Devora Darthard

“Jeffrey didn’t have long to live.”
― Matt Francis, Murder in the Pacific: Ifira Point

“The tropical sun flickered between the swaying fronds of palm trees overhead. Ray and Ilsa rubbed their necks and blinked as they came out of their stupor. Their hair stood on end in frazzled locks, like quills upon the fretful porcupine. Their clothes were scorched, but they were alive. Or were they? Speechless, they gazed at their surroundings. Above them was an azure sky with fluffy clouds shaped like Spanish galleons sailing across a celestial sea. Birds chattered and sang in the foliage, which was fragrant and brilliant with blue, and pink and yellow flowers. Had they died? Was this heaven? Or, perish the thought, since obviously they were in the tropics, the other place?”
― James Allen Moseley, The Duke of D.C.: The American Dream

“Each time a person’s essence was captured, the copper pot glowed. Not once did the happy couples notice the pot as Joroku’s golden nails carved the intricate design. Just like when he cut the silhouette for Lyly and her friend, Patrick. They were too much in love to feel their souls bleed.”
― Mary K. Savarese, The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper

“From the start, I told you! We should’a just handled this ourselves. You should’ve handled it the way my daddy would’ve.” She paused, looking at Tom, and lowered her voice, “Just like Crockett.”
― J.K. Franko, The Trial of Joe Harlan Junior