Peculiar pet shops.

Troublesome dream homes.

And robot vacuums that just want to be free.

Looking for a captivating (and quick) escape from reality? These fifteen tales of myth, magic, and whimsy provide just that.

Amongst the award-winning words are stories of vacations gone enchantingly wrong, questionable business practices, worrying parental habits, misbehaving reptiles, and Norse gods in a bit of a bind.

This second short story collection by Tammie Painter (author of the humor-filled Cassie Black Trilogy and The Circus of Unusual Creatures Mysteries) begins with a brief introduction telling how these stories led to the creation of those fan favorite series. The author then launches each tale with a few words to share the twists and turns of inspiration.

The fifteen stories range from beguiling magical realism to laugh-out-loud silliness to dark (but not too dark) fantasy.

Some stories have a little violence (nothing gruesome) and mild cursing, but no "on-screen" hanky panky (a giant does have some off-screen fun, but I'll leave you to discover that one).

The stories inside....

The Great Escape

Grave Bargains

Buttercup: Queen of Death

The Drive-Thru Window

Testing the Waters

The Back Room

The Liar of Lilløya

Space Walk

Moonlight Cruise

The Ghost of Arlen Hall

A Case of Mamma's Love

Dragon Trouble

The Secret Eater

A Feast for Sight

Champ