Living on a frigid planet on the edge of the universe is not on everyone's retirement agenda. In fact, the only ones lucky enough to live this far out are refugees, miners, and outlaws. Kitty is an outlaw, though she doesn't feel like one. Out here on The Edge, she's finally managed to escape the law, settling down to a quiet life with her assistant, Annie. Then her quiet life is torn asunder as Kitty witnesses her assistant's kidnapping and realizes that her past is about to annihilate her future.

Wild magic and monsters. Who could ask for anything more?

All of Charlie’s plans for a high-flying future were about to become fish stew. He had to do something; he just didn’t know what . . .

A few nits, a giant fly, and one crazy adventure...

When lives are threatened in a new louse colony, the local lice step up to meet the challenge, discovering new allies in the process.

They say love is blind. "They" should know you can’t go through life with blinders on. People can get hurt that way. People can die.

Unexpected visitors, redemption gone wrong, imprudent love, lightless souls, and misguided faith are only some of the problems faced in these ten stories woven from Life'’s darkest threads.

A blind date like no other . . .
A contractor’s not-so-perfect night. . .
A cowboy’s magic touch . . .
Wild magic and monsters . . .
A fish who wants to fly . . .
Five fantastical tales that lift the reader from the everyday world and carry them
to the other side of the door.

Includes:
SNAP-A-TRAP, INC.
BUBBLEGUM & EYE OF NEWT
DOWN HOME COUNTRY MAGIC
THREE TOADS & A DRAGON
WHEN FISH LEARN TO FLY

Most of life’s big challenges are behind Kate Ramsdell or so she thinks. Until the day her husband is murdered, thrusting Kate and her stepson Travis into a run for their lives. Bit by bit, secrets from her husband’s dark past come to light as Kate and Travis fight to vanquish the evil that’s threatening their lives and save what’s left of their family.

Edited by Mercedes Lackey ...among Ms. Lackey's many novels, few are as critically-acclaimed and beloved as those of the Elemental Masters. The novels in this series are loosely based on classic fairy tales, and take place in a fantasy version of turn-of-the-century London, where magic is real and Elemental Masters control the powers of Fire, Water, Air and Earth.

The great Star League general, Aleksandr Kerensky. Colonel Archer Christifori, a man with a score to settle. Neilson Geist, on Christmas patrol. MechWarrior Joanna of Clan Jade Falcon. A Sandoval scion. An eleven-year-old girl. Northwind Highlanders. A prisoner of war. They all have two things in common.

A universe torn apart by unending warfare.

A mission, to stand up against the darkness.

This compilation contains a selection of eighteen of 2004's best fiction pieces, as well as an all new story about young Kerensky by Loren L. Coleman!