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Get Scared This Halloween with… Surreal Escapes
By
Kelli A. Wilkins
Happy October Everyone!
Halloween will be here soon, so why not
celebrate the spooky season by
curling up with a horror story—or several
horror stories?
To celebrate my favorite time of the year, I’m sharing
a look at my short story anthology, Surreal Escapes. The stories in this collection don’t fall into one set category
and range from spooky, to scary, to a bit humorous, to… just about anything I
can imagine.
In this collection of seven speculative stories,
ordinary people start off having an average, normal day… until they encounter
the world of the surreal. They’ve entered another realm where anything can—and
does—happen.
My horror stories have always been a
bit different from the norm. They’re more psychologically scary than gory. And
some of my “horror” stories aren’t intended to scare at all—they just happen to
have main characters who are a little bit… dead.
When I decided to put this collection together, I
wanted to feature a broad spectrum of stories that would appeal to a variety of
readers. (I also liked the idea of having several of my short stories available
to readers all in one place.) They’re not all ghost stories (although several
stories feature ghosts in some way) and they’re not all about Halloween. (But
of course some are—after all, it is my favorite holiday!)
Authors are always asked, “Where do
you get your ideas?” so I decided to share a peek at my writing process. I’ve
included a brief note at the end of each story (as I did in my sci-fi
anthology, Extraterrestrial Encounters), explaining what inspired me to
write it, where I got the idea, or general comments about the plot or the characters.
I hope you enjoy these stories. Some
are humorous, some will make you think, and others might unnerve you a bit, but
they will all take you on a journey into the surreal for a little while.
Here’s the book summary and links:
Surreal Escapes - 7 Speculative Stories
Are
you ready to take a journey into the unexpected?
Some of these tales include:
“Holiday Havoc” – The night shift in a retail store
hosts the ultimate Halloween vs. Christmas showdown
“Little Boy Lost” – After several strange incidents,
Beverly suspects her son’s imaginary friend isn’t so imaginary
“The Man in Apt. 3-A” – What do you do when you
discover your neighbor is a vampire?
“Whispers from the Past”
– Not all ghosts are scary… or strangers
This collection of short fiction will unnerve you,
spark your imagination, and make you wonder what else is possible in the world
of the surreal.
Order
your copy here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBWRLCB3
Other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/b5ge7O
Read a great review here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror/surreal-escapes
If you love horror and are celebrating all things
scary this month, visit the Horror, Mystery & More page on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror
to read about all of my spooky stories!
AND don’t miss my new short story “Neighborhood Watch” in the Witches Save
the World: Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right anthology. (Links are on my site.)
Happy Haunting!
Kelli
A. Wilkins
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has
published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9
mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and
she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.
Kelli’s story “Neighborhood Watch” was
published in the Witches Save the World:
Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right anthology,
released by Gorgon's Gaze Press.
Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was
published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and
follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first
time in The Route 9 Killer.
Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.
Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com
for a full title list, social media links, and more.
Date Published: October 30, 2026
Publisher: Changeling Press
Adan, the fiery Spaniard, is a master of disguise. Barika, the dangerous African Flower, can make any computer obey with a mere touch of a keyboard. Shen, my delicate Chinese Warrior, speaks several languages fluently and knows how to use his pretty face to get what he wants. Blain is my temperamental Irish poet, with the soul of an artist, and the right cross of a heavyweight champ. Nalu, a large chunk of Samoan perfection, knows anything and everything about plants and poisons. Delsin has a way with numbers that is damn near erotic to watch and an understanding of the world that makes me believe his tales of being the offshoot of a rampaging Indian war-god. And then there's Raidon, my sexy Japanese Shogun. Skilled in several forms of martial arts, Raidon is the smallest -- and the most dangerous one of all.
Along with my lover Will, a hand model, we form the best detective agency ever! We take on the most obscene and dangerous cases ever to develop in the Red Light District of Baltimore. From cross-dressing vampires to dangerous warrior cults, we've seen and done it all.
Copyright ©2026 by Stephanie Burke
"This is the third such death in five months. Police are baffled as to who could be doing this... and why. The Irish Eyes Conglomerate, producers of the ever-popular line of skin care, hair care, and waxing products directed toward men, is scrambling for answers, and its investors are scrambling to keep their heads above water.
