It was requested that I explain the last statement Chi makes(koi no yokan). I felt it was best left untranslated, but please feel free to look it up. More on that will develop in future books. Try not not to dislike her too much—everything has a reason and everything is connected.
With each book, I want to introduce you to different elements of the world Monty & Strong inhabit, slowly revealing who they are and why they make the choices they do. Many times you will feel like Simon, a little out of depth. That’s intentional, because we’ve all had experiences where we didn’t know what was going on. Simon lives that everyday. He deals with it by being a smart ass and occasionally speaking before he thinks. If you want to know how they met, that story is in NO GOD IS SAFE, which is a short, explaining how Tristan and Simon worked their first case.
There are some references you will understand and some…you may not. This may be attributable to my age (I’m older than Monty, or feel that way most mornings) or to my love of all things sci-fi and fantasy. As a reader, I’ve always enjoyed finding these “Easter Eggs” in the books I read. I hope you do too. These references occur spontaneously(Chapter 34…again)and I barely have control of where they will pop up. If there is a reference you don’t get, feel free to email me and I will explain it…maybe. Bribing with coffee and chocolate has been known to work wonders.
You will notice that Simon is still a smart-ass (deserving a large head smack) snark, and many times, he’s clueless about what’s going on. He’s also acquired, in addition to more spells (an anemic magic missile and deathane sausage), dragonblood. What will happen when he tries using magic will be hilarious and dangerous. There is more of that to come in the next books. He still needs tons of practice and maybe a basement of his own to blow up.
Simon is slowly wrapping his head around the world of magic, but it’s a vast universe and he has no map. Bear with him—he’s still new to the immortal, magical world he’s been delicately shoved into. Fortunately, he has Monty, Peaches, Dex, LD, TK, and Chi to nudge (or blast) him in the right direction. Each book will reveal more about their backgrounds and lives before they met. Rather than hit you with a whole history, I want you to learn about them slowly, the way we do with a person we just met—over time (and many large cups of Deathwish Coffee).
Thank you for taking the time to read this book. I wrote it for you and I hope you enjoyed spending a few more hours getting in (and out of) trouble with the Trio of Terror. If you really enjoyed this story, I need you to do me a HUGE favor— Please leave a review. It’s really important and helps the book (and me). Plus, it means Peaches gets new reinforced titanium alloy chew toys, besides my arms, legs, and assorted furniture to shred. And I get to keep him at normal size (most of the time). He’s also thinking of getting Rags some toys and we have to help him impress her. She has very high standards and only the best will do.
We want to help Peaches, don’t we?
Special Mentions
Larry & Tammy-WOUF: Because you are ever present.
Tammy:because some things are Nanatacular and if not they are certainly Dexciting!
Tammy: because no one really wants to ride the lightning.
Tomorrow is never here, after all.
Tammy: because TK is the bogeyman’s bogeyman.
Tammy: that magic-imbued slap of healing because stupidity should hurt.
Tammy: because zillerfrying is much more intense than zillerfying
Marc & Gemma: For places Monty & Simon can visit…and destroy.
The M&S Effect is just like the Butterfly Effect, but with destruction.
Marc: there’s no truth to the rumor that the latin means: “Where we go destruction follows.”
Marc: for suggesting the recap be done by Peaches.
Dan: for Tropical Fruit Bubbilicious, and by default, Hubba Bubba and Skittles…see what you started?
Beth: remember investigate is just another word for demolish.
Chris: for dance of the Mage…everybody dies.
Earl: for the Dark Goat’s color…infrablack is perfect.
Kirsten BW: for quanked…challenge accepted!
Anthony: for the Emergency DGAS Attack LMAO…those things can be deadly!
Dolly: for koi no yokan to describe Simon and Chi.
Orlando A. Sanchez
www.orlandoasanchez.com
Orlando has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in creating scenarios for playing Dungeon and Dragons with his friends every weekend. The worlds of his books are urban settings with a twist of the paranormal lurking just behind the scenes and generous doses of magic, martial arts, and mayhem. He currently resides in Queens, NY with his wife and children and can often be found lurking in the local coffee shops where most of his writing is done.
Bitten Peaches Publishing
Thanks for Reading
If you enjoyed this book, would you please leave a review at the site you purchased it from? It doesn’t have to be long… just a line or two would be fantastic and it would really help me out.
Bitten Peaches Publishing offers more books by this author. From science fiction & fantasy to adventure & mystery, we bring the best stories for adults and kids alike.
www.BittenPeachesPublishing.com
More books by Orlando A. Sanchez
The Warriors of the Way
The Karashihan*•The Spiritual Warriors•The Ascendants•The Fallen Warrior•The Warrior Ascendant•TheMaster Warrior
John Kane
The Deepest Cut*•Blur
Sepia Blue
The Last Dance*•Rise of the Night•Sisters•Nightmare
Chronicles of the Modern Mystics
The Dark Flame•A Dream of Ashes
Montague & Strong Detective Agency Novels
Tombyards & Butterflies•Full Moon Howl•Blood is Thicker•Silver Clouds Dirty Sky•Homecoming•Dragons & Demigods•Bullets & Blades•Hell Hath No Fury•Reaping Wind
Montague & Strong Detective Agency Stories
No God is Safe•The Date•The War Mage•A Proper Hellhound
Brew & Chew Adventures
Hellhound Blues
Night Warden Novels
Wander•ShadowStrut
Division 13
The Operative•The Magekiller
Blackjack Chronicles
The Dread Warlock
The Assassins Apprentice
The Birth of Death
*Books denoted with an asterisk are FREE via my website—www.orlandoasanchez.com
Acknowledegements
With each book, I realize that every time I learn something about this craft, it highlights so many things I still have to learn. Each book, each creative expression, has a large group of people behind it.
