Bøger af Erin Lee

You've seen her twist it. You know the crazy. But you haven't seen it all in one place before. Catch up on the twisted tales you may have missed along the way from International Bestselling Horror, Romance and Satire Author-Shrink Erin Lee in this limited time collection of twisted realities. More than a dozen spins on the classics, including new bonus tales, spun so crazy you won't be able to find a happy ending. Welcome to My Reality, featuring never-before released Smoldering Cinders and more, from the author who's not so sure that crazy was born in Wonderland after all...

It was as if Tendra Sinensis was born without a soul. But that couldn't be true, her parents reasoned. After all, they'd taken her to a dozen specialists to find out why she didn't cry and why she refused to be held. For years, pediatricians sent them home and told them there was nothing wrong with the little girl whose first word was "die." "You probably heard her wrong," they'd said, brushing off the worried couple. Still, her parents knew. They couldn't ignore it when Tendra threw sand in a blind girl's eyes, cackling. Sandbox brawls were only the beginning. By the time she entered high school, her parents had given up. She cut into adult life with a long resume of tools she needed: Manipulation at the top, viciousness at the bottom, lies all over. Things like computer skills were unnecessary. A woman like her could always find someone to do her bidding. That is, until Colby Vincent came along. A graduate student studying the natural habitat and benefits of insects, Colby had better things to do than listen to the brass words of a spoiled vixen. This, of course, only enticed Tendra. She was willing to do whatever it took to earn her prize. And, more importantly, keep it. But Colby has a few tricks of his own. He has learned to be cautious when dealing with the soulless...

Kelsey Rhodes has a past she'd prefers to keep hidden. After escaping an abusive relationship, she's become closed off to starting something new. She's scared for anyone getting involved in her life because her ex is convinced she belongs to him. She's moved out, started anew, but she's always looking over her shoulder. When she meets a handsome stranger, she had hope for a "maybe". Until she realizes he's teaching her math course. Even though, neither can deny their growing attraction, he shuts down the potential relationship before it can even begin. Yet, he keeps showing up. He makes sure to check on her, gets her heart racing, and piques her interest. Even with that, she can't bring herself to tell him about her ex.She doesn't want anyone's pity. She wants to move on. Too bad for her, her ex just won't let that happen. He won't rest until she's his again.

The perfect gift for the young author (ages 4 through 9) in your life! This book is for all kids who love to dream and write. It is meant for young writers to go wherever their imaginations take them. Some of its pages are intentionally blank so that children can add their own illustrations to help bring their stories to life. Younger children will need the help of an adult to fill in the words they say out loud - that's okay too! There are no rules with art, only that you open your mind to tell the story inside of you. Happy writing!

Regret Comes in Every Color of the Rainbow Based on Erin Lee's novella, Her Name Was Sam, Freak is the story of Kelly and Morgan, the mother and sister of Sam Harris, in the aftermath of her suicide. Bullied for being brave enough to show her true colors to the world, Sam has been gone exactly one year and Kelly and Morgan are left to tackle the grief that comes with regret in her absence. But Sam's story is far from over... Through the love of Willow, a teenager intent on standing up for her "Freak" best friend at all costs, Ryan is able to finally come out to family and friends. His transformation from ashamed to proud with Willow's help gives new meaning to Sam's story and how things could have been. Because love comes in all shades too.

Two hundred-plus pages of spare poetic words, straight from between the couch cushions - because, sometimes, you just have to dig for words. Words I chew on curling my tongue around them. Tart and sweet at once as I search for the perfect dash - smelling of Spring and the potential in manure. They dance in my nose, causing me to ask myself: What is it that you're craving? (A fried bologna sandwich). I am transfixed by the twists in their form. Some long and awkward, others short and to the point. A drop out poet might call them "right on." Ink stains the page in familiar patterns and I remember back to the time before I could read them. Where they were like great mysteries. Finding joy in encoding them like crosswords I play with now on Sundays with green tea, blueberries, and Life cereal. (We serve pulpy citrus juice and kisses at exactly 11 a.m.) It's then that I wonder, how did I ever live without them? They wake me in the heart of night, begging as I reach for my glasses and purple pen. Rain checking them into the page. "I can hear you. Yes, I will look you up. Yes. I will call back Monday" when the kids are off to school and the house is still. To do. To do. I finger them, chasing their strong lines and whimsy, blissful. (Never one afraid to stare out a window daydreaming). They are fuzzy and warm. They understand, agree, like childhood friends living parallel lives and hopelessly waiting for Mondays where they'll play with words... ***ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS BOOK GO TO BENEFIT MENTAL WELLNESS AND THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS***