"This is Denise Robberston reporting live at the site of the Fifth Annual Microbrewery Convention. Dick, back to you."
Shelby used the remote to shut down the television and its disturbing imagery.
There was silence for a full minute after the screen went black -- total silence.
She turned to face the group of men sitting around the downstairs boardroom -- okay, living room -- of Club Angels. All seven of her boys, plus her man, sat with faces twisted in an array of emotions from shock to disgust.
"Well?" she asked, feeling that maybe something had gotten through to them, that they were no longer wrapped up in their own petty concerns, realizing there were things out there that mattered, and the world didn't revolve around them.
She stood back and waited to hear about the injustice of it all.
"Oh my God!" Delsin started, with a toss of his yards-long hair.
"I know!" Adan exclaimed, his voice breathy in horror as he stared wide-eyed at the blank screen. One hand was balled in a fist pressing against his chest while the other reached for Nalu, who was just shocked into silence. Like some of the others, he stared out at nothing.
"Did you see?" Delsin whispered again, turning wide eyes to his compatriots.
"She was wearing red lipstick and blue eye shadow! Those color combinations are so not in this year!" Adan said. "And they do nothing for her complexion, like that burgundy shirt. You'd think that someone would have told her it would make her look more ruddy than she already does!"
"And who styled her hair?" Raidon chimed in. "That just makes her look bloated! If you're heavy like that, you pick a haircut that doesn't make you look like a reject from parochial Samurai school in Neo Tokyo."
The others -- even William, usually uber-intelligent -- for a model -- nodded in agreement. Of course, then he flushed in embarrassment as he took in the red that had begun to stain Shelby's cheeks.
"And that's all that you got out of it?" Shelby nearly shouted, arms akimbo, indignant that this group couldn't pull it together and see the big picture.
"That and the co-announcer should be named dick-less," Shen almost timidly announced. All the others turned to stare at him as silence filled the room. "What? I dated him before his male pattern baldness caught up to him -- but for the grace of the Lord we go." All the men sucked in a fearful, shocked breath that he would even mention that out loud. "And he got the bad toupee and the cheesy voice. He's every size queen's nightmare."
"And you still went out with him?" Adan leaned forward to get the good gossip. He ignored the auburn-highlighted black curls that fell endearingly into his face as his accent purred around the room, sending an erotic shiver down more than one back.
"I don't put out on the first or second dates," Shen responded. "Besides, I thought he was a grower, not a shower. Boy, was I wrong."
They all ah-ed in understanding as Shelby finally reached her boiling point. "Hello? Narcissi on speed? A man was killed! Now's not the time to discuss dick size! There's murder afoot!"
"And his feet are big so there goes that foot-as-a-ruler thing." Shen nodded his head with authority before smiling up innocently at his benefactress.
"I need a drink!" Shelby sighed, looking toward the heavens for help as she shook her head at the insanity that she willingly surrounded herself with.
"It's not noon yet, Shelby," William told her with a frown, taking her at her word. "But I can make you an Irish coffee." His smile was both innocent and charming. "Coffee's a morning kind of drink."
"And it's much later than that in Ireland!" Blain chimed in, all smiles and helpfulness. "And there's always a good reason for a shot of good Irish hooch!" His accent made the words seem cute even though they were the most idiotic thing she had ever heard.
"Don't you people understand?" Shelby growled. "People have died!"
"I know!" Barika sighed, looking sad. "I don't think anyone can recover from such a bad public appearance. You'd think they would have dressers or someone to help them out."
"Too much alcohol." Will's mind was still on Irish coffee in the mornings, but the others agreed.
"Turning into a lush can do that to you, make you forget your appearance and things," Shen agreed with Will, silently wondering how such an intelligent man didn't get wrinkles from thinking such deep thoughts. "It's an angle we can look into." He smiled at Will. "An alcohol breakdown's something you can really never overcome. Even with the help of Betty Ford, your image would be... irredeemable."
Solemnly, the other seven nodded, then dropped their heads, giving the fallen-from-grace reporters a moment of silence.
Giving up on trying to make them see her point of view, Shelby walked over to the low coffee table and snatched up a file folder.
"Okay, Angels, listen up." When you can't beat them, move on, was her motto. "There's a mystery to solve, and we have been hired to crack this case."
