Dawn Taylor

Newlyweds Tony and Vicki Martin share a hobby--scavenging vintage treasures from abandoned country houses. Disregarding his wife's fear of the paranormal, Tony coaxes Vicki to explore a decrepit church bordering a neglected graveyard. When Tony finds a unique jar inside the parsonage, Vicki is excited to add the beauty to her collection until she discovers it contains a curse. Frightened that the ominous message threatens their unborn baby, Vicki insists Tony replace their pilfered caches to nullify the malicious omen they have unleashed. Unknown to Vicki, her husband concealed his selfish motive for orchestrating the mysterious trip. Refusing to restore his valuable finds, Tony assures Vicki he will protect their family. Confident his scheme is successful, Tony scoffs at this wife's anxiety and the ridiculous notion he has enticed evil into their lives. Tony is not only shrewd, he is mistaken.

From Scout Media comes A Bond of Words--the sixth volume in an ongoing short story anthology series featuring authors from all over the world. In this installment, the authors delved into multi-genre tales about the importance of, and sometimes the danger of creating bonds with one another. From comedy, to drama, fantasy, romance, and sci-fi, these stories explore the strength or frailty of the bonds we find may define who we are. Tackling racism, death row, a first kiss, marriages, and our unavoidable bond with technology in everyday life, plus a multitude of other topics and unique spins, these stories will warm your heart, send shivers down your spine, and tickle your funny bone. Whether to be enlightened, entertained, or momentarily immersed in another world, these selections convey the true spirit of the short story and the complexity of the bonds we make with the people and places of the world around us.

Miranda Melton kissed her three-year-old daughter, Laura, at bedtime and never saw her again. Accusing her husband of hiding their daughter, Miranda is stunned when Robert discloses Laura is not missing. He reveals she died a year ago, and the devasting trauma has caused Miranda to suppress the poignant memory. Suspicious of her husband, Miranda confronts her psychiatrist with Robert's accusation. Dr. Ames confirms Laura's death while divulging shattering details Miranda refuses to believe. Desperate to find her daughter, Miranda realizes she must recall the last moments she had spent with Laura. When fragmented memories unveil disturbing events from her past, Miranda questions her maternal instincts. Will she abandon her search or discover the only deception surrounding Laura's disappearance is the lie she is concealing from herself?

Twenty years ago, an unspeakable crime shocked the residents in the small farming community of Endover. Daisy Campbell was a five-year-old when her family shielded her from the horrific event that tarnished their lives. Now, as an adult, she longs to know the facts. Her father is confident he knows what is best for his daughter and refuses to discuss the poignant incident. Daisy desires a productive life but struggles to maintain friendships and employment. She believes the key to her future is understanding the past and begins searching for the truth. A chance encounter with an enemy--one that Daisy believed had vanished from her life--brings a new urgency to her quest. She must decide if healing her damaged childhood is worth the risk of having her nemesis reveal Daisy's own explosive secret. Can Daisy strengthen her family's bond or will their legacy remain tattered in unraveled ties?

Seven-year-old Lucy Campbell is keeping a secret and suffering the consequences. Her father dismisses her recurring nightmares, believing they are just a childhood phase. Lucy's troubles spill into the daytime when she interacts with decedent images she calls Wonders. Her frustrated mother punishes her for lying, but Lucy knows the entities she sees are real. Only one person knows the trauma the child has endured ... and he isn't talking. Lucy's turmoil extends into the classroom when the school bully's taunts exacerbates her bizarre behavior. Miss Harding is alarmed at her formerly timid student's unpredictable outbursts. The teacher's efforts to seek help for the little girl are hindered when Lucy commits a horrific offense. Will Lucy receive the treatment she so desperately needs? Or is it already too late?