Mon Père’s Plan
On the morning of March 4th, 1943, I was a twenty-four-year-old sergeant in the United States Army Air Force, serving as a Crew Chief on a B-17. Her name was The Lucky Gal and my…
Tag: Historical Fiction
Pilate and Claudia
Author's Note: This story is a work of historical fiction, based on the Four Canonical Gospels of Holy Scripture, as well as additional information provided by historians such as Josephus, and legendary materials collected from…
The Vision of Roland
Far, far across the hills echoed the song of the Olifant of the Palatines. In the vanguard of his army Carolus Goldencrowned heard it beyond the Pass of Runcievalles, summoning the…
Because of You: A Jane Eyre Story
I will not make the same mistakes that you did He had given in too easily. It didn’t matter how much he loved her. It wasn’t right. I will not let myself cause…
Behind the Mask: A Scarlet Pimpernel Story
Author's Note: Dedicated to my mother, who has been such a help in my life and has always been there for me, even when I didn't want her! *** November the 10, 1792 "...As…
The Price of a Soul: Musings on the Moral Beauty of "Les Miserables"
I have fond memories of seeing Les Miserables in its San Francisco stage production many years ago. It was therefore with great disappointment—and with some questioning of my judgment in earlier years—that several months ago I…
Hope at Damietta
Cold dawn with its promise to transform into sweltering desert heat later that afternoon broke over the lines of sleeping, heavily-chained captives. My brother Juste and I were among them. It was several…
The Violet Phantom and the Yellow Conquistador: Part 3
The next day the triumphant villagers hailed Austin Slaymaker, their bruised and battered savior, with a massive banquet in the Plaza de Maria Pita. After all, he was golden-haired, he had ridden the bull, and…
The Violet Phantom and the Yellow Conquistador: Part 2
The HMS Warrior arrived in the port of Corunna, in north-western Spain, on June 6th, 1808. When it was finally tied down at the dock, a portly, well-dressed Spaniard approached the vessel and bellowed, “Hola,…
Strong John of Waterloo
Old tunes, joyful tunes, weaving through the night The rosy glow of faces beneath the candle light North winds, cruel winds, howling at the door The whirl of Yuletide dances across the wooden floor –…