Böcker av Linda Mooney

Truman Miller hasn't been dealt the best hand in life. His mother is never around, and with her being an alcoholic, she drinks away what money she gets monthly from the government. That's forced him to work and pay the bills since he was sixteen. Evanna Stahl has been caring for her sick mom for years. She's never questioned why this was her life, but with graduation approaching and a boyfriend who isn't at all supportive, she's becoming overwhelmed by her future and prays for help. She knows God is always with her. Both Truman and Evanna have had to grow up long before they should have, but at least they've always had each other. They've always done what they could with what they had in order to make it work. The hits keep coming, but when one door closes, they're assured that God opens another. And they have faith that they can get through anything as long as they're together.

Stories included are: CHOCOLATES - The salesman was persuasive, the samples delicious, and the price was where Melvin couldn't turn down buying a box. BUBBLE BATH - Chet decided drawing her a hot bubble bath and ordering in some Chinese food would make for a perfect night. DICE - A little love play based on a set of "romance dice" sounded like just thing to spice up their marriage. ROMANTIC MOVIE - Word on the street was that it was the perfect movie for a date night. STRAWBERRIES AND CHAMPAGNE - It was something different, which was why Lewis chose to spring this gift on Stacia. MOTEL ROOM - It was their chance to get away for the night-no kids, no worries. ROSE - He was dead broke, but fortune helped him find a way to get her the rose she wanted. DINNER OUT - They were looking forward to celebrating the holiday at the exclusive restaurant. JEWELRY - The heart-shaped earrings had to be real diamonds. BREAKFAST IN BED - Callen's brother had a great idea, including what to fix. CARD - Travis couldn't find one that expressed how much he really loved her. NIGHTIE - It was sheer, sexy-looking, and they had her size. PET - Hale swore they'd never have one, no matter how much his wife wanted it. GIFT CARD - Kevin was stumped on what to get his wife, until he found the perfect solution.

G8 Children and the others are adjusting and learning to live freely outside of the underground bunker that they were once led to believe was normal life. They're trying to find jobs as they scrounge for food and clothing, although the town is nice enough to help them whenever possible. But they're determined to do it on their own, for the first time ever. When a fire at Docenti Labs sent everyone running, Ingrid Shyne was told to wipe the computers and get out, but she couldn't leave the babies behind. How could anyone? She escapes with them, hiding out at her parents' place, but she knows she can't keep the infants forever. They're Chimeras, created in a lab like the other "children" who escaped, and they need to be with those who understand them. When she reaches out, she's welcomed with open arms, especially by one in particular. Ingrid can't wait to share all the firsts with G8-first love, first changing of the seasons, first holiday season, first birthday celebration. It breaks her heart that he and his family have been deprived of the joys in life she'd always taken for granted. But all of this could be taken away before they ever get a chance to experience any of it. The sheriff soon calls G8 up to begin work in his new deputy position and aid them in investigating the abandoned labs, along with the help of Ingrid since she worked there. But they soon realize their lives are at risk. For good reason. They'll need everyone's special abilities, along with local law enforcement, to protect themselves as well as the second generation of Chimeras.

Includes: Capricorn - Phillip discovers his guide is more suited for the terrain than he knew.Aquarius - Meomi inherited her family farm, only to be hit with a major drought. Pisces - Elliot came to get his fortune read. Instead, Dorrie discovered hers.Aries - Thugs thought the old couple camping out would be easy prey.Taurus - Tark saves a young heifer sent to the slaughterhouse where he works.Gemini - Lucia thought she was the last person alive after an apocalyptic event.Cancer - Arlene offered him water on a scorching summer day, not realizing how he would react.Leo - Linsie discovers why one particularly reclusive movie star is considered to be "the least vain man in Hollywood". Virgo - Penni finds out that sometimes a minor traffic infraction can be a good thing.Libra - It has been years since Myles has met a woman so pure of heart.Scorpio - Aria's story about a missing child isn't what Hart expected to hear. Then again, she was nothing like he expected either.Sagittarius - It wasn't until an accident on a cold winter's night that Embeth finally got to meet her neighbor.