"Somebody hired us? After that Jacuzzi incident?" Will asked, shock in every line of his body, as a fire suddenly lit in his eyes. Then his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Model or PI?"
"PI," she assured, then sighed as several masculine exclamations of delight floated around her, accompanied by hand slaps and high fives.
"And if we're all finished celebrating, I think I should inform you of the particulars."
Suddenly, they were all business, attentive as a pack of puppies fresh from obedience school.
Excellent.
"Okay, Angels, here are the facts. Irish Eyes stock's going to start to plummet, despite the fact that several important celebrities endorse them. The scandal's good for sales with the gory set, but we're all sure that won't last. They need answers and they need them fast. That's where we come in."
"We get to sleuth?" Adan asked, almost wriggling in delight in his seat.
"We get to sleuth and model and crack this case. I'm sure you are all qualified and we'll wrap this up quickly."
She smiled at the pride that beamed from her seven boys and one man. This was a good thing she was doing. It was the right thing, giving them something rewarding to do with their lives. And it was better than shaking their asses and having drunken rowdy women shove dollars down their G-strings.
"Who does what?" Barika asked, placing a calming hand on Adan's shoulder.
"Well, I have broken this down as I see fit. If there are any objections, please let me know and we'll discuss it. I'll give you my reasoning as well."
There were nods of agreement, and Shelby looked down at her file folder and began to read.
"Adan, Blain, and Raidon, you will play model this trip. No fighting, Blain, but feel free to defend any of the guys, not that they'll need it. You fit the traditional look they're going for, and you have the accent."
"I have the lilt in my voice and the face to pull it off." He smiled. "Plus, I really am Irish, Shelby! I'm authentic! Don't be forgetting that!"
She nodded, then carried on. "Adan, you can be anything so be more European. Foreign buyers relate to that and Americans find it sexy. Not only that, but while Blain distracts them, you can ferret out inside info from the people behind the scenes."
"Right, Boss," he agreed, already planning his persona for this job.
"Raidon, you're going because you can kick ass and take names." They all laughed at that and a rare blush, a flush of delight, spread out over the Japanese man's face. "That, and I need you to back up the guys, to keep anyone from getting too close, and see if you can use that brain of yours to find any underworld connections."
"Mafia, Yakuza, or Tong?" he asked. No one questioned how he would know. Hell, Shelby wasn't sure she wanted to know. But he was on their side, and that was good enough for her.
"Any and all, and if there are organized, non-familial groups too. You're good at that sort of thing."
"I'm great at that sort of thing," he corrected, and it wasn't bragging, it was just the pure and honest truth.
"Barika, I want you on computers. I want you to dig up anything you can about Irish Eyes and its parent company, Green Isles Industries. Make it thorough."
"Give me time and I can tell you what color underwear the president wears and his sperm count."
"Um, do it fast and you can keep the sperm."
"Good for the skin, ain't that right, Shen?" he chuckled, and Shen blushed red as a beet.
The rest groaned.
"Nalu, if I get you the autopsy reports, can you tell me what's going on?" Shelby continued.
"Yes." Then he was off in his own little world again, probably dancing with dolphins or something.
"Delsin and Shen, you guys are backup. I want you to be communications for the inside guys -- be boyfriends, best friends, makeup people, entourage, or something. But you'll be the only connection between them and me and any help they may need. I'm counting on you two."
"Do we get that neat spy stuff that William's always buying and refusing to let us touch?" Rika asked, his eyes bright and hopeful.
"Um, yeah!" Shelby laughed as William paled.
"But those are my babies," Will nearly whimpered, thinking of his precious electronic devices in the hands of those two.
"And they're designed to do a specific job, babes." Shelby chuckled. "I'm sure these guys will take good care of them."
"They'd better," Will whined, resigned. "Because if they don't, I'll add alcohol to their skin creams and piss in their hair tonics."
They all blanched at that declaration.
"We'll be good," Delsin promised, eyes wide in horror. "Scout's honor."
"You were never a scout," Rika snorted as he rose to his feet, smoothing his dreads neatly back into his ponytail.
"Only because they wanted me to cut my hair." He sniffed. "I don't know why I wanted to join. Those uniforms are so tacky."
Then the conversation turned toward uniforms, men in uniforms, and how terribly gay the new Marines' uniforms were -- in short, another beautiful day in the basement.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Shelby sighed, then grinned as Will presented her with a steaming hot mug of... Irish coffee.
