Loved this! The character building is excellent for such a short story, and I'd like to read more stories about the main characters. The writing is atmospheric and evocative, really drawing the reader into seventeenth-century New England. This is a great take on the classic colonial witch tale.

This is a great collection of holiday stories. Some sci-fi, mystery, romance, and pulp, but all related to Christmas. The best (my favorite at least) is "Christmas After the End of the World". Such a beautiful and touching story! I look forward to more holiday stories from the author.

This is a great series of short stories set in Hallowind Cove, Harbour of the Weird. Fun, eccentric characters. In fact, the town itself, is the main character. I hope to see more stories about this strange little town. It's like Twilight Zone meets Garrison Keillor.

So far I've read about 15 of Buhlert's stories, and by far this is one of my favorites. And that's saying something, considering I've enjoyed all of the ones I've read. A perfect mix of Post-apocalyptic goodness and a Christmas story.

I've been reading the series in order and this is my favorite to date. I love the space opera genre and this one adds a bit of romance to it and makes it even better. A very tense story, you never know what might happen next. Pietro seems to be a fun character to write. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

CAUTION: SPOILERS BELOW! One issue I found was the story repeatedly mentions a spy seen at the Plasma Cafe (detailed in the previous story, "Collision Course"). In this story, however, Anjali states the spy at the Plasma Cafe didn't recognize them, when it is clear in the previous story that the spy, Fritz, recognized Mikhail right away, because they worked together. The only explanation I see is that this was written before "Collision Course", and was not updated to take Fritz into account.

Just in case you ever had ambitions of being airline cabin crew this amusing tale - has Miss Buhlert been an air hostess or is she just remarkably observant? - will cure you of the thought!

This short story captures the claustrophobia of budget air travel and what happens to people who've had too much to drink, inflaming their normal 'laddish' behaviour to the truly obnoxious... and those who need no alcohol to be obnoxious but do fine on their own.

Whatever line of work you are in, some days the people you have to deal with - especially if you have a 'customer facing' role - are just too much to bear. So, plastic smile firmly affixed, you fantasise about what you would REALLY like to say or do, were you not the nice person you surely are, while dealing with them calmly and professionally.

The inner dialogue of Tania, the stewardess with the dream job, is so true to life I shall probably start giggling next time I am on an aircraft just imagining what is going on behind the professional smile and flawless make-up.

Definitely worth a read.

For the role-player: If you are running a contemporary game you could draw on this to make the next flight your characters take entertaining...

A fine yarn told in true pirate style, makes a cracking good read if a shade predictable. Yet picture the scene of the old grizzled sea-dog sitting by the fire in an inn recounting this tale... and feel the excitement and the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

And it's clean enough to tell to your grandma or a little child!

For the role-player: Decide what Old Mommark encountered, then have him tell the tale to the characters. If they decide to go take a look.... well, let the fun commence!