It takes all kinds. Mixed Nuts features the salty, often crazy, short stories of multi-genre author Erin Lee. Here, readers will find a cast of quirky characters who bring salt to any situation; making you question their sanity. A therapist by day, Lee has captured the crazy human experience - penning reality one nut at a time.

The life of a circus freak ain't easy. It's especially difficult when you're part of a conjoined twin big top act where disagreements are a daily thing. It's worse when your twin is in love with a killer and you can't convince him to run the other way - even if you are the one with the legs. If you do, he'll kill you anyway. Same can be said for the guy in love who can't get a moment's privacy. All the carnie brothers ever dreamed about was being average Joe's. But sometimes, at the circus anyway, wishes can be less than magical things...

Don't tell me I'm not as American as you. Where we plant our roots: It's in the soil where we are defined, not the store from where we purchase seed. We aren't the fragile paper packages we pour spores into tired, dirty palms for planting from. We are the imperfect hopes and dreams that come only after the watering - musings of possibility. It's no different than motherhood, really. Because the truth is, no matter how a child was conceived, once we've set our minds to the nurturing, our hopes become our definition. We become what we desire the future to be. That was, and even still is, me. I refuse to give up, you see. In spite of everything. ***WHITE ANTELOPE IS THE NOVELLA-LENGTH FICTIONAL STORY OF A MUSLIM AMERICAN WOMAN FACED WITH BIGOTRY IN THE AFTERMATH OF 911 AS SHE STRUGGLES MAKE SENSE OF THINGS AND FIX HER OWN LOSSES AND GRIEF.***

What happens when the greatest show and only alien on earth collide? Meet Neptune. Born between the stars, she really had no other destiny. Tired of being a spectacle and unable to fit in with ordinary humans, Neptune finally finds a home in the circus. There, as the best-ever flying act, Neptune tries to make sense of her freaky co-workers; all of whom seem to have secrets. Will it take a natural born star from another galaxy to make things right at the circus again? Or, are some things far beyond the control of the cosmos? ***This book can be read as a standalone or part of Erin Lee's Circus Freak Series***

Spoiled plans were simply not an option for Jonah Dunn. It didn't matter that Emery Swinn, his she-devil boss, thought she could have anything she wanted by simply batting her eyes and making others do her dirty work. Jonah, who had lived enough for three lives, knew exactly what he wanted and wasn't going to let Her Highness stop him. With eyes set on rookie intern Danielle Mosley, Jonah had every intention of doing whatever it took to win her affection. But with Emery in his way and Danielle fixated on plans of her own, it wouldn't be easy. Sometimes, love and lust go bad. Greed gets in the way. With the help of Dawn Youngwood and a couple of hidden aces, he might just teach his spoiled boss and the woman he loves that making deals with the devil can only lead to one thing. It won't be pretty. It might even get ugly. But Jonah had never put much stock in appearances. He'd learned, a long time ago, that shallow women were simply rotten. He'd never make such a mistake again. This time, he would be in charge and he'd be the one teaching the final lesson.

***This book can be read as a stand alone or part of Erin Lee's Circus Freak series*** The Contortionist Book Four Circus Freak Series When you work in a travelling carnival, it's easy for things to get twisted. I'll admit it, I've got my secrets too. But it's nothing like the mutants I spend my days with. And they aren't the worst either. Sometimes, the biggest freaks of them all are the ones I sell tickets to. They come out for Sunday afternoon shows hoping to catch a glimpse of magic that doesn't really exist. They don't care that, to put on the show, there are a lot of risks. Sure, I made my choice. I came here by my own will. But ever since that day in high school shop class, I've learned there are things you have to take slow. With Bearded Martha and Cat distracted with troubles of their own, I'm not so sure what the big deal is about a five finger discount - only that I have four. My name is Leslie and I'm the carnival contortionist. It's my job to bend round and round and try not to break my back. What people don't know, is I'm twisting a whole lot more than that. And someday? All of this will be my show - if can only get away with it. It'll start with getting rid of the new girl named Neptune.