She hadn't even noticed him leave the room to fetch it. But she smiled as she took a sip.
He was good, in more ways than one, she decided. She licked a bit of whipped cream from her upper lip and smiled as he shot her an evil smirk. He was damn good.
And he had trained the boys, so all would be well. What could possibly go wrong?
Stephanie is a USA Today Best Selling, multi published, multi award-winning author, Master Costumer, handicapped, wife and mother of two.
From sex-shifting, shape-shifting dragons to undersea worlds, sexually confused elemental Fey and homo-erotic mysteries, all the way to pastel-challenged urban sprites, Stephanie has done it all, and hopes to do more.
Stephanie is an orator on her favorite subjects of writing and world-building, a sometime teacher when you feed her enough tea and donuts, an anime nut, a costumer, and a frequent guest of various sci-fi and writing cons where she can be found leading panel discussions or researching varied legends and theories to improve her writing skills.
Stephanie is known for her love of the outrageous, strong female characters, believable worlds, male characters filled with depth, and multi-cultural stories that make the reader sit up and take notice.
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress
Title: Lost and Found (A Titan Protectors Novel)
Author: Cristin Harber
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC
She’s the last woman he wants to see. And the one he can’t walk away from.
True-crime podcaster Bailey Cosgrove has built her career finding answers for other families. Now she’s investigating her sister’s murder—and someone wants her to stop. When a threat reaches inside her home, the widowed mother needs someone she can trust with her little boy’s life. She needs Wes Wilder.
The former FBI agent hasn’t forgotten how Bailey’s powerful in-laws destroyed his career. Protecting her means stepping back into everything he swore he’d left behind. But old resentment gives way to undeniable attraction, and somewhere between keeping Bailey safe and making her son laugh, an assignment starts to feel like the family he never knew he wanted.
As buried secrets emerge and threats close in, falling in love gives them both more to lose. Bailey won’t abandon her sister again. And Wes won’t let her become the next victim.
LOST AND FOUND is the third book in the Titan Protectors series. It can be read as a standalone and has a happily ever after!
Bodyguard romance • Single mom • Enemies to lovers • Forced proximity • Protective hero • Found family
Holiday Hanky Panky 1
Date Published: October 30, 2026
Publisher: Changeling Press
Agent Nick Pierce is known as an effective tracker with a caustic wit and unparalleled paranoia. He’s harassed or insulted more magical creatures than most people have ever met. He’s hidden his bisexuality for fifteen plus years and is content to take that secret to his grave until he meets a police detective moonlighting as a dancer at a gay club.
Bob White is protective of this newbie who’s followed a friend into Ravencrest, at least until his full-time gig as a police detective makes him think Nick might be a suspect.
As their attraction grows, Nick’s virginity and his terror of one specific vampire are thrown into the light. Nick must defend himself from Bob’s suspicion and the vampire’s next attack. But can he quell SearchLight’s desire to wipe Bob’s memory?
The crowd was a little ugly tonight. Not because of their glitter or makeup but because of their forced smiles. Bob White, who went by Birdie when he was performing, read the signs. Most of the drag queens were being protective of their dates and of anyone who looked fragile. Bob approved. Maybe he could lighten the mood. Tonight was his show. He wasn’t dancing every song on stage, but he got to couple with many of the drag kings and queens. Being androgynous as well as good at disguises meant only a few knew him with all his costuming in place.
Now, though, he was stripped to the waist and clad in jeans. Because it was his show, he’d chosen most of the night’s music. However, when he strode onto the stage, the music that began to play wasn’t what he’d picked. He caught CJ’s eye, saw the wicked gleam in it, and inwardly sighed. He had a choice. He could either dance to this country song or he could raise a stink.
He chose to dance to the het-suggestive song. He’d heard this one a few times. The other officers at the station listened to just about everything at one time or another. He did his best to turn the heterosexual-focused song into a gay anthem through the movement of his body and his facial expressions.
The Ravencrest Club, which was mostly a gay bar although all were welcome, seemed hotter tonight than usual, and Bob turned a swipe of his forehead into part of the dance. Considering it was November in New York, it really was warm in here.
