Announcing Release of the Heartbreaks and Half-truths Anthology!

by Paula Gail Benson

I’m very proud to be among the authors whose stories are in Heartbreaks and Half-truths, an anthology selected (from over 100 submissions) and edited by Judy Penz Sheluk, noted for her novels, for her anthology The Best Laid Plans (2019), and for recently being elected the new chair of Crime Writers of Canada Board of Directors. Available on June 18, 2020, Heartbreaks and Half-truths features tales from different time periods and locations, all considering how half-truths contribute to heartbreak and often lead to other consequences.

Here’s the description of the anthology found on Amazon, where it may be pre-ordered as Kindle or Paperback:

“Whether it’s 1950s Hollywood, a scientific experiment, or a yard sale in suburbia, the twenty-two authors represented in this collection of mystery and suspense interpret the overarching theme of ‘heartbreaks and half-truths’ in their own inimitable style, where only one thing is certain: Behind every broken heart lies a half-truth.

“And behind every half-truth lies a secret.”

Following are brief summaries for each story, just to pique your interest!

KM Rockwood, “Burning Desire”-- a jilted bridegroom gets a 50^th birthday party and hopes for cash gifts to pay off his gambling debts

Peggy Rothschild, “The Devil’s Club” -- a woman being blackmailed by the man who helped her get rid of her abusive husband must now find a way to be rid of the blackmailer

John M. Floyd, “Blackjack Road” -- a man who lost his family meets a stranger who makes him question his fate

James Blakey, “The Greatest Secret” -- a PI hired to track down a crime boss’ wife’s lover finds it difficult to reveal the lover’s identity

Edward Lodi, “So Long” -- the story, told in a series of phone messages, reveals the relationship between a woman and a doctor intent on making her into his greatest experiment

Kate Flora, “Afterlife” -- a new widow watches out her window as a love triangle develops between two lobstermen and a beautiful woman

Buzz Dixon, “Tongor of the Elephants” -- a “lost” film in a movie archive reveals an actor’s death and more

J.A. Henderson, “The God Complex” -- people plugged into a quantum computer have the opportunity to relive the past, or a facsimile of it

Christine Eskilson, “For Elizabeth” -- unrequited high school love has higher stakes when the two remain friends later in life

Robb T. White, “See You in Court” -- a down on his luck defense attorney has to prove his client’s innocence after refusing to be involved in a deal

Rhonda Eikamp, “In the Halls of Mercy” -- the chief psychiatrist becomes another inmate in his ward of patients

Sharon Hart Addy, “Near Warrenton” -- a woman hopes for some monetary support by tracking down a former lover

Tracy Falenwolfe, “Exposure”-- a former cop turned PI is hired to find another suspect in a murder case, but he may have some secrets closer to home

Paula Gail Benson, “Living One’s Own Truth,” -- in 1931, lives change at a boys’ school due to a teacher’s daughter bred to be a heartbreaker and secrets among the faculty

Susan Daly, “Deep Freeze in Suburbia” -- a new member of parliament has no time to enjoy her success before a secret from her past comes to light

Chris Wheatley, “The Angel of Maastricht” -- a reporter revisits a case as the convicted murderer completes his sentence

Joseph S. Walker, “Pink Hearts Pierced by Arrows” -- after promising her mother never to let a man make a fool of her, a woman tries to help her friend with a cheating husband

Blair Keetch, “Deadly Cargo” -- a pilot narrates his strategy for killing his wife, but reality deviates from his plans

Steve Liskow, “Ugly Fat” -- two women, both dumped by their husbands, confer over the yard sale of one ex-husband’s personal items

Gustavo Bondoni, “Checkmate Charlie” -- a computer gaming system helps a wife to get rid of her husband

James Lincoln Warren, “The Short Answer” -- two 1950s Hollywood PIs are mixed up with blackmail and murder

Judy Penz Sheluk, “Goulaigans” -- a man returns an empty canoe to the trading post owner, who stole the man’s wife

Judy Penz Sheluk

Whether you’re sheltering in place or taking a vacation, this volume is the perfect summer reading companion. Just pick up a copy, relax, and enjoy it with your favorite beverage!