Being Martha Circus Freak Series Book Three Escape From Reality Series Book 15 ***Can be read as a standalone*** Martha knows things. For starters, she wants away from the big top. But it won't be easy. To finally be free of the circus life, she has to find herself. That will mean facing reality. And Martha, unlike the rest of the oddities, knows the truth. There are actualities that come with working in the circus: 1. You don't apply for no reason. 2. No one is who they seem. 3. It's impossible to leave unchanged. The carnival's resident bearded lady, is no different than anyone else. With secrets to hide, she roams the travelling circus grounds at night searching. Living as a freak show spectacle under the lights is old. When darkness falls, she is fully herself but risks someone finding her out. Clinging to a secret identity, can Martha hang on to her skeletons and retire circus life undiscovered? Or will she be exposed for her true curiosity? Being Martha is the horrific story of a anomaly searching to find herself in a place where the show must go on.

Stephen T. Morrison was an ordinary father who wore sensible shoes every day to a job he couldn't stand. It was no different than his marriage - something he did because it was "the right thing to do." Day in and day out, things were the same. The only highlight to his day was messages from the meaningless fling he called Baby Girl; a woman he'd finally broken vows for just to feel alive. It-and she-didn't matter, really. His wife, Kathy, had checked out of the marriage years ago and Stephen was just biding his time. All he could do was try to get his boy-crazy daughter Lizzie to stay on track, graduate high school and avoid the fashion career his wife insisted upon. It was only a few more years, he reasoned. Then, he'd finally be free. Until one day. The day Stephen receives a phone call from the state police is the day that everything changes. With nothing left to lose and Lizzie forever gone, Stephen decides to finally take matters into his own hands and force justice upon those who he believes are responsible for his beloved daughter's death. Stephen is, after all, a very patient man. For twenty-four years, he's learned to keep his mouth shut and nod his head. Not anymore. Still-a coy man-revenge won't be swift or even humane with Stephen in the driver's seat. Instead, like the injustices done to his daughter, karma will be well contrived, humiliating and precise. Stephen is now determined to become anything but the ordinary man wearing sensible shoes and the one Baby Girl calls a "square." With nothing left to lose, he's determined to set karma free in the name of his daughter. It'll start with the ones who call themselves "princesses." Soon, they will learn: You never mess with Daddy's Girl.

Let's get a few THINGS straight. You made up your mind about me and my son Jimmie the day some prude, who got what she deserved, told you to. Silly you. Cause I'm not Beverly. And I'm not my son either. I'm Momma. And that's just gonna have to be good enough for you. Cause serial killers don't grow on trees, you know. You have to plant them.

Fix Me By EL George, author of Goodbye Unicorns "Why can't you fix me, Mommy? You always do. You're the only one who fixes me." "Hush." Hush was the word from my favorite bedtime song. It was the one where Mommy promised to give me the world and never, ever let anyone hurt me. But Mockingbirds did sing. I'd heard them. And I was too young for a diamond ring anyway. All I wanted was for her to fix me ... again. This time was different. This time, Mommy didn't bring me to the doctors where they'd give me stickers and take my blood. This time, she said I wasn't sick enough. Mommy looked sad. She wanted me to fix her. I knew there was only one way to do that so I forced out a cough. She smiled. "Can you fix me, Mommy?" "Yes. I'm the only one." She pulled out the blue stuff that tasted like the car wash. I wanted to throw up but smiled anyway. Anything to make Mommy happy. *** Fix Me is the story of a little girl named Josephine who only has one wish: To be normal like the other kids and not have to repeat another year of school for too many medical absences. But to get there, it will take making her mother-a sufferer of caregiver fabricated syndrome-healthy again. Josephine after all, is the only one who can pull it off - if time doesn't run out for her first...

