This book is a collection of five fantasy, fiction, and science fiction stories written by Valerie Claussen, previously published on Amazon Kindle Vella. Works include all episodes of Outside the Lamp, Elven Tears, Shamrocks, Artificially Yours, and Scorned. Ms. Claussen's novels include Sustain, Heirdom, The Curse of Allston Manor, The Ambrose, and Inside Passages.
Outside the Lamp: At seventeen years old, what Avalie wants most in the world is to be with Albert. However, his father has other plans for him. To keep them apart, he imprisons the genie in a lamp. By chance, the magical object eventually finds a kindhearted human named Elijah. Together, they begin a quest in a modern world to help Avalie find Albert, let her people know of Albert's father's treachery, and search for someone to be Elijah's forever love.
Elven Tears: Elven Tears takes place when the last remaining elves on earth are stolen for their magical qualities. A rare female elf, raised in secret by human parents, is offered sanctuary by one of the royal families. Althea unwittingly falls in love with the prince in this new land, unaware the king and queen have already chosen a bride for him. To survive and find happiness, she must learn whom to trust when almost everyone has an agenda, and her tears have more value than gold.
Shamrocks: For as long as she can remember, Bree and her sister Aileen spent St.Patrick's Day week with their grandparents in Ireland for their town's annual Shamrocks festival. When Bree is finally old enough to participate in the same matchmaking game her older sister met her husband, a ferocious storm comes through the Irish community, and the event is canceled. With great love for her younger sister, Aileen does everything possible to recreate the magic of the Emerald Isle at home in America.
Artificially Yours: Instead of spending another Valentine's Day alone, a young woman joins a reality television show where the contestants compete to distinguish between a multi-billion dollar company's latest life-like robots and the humans they designed to mimic.
Scorned: After catching a young woman in an embrace with a man she claimed for herself, a vengeful witch curses her so that her lips bear the kiss of death. Afraid to become close to anyone, she swears off all men while searching for a way to break the spell. She meets an irresistible stranger with an equally terrifying secret and becomes tortured by her desire for him and the fear of getting too close
