THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT

An Anthology Inspired by the Heroes
Of the 2007 San Diego Wildfires

In "Fire and Magic" by Christine Verstraete, Sam and her mother face a menace from the past. This time, even magic might not be able to save them. ISBN:978-1-59080-596-1 Buy: Echelon Press

NOW ON SALE from Echelon Press! THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT is a compilation of 21 short stories with a common theme - fire. From fantasies, to tributes remembering historical catastrophes, the stories will tap human emotions with their credit to survival. Includes a story, "Fire and Magic" by Christine Verstraete featuring Sam Carlton, the young sleuth in my upcoming mystery, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT. Read an excerpt of "Fire and Magic" below. THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT honors the survivors of the 2007 California wildfires and the firefighters who give their all to put out such fires every day. With thousands of homes destroyed in the 2007 San Diego fires, and dozens of injuries, the loss is impossible to measure. The goal of THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT is to put money directly into the community of San Diego and to reach those who have lost so much. All royalties and proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County. "It is important to us that these people who have lost everything know they don't have to do this alone. We may be strangers, but we care," states Echelon Press Publisher Karen L. Syed. For review copies, requests for interviews, and author events, contact Karen L. Syed at echelonpress@comcast.net.

Excerpt of "Fire and Magic" by Christine Verstraete
from THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT:

“Honey, where are you?”

“Down here,” was the muffled response.

So intent was she on her find that Samantha Carlton kept right on digging, not realizing that her answer traveled no further than the black satin cloak that billowed around her like Dracula's cape.

“Wow, look at this!” Sam studied the palm-sized wooden container, its edges worn, the grain smoothed as if from a loving caress. This had to be something special, she thought, and reached for the clasp, flicked it, and … She jumped at the loud voice behind her. “Samantha! Didn't you hear me?”

“Holy cow, mom, you scared me!”

“Sam, what have you been doing? I must've called five times. All I asked you to do was get me some of the new flowerpots… ” Patricia Carlton's voice trailed off. “What is that you have on?”

Sam whirled to show off. “An old cloak I found. Cool, ain't it?”

“Where'd you get that?”

Sam ignored the coldness in her mother's voice, still too excited about finding the old, forgotten box in the basement of “All's Blooming Flowers,” the store in Willowdale, Wisconsin's small downtown that Patricia had managed since last year.

“I was looking for the flowerpots when I saw this box behind a bunch of other things. It's all kinds of cool magic stuff!” Sam ran back across the room and pulled the box closer. “What's it doing here? Didn't you say dad did some magic? This stuff is awesome! Look at this!” She took out a big black top hat and set it atop her head. “There're scarves, and rings, and wow, a magic wand.”

Pulling herself upright, Sam waved her arms, and with a flourish, tapped the side of the big black box. Nothing happened. “Guess I better read the manual.” She resumed her inspection, her eyes drawn again to the small wooden container inside. Her mother's throat clearing got her attention.

“I haven't seen those things in a while.” Patricia's voice sounded strained. “Honey, that box didn't belong to your father...”

* Finish reading the story in THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT from Echelon Press! *