"Goodbye, unicorns." "What?" My heart dropped. "What?" was a stupid question. I knew exactly what she meant. Still, it was hardly the kind of thing I expected to hear a seven-year-old girl mumble as she headed out her bedroom door for what would probably be the last time. To an onlooker, it might make sense. Her room was, in fact, a pink and purple web of horned horses she'd spent more than half her life believing in. But I knew the rest of the story. And her words told me this was worse than a kid finding out about Santa. 'Goodbye unicorns' wasn't happening. Not on my watch. The true story of a little girl looking to find a new faith in the world after losing her mother to the drug epidemic, Goodbye Unicorns is a story of love, loss, rebuilding, and what it takes to restore magic for a kid has no reason to believe it exists... Could you have faith again?

One woman and the five men who loved her. It didn't sound so unusual. The only problem? They were all, and currently, married to her. Meet the fools: Our wife is a lot of things. I'd waste the day and even more time if I attempted to list them. But the one thing she isn't is a quitter. To her, divorce is failure. It's taken more than a year and a shit ton of therapy with Dr. Nora Cunningham to figure out that Apryl is a love addict and, frankly, so am I. In the end, it's neither here nor there. I just need Apryl to sign those papers so I can move on with my freaking life. It doesn't make it easy that I just can't seem to shake her. - Ethan Someone ought to erect a warning sign. I'd do it myself, but it's not like anyone from three states away would even listen to me. I'm the fool who fell for it first. And Apryl? Well, she's just plain tricky. - Ray I wasn't exactly in a great state of mind when I met her. I was convinced I'd spend my life alone. I've never been lucky in love. That saying about the nice guy finishing last should have had my name on it. - Bobby Those huge black eyes, which sucked me right in. Like black holes, I lost myself in them every time she looked at me with the stupid pouty lips. - John Why is she even talking to me? I could never get a woman like this. - Kevin

Sometimes, the truth hurts. And, when it comes to abuse and bullying, victims and survivors can be faced with huge obstacles. Here, in 'The Truth Hurts, ' three young adults work to overcome obstacles too many face. ***This book is a full-length collection of Erin Lee's works: award-winning 'When I'm Dead, ' 'Take Me As I Am' and 'Her Name Was Sam.' All three books are based on actual events.***

Violet Hoffman is a planner. She's had more than enough time-especially on holidays-to think this through. There's really no point in turning back. Now, armed with a plan, Violet only needs to pull the trigger. She runs through her list of essentials: Motel room, check. Bottle of pills, check. Razor blades, check. Purpose, check. Knife? Yup. Voice ready to be heard. Got it. Revenge, coming right up. Violet is ready. After all, she decides, everyone is born for a reason. For most of her life, she's been different. Since she was nine years old, she's carried a secret that made it impossible for her to be normal. For a decade, she's been torn between loyalties and healing. But now, finally an adult, Violet can let it all out. And it isn't going to be pretty. But then again, being 'pretty' and 'special' really aren't what they're cracked up to be. When I'm Dead is the story of an eighteen-year-old abuse victim alienated by her family. Ignored by a faulty system and shuffled from placement to placement, Violet is finally old enough to be heard. Sometimes, the best messages are given without words. And Violet's always been a person of action. Where will Violet's plan and actions take her? Will she finally get her message across? What will they think of her, when she's dead? Will they even notice?

No Shame Jayne has hidden behind a disfiguring facial birthmark. Nothing has helped to overcome a scar she cannot hide from. Tortured by peers, and even in her adult life, Jayne has finally accepted the hand she's been dealt. She's vowed never to let anyone under her skin again. Trust is for the foolish. Until Larry. Larry has lived the life most people would dream of. A football star who spends his free time at the gym, people view him as perfect. But Larry, diagnosed with a debilitating disease, knows better. He will not accept a future of relying on others and pledges to do something about it while he still can. He refuses to be fooled by "friends." Until Jayne. Bonded by fear of the future, Larry and Jayne have nothing to lose. They agree to teach lessons to people who have, or will, hurt them. Together, they promise to help karma stamp its justice. The rules will be simple: No regret. No excuses. No shame.

