Showing results by author "Tom Raley" in All Categories

A collection of short stories by Tom Raley. Each story follows a detective as they work against the clock, against ruthless killers, and against impossible odds to solve each case before more innocent people are forced to endure more pain. Each clue, each tidbit of information can mean the difference between success and failure, between life and death.

“I have found it, God help me, I have found it.” With this simple text the race is on across three continents to possess one of the greatest and most important treasures man has ever known. The Cloak, a collection of writings, letters, manuscripts and books belonging to Saint Paul. The same collection the Bible tells us Paul requested be brought to him by Timothy. What letters and manuscripts were included in the Cloak? What books did the Great Missionary carry with him and desire to have in Rome during his final days? The collection would be sought after by thousands, and worth ...

Short Tales of the 3rd Kingdom. Stories as diverse as the peoples, creatures and places of the 3rd Kingdom itself. Some tell of a simple Fairy’s journey of discovery, another a tale of revenge while yet another is an epistolary tale of Flueric, the first and some say most powerful wizard of any age. What story does a simple dumpling girl have to share? And what of the Dracom, a story known to very few, and with good cause. For those with such an interest, these are tales that will reveal far more of the Kingdom, and her people. Within these tales you will discover the Wagon Folk of the ...

Cheryl Belzer is starting a new job, working for the best private detective in the city who retired from the police department after suffering a horrific injury. He also just happens to be a self-proclaimed sexist. These stories follow two of the earliest cases Cheryl works with Timber.

Every tale has a beginning. The Third Kingdom, the greatest and most powerful kingdom of our day, is no different. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, the new kingdom was born from the ash of centuries of warfare and destruction. From the two old kingdoms, destroyed by hate, envy and greed, came a group of brave pioneers. Twelve brave knights lead their families into the dangerous unknown in search of a pass no one is certain exists. They must endure barren hostile lands teaming with disease, curses, bloodthirsty raiders, inhuman creatures, and the evilest of all, the White Wizards. ...

You probably know nothing of the Nawkers, which is not at all surprising. They are one of three tribes of little folk and make their home in the northern mountains. Timid, reclusive, and if we are being honest, not especially memorable. An adult Nawker will only reach the average man’s waist, perhaps an inch or so taller. They are not known to be fast, or agile, and well, they are not especially strong either. The Nawkers don’t use money, don’t mine for jewels and in reality, have nothing the outside world would consider of any real worth. Which, as chance would have it, is exactly ...

Stories of the 3rd Kingdom The world was not always as it is today. It was once a land of brave knights, fierce dragons, and grand wizards. Troubling times have come upon the kingdom, with raiders descending from the east, rumors of war in the south and an aging monarch, the land is in turmoil. Twelve brave souls enter a quest to save the kingdom and ascend to the throne. The bravest knights, the grandest wizard, and by invitation of the king, a commoner, all vie for the title of Conqueror. To be victorious each must complete seven brutal tasks. Phillip, a common farm boy, has always ...

A collection of 13 short stories of the unusual, bizarre, and unpredictable....

The city is firmly held in the grip of fear as a serial killer lurks in the shadows, claiming a new victim each week. The killer preys on young women with seemingly nothing in common except to have somehow caught his eye. With the discovery of each new victim the city descends deeper into the shadows, consumed by the desire to escape the killer's grip. The efforts of the police task force is complicated by the appearance of a copycat killer, a news leak from one of their own, and little to no physical evidence.

Stepping back beyond the Classical Age by some 200 years, one will find the Age of the Great Queens. Before the Wizard Wars, the kingdom was led by a number of powerful and brilliant women. The first, Queen Eunice, took the throne upon the death of the king. She reigned for fifteen years and was considered a fair and just ruler. Soon afterwards, Queen Hester ascended to the throne. Hester's reign lasted fifty years, one of the longest reigns of any monarch. Her time has been recorded as one of peace and great prosperity. Queen Megan never ascended to the throne, but after the first war with...

Four convicted killers, all sentenced to death, await their fate in the horrific confines of the northern dungeons. Life is brutal and hope all but extinguished when they are summoned before the governor. Expecting their sentences to be carried out, they instead find the governor struggling with a moral dilemma. Who has the right to take the life of another? The governor, under intense pressure from the magistrates and his own daughter, decides on a most unconventional solution. He will allow fate to decide who lives, and who dies. The Northern territory's annual festival is underway, and ...

For more than a thousand years the King’s Knights have defended the 3rd Kingdom. An extension of the King’s power and authority, these brave men face any foe without hesitation. In all their glorious history never have they allowed a woman to join their ranks. This tradition stands in the way of Myca’s dream of becoming a knight. She posses the skills, the bravery and the determination, but she is denied the opportunity to prove herself worthy. Unwilling to simply accept her fate, Myca sets out on a grand quest to prove herself not only to her oppressors, the village bullies and the ...

Every tale must have an end, every journey a destination. For Phillip and Jared the conclusion of their partnership is fraught with danger and intrigue. Conqueror is a story of adventure, coming of age, friendship and bravery. Through their travels and adventures, Phillip and Jared have learned a great deal, about each other, themselves, and life. Now join them as they embark to complete the Final Demand. A demand that if competed, could propel Phillip to the throne. Even then Phillip must face his greatest challenge, his own final decision. The quest comes to a climax, but much remains to ...

The outpost is the most remote and isolated in the kingdom, secluded and unreachable for much of the year. Battered by unforgiving winter storms and the devil’s wind, the outpost is home to a most unusual and unique group. These men and women, shunned embarrassments, outcasts and criminals, desire only to go unnoticed in the frozen wasteland. In a land ruled by snow bears, wolves and the bitter winter, life can be harsh, and often quite short. Each winter the vicious winds drive ships to their doom along the rocky northern shores. These wrecks rarely leave survivors and only occasional ...

Time is short, the dangers real and the enemy closer than ever before. Phillip must summon up his strength and courage if he is to have any hopes of completing his two new demands. He expected difficulty, he had not expected to fall in love.... The Conqueror series continues as Phillip struggles to complete two additional demands in his quest to be king. Time is against Phillip as he goes north in search of a Stone Pearl which can only be found in rare hot water springs. There he will be forced to battle the elements and his own endurance as never before. He then must turn south to the fir ...

The Epic Conqueror quest continues with more adventure, danger, and fascinating characters. After successfully completing his first demand, Phillip is heading south to the Canyon District in hopes of completing his second. The Crown of Cenus was thrown into the Canyon decades ago and despite extensive searching, has never been found. If the legend is true, the crown was found by a cave troll who took the treasure and fled into the fog. In the deepest recesses of the Canyon the fog is said to be home to a great evil. It is said the only thing that escapes the fog are the stories and legends ...