Xlibris Corporation

Short fiction by Columbia College professor

The story of "Anakim of the Sun: Being Human" is about Father Antonio Rivera, a vampire who became a priest in the hopes of being cured of his blood lust. Though a member of The Church, Antonio finds himself at odd when he must confront his past and is forced to face the one thing he never did: give himself completely to God. By doing so, he realizes the theme behind the Gospel according to John: the road to Heaven is black and white; everything you do, say, think and feel will either take you closer to Heaven or take you closer to Hell... but ultimately, it's your decision.

“The Witch in the Garden” is a story about a man by the name of Vlad who exists simultaneously in the real / physical world and in the spiritual world. He has encounters with spirits: Angels, Demons, those that are suffering from illnesses and those who have passed away. Visions of his life come forth in various “dreams” through out his days and nights as he tries to live a good Christian life. During his quest for peace from these visions, Vlad begins the long and difficult road of reconciling with older brother, Rudal, and Katlin, Rudal’s wife… and Vlad’s ex. The story of “The Witch in the Garden” original began as a comic book idea in the early part of the new millennium. After being putting it down and allowing it to collect dust for almost five years, author and creator of “The Witch in the Garden”, decided to revisit the story and turn it into a novel. *

Novel set in the mid-1980s chronicling the misadventures of two roommates living in a loft just west of the Loop. They are the only inhabitants of their neighborhood, save for a few hookers and homeless people. Together they confront the ugly sights, sounds and smells of this urban frontier.