William Jensen

Prepare to experience fear at its coldest. In a world where the temperature plummets, so too do the depths of terror. Absolute Zero is an anthology that delves into the chilling extremes of human experience, exploring the frigid landscapes-- both literal and metaphorical-- that push our minds and bodies to the brink. Inside these pages, the frost is not just a physical presence but an emotional one, as each story examines the icy grip of isolation, despair, and the unknown. Whether it's the suffocating stillness of a frozen landscape, the cold indifference of a malevolent force, or the harrowing consequences of a frozen mind, Absolute Zero takes readers to the very edge of what can be endured. Here, in these frozen worlds, the monsters are not always what you expect-- and sometimes, they are the ones we carry inside.

A little boy and girl disappear at Bible camp in the Big Thicket. An amateur sleuth discovers the true meaning of the phrase "dead end" in his pursuit of a Lovecraftian imp. A kitchen appliance becomes a portal to another dimension. A Nacogdoches jogger tries a hellish cure for his nicotine addiction. And, an aging, iconic monster confronts an existential quandary in West Texas... These horrors - and more - await you in this, the fifth volume of Road Kill: Texas Horror by Texas Writers

In 1987, twelve-year-old Cooper Balsam's mother, Arden, disappears without a trace. Cooper's father, Percy, a Vietnam veteran struggling with PTSD, doesn't seem too concerned. "This isn't the first time. She's done it before." As days pass, Cooper begins to act out and withdraw from the world, and his growing animosity toward his father's ambivalence begins to escalate even as Percy and Cooper begin to actively search for the woman in their lives. From the hills of Southern California, to the deserts of Arizona, and down to the beaches of Mexico, the father and son will look for someone who may not want to be found for reasons they don't yet understand.

In 1987, twelve-year-old Cooper Balsam's mother, Arden, disappears without a trace. Cooper's father, Percy, a Vietnam veteran struggling with PTSD, doesn't seem too concerned. "This isn't the first time. She's done it before." As days pass, Cooper begins to act out and withdraw from the world, and his growing animosity toward his father's ambivalence begins to escalate even as Percy and Cooper begin to actively search for the woman in their lives. From the hills of Southern California, to the deserts of Arizona, and down to the beaches of Mexico, the father and son will look for someone who may not want to be found for reasons they don't yet understand.

Drawing from a study of over 2,500 people in 460 companies, Simplicity has been hailed as " a breakthrough in the design of understanding," a book that "outlines the future of leadership." It's a powerful guide to working smarter, not harder, and, in the process, creating more flexible and productive organizations, more compelling experiences for customers, and more fulfilling work for everyone.