When someone finally pulled the gunnysack off Father Ray Marotta's head, the first thing he thought was, "Let there be light."

And there was. And it wasn't good at all.

Ranging from the farthest reaches of outer space to the chilly shores of England, Random Realities offers ten tales that cheerfully romp across space, time, and a wide variety of genres.

Featuring an introduction by the award-winning writer Jana Oliver, this collection includes a disturbing take on the future of acting ("Star Quality"), a bubba-heavy paranormal black comedy that was on the 2007 Nebula Award long list ("The Padre, the Rabbi, and the Devil His Own Self"), and a flamboyant riff on 50's space opera that predates Captain Jack Harkness by two years ("Lusts of the Cat Queen: a Dash Manning Adventure").

In addition to previously published material, Random Realities also includes two never-before published stories; a dark look at a loveless queen ("All on a Summer's Day"), and two dear friends spending their final days together ("The Quiet Sound of Bees). Enjoy!

• Lost in Whitby
• All on a Summer's Day
• Happily Ever After
• Think Small
• It Takes Brains to Run a Con
• The Padre, the Rabbi, and the Devil His Own Self
• Tides
• Star Quality
• The Quiet Sound of Bees
• Lusts of the Cat Queen: a Dash Manning Adventure