Stories include: 1st Day, The Tree - Anders swore he'd cut down his own tree this year, even if it killed him. 2nd Day, The Doves - Kelly's abusive husband couldn't tolerate the birds crapping on his car. 3rd Day, The Hens - Eris's mother-in-law offers to make her and Jessup a Christmas Eve meal to remember. 4th Day, The Birds - Mackie assures Gennie that the dead birds the cat was bringing her were meant to be a present. 5th Day, The Rings - Ricky tells his parents a bad Santa came to visit him and demanded the boy give him five gold rings. 6th Day, The Geese - They say geese can be mean-spirited. Daisy discovers why. 7th Day, The Swans - Alice found an old Victrola in her grandparents' attic. It was the music it played that horrified her. 8th Day, The Milk - Dara and her sister wonder why everything has the same expiration date. 9th Day, The Ladies - Careen couldn't figure out why her daughter no longer wanted the "nine dancing ladies" dolls for Christmas. 10th Day, The Leapers - Vina's daughter asks for more salt to finish the ten circles she's pouring in her bedroom. 11th Day, The Pipers - Macy noticed that one of the pipers on display is missing...but not for long. 12th Day, The Drums - Jayne gets to the point where she can no longer stand the relentless pounding in her skull.

Tired of sitting back while their borders are being attacked regardless of peace treaties signed, Amalt Paya decides to take it upon herself to investigate anyway, in spite of the punishment she knows she'll face for defying direct orders not to. Her people are dying. What she and her fellow Ree warriors soon discover is worse than she thought. Entire towns are being razed to the ground. But how? And by who? Their enemy is not who they once thought. Ivan Mandrake, a lieutenant colonel in the United Planetary Forces, is tracking a race called the Ya that is destroying planets. Following the Ya to a planet the UPF isn't allowed to touch, he and his group come across a legion of winged warrior females. Their orders are to not make contact with the indigenous species of the planet, but the Ya are attacking, which means he and his men don't have a choice. The Ree know nothing of the technology the Terrans have, but Paya trusts them to help. Unfortunately, the Ree leaders don't share that trust for the Terrans or Paya. She's labeled a traitor, stripped of her title, then sent the breeding stocks as punishment for the rest of her days. But she's not done fighting, they won't break her, and Ivan won't stop fighting for her. Regardless of the way her people have wronged her, Paya is still determined to save them from the Ya. With Ivan by her side, her feelings for him grow, and she knows Ivan cares for her, but she's unworthy now of his love. She's tainted after what her kind did to her. He'll have to work to convince her otherwise. In the meantime, their mission is to save her planet. Together.

Joey and Ethan have been best buds since elementary school, and they've shared just about everything. When a zombie outbreak shuts down the city every night for several months, they're faced with not being able to celebrate Halloween for the first time in history. However, Ethan gets the idea for the both of them to break curfew and check out the newest nightclub in town. With a little luck, they might be able to hook up with a couple of girls and really enjoy the evening. There they meet Roksana, who agrees to join them at their table, and the guys realize they've struck gold. After she drinks too much, they offer to escort her back to her nearby apartment complex to make sure she arrives safely and doesn't get attacked. Except they didn't realize the nightclub had been infiltrated. Or that Roksana had become infected. They expected a little threesome action, and action they got!

The Coltrosstians and the Beinights have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember, but now they have a common enemy aiming for them both-the Tra'Mell. When approached by the Coltrosstian Sarpi to join forces against this new foe, the Beinights aren't sure who to trust. They need the help, but at what cost? Furthermore, the Coltrosstians seem to have some secrets they're not willing to share. Lhora is part of the guard for Esstika Kai, leader of the Beinights, and she has her own secrets to hide, like her torgart powers she'd inherited from her father, and the fact she's due to take over as Esstika when her mother is no longer able. She never foresaw being captured and used as a bargaining chip, much less have an unexpected ally come to her rescue. Lhora soon learns that maybe the Coltrosstians have more in common with her kind than just being enemies, but can the rest of their people be convinced of that? One thing is certain-this new enemy must be stopped now. It's time for the Tra'Mell to face the music. And when joining forces, Lhora discovers that love can conquer all.

