{"title":"J. R. Kruze","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"ghost-hunters-anthology-04-paperback","title":"Ghost Hunters Anthology 04 - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe adventures of the Ghost Hunters continue\u003c\/strong\u003e - with more exotic locations and hair-raising paranormal adventures than ever before: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- A three-part serial which starts by attempting to solve the mystery of a ghost who has been haunting several hundred feet underwater, for 12,000 years or so. And then involves an immortal being who was turned half-human and beaten nearly unconscious. Only to reveal she has a twin sister who she has fought with constantly over the ages - but now has to work with her to regain her own powers and defeat an immortal enemy who has worked out how to exploit the Internet and social media to enslave all of humankind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Plus, two additional mysteries involving an angel and an immortal goddess who need the human mystery writer John Earl Stark to solve their unsolvable problems...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll in short reads that fit into the time you have to read. Delicious mental snacks that will leave you with new ideas to consider long after the entertainment is over.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis anthology contains: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Harpy Saga: Sister Mine by S. H. Marpel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarpy Redux by S. H. Marpel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Case of the Sunken Spirit by S. H. Marpel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Case of Missing Wings by S. H. Marpel \u0026amp; J. R. Kruse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGaia by S. H. Marpel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcerpt: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT was too good to last.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it weren't insulting to the canine species, I'd call that priestess a bitch out loud. Frequently. And I still may.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy recent work was to start un-doing many of the various organizations I'd been part of that had been making the governments on this planet unstable. Organized crime and terrorism were umbrella terms that covered most of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI had no problem being on both sides of that coin when it suited me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeople would approach me, wanting something. Bad or good, it was something they needed - for whatever purpose. If I could help them, especially if they were honestly wanting to help others, I'd do it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis chick, though, she was something else. She played the hurt, helpless chick just too well. Wanted to get her powers back that she \"lost\" while trapped by an evil goddess. Took her forever to undo the spell and now she just wanted to go back to helping people organize their lives better, make more money, get as famous as they wanted, blah, blah, blah.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI went along with it, to begin with. Not without my doubts. But she gained my trust after awhile. Helped my straighten out some of my messes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt didn't take long for her to catch me unaware and put a crippling spell on me. One that took away half my powers. Well, on one side of me. Couldn't use that wing. Couldn't walk. Not human, not goddess. Trapped in the world in between, unable to function in either world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTrying to fight her physically just got me bruised and scratched and cut on that side. Because that side was now very human, unclothed, and vulnerable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fight was fast, brutal, and I was half-unconscious before I knew it. The other half of me was in a red haze. Where this witch had come from, I didn't know. Her language was old, real old. And her powers were based on gods older than my parents, or at least as old.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn finally found me. I don't know how. All I knew was hearing his voice as I went in and out of a dark blackness...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGet Your Copy Now.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67870548787423,"sku":"9781393649106","price":22.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/Z9dpW6c-bb9781393649106.webp?v=1790887869"},{"product_id":"an-sf-fantasy-reader-short-stories-from-new-voices-paperback","title":"An SF\/Fantasy Reader: Short Stories From New Voices - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew voices bring new ideas and new worlds to you in Science Fiction\/Fantasy.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat's what they are good at. Figuring out things that are completely different from the same old repeating plots and characters. Finding new \"what if's\" that have never been asked before. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you like dystopian stories of what happens after the world ends, or the sudden appearance of fairy tale creatures in our current worlds, you'll find a lot to keep you fascinated by these new authors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs well, you may find a bit of fine satire and hidden social commentary, something both genres have always been good at.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRegardless, these short reads will fit into your busy schedule - about a week of good entertainment for the odd hours and minutes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Short Story Anthology Containing: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The Training: Beth by S. H. Marpel\u003cbr\u003e- The Lori Saga: Escape by J. R. Kruze \u0026amp; S. H. Marpel\u003cbr\u003e- The Tunnel People by R. L. Saunders\u003cbr\u003e- Becoming Michelle by R. L. Saunders \u0026amp; C. C. Brower\u003cbr\u003e- A Sweet Fortune by R. L. Saunders\u003cbr\u003e- The Lazurai by J. R. Kruze\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcerpt: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSHE WAS RUNNING TOWARD me, just as I hoped for. Of course, I couldn't move to get out of her way, not with that busted leg the troll had just given me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd I don't know if she could see him like I could, but that troll was right behind her - and gaining.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo I did the only thing I could - I made her trip. And she landed right next to me, in the soft ferns and leaves. Not that it helped her landing too much.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe groaned at her landing, then rolled over to get back to her feet. That's when she saw me. Laying there. Eye to eye with her. Of course I was only three feet tall and had pointed ears, so it was a bit of a shock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI put my finger on her lips and pointed over her shoulder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere was the troll. All nine ugly feet of him, carrying a huge stick made out of a tree stump root ball. He'd beaten most of the dirt out of it, as well as most of the roots that stuck out. But it was scary nonetheless.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe seemed to have lost where she went. But right as I thought that, he sniffed the air and turned in our direction. And saw us both. Then Mr. Troll started stalking toward us, an evil grin on his face.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy only move was a desperate one. I grabbed her hand and pointed it to the troll. Nothing happened at first, but then the troll appeared to slow down, and just as slowly, he got perplexed about why he couldn't move at his normal speed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Thought so.\" I said to this human. \"You've got talents you didn't even suspect. Here - this might seem strange to you, but imagine that troll as a cloud of smoke.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut nothing happened. He was still moving toward us like a glacier, but still would be here sooner than we could get out of his way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"OK, try not to think of a pink elephant.\" And poof, the troll now had big pink floppy ears and a long pink nose. But he still held that huge stick in his hand, still moving slowly toward us.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Now - think of him as a cloud of smoke.\" And the troll was just a cloud. The stick also disappeared. \"Next, make the wind disperse him into the clouds.\" And a gust of wind dissipated that cloud into nothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt that, she looked back at me - and fainted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut I looked her over and saw she looked just fine. A very cute fine...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScroll Up and Get Your Copy Now.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68160909148383,"sku":"9781393193654","price":17.62,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/he9_qPz2Nk9781393193654.webp?v=1792486295"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/j-r-kruze.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}