Order Once Upon A Time Here

The title story finds an American couple and their two children on the shores of Loch Ness searching for the elusive sea monster, "Nessie." Later, looking for lodging for the evening they happen upon a Inn far off the tourist path. During the night, the husband and the hostess of the inn meet in a fantasy world. Or is it reality?

Next is an outlandish dinner party for the ridiculously rich wherein the hostess tries for ecorum while her guests speculate on the subject of best lovers. But once the guests leave a surprise awaits the reader.

In the third story a high school student develops a friendship with a girl who, like himself, doesn't fit into the school's social life. She is a few years older and far wiser in the ways of the world. Together, and by chance, they experience life and love in a way neither ever expected.

The fourth story begins on a train from Paris when an American traveler discovers two Southern female lawyers who failed to have the good time they expected in France. With the time that's left on their journey - to the ferry taking them to Calais and on to England - and with the male traveler as culinary guide, the threesome set about making up for lost opportunities.

The fifth story is pure fantasy that has fun with the current fascination for manifesting your own reality; a young woman recalls one of her own experiences -- how she managed to wake up one morning in bed with a very famous actor.

The sixth story was inspired by and takes some liberties with Shaw's play "Candida." A popular and socially conscientious minister becomes suspicious of his spirited and independent young wife after catching a hint of a man's aftershave lotion on her shoulders, a lotion the minister himself wore when he was much younger. Before eventually forcing the issue, the minister tries to get at the truth without altering the image he assumes his wife has of him.

The final story is bit darker and deeper than the other stories that are more light-hearted and humorous takes on relationships. In this story, a wine salesman becomes intrigued by an older man who always dined at the best restaurants with three very attractive women -- always three and rarely the same women. After getting to know one of the women, the wine salesman learns the true story behind the collector of women as the story itself unfolds with the three principles playing out an unexpected destiny.