Shelby Fyre owns Fyreside Inn. It's a respectable bed and breakfast, except for one thing. There's a strange man appearing in her shower, in her kitchen, and in her bedroom. The only problem is... Shelby lives alone.

Tate Truer's television reality series as a survivalist in wild and uninhabited locales is about to have its plug pulled unless Tate can find a way to re-energize it. He gets his wish in more ways than he imagines when he manages to dredge up an ornate bottle from the ocean floor. A bottle that contains a tiny woman, a genie, who is eager to grant his every desire ... as long as he grants hers first.

The last time Yulen spoke to her, Atty was heading east, along with Fortune Kalich and several other hunters. With the latest onslaught of Bloods gone, so was the game, until there was little left to hunt to feed the growing population of Alta Novis. Since very few hunters went east, they figured it might yield good results. She planned to be gone four or five days at the most, a week tops, and promised to return with good news.That was, until Fortune returned without Atty. Worried and frightened, the Battle Lord, along with a handful of volunteers, go in search of the Battle Lady. They pray they'll find her alive. Either way, they are determined not to return to the compound without knowing the truth.What they discover will change their world forever.

Sydney Shookerman, aka "Sinsuelle", is an exotic dancer. At least, she tries to be. Unfortunately, Sydney sucks at the job. She has a body to die for, and the face of an angel, but she lacks the timing and moves which would put her in the pro league.Fortunately, she manages to keep her job at Napoleon's nightclub. And despite the rumors that Napoleon's used to be a speakeasy back in the 1920s, and is reputed to be haunted, she never knew how haunted it was until she accidentally awakes the spirit of one poor victim from that era. The first thing Frankie Nuwurth wants to do is get even with the wise guys who put him away. Although he has no idea how he was resurrected, the cute half-naked dame working in the joint is an awful temptation. And one thing is certain-he hasn't been laid in almost a hundred years, which means he has a lot of catching up to do!

She found the ultimate love of her life in another time...and as a man.Jessie Wharton is a teacher in the twenty-first century. Or at least she was.Taking her history class to visit the ruins of a historic fort in west Texas, the scorching heat turned her world upside down.Suddenly, nothing was the way it was supposed to be. She was no longer Jessie Wharton. She was Jesse Webster. She wasn't a teacher. She was a private in the US Army stationed at Fort Callaghan, a completely functional outpost. And it was 1867.Worse, she wasn't a she any longer. She was a man. A man who was finding himself falling in love with a fellow soldier named Martin Parrish.Together, they discover love in the scorching Texas heat, in a time when the merest breath of homosexuality was enough to have the accused whipped to death...if the native Indians didn't scalp them first.

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but Leyland Scott is down in the dumps. It's his first Christmas since losing his mom, it's possible his job of over twenty years is about to be axed, and he just can't find it in himself to care about anything really. Except for one thing-Lynette who works at the coffee shop. She's the only bright spot in his day. Lynette is fairly new in town, having made the move to the big city a few months ago to find herself. She's struggling to make ends meet but she's determined to prove she can make it. During that short time, she's become interested in Leyland, who frequents the coffee shop. And when he finally asks her out, she's skeptical at first but agrees, only to discover she's happy she did. The two have a common concern when they hear the wildly enthusiastic, if a bit (all right, a lot) out of tune Christmas carols being belted out by an underdressed kid wearing angel wings and no shoes. It's freezing outside, with snow covering the ground, but the boy appears unfazed and continues merrily singing his heart out in front of passersby. No one knows who the kid is, but Harold, as they end up naming him, seems to know them all. Normally not a religious man, Leyland has a change in spirit. The angel boy seems to deliver a message, letting him know this is his opportunity for a fresh start. He's told when one door closes, another door opens. Perhaps God, with the help of Harold, has opened that door. If that's true, Leyland is ready to go through it with Lynette. It's the most wonderful time of the year. Maybe it's also time for a new beginning for them both.