We all do it. It's part of what makes us human. There are names for it - jealousy, envy, and sometimes even greed. We daydream about what someone else has. We convince ourselves that things would be better if we were someone else altogether...The grass is always greener, we believe. Or is it? For Caroline, being left alone would be everything. She's had enough of doctors and nurses telling her how to live because of a mistake she made as a kid. The idea of another shrink makes her cringe. Yet, she doesn't have a choice. Not if she wants to keep living on the outside. For Nora, being seen would mean the world. It's been years since she's had a hot shower without sneaking around but no one notices. No one cares to ask. It's her job to smile, pretend everything is great and ask them about their days instead. And for Dennis, the ability not to care at all would solve his difficulties. If only he could stop worrying about what people thought of him. To live authentically would make things so much easier. He could finally close the door to his past. Three people with entirely different problems and one thing in common: They are trapped with a need to escape. Ironic, when Escape, Colorado is exactly the place tourists expect to find their own escapes. But then, the tourists are human too... The grass is always greener?

The Ten Golden Rules: They are simple. Do not mistake humble for weak, nor meek for frail. Don't confuse empathy with stupidity, or honesty with foolhardiness. At no time underestimate the power of gratitude. Always be appreciative and sincere. Forever hold true the virtues of integrity and patience. Never assume. *** The Ten Rules of Karma: They are certain. Expectations based on pretenses often come with a price tag too high for even the loftiest of egos. Arrogance is certain to find its way back to powerlessness. Those who put themselves first always die unaided, afraid, and eventually overlooked. Honor comes not with manipulation or forced servitude. What you give is what you receive tenfold. Truth is in action and intention alone. *** The Word: The meek shall inherit the earth. Or so they said...

"My name was Beverly Watkins. I was 27 years old the day I died at the hands of a serial killer named Jimmie Putnam. I was the cherry on top of his twisted ice cream. I was the one he called fifteen." Thing Fifteen is a stand alone novella with ties to Erin Lee's Just Things: Diary of a Serial Killer. This Escape From Reality Series novella details how Jimmie collected and kept his fifteenth - and favorite - victim.

A happy bride-to-be has just about everything she needs for her wedding. And what better place to get married than Happy Endings Resort, where residents are always looking for an excuse to throw a good party? Hunkered down in a place where every day is an adventure, she relies on the generosity of Happy Ending residents to bring her childhood dreams to fruition. But when a surprise package arrives, plans go astray; causing her to question not only her own relationship but everyone around her too. What do you do when everything around you turns blue? Is it possible to overcome even the tiniest of secrets?

Step into the madness... My name is Samantha. In theory, or Hebrew or even Aramaic it means "God heard" or "Listener." Epic, really, considering I've never believed in God and that I'd rather poke my ear drums out with dull spoons than listen to the daily yammering around this place. I've never been a listener. Truth is, I take after my mother, who'd also rather be on stage. I guess that comes natural when you grow up as a side show act in a freaky-assed carnival. But I'm getting ahead of myself. People call me Cat, and, yes, with a C, not a K. Cat as in feline. Of course, I set myself up for that with 29 cat tattoos and the three Sphynx princesses who live with me in my trailer - the same rusted thing I travel in as we move from town to town with the carnival no one can seem to get enough of. Their names are Prune, Pixie and Penelope because I have a thing for P's. Truthfully, they get me through long and smelly days of people gawking at 3-feet-six-inch tall freaky me. Secretly, I like it that people stare at them too. It takes the attention off my vertical challenges and secret-keeping black eyes. It's not that I don't enjoy being the center of attention from time to time. I mean, I do. I just don't like it for the wrong reasons - like my missing hand from the idiot who thought she was cute on the Ferris wheel when I was two. I sort of have a lot to hide. We'd best start with the things I can tell you about - the same things you probably paid to see. I have two belly-button piercings - one on the top and one on the bottom. Sometimes, I run string through the hoops and tie them together when I'm bored. The feline princesses like to bat at them and I enjoy the pain of it. I travel around the circus on a mini-bike. Apparently, it's quite a sight to see. If anyone bothered to ask me about dreams of mine, I'd say I'd wish to grow tall to buy a Harley and get the hell out of here. But that isn't going to happen and I'm a realist. Still, I like being able to ride the bike around. It saves me from being tripped over or stepped on by giant cotton-candy grubbing monsters who refuse to look down because God-forbid there's a freak circus in town. Either way? I can promise you one thing: Everything is about to change. I refuse to spend even one more day as an ordinary circus freak... ***This book can be read as part of the full ESCAPE FROM REALITY SERIES or as a stand alone***

