ain't so healthy, either. Not with the virus
goin' round. Better out here, where the air's fresh and clean.
Yep, I been in
worse places. The dogs, too. People think it's dangerous out here, but they got
no clue. It's like a damn park compared to some of the places I been.
The only problem
now is the restaurants bein' closed. Dinin' from their dumpsters ain't what it
once was, what with all that carry-out business. But don't worry about us.
We're gettin' by, and Christmas is comin' soon.
Iyer
As I approached the man and his dog, I looked straight ahead. If I
didn’t see the homeless I could convince myself they didn’t exist. That wasn’t
true, of course, and I was ashamed for thinking it. As I passed, the old dog
left his master’s lap and inched toward me. He seemed to know me. I stooped to
scratch his neck when I noticed the white spots on his ears. I knew that dog. I
gave the lab to someone many years ago. I studied the man. He raised his gaze,
and our eyes met.
“Richie?” I said.
The man lowered his head and covered his face with his arm. My
heart sank and soared simultaneously. “Richie,” I repeated. “I’ve searched
everywhere for you.”
“I couldn’t let you see me this way,” he said.
“Now that I’ve found you, little brother, I’ll never let you go
again. Come home.”
Vidler
The dog did it. No one noticed Wilder. People focused on
Harpo, and Wilder kept his head down. Folks were generous at Christmas,
especially with the dog on his lap. A little boy offered Harpo his hamburger. Iffy
situation, that one—the dogs were trained to never accept food from strangers.
Wilder whispered firmly and Harpo scarfed it down. The kid beamed.
They’d collected quite a bit in the cup. But it was cold,
the concrete was hard, and they’d been here for three days. Was it worth it?
Street gossip said Bully Bill met with his dealer here, and Wilder and Harpo were
ready.
And there he was, the fat man with bulging pockets. Harpo’s
hair rose, and Wilder felt the silent rumble in the dog’s chest. Harpo’s
muscles bunched. Wilder lifted the Glock from under the blanket. “GO!”
Harpo sprang.
Surveillance was a bitch, but it paid off.
About the Authors
CLR Dougherty
Charles Dougherty has written over 35 mystery/thrillers in
three series set in Caribbean sailing world.
Dougherty is a lifelong sailor; he's lived what he writes.
For 15 years, he and his wife lived aboard their boat full-time, cruising the
East Coast and the Caribbean islands. They spent most of that time exploring
the Eastern Caribbean. Dougherty is well acquainted with the islands and their
people. The characters and locations in his novels reflect his experience.
A storyteller before all else, Dougherty lets his characters
speak for themselves. Pick up one of his sailing thrillers and listen to the
sound of adventure as you smell the salt air. Enjoy the views of distant
horizons and meet some people you won't forget.
Find out more about Charles Dougherty and his books at http://www.clrdougherty.com/p/home.html
Sharks and Prey
Kidnapping, Sex-Trafficking and Betrayal in
the Islands
Sharks and Prey is the eighth
book in the J.R. Finn sailing mystery series.
Finn’s daughter,
Abby, disappears in Antigua while on a semester break. Finn has never met Abby;
her mother divorced him while he was on a clandestine mission over 20 years
earlier. He hasn’t spoken with his ex-wife since he left on that mission, but
he’s followed his daughter’s life from afar.
Finn and his friend Mary visit Antigua aboard
their boat, Island Girl,
for a short holiday. They discover Abby’s missing when they see a poster in the
Customs and Immigration office.
Distressed, Finn calls
his ex-wife and offers his help.
Join Finn and Mary in Antigua as they wreak havoc while
looking for Abby.
Sharks and Prey
is perfect for fans of mystery / thrillers set in the Caribbean.
Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PDJ5LQJ.
Polly Iyer
Polly Iyer is the Amazon bestselling author of ten books of
suspense. They include Hooked, InSight, Murder Déjà Vu, Threads, we are but
WARRIORS, Kindle Scout winner Indiscretion, and four books in the
Diana Racine Psychic Suspense series: Mind Games, Goddess of the Moon,
Backlash, and The Scent of Murder. You can find her on Facebook,
Twitter, and monthly on the Blood Red Pencil Blog. Website
we are but WARRIORS
Amazon
Her latest book, we are but WARRIORS, is about an Israeli publisher whose Middle East peace plan divides his country into supporters and enemies. Some even want him dead before he speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It’s up to General Benjamin Lowe’s Security Agency and his twin sons, one a disabled Afghanistan vet, the other a covert military operator, to thwart a wily assassin and the sinister cabal behind an operation that could change the face of the Middle East, with a shrinking timeframe to prevent it.
Ellis Vidler
Ellis is filling in for someone who couldn’t make it this
month. She’s the author of five suspense novels (one with Jim Christopher) and
two short story collections.
Cold Comfort
 |
| Amazon |
Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out and haunted
by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when
a thug tries to kill Claire, Riley's plans go all to hell. Knowing she’s in
danger, he can’t walk away.
While dodging speeding cars, ducking bullets, and escaping
through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle
against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire.
________________________
6 comments:
Love all three of the stories! The approaches are so different, yet they all work.
Thanks, Karen. I always enjoy them, and they're fun to write too. Ellis
Thanks for having me, Ellis. I loved all the other stories.
I liked yours and Bud's too. It's fun to see how differently everyone sees the same thing.
Another three winners! Great job, everyone. I enjoyed all of them.
Good 👍
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