Muscadine Vine and Clear Creek water is just one of a collection of award winning short stories contained in this anthology by published authors recognized by their peers and selected for this work.The lead story is set during the depression of the 1930's and is an account of actual experiences by its author. It is a story that will be enjoyed by all ages. The older generation who lived in those times will identify with that era and today's youth will go away with a clear picture of life without televison, computers and all the other modern conveniences of today.The eighteen stories that comprise the this work will satisfy those who seek a variety of genre, including, romance, murder mystery. the supernatural and creative writing by accomplished authors.

Promises is the lead story of an anthology of short stories. It is the story of Michael Blair, a young sailor and Naomi LeBeouf, a Eurasian girl on the South Pacific Island of Moratova during World War Two. They fall in love and Michael promises to return after the war to marry Naomi and make a life together on her island. Ten years pass and Michael, now a detective with the New York Police Department, learns that Naomi is in New York and has become a famous international fashion model for the House of Henri Galliard Fashions. They meet at the popular, off-Broadway, Sardi's restaurant where the beginning of their former passion is rekindled. Love, however, is placed on hold when Naomi's brother, Jean Pierre is killed. The motive behind Jean Pierre's murder and that of his accomplices', are the twenty-eight black pearls Jean Pierre has smuggled into the United States. Intrigue and romance go hand in hand as Michael and his partner unravel the web of fact and circumstance in solving the crime. In the end justice prevails in an unusual manner, as does the unrequited love Michael and Naomi feel for each other.

The Shellfish Farm is a story of two young people who fall in love during World War II. It is about Michael Blair, a young sailor stationed on the South Pacific Island of Moratova and Naomi LeBeouf, a Eurasion native islander.When Michael is transferred to a ship of the fleet, he promises to return to Moratova where he and Naomi will make a life together on "her island."Ten years pass and Michael fails to keep his promise. Now a detective with the NYPD, he learns that Naomi is in New York City and has become a famous international fashion model.They meet at the popular restaurant, Sardi's, where their love is rekindled. However, love is placed on hold as Michael and his partner attempt to solve the murder of Jean Pierre LeBeouf, Naomi's brother who is involved in the illegal activity of smuggling contraband into the United States.The Shellfish Farm is a love story. It is a story of murder mystery, and romance. It carries the reader from the stark concrete canyons of New York City to beautiful tropical islands of the South Pacific, as Michael searches for the source of a precious jewel-black pearls.

Beyond the Looking Glass is the story of a young boy who dared to venture outside the boundaries of his small world by stepping through a looking glass that promised not only escape from his rural surroundings, but adventure beyond his limited horizon. Unlike Alice who found a Wonderland when she passed through her looking glass, the author found looking glasses at each turn in the road; mirrors that did not reflect the wonders that lay beyond or the Mad-Hatter characters he was to encounter along the way. Beyond the Looking Glass provides an unique tale of the author's journey through the Rite of Passage toward manhood during the difficult times so many suffered from the Great Depression and World War II. The reader experiences the author's immaturity, then his gradual maturation, as he overcomes many obstacles in his quest to join the navy. At the age of sixteen he succeeds in his quest and spends the war years in the Pacific Theater where he participates in the Saipan and Guam amphibious landings and later the re-taking of the Philippine Islands where his aircraft carrier suffers a kamikase attack. At age fourteen, Bob Quinn's travels begin with the encounter of his first looking glass; a slow moving freight train....