He quit worrying about the heat when he caught sight of three men standing close to the edge of the stage. Two of them, a Native American and a Caucasian man with black hair, had their arms around each other. The third stood close to them but he looked distinctly uncomfortable. He had lovely light brown eyes and hair like wet sand’s deepest hue swept back from his forehead. He was tanned and fit and although he didn’t wear a skintight T-shirt, the leather jacket that he kept zipped showed off his physique. He was sweating. It gleamed on his forehead. Bob wondered why he didn’t show whatever he was wearing underneath. Maybe it was offensive. Or maybe he was embarrassed by it. Or maybe he just wanted to feel protected. His anxiety was almost palpable.
Bob didn’t examine the other two quite as closely. For one, they were obviously together. For another, they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Bob danced right up to the discomfited man, presenting his ass for either a smack or nothing depending on the guy’s nervousness level. After he’d danced there for five seconds, he faced his intended target again. To his surprise, the man was holding up a five-dollar bill and looked intimidated. Bob took pity on him and took the money with a bow and a smile.
The object of his attention flushed but didn’t drop his eyes, even when the Native American half of the couple nudged him. He gave off a general air of confidence despite the way he chewed at his lip for a moment.
The music ended then and Bob came back to himself. He hadn’t meant to spend so much time with this unknown person. He retreated a few steps and bowed to the cheering, whistling crowd.
Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress
There were two rules in our relationship:
We remain friends with the benefits.
And we don’t catch feelings.
Only I made a mistake. I started to fall for Dash Montgomery.
Now our secret physical-only time together is done, and we have to see if we can keep our promises.
He needs to move on. And I need to focus on my business and friends.
Yet when an attack happens close to home, Dash steps up and changes the game. I don’t want to fall for him and yet I know there’s no walking away from this. Not when he puts himself on the line and I finally can give in.
Everyone I’ve ever loved, save one, has walked away from me, leaving the shattered remnants of who I once was behind. If I don’t find a way to trust Dash—as well as my heart—the darkness stalking us both won’t be the only thing that breaks us.
His Guilty Pleasure is a friends with benefits, right person, wrong time contemporary suspense romance featuring Dash and Aly. Each book can be read as a complete standalone. An HEA is guaranteed!
Buy links at https://carrieannryan.com/books/his-guilty-pleasure/
About the Author:
NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan is the author of over 150 contemporary and paranormal romances where the characters yearn, break your hearts, and make you swoon. If there’s a family of six brothers who need HEAs, she’s your author.
Historical Thriller
Date Published: November 17, 2026
In the ruins of post-war Europe, Sophie Faulkner only wants the past to leave her alone.
Once a gifted German-speaking clerk at Bletchley Park, Sophie’s life was destroyed when British intelligence uncovered the truth she had tried to bury: she was born Sophie von Adler, daughter of a wealthy Nazi industrialist. Interrogated, imprisoned, disgraced, and abandoned, she has survived the war with nothing but a ruined reputation and a talent for keeping secrets.
Then MI5 offers her a way back.
Her father’s hidden fortune lies in a Zurich bank account — millions in Swiss francs and bearer bonds intended to finance the escape of senior Nazis fleeing Allied justice. To reach it, Sophie must become the woman Europe’s most dangerous men expect to see: the cold, entitled heiress of a dead Reich loyalist.
But the money is only bait.
Drawn into a shadow war between British intelligence, American pragmatists, Vatican fixers, Swiss bankers, Soviet agents, and the remnants of the SS, Sophie finds herself trapped inside the very network she was sent to expose. Every alliance is temporary. Every identity is a weapon. And if the men around her discover where her loyalties truly lie, she will not live long enough to choose her own future.
Malcolm has spent a lifetime gathering stories, living and working in Australia and the Middle East before returning to the UK. Today, he weaves that global experience into gripping historical novels that explore the intersection of crime, war, and espionage.
The Manchester Noir Series: Gritty 1990s crime with a unique twist (The Honey Talker, The Fatal Formula).
The Aviation Collection: High-octane tales of courage and dogfights in WWI and WWII (LMF, The Way Back, Leviathan).
The Lisbon Series : Follow ex-cop Dinis Lopes through the treacherous, "neutral" streets of 1940s Portugal.
Cold War Espionage: Revisit the 1950s with the fast-paced adventures of Contrail and Czechmate.
When he isn’t uncovering the secrets of the 20th century, Malcolm lives and writes in Cheshire, England.
Contact Links
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