This book is no different.
Even though you see one name on the cover, it is with the knowledge that I am standing on the shoulders of the literary giants that informed my youth and am supported by my generous readers who give of their time to jump into the adventures of my overactive imagination.
I would like to take a moment to express my most sincere thanks:
To my Tribe: You are the reason I have stories to tell. You cannot possibly fathom how much and how deeply I love you all.
To Lee: Because you were the first audience I ever had. I love you, sis.
To the Logsdon Family: The words, thank you are insufficient to describe the gratitude in my heart for each of you. JL, your support always demands I bring my best, my A-game, and produce the best story I can. You, Lorelei(my Uber Jeditor) and now Audrey(my new Uber Editor), are the reason I am where I am today. Thank you for the notes, challenges, corrections, advice, and laughter. Your patience is truly infinite. Arigatogozaimasu.
To The Montague & Strong Case Files Group—AKA The MoB (Mages of Badassery): When I wrote T&B, there were fifty-five members in The MoB. As of this release there are over one-thousand members in the MoB. I am honored to be able to call you my MoB Family. Thank you for being part of this gr
oup and M&S. You make this possible. THANK YOU.
To the WTA—The Incorrigibles: JL, Ben Z., Eric QK., and S.S.
They sound like a bunch of badass misfits, because they are. My exposure to the deranged and deviant brain trust you all represent helped me be the author I am today. I have officially gone to the dark side thanks to all of you. I humbly give you my thanks, and…it’s all your fault.
To The English Advisory: Aaron, Penny, Carrie and all of the UK MoB. For all things English…thank you.
To DEATH WISH COFFEE: This book (and every book I write) has been fueled by generous amounts of the only coffee on the planet (and in space) strong enough to power my very twisted imagination. Is there any other coffee that can compare? I think not. DEATH WISH-thank you!
To Deranged Doctor Design: Kim, Darja, Tanja, and Milo.
If you’ve seen the covers of my books and been amazed, you can thank the very talented and gifted creative team at DDD. They take the rough ideas I give them, and produce incredible covers that continue to surprise and amaze me. Each time, I find myself striving to write a story worthy of the covers they produce. DDD, you embody professionalism and creativity. Thank you for the great service and spectacular covers. YOU GUYS RULE!
To you, the reader: I was always taught to save the best for last. I write these stories for you. Thank you for jumping down the rabbit holes of what if? with me. You are the reason I write the stories I do. You keep reading…I’ll keep writing. Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Contact Me
I really do appreciate your feedback. You can let me know what you thought of the story by emailing me at:
[email protected]
To get FREE stories, please visit my page at:
www.orlandoasanchez.com
For more information on Monty, Strong, Peaches, and the Orlandoverse of characters…come join the MoB Family on Facebook!
You can find us at:
Montague & Strong Case Files
If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review! They really help the book and help other readers find good stories to read. THANK YOU!
ART SHREDDERS
No book is the work of one person. I am fortunate enough to have an amazing team of advance readers and shredders. They give their time and keen eyes to provide notes, insight, and corrections (dealing wonderfully with my dreaded comma allergy). They help make every book and story go from good to great. Each and every one of you helped make this book fantastic.
THANK YOU
ART SHREDDERS
Alisia S. Amy R. Anne M. Audra V. M. Audrey C. Barbara H. Bennah P. Bethany S. Beverly C. Brett W. Cam S. Carrie Anne O. Cassandra H. Cat. Chris C II. Claudia L-S. Colleen T. Dana A. Daniel P. Darren M. Davina N. Dawn McQ. M. Denise K. Diana G. Diane K. Dolly S. Donna Y H. Dorothy MPG. Elizabeth. Hal B. Helen D. Jeem. Jen C. Jennifer H. Joscelyn S. Julie P. Justin B. Karen H. Karen H. Larry Diaz T. Laura Cadger R. Laura T. Lesley S. LZ. Malcolm R. Mary Anne P. MaryAnn S. Maryelaine E-F. Melody DeL. Mike H. Missy B. Natalie F. Nick C. Patricia O’N. Penny C-M. RC B. Rene C. Rob H. Sara Mason B. Shanon O.B. Sharon H. Shawnie N. Stacey S. Stephanie C. Stephen B. Sue W. Susie J. Tami C. Tammy Ashwin K. Tammy T. Tanya A. Ted C. Tehrene H. Terri A. Tom D. Tommy O. Tracey M.C. Wanda C-J. Wendy S. Zak K.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
© 2019 Orlando A. Sanchez
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Published by: Bitten Peaches Publishing
Cover Art: Deranged Doctor Design www.derangeddoctordesign.com
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