Book Description

In these pages, Robert T. Jeschonek will take you on a tour of the wildest places and people you've never imagined. You've never met anyone quite like Tizona, the talking sword of the Spanish warrior El Cid...Omar Wild, the dying jazzman whose tunes foretell the future...Terpsichore the muse, who creates a monster when she makes a certain piper a medieval idol...Virgil the mind reader, who sees terrifying visions through the eyes of his true love...Alice, who finds that Wonderland can be a nightmare for grown-ups...and Vincent, an artist haunted by creatures with top hats for heads. Don't miss these edgy, exciting, and surprising fantasy tales by a Doctor Who author who was nominated for the British Fantasy Award. It’s the latest collection from award-winning storyteller Robert T. Jeschonek, a master of unique and unexpected fantasy that really packs a punch. His stories have appeared in books, magazines, websites, and podcasts around the world. He was nominated for the British Fantasy Award and won the national grand prize in the Strange New Worlds writing contest from Pocket Books. DC Comics, Simon & Schuster, and DAW Books have published his work. His young adult fantasy novel, My Favorite Band Does Not Exist, was named a Top Ten First Novel for Youth by Booklist. This volume includes six fantasy e-book stories and novelettes for one low price: "The Sword That Spoke": Once upon a time, the sword Tizona helps the warrior knight El Cid cut a swath through the Moors invading Spain. But El Cid doesn't know the great sword's secret: that it has a mind of its own and talks only to his beautiful wife, Jimena. When woman and blade unite, can they free the legendary hero from a demon's wicked clutches? "Dionysus Dying": Jazz star Bobby Ball sees the future when he plays his sax. The music of his dying idol, Omar Wild, throws open the door to tomorrow, but Bobby doesn't like what he sees. A faded torch singer will die unless Bobby plays an impossible song, one that will force him to go solo in a race against time and the fight of his life. "Groupie Everlasting": Terpsichore the muse has a thing for musicians. Her passion breathes life into the careers of stars from the Pied Piper of Hamelin to a modern-day guitar hero. But when the latest in her long line of superstar finds flames out, Terpsichore must tap her own inner wild child for inspiration. "Girl Meets Mind Reader": When Virgil the mind reader falls in love with Bridget, he discovers he can see the world through her eyes. But the world she shows him is full of things that shouldn't be there. "The Return of Alice": Alice has had a lousy life since she left Wonderland. All grown up and trapped in an unhappy marriage, she longs to escape. But when she finally manages to leap through the mirror, she finds that the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Tweedledum and Tweedledee are out for blood. "Vincent's Secret Students": Beings from beyond time and space torment an artist on the brink of madness as part of an incredible quest. Will their bizarre visions drive Vincent completely over the edge, leaving him lost forever, even as they inspire the most amazing work of his life? Only the Notfolk know.