Includes: CHOCOLATE SYRUP - Karlene's original intent was to introduce Joab to his first ever banana split, but things didn't go exactly as planned. In fact, they got better. DATE NIGHT - Zak takes his alien mate, Silla, to the remains of a bowling alley for an impromptu date night. And when the scores remain close, he makes a bet with her as to the outcome. THE HEARTBEAT - Their relationship was simple, yet complicated. Now Jonah just made it more complicated when the Immortal gifted Clea with a special symbol.

Astronaut Aldyn Mackie is on his return trip home after serving his stint on a small space station. During that time he and NASA have been following a nebula through space that's on track to bypass Earth...or it was. Now it's heading straight for the planet. Set to re-enter the atmosphere in the next hour, NASA gives Aldyn the go ahead, informing him that he should be safe as the nebula will be gone by the time he lands. After all, it's just a cloud of ions, gases, and dust, right? What could go wrong? When Aldyn lands it doesn't take long to realize that something DID happen when the cloud enveloped the Earth. Something bad. The world has been wiped clean of every living thing. Gone, as if they'd just disappeared. And he soon discovers it's terrifying being the last man alive. Trying to plan for a future is nearly impossible with no other humans, no animals for food or companionship, no birds or plants, or even insects. Aldyn knows he will die eventually, if he doesn't go mad first. But when he catches a few glimpses of a woman in reflections, he begins to question his sanity. Is she real? If she is, who is she, and what is she doing here? He is desperate for human interaction, but if she doesn't actually exist, his reality, and what's left of his life, will be miserable at best.

Every five years, Yulen D'Jacques, Battle Lord of Alta Novis, holds a conference to continue strengthening relations between the Normals and Mutah. Both battle lords and Mutah councilmembers from far and wide are invited in an effort to prove how important they could be to each other, and to dismiss any misconceptions Normals may still have toward the people they once considered their inferior enemies. This time, it's determined Mattox D'Jacques, Battle Prince of Alta Novis, should take on some of the responsibilities of running the conference. After all, he eventually will be the one to take the reins from his parents, but his Mutah "tell" usually scares people off rather than gains him respect. Caralas Edge is the battle princess of Vega City, the biggest compound in the west. But she doesn't want to just be a princess, and have someone coddling her because of her title. She can hold her own. It's moot anyway. She knows she'll never take over Vega City, fearing someone wants to get her father out of the way so they can claim it for themselves. She's long had her suspicions, but her father will hear none of it. She and Mattox clash like two swords when they first meet. They're too much alike in temperament. But when the red-eyed battle prince saves Caralas' life, they discover the danger is not over. It seems someone is interested in the inner workings of the compound, and it's more than a little suspicious. But who? With this many battle lords in attendance, trouble is sure to be found. A possible takeover is brewing, but everyone is completely taken off guard when faced with an enemy no one can fight off. And when it becomes a battle to the death, Mattox and Caralas discover a deeper connection between them than they ever thought possible.

A family on the run, searching for food, shelter, and others not infected. A plague is wiping out the population, stealing the humanity from people and turning them into monsters. Kem and Armand are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their daughter and survive. Nothing is promised-not life, not their next meal, not even a decent night's rest. The quality of life is quickly diminishing. How much is too much? How long until the fight for survival is no longer worth it, and it's time for a dignified end rather than a slow, painful death?

Randy Greebley is your typical teenage boy, with the typical teenage boy issues, except for one big difference - when he gets horny, he tends to get "horny." Literally. His feelings for his best friend Cricket have grown recently, and it's becoming more than obvious, making it harder for him to hide his other side whenever he sees her. A nerdy, middle-class farm boy, Randy doesn't really have a lot to offer Cricket, but he can't let graduation pass without letting her know his true feelings. Can Randy get up the courage to reveal his secret and tell her how he truly feels? Does she feel the same, or will he always be stuck in the friendzone? A senior class trip to the water park could be the hardest test of all for them both.

