Nett’s Shorts

Land of Eden Life dwells within a system of balances, constantly adjusting to the ceaseless shifting of opposites.   Dr. Davina Howard’s groundbreaking discovery will put a thumb on the scale, upsetting the delicate parity between good and evil.   What could possibly go wrong? Excerpt:       The serum not only abolished the need for prisons, but eventually eliminated the necessity for a criminal judicial system altogether.  People in power, however, still had the need to judge.  They insisted on a perfect society, a modern-day land of Eden.      Public displays of temper became subject to scrutiny, until even unpleasant expressions were frowned upon.  In time, those unable to control their negative behavior were taken to one of the growing number of ‘Institutes for Reconditioning’, later to emerge with more affable personalities.  To the concern of many, their personalities were also fundamentally changed - and no one knew ...

  A Grave Solution Shelly has always looked after her little sister, despite her husband’s misgivings.  How far is she willing to go to keep her out of trouble - and at what cost? Excerpt:      My release from the hospital was anticlimactic.  Having the comforts of home was a definite improvement, but I was still stuck in a state of stasis with nothing but a few lame physical therapy exercises to distract my worried thoughts.  Lame, pfft.  In reality they were embarrassingly difficult and often left me drenched in sweat.  I could only imagine how much worse they would get once my cast was off.      Keith had just finished coaching me through one such prescribed torture session when Debra burst through our front door.      “What the [heck] are you doing here?” Keith snarled before she had the chance to say anything.      “Keith,” I warned.      “Don’t Keith me,” he snapped, then took ...

Vengeance on the Rocks A companion to A Secret Dose.  Sam thought he had finally met someone who needed him as much as he wanted her.  Turns out she was just another disappointment.  They were nothing alike at all - or were they? Excerpt:      I began offering false promises to others, the result of which was a nice little nest egg.  It dawned on me that if I chose my ‘investors’ wisely, one day I’d be able to quit the nomadic lifestyle I was tiring of and open my own bar.  It took a few years, even with adding men to the mix, but I’m a patient man.  Better to take my time than be careless.  Eventually, On the Rocks opened its doors.      Having my own place offered distinct advantages.  Not only did I have all the time and privacy needed to satisfy my vengeful cravings, but the underground storage area was a game changer.       I had strict parameters in mind when ...

A Secret Dose A companion to Becoming Mr. Archer.  Tara Billings has received a secret request from her patient, someone she is envious of despite her prognosis.  Will she agree to do what’s asked of her? Excerpt:       “How are you feeling today?” I asked, when her smile faded.  As had happened before, she wilted when relieved of Jonas’ concerned scrutiny.      “I’m ready for this to be over.”      “Mmm,” I murmured.  I was not surprised by her comment.  The majority of my patients reached this stage sooner or later.      “Can you help me?”      She met my sharp look with calm resolve.  Yes, she meant what I thought she did.  While what she was asking for was not illegal in our state, as a nurse, it was not something I could provide the means for - and I was glad for the reason to decline.      “I’m sorry, Angela, but this is something you need to discuss...

Becoming Mr. Archer A companion to Rendering.  Jonas, whose only goal was wealth, ended up as a compassionate, mild-mannered innkeeper.  How did his desire to be rich transform into a desire to enrich the lives of others?  This is the story of Mr. Archer. Excerpt:     “There’s something I haven’t told you.  Not that I didn’t want to, but he made me promise.”       “He?”  I sat up, pulling her with me.  “Who is this ‘he’?”       “My dad.”       My quickened pulse calmed, although unease still skittered down my spine.  “He wished you to keep something from me?”       “Just until we were married.  He wanted to make sure of your intentions.”       Looking away, I asked, “Did you share this concern?”       “No!”  She put her hand on my cheek, turning me to face her.  “No, Jonas.  Not at all.  But he was a...

  Rendering A companion to Interminable.  Jessica Stanton is nothing but a marionette, her domineering mother the puppeteer.  When a dangerous encounter is swept under the rug, the strings controlling her begin to fray.  Will she have the courage to stand on her own? Excerpt:      The next few days were spent in a frenzy of creation, channeling all her anger and trepidation into new art.  Each stroke of a paintbrush or swipe of a pastel reinforced her decision to make her own path.       When she finally came up for air, she ran into Mr. Archer on her way back from some much needed time in the sun.       “Ah, Miss Stanton!  I haven’t seen you in a while!”       “Yeah, I’ve been working on some new pieces.”       “You’ll have to show me before you go.  You’ll be leaving us soon, yes?”       “Actually,” Jessica walked over to join him at the...

Interminable Do you believe in reincarnation?  What if we were sent back time and time again until we achieved a life of worth?  Stuck in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, Daniel has given up hope of ever being good enough. Excerpt:      When a bright light became visible at the end of the tunnel, he fought against it in panicked desperation, but the increasing pressure was too much for his frail form to overcome.  The first breath that entered his lungs was expelled with a screeching cry of frustrated anger and despair.  Latex covered hands poked and prodded as he continued to wail, then cocooned him in warmth insufficient to soothe his misery.       “Do you want to hold him?” someone asked.       “No,” came another voice, feeble but adamant.  “Take it away.”       The rejection was nothing compared to the torturous memories temporarily remaining in his possession.  ...