Ahha (Anna) Antipova was four the day her strung-out mother left her and her brother on the side of the road. After a year in a Russian orphanage, the siblings were brought to America by English-speaking people who promised a safe, forever family. Learning a new language and culture was nothing to Anna, who grew into an overachiever in a family with strict rules around biological verses adopted children. The primary caretaker to her adoptive parents' blood children, Anna spent most of her teen years doing anything she could to please her parents. In fact, she excelled in everything she touched. Abram went the other way, stirring up trouble and expecting his younger sister to clean up his messes. She didn't mind, it was only another year or two, Anna reasoned. Besides, he's all I have. Until one day... Two weeks before high school graduation, Anna laid in an emergency room surrounded by strangers. With permanent scars at the hands of her adoptive mother, she needed to escape a home that was no longer safe. The problem was, she was only sixteen. A minor with no legal rights to emancipate herself, Anna struggled to find a way out. Counting on the kindness of strangers, Anna found herself desperate to find a true forever home, but it was not easy. Is it possible to trust when every adult in your life has hurt you? Or are some scars just too deep to heal? Will it take going back to the beginning to find out? Or, could forever already be here? Is it possible to EVER truly escape?

"Have you ever been in the mood for ice cream? Like really in the mood? You can't explain why that craving comes on. You can't control it, even if you wanted to. You can't sleep, even at two in the morning, until you get it. So you put on your sneakers . . . Killing is like that for me. Fear is ice cream. Terror is the jimmies on top. Tonight, I'm in the mood for mint chocolate chip with hot fudge. Care to join me? (You could be the cherry on top)."

Sandra lacked the tools to identify a scorned soul when doctors handed her a perfect rosy bundle. She had no clue that her progeny, called Lilith, was actually a demon set on reclaiming her rightful companion. As years passed, the humble woman did her best to ignore doubts that crawled at her like the insects Lilith's angelic lover obsessed over. Even then, she wanted to believe she was wrong and that Lilly was merely peculiar. But in the City of Eden, where all things seemed to begin and end, nothing was ever that simple.In truth, Sandra knew. She couldn't ignore it when her cunning spawn cut into adult life with a long resume of tools: Manipulation at the top, viciousness at the bottom, lies all over. Ordinary skills were unnecessary. Lilly could always find someone to do her bidding. A woman like Lilith didn't need a helpful companion. She was nothing to the mortal she'd been created for. Neither was the woman, and Lilith's nemesis, who'd come after her - Eve.***Adam, an athletic blond-haired graduate student studying the natural habitat of insects, had better things to do than listen to the brass words of a spoiled vixen like Lilly. This, of course, only enticed her. Lilith was willing to do whatever it took to earn her destiny. And, more importantly, this time, keep him in spite of Eve. But Adam had a few tricks of his own. He had learned to be cautious when dealing with temptation. Now, he merely sought a suitable helper. In the City of Eden, where all things are created, everything is possible.There was only one thing no creator had ever accounted for: The vengeance of a determined temptress and the blurred turns of time to identify exactly who was who. Free will is for both angels and demons too.

Emmalee Harrison has been in all the wrong relationships. Her past is nothing she wants to talk about. She thought she finally got it right when she got involved with Riley Torres, a "nice" guy who was only trying to protect her when he lingered just a little too long. At first, it was cute - the way he checked up on her. She loved how he defended her, even against her sister Abby, who could be a bit of a meddler. He made her feel important when he stayed up waiting for her to return from exam study groups. It was sweet. Until, it wasn't anymore. Isolated from friends and family who'd tried to warn her and scared that Riley might try something stupid, Emma must face the truth about the guy she gave her heart to. Or, maybe she could change him... All she wanted was a happy ending. Would she need his permission for that too? This novella is a quick, one setting read perfect for anyone struggling with domestic violence and/or trying to figure out whether or not to leave an abusive relationship.