Gothic, in the sense of Southern Gothic, these eleven stories emphasize the "grotesque" and take place in various Florida environments. Some involve crime and violence, most involve sex; and animals are often central to the plot. "Stormy, Mon Amour" is about a woman who has given birth to a mermaid and seeks to reunite with her dolphin lover. "ReBecca" is the story of conjoined twins and their first sexual experience. "Boozanne, Lemme Be," from the viewpoint of a petty thief, focuses on his secret life in a couple's home when they are at work. "Must Bite!" is a grizzly tale of greed, murder, and ape behavior. Eight other stories contain similarly original plots and off-kilter characters. Megan Abbott provides the Introduction and Michael Connelly the Afterword.

Florida Gothic Stories

Literature & Fiction

Hendricks, Vicki

Erotica

Winona Woods

Sherri Parlay gives up her life of depravity, and with best intentions, finds a respectable job as a dry cleaner in hopes for a decent future. But nature and nurture plot against her when she meets the beautiful, tortured, and rich young Payne, who tempts her with the love and life she never thought possible. Even Brenda, Payne's domineering mother, can't keep the lovers apart when Sherri's animal passions take control. Unfortunately, Payne is not only a different kind of man from those in Sherri's past, he's worse than any on her list of sordid affairs. Twisted psychology and a pure heart lead her into the dark realm of disillusionment and crime, where she reaches into her deepest reserves for the strength to survive. This contemporary noir novel is reminiscent of James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice with a heavy dose of sexual realism that Cain might have enjoyed if his times would have allowed.

Miami Purity

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Thrillers & Suspense

A novel. Erotic, drug-ridden and violent, the story of Renata and her male and female lovers takes the reader into the heart of South Beach, Miami, where no one is surprised to find a friendly python or a "torture box" in the line of work for a hooker. Her search for love is strewn with body parts, but not through evil intent. Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award Finalist, 2008, published by Serpent's Tail, U.K. 2007.

Cruel Poetry

Addicted to thrill-seeking and adventure, Ramona feeds her obsession through scuba and body building, taking control of her life and training to the point where she is stronger than most men and desired by many. But life is worthless without challenge, and she finds the man that she cannot dominate or conquer, too much like her, and her reptilian heart feels the burn. Sex and violence spark the fast pace in this story of obsession, drugs, and murder. Published by Serpent's Tail, UK, and St. Martin's Press, US, 1999.

Iguana Love

Destiny Donne has chosen the sticks of central Florida to build her practice in veterinary medicine and work in the exciting Lion Country Safari. But despite her love for the animals, the rural life is unexpectedly lonely, and when Tom, a blue-eyed knock-out, offers the lure of skydiving and sex beyond her dreams, Destiny’s goals of a lifetime begin to slip away. A formidable ex-wife, illegal lion cubs, and murderous plans are not enough to shake her addiction to the adrenaline rushes that Tom provides, and she is forced to make desperate moves as she tailspins downward. Published by Serpent's Tail, UK, and St. Martin's Press, US, 2002

Sky Blues

Punch and Juliette make a pack to live a wild life in Key West for a year, creating scenes to use in his novel, with the climax a legendary suicide during Fantasy Fest. But the money runs out early, and their escapades, such as the break-in at Hemingway House and robbing gourmet restaurants for carry-outs, take a serious turn. Bohemian atmosphere, a sex-maniac Yorkie, and a Key West witch add magic to the romp as the young woman and her alcoholic African-American-Italian boyfriend try to outsmart fate in this unusual coming of age novel. Bonnie and Clyde/ Romeo and Juliet on a motorcycle, the meaning of love explored at Coral Castle, graphic sex and violence--all in high gear.

Voluntary Madness

Mystery

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