NIGHT MARSHAL #4: THE GHOUL OF SOCORRO “Have you heard about any strange goings-on around here?” The smith looked up at him as though measuring Jack and, after a minute, nodded. “Some local Indians say that Coyote walks at night around here.” Something warned Jack not to dismiss the comment. “What does that mean?” “Death often walks with Coyote. Maybe it’s spite. They say Coyote can’t die, so Death takes a few extra where Coyote walks, to make up the difference.” Jack studied the man. The Indian might be superstitious. Hell, he might even be crazy. But he was most definitely not joking. “How do I find this Coyote?” “You don’t. You pray to your God he doesn’t find you.”

The Ghoul of Socorro (Night Marshal)

Literature & Fiction

Burk, James K.

Genre Fiction

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Valtierra, a city-state, is governed by archetypes. Every two years they choose twelve men and women to wear the masks and to become the Wise Old Man, the Fool, the Mother, the Harlot, the Warrior, and the rest of the council. But now Valtierra faces hunger, decay, and an enemy on their border and, when the need for leadership is greatest, one mask is worn by a foreigner and one mask hides a traitor.

The Twelve

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Fantasy

WolfSinger Publications

Scarface, on his way back to a clan stronghold after assassinating a legate, meets and falls in love with a woman even more ruthless than he. To win her, he must reunite an empire and create a kingdom. His only allies are his wits, his sword, and the power in his scars -- black marks like the taloned finger prints of a demon.  To achieve his goals, he must deal with old enemies, gods of dubious worth, and his own family -- who may be the most dangerous of all.

High Rage

The power he once held depleted, Scarface has found contentment as Morgan. No longer seeking power or building kingdoms, he is happy with his current life. However, when what he most loves is threatened, Morgan must again become Scarface to correct past mistakes. He must defeat a king and a god. Knowing one god can only be beaten by another, he seeks an alliance, but what price will be demanded? With only a few allies, one of them mad with rage, and the power in his scars returned, he must confront old enemies, including one who knows his deepest secret and greatest weakness. Will he be able to lay to rest his past, defeat his enemies and return to the life he has made for himself. Or will he lose everything and everyone he has come to truly care about?

Taking Hope

Fall into the looking glassEerie tales of suspense that will captivate the reader from the very first story.“Smooth entertainment from a born story-teller. Burk’s works are a pleasure to read. He gives you believable people in unbelievable circumstances. This creates an assured tone that tells you to relax, he knows what he’s doing. And you do relax, until he brings out the dentist’s drill.“For a good time, read on!” —Rob Chilson, author of Black As Blood“I truly enjoyed Jim Burk’s STRANGE TWISTS OF FATE. The word-smithing was very professional, the characters lived, and the stories themselves were a pleasure. Two of the four stories were written in the first person, in the manner of Raymond Chandler’s and Philip Marlow’s private eye stories, and Jim handled the narrative monologs exceptionally well. Very nicely done. “Now if he will just sit himself back down at the keyboard and write some more...”—John Dalmas, author of Soldiers, The Lizard War, and Three-Cornered War

Mirror, Mirror and Other Reflections

Yard Dog Press