Stories included are: January, the Wolf Moon - A couple searches for food to help them survive the cold.February, the Snow Moon - A woman encounters a man she's only seen active at night.March, the Worm Moon - In a post-apocalyptic world, what's left of mankind has to scrounge for every bite in order to survive.April, the Pink Moon - After the end of the world, a couple brave one last trip above ground before their deaths.May, the Flower Moon - Two space travelers return to Old Earth, their ancestral planet.June, the Strawberry Moon - A former military man suffering PTSD finds a way to let his wife know how much he loves her.July, the Thunder Moon - A carousel invites her to a midnight ride, just as she invites her vampiric lover to join her.August, the Sturgeon Moon - The captain of a celestial ship and a crewmember ponder the idea of visiting Old Earth.September, the Harvest Moon - A sorcerer and sorceress brave the mosquitoes as they try to enjoy the night while sitting out in their back yard. October, the Hunter's Moon - Two deer shifters try to avoid the hunters who've arrived at their cabin.November, the Beaver Moon - A couple risk entering a forbidden part of the devastated city to search for banned contraband.December, the Long Night's Moon - A weary couple near the end of their journey.

It's another night on the job for Deputy Sheriff Barbara Mero, giving chase to a suspect in a stolen vehicle. But when someone beats her to the perp, she's not sure whether to step in or not. Before she can stop him, a sledgehammer-wielding bearded biker on a red Harley delivers his own punishment, but with his parting words, Babs isn't so sure he's another bad guy.After further investigation, Babs knows this vigilante "Santa" meant well, but there's no proof he was even there. And after a few more run-ins with the red-cloaked badass, she's torn between duty and justice, but in her heart she knows he's the real deal.You see, there's a side of the story of Santa that doesn't get told, and that's where Dominik comes in. Being the twin to Kris, Dom's job isn't near as merry, though still necessary, answering the letters from the kids who want more than just toys. Those who want a better, safer life, food, and shelter. Basic needs a kid shouldn't have to wish for on Christmas. Alhough he's accepted his own lot in life, Dominik still has one regret. It's a lonely life. There's another side to jolly old Saint Nick, and he ain't a saint.

Megan Kolt has been trapped, a prisoner in her own body, for the past six years. Her husband, Turner Kolt, has watched her slowly waste away in a coma, but he's been assured her brain is functioning and she still has her senses. When offered a chance for his wife to live vicariously through someone else through a fairly new service from Rall Rentals, he wants to let his wife experience...something. Anything. Wanting to use her own life to help others, Jory Wittenhouse applies for the Rall Rentals program to allow others who are less fortunate to live through her. After vigorous testing, she's approved and given a special case, not the usual disabled or handicapped client. The renter is completely comatose and paralyzed, but still reacts to stimuli. She's told the woman's family wants her to spend whatever time she has left being happy, and Jory wants to give her that. Turner has his reservations, and questions are raised. He proposes the opportunity to meet the rental, if she's willing, to put his own mind at ease, under the guise of letting Megan see his face one last time. He wasn't expecting her to be perfect. For Megan, that is. He wants Megan to experience what it's like to be alive again, to be loved, and that's why he's attracted to Jory. Because Megan is in there somewhere, or so he's trying to convince himself to ease the guilt. But as much as he wants Megan to live again, Turner isn't living himself. Time and love will make that decision for him.

Once upon a time, there lived a man with five rambunctious daughters. They were an average American farming family except for one minor detail. The man was a warlock, and all of his daughters were witchlets-half witch and half human.It was the Fourth of July, and Amberly Blakeney knew her time had come to find her heart's call. The last thing she expected was to discover that her new love harbored a secret that could jeopardize their future happiness. To make matters worse, when her father learns Matt's secret, he refuses to let Matt and Amberly have their Happily Ever After. And he will do whatever it takes, humanly or magically, to keep the young couple apart.

Once upon a time, there lived a man with five rambunctious daughters. They were an average American farming family except for one minor detail. The man was a warlock, and all of his daughters were witchlets-half witch and half human.Rast Clemmons is the most arrogant, opinionated, and snobbish son of a bitch Penderly Blakeney has ever met. The fact that he is also her new boss only makes matters worse. With Easter and her birthday just around the corner, Penderly knows beyond a doubt that her heart's call works at the seafood plant. It's only a matter of time before she discovers who he is, and they seal their future together with the sex hex test. But first she has to get rid of Rast Clemmons, who is quickly becoming a major pain in the ass. Regardless of the outcome, that man has screwed up her life for the last time, and now she's ready to call for magical reinforcements.

