Tramps & Thieves

By Annie Reed

She tells fortunes for a living like her mother before her. She’s just another working stiff, but don’t mistake her for a con artist. Her magic is real.

She’ll read your tea leaves or your aura, or predict your future from a deck of cards. Just don’t insult her, and above all else, don’t threaten her.

Because remember – her magic is real, and she knows how to use it.

"One of the best writers I've come across in years." – Kristine Kathryn Rusch, award-winning author and editor

“You can’t go wrong with Annie Reed. Her deftly-crafted tales—with characters as memorable as the stories themselves—far surpass most of what’s out there. She deserves a wide audience.” –Michael J. Totten, author of RESURRECTION

"I've been a fan of Annie Reed's stories for a long time." –Marcelle Dubé, author of THE SHOELESS KID

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thunder Valley Press
• Release date: Jul 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370502578

Annie Reed

Award-winning author and editor Kristine Kathryn Rusch calls Annie Reed “one of the best writers I’ve come across in years.”Annie’s won recognition for her stellar writing across multiple genres. Her story “The Color of Guilt” originally published in Fiction River: Hidden in Crime, was selected as one of The Best Crime and Mystery Stories 2016. Her story “One Sun, No Waiting” was one of the first science fiction stories honored with a literary fellowship award by the Nevada Arts Foundation, and her novel PRETTY LITTLE HORSES was among the finalists in the Best First Private Eye Novel sponsored by St. Martin’s Press and the Private Eye Writers of America.A frequent contributor to the Fiction River anthologies and Pulphouse Fiction Magazine, Annie’s recent work includes the superhero origin novel FASTER, the near-future science fiction short novel IN DREAMS, and UNBROKEN FAMILIAR, a gritty urban fantasy mystery short novel. Annie’s also one of the founding members of the innovative Uncollected Anthology, a quarterly series of themed urban fantasy stories written by some of the best writers working today.Annie’s mystery novels include the Abby Maxon private investigator novels PRETTY LITTLE HORSES and PAPER BULLETS, the Jill Jordan mystery A DEATH IN CUMBERLAND, and the suspense novel SHADOW LIFE, written under the name Kris Sparks, as well as numerous other projects she can’t wait to get to. For more information about Annie, including news about upcoming bundles and publications, go to www.annie-reed.com.

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Tramps & Thieves

Copyright © 2016 by Annie Reed

Published by Thunder Valley Press

Cover and Layout copyright © 2016 Thunder Valley Press

Cover art copyright © IgorKovalchuk/Bigstock.com

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

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About the Author

About the Uncollected Anthology

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1

My mom used to say that if Cher had been a fortune teller, she would have looked a lot like my mom.

I always thought that was a bit of wish fulfillment on my mom’s part. Mom’s a little on the plump side, stands about five foot nothing, and has never been able to grow her hair longer than her shoulders without it going to frizz. I don’t think Cher ever had a plump day in her life. I’m not sure how tall she is, but I am sure that Cher’s real hair, as opposed to the series of wigs she wore on stage, would have put my mom’s to shame.

And Cher was one kickass singer.

My mom can’t hold a tune worth a damn. Not that she doesn’t enjoy singing. No one else within earshot enjoys my mom’s warbles, but that never stopped her from having a good time.

Me? I’m just glad I don’t have Sonny Bono for a dad.

I’m a second generation P.F.C. – Professional