Flights of Fantasy
​Iron Faerie Publishing presents: A compilation of short stories created by 131 international authors. Get ready to dive into a realm where magic knows no bounds, and legends come to life. From the mystical depths of ancient forests to the soaring heights of dragon filled skies, these tales will transport you to worlds where heroes rise, kingdoms clash, and the extraordinary becomes ordinary. Whether you seek epic adventures, tales of mystical creatures, or stories of unlikely heroes, this anthology has it all! Prepare to be spellbound and experience the magic of an entire universe in a single book.
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Lisa H. Owens' excerpt:
The Robin's Extraordinary Spring in Three Parts
Newlywed Bliss and the Love-Nest
[Part-One]
“You aren’t nearly as clever as you think,” Mrs. Robin cajoled from the top of a stately oak tree, as she gazed into the bulbous yellow eye of Benjamin, the resident ogre. She conspiratorially winked at him and was rewarded by his hearty ear-splitting guffaw.
Mr. Robin was startled by the sonic-boom of the giant’s laughter and shook his feathers to regain composure before cheeping in his most irritated voice, “I’m merely a genius!”
“Prove it,” the Mrs. challenged. “Build me a beautiful love-nest.”

“Well, that’s surely too easy. Like taking worms from a hatchling, my sweet.” The Mr. elaborately rolled his eyes at Benjamin—who was annoyed by this newlywed saga.
 
“Get cracking, then! I have the perfect spot in mind,” the Mrs. instructed, stepping from the branch onto Benjamin’s moss-covered shoulder, who immediately shook her off with the vigor of a mountain troll caught out in the rain. She was catapulted to the ground and indignantly stomped her dainty feet before fluttering to perch upon Trembling Stone, the predictor of danger. She elongated one elegant wing towards a lofty fork in the emotional Weeping Willow, who cried when it rained.

“There!”
 
“Aah. Just like you to pick the most challenging of trees. Don’t you worry your pretty little birdbrain, dear. I’ve gotcha covered,” Mr. R  looked to Benjamin for moral support—too late, as he was gone—already returned to the quietude of the enchanted forest. The Mr. shrugged then stretched his lore in the self-satisfied grimace that passed for a smile, dropping down into the meadow to pluck a ball of fluff off a dandelion head.

“The foundation is the most important feature of any love-nest,” he male-’splained to his recent bride. “You just sit back and watch me peck away at this project, my little chickadee. We’ll have a nest to beat all nests in no time.”
Mrs. R chuckled under her breath as she began preening and smoothing her feathers. It was just like a male to continually brag about his pecker. She would sit back and allow him to impress her. Let his beak do all the work. [read more in the anthology]

Galaxy #12: An Inner Circle Writers' Group Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology
Grant Hudson and Clarendon House Publishing present: From ghouls who have infiltrated society, to aliens who are trying to save our world; from horrific faeries to gods who play games; from touching tales of ancient heritages kept alive into distant futures, to the strange splitting of multiverses - all of this and much, much more you’ll find in this eclectic collection of science fiction and fantasy, from authors some of whose names you will recognise and some of whom will be completely new to you.Journey to Mars, to Area 51, to the Garden of Eden, to other planets and beyond…

Featuring the work of (in order of appearance): Ed Ahern, Justin Jones, Kathy Sherwood, DJ Elton, Gabriella Balcom, Michal Reiben, David Painter, C. L. Steele, Andrew Birch, Jim Bates, Linda Sparks, Lisa H. Owens, Jean Smith, Elizabeth Brown, Tony Fyler, William Reed, Jacek Wilkos, Sultana Raza, and a special short story from science fiction legend Ray Bradbury.
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Lisa H. Owens' excerpt:
The Curse of the Draw
Once upon a time, The Twelve, as they were called in certain circles, grew tired of the drudgery of sitting around Mount Olympus all day, feasting upon ambrosia and nectar while controlling thunder and the sea, love and war, the seasons and fertility and an endless list of such odds and ends.
They began to fight among themselves over trivial things. Their arguments spanned the entire Geometric Era and beyond, what felt like an eternity to all those within hearing distance of their boisterous din. It became unruly and irritating, to the point that Hestia, the Goddess of home and hearth, fire and family, who’d finally had it up to here (at this point, she flung her outstretched arm beyond the outlying universe to indicate a lesser-known star for dramatic effect), with the Gods’ churlish bickering. She gave them an ultimatum. Either come up with a hobby or prepare to be cast down to Earth to dwell with the lowly mortals in Northern Greece, for whom they held a copious amount of contempt.
Their early trials focused on a strategic two-player game, involving a tabletop grid constructed of interchanging squares of ivory and onyx (the playing field), and two miniaturized armies (men riding horses, members of the royal families and their expendable minions), who were manipulated around the grid in an attempt to kill the opposing player’s king. [read more in the anthology]