Once upon a time, there lived a man with five rambunctious daughters. They were an average American farming family except for one minor detail. The man was a warlock, and all of his daughters were witchlets-half witch and half human.Grant Morgan hasn't been to Toppers Cove since he graduated from high school there. But when he receives the invitation to the Hearts on Fire Valentine's Day Dance, and sees Sanderly Blakeney's name listed on the committee, something inside him tells him to go back to his home town. If nothing more than to see her again, and to see if the flame he carried for her all through their school years still burns.Only one thing could possibly stand in his way. His parents are still prominent people in town, which means they know all about the Blakeneys. And they have made it very clear to their only child that he is not to have anything to do with any of "those heathen girls", especially Sandy.

Once upon a time, there lived a man with five rambunctious daughters. They were an average American farming family except for one minor detail. The man was a warlock, and all of his daughters were witchlets-half witch and half human.With Christmas only two days away, Tamberly Blakeney has given up hope of finding her heart's call this year. That is, until Jonathan Mauk walks into the market and into her life. With the magical swirl of a candy cane's stripes, she knows he is the man meant to be her lifelong love. But first he has to pass the sex hex test, which she is sure won't be a problem.What she doesn't realize is that there is something in Jonathan's past that deeply disturbs her father. And until Daddy gets all the answers, there could be hell to pay.

Once upon a time, there lived a man with five rambunctious daughters. They were an average American farming family except for one minor detail. The man was a warlock, and all of his daughters were witchlets-half witch and half human.Rick Carr and his friend Booey come to Toppers Cove seeking employment at the seafood plant. For Rick, it is a chance to try and re-establish roots on the eastern coast, plus he hopes he can make a life out here.He never expects to meet someone like Kimberly Blakeney. One glance, and he knows he's fallen in love, until he discovers she's a witch. A real witch. But despite that revelation, his feelings don't change.The only problem is, before he can sweep her off her feet, he first has to pass what she calls a "sex hex test" to prove they are meant to be together. Rick doesn't mind, but what he doesn't realize is that his best friend isn't about let him fall under her spell...even if it means taking drastic measures.

Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I OAnd on this farm he had some pigs, E I E I OWith a hack hack here, and a chop chop there, Here a shriek, there a screamEverywhere the blood streams... Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I OIn rural Georgia in 1948, a man was lucky to get any kind of work. Which was why Cletus Pink felt he'd been blessed when an old farmer named MacDonald offered him a job. But what was making the horrific sounds coming from the main house? Worse, why was there always fresh blood oozing out from underneath the kitchen's back door?

Four years ago Byron Shales was a manager for a department store. Now he hunts down and captures the newly zombie-fied dead, and resells them at auction to the highest bidder. What his buyers do with them after the sale is finalized is none of his business, and frankly he couldn't care less.His beliefs and apathy come to a sickening halt when he elects to keep one young woman for himself, and discovers that all his pre-conceived notions about these non-living creatures have been a lie. In fact, the truth about Rothsburg's Disease may be more horrifying than the flesh-eating creatures it infects.

In a post-apocalyptic world, Tiva is running for her life when she stumbles across three survivors who save her from a horde of those things, whatever they are now. The creatures aren't people anymore. They're...infected. Struggling to find food, she soon realizes luck was on her side when Russ and his crew welcome her into the safety of their warehouse. It seems not many survivors remain in what's left of the world, so they figure they'd do better to stick together. Besides, Russ hasn't known the love of a woman in a long time, and he and Tiva immediately feel the connection. As the days pass, the crew takes turns keeping watch for the undead. Russ and Tiva vow to be there for each other should they get bitten. If the inevitable should happen, it wouldn't be much of an afterlife, wandering aimlessly and killing innocent people. Will Russ and Tiva get their happily ever after? Or are they destined to be undead like the rest of the world?